New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-11-20
MARIANNA'S STORY.
OUR ORGAN-GRINDER AND Ills WIFE.

The notes of the bugle sound the evening sum-
mons the ritra;as they call it in italy from the
barracks.
Some high white walls still CLEAN in sunshine
but there is deep shade in the narrow, crooked
streets Of San Reno.
Fer the very reason that the days work is over
it is stirring hour. Villagers are going away
going up the steep paths that lead from town to
their homes among the foothills Of the Maritime
Alps, driving their mules before them with sar-
castle words CT love. In Vittorio Emanuce-st
shopkeepers are putting the head out for n
BREATH" as they say, which means that they stand
in the doorways to gossip with neighbors eNpan-
sively. after the narrowing efforts OF day spent
in trade; the poorest peoplc-so poor that they
economic even their Indulgence in church-going-
are on their way 10 or from "a little prayer
Officers Of the Dcrsagcr strut along by twos and
thrscs, with some unavoidable noise Of swords and
spurs, as they come from the promenade. Their
fatigue caps arc 50 tilted forward almost to rest
upon their noses, yet they succeed in cycling the
ladies in carriages Past the chattering dealer
In mosaic past the embroidery shop and the jew
cllers these handsome fellows go until they reach
a cafe where they seat themselves at small tables
that stand on the sidewalk. Common soldiers Of
the same regiment, with cock-fcather plumcs way
ing from widc-brmmed hats and shaken rhythmic
ally in time to vigorous short steps, hurry along
toward the barracks at the sound OF the ritrata
From the lower window OF a house in the OIL
quarter girl is leaning. Fellow in the street
stands soldier. He is begging for the flower she
holds between her white teeth. In the opposite
doorway are two women watching the courtship
One of these women holds in her arms baby who
is crying Justify. while the mother attempts to
quiet it by showing it her long earrings in order
hat ha boor hat orp eiOhbo ia
ing to the Bersagliere
"Wby do you want 1t ?" asks the girl ut the
window.
ITO keep as n souvenir OF your lovely face is
the answer. give II TO me. gioa bella"
:" Do not listen 10 him, Marianna,' the motherly
ncighbor interrupts. They are al! alike-thosc
soldiers" swaying from side to side TO quiet her
child. II remember when | young. All,
those cocks feathers have brushed many a check,
believe me- Keep to your town swcethcarts, say
They steady, willie these sharpshootcrs are
always on the march"
At the same moment the ri.irata sounds again.
"Ecco :" the woman exclaims, conclusvely Did
not tell you so ?" she urges as the soldier turns
his face barrackward and begins 70 run, calling
back over his shoulder: "Addiol addio l will
come tomorrow to beg it from your lips, sweet
Marianne. Do not listen to that woman"
While the three ncghbors join in easy laughter
the soldier disappears; and then that frankness
in regard to love affairs which characterizes Ital-
ians OF all classes has free play
Marta, you are a very witch, her companion
exclaims. You must have been in league with
the devil to have made the ritrata sound ut your
words" Here they all laugh again, and there APP
pears at Martas door a stout man with pipe in
his mouth and yellow slippers on his feet.
The Joke, the joke!' he cries Let me laugh
ALSO taking the child from his wifes arms.
Mariana explains: Friend Pietro, your Marta
Is o dangerous woman for young girls to have near
she sends their swecthearts aboutface too quickly
smiling regrctfully she twirs the flower in her
brown hands.
No, no, little one the good woman protests,
advancing to the window, her strong soft arms
akimbo. Il speak to you in earnest. Your Giulio
down in the town. earning his lire daily, ia worth
whole dozen sodat This other fine fellow with
his white CATERS, his plumes and his Ncapolitan
tongue is just rogue like all his comrades. He
has sweetheart at Bordghera, Orpedaetti, Cola
and every town within running distance. They
always have. 'Twould be pity to match your
good dowry and household linen against hand
some face and penny a day!"
You speak truly" the young girl admits, still
twirling the flower and looking down at il to keep
her friends quick readers Of every cXpresson) from
seeing her eyes. How that rose, for which only a
moment before lie had been pleading, now pleads
for him-recalling his presence, his attering words
And even more persuasive than his smooth South
ern tongue, his ardent Southern glance-how hard
its pleading-with only penny "a day: sigh
almost escapes her lips, but is retained in the full
bodice, for Pietro is speaking like an echo Of
common-sense.
Yes, yes" he says, penny day is the sol
dier's pay. A fine house with his wifes money,
while he marches away to make love in the next
town. You are right, Marta, you are right"
And it is always lire for tobacco" chimes in
Aarta's companion, who is to fat for many words
but is considered aniabic cOnversationalist in
asusuch she mods her head approvngly at all
her neighbors' saying. Soon the soup goes and
only tho herbs remain on the cold stove"
Marianne rises from the window and begins 70
prepare a lamp the table close at hand Hon
friends return slowly their respective doorsteps
for the light has nearly loft the sky now, and the
good townspcople o: San Reno do not regard 1t rs
respectable TO lounge outside always. Mariana
Is herself again The idea OF nothing but herbs
ewcetiear:s in other towns and money for tobacco
which Is not tobacco. appeals 10 the chief Ligdrian
virtues; and she arrangos her thick glossy hair in
soft coils before the little mirror In her bedroom
making ready 10 go with her friend Lucia to meet
Giulio the wood-carver on his way hnmc from the
town below
The market place in San Reno is large. irreg-
MAR roughly paved square with q fountain and
$50 ia the North. In NxiLeS II IL SntiratS,