Semi-weekly herald. [volume] (Durango, Colo.) 1907-1917, 1910-06-06


to pay for the viceroy's Injuries and
started the cry No more taxes
The crowd caught up the words
and reiterated them louder and louder
Masaniello spring upon table and
spoke with fiery iervor that stirred The
hearts of his hearers. st. Peter. he
said. humble fisherman, had once
relieved the world from bondage. and
he, Masanielo. another humble fish
erman, who lead the people TO win
back the ancient privilege of Naples,
which relieved them from all taxes
upon the products of the soil.
When Masaniello stopped speaking
the crowd had increased to thousands.
and they were crazy with excitement
The guards who stood before the gate
were swept away and Masaniello. with
his 1000 well drilled youngsters. led
the mob 10 the palace, broke in the
doors and rushed from room to room
seeking the viceroy, Ponce de Leon,
duke of ARGOS. who fled by back
window in a carriage to the Castle of
st. Elmo for protection.
Failing to find the man they sought
or an opportunity to present their de.
mands to him for the restoration of
the ancient privilege of the city, the
mob looted the palace and the armory
and replaced the Spanish standard
upon the castle with the flag of Ma
pies. All business was suspended.
| The shopkeepers put up their shut.
tiers, locked their doors and joined the
rebels, and at the head of 10000
flaniic men and women Masaniello
looted the palaces of the aristocrats
and burned them. The next morning
Masaniello found himself, as the old
monk had predicted, king of Naples in
everything but name. lie set up a
throne in the plaza before the castle
and dispensed justice 10 every one
Who Appealed TO him.
This situation continued for several
| days until the yiceroy from the castle
sent ambassadors offering 10 grant,
without reserve, the demands of the
people. II was arranged that he
should make formal proclamation in
the cathedral of St Januarius the next
morning. In the meantime, however,
he employed Perrone, professional
bandit, to assassinate Masaniello dur
inc the service. The great cathedral
was crowded TO the doors The vice
10Y sat beside the bishop under can
opy at the right of the altar, surround
ed by notable assembly of lords and
cardinals, wearing their most gorgeous
robes Masaniello stood modestly
alone upon the other side near the
altar steps as the representative of
the people, clad in his lishermans
shirt of blue flannel, wide trousers Of
white cotton and his knitted cap in
his hand In the midst of the mass
seven shots were fired simultaneously
from different points in the church
Two of the bullets passed through the
blouse of the fisherman. The others
struck the altar at his side.
When the crowd realized what had
happened they turned upon the ASSESS
ms with fury ond tore them to pieces
as if they were wild beasts. Two or
three were saved for torture and We're
compelled to reveal the names of their
accomplices. Tail poles were set up
in a circle around Masaniello's throne,
and head was impaled upon the top
of every pole"
"MasanieIlo was stronger than ever"
continued Professor MazzoH His es.
cape from the assassins was regarded
as a miracle and he was recognized
as the ravorlte of heaven as well
as the champion of the people. The
viceroy disclaimed all knowledge of or
sympathy with the plot, and his de.
mails were accepted. Masaniello sent
him word that he would visit the castle
the next morning to arrange for an
other ceremony at which the ancient
privilege OF immunity from taxation
might be proclaimed to the people.
Notwithstanding the remonstrances
of his most faithful friends, Masa-