The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-10-08
News Novelties No. ~.
COURAGE !!
By EDMONDO DE AMICIS.
By EDMONDO DE AMICIS.

"But who are your" exclaimed the
captain. pulling off the young mans
hat. A mass OF curling hair fell over
his shoulders. They all murmured as
they turned to look at him, "A womanv
Eyes" she cried desperately. "a
womanl They stole me 10 days ago.
They held knife to my throat and took
me along. But have not stained my
hands with bloodl No! i swear TO i'll
] only accompanied them so that they
would not kill me. / am poor peasant
Cirl-from San Severe"
"But why did you not shoot one OF
these murderersT
81 did not have the courage. They
would have tortured me. You ought to
see what they do! i thought / should
20 insane. Oh, if you had scent But he
(and she poihted to the wounded soldier,
he has boen godl He stood IT all with
out murmur, without cry.
drag these towards 20 the feet OF
their victim, ordered the captain.
The prisoners were dragged in front
of the wounded man, whose head had
been bandagod with u handkerchief, one
end of which covered his eyes
81 am here" exclaimed the captain,
bending toward the unhappy man, who
was beginning to revive. You are
eafel You are among your comnanions'
Ceuragel Look; your murderers knecl
before yo1V
The soldier raised his head slowly
and shivered. Then he extended his hand,
laying il Oh the head Of the chief of the
brigands; then he Withdrew 1t, smiled
with his blood covered mouth, leaned
his head forward and spat something
out upon the ground.
"What is this?' asked the captain,
picking up the thing, white and soft,
which had fallen from the mouth Of the
wounded man.
"Your-answer-to the colonel, ="
whispered the soldier.
'To the colonel of San Severe? My
answer, the one ] gave you this morn
ing?'
The soldier nodded. The captain
threw himself upon him, put one arm
around his neck and kissed him ON has
I forehead Then be sprang mp, and turn
/ ing 70 his soldiers commanded: bow "a
| this hero, my brave boys! BE carried "a
the colonel my letter, in which stated
I when and where was going. IL the
brigands had read it, they would have
been safe. lie put it in his mouth, and
he did not speak, in order that he might
not betray himself, and he stood silently
all these terrible tortures. He is hero
He is n martyr"
"He isl" they all cried unanimously.
kiss his feet, cowardsV ordered the
captain to the brigands.
Ono after the other, crawling like
worms, they kissed the feet OF th'
wounded man.
> Captain, cried the woman sudden
", as though out of her mind, Il coulC
have givenctho alarm when you were
coming. !. did not give it. let yoI
come ask one favor in exchange.
can never return again to my home
Let them shoot meP'
"Nov' cried the wounded hero, will
last effort.
They all turned TO him.
"You, " continued the miserable man
with low voice, pointing blood,
hand toward the woman, 'you must d'
merciful act
"What? Speak! My Godl / ask /
for charitys sakeW cried the woman
throwing herself at his feet, with claspe'
hands.
Accompany me-" murmured tn
man.
"Where?' pleaded the woman.
Everywhere"
They all looked at one another aston
ished.
"What do you mean?" asked th
woman.
"You have not seen-all my wounds.
said the soldier 'Lookp'
He pulled the handkerchief from hi
forehead. They all crowded nearer