Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1877-07-25
The Test-An Incident In the Life OF Leon
ardo Di Sinci.
By MARIA J. BISHOP.


nights of the Abruzzi. hand the Wild
tangled vine that overhung the path
were just glowing in the beams of the
rising sun, as a traveller paused, ere he
entered one OF the most romantic and
beautiful passes, and seemed lost in adj
miratiOn.
He was a young man, and the firc OF
genius lighted up eyes naturally bril-
liant. His slight graceful figure was
clad in dark velvet slashed with sill
yer, the fashion of the times, and the
small medal that graced his cap showed
that the wearer aSpired to the rank OF
gentleman.
by II. Julian, Il lovely morning"
he said: land never loyelier scene
charmed the eye Of poet or painter. On
my word, | am fortunste thus to stum-
BILE on a path so exquisite"
High up among the beetling SUBMITS
of the mountains, their dark scowling
countenances half hidden by the slouch-
ing hat and feather that shaded them,
two men sat, sullenly bending their
gaze down al the glen.
"a pretty time we're having, LudO-
vico," said the oldest bandit; for such
they were. The queens troops are
still securing the lower passes, and no
booty for this month past, save some
beggsrly peasant, with marayedi's
worth of wood
Hist said his companion. ''Yon-
der i game, winging 10 cover, or i mis-
take me,'' At the same instant, bring
ing the short carbine to bear, whose
sharp cling rang clear ON the morning
air. ''SOne peasant sure he con-
tinued. IN take the care of hi, goats
forever of his mind -
''Hold. eOmrade," said the first
speaker. .'Yonder is no peasaLt, but 4
traveller; probably st. Christopher has
sent Us gold, at the last. Let us down
and cut of his retreat
30 saying, both ruffians descended the
pass and approached the stranger.
''Hold, brother, in your tribute to
nature, and pay tribute TO ns'' said the
foremost bandit I'VE allow no intru-
sions on our walks here"
And | meant none. \ poor artist
my death or captivity would avail you
little. pray you good friends, let me
pass"
An artist. tush - said the outlaw
Some rascally government spy, rather.
And thou diest, unless thou presently
tell down on the greensward hundred
golden marks"
Now. Mary, help me. a ! have not a.
many sous"
Tell thy beads then, stranger, for
thy minutes are numbered said the
outlaw, rougly glancing AT the savage
looks of number who had assembled
on the spot.
The youth east i despairing gaze at
the hardened. reckless faces around him.
then down the preeipice. which de-
>cendel two hundred feet besides the
path
Rough hand, had already seized him,
and had lifted him over the edge, while
with grin of malice, showing his close,
shut teeth, the leader had hisscd out.
"a pleasant journey to thee, sir
painter" when low murmur ran
through the throng.
Hold Nagdalen, our queen -
What sends her here" muttered
the leader. releasing, however. his hold
of the prisoner.
How now. LudOvico:" she said,
''methinks you are pressed for deeds OF
daring. when thou makest war on a
boy: and that hoy a hcgsar
The clear sweet tones echoed strangely
among th, rocks, while the speaker, her
dark hair loosened with the rapidity OF
her APPROACH, and her beautiful face suf-
fused with intense pity, bent her eyes
upon the stranger.
"You mistake, lady" said the out
law. This is no mean peasant, a. his
garb bespeaks; but base government
spy"
Is Ii even 80. stranger:" said Mag
dalen, IF 20, ! can plead thy cause nC
longer
Lady, / am no spy" he replied
''but poor artist, whom the love of the
beautiful, and no wish TO injure others,
led me 10 intrude upon your pass"
.'Canst thou prove it with thy pen
cn:"
Il can, D" replied the youth.
'-Unbind him, Ludovico," she or
dered.
Fair. fair" repeated the brigands
throwing themselves in not ungracefu
groups on the grass around.
The artist glanced around, and MOI
even his terrible situation could repres'
a smile of pleasure, as his eye caught
ravine and rock, hanging vine ant
frowning precipiee-and with lightning
rapidity, the scene, in all it, wild witch
cry, was transported to the canvas
The painter paused for one moment
his eve fell on Magdalen, and there sh'
stood in all her machless beauty: bend
ing however look of pity on Leonardo
iii Vinci.
'-How say ye, comrades, has he lo-
or won - aud the calm, sweet voice o
Magdalen broke the silence.
"Won, won, and chain of gold be
sides" cried the outlaws, as each ben
above the sketch and beheld himself.
Long did the the painter remail
among them, loaded with proofs of thei
appreciation, and still in the splendi'
works of this great master, the tall
graceful form in blue, the dark look
and moulded features, frequently ap
pear-a monument of his gratitude I
Mag,lalene, the queen of the bandidt-
Great Fat Men
\ question has recently come up 10
discussion before the debating societ
of the village of Swampyille whic
interests us. 1t is, ''Can fat man eve
become a great man 2" We have NJ