Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1858-02-25
superstition and Cruelty.

A striking and almost incredible example
Of the Invocation Of diabolic aid, under Cir
cumstauces which betray a great degree OF
a~varice and cruelty, has recently occurred on
the shores of the Adriatic, in the province Of
La Marca.
A lady Of some property, residing gener-
allv at Aqua Santa 10 the PApal doHinions,
but BORDERING on the NeapolItan Territory,
10 which she also has property, has be
! come possessed " tn the strongest conviction
that 10 some part Of her estates there IS q
hidden treasure Of enormous value; but that
all her attempts at its discovery are system 81
ically opposed By evil Spirits. Having been
informed by some trustworthy old woman,
who bears the reputation OF beng n streSa.
or witch, that nothing can allay tue spite o!
these hostile spirits, and lead t. the dIscoVe-
~ OF the treasure except sacrificing to them
a male child of good parentage and under
six years OF age, this treasure-'eeEIng SLY
nora has been ipr some months in quest Of Il
Child adapted for her purpose, and not too
closely guarded for her Kidnapping lnten.
tons. Aouut u month ago she cast her evil
eve upon a fac little BOY belonging to an
English lady residing at Porto di Fermo, and
s~kilfully watching her opportunity, contriVed
to entice the child away while rambling with
its mother, and playing about on the seashore.
The CONSERVATION Of the mother at the chiIds
disappearance may be easily imagined. Her
husband being absent from hOm at the time,
she sent a Young man, ner sOn.ln-lsw, III
quest of the child. and of the treasure seek
er who had invelgled him away. Toward
night the Young man succeeded IN tracing
the fugitive to a solitary house at a considc-
rable distance, into which he endesyUred t.
obtain aimIttance, bur was repu'sed by the
hostile demonstrations OF a body OF armed
retalners. He thea proceeded to the neigh
boring town of AscUll, ID procure the assls-
lance OF the police, with a sufficient force OF
whom he returned to the solitary house, but
{ O late t. arrest the kIdnappers, who bad
decauped with their victim. Meanwhile.
the father of the child returned to his home,
and having learned the catastrophe, came
cut likewise in hot pursuit, which resulted,
after several days search, 10 the Giscove.
~ OF the hiding-place Of the lady add child,
at "a mans house IN the Neapolltau dOmIn-
ions.
During this interval. the lady's house at
Aqua Santa was subjected TO u judicial
search, and evidence Was obtained that the
child WAS to have been sacrificed there on
Christmas Day. An altar bad been pre-
pared, with wax torches and ali kinds OF &C.
cessories, to immediate the boy to S.tan =
An ambuscade was established around the
dwelling 10 consequence Of this horrible re
violation, and a party kept constantly on the
watch, in case the lady should return to her
habtual residence.
Meantime the father, having come up
with the fug'tiVcs, demanded his child from
the man who harbored them but the man
refused to comp!y, except On condition OF u
foil pardon to Il lady. Unwilling to pass
over 50 heluous q transaction, the Infatuated
father appealed without delay to the bishop
Of the dlucesr. who took instant measures to
rescue the child and TO arrest the lady, who
is now undergoing a trial for stregouerla, or
witchcraft, aud will most likely be punished
accordingly.
The Pope takes the greatest interestin the
proceedings, aud is puuctualiy informed OF
every point Of interest developed by the ex-
animation. The child vas absent from home
about FIVE days, during which time the not"-
er nearly lost her senses, and has hardly yet
rec,veie ed her tranquility. She is the sister
OF an English gentleman, Who has been Tor
many years engaged in one of the banking
establishment Vi kome.-LOndon As"S.