The Osceola times., 1882-10-07

/ imposture, insomuch that il was an expe-
dent of his own suggestion for averting
/ a breach between the Garibaldian faction
and his dynasty. The Sentinelle further
alleges that several of Garibaldi's fellow
campaigners in Uruguay had at different
I times taken means TO make known their
opinions on the subject. In proofof their
statements they referred TO the fact that
Garibaldi's hands and feet were finely
| formed, while those of his impersonator
were large and ill-shaped that Garibaldi's
handwriting was bad in all the degrees
of badness, while that of the impersonator
was extremely good, the letters being all
shaped with an eye to proportion. II
also referred to the habits of both men,
and endeavored to show that they were
entirely dissimilar In conclusion the
writer says: The imposture accounts for
the unconcealed antipathy entertained
by Menotti and Ricciotti Garibaldi to-
ward their dead fathers impersonator,
whom Menotti could never meet without
breaking out into abusive language, while
Ricciotti, although resident upon the Is
land of Caprera, steadfastly declined to
ross the impostor's Threshold" The
publication of the first article caused a
profound sensation in Italy. II was re-
produced in full by the Zanfiilla, sur
rounded by black border. In the same
issue was an article in which the editor
dealt with the subject in scathing terms.
pointing out that the nation was united
in the belief that il had Just been griev-
ing over the death Of the real hero. 1t
is, however, regarded as significant that
the government organ should have taken
so much pains to make the contradiction,
and, above all, that il should have con-
sidered it necessary TO reproduce the ar
ticle surrounded by black border
Recently Mercury reporter saw sew
eral Italians. They did not believe that
there was any foundation in truth for the
Sentinelle article. One of them said it
was malice from beginning to end the
object probably being to square some ac-
count with the present King of Italy, to
whom such publication would natural
ly be the reverse of agreeable. Among
the number spoken to was Sig. Antonio
Mcnicci, the lifelong friend of Garibaldi.
The old gentleman was found enioyinq
an afternoon nap in his summer house.
Although awakened for the purpose of
being interviewed he received his visitor
with fine display of Italian courtesy.
Ills ldCt Wis NItdlit1 Ill SIlilltS U1I1l ne
heard the report that the person who had
died at Caprera was an impostor Then
the smiles gave place TO an expression of
the most painful nature, and the old gen
tleman's eyes filled with tears, and he ex-
cused himself for moment. Soon after
ward he returned from his cottage bear
ing bulky pocket-book, and spread its
contents upon the table. There were
several letters and photographs of Carl
baldi. One of the latter contained the
autograph Of the General, and was ad-
dressed to I'll mio caro- principal Anto-
MO Mencci." 1t represented Garibaldi
sitting upon rock, with his wounded
foot slightly elevated. "That," said Sig.
Mencci, sis the true portrait of my old
friend. If he had been killed at Asfro-
monte that never could have been taken.
Here is much older portrait Showing a
large photograph, but with the unmistak-
able features prominent in each.) No
impostor could be SO like. 1t is mon
strous. Here is still further evidence
the last letter ! had from Garibaldi. 1t
is dated from Caprera, May 3, 1881, and
may be freely translated in this way:
My very dear Boss, | have not written to
you before because had nothing good to
tell you. Isent your last letter to Menot-
ii, to Rome, to present to the Govern
ment, and to try again. With compli-
ments to your wife l remain your friend,
G. Garibalai.'
"My letter." explained Signor Mencci,
'was in reference to some business which
had been negotiating with the Govern
ment"
as the writing the same in all the let
ters?
almost the same. There was the DIFF
ference only between youth and age. A
little more unsteady than it used to be-
| am really surprised that the Zanfulla
would give publicity to such a horrible
story. 1t was only this very day that |
was thinking of the time when Garibalji
lived with me here. 1t is a long time
ago, but it seemed only yesterday since
we had been sitting smoking cur pipes
together upon the piazza. He was really
the only friend have ever had. At the
time was blown up in the Westfield ex-
plosion he wrote me letter full of the
strongest expressions of friendship. You
know he was always a poor man. lie
did not care for wealth, and il was great
deal for him to have sent me four hun
dred dollars on that occasion. There are
great many lies told of Garibaldi.
There should be an end TO falsehoods
when great man dies, but ! suppose
there is no end to it." The interview
then terminated.
NITTRITIOtfs room