The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1869-11-05
loved her at once, and the nuptial ceremo-
MES were not long delayed.

the pit, twelve stout earthen Jars, full O
precious gold. And then he told them tn,
story of his adventures in the India1
Ocean.
"My son." he concluded, "this grea
wealth have saved for yon; but we mus
not expose it here. On the morrow we will
move it away, and set sail for France. Yor
and Cora shall make home in Marseilles
and will be happy with you"
Cora asked if there were robbers in the
neighborhood
"Ah," said Antonio, shaking his head
"you don't know our country. The mobiles
would be our robbers. Look at Gregeric
Barbieri, the Count of Mondragone, who
gained title and castle just because he
discovered the famous medicinal waters
he would not hesitate to rob us, if he had
an opportunity"
There seemed to be direful magic spell
in the calling of that name; for within
half an hour after they had assembled from
the cellar, the Count of Mondragone, &C
companied by six serving men as evil and
ugly as himself, made his appearance at the
cot. He did not stop to ask questions, but
having seized upon Antonio and his son,
and bound them hand and foot, he bore
them away to his castle of Mondragone,
and introduced them at once into torture
chumber-a dark, dismal, underground
crypt-and where the Count made known
his business.
He had long suspected that Antonio Mo-
rino possessed much wealth, and had close
ly watched all his movements. He had
sent spy to be present at the wedding of
the son with Cora, and had learned that
the old man had bestowed on the bride a
necklace of Oriental pearls. And now he
demands to know the truth. But An
tohio would not tell him, nor would the
son. Then the Count called in his assis-
tants, and the old fisherman was stripped,
and cast upon rack, and his wrists and
ankles dashed to the rollers, poor Leonardo
standing all the while, so fettered that he
could afford his father no relief.
"Now, Antonio Morino," pronounced the
Count, "tell me where is your goldi ask
not whether you have much or little but I
simply demand to know where it isl
will set your body on the torment, and
l will rack your limbs from their sockets,
if you do not tell me And if you die in
your silence, will put your son in your
place; and he too, shall undergo the Or
deal. Now, speak. Where is your gold
hidden2"
Still the sturdy old Morino would not
disclose his secret. He had passed through
too many dangers in his life to he scared
at threats, however terrible they might be-.
What could the old man do He knew
that the wicked Count would keep his
word. Had there been hope that his ST.
lence could have preserved the gold to his
son, he would have died ere he would have
spoken.
"For the last time ask you, Antonio
Morino, where is your gold pursued the
Count.
Receiving no reply, he turned to the ill
looking attendants, and said, in loud,
stern voice, "Is all readyf"
A nod of the head from each of the men
was the sole response.
"Then give one turn of the rack as II fore
taste of what is to follow" was the Counts
cruel order.
The men proceeded to obey; but the son
could no longer look upon the scene with
out giving way.
"Hold-hold cried Leonardo as he
saw the strong men about to turn the rack.
ing beams. 81 will tell"
mo, no, my son p said the old man.
Torture can only slightly abridge a life
which has almost run its course. Let this
vile Count and his myrmidons do the worst
they can will endure it and defy them"
"How! Dost think would have gold
that had cost my fathers life2 No; not a
morsel of pain shall rack thy dear old limbs
if can prevent it Look we, Sir Count
~
The old fisherman interposed, and asked
Barbieri how much gold would satisfy
him. The base and covetous man knew
that father and son were in his power, and
he would have all, or none. At length,
when he saw that there could be no posi-
BILE hope, old Morino spoke.
1.-THE gold is in my cellar. In the corner
next the old fountain is tagging stone of
darker hue than its mates, and at the an
gle nearest the wall is an opening large en-
ough for the insertion of hand. Raise
this stone, and you will find twelve earthen
jars, with leaden covers, filled with gold
1t is all possess of wealth in the world
If you will leave for my poor boy two jars
only two"
But the Count would not stop to listen
to prayers. 1t was now very near night
fall and as soon as he could get his horses
ready, he set forth, bearing the father and
the son back, as he had brought them,
bound hand and foot; and he said to them,
if he found the gold, they should be free !;
but if he found it not, they should suffer.
1t was dark when they reached the cot
and the women were not there, but Barbi-
eri thought not of them. With lighted
torches he went to the cellar, where he
found the stone, as Antonio had said; and
underneath it he found the twelve jars !;
and having removed one of the leaden COW
ers, he beheld held the glittering gold
He handled the precious pieces, that his
eyes might not be deceived; and he lifted
more of the coins With the assistance of
his men he bore the heavy jars to the yard
and when he was ready to start away he
turned to give Antonio and his son part
ing word, to the effect that, if they made
any serious stir about the matter, they
should both die.
Antonio Morino and his son were left
alone. The old man sank down into his
chair completely overwhelmed with grief
while Leonardo sought to comfort him.
mo, no, my boy-you cannot bring joy
to my soul again Oh, how many years
have preserved this treasure for thee !
For myself care not; but for my dear
son-"
At this juncture, Cora and her maid en-
tered the cot.
ooh, dear Leonardo, have those terrible