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

tons" replied Pietro, with very self
satisfied air.
The butter was brought and laid or
the table. Antonio, taking up small
case-knife, began to cut into 1t and 10
shape it as he thought best. Soon
head appeared-not Il human head. but
the head of some animal There were
the eyes plain could be, the mouth,
the nose and the ears. Then there WAS
some thing that looked like name. Next
came the body, with strong, muscular
legs rolled up beneath it; and finally
there was Il long tail with small tuft on
the end.
"A lion, as true as day J" shouted
Batt;sta.
- Does 1t look like one - asked the
boy.
- For all the world, and a great artist
could not have done better" said Pietro.
Antonio was satisfied, and after wash
ing his hands again and putting on his
coat he hurried back to the orchard.
When the guests assembled at dinner
every eye WIS turned toward the orna-
ment which graced the center of the
table The like they had never seen be-
fore and they wondered who it was that
had produced such a novel embellish-
ment.
a lion of butterr' exclaimed one.
And how perfect" said another.
"What a strange idea" said another
"And whose work is it, Senator
Falier?" inquired a fourth.
Il know moi" replied the Senator.
1t was "A cause for universal amaze
ment. No one was willing to eat before
| the name of the artist was divuiged.
The servants were ordered in and ques-
toned about the affair.
"AntonIo did it." replied Pietro.
'Tonin, the little ToninI" shouted the
! Senator g Bring him here at once"
The summons was obeved The boy
came in, looking half Enlightened, as if in
expectation of receiving "a thrashIng for
| his conduct.
| Ali no. Such was not the reward that
! awaited him. On the contrary he was
/ petted and caressed by all the company,
and was made to sit down to the table as
one of the invited guests.
| The affair was explained satisfactorily
! to the Senator, and he complimented his
servants for their good fortune in having
thus afforded pleasure to his guests.
| This event proved of the highest i'm
| portance to Antonio. Thenceforth he
| was treated as one of the family by the
| Venetian Senator, who, noticing in him
a genius for art, put him under the in
struction of good masters and became
his patron.
At this time Antonio was scarcely
| twelve years of age. He was determined
! to live and die great man. He chose
sculpture as his profession and as
student he went to Venice. There he
studied long and faithfully, working
from early morning till late at night.
From thence he went to Rome, where
he established a permanent residence.
By this time his name had become
famous over all Europe. His works,
beautiful and costly, were sought after
far and wide, and by constant applica-
ton to duty he amassed a large fortune.
He was one of the noblest and best of
men. He cared little for wealth AID
was very charitable to the poor. Te
possessed a warm heart, lofty soul, an
intelligent mind and an honesty and
sense of justice which nothing could de-
stroy. At the time of his death, in 1922,
and at the age of sixty five he was
honored By all the crowned heads of
Europe, and his name. was enrolled on
! the golden book of the capital as the
Marquis OF Ischia. Posterity will always
remember him as Antonio Canova, the
prince of modern sculptors.-N. Y. In
deDendent.