Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1896-04-03
HE HAD I

MAA UGIn IhcHNA ~ oAAkA0 gANoo~ttN-'f
had little In common with the rest Of
the world.
His fault were many and his virtues
few. His two redeeming points-call
them virtues II you will-were generos-
ity verging on weakness in individual
cases and a love for music.
Late one night he came ont Of st.
James hall, buttoned his coat up round
his neck, dived his hands into his
pockets and made for home. On the
way he entered a cafe and took a cup Of
coffoe.
As be slipped the beverage his ear,
aver ON tho alert for music, caught the
sounds Of a voice that was ct once rich
and melodious.
Jabez Listened attentively for i've
minutes. during which time the song
continued, with short intervals ot
silence. At length it stopped altogether.
Jabez asked the waiter attending him
to fetch in the person singing.
The waiter returned in less than q
minute ushering in a young man OF
distinctly Italian cast Of countennnce,
whom he introduced as Luigi, the bottle
washer.
"Well, my man, you have an ex-
tremely fine voice. Did you know that?
With due care and rigid training there
ought to DO both fame and fortune in
IL. You would like to be something bet
ter than n bottle washer all your life,
eh, my man?"
Luigi, in q wondering sort Of way,
nodded.
"That's right-that's right, my
Here Is my card. Como and SEQ me at
my house tomorrow at half past 6, /
want to have a serious talk with you.
Can you conner"
Eyes, sir-thnt is, no, sir. Not to-
morrow. / work till IL every night dur
ing the week"
"oh, OIL Such is tho irony Of fate, u
muttercd Jabez. "Can you come on
Sunday?"
Eyes, sir, 1 will come"
Truo to his word, Luigi, clothed in
his Sunday garments, found himself il
Mr.. Wilson'S drawing o 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 a cou
pie Of years careful training will place
you without n doubt in one of the top
most branches Of tho vocal tree.
"You must make n point of cultivat
ing your NIice on every possible occa
sion, Luigi. Avoid those articles of fooc
which / shall give you a list Of, tina
your vocal chords may retain tho sweet
ness, strength and fullness that nov
mark them.
"Your clothes, too, arc unsuited Il
the pupil of a vocal professor. You mus
fit yourself ont like a gentleman, Luigi
You must exercise care and take a prid'
in your personal appearance. In short,
be in every respect worthy Of your pro.
fession.
As Luigi's profession was that of bot
tie washer at an Italian restaurant, hi
naturally failed to see how no could
we'll give further evidence Of his occu
patton than by the suit in which he APP
peared before this strange gentleman
And he said so.
Dear me. OF course. 1 must explain
to you, Luigi, what 1 propose to do.
Am too hasty. First and foremost, d,
you like music?'
II am an Italian" was the modes
reply.
"Grand. A most fitting answer. Nov
we will come to business. Would yoI
like to give up your present mental &C
cupation and become, first, the pupil G
n musician. and then u master of tn
art you will excel in?"
"That is beyond my hopes, sir.
have no money"
JabeS Wilson threw up his hands.
THAT'S all right. will 500 TO tina
little matter. Give me the assuranc
that you will put your whole heart int
the work I have cut out for you an
will do your best. I ask for nothin
more"
A few days later Luigi left his situi
tion and became the protege of Mr.. Wi
son. To say that Luigi was gratefJ
would be to put the feeling he evlnce
toward his benefnctor in very mil
terms. he could find no way of expires
ing his gratitude beyond making hin
self as perfect in his art as it BEGAN
possible for him 10 do.
"Luigi, said Mr.. Wilson one da,
ct ara delighted to tell yop that it
now beyond the capabilities Of Englii
masters to teach you further. 1t remail
for the masters Of your native land
instill into you that little required
render you their equal, # not their s
perior. / have decided therefore TO tal
you to Naples, where we will spend q
next year or two"
For the first time since their odd a
quaintance Luigi failed to hail an a
nouncement for his benefit with Al
sign Of pleasure or satisfaction.
looked gloomy and hesitated TO speak
lyon have always been extreme
kind and good to me, Mr.. Wilson.
cannot by any possible means expr'
my gratitude. But the suggestion y
have made, although entirely for !
good, fills me with paiu. / cam
leave England, beoause-because /
R0ing TO get married"
1.-The dickens you arei' roared I
infuriated bachelor, mad with raj
''Thir, sir. Is the way in which y
show your Rrntituda You Italian dC