West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1885-03-27
THE BELL OF SAN MARCO.
A Wild Tale Of n Strange Span
ish Murder.

tell you the following story as il
was told me by Spanish lady not long
ago, and, improbable as it may seem in
this age of gentler and more humane
principles, 1t is nevertheless true. and
the leading facts so well authenticated
that feel obliged to conceal the real
names OF the persons and places con-
cerned therein.
Hard by the beautiful old church of
San Marco there dwelt, at the beginning
OF this century, and honest bricklayer,
Marco Gomez by name. He was poor.
excepting in an upright and sunny dis
position, ever ready TO share what he
had OF this worlds goods with his
neighbor, and day after day contentedlv
eating his gdSpGchO and praising God
and his patron saint for their manifold
mercles TO him, poor sinner-a guile
less, happy nature, such as one often,
and perhaps only, finds among the
lower classes in Spain.
One sultry morning in MAY Marco
was awakened by sharp knocking at
the door Of hls tilc-roofed cabana, and
fastening to answer the summons he
started at the appearance of two masked
men, who told him hurriedly, IN courte-
Gus, though percmptory tones. that
they desired mis- services in demolishin0
and rebuilding "A brick wall, and bade
MN take the necessary implements.
Having then blindfolded him, they led
hm to carriage stationed a few yards
OIL. The carriage set forth at first slow
~ and gradually at brisker pace
haI lt~t 1, ,tg .
cred his equanimity, and the promise of
remuneration, which 10 him sounded
like unbounded wealth, further tended
to restore his courage.
"Ah, thought he, Il am to aid i'm
concealing treasure-perhaps bags of
precious stones-they say such things
are often done. Well, what care / for
precious stones? shall be rich. and
Maria Ia Gitanilla shall have a bright.
new pair OF earrings to sport at the
lair. Thus buried in his pleasing re-
Elections, Marco hardly noticed how far
they had driven. Very far, though, for
1t was fully half an hour since they had
left the cabana. At length the carriage
drew up, and he was helped out by his
mysterious companions and led into
what he though must be patio, for in
the silence he could hear the murmur of
a fountain, and the air was laden with
the fragancs Of orange blossoms. How
came II that to Marco fancy the gentle
ripple and low murmur of that fountain
were as the weeping and wailing of one
in sore distress? He followed his
guides blindly across the patio, through
a massive gateway which clanked
heavily behind them, up staircase. and
at last he was allowed to uncover his
eyes.
They are in a large square room.
destitute OF furniture and but dimly
lighted by an oil lamp standing on the
floor in the corner By this imperfect
light Marco is able % note the dress
and carriage of his cOmpanions-cab
teros undoubtedly perhaps mobiles of
high degree. One of these came for
ward, while the other left the room.
and drawing a line on the bare white
wall, showed him where he was To tear
IT down Marco went cheerfullv TO
work, and, in spite Of its great thick
ness, in less than half an hour he had
opened q space about five feet square.
according 10 instructions. Albeit n
little surprised at the size of the open
ing, Marco suspected nothing until the
door opened 10 admit the man who had
previously left the room. but not alone.
for this time he half carried. half
dragged young girl, clothed in black
and so closely yelled that her features
were scarcely disccrnible The poor
girl was but half conscious: undoubtedly
she had been heavily drupgcd. but
nevertheless she made some faint resist
ance The men strOve 10 smother her
mOans-One holding her fast while the
other covered her mouth with his hand
and thus, with many q muttercd oath.
they thrust her into the space lust
opened. The helpless victim fell back
apparently lifeless. The petrihed spec
tatOr Of this cruel scene was reused by
a threatening voice, commanding him
20 reblfid NE WuH The wretched man,
frozen with horror, fell upon his knees
and implOred mercy mcrcy for him
self and the poor girl In vain Their
hearts were callOus-thoy knew no
mercy Raising him roughly from the
floor, the two men forced him to begin
his terrible task
"Oh, senors, for the love Of God. Kill
me- but spare me this terrible crimc'
Have pity II not upon me, upon herr
Fool do YOU not see she g. dead
DO you wish TO join herp"
But why prOlOng this frightful sceneP
The devilish work was accomplished.
and the haples- victim OF mans inhu-
manity consigned 20 q living tomb Like
one in q dream. Marco submitted to bc
once more bliudfolded and led down TO-
the courtyard; but bark What was
thatP The bell Of San Marco striking
one. Yes. there was no mistake, it
was The familiar sound Marco had
learno TO love the great hOur-bell OF
San Marco. Was hc dreaming? Here.
30 far from his house and vet it rang
ont clear and loud and near rang out
hope and the poor bricklaver could
scarce restrain q cry Of Joy An San