The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1869-10-07
MY FRIENDS REVENGE.
A THRILLING STORY OF A DUE

A THRILLING STORY OF A DI Ell.
| In the early dissolution of the English par
| lament in 1Sl -, by releasing me from edi-
torial labors, enabled me to accept the invi-
tation of our Italian special correspondent tC
visit Milan. | knew nothing Of my invitol
beyond the circumstances, first, of having
been warmly recommended by parties high
in the world of continental politics, and next
of his sustaining these recommendations by
series of vigorous articles full of early IN
formation relative to Italian movements the
revolution was then in progress-full of un-
reserved dcnunciation against Austrian and
pricstly domination, and equally full of hope
tul antcipati0ns of what then appeared to
most British politicians to be Il mere geogra-
phical expression, the ''unilication of Italy. -
The character Of his contributions We're
fiery, martial, uncompromising, and led me
to idealzc the contributor as of Titanic pro-
portions. My astonishment was genuine,
when | saw that he was u man Of puny pro
portions, with nothing in his externals to lead
YOU to suppose that his veins were filled with
aught but milk of human kindness-I take it
for granted there is such a lquid-except q
pair of dark eyes that occasionally glittered
like a rattlesnake's.
known to me as DR.. Doris in reality was one
of the Milanese nobility; the palazza D.,
i'll the Corso, was his ancestral mansion, let
out for economical reasons to the Austrian
general who commanded at Milan. Dr. Dori;t,
to use an inelegant but expressive phrase,
"was back and edge" Italian. Filled with
unconcealel aspirations for his country $
speedy emancipation from a foreign yoke, and
working strenuonsy with pen to that end,
he marked man, more on account OF
high connections, which, although dcnudcN
of their once splendid patrimony and power,
still carried a certain sway.
My week having ended, prepared to take
leave of my friend, and | invited him to a
farewell dinner at his iayoritc cafe. named
Marengo. The dinner WAS good, the wine
excellent, and my friend, who spoke English
wonderfully well, opened his heart unre-
1cryedlN, as not being understood, even should
a spy be lounging within ralshot.
After this we went to the magnificent thea
tcr-La Scala. II was more than commonly
crowded in consequence OF II new candidate
tor the position of prima donna. My friends
box was on the second tier; We made oul
way up the stone staircase with some difficult
ty; here our further progress was impeded
by the narrow passage being filled with peo-
pie, looking for accommodation, and in par
ticular by an officer in Austrian uniform.
whom | Immediately recognized as II great
rather unlriendly views. In order to pass it
was necessary for my friend to touch the Of
iicer's elbow, which he did with perfect polite
ness, and ylt1rioA monsttur, (the Italians and
Austlians OF the better class usually spoke
Erench,) the only response to which was by
the officer squaring his huge frame still more
unaccommodatngly My friend made Il
second effort, this time attempting with gentle
force to push himself between the officer and
the baI,lstrade. The officer looked around
superciliously, and pressed his arm 50 ludcly
against my friend as to thrust him against the
wall. My friend, for II man just vowed for
ever TO peace, looking strangely Warlike,
made a sudden effort, bent down the officer ),
arm and passed him rapidly. in doing which
he troA, fear Intentionally, on the officer )
feet, 4 compliment which was retulncd bv a
vigorous kick from the officers heavy military
boot
The pain and public mdignty drew from
my friend u sharp, wolfish snarl; iudeed tor
the moment he rcsembled nothing so much as
4 wolf, with his lips tightly drawn back, and
his cleaning teeth exposed, when, springng
at his asstant, he clutched his ample
whiskcrs with one hand and with the other
bullettcd him in the face repeatedly. The at
tack was executed with such rapility that the
officer had no time to take measures for the
defence Of his person; but when the blows
raincd on his face, and the blood flowed, he
became perfectly mad with rage. He stamp
ed iuriously, and with II deep oath, he seized
my friend in his sinewy arms, and held him
rs easily as Il cat would hold II mouse; he
then backed down the passage until he came
to the opening, when lifting him high in the
air, he prepared to dash him on the marble
floor beneath; a fall must have resulted in
fr@htiul mutilation or instant death But his
purpose was frustrated by the spectators. my
self among the number, throwing themselves
on him, and, after fierce struggle. rescued
the little doctor from his grip The guard.
attractcdb by the turmoil, made ctheirappearance
and for the present further hostilities were
impossible. | lost sight of my friend for a
few minutes; he then rcjoined me, and hay
ing lamcnted the mlucky encounter that had
unexpectedly marreu our entertainment. prot
fered me his pass which declined, and then
solicited me to return to the cafe and wait for
him. acccded to his request, and having
ordered u clarct cup well iced, sat for some
time meditatin% on the probable issue of the
event.
My friend ut last came into the cafe, and
addressing me, said: 81 must bep of you \
personal iavor-to proong your stay in
Milan for a week You have seen me lick
ed looking like u demon, eyes. kicked bv
the hoof OF a German pig. You must wit
ness the mode in which | shall cancel the
debt"
81 think you have already pretty well
balanced matters" replied ''Il the Austrian
used his foot, you repaid the obligation amply
by spoiling his handsome face with your