Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1850-02-09
miscellaneous.
Ludoyico Lana.
a rnur STORY OF MODERN SICILY.

gentO 10 EdieftnO, pulu WISH 10 Tue toWn VI
Castrugiovauni, built ON the site of the an
cieDt Euna. l was surprised TO fiud how lit
tie interest was caused 10y our arrival, as in
most oil these classical spots host of beg
gars assail the stranger on one side, as the
guides hcset him on the other, both cnger for
prey aud for spoils, while the idle and Inem-
ployed, forming nine-tentiis OF the population,
lounge around to swell the crowd. But on
this occasion, we passed almost uuuoticcd
through the streets, and ] could scarcely
bribe Il halt-nakcd tirchin TO direct me TO the
house OF the Abbate, to whom had an intro
Vuction. From the worthy Abbate, .iowev-
or, when at last found, | soon learned the
caiisc OF tie unusual cXcitemeu. which thus
had changed the general aspect of the an
cient town of Castrogiovgnni.
A brigaud, belonging, il is said, to the band
of the celebrated Ludoyico Lana, had been
nrrestch, md it was expected that he would
make disclosures of great interest when con-
tlemned to death, which il WINS decided that
hc should he by the Judge and other uuthori-
sics before the trial took place or q question
nskcd. He had been arrested on the deposi-
ton of dying maH, who had been robbed
and MORALLY younded on the road between
Catania and Castrogiovanni; but the accused
stoutly maintained TINT at the time mention
cd he had been employed as porter in Pa
Ierno. Unfortunately, he had neither time
allowed sror the means of procuring the at
tendance of witnesses, and the Judge had full
ly made up his mind beforehand, as is very
generally the case, and the sentence was
passed just at the time of my entering the
Gown; all the world, therefore, were assem-
bling about the tribunal, and employed in
discussing the merits of the case, which ac-
scn,infsd tnr Tho flasprfaI state nj tho Efrppfs
never at any time crowded with population.
Soon after my establishment with my host,
my servant returned from the locanda, and
congratulated mo Oh my good quarters, more
particularly as a very great parsonage had
arrived u short time previous, who occupied,
together with the unfortunate man Just con-
demncd, all the thoughts of the inn-keeper
aud his family. j inquired who the great TN
known might he, aud was told that he was
very iine-l0oking young man, about twenty
eight or thirty years OF age, in the uniform of
an English officer of rank, and attended by
two donIestics. lie had arrived from Paler-
mo; aud though from his dress he appeared
10 be in the English service, yet his accent
aud dialect were evidently Maltese, which
circumstance strongly excited the curiosity
OF the worthy landlord whose house was sell
dom visited by such distinction. The stran-
ger had asked the distance from Castrogio-
vunni to Palermo, and was told about seven
teen miles. He then ordered dinner, and de-
sired his attendants TO sec TO the horses, as
he should proceed that evening to the place
of his destination. The host ventured TO rep
resent to his excelenza the danger of the
route, at which the traveller laughed, md
asked in what the mighty danger consisted.
"ilad his eXcelenza never heard of Ludo
vico Lana? 2" inquired tie inn-keeper.
q" Ludoyico LaDa and who may he he p
was tho reply.
"Oh signor! the most terrible brigand il
the island, and who just now will be more
furious than ever"
"And why so ?"
"Onc OF his band has just been arrested
ond condemned TO DEATH here in Castrogio
vanni; and Ludoyico is capable of setting
fire to the town, and cutting all our throats.'
The stranger laughed ut the alarm OF hi
informant, and asked when the execution
would take place.
"The day after tomorrow, 10 doubt" re
piled the host.
"And at what hour?"
Eight in the morning, excellenza, is tn
usual hour"
81 have great curiosity to see the execu
tion," observed the officer.
"Nnthmg is easier; your excellcnza cal
return hiiher from Palermo tomorrow even
ing, and i will take care 10 provide goo
place Tor YOU TO witness the execution OF hi
bandit. / have the honor to bo acquainte
with tho Judge, aud cNn, doubt not, procur
you seat by him."
"Just the ,lIiIig," replied the stranger. Z"
will return Tomorrow night, and ia the mean
time you will take care 10 make the propc
arrangements"
NY servant then went on to narrnte tn
wonder OF the host when about TO prepar
the table Tor his guest, nt learning from tn
servants that they carried with them variorl
articles oil plate and linen Tor their master
service, who was not accustomed 10 the rld
furniture OF a Slcilian locanda, aud saw wit
anaZcmcnt the preparation made Tor his aC
commodation. Ills curiosity being excite
10 the highest degree, lac conlriyed TO lear
that the stranger was Maltese, enornousl
rich, who had obtained high rank in tll
English service, aud was called Colonel San
eta Croce.
The colonel soon after started, ms he ha
said, for the residence OF his friend Princ
Palermo, leaving one OF his servants with pal
OF his baggage at the locanda, purposing
return the next night TO be in readiness I
witness the execution. Meanwhile the ho
of the White Cross had informed not onl
his friend the judge, but all the town, OF I'll
greut parsonage who had become his gues
detailing his niagnficence with 10 little ca
aggcrallon, and easily obtaining promise {
the place he sought 10 witness the execution
During the whole OF the intervening day tn
ouly subjects OF discussion in the tow
were the arrival OF this great parsonage at tn
White Cross, and the approaching event, ma
ny believing the assertions of innocence 81
stoutly maintained by the accused, from
whom the coDessor had obtained no uvowa
ot guilt. The confessor himself seemed in
clhed TO believe IN the protestations Of th'
condemned. nj uight auol6er monk had al
interview with him in the chapel where IN
wns 10 pass the last hours OF his existence
nnd rnllail,nl A.iIl Lin, Ill