The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1883-01-11
BeppO.

A dull, leaden sky. All day the sno,r
flakes have steadily fallen, and now w. ".
night approaches. not Yestige Of tS -
frozen earth remains. Beppo w,IGs
YEARLY along, his beloved guitar ba1d
closely under his arm. He sees Az
lights lit in happy homes; he sees tbs
children, with their faces pressed aoa;ns.
the panes. watching with delio6t tbs
fall of the flakes. for tomorrow win 81
Christmas and the snow win aid Kr;ss
KringIe in his visit; and a sad sraiIs
lights up his dark face, for the spoyv
that brings happiness to them brinoa
him deepest sorrow.
As the little wanderer strolls ON ba
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 padrone
who took him from his cherished co1n-
try.
These last thoughts arouse him to a
sense of business, end clinking the few
pennies in his pockets, he takes u~ ka
position at the entrance of a theatep
which is ablaze with light. Then. blow
ing his breath upon his stiff, cold fin
gers, he plays few wild, sweet notes
upon his Instruments prelude tn
"Home, Sweet Home" He watches
the gayly attired people pass into tRe
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
nowp'
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 OIL
Ger has cut off his last chance of get
ting more.
He pauses under gas lamp, and, by
its Pickering rays. he counts his pen.
MES over. Just ten-enough for coffee
and rolls; and he crosses over to little
restaurant, and is soon indulging in
bit of extravaganza. Supper over, he
plans where he shall sleep
He remembers box filled with straw
which he has seen in his wan1erings.
He wends his way toward it, and.
when ten strikes from the tall church.
tower near by, Beppois calmly asleep,
his guitar pressed -tenderly upon bis
breast. --s
Twelve o'clock. As the last stroke
reels out upon the frosty air, Beppo
awakes from 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 a hoarse
whisper ',i95
It's as easy as rolling off log"
replies his companion. 1.-The girl
leaves the kitchen window Unattached.
and we're in the house as nice as you
please. Have you brought all the
tools?''
"All in this bag" rejoined the first,
and Beppo, wide awake now, hears
something jingle.
Then, no for old Rowland ssilver!',
chuckles the second, and the two move
off.
Beppo hears the footsteps die away.
He comprehends it all-that there is to
be robbery-and wonders how he can
prevent it. The name Rowland he has
heard before, and he knows that he may
be the means of saving much.
He arises from his cramped position,
and, stretching himself, reaches for his
guitar. Then, shivering as the piercing
winds strike through his tattered CLOTH
ing, he glides swiftly down the street
on until the bright light of the police
station greets his vision.
i9 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. Unn0tieed,
he steals out into the street. Two or
three blocks away a 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 Herald, two day after, contained
On0 AOlAoWlnS' .f
F THE LAD WHO GAVE THE VALUABLE
information that led to the Illustration OF
designs upon Fifth avenue house, VIII seno
his address to A. H. Herald ONCE, ne
will hear of something to bis advantsg.
And the following in its local depart
ment:
FROZEN TO DEATH.-Ye yesterday morning,
while Mr.. John Smith, of Blank street, was
searching for his paper in the DOORWAY hiS
attention was drawn to a little figure half
covered by the snow. A guitar was tightly
elasped I'm his hands. A doctor was immedl'
ately summoned and stimulants we're giyen.
but TO no avail. The poor little felioW VS.
quite dead He was subsequently Ia ntlne0
as Beppo, who, with bis instrument, was qni ll
well known among people OF the lower as'
trfct. s
~Malcolm Douglas, in 81. Nicholas.
.ts sE Iahf} 49,
FgA 90 A0O SNAKE. H0use