The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1859-11-16
The Gondolier Of Venice.
BY FRANCIS A. DURIvAGE.

dows, fivnlng the splendors Of the firma.
ment, and reflected in the still waters Of the
lGgunes like myriads of stars. Night and
day music wus resounding. There were re.
gates, balls and festas, and the entire popu
lation seemed to have gone mad with gaiety,
ard 10 have lost all thought Of the Council Of
Ten, the Bridge Of Sighs, and the poniards
of the bravadoes.
On bright morning in this holiday sea.
son. group Of young gondoliers, attired in
their gayest costume, were sitting at the heud
Of flight of marble steps that led up from
one Of the canals, waiting for their fares.-
A cavalier and lady, both gaily attired, had
just aighted from gondola and passed the
boatmen on their way TO some rendezvous.
The gondoler who had conducted them,
an old grey-headed, hard looking fellow, had
pocketed his fee, nodded his thanks, and
pushed off ag ain from the landing.
There goes old Beppo,' said one of the
gondoliers on shore. He will make good
days work of it. can swear saw the
glitter OF gold in his hand just now.'
yes, yes,' said another, 'let him alone for
making money. And what he makes he
keeps. He's close listed old Hunks
'And what is he scrimping and saving for!
asked a third. He is unmurred-he has nc
Children
mo, but he is to be married. said the
first.
How The mans pnst SKY
! yes, comrade, but he viii not be the frs
old fellow who has taken young wife in hi;
dotage. Have you never heard that he has ,
young ward, beautiful as an angeI, whom hi
keeps cooped up as tenderly as brooding
dove in his old tumbledo house on tht
Canal Orana ! Nobody but himself has ev
er set eyes On her to my knowledge.'
There you are mistaken, Stefano,' said
young man who had not hitherto spoken
He was fine, dashinI, handsome young fel
low of twenty SIX, in holiday suit of crin
son and gold, with u 6ary eye, long curling
locks, and with muustache as black Us jet
Lets hear what ADtonio Glraldi has t
soy about the matter cried his comp MONS
Simply this,' sid the young man ~ hav
seen the imprisoned lair one, the peerles
Zlnetta, for such is her name. She is love
Iy as the day, and for her voice, why, Corp
di Bracco! La GiaDina, the primu donna, i
a screect.owi compared to my nightingale
Your nightingale! ! Bravo : cried Steta
no, in tone of mocking irony. 'Wh t ca
, you know about her voice 2
Simply this, Muster Stetano,' replied tn
young gondoier 'When fosting beneal
her window in my gondola, | have addresse
her in such rude strains Of melody as bes
knew how to frnme. She has replied i
tones so liquid aud pure that the angels Nigh
have iistened.'
by heaven, the fellows in love: erie
Stefano.
'Looc live music and love = said Antonio
'What were lite worth without them
You're in excellent spirits,' said Stefan'
= 'And why shouldn't man be on bis we,
ding day!
, 'Mod q march hare = cried Ste(ano.
mark me- said Antonio. That girl shn
never marry old Beppo-my word for it,
She hates him.
She'll elope with some noble. them
ITO be cast off to wither when he is tire
of her. No! The bridegroom for Zanet
is gondoier.'
'Wl,h all my heart said Stefano. b
come, comrades, it is of no use waiting her
Let US to our goudoIas and row to st. Mark
: You'll come with US, A"tonio ?
Not I-my occupation's gone
How 30 g
i have sold my gondola.'
'Sold your gondola 2
'Ah, that was my word
'But why ?
i wanted money
sYour poudola was the means Of earnin
! tr
sVerv true-but | had occasion for CT
" tain sum at once.'
'And why not have recourse to our purse
=" Antonio Light as they are. we would ha
" made it up by contributions among u.s.
y i doubted not your kindness, but my Sc
respect would not permit me to ask your
y Gcod-by, comrades, we shall meet to me
y row.
:" ITO. morrow. Addio.'
y There was q brilliant masquerade Il
evening at the palazzo Of Count Giulio
~ lonna. Invitotons had been issued to
" the world, and all the world was present
20 The finest music, the richest wines, the m
W. splendid decorations were lavshed on
oc casion. Perhaps, among that brilli
company. there was more than one plebi
in who, under cover Of the mask, and empl
int ing the license common at these ssturna
had ntruded himself unbidden.
lid Old Beppo, the gondolier, was in attel
lat ance at the vestibuIe Of the palace, feast
sts his avarlcious eyes on the glimpse OF wea
ite and luxury he noted within doors, whe
nd gentleman In rich costume, and wearin
'as mask, beckoned him to one side and desi
q moments interview.
'Do you know me 3 was the first quest
IN, asked by the stranger.
re. 'No, signor.' replied the gondolier.
DO you know these gentlemen = asl