Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1855-05-09
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FLORENCE cELESTl..
A TALE OF ITALY.

BY IVY STARR.
1.-THE love of svoman--'tis fearful thing"
Italy! bright beautiful Italy Land of
sunny skies and sweet soft winds, of flowers
whose beauty never withers, and trees whose
verdure never fades! Land of chivalry and
romance. love and hatred! Italy, love thee
still though may never again roam over
thy sunny soil. and pluck the juicy grapes
from the cottage vineyard. Yet 1 can think
of thee and love thee STILL Reader, my tale
is of Italy, and is q sad one. 1t was. in the
year 1884 that young Englishnan named
Lester Morell, travelled on .ours of pleasure
through Italy. spending some months in We
nice during the summer season his place of
residence was the large hotel for foreigners,
which has since been burnt down, and at that
place most of his time was spent In close ap-
plieation to studies There were few English
families residing there, and Lester Morell did
not make many acquaintances. Sometimes
be regretted the loss of his friends, and wear
led with study, would take his hat and saun-
ter forth to enjoy the magnificent twilight of
that favored CLINE. es
1t was on one of these occasions that young
fower-g girl approached him, and rendered a
large bouquet for his acceptance. Morell
could not distinctly see her face, which was
shaded by the broad-brimmed hat she wore,
but he could see the outline of perfect form,
and hear the low, sweet tones of her voice, as
she asked him timidly to buy some flowers
He gave her piece of coin. and was about to
ask aquestion. when she made graceful cour-
tesy, and was instantly lost in the crowd. It
was in vain he watched and waited-she did
not come back that night, and he reluctantly
went home to dream of the beautiful appara-
I e L
cd manners and noble bearing, and at the age
of q was older in heart than many men of
fifty. He was supremely selfish, and when
his viii was thwarted, proud and passionate
He had lived a life of dissipation when youn-
ger, but had wearied of it and sought in tray
ell and study some recreation for an efnuied
mind. 1t was that stationed him at Venice,
which just suited his artistic taste.
The next day found Morell watching for
the peasant girl. He had just given up the
idea of seeing her. when she suddenly appear
ed. basket in hand. Again he bought the
beausifui nowers, and again she rapidly depar-
ted This continued for three weeks, and he
had not yet learned either the name or resi-
dence of the beautiful Italian girl.
One evening he had been to visit friend.
On returning from the villa which was some
distance from town, he was overtaken by one
cf those sudden storms which sometimes sweep
across the Italian sky He had no umbrella
and so determined to stop at the first cottage
and get one. There was neat house short
distance from the road, and at this he made
application.
The old man who opened the door asked
him in, while he sought for one, and the first
person Morell saw ON entering, was his beau>
tiful little flower girl Instead of her straw
hat he could see the faultlsss beauty of her
head and face her complexion was clear OIL
i've, and jetty curls hung in rich abundance
around her delicately shaped neck. She re-
cognized Morell and blushed deeply at the
earnest gaze of undisguised admiration which
found, and he was compelled to stay till the
The old peasant talked Familiarity with his
guest, and during the girls absence from the
room, told what Moren most wished to know,
who she was. The old man was her father,
and he was enthusiastic in his praises Her
He said that she had always followed her
present business that of selling flowers, and
that better daughter never gladened a
parents heart.
Morell listened and asked the old man if
he did not miss ber in her absence. He. re-
piled that he did. but there was no help for it..
g fyour daughter could give instruction
in the italian language for foreigners, it
would pay better, /" said the willy Englishman.
The old peasant shook his head" no one,
he said, . would be willing to pay for such
poor instruction !" 4
s. If she will teach me win give her good
pay said Mnrell ssI iii - lss.a. i--.-
guage pure, aud she could then be at home
with you.' s - s. s. :. 50 $
-. | will tell her" replied the father, /. and
if she is willing, I am
Alasl Poor Florence MoreH. the proud
scholar already loved the Italian peasant girl !!
He came every day and received lessons, I'M
parting at the same time knowledge of his
own tongue Florence had been well educated
for one in her station, and her mind thirsted
to explore the hidden depths of learning
Morell was her guide-hc read to her the
histories of countries far away, which she had
never heard of, explained science, and broueht
the telescope to give her an insight into the
beauties of astronomy
Then she would sing the sweet melodious
songs OF Italy, and play beautiful airs upon
'ne guitar, while he listened entranced to the
Miiu' passionate music. He would sit on u
low stool at her feet, and together they would
"a.ch .ne pale silver moon rise over the tons
OF the tall trees, till she gilded Nth her soft
rags, the beautiful scenery near
Morel taught her to paint Natu "a Il lev ~
rare beauty he guided the pencil. and Flor
ence was an aptpupil, for it was a labor love
--she had given her young heart with IT, nm
told love. TO the young English artist. s.
The summer passed away. ana the grapes