The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1899-01-21


Teeth. Look here!"
And he held up TO their wondering
gaze the finest turbot they had ever
seen.
Wasn't that worth risking q wet
jacket for?" asked the lad. triumphant
~. They may well say that those
rocks are a good place to fish just after
a squall. Now. I'm going straight up
10 the castle with this turbot of mine.
and well see whether his highness
won't think him worth paying well
for"
Antonio was as good as his word.
Tired though he was, he started Off at
once up the hill, on the summit of
which the dark gray battlements of the
princes castle stood out above huge
mass of sandstone cliff, from which the
domain of Monte Rosso (Red noun
tain) took its name.
The hill was steep. the way dusty, and
by the time he reached the castle gate
Antonios dust-begrimed face and tum-
bled hair, added to his tattered red shirt
and bare feet, made him anything but
presentable figure for a drawing
room. So evidently thought the burly
hall porter, who eyed him from head to
foot, with a most supercilious sheer.
what do you want?" snapped he.
I'VE don't allow beggars here"
II am not beggar." replied Antonio.
as quietly as he could. II bring his
highness the turbot that he ordered.
SHOW il to me-"
1T is for the prince, not for you,
said our hero. somewhat roughly. for
his hot Italian blood was beginning to
boil at the ackey's insolence.
Fellow" roared the porter, do you
know to whom you speak? Doyou sup
pose that will suffer any impertinence
from barefooted fsh-scraper""
Better be barefooted fish-scraper
than an overfed yard dog" retorted An
tonic. "And as for impertinence,
would advise you not to offer too much
of it TO mel"
There was something in the young
fsherman's look and tone, to say moth
ing of the broad-bladed knife in his
girdle, which made the clustering bully
start back as if he had been stung, and
look round instinctively for support.
You needn't be so violent" grumbled
he. If you have business with his high
ness. I'm quite ready 10 admit you
But, since you won't toucL a penny Of
his money unless l do, think it's only
fair that / should have half-share of
it."
You half-share in what I've -isked
my life for!" shouted Antonio. I'D
sooner"
But just then a thought struck him
which checked his anger, and brought
n mischievous twinkle into his bright
eyes.
you drive a hard bargain" said he;
"but l suppose there's no help for it.
I call to witness ST. Antonio, my patron
saint, that whatever get for this fish,
you shall have your fair half of it,"
Good" said the porter; II know you
daren't break that pledge. Here, Carlo,
take this fellow inside. ard carry the
fish to his highness."
In speaking thus the worthy porter
was counting upon Antonio's being
paid and sent away without more ado
But the prince was so delighted at get
ting his turbot after all, that he called
the young fisherman up into the bal
cony, where he was sitting with his
guests, and babe him name his own
price.
''My price," said Antonio, is hun
dred blows of whip on my bare Shout
ders."
Are you mad?" cried the prince,
staring.
"Not I; I've named my price, and
stick to it,"
well, cried Monte Rosso. wishing to
humor the supposed joke, 80 be It. Tie
him up, grooms; but strike gently"
He was obeyed; but at the fftieth
stroke. Antonio called out:
Hold! 1 have a partner"
"And who is the partner in this hope
full venture?" laughed The prince.
Your own porter. who made me
promise him half share of whatsoever
1 got"
And he shall have it," declared the
prince. Drag him hither, grooms, and
lay on as If you were threshing corn"
But the grooms needed no urging to
pay the porter for all his insolence, and
the courtyard echoed with his yells
Meanwhile the prince awarded Antonio
with hundred gold crowns, and prom
ised that the knavish porter should be
dismissed forthwith; but Antonio who
was not the man to be hard on fallen
enemy, interceded for him and begged
him Off.
I'll spare you this time, rascal /" said
the prince to the rolling and roaring
porter; but beware how you offend
again. You think yourself very clever,
no doubt; but this time you've been too
cler by half"
And the porter himself was of much
the same oninion -GoIdap Dave