New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-09-29

I going COTlTnE ,
our two friends were their way to the post
office armed with such credentials as would
prove their claims TO the letter. on the way
! Alexander told Amedeo Of mis- little plan OF taxi
ing the ladies for drive i'm the park early In
the afternoon. and then having them all to dim
ner in his hotel; and ii settled that they
should meet them coming out OF church to get
| their consent.
Arrived at the postonice they presented their
! credentials and intlmated that they were agreed
that of them should open the letter on the
spot The clerk produced II: Amedeo put his
hands In his pockets and nodded toward his
friend Alexander took II. and moving 10 one
side out OF the crowd opened IT, lie glanced
| down the first page turned over and read the
second and third without uttering syllable
Then he lifted his eyes and fixed Amedeo with
| a curious dumfounded look.
What Is the matter? Have you good or bad
| news" asked the other
Come out in the piazza and let us have
| talk" returned Alexander. II don't know
whether am on my head or my heels DO you
remember your grandfather speaking OF
brother who went to Australia with him."
Yes"
well. that brother of your grandfather and
my grandfather has died in Australia at an adj
| vanced age. chdess, leaving an immense for
| tune-the exact amount is not ascertained-to
be divided between his nephews children. He
has also left legacies 10 my aunts. We are az
the nephews' children alive-we are his heirs
My dear fellow. I doubted my senses at
first Here Is the letter read. 1t concerns you
as much az me- you have an equal Interest In
Amcdeo had grown red and pale by turns. and
| now his lip quivercd and he bit II as he took the
| letter with trembling hand and pretended TO
study the contents Presently he thrust II back
to Alexander and heaved great sigh
There. take It, 1t is enough for me to know
| that competency is assured To my poor
! mother and Silvia, certainty OF comfort FOR
| the rest OF their lives. You do not know-you
! never could understand-w hat they have gone
through-how much needed this is. on. thank
/ Cod
He almost broke down. They were standing
under the colonnade Of the Uhizi Gallery just
opposite the posofice; Alexander put his hand
| to Amedeo's shoulder and pushed him down on
a stone bench. Then he took his hand and con-
! graduated him warmly. and added: 81 am as
glad on your account as my own am, upon
my honor"
Amedeo pressed his hand. but did not speak.
Alexander then sat silent and still for few
minutes Eliminating BY the overpowering eff
fect Of the joyful his friend ne could
measure the depth Of the misery he had known.
the worst part of which probably the
dread which haunts over worked men Of break
Ing down and leaving their wcmankind desolate
or being helpless burden on somebody s
charity. This weight taken off his heart
suddenly. and no wonder he felt stunned.
"Amedeo" he said aloud. you are a capital
fellow and like you more and more. You have
taught me a lesson on economy. too. | have
hitherto been too careless and thOughtless be-
cause had not enough Of money did not put
my one talent to good account. I am going to
turn over new leaf and apply this fortune.
which have done nothing to earn. to the best
purpose hope for the good Of others. feel a
! sense or responsibility about property Whlch |
never felt before We owe something to poster
ty. though ii is an incontrovertible fact thar
statement OF Sir Paul Roche that posterity has
never earned gratitude by doing anything
for us"
Amedeo stared somewhat bewdered.
He was countryman Of mine who, when
the claims of posterity We're urged. asked what
has posterity done Cor us? and every one
was silenced by the remark"
Amedeo laughed. but in agitated, absent
sort Of way. and then said
No wi IA a sol n
your wild spirits think. 1t Is the right way to
receive such heaven-sent gift. And what have
| done to deserve 1t either?"
"Ah. my friend, 1t is no use TO try TO conceal
it from me. for you cannot Your whole life is
continual sacrifice. and your present happi-
ness Is in nOwise selfish-it is purely altruistic,
said Alexander
IF you had not been here that letter would
not have come to Florence; they would not have
known aught Of me- and then said Amedeo,
pausing.
And If had accepted your challenge to meet
you this morning the letter would have gone back
to London probably. az | might be lying stiff
and cold. and then All. Amedeo. you have
great reason to be thankful that you have not a
dead man seated beside you on this BENCH
"N1isericordiai"
Tell me now on this Christmas morning"
pursued Alexander in his scro-comc manner.
with all those sweet bells ringing, and the
churches OF all the different nations here singing
Peace on earth and good will 10 men,. do you
think it worthy act for a galantuomo to
stain the earth with his brothers blood?"
kill you."
only to wing me-? That would have been
more cruel still"
che, che, I would not have hit you"
Then this mode Of defending your honor Is a
solemn farce. and ought to be laughed ont Of
court Yet | have heard OF some fatal cases
You are man Of character. Amedeo and you
ought to settour face against this absurd prac-
tice. Promise me that you Will
II would promise you anything. my dear Alex
ander after the happy news YOU have brought me
this day. And you don't mind sharing the for
tune which would have been all yours only for
these foreign cousirs?" he said with smile
looking the other in the face But the frank
OPEN Joyous expression Of the handsome Irish
man removed any lingering doubt he might have
had
] II tell you I am the happiest fellow alive, and
would he even If the fortune less than | am
| led u expect" he replied. 1T removes the hOr-
| rid necessity OF marrying the heiress. Yes. you
| guessed truly. Amedeo: / was urged. pressed T.
make a convenient match and there was one at
hand which would settle all difficulties. But oh
the blessed day, | had not asked her. J put il Of
from time 10 time now am free and am al
most beside myself with joy"
The two friends walked. on. hardly feeling the
ground under their feet airy was their tread
till they reached the WaldensiAn church. where
they met the Sgnora Bodkin and her daughter
/ coming out. Alexander made haste 70 invite then
for a drive In the Cascine. and afterward To dine
at his hotel which they agreed to do, and Their
Amedeo. trembling with eagerness 10 impart his
great news. called cab and drove home with
them.
Alexander. standing at the foot Of the stairs
when he alighted from the carriage at o'clock
saw Amedeo giving mis- arm to his mother on the
top Of the last fight. and Silvia running before
them with shawl and a cushion. 1t seemed
marvellous 10 him the effect OF happiness upor
that sweet creature. She appeared several year:
younger and ever SO much. prettier than sh,
had done last night. Her face was radiant and
her little feet hardly touched the steps as sh,
, flew down to the door.
"Signor Alessandro | congratulate you. anC
| thank you" she said putting her hand in his
, as he relieved her of her burden OF shawls
why thank me. cousin? The merit is not
mine"
"Oh. you have brought good fortune with you"
she cried. "and you have been so kind about Il
all. SO generous"
you regard me as a sort Of a fairy godfather
| suppose? All right, must try 10 live up to tina
/ character" said Alexander. Fastening to NEE