Waterbury evening Democrat., 1888-07-02
CHAPTER II.

appeared at that spot since the evening on which told him his fortune, circumstance that was not at all uncommon, as was in- formed by one of his guardians.
 You must know he said to me, 'thnt the captain visits hell from time to time, and does not como back till it quite suits him. The fact is, that we do not know what ho docs during his lengthy absences
 Meanwhile, by dint of entreaties and a return for having told the fortunes of all tho band, prophesying to them that they would not be executed but would enjoy a calm old age, had won them over to take mo out of tho cave of an evening and fastcn me to a tree, for in my prison was almost stficd by tho heat. But there were always a couple of sentinals beside me.
 "One evening, about six o'clock, the mem- bers of the band who had gone on scouting duty that day. in accordance with tho orders of Parrons lieutanant returned to the camp. bringing with them poor harvester of about forty or fifty, whose lamentations pierced ones very heart.
 Give me back my twenty duros!' he cried. 'Ahl if you only knew with what toll earned them. Reaping the whole summer under the blazing sun. A whole summer away from home, my wife and my children, That is how scraped together, by d thous- and tolls and privations, this sum to keep us ] am almost home, eager to embrace them, and to pay the debts that must have incurred in order to get food during my absence. must lose this money which is to mo valuable treasure? Pity, Senores. Give me back my twenty duros. Give me them back for the sake of the blessed Virgin
 "A laugh was the only reply to the poor fathers appeals. leant trembling with hor- TOT against the tree to which I was bound for we gipsies have families too.
 DO not be a fool,' said one of the ban dits, at last, to tho harvester. You are wrong to think so much about your money when there are matters of more moment for you to occupy yourself with
 "'What do you mean? said the harvester, not understanding that there could be any worse mishap than for his children to be rob- bed of their bread.
 "'You are in the power of Parron.'
 "'Parron. I do not know him. I have never heard of him. come from Il long way of. I live at Alicante, and have been har- vesting at Seville.'
 "'Then, my friend. Parron means death. All who fall into our power mus: die. So make your will in two minutes, and recon mend your soul to God in two moro. Get ready. You have four minutes
 "I will make use of them. Listen to me.
 ".Wen.'
 "'I have six children and an unhappy -widow-I will say, as I am about to die. I read in your eyes that you are worse than wild beasts. Yes, worse; for wild beasts do not prey upon their own kind. An! forgive me, I do not know what am saying. Gen. lemen, is any of you father? Is there not father amongst you? Do you know what it is for six children to pass @ winter without bread? Do you know what 1t is for g mother fn har1 dx,ip hafn hor ,>f cold and hunger? Senores, do not plead for my life, but for their sake What is life to me? A series of tolls and privations. But must live for my children. Oh! my children, my children And the poor father threw himself upon the ground, lifting towards the robbers face of agony. He looked like one of the saints whom King Nero threw to the tigers.
 ''The bandits felt something stir within their breasts; then they looked at enc an- other, recognizing that they were all thinking of the same thing, one of them ventured to say"
 What did he s..ealsSed the Captain General, deeply mov-- :, snIs story.
 "He said, Gentlemen, what we are going to do will never be known by Parron.'
 "'Never, never,' muttered the rest.
 "'Be off, my poor fellow, said one who was almost in tears. I, too, made signs to the harvester to get away at once. The poor wretch got up slowly.
 "'Quick, be off, they all said, turning their backs on him. The harvester held out his hand mechanically. Is not your life enough? cried one. Go, go; do not stretch our patience.' The poor father walked away weeping, and ut lcngth disappeared.
 Half an hour elapsed, spent by the rob- bers in swearing to one another not to say anything to their captain about having spared mans life, when suddenly Parron made his appearance with the harvester behind him on | the crupper of his saddle. The robbers drew back, terrified.
 "Parron alighted rapidly, unslung his double-barrelled gun, and, levellingit at his comrades, said: Fools, wretches, I do not know why I do not kill you all. Quick. Give this man the twenty duros you robbed him | of
 1.-The thieves produced the twenty duros and gave them to the harvester, who threw himself at the feet of the individual who thus l dominated even the bandits and who was SC | good-hearted. Parron said to him, Go ir peace: without your information I should never have found them. You see that yor | mistrusted me without cause. I have kep my promise. You have your twenty duros So go.' i.
 "The harvester embraced him sevora | not taken fifty paces before his benefactol again called to him. Tho poor man hastenet to turn back.
 "'What are your commander he asked wishing to be of service to him who had re stored happiness to his family.
 "'Do you know Parronr said that person age.
 "'I do not
 "'You arc mistaken replied the robber I am Parron.'
 "The harvester stood aghast. Parron raise: his gun ard fired both barrels at him and tn man fell to the ground. Be accursed wer the only words the bandit captain uttered,
 "In the midst of the terror that alm os blinded me l felt the tree to which was fas tened quiver slightly and my bonds slacken One of the bullets, after wounding the har vester had struck the rope binding me to tn tree and had severed it. concealed the fac that was free and awaited chance of es caping. l.
 Meanwhile Parron said to his men. point ing to the harvester, Now you can plunde him. You are fools, rascals. The idea of le, ting this man loose to howl as he did all alon the highways. If, instead of myself who me Mechanics Hotel.