The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-06-11

and gave us several large pieces OF dry
bread not morsels, as he said. He haC
saved them ali for us and had not taker
a bite for two days"
"Why did Antonio not come TO meY
asked Taddeo, with a trembling voice
docs he not know that the hermit has nc
greater joy in life than TO divide with his
frlends?"
Father could not bring his heart to
beg for aims and assistance, tho IT may
be from his best friends"
"Oh, Antonio, Antoniov cried the her
init; you were charity and benevolence
| itself and gave whatever you had to the
needful: how would you hesitate to come
to your own friend for helpr'
1.-THE next morning at daybreak," con-
| tinued Ludovico, father started out for
| Parma. He went straight TO the Fran
ciscans and implored them TO pay him his
due. After long discussion as to his
rights to the money, they paid him his
two hundred ducats. / do not know If IL
was spite on their part, or II they had no
other ready money; but they paid father
the whole sum in quatrirus "a large.
heavy copper COIN. Father was delighted
and thankful to have the money. He put
1t In bag and started for home, bur
dened with his frightful load, and toiling
along in the broiling sun. When he
and could Just summon strength enough
TO say: Children, thank God we are
saved! Then, without listening to orr
protestations, he drank hastily two COB
lets OF cold water TO quench his burning
thirst An hour later his whole frame
was shaking with violent fever his teeth
chartered, and we put him to bed For
TWO days now he has been gradually sink
Ing with fever and exhaustion: but he
"a ha g.
This evening he fell asleep, after a dread
fui crisis, and mother, in her anguish.
hurried me off 10 call you. But, Brother
Taddeo, we may be too late; oh, come let
us walk fasterr
III did not take long before the two had
reached the painters cottage and entered
the sick room. There lay the great mas
ter. the creator Of so many wonders OF
arr. on miserable couch, and his racked
limbs were covered with a coarse green
cloth. Antonio's wife and oldest son,
Octavio, stood near him. On a piece OF
mating In the corner Of the room Law |
the painters two little daughters. Agnes |
ana veronica, sleeping peacefully.
Antonio's beautiful face had changed |
its expression already. The violence OF |
the fever had marked II with deep lines |
that spoke of bodily suffering and heart
ache. His eyes had sunk deep into their
sockets; they had lost their soft, bright
expression and shone now with alarming
These symptoms did by no means es-
cape the experienced eye OF the hermit:
put he controlled his emotions, and stepped
close to his friends bedside The painter
recognized him: "Ahl IL is you Brother
raddeo," ne said, with a failing voice:
md he stretched out his thin hand TO
lim.
eyes, Antonio. I have come 10 scoId
you. You are Ill and do not let me know
{. You are In trouble. and try to hide
( from me-"
"Taddeo," replied the sick man. T
Gladly share my joys with my friends, but
keep my sorrows rather to myself
"True friendship, Antonio. shares good
md evil hours" said the hermit gently.
md stroked his friends burning tenn
lies.
II would like to say a few words N
'ou In private before I depart" whis-
'ered Antonio; please send my wife
nd children away for minute" When
hey had left the room he inquired. with
searching glance at his friend: Tell
ne, Taddeo, is my life in danger?" There
Gas no reply, though the question was
epeated, and Taddeo's head was bent
own low. Then there is no hone for
n. |
ionica; oh. my children; 1 must leave l
ou!"
GOD Is the father Of orphans and a I
omforter to widows. my friend; and as I
'ng as l live l will do all In my power a
provide for their earthly and spiritual c
eeds," said Taddeo '
god may reward you, my dear old s
lend, said Antonio. In deep emotion. Il
Cali my dear ones in again; will have ]
lelr races round me when die" Monica r
nd the TWO boys entered the room and l
neit down by his bedside. scarcely able d
restrain their sobs. MY darling wife a
, uedr eniidren," he said, do not sor- =
!" 100 ihuch' Sooner or later we shall
| be reunited again. I would baI,a
aged with you little longer to work T
II you and shield you from this worlds p
ouoles; but his will be done Octave lc
III Ludovico, whatever ways you NAV
!, Whatever luck you may have, never d
SAKE your mother or your sisters.
Ok now sweetly they slumber and dream rs
angels" '''' u
At this moment Agnes awoke sba n
zed around and saw her mother ana ID
others In tears on their knees. She did OF
I quite understand the sad situation e'
she raised herself softly. knelt down al
the moor, lifted up her beautiful. in Sc
~-s ~SSo' oh0 Dcbdn 10 say a DraXar |
e unconscious, graceful attitude OF the ne
lid, the beautiful oval OF her sweet az
e, ana the soft, trustful glance. reused OF
idenly all the sentiment and enthus,-
n OF the dying artist.
owe me my brushes! Give me nv
etteP cried Antonio as
ney Iited the sick man from his NIL IA
and propped him up, and. in a verv sta
minutes. sort OF easel was put un Re
ms couch. Antonio seized his brush br'
a almost youthful ardor. mixed b,. do
nus, ana drew. with unequaled clear nif
> ana beauty Of contour and with An sol
cnarm OF coloring which dlstiryu,s,as
works OF art, the kneeling figure OF an a
81 WIN mis- child's sweet lovely face. ths
:. wnen the work was nnished--ana trl
- = work. pearl. = wonder Of his ma
me painter said: my frst pictures orc
asnao with my real name. xntenio
~ wnicn was also my fathers nsms: 20
, ! signed eema Hst. r. ns..s .S- INT