The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1906-05-13
HOW DON O. HAD DEALINGS WITH
A USURER.
By K. and
Hesketh
Pntchard.

|
Don .: took the paper and glanced over
it. "A fair demand he remarked.
Whst have you to say, senor?'' he ad-
But Iapoulo had no answer ready. He
recognized the handsome face: the bold
air of the mountaineer he had betrayed.
speak The sharp command startled
the Insurer.
II have no money" he replied bitterly.
| When VIII you let me go?
AS soon as you have paid your just
der yellow finger On RobIetio's shouIder-
VIII permit to be your messenger. To-
morrow m ,,,' at the first light YOU will deliver
| pen and NIX
/ The pen is 1000 pesetas. the ink SCI,
ard each sheet OF paper is 1900 he said.
as he handed them to Iapo91Slo.
lieved he could score a point. IF 1 refust
to write what can you do?
The alternative is simple" replied Dor
O.. and bending toward Iapoulo ne whis-
no. no. | viii write cried the man.
see see I / use but but half. P1 he added "0
Pray DO not be hasty. senor." Imploref
for enough money, or perhaps we shall be
forced TO speak together again Of alter
Then In an instant they were gone-the
Vulture-faced brigand and his swarthy,
grinning band. I0poulo found himself in
the darkness He felt each limb. He was
sound and free therefore surely he could
escape He rushed toward the opening
OF the cave, and against a 81 atng that
chung to the bars listening to the wind
and to the strange sounds that float about
world he knew lay five days of hard
travel away. beyond MANY treacherOus
and desolate 8orges. He did not heed the
powerful snoring Of Stmio, who had seized
on the leaves and sausage the brigands
left behind them, and. having eaten and
come to the conclusion that there were
a.
the sierra, had fallen cOntentedly asleep.
Presently Iapoulo became lost in a maze
of calculations, which he worked out
with knitted brows. Five days must be
allowed for the messenger to go to Ma
lasa. five to return, also one to spend in
the ctty-that made eleven in all Each
day he would eat half a sausage and
half a loaf Of black bread. Simio-here he
turned a savage look upon his sleeping
retainer-would eat a whole sausage and
one loaf Of black bread. Between them
water. Their daily lodging cost 1900 pc
setas. Thus he computed that each day in
the mountains would cost him 1850 peSe-
fro at the thought of such sum But
when he multiplied it by eleven. the tears
trickled down his discolored cheeks, for,
alas. to this total he must add the debt
owing to Robledo.
1t was long before ne found courage TO
name the whole amount, even to him
self. When he realized that monstrOus
slice of his fortune was slipping away
from him he hid his face in his hands,
and for some moments told himself he
would prefer death. But as the dreadful
words whispered by Don q. flashed back
upon his memory he lifted the paper and
wrote out the form of his letter, leaving
I am in the grip of Don O." the let
ter ran. Send me at once -- pesetas
by the bearer. without question or de-
lay. Do not inform the authorities. for
if an attempt be made to rescue me
shall be nailed to the pine tree that grows
nearest heaven upon the mountain above
the place of my Imprisonment
I n adj cd to n iG nj "a
tive in the city. he sat down TO the hard
est struggle OF his life-the figure at which
Doubts assailed him. He did not wish to
send for more money than was absolute
ly necessary, for ne trusted NOT at an IN
the honor of the brigand: VINO he be
lieved-and in this IapoulO judged by him
self-would break all his bargains and
seize the uttermOSt farthing- Yet on the
other hand it might prove awkward to
have less than the necessary sum; acct
dents might happen the messenger might
possibly not hurry himself he might be
twelve days on the Journey. So the dawn
came and the full day drew on. and still
the usurer sat trying to make up his
mind, when Robledo stood before him.
rs the letter ready that my lord COM
manded me to teke? demanded the
,''VViIl you make very great haste on
your errand?'' asked Iapoulo.
ION my lords errands one always hast
ems" replied Robledo.
''If you are back within eleven days I
will give o yoT wf siys VIII Toq 4b 10 yes 10
Iapoulo wrote rapidly on the paper and
gave 1T through the bars into Robledo's
pent." and rushed into the darker end OF
the cave.
Early on the eleventh day Juan an
nounced the return OF RObledo. and a lit
tie later Don O.. with a few of his fol-
lowers, entered the cave. RObledo laid a
bag of pesetas and roll Of paper money
Now, senior. count your money" said
| the brigand. land your creditors shall
come in before you. Juan. stand out"
The lad al once stepped forward bear
ing a long bill in his hand.
How MUCH does it amount TOP in
by careful counting. lord, 1t adds UP
to 234, 500 pesetas."
items being out of the question, Iapoulo,
with many signs, paid over the money.
Now, Robledo, what is owing to your
went on Don O.
Twenty thousand and ten pesetas,
mo, no. no! The bargain was for 90
OOOI'' cried the usurer.
what does this mean. Robledo?" asked
the chief sternly.
THE senior made NE a promise OF ~
pesetas, lord, if L returned by the elev-
enth day. 1 am here"
1T is falseE~ Iapoulo could not bear it
Every peseta was dear as a drop of his
own blood.
@. quietly; for although you could not
see me, L heard you with my own ears
make the man this promise. The debt
rs. indeed, 2O.el0 pesetas. Pay him
quickly
The last coin had scarcely passed from
IapouIo's reluctant fingers when he
wrapped his worn cloak about his neck
Now / am free I will co.
Not too quickly" interposed Don O
Our little business is hardly vet con-
Guided. You have paid your debt. senior.
| it is true, but not the interest, the
usury''
'6The INTEREST,"" screamed the money
lender.
Yes said Don Q. Our debts in the
mountains double themselves every three
DAVIS 1t is a bad custom which Won i'm