The bootblack had not finished the first shoe when a
policeman hoisted himself into the other chair.
"How are you, Nucky?" he grunted.
"All right, thanks," replied the boy, an uneasy look softening his cold
eyes for the moment.
"Didn't keep the job I got you, long," the officer said. "What was the
rip this time?"
"Aw, I ain't goin' to hold down ho five-dollar-a-week job. What do you
think I am?"
"I think you are a fool headed straight for the devil," answered the
officer succinctly. "Now listen to me, Nucky. I've knowed you ever
since you started into the school over there. I mind how the teacher
told me she was glad to see one brat that looked like an old-fashioned
American. And everything the teachers and us guys at the police
station could do to keep you headed right, we've done. But you just
won't have it. You've growed up with just the same ideas the young
toughs have 'round here. All you know about earnin' money is by
gambling." Nucky stirred, but the officer put out his hand.
"Hold on now, fer I'm servin' notice on you. You've turned down every
job we got you. You want to keep on doing Luigi's dirty work for him.
Very well! Go to it! And the next time we get the goods on you,
you'll get the limit.
Pages:
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25