Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1907-07-04
CHAPTER XIV.

ou has return 10 the Md4SlOl the cdpd-
taz did not see his master at which he
was extremely pleased. for he desired to
delay as long as possible an explanation
which, in spite of the wound he so com
placently displayed, he feared would turn
out to his disadvantage; especially when
questioned by a man like the general,
whose piercing glance would descend to
the bottom Of his heart to discover the
truth, however cleyerly hidden it might
be behind a network of falsehoods.
= only few hours had still to elapse
before the explosion of the conspiracy.
arranged with such care and mystery, the
general was compelled for while to sus-
pend his schemes for the satisfaction of
his love and hatred, and only attend to
those in which his ambition was engaged.
The principal conspirators had been sum
moned to Colonel Lupos, and there the
final arrangements had been made for the
morrow, and the watchword given.
Although the government appeared
plunged in the most profound ignorance
OF what was preparing against it, and
eVlnced complete security, still the Presi-
dent had made certain arrangements for
the morrow's ceremonies which did not
fall greatly to trouble the men interested
IN knowing everything, and to whom the
apparently most futile thing naturally
created umbrage.
The general, with the curiosity that
distinguished him, was anxious to know
exactly the extent of the danger he had
to meet, and proceeded to the palace,
merely accompanied by his two aides-de-
camp. He was too calm to let his feel
ings be seen. He pretended to be delight
ed, remained for some time with the
President, who appeared to treat him
with a friendly familiarity, complained
of the rarity of his visits, and his OBJ
stinacy in not asking for a command.
Still the general remarked that all the
courts were stuffed with soldiers, who
were bivouacking in the open air that
several guns had been placed. accident
ally. perhaps, so as to sweep complete
ly the chief entrance gate, and, more seri-
Gus still, that the troops CHARTERED in
the palace We're commanded by officers
who were strangers to him. and who had,
moreover, the reputation of being devoted
to the President of the Republic.
After this daring visit, the general
mounted his horse, and under the pre-
text of going for a walk, went all over
the city. Everywhere the preparations
for the coming festival were being car
ried on with the greatest activity. MI
merous wooden erections, raised for the
occasion, filled the space usually devoted
to tauromachy, and formed an immense
hall of verdure. with pleasant clumps of
trees, mysterious walks and charming re-
treats prepared with the greatest care,
where everybody would go on the morrow
to eat the atrocious productions of the
Mexican art of cookery
Exactly in the center of the square a
Necatitlan tree about twenty feet in
height was planted, with its branches
and leaves entirely covered with colored
pocket handkerchiefs that foated in the
breeze. This tree was the Monte Par
nasso, intended to serve as a may pole for
the lepercs at the moment when the bull
fights begin, and a trial bull, emballado-
that is to say, with its horns terminating
in balls, is let into the ring.
All the pulquerias near the square were
filled with hideous, ragged mob. who
howled, sang, shouted and whist1ed their
loudest
In all the streets the procession would
pass through the houses were decorated :;
Mexican flags were hoisted in profusion
at every spot where they could be dis
played and yet, by the side of all these
holiday preparations, there was, we re-
peat, something gloomy and menacing
that struck chill to the heart Through
all the gates fresh troops continually en-
tered the city, and occupied admirably
chosen strategic points.
When serious event is preparing,
there are in the atmosphere certain signs
which never deceive the fosterers of rev.
olutions; a vague and apparently cause
less anxiety seizes on the masses, and IN
consciously converts their joy into a spe-
cieS of feveriSh excitement, at which they
are themselves startled, as they know not
to what to attribute this change in their
humor
Hence the population of Mexico, mad,
merry and joyous as usual when a fes-
tival is preparing, in the eyes of short
sighted persons, were in reality sternIy
sad and suffering from great anxiety. The
general did not fail to observe these prog
nostics; gloomy presentiments occupied
his mind. for he understood that a ter
rible tempest was hidden beneath this fc-
titious calmness. Valentines gloomy pre-
dictions required to him. He trembled
to see the hunters menaces realized: and.
though unable to discover when the dan
ger would come. he foresaw that a great
peril was hanging over his head: and that
his ambitious projects would soon. per-
haps, be drowned in floods of blood.
Unfortunately, it was too late to desist :;
he must, whatever might happen, go on
to the end, for he had not the time to
give counter orders, and urge the con-
spirators to defer the explosion of the
plot till more favorable moment Hence.
after ripe reflection, the general resolved
to push on. and trust to accident Am
bilious men, by the way, reckon far more
than is supposed on hazard and those
magnificent combinations which are adj
mired when success has crowned them,
are most frequently merely the unfore-
seen results of fortuitous circumstances
completely beyond the will of the man
whom they have profted.
The general returned to his house at
about 6 in the evening, despairing, and
already seeing his plans annihilated. The
report of his capataz added to his dis
enlargement, for it was the drop of
wormwood which makes the brimful cup
run over. He withdrew TO his apart
ments in a state of dull fury, and in his
impotent rage accused himself for having
ventured into this frightful situation, for
he felt himself rapidly gliding down
fatal slope, where it would be impossi-
BILE for him TO StOD
What added to his secret agony was
that he must necessarily send off couriers,
receive reports, talk with his confdants,
and feign in their presence not merely
calmness and gaiety, but also encourage
them, and impart TO them an ardor and
hope which he no longer possessed
The whole night was spent thus. 4
terrible night, during which the general
endured all the tortures that assail an
ambitious man on the eve of a scandal
Gus plot against a government which he
has sworn to defend.
Sunrise surprised the general giving
his final orders. Worn out by the fatigue
of a long watch, with pallid brow. and
eyes infamed by fever, he tried to take
L