Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1886-01-24

| I'll il seemed that the veins IN my head
would burst. When could hear II no
longer rose. looked round and listened
All was still. My pursuers had gone.
then went mp the bank TO the stony path.
Wind and rain in my face, strode rap.
idly on. with no other guide than the
storn..
i,out s O'Clock in the morning, as day
began TO dawn, I heard belle ringing and
aw large city In front Of me. Not dar-
ng to 60 on, l sought refuge in some
shrubbery near the road. When night
fell I continued my journey, but hunger
soon drove me into village on the road
crept softly between the cottages and
knocked at the minister's door. He
opened it himself, and I told hips my
story. He gave me something to eat and
drink, an old coat in exchange for mine,
and few francs.
On the fifth day after my fight from Tou-
lon was on Italian ground. Ibegged my
way from place to place until reached
Rome, where hoped 10 find work. Even
ing after evening returned disappointed
in my search for occupation. My money
was gone. could not pay my landlord,
and he set me adrift Mechanically l
'ollowed the stream Of passers-by, who
led me to St Peters. I crept wearily in
and sank down near the doors Two men
began reading . poster on one Of the
columns.
"Merciful heavens said one, 1how can
a man risks his life for few lire,"
aAnd with the certain knowledge that
out OF eighty men eight or ten fall and
break their necks,"
Horrible work.
They passed on and were lost in the
crowd
Isprung up eagerly and read the notice.
It was headed, illumination of st.
Peters," and made known that
eighty men were wanted to light
the lamps on the dome, and
500 70 light lhose on the columns. went
sn3 n3Qma1lee, had my name put on the
- - half my money down, and
u ELF there At II O'Clock
the e6OkE166nnixG was there promptly,
amid crowd of miserable looking men.
The doors Of the bureau were soon open,
and we crowded into the hall. My eyes
seemed to be drawn toward one corner Of
the room Ny heart stood still~it was
no mistake. had recognized Gasparo.
went over toward, and touching him,
said
"Gasparo, don't you know ne'"
He raised himself up lazily and said:
-Ah Francois! / thought you were in
Toulon"
Il can't thank ySn that I'm not there.
Listen to me: if we both outlive this night
you shall give me satisfaction for your
perfidy.r
He looked indifferently at me. and lay
down to seep. At O'Clock we were
called up, and climbed the stairs that led
to the dome. Ny place was about half
way up, and saw Gasparo 60 up still
higher. When we were all ready, we
crept through the windows mp to small
boards hanging by ropes. Each one was
given lighted torch, with which he was
to light the lamps that he passed a. the
ropes werr let down. After had lit all
my lamps, looked around at the scene
Suddenly felt my rope shake, and, look
ing up, saw man putting . torch to IL.
Almighty God. II was Gasparo. With
the agility Of a cat climbed up the rope,
put my torch in the Villains face, and
caught hold Of the rope above where 1t
was on fire.
Gasparo, blinded and wild with pain,
gave terrible yell and rolled down like
q stone. Through all the humming Of the
living ocean beneath heard the dull thud
rs my enemy struck the pavement.
had hardly recovered by breath when We
were drawn up again.
told the director what had gone
through. The truth of my story was
proved by the half burned rope, and was
then given money enough to leave Rome.
Since then have had many adventures,
but never found myself in such terrible
company as on the dome Of 81. Peters on
that fatal Easter