Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1907-06-05
How PietrO
Paid His Debt.
BY SABA 3. CUsHhAN.
,,,-r;yht 1917 hv Mary McEeon
Copyright. 1907, by Mary McKeon.

r
silver In his tattered purse. If 1t would
onlr rain. then the gentlemen hurrying
hv might need his services. but the
hiinkjng stars, half hidden by the
smoke OF the great city, found not
cloud behind which to retire. and Pie
,ro concluded that he might as well
close M for the night. The process OF
closinc up consisted OF packing his
FINISHES. backing and various imple-
nents into small box and singing
the same by strap from his shoulder.
One watching Pietro's closing up
could determine the proceeds of the
davis business. II he moved with alac.
rity the jingling silver In his purse
oromised well for the necessities of
life IL he moved reluctantly, pausing
now and then to see II perchance there
might yet be patron for him. the
nurse was lamentably light and Pie
nos supper must be likewise. Tonight
no knew that the persistent craving in
his stomach must go entirely unappeas.
e5 for there was no more than enough
silver to satisfy the voraciousness Of
1senberg. the money shark. Of Water
street into whose clutches the lad had
fallen and who found means Of exact
ing his dues even though there was
no money left for food.
saw. no use kicking" remarked Pie
ITO philosophically as he slowed away
his last brush; "Pve seed worser luck
dan dis here. Anyhow mother amt
cold nor hungry"
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 I'M
wonted tears, shutting out for a mo-
ment the sight Of the stream of gay
humanity that thronged past on It's
way to the opera. He md 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
entrance of the opera house. he hur-
ried on, He must be quick or there
would be left not even standing room.
which was all that he could afford to
pay for At the ticket window fat
old gentleman was wrangling 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 gentleman had relieved his mind
and turned away. the ticket seller
looked at Grayson expectantly: but.
with muttered malediction at his
chicken heart. rs he chose to term 1t,
Graysou turned away. Pietro was
trudging YEARLY down the street to-
ward that part of the city from which
the rich flee and where the poor and
the wicked find refuge. Revolving in
bis mind the weary question Of
finances. he did not heed the approach
ing footsteps until hand grasped him
uncerernoniously and voice asked
grufiiy:
What were you crying for, kid?"
saw what yer givin' US. dude? l
warnt cryin'''
"All right. but what's wrong? Bank
rupt:' with a quizzical glance at the
others stock in trade.
Nope" replied Pietro. Got my out
ut left That's about all. though. Bush
ness is pretty dead now. Be better aft
er election"
Grayson laughed.
That's right. l find 1t so myself.
what do you say to good hot steak
In here:"
They We're passing little restau-
rant ana the aroma Of hot coffee and
frying meat iloated out to them, re-
mlndlng Grayson that his evening
meal had been dispensed with to make
up the amount necessary for his admit
lance TO the land of hearts desire and
causing the nostrils OF his companion
70 witch like a rabbits.
Sure, but dis Is bum joint. Come
70 Maginty's. It's swell there"
Ihey went TO Maginty's. and over
cup OF strong coffee and their steak
ana potatoes Pietro became confiden-
uai and told Grayson the story of his
struggles, first 10 provide necessities
tor MS dying mother and then to es-
.ape the clutches of the money lender.
.iom whom he had borrowed money
.uat us mother might have a burial fit
LOT human being.
"hen Grayson, familiar with the
"ays OF the willy money lenders. dis
D'ered that the amount had been re-
"rned with triple interest. he took the
latter into his own hands. and the
sVney lender looking at those same
ssaVng clinched hands, admitted that
~ mad asked Pietro to call again only
aal ne might give him a receipt for
iuli amount Of his debt.
Loath to part with his amusing COM
A. anion, Grayson invited him to share
10 ,s dingy lodgings for the night, and
na ,assons comrades significantly tap
= ~ uielr foreheads at this latest &C.