The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1883-10-11
WHY SHE KILLED HIM.
A Story of Italy.

BlOpp6u one u1iSLy SunluoI udy nj Iuc
little town of Pistoja. Next morning a
storm kept us in doors. AS | stood at
the window, watching the torrents of
rain, saw stream of people hurrying
in one direction, despite the bad
weather.
"Where are all those people goingp"
l asked the landlord.
..Giulia Saviera is to be tried and SEN
fenced to-day" .-a .-n.re-
"Who is she?"
"a young wife who murdered her
husband"
"How dreadful! Do you think she is
really gultyp"
Yes, without doubt she is"
''Why did she do itp''
THAT is mystery; but it is hoped
that to-day she will confess her rea-
sons"
'sIs it far from here to the court
room?"
"No-the next corner. 1t might in
terest you to 60"
As the weather would not allow us to
visit points from which we expected
fine views, we resolved to attend the
trial.
When we entered the courtroom it
was crowded with noisy, gesticulating
people, who became suddenly quiet
upon seeing strangers They readily
made room for us, 80 that we got seats
close to the bar, judge, witnesses, and
court officials. Before we were seated
the hubbub recommended. But as soon
as door at the left opened it was 50
still that one could believe that all pres
ent held their breath.
A moment later the accused was led
in by one of the officials. Her nun-like
garb did not hide the extraordinary
beauty of her face and figure. She was
evidently very young-as we afterward
learned, Just fifteen years old. Her
face was pale, her profile noble, and
her cheeks had still a childish contour;
but the full lips were firmly compress
ed. Her chief beauty was her abun-
dant, curling hair, of the bronze red
which is still occasionally found in GER
tain parts of Italy. She was of medium
size. but very slightly built.
From our seats we could hear and see
al the details of the examination. While
the Judge asked the preliminary ques-
tions her glance was fixed on the floor,
her pale countenance bore calm, de-
termined expression. but no sign of OBJ
stinacy or malice. In happy days she
must have been lovely, for her features
were soft and mild. She gave low but
unhesitating answers to all his ques-
tiOns.
The complaint against her was az
follows: Giulia, daughter of Matteo,
deceased, had married six months previ-
ously Young shepherd named Giovan-
nj Saviera. They had lived happily to-
gether, no one had known of any disa-
greement, when one day Saviera was
found in bed murdered. His throat
had been cut with a great knife which
| lay on the ground near the bed. Giulia
was found with bloody hands and
| clothes She made no resistance when
| they arrested her, but at the first exam
| ination maintained an obstinate silence
To-day different witnesses would be
called. and they hoped to tindfan expla-
nation of the awful deed.
The mother of the accused appeared
rs the first witness. She made hel
| statement amid tears and sobs. At the
| first sound of her voice a shudder ran
through Giulia's slight form; she lifted
her eyes but dropped them ut once, and
was again cold and silent.
''Oh! what shall say concerning my
unfortunate childn' lamented the moth
er. ..You, my lord. know, and AL
those assembled here, you who have
| seen her grow up, played with her, and
danced at her wedding-all know that
she always lived in peace with us. Yes,
she WAS the happiness of our life, oui
sunshine. Giovanni Saviera was hel
only love--she had long loved him, and
the day that saw her in her bridal dress
she called the happiest in her life.
have never heard them exchange un
kind words. Giulia was always milo
and good, although Giovanni some
times showed unlimited greed and ava
rice. Oh, my lord judge, cannot be
lieye that she has done such an awfu
deed, Men may disagree and one stal
the other, but no young wife commit:
such crime. Giulia, my child, say
that you did not do it. -
But Giulia remained immovable, witt
downcast eyes. Several witnesses were
heard; all agreed that the young couple
had lived happily together. But why
then, had she perpetrated this horrible
deedp
Giovanni's brother testified further
'tTwo nights before Giovanni was fount
murdered in bed went homo with hin
from the pasture. had been up OF
the mountain for more than weel
with my herd. Among other news
the village, Giovanni told me of tw'
Englishmen who were passing som
days here. He intended, SO he told me
to transact some business with one
them, but what sort of business he KEEP
secret. When we reached the villag
Giulia came to meet us, and greeted u
gayly and cordially. She took oundi
Of wood from Giovanni's shoulder, an
said, laughingly, that it belonged t
her to share his burdens. She was en-
tirely herself, prattlingg as usual. gG, swsa sh
to that. On the contrary. there wa
something constrained and stiff
Giovanni's bearing toward her. NeA
day asked my brother how his bus Us;
ness with the Englishman went. ~
face darkened, he muttered curses an
answered that the Englishman ha
J. gone. / laughed at him, for l though