For the Philad'a Visiter. PIETRO MARAZINI. Inoise of men and horses was heard at the door. The host opened it and three men entered-two soldiers of the horse-police and a poor devil whose hands were tied I left Paris last year in the month of behind his back with a strong cord. March to travel in Italy. At Marseilles "Ma for! but it rains," said one of the I embarked on board of a steam-boat gendarmes. "We are lucky to have which I quitted at Livourne, where I encountered upon our road a house like wished to pass a few days. After having yours, master Felippo, and we will halt visited Pisa. Florence, and Sienna, I set here a little if you will be so good as to off towards Rome as a veritable artist, permit us." traveelling on foot, on horseback, or by "Certainly with pleasure-" replied the stage, according to circumstances. the host. I pursued at hazard the road my footsteps "As you may see." said the gendarme took as fancy or curiosity prompted; con- who had already spoken, "we "we have sequently my pilgrimage occupied thrice made a good day's work. Loo,k if you the time that it would have done if I had please at this gallant who threatens us followed a direct course. with the gibbet-ha! ha!-a good joke One day in the course of my diversi- indeed! You have not the advantage of fied peregrinations, I approached a little knowing him by his appearance but by village called I believe, Aquaviva, where reputation you know him well. 'Tis the I purposed to pass the night ;-1 was on famous Petro Marazini !" horseback and accompanied by a guide. "What!" exclaimed the hostess with a We travelled over a mountainous and pic- look of contempt,--"is that Pietro-I turesque country, and I should have stop- thought he was a larger man." ped perhaps, to sketch in my album a re- Pietro Marazini, it is true, was a smallmarkable landscape that presented itself made man-thin and weakly. At the to view, but the sky became suddenly over- moment of which I am writing he apcast, dark masses of clouds began to gath-peared much dejected and seemed to be er in the horizon, and the guide advised asleep upon the chair where he sat The me to give spurs to my horse if I wished gendarmes amused themselves by crackto reach lodgings without being drenched. ing jokes upon the poor fellows misforI graciously received his prudent counsel tunes, and one them, exceessively prebut the storm was faster than our horses cautious, bent down and bound his feet -it came down with a violence and im- with cords, notwithstanding the harshpetuosity unparallelled-rain, gusts of ness of the operation the subject of it did wind, lightning and thunder! It was not budge. impossible to distinguish the road, and The gendarmes after having dried their our frightened coursers would no longer clothes which had been soaked with rain obey the rein, but, dashing forward, car- requested the host to serve up a slice of ried us at random across the country. I ham and a coupie bottles of wine. The lost my guide, but luckily after half an table was drawn up at the other end of hour's galop I perceived, with an inex- the room. The host and his wife, desired prǝssible degree of pleasure, an isolated by courtesy to partake of the soldiers lunhouse situated upon the border of a small cheon, sat down at the table with them. forest. My steed was no less delighted As for myself I remained in my place in than myself to find a shelter, stopping of one corner of the chimney, Pietro sat his own accord before the door of the opposite to me face to face, in the other house. The dwelling was not as I at corner. first sight feared, unoccupied, but tenanted] The tout ensemble of the man struck by peasants who tendered me a hearty me as being so original that I was desiwelcome. Whilst the husband conducted rous of delineating it in my album, and my horse to the stable the wife lighted commenced sketching. One of the solfor me a fire of sarmens or light-wood. diers, taking notice of what I was doing I had been seated an hour or therea- rose from the table and came to examine bouts in the corner by the fire, when a my work, 1 . ""Tis perfect," said he, but you had fascinated me.-Suddenly but cautiously better wait till to-morrow; Pietro will I took from my pocket a dagger-the look still droller when dangling at the end eyes of Pietro sparkled with pleasure at of a cord from the gibbet." the sight of it, and as I balanced the After saying this, and before sitting weapon in my hand he followed all my down again at the table he approached movements with an inexpressible anxithe window behind, Pietro opened it and ety. In fine I flung towards him the daglooked at the heavens to inform himself in ger which he seized between his teeth as regard to the weather. a dog to which we throw a bone. Words "In half an hour, said the host, the cannot express the eloquence of the look rain will have abated, and you can then with which he thanked ine. Holding in remount your horses to continue your his mouth the handle of the dagger he journey. "Tis to Aquaviva that you car-sawed the cord which bound his hands; ry your prisoner is it not?" -with his liberated hands he cut the "Yes there to-morrow morning he bonds of his legs, then sprang forward shall espouse the gibbet-he threatened with remarkable promptness and agility to gibbet us, and shall himself be compell- and with one bound leaped through the ed to marry it. Six months ago the mar-opened window and disappeared. riage contract was confirmed by law, Before the gendarmes had recovered and the banns published by a placard in from their astonishment Pietro was far every public place, offering a reward for from the house, I pretended to partake of him alive or dead. But the future hus- the general surprise. As I had not moved band was in no haste for the wedding it from my place they could not suspect me secms, and we had heretofore searched of having aided in the bandit's escape. for him in vain, when as good luck would The gendarmes hurriedly mounted their have it we were yesterday unexpectedly horses again, uttering terrible imprecainformed that he was passing the time tions. I wished them good luck! and very happily at the village of Pila. The laughed in my sleeve. information was correct, for as you see The sky had now become serene again we have taken the sparrow-hawk from and there remained an hour yet before sunhis nest. It is the general impression set and I had a league to travel in order that our gentleman has acquired a fortune to reach Aquaviva ;-taking leave of my in his trade of a bandit-enough to re-host I set out upon my road cheerfully, tire with. My friend and I expected to having as I thought donc a good action. discover and supply ourselves with his savings, but the hope has been deceitful Sometime subsequent to this adventure, and without doubt he will disclose to no I was at Rome, where I at first proposed one but his confessor in what place he passing no more than three weeks, but has concealed his treasures." where I remained three months. My soDuring this speech Pietro raised his journ in Rome was marked by strange head, his features displaying a singular events. The day of my arrival it was character of cunning and audacity. He my fate to be robbed of all that I had cast around the apartment a fustive glance about me, that is to say sixty lonis-mofinally resting his eyes on me. I contem-ney to defray travelling expenses. My plated him with mingled curiosity and situation was indeed embarrassing, as I benevolence. I knew not why, but the knew scarcely any person in the capitol man interested me ;-I wished that he of the Christian world, nor knew whether could save himself. He doubtless com- I could remain in the lodgings I then ocprehended what was passing in my mind cupied until I received a remittance from from my looks for his own countenance Paris. The day subsequent to the one immediately assumed a look of vivacity, on which I had been robbed, however, I ardour and supplication. The gendarmes, found, upon entering my lodgings, after host and hostess had turned round in having visited St. Peter's, a packet ad such a manner that they did not observe dressed to myself. I opened it;-it corus, deeply absorbed in an animated and tained sixty louis without a word of expla a noisy discussion. The look of Pietro nation. I inferred from this that the rob VOL. III. No. 12-2 } ber, whoever he was, had been visited by travels through Italy, and started for Nasalutary remorse, and in a moment of de- ples, where I arrived without adventure votion had voluntarily restored it to make or accident upon the road. his peace with Heaven. The robbers of While at Naples, I was one day dining the Holy City have odd ways. in a cafe;-round a table near the one The passion which retained me three which I occupied, three young men were months at Rome, was inspired by an ado-holding together a conversation in a high rable woman named Julia Ferari, a dis- voice; the tone of which was attributable tinguished vocalist who had retired from to the wine they had drank. They were the theatre, in order to put herself under speaking of France, and one of the genthe protection of a Roman Prince. My tlemen permitted to the subject of conver happiness continued, uninterrupted for six sation so little propriety that I considered weeks, without a cloud to darken the fit my duty to rebuke him. This, as a horizon of love, when one evening, at mid-matter of course, offended him; we ex night, as I went as usual to the house of changed cards, and a place of meeting for Julia, I was seized with horror as I be-the next morning was appointed. held upon the ground, before the little door I was connected with a young Neapoby which I had been in the habit of enter-litan, son of my banker. I went immedi ing, the bloody corpse of a dead man.ately in search of him, found him, and reGoing into the house I found Julia dishev-quested him to serve as my secoud. When elled, pale and bathed in tears;-on see- he understood the name of my adversary ing me she shricked with joy and fell, he was struck with consternation. swooning, into my arms. She soon came "Captain Montefiore, is his name," to herself again, but not having gained said I. "Captain Montefiore !" he ech strength enough to speak, she pointed to oed. "Ah, my unhappy friend, you are an opened letter lying on the table where lost! He is a professed duelist-a very our supper was waiting. This letter, bravo! His skill with the sabre, sword or which had been received by Julia, read as pistol is unequalled. He has fought more follows-"He for whom you have been than a hundred times, and has always false to me shall die to night. He shall killed his man! You are lost, unless, by a have ceased to live when you read this." miracle, you excel him in the manage "The corpse is there," said I to Ju-ment of weapons." lia. "I am safe. Calm your agitation, love. Come with me-ycu shall behold] it." "How am I to understand you?" "Good luck has come to your suc cour." We decended together with torches "Explain yourself. The interest which and discovered the dead man to be a you take in my fate has bewildered bravo-a cut-throat; who doubtless had brain." your been commissioned to assassinate me. "You are saved! you are saved!" I When we had returned to her chamber, tell you. said Julia, addressing her words emphati- "Why you are decidedly mad," let me cally to me, "Thank Providence who has tell you. I must look out for another se so remarkably saved you!" Side by side we knelt and offered a heartfelt prayer. The danger which I had passed and which was noty to fail in presenting itself ༣ cond." "A second! for what! to fight? with whom? With the Captain Montefoire? he is dead!" "How say you? dead? a nom, ele serred to augment my love, the Neapolitan chronicles of scandal, you and Ind n y heart courage enough are ignorant of the fact that the captain to encounter !! Le perils which the pur- entertained a criminal liaison with a cersuit of my passion rendered me liable to.ltain lady Lucretia Lanterni, wife of a cerBut, alas! and unaccountable, Julia disap-tain advocate of this city. Master Lan peered all at once from Rome, and my terni, like all advocates, was too much incessant researches to find her were use- occupied with the affairs of others to less. I finally decided to continue my know what was passing in his own house. The intrigue was known to all the city, day of the marriage. That day was now but the husband did not entertain a suspi-drawing nigh-Lucie was disconsolate. cion of it. Yesterday however he was She was about to sacrifice herself, a vicsuddenly aroused from his security by an-tim of obedience, to the unpardonable selfonymous hints, the tokens of which were lishness of her parent. Alas, my hopes of accurate, and he surprised the captain en happiness! So deeply was I in love that tete a tete with his wife. He had taken the night previous to the intended day of the precaution to carry arms, and under-the nuptials I dreamed of having blown standing the law well enongh to know out my brains in despair; and perhaps I that he possessed the right of an injured should have in reality yielded to some husband, he killed the aggressor upon the such foolish impulse, had I not the followspot. 'Tis well that you are not obliged to fing morning received a billet of the subencounter such a man as Montefiore. You sequent import-Rejoice! a fire has taare saved! Thank Providence!!" ken place in the house of Lorenzo, and the Titian is destroyed! From Naples I went to Venice, where Immediately I left my lodgings and I had been about fifteen days when I en-directed my steps towards the house of countered in one of the cathedrals, a Martelli. On the way I saw in the shop young and beautiful female. As she left window of a broker a painting which had the church I followed her, to gain infor- the appearance of being a chef-d'ouvre I mation if possible, respecting her, and was went near to examine and discovered it lucky enough to discover her name, which to be an acmirable Tintoret-one before was Lucie Martelli,---and besides, that her which the enthusiastic Martelli would fail father was an old miser, and that she was upon his knees. All that remained was to destined to become the bride of a young know if I possessed enough to purchase cavalier, named Lorenzo. I constantly it. visited the cathedral after this and invari- "What do you ask for this painting ?" ably followed her footsteps, hoping to find I inquired of the merchant with a tremuan opportunity to speak with her; but un-lous voice. fortunately, she was always accompanied "Ten dollars !" by either her father, a duenena, or her in- "Only ten " In my heart I thanked tended husband. In the 'midst of this I Providence. I paid him his price, and one day received an invitation to a ball carried away my treasure-my happito be given at the house of Count Dness I To be brief, I married Lucie. I knew not from what source the invita-Three months after our wedding her fation came, and was at a loss to cojecture. ther died, leaving to his heiress a million However to the ball I went, and what of money and a splendid gallery of paintwas my joy to find Lucie there! I danced ings. Lucie consented to come with me with her, and in the course of the even-and establish ourselves in Paris. I then, ing disclosed my passion she heard me accompanied by her took the road to favorably, and I went away from the ball France. No event of importance signalthanking Providence again, who had lized our journey until we arrived at Nice... brought me to the house of Count D.The same day of our arrival there, a ser Between Lucie and myself a corres-vant of the hotel came to me and placed pondence was immediately established. in my hands a dagger and billet. i She declared to me that she did not love The dagger I recognised at once it Lorenzo, and that were she mistress of her was mine. The billet designated a place choice I should obtain the preference. of meeting, where I went and found my-, Lucie's father was a great amateur in self in the presence of Pietro Marazini. paintings;----he had expended large sums "You have saved the life of Pietro," to furnish his gallery, and I was informed said he, "and Pietro has not been unthat he had accorded the hand of his grateful. Twas I who at Rome regained daughter to Lorenzo because the young you the money of which you had been possessed a magnificent Titian, robbed, and killed the bravo commission which he would not agree to sell but had led to assassinate you. At Naples 'twas I promised to give the old man upon the who discovered to the advocate Lanterni ། ༄ his dishonor, and put in his hands the pis-to a more generous diet, and occasionally tol with wirich he blew out the brains of glanced at a pretty face, as it passed his Captain Montefiore. At Venice 'twas window in Broadway. His body and his I who sent you an invitation to the ball, heart began to expand in the process, and I who set fire to the house of Lorenzo too, before the single gentleman was jat all and placed in the hands of the broker the aware of it, he was desperately in love aTintoret which you purchased for ten gain. This was but a second edition of dollars. Now that you are rich and hap- the first flame. Another and another folpy we are quits. Adieu !" lowed, till the forlorn man submitted to a Thuswere the mysteries of Provide nce disappointment regularly each New-Year's developed. THE LOST FOUND, OR THE PROPOSAL. BY MRS. ANN S. STEPHENS. morning---for he never proposed on any other day--and then made his round of calls and selected a lady-love for the ensuing year, with an equanimity which was very creditable to his heart and head, poor man! At length a new calamity overtook him; while he had been attending so exI have a great deal of charity for old clusively to the affairs of his heart, the bachelors; that is, for genuine, nice, sin- fine black locks, which next to the ladies gle gentlemen of fifty, who have not been had been the object of his admiration, disappointed in affairs of the heart more took the liberty to desert the top of his than half a dozen times, and who have head, and a whole regiment of gray hairs neither taken to eating, drinking or sha-marched in and took possession of the reving notes as a substitute for love. They mainder of his cranium. Most men, who are certainly a much more philanthropic had suffered such ravages both in the head class than married men, inasmuch as their and heart, would have taken to speculating homage to our sex is more general and in wild land, or, what would have been aldisinterested. They are devoid of the most as foolish, would have jumped off the selfishness of exclusive devotion, which first pier that presented itself. But the renders the man of family often churlish East river and the Hudson were blocked and unsocial beyond the atmosphere of up with ice, and drowning would have his own hearthstone. They talk about been very uncomfortable at that season, old bachelors as crusty, ill-tempered ani- and speculation had become too desperate mals, full of selfishness and avarice-but an expedient, even for a desperate man. it is all nonsense! Your genuine single After some dozen flirtations and as many man of a certain age, is not unfrequently serious proposals. to find oneself single, the most gentle, urbane creature on earth; old and hair-(heir)-less, is no trifling deso useful, so kind, so gallant. duction from the sum total of a man's Really old bachelors are a much abused comforts. But our old friend however, race, and an old acquaintance of mine was a man of nerve and resolution; so he was more shamefully treated than any shaved his head, bought him a wig and, of his brotherhood ever were, or ev-instead of jumping into the water, resolved er will be. Poor man, he had seen young-to sail over it. He left a T. T. L. for his er days, as you may well suppose, and in old lady-loves, and went to France. his younger days he had been very fool- His monomania about young girls sub ish, and had fallen in love. But the lady sided before he reached Paris, so he locawas not propitious; the rejected suitor ted himself in a quiet public house in the was inconsolable for a whole year---he suburbs. The landlady was a widow, fair grew pale and thin---his friends became and forty. Her lodger was a bachelor, alarmed, and thought him dying of disap- spare and fifty. There was a sympathy pointment. They were mistaken; he had of sentiment quite remarkable between only been luxuriating on the Graham sys- them; both were in a state of single blesstem. No man, however romantic, can edness, and both were heartily afraid of be expected to thrive on Graham brend being blessed beyond their desires. and disappointed love; both are too un- Things soon began to wear quite a dopalatable. So our friend betook himself/mestic appearance. The widow had a |