The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1910-12-24

rick wanted to know.
Nobody" Bod answered sui
lenly. And no aount of cross-ex-
ANIMATION drew from him informa-
ton as to his former condition or
the identity of Jim Thompson.
1t was months before Bob's
hatred and fear of Thompson sub
sided enough to allow him to tell
the Films of his life in the tene-
ment. Then Patrick sought to
find the boys erstwhile oppressor;
but. luckily for Thompson, it was
too late. The gentleman of mis-
fortune" had disappeared, and
with him vanished the lats posi-
BILE source of information as to
the boys origin.
Years passed and Bob grew in
stature, if not in wisdom, viewing
life from the lowly standpoint of
the newsie, and being thoroughly
spoiled by his friends. 1t was
|strange, the matter-of-fact fashion
in which he tyrannized over Pat
rick and Norah. Over Molly and
Kathleen he lorded as absolutely,
when he condescended to share
their games. He chose his COM
panions to his own taste and not
always wisely, even according to
lax 1rishtown standards. When
not busted at his corner, he fought
and bullied and led them in their
games and in their mischief. He
was the pride of the corner loaf
ers by reason of his propensity and
talent for fighting, and they de-
lighted to egg him on to combat
with older and larger antagonists.
In these fights Bob always came
off victor. Wilful, masterful, in
tractable, he caused much worri-
ment of soul to the elder Firms,
but neither had the heart or even
the hardihood to chastise him.
Their reproofs, mildly administer
ed, were received with an indiffer-
ence and cool surprise that robbed
them of all possible good effect.
Norab took her trouble, like the
good Catholic she was, to Father
O'Brien.
Its not that he's bad, yer Riv-
erince," she explained. Hes not
that. But he's so could and mas
therful. Mebby If yer Riverince
wud spake to tn laad, he'd mind
his ways"
The priest spoke to him. What
took place at that interview has
never been told. Father O'Brien
came from 1t struggling between a
frown and smile.
1.-THE boy Is a caution" he told
Norah. "Hs has a strange spirit
for child so young, hard as iron.
1t is useless, am afraid, to try to
break or mold 1t. l don't under
stand how he came by it, unless it
is the result of early brutality or
rare courage. He is one of the
few who must be left to work out
their own salvation. So don't try
to drive him, Norah. II he'sl
meant for good, it will work itself
out"
With fear and trembling Pat
rick sent him to the ward school.
The fear was justified by the re-
suits. The boy proved himself
bright enough to master his les
he chose. It was
rarely, however, his choice to
study. He preferred to fight and
to drive his schoolmates into mis-
chief. He became the bully of
the school. He was advanced
rapidly from room to room, be-
cause his teachers were always in
haste to be rid of the unwelcome
pupil.
His schooling came to an abrupt
end when he was thirteen years
old. To punish an unusually fla
grant act of insurrection his
teacher called in the aid of the
stout, pompous young
man who was Bob's pet aversion.
The principal had no more than
seized the rattan when Bob sud
denly snatched it from him and be-
labored the astonished pedagogue
with 1t so fiercely that he fled the
room in -dismay. Bob then took
his cap and babe farewell to school
for ever.
BY this feat Patrick was at last
nerved to his duty. That night
he gave Bob a severe thrashing,
which the boy with white face
and set teeth, quietly endured.
When it was over, he said:
81 take 1t this time, Pat, be-
cause it's from you. But nobody
will ever lick me again. And now
I'm through with school and pa
pers. I'm going to hunt a job"
"Humpht" returned Patrick.
can who'll be hirin' tn likes av
We, wild such ripitashun FIR div
ilry?"
20, I'll get a job all right" Bob
declared.
The next day Bob entered the
confines of Sanger's mills, boldly
defying the legend, "No Admit
lance Except on Business" and of
the first workman he met inquired
how to find the boss"
1.-THE boss, is it?" said the work
man. You'll find the foreman
over there"
IT don't want the foreman"
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