CHAPTER XII.A LIFE SAVED.
There never had been such excitement in Chihuahua as that caused by the arrests of Don Francisco R. Cantu y Falomir, and Father Hernandez.
Not even the execution of Hidalgo, the good priest who sought to free the people of Mexico from the terrible slavery in which the church held them, created the same fervor. The mad rabble and the church fanatics were too ignorant to realize the awfulness of their deed. They believed what they had been told by the church, that whoever advocated freedom of thought must die. And few were the tears shed when, in the year of 1810, the life of the great and noble Father Hidalgo was taken in Chihuahua. At least, it was the few who shed tears.
Don Francisco R. Cantu y Falomir had been known as a quiet, law-abiding citizen, very wealthy and eccentric. It was generally known that he prided himself upon the fact of his blue Mexican blood, and persisted in signing Falomir, his mother’s maiden name, to his own surname, as was the custom in Mexico up to the close of the nineteenth century. Yet no one ever dreamed that he nursed any ill-will against the law ofthe land of his birth—against the United States of America.
Everyone seemed to think that he had a right to his peculiarities, and while Chihuahuans smiled when the name Don Francisco R. Cantu y Falomir was spoken they were always ready to point out this wealthy, aristocratic and eccentric citizen to visitors in Chihuahua and obtain an introduction to him for them, if possible.
It was not strange that the citizens of Chihuahua wondered that their fellow-citizen, thought to be quiet and law-abiding, and the priest, well known in the city for his many charitable deeds, were behind the bars on a charge of treason.
The calm of the early morning, produced by reading the full account of the charges and the arrest of these two well-known citizens, in the greatChihuahuan, was now giving way to noisy discussions of them, by small and large crowds of citizens of all classes, assembled on the street corners, and in public and private houses. At nine o’clock the jail in which the two offenders of law were held was almost surrounded by what looked to be the rabble of the entire country.
The great and progressive city of Chihuahua had never had such a large crowd of ungainly and suspicious looking creatures assemble since it became a part of the great Republic of the United States of America. From whence had they come and for what purpose? were the questions propounded on every side by the uninitiated.
At first no particular attention was paid to the miserable looking beings hanging around the jail. But astheir number increased so rapidly, although they seldom spoke and made no disturbance, the number of police usually on beat near the jail was doubled, and a company of one hundred soldiers were stationed close by.
The rabble questioned no one, and no one questioned the rabble.
The police and soldiers kept their eyes riveted upon them, but as they onlylookedsuspicious, and did nothing, they were allowed to remain and no arrests were made.
Such were the orders received from the Governor, and no officer cared to disobey them. During the forenoon several priests and friends of Don Francisco R. Cantu y Falomir came to the jail and begged for admittance. Each person was refused and went away angry. Some of them openly vowed vengeance.
One priest ventured to return, and asked the guard why his friends were confined in jail, and if an early hearing would be granted them. Unable to get any satisfactory answers, he turned away, his white face showing the terrible rage he was in.
The Governor and his scientific coworkers had not been seen on the street during the day, and as night approached and no official word could be had as to the probable fate of the prisoners, the rabble around and near the jail showed signs of great uneasiness, and in bodies of threes and fours wandered away. As each party left it was quietly followed by an officer, who thought himself in a condition impossible to be surprised, no matter how unusual an occurrence which would happen might be.
However, his thoughts in that direction were wholly in error, as what occurred will demonstrate.
As the sun sank behind a tall peak of the Sierra Madre, and a still darkness crept over the beautiful scene, and hid it from admiring eyes, the strange crowd that had wandered off in small numbers from the jail now collected themselves in a large, empty storage room in the southwestern part of the city, a distance of about four miles from the Mexican Annex, and the Governor’s residence. Before nine o’clock it was filled to overflowing, and still ragged, dirty creatures full of disease kept on coming from every direction. From the stillness of everyone the meeting and its object evidently was meant to be kept a secret, at least for a season.
When it was seen that not another person could find standing room in the large wareroom, the door was securely fastened; a dim light was turned on, and a tall, raw-boned looking man stepped on top of a high drygoods box, and said:
“Friends and Countrymen: It is with a sad heart I stand upon this platform and look out upon the many hundred faces before me, faces that show the ravages of disease, the pangs of hunger, and theno-hopeexpression of those who have been downtrodden; neglected, mentally, morally and spiritually, on account of peculiar environments. It is with a sad heart I see you thus before me and join you in your silent prayer for deliverance. For deliverance! Does not that word partake of Divinity? Does it not seem to bring you closer to the great Giver of Justice? Does there notseem to be a start toward the adjustment of all evil? Cannot you who have despaired of hope, see the light of the Divine, the expression that comes from a superior knowledge, upon my face? I am your deliverer. By the help of all influence Divine, I will see that justice is meted out to you. Away back in that life known only to myself when I was a fat, freckled-faced, barefooted boy of ten, building mud houses and paddling in the rippling streams, I saw strange things and heard strange voices. One day while sitting on a large moss-covered bowlder in the clear waters of a placid, cool and shallow stream, I had a vision. I saw the words, ‘You must be the deliverer of the oppressed and downtrodden in Chihuahua in this year, the year of our Lord 2049,’ written in letters of fire, out over the water. I was frightened, and started to run, when a voice said to me: ‘Stop; look and fear not.’ I took my seat upon the highest point of the bowlder and riveted my eyes upon the spot over the water where I had seen the letters of fire. Very soon I saw a large, magnificently built city. I saw it grow and grow until it became unparalleled, for grandeur, and for the number of advanced-thought people. I saw the glory and power of one rise, while others sank lower and lower into the very depths of poverty, disease and ignorance. I saw a coterie of blue-blooded people, educated and wealthy, arise like guardian angels in the night and go forth to defend the oppressed; to take from his throne of power, the pretender; one of their own royal blood who had betrayed the confidence imposed in him, and now sought by the arts of a magicianto make the people believe that he had made wonderful progress in scientific discoveries. I saw the two noble defenders of the downtrodden thrust into jail! I saw a small army of believers in the two defenders of noble birth, start out confidently to overthrow the government; to try to sever that part of the United States of America once known as the Republic of Mexico, from the Union to which it sent a petition less than one hundred and fifty years ago, asking for annexation, which was in due time granted.”
“Yes,” piped out the voice of an infirm old man, “we want our Mexico back; we want our priests restored. Them was good old days, and we want them back.”
“We will make war against all these high notions of scientists, who, the priests say, are leading the people to hades,” ventured another old man, bent with age and infirmities.
“The Church ain’t much power, but it still has many followers, and all of us can fight for it,” continued the old man.
The revolutionary sentiments expressed began to show effect upon the crowd. They moved about uneasily, and low curses and threats were being voiced on every side.
The speaker again began to talk and the noise subsided somewhat.
“Yes,” he said; “I saw ourselves plunged into an internal war. It was carried on between all adherents to the dogmas of the orthodox on one side, and advocators of free thought on the other side. And myvision ended, with part of this nation fighting the other. The assembly no doubt thinks that thoughts as expressed by some of your would-be learned men are too free.” This remark elicited a great applause, and the speaker, after mentally congratulating himself upon the impression he had made, continued: “Everyone knows to whom I refer particularly.” A hushed silence followed this remark. “I refer particularly to the Governor of this great State, the man who claims to have discovered a fluid directly from the sun’s rays, which will perpetuate memory throughout all time. The main purpose for which this fluid is intended, is to aid officers of law in securing evidence against all who have committed crimes, and to bring such people to justice. Study upon this feature of the case, friends. Imagine yourself being compelled to believe in such stuff. That is what constitutes part of the doctrine of Free Thought. You must be a scientist to advocate free thought as they wish it. It tramples down all the idols which you have bowed to for centuries. The faith of your fathers must be superseded by facts obtained from scientific investigations. You must believe that memory can be restored and preserved through ages; that the annihilation of diseased matter can be accomplished by means of ‘Ebony Fluid.’ That all miraculous deeds of the Christ of Bible fame can be done to-day, not only by one, but by many; all of whom, however, must be initiated. Well, friends, I have been talking thirty minutes. You have my sentiments; think, think, think! Never act without studying over the past results of just such action you are onthe eve of taking. Remember the condition of the times. You will fight against many odds. It will be ten against one. But do not be discouraged; bear in mind that a handful of men and women who desired to practice their religion according to the dictates of their own conscience severed themselves from England, their mother country, with much bloodshed; with much bloodshed, it is true, yet they gained the object for which they fought—their freedom—and hence the right to serve God as pleased their fancy. I will not suggest what step for you to take, but if you will tell me your plan, I will lead you to success.”
This time the high notes of a voice which showed training in public speaking, arose up from the great crowd, and startled everyone by exclaiming: “I, the Rev. J. T. Note, do this moment declare that there is but one way to adjust matters as they now stand;—to rectify the great injustices done to the followers of the orthodox, to those who believe in and follow the precepts of the inspired works of biblical writers. I say there is but one way to recover our waning power and that is, to fight for right.”
Hurrah after hurrah went up. The crowd grew less and less under self-control.
The minister continued: “Do not delay; make the first strike to-night. Listen,” he cried in hushed tones. “Listen!I will assist yon noble speaker to lead you to the front—to face the foe in battle.”
At the conclusion of his speech, and before another word could be spoken by anyone else present, the lights in the room went out and the mad cries of the audience went up in protest.
A strong breeze, which could only come through an open door or window, swept through the room.
It needed no voice to tell that trouble was at hand, but not the kind they had been talking about trying to create. Quick orders were given by some one in authority, in a low voice, and responded to by others in curses. Everybody tried to get to the door and into the street.
In less than ten minutes after the lights went out, the large room seemed to be empty; but it was not quite empty—there was one person left and he was the speaker of the evening. The night was intensely dark, and the large crowd got as near together as possible, and planned for a night of carnage. Until one o’clock they remained quiet, except for planning.
By some one the Rev. J. T. Note was missed; but no one felt alarmed, for those who missed him thought he was somewhere amongst the crowd, helping to carry out their proposed plan of attack. Now that the hour had arrived that they had agreed upon to attempt to take the life of the Governor and his two scientific friends, a company of three hundred men, led by the old man with the piping voice, cautiously wended their way in that direction. Others started in various directions to carry out their nefarious ideas.
The tall, raw-boned person remained, almost breathless, in his crouched position on the floor back of a big empty box, until thoroughly satisfied that no interloper, or friend, as for that, was in the room. Cautiously walking to the back door, the position of which he must have been well informed, he opened it noiselesslyand quietly stepped out into the dark night. For five minutes more he strode back and forth, his thumbs securely thrust into the band of his trousers, in deep meditation, now and then chuckling to himself.
“Let me see,” he said aloud as he suddenly came to a stop, “let me see. It is now fifteen minutes after one o’clock. Whew! What did Helen Hinckley think when I failed to meet her at the appointed place and time. The result of the meeting just closed was the most unexpected event of my life. It is all day with these would-be revolutionists if the city police and state militia are onto this meeting. It is all up with you, Reverend Note, I am quite sure. Chihuahua’s police force took charge of you, I’ll bet a copper. You are languishing in a small cell, behind the iron bars, as a nineteenth century romance writer would say, on a charge of treason. It will go hard with these three transgressors of law. It is a strange affair, and I have done my best to help both sides accomplish what they are out for. Ha! ha! It is a great world, and Free Thought, based upon scientific reasoning, is sure to win. As sure as fate. The poor deluded creatures here to-night have my sympathies, and also had my assistance to-night. I did all within my power to make the fire of revenge burn bright within their bosom. Some people may say I am a hypocrite. Well, I am in a way; but when one can make others happy by practising a little deception, the wrong cannot be lasting. And what if it is, what if it is? The beautiful creature who has so completely captivated the bachelor heart of the Governor, was disappointed, no doubt, bynot finding me at my apartment at the Annex, at ten o’clock. But not so disappointed, I fancy, as when she reads in to-morrow morning’sChihuahuan, an account of the murder of the Governor, whose love, I imagine, she reciprocates; and of Don Guillermo Gonzales, and of Julio Murillo, the son of Señora Suzzan Carriles, of Colima, as well. ‘Memory Fluid’ will go over the board, if that wholesale slaughter is effected. Their great test case will be laid over for another incarnation. ‘The Plunger from Kansas’ will have one more chance for life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, without living in mortal fear of being dragged up before the bar of civil justice and politely requested to make amends for a deed done in the body in at least two existences past. Yes, poor fellow, he will have a little rest and peace of mind; for there is no one who will concern himself about presenting to the world proofs of the results obtained by the use of their great discovery. Helen Hinckley will pine away, and the grave will claim her for another victim before the summer is over. Their spirits will voice a desire to enter again into a physical condition immediately, and before twenty years of their new life has passed away, those two hearts that this moment beat as one, soon to be so ruthlessly severed, will be united forever and forever, and as they glide along and form one of the many scenes in life’s grand panorama, they will cause, by their subtle philosophy, the ‘Plunger from Kansas’ to adjust the wrong they are now trying to right. Ha! ha! ha! Really I must move on, and cease my early morning soliloquy. I really believe I am gettingto be a prophet. Certainly I have been talking aloud. In the nineteenth century, when one fell into the habit of talking aloud to one’s self he was said to be loco; but no such a fear need be entertained now, for this is the age of scientific revelation. No one can accuse the other, for every queer action is attributed to his knowledge of science. And either everyone is a student of science—of course that science which pertains to the soul of man, particularly—or everyone is loco or crazy. Adios, all ye demons of darkness, soon to be superseded by the angels of light, adios. I certainly hope the messages you bring will be such that my sad heart will be avenged. Now, with feet as fleet as the wild goat that once roamed the mountains over, I will reach the Mexican Annex, quietly steal into my apartments, quickly conceal all of my disguise, and to-morrow no one will be any the wiser for my night’s escapade. Ha! ha! no doubt, that on in the day while the revolutionists are playing havoc in the great, progressive city, I will be shedding tears, mingling mine with those of the Plunger of Kansas over the biers of our lately departed friends. Only friend Julio will I grieve for the loss of. Poor Señora Suzzan Carriles, of Colima, had no idea when she and Father Hernandez, now languishing in jail, committed the crime of adultery in a former existence that their progeny would rise up nearly two centuries afterwards and make them repent of their folly. Ha! ha! Ye vigils of darkness, I am gone!”
The person who had just concluded the lengthy soliloquy, passed away, without further delay or comment, in the direction of the Mexican Annex.
Near by stood unseen, Helen Hinckley, who had heard with bated breath every word of the soliloquy. “The person,” she cried with smothered voice, “cannot be other than the friend of my other life. The voice I recognize as that of Marriet Motuble. Strange creature! She whom I grieved for as dead, until her note reached me at nine o’clock to-night, and gave satisfactory explanations, is here plotting against the great and noble Governor and his able coworkers. Oh, thou annihilator of evil, bear me witness to the doings of this strange woman. I will warn him for whom I have looked through two lives. He shall be preserved, and when his true state is confessed to me in words, I will unite my life to his, and then what should have come to pass two hundred years ago will take place now. There is no worry in my soul, for the righting of all wrongs is certain to come to pass.”
As swift as the wings of a bird could waft itself through space, she glided through the still, cool air of the early morning, at a distance of twelve inches from the ground, to the Governor’s home. By means of her own great psychic power she conveyed to him even in his deep sleep the knowledge of her coming, and where to admit her; at a door opening out upon a balcony on the second floor, to the rear of his home.
She was dressed in a close-fitting black dress and hat, so that in the intense darkness of the night she was not observed.
When the Governor first received the mental message stating her intention of visiting him on important business, his body shook with a great emotion, and hisheart beat wildly with joy at the prospect of seeing and talking with the object of his heart’s desire.
But when he reached the door she expected to enter, and stood ready to open it for her, he was again a man of reason, and an overwhelming love for the spiritual woman had taken the place of his baser love.
He held the door slightly open, and eagerly gazed into the darkness he could not pierce.
He felt a strange vibrating of the air, and then a presence which glided over the balcony and into the room and sank into a heap at his feet.
He caused the room to be instantly lighted, and stooping, raised the prostrate figure at his feet.
“A little water, if you please,” she said. “I could not compute the height, so the flight was a little hard for me.”
The Governor handed her a glass of cool water, and said: “I am sorry your solicitude for my safety has cost you such a great physical effort.”
“No, no, no; do not mind. It would not have happened could I have seen the house and computed the distance from the ground to this door. Do not be in the least concerned about me, your Honor. The law is apparent, but I had nothing on which I could base my calculations,” said Miss Hinckley.
“I do not understand,” said the great Governor and great discoverer of “Memory Fluid,” “how you came in this door directly from the street without any visible means of ascending to this height?”
“Is it possible, your Honor, that you forget when you and I in that life gone by, hoped we might be able to overcome the law of gravitation so far as our ownbodies were concerned, as well as to discover a means by which we could perpetuate memory?”
“I certainly recall our meditations along those lines, but I have made no investigations along the line of the former,” replied the Governor.
“But I have,” said his fair listener, “and while you were perfecting your wonderful ‘Memory Fluid’—and other liquids obtained from the source of all light, and which may prove to be equally as great scientific revealers to man—I have been delving in the realms of the hidden and praying for light. It came, and oh, glorious was the day when I felt myself lifted up a few inches from the ground and gliding along as easily as a bird on the wing!”
“How astonishing, how wonderful! You must at once become a Fellow in our Royal Academy for Scientific Investigations. Your discovery is the most remarkable in the history of man. You will do me the honor, I hope, to first explain themodus operandi. My soul yearns for knowledge of Nature, of God,” cried the great man of science, his voice full of emotion.
“My hand, your Honor. Depend upon it, that the limited knowledge I have shall be conveyed to you at the earliest moment possible. The man who is so well in tune with the Great Light, the Source of All, will comprehend the subject in a moment,” said Helen Hinckley.
The Governor pressed her firm brown hand between his two, and lifting his eyes to the invisible Ruler of the universe, said: “The blending of two harmonious lives, oh, Thou Great and Everlasting Cause; this seems to me to be the fulfillment of Thy desire.”