Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1873-06-11
AN INCIDENT IN THE LIFE OF
Pho MONO.

Among the bands of prisoners brought
from the field of Montana by the papal
zouaves and their French allies, was an
old, hazel-eyed, slim and sinewy veteran,
named Giuseppe Critoni. He looked
more like bandit than a soldier, and
he wore the red shirt Of the Garibaldi-
ans. He was we'll known among the
rebels, and he was feared by the papal
gendamerie as very dangerous man.
He had been in Rome previous to the
disturbances of 1913, plotting in favor
of the reyolutionists, and on many occa-
sions since that memorable year he had
acted the spy for Mazzini and Garibaldi.
Criteni had a charmed life, so far as
escaping keen and crafty policemen is
concerned. He never was arrested until
after the papal victory at Montana. In
1866 he narrowly escaped the clutches
of Alberto Massullo, the shrewdest de-
tective in the service of his holiness, by
putting on the disguise of mendicant
friar. Critoni was native of Viterbo,
and in his boyhood he played with and
loved one Mastai Ferretti, whom the
veteran rebel often in later years called
the most gentle and noble of boys.
Critoni and this boy often practiced
sword exercise together, and they be-
came somewhat familiar with the use
of the rapier and broadsword. Critonis
chum being remarked for his devotion
to religious duties, his parents had him
sent to an ecclesiastical training
school, while Critoni himself went to
Ancona and Joined his father in the
banking business. After lapse of over
a decade of years Critoni revisited his
antive city, and, when he asked for
Iastai Ferreti, was informed that he
/, 4 entered into holy orders and was
ia Ia enrate in one of the parishes OF
W;sn.hS. Wen The meeting of the two for
80 H. mates was as ardently enthusi.
~; P' ;, 70 southern Italians could
E salo i a. toni had not been many
dnrs a. v;tarho when he was seized
with smallpox, NEhleh was prevalent
there during his 81 Hy' In erl!lca! !i:
stage of his malignant disease, CrltIni
sent for the curate Mastai eerretti, VINO
after administering the r.tes oil the
church, enrolled him in the orLer oil the
f" Seven Dolors, pious institute on es'
tablished in honor of the seven gFea'
Affections which the Catholic church AZ
tributes 10 the Mother of Christ. The
members Of the order wear two black
scapulars, suspended from cord worn
aronnd the neck and inside the clothes.
n was this badge the curate, Mastai
Ferretti. placed upon Giuseppe Critoni
neck. after having enrolled HIM mem
her Of Settle Dolori." Critoni recov-
cred and went back to Ancona, proris-
ing ever to retain the sacred ln' ma
of the order to which he belonged. : ne
rolled en-, anS Mastai Ferretti vent as
missionary to South America. Here the
intercourse Of the rebel and the priest
ended for over forty years. In turns
Critoni became a bankrupt broker, q
Journalist, a sehoolmaster and revo'
lutionist. In the last named profession
be remained until he died.
When, on a balmy spring evening IN
1867. the Papal and French soldiers had
marched in triumph through the POrta
IA popoli and the Carso, greeted BY the
cheers Of the papalini, while lovely
flowers and ianrels were showered iron
The adjoining windows, the more impor'
tant OF the prisoners, among whom
Cnisenne Crtoni was first, were
brouqbt under de Chsrette's charge
10 lie dungeons Of Castle ST. Angelo
Before nirhtfall, a special cosuier from
the Pope brought orders 70 the once %
charge Of the castle 70 allow the PRISON