The Arkansaw traveler., 1885-08-15


 ard though he could not see his face. he felt sure that had shared similar fate.
 Presently the man came down also, and 5sdc him ge: his ha: and cloak, sc: they must be of. He had bundle slung on his own back, and seemed hurried and anxious. The woman began to ques- ton him about the little lad and it was as well, perhaps, that Tista could not hear the story he narrated. AS it was, the child was in sad grief, for nowhere could he find his money. He searched his little pockets again and again, but all ID vain, and at last went weeping down the stairs to declare his loss. At the very tlrst word the man stopped him roughly.
 have taken it," he said. "Some I had to pay man who has already tracked you, and some have paid for your lodging and food. The rest 1 will take care of and lay out as seems best. A chIld like you knows nothing of the value of money. It is safe with me"
 The little lad did not answer.
 The idea of the priest being on his track already struck him with terror and when the man suggested that they should leave Rome that very day, and SO put the danger behind them he agreed only too readily.
 So, early as it was, they went out of the city, and the little lad thought sadly of his dreams. and watched the great cross against the violet sky with te arfll eyes, and wondered if St. Peter knew of his troubles, and wished it had been pos sible to enter the great church and tell him of them, only he was so afraid of the priests.
 At midday they rested at little vil- lage. In the cool cf the evening they re- sumed their way, and finally reached town, whose name the child could not catch, but from whence the man told him they would take the railway and travel all night.
 Fatigue had worn him out, and even the novelty of that iron road could not arouse him. He lay on the hard seat and slept till it was fully daylight, and then wakened, stiff and sore, to find they were at large station, and be hustled roughly out of the carriage by the man Bruno.
 What place is this ?" asked the little lad timidly, and stared about him in the flood of sunlight, and saw hurrying crowds, and waiting horses, and hotel carriages, with sease of awe and wonder
 "It is Firenze," muttered tue man, and flung his bundle across his shoulder, and went to fetch his dog Coco from the van, where he lay muzzled and pAnting, half suffocated by the care of police regula- tions
 Then, holding Tissa's hand, and fol- lowed by Coco, he went swiftly along through squares and courts, finally cross ing river, which looked a mere yellow thread, and which Tista afterward learned was the Arno, and SO through dusky ir- regular streets, with arcades, and shops of goldsmiths and mosaic. sellers. and flower stalls heaped up with rare and fra grant blossoms, and among many throngs ct people, chatting and laughing, and testing, and rowing on to some church festival, until, in bewilderment, he found himself at last in homely little hostelry, where Bruno seemed well known, and where he ordered breakfast.
 The meal over, Bruno called the lad to his side
 Listen," he said. "You have cast your flte in with mine now. You must do your best, therefore, to earn your bread as Coco does. There were two ot them but Cecco, who was the clever est died in Rome that nigh. found you. Now. you told me you could sing Is it true?"
 "Yes," he said timidly, for the mans fierce eyes and voice frightened him II used to sing the masses in the little chapel for Padre Paolo, and in the pro- sessions et saints days"
 :" But do you know nothing else | Nothing that would please the people ?"
 The little fellow shook his head.
 " But could learn," he said quickly. |
 And you will have to lesrn, and that l soon" said Bruno roughly. "The money won't last long. have spent most of it in bringing you here, safe out of your priests clutches. And they would not know you now, with your short hair and your dark skin. have done all this, and you must pay me back with such ser vice as yox can"
 " will do my best" said the little fel- low meekly. Am to sing in the streets?"
 "Ot course. Where else?" said the man with stare of surprise. "We will begin at once. There are plenty of peo- pie about, and some of the streets are cool even in this September heat"
 They went out the dog following. It was new and strange experience for Tista. He wondered if his grandfather knew, or what old Maruccia would say she who had told him so many tales of his great race and their noble deeds. They passed through narrow, twisting ways, and under the dome of the Santo Spirito, and beyond the frowning dark ness of the Pitt, and presently emerged into wide square, where rose the battle ments of a majestic palace, where great shapes of marble and bronze seemed keeping watch and guard, and where, in aud amidst the inches, and in the cool shade of the great gallery, were ranged little stalls and booths, all bright with colored stuffs and piles of fruits and flow CTS. The people were pouring out from the Duoms and the San Michele, and the Santa Croce, all on good terms with the world and themselves, seeing that thev had inst made thA;r r~ar~ -;&h