The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1882-12-23
BeppO.

A dull, leaden sky. All day the snow.
| flakes have steadily fallen and now "a
night approaches, not vestige of the
! frozen earth remains Beppo walks
YEARLY along, his beloved guitar held
closely under his arm. He sees the
lights lit in happy homes; he sees the
children, with their faces pressed against
! the panes. watching with delight the
| fall of the flakes, for tomorrow will he
| Christmas and the snow will aid Kriss
| kringIe in his visit; and a sad smile
lights up his dark face for the snow
| that brings happiness to them brinoS
| him deepest sorrow.
As the little wanderer strols on he
| thinks of that lard of mellow sunshine
far over the sea, and of the happy home
he had before his parents died; and, in
contrast to this, he thinks of the home
he has now, and of the wicked 2adrour
who took him from his cherished coun-
| try.
These last thoughts arouse him to a
sense of business, end clinking the few
pennies in his pockets. he takes up his
| position at the entrance of theater
which is ablaze with LIGHT. Then, blow
ing his breath upon his stiff cold fin
gers, he plays few wild, sweet notes
upon his instrumental prelude to
"Home, Sweet Home He watches
the gayly attired people pass into the
warm building, but none seem to notice
the little figure shrinking in the shadow.
None save the gruff, burly policeman
who roughly grasps his shoulder and
sayS: Come, young un, move along
nown'
And Beppo, utterly disheartened.
moves on. 1t has been poor day for
business he does not dare to 90 home
with the few pennies he has earned:
and now the stern mandate of the Off
Ger has cut off his last chance of get
ting more.
He pauses under a stamp, and, by
its Pickering rays, he counts his pen
MES over Just ten enough for coffee
/ and rolls; and he crosses over to a little
restaurant, and is soon induging in a
| bit OF extravaganza. supper over, he
plans where he shall sleep.
He remembers box filled with straw
which he has seen in his wanderings
He wends his way toward it, and.
when ten strikes from the tall church
/ tower near by, Eeppcis calmly asleep,
his guitar pressed tenderly upon his
breast.
Twelve o'clock. As the last stroke
reels out upon the frosty air. Beppo
awakes from 4 troubled dream. His
sharp ear catches the sound of voices,
and he remains almost breathless
How are YOU going to work the
job?' says some one in hoarse
whisper.
It's as easy as rolling off log"
replies his companion. The girl
leaves the kitchen window unla,ched,
and we re in the house rs nice as YOU
please. Have you brought all the
tools?n
"All in this bag" reioincd the first.
and Beppo, wide awake now, hears
something jingle.
Then, no for old Rowland silver
chuckles the second, and the two more
off.
Beppo hears the footsteps die away.
He comprehends it all-that there is to
be a robbery-and wonders how he can
prevent it. The name Rowland he has
heard before, and he knows that he NAV
He arises from his cramped position.
and, stretching himself, reaches for his
guitar. Then, shiyering as the piercing
winds strike through his battered cloth
ing, he glides swiftly down the street
on until the bright light Of the police
station greets his vision.
In broken sentences, he tells his story
to the sergeant in charge and the latter
at once sends two officers out to investi-
gate the matter.
Beppo knows that he has done his
duty can do no more. Unnotced,
he steals out into the street. Two or
three blocks away q strange feel
ing comes over him. The snow
falls so fast that he can hardly see before
him. Sick and dizzy, he gropes his way
up the steps of a private residence and
falls fainting in the doorway.
The Rerald two day 5 after contained
the following:
F THE LAD WHO GAVE THEVALUABLE
! information that led to the Illustration OF
designs upon Fifth avenue house, will send
his address To A H. Herald Office, he
will hear of something to his Ndvantag.
And the following in its local depart
ment:
FROZEN TO DEATH.-Yesterday morning.
while Mr.. John Smith, of Blank street, was
searching for his paper in the doorway, his
attention was drawn to little figure half
covered by the snow. a guitar was tightly
clasp ID in his hands doctor was immedi-
ately summoned al stimulans were given,
but to no avail. The poor little fellow was
quite dead. He was subsequently id ntiied
as Bcppo, who, with his instruments was quite
well known among people of the lower dis
trict.
-Malcolm Douglas, IN 81. Nicholas.