Thibodaux minerva. [volume] (Thibodaux, La.) 18??-1858, 1855-07-21
Written for the Thibodaux Minerva.
A Strange Partner.

"Macaroni" and "Alla Murra +" are great favor
ties all over Italy The meaning of the first every
one knows: the otheris the name of game played
exclusively with the fingers. Even the little back
woods" town of Piedmont, fifty miles from Naples,
is no exception to this rule; "quatro ALA murra =!
Young ragamufins and old wine bibbers This town
is situated at the foot of the mountain Matthias that
forms part of the Apenninc chain ascending through
the Abruzz
Some twenty years ago the writer had occasion
to visit this town to meet some friends for the
double purpose of business and pleasure. During
two weeks spent in Piedemonte we met every
evening at the "Casino, where ALA murra was OF
course the principal game-played for so many
bottles of "Lacrima." By mutual consent, my
partner on these occasions was invariably certain
"Padre Rafaele," stout, sleek, tall, fine looking
franciscan monk, with beard-why Albert Pixies
would have been quite downy, juvenile affair in
comparison The Padre was the life and soul Of
the company and withal an excellent player; hence
the bottles scored up the debit side of our names
were few and far between, and the Lacrima
thought tasted unusually fine and palatable. OF
course we got very intimate, and if ever l envied
a man that wore cowl it was padre Rafaele, who,
after few days acquaintance dropped several
fattering hints, intimating what fine looking friar
would make Il was much handsomer then, than
now.) In short, "dignifed leisure" never was
painted with velier colors; and he gave me to un-
derstand that no opposition would be made, should
ever make up my mind to enter the holy order
of St. Francisco. How far matters might have
gone is impossible to tell, but dreadful catas-
trophy put an end to all such monastic notions.
At that time the celebrated brigand "Sasso,"
infested the mountain Matthias with his numerous
band; he was the terror of travellers as well as of
gendarmes for the latter, whenever they attempted
to pursue the dreaded robber to his lair, seldom
returned to tell their tale of blood. A Roman
Prince had lately been murdered on this highway,
and large reward was offered not only by the
family Of the deceased but the king Of Naples set
ing besides any "boon" the successful slayer
might ask Of his majesty.
Early on the morning of the twelfth day Of my
soourn in Piedemonte, one Of my friends rushed in
the room saying, ct, if you wish to see the
head Of Sasso, come with me, he has been killed
this morning at day break!" Without saying
word I hastily followed my friend to the police
Office, and there to my unspeakable horror beheld
the yet bleeding head of padre Raaele, my partner
not more than six hours ago at the Casino!
The tale is soon told. The pseudo "padre
was the sure enough brigand Sasso. As the life of
a monk is more or less ambulatory, his absence
from town never created the least suspicion; for
padre Raffaele enjoyed an enviable reputation
among his fellow townsmen. There was only one
man, Sasso's "fence," who was cognizant of the
true character of the man. With Italian-like
treachery, as soon as Birba the rascals name
heard of the rewards offered for the robbers head
he cautiously, that very morning, had entered the
chamber Of Sasso, who was passing the night at
his Birba's) house, and there with his own hands
cut the chieftans throat and severed his head while
the victim was yet asleep!
When the brigand's wife heard of the treachery
she became frantic with rage, assumed her hus-
bands robbergarb, and proclaimed herself chief Of
the band 1t was related Of her, that her thirst
for human blood became so great, that when short
of victims she would on the least provocation slay
some of her own band!
1t is consoling to know that the traitor Birba
never got the reward of his treachery. The chief
Of police, once in possession of the CORY head,
managed to pass himself off as the valiant hero
who had cut the brigand's throat, went to Naples
with his trophy, pocketed the money and accused
Birba as an accomplish. By order of the king the
after was thrown into dungeon to await has trial,
which, Neapoltanicaly interpreted, means there to
finish his days unpitied, unheard and uncared for.
At some future day, if agreeable" will
,elate some Of the dark deeds" of the She |
organd. 1T.
PLATFORM OF THE ARTEsrANs.-We copy from
he New Orleans Delta Of Sunday, the platform of
he new party, which will poll large vote in |