The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, November 13, 1898, Page 31

THE SAN FRANCISCO CALL, SUNDAY NOVEMBER 13, 1898 31 A RIDING LESSON BY LIN SEE BY MARIE ALL MARYSV/ o> EN KIMBALL, ILLE. ff country. ised to cry, some- ry. y went on board a n to move swiftly that he thought s had come to him He did he could only get corner t vessel d up in a dar while the g across the e sea. last, and the poor, boy was roughly ground seemed to nd there were so thought thi; o better when they town, but they did not as he at they » a small sailboat and , as if somebody would white man seemed to dful to . After a and wh ¥ in a rough, wild place e boat went a and left them’ h 1d the rocks and nother Chinaman to walk, the ce and th stranger sho At last, tired they reached a wn, Lin could not under: nd that ther country from where 2 d, and that his long was over at last. That was ttlé Lin See was smuggled into the United States. He soon knew that he must work nd make a great deal of money for 1 He was more frightened than d he must live with he fou € rn to talk and cook Martha Robinson’s farn ce was sent. nd that nobody hurt him ty to eat and not much arned to wash dishe: He slept in a and Mrs. Robi t out herseif He was happier since his father rvbody made a gre and laughed at his queer ana One day Mrs. Robinson’s nephew came to visit he He rode a beauti- ful black h which came prancing v steps up to the hitching e s out in the garden butterfi s shone the spirited animal. He Me s twinkl me go.” ed. “All right, go, climbed up on the had no intention of any one but her mas- being ridden by pi said. to the barn. reet ‘i o> > Aunt Martha gave her nephew “a horse with Lin See on his back. was sitting very erect, boy of her mind.” ow, you've gpoiled everything,” she “I have been trying to be so good nd it was on! and kind to that child to gain his con- so hard fidence, and now he has gone off an- r little Lin gry, and there's no knowing what he will do. happy until a 1 am sorry I interfered with your and his father migsionary work, Auntie,” apologized r n away dead. Joe. “But look!” Doon said Lin See be- = nppg Robinson turned. Out of the and carried him off 10 & great barn door clattered the old saddle The his wide sleeves blowing in the breeze as he bobbed up and down with the motion He rode straight out to them and passed two or three times of the animal. without tur “Me go, “Him good, me go. no good; no can go.” Joe nearly succumbed to a spasm of laughter. “I'm beat,” he said. ing his head, then he drew up old Dick by the black horse. he said with a broad smile. You horse no good, “You've proved you are a horseman, Lin Lee.” The barn satisfied. Chinese boy rode back to the S PAG up the last bundle of her household ef- fects, for the Decapoli family was moving. It was a very hot day, and the city of Florence seemed to be taking a nap. The call of the gondoliers was faint.and distant, and the waters were warm and calm. The sun burned within the dis- tant blue sky and the pigeons on the square of St. Mark were cross and sleepy and found but little prize from the few passers by. There were eleven family—the father, Marco Decapoli, the mother, Caeserea Decapoli, the sons, Niccolini, Fiesole, Lucchia and Fillippino, and the daughters were Margherita, Lucia, Maria, Theresa and Emilietta. A big family, indeed—so many mouths to feed, so many bodies to clothe. so many children to house and to protect. Marco Decapoli was known to his neighbors as a good and great-hearted man, a’regular attendant at St. Theresa's, after which patron saint he had named his third girl. Cer- tainly, the neighbors said, he was a good, hardworking and godly Floren- tine, taking the best care of hisbig family. But Decapoli fell and broke his leg and the family doctor, Caldero, said that he would never again be able to work . “What shall we do, Marco?” the mother. ““We had better leave our home with Niccolini and some of the rest and let the remainder of the family go to America. “Father, if you wish to go, and as you know best, let us go.” After a long discussion as to the merits of each child it was decided to in the Decapoli asked TO MAKE FLAGS AND EMBLEM. cut from A to B and G to H top and bottom, fold back at C-F, then forward at G-E and B-D, likewi se the other end, and you will then see two American flags an d the emblem of the Red Cross. ter, and with a great flourish of heels First sent Lin See over her head into the dust For several minutes he laid there, a forlorn figure, his stiff white blouse covered with dirt. Aunt Marth: an out crying, “Oh, my IN THE LAND China boy, my China boy! How could OF PROMISE you, Joe e She be ver to raise him, but Lin BY ESTELLE BAKER. See sudder got up. He looked at the AY, nay, Fillipptno, touch not still pran horse and began rubbing that.”* n e his arm up and down many times. little T s tibibino sorened i Yo good, no good; him no good,” he ttle Ttalian features into a d, and making no reply to his mis- sulky knot, and he stamped his anxious questioning marched off foot. Caeserea Decapoli was binding it I 4 leave the house in charge of Niccolini and Lucchia and Lucia and Theresa, while the rest of the family were to sall for the wonderful land of America. “Good-by,” yelled Fiesole. “Good- by,” caine the tearful answer from the shore, The boat was leaving the shores of sunny Italy with seven De- capolis on board and four on shore. Out on the ocean! Fiesole scam- pered and played like 4 great frolic- ONCE_MORE. _ON MARKET [ | l EDITED BY DAVID N-WA e Ti e ie Ml <-4 o1 D) i ' e vt some cat, while Maria, of 14, couldn’t help but join in. One night when the vessel was off the coast of England, a great storm came up. Maria and Fie- sole crept downstairs they were so frightened. The ship tossed and top- pled and the waves dashed high above her rail. It was only a windstorm, but the water heaved and moaned and then with a terrible roar threw itself against the staggering ship. The ves- sel trembled and the timbers creaked and groaned and seemed about to shat- ter. The steerage passengers hid their faces in the bed clothes and all of them grabbed their valuables and clothes, making them into a bundle. Mrs. Decapoli bundled up the little they carried with them and waited for the crisis. It soon came. A great wave, higher than all the rest, stronger than all the rest, came rumbling over toward the ship. They all heard it and they knew they must prepare for the worst. “Stand back,” the captain yelled to the crew as they attempted to board the lifeboats, “or I'll shoot you.” Mrs. Decapoli, trembling and pale- faced, gathered her children about her and Maria took little Emilietta and Fillipino in her arms. “Women and children first,” cried the captain. Mrs. Decapoli sent Maria first and then Morin handed down Emilietta and Fillippina. Meanwhile the boats were being crowded with people and there was a great tumult and babel of voices. Suddenly the ship they had Jjust left went down. The men at the oars pulled hard and long. The morning was breaking and the lights on shore were vanishing. A tug came near. Soon they were on board, their clothes drying by a warm furnace and a hot breakfast spread be- fore them. Within a week they were on the At- lantic again, bound for New York. It was a long time before they saw it. But one afternoon the vessel steamed slowly in to New York harbor. A pilot boat and a tug came out to greet them and to guide them in. Then they rode in the busy streets of New York. Near where ‘hey lived was a church where the little boys sang in white robes. Fiesole’s mother had no objec- tions to his attending St. Margaret's on condition that he would sing there, for Fiesole “ad a marvelous voice. Within a month Fiesole had learned enough English to talk with others and also Maria. One Friday night he ap- plied to Mr. Gray, the choir master, asking to be allowed to sing in the choir. “Sing for me,” said Mr. Gray. He had heard so many voices that he was used to hearing good ones, but when Fiesole sang the choir master was delighted. Maria was going to school and al- though she was totally unused to the methods and companions she found there she progressed rapidly. - One day she ..ad been drawing in school. Her tablet was filled with figures drawn from lif2, from her schoolmates around her. “Maria Decapoli, please tell me what you are doing,” cried the teacher, see- ing that her pupil was not studying. “I am drawing,”” Maria answered. “Well let me see what you are do- ing.” In ah instant the teacher’s practiced eye saw that talent lay in that little girl, and she sent her to her seat. It was soon arranged that Maria should take lessons of some artist. On Sunday, in the little church of St. Margaret's, Fiesole made his first ap- pearance as a vocaust. The organ master played a short prelude and then Fiesole sang. It was a revelation to everybody. Deep and mellow were the notes from his throat. The selection was a triumphant chant and the deep brown eyes of the Italian lad shone as his heart beat in steady rhythm, for the song was in lLis mother tongue—and Maria, Margherita, his mother and his father and his little brother and sister were there and—who else? Who, but one of the greatest singing masters in the land. The people listened entranced and the notes died away in joyous cadence, It seemed to the people as if an angel had suddenly come into their midst and left, carrving away the sunshine. More yet! One day before a great as- semblage of art .tudents, art buyers and art seekers Maria Decapoli's pic- ture won first prize. And what was it? A great ship ciearing the home land, while many stood on shore and cried and others stood on deck and. wept. And when Maria Decapoli's name was called out to 1 ceive the prize—a gold medal and a scholarship at a great art school under a great master—a frail looking girl of 16 came up the aisle and thanked the presenter. And how every- body applaudea! So the ‘new world” was good to them. They were joined by the other members of the family from Italy and now they are all very happy together, il THE BUSINESS THAT FAILED BY ALMA S BEMENDERFER. ANTED—By a peddler, a boy of 14 or 15 years; good wages. Apply at Davis’ store, Main street, Saturday. It almost seemed as if the printer of the paper put that piece where James Walker could not fail to see it. Wishing to earn the money to buy a pony, be was one of the first boys to apply. “This is Mr. Jarvis,” said the store- keeper, “and here is a young chap to see you, Jim Walker; and I cap recom- mend him as an nonest boy. Mr. Jar- vis,” he explained, “is somewhat put out because the boy who came along this trip left at a town five miles away.” “And a good bit of a walk for him,” said Jarvis, grimly; “but a boy like that deserved it. It seems to be my fate-tc hire the poorest excuses, if I do say so. In Linden, that's where I keep a store, the boy who works for me must be in, except when we make a trip now and then to different stations for supplies. Now what do you say to going to work for me at $10 a month? It’s pleasant work, especially when we are out with the team. The last boy brought along his airgun and killed $10 worth of rabbits.” Jarvis looked shrewdly at James to see what effect this latest inducement would have. “Is the hunting really that good?” “Why, yes, even better, I take it, for you. The other boy being lazy I don't consider that a fair average.” These later words caused James to agree and that morning to start for Linden. To drive along the smooth roads was pleasant and the peddler was good company. He was famillar with that country anc many other places and listening James considered himself for- tunate. As they drove into a rougher section the horses made slow headway, for the wagon was heavily loaded with watermelons and fruit in boxes. Later Mr. Jarvis began to tell about those who had worked for him. ‘One boy was very lazy, the last one. Why, when we were camping at San Pablo he went swimming and kept me wait- ing till 10 o’clock. Then there was an- other, John Jones. It was hard work to wake him. You see I like to get started early and the little rascal would sleep, sleep, like a log. One morning I Jjust lald on the whip “Did he wake up then “Did he? Why, yes. But he skipped out at the next town. Then there was Tom S$mith, who ate more fruit than his wages amounted to. Once he ate all the bananas. They were seéarce and " asked James. studied my tables over and over, And backward and forward, too, But I couldn’'t rémember six times nine, And I didn’t know what to do, Till my sister told me to play with my oll, And not to bother my head. “If you'll call her ‘Fifty-four’ for awhile You'll learn it by heart,” she sald. So I took my favorite Mary Ann Though I thought it a dreadful shame To give such a perfectly lovely child Such a perfectly horrid name). And I called her dear little ‘“Fifty-four” A hundred times, till I knew The answer of six times nine as well As the answer of two times two. At first T thought that wasn't quite fair, For there was no doll in the books; But 'twas better far than the teacher's stare And the children’s funny looks. So after awhile I thought it all out, And Dbelieved it was right without shadow of doubt. Next day Elizabeth Wigglesworth, Who always acts so proud, Said “Six times nine is fAifty-two, And 1 nearly laughed aloud. But I wish 1 hadn’t, for when teachersald, “Now, Dorothy, tell if you can,” I thought of my doll, and—sakes alivel I answered “Mary Ann!" ACROSS THE OME and play with me, rabbit.” So the rabbit that was lazily frolicking among ~the Nevada sagebrush came and played with ‘Wawona, the little, black-eyed Indian boy; and all the birds, insects and reptiles in ‘turn came obedient to the call and played with the child of the sun, who laughed as gaily as a mountain bird until the shadows of the highest peaks of the Sierras began to creep over the plains and foothiils. and the sun burned red, like & camp fire, ere it sank from sight. “Good-by sun,” said Wawona, wav- ing his hand in adieu. “I may not come to-morrow to play, but Jackrab- bit and Coyote they will come. A tepee was reddening in the last rays of the sun. At the door lay a SNOWY MOUNTAINS. sleep he said that he wanted to see his toys and Smut Face brought them; nor did she scold or strike him all that night. Fiercer and flercer grew the storm; colder and colder grew the air. Old Smut Face struggled forth and brought in some logs in the teeth of the gale and kept the filre going. For the first time, just before mid- night, she noticed that Wawona was sick. He sat up on the bear skin and looked wistfully at his drum. “Give my drum to my little friend,” he said. “Wawona, Wawona,” Indian squaw, forgetting her stolidity. “are you sick?” ““Not sick* only going over the moun- tains to find mamma,” was the answer. cried out the usual TO TURN THE MILKMAID INTO A PRINCESS. Cut diagonal lines on both sides at B-F, then fold forward at A-B, fold forward at A-B, fold back at A-C, fold back at A-C, fold down at C-F, fold forward at D-E, fol d back at F-G. under the load,” explained Jarvis, re- gretfully, “and I didn’t notice till it was too late.” Later, after crossing a swift stream while going up hill the end-board, near which James was sitting, broke from its fastenings, the load silpped out and James was tossed to one side of the road in time to see the mass slide into the stream and float away. Tying the horses, the peddler came around in great rage. “You little rascal,” he exclaimed. “So that is what you were doing back there! Cut the fastenings, did you?"” James dodged into the underbrush. The peddler followed, threatening to punish him severely, but as James was smaller and more nimbie he led him a merry chase through thetangled under- brush, and under cover of the confu- sion swam across the stream, and fol- lowing along the road, got a ride home. As he looked back for the last time Mr. Jarvis could be seen still searching for James. That is the reason James did not become a peddler. ffllfl'I%Mn N HOW WE sPrizgp: ) DENATIV2.. L STREET R Jesin ball, and some feathers arranged in a little head dress and gay with bright- colored dye stuff. There also was a lit- tle drum, such a drum as white boys «use. It had been given to little Wa- wona by a tourist who had used it as a lure to secure a picture of Wawona, for the tourist was an artist and he saw that Wawona had a wonderfully fine face—for an Indian. This drum was ‘Wawona's choicest plaything. ‘Wawona gathered up all his treasures and carried them within the tepee. “I am not going to play with them any more,” he said. Smut Face, the squaw, - his aunt, made no answer, as the little fellow ‘put his toys In an old soap box and sat down upon a bear skin on the ground and seemed to be looking far away. ‘With the night came a cold November storm. The air was thick with snow. Through the mountain canyons the wind howled like a demon. The skies were overcast with thick, suffocating clouds. When the time came for Wawona to . () He did not speak again all night, but fust as the suh peeped over the eastern mountains he cailed out, “~ood-by sun,” and was still Across the plain shrieked the wind, whirling the snow wraiths before it. Old Smnut Face listened keenly, not moving from her place. “It is the great Spirit talking to Wa- wona so that he will not lose his way in the snow, while he is crossing the mountains,” she said. She sat lon~ gloomily smoking her pipe and musing. Then she rose and put all the toys gently in the box. . H. W. A BOY FINDS A PROBLEM. I wonder how I'd like it, And I wonder who I'd be, Supposing I was somebody else, And somebody else was me! I wonder, I just wonder, ‘What boy I'd like to be— Supposing I didn’t like him ‘When I found that he was me! B ”i"“ e ii 1L!m |