The Benton record. [volume] (Benton, M.T. [Mont.]) 1875-1879, 1879-08-22
THE CRISIS OF A LIFE.

II was a chilly evening in the early
spring Of the year t87, and the streets 81
, Florence were almost deserted. 4 strapg-
er wandering along her lonely thorough
fares would hardly have been able to
realize how fair and beautiful the city
could appear under other and more ge-
uial aspe, t.
Scarcely sonl was stirring, for the
hour aud the times were dangerous, as
the dagger Of the midnight assassin was
never shaatbed in those days. But wind
and weather are but triaes when the
interests of those we love are at stake.
Slowly tracking their way along one Of
the broadest streets of the city might be
seen an Old man leani 8 upon The should
er of youth Of noble bearing. Their
condition Of life could not well haze
been told fron their onalappearanee,
for they were both enrelopel IL long
cIoaks, after the Italian fashion, but the
halrdozen well-armed serving men who
followed closely at their heels shoWed
that they were of aristocratic rank: Tie
old man was very old--his beard was
frosted with the SHOWS Of many winters,
and he was bowed down with the iofrmi
ties Of many years, although much re
manned TO show what ONCE he had bPen.
The youth was tall and upright, ana the
assistance lie rendered to his aged friend
added a grace TO his every action.
They walked in silence, as if ergog &
OIL some errand Of importance, apd not
even a word passed between them. Soon
tlsy- e,t rir-esl "a. sho rolaee u the grand
duke, and after some parleY u, the en-
trance, their little party was admitted
Let us now ascend the broad fight ot
marble steps before them and enter the
great council chamber where the sover-
eigh ruler of Florence is wont to deliber-
ate with his mobiles upon The grave affairs
of State. On each side Of long table
covered with velvet cloth, upon which is
worked the ducal arms, arc scattered the
grave senators. upon whose decision now
hangs the life Or death Of one If thyiFi
own order.
Judgment has not yet been recorded,
for the culprit has many irienGs, and Al
though the grand duke had undoubtedly |
absolute power Of lifs and. death over Ell
Ills subjects, and though iie was we'll
known to be strongly biased ii this p:r
ti.ular case, there were certain reasons
why he wished bis own decision to BEL
Confirmed by the voice Of the patFicians !
whom he had summoned that night to bis
assistance.
In those days men we're tried and s9n-
fenced aft, very different fashion from
that which now prevails il our civilized i
countries. The will Of the sovereign, il
fact, was alone sufficient lo pardon Of
condemn without even the tormality Of !
trial Or examination: In this case il is
not to wondered 1T that the Inclination Of
the grand duke should Be prejpdiced, for
Ae himself was personally interested. He
was i'll the flush Of manly yigor. not very
loag having assumed the reign Q-f govern
ment, but had already BECOME proficient
in "lhe VICES Of Kings Old Qrstni,
Partician Of wealth and ancient family, /.
had fair and lovely daughter. The
grand duke had seen her and fallen drs
perately il love with her; although be
was formally betr9thed to the daughter ot +
neighboring potentate, and knew. that
the maiden hqrsel was promised il mar
Flage to young noble Of his own court.
IN moment Qf4ngoverned impulse le
had offered an insult to the young girl
such as never could be forgiven. Uator.
{mate|y for himself at that moment | e.
brother, young Qrsini, entered. Over
mastered by imprQdeat but natural indig.
nation at the greyious adront offered bis
sister, and his Italian blood boiling in bis
VEINS, he drew bis poniard and rushed
upon the prince. Quick as thought
HoOIeman, who was present interposed
MS own person between the duke and tie
InraSea brother and himself received the
oIo"' which, however, did not eventually
prove fatal.
lo0hg OrSini, who made no resistance,