The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1908-12-05


step OF the tenement-houss stairway to
NJ seek solace in decentralization. 1t
was here that he usually commune6
with himself. reasonably certain OF be-
ing undisturbed. Outside was the world whers
every hand raised against him; upstairs, IN
their fiat Aunt Elsa, who was cross and VINO
would not understand and Father. who must never
be disturbed. That was the whole trouble: no
BODY wanted to understand or lie disturbed
Nathan had learned from experience not to tell
hia troubles to anyone any more Always the
grown ups said he ''touchy' or, as the schoo-'
teacher nut it. "supersensitive." He had searched
out the latter In the dictionary and arrived at the
conclusion that both meant about the same And
anyhow they always laughed at him. That was
1t exactly; everybody always made run no matter
what.
Wouldn't he like to thin like other boys and
have everybodys respect? There was the 1n1us-
tice Of IT, it something he couldn't help.
Nathan surveyed his corpuent form with in
tense loathing. He had come to despise his body
as the cause Of all his inward SUFFERING No won
der most everybody called him Fatty" II only
he had been a cripple instead. or course they
couldn't get around any quicker than he; but then
nobody laughed at cripples. Nor they didn't PICK
them either
good home? or course he had It.. And fine
clothes? Sure! But what good were they! Ihey
only made the Rivington Street gang add the in
suit of dude" Aunt Elsa didn't know how cruel
It was to fix him up SO fancy and make him wear
big white collars. Once he had spoken about 1t;
Gut she had declared. for all, that the son or
\ rich retired rabbi must be credit to his father
nublic school except that it brought reward in
spending money? Really 1t was not to his credit;
could have been playing with otnef Doys aS
he'd rather do. he wouldn't have SO much time TO
read and study. Besides. it drew persecution upon
awarded an excellent certificate" the gang had
tackled him because they said he was teachers
pet"
Teachers pet! Gee, If they only knew. Ma
Nathan opened his geography and snatched the
despised certificate. Then he tore it into shreds
and raised himself to throw the pieces over the
banister.
At that moment there was a burst Of shrill
shouts up the street. Obviously they came from
a crowd of boys who were running. Nathan's ex-
perienced ears could plainly distinguish the tones
of derision and batting OF course they were after
him! He grabbed up his books and prepared for
fight.
The shout was unfamiliar and wonder held Ma
than long enough to see couple of pebblessbounce
door. Then boy up and to sudden
stop The boy was stranger. Also he was very.
With bewildering rapidity the boy deftly bal
anced a loaf of bread on his left arm, then raised
his right and hurled stone back at his pursuers.
There sudden yell of agony and the cries
Of derision changed Immediately to a murmuring
babel The new boy shouted a taunt "Muckers!"
Impudently. he twirled his fingers at his nose and
then stalked compacently into the hallway
Curiosity and excitement overcame Nathan's nat
ural caution.
Watts der matter?" he called over the railing
The boy wheeled nervousy and raised his
to repel unexpected attack. Then he who
arm and the look Of relaxaton that fooWed o the
significance OF the semi-grin that accompanied his
quick scrutiny was apparent and Nathan's heart
sank. But they scanned each other candfdly
as juveniles do, he grew to like the looks of that
boy First of all, he was thin-as thin, almost
as Nathan fat-and he looked agile as cat
And then the blue eyes that peered out from under
the tangled fringe seemed kindly; and did
expansive mouth and freckled,' upturned nose.
You're the boy that lives upstairs" said the
newcomer with the directness of youth; they
you Fatty What's your real name?"
manner.
Mines Mutually, volunteered that delightful
morning to the second rear. Cause rents is cheap
I'm from the Bronx"
so? SAID Nathan. politely. I'm from K,sn.
nef. vich iss In Russia. six years ago. after my
mot'er vas killed. We LII here because fa'ter bass
no English unit Russia ISIS spoke much here
THE gang tackled me-" continued Bill, IAN l
soaked big red-headed stin with a rock"
its Reddy Frankie" explained Nathan anxious
seen M said Bill pn' Wh n0 don't y y,ue doase
the big ones and lick the little kids when they're
alone?"
How" queried Nathan with a despairins ses-
ture. Der vich lick cannot run
away from. unit dose can lick ISIS too fast for
to ketch.'
The boy looked at him gravely.
You are awful fat" he decided: but there
not the faintest tinge of mockery in his voice.
kind of fabby all over. I'm awful skinny but
kin get around quick.
skinny" Amusement blended with aamira-
ton In Nathaa's voice. IVY. it ISIS grand Efry-
body makes fun nit boy dot ISIS fat Efry-
body laughs; efen viusnea vich makes sorry nit
otter boys"
Bill grnned acpgeciatively, then orered polite
socce.
N,re 90 he said. The gang'n do me up
r IN they kctch There's too many OF EN-
- almost burst in his He
leaned far the balustrade.
Say he CALCULATED peadugly, let US be pard-
nors, Let's make little gang of our own-jus.
Us two
rcsacse TIE other old not answer quickly enough
he aurs. into food Of alluring Inducements:
i viii share up efryting nit you unit you need
not do it nit ne. kaf an air rifle unit you shall
sl.oot ii Unt vii buy der bullets. Unit you shall
be der iea1er OF Ger gang unit will co anything you
wish. INT | viii 10 all your lessons; am very
geo NIT books Say VIII you-go on!-vil you 20
Tie new boys interest had heightened percept-
ib'~
sire" he said with assumed care,essness II
:, don't What kind of rifle Is 1t? II ain I
e broke, is it? I'm rotten ct lessons