Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1865-03-02

| WlHC-oHOp Wltl Il lldH WlOSc uIcSS lllulCSt
ted the stOker.
"'Come in Guido come in," said tn,
guard and drink with me-"
The man came in, and | was again absorb
ed in my book
They seated themselves at the same ia
BILE as before, ,and drank silently for awhile
presently the guard began a conversation
in some patois that could not understand
but could see the stoker grow more anC
more interested as the name of Beatrix oc
CURED more frequently
As the talk went on the stoker seemed
pressing the guard on some part of the
story with most vindictive eagerness, re
peatedly asking, "His name ? The accurs
ed His name ?'
At last the guard answered, "The Count
Spezzato."
"The Count Spezzato r' said the stoker
now leaving the table, and speaking il
| Italian
"Yes, good Guido the man who will
travel in the train we take tonight to Leg
| horn"
He shall die The accursed ! He
shall die tonight !" said the stoker " If
lose my life, the betrayer my sister shall
de!"
The guard, returning to the unknown
tongue, seemed to be endeavoring to calm
him ; and | could only catch repetition Of
the word 'Empoli" at intervals. Presently
the stoker took from the seats beside hin
two tin bottles, such as you may see in the
hands of mechanics who dine out and
could see that one Of them had rudely
scratched on it the name William Atkin
son." fancied the guard produced from
his pocket phial, and poured the contents
into that bottle and the action was sc
rapid, and the corner so dark, that / could
not be positive then rising, they stopped
at the counter, had bottles filled with bran
dy and went out
1t was now time to get to the station
and, having paid my modest score, | went
out.
And a little in front of me, by the light
from small window, saw these two cross
themselves, grip each others hands across
right to right, left to left, and part The
stoker had set down the bottles, and now
taking them up followed the guard at a
slower pace.
Arrived at the station, found the Count,
his mother, female servant, and the cour-
ier
The Count came up to me and said in
broken English, "You are the English to
go to Leghorn with me? Very well, there
is room. | like the English. You shall
pay nothing, because do not sell tickets
you shall go free. Is that so?"
thanked him in the best Italian | could
muster.
"Do not speak your Italian to me |
speak English as a native can know all
you shall say to me in your own tongue
See, here is the train special, as you call it.
Enter, as it shall please you"
The train drew up to the platform and
saw that the stoker was at his post, and
that the engine driver was an Englishman.
| endeavored in vain to draw his atten-
tion to warn him, and was compelled to
take my scat, which did in the compart-
ment next the guards break-the train con-
sisting of only that carriage and another in
which were the Count, MS mother, and the
servant.
The guard passed along the train, locked
the doors, and entered his box
1.-THE Florence goods is behind you, and
the Sienna goods is due at Empoli Junction
four minutes before you; mind you don't
run into it," said the station-master, with a
laugh.
No fear we shall not run into it," said
the guard, with a marked emphasis on
the we" and it " that | recalled after
wards
The whistle sounded. and we were off. 1t
was drizzing, dark night and lay down
full length on the seat to sleep.
AS lay down a CLEAN of light shot ac-
ross the carriage from a small chink in
the woodwork of the partition between
the compartment | was in, and the guards
box.
was terribly anxious from the manner
of the guard, and this seemed to be a means
of hearing something more. | lay down
and listened attentively.
"How much will you give for yonr life,
my little fox ~ said the guard.
To-day, very little when | am sixty,
all have, Conrad"
"But you might give something for it to.
night sweet Alexis, if you knew it was in
danger"
II have no fear Conrad Ferrati has toe
| often conducted train for me to fear to-
night
"True, my good Alexis but this is the
last train he will ride with as guard, fol
tomorrow he will be the great Count Spez
| zatO.'
"How? Tomorrow? You joke, Con
rad The brandy was strong, but you who
have drunk so much could hardly fee
| that"
a neither joke OF am drunk yet
shall be Count Spezzato tomorrow, gooC
Alexis. Look you, my gentle fox, my swee
fox if you do not buy your life of me yol
shall die tonight. That is simple, swee
fox.
GAY but, Conrad, l am not in danger"
NAY, Alexis see, here is the door," {
heard him turn the handle.) IF you leal
against the door you will fall out and b'
killed Is it not simple? ?"
But, good Conrad, | shall not leal
against the door"
"Oh my sweet fox, my cunning fox, m.
timid fox, but. not my strong fox yo1
will lean against that door. | know yo
will unless prevent you; and | will no
prevent you unless you give me all yo
have in that bag"
The mocking tone Of the guard SCENE
we'll understood, for heard the click c
gold.
Good, my Alexis it is good; but it
very little for life. Come, what is you
life worth that you buy it only with you