The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1910-05-06

unfinished building just beyond the
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 fell
lows
She had first seen him yesterday
afternoon while driving past. Her
veil had blown off and had lodged in
the bod of bricks borne upon the
shoulders of this sturdy son 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 ruffianly appear
ance but for the clear eyes, as blue as
the skies of his beloved land, as Mar
Jorie herself put Though this com
parison was manifestly an exaggera-
ton. The girl was young and i'm
petuous, with just enough experience
to feel 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 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.
What 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 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
little distance with the wrathful
overseer, who in picturesque English,
which was plainly audible to Mar
jorie, informed the laborer if he
didn't go back to his ''job, pretty
quick he would be "fired," and
fired for good" that he had no
use for ladies' men on this job" that
they were working short-handed and
were 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 steely gray. OF
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 a
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 and
swiftness removed the old tire, drew
new one from it's 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 and
children. He evidently knew some
thing about an automobile, and she
was sure her father could find work
for him superior to that of a day
laborer.
Her eyes were very kind as they
rested upon his perspiring face when
at the end of half an hour he rose
from his task. She handed him her
visiting card, and in labored Italian
made him understand that he was to
call at her house that evening and
see her father, who would find work
Tor him. In his gratitude, Pietro's
self-consciousness and awkward man
ners dropped from him. The express
sion in the blue eyes when, a few
moments later, she glanced at him