The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-03-26
SCHOOLGIRLS PASTIME.
THRILLING STORY FROM sTAID OLD
CHELsEA's PUBLIC SCHOOL.
A cowed Boy, spurred On by Taunts.
Gets Even With a sohoolmate-Wool-
Pulling Promised When They Face
Each Other Again.

"Watch me get even with him nowl"
II was a white kid who spoke, and, 10 en-
phasize his remark, he glarcd e%xultingly at
a half brick tightly clutched by his right
hand.
And he got even.
During the present session there have
been two turbulent peace-destroying boys,
named William Wilder and William Brooks,
attending the Chelsea Public School. They
are about the saint age, thirteen years. Ac-
cOrding to n schoolmaster's story, MS he
learned II from Wilder, Brooks got In his
bluti on time early In the session, and kept
II up throughout, To do this elIectually,
Brooks Is said 10 have displayed an open
knife many times and Oft always threaten
Ing 10 use IL II given only u measly provoca-
ton. Wildcr's schoolmates, those who
came in on the bluff by right OF years aud
physical proportions, tanned him with be-
ing a coward, and thus made life a burden TO
him, causing the brick net.
Whether Wilder formulated the method OF
his revenge while he poured over geography,
arithmetic, spelling, etc, at afternoon session,
does not appear In evidence. The strong
presumption, however, il that he did. Soon
after the lessons were all over, and the
teachers had c%nioined them 10 be good boys
and spoke the word that sent them scampor-
I ing poll-mcll from the room, Wilder gath
cred "a brickbat and uttered the bloodhound
ling words with which this story opens.
Brooks stood with his back toward danger,
aud not q friendly warming was extended.
Stealthily the boy, filled with ideas Of
bloody revenge, his eyes cleaning from the
influence Of It's near fruition and his nerv-
GUS fingers closed in u death-grip about the
brick, moved upon him, II was Billie Will
der, the cowcd but desperate Billie, who
moved. Billie Brooks moved not, but glee-
fully narrated stories Of how he had done
up the other Billie, would do 40 ngain, and
extend the pastime TO other kids who should
dare question his reign over the Chelsea
brigade OF youthful terrors. Step, step,
like Us the cat approaches the deprcdating.
unshcarcd rodent and Billie the first
was upon his given namesakc the sec
Ond. Crashl and of he went like
a piece OF tissue paper before a
gale, mont daring or caring to follow. Even
ms confident In the bold, bad operation
found more la the boy Brooks TO enliven his
immediate moments Than In the flight OF his
chunl. Tho brick had found IT'S level.
Brooks knew nothing about 1.-THE knew
nothing at all. A sad. soul.rcnching
moan. drowned In the yclls Of those who
, surrounded him. was the nearly succeeding
J evidence Of the revenge that had filled Wild
cr's soul with JOY aud lent the marvellous
speed TO limbs which carried him around
the corner aud far away. Brooks back hair
was all matted with gore and brick dust,
there was %disiguring indenturc on his
Uranium. aud his hat bore testimony to-nn.
unsolicltcd mud eucrgciir contest with some
thing 81 more substantial resistance than
itself. Then there WIS u wild, unintclligible
jabbcr Of kid standing with open mouths
aud eyes about the Billie Of the knife aud
nerve, the burden Of their jabbor being, the
assault, how richly II was deserved, and
how II would be avenged when the wounded
kid got WE'LL
Tcndcrly the injured kid was conveyed 10
his home. and at last accounts he was far
more earnest In the search for Wilder than
were the police. II the two ever again face
each other, there will be sonc fun from way
back.