The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-09-12
BY HENRY RUSSELL MILE
COPYRIGHT, l91O BY
BY BOBBS TIE BRILL co.

COPT kIGHl, IS lo , 61.
 (Continued.)
 Years passed, and Bob grew, in stat are, if not in wisdom, viewing life from the lowly standpoint of the newsie and being thoroughly spoiled by his friends. It 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 loafers by reason of his pro- pensity and talent for fighting, and they delighted to egg him on to combat with older and larger antagonists. In these fights Bob always came of vic tor. Willful. masterful. intra ctable, he caused much worriment of soul to the elder Films, but neither had the heart or even the fardihood 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. It 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 insurrcction his teacher called in the aid of the principal, a stout, pompous young man who was Bob's pet aver sicn. The principal had no more than seized the rattan when Bob suddenly snatched 1t from him and belabored the astonished pedagogue with it so fiercely that he fled 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. atxsnight2 he gave Bob a severe thrashing. which the boy, with white face and set teeth, quietly endured. When it was over he said:
 "I 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. Pm goin' to hunt job"
 "Humphw returned Patrick. "An' i who'll be hirin' tn likes av ye, wid such a ripitashun fir devilry?'
 ooh, I'll get job, all right" Bob declared
 The next day Bob entered the con- i fines of Sanger's mills, boldly defying !, the legend, "No 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 cherub's head and evinced such readiness and ability to put his 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 I do for 2 you?' he rasped out.
 You can give me job." Bob sug- gested.
 Indeed. can IT' the man said tart ly. ''But suppose don'tT
 "Fll have to get one somewhere else, then," Bob responded cheerfully.
 Mfr. Sanger laughed in spite of him self. You're a cool one. What can you do?"
 Well" Bob said thoughtfully, 'T didn't think of that. I've scrapped and sold newspapers mostly, but I guess I can do other things just as good"
 Do you think you could stand at that door and keep out of this office 1mpudent boys who have no business here for $4 week?"
 You bet I can"
 "All right. When can you go to work?'
 'sNow," Bob grinned. "You might change your mind ky tomorrow"
 Bob vas as good as his word. While , he was on duty he was a brave and : adroit man indeed that reached Mir. Sanger's presence undesired. Bob also established a mastery over the force of office boys and disciplined the re- fractory with such promptitude and severity that he reigned a very tyrant. And from office corridor to furnace and rolls was a short step for him.
 When he came to mans estate he had learned the hard, cruel lesson of the steel he forged.