The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1901-09-10
rMPERTINENT ITALIAN WAY.
Army ohicers Usually Propose to
English Girls at First Sight


English Girls at First Sight
Oondon Mail)
A certain guide book to Italy advises
ladies' not TO take too much notice OF
the attention of Italian officers.
Before 1 visited Rome. writes lady
from that city, 1 wondered what the
somewhat vague warning meant, put
had not been long in the Eternal city
before 1 found out 1t - the custom
at all the best hotels and pensions
throughout Italy to give dances curing
the winter months and among those
who are invited are sure to be num-
Der of Italian army men,
With their tight fitting clothes, their
riustaches curled up to their eyes, ana
their hair parted exactly in the middle,
and scented with all the odors OF
Araby, they formed a very different
sroup from what we had been accuS-
toned to see at home, when Enghsh
officers were among the guests at
dance.
When the dancing began one of them,
who spoke English, was introduced TO
me by our hostess, and at once found
myself endeavoring to get into the
swing on an Italian waltz step. with its
peculiar little kick sideways at the
third movement.
1t was not the dance alone, however,
that proved somewhat novel, Tor my
partners conversation was surely the
most curious that ever q girl had to
listen to from a man to whom she hao
Just been introduced.
us the signorina English or Amer
ican?" asked my partner.
English I replied.
"Ah, yes, the beautiful accent You
are single?' he asked next, as if ii were
the most usual thing in the world to
put such a question to girl
mo, I am married. 1 answered.
"Ahi the fortunate marito," he said.
''but the signora is wearing mourning.
Yes, my husband IS dead, 1 replied,
feeling somewhat embarrassed -
''Compartire uno-l symp2fcIifz with
you" he murplslred.- - But perhaps the
sigrora hasa bsmbino to comfort her!"
No" Il replied II have no children, %
/ At this point the music ceased, and
my partner led me to a seat alone in
the world, so lovely, and so rich" he
I whispered.
: Il never told you I was rich" I said.
"Ahi signora, all your lovely country
/ women are rich who visit Italy," he re-
piled.
There are exceptions to every rule. -
said, and happen to be the excep-
tion to this one.
Murmuring a few commonplace re-
marks he took advantage OF the first
opportunity to leave me, and I saw
him later on in the evening engaged
/ in violent Irritation with a dashing
! American girl who was reported TO
/ nave income IlNe nRurSS per an
4 mum in her own right
J 1 was talking the matter over with
a friend, who had lived some years in
Italy, and she informed me that it was
quite the usual thing for girls to be
questioned by these men as I had been
! The reason is that officers in the Italian
army are not allowed by their govern
ment to marry unless either they
or their affianced wife can prove that
/ they possess the monetary equivalent OF
, $4,000 sterling ($l5.000). The govern
ment has taken this step in order to
avoid being called upon to provide pen
4 sions for the widows Of those officers
who may be killed while on active ser
vice. for by the rules of the army nc
I pension VIII be given except in cases
| where the needs Of the applicants justi-
/ fy one being granted
! The consequence is that italian Of