The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1881-12-14

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Nothing much where I live. Some
people eat few eggs or put few
flowers in the churches"
How sad No Easter BuG you
have carnival ?"
"Not where I live"
"No carnival But sn italian would
die without the carnival. Pray what do
you haveP
"We have Fourth of July"
"Forterhuli-and what is that ?"
Thorn explained in few words, add
ing "We make all the noise possible /;
send off fireworks all day andall night;
but it's very hot and disagreeable."
1T must be dreadful. But you have
holidays. There's christina"
"Oh yes we go to church then"
"Stand up and hear prayers ?"
eyes"
"Then we have Thanksgiving"
Tanksgeevin p
"Yes that's a great day in late No
vember, when we have turkeys"
"Turkeys where ?" and the countess
opened her soft eyes so wide that Thorn
quite lost himself in their brown
depths.
"WhereP Oh, on the table, to be
sure"
Turkeys, and little trees, and great
noise on q hot day, and no carnival
I could never like American ways" The
countess shook her head with decision,
and for the rest of the evening smiled
upon stout, middle-aged marquis, who
had waxed mustache.
For weeks Thorn haunted the old
salon, meeting the stout marquis at
every call, while Countess Vittoria be-
slowed her favors evenly. If she ad-
mired Thorn's last picture, she admired
the marquis new horse; if she let the
marquis play with her fan, she let
Thorn steal flower from her bouquet.
When she was not present, the marquis
glared at the American, and the Ameri-
can whistled softly to himself and
looked over the stout gentleman's head.
He was tall enough to do it in an aggra-
waiting way, At last matters came to
a crisis when Thorn sang love song to
Vittoria's own guitar, and pointed the
words very dramatically. The marquis
followed him out and on the stairs said,
very red aud short of breath: "You
will fight me, signore."
"Why~ demanded Thorn, quietly.
"You know why. The Countess
Comparini."
"Well" and Thorn leisurely lighted
cigar. 81 don't quite see your point.
If you are an accepted suitor of the
lady"
II fancy I am to be so favored" re-
piled the marquis, fiercely.
"Then I esteem the countess too
highly to injure her future husband.
On the other hand" continued Thorn,
with provoking calm and distinctness,
"if you are not an accepted suitor-"
well, suppose Tn not ?" clustered
the marquis, rather betraying weak
ness in his haste.
"Then, Signor Marchese, you are
less than nothing to me. wouldn't
waste the time walking out to re-
tired spot to shoot you down."
"Then you won't fight p
"No."
The marquis was purple with rage by
this time, and exclaimed: Coward p
At the word Thorn asked: "Have
you pistolsP"
ST have;" and valet was beckoned
who presented pair. "Hal you will
fight, then!" sreered the marquis.
Thorn made no reply, but examined
one of the weapons.
"Do you Observe" he said, still
smoking, "the forefnger of that
statuef" 1t was cast filling niche at
the foot of the long fight of stairs. As
he spoke he fired, and the finger, shot
off, clicked as it fell ON the marble
stairs. The marquis had just time to
note that, when the American said:
Now this is for calling me a coward, -
and delivered blow right between his
enemy's eyes which sent that titled gen
tleman rolling downstairs in a sense
less heap. Then Thorn went up to his
rooms, the cigar still alight.
Now Teresa, the maid, had overheard
this scene, and the next day the
countess said (" An Italian would have
had duel with that gentleman, Signor
Torn"
"We don't shoot fools in America
we whip 'em," answered the young man.
"Your ways are not like ours" sighed
the countess, with mock regret, for a
smile was playing in that one unmatch-
able dimple.
Countess, could you never like our
ways?"
"They are so singular, she answered,
evasively.
Gould you never like an American
a man who loves you sincerely, who will
make of you not a plaything, not a
household ornament, but companion,
a friend, a wife ?"
1t is all too stranger" and she spoke
low. "I could never get used to you.
You are So"
"Well, so what ?"
$50 tall and so blonde, and"
$50 ugly"
No, but so different from us. And
your name-I could never, never pro-
nounceit. VortintoD Torn"
ST will pronounce it for you; 1 will