CHAPTER III
BOB HAS A FIGHT
Frank Wernberg was a stocky, light-haired boy with blue eyes and a pinkand white complexion; that is, it was usually pink and white, though thismorning his face was flushed and red. His eyes had a glint in them notusually apparent and his mouth was drawn down at the corners into ascowl. His hair, close-cropped, seemed to bristle more than was its wont;in fact his usual mild-mannered appearance had given way to one ofbelligerency.
"Hello, Frank," said Bob pleasantly.
"Hello," said Frank shortly.
"What's the matter?" inquired Hugh. "You seem to have a grouch."
Something was in the air and the boys felt uneasy in one another'spresence. Usually they laughed and joked incessantly, and Frank Wernbergwas one of the jolliest boys in the school. He was inclined to be stoutand like most fat people was full of fun as a rule. This morning,however, his demeanor was far from happy.
"Why shouldn't I have a grouch?" he demanded angrily. "I've just beentalking to that chump, Jim Scott. He seems to think that any one whodisagrees with him must be wrong."
Bob nudged Hugh. "What was the argument?" he asked.
"The war," said Frank bitterly. "I said I thought Germany was allright, and he tried to lecture me about it. Hasn't a fellow a right tohis own opinion?"
"Sure he has," exclaimed Bob. "Any one can think Germany is all right ifhe wants to, but no one who is an American can side with Germany againstthe United States at a time like this."
"Who says they can't?" demanded Frank flaring up.
"I say so," exclaimed Bob.
"Who are you to tell others what they can do?"
"I'm an American, anyway."
"Well, I'm a better American than you are," cried Frank hotly.
"And you stand up for Germany now?"
"I do, because Germany is right and America is wrong."
The three boys were standing in one corner of the school yard, removedfrom all the others so that the rapidly rising tones of their voicespassed unheard. Their faces were now white and their breath came fast.Hugh had taken no part in the argument thus far, but he stood shoulder toshoulder with Bob, prepared for any emergency.
"And what's more," exclaimed Frank, "this country was forced into war bya lot of men who want to make money out of it."
"You're crazy," said Bob.
"No, I'm not crazy either. Some of those men live right in this town too.I guess you know who I mean all right."
"What do you mean?" demanded Bob in a tense voice. "Name somebody. Isuppose the fact that Germany has murdered a lot of Americans has nothingto do with our going to war."
"Certainly not," said Frank. "It's the men who want to make money."
"Who says so?"
"I say so, and so does my father."
"Huh!" sniffled Bob. "Name one of the men."
"They may get fooled," said Frank darkly. "Something might happen totheir factories and they'd lose money instead of making it."
"What do you mean by that?"
"Oh, you know all right."
"He hasn't named anybody yet," Hugh reminded his friend.
"That's right," exclaimed Bob. "Who are they, Frank?"
"Well," said Frank, "one of the men who thinks he is going to make a lotof money but who may get fooled is--"
"Go on," urged Bob, as Frank hesitated.
"Your father!" snapped Frank suddenly.
Quick as a flash Bob's right arm shot out and his clenched fist caughtFrank squarely on the nose. Hugh started forward as if to help hisfriend, but Bob waved him aside. "This is my affair," he panted.
Whatever else he was, Frank was no coward. Blood was already tricklingfrom his nose and the force of the blow he had received brought tears tohis eyes. He recovered himself almost immediately, however, and with headdown rushed at Bob. Bob was waiting for him and sent a crushing blow tohis opponent's jaw. Again Frank staggered back, but a moment lateradvanced for more.
He was more wary this time, however, and several of Bob's blows missedtheir mark. The boys danced about, each sparring for an opening. Theywere of almost equal size and weight, though Frank was probably a betterboxer. Bob, however, was furiously though quietly angry, and convincedthat the right was on his side had an advantage to that extent. Meanwhilethe rest of the boys, attracted by the noise of the combat were runningfrom all directions to get a close view of the fight. They quickly formeda ring around the two combatants and urged their favorites on. Most ofthem cheered for Bob, he being popular with all, while Frank had not somany friends.
Bob lowered his guard for an instant, and Frank was quick to takeadvantage of the opportunity offered. He dealt Bob a staggering blowdirectly over the left eye; a ring on his finger broke the skin and bloodflowed into Bob's eyes, while a swelling appeared almost immediately. Hefelt no pain, however, and with a yell of rage he rushed at his opponent.He had thrown caution to the winds and consequently Frank drove home twomore good stiff punches to Bob's wet and bleeding face. Nothing dauntedBob clinched and swaying back and forth for a moment they presently fellto the ground. Over and over in the dust they rolled, each one tryingdesperately to get his arms free. The crowd cheered wildly and moved backto give more room to the fighters.
Presently the spectators saw that Bob was on top. He was in betterphysical condition than Frank and this fact was beginning to count. Frankwas short of wind and puffing hard. Bob sat astride him, holding himpinned to the earth with both knees while he pounded his head up and downon the ground.
"Lemme up," said Frank weakly.
Bob bumped him once or twice more for good measure. "Had enough?" heasked.
"Yes," gasped Frank, while the spectators yelled their approval.
Suddenly the cheering stopped and a gap appeared in the ranks of theonlookers. The principal of the school came running toward the spot wherethe fight had occurred.
"What does this mean?" he demanded, much out of breath.
The two fighters picked themselves up slowly. They were smeared withdirt and blood. Bob's collar was torn and Frank's coat was almostripped from his back. Bob's left eye was half closed and rapidlyturning black; Frank's nose was swollen and the skin all scraped offthe side of his jaw.
"We had a fight, sir," said Bob.
"So I see," said the principal, while the crowd snickered.
"He started it," exclaimed Frank.
"I did not," cried Bob hotly, turning half way around as if he wasconsidering pitching into his opponent again.
"We won't discuss that question here," said the principal. "The bestthing for you two boys to do is to get cleaned up and then come and seeme in my office."
He turned away, slowly followed by Bob and Frank and all the rest of thespectators. "Good boy, Bob," whispered Hugh in his friend's ear. "You didhim up all right and he deserved it too." Many others also took occasionto show Bob that they heartily approved of what he had done.
A short time later Frank and Bob stood before Mr. Hewitt, theprincipal. He was a kindly man and well liked by all the boys, even ifthey did love to imitate the way he had of looking at them over hisspectacles. He was always fair to every one and the boys knew theycould expect to be treated justly by him at all times. They respectedhim and looked up to him.
"Well, boys," said Mr. Hewitt, "I'm sorry you had a difference ofopinion."
"That's just what it was, sir," exclaimed Bob quickly.
"Haven't I a right to opinion?" demanded Frank.
"What is your opinion?" inquired Mr. Hewitt.
"Well," said Frank slowly, "I say that the United States is wrong aboutgoing to war with Germany."
Mr. Hewitt glanced at Frank over his spectacles. "I'm afraid I can'tagree with you, Frank," he said. "I don't like war and I don't believemany of our people do either. There is a limit to any country'spatience, however."
"Some people here want war," said Frank.
"Yes," exclaimed Bob. "He said that my father wanted war so he could makemoney out of it."
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bsp; "He's making ammunition for the Government," Frank exclaimed.
"But at cost price," said Bob. "He will lose money if anything."
"I have always regarded Mr. Cook as one of our best citizens and a fineman," said Mr. Hewitt. "I think you must be wrong, Frank."
"I tried to convince him that he was," said Bob, stealing a sidelongglance at Frank's battered features. Mr. Hewitt also looked at Frank anda faint smile flitted across his face.
"People should be careful about what they do and say these days," headvised. "You are very wrong to talk against the United States, Frank."
"I only repeated what my father says," exclaimed Frank. "He knows."
"I'm sure he's mistaken this time," said Mr. Hewitt quietly. "I also hopehe won't talk like that again; people's feelings are easily aroused intimes of war and he might suffer harm."
Frank looked sullenly at the floor and said nothing. Bob held out hishand to him. "Let's shake hands," he said. "We all ought to work togethernow. I'll forget this morning if you will."
Frank made no move. "Come on, Frank," urged Mr. Hewitt. "Do as Bob says,and in the future try to remember that you were born in America, not inGermany. You were born here, weren't you?"
"No, sir," said Frank. "I was born in Germany."
"Well, at any rate remember that you are living in the United States.Shake hands and go back to your work, and I hope you will have nofurther trouble."
Frank somewhat reluctantly shook hands with Bob and they walked out ofthe principal's office together. At the door of the study room Frankturned to Bob. "I shook hands with you then because I had to," hesnapped. "I warn you though, I'll never do it again, and you'll be sorryfor what you did to me this morning. Yes, you and your whole family!"
Bob was completely taken aback by this sudden outburst but before hecould make any reply Frank was gone. Bob walked slowly to his desk,carefully avoiding the glances of the many boys in the room who lookedcuriously at him and his black, swollen eye.
When school closed that afternoon he hurried away as quickly as he could,for he had no desire to discuss the matter with his schoolmates. Aroundthe corner he waited for Hugh and together the two boys started homeward.
"What did Mr. Hewitt say?" asked Hugh.
Bob told him.
"Good for him," exclaimed Hugh. "What did Frank think of that?"
"He was mad," said Bob, and he told his friend of the threat Frank hadmade. Hugh was silent for some time.
"We must watch him pretty closely," he said at length.
"Yes," Bob agreed, "and his father too."