Bisbee daily review., 1910-08-24
THE FOX A Story of Medieval italy By LAWRENCE FOSTER Copyright. 1910. by American Press
 Association.

times the strongholds of different fac tions, headed by a noble family.
 There is a story of enc of these cas- ties on the banks of Lake MaggiorL The Asconti family once occupied 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 hocks in the country about them. During one of these oases 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- eonti 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 1t was sure to fan. 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. h. deed, the Italians of those days were prone to accomplish their objects rath- CT by their wits than by ordinary methods.
 Now, the Ascond family belonged to the Ghebelines. one of the two promi- nent factions that contended for su- premacy in Italy in those days. the other being the Guelphs. One of the ! Guelph leaders. named BlandOra. whose A ' AscOnti was away from his castle with all his adherents, resolved to cross to | Menaggio. pass through a defle 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 Asconti stronghold. hoping to occupy it during Asconti's absence
 One day Asconu was at Strezzia, directly south of his castle. with a small portion of his force when Caspi appeared and rode up to him Asconti | drowned and asked him what be wish l ed
 ITO tell you that a Guelph force is marching northward on the other bank of the lake intending to come down through Locarno and occupy your cas- , tie"
 How do you know that?" asked As conti.
 Because saw them from an emi nence."
 !, There could be no reason for Gasp , giving false information, so Aeonti sen couriers in hot haste to the severa , portions of his force, some of whom | were at a considerable distance, witl orders that they should hasten to th' castle. Then AscOnd made forced march himself in the same direction Caspl asked permission Co go witt , him and help him win a victory ovel , those who were on the way to attacl
 him, and Asconu reluctantly consent , ed. So they rode on side by side.
 You will be within your gates" sail ' Caspi, before the Guelphs can sur round the castle, but you have no I fifty men with you, and your enemie ! number a thousand. Before the othe portions of your army can reach vol ! your ramparts will be stormed an' r taken"
 My hope is that my re-enforcement
 will come in time"
 D q hope so. too. but it may be wel
 for you to think of some plan b.
 which to hold your enemy in check il
 case you are left without support" , Asconu rode on moodily. occasion
 ally turning to hurry his follow
 CTS. When he came within sight O . his castle he was relieved to see hi |. banner still floating there. Pushing on he entered with his band and close 3 the gates The sun was shining on tn
 armor of the Guelphs. just leaving Lc
 carno. They were not a dozen mile 7 distant. and as yet no word had com from any other of the portions of AS
 contrs army. Ascont gave up hope. s Il have a plan that may save you.
 said Caspi.
 What is it?"
 .I must have a reward if succeed. r My daughters handT
 Yes"
 Asconti considered for some time | then with evident reluctance consen 2 ed. Caspi told him that he could q
 nothing without the command, and was surrendered to him. '- Then Caspi chose one on whom b
 could rely and told him to go to tn ! Guelph leader and say that Giovanr [, Caspi was in the Ghebeline strons
 hold and in command. The messag
 was delivered. Blandova started. : "Oh." he exclaimed. If that fox
 fin there we must bewarer'
 From this point he marched slowl
 and cautiously. expecting at any m' ment that an army of Ghebeline
 would pour down out of some ravin : and overpower him. But nothing ui ! usual occurred. At last he reached
 point where he could plainly see th l. castle. To his astonishment, the gate were open, no sentries were on th wall. and from within came sounds ( revelry-
 "A stratagemr' he exclaimed ''Th'
 willy Caspi has his men concealed wit in the walls. Should we enter tl
 gates would be closed behind us. ar
 we would all be murdered" Blandova spent so much time tryiI
 to find a way to outwit ''the fox" tn
 one morning two divisions of Asconti
 supports came, fell upon him and
 initiated his army.
 Then there was real feasting in | ) castle at the wedding of Giovanni al Theresa