Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1886-05-24
A STORY OF BRIGANDS.

3
I over Spain.
/ As was dining one evening with the
French consul the conversation turned on
stories of brigands. The crimes of all the
Fra Diavolos Of Spain were successfully
passed in review, and II did not dream Of
brigands that night il was because-the
dinner having been very elaborate, and
moistened with the best wine of the coun-
try-my sleep, under this burning stmos-
| phere Of Andalusia, WAS unusually pro
/ found Before dinner the consul had
kindly presented me to some Of the nota-
bilities Of the cities, and TO country man
of ours, rich capitalist held in high es-
teem by both natives and French, who had
invited ME 10 visit him.
A few days later l went to see this new
friend, NJ. C., and, after a few common
places the conversation again led up to
/ the brigands asked him then II he him
self believed these extraordinary stories.
"Assuredly," said he IL have very good
reasons 20 believe in brigands, for | have
very often found myself in forced rela-
/ tions with them. You Know that am the
director of lead mine in the Sierra Ne
vadss Under my orders l have a large
number of workingmen, who not only
work in the mine, but relieve the hard
I ships of that laborious toll and add TO its
profits by occasionally following another
trade, smuggling, for example, or robbery
/ on the highways. But as am not charged
/ with the duties OF police outside my own
works and as everybody there does his
duty, never bother myself about what
happens elsewhere.
"One day young man with a fine face.
distinguished manners, a white and aristo-
cratic hand, neatly though modestly
dressed, came into my Office and asked for
work in the mine After looking him over
and hearing his request, proffered in the
purest Castillian, | told him that the kind
of work ] had was hardly suited TO the
delicacy Of his hands or the distinction of
his manners and his person, and advised
him 10 seek employment better suited to
man Of his position.
~ don't care how rough the work is,
he answered. L must work for living;
am out of work and absolutely without
a SOU
The next day put him in charge Of
squad Of miners. For about a month he
attended faithfully to his business and be
came a great fayOrite with his compan-
ions But one morning he was taken
sick. wanted him to go into the intirm-
AIRY, but in spite of all my efforts TO detain
him he insisted on going away, and to all
my protests ne replied that his compan-
ions would take geod care of him.
The young fellow interested me, his
courage, his perseverance,, his force of will
touched me. and ! ended by Offering 10
60 with him to Malaga, where | promised
TO obtain him q place that would be
worthy OF his apparent station
You are very kind, he said to me
with tears in his eyes and il is long
time since any one manifested so much in
terest in me. thank you and am very
grateful Allow me to respond TO your
generous offer with a confidence that will
show you why can not accept II. do
not wish you to believe that am migrate
ful or indifferent. My name is L, and
the name of Samarill6 was given to me by
my comrades on account of the CLOAK !
wore when i took refuge in the mountains.
| served several years as an officer in the
cavalry, and the future presented the most
brilliant prospects, when | met a young
lady at Seville with whom | fell desper-
ate, -v-S at first sight. After some
happy maneuvers, / was presented to the
family, and soon acrepted as a betruthed
by the beautiful young woman, who gave
ME permission TO come in the evening To
talk with her at her window. | was
happy. Everything in the world seemed
TO smile on me. My family was well-to-
do and well disposed toward me; had
charming tiancee, good comrades and was
patiently waiting my rank of captain in
order to marry
One evening after having taken leave
Of the family Of my inamorata, took
little turn Of the promenade and was GO
ing back TO my usual place under her bal
cOny, when | thought | observed some
one in possession of that sacred spot. That,
you know, is a mortal insult that no good
SsRniard can endure, so. rubbing my eyes
to assure myself that l was not dreaming
| quckened mI steps, and, an instant later
clearly distinguished a man muffied in the
folds Of his long cape.
BE off, | cried to the stranger. This is
the balcony of my fiancee. II you do not
want to feel the blade of my navajo be off,
| say"
My rival-for IL could be none else
than a rival-drew his knife without a
word and sprang upon me. But l had
rolled my cloak around my left arm.
parried the blow, and, attacking him i'll
my turn, struck him such a blow that he
COVE piercing shrek, and fell lifeless TO
the ground.
What was to be dOnet imagine that
heard cry respond TO that of my victim.
No doubt she had witnessed the combat
from her window.
ITO fly was the only thing left NE
Windows began TO go up, whistles sounded
10 call the night watchman. fled and
hal
anguish, devoured by jealousy and rage
and terrified by a misfortune the conse-
quences Of which could not conceal
Being unable to rest in this uncertainty
until the next day and thinking that
might be sought at my lodging, went to
an officer in the same regiment, and telling
him what had happened, asked him to 20
for information touching the consequences
of the affray After an hour-an age to
me-he returned with the word that every
chance of safety was closed against Inc,
that my rival belonged 10 one of the most
distinguished families OF Madrid and TO
TO the party then in power, and that the
penalty for my crime would be terrible, no
one daring to defend me against such
powerful adversaries. Ny relative him
self already seemed cold toward me.
then thought that, for the present at least
the wisest thing TO do was to put the
mountain between justice and myself. !
returned to my house. gathered up the
little money that possessed, saddled my
horse, and galloped off for the mountains.
You know that every man with a
weight on his conscience can easily find
refuge in the hiding places of the SNUG
glers and bandits. | secreted myself ami
L.