St. Landry democrat., 1893-05-06
QUASPANA. THE BRlGAND,
BY ALPHoNsE DAuDET.

Misadventuresa Well, il I were al
author by profession I could make
pretty big book of the administrative
mlshaps which befel me during the thre,
years spent in Corsica as legal adviser
to the French Prefecture. Here is ont
which will probably amuse you:
had just entered upon nv duties al
Ajaccio One morning I was at thu
club, reading the papers which had Just
arrived from Paris, when the Project:
man servant brought me a note, hastily
written in pencil: "Come at once:
want you. We have got the brigand,
Quastana." / uttered an exclamation OF
JOY and went off as fast as [ could to the
Prefecture. [ must tell you, that under
the Empire, the arrest of Corsican ban
ditto was looked upon as a brilliant ex-
Plot, and meant promotion, especially
II you threw a certain dash of romance
about it in your official report.
Unfortunately brigands had become
scarce The people were getting more
civilized and the vendetta was diving out
II by chance man did kill another in a
row, or do something which made it ad-
vslsable for him to keep clear of the no.
lice, he generally boltcd to Sardinia in
stead of turning brigsnd. This was not
to our liking; for no brigand, no promo
tlon: However, our Project had sue
ceeded In finding one; he was an old
rascal, Quasiana by name, who, to
avenge the murder of his brother. had
Killed, goodness knows how many people
he had been pursued with vigor but had
escaped, and after time the hue and crv
had subsidized and he had been forgotten.
Fifteen years had passed, and the man
had llVed In seclusion, but our Project
having heard of the affair and obtained
a clew to his whereabouts, endeavored to
capture him with no more success than
ms predecessor. We were beginning to
despair of our promotion; YOU can,
therefore, imagine how pleased / was to
receive the note from my chief.
found him in his study talking very
confidently to man of the true Corsician
peasant type.
. This is Quastana's cousin,' said the
Prelcct to me, in a low tone. tsHe lives in
the little village of Solenzara lust above
Porto Vecchio, and the brigand paws him
visit every Sunday evening to have q
game OF scopa. Now, it seems that
these two had some words the other SIM.
saay, and this fellow is determined to
nave revenge; so he proposes to hand his
cousin over to justice, ana, between Won
me, believe he means it. But, as / want
20 make the capture myself, and in as
brilliant manner as possible, it is adyis-
able to take precautions in order not to
expose the Government to ridicule
That's what I want you for. You are
quite stranger in the country, and no
BODY knows you; want you to 90 and
see Tor certain if it really is Quastana who
goes to this mans house, -
but have never seen this Quastana 81
| began.
Ny chief pulled out his pocketbook and
drew forth a photograph much the worse
for wear. 0o
Here you are!' he exclaimed. 'The
rascal had the cheek to have his portrait
taken last year at Porto-V ecchio.'
!, While we were looking at the photo
ne peasant drew near and saw his eyes
lash vengefully, but the look quickly
Fanlshed and his face assumed its usual
'tolid appearance.
!. Are you not afraid that the presence
y stranger will Brighten your cousin
Y make him stay away on the following
3unday?" we asked. ~ wing
no replied the man. "He is too
ond OF cards. Besides, there are many
lew faces about here now on account -
ne shooting. I'll say tina. this gentle.
nan has come for me to show him where
ne game is to be found.n
lnereupon we made an appointment
o. the next Sunday, and the fellow