Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1855-11-03
4 Short Storp,
THE BAG OF GOLD.
A TALE by AN OLD CARDINAL.

There lived in the fourteenth century, near
Bologna, a widow lady of the Lamhertini
family, called Madonna Luerezia, who in
revolution Of the state. had known the bitter
ness Of poverty. and even begged her bread
kneelmg day after daylke u statute at the
gate OF the cathedral her rosary in her left
hand. and her right held out for charity; her
long black veil concealed face that had once
adorned Il court. and had received the homage
Of as many sonnets rs Petrarch has written
on Laura. But fortune had at last relented
legacy from distant relation had come to
her relief and she was now the mistress Of Il
small inn at the foot Of the \ Appenines. where
she entertained as well as she could. and
where those only stopped who were content
with little. The house was still standing
when in my youth ! passed that way, though
the sign Of the White Cross, the cross Of the
Hospitallers, was no longer TO be seen over
the door. sign which she had taken, If we
may believe the tradition there, in honor of Il
maternal umcle. Il grand master OF that order
whose achievements in Palestine she would
sometimes relate. A mountain stream ran
through the garden; ard at no great distance,
where the road turned its way to Bolog na
stood little chapel, in which lamp was al
ways burning before picture of the Virgin
a picture Of great antiquity. the work of some
Greek artist. Here she was dwelling, respec-
ted by all who knew her, when an event took
place which threw her into the deepest afllic-
tion. 1t was at noon day in September that
three foot-travcllerS arrived, and seating
themselves on Il bench under her vine .,rellis.
were supplied with u llagon of Alet!co by a
| lovely girl. her only child, the image of her
| former self The eldest spoke like Vene-
tian. and his beard was sharp and pointed
after the fashion Of Venice. In his demeanor
he affected great courtesy, but his look inspi-
red little 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 yoars. His companions were
blutt and frank in their manner, and on their
tongues had many soldiers oath. In their
hats they wore medal, such as in that age
was often distributed in war: and they were
evidently subaterns in one of those free band:
which were always ready TO serve in any quar-
rel, il service it could be called, where q
battle was little more than q mockery, anC
the slain as on an opera stage. were up and
fighting Tomorrow Overcome with the
heat they threw aside their cloaks, and, will
their gloves tucked under their belts. contin
ued fer some time in earnest conversations
At length they rose to go. and the Venetian
thus addressed their hostess :-"EXcelen
lady, may we leave under your roof, for da,
or two, this bag of gold?' You may" sh,
replied gaily, "uut remember we fasten onl
with u latch. Bars and bolts we have non
in our village and if We he'd, where would b.
our securityT In your word, lady" Blu
what if die tonight? where would it b
them" said she, laughing. "1'he none
would go to the church. for none could claI
il. Perhaps you will favor US with an aC
acknowledgement. "Ii you will write it. A
acknowledgment was written accordingly. an
she signed it before Master Bartolo, the vii
lage physician, who had Just called by chanc
to learn the news of the day, the gold to b
delivered when applied for, but to be drlivere
Those were the words) rot to one-nor t
two-but to the three; words wisely intrt
duced BY those to whom it belonged. KNOWN
what they know Of each other. The gol
they had just released from msers chest i
Pemgia; and they were or scent the
promised more. They and their shadow
were no sooner departed than the NeLetia
returned saying "giye me leave TO set N
seal on the bag, as the others have done" an
she placed it on the floor before him. But i
that moment she was called away to receiv
cavalier, who had just dismounted from hi
horse and when she came back, it was gOn,
ms temptation proven lITcSisluOlei duu III
man and the money had vanished together
"Wretched woman that | am" she cried, a
in agony'o of grief she fell on her daughter
neck, "what will become of us Are We aeai
to cast out into the wide world? Unhapp
child, would that thou hadst never been born
And all day long she lamented but he
tears availed her little. The Others were M
slow in returning to claim their due thei
were no tidings Of the thief; he had fled {,
K away with his plunder, A process against b,
was instantly began in Bologna; and VIII,
;, defence could she make-how release herse
y from the obligations of the bond I Wilfully
IN negligence she had parted with the gold
she had parted with it to one, when she sbou
nave Kept it for all an inevitable ruin avs
ted her "Ge, Ginnetta," said she 10 h
daughter. "take this veil. which your moth
has worn aud wept under so often. and i,
es plore the counsellor Calderino 10 plead for
on the day OF trial. He is generous and "
listen TO the unfortunate. But, if he will n,
= 60 from door to door. Monaldi cannot ref,
US. Make haste, my child but rememi
the chapel as you pass by it, Nothing pr,