Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1899-10-08

down the street. in which is the Sim
dico's house; though they in the log
gia, looking along it, can see nothing.
or naught TO explain sucn scattering.
It is steep and narrow, however, with
a bend at the bottom; besides, twilight
is well on, and below it is darker than
up in the open piazza.
Continuing to gaze, the young girls
at length perceive something yet dark
er than the shadow of the houses
thrown across the street. In its centre
is an opaque mass, in motion; evident
ly body OF men on the march, their
tread echoed from the hollow walls,
not in measured step, but irregufarly.
Soon they are opposite the Sindico's
house, the loggia of which is now un-
occupied; they lately occupying it have
taken the sheperd's advice, and retired
inside. But still behind the jalousies,
and peeping through them, they COM
mand view of more than half the
street, with the men whose advent has
caused such a scare. Soon as she has
her eyes on them the contadina NUT
ters:. Madonna miai" adding in whis-
pers to Lucetta at her side: eli
bandittil"
Just then the marching men are
brought to a halt by word from one
at their head. Only short pause, he
who ordered it calling: "Schiaccia!
Giacomo." then commanding: Stay
here with your friend, the forestierre,
till l come or send for you. There's a
snug nook under that porch, where you
can keep him. And see he don't hold
communication with anyone"
The two individuals so directed sep
arate from the rest, having between
them a third, whose hands are tied be-
hind his back and whom they conduct
into the Snug nook" spoken of-the
porch of the Sindico's house.
Then he who commands, giving the
word "Avanti." leads on towards the
Piazza, the others trooping after. AS
they file past those behind the lattice
see that all are armed, and nearly all
carrying bags or bundles. Without the
guns they might pass for pilgrime en-
route with their offerings to some sac
red shrine. But the Neapolitan girl
knows better In the Regno she has
seen such warfarers before, and but
repeats what she has already said, with
added emphasis: eli bandittil"
The strangers entering the open
square are met by the men of the vii
lage, already notified of their character
by the shepherd, who had in some way
learnt it below; and they are received
by the villagers, not with bold front,
but in humble obeisance and cravan
trepidation.
AS if to allay their fears, the leader
of the troop called out:
Citizens of Val di Orno! AS you see,
we're a party of travellers, bound for our
homes in the Regno. Fatigued We are,
after a long days journey up these
mountains roads. not the easiest to
climb. All we ask is to rest our wear
led limbs, have a bit of supper, and
bed; for which commodities we're will
ing to pay fair price. If I mistake
not. there's an inn in your village?'
This, put interrogatively, is answered
by several of the Val di Ornions, who
point to the osteria.
"Benein calculates the bandit chief
no ether than Corvino-as he says so,
resuming march, and continuing on to
the inn. Entering which he orders sup
per for forty men-the best solids that
can be procured in the place, with
fluids to correspond. The last, more
speedily obtainable, are set before him
and his followers at once; while for
the first every provision shop in the
village is ransacked. Never had the
humble hosiery of Val di Orno such a
conglomeration of guests. Good pay
ing customers, too, ready money at
that For while their supper is long
prepared, they ring their coin. silver
and gold, Roman and Neapolitan, on the
counter. calling for the costliest wine,
and swallowing it as thought it were
water.
And when at length the supper has
been set before them. and consumed,
instead of betaking themselves to bed,
they invite the villagers to join them in
dance; which some do, doubling the
tale told by the shepherd. and believing
the strangers to be, as they represent
themselves, honest travellers How
could they be otherwise, such cheerful,
generous fellows? So they bring out
their women-the boldest ones and are
further emboldened by the flow OF
wine, with a scattering Of cash. and
excited by the inspiring strains OF pif-
Zero and zampagna, which two of the
travellers play. And soon the Piazza,
late occupied with the game Of ''gatto
cieeo . is devoted to the joys of bellies.