Boon's Lick times. [volume], December 12, 1840, Image 1

About Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848

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TH13 IJOO.V3 LICK TIMES.
JAMES R. BENSON Si CLARK H. GREEN,
PMish.tr t and Fropritlort.
rpHI3 PAPER is published weekly, at ft'J in
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considered t new engagement.
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One dollar per square, of twelvelines.or less, for
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the amount of fifly dollarsand upwards, will be en
titled to a deduction of one third, where a regular
agreement is entered into.
Where the insertion of an advertisement is or
doMd, without t he numbor of insertions being spe
cified, it will be inserted, (in the discretion of the
proprietors) until forbid, und charged for accor
dingly. All advertisements from strangers, as well as
all orders for job-worli, r.vjstbe accompanied with
the cash, or a reference to some responsible and
convenient acquaintance.
WHY DO WE LOVE!
I oeri think each lettering form
That limp ulong in life's decline,
Once bore a heart as young, as warm,
As full of idle thoughts as mine.
And each has had his c'rcnm of juy,
His own unequalled, pu"? romance;
Commencing, when the blushing boy
First thrills at woman's lovely glance.
And each could toll his tale of youth
Would think Us scenes of Itce evince
M'jre passion, more unearthly I ruth,
Than any tale, before or.-inc.
Yes. they could tell of tender lays,
At. midnight penned, in classic shades,
Of days more bright than modern days
Of maids more fair than modem maids.
Of whispers in a willing ear,
Of kissej on a blushing check
Each kiss, each whisper, far too dear
For modern lips to give or speak.
Of prospects, too, untimely crossed,
Of passion slighted or betraytd
Of kindred spirits early lost,
And buds that blossomed but to fade.
Of beaming eyes and tresses gay,
Elastic form and noble brow,
And charms that all have passed away,
And 'eft them wluit tee see them now!
And is it thus is human love
So very light nnd frail a thing !
And must Youth's brightest visions more
Forever on Time's restless wing t
Mut all the eyes that still are bright,
And all the lips that talk of bliss,
And all the forms so fair to sight.
Hereafter only come to this 1
Then what are Love's best visions worth,
If we at length must lose them thus?
If all we value most on earth,
Ero long must fade away from us!
If that ONE being whom we take
From all the world, end still recur
To all siii; said, and for her sake
Feel far from joy, when far from her ;
If that one form which we adore,
From youth to age, in bliss or pain,
Soon withers and is sf en no more
Why do we love if love be vain!
From the London Forget Me Not for 1841.
The Sister' Sacrifice.
BY MIS M. A. 8H0WHE.
' The cloudless sua ol an Italian iky never
slicne down upon a fairer dwelling place than that
of Pieuo Monti. It was situated on the slope of
one of those hills that form a semicircle behind
the ancient city of Genoa, and the view which it
commanded was singularly beautilul. lielow it
lay the city stretching, far along the edge of the
bay or gulf, whose deep blue bosom was so free
from wave or ripple, that tiie smallest rope and
the kiend -;cat spar of the large vessels at anchor
v,c,e imaged as in a mirror: while the smaller
craft. itiidfng about 'like the sea birds on the wine.
were the only moving objects in the picture. Far
up ilie slope of the hills extended a portion of the
lh! town, consisting of churches, convenis, pala
ces, and thu bettor sort of houses, intermingled
wiih fertile gardens, and just so far apart from the
resi ns to obtain all the advantages, ol retirement,
without the unpleasantness of entire lordliness,
atoo'l the mansion, for years the residence of Pietto
IMonli.
Ynis personage had long been considered one
of ihe wealthiest ni-.rchant3 of Genoa, but latterly
ins prosiieiiiy had been on the decline. Heavy
lof.es had befallon him. and, thouh still po3f.es
ting a sufficiency for oil his wauls, the change in
his iuriu'"2 preyed severely upon ins nemiu auu
spirits. At the time when my narrative coinincn.
tea, ho had entirely vi:;.Jr:u iio.n business for
o:;.e mumin, uud ha 1 s'nee been leading a life ol
co'iialeie seclusion. H'B strength, had long been
de, ! mug. end, while his home was lookingits
loveliest, surrounded by ail the Ireshness and beau
ty of a most luxuriant string, witu'ii inhere weie
gloom and sunow, for Pieuo Monti lay on h s
death-bed.
Many years before, he had married un English
lady, one of a noble but poor Roman Catholic
family, who had been settled for some time in
Genoa. By her he had two childien, a son and a
da neuter, the latter a mere infant when her moth.
er died The little Biauca, therfore, was placed
under the caie of a relative, who was superior of
a convent some miles oil. fine was but just six
teen when she was hastily summoned to assist
her brother in the task ol attendance on their dy.
jng father. ...
Vrrv beautiful was Bianca Monti, and her se.
eluded life and utter ignorance of the woild had
invested her with an air of extreme simplicity and
innocence, which made her seem even younger
i..., uh u-ms. She resembled her mother in per
rtn nn94psi n(2 fair hair, the sweetest of sweet
.... and nnexauisitflv delicate complexion
Her figure, though still child'sh, wis extremely
.rueful, and. as she glided lightly through the
long corridors of the mansion, or flitted noiseless
l round theaick man's bed. bending beside it ev.
mi and anon to perform some act ef devotion, she
appeared fur more like what one would imagine of
til angel, man a mere iimaDiiuiii oi una giurai
'urrtrld.
Pietro Monti died, but ere he departed lis earn.
O O N
"ERROR
Vol. 1.
e.'tly leqnested that his youthful daughter would
return to the convent that had sheltered her child,
hood, nnd, if she felt no repugnance to a continu
ance there, devole herself at once to a life of reli
gion. And thero was no rebellious heaving in
her quiet heart, no regretful tear in her calm blue
eye, as bendine meekly to receive his last blessing,
she onswered.So, dear father, I have ever intend,
ed to do,'
But weeks passed away, and the sweet face and
gentle voice of Bianca, still gladdened the fair
home which now had passed into the possession
of her brother. Giovnnna was six years older
than his 3ister. He had spent his boyhood wildly
and extravagant; for his mother's early denih, his
sister's absence, and his father's unsocial labors,
hail conspired to make home a gloomy place, just
r.t the period when it should havo put forth its
sweetest attraction, if it was to have any chance
with one like himself.in comparison with the spe
cious allurements of worldly pleasure. Thus he
had been led to mingle in scenes less innocent,
and to associate with companions less profiinhlp
than home, under other circumstances, might hove
afforded him, and a reckless expenditure was the
natural consequence of such a mode of life as
his.
At the time of his father's death, his debts were
very heavy the whole of the ready money he
could command was insufficient to liquidate
them and he felt that, if he ever hoped to re
trieve his fortunes, a much less expensive course
must be adopted. He wasalrendy weary of the
road of dissipation he had been pursuing, and a
domestic life, if graced by the presence and coin.
paninnship or so sweet a creature as IJinmtn, an.
peared to his ardent imagination delightful, even
from the very force of contrast. Ho strenuously
opposed his sister's return to her convent, at least
for the present: he represented in the m"st glowing
terms the good ellects which her society might
produce upon him, nnd soon won her consent to
remain with him as long as she was permitted to
do so.
In a retirement scarcely less complete than that
of the cloister, Bianca Monti continued to reside
with her broiher, and w;th him she wuld hive
bren contented to dwell for ever, had not a letter
arrivpd from her abbess, urging her to deride at
once upon her future manner of life. Giovanni
was urgent in his entreaties thru she slmnm re.
main wnh him lie declared that he could not
survive if she went from him that (ho view which
was opening on him of a purer and happier exis
tenr.e than he had ever hplnre known wool I he
hanished again if she forsook him now nnd at
length he ohtnined a promise, that she would not
leave him until the exp'ratinn of a year from their
father s deaih. He explained to her all his diffi.
cullies and his plans for extricating himself from
them, and was astonished to nnd the cle'ir and un
dcrsinnding view which her unworl'ly mind took
of every statement submitted to her. Young and
simple as she was she possessed great natural tal.
ents, and her exceeding candor always helped h"r
to come straight to the truth at once, for she had
no false shame, no want of moral courage, to hold
her back from it. 'It seems that you have been
imprudent, Giovanni, nnd that you now must be
poor for a time. Well, let us be poor, our pov.
erty, after all, is but comparative. We have a
home to shelter us; we can sf ill mov'de whole.
some food and ibv-enl raimen1; few a'lendanis can
seive us; and with our books, our beautiful gar
den, and our trust in God, what do we want
more!
Six months sped away like a fairy dream, Gi.
ovanni scarcely ever lelt home, and was generally
bv the side of Ins lovely sister, sharing in her pur
suits, and directing her attention with his own, to
others which he felt he had too long neglected-
He was not more surprised at her quickness in
comprehending what he could teach her, than she
was at finding that there was so very much to be
learned nnd things relating to a world which she
had always been taught to look upon as a scene
of trial, temptation, and danger could be so full
of interest for her. The brothei and sister were
mutually improving each other. Giovanni pos
sessed much quickness, a good share ol inlorma
lion, and some literary taste; and ho was daily
leading his sister into enchanted regions ol know-
edge and imagination, of whose existence she had
no previous conception. She meanwhile was
extending faither and farther over Ivs wi!:
1 and
wayward nature the influence of her own pure ami
genilo spirit; and while in her simplicity sne con-
sidered his mind as the treasury of all worldly
learning, ho, in the fervency of his fancy, was dis
posed to regard her as Ins guardian angel
1 must have your likeness, my own sweet sister;
I cannot bear the thought that you should leave
me, and nothing remain with me except your
precious memory. I urge it now, because here is
a fair opportunity of having it well executed. I
know that you would not like to visit a studio for
the purpose, nor should I wish to bring any towns
man hither to make impertinent observations on
our present circumstances; but tins hnglish painte
whose name is in every one s mouth nay, no on
icction, sweetest! vou Know we are nan .ngiisn
mrselves: in Uct, pardon mo, 1 have already en
gaged him for your portrait, and he will be here
to-morrow.
Tlnee weeks before Giovanni made this propo
suion. Uoillrey western, uie &n"iiti arust in
question, had cnuijht one glimpse of Bianca Mon
n. anil ever sinee nan ueeu ioigng inr anoiuer,
He had een her as she teturncd Irom church, the
only place nl which she ever appeared in public
and had tiied to obtain her name from the alien
dant wl o followed her at a little distance. But
the man could not, or would not, understand ihe
loubiful Italian in winch he was addressed, in
deed the Genocso dialect is so different from what
we reckon pure Italion, that, had Wesiein been
ever so accomplished a scholar, it would have
been diluculilo make linnsell iimlcistood. What
therefore, was his delight when he louud that '.ho
subject of his pencil was to he the same lovely
lace which had haunlru Ins ureaais ami thought;
ever since he had first seen il?
My limits will not permit me to detail all ihe
gradations of leeling which mail tt.am a mouti
less anxious lo return to her old asociaie, am
dually mspiried her with a p )sitve di like to
the idea of taking ihe veil. Tne painter was Ion
ger in completing her poitrait than any other that
he had ever uniieitaKen, ami yet Miuuca never
found the many long sittings he required tedious
or disagreeable, but she did nut long remain uil
conscious tlint she w is under some unwonted in
fluence, and that a new feeling was springing up
in her heart, though she did not understand us na
ture. She had heard of love that it was a very
dangerous and terrible passion, but that she could
avet experience it herself was an idea that bad
LICK
CEASES TO HE DAXOEROLS, WltEX REASON IS LEFT FREE TO COMBAT IT."
FAYETTE, MISSOURI, SATURDAY, ttECJEMRER 12, 181.
never crossed her mind. She was full of warm
afflictions she had loved her father with all the
netful fevor of one who knew little or nothing
of his real temper, and invested the paternal chnr
acter wiih all that is high and holy. She loved
Ihe abbess, the nuns, everyone who was connec
ted with her recollection of her childhood the
old grey-headed gardener, the very trees and flow.
ers ol tne convent garden, came in for a share of
her regard, ahe cherished the memory ol her losi
mother with the same kind of tonder reverence
that she had been taught to feel for the saints in
glory. Her love of Giovanni was a newer and
more real feeling than the.3e; it was a blending of
gratitude for all the enjoyment he led her to find,
paths lutheito unknown to her. with that cher-
shing love which glows warmly in the heart of a
woman towards any one lo whom she feels she is
of use.
But before Godfiey Western had come and
gone half a dozen times between Ivs own residence
and her home, poor Bianca was strangely troubled,
in all her lile she had never been before. Sleep
ing or waking, his eyes, his snide, his voice, ay I-
oled into Ins incorrect but most mus-cal Italian,
were present with her. Once he left a small vol.
ume of English poetry behind, and Bianca took
to her own chamber, and turning over every
af, traced the unknown words with strange cu-
riosity, and leeling as ir she would give the
world to be able to penetrate their meaning.
But before his next visit she had taken it back
the very place whence she had removed it.
blushing and trembling as she did so, lest any
one should obseive her, and seated herself a little
wv off gazing on it as if !t were a treasure from
Inch she was huh to put, and in whose neigh
iioihood it was n delight to linger. She scaicely
ever named Western to her brother, but if Gin-
vjnm spoke of him. her heart beat quickly, and
her ey"S involuntniily sunk before his. Yet she
new not ihat this was indeed love, and wonder-
moieand more what was the matter with her.
wn? reserved for Godfrey himself to tell her.
The picniie was nearly finished when Govan.
ni le I home one day, on ihe plea of particular
husiness, and Biauci was left alone lo receive the
usual visit from Western. By this time he had
lear 't to feel the full meaning of every word he
tiered, and to believe that he was as wise and as
nd as Giovanni, though thy were very, very
ffeient from each other. He came, and the tone
in which he expressed his surprise at finding her
ny hersell thrilled her bean there was so much
of delight mingled with his astonishment. Then,
hing as he withdrew his eye from the fair face.
where he had suffered iIipiii to rest a moment in
fond admiialiou, he arranged his colors, and re
sumed his task.
The language of true love is universal, no mat
ter whether its vehicle be English, French, Ger
man, or 'choice Italian; it is self-interpreting, and
cannot be misunderstood. So it was thai in less
than an hour Godfrey Western and Bianca Monti
perlectly understood that each was dearer to the
other than all the world besides, and the gentle
girl's head rested, on his shoulder as confidingly
and fondly as if they had been formally betrothed
lor a twelve month.
Godfrey's greatest difficulty was to make his
lovely Bianca comprehend thai there weie weigh
ty reasons why tlvs miiiuM avo v.il of ih-:r love
must be kepi secret for the present. She did not
doubt for a moment lhal Western truly loved her,
and would soon remove ihe seal of secrecy; Inn
she grieved meanwhile Hint she m g!it not tell Gu
ovanni how ve.y happy she felt.
. .1 r nr.. ... i . .i , ,
viooirey vistcit!was not nungjiticr what n
seemed lo be. He was really the second son of a
wealthy English baronet, but an unfortunate mis
understanding with his elder brother, who was the
favorite of his father, had caused him to leave
home in disgudt. lie had cousid .-r.ihle ta enl for
painting, and was now travelling ilirough Italy in
the disguise of a poor artist, partly lor ihe sake
of improvement, and partly ihe romance of his
isposition, Ul course, he was known in Genoa
in his assumed character Only, and having formed
somewhat exaggeraied notions ol Italian pride
and jealousy, lie leared that, il his attachment to
Bianca were divulged in the hist instance, his ac
count of himself would obtain little credit from
her brother, and the stilletto might be quicker than
Ihe arrival ol bis letters Irom hngland. Indeed,
on the whole, he thought it best to return thither
mmediately, and, prov.ding himself proofs of his
ai.k and station, visit Genoa again, and claim his
beautiful bride. This he solemnly promised to do,
as he ki.-scd agjin and again the cheek and the
ips of Bianca, and besought her to believe in his
unchanging allection.
Once more and only once, the lovers met be.
fore Godfrey left Genoa; and in after hours the
brow of Bianca often burnt wiih maiden
shame when she remembered that iheir parting
interview was a stolen one, and lint, wnh an
energy wliith she marvelled lo think upon, she
had vowed to be his, ns she clung closer and
closer to his bosom. She longed to tell Giov
of her happiness, and of her resolve to return to
the convent no more. Mie broke no vow by
changing her resolution; she had merely quietly
acquiesced in her father's wish expressed in his
last moments, at a tune when hci inclinations
needed no promise to be a restraint on them;
but now that her views of life were altogethei
different, she lelt that to pursue her original in
tention would be a cruel injustice both to herself
nnd to Western.
She fell sufficiently lonely and sad during the
few davs immediately following the painter's
departure, but the tlastio spirit of youth is raised
as easily as it is depressed, her nn ml so in re
gained much o ' its tranquility, und her manner
iis usual cheerfulness. Nay, her color was lit her,
her eye brighter, her step more airy, ihnu they
h id ever been, and Uiovaniii saw und woudied
at llm chango, while he did nol seek very deeply
into its cause, Indeed his mind was fully oucu-
lied wiih other mailers, which every day were
acquiring more and more influence over him
Uu the very day on which Western had found
opportunity to reveal to Biauca the history of
the feelings with which she had inspiied him, Gio
vanni had formed an acquaintance with one who
was destined to exercise a mighly power over his
fortunes, and eventually on those ol Ins sister.
Some weeks before, he had placed some valua.
ble jewels in the hands of one of his principal
creditors, will) instructions to offer them for sale
when opportunity seived, but not to dispose of
them finally without lurther application lo nun
self. In consequence ol Una, a message was
brought him that a jewel-merchant of Florence,
Alonzo Voarino, Dy name, was desirous ol be
coming the purchaser, and now waited to confer
i
wiih tho owner of ihe property at the house
where it was deposited.
The jewel merchant was a remarkable look,
ing man; Giovanni aim st forgot the business he
had come about as he looked upon him. He
seemed to be between fifiy and sixty years old;
Wn stature could not be called tall, but his frame
was sinewy, and indicated consideiable strength.
His features were rather small and well shaped,
lit up by a pair of ihe most extraordinary eyes
thai Giovanni had ever beheld. They were large,
dark and intelligent years had failed to abate
their radiancii, or render their expression less
striking. Age hid wrinkled the jewel iner
chant's brow, and grizzled his hair, once black
as the raven's wing, but it seemed to havo no
power over that intensely bright eye, which in
the language of Byron, "was in itself a soul.''
It seemed as if the clear comprehensive glance
of Signor Alonzo could pierce at once into the
very heart of those he gazed upon and defy their
wiliest efforts to keep secret from him even a
thought. The stranger's maonner was likewise
singular. It was courteous in the extreme, yet
it ever gave the idea ihat its smoothness was as.
sumed, that there was something of falsetto in
its sweetness and in the bland tones into which
a very deep and powerful voice was habitually
moulded. The most indifferent observer must
havo felt a conviction that there was strength and
harshness too beneath this polished exterior, and
that command was more the natural language of
that voice than entreily. Ho addressed Giovanni
as an equal, but evidently accounted the trades,
man in whose warehouse ihey stood as very
much his inferior. He purchased the jewels, and
paid for them at once, without asking for any
abatement in the price demanded, and, after some
conversation on transactions lo which the subject
naturally led, he invited Giovanni to accompany
li m to his rei'dencp. where he said he hail some
loiera'de jewels, which he should be happy lo
show hii.i.
Tne temporary dwelling of the jewel merchant
was a large house which hail remained uninhab
ited for many years. Il stood in a busy part of
the city, surrounded by a court with h'g'i wahs,
and a neglected garden. Warehouses, shop",
and a (1 mrishing market had arisen near it; but
though the agent left in charge of it was repaal
rdly applied to by persons wishing to purchase
the silo lor the purp ise oi turning u io some
profitable use, the nnswi-r always was ihat the
owner hod no intention of parting with it. But
the jewel merchant had arrived provided with a
letter lo this -igent, requesting that the keys
should be delivered io S gnor Alonzo Voarino.
and that he should he allowed lo occupy it while
his business obliged him to remain in Genoa,
Giovanni was not wanting in brav-ry, nor
was he naturally of a superstitious temper: bin
as they entered the buildiu', a sensation akin to
apprehension stole over his mind. He observed
that, before leaving the court-yard which opened
into the street, his companion carefully locked
and barred ihe gate, and that as soon as they
were within the house he took a si iviar precau
tiuu with respect to the door. The only light
that peneirated into the hall in which they stood
was the twilight that struggled faintly through ihe
painted glass of a small wmdow on the stair case.
All wiliiin was d irk and silent, &.id the cl lug Oi
the door as it closed seemed lo find an echo in
every room and gallery of the empty mansion.
A moment sufficed to re assure Giovanni, and lo
convince him that his vague alarm was groundless.
He had nothing about him which could excite the
cupidity of any one, for his jewels were already
in ihe sianger's possession, and their purchase
money remained with the creditor for whose ben
efu they had been sold. He resolved the conduct
of his host into eccentricity, that potent name,
under whose sanction so many follies have been
admired, and so n.uch vice excused.
He lollowed his new acquaintance, therefore,
with more of curiosity than anxiety, and after
traversing a long flight of stairs and a wide cor
ridor, ihey entered an apartment whose uimen
sions could nol be easily ascertained, for the fire
thai had burnt on the hearth was reduced lo a
few half extinguished embeis. A thick wax
caudle, however, was immediately lighted, arid
placed in a silver candlestick of rare workman
ship, which certainly bore the air of one of
ihuse usually employed in the worship of the
Roman Catholic Church. Giovanni then saw
that the chamber was of moderate size, the walls
covered with tapestry, faded and fast dropping
to decay, and the furniture, some very old, and
some of humble materials and more modern
date, had evidently been hastily gathered together
to fit up tli3 room as a temporary lodging fcr the
stranger. He poUtely requested Giovanni to be
seated, and, drawing from a recess a small ebony
cabinet, inii. inted that il contained the jewels of
which they had spoken.
They were indeed worth inspection. Drawer
after drawer was opened, and each seemed to
surpass the last in the splendor and value of its
contents. Diamonds, ruoies, amethysts, pearls,
"raids, topazes, sapphires, and many others
ion commonly known, were there in profusion:
some few rough as from the mine, some cut and
polished, but ihe greater portion set in every im-
tnnblo variety ol lorm and style , and the eyes
of the jewel-merchant flashed like his own ge.es,
as he spread them before lim astonished yuj.ii,
nd descanted on meir merits.
"Thesi rubies, 5iganr ah, it was a fair neck
that wore them Ut, but de ith slios no respect id
the fairest; I here was an extravagant sun in t'"-'
ease. too. ana io, me runic are tiere. arm un-
chain of diamond', how it fUslie.i nnd sparkled in
the dark hnir where it a destined shine hut
oti 'e ; ibpP pearN and Ihose emerald have his
tories loo, but it is all i'infl and past now. The-e
things are bisl I'lrjrnuen best forgotten ! said
Aloazo, a he prMirtd to re Hrrunpp the g nis in
. I.e (irsaer.-, previously to closing the raliinet.
Hut, Signor. pardon me, there i- mm d awer,
which we iirelv did not examine lhal to your
left hknd: may ( ask to ee what it contains V
For a moment the eye of the jewel-merchant
glared upo i hi g"B t w th an expres;oii tint was
absolutely ferocious, but it wu immediately with
drawn, and ther w no rougluie in bin tone as
Iia replied. "It certainly hold soma jewel, to me
of considerable value ; whim tium. porlup, yon
may behold thorn, but not now nut now " He
, ised and lucked the cuoinel at "tire, and Giovan
ni' pobtenesi would not permit him to urge the
subject further.
The tranger made no further allusion to it, but
assuming an air of gaiety, produced some excellent
wine, ot which he pressed Giovanni to partake.
When the young man rose to lake hit leave, his
host begged him to riet hi visit, observing that
ha led a solitary life, but felt to true an interest in
Uiovauni, that ha should be pained lo think their
ri vMatiaf koala arava thoir tfl Taa yoig
M
ES
Jr.riEnso.v.
Mo. 39.
and warm-hearted are ever most open to the flat
tery that comes from one older than themselvs
especially when II tnkesthe guise of an interest fur
th' ir welfare, and Giovunr.i promised to avail him
self of tha invitation on an early day. It must
likewise be owned that he felt some excitement, re
specting the drawer which be bad not yet been per
mitted to examine. Let no one say that curiosity
is exclusively a feminine weakness.
A few weeks posted, and Giovanni and the jewel
merchant were almost constant companions. They
mot every day, and, though Giovanni was most fre
quently the guest, of Ihe stranger, A lonzo's visits
to the houve of the Mon'i's were neither few. nor
far between. At any other time, Bianca wo'ild have
been annoyed at the intrusion of a visiter, and at
the frequent absence of Giovanni) but she pave
little attention to what was passing around her.
Her mind wos pre-oceuuied with thought of '.Vet
cm, which were beginning lo be mingled with no
little anxiety at not hearing from him. Her chief
solace was to sit alone in her chamber, or wander
in the solitary walks of their extensive garden,
recalling every look and tone of Western to her
memory, and gathering comfort from tha belief
that words so fond, and looks so eloquent, could
not proceed from any source but true and constant
arT-ction. Both Giovanni, and tho jewel-inerchnnt
were skilful chess-player, and hutirs were devoted
to that noble game ; but no long time had elapsed
before dice were occasionally siibsiituten'. merelv.
as Alonzo observed, for the sake of variety. The
stakes hazarded were at first m ill, but gradually
increased in mine, until Giovanni had !')ft sums
which he could ill aflord to part witii in his previa
circumstances Still he played, in the vain hope
i bat he should retrieve his ill-fortune, wi-.ning
b-ick trifling sums occasionally, but stead. ly losing
on th" whul.
When the madness of gambling ha onc fiirlv
gained possession of a min. nothing can exiiguil.
it while he has any thing left wherc.w be run pro
long its pernicious exeite.npnt. The ehiricter or
Giovanni's feelings towards the jewel-aierchnni
had entirely changed; he had learned to re ird him
as almost an enemy, who a little while before bad
been bis most intimate frnmd: hat sti l he wj.s an
enemy with whom it would be dang'r.ms lo q turrel
be nuse 'he ict:tn saw no possj,'e means uf avert
ing niter ruin, except the chance of winning back
a' least a portion of what he hail so fooilsblv lost
Will it be credited that the infatuated yontn no:
only staked and lost every moveable article of any
value which he possessed, but madly et the very
house which sheltered him against a lurge sum it:
money nnd was again a loser !
It was in his home that Giovanni pcrpnl rated
this act of follv. and no sooner whs that final de
struction of Im hopes ticno'.njilishpti, than the luck
less ga'ne.ter aro-e without speaking a word, ami
left th-! mot,. Whatever his ;,ui-o might b. he
was not pe.rniiiind to execute it; fur en Im re ieli r j
the stairease, a hand was kid on his sbo.i! Jcr.
"Whither would you go, myyi'.:ng friend!'' in
q iirrl the jew.?l-mereiant, in his usual lone; "you
are naturally disturbed at your loss, and no win
der; but take courage, I am no hard creditor, and.
moreover, you have a itwel in your pus-ession, to
obtain which I will willingly give you the large
sum wbi.di t staked just uow, and forego my lust
winning 10 boot."
'Vou rave, old man,'' said Giovanni. "Success
has turned your briiu, as ill-fortune will min -I
have neither gold nor jev:l left I am stripped
of all I p'sse-s aula b'ggar. and an outcast
IVomi the house, and 'tis vou woo hav made me so "
You are excite 1 j i-tnow," sai I Alonz quietly,
' and of course sej thm; in their worst lijht; but
come ha -1; with mi. and I will make plain to you
the riddle I put forth j.ist now "
1I led ihe bewildered Giovanni back to the
aparrmenL they bad just quitted, and, pi.tcinr: him
on a seat, thus continued: "Yes, you have a gem
to which th? tairest diamond that ever irned the
ero vn of an Emperor is dim and worthies . Its
bpauty i p'irfeoi. its value cannot be counted ; and
better than all, it lives, breathes. there is a glor
ious soul with it. Yh. you start; you have my
meaning now: I speak of your beautiful sister."
'Bianca!'1 exclaimed Giovanni, and he pro
nounced th name in such a tone of piercing an
guish, that even the hard heart of the stranger
thrilled when he heard it."
"Yes, Bianca," he continued after a momentary
pause; "aud more, I tell you that you cannot avert
i. bv any opposition you may offer. It is written
there," and be hastily arose, and flinging wide the
casement, pointed to the starry heavens, now be
decked in all the splendor of an Italian midnight
His form seemed to dilate, and his eyes to flash
with superhuman radiance as be fixed llicm on the
skies.
A strange awe crept over Giovanni. I have said
that he was not much tinctured wiih superstition
bat, in the excited state of his feeling, he was pe
culiarlv susceptible to its influence, aided as it was
by the circumstances of the scene and hour. II
sut speechless as 0113 subject to the operation of a
spell, while Alonzo proceeded: "Destiny hath at
last accomplished its work ; the brow for which
these rani brilliants were intended is found at
length, ami mine is Ihe band that must place them
there. lie crew trmn lus bosom a t;uiil case or
casket, and opening it. displayed a diamond tiara.
composed or but lew stones, but those uf such ex
trsorditiary size anil splendor, that, cnseranle as
Giovanni was, he could r.ot suppress an cxclauia
tionol astonishment.
"There," said AIodzo, "were ihe treasures that
I would not let yau gaze upon before; now I burn
10 present them to vour lovely sister. Long have
they been reserved for my bride, and that mi;
Bianca Monti be before the moou siiall ajain b&ve
waxed and waned."
"Never said Giovanni sternly. "You have
stripped tneof theli'tle ihat remained to nieefmv
inheritance, of (he shelter of my homo, of the
P'iace I was regaining within it calm sanctuary,
but Bianca. inv 1 wn bright guardian angel, of her
you shall not deprive me. We are liejars, but
we v.i'l go forth as suso log. tber "
"".m cannot conquer destiny," said the wcl
merchant relmly.
,Mrn.l.ilj Binn-a ua recotning the p-ey of
dark and tnx'on thought. The extreme line
wa past which Godfrey Western had f.td as the
limit of hi return, yet he caun not. She grew
restless and wre'ched. and. with llm tvm.nhy thi:
exist between unhappy minds, she soon discovered
that from sn.n'i uurevea'ej cause, (iiova-.ni a a
anxious as herself Tin truth wan that, while he
still openly rejected the j"w-.l merchant's advances
respeetin.' Bianca, hi resolution were secretly
giving way under the neeessitie of the case. The
alternative, that seemed at first too dreadful to be
accep'ed on any term, gradually grew familiar to
his mind, and he wis ailen'ly reconciling himself
to a S';'ifieri. which af'er all, seemed to promise
a better fate, rven to Bianra, than utter, adject
poverty": Surr 1 even a marriage S'.'cli as was pro
posed, with all its dispa'itics, could scarcely in
clude a more cheerless and lonely life than bis sis
ter' would haea heen if immured in a convent.
Signor Alonzo nuist certainly be rich, and Bianca
would be shielded from want, at leat, by spcnnua
a proteclor in him. Hi was much older than her
self, but then be could be when he pleased a most
delightful companion, and for alyonnj? eirl lo m"
a man considerably htr senior was a mailer of every
day occurrence.
S' ill he shrunk from tha task of communicating
la the intended victim his altered fortunes, and the
offer of Alonzo, until, one day, being more warmly
urged on tha subject than usual, b revealed to
Biaaaa tie wreuaWaan aaai ist aer. Sawfc'atj
with terror and grief, poor Bianca listened to th
fatal tidings, that seemed to crush her very heart)
but. st soon as she could collect herself sulli iently
to comprehend the whole dreadful 'ruth, she Wl ci
her knees, Bnd confessed her secret betro'hment t(
the English painter, her solemn conviction of tha
truth of bis stutementa respecting hi rank, and
her certainty that a few dr.ys more would bring hwi
to Genoa.
Giovanni was confounded at tho bsrrier to hit
hope, thus sndd.nly discovered, but he seemed ul
tcrly to disb"lieve Western's promises and rcpif
scnution. He believed him to be an adventurer
who had imposed on Binnea's simplicity, and con
cluded that having auftkipir.ly amused liinself
with her rtls affection, he had quitted Genoa
to rsi'jcnno more. He did not te!l her all thia,
but, by urgent entreaties, and likely pictures uf tha
certain beggary that awaited them if sho refused
compliance with Alonzo's terms, he at length pre
vailed on biaiici toprorr.tse tha!, it no tiuings or
Weslern should arrive within fourteen day, she
would see Alonzo, and permit him to urge bis suit
in person.
Her agonized anxiety during tl" ensuing fort
iiignt may ha imagined. She would sit for hcura
together at a window which co-mna tided a distant
view of the public road, a th"-.:sai;d times fancying
amongtue passers by ta? form, and even tu fea
tures of her lover. She was repea'.odly seized wjili
sudden fainrncvis and fi'.s of tremb in.', which
seemed to threaten the din!u'.ion cf soul and
body; a fresher breath' of wind sweeping through
the leaves around the lattice, on approaching foot
lep, or a distant shout, was sufficient to produc
these fearful to :cts. As the peri Jd of her respite
drew to a close, she became :n:nsr, bol ber's was
the calmness uf despair.
The last morning cT the fortnight dawned;
slowly each lour seemed to drag itself along, an'f
yet how oon i! was e::ded. She v.'ould scarcely
believe that Jay, whose hours had seemed so long,
was really passed away forever, and that it had
brought with it no relief to her over taskedfeeting.
laatnight, as Uianci laid down her aching head.
sbe felt that were there .i' ioipiety in her prayer,
he should supplicate of God tlint il might never
raised agiiil in life. But tiie nig'it passed
wivnv. and she still nveJ, nnd she dtspiaved no
outward iga of emotion When Giovanni reluctant
ly reminded her tbet this dav Signer Alonzo must
be admitted lo her presence.
Tio-ir interview ivn a scm For a painter. It
took nlaee in a sm ili but richly furnished chamber.
which Giovanni remembered 83 tlis! d-':!", to hi
mutner s use during uer last lo;;g iliness, lie re
collected how. w!cn a child, six or seven vesrsold.
he wis admitted a', intervals to her preseneo, with
man" injunction from hi nur.e to "mae no
noie," an;l "not to :ou -li any thing." Bianca,
"imply dressed in wYre, t in tbo very ciiair
wnr'tt metf m euer r.-i: )een :-cusf'jrci;,c: V) orTupv
when ahle to sit up, and pale an:t f-.e'Si ns she n-jw
anp-ared. Giovanni -sw in her a liKenes to the in
valid with whom that scat wan aiwayttaswieiated
in his memory, which touched ni;n to Ins iieart's
core. How ve'l h" rememoereii that d.'iog mother
bending down over the .-n. ol tha ciiair n kiss hi
forehead, as he knelt bes
her, and I oi;. won
b'rinj'y un in hr vn
ti.ee:
.-s. .f t!
by, why did
e upon this try-
Hianea choose to pIlcc !.
inr occasion I
Knt the C'.rrent of
SOI .
nmg f.e.tr.g ;
checked as it aroe, Pt
g'T Amp.:: t oartp'
entered, anrt the s.-arclur
;t ft en:rj!y widen
it r, v.i!!.- it went lilii? a
ed Mm ;nt to attv oiovr
. Ke had "o:ie to' tar !i
Bianca cast upon her brot
lagger to his .-:ir s' .ri
mutt for her di'livrrai"!
rctrsat now: al! v -"s 1,1 ;.er u'.vc. hjne,, aii,!, m inj
ul.
territile. r. gonv of Sho hiitim:!, t riov.iiin: believed
ne should aleosf he g'ad it' liUreu'a reoiu
tion failed. But she did not withdraw the hand
that her suitor took in his, as he stink en one Ur.ec
before her. and, when '-,' if the j!ad decided ta
receive him as her fuf;r hus!nr..l, the li tli-chftked
whisper of as-ei; that he lorded from her n-.rched
and gasping lips was anv.i cred l-.y the press.ireof
111. own on that unresisting i,tr.J. i htn her
strepi-ih wave a; w!:h a rt. pieroiri-r shriek.
she started lo her :'e:, us if to fly, but feij enc
less hack into ihoarin- of l.-?r brother.
The preptt rati, tis f 'i'lue nrnrria wera hasti'.f
maile; lor the brot"groo,T, s rnpiUeusc knew PJ
buuud, aid B'aiici was entirely rstive. The
critice was resolved on. aid M.n made it ri. u
reserved one. k hei; i"ol t.ir.t her be'.ro'-titd wish
ed their union to lake place o:; ,!. ti'irii dav after
their interview, she i, til-red 11 j re -i -Unce, but
merely request! that she might not be asked In
see him again before her marriage mortiitii;. The
appointed day dawned brightly nnd gladly, hot
Drought no cheerlioness to tne sunken brow ana fe'
vercd cheek of the wretched briiV. Her white
garments and the large veil which is R ing over
tier head heightened the deiicay of her appearanca,
and. with the star-like ti.ra of diamonns glittering
over her forhead, she looked like a celestial bein
just about ti take its f.ight from a world where tb
sight of sin and sorrow had too long darkened its
happiness.
Before the ceremony took place, Giovanni re
ceived from the jewel-merchant the whole sum
which he had premised to re-'oro l im. t-age-.lmr
with a formal release from any far'Sicr iiltim on his
property. Jlorj dead than a'ive, Elam-a sustained
her part in tne nuptial service, an j then being ra
ther carried than led, returned 10 the apartment,
where a collation was preDirtd f:r tke few friend,
who had been hastily summoned together, and in
whose minds wonder au.-i pity were far mere promi
nent than any other feeling, for ail fc'lt how trai!g
aud unnatural was su-h a union.
Suddenly, a trampling of many feet was heard
in the garden, then loud vdLis. in an angry aiicrea
tion without, and presently the ducr wan violently
thrown open, and a pir'v of ten or a dozen man
poured into tha room. T'.vo or three were well
known citizens of Genoa, mi.rrs were officers cf
justice, and uue wore the dress of an English gen.
tleman. Yes.it was Godfrey Western, and E.ar.
ca, starting up with a wild cry, Sung herself c-n
ids bosom.
"Seize the ro'ubpi!" exclaimed Western, as ha
bore Bianca to a cou-h, end, wiih ar.rcb is care, and
-outhiug words, endeavored to res'ore her to ani.
ina'.ion. He was long i;:iuc:vs'uili but, when
the trembling bride rc:urrie.i to c msciotwijes, the
whole scene ws ehangcj, qjie erevvj of stran
gers nan ueDartcii, t:ie jewei-tn reliant bail ais.ip
pearcd, and Bianca was supported in the crms of a
painter, while G iovanni, 1 joking the image of peni
tence, kntit besico her, wa.cidtig iior wT.li iuiensa
inxiuty.
If I er to enter into a detail cf all the ranij
'Mtt 01 ever.ts and eiplsnatior. tial followed, 11
would occupy far more space than can be a'l'orded
nere. I will try to c viaei.je them into as small a
compass as posM
tsign or Aiunzo Voarino, a heollej himself, wos
in fuel, a notorious brigand, whose real nam?.
Bertoni. had long spread terror through a purtioi
if the Neapolitan state, lie was baid, enn rpri.
sing, possessed of considerable talent, and iiaddis
ulayed all these qualities in achieving a marriage
with Bianca Morti. Not fr from Ihe district
where Bertoni usually pursued his unlawful voca
tion, there resided a rich and childless man, named
Lorenzo Mcir.i. He was the only broiher of Bi
anca'a fall rr. and had spent his early days in G
noa, but, having quarrelled violently witb hi
brother, lie left it in disgust soaie time before Pie
tro'? marriage.
B- rtom. by means f tn fcrtfu' disguise had rin
tnved 'o worm himself into a species of intimacy
with this person (je, hi .s r-hject at first being 'a ob
taiu icccs.to bis house, so as to be t.vter able tr
plunder it of a p.r'.'oi nf the treasure it wa re
ported to contain. But, finding from hin.a un
guardeuly drnnprd, that Monti intended to bceueath
the whole of bis property ti a r.i'ics whom he hai
never seen, but whose family resided in Genoa, be
formed Ihe bolder acl.emo of paying a viil to that
city, and by seen ring Bmnca's person, enmring to
hi:a the ahula, instead of a portion of Iter aged
uncle's wealth. His life was untafa in Ida ova
neighborhood; a heavy price had already been ouVr
ed for his capture, ana he feared lest the pmtntnt nf
ranis' aaigkl prove taw Sao fai taa MeaVy' wt )r,a