The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1881-10-19
TIE PRESS.
Teresina's Prize.
rLondon Society,"

written. Along the steep banks that de-
scend abruptly to the sea are many charm
ing villas facing directly on the water, and
reached from the main road by zigzag paths
through gardens rich in all the 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, Castellamare
and Vico standing out in bold outline, with
Vesuvias 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 is only necessary to turn round to regale
ones senses with the soft greens OF the hg
tree. olive, chestnut and lemon, the odors of
the orange blossoms and roses, and the va
ried hues of the many flowers with which
nature supplies this land with so liberal
hand.
In one of the prettiest of these villas lived
an English family; and at the time OF be
present story some tender passages W re
taking place between the eldest daughter Of
the house and Lord Ardley, whose zach
was in harbor at Santa Lucia, whence it was
his frequent custom to sail across in the
dingey when the wind was favorable, both
as a short cut, and to avoid the dust, jolting
and evil odors along the Chiaja. The usual
companion of these journeys was lad of Is,
an Englishman who, some years previously,
had been cast adrift at Naples by one of
those strange chances which are liable to be-
fall a young sailor when he finds himself
with brutal captain and drunken crew.
After many shifts and much misery, by dlnt
of sheer honesty and industry-virtues at a
considerable premium in this city-and aided
by quick intelligence, he had acquired a
g., Lrn Lodi Of fba lau and a
cent position as guide, courier or commits
sionaire, as occasion offered. His name was
Frank Lloyd. Lord Ardley had taken a
fancy to him, and attached him to his spec
isl service during his stay in the neighbor-
hood, finding him both useful and discreet.
Now it b Appened that adjoining the Villa
Santagelo was an untenanted house, placed
under the care of gardener, named Baidel-
Ii, who occupied small house close to the
waters edge, which served for bathing
apartments when the main building was
tenanted. With old Baldeli lived his niece
Teresina, an exceptionally beautiful girl of
fifteen, who had rather a hard time of it to
make things comfortable for her surly and
avaricious uncle, to whom the expenditure
of every soldo for household necessities was
an agony. Teresina was great favorite at
the villa where she was often required to
ass list the ladies with her needle; and there
some of her hapPiest days were spent, much
iAdeed to her own advantage; for, taking an
interest in her they had taught her habits
and modes of life which raised her consider
ably above her countrywomen Of the same
class. Deprived early of her parents, she
mixed little in the society of her own class;
for BaldelIi was strongly averse to anything
In the nature of outings and junketings, as
involving expense, and his misery habits
made him unpopular among his neighbors.
Teresina had been for some time attach
ed to Frank Lloyd, much to the dispeasure
of old Baldelli, who hated him cordially for
the way in which Lloyd steadily set his face
against the monstrous impositions attempt
cd by the old man, though he frequently
put little commissions in his way for flow
srs, fruits, poultry and the rest. Baldeli's
son, Luigi, was also thorn in the sides of
the lovers. Ae was a typical specimen of
ethose Neapolltans,' term of contempt
used specifically for loafing set in Naples
by the surroundi' towns. just shade
above the lszzaroni, who are fast disappear
ing, they are as idle and worthless a set of
cubs as are to be found in Europe. Work
is hateful to them; they would sooner fitch a
shilling than earn ten any day; their time
10 spent round the doors of cafes, in the
piazzas, on board the bay steamers, in the
gardens of Chiaja; always in gangs, gambl-
ing, idling, smoking, singing, ometimes-
but rarely-fghting, never working. Where
they find means to dress their unclean bod
les in the ia dry pseudo respectable clothes
they wear, aud for the lavish di play
of collars and cuffs-the less said about
their under attire the better-is a mystery.
Luigi had graduated highly in this set; but
having a notion to settle down into a less
precarious mode of life, had thought that
Teresina might prove useful appendage,
and perhaps her cleverness and industry
supply him with means for his own particu-
lar pleasures.
Affairs thus stood when stroke Of for
tune, which befell Teresina, gave rise to
the troubles of which this story tells. Like
many wiser and better people than herself,
she occasionally dreamed dreams and often
threw away her small savings in the lotter-
les upon some "lucky number which was to
make her fortune. One day, however, she
found herself to be the one in thousand on
whom fortune smiles She was the win er
of $500. 1t is needless to say with what
alacrity she presented herself at the 6anc0
ii lotto and her disappointment on finding
it was imdossible 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
place the money in his hands and tell him to
take her with 1t; but with presentiment of
some misfortune that must arise from her
uncle's greed or her Cousins envy. But
she had been taught courage and indepen-
dence from her association with the English
which determined her to make stand for
her rights.
sCGutl What do you do so late?' growled
her uncle DIS she entered the house.
II have been to the banco di lotto, my
father"
O little devil! it is not enough that you
should beggar me by giving macaronl to
any blind beggar who passes; but you must
play lotto, Ell? while Luigi sleeps all day
and drinks anisette like prince! Curse
you BOTH"
''But have gained, my father. And it
was not with your money, but some that l
earned from the English ladies'"
"Gainedl Humphl Nine or ten Ira for
your trenta centissimi, suppose?"
81 have won twelve thousand, five hum
bred francs.
Old Baldelli dropped his hands to his
side fell back in his chair, and with open
mouth and staring eyes seemed to have lost
all power of utterance
sit is true, uncle Baldelli; and you are
glad of my fortune, are you not?"
Twelve thousandi Why, we shall be
rich, my little Teresina. But where is the
money? Let me look at it, let me feel it,"
and his lean fingers tremhled with excite
ment.
81 have not yet received it, They said
you must apply for it. But here is the tick
e:."
Old Baidelli seemed lost in thought.
eyes, yes; l will apply for it, he said,
sand then what gay doIngs shall we havel
And you shall have the brightest silk scarf
in Naples, and silver necklet worth forty
francs, if CART get it cheaper. And hen
you marry Luigi"
s'But | am not going to marry Luigi''
sab, but that will all come in time. And
we will buy the orchard on the hill above,
and your old uncle-your loving, kind old
uncle shall do all the work and Luigi
shall play at moro and go to the theatre, and
the little Terisina shall look after the house
and be as extravagant as she pleases." And
the old man chuekled over this pleasant ar
rangement. But Teresina's spirit rose at
this.
81 will never marry Luigi. uncle Baldeli.
for have plighted myself to Frank Lloyd"
Her uncle looked black at this; but any
care about his niece's marriage was at pres
ent absorbed in thoughts about the money.
He saw no connection between the two at
tie time. He took it for granted that what
was hers was his, and if she would not have
I ,,ioi-uoIl IL wa very dpsirqa hla cert ai n