Year: 1866

him to tell her that was ready to send for her
if she would come. My letter was never an
swered Ny friend wrote for me again, but
still no answer came. Then my hope faded.
Blanca was dead, | thought. Perhaps the cruel
Austrian had killed her, to be revenged on me.


The time passed by weariy, and at last came
the war for Italian freedom. entered upon
the movement with my whole heart. | loved
Italy, and longed for her freedom; and beside
this, | hoped that might meet my Austrian
enemy, for | did not doubt that he would be in
the ranks of our foes.


made good soldier, and by the time the
campaign was half over had risen to the grade
of sergeant. Still had not met my enemy
However did not abandon my hope.


At Solferino the fight was long and sangui-
nary Toward the close of the day, when the
sun had almost set, the Austrians made fierce
assault upon our line. Gen. Fonti had just
told us that if we would hold our ground until
dark, the victory would be ours. AS the Aus
trian line came on, loud cheer rose from our
ranks, and looking round | saw the King bow
ing low in response to this greeting. He said
nothing, but pointed with his sword to the
Austrians. The bugles sounded the charge,
and with cheer we sprang forward. We met





but decisive. We drovethe yellow-haired mis-
creants back in confusion As they broke, l
caught glimpse of an Austrian officer who
was vainly endeavoring to rally his men. In
the waning light recognized him. 1t was the
man who had caused all my misery.


With the fierceness of a tiger, | sprang to-
ward him. Casting aside my rifle seized him.
The long-waited for hour of vengeance had
come. He cut me over the head with his sabre,
but in another instant tore it from his grasp,
and dragged him from his horse. He recognized
me, and his eyes blazed with fury. / had no
weapon with me, having thrown aside my gun ;
butI clutched his throat, and forcing him down,
tried to strangle him. / would have done so
had not the King, who had witnessed the affair,
come up and commanded me to spare him.
told the King my story, and begged him to
allow me to take my vengeance upon the
wretch; but he dismounted, and bidding some
of those who surrounded us to take the Aus
trian to the rear, fixed a cross to my breast,
and placed purse of gold in my hand. He
told me brave man should spare fallen foe,
and asked me, for the sake of Italy, to forego
my revenge. was conquered.


The money the King had given me wasquite
large sum for one like me. saved it care
fully, and when the war was over went back
to Tuscany, which was now free. | found my
parents still living but Blanca was gone
They told me the Austrian fend had terrified
the poor girl into submission; but that she
subsequently, left the country with her father.


bade my home farewell once more, and set
out to find Blanca travelled over the Alps,
and reached Marseiles, in France-the gener-
Gus country that had given freedom to my ma
tive land. When arrived in this country
was taken i'll ; and when | recovered, my little
stock of money was very low.


With what was left me | had an organ made
to play the airs | loved best, and which Blanca
used to sing to me. Now go wandering a
bout playing the airs Of my far-off home, hop
ing that she may hear them, and that | may
find her in this way. Perhaps | shall never
see her again. Perhaps l shall die here, and
they will bury me where no one will know my
grave, or care for the poor orsan-grinder sleep
ing.