East Saginaw courier. (East Saginaw, Mich.) 1859-18??, 1863-09-23

troublesome, we are not obliged to run
any personal risk TO get rid of him I;
n few sequins, duly paid to some noted
chief, like my friend Spezzi, will settle
IT, matter in short time.'
And for money he will commit
mllrder Z" exclaimed the baronet, not
more amazed at the horrible fact than
the saag ford of the duke in speaking
of it in such business-lil1e manner.
AT least he will rid you of your
foe, lSir Arthur"
" Bnt how is it, when this is known
to be the case, that he escapes arrest
Heveyou no laws hero to protect cit
IensS Arc such crimes sanctioned
blythe authorities ?''
-"Oh, no, not altogether" smiled the
duke.
"We have laws against assassina-
tons, it is true, and sometimes they
are enforced; but the public at large
gercrally sides with the offender, and
custom gives sanction TO the deed
Besides, man like Spezzi has enough
under his command to execute his Will
without soiling his own hands with the
affair. When l said he carried the
surest stiletto in Naples, had refer
eaee rather TO his power of accomplish
ing whatever he undertakes, than TO
his performing the act himself individ-
ually."
1t is true that Sir Arthur had heard
something Of all this before he went
to Naples; but being a native of a
country where every right of the citi-
zen, whether poor or rich, was protec-
ted by rigorous laws vigorously en-
forced, he had not given the matter
any serious thought, supposing the
reports 10 arise from exaggerations of
herd and there some magisterioal de-
linquency. Now, however, his eyes
wcrs beginning TO open to the start
ling truth, and he began to wish him
self safely back in law protecting Eng
land.
What safety is there here, then,
for any one, foreign or native 2" he
asked; |" for your Highness, or even
the King himself?"
The duke shrugged his shoulders,
and replied lightly:
1--WE must take all our chances of
life and death in this world, though
the fellows seldom venture to strike so
high as the sacred persons of the royal
family. The banditti, as a class, are
stric ly religious-strict III fasts and
prayer and often at confessions-and
the ling IS er o@cio, high dignitaly
TO txc Holy Church. Besides, we
haven counter class, called ,eopos, who
can 10 hired, for one or two sequins
per sxay, 70 follow a man wherever he
goes sard stick TO him like his shadow,
and y.idcr whose protection he is per-
!. .sae'< .sa .the benlitti, with whom
the fornlcr Is On good tc.nf--Ss sss.ssss--
respecting his rights, and never lifting
a hand against any person while un-
der his watchlul care"
"Then l VIII forthwith hire NE one
Of these fellows, SO see me safely thIo'
Naples :" said Sir Arthur
"No need, my friend, for you have
no enemies here, replied the duke
y few nights after the conversation
Sir Arthur went to the opera, in COM
pany with the duke. St Cairo was
crow ed wit the beauty and fashion
oI Nap.es, and everything was gor-
geous and dazzling. The duke hav-
ing occasion for temporary absence,
Sir Arthur, in the interval between
the acts, quilted his box and strolied
through the principal corridor or gal
lery, whore hundreds were coming and
gong, or lounging about III hstless
attitudes.
On his return, in attempting to pass
rather hastily through group of gen
tlemen, he accidentally trod on the
foot of one oi the party. The individ-
ual uttered a suppressed cry of pain,
and with face dark with rage, ap-
piled most insulting epithet TO the
baronet. The latter was on the point
of apologizing, when word was hiss
ed as it were into his very ear, and he
immediately turned on his heel and
walked away, no longer feeling under
obligation to treat as gentleman one
who had shown himself unworthy of
the honor.
On the return of the duke Sir Ar
thur acquainted him with the facts. =
His Highness looked grave, and asked
TO have the person described.
Did any of the others of the group
make any remarks ?" he inquired.
Il think not, replied the baronet.
"Do you think they knew you were
a friend of mine 2"
q cannot say; but they certainly
saw me return to your Highness' box,
If they did not see me leave it."
"Ihen unless L receive an apology
from the person who insulted you,
permit me to consider this quarrel
mine :" said the duke with an air of
stern determination.
"If agreeable TO your highness,
suppose we let the matter pass without
further notice." suggested Sir Arthur.
You do not understand the Nea-
politans, Sir Arthur, if YOU think the
matter can pass without further no.
tice. If the person in question is a
friend Of mine, l shall soon receiyc an
apology for his afIront to you, my
guest if an enemy, we must look out
for our lives. / would like to see
Captain Spezzi for a few moments,
and he was here but short time
since"
The duke rose, as if to quit his box
again, and at that moment the Captain
OF banditti appeared at the door The
duke took him aside, and they had
short conference together after which
the captain retired, and the duke re-
turned to his scat, making some quiet
,o,,,a,.l< about th. ,,la,. fIv,o .,,l ..,,t