Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1856-04-19
EVENING STAR,
LA RI B B ATA;
OR, LOVE AND PRIDE.
CHAPTER I.

CHAPrERI
The sun had not yet risen, and heavy mist
hung over Mount Vesuvius, spreading on to-
wards Naples, and enveloping the small towns
on the coast. The sea was calm. On the beach
Of small gulf under the Sorrentine rocks
several fishermen were engaged in hauling
up the boats and nets which had been used
during the night, whilst others were preparing
their tackle and trimming their sails for fresh
start. No one was idle; for even the old
women had brought out their spindles, and
the wives and children were engaged in work
or play.
'sLook here, Rachel. there is our PADRE"
said an old woman to a little thing of ten
years old, who played round her spindle.
He is just stepping into the boat. Anto.
| Mo is to take him over to Capri. Holy Ma
ria how sleepy the venerable pastor looks
Thus saying, she greeted a little benevolent
| looking priest, who was just seating himself
in boat, after having carefully lifted his
| long black robe and spread it on the bench
The men on the shore paused in their work to
see the departure of their pastor, who nodded
| and greeted right and lift
"Why does he 60 to Capri, grandmamma?"
asked the child. Have the people there no
| priest, that they have to borrow ours?'
"Silly child 7" said the old woman; they
have plenty of priests over there, and the
| most beautiful churches, and even a hermit,
which we have not. But there is noble lady
who lived here for some time, and was so iii
that more than once it was thought she could
not recover, and the priest had to 60 to her
| with the Host. However, the Holy Virgin
succored her; she is now strong and well
again; and bathes in the sea every day. When
she went forth from this place over to Capri,
she gave great heap Of ducatS to the church
| aud to the poor, and would not 60 till the
padre had promised to continue his visits to
IL -
| had wonderful confidence in him, and we may
consider ourselves fortunate in keeping him
as pastor, for he has the talent of an arch
bishop, and many of the highest in the
land inquire after him. The Madonna be with
him.
Whereupon she again nodded towards the
little boat, which was just pushing off from
the shore.
"Shall we have fine weather, my son ?r in
quired the little priest, looking doubtfully to-
wards Naples.
The sun has not yet risen," replied the
young owner of the boat; {" it will soon clear
away the mist
Antonino seized the long ear to push the
boat into deep water, but suddenly stopped
and looked up the steep path which led from
| the beach to the little town of Sorrento. The
slight form Of girl was visible Fastening
down the steps, and waving a handkerchief.
She carried little bundle under her arm,
and her dress was plain in the extreme; but
the head thrown haughtily back, and the noble
cut Of the features cOntrasted strangely with
her apparent poverty. The black braids Of
her hair were crossed above her forehead, like
the diadem to which she seemed born.
"Why are we waiting?" asked the priest.
"There is woman coming towards the beat
who wants to 60 to Capri if you do not OBJ
ject, padre. We shall not 60 any the slower,
| for she is little thing, scarcely eighteen
years of age
At this moment the girl stepped from be-
hind the wall which enclosed the winding
path.
LaurelIa" said the priest; "what ha,
she to do in Capri !''
Antonino shrugged his shoulders The girl
advanced hastily with her eyes on the ground.
" How do you do, La Rabbiata y" cried sew
eral Of the young sailors They would have
SAID moro had not the presence Of the priest
restrained them; for the silent, scornful way
in which the girl received their greeting seemed
to irritate the rude fellows.
"How do you do, Laurella!" said the priest
how are you to day? Do you wish to 90 to
Capri"
with your permission, padre.
ASK AntOnino; he is the owner Of the
boat. Every one is master of his own prop
erty, and God is Lord over US all "
Here is a half carline," said Laurella,
without looking at the young boatman "can
L 60 for that?
the young man, as he pushed aside some bas-
kets of oranges to make room.
81 shall not go for nothing" replied the
girl, knitting her black eyebrows.
Come, child" said the priest; " he is a
good youth, and will not make himself rich
at the expense of your little store. There,
get in, and sit down here by me. See, he has
spread his jacket, that you may sit more COM
fOrtably; he did not do as much for me but
that is the way with young people-more care
is taken of one little girl like you than of ten
reverend gentlemen. Well, we'll, ysu need
not excuse yourself, 'Tonino; this is always
the way of the world ~
Laurella had meanwhile stepped into the
boat and seated herself; but she pushed the
jacket on one side without a word of thanks
The young sailor did not remove it, but mur-
INJURED something between his teeth. He then
pushed vigorously from the shore, and the
little skiff few out into the gulf.
"What have you got in that bundle ~
asked the priest, while they sailed across the
water, which was just now glistening in the
first rays of the sun.
"SIk, thread, and bit of loaf, padre.
am to sell the silk to q woman in Anacapri
who makes ribbon, and the thread to some one
elseh
"Did you spin it YOURSELF"
Yes, padre"
If remember right, you have also learnt
to make ribbons?"
Yes, padre; but my mother is so much
worse that cannot leave the house, and We
are not able to buy loom for ourselves"
"Oh is she worse? When / was with you
at Easter, she was sitting up"
The spring is always the worst time with
her. Ever since the great storm and the
earthquake, she has suffered so much as to be
obliged to keep her bed"
" Indeed then you must be earnest in
prayer to the Virgin for her, and be good and
industrious, that your prayers may be heard"
After pause, he continued: AS you were
coming down to the shere they shouted How
do you do, La Rabbiata!' Why do they call
you so. 1t is not a pretty name for a Chris
tian girl, who should be soft, mild and gentle"
Her dark face crimsoned with bushes, and
her eyes flashed.
"They mock me because l will not dance,
and sing, and talk nonsense, like every girl