Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1872-06-13

Y
wife, his pretty, rosy, sweet Marietta,
! he has been down ON them. He has
sworn to bring them NIL to the gallows." :"
Is Kutrino really an enemy to the
bandits 2" asked the young woman,
her cheek turning pale at the thought
of not following his advice.
"He is no friend, at all events, and
tries to hurt them wheneve he can"
The countess had no longer any zest
for the beautiful scenery around her.
She lay back on her cushions and shut
her eyes, not word coming from her
lips. The diligence had reached the
helghth OF the mountain. male and
female companions burst forth in ad-
miration at the brilliant panorama that
u'afolded iteelf to their view, but it was
all lost on the Countess. :
The diligence had begun to roll along
quickly down the hill, when shot fell
upon the ears that resounded through
| the woods like thunder. Giuseppe
whipped his horses and urged them at
break-neck speed down the mountain.
The next that was heard was loud
outcry. One of the horses had fallen
and tho wagon had been turned over.
The other horse wild with fright, began
to drag his mate, the diligence and tho
people along.
Then there came a half.shrieking
noise to the ears Of the unhappy trav-
elers, all of whom were extricating
themselves with more or less pain and
difficulty. The wagon was shattered
in pieces. Giuseppe did his utmost to
place the fallen. horse upon his feet.
Giovanni was endeavoring to stop the
blood of q head-wound, and Admilla
was weeping and trembling. The Coun-
tess stood listlessly on The roadside,
looking askant at the postil]ion, who
had now grown earnest enough, and
who shook his head sadly as he said:
Poor Brunoxl He has broken his
leg. Twill have to leave him here"
Then came the shrill whistle again,
and they all looked anxious and terri
fed at the sound, guessing it's meaning.
In another instant a dozen men, with
sun-burned and full bearded faces, and
clothed in the most picturesque bandit
costume, sprang out in the road and
surrounded the frightened travellers.
A great, tall brigand, with red sash
about his body, stepped up to the
Countess with a bow that would not
have disgraced drawing-room. His
features discovered something of good
nature though their wildness of ex-
preston, and he said, in a mild and
sOnorous voice -
"Beleve me, madam, prize the ac-
cident which affords me an opportunity
of making the acquaintance of so re-
nowned an artistic"
The lady shrugged her shoulders and
| opened her mouth as If to express the
contemp she felt; but, seeing five or
six short rifles pointed at the party, she
concluded it best to restrain herself.
"Signora will not be surprised" con.
tinued the bandit, in his politest man.
ner, " if we improve so rare an oppor-
tunity to cultivate better acquaint-
ance. The monotony of our mode of
life is so dreadful that we thirst for
some change"
"I understand" answered the
Countess. "Your way of breaking the
monotony is to plunder unfortunate
travellers, drag them OFF to the noun
tains, and shut them up. within four
dreary walls"
"It must be admitted that we do
such things once in a while. But this
is our profession, to which we must all
look to keep body and soul together.
The terrorism and murders which peo-
pie lay at our doors are somewhat exag-
gerated. Whoever pays US the ransom
which we earn as gentlemen of the
high-road is free to 60 wherever he
"And he who is too poor to pay a
ransom2"
1--WE do him no harm either. But
there is always some way. The rela.
IN 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.
"1n brief, then, Mr.: Robber Cap.
tain," said she at last, "how high q
ransom do you demand, not only to let
us go free, but to help us put the wagon
i together, get us fresh horse, and con.
duct us a part of the way e.
A fresh smile spread oyer the bandits
lip, which displayed his white teeth in
strong contrast with the black NOUS.
tache on his upper lip.
that great deal must be demanded in
have made a great mistake, signora.
We want no money of YOU"
} Great heav ems! what do you want,
| $ho,, 2s1 nv:ol k1>o 01,,,ko~. E.:
ened in good earnest.
I II ought to have told you that VIC
always make an exception in the case o1
great artistes. We never demand ran
som from such people, but only ask the
privilege of enjoying their art. ,"
81 understand" laughed the Count
ess, glancing more hopefully ut he1
companion eve have the happiness te
, be known to you"
my name is Gigantic Titani," an
swered the bandit, bowling. "I com
mand company of sixty brave men
they lay in wait at the foot of the hill
r One whistle, and they are all on thu
spot. We all know You, signora. No
, one of lis who has not heard of Marie
, Taglioni, and felt u desire to sec ani
a admire her; the opportunity has nov
, come. The simplist has no longer .
doubt that the highly honored Count
ess de Valsins, who was imprudent tx
: get out alOno to meet her husband, j!
: no other than the famous Marie Tag
: lioni.''
/ "You desire, then, that I shall dance
for you"
=. Eyes, signora, there is no ohoic'
D left to you"
z "And if I should refuse to dance be
s fore robbers and murtlcrers."
;. "Then would not undertake, will
t all respect for your talent, your nam
Q and your person, to protect You mo
b ment longer" !.
o Without music, under the ope
9 sky, and hout''-lookiDg downwar
y -" but you should understand that
" is impossible, SIR"
+ ooh, no, Signora! All these diff
It cultlcs may be overcome. You can tak
r twcnty-four hours to get ready. Th
% village Virsino hes in the valley below
l. which we can reach in two hours.
J. part of the Inhabitants belong to OF,
IS band nnd the rest depend upon us fo
g support. You will have the best AZ
le commoCations and attentions ut til
~ horro Of o1I NHoAk:r: -l. =: