Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1858-12-10
AN APPENINE ADVENTURE.

had known we'll in the land of bis nativity. Ii
was Sunday evening. and on she following day
| was to start for Bologns Grover and myself
sat upon one of the balconies of our chamber
engaged in conversation over our cigars, and
after we talked awhile of the various things
We had seen during the day, he asked me if be
had ever told me of his adventure among the
Appennes. told him had never heard it,
''rhen must tell it to yop," he said,
throwing away his cigar and taking a sip of
wine.
Lighted fresh cigar, and be related TO me
as follows.
ssFour years ago this summer my brother
and two sisters visited me here in Florence
They spent two weeks with me, and then start
ed for Venice, by the way Of Bologna, where
they had friends whom they were anxious to
see. should have gone with them bad | not
been engaged upon work which l had pro-
missed to have done within given time but
as it was, We made the thing work very we'll,
for my brother expected two thousand dollars
by the hands of FREUD who was shortly ex-
pected from Rome and il was arranged that
should take the money when it came, and bring
it with me to Venice when got ready to meet
them there. My brother left the necessary
documents for the obtaining OF the money, and
in due time set cut.
'sOE the next day l was taken i'll, and was
confined 10 my bed week, but got out and
finished my work just as my friend arrived from
Rome with the money. He delivered it into
my hands upon production of my brothers
written Instruction, / set next Monday as the
day on which | would start | was really not
fit to undertake such journey, but ] could
not MISS seeing my sisters once more before
they returned home. / could have sent :he
money easily enough, but promised myself
too much pleasure with my dear relatives IN
Venice to miss it uew.
''1londay morning caule, and ! could not
arise from bed without assistance. A SORT of
Dearalglc affection had seized all my nerves,
aud was forced to stay in doors, anu 70 resort
re hot'buthz and medicine. But on the fol-
lowing morning | felt able TO start, and | did
so. Upon reaching Pistoga, / learned that
there was no diligence 70 leave before the next
day. | could not stand this. | vas already
behind my time, and if the thug could be ac-
complished | must GO on. There was dill
genee under the shed, but Ea one TO dive it.
"But cau't we have some one ! asked. 'slt
Signor will pay" was the laconic reply. OF
course l would pay and though the sum char.
gcd was pretty round one, yet | did not
hesitate. The NUMBERING vehicle was dragged
out four miserable looking horses were attach
ed, aud then yoke of stout oxen htched on
ahead of them. Two rough looking fellows
were provided one as a vetturino tpos.ilIion
and the other two TO drive the oxen. Thu,
/ provided, took my seat and the diligence
| started.
We were 10 cross the Appenines by the pass
of In Cottlna and just began to ascend the
rugged mountain path when heard loud hol
looing behind, and 10 a moment the diligence
stopped.
ssWhat's the matter Z" | asked, pokiDe
my head out through the opening by my side.
''Two men want to ride" returned the
vcturino.
''But l hired the diligence, aud am in hur'
ry; SO drive OF. If they wish to ride they
must wait until Tomorrow"
But the drivers we're not 20 be governed
/ thus
sit won't make a bit of difference they said
'We'll go just as fast; aud besides, they'll
! pay us something
BY this time the cause OF all tue trouble
made its appearance in the shape of two dark
/ Visaged, black-bearded powerful men, xhc
! looked ugly enough for the incarnation of mur-
der. I recognized one of them as fellow
whom bad seen hanging about the hotel al
/ Florence, and the other | was confdeut | had
caught glimpse of just as the diligence left
/ the yard at Pistoja.
was upon the point of speaking when the
\ thought occurred to me that had better keep
my knowledge of the ltalian language to my
self / might find out the character of the
fellows thus. knew very well that fur theI
remonstrance would be useless, for the drivers
we're stupidity hoggish, and the new applicants
were clearly not men 10 be argued with. The
door was open aud the fellows entered. oc,
cupied the back seat, and they took the seat al
| the other end fixing themselves so as to face
me. They looked at me out of wicked eyes
4 aud as they threw back their short coaks saw
they were well armed
Hope we don't trouble you g SAID one o
| them in coarse italian, as the diligence started
on.
] gazed iuquiringly into his face, but made
no reply.
/ He repeated the remark
'No comprehend. Signor.' | said shaking M
/ head
'Ah-Englese g he suggested with a shrus
of his shoulders.
NO Irish,' told him.
Ugh' be gruntcd, with another shrug o
the shoulders, with an awful scOwl of th,
face.
We had now began to ascend the mountain
10 good earnest, and our pace was slow arc
numbering. The fellow who drove the oxe'
made noise enough for an army, while th'
blows upon both oxen and horses fell hard ans
thick, but without accomplishing anything
Had been alone might have enjoyed th'