Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1870-09-30

reins, and urging him into sleepy jog
trot Il should be sorry to think there
wasn't no truth in that bright-eyed little
fellow. Give the world fair chance,
that's all I've got to say"
The blistering August sunshine was
pouring into little garnet room in one of
the most squalid and neglected purlieus
of the town, where brutal-looking man
sat smoking short black pipe, and two
or three boys lounged around half asleep.
A hand organ stood against the wall, and
q monkey dressed in soiled red rags chat.
ted in the window. Nino's ACCORDION and
a thumbed tamborine lay near by; Nino
himself, with tear stained cheeks and
heavy eyelids, was crouched in corner,
wistfully watching the door, as if resolved
to avail himself of the first chance that Of
fered itself for escape.
There was wild beauty about the boy.
in spite of his swarthy cheeks and forlorn
uniform ofrags, and an attraetiveness that
was difficult to understand. His brow,
overshadowed by thick black locks. was
frank and open; his eyes were soft and Ii
quid, and there were both spirit and gen.
tleness in the well outlined mouth. Had
Nino Berlam been the offspring of aristo-
cratic lineage, be would have been called
handsome; but rags and poverty and
blows are anything but identifying, and
Nino had known little else in his brief and
sunless existence.
Presently the man knocked the ashes
from bis pipe and laid it down, with vi
cious sidelong glance at the boy.
$50 you'd got fifty cents hid away, you
was going to CANNON me out of. eh?" he
demanded. ''You young vagabond, I'd
like to know what you mean by it"
cit was mine," sobbed the boy; 81
earned it singin' under .the great folks
winders, after work-hours was over.
gave you ali earned asIhe day time. !
did"
"Yoursp' growled the man, savagely
land all you earn is mine, and if ever ]
catch you at any such trick again, III
split your head open for you. Where are
you going now? Sit down again.
Only out as far as West-Landhill tav-
ern," said Nino, entreatiDgly, as his eyes
marked the slowly creeping tide of sun
shine along the floor, that formed his only
substitute for clock. t~
"Well, you won't do no such thing p
said the man, evidently in most contra.
ry and quarrelsome' mood. "Go back te
your bench again; do you hear2 You're
not goin' to stir out O. this before night,
and not then, unless you behave yourself. y
'.I'll b. back in ten minutes, sir; [ will
indeed" sa.s
"Hold your noise p brutality calculated
his irate keeper. Il tell you you shan't
stir another peg. there now! Dave" tc
one Of the other boys, "give us light
here for this pipe"
Niuo, watching his opportunity, as a
wild beast mis- ht watch for an escape from
its cage, gave forward dart just as the
man stopped over to rub bis match against
the sole of his boot. But he was not quite
quick enough his tyrant seized him rude
ly by the arm and slung him across the
floor as if he had been toy. He fell, his
temple striking against the leg of bed.
stead standing in the corner and lay there
quite insensible.
"Blest if I don't think he's done for,
dad" said one of the hitherto impassive
spectators of the scene, a boy of thirteen
who was generally dressed as wander
ing Bavarian" with tamborine and bells
'.Let him alone, I say" snarled the ia
Their. .'I'll teach him lesson"
Just then the bell in the old square
tower of the town clock struck three.
Il told you he wouldn't be here, PAUL.
exultantly exclaimed Mr.. Parker, project
ing her keen gray eyes into every nool
and corner around the dull street in from
of the "West-Landhill House of Enter
tainment for Man and Beast II knew
lit! Now, what do you think Of your fine
honest boy?"
Paul Parker's countenance clouded Wis
IDLY. ~
I'm sorry for it, wife sorry from tn
bottom of my heart. I somehow though
he was different from the common lot o
'em, but s'pose hadn't ought to expec
much from lad brought up in the streets
Well, we'll, let's drive on. p
The swift rolling years had sprinkle'
their silver blossoms more pleptifully OF