The Northern star, and constitutionalist. [volume] (Warren, R.I.) 1834-1837, 1834-10-11
THE BAG OF GOLD.

The following well told story, ny the
poet Rogers, will be read with interest c.
ven by those who have seen it before.
There lived in the 18th century, near
Bologna, n widow lady Of the I.ampertini
family, called Madonna Lucrezia, who, in
a revolution of the state, had known the
bitterness of poverty, and had even beg
ged her bread kneeling day after day,
like statue, at the gate Of the cathedral
her rosary in her left hand, and her
right hello out for Charity-her long black
veil concealing face that had once a
dorned court, and had received the
homage Of as many sonnc!s as Petrarch
has written on Laura.
But fortune had at last rclented : leg
acy from distant relation had come to
her relief and she was now the mistress
of small inn at the foot ofthe Apprentices,
where she entertained as well as she
could, and where those only stopped who
were contented with a little. The house
was still standing, when. in my youth ]
passed that way thong h the Sign Of the
White Cross, the Cross of the Hospital
lers, was no longer to be seen over the
door-a sign which she had taken, if we
may believe the Il addition there, in honor
OF maternal uncle, grand-master of that
order, whose achievements in Palestine
she would sometimes relate. A noun
tain stream ran thro' the garden (; and at
no great distance, where the road turned
on its way to Bologna, stood little chap
ell, in which lamp was always burning
before picture of the Virginia picture
Of great antiquity, tho work Of some
Greek artist.
Here she was dwelling, respected by
all who knew her, when an event took
place which threw her into the deepest
affliction. II was at noon day, in Sep
tember, that three foot travellers arrived,
and, seating themselves on a bench un-
der her vine trellis, were supplied with q
flagon Of Aleatico by lovely gnl, her
only child, the image Of her former self.
The eldest spoke like Venitian, and his
beard was short and pointed after the fash
ion of Venice. In his demcanor he af
fected great courtesy, but his look inspir-
ed little confidence for when he smiled,
which he did continually, it was with his
lips only, not with his eyes and they
we're always turned from yours. His
companions were bluff and frank in their
manner, and on their tongues were many
a soldiers oath. In their hats they wore
n medal, such as in that age was often
distributed in var and they were evi-
IDENTITY snbalterns in one Of those free
bands which were always ready to serve
in any quarrel, if a service it could be
called, where Il battle was little more than
n mockery and the slain, rs on an ope-
ra sloge, wcr. up and fighting tomorrow
Overcome with the heat, they threw aside
their cloaks--and, with their gloves tuck
cd under their belts, continued for some
time in earnest conversation.
At length they rose to go and the We
p;,ian thus addressed their hostess Eek
cellsnt lady, may VIC leave under your
roof Tor day or two this bag Of gold I"
T" You may" she replied gaily but
remember, we iastcn only with latch
Bars and bolts We have none in our vii
lagc-and, if We had, where would be
your security !"
" In your word, lady"
" But what if died tonight where
would j, be then ?" saw she laughing -
" The money would 60 10 the church
Tor none could claim it,"