The Planters' banner. [volume] (Franklin, Attakapas Co., Lou.) 1849-1872, 1850-01-31
The Italian Flower Girl.


some wears from my native city, | met.
among other well remembered and
cherishing friends, my old schoolmate
and college companion. Herbert Bel
rose. Most cordially 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 he. as he stood holding
nv hand tightly in his.
Then YOU are married 2 | re-
turned.
"Oh. yes, belong 10 the sober stay
at-home class of citizens. So you must
accept my invitation. l will call for
Won AS leave my countin" hpu nus
afternoon. II will be delightful TO i'.s>'e
good chat about old times"
| | assented. well pleased at the ar
| ranuement and. al the time agreed
upon. Belrose called for me. On beng
presented to his wife, was surprised
to meet Young and exquisltely beautl-
full woman. with foreign accents and
features. There was something very
striking in her whole aspect. Once
seen. YOU could never forget her: you
seemed TO be gazing on some picturei
form. painters dream of loveliness.
But, if her face was my instant admi-
ration. how much more charmed was l.
after the reserve of our first meeting
wore away. to note the simple but true
grace of every motion. and TO Listen to
tine music of her voice, as she joined.
with more than ordinary intelligence,
in conversation that followed.
"Where did YOU meet with this lovely
woman .' said TO Belrose. at our next
meeting. ITO me. she stood forth the
embodiment Of some beautiful ideal,
long dwelling in the regions OF fancy"
The story is romantic one, re-
piled my friend smiling.
Will YOU relate II Z,
"Oh. certainly, if You think YOU will
feel interested enough 10 listen
, LET me hear il. by all means said
NV friend then related the following
story:
Three wears ago, | went on the
, Continent an passed through Italy,
, On the day of ray arrival at Naples. a.
! was passing along one of the streets
i, a lovely Young girl, with basket O
flowers on her arm, approaching with
smile. presented handsome bouquet
: and in her musical Italian asked m'
!, to accept it. Sue favor from tai
Young stranger was not. OF course. Il
: be declined. In taking it | looke'
7 earnestly into her sweet face, and he
4 ewes fingered for a moment or two oil
mine: then she turned. and was lost II
&, the crowd of people that filled th'
! streets.
In relating this incident TO youn:
7 Englishman at the hotel, he did nc
seem much surprised. His remark wa:
: One of the cunning flower girl. How
q much did your bouquet cost yout
Nothing replied. Why shout
it,
ri S;sAh! l perceive You don't unde1
q stand these Italian girls. You are lin
r looking young fellow, and strange
% with plenty Of money to spend. 70
are gallant too. All this pair OF brlgt
Italian eyes can see al a glance. In
=, girl was simply flower girl, and b
"a her little russ expected to receive abo'
n ten times the value OF her bouquet
n ...Ahar said |, in return. That
a the meaning of ii. Iwish had know
20 it before
a a.You will see her again
!. DO You think son
.:Without doubt She will new
lose sight of YOU. Walk out to-inorro'
and ere you are in the street twen
- minutes. YOU will receive another al
If IF still richer bouquet from her hands
-, m "And he was right. l received: 500
be after appearing abroad on the ne
morning, another bunch Of flowers fro
n the same fair hand. and the girl W
' rewarded with gold coin. She to-
,;s the money. and as her eye fell upon
and she saw its value, deep flu
dr passed over her face, and dropping \
y a low curtsey, while her eyes express
ID thankfulness, she turned and was III
few moments lost TO my view. On I
be day following, the next and the next
looked for my beautiful flower girl, /
so saw her not in the streets.
lone day, week after my arrival
,o rode out 10 enjoy the charming vie
- every where presenting themselves
.r A few miles from the city | stopped
' look through the grounds attached
,,,s an old and princely residence, the pr'
- erty of a decayed Italian nobiem;
'Le Ruin was upon every hand. The fl
.ar portico of elaborately wrought mari
nj. had suffered much from time and
art lence. Statues were oyerthrown
.aj broken. fountains choked up. and IA
his weeds were towering over delicate g
ras den flowers, half hiding. their bea'
~, and destroying hcirperfume. Wh
' # wandering amid these fading eyiden'
of former wealth and grandeur, S
,ve denly perceived my beautiful flo,
.re- girl, sleeping on a green bank.
mo footsteps awakened her, and she star
up with look Of fear. In NOM
she recognised me, and recovered II
.;s, measure her self-possession. She
much changed. Her face looked a
neg ious, and there was humidity ab
her eyes, as if the tears were Just re;
fan to gush forth. l spoke to her IN
fhn rn1l E1ndu