The Fremont weekly journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1867-1877, 1874-11-27


most jealousy. Her life alternated
between a palace in Rome and a
suburban villa belonging to the es-
tate, and in each she was surrounded
by spies or immured in a dungeon.
Her father fell desperately in love
with her and the only kindness she
experienced from him was during
the fever of his unholy passion.
But all his precautions were una
vailing. Beatrice's marvellous beauty
had attracted the notice of a young
man of noble family, who was about
entering the priesthood. Guido
Guerra is described as being the
handsomest young man in Rome.
He vas tall, Of fair complexion, and
noble bearing. He was very wealthy
and the only son of widowed moth
er. He was peculiarly gifted men
tally as well as physically. He had
fine talents, and was a skillful cul-
tivator Of the fine arts. His passion
for Beatrice was reciprocated, and
the lovers were encouraged by Lady
Lucrezia. The Count soon discover
ed the affair, and forbade Guido to
enter the house. Clandestine meet
ings followed, and the amour pro-
gressed. The vigilance of the Count,
Intensified by his jealousy of his
successful rival, soon reduced the
lovers to a desperate extremity.
Beatrice was removed to the subur-
ban castle and closely guarded.
Through the treachery of some of
Counts spies and the assistance OF
the ladies, the lover was enabled to
gain access to this retreat. Here a
plan was concerted between the wife,
daughter and lover for their release
through the death of the Count
Two bravos, named Mario and
Olimpio, were hired to inertcept him
on the road, and dispatch him. The
lovers, waiting anxiously for the re-
turn Of the assassins, were dismayed
at seeing the intended victim return
instead.
A second plan was arranged. II
was determined to murder the old
man in his bed. Accordingly, the
assasslns were admitted by Beatrice,
and one-third Of the blood money
paid them in advance. The daugh-
ter administered an opiate to heI
father, and while he was sleeping
under its influence the braves were
introduced into the chamber. Again,
the two women and the lover awaited
to hear of the death of him who op.
posed their happiness. Again, they
were disappointed. The two assas-
sins returned in haste, declaring that
they could not kill the old man who
slept so peacefully and looked SC
venerable and elpless. At this
Beatrice started toward them in 6
rage. "Vile braggarts,' she ex
claimed, "is this the way you rob
people of their money? Since youl
cowardice will have it so, 1 myself
will kill my father" Strengthened
by the girls determination, the me1
returned, and completed the murder
The body was thrown into the gar
den beneath, but in it's fall wa:
caught by the limbs of a tree, anG
there hung suspended until late The
next morning. 1t was given out
that the old man had fallen accident
ally and had been killed by thu
limbs entering his body.
History leaves it doubtful as tt
the state of intercourse between thu
Count and Beatrice Some author
tiles say that she was forced to sub
NIT to his incestuous embrace, whil
Others say that the murder inter
vened before his design was consu
mated. There appears to be n,
doubt, however, that he entertaine,
a passion for her and made unhOl,
advances to her.
1t seems that no suspicion of fou
play was aroused until-the conduc
Of the assassins gave occasion fo
lit. They received a large rewarl
| for their work, and repaired to Ma
pies to enjoy it. Their impruden
conduct excited suspicion, and in
quiries were made in the village pea
which the castle was situated.
washerWoman told a curious stOr
about some bloody sheets, and othe
evidence was gathered. The tw
bravos we're arrested and put to tn
, torture. One of them confesse
everything. The Cenci family wer
arrested and imprisoned in Rome
4 Guido was warned in time, and mad
his escape. 1t is related that he Gu
off his hair, begrimmed his face, an
acted the part of a charcoal burner
He bought a donkey and some sack
tof coal, and went about the street
selling. In this disguise, with hi
mouth stuffed with bread and hi
handaflled with onions, he passe
the, guards who were in search {
him, and made his way safely to4h
frontier.
: While in prison Beatrice develope
those wonderful traits of charactt
that have made her famous. All tn
other members of the family, guilt
or innocent, confessed when put t
+ the torture. Beatrice alone maiI
, tanned her innocence. Again an
f again the torture was applied, bI
+ her fortitude was unshaken. Ht
r wonderful beauty is said to hay
Z moved the heart Of the executione
! and her heroism aroused the symp
' thy of all Rome. The judge WI
: suspected Of yielding to human
/ feelings, and was removed and a
r other substituted, But all in val