The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1895-02-14

cd by an unusual interest In you. ana
a bad report will be better than sus.
pense."
Pietro saw the Justice Of her argu-
ment and allowed himself to be guided
by her counsel, but In the letter that
was Forthcoming he did not ask for
the gold ring.
Day by day the friendship between
Billings wife and his side partner was
strengthened.
IT had boy once Of my own" she
told Pietro. IF he had lived lie would
have been just your age Somehow
you kind Of take up the place in my
heart, which l used to think he would
fill. You're a new conscience for me-
You may call me mother If you like"
And Pietro did. SIX
If he was conscience for her, her ap-
parently rough personality took on the
same subtle essence in regard to him
self. PLANT though he was Outwardly
to the dictates Of his commander, the
boys soul continually rebelled against
acts of grossncss and injustice in
which he was compelled to take part.
Up to certain point there was a
strange fascination in the life he led,
but beyond that limit his better self
asserted itself and cried out for release
from such bondage. At those times
he vowed he would leave and lead a
clean life, or sink honorably In the at
tempt, and daily Billings wife sought
to strengthen that resolve and urged
him to exercise his higher nature and
begin life again. But months came
and went, and still Pietro was known
on the levee and in the adjoining al
leys as Billings "side-partner.'
One day he got letter from the
Blocker street news dealer. II shall
send you by express your gold ring"
he said. MAY it speak to you more
fervently than tongue or pen of an old
man can do"
Pietro took a decided stand that
night
'Im going to leave you tomorrow"
he said abruptly, when Billings came
up stairs for supper.
Billings black eyes blazed up with
sudden anger. "And what for?" he
asked, pushing his wife back in the
corner and confronting the young fell
low, who had dared to make an asser-
ton on his own account on subject
deeply involved.
All the boys courage was aroused
for instant action.
because I'm tired of all this and
because I want to lead decent life,
which I cap never do here-that's
why"
He looked at his employer unfinch-
ingly. Billings hesitated before an
sWering.
You idiot" he cried at length, "do
you think I've taken you in hand and
let you into all my secrets and trained
you and made you what have, only
to let you come or go at your own
soul. If say stay stay you do. And
that's what I do say. Leave if you
dare"
His wife stepped toward him. Don't
drag him down any further, Biff, }" she
pleaded.
$50 it's you who have been putting
him up to such tricks" he interrupted
with a sneer. might have known I
couldn't trust you"
He seized her shoulder roughly but
before he could 'perpetuate any fur
Their violence, Pietro whose arm was
uCl Pcu Will uCWAy IuduC ACSOAullOu
to do right at all hazards, loosened the
mans grasp and drew her toward him.
cts not her fault" he said; cts all
my own doings I'm sick of sin, I tell
you"
In his rage Billings struck out wildly
before him. Perhaps the blow was
meant for his wife, perhaps for Pict-
70, perhaps it was merely a purpose
less expression Of wrath, but it's full
force rescended upon Pietro, who reel
ed back against the table and lay there
stunned and bleeding.
He died two days later "Concussion
of the brain, the result of a heavy
fall" was what the doctor reported to
the health Department. He knew the
main facts of the case, as did score
of others, but Billings held the reins
of his popularity as firmly as ever and
no action was taken against him. l.
Billings kept up his reputation by
giving his side partner great funeral
The woman who had gathered the
young man into her heart took the ring
which came the day Of the funeral and
put it on his finger :
"What's that?' her husband asked,
coming in while she performed the low
ing service and catching glimpse of
the cleaning gold.
ut was his mother's," she cried, lay
ing her hand over the precious circlet.
Don't you dare pollute it with your
touch"
Billings grunted and turned away.