The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-07-20

part. I study everything appertaining to
languages. Technical terms and express
sions are a hobby with me. I try to learn
them by heart, because 1 find that it makes
writing easier and saves words.
ALWAYS READS ALOUD.
And whatever 1 read. 1 read aloud. II
worth reading at all. my ears as well as my
brain shall profit. That habit also helped
me in acquiring my vast vocabulary. AS
10 contemporary writer's. I read only those
whose style itself to artistic
appreciation. Among the classics 1 never
tire reading are Machiavelli. Dante and
Petrarca. I was once told that a certain
American writer, Davy, 1 believe is his
name Or. II. Davisg, reads his own works
only. This gentleman must have made up
his mind TO be forgot even before his
death, as the method he adopted robs him
Of all opportunity for Improvement.
If 1 say I love a poet or writer, I mean
f, that 1 admire his style as well as the char
acter OF his works, the depths of his knowl-
edge and the fights Of his imagination. All
these are dependent on constant study, self
criticism and varied reading.
My political career, though short, fur
nished me with much valuable material ap-
pertaining to the character of the italian
pe%asantry. What I learned 1 may set down
in a book some time or other. AS you know,
I was sent to the chambers by the -
district in the Abruzzos, and until I met
them, I never even dreamt Of the existence
OF so strange a people as those in the
mountain vastness.
There, In my parliamentary district. I
found that reality needs imagination. The
majority of my electors actually thought
that Italy was on one end, and France on
the other end of the w~orld-no other coun-
tries have any existence as far as they
know. and the term Europe was as
strange to them as Asia, Africa, America
and Australia. If 1 had read Of such gross
ignorance in a book, l certainly would have
disbelieved the author, besides charging
him with a libel on twentieth-century Gull
ture.
while travelling in my district I received
the Rome and Naples daily papers regu-
larly, to the utmost surprise OF my constit-
uents. who couldn't imagine that our coun-
try brought forth several newspapers day
by day. They thought it would take
months to produce a single six-page printed
sheet. Sometimes 1 was asked to read the
news "a III way " lily dutltuCtg dllus "
course. read the home news first. And
now, what has happened in Francia, Don
Gabirele?' asked the mountaineers, after
they had their fill of Italian items. Every
thing outside of Italy was 'Francia' to their
mind.
HE SAW JOYFUL MOURNING.
"At one time 1 entered a farmhouse whose
inhabitants were celebrating a wedding or
some other joyous occasion. l thought, for
they were dancing, drinking and chatting
merrily, and asked me to participate in the
fun. Yet in the hall 1 saw a tiny coffin be-
tween lighted tapers, a crucifx at the
head, saint statues at the foot-end.
THE contrast shocked me beyond belief;
a master of realism who would dare paint
such a scene would be charged with wan
ton sacrilege. But the mother explained it
all: Baby is dead: we now have an angel
in heaven to take our part when God wants
to punish us. And he will look after the
devil, too. so he can't hurt us. Let's dance
and be merry
In the Abruzzos sudden death is still
regarded as evidence of a crime. as Gods
punishment for open or hidden sins on the
part of the stricken man or woman. The
person who dies without warning is treated
like a suicide; his or her body cannot lie in
consecrated ground. and no one. neither
children nor lovers, nor parents or other
relatives, will mourn for the departed. Gen
orally the mourning is of the most elabo-
rate character. a young wife losing her
husband must at least attempt self-destruc-
ton properly to accentuate her sorrow.
while at the funeral of parents grown-up
children simulate commissions 10 show how
much they feel their loss. The police of my
district told me that their watchfulness,
Notwithstanding, numerous bodies were Sc
cretly inferred under the church because
the peasants believe that the sacred serv-
ices above viii help the poor to escape from
purgatory at an early period.
These and similar observations among a
civilized yet essentially primitive people.
may see the light some day in book form
or on the stage. At any rate, my knowl-
edge of human nature was vastly enriched
by my temporary stay in the Abruzzos.
A told 1 made twenty stump speeches
in as many villages. l always spoke on the
local industry, pots and pans, macaroni.
dried figs and whatnot, and the interest
displayed for the economic welfare of each
community quickly gained me all hearts. I
might have continued as deputy of that dis
trict term after term if 1 cared to run
again. But my electors thought me al
mighty and their demands on my influence
and time were altogether too exacting.
They thought a single line from me would
suffice to abolish obnoxious laws and Gre
ate others more to their taste. At the con-
clusion of every speech 1 made 1 received
some such petition as this:
Ask the Queen to order neighbor (fol-
lows name) not TO insist on payment of
the 100 francs 1 owe him. Or, Have my
daughter Guilia recommended as nurse for
her Majesty's next baby etc.
81 would not be bothered with all sorts
Of family affairs and declined to continue in
office" DE AMICE.
ImprOvised Pretext.
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