Columbia Democrat and Bloomsburg general advertiser. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1850-1866, 1861-05-18
An Appenine Adventure.

nile stopping IN Florence, at the' Casa
del Bello," my companion and guide was
James l.. Grover, an American painter of
some note, whom had well known in the
land of his nativity. 1t was Sunday eve
ming, and on the following day l was to
start for Bologna. Grover and myself sat
upon one Of the balconies of our chamber.
engaged in conversation over our segars,
and after we had talked awhile of the
various things we had seen during the
day, he asked me if he had ever told me
of his adventure upon the Apprentices.
told him had never heard it.
"Thcn | mnst tell it to you,' he said,
throwing away his segar, and taking a sip
of wine.
~ lighted fresh scgar, and he related
it to me as follows:
"Four years ago this summer, my bro.
ther and two sisters visited me here in
Flortnco They spent two weeks with
me, and then started for Venice, by the
way of Bologna, where they had friends
whom they were anxious to see. l should
have gone with them had not been en-
gagged 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 expected two thousand dol.
lars by the hands of friend who was
shortly expected from Rome, and it was
arranged that l should take the money
when it came, and bring it with me to
Venice when got ready 10 meet them
there My brother left the necessary
document 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 1
got out and finished my work just as the
friend arrived from Rome with the money,
lie delivered it into my hands upon the
production Of my brothers written instruc.
tions, and | set the next Monday as the
day on which l would start l was really
not fit to undertake such journey, but
could not miss seeing my sisters once more
before they returned home. l could have
sent the money easily enough, but l had
promised myself too much pleasure with
my dear relatives in Venice to miss it
now.
"Monday morning came, and 1 could
not arise from my bed without assistance.
A sort of neuralgia affection had seized on
my nerves, and was forced to stay in
doors, and to resort to hot baths and med
icine. But on the following morning felt
able to start, and did so, Upon reaching
Pistojo, l learned that there was no dill
gence to leave before the next day. l
could not stand this. was already be-
hind my time, and if the thing could be
accomplished, l must go on, There was
diligence under the shed, but no one to
drive it. "But can't we have some one 2"
I asked. eff sigpor will pay" was the
laconic reply. Of course | would pay /;
and thought the sum charged was pretty
round one, yet did not hesitate. The
numbering vehicle was dragged out; four
miserable looking horses were attached,
and then yoke of stout oxen hitched on
ahead of them, Two rough looking fell
lows were provided, one as a VetturinO,
position, )apd the other to drive the oxen.
Thus provided, l took my scat, and the
diligence started
ave were to cross the Apprentices by the
Pass of La CoHina, and just began to as
cend the rugged mountain path when l
heard loud hallooing behind, and in a
] moment the diligence stopped.