The miners' express. (Dubuque, Iowa) 1849-1854, 1850-06-26
The Bag Of Gold;
on, THE LAWYER OF BOLOGNA.

The bag Of Gold;
On, THE LAWYER OF BOLOGNA.
There lived in the fourteenth century, near
the town Of Bologna, widow lady of the Lam
bcEtiny family, called Madonna Lucretia, who, in
revolution Of the State, had known the bitter
ness Of poverty, and had even begged her bread,
kneeling day after day, like statue, at the gate
ofthe cathedral, her rosary in her left hand and
her right held out for charity, her long black
vail concealing face that had once adorned
court, and had received the homage OF as many
sonnets as Petrarch has written on Laura.
But fortune at last relented; legacy 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
40 she could, and where those only stopped who
were contented with little. The house was
still standing when in my youth passed that
way, though the sign known as the White
Cross of the Hospitallers, was no longer to be
seen over the door-a sign which she had taken,
five may believe the tradition there, in honor
of maternal uncle, a grand master of that or
der, whose achievements in Palestine she wo'd
sometimes relate. A mountain stream ran thro'
the garden; and at no great distance, where the
road turned on its way to Bologna, stood little
chappel in which lamp was always burning
before picture of the Virgin, picture of great
Here she was dwelling, respected by all who
knew her, when an event took place which
threw her into the deepest affection. 1t was at
MONDAY in September, that three foot travellers
arrived, and seating themselves on bench I'M
der her vine trels, were supplied with flagon
Of Aleatico by lovely girl, her only child, the
image of her former self The eldest spoke We
netian, and his beard was short and pointed at
ter the fashion of Venice; in his demeanor he at
fected great courtesy, but his look inspired lit
tie confidence, for when he smiled, which he did
continually, it was with his lips only, not with
his eyes, and they were always turned from
yours. His companions were bluff and frank in
their manner, and on their tongues had many
an oath. In their hats they wore medal, such
as in that age was distributed in war; and they
were evidently subalterns in one of those free
bands which were always ready to serve in any
quarrel, if service it could be called, when
battle was little more than mockery, and the
slain, as on an opera stage, were up and fighting
tomorrow. Overcome with the heat, they threw
aside their cloaks, and with their gloves tucked
under their belts, continued for some time in ear
nest conversation. .sgsc
At length they rose to 90, and the Venetian
thus addressed the hostess: "Excellent lady,
may we leave under your roof, for day or two,
this bag of gold ?"
"You may, she replied gaily. "But remem-
Der, we fasten only with latch. Bars and
bolts we have none in our village; and if we had,
where would be your security"
sin your word, lady"
"But what if / should die tonight? Where
would it be them" said she, laug thing. "The
money would 60 to the church; for none could
claim it."
perhaps you will favor US with an acknowl-
edgment.''
"If you will write it."
An acknowledgment was written according
ly, and she signed it before Mr. Bartolo, the vii
lage physician, who had just called by chance
to learn the news of the day; the gold to be de-
livered (these were the words) not to one-nor
to two-but to three; words wisely introduced
by those to whom 1t belonged, knowing what
they knew of each other. The gold they had
just releaed from miser' chest in Perugia, and
they were now on scent that promised more.
They and their shadows had no sooner depart
ed than the Venetian returned, saying, "Give
me leave to set my seal on the bag, as the 9TH
ers have done;" and she placed it on a table be-
fore him. But in that moment she was called
away to receive cavalier, who had just dis
mounted from his horse and when she came
back it was gone. The temptation had proved
irresistible; and the man and the money had
vanished together.
aWretched woman that AMI she cried, as,
in an agony of grief she fell on her daughter s
neck. stWhat will become of us? Are we a.
gain to be cast out into the wide world Un-
happy child, would that thou hadst never been
born r and all day she lamented; but her tears
availcd her little. The others were not slow in
returning to claim their due; and there were no
tidings Of the thief; he had fled far away with
his plumber. A process against her, was in.
stantly began in Bologna and what defence
could she make: how release herself from the
obligation of the bond? Wilfully or in negli-
gence she had parted with it to one, when she
should have kept it for all, and inevitable ruin
awaited her.
SEQ, Giannet,' said she, to her daughter
take this veil which your mother has worn and
wept under so often, and implore the Counsel
lor Calderino to plead for US on the day of trial.
He is generous and will listen to the unfortu-
nate. But, if he will not, 60 from door to door;
Monaldi cannot refuse US. Make haste, my
child; but remember the chapel as you pass by.
Nothing prospers without prayer"
Alas ! she went but in vain. These were re-
tanned against them; those demanded more than
they had to give; and all babe them despair
What was to be done' No advocate, and the
cause to come off tomorrow
Now Giannette had lover, and he was stu
dent OF the law, young man of great promise,
Lorenzo Martelli. He had studied long and
diligently under that learned lawyer, Giovanni
Andreas, who, though little of stature, was great
IN renown, and by his contemporaries was called
the archdoctor, the rabbi of doctors the light of
the world. Under him he had studied, sitting
on the same bench with Petrarch; and also, un-
der his daughter Novello, who would often lee
ture to the scholars when her father was other
wise engaged, placing herself behind a small
curtain, lest her beauty should divert their tho is
"a Precaution in this instance at least, unne-
cessary, Lorenzo having given his heart to an
other.
To him she flies in her necessity; but of
what assistance can he be? He has just taken
his place at the bar, but he has never spoken ;
and how stand up alone, unpracticed and unpre-
pared as he is, against an array that would alarm
the most experienced "Were as mighty as l
am weak, !" said he, "my fears for you would
make me as nothing. But will be there, Clan
nette; and may the Friend ofthe friendless give
me strength in that hour! Even now my heart
fails me; but come what will, while have
loaf to share, you and your mother shall never
want will beg through the world for you"
The day arrives, and the court assemblies
The claim is stated, and the evidence given
And now the defence is called for-but none is
made; not a syllable is uttered; and, after a
pause and consultation of some minutes, the
avf, dsrn~ - s.J. 50.