The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-04-22
D
II FROM
BAD BOY STE..-
Interest of Teachers Helps
to Reform Lad Branded
as Near InCorrigibIe.
Tommy was just plain bad.

Tommy was just plain bad.
His classroom language would
have done credit to an accomplished
mule skinner. He delighted in
throwing rocks at passing motorists,
and he was a petty thief.
1t seemed to his teachers that
there was no hope for him.
But now-well, now. you Just
wouldn't recognize him as the same
boy.
Tommy-thats not really his
name-isn't angelic, yet, but who
wants TO be a little Lord Fauntle-
roy?
The story Of Tommy's reformation
is one that makes his teachers,
principal and Mics Kate Huber of
the school social service department,
swell with pride.
Given Poor Start
Tommy got off to a poor start in
life. His father dead, deserted by
his mother, he was rescued from an
orphanage by his grandmother,
WasherWonan.
He waS left to his own devices
quite a lot-and he had lot of de-
vices-and vices-none of which was
calculated to contribute to peace
of the neighborhood.
1t was his habit of playing truant
that began the new era.
Tommys teacher and the social
worker investigated to learn why he
played hockey so often and why he
swore at his teacher and class
mates.
They tried to get him in a Boy
Scout troop, but he wasn't wanted
there.
Does Petty Stealing
While they we're studying his case
he broke into a popcorn stand, pill
fered articles from a garage and
snatched a woman's purse, landing
in juvenile court, where later he
was released on probation.
1t was decided to transfer him to
another school, where his reputa-
ton wasn't known, and he wouldn't
have a rep" to which he would
have to live up or down.
There, sympathetic teacher dis
cerned a slight interest in poetry.
She helped him write some jingles
Next, she found he liked to draw
pictures of trees and other outdoor
things. This was encouraged.
His morale was strengthened
with a complete outfit of new
outfit of new clothes, replacing his
tatters. He was mighty proud of
them and went straight home from
school to take them off and save
them for school,
Tommy was beginning to act more
like good citizen, and he was show
ing more interest in his studies. He
even wanted to sit on the front
row.
Keeps His Bargain
So his teachers made a bargain
with him He was to be a good
school citizen and in return was to
NC JdhGu W bllC lOp Va CA4C OOANACAo
and Sailors monument.
Tommp kept his part of the bar
gain, except for few slips.
So Tommy, Miss Huber and the
teacher went downtown and |
climbed to the top of the Monu-
ment. He was delighted with the
trip.
His happy hostesseS next helped |
him to buy box of candy for his |
grandmother, and then took him to
a bank, where he met the officers
and saw huge vaults where the
money is kept.
He was all smiles and very polite, |
and didn't curse once.
Then He Skids
shat deserved an extra reward,
so Miss Huber took him to the
ball park. She liked baseball and
so did Tommy. The games was ex-
citing. 1t was the ninth inning, the
score tied.
Tommy, inwardly excited, re-
NAMED silent. The winning run
was on third. There was slide,
a cloud of dust at home plate-and
the runner was out.
Then Tommy had to give vent to
feelings.
"Oh, hell" he said, disgustedly.
He blushed and apologized, but
to1