New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-09-24
By EDEN PFILLPOTTS
Author Of Children of the Mist s. The American
Prisoner Etc.
Illustrated by George Variam

HAROLD FOSTER had yawned away two
months at MentOne and was seeking for
some new thing with the slight energy that
he possessed. Then, fred by chance conversation
with English strangers he hit upon notable
scheme for spending money and adding salt to his
worthless life. Fate had portiOned to this young
man a frail mother and uninteligent father OF
hearty physical projections and enormous wealth.
Thus It happened that he found himself at ve-and-
twenty possessed Of no brains, OF more money than
he knew how to spend and Of a weak chest with
feeble habit of body that made II desirable for him
10 spend third part of every year out OF England
AT Turin, said chance acquaintance, you can
get motor far cheaper than IN London or Pans
For thousand gl1ineas You may purchase rlagnil
cent machine OF twenty-four horsepower, machine
that would climb these hills ike bird and take you
q hundred miles between luncheon and dinner.
Thank you,'' said Foster; Its a good idea III
get one"
So he went to Turin, and returned the following
dav IN handsome and powerful automobile The
mechanic who brought him back drove with such
dash and courage that Foster experienced the glory
OF many grand sensations and his valet, sober
man Of ftv gave warning three times upon the road
The new toy answered It's purpose and charmed
Harold Foster into extreme activity. He took no
intelligent interest IN his motor car, and was not
concerned learn either its scientific secrets or
the art Of driving It; but he enjoyed to sit beside
the chauffeur and urge him on every possible Occa-
sion TO put the vehicle to its full pace In fort
night he engaged and dismissed three drivers who
could not agree with him to the speed desirable
upon high roads. Then he heard OF young Italian
who had been dismissed from the service OF French
count for killing q child at San Reno.
\ waiter IN the Winter Palace Hotel brought
this genius to the notice of Harold Foster. His
old GRANDMOTHER Giacinta Veiano, work il the
hotel garden, monsieur She very old. You see
her creep about ike brown monkey in a red jacket
She help gardener 10 trim and water the plants;
and she look after the Canaries and little parrots IN
the cages She speak English YER well. He wild
Young man, her grandson PetrO, and he go too
fast for French gentlemen, but not too fast for you
She tell YOU about him
So the Englishran put up his eye-glass, sauntered
into the hotel garden, and accosted Slgnora Ne1ano
where she worked and deity trimmed flowing
curtain Of gray-green lotus that turnbled over
wall in the grounds OF the Winter Palace.
Your grandson, Giacinta-I hear that he IS
frst-class chauffeur and not frightened, like these
French fools"
She put her scissors into basket and shook her
hand and head together. Speak not OF him. /
prav for him that he never ascend into the vile
running engine again. I pray for him that he may
90 blackjack to Castel-VIttOrio IN Mount Netta,
the home Of our people
Nonsense, my good woman! What shall he do
in the retched mountains. II he IS up to the mark,
III give him a hundred francs a week But he
must earn it. l want a without any nerves..
He will break your neck and his own. Let him
90 back to the mountains, signOr. Do not tempt
him with the promise OF 50 much money"
He'll not make a hundred francs a week shaking
down olives or tending sheep IN your beastly hills,
DO not tempt him All, there he is! See
how young"
She pointed. and Foster beckoned to short,
bull-necBed, black-eyed Of twenty-five He
had square obstinate jaw, and a smile that showed
his beautiful teeth
Go back to Castel-Vittorio, bad boy!" said the
old woman do not listen to SignOr. GO back