The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1908-07-07

tore, the brigand? All, he Is a brave
man. We. have had daring men in
Italy, but none has eyer done the bril-
liant work that he has done. Did you
never hear Of the entertainment he
gave us some time ago."
mo. Tell me about it."
Thanks, senor," pocketing a coin.
1T was the last day Of the carnival.
The streets were packed with people.
masked and in costume, throwing con-
fetti and making all manner Of noises.
The police were in the streets, where
the throngs were to be kept in order
and scattered through the deserted
parts Of the town. for you know, Sc
nor, that when everybody is masked
there are fine opportunities for pilfer-
ing.
1.-The theater OF Formlipopoli was
packed from the orchestra stalls to the
top gallery. AS o as the doors were
opened people pushed in to get those
seats that were free to all. Long be-
fore the hour for the commencement
of the performance every chair was
occupied, and no more people were adj
mitted. At a quarter of an hour be-
fore the time for raising the curtain
the orchestra began to play. When
1t had finished one piece, the con-
ductor looked for the signal to begin
the music intended for the opening of
the play. He waited some time, and,
not getting 1.-THE audience was be-
coming i~mpatient-he tapped his music
rack with his baton for ar extra piece.
''This piece finished. he waited again.
Still there was no signal. The audi
ence pounded and stamped. and the
boys in the top gallery gave catcalls
and whistles. Still there vas no sig
nal. Again and again the orchestra
performed, but the curtain remained
where 1t was. only there seemed to be
motion behind 1t, for it swayed to and
fro as If moved by changes In the at
mosphere on the stage.
'Finally the signal came. Every one
could see that, for the conductor gave
q preliminary look to the right and left
of him at his orchestra, spread his
arms, his right hand holding up his
baton, and, looking once more at the
first violins, he gave the signal to be-
gin.
Slowly the great curtain rolled up
ward. Those familiar with the play
were surprised to see, instead Of the
few feet and ankles Of the ordinary
performers, a forest of boots. AS the
curtain rolled higher the muzzles of
rifles came into view pointing In every
direction from the parquet to the top
gallery. There the full figures Of a
hundred men were exposed to the a
dience.
"What departure from the opening
Of the play was this? Who were these
men, and why were their rifles pointed
at the audience? The orchestra stop
ped playing. The conductor, his baton
half raised. was staring up at the men
on the stage. bewildered.
"Then a man from among the rife
men on the stage stepped forward and,
hat in hand, bowed profoundly to the
audience. Four words from him were
enough to send a thrill of horror over
the assembly. ID
81 am II Passatore.'
"Then he told them that the theater
was surrounded by his men. that the
first man who attempted to resist or
escape would be shot and that he and
those with him on the stage would
proceed to collect their valuables.
Eat the conclusion of this brief
speech, the audience sitting q%uiescent.
he descended with his men from the
stage and proceeded to collect from the
audience money and jewels valued at
100000. Il Passatore then returned
to the stage and said:
"'My friends. please accept my heart
felt thanks for the peaceful manner in
which you have accepted the inevitable.
Had any Of you by resistance com.
PEELED us to discharge our rifles the
noise would have been heard without.
This would have brought a crowd out
side, the guard there would have been
overpowered, and, as for me and my
brave men, we would have been shut
up here like rats in trap. l assure
you we appreciate this kindly consid.
GRAFTON in your not attracting any at
%tention from without, while you have
been also laying US under obligations
for your abundant contribution
Having thus gracefully thanked his
audience for their double favor, II Pas
satore told them to remain in their
seats while he and his band withdrew.
Those bandits nearest the wings. their
rifles still pointed into the theater, first
disappeared behind them, then those
next until all had vanished. Then II
Passatore. throwing a kiss to the audi
epce from the tips Of his fingers, also
passed out. The robbers had a free
passage to the stage door, through
which all of them went out into the
open street and got away with their
plumber before a single person in the
audience could give the alarm. Indeed.
those first leaving the theater were
obliged to do so by the stage door
through which the bandits had passed
and unlock the doors for the rest.
ALAS, senior, this brave leader and a
hundred of his men have since been
captured, and these people are hurry
ing by to see them all executed. Per.
haps many Of the crowd were in the
theater the bandits plundered. May
heaven comfort them"
1.-THE p%1undered?"
mo; the brave bandits"
OSCAR COX.
The Other Half 10 Waiting.
One Of the most nifia hla sights in th1