The Arkansaw traveler. (Little Rock, Ark.) 1882-1???, 1888-12-01

then the candle was extinguished, and ct the end
of moments time, In the most utter darkness, he
shot and pierced the paperthree times out of four
Endowed with such trapscendent merit, Falcone
had attained great reputation He was said to
be as good Q friend IS he Q dangerous enemy,
and, besides being neighborly and charitable, he
lived in peace with ali the world, in the district Of
Porte Vecchio.
But 1t was also told of him when he was at Corte,
where he had married his wife, he had rid him.
self in O vigorous manner OF n rival, who was
dreaded in war as in love-at least, certain shot
which much surprised this rival, as he shaving
before little mirror hung to his window, was
attributed TO Mateo. The affair having died out
Mateo married. His wife having brought him at
first three daughters Ito his great rage), and finally
son whom he named Fortunate. He was the
hope of the family, the heir to his name. The
girls all well married the father could reckon
when needed, upon the daggers and carbines of his
Sons law. The boy was only ten years old, but
OF promising character.
One fine day I'm autumn, Mateo went early with
his wife to visit of his focks in clearing In
the maquis The little Fortunate desired to 90
with him, but the clearing was too far of, and,
besides, some one must remain to guard the house
! so the father refused.
He had been gone some hours, and little Forum
alto was lying quietly in the sum- gazing at the blue
mountains and thinking how he was going to dine
next Sunday in the town with his uncle, when his
meditations were suddenly interrupted by q gun
shot. lie jumped up and turned toward the side
OF the plain, whence proceeded this noise. Several
shots followed at irregular intervals, approaching
nearer and nearer, till suddenly in the path which
led from the plain to Mateo's house, appeared
man wearing long beard and pointed cap, such
as the mountaineers wore; he was covered with
rags, dragged himself painfully along, leaning on
his gun. He had just been shot in the thigh.
This man was outlaw, who, having gone DUR
ing the night to buy powder in the town, had on
his way fell into ambuscade of Corscan police.
After vigorous defense, he had succeeded in max
ing good Lis retreat, holly pursued and firing from
rock to rock But he was not far in advance of the
soldiers, and his wound made it impossible for him
to reach the maquis before being caught.
| He approached Fortunate and said to him: "You
are the con Of Mateo Falcone2"
ayes" said the boy.
al am Giannetto Sanpiero The soldiers are after
me. Hide me, for can go no further"
"And what will my father say if hide you with
out his permssion?"
"He will say you have done we'll"
| "Who knows2"
"Hide me quickly they art comingp
"Wait until my father comes back"
wait! Curses on youl They will be here In
five minutes Come hide me, or will kill you 2"
Fortunate replied with the greatest coolnessa
"Your gun Is not loaded and there are no more
cartridges in your belt"
81 have my stiletto-"
"But can you run as fast as / cam" and the boy
da-ted of, and placed himself out of the bandits
reach.
"You are not Mateo Falcone's son! VIII you
let be arrested before the door of your house?"
The child appeared moved with compassion.
"What will you give me If hide your" he said,
drawing nearer
The outlaw fnmbled In Q leathern pocket, which
hung from his belt, and drew from 1t i've franc
piece, which he had doubtless saved for the pur-
chase of powder Fortunate smiled 81 the aiSnt
of the money, and, selling it, said to Gianetto:
Fear nothing. l will hide you well"
Then ne made great hole In Q heap of straw, or
hay, near the house. Gianetto crawled in, and the
child covered him up to leave him little air
to breathe without 1t being possible to suspect at
casual glance, that this heap of hay could hide
man. Moreover, with 9 cunning ingenuity worthy
of . savage, be caught q cat and her kittens, and
placed them on top of the straw, a If 1t had not
i hAAn moved for a0mA Tina Finally noticing