Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1851-12-11
5niscellameous.
The Italian Flower Girl.

4 On returning, after an absence of some
s years from my native city, met, among
q other we'll remembered and cherished
4 friends, my old schoolmate and college
4 companion, Herbert Belrose. Most cor.
4 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 he, as he stood holding
my hand tightly in his.
" Then you are married?" returned.
"Oh, yes! belong to the sober stay
at-home class of citizens. So you must
accept my invitation. will call for you
as | leave my counting house this after.
noon. 1t viii be delightful to have good
chat about old times"
| assented, well pleased at the arrange
ment, and, at the time agreed upon, Bel
rose called for me. On being Presented
to his wife, was surprised to meet a
s-------r'rr'S
with foreign accents and features. There
was something very striking in her whole
aspect. Once seen, you never could tor
get her; you seemed to be gazing on some
pictured form, a painters dream of love-
liness. But if her face was my instant
admiration, 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
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 2" said | to Belrose, at our next
meeting. "To me she stood forth the
embodiment of scme beautiful ideal, long
dwelling in the regions of fancy"
"The story is romantic one, replied
my friend smiling.
"Wil you relate it!" :,
. "Oh, certainly, if you think you will
feel interested enough to listen"
"Let me hear it, by all means" said /
NV friend then related the following
story:
"Thrce years ago, went on the Con
tinent and passed through Italy. On the
day of my arrival at Naples, as | was
passing along one of the streets, a lovely
young girl with basket of flowers or
her arm, approaching with smile, pre-
sented a handsome banquet, and in he
musical Italian, asked me to accept it
Such favor from fair young strange
was not, of course, to be declined. Ii
taking it looked earnestly into her swee
face, and her eyes fingered for momen
ortwo on mine; then she turned, and wa
lost in the crowd of people that filled th'
streets.
"In relating this incident to a yount
Englishman at the hotel, he did not seen
much surprised. His remark was on
Of the cunning flower girls. How mucl
did your bouquet cost you?'
"sNothing,' replied. 'Why shoul
itg
"Ah! l perceive you don't under
stand these Italian girls. You are fin
looking young fellow and a stranger, wit
plenty of money to spend. You are ga
liant, too. AL this pair Of bright Italia
eyes can see at glance. The girl wa
simply flower girl, and by her little rus
expected to receive about ten times til
value of her bouquet
"s Ahap said |, in return. That
the meaning of it? l wish had know
it before
"You will see her again.
"sDo you think so9' :,
see Without doubt. She will never los
sight of you. Walk out tomorrow, an
ere YOU are in the street twenty-mInute
YOU will receive another and still rich'
bouquet from her hands,
And he was right. | received, soc
after appearing abroad the next mornin'
another bunch of flowers from the san
fair hand, and the girl was rewarded VII
a gold coin. Sho took the money, an
as her eyes fell upon it, and she saw
value, deep flush passed over her fac a.
and dropping a low curtsey, while l. n
eyes expressed thankfu!ness, she turnf
loct tn n