The Toledo chronicle. [volume] (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1873-1924, 1874-12-31
TINE LION OF BUTTER.
BY MRS. GEORGE L. AUSTIN.

!
Ir used to be the custom of the old
Venetian Senators, as it is now, to spend
the warm season of the year at their
country seats, generally located in the
interior and near the foot of the Asolani
| Hills. Their country-seats, or villas, as
they were generally termed, were among
the most delightful places ON earth.
The grounds were laid out broad and
ample, and there was no limit to fruit
and shade trees and the abundance of
rare flowers The houses were usually
built low, with fiat roofs and verandas
all round, large rooms and windows al
ways kept open. The song of birds, the
hum of bees, the ripping of waters
such were the charms which allured to
| these abodes.
Not far from Possagno was villa
owned by the Senator Giovanni Falier
For its natural beauty and wealth of
adornment it was unsurpassed by any
other similar place. Its possessor was a
man of riches, a nobleman by birth, and
great lover and patron of the arts.
Hither he used to come, together with
his family, to seek that quiet and com
fort which the noisy and bustling life of
the city did not afford.
One day it happened that a great feast
was to be given at the Villa Falier. In
vitations to be present had been sent out
| to the various friends and relatives of
the family and vast preparations had
been making for long time to insure
full success and pleasantness to the affair
When the Senator planned an entertain
mcnt of this kind neither pains nor
money were spared in rendering it of the
highest order.
The servants, too, of whom there were
many at the villa, understood the re-
quirements equally as well as their mas
| ter. A long experience had taught them
what they might expect in case they
were the least negligent or careless about
their duty.
The day appointed for the feast
dawned at length. Victuals of all sorts
were brought out from their long hiding
| places in the cellar. A few hours before
it was time tor The guests to assemble at
the table one of the servants rushed into
the kitchen with his arms extended and
looking as pale as death.
"Pietro! Petrol" he exclaimed, "do
come into the dining room and see what
is wanting"
The two servants, followed by half a
dozen others, wended their way thither.
Pietro glared his eye hurriedly over the
table, and then said:
"You are mad, Battista. Nothing is
wanting"
"But I say there is" continued Bat
tista, in q loud voice. "Wherc are the
ornaments?'
| "Santa Maria" exclaimed all the fel-
lows at once.
And We must supply them in quick
haste or else we shall all have to quit
before sundown," said Pietro.
"But, Pietro," continued Battista, "it is
impossible. Signor the Senator requires
something very nice, and | declare we
cannot provide it. Everything for the
palate and nothing for the eye"
at shall be done," said Pietro, stamp
ing his foot
"Who will do its' inquired his associ-
ate
eyes; who will do it?" queried all
"Pasino, the aged Pasino, if we ask
him. He is gcodnatured old man and
will do anything for anybody"
But Pasino is no fool" replied
Battista, "and whatever he does costs
money. Santa Maria! and We haven't
got that"
1t was finally agreed that Pietro and
Battista should 60 and lay the matter be
fore Pasino. Pasino was an aged stone.
cutter, who at this very moment was al
work on the further side of the villa. lie
had seen many troubles and had left
many years behind him. For all that
he was good-natured old soul, full o
fun, and always ready TO grant any favo
that lay in his power. His honesty
humor, and a deep sense OF right hat
won for him the love and respect OF the
Senator and his family, for whom he wal
oftentimes engaged to perform importan
services.
Az soon as Pasino observed the two
servants running toward him with al
speed he dropped his mallet and chisel
wondering what it all meant.
"Pasino! Pasinor' shouted Pietro
when they had come within hearing
"Come quick, come quick! We are II
trouble" :
MAY the good God get you out OF it
then" replied Pasino. "And what Is tn
matter, pray!'
"Oh! the great dinner, you know Th'
food is ready and the guests have come
It lacks only two hours before they vii
sit down to eat. But there's no orna
ment for the table?"
"You are fools, then, not to have
thought of that. Do you not know tn
Senator by this time:"
"But we forgot, said Battista, sadly.
aBad, bad, and good lesson for yo,
all. What are you going to do about it''
queried the aged stone-cutter.
ave do not know what to do," replle'
Pietro. I'VE have come to ask your as
sistance."
"And can do nothing" said Pasino
II am an old man and need time 70
. to such things. You will have do tn
work yourselves"
! "Santa Marisl" sighed the servants.
, Just then smell boy came trippin
, up to the scene. His name was Antonio
, and Pasino was his grandfather.
"What's the trouble nows" he aske
} of his grandfather, who had returned t
] his work.
RI "It's dreadful, Tonin" said Battists
. I'VE have no ornament for the tabl'
It's bad scrape, and your grandfaths
1 won't help AZ out Of II"
"Ill do it," replied Tonin.