Evening journal., 1899-01-30

gaze the nnest lurOot they had ever
seen.
Wasn't that worth risking a wet
jacket for?" asked the lad, triumphant-
ly. They may well say that those
rocks are a good place 10 fish just after
squatl. Now. I'm going straight up
10 the castle with this turbot OF mine.
and wen see whether his highness
won't think him worth paying well
tor"
Antonio was as good as his word
Tired though be was. he started OH al
once up the hill on the summit Of
which the dark gray batIlemeuis of The
princes castle stood OUT above huge
mass Of sandstone elf from which the
domain OF Monte Rosso (Red noun
tain) took its name.
The Hill was steep. the way dusty. and
by the time be reached the castle gate
Antonio's dusi-begrimed face and tum-
bled hair. added TO HIS tattered red shirt
and bare feet. made him anything but
a presentable figure for a drawing
room. So evidently thought the burly
hall porter, who eyed him from head TO
foot. with a most supercilious sneer.
What do sou want?" snapped he.
I'VE don't allow beggars here"
II am not q beggar." replied Antonio.
as quietly as he could. IL bring his
highness the turbot that he ordered.
SHOW it to me-"
1T is for the prince. not for you"
said our hero. somewhat roughly. for
his hot Italian blood was beginning 10
boil at the lackey's insoence.
"Fellowl" roared the porter. do you
know to whom you speak? Doyou sup
pose that will suffer any mpertinence
from barefooied fish-scraper?"
Better be a barefooted fish-scrapeI
than an overfed yard dog" retorted An
tonic. "And as for impertlnence.
would advise you not 10 offer too much
of IL 10 mel"
There was something In the young
fsherman's look and tone. 10 say moth
ing of the broad -bladed knife in his
/ girdle, which made the clustering bully
start back as II he had been stung, and
look round insiinctively for support.
"Youneedn'tb be so violent" grumblet
/ he. If you have business with his high
ness. I'm quite ready 10 admit you
But, since you won't ioucL penny Of
his money unless do. | think it's only
fair that / should have a half-share O.
it,"
"You q hali-share in what I've riskot
my life for!" shouted Antonio. az,
sooner"
But just then thought struck hin
which checked his anger, and brough
mischiovous twinkle into his brigh
eyes
You drive a hard bargain" said he
but suppose there's no help for II
I call TO witness ST. Antonio. my patro'
suiut. that whatever get for this fisl
you shall hive your fair half Of H."
Good said the porter; Il know yo
daren't break that pledge Here, CarlC
take this fellow inside, ard carry III
FISH to his highness."
To speaking thus the worthy porte
was counting upon Antonio's bein
paid and sent away without more ad,
But the prince was so delighted at sc
ting his turbot after all. that he calle
the young fisherman up into the ba
( cony. where he was sitting with hi
guests, and bade him name his ow
price
MY price" said Antonio. is a hun
} dred blows Of whip on my bare shou
, ders"
Are yoa mada" cried the prime
staring.
Not I; I've named my price, and
stick to it,"
"Well,"cried Monte Rosso. wishing {
, humor the supposed joke $50 be IT, II
, him up. grooms; but strike gently"
3 He was obeyed; but at the fftiet
stroke. Antonio called out:
Hold! I have a partner"
2 And who is the partner ia this hop
/ full venture?" laughed .he prince
Your own porter, who made m
=. promise him half shareof whatsoevt
\ I got"
E "And he shall have III" declared II
prince. Drag him hither. grooms. an
r lay on as II you were threshing corn"
, But the groOms needed no urging
pay the porter for all his insolence, an
J the courtyard echoed with his yell
P Meanwhile the prince awarded Anton
E with a hundred gold crowns. and prom
ised that the knavish porter should
! dismissed forthwith; but Antonio WI
1 was not the man to be hard on a falls
I enemy, interceded for him and begg'
him off.
"I'll spare you this time, rascal. sa
! the prince to the rolling and roarir
porter; but beware how you offel
! again. You think yourself very cleve
4 no doubt; but this time you've been I,
. cler by half"
4 And the porter himself was Of NUT
! the same opinion.-Golden Days.
"a 4 "BiE Die"
M a