Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1872-10-21
AlEyA. GAZETTE & VIRGINIA ADVERT
(FOR THE COUNTRY
RObbiHg Il PrimHn Donna.

Miss Eioletta Colville, the young American
prinla donna, and her mother were waylaid; by
highway robbers while enjoying carriage ride
between Albisola and Savona Italy. The
letter relating the adventure is so interesting
that we deem 1t worthy OF taking some eX-
tracts
The day before we left Savona I thought it
would do Nioletta good to go to the beach and
walk in the sea air, she being yet not entirely
strong, SO we took carriage and drove to the
little village ut AlbiSola. After walking about
an hour on the shore Of this very beautiful
beach-hard and clean from its billions of
many-colored pebbies-we started to return
home. We had got about half mile from
AbSola when the carriage stopped, and the
driver said that something was the matter with
the vehicle, and that it could go no turthe:;
He said we must wait there and he would
go into town for another carriage. was not all
suspicious nor alarmed, and the beauty OF the
place where we were made me rather pleased
than otherwise to remain for the hour that must
cnsue before our driver could return. We were
in little valley, or rather gorge, for the hills
ruse on each side and the mountains lay be-
hiud when We faced the sea, which was just vis
llc through the gorge. We strolled about en-.
loving ourselves, when heard Violetta say
For mercys sake, who are these people? |
turned round and saw advancing from the sea-
side five roug h-luOklng men, who, from the
shape of the road had managed to remain con
cealed from view until they were IN about a rod
or SO of Us. TO run would have been rdicu-
lous, it would have shown fear where, perhaps,
none was necessary; Or if so, We had no place
to run to: and So although inwardly trembling,
did not allow Nioletta to think | was trlghten-
ed but said, 'Oh, they are laborers probably
returning homc" But we were quickly unde-
ceived when one of them advanced and asked
in a tone not at all agreeing with his language,
if we did not have few centlSsiml for poor
man? TO gain time, or rather to gather my
thoughts. | pretended not understand Italian,
aud asked him 10 French what he desired La
the meantime I had slid my hand in my pock-
ct and slipped off my rings from my fingers
He said that he and his comrades would like
a little assistance 10 the way OF money from the
mesdames. had drawn out my pocket book
and was proceeding to open it when our brig
and, not at all like the brigands OF the drama,
did not wait to accept with polite phrase any
offering | might choose to give him, but lncon-
tiuently snatched it from my hand. W hen ne
opened it the others crowded around him, and
seeing its contents There were about SIX hun
d.ed francs in notes Of various denomnauons),
appeared highly conteped; but wishing,
doubtless, to have a souvenir of their unwll-
ing benefactress required of me my watch
also; which, when [ had given them, they
made off with, first convincing themselves
that Vioctta had neither watch nor purse
about her. As l. happy that we had escaped
without further loss or injury, looked after the
rascals, I could not help thinking of the decline
of the brigand species Alas! where were the
steerle crowned hats and flowing ribbons?
Where we're the skcn hose wound about with
many colored tapes that make the legs OF the
opera Singers look like eccentric barber poles;
Alas these real brigands were dirty, halt clad
and wholly ragged specimens OF that humanity
most nearly allied to the brute family. NOW, II
they had only been stage brigands they would
have recognized the young prlna donna assouta
Siynorna Fioletta ColviIle; they would have
compelled her to sing an aria on the spot Gc, ,
&c: but. oh, shame for the romance OF realllte!
we lost our money to a set OF ragamuthns, and
had not even the consolation Of having it taken
from us BY gentleman y with high crowned
hat, with a tail of gorgeous ribbons and who
would sing while he took 1t, to soothe our
wounded feelings. There's where 1t sting IS;
there is where we are humbled. But to return
TO Albisola The driver came shortly after the
departure OF the thieves, and although II coulo
not be proved against him, will always be-
Geve that he was in league with them.
THE MEEK EYED CAMELs.-On "Wednesday
two ladies from Boston visited Central Park:
They strollcd on the Mall. admired Aud
Lang Svne," took ride on the lake, and con-
fessed that the Park was worthy rival OF the
great Boston Common. In fact, if 1t was only
located in Boston they were not be certain but 1t
would excel the pride OF the Hub: ihen tney
went to the arsenal to see the animals MISS
Richardson, who is dashing brunette, wore
love of hat trimmed with the rarest OF autumn
flowers and grasses. They admired the monk
evs. the bears, the eagles and then they fol-
lowed the crowd to see the baby elephant
Near the elephant a couple OF camels were
chewing their cud and dreamily watching the
crowd through half.closed eyes. Their 1nno-
cent looks attracted the attention OF MISS hich-
ardson, and she pllsed to expat!ate 70 nEr
friend, Miss Andrews, on the noole amman
meekness, and what blessing ne was TO lne
children of the desert Then they turneo 'iieii
attention to the baby elephant.
Ina few minutes the crowd was startled
hv the shrieks of woman. Some shouted
that the lions had got loose,, while others
yelled hears, and still others, snakes. "A STAN
ncde and panic were imminent; but glance
toward the camels soon changed the cries OF
fr;yht into shouts of laughter. The largest and
most innocent looking of the camels had cyl
DENLY become impressed with the idea that the
flowers and grasses in Miss Richardson nat
were real, and opening his dreamy LOOKING eyes
and and mouth, at the same time he elevated the
bat ht and du the lady chgnon about sixteen feet in
the the air. air Evidtntly he was sadly disappointed,
for for after af getting them we'll into his mouth he
snat them out, and closing his dreamy looking
srss spss and a huge mouth, again looked innocent
~ ~ mnon on the crowd The damaged headgearr
was restored to the unfortunate owner ana
soon m after the two ladies from Boston were W
speeding away from the Park in close carriage.
As Miss Richardson entered the carriage sue l,e
remarked TO Miss Andrews that she cou.an o,1Uma
IMAGINE WHY the Park Commissioners aIloweu
sucb borrid. ugy-lookiug brutes to run loose IN
tbs park without muzzing She was quite
sure SUR such thing would not be allowed on the
Boston Common