The daily Alaskan., 1907-05-24
What Came Of a SCnIIiOn
rOrglnaLf

U ] Venetian gentleman living in France 1 slgnor FalIero had invited a number of distinguished people to dinner. There were to be princes, nobles and mer- chants of Venice and, more Important than all, a number of art critics. 1 say more Important than all" because that was an age when the fine arts aourlshed and a man who could judge of a 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 amlss In the kitchen2 l A confectoner who had been charged with making a large candy ornament to 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 hls hair. Per lection was his aim. and what would all the dellcucIes he had prepared avail without the georgeous centerpIecef A boy who served as sculllOn ad- vanced and said In a timId voice: 'If you will let me, think can make you something that will do In place of the confectionery piece"
 You. Antonio? What do you know about fashionable things" 'I have worked In the yard of my l grandfather, PIsano, the stOuecutter"
 "Nonseusel A 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 l sent for some butter and fashioned it Into a crouching lion. It 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 blemlsh to an otherwise splendid table. The guests ranged themselves around the table and took seats.
 The cook saw one of the art critics looking dxedly at the butter lion, and the poor man iuwardly cursed the mo- mcnt that he had consented to use the sculliou's 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 l knees trcmbled beneath hlm. 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 t, and already two of them were looking at 1t and talking about t. But when several other groups laid down their spoons, ueglectIng the soup that had cost the chef so much pains and began to stare at the centerpieCe he was In despair.
 "SIguor Faliero," said the man who had first noticed the lion, we are not surprised at your muulfCence in grac- 1 ing your table with Q work of genius, l but We are at a loss to know how you obtained the services of one who should consent to place the expression of hls l genius in so perlshable a substance as ! butter"
 The host looked at the lion, then h. 1 quiringly at the chief cook. The latter | had become so confused over the out come of his substitution of few 1 pounds of butter for a splendid candy | centerplece that be did not hear or dld
 not understand what the guest had
 said. He broke down and confessed l his culpable folly.
 l "Slgnor," he said tremulously, par | don my IulQuity. Just before the din | ner was ready the COufeCtiOnGr sent word that be had spoiled the splendid | candy centerpiece ] had ordered and | which would have been In every way
 worthy of your noble guests. When l
 was In great distress at this mlshap l Antonio. the scuIllOu. came to me and ! offered to make something to fll Its ] place. In an evil hour l listened to him. If you and your noble guests will ! forgive me l will remove the blemlsh." "
 For a moment there was a hush Of astonlsbment about the table; then the ! guest that had spoken, an eminent art l critic, said to the chief cook:
 Do you mean to tell me that the l lion was fashioned by a scullIOn and shortly before dlunerF
 "Yes, slguor. He begged so hard'-
 'Slgnors," said the critic, lone of the
 worlds greatest geriuses has been bOruw
 "The boy, the boy! Let us see the boyw cried the guests.
 Send him h. sald the host to the cook.
 The mystlfed servant retired and in
 a few minutes returned, bringing with ] him the scuIliOu.
 "Slguors," said the host, "thls Is
 Boy, what's your name|
 "Antonlo Canova," said the aston
 ished boy.
 Then the critic, rising, held forth his wlneglass and said:
 Antonio Canova, I drink to an art l Ist, Gentlemen, drink with me to An