Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1895-06-27

twenty more below stairs"
The officers smiled in spite of them
selves as they drank the proffered
wine, and the youngest looking Of the
party, a brisk, handsome fellow, en-
tered into the spirit of the captain
with ardor, though he evidently be-
lieved he should trap him into a con-
fession unawares by the apparent
carelessness and bonhomie Of his man
ner.
Bravo, Andrea" he cried merrily.
$50 let us all be friends together. Be
sides, what harm is there in taking a
brigand for a passenger; no doubt he
would pay you better than most car
goes"
But Andrea was not to be so caught.
On the contrary, he raised his hands
and eyes with al admirably feigned
expression Of shocked alarm.
Our lady and the saints forgive
you" he exclaimed piously, for think
ing that l, an honest marinaro, would
accept III baiocco from an accused
brigand. Iii luck would follow me
ever after. Nay, day; there has been
a mistake; | know nothing Of Carmelo
Neri, and l hope the saints will grant
that may never meet him!'
He spoke with so much apparent sim
cerity that the officers in command
were evidently puzzled, though the
fact of their being so did not deter
them from searching the brig thor
oughly. Disappointed in their expec-
tations, they questioned all on board,
including myself, but were of course
unable to obtain any satisfactory re-
plies. Fortunately they accepted my
costume as a sign Of my trade, and
though they glanced curisusly at my
White hair they seemed to think there
was nothing suspicious about me.
After a few more ELUSIVE compliments
and civilities on the part Of the cap
tain they took their departure com
pletely bafled and quite convinced
that the information they had received
had been somewhat incorrect. As soon
as they were out Of sight the merry
Andrea capered on his deck like a
child in a playground and snapped his
fingers defiantly.
Per Bacco!" he cried ecstatically,
'they should as soon made a priest
tell confessional secrets as force me,
honest Andrea LuZiani, to betray a
man who has given me good cigars!
Let them run back to Gaeta and hunt
in every hole and corner. Carmelo
may rest comfortable in the Monte
maggiore without the shadow of a
geudarme to disturb him. All, sig
nore," for l had advanced to bid him
farewell. II am truly sorry to part
company with you. You do not blame
me for helping away a poor d1Iil who
trusts meT'
Not l." l answered him heartily.
"On the contrary, l would there were
more like you. Addio! and with this"
here l gave him the passage money
we had agreed upon, accept my
thanks. / shall not forget your kind
ness; if you need q friend send for
me-"
But" he said, with a naive ming
ling Of curiosity and timidity, "how
can I do that IL the signore does not
tell me his nameT"
/ had thought of this during the past
night. / knew it would be necessary
to take a different name, and l had re-
on adopting that Of a school
friend, a boy whom 1 had been pro-
attached in my earliest youth,
ahu az "a UGH IN Ahy
eyes while bathing In the Venetian
Lido. So l answered Andrea's ques-
ton at once and without effort.
ASK for the Count Cesare OLIVIA" /
81 shall return to Naples short
ly, and should you seek me, you will
find me there"
The Sicilian DOTTED his cap and sa-
me profoundly.
Il guessed WELL" he remarked smil-
that the Signor Conte's hands
were not those Of a coral fisher. Oh,
yes, l know a gentleman when / see
him, though we Sicfiians say we are
all gentlemen. 1t Is a good boast, but,
alas! not always true. A rivederci,
Command me when you will,
l am your servant"
Pressing hts hand, I sprang lightly
from the brig onto the quay.
"a ~riverderci!' l called to him.
again, and yet again, a thousand
thanks"
"Oh! tropp'onore. signore-tropp'o-
nore!' and thus / left him standing
still bareheaded on the deck Of his lit
tie vessel, with a kindly light on his
brown face like the reflection Of a
sunbeam. Good-hearted, mer-
~ rogue. His ideas Of right and
wrong were oddly mixed; yet his lies
were better than many truths told us
by our candid friends. and you may be
the great Recording Angel
knows the difference between a lie
that saves and the truth that kills
and metes out heavens reward accord
lngly.
My frst care when l found myself in
the streets of Palermo was to our
chase clothes of the best material and
make adapted to a gentieman's wear.
[ explained to the tailor whose shop
[ entered for the purpose that / had
joined a party of coral fishers for
amusement, and had for the
time adopted their costumes. He be-
my story, the more readily I
ordered him TO make several more
suits for me Immediately, giving him
he name Of Count Cesare Olivia and
he address Of the best hotel In the
lie served ne with oSsequious
humility and allowed me the use Of
his private back room where / discard
ID my fisher garb for the dress Of a
antlap,an rood made emit that 1