Dodge City times. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1876-1892, 1885-06-04
Was It Murder?
4 STORY OF ITALY.

Travelling through Italy, party of us
stopped one misty Summer day at the
little town of Pistoja. Next morning a
storm kept us indoors. AS stood at the
window watching the torrents of rain, l
saw stream of people hurrying in one
direction, despite the bad weather.
Where are all those people going?" l
asked the landlord.
"Giulia Saviera is to be tried and SEN
fenced to-day"
"Who is she?"
band"
"How dreadful. Do you think she is
really guilty."
"Yes, without doubt she is"
"Why did she do it?"
"That is mystery; but it is hoped
that to-day she will confess her rea-
sons"
"Is it far from here to the court
room?"
"No-the next corner. Itmight inter-
est you to CO."
AS the weather would not allow us
to visit points from which we expect
ed fine views, we resolved to attend the
trial.
When we entered the courtroom it
was crowded with noisy, gesticulating
people, who became suddenly quiet on
seeing strangers. They really made
room for us, SO that We got seats close to
the bar, judge, witnesses and court Off
Gals. Before we were seated the hubbub
recommended. But as soon as door t
the left opened, it was so still that one
could believe that all present 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 afterwards
learned, just fifteen years old. Her face
was pale, her profile noble, and her
cheeks had still childish contour; but
se fill lips were firmly compressed.
Or chief beauty was her abundant
lrling hair, of the bronze red which is
ill occasionly found in certain parts of
italy. She was of medium size, but very
slightly built.
From our seats we could see and hear
all the details of the examination.
While the Judge asked the preliminary
questions her glance was fixed on the
floor, her pale countenance bore calm,
determined expression, but no sign of
obstinancy 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
questions.
The complaint against her was as fol-
lows: Giulia, daughter of Matteo, de-
ceased, had married six months previ-
ously a young shepherd named Giovanni
Saviera. They had lived happily to-
gether no one had known of any disagree
ment, when one day Saviera was found
in bed murdered. His throat had heen
cut with great knife which lay on the
ground near the bed. Giulia was found
with bloody hands and clothes. She
made resistance when they arrested her,
but at the first examination maintained
an obstinate silence. To-day different
witnesses would be called, and they
hoped to find an explanation of the
awful deed.
The mother of the accused appeared
as the first witness. She made her state
ment amid tears and sobs. Al the first
sound of her voice shudder ran
through Giulia's slight form; she lifted
her eyes but dropped them at once, and
was again cold and silent.
"Oh. what shall L say concerning
my unfortunate child" lamentnd the
mother. you, my lord, know, and all
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, our
sunshine. Giovanni Saviera was her
only love-she had long loved him, and
the day that saw her in her bridal dress
she called the happiest in her life. 1
have never heard them exchange un-
kind words. Giulia was always mild
and good, although Giovanni sometimes
showed unlimited greed and avarice.
Oh, my lord judge, 1 cannot believe that
she has done such an awful deed. Men
may disagree and one stab the other.
but no young wife commits such crime.
Giulia, my child. say that you did not do
But Giulia remained immovable, with
0owncast eyes. Several witnesses were
heard; all agreed that the young couple
bad lived happily together. But why,