The Marshall republican., 1911-03-03
The Soldiers Joke Played
Well

On a certain day in June, the
year 1900, there was almost as
much excitement in the city of
Manila. p. l., as IL Mount Taal,
the smoking volcano a few miles
away had emitted sufficient lava
TO overflow the lake In which II
II situated and run into the streets
OF the ancient island city itself.
Strange and unusual sights took
place In the streets, but the SOL
dier guard in the city only smiled.
Early on this day scores and
scores of Chinese, Japanese, Fill
pinos. o few Russians and people
of other nstionslities first were
seen, each with a smiling and
satisfied countenance, entering
some Of the banks OF the city.
Hardly had each entered when he
would be seen to emerge, wild
eyed and excited. Running in all
directions these men, angry and
revengeful, went in search OF sol
dicrs. Into the face OF every one
they met they peered searchingly.
The soldiers smiled knowingly.
Once In a while n OF the search
ers would yell "Ah ha, no him him,
he one,- after looking closely at a
soldier. But what was the use,
NIL soldiers In uniform look alike
anyway. All the soldiers did was
10 say "Him one what7 Beat II
quick or you go in" And the
search went on.
The cause OF the excitement was
n cleverly laid plot to "trim' the
unsuspecting orientals and, after
many months OF waiting II had
worked on the afternoon and even
ing before the day OF the excite
ment.
When the troops first landed in
the Island and for many months
thereafter, the government always
paid them In gold and silver. II
was a noticeable fact that after a
gold piece once had been given
in trade II never was seen again.
One, on the day following a pay
day could take a $40 gold piece to
a store for change and the best
he could get was a wagon load Of
"Adobien dollars or Mexican, or
Spanish, Chinese, or Strait Settle
ments coins.
Away back In the dear old Unit
cd States, probably a year before
when some one was cnlisting to
20 TO the Philippines, or better,
perhaps, they were seized with a
bright idea. II must have hit
them thus.
"What do these Chinks, Japs
and Flipinos know about Confed-
crate money? I'll bet they never
saw any and II looks something
like The real thing"
Acting on this suggestion many
soldiers must have loaded up on
the paper money OF the "lost
cause" OF which II took $1,000 TO
buy even a pair OF boots at the
close OF the civil war. After many
months OF dreary waiting the day
arrived when the "green goods"
could be sprung. That was the
first "paper" or currency pay day
the soldiers had In the Philippine
islands. On that day they were
paid off for the previous two
months in green backs and silver
instead OF gold and silver.
II was also noticeable that the
plans were well laid, not n cent OF
the "queer" money being put into
circulation until after banks had
closed In the afternoon. After
that, however, the Syndicate"
which was promoting the great
undertaking, got very busy. Sol
diers always spend their money
freely and a few OF them, prob
ably n few, as four-fifths, gam
bled. So il was no unusual sight
to see a private soldier with a
bank roll. The natives had
learned to expect this and no one
suspected when he entered a small
shop to buy a pair OF socks as
one did, IL he rendered a 500 bill.
In the case OF the man who
the socks he got not only
the new hose but $99.75 in real
money. Even If 1t was "Adobie"
money at the rate of So for every
American dollar, 1t could be spent
afterwards without question. 1t
appeared that no n had a Con-
federate bill OF less denomination
than $40 and from that up to 800.
suspenders, neckties, hand
curios and even candy
and oysters were bought and paid
- .r.Ah GongoI.nata -aNau anA