El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1910-08-31
The HeraId's
Daily Short Story

, next II months if he would only
! do so.
But the count did not think it neces-
sary to give In Immediately. A small
er amount would no doubt be accepted
He offered $4,000 francs, but this was
refused and on the letter was writer
In RaoOl's handwriting: Send the
money, father, I am sure they will
not accept less" The count tried once
more and offered $4,000 francs.
The day Gufseppe's answer was ex-
pected none came. and it cost the old
count two sleepless nights and two
days of unspeakable misery
On the third day there came a small
parcel addressed in the now famiIiar
handwriting With trembling fingers
ne opened the little box and found In
1t the brigand's crushing answer
human ear packed in sawdust and with
sup attached on which was written:
Not less than 100000. Part of his
excellency is sent free of charge that
he may hear your final decision
Count de Bresac never forgot this
memorable day. His wife's and
daughters fainting spells and re-
proaches which were so severe that he
might almost as well have been guilty
OF cutting his sons ear off in person
He often wondered that he did not go
insane, but the crisis came in the
evening when the countess and her
daughters all dressed in deep mourn
ing solemnly walked to the Darlx
where the gardener had dug small
grave under a tree alongside the brook
Here the ear was buried and MANY
tears were shed
That evenings mail carried two let
ters, one to the brfgand, the other to
friend OF the family who happened
TO be consul near the indicated place
containing draft for 100000 francs
Count de Bresac asked him to com
municate with Giuseppe immediate1v
ana make him release his prisoner.
The consul did so and a certain
night he went to a lonely spot in the
woods carrying 100, 600 francs in gold
Tere he was met by sunhurne5
biackbearded giant in national cos
tune and carrying a rife, two revolt
Vers and a couple of daggers conspicu-
lously displayed, The man walked a
little further into the wood followed
by the consul. Then he whistled
shrllly, slow steps were heard and the
melancholy figure Of the prisoner an
peared- He was placed next to his
rescuer, the gold was carefully
counted and the consul was permitted
TO leave with Raoul, who. was a free
man once more.
Chateau de Bresac was beautifu1lv
the night when the heir
was expected to return and when h.
did come there was no end TO the low
He was kissed and Rugged by evsrv-
body in turn. but suddenly his mother
exclaimed; why Raoul, dear, you
have two ears"
"of course have. why should
not II" 'U-u
But We buried one in the park"
Raoul did not understand and said
he knew nothing about 1t. but that II
was probably a trick to get the money
quicker.
When he met Paul the next time .
week later, he said
What was that tale about the eoro
Why did you not put me on to that {"
Because I was sure YOU would oh
lect and as 1t was necessary to end
the matter, I bought the ear from |
medical student
We'll, 1 was dumbfounded when
they accused me of having two ears
and said they had buried one. But
the money!"
I told the boys you had arranged a |
oan and authorized me to pay your
1e5ts 1 bought your checks back for |
1888 francs The remainder"
rs yours for your trouble and to |
bay for your eternal silence"
Thank you I won't saw word |
out 1t was deuced hard to say nothing
when we had the consul in the wood
came near bursting out laughing at
he sight of his serious face whe Abe
counted the money! II