The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1907-12-11
SWIFT JUSTICE


evil your excellcncy have a b8tt:'
asked a soft voiced. soft eyed lta,IJ4
of an Engli4hinan on the bay of Na-
pies.
The hour was sunset, the air baluy
and the waters smooth. The English
man hired the boat and was pulled out
into the bay till the island Of Ischia
stood on the one hand and Capri On
the other, while the broad Meditcr-
n stretched before him. He was
thinking what a beautiful region and
what a degraded people. CavOur had
not at that time by statecraft welded
the Italian states. Garibaldi had not
risen like a rocket with his military
achievements. The government Of Ma
pies was especially ~despicable. The
Englishman, being too warm, took of
his coat, laying 1t on a seat. When
he had gone as far as he wished he
directed the boatman to turn about
and pull back. Then, when the shore
was reached, he took up his coat and
went his way.
An hour later he missed his purse.
Certain that it had dropped from his
coat pocket when he had laid 1t on
the seat, he went to the shore. The
boatman had just come In from all
other trip on the bay. He looked very
much hurt out of his soft eyes when
the Englishman told him that he had
dropped his purse In the boat, saying
that he had found no purse.
The Englishman did not doubt that
the boatman had appropriated his
purse and its contents, but had no proof
Of the theft and would not have pro
ceeded against him in any event. What
could be expected Of a people living
under such a government He went to
his hotel angry with himself at his
carelessness and angry with the dcs-
potic sway that prevented the NeapoIi-
tans from getting IN honest living.
Meeting some countrymen OF his own
in the cafe where he dined, he told
them of the circumstance Of the loss
Of his purse, inveighing bitterly against
the government.
"In a land oppressed by tyranny" he
said, ut is impossible to have a pros
porous people. a people who are not
permitted to keep what they earn must
steal. Here all they earn must go TO
the government. In our country our
workingmen are lightly taxed, and
when crime is committed there is Il
police force to ferret out the criminal
and courts to administer punishment
He spoke in English. not supposins
that he was understood at any n OF
the neighboring tables wen If over
heard.
softly" interrupted Il Of his com
panions in an undertone. THAT well
dressed, gcntlemanly Italian over there
is listening, I'm sure"
what makes you think o "
II have seen the color rise to his
| cheeks and his nostrils dilate. He is
suppressing wrath. Look out for your
self during the rest Of your stay here.
| Don't 60 through the narrow streets
lest you get a stiletto In your back
"They dare not murder an English
man. At this time they don't wish to
make an enemy of a powerful nation
Not openly. You will be missing.
That is all"
The Englishman visited the buried
cities near Naples and the volcano that
buried them; then, the evening before
his departure being fair, he took boat
and visited Capri. When on returning
he stepped ashore he was accosted by
a gentleman whom he recognized rs
the one who had been suspected OF lis
tenipC to his conversation at dinner 4
few evenings before. The mar spoke
in English, with an Italian accent.
"You are Lord b., l believe" said thu
Italian.
The Englishman, who was travelling
incognito. was surprised. He inclined
his head in assent.
"And leader of the opposition in thu
British house of commons:'
Again the Englishman nodded hi
head.
"You lost Il sum of money a few
days ago."
81 did
SLOW much:"
eighty pounds
"You are mistaken. There were rs
and , ~napoleons.'
II believe you are right"
"ln what did you keep themY"
"In Il silk purse"
! "Of what color|
different colors."
1.-The rings were"-
"Of gold"
"Where do you think you lost you
!, purse?"
"ln one Of these boats while out o
the bay"
| do you suspect any n Of takin
IT."
!. POSSIBLY the bOatman.'
q "Should you recognize himr"
"Certainly."
a "Please step this way"
The Italian led the Englishman
> one Of the boats that lined the shor
It bore the name Of the one In whiC
he had lost his purse. Something Ia