The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1858-02-24
shoe king superstisIeu IN Italy.

R0xZ Jan. GA striking and almost fncredi.
bic example Of the invocation Of disbolic aid, I'M
der circumstances which betray great dsgrss Of
avarice and cruelty, has recently occurred on the
shores Of the Adrissic, In the proviocs Of Il
Marcs
lady Of some property, residing generally as
Aqua Santa in the Pspai dominioas, bot border
Ing on the Neapolitan territory, In which she has
also property, has become possessed with the
strongest conviction that In some part Of her 80
tstes there Is hidden treasure Of enormous val
ne; but that all her attempts at iss discovery are
systematicai'y opposed by evil sDf its. Having
oeen informed By some trustwo. Iay old woman,
who bears the reputation Of being arega, or
witch. that nothing can allay the spite Of these
hostile spirits, and lead to the discovery Of the
treasure except sacrificing to them 4 male child
of good parentago and under six years Of ara this
treasure seeking signors has been for some months
in quest OF child adapted for her purpose, aud
not too closely guarded for her kidnapping iatsn-
tions. About month ago, she cast her evil eye
upon fine little boy belonging TO an English lady
residing at Porto di fermo, and skiilfully watch
ing her opportunity, eontrved to entice the child
away, whilst rambling with its mother, and play
ing about on the seashore.
The CONSERVATION Of the mother at the child's
disappearance may be easily imagined. Her hus-
band being absent from home at the time, she sent
young nan. her son-in-law, In quest OF the child,
and of the treasure seeker who had inyeigIed him
away. Towards night the young man succeeded
in tracing the fugitive to a solitary house at con-
siderable distance, into which be endeavored to
obtain admittance but was repulsed by the hostile
demonstrations of body of armed retainers. He
then proceeded TO the neghborins town Of Arcoli,
TO procure the assistance Of the police, with suf
cient force of whom he returned to the solitary
house, but too late to arrest the kidnappers, who
had deeampeds with their victim. Meanwhile, tho
father If the child returned to his home, and hav
ing learnt the catastrophe, came ont likewise 10
hot pursuit, which resulted, after several days
Search in the discovery Of the hiding place Of the
lady aud child, at cnrates house In the Neapoli.
tan dOminions.
During this interval the ladys house at Aqua
Santa, was subjected to judicial search, and evi-
dence obtained that the child Was to have
been sacrificed there on Christmas day. An altar
had been prepared, with wax torches aud all kinds
of assories, to immediate the boy 20 Satanl An
ambuscade established around the dwelling In
consequence of this horrible revelation, and par
ty Kept constantly ON the watch, in case the lady
should return to her habitual residence.
In the mean time the father, having come mp
with the fugitives, demanded his child from the
curate who harbored them: bat the priest refused
to comply, except on condition ofa full pardon to
the lady. Unwilling TO pass over so heinous .
transaction the nfuriated father appealed without
delay the bishop of the diocese, who took instant
measures to rescue the child, aud to arrest the
lady, who is undergoing trial for aregoaeria
or ~ithcraft, and will most likely be punished &C.
cordugly
The Pope takes the greatest interest In the pro-
ceedngs and is punctually informed Of every psint
Of interest developed by the examination. The
child was sbseut from home about hve days, dur
ing which time the mother nearly lost her senses,
| and has hardly yet recovered her tranquility
She is the sisar of an English gentleman, who has
! been for many years e0gaged In one Of the bank
| ing establishments of Rome