The New York herald., 1920-01-04


" joying an after-dinner smoke and
indulging in one of our friendly
bouts in dsputation. Now. when you use that
word glbly feminine attribute. you
Anglo-Saxons. of course. always mean chastity.
AS though chastity. forsooth, were the only
womanly virtue in the catalogue and as though
lack of it argued absence of every other re-
deeming trait.
We'll. just what outstanding virtues nave
you found. Doc among the Delilahs and the
Jezetels and the Camilles of this topsy-turvy
old world?" asked Patton. who is by the way
Of being bit of a cynic.
--- Patriotism for one though there are others,
flashed back Dr. Alvarez as he lighted fresh
panatea and settled back in his easy chair. II
could cite you many historic and classical Illus
trations II it were worth whe-one of them at
least within my own knowledge and recollec-
ton"
Shoot retorted Patton. We knew that when
F, the doctor spoke like that and then began blow
ing reminiscent smoke rings he usually had
q story simmering in his kettle of anecdote-
and some of the Spanish surgeons stories were
worth while to hear in an idle after-dnner hour.
"Oh. what's the use? Everybody knows that
'evirtue is largely what custom and polite usage
make H. that II is variable and not fixed
quantity in life; that practices which are con-
to others. You can't set up and maintain an
arbitrary world standard OF virtue any more
8 than YOU of fashion.
Eastern women hold II lewd not to veil the
face in public They would be Mortified at the
brazen display Of feminine charms one sees
: nightly in the Metropolitan Opera House. not
ID TO mention the modern stage spectacle or COM
edy But they look complscently enough upon
life in wealthy mans harem
"Old stuff" interrupted Patton. we
get all that you know. out Of the Worlds Book
Of knowledge. But what about this instance
YOU mentioned. cullcd out OF your own auto
biography
We'll lust this" began the doctor he set
tied himself for the yarn and inhaled long
straight drsught from his cigar. you fellows
both know that when was youngster twen-
ty-five years ago was medico in the Spanish
forces serving in Cuba. That was long before
/ I ever had thought OF being naturalized and be
coming n practising surgeon in New York city.
But pcrha rs you did not know that in 1896. in
. the darkest period OF the Cuban insurrecton-
they call II now the War for independence. with
, capital letters-t was the declasse Cuban
women of what then known the 'segre-
gated quarter OF Havana who kept life in the
revolution we Spaniards were fighting TO sup
O. press, and who kept cartridges In the Mauser
rifles carried by Maxine Gomez's ragtag
army"
'Is that on the level. Doc?" asked the sceptic
Patton. 1T sounds interesting. but I'm fed up
fiction and historical romance"
Absolutely the level but never learned
all tho facts until after the Some of them
I chanced to be In position TO know at first
hand"
"Co to II. Baron Mtnchauscn. listen
ing" was patton's irrevcrent comment.
l. For the privilege of enliChtcnins bcnightod
mind overlook the impcrtinence. said Doc
You see. the whole thing was sinilde enough
as most truly great conceptions. The in
surrectos needed ammunition and needed II
badly. Their filibustering expeditions had
hard time OF II running the dual gantlet Of the
Z American coast euard and then that Of the
Spanish gunhoats of the shoret ~ Cubs The
rebels secured some ammunition from time to
p time in that way. but not nenrly enough. Can
dor compels me to admit also that they col
lccted quite formidable stock Of rifles.
ell as OF ammunition. from insdeouately