The New York herald., 1872-10-14
ROBBING A PRIMA DONNA.
The Modern Fra Diavolo and His Ap-
pearancc.

The Modern Fra Dtav0lO and His Ap-
pearance.
Miss violctta Colville, the young American prima
donna, and her mother were waylaid by highway
robbers while enjoying carriage ride between
Albisola and Savona, Italy. The letter relating the
adventure is SO interesting that we deem 1t worthy
OF making some extracts:-
The day before we left SavOna thought il would
do Vi0etta good to 60 to the beach and walk In the
sea air, she being yet not entirely strong, SO we
Albisola. After walking about an hour hour on IN
the shore Of this very beautiful beacll-hard
aaS aeSossRne eean g% M seSn
had got about half mile from Albisoa when the
carriage stopped, and the driver said that some:
could 20 no further. He said we must wait there
and he would 60 into town for another carriage.
was not at all suspicious nor alarmed, and the
beauty OF the place where we were made me rather
pleased than otherwise to remain for the hour that
must ensue before our driver could return. We
hills rose on each side and the mountains lay be.
hind when we faced the sea, which was just visible
the gorge we stroed about ENJOYING
sake, who are these peopleY' turned round and
saw advancing nom the seaside Ave rough
road, had managed to remain conceaied
from view until they were within about rod or so
have shown fear where perhaps none was neces-
sary; or II so, we had no place to run to; and so
although inwardly trembling, ! ana not allow yio-
they are labOrers probably returning home" But
we were quickly undeceived when one OF them
advanced and asked In tone not at all agreeing
with his language II we had not few centisslmi
for poor manf To gain time or, rather, to
gather my thoughts, pretended not to understand
Italian, and asked him In French what he desired.
In the meantime had Slid my hand in my pocket
and slipped on my rings from my fingers He said
that he and his comrades would like a
little assistance in the way OF money from
the mesdames. had drawn out my pOcketboOk
not at all like the brigands OF the drama, did not
walt to accept with polite phrase any offering l
might choose to give him, but incontinently
snatched 1t from my hand. When he opened 1t the
tents there were about six hundred francs in notes
of various denominations), appeared highly con-
tented; but wishing doubtless to have souvenir
Of their unwilling benefactress required OF me my
watch also; which, when had given them, they
made or with first convincing themselves that
Vi0letta had neither watch purse about her. AS
or injury, looked after the rascas, could not help
species Alasl where were the steepe-
Crowned hats and moving ribbonsS Where
many colored tapes that make the legs Of
the opera singers look like eccentric barber poess
Alas these real brlgands dirty, half clad and
wholly ragged specimens Of that humanity most
only been stage brigands they would have recog-
niZed the young prima donna assOluta SIgnOriDa
vi0letta COlville; they would have compelled her
TO sing an aria on the spot, DC, &c but oh, shame
for the romance OF real life we lost our money to
q set OF ragamufins, and had not even the consOla-
ton OF having 1t taken from us by a gentleman tD
ribbons, and who would sing while he took It. to
s00the our wounded feelings. There's where II
stings; there IL where we are humbled. But to
return to Albisola: The driver came shortly after
not be proved against him. I will always believe
that lie was In league with them.