The Arkansaw traveler. (Little Rock, Ark.) 1882-1???, 1885-03-14

POSai MONKS, spies, dungeons, the mate
obedience Of the bigos, the dark and dom.
mating spirit Of che crafty priest, all the
thundsrs OF the Vatican, and all the ter.
rors of the inquisition."
The author s=eSsss the cagioxity Of the
reader at the outset. A party OF English
travellers visit Neapolfan church
within the shade of the portico, q
person with folded arms and eyes di-
rected towards the ground was pacing
behind the pillars the whole extent Of the
pavement, and was apparently so engaged
by his own thoughts as not to observe
that strangers we're approaching. He
turned, however, suddenly, IS il startled
by the sound of steps, and th>n, without
farther pausing, glided to a door tina,
opened in the church and disappeared.
"There was something too extraordin-
AIRY in the figure OF the man and too
singular in his conduct to pass unnoticed
by the visitor. He was of tall, thin
figure, bending forward from the Shout.
ders; of a sallow complexion and harsh
features, and had an eye which, as it
looked up from the cloak that mutfled
the lower part of his countenance, was
expressive of uncommon ferocity.
1.-The travellers on entering the church
looked round for the stranger who had
passed thither before them, but he was
nowhere to be seen, and through all the
shade of the long aisles only one other
person appeared. This was friar of the
adjoining convent who sometimes
pointed out to strangers the objects in
the church which were most worthy of
attention, and who now, with this design,
approached the party that had just en-
tered.
"When the party had viewed the diff
ferent shrines and whatever had been
judged worthy of observation, and were
returning through an obscure aisle to-
wards the portiere, they perceived the
person who had appeared upon the steps
passing towards a confessional on the
left, and as he entered it one of the party
pointed him out to the friar AMI inquired
who he was. The friar, turning to look
after him, did not Immediately reply, but,
on the question being repeated, he in
clined his head, as in kind of obeisance,
and calmly replied, He is an assassin
An assassin 7 exclaimed one of the
Englishmen An assassin, and at lib
ertyP
"An Italian gentleman who was of the
party smiled at the astonishment of his
friend.
"' He has sought sanctuary here re-
piled the friar within these walls he
may not be hurt
"'Do your affairs, then, protect a muir.
derer p said the Englishman.
:" He could find shelter nowhere else,
answered the friar meekly.
"'But observe yonder confessional,
added the Italian, that beyond the pill
ars on the left of the aisle, below painted
window. Have you discovered it? The
colors of the glass throw, instead of a
light, shade over that part ofthe church,
which perhaps prevents your distinguish
ing what | mean
"The Englishman looked whittier his
friend pointed and observed a confess
sional of oak, or some very dark wood,
adjoining the wall, and remarked also
that it was the same which the assassin
had just entered.
"'Yos observe it p said the Italian.
"I do replied the Englishman. 1T is
the same which the assassin has passed
into, and think it one of the most gloomy
spots ever beheld. The view of it is
enough to strike criminal with despair
we in Italy are not SO apt to de-
spair,' replied the Italian smilingly.
"'Weil, but what of this confessional !?
inq uired the Englishman.
"'It has no relation with what am
about to MENTION said the Italian but
wish you to mark the place because
some very extraordinary eircum stances
belong to it,
"'What are they?' said the English
man.
"'It is now several years siuce the con-
fession, which is connected with them,
was made at that very confessional,
added the Italian. The view of it and
the sight of the assassin, with your sur
prise at the liberty allowed him, led me
to a recollection of the story. When
you return to the hotel I will commune
cate it to you il you have no pleasanter
mode of engaging your time
"'After | have taken another view of
this solemn edifce,' replied the English
man, and particularly of the confessional
you have pointed OUT
"While the Eaglishman glanced his
SyC oNSh INC hikn ioOis ano diOuS tuc
solemn perspective of the Santa del
Pianto he perceived the assassin stealing
from the confessional across the choir,
and, shocked on again beholding him, he
turned his eyes and hastily Quilted the
church.
The friends then separated, and the
Englishman soon after returning to his
hotel received the volume. He read as
follows:
"It is a story Of high-born youth
with noble estates, enamored of a damsel
of Low life, an u6knswn race, but very
beautiful and gifted. His family oppose,
and his mother calls to her aid her con-
lessor, Father Schedoni, hypocrite and
prohigate. who by his wiles succeeds in
throwing Vivaldi, the lover, into the dun
seon Of the lnquisition, while Elena is
carried by the pidless monk to an OBJ
scure den, where he resolves to murder
her, but when in the act Of raising his
arm to strike the fatal blow to his horror
ha AiarovAys her RI, he hts r~xx1 ~hsiH