Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1909-05-25

Ihe 'otoiO DSuCu ny lue pOl Vel lOuSS,
hard by the gate, sat the old Floren-
tine and O'Mally. From some I'M
known source O'Mally had produced
concierge's hat and coat a little moth
eaten, little furnished. but service
able. Both were smoking red-clay
pipes with long bamboo stems.
"Pietro," said O'Mally, lettering,
"have you ever waited for money from
home?"
Pietro puffed studiously, separating
each word with all the care Of nat
uralist opening the wings of some new
butterfly. He made negative sign.
Well, don't you ever wait. There's
nothing to it. But I've got an idea"
Pietro expressed some surprise.
Eyes, and good one, too. If any
tourists come TODAY, propose to
show them round the place." O'Mally
was quite in earnest.
Pietros ewes flashed angrily. mo,
no! Mine, all mine!"
ooh, I'm not going to rob you. I'll
give you the tips, AMIGO. What | want
is the fun of the thing. Compren-
dery?"
Pietro understood; that was differ
ent. If bis Excellency would pay over
to him the receipts, he could conduct
the tourists as often as he pleased.
Yes, To him it was triesome. Most peo-
pie were fools.
Lets begin the lesson them
Come sta?" said Pietro, shifting
his pipe.
THAT'S howdy do" said o'Mally.
Glow is YOUR wife?"
"That ees Come sta vostra"
Pause.
"Che tempo far" said Pietro sud
denly.
O'Mally frowned and damned down
the coal in his pine, "Who-no. how!
is the weather. Who can say. Che 10
sa?"
"Bene!"
solemnly they went over the same
ground To be sure O'Mally always
failed to get the right twist to the fl
nal vowels, but he could make himself
understood and that was the main
thing. It was rare moment tc him
at night to strike Smith dumb by ask
ing in Italian for match, cigar or
book. Smith wondered now he did
it: but when asked to join the pri-
mary class at the porters lodge he al
ways excused himself by saying that
he was deep in the writing of COM
edy. which was true. If there was a
play in ones system, the Villa Ari-
Iadne was sure to bring it out.
Having finished the lesson for that
day. they shared the flask of wine.
ut is old, Pietro,' said O'Mally
"Vecchio. anticato,' responded
Pietro with grave satisfaction.
Hold on now; this is no lesson.
You talk English. Now about this
guide business. You will let me be the
guide if I turn over the profits; that
is agreed?'
eyes" Pietro wished the flask had
been twice as large.
"All right; that's fixed. BY the way
Pietro. did you ever see the princess
Pietro looked into the bowl of his
pire mo: sne not come here: never
Hum! l should, if owned place
like this
Trouble
Trouble. How"
~ not know But trouble she come
bime-by'
Rats" There was not a cloud II
the sky, so far as O'Mally could see
And what trouble could possibly befal
| them?
"Sh!" said Pietro
The porter's bell rang loudly.
"Tourists" whispered O'Mally, slid
ing off the bench and buttoning up hi:
coat. Remember am the guide; 20,
get the lire
/ Surely Pietro understood, but h
was nervous. doubling the ability o
this novice to demand the right sun
for his labor.
/ OMallv settled his cap on straigh
and went to the gates and opened
them. A party of five Americans stoo'
outside-two men, two women and !
Girl Of twelve or fourteen. The who'll
party wore that eager look. now ia
miliar to O'Mally, of persons who in
tended to see everything il they even
tualIy died for it.
"This is the Villa Ariadne?" aske
one of the women. She wore eye
glasses and had a bitter expression.
at is said O'Mally, touching hi
J cap.
HE speaks English" cried tn
woman, turning joyfully to the others
1--WE wish to see the villa and tn
park"
''Tbe villa is now occupied. sis
nora" replied O'Mally; "but you ar
: nermitted to see the park and ga
dens."
"How much?" asked one Of the mer
"Cinouanty," said O'Mally; the
correcting himself, "for each person.
Ten cents? Two lire fifty? VIII!
this is downright extortion." declare
the woman with the eyeglasses. Sh
was vehement, too.
OMallv gave vent to perfect to
nerfect italian shrug, and put out
hand suggestively toward the gates.
ooh, come. dear protested one {
!, the men YEARLY; you've dragged u
up here from Fiesole and I'm not e
!. ing hack without seeing what's to b
3 SEEN"
: That's like YOU men; always wi
: ling to be robbed rather than stan
: upon your rights. But I vow that yo
I weak nep will ruin travel by givin
0 in all eAtime."
4 The man at whom this brief jer
q miad wac hur1a6 painf,J1p counted NJ