Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1876-01-27
TIE YOUTHFUL SCULPTOR.


tiau states, who was in as great perplex
j ity as ever man could be, He was head
cook in the household of one John Fal-
Teri, mighty senator of Venice. His
master was to give grand dinner that
evening to number of beautiful ladies
and gentlemen who he had invited to
his country seat to pass the shooting
season with HIM. He had charged up.
on i'is cook to do his very best and
show himself credit to his country.
The poor cook tried hard, because he
| was faithful and conscientious servitor.
But at last his invention had failed him.
The table would not be complete with
out An ornamental neutrality-suspicious.
and allegoric and the cook, not being
a man of much Imagination, was sunk
in the blacklist kind of dispair. He
really did not know what he should do
So he sat down and began to CRY, as
Italians often do when they are in
trouble
Just then a very small boy slipped
into the kitchen He saw the cook in
tears, and stole quietly up to him to
| find out what the matter was. He was
on very good terms with the lord of the
kitchen, and many nice bit of pastry
had found its way between his two
rows of shining white teeth through
the kindness Of the cook. In fact, he
and his parents subsisted to 2 certain
extent upon the crumbs that fell from
John Falleris table, for they were very
poor. Antonio's clothes were old and
torn, but he did not mind that, because
he was Only ten years old, and had not
yet reached the age of frivolity. Be
sides, he had his talent to comfort him
so that on the whole he was rather
happy than otherwise.
20, my dear Antonio" cried the
cook. wiping his eyes with his sleeve,
Il am in stuck trouble! If you could
only help Inc now! ] must have grand
ornamental centre~piece for the dinners
table tonight, and don't know what
to do about it. Just help me, like a
good boy, and to morrow morning I'll
give you the incest piece of frosted
cake you ever saw-raspberry jam be-
tween the layers, too.
Antonio thought a moment in silence.
Il oughtto be able TO help him." he
said to himself ''If could only turn
my modelling and wood-carving to
some account now. What's the use of
knowing how to do things if you can't
help other people with themf l have
it Hurrah y
Antonio was decidedly inspired. He
rushed through the door like mad
boy, crying only to the astonished
cook, "Keek up your courage! Ill be
back in an hour!
And ali the cook did was TO roll up
his eyes and clasp his hands and say,
"Mercy OH US! That boy will be some
body YETI
True to his word, Antonio came back
in an hour, with large lion carved in
wood under his arm. The noble beast
was reclining with his tail curled
round and the tablets of the Vent tian
law or the writings of St. Mark. which,
ever you choose to take them for, un
der his right paw. Of course, you
know, that this WAS the emblem of the
! Republic of Venice, and therefore the
most appropriate centre~piece imagin-
able for the table of a Venetian Senator.
The cook was delighted with the
model, and gave Antonio red apple
on the spot.
"Only, of course, you don't mean me
to send up this wooden thing to the
table? You must mold it in something
eatable."
''Of course, stupid" rejoined Antonio
sharply. ''Butter is the thing l want.
Give me ali the butter in the house.
Before night you II have as pretty a lion
as any in Venice"
At dinner that night all the guests
remarked the cleverly. carved centre
piece. They fonnd it an excellent sub
jeet to fall back upon when conversa-
ton Jagged, and at last the tnurmur of
admiration it excited reached the ears
of the master of the house.
"Why, it is fine beast, said he,
noticing it for the first time
'Who can have done ita Can it be
that my cook has developed talent
for sculptures must call HIM up and
compliment him on it
The cock was sent for and came
The Senator began to praise his work,
inquired if it had cost him much time
and trouble, and assured him of the
satisfaction it had given him John
Falieri-in common with all his guests.
The cook was overcome and began to
cry. His nerves had been heavily
strained by the excitement Of preparing
the banquet.
"Why, what is the natter asked
the Senator. Are you crying for joyf'