Clarksville evening chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn) 1886-1890, 1888-10-20


soon arrived, and the hungry band fell upon
them like SO many wild beasts.
As soon as Corcelli had supped he beckoned
to his two lieutenants and led them into the
adjoining room
I'VE nave, as you know" said he, .'been
baked Of the pillage we expected"
Yes, dupedn interrupted little old man
Of paternal appearance, and whose angular
face was worn and haggard.
This parsonage had been nicknamed II
Buon Padre, on account Of the simplicity OF
his gestures and his unctuous way of speak
ing. We need not add that Il Buon Padre
was one Of the most determined, avaricio1s
and memorable rascals of Corcelli's band
''The Duke Of ARGOS" continued Corcelli
though he had certain love for hanging
us, which, believe, is traditional in his
family, was yet very generous viceroy,
who intrusted us, from time to time, with
lucrative expedition Then the lords and
ladies Of the court sometimes honored US
with their confidence If they wanted to
calm jealous husband or to correct faith
less lover, it was our poniards they employed
in both cases. But this cursed revolution,
which we, like fools, helped to bring about,
has deprived US of the best part of our reve-
nue."
Then why did you lead US against the
Spaniardsp replied II Buon Padre. ibid
you not know that every kind Of industry
suffers in time of riotl All confidence is do
stroyed, money disappears, there is nothing
to be done on the road, and, per Bacco, we
condottieri die of hunger"
III Buon Padre is right" added Marsupio,
the second lieutenant. "A nobleman like the
Duke of ARGOS. whose ancestors have inhab-
tied castle on the top Of mountain for the
last five centuries, and who have never had
any occupation but that of slaughtering the
monks and plundering all travellers, can I'M
derstand business like ours He has some
respect for us gentlemen Of the mountains,
and makes sbirri Of us when we grow old
and when tie sharp air of the Apennines no
longer suits our health. But these fishermen
and peasants have neither pity nor consider
alton for us"
After having allowed hslieutenants to give
free course to their bad humor, Corcelli
said:
"Masaniello has promised to pay me twenty
thousand ducatS: but the humbug will 10
like enough to send down here five or six
hundred fishermen armed with boat hooks,
and to have us harpooned like congers What
do you think, Marsupiop
IL think that viceroys in hobnails are
more dangerous than those in velvet doub-
let's" replied the lieutenant, pouring himself
out glass Of wine, which he swallowed at
one draught.
II have, therefore, determined, " continued
Corcelli, ITO leave this very night, but before
doing so"---
Here his voice became nearly inaudible.
SIN word. know where to find treas
ure--two treaSures-which will carry off at
any time"
''Ahl" said the two Northumberland they
drew nearer to Corcelli, and looked him anx-
iously in the face.
But these treasures are locked up in an
impenetrable house and protected by strong
guard"
"Corpo Santoi" cried II Buon Padre and
Marsupio together
I'm what houses" asked the latter.
I'm convent"
"And of how many soldiers does the guard
consistT
''Of three hundred-nuns"
The captain and his two lieutenants burst
into loud laugh.
''Ah, Corcelli!" said they, rubbing their
hands, "what a jolly fellow you arel A
convent to be stormed and three hundred
nuns to be reduced to slaveryl We shall
keep the recollection of this night for long
time"
as the treasure heavy9" asked II Buon
Padre.
why, it is, and it isn't; but lot us get hold
of it first, and we will count the ducats after
ward"
you're right"
"But l may as well tell you all" added Cor
cell. You recollect that we took the
daughter of the Duke of ARGOS to the Abbey
OF Santa Chiara this morningr
"Yes"
II know that Jeanne, the sister Of Masa-
niello is also staying in the same retreat; |
will carry off these women, and, whichever
may be the party that triumphs, shall be
sure to receive good ransom"
"What is tho hour you have fixed on2"
Midnight"
"Good, replied II Buon Padre. eve will
go and direct our men to rub their arms up q
little. For, suppose the nuns should resist
Hang It'll wo must be prepared for every
thing"
Corcelli and his two lieutenants remained
some time longer in conversation, and then
returned to the room in which their men
were drinking, to give the signal to leave.
The greatest confusion now prevailed
among tho banditti. Tho most intoxicated
of them got up, uttering frightful oaths, as
they tried to keep their equilibrium. Others
sought after their arms and when the ranks
were at last formed it was discovered that
Conrad, Salvador Rosa's model, was still ~
ing on the floor, completely overcome with
liquor.
Get up, you rascal" said CorceLi, strik-
ing the ground with lis foot.
II wand do ged indo de baggage wagons"
growled the drunkard.
Good hight, and good luck to you to-mor-
row inorningl' said tho captain.
He placed himself at the head Of his men,
and soon arrived in tho neishborhood of the