The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1891-06-17


help in the shop during the day, while
in the evening his grandmother told
him stories and sang to him. All these
things were of great value to him, for
without his knowing it, they were inn
proving his taste and awakening his
imagination.
1t so happened that Signor Faliero,
man of great wealth and rare under
standing in matters of art, had palace
near Pisano's house, and at certain
times entertained many distinguished
guests there. When the palace was
very full of visitors, old Pisano was
sometimes hired to help the servants
with their tasks; and Antonio some
times did work there, for day or two,
when some great feast was given.
AT one time, when Signor Faliero was
to entertain very large company at din
ner, young Antonio was at work among
the pots and pans in the kitchen. The
head servant came in, just before the
dinner-hour, in great trouble. The man
who had been at work upon the large
ornament for the table had sent word
that he had spoiled the piece. What
was to be done2 The poor fellow whose
business it was to put the table in order
was at his wits end.
While every one was wondering what
it would be best to do, the little boy
came forward and said:
I" If you will let me try, think can
make something that will do"
You'll" cried the servant; and who
are your"
81 am Antonio Canova, the grand
son of Pisano," answered the pale
faced little fellow.
"And, pray what can you do?"
i" ] can make you something that will
do for the middle of the table, - said the
boy, If you will let me try" The
servant, not knowing what else to do,
told Antonio that he might try. Call
ing for large quantity of butter, the
boy quickly moulded a great crouching
lion, which everybody in the kitchen
said was beautiful, and which the now
rejoicing head servant placed carefully
upon the table. AT the dinner-table
that day there were many of the most
noted men of Venice merchants,
princes, noblemen and lovers of art
and among them were many skilled
critics of art work. When these peo-
pie came to the table, their eyes fell
upon the butter lion, and they forgot
the purpose for which they had entered
the dining-room. They saw there
something of higher worth in their eyes
than any dinner could be-namely, a
work of genius. They looked at the
lion long and carefully, and then began
praising it, and asking Faliero to tell
them what great sculptor he had per-
suaded to waste his skill upon work
in butter, that must quickly melt away.
But Signor Faliero knew as little as they,
and he had, in his turn, to ask the chief
servant. When the company learned
that the lion was the work of boy,
room, and the dinner became a sort of
feast in his honor. But it was not
enough to praise the lad. There were
men who knew that such genius as his
belonged to the world, not to village,
and nothing could please them more
than to aid in giving him an education.
Signor Faliero himself declared that he
would pay the lads expenses, and place
him under the instruction of the best
masters. The boy, whose highest wish
had been to become village stOne-cut-
ter and whose home had been in his
poor old grandfather's cottage, became
at once member of Signor Faliero's
family, living in his palace, having at
his command everything that money
could buy, and being daily instructed
by the best masters in Venice. But he
was not in the least spoiled by this
change in his life. He was still the
same simple, earnest and faithful boy.
He worked as hard to gain knowledge
and skill in art as he had meant to work
to become a good stone cutter.-Meth-
OdiSt Protestant.