Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1898-01-27
CHAPTER XXXIV.

/ My marriage morning daWned
( bright and clear, though the high
wilma Of the past night still prevailed
and sent the white clouds scudding
rapidly, like ships running race,
across the blue fairness of the sky.
/ ! he air was strong, fresh, and eXhil-
arating and the crowds that sWarmed
into the Piazza del Popolo, and the
Toledo, eager to begin the riot and
fun of Gioyedi GrasSo, were one and
all in the highest good humor. AS
the hours advanced, many little knots
of people hurried toward the cathe-
dral, anxious, if possible, to secure
places in or near the Chapel of San
Gennaro, in order to see to advantage
the brilliant costumes of the few dis
tingushea persons who had been in
vlted To witness my wedding. The
ceremony was fixed to take place at
eleven and at a little before halt-past
ten l entered my carriage, in company
with the Duke di Marina as best man,
and drove to the scene of action. Clad
in Eal ments Of admit able cut and fit,
with Well-brushed hair and beara, and
wearing a demeanOr of skilfully min
gled gravity and glyety, | bore but
little resemblance to the haggard, fer
oclOus creature who had faced me in
the mirror 4 few hours previously.
A strange ana secret NTH too pos
sessed me, sort of half-frenzed mer-
riment that threatened every now and
then to break through the mask of
dlgniGed con posture 1t was necessary
for me to wear. There were moments
when | could have laughed shrieEoa
and sung with a fury of a drunken
mailman. AS 1t was, | talked iuces-
sanity; my conversation was Favored
with bitter wit and puugs mt sarcasm,
ana once or twice my friend the duke
surveyed me with an air of wonder
ing inquiry, as though he thought my
manner forced or unnatural My
cOachman was compelled to drive
rather slowly, owing to the pressing
throEgs that swarmed at every corner
and through every thoroughtare, while
the yells of the masqueraders, the
gambOlS of street clowns, the firing Of
toy guns, ana the sharp explosion of
colOred blaGders, that were swung to
and fro and tossed in the air by the
merry pOpulace, startled my spirited
horses frequently, and caus cd them TO
leap and pranCe TO Il somewhat dan
gerous extent, thus attracting more
20
equilage, AS it drew up at last at the
door of the chapel, / was surprised To
see what number of spectators had
collected there. There was a positive
crowd OF louugers beggars, chihren.
and middle-class persons Of all sorts,
who beheld my arrival with the ut
mos interest and excitement.
In accordance with my instructions,
a rich crimson carpet had been laid
alwn from the very edge Of the pave
mont right into The church as far as
/ the altar; suken awning had also
/ been erected, under which bloomed u
/ miniature avenue of palms and tcop-
! zeal flowers. All eyes We're turned upon
me cuuously rs l stepped from my
carriage and entered the chapel. siae
/ by side with the duke, and murmurs
1 OF my vast wealth ana generosity We're
audibly whispered as / passed along.
/ One old croue, hideously ugly. but
with large, dark piercing eyes, the
fading lamp Of a lost beauty, chuckled
and numb ed as she eraned her
skinny throat forward 20 observe ME
more closely. "Ay, ay, The saints
know he need be rich and generous
poyeruomo to fill her mouth 4 little
red cruel mouth always open, that
swallows money like macar1nj, and
laughs at the suffering poor. An
that is bad, bad lie need be rich 10
satisfy her.
! The Duke di Marina caught these
words and glanced quickly at me, but