The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1878-05-02

to himself, wonderingly.
He opened the door.
4 closely yelled lady stepped in.
"Who are you?" demanded Michal
Angelo.
She removed the veil from her face.
"Do you know me now, Signor Buona-
rotti2" she asked, with sad smile.
"Santa Maria!" he exclaimed, stepping
close up to her, is it really you, Countess
Arnelli2"
She nodded her beautiful head.
"Fate, cruel fate. Michael Angelo
Buonarotti,' she said, lying her hand on
his arm, "has separated US for SO many
years! Would to Heaven that more
joyous cause had brought us again to-
gether2"
"What has occurred2' exclaimed Bill
onarotti.
"Our native city is in deadly peril
The Emperor Charles w."
1.-THE accused sceandred?' cried the
artist, angrily.
sis approaching Florence with ten
thousand troops. Alexander Medici-"
Another villian"' cried Michael
Angelo.
"Is already in front Of our city with
a large force. He has demanded that
Florence should Internationally sur
render to him in five days. Otherwise he
would destroy the city"
"But what can do, Countess Arnelli?'
he exclaimed, almost in a despairing
tone.
"Everything-cverything, Buonarotti.
Such genius as you never was born.
What the Florcntines need in this terrible
crisis is q popular leader Of iudomitable
courage. You possess the heart OF q lion.
Will you save Florence!'.
"With all my hearth he cried, cnthusi
astically.
"Then follow ME Immediately. Two
horses are waiting tor us at the Porta Iii
Popolo. Not a moment is to be lost
Half an hour later Michael Angelo and
the Countess Arnc!li were galloping along
the old Tuscan highway toward the
beautiful city on the Arno.
They succeeded in reaching if twenty
hours later. The place in front of the
Cathedral was at the time throngcd with
excited people. Suddenly Michael
Angeles commanding form appeared in
their midst His arrival was greeted with
deafening cheers
Tho people of Florence hailed their
illustrious fellow citizen with rapturcus
delight.
ale will save us!' they shouted. ''Let
him be our leadern'
On the same night he was proclaimed
Dictator Of Florence. In that capacity
he displayed an ability as al Engineer
that would have astonished 4 Vauban or
Todlebcn.
Earthworks, as if conjurcd up by ma
giclan's wand, rose at the most exposed
points.
Alexander Medici, at the expiration of
the above mentioned five DAYS, began to
lombard Florence with his heavy a1tilI-
cry.
But strong force OF Florcntincs, head
ed by Michael Angelo, furiously attacked
the cannoniers. Michael Angelo, who
was armed with an enormous battle Az,
killing at least dozen enemies.
The battery was destroyed, a1d the bold
sallying force returned to the city, where
an enthusiastic ovation awaited them.
For weeks matters looked decidedly
blue for the allied army of bcsieycrs; but
reinforcements arrived, and gradually the
fortunes of war began to turn against the
Florentincs.
When matters assumed a still gloomicr
Inspect for them, Michael Angelo, in dis
gulsc. went to Genoa and Venice and I'M
plored those two still powerful Republics
to come to the succor OF Florence
The Genoese were ready to do SO, but
the Venctians turnel deaf car to his
supplications.
1Ieart-brokcn he returned to doomed
Florene.
At length the city fell, and now Alex
ander Medici took terrible revenge up
on his vanquished enemies.
Two hundred and fifty prominent citi
zens were behcaded in two DAYS.
Sixty.one noble and patriotic ladies,
among them the beautiful countess Ar
nelli, were hung.
Among the prisoners was Michael Angelo
Buonarotti, who was saved from the scat
fold through the intercession of the Pope
The great artist returned to Rome and
finished the Sixtine Chapel.
But from that time his whole nature
seemed to have undergone marked
change. He became gloomy and taciturn,
and his artistic creations reflected hence
forth his somber frame of mird.