Motion Picture Story Magazine (Feb-Jul 1912)

FOR TEE COMMONWEALTH 111 So the disaffection, that had latterly become patent to the warden, was now replaced by a genuine satisfaction. Mario's eagerness was kept at white heat by the burning thought of his fast-approaching release, and he was soon accounted the most skilled workman in the shop. When the day arrived that to so many men, incarcerated under a system that induced moral dry-rot, had meant a time of shrinking and indecision and despondency and distrust of all mankind, Mario received his discharge as •a "skilled laborer," and faced his future with self-respect and courage. He hastened back to the city and to the tenement which he and Maddalena had called "home." He learnt from the neighbors of her struggle and of her present refuge. Mario hungered for a sight of his wife and child, but a strong dash of common sense seasoned his emotional nature. ;He had nothing to support them on yet, and as long as they were not expecting to see him so soon, why disturb them until he could take them from the institution? First, he must get a job. To the forefront of his mind came the remembrance of the last place where he had applied for work the day of his arrest. It was a shoe factory in the neighborhood. With a confidence founded on the consciousness of his skill and of his improved knowledge of English, he entered the factory and approached one of the foremen. "You wanta a gooda workman? Yes?" he asked. "What can you do?" brusquely demanded the foreman. "I maka da shoes. I cut — sew — maka all." "Can you run this welting machine?" ' ' Sura ! ' ' declared Mario, emphatically. And without waiting for an invitation, he proved his declaration by a few swift demonstrations. "Well, you can have the job. Come tomorrow morning at seven o'clock." The prospect of this immediate job tilled Mario with such thankfulness and joy that it seemed as if he must rush off and. tell Maddalena about it. Then with' his tender. thoughts came a beautiful idea. He would not let her know just yet that he was free. With his first week's money, he would take a little flat and furnish it on the instalment plan. Then, when all was in ship-shape order, he would go for Maddalena and dear little Tina and bring them to a real home. The week seemed very long to Mario, and he had often to admonish himself with "Pazienza! pazienza!" But in due time, it all came out as he had planned. The little home was ready, and he went to fetch Maddalena and Tina. The little girl threw herself upon him in a transport of joy. Maddalena, after the manner of women, greeted him with tears, but Mario knew their meaning, for his own eyes were not guiltless. So they went away, with singing hearts, toward the city and their new life. Before reaching home, Mario took Maddalena and Tina into a large store and bought them each a hat and coat. He committed a final extravagance in buying a doll on which Tina had fastened wistful eyes. Then he hurried them to the little flat, childishly impatient to note the sensation he was about to cause. He unlocked the door, and throwing it wide open, he laughed gleefully as Maddalena entered slowly, looking about bewildered at his cheery greeting of ' ' Welcome ! ' ' 1 ' Is this our home ? ' ' she asked, incredulously. "Why, Mario! it is so pretty and comfortable ! ' ' "I dreamed of such a little place when I was between those bare stone walls ! " he answered. "My poor Mario!" exclaimed Maddalena. "And it was all my fault that you went to that terrible place !" ' ' Now, now, cava mia, that Is past ! We'll forget all about it, except the good things I learnt there." Could the governor and the humane warden have heard this from the ex-convict's lips, they would have realized that their wise provision was