The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1859-11-10

drel F" screamed the youth, unless you keep
more civil tongue in it," and he advanced,
as if to carry his threat into execution.
Brother brotherln cried the young lady,
chnging to him, and holding him back.
Father" cried Maddalena, from the kitchen
door, "there is il Signor Merivale--he knows
let him decide"
81, 81, uero," cried Carlo, running towards
Merivale. Z" T. ben frocdto, cara !" and he be-
gan rapidly incoherent narrative, in which he
was interrupted by the Jew, and again by the
young stranger, who with naughty glance
said that his affairs did not require being
placed within the inspection of whatever ref
cree. But his sister, bending look upon Meri-
vale that was full of entreaty, turned to him
quickly, saying,
| Pray, sir, assist us in a predcament that
is so embarrassing, if you can do so. Tell
him what it is, Rupert"
Our artist felt all his resentment for the
naughty brother melt away before that appeal.
He experienced a sudden access of patriotism
that took him by surprise, felt that the cause
Of his country demanded action, and was re-
solved to nail his flag to the mast, and stand by
his compatriots as resolutely as Duncan Ingra-
ham stood by Koszta at Smyrna.
off you will permit me, sir" said he, hand
ing his card to the youth, "perhaps 1 can
help you out of your difficulty. / am an old
traveller, and l know these people well. Be-
sides, / think we are fellow-countrymen, and
cospetto! if there is any fighting to be done,
l claim the honor of bearing the sponge for
you"
The youth smiled bowed courteously, and
handed Merivale his card in return. 1t bore
the name of Rupert Beale."
eff you are American, may claim a com
mon birthright with you and anyhow, ac-
cept your offer in the spirit that prompted it.
Ny sister and myself-Mr. Merivale, sister
are in rather unpleasant predicament.
went out early this morning to battle in the
lake, accompanied by this insolent fellow, and
imprndently laid my money belt, containing all
my travelling resources until reach Genoa,
upon the shore. When came back after my
swim, the belt was gone, and l shrewdly sus-
pect the scoundrel has it himself, or connived
at the theft--he is not too good for such work.
| Not satisfied with this the rogue wishes me
to pay him now for his services, and discharge
him-his knowledge of my embarrassment Civ
ing him additional insolence. Of course,
must pay the people of the inn, they do not
know me; but this villain disputes my right to
leave my watch here"
Filain or no ilain, de gelt is to me owed,
rechtlich, und tie watch cooms zu mich, den."
''Not so fast, my friend" said Merivale fast
ening his keen eye upon the Jew, who looked
every inch rogue and brazen as he was,
WINGED under the artists scrutiny. "Not so
fast, worthy courier / have word to say
| here"
"None of your pisness, dis-you go baint
und traw-I mindt mein proper affair."" re-
marked the Jew, insoently
$50 it seems" rejoined Merivale, coolly
Give me that watch, Carlo. Take it, Mr..
Beale we shall not have any further need of
it at present Hum that was wise sugges
| a. &c
across the way, and bring Signor Podesta here
quickly
The jew started, and his forbidding brow
lowered yet more, while he could not prevent
Merivale's eye from detecting his discomposure
Hal you do not like it? Carlo, fetch me the
red.covered sketch-book out of my portfolio"
This brought, he turned over the leaves rapidly
drew out small portrait, and handed it to Mr..
Beale; then he displayed it before the eyes of
Monsieur the Courier, who became almost livid
IN recogn.Fng an excellent likeness of hIiSself.
"That, ~ said Merivale, holding the sketch
up and pointing to it as if to illustrate his re-
marks, " that is the portrait Of certain we'll
| known rogue, who was condemned last year
about this time, wasn't it, Herr Mendlebaum2-
in Bologna, for peddling stolen Geneva watches,
and vending counterfeit tickets of the Ham
burgh lottery-one of which bought, in order
to catch his features He broke jail, 1 remem-
Der; and, as he has four years to serve-sap-
peymenti Mendlebaum |" cried he, grasping
the jew as he turned to fly, "you must be
quicker than that to dodge me. I've played
cricket with the Eleven of Cambridge, and
I've drilled with the Zouaves in the barracks
Of Montmartre."
You let me ko-coquin !" cried the cou-
rier, struggling. O. gifts him the watch. Let
me go, ten. You shoak me-"
"Aye, you'll give him what you have not
got. But the money-the belt that Como's
waves flung to you, l want that also. Come,
out with it, yield it, pay over, dsgorge it, or l
shall be under the painful necessity of handing
you over to the authorities" The unhappy
rogue, with n face full of mingled fright and
hate, drew belt from his pocket, and flung it
to the floor, again struggling to free himself,
and escape.
"Count your money, Mr.. Beale.'
at is all right, except n ducat two.
Now, what do owe you, you villainous hound?'
This" said Merivale, releasing the courier,
and giving him an energetic kick, a notneeded
augmentation to the speed with which he fed
through one door, as the podesta and his actu
airy hustled in at another. "The rascal has
cheated you out of twice your debt to him al
ready, / doubt not. He is one of the most no.
torious scamps on the whole grand route, and
dares not show his face further south than this
| point. You travel in your own cetturd, sus
pect? l thought so. That rogue would never
have permitted vehicle he was interested in
to come so far south By the way the podesta
will expect douceur. Ha, excellentissmo
just too late, just too late, and such superb
villain All the bars and letters Of Cade-
nabbia would weigh nothing against his skill.
Too many siestas, podesta, 1 fear your blood
is inclined to grow sluggish. However, better
| luck next time; and-here is the rogue's pic
ture, in case he should give trouble here again"
| The podesta was feed and went away salts
| fed, while Carlo had proffered and reiterated
| his most humble apologies to Mr. Beale, ere our
| artist was satisfied that his mediation was CON-
| plete; then he suddenly remembered that his
! fish was getting cold, and, with q remark to that
effect, turned away, bowling.
| "a moment, Mr.. Merivale, you must accept
our thanks -
| "After breakfast, my dear sir-but now, not
word-to an empty stomach even gratitude the
most fervent falls like pall-pardon me, Miss
| Beale-du reDoir."
| will you not join as at our breakfast, Mr..
Merivae !" asked the young lady: "yeur own
is probably cold, and we desire an opportunity
to thank you, which may not occur, as we leave
here almost immediately"
:" Do sir" said Mr. Beale, putting his hand
upon the artists arm" we are more indebted
TO you than you can imagine. We have not
letter of credit nor even an acquaintance this
side of Genoa"
You owe me nothing, indeed" responded
the artist, earnestly; then quickly and vivacious-