Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-01-27
NicOlO's Friend.

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too-the sunny sky Of Italy.
But Nicolo, a boy some years Older than
herself looked far from bright or happy;
he was lying full length upon the ground
in the sunlight, but his face was overcast
and melancholy.
"Lazy fellow!' said little Gianetta,
laughingly, as she came up to him, Il am
out Of breath calling to you. Come along:
[ want YOU Mother has done with
me, and we can make some music to-
gether.'
But Nicolo shook his head, though he
smiled at his little friend.
,sWhat is it?'' asked Gianetta. "Wh,
can't you come? Is it your father,
again!"
Nicolo sighed. He was cheerful,
happy tempered boy by nature. And
vet Gianetta often found him looking
very sad.
s;Tircsome, bad man' broke forth the
little girl. 'sHe has been scoiding you
again; butno Stop; willsay no wicked
things of him, for he is your father; and
we must honor our parents, be they
bad or good Father Clement says. But
tell me, Nicolo, what has he said or
done?'
cit is nothing," said Nicolo, rushing
himself at length nothing, my little
Gianctta; but it wearies me. 1t is the
old tale; he likes not my music-thinks
it an excuse for idlcness. Listen, little
one. I make my plans now. | cannot
bear this life l must do as he wishes
learn a trade or somewhat, and give up
my violin.
'sThat you shall never do said Cha
META, earnestly $ ! gu think me naughty.
Nicolo; but l am not. I only see it
palmer than you or your father. God has
given you this talent,-this great one,-
and you shall not hide it, you shall not
bury it, The little girls face was SO
eager that Oicolo smiled at her.
But she went on, more eNcltedly:
Sect up, this moment Nicolo, and
come in with me. We will play some
what together. Your father never scodls
you when l am by. And you shall not
give UP your music
The boy, half in earnest, and hal
amused, let the child drag him into q
little house near, put his violin into his
arms, and then set herself at the piano
while in the distance sat Nicolo's father
gloomily watching the pair.
'Begin,,' said Gianetta. S'and tell me
when play wrongly
But for such mere child, Gianetts
played with marvellous correctness. A
fer Nicolo, his countenance cleared will
every sound that he drew from his below
cd violin; he forgot his gloomy father; h
thought no longer of his dull, sad home
lie was wrapped in that wonderful con
ceit which the possession Of some grea
talent gives
With the last chord the brightness fad
ed, however out of his face.
s'Take me home now,' said the littl
girl.
Home was only across the street; blu
Gianetta wanted another word in privat
with her friend.
"Nicolo," she said gravcly, ''never spea]
more Of giving up the music; it is not t
be- am sorry for you my poor boy;
know it is hard life, but
t'But will make name for myself a
last, said Nicolo, catching her enthusiasm
<sand then, perhaps, my father will hav
faith in me. Till then I will be brave
little one, SO good night
1t was a hard life for Nicolo-his moth
er dead, his father with no care for hi
sons one great passion-music. Many
time the bows spirit failed, and he eve
grew to doubt his own powers under til
cold glance and cruel taunts which dali
met him.
he was sitting one day, feeling eve
sadder than discontinued eve
with the sounds he drew from his instrr
ment-whcn Gianetta's mother stood i
the doorway.
"Thc child is ill, she said, hurriedl
livery ill, and calls ever tor 20,
Come
So Nicolo went, and, though tosse
There was, however, a longing look in hi
form word.
at is the yiolin?' asked Nico]
softly.
She smiled again, and Nicolo fetche
MS treasure.
"A sleeping song?" he questioned.
The little face grew calm and soft
his question. Swiftly the music hoate
through the room, stilling the suffere
had finished, Gianetta stretched out hi
arms.
sThank you dear Nicolo,'' she sale
!" that was pleasant. Now I shall SLEEP
but you must never sleep; you ha,
muCl clSc ~ w, .lOu uuSl ~ Out III
the world, and be famous-go away ia
far from here. Do you mind my word!
Will you remember them?''
And she lay back exhausted on h
pillow, never more to ask for music
this world. Gianetta was listening eve
then to the angels song.
That night Nlcolo sat beside the des
body of his little friend. Lights burne
flowers were scattered round her, ar
prayers were said without ceasing in q
those long hours. It was the custom
the country it did not disturb the dea
and it comforted the living.
And when morning dawned, the frien
less boy went back to his little roo
across the road, and there he poured 0
his heart in farewell strain to his de
companion who had thus suddenly be
snatchcd from him.
There was no more now to be do
but to fulfill her last command, to 90
into the world and to make himself
NOUS.
ND I,o n sN2 ~