New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-02-19
Filippo, the Bandit.

panditti.
the haudith we're the most terrible scouTge of the
three Their cheftan, Filppo adored by the ban
dts and idOli7ed by the common people. He was more
,l,or a match FOR al the Kings generals.
Tn 10 the period in which story bogins, no prison
had been able to hold Fnppo fortress had been able
10 withstand him. He had been popularity supposed TO
possess supernatural powers.
But al last IL seemed though his was run He
had been captured. tried, condemned and was now
living in the deepest dungeon of the prison of San Gre
corr IN the ancient town of FOgga awaiting execution
The annual fair Of the province of Apuia. of which
Foc-.a the capital. Was ia fun blast at this tme'
and the old town fun Of pcaSantry and strangers
from the country round about.
AMONG these strangers chosen band Of Flippos
rcn sblfury disguised, and determined 70 rescue Their
leader from DEATH II possible at the cost OF thar
own lives.
And miur'ing in the throngs were scores of the ban
difs' wves-So,ae with babes in their arms-in many
cus,s and an keeuly watching the signs Of tie times
and ling the pulse Of the multitude, for the purpose
of catching 30 every possible chance ana straw that
n, hit Dee turned TO the advantage Of the condemned
chlettaiu.
rnf lid opportunity for rescue occurred Tic prison
-u,-is were doubled during the day and quadrupled
at ni And now Filppos last day but one earthhad
oor,e TIE next morning. unless rescue should inter
vcue rc WIS to be n,hcaded. with tVentyour OF his
rorsralos. i'm the public square OF Focca.
v3t day was the last and the cayet day az the ialF
Mirriu- IlN lhrolG, dftOfuuS ~ tlt NttN.'' ga ti
Ar and country The Marchesa strozz and The s
c,rf, Blanca Strozzi. the wife and daughter OF the
Marches ~rozzi who then me Governor ana VICE
rcyof h province Of AIula II had been by the sule
rcr Sail .rl courage Of the Marchcse s,rozn that
Frrpo had been captured; and was his gon VI ilat
now held the bandit cheftan In cr4Q aS firm and re-
ieof'ess as that Of fate itself.
Tl9tcrc.lnc The Narchcsa Str0zu gave q masked ban
atthe palace and Blanca ziug an opportunity which
or-cI '.t lcr mothers side retired % hcr own rool-
snd assuming domino and mask. she returned TO tie
bail IN. main lied with the throng OF guests.
,ia.c tinud 10y her youth and long secuson i'm con-
vent Wa, the Scnortt's hope that her disguise mrht
not be pcuetrated but SIZE lad scarcely reached the
middle ~ .he Ian she heard herself addressed 10y
one who had discovered her secret.
she turned quickly intuye fear giving rise 20 the
susnicion that was the -uor Coucri. younc noble
man whom her mother lad determined oiiorce Blanca
to we'd against her VIII; hu, inst ad OF oehodns the
graceful elegant form Of tie -i-nor her eye, -e upon
r0stume o4ia Knight 1nl4r. begged Ar 10 pause mo-
met and listen TO- US F,4s S gI whose intcrce.sion will
avail YOU shc sad SO pray PASS Cd ana oLeI your
petitions before another lE.uc. ,. .-.,
q fear poor Fhppo the bandit Is net worthy o. sucn
divine favor" said The stranger IL Is hUI.aA ~
seek and cone 10 you in the name Of sweet Mercy.
has net he ai every turn today Why l tlu. bcse
do take Tie INTEREST," Go in this condemned
She said this mpadonty. and under her breath, but
stopped that his lips almost touched The maiden ear
"Beca,e Filippoi is the knsman of Angelo Capco and
Angelo Capcilo is tae beloved Oi Blanca StIOz2l.
what would YOU have me dol" she asked.
a simple thing. only meet me al hour hence al the
eastern -ae OF the palace, AND the rest Will oe toid
a. alone. at midnight, meet stranger at the gate Of
the palace 3"
fessOr Fra Ignazo will De there also to accompany her
wherever she may go
uttered fascinated as if by magic spell Blanca StozA
could choose but promise attendance at the pro
But stay :" said, the masked stranger was
about leaving her The eas ern safe O te 'ce leads
TO the prison Of san Greco-c."
she stepped bach to allow ray trooP Of maskers to
by and when she again looked for Aer In serIOus
companion. he had disaPpelred -. a.. ...,.o..,
the appointed hour found Fra Inazio the stranger ana
Benea ooked at The hitter With surprise, Wien Sat IN.
creased when Fra Icnazo sand
member OF company. He j. brave loyal ana true
Italian and with US to purchase rare and glorious
The stranger pressed vtos hand and laid lis upon
nncs saw even the dim light, That Nto's face though
pahd an enthusiastic expression and'that hi eyes
snUne like those Of who lie about Ia lay down his Life
for more precious to INN thaI the Aie Ae gives
The priest struck twice with hs star upon iron
door before which they stood.
:" They long IL conilg, he muttercd; Int doubt
whose attack they appreh and are ia o hurry 20 open
Whittier We going. good father g" asked Blanca
This Of the entrances to san Gregore the state
prison Of FOsg1a, Ae replied.
- And why DO we enIeT here 2" she demanded.
For the best OF purposes T. set al liberty and save
the life of brave man. Listen moment, and bear Well
IN mind what may say We NaAh hDeratf flhplo To-
upon the poor fellow look of cOnpassion
lie gores in the sacrifice he mas accepted; he reueH-
bcIs that il just marty rdomls blessed privilege
DO vOu my daughter, take courage from his example,
and 1mch not from the uia before You"
who that knocked On hearing Fra IgnazIos
reply, the door swung open. and the party
were conducted 10 the TecepuoHroom Of Michele the
The jaer was a shrewd, sharpeyed man. and he
glanced nq ulugly az Tie cOules>Ors companions Fra
Ignazo tod him WHO they were. and Thar Blanca had
come thither visit FIHppo's cell fulfmeut OF a
The party were allowed 10 60 on Their way Michele
himself preceding them with his keys and lantern
All d@.rSnIg ficf alter fieh Of stone steps iii il
seemed a. though they must have down into the
NOR sf"ncy barred than any they had vet passed The
thick panels dcnsey studded with bra aud iron
nails tnat II seemed fairly brstng with them ana after
unlocking II, IL with some difficulty that Michele
could turn II upon It's grating hinges
Before those VINO accompanied him entered the cell
Michele did and took survey of It's interior. salts
III with the inspection held the door aside while the
oOufessOr the siguorita and the page entered
IL al hour l will for YOU" he said.
BE 10 TO-" the priest replied. IN an hour we Will
hd Hippo adieu Tor the young lady vow WILL then DC
The cen door swung heavily together, with noise and
iar that seemed Tes0und throughout the whole prison
Banca looked about heT ana theh Iof me hist Ihe IN
her life, she found herself face 10 face with bandifan
Object mich had ever been the greatest terror OF her
euotion 81 terror could control caused her
70 cling closer cOnfessOrs SIDE when she first met
the glance Of FLlppO eye; Dut moment alter"SIu
abe ashamed Of Jolly, aud IN obedience 10 IRA
lgnaLO words, she returned the outlaws salute Win
Il have come according my promise Filippo." said
the PRIEST ana have brought with me these friends,
whose presence trust, will prove comfort 10 you ~
90" deeply grateful 10 you all, returned the bandit
and his voice sounded 20 Blanca melodious 80 calm
and steady that she closely scanned his face To see II
Indeed there urKeq in h hneanehts any expression oI