Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-11-09
DUST ON BOTH EYES.
Antonio RappatiO Works Day and
Night in Schenley Park, and
SLEEPS ONLY In WINTER MONTHS.
A Watch is Placed Upon Him, but He is
Always Found Wide Awake,
EAGERLY PURSUING LOVE AND WEALTH

Chief Bigelow is meeting with remark
able success in securing attractions for
Schenley Park. The latest addition to the
list of animal wonders is an Italian who
hibernates in the winter.
The name of the man is Antonia Rap
patio, and he is employed with other gen.
tlemen In training Nature in the way she
should go in order to make Schenley Park
a thing of beauty and joy to Pittsburgers.
Rappatio is an industrious man. He is not
large it stature, but what he lacks in size
he makes up in energy, and digs and delves
in the soil like a mole who has business in
side. Pappatio is ambitious also, and he
has his minds eye cast in the direction of
little vineyard overlooking the Bay OF
Naples. 1t is also hinted that an olive
skinned little girl, with bright eyes and
blue-black hair, sometimes mingles the
name OF Antonio with her prayers as she
kneels in the chapel of little Italian vii
lage.
Rappatio being of practical turn of
mind, has discarded the theory that money
is the root OF all evil, and holds that wealth
judiciously used may result i'll happiness,
and that roll of greenbacks is useful
WORKING DAY AND NIGHT.
Antonio found the pursuit of wealth at
81 80 day was a long chase, and deter
mined to shorten the course. He, therefore,
volunteered to act as watchman in the park
at night, to prevent the theft of tools, etc.
As he is a good-natured little fellow, his
request was granted, and as he was doing
two days work in one his wages were ac-
cordingly doubled.
Some of Antonio's feilow-workmen who
were not Italians did not like the idea OF
anyone earning more than they did, and in
sisted that it was physical impossibllty for
the man to fill both positions without shirk-
ing. 1t was evident to all, however, that
the man was shoveling as much dirt as ever,
and the disgruntled ones determined to
watch Rappatio at night. A committee
was appointed, the duty OF the members be-
ing to drop in on Rappatio every hour dur
ing the night and see whether the man was
awake or asleep. This watch was kept up
for several nights, but Rappatio was never
found nodding even. Whenever vidette
approached him Rappatio was on his feet
gazing through the gloom at the intruder
and ing, "Who coma here?"
Finally the watchers gave up in disgust
and reported back that the Rappatio, so far
all. Patrick Nolan was then deputed to ex-
anime Rappatio and learn from him when
he did rest
SLEEPS ONLY IN THE WINTER.
Nolan got up bright and early yesterday
morning, but when he arrived at the park
Rappatio was throwing dirt like steam
shovel. "See here, Tony, said Nolan,
"when in thunder do you sleep?"
Rappatio took fresh grip on the handle
of his spade and replied blandly but ierkily
as he continued throwing up clods OF earth:
"W o?--Me?-I-sleepa-
Mr.. Nolan was stupifed FOR a moment.
and then repeated his question. RappatiO
again replied that he only slept in the win
ter, and was apparently in dead earnest.
Nolan reported the result of his investiga-
tion to his friends, and now Rappatio is an
object of awe and admiration to his CO.
workers, especially on monthly paydays,
when he draws half peck of silver dollars
out of the city treasury.