Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1876-03-24
CARS for my children, said Gianettini

roughly.
"Beggars 7 replied the young man.
"You surely forget Yourself"
mot |, indeed" replied the father.
u refuse my consent Therefore, get
you gone"
'But hear me for one moment" plead |
ed the gondolier. "Tis useless. | again
repeat that such as you shall never wed
my daughter. Your position is too
mean
Certainly, you are rich,' replied the
young man, 'but what binders that
should not become so too. A stout arm,
a brave heart, an honest soul, will, with
the help of Heaven, do much"
"a fools dream p
May" said Antonio, sit is sober
sense. Prince Lorenzo de Medici was
merchant, Duke Sforza. a coward"
The man in the corner had hardened
attcntvely to this dialogue. He rose.
and touching Basbarigo's shoulders,
said "Well spoken, gondolier Cour-
age brings success and struggles, con-
quest Maria shall be thy wife
Never p cried Gianettini.
"Master jew" said the unknown,
turning disdainfully towards him, 'if
this youth could lay down six hundred
pistolos, would you object to the mar
riage p
BE that as it may, you must remem-
Der that he is now little better than a
pauper."
"Pshaw p said the unknown; bah
blers are more tiresome than thieves.
Before tomorrow you shall handle that
sum-"
So saying he drew from his pocket
piece of parchment and crayon. and
turning towards table began rapidly
to sketch mans hand 1t was repre-
scented open, impatient, with followed
palm, as if expecting shower of gold
pieces. 1t had, so to speak, a sensuons,
avaricious expression; every one Of the
fingers was encircled with massive ring.
"'Tis my hand" cried Gianettini.
"And your history" said the artist.
Giving the sketch to Antonio, its au-
thor desired him to carry it to Pietro
Benyols, librarian at the Pulace of st.
Mark, and demand in exchange for it
six hundred pistoles"
six hundred fools heads p cried the
nn-kceper: II would not give a zechin
for it,
Without speaking the artist turned
laughingly away.
| The gondolier took the parchment and
looked with establishment at its guise.
He then turned doubtfully towards Maria:
but glance from her soft dark eyes reas-
sured him, and he set out on bis mission.
With folded arms and moody brow
the artist commenced pacing up and
down the large room in the hostelry, |
casting at intervals scrutinizing glance
on the young girl, who, now penitent
for her intended crime, was silently |
praying in the corner As for Gianet-
TIM, he seemed unable to shake off the
strange ascendency gained over him by
his unknown visitor bis habitual ef-
frontcry failed him; and, for the first
time in his life, he dared not break
silence.
An hour passed. Then hasty, joyous
steps were heard, and Antonio appeared,
bearing in his hand a bag and letter
The bag contained six hundred pistoles,
and the letter was addressed to the artist,
and prayed him to honor the sender with
visit
Take these coins and weigh them"
said the unknown, as he threw the bag
towards Gianettini
Antonio Barbarigo stood before bis
benefactor, pale, and trembling with JOY
"One favor MORE" he said, "Who
are you p
"What does it matter ?"
"W hat does it matter say you p
cried the gondolicr 'much--mucb to
me Tell me your name, signor, that
| may love and honor it to the last mo-
mcnt of my life"
Men call me Michael Angelo"
1T is my turn now" he said TO ask
you favor. II is to permit me to per-
petuate on canvass the lovely features of
Maria"
The girl approached; she could not
speak but she clasped the painters hand
and raised it to her lips. A tear fell on
il; and Michael Angelo, as he drew it
back, turned away to conceal his own
emotions.
HIutJ JcdI5 pdNHtu on ana fOUnn
Antonio, the once humble gondolicr, the
happy husband of Maria, and General
Of the Venetian Republic. Yet his bril-
liant position never rendered him I'M
mindful Of his early life. and his heart
felt gratitude, as well as that Of bis wife
accompanied Michael Angelo Buonorotti ,
to the end Of his days
As to the crayon sketch Of the mser's
hand, it was taken from Italy by sol
der in Napoleon's army, and placed in ;
Louvre. During the invasion Of 1874, !
it was unfortunately lost, and, 50 far as !
can be ascertained, has never since been !
recovered. The story Of its production, i
however, still fingers amongst the tradi- !
tions OF Venice f.
USEFULNESS 1t is becoming tacitly
received doctrine that the rich should
not, as in bygonc times, spend their 4
lives in personal qualification but !
should devote them to the general well e
fare. Year by year is the Improvement
of the people occupying larger share of
the attention of the upper classes. Year /,
by year are they voluntarily devoting y
more and more energy to furihering the 4
mental progress Of the masees And