The Wahpeton times. [volume] (Wahpeton, Richland County, Dakota [N.D.]) 1879-1919, 1910-07-14
JaCk (!
Angel
BY JEAN PARDEE.
Copyright, by J. B. Lippincott Coz


dull. His dream that some day he
might give up the bootblack's trade
and become a great musician seemed
farther than ever from being realized.
Never, I'll never get-a there" he
muttered, as he turned and went into
the little shed that covered his stand.
1t was fiercely cold for Atlantic
City-the coolest winter Jacko had
ever known. They had not told him
America was so cold. Oh, why had he
left dear, sunny Italy! For what-a?"
he asked himself.
, 1t was with certain Joy Jacko de.
cided to 60 home to his violin, for
there would be no more business that
day. He was picking up his brushes
and cloths when he heard a step on
the walk outside. Before he could
turn someone asked:
DO you black tan boots here-I
mean, shine them?"
The girl futtered in and clambered
into his chair as naturally as though
she had been coming there for a shine
every day of her life Had Jacko had
more than IA years back of him he
must have noticed what an attractive
girl she was, but with true business
Instinct he observed only how small
her shoes were, and that they were
wet and needed cleaning.
You have walk-a pretty far in the
snow, guess" he said as he clasped
the steel ankle-holder over her skirts.
Yes, way from the Marlborough,
but was simply screaming with
nervousness. couldn't sit in the no.
tel another minute. What's your
name?" she asked.
Jacko," he answered.
"Jacko! How funny! Sounds like
monkeys. Jacko what?"
"Jacko Tomassillio," he replied,
without glancing from his work.
The girl leaned over and touched
the cap he wore. Look at me, Jacko,"
she said. He looked up quickly, sur.
prised into forgetting his absorbing
task of trying to produce mirror on
the surface of the little tan boot.
you don't mind If talk to you, do
you? I'm dead with loneliness. I've
been at the Marlborough ten days and
not soul but my maid to speak to.
Thank goodness, I'm well enough to
60 home tomorrow"
"Too bad-a," said Jocko, sympa.
thetically.
of course it's too bad-a," replied
the girl, as she laughingly copied his
broken English.
Tell me, aren't you happy in our
America? Don't we treat you well?"
Yes, they treat-a me all right-a,
guess, only it's cold, and l make-a lit.
tie money here" he faltered, bravely.
And you want to make big money?
What for, JACKIE? Money doesn't al.
ways bring happiness"
1T would-a to me. want to learn
music, to get to be big man like the
leader OF the band down here. He
marry rich girl. He great man.
The boys face glowed a deep red
under the glistening bronze of his
skin. The girl opened her little gold
purse.
But you didn't tell me how much.
Never mind, want to give you this,
anyway" She dropped the coin into
Jacko's rough little palm. Can you
keep secret?" she asked him.
Jacko thought he could.
We'll, then, I'm engaged, and I'm
going to be married soon to a great
musician" Her voice was a conf.
dental whisper.
lis it on-a the violin he plays?"
asked Jacko.
mo, he is an organist, one of the
greatest in this country, people say"
A wave of pride was in her voice. She
put one hand on Jacko's shoulder, and,
lifting his chin in the hollow of the
other, looked into the eyes as she said,
solemnly: HE was poor little boy,
once, too. You must be brave and
fight. That's what he did. He won.
So will you"
Yet she laughed gayly as she turned
to leave him, for it was this joyous
creatures nature not to be serious
for long at time. Just once she
turned to look back. JACKIE stood
watching her, pathetic little figure
in the doorway. The girl ringed her
mouth with one of her white.gloved
hands:
"Jacko!" she called. "Jacko! I'm
coming back some day before long
with him. Let your hair grow long;
ana don't forget to practise!"
Soon after bend In the walk hid
her from sight, and Jacko remembered
she had said: Tomorrow am 20
ing home"
He went into the shed and sat on
the bench In front Of his stand.
I'll let-a my hair grow long! III
get,a there maybe some day!" he NUT
tered. He was still clutching the coin
the girl had given him. Il guess ]
keep-a her dime. Good luck-a maybe.
Az he opened his hand the yellow
CLEAN Of gold-piece met his gaze.
"Whata!" he exclaimed, "what-a!'
He could not believe his eyes. He
put 1t between his teeth; he twirled II
A. a.