Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1908-06-19
SWIFT JUSTICE


VIII your excellency have boatT'
asked soft voiced. soft eyed Italian
of an Englishman on the bay of Ma
pies.
The hour WAS sunset, the air bnlmy
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 Mediter-
ranean stretched before him. He was
thinking what beautiful region and
what 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 off
his coat, laying it on u 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 it on
the seat, he went to the shore. The
boatman had just come in from an
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 government? He went to
his hotel angry with himself at his
carelessness and angry with the des-
potic sway that prevented the Neapoli-
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 land oppressed by tyranny" he
said, at is impossible to have a pros
porous people. \ 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 a
police force to ferret out the criminal
and courts to administer punishment"
He spoke in English, not supposing
that he was understood at any one of
the neighboring tables even If over
heard.
Softly" interrupted one Of his COM
panions in an undertone. THAT well
dressed, gentlemanly Italian over there
is listening, I'm sure"
What makes you think soY
81 have seen the color rise to his
cheeks and his nostrils dilate He is
self during the rest of your stay here.
Don't go through the narrow streets
lest you get stiletto in your back"
'1They dare not murder an English
man. At this time they don't wish to
make an enemy Of powerful nation"
mot 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 as
the one who had been suspected of lis
tening to his conversation at dinner
few evenings before. The tnan spoke
In English, with an Italian accent.
"You are Lord B., believe" said the |
italian.
The Englishman, who was travelling |
was surprised. He inclined |
his head in assent.
"And leader of the opposition in the |
British house Of commons"
Again the Englishman nodded his
head.
"You lost a sum of money a few
lays ago?"
II did"
"How much?"
eighty pounds"
"You are mistaken. There were ESQ |
md napoleons."
II believe you are right"
I'm what did you keep themT
"In silk purse"
"Of what colorT
different colors."
1.-THE rings were"-
"Of gold"
where do you think you lost your
,urseT
"1n one Of these boats while out on
he bay"
do you suspect any one of taking
tr
Possibly the boatman."
"Should you recognize himT