The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-10-12
STORY OF MASCACNI
THE COMPOSERS OWN ACCOUNT OF
YOUTHFUL EsCAPADE.



the bones. with shivers running down our
spines, aching in every limb. we had arisen
from the bed OF straw. hay and thistles
that our guides. Beppo and Tonic. had
made for my young wife and self In the
mountain hut, which we reached about
midnight.
The present comfortless. the future With
out hope, here I was. heeing from an inn
pressario whose ears had boxed and who
had vowed must follow him to the wilds
OF Sicily, willing or unwilling, and must
keep TO the letter Of my contract II IL TOOK
the authority OF the Governor to make me
do so-of the Governor and all the police
men In the kingdom! was almost pennf-
less. I had nothing but my wife-courag-
eous little body-whose sufferings cut my
heart All. and must not forget my ex-
pectations. dangerously near going to the
devil; my opera, William Radcliffe" that
never seemed to get finished, and few
devoted friends who had helped me to run
away and had promised to keep me posted
about ny matters movements.
And now, In the name of all the saints In
the calendar, what were we to do? We
could not stop in this wayside hut for Alp
fne travellers. There was no bed, no blank
ct. no shadow Of home comforts, and
truly Siberian winter prevailing. No, we
could not stand further misery Of that sort.
Ny wife could not. and I believe that I
myself would have broken down.
Us there no village. no inn in the neigh
borhood?'' asked of Beppo.
The guide looked at his colleague, who
IN turn scratched his head and remarked
sageiy:
.'You DO not want TO return 20 Cerignola,
DO Your
OF course, only an ass could talk that
way Cerignola was the place I meant to
avoid at all hazarcs. There I had left my
frnpressarfo. To return was equivalent to
being forced to continue the rowing life
OF which I was tired He would take me
70 Sicily-between two carbineers with
loaded guns IL necessary. No, no. no; I
would rather die. But my courage waned
as looked at my wife. All, II her we'll
being demanded II we must return at once
to this hateful gypsy existence. to this
miserable cur OF an impressario. Had
not promised to love. cherish and protect
her, and did she not place the utmost con-
ffdence I'm me? But how to get back? The
horses that brought US to this secluded spot
were gone, and to return on foot was i'm
possible. But now my little wife spoke up.
"Tofio," she said. authoritatively, "there
must be a village. or a house. or an inn
somewhere In this neighborhood."
"Oh. yes, there is.' the peasant lad said.
after good deal of thinking, but doubt
that they have place for you to sleep in
not for you, signora."
'1 VIII decide about that" said: "show
me your village" and felt like a drowning
man catching at a straw.
1T is only half an hours walk"
I breathed again. would you be able
20 go so far?' asked.
ITO be sure can: much farther, IL nee
essar."
"Bravop' and after settling with the
guides gave my arm to the little woman;
sff you please. signora." She laughed, and
we walked away into the cold and damp OF
the winter morning. We felt all the better
FOR it. though. or course. we were cold,
but the rapid motion made our blood run
quicker through our veins, and our limbs
once more became elastic. I never lose my
sense OF humor for any length of time, and,
presto, II was back. My wife recognized
the old friend, and her courage increased
with every step. or course, began to lay
out plans, founded a new future for my
self. and there was light and success ev-
erywhere. My wife said nothing. but she
smiled all the time and leaned heavier upon
my arm Suddenly a little house appeared
at the horizon. then another, third and
fourth, and there-no, my eyes do not be-
tray me-there was a bunch of green's and
vines at that door, signifying that the pro-
prietor made a business OF attending to the
wants OF hungry and thirsty humanity.
We went In without further ado. A puppy
ran up. showing his teeth, then went down
on his belly and crawled, wagging his tall
A kitten rubbed her back against my wife's
dress. Our reception by the house menag-
erie left nothing to be wished for. II mas
ter and mistress were only half as amiable
as the canine and feline we had no reason
for grumbling. There was. however, no
human being in sight anywhere.
"Paeronc," I called once. twice, and
"yengo. vcngo!' came the echo from one
OF the inner rooms. Pretty soon a trim,
vivacious woman appeared in the costume
OF q peasant OF Tuscany somewhat the
worse for wear. but picturesque for all
that When she caught sight OF us she
clapped her little hands above her head in
utter establishment. then shook her head
half a dozen times. measured my wife from
head to toe with pitiful eyes and cried:
Santa Marial SO young. so young. and
so pretty
had no desire OF inquiring into the
cause OF our hostess's establishment, but
! began at once piling on questions: Gould
we get n cup of coffee? We are hungry as
wolves and frozen through. Secondly, can
we stay her for one or two nights? Third
w will IL be possible
Coffeei Where should she get coffee? If
we would be content with pot Of polenta
and a pot OF milk that was another thing.
And a bed and room? Santa Maria,
Where was 1t to come from? She was not
hotel keeper; 1t never happened before
that people took her for one. But, indeed.
such young and pretty girl! All, she was
not heartIess. and she had been young her
self Well. she would fix us up. Her
daughter could sleep I'm the stable and as
TO herself It mattered little where she laid
down her head All. how pretty and young
the siSnora was.
The woman kept on wondering for some
tire. expressing her amazement at my
wife's appearance in unmeasured terms.
and looking at me as IL expecting that ]
should approve Of all she said. which did
from tho bottom OF my heart.
Well. we had a roof over our heads, tho
milk and bread were very good indeed. and
revived our spirits. Besides. the kitchen