The mountain sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1844-1853, 1849-06-21

From GOdey's Lady's Book for June.
TIP ITALIAN FLOWER GIRL.
BY HENRY G. LEE.

On returning after an absence of some
years from my native city, 1 met, among
other well remembered and cherished
friends, my old school-mate and college
companion, Herbert Belrose. Most cor
daily did he grasp my hand, showing that
the FIRE of early friendship still burned
brightly in his bosom.
You must come home and take tea with
me- said, as he stood holding my hand
lightly in his.
Then you are married. l returned.
'Oh yes! | belong to the sober stay
home class of citizens. So you must ac-
cept my invitation. l will call for you as
leave my counting-room this afternoon.
1t will be delightful to have good chat
about old times
/ assented, we'll pleased with the ar
rangement, and, at the time agreed upon,
Belrose called for me. On being presen-
ted to his wife, was surprised 10 meet a
young and exquisitely beautiful woman
with foreign accent and features. There
was something very striking in her whole
aspect. Once seen, you could never for
get hei; you seemed to be gazing on some
pictured form, painters dream of love
illness. But, if her face was my instant
admiration, how much more charmed was
/, after the reserve of our first meeting
wore away. to note the simple but true
grace OF every motion, and to listen to the
music OF her voice, as she joined, with
more than ordinary intelligence, in the
conversation that followed.
Where did you meet with this lovely
woman' said to Belrose, at our meeting.
10 me she stood forth the embodiment cf
some beautiful ideal, long dwelling in the
regions of fancy
The story is romantic one replied
my friend, smiling.
viii YOU relate it!'
oh, certainly, if you think you VIII feel
interest enough to listen
Let me hear it by all means, said I.
My friend then related the following
story.
Three years ago, went to Europe and
passed through Italy. On the day of my
arrival at Naples, as / was passing along
one of the streets, lovely young girl,
with basket of flowers on her arm, ap-
preaching with smile, presented hand
some buoquet. and asked me to accept it.
Such favor from fair young stranger
was not, of course to be declined. In ta-
king it looked earnestly into her sweet
face, and her eyes fingered for moment
or two on mine; then she turned, and was
lost in the crowd of people that filled the
streets.
In relating this incident to a young
Englishman at the hotel, he did not seem
seem much surprised. His remark was:
One of the cunning flower girls. How
much did your buoquet cost your
"Nothing,' replied. why should it,
.'AhI | perceive you don't understand
these Italian girls. You are ine-looking
young fellow, and stranger with plenty
Of money to spend. You are gallant
too. All this a pair of bright Italian eyes
can see at glance. The girl was simply
flower girl and by her little rush expec-
ted to receive about ten prices for her buo-
quct.'
..Ah!' said / in return. That's the
meaning ofit' wish | had known it be-
fore
"You will see her again
''Think so'
without doubt. She will never lose
sight of you. Walk out tomorrow, and
ere you are in the street twenty minutes,
you will receive still richer buoquet from
her hands,
And he was right. I received soon
after appearing abroad on the next morn
ing, another bunch of flowers from the
same fair hand, and the girl was rewarded
with gold coin. She took the money,
and as her eye fell upon it and she saw its
value, deep flush passed over her face,
and dropping me low courtesy, while
her eyes expressed thankfulness, she turn
ed and was in few moments, lost to my
view. On the day following, the next,
and the next, looked for my beautiful
q flower girl, but saw her nowhere upon the
streets.
'One day, week after my arrival in
Naples, rode out to enjoy the charming
views every where presenting themselves.
A few miles from the city, stopped to
look through the grounds attached to an
old and princely residence, the property of
decayed Italian nobleman. Ruin was
upon every hand. The fine portico of
elaborately wrought marble had suffered
much from time and violence. Statutes
were overthrown and broken, fountains
choked up, and rank weeds were towering
eyer delicate garden flowers, half hiding