The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1869-10-27
my rRIENp,s REvENGE.

In the early dissolution OF the Eng
lish Parliament in 1S4-, by releasing
me from editorial labors, enabled me to
accept the Invitation Of our Italian spe-
oial correspondent to visit Milan. I
knew nothing OF my invitor beyond the
warmly recommended by parties high
in the world of continental politics, and
next Of his sustaining these recommen-
dations by series of vigorous articles
full of early information relative to
Italian hovements-the revolution was
then in progress-full of unreserved de-
nuncietion against Austrian and priestly
domination, and equally full of hopeful
anticipations of what then appeared to
most British politicians to be mere
geographical expression, the ''unifica-
tion of Italy"
The character of his contributions
were fiery, martial, uncompromising,
and led me to idealize the contributor as
of gitantic proportions. My astonish-
ment was genuine, when 1 saw that he
was man of puny proportions, with
nothing, in his externals to lead you to
suppose that his veins we're filled with
aught but milk of human kindness-I
take it for granted there is such q liquid
except pair of dark eyes that occa-
6s
A week passed pleasantly. My host,
though known to me as DR.. Doris, in re-
ality was one of the Milanese nobility;
the piazza D., in the Corso, was his
ancestral mansion, let out for economical
reasons to the Austrian general who
commanded at Milan. DR.. Doris, to use
an inelegant but expressive phrase, "was
back and edge" italian. Filled with un-
concealed aspirations from foreign
yoke, and working strenuously with pen
to that end, he was marked man, more
on account of high connections, which,
although denuded of their once splendid
patrimony and power, still carried GER
tain sway.
My week having ended, 1 prepared to
take leave of my friend, and I invited
him to q farewell dinner at his favorite
cafe, named Marengo. The dinner was
good, the wine excellent, and my friend,
who spoke English wonderfully well,
opened his heart unreservedly, as not
being understood, even should spy be
lounging within ear-shot.
After this we went to the magnificent
theatre-La Scala. It was more than
commonly crowded in consequence of a
new candidate for the position of prima
donna. My friends box was on the &C.
cond tier; we made our way up the stone
staircase with some difficulty; here our
further progress was impeded by the
narrow passage being filled with people,
looking for accommodation, and in par
ticular by an officer in Austrian uniform,
whom im nediately recognized as
great duelist, against whom my friend
enterts ined rather unfriendly views. In
order to pass, it was necessary for my
friend to touch the officers elbow. which
he did with perfect politeness. and par
don Monsieur, (the Italians aud Austrians
of the better class usually spoke French.
the only response to which was by the
officer squaring his huge frame still more
unaccommodatingly My friend made
second effort, this time attempting with
gentle force to push himself between the
looked around s1perciliously, and pressed
his arm 80 rudely against my friend as to
thrust him against the wall. My friend,
for man Just vowed forever to peace,
looking strangely warlike, made sudden
effort, bent down the officers arm, and
passed him rapidly, in doing which he
trod, I fear Intentionally, on the officers
feet, o compliment which was returned
by vigorous kick from tho officers
heavy military boot.
The pain and public indignity drew
from my friend o sharp, wollish snarl;
indeed, for the moment, he rescmbled
nothing 80 much as a wolf, with his lips
tightly drawn back, and his cleaning
teeth exposed, when, springing at his as
sailant, he clutched his ample whskers
with one hand, and with tho other buf-
fetted him in the face repeatedly. The
attack was executed with such rapidity
= that the officer had no time to take men-
sures for the defence of his person.; but
when the blows rained on his face, and
the blood flowed, ho became perfectly
mad with rage. He stamped furiously,
and with deep oath, he seized my friend
in his sinewy arms, and held him as easi-
ly as cat would hold a mouse; ho then
backed down the passage until ho came
to the opening, when lifting him high in
the air, he prepared to dash him on the
marble floor beneath, which must have
resulted III frightful mutilation or instant
denth. But his purpose was frustrated
by the spectators, myself among the
number, throwing themselves on him,
and, after severe struggle, rescued the