Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1895-10-25
HE HAD PITY.

Jabez Wilson. whose SO years of life
had been passed in single blessedness,
had little in common with the rest Of
the world
His faults were many and his virtues
few. His two redeeming points-call
them virtues if You will-were generos-
ity verging on weakness in individual
rases and love for music.
Late one night he came out of st.
James hall, bnttoned his coat up round
his neck, diyed his hands into his
pockets and made for home. On the
way he entered cafe and took a cup of
coffee.
AS he sipped the beverage his ear,
ever ON the alert for music, caught the
sounds of voice that was at once rich
and melodious
Jabez listened attentiveB for five
minutes. during which time the song
continued, with short intervals of
silence At length it stopped altogether.
Jabez asked the waiter attending him
TO fetch in the person singing.
The waiter returned in less than
minute ushering in a young man Of
distinctly Italian cast of countenance,
whom he introduced as Luigi, the bottle
washer.
well, my man, you have an ex-
tremely fine voice. Did you know that!
With due care and rigid training there
ought to be both fame and fortune in
il. You would like to be something bet
ter than bottle washer all your life,
ELI, my man?"
Luigi, in a wondering sort Of way,
nodded.
"That's right--that's right, my man.
Here is my card. Come and see me at
my house tomorrow at half past 6,
want to have a serious talk with you.
Can you come?'
Eyes, sir-that is, no, sir. Not to-
morrow. / work till IL every night dur
ing the week. ;"
''Oh, OH Such, is the irony of fate, .
muttered Jabez. Can you come on
Sunday?"
''Yes, sir, will come. I"
True to his word, Luigi, clothed in
his Sunday garments, found himself in
Mr.. Wilson 5 drawing room the follow
ing Sunday evening.
Luigi, you have a most charming
voice. 1t is at present in what / may
term an embryo form. The foundation
is there in all its strength, and cou-
pie of years careful training will place
you without "a doubt in one of the top
most branches of the vocal tree.
lyon must make point of cultivat-
s,,r. xvox,,. wroioa ON ova,.xy xaocoihla ofaoo-
sion, Luigi. Avoid those articles of food
which l shall give you a list of, that
your vocal chords may retain the sweet
ness, strength and fullness that now
mark them.
"Your clothes, too, are unsuited to
the pupil of vocal professor. You must
fit yourself ont like gentleman, Luigi.
You must exercise care and take pride
in your personal appearance. In short,
be in every respect worthy of your-pro-
fession. y
As Luigi's profession was that Of bot
tie washer at an Italian restaurant, he
naturally failed to see how he could
well give further evidence of his occu-
patton than by the suit in which he APP
peared before this strange gentleman.
And he said SO.
Dear me- OF course. / must explain
to you, Luigi, what propose to do.
am too hasty. First and foremost, do
you like muster
II am an Italian, was the modest
reply.
''Grand A most fitting answer. Now
we will come to business Would you
like to give up your present mental oc
cupation and become, first, the pupil OF
a musician. and then master Of the
art you will excel in?'
THAT is beyond my hopes, sir.
have no money"
Jabez Wilson threw mp his hands.
'sThat's all right / will see TO that
little matter. Give me the assurance
that you will put your whole heart into
the work l have cut out for you and
will do your best ask for nothing
more.
A few days later Luigi left his situa-
ton and became the protege of Mr.. Will
son. To say that Luigi was grateful
would be to put the feeling he evInced
toward his benefactor in very mild
terms. He could find no way of express
ing his gratitude beyond making him.
self as perfect in his art as it became
possible for him to do.
Luigi, said Mn Wilson one day,
81 am delighted to tell You that it is
now beyond the capabilities of English
masters to teach You further. 1t remains
for the masters of your native land to
instill into you that little required to
render you their equal, If not their su-
perior have decided therefore to take
you to Naples, where we will spend the
next year or two >
For the first time since their odd ac
quaintance Luigi failed to hail an an
nounccment for his benefit with any
sign Of pleasure or satisfaction. He
looked gloomy and hesitated to speak.
lyon have always been extremely
kind AID good TO me. Mr. Wilson. /
cannot by any lsoss IDLE means express
my gratitude. But the suggestion You
have made. although entirely for my
good, fills me with pain. cannot
leave England, because ann
going to get married
1.-The dickens You arel' reared the
infatuated bachelor, mad with rage.
"This, sir, is the way in which you