MATTIE'S CHRISTIAN PAGES

There was a boy named Teddy who was known as the town bully. Mothers wouldn't let their children play with Teddy because they always came home with a bloody nose, black eyes, skinned knees. He pulled the little girls' hair and made them cry each time they played with Teddy.

A girl named Beckie, who lived on the other side of the town, had no mother to guide her and tell her who she could "come and go with" as she wanted to until her father came home from work.

Beckie came up where Teddy was gently patting a straggly dirty cat. Teddy, not aware Beckie was listening to his talking to the cat said, "We have something in common, you and I! No one loves us!" Beckie heard Teddy say.

Teddy, now aware someone was watching just a moment before, threw the cat at Beckie with his toughie attitude. "I'm going to black you eyes for you and bloody your nose!" Teddy said. But Beckie never backed off, not even an inch! Beckie's father always took time to take her to church and Sunday School. She said, "I love you and Jesus loves you, too!"

Teddy began to cry! Beckie and Teddy played together every afternoon. Soon the other children saw the change in Teddy and joined in their fun and games. Beckie's Sunday School class had several more added to class each Sunday!