The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-05-29

strangulation. the usual method of exc.
cution. Through a trap door near by
the limp body was lowered, to be re-
ceived into a stealthy gondola, waiting
for its Victim in the dark shadows The
gondolier would take the body and sink
1t into the sea, at place where no man
dared to cast his net less he himself
be soon sunk into the forbidden place
awhile later.
| Take one step across the oak sill.
and you stand upon the Bridge OF
Sighs,' which connects the Doge's pal
ace with loathsome prison on the OBJ
posite side of the canal Rio THIS sec
ond prison is used to this day, but is
lacking in historic interest
| One may readily see from what I
have written that the ancient Venetian
had not only genius for art but for
cruelty as well. This fact is further
confirmed by an object that may be
seen in the public museum. L refer
to the Key of DEATH which looks
harmless enough as IL lies within its
glass case. Its history is this: About
500 years ago there lived in Venice a
man by the name OF Tebaldo who be-
came infatuated with the daughter of
one of the oldest and wealthiest fami-
lies in the republic. and begged her
hand in marriage. AS the young lady
was already betrothed, Tebaldo was
rejected. Maddened with jealousy, the
rejected lover planned revenge. He
contrived the Key of Death" TIE
handle of this key could be turned
with ease, and being turned, it dis
closed a hidden spring and long
needle of hair-like steel. on the morn
ing of the marriage of the maiden
whom he fancied that he loved Tebalo
waited about the church door until the
newly welded young people came
forth. When the bridegroom appeared
Al
| thrust the poisoned needle into his
rivals breast. In an hour the BRIDE
groom was a corpse from what was
called "a strange and battling dis
ease" Tebaldo renewed his suit. but
was refused. within few days the
parents of the young woman were
dead. having died in some mysterious
manner. Later on, the young woman
gave an audience to Tebaldo. and
again rejected him. In an hour she
was dead Suspicion was then excited,
followed by an examination of the
dead girls body A slender. long needle
was founG in her flesh. The bodies Of
the father and mother were also ex-
amined, and in each was discovered .
similar needle.
Tebaldo was suspected, arrested. tried,
condemned and put to death. The fa-
nous key is still in Venice locked ID
a case.
our beautiful dreams and romantic fan
ces, likewise our last day In Venice.
Our train departs for Vienna about sun
down. The inevitable gondola is watt
ing, and soon one is gliding away to the
station; but while awaiting the signal |
for departure, look is last back upon
the fair city The surrounding sea has
caught and holds upon its undulating and
tremulous surface, the splendor of the
setting SUM- You behold a sea of LIQUID
gold: then, as the angles of light vary,
YOU look upon vast opal expanse, shot
through with lines of emerald, sapphire.
orange and amber. with an undergleam
of waving gold; then later is seen
throbbipg plain of translucent violet and
amethyst which deepens into imperial
purple, then into sort gray.
But see the lingering rays of the sun
beyond the sea of eaden gray. Every
mosoue-lke dome, every pinnacle and
Moorish minaret, and every cross above
every House of Prayer in Venice now
CLEANS and sparkles as If tipped with
iridescent gold. while thousand Window
shine, If but for a moment, like thou
sand miniature suns
The train Is late in leaving. and befur(
YOU depart you see all this gorgeous and
fantastic vision fade away. One by on(
the stars appears in the blue of twilight
skies then consultations tremble allow
us. Venus the evening star, shines from
the coronet of night with wondrous bril
lance. and now the lights of venic(
twinkle into the sh idowy eventide AMI
make the white city look like some grea
ship afloat upon the waters of the Adr
attic