The suburban citizen., 1902-04-12


doorstep and the town crier was call
ing loudly for purchasers, \ few pass
ars stopped but they had hardly
glanced at the poor collection when
hey continued their way, and even the
beggars went by without a sigh Of
envy.
At last the crier stopped to recover
his breath, and after glancing up and
down the street, he said doubtfully:
Il am afraid, Master Cayerdone
you will get but little for your pains
There seems to be no one in Rome
ooor enough to want these chattels.
The whole lot viii hardly bring three
ducats.'
Three" repeated the person ad-
dressed. a thin. little old man, strik-
ing the ground fuliously with his
walking stick as he spoke, "and the
miserable woman owes me twelve du-
cats. Twelve. as l am Il Christian,
Jacobo. ! had entire confidence IN
her husband. l supplied him with
brushes and coioys whenever he
wanted them. How was I to know
that be was going to die without pay
in. me-the miserable dauber,-leav-
ing ne nothing but Il heap Of rub
bish? 1 cannot sell the woman and
her four babies
"Hushw said the cricr, "she win
hear you. Ii is not hex fault that the
fever carried him Off
ATTEND to your business" cried the
old man, in a sharp tone, and then he
stood looking sullenly around him. At
little distance sat the Widow Pele-
gYino. and whether because she had
not heard her creditors reproaches,
or because she was incapable of being
affected by anything, there was not
the slightest sign OF resentment in her
attitude or expression. On her lap
she held two young children, evident
ly twins, who We're disputing with
each other the possession Of her dis
hevelled locks; another child was roll
Ing about at her feet while the young
est was cooling to itself and playing
with a wisp of straw pulled from its
own cradle. The mothers face was
perfectly calm, expressing the resig-
nation or indifference of despair.
Suddenly, some persons CHANGED to
stop and look at the wares Of which
the crier was announcing the sale.
Imitation rules the world of men as
attraction governs that of things.
More passers Joined the group, stop
ping merely because the others u.u
and in few minutes there was a
crowd. No one wanted to buy, but
each seemed anxious to fnd out why
the others stayed.
Two gentlemen walking together
found their way impeded by the
throng, and ore OF them asked in q
brusque tone:
"What is the matter here|
'If we were in my dear Paris, my
lord" returned the other, Il would say
It was probably woman beating her
husband, or a cat having its ears
cut"
1T is even less than that, Sir
fsEnchman," interposed a Jew, who
Fad overheard the question and reply,
'the household effects Of a poor
painter vino died last week are about
to be sold by Master Caverdone'
"And who, may ask, is hef said
the first speaker.
"A merchant, who can furnish you
with paints and brushes at reasonable
prices, Mr. Engllshman." was the
reply upon which the Partisan ey
claimed hastily;
you are too familiar / would
have you know that you are speaking
no Lord Pembroke and Monsieur dc
Viyonne"
The Jews face beamod as he lis
tened.
"Lorl Pembroke, the great Euglisl
art amateur, l am so glad TO meet
you. have some valuable works
by all the best Italian uastegF."
What - your uame:' asked h,.
lordship.
"Lsrael."
81 have heard Of you" said the ar
lover; 'you drive hard bargain
Have you any Poussins"
Three, my lord"
"What is your address|
The jew gave it, and while Lor,
Pembroke was writing 1t down. tn
sale began. The first thing put u,
was the babys cradle. No bid wa
made and the Jew remarked lightly:
"Cayerdone will hardly collect hi
dues"
SIS the debt large"
"Twelye ducats, my lord"
"IIas the widow no friends?'
"Yes, but they are as poor as she.
"How will she manage to liye?" sal,
the Frenchman, and his friend re
piled carelessly:
''Such people have few needs"
"They are fortunate, them ex
claimed De Vlyonne with a laugh