The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1894-06-20
WIDOW GAMBERTI.


In the villages remote from the great
oenters where life goes Oh calm and
even as the mechanical movement of a
we'll regulated clock the passage of the
troops is always an important event.
The peasants even, naturally penuri-
GUS, do not complain Of the slight ex-
pense and inconvenience that the mill
tary guests bring for q day into their
houses, and be it noted that it is not q
patriotic feeling nor affection for the
sons of others which animatcs them,
but it amuses them to pass the evening
in listening to the adventurous tales and
the jokes of the barracks of some SOL
der that is rather chatterbox, espe-
cially if he is from the south There
are fine things to be heard. you may be-
lieve me
That daythe young serving women had
done their daily tasks in the quickest
way and with various distractions The
workwomen busy near the windows had
often raised the curtains to see better
an officer come to prepare the lodgings
who since dawn had galloped up and
down through the town satisfied no
doubt with attracting all the feminine
glances.
1t was q cold day i'll the beginning
of April The winter which all had be-
heved 70 he definitely over, by a malig-
nant caprice or TO play Il bad trick om
its enemies was come back again, and
the icy white mantle covered the earth
anew and shonc magnificent under the
sun of the first spring days.
., 81:
SO they will he cheerful when they ar
rive, thought the girls while they blew
upon thor REDEEMED fingers TO warm
them and listened with heating hearts
whether the wind brought from afar
some sound Of trumpet or trampling
of horses.
All mt once echoed fanfare rather
confused, but jovial The regiment The
regiment
Half al hour later the soldiers were
pouring into the village filling il with
the clatter of their sahcrs and their
youthful voices III various dialects of
Italy.
Together III tho dining room, long and
low rooted, of the Moon tavern the Off
GERS Ill fatigue uniform approached
their damp boots to the flames of pa
triarchal chimney i'll the happy frame
OF mind of those who after tiresome
days march finally have nothing moro
to do except Ia rest in comfortable
house, with the prospect Of IL good din
ncr.
81 say" exclaimed Lieutenant TeY-
biani, who WAS caNleSSly rolling a Gig
arctic and rocking himself on a chair
near the window. Here are two fine
specimens OF tho natives. Come and sec,
Dcstrelli. AS for me, i never dreamed
OF moro charming little wolnon."
All the officers rushed to the window
III haste to test the accuracy Of that opin-
!, ion.
"Oh. oh They are elecan. indeed. ;"
Look what tiny tracks those feet
leave on the snow"
And what graceful movements"
They are lovely and no mistake. "
Look here, landlord" called Lieu
tenant Varcllo, fitting his monocle into
the eye socket, care all the women of
this place like thosc?"
The innkccpcr, stout man of about
80, smiled, stroking his heard, half red
and half gray, and declared:
Not all, signor tcnentc Our ,:ir!s
may say, are not amiss. hut those who
passed are Siglorina Cornti Of Giyi-
'oSo, daughter of the master Of the villa
up there on the hill. and the other with
tho dark hair is her sister the Marchcsn
i Ga.nbcrti, II yomIg lady'.---
The lieutenant had opened his mouth
to ask some other question, hui; ut that
( moment "a servant maid came III great
haste to the master, because he was
wanted III tho kitchen. One of the young
men made rather crude observation
OH the plumpncss of the girl, and the
conversation changed
Tell me, my dear fellows" asked
a captain recently promoted, chow are
you accommodated? Because you know
that we shall stay here almost two days,
so that the question is important Art
you content?''
Each of the officers named the lodg
ing assigned to him. and the comments
began
"That unlucky Destrellii He is al
ways destined 70 be quartcrcd at hair
Sresser's 1t is true, however that hi.
hair wants cutting. See here, Destrelli
Put yourself right into the hands of you
hairdresserr' They all laughed heartily
''As for Bompane, he goes from will;
10 villa He stays with the aristocracy
docs Bompanel And this time too
\. looki He Is to be entertained by Baro,
(. Cora1 Of Givioso"
"Ahl At tho house Of the beautiful
little blond who Just now went byi"