Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1895-11-15
HE HAD PITY.

His faults were many ana his VIZ
tues few. His two redeeming points
call them virtues if you wll-were gen
crosby verging Oh weakness i'll indiVld
ual cases and love for music
Late one night he came out OF st
James hall, buttoned his coat up round
his neck. dived his hands into his
pockets and made for home. On his
way he entered n cafe and took cup
of coffee.
AS he slipped the beverage his ear
ever on the alert for music caught the
sounds of voice that was at once rich
and melodiouS.
Jabez. listened attentively for five
minutes, during which time the song
continued with short intervals of 81
Ience. At length it stopped altogether
Jaebz asked the waiter attending him
to fetch in the person singing.
The waiter returned in less than q
minute. ushering in young man of a
distinctly italian cast of countenance,
whom he introduced as Luigi the bot
tie washer.
"Well, my man you have an extreme
1y fine voice. Did you know that!
With due care and rigid training there
ought to he both fame and fortune in
it. You would like to be something
better than bottle washer all your
life, eh, my man?'
Luigi, in a wondering sort or way
nodded.
"That's all right, that's all right. my
man. Here is my card. Come and see
me at my house tomorrow at 63o, L
want to have a serious talk with you.
Can you Gomez
''Yes, 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"
True to his word, Luigi, clothed in
his Sunday garments, found himself In
Mr. Wilson's drawing room the follow
ing Sunday evening.
Luigi, you have a most charming
voice, 1t is, at present, in what l may
term an embryo form. The foundation
is there in all its strength, and cou-
pie of years careful training will place
you without doubt as one of the top
most branches of the vocal trees.
"You must make a point of cultivat-
ing your voice on every possible occa-
sion, Luigi. Avoid those articles of
food which l shall give you list of,
that your vocal chords may retain the
sweetness, strength and fulness that
now mark them.
'YOur clothes, too, are unsuited to
the pupil OF vocal professor. You
must fit yourself out like gentleman.
Luigi. You must exercise care, and
take pride in your personal appear
ance-in short, be in every respect
worthy of your profession
AS Luigfs profession was that of
bottle washer at an Italian restaurant,
he naturally failed to see how he could
well give evidence of his occupation
than by the suit in which he appeared
before this strange gentleman. And
he said so.
'Dear me; Of course 1 must explain
TO you, Luigi, what propose to do.
am too hasty. First and foremost, do
you like mHsic?'
II am an Italian" was the modest
reply
Grand. A most fitting answer.
Now we come to business. Would
you like to give up your present men,
ial occupation and become, first, the
pupil of musician, and then a master
of the art you excel in?"
have no money"
Jabez Wilson threw up his hands.
"That'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 moth
ing more"
A few days later Luigi left his sit
uation and became the protege of Mir.
Wilson. To say that Luigi was CRATE
full would be to put the feeling he
evinced toward his benefactor in very
mild terms. He could find no way of
expressing his gratitude beyond max
ing himself as perfect In his art as it
became possible for him to do.
"Luigi." said Mr.. Wilson one day,
II am delighted to tell you that it is
now beyond the capabilities of English
masters to teach your further. 1t re-
mains for the masters of your native
land to instil into you that little re-
CURED 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
nouncement for his benefit with any
sign of pleasure or satisfaction. He
looked gloomy and hesitated to speak.
"You have always been extremely
kind and good to me, Mr.. Wilson. 1
cannot by any possible means express
my gratitude. But the suggestion you
have made, although entirely for my
good, fills me with pain. j cannot !
leave England, because-because l am
going to get married"
The dickens you arew roared the in
furiated bachelor, mad with rage.
"This, sir, is the way in which you
show your gratitude. You Italian dog
you scoundrel-you-"
He stopped short. What an idiot he |
was. Luigi was only flesh and blood,
and young blood at that.
Luigi" he began, after the silence |
of the moment, lis this girl of yours |
a suitable partner to accompany you
on your upward career through life? |
You will stand at the head of your |
art, and you will move in the highest |
circles Of European society,""
'She, whatever her post in life now,
may be ill-suited to grace the draw |
ing room of the aristocracy, or to sit |
by your side in the carriage that |
draws you to your mansion"
''YOu love her now; she is everything
to you. Time may be, however when |
you may be led to make odious COM
PARSONS between her simplicity and |
the winning faces of more beautiful