St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1902-06-07
ker. He was a fine tyne OF

near aEC lar brought their shoes ant
slippers to his little shop in the Rio de
RELIC. With their shoes they brough
their hearts. Carlo had only to say tn,
| word and the prettiest and proudes
among them would not have said no
! He had a pleasant smile and witt,
word for all Of them, but his hear
| chung to his mother. He lived only fol-
her and his work. On the street ant
at places of amusement he was Away!
accompanied by her.
The last carnival had brought grea
change in Carlo. Agnese herself ha(
prevailed on him to mix in the crowds
Accident brought him to Zulian's inn
There he saw Meta. Since then ht
had lived in dreamland. He saw the
beautiful girl in his own house, sitting
near him while he was at work. HI
felt her rosy lips on his-the picture
was so beautiful. He recalled it while
working and sleeping.
One day Advise called on Carlo. He
was alone in his shop.
''How is my friend Carlo?' exclaimed
Alyise. "You look like you were il
| love. l can guess the name of the for.
tunate one. It's Meta, Zulian's daugh
ter"
Carlo blushed. "How do you know?'
he asked. "And why does it concern
YOU"
us that the way you greet your best
friend ?" asked Advise.
my best friend?" rejoined the cob.
bier.
Yes; in the future I'll be your best
friend. Listen to me. Carlo, Meta
has Tilted ME. There is no hope for
me there. I know how much you love
her, and as l cannot bear the thought
that she will marry any one of the
worthless fellows that frequent the
inn. came to help you"
"Alvise." exclaimed Carlo. "by the
Holy Virgin. do OF make sport of mel
Il came to give you good advice,
assured Alvise.
what advice could you give me?''
Il could show you how to gain Nj
eta" laughed Advise. You don't go
about it in the right way. You are
too bashful and sedate. You must
play the generous spendthrift and be
a jolly, good fellow. This will get
you the friendship of Father Zulian,
and Meta will have respect for you
and be proud of you"
perhaps you are right" said Carlo,
thoughtfully; ''but what about my
mother?"
''Why, your mother ought to let
you off once in awhile. She certainly
will not stand in the way of your
happiness, even if she had to miss
you a few nights"
you are right said Carlo. Il love
Meta dearly, and will make the at
tempt to win her this very day."
Carlo began to dress to go out.
Carlo wanted to go at once to Fa-
Their Zulian's inn. But Advise thought
it was too early. He counseled him
to spend short time first in the inn
of Mother Osteria, where the friends
of Advise reveled in wine and song.
This would put him in the right mood
to meet Meta, Advise said.
They sat at table with the hilari-
Gus crowd, and drank wine until late
in the evening. It heated the blood
in Carlos veins. When, finally, Carlo
left the inn and walked down the Via
di Garibaldi, arm in arm with Advise,
this the quiet, honest Carlo? How
did he come in the company of Al
wise? Still waters run deep, said the
gossips.
Meta was amazed when she saw
Carlo enter the barroom. She loved
the handsome youth and had really
hoped that he would lay aside his
bashfulness. but she never expected
to see him in company with Advise,
half intoxicated. At first she felt in
clined to warn Carlo against Advise,
but knowing the latter's desperate
character, she feared she might pro-
woke fight.
Carlo ordered one bottle after an
other, and Father Zulian proved a
genial host. Carlo felt that he was
gaining his aim, and thanked Advise
profusely. But he was surprised that
Meta kept at a distance, and that
her face betrayed sadness.
Don't worry" assured Advise. "Ni-
eta wants to abide her time and see
how you turn OUT
Meanwhile, Mother Agnese waited
anxiously for her son.
Finally the door opened, and voice
cried: "Goodby, Advise. 1 will see
you again tomorrow"
Her son tumbled through the room
and, without noticing her, fell on his
bed. He was snoring few minutes
later.
Mother Agnese sat as if rooted to
her chair. Then she arose and went
with trembling steps into her room.
She knew that her son was back I'M
der her roof, and yet she felt that she
had lost him forever.
Carlo often tried to escape the hyp-
uotic influences of Advise. He spent
his money fast, and yet Meta
seemed to avoid him. He neglected
his business and ignored his mothers
anxious warnings. One evening, after |
his mother had fondly thrown her
arms around him, and begged him to
stay at home, he half promised to do
so. But Alvise came and asked him
why he did not keep his appointment.
The words of defiance Carlo had
framed were not spoken. 1t was such
= merry thing to go and drink from
one inn to the other, to sing with
,he jolly boys, and to play the mando-
lin. Then came the image of Meta,
md Carlo had whispered to his moth
.r: II will go once more, but this |