Connecticut western news., 1883-11-07
A VERY ROMANTIC STORY.
One Hundred Thousand Dollars Reward for Italian LabOrer's Widow and Child.
From the Schenectady Union.l


 Child.
 From the Schenectady Union.l
 A gentleman who gave tho name of Peterson, and who said he was 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 remarkable story. He said he was looking for traces of Thomasso Panini. who had been em- ployed on the West Shore Railroad, and who, he believed, had been killed by an accident to a construction train, near Schenectady, 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 tal- 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 daughter two years his junior were the only chil- dren. Ten years ago, when the son was twelve years old, he and his sister were enjoying 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 i ter made the boy very Respondent. His father took him back to Florence and tried to dispel his gloomy thoughts by visits to the great pictufe 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 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 0 liberal purchaser. A strong friendship grew. up between the two young people, and finally Panini painted 8 picture of the fair young fruit-seller and took it home. It was the picture not only of the fruit-girl, but also of his dead sister. The resemblance was won- | 1,o 1il {aI int 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 MT. Panini as his daughter.
 But the young mans devotion to the girl was something more than affection. Beloved her, and his parents strenuously opposing such an alliance proposed sep arating the two. On the day of the pro- posed separation the young couple eloped, were msrried secretly, and fled to America. Thomasso left brief note saying he had gone forever. He took with him only 1,oOOf., or about $200. Reaching New York he tried hard to support his wife by sketching, but failed utterly. After resorting to every expedient to obtain @ living, he finally gave up in despair. His young wife then proposed that she resume her oc- cupation 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- tion oh the West Shore Road and re- mitted sufficient to provide for his family, who lived for time near Baxter street, New York.
 A few months ago the young wife re- ceived a 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- | C6lNCSl ALo lSttCI W1eu 1u0ADIOSSAb10 uC- 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 Q field somewhere near this city, as MT. 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 the latter's death. Mrs. Panini could not survive the shock. She became crazed and wandered about with her child. She was last traced to Philadel- phia, and it is believed that she and her little one are there alive or dead. After his disappearance @ letter came from Panini's father, begging him in touch ing terms to return, and saying he had been forgiven over and over again, that his mother had died of broken heart. and he himself was fast nearing the grave. As no response to this letter was received, MT. P .nini sent aA agent to to trace out the matter, and he made the above disclosures. He retained MT. Peterson to continue the search. The agent went back to report the sad facts : +o Mr. Panini MT PatarsOD eoyc tbaf