The Washington herald., 1909-10-17


He was truculent when sober and ac-
lively pugnacious when drunk. 1t may
be said to his credit that he was not
drunk very often, and that when he was
drunk he was canny enough TO keep out
OF Mr.. Jasper's way. But one night after
a prolonged political discussion at Gala
hans saloon he was uusteadily steering
homeward across the side lawn just as
young Mr.. Harry Jasper and two friends
who were visiting him emerged from the
gap in the hedge that divided Jasper
Place from Willowbrook, next door. The
gentlemen were returning from a dinner.
and were clothed in evening dress. They
in no wise resembled tramps; but Davids
vision was blurred and his fighting blood
was up. He possessed himself Of an arm
ful Of damp sods and warily advanced 10
the attack. He was not In a condition TO
aim very straight but the three shining
shirt fronts made an easy mark. Before
his victims had recovered from the sud
denness OF the onslaught sufficiently 10
protect themselves he had demolished
three dress suits
The next morning David was dismissed.
The other workers. both at Jasper Place
and Willowbrook, appreciated the justice
OF the sentence. but were sorry 10 see
him go. David's ar@umentative temper
and Davids ready fists had added zest 70
social intercourse. They feared that his
successor would be Of muder type and
less entertaining. The successor came
some three days later, and Peter, the
coachman ut Willowbrook. observing his
arrival across the hedge. paid an early
call on Patrick. the cGachman at Jasper
Place, to see what the newcomer was
Ike Peter returned TO Wiilowbrook dis
gusted.
He's a Dagol jabberin' Dago out OF
a ditch. He can't talk more'n ten words
an he don't understand what they means.
Mr. Harry picked him all right for a
peaceful citizen. who won't be spollin no
dress suits. He amt got drop O. fight
in him. Ye call him liar, an he smiles
an says. Sank YOU"
Vittorio set about the wedding OF his
flower beds with the sunny patience bred
of love. Whatever were his failings in
English and the warlike arts. at least he
understood his business. Mr.. Harry
watched his prctege with pleased ap-
prevail He had always admired the Ital-
ian character theoretically. but this was
the first time ne had ever put his admira-
ton to the actual test; and he cOngratu-
lated himself upon binding al last the
ideal gardener with the pastoral soul that
me had long been searching. Mr.. Harry
had no racial prejudices himself. and he
took II for granted that others were as
broad
Nittorio's pastoral soul. however. won
less approval among his fellow-workers.
Peter did not share Mr.. Harry's enthusi-
asm for the Italian race. and Peter
largely swayed public opinion, both at
Jasper Place and WiilOwbrOOk.
Its sOmethin' awful he declared, the
way this cOuntry's gettln, cluttered up
with DsgOes There ought 70 be a law
against lettin' EN- come in."
In so far as he was concerned. Peter
refused 20 let Vittorio come in; and the
man was consigned TO social darkness and
the companionship of his plants. He did
not seem to mind this Ostracism. how
ever, but whistled and SANG at his work
with undated chcerfulnCss. Ills baby
English shortly became the butt Of every
bodys ridiculc. but as he never under
stood the jokes. he bore no grudge. The
only matter in which he showed the
slightest personal prejudice was the fact
that they all persisted in calling him
Tony"
My name no Tony" he would patiently
explain half a dozen times a day. My
name Vittorio Emanuele. samoa de
King"
Tony, however. he remained.
The mans chief anxiety was to learn
English. and he was childishly grateful
10 any one who helped him The stable
men took a delighted interest in his edu-
cation: IL was considered especially funny
TO teach him scurrilous slang. Come or
your perch, you old fool" was one Of the
phrases he patiently committed to mem
DRY and later repeated to Mr. Harry with
smiling pride at his own progress.
Mr.. Harry spoke to Peter on the SUBJ
ject
yes. SIR" Peter agreed easily; ITS
disgustin', the language these Dagoes
picks up. I can't imagine where they
hears IT, sir. They're that familiar, We
can't pound no manners into them"
Mr.. Harry wisely dropped the matter
He knew Peter. and he thought it safest
20 let vittorio work out his own saliva
ton.
Several OF the practical Jokes at the
mans expense should, logically have
ended in a fight. Had he taken up the
gauntlet, even at the expense Of whip
ping they would have respected HMM
so Tar as Irishmen can respect an Italian
but nothing could goad him into action.
he swallowed insults with smiling zest,
as though he liked their taste. This un-
failing peaceableness was held to be the
more disgracefuI in that It was a strong
~ built fellow. quite capable Of standing
up for his rights.
HE ain't so bad looking" Annie, the
parlor maid at Willowbrook, commented
one day. as she and Peter strolled up to
the hedge and inspected the new garden
er. at work with the clipping shears.
And, at least. he's tall-that's some
thing. They're usually SC little. them
Eye-taIans."
HUH said Peter, "size amt no merit.
1.-THE less there is Of an Eye-talian, the
better. His bigness don't help along his
courage none. You're coward. Tony.
Dye hear that7"
Their comments had been made with
perfect freedom in Vittorio's presence,
while he hummed a tune from Fra Dia-
volo'' in smiling unconcern. Unless one
couched ones Insults in kindergarten Ian
guage and fired them stright into his face
they passed him by unscathed.
You're a coward, Tony" Peter re-
peated
"Cow-ward?" vittorio broke of his
song and beamed upon them with flash
of black eyes and white teeth. How you
mean. cOw-ward? No understand"
"A coward Peter patiently explained.
is man who's afraid to fight-lil5e you.
EyetaliaDs are towards. They don't dare
stand up. man to man, an take what's
comm TO EN-. When they've got a
grudge to pay they creeps up in the night
an sticks q knife in yer back. That's
betn' q coward"