Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-01-13


overpowering barbarians. Not a year
passes without some statue being dug
from beneath the surface in or about
Rome | was myself seized with de-
sire to find some of the treasures that
adorned Rome in the days of her gran
deur My object in life may not have
been practical, but it is not only prac-
teal objects that are absorbing.
! was not permitted to visit the land
of my dreams until l was twenty-seven
years old. Then found myself in pos
session of property which gave me an
income of few thousands a year.
Within a month after the receipt of
my patrimony ! was in Rome
had been more than year in Rome
and had studied the references to
number of villas that had been the res
licences of ancient Romans with a view
to selecting one to search for. Finally
I stumbled on record of a very rich
man. Manlius QUintus Piso, who had
made his money as an auctioneer.
Mention was made Of mania COM
ing upon him after he acquired wealth
for collecting beautiful works of art.
The author L read stated that his villa
contained more valuable statues than
any other of his time. Among others
was mentioned statue OF Diana that
had cost its owner a fabulous sum.
The location of the villa was given as
among the hills lying to the south of
Rome across the Campagna. A small
stream flowed past it; high hill was
directly behind it. There were other
references to the contour OF the sur
rounding country calculated to help
one searching for the site. These
studied and. not content with one ref
erence, hunted till | found another de-
scription of the villa as it had been be-
fore its destruction during one of the
earlier invasions of the Goths.
When had got all the Information
possible on. the subject l packed dig
ging implements in my trunk-I did
not dare to let it be known that | was
going to make excavations-and went
by the electric railway 70 Frascati
which l made my headquarters. I set
out from there the next morning with
my implements rolled in steamer rug
bound by shawl strap.
spent week hunting for location
that fitted the description | had gained
from the books I had read. Then l
spent another week doing some surface
excavating. I was digging. the third
week. on a spot which | thought war
ranted more attention than the others
when something happened.
.'Signori'
The voice came from behind me. l
turned quickly and saw man stand
ing with rifle in his hands. which he
could bring TO his shoulder in mo-
ment. had been aware OF the danger |
being ont alone in the conn
try in Italy and had revolver strung .
to each hip. But before ! could use !
either of them ] would be killed. The |
man covering me was so respectable /
looking that could not realize at once I
that he was a bandit. But he would /
have had no object In being ready TO 1
shoot me II he were not
Il presume" he said In excellent
italian. that you are doing archaeo-
logical work. Are you aware that ex-
cavations are In the hands OF the gov
ernment?"
II am" replied. .but am hoping
to make a discovery that will surprise
the government and thus gain immu
nifty from having broken the law"
II sympathize with you. signor. but
rs a good citizen 1t is my duty TO in
'orm upon you"
What sum would induce you to re-
'rain:"
you are an American, l fancy. from
FOUR looks, your dress and the accent
With which you speak Italian. Ameri
ans are all very rich.'
II have but 10000 francs year"
THAT implies capitai OF 100000
rancs. Surely you can divide with
NE who has been unfortunate"