The morning call., 1890-11-04
MARIETTA'S IDEAL.
[CoNCLUDED.l

r. NESIDES her strong, clear voice
E&Sy Marietta had a genuine Italian
A-S ability TO make a bargain; so
She betook herself to cousin of hers
who was still young and had saved for
herself some money. She offered her the
stand with ia BILE and guitar if she would like
to buy. The cousin entered gladly into the
advantageous 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 we'll
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 we ather-stained table.
Marietta fastened to the widow of lately
deceased carriage-driver She was close,
and hard to drive bargain with, but she
succeeded i'll procuring from her rather
lean horse, a carriage, painted but recently
n bright red, 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 200 lires. After this
bargain she went TO Mento. snort
distance from Naples, whence an omnibus
went regularly to Naples, seating herself by
the driver, who, for her ride money, taught
her TO drive. He looked uron the affair as
fun that brought in money, ana he was will
ing to aid her. So Marietta rode eight-and-
twenty times the four hours route, and after
that apprenticeship 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 tritie awkward,
too, when she place d 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 minutes in her place before people be-
gan to stop and look. Soon large crowd
collected about her. The police soon fol-
lowed. There were two SergeantS with
their large hats, two officers with their gray
nantes but without numbers, two ordinary
officers with their black coats and numbers,
and several others whose business 1t was to
keep the peace. They laid hands upon horse
and carriage at the same time and demanded
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"
You have no licensed" remarked one
of them.
NO" answered Marietta.
Follow Us, then, to the central office, to
the Chief of Police"
celS. Marietta was very pale and shook SO
that tile horse became uneasy and prcked
up his ears.
Come down ard 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 gath
cred that not few were the remarks made
upon woman being a carriase-driyer
They had heard OF different things done by
women, but never before OF horse and
carriage for hire having woman as
driver.
Some shouted:
Marietta, the singer, turned coach
womanW
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 a
young man pushed his way, and rather i'm
pertinently, yet quickly, stood beside the
carriage.
"What is the matter?' he asked breath
lessy.
''She has no license"
81 have one, but no carriage, l 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 a rather Soiled
paper which he took from his pocket.
Marietta, from fright, understood nothing.
One of the police then spoke:
The signor has license and he will be
responsible for you"
Marietta did not yet understand.
He wants to marry me?" sue shouted.
AT this the crowd became more noisy. The
tears stood in her eyes as peal upon peal of
laughter rang out upon tue air.
That don't know, replied the sergeant,
but he added, smiling: Perhaps he will.
Now, however, he viii, 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.
Yes" replied Marietta, looking the new
driver lull in the face.
The shouts of the crowd rent the air.
They cheered him for such gallantry in tax
ing charge of the carriage, aud wished all
happiness to the signOrina.
Marietta left the box. Thankfully she
held out her hand to her preseryer, 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 10 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 carriage to this
license?" 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"
had managed, and he intended to continue
to do So Marietta did not feel so proud as
she was wont to do upon the Sunday drives,
yet she was quite contented as she entered
the carriage.
The young man mounted tile box, the SER
geant shouted, MAKE ROOM" and slowly,
guarded by six policemen and followed by
large crowd. the carriage was driven to the
police station.
1t was but short time before everything
was arranged for all parties satisfactorily.
Marietta gave up her horse and car
rage 10 the young man with license,
but who was without horse or
carriage. So it followed that she found her
ideal in reality. After few weeks they
concluded 10 marry, and in a short time the
husband was able to keep another horse,
and Then their prosperity was assured. They
were very happy together, although she was
some years his senior, and he could never
refuse her any thing.
On Sunday afternoons she took her usual
ride with the married man; but the differ
ence was that the driver belonged solely TO
her, and was proud to have her for the Occll-
pant OF his carriage Translated from the
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