Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1875-01-07
THE LION OF BUTTER.
BY MRS. GEORGE L. AUSTIN.


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 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
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 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
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-
auirements equally as we'll as their mas
Yer. 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! Pietro" he exclaimed, edo
come into the dining-room and see what
is wanting"
The two servants, followed by half q
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 1 say there is" continued Bat
tista, in a loud voice. "Where are the
ornaments?"
"Santa MariaW exclaimed all the fell
lows at once.
"And we must supply them in quick
haste, or else we shall all have to quit
before shutdown" said Pietro.
"But, Pietro," continued Battista, it is
impossible. Signor the Senator requires
something very nice, and I 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 it?" inquired his associ-
ate.
Eyes who will do it," queried ali
'Pasino, the aged Pasino, if we ask
him He Is good-natured old man and
will do anything for anybody"
"But Pasino is no fool" replied
~
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 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 good-natured Old soul, full of
fun, and always ready to grant any favor
that lay in his power. His honesty,
humor, and deep sense of right had
won for him the love and respect Of the
Senator and his family, for whom he was
oftentimes engaged to perform important
SeINlCtS-
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.
"Pasino! Paslno!' 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?"
ooh! 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,"