The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-08-19
From the New York Sun.

YENICE.-It was In January, out
" of season. A suite of ducal
magnificence was at my dis
posal at the cost of an ordinary room
with bath in a good New York hotel.
The great living room, with old We
netian furniture and exquisite Vene-
tian decorations, fronted the Grand
canal. From the balcony on which the
long windows opened was the famous
view. Quiet? "Oh, yes. absolutely
quiet" the host assured me, and there
was then not sound. The next MORN
ing upon settling down to work heard
the chug of small engine and the
thud of moving stone and timber.
Workmen in a sort of a caisson were
repairing the foundations of the hotel
beneath my windows. AS l retired that
night there was the banging of iron
beams that were being unloaded on the
quay on the other side of the canal
At breakfast my host tells me how
much better it is to see Venice In the
winter than In the summer, when the
crowds are there. why. Americans
come here in parties of six and eight,
togetherw Even then had learned
that to drink in the beauty of Venice
one must drink alone. The consul tells
me he enjoys the winter, that in the
summer there are so many Americans
that Venice is just like Coney Island.
The consul Is a former fellow towns
man and takes me to the opera. They
are giving die Walkure." In Venice'
Think of II! Although the opera house
Is not 80 years old. it's decoration Is
that of the Venice of centuries ago. The
orchestra is very good. the staging and
the singing fair. In the audience the
consul points out to me descendants
of the old time dukes and doges as well
as the present day vendors of marbles
and glass and laces. As We are leaving
he asks me to look at the dispensing au-
dience and see If notice anything Pc
culiar, After a minute / remark, half
in Jest: DO you mean that I am the
only man in sight wearing a silk hat?'
I had noticed with a trifle of surprise
that although In evening dress he wore
a derby. YES" he replies. You never
see Venetian wearing a top hat Ev-
erbody here knows that you are
stranger, but they respect your custom.
In other respects, as you see, the men
are in evening dress" Why do they
omit the hat?" He did not know. but
hazarded guess. us it because a silk
hat would certainly be a nuisance in
getting in and out of these little coops
in the gondolas?" He suggested that
the guess be allowed to stand.
From the window of a shop in st.
Marks Square looks at me a sweet face
In Carara marble. A garland of oaken
leaves and acorns crowns the beautiful
head and sheaf of blades like those
of the tiger lily rests upon her shout
ders. I once knew a girl who looked
like that. but she had ideas. Whatever
ideas this Carara girl may have will
forever rest beneath the acorns, and
she is mine.
Another piece strangely familiar att
tracts my attention. 1t is a Mephisto-i
pheles carved in wood There is the en-
ticing, devilish grin. with half closed
eyes. as he extends the Jewel box. The,
body Is sinuous like reptiles. and the.
red cloak reaches from outstretched arm
to the floor. 1t is a marvel In concep-
ton and execution. At last I remember,
and the dealer confirms as he tells me
it's history. 1t was made by the most
skillful of Italian artists in wood as a
chef d'oeuvre for the Worlds Fair at
Chicago. That was where saw it. at
tracing the attention of every passerby.
who could not but admire the workman
ship. whatever might be thought of the
subject. And l remember that at the
Worlds fair it bore price mark OF
5000 francs $1,000. How did you happen
TO get it," / asked the dealer. ''Oh, 1t
has passed through my hands. Its last
owner had to dispose of everything at
forced sale and got 1t cheap" How
much do you want for TT" Two hun
dred dollars" I shake my head and he
descends. $50, $50, $40. and there he
stops. ''win you take 1907" There Is
a scornful negative, and walk away re-
Meeting that this embodiment of deviltry.
mastery as 1t is, should not be in the
same house with the acorn crowned head.
II belongs in the vestibule Of a lobster
palace.
| That evening there was knock a the
door of my room In tn ehotel. where
was hard at work before q great open
fireplace that servitor kept ablase
with gnarled and knotted bits of void.
In walked the Italian vender. He
rubbed his hands and bowed and smiled
and said: MY partner and have talked
| It over and We think that turn for
ready money at this season is good
thing ana We VIII ACCEPT your otyeE."