The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1900-01-19

we ciaCCefeO past the vuageS or San
Gemini and Castel Todino, and about noon
drew up our now somewhat blown beasts
at the gates of the "Man-at-Arms," the only
inn in the village.
1t was poor place saw at glance, and.
as we pulled up, a crowd of yokels in holiday
attire gathered around US. The inn seemed
full, too, for the yard swarmed with people.
and half-score heads of contadini were at
each window, staring at us open-eyed.
As l took this in, the landlord came run.
ming out, cap in hand and full of apologies
''Ohime! But my house is full to the gar
rets, signore, and it is nothing can do fol
you to-day. Tomorrow is the feast of st.
Mary of the Consolation, and all the coun.
try is going to Todd
81 do not want to stay. We merely halt
here to bait our horses and to dine Car
you manage that?"
eff that is all, excellepcy, yes, oh, yes
The beasts, they can rest anywhere, and
there is polenta and room for your excel.
lency's followers; but for yourself, signore,''
and he shook his head mournfully
''What is the diffcultys" And l dis.
mounted, my men following suit.
'But this, signore. There is but one
room in the house you could use, and that is
occupied by two gentlemen of the army.
Violent men, signore, who will not allow
anyone to share it. Lasso mel But not
paul have they paid me as yeti"
Give them my compliments, and say that
the Cavaliere Donati begs to be allowed a
corner of their table for his dinner"
'Alas, signore! 1t is useless. They have
been here two days"
''Then it is time they made room for other
travellers. Give my message, landlord, and
say am following"
Mine host trotted off with considerable
misgivings expressed in his face, and fol-
lowed by my lackey, bearing my valise,
went after him at slower pace.
When I reached the room, which could
hardly be missed, seeing it was the only one
in the house that had any pretense of APP
pearance, l found the door open, and heard
a half-drunken voice shouting:
''Begone, dog! Blood of king! But are
two gentlemen to be disturbed because
signore with a long name wants to dine?
Skull of St. jerome! Did you ever hear the
like of this? Cospetto! Tell him to go
hang, or I'll spit him like lark
l heard enough to recognize the voice,
and, turning to the lackey, said:
Send Jacopo here at once with stout
cudgel-run."
The man went off on the double, and re-
manned without the door listening with
amusement to the ancient Brico's buster,
for it was he, and he was having all the talk,
his companion, whoever he was, now and
then giving grunt of assent.
'Mitre and cowl! He'll and sulphur! VIII
you begone, fool, or shall l slit your wind
pipe?" and heard him beat the table with
his fist. "Out, rascal" he roareG, "and
bring in another skin of chanti.'
Out came the wretched innkeeper, and,
seeing Inc at the door, began to urge me to
go; but at this moment Jacopo came run
ming up with stout stick in his hand, and,
pushing the landlord on one side, stepped
into the room, followed by Jacopo.
Brico's friend, who was quite drunk as it
seemed, had fallen asleep whilst he vast talk
ing, and lay with his head between his arms,
half on the table, half on his chair. The an
cient was seated with an empty skin before
him, and rose in wrath as entered.
what the" he began in a wine-blown
voice, and then his face paled little as he
saw me.
I did not waste words "Cudgel me this
fellow out, Jacopo," l said, and Jacopo at
tended to the task as if he loved it. The an
cient attempted to draw his sword, but it
was useless, and a minute or two later he
was flung out into the courtyard, beaten
to jelly and bowling for mercy. He lay
where he was flung, too bruised to move.
His friend slept through it all but as my
lackey lifted up his head in an attempt to
eject him, l recognized Piero Luigi, and felt
that some more stringent action than l had
taken with Brico should be adopted here
"Ths man is thief" l said to the land
lord, "and his friend little better"
"Then to the stocks they go; and now"
almost screamed the host. mot paul have
they paid me, signore, / swear this, the BAN
dts. Hi! Giuseppe! Giovanni"
A couple of stout knaves came running in,
and the innkeeper, trembling with anger
and fear combined, yelled out:
Bind this brigand and his companion Sc
curely, keep them in the stables, and to-
morrow we will hale them before the DO
desta."
enjoyed my dinner comfortably, and on
going out to see after the horses was met by
Bande Mere, who took me aside to where,
in a corner of the stables, two men were ~
ing securely bound. One was Luigi, still
happily drunk. The other was the ancient,
whose bones must have ached sorely, for he
had been beaten sober, and was feeling the
full effect of the cudgel and the ropes. He
was groaning terribly, and, being sorry for
the wretch, was about to interpose for him
with the landlord, when Jacopo interposed
with whispered:
Let the scotched snake lie, signore; he
knows too much"
let wisdom take its course, and left the
ancient to his sorrows.
ITO BE Continued
The Cooks Feelings Were Hurt.