Daily Republican., 1883-11-12
AvERYROMANrlC A STORY.

VERY kOAANTlC DTORY.
One HuaaFed Theusana Dollars
BeWara for - Italian Laberer's
Widow and child.
Schenectady Union.
A gentleman who gave the name for
Peterson, and who said he was "a lawyer
from Philadelphia, called at the Union
office recently and asked the privilege
of searching the files Of the paper tor
the past few months. He told remark.
able story. He said he was looking for
traces OF Thomasso Panini, who had
been employed on the VEST Shore Rail.
road, and who, he believed, had been
killed by an accident TO a construction
train, near this city, few months ago.
He said Panini was the son Of very
wealthy Italian residing near Florence.
He was thu 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
l2 years old, he ard his sister were en-
joying 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 resuscitated
The sister could not be brought back TO
life. The death Of his only sister made
the boy very despondent. His father
took him back to Florence and tried to
dispel bis gloomy thoughts by visi.s To
the great picture galleries; hut the lad
would not be comfcrted. One day four
years ago, while the young man was
walking along the street in Florence, he
passed little fruit or market stand, be-
hind which sat a girl of about 10 years.
She was poorly dressed, but very taste
fnl IN her attire and gracious in her
manner, as she politely invited Panini
to make q purchase. He scarcely glanc-
ell up before his gaze became riveted,
and he stood spellbound. Asking
pardon for lis rudeness, he begged that
he might know her name. She gave 1t
10 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 ofth. fair young fruit
seller and took /. home. 1t was the
picture not only of the fruit-girl, hut
also of his dead sister. The resem blance
WAS wonderful. When lie exhibited the
painting at home his parents could
hardly believe his story about the girl.
The result of the incident was the adop'
ton of the fruit seller by Mr.. Panini An
his daughter.
But the young mans devotion to the
girl was something more than affection.
He loved her, and his parents strenu.
onsly opposing such an alliance pro
posed to separate the two. On the day
of the proposed 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 l,0OOf., or abou,
$500. Reaching New York he tried hard
tosnpport 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
for the babe that had been born to the
couple. He sought and obtained a posi-
tion on the West Shore Road and re.
mitted sufficient to provide for his
family, who lived for tune 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 fell
at last AZ if it would be right to tell the
story of his wanderings to his fathel
and seek again the happy home OF his
youth. He added that he had W itten tt
his parents telling his whereabouts, and
asking if he could return and be, with
his wife and child, cordially and kindly
welcomed. The overioyed mother re-
cei we'd this letter with inexpressibled de-
light and waited patiently to hear
again from her husband. But she had
received his last letter. Within two
days young Panini was accidentally )
killed while at work. He was buried II
a field somewhere near this city, as Mr
Peterson believes.
| / ne llist hC"o ~ yo"h6 "''
the tragic occurrence was brought ne
by the wife of an Italian who had beer
working besides Panini at tho time o
the latter's death. Mrs. Panini coult
not survive the shock. She became Graz
ed and wandered about with her child
She was last traced to Philadelphia
and 1t ia believed she and her little ont
are there alive or dead. After this dis
appearance letter came from Paninii
father, begging h'm in touching term
10 return, and saying he had been Tor
given over and over again, that hi
moi her had died of broken heart ant
he himself was fast nearing the grave
As no response to his letter WAS receives
Mr. Panini sent an agent to trace ou
the matter, and he made the above dis
closures. He retained Mr.. Peterson u
continue the search. The agent wen
back TO report the sad fact TO Mr.
Panini Mr.. Peterson says that wee
ago he received cablegram ON ltal!
announcing that 500, 900 reward Woul'
be paid for the discovery OF the muthe
and child, dead or alive. No trace of TIN
missing ones was found in this city
and even the burial place of younI
panini cannot be found. Mr.. Petersen
left this morning to continue his searcl
further West. He says he will travel, !
necessary, afoot all along the line OF tn
West Shore Road, until he finds som
trace Of the remains of the untortunat