The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1872-05-18

he was ten years old, in order not 10 be
an expense to his m other, poor widow;
10 whom, after that time, he regularly
sent his small pay lie was truly
brave boy, true TO his conscience and true
TO his affections and although in our
own time and county it Is easy 10 find
many Instances Of great courage and de-
votedness, it is rare to find so young a
boy doing his duty So ccurageously.
will now tell you Of young artist,
who, having felt his vocation instinct
lively, as birds know how 10 build their
nests, struggled on ard upwards, through
privation Of every kind, until he became
that which he could rot help being, "a
true artist.
PIetro da Cortoua was the son of
poor shepherd of Tuscany. who did not
trouble himself to find for him any other
condition in life but his own. Pietro,
whilst watching his goats, passed his days
in chalhing upon the rocks and tracing
images upon the sand. lie ftH himself
an artist without k,totCjRg, perhaps, the
meaning of the word
One iiRe morning. leaving his ti&cks,
he directed himself toward Florence,
where he expected TO meet one of his
little comrades of the fields, who had
left him some time before 10 take The
place Of sculion III the Kitchens of car
dinal. In Florence, Pietro, who was
not a dozen years old, must soon have
been reduced 10 state of starvation if
Providence, that works som etimes through
strange mediums, had moi chosen the for
mer lltIle shepherd, now become cooks
aid, TO save the future great artist. This
boy, from the time when he guarded the
h0cks In company with PIetro, had had
faith in the future Of his friend. He had
slid on leaving him, that when he found
himself able 10 assist him, lie would let
him know, and he kept hIs word
When Pietro arrived, place was ready
for his reception, very mod st and very
humble, it is true. but 1t pr yed how far
the resources Of good heart are able TO
reach. The scuIliOn offered the new
conner half Of the poor bcd which he
occupied in little chamber under the
roof Of the palace, and engaged to uorrish
him with the desert from the cardinals
tabe,-a part of which belonged ru him
accOIlIil8 10 iDc CuSNbiI III sieTtt u. .''''eo'
For two whole years PIetro accepted from
his friend, not only this, but some pieces
of money beside, of which he had need to
buy paper and pencils. As long as the
daylight lasted he remained III Ihe city
copying pictures and statues when he
returned in the evening, he fastened upon
the walls of the little chamber the copies
,.I,i,b no had paIa
One day the sculion managed matters
SO that several Of Pietro's drawings fell
under the notice Of the cardinal, who ad,
mired them and wished to see their author
| leave you 10 Imagine what fine day
this was for the poor little fellow, on
which he was able TO avOw the clandesiine
hospitality which he had given to Pietro
and with what pride he marched in, COM
ducting bis friend before the prelate, who
had promised to betriend him, and who
did not fail to keep his promise. Pietro
da CortOna became illustrious and rich,
bat honors and riches never caused him
to forget the noble heart which had served
him in his time Of obscurity and misery.
-Muy Cnlst0n,