Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1896-10-29

was better he should do so.
He easily pushed up the small
staircase window, which was I'M
latohed, and was once moro within
that house, where his feet sank into
the costly carpets and whore there
was such sense of luxury and rest,
but tonight the place seemed cold
and dark and still.
He was hositating what he should
do to awake the household, when,
to his relief, no perceived n light OH
! the stairs. A gentleman in ovoning
dress was coming down. 1t was Ar
mold Ingram.
"Hello!' he exclaimed, starting.
who Is this?"
1T is I-Pippo. You are in dan
ger, signor. l come to warn you.
The garden-lookv
Burglars for certainty. There's
a brave little man." said Mr.. In
gram, and to the boys surprise he
blew out his candle. Are you
afraid?"
mo, signor, not with you
Then go and open that door.
"SignorP"
do as l bid you"
1t was the very door the thieves
had told him to open.
But he did so, and the stealthy
footstep of Jim Sickert could be
heard creeping in. Then there was
o sound of the bolts being shot
again.
Mr.. Ingram struck a match, quick
ly lit the gas, and the burglar stood
revealed in the passage.
He hardly realized what had hap
pened and made dash for the door,
but it was locked, and there he turn
cd at bay, with the master of the
house upon him.
He was prepared to sell his liberty
dearly, however. The revolver was
up and aimed at Ingram.
Pippo was prepared for that. He
was only little boy. He could not
intercept it, but he made tremen-
dous bound up at the ruffisp s hand,
and the shot went off in the air,
bringing down a great piece of the
ceiling.
"Oh, curse you for little sneak, ="
he Dried, and down came the butt
end of the pistol, crashing upon Pip
pos skull, who fell senseless to the
ground.
"Y on coward ~ said Ingram. I'D
have let you off for the burglary,
but when it comes to the poor boy,
who only stopped you from making
it hanging matter for yourself, by
heaven you shall have no mercy"
The menservants, startled by the
noise, had by this time come down
and with some difficulty succeeded
in overpowering Jim Siokert.
There was n white figure there,
too, with u scared face, who took in
the situation ut n glance and knew
that little Pippo had probably saved
her husband 8 life. 1t was she who
took him up tenderly and laid him
upon couch in the drawing room
and sent for a doctor for him.
The boy opened his eyes and turn
ed them feebly upon her.
"Ah," he said, lit is you, the
good sienora. Will you do something
for mo?"
"Anythine, Pippo."
Don't let them put that man in
prison. The padrune gave me to
him. They would all ct into trou-
BILE, and it was my fuult he was
caught
SO it came about that Jim Sickert
was set free and told he would not
be charged.
1t is to be hoped he attempted no
more hurglaries, since the quality
of mercy had indeed dropped as
the gentle rain from heaven" upon
the bosom of this little ragged boy.
He lay quite still for some time
and then turned toward his benefao-
tress and spoke:
ooh, you have been so kind, SC
good to mo. l wish ! was good"
Nay, you are good. You have
saved him for ne. ! have Gono moth
ing, but ! will. I will try to make
you strong and we'll again."
But it was too late. Just as the
gray dawn was peeping through the
windows his poor little harassed and
weary soul passed away to the land
of the spirits.
Tears rose unbidden to her eyes
when she knew it.
1T is better so," said Arnold In.
gram, who had just entered on tip.
toe, while there is yet the spark OF
truth and purity and goodness in
his heart. III usage, poverty, degra-
dalton, would surely lead on to sin
and crime, and it would lie at the
door of those who brought him to it.
They have much to answer for. But
1t is best to die before that"
So his eyes were closed by loving
hands, he who had known naught
but hard blows and hard words.
Poor little Pippo!-Spare Moments.