The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1876-11-16

they liked, or should fling it into the
river after the mani Right or wrong,
with very little hesitation adopted the
latter course.
Not sign of life was visible as 1
looked once more out upon the broad
river and as gently raised the ladder,
and consigned it to its depths, thought
it was not the first secret by good
many that its impetuous current had
carried away into oblivion.
An hour or two later / had quietly
paid my bill at the bureau, and was on
my way to Paris, and by the following
night was once more in my chambers in
the Temple.
Argue, reason, justify, talk about
self-defense, and, if hadn't done this,
he would have done so-and-so and So
aud-so, as much as you please, you can
never quite philosophize 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 re-
morse, but since the night when flung
the robber into the Rhine 1 hope can
safely say I have curbed it. Whenever
it comes bubbling up there also comes
with it the vivid recollection of the brief
struggle on the balcony, and 10 it is
subdued on the instant; but the recol-
lection, alas is not go speedily dis.
missed it still hovers painfully in my
memory at times, though twelve years
have passed since the deed was done
twelve years during which no mention,
that I have ever seen, has been made in
the papers of any one having been
missed from the hotel.
Of course I have been often to
Switzerland since, but somehow have
always avoided the town where stands
the holstery of Les Trois Sages, and I
certainly should never think of going up
the Rhine again. strike the Alps now
by other routes, and have a tendency to
get we'll to the Italian side of them. In
deed, I have but lately returned from a
saunter amongst the hills in the neigh
borhood of Como. What capricious
fate led me to the spot need not be
speculated upon it vas one of those
strange condolences. suppose, which
when met with in fiction excite little
surprise, but which when stated as facts
are generally doubted.
Well, J. pulled up one day at an un-
pretentious little albergo, on the side Of
steep declivity overlooking the lazy
lake, The light refreshment which l
ordered was brought to me as I sat at a
little table in the garden, sheltered by
vines, olive and fig trees, by the padrone
himself, venerable gray bearded man.
Only as he set the fruit and bread down
before mo did 1 observe that he was
blind. He had walked SO steadily and
direct from the house to where I sat
that none could have guessed at his
affection. The sudden discovery of it..
together with q sorrowful expression
which his face wore, touched me, and 1
begun talking to him with what Italian
could muster. His speech showed
him to be above the common herd, and
after conversing for while about the
neighborhood, and such ordinary topics,
| ventured TO touch on his blindness.
"Oh," said he, that is very little,
signor ken 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 experienceG"
Truly, signor, I do"
You surprise me (; should have
thought nothing could be worse. Do
you mind telling me what you have
found so 7"
"No," he said, slowly sitting down
opposite to me-" but it is a sad tale. I
doubt if it can amuse the signor ; but if
he is willing to listen am willing to
tell. 1t sometimes eases the heart to
pour out its troubles even into the ear of
a stranger. But stay, let us know how
the time goes, for have some affairs to
attend to by-and- bye"
Whilst speaking he thrust hand into
the pocket of his vest and drawing out a
watch without chain, held it toward
me, adding: "What is the hour, signor 2
we blind folk are a little helpless in
these matters"
Hooked 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 1 had seen that dial
Permit me-" said, after pause,
as, pretending not to be quite able to
see it, endeavored to turn the watch
over in my hand, that might by a
glance at the back Of it verify the idea
which has crossed my mind. He felt
what was doing, and said:
"The signor will find the time by the
front, and not the back"
Surely" l answered; "it is three
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 Z" re-
piled the padrone. in rather an altered
tone, but not rudely.
"Oh, no." answered, carelessly, moi
wishing to arouse any suspicious in him;
" it only struck me as strange to find an
English watch in these parts. Pray let
me look at it..
With return of his former sorrowful
manner and with an air of resignation
he reluctantly handed me the watch,
saying:
may as we'll tell you all.
A glimpse of the back revealed my
own crest and initials; but restrained
the expression rising to my lips and
went on: "Ah, good watch; may ]
ask how you came by ita"
"Yes; it will appear in what have to
say. 1t is all sad, and is only one of the
many troubles which have made me an
old man before my time. Very sad in.
deed is all that hangs about that watch.
1t belonged to my son; at least it was
found upon him when he was dead"
Needless TO say how 1 WINGED under
the old mans words. He continued, as
he passed hand across his sightless
eyes:
4" Yes, signor. he is dead these many
wears past. and perhaps il ia as we'll