LOVE-SICK MAID.

Otaki Mail, 6 April 1923, Page 4

LOVE-SICK MAID.

■ jjuj:i> to poison hckselt, “ P OIS Ox ■ ■ 1X QL' IXIX K . Italian attempts at suicide are at least spectacular, and often end in comedy. Lctezia Tosetto, a pretty Venetian I sirl. disappointed in love created a • scene in (lie Piazza. Barberini, a . crowded square in the centre of Rome. [ Her lover, a commercial traveller, had met her during iiis periodic visits to Venice, but had tired of her. J She followed j.»tn to Home, and at- } ler a long search met him near the ' Piazza Barberini and upbraided him. 1 Thei she daslied into a chemist's and bought a packet of what she believed ' to lie poison. j Returning to the square, she swal. j lowed the entire contents of the pack- • et, and sank senseless to the pavement, j This dramatic scene attracted a large ! crowd, and she was carried to hospital, j It was then discovered that signori* J na's "poison" was only quinine. Though such a strong dose was a dangerous one, she quickly recovered, and her experience of suicide is not likely to be repeated, even to frighten a reluctant lover. But a sitll more melodramtic case is reported from Leghorn. Gaeteno di Raffaele. a young barber despaired because his father refused him permission to announce tins betrothal to the girl of liis choice (re. ports the London "Daily Chronicle").

He sought out his sweetheart, and, upon the most frequented street of the town, held a most heartrending conversation with her. Then he drew a bottle ctf poison from his pocket and gulped down the contents. AVhile he was waiting for it to take effect help was summoned, and an ambulance arrived. But the desperate young man led his would.be saviours a veritable Marathon over the entire city. When caught he wgs bound to the stretcher and carried away, still struggling, to receive medical attention.