The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1882-01-25
luired what was the matter.

VhOoS tudC were spread DelOTe Iue DOBeS
of Venice in the times of its greatest
splendor-oh, my magnificent banquet is
ruined by an act of forgetfulness which
deserves to be punished by beating"
"And what then have you forgotten ?"
The first service, my lord, is perfect,
the second corresponds to the first in
every respect, and the third, if possible,
exceeds them both in exquisite taste
but the fourth-the dessert-ohl Madon-
ma Sautissima-only think of the centre
dish being spoiled-the very crowning
piece of the whole T.
What piece of excitement about
nothing" exclaimed the little Antonio,
as he stood in the corner of the kitchen,
ait is only to make another dish instead. Z"
And can no other be substituted, " in
quired the duke.
1t is impossible, and besides there is
no time left-there is only half an hour
to spare-and already the guests are be-
ginning to arrive
well, said the Duke somewhat anx-
iously, what course do you mean to
pursue?'
On, if the architecture of the banquet
were not of so elegant style we could
But no. it would ruin our reputation"
&" The architecture do you say? Con-
suit with Pasino, the mason he may be
able to help you out of the scrape."
You Antonio, what are you whisper
ing about over there Run and sum
mon your grandfather to come here"
Antonio, highly amused, darted off
and soon came back pulling the old man
along by his white apron When the
latter was made to understand what was
the matter, he shook his head, and twist
ing his cotton cap in his thin hand, said,
" If you wanted me now to build up
wall or repair the capital of pillar, or"
Z" But it is to make centre dish which
is required, grandpapa, cried Antonio,
as if he were speaking to deaf man.
>" l know it, answered Pasino
3" And cannot you who build houses
and palaces make simple dish?"
g Hold thy tongue, boy, and do not
talk so loud before monseigneur."
Antonio was confused at the rebuke,
and looked down with countenance on
every line of which was written the
thought, &c If they would only listen to
me"
The Duke Faliero was struck with this
expression of the lads face. 1t bespoke
contempt for so puerile discussion, and
the child's couhtehance was radiant with
the consciousness OF power. The Duke
could not resist interrogating him.
" If we were to listen to you then, what
would be your counsel, said the Duke,
as he playfully pulled Antonios ear.
Why, my lord answered the boy,
coloring up to his eyes, if the Signor
Pietro would only give me bit OF paste,
such as is used for making ornamental
cakes"
Do not listen to this bit of assurance
please your excellency," said Pasino, at
the same time motioning peremptorily to
the child to be silent.
| will not only listen to him, but de-
sire the construction of this famous dish
to be left wholly to Antonio"
The banquet was sumptuous beyond
any that the guests had ever beheld, and
when the desert was about to be served
the Duke entertained the company by
relating to them the history of the cook s
failure and OF the oppOrtune. presumption
of the little Antonio. AS he spoke the
dessert made It's appearance Dish after
dish was laid in exact order upon the
table, bub whether it arose from malice
or whether the poor Antonio had not
been able to succeed, the centre of the
table remained vacant, and the guests
began to smile and then to wonder, until
at last their patience was exhausted
when 10 the major-domo appeared, bear
ing in his hands large dish yelled with
a light covering. 1t was laid upon the
table, its covering removed, and cry of
admiration resounded through the hall
1t was magnificent lion, modelled in
sugared paste.
Bravo Bravo - exclaimed the guests
on all sides, where is the little archi-
teet2'
Where is the artist?' inquired the
Duke in an authoritative tone.
Then appeared, half concealed behind
Pietro, a handsome boy, blushing and
confused, but with countenance won
derfully expressive of genius. The Duke
requested permission OF his grandfather
to take him to Venice, where he enjoyed
the instruction of the most eminent mas
ters, and four years later the young Can
ova, for such was the lad name, was on
his way to Rome, where he studied under
Volpato, who gave to Italy some of It's
finest sculpture. In 1882 the Venetian
ambassador, after banquet given by him
to the most celebrated artist then assem-