Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1857-1865, 1860-02-17

be thine. Col forgive thy during, foI
perhaps thy wild blood hath made thee
think it but an easy task to win her from
her sire. Col I forgive the folly-bui
cross not Annetti's path again.
III Zingaro cast one look upon his be-
loved, a look Of sorrow and despair. But
ere he turned to depart, Annetti had
sprung from the ground, and with a wild
cry flung herself upon his neck. "No,
thou shalt not go, Lorenzo we must not
part"
Again the dark blood arose to the old
painters forehead. He rushed wildly for
ward, and grasping his daughters arm,
dragged her from her lover. Then raising
his hand to heaven, he cried aloud
"Awayi or curse ye both with fathers
malediction. Away, have sworn, and /
will keep my vow None but better
painter than myselfshall wed my daughter.
May dishonor cling to Del Fiore if he for
gets his oath 70
II Zingaro turned without word and
strobe from the spot. He heard his name
murmured by his beloved, but he looked
not back But as he left that garden he
struck his bosom with his clenched hand,
and cried aloud
II too will make vow I"
II was the gray of an autumnal morn
ing, when the air was yet heavy with the
night fog, and the dew clung thickly to
the grass, when weary and travel-worn
man entered the gates of Bologna, and
took his way towards convent just with
in the walls, from the open chapel of which
the chant of early mathis rose solemnly
to heaven. Mingling with the few worship
pers who were performing their devotion,
he khelt reverntly at small altar, over
which bcamed the placid features of a
Madonna, and became absorbed in silent
prayer. @
The head of this poor traveller, bending
low before the Virgins shrine, was we'll
formed and noble one, with jet black curls
falling in careless grace upon his broad
shoulders. The DUST of the road covered
his garments, which were of the purest
texture; but there was an air of freedom
and dignity about his figure that at least
betokened a mind Of gentle mould.
The first sunbeams began to steal
through the aerial easements, and play
upon the rich frcscoes and glowing pain
tings that adorned the convent chapel. A
ray brighter than the rest trembled upon
the brow of the Madonna, which hung
above the kneeling youth, and as he raised
his eyes with murmured prayer upon
his lips, the Virgin seemed smiling bles-
sing to cheer him on his path. He kissed
the marble affairs foot, and rising, turned
slowly from from the chapel.
At the convent gate, as he emerged
crowd of mendicants were waiting for the
lay brother to distribute, as was the usage
of the time, hundred loaves of bread to
the poor; and the sight recalled to the
wayfarer's mind that he had not tasted
food since the previous noon. AT that
period it was no shame for the INDECENT
traveller to accert the bounty Of religious
houses, and our youth gladly mingled with
the rest, receiving with grateful thanks
the pttance Of the poor, for not silver
groat had he to purchase wherewith to
stay his hunger, and among the good citi-
zens of Bologna he know not of single
| friend
The sun mounted higher in the heavens,
and the sounds of busy life filled the
streets of the city. The young stranger
wended his way, jostled now by band Of
sturdy peasants fastening to the market
place, and again forced to the wall by
troop of gaily- dressed cavaliers riding
forth to the hunt, or a procession of pill
grims setting out on journey to some
favorite shrine. But he was an alien in
the midst of all, and lonely in the crowds
around him. rr
A water-carrier, turning the corner with
his brimming vessels poised upon his head,
ran against the youth, and muttering
curse upon the obstruction, continued his
needless way, crying at the top of his voice
the peculiar call which at the present day
! is heard in the streets Of Italian cities
The stranger looked after him, at first
vacantly, but as the not unmusical cry
grew fainter in the distance, new thought
seemed to cross his mind. "Who need
starve, who hath strong limbs and an
honest purpose p he said aloud 81, too,
will be water carricr!' And he bent
his steps to the market-place.
That day a new voice, loud and CHEEKY
rang through the streets OF Bologna,
drowning with its manly tones the mono
tOnous cry ofthe other water bearers. But
the good citizens, as they listened and per.
haps turned to look after the erect form
that strobe past them, knew not Of the
proud heart swelling beneath that coarse
tunic-the heart of the Gipsy, beloved Of
Annetti del Fiore.
"Waterl' The clear ringing cry awoke
the blooming serving maids at the matin
hour; it broke cheerily above the murmurs
of the crowd, when the midday sun fell
upon the roofs of the city it sounded musi-
cally while the vesper bells were Ginning,
and the twilight deepening along the
streets, And the serving maids knew we'll
the voice of ii Zingaro, and gave him their
sweetest smiles, which he returned with
pleasant words, in spite of the lowering