The Carolina Spartan. [volume] (Spartanburg, S.C.) 1852-1896, 1857-08-20

Il
no, gloomily, "for this nights work shall be
my last If can escape into Romagna
will never draw knife more in Tuscany.
They are too close upon me. Go, AMIGO
milo, carry this money home, and when
fthe fattore comes to turn you out of your
mill, throw it into his face, and lei him feel
tits genuine"
The miller faithfully followed his advice,
and by midday felt doubly gra,ified by
having paid his reni and insulted the fat.
tore, who came with similar Christian in
tenlions. But poor Spadolino had run his
race. This last robbery and murder had
been hurried and ill.combined; when the
gendarmes arrived on the spot they traced
the brigands into the recesses of the forest.
Spadolino was taken, and soon after hung
at the Porta Santa Groce, at Florence, 10
theinfinite sorrow Of the grateful miller, who,
however, held his tongue most determiuedly
on his part in the catastrophe.
TIE TREAcnERoUs PRIEsr.-IIerei is ano-
ther curious robber story. The fate of Gas
parone proves that the strongest Of animals
IS oftentimes overcome by the craft Of the
weak:
We were still wandering in the same ro-
mantle oak forest, which extends for many
miles. Not a roof was visible. The shades
of evening were gathering around. No
wonder, from thinking Of brigands, that we
all fell to talking about them as the car
rage lazily pursued its way. One of the
party remembered seeing Gasparone some
years ago at Cvita Vecchia after his sur.
rpndar H. oil ~
down some particular wall or bastion, from
whence he was visible, and people went in
focks to gaze on him, because ho hated
the priests, like true Italian. Good cause,
indeed, had he to execrate them for the
scurvy trick played on him to induce his
! voluntary surrender!--a true specimen of
the puuic faith in vogue among these black.
/ cloaked gentry, and in perfect accordance
| with the priestly motto, that the end ius,i.
fies the means.
Gasparone, who perhaps was the most
finished specimen OF a brigand Italy had
ever produced, had long exercised his trade
unmolested, and quietly robbed, puudered,
and murdered quite q tantdisie in the Cam
pagna, where his name was much moro
feared than the Pope's. lie had some
where or other cavern, which extended
live miles underground, like catacomb,
and when the unhappy soldiers were sent
out against him, they were shot down by
dozens out of the trees, as il seemed, for no
living mortal could be seem All hope of
capturing the gentleman by fair means
was abandoned as Desperate, when the
priests bethougbt Themselves Of strata
gem, which one OF their number undertook
10 put into execution.
This priest-who by the way must have
had immense moral courage-was sicklv.
thin asceuc, with poverty stamped on every
feature of his starved lineaments. lie sc,
out boldly from Rome, discovered one Of
the entrances into the famous, or rather in.
famous, cavern, and without more ado de-
scended. When he made his appearance,
the bandits we're SO utterly taken aback at
his lemerity that they forgot 10 shoot him.
and then became curious 10 know what
madman could thus have ven,ured into
their lair voluntarily. The entire band
two hundred in number--gaihered round
hlm; their murderous forms lit up by the
glare of the torches, which burnt continual
Iy IN this sub,euanean garrison. There
was savage leer on their dark faces, when.
with a sort of unutterable yell, they de.
manded what he wanted, at the same time
Jlngling their knives in an ominous chorus.
But the priest stood firm.
" want" said he, 80 know If a man
called Gasparone is TO be found here!'
There was devilish chuckle in repIy.
which expressed Yes! And the fearful
crowd pressed still closer rornd the priest.
who stood in the centre
''What do you want with Gasparonei"
at last said one Of the band
81 come" replied the priest, "wilh mes.
sage TO him from the Holy Father And
at his name he uncovered and crossed him.
self rs coolly as if he had seen him in n
holiday procession at St. Peters. "But
this message" resumed he, "can only be
delivered to him alone; and am come to
see your chief, whom people call Gaspa-
rome"
The bandits were astonished, and actual.
ly almost respected the thin, helpless priest
for his courage. The crowd fell! OF, the
sii'citoes no longer rattled; they formed in
TO small groups, seeming to discuss among
themselves whether or not they should in
troduce him to Gasparone. At last one Of
the number disappeared.
When Gasparonc, sitting in Lis own pc.
culisr lair keeping his savage state, heard
that priest wanted to see him, he roared
with savage laughter, making the long gal
leries echo again; then ho swore hoTrid
oath, quite suitable to his character. "What
dlayolo," cried he, "does the madman mean.
that he comes here to run his head into the
noosel Is he weary of his convent life, and
wants ms to shorten it! Faith, will soon do
his business if that be all. But in with the
carrion; let me hear wha. he brings from
our brother the Pope"
The priest appeared, and in a tone of per-
feet composure repeated bis errand.
II come" said he, "with message of
mercy from the Holy Father" 81 fear you
not. Why should you harm me. when T