Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1875-09-01
STORY OF \ ROBBER CHIEF.
ArupNS I,,f,, 10

AAicNS, ouly 10.
i We were within three hours Jour
ncy OF the village where we were to stop that
night, when ln the course OF our conversation,
We happened to touch upon the robbers that
were said TO otest these mountains aud TO make
occasional lucursons very close TO Athens.
Was DOT prepared to exactly join their acuuain.
taGcc, aud was somewhat surprised when the
cid captain proposed that | should have the
pleasure of formal visit from the young rob-
Der chlet who has lately made such noise in
Greece, Fasc Carabas. | heSitated a little.
but the old captain rvassured me, and promised
to answer for my safety if | would promise on
my word OF honor not 10 reveal Ia Athens, or
lrdced, 10 any part of Greece, his place of re-
treat. Capt Slrlubcry. also said that ii, after
having seen the rohber chet, was not charm
ed with him, he wHu'i give me his lex for i
trophy.
We halted, aod TWO OF eur guides rode into
the heart Of the forest and W. re lost to Sight.
ln al hour there was sound of horses feet.
ant h!teen AlbaulauS rode up, auG dismcunt
Ing, gathered r uni. Oue the youngest of
Came forward ami salu!ed tie capiaiu earcssl,
AID then, alter few word. with him, Was pr,
eented to n". lie spoke English perfectly we'll,
and had every apl, araucc of good education.
ii: asked polite qucstluus as to how liked AL
habla, etc, and spoke OF the sceuery like one
whose whole idea Was TO see the trees and rocks
aud to hear the birds sing. He spoke of various
Eugilsh books he had rcak, aud Wlthal proved
SO pleasant companion that really forgot that
he was the terror of the Eoghsh tourist, the
Iedoubable Vasi!c Carabas, and we chatted
while the captain mcn prepared supper for
Us all ate with the robber chief aud the CAP
tain AND bis sou and daughter, and the rest all
ate at a little distance.
Alter this meal was concluded, Vasile Cara
bas rose to so, and maklng low bow to ue,
and taklng told oD my linen travelling dress
and pressing 1t to his lips, he begged | would
rot think quite SO hardly of bin as others did,
anu he begged me to accept as slight token
OF his pleasure 10 havlug seen me, a beautiful
diamond ring. l somehow could not make up
my mlhd to doso Tor perhaps required little
urEIngJ, and SO coupled my refusal with re
quest Tor one OF the silver buttons he had on
hl~ jacket. tie cut it off aud gave it to me-
with pleased smile and with the other hand
threw the rug away as far as he could
Will confess that Was just little sorryI hadu't
take, 1t Tor it's pity to waste diamonds like
tears.
We were soon on our way again, and it was
dark. The old captain told me the story of the
robbcr chief. Some tour years ago he bad a
position 10 society as the only sou of wealthy
aud respectable father, and was himself respect.
cd as young man OF courage and intellect.
lie had one sister, lovely young girl of four
teen and half years. A certain man 10 high
position IN Athens stole the maiden and kept
her hidden from her people for TWO weeks.
Fa>lle loved his sister tenderIy, aud he search
ed tor her far and wide, and at last succeeded
III finding her 10 the retreat 10 which this man
had pp1 hnr lnor r.,
outrage and disgrace, he became almost beside
himself with rage against the cowardly villain
who had pcrpetrated it, aud swore vengeance
against him TO the death. He embraced his
sister tenderly, and said "My sister is dishop.
orcd, and my sister dishonored must die, tha,
the fruit OF that dread disgrace may not res,
forever rel roach TO all OF her KIM" and
With these words he plunged his knife 10 he,
heart
1nat same day saw the death of the wretch
who had caused this sorrow and death, and az
the man was Of high position, the story wa,
hushed as much as possible. The young mar
thr,w himself upon the mercy of the Govern
meut, relating the story and what be had done
and demandidg justice--that he should be ac
quilted OF the crime 10 what he had done. But,
instead OF that, the utmost rigor of the law was
coior!ed, and ne was placed in prison, from
whence, by the AID OF two trusy friends, be
escaped and took to the mountains, after one
years imprisonment. That he has done many
terrible deeds, there is 20 denial, but yet YOU
can take the speech nf the robber chieftain be-
fore Alexander the Great to see the life OF Vas
tile Carabas Ii he has robbed the rich, he
has also given to the poo; if he has been the
means of death to many, he has also given the
means OF llte to as many more, and his hand
has also been raised for the poor and oppressed
but never against woman