Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1886-01-22

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them with the $50, 900 who cannot writ.
their names which statistics now revea
10 exist out of 260 900 inhabitants of tn,
island.
Besides-perhaps on account of thii
education Andrea Ferrato was very
Frenchin hisideas and feelings, although
he was of Italian origin. like the majority
of the Corsicans. And at that time this
had occasionad some animosity against
him.
The canton in fact, situated at the
southern extremity of the island. fan
from Bastia, far from Ajaccio, far from
the chief centres of administration, is al
heart very much opposed to everything
that is not Italian or Sardinian-a regret
able state of things that we hope to see
the end of as the rising generation
becomes better educated
Hence ms we have said, there was
more or less latent animosity against the
Ferratos. In Corsica animosity and
hatred are not very far apart Certain
things occurred which embittered this
animosity. One day Andrea, driven out
of patience, in II moment of anger, killed
n well-known vagubond who was threat
ening him, and he had to seek safety in
flight.
But Andrea Ferrato was not at all the
man TO take refuge in the mdquis TO live
life OF daily strife as mnch against the
police rs against the companions and
friends of the deceased. to penetrate "A
series of revenges which would end by
reaching his own people. Resolving to
eNpatriate himself, he managed 10 leave
Corsica secretly, and reached the Sar-
dlnian coast. When his wife had real
lied their property, gwen up the house
at Santa Mama, sold the furniture, the
boat and the nets she crossed over and
joined him. They had given up their
native land forever
But the murder although it was iusti-
fiably committed in self defence. weighed
on Andrea conscience With the some.
what superstitous ideas due to his origin
IA greatly desired TO ransom it, He had
heard that mans death is never par
doned till the day when the murderer
saves another life Mt the risk Of his own.
He made mp his mind TO save a life as
soon AS an occasion presented itself
Andrea did not remain long in Sar-
DINA, where he would easily have been
recognized and discovered Energetic
and brave, although he did not fear for
himself he feared for those who belonged
to him, he feared that the reprisals of
family on family might reach them. He
merely waited till he could go without
exciting suspicion, and then sailed for
Italy. where ut Ancona an opportunity
offered him 10 cross the Adriatic to the
1strian coast of which lie availed
himself.
And that is the story of why the Cor
sican had settled ut Royigno For seven
teen years he had followed his trade as Il
fisherman and had become rs well off
rs he had been. Nine years afterwards
a son was born to him, who had been
named Luigi. His birth cost his mother
her life.
Andrea Ferrato now lived entirely for
his daughter and his son. Maria, then
aged eighteen, acted as mother TO the
little boy of eight And except the deep
and constant grief for the loss of his
VITA the fisherman of Rovigno was as
happy as he could be in his work and
the consciousness of having done his
duty He was respected throughout
the district. He was ever ready to help,
and his advice was always valuable. He
was known to be clever Mt his trade
Among the long ridges of rocks which
guard the 1strian shore he had no reason
10 regret the Gulf of Santa Mama or the
Straits of Bonifacio. He had become an
excellent pilot in those parts where the
same language is spoken as in Corsica.
From, his pilotage of the ships between
PolA and Trieste he earned almost as
much as from his fishing. And in his
house the poor were not forgotten, and
Marin did her hest in works of charity.
Fut the fisherman of Santa Mama
had never forgotten his vow-a life for "A
life He had taken one mans life. He
Todld save anothers.
That was why, when the two fugi-
ives presented themselves at ms door.
guessing who they were, knowing the
penalty 10 which he was exposing him.
,eE he had not hesitated to say to them,
tome in, and adding in his thoughts,
- And may heaven protect us all =
The squadron of police passed the
loor and did not stop. Sandorf and
Ba,hory could thus fancy they were safe
at least for that night.
The hut was built not in the town
Itself, but about five hundred yards from
IS walls, below the harbor and on a
idge of rocks which commanded the |
,each Beyond, ut less than cables
ength, was the sea breaking on the sands |
md stretching away to the distant hori-
on Towards the southwest there lut- |
ed out the promontory whose curve shuts
Il the small roadstead of Rovigno.
1t had but -four rooms, two at the front
nd two at the back, but there was
ean.to of boards in which the fishing
nd other tackle was kept Such was
he dwelling of Andrea Ferrato His
,oat was n balancollo with square
tern. about thirty feet ong, rugged with
mainsail aud foresall-a description
4 Loaf well adapted for trawling.
When she was not in use she was moored
inside the rocks, and little boat drawn
p on the beach was used in journeying
D and from her. Behind the house was
n enclosure of about half all acre, in
'hich few vegetables grew among the
and olive trees and the vines
! hedge separated it from brook about
tx feet broad, and beyond was the open
ountry.
Such was this humble but hospitable
- -. IL d.. -. LII III