American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1875-01-16
THE LION OF BUTTER.

BY MRS GEORGE l.. AUSTIN.
IT 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 flat 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 a villa
owned by the Senator Giovanni Falier.
For it's natural beauty and wealth of
adOrnment it was unsurpassed by any
other similar place. Its possessor was a
man of riches, nobleman by birth, and
a 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 Il long time to insure
full success and pleasantness to the affair.
/ When the Senator planned an entertain
ment 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 we'll 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 for 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! PietroW he exclaimed, do
| come into the dlning-room and see what
is wanting"
The two servants, followed by half a
dozen others, wendell 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 loud voice. where are the
| ornamentss"
| Santa Mariai" exclaimed all the fell
| lows ut once.
| And we must supply them in quick
| haste, or else we shall all have to quit
before sundowH," said Pietro.
But, Pietro," continued Battista, g 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"
1t shall be DONE" said Pietro, stamp
ing his foot
ate
| Yes; who will do it," sueried ali
"Pasino, the aged Pasino, if we ask
| him. He Is a good-natured old man and
| will do anything for anybody"
But PasinO is no fool" replied
| Battista. d" and whatever he does costs
money. Santa Maria! and we haven't
got that"
1t was finally agreed that Pietro and
Battista should go and lay the matter be-
| fore PasinO. Pasino was an aged stone
| cutter, who at this very moment was at
work on the further side of the villa. He
| had seen many troubles and had left
| many years behind him For all that,
| he was a good-natured old soul, full of
fun, and always ready to grant any favor
| that lay in his power. His honesty,
| uulOT, anu II ucCD scHSt III IlSHI Hdtl
won for him the love and respect of the
| Senator and his family, for whom he was
oftentimes engaged to perform important
| services.
As soon as Pasino observed the two
servants running toward him with all
speed he dropped his mallet and chisel,
wondering what it all meant.
| "Pasin0l Pasino," shouted Pietro,
when they had come within hearing.
Come quick, come quick, We are in
trouble"
! May the good God get you out of it,
| then" replied Pasino. And what is the
matter, pray?'
"Oh the great dinner, you know. The
| food is ready and the guests have come.
| 1t lacks only two hours before they will
| 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 the
| Senator by this time"
| But we forgot, said Battista, sadly
| bad, bad, and Il good lesson for you
! all. What are You going to do about it,"
| queried the aged stone cutter
| We do not know what to do replied
| Pietro. I'VE have come to ask your as
| sistance"
And | can do nothing" said Pasino.
81 am an old man and need time for
| to such things. You "'ill have do the
work yourselves
| "Santa Maria sighed the servants.
just then Il small boy came tripping
up to the scene. His name was Antonio,
and Pasino was his grandfather.
| whats the trouble now" he asked
| of his grandfather, who had returned to
| his work.
Its dreadful, Toninr' said Battista.
e. We have no ornament for the table
It's bad scrape, and your grandfather
won't help us out of it,
"Ill do it," replied Tonh
go back to your play, boy said Pa
sino. You are only boy, and cannot
| do the work of a man"
But I'll try. Who knows but that 1t
| will come out all right"
The servants were delighted at hearing
these words, and Selling hold of the boys
hand they led him off to the house.
| After they had arrived Antonio threw
| aside his coat and rolled up his shirt
sleeves. Then, washing his hands clean
| and white, he told them to furnish him
with butter enough 10 make "A good sized
| statue.
| "W hat does the boy mean" exclaimed
! one of the domeStics.
7 He means what he says, and don't
YOU bother him with your foolish ques