Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1907-09-27

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Let me, In the first place, thank you,
for the punctuality with which
you have responded to the meeting had
the honor Of arranging with you. I am
delighted at the confidence 1t has pleased
you to display in me, and, believe me,
shall show myself worthy of It; for It
proves to me once again that you are
really devoted to the interests Of our
country and that may freely reckon on
you In the hour Of danger. You under
stand a. well as do that we can no
longer bow our necks beneath our dis
potic government. The man who at this,
moment holds our destinies In his hands
has shown himself unworthy Of his man
date. The hour will soon strike for the
man who has deceived US to be over
thrown"
The colonel had made start, and
would probably have continued his plaus-
ible speech for a long time in an en-
phatic voice, had not one Of his audience
interrupted him:
THAT is all very fine, colonel" he said,
we are all aware that we are gentlemen
devoted, body and soul, to our country;
but devotion must be paid for. What
shall we get by this after allf"
The colonel was at hrst slightly en-
barrnssed by this warm apostrophe; but
he recovered himself at once, and turned
with a smile to his interpreter:
II was coming to It, my dear captain,
at the very moment when you cut across
my speech"
"Oh, that is different" the captain an
swered.
"In the first place." the colonel went
on, II have news for you which I feel
assured you will heartily welcome. This
Is the last time we shall meet"
VERY good" said the practical cap
tain.
The colonel saw that he could no long
er daily with the matter, for all his hear
ers openly took part with their COM
rade. At the moment when he resolved
to tell all he knew, the door Of the inn
was opened, and a man wrapped n q
large cloak quickly entered the room pre-
ceded BY the Alferez Don Sirven, who
shouted in loud voice:
The general Caballeros, the general"
At this announcement silence was re-
established as IL by enchantment. The
person called the general stopped In the
middle of the room, looked around him,
and then took off his hat, let his cloak
fall from his shoulders, and appeared in
the full dress uniform of a general Off
Ger.
Long live Gen. Guerrero" the officers
shouted as they rose enthusiastically.
Thanks, gentlemen, thanks" the gen.
eral responded with numerous bows.
This warm feeling fills me with delight
but pray be silent, chat we may properly
settle the matter which has brought us
here moments are precious, and, In spite
of the precautions we have taken, your
presence at this inn may have been de-
nounced. l will come at once to facts,
without entering into idle speculations,
which would cause us to waste valuable
time. In a word, then, what is it we
wantf To overthrow the present govern
ment, and establish another more In con-
formity with our opinions, and, above all,
our interests"
Yes, yes," the officers exclaimed.
"In that case we are conspiring against
the established authority, and are rebels
in the eyes of the law" the general con.
tinued coolly and distinctly; ''as such we
stake our heads. If our attempt fails
we shall be pitilessly shot by the victor
but we shall not fall" he hastily added
because we are resolutely playing ter.
rible game, and each of us knows that his
fortune deends on winning.
YES, yes," the captain whose observa--
tions had, previous to the generals ar.
rival so greatly embarrassed the colonel
said, "all that is very fine; but we were
promised something else in your name, ex.
cellency."
The general smiled.
you are right, captain" he remarked
but intend to keep all promises but
not, as you might reasonably suppose
when our glorious enterprise has sue.
ceeded."
when then, pray?" the captain asked
curiously.
"At once, senores," the general e1.
claimed.
Joy and astonishment SO paralyzed his
hearers that they were unable to utter a
syllable. The general looked at them for
moment, and then, turning away with
mocking smile, he walked to the front
door, which he opened. The officers eag.
erly watched his movements, and the gen.
eral, after looking out coughed twice.
"Here am, excellency," voice said
issuing from the fog.
Bring in the bags Don Sebastian
ordered, and then quietly returned to the
middle Of the room.
Almost immediately after man enter.
ed, bearing a heavy leather saddlebag. II
was Carnero. AT a signal from his mas.
ter he deposited his bundle and went out
but returned shortly after with another
bag, which he placed by the side Of the
first one. Then, after bowling to his mas.
ter he withdrew.
The general opened the bags, and a
food Of gold poured in trickling cas-.
cade on the table; the officers instructive.
| ly held out their uuiyerinr hands