Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1897-08-05

the same hotel as myself, and whose
starched stolidity never relaxed for a
single instant. He was d human ice
Unexpectedly respectable, with that
air of decent gloon about him which
is generally worn by all the sons of
Britain while sol burning in a foreign
cline. I copied his manners as closely
the same precise air of MOTTO
be-enlightened obstinacy-I walked
with the same upright drill demeanor
and | surveyed the scenery with the
same superior contempt. I knew l
had succeeded at last, for l overheard
a waiter speaking of me to his COM
paniOn as "the white bear!'
One other thing I did I wrote a
courteous note to the editor of the
principal newspaper published in Naples
"a newspaper that I knew always
found it's way to the Villa Romani-
and inclOsing fifty francs, I requested
him to insert a paragraph for me in
his next issue. This paragraph was
Worded somewhat as follows:
The Signor Conte Cesare Olivia,
EObleman who has been for many
years absent from his native country,
has, we understand, just returned,
possessed of almost fabulous wealth,
and is about to arrive in Naples, where
he purposes making his home for the
future. The leaders of society here
will no doubt welcome with enthusiasm
so distinguished an addition to the
brilliant circles commanded by their
influence"
The editor obeyed my wishes, and
inserted what | sent him. word for
word as it was written. He sent me the
paper containing it with million
compliments, but was discreetly
silent concerning the fifty francs,
though | am certain he pocketed them
with unaffected joy. Had I sent him
double the money, he might have been
induced to announce me as a king or
emperor in disguise Editors of
newspapers lay claim to be honorable
men; they may be SO in England, but
in Italy most of them would do any
thing for money. Poor devils, who
can blame them, considering how lit
tie they get by their limited dealings
il. pen and ink! In fact, l am rot at
all certain but that a few English
newspaper editors might be found capa-
tile of accepting a bride, if large
enough, and if offered with due deli
c&cy. There are surely one or two
magazines, for instance, in London.
that would not altogether refuse to in
sert an indifferentIy, even badly writ
ten article, if paid q thousand pounds
Gown for doing it!
On the last day but one OF nv So
jcurn in Palermo I was reclining in an
easy-chair at the window of the hotel
smoking-room, locking out on the
shlmmering waters Of the gulf. 1t
was nearly eight o'clock. and though
the gorgeous cOlors of the sunset still
fingered in the sky, the breeze blew
in from the sea somewhat Coldly, Civ
ihS warning of an approaching chilly
night. The character l had adopted.
namely, that of q somewhat harsh and
cynical man who had seen life and did
not like it, haG by constant hourly
practice become with me almost
second nature-indeed, | should have
had some difficulty in returning to the
easy and thoughtless abandon of nv
being churlish till l really was chur-
fish; | had to act the chief character in
drama, and | knew my part
thoroughly well. I sat quietly putting
at my cigar and thinking of nothing
in particular-for, as lar as my plans
went, | had done with thought, and
all my energies were strung up to ac-
tion-when l was startled by loud
and increasing clamor, as Of the shout
ing of large crowd coming onward
like an overfowing tide. l leaned out
of the window, but could see nothing.
and was wondering what the noise
could mean, when an excited waiter
threw open the door of the smoking
lconl and cried, breathlessly:
'Carmelo Neri, signor, Carmelo
Neri. They have him, poverino! they
have him at last"
ed in this news as the waiter himself.
l did not permit my interest to become
manifest. I never forgot for second
the character I had assumed, and
drawing the cigar slowly from my lips.
merely said:
Then they have caught a great
rascal. I congratulate the Govern
menti Where is the fellCw?"
I'll. the great square," returned the
gorcOn eagerly. IF the signor would
walk round the corner he would see
Ca1nelo, bound and fettued The
saints have merry upon Lin, The
crowds there are thick as flies round q
i would rot miss the sight for a
tho Csand francs!"
And he ran off, as full Of the antic-
iEated delight of looking at a brigade
as child going to its first fair. I put
o my hat and strolled ;eisurelv round
to the scene of excitement. 1t was a
pictu1 esque sight enough; the square
was black with a sea of eager heads
and restless, gesticulating figures, and
the center of this swaying, muttering
crowd was occupied by a compact band
of mounted gendarmes with drawn
swords flashing in the pale evening
! light-b0th horses and men nearly as
motionless AS though cast in bronze.
They were stationed opposite the head
quarters of the Carabinieri, where the
chief officer of the party had dis
mounted to make his formal report