Did She Do Wrong!

Oamaru Mail, Volume XVI, Issue 4979, 21 May 1891, Page 4

Did She Do Wrong!

A tragedy, which is thoroughly characteristic of the Italian quarter of New York, but with a decidedly novel feature, occurred on March 2nd. Nicolo Piero, a young Italian, was walking in Springstreet, near Brotuiway. when he was met by Pasi|naline Robertelli. a pretty tailores* about 20 years old. She was hidden behind sorue bales on the sidewalk when she saw htm, and he approached the spot all unconscious of danger. When he came she sprang from her place of ambush, and drawing a sevenshot revolver from the folds of her dress Eomted it at him and began firing. She ad fired four shots, and Piero had dropped to the ground, when someone in the crowd knocked the weapon out of the girl's hand. Two of the bullets had found their billet in the body of Piero, one of them entering his chest under the heart. The woman, who made no attempt to escape, and did not appear at all excited, ■was placed under arrest. When taken to the police station she told why she had tried to kill Piero. She said that four months ago Piero had seduced her under the promise of marriage. "He then gave me the revolver," she said, "aud told me that if he did not marry mo in eight days I was to shoot him wherever I saw him. Eight days passed and there was no marriage- He then promised to marry me op March 2nd, and begged me to shoot him if he proved unfaithful. On Sunday I found that Piero had arranged to return to Italy. It was plain that he meant to get rid of me. I was determined to shoot him then. I watched alt night at his lodgings, but he did not go home all that time. At six on Monday morning I went up to Springstreet and waited for liim. I knew that he was sure to jiass through that street some time, and I had made up my mind not to eat or sleep until I had done what he told me to. When I saw him, I hid, because I was afraid he had changed his mind about wanting to be shot, as he was getting ready to go back to Italy. Bnt I only did what he gave me leave to do ; they can't harm me for it, can they? Yon know a woman has her rights."