Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1892-11-08
ERIGANDS IN SICILY.
Interesting Letter from 0uida.


The irrepressible Ouida. from long
residence in Italy feels herself response
BILE for all things that happen on the
peninsula. She also has rod in pickle
for the naturalistic novelist who SCOTS
at romance. Apropos Of brigandage in
Sicily. she writes to the editor of the
London Times:
SIR--Such romantic and tragic Incl
dents have of late been common as daily
bread in Sicily, and | think you may
care to publish an account Of the latest
of these daring seizures by brigands. 1t
is mistaken idea which prevails among
English people that brigandage is no
longer known in that lovely island. 1t
is, alas. very frequent, and still takes
picturesque, operatic aspect in its decor
du scene, though horribly brutal and
hideous in its deeds. 1t is not uncom-
mon for the brigands to wear the uni
form of the carabinieri, or gendarmes,
so that in the friendly attire of a cooked
hat and uniform they surround easily
with their horses the unsuspecting tray
eler.
Three days ago the Baron Antonino
Spitaleiri, we'll known Catanian gen
tleman. rode out to an estate OF his
called San Todoro, lying between the
communes of Palermo and Centolupe
Not wishing to spend the might on his
own lands, which are mniarious. he
with his young son, asked the hospitality
Of a neighbor living at villa called
Polera the Baroness Ciancio. The next
morning at o'clock the baron mounted
his horse to go again to his estates, ac-
companied by four assistants, but leav-
ing his son with the lady of the house ut
Polera. Scarcely, however, had he gone
few yards when he was suddenly sur
rounded by six brigands mounted on
fine horses and armed with Wetterli
rifles. His four attendants We're bound.
seized and carried off. The baron him
self, having no money upon him. was
taken back to rolera. His young son,
seeing him from the window app! zach
thus bound and captive, fired on the
robbers. who replied with five shots, not
one of which did more. happily, than to
search the boys hair.
Meantime Nine. Ciancio. running to
the window. called to the men to know
what they would take to leave the baron
free. They replied $4,000 francs, and
she threw the SUN to them in bank notes.
and on getting in they clanored for
more, beat in the doors of the villa, or
castle. menaced and bound the servants.
and two held their daggers 20 the throats
of the lady and the youth while Others
ransacked all the cabinets. cupboards
and wardrobes il the house. succeeding
in finding in all 10000 francs more.
They staid altogether eight hours. drank
champagne and smoked the cigars OF
their prisoners. As comble d'honneur
they kissed the baron's Young son. say
ing graeiously. You are so handsome it
would have been a pity to xiii you. And
then there are people who say that ro-
nance is dead in Italy!
This is more wildly colored and
melodramatic episode. but 1t is not 50
truly terrible and ci'nel as Was the cap
ture of another Sicilian gentleman last
| month-a landed proprietor of smaller
| means than the Baron Spitaleiri. who
| was borne off by brigauds, and because
his family could not send his ransom
60. geo francsj quickly enough was
killed at the end of fortnight. his body
horribly mangled and burned. being
sent home.
Surprise will be felt Mt so much
money as was found at Poierl being
kept in country house. but Italians
keep very large sums in their houses or
their stewards houses, especially after
harvest or vintage. They distrust banks
and use them comparatively little. The
other day the uncle of a friend of mine,
an old gentleman, living alone. went to
some baths for month. He placed his
servant and dogs and birds in a small
detached cottage on terrace and locked
up the rest of the building.
When he came back ne found hole
had been made in the wall at the baci;
and the house had been completely ram
sacked: 1000 francs in modern money, a
large and unique collection Of gold coius
of the old republics OF Lucca. Siena, Flor
ence, ETC., and a collection Of postage
stamps valued at 10000 francs for its
completeness and rarity were all gone.
with his rich old wines and innumerabie
cnrios. On his blotting pad the thieves
had written. Vino buonissimo." The
good old gentleman cannot see that he
did anything unwise in leaving these
| treasures in an empty house.
A certain literary school Is very font!
| Of asserting that romance is dead and it,
| twin brother adventure dead with 1t.
These gentlemen need only come and
live in Italy to meet this pair. so dear 10
story tellers and their readers, alive and
abroad in every thicket Of broom and
myrtle and under every deep Swallowed
| archway haunted by the moon.