The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1882-03-23
THE CRAYoN SKETCH.

| THE CRAYON SKETCH.
One evening, in the year 1920, fe-
male, completely enveloped in Q long
black mantle, was walking toward the
bridge of Rialto in Venice. Her steps
were weak and uneven, and, at intervals,
she looked around with hurried, fright
ened glance.
She paused at the center of the bridge,
and looked down with shudder on the
clear, blue waters of the Adriatic; then,
closing her eyes and murmuring family,
"Antonio, my Antonio, adieu!" she pre-
pared to throw herself over the parapet.
Just as she was falling man rushed
forward, seized her with a powerful
grasp, and, drawing her back, said:
"Girl, destroy not the life which God
has given you. If you are unhappy, en-
ter your church, kneel on its hallowed
pavement, pour out your sorrow and
thank your Maker that you have been
preserved from rushing uncalled into
his presence"
The girl impatiently tried to shake off.
the strong, kind hand that held her, and
said:
"Let me go must die in peace |"
In another moment she tottered and
fell to the ground, where she lay with
out sense or motion. Her preserver
raised her head, and, in order to give
her air, drew back the veil which con-
cealed her features. They were lovely,
and the man gazed on her with wonder
and admiration as she was gradually re-
stored.
By degrees she told him who she was
and where she lived. Her history might
be summed up in q few words: An
avaracious father, a poor lover, mutual
but unhappy love.
Vainly had Marie pleaded with her
father, rich inn-keeper of Venice, the
cause of her. lover, Antonio Barbarigo,
the handsomest goddolier plying beneath
the Bridge of Signs. At length, this
evening, her father, Gianettini, forgot
himself so far as to strike his daughter
with some violence; and she, with a far
more culpable neglect Of her duty, fled
wildly from her home, and, as we have
already seen, was arrested on the verge
of suicide.
The person who had saved her led her
gently to her home, and having given
her up to her father, seated himself in an
obscure corner of the hosiery. Gianet-
TIM received his child with rude re-
proaches; and, bidding her retire to her
own apartment and betake herself to
her spinning, he cast Q suspicious glance
ut the person who had brought her home,
whose stout, manly figure and firm coun-
tenance, however. deferred the inn.
keeper from addressing him in hostile
manner.
As Maria turned to depart a young
gondolier appeared at the door, and fur
lively approaching her he said: "Dear
est, dearest !"
Gianettini rushed forward, shouting,
"Out of this Out of my house, beg
gar |"
The young man did not stir.
Have you finished ?" he said, in a
good-humored tone. Wherefore these
hard words Have you never loved,
Signor Gianettini? Have you totally
forgotten the feeling of your youth
old, and Maria five, we have loved each
us to hallow your old age with our CRATE
full blessings; or must we water your
path with our tears 2"
"I don't want to have o parcel of beg
CARS for my grandchildren, said Gian-
ettluts IouSuly.
Certainly, you are rich," replied the
young man; '.but what binders that 1
should not become SO, too? A stout
arm, brave heart, an honest soul, with
the help of heaven, do much"
"a FOOLS dream"
"Nay," said Antonio, ''it is sober
sense. Prince Lorenzo de Medici was a
merchant; Duke Giacomo Sforza cow
herder."
The man in the corner had hearkened
sttentively to this dialogue. He rose,
and touching Bsrbarigo's shoulder, said:
"Well spoken. gondolier Courage
brings success, and struggling conquest.
Maria shall be thy wife !"
"Never r. cried Gianettini.
WELL" said the unknown, turning
disdainfully toward him, ''if this youth
could lay down 600 pistoles would you
object to the marriage?"
BE that % it may, You must remem-
Der that he is now little better than .
pauper."
"Pshaw r. said the unknown, "bab-
blers are more tiresome than thieves.
Before tomorrow you shall handle that
sum-"
So saying be drew from his pocket q
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