Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1879-04-10

1 "ItnSldnOlnR lCS weight, IL was several
seconds in reaching the bottom of the
precipice, where it broke ON the rocks,
sending upward cloud of sparks
Brave as he was, the unfortunate
traveller shuddered and turned his re-
gard from the sOmbre abyss toward
heaven, as if to implore hope and protec-
ton. Not a star shone there. The
heavy clouds stretched funeral Grape
over the silent agony of the unhappy
man, and the refuge of all human pray
ers seemed closed to his anguish. At
last hand fell heavily on his shoulder.
The five minutes had passed.
well, hast thou decided?" asked the
brigand chief.
would have need to reflect if had
been rich?"
Good let us finish it."
At sign from the bandit two men
pushed the condemned man toward the
hole. The instinct of preservation. the
horror of such a cruel death, inspired
him with an impulse of resistance
For the sake of grace" he supplica-
ted, stab me; but save me useful suffer
ing"
Already arrived at the edge of the
rocky ledge which overlooked the preei-
pice, the victim felt himself on the point
| Of falling, when several dazzling and un-
interrupted strokes of lightning tore
suddenly apart the black vault of heav-
en-.
"Holdw cried the painter, with such
an accent of authority that his execu-
TONERS Immediately suspended their Op-
Grafton. The chief also mOtioned to al
low him to approach, believing on the
point Of making an interesting reYela-
tiOn.
The scene, until then plunged in dark
ness, was now Illuminated by celestial
fire. In the profound security of the
woods thirty ferOciOus bandits appeared
singularly accOutered and armed to the
teeth. In their center stood their chief,
young, proud, superb, one hand resting
on his hip, and draped in long mantle:
his eyes sparkling with dominating pow
er; his authoritative gesture indicating
both moral and muscular force Lean
ing on his shoulder, in a vOluptuOus and
careSSing pose, was woman. surpass-
ing beautiful, and dressed in bizarre
costume, half NeapOlitan. Her hand
was small and frail, but it well under
stood conducting the giants arm who
tanned this sanguinary and ferociOuS
troupe.
| From whence came she? How was
she there? Had she heard the victims
short condemnation? How ever that
might be, her cruel features reflected no
pity; passiOnless, she assisted at the sac
rifice of human being as to spectacle
offered to her beauty.
The painter said nothing. His gaze,
which at first embraced the ensemble of
the scene, formed by the strange crea-
ture and her lover.
"Well, what wouldst thou say? ?" ex-
claimed impatiently the latter, who had
been waiting all this time. The con-
demned man did not appear to hear.
''Say, wilt thou answer?" he reitera-
ted, stamping his foot.
"HOw sad not to be able to live to
paint such pictured" murmured the ar
tist, in complete ecstaey, and forgetting
in his powerful interest the critical posi-
ton in which he was placed.
The chief for moment amazed at this
remark, made gesture of disdain, and
ordered the executioners to continue
their work
But the woman, until then immObile
and mute, allowed a vain smile to creep
the attitude which had won for her the
supreme homage of the painter; without
changing her regard, which, however,
sOftened under the influence of satisfied
pride She laid her hand ON the bandits
shoulder and said:
| "Agapita, wish his pardon"
Thou art dreaming, Barbaral he
cried.
mo, 1 wish him to live"
A dark frOwn indicated a jealous sus-
picion in the soul of the condOttierri.
"Pity! from thee, Barbara! What
signifies this ?"
"What does it matter. A caprice. /
wish his pardon; wish it, dOst thou un-
derstand meY"
"But he will betray US"
"Have no fear" continued she, ad-
dressing the young man, still lost in
contemplation; swear to me that you
will forget this adventure; let not
word pass your lips, even to the person
dearest to you on earth; remember that
if AgapitO were taken, would allow
myself to be hung with him; that in de-
livering him up you deliver me up. But
have confidence in YOU Give me your
word; it will be sufficient You are
free"
Some months later Rome abandoned
itself to all the follies of the carnival.
Among the young people whose extrav-
agances attracted the most attention, a
man masked made himself remarked by
pacing up and down the streets and
public places, muttering satirical imprO-
visations on the corners of the squares,
and throwing to the winds inexhaustible
gold of lively and brilliant mind. The
whole city sought to inform itself about
the author of these astonishing passages.
and it soon learned that the spirituel
faniozhe was also talented artist. But
modest, unknown, hurt perhaps by some
deception or indifference on the part of
the public, against whom he expressed
his bitter disdain. he lived retired, con-
eealing his works and his name. The
lovers of art, having at last succeeded
in penetrating into his atelier, found it
overloaded with charming things, rough
and unfinished paintings and sketches
full of merit
And among his various works, one
canvas captivated all beholders by the
originality of its subject and the macs
tria with which it was treated, An alb
rupt country, stamped with a savage pO-
etry, picturesque and handsome couple,
a defenseless prisoner, formed the sub
ject of the picture. Every one waA-
unanimous in praising it with the ex-
eeption of one slight criticism. The art
ist, out of caprice or negligence, had
concealed the victims face under his
disoriered hair, and had thus omitted TO
paint the features.
But the painter, smiling at reproaeh
which he without doubt expected, under
the influence of such general admira-
ton, did not hesitate to take pencil
and trace beneath his work (of which by
good rights he was proud his name,
since then immortal to pOsterity-Salva-
tor Rosa.