Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1906-03-15

SiHioHu wis ueci'ly 'nipICasSd ny lis
venerable aspect. His years then mum.
bered as many as mine do now, which
is to say seventy-one, but he appeared
much older. his vitality being sappcd
by his intense application to affairs Of
commerce in early manhood and mid
die age and by stress of recent sorrow,
to say nothing of the natural ravages
of time. Nevertheless he exhibited
traces of nobility of features and
stature which an attenuated face and
bowed back failed to Obliterate. The
moment of my Introduction to him
was painful one, for he had just re.
turned from celebrating the obsequies
of his son. and his only remaining
child, the young and beautiful Anita,
was administering to her father such
comfort as was possible in the circum.
stances. I had entered the presence
of the old man and presented my let
ters before I was acquainted with his
unhappy condition, but SO soon as l
was Informed of it l sought to with
draw until n more fitting occasion
should offer. The fair Anita, perceiv-
Ing that my business might divert her
fathers thoughts from the object OF
his grief, would not willingly suffer me
to depart: SO yielded to her soncita-
tiOn and remained. My host was a
man of extraordinary intelligence, de-
1i,rl,t c,,ll nj nd nj Loot vi
Notwithstanding a quiet dignity which
usually accompanies combination OF
wealth and intellectual power. OF his
grief he spake not, but l observed all
too many evidences Of it. After some
conversation with him on general mat
ters 1t was easy for me to understand
how this man had from humble be-
ginnings risen to be the most opulent
shipowner in Venice. When l asked
his advice in respect of house where
in to live during my sojourn In Venice
the old man regarded me with mild
surprise. II know Of no other than
this" he said; "who comes from Eng
land with credentials such as yours
must be my guest" These words af-
forded me great content, and in Signor
Simona's house l accordingly took up
my abode.
November 13. = A thorough mastery
of the Latin and French tongues
helped me greatly in acquiring the
Italian speech; sans such equipment
| doubt not l should have failed, for
my method of learning differed greatly
from what prescribed by the schools.
structrcss, and her lessons occupied
nearly the whole of every day, She
told me the names Of things, and cor
rected my errors of pronunciation, but
OF grammatical rules she spake not; l
fear she had but scant knowledge or
them herself Though no Catholic, l
went with her each morning to mass,
which pleased her greatly. for she had
a supcrstitious horror of Protestant
ism. And here | may remark upon
the convenience of conforming to the
religious prejudices of the people
among whom one may he cast; 1t Is
both easy and polite, and may be
done by most travellers without strain.
My days in Venice passed with great
swiftness, as days of pleasure always
do. Signor Simona was merchant
prince, and his marble palace was q
storehouse of works of art brought by
his captains from all the countries OF
the world. His kindness to me was
very marked, and that of his daughter
yet more so. After many weeks OF
daily expeditions to examine the Won
ders of Venice, in all of which | was
accompanied by the daughter of my
host, the beautiful Anita showed In
many ways that she had fallen in love
with me; and this circumstance occa-
stoned me much disquiet. If l but
talked with any other woman, or ven.
tured to express admiration of cos
tune worn by one Of the DOgaressa's s
maids her pearly teeth would clencll
and her dark eyes fash. 1t was a
great difficulty. and FASTENED my de-
parture from Venice, with strange con.
sequences disastrous to herself. l
would not love her in dishOnOrable
fashion for the sake Of her father, my
host; nor would marry her, for had
previously resolved to measure the
faith Of all women by the perfdy Of
one, and my unreasonable distrust was
a yet unabated.
To be continued.