Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1869-08-06
MY FRIENDS REVENGE.

The carly dissolution of the English
Parliament in lS4-, by releasing me
from editorial labors, enabled me TO ac-
cent the invitation of our Italian special
correspondent to visit Milan. L knew
nothing of my inviter beyond the cir
cumstances, first having been warmly
recommended by parties high in the
world of continental politics, and next of
his sustaining this recommendation BY a
series of vigorous articles full of early in
formation relstive to Italian moyements
tho revolution was then in progress
full of unreserved denunciation against
Austrian and priestly domination, and
equally full of hopeful anticipations of
what then appeared to most British poll
ticians to be mere geographical! express
sion, the uniication of Italy.
The charp cter of his contributions
fiery, martial, uncompromising-led me
to ideali1e the contributor as of Titanic
proportions. My establishment was gen
uine when | saw that he was man of
puny proportions, with nothing in his
externals to lead you to suppose that his
veins were filed with aught bnt the milk
of human kindness-I take it for grant
ted there is such q liquid-except pair
of black eyes that occasionally gittered
like ratttlsnake's.
A week passed quits pleasantly. My
host, although known to me as DIR. Do
ria, in reality was one of the old Milan
csc nobility; the palazzo Di7, in the
Ccrso, was his ancestral mansion, let out
for economical reasons to the Austrian
General who commanded at Milan. DR..
Doria, 10 use an ineIegant but expressive
phrase, s.was back and edge Italian. =
Filled with unconcealed aspirations tor
his country's speedy emancipation from
a foreign yoke, and working strenuously
with his pen to that end, he was mark
ed man, more especially on account of
their high connections, which, although
denuded of their once splendid patrimo-
ny aud power still carried a certain sway.
Ny week having endec, I prepared to
take leave of my friend, and l invited
him to farewell dinner at his favorite
cafe named Marengo. The dinner was
good, the wine excellent, and my friend,
who spoke English wonderfully well,
opened bis heart uureseryedly, as there
was little chance of the conversation be-
ing understood, even should spy be
lurking within earshot.
After this we went to the magnificent
theater-La Scala. 1t was that COM
monty crowded in consequence of a new
candidate for the position of prinaa DON
ma. My friends box was on the second
tier; we made our way up the stone
staircase with some difficulty; here our
further progress was impeded by the mar
row passage being filed with people,
looking for accommodation and in partic-
ulaI by an an officer in the Austrian
uniform, whom ] Immediately recognize
ed as an officer, great duellist, against
whom my friend entertained rather un
friendly views. In order to pass, it was
necessary for my friend to touch the off,
GERS elbow, which he did with perfect pc,
likeness, and pardon, monsieur, the ltal-
ians and Austrians of the better class
usually spoke French, the only response
to which was by the officer squaring his
huge flame still more unaccommodat.
ingly. My friend made a second effort,
this time attempting with gentle force to
push himself between the balustrade -
The officer looked around spperciliously,
and pressed bis arm so rudely against
my friend as to thrust him against the
wall. NV friend, for a man just vowed
forever to peace, looking strangely war
like, made sudden effort, bent down
the officers arm, and passed him rapidly
in doing which be trod, | fear intention
ally, on the officers feet, compliment
which was returned by vigorous kick
from the officers heavy military boot.
The pain and public indignity drew
from my friend a sharp, wolfish snarl;
indeed, for the moment he resembled
nothing so much as a wolf, with his lips
drawn tightly back, and his cleaning teeth
exposed, then springing at his assailant,
he clutched his ample whiskers with one
hand, and with the other buffeted him
on the face repeatedly. The attack wa;
executed with such rapidity that the off
Ger had no time to take measures for The