Gloucester County Democrat., 1911-11-16

place them in his pocket. Ihen ne
took his cap from its peg and without
word or backward glance made for
the door.
.Hould on there Patrick cried, seiz-
ing him. Where ARE We goin'?"
Il don't know said Bob coolly.
"Thin why ARE ye LAWN this time
av night?'
I'm goin' to find a place where
they'll let me pay
For moment Patrick stared help
lessly at his wife and then laughed de-
lightedly. "Ain't he TIL little divil!
Hand tn money to tn ould woman.
Ye stay, Bob"
So Bob established his footing and
won his second battle.
Years passed. and Bob grew In stat
ure, 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. tyranized
over Patrick and Norah. Over Molly
and Kathleen he lorded as absolutely
when he condescended to share their
games He was the pride of the
corner ioafers by reason of his pro-
/ pensity and talent for fighting, and
they delighted to egg him on to combat
with oldei and larger antagonists In
these fights Bob always came off VIC
tor. Willful. masterfuI, intractable, he
caused much worriment of soul to the
elder Films. but neither had the heart
or even the hardihood to chastise him.
Their reproofs mildly administered
were received with an Indifference and
cool surprise that robbed them of all
possible good effect.
| With fear and trembling Patrick
sent him to the ward school. The
fear was justified by the results. The
boy proved himself bright enough to
master his lessons when he chose. 1t
was rarely. however. his choice to
study. He preferred to fight and to
drive his schoolmates into mischief
He became the bully of the school.
His schooling came to an abrupt end
when he was thirteen years old. To
| punish an unusually fragrant act of
insurrection his teacher called in the
aid of the principal, stout, pompous
| young man who was Bob's pet aver
sion. The principal had no more than
seized the rattan when Bob suddenly
snatched it from him and belabored
the astonished pedagogue with it SO
| fiercely that he fed the room in dis
may. Bob then took his cap and bade
farewell to school forever
| 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:
Il take it this time, Pat. because it's
from you. But nobody will ever lick
me again. And now I'm through with
school and papers I'm goin' to hunt
a job"
"Humph!'' returned Patrick. "An'
who'll be hirin' TIL likes av ye, wild
such ripitashun FIR devilry?"
"Oh. I'll get job. all right" Bob
| declared.
The next day Bob entered the con-
fines of Sanger's mills. boldly defying
| the legend. .sNo Admittance Except on
Business" Bob made his way to the
! Office. where cherub in brass buttons
stood guard and demanded TO be
shown into the great mans presence.
He was refused He then threatened
to punch the cherubs head and
evinced such readiness and ability to
put MS threat into execution that the
Office boy at last tremblingly ushered
Bob into the presence of Mr.. Sanger.
The master met the interruption with
a scowl. "Well what can do for
you?' he rasped out
You can give me job" Bob sug-
gested.
Indeed. can ~ the man said tart
ly. sBut suppose don't?"
"Ill have to get one somewhere else.
then. Bob responded cheerfully.
Mr.. Sanger laughed in spite of him
self. You're a cool one. What can
you do?'
WELL" Bob said thoughtfully, Il
didn't think of that I've scrapped and
sold newspapers mostly but | guess !
can do other things just as good.
| do you think you could stand at
that door and keep ont Of this office
impudent boys who have no business
here for $4 week r
| You bet can
"Al right When can you go to
work p
Now" Bob grinned. You might
change your mind by tomorrow"
Bob was as good as his word While
he was on duty he was a brave and
adroit man indeed that reached Mr..
Sanger's presence undesired. Bob also
established mastery over the force
of Office boys and disciplined the re-
fractory with such promptitude and
severity that be reigned a very tyrant.
And from Office corridor to furnace
| x-f, fo,.