Mastro Titta, memories of a murderer, written by himself A robber with a good heart.
On 13 August the same year 1806, I had to move to Terracina to execute two robbers, said Joseph Pistil fairies, and Joseph Chiappa, and sentenced to be hanged next rendering.
Pistil, enjoyed great popularity, because it was one of those 'types of friendly robbers, of which legends are created. He does not ever cruelty against the people, if there was forced by necessity defense never made use of weapons. It is true that possessed Herculean strength and both hands firmer and more demanding of a vice. If you grab one by the neck, the poor fellow was so certain to remain, as had happened in my hands, to be forwarded to another world. Do not ever molested the poor wanderers, or the carriers. He reserved for big business only. He had a penchant for stately carriages travel and for courier mail. When it happened in some house, or peasant's hut and asked for food or shelter, he was sure of being served like a prince, because he paid handsomely, if not at the moment, at the first opportunity that was given to return, well done for money.
Largheggiava in alms to the poor. You tell him a number of anecdotes that bring honor to his heart and beautifully portray his character. It pick one of the most moving.
Pistil used to happen frequently in a princely estate leased to the father of a numerous family, who portrayed an honest income by working and making it work from the settlers. His arrival at the property was always greeted with joy, because he wore regalucci to women and children and kept him company at the head of the house and the men to whom he offered sage advice on crops and also on the moment, more or less appropriate to provide this and they needed to sell their products.
Absent for more than a year because of the harassment prompted him to change his country, a night Pistil comes to the estate and as usual there is graciously accepted. The dinner serves as el'affittaiolo keeps him company, while all the others they go to sleep.
Pistil realizes, however, that something extraordinary must have happened and not happy in that house. As the owner can not strive to appear cheerful and happy. He drinks, but the wine remains in the throat and puts down the empty glass only halfway.
Suddenly Pistil stops in hand with the knife, with which was cutting a piece of cheese, and looking fixedly at the country place, he says curtly and sternly.
- Paolone you deceive me.
- Do you think me capable? - Respond quickly to the rural obviously angry.
- You no longer have confidence in me - continues the robber - thou conceal something.
- which I never got to hide? - Calls with a deep sigh Paolone.
- I do not know, if I did not ask. Some difficulty breathing, you have changed some secret sorrow. Paolone, we do not do unnecessary chatter: what t'affligge?
- Maybe we'll see more.
- Why?
- Because tomorrow will be the ushers to drive out of here. I am ruined. I did not pay the rent, because the year has gone bad and the chief executive of the Prince eviction notice me.
's forehead wrinkled Pistil. The temples pounded. The veins on his forehead swells. His eyes are bloodshot. Her lips were quivering. But not a word. Finally he murmured, almost to himself discorresse:
- eviction is a man with his family because he can not pay a few thousand pounds, you put it on the road, tearing the bread of his mouth and 'her children! .. . It is an indignity. And call me robber!
Paolone heard and said nothing. The anger that oozed from every pore of the Pistil agitated.
- There is no way to fix things?
- One, said the administrator, from where I went yesterday to beg for mercy.
- What?
- Pay. Understand? Pay six thousand crowns, when I do not cent in cash, where there are no stores for the year, when they made all the sacrifices to pull forward, naive of all the superfluous.
- Pay eh? said the administrator.
- Pay or leave.
- Well pay.
- joking?
- Giuseppe Pistil ever not joking when it comes to the life of a family. Pay.
- Who will give me the money?
- I, I will give them to you.
- But I could make them there then who knows when. It will take at least ten good years to save that sum.
- no note of this. I'll think about it balanced.
- My life is yours.
- No, it's your family. For now you need the six thousand crowns?
- The administrator told me that tomorrow will be after lunch Seize ushers.
- Very well: go to sleep.
at dawn Joseph Pistil left the farm. The poor family
Paolone, spent a day in unspeakable anguish. The peasant had closed in an impenetrable silence. Only from time to ask what time it was. In point
at noon it was announced the arrival of a horseman who demanded his master.
Paolone's moves match sparkling with hope and joy.
Pistil had kept his word. The horseman went back to the country-a huge package, saying
- From whom you know.
So, turned his horse and disappeared.
Paolone coll'involto went in his room and ended inside opened it.
There were three thousand gold coins.
The poor peasant, he fell on his knees and wept like a child, thanks to Divine Providence.
She was still in that attitude, when he knocked on the door. The
affittaiolo opened it and found himself face to face with his wife, who tearfully announced the coming of the administrator, a clerk and two witnesses.
- We are lost! We are lost! cried the unhappy woman - My poor children!
- We are safe - said Paolone - showing her the gold, driving the hands in which he found a handwritten note that said:
"Hold the administrator and his as much as you can."
Paolone locked up the gold pieces in his chest and came down with his wife to meet the newcomers.
- Well? - Asked with an air dissolved and a little 'jester administrator, wink - how are you?
- How God wants - said the affittaiolo. But their masters will stand no better than me, after so long a road.
- We have the wood in your garage, and the horses in your stable.
- will issue the necessary orders, that they be well treated. What they hope will take us the honor to dine with friends.
- As long as we do not die of hunger, the administrator replied, grinning.
- We're still in that.
The housewife in the kitchen and soon flew several chickens passed by the is the pots and the pans, to swell lunch.
meantime was preparing the table and they used its principles. The food was plentiful, delicious and watered with wine. The administrator and his honor did, eating and drinking without restraint.
- Too bad you can not dine with you every day! said the director, always with an air of mockery. But as I explain the difficulties ...
- Difficulty - almost interrupted with an air of haughty Paolone can occur at all. The ability of a man is to know how to overcome.
- Talk like a printed book. And you would be of men.
- Depending on the case. What do you want now, on account of such?
- Oh! something from nothing, a pittance, a mere trifle, that was not nearly tough line with yourself the trouble: six thousand crowns, round sum.
- is precisely what I have prepared.
- Eh? Say?
- I say that the six thousand crowns are available.
- And where did you take!
- From my chest, with your permission.
- That's right, regular, perfect! I must say.
- In this case, with your permission, I will bring a few more bottles.
- padronissimo But, sor Paolone. Already I have always said, pay, pay. What the heck! He was always punctual. Can not miss: Eh! you know, keeping good fruit: it wanted to pull out the old savings. I pity you. According to your place I'd probably do the same ... But to me, I had to do my duty. Your health, Paolone!
So ended his speech by the administrator. The affittaiolo went to fetch the gold pieces and handing it to the administrator, with a sheet of paper, pen and ink, said
- Favorite issue an invoice for the full balance, countersigned by these gentlemen, for greater regularity.
- With all my heart.
The money was found established and signed the receipt.
But before you let them go Paolone took out other bottles, which the administrator and did his best greetings.
resolved to leave when he began to get dark. The lot of 'gold pieces was placed in the box under the back seat of the wood, they entered the administrator, the clerk and one of' texts and the other went to ride the horse. Shortly after those indoor sleeping soundly, the driver dozed improvised and the animal took advantage of to expand and loosen increasingly trot.
were awakened with a start from the pistil, in the company of four friends, awaited them at the gate, and soon put their hands on him to reduce them to impotence. The administrator attempted to save the gold pieces, offering all that he was wearing. But the attackers were too well informed, and because, after all, was not their stuff, they left without robbing too much bad grace.
So generous robber regained his three thousand sequins and Paolone aftermath sent a receipt for the balance.
But in spite of his good deeds Joseph Pistil his career had to end badly. Pressed by the police hid in a farmhouse with three friends. Assaulted, resisted, and two fell dead; Pistil and Joseph Agnone were after fierce Anti-arrested, held in Terracina, tried, convicted and executed as a warning, August 13. They would not know of religious consolation, and they died like two ancient Stoics, arousing the admiration of the immense crowd that thronged the square to witness the execution, convenutavi from all neighboring countries, called by the notoriety of the pistil.
