New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-08-28
A TALE OF 4 STRONG MAN.
sALv1NI,s LOVE FOR SUCH STORIES.
HOW THE GREAT ACTOR EARLY SHOWED HIS
PUYsIOAI, PROWESs.

PHYSICAL PRowESs.
Tho announcement of the approaching visit to thi'
country Of sgnor salvln the celebrated Italian actor
rossls to the writer the many pleasant chsis he mas
had with this greatest of othelos the occasions OF
his former sons trips to this side OF the Az
lantc One OF the most striking impressions retained
is that Of the enormous power. physical as wen a.
Intellectual, OF the man. From HIS boyhood ne was
noted for hts extreme muscular vieor which On ahec
dote he himself rotated VIII serve to fliustrato
When he was student at college there was as
is often the in other countries besides itaV'
constant warfare waged between the students and inc
townspeople Al one time the lads had array co
against them, account Of real or fancied III
suit all the butchers and butcherlads OF the place.
The latter allowed by the authorities 10 carry
Knives stilettos they sharpened their whetthg
steels at the point until they made OF them mos' io
midable weapons. Armed with these, they one even
Ing attacked body Of Students among whom was
the youthful salvinl who did yeomans WORK ior MS
comrades and bowled over with his fists one butcher
lad after another.
At length he found himself face 10 face win the
leader and the others paused moment to wa'ch INC
result of what In reality duel between tae ona
pions of the respective parties. Savini' ater lev
passes, aimed q tremendous blow with his cehcheo
fist at his adverssry's head the latter at the same
moment strwk upward with the murderous steer inc
weapon needle pointed passed clean through SavinS
wrist, and stuck rremovaby in bone and muscle.
But this did not seem 10 stop the downward sweep VI
the youngsters arm. The mighty INST deSceHue"'
carrying with 1t the steel, and struck the DOtcuer ~
terrible blow that he was knocked senseless, ana
had to be carried to tho hospital The trace oil tne
wound can be seen in salvinls wrist to-day.
Like most strong men, Salyin is fond OF reconhtine
the feats Of strength performed by others, ana e.
pecally no used TO dlatc the extraordinary nerve
and strength Of a Venetian mason and builder whom
no had known. some tmo ago, interesting wele
the tales he told OF this man, Sgnor salvni was asked
iot down what he could remember OF tho stoeS 10
had told and this is in substance what he wrote
The namo of tho about whom you ask was
Luchnl. He died a few years ago in Venice al an
advanced age. but up TO tie last preserved nrh OF
his extraordinary strength He was by trade mason
and though not rich. was always IN comfortable cir
cumstances His strength was allied TO wonderful
presence OF mind and GOODNESS under tying crcunI-
stances. Once, for instance, no was carrying out 10
villa he building, some miles from Venice a large
sum Of money with which to pay of his worhheh
lie carried the money. which was in silver coha III
a bag over his shoulder though it would have taAen
two ordinary men even to lift It,
at night he found himself some distance from MS
destination and 50 obliged TO put up at a small
inn. He went to bed early placing tho bag oil silver
In the bottom drawer Of small chest of drawers ID
the bedroom. About midnight he was awakened Oy
rough shake OF the shoulder, and, opening his eyes,
saw by the light Of a small oil lamp two OF his own
workmen, each OF whom had IN his hand suIeAo.
the uncomfortsby sharp points Of which We're pessou
against either side OF bis throat
Luchin grasped the situation instantly and saw tha'
he was in a position where his enormous strength
avaied him but little, he cooly said, W nat 90 you
wantP "The money the answer. Where Is
itY Take II, said Luchini, 1T is In that drawer,
and he pointed to the chest OF drawers. one OF mo
rlIfians remained 10 guard the Incumbent Lnchlm
while the other went 20 the drawer indicated ana u1od
to open II. Ii would not bulge. GIVE me the tey,'
he growled 1T Is not locked announced Iuchlni.
Open st. then, said the robber, and stu win the
stleto at his throat Luchini rose, and vita one hau
pulled open the drawer tho other could not even
bulge with all his strength.
AT the mems bidding he then pullec out TIE pag OF
money and threw IL OH the floor One OF the thieVes
then began fill his pockets with loose com so as TO
Tighten Somewhat the weight of the bag AT the sight
of the gltterng coin the others avarce outsuipped
Ids prudence Withdrawing his ponard from LII
IN the pile of money and began to follow bis comrades
example. ,,,
The looked-for opportunity had come for Luchini.
He calmly stopped forward grasped one OF tho roObers
by tho heir in either hand and then spreading out his
arms and bringing them together again with incredible
force he crushed IN the two mems skulls as If they had
been cgg.shells. They were dead without groan.
Hearing a noise at the window Luchini then looked
out and saw that third scOundrel keeping watch
outside. Taking up OF the dead men in one hand
he opened the easement and calling out. There's some
thing for you he pitched the desd robber at the lv
ing one with such force that the man below was not
only scared almost 10 DEATH but was seriously hurt
and lmred or a. fast as q fractured leg would allow
him. Luchin went back 10 bed and calmly slept till
morning.