The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1888-12-07
CHAPTER XVII,
THE CHARTER.

CHATTER AVll
THE CHARTER.
The Duke Of ARGOS advanced toward the
church Of Santo Domenico, through the
street of Toledo, and Masaniello through that
Of tho Vicaria.
But the viceroy's procession offered very
different aspect to that Of the noisy escort Of
the fisherman.
Masaniello wore the costume Of his calling
a slouched felt hat, wooden mantle, with
hose of the same stuff, bright colored sash,
and long boots, the thick leather of which
reached above his knee lie walked in tho
midst Of group of fishermen of the Mergel-
lima.
A squadron Of cavalry, sword in hand, pre-.
ceded tho viceroy.
Don Juan Fernandez and some Neapolitan
mobiles walked close by his side, less as a mark
OF honor than as rampant to shield his per-
son.
Then came large body of infantry, in the
MUST of whom We're seen two pieces Of artil-
lery. loaded with grape shot.
The procession was closed by company Of
municipal guards.
Masaniello was the first to arrive
Everything had been so arranged inside
the church that Masaniello should seem to be-
on footing of the most perfect equality with
the viceroy
The choir of tho church was tho place SCI
lected for the holding Of the conference, and
it had been agreed that the viceroy and his
adversary should enter it from opposite sides
at the same time, and should each walk an
equal distance.
magnificent throne had been raisel for
Monsignore Filomarini, who came in full
canonicals, accompanied by that crowd Of
acolytes whom the princes Of the church used
to drag after them wherever they went.
On entering the church, Masaniello felt his
heart beat violently.
Father" nlurmured he to Dom francesca.
''my courage fails me-"
''Let us pray, my son." replied tho monk;
and they withdrew to q chapel and knelt
down together.
Presently the roll Of the drum was heard,
and the Duke of ARGOS entered the church
shortly afterward. He was dressed in the
state costume Of knight Of the Toison dor,
wore on his breast the order Of St. Michael
and that of Saint Esprit, and rolnd his knees
was the order of the Garter sparkling with
diamonds He was leaning OH the left arm
or Don Juan Fernandez, and the Prince Of
Caraffa and the Duke Of Monteleone followed
them.
His highness retired along double row Of
kalberdiers to the chapel reserved for him.
After praying for a short time, he sent his
chancellor to inform the cardinal OF his ar
rival
Two chaplains Of the prelate Immediately
went to invits the duke end Masanello to
proceed to the choir.
Tne two latter left their chapels at tho same
time, and advanced, step for step, to the
front of the high altar, where they saluted
each other
The Duke Of ARGOS stretched out his nand
to Masaniello.
Fernandez and Dom francesca stood at q
little distance behind on their respective sides.
"Masaniello," said the viceroy to the fisher
man, 'you this day prove that il you are IN
intrepid defender Of the rights Of the people,
you are also loyal subject of our well be
aovcd sovereign Philip the Eou tn, king OF
Spain"
"And you, Duke of Arcos," proudly an
swered Masaniello, faro you really animated
by tho desire of defending tho authority OF
the king, and of respecting, at the same time,
the liberties of tho pcople2'
81 am" replied the duke.
Whereupon tho cardinal spoke, in his eff
Terminate voice, as follows:
"Duke of ARGOS, and you, Masaniello, lis
ten to what have to say. Serious disagree
ments have arisen between the representa-
tive of the king, our master, and tho popu-
lation of Naples. You, Duke Of ARGOS,
wished toexerciso the royal prerogative to
its full extent; You, Masaniello, attempted to
diminish the sufferings Of your brothers, and
to secure them, as appeared just, the fruits OF
their rude labor. But too much blood has
flowed already. The Church of Naples is in
tears--she is weeping over the loss OF so many
of her children. l, therefore. beseech you. in
the name of that authority with which am
invested, to adjust your differences here;
beseech you to leave your hatred on the altar
of him who gave his blood to redeem from
crime and to heal the sufferings of mankind"
at is thus that we will act, il the Duke OF
ARGOS will listen to the voice Of reason and
JUSTICE" answered Masaniello.
His highness tho viceroy put his arm IA
miliarly through that Of the head OF the
people.
They remained in conversation for some
time, rs they walked round and round the
choir, and separated with unequivocal marks
of mutual satisfaction.
"Summon my chancellor" said tho vice.
roy.
This officer Immediately appeared, holding
in his hand n parchment to which great
number of seals of different forms and colors
were attached.
On sign from tho Duke Of ARGOS he read
aloud tho charter of Charles the Fifth, and
then the edicts of Masaniello.
During this time two arm chairs, exactly
alike, had been advanced, and Masanie 10
and tho viceroy sat down, tho one to tho
right, the other to the left Of the altar.
Dom francesca, who was standing behind
Masaniello, listened attentively to tho chan.
cellor.
The latter had h.-iiv 0nishad when n clcrk