The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1851-02-12

NOll-uTcsScu people, DdlCOnics hllcu Wltn Ia
dies, colonnades of churches, and facades Of
palaces, danced dimly before our eyes, in
stead Of the accustomed cordages. the naked
masts, the smulty sail, the breast-high bull
warks, and that horrid squat funnel, with its
cascade of black smoke, tinged, as il rolled
forth, with dull rcd glow. When | retired
to rest, caught myself holding IN to the bed
as prepared 10 get into it and | dreamed
of nothing all nisht but Of trampling of feet
overhead, whstling of wind through rigging,
shifting of the anchor-chain and all sorts Of
abomnablc noises. These physical remin-
iscences, however, disappeared next day, and
| was prepared to enjoy Naples.
I did enjoy it and hope all my readers
may live to enjoy 1t loo. know this is wish
ing tremendously long life to some of them,
but such wish will offend nobody. During
one of my strols--this time was alone--I
came to the foot of that vast flight of steps
shaded by trees which leads up towards tic
castle of st. Elmo. It was just past mid
day; and suppose everybody was begin
ming the sicsta for not single living soul
could see in any direction. | sat down or
one of the steps under the shadow of hugo
elm and looked upwards towards the sky a.
long the broken avenue Of trees that led a.
loft. There was something sirgularly beau
tifu to me in the scene. The trees here and
there met and huddled their heads together,
and threw down a thick black shadow and
then some sprnklcd branches bent a
cross, and flu;tcrel their green and gold
leaves between me and the patch of blue sky
that glanced at the top, seeming TO be the
only destination of this lofty staircase.
was gazing upwards, as if in expectation.
but in reality admring this curious effect,
when small dark formincrcepted my view
Of the sky. had almost imagined myself
at the foot Of Jacobs ladder; but the spell
was at once broken, and was abou, to rise
and 80 away, when the singular motions of
the person who had disturbed me drew my
attention. 1t was evidently girl, with naked
feet, but neat garments; her head was laden
with overs; and she skipped down with all
the lightness Of the gazclle for some space
then came to a halt, possibly on seeing a
stranger; then continued her progress-now
showing brightly in the sun, now dimy in
the shade, until she came, and after n side
long glance at me, SAT down on the opposite
end of the same step, where there was nc
that she carried basket in her hand, from
which she produced variety of objects, ev
idently manufactured from Lava. These she
arranged by her side, and examined will
care every now and then casting an impa
tent look towards me. There was a Wild
ness in her eye and quainncss in her whole
demeanor that pleased me, especially as hcI
features were almost without fault. So
remained where | was, studying her move
ments and the idea Suddenly struck m,
that was occupying her usual place an,
thH. shyncss prevented her from comm!
nearer. SO | rose ard went little highe
up, when she at once crossed over. | though
with gracefu! smile. A little while after
wards she called to me, and asked if woul,
buy some Of her curiosi,es.
There was evidently no sorlid motive il
this for when came near, she made II,
allusioL 10 a bargain, but said | had chosei
n ,,la ,,l, tIara .,,f, l.
! asked few questions about the lava, bu
got only vague answers. What convcrsa
ton passed was random kind Of talk abou
the difference Of Italy and foreign countlie.
Ii was evident that in the girls eyes NapOli
which she pronounced with magnihceu
emphasis-was the only place in the worl
worth admiring. She had seen no olhel
The people, however, were Lad-very bat
. thought, upon this observation, that some
thing like story was coming-but til
Z throat and face of the girl only darkene
with a rush of blood, and she grew utterl
silent. Suddenly she arranged her Law
/, hastily in her basket, started up. leaving
e piece which had been holding in 10y hant
and had not paid for, and ran away dow
t the street. | naturally rau after her to pa
T. for what had bought; but she turned roun
: with flushed check and flashing eyes; an
\. whilst was endeavoring to explain my inter
4. tions, felt a blow on my breast from ston
- launched with no weak hand and before
g had time to recover from my surprise, tn
}. girl mad dsapt cared.
A curious termination to an interyie,
r which had begun 10 persuade myself ha
j. something of a romantic character rul
/ bed my thorax, tried to laugh at the It'll
J. slut's vivacity, but could not get rid of til
r uneasy annoyance peculiar to misunderstood
h people. Perhaps had been taken for
Ii roIber-perhnps something had said in m
broken Italian had been thought insulting
If grew quite morose Thought of nothin
), else all the afternoon, was set down as a
{ ill-tempercd fellow at dinner; and on ret
1t ring to bed could not help perpetually sta
IS ing this question.
st "Why should that pretty girl, towar,
t whom my heart had expanded, have left N
j. in 50 abrupt manner and on my endca
RI oring to restore her property, have made
. target of me ?"
ot All night as ! slept, felt ns If a hot co
W were lying on my breast and the place, il
e deed, ,cdS black and blue in the morning.
n An excursion had been proposed to Yes
v yuius; and we started at three in the afte
ID noon myself fonr Americans. with Al