The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-08-30
THE RANSOM.

one hundred thousand francs in sold % make up
fcr thc loss If his pleasant company. Any attenUt
20 notify the geHdaHnes vii result IN serious ha7m
10 your cxcellency's son. GIUSEPPE.
Guiseppei The most blOod-thirsty and
cruel Of all modern brigands. for whose
head the italian government had offered
Eli enormous price,
Countess de Bressac fmplored the count
10 send the money Immediately, and she
was seconded by her three young daugh-
tiers, who were very fond % their brother
and who offered not TO buy a single hat
OF dress for the next twelve months u
he would only do so
But the count did not think II neces-
sary to give in Immediately. A smaller
amount would no doubt be accepted. He
offered $1,000 francs. but this was re-
fused. and on the letter was written in
RaouIs handwriting:
Send the money. father. I am sure
they will not accept less"
The count tried once more, and offered
5000 francs.
The day Guiseppe's answer was ex-
pected none. came. and II cost the Old
count two sleepiess nights and two da1s
Of unspeakable misery. On the third day
there came small parcel addressed in
the now familiar handwriting. With
trembling fingers he opened the little box
and found in il the brigand's crushing
answer human ear packed in sawdust.
and with a slip attached. on which was
written
Not less than 10000. Part Of his ex-
ceilency is sent free Of charge that he
may hear your final decision"
Count de Bressac never forgot this
memorable day. with his wife-s and
daughters fainting spells and reproacbes.
which were so severe that he might al
most as we'll have been guilty OF cutting
his son's ear off in person. He often
wondered that he did not 20 insane. but
inc crisis came IN the evening, when the
countess and her daughters, all dressed
In deep mourning. solemnIy walked TO
the park where the gardener had dug a
small grave under a tree alongside the
brook. Here the ear was buried and
many teSrs were shed.
That evenings mail carried two letters.
one 10 the brigand, the other 70 a friend
OF the family who happened to be consul
near the indicated place. CONTAINING a
draft for 10000 francs. Count de Bressac
asked him 20 communicate with Giuseppe
Immediately and make him release his
prisoner.
The consul did so. and certain night
he went 10 a lonely spot in the woods
carrying 10000 francs in gold. Here he
was met By a sunburned. blackbearded
giant in national costume and carrying a
rife. two reyolvers. and a couple Of dag
gers Conspicuously displayed The man
walked a little further into the wood fol-
lowed by the consul Then he whistled
shTiIy; slow steps were heard and the
melancholy figure OF the prisoner ap-
peared. lie was placed next 10 his res
cuer the gold was carefully counted and
the consul was permitted 20 leave with
RaouL who was a free man once more.
Chateau de Bressac was beautifully IL
Illuminated the night when the heir was
expected &c return. and when he die
come there was no end 10 the JOY. He
was kissed and hUgsed by everybody In
turn, but suddenly his mother exclaimed:
Why. Raoul. dear. you have two ears"
"Of course, I have. Why should not T."
But we buried one in the park
Raoul did not understand and said he
knew nothing about it. but that il was
probably q trick 10 get the money
quicker.
When he met Paul the next time. a
week later. he asked:
What was that tale about the ear?
Why did you not post me on that?"
Because I was sure you would object
and as ii was necessary 20 end the ma
ter. I bought an ear from a medic
student
Well I was dumfOunded when IN
accused me Of having two ears and sa
they had buried one. But the money?
I told the boys you had arranged
loan and authorized me TO pay yod
debts bough; your checks back 10
$3.50 francs. The remainder--
is yours for your trouble and 10 paI
for your eternal silence.
Thank YOU I won't say word. but
= was deuced hard 70 say nothing when
we had the consul in the wood. I came
near bursting out laughing at the sight
of his serious face when he counted the