The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1895-10-01

minute ushering in 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 thatY
With due care and rigid training there
ought to be both fame and fortune in
it. You would like to be something bet
ter than bottle washer all your life,
Ell, my mani"
Luigi, in wondering sort of way,
nodded.
'That' 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 serious talk with you.
Can you Gomez"
eyes, sir-that is, no, sir. Not to-
morrow. / work till II every night dur
ing the week.
sOh, OIL Such is the irony of fate, "
muttered Jabez. "Can you come on
Sunday?"
eyes, sir, I 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 most charming
voice. 1t is at present in what I may
term an embryo form. The foundation
is there in all its strength, and a con-
pie of years careful training will place
you without doubt in one of the top
most branches of the vocal tree.
"You must make point of cultivat-
ing your voice on every possible coca
sion, Luigi. Avoid those articles of food
which shall give you 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 out 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 ap-
peared before this strange gentleman.
And he said so.
"Dear me. Of course. must explain
to you, Luigi, what propose to do l
am too hasty. First and foremost, do
you like music?'
81 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
q musician, and then master of the
art you will excel in?''
"'That is beyond my hopes, sir. I
have no money"
Jabez Wilson threw up his hands.
''That's all right. l will see to that
little matter. Give me the assurance
that you will put your whole heart into
the work I 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 evlnced
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 Mr. Wilson one day,
"I 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 I have decided therefore to take
you to Naples, where we will spend the
next year or two"
For the first time since their odd &C.
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 l
cannot by any possible means express
my gratitude. But the suggestion you
have made, although entirely for my
good, fills me with pain. I cannot
leave England, because-because / am
going to get married.
"The dickens you arel' roared the
Infatuated 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, sis 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 i'll fitted to grace tho drawing
rooms 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 compar-
isons between her simplicity and the
winning faces of beautiful women.
''My kind benefactor, that is impossi-
BILE. I shall always love Maggie as
much as ! do now,
Jabez Wilson sighed. It was a sad
blow to his vanity and to his peace Of
mind.
Think it over, lad," he began.
When the first pangs of grief at part
ing are passed, you will forget about
your lowly girl in the whirlwind Of
your fame, and she will soon put you
from her mind Come to me tomorrow
and let me know what you intend do
ing"
The next day Mr.. Wilson received
visit from Maggie She came in tears
to beg his consent, his heart was touch
ed at the sight of woman in sorrow,
and reviling himself for cold blooded
he told her in an outburst of
to go and marry Luigi as
many times as she liked.
After a twelvemonth spent in Italy
Luigi became perfect. His first appear
ance in public was made as Gerardo,
and as he retreated behind the curtains
that night old Jabez Wilson waited to
press his hands and to tell him that his
dream was at last realized.
Jabez Wilson walked out of his solicit
or's Office penniless. The bank of which
he was principal shareholder had failed,
and this, in conjunction with a few
minor disasters, had robbed him Of |
every penny he had possessed.
He had never in his life done stroke
Of work and was not even capable of a
clerical position.
The apartments he had occupied were |
given up. The club was never again to |
see him or hear what had become of |
him. The fine old wines in his cellar