The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1910-05-25
BY Marie Sturtevant.

Parkway. She wanted to catch a
glimpse of her Italian. He was mix
ing cement with his back toward the
street, his shabby, slouched hat pulled
we'll onto his head. She readily rec.
ognized him, his vigorous movements
and magnificent physique distinguish.
ing him from his heavy-limbed fei-
lows.
She had first seen him yesterday
afternoon while driving past. Hell
veil had blown off and had lodged in
the bod of bricks borne upon the
shoulders of this sturdy sol of Italy,
In her work in the college settle
ment, Marjorie had picked up a little
italian, and with girlish ostentation
thanked him graciously in his native
tongue for returning to her her prop
erty. A brilliant smile had lighted
up the dark, soiled face. He was an
unusual and interesting type. His
thick, towzled hair, which he kept
uncovered while he stood by the car
riage, was as black as ebony, and his
unshaven face would have tended to
give him a rather rufianly appear
ance but for the clear eyes, as blue as
the skies of his beloved land, as Mar
jorie herself put it--theugh this COM
parison was manifestly an exaggera-
ton. The girl was young and i'm
petuous, with just enough experience
to feel a tender patronage toward
these child-like immigrants. And so
she left no embarrassment in linger-
ing a moment to find out, if she
could, how this black-browed youth
came by these sunny eyes.
you're from Sicily?" she asked in
italian, with a patronizing air.
He hesitated! Then pulling awk-
wardly at his front hair, and with a
ducking bow, answered shyly, "Syra-
cuse, Signorina."
She could we'll imagine him the
descendant of the old heroes of that
historic land, but she did wish he
wouldn't pull at his front locks, and
scrape the ground with his feet in
that servile way.
"Wha Is your name?"
Again he ducked clumsily. "Pie-
tro, Signorina."
Then she handed him a coin for
his services, and sped away.
When nearly opposite the cement
mixer this morning, a sharp report
like a pistol shot warned her that a
tire had burst. She ran the machine
into the ditch and stopped. Pietro
was quickly at her side, proffering his
assistance in soft Italian, with a dis
play of white, strong teeth. Before
the girl realized what he was doing
he had the tools spread upon the
ground and was proceeding to jack
up the machine. At this moment,
when Pietro was on his soiled knees
in the dirty road, the boss of the
work rushed out.
Here, you! Go back to your
work." he cried angrily.
Pietro arose hastily, and withdrew
a little distance with the wrathful
overseer, who in picturesque English,
which was plainly audible to Mar
iorfe, informed the laborer if he
didn't go back to his "job, pretty
quick" he would be fired" and
"ired for good" that he had no
use for ladies' men on this job" that
they were working short-handed and
we're behind on their contract, etc..
etc. She could not distinguish Pie.
tro's soft reply, but to her dismay he
returned to her. His grimy face eX.
pressed no emotion, but the blue eyes
had changed to a steely gray. Oh
course he hadn't understood a word
of the harangue, and had no knowl,
edge of the calamity that threatened
him. In her anxiety for the young
mans welfare-for Marjorie was q
very tender-hearted girl-she was
bereft of the little Italian she knew
which, however, would have been to-
tally inadequate for the occasion. So
like the boss" she addressed him in
! excited English, eXhorting him in the
name of his family, dependent upon
his wages, to return to his work
But Pietro understood nothing. and
even her expressive pantomime
frowns, and dramatic pointing to-
ward the cement trough, made no i'm
preston upon him. He only showed
his white teeth in an innocent smile
and with astonishing capability anc
swiftness removed the old tire, drew
a new one from its place, and with
his powerful hands pulled it over the
rim.
Marjorie, completely vanquished
patrolled the roadway and laid plans
for the future of Pietro's wife ant
children. He evidently knew some
thing about an automobile, and she
was sue her father could find WORT
for him superior to that of a da.
laborer.
Her eyes were very kind as the!
rested upon his perspiring face Whel
at the end of half an hour be rose
from his task. She handed him he
visiting card, and in labored Italian
made him understand that he was tt
call at her house that evening ant
see her father, who would find worl
for him. In his gratitude, Pietro'
self-consciousness and awkward man
ners dropped from him. The expires
sion in the blue eyes when, a few
-