The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1868-12-09
THE SPY OF VENICE.

D. In the year lOlS, the dreadful ''COuncll
of Ten" was at its height in Venice, the
City of Islands. AL men feared that coun-
ell, for they were liable atany moment to
be called before its august presence, and be
judged for crimes never committed. No
person dared to express thought in regard
to its working, for spies were in the employ
of the Council of Ten, and if their masters
uttered word against it, they were sure to
be called before its judges. Dukes, Counts,
and mobiles disappeared mysteriOusly. The
Yenitians knew where they went, but kept
the knowledge in their own breasts
1t was midnight. The bell of old St.
Marks had tolled the hour, when q gondOla
pushed forth from under bridge, and went
smoothly along over the placid WATERS
Presently it was followed by another, and
still another, until six were in line. Their
oars were muffled; and slowly and silently
they glided by houses, like ocean spectres.
At last the foremost gondola ran under
a stone arch; the others followed, and the
men in them suddenly disappeared. The
gondola was left under the arch, but their
late occupants were not in them. Let US see
where they went.
AS the foremost boat touched one side of
the arch, man rose and opened large
door in the stone wall and entered; the rest
did the same, and found themselves in q
narrow, underground passage. They NOV
ed on to small room, dimly lighted, where
they put on masks which concealed thoir
features. At signal the light was extin-
guishcd, and they again moved on until they
came to an iron door. Three raps were
given; the door flew open as if by magic,
and they entered large room brilliantly
lighted by many lamps which hung from
h. oh re
draped in black, on raised platforms: the
highest one was likewise covered with black
but had a sword suspended over it. In
inches in the walls were instruments of tor
ture; concealed by black curtains. Woe to
the man who trod that room of judgement
as prisoner. .-
The room that have described was the
chamber of the League of Twelve;" q
band formed to battle the ten. The twelve
men who composed this league were dukes
who had escaped the chamber of the ten.-
The apartment, then, was their place of
meeting.
When the twelve had seated themselves
in the stone chairs, voice cried out: ''Are
the twelve in council2"
''They are rs came from eleven mouths,
as their owners raised their masks to let the
chief see their faces.
1t wo'd be difficult to describe their faces;
suffice it to say that determination was writ
ten upon them. Their masks were replaced,
and the chief said:
proceed to business; who will speak
frst7"
IT viii, - answered one, as he arose from
his seat.
'Ieague of Twelve, until to-day l tho't
that our league was known to none in Ven
ice save ourselves; hut now think | am
mistaken"
Here the speaker paused. and the chief
cried out;
''Go on; who is the traitor7"
'tNo one is 3 traitor, most worthy chief;
but listen, and will tell you all. Many of
you have seen that old astrologer, with a
long, white beard, and whose form is bent
with age, have you not7'
"We have, =" was the response.
''Well, met hun in the streets to-day
He took my hand and said, '15ewarel' ! /
asked him why, and he answered, Beware
and left me-"
The speaker took his seat, and muttered
curses were heard. But all was soon hush
ed and the chief arose.
League of Twelve" !" said he, ''that old
man knows more than he should know. He
must die, for you know that dead men tell
no tales. But what have you to say: 2" and
he resumed his seat.
League of Twelve" +" said another mem
Der, four chief has spoken Alright; that man
dies but ere he dies, let us bring him here
and wiring his secret from him"
A vote was taken, and the result was that
the aged man should appear before the lea
que at their next meeting. After some 9TH
er business, the meeting closed, and the hall
H. -. Ill.
rowed to their accustomed places anc aban-
doned. .- l L.j.
The next week passed. and the league
was preparing for another meeting. The
aged man was often seen in the street. He
did not know the fate in store for him al
though he had passed and repassed the chief
of the twelve. One dark night, as he was
going to his home, he was roughly seized by
two men. who blindfolded him, placed him
placed him ami gondola and rowed out on
the water.
"Spesk not, or death is your portion, -
was the stern command; and he kept silent.
After they had gone some distance, he
was lifted from the boat and placed in an
passage. He knew that he
was in the earth by the smell of the mould.
The two men conducted him on until he
was in q brilliantly Lighted apartment.
Remove the bandage," cried voice.
1t was done, and the aged man stood be-
fore his judges. ..-.- .-. ,..-
Reader, you would have pitied that old
nau had you seen him there, his form bent
With sge;but there was no pity in the hearts
If his accusers. The silence was beginning
% be oppressive, when the prisoner asked,
n hoarse tones, Where am I2".a
''Where dead men tell no tales" was the
Itern reply. .,.e-
s.By whose ordersa'' again asked the
prisoner. -.... .-
''By the orders of the twelve, answered
he chief y RS. -..
''Ha, ha! thought so ~ and the aged
nan laughed a hollow laugh.
why do you laugh when you stand in
he presence of deaih7s demandnd the
.hief --s G. ,..t .---... !