The Washington herald., 1907-01-09

Pietro eyed Wistfully the shining shoes
| that passed him on the dry pavements.
Business was slack and PietrO's heart
sank as low as the hoard Of silver in his
tattered purse. II II would only rain,
then the gentlemen hurrying by might
need his services, but the. blinking stars.
half hidden by the smoke OF the great
city. found not a cloud behind which 70
retire, and Pietro concluded that he might
as well close up for the night. The pro-
cess of closing NJ consisted Of packing
his brushes, blachng, and various imple-
ments into a small box. and singing the
same by strap from his shoulder.
One watching Pietro's closing up could
determine the proceeds Of the days bust
ness. II he moved with alacrity, the jing-
ling Of silver in his purse promised well
for the necessities Of life; II he moved re-
luctantly, pausing now and then 10 see if
perchance there might yet be patron for
him. the purse was lamentabIy light, and
Pietro's supper must be likewise To-
night he knew that the persistent craving
in his stomach must go entirely unap-
peased. for there was no more than
enough silver 10 satisfy the voTacioUsness
Of Isenberg. the money shark, Of Water
street, into whose clutches the lad had
fallen and who found means OF exacting
his dues even though there were no money
left for food.
"Aw, no use kicking" remarked Ptetro
philosophically as he slowed away his last
brush, I've seed worser luck dan dis
here. Anyhow, mother amt cold nor hun
cry
His philosophy deserted him as the
poignant memory of the great soft eyes
Of his mother. wistful with longing for
the sunshine OF her own land, returned TO
him. His own eyes filed with unwonted
tears, shutting out for moment the
sight Of the stream Of gay humanity that
thronged past on its way to the opera
He did not see the tall young fellow with
the debonair air and shabby coat who
paused for an instant beside him. nor did
he notice the evident struggle that went
on in the young mans mind as with
glance at the dirty face of the urchin,
and another at the brilliantly lighted en-
trance to the opera house, he hurried on.
He must be quick or there would be left
that he could afford to pay for. At the
ticket window, a fat old gentleman was
wranglng over his tickets.
The enforced delay gave the young man
time to think. and the face of the street
child. pathetic through all its dirt. would
not be banished. When the old gentle
man had relieved his mind and turned
away. the ticket-seller looked At GraysOn
expectantIy, but with a mutteTed male
diction at his chicken heart as he chose
TO term it. Grayson turned away. Pietro
was trudging wearilv down the street
toward that part of the city from which
the rich fee and where the poor and the
wicked find refuge. Revolving N his mind
the weary question Of finances. he did not
heed the approaching footsteps. until
hand grasped him unceremoniously and
voice asked grufly.
What We're you crying for, kid2"
"Aw. what yer givin US, dude? II
waru't cryin'-'
"AH right but what's wrong? Bank
rupt?" with "a quizzicai glance at the
others stock I'm trade
Nope" replied Pietro. Got my outfit
left That's about all, though. Business
is pretty dead now. BE better after cleo |
ton"
GraySOn laughed.
That's right. I find it so myself What
do you say TO a good hot steak in here?"
They were passing a little restaurant
and the aroma OF hot coffee and frying
meat loated out to them. reminding
Grayson that his evening meal had been
dispensed with to make up the amount
necessary for his admittance to the land
OF hearts desire. and causing the nostriIs
Of his companion 10 twitch like a rab-
bits
Sure. but dis is bum joint. Come to
Magntys It's swell there
They went 10 Maginty's, and over a cup
of strong coffee and their steak and po-
tatOes Pietro became confidential and
told Grayson the story of his struggles. |
first 10 provide necessities for his dying
mother. and then TO escape the clutches |
of Iseuberg, from whom he had borrowed |
money that his mother might have a |
burial fit for a human being.
When GTaysOn. familiar with the ways 1
Of the willy mOney-lcnders, discovered |
that the amount had been returned with |
triple interest, he took the matter into /
bis own hands, and isenberg, looking at /
those same strong clencESd hands. ad- |
mitted that he had asked Pietro to call 1
again only that he might give him a re- I
ceipt Tor the full amount OF his debt.
Loath 70 part with bis amusing com