The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1907-10-20
SWIFT JUSTICE
fOriginai I

fOriginail
"Nill your excelicncy have a boat!
asked 4 soft voiced. soft eyed Italian
of an EnglShman on the bay of Ma
plies.
The hour was sunset the air balmy
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 Oh
the other, while the broad Mediter-
ranean stretched before him, He was
thinking what beautiful region and
what q degraded people. Cayour had
not at that time by statecraft welded
the Italian states. Garibaldi had not
risen like rocket with his military
achievements. The government of Ma
Piles was especially despicable. The
EngIiShman, being too warm, took Off
his coat, laying it nn 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 mp 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 it Oh
the seat, he went to the shore. Inc
boatman had just come in from an
other trip on the bay. He looked very
much hurt out of his soft eyes when
IT. Il. l.; l,,,f In, ha,1
dropped his purse in the boat, saying
that he had found no purse.
The Englishman did hot doubt that
the boatman had appropriated his
purse and its contents, but had 10 proof
of the theft and would not have pro
cecded against him in any event. What
could be expected of 4 people living
under such Il government! He went to
his hotel angry with himself at his
carelessness and angry with the des-
potic sway that prevented the Neapol-
tans from getting an honest living,
Meeting some countryuen of his own
in the cafe where he dined he to
them Of the circumstance Of the loss
of his purse, inNeighing bitterly against
the governments
in land oppressed by tyranny, he
said. ''it is impossible 10 have pros
porous people. \ people who are not
permitted 10 keep what they earn must
steal Here all they earn must go-to
the government In orr country our
Workingmen are lightly taxed, ana
Chen crime is committed there is Il
police force to ferret out the criminal
and courts to administer punishment,
He spoke in English. not snpposing
that IL was understood at any one OF
the nciglboring tables even if over
heard
softly" interrupted one of hi. com
panions in an undertone. That well
dressed. gentlemanly Italian over there
is listening, I'm sure"
What makes you think so!'
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 go through the narrow streets
lest you get Il 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
III --i.. -
he stepped ashore he was accosted by
gentleman whom he recognized as
the one who had been suspected of lis
tening to his conversation at dinner a
few evenings before. The man spoke
in English, with an Italian accent.
"You are Lord r.. l believe" said the
Italian.
The Englishman. who was travelling
incognito. was surprised. He inclined
his head in assent
And leader of the opposition in fhe
British house of commons?'
Again the Englishman nodded his
head.
You lost sum of money 4 few
days ago.
Il did
How much:''
Eighty pounds"
"You are mistaken. There were ESQ
and 9 napoleonS."
Il believe you are right
in what did you keep them
'.In silk purse"
"Of what cOlory'
Different colors"
THE rings we're
'Of gold
Where do You think you lost your
purse?"
in one oc these boats while out on
the bay"
do you suspect any one of taking
it?'
Possibly the boatman.'
SHOULD you recognize bim:'
Certainly"
please step this way"
The Italian led the Engishman to
one of the boats that lined the shore