Happy Days: A Paper for Young Americans — page 7: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

’ ‘ * a G* . as if or in ’ ctalys pele . f ‘ i Rs ree 1 eet i ‘ . ‘ a4 t ‘ GMs picwmesiaay § >! 4 Abb ur ane Ue ay t ~ ¥ - 4 3 - i . > ‘ > a ci i * pi “ “. *, it~ 4 ; fae ye - _doltry to do well. 1 rifle, and let him have one shot at a target the size of a man; a quarter of a mile’ away.” The first company in the line sent him _ twenty men. Horace took each man’s gun, examined it, arranged the sights, explained how he must aim, and told Ifim to fire. The result of his sho6 was shown to him in the target. | It was wonderful how readily they caught on to his system. Some of them made splendid shots, Toeach man he said: **Never pull your trigger till you see what you are shooting at. When you see it, aim right at it and fire. Noarmy can stand very long before a fire that makes each shot count.” The entire day was spent at the work, and Some hundreds of men had taken the lesson and fired one round, General Gomez was pleased. He said it _ was the best guarantee of success that had yet appeared, Once during the day Horace shot a buzzard on the wing half a mile away, and killed it. Gomez himself ex- claimed : ‘Diablos! I never saw anything like it! He is a marvel.” Don Miguel Piavano was a witness part of the time, Cardenas was with the com- mander-in-chief, and the deference with which he was treated convinced Horace that he was a man of authority in the councils of the Junta, When the work of the day was done the men in camp regarded Horace as the great- est soldier of the age. They were men who knew little of the world—had read little, and traveled less. They looked at practi- cal results, and his shooting meant the success of their rebellion. Just as he reached headquarters a staff. officer said to Horace: “The captain of the guard where you came in last night is under arrest, caused by the complaint of Senor Arcas, He is to be tried by court-martial in the morning, and it is necessary that you should appear _ there and make a statement.” **T am sorry it has come to that, colonel. The man Shona he was doing his duty.’ = Ne doubt « f that, but it seems he was a! eet when he should have pr my refusal to give up whee . - * Well, you can explain all that to the € morning,” said the officer. A TOP 1u@r- In the eveniug Horace spent another hour with Cardenas and the commander-in- chief in a private room, and even Burns Boyle were surprised at it. When he ught aninterview with Don Lig - ¥ came out he so v Miguel Cine ° whom he said: a ‘ n Miguel, I crave permission my respects to Senor and Senorita J vano, “*They will be glad to see you, senor, Come with me,” and he led him to the house where they were quartered, He bowed low to both mother and daughter, kissing the hand of each, saying: “Though I have been very busy, it has been the longest day I ever knew, as it kept me from your presence,” “Senor, you are as expert with your tongue as with your rifle,” remarked the mother, ‘“*Thanks, senora, Whatever I have to You wouldn’t have me miss with my tongue, would you?” — ripe’ laughed heartily, but the senora id ; : sald ; ** It is bad to miss the truth.” “Si, senora, hence Iaim well. I vouch for the truth when I say I have had but one desire in my heart all day—to pay my respects to you and the senorita here, ‘**It is no use, mother,” laughed Mer- cedes ; ‘those Americanos are great flat- terers, But we are glad tosee you, Senor Barbour, for it has been a long, long day for us too. Weare in the midst of stran- —in a military camp where women are nthe way. Many officers have called on WO Thanks: senorita’: Thal goss. right to anks, seno goes my heart,” and he bowed low to sha Hahn. tiful girl, ‘‘ You see, senora, how well she can use her tongue. As for her eyes, a glance from them is——” **Oh, senor!” cried Mercedes, laughing, “tell us of your plans. What are you fe ing todo? Are you going to stay here I don’t know, senorita. I shall spend afew days teaching the men how to use their arms, Then I may leave—to follow your command,” : ** Why, I have no command, senor!” ‘* You can command me, senorita,” The mother and daughter looked at each “You say you can leave when you are through here, senor?” the senora asked, ** Si, senora!” “We wish to go to the United States, aI All ig us there?” “e* ry, senora,” _ © That is all we could ask, senor.” ‘ “‘I shall serve you with all the loyalty and zeal of my nature, senora,” He spent an hour with the mother and daughter. At times he felt like hinting to the former to leave the room and let Bin talk to the senorita as his heart prompted him. But he well knew the Cuban custom. Cuban girls were not allowed the freedom of American girls. He was madly in love with her and she with him, but both con- trolled their passion in the presence of the maternal parent, When he pe that night, he dreamed of the dark-eyed beauty. But the next day was even a more busy One that the preceding one had been, He began early, and worked incessantly till darkness came on again, Fully 500 men had taken the lesson in marksmanship, Some of them made wonderful shots, and they were eager to try their skill on aSpan- ish soldier, Thus passed several days, and at last every man with a rifle had taken a lesson in shooting. They believed themselves in- vincible, and longed to be led against the hated enemy. Suddenly the news came that a Spanish column was advancing in the province, laying waste the country as they moved. The commander-in-chief detailed General Calixta with one thousand men to meet and drive them back. Calixta was a gal- lant officer, and he asked Horace to go with him on his staff, ‘*With my two friends, Burns and Boyle?” Horace asked. ** Yes, senor,” Horace told them, and Boyle almost whooped for Joy. He was spoiling for a brush with the enemy. The command was soon off—one thou- sand men with rifles and machetes, Every man had taken a lesson in marksmanship. The machete they were already skilled in the use of, They didn’t know where they were go- ing, but they knew that it was to meet the enemy somewhere, hence were satisfied. On the second day out the scouts brought in the news that a Spanish col- umn of 2,000 men were coming along the highway. Calixta was a brave man, and also a very prudent man, He did not feel like giving battle to double his own force, hence he called a halt. : ; ‘**General, they have two batteries, I ries victory,” — | ** We can kee ose cannon quiet durin the fight by picking off every man who goes about them,” ** Indeed, senor ?” ** Yes, general.” ** Then we will fall back to the open fields we id a mile or two behind,” ** Yes—that is a good place.” The movement was soon made and the men placed in line of battle. The men were eager to try their skill on the enemy. Their officers had to forbid them to fire before ordered to do so, ‘Obey orders under all circumstances,” said the general, “and don’t fire till you are sure of your man.” The enemy soon discovered the insur- gents, and acompany of cavalry charged upon them to feel their strength, They feltit. A volley nearly destroyed them, and the survivors fled helter skelter back to the main body. Then it was that one of the batteries was sent forward to shell the in- surgents’ position. e moment they unlimbered, Horace and Burns and Boyle began firing, Every man who went near one of the guns was downed, The insurgents saw them as they fell,and made the welkin ring with: : “Cuba Libre! Viva Americanos!” General Calixta sat on his horse and watched the fight through a field-glass, Man after man went down under the deadly aim of the three men. The enemy deployed a ment on the left to charge the insurgents’ position, Calixta called out to his men; “They are coming on our left, Stand firm and aim well when the order to fire is given. Then repeat it—always aiming at your man—till ordered to cease firing. The men glared at the Spanish column like so many tigers preparing to spring upon their prey, Suddenly the order was given, The Cubans leveled their rifles, aimed and fired. Half the regiment seemed hit, The entire line was thrown into confusion, A second volley sent them flying, They had never before met such a destructive blast, They seemed to think all the rebellious forces on the island had fired into them. Their officers were frantic in their efforts to rally them, But not until they retired behind the battery could they be formed in, “FThen they sent out a regiment on the right, It met with the same reception, Cal- ixta sat calmly on his horse with his giass, a watching the fight. Bullets whistled all round him, Some of the men in the line were hit, But the grim ahaa | Cubans stood firm, awaiting orders, hey felt their power. **Viva Americanos!” rolled along the line as dead and ome Spaniards contin- ued to pile up around that doomed battery. Horace and his three companions, for a Cuban had joined them, kept steadily pumping lead into them. Suddenly the Cuban was hit. He was standing by the side of Burns when he fell—shot through the head, Three bullets passed through Horace’s clothes, and two through his hat. Burns and Boyle were also targets, but neither were hit, ** Senor Barbour, this is a glorious day for Cuba,” said the general, going to his side to speak to him, **Get back, general,” Horace said to him, ‘“ Their sharp-shooters are trying to drive us away.” ** But they can’t hit ery Pg Horace pointed to the dead Cuban on the ground almost at his feet, and kept his eye on that battery. “Can you hold that battery?’ the gen- eral asked, **] think we can, general. It will cost them dear to take it away. We have killed | every horse belonging to it,” hey made a rush to get the batter away, but failed. Their men fell all around it. **Stand firm, Cubans!” cried Calixta, ““They are coming again! Aim well and wait fo ine This is Cuba’s day! Ready now—fre!” [TO BE CONTINVE ANOTHER CRAND™ CUBAR_ STORY BY CASTON CARNE WILL COMMENCE IN No. 131. DON’T FAIL TO READ IT. (This story commenced in No, 125,] THE Board of Trade Boys; THE YOUNG GRAIN SPECULATORS = OF CHICAGO. By P. T. RAYMOND, Author of ** The Boys of Black Bay,” Running the Line,” “ The Win- ing heel,” **The Business Boys of Blyburne,” ete., etc. ~ CHAPTER XIII. JOE STELLMEYER MAKES A MISTAKE, WILU’s first act after leaving Joe Stell- meyer was to try and find Jim to tell him what was in the wind and arrange a plan of action, which was to engage a detective from the Ashland avenue station to follow them to the elevator, The detective was one he knew well, being, in fact, the same hi up the shabby man in black. ut Jim was nowhere to be found, Will looked among the dancers, in the smoking-room, in the gentleman’s dress- ing-room, but no Jim, it Ww rfectly to hunt me was now too valuable to be asted. Will started for Mr. Rockingham’s room, where there was a telephone, The Plunger had not yet put in an ap- pearance at the party, important business engagements having detained him down- town, but this made no difference to Will, for he felt himself thoroughly at home in the house, . So he telephoned the station and was for- tunate enough to get Detective Munsell on the wire. When he hung up the receiver he had the satisfaction of knowing that the detective had already started for elevator G, Will flew down-stairs, expecting to meet Joe Stellmeyer in the hall, Instead of the tricky lawyer, the first rson he saw was Nina gliding out of the allroom, As she caught sight of him she threw up both hands in oo yey “Oh, Will! What does this mean?” she whispered, “I thought you had gone! I saw you getinto the carriage with Joe Stellmeyer not three minutes ago,” Here was a dilemma, “It’s Jim!” gas Will, ‘And hedon’t 7 in black, Joe Stellmeyer fell into his blun- der as easily as a duck drops into the near- est pond, It came about in this way. The heat of the rooms becoming very op- pressive to Jim, giving him a slight head- ache, he slipped on his hat and coat and coe out on the street for a breath of fresh air. Of course he was pig unconscious of Will’s discovery, but as luck would have it, he came down the stoop just as the hack Joe Stellmeyer had engaged drew up at the curb, Joe pi out and beckoned to him, ‘All ready, Will,” he said, in a low voice; *‘ step right in.” “* Ready for what?” asked Jim, coolly. ‘**Ready for what! Whatin thunder is the matter with you? Ain’t we going down Lo the elevator? Were we going to talk over the Hoffmeister .matter or weren't we? Are you full or am I?” For the first time since his acquaintance with Will, Jim doubted him, Was Will up to something—some secret deal? Had he found the missing papers and said nothing about it? N Seng thought came to Jim like acrushing Ow. ‘** He mistakes me for Will; I must know a ng this means,” flashed through his mind, ‘*Oh, we are to go to the elevator, are we?” he said, aloud. ‘* Well, I'm ready, but how are we to get back ?” ‘*T'll drive you back, never you fear!” re- plied Stellmeyer. ‘‘In with you if you are going.” Jim stepped into the hack, Joe Stell- meyer springing in after him and slam- ming the door. ‘*‘Now we can talk,” he said, in a satis- fied tone, as the hack rolled away. ‘“‘ Come, Will, make a short story of it. You’ve got the Hoffmeister stock, haven’t you?” ‘*What makes you think I have?” asked Jim, coolly. *Pshaw! Iheard all that happened to you and that chum of yours in the eleva- tor the other night. I know that the stock was found, and that you got it away from the man who found it—you see you can’t fool me,” ‘““Upon my word I don’t think I shall waste any time trying,” replied Jim; “* but owe that I have the stock, what then | *T’ll buy it.” *“ How much money ?” “You've got all your father originally held ?” “For ument’s sake I'll say yes, but remember I admit nothing.” ** Admit whatever you like, I have a client who wants the stock, He has au- thorized me to give twenty thousand dol- lars for it, providing it’s all straight. Of course I should have to see it first to make “ ee ril take your offer under considera- on. * But I want an answer now.” “Can't give it. I must talk to my part- ner first,” a td partner? Didn’t know you had one!” “That fellow Wilson ?” ~ a ** since when was he your partner?” ** Since this afternoon about five o'clock, What do you think of him ?” * What do I think of him? How dol know anything about him? He looks enough like you to be your twin brother, although, of course, I have no trouble in telling you apart.” ‘“* Certainly not.” “* We've been acquainted too many years for me to make any mistake,” . ** Of course,” “Say, Will, what’s he got to do with the stock? Decide now.” * No, I can’t.” * em raise you five thousand,” ‘ Os Tig ‘Come, I'll go to the end of my rope; I'll raise you ten thousand.” “ Won't do it till I’ve talked it over.” “You'd. better. Thirty thousand for your interest in the Hoffmeister Hoisting Co, Of course you can’t turn over the stock till the court gives you permis- sion, or without the consent of your fa- one. Tent We prone ag that.” » at’s the use of trying to bargain with me then ?” — 7 — you sign a transfer of your inter- est “* T suppose I might.” = it and the money is yours,” **And what if I refuse ?” “Why then, look out for trouble, You'll be frozen out of the company as sure as know the first thing about it. What is to] fate. be done ?” * Quick, Will! Call the police! Follow them up or there’ll be murder! Don’t lose a rhoment! Oh, I was sure it was you,” Will rusheddor the dressing room for his hat and coat and was out of the house in less than two minutes, his mind filled with a thousand fears, ‘In spite of his boast to the shabby man a “T’ll think it over,” said Jim; “ but look ners what are we going to the elevator “What for? Why, you are going to show me the stock, ain't yout” arin “Am I?” thought Jim, and he began to wish most heartily that he was out of the hack and free from this es fellow, (Continued on Page 10.) Comic be