The Lafayette advertiser. [volume] (Vermilionville [i.e. Lafayette], La.) 1865-19??, 1890-02-22
ALBERTO SANTIAGO.
BY GASTON GLADU.

in the amusements which picnics and
excursions give. Italy as we'll as
America follows the custom; and fo1
this reason will undertake to narrate
some particulars Of an Italian picnic
| The town Of Ostia is situated i'll the
midst Of a beautiful forest, where
Italian birds fill the air with their
merry songs; and where the drowsy
cattle return to rest, under the far
spreading limbs Of the stately trees
that compose it. The Mediterranean
is only three or four miles distant and
among the means of recreating the
mind, we may give the first place to
sailing upon its placid waters. The
laborers of that town have very little
to do in their fields: for the earth pro-
duces, with little or no culture, its
delicious fruits: thus the poor as we'll
as the wealthy are happy and more
over are able to indulge often in this
innocent amusement. This place
seems to have been in ancient time a
part of Fairy Land and it still retains
some of its former glory and happi-
ness: for those who have. left their
native hamlet to roam over foreign
soils are often heard to recite these
lines
In the pulse Of my heart Eve nourished a
That forbid me thy sweet inspiration to
share,
The morn of my life slow departing see,
And its years as they pass bring no hope
but in thee.
1t was on the third Of May 18-,
that Alberto Santiago, a young noble
man, burning with the fever Of frivo-
lities and amusements, invited the
prominent men ard ladies to attend
lat a picnic which was to be given in
the woods.
| A day Of JOY and amusement SEEM
ed to approach. Preparations were
made with much alacrity by the men
as by the young ladies. Upon the
first mentioned, devolved the procu-
ration Of food and games. To this
effect they devoted, with heart and
soul, their resting as well as their
working hours. The ladies were as
busy. although their task was, as
usual, personal one: it consisted in
preparing costume which would
suit the occasion.
At length the long awaited day,
the day which caused so much ankle
| ty, which was to unite friends, ac-
quaintances and lovers, arrived. As
early as seven o'clock in the morn
ing, the invited guestswere prepar-
ed; even. more in their vehicles,
at the entrance Of Alberto's castle,
awaiting him to start for ;the place
of amusement. Anxious eyes were
riyetted on the door Of his state
t " mansion, eager to see it open and
let out their host. But seconds then
minutes passed and still the door re-
NAMED motionless.
At last an hour after their arrival a
man Of ordinary height and size mAde
his appearance. His looks we're of
the mildest; his forehead was wide
and one could read upon it the great
talents which its owner possessed, his
eyes and hair were very dark; his steps
firm and regular; his dress which was.
made Of the finest broad-cloth, fitted,
his well formed body to perfection.
He entered his carriage which was
drawn by two beautiful horses who
seemed eager to begin their journey.
Near him sat a young lady, q brunette
Of eighteen, who like him possessed
most Of the gifts Of Beauty; and who
from appearances seemed to have Al
beno the nearest person to her heart.
In order to show the way the host
took the lead and off they started
Never was a ride more pleasant:
delightful east wind accompanied
them; the sun was not yet warm; the
roads were excellent and permitted
them to travel at q good speed. After
enjoying this pleasant ride for some
time, the drivers checked their horses
and the merry company, after the ex-.
ample Of their host, alighted from the
vehicles. They then found them
selves at the place intended for the
picnic. It was we'll suited to.the pur-
pose; wild flowers, Of which. the prin-
cipal ones were various kinds Of roses,
flied the air with their sweet smells;
large and lofty trees Of different spe-
c,es, extending their limbs, covered
with their new green garments shaded
yhe,, company from the troublesome
Akys Of the sun.
Aasoon as the merry crowd had re-
yes hed themselves with the cool water.
spring which flowed near BY;
he,l Letook themselves to walking in
he Mo- ds, to chatting among them
y ave & OF to playing various games.
hei h the time FOR dinner came, the
51sgss Irss 8p 8pitah itahs bell e gather .,aas the
i i astosnished to hear w u. i s'1sse '
Is. &C. ]. l,.t ! ffnr n0nai1ltinp their watch e