The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-01-15
NIGHT WITH THE BANDITTI.
By ONE ''wHo Is NOT AFRAID. y

~ woS W0U uIXUI, WhS Uau uABAI' ~
clouds, if any could be seen through tn
mirky mist which hung over the doomed city
seemed to threaten the gazer with impending
calamity.
Philip the Bold had issued his pronuncia
niento, denouncing the people as brigand.
and assassins, orders were expected every mo-
ment from the Capitol to 'let slip the dogs Of
war and cry havoc" on our husbands, sons,
brothers, and our wife,s relations. Ieas moi
e.frad; did not belong to the White League OF
any other league. had SO managed it since
che war closed Is to be on the right side at
the right time. r.t.
had some little capital and some standing
in the community, and while having the
credit Of being sound on the gocse-that is,
som etimes Democratic, sometimes Liberal,
sometimes Reform and sometimes little Re-
publicsn-I succeeded in getting something
in the way of warrant and bond jobbing and
IN outside lobbying to lay up . nice little
competence, without losing my character as
southern man. was always friendly with
our enemies, because Il argued that if was
not, somebody would he, and when I saw
some of our oldest and best getting fat pick
+ ings, determined not to be lett out in the
+eoid, and so joined the noble band who
-"held with the hare and ran with the
hounds.
But the events of the Ath Of September,
followed by the Democratic successes North,
East and West, changed the spirit of my
dream, aud the dreams of many of my kind
saw plainly the "Nene, Meme, Tekel
.Uyharsin," and determined to throw all self
interest aside and become a true patriot; to do
this joined q Democratic ward club in
stscng ward, and got my name in the papers
~ often as possible. This has given our peo-
pie confidence in me, and am thus enabled
to penetrate into any Caucus, and learn all
their secrets, and to make it pay something if
possible.
With this motive In view on the night
speak OF, entered the erotunda OF the St.
Charles Hotel and found it crowded with an
excited multitude ofour best citizens, discuss
ing the dispatches sent to Washington by the
bold Philip, and among them q number Of
nondescript political friends who can only
describe as OF the Hugh j. Campbell breed Of
dogs, and who nobody knows where to place
in the political scale, until they manage to
satisfy any doubt we may have entertained
Of theiv sagacity, ability and patriotic devo-
ton to principle and virtue, by turning up in
some place Of honor and emolument like the
Major General Commanding the La. s. N. G.,
and others "par mob frat"
was approached, wilhelm the rotunda, by
one Of these free lances, who drew me aside
aud said "Jones, have little job on hand
that will pay something, il you will under
take it." This gentleman, whose name was
Sly (not old Kit), and myself had been pre-
ssiously united, in several little specs during
the flush times Of the Legislature, and We
q1ere. of course. confidential
"What is it, Sly?" said l. "Jones," said
he, seI have Just left Gen. Phil's room, and he
will pay well for reliable information in re-
gard to the movements and intentions Of the
White League" .'.C0mme bien ?" says I
(which is French for +" How much?") Sly re-
sponded by holding up both hands with the
fingers spread open. "Tacks?" says L
Brass" says he. Enough" says ].
-'' When?" says he. Tomorrow night"
says I. "Good, says he, and We parted.
Now. if there is any particular quality the
promptitude, especially at mealtimes; and in
that respect, or in taking drink at some
body else's expense, / can safely aver that
the renowned boarder who contributed so
much to the "pensionnat OF the lamented
Mrs. Burrell could hardly hold candle
to me.
I looked around Immediately for some
prominent Lacquer in the room, and my eye
lighted on Tom Jim Jack. "This," said l,
ais my man." and at once proceeded to
interview him. He was very much ayerse
we're never weary of ringing the changes on
Pills dispatches. But, contrary to my Gus
:om and much against my will, was forced
to invest thirty cents in refreshments before
could get anything ont Of Tom. At last he
admitted there was q meeting that very eve |
ming, and, if was ready, he would vouch |
for me at the door, and SO gain me admit |
lance.
Concealing my delight at Toms offer, pur-
chased two fve-cent cigars (another weak |
messy, and, taking Toms arm, sailed forth to |
the place of meeting. But. before reaching |
che spot, Tom suddenly wheeled me into the |
Darkroom Of well-known saloon. called for |
two drinks at my expense, whipped out Of his |
pocket small book (Which supposed was !
hi 5le), with . skull and cross-bones on the |
cover, and swore me to secrecy, on pain OF |
death, never to reveal tho names of the par |
ties was about to iningle with or the places |
sen or spoken Of I swallowed the oath |
readily, having taken several during the late
war, and washing it down with whisky
straight, was straightway whisked through
flights of stairs and, passing ferce-looking,
silent sentry, was ushered into brilliantly
lighted room where, gathered around long
oval shaped table saw . number of we'll
known faces that at once recognized as
prominent leaders of the League My task
now is only to tell what happened in the
BANDITS Den, concealing only, according to
my oath, the names of persons and places,
my obligation binding me no further.
The leader, who sat at the head Of the
table and with navy six-shooter at hand
fused as gavel and also to awe refractory
was a fine specimen OF manly
beauty six feet six in his stockings for I
saw them-he being dressed in full brigand
costume. as were some Of the others, after q
picture Of Fra Diavalo (painted in Rome by
Donnizetti from the original Of Bocaccio in
The yatican) now to be seen at podesta in
his city on the Appian way, near the CAN and
See EN- Theatre. He was also addressed by
The title of Signor Fra Diavolo, and by par
ticular request, during the evening, sang the
heroic strain, son Yondsr Rock Reclining"
With great effect. Beppo, his first lieuten-
Int, also sang the bedroom scene, amid loud