Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1897-05-27
A Gold Watch Key.

In the cal ons house at Santa Mar
gherita they were reciting the holy
rosary after supper, when suddenly a
guLshot was heard in the night. The
cahon stood aghast with his chaplet
still in his hand, the women crossed
themselves and listened intently, and
the dogs in the yard parked in fury.
Almost instantly another gunshot was
heard in reply, down in the valley be-
meath the Rocca.
"Gesumaria! what in the world can
that be?" exclaimed the serving maid
N the kitchen.
Silence, every one!' exclaimed the
canon, 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 a moment the bark
ing began again louder than before,
and in the midst of it, at brief inter
walls, somebody was heard knocking at
the outer door with 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-
bled. 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 succeeded in
quoting the dogs from the ground
floor and il drawing the bars of the
outer door Surfareddu, the Waterman
entered, dark in the face and with his
musket still warm in his hands.
whats the trouble, Grippino?
What has happened?" asked the cano I,
terrified.
THE trouble, sir is, that while you
rest and sleep, | risk my hide 20 keep
your property for you,' replied Surfa-
Teddu; and he told what had happened
standing at the door and lounging, as
his master was. He could not get 10
sleep for the great heat, and he hal
gene OUT for a moment in the doorway
OF his hut yonder upon the knoll, when
h heard a noise in the valley where
the orchard was, noise such as only
his ears knew and those of Bellina, Z
leat ugly dog, gaunt and hairless
were knocking down oranges and other
fruit in the orchard There was a
ruStling 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 f1intlock 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. Oh
his own will and accord he had given
e 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 tc
the canon, and it was the last day Of
| August, dark, star1ess night. Bellina
went ahead with her nose to the wind
silent, as he had taught her. He walked
along very slowly, raising his feel
high in the hay so that the rustlins
| should not be heard, and the dog look.
ed back every few steps to see if he
was followed. When they were in the
| valley, he said in a low tone to BelIina,
To hee! and he placed himself in the
shelter of big walnut tree. Then he
gave a shout: "Holloar'
"A shout! Lord deliver us!'' said the
canon, for it made ones flesh Greer
when heard from Surfareddu, a MAJ
who had been guilty of more than on,
homicide in his occupation of watch
man.
Then, continued Surfareddu
then they fired upon me point blank
Bang! Luckily I answered the flasf
OF their shot. There were three 4
them and I heard a Shrek. Go anC
look in the orchard for my man mus
have stayed there
''Oh, what have you done. you raS
CALI exclaimed the canon, while -,
women screamed among themselves
Now the judge and constable vii
come, and you leave me in the scarp.
That's the thanks you give me sir
replied Surfareddu, bluntly. If the,
had waited until after I had left you
service before robbing you, it woul,
have been better for me too for
should not have had this differenc,
with the law.
Now go off to the Grill and tell TIT
steward | sent you. Tomorrow yo,
shall have what you need. But lie
nobody see you for the love Of God
Now that it is the prickly pear season
all the people are up along ihes
heights. Who knows how much thi
affair will cost? 1t would have beer
better if you had shut your eyes"
"Ah, no, Signor C8nonico, as lon:
as l stay in your service I shall not sui
fer affronts Of that sort. They know
that I was guardian of your land up t,
the 31st of August. SO much the wors
for them. [ don't throw away n.
| newer mt > And he went off Will