The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-06-28
'HOLDUP HONEYMOON
BY EDWIN RUTT Copyright IoseNEA Service Inc

a possible source of food. Antonio Giuseppe Tarantino arrived at Chandler & Sandham's Ford de- livery truck in an aura of wrath and Rhode Island Reds.
 MT. Tanantino paused at the side cf the truck, peering through the semi-gloom. The poultry stood em- battled behind him, clucking in warlike fashion. MT. Tarantino's bright eyes swept over Kelly and Joe in the front seat, decided that they looked refined and, conse- quently, safe to bawl out. He spoke.
 Hey" said MT. Tarantino, loud- ly and menacingly, "wotta you tiink dees ees, tracks da race? You busta my truck and losa da chicks. Wassa matta you, hey?"
 "Aw nuts," said Joe, who was growing fed up with things gen. erally.
 This well-known rejoinder seem- ed to stimulate MT. Tarantino's $ rage. He did an excited little dance.
 "Nutsa, hey?" he shouted. Well, nutsa to you. Now I tella you some sing. You pay for da chicks or l busta da nose. Eef :"
 He stopped short. A terrible countenance had suddenly poked itself over MT. Sandham's left shoulder and was staring down at him with basilik eyes. To MT. Tarantino the visage looked like something which might have ap- peared in the dead of night after an excess of spaghetti and red wine.
 Sacramento" calculated An tonic Giuseppe, and crossed him. self hastily.
 For half a minute the Weasel drilled MT. Tarantino with eyes like sullen bullets. Then he gave | tongue.
 Listen, you splay-footed Wop, , quoth the Weasel. I'm givin' you warnin' see? Lay off'n dis rough stuff an lay off'n it snappy. Fore I come out dere an paste you all over Moo York State"
 My hero," said Kelly approv- ingly.
 Faced with unexpected opposi- tion a good general knows how to change his tactics to meet the new situation. MT. Tarantino proceeded to qualify as good general. From one of buster and ferocity, his mien became almost seville.
 "Wotta I do?" he inquired of the world at large. T driva da truck to Moo Yorka lika dees." He made a motion of his hands held a steering wheel. T anna happy. I singa da song. An den, lika do light, comes - boom! Deesa guy runa me down. An da chicks, all ova hell.'5' As he spoke he pointed an accusing fin- ger at Joe, but his eyes swept the rock-ribbed face of the Weasel, searching for sympathy.
 Well, that's a hot one," Joe said. Picture me running him down. I had all I could do to miss his internal truck. He was
 
 Sure, he wuz," said the Weasel judicially.
 of course" said Kelly, making it unanimous.
 At this point Rhode Island Red rooster, becoming bored with the harem that was clucking about him, took off nicely and made neat three-point landing on the top of the Ford. From this vantage point he Tapped his wings, inhaled deep of the night air and then crowed ecstatically.
 Shut up, you," ordered the Weasel sternly.
 That's telling him." said Kelly. Guess he won't do that again"
 MT. Tarantino perceived that the opposition was arraigned sol- idly against him. He began to plead.
 "Deesa guy I worka for" he said. "Heesa one tough mug. He maka me pay for da chicks, so sure like hell So" - he indicated JOe-yOu pays me. Len eVerdSllls fine. We shaka da hand. We go."
 Joe laughed. Got it all figured out, haven't you? But don't make pass at me. I'm not running this picnic. I'm only the chauffeur"
 Hesitantly, MT. Tarantino turned his attention to the Weasel.
 You pay?" he urged, wheed- ingly.
 T won't pay you a damn cent, roared the Weasel.
 "Oh, give the poor man few dollars" said Kelly, softening. What would it be to youas After all you've got 20 thousand"
 "Nuttin' doin'," grumbled the Weasel. "Whynt he catch his damn chickens, stead of standin' here cheWin' da fat. Fer two cents, I'd ."