Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1909-02-24

Come, let US drink to our return; "
and laughingly he cIinked glasses with
the child, and pushing the flask Of
chianti toward the peasants, begged
them 10 share it. Then to Gigis de-
light. every one clinked glasses, and
all the peasants were eager to drink
with San Carlo; and there was such
bowling and smiling and good fellow
ship as he had never before seen. At
terward. amid much laughter, some
4 game was begun. and Gig. seeing that
/ they all seemed TO be counting their
fingers thrust out hts brown little
hand to the amusement of all present
What is it? Whatever are they
i doing?" he asked, laughing de
lghtedly. just because every one rise
laughed
What! don't you know how 10
play mora?" exclaimed Carlo; "you
shall be initiated With yer per
mission. ladies and gentlemen, We Will
join your camel"
/ And 50 they did. and Carlos en-
joyment Of the very mild diversion
would certainly have surprised any
onlooker who knew his story
While they had been eating, a
shabby-looking fellow with a guitar
hal been playing to them, and hun
] CRY eyed boy Of fifteen had sung in a
hard. tired. monotonous voice, one af-
ter another Of the familiar songs Of
the country.
A sudden impulse seized Carlo per
haps the doleful, unmelodious voice
annoyed him-perhaps he only yielded
TO his natural love Of giving pleasure,
but suddenly he sprung up. motioned
! to the musicians to take his place and
finish the chiantl, and taking the
guitar. burst forth into one Of his ia
yorite national songs.
i The host and hostess came running
into the room to listen. 1t was whis-
5 pered from one to another that the
singer was none other than Signor Do
natl. the famous new baritone. and
], the merry peasants listened entraacad
At the close there was quite label OF
thanks and applause.
MY friends" said Carlo. tomorrow
: leave Italy. and have a great wish
to hear once more Garibaldi's hymn
sung as / know you can sing twill
! you join ia the refrain?"
, 1--WE will we will" cried the peas
- ants excitedly
He struck a few chords on the gu
tar. and then broke out into the soul
stirring hymn, and with one accord
! the men and women sprung to theh
feet and Joined in the chorus.
; Gigi, not understanding what II
was that excited every one so much
slid down from bis place at the lone
table and stood looking out of the
/, open window across the bay of Baia
! then glanced back into the room as
, once more the peasants shouted the
refrain. He wondered what II could
be that moved them SO much won
, dered why San Carlos eyes shone
with so bright light and why there
+ was such a funny thrill in his voice
& as he sang the final verse Of the sons
81 a thrill which sent a sort of inde
y scrihabia Jingle through the child''
veins and made the tears start to his
4 eyes.
Q what was It all about?" he asked
0 as. after chorus of farewells anC
a thanks and good wishes from the
!. peasants. Carlo took his hand and lee
him away from the little inn. VIA
] could 1t have been about, San Carlo
a that YOU should all look so eager?"
l. 1T was about La Patria," said Carlo
Q gravely
r Then that is why 1t made me tin
p gle So" said Gigi. with a pleased lool
= on his comical little face 81 reall!
n am Italian, though Signor Sardoni vii
@ call me a little Yankee They wal
a Yankees at Salem and l don't wan
n now to so back 10 Salem. mean t.
o BE- an italian always, and stop will
a you"
What" said Carlo. with a laugh
! have you proved faithless to you
old friends. the pigs?"
I Il don't want pigs now that hav,
: YOU" said Gigi I hope--I do hop,
$ they won't never send me back t,
q Salient"
T. Carlo laughed.
4 since YOU are so fond of your coun
r, try It Is a shame you should leave /
r without seeing the tarantella danced
f. Come with me little one"
{ He led the child through vineyard
spoke few words 10 a peasant cir
d who appeared to know him, and sooI
d Gigi Found himself in vast. gray
II domed building. in which Carlo wok
the echoes for his amusement.
/ was an old Roman ruin, called tn,
{ Temple OF Mercury Presently tn
q dark-eyed peasant girl came baci
again followed by two younger an,
4 prettier sister. and by an old woman
" in very dingy. ragged dress, bright
;. enod by an orange handkerchief upol
D. ber head She carried guitar, an,
leaning against the wall. she began
5 10 chant z monotonous air and 10 pla,
in excellent time. while two OF tn
/ three bare-footed girls began to dane
S the tarantella relieved every now an,
" then by the third, who took her turi