Sunbury American and Shamokin journal. [volume] (Sunbury, Northumberland Co., Pa.) 1840-1848, 1844-07-13
THE BAG OF GOLD.

dark waters of the many canals which intersect
the mart of merchants, as the gay gondolas pas
sed and repassed ripping the smooth surface
with their prows and fin like oars, they appea-
red like the shining scales of huge serpents, un-
duating and sporting among her marble pala-
ces,
In one of the remotest corners of the place
dwelt the usurer Giuseppe Vadoni. Rumor
reported him rich as Crns,is; but he had one
gem in his possession which he valued above his
god--his only daughter, Blanca, Jewel with
out flaw Seronades were nightly perform
ed under the balcony of his residence, and all
gallants Venice endeavored to win the atten-
tlon the wealthy heiress of Valdon
OF all the sutors who sought the lovely Ban-
ca, none found favor in her eyes but Ludoyico,
the gay, bold, reckless Ludovico. In person he
was emincntly handsome, and in her estima-
ton, who had only the opportunity of Judging OF
lover by sight he was far above all his COM
petttors. She loved him ah and with a fer.
vor which is only known in southern climes
Truth TO say, Ludovco was an inconstant
man, gambler and bankrupt in every virtue.
| 1t was midnight, and Blanca, with paptating
heart, was watching in the balcony. Ludovi-
co came along in gondola. She threw to
/ him bag of gold, and was about to descend, and
place herself under the protection of her suitor
/ dearest, best beloved Banca," said the de-
ceiver, tomorrow at this hour will be here
and bear you away, if survive the disappoint-
ment of tonight Every thing will then be rea.
dy for my bride. Farewell ~ And he rowed
briskly away from the startled damsel, who for
his sake had betrayed the confidence of her
fond father by abstracting the bag of gold
Cold and heart!ess as was Ludovico he felt a
pang as he lost sight OF the confdng and aiiec-
tona,c Bianca. But thought he, with plausi.
taer And shall | keep faith with one who
has proved fathlcss to him who gave her be-
ing! Worthless wanton :
The gallant, having reached his destination,
hastily moored his gondola and eagerly clutch
ing the bag of gold, concealed it beneath his
cloak, and hurried homewards Passing beneath
coIonnade, reposing in the still shadows of the
moon, and calculating in his own mind the
worth of the ducats of which he had so unwor,
thily possessed himself, he was startled by ap.
preaching footsteps and, turning round obser.
:, we'd three men close upon his track.--They
were eventually bent upon overtaking him, and
almost before he had presence ofmind to draw
his rapicr, they fell upon him, and encumbere(
by his cloak and the weight OF his treasure, II,
was unable TO rcpel their sanguInary attack, anC
dropped lieess at the feet of the brigands, pier
ced by many Wound The bag of gold chlnck
ed upon the pavement; thely seized the weigh
ty prize, anl rushing from the spot, turned int
the Piazza di San Marco, thence crossing III,
Rialto, they encountered the night-watch VIII
-, surrounded and captured them.
, They were searched, speedily deprived Q
their newly.acqured treasure, and cOnduce
forthwith to the guard house, where being re
cognized by the authorities as Indifferent char
h., acters and being examined separately, giving
! different account of their objects and persuit.
they were locked up, in order to be examined tn
b following morning by the magistrate.
- They would willingly have relinquishcd thei
! plumber TO bribe their captors but the latte
were too-numerous to act dishonesty withou
! the fear Of detection, although, under other clr
. cumstances and for such considerations the
might willingly have reirained from pressing
! their charge.
, The magistrate before whom the cuprit
were ushered on the following morning was
: stern man, possessing great influence in th
= state OF Venice.
n "Fortunately for ye," said he, addressing III
prisoners, "thcrc is no proof that YOU have OF
p tanned this bag with violence, but we may reo
sonably infer that such plunder was not iche
/ from the lawful possesser while he retained lt,
-, Justice, ever associated with divine mercy, an
y Of which we are the unworthy dispenser, cha
!, taby gives you the benefit OF our ignorance an
- want Of evidence. Your lives are spared, AN
- may you repent of your evil deed. We altac
70 the property in behalf OF the rightlul owne
,g and in the meantime consign you TO imprlsol
,d ment, in order that should any evidence her
Y after arise IN your favor, you may have the b
netit OF it. Away with them.
The prisoners were removed, and the nig
nd watch who had captured them were liberal
lis rewarded. The bag of gold remained with Il
nd magistrate, who was too much occupied with c
m tcal business to set on foot any inquiries re
pecting the lawful possessor lie placed d