St. Landry democrat., 1884-06-07
BETTINA MAzzL

1T is related that Immediately after the
battle of Solferino, a detachment of the Ital-
ian force passed through town near the field
OF the days victory, and discovered that the
enemy's colors, abandoned or forgotten in
their panic, We're still flying from the old
church. The spire had been nearly demolished
less challenge Of the leader to ''climb up and
cut down the flag after the soldiers had
shown their general unwillingness to risk
their lives on the tottering structure, little
peasant girl, Rettina MaZzi by name, under
took it successfully. She received rich re-
ward from the spectators, as well as the only
thing she had asked for on attempting her
feat-the long ostrich Plumes which the leader
wore in his military chapeau, and by which
her rustic little fancy had been greatly
struck
"Ohi who will scale the belfry tower,
And cut that banner down?
All broken is the Austrian power;
They gallop from the town;
And surely It's an idle taunt,
With this days victccy gained,
To let yOn painted falsehood t1aunt-
The very sky seems stained!'
So spoke the Duke: around he glanced
To see that each rank heard;
But every eye was on the ground,
No single soldier stirred;
The shattered beifry timbers shake;
That highest Spire of all,
Beneath doves weight might it break
And sevenscore feet downfall.
Each thought: "Cut down By hand that flag?
Foolhardy were the deed,
When one three FOUNDER snaps its staff
AS breaks withered reed!'
But just as silence grew to shame,
And none would lift his face.
A sunburned child, her face atiame,
Stood forth before hls Grace.
She courtesied; gave hasty glance
To where the flag. flew high,
Then, stammering, she said: 'My Lord,
May have leave-to try2"
. You, child?'' he Knocked. by Mars, you
To school these veterans grim.
And your reWard?' "Those two fair
plumes
That shade your beavers BRINE
Loud rang his laugh: $50 be it! climb:
The plumes are yours-if won."
She darts across the street as feet
AS swallow in the sun;
The church door clashes at her back:
She rusheS up the stair
Against the sky, in the belfry high,
See, see her standing there!
And now she slips up to the leads;
The crowd all hold their breath,
Higher and higher slow she mounts,
One step 'twixt her and death.
Along that narrow dormer's edge,
Up to the broken ball;
Oh. shattered jost and splintered beam,
Let not the brave child fall!
And now she grasps the slender staff;
Then slowly, gently, see!
The flag begins to sink. Good cord,
Do thy work faithfully!
The pulley turns-the rope runs smooth
Down, down the gay folds glide
Along the quivering pole, until
They hang her hand beside.
Close gathered-look! she cuts their bond,
Her scissors flashing fair;
Then lightly pushed from where she clings,
They drop, plump, to the square;
But no man thought to raise his cheer
Until-oh blessed chance!-
They see her Chamber down, and safe
From the church steps advance.
All, then, what shoutines came from all,
To honor such deed!
Up the old street at the Dukes side
She rides his pacing steed,
Her hOmespun apron filed with crowns,
The Dukes plumes in her hair;
What man shall say little maid
Can never do and dare?
-Ed1UITd EeH0EnS Stevenson, In HdTpeT'S
Young People.