Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1863-01-30
MISCELLA ANY.
The Bag of Gold.


Of the Lamberini family, called Madonna
Lucrezia, who, in revolution of the stale.
had known the bitterness of poverty, and
had even begged her bread kneeling day
after day, like statue. at the gate of the
cathedral. her rosary in her left hand, and
her right held out for charity, her long black
veil concelling a face that had once adorned
court, and had received the homage of As
many sonnets as Petrarch has written en-
Laura.
But fortune had at length relented; a
legacy from distant relation had come TO
her relief, and she was nov the mistress of
a small inn at the foot of the Apennines,
where she entertained as well as she could.
and where those Only stopped who were
contented with little. The house was
still standing, when in my youth | passed
that way. though the sisn of the White
Cross-The Cross OF the Hospitallers-wa
no longer to be seen over the door, sign
which she had taken. if we MY believe the
tradition there in honor of maternal un-
Gle, a grand-master Of that order, whose
achievements in Palestine she would some
times relate. A mountain stream ran
through the garden and al no great dis
tance, where the road turned on IT'S way to
Bologna, stood little chapel, in which a
lamp was always burning before picture
of the Virginia picture of great antiqui-
ty, the work OF some Greek artist.
Here she was dwelling, respected by all
i who knew her, when an event took place
which threw her into the deepest affection.
1t was at monday, in September, that three
foot travellers arrived, and seating them
selves on bench under her viue-trels,
were supplied with fag,n Of Aleaico by
lovely girl, her only child, the image OF
her former self. The eldest spoke like a
Venetian, and his beard was short and
pointed after the fashion of Venice. In his
demeanor he affected great courtesy, bai
his look inspired little confidence for when
he smiled, which he did continually, it was
with his lips only, not with his eyes; and
they were always turned from yours. His
companions were bluff aud frank in their
manner, and on their tongues were many a
soldiers oath. La their hats they wore a
medal, such as in that age was off en- dis.
q tributed in war; and they were evidently
subalterns in one of those free bands which
were always ready TO serve in any quarrel
il a service it could be called, where a bat
tie was little more than mockery; and
the slain. as on an opera stage, wtre up and
fighting tomorrow. Overcome with the
heat, they threw aide their cloaks, and with
their gloves tucked under their belts, con-
tinued for some time in earnest conversa-
tion.
AT length they rose to go, aud the Vene-
tan thus addressed their hostess:
Excellent lady, may we leave under
i your roof, for day or two, this bag o.
gOld?"
"You may" she replied, gaily. " Blu
femember, we fasten only with the latch
u Bars and bolts we have none in our village
and if we had, where would be your secu
riy 2"
In your word, lady,"
But what il / died tonight. where would
4 1t be then 2" said she laushingly. Th'
money would 60 to the church, for non'
could claim it,"
"Perhaps you will favor US with an &C
knowledgement."
:" If you win write it."
An acknowledgment was written accord
ingly, and she signed it before Master Bar
too, the village physician, who had Just call
ed by chance to learn the news of the day
the gold to be delivered when applied for
but to be deliyered (hese were the words
not to one, nor to two, but 10 the three
words wisely introduced by those to whom
belonged, knowing what they knew of eac
other. The gold they had just release
from miser's chest in Pergia, and the
wsrs ep scent that promised more.