The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1883-02-23
Little Beppo-A TINE Story.

A dull. leadsn sky. All day the
snowfakes have steadily fallen, and
now. as 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 de-
light the fall of the flakes. for to-mor-
row will be Christmas, and the snow
will aid kriss Krinkle In his visit; and
a sad smile lights up his DARK face, for
the snow that brings happiness to them
brings him deepest sorrow
As the little wanderer strolls on he
thinks Of that land of mellow sunshine
far over the sea, aud of the happy homo
he had before his parents died; and.
In contrast to tirs., he thinks of the
home he has now, aand Of the wicked
pddrone who took him from his cher
ished country.
These last thoughts arouse him to a
sense Of business, and. blinking the few
pennies in his pockets, he takes up his
position at the entrance of a theater
which Is ablaze with light. Then, blow
ing his breath upon his stiil. cold fingers
he plays a few wild, sweet notes upon
his instruments prelude to "Homc,
Sweet Home" He watches the gayly
attired people pass into the warm build
ing, but none seem to notice the little
figure shrinking in the shadow. Mono
save the gruif, burly policeman. who
roughly grasps his shoulder and says:
"Come. Young un. move along nowr
And BeppO, utterly disheartened.
moves on. It has been poor day for
business; he does not dare to 90 home
with the few pennies he has earned: and
now tho stern mandate of the officer
has cut off his last chance of getting
more.
He pauses under a gas-lamp. and. by
its fiickering rays, nc counts his pennies
over. just ten--enough for coffee and
rolls; and he crosses over to little res
and is soon indnlging in bit
of extravaganza. Supper over he plans
where he shall sleep.
He remembers Il box filled with straw
which he has seen in his wanderings.
He wcnds his way toward il, and when
10 strikes from the tall church tower
near BY Beppo is calmly asleep, his
guitar pressed tenderly against his
breast.
Twelve o'clock. AS the last stroke
reels out upon the frosty air. Beppo
awakes from a troubled dream. His
sharp ear catches the sound of voices,
and he remains almost breathless.
''How are you rnino r., work the
job?" says someone nme"" So whis-
per.
"It's as easy ~ rolling of log" re-
plies his companion. "The girl leaves
the kitchen window Unattached, and
we're in the house rs nice as you please.
Have YOU brought all the toolsp'
'All in this bag" rejoins tho first,
and Beppo. wide awake now. hsars
something jingle.
"Then, no for old Howland's silverr'
the second, and the two moveoff.
Beppo hears their footsteps die away.
He comprehends it all-that there is to
be robbery-and wonders how he can
prevent it. The nams. 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 police sta
ton greets his vision.
In broken sentences he tells his story
to the Sergeant in charge, aud the lat
ter ut once sends two officers out to
investigate the matter.
Beppo knows that he has done his du-
ty--he can do no more. Unnoticed he
steals out into the dark street. Two or
three blocks passed, strange feeling
comes over him. The snow falls SO fast
that he can scarcely see before him.
Sick and dizzy he gropes his way upthe
steps OF q private residence, and falls
fainting in the doorway.
The Herald, two days after. con-
tanned among its advertisements the
following:
IF the lad who gave the valuable in
formation that led To the Illustration of
designs upon Fifth avenue house will
send his address to A. H, Her.
aid Office. he will hear something to his
advantage"
And the following in its local depart
ment:
yesterday morning, while MIR. John
Smith, of Black street, was searching
for his paper in the doorway. his atten-
ton was drawn to little figure half
covered by the snow. A guitar was
tightly clasped in his hands. A doctor
was Immediately summoned. and slim
ulants were given, but to no avail; the
poor little fellow was quite dead. He
was subsequently identified as Beppo.
who, with his instrument. was quite
well known among people Of the lower
district. st. Nicholas Magazine.