The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1905-09-01
M0udkeCk, HE Lion Toner.
Bv SEWARD w. HOPKINS,
AuthcS Of Jack Robbins Of America" ia thu
China Sea-" Two 0entlemeu Of
Hawaii "On a Palss
Charge" Etc.
o,,yrish,, 1895, by ROBERT Bossr.'. sosA
CHAPTER JIii.

dragged themselves along toward
morning, were anything but refresh
ing.
The dominant thought, of course,
was that | had got myself in a bad
scrape and would probably lose my
life. For one moment the thought
did come to me: There is the United
States minister" l dismissed the
idea as holding out no hope. had no
means of communicating with our rep
resent&tive. In fact, l was entirely
cat off from all communication with
the world My friends would prob
ably never know what became of me.
My only hope was Mutterelli. And
where. through all of this, was Nut
terelli?
Calling to my assistance all the
nerve | possessed. resolved to put
on as good a face in the matter as
possible, and not allow the prefetto or
his guards to see any signs of weak
uess in my demeanor.
The room in which l was held was
well lighted by a large lamp which
hung from the ceiling. l drew a
chnir under the lamp. and with the
same nonchalance which would have,
characterized me had been N my
faVorite corner at the Lotus Club with
the major and Dilkins around me in
stead of the blaclt-looking Sardinians,
l pulled from my pocket and began to
read the paper had taken from the
table in Pacho Maligni's room. 1t
read as follows:
New York City in the Stat New
York, in the United Stats of Amer
lea. May II, 18-.
10 the person who. when I am
dead shall obtain this paper, l salute
1t is that l am at every day in the
great danger of being killed by an
accident of my profeshun that l leave
III this form the story of Nta Bar
lotti. that perhaps in some long day
to become she may be restor to those
where she belong and who hat lost
her. And /. who am known to the
world as Barlotti the Trapeze King,
pray to that person who reads these
words to do what he can and what
cannot to the good end that Nita Bar
lotti may know who she really is.
and may come into her own if she is,
as l belief, the daughter of rich
person.
at will be a surprise to the person
who find this to know that my name it
is not Barlotti. but Sigmctta. Yes,
1 am Antonio Sigmotta, and Barlotti
Is the name l hat take in the circus to
please my brother. who was very rich
and a physician in New York.
when l came this country l was
poor-very poor. l went to my
brother, and ne was angry to me in
words, but he did some kindness to
me that he let me live in hi. house
till hat money to keep myself.
make contract with Malgni to go in
the circus as trapeze actor, and M
brother max me change my name, so
not to disgrace him.
"One day l went into my brother,
private room for something. 1t was a
workshop-he call aboratoria or some
like that. 1t was at the nj hit. and
was very dark. My brother was in
his bedroom
Il lighted the gas in the laboratoria,
and found what | was looking for
some medicine he gave me when had
the aching of the lead.
AS was about to turn back the
gas to go out, l saw bundle on the
floor. 1t seemed to me that it move.
Then | stood still, and I hear a llltle
cry like child. l rush to the door.
listen for my~-brother, but he not
to be heard. open the bundle. 1t
was a sack. with string3. in the end.
Al had in it little chiId-a girl. |
drew it out The child breath and
moan, but do not seem to know. and
then | know my brother had given it
drug.
Then I hurry. trembling much, and
took some cloths and other things
and | make rag baby just the size of
the child | took from the sack. II put
the rag baby in the sack and made it
tight like it was before | opened
~. Then / quick Gerry the live child
to my room and hide it in my bed
Then | watch. Pretty soon my brother
come and go to the laboratoria.
keep quiet SO he do not hear me. ard
follow him. He take the sack and nv
rag baby and steal from his own
house like he was thief. and | know
he was worse. Still follow MIN.
MY brother went into dark street
and went to the docks on the East
river. | saw him take a stone and
tie cord to it and around the sack
Then he throw all into the water
When he saw it sink he turn round
and sneak home
Il had in New York. near my
brothers house, a sweetheart. met
her at concert hall, and often wen,
to see her at her house She was q
great singer, and | love her, so
want to marry her She was a goo.
girl and her name was Nita
Late in the night | took the child
and when my brother was asleep
stole from his house and carried thu
child to Nita, | told her all abou