The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-06-09
| v

The mill stood on tho river, some little
distance from Iroitohno's home. II was
lovely. laughing day In April, with N,
burrows OF the green corn starred with
hyucinihs, and danoiils and roots oi
primrose blosoming all along the grassy
banks. But all the gladncss OF II wa,
cloudcd over for tho boy, AMI tho blue
heavens cascd to wear a kindly smile for
him. lie lot pcpp.no amblc on his own
pace uuhurricd, aud crop mouthiuls mere
aud there at pleasure, and he went past
more than one open door, not even hear.
Ing the cries from within Of "rrottolinol
ola, Trlitolinol" The dread terror oil tho
CONSUMPTION had laid H. cold hand on him
aud lroz N the laurh on his lipsan hushcd
the music Ia his soul.
Il Was late and Whom his rounds made
him late lac was allowed 10 stable his don
key Ia "a shed Ut home. on condition that
hc presented himself nj the bakery ut day.
break. lie VAS met some yards from home
by his sisters, who, laughing and full OF
glcc, climbed up into the cart aud seized
thc rcins, aud chartered like 40 many spar.
rows In an acre Of green peas. HUT Tr0lio-
limo had no heart nor heed Tor them.
When he reached his fathers cottage he
babe them SEQ 10 pcppino, which they
often did, and hc himself walked up the
garden path ol shinglc.
Granny mother, be said, in n low.
unsteady voice. to the women sitting in the
evening shadows In iho porch, they say
they have lowered the standard, when
auiuVn comes they will take me; every.
body Is going 10 Africa"
"Airical' shfckod the women together.
while the girls LETT Pcppino at the entrance
and ran in, terrified, 10 listen. "Oh. no.
The Madonna forbid Never, never! Take
you, TruitoIino you. our one comfort, our
one treasure, our brcad-winncr, our staff.
our darling never, never The dear
mother Ia heaven viii never permit It,"
"Our mother IN heaven never moves a
finger for conscrpt," said Trottolino
sadly. Docs she not let all the lads be-
taken I'LL halt the land lies untillcd2 They
always said | was too short; but IL seems
they have lowered the standard. They
want soldiers W much for Africa"
where Is Airicay' said the eldest girl,
while the mother mi grandmother rent
the air With their outcTics aud supplica.
tious TO Holy Mary, who had been a mother
and ought 10 know what use sons were.
Africa isis" muttcrcd Trottolino.
/ 81 don't know what Il IN. II isa place
where they bury men aud money oycry
/ day-a sort Of oven, think, lar away be-.
| yond the seas IL u pit, furnace;
don't know what exactly, but they keep
ON trying 10 lill II and Il II never filed"
shuddctol horror seized the women,
and checked In awe for moment their
/ frantic ouicrics.
"lut what have YOU 10 do with to-
asked Rosa, who was Of n clear and logical
mind.
II don't know. II has 10 be- "a" said
! Itotolino, with that acqucsccncc In in.
| acfuiablc and undispulcd authority which
Is ~ Embedded IN thr national character,
and Is az Iassiyc and rs supino as the IA.
talism OF tho Oriental.
'But ] cannot gl' ho cried aloud. 81
cannot 81, Oh granny Oh, mother |
cannot go' shall lilo II they take mc
away from Biondnl aud Pcppino and the
( cart aud all Of YOU"
| Then lac threw himself down on the
threshold and sobbcd and wri.hcd aud
moancd. IL was indeed the end Of all
things Tor him, POOR boy.
A moment Later his father and brother
bind1 came IN, tired and hot, their bare
lcct wet With dew, their hempcn shirts
Wet With preparation. They had been
utNng trenches 10 plant young vines.
lhcy beat their breasts and tore their
nmt 10 desperation when they heard.
louollno was the mainslay Of the family.
Ne''r' never can the boy 10 taken, /"