The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1949-02-03
The Twerp Turns
-,
By WILLIAM !. MURDOCH
Mcclure Nowsraper Syndicate.
WNU Features

tired Of being picked on His wife,
his employer - oh. eerccially his
employer! - his fellow workers,
bus drivers - they all dished it out
to him. Lucius knew why, too. He
was a Weall-bneed sissy-and looked
and acted it.
He didn't even have enough gunp-
ton to order his youngest. John
ny, and that Rodney kid from down
the street to take their argument
elsewhere They were around the
side Of the house, no:sily squab-
bling, ably abetted by their yelp-
ing dogs. Lucius wanted a little
peace and quiet before returning
to the Office for the afternoon.
Mr.. Ralston had called him down
in front Of the whole office again
that morning simply because he had
posted the right sums in the wrong
ledger. Mr.. Ralston had a peculiar
way of bawiing out people. He
smiled and uttered Wisecracks-but
he wasn't kidding
Stems, you funny-looking little
twerp," Mr.. Ralston said. bang
ing the ledger down on Lucius' s
desk. 4 ought to make you eat
this!' And after Mr.. Ralston had
Wisecracked Lucius into red-faced
humiliation, the big, bluff owner of
Raiston's Pickle Works stalked
away and left his billing clerk to
writhe under the smirks and winks
of the other employees.
Slowly Lucius rocked the swing,
blinking his Watery blue eyes. If he
were only half a mamie sighed
again, and dozed off.
What Taught" The sharp words
made Lucius's eyes pop open. 1t
was that Rodney kid THAT funny
looking little shrimp couldn't lick a
fea."
Say that againl" That was John
ny, and the vigor with which the
youngster snapped out the chal-
lenge made Lucius's heart bump.
Could-could it be that he had a
champion after all? "You just say
that again and I'll show you who
can lick who!"
II said he's a funny-looking little
shrimp and can't lick a-ow"
The braWl was on, and Lucius
peered over the swing in time to
see Johnny pursuing the Rodney kid
down the street, both believing At
the top of their lungs. Lucius bounded
to his feet. By George, this was just
what he needed-a champion, some
one to back him up! He'd had no
idea little Johnny would take up so
fercely for him. That put the old
starch in the backbone, all right.
Lucius felt like a new mana
whole one. He paraded across the
porch. jerked the screen door open
and snatched his old felt hat from
the hook. 'Doris!" he cried in a
sort Of scratched roar. Doris, III
be home at five-thirty and I want
supper on the table" He had read
that in a book once, and it sounded
swell. Hear me? Five-thirty!'
Mrs. Stems thrust her head
around the living room doorway in
anazement. Are you talking to"
''To you" Lucius said. suddenly
so angry that he trembled. He had
to justify Johnny S faith. I'm tired
of being treated like a hired man
Five-thirty-and don't forget it,"
Lucius tingled with triumph. But
what if he were still asleep in the
swing? He pinched himself and it
hurt-and he was glad. His conf
dence sWelled as he rode downtown
and by the time he reached the Of
flee he was nearly bursting with
the new spirit he had found through
Johnny
He went directly to Mr.. Ralston S
office. Mr.. Ralston," he said
politely but positively, you've got
to stop insulting me before the
whole Office. I make mistakes-ev-
eryone here does. But l work hard,
too, and not everyone here does
that. If you don't like my work, get
rid OF me. But" and here Lucius
shook his finger at Ogle-eyed MIR.
Ralston, 4 won't take any more
insults from anyone"
He stood back, waiting for his en-
ployer to say something - and Lu-
cius really didn't give two whoops
what it was. But it was good.
''Steems, - Mr.. Ralston said final
ly, cts about time you showed
some spirit. I deserved that call
ing down - and I'll raise you Is
bucks a month just to show you
there's no hard feeling"
Eyes, sir" Lucius went back to
his desk But, before he sat down,
he elaborated on his little speech to
his fellow workers. And no one
talked back or even smirked.
It was wonderful day, the hap
piest for Lucius in long, long
time. And he knew he owed it all
to his Johnny. So perhaps it is just
as well he never learned Of the con
versation between mis- wife and
Johnny after he came home that
afternoon. Never demonstrative in
his affection, he simply patted the
boy on the head, noted that supper
was on the table and went upstairs
to wash
johnny" Mrs. Stems whis-
pered anxiously, johnny, what's
happened to your father all Of a
sudden? Do you know what's got
into him."
"Huh? Dad? Shuchs, he seems
. the same to me, =" Johnny said light
ly. Hes o. K, isn't he? Say, Ma, -
he added Indignantly, you know
what the Rodney kid said to me