Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1896-06-21

was startled to hear derisive shouts fun
of malice and ugly words in language
he had difficulty in understanding.
THE RESCUE.
The barbarity OF the sounds was in
strange contrast to the peace and good
will that had inspired him as a part of
the place he had found so pleasant.
Just ahead of him he saw crowd OF
roughs, young fellows of about his own
age, striking a well-dressed boy who
was doing his best to defend himself
against hopeless odds. He was not
match for any one of them singly, and
before the Italian had half comprehend
ed what was going on, the miscreants
had knocked down the boy. whose good
Clothes had evidently excited their envy
and hatred They were beating him
ferociously This was more than the
sailor could stand, and he rushed TO the
rescue.
The rowdies, seeing him coming, turn
ed. wondering how he dared to inter-
fere. and before they had time to thor
oughly understand his purpose the larg-
est of the crowd was sent sprawling by
a well intended and directed blow. A
second was down before there could be
a combined defense. and a third was
reeling backwards, the blood streaming
from his nose and mouth, when the
crowd closed on the intruder. He was
struck from behind, in front and on ev-
cry side, but he was strong and brave,
and by mighty effort threw his near
est foe upon those advancing upon him,
and turning, brought to his knees the
one just behind him.
The shower of blows stopped for sec
ond. The utterly surprised ruffians
backed off to organizs for final on
slaught. They had found close quarters
dangerous. and several were badly
hurt. They stopped to pick up rocks or
any other missiles that might be of aid
to them in killing the "dago," for they
were desperate and would not then hes
itate at anything.
THE STILLETO.
They had counted on the Italians ma
tive weapon. Before hand was raised
the sailor had drawn,a long and wicked
looking knife. 1t cleaned in the sun
light. In his eyes there was the fierce
acknowledgement light that means mis-
chief when accompanied by the stilletO.
He half crouched and advanced stealth
ilv upon his foes. Each and every one
| felt that he was to be the victim, with
the result that they all fed, panic
stricken. aghast at the possibilities Of
/ the cleaning knife.
The ugly light died out in the eyes of
/ The Italian. They were as sweet as a
I II hc. q
/ boy. who was considerably hurt and
| fearful of the return OF his enemies.
I His gratitude to his protector, however,
was greater than his fear, which he
partly alleged as the reason his friend
should take him home. The sailor, be-
| lieving il his duty TO see the boy through
with his troubles, went with him TO his
home. where he was received with dis
| tinction and praised so highly for his
bravery that ne was abashed. Though
he could not understand much English,
vet he was oppressed at the exagger-
ated importance these people evidently
placed upon his having done his duty,
an act so simple that he wondered what
! the old padre" at home would think if
he heard a man Landed for doing what
! he had often taught him TO do.
! The boys mother offered the sailor a
handsome sum of money and a watch,
and though both were better than ne
had ever seen, yet he could not help
thinking it pity that the lady should
so misunderstood him. Politely refus-
ing and thanking her, he left to return
to his ship, glad to go back to it after
| his rough experience on shore.
AN OFFER.
The next day a gentleman came
| aboard the bark to look for a Sailor.
She was the only one of her nationality
| lying off Staten Island, and there he
hoped to find and adequately reward
the sailor who had rendered such time
" service to his son. The Italian abso-
/ lutely refused any reward
1t then occurred TO the gentleman
that perhaps the sailor might be tired
of the sea and would accept employment
ashore Would you be willing to leave
the ship and work for me in New