The Wahpeton times. [volume] (Wahpeton, Richland County, Dakota [N.D.]) 1879-1919, 1911-05-25

e An r
Archaeoloeist.
He Looks For Antique Trsasurss
and Finds Man
BY ]. L. careno
Copyright by American Press Asso.
citation, 1911.
By J. L. careno
by American Press Asso.
citation, 1911.
VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVvVVN

hills are dotted with villages, villas and
the ruins of villas. In one of these
small towns, Frascati, ! was born.
There is or was in Italy very little
opportunity for young man to make
his way. and at the age Of eighteen, the
only field open to me being the army,
chose rather to go to America.
Chance led me to become a telegraph
operator. and yet possible scientific
tastes may have had something to do
with the matter At any rate, I fan
cied the work partly because it was
science. saved money. and when the
telephone was discovered l subscribed
for some shares in the company then
organizing. These shares made me
wealthy. and within ten years after
leaving my native land returned to 1t
and my home.
Archaeology became passion with
ME. l devoted myself to digging for
those treasures in art which lie buried
In such profusion in and about Rome.
My field lay at my very door, since the
range Of hills on which l lived were
a favorite location for the villas of
the ancient Romans when the wealth
of conquered world was flowing in
upon them.
In my investigations went about
wherever l suspected an archaeolog-
ical treasure might lie hidden. The
lower grade of Italian people in that
region are a dangerous class. A few
miles back of my native village there
is a small town in which there are
about 400 people, all belonging to the
criminal class. On this account in my
tours through the country invariably
went armed. The wisdom of doing SO
was apparent from the fact that
heard one day that an American gen.
tleman who had come out from Rome
to visit Frascati had disappeared. He
had climbed the hill back of the town,
visited the villa Of the Aldo Brandini
family, one of whom was a pope. then
wandered farther along the road lead
ing toward the village Of criminals of
which ] have spoken. He did not re.
turn.
One day started out to visit some
graves of which I had heard among
the Alban hills. In one of them l
found relics dating back to period
beyond the foundation Of Rome. I
was so delighted with my find and
buoycd by hopes Of discovering more
such treasures that pursued my in.
vcstigations till it was dark. Then
started to find some place in which to
spend the hight. The region was not
thickly settled. and was obliged to
go some distance before coming to
Il house. Seeing dim light ahead. I
pushed on and came to large stone
building that bore evidence Of having
been some gentleman's villa. 1t was
now ruin and only partly occupied.
knocked at the door. could hear
plainly quick moving about Of per-
sons inside, and it was some time be-
fore my summons was answered. Then
a woman appeared. one of the lowest
class. and. although she stood with her
back to the light. could see enough of
her face to assure me that this was
no good stopping place for me. How
ever. I told her what I was looking
for. and she asked me to come In.
There were two men there Of the same
grade as the woman.
was puzzled what to do. If went
elsewhere these persons might follow
me to rob me: IL I stayed in the house
I might be murdered In my sleep. In
either event l must rely on my arms.
which had not on this occasion neg.
lected to bring with me.
Having had nothing to eat since
morning. sat down at a table and
ate some luncheon I had with me.
would have called for a glass of wine.
but knew these people would have
only the worst, and. fearing poison.
refrained. While l ate I considered
l determined to ask for room, and
II found 1t capable of being held in
case of an attack I would stay there:
If not, would go on. To my surprise.
when I asked. fol, place to sleep one
Of the men spoke up and said grufHy:
"There is no room for the gentle
man."
This looked as If he would like to
force me out, so concluded to stay.
Every WELL" said. II will remain in
this room. will sleep in chair
shall be of by daylight anyway"
The two men consulted in low voices.
and one Of them, taking up a light,
told me to follow him. did so and
was led to dingy room with one win.
dow in 1t. threw up the sash and
saw that I was about thirty feet from
the ground. The lock on the door was
on the inside. Altogether I consider.
ed the position favorable for defense.
I. concluded to stay in the room. even
II did not sleep, till dawn (about
O'clock. So told the man was sat
ished and said good night to him. and
he set down the light and went away.
I was too tired to keep awake. but
did not dare even to lie on the bed
with my clothes on for. fear Of falling
asleep. I sat in chair. but even
there I found myself nodding. It was
II o'clock when I heard a tapping. Be.
fno, a. thu tfvno holP aa1Aan moe MT