Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1902-09-23
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Copsrsoh BY Literary and Nns Service ~:
CHAPTER III.
Copsrio 1885, by the International Literary and Nous Service

CHAPTER III.
"A T the time Of my coming the
Depressionists had the upper
"A hand Of it. the reigning duke.
Castruccio degli Albizzi being
the recognized head Of that faction
Forty years before his grandfather
Galeazzo Albizzi. had led an uprising
against the Elevationist government Of
Prince Lodovico de- Pazzi. had sue
ceeded in overthrowing him and had
put him to death, and the principally
became duchy under the rule Of Duke
Galeazzo l. The new constitution pro-
vided that the throne should not de-
scend from father to son. but that the
duke should be elected by the people
every ten years. The Albizzi, however.
by shrewd and able practices such as
were known to the Medici in Florence
and of which the politicians of this
very day are cognizant. had succeeded
in keeping the title in the family and
had sat continuously upon the ducal
throne. When you understand that the
deposed and murdered Lodovico was
my reputed great-grandsire, you will at
once be able to estimate the importance
which l attached to this particular
part of the history Of Firenzalino.
There is one thing more: For some
inexplicable reason, through some in.
fuence which l am unable to explain,
this curious and antique race of peo-
pie had not changed one iota. one sin
gle particle. in their manners. customs.
peculiarities or dress in all of that 400
years, and when | came to know and
90 among them it was precisely as
though had taken backward step of
four centuries and suddenly appeared
q man from the threshold of the TWEEN
tieth century in the quaint stirring
and romantic times Of Louis Xl. and
Charles the Bold.
AS may be supposed. I found much to
interest me that afternoon in the home
ly discourse of my retainer. Consider
ing his station. he showed remarka
BILE knowledge Of European affairs and
events of that epoch Immediately pre-.
ceding the hosting into the air Of
Firenzalino. | found also, when aft.
erward came to talk with others OF
his countrymen. this same surprising
familiarity with the happenings of the
last half of the fifteenth century. Their
knowledge of the Europe Of 1892 was
as complete and accurate as is my OWL
knowledge of the Europe of today. To
them that momentous year had been
to all 'intents and purposes the end OF
the world
The old man deluged me with such
an overwhelming flood of questions
about the city Of Florence and its his
tory since that most memorable year
that was altogether borne down and
almost drowned by it
cannot at this moment recall the
words with which | answered him. but
| spoke at great length Of the glorious
history Of Florence and her great men.
"Anent Savonarola. of whom thou
didst speak erstwhile," said Clan ia
copo when had finished. there is to
be q goodly pageant this very night
in the public square Of Firenzalino.
which would not have thee miss for
a ducat. A monk of St Marks. one
Brother Ambrose. is to be burned at
the stake"
l looked at him suspiciously.
Wherefore, menial," said l. doth
Savonarola remind thee of this monk
who is to be burned at the stake"
wherefore, most puissant prince"
answered he, without hesitancy. Mar
ry, for the reason that Savonarola was
prior Of st. Marks in ancient Florence
whereas Brother Ambrose is a monk
in our own convent of st. Marks in
FirenZalino."
saw that it was a coincidence and
nothing more.
Honest Jacopo." said l, "for what
sin is this Brother Ambrose to be burn
ed"
For the crime Of, blasphemy, my IL
lustrious master-rank and awful bias
phemy uttered in the presence Of the
holy prior of the convent. The cere'
mony will take place at vesper time
this night upon the public square OF
the city, and well wot that it will be
rare privilege to assist at the per,
formance. There will be much people
present upon such holy day. But
since thy palace within the city. front
ing upon the street Of the Lions. is Sc
cretly connected with small building
which faces upon the piazza publica.
from the loggia of this small building
we may enjoy the pageant without In
convenience from the multitude. We
will now ascend into the wardrobe of
thy deceased parent. that thou mayest
select and invest thyself with such COS
tune as BELTS thy rank and preten'
sions, not forgetting at the same time
to conceal under thy tinery good steel
hauberk as protection against the
chance thrusts of which l spoke erst
while. The which done, 1t behooves
us eftsoons to set out for the town, as
the city gates are ever closed at "A OF
the clock. and none may thereafter en-
ter"
l followed my venerable adherent
into a sort Of storeroom. which was so
full Of spangled. embroidered and
gaudy colored silk and velvet apparel
and armor and arms Of all kinds that
it resembled the property room OF
large theater. Without much difficulty
I chose a suit of velvet, the body OF
which was wine color. with sky blue
silk slashings, and the puffed sleeves
and short puffed breeches of which,
vice versa, were blue, slashed with
wine color. To these added pair
of silk hose. one garnet and one blue;
blue and garnet velvet cap. sur
mounted with heron's plume; a pair
of blue and garnet leather shoes with
points which turned up into the air at
| .Ab0rti0n Prevented