The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-12-31
THE EVENING STORY
The AIcantariIIa Perfecto.
(By F. A. Collins.)

profound faith in his Judgment of a
cigar Pepe Nnuez had retained few
precious possessions from his share of
the fortune made by his grandfather
in Cuban sugar and tobacco.
Pepe, the favorite grandson of the
founder of the house, had grown up
very extensively. exercising his talents
mainly in acquiring that profound
which he is renowned in the Spanish
colony.
When his 'motherless daughter,
Ariella, attained her eighteenth birth
day Mr.. Nunez made the discovery
that he owned a house in West
carry it on.
AS a matter of fact, it was Ariella
who discovered this fact and brought
it to her fathers notice. Ariella was
mother. She looked facts straight in
the face, while Mr.. Nunez. by in
clination and habit, invariably turned
his back on trouble.
But il he had succeeded in ignoring
disagreeable things for forty years, he
could not ignore Ariella. She said to
him bluntly:
EITHER you or I, papa dear, will
have to go to work
Mr. Nunez shrugged his shoulders
and gently famed away the cloud OF
cigar smoke which enveloped him.
81 will go to Uncle Alfredos," he
said.
To go to Uncle Alfredos meant a
small loan, described as temporary,
but which was actually permanent
1t would not solve the problem, and
so Ariella advertised for gentlemen
dodgers.
Then it happened that the pretty
Spanish girl added to her list of ad-
mirers, who were mostly Cubans with
no wish to become Americanized, two
p0nnina Americans Walter Brown
and Henry Vincent.
They had not been in the house a
week before each recognized rival
in the other. Thereupon each, accord
ing to his nature adopted the method
of wooing most likely to win out"
Brown, who had smattering of Span
ish customs, courted Pepe as the
shortest cut to his daughters affec-
lions. Vincent went straight to the
point and saw Ariella as often as he
could
From the first the chief obstacle was
Pope, the young-looking, white haired
father. He warmly supported the pre-
tensions of Brown, and whenever that
gentleman spent an evening at home
he had no difficulty in getting Senior
Nunez to come up to his room and
while away the time smoking a big
black cigar.
One day Ariella, in the Iightest way
possible, limited to Vincent that Mr..
Browns popularity was due not so
much to his conversation as to his
cigars. The hint was quickly acted
upon. Not a smoker himself, he was
willing to provide any number of big
black cigars for Senior Nunez, but he
and his cigars were politely scorned-
"Your father, Miss Nunez, does not
like my CIGARS" Vincent confessed
sadly one night, as he occupied
chair not very near the object OF MS
heart, and much too near the old aunt,
who looked sleepy and uncomfortable,
yet would not go to bed.
perhaps they are not very good"
answered Ariella. Papa, you know, is
a famous Judge of tobacco"
al buy the very strongest and most
costly I can find," said Vincent. ST
am trying to suit his taste, not mine"
But why?'
"As if you did not know why I
want to please your father" pleaded
Vincent
"Mr. Brown has succeeded" said
Ariella, tapping the floor with her
foot impatiently.
"I've asked Brown what his brand
Is, but he won't tell me-
''I will find OUT said Ariella.
"Will you?"
At this most inopportune time the
Ubiquitous aunt, with a CLEAN of sus-
picion, suddenly interrupted.
MY niece will now go to the piano
and play for me. No, Senior Vincent,
you will remain by me-"
For weeks Pope Nunez had been
seeking to advance the case of Wal
ter Brown. On this very day the
storm broke, Ariella cut short her
fathers argument by hotly refusing
to marry Brown.
'It is not you this Vincent shall
ask" replied the Infatuated senior,
but me, the father, Pope Nunez. And
my answer is N-n-n-o."
"What is the cigar Mr.. Brown
oh dear 90 manfred A Tialia |
rrelevantly.
But papa dear" elevated his black
eyebrows kissed the tips of his
fingers with an expression of mystery |
1t is certain that Ariella had some |
occult reason for wishing to know the |
name of this particular cigar, and |
hat she extended her inquiries into |
other quarters.
A few days later as she and the fat |
aunt stood at the foot of the stairs in |
he hall waiting for Mr. Vincent, who |
vas coming down to pass them. she |
in answer to his bow these |
queer words:
"AIcantarilla Perfecto."
A few nights later Vincent begged |
Senior Nunez to come to his room to |
pass judgment on box of cigars he I
had purchased, adding indifferently |
hat he hoped Mr.. Brown would come |
along and sample" them also.
II want your Judgment gentle
men, before I tell you the brand or
anvthing about this smoke"
The cigars were duly lighted. The
spaniard nodded gravely, took a Whit
md closed his eyes. He took another
ind opened them. In their sleepy
lepths lurSed a look of perplexity.
"Do you know the brandt" asked
Vincent.
Senior Nunez shook his head
Before I tell you what 1t is said
must relate nv CONVERSE |
ion with the dealer who sold me
hese cigars. When I asked him for
hem. he laughed and said:
you are only the second customer
Who has sought that brand, and
rave been in the cigar business for