The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1881-10-06
TEREsIHa's PRIZE.


TEREsInA'S PRIZE.
Pausilipo is q suburb Of Naples,
stretching along the western side Of the
beautiful bay, about which so much has
has been said and written. Along the
steep banks that descend abruptly to the
sea are many charming villas facing di-
rectly on the water, and reached from
the main road by zigzag paths, through
gardens rich in all .he luxuriant growth
Of Southern Italy. With the deep-blue
water washing the rocks upon which
these houses stand, and beyond the sea
the mountains behind Sorrento, Gastel-
lamare and Woo standing out in bold
outline with Vesuvius rearing his head
solemn and threatening to the left
there is here to be found about as fine
view as the heart Of man could desire.
And when the eye, as it is apt to do,
tires Of these grander beauties, it Isl only
necessary to turn round to regale ones
senses with the soft greens OF the fig
tree, olive, chestnut and lemon, the odors
Of the orange blossoms and roses, and
the varied hues Of the many flowers
with which nature supplies this land
with 30 liberal a hand.
In one of the prettiest of these villas
lived an English family and at the
time Of the present story some tender
passages were taking place between the
eldest daughter Of the house and Lord
Ardley, whose yacht was in harbor ut
Santa Lucia, whence it was his frequent
custom to sail across in the dingey when
the wind was favorable, both rs short
cut, and to avoid the dust, jolting and
evil odors along the Chiaja. The usual
companion Of these journeys was lad
Of IL years, an Englishman, who, some
few years previously, had been cast
alrift ut Naples by one Of those strange
chances which are liable to befall 4
young sailor who finds himself with d
brutal Captain and drunken crew.
After many shifts and much misery, by
dint Of sheer honesty and industry
virtues at considerable premium in this
city-and aided by quick intelligence,
he had acquired a fair knowledge Of the
language, and decent position as guide,
courier or COMMISSIONERS, as occasion
offered. His name was Frank Lloyd.
Lord Ardiey had taken fancy to him,
and attached him to his special sarvice
during his stay in the neighborhood,
finding him both useful and discreet.
Now it happened that adjoining the
Villa Santangelo was an untenanted
house, placed under the care Of gar
dcner, named Baldelli, who occupied a
small house close to the waters edge,
which served for bathing apartments
when the main building was tenanted
With old Baldelli lived his niece Tere.
sina, al exceptionally beautiful girl Of
Is, who had rather hard time Of it to
make things comfortable for her surly
aud avaricious uncle, 10 whom the ex-
penditure of every soldo for household
necessities was M agony. Teresina was
great favorite Mt the villa, where she
was oft required to assist the ladies'
with her needle and there some Of her
happiest days were spent, much indeed
to her own advantage; for, taking an
interest in her, they had taught her
habits and modes of life which raised
her considerably above her country
women Of the sumo class. Deprived
early of her parents, she mixed little in
the society Of her own class for Baldelli
was strongly ayerse to anything in the
nature Of sutlngs or junketines, as in
volving expense, and his miserly habits
made him unpopular among his neigh
bors.
Teresina had been for some time at
tached to Frank Lloyd. much to the
displeasnre Of old Baldolli, who hated
him very cordially for the way in which
Lloyd steadily set his face against the
monstrous impositions attempted by the
old man, though he frequently put little
commissions IN his way for flowers, fruit,
poultry and the rest. Baldelli's son,
Luigi, was also thorn in the sides Of
the lovers. He was typical specimen
Of "those Neapolitans," term Of con-
tempt used specifically for loafing set
IN Naples by the surrounding towns.
just shade above the lazzarOni, who
are fast disappearing, they are as idle
and worthless = set Of cubs as are to be
found III Europe. Work is hateful TO
them; they would sooner fi.ch shilling
than earn ten any day; their time is
spent round the doors of cafes, in the
piazzas, on board the bay steamers, in
the gardens Of the CHINA; always in
gangs, gambling, idling, smoking, sing
ing sometimes-but rarely-ighting,
but never working. Where they find
means to dress their nnclean bodies in
the tawdry pseudo-respectable clothes
they wear, and for the lavish display of
collars and cuffs-the less said about
their under attire the better-is mys-
terry. Luigi had graduated highly in
this set; but. having notion to settle
down into less precarious mode Of life,
had thought that Teresina might prove
. useful appendage, and, perhaps, by
her cleverness and industry, supply him
with means for his own particular pleas
ures.
Affairs thus stood when a stroke of
fortune, which befell Teresina. gave
rise to the trouble Of which this story
tells. Like many wiser and better peo-
pie than herself, she occasionally
dreamed dreams, and often threw away
her small savings in the public lotteries
upon 9 1me lucky number which was to
make her fortune. One day, however,
she found herself to be one in thou
sand upon whom fortune smiles. She
was the winner OF E50O. It is needless
W Guy WllA VIM ulNClAlN Bile pIGSCIv6u
herself Mt the LancO di lotto, and her
disappointment on finding it was impos-
sihle to pay the money over to her.
She was too young. She must bring
her parents or guardian. With heavy
heart she returned to Pausilipo, no
longer thinking Of the joyful surprise
she had in store for her darling Frank.
when she should place the money in his
hands, and tell him to take her with it
but with presentiment Of some mis-
fortune that must arise from her uncle's
greed Or her cousins envy. But she
hal been taught courage and indie
pendence from her association with the
English, which determined her to make
q stand for her rights.
"Chut! What do you do SO late 2"
growled her uncle as she entered the
house.
!" | have been to the bdnco iii lotto,
my father"
- T,otfot What hava Won tn do with