Bisbee daily review. [volume] (Bisbee, Ariz.) 1901-1971, 1914-08-06
CHATTER H.


The Stranger.
On an afternoon in July in the year
of 1920, Francois. being ten years old
and a dreamer. came alone through
the gate and sat down with his short
legs dangling over an ancient wall
fifteen feet sheer down. He sat there
quite comfortable and secure. and
kicked his heels, and thought OF his
brilliant future, and also OF the story
of Che great dog and the treasure. The
tradition ran that ages back in the
time of Caesar. sfty years after Christ
G. Roman governor in this Gallo prov
ince had built a formidable castle or
this hin outside the village The castle
had great granaries to hold the grain
which the governor tortured from the
peasants and SEN, to Rome to sell Sc
he grew rich by oppression, and thC
gold wrung from the people he piled iu
cellars deep In his castle. When Dc
came to be great amount he sent far
to the north and got a huge dog, and
this dog he trained to a terrible fierce
ness, so that anyone coming near ir
the long underground corridors where
he guarded the treasure was sure to
be torn in pieces, except always the
governor.
For years things went on in this
way, the governor grinding the peas
ants, and the giant dog guarding him
and his treasure. tin at last there came
a thunderbolt-the governor was sent
for to come TO Rome to give an ac
count of the riches which he had kept
from the emperor. He had to go. but
he left the dog I'm charge, and the night
after be was gone the peasantry gath
cred and set FIRE TO the chateau and
burned it TO the ground and the dog
and the treasure were buried I'm it,
and there they are 10 this day. The
people Of Vicques believe that II a
man win go to dig that treasure and
viii stay till midnight, that at twelve
exactly q colossal dog viii rise from
the ruined stones and come. breathing
flames, In his mouth will be the key
Of the treasure-vault. and back Of him
Will stand the ghost Of the Roman gov
ernor wrapped I'm white, his face COW
enough 10 take the key from the fam
ing mouth, then dog and governor viii
vanish I'm a clap Of thunder, and An
front of the daring one win rise the
door of the treasure-vault, and he may
turn the key and go i'm and help him
self
Francois considered, and, feeling ne
fear I'm his soul, decided that he was
the man destined to take the key out
OF the dogs mouth and get the treas
ure, which he would at once transfer
intact to his mother. He had no need
for treasure; there were things more
Important IL was for him TO become
marshal of France. Napoleon had
said so; It must be SO; but he should
like, on the way to this goal to face
tine dog and take the key and give his
mother the treasure.
I'm the gaiety of the thought, and
| feeling both ambitious an but accom-.
plished by this decision he lifted him
| self on the palms of his hands and
I kicked out lightly over the abyss. As
| he kicked there was a sudden strong
grip on his shoulder: he was ierked
backward and roAed on the grass.
Are you tired Of life at this age
I then" a strident voice demanded, and
/ Francois laT On zia haok aad regarded
wondering a. eaas, no bsaG Esd lined
face Of a big man standing over him
Francois smiled; then laughed with
| assurance of the others friendliness
up into the strange mans face. He
got TO his feet and stood
No, m'sieur," he said politely. %
was only pleased at thinking what ]
/ am going TO be some day"
'Ah! is It permitted to ask what
magnidcance It is that you are to beg
Certainly It is permitted. m'sleur,'
Francois ansgasred In his courageous
courteous way. 81 shall one day be q
marshal Of France under another
. Bonaparte'"
Tho stranger watched him, aston
ished, and then he laid his hand on the
slim shoulder In its homespun blouse
and his grave voice was gentle. 'My
child, be careful how you say words
IKE those; you may get your father
into trouble It is a good belief to
keep in ones heart. and you and = may
yet shout Vlve lEmpereur' for a Ma
pOleon again. Yes, who knows? But
/ I must 90 on. Good day, my friend
81