Los Angeles herald., 1906-09-09
E How Norris Lost Bad Reputation 81

to undertake to whip him, in which case he
would catch the stick, break it, throw the
fragments over her head, and in short, as.
sumo SO offensive an attitude. that she would
De glad 70 retire. to her desk, and leave him
master Of the field
Ibis was to be the program. 1t was all to
be done without real vioience-and let Jack
Parker catch him if he could.
So, a little while after school had begun that
morning, he commenced throwing spitballs
seemed entirely obivious of what Norris was
doing
When she had done, she walked up the
aisle to do sums" She was at work a little
back Of Norris, seat, when pop! went ball
and hit Luke Smith on the chin.
At the instant from some mysterious fold
OF Miss Roses dress, 9ew long, tough blue,
beech, and gave several quick slashes around
the shoulders of Norris linen coat, before he
seemed to comprehend. the situation
Then he sprang up and caught at the stick
But the blows came thicker and faster, first
at one point, then at another, until the whole
whip was worn up, and he had not succeeded
IN catching it once.
Norris was defeated, but not conquered, and
he would get the better of her yet, sure as
fate, he told the boys at recess.
So, all day long, while his back smarted, he
pondered some new method of assault; and,
no doubt, Miss Rose would have been equal
to the occasion had nothing suDervened
DuJ dS NOTTlS WeHJ uOIue, ulUtT bCHOOlj SIuuy-
ing at his problem, with bent head, he was
caught by Jack Parker. who held him as if in
one of his own vises.
He carried him into his shop, and laid him
Across his anvil-block
Hand me the hammer" said Jack to his
man, who was working bellows, which
puifed and snorted. and threw the angry
sparks up swapping and cracking.
Jack held Norris IN grip OF steel and led
him to the anvil block.
| -
ris. II didn't do it. | never teched her.
! But she gin me a awful walupin.
| Jack hesitated.
'1ve heard long enough that Norris Thorn
ton was the worst boy in school, and was
/ travelling on as fast as he could to the gallows.
| He'd better die respectable death here at
this present time, and not be allowed to walk
the earth just for worry and nuisance any
longer, never doing any good whatsoever"
Norris twisted his head around and took
sight at Jack. He looked like grimy angel
of retribution, firmly devoted to his work.
| "Oh, MIR. Parker, 1 won't! [ never. will
again! Please emme go this time, and see
ef do. I'll do all / can for mother, and be
a good boy at school. Do, Mr.. Parker let me
up!"
Jack set him off the block and replaced his
| anvil
'If you're in earnest about being good
boy, Norris, l hope you'll live to be regular
Methusaler, and III be the last man to end
your days. But as your present character
stands, the whole community would be glad
to get rid Of you Did you ever think of that,
young man"
"T never knowed how mean / was afore, Mr..
Parker. ] can see it now, and I'm gon to do
better. See ef / don't"
And, really after this Norris went to work
with new set Of faculties that his brain ap-
peared to have in reserve somewhere; and
that was the way it happened that he lost the
reputation of being the worst boy in school.