Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1876-09-16
Il. WHIFMORE.
Publisher and Proprietor
AMONG THE BRIGANDS.

1t was toward the middle OF June
that our party, consisting of five
(three of them LADIES', left the
pleasant town of Velletri, en- route
for Rome.
Grampo, our old guide, who had
been with us for the past four
months, was extremely loquacious
that morning, and amused us no
little with his quaint stories Of the
past. AS we whirled along the road
one of the ladies caught sight of
group of white houses standing
upon the side Of a mountain, and
small chapel with a slender spire
near by.
"What is the name of yonder
church," inquired Madame B
Of Grampo.
."That is the chapel Of Saint
Francis, signora," replied the old
man.
"'Tis a lovely spot" resumed
Madame B, "and so romanti-
cally situated. Away up there on
the mountain one is surely safe
from brigands."
"CorpO di Spatolino," exclaimed
Grampo, "you never made greater
mistake. | once thought so myself
when / lived there, but discovered
my error one gala day. Since that
time have never considered any
spot secure from the visits Of the
robber bands who infest thest
roads"
"Tell us the story, tell us tht
story" cried several voices in uni
l son. "0h! l would love to NEE
some brigands," said one of oul
female party; "that is, if they wer
gentlemanly fellows"
"Santa Madonna" replied tn
guide "you must not suppose al
of the tales you read of the bri
gands' good behavior are true
They are set of cut'throats, anC
. only behave with generosity a
times because it is to their interes
to do So"
Q "Tell us the story" inpatient
cried the ladies. "Come, We are al
. attentive. Go on, good Grampo.
81 do not like to rehearse tn
( story, signora; still, if you com
mand me, l must obey" and th
old fellow made a graceful bow.
Yonder, just there to the left,
Z he said, pointing with his finger
"is where Carlo Sebastian live
with his pretty daughter Rina
Once when she went to Rome O
q Easter-day, the rich tradesman Ma
N borre saw her, and Immediately b.
5, came enamored of her beaut
b. He came to Velletri and sougf
tr &c Sebastian, to whom he related h
% love. Sebastian, of course, was nj
Q, slow to listen to the appeal Of tt
ut rich Roman, and MARJORIE bacon
ms the accepted lover of the beautif
n Rina. All the inhabitants Of We
les letri were talking about Rlna
by good fortune, and the priest
n n the chapel Of st. Francis was d
ed lighted when he learned that Il
M marriage was to be solemni2ed
Ia hisseharch. Sancta Marial but
nc. &c. was a gala day. / shall never fo
rk' get it Narborre had a splend
banquet spread beneath a par
colored awning, and never h
his there been so much good wine
tho Velletri as on the day am spea
80 ing of. MARJORIE wore white sat
breeches, and had gold buckles
me his shoes. He looked splendid
and behaved like a lord.
"The brigands have a peculi
whistle, which they use as TN
z = signal. l can't describe it, neitE
can initiate it, but one never f
Z ~ gets the way it sounds. Pve oft
4 heard it among the mountains, a
| never failed to tremble at
sound; for you know the brigar
10 will carry off even poor fell
like me sometimes. Of course I'll
=. prefer some one who will yielC
~ rich ransom, but often a cask
our wine will answer for the rele
of such a one as myself. W