He was always ready to fight, and had, perhaps, given some hard knocks in his time; but he sustained his character rather by his talent for bullying, than by any conquests he had won.

On the whole he was a miserable, contemptible little bruiser whom no decent boy could love or respect.

He talked so big about "black eyes," "bloody noses" and "smashed heads," that few boys cared to dispute his title to the honors he had assumed.

Probably some who felt able to contest the palm with him, did not care to dirty their fingers upon the bullying cub.
Sensible people, whether men or boys, invariably despise the "fighting character," be he young or old.

Nine times out of ten he is both a knave and a fool, a coward and a bully.
On the other hand, Tommy Howard was one of those hearty, whole-souled boys, who are the real lions of the playground.