Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1849-08-30
dAfsrfuaMtnus.
From Godey's Ladys Book.
The Italian Flower Girl
BY HENRY G. LEE.


On returning after an absence of some years
from my native city, met, among other well
remembered and cherished friends, my old
Chico, mate and college companion, Herbert
tefosc. Most cordially did he grasp my hand
.aoainglha! the fire Of friendship burned bright
in ms bosom.
You must come home and take tea with me,
saiu he, as he stood holding my hand tightly in
us,
rThcn YOU are a married man, said.
20 yes! belong to the sober stay.at-home
class Of citizens. So you must accept my in
,i.ulion. twill be delightful 10 have good
chat about old times
lassented, well pleased with the arrangement,
aud at the time agreed upon, Belrose called for
me. On being presented to his wife, was
surprised to meet young and exquisitely beau.
,ul woman with foreign accent aud features
Their was something very striking in her whole
ls'C.t. Once SEEN YOU could never forget her;
roI seemed 10 be gazing on some pictured form;
painters dream Of lovelness. But, if her
lsce was my instant admiration, how much more
armed vas |, after the reserve of our first
ling worc'away, TO note The simple but true
.roce Of every moton and to listen 10 the mu-
s.c Of her voice, as she joined with more ,hau
ordinary Intelligence, in the conversation, that
.o,owcd.
'Whero did you meet with this lovely womanl
| sad to BeIrose, at our next meeting, To me
sue stood forth the embodiment of some heauli.
iQI ideal, long dwelling in the regions of fancy
The story is a romantic one, replied my
,lGnd, smiling.
win You reIateil"
., certainly. if you think you will feel inter-
Ct enough to listen
LET me hear ii, by all means, said |.
My friend then related the following story.
'ihtee years ago, | went to Europe and pass.
~ through Italy. On the day Of my arrival at
Naples, as was passing along one of the streets,
a JvtIy young girl, with basket orhowers on
Ter arm, approaching with smile, presented
and ONE boquet, and in her musical Italian
asked me TO accept it. Such favor from fair
young stranger, was not of course, TO be decll.
ned. In taking it, looked earnestly into her
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 young English.
ann, at the hotel, he did not seem much sur
prrsed His remark was: One of those Gun.
ong flower girls, How much did your boquet
cost YOU!
'Nolhing,' replied. why should '
An. perceive you do not understand these
Italian girls. You are a fine looking young iel,
low, aud a stranger, with plenty of money to
spend You are gallant too, All this pair of
bright Italian eyes can see at a glance. The
nj ri tyrS c,nnlv Uowor nirl md hv har I,I,,
TN3e expected 10 receive about ten prices for her
Joquet.'
'Ah' said in return, that's the meaning OF
iF Il wish | had known it before.
You will see her again
Think 500?
Without dolbt. She will never lose sigh; of
you. Walk ont tomorrow, and ere you are in
The streets twenty minutes, you will receive an
other boquet from her hands.
And no doubt he was right. received,
soon after appearing abroad the next morning,
nptler bunch of flowers from the same fair
d aud HE girl was rewarded with a gold
.H' She took the money, and as her eye fell
'PcI II, and she saw its value, deep flush
passed over her face, and. dropping low
curtesy, while her eyes expressed thankfulness,
she turned and was in a few moments lost 10 my
view, On The day following, and the next, and
the next, looked for my beautiful flower girl,
bat saw her nowhere upon the streets,
'o"e day, week after my arrival in Naples,
rode out to enjoy the beautiful! views every
where presenting themselves. "A few miles
from the city, stopped 10 look through the
gfounds OF an old princely residence, the prop
erty Of decayed Italian nobeman. Ruin was
upon every hand. The fne portco of wrought
marble had suffered mach from time aud VIC.
!encH Statues were overthrow and broken,
Ioun'' MS choked up, and rank weeds were tow
,rIog over delicate garden flowers, half hiding
.Nr'r tGauty aud destroying their perfume. -
W '"' wandering amid these scenes Of former
"eHIo9nd grandeur | came suddenly upon my
ocau'Hl flower girl, sleeping upon green
OahN' The noise OF my feet awakened her and
she started up with look of fear. In L,o-
mcht she recognized me, and recovered, in a
measure, her sclt-possession. She was much
changed. She looked anxious, and there was
hum!dlly about her eyes, as if the tears were
ins' ready to gush forth. spoke in "her own
language, and the real kindness and sympathy
which felt were understood in an instant |
soon learned that she was nearly the last mem.
Ter al "A old and noble family reduced to poy-
ef'F' u" one Of the apartments ofths Gnienct
'N'H She vas living with her aged father; and
.'' renamed his sole support and comforter.
AS flower girl she gained the means of susie
nance tor her parent. But he was now ill.,
For three days and nights she had watched over
hIm' nnwoaried in spirits, though her body had
shered IRON fatigue. The money! had given
her had enabled her to remit her efforts TO pro-
'ure the means of suslenance for few DAYS;
oHI 1t was now all gone and while gathering
lowers lOr another yisi, TO the city, she had re.