Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1899-05-06
THEY WERE RIVALS.


and Bayarj street.
Yincenzo and Francisco were sworn
friends. They shared the saiae getret in
Mott street, and on Sundays t5ey share
their holidays, as on week days they help.
each other through the dirt and roar and
rattle Of the Bowery.
One workday was much like the neSi II
was only on holidays and Sundays that they
really lived. Then they put on their best
clothes, and each with a straw in his mouth
and his pipe in his coat pocket, they lcfi the
city behind aud sol cut into the country.
Down on Statan Island countryman
Kept little hotel where one might get good
spaghetti and chianto and a veal outlet,
Dreaded, with tomato sauce, for little or
nothing. The hotel was called the White
house. Here one might sit and smoke his
pipe and drink his wine and watch the ships
go out to sea. The birds sang in the tree
tops, and the cool breezes came in from the
ocean, the sunbeams danced on the waves
and Maria, that was the landlords daugh.
ter, played softly on the guitar and sang the
old songs Of Italy.
Every Sunday in the summer time Vim.
cenzo and Francisco joined the little colony
VI AAallAMo lWMM az AAN W AAAN nNN0Nf khA
one day Nincenzo declared that be could not
60 with his friend.
Francisco asked no questions. He went 70
Staten Island alone, and came back at night
very much displeascd with the world in gem
eral. Nincenzo did not come until late, and
his friend had no chance to speak with him
until the next afternoon.
Then it all came out Nincenzo was young.
you see, and-well, so was Tia. Tia was q
girl, If you please. She had large, black
eyes, the complexion Of deep red rose. Her
fgure-Nincenzo threw up his hands and
closed his eyes and drew in the corners OF
his mouth. Words could not tell her charms.
''You shall see for yourself" he said to
Francisco, and that night he took bis com.
rade to call on her. The shoes were not well
shined the next day, and as for Francisco
he ceased to pay much attention to the coat.
Of his apples and the cooking Of his peanuts
Together the young men called on Tia al
most every night, and, though Vincenzo hat
had the start Of Francisco, the atterl
heart was in q very few days as tumultuoui
as his comrades.
There could be but one ending to all o
this. Nincenzo awohe to the fact that Fran
cisco loved Tia, and Francisco was shocke,
when he remembered that Vincenzo ha,
loved her first.
I'VE will go into the country again Of
Sunday" said Francisco, "and think on
some plan"
It was agreed, and on Sunday, silently an
sorrowfully they put on their best c.othc
again, and in an hour or so sat in front q
their chianti and smoked their pipes.
''Well," said Francisco at last, what
TO be doney
Vincenzo took his pipe out Of bis mout
and bowed his head.
There is but one thing to do" be sai,
1--WE both love Tia. She can marry but on
Of us"
"You must ask her FIRST You loved he
first, my Vincenzo."
mol" cried Nincenzo, 1--WE willlcave it I
fate"
After awhile Francisco agreed 10 this plai
So the young men found broken threads
the tablecloth on the table in front OF then
and pulled at them until the threads can
out in their hands. Then they measur,
them. Vincenzo's thread was the longes
Fate had given him the first chance.
Saturday night came only too soon, an
Vincenzo dressed himself and prepared hin
self for the ordeal In silence the your
men embraced each other. Then Vincent
went to call upon Tia, and Francisco in fe
and trembling remained behind to await q
return of his friend and rival.
Vincenzo found Tia at home, and soon
was pleading as If for his life, and as
{, matter Of fact his love he thought th'
meant life OF death to him.
Tia was a good-natured girl. She listen'
to all that the voting man had to say, tn
she calmly told him that she could not ma
b. ~ him.
q Il knew it," cried Vincenzo; Il was fc
10 for my pains
: you knew what!"
"Ah, never mind. But he is good man.
' love him as I would my own brother. Fai
, WELL" and he dashed ont into the street.
J.. lie went at once to his garrett, and the
o he found Francisco, his head bowed in
: hands. lie touched him on The shoulder.
o Cheerful" he cried "She will mar
). you"
mel But you?"
= "She does not love me. knew it long a.
: But go, my friend. She waits for YOU
Francisco rushed from the room. V
cenzo stood irresolute for a moment.
y NO. he cried. after awhile, Il canr
trust myself / must not be here when
> comes back. viii go now
/. So he went out, and at the door Of I
IL house he left word with the Paderone
r CELLO that he would meet Francisco IN
country the next day.
y, The next day be felt better. lie felt gu
~ brave as he stepped from the train al /
e station and struck out down the road Il
led to the hotel
y lie reached the little clump of trees Il
mi sheltered the hotel, and suddenly his he
ic stood still, for there at the table, where q
b. had in the old times sat so often and laugh
T. and ioeed the hours away, was Francis
m His back was to him. Ninccnzo felt the
n blood in his brain. and for moment he '
g. giddy.
e. He went up to him and put his hand fo
n " on his shoulder. Francisco jumped
r and stood facing Nincenzo. Franc
looked no happier than Nncenzo. Fora
I'd seconds they looked deep into each oth'
- eyes Then Francisco began to smile,
the corners Of Vincenzo's lips partial Tor
Of "Eh." cried Francisco. my friend. d
are yor?'
n D. "And yoa!'
a. 'But where were you last night"
ID" "You did not meet me.
ny ffN were a coward 10 rim from me