Idaho news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1887-1891, 1891-07-04
THE FIVE NUMBERS.

guised as a Franciscan friar.
was tracking or endeavoring to
track, Pietro Malasso for a peculiarly
atrocious and mercenary murder COM
mitted in one of the upper wards OF
New York City several months prevl-
Gus, and who was known to have re-
turned to his native Italy only few
months thereafter, probably to re-
sumo the life OF brigandage in which he
was said to have engaged before his
brief migration to America.
After several days spent in diligent
but unsuccessful search, was stand
ingone afternoon at thecourt entrance
OF my modest hotel in the Strada
Nuova, gazing upon a curious scene.
The crowds in the street, on the
neighboring quays, and even in the
SQUIRT corridors behind me, were great
Iy excited over the next drawing OF
the Italian National Lottery, to take
place two days hence.
This is periodical frenzy with the
Italians Every device is resorted to,
every superstition ransacked, for the
lucky numbers. Dream-books are in
demand, nonsensical signs consulted,
and astrologers reap their harvest.
The Neapolitans are especially in
sane on the subject, and among other
idiocies, as was subsequently to
learn, are fully convinced that the gift
of prophesy Is vested in certain per-
sons-the Franciscan friars in partic-
ular, as being benevolent, and having
f'the lucky eye"
While thus occupied, CHANGED to
be making mental computation OF
the distances from city to city that |
nligSeSe eventually compelled to COW
er in pursuit ofmy fugitive. and doubt
less fell to muttering some Of the nu-
merals aloud.
Presently | felt tug at my clothing
and turned to perceive a handsome
young woman, with her fat baby in
her arm, kneeling at my feet, while
several OF her companions were group
ed near by, gazing at me in rapt ex-
pectance.
"Ah," she exclaimed, imploringly,
ssthe lucky numbers-give them to me,
for the love OF Heavenl See. even my
little Anatole here reaches out beceech-
ing hands to thee, infant that he is, he
knows that thou canst make us rich.
The numbers, father, the numbers
''Nonsense!" l exclaimed, half angri-
iy. 81 know nothing of luck or III
luck, Away, or | shall be seriously
displeasedl Stay, then, Here-a bless
ing on thy little Antolew
And touching the child's forehead,
sought TO make my escape back into
the hotel
But so persistent were they all, this
was not affected without difficulty
and iii the meantime / cursorily noted
among my tormenters another and
yet handsomer women standingg grave
iy apart from the rest, and observing
me with quiet earnestness.
/ heard her addressed by some one
as Nita, and had only time to remark
that there was something of the gypsy
or rustic in her dress and bearing
when at last succeeded in beating my
retreat.
Eyes, sir; it must have been extreme
ly annoying to you" sympathizingly
observed my landlord, when | tolC
him all about it.
And ne eyed me with faint smil,
and growing wildness of the eyes.
"Well, what is it?" / demanded, be
ing impatient for an hour of quiet ir
my pleasant balconied chamber over
looking the blue waters of the peerless
bay. IF you are anxious about my
bill, make it out at once, and
"No, no, nov' he exclaimed, grasp
ing me by the arm, his eager BLACK
eyes fairly boring into my head
'Peste. enjoy my poor accommoda
tions at your pleasure; it is nothing
But''-his voice sinking to confden
bal whisper-''if you could favor ms
with the lucky numbers of the next
drawing-ah, what slavish service
might you not exact at my hands,"
4 broke away from him Indignantly
and retired to my room without
gouchsafing him word, lest my an
ger should betray me.
After supper that evening a waite
brought me word that a distressed
young woman was in the outer cour
anxiously waiting few words Will
Fra Ambrogio-my assumed name.
/ went down and found, to my sur
prise, that the person awaiting m
was the gravely handsome youn
peasant woman whom / had hearC
addressed as Nita.
Her story, told with tears in he
eyes, was brief and pathetic one
Her brother, Guiseppi, was lying a
home fatally stabbed it was feared
and / must go with her to him a
once, inasmnch as she was quite sur
chat ! might keep off the destroyer
approach.
/ accompanied her at once.
At was after nightfall as | followe
her unsuspiciously into an old, dreary
looking building, where. in large
al, -, I,a1s ~, fol,4