The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1899-06-14

where the scene changed quickly TO
one OF lively gayety. Their little
home consisted OF a small sitting room
an equally small bedroom. and q dimin-
utive kitchen. What more was need
ed?
During the day both are az their
work outdoors. and their small domain
IS in reality only a sleeping place. The
Italian peasant hardly knows the word.
Dwelling-home. Anniua showed m.
with great pride her bed. her few
kitchen utensils. and while 7 admired
them my thoughts reverted 80 the tru-
ism: The fewer mans needs. the more
God-like he becomes.
The brightest hour of the day is the
wedding feast. which was served in a
sort of grOtto or cellar. What the
peasant knows of comfort he finds in
his grotto, where. after his hard days
work, he spends his hour OF recreation.
enjoying his piece of bread and cheese
or polenta, resting under the shadows
of the magnificent chestnut trees. Cos
sip and a pinch of tobacco form the
entertainment.
The wedding feast was served in one
of these grottoes, and consisted of the
inevitable risotto and some meat dish.
eaten without forks, buc the goblet
made the rounds continually. Anun-
ziata informed me that il was good
form for everyone to drink from the
same tankard, as in this wise individ-
ual thirst could not be measured. The
company became quite animated, but
no one was intoxicated.
The long drawn notes of harmonica
reminded us of the rights of the young
FOL tnh 81.
began, nothing of the boisterous Tan
tarella, that belongs to the Italians of
the South; his northern brother near
the Alps loves the gentle motion OF
the mountaineers, where a couple turns
in a span of space.
Evening was coming on, and before
bidding farewell to our friends. the
father of the bride. who felt n little
elated by this time, urged us to- sit by
him a few minutes longer, asking:
Don't you think the young couple will
get along? He works. she works. both
attend church diligently and Madonna
will bless them?
Surely, they will get along.
answered. They are both industrious,
honest and brave.
Yes, labor and care for the daily
bread will be the lot of these people
who We're united for life today. ] real
lied that we'll; nothing else? While
our steps slowly turned homewards,
through the sea of green leaves came
the tones of the veSper bells. Beyond
the raging Maria church steeple
family betrayed a small Italian village.
knew that at that moment hundreds
of lips whispered the Ave Maria and
as the first sound of it reaches the
dancers in the grotto. they would cease
and wait with down-caSt eyes, till the
last tone has died away. Yes. the
young couple had their church and
their prayers.
From the main road narrow by
path leads to this little hamlet and to-
the higher situated groups of houses.
Along this path, at intervals, are
twelve small chaplets. each provided
with stone bench.
The poor peasants, whose daily work
consists so often in carrying heavy
loads on their backs. that the uninitiat-
ed wonders how they do not break
down with their burdens. come to these
resting places for a moments rest and
often lay down their burdens. and
oftener-oh, perhapS-a much heavier
one. of which the world knows not.
Here is a spot where they can forget
for a moment their earthly sorrows and
their longing for the ideal. which
dweiis in each human breast. finds sat
iSfaction here. for the most intellectual
activity of the Italian peasantry is in
their religion. Otherwise they are iS-
nOrant and depressed, yet not TO such
a degrees as not to realize their sad
condition. Taxes devour the half of
their earnings, and many have not
enough left to satisfy their hunger.
The evening bells chime on, till out
of the chestnut groves and all the
heights surrounding, the bells unite in
one harmony.
May they chime rest into the hearts
of the weary, after their daily struggle.
chime so long till beautiful Italy will
become a land of happy. prosperous
homes.
SYLVIA ANDREA.