The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-09-22
Giulla's Iialf-Fianc.
By Felicia Buttz Clarke

Will want her coffee"
Little Giulia ran quickly 10 her mother.
who tied "A bright rcd and yellow <and-
kerchief over the child's head and Civ
ing her two rosounding kisses. one on
each cheek. sent her down the hill. She
stood Shading her eyes from the bright
sunshine, watching her little girl, until,
with a wave Of the hand and a merry
smile. she disappeared around the curve.
The hard-featured. brown woman would
seem a queer sort Of mother TO some
children for she was certainly not hand
some and. just as certainly, very strange
ly dressed She wore no hat, but her hair
was cOmDed smoothly down from the
front. and the traid formed a large twist
On the back Of fer head. Her dress was
bright green. cut low on the shoulders,
and reaching only 10 her knees She
wore no shoes nor stockings but, as II
to compensate for tfat defci sncy. in her
ears were long. dangling rings which
were so heavy that they had already
torn a slit in her ears. Giulia will have
them some day. just as her mother
mother gave them 20 her long years ago.
These heirlCcms are the only article OF
value owned by this Pettarini family. OK
Cept one other thing; crucihX hanging
over the mothers table n her room.
Tie Pope AT Rome had ONE lessed this
crucihx. with about a thousand others
and the priest. al the little stone church
down the hill. had given 10 TO the SiguOra
Pcttarini al her marriage. 10 was a very
precious relic. and the mother spent
any hours On her knees before II, tell
ing her beads. Little Giulia never passed
IL without making funny corrtsy. She
did not exactly understand why She ought
90 bch her head, but the mother did 1t,
and that was enough.
ffrfa n nd
busted herself cleaning some earthen-
ware utensils. The sun had just risen
above the bin opposite. and was tinging
the mountains with golden glory. and
throwing light down into the narrow
valley where flowed me river Lima.
These beautiful Appcrnine Mountains.
how they elittcrel in To- morning light
And when re sun passed on his way
and lcft "a veil OF SHADOWS behind him,
how the peaks shCne with amethyst col
ors. rejecting some of the beauty Of
Heaven, The people in the queer stone
house on the mountain side did not troL.
bie themselves much about the colors OF
the sunlight. IL was more 10 the purpose
10 cook the polenta Otallan hasty pud-
ding or mush for the family or to
lounge against the side OF the house half
doing.
There were five Of the Pettarinis. The
father who never said any prayers, Fl he
could heln IT, worked all day breaking
stones I'm the road down by the village,
Tie four ol1er children we're grown up
and married. or gone away t0 work. Giu-
lia was the baby and the IDOL Of her
parents.
Just as the sun came mp little higher
a shadow darkened the door Of the stone
house. which was Only enc story high
ard contained TWO rooms, one for living,
the other for sleeping. Turning Siguora
Pettarini So w an OH woman. bent with
age. hobbling along hy ad oi cruich.
"GOCi-mOrning. Norma. The saints bless
thee" said the younger woman. COM
ing forward 20 give her mother a loving
greeting.
May the Madonna bless thee, my
dauehtcr, was the reply
Each woman devoutly crossed herself,
and tnon commenced 60 gossip.
Hast thou seen Pietro's new wife,"
NO: nor DO not wish 20. Shame 10
him. His poor wife not three months
dead. and he stil saving masses for her
soul. and looking out Of the corners Of
mis- eyes at that silly Esila Bocconi a.
the same time. 1 have no patience with
him"
.Thev saw She has new red dress.
end DE- gave her e silver thain.' re-
sponded the mother.
well. / suppose they will he at the
fair to-day / wonder where she bought
her dress / suppose we must be polite
10 her now that they are married Didst
thou know that old Nonro Gerard was
doad?"
"Yes. lie fell right down IN the middle
OF the vineyard the other night
"Ihey say those f0rcstieri foreigners
down in the village We're very kind to
milf %
old and blind"
Know it, I should think I did. old
Teresa ana I were girls together All. the
beautiful days of youth, gone. gone" AMI
the old woman tod her beads for a few
moments as If in preparation FOR the
death which she saw coming nearer.
But these strangers are certainly very
kind. They gave her fifteen francs" she
continued.
Fifteen flares" responded the daugh-
ter. "Why. / don't believe old Teresa
ever saw SO much money before. IT'S
long time since l did, she muttcrcd un-
der her breath.
.~rhey are funny people," said her
mother, her mind still 0G tine strangers.
They come into our churches and walk
right past the holy altar blessed Ma
donna, pray FOR usD and never once bow
their irrevcrent heads. IL Is a wonder
10 me that the Holy Mother does not
strike them dead-the heretics"
They are good though. Here cr'es
Giulia now. She has been down to take
the milk and fresh pats Of butter 10 the
Signorina Inglcse" Ohe English young la
dy who though she is hereto, pays
her bills promptly and gives US many an
Ntra soldo May Heaven turn her from
her wickodntssm' she added. reyerently.
Little Giulia came running IN at the
dooiWsy. The handkerchief which her
mother had knott,d so carefully under
Ter chin, was quite awry and the tiny
curls came out around her face. Her
black eyes were shining with excitement.
and her checks were rich crimson. Even
the little black pigtails swinging on her
back. seemed to be qulvering with ex-
element.
ooh. Norma, on. Mammal she 'ricl.
isn't IL most time 10 gof LOIS OF people
are there. and there are so lany pretty
things. ard watermcl0ns, and hGndlser-
chiefs. and on, what dost thou thi1k.
The Signorina called me in her room.
and she said: 'Giulia / know you will
want something at the fair so l thought
| would give YOU this and she gave mo
whit dost thou thinx?" her voice increas-
ing I'm Intensity until she almost shrieked,