Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1899-08-22
THE FINS.

The FINS.
The organ grinder passed beneath the
spreading branches of 4 large elm tree
that stood in front Of Il handsome stone
residence and wiped his perspiring brow
with his red bandana. The day was
warm, with that oppressive heat which
causes WEAKNESS to follow the slightest
exertion. Hours before just as the sun
was peeping above the eastern hills be
had left his home amidst the dirt and
squalor of the water front and with his
organ strapped to his shoulder mad
trudged through the different streets. only
stopping long enough to give forth his
tunes to the outside world. In the noon
day heat he had been in the business
district. but times were hard and the
merchants shook their heads negatively
to his cajolng smiles and grimances.
With afternoon had come the longing
for a rest in some cool spot, and instinct
lively he wendell his way to Fifth ave-
nue.. 1t was hot even here, but nothing
like his little room in the stop story OF
that tenement building. where the sun
beat its fierce rays from morn until night
and whose intense heat caused the boiled
long narrow hallway. to be more pro-
nounced than ever.
With a little sigh of discomfort he
slipped his burden off his back and sat
on the low curb. The brown stone man
sions, rich with their treasures Of art.
bordered the broad White-payed street
on either side, and the quiet air of re-
finement and culture which peryaded the
atmosphere, so different from the tur-
MOL and dirt that characterized his en-
vironments, all served TO impress on his
mind that this was little world OF us
own. And the fact that he was an out
cast from this world brought 4 sharp
pang of bitterness beneath his faded
blue blouse.
Down the street came a pair of black
horses, tandem fashion, guided by drl-
yer in blue and gold livery. Nearer and
nearer they approached, until directly
opposite they came to an abrupt stop;
The footman descended from his elevated
position, the lady alighted and entered
the house, leaving young girl the only
occupant of the carriage.
The organ grinder looked upon TINS
scene fascinated; here were beings who
played a part in that other world, and
how that young girl looked like Mar
gretta; Margretta synonymous to sunny
Italy To be sure, Margretta was only
a waitress in a restaurant ana wore d
gaily-decorated turban and long yellow
earrings. while the young girl opposite,
in her costly silks. was the offspring OF
one of the richest and most influential
families, but to the man sitting on the
curbstOne they looked alike, and feel
ing of worship for the unknown maiden
took possession of him on account Of this
fact
Nargretta, How the name brought to
him q train Of tender, loving memories:
memories that now formed the brightest
part of the man existence. Three years
before he had left Margretta and Italy
to come to America, where be was to
earn money enough to send for her, and
then-well. then would come the reward
for the long, patient waiting. One year,
two years, and now the third year had
passed. and he was still alone in the new
home. Day after day ne had furnished
music faithfully, and, well, the public
we'll, they had listened and applauded
but oftentimes forgot to pay the piper.
Three months before he had received
an angry letter from Margretta. She
had found some gray hairs midst heI
raven tresses. and she wished him tC
understand that a good-looking waiter
by the name of Josef delayed from ask
ing her to be his wife because she gave
him no encouragement. So, if he want
ed her he had better send for her at
once.
Save a tightening of the lips the petu
ant letter was read in silence. He haC
replied, telling her how he had saved but
times were hard and the pennies accu
mulated slowly. If she would only wait
a few weeks longer everything would and
must come out all right But the weeks
too. had slipped by, and although he was
now living on only one meal day in or
der to reduce expenses, the end seemed
as far off as ever. The hopelessness OF
the struggle, the giving up of well-lai(
plans seemed harder than ever 'mids
his present surroundings, and he drew
forth once more his red bandana anC
wiped the tears that slowly coursed dow1
his grimy cheeks.
Suddenly a thought flashed through hi
mind like q ray of light in utter dark
ness, The Sunday before he had wan
,dered into the little Italian church OF
Italy corner, and the minister hat
preached in the mother tongue from thu
text, ASK, and We shall receive. tina
your joy may be full He explained
that Christ said ask. and then left ;
blank that we might fill in to suit our
selves. This was the thought impressed
on the congregation, and it haunted on'
listener the rest of that day. If he coult
petition God for anything and have it
why not ask for Margretta? Being sen
Sitiye, his surroundings always lnfu
~enced him in a marked degree. and il
the solemn stiffness of the church b
resolved that he would pray, but once
outside the rush of the business worlC
and the spirit of money gathering oblit
Grated this desire from his memory.
But today, when his troubles seemed
heavier than he could bear alone, HI
instinctively turned to one for help. ant
then the half-formed resolution Of SIM
day became a certainty, and. folding hi
dirty hands, he murmured iii broken Eng
lish
''Oh, God. you tells me to ask; | do.
ask for Margretta. You tells me give, 81
/ -"
The prayer was never finished. A rat
tie and clang. and around the corne
came fire engine at full speed. The
noise, coming suddenly in the death
like stiffness of the neighborhood startles
the horses standing by the opposite curb
and. notwithstanding the restrainin:
hand of the driver. they leaped ana
pranced in terror and threatened ever,