The adventures of a beggar boy [series]

Title

Creator

Pena, Julio Cesar

Language

English

Source

The Young Citizen. I (6) July 1935

Year

1935

Subject

Children stories

Rights

In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted

Fulltext

'48 THE YOUNG CITIZEN Julu, 19J'i Chapter four TONIO'S FIRST FIGHT W IN DING in and out of the irregular rows of shacks and sheds that had been built without pattern or form on the water-edge of the Tonda beach, Tonio made his way slowly to the sea. His mind occupied with the i.mage of the woman of his previous night's dreams, he did not notice the group of beach urchins that had formed a circle on his very path. "Hoy, Amb6, see how stuck-up that beggar boy is? He would not even glance in our direction," one of the boys said. "Yes, Ikong, I see. He shall pay fo1· high-hatting us. Come boys, we shall lay out our plans." Tonio waded into the water and walked on until he reached a small island which appeared at low tide. With both hands and feet, he shoveled the sand in search of paro1!. In less than half an hour his basket was half-full of the small mussels. "Hey, Tonio, how would you like to have a refreshing drink of coconut water? If you go with us, I shall let you have as man~· nuts as you can pick." This offer came from Amb6. The boys had planned to take Tonio to a private lot and to set dogs upon him. "Thank you," Tonio answered meekly. "My Lo/o is expecting me now." And he THE ADVENTURES OF A BEGGAR BOY by Julio Cesar. Pena got up and started homeward. Suddenly his way was blocked by two of the boys, Ikong and Amb6, who had sta1ted fighting for no apparent cause. Tonio turned his steps toward anothe1· direction, but his way was blocked again by the fight·· ing boys and the spectators. Ikong was holding a stick but wa~ not using it against his adversary. He turned to Tonio holding out the stick, and said in a pleading: tone, "Tonio, please hold this for me. I will teach Amb6 a lesson." Baffled and not knowing what else to do, Tonio took hold of the end of the stick proffered to him. No sooner had he held it than he had to drop it. The end of the stick was smeared with carabao manure. A volley of laughter and howls broke from the gang who danced and leaped with cruel mirth. "Lick your fingers," shouted Amb6. "Smell them. What is the scent, kananga?" jeered another. Poor Tonio rubbed his hands with sand and rinsed them thoroughly with sea water. He was choking with rage, but he was helpless. If he were big enough to fight. he would show them ! "Come and box me," challenged Ikong. "Or, I will match you with one of your size," another shouted. Tonio swallowed the lump in his throat. He gritted his teeth and held back the tears that threatened to flow from his brimming July, 1935 THE YOUNG CITIZEN 149 eyes. He consoled himself by recalling hi.s Lalo's admonition that he must not get into a scrape. With lips set and head held high, Tonio started toward the shore. · "Hey yellow-biled, running home to mother? Stay longer. There is plenty of fish in the fishermen's bancas for a bakaw," yelled Amb6. "Why do you have to dig up for mussels? You always have two fresh oysters in yom· Lolo' s eye-sockets." Beastly shouts of glee from the gang hailed the last taunt hurled by Ikong. Tonio, who had made up his mind to maintain his self-control, suddenly flew into a rage and threw himself against Ikong, who was much bigger. Taken unawares, Ikong was scratched on the breast. But Tonio was severely punished for the scratch. He emerged from the melee badly bruised. He walked home permit me. He does not want me to fight." - "You don't have to tell him now. Later when you are able to support him with your own earnings and defend him with your own fists, you may tell him all. How prourl he would be of you, then," the other pt1·suaded. He introduced himself to Tonio as Mr. Borja. "Think it over, my friend. Every boy has to learn to fight. I'll be here tomorrow afternoon. I am sui·e you will find it to your advantage to accept my offer," Mi·. Borja finished, tapping Tonio on the shoulder. Tonio could not explain why the men were repellent to. him. In spite of their . app~rent interest in his welfare, Uw thought of his some day being able to supaching all over but proud · ~-----------~--~---~...,.,----.,.-, for having fought for a cause. For to him, no , ,'\ greater cause there was than to defend the honor of his Lolo. No one could insult his Lolo or refer to him slightingly and get away with it. When Tonio reached the shore, he was accosted by two young men. They exp1·essed their sympathy for him for the licking Pe had 1·ecei ved from the hands of the young beachcombers. One Qf them offered to give him boxing· les~ons. "Only an hour every afternoon," he coaxed. "Yes," joined the other, "and we shall also train you in a gainful but easy occupation. You will not have to beg nor to dig up for paras." "Thank you, Sil·s, but my Lolo will not port his Lolo tempted him to accept the pruffered help. Then, too, he would be able to go to school! He forgot the pains from the beating. "I will think it ove1·," he decided, and left the men. (Who are these men? Will they pro,·e to be true friends? Read the next chapte!' of "The Adventures of a Beggar Boy" in the next issue of "The Young Citi.zen".)

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