Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1911-02-03
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The Flag Paramount

By o. HENRY


pesos, pesos, pesos; and pay none out"
Felipe left the collector with a look
almost OF content In his sombre face.
A revolution would mean fighting, and
then the government would need his
services. 1t was rather humiliating
to be an admiral without anything to
do, and have a hungry crew begging
for reales to buy plantains and bread
to eat.
When he returned to where the
good-natured Caribs were hopefully
waiting, they sprang up and saluted,
as he had taught them.
Come, muchachos," said the admir-
al. THE government is poor. 1t has
no money at present. We will earn
what we need to live upon. Soon
his heavy eyes almost lighted up
our help may be gladly sought for"
Thereafter Ell Nacional turned out
with the other coast craft and freight
ed bananas and oranges out to the
fruit steamers who could not come
nearer than a mile off shore, there be-
ing no harbor at Solitas. Surely, a
self-supporting navy deserves red let
ters in the budget of any nation!
There was little telegraph office
In Solitas whence a little telegraph
line ran over the big mountains to the
capital. After earning enough at
freighting to keep his crew to provi-
sions and pay for week or two, Eel
ipe would infest this office, looking
like the chorus Of an insolvent comic
opera troupe besieging the managers
den. Sprawled In favorite corner,
upon the floor, in his fast decaying
uniform, with his prodigious sabre dis
tributed between his red legs, he
awaited, day after day, and week after
week. the long delayed orders from
his government. Each day he would
inquire, gravely and expectantly, for
dispatches. The operator would pre-
tend to make search, and reply:
mot yet. it seems. Senior ell Almi-
rante-Poco tiempo!"
One day in early summer the rev.
olution predicted by the collector
famed out suddenly. 1t had long been
q.
surgents appeared that Hector and
learned Theban of the Central Amer
lean republics, Don Sabas Placldo. A
traveller, a soldier, poet, scientist,
statesman, and a connoisseur-th
wonder was that he could content him.
self with the petty, remote life of his
native country
ut is a within OF Placido's," said a
friend who knew him we'll, ito take
up political intrigue. 1t Is not other
wise than If he had come upon a new
tempo In music; a new bacillus In the
air; new scent, or rhyme, or explo-
sive. He will squeeze this revolution
dry of sensations, and, a week after
ward, forget 1t, skimming the seas of
the world In his brigantine to add to
his already world-famous collections
OF - por Dios! everything - from
postage stamps to maquinas de vapor."
But the aesthetic Placido seemed to
be creating lively row. for a mere
dilettante. The admired of the peo-
pie, they had risen almost n a body
to seat nim In the place of the inclem-
emit President Prados. There was
sharp fighting in the capital, where
CONTRARY to arrangements) the army
had rallied to the defense of the In
cumbent. There was. also, lively Skin
mishing In most of the coast towns.
It was rumored that the revolution
was aided by powerful concern in
the states-the Mogul Banana COM
pany. Two of their steamers, the
Traveller and the Salvador, were
known to have conveyed insurgent
troops from point to point along the
coast
At the first note of war the admiral
of the naval feet and force made all
sail for Belize, where he traded a
hastily collected cargo for cartridges
for the five Martini rifles, the arma-
ment of Ell Nacional Then back he
hurried, to be prepared for his coun-
try's call. As yet. there had been no
actual uprising In, Solitas. Military
law ruled, and the ferment was bot
tied for the time. There was a report
that everywhere the revolutionists
were encountering defeat In the cap
ital the presidents forces triumphed,
and there was rumor that the lead
ers of the revolt had been forced to
fee. holly pursued.
In the little telegraph office at Sol
itas there was always a gathering of
officials and loyal citizens, awaiting
news from the seat OF government.
One morning the telegraph key began
clicking, and presently the operator
called. loudly: One telegram for ell
Almirante. Don Senior Felipe Car
rera!"
There was stunning sound; a
great rafting of tin scabbard, and the
admiral. prompt at his spot of wait
ing, leaped across the room to receive
1t.
The message was handed to him.
Slowly spelling 1t out, he found it to
be his first official order-thus run
ming:
Proceed Immediately with your
vessel to mouth OF Rio Ruiz; transport
beef and provisions to barracks, at AL
foran. Martinez, General"
Small glory. to be sure. In this, his
country's first call. But It had called,
and Joy surged in the admiral's breast.