The Detroit tribune. (Detroit, Mich.) 1935-1966, 1940-08-24
BY JACQUELYN PRICE

knees beside the bed. II you can
call an earnest plea a prayer. theu
! can say ! prayed, for | only re.
member stammering one sentence
PLEASE God, make me a man,
amen"
The next day was Thursday and
our general science class went IN
an excursion around the school In
search OF insects. Mr. Felps Che
was the teacher) waddled along
with the girls in front while me
and some other boys, including
Tuck and his gang. loitered be-
hind. 1t was just like Ike to dis
cover or think he was discovering
a nest OF mosquitoes breeding in a
pool of water made by the storm
last night, so we bent over AL
trying to see II at the same time.
blurted out that l didn't see any
mosqitoes and didn't believe there
were any. only to which somebody
said: Look closer. Skinney. you'll
see 'em-little biddie things era WI
in around" l did look and still
failed TO see any little biddie
things.
"G'wan an look. What's the mat
ter. goin' blind. fast as you're get
ting glamorous?'
l Strengthened up--or / started
to, but a smart alex gave me sud
den vicious shove and | fell Gas
obviously intended) right In the
middle OF the pool, and amid hail
OF hoarse laughter. didn't ask
who pushed me. or who made the
crack. just started straight at
tuck. | was hoppin' mad. | was
so mad l didn't realize what | was
doing until IT was done. oh, yes.
! was scared q remembered my
legs felt weak as a cup OF coffee
three-fourth water) but I was clad
100 for | was vaguely conscious Of
the fact that ! was doing exactly
what Nickie had said | wouldn't do.
nghting, but only 10 settle an old
score with six or more over-grown
penguins. II was them against me
put l didn't care, not even about
running my pretty face.
just calmly let HUE Tucker
taste enough claws in the face. and
Kicks In the shins and needle-sharn
pokes In the belly until he whi,n-
pered for mercy. But ! wasn't
through yet--Oh no, not bv long
shot ] grabbed the longest thirI,-
est, juciest branch available at the
Time. twirls It around my fast an
proacning opponents (who infer
tunately were in the way and e,t
Knocked foolish) and deliberately
allowed II TO fall with tremen-
dous crack. and a resounding thud
against the back OF Hewitt ]. Tuck
er. He tumbled into the pool. oniv
70 lay there grooming in no man-lily,
manner.
Tnen as II from nowhere Vicl,ic
was beside me, with the happiost
proudest smile on her face imag.
Unable.
Joe. you did IT," she breath ii
Jubilantly, you really did hght. I'm
so proud OF you. Joe. but the he's.
part is - you'll never be agraId
again: Just think, you'll never he
AFRAID to nght again, And even
mo you have got a bad scratch
across your nose now - ohooo
look. Felps Is coming!"
Our plump Gs. teacher came
bouncing up with the girls scream
Ing at HIS heels. took one glance
and swooned. Tuck was still groan-
ing In the pool. while the other fe,-
lers rubbed sore backs and heads.
Somewhere amid the excitement |
heard Millicent Doogal whisper
dryly. who did Il. I mean that?'
She indicated that scene. Mr.. Felps
had Just tainted at the sight OF.
Don't you know yet? sklnney
Wilson, OF course, and all by HIM
self. I didn't know he was so tough
before, did your"
mo. but I'll give money TO see