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

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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

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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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The big fellow yelled. relaxed his hold on Ted, and Collapsed on the grass. uDo you take back what you said about Victory? aska ed Ted as he stood over Bill. 1' have to,' thought Bill. He's got the beat of me. Yes-I take it back. You c'n have your old carrot-top, for all I care. All right. Hereafter don't tell lies. and when you can't say anything good. keep your mouth shut. Help him up, boys, and let's be going. ItIs late. I can git up myself. rctortcd Bin. He rose slowly, turned his back on them and left them. Bill went home alone. while Ted was escorted by the smaII crowd of ad- mlrers. The next day. Ted returned to school, but BiII was no- where in sight. After Mr. Turner had called the roll he di- rected hi: frown to Ted. I see by your black eye. skinned cheek. and bruised ear. that you have been fighting. I ob serve that Bi Summers is absent, a very unusuai thing. Did you fight with Bill Summers? IIYes. sin' Victory looked at Ted. So that's the reason why he couldn't walk home with me. I diant know he was a lighter, Oh. clear, he isn't half as nice as I thought he was. You know, Ted, tI'lal Eghting is contrary to my ruIeg,h Mr. Turner's voice continued It is very brutal and un- gcntlemanly. Wen. sir, I think it's gentlemanly when you're fighting for a girl. Bill said things about Victory I wouldn't stand for. He wouldn't take back what he said, so I fought him. Miranda and Susie looked enviously at Victory. and she blushed. Mr. Turner coughed and said, u'IXrI'eII, I admin .3 woman in the case makes a difference. Nevertheless. if Bill comes back I 5113 whip you both. Now let us get to work. Bill never came back. so Ted did not receive his whip- pmg. At the end of the day, Ted said, Victory, can I walk home with you? She looked at her shoes and twisted her Fingers. Then raising her eyes to his, she answered demurely. Whyuyes.hif you want to. C. JOE SMITH. '15. ITwentyrlCighn