The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1876-05-18
TERESA A.

The artist seeks it for its glorious depths
of color; the poet for its classic tradi-
tions and dreamy influences; the invalid
for it's balmy breath and reviving warmth,
which stir the pulses that in northern
lands would cease to beat. Lionel Mer-
ton. half poet, half artist. and half in
valid, sought it for life both of mind
and body; and his delicate trame-shat-
tered by the chill blasts of the north
woke to a new being in the soft AusO-
nian climate, whilst his artist eye glanced
with a pleased delight over luxuriant
plains and olive-planted slopes, with here
and there a glimpse of the yellow Tiber
flowing majestlcally along.
He was just now standing IN the door
way of the inn gazing, not at the land
scape or the skies, but at face that had
attracted his attention more than once
since his arrival at -. He had seen
it first in the beautiful gardens of the
villa, not far from the inn, peerlng
through the parted branches of a myrtle,
whose dark glossy leaves seemed to form
a fitting framework for the living picture
behind them. But the branches had
closed hastily, as the girl met the blue
eyes of Lionel fixed steadfastly upon her.
we must go home, Tina" said she
to the child, who was watching the
doves wash themselves in the basin Of
the fountain, and she swung 1t up to her
shoulder, where it wound its tiny hands
in her dark hair, lOosening some of the
coils that fell heavily down below her
waist. A flush came over the pale olive
skin.
"Thou art a bad child, Tinar' she
said, as she hastily twisted'up the long
tresses under the folds of her white head
gear.
The large Iustrous eyes had but look
ed at Lionel for moment, and yet they
seemed to have told him a long story
that he had been in the past trying to
decipher. = =
Next he had seen her in the church,
kneeling in fervent prayer, and had
silently watched the changes of cOun-
tenance until again she perceived him,
and with a startled look rose and fled
away.
To-day Teresa stood leaning against
stone pillar, playing with the pink
blossom Of a catal pa that stood near her,
when suddenly she found herself once
more face to face with the English
stranger.
He had discovered her name-Teresa; /;
daughter of blind TomasO Cecchi and
lis U6U-IluUCu WIZ hJAAO was a SOCN
daughter, and worked hard to support
her parents. To day she seemed to be
taking lite easily-drinking in the sPlen-
dor of the purple mists and golden
sheets of sunlight with true italian in
| dolence.
e Dolce far gsierateP P' thought Lionel, as
he looked at the statue-like figure, and
the head thrown back, partly with weaTi-
ness, partly with an intense appreciation
of the beauty around her.
But Teresa's rest was not to be of
| long duration. The Mercanti Of the
! Campagna had sent for labOrers to
gather in the harvest, and men and wO-
men were forming into bands to pin in
the work. Teresa was going, 50 gossip
had told Lionel, and to him it seemed a
sacrilege that the beautiful maiden
should toll and slave with the common
multitude. But what could he do ?
And in the midst of his meditatiOns the
girl raised her face, and again their eyes
met.
Teresa !" The name burst invOlun-
tarily from his lips.
She started and blushed, but this
time did not flee away. She looked up
at Lionel.
Isl, signOre," she answered.
4IdJ ID q JICGbF lDNOAy G~NANA ANACAAOAJ ,
''will you give it to me %
She made no reply but put the blossom
into his hand. And so the acquaint-
| ance was made and the two chatted
away in the sunshine.
Lionel had gone to Tomaso Cecchi's
lodging.
eSB1t your daughter is not strong
enough for such work I' said he, in con
clusi0n to a long harangue.
The old man shrugged his shoulders.
% Poverty" said he, ''is a hard master
and Teresa is a good girl"
TOO good to endanger her life in the
tolls of the Campagna. Think of the
risk, the labor, the heat, the foul even
| ing mists %
But Tomaso looked back beyond the
disoOmforts and remembered a time
when the plains resounded with songs
| and laughter, and the wine was brOached
and hearts were light.
" found my wife there" said he,
''and Teresa may find husband"
Lionel instinctively drew back. A
| husband among those laboring peasants
| impossible; for in his eyes Teresa was
worthy to be the bride of king.
| "Can you not find a substitute for
your daughter? T. and then he
hesitated, for Teresa had come into the
/ room.
" How much viii it cost to get a sub
stitute, Teresa ?''
Teresa laughed. "Giovannetta would
pay if she could go in my place, said
| she. There are too many ready and
willing to GO
"Let them go thenp' responded
Lionel, eargerly.