Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1885-08-14
and distress of travellers, and the dam.


age of the peaceably inclined inhabit-
ants upon the valley-borders.
The efforts of the Italian minister of
police had been entirely Intellectual in
routing this gang; and the soldiery had
also been "a unsuccessful in the same
object. Minor clans had been dis
persed or destroyed; but the followers
of the noted and dreaded Bernardo
were invincible. The fortunes OF this
band had been very favorable. too,
and their numerous expeditions, NJ
home and abroad. in the highway or
in the by-way. had been marvelously
successful. Their enterprises had usu-
ally been thoroughly planned, and the
booty they sought or coveted had al
most uniformly fallen into their hands,
sooner or later.
The character of the leader of the
tribe -the notorious Bernardo-was
the most singular compound Of lazi-
ness and cunning, of adroit managing
faculty and consumate Incidence, at
times, that could, by any ingenuity of
reasoning, be conceived. He could
sit in his palace, or grotto, surrounded,
rs he always was. with every luxury
that could possibly conduce to his
comfort and ease. and there he would
leisurely concoct his plans and under
takings. which would almost always
invariably prove the most profitable to
himself and followers He was thorough
ly acquainted with the whole range of
country, far and near, and he could
thus direct his operations from any
stated point with ease and facility. His
success was unbOunded, therefore, and
his natural Incidence increased as he
grew more and more wealthy in his
advancing years.
At length he tired of the life he had
led so long; and after a few hints to
his clan touching upon his future in
terests, he at last informed them that
he had determined TO abdicate, and to
retire altogether from the dangers and
the turmoil of the profession. His
proposition was smiled at. at first; but
his men soon learned to believe that he
was in earnest; and finally he gathered
his followers together, had an estimate
made of all the possessions of the tribe,
contrived very shrewdly to seize upon
the most valuable and most portable
treasure, and appropriating to himself
one-third of the valuables, he distrib-
uted the balance among his men, APP
pointed his successor, and quilted the
mountains forever
When Bernado named his successor,
or rather. when the retiring capita II
proposed To- those who had so long
shared his fortune the name of his
lieutenant, Rodolpho, unanimous
shout of hearty welcome greeted the
gallant fellow who was thus honored
with the distinction. There was no
grumbling ut this preference, no dis
sentient voices. 40 opposition; for
every man of this strong band knew
Rodolpho, and most of them were re-
ioiced at the change, which they
deemed for the better.
Long live our captain. Long live
Rodolphon' was the instantaneous cry
of the whole band; and Rodolpho. who
readily accepted the post. responded
briefly. but pointedly. to the generous
reception thus accorded to him.
Comrades. he said, 'you do me
honor. am more than gratified, since
our brave leader VIII retire. TO accept
the station YOU offer me. Our fortunes
are equal. You may rely on me ever
Continue to be bold and brave; be true
to yourselves and 10 me. and your cap
tain shall never be found wanting"
"Hurrah, hurrah! for Captain Ro-
dolpho! | ong live our young and no
bic captain" responded the men heart
lily.
The new leader was forthwith in
stalled; and Bernardo prepared TO de-
part at once. An escort was provided
Il Il 4 A ( -
dolpho led the van from that hour
Upon reaching the frontier two days
aftcrward the former chief shook
hands with each man separately; and
at last the parting moment came. He
took the hand of his late Lieutenant.
and after thanking the men for their
truthful devotion to himself, he COM
plimcnted the newly-chosen leader, and
said:
'Rodolpho, we have climbed many
a dangerous rampant together, and /
have always found YOU a Whole man.
Count on me hereafter as your friend.
Take my place; YOU are worthy of It.
If ever you should need any aid at my
hands, command me to the uttermost
of the means | possess. and which you
have so nobly aided to place in my
possession. Adeu. may you ever be
happy, and always successful.
They parted. The band returned TO
their quarters; and matters progressed
advantageously for considerable Pc
Rod afterward.
Months rolled by, however. and the
numerous startling and infamous rob-
berries which had been committed had
at last reached TO such an extent that
q large military force was dispatched
to the mountains, for the purpose
of breaking up the rendezvous of the
hordes of banditt that had gathered
the final efforts Of the soldiery, and the
robbers. for the greater part, were. for
the time being, destroyed or dispersed.
One unsuccessful enterprise after an
other followed the fortunes of Rodol-
pho and his band, until at last they
were greatly reduced in numbers. and
were we'll shorn of their ill-gotten
gains.
In the meantime, Bernardo. the
former brigand- chief, visited Paris.
where he had "A few relatives in the
middle walks of life. He pretended to
have beeI Engaged in business at sew
nobody knew much about his previous
life in any way, he was required to an
swer but few questions. Moreover. his
purse was plainly well filed; and a
goodly display of gold, it is generally
known. will cover multitude of
sins His real name was, as the