South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1870-09-30
Money at Interest.
ny ANY RANDOLPH.

Aud Mrs. Parker sat triHe more erect,
if it were possible, in her buffalo-cushion-
ed wagon seat, aud grasped her blue cotton
umbrella tighter But her husband, Paul
Parker, on whose kindly face the boy turn
ed his gaze, said:
See here, boy I've only got fifty
cent piece, aud ITS more money than ought
to give away. shall be here at three o.
clock this day week, opposite this very tav-
ern; will you DC here to pay it back to me
Mind only lend it to you and may be I'll
be able to ind some work for you by that
time
yes sir said the boy, gleefully, as he
scrambled up the side of the wheel. Il
will be here, sure.
paul Parker, you're FOOL said the
woman, angrily. you scatter your money
about as though there was no eud to it
Do you suppose you'll ever see your fifty
cents again i!
Il hope so, Wife said the old man,
touching his placid horse gently with the
reins, aud urging him into a sleepy Jog trot
i should be sorry to think there wasn't no
truth in that bright eyed little fellow. Give
the world q fair chance, that's all I've got
to say
The blistering August sunhsine was
pouring into a little garnet room in one Of
the most squald and neglected purlieus of
the town, where a brutal looking man sat
smoking a short black pipe, and two or
three boys lounged around half asleep a
hand organ stood against the wall, and a
monkey dressed in soled red rags chartered
in the window. Nino's ACCORDION and
thumbed tlmbourine lay near by; Nino
himself, with tearstainod cheeks aud heavy
eyeiiiS, was crouched in a corner, wistful-
ly Watching the door, as if resolved to a
vail himself Of the first chance that offered
itself for escape.
There was a wild beauty abou, the boy,
in spite Of bis swarthy checks and for lorn
uniform Of rags, and an attractiveness that
was difficult TO understand. His brow, o.
vershadowed by thick black locks was frank
and cpen his eyes were soft aud liquid,
and there were both spirit and gentleness
in tho well outlined mouth. Had Nino
Bcrlam been the offspring Of aristocratic
lineage, he would have been called hand
some but rags and poverty and blows arc
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 silelong glance at the boy.
80 you'd got City cents hid away, you
was going to CANNON me out of, Ell" he
demanded you young vagabond, I'd like
to know what you mean by it,
1T was mine sobbed the boy; q earn
ed it singin under the great folks win
der-, after work hours was over. I gave
you all earned in the daytime, l did
Yours" erowlod the man, savagely;
and all you earn is mine, and if ever |
catch YOU at any such trick again, I'll
split your head open for you. Where are
you going now? Sit down again
'Oaly out as far as West-Llndhill tav-
ern' said Nino, entreatingly, as his eyes
marked the slowly creeping tide Of sunshine
along tho floor, that formed his only sub
st'm'c for q clock.
well, you won't Do no such thing "
said the man, evidently in most contrary
aud quarrels5me mood. 60 back 20 your
bench again do you hcarl You're not
goiu' to stir out o. this before night, and not
then, unless you behave yourself
I'LL be back in ten minutes, sir will,
indeed
Hold your noise " brutalIy CALCULATED
bis irato keeper Il tell you, you sbau't
stir another peg there, now Dave, TO one
Of the other boys, give us a light here for
this pipe
Niuo, watching his opportunity, as a
wild boast might watch for an escape from
It's cage, gave a forward dart just as the
man stopped over 70 rub his match against
the sole Of bis boot But he was notquite
quick enough bis tyrant seized him rude
Iy by the arm, aud sluDg him across the
floor as If be had been a toy lie fell, his
temple striking against the leg Of bed
stead standing 10 the corner, aud lay there
quite insensibIe.
'Blest If I don't think he's done for,
dad. said one Of the hitherto impassive
spectators Of ibesce1e,a boy Of thirteeu,w who
was generally dressed as a wandering Ba-
varian, with tambouriuo and bells
let him alone, ] say, snaricd the father.
'Ill teach him q lesson
Just then the bell in The Old square
tower OF The town clock struck three
q told you be woulin't be here Paul "
exu'auny exclaimed Mrs Parker project
ing bier keen gray eyes into every nook and
corner around the doll street In front Of the
West Landhil House Of Entertainment
for Man add Beast d knew &c Now.
what do you think 1fyour fae, h0nctb0yT
Paul Parker's c110tonaucs ci1glll visi-
bly,
I'm sorry f5r Sc wif5-s0rry from tho