The Exeter Advocate, 1892-2-4, Page 6Bet Ills Buten.
Be had fought the polar bear,
And the lion in his Mir,
eIe had monkeyed with gorillas on the shores
of Benguela ;
With a boa constrictor big
lele had often danced a jig,
And ho kept emitted monster
name of Gila.
Re had. ridden on the Mil
Of a North Paeitla whale,
Reel attended shark re -unions off the coast cf
Madagascar;
3Efe had flipped the heel and toe
With an elephant or so,
And had fought a dozen duels with tho dun
and deadly Lisoar.
But he took himself a wife
Iii the very prime of life,
And she sent him out for ribbons and some
things that he might fetch her ;
AO he started on a 1,op
To the very uearest shop,
But just fifty minutes later he was brought
home on a strctohor.
of the dreaded
Natural Born.
Rather inclined to bo pretty,
Rather inclined to be good;
Rather inclined to a vague, undefined
Feeling of sweet sisterhood
Toward , he young fellows who love her;
When they have asked for her hand,
Rather inclined to a vegue, undefined
Feeling they don't uoderstaad.
Fact is, this maiden can't heap it;
Natural born coquette.
Rather inclined not to make up her mind
To marry, that is, not just yet.
Sister she'll be to them all, and
Loving and. faithful and true ;
Bather inclined round her finger to wind
About -say a dozen or two.
A. BARITONE'S DEVOTION;
OR A TALE OF SUNNY ITALY.
" No one but you 1 -no one bui you 1"
The words haunted hirn as he tamest to go
to Nita. Ris mother had Minted all to
him ; Francesca, too, seemed to think that
With him laythe sole chance of reaching his
sister. Their very confidence seemed to
crush him ; he was utterly at a loss to
know what he should do or say ; he could
not even feel acutely, sympathy seemed,
dead, his heart cold and numb with suffer-
ing, and yet, impelled by the truth of those
words, " No one but you 1" he entered
Nita's room. Her face was buried in the
pillow, she was sobbing aloud, and took no
notice of his presence. He sat down by the
bed and mechanically took her hand in his ;
her sobs did not move him, and no words of
Comfort came to his lips.
But all at once, as he watched the little
hand which lay in his, a keen pang of pain
shot through his heart. The band. was like
his mother's hand, mi much like that he
could hardly believe it was not hers ; he
pressed it to his lips with love and rever-
ence, for the firsb time in his life fully
realizing the meaning of brotherhood. With
that pain and that new vision his heart
awoke once more, his work lay before him,
his perplexity melted in a rush of love and
pity, and that eager longing to help which
swallows up diffidence and proves its own
guide.
" Nita mice !" ho said, his tears falling
fast on the little white hand, " do not cry
like that. She is at rest, and very happy ;
we dare not wish her back again."
"Bub I -but I have killed her 1" sobbed
Anita.
" No, never say that -never think it,"
he cried ; "you did right to come home,
quite right. It is the will of God."
No contact with Eurico's skeptical phil-
osophy had been able to mar that wonderful
childlike faith which is one of the most
beautiful characteristics of an Italian.
E volete di Din. The words were spoken
with a grave simplicity which would have
startled an Englishman. He did not pause
to thick of the proper thing to say, or re-
flect tor one instant how his words would
affect others, he just spoke out the perfect
assurance which in his terrible grief had
been his own _refuge.
"You must know, Nita," he resumed,
as she grew more quiet, " that I have heard
all; she told me ; and sem died happy
because she was sure you would be saved
from this. You will not let her hope be
vain."
" lf you would help me," faltered
Anita.
" I will -I will !" he cried, eagerly.
That was no time to think of details or of
difficulties, he could only give her his un-
qualiffed promise. Then, when the two
had discussed things a little more, ib was
arranged that Carlo should write a note to
Merlino, and tell him that Anita would
remain for a few days at the Villa Bruno.
" And Ma, write carefully 1" exclaimed
Nita ; "sec that you do not offend him."
Carlo wrote a cautiously worded letter,
and sent it into Naples by old Florestano,
who also bore the ill news to Guido Donati
and to the Betters and, that he might make
all the more speed, was prevailed on to
accept a seat in the carriage which had
brought Nita that morning.
Thus in a weary round of petty duties
the time wore on, and at length night came.
Carlo slept little, however, and rose the
next day but ill prepared for the work
before him. Nothing but the lifelong habit
of making his own needs stand second to
the needs of others kept him up. With re-
gard. to the funeral there was little for him
to arrange, as all was managed after tbe
usual custom by one of the congregazione,
the relatives not even going to the church
or the grave. But he had to interview
Father Cristoforo, to talk to Captain Britton,
to receive Uncle Guido, who drove over
from Naples at noon, and to do his best to
shield Anita from reproaches, taking good
care that the elder Donati should not hear
one word about Comerio.
And always through the livelong day,
abpve his grief, above the well -meant con-
dolences of his friends, there rang in his
head one unanswerable question -how to
save Nita.; and with that Francesca's
words, "No one but you!" In the evening,
when all was over, and the sad coming and
g.oing had given place to a terrible, oppres-
swe quiet, his grief and perplexity made
him turn to Enrico Ritter, with the feeling
that unless he unburdened his mind to some
one he should lose his senses. It was true
that Francesca partly divined his trouble,
but he could not discuss his difficulties with
her, could not bear to unfold to her so
dark a page. Sardoni, his informant, was
a total stranger; Captain Britton was the
last man to whom he could burn; while
'Uncle Guido, with his uncertain temper,
and his wrath at the stain which Anita,
had already brought upon the family
name, was little likely togive helpful
counsel in this matter, Enrico, "purely
to please himself," had hastened over to
Villa Bruno, and now inevitably Carlo
turned to him, and exacting a promise of
secrecy, told him everything that had hap-
pened since their lad meeting.
Ile had chosen his confidant well. Enrico
could be trusted to keep perfect gleam ;
moreover, hie sound common-sense, hie
cool, calni, practical way of looking at
things, was precisely what Carlo needed.
Hie own brain was so overwrought, so con-
fused with the sudden calamity which had
befallen him, that .he was not in the feast
are times in life when the silence of
a friend hs the one thing for which crave;
and Carlo turned te the unspoken sympathy
of bhe man whe really oared for him when
wearied with the condolence of outsiders.
Guido Donati had epoken of returning the
next day to discuss the future, but the
really perplexing. future was dismissed with
the German pessimist.
" There is only one thing I would advise
you, and that is, have no personal communi-
eation with Comerio," said Enrico at length.
" I have seen him, and, into the bargain,
know a good deal about him,. and he's the
veriest devil you can conceive. Pay him
back the money, but do so through soma
third person,"
I'm sure I have no wish to see him,"
said Carlo, sighing. " If only I could think
of some way of getting rid of him."
Than there would be any difficulty in
raising the money had not as yet occurred
to Carlo. He had been extremely careless
about money matters all his life • and
though leading too secluded a life to be'pre-
cisely extravagant, he had allowed things
to drift, well content so long as he received
his small annual allowance from his mother,
and never troubling his head about the
amount of their actual income. He knew
that he was to be his uncle's heir, and to
receive a very comfortable allowance from
him on his marriage, therefore, he left all
details to his mother, took what came to
him, and lived on in serene comforti. Com-
pelled now to face the situation, he was
startled to find how entirely dependent he
was upon his uncle ; the income upon
which they had lived had. been derived from
an apnuity, and of course ceased at his
mother's death ; the Villa Bruno was only
rented by the year, and though its furniture
belonged to him it was worth but little.
His only other possession was his horse,
and he could not well part with that
to raise the necessary money, for not only
would it at once have provoked a question
from his uncle, but it was indispensable to
him so long as he lived in that remote coun-
try place. In the end Enrico, becoming
aware -of his embarrassment, said that he
should ask his father te advance him the
money; and as the need of a loan was quite
comprehensible to Herr Ritter at such a
time, he very willingly acceded to the re-
quest, and Enrico himself was charged with
the disagreeable errand. of conveying the
money to Comerio.
This was one step in the desired direc-
tion, and one care off Carlo's mind, but his
perplexity about Anita only increased, for,
as each day he learned to know her better,
he was forced to own to himself how utterly
unfit she was for the difficult life before
her, Her beauty, her weakness, her moral
cowardice, her miserable marriage, all ware
against her. She seemed incapable of
really loving, capable only of a sort of desire
to be caressed and shielded. Carlo gained
a certain amount of influence with her, just
because she trusted like a child to his
strength, and was quite certain that he
would do what he could with her ; but she
left everything to him, and, in those bitter
days of his grief and perplexity, lived on in
a placid, restful state which was almost
happiness.
At length an interruption came to this
state of things. One afternoon Sardoni
drove over from Naples; Carlo was heartily
glad to see him, and received him with a.
warmth which seemed to please the Eng-
lishman.
" I was afraid you would always dislike
me as the bearer of ill news," he said ; " I
came partly to give you back your letter,
which, of course, I have not had a chance of
giving to Madame Merlino. She is still
with you ?"
"
Yes, she is still here," said Carlo, tear-
ing the letter in pieces, and stifling a sigh
as he remembered how ifferent all had been
when he wrote it.
" I came partly to warn you that Mar-
line intends soon to send for your sister,"
said Sardoni ; " indeed, it is really a neces-
sity that she should come back, for the first
rehearsal is on Monday, and the theatre is
to open next Thursday."
" So soon ! And as yet I have done
nothing !" exclaimed Carlo.
" Are you sure of that ?" asked Sardoni,
with a keen glance at him. "You have at
any rate succeeded in making Comerio your
bitter enemy ; and, by the bye, I have dis-
coved one thing which may, perhays, be of
service to you : Comerio's engagement was
for three years, bat may be terminated in
half that time either at Merlino's option or
at his own."
"When does the first half expire ?"
"In three weeks' time," said Sardoni.
Carlo thought for a few minutes in silence;
then he said, somewhat abruptly :
" I wish you would just tell me plainly
what sort of a man Merlino is; I can gather
but little from what my sister lets fall
about him."
" I can't draw a very pleasing picture of
him," said Sardoni, with a smile, "for,
truth to tell, there is no love lost between
us. He has very little education, but that
is a subject of regret to him; since his mar-
riage he has become moral and respectable,
but he is the most awful tyrant I ever had
the misfortune to meet with. Of course his
position tends to foster a love of power ;
Mr, don't you see, the manager of an oper-
atic company is like a king -not a constitu-
tional one, but a despot -an autocrat? Then
your sister, if you will pardon my bluntness,
was the very last sort of a wife he ought to
have had. She is afraid of him and has no
notion of holding her own, and he -great
brute -treats her abominably. Why don't
you persuade her to try for a separation?"
"I could not be a party to that," said
Carlo, "so long as he is faithful to her.
That a man has a bad temper is no fit reason
for breaking the marriage vow."
"These notions are old-fashioned," said
Sardoni, with a rather pitying smile.
But the smile quickly died away; for
Carlo, with a dignity indescribable, made
him a little how, and dismissed the subject
with a calm-" That is very possible,
signor."
There was a world of expression both in
tone and gesture, and Sardoni saw that to
argue abobt bis suggestion would be useless.
" If you reject that idea," he said, after
a silence, "there is only one alternative-
Comerio must be got rid of. I have thrown
out as many hints as I dare to Merlin°, all
to no purpose. To tell him the truth
plainly would make him ten times more
brutal to your sister, and is altogether out
of the question, even if one had the right
Why, he Would be a fiend incarnate. You
know what Italian husbands are when once
their jealousy is stirred up."
that we Italians, about whom, ie appears,
you are in bhe habit of generalizing -carry
Milettos, and conveniently dispose of our
foes by a dab?"
" There Is only one way of getting rid of
him," said Sardoni. "Merlino is always
trying to cut down expenses, and with very
good reason, for, a I told you before the
opera is not always a paying concern. Now,
if before the agreement with Comerio is
renewed you can find a baritone with as
good a voice who will sing on lower terms,
then I have little doubt that Merlino would
settle with him and give Comerio his
come,"
"You must have been talking with
Piale, signor," said Carlo, conscious of a
vague feeling of discomfort.
" Piale ?" said Sardoni, looking puzzled
" I do not know anyone of the name,"
" Ah ! then it was only an odd coinci-
dence. But he is a well-known professor,
and he has a pupil -a baritone -whom he
is very anxious to bring out ; he was talk-
ing to me about it only a few days ago."
" Why, then, there is good hope for our
plans," said Sardoni. "A beginner would
expect far less than Comerio, and if he
really has a good voice and some dramatic
power, no doubt Merlino would catch at
him. What sort of looking fellow is he ?
Have you seen him ? Is he presentable ?"
A bright, sudden smile lit up Carlo's sad
face for a minute.
" Of that I am no fit judge," he said, de-
murely, " for I am the pupil in question."
" You!" ejaculated Sardoni, in amaze-
ment. Then, recollecting his question, he
began to laugh. "Well, I have my answer
in an unmistakable form. There can be no
doubt that you are well fitted for the
sta e "
Again his companion made that funny
little Italian bow, in which there lurked so antly happy, the stranger turned his small,
much dignity. There was just a shade of restless (yes on the singer, and Carlo
irony in his expression. gradually awoke to the recollection that he
" I see the prospect does not attract was not Valentino going off to the war and
you," said Sardoni, " yet I should fancy praying for the safety of his sister, but
you might do great things on the stage, Anita's brother, with far greater cause for
from the look of you." anxiety, and with his hopes for assistance
" But I hope for a very different life, from Piale dashed to the ground.
signor." All at once he cameeto full consciousness
" Imee. Well, I would be the last to ." of the actual present, and found the stranger
tell you that our life is an enviable one. undisguisedlya taking stock of himelook-
Some people seem to fancy that an actor's ing him over from head to foot with interest
life is all beer and skittles '-1 thought so and curiosity. Carlo, unaccustomed to this
once myself, bud can tell you that's a con- sort of appraising stare, felt the blood rush
founded mistake." to his cheeks yet it was no sense of the
Carlo had never felt less inclined to dis- stranger's rudeness which aroused his strong
cuss the merits of theatrical life; he antipathy. He looked hastily at the black -
devoutly wished that Sardoni would go ; bearded visitor, looked again, angry with
that feeling of vague discomfort grew upon . himself at being so much moved, then in -
him. stiuetively he recoiled a pace.
" Well," i. said, "I will eee ff possibly " The likeness is extraordinary !" ex -
room, whieli. was divided from the front ono
only by a curtain. But Philo heard, and
abruptly ohanged the subject
" You have been neglecting your voiemI
fear," he said, looking. critically neo ins
pupil's face, and grieving to see what a
change trouble wrought in it. Not that
I blame you in the least ; there are times,
of course, when even music must go to the
wall. Let me hear you. '
He made him work for a time at solfeggi,
then broke into an impatient exclamation,
forgetting everything but his art. " Out
of practice -shockingly out of practice," he
said, with a portentous frown • " try this."
He took down a copy of "Faust," and
played the opening bars of Dio Poosente."
The frown and the impatient ejaculation in-
cited Carlo ; he cared intensely to please
his old master, and, throwing his whole
soul into the music and losing his own
identity in that of Valentino, he gave an
almost perfect rendering of the song,
Suddenly the curtain between the two
rooms was torn back, and a black -bearded
man, with a swarthy face and extremely
small, dark eyes, with a restless, irritable
look m them, hastened forward.
" Signor Piale, I congratulate you !" he
exclaimed.; "you have produced the most
promising singer of the day ! No wonder
you aro proud of your pupil !"
He was evidently carried away by the
excitement of the moment, for his face,
naturally moat disagreeable, was illumi-
nated with the sante glow of artistic delight
which, as the song proceeded, had softened
Piale's rugged features.
For a minute an observer would have
noticed that the two listeners had forgotten
everything but their art, while Carlo was
still Valentino, not himself. There was a
silence ; the old maestro looked triumph-
Pia.le may know of someone else capable of • claimed the new -comer, turning to Piale
.
can we afford now to be idle. It is a
pleasure to me to make your acquaintance,
signor. If I could induce you to fellow
your sister's eXample, and use your great
talents professionally, it would give ine the
greatest satisfaction."
Carlo's heart began to throb painfully.
Could it be that he was called to this ?
Could it be that this man -this coarses
brutal tyrant -was to prove the arbiter of
his destiny? The words, which a few day,
before he had used so emphatically to Sar-
doni, trembled on his lips, " I hope for a
very different life." But he managed to
strangle them. Had he not offered up hie
will ? He stood silent, waiting for guid-
ance, hoping against hope, as is the way
wibli'poor mortals, that, after all,. his own
will might be done. He waited. At length
Piale spoke ; the words fell on him like
blows.
" I have long urged upon my pupil, sig-
nor, the duty of .going on the stage, for
which he is admirably. fitted. I am not
without hope that circumstances may
prompt him at length to consent. Bat
there is as yet no vacancy in your troupe, I
think, so I fear that you will not have the
honor of introducing to the public both
Madame Merlino and Carlo Donate"
Carlo stood silently listening to the dis-
cussion of his fate, looking now at Piale's
brown, wrinkled face, with its parchment -
like skin, furrowed brow, and crown of
bushy, grizzled hair, now at the disagreea-
ble • face of Merlino. He knew that when
the impresario spoke next he would say that
Comerio's engagement might be terminated
very shortly if he so willed ; knew that
Merlino was once more appraising him, ob-
serving the symmetry of his face and figure,
calculating whether he would "draw."He
felt like a slave in the market, but still he
waited and held his peace.
" It shall not be my fault if I lose the
honor," said Merlino at length ; " by good
ludk Comerio's engagement is terminable
at eighteen months if I so please ; may
be ended, that is, in a fortnight's time.
What say you, Signor Piale? Could you
have your pupil fit to fill the, vacancy ip so
short, a time as that ?" '
Piale was not to be daunted, though he
knew well enough that the time was very
short indeed for the preparation -which
would be necessary.
" Whether Comerio's costumes could be
altered for him so soon is perhaps doubt-
ful," he replied proudly ; " they might or
might not be ready in a fortnight's time;
but my pupil will be ready -quite ready."
Well, I'll risk it," said Merlino, who was
a keen, eyed man of business, and knew
that Carlo would prove a good speculation.
" I am prepared to offer you, signor, an
taking Comerio's place; and I am greatly 0 • engagement of three years terminable at
obliged to you, signor, for your suggestions 1 "Likeness !" ejaculated the old musician, the encl of the first year et the wish of
i still half in the clouds, but dimly perceiving either party. As to the salary, we shall
and your tel
Sardoni perceived that he wished to be i that sublunary affairs were somehow gone not quarrel, I think, 'Oro e the oro vcde,'
"Liken( as! Not at all, signor, not let Inc see —"
alone, and leaving a message of inquiry for I awry.
Madame Merlino, took his depa.x.ture. at all ; there's not a voice like that in all He began to make a calculation and to
But the discomfort which his presence discuss money matters with Bale, who, in
had kept vague and undefined broke into a , "1 don't speak of the voice," said the
Italy."
stranger, impatiently, " but the face is like Ms delight at the prospect of at length in -
clear, torturing perception when Calle was 1 deicing his pupil to go on the stage, was
my wife's -curiously like it." ready to accede to almost any termsran.
once more alone. Over and over the words
. . . . .
g inhisla d " Nob e a_ The old musician looked dismayed ; he Carlo, still with that thought of the slave
be I was fully awake now, art was forgotten, and m , . ( .
market in his mind, watched the discussion
one but you !" He tried to stifle them, tions about the record of the animal are
argued with himself on the folly of the idea a perilous bit of real life lay before him. "e one in a dream, paying little heed to quite willing to hear, and bring their wives
-he said it was impossible, quixotic, pre- In two strides Carlo was beside him, his the details. It mattered nothing to him and daughters to hear, a preaching adven-
, face flushed, his eyes full of suppressed • just then whether he rece:ved five pounds a
posterous. Finally he hurried off to Casa turer who has no record any better than.
Maestro," he panted, "what is this ? 1 week or fifty ; M mattered supremely. that
I he had prayed for guidance, and that imme- that of the Elgin gentleman who figured so,
Bella. anger.
what is this thet you have done GO me ?" 1 diately after there had come to him this conspicuously the other week. The value
some naen attach th their morals and their
CHAPTER VIII.
ISENSIBIM TALK FROM A gonsr,„
Bensember That "A ellerelesse Ban is Kora
Wad to Rio Beast."
Don't ask me to "back" with blinders on
I'm afraid to.
Don't lend. me temente blockhead that has
less sense than I have,
Don't think because I am a horse that from
weeds and briars won't hurt my hay.
Don't be so careless of my harness as to
find a great sore on mo before you attend
to it.
Don't run me down a steep hill, for if any-
thing should give way I might break your
neck.
Don't whip me when I get frightened along
the road, or I will expect it next time and
maybe make trouble.
Don't think because I go free under the
whip I don't get tired. You would move
up if under the whip.
Don't put 012 my blind bridle so that it
irritrates my eye, or so leave my forelock
that it will be in my eyes.
Don't hitch me to an iron post or railing
when the mercury is below freezing. 1
need the skin on my tongue.
Don't keep my stable very dark ; for
when I get out into the light my eyes are
injured, especially if snow is on the ground..
Don't leave me hitched in my stall ale
night with a big cob right, where I must
lie down. I am tired and can't select &
smooth place.
Don't forget to file my teeth when they
get jagged and I cannot chew my food. '
When I get lean it is a sign my teeth want
filing.
Don't make me drink ice-cold water, nor
put a frosty bit in my mouth. Warm the
bit by holding it a half minute against my
body.
Don't compel me to eat more ealt than 1
want by mixing it with my oats. I know
better than any other animal how much 1
need.
Don't say whoa anima you mean it. Teach.
me to stop at the word. It may check me
if the lines break, and save a runaway and
smash-up.
Don't trot me up hill, for I have to carry
you and the buggy and myself too. Try it
yourself some time. Run up hill with a big
load. -Maine Horne ..Tortrnal.
Whet Is It Dating At?
Canada Presbyterian : No merchant mil -
ploys a salesman or bookkeeper without
knowing something about him. No respect-
able man would recommend a butler, a por-
ter or boot black, without knowing some-
thing of his character and ability. 13nt.
ministers of the gospel are often asked to
recommend their congregations to go an&
hear traveling preachers about whose his-
tory and character they know nothing -
In fact, ministers are sometimes soundly
abused because they do not ,,ive their
pulpits to any adventurer, male or fe-
male, that may happen to come
along The only man that expects to get
work without proper credentials is a travel-
ling preacher, who generally calls himself
an evangelist: People who would not buy
a horse or cow without asking many ques-
" Forgive me " said the old man," "I am definite offer. He dared not refuse,
. . souls may be estimated by the kind of
PIALE SCHEMES.
" Wilt thou go forth into the friendless waste not so much to blame as you think. I did
That hast this Paradise of pleasure hero 3 indeed invite Signor Merlino to hear you
The Light of Asia. sing but with the understanding that he
hesitated to accept. Silencing the fiends'I th t k th 1 d 'Mud
voices which urged him at once to decline
food from.
Merlino's proposal, at once to seek the sel-
should not appear. You broke faith with which that decision would bring, Reduction Descending.
There are some who consider that a hero fish peace
must be practically immaculate, and Who -me,
grumble sorely if called upon to study the " A thousand pardons," said Merlino,
signor." he braced himself up for a reply. The hag-
gling a t length ended, and Merlino turned mother should wish to give each one au
Topeka Capital : Teacher -If your
life of an ordinary mortal. who often stum-
bles when the road is rough, who shrinks coolly, "but in truth your pupil ought to
be pleased with the compliment. I was so to him.
"Well, Signor Donati, you hear my equal amount of meat, and there should be
eight in the family, how many pieces would
carried away by his singing that I forgot offer, and Signor Piale approves of the she cut ?
from the Valley of Humiliation and takes a
all. I don't understand what all this fuss terms ; it rests with you now to accept foolish, fleeting delight in Bempath Meadow.
Bat if the functions of all art is to picture is about." them or not. It is not for me to advise you Teacher-erE-igChot;rect. Now each piece would.
life -not to photograph, but to paint it- He glanced at Carlo, who had turned either one way or the other ; but, in my be one-eighth of the whole, remember that.
then, without doubt, the typical hero of away at his first words, and stood now at own mind, I have little doubt that, if yon
romance, with his faultless features and his the window with his back to them, evi_ work well, you will be one of the first Class-Yes'm. •
Teacher -Suppose each piece were cut
dently struggling to restram an outburst of singers ofthe V.
passion. Piale looked at him too with Piale's eyes shone ; he could hardly con -
compunction, but with great bewilderment Min himself, so great was his excitement
How was he to get matters set right ? how It dampened his ardor to see that this
preternatural nobility, must disappear for
ever from the canvas; for whbre are these
perfect beings who, in spite of cruel circum-
stances, never fall, who never harbor selfish
again, what would be the result ?
Smart boy -Sixteenths.
Teacher -Correct. And if cut again ?
Boy -Thirty-seconds.
Teacher -Correct. Now, suppose we
should cut each of the 32 pieces again, what
would result ?
Little girl -Hash.
thoughts -never speak hasty words. disentangle himself from the confusion into glorious prospect brought no faintest gleam
Thank God one meets plenty of good which Id erlino's impulsive entrance had of pleasure to his pupil's face. He scratched
men, but the best of them certanly owns plunged everything? his parchment -like cheek ferociously -a
that there had been times when they had Carlo stood looking out into the busy trick which he had when anything annoyed
felt ready to tear their tongues out in vain street, but he saw nothing, was conscious of him or tried his patience. At length Carlo
nothing but that Merlino was in the room spoke. Reasonable Robby.
with laim-Merlino, the cause of all his sor- "1 am obliged to you for your offer,
Philadelphia Record : Minister (dining
row and perplexity. He had conquered by signor, but you will understand that it is 1
with the family) -You were a nice littleboer
a supreme effort the fleet savage impulse to impossible for mo to accept it on the spur ,
affect : in church this morning, Bobby. I noticed
fly at the throat of the man who had caused of the moment. Th g decision will'
you kept very quiet and still.
his mother so much grief, but fierce anger others ; I must think of them as well as of
Bobby -Yes, sir ; I was afraid of wa.ka
still burned in his heart and sent fiery blood myself. I mast consult those who belong 1
ing pa.
regret for irrevocable words -that they
would give almost anything to live over
again some misguided bit of their lives.
Carlo Donatinvas not an immaculate hero
of romance, but a nineteenth century man
a man of flesh and blood, with a quick,
ardent, sanguine temperament and strong
passions. When those words which the coursing through his veins. A storm of to me.
English tourist let fall in the Neapolitan 1 wrathful indignation consumed him as he " Well, well," said Merlin°, impatiently,
cafe had arrested his attention, he had been i thought of Merlino's misdeeds ; he was "80 long as you keep the matter quiet -so
pricked at heart. and for the time vaguely angry, too, with Piale, feeling, naturally long as it does not come to Comerio's ears,
1
disquieted. A yet deeper impression had enough, that a snare had been laid for him ; I don't object to that ; but I can't afford to
and he was angry with himself because, be off with him till I am on wit you."
even in this moment of confusion, be was " I promise you all shall be kept quiet,"
aware that he had deliberately turned his said Carlo. " How soon must you know my
back on the question now forced upon him, decision ?"
andthatwant of preparation was his own " Meet me next Wednesday at the
1 Morcadante-or, better still, if Signor Piale
For, moments of what seem to us sudden will permit, at this house; and I will have
temptation are seldom really sudden. God the contract ready. That leaves you nearly
has given us our times of preparation, and ' a week, and I shall quite hope for a
if we have willfully neglected them the favorable reply. I shall, in the meantime,
conflict is severer or perhaps ends in defeat. not breathe a word of this to my wife, who,
How was he now to think out the fright- off course, will be charmed to have you in
fully involved question at issue? How de- ' the troupe. Good -day, signor, and let nee
cide on the right course of action ? And entreat you not to throw away this oppor-
yet a false step might prove Nita's ruin. tunity. A thousand thanks, Signor Piale,
The anguish of that thought, and the loath- for your courtesy, and pray forgive my
Mg of his own selfish procrastination, calmed impetuous entrance."
his anger. With an effort he yielded up his He bowed himself out.
will, and 'therewith forgot Merlino's pre- Carlo watched him as he walked down
Bence, because another presence absorbed the streea-watched him in a sort of
him wholly. stupor. When he had disappeared, his eyes
He was interrupted by a touch on his turned to a heavily -laden mule just coming
arm. Piale stood beside him, with a look into sight, with waving green boughs tied
of deep concern on his kind old face. about his head to keep off the flies ; it
"Carlo mio," he said, in a low voice, "i toiled patiently on, the lazy boy in charge
apologize to you, and beg your forgiveness hanging on its tail with his right
but since things have so fallen out, perhaps hand, while he devoured a great hunch
you will permit me to introduce you to of bread clasped fast in his left.
Carlo watched with a sort of envythe placid
Signor Merlino, who will then understand
us better." 1 calm of the sunburnt lad-thate picture of
Carlo assented, , subduing the angry ' lazy content contrasted so oddly with the
thoughts which yet struggled. to find place state of his own mind. Piale soon added
in his heart ; to the fierceness of the storm by urgent
" Signor," said the old musician, ap- and almost piteous entreaties that he would
preaching Merlino, there is nothing extra- accept Merlino's offer. With tears in his
ordinary in the likeness you observed. Per- eyes the old musician paced to and fro,
mit me to introduce you to Signor Donati." passionatebs declaiming upon the sacred
Merlino started violently, and for a min- calling, and the duty of not allowing such
ute looked abashed and greatly comfused, gifts to rest unused ; and Carlo listened
Piale, with much curiosity, watched has With the reluctant attention of ono who
pupil, who had turned ' from the window as does not wish to be persuaded. It was bad
he spoke, and now, with a face as pale as enough to fight against his own convictions;
death, bowed gravely. he did not want Piale's arguments to make
There was an awkward pause, broken the conflict yet more rievere.
" I brought my sister to Palazzo Forti an 1
presently by Carlo.(To bo coniennedd
hour ago, signor," he said, speaking to ; • '
Merlino with grave courtesy; "1 am much !
obliged to you for sparing her to me so 1
long." 1
The speech cost him a great deal, but he I
was glad that he had brought himself to
make it, for he had no wish to quarrel with .
been made upon him by his promise to his
mother on her death -bed. Still, all had
been vague and formless. Now Sardoni's
bald, matter-of-fact statement had plunged
the sword much further, had called up be-
fore him a plain, unmistakable way of help-
ing Anita.. The typical hero would of
coarse have flung himself into the breach
without an instant's hesitation; but Carlo
did no such thing; he did not even allow
his thoughts to dwell on the posisibility, but
just turned his back on the whole matter,
tried to make Anita's visit as pleasant as
might be, and sought refuge from his own
sad memories, in daily meetings with
Francesca.
He did, however, to some extent, follow
Sardoni's advice and intrusting Piale with
as much of the truth'azehe deemed neces-
sary, wrote to ask hirn whether he knew of
any singer who might be found to take
Comerio's place. He also wrote to Merlin°,
obtaining further leave of absence for his
sister, on condition that she drove in to
Naples each day next week for rehearsal,
and finally retuned when the performances
began. The days sped by rapidly enough,
and on the Thursday, true to his promise,
Carlo took his sister back, parting with
her at the entrance to the palazzo Forti,
not without - regret and apprehension.
Mingled, however, with these came a sense
of deep relief, for, from a selfish point of
view, he could not but revel in his regained
freedom ; his life could never again be
what it had been before Anita's return, but
a sort of after -glow of the old times seemed
to rise in his sky when the cloud of poor
Nita's immediate presence was removed.
He felt hopeful, too, for Piale had written
to ask him to call at 12 o'clock, and he
thought that perhaps he had found a
desirable baritone.
The old maestro received him very
kindly, but mien dashed hie expectations to
the ground.
" I know of no one," he said, emphati-
cally-" no one. You speak as if your
baritones were as rife as mushrooms. And,
look you, Comerio is a clever actor, and has
a fine voice; you'll not easily find any one
to beat him, and if you did it is unlikely
enough that would take lower terms.
Besides, Merlin.° is extremely unpopular as
a manager; only jusb now I had his con-
ductor in, a capital young fellow-Marioni
-and he says that they all find it almost
impossible to work with 'him. You must
give up that idea, ; I, at any rate, cannot
Carlo involuntarily smiled then tickled
by the speaker's ingenuous remark, fairly
laughed.
Sardoni looked confueed.
" I beg your pardon," he said ; " but
isi-
deed I had forgotten that I was not talking
to a fellow -countryman -a compliment to
your accent, you see. Where did you be-
come euch a proficient ?"
" Our nearest neighbors are English,"
seed Coale, not caring to explain any
further, though instinctively his eyes
turnecl toward a photograph of Francesca,
which stood on the mantel. Moe. Sardoni's
capable of seeing any matter in its true been vets noted thus. e observed the
photograph with secret Admiration, and
light. And then, too, the mere relief of
sharing his perplexities with another was drew his own conclusions. p youeen goo or in a, sae e n
" Then how do you propose that °ennui° Carlo eighed and fell into deep thOught placebtly, speaking of his wife much as he
an inexpressible comfort. Not that Enrico
had many suggestions to offer ; he listened shall be got rid of ?" mid Carlo, breaking He did net hear footsteps on the stairs, nor might have spoken of an overworked. horse ;
th " You do not iron, in° ei nor notice that :some one entered the Miner " she haa had hard work in America
nor
Not That Rind a ILId.
: Mrs. Callahan -I want to get a
pair of Shoes for the little bye.
Clerk -French kid?
Mrs. C andignantly)-Indade nob. He's
me own son, born and bred in Ameriky.
a
Nita's husband; indeed he fully recognize
Marline's rights, though unable to think
patiently of the way in which he had ac-
quired them, or the manner in which he
now abused them.
" A feve days' rest will doubtless have
• e • •
fOr the most pert in Silence, But then there s ee g • g
Rev. Henry Philpott, who died in Wor-
cester this week, was the oldest prelate of
the Church of England. He was one of the
leaders in the schemes,of university reform
and Was a man of recognized ability in all
affairs of the church and education.
Albinus, the Reheat, at olio breakfast ate
500 figs 100 peaches, 10 Melons, 100 small
birds mid 400 °viten,
The period of eOleranizing marriage, ac-
cording to the laws of the Church, is open.
on January 7th, and will close on Ash Wed-
nesdayvehicle fails this year on March 2nd.
During Lent, and until Low Sunday, whick
is one week after Easter, it is forbidden to
solemnize marriage. Those who are intend-
ing to enter soon the state of matrimony
should take the step before the 2nd on
March or wait until after the 24th of ApriL
-Catholic Union.
N1 =VS -012'S
Both the method. and results when.
Syrup of Figs is taken; it is pleasant
and refreshing to the taste, and acts
gently yet promptly on the Kidneys,
Liver and Bowels, cleanses the sys-
tem effectually, dispels colds, head-
aches and fevers and cures habitual
constipation. Syrup • of Figs is the
only remedy of its kind ever pro.
duced, pleasing to the taste and ac-
ceptable to the stomach, prompt in
its action and truly beneficial in its
effects, prepared only from. the most
healthy and agreeable substances its
many excellentqualities com naen'd it
to all and have made it the most
popular remedy known.
Syrup of Figs is for sale in 75e,
bottles by All leading druggists.,
Any reliable druggist who may not
have It on hand will procure it
promptly for any one who wishes
to try it. Manufactured only by the'
CALIFORNIA HG SYRUP CO
ESAU esseRAVOISOO, PAM. t7
10e7Iheteleriet, arge II= OruNiV.T,,
I, a