The Kanzas news., 1858-12-18
An Appenine Adventure.


sa del Bello." my companion and guide was
James L. Grover, an Ap1erican painter OF
some note, whom had known well in the
land of his nativity. 1t was Sunday even
ing, and on the following day was to start
for Bologna. Grover and myself sat upon
one the balconies of our chamber, engaged
in conversation over our cigars, and after
we had talked awhile Of the various things
we had seen during the day, be asked me II
he had ever told me of his adventure among
the Apprentices. I told him I never had
heard it. - kHLse - Zitzi.
"Then I must tell it to you," he said,
throwing away his cigar. and taking sip
of wine. f'5L sai ii.5 =. i.7-E
lighted fresh cigar. and he related to
me as follows slHss. LA s'~iei'
.'Four years ago this summer. my broth
'er and two sisters visited me here in Flor
ence. They spent two weeks with me, and
then started for Venice, by way of Bologna,
where they had friends whom they were
anxious to see. should have gone with
them had not been engaged upon work
which had promised to have done within
given time but as it was. We made the
thing work very well, for my brother ex-
pecied two thousand dollars by the hands
of a friend who was shortly expected from
Rome. and it was arranged that I should
take the money when it came, and bring it
with me to Venice, when got ready to
meet them there. My brother left the nee
essary documents for the obtaining of the
money, and in due time set out.
"On the very next day was taken i'll,
and was confined to my bed week. but l
got out and finished my work Just as my
friend arrived from Rome with the money.
He delivered it into my hands upon the pro-
duction of my brothers. written instruction,
and l set the next Monday as the day on
which would start. was really not fit to
undertake such a journey, but could not
miss seeing my sisters once more before
returned home. I could have sent the
money easily enough, but promised my
self too much pleasure with my dear rela-
tives in Venice to miss it now.
"Mondav morning came, and could not
arise from my bed without assistance. A
sort of neuralgia affection had seized all my
nerves, and ! was forced to stay in doors,
and resort to hot baths and medicine. But
on the following morning felt able to start
and I did so. Upon reaching Pistoja, ]
learned that there was no diligence to leave
before next day. could not stand this. I
was already behind my time, and if the
thing could be accomplished must go on.
There was diligence under the shed, but
no one to drive it. But, can't we have
some one g asked. IF Signor will pay,
was the laconic reply Of course would
pay: and though the sum charged was a
pretty round one, yet did not hesitate
L. l,,-. IL a..
four miserable looking horses were attached,
and the. yoke of stout oxen hitched on
ahead of them. Two rough looking fellows
were provided, one as postilIion, and the
other to drive the oxen. Thus provided, !
took my seat, and the diligence started.
1--WE were to cross the Apprentices by the
pass of La Collina, and had just began to
ascend the rugged mountain path, when 1
heard loud hallooing behind, and in mo-
ment the diligence stopped.
What's the matter?' asked, poking
my head out through the opening by my
side. Esl - - -
7f "'Two men want TO ride,' returned the
yeturino ' ii- - t
"'But I hired the diligence, and am in a
hurry, so drive off. If they wish to ride
they must wait until Tomorrow
''But the drivers were not to be governed
thus. e9 aaa@ ,s
3 "'It won't make bit of difference, they
said. Wen go just as fast: and besides
they'll pay as something
''By this time the cause of all the troub-
le made its appearance in the shape of two
dark-visaged, black-bearded, powerful men,
who looked ugly enough for the incarnation
of murder. | recognized one of them as 3
fellow whom had seen hanging about the
hotel at Florence, and the other was con-
ident / had caught glimpse of Just as the
diligence left the yard at Pistoja. e ~ sa
81 was upon the point of speaking. when
the thought occurred 70 me that ! had bet
ter keep my knowledge of the Italian Ian
guage to myself. might find out the char
acter of the fellows thus. I knew very well
that further remonstrance would be useless.
for the drivers were stupidity hoggish, and
the new applicants were clearly not men to
Be argued with. The door was opened, and
the fellows entered. I occupied the back
seat, and they took the seat at the other end,
fixing themselves so ss to face me. They
looked at me out of wicked eyes, and as
they threw back their short cloaks saw
that they were we'll armed. - --E- .e'-7
Z" Hops We don't trouble you p said one
OF them m coarse Italian, as the diligence
started on. sF 1
81 gazed inquiringly into his face, but
made no reply.
HE repeated the remark. -.He
"a No comprehend, Signor.' said I. shak-
ing my head. s'f- - '5ls1,si- .o3 stt E.
Alb Englese g. he suggested, With =
shrug of his shoulders. .2za77 - 'z.se -
sNo-Irish,' told him. = -H
s"UghP he grunsed. with another shrug
of his broad. massive shoulders, with an
awful scoWl OF the face.
= I'VE had now begun to ascend the noun
tain IN good earnest, and our pace was slow
and numbering. The fellow who drove the
oxen made noise enough for an army, while