Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1893-11-29
PETER OF CORTONA.

4
A little over 200 years ago Their
stood before one OF the most elegan
residences in the city of Florence ;
poor, tattered boy OF some twelv,
years. He was not beggar; for be
ing employed by a Cardinal, rich ant
influential. of course he had all the
food he wanted. But why was hi
there? History does not say.
He was gazing listlessly at what
was going on around him when he
felt a sudden tap upon his shoulder,
and on looking up there stood, to his
astonishment 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 a
shapeless 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 best
place to learn; and there's school
here. too, whore they teach you all
about it. Mothers died since YOU
came away, and can't stay, now
she's gone. I just hope I'll never
have to 60 back. Oh, how lonely I'd
bew
eyes, but don't it take money,
Peter, to learn how to paint? Have
you got any?" asked his friend, be-
lieving from the boys general ap-
pearance that he had not.
Not penny"
At this honest confession Peter
hung his head.
"Then Of course you can't do any,
thing. How would it be if l got a
place for you in the palace where
live? AL any rate I'll promise you
enough to eat"
"Do you really get enough to eat?"
asked Peter, earnestly, as if doubtful
If that could bet took so much for
a growing appetite!
Indeed you'd think so; but come
and see for yourself. You won't be
6OTTy, L IL WdTTduU you.
II can't take a position, Tom, in
deed I can't I must be a painter.
The desire was born in me. l came
all the way to Florence on foot for
that. and so don't ask me to give it
up, or put anything in my way to stop
me. But III tell you what I'll do;
suppose. ii you have so much more
than you need, you take me on trust,
and share with me, and when l get
to be painter. grown up and fam
GUS YOU know, I'll pay you. Would
that suit your"
"I'll do it, old fellow, and be glad
to- We can but try and see how the
plan works Come with me to the
garrett 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 a good meal, the other
pleased that he had the company Of
an old friend to dine with him. an
unusual treat In his lonely dwelling.
1t was SO small a place chat the low
straw bed, table, and three-legged
stool completely filed it up There
was only one thing really worthy of
nOtice-the wonderful whiteness of
the walls on every side.
Tom folded up his old coat to make
q rest for Peters head and begged him
to lie down, saving at the same
time
Don't you get frightened, Peter
I'll be back again before YOU know
it."
But Peter looked so miserable that
he almost repented taking him in.
puny. sickly boy that he was; but the
poor fellows wistful eyes were reas-
surfing, 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
we'll over, he had a grand opportunity
with the broken meats; and tonight,
to his great delight, he was even
more lucky than usual. for among
other things he found half Of pigeon
pie, which he triumphantly carried
on to bis friend up among the Chin
ney tops
Can you believe how the poor boy
enjoyed 1t? He had tasted scarcely .