I had built a play-house for Mary, when Steve, as we called him, leveled it to the ground.

We immediately had a very lively fight, in which I got badly beaten.

The teacher heard of our quarrel and whipped us both.

This made matters worse than ever, as I had received two thrashings to Steve's one; I smothered my angry feelings as much as possible under the humiliating circumstances, and during the afternoon recess built another play-house, thinking that Gobel would not dare to destroy a second one; but I was mistaken, for he pushed the whole structure over at the first opportunity.

I came up to him just as he finished the job, and said: "Steve Gobel, the next time you do that, I'll hurt you." And I meant it, too; but he laughed and called me names.
[Illustration: TWO TO ONE.] At recess, next morning, I began the construction of still another playhouse, and when I had it about two-thirds finished, Steve slyly sneaked up to the spot and tipped the whole thing over.