Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-03-31

"ventre Saint Gris! but would not have missed this exhibition. no. not for . thousand pistoles. What face and ears and teeth -cospetto! in a moment he is changed from devil into a man. Then, too, his story-ha, ha! "A cornered mouse makes scant choice of holes,' not badly spoken. I may call him 'Pompon' If I choose; he wishes to be my friend. I am over whelmed with honors. But look you, friend Pompon," here he sat up and his face became sober as a thought seemed to strike him, "do you not ad- init that you are the prisoner about to be executed that saw but a short while back carried along by the fright ened crowd?"
 The man nodded.
 ;'How did you, get your wrists un- tied?"
 Some friendly hand cut the rope while was struggling in my escape"
 And where got you yon dagger that you seemed so anxious to present me with moment ago?"
 "The same friendly hand that loosed me slipped it into my palm as passed by. Entering an empty building, I hid >upon the roof. I crept along to this house, and looking over the edge, I saw the easement open, and hearing no sound, thought the room was va cant. Knowing that as long as dark ness continued would escape detec- tion by any in the street below, low cred myself in"
 Well done, Pompon; it seems that thou hast something besides popping eyeballs in that head of thine. Dame! if your plight does not appeal to me. Since when have you eaten and drunken?" r-
 Not since yesterday morning, Mon sieur."
 "Hein! then you must first of all be filled. Open yon door and from the shelf get the remains of game-pie and that bottle of wine you will find there. Iris all I have, but you may snare.
 The man obeyed; and after draining a glass of red wine, he closed the closet door without touching the pie, and, going to the window, peered forth.
 "It is a bold mouse that makes its nest in the cats ear," he said, as he pointed to group of soldiers who is- sued from a neighboring house, en- tered the next, and disappeared.
 Ma foi! search party!" ejaculated Tonti. "'Tis only short time before they will be here. What shall I do with you? You are too large for my closet, and there is nothing else in which you could hide"
 Perhaps Monsieur has. clothes I could disguise myself in"
 "Yes, I have here," as he opened a drawer in the wardrobe, "the garb of an Italian fisherman I brought with me to Paris for a servant. But my money went; then he did also"
 "An empty purse frightens away friends" Pompon remarked
 "Peste! Yes, 'tis the way of the world. Here they are. but you will need stain of some sort for your face. Six years in the Bastille does not give the tan that the sun does on the Bay of Naples. While you dress I shall try and find something"
 "Go into the first cabaret on the Rue de la Tanerie, and whisper in the ear Of the cabaretier the words Re member sixty-four,' tell him what you want. and he will give it to you"
 Tonti heard this with a look of sur prise, but wasted no time. He soon returned with bottle of the desired dye. Pompon meanwhile had ex- changed his prison garments for those of a Neapolitan peasant. A touch here and a twist there from Tonti soon made him right. The stain which Pompon skilfully applied, and a red kerchief about his head so arranged as to hide in great measure the scar on his forehead, altered his appearance so that Tonti himself was astounded.
 Mile tonnerres!" he exclaimed. "I defy even your jailer to recognize you now. When they come you can play the servant, busy in the dark corner there polishing my sword. I. shall pretend that you are dumb. If spoken to, make signs, and do not be surprised if address you in Italian. Now take your place and we can talk until the party arrives. Tell me your story. Twill help pass the time"
 So saying, he tipped his chair back, and with his feet on the table looked