Los Angeles herald., 1907-09-15
Copyright, 1907, By Thomas II. Mckee.
THE WHEELS OF ILLUSION.
BY LEO CRANE.

bear chained to stake, the chain caught
through ring in his nose Two very wide-eyed boys
were surveying the bear though they kept at safe
distance Once when the bear made sudden move
ment numbering about and shaking the chain, the
two boys scampered away uttering exclamations Of
fright but boy-like they returned and silently
curiousy again took up intent survey of its astra
kahn-ooking back.
The bear was not pleasant object at all. At some
time in the past kettle of boiling water had helped
remove goodly patches of his fur leaving blotches
Of purplish skin showing through.
"Tony-he will not hurt" assured the woman, nod
ding at the youngsters. They transferred for mo-
ment their curiosity to her. She pleasant enough
with bright bead-ke eyes of Jet black, and glow in
each check which pretty, but not heathful. Be-
fore returning to the cooking she looked all about
a slight frown of anxiety coming to her face. She
called:
francesca Where you carissna?"
second after there came little silver shout, and
a girl perhaps nine, perhaps twelve years old came
up to the fire. dancing in the exuberance Of youthful
happiness.
with Padron Bertoldi-we are faggot-gather-
ing"
'sYou must not stray from him. Francesca-no."
mo indeed" repeated the child the reflection Of
her mothers mood casting its shadow over her
riment The two boys regarded the little girl with
even greater interest than they had the bear What
fine life to lead, they thought The daughter of
showman-a part of the very show itself, for she
danced! One of the boys had her dance. He
had an advantage Of the other. She pretty, black
haired with large tender and lips which curved
into delicate loveliness.
seFer name is Francesca whispered the unfortu-
nate boy nudging his comrade The second little fell
low nodded impatiently. They had turned around to
look and the bear in another instant was loudly
snufng at their calves With wild cry of fear the
two boys sprang of beyond the chains length The
little girl laughed at them merrily This made of
the boys angry because he always wished to have
some sort of advantage of his partner in fun. He
had seen the girl dance and he should have liked to
appear brave in her sight.
'eTony is a good bear" said the girl, smiling at
them "He will not hurt you," and she went up to
the uncouh creature putting her arms about its neck
'Tony is a goode, goodie' she said. Tony, on his
part seemed to appreciate all this He promptly sat
up on his launches and made fierce grimace, show
ing his teeth, at which the boys gasped
.'Why he's laughing" said the girl gravely, tap
ping the bear the nose.
She had none of that shyness common to children
of her age She went to the boys and, taking their
hands, said pretty:
"Come we will go to Padron Bertoldi, and he will
tell us story. Have you ever been to Roma
Roma?1
..Never," replied the boys in chorus The boy with
the slight advantage said nothing more but the other
one asked Immediately: "Roma?-where is it?"
ssWhere the Pope lives" explained the girl, simply,
her ewes regarding him so closely that he felt
fused
sSay-you mean Rome interrupted the older boy.
ssNo she doesn't mean anything of the kind" pro-
tested his chum feeling that fight would distinguish
him somewhat.
"Obi yes do" the girl hastened to say; "ony
padron Bertoldi calls it Roma It is very pretty that
way"
To redeem himself, the boy began to talk quickly
his eyes agleam with idea.
"There's picture in my geography" he said.
s'Of Roma? cried the little girl cappng her hands
s'Sure--I1l tear it out for you," stammered the
boy in a burst of goodwill and bravado 'Tll get a
licking for it, but won't mind that"
will you--wont you" hestated the girl. Then
seeing man come from the wood close by she pulled
them by the hands NOW we can have Padron Ber-
toldi tell us a story. He born in Roma. It is
very beautiful there with marble houses and streets
and fountains and-he will tell us-Oh! Padron Ber-
toldii-
The man was rather over middle age. He was per-
haps ffty-fve. His face was wrinkled and his shou-
ders bent trife yet there was something supple
about him He walked with light step and his smile
had much humor in it. One of the boys whispered:
s'The clown--thats himi-"
Padron Bertodi was the clown indeed. He could
make Tony the bear do tricks and sometimes when
Tony feeling pleasant they would waltz together
If the collection was good Giuseppe Valdroni
the show. He was Francescas father, a slight
fellow. who jugged knives and eggs, and who could
produce rabbit from almost nothing anywhere.
He also ate fire, which a marvellous thing to
This even puzzled and worried Francesca. She had
tried it herself once and there could yet be the
scar of burn at her mouth.
''Ohi Padron Bertoldi, do tell us"
The old man put down his wood and regarded the
boys gravely. They could where the paint had
roughened his face, and the older thought how
much nicer he looked in the powder and loose white
garments of the clown with the red bounding tassel
on his head, and the two green moons painted over
his eyes. Padron Bertold could be funny fellow
when he chose.
"Ahi Francesca mine, they have been making love