Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1884-03-28

! the same vigilance as nef Coubln' oue was
permitted to go into the streets alone. This
was fine thing for hor on certain market
days when she would be sure to meet Beppi
! in the square, and he would be sure TO tell
| her that ho loved her and her only, and that
/ he wished that cross-o Dyed Aquila the shades
| with her three thousand francs. But this go
ing out alone had also its disadvantages
| Many time after dark Rna was obliged to
carry home her work to the shop in Vigna
| Nuova and the dashing young officers aud
the Florentine signori, seeing that she was
only poor girl Of the people, would whisper
in her ear, clasp her hand in passing, or
! frighten her with a familiar embrace, at
which she dared not cry out as it would have
! been the worse for her, but could only strug
| gle to free herself while hot tears Of shame
and indignation blinded her eyes. Beppi
however, knew nothing of all this or bis
grudge against the city signori would have
stung him on to some ferco revenge. He
only saw her in the bright hours of the day,
and his heart was then 30 light that he did
not feel the weight Of the parcel which he
| carried for her to the shop. door.
The pile of unfinished work in her basket
seemed to indicate that she would not go
forth to day. Perhaps he could give her
| hint to make some errand for the evening.
He would hopo he was coming back to dine
at six.
Ho swallowed so hastily cup Of hot cof-
| fec served by Aquila that the tears were still
in his eyes when he uttered "a TiUederct"
and sailed forth into the street, ready for his
days sport.
1t was pleasant day, and many people
were abroad. He felt cheerful and compla
cent. He caught his reflection in shop
window lie did not look amiss He was
in holiday attire, radiant in purple and yell
low stripes from head to foot, With yellow
necktie, the broad ends Tapping as he walk
| ed, a scarlet sash around his waist, and
short, stiff feather standing erect in his pur-
pie felt hat. He saw no one dressed as hand
somely as himself. These city people had
| better call upon the good saints, for it was
the first day Of April, and Bepp Stefauo was
abroad. 1t would 90 hard with him If be did
not catch more fish than were ever before
netted in Forentne waters.
He looked about him for victims Every
body seemed minding his own business. How
should he begin? He had provided himself
with pins aud strips Of paper and muslin to
fasten on some luckless passer-by, for this
was the only species Of fraud that he had any
idea of. He fumbled in his pockets aud pro-
duced some OF these angler-i implements.
A priest was passing be should be the
first bite. He nimbly stepped up behind the
| long black gown but its owner turned and
| looked him in the face. He retired ingloTi-
ously, with feeling Of painful shyness. lie
would not begin just yet sport, like wine,
would always keep, and be the better for it.
As he stood leaning against the post of the
omnibus-ofiice, making idle observations, he
observed that all the omnibusses Of a certain
line became filled the instant they stopped in
the square. He would sec what was the ex-
element
On inquiry, he learned that there was on
| exhibition outside the Porta San Frediano
wonderful phenomenon in the shape Of a ba-
| by with three legs, four arms, and several
other advantages over its species. Truly this
was worth seeing He would 90 at once. He
pushed his way through the ranks, and,
though not in time to get place among the
| inside passengers, whose number was limited
| to ten, he fortunately found a seat on top,
and the vehicle ratified away
| He arrived at the show building, "A little
enclosure like a sentry. box, with n curtain
| before the entrance. He fell into the line Of
eager applicants for admission, paid his ten
| centimes, and was introduced into the mys-
| terious enclosure.
There was literally nothing to be seen but
| the four walls Of the little boz like shelter,
which was open at the back for egress. There
was nothing to do but to pass out with the
others 1t was the lst Of April. No one
thought of murmuring. They all felt that
|
They quietly reGntered the omnibus, and for
the most part returned to the square. Their
demeanor revealed nothing Of the fraud that
| had been played upon them, aud the vehicle
| continued for hours to profit by an unusual
| patronage.
Beppi was not alone in his modification,
| and that was some comfort. 1t was the last
time these city swindlers would be able to
| gull him besides, such a trick as that would
afNv limit
He was heartily glad to find himself once
more in the old square but somehow his hi
larity OF an hour ago had died out This
| would not do. The streets were becoming
| more lively every minute; venders were lust
| lily crying their wares the poor little mouse
colored donkeys, mostly head aud ears were
| tugging along their mammoth loads the
good danes were making their way home
from market with their bright handkerchief
burdens of material for good dinner; and
no one seemed to have tue least design on
Bepp Stefsno. He almost wished they had,
for this isolation was not cheering.
He slowly sauntered along until he reached
Santa Croce Square. A boy was drinking at
| the fountain.
"Signore," called out the child, "have you
seen the shrimp in the fountain 2"
Sgnore was a soothing title. He was not
always addressed in this respectful manner.
The child was really an attractive little boy,
and Beppi approached the running water.
IF the good siguor will fix his eye on
that, Indicating a long stream the size of
his forefnger, ,-"he will soon see the shrimp,
for they have been coming now and then all
day"
Beppi was curious He bent forward to
make an observation, when suddenly, by
some strange diversion of the stream, he felt
himself blinded with the water spattered in
his face, while the attractive little boy disap-
peared behind the colossal statue of Dante.
As blinded as he was, however, he saw the
fish.
This was too much. He wiped his face
and wrung out the ends of his yellow tie
and walked away, uncomfortably wet down
his back.
BY tho body of Bacchus he would show
these dogs that it was not safe to go too far.
The various sppetizing odors of restaur-
ant were at length waited to his nose. He
suddenly discovered that he was hungry. He
made his way in among the little round ta-
bles, now for the most part appropriated, for
it was about noon. Taking seat he ques-
toned waiter regarding several delicacies,
but somehow nothing except spring chicken
seemed exactly ready TO serve. After some
demur he ordered this dish, although he con-
sidered it almost too eXtravagant for his
purse.
1t came before him roasted to nice tempt
ing brown, so far as he could judge in the
dark corner to which he had been ushered.
As he cut of piece of tho breast, however,
it seemed strangely tough but perhaps the
knife was dull With the eagerness of g
sharpened appetite he took the first mouth
full.
iSantiSsimi SanH! What frighuful sens
alton He had heard of the lockjaw; wal
this terrible malady suddenly come upon him
His teeth were closed upon the chicken he
} could not move them. He looked about hin
in helpless CONSERVATION. A smile was visi
BILE on every countenRnce. With violen
effort his jaw became unlocked. The piece
of wax was elected upon his plate.
J The waiter stepped forward and gravelJ
apologized for his mistake. He begged thu
, signore TO have patience but his voice wa
drowned in the good-natured laughter on ev
cry side.
= Beppi now understood that fish instead o
fowl had been served.
at is the first day of April what woulC
} you have ?" was remarked for his comfort.
, Should he fly out of the door and leave the
, unsympathetic company No; he could no
! do that he had already eaten some of tn
% bread and drunk some of the wine II
looked about him and smiled, but it was no
. a cheerful smile The waiter however mad