Evening journal., 1911-03-11
He Was sVanquished
at Last
BY WILLIAM CHANDLER
Copyright by American Press Asso-
citation. 1911.

called Aumlrable. Just before the
Spanish-American war we had a man
in Havana who think would have
tied him, at least in a fight He was
a Yirginian and had come down think
ing that the times In Cuba were pro-
pitious for a display Of his accom-
plishments.
Naturally the sympathy OF all Amer
leans was with the Cubans. Fitz
Hugh-that was the virginian's name
was outspoken in his advocacy OF their
cause and, being a citizen Of the Unit
ed States, was protected from arrest
so long as he didn't commit any overt
act against the government He fire.
quented public places, where he would
meet Spanish officers, giving expression
TO his opinion Of the butcheries Of Cap
tain General Weyler. Some Spaniard
would take him to task for doing so,
and there would be a challenge and a
duel and one less officer of the Spanish
army ft for duty.
Fitz Hugh went out into the country
one day and stopped at a hacienda be-
longing 10 young widow. She being
sympathizer with the Cuban cause
and Fitz Hugh being Of the same mind
he was a handsome dog-she enter
tanned him royalty. They were sitting
at the table. just finishing an excellent
dinner. when along came marching two
companies OF Spanish troops. There
was major in command. and he
halted his men before the gate OF the
hacienda and. walking up to the house.
called for Sonora Vendez, the owner
He was invited into the dining room,
where he Informed the lady that. she
being an avOwed reyOlutlonist, he pro-
posed to take her and put her In com
mandero, or some other spread out
Spanish word. which meant she was
TO be penned mp with other rebel Gu
bans. The widow, being defenseless,
signified that she would go with him,
when Fitz Hugh spoke up
"Senor major" he said at is a very
easy matter for you TO commit this
act Of tyranny upon a woman with a
battalion Of men behind you. but
neither you nor any man in your com
mand could do IL alone"
"What do you mean. senorg"
II mean that II you will give me an
opportunity win defend the lady
against you singly, and. after you,
against any and all your officers. and
after that against any and all your
men, to meet each adversary singly
If | put you all out OF the fight the
lady 10 remain where she is"
"Who are you. senor?'
Il am an American citizen"
"Ahl An American. We are having
much trouble with you Americans ex-
citing these Cubans TO rebelllonn
"You have a chance 10 punish one
OF them. Surely I cannot be expected
TO vanqulsh every man in your com
mand"
The major swore blue streak about
interference, threatening TO take Fitz
Hugh along with the widow. but at
this Fltz Hugh smiled, saying thot
only n coward would decline such a
proposition as he had made The ma
for was the son Of one Of the most
prominent grandees OF Spain. and his
ideas OF chivalry would not permit
him to brook the taunts Fitz Hugh
heaped upon him. He went out to
his command and talked excitedly with
his officers for awhile, then returned
with every one OF them-six in all
to the house. Rejoinlng Fitz Hugh and
the widow. he told the former that his
challenge was accepted. He would
fight the American first. and IL he were
killed or disabled the ranking captain
would take his place. and so on to the
junior second lieutenant.
The widow forbade Fitz Hugh 10
enter upon so unequal contest, but
/ he only smiled that imperturbable
smile OF his and began to get ready for
the fray. Taking of his coat and vest,
/ he went outside with the officers. The
/ major did the same. and they squared
( for an encounter with swords Fit
Hugh called 10 the widow 10 come
out on the veranda and witness the
tournament, assuring her that there
would be no blood spilled. On this
assurance she acceded to his request
The two men he'd not fought Ave
minutes before II was evident that the
American could have killed his ad
versary FIVE times Then he sent the
majors sword fying in a circle in the
air. aud II came down City feet away
the point sticking in the ground. The
senior captain was served the same
egay and the junior captain also
After that II was evident there wac
no need for any more officers to take
n hand, but every one OF them insist
ed on a trial. and all received m,
same treatment. Fltz Hugh vanquish
ed every one of the seven men with
out giving or receiving a scratch.
Well. the major and every one oi
his officers took Fitz Hugh by tn,
hand and swore he should have beer
a Spaniard IN the days when Spanish
gentlemen settled all their differences
with the sword. as all gentlemen
should settle them Then they march
cd away. and Fitz Hugh told the wild
ow he would like 10 90 back 70 tn
table and finish bottle Of wine tha
had been half emptied
But Fitz Hugh had met an enem-
who was capable OF vanquishing bin,
The widow was so infatuated wifi
him that she wouldn't let him 20. III
married her and is running her ha
ciends today.
A Cold, LaGrippe, then Pneumonia