Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1869-10-27
SeIecte0 9liiseellanu.
THE BROTHERS.


Matches Lucifer matches Who'll
buy my matches?" cried piercing voice,
rs 7 was. one morning crossing the prin-
cipal street OF Padua; and this voice,
strange to say awoke q vague recollection
in my mind. | looked around quickly to
see from whom the sound proceeded, but
the person who tte.ed it was hidden from
my view by q crowd which had gathered
before the palace of the Count Ii. It
was in the year 1912, and thinking that
some arrest ian event then unfortunately
but too eommon) was taking place, was
turning hastily away, when again that cry
struck my ear, ''Matches Lucifer match
es Count L, won't you buy my match
es ?" AS | was in uniform, opened pas
sage through the crowd without much diff
ficultv, and perceived the Count L--- sup
porting in his arms his daughter, who had
tainted from what cause was at the mo-
ment unable to determine.
Matches! Lucifer matches! Buy my
matches, repeated the match-seller, who
stood ct some little distance. The Count
raised his head and cast around him a
look in which hatred and fury were equally
blended. He recongized me, and leaving
Mademoiselle L. to the care of the at
irItldEtcs WIZ dt IilttO dBPCdICtl
the door of the palace, he approached me,
saving, in accents which trembled with
the rage with which he was agitated,-
"Lieutenant NJ, I beg You will cause
that match seller to be Immediately arrest
ed: denounce him as most dangerous
person. -.
Pardon me, Connt u. can
not"
sYour duty obiiges you, interrupted he,
without giving me time to finish. ''I shall
hold you responsible for his safe custody.
In half an hour 7 will be with you to ex.
plain my reasons, and to prove TO you that
ha IS traitor and cOnspirator.
| was going to reply, but the Count turn
ed abruptly away, as if to avoid further dis
cussiOn and entered his palace.
"Iucifer matches Buy my matches,
Count I" again cried the individual who had
Just been denounced to me.
sLucifer matches Buy my matches p
echoed the crowd, with loud laughter.
/ advanced towards the originator of all
this noise, and was about to seize him by
the arm, to conduct Kim to heguard house,
as disturber of the public tranquility,
when he turned his head, and, to my great
asjonishment, [ recognized in him my
suhool-fellow. Georges L, the young
81 brother of Count L.. The recogni-
t1cn was mutual; but / hesitated moment
whether | ought to claim acquaintance
with so o-doubtful character. At last I ex-
claimed,
s'You here in Padua, Georges ?"
4sOnlg the last few days." he replied, in
a troubled and undecided voice.
''And what are you doing here ?"
You can see; | sell matches"
But ne Carnival is over. Why, then,
this ma nerade ?" a-
1T Is no masquerade" he answered,
quietly; had / wished to disguise myself,
j could have done so much more effectual-
jv"
As We were shlI surrounded by the
crowd, [ asked him to accompany me to
my house, which was not far distant.
slsit an order, or an invitation? No
NATTER" he added suddenly, II am ready
to follow you either as guest or prisoner. !"
On arriving at my rooms [ placed bottle
Of wine on the table, and filing two glass.
IS, begged him to explain his present ex-
traordinary position.
''In other words, you desire to hear my
history, said he.
Yes for to ell appearance it is not an
everyday one.
''God forbid that it should be- he re-
Piled; ''however, you shall hear it, and |
only wish that / could publish it through
out the world.
His features became fixed and rigid; for
some time he appeared lost in dark and
painful reeollections, but suddenly passing
his hand over his eyes, as if to dispel some
lriehtful dream, he addressed me in firm,
though bitter and sarcastic voice.
You know enough of my early life to be
aware that my brother and were never
united in that bond of fraternal love of
which people talk so much; as children we
never agreed, and as young men the wide
difference of our political opinions render
ei rs almost enemies. My brother, for
reasons of his own, 9issembled his hatred
10 the Austrian government. and wore the
mask Of a good and loyal subject When [
discovered whatwer his secret sentiments,
being unwilling to denounce him, Quilted
his root and ceased to trouble myself with
him or his family. Would to God he had
followed the same line of conduct towards
me- 1T would have been better for US all. "
He stopped, as if overwhelmed by the
bitter thoughts which crowded to his mind,
but after pause, recovered himself and
proceeded.
Il obtained an appointment in the War
Office, and for some time the current of my
life was calm and peaceful. Then came a
brief period of supreme happiness. Iloved,
deeply and truly, and [ was beloved. In a
lew short months Rosina was to be mine.
/ only waited to celebrate our nuptials, I'M
Ill my majority should give me the right OF
ao.ag.eo, without the consent of my broth
Il. H4o strongly opposed my intended mar
liaae and would hive forced me to con-
tract an alliance with the rich and noble
family of B. hoping thus to augment
his own power and influence. One evening,
on going to pay my accustomed visit to
nasina ] found with her certain Broglo,
ore Of my brothers creatures Agitated
and alarmed RoSina threw herself into my
arms, and besougbt me with tears TO save
her from The insults of Broglo. Furious
with rage, ! rushed upon the miscroant,
who was leaving the room rs quietly as
peasible and forced him down the stairs
with s. nHch violence that he fell, and sus-
fained some severe bruises. few weeks
affer this Incident / received letter from
him. returning with lulsome and exagger-
ats4 thanks bank-note for hundred
i0rius. which / had lent him some time
hefara. This loan had quite escaped my
memory. and unfortunately, had not made
il out of my own purse. When Brogho
Ga7 called at my Office 10 ask me for the
1aanev Of which he had instant need,
had not so much of my own with me, but
ri3 nof hesitate TO take 1t from the cash IN
trusted to NY care. intending to replace ii
earlY tie next morning nothing was
more easv. bat on receiving Brogilo
letter, il struck me that had never repaid
the money. To seize the necessary sum-
to rush to he Office, was nv first Thought
tut il was already too late; the admlratlon'
3aTned by an anonymous letter that my
accounts were not in order, had caused
lAem 10 be verified an hour before, l was
arrested tried and condemned to six years
74ittaIy confinement. The only grace that
"aa accorded me, was the permission TO
eilst ana Indignation, could only swear an
eieiha IdeEty. It is useless to describe ia
Eoa 45 -uterings during those six long
ears. Al last was free! My first i'm