Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1883-04-26
AN ADVENTURE IN ITALY.

)
from travelling carriage at the village
of Monterosa, in Italy. Ia reply to the
obsequious landlord, with whom
guesta of the Milford class were "like
angel visits few and far between" be
announced his intention of remaining
couple of days, desired to be shown
to his room, and ordered coffee to be
served in the parlor. In few min
utes he descended to the public room
of the inn, and with much relish sip
ped the cup of refreshing coffee which
the Landlord had brought in: and
proceeded to fill and light favo-
rite leerschaum, and blowing clouds
of fragrant smoke toward the low cell
ing, was soon immersed in brown
study.
The traveller, whose name was
Frank Melville, was about % years of
age, and good specimen of manly
beauty. Exactly six feet Gin his stock
ings," his figure was SO well proper
toned that you did not give him cred
it of being more than the average
height. His short, curly, light brown
hair framed countenance ruddy with
health and sparkling with good humor;
while the deep blue eyes shOne with
intelligence. He was an artist, and
had seized the first opportunity to put
into execution q long-cherished inten-
ton of making a toue In Italy; and
the desire of beholding fresh scenes
had induced him to turn aside con-
siderably from the well beaten route
pursued.by the ordinary tourist.
He had hitherto experienced great
pleasure in his tour. But nevertheless,
when the shades of evening began to
fall, he generally felt somewhat soil
tary, and Ionged for some companion
with whom to compare notes and ex-
change ideas. On the particular even
ing on which our story opens, he felt
more than usually restless and low
spirited. a craving for some excite
ment took possession of him. But in
the quiet, secluded village of Montero-
sa, what excitement, mental or phys
ical, could be found?
There being no other way open to
him of passing the time, he decided to
try stroll. The narrow, irregular
street Of the village was almost desert
ed; nothing was to be seen except some
children playing in the sand, and geese
walking in long procession, cackling as
they went. SIrlding rapidly onward
Melville soon came to the outskirts oil
the village, and plunged into the ad.
joining forest. The luxuriant LEAKAGE
of the stately trees, which were in the
full vigor of their growth, naturally OBJ
tanned his chief admiration. The ali
was scented with the 0dor offresh resir
and moses; while a perfect Stiffness
as of sanctuary, prevailed, more fitted
however to incre ase his depression
than to afford him the mental stimulus
for which he craved. He had walked
at smart pace for some thirty minutes
when the sudden sinking of the sun and
the deepening twilight warned him that
it was time to retrace his steps. Turn
ing back, ne was soon conscious that he
had lost his way, and began to lament
his imprudence in venturing so far in.
to an unknown and apparently track.
less forest without having taken some
bearings by which to shape his course
Just as he was beginning to resign
himself to q night under the trees, be
liscerned the smoke of q fire at nc
great distance, and heard in the shI
evening air the notes of q violin. A
walk of a few minutes brought him to
the scene. In the shelter of the walls
of an old ruined castle were seated some
twenty or thirty gypsies, grouped In
every variety of picturesque attitude
round the customary triangle, from
which hung a large pot over wood
VI, y
namented with large silver buttons,
which glittered in the tireIighr; the
women-at least the younger ones
scarlet bodies and chemisettes trimmed
with gold embroidery, and round their
necks rows of glass beads. A few with
cred old crones, yellow and toothless.
who served as fOils to their younger
companions, completed the band. As
the ire cleaned and flashed on the
picturesque group, so bright with coler
Melville longed for the pencil of Sal
vator Rosa, that he might preserve the
scene forever on Canvas.
The gypsy who had been performing
on the violin ceased playing st the ap
proach of Melville, and speaking in ex-
cellent Tuscan, invited him to be seat
ed and join til cir primitive repast. Mel
vile accepted the invitation as frankly
ly as it was given. From boyhood the
ZipgarI, their origin, strange customs
and wanderings had been favorite
subject Of study with him. He had
read many of the books describing
there wonderful people, BJrrow's z n.
cali" among the rest: and was familiar
with q considerable portion of the VOC
abulary of the Italian gypsies; indeed,
the manners and habits of this rowing
race had always possessed for him q
peculiar and fascinating interest.
In few minutes Frank was dis
cussing portion of a hedgehog
which, rubbed with gaIlic and stuffed
with walnuts. had been 3asted on spit
over the quick-fre.
"Where is Melitaw exclaimed the
violin player. whose name was Orlan-
do. "What has become of hel?'
Our tourist was in the act of raising
81 cup ofsome very good Silician wine to
his lips, when his look fell upon WIS.,