Jefferson jimplecute. (Jefferson, Tex.) 1907-1926, 1912-08-01

!. !. !.
to trouble-though | did
LA not imagine how much OF
II there really would be
NN how unpleasant 1t would
SN prove-I bought the Alice
Ada. a brgantine OF 300
TR TONS and got general car
R/ go for Rosario. Brazil on
the River Parava. From
Rosario / went 100 miles
up the river to ST. Stephens and took car.
90 Of wheat for Rio Janero. While the cargo
was being unloaded my expectant eye distin-
guished signs OF a nice little revolution which
was just being shaped up, so sold my ship and
took quarters 1t the Hotel Freitas to watch
developments.
When the last emperor Of Brazil. Dom
Pedro H., was dragged out OF bed at night
and depOrted without the firing OF a shot, In
the peaceful revolution" OF November 16.
1889. Deodora da Fonseca was made presi
don't. Before his weakness had become
apparent he was made constitutional presi-
dent. and F1oriano Peixotto was elected
vice-president. Deodoro's policy was weak
and validating and his popularity waned
rapidly. revolution mad been quietly
formed by F1oriano tho vice president.
He soon had the army at his back and
gained the support Of Admiral Mello. ranking
oincer OF the Brazilian navy, and Admiral Sol
dAnha da Cana, commandant Of the naval acad-
envy They brought matters to head on the
morning OF November %. 1891 Mello took up
= position at the foot Of the main street OF Rio
In the cruiser Riachuelo, the finest ship in the
oavy, trained his guns the palace Itumary,
and sent word to Deodoro that he would
open fire on him In two hours II he did not
sbdeate In favor OF Floriano Deodoro abdi-
Gated In Two minutes, dropping dead soon
svserward from heart disease, and F1oriano was
proclaimed president
before he had time to get his new chair
we'll warmed he had row with Mello, who
considered that he was rightfully entitled to
ba the power behind the throne
Mello worked chiefly among naval officers.
aristocrats. adherents OF San Pedro and the
Catholic clergy, and In the end they all became
HIS allies.
A Mello's plot shaped up began to sus-
poet that his real purpose was to restore
Dom Pedro to the throne and make himself
tho power behind It.
1t WAS amusing to watch tho development OF
Mellos revolution. One would have thought
two friendly leaders were planning rival sur.
prise parties. in which there was to be- nothing
more serious than the throwing Of confetti.
It was along In July OF August 1898. that
Melio sent Tor me and expressed a wish that
! go down to Santa Catarina island, on the
southern coast of Brazil, and blow IN tho
Republica. the one Brazilian warship whose
officers had SO far remained loyal to Floriano,
While We were still negotiating received
call from one OF E1orianos aids who asked
me to accompany him to the palace He took
me In the rear entrance and up back stairway
to Flortano's private sala where, after present
Ing me. he left me- alone with the president.
! I understand" said Floriano. that you
were in Venezuela with President Guzman and
have had military training and experience
That IL correct sir"
Il am told, too, that you have made a study
OF high explosives. and have invented remark
able torpedo"
! THAT Is also true"
Would you be willing to undertake
. mission that would involve considerable
danger, but for which you would be well paid?'
Il am open to anything except vulgar assas.
ination. That Ia my business"
What do you charge for your services?"
That depends entirely on the nature OF tho
work"
Consider yourself then. In the service OF
Brazil"
A few days later the revolution was declared.
under conditions such as one would look for
On the ight-opera stage. but never In real life
not even In South America. On the evening
Ut September g. Forianc went to the opera.
accompanied by Mello. Soldanha and several
other officers OF the army and navy. and they
all sat together In the presidential box Mello
and Soldanha excused themselves after tho
second act They left their cloaks in the box
and said they would be back in a few min
utes. Knowing full we'll the reason OF their
departure. F1oriano bowed them out with an
trontcal excess OF poltteness.
At dAybreak Mslo seized all OF tho gov.
cramens shipping In the bay and announced
. blockade Of Rio harbor. He then sent
word to Flo-ianc that II he did not abdicate
without naming his successor BY four
O'Clock that afternoon. he would lombard
the city.
F1ostAno's reply vas An emphatic refusal
- abdicste. and precised It four o'clock
Asto answered Il with one shell from =
three Inch gun. which exploded near tho Amer.
tcaa consulate and killed = foreigner During
~ next week Melo dred 10 or SO shots ,nto
the city every day. but they did little damage
very soon after the nrtnG OF the Arst shot.
Italian. EnGiish. German. Austrian and portu-
guese varships appeared 1t Rio. ostensibly to
vsotect the rights OF their citisens
About = week after the nriug OF the nrs.
shos l Vas On my way to the water front TO
witness the regular afternoon duel be, w~en the
ASaidAban and Fort Santa Cruz when | ~As
ovsrtakea By = government carriage. and Colo