The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-02-19
The Crisis Of a Life.

llC OllDlO vi o LllOt
It was chilly evening in the early spring
of the year 1887 and the streets of Florence
were almost deserted. A stranger wander
ing along her lonely thoroughfareB would
hardly have been able to realize how fair
and beautiful the city could appear unlsz
other and more genial aspects.
Scarcely soul was stirring, for the hour
and the times were dangerous as the dag
ger of the midnight assassin was never
sheathed in those. days But wind and
weather are but trifes when the interests OF
those whom we love are at stake.
| Slowly tracking their way along one Of
the broadest streets of the city might be-
seen On old man leaning upon the shoulder
of youth of noble bearing. Their condi.
ton in life could not well have been told
from their personal appearance, for they
were both enveloped in long cloaAs aftel
the Italian fashion, but the half-dozen well
armed serving men who followed closely a
/ their heels showed that they were of aristo
cratic rank. The old man was very old
his beard was frosted with the SHOWS o.
many winters, and he was bowed down will
the infrmities of years, although much re-
manned to show what he once had been.
The youth was tall snd upright, and the as
II cic ruhioh ha +1 HE
friend added grace to his every action.
They walked in silence, as if engaged
on some errand of Importance, and moi
even word passed between them. Soon
they arrived at the palace of the grand
duke, and after some parley at the entrance
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 sovereign
ruler of Florence is wont to deliberate with
his mobiles upon grave affairs Of state. Or
each side of long table, covered with
velvet cloth, upon which is worked tht
ducal arms, are scattered the grave senator
upon whose decision now hangs tile life OIL
death of one of their own order.
Judgment had not yet been recorded, 70,
the culprit had many friends, and although
the grand duke had undoubtedly absolute
power of life and death over all his subjects,
aud though he was well-known to he strong
ly biased in this particular case, there were
certain reasons why he wished his own do
cision to be confirmed by the voice of the
patricians whom he had summoned that
night to his assistance.
In those days men were tried and sen
fenced after very different fashion from
that which now prevails in our civilized
countries. The will of the sovereign, il
fact, was alone sufficient to pardon or con.
denim without even the formality of O tria
or examination. In this case it is moi
to be wondered at that the inclina.
tions Of the grand duke should BIZ
prsjndiced, tor be himself was personally
implicated. He was in the flush Of manly
vigor, nothaving very long assumed the
reign of government, but had already be.
come proficient in ''the vices of kings
Old Orsini, partician of wealth and an.
cient family, had fair and lovely daugh.
ter. The grand duke had seen her, and
had fallen desperately in love with her, al
though he was formally betrothed to the
daughter of neighboring potentate, and
knew that the maiden herself was promised
in marriage to a young noble of his own
court. In moment of ungoverned i'm.
pulse he had offered an insult to the young
girl, such as could never be forgiven. I'm
fortunately for himself at that moment hel
brother, young Orsini, entered. Over
mastered by imprudent but natural indigna
ton at the grievous affront offered his sis
ter, and his Italian blood boiling in hi
veins, he drew his poniard and rushed upor
the prince. Quick as thought a nobleman
who was present, interposed his own per
son between the duke and the enragei
brother and himself received the blow
which, however, did nat eventually provt
4 fatal
Young Orsini, who made no resistance
was arrested on the spot and conveyed
closely guarded, to a dungeon. He woult
no doubt have been ordered to, immediatt
execution but that the duke being himself
personally implicated in the matter, desired
70 show his impsrtiahty by at least the form
of q trial ...
Already for more than an hour and I
half the solemn council had dehberated
and at last, although with great reluctance
arrived at q decision which they knew wa
in accordance with the will of the duke
Yet many of the MOBILES present. puttini
lA-f