News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1915-03-24
BUNKOED BY
A GREEK
BY M. QUAD
Copyright, 1916 by the Mcclure
Newspaper Syndicate.
By M. QUAD

and respected for his knowledge of
ancient history and ruins.
Professor Himstead, as he was named,
had been charged to pick up all the old
Greek manuscripts to be had for mon
ey, and it was his inquiries for such
documents that doubtless led to our I'M
doing. One day man named Talanti,
who had somewhat the manners and
dress Of a gentleman, brought the pro-
fessor two ancient manuscripts as a
present. and to show his further good
will he announced q valuable discovery
which had just been made on the is
land of Aegina, about forty miles dis
tant He was the owner of the island,
and while his workmen were getting
out some stone they had come across
some rare treasures in art, but had de-
veloped only a small portion of them.
| They had partly uncovered a stone box
which he believed held a large number
of manuscripts and valuable coins, but
he had delayed the opening Of it that
some Of his friends might be present
| Three or four of them were going to
| his island home tomorrow. and he
would be glad to have on his yacht as
many of us foreigners go along as
could make it convenient.
| Aside from the English party. there
were Americans. Germans and French
men to the number of twenty in Ath-
ems, and when the list was made up
we numbered over forty, of whom ten
were ladies. When we went on board
there was considerable surprise at find
ing her the craft she was. She was
nothing more than trader. and her
accommodations We're Of a primitive
character.
My friend the professor could speak
Greek. but when he entered into con-
versation with Mr.. Talanti's friends he
found them sulky enough. This excit-
ed our surprise. as they were supposed
to be gentlemen When we came to
look them over we began to get a little
suspicious.
AS we approached the island We saw
twas fairly covered with trees, yet it
did not have hospitable look. AS we
made close approach we could see a
couple of rude huts and a primitive
jetty, but Mr. Talanti explained that
his castle was hidden by the forest and
that he was landing at that point to
save us long walk.
AS soon as the craft was made fast
the three eminent friends of Mr.. Ia
lanti suddenly produced pistols and
knives and took theii' station by the
gangway. The sailors divided into two
parties. and, handling their naked
knives in a menacng fashion, they
drove the people into line.
When Professor Himstead had rub
bed his eyes. scratched his head and !
got it into his brain. that something |
not down on the program was going on
Talanti mounted box and smilingiy |
observed:
Ladies and gentlemen, you are now
about to pass ashore to behold my |
wonderful discoveries, but each one of |
you is required to leave all money |
and jewelry behind you. | will see
that everything is safely cared for"
The men cried out in anger, but what |
could they do? l do not think there
was a firearm among them, while the !
Greeks seemed overanxious to use
their knives. There were protesta-
lions and threats of the law, but
Talanti only smiled at them and or
dered the work to go on. Each man
in the crowd was regularly held up
that is. his pockets were thoroughly
searched and everything of value tax
en-. The women were requested to
hand over, and each one had her
watch and rings in hand as she NOV
ed up. In the course of half an hour
every one was ashore, and then Talan-
ii took off his hat, made a sweeping
bow and sailed away with his piratical
crew. He had no sooner gone than
half a dozen villainous looking men
came down from the hut.
They told us they were fishermen,
but their actions belied their state
ment. Their first move was to de-
nand cash. and great was their indig-
nation and disappointment at being
told that Talanti's crowd had taken
he last coin. When sure of this they
EFT us, anu an nOuT ldIeT Two Seuulue
fishermen came ashore in their boat
There were a dozen vessels within five
,r six miles of us, and a dollar would
nave been big pay for them to go out
Ind notify the nearest one of our sit
lation; but, realizing our helplessness,
hey demanded the sum of 500.
1t was almost dark when a battered
Id schooner came sailing up to take
is off, and the terms were 81 piece.
o be paid in Athens. We spent a
lreary night on deck and landed in
he city at noon next day. Immedi-
tely notice was given to the various
onsuls and to the Greek government.
nut no one had any faith that anything |
would be accomplished. The govern !
nent made loud promises and seemed
o be making all possible efforts; but. |
S a matter of fact. Mr.. Talanti was
OF even pursued. He never could
ave put up such a job without a num-
er of officials standing i'm with him, 7
nd each and every one of them doubt {
,ss shared i'm the plunder when IL was q