The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1904-11-10

ID him. From it, could it once be
reached, one might sail a craft to any
point How Pietro lOnged to be on it!
Then came the venture If one walked
on the plank that stretched from the
doorstep one might jump to the fiat top
of the stump. From the stump-bdt
Pietro heSitated no longer. From
stump to log, from log to stone from
stone to barrel, and then splash. The
barrel was not secure. Into the smiling
water PietrO fell with a gasp of terror,
, to emerge shrieking Justify. But his
/ fright passed. The sun was warm
What cared he for the chill of the wa
ter? Grandpa Sabbano might be angry
when he learned. But why need he
learn?
Bravely now did PietrO wade ont to
the enchanted island. All. il was worth
the venture. East and west and north
and south voyaged the little boat that
was rugged as they rig boats in the bay
of Napoli What thought he of drip
ping clothing then? 1t was not until
the chill afternoon wind blew OH him
that little PietrO began to be sorry that
he had disObeyed
1t was nightfall before Grandfather
Sabbano returned. He found Il little
boy whose big brown eyes were very
big and bright indeed. whose cheeks
were flaming red and whose teeth
chartered. Also he found that the lit
tie boys clothing was soggy with
dampness
Il was sailing the boat and | fell
into the little lake" confessed Pictro.
sobbing
"Well. well, it is too bad" said Sab
bano gently But never mind We
will put thee in bed, and thee shall get
warm"
But warm little Pietro did not get.
though SabbanO piled on the little cot
all the ragged bedclothing in the shan
ty, though he made the small stove
roar, though he urged Pietro to drink
the steaming broth he had made. Still
Pietro shivered under the covers, while
his flaming cheeks We're so hot as al
most to burn the hand
Now PietrO must 20 quietly to
sleep" pleaded Grandfather Sabbano.
Sleep. however, was not for Pietros
eyes. He talked rapidly, continuously,
of the little lake and the boat. Over
and over again he made the voyage
from the plank to the stump, from the
stump TO the barrel that would not
stand still. Wildly he talked on and on
restlessly waving his little hands and
! beating them on the covers. And ever
did old Sabbano urge him to cease and
to sleep.
Thus passed all the night and an in
! terminable day that followed. 1t was
not until in the heart OF the second
night that the little Pietro, breaking Il
brief silence, said weakly: Il think
am gOing-going-tO sleep-now, grand
pa. And tomorrow-you will take me
out-out to my little island-won't you,
grandpa This last very family.
Yes, little PietrO Yes, it shall be as
you say"
Then there was silence. The old
SabbanO, worn out by his long vigil
bent forward in his chair, laid his head
on the little cot and slept. And when
he awOke it was to find that the little
hand in his was cold, icy cold
All day lie sat there staring at the
I little face which had famed so scarlet
but which was now so white that the
black curls about it seemed to frame
face of snow. Dolo, the yellow and
white cat, purred plaintively and rub
bed about his legs unheeded. Nizzi
having begged in vain for his scraps
of bone, whined desparingly.
A very old man was SabbanO and
very simple The little he knew about