The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1919-09-04
TONES FRIEND
BY JACK LAWToM.

cottage of the dingy factory street.
Antonio Mangella, the disturbing ele-
uent of the great industrial plant, had
but few days ago reached the zenith
of his crimes, by flinging in rage, his
little son down narrow stairway.
The senior member of the factory
1rn1, now sent it's Junior member to
Investigate. The errand was distaste-
fui to John Burrows, and he knew that
his influence here, would be as impo-
cent as it was against the evil power
of the man, at the works.
Small Tonic hailed his visitor from
his cot stretched before the window.
Are you my fathers rich boss?" he
demanded defiantly.
THAT depends John Burrows an
severed in his quizZical way, "some-
times think it is your father who is
Eny boss. How are the bruises?"
Tonic made grimace.
Hurts every time move" he said,
AN the visiting nurse has me all plas-
tered up, too. She," TONES tone was
s.ontemptuous, "don't help much, but
when Angela comes. she tells stories
an plays picture games with me an
Angela, too," the boy added trium-
yhantly "He told her that he was
sorry he threw me down stairs"
John Burrows remembered having
aaeard that the dreaded Antonio's wife
lad died some time ago; this Angela
might be, perhaps, coming stepmoth-
er for the boy; he was thinking over
The possibility of gaining her influence
TO conquer the stubborn spirit Of the
ca2n, who persistently soWed dissension
among his fellows. So strong was his
power, that to dismiss him would mean
a loss of valuable followers. And as
John Burrows considered, the door
opened and a girl came swiftly into the
EoD1n.
angela" cried the boy, his thin
arms OutStretched.
The head bent over Tonnes was as
dusky as his own, and when the girl
turned to look questioningly at Bur
rows, her eyes were deep and dark.
Admiration was in the gaze John
Burrows gave her. Her face was like
a. glowing flower above the plainness
of her dark blue dress.
"You are TONES friend, L hear" he
said.
The girl nodded, as she drew some
bright picture cards from a bundle
and spread them out before the invalid.
Then, mechanically almost, but with
IA radiant smile at the boy, she began
her game.
a." John Burrows told her, lam a
member of the factory firm, and, l
wonder if you can agree with Antonio
IN his grievance"
DIDO not" the girl answered brief
dy.
<"Then, still WONDER" he added and
came close to look down into her face
s'f you might not influence him to our
gsoint OF view. The man could be q
g,ower for good as well as for harm
II can only influence through kind
ness" answered the girl. "I-try"
John Burrows rode away with q
znemory picture Of her, rocking very
gently, the manned small Tonic in
her arms. The picture haunted him
strangely. He found himself forced to
return again to the dingy room.
"Angela came every day to see him."
Tonic told Burrows. "Sometimes she
made good things and brought them for
mis- and big Tonnes supper. Big Tonic
spread them out on the little table as
sale told him to, and sometimes, he
even stayed awhile at evening, playing
one Of the picture games"
John Burrows formed a habit of
stopping in his car before his home
sVard ride each evening. He too, left
surprises for small Tonic, an orange
maybe, or new game to play. And
AZ Angela was there, he carried her in
the front seat beside him to the end
of the street. Angela would not tell
him where she lived
The mystery of her tormented him
ihe refinement of her manner so at
variance with her rough friends Of the
court, and the simplicity of her dark
dress with it's white collar, so differ
ent from their gay clothing.
When he left her at the end of the
street, she always stood waiting witt
81 parting wave Of her hand, until he
was out of sight. And as the summer
passed, the wild spirit of Antonio show
ed andoubted Improvement.
.Johaa Burrows reflected savagely tina
1t ~Sonld be preposterous for a creatur,
like Antonio to win the hand of sucl
a glorious woman. Then to John Bur
rows came the Illuminating discovery
that the unknown woman undoubtedl,
had won his own heart. And when h,
saw her again bending tenderly owe
the eonvalescent Tonic, he found
impossible to withhold his secret.
'T love YOU said John Burrows
IT want you-to be my wife"
And even as he spoke the words, tn
CONSERVATION which such unio
would cause among his friends, tn
tazsapproval Of the senior member O
his own firm, were as nothing CON
pared to the suspense Of Angela's s.
Hence.
Then her radiant smile flashed upo