St. Landry democrat., 1878-05-18
A LEGH0RN HAT.

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 60 out alone.
I decided on the latter.
clam too old to require any chaperon,'
said with laugh, and glanced in the
mirror.
There l beheld not unpleasing image
of little woman attired in gray, with a
silvery veil over her plain face, in the
act of fitting on pair of quite infnitesis
NAL gray gloves. I kissed my good An
ME and the children, as if bound on a
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. I
like ships; in their boundless Suggestive
ness they resemble wishes, hopes, ever
coming and going on some fresh errand.
The phaeton ratified through the main
thoroughfare, once Via Grande, and now
rebaptized, after the manner of all Ital-
ian cities, in the name of Victor Eman
uel. I noticed with the interest of a
stranger groups of bronzed sailors the
untidy Leghorn woman with trailing
gown, and Tapping handkerchief tied
over her frowzy head :; the brilliant uni
form OF an occasional officer strolling
languidly to his cafe.
Then the Sea Gate was reached, and
beyond stretched the wkite 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. I gazed out over the sea,
which sparkled like sapphire, with the
light houses so bright at night, now
pallid in the morning which no longer
had need of them, and the sails glistening
with an exquisite silvery whiteness on the
horizon. ! glanced down the white road
as it curved along the strand, bordered
by its feathery trees and oleanders, it's
gardens, hotels and villas stretching to
the Maremma, and the coast I might
never explore.
This is the most beautiful shore in
the world, and the old Romans knew it,"
soliloquized and just then the phaeton
paused.
MY destination was the bath. Again
the charm OF novelty delighted lne, for
it was my first summer with Annie's
household. Bathing at Livorno is made
. pastime, recreation, instead of seri>
ous business. I walked out on pier
which terminated in round space
shielded by tent from the SUMS rays,
md thence the smiling old bath woman,
n a Tapping straw hat, conducted me
Town passage, bordered ON either side
~ little tents with green doors, to my
destination. Once consingned to the
'oraceG, was free to remain in the tiny
louse, with its roof of mating and walls
# striped canvass, where the water rip.
lied in of a transparently green hue, or
o part the curtains and issue forth boldly
s swimmer. I decided to remain se<
luded in my crystal bath, as I was alone,
Ike mermaid in cave.
was startled by the curtains being
erarated from without, and the appear
nee of mans head, with long sandy
card. The head advanced with such |
vident intention OF tall body's follow
ag that / uttered faint scream of |
lam, when the intruder retreated
astily with muttered beg pardon"
| received the apology with such dig.
ity as is possible to very small lady
flannel bathing suit, hanging to
'pe to avoid drowning in deep water,
nd with her head done up in an oil
Kin cap.
Some stupid Englishman!" I said {
ettishly.
The hour was too early for many occu.
ants Of the large tent. and when I
merged from my bath I drew a chair
ear the railing to again gaze out over
1e beautiful Mediterranean. An Amer
an man-of>War had entered the port the
revious day. | endeavored to descrv
er, with the old pain at my heart. NV
rother Harry, young, brave, good, des-
ned TO become q great man, as / be-
eyed, had died Of fever on board aFin
i Callao five years ago. smitten down
ithout power to send me a message
Though, thus stricken, I was left alone,
es, all alone ! shivered in the bright
allan morning, while my eyes searched
istfuily for the man>of~war. Since then
!, = =
1ery frigate had become to me Harry,s