The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-03-07
He AsToN1sHHD THE COUNT.
A Childless Man Freely Bestows His
Daughters Hand.
From the Philadelphia Press.

From the Philadelphia Press.
A resident of South Broad street tells the
following story of an experience in Florence,
Italy, which does credit to his own sense of
humor, and shows an amusing phase of Ital-
ian manners.
The narrator, Mr.. Hamilton. Is a hale
and hearty man Of 90, upon whom fortune
has lavished all her favors, except that she
has neglected to bless him aud Mrs. Hamil-
ton with children. This has been the one
sorrow In their lives, and is naturally sore
point
Mr.. and Mrs Hamilton reached Florence
last November, and there met some Ameri-
can friends with whom they intended TO 20
round the galleries, churches and palaces.
In the second party there was young lady
who was bright and pretty. The childless
pair were especially fond of her and invited
her to visit tine Pitt gallery with them the
next day.
Accordingly, II o'clock the following
morning finds the party of friends among
the pictures. Mrs. Hamilton has bought a
catalogue and is industriously consulting it,
very much interested, indeed. The young
girl is moving about with her. apparently
very attentive. There is a third person
moving from room to room at the same
time, usually near the ladies' especially the
Younger. He is a TALL handsome Italian
He has taken the young Americans eye, and
they exchange giances. After while Mrs.
Hamilton becomes aware of his presence,
and for some little while takes no notice of
him. Then, not for an instant suspecting
that her protege has been flirting.
offers the stranger her ca alogue He
bows and accepts it. Conversation is i'm
possible, as they have no common language.
As the gentlemen of the party approach the
Italian becomes deeply interested in another
picture. So they continue until they arrive
at the last room. Here is an artist copying
a picture. Mrs. Hamilton admires it very
much. The artist looks very shabby. AS
che party are leaving the room the poor
artist runs after them, begging them, ''for
the love of Maria" to buy the copy. He
will sell it so cheapl Only 800 lire! Eccol
1t is bargain!" Mr.. Hamilton thinks he
viii buy 1t, and takes his card from his
pocket a d writes the name OF the hotel on
1t. The party leave the gallery. The Italian
throws farew ell with his dark eyes to the
pretty American in the corridor and re-
turns quickly to the gallery.
That same evening at table d'hote a waiter
brings in a visiting card and presents it to
Mr.. Hamilton. II is not the name of the
artist, but u very long one, with title in
advance MI Hamilton tells the waiter it
must be a mistake, as he knows no one in
Flore0ce. Tue waiter retires, but returns
presently, saying that there Is no mistake,
the gentleman asked for Mr.. Hamilton.
The card is passed about and after mo-
meut's hesitation Mr.. Hamilton rises aud
goes out. Mrs Hamilton begins to grow
nervous, learning that her husband has
been carried off by the man of the card who
might be a bandit. and begs her husbands
friend to 90 out aud see what it Is all about
lie does 30, and finds Mr.. Hamilton in a
small reception DOM with a tall Italian. The
Italian Is 0owiug and kissing his hand, aud
pouring forth long string Of his musical
language. Mr.. Hamilton is blowing his
nose a great deal in order not TO laugh, as
he unGers ands not word.
Mr.. Hanilton's friend says that he re-
members seeing this Italian at the Pitt ia
the moruing, and suggests that it would be
well 10 Gail an interpreter. AT the word
Pitt the Italian tries he rider TO make MIR.
II amilton understand his errand, but with :
out success, until the interpreter appears.
He listens attentively TO the Italians grace
fully gesticulated story, and then, with a
perfectly serious face, turns TO Mr., Hamil-
ton and says:
"As you have seen by this card, sir. this
gentleman is the CounJ -, with an in
come of so and so many lire a year. He
has fallen deeply in love with your daugh-
ter. and has come to ask her hand in mar
rage"
"Certainlv. tell him he may have her
with my full consent" says Mr.. H.
The Interpreter turns to the Italian and
translates, but before he can 6nish the
noblemen makes as though to rush into
Mr.. Hsmilloa's arms, but is prevented. He,
therefore, turns and expresses his thanks
and wishes o know when be may have the
bliss of seeing the young lady.
Whenever he is able" says Mr.. Hamil-
ton.
''Of course, but | must return to my
dinner; and | say this to the interpreter,
as he turns to co. tell him have not a
daughter and never had one.n
Tableeu.