The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1870-10-28
BIDDEFORD, ME-, FRIDAY
@isfellauenns.
MONEY AT INTEREST.
ny AMY RANDOLPH.

ny AMY RANDOLPH.
Please. sir. will you give me a penny
only penny p
.No-go along with you; I never give
money to street beggars.'
Aud Mrs. Parker sat n trife moro erect
II Il were possible, In her buffalo cushioned
wagon seat. and graspcd her blue cotton
umbrellas tighter. But her husband, Pau
Parker. on whose kindly face the boy
turned his gaze said:
See here, boy; I've only got n fifty cent
piece, and its moro money than ought
to give away. shall be here Mt three
o'clock this day week, opposite this very
tavern will you be here To lay 1t back to
me |? Mind, only lend Il TO you; and
may be I'll he able to find scme work for
you by that time.' .
Yes. sir said the boy glcefully, rs he
scrambled up the side Of the wheel. Il
will he here, sure.'
Paul Parker, you're foolr said the
woman angrily. You scatter your mon
ey about rs H. ough there was no end to
It Do you suppose you'll over zee your
fifty cents againH
i hope 50. wife, said the old man,
touching his placid horse gently with the
rcins. and urging him into n sleepy jog
trot. Il should DO sorry to think there
wasn't no truth In that bright eyed little
fellow. Give tho 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 stool against the wall, and
monkey dressed In sOiled red rags chat
ted in the window. NinO's ACCORDION md
thumbed tambourine lay near by; Nino
himself with tear stained checks and
heavy eyelids. was crouched In corner.
wistfully watching tho floor. rs ifresolved
to avail himself of the first chance that OF.
fered itself for escape.
There was n wild beauty about the boy.
in spite of his swarthy checks and forlorn
uniform of rags, and an attractiveness
that 1t was difficult to understand. His
brow Overshadowed by thick black locks
was frank and open; his eyes were soft
and liquid, and there were both spirit and
gentlcness in the well outlined mouth.
Had Nino Berlam been tho offspring Of
artstocratic lineage. he would have been
called handsome; but rags and poverty
and blows are anything but beautifying,
and Nino had known little less In his
brief and sunless existence.
Presently the man. Knocked the ashes
from his pipe and laid 1t down. with q
vicious sidelong glance at the boy,
so you'd got fifty cents hid awny. you
was going to CANNON me out OF, ehp' he
demanded. You young vagabond, I'd
like to know what you mean BY It!
1T was mine,' sobbed the boy; l earned
In the day time, ! did
'Yoursr growled the man, savagely.
and all you earn Is mine, and If ever !
catch you Mt any such trick again, I'll
split your head open for you. Where arc
you going now? Sit down again.
Only out rs far as West Landhill tav-
ern, said NinO, entreatingly, rs his eyes
marked the floor, that formed his only
substitute for clock.
We'll, you won't do no such thing!
said the man, evidently In most contrary
and qiarrelsOme mood. Go back to
your bench again; do you hear? You're
not goin' TO stir out o. this before night,
and not then, unless you behave yourself
I'll he back In ten minutes, sir; will
indeed
IIold your noiser brutally calculated
his irate keeper. .Itoll you, you shan't
stir another peg; there now! Dave to
one of the other boys. give us u light here
for tins pipe
Nino. watching his opportunity, rs n
wild beast might watch for an escape
from its cage, gave forward dart Just
rs the man stopped over to rub his match
against tho sole of his boot. But he was
not quite quick enough; his tyrant seized
him rudely by tho arm. and slung him
across tho floor rs II he had been toy.
He fell, his temple striking against the
leg of bedstcad standing In the corner,
and ho lay there quite insensible.
.Blest II / don't think he's done for,
dad said one Of the hitherto impassivc
spectators of the scene, u boy of thirteen,
who was generally dressed rs n"wan-
dering Bavarian,' with tambourine and
bells. ... ...-.-. --..r-
let him alone. I say snarlod the IA
ther. III teach him u lesson s
Just then the bell in the old square OF
the town clock struck three.
Il told you he wouldn't be here. Paul!
cxultantly exclaimed Mrs, Parker, pro-
iecting her keen gray eyes into every
nook and corner around tho dull street IN
front OF the "West Landhill House Of En-
tcrtainment for Man and Beast Il knew
it! Now, what do you think Of your fine.
honest boyr
Paul Parkcr's countcnanco cloudcd VS.
ib'y.
i am sorry for Il, wife-sorry from tho
bottom of my heart. somehow thought
he WIS different from the common lot OF
'cm. but s'pose I hadn't ought to expect
much from lad brought upin tho streets.
Well, well. let's drive on ..-.-.-..,,
The swift rolling years had sprinklcd
their silver blossoms more plentifully on
the head of Paul Parker. and ploughcd
deeper lines in his sifc's face. Tho little
girl at their frcsido had grown into tall
handsome young woman. Once more wc
cnter the inner Sinct,m of our lives. .'
1T Is fathers step. mother said Lncy
Parker. jumping up To open the door.
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