Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1891-10-28
Diplomacy.

for Porlezza there was a family party
of Americans. which consisted of a
man, his wife and a lady friend who
seemed to be travelling with them.
There was a difference Of opinion
between the man and his wife. 1t
had not reached the dignity of a quar-
rel, but the man was in rather ill
humor and the woman just trife
positive. The lady who was travel
ing with them took no part in the
discussion, but giggled now and then
when something was said by one side
orthe other. Hereis the part ofthe con-
versation which I heard and which
will let you know as much about tn g
difficulty as ! surmised myself
The man-"You still intend to stop
off at Osteno?"
The woman-"Certainly that is
settled"
well, my dear, don't you see that
that will cost us day? If we stop
off we cannot get to Lake Como to-
night"
GAS I said BEFORE" remarked the
lady, 1--WE have come here to see what
is to be seen. IF we pass by what is
to be seen, we might as we'll stay at
home"
Then the other lady giggled.
But" persisted the man."I tell
you the thing isn't worth seeing; be-
sides you have seen that sort of affair
often enough before, and very much
better and worth more seeing than
this grotto is. You have seen the
Au Sable Chasm and you have seen
Watkins Glen. This thing isn't a
patch ON either of them"
my dear john" answered the
lady, when we get home somebody will
say. Did you see the Fisherman's
Grotto on Lake Lugauo?' We will
say mo. Then that person will say,
You missed the finest thing in Italy
Here the lady who was travelling
with them giggled again.
The man answered impatiently !:
"Oh. very well then, there is no use
of saying any thing further about it
if you have made up your mind"
Certainly I have made up my
mind, DEAR" answered his wife with a
tone of finality, and the lady who was
travelling with them giggled. The
man walked aft in ill-humor. Now
it happened that I was going to that
very grotto in Osteno myself, and !
walked aft after the man because I
thought l would like to talk to him
and find out why he thought it not
worth visiting.
However, I didn't get to talk to him,
because he began a conversation with
his courier. Americans generally
make great friends with their couriers
those who travel with that luxury.
They pour out their troubles to them,
and that was what the American was
doing on the subject of the grotto of
Osteno.
II suppose" he said, "we'll have to
stop there. My wife is bound to see
it, and that's the end of the matter
as far as we are concerned"
"But does not monsieur wish to
stop, then ?" asked the courier.
Certainly, I don't; ! want to get
on to Lake Como, and if we stop off
from this boat we cannot get to Como
tonight"
"That is true" the courier said.
II think" he continued after
moments pause, II can persuade
madam not to visit the grotto, as you
wish"
The American arched his eyebrows.
IL doubt it," he answered "but if
you can"-he nodded and tapped the
pocket where his money was. This
was enough for the courier. He walk
ed forward to where the ladies were
sitting.
And now, instead of talking to the
as I had intended doing, /
walked forward to where I had been
before to hear how the courier could
persuade madam not to visit the
grotto at Osteno.
He began by asking the ladies if
he could bring them any shawls or
wraps, they declined encumbering
themselves further.
AFTER this next stop. madam" he
said, 1--WE will arrive at Osteno. I
presume madam intends to visit the
grotto there: it is very beautiful"
Certainly, I intend to do so," was
he answer.
"Ah p said the courier with admira-
ion, "madam is courageous"
"Courageous9" cried the lady,
with look Of surprise, II guess it
doesn't take much courage to visit a
little grotto such as you have here.
Why, I've visited much larger chasms
han this is. Those in America are |
very much larger"
"Ab, no doubt" said the courier,
thuf thia orotfo IL varv hasut;f.,l