Waterbury evening Democrat., 1888-10-02

I soon arrived, and the hungry band fell upon 1 them like so many wild beasts. As soon as Corceh had supped he beckoned 1 to his two lieutenants and led them into the | adjoining room We have as you know" said he. ''been baked of the pillage we expected"
 "Yes, duped!" interrupted little old man of paternal appearance and whose angular l face was worn and haggard l This personage had been nicknamed II Buon Padre, on account of the simplicity ot | his gestures and his unctuous way of speak ing. We need not add that Il Buon Padre was one of the most determined, ayaricious | and memorable rascals of Corcelli's baAd.
 1.-The Duke of Arcos, ," continued Corcelh l "though he had a certain love for hanging us, which, I believe, is traditional in his family, was yet a 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 Spaniardss' replied Il Buon Padre. Did you not KnOW Una5 every kiIlu or Industry suffers in time of riot2 All confidence is de- 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 Arcos, whose ancestors have inhab- tied castle on the top of a mountain for the last five centuries, and who have never had any occupation but that of slaughtering the monks and plundering all travellers, can un- derstand business like ours. He has some respect for gentlemen of the mountains, | and makes sbirri of when we grow old and when the sharp air of the Apennines no l longer suits our health. But these fishermen and peasants have neither pity nor consider ation for us."
 After having allowed his lieutenants to give free course to their bad humor Corcelli said:
 "Masaniello has promised to pay me twenty thousand ducats; but the humbug will be 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, Marsupiof'
 II think that viceroys in hobnails are more dangerous than those in velvet doub- lets" replied the lieutenant, pouring himself out glass of wine, which he swallowed at one draught.
 1T have, therefore, determined" continued Corcelli, ito leave this very night, but before doing SOL
 Here his voice became nearly inaudible.
 "In a word, know where to find treas ure-two treasures-which I will carry off at any time"
 "Ah!" said the two lieutenantS-and 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 Santol" cried Il Buon Padre and Marsupio together.
 "In what housee' asked the latter
 "1n a convent"
 "And of how many soldiers does the guard consistF'
 "Of three hundred-nuns."
 The captain and his two lieutenants burst into loud laugh.
 "Ah, Corcelliv" said they, rubbing their hands, 'what jolly fellow you arel A convent to be stormed and three hundred nuns to be reduced to slavery! We shall keep the recollection of this night for long time"
 ''Is the treasure heavy?" asked Il Buon Padre.
 'Why, it is, and it isn't; but let us get hold of it first, and we will count the ducats after ward"
 "You're right" But I may as we'll tell you all," added Cor celh You recollect that we took the daughter of the Duke of Arcos to the Abbey of Santa Chiara this morning!"
 ''Yes"
 ''I 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 the hour you have fixed on7'
 Midnight" Good" replied Il Buon Padre. 'We will go and direct our men to rub their arms up 6 little. For, suppose the nuns should resist Hang it! we must be prepared for every. , thing"
 Coreelli 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 the banditti. The most intoxicated 3 of them got up, uttsring frightful oaths, a: 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 ly ing on the floor, completely overcome witl liquor.
 Get up, you rascal" said Corcelli strik , ing the ground with his foot. Q II wand do ged indo de baggage wagons, growled the drunkard. Il ''Good night, and good luck to you to-mcr row morning!n said the captain. ! He placed himself at the head of his men ;. and soon arrived in tho neighborhood of ths Abbey of Santa Chiara- 9 The banditti hid themselves in the masses of the surrounding houses, while their cap - tain went to reconnoiter the convent. - After examining the place for some time + he found a low chapel, with a slanting roof , He easily climbed up on the edge that ra1 ? round the top of the chapel, and looked in a tho window in the roof
 The abbess and several nuns wore engaged
 in prayer around the altar.
 Corcelli gave his men the signal to advance
 and minute afterward the window wa u broken in, and the glass of it fell with loue crash on the stone flooring of the choir.
 In spite of the rule which commanded th,
 nuns to keep their eyes constantly fixed or ;, the ground, they could not hinder thenselve