The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1884-11-19
THE LUMP OF CLAY.

NV husband was a sculptor in New
Orleans. He was not poor artist
but wealthy, and spent his none,
lavishlv, SO that our house wal
crowded with costly trifies, and eul
plate the finest in the city.
Often friends spoke to US, half il
Jest and half in earnest, of TIT
tempting bait our dwelling Offered
to burglars or dishonest servants
but Lodivico laughed at their warn
ings and | knew no feaE when h'
was by.
So We lived five years less careful
of bolts and bars than many whC
had little save their four walls to
protect, and never suffering SAVE
from some petty pilfering.
In the autumn of 1S- we hac
just returned from trip inland and
Lodivico was busy on new work
fresh clay had been carried to hi;
studio, models engaged and every.
thing prepared for busy winter.
had my new duties and cares also
Tor an infant, not three months old
lay upon my breast. And We were
very proud and happy in our new
treasure never in our lives had We
talked SO much of the future. Every
hour of the coming winter was por'
toned off.
One night put my babe to sleep
and went out to the kitchen to see
the cook concerning breakfast, but
could not find her. Our servants
were forbidden to remain out later
than nine, and it was nearly eleven
l felt angry with the girl, the more
so that she had left an outside door
swinging in the wind and with an
exclamation of impatience l went to
close it. As. stood for a moment
on the threshold | could see the
garden still full of flowers, and at
its foot, leaning over the low fence
stood the girl, Jane, talking to a
man.
The moon shone full upon them,
and saw the features of both plain.
ly. Jane was a light mulatto, but il
was impossible to tell whether the
man was her color OF a swarthy
white. But white or black, the ex-
preston of his face was brutal, full
of cunning; a face to be seen among
felons.
| gazed one moment, then called
out sharply and quickly. In mo-
ment Jane was with me, apologizing
in her servile way, and taking her
rebuke very quietly. Igave her my
orders and sent her to bed, and then
| went up stairs and forgot all about
the matter, though it was in nay
mind when | was at the door. For,
once in my rpom, | found my hus-
band had brought in upon board
a piece of wet clay and set it at the
foot of the bed.
Tomorrow, the first thing, | am
going to begin-can you guess what?"
asked Lodivico.
NO" said l.
"Our baby" said my husband
7" we will make sleeping Cupid OF
him. 1t shall be my first work this
winter"
| laughed with glee.
Il shall prize it SO" | said He
is lovely, is lie not? ?" and l kissed
the child softly as he slept.
An hour after that | was sleeping
also, TRANQUILITY, dreamlessly. The
lamps were out all was darkness
and peace.
How long it lasted, ! do not know.
| awakened with a start, and after
lying few moments, | became con-
scious that some one was moving
stealthily about the room-some
one with bare feet. Soon / heard a
stumble and an oath, suppressed,
but plain: then the board on which
the clay rested seemed to be pushed
across the floor. My heart throbbed
fearfully. l knew that burglars
were in the house. and l thought
only of our personal safety. They
might take all, if they did MOI harm
my husband and child. / watched
and listened, holding my breath un-
til ray Of light shone in the room,
and l knew the thief had a dark
lantern. / heard the tinkle of the
different articles he slipped into his
bag. / heard drawers and ward
robes stealthily opened. and / pray
ed that his cupidity might be salts
fed, and that he might 60 leaving
us unharmed.
Alas the prayer was vain. Some
noise louder than the rest awoke my
husband. stroye in vain to re-
strain him. He shouted Who is
there ?" and made for the dark shape
Just visible.
In an instant the lantern was
darkened, and a struggle in the dark
began. / Ishrieked frantically. Steps
and lights approached. A pistol
was fired, heavy fall followed. ]
heard the robber dash from the
room and down the stairs. and the
next moment the room was full ci
trembling servants, and ! saw, by
the lights they carried, Lodivico ly-
ing upon the floor weltering in his
own blood.
/ called his name. He made no
answer. lifted up bis face. Alas
the truth was written there-the
bullet had entered his heart. He
was dead What need to dwell on
that sad time? Friends f1ocked to