NotI。trustmeforthat。I’mnotsuchafool，repliedPiedro，laughing。IleavethattoFrancisco。Doyouknow，Isawhimtheotherdaymisssellingamelonforhisfatherbyturningthebruisedsidetothecustomer，whowasjustlayingdownthemoneyforit，andwhowasarawservant-boy，moreover——onewhowouldneverhaveguessedthereweretwosidestoamelon，ifhehadnot，asyousay，father，beentoldofit？
Offwithyoutomarket。Youareadrollchap，saidhisfather，andwillsellmyfishcleverly，I’llbebound。Astotherest，leteverymantakecareofhisowngrapes。Youunderstandme，Piedro？
Perfectly，saidtheboy，whoperceivedthathisfatherwasindifferentastohishonesty，providedhesoldfishatthehighestpricepossible。
Heproceededtothemarket，andheofferedhisfishwithassiduitytoeverypersonwhomhethoughtlikelytobuyit，especiallytothoseuponwhomhethoughthecouldimpose。Hepositivelyassertedtoallwholookedathisfish，thattheywerejustfreshoutofthewater。Goodjudgesofmenandfishknewthathesaidwhatwasfalse，andpassedhimbywithneglect。butitwasatlastwhathecalledGOODLUCKtomeetwiththeverysameyoungrawservant-boywhowouldhaveboughtthebruisedmelonfromFrancisco。Hemadeuptohimdirectly，crying，Fish！Finefreshfish！freshfish！
Wasitcaughtto-day？saidtheboy。
Yes，thismorning。notanhourago，saidPiedro，withthegreatesteffrontery。
Theservant-boywasimposedupon。andbeingaforeigner，speakingtheItalianlanguagebutimperfectly，andnotbeingexpertatreckoningtheItalianmoney，hewasnomatchforthecunningPiedro，whocheatedhimnotonlyastothefreshness，butastothepriceofthecommodity。
Piedroreceivednearlyhalfasmuchagainforhisfishasheoughttohavedone。
OnhisroadhomewardsfromNaplestothelittlevillageofResina，wherehisfatherlived，heovertookFrancisco，whowasleadinghisfather’sass。Theasswasladenwithlargepanniers，whichwerefilledwiththestalksandleavesofcauliflowers，cabbages，broccoli，lettuces，etc——
alltherefuseoftheNeapolitankitchens，whichareusuallycollectedbythegardeners’boys，andcarriedtothegardensroundNaples，tobemixedwithothermanure。
Wellfilledpanniers，truly，saidPiedro，asheovertookFranciscoandtheass。Thepannierswereindeednotonlyfilledtothetop，butpiledupwithmuchskillandcare，sothattheloadmetovertheanimal’sback。
Itisnotaveryheavyloadfortheass，thoughitlookssolarge，saidFrancisco。Thepoorfellow，however，shallhavealittleofthiswater，addedhe，leadingtheasstoapoolbytheroadside。
Iwasnotthinkingoftheass，boy。Iwasnotthinkingofanyass，butofyou，whenIsaid，’Wellfilledpanniers，truly！’Thisisyourmorning’swork，Ipresume，andyou’llmakeanotherjourneytoNaplesto-
day，onthesameerrand，Iwarrant，beforeyourfatherthinksyouhavedoneenough？
NotbeforeMYFATHERthinksIhavedoneenough，butbeforeIthinksomyself，repliedFrancisco。
Idoenoughtosatisfymyselfandmyfather，too，saidPiedro，withoutslavingmyselfafteryourfashion。Lookhere，producingthemoneyhehadreceivedforthefish。allthiswashadforasking。Itisnobadthing，you’llallow，toknowhowtoaskformoneyproperly。
Ishouldbeashamedtobeg，orborroweither，saidFrancisco。
NeitherdidIgetwhatyouseebybegging，orborrowingeither，saidPiedro，butbyusingmywits。notasyoudidyesterday，when，likeanovice，youshowedthebruisedsideofyourmelon，andsospoiledyourmarketbyyourwisdom。
WisdomIthinkitstill，saidFrancisco。
Andyourfather？askedPiedro。
Andmyfather，saidFrancisco。
Mineisofadifferentwayofthinking，saidPiedro。Healwaystellsmethatthebuyerhasneedofahundredeyes，andifonecanblindthewholehundred，somuchthebetter。Youmustknow，Igotoffthefishto-
daythatmyfathercouldnotsellyesterdayinthemarket——gotitoffforfreshjustoutoftheriver——gottwiceasmuchasthemarketpriceforit。andfromwhom，thinkyou？Why，fromtheveryboobythatwouldhaveboughtthebruisedmelonforasoundoneifyouwouldhavelethim。
You’llallowI’mnofool，Francisco，andthatI’minafairwaytogrowrich，ifIgoonasIhavebegun。
Stay，saidFrancisco。youforgotthattheboobyyoutookinto-daywillnotbesoeasilytakeninto-morrow。Hewillbuynomorefishfromyou，becausehewillbeafraidofyourcheatinghim。buthewillbereadyenoughtobuyfruitfromme，becausehewillknowIshallnotcheathim——
soyou’llhavelostacustomer，andIgainedone。
Withallmyheart，saidPiedro。Onecustomerdoesnotmakeamarket。
ifhebuysnomorefromme，whatcareI？therearepeopleenoughtobuyfishinNaples。
Anddoyoumeantoservethemallinthesamemanner？askedFrancisco。
Iftheywillbeonlysogoodastogivemeleave，saidPiedro，laughing，andrepeatinghisfather’sproverb，’Ventureasmallfishtocatchalargeone。’*Hehadlearnedtothinkthattocheatinmakingbargainswaswittyandclever。
*seeanted。
Andyouhaveneverconsidered，then，saidFrancisco，thatallthesepeoplewill，oneafteranother，findyououtintime？
Ay，intime。butitwillbesometimefirst。Thereareagreatmanyofthem，enoughtolastmeallthesummer，ifIloseacustomeraday，saidPiedro。
Andnextsummer，observedFrancisco，whatwillyoudo？
Nextsummerisnotcomeyet。thereistimeenoughtothinkwhatIshalldobeforenextsummercomes。Why，now，supposetheblockheads，aftertheyhadbeentakeninandfounditout，alljoinedagainstme，andwouldbuynoneofourfish——whatthen？Aretherenotradesbutthatofafisherman？InNaples，aretherenotahundredwaysofmakingmoneyforasmartladlikeme？asmyfathersays。Whatdoyouthinkofturningmerchant，andsellingsugar-plumsandcakestothechildrenintheirmarket？Wouldtheybehardtodealwith，thinkyou？
Ithinknot，saidFrancisco。butIthinkthechildrenwouldfindoutintimeiftheywerecheated，andwouldlikeitaslittleasthemen。
Idon’tdoubtthem。ThenINTIMEIcould，youknow，changemytrade——
sellchipsandsticksinthewood-market——handaboutthelemonadetothefinefolks，ortwentyotherthings。Therearetradesenough，boy。
Yes，forthehonestdealer，saidFrancisco，butfornoother。forinallofthemyou’llfind，asMYfathersays，thatagoodcharacteristhebestfortunetosetupwith。Changeyourtradeeversooften，you’llbefoundoutforwhatyouareatlast。
AndwhatamI，pray？saidPiedro，angrily。Thewholetruthofthematteris，Francisco，thatyouenvymygoodluck，andcan’tbeartohearthismoneyjingleinmyhand。Ay，strokethelongearsofyourass，andlookaswiseasyouplease。It’sbettertobeluckythanwise，asMY
fathersays。Goodmorningtoyou。WhenIamfoundoutforwhatIam，orwhentheworstcomestotheworst，Icandriveastupidass，withhispanniersfilledwithrubbish，aswellasyoudonow，HONESTFRANCISCO。
Notquitesowell。UnlessyouwereHONESTFRANCISCO，youwouldnotfillhispanniersquitesoreadily……
Thiswascertain，thatFranciscowassowellknownforhishonestyamongstallthepeopleatNapleswithwhomhisfatherwasacquainted，thateveryonewasgladtodealwithhim。andasheneverwrongedanyone，allwerewillingtoservehim——atleast，asmuchastheycouldwithoutlosstothemselves：sothatafterthemarketwasover，hispannierswereregularlyfilledbythegardenersandotherswithwhateverhewanted。
Hisindustrywasconstant，hisgainssmallbutcertain，andheeverydayhadmoreandmorereasontotrusttohisfather’smaxim——Thathonestyisthebestpolicy。
Theforeignservantlad，towhomFranciscohadsohonestly，or，asPiedrosaid，sosillily，shownthebruisedsideofthemelon，wasanEnglishman。
Helefthisnativecountry，ofwhichhewasextremelyfond，toattenduponhismaster，towhomhewasstillmoreattached。Hismasterwasinadecliningstateofhealth，andthisyoungladwaitedonhimalittlemoretohismindthanhisotherservants。Wemust，inconsiderationofhiszeal，fidelityandinexperience，pardonhimfornotbeingagoodjudgeoffish。Thoughhehadsimplicityenoughtobeeasilycheatedonce，hehadtoomuchsensetobetwicemadeadupe。ThenexttimehemetPiedrointhemarket，hehappenedtobeincompanywithseveralEnglishgentlemen’sservants，andhepointedPiedroouttothemallasanarrantknave。TheyheardhiscryofFreshfish！freshfish！finefreshfish！withincreduloussmiles，andlethimpass，butnotwithoutsomeexpressionsofcontempt，thoughutteredinEnglish，hetolerablywellunderstood。forthetoneofcontemptissufficientlyexpressiveinalllanguages。HelostmorebynotsellinghisfishtothesepeoplethanhehadgainedthedaybeforebycheatingtheENGLISHBOOBY。Themarketwaswellsupplied，andhecouldnotgetridofhiscargo。
Isnotthistrulyprovoking？saidPiedro，ashepassedbyFrancisco，whowassellingfruitforhisfather。Look，mybasketisasheavyaswhenIlefthomeandlookat’emyourself，theyreallyarefinefreshfishto-dayandyet，becausethatrevengefulboobytoldhowItookhiminyesterday，notoneofyondercrowdwouldbuythem。andallthetimetheyreallyarefreshto-day！
Sotheyare，saidFranscisco，butyousaidsoyesterday，whentheywerenot。andhethatwasdupedthen，isnotreadytobelieveyouto-day。
Howdoesheknowthatyoudeserveitbetter？
Hemighthavelookedatthefish，repeatedPiedro。theyarefreshto-
day。Iamsureheneednothavebeenafraid。
Ay，saidFrancisco。butasmyfathersaidtoyouonce——thescaldeddogfearscoldwater。*
*Ilcanescottatodell’acquacaldahapaurapoidellafredda。
HeretheirconversationwasinterruptedbythesameEnglishlad，whosmiledashecameuptoFrancisco，andtakingupafinepine-apple，hesaid，inamixtureofbadItalianandEnglish——Ineednotlookattheothersideofthis。youwilltellmeifitisnotasgoodasitlooks。
Nameyourprice。Iknowyouhavebutone，andthatanhonestone。andastotherest，IamableandwillingtopayforwhatIbuy。thatistosay，mymasteris，whichcomestothesamething。Iwishyourfruitcouldmakehimwell，anditwouldbeworthitsweightingoldtome，atleast。
Wemusthavesomeofyourgrapesforhim。
Ishenotwell？inquiredFrancisco。Wemust，then，pickoutthebestforhim，atthesametimesinglingoutatemptingbunch。Ihopehewilllikethese。butifyoucouldsomedaycomeasfarasResinaitisavillagebutafewmilesoutoftown，wherewehaveourvineyard，youcouldtherechooseforyourself，andpluckthemfreshfromthevinesforyourpoormaster。
Blessyou，mygoodboy。IshouldtakeyouforanEnglishman，byyourwayofdealing。I’llcometoyourvillage。Onlywritemedownthename。foryourItaliannamesslipthroughmyhead。I’llcometothevineyardifitwastenmilesoff。andallthetimewestayinNaplesmayitnotbesolongasIfearitwill！，withmymaster’sleave，whichheneverrefusesmetoanythingthat’sproper，I’lldealwithyouforallourfruit，assureasmyname’sArthur，andwithnoneelse，withmygoodwill。Iwishallyourcountrymenwouldtakeafteryouinhonesty，indeedIdo，
concludedtheEnglishman，lookingfullatPiedro，whotookuphisunsoldbasketoffish，lookingsomewhatsilly，andgloomilywalkedoff。
Arthur，theEnglishservant，wasasgoodashisword。HedealtconstantlywithFrancisco，andprovedanexcellentcustomer，buyingfromhimduringthewholeseasonasmuchfruitashismasterwanted。Hismaster，whowasanEnglishmanofdistinction，wasinvitedtotakeuphisresidence，duringhisstayinItaly，attheCountdeF。’svilla，whichwasintheenvironsofNaples——aneasywalkfromResina。Franciscohadthepleasureofseeinghisfather’svineyardoftenfullofgenerousvisitors，andArthur，whohadcirculatedtheanecdoteofthebruisedmelon，was，hesaid，proudtothinkthatsomeofthiswashisdoing，andthatanEnglishmanneverforgotagoodturn，beitfromacountrymanorforeigner。
Mydearboy，saidFrancisco’sfathertohim，whilstArthurwasinthevineyardhelpingtotendthevines，Iamtothankyouandyourhonesty，itseems，forourhavingourhandssofullofbusinessthisseason。Itisfairyoushouldhaveashareofourprofits。
SoIhave，father，enoughandenough，whenIseeyouandmothergoingonsowell。WhatcanIwantmore？
Oh，mybraveboy，weknowyouareagrateful，goodson。butIhavebeenyouragemyself。youhavecompanions，youhavelittleexpensesofyourown。Here。thisvine，thisfig-tree，andamelonaweeknextsummershallbeyours。WiththesemakeafinefigureamongstthelittleNeapolitanmerchants。andallIwishisthatyoumayprosperaswell，andbythesamehonestmeans，inmanagingforyourself，asyouhavedonemanagingforme。
Thankyou，father。andifIprosperatall，itshallbebythosemeans，andnoother，orIshouldnotbeworthytobecalledyourson。
Piedrothecunningdidnotmakequitesosuccessfulasummer’sworkasdidFranciscothehonest。Noextraordinaryeventshappened，nosingularinstanceofbadorgoodluckoccurred。buthefelt，aspersonsusuallydo，thenaturalconsequencesofhisownactions。Hepursuedhisschemeofimposing，asfarashecould，uponeverypersonhedealtwith。andtheconsequencewas，thatatlastnobodywoulddealwithhim。
Itiseasytooutwitoneperson，butimpossibletooutwitalltheworld，saidaman*whoknewtheworldatleastaswellaseitherPiedroorhisfather。
*TheDukedeRochefoucault——Onpeutetrepulsfinqu’unautre，maispasplusfinquetouslesautres。
Piedro’sfather，amongstothers，hadreasontocomplain。Hesawhisowncustomersfallofffromhim，andwastold，wheneverhewentintothemarket，thathissonwassuchacheattherewasnodealingwithhim。Oneday，whenhewasreturningfromthemarketinaverybadhumour，inconsequenceofthesereproaches，andofhisnothavingfoundcustomersforhisgoods，heespiedhisSMARTsonPiedroatalittlemerchant’sfruit-boarddevouringafinegourdwithprodigiousgreediness。Where，glutton，doyoufindmoneytopayforthesedainties？exclaimedhisfather，comingcloseuptohim，withangrygestures。Piedro’smouthwasmuchtoofulltomakeanimmediatereply，nordidhisfatherwaitforany，butdartinghishandintotheyouth’spocket，pulledforthahandfulofsilver。
Themoney，father，saidPiedro，thatIgotforthefishyesterday，andthatImeanttogiveyouto-day，beforeyouwentout。
ThenI’llmakeyourememberitagainstanothertime，sirrah！saidhisfather。I’llteachyoutofillyourstomachwithmymoney。AmItolosemycustomersbyyourtricks，andthenfindyouhereeatingmyall？
Youarearogue，andeverybodyhasfoundyououttobearogue。andtheworstofroguesIfindyou，whoscruplesnottocheathisownfather。
Sayingthesewords，withgreatvehemenceheseizedholdofPiedro，andintheverymidstofthelittlefruit-marketgavehimaseverebeating。
Thisbeatingdidtheboynogood。itwasvengeancenotpunishment。
Piedrosawthathisfatherwasinapassion，andknewthathewasbeatenbecausehewasfoundouttobearogue，ratherthanforbeingone。Herecollectedperfectlythathisfatheroncesaidtohim：Leteveryonetakecareofhisowngrapes。
Indeeditwasscarcelyreasonabletoexpectthataboywhohadbeeneducatedtothinkthathemightcheateverycustomerhecouldinthewayoftrade，shouldbeafterwardsscrupulouslyhonestinhisconducttowardsthefatherwhoseproverbsencouragedhischildhoodincunning。
Piedrowrithedwithbodilypainasheleftthemarketafterhisdrubbing，buthismindwasnotintheleastamended。Onthecontrary，hewashardenedtothesenseofshamebythelossofreputation。Allthelittlemerchantswerespectatorsofthisscene，andheardhisfather’swords：
YouAREarogue，andtheworstofrogues，whoscruplesnottocheathisownfather。
Thesewordswerelongremembered，andlongdidPiedrofeeltheireffects。
Heonceflatteredhimselfthat，whenhistradeofsellingfishfailedhim，hecouldreadilyengageinsomeother。buthenowfound，tohismortification，thatwhatFrancisco’sfathersaidprovedtrue：Inalltradesthebestfortunetosetupwithisagoodcharacter。
NotoneofthelittleNeapolitanmerchantswouldeitherenterintopartnershipwithhim，givehimcredit，oreventradewithhimforreadymoney。Ifyouwouldcheatyourownfather，tobesureyouwillcheatus，wascontinuallysaidtohimbytheseprudentlittlepeople。
Piedrowastauntedandtreatedwithcontemptathomeandabroad。Hisfather，whenhefoundthathisson’ssmartnesswasnolongerusefulinmakingbargains，shovedhimoutofhiswaywheneverhemethim。Allthefoodorclothesthathehadathomeseemedtobegiventohimgrudgingly，andwithsuchexpressionsasthese：Takethat。butitistoogoodforyou。Youmusteatthis，now，insteadofgourdsandfigs——andbethankfulyouhaveeventhis。
Piedrospentawholewinterveryunhappily。Heexpectedthatallhisoldtricks，andespeciallywhathisfatherhadsaidofhiminthemarket-
place，wouldbesoonforgotten。butmonthpassedaftermonth，andstillthesethingswerefreshinthememoryofallwhohadknownthem。
Itisnoteasytogetridofabadcharacter。Averygreatrogue*wasonceheardtosay，thathewould，withallhisheart，givetenthousandpoundsforagoodcharacter，becauseheknewthathecouldmaketwentythousandbyit。
*Chartres。
Somethinglikethiswasthesentimentofourcunningherowhenheexperiencedtheevilsofabadreputation，andwhenhesawthenumerousadvantageswhichFrancisco’sgoodcharacterprocured。SuchhadbeenPiedro’swretchededucation，thateventhehardlessonsofexperiencecouldnotalteritsperniciouseffects。Hewassorryhisknaveryhadbeendetected，buthestillthoughtitclevertocheat，andwassecretlypersuadedthat，ifhehadcheatedsuccessfully，heshouldhavebeenhappy。ButIknowIamnothappynow，saidhetohimselfonemorning，ashesatalonedisconsolatebythesea-shore，dressedintatteredgarments，weakandhungry，withanemptybasketbesidehim。Hisfishing-
rod，whichheheldbetweenhisknees，bentoverthedrysandsinsteadofintothewater，forhewasnotthinkingofwhathewasabout。hisarmswerefolded，hisheadhungdown，andhisraggedhatwasslouchedoverhisface。Hewasamelancholyspectacle。
Francisco，ashewascomingfromhisfather’svineyardwithalargedishofpurpleandwhitegrapesuponhishead，andabasketofmelonsandfigshanginguponhisarm，chancedtoseePiedroseatedinthismelancholyposture。Touchedwithcompassion，Franciscoapproachedhimsoftly。hisfootstepswerenothearduponthesands，andPiedrodidnotperceivethatanyonewasnearhimtillhefeltsomethingcoldtouchhishand。hethenstarted，and，lookingup，sawabunchofgrapes，whichFranciscowasholdingoverhishead。
Eatthem：you’llfindthemverygood，Ihope，saidFrancisco，withabenevolentsmile。
Theyareexcellent——mostexcellent，andIammuchobligedtoyou，Francisco，saidPiedro。Iwasveryhungry，andthat’swhatIamnow，withoutanybody’scaringanythingaboutit。IamnotthefavouriteIwaswithmyfather，butIknowitisallmyownfault。
Well，butcheerup，saidFrancisco。myfatheralwayssays，’Onewhoknowshehasbeeninfault，andacknowledgesit，willscarcelybeinfaultagain。’Yes，takeasmanyfigsasyouwill，continuedhe。andheldhisbasketclosertoPiedro，who，ashesaw，castahungryeyeupononeoftheripefigs。
But，saidPiedro，afterhehadtakenseveral，shallnotIgetyouintoascrapebytakingsomany？Won’tyourfatherbeapttomissthem？
DoyouthinkIwouldgivethemtoyouiftheywerenotmyown？saidFrancisco，withasuddenglanceofindignation。
Well，don’tbeangrythatIaskedthequestion。itwasonlyfromfearofgettingyouintodisgracethatIaskedit。
Itwouldnotbeeasyforanybodytodothat，Ihope，saidFrancisco，ratherproudly。
Andtomelessthananybody，repliedPiedro，inaninsinuatingtone，_I，_thatamsomuchobligedtoyou！
Abunchofgrapes，andafewfigs，arenomightyobligation，saidFrancisco，smiling。IwishIcoulddomoreforyou。Youseem，indeed，tohavebeenveryunhappyoflate。Weneverseeyouinthemarketsasweusedtodo。
No。eversincemyfatherbeatme，andcalledmeroguebeforeallthechildrenthere，Ihaveneverbeenabletoshowmyfacewithoutbeinggibedatbyoneort’other。Ifyouwouldbuttakemealongwithyouamongstthem，andonlyjustSEEMmyfriend，foradayortwo，orso，itwouldquitesetmeupagain。fortheyalllikeyou。
IwouldratherBEthanseemyourfriend，ifIcould，saidFrancisco。
Ay，tobesure。thatwouldbestillbetter，saidPiedro，observingthatFrancisco，asheutteredhislastsentence，wasseparatingthegrapesandotherfruitsintotwoequaldivisions。TobesureIwouldratheryouwouldBEthanSEEMafriendtome。butIthoughtthatwastoomuchtoaskatfirst，thoughIhaveanotion，notwithstandingIhavebeensoUNLUCKY
lately——Ihaveanotionyouwouldhavenoreasontorepentofit。Youwouldfindmenobadhand，ifyouweretotry，andtakemeintopartnership。
Partnership！interruptedFrancisco，drawingbackalarmed。Ihadnothoughtsofthat。
Butwon’tyou？can’tyou？saidPiedro，inasupplicatingtone。CAN’T
youhavethoughtsofit？You’dfindmeaveryactivepartner。
Fransciscostilldrewback，andkepthiseyesfixedupontheground。Hewasembarrassed。forhepitiedPiedro，andhescarcelyknewhowtopointouttohimthatsomethingmoreisnecessaryinapartnerintradebesidesactivity，andthatishonesty。
Can’tyou？repeatedPiedro，thinkingthathehesitatedfrommerelymercenarymotives。Youshallhavewhatshareoftheprofitsyouplease。
Iwasnotthinkingoftheprofits，saidFrancisco。butwithoutmeaningtobeill-naturedtoyou，Piedro，ImustsaythatIcannotenterintoanypartnershipwithyouatpresent。butIwilldowhat，perhaps，youwilllikeaswell，saidhe，takinghalfthefruitoutofhisbasket。
youareheartilywelcometothis。tryandsellitinthechildren’sfruitmarket。I’llgoonbeforeyou，andspeaktothoseIamacquaintedwith，andtellthemyouaregoingtosetupanewcharacter，andthatyouhopetomakeitagoodone。
Hey，shallI！Thankyouforever，dearFrancisco，criedPiedro，seizinghisplentifulgiftoffruit。Saywhatyoupleaseforme。
Butdon’tmakemesayanythingthatisnottrue，saidFrancisco，pausing。
No，tobesurenot，saidPiedro。IDOmeantogivenoroomforscandal。IfIcouldgetthemtotrustmeastheydoyou，Ishouldbehappyindeed。
Thatiswhatyoumaydo，ifyouplease，saidFrancisco。Adieu，Iwishyouwellwithallmyheart。butImustleaveyounow，orIshallbetoolateforthemarket。
CHAPTERII。
Chivapianovasano，eanchelontano。
Fairandsoftlygoesfarinaday。
Piedrohadnowanopportunityofestablishingagoodcharacter。Whenhewentintothemarketwithhisgrapesandfigs，hefoundthathewasnotshunnedortauntedasusual。Allseemeddisposedtobelieveinhisintendedreformation，andtogivehimafairtrial。
ThesefavourabledispositionstowardshimweretheconsequenceofFrancisco’sbenevolentrepresentations。HetoldthemthathethoughtPiedrohadsufferedenoughtocurehimofhistricks，andthatitwouldbecrueltyinthem，becausehemightoncehavebeeninfault，tobanishhimbytheirreproachesfromamongstthem，andthustopreventhimfromthemeansofgaininghislivelihoodhonestly。
Piedromadeagoodbeginning，andgavewhatseveraloftheyoungercustomersthoughtexcellentbargains。Hisgrapesandfigswerequicklysold，andwiththemoneythathegotforthemhethenextdaypurchasedfromafruitdealerafreshsupply。andthushewentonforsometime，conductinghimselfwithscrupuloushonesty，sothatheacquiredsomecreditamonghiscompanions。Theynolongerwatchedhimwithsuspiciouseyes。Theytrustedtohismeasuresandweights，andtheycountedlesscarefullythechangewhichtheyreceivedfromhim。
ThesatisfactionhefeltfromthisalterationintheirmannerswasatfirstdelightfultoPiedro。butinproportiontohiscredit，hisopportunitiesofdefraudingincreased。andthesebecametemptationswhichhehadnotthefirmnesstoresist。Hisoldmannerofthinkingrecurred。
Imakebutafewshillingsaday，andthisisbutslowwork，saidhetohimself。Whatsignifiesmygoodcharacter，ifImakesolittlebyit？
Lightgains，andfrequent，makeaheavypurse，*wasoneofFrancisco’sproverbs。ButPiedrowasintoogreathastetogetrichtotaketimeintohisaccount。Hesethisinventiontowork，andhedidnotwantforingenuity，todevisemeansofcheatingwithoutrunningtheriskofdetection。Heobservedthattheyoungerpartofthecommunitywereextremelyfondofcertaincolouredsugarplums，andofburntalmonds。
*Pocoespessoempieill’orsetto。
Withthemoneyhehadearnedbytwomonths’tradinginfruithelaidinalargestockofwhatappearedtotheselittlemerchantsastockofalmondsandsugar-plums，andhepaintedincapitalgoldcolouredlettersuponhisboard，Sweetest，largest，mostadmirablesugar-plumsofallcolourseversoldinNaples，tobehadhere。andingratitudetohisnumerouscustomers，Piedroaddstothese，’Burntalmondsgratis。’。
Thisadvertisementattractedtheattentionofallwhocouldread。andmanywhocouldnotreadhearditrepeatedwithdelight。CrowdsofchildrensurroundedPiedro’sboardofpromise，andtheyallwentawaythefirstdayamplysatisfied。Eachhadafullmeasureofcolouredsugar-
plumsattheusualprice，andalongwiththeseaburntalmondgratis。
Theburntalmondhadsuchaneffectuponthepublicjudgment，thatitwasuniversallyallowedthatthesugar-plumswere，astheadvertisementsetforth，thelargest，sweetest，mostadmirableeversoldinNaples。thoughallthetimetheywere，innorespect，betterthananyothersugar-plums。
ItwasgenerallyreportedthatPiedrogavefullmeasure——fullerthananyotherboardinthecity。Hemeasuredthesugar-plumsinalittlecubicaltinbox。andthis，itwasaffirmed，heheapeduptothetop，andpresseddownbeforehepouredoutthecontentsintotheopenhandsofhisapprovingcustomers。Thisbelief，andPiedro’spopularity，continuedlongereventhanhehadexpected。and，ashethoughthissugar-plumshadsecuredtheirreputationwiththeGENEROUSPUBLIC，hegraduallyneglectedtoaddburntalmondsgratis。
Onedayaboyofabouttenyearsoldpassedcarelesslyby，whistlingashewentalong，andswingingacarpenter’sruleinhishand。Ha！whathavewehere？criedhe，stoppingtoreadwhatwaswrittenonPiedro’sboard。Thispromisesrarely。OldasIam，andtallofmyage，whichmakesthematterworse，Iamstillasfondofsugar-plumsasmylittlesister，whoisfiveyearsyoungerthanI。Come，Signor，fillmequick，forI’minhastetotastethem，twomeasuresofthesweetest，largest，mostadmirablesugar-plumsinNaples——onemeasureformyselfandoneformylittleRosetta。
You’llpayforyourselfandyoursister，then，saidPiedro，fornocreditisgivenhere。
NocreditdoIask，repliedthelivelyboy。whenItoldyouIlovedsugar-plums，didItellyouIlovedthem，orevenmysister，sowellastorunindebtforthem？Here’sformyself，andhere’sformysister’sshare，saidhe，layingdownhismoney。andnowfortheburntalmondsgratis，mygoodfellow。
Theyareallout。Ihavebeenoutofburntalmondsthisgreatwhile，
saidPiedro。
Thenwhyaretheyinyouradvertisementhere？saidCarlo。
Ihavenothadtimetoscratchthemoutoftheboard。
What！notwhenyouhave，byyourownaccount，beenoutofthemagreatwhile？Ididnotknowitrequiredsomuchtimetoblotoutafewwords——
letustry……andashespoke，Carlo，forthatwasthenameofPiedro’snewcustomer，pulledabitofwhitechalkoutofhispocket，anddrewabroadscoreacrossthelineontheboardwhichpromisedburntalmondsgratis。
Youaremostimpatient，saidPiedro。Ishallhaveafreshstockofalmondsto-morrow。
Whymusttheboardtellalieto-day？
Itwouldruinmetoalterit，saidPiedro。
Aliemayruinyou，butIcouldscarcelythinkthetruthcould。
Youhavenorighttomeddlewithmeormyboard，saidPiedro，putoffhisguard，andoutofhisusualsoftvoiceofcivility，bythislastobservation。Mycharacter，andthatofmyboard，aretoofirmlyestablishednowforanychancecustomerlikeyoutoinjure。
Ineverdreamedofinjuringyouoranyoneelse，saidCarlo——Iwish，moreover，youmaynotinjureyourself。Doasyoupleasewithyourboard，butgivememysugar-plums，forIhavesomerighttomeddlewiththose，havingpaidforthem。
Holdoutyourhand，then。
No，puttheminhere，ifyouplease。putmysister’s，atleast，inhere。
shelikestohavetheminthisbox：Iboughtsomeforherinityesterday，andshe’llthinkthey’lltastethebetteroutofthesamebox。
Buthowisthis？yourmeasuredoesnotfillmyboxnearly。yougiveusveryfewsugar-plumsforourmoney。
Igiveyoufullmeasure，asIgivetoeverybody。
Themeasureshouldbeaninchcube，Iknow，saidCarlo。that’swhatallthelittlemerchantshaveagreedto，youknow。
True，saidPiedro，soitis。
Andsoitis，Imustallow，saidCarlo，measuringtheoutsideofitwiththecarpenter’srulewhichheheldinhishand。Anincheveryway。
andyetbymyeye——andIhavenobadone，beingusedtomeasuringcarpenter’sworkformyfather——bymyeyeIshouldthinkthiswouldhaveheldmoresugar-plums。
Theeyeoftendeceivesus。saidPiedro。There’snothinglikemeasuring，youfind。
There’snothinglikemeasuring，Ifind，indeed，repliedCarlo，ashelookedcloselyattheendofhisrule，which，sincehespokelast，hehadputintothecubetotakeitsdepthintheinside。Thisisnotasdeepbyaquarterofaninch，SignorPiedro，measuredwithinasitismeasuredwithout。
Piedrochangedcolourterribly，andseizingholdofthetinbox，endeavouredtowrestitfromtheyouthwhomeasuredsoaccurately。Carloheldhisprizefast，andliftingitabovehishead，heranintothemidstofthesquarewherethelittlemarketwasheld，exclaiming，Adiscovery！
adiscovery！thatconcernsallwholovesugar-plums。Adiscovery！adiscoverythatconcernsallwhohaveeverboughtthesweetest，andmostadmirablesugar-plumseversoldinNaples。
Thecrowdgatheredfromallpartsofthesquareashespoke。
Wehavebought，andWehaveboughtofthosesugar-plums，criedseverallittlevoicesatonce，ifyoumeanPiedro’s。
Thesame，continuedCarlo——hewho，outofgratitudetohisnumerouscustomers，gives，orpromisestogive，burntalmondsgratis。
Excellenttheywere！criedseveralvoices。WeallknowPiedrowell。
butwhat’syourdiscovery？
Mydiscoveryis，saidCarlo，thatyou，noneofyou，knowPiedro。Lookyouhere。lookatthisbox——thisishismeasure。ithasafalsebottom——
itholdsonlythree-quartersasmuchasitoughttodo。andhisnumerouscustomershaveallbeencheatedofone-quarterofeverymeasureoftheadmirablesugar-plumstheyhaveboughtfromhim。’Thinktwiceofagoodbargain，’saystheproverb。
Sowehavebeenfinelyduped，indeed，criedsomeofthebystanders，lookingatoneanotherwithamortifiedair。Fullofcourtesy，fullofcraft！*Sothisisthemeaningofhisburntalmondsgratis，criedothers。alljoinedinanuproarofindignation，exceptone，who，ashestoodbehindtherest，expressedinhiscountenancesilentsurpriseandsorrow。
*ChietFApicaresschenonvole，Oingannatot’ha，oinganuaretvole。
IsthisPiedroarelationofyours？saidCarlo，goinguptothissilentperson。Iamsorry，ifhebe，thatIhavepublishedhisdisgrace，forI
wouldnothurtYOU。Youdon’tsellsugar-plumsashedoes，I’msure。formylittlesisterRosettahasoftenboughtfromyou。CanthisPiedrobeafriendofyours？
Iwishedtohavebeenhisfriend。butIseeIcan’t，saidFrancisco。
Heisaneighbourofours，andIpitiedhim。butsinceheisathisoldtricksagain，there’sanendofthematter。Ihavereasontobeobligedtoyou，forIwasnearlytakenin。Hehasbehavedsowellforsometimepast，thatIintendedthisveryeveningtohavegonetohim，andtohavetoldhimthatIwaswillingtodoforhimwhathehaslongbeggedofmetodo——toenterintopartnershipwithhim。
Francisco！Francisco！——yourmeasure，lendusyourmeasure！exclaimedanumberoflittlemerchantscrowdingroundhim。Youhaveameasureforsugar-plums。andwehaveallagreedtorefertothat，andtoseehowmuchwehavebeencheatedbeforewegotobreakPiedro’sbenchanddeclarehimbankrupt，*——thepunishmentforallknaves。
*ThiswordcomesfromtwoItalianwords，buncorotto——brokenbench。
Bankersandmerchantsusedformerlytocounttheirmoney，andwritetheirbillsofexchangeuponbenchesinthestreets。andwhenamerchantorbankerlosthiscredit，andwasunabletopayhisdebts，hisbenchwasbroken。
TheypressedontoFrancisco’sboard，obtainedhismeasure，foundthatitheldsomethingmorethanaquarterabovethequantitythatcouldbecontainedinPiedro’s。Thecriesoftheenragedpopulacewerenowmostclamorous。Theyhungthejustandtheunjustmeasuresuponhighpoles。
and，formingthemselvesintoaformidablephalanx，theyproceededtowardsPiedro’swellknownyellowletteredboard，exclaiming，astheywentalong，Commoncause！commoncause！ThelittleNeapolitanmerchantswillhavenoknavesamongstthem！Breakhisbench！breakhisbench！Heisabankruptinhonesty。
Piedrosawthemob，heardtheindignantclamour，and，terrifiedattheapproachofnumbers，hefledwiththeutmostprecipitation，havingscarcelytimetopackuphalfhissugar-plums。Therewasaprodigiousnumber，morethanwouldhavefilledmanyhonestmeasures，scattereduponthegroundandtrampledunderfootbythecrowd。Piedro’sbenchwasbroken，andthepublicvengeancewreakeditselfalsouponhistreacherouspaintedboard。Itwas，afterbeingmuchdisfiguredbyvariousinscriptionsexpressiveoftheuniversalcontemptforPiedro，hungupinaconspicuouspartofthemarket-place。andthefalsemeasurewasfastenedlikeacapupononeofitscorners。Piedrocouldnevermoreshowhisfaceinthismarket，andallhopesoffriendship——allhopesofpartnershipwithFrancisco——wereforeveratanend。
Ifrogueswouldcalculate，theywouldceasetoberogues。fortheywouldcertainlydiscoverthatitismostfortheirinteresttobehonest——
settingasidethepleasureofbeingesteemedandbeloved，ofhavingasafeconscience，withperfectfreedomfromallthevariousembarrassmentsandterrortowhichknavesaresubject。IsitnotclearthatourcraftyherowouldhavegainedrathermorebyapartnershipwithFrancisco，andbyafaircharacter，thanhecouldpossiblyobtainbyfraudulentdealingincomfits？
Whenthemobhaddispersed，aftersatisfyingthemselveswithexecutingsummaryjusticeuponPiedro’sbenchandboard，Franciscofoundacarpenter’srulelyinguponthegroundnearPiedro’sbrokenbench，whichherecollectedtohaveseeninthehandsofCarlo。Heexamineditcarefully，andhefoundCarlo’snamewrittenuponit，andthenameofthestreetwherehelived。andthoughitwasconsiderablyoutofhisway，hesetoutimmediatelytorestoretherule，whichwasaveryhandsomeone，toitsrightfulowner。Afterahotwalkthroughseveralstreets，heovertookCarlo，whohadjustreachedthedoorofhisownhouse。Carlowasparticularlyobligedtohim，hesaid，forrestoringthisruletohim，asitwasapresentfromthemasterofavessel，whoemployedhisfathertodocarpenter’sworkforhim。Oneshouldnotpraiseone’sself，theysay，continuedCarlo，butIlongsomuchtogainyourgoodopinion，thatImusttellyouthewholehistoryoftheruleyouhaverestored。Itwasgiventomeforhavingmeasuredtheworkandmadeupthebillofawholepleasure-boatmyself。YoumayguessIshouldhavebeensorryenoughtohavelostit。Thankyouforitsbeingoncemoreinmycarelesshands，andtellme，Ibeg，wheneverIcandoyouanyservice。By-the-by，Icanmakeupforyouafruitstall。I’lldoitto-morrow，anditshallbetheadmirationofthemarket。Isthereanythingelseyoucouldthinkofforme？
Why，yes，saidFrancisco。sinceyouaresogood-natured，perhapsyou’dbekindenoughtotellmethemeaningofsomeofthoselinesandfiguresthatIseeuponyourrule。Ihaveagreatcuriositytoknowtheiruse。
ThatI’llexplaintoyouwithpleasure，asfarasIknowthemmyself。
butwhenI’matfault，myfather，whoisclevererthanIam，andunderstandstrigonometry，canhelpusout。
Trigonometry！repeatedFrancisco，notalittlealarmedatthehighsoundingword。that’swhatIcertainlyshallneverunderstand。
Oh，neverfear，repliedCarlo，laughing。Ilookedjustasyoudonow——
Ifeltjustasyoudonow——allinafrightandapuzzle，whenIfirstheardofanglesandsines，andcosines，andarcsandcentres，andcomplementsandtangents。
Ohmercy！mercy！interruptedFrancisco，whilstCarlolaughed，withabenevolentsenseofsuperiority。
Why，saidCarlo，you’llfindallthesethingsarenothingwhenyouareusedtothem。ButIcannotexplainmyruletoyouherebroilinginthesun。Besides，itwillnotbetheworkofaday，Ipromiseyou。butcomeandseeusatyourleisurehours，andwe’llstudyittogether。Ihaveagreatnotionweshallbecomefriends。and，tobegin，stepinwithmenow，saidCarlo，andeatalittlemacaroniwithus。Iknowitisreadybythistime。Besides，you’llseemyfather，andhe’llshowyouplentyofrulesandcompasses，asyoulikesuchthings。andthenI’llgohomewithyouinthecooloftheevening，andyoushallshowmeyourmelonsandvines，andteachme，intime，somethingofgardening。Oh，Iseewemustbegoodfriends，justmadeforeachother。socomein——noceremony。
Carlowasnotmistakeninhispredictions。heandFranciscobecameverygoodfriends，spentalltheirleisurehourstogether，eitherinCarlo’sworkshoporinFrancisco’svineyard，andtheymutuallyimprovedeachother。Francisco，beforehesawhisfriend’srule，knewbutjustenoughofarithmetictocalculateinhisheadthepriceofthefruitwhichhesoldinthemarket。butwithCarlo’sassistance，andtheambitiontounderstandthetablesandfiguresuponthewonderfulrule，hesettoworkinearnest，andinduetime，satisfiedbothhimselfandhismaster。
WhoknowsbutthesethingsthatIamlearningnowmaybeofsomeusetomebeforeIdie？saidFrancisco，ashewassittingonemorningwithhistutor，thecarpenter。
Tobesureitwill，saidthecarpenter，puttingdownhiscompasses，withwhichhewasdrawingacircle——Arithmeticisamostuseful，andI
wasgoingtosaynecessarythingtobeknownbymeninallstations。andalittletrigonometrydoesnoharm。Inshort，mymaximis，thatnoknowledgecomesamiss。foraman’sheadisofasmuchusetohimashishands。andevenmoreso。
Awordtothewisewillalwayssuffice。
Besides，tosaynothingofmakingafortune，isnotthereagreatpleasureinbeingsomethingofascholar，andbeingabletopassone’stimewithone’sbook，andone’scompassesandpencil？Safecompanionstheseforyoungandold。Noonegetsintomischiefthathaspleasantthingstothinkofandtodowhenalone。andIknow，formypart，thattrigonometryis——
Herethecarpenter，justashewasgoingtopronounceafreshpanegyricuponhisfavouritetrigonometry，wasinterruptedbythesuddenentranceofhislittledaughterRosetta，allintears：averyunusualspectacle，for，takingtheyearround，sheshedfewertearsthananychildofherageinNaples。
Why，mydeargoodhumouredlittleRosetta，whathashappened？Whytheselargetears？saidherbrotherCarlo，andhewentuptoher，andwipedthemfromhercheeks。Andthesethataregoingoverthebridgeofthenosesofast？Imuststopthesetears，too，saidCarlo。
Rosetta，atthisspeech，burstoutlaughing，andsaidthatshedidnotknowtillthenthatshehadanybridgeonhernose。
Andweretheseshellsthecauseofthetears？saidherbrother，lookingataheapofshells，whichsheheldbeforeherinherfrock。
Yes，partly，saidRosetta。Itwaspartlymyownfault，butnotall。
YouknowIwentouttothecarpenter’syard，nearthearsenal，whereallthechildrenarepickingupchipsandstickssobusily。andIwasasbusyasanyofthem，becauseIwantedtofillmybasketsoon。andthenI
thoughtIshouldsellmybasketfuldirectlyinthelittlewood-market。
AssoonasIhadfilledmybasket，andmadeupmyfaggotwhichwasnotdone，brother，tillIwasalmostbakedbythesun，forIwasforcedtowaitbythecarpentersforthebitsofwoodtomakeupmyfaggot——Isay，whenitwasallready，andmybasketfull，Ileftitaltogetherintheyard。
Thatwasnotwisetoleaveit，saidCarlo。
ButIonlyleftitforafewminutes，brother，andIcouldnotthinkanybodywouldbesodishonestastotakeitwhilstIwasaway。Ionlyjustrantotellaboy，whohadpickedupallthesebeautifulshellsuponthesea-shore，andwhowantedtosellthem，thatIshouldbegladtobuythemfromhim，ifhewouldonlybesogoodastokeepthemforme，foranhourorso，tillIhadcarriedmywoodtomarket，andtillIhadsoldit，andsohadmoneytopayhimfortheshells。
Yourheartwassetmightilyontheseshells，Rosetta。
Yes。forIthoughtyouandFrancisco，brother，wouldliketohavethemforyournicegrottothatyouaremakingatResina。ThatwasthereasonIwasinsuchahurrytogetthem。Theboywhohadthemtosellwasverygood-natured。hepouredthemintomylap，andsaidIhadsuchanhonestfacehewouldtrustme，andthatashewasinagreathurry，hecouldnotwaitanhourwhilstIsoldmywood。butthathewassureIwouldpayhimintheevening，andhetoldmethathewouldcallherethiseveningforthemoney。ButnowwhatshallIdo，Carlo？Ishallhavenomoneytogivehim：Imustgivebackhisshells，andthat’sagreatpity。
Buthowhappeneditthatyoudidnotsellyourwood？
Oh，Iforgot。didnotItellyouthat？WhenIwentformybasket，doyouknowitwasempty，quiteempty，notachipleft？Somedishonestpersonhadcarrieditalloff。HadnotIreasontocrynow，Carlo？’
I’llgothisminuteintothewood-market，andseeifIcanfindyourfaggot。Won’tthatbebetterthancrying？saidherbrother。Shouldyouknowanyoneofyourpiecesofwoodagainifyouweretoseethem？
Yes，oneofthem，Iamsure，Ishouldknowagain，saidRosetta。Ithadanotchatoneendofit，whereoneofthecarpenterscutitofffromanotherpieceofwoodforme。
Andisthispieceofwoodfromwhichthecarpentercutitstilltobeseen？saidFrancisco。
Yes，itisintheyard。butIcannotbringittoyou，foritisveryheavy。
Wecangotoit，saidFrancisco，andIhopeweshallrecoveryourbasketful。
CarloandhisfriendwentwithRosettaimmediatelytotheyard，nearthearsenal，sawthenotchedpieceofwood，andthenproceededtothelittlewood-market，andsearchedeveryheapthatlaybeforethelittlefactors。
butnonotchedbitwastobefound，andRosettadeclaredthatshedidnotseeonestickthatlookedatalllikeanyofhers。
Ontheirpart，hercompanionseagerlyuntiedtheirfaggotstoshowthemtoher，andexclaimed，Thattheywereincapableoftakingwhatdidnotbelongtothem。thatofallpersonstheyshouldneverhavethoughtoftakinganythingfromthegoodnaturedlittleRosetta，whowasalwaysreadytogivetoothers，andtohelptheminmakinguptheirloads。
Despairingofdiscoveringthethief，FranciscoandCarloleftthemarket。
Astheywerereturninghome，theyweremetbytheEnglishservantArthur，whoaskedFranciscowherehehadbeen，andwherehewasgoing。
AssoonasheheardofRosetta’slostfaggot，andofthebitofwood，notchedatoneend，ofwhichRosettadrewtheshapewithapieceofchalk，whichherbrotherhadlenther，Arthurexclaimed，Ihaveseensuchabitofwoodasthiswithinthisquarterofanhour。butIcannotrecollectwhere。Stay！thiswasatthebaker’s，Ithink，whereIwentforsomerollsformymaster。Itwaslyingbesidehisoven。
Tothebaker’stheyallwentasfastaspossible，andtheygottherebutjustintime。Thebakerhadinhishandthebitofwoodwithwhichhewasthatinstantgoingtofeedhisoven。
Stop，goodMr。Baker！criedRosetta，whoranintothebaker’sshopfirst。andasheheardStop！stop！re-echoedbymanyvoices，thebakerstopped。andturningtoFrancisco，CarloandArthur，begged，withacountenanceofsomesurprise，toknowwhytheyhaddesiredhimtostop。
Thecasewaseasilyexplained，andthebakertoldthemthathedidnotbuyanywoodinthelittlemarketthatmorning。thatthisfaggothehadpurchasedbetweenthehoursoftwelveandonefromaladaboutFrancisco’sheight，whomhemetneartheyardofthearsenal。
Thisismybitofwood，Iamsure。Iknowitbythisnotch，saidRosetta。
Well，saidthebaker，ifyouwillstayhereafewminutes，youwillprobablyseetheladwhosoldittome。Hedesiredtobepaidinbread，andmybreadwasnotquitebakedwhenhewashere。Ibidhimcallagaininanhour，andIfancyhewillbeprettypunctual，forhelookeddesperatelyhungry。
ThebakerhadscarcelyfinishedspeakingwhenFrancisco，whowasstandingwatchingatthedoor，exclaimed，HerecomesPiedro！Ihopeheisnottheboywhosoldyouthewood，Mr。Baker？
Heistheboy，though，repliedthebaker，andPiedro，whonowenteredtheshop，startedatthesightofCarloandFrancisco，whomhehadneverseensincethedayofdisgraceinthefruit-market。
Yourservant，SignorPiedro，saidCarlo。Ihavethehonourtotellyouthatthispieceofwood，andallthatyoutookoutofthebasket，whichyoufoundintheyardofthearsenal，belongstomysister。
Yes，indeed，criedRosetta。
PiedrobeingverycertainthatnobodysawhimwhenheemptiedRosetta’sbasket，andimaginingthathewassuspectedonlyuponthebareassertionofachildlikeRosetta，whomightbebaffledandfrightenedoutofherstory，boldlydeniedthecharge，anddefiedanyonetoprovehimguilty。
Hehasarighttobeheardinhisowndefence，saidArthur，withthecooljusticeofanEnglishman。andhestoppedtheangryCarlo’sarm，whowasgoinguptotheculpritwithalltheItalianvehemenceoforatoryandgesture。ArthurwentontosaysomethinginbadItalianabouttheexcellenceofanEnglishtrialbyjury，whichCarlowastoomuchenragedtohear，buttowhichFranciscopaidattention，andturningtoPiedro，heaskedhimifhewaswillingtobejudgedbytwelveofhisequals？
Withallmyheart，saidPiedro，stillmaintaininganunmovedcountenance，andtheyreturnedimmediatelytothelittlewood-market。Ontheirway，theyhadpassedthroughthefruit-market，andcrowdsofthosewhowerewellacquaintedwithPiedro’sformertransactionsfollowed，toheartheeventofthepresenttrial。
Arthurcouldnot，especiallyashespokewretchedItalian，maketheeagerlittlemerchantsunderstandthenatureandadvantagesofanEnglishtrialbyjury。Theypreferredtheirownsummarymodeofproceeding。
Francisco，inwhoseintegritytheyallhadperfectconfidence，waschosenwithunanimousshoutsforthejudge。buthedeclinedtheoffice，andanotherwasappointed。Hewasraiseduponabench，andtheguiltybutinsolentlookingPiedro，andtheingenuous，modestRosettastoodbeforehim。Shemadehercomplaintinaveryartlessmanner。andPiedro，withingenuity，whichinabettercausewouldhavedeservedadmiration，spokevolublyandcraftilyinhisowndefence。Butallthathecouldsaycouldnotalterfacts。Thejudgecomparedthenotchedbitofwoodfoundatthebaker’swithapiecefromwhichitwascut，whichhewenttoseeintheyardofthearsenal。Itwasfoundtofitexactly。Thejudgethenfounditimpossibletorestraintheloudindignationofallthespectators。
Theprisonerwassentencednevermoretosellwoodinthemarket。andthemomentsentencewaspronounced，Piedrowashissedandhootedoutofthemarket-place。Thusathirdtimehedeprivedhimselfofthemeansofearninghisbread。
Weshallnotdwelluponallhispettymethodsofcheatinginthetradeshenextattempted。HehandedlemonadeaboutinapartofNapleswherehewasnotknown，buthelosthiscustomersbyputtingtoomuchwaterandtoolittlelemonintothisbeverage。Hethentooktothewatersfromthesulphuroussprings，andservedthemabouttoforeigners。butoneday，ashewastryingtojostleacompetitorfromthecoachdoor，heslippedhisfoot，andbrokehisglasses。Theyhadbeenborrowedfromanoldwoman，whohiredoutglassestotheboyswhosoldlemonade。Piedroknewthatitwasthecustomtopay，ofcourse，forallthatwasbroken。butthishewasnotinclinedtodo。Hehadafewshillingsinhispocket，andthoughtthatitwouldbeveryclevertodefraudthispoorwomanofherright，andtospendhisshillingsuponwhathevaluedmuchmorethanhedidhisgoodname——macaroni。Theshillingsweresoongone。
WeshallnowforthepresentleavePiedrotohisfolliesandhisfate。
or，tospeakmoreproperly，tohisfolliesandtheirinevitableconsequences。
Franciscowasallthistimeacquiringknowledgefromhisnewfriends，withoutneglectinghisownorhisfather’sbusiness。Hecontrived，duringthecourseofautumnandwinter，tomakehimselfatolerablearithmetician。Carlo’sfathercoulddrawplansinarchitectureneatly。
andpleasedwiththeeagernessFranciscoshowedtoreceiveinstruction，hewillinglyputapencilandcompassesintohishand，andtaughthimallheknewhimself。Franciscohadgreatperseverance，and，byrepeatedtrials，heatlengthsucceededincopyingexactlyalltheplanswhichhismasterlenthim。Hiscopies，intime，surpassedtheoriginals，andCarloexclaimed，withastonishment：Why，Francisco，whatanastonishingGENIUSyouhavefordrawing！——Absolutelyyoudrawplansbetterthanmyfather！
Astogenius，saidFrancisco，honestly，Ihavenone。AllthatIhavedonehasbeendonebyhardlabour。Idon’tknowhowotherpeopledothings。butIamsurethatIneverhavebeenabletogetanythingdonewellbutbypatience。Don’tyouremember，Carlo，howyouandevenRosettalaughedatmethefirsttimeyourfatherputapencilintomyawkward，clumsyhands？
Because，saidCarlo，laughingagainattherecollection，youheldyourpencilsodrolly。andwhenyouweretocutit，youcutitjustasifyouwereusingapruning-knifetoyourvines。butnowitisyourturntolaugh，foryousurpassusall。AndthetimesarechangedsinceIsetabouttoexplainthisruleofminetoyou。
Ay，thatrule，saidFrancisco——howmuchIowetoit！Somegreatpeople，whentheyloseanyoftheirfinethings，causethecriertopromisearewardofsomuchmoneytoanyonewhoshallfindandrestoretheirtrinket。Howrichlyhaveyouandyourfatherrewardedmeforreturningthisrule！
Francisco’smodestyandgratitude，astheywereperfectlysincere，attachedhisfriendstohimmostpowerfully。buttherewasonepersonwhoregrettedourhero’sfrequentabsencesfromhisvineyardatResina。NotFrancisco’sfather，forhewaswellsatisfiedhissonneverneglectedhisbusiness。andastothehoursspentinNaples，hehadsomuchconfidenceinFranciscothathefeltnoapprehensionsofhisgettingintobadcompany。Whenhissonhadoncesaidtohim，Ispendmytimeatsuchaplace，andinsuchandsuchamanner，hewasaswellconvincedofitsbeingsoasifhehadwatchedandseenhimeverymomentoftheday。ButitwasArthurwhocomplainedofFrancisco’sabsence。
Isee，becauseIamanEnglishman，saidhe，youdon’tvaluemyfriendship，andyetthatistheveryreasonyououghttovalueit。nofriendssogoodastheEnglish，beitspokenwithoutoffencetoyourItalianfriend，forwhomyounowcontinuallyleavemetododgeupanddownhereinResina，withoutasoulthatIliketospeakto，foryouaretheonlyItalianIeverliked。
Youshalllikeanother，Ipromiseyou，saidFrancisco。YoumustcomewithmetoCarlo’s，andseehowIspendmyevenings。thencomplainofme，ifyoucan。
ItwastheutmoststretchofArthur’scomplaisancetopaythisvisit。
but，inspiteofhisnationalprejudicesandhabitualreserveoftemper，hewaspleasedwiththereceptionhemetwithfromthegenerousCarloandtheplayfulRosetta。TheyshowedhimFrancisco’sdrawingswithenthusiasticeagerness。andArthur，thoughnogreatjudgeofdrawing，wasinastonishment，andfrequentlyrepeated，Iknowagentlemanwhovisitsmymasterwhowouldlikethesethings。IwishImighthavethemtoshowhim。
Takethem，then，saidCarlo。IwishallNaplescouldseethem，providedtheymightbelikedhalfaswellasIlikethem。
Arthurcarriedoffthedrawings，andoneday，whenhismasterwasbetterthanusual，andwhenhewasatleisure，eatingadessertofFrancisco’sgrapes，heenteredrespectfully，withhislittleportfoliounderhisarm，andbeggedpermissiontoshowhismasterafewdrawingsdonebythegardener’sson，whosegrapeshewaseating。
ThoughnotquitesopartialajudgeastheenthusiasticCarlo，thisgentlemanwasbothpleasedandsurprisedatthesightofthesedrawings，consideringhowshortatimeFranciscohadappliedhimselftothisart，andwhatslightinstructionshehadreceived。Arthurwasdesiredtosummontheyoungartist。Francisco’shonest，openmanner，joinedtotheproofshehadgivenofhisabilities，andthecharacterArthurgavehimforstricthonesty，andconstantkindnesstohisparents，interestedMr。
Lee，thenameofthisEnglishgentleman，muchinhisfavour。Mr。LeewasatthistimeintreatywithanItalianpainter，whomhewishedtoengagetocopyforhimexactlysomeofthecornices，mouldings，tablets，andantiqueornamentswhicharetobeseenamongsttheruinsoftheancientcityofHerculaneum。*
*WemustgivethoseofouryoungEnglishreaderswhomaynotbeacquaintedwiththeancientcityofHerculaneum，someideaofit。NonecanbeignorantthatnearNaplesisthecelebratedvolcanicmountainofVesuvius——that，fromtimetotime，therehappenviolenteruptionsfromthismountain。thatistosay，flamesandimmensecloudsofsmokeissuefromdifferentopenings，mouths，orCRATERS，astheyarecalled，butmoreespeciallyfromthesummitofthemountain，whichisdistinguishedbythenameofTHEcrater。Arumbling，andafterwardsaroaringnoiseisheardwithin，andprodigiousquantitiesofstonesandmineralsburntintomassesscoriae，arethrownoutofthecrater，sometimestoagreatdistance。ThehotashesfromMountVesuviushaveoftenbeenseenupontheroofsofthehousesofNaples，fromwhichitissixmilesdistant。
Streamsoflavarundownthesidesofthemountainsduringthetimeofaneruption，destroyingeverythingintheirway，andoverwhelmthehousesandvineyardswhichareintheneighbourhood。
About17OOyearsago，duringthereignoftheRomanEmperorTitus，therehappenedaterribleeruptionofMountVesuvius。andalargecitycalledHerculaneum，whichwassituatedataboutfourmiles’distancefromthevolcano，wasoverwhelmedbythestreamsoflavawhichpouredintoit，filledupthestreets，andquicklycoveredoverthetopsofthehouses，sothatthewholewasnomorevisible。Itremainedformanyyearsburied。Thelavawhichcovereditbecameintimefitforvegetation，plantsgrewthere，anewsoilwasformed，andanewtowncalledPorticiwasbuiltoverthisplacewhereHerculaneumformerlystood。ThelittlevillageofResinaisalsosituatednearthespot。Aboutfiftyyearsago，inapoorman’sgardenatResina，aholeinawellaboutthirtyfeetbelowthesurfaceoftheearthwasobserved。Somepersonshadthecuriositytoenterintothishole，and，aftercreepingundergroundforsometime，theycametothefoundationsofhouses。Thepeasants，inhabitantsofthevillage，whohadprobablyneverheardofHerculaneum，weresomewhatsurprisedattheirdiscovery。**Aboutthesametime，inapitinthetownofPortici，asimilarpassageundergroundwasdiscovered，and，byordersoftheKingofNaples，workmenwereemployedtodigawaytheearth，andclearthepassage。Theyfound，atlength，theentranceintothetown，which，duringthereignofTitus，wasburiedunderlava。
Itwasabouteighty-eightNeapolitanpalmsapalmcontainsnearnineinchesbelowthetopofthepit。Theworkmen，astheyclearedthepassages，markedtheirwaywithchalkwhentheycametoanyturning，lesttheyshouldlosethemselves。Thestreetsbranchedoutinmanydirections，and，lyingacrossthem，theworkmenoftenfoundlargepiecesoftimber，beams，andrafters。somebrokeninthefall，othersentire。
Thesebeamsandraftersareburnedquiteblacklikecharcoal，exceptthosethatwerefoundinmoistplaces，whichhavemorethecolourofrottenwood，andwhicharelikeasoftpaste，intowhichyoumightrunyourhand。Thewallsofthehousesslant，someoneway，someanother，andsomeareupright。Severalmagnificentbuildingsofbrick，facedwithmarbleofdifferentcolours，arepartlyseen，wheretheworkmenhaveclearedawaytheearthandlavawithwhichtheywereencrusted。Columnsofredandwhitemarble，andflightsofsteps，areseenindifferentplaces。andoutoftheruinsofthepalacessomeveryfinestatuesandpictureshavebeendug。ForeignerswhovisitNaplesareverycurioustoseethissubterraneouscity，andaredesiroustocarrywiththemintotheirowncountrysomeproofsoftheirhavingexaminedthiswonderfulplace。
**PhilosophicalTransactions，vol。ix。p。440。
CHAPTERIII。
Tuttelegranfaciendesifannodipocacosa。
Whatgreateventsfromtrivialcausesspring。
SignorCamillo，theartistemployedbyMr。LeetocopysomeoftheantiqueornamentsinHerculaneum，wasaliberalmindedman，perfectlyfreefromthatmeanjealousywhichwouldrepresstheeffortsofrisinggenius。
Hereisaladscarcelyfifteen，apoorgardener’sson，who，withmerelytheinstructionshecouldobtainfromacommoncarpenter，haslearnedtodrawtheseplansandelevations，whichyouseearetolerablyneat。Whatanadvantageyourinstructionwouldbetohim，saidMr。Lee，asheintroducedFranciscotoSignorCamillo。IaminterestedinthisladfromwhatIhavelearnedofhisgoodconduct。Ihearheisstrictlyhonest，andoneofthebestofsons。Letusdosomethingforhim。Ifyouwillgivehimsomeknowledgeofyourart，Iwill，asfarasmoneycanrecompenseyouforyourlossoftime，paywhateveryoumaythinkreasonableforhisinstruction。
SignorCamillomadenodifficulties。hewaspleasedwithhispupil’sappearance，andeverydayhelikedhimbetterandbetter。Intheroomwheretheyworkedtogetherthereweresomelargebooksofdrawingsandplates，whichFranciscosawnowandthenopenedbyhismaster，andwhichhehadagreatdesiretolookover。butwhenhewasleftintheroombyhimselfhenevertouchedthem，becausehehadnotpermission。SignorCamillo，thefirstdayhecameintothisroomwithhispupil，saidtohim，Herearemanyvaluablebooksanddrawings，youngman。Itrust，fromthecharacterIhaveheardofyou，thattheywillbeperfectlysafehere。
SomeweeksafterFranciscohadbeenwiththepainter，theyhadoccasiontolookforthefrontofatempleinoneoftheselargebooks。What！
don’tyouknowinwhichbooktolookforit，Francisco？criedhismaster，withsomeimpatience。Isitpossiblethatyouhavebeenheresolongwiththesebooks，andthatyoucannotfindtheprintImean？HadyouhalfthetasteIgaveyoucreditfor，youwouldhavesingleditoutfromalltherest，andhaveitfixedinyourmemory。
But，signor，Ineversawit，saidFrancisco，respectfully，or，perhaps，Ishouldhavepreferredit。
Thatyouneversawit，youngman，istheverythingofwhichIcomplain。
Isatastefortheartstobelearned，thinkyou，bylookingatthecoverofabooklikethis？Isitpossiblethatyouneverthoughtofopeningit？
Oftenandoften，criedFrancisco，haveIlongedtoopenit。butI
thoughtitwasforbiddenme，andhowevergreatmycuriosityinyourabsence，Ihavenevertouchedthem。Ihopedindeed，thatthetimewouldcomewhenyouwouldhavethegoodnesstoshowthemtome。
Andsothetimeiscome，excellentyoungman，criedCamillo。muchasI
lovetaste，Iloveintegritymore。Iamnowsureofyourhavingtheone，andletmeseewhetheryouhave，asIbelieveyouhave，theother。Sityoudownherebesideme。andwewilllookoverthesebookstogether。
Theattentionwithwhichhisyoungpupilexaminedeverything，andthepleasureheunaffectedlyexpressedinseeingtheseexcellentprints，sufficientlyconvincedhisjudiciousmasterthatitwasnotfromthewantofcuriosityortastethathehadneveropenedthesetemptingvolumes。
HisconfidenceinFranciscowasmuchincreasedbythiscircumstance，slightasitmayappear。
Oneday，SignorCamillocamebehindFrancisco，ashewasdrawingwithmuchintentness，andtappinghimupontheshoulder，hesaidtohim：Putupyourpencilsandfollowme，Icandependuponyourintegrity。Ihavepledgedmyselfforit。Bringyournote-bookwithyou，andfollowme。I
willthisdayshowyousomethingthatwillentertainyouatleastasmuchasmylargebookofprints。Followme。
Franciscofollowed，tilltheycametothepitneartheentranceofHerculaneum。Ihaveobtainedleaveforyoutoaccompanyme，saidhismaster，andyouknow，Isuppose，thatthisisnotapermissiongrantedtoeveryone？Paintingsofgreatvalue，besidesornamentsofgoldandsilver，antiquebracelets，rings，etc。，arefromtimetotimefoundamongsttheseruins，andthereforeitisnecessarythatnopersonshouldbeadmittedwhosehonestycannotbedependedupon。Thus，evenFrancisco’stalentscouldnothaveadvancedhimintheworld，unlesstheyhadbeenunitedtointegrity。Hewasmuchdelightedandastonishedbythenewscenethatwasnowopenedtohisview。andas，dayafterday，heaccompaniedhismastertothissubterraneouscity，hehadleisureforobservation。Hewasemployed，assoonashehadgratifiedhiscuriosity，indrawing。Therearenichesinthewallsinseveralplaces，fromwhichpictureshavebeendug，andthesenichesareoftenadornedwithelegantmasques，figuresandanimals，whichhavebeenleftbytheignorantorcarelessworkmen，andwhicharegoingfasttodestruction。SignorCamillo，whowascopyingtheseforhisEnglishemployer，hadamindtotryhispupil’sskill，and，pointingtoanicheborderedwithgrotesquefigures，hedesiredhimtotryifhecouldmakeanyhandofit。
Franciscomadeseveraltrials，andatlastfinishedsuchanexcellentcopy，thathisenthusiasticandgenerousmaster，withwarmencomiums，carrieditimmediatelytohispatron，andhehadthepleasuretoreceivefromMr。Leeapursecontainingfiveguineas，asarewardandencouragementforhispupil。
Franciscohadnosoonerreceivedthismoney，thanhehurriedtohisfatherandmother’scottage。Hismother，somemonthsbeforethistime，hadtakenasmalldairyfarm。andhersonhadonceheardherexpressawishthatshewasbutrichenoughtopurchasearemarkablyfinebrindledcow，whichbelongedtoafarmerintheneighbourhood。