Daily Republican. [volume] ([Wilmington, Del.]) 1874-1890, 1882-02-10
THE CRAYON SKETCH.

| One evening In the year 1850, Il
female completely enveIoped in a long,
black mantle, was walking towards
the bridge of the l;ialto in Venice. Her
steps were weak and uneven, and, at
intervals she looked around with u
hurried, frightened glance.
| She paused at the centre of the bridge
and looked down with a shudder on the
clear, blue waters of the Adriatic, then,
closing her eyes and murn uring faint.
| ", "Antonio, my Antonio, adieu -
she prepared to throw herself over the
parapet.
Ju-t As she was falling man rush.
ed for ward, seized her with powerful
grasp, and drawing her back, said:
"Girl, destroy not the life which God
has given you. If you are unhappy
enter your caurch, kneel on its hallOw-
ed pavement, pour out your sorrow,
and thank your Maker that you have
been preserved from rushing uncalled
for into his presence.
The girl impatiently tried to shake
off the strong, kind hand that held her.
and said:
"Let me 20. 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 togive
her air, drew back the veil which con-
cealed her features. They were lovely,
and the man gaZeG on her with wonder
a.. uh. al "
restored.
Hy degrees she told him who she was
and where she lived. Her history might
be summed mp in II few words: An av.
aririous father, poor lover, "A mutual
bur unhappy love,
vainly had Maria psahed with her
father, rich inn-keeper of Venice, the
cause Of her lover. Antonio Barbarigo,
the handsomest gondolier piying be-
neatn the Bridge Of Signs. At length,
this evening, her father, Giannettln,,
forgot himself NO tar az TO strike his
daughter with some vioence and she,
will far more culpable neglect of her
duty fled wildly froiu home, and, ~ we
have 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 him
self in an obscure corner OF the hosiery.
Giannettini received his child with rude
approaches; and, bidding her to retire
to her own apartment aud betake her
self to her spinning, he cast suspi.
cious glance at the person who had
bruoght her home, whose stout. manly
figure and firm countenance, however,
deferred the inn.keeper from address
ing him in hostile manner.
As Maria turned to depart a young
gonGolier appeared at the door, and fur.
lively APPROACHING her, said; dearest!
dearesi.'
Giannettini rushed forward shouting:
"Out of this! Out Of my house beg
gar"
The young man did not stir.
"Have you finished" ne said, in
good. humored tone. "Wherefore these
Signor Giannettiui? Have you totally
forgotten the feelings OF your youth?
Know you not that since was ten
years old. and Maria five, we have loved
each other fondly. Will you not then
allow us to hallow your old age with
our grateful bles.ings;or ust we water
your path with our Tears"
81 don't want 70 have a parcel ofbeG-
gars for my grandchildren, said Clan
nettini, roughly.
Certainly, you are ich,"replied the
young man; "but what hindcrs that l
should not become 80, too? A stout
arm, a brave heart, and hone It soul,
will, with the help of heaven, do
much"
"a FOOLS dream"
NAY" said Antonio, 'it is sober
sense. Prince Eorenzede Menici was
a merchant; GiaComo Sforza a COW.
herd"
The man in the corner had hardened
attentively to this dialogue. He rose,
and touching Barbarigos shoulder,
said: "Well spoken, aondolier! CouT-
age brings success, and struggling con-
quest. Maria shall be thy wife,
"Never!' cried Gianettini.
Well" said the unknown, turning
disdalnfully toward him. If this youth
could lay down 600 pistoles, would
You object TO the marriage.
"Be that as it may, you must re-
member that he il now little better
than IA pauper.
"Psnaw!'' said the unknown, "bab.
bers are more tiresoine than thieves.
Before to morrow you shall handle that
sum-"
SO saying he drew from his pocket a |
piece of parchment and crayon, ana
turning toward a table, began rapidly |
to sketch a mans hand. 1t was repre-
sented open, impatient, with followed
palm, as if expecting a shower OF gold
pieces. 1t had, SO to speak, sensual
ayaricious expression, and one OF the
fngels was enclrcled with q massive
ring.
"ris my hand" cried GiaRettini.
" And your history said the artist.
Giving the sketch to Antonio, the
author desired him to carry it to Pietro,
Beavolo, librarian at the palace Of st.
Mark, and demand in exchange for it
500 pistols.
"Six hundred fools head!'' cried the
inn-keeper. 81 would not give a zeech
in for it,"
Without speaking the artist turned
away. l.
The gondolier took the parchne nt and
ooktd with establishment at its guise.
He then turned doubtingly toward Ma
ia but glance from her soft dark eyes
him and no sat out ON his mis-
sion.
With folded arms and moody brow
he artist commenced pacing up and
Town the large room in the hostelry,
casting at intervals crutinizing glance
IN the young girl, who, now penitent
'or her intended crime, was silently
praying in corner. As for Gianettini,
10 seemed unable to shake the strange
gained over him by his I'M I
known visitor, his habitual e1frontery '
faila al him and for 1he Ii rat time in hia c