The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-02-17
FILIPP0, THE BANDIT.

In the year 1896 the condition OF Italy was de-
plorable. me kingdom was divided and torn by
rival factions, harassed by foreign invasion and
The banditti were the terrible sc0urge OF the
three. Their chleftaln, F1ppo, was adOred by the
bandits and idozed by the common people. lie
was more than match for all the Kings generals
Up to the period in which our story begins, no pri-
son had been able to hold Fllippo; no fortress had
been able to withstand MIN. lie had been popu-
larry supposed 10 possess supernatural powers.
But at last 1t seemed as though his race was run.
He had been captured, tired, condemned, and was
now lying IN the deepest dungeon OF the prison OF
san Gregore in the ancient town OF Foggia, await
ing execution.
the annual fair of the province OF Apulia, OF
which Foggia was the capital, was In fnl blast
at this time, and the old town was full Of pea
santry and strangers from the country round
about.
Among these strangers was chosen band OF
r. reacue their leader from death n nossbe avan a.
the cost OF their own lives.
And mingling In the throngs were scores Of the
bandits wives some with babes IN their arms, 10
many guises, and all keenly watching the signs OF
the times and feeling the pulse Of the multitude for
and straw that might be turned the Iva mage Of
their condemned chleftan
pris us guards were doupled during the dav and
quadrupled az night. And now FiippO's last day
but one on earth had come. The next morning, un-
less rescue should intervene he was to be beneaded
with twenty-four OF his comrades, in the public
square Of FoGgia.
fair.
Mngling IN the throng, according to the custom
OF the age and country. were the Marchcsa StrOzZl
and the SignOrlta Blanca StroZzi, the wife and
daughter OF the Marcnese StrozZ, VINO was then the
Governor and VicerOy OF the province OF Apulia-
II had been by the superior skill and courage OF the
Marchese otr0zZi that Filippo had been captured,
and 1t was MS iron VIII that now held the bandit
cheftain IN grip firm and relentless as that OF
late itself.
That evening the Marcnesa Strozzi gave masked
ball at the palace, and Blanca, sclZing an Opp0rtu.
nifty which offered left ner mothers side, retired to
her own room, and. assuming q domino and mask,
she returned to the ball and mingled with the
throng OF guests.
Made tlinid by her youth and long scclusion in a
convent, 1t was the Slgnoritas hope that her dis.
guise might not be penetrated but she had scarcely
reached the middle OF the hall ere she heard herself
addressed 10y one who had discovered her secret.
she turned quickly, an ntu1tlve fear giving rise
TO the suspicion That II was the Slgnor Conclni a
young noDleman wnom her mother had determne
10 force Blanca TO wed against her wl but instead
OF beholding the graceful, elegant form OF the
Signor her eyes fell upon the commanding figure
OF a man wh0 dressed IN the costume OF a Knight
Templar, begged her to pause moment aud listen
to his prayer.
al am no saint or Madonna, whose intercessior
Will avail your she said, 80 pray pass ON and Offel
your petitions before another shrine.u
al fear poor Filtpp0 the bandit Is not worthy o.
such O divine favor,r salt the stranger. sit /!
human aid seek, and come TO you In the name o
sweet Mercy"
"Filipp0l FllippO ~ repeated Blanca. "Tha