The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1903-01-22
YHE whirr of Il lathe fell upon
the close, hot air OF the nar'


row Venetian street. the Via
Bardo. while the sharp click
Of hammer on chisel marked stronger
note in the industrial symphony.
Away toward the Grand Canal n
blue-bloused fisherman cried his wares.
and Mere Ricordo's shrill and kindly
chatter rose and fell as children stopped
and bought her cherries and aprlcots.
The mother is in good spirits" said
Pletro in the carpenters shop. as he
deftly inserted his sharp chisel between
n cupid's wing and carved shred
away to make the feathers still more
downy.
The lathe hummed on. for Nelo, his
comradc, worked by the piece, and
wanted to earn enough to buy those
corals which hung in Zeno's little shop
across the bridge: lie did not care to
stop his wheel and gossip.
''She is in good spirits" continued
Pietro, because the American signora
has taken a fancy to the little one. and
declares she will take her to Paris and
train her as her maid"
The lathe ceased turing so suddenly
that the banister which was being
carved was almost jcrked out; then,
with a touch ON the iron clamp to see
all was right, Nello bent to his work
again.
Little Rosa herself is delighted; she
was to have been put to the Venetian
lace school. but prefers to see the
world"
The child Is but sixteen" said an
other worker. THE sgnora will scarce
have n maid so young as that"
Have l not told you" said Pietro,
getting up and strOlling toward the
door. that the signora has taken a
fancy to Rosa? And when these Amer
leans take ideas into their heads they
carry them through. Rosa has pretty
face. and the handsome eyes OF the
true Venetian" He rolled a cigarette
with the air of connosseur. Mad
anne likes handsome faces about her,
therefore the pretty Rosa Is TO accom-
pany the slgnora to Paris"
How soon:" Itwas Nello who spoke
now.
I'm fortnight-in n week-in three
days-I do not know! Bah. what does
il matter? There is the clock of San
Marco striking. Good night, Nello.
You work as II the evil one turned your
wheel"'
The merry Pletro passed out into the
street. Other workers rose. stretched
their wearlcd arms. shook their blue.
washed blouses free OF chips and
turned homeward. Only Nello worke I'd
on, his lathe hummlng steadily now
that no disturbing tongue voiced news
which interrupted the regularity OF the
guiding hand.
Then followed two days when the
hum OF the lathe sounded for longei
hours In succession than ever before
Dare he offer the gift? But he hat
not bought It yet-could not. until thC
four liras Were saved out of the scanty
wage. A fortnight-a week-three day.
which? The idle words were full oI
torturing uncertainty.
THE little Rosa Will come back {
rich woman; her wages Will be a thou
sand llras. hear" said the gosslplnI
Pletro. "She will save fine dot Will
away. and come back when she 1
thirty"
Thirty! When a woman is not wort
looking at"'
True. but then you must look at tn
dotv' And the workers laughed. al
except Nello. from whose lips came n
sound.
At last the day came when the fou
liras were In his hand. He hurried L
the little shop where those red bead
hung 30 temptingiy. and his heart bea
high with hopes as he touched thei
smooth SURFACE lovingly. How the
would become the little Rosa! HOY
her great eyes would sparkle wit
pleasure when Nello told her they wer
for her very own!
A hundred times he sehearsed IN
scene as he sat mt his work. He woul
watch her face as she opened the littl
parcel. Perhaps she would let hir
clasp them round her throat.
He had never told Rosa OF his loy
except In n dumb. faithful way, rs
dog may who seryes bis Mistress au
g'lards her always. satisfied with
careless word of approval OF a psssir
smile But tonight he would tell he
for he would soon be earning cot
wages. and was not he bis uncle's he