The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1874-01-20
THE SILVER BUTTON.
BY EDWARD MINTURN.

Spain, was so infested with robbers that
travel was almost entirely suspended
These robbers, known as SaItaedores,
were numerous, we'll armed and able to
defy the government force, which in the
early part of the reign of Ferdinand
VII, after the French war, had not
much strength to waste in trying to put
them down.
One evening an English traveller, n
merchant, who had important business
to transact across the Sierra Morena
arrived alone at a small inn at tte-foot !
Of this mountain. ~
He called for the best supper the mr.
could afford, and inquired for 1el
to- to show n,"v.nm him across the mos ! ID on
The one was readily got, a's Y other
promised, and in spite of the dreary
appearance of the inn and the reported
dangers of the road, the traveller, with
the proverbial carelessness in regard to
perlof his nation, prepared Tor CON-
Portable evening.
Before sitting down to supper, no
ble-looking Spanilrd came in, appear
ing also TO be traveller, for he was well
armed and appeared aecoutered for the
road .
Glad to meet any one with whom he
might converse, as he spoke Spanish
fluenily, the merchant addressed the
Spaniard, invited him to join him al
supper, and though the former seemed
at first rather hanghty and cold, he so
changed his feelings by his own cor
dialitv and warm desire to serve and
please him, that the Spaniard soon came
out of his reserve, and before supper
was over they were on tue most friendly
footing
Their intercourse remained very pleas
ant during the course OF the evening
until it was time to retire, when the
Spaniard, in. frank and gentlemanly
way, asked the merchant what route he
intended to pursue in the morning.
The latter replied the most direct
which his guide could show him over
the mountains, as his business was such
as to admit of no delay.
The Spaniard gravely said he was
sorry for this, for he had good reason
to know that road was so infested with
robbers that it would be impossible to
pass unmolested. ...-.
Robbers or no robbers, l must 90,
for large sum will be lost if 1 neglect
the business that calls me-" said the
merchant. q
Can you not tarrv for a cohple of
davs, and by that time they may change
their ground and you can pass in safe
ily2" said the Spaniard, earnestly.
"No delay, beyond that caused by
night, for me- said the Englisbmau,
firmly yet politely.
take my word for it, senor, you can
not cross the mountains to morrow
without being robbed = urged the Span
| lard
"Well, if it must be 80, it must" said
/ the Englishman. 81 have not a great
deal of money with me, and if they
take il, can get more beyond They
surely will not take my life, for, do
not carry arms to defend it and shall!
not be so foolish as to resist robbery ="
"Thev are robbers, but not cowardly
assassins, and would not alay an un
armed man I am sure" said the Span
lard
Then l will risk it, and as / may
start before Won rise, senor, will even
now hid you kind farewell" @
"Not yet, sener-not yet. said the
Spaniard "Listen to mel may serve
you. 1t was nv fortune, some time
since. to have TO cross this dreaded
mountain, occupied then as now by the
Sal eadores, but met a man, ALSO alone,
as you have met me, who seemed to
take kind interest in me, as acknowl-
edge to feel for. YOU. and he told me
that having once rendered the captain
of the hand great service, he believed
he could give me pass which would
preserve me and my property flom
harm and canse the robbers to let me
pass in safety"
"Mach better than kings pass
portw said the Englishman. Ibid you
pass safely with it?" .1 ag.,O
81 did, though it was only silver
button!' said the @Spaniari. "Herc it
is-take it, and pray Heaven it may
serve you as well as it did me"
And the Spaniard handed the mer-
chant curiously fllagreed silver hut
ton, begging him to be very careful OF
it, and if met by robbers to instantly
show it before they proceeded to ex-
tremities.
The merchant in courtesy took it. but
he felt little faith in token of tha,
kind, though he was too polite to say
so to the donor
They now babe each other good
night, and the Englishman giving or
ders TO be called at dawn, retired to
rest. i-.
Early next morning, provided with a
guide he set out over the mountain -
Until near noon he and his guide toiled
on amid the rugged sleeps, when sud-
denly in dark ravine a dozen or more
men rushed upon them-the guide was
knocked from his mule by the butt OF
a musket, and the Englishman heard
the usual demand:
| "Deliver or die"
/ The attack was so sudden that he for.
got all about his button and stantly
lpulled ont his watch and purse and
gave them up to the robbers, who were
very rude and abusive, being angry tina,
they had not found d richer prize
| Suddenly now he thought of his hut
ton, and calling to the apparent leader
of the robbers, he said:
"Senof, l have one other article O.
value about me. which forgot to ex.
hibit in my haste to answer your de-
mand ~
"Let me have it quickly. Is it jew
ell p asked the robber
"That remains to be seeu," said The
traveller, as he drew out the button ant
raised it in sight.
II Never was change more magical.
The robber never asked where he go
the button. but he instantly returned
the purse and watch, lifted the stunned
guide from the ground, aud begged par
don of the traveller in the most hunt blt
manner. q
As sjon as tile guide was able to ST