St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1902-06-07
A ROMANCE OF MODERN VENICE

from clOudleSs sky on the
streets of Venice. Not breath oil
wind ruffled the smooth surface OF
the lagoon.
Venice was taking its siesta.
Even the gondolas did not disturb the
waters of the lagoon and the canal;
only a few tugs were putting along
automatically.
Among the men and women who ven
thred out was a tall, muscular young
man. Advise Garofani. He kept close
10 the houses, seeking shade here and
there. AS he passed the little church
OF San Francesca di Paola a frown
darkened his face. The curato had re-
Gently dared to stop him on the street
and to upbraid him for his wild ca
reer.
Let the old baldhead look after his
own kind,' he grumbled; "fhere are
plenty of priests in Venice whose lives
are full of scandals. He'd better not
bother me, for there is way of stop
ping his mouth"
Alvise's hand grasped dagger in
his trousers pocket.
Under the shadow of the church
stood the inn of Father Zulian. hoary,
gray stone structure. Over the door
three large pink flowers were painted
above the legend, 1.-THE Three Pinks."
Advise kicked sleeping cat from the
doorstep as he pushed aside the cur
tain to enter the barroom. Behind the
bar stood Meta, the pretty daughter
OF Father Zulian. She was busily en-
gagged washing glasses and bottles.
Good morning, Meta" said Advise.
The barmaid did not look up from
her work. She pretended not to hear.
Il greeted you, Meta"
II heard it, she replied.
''Why do you not answer?" he asked.
Meta slapped her wet hand on the
bar and with look of contempt said:
''Your greeting to me?-no!"
''Have care. Metal" he cried.
A mocking smile came over her face.
''You'd better take care that you
don't wake up father. Nothing makes
him angrier than to be disturbed in
his siesta. Then he won't trust you
any more, and loafer like you can't
pay"
Advise wanted to make violent re-
ply, but feared to awaken Zulian. He
drew his face over the bar and whis-
pered: "Why do you speak thus to
me, Meta? Do you know that think
OF you day and night, that love you
with my whole heart, that l dream
only of the happiness some day to be
able to call you mine?"
"Dream of whom you please cried
Meta, patiently, ''but leave me
alone"
"Nietta, dear one," he stammered,
grasping her hand.
She tore herself away and shook her
hand as if to rid it of some unclean ami
NAL. do not touch me! Oh, how I
despise you'll"
Alvise's brown face became ashy pale,
his teeth buried themselves in his lips.
He clenched his fists. Then he laughed
sneeringly.
81 ought to have known better" he
said, "for have seen how you care
for Shoemaker Carlo, the beau of the
Via Garibaldi.'
momentary bashfulness came over
Meta. Then she raised her head
proudly and said: 'What is it your
business. if I do?"
Alvise's passion devoured him as he
beheld the tall figure, the fine counte-
nance, framed in jet back hair, the
snowy white. teeth between the rosy
lips of Meta.
Take heed,'' he grumbled, "or you
may rue that you have thwarted me-"
Meta shrugged her shoulders dis
painfully. At this juncture Father
Zulian yawned, rubbed his eyes and
looked around. "Hello, is that you,
Advise? Have you come to pay your
debt? It's high time
81 hope you will add another bottle
to my bill, Father Zulian,' replied AL
wise, smiling.
"Not another pint" declared the
host. "In my inn only pure wine is
served, and want to see good money
for it, but if you have none you would
better seek another place in which to
quench your eternal thirst"
"You haven't slept out we'll, Father
Zulian,' returned Advise, otherwise
you would not treat one of your best
customers SO sha billy, just because he
happens to be out of money. Well, l
will soon call again, and then you and
Meta will treat me better"
"You are always welcome when you
have plenty of coin," was Zulian's re-
ply.
Meta made a cross and whispered:
"Santa Marie. keep him from me-"
3 On the Rio del RELIC stood the little
house of Mother Agnese, the washer
woman. Twenty-Five years ago she
had moved there with her Toni, a
happy young bride. Love,
iov and thrift dwelled in their humble |
home. And when, one day, the voice
of little Carlo filled the house for the |
first time, Toni and Agnese would not
have exchanged it for the Hottest pal
ace on the Canale Grande. Later, how
ever, came the evil day, when Toni
on the lagoon and did not
return at night. For eight long days |
and nights Agnese wept and prayed be-
fore the Madonna in her room. Then
the body Of her beloved was brought
to her. The storm in which he had
perished had snbsided. The sky was
like blue yelvetand land and water gilt
tered in the sun. But to Agnese it
seemed as if eternal night had spread
over the earth.
There is no better defense against
hearfnai in than work Az