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

| He heard the fools in the streets shout
ing and cheering them rs they tramped 10
the docks he heard the still greater fools
around him on the decks shoutiL, back,
poor lads and telling one another all the
fables narrated to thom by the officers
fables OF tue ruby mines, and the rivers OF
wine, and tho Kings palaces, and the
black slave girls, and the ropes OF pearls
that they would all have rs loot when they
should touch the African shores Trotto-
limo could not sec the shores he left for the
great tears that blinded his eyes, aud all
that he did see was what he never would
see again-a little cottage in green gar
| den OF herbs and roses, grassy roads wind
ing between thickots OF cane, u little don
key trotting mcrrly along the margin OF q
stream, fair faced maiden, with blue,
smiling eyes and braided hair the color OF
ripe wheat, coming coyly out with an APP
pie In her hand. That was all he saw us
the crowded transport ship, under its
cloud OF foul smoke, steamed out OF
the harbor, bearing lis living freight TO
sullor and pine, and scken, and sweltcr
and perish under the bruzen skics OF
Africa lie WAS not 1rot;ol!no. lie had
long since ceased TO he TrOttoino. lie
was only private in marching regiment
bound for Massaua; only one OF the many
torn pieces Of throbbing flesh with which
war builds up its arch OF triumph And
his place knew him no more, and no one
remembered him except now and then his
mother and grandmother, Who, as they
sat shivcring over little pot Of charcoal
in long winter evenings, when the girls
were away dancing ut iarmhouses, shook
their heads together and said 10 one an
other
GLOW warm and well IL was when tho
lad was here! What big branches he used
TO bring down from the woods, and always
a merry tongue, and always u useful
handl"
When the next Eastcrtide came round
there was n fine wedding in the village un.
der the hill. Clan el Morone cspoused
Biondina, and so splendid bridal had no
bcln seen in those parts for many day.
Both the father and the bridegroom were
men who could spend when they chose TO
open their purse strings. such eating and
drinking, such dancing and singing, such
uproar and giyety have never been as were
heard IN the bakers house in honor OF his
little daughter. II was mid April, and all
nature seemed TO rejoice with the rcd TIA.
lips and the bluc hiray, the wild roses AMI
the white may In the hedges all blossom.
Ing all over tio wide fields. Only the
donkey was left hungry in his stable willie
the men icasgcd. And two women who
had no, been hidden to the feast thought
sadly ~ they du, up their pa ch OF vesc-
table ground In front OF the hut.
"My poor lad! Not thought Of him.
though once he was hall promised that he
should havc the backgrounds placed Not
u single thought OF him, and the little blue
eyed doll Is smirking and bushing and
kissing aud making fool OF Black John,
aud thinking herself finu lady with the
string Of pearls round her neck, and adj
the village wishing her JOY"
II was hard. IL seemed very hard 10
Trottolino's mother and grandmother ~
they painfully hnrd the heavy black earth
and wcedcl the spcedwull and yctch out
from the rows Of peas. II was the way OF
the world, no doubt; Tut the way Of the
world Is apt to seem hard 10 simple folks.