The Portland daily press., 1890-09-10


to the vito of the shoe mender, to reck-
on her interest for her, and she found
"a fact which Marietta well re1nemberedD
Thai she had $50 lires, that she had saved
from the money gathered ON the street,
and which was held in safe keeping for
her at the national bank
Beside her strong, clear voice, Mari
eta had genuine Italian ability to
| make a bargain so she betook herself IN
cousin of hers who was still young and
had saved for herself some money. She
offered her the stand with table and
guitar if she would like to buy. The
cousin entered gladly into the adyan-
tageous bargain, and the next morning
those who passed that corner of the
Strada San Ferdinando, found in the
place OF the stately beauty Marietta,
very sallow young person, around whose
neck was the well worn green ribbon
upon which hung the old guitar, and
who sung to it as if she were singing out
her very life, standing by the weather
stained table.
Marietta fastened to the widow of a
lately deceased carriage driver. She was
close, and hard to drive a bargain with,
but she succeeded in procuring from her
rather lean horse, a carriage, painted
| but recently a bright red, a new rug, and
two brilliant lanterns under the drivers
seat Happy was she in the possession of
these costly things, for which she had
been obliged to part with 700 Tires. After
this bargain, she went to Melito, a short
distance from Naples, whence an omni-
bus went regularly to Naples, seating
herself by the driver, who, for her ride
money, taught her to drive. He looked
upon the affair as fun that brought in
money, and he was willing to aid her.
So Marietta rode eight-and- twenty times
the four hours route, and after that ap-
premiership, she thought herself well
taught
One day she presented herself at the
place where carriages are usually hired
in Naples. 1t was strange to her, and
trife awkward, too, when she placed the
lacquered hat upon her curly hair and
held her whip in her hand. The streets
were strange, too, with the many passers
by, as she stood or sat waiting for some
one to drive. Hardly had she been ten
to stop and look. Soon a large crowd
collected about her. The police soon
followed There were two sergeants
with their large hats, two officers with
their gray mantles, but without num-
bers, two ordinary officers with their
black coats and numbers, and several
others whose business it was to keep
the peace. They laid hands upon horse
and carriage at the same time and de-
manded her license papers. Marietta
had none. She had not known the need.
''Your carriage has a number. but
your lanterns have been cleaned AS
they should be-and you have neglected
to replace the number upon them. What
have you to say? Explain yourself!o
sYou have no iceHser' remarked one
of them.
mo-" answered Marietta.
"Follow us, then, to the central Office,
to the chief of police"
He turned and looked at one of the
officers. Marietta was very pale and
shook SO that the horse became uneasy
and pricked up his ears.
Tome down ana hand over TO us the |
horse and carriage" said the officer.
Poor Marietta began to cry, at which
the gathering crowd laughed loud and
long. During the conversation so many
had gathered that not few were the re-
marks made upon woman being car
rage driver. They had heard of differ
ent things being done by women, but
never before of horse and carriage for
hiring having woman as a driver.
Some shouted:
Marietta, the singer, turned coach
woman
For among the crowd were those who
knew her, and they were very much in
terested to see how all this would end.
Marietta moaned and cried, but did
not move to come down from the box. |
She knew not what she did, from fear |
and anger. The crowd began to take |
sides, they waved their hats, shouted and
pushed each other from side to side
The police showed they had little control.
Through the crowd young man pushed |
his way, and rather impertinently, yet
quickly, stood beside the carriage.
"What is the natter he asked, breath
lessly.
'She has no license.
81 have one, but no carriage. I will
take this one," he continued, in rather a
loud voice.
He was fine looking young man, but
poorly clad, and in every way showing
that the world had not gone very well
with him.
MAY do SOP he called to Marietta,
who was still upon the box, at the same
time handing to one of the police rather
soiled paper which he took from his
pocket Marietta, from fright, under
stood nothing.
One of the police then spoke:
''The signor has license and will be
responsible for you"
Marietta did not yet understand.
He wants to marry me?" she shouted.
At this the crowd became more noisy.
The tears stood in her eyes as peal upon
peal of laughter rang out upon the air.
''That l don't know" replied the SER
geant, but he added, smiling: "Perhaps
he will. Now, however, he will, with
his license, take charge of your horse and
carriage, for even had you license, as a
woman you would not be allowed to
drive about Naples. You understand
now?" said the sergeant.
eyes," replied Marietta, looking the
new driver full in the face
The shouts of the crowd rent the air.
They cheered him for such gallantry in
taking charge of the carriage, and
wished all happiness to the signorina.
Marietta left the box. Thankfully she
held out her hand to her preserver, who
looked pleasantly at the round face,
framed in with the wealth of black curls,
and her dark, sparkling eyes.
My good people," said the sergeant,
'you must follow me to the Office, where
the number Of this carriage must be
entered in your permit, before it will be
correct. Do you give this horse and car
riage to this hcense?" he said, turning
to Marietta.
"Yes," she answered, and looked her
thanks as she lifted her eyes to those of
her new friend, who, from his sallow
complexion and general ways, betrayed
his Neapolitan birth.
"Please seat yourself in the carriage"
said the sergeant to Marietta. He till
now had managed, and he intended to
continue to do so. Marietta did not
feel so proud as she was won't to do upon
the Sunday drives, yet she was quite
contented as she entered the carriage.
II