Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1906-06-04
DAILY STORY
WHAT CAME OF A SCULLiON.

Venetian gentleman living in France.
Signor Faliero had invited number or
distinguished people to dinner. There
were TO be princes, mobiles and mer-
chants of Venice and, more important
than all, q number of art critics. say
more important than air because
that was an age when the fine arts
flourished and man who could judge
of painting or statue was looked up
10 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 i'll the kitchen?
a confectioner who had been charged
with making Il large candy ornament
TO decorate the table had sent word
that it had been spoiled and there was
no time to make another. The chief
cook stormed and tore his hair. Per
lection was his aim, and what would
all the delicacies he had prepared avail
without tire gorgeous ceuterpiece?
4 boy who served as scullion adj
vanced and said in timid voice:
eff you will let me, L think L can
make you something that will do in
place of the confectionery piece
You, Antonio? What do you know
about fashionable things:"
II 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 his hand. He
sent for some butter and fashioned it
into a crouching lion. 1t 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 a melan-
choly look, keeping his eye fixed on
what he considered a 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 to use the
sculions work. Then he noticed that
the 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 linn 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 it,
and already two of them were looking
at it and talking about it. But when
several other groups laid down their
spoons, neglecting 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
mad first noticed the lion, I'VE are not
surprised at your munifcence in grac
ing your table with a work of genius,
but we are at loss to know how you
obtained the services of one who should
consent to place the expression of his
genius in so periShable q substance as
butter"
The host looked at the lion, then in
Quiringly at the chief cook. The latter
had become so confused over the out
come of his substitution of Il few
pounds of butter for splendid candy
centerpiece that he did not hear or did
not understand what the guest had
said. He broke down and confessed
his culpable folly.
"Signor," he said TREMENDOUSLY, 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 !
was in great distress at this miShap
Antonio, the ScuHion, came to me and
offered to make something to fill its
place. In an evil hour l listened to
him. If you and your noble guests will
forgive me L will remove the blemish.'
For moment there was a hush of
establishment about the table; then the
guest that had spoken, an eminent art
critic, said to the chief cook:
do you mean TO tell me that the
lion was fashioned by scullion and
shortly before dinnerT'
Yes, Signor. He begged so hard
"Signors," said the critic, zone of the
worlds greatest geniuses has been
bornw
boy" cried the guests.
'Send him in said the host to the
cook.
The mystified servant retired and in
few minutes returned, bringing with
him the scullion.
"Signors," said the host, this is
Boy, what's your naine?"
Antonio Canova," said the aston
ished boy.
Then the critic, rising, held forth his
wineglass and said
Antonio Canova. l drink to an art
list. Gentlemen, drink with me to An.
tonic Canova. May his genius grow
constantly brighter
The guests rose and drank the toast.
while the astoSished boy stared at
them as IL he had suddenly come under
IT, to Il i