The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1915-09-23

NTllESNXZGlPH horrid huts on Swiss
hlllls SNlllH hillsides, with cows
HIllNpHHNlllH breathing on them and
- @ WI munching terri6cally In
black darkness, those
same climbers who endure such discomfort
and difficulty that they may catch the sun
rise as it paints splendor on the snow, or
crowns sublime heights with the golden
ninbus which becomes them. She was
about to project herself vicariously into
romance, and her railway journey with
Uncle Eliphalet and his sordid comment
was as the Alpine hut, while she believed her
meeting with her mother in Preton would
be as the sunrise.
Enrico Ritz, her stepfather, was only less
beloved than her mother, and indeed, he
possessed for most people the charm of a
contemplative courtesy and the reflective
gentiIty of an Italian Of academic tradition.
He was a potter by trade, a master potter,
owning his own factories and his own clay
beds Of Pretozi, tiny town in the Tuscan
Apennines. He had come to America to
make money, but had also made love, and
Margaretta had spent her mothers honey
moon, specializing upon the golden fact of
true love, with her great-uncle Eliphalet,
who had reared her own father, to watch
him through metropolitan and fantastic
career. Uncle Eliphalet adored Marga-
retta with a fatuous appreciation of her
excellence as his nearest living relative, but
he deprecated an Italian in the lives where
he had been erst paramount. His history
OF Italy and psychological exposition of
Italians were painful things to his grand
niece.
We get there, to Pretozi," he declared,
. looking sourly out on darkening rows of
grapc-vines uncurling their first leaves, at
7:4S in the morning he drew an ancestral
tirnepiece from crease in his waistcoat.
GO to sleep, my dear; I wish I could, the
Lord knows
Uncle Ehphalet was wont to unfold vari-
Gus mysteries of sacred erudition with this
simple introduction: the Lord knows
Il can't sleep, either" Margaretta an
swered shyly, Pm so excited about seeing
mother and Signor Ritz"
I'm not excited about seeing him, but 1
confess I'm interested" Uncle Eliphalet
pondered obviously. "Riti's business is
good, but / heard in Paris that he must
have more capital"
Margaretta looked frightened. Chow
much2 she asked family.
twenty-five thousand dollars, Uncle
Ehphalet replied, in the casual manner of
q millionaire who seems to belittle big
sum Of money because he happens to
haven't, and more.
How can he need that much money if
his business is good7" Margaretta de-
manded fercely.
Oh, that's easy Uncle EliphaIet re-
pied, his partner is going to marry some
countess or something and is giving up
business and taking out his money"
Il hope he doesn't ask you for it, she
cried, it would kill mother if he did. Oh,
how hofrid it is, money comes in every
where and spoils everything. I'm terrified
for fear he asks you for it. .
He wouldn't get it if he did. I'm not
going to initiate Italian industry with Ameri-
can dollars, the Lord knows"
"HOW was Uncle Liphey, dear child, .
= Signora Ritz cried, when they were
alone. Oh, Margaretta, it seemed cruel
to me, when was having such wonderful
time in this perfect Italy with Enrico's
inspiring companionship, that you should
be tasting sauces in continental restaurants
with Uncle Liphey, poor, dear old soul"
He was all right" Margaretta said
slowly, "he bored me little last night, but
he loves me hard, Mother"
We all do, Margaretta, her mother said
solemnly. Enrico adores you'll"
Margaretta laughed nervously and looked
again at her mother with a mature anc
contemplative gaze.
Uncle Liphey needs little managing,
she said presently, shes so jealous of En-
rlco, Mother, it's funny to hear him talk.
wish he weren't jealous" Signora Rit
replied wistfully, 81 know just what h
thinks about all Italians! He thinks the,
put then arms round your neck so that the,
can lit their feet from the floor and pu
their whole weight on you. He think
they're constitutional clingers, and, KNOWN
that, l daren't let Enrico consult him on al
these business questions which are vexin
him, and on which Uncle Liphev could ao
wise him so we'll g
7 think Uncle Liphey's capital would