Sistersville daily oil review. [volume] (Sistersville, W. Va.) 1902-1905, 1903-08-21

Julia Morelli lived on the top floor
of the three-storied rickety old build
ing in the rear of the four-storied
rickety old building that looked out on
Mulberry street. The four-storied
building had little air and sunlight
to give to its hundreds of men, women
and children.
In the Winter the building in the
rear was comfortable as home, but
in the Summer it was fearfully hot
and everybody had to sleep on the roof.
Here little Julia, for she was only
fourteen years old and small for her
age, could lie awake at night and look
I'D at the stars and dream OF Pasquale.
He was her neighbor. He lived in
the front house. He was eighteen, and
he was tall and brave, and gave her
the peanuts and apples that he could
not sell, so that she loved him and he
loved her.
Julia's father was a shoemaker, and
so had but little liking for Pasquale.
All of the Bucios had been ne'er-do-
wells, he declared; the father had died
and left his only son nothing but a
pushcart and barrel of apples and a
bag of peanuts. Pasquale had worked
hard, he admitted, but he was not in
a good position and his trade did not
pay we'll, for the policeman ate half
his stock in trade on some days, and
on other days waited until he had sold
three dollars worth of apples and pea
nuts, and then arrested him and TOOK
him off to court, where he was fined
all that he had made. No, Pasquale
was not the man for Julia, her father
declared, for she was eXtravagant and
used to every comfort, such as shoes
in the Summer time and new shaWls
when the patriotic sons of Italy had
their picnics in Lion Park. So Julia
was told never to think of Pasquale
again.
OF course, she never did think OF
him after that, for she was an obedient
little girl, but it did make her heart
sick thinking that she must never
think of him again, and she was not
the happiest girl in Little Italy.
Pasuuale declared that he was not
a bit afraid to climb up the fire escape
and that he knew there was no DAN
ger of her mother interrupting them,
for he had just left her talking with
old grandmother Estella about the
elopment of Banker Lacio's wife.
Julia said that it was wrong for him
to come to see her in that way, but
Pasauale was too wise lover to talk.
Julia was sure that she loved Pas
ouale. and she knew that he loved her,
too. So that it was all soon arranged.
Pasquale said that he would make
a formal offer of his heart and hand,
and then, if her father would not let
them get married, why they would do
so anyhow and ask his consent after
ward. Then he went away.
Julia heard him make his offer that
night, and heard her father tell him to
20 ask for the moon.
The next morning when her mother
went out to market she was ready.
She crept down the stairs and then
through the alley to Mulberry street
and then down to the Bowery. Pas
uuale was waiting for her. They got
on the elevated and went away up
town.
"Now we are safe," said Pasquale;
'they will never seek for us up this
far, and I have bought shoeblack
stand up here and we will soon be
rich-and so happy"
when are we to be married?'
asked Julia, her heart beating violent
ly at the mere prospect of so much
happiness.
You will trust me, won't you, my
loved one?" said Pasquale. 81 have a
scheme. We will not be married yet"
ooh, OH cried Julia, her heart sick
with horror.
wait a moment, my precious, y
cried Pasquale. II am going to take
you to my aunt's house. She is good
and kind, and will see that no harm
comes to you Besides, I have my
scheme, you know"
What is it," asked Julia.
"Well," replied Pasquale, "you know
America is a queer country, and men
and women can't do everything they
like just because they are in love with
one another. Now, if were to marry
you at once, your father could have me
arrested for taking you away, for you
are only fourteen years old. You see,
IL married you, he would do that, for
he would hate me and try to do me
some harm. But" and then Pas
quale proceeded to explain the nature
Of the brilliant idea that had occurred
to him, and which caused his little
sweetheart to think him the cleverest
fellow in all the world.
So Julia went to live with Pasquale's
aunt and stayed there three days. She
was happy, for Pasquale could Come to
see her whenever he wanted to, and
there was no need for them to be al
ways watching out for papa and man,
ma to interrupt them.