The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1874-10-01


the tender age of six. "Oh, Gianetta :
hs would exclaim, show small seen
bsfide him!" Aud bot tears strsamed
down his sttenaated cheeks. In vain the
plying Gisnetta tried to console him =
his Was the jealousy common to genius
One day the yotirg musician, under the
direction Of his father, had been performing
a series of monotonous exercises, 80 thss
his arms seemed psralysed. Utterly worn
out he laid asids bis v;olin, and leaned his
weary head against the window, when al
of sudden Re heard . sharp cry. 1t wss
The mother OF Gianetsa who called to him.
Swinging up with a!acrity, be ran across
to his plaJmate's home. He found the
ii.,le girl lying on her bed, her form worn
with a raging fever, her breath coming
hard and slow, and her bright eyes looking
fzedly into space. On recognizing her
friend, she looked ct him with -.pplicating
glance, which Nicolo readily interpreted.
With tears in his eyes; he ran swiitly for
bis discarded instrument, crying ~ he
came back:
my sweet little Gianetta, I will play a
lullaby; il will make You we'll again "
lie sat dow BY her bedside, and forgetting
his fatigue. played with all the fervor Of
his soul. It's anguish, his hope, his love
,ee.ned to breathe from the wondrous
tones, and like the voices Of angels descend
ing to earth, they eassd with their sublime
harmony the pains Of the sick child, who,
ut first, had listened with wild, feverish
eagerness, which gradually gave place to
calm crosse. The restfuIness of her soul
was depicted upon her flushed checks, her
little hands were cIasped peacefully, as
she muruured gentle prayers fer her faith
full friend, who ~i.h fearful eyes ard per
vous hnnds was trying tc soothe the anguish
of his own breaking heart as well as the
pairs which racked, the form Of bis, sweet
littIs Cianetta. When be had finished
playing, she held out her thin, white hand:
"Dear Nicolo," she said 10 low, broken
voice, 81 am going to leave you. l hear
sweet angels calling me. You can not
follow ne, you must remain behind; but
far from this place you will. become famous,
slI the world will speak your name-oh,
then do not forget your little Gianetta !"
Tier head saht back among the pillows,
and almost without a struggle the sweet
eyes closed forever.
Nicolo remained gazing absently upon
her lovely face. Alas, for the first time it
was deaf to his tears and supplications.
Wild with grief be wandered about all
day and the greater part Of the night,
without aim, without any thong t save
that of his utter loneliness. He visited the
water-side where only few days ago they
had been so happy together; he liugered il
every spot sacred to their mutual pleas
ur-s, and when at a late hour lie returned
70 his room, he shuddered at the awful
silence which re,gned there. lie looked
across to Gianetta's home. The win
dow was open; he could see the Child lying
asleep in her narrow bed, almost hidden by
The profusion of wild flowers which she
had SO loved while upon earth. A priest
WAS kneeling by her side, his reble
head bowed nnd bis trembling lips mrr-
muring prayers for the rebc,e Of her soul.
Nlcolo threw himself upon his knees:
" Farewell, FAREWELL my joy, my love
As you have told me, | am goias far from
this place where everything recalls my
crnel loss; where | can fluid neither rest
nor forge;fulncss, deserted AS l am hy
e@@ery creature +" It these words he
trcmbed- something cold touched his hand.
IL was the spider. Poor insect" be
cried" the only thing left to mel Come,
| will play to you, for the last time; the
airs which my poor c ,anetta loved. l will
play them us 4 requiem for her soul!
lie took on; his violin. The sweet, sad
strains of music flooded the air, wandering
out to the little dead child, who secuted tu
smile at their message. Even the flowers
sesr-ed to nod their half-opened corollas,
and the kneeling priest seemed to pause in
his devotions to listen to the Iuusic's dviDer
power.
On tie morrow tbs red rays of the sun
fell across a sleeping child, still claspins
his beloved Instrument, en- the chords of
which Law a dead snider
The hero Of this little romance is NicolO
PagaulniA From the Aldi~e for Septem-
Der.