Baton-Rouge gazette. [volume] (Baton-Rouge, La.) 1819-1856, 1846-07-25
THE BRAVO'S Re
VENICE.
BY r E. f ELLETT.

80 TllilS LDb Inlilgleu We'd vi fi'I1 hN'''
The sun shone brightly on the morning
of Ascension day in Venice. The ceremo-
ny o fthe Dogc's n~uptials with the Adriatic
was to take place, and the public JOY was
expressed by every possible demonstration
The city was crowded with strangers from
almost every part Of the world; and the
standards Of Cyprus, Gambia, Morea, and
the other countries conquered by the sea
born republic, huttered from her towers,
giving to Venice the aspect Of On Eastern
queen, arrayed in her triumphal robes.
| The principal canals were covered WITH
decorated gondolas; the squares were filled
with people in festal attire, music sounded
every where, and the balconies and win
dows of the p~alazzi were thronged with
beauty and aristocracy.
In one ofthe narrowest and most obscure
streets in a small apartment on the lower
floor Of a mean and i'll diminished house, sat
a female, holding an infant in her arms.
Her dress, which had been originally OF
rich material, was soiled and tattered; and
her wasted figure and pallid face, bespoke
the lowest extreme of Indebtedness. The
remains off noble beauty were, however,
visible in the outline Of worn features, and
the large, soft, dark eyes, whose lu5tre even
sorrow could not quench.
Her attitude-her whole aspect, bespoke
a detection bordering on despair. The
child, wan and emaciated like its sad pa
rent, law asleep; the mothers gaze was fix
ed upon its white face, as ifthat alone was
to her the who'd world. She did not stir,
nor even look up, when the door was push
ed open, and a man entered, OF synmetrI-
cal figure, and features that, animated by
good humor, would not have been destitute
Of what is usually esteemed beauty. but
their expression was that Of low cunning,
mingled with ferocity.
His eyes were deep set, and overhung with
bushy eyebrows, under which they gleam-
ed with a restlesss keenncss that betokened
mind i'll at ease. 1t was a face, in short,
that would have frozen the petition on the
lips of any supplicant; for it showed that no
human sympathy dwelt in the breast ofBer-
tramo del Carpio. Ofnoble birth, but re-
duced by a dissolute life, he followed secret
" the occupation ofa bravo.
Chou here still, Alitea y he said, stern,
". as he saw the female; "did | not bid
thee prepare to go forth The boat is rea'
dy."
81 wish not to 90, Bertrand"
s.But | choose that thou shalt Up-anc
bring the babe with thee. | will show thy
lordIy father this day the heir ofhis ancien
house,"
"Wv father 4" repeated Alitea, looking
up, with a wild expression in her eyes.
"Aye the proud Cesarini shall SCI
once more his fair daughter. He will b.
in the procession, among the Slgnoria
Thou shalt meet him there"
5 "Never!' exclaimed Alitea, while
flood ofcrimson rushed to her pale fore
head, and, receding, left it again like mar
bic. "Bert,amo! when | fled with the
from my fathers house, | resolved neve
again to cross that threshold, unless re
turned with his blessing as thy wedde
wife. Thou hast broken the promise thf
lured me thence. And now, shall | clair
his protection whom | have wrongedl N
Bertramo-I will bear poverty-l will G
down to the grave in want-but never
gain look upon my fathers face !"
Thou mistakcst me, AIitea," said h.
betrayer; and, drawing a chair, he seate
himself beside her," | bid thee ask /
aims of Cesarini. Poor as am, | ca
work-beg-rob-but never touch a pc
ton of his wealth Listen to mel W.
once, as thou knowest, young-noble-aI
possessed of a patrimony- | was then inn
cent | could then-then- &c dared a
pire to the hand Of CesaTfEHs daughter
Turn not away, but near mel was ga
reckless, and a spendthrif; led by evil cor
~panions into vice, | became involved
debt. Then it was that | loyed-aye 10
ed thee, Alitea! | confessed all to thy +
Their; | entreated assistance from him,
the security of my inheritance-snch
would enable me to extricate myself fro
debt, AMI be again a free patrician Of V
nice. He promised aid; he gave me
small sum, but required me to sign a pap
conveying my inheritance to him, If the lo'
were not paid within a certain time. 4.
time passed; Cesarini claimed my patrim
ny-it was his-I became a beggar-
landless outcast-my sole possession
bighted name! He-the naughty noble
os spurned me from his presence /; and laugh
to scorn my p~retensions to his daughte
hand. Henceforth, the whole aim ofmy !
has been revenge !"
Shave you not wrought ii, Bertrand Z
"No-Alitla F.! I must pierce him IN
very crest Of his pride-the strongest pt
sion fhis soul! This day he will 60 70
in the Doee's suite, in the midst of the 10
of Venice. Thou, with thy child, sh
greet him; three years have not so chang
thee but that all viii recognize the OF
cherished flower ofhis ancient line. The
too, will be the scorned, the desperate b
tramo, the hated brav0-despoiled OF est
and honor; driven into crimes he abhor
-spurned by his naughty destroyer:
still able, like the crushed surpent, to
fict a sting that shall poison the fountain
life 7"
"a strain ofmartial music sounded a
distance.
The eyes of the Venitain flashed Fl
his cheek was lived with excitement;
lips were slightly drawn apart, as wit
bitter sheer and the teeth were set togetf
"Come,' he cried, starting up, 1--WE n
make haste;-by that signal the Doge
left the palace. On with thy mantle-th
is no time for garniture, and | would b
thee 60 even thus p And he seized the
Of Alitea.
"Mercy!' She exclaimed, falling on
knees. The infant suddenly Weakened,
uttered a faint w%ailing cry.
"Away, this instant Think you
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