The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1894-09-05

they arrived Hundreds rode thither on
horseback. mules and patient donkeys.
The duchess of Genoa made her APP
pedTance in a gala coach ana six, driven
from the saddle. There were the Prin-
cess Isabers ouriders in scarlet livery.
But "Principessa LetiZia" did not APP
pear. She would not Intentionally dis
appoint her legions of friends. Her royal
hiShness was in good hearth. that every
body knew. and rumors Of legal proceed
ings against her had been exceptionally
scarce Of late. Besides. no one would
dare to attach the ducal stables on race
days.
Il was almost time for the start. The
stands We're crowded and the mob out
side the ratings was impatient. Fearful
Of a riot, the syndicO OF Turin sent a
mounted messenger to the palace 10 in
quire when her royal highness might be
expected. The officer reappeared in
about five minutes, gallOping wildly and
motioning the guards at the royal en-
trance to open the gates
Everybody rose, everybody stood. on
iptoe. hats and handkerchiefs in the
lir. national anthem by the band. sol
Tiers and army officers preparing for
salute. But what was il they saw? No
,1stilions in gay dress, no plumed horses
reads, no carriage decorated with flow
RS. Instead the syndicO's man was
leading a small bicycle brigade into the
grounds and at the head Of IT, Princi-
Aosta. followed by the Marquis Nivaldi
di CastellinO. grand master Of ceremony;
Countess Coli di FelizzanO first lady in
waiting: Count Avogadro de CoilObianOet
Carlisle of the late dukes military
household; Principessa Morozzo della
Rocca, another lady Of honor and sew
eral chamberlains-all mounted on bicy-
clesi
The spectacle was as stirring as It was
unheard of. The good Italians had read
al
on the wheel in the seclusiOn of park
and garden But in public, jamais, new
err AT that moment the faces Of the
royalties. the high aristOcracy and Off
Gals were worthy the pencil Of a HO-
garth. The sentiEels did not know
whether TO present arms or make an as
sault upon the party claiming royal pre-
negatives. The syndico was wholly nom
plused.
Finally, somebody in the crowd shout
ed "Evivar' and "Eviva Laetitiar' ex-
claimed thousands of voices. The spell
was broken and the democratic spirit Of
the Italian people broke forth triumph
antly. That was probably just what the
daring princess expected TO occur. she
raised herself on her wheel and smilingly
responded 10 the ovation. She dismount-
ed amid general acclamations at the
grand staircase leading TO the royal box.
The World correspondent was near the
judges stand and saw her royal high
leather boots with leggins, a divided
skirt of heavy black silk. and orna-
mented with silver thread, and a close
fitting waist Of the same material She
wore a white silk Yachting cap. and
around her waist a silver girdlc, with
numerous attachments on small silver
chains. Among them We're a penknife, a
pair Of scissors in a leather case, a
writing pad and pencil and several other
things. The duchess of Genoa. so il is
said. informed the king that madame
also carried a flask on her girdle, but the
old lady was probably mistaken
Laetitia weighs Approximately LIS
pounds, but her aVOirdupOis is generous
~ distributed over her figure where, in
bicycle costume, it shows to the best
advantage. AS she ran up the stairs
expressions of deep-felt admiration came
from the multitude. At the same time
there was an uproar at the bottom of
the stairs, where the fat Marquis di CAS-
tellino had tumbled off his wheel by
too suddenly checking his speed. lie
swore audibly, and his anger was hight
ened by the jeers of the jockeys ano
other OnlOOIers. The Countess teli1-
zano likewise had an accident; she came
near tearing of one wing Of her divided
skirt in dismOunung.
The faces of the duchess Of Genoa and
the Princess Isabel were study. To
say they looked daggers at their rela-
tive is putting ii very mildly, Indeed,
but the manner in which Laeula re-
ceived their greetings was delicious. They
were icy, she was effulsive; they tried 70
frown her down, and Laetitia, by simply
appearing at the balustrade of the box,
evoked tremendous applause. such as in
Italy, is only accorded TO Queen Mar
guerite.
Her court marshal made excuses TO
the duchess Of Genoa for his unsuitable
dress. and Laetitia sent him away 10
change his trousers. One If her ladies'
Of honor, who was preparing 10 lodge
complaint, she congratulated on her
fall" His majesty" she said, will
after this be Obliged to accept your resig-
nation; he cannot ask YOU to remain in
a position which endangers your precious
life"
In extenuation Of Laetitia's wild con-
duct IL is said that as young girl she
was forced to participate in the ascetic
life her mother leads in Castle Monca-
lieri, which is more OF a cioister than
royal residence. The restrictions inn
posed upon the lively girl only tended TO
make her the more eager for worldly
pleasures. She acquired an irrepressibie
craving for the society Of uniformed
beaux-