The
local Italian crooks avail themselves of the universal fear of
the vendetta, and let it be generally known that trouble will
visit the banker or importer who does not "come across"
handsomely. In most cases these Black Handers are ex-convicts
with a pretty general reputation as "bad men." It is not
necessary for them to phrase their demands. The tradesman who
is honored with a morning call from one of this gentry does
not need to be told the object of the visit. The mere
presence of the fellow is a threat; and if it is not acceded
to, the front of the building will probably be blown out by a
dynamite bomb in the course of the next six weeks--whenever
the gang of which the bad man is the leader can get around to
it. And the bad man may perhaps have a still badder man who
is preying upon HIM. Very often one of these leaders or
bosses will run two or three groups, all operating at the same
time. They meet in the back rooms of saloons behind locked
doors, under pretence of wishing to play a game of zecchinetta
unmolested, or in the gloaming in the middle of a city park or
undeveloped property on the outskirts.
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