Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1883-05-14

satisfaction that he had found what
he wanted. He brought out a mar
row wooden box and extricated from
its depths a bundle of ragged papers,
moss, and other soft substances.
Unfolding and pulling off these
things, he, at last, held up vase the
exact counterpart of mine or so it
seemed to me. put the two togeth-
er, turned them, measured them, and,
at last, was sure my troubles were
over.
81 hope this is not too DEAR" l
said. 81 have but little money; but
| must have the vase"
"Only leetle money will not buy
this vase, Signorita. Why, this of
mine was in the Dodge's palace be-
fore this America was known. Per-
bacco! Leetle money cannot buy such
glass p And he held the vase up to
the light. Indeed, it was too beauti-
full to be anything but dear. What
was | to do? | said, then, rather
thinking aloud than addressing him:
II have broken my friends vase,
and must replace it,
"You break such glass as that,
Signorita 2" he exclaimed, in aston
ishment. Then he began putting
away his vase; ''No, no! l cannot
sell my glass to be broken No, no p
''Ahl but it was my little dog who
broke it; yet must replace it,
ga dog He should be punished.
But perhaps he meant it not
l assured him that Flossy had no
evil intention in her mischief, and he
at once hesitated in putting away his
vase. Just then heard q cough, as
though from a very weak child. /
looked inquiringly at the old man.
SIS it Guiseppe?" l asked.
SSH yes, it Is Giuseppe. My boy,
my boyl A-h-h p he added, with
long, long sigh.
MAY l see him?'' l said, for l
am very fond of children and the lit
tie voice seemed pitifully weak.
The old man looked at me doubt
fully minute; then, without a word,
turned to door at the back of the
room and nodded to me to follow.
All my fear was gone then. | knew
that sorrow was a sure protection
for me.
Oh what a sight met my eyes. A
miserable cot stood by small, high
window. The room was almost dark,
in spite of outdoor sunshine, and |
could scarcely see the little figure
that lay upon the bed. The old man
went up to the child, spoke rapidly
but tenderly in Italian, smoothed
the pillow gently, and gave him some
drops of dark mixture from a phial.
/ followed the old man, drawn by Gu
riosity and sympathy to the child's
side. His wondering eyes just rest
ed on me, then turned inquiringly to
the old man, who said something,
which was probably by way of in
PRODUCTION. | extended my hand,
but instantly saw that the wasted
ones, which lay on the dirty coverlid,
could not move in response. The
great, sad eyes looked into mine with
somewhat the expression of wound
ed dumb animal-oh SO pathetlcally !!
Without thinking, | bent over the
child and kissed him. A flush of
surprise and pleasure overspread his
face, and the old man turned away
to weep. / could not understand
Italian, and the child could not un-
derstand my speech but / knew that
song had common voice and that l
could sing. SO L dropped on my
knees beside the little bed and began
low, tender melody. The child
looked up in delight, but made nc
sound. When the song was ended
he waited, then turned his wistful
eyes on me, as though asking fol-
more. Again and again I sang,
watching the little pinched face and
judging from its expression which OF
my selections he preferred.
The merry barcarolles he shook
his head over, though with sweet
smile; but the tender passion of some
of Schumann's songs seemed to fill
his soul with content. At last the
expression of suffering on the little
face gave place to peace; the merci.
full angel of sleep had shadowed hin
with its wings. still sang OH, lower
and lower still. A fly buzzed little
around the room, but there was ne
other sound to disturb his rest. The
outside roar of city noises seemed fa
away. When my song ceased, m.
tears began to flow, and fearing t.
disturb. the sleeper / crept softl'
away.
The old man was sobbing bitterl,
as / entered the larger room, bu
stopped as / entered, came towar,
me, took off his red cap, and bowe'
low.
ssGracia, Signorita,' he said, 81
i is the first sleep he has had for days
| His pain is terrible. He will neve
be better.
l expressed my sympathy and sue
! gested country air for the little lad
but the old man simply shook hi
t head.
/ then returned to the vase, whic
/ had been forgotten, and asked il
,,,;oo NIv oonofapnat atiop NOV I