The Washburn leader., 1915-07-02
EnriChetta
And the Flag
A Story For independence
Day Reading.
XVYHEN Mrs. Morland returned
wv home from Florence the
I" three most valued posses
nlo~. h~o,,~H,k H1~y hor FvCv,o

Enrichetta had been "cameriera"
In the pension on the Via Pandolfna.
She was so beautiful that Mrs. Nor
land, whose own face was plain, was
never tired of looking at her, and when
she said "Felice notte" ('Good night'D
upon leaving the American woman's
room at night Enrichetta's voice was
as soft as the first trembling trill of
the nightingale.
II must take Enrichetta home with
me-" said Mrs. Morland, who, blessed
with plenty of this worlds goods. was
In the habit of gratifying every caprice.
And it was not difficult to persuade the
girl to sail for that faroff land over
the sea, especially as the kind Ameri-
can lady had promised to bring her
home again within two years should
she become dissatisfied. This thought
comfOrted Enrichetta many a winter
night when she sat at the window of
her little room looking out upon the
snow and sleet and tearfully thinking
Of her native skies. She was hungry
fer the companionship of her own peo-
pie and pined for the sound of her own
musical language. which she heard
from none but her mistress, who spoke
it with decided American accent.
A devout Roman Catholic, Enrichetta
attended the nearest church. but there
she met only Irish and Americans. and
she missed the sweet face Of the Ma
donna Addolorata in her church at
home, a face always associated in her
mind with the half remembered coun-
tenance Of her own mother.
But when fine weather came and the
grass was green and the birds were
singing vegetable vender stopped at
the back door one day and spoke to
Enrichetta in Italian. The two talked
happily together. and he told her Of a
church where their own people wor-
SHIPPED, and from that day the great
city was less lonely for the young
Florentine.
At that church she met Luigi, who.
Enrichetta thought, had the kindest
eyes in the world and whose teeth were
as white as milk. Luigi owned fruit
store and had laid by 10000 lire. which
would be considered fortune by his
friends and acquaintances on the other
side.
The Fourth Of July was coming.
which Luigi explained was great day
in America and was always celebrat-
ed with fireworks after the manner Of
San Giovanni's day in Italy, only with
a far greater amount Of boom and
snap and crash. He told her he would
come in the evening and take her to a
certain spot on the lake front where
there was sure to be splendid dis
play of rockets.
Enrichetta sang merrily as she went
about her work and then began to
think seriously Of what she would
wear on that night. SO sacred to this
great United States. She would have
a new waist. something gay and
snowy; then she bethought her Of the
contents Of box given to her at
housecleaning time by her mistress.
"Here, Enrichetta.' the latter had
said, this box is marked Odds and
Ends You may have it: want to
get n out Of my way"
In. the bottom Of the box. beneath
scraps and remnants Of goods. was
silk flag about. three yards long. It
was torn at the end, and there were
a few round holes in It which En-
richetta supposed accounted for the
fact that the signora no longer priced
It. It was the flag Of this country.
which, now that she knew Luigi. the
girl secretly believed would be her own
country forevermore. and It was pref
tier than the bandien. of Italy.
Enrichetta decided to make a waist
of the flag to. wear on the Fourth of
July. Being very deft with scissors
and needle. she managed to escape the
holes and Jaws in cutting out the gar
ment, and the result of her labor was
rather startling red and white waist
with q silver starred blue yoke trim.
med with gold fringe.
Early the morning of the Fourth
Mrs. Morland began the search for the
silk fag. which when she was at home
on that day always occupied the place
Of honor over the front door. She
valued this banner highly; she had in
herited It from her father; It had wav.
ed above the glorious field Of Gettys-
burg, where it had been pierced by
shot and shell. But now 1t could not
be found, and thinking it must have
been stolen Mrs. Morland gave up the
search in despair.
The other servants were either out
or engaged In another part Of the house
swhen Enrichetta came downstairs that
kevening to answer Luigi's ring at the
rear door. The girl wore her gorgeous
waist with dark blue woolen skirt.
Her cheeks were ~ red a. the coral
rings twinkling In her small ears, and
her large dark eyes were sparkling
with happiness:
SssMrs. Morland happened to enter the
kitchen at the moment Of LuigiS aE-
rival. ''Why, Enrichetta, how patriotic
you are! she exclaimed, noting the
shimmering stars. Then she frowned
and asked sternly. ''Where did You get
that waist7' y " Ell s5
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