The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1900-01-10
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& 1he Flower of the .Tn. 8
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ory over a litfle stove.
See,my beloved what have brought
thee" he said. These are two LITTLE
orphans. rescued from hunger and the
whip. to be thine own Instead of the
angel we have lost"
They have no mother?" she asked.
already opening her arms.
Nor father, my beautiful They are
little children OF the good God. and now
they are ours
little while later. the white oxen
We're once more put into the yoke The
| whlps cracked. the great caravans
numbered heavlly, and Beppo and Mad
dalena sat snugly within Antonio's
| wheeled house. lest anyone should see
and recognize them, and held each 9TH
ers hands. ana looked I'm each others
/ eyes. fun Of delight and wonder at their
adventure. and fearing nothing SO long
as they were together.
Antonio was as good as his word No
father and mother could have been
more tender 10 the little waus than he
and Teresita
There was no hue and cry upon their
track. Who cared for them. poor little
human crickets, when the goats came
nome alone at evening. AT first the
stick stood ready 10 the stout peasafit
hands 10 punish them when they
should come. But presently IL was real
lied that they would not come: and
none grieved. since Beppo was weak
ling. and Maddaiena passionate and
obstinate.
The years passed very happily. Jour
neying up and down the strange coun-
tries. with Antonio and Tereslta and
their troupe or mummers. Maddalena
brought prosperity OF kind to Anto-
MO. She was no ordinary dancing
girl. no common acrobat The strength
and suppleness which made Antonio
call her Flower OF the Air. retained
her the name. and. everywhere the car
avans halted. drew crowds TO see her
dance on the tight rope and disporr
herself at dizzy heights as secure ana
gracefully az any bird.
But, as the snow and storms drove
the circus into winter quarters. go the
SHOWS OF age fell on Antonio They had
ali earned for the day and saved moth
ing and the time came when the troune
melted and broke up. and Antonio and
Teresita were left all but alone with
their children.
II was then that the English impress
sario saw the performance of the |
Flower of the Air" and offered her an !
engagement at a salary that nigh took |
their breath away.
Maddaena danced for jov.
Now IL is nv turn" she said: "and |
you VIII go back TO Sicily. little father
ana mother. and own little VINEYARD.
and keep roof for Repro and me to
return 20 one dav."
Repro will go with thee. child?"
said Antonio. 1T is well Are you not
brother and sister, And Teresita will
Dc happier knowing he is near thee in
the wicked world"
All those years. Repro sickly and
lreamy had been little use in the Ro-
nano troupe. Not that ne was ever al
owed to feel that his Siclian pip,nS
vas thin as the cicada's song 10 those
Who liked the biare-of brazen instru>
nents.
He brought love for him when he
anne, said Teresita, To whom the chill
Iren stood In the place of the baby she
Iad lost; and both she and Antonio |
we're proud OF the tall. handsome. deli
ate lad, who had the look OF a signor.
md not Of the son OF peasants.
why. father and mother. mine" said
iaddalena i'm response To Antonios
peech, we have a much better plan
han that: much better plan"
She blushed and dimpled all over like ,
brown pool in sunlight
we are To marry. Beppo and l. Sec ,
on. we have always loved each other. :
efore YOU came 10 love us we had ,
MY each other and the Madonna and ;
he angels. And IL is better that I
nould be slgnora than signorina in
le world We 10 to-" a
So 1t was settled and the little lovers b
old became husband and wife and
ent away with the English impres- p
irio while Antonio and Teresita went a
IDLY back to Sicily and became pro- {
'ietors selling the caravans and turn
g the white oxen to the plow.
They looked long for the children 10
me 10 them but they did not come.
though the fond and faithful letters 4,
ld the money came regularly. "
"A little longer" wrote Maddalera ~
nd we will come and will stay. and al
shall forget that I was the Flower a.
the Ait. and shall be glad TO remem- te
r that | am only a little witbered
wer on p STcfT1an hfIIsTde-r W N
The performance at the Variety 6rau. Oh
any OF the class which likes 10 see in
feiiow-creatures throw dice with er
ath. ''' -
The most daring and the mast grace ~
or the performances was that NJ M
Signora Romano. the "FloNar or us
Air. with hes 0Apee at a giddv an
lght and her wonderful flight n,
rough space P'
TWO men watched her from n nri- VI
te box. as she ctirtsied TO the audi- on
'e. she was unspeakably brilIian, I'm
|, doublet of gold tissue and hose Of pa
low satin. vi Il
what n charming creatureu said Bs
Yes, said the other, ana then lirtod tol
hat. Ave, flor Martyrum," be dc
led gravely "' tri
Why, Hilton. said The other "vbat be
rds in such place." pc
say n every time / see her" said a
other Look, man. and Won viii vel
IT, too. Don't YOU see The martvr In r..
cyes?' w 4
You are sentim ntal. Hilton or'
No It's only that YOU are dun DAILY. on
ono day she will be less strong than sun
al or she viii be distrlciei-th, vic
u little wrench during hrr somer- he
H. and she will break her back n Wit
o come here da" after day TO see n IN
knows that 1t viii happen I'm ail the
liability. She is prepared for death bic
" time she steps ON the sage. II I
race between her and death" tiv
hope you are not right. Hilton. IL IN
ar. The legislature sh, uld p,it add
n such performances Ab