The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-04-27

and every manner of human animal that
labors with flocks or in vineyard or field, IS
in fact contadino or villager, living in low
and poisonous novels in cities or hamlets,
from out of which, as we saw on several
occasions, the hollow-eyed crowds pour
every daylight, munching their food
oa sh in dragged ss 9e to s shsF
toll IN the vineyards and fields. 1t
is very picturesque and poetic, no doubt.
But some of the scales are dropping from
my own eyes regarding the Mediterranean
countries. The poet that can sing here to-
day save against the curse OF power and hu
man enslavement, has towards heart and
sycophant's tongue; and those echoes of the
stately classics sounding through the centu-
ries in the ears of one before whose tear
stained eyes these nineteenth century serf-
chattels pass and repass in vilest bondage,
become the loathsome and hateful mock
cries of wronged and outraged race.
It is no wonder that brigandage still
fourishes in such lands, and that the lowly
who are too spiritless to become brigands
hold deep though secret sympathy for
this class of the population. l am sure
should organize, or become member of,
Sicily. They are not murderous fellows
like their brethren of the Italian peninsula,
or of Spain. They simply courteously
relieve you of your lighter belongings, such
as coin and jewelry, wish you good
voyage, and return to their mountain
homes, bestowing gifts among the
poor and at roadside chapels as
they 90. Balbino gave me his word for it
that they are the noblest dispensers of chart
ty in the whole island; oftentimcs succoring
the deserted and starving; are not altogether
i'll disfayor with the poorer clergy from their
frequent timely muniticences; and at death
are duly shriven and occasionally incurred.
I>o%,p
Catania and Palermo: and my good fortune
at possessing an innkeeper of the humber
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
be sorry vocation in Sicily. They are
harbored in the little alberghettos as priced
guests. Here they gain knowledge of the
movements of parties worth plundering,
and communicate the same to their COM
rades in different parts of the island. Even
the carbineers who are occasionally d.
tailed as escorts to travelling parties are
familiar with their faces and intentions and
preserve discreet silence to the authori-
ties, unless intertered with themselves. At
every roadside inn from Aderno to Palermo
we found these fellows enjoying themselves
agseeasy and n on two occasions tn
were hobnobbing over their pipes
and wine in most delightful fashion with
detachments of soldiery. Nor were Balbino
and myself ever shut out from this peculiar
companionship. But the highest test of
mutual trust and kindness was shown at
Misilmeri. Here, as had offered Balbino
the privilege of returning by steamer to
Catania, he accepted my offer and informed
me that his friends would pass both our
donkeys and their hire back along the way
| in safety to their owner at Giardini; after
which pleasant arrangements We descended
! the mountains by diligence to the beautiful
city of Palermo by the sea.
EDGAR L. WAKEMAN.