The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-06-26
TWO ROMAN BRIcAND TALES.
The Venus of TivoIi and the Surprise of
Signor itomaniu.

The Venus of TivoIi and the Surprise oi
Signor Romanin.
Brigands 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 COM
mon. a young widow, well known in
society at Rome, has been the victim
of an embarrassing adventure in conse-
quence. She went for "A days outing 70
rlvoli, accompanied by "A gallant cav
airy officer, VINO had been counting her,
and stayed so late that she lost the last
train back to Rome. After hunting
round for some time her companion
succeeded in finding an old-fashioned
postchaise and a man to.drive They
started late at night, but after "A few
miles were stopped on the highway by
five men, who demanded their purses
and watches. Unfortunately the officer
undertook to resist. TINS angered the
brigands, and, after o~veTpowering 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 /
O'Clock at night, and there were inspect
ed by the custom house officers, who,
after making sure that they were con-
cealing nothing c~ontraband on their
persons, kindly provided them with a
lew liuiclNiSdbit 6dl iltllAS. 'O<SlDS
got hold OF the story, and now the un-
lucky widow is known in Rome as the
Venus of Tiyoli."
A different story comes from Grosseto,
in the swampy lands near the sea, on
the railroad between Rome and Leg
horn. Grosseto lately had water works
and an aqueduct constructed. but differ
ences arose between the town authori-
ties and the contractors as to the quail
itN of the work and a COMMUNICATION NNaE
appointed to settle the difficulty, with
Signor Romanin, deputy in parliament,
as chairman. Signor Romanin, with the
other commissioners, two engineers, and
some laborers, the party consisting OF Is
persons. set out one fine morning TO in
spect the aqueduct. They had entered a
path six feet wide. running between the
aqueduct and the River Ombrone, when
they noticed a young man with a
double barreled 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 lire. The conn
mission nearly tumble over backward,
but as no N showed any inclination
to light and the path was too narrow
for flight, diplomacy was brought into
play and an offer Of 100 lire was made.
The brigand, however, treated the offer
with scorn. You are very fine gentle
men," said he to Romanin. 'one of the
deputies who steal millions. Fork out
what you have about you. otherwise l
won't give you time TO say a Hail
The deputy hastily poured out
the contents of his pocketbook on the
path and was allowed to go TO the rear.
One commissioner after another was
called out to do the same. but the
la borers We're spared. The party then
thdre a few hundred yards back
turning around. saw the robber
out their pocketboOks and AXE
the money Not even 1000 lire Cs2OO)
IN the whole pack. barely $50. / am
shamed TO ave had anything TO do
YOU" ne shouted at them. turned
back on them, and soon disappeared
n the swamp thickets. The commission
hen went back. picked up its emptied
'ocketbooks. and returned to Grosseto,
'efusing To continue the inspection OF
my more Of that aqueduct.