Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1896-02-07

O : make IOOlS ol lntIlStlN0S anu
wake up the gentlemen in frogged coats
and cock's feathers. When the last sous
paid, you'll be set free"
They rummaged the house, turning the
pl..co upside down, but found no more
than the IL. 900 francs Bcppo had given
them.
Guerra was Immediately bound and
gagged, n bandage was placed over his
eyes, and they wero going to lead him
away, when his wife, throwing herself
at the feet Of the brigand chief, cried
in accents Of terror and despair:
"Agostinol Agostino l'--it was the
Christian name of Fontana - have
mercy. Don't take him away. You
know us we'll. Take the money, but
leave us Bcppo."
"No. mol Impossible! Go to the
devil"
But tho poor creature chung to him
the tighter, seizing the folds of his cloak
with both hands.
"AgostinoI" she cried again. lyon
remember me. Many's the time played
with you when you were little"
go to the devil, / shy. Make up the
sum required and you shall have back
your husband. L. 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 well. She
knew also that it would be necessary to
meet Fontana on the day appointed, at
the place named.
She went alone-that was the condi-
housekeeping with her every penny
hat she had been able to raise. Her eyes
were swollen from want Of sleep and
redeemed by much weeping.
In tho vicinity Of the quarry all vas
quiet. Everything about her spoke of
peace, Of tranquil days and silent nights.
Only her own soul was in agitation.
GlanOing upward she saw Fontana
descending from above with the rapidly
Of a pebble detached by a pick. He
came toward her with a comical mir,
like a fellow well pleased with himself
for having just made a good stroke in q
doubtful business.
"Beppo carries himself as high as tho
cupola Of st. Peters. We play cards to-
gether to help pass the time. Have You
brought the money!"
sgAToI Al .aI.1. II - ~ .-.I- kLsg
is enough-5, DOOR,
Fontana frowncd under his eyebrows
and answered roughly: "No; l said
20, 900. ,Adieul'
"Wait, wait" cried tho poor woman,
seeking to detain him. II have not been
able to get more in the time, but l
will go at once to O~rbatello, and his roll
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 tho wife of Guerra
was standing on the sam spot, and
Fontana, with the same CO.. ,ical air,
was counting coins into his hat. The
woman had brought with her the com
plement, and the bandit, having salts
fed himself as to the amount, nude her
q low bow.
"This evening Beppo will return tc
his family. Allow me to wish you q
last adieu."
On reaching his quarters in the noun
tains Fontana cut the cords which bound
his prisoner to n stone Of enormous size,
threw the money and notes into his hat
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 Is the stone heaI
beyond the quarry. From there he cal
find his way home. If any one does hin
the smallest injury, l shall know how
tc punish it. Remember, You are all re
spoEsible for his safety"
Then. sending the men away, he wa
left alone with Guerra.
Listen to me, Bcppo. I have Away
had friendly feeling for you and yours
If Ihad only myself TO consider, l woull
never have done this. But l have witt
me two or three hot headed rascals
who know that you're pretty easy ant
heard that you had brought back a biI
sum from the city. 1t was impossible t
hold them Off. You don't know thes
fellows. 1 cannot always do what
would, but when an affairs been de
oided ON l usually continue 10 be mas
ter. Ali When l saw your wife-wh,
nursed me and taught mo to walk
gave mo a nasty twingo. But if 1 ha,
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 us 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 diGtant about thro
kilometers from his own house.
Not a great whilo after this Occur
renee the band was dispersed and For
tana himself shot dead in a skirmis
with the carbineers.
Such was the terror which he had il
spired throughout the district that tn