The morning call., 1890-05-04

IalrIy conlented peasantry possessing secure and
well-defined rights in their holdings, is doomed
10 deseriion and deciy.
a, pied Balbno with all manner of question
nv as 10 where were The farm-houses, the
SSeasantiy's cabins. even the eOttiers' buts OF
SICILY. The little old inn-keeI err of Catania
seemed almost unable to comprehend my mean
my ln all the distance from Etna TO Palermo,
snu 10 the right and left as far as the eye could
TSesa, put seven "1arm-houses' have been seen.
nnese were not farm houses as we know them.
Each was desolate stone structure, Inhabited
ny ile family OF some sopraniendente or overseer,
sons of labor a gang of wolfish.faced men and
m ", are led on Slips and herded at night
o on stone benches for sleep. The monta-
man tne pecora10 or shepherd, the Wig
naJo or vne-dresser the vendemmIai0re or
grape.gatherer, the mltere or reaper, and every
III manner oil human animal that labors with focks
OF IN vineyard or field is, in fact, c0ntadino OF
s,miiager, living In low and poisonous novels In
cities or hamlets, from out OF which, as we saw
on several occasions, the hollowed-eyed crowds
pour out before daylight, munching their food as
sney dragged themselves 10 their fiocks IN The
II Is very picturesque and poetic, no doubt. But
some OF the scales are dropping from my own
Eyes Eye neg regarding these Mediterranean countries
lhe curse of power and human enslavement has
those
ECHOES OF THE STATELY CLASSICS
sounding through tile centuries in the ears Of
one before whose tear stained eyes these nine
teculu century pass ana TtpdSS Ill
yilest bondage become the oathsome and hate
ful mockeres OF wronged and outraged race.
III Is no wonder that brlgandage still fiourishes
ID such lands, and that The lowly who are too
spirtless to become brigands hold a deep though
secret sympathy for this class OF the population.
l am sure should organize, or become a MEM
Def or such band, were / compelled to live In
sicily. Iney are not murderous fellows like
their brethren of the Italian peninsula, or of
SPAN 81 H., They simply eourteously relieve you
Oh your lighter belongings. such as coin and
1ewelry, wish you good voyage, and return to
their mountain homes, bestowing gifts among
Inc poor and at roadside chapelS as they go.
BalbinO gave me his word for it that they are
the noblest dispensers OF charity In the whole
island, oftentlmeS succoring the deserted and
starving; are not altogether III disfavOr with the
poorer clergy from their frequent timely munf-
cences; and at death are duly shriven and occa-
slonally mourned. They certainly infest the ell
TIRE way between Catania and Palermo, and my
good fortune at possessing an inn-keeper of the
number caste for COMPANION was more than
once proven. Between this class OF landlords
and the brigands the best OF an understand
ing prevails, for without their custom inn
Keeping away from the larger cities would be
Inc little alberghettOs as priced guests. Here
they gain knowledge of the movements of par
same 10 their comrades In different parts of the
island. Even the carbineers who are OCCASION
any detailed as escorts 10 travelling parties are
familiar with their faces ana intentions, and
preserve discreet silence 10 the authorities,
unless interfered with themselves AT every
roadside inn from Aderno TO Palermo we found
these fellows enjoying themselves agreeably
and, on two occasions. at LeonfOrte and Misi
mer they were hobnObbng over their pipes
and wine in The most delightful fashion with de-
tachments OF soldiery. Nor were Balbino and
myself ever shut out from this peculiar compan-
ionshlp. But the highest test of mutual trust
and Kindness was shown at Mlsilmeri Here, as
had offered Balbino the privilege of returning by
steamer TO Catana, he accepted my offer, and
informed me that his friends " would pass both
our donkeys and their hire back along The way
In safety 10 their owner at Giardini, alter which
pleasant agreement We descended The mountains
by diligence TO the beautiful city Of Palermo by
the sea. EDGAR L. WAkEMAN,
inhk