Bennington semi-weekly banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 1894-1902, 1895-07-05
A BIG RANSOM.

fRonotonOus way in which he was pacing
up and down the room the Hon. Robert
Spenceley was evidently under the infu-
ence of serious mental depression when
his particular chum, Tom Langton, favor
ed him with morning call
"Hollo! What's up BobP By Jove, you
are looking secdyp'
The Hon. Robert stopped in his pur-
poselcss walk, languidly extended his arm,
lightly touched the tips of his friends fin
gers and heaved deep and bitter sigh.
Are you i'll, chappie, or has the peer
less, patrician Penelope
sit down. Tom. The fact is, I've been
fool"
"And how did you discover it?'
"Wcll, as you know, I've been mixed up
q bit with Lord Temptown and his set.
jolly fellows, but inclined to 60 the pace "a
bit too fast. Hang me if l can say NO
to anything that they propose, and the up
shot of it all is that in two nights 1 have
lost about 60, 900 playing cards at the Jun
iOr Aborigines-at least that's the amo mt
they hold my O US for.
"What confoundedly bad luck you must
have hadr'
81 posted down to the family nest yes
terday, laid the whole affair before the
governor and vowed that l would never
touch card again if he would help mo out
of this scrape."
"And has he rcfused?"
"Point blank. He reminded me that
on several occasions he had paid off my
legitimate debts-small in comparison to
this Onc-but he considered playing cards
for high stakes so outragcously foolish
hat ln pp,,1I no NOT hp1
l told him they were debts of honor, but
he said it was n most dishonOrablc way
either of making or getting rid Of money
"In conclusion he told INC that as it was
most desirable that l should break off from
this connection he proposed to reduce my
allowance to $500 for one year, during
which time am to travel and see as much
of the world rs I can on a paltry go
week"
"And what did you say?"
"What could l say? 1 have no choice in
the matter. 1 have made up my mind
that l will not go to the money lenders,
and so l must get these fellows to wait
until 1 can redeem my paper"
"Look here, old chap. I'll come with
you for time, and wo'I go in for q walk
ing tour"
"Tom, you are a brick. Lot us start this
week"
Three months had elapsed since Robert
Spencoley departure, during which period
frequent communications, each bearing
expressions of regret for the past and
promises for the future, kept Lord Meth
wick fully acquainted with his sons do
ings. The absent one seemed to be thor
oughly enjoying himself, judging from his
graphic descriptions of the scenery and
incidents Of the walking tour. Then the
letters ceased altogether.
Several times lately the doubt had arts
en- in Lord Methwick's mind as to whether
he had not been too severe, remembering
that his son had hitherto borne an irro-
proachablo character, cvincing deep dis
like to all the worse forms of dissipation,
and there was no doubt that this unfortu-
nate affair at the Junior Aborigines was
not the result of inherent or newly ac-
quired viciousness, but rather brought
about by false position in which, sur
rounded by companions of wealth and re-
pute, he had been led away by the excite
ment and his inability to say "No"
Now that no news came from him his
fathers resolution rapidly gave way under
the disquieting influence of foreboding
and the continuous cntreatios Of his moth
er, until at last his recall was decided upon
so soon as the next intimation of his ad-
dress should arrive. The next letter did
disclose his whereabouts, and this was
the-thunderbOlt:
MOST ILLUsTRIoUs SIGNOR-The son of your
excellency is doing us the honor to condescend
our humble hospitality to partakc and has to
us your address given so that we may impart
his well being. He now his departure desires,
but we would that your illustrious cxccllency
to us sending the sum of pounds 1900 Eng
lische that we may be solaced for his loss.
Then followed an address to which n com
munication was to be sent, and the missive
concluded:l Any information to the gendarmes
will be on the son Of your excellency.
GIUSEPPE.
Giuseppel The most noted and blood
thirsty brigand of modern times, about
whose crueltics and fortunes so many har-
rowing tales were told by travellers, and
on whose head a heavy price had been set
long ago
Lady MethwiCk piteously besought her
husband to send the money at once.
"They will kill my darling boy, and
you-you will have sent him to his DEATH"
Her daughters, the Hon. Agatha, On
dine and Clovis, added their agonized en-
treaties Indeed, so carried away were
they by their feelings that they actually
offered to go without new hats and dresses
for the next ~ months, in order to con-
tribute TO the ransom money. But his
lordship did not believe in giving way at
once. Doubtless n lesser sum would be &C
cepted, and while negotiations were in
progress and there was chance of the ran
som being ultimately paid he did not think
his son would be in any danger. So he
sent an offer of g2, 900. The reply to this
was curt REFUSAL and postscript added
in Robert Spenceley's handwriting was:
"Father, send soon. Feel sure they will
not take less" But still Lord Methwick
would not give in without another effort
to reduce the amount, and he increased his
offer to 42, 500.
The day came when Giuseppe's reply
was due, but it did not arrive, and pent
up anxiety caused his lordship two sleep
less nights and two miserable, irritable
days. On the third morning among the
contents of the postbag was small parcel,
the handwriting of the address of which
was Immediately recognized With trem-
bling fingers Lord Methwick tore open the
packages, and there lay disclosed the bold
6rinonH:s 81