Evening journal., 1910-09-23
THE FOX
A Story Of Mediacval Italy
BY LAWRENCE FOSTER
Copyright. 1910. by American Press
Association.

All over Italy there are towers OF
small castles that were in medieval
times the strongholds Of different fac
tons. headed by a noble family.
There is a story Of one of these cas-
ties on the banks OF Lake Maggiori.
The Asconu family once occupied
this castle. There were intervals OF
warfare when the family lived peace
fully on the top OF the HILL feasting
and dancing while their adherents till
ed the soil or tended their fiocks in the
country about them. During one OF
these Gases IN the desert OF war a
young soldier. Giovanni Caspi. on
whom the head Of the family lavished
many favors. made love to Theresa As
cont. As soon as the baron heard OF
this affair he dismissed Caspi. for the
young man was not of noble birth.
In time Giovanni Caspi became
known in warfare as one of the bold
est and most ingenious leaders. when
he attacked a tower II was sure to
fall. This was not because his men
were more brave or stronger. but be-
cause their captain was full OF arts by
which he outwitted his enemies. In
deed. the Italians Of those days were
prone to accomplish their objects rath-
er by their wits than by ordinary
methods.
Now. the Asconti family belonged to
che Ghebelines. one of the two promi-
nent factions that contended for SUI
premacy in Italy in those days. the
other being the Guelphs. One OF the
Guelph leaders. named Blandora. whose
castle was on Lake Lecco. hearing that
Asconti was away from his castle with
all his adherents, resolved to cross to
Menagglo. pass through a defile lead
! ing TO the east bank OF Lake Mag
giori. march up and around the north
end of the lake and down on the west
bank to the Asconh stronghold. hoping
to occupy It during Ascontis absence.
One day Ascond was at Strezzia.
directly south of his castle. with a
small portion Of his force when Caspi
appeared and rode up TO him. Asconti
frowned and asked him what he wish
I'd.
ITO tell you that a Guelph force is
marching northward on the other bank
Of the lake intending to come down
through I.ocarno and occupy your cas-
tie"
How do you know thatT' asked As
cont.
Because 1 saw them from an emil
nence."
There could be no reason for Caspi
giving false information. so Aconti sent
couriers in hot haste to the several
portions of his force, some Of whom
were at considerable distance, with
orders that they should hasten to the
castle Then Ascont made a forced
march himself in the same direction
Caspi asked permission to 90 with
him and help him win a victory owe
those who were on the way to attacl
. him, and Asconu reluctantly consent
. ed. So they rode on side by side.
You viii be within your gates" sal
r Caspi. before the Guelphs can sui
round the castle, but you have NO
fifty men with you. and your enemie
number a thousand. Before the othe
portions Of your army can reach yol
your ramparts will be stormed ant
taken"
my hope is that my reinforcement
will come in time"
Il hope 80. too. but it may be wei
for you to think Of some plan BY
which to hold your enemy in check il
case you are left without support"
Asconti rode on moodily. occasion
ally turning to hurry his follow
/ ers. When he came within sight Of
his castle he was relieved to see his
banner still floating there. Pushing on
he entered with his band and CLOSED
the gates. The sun was shining on the
! armor Of the Guelphs. just leaving Lo
: csrno. They were not a dozen mile.
= distant. and as yet no word had com'
from any other OF the portions OF As
conti's army. Asconti gave up hope.
Il have a plan that may save you
! said Caspi
what is it7"
! Il must have reward II succeed
my daughters hsnd?"
YES"
Ascent considered for some time
then with evident reluctance consent
ed. Caspi told him that he could d.
nothing without the command. and !
was surrendered to him.
| Then Csspi chose one on whom b
could rely and told him to so to tn
Guelph leader and say that Giovann
Z Caspi was in the Ghebeline strone
: hold and in command. The messag
was delivered. Blandova started.
"Oh." he exclaimed. III that fox
in there we must beware.'
z From this point he marched slowl
z and cautiously. expecting at any mC
; ment that an army Of Ghebeline
6 would pour down out Of some ravin
and overpower him. But nothing III
= usual occurred. At last he reached
point where he could plainly see th
castle. To his astonishment. the gate
were open. no sentries were on th
wall and from within came sounds
revelry.
"A stratagemr' he exclaimed. "Ihs
willy Caspi has his men concealed wit
:, in the walls. Should we enter tt
gates would be closed behind US. an
G we would all be murdered"
Blandova spent so much time tryir