Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1871-04-26
TWO NIGHTS IN VENICE.

Once upon a time [ was startled from
a deep sleep by the shr;ll whistle of 10.
comoIive; it was some moments before L
could gather my wandering senses, and
remember that we were on the way from
Milan TO Venice.
How cramped was. how wretchedly
felt | had been sleeping four or five
hours on the floor of the cars, with my
head resting on tue seat; my bonnet was
all out of shape. my dress crushed and
dusty. my bones achirg; VIC had been
travelling very fast. and had undressed
but twice in seven nights aud Pays.
To few moments after, the passengers
were all astir A little Frenchman near
me, thinking perhaps that | might dcze
off again. said: We are arriving, mad
emoiselIs; it is just ore o'clock Sup
pressing yawn. and gaining my feet
with an effort, gathered up my belong
ings. and joined INV party on the other
side-of the car. sat down by the open
window, enjoying the cool breeze from
the sea, and waited for-VeDice.
II was midsummer and lovely moon
light night; nothing could be seen on
either side but water.
We gIided along. inst above the sur
face. on arches which support the railroad
from the main land TO the CITY OF
Islands, distance of two miles and a
half.
Slower and slower we went; chains
ratified overhead, and the long train stop.
ped suddenly.
'Omnibusi Omnib1s! was the next
thing we heard. | looked up wonder
iugly into my companions face; 'Omni-
bus in Veuice9 ? said 1. tie smiled and
shook bis head with puzzled air, which
said, Il suppose it must be so, but | do
not understand It.
This way said our guide, and we
stepped on to a long narrow platform
surrounded by water; this way, ladies':
Just step into Omnibus No 2, please
The mystery was solved; omnibuses
glide on water as well as run on wheels
We pressed through the crowd, took our
seats, and pushed If from the station =
As we were rowed along by two stalwart
Italians TO tue hotel, had time TO look
about me aud observe the arrangement
of Venetian omnibus. Il was a low,
fat-bottomed boat, in form somewhat re
sembling our Western flatboats. Three
tiny windows on each side, with red cur
tains looped over them, admitted the
light. Two cushioned seats ran the
length of the boat, true omnibus fashion,
and numerous small brass lamps swung
from the ceiling. The motion of the
boat was delightful; felt very comfort
able, and, leaning back, enjoyed the soft
cushions. gazing cut upon the moonli
waters.
1t seemed almost as though we were
pushing out to sea, as we rOwed on and
on over the broad, calm bosom of the
Adriatic. our Prov parting her silvery
waters, leaving hundreds of little shining
ripples in our wake. Presently few
lights cleaned forth, throwing long, quiv'
.erIng rays across The bay, our omnibus
took a sudden turn, and we shot rapidly
into a narrow lagoon, or canal, with higI
stone fronted houses on either side. We
were in Venice. A few moments more
brought US TO our resting place. The
goniOlier sprang out on stone step. ran
a rope through an iron ring fastened into
a post, and lifted us. one by one. into the
hotel door. Regainiag the boat. the
handsome fellow was soon lost TO sight
On entering the Hotel d Amerique. We
were informed. 10 our dIsmay, that there
&yss not single room 10 he had.
Il am very sorry indeed. ladies'. said
she pompous little landlord. in French.
+Uery sorry; but my house is crowded.
There are fvrty thousand strangers in the
city, who have come 90 witness The fete
10 morrow. We can not possibly accom-
.odate you tonight. | am myself sleep
iDg upon table
Alas! all our hopes of one good night
rest at an end. The landlord, fairly
bowing us out Of the house. called TO $
sgondolier who was asleep in the bottom
and babe him take rs to the Hotel Eu
rope. where he thought We might posi-
bly, find room. We pushed off again,
and this time IN still more delightful
conveyanee-an open gondola. As
sank down exhausted, l found myself hall
buried in cushions of softest down, the
shape of the seats being such that one
was almost compelled to assume a half.
reclining position.
After ALL said I, gathering my cloak
about me-. this is better than rafting
away over horrid rough streets ina hack
think shall like Venice
Soon the Hotel d'Europe came in vies
"a noble edi6ce. ftonting on the 'Grspd
Canal