The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1895-11-08

don't make Tools OF themselves II
wake up the gentlemen in frogged coats
and cocks feathers. When the last sous
paid, you'll be set free"
They rummaged the house, turning the
place upside down, but found no more
than the $4,000 francs Beppo had given
them.
Guerra w;us Immediately bound and
gagged, a bandage was placed over his
eyes, and they were going to lead him
away, when his wife, throwing herself
at the feet of the brigand chief, cried
in accents Of terror and despair:
"AgOstino! Agostino! ut was the
Christian name Of Fontana "have
mercy. Don't take him away. You
know us well. Take the money, but
leave us Boppo.'
"No. no! Impossible! Go to the
devil"
But the poor creature chung to him
the tighter, Selling the folds of his cloak
with both hands.
"Agostino!' she cried again. "You
remember me. Many the time I played
with you when you were little"
go to the devil, 1 say. Make up the
sum required and you shall have back
your husband. In four days come alone
to the spring by the marble quarry and
We'll settle the account"
And in less time than it takes to
wink, the brigands hurried off Beppo,
leaving wife and children overwhelmed
with disaster.
To make complaint and set the au-
thorities to work was simply to put a
bullet through the head of the prisoner.
His wife knew this only too we'll. She
knew also that it would be necessary to
meet Fontana on the day appointed, at
the place named.
She wen alone-that was the condi-
tion-carrying with her every penny
that she had been able to raise. Her eyes
were swollen from want Of sleep and
redeemed by much weeping.
In the vicinity Of the quarry all was
quiet. Everything about her spoke of
peace, of tranquil days and silent nights.
Only her W soul was in agitation.
CHANGING upward she saw Fontana
descending from above with the rapidity
Of a pebble detached by a pick. He
came toward her with a comical air,
like a fellow we'll pleased with himself
for having just made a good stroke in a
doubtful business.
"Beppo carries himself as high as the
cupola of st. Peters. We play cards to-
gether to help pass the time. Have you
brought the money!"
mot the whole Of it, but surely this
is enough, OOO!"
Fontana frowned under his eyebrows
and answered roughly: "No; l said
20, 900. Adieu!'
wait, wait" cried the poor woman,
seeking to detain him. Il have not been
able to get more in the time, but ]
will 60 at once to O%rbatello, and his rel,
atives there will give me what's lack,
ing. The day after tomorrow l shall
have it,"
"Be it SO, then. After tomorrow, here
at this place. Thou knowest the rest.
Two days later the wife Of Guerra
was standing OF the same spot, and
Fontana, with the same comical air,
was counting coins into his hat. The
woman had brought with her the COM
plement, and the bandit, having salts.
fed himself Al to the amount, made he1
q low bow.
"This evening Beppo will return te
his family. Allow me to wish you
last adieu."
On reaching his quarters in the noun
tains Fontana cut the cords which bounC
his prisoner to a stone of enormous size
threw the money and notes into his ha
and shouted abruptly to his comrades:
Here's the remainder. Beppo is free.
Presently four of you will blindfold hin
and lead him as far as the stone heal
beyond the quarry. From there he car
find his way home. If any one does hin
the smallest injury, l shall know how
to punish it. Remember, you are all re
sponsible for his safety
Then, sending the men away. he wa.
left alone with Guerra.
Listen to me, Beppo. I have Away.
had friendly feeling for you and yours
If Ihad only myself to consider, IwoulC
never have done this. But l have will
me two or three hot headed rascals
who know that you're pretty easy ant
heard that you had brought back a bi.
sum from the city. 1t was impossible t
hold them off. You don't know thes'
fellows. l cannot always do what
would, but when an affairs been de
cided on I usually continue to be mas
ter. All! When / saw your wife-wh'
nursed me and taught me to walk
gave me a nasty twinge. But if I hat
yielded we should both have been knock
ed down and beaten to death where W
stood.
Pardon me, Beppo, and pray accep
these few pieces - $50 francs. TAX
them as conscience money. Buy some
thing for the wife and children as a SOU
venir Of Fontana, who begs their forgive
ness for the injury he has been forced t
do them"
A few hours later, when the bandag
was removed from his eyes, Beppo foun
himself at a spot distant about thre
kilometers from his own house.