The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1876-11-09
II.

II.
Argue, reason, justify, talk about self
defense, and, if I hadn't done this, he
wouldn't have done so-and-9o, as much
as you please, you can never quite phi
losophize away the very disagreeable
sensation which will arise occasionally
if you have ever had the misfortune,
however unintentionally, to kill man.
My hot temper has often given me cause
for regret, not to say remorse; but, since
the night when flung the robber into
the Rhine, ! hope can safely say have
curbed it. Whenever it comes bubbling
up, there also comes with it the vivid
recollection Of that brief struggle on the
balcony, and 10 it is subdued on the
instant; but the recollection, alas is
not so speedily dismissed; il still hovers
painfully III my memory at times, though
twelve years have passed since the deed
was done-twelve years during which
been made in the papers of any one
having been missed from the hotel.
OF course, have been often to
Switzerland since, but somehow have
always avoided the town where stands
the hostelry of Les Trois Sages, and I
certainly should never think of going
up the Rhine again. I strike the Alps
now by other routes, and have ten
dency to get ell to the italian side of
them. Indeed, have but lately re
turned from saunter among the hills
IN the neighborhood of Como. What
capricious fate led me there to the spot
where was TO find the sequel to =" My
Murder need net be speculated upon;
it was one OF those strange condolences,
I suppose, which, when met with in
fiction, excite little surprise, but which,
when stated as facts, are generally
doubted. Here it is, however. and, if it
had not been fact, there would never
have been any record on paper of MY
Murder
Well, pulled up one day at an I'M
pretentious little albergo, on the side of
a steep declivity overlooking the "lazy"
lake. The light refreshment which I
ordered was brought TO me as [ sat at
little table In the garden, sheltered by
vines, olive and fig trees, by the padrone
himself, a venerable gray-bearded man.
Only as he set the fruit and bread down
before me did I observe that he was
blind. He had walked so steadily and
direct from tho house to where L sat that
no one could have guessed at his afflic-
ton. The sudden discovery of it, to-
gether with sorrowful expression which
his face wore, touched me, and began
talking to him with what Italian l could
muster. His speech showed him to be
above the common herd, and, af or con-
versing for awhile about the neighbor-
hood aud such ordinary topics, ven
tured to touch on his blindness.
"Oh!" said he, that is very little,
signor; men can be more severely tried
than by having to live in the dark.
There are worse affections than that"
Indeed, answered; "do you speak
from experienced"
Truly, signor, do"
"You surprise me; should have
thought nothing could be worse. Do
you mind telling me what you have found
so?"
"No," he said, slowly sitting down
opposite me; "but it is sad tale.
doubt if it can amuse the signor; but, if
he is willing to listen, am willing to
tell. It sometimes eases the heart to
pour out it's troubles, even into the ear
of stranger. But stay, let us know how
the time goes, for have some affairs to
attend to by-and-by."
While speaking he thrust hand into
the pocket of his vest, and, drawing out
watch without chain. held it toward
me, adding:
ssWhat is the hour, signor9 We
blind folk are little helpless in these
matters"
looked into his large brown palm,
and was about to answer, but the words
stuck in my throat, for surely it was not
the first time I had seen that dial
"Permit me-" [ said after q pause, as,
pretending not to quite be able to see it,
1 endeavored to turn the watch over in
his hand, that might, by glance at the
back of 1T, verify the idea which had
crossed my mind. He felt what was
doing and said
"The signor will find the time by the
front and not the back"
"Surely, answered, "it is 3 o'clock.
But that is an English watch you have,
is it not 2"
"The signor is curious can it signify
to him of what manufacture it is 2" re-
piled the padrone, in rather an altered
tone, but not rudely.
"Oh, no." answered carelessly, not
wishing to arouse any suspicion in him
g it only struck me as strange to find an
English watch in these parts. Pray let
me. look at it.
With q return of his former sorrowfuI
manner, and with an air of resignation,
he reluctantly handed me the watch,
saying:
"Certainly. If tell you one thing
may ss well tell you all. "
A glimpse on the back revealed my
own crest aid initials but 1 restrained
the expression rising to my lips, and
went on s'Ah. q good watch may I
ask how you came by it9'
eyes. it Will appear In what have to |