Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1853-02-10


the man who had caused mo to do such mis-
deed. would not depounce me and made up
my mind TO open the shop as usual, and put the
best possible countenance on the matter. But
new cause of alarm now presented itself. NV
Greek bonnet, my grdle, and MY knife were
missing, and I could not feel certain whether
had lett them in the apartment,o lost them in the
street during my confused fight home. 1t was
most likely the first was the case; and thereby
should be discovered as murderer.
/ AT the accustomed hour opened the shop.
My neghbor came as usual, for the sake of
gossip.
: What do you think of the horrible tragedy
that occurred last night p he asked.
appeared as if | did not understand him-as
! if knew nothing.
-. What I mol know whir all the town knows
/ Not know that tfG beautiful Dpwer or = ,oreuce.
Branca, the daughter of the governor, has been
assassinaed during the past night? saw her
only yesterday in all the glorv of her beauty,
riding through the streets with her bridegroom,
for to day her marriage was to have been
celebrated
Every word was dagger to my heart; and
| tremblcd for my own safety. Every customer
who came 10 the shop repeated the same story
and each successive one made the tale more
horrible than the former. But the truth, which
alone could tell was the most horrible of all.
About noon, an officer of justice came to me,
and demanded private audience.
'Signor Zalencos,' said he, exhibiting the
very articles which had lost, do these things
belong to you
| hesitated moment to consider whether to
disown them or not. But seeing through the
half open door my landlord, who would perhaps
witness against me, determined not to make
matters worse by telling a lie and therefore
aswered the mans question in the affirmative.
The officer then desired me to follow him: and
he conducted me to large building. which [
soon recognized as prison. was then placed
in Il cell till further orders respecting me were
issued.
Nv position was an awful one and tho more
reflected on it the more terrible did it appear.
The idea of having committed murder, though
unnentonally, weighed heavily OIL my heart;
and moreover, could not conceal from myself
that it was the love of gold which had captlva-
ted my senses, and caused me to ia Il so bllndiy
into the trap. After an hours imprisonment,
| was taken from my cell, and conducted below
into large saloon. There, on either side OF
long black table, were sitting twelve men, most
OF them old. The other parts of the room were
crowded with spectators, among whom noticed
j many Of tn emost siderable persons of Flor
ence. When approached the black tnhla. there
rose man of melancholy countenance. 1t was
the governor. He said, that as the father OF the
murdered girl, he could not sit as judge on the
trial Of the murderer and he would therefore
cede his place to the eldest of the Senators. A
venerable old man of more than ninety years
then took the char. His shoulders were bowed
down by age, and few white hairs on the tenn
pies we're all that time had left him. But his
eyes we're still brilliant, aud his voice was stong
sonorous and firm. lie asked me the usual
questions; and related to him all particulars,
as far as knew them, relative to the melancholy
event; adding that presumed the deceased had
received sleeping dlaught before retiring to
bed. Whilst relating my tale, noticed that the
governor turned alternately pale and red and
when had finished, he started furously up.
sWhat! wretch he exclaimed to me- will
you burden another with the crime which you,
from mere avarce alone. have committed !?
The Judge rebuked hun ior his interruption
and added that it was not proved yet that avarce
had caused the crime to be perpetrated as ac-
cording to his 1.-THE governors) own testi nony,
nothing had been stolen from the deceased
Some further details were gone lnto and letters
were requested from the governor, which related
to the former life of his daughter, Then the
trial ended for the day. conceived new hopes
perhaps some connection would be discovered
between her and the red cloak? So, full oil
confidence. entered on the following day, the
hall of Justice. Several letters were open, on
the table The Judge asked me it recognized
The handwriting told him that they were in
the same handwriting as the notes had received
The letters contained menaccs and threats to
the deceased, and warnings against the marriage
she was about to contract. | could see by the
manner in which was treated that day, that
the governor had been acting against me. My
answers were not believed; and as the letters
bore the initial T. they we're thought to have
emanated from me. All hope had departed my
breast and when, on the following day, | wal
re.conducted intn court, was convicted of 6
prenedale murder. Judgment was pronounced
was to be put to death.
In the evening Of this dreadful day. | wa'
sitting in my solitary prison. all my thoughts
fixed upon death, when the door ol my cell was
opened, and gave entrance to a man, who fol
some time looked upon me in silence.
'And is it thus that find you !? he at las
asked me.
At first sight had not recognized him bu
the sound OF his voice called to my mind reco
leclions Of times long past 1t was Vaetty
one of the few friends | had been intimate
with while pursuing my earlier studies. He
told me that he had accdeuty come to Florence
where his father was residing and accupying
high station He babe me tell him all, without
concealing the slightest circumstance, however
untayorable to myself told him the whole
affair, assuring him that no other guilt was upon
me- save that dazzled by the brightness OF gold
had blinded myself into the probability of the
strangers story.
so you did not know Blanca p he asked
assured him had never seen her until the
fatal night.