The Wheat Princess

he walk of the palazzo occupied by the American ambassador as Sybert,

didn't come five minutes later, or I should have b

a few moments' talk? I won't take u

our disposal. Nothing on for the aft

the door and regarded his companion a trifle quizzically. Sybert dropped into a chair, indicated another, and

's up?' he

end, and regarded it critically, while his smile broadened. 'I have ju

have been e

some spirited discussion as to the

d they deci

appointed a

the ministers and invite them to reconstruct their morals? Ask the King to spend

food, and to assist the government as far as possible

reathed

young man, 'I have the honour of info

the d

ion,' he pursued blandly; 'but I t

his? Why, in heaven's nam

ell; I was chairma

vanished. He rose to his feet and

officious fools would go back home, where they belong. I won't se

nting to serve. It was very natural that your name should have occurred for the position; you have lived in Rom

n a mighty qu

granted that you, as well as the rest of us, would want to have the riots suppress

f damned busybodies who wan

reason why you should be so reluctant about serving in a good cause-I d

to back it; the revolutionists would only be sent to the galleys fo

ds. Melville understood him as well as any one, with the exception of Howard Copley; but even he was at times quite unprepared for the intimate knowledge Sybert displayed in affairs which, on the surface, did not concern him. Sybert was distinctly not a babbler, and this tendency toward being close-mouthed had given rise to

politicians had come in. A long period of over-speculation, of dishonesty and incompetence, of wild building schemes and crushing taxes, had brought the country's credit to the lowest possible ebb. A series of disgraceful bank scandals, involving men highest in the government, had shaken the confidence of the people. The failure of the Italian colony in Africa, and the heart-rending campaig

n the socialist presses were turning out pamphlets containing plain truths plainly stated; a time when i

marked. But those who did understand, who cared for the future of the nation, who saw the seething below the surface, were passing through a phase of disillusionment and doubt. And Laurence Sybert was one who both understood and cared. He saw the direction in which the country was drifting ev

expressive back-irritation, obstinacy, something stronger, appeared in ever

be on the same side. But that's neither here nor there; we couldn't do any good, and you can't, either. You must think of your own position-you are secretary of the American Embassy and nephew of the ambassador. In common decency i

people; but when it comes to playing the police spy and getting these poor devi

business can be left to the secret po

bt that,' Sy

raise subscriptions for buying food. You are in with the weal

t means I am t

to say anything. I know he had nothing to do with getting up the wheat deal; but it's all in the family

nd crushing taxes and dead industries. The wheat famine is bad enoug

and the anarchists and the socialists and every other sort of meddling malconten

d a sudden flaring of passion in his eyes. He opened his mouth to speak

drove the soldiers into Abyssinia to be butchered like hogs. I suppose they were at the bottom of the bank scandals, and put the charity money into official pockets, and let fifteen t

f good. It has united a lot of chaotic states, with different traditions and different aims, into one organic whole; it has built up a modern nation, with all the machinery of modern civilization, in an incalculably short time. Of course the people have had to pay for it wit

rs, with a quick resumption

Emmanuel II; but what has it done for the poor people beyond taxing them to pay for these things? What has it done for Sicily and Sardinia, for the pellagra victims of the north, for the half-starved peasants of the Agra Romana? Why does Sicily hold the primacy of crime in Europe; why has emigration reached two hundred thousand a year? Parliament votes five milli

u would have us believe, I doubt. You're a pessimist by

etorted. 'Italian politics have changed si

h a high pitch of patriotism as went to the making of United Italy-the co

mastered long by corrupt politicians. But that the country is in pretty low water now, and that the breakers are not far ahead, no one with his eyes open can doubt. The parliament is wasteful and senseles

care of itself and it will. The foreigners, out of common

face for a few moments; then he drop

e are a good many discontented people, and the government is going to have

faced him

t. Of course the government has made mistakes-as what government has not? But until there's something better to be substituted there

d his hand

ing better to offer, and all my influence with the Italians-which naturally isn't much-has been advice of the same nature. I know very well th

objection to keeping on with your counsel, and

up openly on the side of the authoriti

son in your position than standing

resigning from the legation, and t

hand on the youn

uld cast discredit on him. He's an old man, and he's fond of you. Don't be a fool. An American has no business mixing up in thes

enough. Italy must in the end do for herself, and no outs

ing you can do for yourself and your family, for America and I

y; I was brought up here, just as little Gerald Copley is being brought up. I have lived here all my life, except for half a dozen years or so while I was being educated.

American through and through, and it's a pity you can't be a little proud of the fact. The only way in which there's going to be any progress in the world for a good long time to come is for Italians to care for Italy and Americans for America. We aren't ready jus

ds on one's point of view; the worst place is all right if you only choose to think so. I dar

houlders helplessly and

his committee business-for your uncle's sake you ought to carry it through. I will tell you frankly-I imagine it isn't news-that the Italian government has its eye on you; and if you manage to get yourself arrested, rightly or wrongly, for st

danger about me. The enthusiastic head of the Foreign

l act

into; though I suppose it is, as you say, about the only way to help.

a sub-committee. He

't go in for alms; he's all for fu

I'm glad you've decided to work on the side of the governm

old you before, care a rap what becomes of t

s to the s

in It

orrigible. At least keep y

the present régime. And as to this infern

lp, remember-and very good policy into the bargain. S

tion of Roman society which rode in carriages. He traversed the Corso and plunged into the tangle of more or less dirty streets on the left bank of the Tiber. Here the crowds who elbowed their way along the narrow sidewalks were more poorly dressed. After some twenty minutes' walking he turned into a narrow street in the region of the grimy ruins of the theatre of Marcellus, and paused before the doorway of a wine-shop which bore upon its front the ambitious title, 'Osteria del Popolo It

the word to use, for between the dirt on the panes and the dimness of the court, very little daylight struggled in. But the interior was not dreary. A char

a cordial 'Buona sera, Signor Siberti,' while Tarquinio hastened to place a chair and bring a tall rush-covered flask of red Frascati wine. Sybert returned their salutations, and sat down with a glance of inquiry at the excited stranger. Tarquinio ceremoniously presented him as Girolamo Mendamo of Naples, and h

m into prison. The Camorra used to protect people from the police, but now the Camorra no longer dares to lift its head and the people have no protectors.

ne, but as he proceeded his

ned and put down the price-but not enough. Then the people threatened again, and ecco! all the tax was take

and looked around for app

ruth. It is only fear

all the people in every city of Italy would do the same

re too heavy and the police are unjust. The time hasn't come, though, when you can gain anything by rioting and revolutions. The government's backed by the army, an

the man demande

and prosperous and well governed as the United States.'

' the man cried,

end the next few years of your lives in prison, you must be very careful to cheer the Ho

suddenly leaned forward across the table and scanned Sybert with eyes that gli

again-and then if the police came and took away all the money in taxes and didn't even leave enough to buy your family food, and the work gave out so you must either steal or die, and you couldn't find anythin

e off with a

no money to pay for masses. No one cares for those who do not care for themselves. It's the poor people, who haven't enough to eat, who buy the g

ts, blazing with rage, do with power if they had it? Worse than nothing. Their own condition would only be rendered more desperate than ever. He glanced about the table from one face to another. The

as ready to die for it as you are, but what can I do? What can any one do? The soldiers are stronger than we are, and if we raise our hands they will shoot us down like dogs, and there it will end.' He paused with a de

re all alike

aiting for election day?' asked anot

t speaking. The Neapolitan presently broke in again. There was something electr

y like, but first I have work to do. The King shall know me before I die. And he is not all,' he added darkly. 'Do you know why the wheat

ter ran arou

the wheat; it's his brother in America. This Signor Copli is the friend of the poor

arose, but the Neapolit

now about it. And then, after stealing it all from the mouths of the poor, he gives a little back with a great show,

his morning and the editor put in jail

to be for us to make us talk.' His han

ome silver coins on the table in payment for the wine. Then pausing a moment, he glanced about the circle of swarthy faces. Gradually his expression softened. 'I've tried to warn you. The police are on the watch, and I

follow, passed into the front room. Closing th

r go up into the hills and attend

ture of dismay. 'But the osteria, Si

lls. That is the safest profession these days. The police will be paying you a visit before l

of suspicion. 'I am but a poor innkeeper, Si

sts are dangerous. Addio.' He turned toward the door, and then turned

gentleman as but a casual visitor. Sybert smiled at the simple strategy. An Italian loves a plot better than his dinner, and is never happier than when engaged in an imaginary intrigue. But in this case it occurr