Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1906-03-22
,cspyr.sA.. 1908. by Joseph 4 noviss.'

Copyright. 1901, BY Joseph y noviesJ
Antonio lived in the italian quarter.
lust OF Ursulines street, but he also
lived like a prince Of the royal blood.
He had an entire room. to HIMSELF
Eor this he was not liked by the
other Italians, who dwelt whole fam
lilies together in q room, 90 that late
Corners at night had to step over II
or is prostrate bodied 70 reach their
own special corner. They felt, with
justice, that he was giving himself
airs. Antonio, indeed N common
Dago with monkey! They them
selves were Italians, but they called
him a ''Dago," with that shrug OF the
shoulders and outward sweep Of the
supple palm that express more con-
tempt than other men know how to
put into words.
When daylight came swarm OF
swarthy men poured out of the dingy
houses that made up the Italian guar
ter.
And Antonio, also, arose betimes
every morning and was OF to his work
The and Manuella. Big, strong Amer
leans who saw them together, often
remarked that If they had their way,
these lazy Dagoes should be set to
work. They did not know how heavy
the organ was, nor how the straps cut
into his shoulders, 50 that sometimes
even the added weight Of Manuella
seemed to make 1t uncomfortable. There
were even times when the organ was
so heavy that Antonio coughed all
night after carrying II. The worsa
about this was that the coughing kept
Manuella awake, and that was not
good for her. She was apt To be slug
gish the neYt day when she was kept
awake at night
All day Antonio and Manuella went
about the streets. When Antonio set
the organ down and began to turn the
crank, Manuella danced and capered
and turned somersaults until the chill
dren were frantic with Joy. It was
worth great deal to see her put
the nickels into the pocket Of
her little red suit. When the people
were gone she went down into the
pocket again and gave the nickels to
Antonio Then he got the organ on
his back, and Manuella sat on 1t, with
her arms around his neck, and they
went on again. Sometimes his lucE
was poor, but oftener he carried home
a little fortune in nickels and dimes
for Manuella was a comedian, and An
tonic, without knowing It, was as
beautiful as one Of Murillo's cherubs
They went home In the glare Of the
electric lights, so tired that sometimes
Manuella slept on his shoulder and
Antonio almost staggered as he
walked. But when they had eaten and
were rested little, Antonio started
out again with Manuella in his arms
and all at once his step had grown
light. He was not going very far-only
to Hospital street, where he would
find girl sitting on doorstep. Hel
name was Celeste, and she was not an
Italian. She was pretty, with adam
ty, childish prettiness, 80 that stran-
gers turned to look again, seeing the
two together, and sometimes people
said: Don't they make picture
those twop They sat on the clean
white steps, in the full glare Of the are
light at the corner, and Celeste played
with Manuella.
when you go to die, you mus give
Manuella to me-" she said one eve
ming, looking at him and laughing
She had dimples at the corner OF hel
mouth when she laughed.
II not gonna die" said Antonio
smiling back at her. But l gives
you me an Manuella too"
This was Antonio's proposal HI
had been six months coming to it. HI
! felt that It could not be delayed. In
little while 1t would be too cold to sit
on the steps.
Celeste leaned back against the dooi
and looked at him lazily
you? An what go'n do will
you?" she asked. Il wo'k in de fac
/ t'try me, an tex care Of myself; bui
me, what wan Of man to TEX cart
| of"
Celeste laughed as she said II, AMI
tossed her wicked little head. Hel
eyes we're shining-she was very beau
tiful.
ssYou not take-a care-a mel" Inter
posed Antonio with swift Justification
II make dc money-four hond' dolla
-an' / gotta do one room to me alone
l keep my wife Ikea Teddy. You take
a me, Celeste-me an Manuella."
/ 1t was the main fact at issue ,whicl
had attracted the attention Of Celeste
-Four hundred dollar'7" she cried
.,You ave all dat money! You don
Kip It in dat rooml"
-Fou' hon'-mebbe more" he sail
with a pleased smile. ''Nobod' know
but me an ManuellA You notta wo1
no more, Celeste-you be a Teddy"
4 -You taxa mel" be pleaded, loolinl
into her shining eyes. ~You know
how you come-a see me once, long,
time. when I play yond'f ! beep1
wok 70 you all q time since ! make