Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1909-10-06
HIS LUCKY ESCAPE,
By E. A. michel.

lists. There among the Others was my
ehum, Billy Humiston. | noticed al
once that he didn't look clipper at
all. After fire of questions between
US l asked him what was the mat
ter. He confessed that he had fallen
in love with an American girl whom
be had seen at window on the Grand
canal. She hadn't seen him. and the
only thing he knew about her was her
name. which was Hamilton Dora
Hamilton.
81 know her well" l said You
have Il fortune, why should you not
win herT'
Il don't want my fortune to win
her. / want TO do it myself"
After a long conference l proposed
to Billy to get himself up as gon-
dolier. take the lady out ON the water
and do the trick in that fashion. Billy
was mighty well pleased with the
idea, and l planned the whole thing
for him. / recommended my Condo
lier'' TO Miss Hamilton, and she in
vited me and a couple of girl friends
to go with her the next evening on
the Grand canal. At o'clock-it was
still daylight-B Billy, in beautiful
white suit. jaunty straw hat with
blue ribbon streamers and blue gon-
dolier's sash and neckwear, pushed a
chartered gondola TO the steps of Miss
Hamilton's hotel, and our party got
aboard. Billy looked so funny that ii
was all could do to repress a smile
He didn't dare look at me for fear
would betray him. We all got aboard
except Miss Hamilton. who stood on
the steps of the hotel.
DO you speak any EnglishY' she
said to Billy.
"Leetle" replied Billy
How much for the first hourT'
'.Doue Ira" 1.-TWO lirel.
"Doue Ira! You robber! The tariff
only allows you to charge one Ira and
eighty centesimo,"
THAT wilt do" said Billy, coloring
a little.
"And the second hourg
THE same"
'gThe same. The tariff is half for
the second hour"
Billy knew better, for he was IA
miliar with the tariff, but he agreed
to the reduction Miss Hamilton
stepped aboard. and Billy showed the
gondoa out into the canal
"Gondolier,~ said Miss Hamilton,
pull W. to that float over there "
Billy o5eyed; but, not being an expert
paddler, other boats crowded in ahead
of him.
What stupid gondolier!' remark.
ed Miss Hamilton. He doesn't look
falling overheard" Then, checking
herself, Il wonder how much English
he understands"
BY this time Billy was very mad.
1t was still light enough for me to
see an ominous scowl on his brow.
The surroundings were certainly en-
trancing. Tine lion of St Monies
perched on its pillar. The doge's pal
ace and the other buildings of the
group about ii, Illuminated as they
were; the lighted floats, the simmer
on the water, all combined To produce
an effect not to be seen in any other
city in the world
What a place for lovemaking!"
exclaimed
1t was too dark for me TO see Billy's
face, but | heard an indistinct growl
"Gondolier" cried Miss Hamilton,
don't you keep US out over two hours
and charge for third; l know your
tricks"
Would the signorina like to go to
the hotelY Gsked Billy in broken Eng
lish
mo, indeed. We have twenty min
utes left, she replied, looking AT q
bracelet watch,
1T will take that time to reach the
hotel"
No, it won't. If you don't get us
there within the time, it's your look
out. | only pay for two hours
But can't keep you here till the
time is up and then take you u mile
to the hotel without beginning another
hour"
Il only pay for two"
Billy was very angry and bound to
get us ashore as soon as possible. He
rowed us down toward the hotel al
rapid pace. When we reached the
steps but FIVE minutes remained of the
two hours to be paid for. We rose
to disembark, but Miss Hamilton stop
ped US.
I'VE don't get out of this gondola till
time is up" she said.
So we sat still, waiting for the time
TO pass, Miss Hamilton remarking
that it was Just as pleasant there as
being out In the middle of the canal
When her watch marked the exact
time of the expiration of the two hours
she permitted US TO leave the gondola
She paid the amount of the legal hire.
less half that Of the sect nd hour. and
when Billy asked for an extra tip she
walked away without reply.
''The signorins might carry SOP
watch" called the gondoher as we dis
appeared.
saw Billy before retiring, and II
ever a man was cured Of passion he
was. "Great scottr' he exclaimed
''That girl would get my soul out Of
my body and fry 1t on gridiron for
dinner. Non gracia mo thanks. I'm
not as much in love as | thought ]
was"
J. few days later found myself cut
by Miss Hamilton. She had found