The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1873-04-06
JUVENILE COLUMN.

JUVENILE COLUMN.
G1ovANNi's TEMPTATION.
UNCLE GEORGE.
Giovanni was an Italian boy, just for all
&he world like those small foreign music
|ians We see about our streets, only he was
|5nore fortunate than the wandering violin
[&laying children, in being at home In LIS
9&wn native country.
q Giovanni tended sheep for his father, who
Fas hardy shepherd, dwelling in val
2ey of the Apprentices, in Tuscany, He had
e large dog, named Carlo, which was with
min constantly, helping him to manage ms
lock, and of which he was very fond. he
nlso possessed a small reed pipe, sort of
rude musical instrument, upon which he
Sould play several simple mountain airs:
Giovanni was a happy-tempered child.
He was but thirteen, was thoroughly ln-
Aocent and kind hearted, and knew moth
Ing of the great outside world and it's peo-
be. His mother had died in giving him
Birth, and he, consequently, had never
known other care than that OF his rough,
but well-meaning father.
"A He had been brought up in the Catholic
Faith, had great reverence for priests and
TO hear his father tell stories OF the holy
Hsaints and martyrs.
Early each morning he and Carlo would
drive tho sheep to pasture on the green
nc ountain side, and then would lie down
to dream and watch.
IA Gioyanpi was very brave ard high spir-
Tilted and as they say, the character OF the
master imparts itself to that of his dog,
ECarlo was very brave and hjgh-spirtted,
Etoo.
81 One summer afternoon when the weather
Twas extremity warm, Giovanni lay stretch
led on bank of wild flowers, in the shade
Eof luxuriant chestnut tree. His flock was
feeding a short distance away, and Carlo,
Ewith his great tongue protrudlng from his
Eopen Jaws, rcclined near his master, pant
Ting from the heat.
Giovanni was lost in pleasing train of
n shought. He was thinking of the wonder
full little elm people, with whom popular
tradition filled the mountain regions of
Tuscany, and his boyish Imagination un-
consciously augmenting the strangeness OF
the peasantry accounts, was busy WITH the
4 deeds and misdeeds of the fairies,
"How queer it would be if an imp or q
fay should suddenly jump up right here,
and dance around this flower bank {" his
pered Giovanni, as he gave himself q little
Shake, and turned further away the suns
glare.
ran barking towards the sheep, and
Giovanni, always on the watch, also
sprang up and followed him, forgetting
Il on the instant all about imps and fays
4 He foHnd Carlo capering and yelling aIount
q strange-looking, old black wether, who
did not seem to fear him in the least, but
continually presented to the faithful dog
from whatever side he came, pair of huge
\ twisted horns.
"Hey Gay !" cried Giovanni, gazing in
quiringly at the intruder, "whose wethe1
h have we here 2"
At this the pugnacious animal made {
quick Cash at tile poor Carlo with his horns
H and turned him head over heels into little
II creek that ran near, and Giovanni, full o.
ire at the mishap to his favorite, raised hi:
+ long oaken staff, with the view of taking
summary vengeance on the wether.
Strange to relate, however, whilst thu
blow was yet suspended, the intruder, ris
ing upon his hind legs, advanced toward
our little hero, aud made very profouns
/ bow.
Giovanni's staff dropped straight out O
his grasp, and fell to the ground, and tn
wondering shepherd boy stood lost in as
constituent.
GLOW doyou do to-day, Giovanni" sail
the wether, in pure Tuscan.
Giovanni was petrifed with amazement
/ The wether laughed real, human laugh
and repeated his polite salutatiop, addini
/ this time, "You seem surprised to hear m
tines on the forehead, with your finger
and will surprise you still! more y
/ Giovanni could not tell what moved him
but before he could realize anything, b
had touched the animal as desired, an
had witnessed q sudden and curious trans
formation. At the third tap, the wethe
totally disappeared, and in bis place s ate.
/ the figure OF a miniature harlequin. Wit
sword of tiny lath, this merry shape cap
cred and leaped about our awe-stricke
Zero, turning complete somersets and utter
ing sharp cries like peals of minute bells.
"Dear me I" cried Giovanni, at length
"Wbat are you 2"
"I am the Imp of Fortune !" replied th
Harlequin, "and am come to make you
proposition !"
sGracious !" exclaimed the agitated boy
care you then u fairy Z"
81 am, indeed J"
GLOW funny /" And as the lively shap
cut q new succession of grotesque capel
about him, Giovanni SO far recovered b
eelf-possession as to laugh uproariousl!
The harlequin Joined in our hero's bolster
Gus merriment and in fact, did everythin
to make Giovanpi think him just the joll
est fellow possible.
Al last, when the twain were on yer
good terms, Giovanni said to his compar
ion, sis it true your fairies can do any