Milford chronicle., 1883-11-09
A VERY ROMANTIC STORY.
One Hundred Thousand Dollars Reward
for an Italian LabOrer's Widow and
Child.
IFrom the seheneetadE Union !


Peterson, and who said he was a Lawyer
from Philadelphia, called at the Union
Office and asked the privilege of search
ing the files of the paper for the D st
few months. He told a 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 killed by an
accident to a construction train, near
| Schenectady, 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 tai
ent. His father had resided in Padua,
but moved his family to Florence to give
the son opportunities to pursue the
study of art. The son and a daughter
two years his junior were the only chill
dren. Ten years ago, when the son was
twelve years old, he and his sister were
enjoying a sail near the fathers country
seat, when the boat upset. The girl
was drowned, although 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 sis
ter made the boy very despondent. 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 street
in Florence, he passed little fruit or
market stand, behind which sat a girl Of
about sixteen years. She was poorly
dressed, but very tasteful in her attire
and gracious in her manner, as she
politely invited Panini to make pur-
chase. He scarcely glanced up before
his gaze became riveted and he stood
spell-bound. Asking pardon for his
rudeness, he begged that he might know
her name. She gave it to him. He
called thereafter daily at her stand, and
was a 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 won
dedul. When he exhibited the paint
ing at home his parents could hardly be-
lieve his story about the girl. The |
result of the incident was the adoption
of the fruit-seller by Mr. Panini as his /
daughter.
But the young mans devotion to the
girl was something more than affection. |
Helovedher audhis parents strenuously |
opposing such an alliance proposed sep |
arating the two. On the day of the pro |
posed separation the young couple |
eloped, were married secretly, and fled |
to America. Thomasso left a brief note
saying he had gone forever. He took
with him only 1,OOOf., or about 5000.
Reaching New York he tried hard to
support his wife by sketching, but
failed utterly. After resorting to every
expedient to obtain a living, he finally
gave up III despair. His young wife
then proposed that she resume her oc-
cupatioh as a fruit seller. This reused
him again and he said he would make
one more effort to provide for her and
the babe that had been born to the
couple. He sought and obtained posi-
ton on the West Shore Road and re-
mitted sufficient to provide for his family,
who lived for a time near Baxter street,
New York.
A few months ago the young wife re-
ceived letter from her husband, dated
at Schenectady, in which he said he felt
at last as if it would be right to tell the
story Of his wanderings to his father and
seek again the happy home Of his youth.
He added that he had written to his
parents telling his Whereabouts, and
asking if he could return and be, with
his wife and child, cordially and kindly
welcomed. The overjoyed mother re-
ceived his letter with inexpressible de-
light, and waited patiently to hear again
from her husband. But she had re-
ceived his last letter. Within two days
young Panini was accidentally killed
while at work. He was buried in
field somewhere near this city. as Mr..
Peterson believes.
The first news the young wife had Of
the tragic occurrence was brought her
by the wife of an italian who had been
working beside Panini at the time of
IL. I.LLn.,.. lnnAL M Da-.iri no-1Il |