The age-herald., 1897-09-18
THE MEROLLA'S
 ON TIMELY TOPICS


 mingham. They are important folk, in size and other ways. In the aggregate the stronger Morella and his spouse would weigh nearly 600 pounds. The fair Merolla has an arm that would make two Of John Us. Waist, well, Mrs. Merolla's waist is not of the Cl=o. Demerode variety. Now it is also doubtful if the good lady could get about in that graceful, butterfly manner that has made Cleo so famous. This is an absolute certainty, for so great is Mrs. Merollas avolrdupoise that her pedal extremities rebel and she must be pro- vided with crutehes to aid them.
 MT. Merolla is a jolly good fellow. He was educated for a priest, but soms- how or other Merolla is not now a priest. Merolla is a good cook, but now he keeps grocery.
 "IIow is the yellow fever." asked Mrs. Merolla.
 I'm not afraid of yellow fsver," con- tinued Mrs. Merolla. Nobody but low class have yellow fever Very low class. I was raised in New Orleans and my first husband died of yellow fever''
 She glanced to see if the head of the house was looking. He was not and she brushed away a tear that had prob- ably in imagination coursed down her ruddy cheek.
 "Yes, the poor man died and not an other soul in the house had it, even not one to keep him company. He caught it from some 'dagoes' living next door,"
 She glanced around to see if her hus- band heard, but he had just steppsd into the kitchen at the back to see about choice dish for supper.
 Dagoes' are the drtiest people in the world. Sleep, eat and keep their bananas all in same room. No won- der they have yellow fever Ought to have it every day" and she made a grimace to show her disgust.
 
 There was a sensation in the Merolla neighborhood. A baby was found early in the morning at the door of a near by residence.
 Even goose will love its young and fly at you when you bother them" sad Mrs. Morelsa. Any kind of dumb brute will protect its youtg, and human beings treat theirs worse than dogs" and Mrs. Merolla sorIowfully swayed her head to and fro
 They ought to fix it like it is in the old country. There they have box with a bell to it. When folks want to throw their young away they go to thss box, put the baby in, pull the bell and run away. If they ain'e caught it's all right
 The rain was coming down in pours after several hours of intense heat. In came little girl to make small pur- chase. She was barcfooted, and her dress was so wet that it clung to her form.
 "No umbrella, deary, and out in this rain?" said Mrs. Morella, sympa hizing- ly.
 That's The way with folks; they don't care nothin' about their young"
 Mamma, would you take the baby?" asked a bright buxorn, brown-haired lit- tie miss.
 ''The Lord knows I have trouble enough with you, but if it was suffern I would take it.''
 The good lady arose from her seat with some difficulty and walked to the front deor to take a survey of the muddy streets.
 MT. Merolla emerged from the kitchen and took the seat vacated by his spouse.
 Went 10 graveyard yesterday, went to graveyard he said, as he assumed mock expression of importance.
 Thought I would move to Bessemer, ard went to see about it. Neger every where. No good down there. If I start restauranr have to make partition, or neger want to eat with white folks. Cause 'spute all Tme. Nickel dime trade all no good.
 "I just moved out of bad locality, don't wan. to mcve any more. I make good money here, live easy"