The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1911-03-01
He Was Vanquished
at Last
BY WILLIAM CHANDLER
Copyright by American Press Assoc
citation, 1911.
BY WILLIAM CHANDLER

'You have heard Of the Admirable
Crichton, / presume" said Philip
Aguenaldiz OF Havana.
No one knew anything about him.
"Crichton," explained Aguenaldiz,
twas so accomplished that he was
called Admirable. Just before the
spanish-American war we had man
In Havana who think would have
tied him, at least In fight. He was
a Virginian 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 yirginians 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 challenge and
duel and one less officer OF the Spanish
army fit for duty.
Fitz Hugh went out into the country
one day and stopped ut hacienda be-
longing to a young widow. She being
a sympathizer with the Cuban cause
and Titz Hugh being of the same mind
--he was handsome dog-she enter
tained 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, che
being an avowed revolutonist, 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 up with other rebel Gu
bans. The widow. being defenseless,
signihed that she would go with him,
when Fitz Hugh spoke up.
"Senor major" he said, ut is a very
easy matter for you to commit this
act Of tyranny upon woman with
battalion Of men behind you, but
neither you nor any man in your com
mand could do 1t alone"
"What do you mean, senorI"
II mean that IL 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.
II | put you all out Of the fight the
lady to remain where she is."
"Who are you. senorf"
II am an American citizen"
"Ahl An American We are having
much trouble with you Americans ex
citing these Cubans to rebellion"
"You have a chance TO punish one
of them. Surely / cannot be expected I
TO vanquish every man in your com
mand."
The major swore blue streak about I
interference, threatening TO take Fitz
Hugh along with the widow, but at
this Fitz Hugh smiled, saying that
only a coward would decline such a
proposition as he had made. The ma,
jor 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 4
heaped upon him. He went out TO
his command and talked excitedly with
his officers for awhile, then returned
with every one OF them-siy in all
to the house. Reckoning Fitz Hugh and
the widow, he told the former that bis
challenge was accepted He would
fight the American first. and II 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 to
enter upon so unequal contest. but
he only smiled that imperturbable
smile of bis 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. Fiz
Hugh called 10 the widow to come