Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1872-06-20

which we earn as gentlemen of the
hlgh-road IS free to go wherever he
likes.
. And he who is too poor to pay
ransom"
We do him no harm either But
there is always some way. The rela.
tives are usually willing to step forward
III such an emergency. Believe me,
signora, we are not so black as we are
painted.
The Countess glanced hastily about
her She found Giuseppe mourning
over his poor horse, and Giovanni and
Admilla trembling in every limb, all of
them looking to her for salvation
8 In brief, then, Mr. Robber Cap
tain" said she at last, chow high a
ransom do YOU demand, not only to let
us go free, but to help us put the wagon
/ together, get us fresh horse, and con-
duct US part OF the way Z"
A fresh smile spread over the bandits
lip, which displayed his white teeth in
tache ON his upper lip
"SignOra is evidently of the opinion
that a great deal must be demanded in
order to obtain anything. But you
have made great mistake, signora.
We want no money of you"
4" Great heavens! what do you want,
then z" cried the Countess, now fright
ened in good earnest.
=" Ought to have told you that we
always make an exception in the case of
great artistes. We never demand ran
som from such people, but only ask the
privilege OF enjoying their art. ,"
II understand, laughed the Count
ess, CHANGING more hopefully at her
companion "we have the happiness to
be known to you."
"My name is Gigantic Titani," an
swered the bandit, bowling. II com
mand company OF sixty brave men.
they lay in wait ut the foot Of the hill
One whistle, and they are all on the
spot. We all know you, signora Not
one of us who has not heard of Marie
Taglioni, and felt IA desire to see and
admire her; the opportunity has now
come. The simplest has no longer a
doubt that the highly honored Count
ess dc Naisins, who was imprudent to
get ont alone to meet her husband, is
no other than the famous Marie Tag
lioni
You desire, then, that | shall dance
for You"
" Yes, Signora, there is no choice
left to YOU.
"And if | should refuse to dance be-
fore robbers and murdcrers. "
"Then | would not undertake, with
all respect for Your talent. your name
and your person, to protect you a mo-
ment longer"
W bout music, under the open
sky. an without'-looking downward
-" but you should understand that it
is impossible, sir.
"Oh, no, Signora All these diff
cnltles may be overcome. You can take
twenty-four hours to get ready. The
village Nirsino hes in the valley below,
which we can reach in two hours. A
part of the inhabitants belong to our
baud and the rest depend upon us for
support. Iou will have the best ac-
commodations and attentions at the
house of old Mattini, who is our pa
tMarch. A smart boy of the village
viii take your orders for what clothes
you require and bring them from the
nearest town. The village lies safely
closed in by high mountains. just
west of it, hid in the rocks, is our cave,
which is large and pleasant, and there
the performance will take place"
The countess still hesitated. She
had a cold refusal on her tongue and
her left hand played mechanically with
a gold chain which she wore about her
neck. No one knew that small but
sharp-polnted dagger was at the end of
1t. But then her eye fell upon Admit
In, who had read the thoughts of tie
countess in her features. The poor
girl was about to fall at his feet, and
cried out in German
"Oh, save us, dear countess Do
what they ask of you, for Gods sake.
Wen, / consent said the former
celebrated danseuse. LET us go on.
1t was wonderful to see how soon the
wagon was made ready to proceed. A
new horse was furnished, and one of
the band took his place at the postil-
lions side. Another stepped into the
diligence and sat down by Giovanni.
Then the vehicle was driven rapidly
down the descending road.
Ill
The village was reached in couple
of hours. Marie's eye fell upon few
miserable shanties SO beautiful as
was the surrounding scenery, the in
habitants did not seem to live in harm
ouy with it. A woman stood before the
doors, and dirty childrenplayed among
the olive and laurel trees.
The so-called patriarch of the robber
village-old Mattini-satq quietly before
his door, smoking his cigarette. He
raised himself when the wagon stopped