Middletown transcript., 1877-05-05

The morning was breaking with tina
wild splendor nowhere beheld as in th,
nights Of the Abruzzi, and the WilC
tangled vines that overhung the patti
we're just glowing in the beams of tht
rising sun, as a traveller paused, ere ht
entered one Of the most romantic and
beautiful passes, and seemed lost in ad.
miration.
He was young man, and the fire OF
genius lighted up eyes naturally bril-
liant. His slight graceful figure was
clad in a dark velvet slashed With sill
yer, the fashion of the times, and the
small medal that graced his cap showed
that the wearer aspired to the rank Of
gentleman.
"By St. Julian, lovely morning, +"
he said land never lovelier scene
charmed the eye of poet or painter
On my word, l am fortunate thus to
stumble on path SO exquisite"
High up among the beetling SUBMITS
of the mountains their dark scowling
countenances half hidden by the slouch-
ing hat and feather that shaded them,
two men sat, sullenly bending their
gaze down at the glen
"a pretty time we're having, Ludo-
vico," said the oldest bandit: for such
they were. "The queens troops are
still securing the lower passes, and no
booty for this month past, save some
beggarly peasant, with a maravsdi's
worth of wood"
Hist" said bis companion. "Yonder
is game, winging to cover, or 1 mistake
metz At the same instant, bringing
the short carbine to bear, whose sharp
cling rang clear on the morning air
"Some peasant sure," he continued.
"I'll take the care of his goats forever
off his mind !"
Hold, comrade," said the first
speaker. 'YOnder is no peasant, but
a traveller; probably st. Christopher
has sent us gold, at the last. Let US
down and cut off bis retreat"
So saying. both rufians descended
the pass and approached the stranger.
Hold, brother. in your tribute to
nature, and pay tribute to as r. said the
foremost bandit. "We allow no intru-
sion on our walks here"
"And l meant none A poor artist
my death or captivity would avail
you little. | pray you, good friends,
let NE pass"
"Au artist, tush!'' said the outlaw.
"SOme rascally government spy; rather
And thou diest, unless thou presently
tell down on the greensward a hundred
golden marks"
Nov, Mary, help me. as 1 have not
as many sons"
Tell thy beads then, stranger, for
thy minutes are numbered" said the
outlaw, roughly, glancing at the savage
looks of number who had assembled
on the spot,
The youth cast despairing gaze at
the hardened, reckless faces around
him, then down the sheer precipice,
which descended two hundred feet be-
side the path.
Rough hands had already seized him,
and had lifted him over the edge, while
with a grin of malice. showing his close,
shut teeth, the leader had Kissed out :
"A pleasant journey to thee, sir
painter !" when a low murmur ran
through the throng.
"HOld! Magdalen, our queen"
"What sends her here ?" muttered |
the leader, releasing, however, his hold
of the prisoner.
"How now, Ludovico ?" she said,
"methinks you are pressed for deeds
of daring, when thou makest war on a
boy; and that boy beggar!"
The clear sweet tones echoed strange
ly among the rocks, while the speaker,
her dark hair loosened with the rapidity
Of her approach, and her beautiful face
,uffused with intense pity. bent her
syes upon the stranger.
"You mistake, lady," said the out
aw. "This is no mean peasant, as his
yarb bespeaks; but base government
spy"
us it even SO, stranger ?" said Mag
lalen. "If SO, can plead thy cause
40 longer''
Lady, no spy" he replied,
'but poor artist, whom the love of
he beautiful, and no wish to iDjure
'thers, led me to intrude upon your
pass"
"Canst thou prove it with thy pen
ri can" replied the youth.
"Unbind him, Ludovico," she Or
Tered.
Fair, fair !" repeated the brigands,
hrowing themselves in not ungraceful
yroups on the grass around.
The artist glanced around, and not
wen his terrible situation could repress