The Olneyville tribune. (Providence, R.I.) 1893-189?, 1893-10-14
PETER OF CORTONA.


A little over 200 years ago there
stood before one Of the most elegant
residences in the city of Florence a
poor, tattered boy Of some twelve
years. He was not beggar: for be-
ing emplo, ed by Cardinal, rich and
influential. of course he had all the
food he wanted. But why was he
there? History does not say.
He was gazing listlessly at what
was going on around him when he
felt sudden tap upon his shoulder,
and on looking up there stood, TO his
astonishment a boy from Cortona,
from which place he himself had
come only four years before.
"Why, Peter, is that you?" he ex-
claimed. What In the world brought
you TO Florence? How did you leave
all our friends?"
The boy shook back his shock Of
dark hair, crushed his hat into Il
shape,ess mass as he looked at his old
friend Thomas, the tears, mean
while. fast coursing down his cheeks.
II came here TO be painter Tom,
and they say Florence is the lest
place to learn; and there's a school
here, too, where they teach you all
about it. Mothers died since you
came away, and l can't stay, now
she's gone. l just hope I'll never
have to go back. oh, how lonely I'd
be-"
Eyes, but don't il take money,
Peter, to learn how TO paint? Have
you got any?" asked his friend, be-
lieving from the boys general APP
pearance that he had not.
Not penn"
At this honest confession Peter
hung his head.
"Then OF course you can't do any,
thing. How would it be if got "A
place for you in the palace where
live? AT any rate I'll promise you
enough TO eat"
"Do you really get enough to eat?"
asked Peter, earnestly, as if doubtful
IL that could be-it took so much Tor
growing appetite!
'Indeed you'd think so; bnt come
and see for you self. You won't be
sorry, Ill warrant you"
IL can't take position, Tom, in
deed | can't. l must be painter.
The desire was born in me. / came
all the way to Florence OH foot for
that and so don't ask me TO give it
up, or put anything in my way to stop
me. But I'll tell you what I'll do;
suppose. if you have so much more
than you need, you take me on trust,
and share with me, and when 1 get
to be painter, grown up and fam
GUS you know. I'll pay you. Would
that suit your"
"Ill do it, old fellow, and he glad
TO. We can but try and see how the
plan works Come with me to the
garret in the palace where | sleep,
and I'll give you apart of my dinner
tonight"
Two Jolly boys, poor as they were,
soon hurried to the little room where
Thomas slept, the one with the
thought of good meal tn other
pleased that he bad the company OF
an old friend TO dine with ht.I an
unusual treat in his lonely dwelling
1t was so small place chat the low
straw bed, table. and three-legged
stool completely flled it up. There
was ONLY one thing really worthy OF
notice-the wonderful whlteness Of
the walls on every side
Tom folded I'D his old coat to make
q rest for Peters head and begged him
20 lie down, saving ut the same
time
III ont you get frightened, Peter
I'll be back again before you know
it,"
But Peter looked so sniserable that
he almos: repented taking him in,
puny. sickly boy that be was; but the
poor fellows wistful eyes were reas-
suring. and he was OF as quickly as
his old shoes would carry him.
Thomas. You must know, was In
high favor with the cooks, and after
his work was done, and the meals
well over. he haS grand opportunity
with the lroken meats. and tonight.
TO his great delight, he was even
more lucky than usual, for among
other things he found half OF a pigeon
pie. with he triumphantly carried
of TO his friend up among the Chin
ney tops
Can you believe how the poor boy
enjoyed ity He had tasted scarcely