Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1913-02-21
NOT SOCIAL AMENITIES
BY CARL JOHNSON.

They glared at each other much as
though they had just emerged from
savage Businesses, which they had.
On some by-streets in a big city there
is not much time or inclination to OBJ
serve the social amenities. Neither
Clara Nickel, aged twelve, nor Tom
Killer, fourteen, had ever heard Of
them.
Clara's faded calico dress was slit
on one shoulder and her hair, braided
in a tight little pigtail, tied with
white Irvine, had not been combed
and brushed that day. Her pale blue
eyes flashed murderously at her OPP
ponent, who was shock-headed, dirty.
faced and wide of mouth.
you just say that again" he
threatened.
Clara said it.
Thereupon the boy rushed at her,
grabbed one wrist and twisted ii
ferociously, meanwhile yanking her
tow hair with the other hand. Clara
was no docile victim. She saved her
breath and kicked with all her might,
but pain at last conquered her. AS
Tom Killer gave one final, awful
wrench to her wrist and hurled her
from him against the fence she shut
her eyes tight to keep from shrek
ing aloud.
In the distance she heard his re-
treating footsteps and yells Of deri'
sion. When he had turned the corner
she opened her eyes, moaned q trife
and blinked at her hand. Already the
wrist was swelling from the sprain
and her head throbbed from the yank-
ing her hair had received. Clara's
brows grew dark and lowering as she
stared at the corner which had swal.
lowed up her assailant. Her expires.
sion BODIED iii for Tom Killer
Then she struggled on toward home,
holding her wrist and paying no at
tention to the tears which ran down
her cheeks and made little pathways
through the days dust
II bet" she said once with convic'
ton, 81 bet he broke It! It feels like
tan 1t wabbles SOL"
Home was up some stairs in the
rear. Her mother did not look up as
Clara entered, being busy as usual
over her perpetual washtub.
you take up the baby" she or
dered mechanically. As the crying
kept on she whirled about heavily
questioningly.
q can't" Clara told her, holding
out her swollen wrist. Tom Killer
he done it"
When you get licked l lick you
again." her mother promised.
Clara went out upon the stairs and
her face was ugly. This, too, had
Tom Killer done to her. Vengeance
was growing in a food Besides the
present pain there was the whipping
promised her, and her mother never
failed in her promise. Clara slowly
descended the stairs shivering.
She edged along out of the blast
and looked at her wrist obviously. In
the distance she heard yells betoken
ing warfare, and among them she
distinguished Tom Killers shril
voice.
She began looking for a weapon
and pounced on a small but jagged
stone, which she clutched with 8
taste Of her coming triumph. She ant
Tom had had frequent quarrels thai
interrupted their comradeship, but
this of today was the worst and she
felt nothing but hatred. 1t had beer
only a sort OF community friendship
autobiography who lived OF
their street hated the gang that livei
on the next street az duty and sh'
and Tom we're close neighbors. H,
always grabbed the lions share o
everything, and never by any chance
was kind. But he was the leader o
their gang and she had given hin
loyalty.
But she hated him. She fingeret
the stone lovingly In her red, rougl
fingers and her lips narrowed In al
unchildlike way.
She edged around the corner Of tn,
building again out of sight ant
gripped the stone hard. Luckily 1
had been the left wrist he had In
jured. There was the sound Of man
feet and, peering around the corner
Clara beheld the redoubtable Ton
Killer in full fight.
Pursuing him we're six Of the gan,
from the next street. Toms face wa
red and he was painting; there wal
mud on his torn clothes and he bort
evidence Of rough usage.
The gang had caught him OF hi
own territory and started to punisl
him, and now It was intent on catch
ing him to finish the job. II caugh
he would get all that was coming t,
him and pay up Clara's score as vel
as their own.
Clara Nickel raised her arm AM
the light Of battle flashed In her eyes
drying the tears. She leaned forwar,
like a small fury and hurled tn
jagged stone full at the leader Of tn