Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1884-05-23
BETrlNA MAzzL

1T Is rclatod that Immediately after tho
battle OF Solforino, q detachment of tho Itat-
ian iorcc passed through q town noar tho field
OIL the days victory, and discovered that the
onemys colors, abandoned or forgotten In
their panic, were sti flying from tho old
church. Tho splro had boon nearly demolished
less challenge OF the leader to ''olimb up aud
cut down tho flag" after tho soldiers had
shown their general unwilingnoss to risk
thcir lives on tho tottcring structure, little
peasant girl, Bettina Mnzzi by name, under
took II successfully. Sho received rich re-
ward from the spectators, as we'll as tho only
feat-tho long ostrich plumes which the loader
wore In his military chapeau, and by which
hor rustic little fancy had been greatly
struok.l
"ohl who will scale the belfry towor,
And cut that banner DOWN
All broken Is the Austrian power;
They gallop from the town;
And surely KS an Idle taunt,
With this days victory gnined,
To let yon painted falsehood 1aunt-
The very sky seems etainedr'
So spoke tho Duke; around no glanced
To see that each rank heard;
But every eye was on the ground,
No single soldier stirred;
The shattered belfry timbers shake;
That highest sprc OF all,
Beneath doves weight might 1t break,
And sevensooro feet downfall.
Eacn thought: cut down bu mana that Hag2
Foolhardy were the deed,
When one threo-pounder snaps its staf
As breaks a withered reedl"
But Just as silence grew to shame,
And none would lift his face,
A sunburned child, her face ahame,
Stood forth before his Grace.
Sho courtesied; gave q hasty glanco
To where the tag tiew high,
Then, stammerlng, she said: .My Lord,
May i-have leave-to tryp"
Vs,st oh a I..w l,..1
.To school these veterans grim.
And your rewardS" "rhose two fair
plumes
That shade your beavers brim."
Loud rang his laugh: $50 be i'll ellmbl
The plumes are yours--if won"
She darts across tho street as fleet
AS swa low in the sun;
The church door clashes at her back:
She rushes up tho stair
Against the sky, in the belfry high,
see, sec her standing therel
And now she slips up to tho loads;
The crowd all hold their breath,
Higher and higher slow she mounts,
tue step 'twixt her and death.
Along that narrow dormers edge,
Up to the broken ball;
oh, shattered joist and splintered beam,
Let not the brave child fall
And now she grasps tho slender STAFF;
Then slowly, gently seel
The iag begins to sink. Good cord
DO thy work faithfully
The pu ley turns-the rope runs smooth
Down, down the gay folds glide
Along the quiverlng pole, until
They hang her hand beside.
Clio o gathcrcd-lookl she cuts their bond
Her scissors flashing fair;
Then lightly pushed from whore'she clings,
They drop, plump, to the squares;
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 shoutinns came from all,
To honor such deedl
Up. the old street at the Dukes side
She riues his pacing stecd,
Her homespun apron filed with crowns,
The Dukes plumes in her hair;
What man shall say little maid
Can never do and dare?
-EdtD trd IrGaUits Stevenson, in Hdrper's
Young PeOplo.