Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1899-07-09
CHAPTER I.
AN ESCAPE SKYWARD.

ITO the rescued"
The cry is in the streets of Rome. 1t
ascends from crowd moving along
the Corso; in its midst a squad of car
abinieri, escorting man who is their
prisoner Though in the custody OF
soldiers he is in civilians dress; and II
q criminal, he is not an old one. nor
has he the look of being hardened. He
cannot be over twenty-his face almost
without beard, guileless as girls, with
features unsecured by sin.
"Che cosa e? What has he done?" are
queries that pass from mouth to mouth,
receiving only uncertain answers.
Surely not case of pocket-picking nor
any like petty misdemeanor ? He is in
the garb of gentleman, while his
bearing bespeaks him one. No hang
dog look as of one who has committed
crime and fears punishment; both with
head erect, proud step, and eyes flash
ing anger at the indignity put upon
him. Assault? This is more likely.
His imperious air, even under arrest,
tells of high temper, and provoked. he
may have struck some on blow. Still,
that is an affair for police, not soldiers,
and why have these Charge of him?
Why, too, with an epauletted ofticer-a
captain-at their head, for such he is?
Without being able to answer these
questions, the citizens sympathize with
him-at least the majority seem to do
so. Perhaps at first only on account of
his youth and prepossessing appear
ance; but, by-and-by, from different
cause, as 1T gets bruited about that his
offense is only political-for the time
is 1847-when Italy, even Rome, begins
to feel the ferment of that liberal SEN
timent stirring all Europe. The young
man is Mazzinian, a member of one
of the revolutionary clubs, and for this
he has been arrested. There are those
in the crowd who know it and spread
this fellow clubbites-they who sent
echo it with no thought of political par
tisanship, women as we'll as the men.
Among the women one is conspicuous,
young girl, in the costume of a con-
tadina-that kind special to the San
dial Land, on the Liri-white toyaglio,
scarlet busto, blue skirt with broad yell
low bordering, coral chain around her
neck, charms upon her breast and
grand gold rings in her ears-a young
vSSrikingly beautiful, her beauty
heightened by excitement, which has
started the carmine into her rich olive
brown cheeks, and kindled fire in her
coal-black eyes. His sister? Not like
ly; there is no family resemblance be-
tween them; while he is a gentiluomo,
she but a peasant. Besides, there are
others like herself and similarly at
tired, who take an interest in him,
though none as she-none SO eager In
appeal to the populace. Several times
has she called out: "Aiuto-rescue
him!" accompanying her cries with
gestures to excite the citizens to ac-
ton.
So far without effect. The friends of
the prisoner are few, while his sym
pathizers are not yet sufficiently
aroused to risk an encounter with the
soldiers. Habitual submission to mil
itafs rule, and dread of those carbines
with their sword-bayonets set, hold
them in check. They were awed by the
symbol of authority. however little
they respect it. Besides, it they are
not unanimous in sentiment Here and
there are heard counter cries, as Down
with the traitor! To goal with him!"
And thither are the carbineers convey
ing him-to the guardhouse by the
Porta di Popolo, where a detachment
of their corps is on duty. On move
they up the Corso, the crowd surging
along with them, growing thicker as
II goes. OOOn IL is So u6uS6 lUdl us
movements are slow and INSTRUCTED |
For the day is a saint fiesta, and the
streets swarm with merry making cit
tadinos, most of whom mechanically
Join it, as they do so the cheerful ex-
preston on their countenances chang
ing to one of solemnity.
On reaching the Piazza di Popolo the
moving mass comes into contact with
Dne that is stationary, and has there
Itself to stop. The great irregular
space is filled with people, packed |
densely around it's sides, and up the
terraced slope of the Pincian Hill. The
only open spot is in its centre, around
the obelisk of Rhamses, and this is not !
free from passage. 1t is occupied by a
balloon making ready to ascend, around |
which the group is roped, SO that the
aeronauts may have room to operate !
1t is a gratuftous treat which the au-
thorities are giving to the populace, in |
honor of the Saint whose day is being |
celebrated.
Up to the edge of the enclosure the