Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-12-21
TWO ROMAN BRIGAND TALES.
The Venus Of Tiyoli and the Surprise Of
Signor Romanin.

Bfisands have begun to appear again
in the Roman Campagna. and reports of
the robbery of persons taking trips out
side the city walls are becoming common
young widow. we'll known in society
al Rome. has been the victim of an en-
Darassins adventure in consequence. She
Went Tor days outing TO Tivoli. accom-
panied by a gallant cavalry officer, who
mad been counting her. and stayed SO late
mat she lost the last train back TO
Rome. After hunting around for some
time her companion succeeded in finding
an oid-fashioned postehaise and a man to
drive. They started late at night. but
after few miles were stopped on the
highway by five men. who demanded
their purses and watches. Unfortunate
~ the officer undertook to resist. This
angered the brigands, and, after over
towering him. they stripped the two
travellers of every scrap of clothing and
put them in the chaise and ordered them
TO drive on. They reached the city gates
after l O'Clock at night. and there were
inspected by the custom house officers
who. after making sure that they We're
concealing nothing contraband on their
persons. kindly provided them with few
indispensable garments. GoSsips got hold
of the story. and now the unlucky widow
is known in Rome as the Venus of
Tivol."
A different story comes from Grosseto
in the swampy lands near the sea, on the
Grosseto lately had waterworks and an
aqueduct constructed, but differences
arose between the town authorities and
the contractors as to the quality of the
work, and commission was appointed
to settle the difficulty, with Signor Ro-
manin. deputy in parliament, as chair
man. Signor Romanin, with the other
commissioners. two engineers, and some
laborerS, the party consisting of thirteen
persons, set out one fine morning to in
spect the aqueduct. They had entered
path six feet wide, running between the
aoueduct and the river Ombrone, when
they noticed young man with a double
barrelled gun some distance ahead
When they got near him he brought the
gun up to his shoulder and quietly asked
them to get together 1000 lire at once or
he would fire. The commission nearly
tumbled over backward, but as no one
showed any inclination to fight and the
path was too narrow for flight. diplomacy
was brought into play and an offer of 100
lire was made. The brgand, however,
treated the offer with scorn. You are
very fine gentlemen said he to Roman
in, "one of the deputies who steal mil
lions. Fork out what you have about
you, otherwise | won't give you time to
say Hail Mary" The deputy hastily
poured out the contents of his pocket
book on the path and was allowed to go
TO the rear. One commissioner after an
other was then called out to do the same.
but the laborers were spared. The party
and. turning around saw the robber
shake out their pocketbooks and take the
money. Not even 1000 lire 5000 in the
whole pack, barely $50. l am ashamed
TO have had anything to do with you!" he
shouted at them. turned his back on
them. and soon disappeared in the swamp
thickets. The commission then went
back. picked up its empted pocketbooks,
continue the inspection of any more of
that aqueduct.