Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1897-05-27
A Gold Watch Key.

In the cal on's house at Santa Mar
eherita they were reciting the holy
rosary after supper, when suddenly
guLshot was heard in the night. the
canon stood aghast with his chaplet
still in his hand the women crossed
themselves and listened intently, and
the dogs in the yard banked in fury,
Almost instantly another gunshot was
heard in reply, down in the valley be-
meath the Rocca.
"Gesumaria, what in the world can
shat be-" exclaimed the serving maid
N the kitchen.
,'Silence. every one"' exclaimed the
caron, pale as his nightcap, Let me
hear"
He placed himself behind the win
dow shutter. The dogs had become
silent and the wind was heard without
in the valley. In moment the bark
ing began again louder than before,
and in the midst of Il, at brief inte.-
walls, somebody was heard knocking at
the outer door with a stone.
do not open. Do not open for any
one" cried the canon. running to get
his carbine from the head OF his bed
under the crucifiX. His hands trem-
BLEED. Then in the midst Of the uproar
somebody was heard shouting behind
the outer door Open, Signor
Canonico, It's me, Surfareddu," and
when finally the steward succeeled in
quieting the dogs from the ground
floor and III drawing the bars of The
outer door Surfareddu, the watchman,
,nterad dark in the face and with his
musket still warm in his hands.
whats the trouble. GripDino?
What has happened?" asked the cano l,
terrified.
The trouble, sir, is, that while you
rest and sleep, risk my hide 20 keep
your property for you" replied Snrfa-
reddu; and he told what had happened,
standing at the door and longing, rs
his master was. He could not get 10
sleep for the great heat and he had
gene out for moment in the doorway
% his hut yonder upon the knoll, when
IL LtdIu IL IlplSS III lllS NiIItN NlNIN
the orchard was, a noise such as only
his ears knew and those of Belina, a
great ugly dog, gaunt and hairless
which was standing at his heels. They
we're knocking down oranges and other
fruit in the orchard There was
rustlng such as the wind does not
make, then at intervals silence, while
they filled their bags. Then he had
taken his musket from beside the door
of his hut, that old tlintlock musket,
with long barrel and brass mountings
which he had in his hand. Talk of
destiny! That was the last night that
he was to stay at Santa Margherita. or
his own will and accord he had given
the canon notice at Easter of his in
tention to leave. and upon the first Of
September he was to go to his new
masters at Vizzini. The very day be-
fore he had delivered up everything 10
the canon, and it was the last day Of
August, dark, starless night. Bellina
went ahead with her nose to the wind
silent, as he had taught her. He walked
along very slowly, raising his feet
high in the hay 50 that the rustling
should not be heard, and the dog look
ed back every few steps to see II he
was followed When they were in the
valley he said in low tone to Bellina:
To hee' and he placed himself in the
shelter Of big walnut tree. Then he
gave a shout: "Holloar'
~ a,J 1aTivar ca;J
canon, for it made ones flesh creep
when heard from Surfareddu, a man
who had been guilty OF more than one
homicide in his occupation of watch
man.
Then" continued Surfareddu,
then they fired upon me point blank
Bang Luckily I answered the fash
o. their shot. There were three #
them and | heard a Shrek. Go and
look in the orchard for my man must
have stayed there
oh. what have you don yol ras-
CALI exclaimed the canon, while lie
women screamed among themselves.
Now the judge and constable will
come, and yoE leave me in the searp.
That's The thanks you give me sir.
replied Snrsareddu, bluntly If they
had waited until after had left yoar
service before robbing you. 1t would
have been better for me too, for |
should not have had this difference
with the law.
Now 20 of to the Grill and tell the