Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-05-22
A LeghOrn Hat.

Nine o'clock of a cloudess summer morn
ing. The basket phaeton stood at the door
IN the narrow, noisy street below, but Mr.,
White had already gone to his office, Annie
pleaded headache, and the children had their
allotted tasks with the German governess to
accomplish. | must either remain within
doors during the hot hours of the day, or go
out alone. | decided on the latter course.
1 am too old to require any chaperon," |
said, with laugh, and glanced in the mirror.
There | beheld not unpleasing image of
a little woman attired in gray, with silvery
veil over her plain face, in the act of fitting
on pair of quite ininitesimal gray gloves.
| kissed my good Annie and the children, as
if bound on long and perilous voyage, and
departed in the basket phaeton.
What new world was that all about me
1t was the city of Leghorn, with its tall
houses, rendered dingy by sea damp and
wide white squares, the atmosphere redolent
of tar, the quays thronged with shipping,
the clumsy tunnels of Oriental steamships
relieved by the lighter tracery Of interlacing
masts against the sky. Ike ships in
their boundless suggestiveness they resemble
wishes, hopes, ever coming and going on
some fresh errand.
The phaeton ratified through the main
thoroughfare, once Via Grande, and now re-
baptized, after the manner of all Italian
cities, in the name of Victor Emanuel.
noticed with the interest of a stranger groups
of bronzed sailors the untidy Leghorn wo-
man with trailing gown, and tapping hand
kerchief tied over her frowzy head the
brilliant uniform of an occasional officer
strolling languidly to his cafe.
Then the Sea Gate was reached, and be-
yond stretched the white road which threads
its way beside the Mediterranean to the
beautiful suburb of the Ardenza. The sea-
breeze waited to me delicious GOODNESS the
hedges Of evergreens and oleanders in masses
of rose bloom mingled rich odors the
stunted trees dropped their feathery foliage
laden with gray dust. gazed out over the
sea, which sparkled like a sapphire, with
the lighthouses so bright at night, now pal.
lid in the morning which no longer had
need of them, and the sails glistening with
an exquisite silvery whiteness on the hori-
zon. | glanced down the white road as it
curved along the strand, bordered by its
feathery trees and oleanders, its gardens,
hotels, and villas stretching to the Maremma,
and the coast might never explore.
"This is the most beautiful shore in the
world and the old Romans knew it," solil-
oquize and just then the phaeton paused.
My destination was the bath. Again the
charm of novelty delighted me, for it was
my first summer with Annie household.
Bathing at Livorno is made pastime, re-
creation, instead of serious business. |
walked out on a pier which terminated in
round space shielded by tent from the
suns rays, and thence the smiling old bath
woman, in a tapping straw hat conducted me
lnXup a hnr1aral an aithar nj do htr
little tents with green doors, to my destina-
ton. Once consigned to the bdraccd, ! was
free to remain in the tiny house, with its
roof of mating and walls of striped canvas,
where the water rippled in of transpa-
rently green hue or to part the curtains and
issue forth boldly as swimmer. decided
to remain secluded in my crystal bath, as |
was alone, like mermaid in cave,
| was startled by the curtains being separ-
ated from without, and the appearance of
mans head, with long sandy beard. The
head advanced with such evident intention
of tall body's following that uttered
faint scream of alarm, when the intruder
retreated hastily with muttered "Beg
pardon"
| received the apology with such dignity
as is possible to very small lady in a
flannel bathing suit, hanging to rope to
avoid drowning in deep water, and with her
head done up in an oil skin cap.
Some stupid Englishman p | said, pet
tishy.
The hour was too early for many occu-
pants of the large tent, and when | emerged
from my bath | drew a chair near the rail
ing to again gaze out over the beautiful
Mediterranean. An American man-of-war
had entered port the previous day. | en-
deavored to descry her, with the old pain at
my heart. My brother Harry, young, brave,
good, destined to become great man, as |
believed had died of fever on board ship off
Callao, five years ago, smitten down without
power TO send me message, although, thus
stricken, | was left alone. Yes, all alone
shivered in the bright Italian morning,
while my eyes searched wistfully for the
man-of-war. Since then every frigate had
become to me Harry's ship, and every Off
Ger in uniform assuredly must be my dead
brothers friend. Five years of winter and
summer in the old house at home, wander
ing from room to room in ghosty fashion,
with the portraits OF father and mother in
the shadow of the best parlor, and Harry's
dog following me with dumb intelligence to
thrust his nose into my hand five years of
mourning, of silence, that left me a plain
little old maid, my hair turned gray Then
Annie, happy wife and mother, school-mate
and friend OF many years, had written to me
a long letter from her home at Leghorn,
where her husband was engaged in busi-
ness, urging me to come abroad | saw my
future clearly enough. In this genial house
hold | should be companion, friend, old
maid aunt to the children. ] sighed.
just then the merchant whose wares were
displayed in the corner of the tent-tortoise-
shell, coral, and sienna-wood trinkets-
begged me TO take chance in his lottery.
| took the box, and turned out the dice on
the board, having paid franc. The mer-
chant counted up the numbers, and found
the corresponding one in his stock of prizes
represented by set of coral, resembling
sticks of red sealing-wax. Somebody APP
proach and watched the drawing. | recog-
nized the long sandy beard of the intruder
of my bath, but gave little Jump when
further discovered that he wore the uniform
of an American naval officer. The merchant
Immediately pounced on him Almost un-
consciously the stranger of the sandy beard
appealed to me in English for explanation,
as he did not understand Italian. The next
moment he held in his hand very pretty
shell comb for lady's hair as prize.
MADAM, do you think this would please
"a woman 2" he inquired, scrutinizing it.
Undoubtedly" replied, calmly. had
taken him under my protection as -one of
Ilarry's friends.
His face flushed, and quizzical smile
lighted up his keen eyes. al mean a lady
home-in America You are an American 2"
"Yes," said, at my ease for he was not
thinking of me at all. was even half
tempted to ask him if he had known my poor
Harry.
"Thank YOU" he said, with sudden
stiffness, and raising his cap, walked away.
Another hour passed swiftly while gazed
out over the sea from the tent then the
heat of the sun warned me TO return. An
nies phaeton bore ne back to the city again.
En- route remembered trihing commits
sion at milliners. Entering the shop, the
first object presented to my notice was the
tall officer with the sandy beard, beset by
two clerks, and surrounded by piles of Leg
horn hats. The poor mans aspect was most