The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1895-09-04
A FAIR DIVISION.

the keeper of tho wineshop might have
lowered his blinds and pulled his door
| to.
The fishing along the Naples coast
had been bad for many weeks, and in
Basnio every man is fisherman and
every woman fsherman's wife or
daughter And so the poverty was
great, and Pietro was the only man
who still smoked o daily handful of
cigarettes and still sat regularly in the
wineshop
He had been to England, and had
come back with fortune, and was in
dependent of the vagaries Of the fish and
the weather. "Ah," sighed the vii
layers, as they placed their hands in
their empty pockets, what lucky man
| is Pietro, and what rich place that
England must bel"
One day in the early spring, the news
went about that this man of fortune was
grown Unsuitable, and was going away
again to make more music for the for
eigners and to get yet more francesconi.
And every fisherman was sick with envy
that he, too, could not leave the barren
| harbor and go to the northern Ell Do
RADIO. But Pietro Gozzolli alone was
possessed of the great sum that was
wanted to pay the steamboat people and
to hire the organ.
And who would he take with him?
| Which of the dark eyed village beauties
would he invite to BIO his companion
and to share his gains? Many were the
longing looks thrown to him and many
the prayers whispered to the saints by
! pretty ones whose fancy saw countless
bright ribbons and sashes, the posses
| sions of her who should be chosen.
A day or two more, and 1t was known
that Tessa Puncia was the happy girl
destined to be raised to opulenee; and,
early one morning, she and Pietro left
Basnio for the long, dusty walk &c
Naples. And the next day they were
standing on the deck Of the steamer,
watching the shore line die out as the
sea grew deeper and bluer.
During the voyage no taught her the
words of English he remembered ant
talked to her about the life in London
how that they were to work very hare
and spend very little, that they nigh
have much to take home with then. Ans
she, still glad that she had found grac'
| in his sight, smiled agreement to every
thing.
A week after they had walked out o
Basino, beautiful even in its poverty
they were citizens of the Italian colony
in London, making music about thu
streets during the days and passing thu
nights in a garrett in an evil smelling
court at the back Of Saffron Hill
Pietro was the musician, and houl
after hour for many hours he toiled a
tho organ handle, now with left hand
and now with right. Tessa carried thu
tray for tho offerings of the passersby
and MS she was pretty and begged witt
charming smile, her apron pockets
were usually heavy with copper coli
when the evening and tho timo to re
turn home came.
! Then Pietro relieved her Of the
weight, and counted out tho pence ant
took them to some shop near by anc
| changed them for silver. When there
was enough Of silver, it was parted witt
for gold, and something was added t.
the little pile of savings
These savings were kept in tin box
hidden under loose board in the cor
ner of tho room. Not very good treas
ure chest, but Pietro did not'understan'
the English banking system, and Their
was no one in Basnio rich enough +
send money to for safe keeping.
1 Three years went by, and the yelloy
hoard was so increased that Tessa's eye
shone and her fancy wandered as Pietr
counted and reoounted it in the even
ings
tShall we not go home to Basni
now?' she said as once she watche
him. Have we not enough9"
"No, not quite enough. We will sta
this summer and go back when tn
foggy days come.
(Of course this was spoken in musica
Italian, but have brought it into Eng
lish for the benefit Of tho ono or tw'
readers who otherwise might not under
stand.
Tessa pointed little ut the reply
and consoled herself by going out t.
talk to Fillipo
Fillipo was native of Sardinia VIII
had lately come to London to enter tn
profession of ice cream merchant. Blu
although it was early Summer, tho day
were rather cold than hot, and ther
was no demand for ices, either lemol
or raspberry, and Fillipo was dIiftin
toward bankruptcy.
His rent was owing and his barroy
mortgaged, and he wopt as he told Tess
of another unsuccessful day. And SIN
wept too. An exceedingly foolish thing
for she had known Fillipo only month
and Pietro, whom she had known TO
years, had told her that he did not lik
the young adventurer in icey cream am
that she must not talk with him.
Nevertheless she wept, and told hin
how sorry she was. And as the pit
grew In her, she thought how mucl
better looking no was than Pietro, an
how tired she was Of the streets, ant
how she longed to see the blue sea AM
sky again. Would Pietro give her
share of the savings and let her go?
But no, that would not be enough TO
two. Oh, why was mot Pietro Fillip'
and Fillipo Pietro?
How handsome hoiwas, and he wa
but boy, and Pietro'was morelthan 40
| She spoke her thoughts, and hop
came to Fillipo' s,face. and he took he
hand and begama long, eager whisper
ing. And at that moment Pietro chances
to pass, and saw thelns and hesitate'
for step or two, and scowled am
went on. They were earnest in thei
whisperings apd did not SEQ his comin'
and his going. ~ = Ne.
Tomorrow then, Tessa, said Fill
po, "and together to tmy people Il