The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1890-04-26


wide for the beauty OF its women and
the yalor OF its men. Faces and forms
of antique Grecian mold are by no
means rare among the inhabitalts of
this picturesque region. aud this is the
more surprising since their neighbors.
the Herzegoyinians and the Bosnians.
are not at all prepossessing ia mien or
feature.
About the middle of the last century.
while Konayje still formed part OF
the republic Of Ragnsa. the family
Radoyic settled in the frontier village
of Uyjece. The possession OF the ham,
let had long been bone Of contention
between the Bosnian yizier aud the re-
public OF kagnsa. The little republic
had at last been forced to give up the
struggle and abandon Uyjece to the
Turks. The villagers were naturally
dissatisfied with the result and Minko
Radovic, the head OF the family. was
active in Keeping up the discomfort
He persuaded his neighbors TO consider
themselves citizens Of Ragusa. aud TO
resist with arms every attempt on the
part of the Turkish agas or beys To
collect taxes.
Minko had two daughters The
NihtA hOoNtAf NA0 iNNtiN EiIl Oh lfs
the other. Liubica, child of IL. Ko-
sara was the fairest maiden in the viii
lage. aud had no end of admirers
among the Young men. Her most
eager suitors were two friends of her
father named Stanko aud Toma. Stan
ko was u refugee. who. for some rea-
sou, had fled from Turkish vengeance
and found an asylum in Uyjece. His
-.
preston OF vicious cunning. and there
was nothing in his appearance or dis
position To win upon the young girl.
Toma on the other hand. was far
more agreeable character. but still he
was nothing more than good friend
to Kosara. She was still heart-whole,
aud, as her father made no effort to in
fluence her choice. neither Stanko nor
Toma received any encouragement
Things stood in this way when one
bright September morning Turkish
aga with two companions appeared in
Uvjece and demanded the deserina
OenthD and the harass (poll-tax). The
three friends acted as spokesman for
the villagers, and boldly declared
that Uvjece belonged TO Ragusa. and
would never pay taxes TO the Turks.
The enraged aga drew his sword. but
before he could make use of the weapon
Stanko barred his scimitar, and with
one stroke cut off the officers head.
Minko and Toma. for their part. threw
themselves upon his companions and
cut them down in an instant. Then
Stanko promptly set to work 10 plum
der the bodies.
They found rich booty. The peck
cts of the fallen aga were full OF money.
the weapons of the soldiers were set
with precious stones. aud the horses
were richly caparisoned with silver
mounted harness aud gold-broidered
cloth. The loot was taken 10 the
house of Radovic TO be divided. Stan
kos face wore its ugliest leer rs he
spread the rich trappiugs on the floor.
and Toma investigated the contents OF
the purse. while Minko looked on with
"A satisfied smile. Ljubca, Nesting
close TO her father. and Kosara lean
ing carelessly against the wall. watched
with attentive interest the result OF the
investigation.
Three hundred and sixty three
ducats" cried iona AT length, in de-
light. "That'll make fine dowry for
you, Kosara.
"How so?m replied the maiden In as
constituent. The spoil belongs equal
ly to all. aud father gets but third;
besides, you seem to forget my dear
little sister has n claim AS we'll as |. "
'I'll not touch my part exclaimed
Toma. with enthusiasm. ii give IL To
the lovely Kosara
but can't accept your present"
returned the girl, quietly.
Right you are, interposed Stanko.
"Kosara's heart is not TO be won with
ducats.n
who said II wasp rctorted Toma,
I'm an angry tone. do you think I'd
try TO win Kosara with money!
1T looks little that way replied
Stanko, his face dishgured with "a
hideous sneer.
Toma. now thoroughly enraged. was
about TO turn upon his rival, when
Minko interfered aud restored peace.
LET there be- no quarreling." he
said, in conciliatory tone. The
deed we have committed was perhaps
rash aud ill-considered. but il can't be
helped now. and we shall have TO
stand together. aud the best thing we
can do is to consider how we can avert
the evil consequences of our act. For
when the aga Il missed the Turks over
wonder in Trebiuje will commence an
investigation, and IL they discover the
real state Of the case Wen have to pay
dearly for it,
The long consultation which followed
brought the friends 10 no other con-
clusion than 10 quietly await develop