The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1854-06-09

n knapsack on his Dack, u palr OF pistols IN
his belt. a staff to assist him in climbing the
hills and mountains and ia crossing the tor.
rents. waa standing on the brow Of hill
overlooking a small but delicious plain. Il
was half meadow, half pasture land here,
trees there, winding stream, little Z hill.
locks. green and grassy plots; beyond, q
lofty mountain, on which hung sombie-
tinted nine forest the whole Illuminated by
the ioyous sun of Sicily, which flooded all
nature, and spread, rs it were, violet and
meta lie veil over her. After gazing for
nearly half an hour at the delicious landscape
the Young man moved slowly down wind.
ing path that led to the river side. Sudden
" he heard the tinkling Of sheep.bells, the
barking of dogs, and locked around to DIS
cover whence the sound came. In q small
corner of pasture land, at no grea, distance
from the stream. he saw the flock, and sea-
ted beneath the shadow of huge tree, "a
young girl. p..t. .. a.Jul =.
He advanced ct once towards her, not
being sure Of her way. ,.'
She was young girl Of sixteen, the same
delicate and exquisite creation which had 90
stru ok Clorinda on the canvas, and in the
garrett of Venice. The eye of the artist was
delighted--the heart Of the man was filled
with emotion, He spoke to her; she an.
swered timidly but sweetly. He forgot his
intended question:; he alluded to the beauti.
tul country, to the delight Of dwelling in
such land, to the pleasures Of her calm
and placid existence; he asked If he could
obtain room in that neghbornood in which
to reside while he look n series OF sketches!
The girl listened With attention and interest
for nearly half an hour, during which time
he was using his pencil. She then replied
that her father would gladly offer him shell
ter in their small house, if he could be sat.
isfied with very humble fare. The young
man accepted with many thanks, and then
showed her his ske,chbook. ,,Gn gy'H uh'
"Holy Virgin!'' she cried, as she rccog-
nized herself. lp a..l .. rir'u-iW r.unu. .i,y
"You are pleased" said The artist, smi'
ling ;lI l.H .uuur "." i.fi ..l' r. % :lH
.'Oh, it's beautiful how can you do that
with pencill Cone quick, and show 1t to
father" .s aIl ,,a II pauH rI, D'yi 'H'
The young msn followed her, as she slow.
" drove her sheep LOng, and soon found
himself within sight Of u small house with
garden which she announced as her fathers!
She had the drawing in her hand, looking
at it with delight. Unable to restrain her
feelings, she ran forward, and entering the
house. disappeared. Zuslana-ot course 1t
was he--laughed as he picked up the crook
of the imperluous young shcpherdess. and,
aided by the faithful dog, began driving
home the patient animals. In ten minutes
Eleanora reappeared, accompanied by her
father, her brother, and sister: regular 81
Gillian peasants, without one atom OF resem.
blance to this extraordinary pearl concealed
from human eye in the beautiful valley of
Arnola. They were all, however, struck by
the portrait. and received the artist with
rude hospitality. 10
He took up his residence with them; he
sought to please. and he succeeded. Alter
a very few days he become the constant COM
sanion of Eleanora. They went out togeth.
er. he to paint, she to look aller her sheep,
both to talk. Paolo found her totally un.
educated, ignorant Of everything, unable to
read or write, and narrow minded, rs all
such natures must be. But, there was a
foundation of sweetness, and quickness oil
intellect, which demonstrated that circum-
stances alone had made her what she was,
and Paolo loved her. ....-.g slrU
He had been fortnight at Arnola, and
he had made up his mind. One beautiful
morning, soon after they had taken up their
usual position, he spoke. .... ~ '..'
"Eleanora,i love you, with love that is
Of my life. adore, worship you; you ore
the artists ideal of loveliness; your soul
only wants culture to be us lovely as your
body. Will you be my wife! Will you
make my home your home, my country your
country. my life your life! am an artist;
battle for my bread, but am already gaili-
ing riches. Speak will you be mine!'
81 will," replied the young girl, who had
no conception Of hiding her feelings OF pride
and JOY. .h, M ..i. 10. .'i'-. -. ''
"But you do not know me. am jealous
and suspicious, lam proud and sensitive
You are beautiful, you are lovely; Others
will dispute you with me. would slay the
pope if he sought you. would kill the En-.
peror it he offered youa gift. You arc n
simple peasant girl; those around me. might
smile at your want of town knowledge !;
might jeer at you for not having the accom-.
plishments and vices Of the town ladies. i
should challenge the first smiled or jeered.
You must, then, il you can DO mine, and
will make Inc happy, live apart from uen,
for me alone. you must know OF no existence
but mine; you must abandon all society, all
converse with your fellow creatures. |
must be your world, your life, your whole
being.' =. 6rslH III
II will be what plcases you best" said
the young girl. gently. soa-iE q !
.sn"The picture does not alarm you'll d. II
"Will you always love mel" she asked
tinidly. '''' ~ l
.n"While I live, my art. my idol, my god.
dess! Eleanora, while breathe" - a.I
.Do with me as you will" replied the
young girl. ,l..,..... I'm
A month later they were married, her pa
rents being proud indeed Of the elevated po.
sition to which their daughter attained
They went in the autumn to Rome; where
Paoio had prepared for his myste,ious exis.
4 tence by means al his faithful and attached
nurse. He devoted to her every m6meut
not directed to his art. and at once began
her education systematically. Ho found nm
apt and earnest scholar, aud at tho time Of
which speak lEleanora was possessed Of
all the mental advantages to be derived
from constant intercourse with man Of gen.
ius. -,
But Paolo Zustana, out fhis home was va q i
changed and unhappy man; he lived In con.
slant dread OF his treasure being discovered;
he saw with secret impalience the many de-.
iects which still existed in his beloved idol |:
he felt the restraint Of confirming her always
| within suite Of rooms; he longed TO give
her air and space; but hc dreaded her being
seen by powerful and unscrupulous men; he
dreaded ridiculs for be, peasant origin and