The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1904-07-06
(Continued.)

1 SAAtatlSf N NtiAaAh poiHN Vh D'NsNNN'
street. between st. Philip and Bienyih'
Streets, there is the weltknown Ven
detta Alley" which was, at one time also
the entrance 10 the Marine hotel. a resort
lately patronized only by Scihans.
The front OF the hotel which was de-
stroyed by nre years ago. but rebuilt
later. was still standing at the time OF
these events. TO the knowledge OF the
Italians lately living in New Orleans. The
damp and gloomy walls OF the alley have
today. n very ordinary appearance and
the casual passer-by would never think OF
the horrible stories about the place.
Originally Vendetta Alley was hap
tized In hum n III od though ,n1m1 4
was not shed by the hands OF the Italians
In the days or "Knownothingi gism." the
minds OF both parties became frenzied
ana I'm the three years. 1868. during
which the struggle lasted. both the sup
porters OF "Knownothingism" and its
opponents were responsible for many
ruthless murders and bloody assassina-
tions. Many times in the contemporary
chronicles. the interesting records OF that
and are obliterated from their minds 10
give place 10 legends, and consequently
tho alley Is. nowadays. connected only
with the Italians and is Inherited by them
As n matter OF fact the alley has al
ways been tenanted by n mixed popula-
ton made up entirely OF foreigners. The
main portion. leading into the inner place.
IL only ten feet In width. and before
reaching the courtyard makes many
sharp turns which afford excellent hiding
places, for, no matter how closely man
may hug the wall he cannot see into
these angular receeses.
Once. years ago, n member OF an old
Creole family was shot down at the
polls. on the corner OF Orleans and Royal
streets He was not given any chance
10 defend himself. Leaving the un-
fortunate man writhing in the agony OF
death. his friends took up the trail and
tracked the assassin 10 the Marine hotel.
No quarter was asked or given in the
bloody fight that ensued. The next
morning a score Of Italian corpses, some
shot. some stabbed. sttested the execu-
ton of the Vendetta. AS a result. the
ally continues TO be considered the es-
sential property of the Italians.
In our own time. one night In October,
1880, around large table In the main
hall OF the Marine hotel about twenty
nve Italians we're enjoying banquet.
Everyone OF the guests knew for what
purpose the Lucullan feast was given, but
none had any hint OF the identity OF the
man In whose honor he drank the toasts.
-Scanoldl was OF the party.-and he. of
course. knew well the meaning OF the
rejoicing. His intention was taken up IN
scrutinixing closely the faces OF the men
around him. but IL availed him nothing
in his search for the man he longed 10
find.
His careful examination OF all the men
IN the hall revealed TO him only his old
acquaintances, members OF the Malta
whom he had met before. either in the
search for the hooded men who presided
over the meetings and among whom he
hoped to find the one he sought
everybody was staring at Monasterio
rectangular dining table and who rep
resented the Grand Master or the Society
The cause of this staring was that every
one was engendcred with the notion that
word OF the acting officer. they might
make out who was the man with the
number ~" But Monasterio did not, by
any inconsiderate act whatsoever give
Scanoldi away. nor did the latter paw
any attention to the Mafia's chief rep
resentative. as he was not one Of the three
hooded men.
Before. the banquet, scafroldf had been
interviewed at his home. by Monasterio
In the name OF the Grand Master, who
gave him two hundred dollars. the re-
ward assigned, keen edged knife and
the name or the victim. In
structions followed In which Scat
foldi was ordered to be cautious and
deliberate In his movements and TO ac-
complish the deed within fifteen DAYS IL
Orsini continued to live in New Orleans
or within two months II he left the city.
communications and the proper orders
having already been sent TO every branch
OF the association In the United States
and Italy. report at the end OF every
twenty -four hours was also demanded
which was 10 he delivered In person at a
given place n Scaffoidi remained in the
city, or 10 be sent 10 a certain address IL
he was Obliged TO leave H. In those re-
ports were TO be given all the details
concerning Scaffoldis plans and move
ments 10 kill the assigned man which he
had TO accomplish. II possible. without
arousing the police. OF attracting the
public attention
Scaffoldi had hoped that on the occa-
sion OF the banquet he would he able TO
meet the Grand Master and his two as
sistants but he was doomed TO disap-
pointment: for instead Of his expecta-
tions being realized. he found himself in
a terrible predicament. With two hum
dred dollars. a stiletto. and the Official
mandate OF the Maha. az his equipment
for the deed. he had before him the
dreadful task OF killing a man whom he
did not know, perhaps the father OF
family, who was probably innocent OF the
charges preferred against him.
This was thing TO terrify not only
Scafoldi. but even the most cold -blooded.
iint-hearted OF men. He tried 10 Danish
from his mind all the frightful visions
that crowded upon II, for he was just
then In need Of all his self control; and
he began 20 ponder over his difficulties
and dangers. endeavoring by careful rea-
soning to find some avenue OF escape
But, reasons2-What are they, after
all7 Only means OF satisfaction In the
abstract life. while IN real life. nothing is
more discourasing than these reasons
the great Inevitable I'm all cases
A momentary calm. like the pause be-
tween two blasts OF "A hurricane. fell on
Scaffoldi's convulsed mind and spirit:
and by this time. even the induisitive
anxiouHness OF the associates 10 know
who was billed 90 play the leading part
In the tragedy. was on the wane.
Everybody realizing AZ length the I'M
possibility of discovering the man 10
whom the deed had been assigned. began
10 consider how they might have the best
time possible at their gathering, although
n wps az the expense OF another.
The music OF mandolins and .<nitars
played by merry youths seemed 10 inspire
the guests with spirit. Suddenly great
wave OF joyful excitement swept over the
hall and there was talking. laughing and
Joking feasting smoking and every man