Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1916-03-09
AClose Call
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BY DONALD CHAMBERIlN

dent Huerta of Mexico was employ
ed by the United States government to
DO certain service for the state depart
ment l went by land, crossing the
hlo Grande at Laredo and entering
Coahuila. soon fell In with promi-
nent leader of the rebel forces, who,
AFTER had satisfied him that my mis-
sion was not detrimental to his inter-
ests, expressed a willingness that l
should go to my destination. the City
of Mexico.
How would you like to earn some
money!" asked the general.
Il would gladly earn money IL I can
do so without compromising my en-
ployers at Washington"
What have in mind would not in
terfere with that at all. / desire to
get message through to q certain
person In the City of Mexieos 4 As a
messenger of the United States you
would not be suspected. Your govern
ment has not taken sides in this mat
ter and there is nothing to prevent
your being the bearer Of a letter from
me to friend"
But supposing l am caught with
such letter on my person?" / asked.
In that case you would be shot"
And what would receive for tax
ing this risk?'
He named a sum that tempted me.
1t seemed to me that, being in the en-
ploy of the United States government,
there would be little or no risk in my
bearing the generals message l need
ed the sum he offered for certain
purpose and concluded to stake being
shot against It
He wrote his message on a bit of
thin paper about three inches square
| was to take it to man high in favor
with President Huerta. His name and
address were given me, but were not
written on the message, though it was
signed by fictitious name. I decided
to carry it in the upper vest pocket on
the left side, my object being to have
1t where I could easily get it to de-
stroy 1t In case l was cornered. The
general paid me the money for the
| service l was about to render, for I
was to receive it whether succeeded
In delivering the message OF not.
Going southwark on the generals
pass l struck the Federal lines not
far from the City of Mexico. 1 in
formed the commanding officer of my
mission and was received by him with
the courtesy due one in the United
States service. Indeed, being stationed
at point where he saw no one except
his officers and men he seemed pleased
to see me, and since l reached his
quarters In the evening he insisted on
entertaining me overnight.
He proved to be an inveterate gam
bier, and nothing would do bat that
I must play cards with him. dared
not antagonize him by refusing and
| after the evening meal sat down with
him in his tent to play. He soon won
| all the cash I had provided for my
| journey, and l proposed to quit He
seemed inclined to play on, and
| feared to refuse him. / had the mon
ey the general had given me, roll
of bills, In my pocket and was obliged
to produce II.
My opponent looked at this large
quantity of Mexican money with In
terest. He said nothing about 1t, but
from that moment he began to talk
about the difficulty Of my getting ON
in the morning and expressed the opin-
ion that | would be delayed. His
prophecy came true, for he gave or
ders that no conveyance was to be
furnished me.
The next morning l asked my enter
tainer to cash a draft on the Amer
lean consul at the capital. He prom
Used to do so, but made no move to pro-
duce the funds. His actions were SO
suspicious that I began to think
had better seize upon any opportu-
nifty to destroy the generals message.
But l was given no opportunity. My
host never left me for moment I'M
less there was some one else In the
room. All the while he was telling
me that he was endeavoring to secure
conveyance for me, that he expected
team very soon, and when 1t came
he would furnish me with money for
the journey.
About 10 o'clock In the morning l
saw sergeant posting guard about
the house. My heart stood still. | was
suspected, would be searched, and the
message would be found on me. That
meant death. The officer was looking
over some military papers at table,
with an unlighted cigarette between
his lips. Taking cigar from my peck
ct, and with a show of GOODNESS did
not feel, deliberately cut off the end
with my penknife and asked him IL he
had match. He produced one, struck
it and was about to light his cigarette
when, remembering politeness, he ex-
tended the match to me.
after you," l said.
He touched it to the end of his ciga-
rette and handed 1t to me. put the
flame to the end of my cigar, but pur-
posely failed to close my lips tight In