Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1913-11-07

when you realize that war is coming
coming as sure as guns, and then
consider our unpreparedness for lit
makes you glad it's Spain and not
someone else"
81 think the navy's pretty fit, sir"
ventured HoltOn.
"Ah, the navyl And the army"
The words came out like bullets. THE
navy is all right, and the army, too,
what there is of It. The fighting men
of both arms of the service are the
best this world ever saw: getting
| things started, that is the trouble.
Well, thank Heaven, Dewey's-" the
assistant secretary stopped short, and
craning his neck forward, character
istically thrust his square jaw close
to the officers face. We've all got to
do the best we can and be sure that
when the bloy comes it will come
from, and not toward US"
Holton nodded slightly.
81 liked your action in diving over
board and rescuing two Of your men
last summer" resumed Mr.. Roosevelt.
And may say that a study of your
record has convinced me that just at
present a little respite from duties
aboard the Scorpion will accrue to our
mutual advantage"
The assistant secretary paused, and
then as Holton made no reply, he con.
4 tinued:
1--WE are not yet at war with Spain
not yet, and in the meantime think
it will be just as we'll for you to re.
main in fairly close touch with my Of
five-personal touch. By the way
there's ball at the Willard tonight
"a BALI" exclaimed Holton. Then
he caught himself. yes, sir" he add
ed.
Yes, a ball at the Willard. Here is
card-youll note it is a personal in
vitation to you"
Holton glanced at it.
81 see it, sir" He hesitated. Il an
merely, merely to go there and
dance? l mean-mean, sir, are there
any instructions?"
Il should keep my eyes and ears
open if were you"
Eyes, sir, I'll do that, and l hope III
be able to be of some service" he was
rising to go. "Although-although In
afraid l lack-that is, and" Holtor
paused and glanced irresolutely at his
chief
That you lack definite information,
said the assistant secretary, who seem
ed to have the faculty of reading his
thoughts and expressing them before
Holton thimself could frame them il
suitable, or, we'll say, diplomats
terms.
why, yes, sir-I have a feeling tina
the situation is indefinite"
Eyes. Sit down, Mr.. Holton." Hol
ton resumed his chair and his chic
leaned forward, talking rapidly in /;
low tone.
Here is the nub of the situation,
he began. "In the first place we hav,
reason, excellent reasons, for suspect
ing that there are certain elements
among the Cubans, both in the Unitec
States and in Havana, that are strong
ly inclined to doubt the good faith O
the United States in this brewing trou
BILE with Spain"
Holton, thrilled by the promise O
revelations which these opening word
conveyed, thrilled, also, by his Undue
ton into the inner affairs of the gov
eminent mill, flushed and regarded tn
eyeglasses turned toward him, will
unblinking eyes, impatient for the mex
word.
Naturally" continued Mr.. Roose
vet," the Cubans are eager to avail
themselves of our armed forces afloa
and ashore, but after the work is al
done they want us to clear out Which
of course, we shall do, having first es
tabrished some decent and stable sys
? tenn of government down there"
Il had not any idea our good faitl
was in question" observed Holton.
1T u.s." was the reply, land it Il