The southern enterprise. [volume] (Greenville, S.C.) 1854-1870, 1854-12-01
Fhs Hsai tiaA 8tioss.

ACCORDING to an ancient custom, nun
tials Of the mobiles and principal citizens of
Venice were always celebrated on the same
day Of the year. The eve of the Purifica-
ton was consecrated to this public festival,
aud the State annually increased the gener-
al JOY Of the occasion 10y endowing twelve
maidens with marriage portions. In the
morning, gondolas, elegantly ornamented, as
sembled from all parts Of the city at the Epis-
copal Church Of Olivolo. The atfianced
pairs disembar.eed amidst the sound of mu-
sic; their relations and friends, in their most
splendid habi!iments, swelled their retinue !;
the rich presents made to the brides, their
jewels and ornaments, were proudly borne
for display; and the body of the people un-
armed, and thoughtless Of danger, followed
the glad procession. The Istrian pirates. &C
9ualnted with the existence of this annual
festival, had the boldness to prepare an am
bush for the nuptal train in the city itself.
They secretly arrived over night at an unin-
habited islet, near the church Of Olivolo. and
lay hidden behind it with their barks until
the procession had entered the church, when.
darting from their coneelement, thew rushed
into the sacred edifice through its doors. tore
the shrieking brides from the arms of their
defenceless lovers, possessed themselves of
the jewels which had been displayed in the
festal Pomp. and Immediately put to sea with
their fair captives and booty. But deadly
revenge overlook them.
The Doge, Pietro Caniando TIT, had been
present at the ceremony; he shared in the
fury and indignation Of the affianced Youths
they flew to arms, and throwing themselves
under his conduct into their vessels. came
up with their spoilers in the lagunes of Car
10. A frightful massacres ensured; not a life
among she pirates was spared; aud the
yictors returned in triumph, with their
brides TO the church of Olivolo. A prtces.
sion of the maidens Of Venice revived for
many centuries the recoIlections of this de.
liyerance on the eve of the Purification =.
But the Doge was not satisfied with the pun.
ishmeHt 's.lieh be he'd inflicted on the "a
triots, He entered vigorously upon the res
oiution OF clearing the Adriatic of all the
parties who infested il he conquered part
OF Dalmatia; and he transmitted to his sue
cessors, with ducal crown, the duty of con-
summating his design.
foUso man one word in your ear. You
are just starting upon the great journey Of
life. Don't stand there holding your horse.
waiting for the crowd to go by. If you do,
you will wait until the sun Of life shall set
upoE your gray hairs, and your days be for
ever past. No. What IL the crowd is big |;
mix in and take your position along with The
rest. II the sluggards do not 60 fast enough,
dnve around them. You will make by il.
distance all you can; be exceIled by none,
asld you will surely come out ahead. You
may break wheel occasionally, but not OF.
tener than others would break it in driving
past you. The world viii move on 3 some
fast and some slower yet they do ali move
and wiias FOLLY for you TO wait until others
have out-sped you and carried away the
choice fruis Of the season. Remepber that.