Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-12-25
The Daily
Short Story
THREE BROTHERS.
BY Alan Hinsdaie.

Italy the llaildne anu the Austrians
were fighting in the mountains. ths
former slowly working their war
down toward Trieste. 1t was slav
work. The Italians after pulling guns
up declivity would spend months IN
reducing the works of the Austrians
ON a height where they had establish.
ed themselves on the other side Of a
depression in the mountains Then
they would take up the position The
Austrians had left, the Austrians
would establish themselves on an
other defensible height. and the work
of reduction would begin again.
In the Italian artillery forces there
was gunner named Luigi Marin
though he was known only to his fel.
low soldiers as Luigi. He was a re-
markable artillerist Eschewing the
modern contrivances for range find.
ing, he would aim his pieces and il rs-
CURED but two or three shots from
him to strike an object across VALLEY
several miles broad. He did such good
work that his officers did not sttempt
to impress their instructions upon
him, but left him to demolish breast
works and dismantle guns any way he
saw fit.
When Luigi's gun was once in posi-
ton, it was always placed behind a
rock-it was left him to serve, the rest
OF the squad going to other duties.
Only one person remained, stripping
boy, named ARTURO with no beard on
his face, who helped him while load
ing the gun When Arturo was net
thus engaged he would be picking of
the Austrians with his rife. He
were attached to the gun. They were
known among the troops as the three
brothers, Luigi. Arturo, and the gun
At one time the three brothers were
operating across valley so narrow
that they could use both the gun and
| the rife.
But the enemy soon saw the neces-
] sity of stopping this effective work
| An officer with pair of glasses kept
watch of the Italian lines and after
awhile located the spot whence came
the shots that were dong so much
damage. He called to one Of his own
/ gunners. pointed out the rock behind
which Luigi's gun was stationed and
/ told him to put it out of commission
/ The gunners began to send shots to
the location indicated and at the fifth
| shot two of the thEse brothers we're
knocked out One was Luigi, the 9th
err was the gun Luigi was killed ana
the gun was dismantled and rolled
down the mountain side.
Arturio was not injured, but he was
thrown. into great grief by the loss OF
his brothers. He was found weeping
and wringing his hands. This was net
considered very soldierly but Arturio
had done such good work that his
comrades we're disposed to excuse
him.
(Which are you weeping for, Ar
turio." asked a comrade, Luigi or the
| gum"
! Both, was the reply.
We'll. cheer up; there are more
guns just as good asgthe one you have
lost
YES. but there are no more
/ Luigis."
ARTURO grieved all that day. His
captain ordered him to another gun
4, He obeyed the order, but did not stieE
:. to the gun. His captain found hin
. behind the rock which had protected
Luigi's gun.
What is the matter with your ask
ed the captain. Has the loss Of your
gun taken the courage out Of you? Go
= back to the gun to which I ordered
J YOU.
= Arturio said nothing. but went back
; to the station to which he had been
/, ordered. But he was useless there
; and those serving the gun told HIM
. that they had 40 work for suen 2
: weakIing, and he soon returned TO his
: original position. The captain having
= 10 time to attend to his case he vas
: left there until the enemy we're
driven from their line across the val
LEY, and took up stand further Oh
/ While the Italians were getting their
- guns across the valley. lowering them
] with ropes. and raising them on me
other side by the same means ARTURO
| went to headquarters The general
happened to be standing there suoS-
, ing a cigarette.
/ General" said ARTURO. u would
= like d discharge"
"Qn what grounds. my boy?'
a Il ana the wife of Luigi Marini
+ The man who dismounted SO many
: Of the enemy's guns?"
Yes. general"
7 Il have heard of the three brothers
So you are the last, and woman!
. YES, general" she replied, hoidtag
her rifle toward him Il have avenged
the others. There are q n0tches Oh
the stock, one for each Austrian
! have brought down with my rife SINGS
, they killed my husband"
; The general examined the rife ant
the notches admiringly. Then the
woman held her hat 10 the light
was perforated with holes.
What does this mean?" asked th'
: general.
Il held MY hat above-Iihe rock be
hind which my husbands gun ha'
+ been placed. TO draw the enemy's IRE
: so that I could see who shot kille'
as many as fired at it,"
In other words you continued you
: husbands work You are hraF
woman. You shall go back to ltai
and with a decoration q"
When ARTURO or Signora Marini lei
; for her home in Pisa. she was cheere
: by her comrades till she had passe
ont of the lines
: entered a plea Of guilty. and was bel