Polytechnic High School - Caerulea Yearbook (Long Beach, CA)

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wasn't goin' to have any girl in yours, and now you've got one. I don't see how it happened. uVil'ell, she's diHeIent from the real. said Ted. by way of explanation. Is she awful nice? asked a boy With a freckled face and a missing front tooth. Of course she's nice. I wouldn't notice her if she wasn't. was the reply. Bill Summers. who had been silent during this conver nation, now spoke up. She'a nice, in she? Well. not to my idea. She's got carrot hair an' cat eyes. nHer hair isn't carrot colored. replied Tad gallantiy. it's red gold: and her eyes are emerald colored. Well. as 1 have said. she isn't good looking an' what's more, she's a half wilted idiot. UWH'IO said Eu? cried Ted. iiI did. Well, you show what little sense you have by saying so. You know well enough that anybody that says 'think. thank. thunk' like she did, hasn't got much sense, Bill per- Eisted. Yes, but that was my fault, replied Ted. His face Hushed and he was keeping his tamper with an effort. Well, I repeat, said Bill, that she's a homely idiot. It's a lie. I woni! hear another word from you. Quit talking and stand up and Fight like a man if you can. ' th, interposed Pete Green. You can't light here at school. Old Turner '11 lick both of you. Fightin' ain't H! for girls to see. anywayi Wait till after school when you're goin' hams. Ted saw the: wisdom of Pete's speech, Well. I won't Fight now. but we'll go up to the little meadow after schonl. If you'll take back what you said awhile ago, I wonit fight at an. uVVeli, i won't do it, You re scared to fight What I say. I stand by. uA11 right, we'il see how you stand by it after school, answerld Ted. Soon Mr. Turner called the boys and girls in for the afternoon session. The two boys went ini but each silently determined that he would get the best of the other. While the grammar class was reciting. T:d whispered to Victory. Say. Victoryt I'm awfully sorry, but I can't walk home with you tonight. I have to do a little strand in the opposite direction from whete you live. Hm, thought Victory, who wants you to walk home fTwL-nly-Hixl

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Victory. that kind of bshavior is inexcusable in a girl of your age. said Mr. Turner. Victory iooked ashamed and embarrassed. it wasn't her fault. i was bothering her. spoke up Ted. hYou may both see me after school, announced Mr. Turner. The school would have laughed if it had daredo but the teaCher's forbidding frown restrained it. Aftu dismiss- ing school. Turner called Ted and Victory to his desk, Ciearr ing his throat and frowning. he, said. Ted. you are too old to be pulling girls. hair. it disturbs our lessons and is en- tirEIY Ungentiemanly. Victory. any girl of your age should have ermugh dignity not to giggle. Don't do it. it is one of the worst habits of your sex and the one most hatcd by the men. 1 hope in future your behavior will he more womanly. You may 30. Victory Flushed and hung her head as she and Ted left the master's desk, uDon't let that grouchy old bachelor make you feel bad. Victory, whispered Ted comfortingly a! they neared the door. ui'm sorry i pulled your hair. Here. let me carry your book; and waik home with you. Hi-mdon't thinkA-youid better. she answered shyly. Well, all right, I won't if you say so. he said. The next morning; Ted seemed to have forgotten how Victory had received his attentions the night before. He looked at her more than ever. in various ways showing that he was much interested in her. At noon, Miranda and Susie did not ask Victory to eat lunch with them. but walked past her and sat down my der a tree by themselves. Oh, dear, thoughi Victory. nlt'a horrid to have Ted like me. It makes all the girls mad at me Well. if they're that kind, they can stay mad. i Well. Susie. what do you think of the way Ted's act- ing about Victory? i've been nice to him and smiled at him ever since I've been in this here school an he's never paid the least attention to me and then that silly iiitle red headed snip comes along an' he stands up for her in school and talks to hex all the time. I can't understand what he sees in heri said Miranda indignanliy. Don't won'y about that. Goin' with her shows what poor taste he has, rejoined Susie. On a log across the road. the boys were eating heartily and leasing Ted between bites. Pete Green, a bare legged urchin. said inquiringiy. Ted. i thought you didn't like girls. You used to say all you wanted was a good place to fish, an' a swimmin' hole. an' a pony. an' a shot gun. on iTwentyr 1 in

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with me? Nevertheless, she was just a little disappointed. After school. the boys set out to the east. the direction opposite that of their homes. Bi and Ted said little. but the smaller boys were busy guessing who would win the flight. About a half mile from the school house, there was a little meadow close by the road behind some trees. Here the boys stopped. HWE . 1 gueas we might as wen begin, said Ted. Of course you haven't got a chance of winning, but I've got to Fight to stand by my word. an' to show I'm not a COWard. replied Bill. Both boys took off their coats, rolled up their sleeves. and began to tht, while the smaller boys stood around in a ring intently watching. Back and forth Flew the thtels' fists. Soon Bill's nose was bleeding and Ted had received a severe blow in one eye. I'm sorry. but I'm afraid Ted is goini to get the worst 0f it. remarked the boy with the heckled face to Pete Greeni Don't be too sure, Ted's gritty? replied Pete. By this time. Ted's iniured eye was of no use to him. and his hair falling over the other, entirely blinded him for a second. In that second Bill's right Fist shot out. brought up behind Ted's ear and sent him sprawling on the grass. iiDu you give up?' asked Bill. No. I don't give up. and I won't till I've beaten you:I cried Teci defiantly. getting to his feet. Didn't I tell you he was gritty? said Pete in an l-told- you-so tone. The Fight was resumed. Bill became more interested and more angry. and his hats shut out in all directions. but Ted dodged them with agility. After about half an hour. the on- 100kers could see that Bill was becoming tired. Ted watched his Chance. and when he saw Bill was not guarding with his left. he darted at Bill and gave him a telling blow uncier the jaw. Biilis head fell back he staggered, and almost fell. bllt saved himnelf by throwing out his arm and getting a Firm hold on Ted's neck. He swayed forward, and the two ClUtChed. Neither could hit the other. for each was hold- ing the other with hullvdog-hke tenacity. In vain the small boys tried to separate them. The fighters continued to stagv ger back and forth. Things were swimming and darkening before Tedts eyes and he realized that he was very tired. Still the two held on to each other. Then Ted thought of Victory. With a great effort. he wrenched his right arm tree. and summoning all his strength drove his Fist under Bill': jaw. tTwentyJ-ievent