The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1896-08-29

attempt until they were older, when
they might fulfil their VOW to rescue
the holy places from infidel posses
sion. They accordingly began the
backward march. We hear nothing
more of Nicholas after they left Gen
oa; he may have been one of those
who remained there.
The other army, which departed
from Cologne at the same time under
an unknown leader, took course
southeast to the boundary of Switzer-
land, and so to the Rhine at point
where it issues from the Lake of
Con stance. They passed south
through Switzerland, intending to
cross the Alps at the Pass of st.
Gothard. Arrived there, thirty miles
of toilsome climbing were before
them. There was no road; only
wretched path which wound among
the rocks on frail and rickety bridges
which spanned the icy torrents rush
ing down the mountain from the
SHOWS above. Many met their death
here in the rocky defiles, swept away
by the avalanches or the rushing
streams, or exhausted and hungry
they grew dizzy and fell from the
bridges or over the precipices, or
wandering in mind, lay down and
died, babbling of home, and food, and
mother. On the top of the pass
stood monastery. The good monks
were filled with astonishment when
they saw that army of children ap-
preaching with their banners, chant
ing their refrain Eve go to plant the
cross beyond the sea, and to baptize
the Moslem infidel." The children
tarried here for few days, then be-
gan the descent, which was less peril
Gus than the ascent had been.
A day or two broughtt them down to
Lombardy, in Northern Italy, one of
the most cultivated regions in all
Europe. But the Emperor Frederick
had sacked Milan, the principal city,
and repeatedly ravaged the country;
so the Lombards had no love for the
German. They made the poor un-
fortunate children feel thefull weight
of their hatred toward the Emperor.
Many were murdered, some stolen,
some died of starvation and disease;
still they toiled on, hoping toreach the
sea and to find a pathway through
the waters. When they reached
Apulia they found the whole land
stricken with famine, one of the most
dreadful that ever was known. Hun
dreds of them must have died here
of starvation
A considerable number kept on and
finally reached Brindisi, on the south
east coast, some time in August or the
first of September. Those who visit
that city today and find it one of the
worst in all Italy, may be able to
form some idea of what it was tn en-
when the whole country was given up
to the ravages of a lawless soldiery.
The boys found ita cruel and sorrow
full city, but to the girls it was ter
ror and shame; they were kid
naped or coaxed away, sold into
Moslem slavery, or murdered, as the
case might be. The good bishop of
this bad city persuaded many of
them to return home, others embark
ed in several ships which were offer
ed for their use, and sailed away
from that port never to be heard of
again.
OF those who were induced to re-
turn only few struggling groups
ever reached their homes. Years af-
terward the girls were to be found a
prey to vice in every italian city
through which they passed. The
robber barons who dwelt along the
Businesses of the Rhine and the Dan
ube kidnapped them. Their habits had
become SO filthy, their morals so de-
PRAYED, that they were repealed and
scorned by the very people who had
cheered them on when first they set
out. When asked where they had been
they said they did not know. The
winter had passed and it was again
spring before the last tattered and
shoeless band, weary, starved and
sick, came back.
Thus ends what is one of the most
pitiful stories in all history Blame
there certainly was, but it belonged to
the times more than to any persons.
OSHKOSH, WIS.
The anticipated reduction Of the
umber of saloons in Chicago, accord