New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-10-08
THE SIGNOR AMERICAN.

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=, .ho bontisterv ,t Pisa that Berry first
cav her lie had lust entered the door as sue W
tered few clear soprano notes; anu .n - hrS
was awakened that peculiar ecHH ,st of Voices in
is never forgot-s seeming multltuue u tin ~
nreartbIv tender sweetness taking up the sualh
and waiting it to the highest hea' ems 49,, .,,o
Rory bowed his thanks IN recognition oI tno
+reat IN which he had shared. She glanced I'M
easily TOW ard her escort, middle-aged gentleman
with bald. shining head and ;ong gray snnc two
Silently inclined her head in return ana spoke lWo
or tbrse words-at least Berry saw her lips moVe'
though ne did not catch the words i'll, ,oo,
The custude of the baptisteiy, moved WIN I"'
opsy at being outdone. must just then SNOW Wh l
he could do by throwing down upon the maro 3
floor block of wood, aud the blow aWakeneI tnc
most deafenlnr and bowling crash-upon-crasnLng
echoes that finally rolled away like the mutterlhgs
of a distant Thunderstorm. -, L;oh g
Tins II was that Berry lost those words. when, IL
they lad been meant for bin. were no doubt some
commonplace reply to his thanks: but II his ScOKI
could have consumed that grlnning custoue' Ao
vonld have been turned instantly into aShcs'
Her escort favored berry, as they turned away,
with "A most comprehensive stare, or rather series
of stares. -, -. l ,,oror l-ro,r
that he lost three francs for his pains. The hve
francs that Berry would have gladly gwen IN ms
bnnpiness was but begrudged franc in his resent
,mert However he reented TO the amount OF
another franc when the stupid old man SAID, as he
placed the fee carefully away In his pocket Win
one hand and motioned toward the vanishing car,
riaoe of the visitors with the other, An! she dld
sing from her heart-the madonna-iaced.
Madonna-faced! Doubtless the expression was
one that ne of the baptstery would have gladly be-
slowed on any fair nve franc donor, even on MISS
Migcs herself; though in this case he had been
moved by the power of beauty rs well as by a
1ivelv admiration for "a cheerful gver. She might
well have stepped out of some old worShipped can,
vas that rare gOden-hared daughter OF the lalu
Of olives whose bearing was sweety ana hooIy
majestic and who at the most could not nave seen
more than eighteen or twenty years ,.,
1t was in those days before uhIIeu itlly Wa
realized act when it unpleasant and not lnire-
onenfIy dangerous for anyone to be there doing
much travelling; but the least sosfo an American,
to whom il could matter but httle practically,
Who might win in the struggle. Armed with a
correctly vised passport, and attending srlcty 10
those matters which are supposed TO interest h Jt
traveller, an American found himself tho least
harassed of any nationality and hundred times
less suspected and ANNOYED than native;
Berry had passed some time at Florence, Out taxing
alarm AT what proved to be some foolish report OF
AN uprising he took flight to Pisa; All impatient
TO view those buildings which arc tne glory Oh ISa
he had no sooner sent MS baggage Hepo'4'ou at
small hotel near the Punte d Mezzo than he Mt once
rushed Oft sightseeing in tn Piazza del DuOmc.
The waiter Of the hotel Europe had s0leinnlS
and emDhateally denied Berry accommodations,
but Berry Insisted on leaving his baggage there
until his own return and that of the landlord q VI.
Molina who was hourly expected from leghorn
The round faced Slgnora who Kept the eXceIent pen
sion on the Vadel Presto at Florence had giyenBeTY
n card of introduction TO her cousin OF the Europe
which ne hoped would plead in his behalf; being
we'll pleased with all he about the little hotel.
On returning 10 the hotel he tonnd that Molina
had arrived; but he also denied Berry, accom-
panied with profound excuse. Berry felt sure OF
quarters elsewhere to which Molina offered to send
hlm as travellers were then but few; but why
shOuld the Europe he crowded
Molina could or would only shrug MS shouluers,
and turning his hands hepeSsly outward, as IL ne
seechinc mercy, edge away toward the motel en-
france Berry paused moment, cVen then lITeSo-
Inte ro accent the situation and hearing some light
steps behind him, turned and saw the sweet singer
of the baptstery, who had just entered the hOted
Berry raised his hat, out OF common lohtehess as
She passed him, and he noticed a sad uneasy smile
play upon her face.
Her gray-whskered escort had paused near the
entrance converslng with Molina, and Berry
caurbt some words which seemed TO apply TO him.
self Coming forward, the gentleman scanned over
thoroughly, which scrutiny Berry returned as long
as the bald head in sight.
M. Molina said Berry dehantly, dropping lhto
n chair I'm going to stop with you, whether you
want me or not. You certainly have some little
nook where you can lodge me and charge full rates.
Pm-I'm very much fatiguel.
Molina smiled, though he SHOOK his head In that
absurd way OF mdreS. and Berry took hope.
MY cousin. the Sieuora at Florence, would never
forgive me should i'll lodge the gentleman, he said
suayelv. 1t is true, | have one little very little
room but could net in conscience offer IT.
Let YOUR conscience rest easy, sad Berry, Judg-
ing to a nicely what Italian landlord meant
\, len he began to talk i'll that strain; the very
little room viii answer.
If MAS not the very little room that Berry ex
nerted il to be- scarcely large enough for hun to
s1ueeze into: nor did he discover that Molina
had many Others that were much larger, or that he
had more guests than the bald-headed gentlemans
party ana himself.
ii.