The Springdale news., 1906-09-14
Y hat Came of q SeuIIiOn
Original ]

4SFi4E A%AS--J
 There was trouble on Ihe mind Of the chief cook Of Signor Ealero. wealthy Venetian gentleman living in France Signor Faliero had invited d number of distinguished people to dinner There were to be princes, nObles and mer- chants of Venice and. more important than all, Il number of art critics. l say more important than all' because fourished and man who could judge of painting or a statue was looked up to more than one possessing birth or wealth. At any rate, these men were of more intrinsic worth than all the rest at this dinner Of the Venetian
 But what was amiss in the kitchen? A confectioner who had been charged with making large candy ornament 10 decorate the table had sent word that 1t had been spoiled and there was no time to make another. The chief cook stormed and tore his hair Ter lection was bis aim. and what would all the delicacies he had prepared avail without the georgeous centerpiecet
 4 boy who served as scullion ad- yaneed and said in timid voice:
 If you will let me, l think can make you something that will do in place of the confectionery piece.
 You Antonio. What do you know about fashionable things!"
 T have worked in the yard of my grandfather Pisano. the stonecutter@
 Nonsense, \ stonecutter knows nothing about artistic work.
 The boy begged hard, and as there was nothing else to be done he was given permission to try bis hand. He sent for some butter and fashioned it into a crouching lion. IL was placed upon the table, and soon after the princes. the merchants and the art critics were ushered into the dining room The chief cook wore melan- choly look keeping his eye fixed on what be considered blemish to an otherwise splendid table. The guests ranged themselves around the table and took seats.
 The cook saw one of the art critics looking fixedly at the butter lion, and the poor man inwardly cursed the mo ment that he had consented 10 use the scullion's work Then he noticed that tbe art critic said something to the man sitting next to him. and they both looked at the lion. The chief cooks knees trembled beneath him. Surely his master would discharge him for putting this fierce looking creature that was made of such soft material before these great men. He had hoped they would not especially notice il. and already two of them were looking at It and talking about it. But when several other groups laid down their spoons. neclecting the soup that had cost the chef So much pains and began to stare at the centerpiece he was in despair
 "Signor Faliero." said the man who had first noticed the lion. we are not surprised at your munihcence in grac- Ing your table with work of genus, but we are at 4 loss 10 know how you obtained the services of one who should consent to place the expression of his genius in so perishahle q substance as butter
 The host looked at the lion. then in- quirinely al the chief cook The latter had become so confused over tbe out come of his substitution of few pounds of butter for a splendid candy centerpiece that he did not hear or did not understand what tue guest had said He broke down and confessed his culpable folly
 "Signor.@ he said tremulously. par don my iniquity. Just before the din ner was ready the confectioner sent word that he had spoiled the splendid candy centerpiece l had ordered and which would have been in every way worthy of your noble guests. When l was in great distress a this mishap Antonio, the scullion. came to he and offered 10 make something to fl it's place. ID al evil hour listened to him If you and your noble guests will forgive me VIII remove the blemish.
 For moment there was Q hush Of astonishment about the table: then the guest that had spoken. an eminent art critic. said 10 tue chief cook
 Do you mean To tell ne that the lion was fashioned by seulhon and shortly before dinner
 Yes. signor He begged so hard4-
 "Signors.' said the critic. "one Of the worlds greatest geniuses has been bornr
 ..The boy, the boy, Let us see the boy," cried the guests
 Send him in,' said the host to the cook.
 The mysthed servant retired and in a few minutes returned, bringing with