The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1884-11-27
CHAPTER III.
THE rArREsr SIGHT OF ALL.

CHAPTER III.
THE FAIREsr SIGHT OF ALL.
1t is spring-the beautiful spring OF
Northern Italy. My friend Kenyon
and l are lounging about in the rect
angular city of Turin, as happy
and idle pair of comrades as
may anywhere be met with. We
have been here week, long
enough to do all the sightseeing
demanded by duty. We have
seen San Giovanni and the CHURCHES.
We have toiled, or beasts of burden
have toiled with us, up La Superga,
where we have gazed at the mausoleum
of Savoy's princely line. We have seen
enough of the cumbrous old Palazzo
Madame, which frowns at our hotel
across the Piazzi CASTILLO. We have
marveled at the plain, uninteresting
looking Palazzo Rea'e, and our mirth
has been moved by the grotesque brick
work decoration of the Palazzo Carig-
nano. We have criticised the rather
poor picture gallery. In fact we have
done Turin thoroughly, and, like the
contempt bred by familiarity, are caas-
ing to feel like pitiful little atoms as
we stand in the enormous squares and
crane our necks looking at Marochetti's
immense bronze statues.
We wander down the broad Via di
Pc, lingering now and then TO peer into
the enticing shops which lurk in its
shady arcades; we pass through the
spacious Piazza Viitorio Emanucle; we
cross the bridge whose five granite arch
es span the classic Pc: we turn oppo-
site the domed church and soon are
walking up the wide, shaded path which
leads to the Capuchin Monastery. the
broad terrace in front of which is our
favorite haunt. Here we can lounge
and see the river at our feet, the great
town stretching from its further bank,
the open plain beyond the town, and.
far. far away in the background. the
glorious snow-capped Alps, with Mon Q
Rosa and Grand Paradis towering
above their brothers. No wonder we
en- oy the view from this terrace more
than churches, palaces or pictures.
We gaze our fill, then retrace our
steps and saunter back as la lily as I'VE
came. Alter lingering few moments
at our hotel some hazy destination
prompts us to cross the great square,
past the frowning old castle. leads us
up the Via di Seminario. and we find
ourselves for the twentieth time in front
of San Giovanni. stop with my head
in the air admirin9 what architectural
beauties its marble front can boast, and
as l am trying to discover them am
surprised to hear Kenyon announce his
intention of entering the building.
'.But we have vowed vow," I said.
''that the interior of churches, pi ture
galleries, and other tourist traps shall
know us no more"
"What makes the best men break
their vows?'
Lots of things, / suppose"
'But one thing in particular. Whilst
you are staring up at 2innacles and
buttresses, and trying to look rs if you
knew architecture as well as Ruskin.
the fairest of all sights, a beautiful
woman. passes right under your nose"
II understands absolve vou."
Thank you. She went into the
church. l feel devotional, and will 60
too"
Dut our cigars
''Chuck them to the beggars. Be.
ware of misery habits, Gilbert; they
grow on one"
Knowing that Kenyon was not the
man to abandon choice Havana with
out weighty reason, l did as he sug-
gested and followed him into the dim
cool shades of San Giovanni.
No service was going on. The usual
little parties of sightseers were walking
about and looking much impressed as
beauties they could not comprehend
were being pointed out to them. Dotted
about here and there were silent wor-
shippers. Kenyon glanced round eager
ly in guest of '.thc fairest of all sights, :"
and after while discovered her.
Come this way" he ssid; '.let US
sit down and pretend to be devout
Catholics. We can catch her profile
hereh
Iplaced myself next to him. and saw
few seats from us an old Italian
woman kneeiing and praying fersently,
whilst in chair at her side sat girl
Of about twenty-five.
A girl who might have belonged to
almost any country. The eyebrows and
cast-down lashes said that the eyes were
dark. but the pure pale complex on. the
delicate straight features, the thick
brown hair might, under circumstances.
have been claimed by any Nation. al
though had met her alone l should
have said she was English. She was
well but plainly dressed, and her man.
ner told me she was no stranger to the
church She did not LOOK from side to
side, and up and down, after the way
of sightseer. She sat without moving
until her companion had finished her
prayers. So far. IS one could judge
from her appearance she was in church
for no particular OF; ect, neither devo-
tional nor critical. Probably she may
have come to bear the old woman at
her side company. This old woman,
who had the appearance of a superior
Kind of servant seemed, from the pas
sionate appeals she was addressing to
Heaven. to be in want of many things.
/ could see her thin lips working in es-
sanity, and although her words were
inaudible it vas evident her petitions
were heartspoken and sincere.
no BE CONTINUED.