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

L
would have expired-mercy would have no
longer been offered-therefore am come
to bring you pardon and peace"
Gasparone frowned, and was silent. For
while he seemed to weigh what the priest
said, and eyed him askance, as if to detect
any treachery. But the man of black stood
unmoved, his hands folded on his breast,
not muscle quivering.
"What assurance" at last said Gasparone,
"haye for the sincerity Of his offerl How
am TO know it is not all an internal trick
to cage me in the meta"
"lt is royal ordinance signed End seal.
ed in due form, as all may see, and as you
yourself may assure yourself for during tho
next three days there is truce, and even
you, Gasparone, and your band, may walk
at large. You will Judge yourself il | am
not speaking the truth"
1--WE will see," moodily replied the chief.
lie waved his hand, the priest withdrew,
and passed out through the long passages
by which he had entered.
Gasparone, relying on the word Of the
messenger, during the stated truce, did per-
sonaIly satisfy himself as 10 the truth Of the
statement. The ordinance, drawn up with
every formality, and bearing the impress Of
the Papal arms, was hung on every column
and cross Of the great thoroughfares On
the third day, Gasparone and his band Of
two hundred surrendered formally to the
magistrates. 1t was great sight TO see
.nese ferocious men, redolent OF murders,
dripping rs II were with blood, come with
their arms in their hands, and retire shorn
| OF all their strength, like Samson of his
locks, and helpless as he.
| But oh. incredible extent Of priesly
treachery! No sooner were the wretched
men disarmed than they were seized by
the Papal troops, and imprisoned. No ex-
cuse was given, no josuitry attempted for
this vile breach OF faith. Gasparone was
locked up in the Castle San Angelo, after.
wards to be transferred to the prison nj
Civita Vecchia. The brigand yet lives, bu.
has been sent TO Corsica, that alma mater
OF all Italian 0durie'as. The priest-the in
| strument in this vile transaclion-was al
once shipped off TO Florence, out Of the way
OF the revengeful stilettoes Of the Romans.
Had he remained on their side the Apen.
mines he was dead man.
The BEGGAR's ANEcDorE.-The writer
afterwards gained moro information con-
cerning Gasparone's doings, as will be per.
ceived below:
remember once at Ferrara, while stand.
ing before that glorious old Gothic pile.
having my attention drawn to low sort Of
chant in the centre Of q ragged crowd. |
pressed forward into the circle, where stood
an old hlind beggar, singing in a hoarse,
broken recI,atiye, tho adventures Of Gasra.
rome, represented in a tremendous picture.
elevated on poles, 10 which his attendant
wife pointed with u long stick, while ho re.
lated the incidents His audience stood in
rapt attention while the old fellow sang OF
some hofrid murder; which, when especial.
ly spicy, WAS received with low braavs and
cheers. Among other feats, he told how
1asparone, wanting 10 cross into Tuscany,
was met on the borders Of river by The
! gendarme, who asked for his passport, but
no passport had he, so he shot him through
the head, saying g-"rhis, bravo mo Soda
to, will be passport for me and you both
you above, and me below"
"Behold, excellent and noble company.
my wife will point out the fact in the great
picture, which |, alas, being blind, cannot
see, And now," said he falling down on
his knees, without any kind of preface
Now, good and Christian people, look at
me, poor blind man, shut out from the
light Of the sun, and for the love of the
Santissima Vergine give mo some bajocchi,
Per Pamore del Cielo, assist me, oh great
and good people of Fcrrara"
! Upon this adjuration his wife made the
circuit of the crowd with tin box into
which The money was dropped. As tho
coin chinked, the blind man, still on his
knees, with his hands clasped as if in pray.
or, nodded approvingly. When the colec-
tion was over, he rose, smoothed his beard,
and began again.
"Now," after thanking the people Of Fer
rara for their noble charity TO a poor cieco,
81 will continue 10 relate how Gasparonc
once arrived in Tuscany, stopped n vettu
rlno near Radcofani and murdered eight
persons, with other wonderful adventures,
which you see, excellent signors, set forth
in the picture Wife, point out faithfully
the particulars"
The crowd, whose curiosity was rapidly
increasing, pressed closer around him, as in
shriil voice he resumed his chant.
/ could have stayed willingly until the
conclusion of so rich and thoroughly Italian
scene, but | was travelling in haste and
had no spare time. ! could not bat redec.
what All admirable lesson in brigandage the
Old man gave, holding up Gasparone to
universal admiration for his bloody deeds,
and encouraging all the idle ragamullins OF
Ferrara to go and do likewise. This is not
system calculated TO put down the evil,
especially in SO bad n neighborlood as
Ferrara.