Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1875-03-10
A STORY OF A GREAT PAINTER.

One evening in the year 1900 a woman
enveloped in a long black mantle was
walking towards the bridge OF the Rialto
in Venice. Her steps we're weak and
uneven, and at intervals she looked
around with a hurried, frightened glance.
She paused on the center of the bridge
aud looked down with shudder on the
clear blue waters Of the Adriatic; then
closing her eyes and murmuring family,
Antonio my Antoniol adieur she pre.
pared to throw herself over the parapet
just as she was falling a man rushed
forward, seized her with powerful grasp,
and drawing her back, said: Girl, de.
stroy not the life which Providence has
given thee. If you are unhappy, enter
your church, kneel on its hallowed pave
ment, pour out your sorrow, and thank
your Maker that you have been preserved
from crime--frOm rushing uncalled into
His presence"
The girl impatiently tried to shake off
the strong hand that held her, and said.
Let me go must die"
In another moment she tottered AMI
fell to the ground, where she lay without
a sense or motion. Her preserver raised
her head, and in order to give her air,
drew back the veil which concealed her
features. They were very lovely, and
the man gazed on her with wonder and
admiration as she was gradually restored.
BY degrees she told him who she was
and where she lived Her history might
be summed up in few words: An ava.
riclous father, poor lover, a mutual but
unhappy love.
Vainly did Maria plead with her
father rich inn keeper of Venice, the
cause Of her lover, Antonio Barbarigo.
the handsome gondoler plying beneath
the Bridge Of Signs. At length this
evening, her father, Gianettini, forgot
himself so far as to strike his daughter
with some violence; and she, with far
more culpable neglect of her duty, ran
wildly from home, and as we have seen,
was arrested just on the verge of COM
hitting suicide.
The person who had saved her led her
gently to her home, and having given
her up to her father, seated himself in
an obscure corner of the hostlery. Clan.
ettini received his child with rude ap.
proachss, and bidding her retire to her
own apartment and betake herself TO
her spinning, he cast a suspicious glance
at the person who had brought her home,
whose stout, manly figure and firm
cOuntenance, however, deferred the inn
keeper from addressing him in hostile
manner
AS Maria turned to depart a young
gondolier appeared at the door, and fur.
lively approaching her, said, "Dearestl
dearest"
Gianettini rushed forward, shouting
"0ut Of this out of my house, fellowr
The young man did not stir.
Have you fnished2" he said, in a
good-hnmored tone. Wherefore these
hard words2 Have you never loved
Signor Gianettini2 Have you totally
forgotten the feeling of your youth ?
Know you not that, since was ten years
old and Maria Eve, we have loved each
other fondly2 Will you not then, allow
us to hallow your old age with our
tears2"
81 don't want to have parcel Of beg
gars for my children" said Gianettini,
roughly.
"Beggarsl' said the young man. "You
surely forget yourself"
Not |, indeed" returned the father.
" refuse my consent. Therefore, get
you gone"
But hear me for one moment"
pleaded the gondolier.
" 1t is useless. again repeat that
such as you shall never wed my daugh.
ter. Your position is too mean"
Certainly, you are rich" replied the
Young man, - but what hinders that
should become so, too2 A stout arm,
breave heart, an honest soHl will, with
the help Of heaven, do much"
" A FOOLS dream'
," Nay" said Antonio, 1T is sober
sense Prince Lorenz de Medici was
merchant, Duke Giacamo Sforza a cow.
ard"
The man in the corner hardened at
tentively to this dialogue. BE rose, and
touching Barbarigos shoulder; said:
Well spoken, gondolierl Courasa
brings success and struggles conquer,
Maria shall be thy wife.
Neverl" cried Gianettini.
Master jew said the unknown,
turning disdainiully toward him, III this
youth could ley down six hundred pis-
toles would you object to the marriage2"
Be that as it may, you must remem.
Der that he is now little better than a
pauper."
"Pshaw" said the unknown, "bab.
blers are more tiresome than thieves
Before tomorrow you shall handle that
sum-"
SO saying he drew from his pocket a
piece OF parchment and crayon, and
turning toward a table, began rapidly to
sketch a mans hand. It was repre-.
sented open, impatient, with followed
palm, as i expectinga a shower of gold
niOqaa In had on m anoal, a ..n.,,,,,.