Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1880-10-14
The Fatal Encounter.


TO reap golden harvest IN the provincial
towns. The avenue leading to the theatre
of Pergola was crowded with long file OF
brilliant equipages. A considerable crowd,
which had not been able to find places
within the house, already filled by the
wealthy and privileged classes, vented
their indignation in loud words near the
principal entrance. A riot even was ex-
pccted, 50 much dissatisfaction was there
manifested in the language and gestures OF
the multitude. But fortunately, the in
tlammable crowd was at last pacifed.
Madame p. was to appear that night in
the opera OF Norma for the last time. The
audience that assembled to greet her on the
occasion was composed Of the elite of Flor
entine society. Never was a more bril-
liant dress circle to be seen. In one of
the side boxes sat the young Count Bach
eroni and his friends This nobleman,
well known for his liberal principles, was
regarded as one of the chiefs of the repub-
lican party of Florence and Italy. Indeed,
whether from motives of ambition CT dis
interestodness the Count had always been
found arrayed in opposition TO the ancient
nobility Of Tuscany, and had always shown
himself an ardent and prompt defender of
the menaced liberties of the people. The
people, who are never ungrateful when a
man devotes himself to the interests of the
country, seeing in him an intrepid protector,
cherished for him kind of worship ap-
preaching the reverence of a son for his
father. Although gifted with good edu-
cation and a rare intelligence, the Count
partook of the opinions of the vulgar with
regard to stage-playeTs, and was imbued
with the same preiudices. In this view an
actress was entitled to no respect, and a
singer was of less consideration than the
lowest of the populace.
Ensnared by the graces and beauty of
Madame p, he had made that celebrated
vocalist offers, the most munifcent and
brilliant, but they were met with cOntin-
ued rcpulses. The evening of the depar-
ture of the actress was arrived, and the
Count was no further advanced in her good
graces. Irritated by her indifference, and
inflamed with anger, he entered the theatre
with the fixed intention of banterng the re-
b. l,Ious cantatrice into compliance with his
wishes.
Madame 7. was IN the midst of a scene
with the tenor singer Zorelli, who person
a:ed the part of ''Palcone," when the
Count, from his position near the stage,
hazarded some pleasantries at first gay and
satirical, then gross and injurious, while
his friends applauded and laughed at his
sallies. Zorelli approached near the box
of the Count and listened attentively. So
absorbed did he become that he lost his
cue and forgot his part, while Bacheroni,
perceiving that he watched him began to
hiss. In this he showed himself less in
dulgent than any of the audience, who had
pardoned the actor his mOmentary distrac-
tion. Zorelli leveled an angry glance at
the Count and resumed his part. Bacher
oni continued his annoying remarks until
he fall of the curtain.
They were yet laughing in the box of the
Count, when tue door opened aud man
appeared upon the threshold. 1t was the
singer Zorelli. His face was pale and his
brow contracted with emotion.
"Sir Count, he said, advancing. you
have traduced and injured female when
she was without protection against your in
suits, and who had given you no cause ex-
cept the rejection of your dishOnorable pro-
posals. That female regard as a sister.
| am the only protector she has in the
world, and come to demand satisfaction
from you for the wrong you have done
her.
Faith, you are not over fastidious IN
your selection" replied the Count, with a
phlegmatic air, and with his hand waved
Zorelli away, as beneath his notice:
''If, in order to contend with you, sir, it
is necessary that l should be of noble
birth, | will prove that my family Is of
rank equal, if not superior TO your owr;
but in the first place, swear that you Will
render me satisfaction"
"You nobIe!" interrupted BacheronJ
''away, away! What would be thought of
me, were to cross swords with a stroller
-
The Count was stopped in the midst of
his remarks by blow from the hand of
Zorelii
Bacheroni rushed toward his adversary,
but his friends intercepted him and held
him back. The actor remained standing
near the door, with his arms folded upon
his breast. The Count, having been calm
ed down, approached him, and said in a
whisper, 81 consent"
Name your place, hour and weapon,
said Zorelli
'At the San-Gallo gate at midnight,
with swords; they will make less distur-
bance than fire-nrms-the light of the moon
will be enough-there must be no witness
es."
"Agreed," said Zorelll, and he went to
resume his part in the opera. He sang
till the close without manifesting the
slightest alteration in his voice, and with
out betraying the least emotion. Madame
P. having evinced some curiosity as to the
cause of his absence, he quieted her ap-
prehensions by the GOODNESS and self-posr
session of his manner.
The Count retired from his box shortly
after the encounter with Zorelli and did
not re-appeer there the rest of the even
ing.
In interrogating his conscience Zorelli sat
tisied himself that he had acted as became
him toward his adversary. He had owed
such debt of gratitude to the noble can
tatrice, that he would have proved himself
a recreant and an migrate if he had suffered
her to be outraged with impunity. Born
of noble family of Trieste, Zoreli had,
from his youth manifested a remarkable
talent for music, and his father had p er-
mitted him to pursue his favorite study,
under any circumstances so natural in
Italy, without fOrseeing how far it would
| lead HIM.
At an age when the imagination of a
young men is easily inflamed and responds