The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1893-06-27
A GAY GCNDOLlER.
One of the Worlds Fair Boatmen Takes
0uiet Swim.

| One OF the Worlds Fair Boatmen Takes .
Quiet Swim.
Divinely picturesque and eninentiy
attuned to their artistic environment,
perfecting the beauty of the cameo set
ting of the magnificent palaces lining
the shimmering lagoons, the gon6oliers
are feature eminent among the novel
alluring spectacles at the great expo
sition.
Chicago's erratic knight Of the bar.
ometer and the festive forecast having
graciously meted out an acceptable ar
ticle of weather from his treasure house
during the last few days, the gay gem
tlemen from Venice have been given an
opportunity to shine resplendent in all
their fnery of raiment and bask in the
smiles of fair maidens reclining on
the cushions of the gondolas, who see
in each handsome wielder of the long
oars possible duke or count.
The weather being as near an ap-
proach to the Venetian article as the
gondoliers have vet experienced, they
were in a particularly bright and hap
py mood. Before the crowd arrived tc
iingling of hard and shining coins they
reclined in the sunshine near the piers
where their fairy-Gke craft are moored,
rolled cigarettes, listened dreamily to
the music floating over the lagoon from
the bandstands and discussed the com
parative merits of gOndoling and run
ming peanut stands.
From all that could be gathered from
scraps of the conversation, the senti-
ment was unanimous in favor Of the
former
Standing on one Of the bridges and
watching the boats glide so smoo thly
along, with the parti-colored hangings
trailing in the clear waters and the gay
gondoliers softly singing in time to the
rhythmic sweep CT the oars, one would
thinl. that the romantic-looking oars
man lived in Venetian palace, with
its thresholds touching the water and
its latticed easements half-cOncealing
divers and various dark-eyed Italian
beauties, to whom, in accordance with
the tradition and romance. the Condo
Tiers. when off watch, would offer their
hearts and hands in rounded verse to
the accompaniment of lutte, a guitar or
at least harmonica.
But they don't.
Down on the west bank of the south
pond stands a lowly frame cottage,
rough and unpainted. The most ro-
mantle observer would never for mo-
ment connect it with the trailing oars
or softly splashing water. 1t is more
redolent of the soil, more suggestive of
the festive lumber shower or the equal
" transformations sewer-digger. And
here the gondoliers live, move and have
their being.
Shortly after,the gilt head of Diana
had begun to glisten in the sunlight
this morning gondolier stepped out of
the cottage and walked to theFedge of
the lagoon. He wore not the gay livery
which illumes the gondolas later on,
merely an undress uniform and pen
sive air OF melancholy. As he eazed at
the water il was evident that he was
filed with a wild longing toundress even |
more yet and try a plunge in the |
lagoon. At length his determination /
became fixed. he hastily disrobed and /
hlpihtht 4dlcI bcch q IN ing It'd - INTO /
the water, instantly and irrevocably /
fracturing regulation NO. 1867" for 1
the guidance of visitors and employees /
ANY one wishing to use water in any
form on the fair grounds must use that !
furnished by a concessionaire from
Wisconsin or incur the dire penalty of
walking behind Coiumb ian guard FOR
some distance and possible incarcera-
ton in the cold-storage building or the
Chinese theater
Hardly had the splash made by the
audacious gondoller died away when
there was q run on the bank and
guard was on hand.
Come out OF that. now. yez murther-
in, dago. or III run veg in" was his
ton.
The gondolier grinned and quietly
replied: 81 CaIcimine Re Illustra
elochio este boulevarda, or words &c
that effect.
Then The gondolier calmly pursued
his sinuous course down the lagoon. ig.
noring the guard. who almost Gerel.
oped Mysteries on snoTe. a few moments
la Ter on IN alarm whistle sounded near
By, the guard rushed 10 respond and
the gay gondolier quietly swan TO the
bank. gathered up his clothes and stole
into the little cottage with d smile
which spoke yOluues Chicago Record.