The Wilmingtonian, and Delaware advertiser., 1826-06-01
SP PATCLINC.
THE FRENCH BANDIT.

ATVLsLMC.
TIE FRENCH BANDIT.
Spatolino had been AN assassin for eigh
teen years, and had, in that time committed
the most atrocious crimes in Italy. About
the year 1907, the French government, find
ing it impossible to apprehend him, entrust-
cd that service to one Angelo Rotoli a very
active commissary Of police. This man
seeing that the assassin was not to be openly
subdued, had recourse to stratagem, and
sent him message, stating that a commits
sarry Of police desired to speak with him,
and babe him fix upon place fit for the
purpose, whittier he would repair alone un-
armed, hoping that Spatolno, bearing no
base mind, would offer him no violence; he
trusted entirely to him, and added that the
conference would relate to very important
affairs. Spatolino credited all that was al
lodged in Rotoli's message, and in his reply
named place to which the commissary was
to repair by night to confer with him. Ac-
cordingly Rotol went thither, unarmcd and
alone; he found Spatono armed who said
'Signor Rotoli, are yon come to betray me,
or is it true as you have written to me, that
you have important business to communi-
cater Rotoli answered, i am no traitor: the
French government wishes by means of thee
to seize all thy band, and will give thee
general pardon, and thou mayst live upon
the money thou has amassed.' Spatolino was
indeed, weary of the life he was leading,
and would have been very glad of a pardon;
| he therefore said, Look you, Signor Rotoli,
/ am an assassin, but have sense of honor.
and give you my word that will enable
YOU to apprehend part of the men, if not
the whole; but will be assured of my per-
sonal safcty.'-Rotoli answered, 'Un that
! I, ,,t, 7 Irri, tl,taa
nv word of honor We'll them said Spa
tolino, 'this evening at eight, come to this
gace again with twenty gcnstl'armes in the
garb of pcasants here you shall find me. and
we will go to house, and we will take sew
en- or eight of them; this is all can do. In
that house there will be my wife, who must
be free as well as myself Rotoli gave him
his word for it, and said, 'As for yourselves,
be under no concern, will take care OF you
They had much further talk, in the course
! of which, Spatolino promised Rotol pres
ent of two thousand dollars on obtaining his
freedom, adding that he had great sums of
money buried in secret places. After long
conversation they parted.
Rotoli returned to Rome, and gave an ex-
act account of his proceedings. In the even
ing he and the gensd 'armcs went to the place
appointed by Spatolino, who in a short time
came, and having hailed Rotoli, said, Come
let us be going; they are now at supper
Accordingly Rotoli went arm in arm with
Spatolino, closely followed by the gems
i d'armcs. 'Recolect, said Spatolino to Ro-
toll, Il trust myself to you; don't deceive me,
for it really seems to me impossible that the
Il French government can be willing to par
don me.' Rotoli answered, Don't doubt it;
am guarantee for thy life Having by this
Al, tn1t ,u CT Il
the door was instantly opened; Spatolino en-
: tered first. and then all the gensd 'armes.-
Spatolino's comrades believed the strangers
to he other comrades, and tor that reason
kent their seats. The gensd' 'armes, soon
as they had posted themselves convenient
lv seized all at once; four of them fell on
i Snatolino. disarmed him and, bound him
llik p the others. Then said Spatolino Sig
nor Rotoli, you have betrayed me- Rotoll
replied. not without agitation, 1T is mere
matter of form; tomorrow thou Will he set
at liberty. Then Spatolino exclaimed 'E.igh-
teen wears have ! been an assassin, and new
YER was over-reached by any man. who
would have thought that this was reserved
for Rotol! Well, must have patience /
have been too honest l thought a mans
word of honor was good for something; !
deserve what | have got i; wished to be-
tray my companions; have betrayed my
SELF When he saw that his wife also was
bound, and must be carried to prison. he
exclaimed. my wife she is innocent -
Doubt not, my wife, will save thee; thou
shalt not die; will be thy defender -,
The eens-d armes having now secured all
men, conducted the whole party that night
to the dungeons OF Starda Giula, IN Rome
with all possible secrecy. The Commission
instituted process, and after lapse OF hse
months, having collected four hundred VII
nesses to prove his various assassnasions,
;. the trial of Spatolno commenced. He was
brought up with eight companions and his
wife. Rising from his seat at the bar, the
first words he said were, 'Signor President.
l know we'll enough that it is all over with
me; chose to trust Signor Rotoli on his
word o, honor: that's enough, and there is