Democratic messenger., 1903-01-24
Y HE whirr of 4 lathe fell upon
the close. hot air of the mar
,..,. N-,-at;o,. e.,rnn. ,,,o N"ia

row Venetian street. the Via
Bavtc. while the sharp click
of hammer or c.l.sel marked 4 stronger
note in the industrial symphony.
Away toward the Grand Canal 4
blue-bloused fisherman cried his wares.
and Mere Ricordo's shrll and kindly
chatter rose ard fell as children stopped
and bought her cherries ana apricots.
THE mother is in good spirits" said
Pietro in the carpenters shop. as lie
deftly inserted his sharp chisei between
a cupid's wing. and carved Il shred
away TO make the feathers still more
downy.
The lathe hummed on. for Nelo. his
comrade. worked by the piece. and
wanted 10 earn enough to buy those
orals which hung in ZeEo's little shop
across the bridge; he did not care 10
stop his wheel and gossip.
'She is in good spirits" continued
Pietro. because the American signora
has taken fancy 10 the little one, and
declares she will take her to Paris and
train her rs he- maid"
The lathe ceased turing so suddenly
that the banister which was being
carved was almost ier!.cd ont: then.
with touch on the iron clamp to see
all was right. Neiio bent to his work
again.
Little Eosa herself is delighted; she
was TO have been put TO the Venetian
lace school. but prefers TO see tie
world
THE child is but siy:een." said an
other worker. The signora will scarce
have maid so young as that
Have l not told YOU" said Pietro,
getting UP and strolling toward the
door, THAT the signora has taken 4
fancy to Ecsa? 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 n cigarette
with the air of 4 connoisseur. Mad
anne likes handsome faces about her.
therefore the pretty Rosa is to accom-
oany the signora TO Paris
How soon?' TWAS Nello who spoke
ow.
I'm a fostnight-in week-in three
ys-I do not know! Bah! what does
matter? There is the clcck of San
.rco striking, Good night. Nello.
Il work as If the evil one turned your
ieel"
The merry Pietro passed out into the
'eet Other workers rose. stretched
cir wearied arms, shook their blue
ished blouses free OF chips Hnd
rned homeward. Only Nello worked
I. bis lathe humming steadily now
at no disturbing tongue voiced news
lich interrupted the regularity of the
iding hand.
hen followed two days when the
of the lathe sounded for longer
RS in succession than ever before.
he offer the gift? But he had
ought it yet-could not. until the
AS We're saved out of the scanty
4 fortnight-a week-three days
The idle words We're full of
uncertainty.
little Rosa will come back Il
oman: her wages will be thou
ras. l hear" said the gossiping
'She will save fine dot while
md come back when she is
When n woman is not worth
IT,
put then you must look at the
nj the workers laughed. all
'ilo. from whose lips came no
the day came when the four
in bis hand. He hurried to
)p where those red beads
tingly. and his heart beat
)es as he touched their
ce lovingly. How they
@ the little Rosa, How
would sparkle with
Nello told her they were
y,
'es he rehearsed the
his work. He would
she opened the little
she would let him
her throat
told Rosa OF his
lb. faithful W.
arves HE
-ays