The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-07-08
HOW THE RENT WAS PAID
DEPPo WOULD HAVE FAILED BUT
LUCIA CAME TO THE RESCUE.


when Mans DETERMINATION and Perss
verance are Unsuccessful . Little
GirI's Tresses May Prove q Blessing
It had been a hard day for Beppo and
Lucia. They had trudged since early
morning over the city pavements. Beppo
manfu ly pushing his hurdy-gurdy. and
Lucia helping him when she could.
Nothing had seemed to go right TIC
begin with. the harsh grssping woman
who rented them the little room of the
tenement house in Little Italy, had con-
fronted them before starting out and
demanded her rent money, which was
then a month overdue.
Ir they did not pay her before the next
day, sne said. out they must 20. And
poor Lucia shuddered rs she thought OF
being turned adrift in a city wherein
neither she nor Beppo had single friend.
Beppo tried TO appear confident and
told tie woman that he would pay her
surely The next morning-how, he knew
not, but Beppo had a hopeful heart, aud
then, too, there was sister Lucia to care
for. She must not know that he felt dis.
couraged.
So they started out for the day. Beppo
pulled her long glossy black curls, that
were his pride as well as her own.
Now Luca's especial beauty lay not SO
much In her sweet. girlish face, or In the
soft lustrous black eyes that gazed so
trustfully aud confidently at her big
brother Beppo, nor even in her singing.
which, for that matter, was as sweet as
that of any Neapolitan maiden's whose
father and mother had both sung in the
big chorus at the Grand Opera house.
but 1t lay in these same glorious, jet-black
curls, which would persist In twining
aud clinging about her little face, like
the halo of spray about the head OF
Usually Bepro and Lucia did pretty
we'll SO well that in tneir short expert.
ence In this couatry BeDpo saved
enough to exchange his wheezy hand
organ for brand new hurdy gurdy.
which could render the most brilliant
operatic pieces in lively way. This
Beppo had been paying ior on install
ments, and SO he had been able to save
nothing for other purposes.
This morning, in spite OF Beppo's vow
OF candle OF the virgin, and OF Lucia's s
prayers. no luck cane to them. The
hurdy-gurdy wouldn't work just right
at critical moments; some little urchins
had teased them, and had thrown stones
at the precious instrument. Beppo unfor-
tunately chased after them. aud while
be was away the other boys cruelty tor
mented poor Lucia
No one seemed to care for music this
morning, and what with the left over
firecrackers, and the orders or the police
man for them to move on, just as they
were expecting a shower of pennies, the
cup OF bitterness was full to overhowing.
1t was really too bad. Beppo looked
dismayed rs hour after hour went by,
and there seemed no prospect OF realiz-
ing sufficient even to pay part OF the
rental debt. Tears dimmed the bright
eyes OF Lucia, but the brave little lady
held them back lest they should entirely
discourage Beppo.
The clock la the cathedral tower struck
six-and yet no money. Beppo was tired
and getting cross, and Lucias little
heart was nigh to breaking.
The stores were closing. People
thronged the streets on their way home
hurrying crowd.
"All Of these people have homes and
families to go TO- Alas how l envy
them. Lucia and / have no home"
Thought Beppo with a heavy heart.
Lucia must have thought something Of
the same sort. for now the tears fell In
spite of her brave efforts.
No policeman was In sight and Beppo
struck up lively air. Lucia forced her
self to sing. A few stopped ana gave a
beggarly penny or two. The man just
hanging the shutters over his store
windows in which were shosn wigs
and masks. ceased his work and curiously
looked at them. AS II struck by an idea
he walked over TO the two and asked
ma sista Lucia, senor," replied Beppo
with smiling courtesy.
Lucia has lovely hair, hasn't she9"
tentatively remarked the man.
Isl, senor. Lucia yer bootiful girl. F"
"Yes. What would Lucia sell her hair
for" asked the dealer, coming right to
the point.
Beppo looked aghast, but managed to
reply that such a thing was impossible.
well, Pll give you ten dollars for tn Q
curls right now" said the dealer, knowing
well that he could GET twice the money
for them In his store.
mo. no, no." Beppo hastily replied,
shaking his head vigorously, aud calling
to Lucia, hurried away before he was
The idea of Lucia parting with those
lovely tresses--never, resolved Beppo.
Lucia was anxious to know what all the
conversation was about Beppo told
her.
hair Oh. Beppo. why did not you do it?"
exclaimed Lucia reproachfully. thinking
w
Why 1t would pay, the rent and then
leave fortune.
Beppo missed Lucia at the next corner
and sat down to wait for her. thinking
she had stopped to glance in the shop
windows. He waited an interminable
long time. he thought.
"Beppo, see." tremulously sounded
his ear.
He looked around. There was Lucia
holding In her hand n ten dollar and a
two dollar bill. But the beautiful curls
were gone. Instead the rebelious little
locks that were left fiut cred and twined
about. and almost made new Lucia.
onoriiv Ssarydsd d@re ydH%d RsSno Snon ;n,sna;ng 70
scold, but at the sight of the flushed lit
tie face upturped to his and at the
thought OF her noble self-sacrifice, his
conscience smote him, aud in face Of tn q
hundreds OF passers by he folded his
little Lucia IN his arms aud kissed her.
"Come little one, we'll 90 home now. "