New Ulm review. (New Ulm, Brown County, Minn.) 1892-1961, 1916-12-27
SAVED BY
A WOMAN
An Episode of the
Peninsular War
BY ALAN HINSDALE

w uCn TIE luke OF Wellington was
fighting the French in Spain in 1909 to
1874 gaining one victory after another.
naturally the Spanish people were in
an unsettled condition. In all coun.
tries when there is war there are per
sons who pretend to belong to one side
either doing secret service or partisan
work or engaged in robbery.
Alfonso Fernandez. youngster of
twenty-three. hated both the French
and the English, expecting that, which
ever conquered. Spain would have a
foreign yoke about her neck. Fernan-
dez, who commanded a small body OF
mounted men, would harass either
side alike Sometimes he would attack
a supply train of the British. then the
very next day, when they were pursu-
ing the French after one Of their many
victories, he would be found in the van
of the English ranks sabering those
Frenchmen who were unable to keep
up with their retreating companies.
Fernandez was the son of a Spanish.
grandee and highly educated. One day
! he was riding at the head of his men
| through a rural distNct not far from
| Talavera, when screams were heard in,
advance. Fernandez put spurs to his
horse and, followed by his troops, rode
around bend in the road through trees
| that obscured his vision, and, emery
ing into the open. came to a gentle
mans country place that was being
looted by stragglers from the French
army.
Dashing through the gateway and up
to the house the Spaniards attacked
the maranders and drove them off.
Fernandez himself found young lady
struggling With French grenadier
and cut him down..
Naturally those occupying the place
were very grateful TOR their deliver
ance. and Donna Maria Matelinia's
heart went out to her preserver. The
troop encamped, or. rather, bivouacked
on the grounds Of her home and re.
ceived everything they needed that the
place afforded. For some time, they
made it tase of their operations.
striking out in different directions. al
ways returning after foray. But
their absences we're neither so frequent
nor 50 long as they had been. for the
leader spent much time dallying With
Donna Maria.
Nevertheless the harassing Fernan-
dez gave the French about this time
was sufficient TO excite the ire of Colo
mel Pierre Villiers. who vowed that if
be could catch the ''bandits.' as he
preferred to- call them. he would hang
every one Of them. The colonel sent
out scout after one OF FePnandeZ's
attacks on French outpost to follow
him at distance and discover his lair.
The scout returned with the informa
ton that Fernandez himself spent
much time at the Matilinias, but as for
his troop they had no stopping place
The more time Fernandez and Donna
Maria spent together the more deeply
they fell in love with each other and
the more reckless Fernandez became in
exposing himself to attack from his
enemies. But woman readily scents
danger to the man she loves The lady
frequently expressed Misrepresentation. at
her lover remaining with her when his
men were away. pointing out how easy
it would be for either the French or
the English to take him while he was
alone. But whenever be consented to
leave her she was sure to ask him to
take the risk just once more.
Meanwhile Fernandez's band. under
the leadership of his lieutenant. was
harassing the French night and day
1t being known what force was MAX
ing all the trouble and It not being
known that Fernandez himself was
dallying with his beloved. he incurred
all the obloquy of these attacks.
Colonel Villiers. having learned that
Fernandez visited certain place.
made up his mind to take him there.
He sent one or two expeditions there
nut at the time Fernandez was away
! with his troop. The Frenchman, not
wishing to brighten the bird away, con-
:ealed the fact that they were after
| him. Bnt they did not deceive Donna
| Maria.
Colonel Villiers. eager to take the
man who was annoying him. finally
put watch on the house Fernandez
treQuented and. one evening when It
was reported that the Spaniard was
there, concluded to 60 in person to
capture him. Putting himself at the
head of dozen men-Fernandez's men
were not with him-the colonel led
them to the house where the lovers
were dallying. surrounded it with big
men. then closed in upon the premises
! Fernandez and Maria were sitting
on bench In the flower garden when
suddenly they heard steps approach
ing, accompanied by the jingle Of
spurs. Both jumped to their feet ana
retreated to the house. screened on
the way by high growing plants com
mon to tropical countries. and closed
door behind them without having
oeen seen. Discerning from window