Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1871-04-26
N, room, was the answer

lilumlndtec IN nOnor OF tue SuiCiDS lete /,
loops Of transparent colored balls were
suspended from house TO house over the
lagoons; one large palace was a. blaze of
light, revealing distinctly the surrounding
magnificence.
A gondola passed us with single &C.
cupant, a gentleman of slender and grace
ful form, with dark, curling mustache,
humming to guitar accompaniment a
low, sweet melody, meditating, no doubt,
serenade to some fair daughter of Italia.
Next large gondola, finely carved.
swept by US. 1t held gay party Of Ia
dies and gentlemen in full ball costume.
no doubt returning from the dance. A
bright awning was stretched above their
heads: in the centre of the boat stood a
small table, with cakes and wine.
F. and | looked at each other, to
see, suppose. whether we were really
awake or only dreaming.
Where are We |? she asked.
In fairy land. think
But where shall we sleepF
| shrugged nv shoulders.
So we skinned on, turning first into
dark, narrow lngoons, then coming out
into broader ones, brilliantly lighted;
stopping at every hotel in the city, and
also at several private houses.
Gaining nowhere admitiance, We re.
turued TO Hotel d. Amerique. Here We
insisted upon staying, telling the little
landlord, whom we reused once more,
that we were quite willing to lie on the
floor or sit up for the rest of the night,
if he would only allow us TO come 10.
This time the little man looked dis
tressed; lie felt sorry for US. We pre-
scented, no doubt, very foriorn appear
auce. He hustled about, up stairs and
down, some fifteen minutes. and finally
informed us, with graceful bow. that
Young genlemnn had given up his room,
and that the young ladies would please
follow him up TO it. The young gentle
man would be obliged to remain in the
travellers room unit! the next day. when
he would find room for us all.
F. and followed the landlord up
five fl ghts of steps, and were ushered in
to very email chamber. This he re
marked, lis blind room; it has no win
dows. To morrow promise you bet
ter one;' and then. handing us some cloan
bed linen, he left US. We arranged our
bed and lay down. very thankful and
very weary.
We slept long next morning, forgetting
the fact that we occupied 'blird room
We waited for light. We bad both of
us awakened several times; but, hearing
no sounds, had fallen asleep again. Venice
is. night and day, the same-silent as the
grave.
At last F., feeling herself perfectly
rested, sprang up and opened the side
door of our little room. The bright ltal
ian sun streamed in across the checkered
marble floor. 1t was just midday!
We stared at each other, rather amaz.
ed. OIL if we have missed the fete!' |
exclaimed; and we began hastily 10 make
our toilets. This being quickly accom-
plisled we ventured timidly forth. Pass
ing through spacious nails and down din
gy white marble steps, we found ourselves
IN an elegantly furnished reception room,
surrounded by chattering groups of Ital
iaus. evidently awaiting dinner.
In few moments the gong sounded.
long and loud, and our gentlemen joined
us, laughing not little at our long nap.
they had not rested so well, poor fellows,
with bare floor for bed and carpet
sack for pillow.
The dinner was served in the usual
European style, using twice the time and
four times the number Of plates necessary.
Soon after taking my seat my eye was
caught by two gentlemen, an Austrian
officer and his newly arrived friend, both
fine looking men of middle age. APP
parantly unconscious of the attention they
attracted. they continued throughout din
ner conversing in such loud tones that all
who understood German bad the benefit
Of the tete-a tete they seemed so heartily
to enjoy. The frequent grimaces. pat
ting of shoulders, aud the look of infinite
love often exchanged lsuch looks as only
Germans bestow upon each other. enter
tanned US not "a little during the tedious
two hours and half we sat at dinner.
Now comes the fete,' SAID the officer
TO his friend. as VIC all arose from The
table; 1T begins I believe. at four; alions
done He put his arm th. ough that If
his companion, and rapidly bore him
away.
The noisy dining saloon of tho Hotel
dAmerique was in n few moments hush
ell aud empty. F. and | retired TO
cur room TO equip ourselves for iiie fste.
while our gentlemen FASTENED to engage
a gondola.
In the course of half an hour we were
winding slowly through innumerable
small canals, silent and cool, the dark
green waters as smooth as mirror-
| When We passed near the walls noticed
The sea-moss waving gracefully beneath
the surface.
Our venerable, patient looking Condo
Iier wore thoughtful expression, and /
too became reflective. tales of fearful
midnight assassinalions fitted through
my memory. We might perchance be
gliding above the blesched and crumbing
remains of some treacherously murdered
victim lying Wondering since the early
days of Venice.
| felt rs il no one, after committing so