The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1876-02-13
aernlag Star and Catholic Messenger.
INV okLEANs SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 10 ts7e.
JUVENILE COLUMN.
THE STORY OF GUIDO.

times his sweet voice and skilled fingers
brought him good harvest of pennies
but luck is not always steadfast.
One cold, stormy morning, he started
out with his craving appetite, but haii- sat
isfed with the scant breakfast OF dry
bread and cheese. Ii many boys had been
/ in Guido'sl place they would have made
ugly faces over such fare but the little
& Italian considered himaelf fortunate in
getting any breakfast whatever, and never
dreamed of complaining. Occasionally he
B would stop before the attractive windows
of some restaurant, and eye the juicy meats
and tempting pastry wlstfully, wonder
could not have all they wanted to eat and
wear. Perhaps none of my readers know
h&w neglected most of these little street
nBicians are. We hear them frequently
NS our door striking in the gay strain- of a
Wsltz, or pathetic ditty the boys whistle on
every corner. Sometimes mama gets inn
Tatient, when the admiripg little folks run
- her for pennies to keep concert under
way, and she sincerely wished the cracked
hddles and Wheeling organs were less mum
esous in the land. But the world 10 made
OF all kinds of people and professions,
and hunger seeks bread.
led Concettli. He called himself the
Pc uncle-whether he was or not no.
~ knew or inquired. That old Con-
It'll treated his supposed nephew very
6&dly was an established fact, although he
&Ent him early and late into the street for
she income that found them q miserable
&H1tter and something to eat. The dark,
FAlEty attic gave them home, such as it
wAs. The old bod, two broken chairs,
ayaAll table, and rusty CRATE, made up
fk sum total of the furniture. A narrow
Ddow curtained with dust and cobwebs,
in light enough to show the defsced
g34lls and broken floor.
There was q black bottle, old Concettli
Bulted when he felt out of sorts. At
eh periods he was ready to attack Guido,
1AAe came in with less in his pocket than
stAa uncle expected. Guido took his beat
ihsa quietly, and crawled away to the
heKa bed to forget his aches and bruises in.
ES4A4nber If he could. A great many people
allke Concettli lived in the rooms under
@eeth, and often came up to join him in a
Hnlne of cards. In his dim corner Guido
BeArd their vile oaths. while their strong
%lpes filled the room with sickening fumes.
mrs later, Concettli would tumble heav-
beside him, with a drunken curse on
p lips.
commenced by saying that Guido set
4ue with his instrument one cold, stormy
Say. 1t was day when one does not like
~ unfaeten the warm coat to hunt up stray
ppers for objects of charity. The snow
% been falling all day, and the hurrying
PEDESTRIANS paid no heed to the fresh,
X9ung voice, that sang SO patiently. The
Ae%ninS aiteFuOOn lOuDu MIN DeIore a prl-
Hate residence, bearing the signs of ele
8ence and wealth. Tuning his instrument,
he commenced to sing q piece he had
learned from Concettli-the melody quaint
and sweet. Before he had finished, a
beautiful, majestic woman, appeared at
less until he held out his cap towards her
with pleading grace, that caused the lis |
tener to open the window and throw down |
several coins.
B Where did you learn that song ~ she |
asked, in tremulous tone as he came
close to the window to pick up the money. |
60 remember it Concettli, my uncle |
aings it ~
20 tbs long day since 1 have heard it,"
sighed the lady.
She was about to close the window
When some sudden impulse caused her to
ask:
80 What is your name, little fellowf"
s%S' Guido"
80 Guido :" Is that the only name you
have Z" the lady exclaimed sharply, as
Ghough prompted by strong emotion.
SO never heard uncle Concettli, call me
anything but Guido" answered the boy,
Eenderingly.
Were you ever in Italy, where the
is so blue and the sunlight 30 bright 2"
was not always here but l don't
Sngy where Italy is. Concettii told me
once we came very far in a big ship"
In Clifford Court.'
The lady leaned against the window
ieame, her face very pale aud her hands
tsghtly clasped. For moment she looked
into the little singers upturned counte-
nance with such sad, yearning gaze that
be felt the uubidden tears gathering.
s" Will you ring the basement door bel. "
me said bending towards him, land tell
them to give you nice, warm supper"
She closed the window hastily and
eOuched a silver bell that stood upon a
little inlaid table. A moment latter an
cid man opened the door and bowed re-
spectfully.
~ You will please follow that Italian
sgy in the kitching when he leaves. Don't
oil to bring me all the Information you
cnn obtain concerning him and his uncle
Concettli in Clifford Court. shall be ex-
necting you"
The servitor was evidently in his lady's
eOnfdence, and he bowed again and with
rev. When Guido entered the streets
gain warmed and fed, he was unconscious