Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1883-11-10
Very Romantic Story,
500, GOO REWARD FOR AN ITALIAN
WIDOW AND CHILD.
From the Schenectady Union. Oct 80

From the Schenectady Union, Oct. 80.
A gentleman who gave the name
OF Peterson, aud who said he was a
lawyer from Philadelphia, called at
the Union Office yesterday and asked
the privilege Of searching the files Of
the paper for the past few months.
lie told remarkable story. He
said he was looking for traces Of
Thomasso Panini, who had been EN-.
ployed on the West Shore Railroad,
and who, he believed, had been kill
ed by an accident to a construction
train, near this city, a few months
ago. He said Panini was the son OF
very wealthy italian residing near
Florence. He was the only child
and gave at an early age evidences
OF rare artistic talent. His father
bad resided in Padua, but moved his
family to Florence to give the son
opportunities to pursue the studies
OF art. The son and daughter two
years his junior were the only chill
dren. Ten years ago, when the son
was twelve years old, he aud his sis
ter we're enjoying the sail near the
fathers country seat, when the boat
upset. The girl was drowned, al.
though the brave lad tried hard to
save her, and, in fact, sank with
her to the bottom, but was resusci-
tated. The sister could not be
brought back to life. The death Of
his only sister made the boy very
respondent. His father took him
back to Florence and tried to dispel
his gloomy thoughts by visits to the
great picture galleries but the lad
would not be comforted. One day,
four years ago. while the young man
was walking along the streets in
Florence, he passed a little fruit or
market stand, behind which sat q
girl Of about sixteen years. She was
poorly dressed, but very tasteful in
her attire and gracious in her man
ner, as she politely invited Panini to
make a purchas. He scarcely CLAN
ced up before his gaze became rivit.
ed and he stood spell-bound. Ask.
ing pardon for his rudeness, he beg :
ged that he might know her name.
she gave it to him. He called
thereafter daily at her stand, and
was liberal purchaser. A strong
friendship grew up between the two
young people, and finally Panini
| painted picture OF the fair young
fruit seller and took it home. 1t
was the picture not only OF the fruit
girl, but also of his dead sister,
The resemblance was wonderful.
When he exhibited the painting al
home his parents could hardly be
lieve his story about the girl. The
result Of the incident was the adop
tion of the fruit seller by Mr.. Paniai
as his daughter.
But the young mans devotion to
the girl was something more than
affection. He loved her, and his
parents strenuously opposing such
an alliance proposed to seperate tile
two. On the day of the proposed
separation the young couple eloped,
were married secretly, and fled to
America. Thomasso left brief
note saying he had gone forever.
He took with him only 1000f., or
about $500. Reaching New York
he tried hard to support his wife by
sketching, but failed utterly. After
resorting to every expedient to OBJ.
tain living, lac finally gave up in
despair. His young wife then pro.
posed that she resume her occupa-
tion as a fruit seller. This reused
him again, and he said he would
make one more effort to provide for
her and for the babe that had been
born to the couple. He sought and
obtained position on the West
Shore road and remitted sufficient
to provide for his family, who lived
for a time near Baxter street, New
York.
A few months ago the young wife
received letter from her husband,
dated at Schenectady, in which he
said he felt as ii it would be right to
tell the story Of his wanderings to