Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1899-09-17

promised you should have a stock to
seleft from, and ecco la! Splendid
specimens, are they not?"
Another roar of laughter from the
bandits interrupts the satirical har-
angue.
Now, signore," pursues the chief,
you can either choose such of them as
will best answer your purpose, o. take
all; but first let us have an understand
ing Is to terms. That's the correct
way to do business, and saves scompli-
cations afterwards. Shall / say the
price, or leave it to yourself? I'd
rather do the last, knowing you'll not
be stingy, and won't drive a hard bar
gain with poor fellows like us, who at
times, as may be truthfully said, haven't
SO much as a house owe our heads.
Besides, if l mistake not, you're a fores-
there. They've always got plenty of
money, and don't mind spending freely.
You are one, are you not?"
81 am"
"Of what country may I inquirer"
"Inglaterra."
ooh, an Englishman! just the sort
for us. 1 neer saw one who wasn't rich
as old Macaenas, who used to strut
about here making merry with his
friend Orazio, in those good old times
when wine was cheap as water. An
Inglese, you're a ~cretico. of course!
I'm glad of that for another reason
not necessary you should know. But
come! The terms-the terms! And
haste you! We've been wasting too
much time, and must now bring the
negotiations to an end. Presto!"
Throughout all this rigamarole, the
artist has admirably preserved his
temper. Well aware the bandit is but
in mockery, he knows that any dis
play of spleen on his part will only
make matters worse for him; and. al
though boiling over with Indignation,
he smothers it, assuming the same
jocular vein as the robber himself.
"Well, Signor Ohief-as l see you're
that-I'd be very willing to pay a hand
some price for the commodity you
speak of; and | admit the superior
quality of the article. But. unfortu-
nately, just now I'm rather short of
cash. However, I'll give all I've got,
and trust that will content you"
How much have you got?"
"There-see for yourself. In that
you'll find the sum and substance of my
exchequer."
He has taken out his purse, and
while speaking, hands it to the high
wayman.
"Fifty-fve soudi!" mutters the latter
in a one of disappointment, after
emptying out the coins. and telling
them off between his palms.
'"This alp"
"AH l have"
"In cash, you mean. But you've some
trinkets-as, for instance, that ring
upon your finger. Is it a diamond?
Per Bacco, yes! Let me have a look
at it. I'm a t~olerably good judge of
jewels"
Saying this, he stoops forward, takes
hold of the artists hand, strips the
ring from his finger, and draws it upon
his own.
Fits exactly" he says, with a salts
fed grin. Couldn't better lift had
been made for me, or I'd had the pick
of a jewellers stock. Looks well, too,
on my finger. 'Twould be a pity to
take it off, so suppose we let it stay
there?"
As the last speech is not intended
in a ~interrogative sense. he neither ex-
poets an answer nor waits for one, but
again queries:
Nov, signore, what have you be-
sides in the way of bijouterie? Ha!
there's a chain, which betokens the
proximity of a watch. l hope it's not
a silver one. Permit me?"
Again leaning forward he pulls the
artists gold repeater out of his waist
coat pocket, ait the same time giving
the swivel an adroit squeeze and de-
taching the chain, so that it comes with
the watch.
Gold, yes!" he gleefully exclaims.
AYE, and a good time-keeper, if my
eyes don't deceive me-. Repeater, solid
cases; jewelled, no doubt Let me be
sure" Opening the watch he examines
it inside, counting the stones. zone,
two, three, six, and works admirably
executed. What fine watches you In
glises wear! None of YOU cheap Gem
eva rubbish. How fortunate; 1 just
wanted such a one. Grazie, Signor ar
| tistai"
Saying which he slips the repeater
into his own vest pocket and proceeds
to attach the chain, by inserting its
swivel into one of the button-holes.
His followers, who have drawn close
around, are highly amused with this
bit of jocular speculation, and express
their delight in repeated roars OF
laughter.
His ring, watch and chain, thus TAX
en- from him. the stripping of the trav-