Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1919-11-14
TONES FRIEND
BY JACK LAYTON.

bile TO standstill. before the last
cottage Of the dingy factory street.
Antonio Mangela. the disturbing ele
ment Of the great industrial plant. had
bur a few days ago reached the zenith
Of his crimes. by hinging in a rage. his
little son down narrow stairway
The senior member OF the factory
firm. now sent its Junior member TO
( investigate. The errand was distaste-
full to John Burrows. and he knew that
| his influence here, would be as impO-
/ tent as 1t 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
swered in his quizzical way, some
times think it is your father who is
my boss. How are the bruises?"
Tonic made a grimace.
Hurts every time move he said,
AN the visiting nurse has me all plas-
tered up. too. She" Tonnes tone was
contemptuous. don't help much, but
when Angela comes she tells stories
an plays picture games with me an
| forget all about it. Father likes
Angela, too" the boy added trium
phanty. "He told her that he was
sorry he threw me down stairs"
John Burrows remembered having
heard that the dreaded AntOnio's wife
had 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
man, 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
room.
Angela" cried the boy, his thin
arms Outstretched.
The head bent over TONES was as
dusky as his own, and when the girl
turned to look questioningly at Bur
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 Tonies friend, 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
a radiant smile at the boy, she began
her game.
Il" John Burrows told her, IAN q
member of the factory firm, and,
wonder if you can agree with Antonio
IN his grievance"
lido not" the girl answered brief
y.
"Then. still wonder" he added and
came close to look down into her face.
If you might not influence him to our
point Of view. The man could be a
power for good as we'll as for HARM"
Il can only influence through kind
hess" answered the girl. TRY"
John Burrows rode away with a
memory picture of her, rocking very
gently. the MANNED small Tonic in
her arms. The picture haunted him
strangely He found himself forced to
eturn again to the dingy room.
angela came every day to see him."
rOnie told Burrows. Sometimes she
made good things and brought them for
lis and big Tonie's supper. Big Tonic
pread them out on the little table as
he told him to, and sometimes. he
ven stayed awhile at evening. playing
ne of the picture games"
John Burrows formed a habit of
topping in his car before his home
fard ride each evening. He too. left
urprises for small Tonic, an orange
laybe, or new game to play. And
Angela was there, he carried her in
he front seat beside him to the end
the street. Angela would not tell
i'm where she lived.
The mystery of her tormented him.
he refinement of her manner so ut
ariance with her rough friends of the
ourt and the simplicity of her dark
U.s. WIN IT'S Nuile collar. so differ
Mt from their gay clothing.
When he left her at the end of the
rect, she always stood waiting with
parting wave of her hand. until he
as out of sight. And as the summer
issed the Wild spirit of Antonio show
| undoubted Improvement.
John Burrows reflected savagely that
would be prepoSterous for creature
ke Antonio TO win the hand of such
glorious woman. Thea to John Bur
TVS came the Illuminating discovery.
iat the unknown woman undoubtedly
I'd won his own heart. And when he
Nv her again bending tenderly over
lie convalescent Tonic, he found Il
ipossible to withhold his secret.
Il love YOU" said John Burrows
want you-to be my wife"
And even rs he spoke the words. the
nSternation which such union
ould cause among his friends the
sapproval of the senior member OF
5 own firm, were as nothing com
red to the suspense of Angela's =
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