The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1872-10-19

But" said the Countess, lit is the custom to
choose Young girl
II want YOU 10 be queen" he persisted.
Why do you choose me z" she asked.
Because you are kind to me-" said Carlo.
beside, You look like my mother
( Like your mother? Is she living
/ Il don't know, madam but have her pic
| ture."
''Show it to me- said Countess, who seemed
to be moved by strange interest.
! Carlo drew from under his ragged vest a small
| locket suspended with plain white string. The
picture. though stained and discolored. present.
| ed the face of beautiful young lady of twenty.
No sooner did the Countess cast her eye upon it
than she uttered cry of Joy, and threw her
| arms around the astonished boy.
MY boy! My boy my own little Victor .
Are you again restored TO me?"
All the guests gazed in astonishment at this
unexpected tableau. The Countess, quickly re-
covering herself, said, while an expression of
Joy irradiated her sweet face: The picture is
| mine, as you perhaps can discover by examin.
ing it. Eight years ago was journeying in the
northern part of Italy with my husbaAd and my
little Victor, then four years of age. when he
suddenly disappeared from me. We had large
| reward for his recovery, but without success
From that day have mourned for him as for
one whom l never expected to see in this world.
W
means has restored him to me-"
"Are you my mother then 2" asked Carlo.
"Yes, my child, and again the mother clasp
| ed the boy, ragged and dirty though he was, to
her bosom.
This time he returned to her csress.
Then shall net be hungry any more?" he
said.
mo, my poor child"
Let him tell his story" demanded the chill.
dren.
50, seated on chair in the midst, the little
Stvoyard told his story in answer to the many
questions that were poured in upon him. AS
far back Ms he could remember, he wandered
about with his little violin, il Italy at first, but
for the two last years in Paris, where he had suf
tered every discomfort and privatlon. He was
in the charge of an Italian named Giacomo Bar.
toni, who protested to take care of him, and to
whom his violin belonged.
I'VE will send for him Tomorrow" said the
Countess. Il must buy the violin of him
memorial Of the years of terrible privation
through which you have passed.
That night the little Ssvoyard, who was &C.
customed to sleep on bed of straw, rested his
weary limbs on a bed of down. in the beautiful
mansion of the Countess de Charny. The next
morning he was arrayed in suit of elegant boys
clothing, in which he looked transformed.
Scarcely the metamorphosis complete, than
his Italian master, who had been summoned,
made his appearance. and bowling almost to the
ground, admitted into the presence of the
Countess.
DO you recognize this young gentleman z"
asked the Countess, pointing to Carlo, who now
looked ike little prince.
NO, madam"
"let you ought to know him well. It's the
little S,voyard, Carlo"
tfitgOmo W. over W he!mpi with stOpi
"But do not understand he said.
The explanation WAS Lriefy made The Its..
ian pad muniticent sum for the violin,
which Is now the only link that uuites the little
Count Victor with the little Savoyard of former
ye,rs. He Is now at y military school, and bids
fair TO mtiutain 10y his talents the distinction Of
the illu-triou, :s!nily to which he belongs.