Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1902-04-24

LAlN4hts WIN mn my NaN NJ
their hearts. Carlo had only 10 say the
word and the .prettiest and proudest
among them would not have said no.
He had a pleasant smile and a witty
word for all of them. but his heart
clung to his mother. He lived only for
Ter and his work. On the street and
at Places of amusement he was always
accompanied by her.
The last carnival had brought a great
change in Carlo. Agnese herself had
prevailed on him to mix in the crowds.
Accident brought him to Zulian's inn.
There he saw Meta. Since then he
had lived in dreamland. He saw the
beautiful girlin his w house, sitting
near him while he was at work. He
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
Alvise. "You look like you were in
love. l can guess the name of the for
luudlt olts 1t = 4Nltlld, Lulldu > I'd uSH-
ter"
Carlo blushed. "How do you know"
he asked. And why does it concern
your
rs that the way you greet your best
friend?" asked'Alvise.
"My best friend?" rejoiped the cob
bier.
Eyes; in the future I'll be your best
friend. Listen to me, Carlo. Meta
has Tilted me. There is no hope for
ne there. | know how much you love
her. and as ] cannot bear the thought
that she will marry any n of the
worthless fellows that frequent the
inn, ] came to help YOU"
"Alvise." exclaimed Carlo. "by the
Holy Virgin, do not make sport of mel"
81 came to give you good advice"
assured Alvise.
what advice conld you give me?"
81 could show you how TO gain Nj
etta," laughed Alyisc. 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 Hulian,
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. II 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. lie counseled him
to spend a 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 a table with the hilari-
Gus crowd, and drank wine until late
in the evening. 1t heated the blood
in Carlos veins. When, finally, Carlo
left the inn and walked down the Via
di G~aribaldi, arm in arm with Alvise,
people looked on in surprise. Was
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 Alvise
half intoxicated. At first she felt in
clined to warn Carlo against .Alvise
but knowing the l~atter's desperate
character, she feared she might pro
woke a fight.
Carlo ordered one bottle after an
other, and Father Zulian proved q
genial host. Carlo felt that he was
gaining his aim. and thanked Advise
p~rofusely. But he was surprised thai
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
a~nxiously for her son.
Finally the door opened, and a voice
cried: "Good-by, Alvise. l will SET
you again tomorrow"
Her son tumbled through the room
and, without noticing her, fell on his
bed. He was snoring a few minutes
later.
Mother Agnese sat as if rooted tt
her chair. Then she arose and wen
with trembling steps into her room
She knew that her son "a back un
der her roof, and yet she felt that sh'
had lost him forever.
Carlo often tried to escape the hyp
motto influences of Advise. He spen'
his money fast, and yet Nett,
seemed to avoid him. He neglected
his business and ignored his mother!
anxious warnings. One evening, aftel
his mother had fondly thrown hc1
arms afound him, and begged him tt
stay at home, he half promised to dt
so. But Alvise came and asked hin
why he did not keep his appointment
The words of defiance Carlo hat
framed were not spoken. 1t was sucl
a merry thing to go and drink from
one inn to the other, to Sing will
the jolly boys, and to play the mando
lin. Then came the image of Meta
and Carlo had whispered to his moth
er: 81 will go once more, but thi
is the last time"