The weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1869-18??, 1869-11-03
The Brothers.

Matchesl Lucifer matchesl Who'll
buy my matchesl 7" cried piercing voice a
was one morning crossing the principa
street OF Padua; and this voice, strange t,
say, awoke vague recollection in my mind
| looked around quickly to see from whom
the sound proceeded, but the person who ut
tered it was hidden from my view by
crowd which had gathered before the pal
ace of the Count -. 1t was in th,
year lS49, and thinking that some ares
ian event then unfortunately but too com
NOM was taking place, I was turning hssti
" away, when again that cry struck nv ear
Matches! Lucifer matches! Count l.
won't you buy my matches2" As I was in
uniform, l opened passage through the
crowd without much difficulty and perceiy.
ed the Count L supporting in his
arms his daughter, who had fainted-from
what cause was at that moment unable 10
determine.
"Matchest Lucifer matchesl Buy nv
Matches" repeated the match.seller. who
stood at some little distance. The Count
raised his head, and cast around him a look
in which hatred and fury were equally blend
ed. He recognized me, and leaving Made.
VINO at that moment appeared at the door
OF the palace, he approached me, saying, in
accents which trembled with the rage with
which he was agitated,-
Lieutenant M, beg you will cause
that match-seller to be Immediately arrested
denounce him as a most dangerous ner'
son." p''-
Pardon me, Count Il cannot -
Your duty obliges you," interrupted he
without giving me time to finish. II shall
hold you responsible for his safe custody In
half an hour will be with you to explain
my reasons, and to prove to you that he is a
traitor and conspirator"
was going to reply, but the Count turn
ed abruptly away, as if to avoid further dis.
cusslon, and entered his palace.
"Lucifer matches Buy nv matches
Count L 81" again cried the individual
who had just been denounced to me.
"Lucifer matches Buy my lucifer
matches !" echoed the crowd, with loud
laughter.
l advanced towards the originator of all
this noise, and was about to seize him by the
arm, to conduct him to the guard-house
as disturber OF the public tranquility. when
he turned his head, and to my great aston.
lshment, l recognized in him my school-fel-
low, George L -----, the younger brother
OF Count. The recognition was mu-
tual; but I hesitated a moment whether
l ought to claim acquaintance with so
doubtful character. At last I exclaim-
ed IroH T.0f.I
o you here, in Padua, George 2" 1
"Only the last few days." he replied. in
troubled and undecided voice.
And what are you doing here p,
"You can see; sell matches"
but the Carnival is over. Why, then,
this masquerade"
ut is no masquerade" he answered, quiet.
y; had l wished to disguise myself T
could have done so more effectually."
AS we were still surrounded by the crowd.
asked him to accompany me to my house
which was not far distant.
Is 1t an order. or an invitation7 No mat
'er, he added suddenly, Il am ready to fol- |
ow you either as guest or prisoner"
On arriving at my rooms, I placed bot
lie OF wine on the table, and filling two |
glasses, I begged him to explain his present
extraordinary position. ~ & ~
I'm other words, you desire to hear nv
history" said he. 'a'1e
Eyes, for to all appearance it is not an
every day one." ~. =
"God forbid that it should be- he replied
however you shall hear it, and I only wish
hat ! could publish it throughout the
world"
His features became fixed and rigid for
ome time he, appeared lost in dark and
painful recollections, but suddenly passing
us hand over his eyes, as if to dispel some
rigbtful dream, he addressed me ia a firm.
hough bitter and sarcastic voice: H ~ =
you know enough of my early life to be
ware that my brother and l were never
lnitedin that bond of ffaternal love of which
'eople talk SO much; as children we never
greed, and as young men the wide difference
II our political opinions rendered us almost I
nemies. My brother, for reasons of his own
assembled his hatred to the Austrian gov
rnment, and wore the mask of good and
oval subject, When 1 discovered what were
lis secret sentiments, being unwilling to de-
lounce him, I quilted his roof and ceased to
rouble myself with him or his family. |
Vould to God he had followed the same !