.

Tip TOP WEEKLY

“An ideal publication for the American Youth.

 

 

 

Tesued Weekly—By Subscription $2.50 per year, Entered as Second Class Matter at the N. Y. Post Ofice by StREET & SmiTH,
NEW YORK, SEPTEMBER 1 7

 

 

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?

 

 

 

 

 

TO NTS ates ee eae
2 iit search 28

 

FRANK MERMWele

“THEN, SIR,’’? SAID FRANK, CALMLY; “*THE KMPLOYEES ®F THIS ROAD WILL STRIKE IN A BODY.’”

 

 

 

 
+b EWU Aare Uf.

 
“AN IDEAL PUBLICATION FOR THE AMERICAN YOUTH.”

Tie Tor WEEKLY.

Issued Weekly—By Subscription $2.50 ner year,
&t.; Ne Ye

Entered as Second Class Matter at the N, Y. Post Office. StREET *& Smiru, 81 Fulton
Entered Aceording to Act of Congress, in the Year 1898, in the Office of the Librarian of Congress, ¥ ‘ashington, D.C.

 

No. 127

 

NEW FORE, september 17, 868.

Price Five Cents.

 

ee of This Number.

FRANK MERRIWELL ON STRIKE; or, Saving the Eucmy’s Property’ +

WHY? WHY? WHY?
CORRESPONDENCE
AMATEUR JOURNALISM -
APPLAUSE - -

Frank Merriwell on Strike:

’

AVING THE ENEMY’S PROPERTY

By the Author of ‘‘FRANK MERRIWELL,

CHAPTER I.
THE STOCKHOLDERS’ MEETING.

A meeting of the stockholders of the
Blue Mountain Railroad was taking
place. The superintendent of the road,
Emery Eaton, was addressing the meet-
ing. ;
*‘Gentlemen,’’ he said, in his ponder-
ous way, ‘‘you all know that during the
past two years this road has made a semi-
annual dividend of eight per cent. ‘That
is doing well. In fact, it is doing ex-
tremely well in these times. I know the
road has done better than that, but times
were better, business was better, the

country in general was more prosperous.
Considering the general depression
througout the country, I think it is a
: record to satisfy everybody—a record to

be proud of. When business starts up,
when prosperity returns, this road, I
firmly believe, will do better than ever
before. ”’ gee
He paused a moment, cleared his throat
and let his eyes slowly wander over the
atray of faces before him. He seemed to
be considering just how to express him-
self the most effectively in the fewest
words. | wd
‘“‘T am not in favor of this proposed re- |
duction of wages,’’ he resumed. .
present time we are running this road ©
with the smallest number of employees
possible, and the total amount of the pay —
roll has been reduced to a considerable
extent, while, at the same time, the men _
are required to work harder—to put in~
more houts. As you must understand,
this is not satisfactory to them, and i

ae NEW PREMIUM OLE WILL ae NEXT WEEK,

 

“At the |
2 TIP TOP WEEKLY.

has caused no small amount of discon-

tent.

“There is another trouble, which I
will lay before you later. Just now I
wish to say that I believe this cut of
wages will arouse the employees of the
road as nothing else has, Iam afraid it
will bring about serious trouble. We
should go slow at this particular time,

gentlemen. I believe the road will do as

much business in the year to come as it ,

| has during the past year. If prosperity
returns to the country, it will do more.
If anything should happen to disturb
traffic on this road, our rival, the F. B.
& Y., would prosper by it, and might
when it was oyer hold enough of our
business to damage us materially.

‘*Now, matter

gentlemen, think this

over seriously before you vote for the re-

duction. Do not do anything that you
will regret in the end. You know I have
labored hard for the prosperity of the
road, aud I shall continue todo go as
long as I retain my present position. I]
believe in this have ex-
ptessed satisfaction as to what I have
done. You may be sure that I am urging
| you to pursue the course that I believe
will be the best for the B. M. R. I thank
| you for your expression of confidence.’’
Tien he sat down.
Immediately another man arose, a man
even fleshier than the superintendent.
He had a cold-blooded eye and a coarse
| face. Before he began to speak he
laughed, and that laugh was a gurgling
| insult to the last speaker.

meeting you

‘‘Haw!?’ he said, thrusting his thumbs
into the lower pockets of the vest that
| coyered his bloated stomach. ‘““Haw! Mr.
Eaton is timid. He is amusing. I am
surprisel—yes, gentlemen, surprised. I
thought he had more firmness, wiore
courage, inore sand. Haw! It is remark-
ab aia a man who fills sucha position

laborers
beneath him—the cattle who work under
his command, I regret that Mr. Eaton
such weakness—yes, gentle-
men, I fegret'it more than I can express.
The superintendent of a railroad should
be stable as the
hard as adamant.

should be afraid of the coimmon

has shown

hills, firm as granite,
Haw! Otherwise he is
capable of filling the position he
holds.”

not

This was a thrust, direct, venomous.
Emery, Haton knew it, but he did not
wince. He knew Darius Conrad, and he
was awate that Conrad, who once favored
him and aided him in obtaining the posi-
tion he held, had turned against him and

jas his enemy.

Darius Conrad wanted no men in office
on the Blue Mountain Railroad that he”
could not control. He had been unable to
bring Emery Eaton into some of
schemes; hence'he hated Eaton.

It was said that Conrad controlled so
much stock that he was the ruling power
of the road. It was believed that all the
officials feared him and bowed to _ his
mandate. It was not known that Emery
Eaton neither feared him nor cowered
before lim. '

his

Conrad was clever. Hedid not come
out at once and attempt to bring about
Kinery Katon’s removal from the position
of superintendent. Mr. Eaton had made
a good record, and Conrad must not show
that he wished him ousted because of a
personal spite.” He resolved to work his
point in some other manner.

It was Darius Conrad who first pro-
posed the reduction of wages on the road,
and he believed he had worked the turn
in such a manner that he could carry a
inajority of the stockholders with him.
He had hoped Haton would oppose it;
his desire was gratified.

There was a stir among the stock-
holders at Conrad’s plain words. There

TEL ee oon ‘ABOUT | “TRUE BLUE.’ n ay

 
—tHvideud.

TIP TOP WEEKLY. 3

was a imurimur, and they looked at one
another, soime blankly, some wondering-
ly, a few knowingly.

Conrad himself was not satisfied with
the effect of his words on Eaton. He
gurgled in his thick throat, and then
went on:

“While we have been able to declare a
dividend, what else have we done. ‘Thie
rolling stock of this road has depreciated
in value during the last year. Nota
doubt of it. The road is not as well
equipped as it was a year ago.
it be next year? We
in the very best shape.
declare a dividend? Can we do it without
perhaps not.

How will
niust put the road
Can we do it and

an assessment? Perhaps so;

‘“‘But another fact, indis-
putable, stares us in the face. The value
of the stock has fallen steadily during the
past year. It has done so despite the
From 127 3-4 it has dropped
to 106. Haw! Why has this happened?
Tell me, gentiemen, tell me. Here i
mystery. If this thing keeps up, good old
B. M. R., considered as solid as thie hills,
will drop below par.

“T tell you, gentlemen, the time has
come for us to cut expenses in every pos-
sible direction. If the
common laborers on the road do not like
it, let them leave. Their places will be
filled. No need to worry about that.
Thousands of inen are waiting for posi-
tions in these times.
ingmen are scarcely more than cattle at
best. Somebody must suffer for this de-
pression of business. It is for youto say,
gentlemen, whether it shall be the labor-
ers on the-road or yourselves. Unless
you are very foolish, I know in advance
what you will say.

“As for Mr. Eaton—haw!—I hope he
will be reasonable—and firm in the dis-
charge of his duty. He should not show
such surprising weakness. The position

alarining,

sa

It must be done.

The average work-

he holds cannot be filled properly by a
weak That’s all. Iam done. I
think I have said enough.”

He plumped himself down on his chair
with a jolt, looking supremely self-satis-
It was plain that he thought he had
clinched the whole business.

man.

fied.

Mr. Emery arose at once. He stood up
with dignity in his bearing;,he spoke
caliualy.

“J did not intend to say anything
uiore, gentlenen,’? he began, slowly;
“‘but Mr. Conrad has made it necessary |
that I should. His language certainly
was plain enough. Ishall talk plainly.
It is evident that, for
Mr. Conrad
makes it necessary,
First, I will take up
made by him.

‘*He asks why BL M. R. stock has
dropped froin 127 3-4 to 106. ‘There are
two reasons for the drop. - The first is
that with the new extension of the F. B.
& Y., which is to be completed in the
spring, it is thought that road will cut |
into our business to a large extent. This
has become known to the public gener- |
ally, aud it has caused a depreciation in
the value of our stock. But that is not
all. During these hard times the stocks
of nearly all railroads
soine even more tlian ours.
know to be a fact.

certain reasons,
me ill-will. If he
I shall tell why.

other statements

bears

have depreciated,
This you all

‘As to the equipment of the road, i

don’t beéheve there is much difference |

between its present standing and that of |

ay It'is true that the policy of”
the road during the year past has been
close—very close. There have been no~
outlays that could be avoided. Still |]
things are in good shape generally.

‘Mr. Conrad accuses me of weakness. |
I presume that ] am weak because I do |
not believe in reducing the wages of ou |

ear ago.

employees, the most of whom have fa

THE PATRIOTIC BADGE PREMIUMS ARE WITHDRAWN. —

 
4 TIP TOP WILEKLY.

ilies to support and are already working
for the smailest sums that intelligent
American laborers should receive. He
has referred to those emloyees as ‘inere
cattle at best.’ What about our engineers
and mechanics? Surely
gent men, else they would-not hold such
positions of trust. Many of the leading
officials of this road rose from the ranks
of these ‘mere cattle.’ hey are men who
are trusted, respected and honored. It is
an insust to the laborers in the employ of
this company to designate them in such
a manner, and I sincerely hope the knowl-
edge that such language was used will
not pass beyond the walls of this room.’’
He paused a moment.

they are intelli-

Darius Conrad was purple in the face,
his eyes were glaring, he looked as if he
longed to throttle the superintendent.

Surely Mimery Eaton had displayed no
weakness in answering the heaviest
stockholder of the road.

Conrad attempted to get up out of his

chair. He tried to speak before he rose,
but he simply choked.

In the same calin manner, the super-

_intendent went on:

‘‘T spoke of another matter that I

thought might bring about serious
trouble, and I shall take this time to
inform you, gentlemen, to what I re-
ferred. At the solicitation of several
stockholders, of influence, including Mr.
Conrad, I employed Mr. Jordan as travel-
_ ing engineer, giving him power to dis-
charge and employ engineers on this
road. I was not fully satisfied as to the
wisdom of the move at the time, and I
- now believe it was a mistake, for I find
_ it has brought about no end of discontent
-and trouble among our engineers. Mr.
Jordan without doubt believes he is work-

aroused, and a comimittee representing
them has waited on ime. The chairman
of that committee is outside now, wait-
ing to make a statement before you. I
will have him brouglit in.’

He stepped to the door, opened it,
spoke to some person in the outer room.
Then he stepped back.

A tall, straight, handsome young fel-
low in working clothes came iuto the
room.

Frank — Merriwell,
Mountain Express,
stockholders.

the
the

engineer of
stood before

CHAPTER II.

THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE.

Darius Conrad glared, he gurgled, he
looked infuriated.

**Him ??’? he rasped forth.

Then he seemed at a loss for further
words,

For a moment Frank’s eyes rested on
the man who had robbed him of his for-
tune, who had cut short his brilliant
career at Yale, who had made it necessary
for him to become a cominon laborer.

There was a world of meaning in that
look. Those eyes seemed to pierce the
huge rascal’s very soul. Darius Conrad
felt as if the black secrets of his heart
were being read, and he shrank, shivered,
collapsed.

That look seemed to say that this
strong, resolute, determined youth was
waiting for his hour to come. When it
did come, he would demand full reprisal.
And it would come: |

The firm lips of the youth parted, there —
was a gleam of white teeth. Fora single -
instant there was something of the wait-
ing tiger in Merriwell’s appearance. ;

Then, as he looked at the other gentle-
men present, his manner changed, and he |
Hecame the self- ee — laborer. ss

 
TIP TOP WEEKLY. 5

Emery
of the committee
Merriwell, engineer

‘*Gentlemen,’’ said Faton,
‘this is the chairuian
spoken of, Frank

of the Mountain Express.”’

Hugineer—this beardless chap an en-

gineer! Was it possible? And engineer
of such

Express !,

a train as the famous Mountain
It seemed incredible.

Some of the men of wealth present
looked doubtful, nearly all looked amazed.
iiurmured one.

“Very !? nodded another.

‘“Too young !’’ declared a third.

‘‘For such a position,’’ supplemented

fourth.

‘*He’s young!”?

‘*T shall be afraid to ride on that train
after this,’’? whispered a nervous little
nian, stage fashion.

Darius Conrad revived, catching the
words of those around him. EHagerness
showed in his cruel eyes; satisfaction was
expressed by the curl of his evil mouth.

“Tf this is a sample of the engineers
employed by this road, the service of a
competent man as traveling engineer is
sorely needed,’’ he asserted. ‘‘No boy is
capable of filling such a position.”’

“*On the contrary,’’ said Robert Thur-
low, president of the railroad, ‘‘I believe
one boy, or, at least, one youth, is thor-
oughly competent and capable of filling
such a position.’

Conrad had not meant that his words

should reach the ears of the president.
He showed his disgust.
_ Not many days before the present meet-
ing, at the suggestion and command of
Darius, Dyke Conrad, his son, had at-
teinpted to get onto Frank’s engine with-
out a proper permit. Merry had firmly
and politely barred the intruder’s pro-
gress, ‘Then Darius had rushed forward,
claiming lis son had been insulted.

But it happened that the president

himself was standing within thirty feet

. forced to accept the situation.

of the engine, and had witnessed every-
thing. He stepped up and declared Merry
had simply done his duty, saying Frank
was the one who had been insulted.

Thus Darius Conrad,
Frank at work on
which
baffled in his first attempt to injure the
youth.

In his heart. he. was furious, but out-
wardly he seemed calm enough. He was
However,
he was determined to reach Frank some-
how.

found
the very railroad in
he was a leading stockholder, was

having

He looked up Merry’s record since be-
coming an employee of the road, and he
was bewildered. It was a history of
triumphal progress up the Jadder, the lad
at the bottom as engine
wiper and climbed in a most amazing
short time to the position of engineer on
the Mountain Express, the crack train of
the road.

having beguu

Once or twice Darius had thrilled with
satisfaction, thinking he had discovered
a serious blunder on Frank’s part. Fur-
ther investigation, however, had revealed
that some other person was at fault, that
Merriwell had done as well as any human
could have done under the circumstances.
He was baffled; he could not find one
real weak spot in the young engineer’s
career. But he nuzsed his hatred and
waited for his opportunity to reach the
youth.

Darius Conrad was not the only one to
investigate Frank’s record. The presi-
dent had heard more or less about Merry,
and, growing interested in the youth, he-
learned everything.
came satisfied that no mistake had been
made in placing the young man in charge
of the engine of the Mountain Express.

“J beg your pardon,’’ said Conrad,
stiffly, looking at the president; “what

will the public think, Mr. Thurlow, of a a 3

A LEADING FEATURE OUR f FREE COUPON OFFER—See Page 33

 

As a result, he be- —
8 TIP TOP WEEKLY.

railroad who permits its engines to be
run by boys?”
“You should
Merriwell
‘‘He is something more

not persist in calling
president.

He is

said the
than that.
developing into early manhood.”’

‘*Well, it’s decidedly early,’’ sneered
Conrad, with intended for
sarcasin.

“Such a youth cannot be kept down,”’
asserted Mr. Thurlow. ‘‘He tises as
naturally as a cork rises to the surface of

a boy,’’

what was

the water.”’

‘Haw!’ blasted Conrad, falling back
heavily in his chair. ‘‘Mere luck.”’

‘*No,’? denied the president; it is
brains, nerve, deterinination. Fortune
_always seems — favor those who are de-
‘termined to win.

Darius Stat:

Frank Merriwell stood
ears caught this conversation,
betrayed it not.

“Mr. Merriwell,’’ said the sperinten-
dent, ‘‘I wish you to state your case be-
fore this meeting.’’

Frank bowed.

*‘Very well, sir.’

He had the manner of a gentleman;
he had a voice that was restrained and
musical.

§*Hold on!’? broke in Darius Conrad.
“It strikes me that we have business
enough to look after without listening to
the complaints of disgruntled employees.
I believe Mr. Eaton has made a mistake
in bringing this chap in here.”?

He looked around for support. There
were those present who simply waited to
know how he moved. ‘They were ready
to plunge in the same direction, and they
_ supported him at once.

was silent.
waiting.

If his

his face

But they were not all. The fact that
Emery Eaton, the superintendent of the
road, and Robert Thurlow, the president,
nee, dared express themselves in open

the bloated magnate and
stockholder was enough to make some of
Conrad’s former supporters They
looked from one to another in doubt.

Emery Eaton improved the oppor-
tunity. He spoke with unusual swiftness
for one as deliberate as he.

‘‘Gentlemen,’’ he said, ‘I have told
you there was trouble brewing for the
road. You may be sure I would not bring
this young man before you to state his
case unless I believed it to the advantage
of all for every one present to know just
how matters stand. You know this is soine-
thing I have never done before, and you
know I would not take up your time
now over any simple matter. Mr, Thur-
low, as chairman of this meeting, I ap-
peal to you.”’

“Tf Mr. Merriwell can state his case
Brey! in a very few words, he may do
so,’’ said the president. Pe

‘Outrage!’ -rowled Conrad.

‘Imposition 1" croaked one of
satellites.

Bang !—the president’s hammer rapped
on the table.

“Silence!” he sharply ordered. ‘‘Go

n, Mr. Merriwell. We are waiting to
hear what you have to say.’’,

‘““This is too much!’ grated Darius
Conrad. ‘‘T will not be imposed on, for
one! I will——”

**Sit down!”’

He had started to get up; the chair-
man’s order dropped him back heavily.

““Go on, Mr. Merriwell,’’ directed
Robert Thurlow.

opposition to

Waver.

>

his

CHAPTER III.

MERRY STATES THE CASE.

i

Frank did so, . )
‘At a meeting of the iene en-
gineers and firemen employed by this
road, held last night,’? hé began, ‘‘a

ene was appointed to wait on Mr. ;

“Have You Read i Che Paraday’s Adventures fa Morro Cas He 3

 
TIP TOP WEEKLY, 7

Haton and state a serious grievance, I
was chosen chairman of that committee.
Mr. Eaton received us courteously this
motning, and we stated our case to him.
Then he informed

and ask that I wait and place the matter
before you, gentlemen, in case you wished
to listea.’

me of this meeting,

‘But we don’t wish to listen!’’ fumed
Darius Conrad.

Bang !—the president rapped again.

‘Go on, Mr. Merriwell,’’ he once more
directed.

‘It has been the policy of this road, I
am informed, to advance its laborers as
they deserved. Anengine wiper has a
chance to become a fireman, and a fitfe-
man in time an engineer, if he was quali-
fied. Someof the prominent officials of
this road have risen from lowly positions.
In the past, every man on the road has
believed he stood in the line of promo-
‘tion. ‘I'ltis very fact has led the employ-
ees of this road to be exceptionally faith-
ful and loyal. They have been ready at
any time to work till they dropped. Not
a few of them have done so. And it has
been a great thing for the road to have
its employees so devoted to its interests. ’’

Some of the stockholders nodded.

Frank Merriwell had made his first
point, and he had done so without an
effort.

Darius Conrad, silent, sulky, scowling,
lay back in his chair and pursed his thick
lips, clasping his lumpy hands over his

autplitudinous stomach, He -was dis-
gruntled and disgusted.. For the first
time since his connection with the road
he was not the chief factor in the annual
stockholders’ meeting. ;
But he was waiting, and he was crafty.
He had some brains in that pot-shaped
head, but they were fox-brains. ae
Frank continued: oe
sei “Within a short time a cbanaee has

come about. A traveling engineer has
been employed and given authority to
discharge and employ engineers for the
road. He was formerly employed on
another road in the same capacity. He
begun by discharging several engineers,
among whom were two old and trusted
drivers. In their places he put new inen
from the road he had lately left, favorites
of his, as was positively evident. Nota
single fireman has he promoted to be an
engineer, although there are several men
on the road who are thoroughly com-
petent and capable of running engines.
He has publicly said that he should fill
all vacancies with experienced engineers,
making it plain that he will not advance
the firemen.

‘“‘Now this has brought about a state
of discontent among the engineers anid
firemen on this road. The drivers are not
satisfied to be discharged without cause,
and the firemen are not satisfied unless
theré is some hope that they may in time
be given engines to run. We decided to
lay the matter before Mr. Eaton, and ask
him if he could not do something for us.
There is talk of striking if Norton Pickett
and Peter McBride are not taken back.
Both are good men, and they were dis-
charged without cause. Both have fam-
ilies to support, and that of Mr. Pickett
being large, while his wife and two chil-
dren are invalids. He is a man who has
worked faithfully for this road, never
shirking his duty, always at his post, and
always regarded as reliable. It is not
right to cast him out in this manner, and
I do not believe he would have been dis-.
charged had Mr. Eaton known such a
thing was contemplated.

“That is all. Ithank you for giving |
me your attention, and trust I have not
intruded oe on yous valuable
time.””

' Frank was teady to retire, |

«How Ca Me - I Gire Such Pre ims Tor Three res ta A Tha Cent samy)

 
tis!

TIP TOP WEEKLY.

Now Darius Conrad got np.

“Tt will speak!’ he declared. ‘‘I will
not be muzzled! It is time that somebody
spoke. This is an imposition! You must
see it— you must know it! Think—think
of this chap daring to come here and at-
tempt to dictate to us! Haw! Think of
him telling the officials of this road what
they shall do and what they shall not do!
Haw !”’

He stopped, choking with
wrought emotions.

‘Imposition !’? echoed a man.

‘It is!’’ agreed another.

Others nodded.

Darius Conrad heard and saw, and he
believed the tide was turning in his favor.
One mote effort.

his over-

“Gentlemen,’’ he gurgled, puffingly,
‘‘are the officials of this road in charge?
ot are the men running it? You know
what it means when the laborer begins to
dictate to his employer. Give the laborer
liberties, and he will soon impose on you.
They have been given too many liberties
on this road. This isthe result. Why,
you all must say that Mr. Jordan’s policy
of employing experienced engineers is a
wise one, calculated to benefit the road.
He is a man who knows his business; I
endorsed him when he applied for his
present position. Not a truthful word of
harm can be spoke about Weldon Jor-
dan.

‘“Phis insolent young upstart’’—indi-
cating Frank with one pudgy, shaking
- finger—‘‘has dared to come here and
criticise the manner in which we are
carrying on our business. He has insulted
1 He has said we had no right to per-
mit the discharge of one of our employees.

_ What do you think of that? Haw! I

believe he should he discharged himself
_ for his insolence, and discharged at

once.?? i
| “Right!” came team one direction.

“not taken back.

=e another direc-

‘*Proper thing,’’ froin
tion.

‘*Now, sit,’’? and Darius Conrad turned
heavily on Emery Haton, ‘‘I call on you
to discharge this presuming fellow. Do
you understand ?”’

The superintendent took his time.

‘‘Y understand,’’ he acknowledged.

‘Then do it!” |

“Nol?

**You will not?”

‘CNio!??

There was no misunderstanding Emery
Eaton then. The words were gun-shots;
his manner was defiant.

**Haw!’’ gasped Conrad. ‘‘You hear,
gentlemen—you hear! He upholds this.
insulting fellow in what he has done.”’

**T hold, and have always held,’’ said
Mr. Eaton, ‘‘that the employees of this
:oad have a tight to state their grievances
to me. I have always been réady to-listen
Iam sure that Mr. Merriwell has been
polite and gentlemanly, and I have seen
no insult in his words or manner.”’

**Not the least.’’

‘fA perfect gentleman.”’

‘TALL-of that:

Eaton had some supporters, and
they inade themselves heard.

“‘Gentleman!’’ sneered Conrad, ‘‘ Why,
he has dared to utter a covert threat. He
has hinted that the engineers and firemen
would strike if two men discharged were
And you sit here and
take it like lambs! I am astonished!
I did not think you would stand anything
like that!’

Soine squirmed ; some looked disgusted
and angry. |
‘(This fellow,’? Conrad continued, ig

an upstart, an agitator. He has been ad-
vanced too fast for his own good. He has ©

a swelled head, and he will make trouble aS

for the road. Mark what I say. He

should be done for nb—supiree SRA =. :

SPLENDID. ADVENTURES IN “TRUE BLUE.’ iy

 
TIP TOP WEEKLY. 9

tinguished.
him,”?

There were nodded
heads; the opinion was divided.
backers rallied to his support.

“Discharge him !’’

‘fAt once!’

**Let him go!”’

‘*He’s not wanted!’’

“The road will run without him.”

Something like a grim smile curled
Frank Merriwell’s lips for a moment. de
did not seein at all alarmed.

‘‘Gentlemen,’’ he said, ‘‘I have always

done my duty toward the road. That will
be a satisfaction to me if I am dis-
charged.”’

There were further murmurs.

‘‘Wait, gentlemen,’’ said the president
and chairman. ‘‘Weshould not discuss
this matter before Mr. Merriwell. He has
atitiaglis case, and now he may fetire.’’

Frank bowed gracefully and retreated
toward the door. Emery Eaton, who had
not favored him much at first acquaint-
ance, now showed his sentiment toward
the young engineer by raising from his
chair, stepping heavily and hastily to the
door, and letting Merry out, with a polite
word of farewell.

Then the stockholders resumed their
conclave.

It is the way to dispose of

heads and shaken
Conrad’s

CHAPTER IV.
THE RISING STORM.

‘There was an air of suppressed excite-
ment in the roundhouse. In one corner a
little group of grimy-looking men had
gathered. ‘They were engineers and fire-
men, comprising the committee of which
Frank Merriwell was the chairman, and
they were waiting for him to appear and
fepert.. (2 |

‘Here he comes !??

_ Some one saw him advancing with his

WHAT fe TWO CENT STAMP

easy swinging stride. All whirled about
and stared at him anxiously, trying to
read by his face the news of success or
failure. One hastened to meet him.

‘“Wha——”’

Frank cut him short with a gesture.

“‘Can’t tell what; it’s too sooun.’’

**You got in?”’

SES. 27

‘Before the meeting ?”’

“Right.”’

‘*What then ?’’

‘“Told all about it.’’

A big man grasped Frank’s hand.

‘‘Merriwell,’’ he said, ‘‘that’s nerve!
You are the only man who would have
dared do it.”’

‘‘That was nothing.’’

“It was nerve. The idea was nervy. It
was your idea, Merriwell. The rest of us
would have kept still, every man hoping
some other poor devil would be the one
to suffer and he would escape. You sug-
gested that a committee be chosen to call
on Mr. Eaton. You engineered the whole
thing, and you got before the stock-
holders.’’

‘‘It may have been nerve,’’ said a
fidgety man, ‘‘but I doubt if it was good
judgiment.’’

‘‘What’s the matter with you, Gooch ?’’
growled the big engineer. ‘‘ You were thie
fiercest among us, hut you seem to have
flunked all at once.’’

‘“We’ll be spotted.”’

“Well ???

‘‘And the first discharged.’

‘That will mean a strike.’’

‘* Perhaps. ’’

“Perhaps! Of course! Haven’t the —
men.sworn to back us up, every mother’s —
sou of them!” | :

“They talked -~ way, but when the
| pinch comes——”’ 3

“They'll do it. Don’ t worry.

It was a
WiLL DO—SEE LAST PAGE.

 
men,

10 TIP TOP

may win. Report,

and we

bold play,
Merriwell.”’

‘“There’s not
Haton had me

much to report. Mr.
make the statement of
our grievance before the stockholders.
Darius Conrad tried to prevent it. He
failed. I said my little say, and then I
got out.”’

“You don’t know what will be done
about it ?’’

**No more than you do.”’

**Did you make an impression ?”’

‘*Well, I created a stir.’

**Ravorable?””

**Doubtful. Meeting seemed divided.
Conrad’s backers were ready to stand by
him, but he found there were others who
did not bow down to him on this occas-
ion and call him mighty. I fancy the
rest of the session will be rather stormy.”’

**Darius Conrad has always carried his
points,’’ said the nervous little man.
**Ffe’ll do so again. We'll all be looking
for positions next week.’’

‘Then every engineer and fireman on
the road will be doing the same,’’ grated
the big man. ‘‘We can’t swallow Jordan;
he won’t go down.”’

“‘We can’t force the road to terms that
way. It will get the best of us.”’

‘‘Well, I never dreamed that you were.
such a scare crow, after all the talk you
have made. It’s amusing. We'll wait
till to-morrow and see what comes of it.’’

To-morrow brought a surprise. In the
roundhouse and on the company’s build-
ings were posted notices of a reduction of

wages in all branches on the road, begin-

ning with the first day of the next week.
Engineers, firemen, conductors, train-
switchmen, flagmen, trackmen,
mechanics, station agents and officials—

yy . all were included.

It was a sensation, and it produced
: ecabunded excitement. The news ee
like a pic fire. Men discussed

WEEKLY.

There were flushed faces,

stern faces, angry faces. Grimy laborers

spoke to one another in meaning ways.
Se man on the road will be in

each other of a

every where.

,’’? they said, assuring
move in Sauk ainpikinoat ;

There were mutterings of the coming
storm. The clouds were the shadows on
the dark faces of those hard-working
men. Back of those clouds was the
tempest of destruction, swiftly gathering,
surely rising

When Piahe caine in in the aiternoas
from his run on the engine of the Moun-
tain Express, he was met by the com-
mittee of which he had been the chair-
man. All were present save one, the
timid inan.

‘‘Merriwell,’’ said the big engineer,
‘‘there is just time enough for us to call
on the superintendent before he leaves
his office. What do you say abot MES

“The object ?’’

“To give him notice.’’ @

“Of what?’

“The coming strike. What do you
think? Should we do it?’’ {

‘‘Then the men will strike?’

‘moute, *’

‘“There is to be a meeting in Riverside
Hall to-night,’’ said another of the com-
mittee.

‘“Then take my advice,’’ spoke Merri-
well, ‘‘wait for the action of the meeting.
We have performed our duty as a com-
mittee, and we have no further author-
ey. .

‘*Just what I said,’ declared a sandy
nian. te
‘All right,’’ nodded the big enginéex; as
‘‘but you won’t fail to be present at the
meeting, Merriwell ?”’

“*Count on me.”’

Frank went home, accom paling by
Bob, the newsboy on the express. © aS ‘«
was in high spinits.. ;

dee seas FARADAY IS TRUE BLUE.

 
TIP TOP

‘(Dis has been a corkin’ day fer me,”’
“Never done so much busi-
all

If dis keeps

he declared.

ness before in all me life. Folks

seemed ter want somethin’.
up, I’ll be a millionaire bimeby.”’

Frank walked along without speaking,
engrossed in thought. Bob gave hima
sharp look.

‘‘Know wot yer t’inkin’ of,’’ he ven-
tured. ‘‘It’s dis reduction in wages. Hit
it first pop.’’

Merry nodded.

‘Wot der men goin’ ter do?’’ asked
the
goin’ ter strike.

"Tt looks
strike.”’

‘Will youse be in dat?”?

urchin. ‘‘Somebody said dey was
Is dat right?’
there wouid

a5 sas be a

‘If the rest of the road’s employees

strike, I shall stand with them.”’

‘“‘Den yer can count mein. I’m wid

der wotkin’men, fer I’m one of dem. [ll

?

Ai ota onl S59 Sar 2 e Fx ; Satis )

_ Stick ter youse,-Frank, t’rough t’ick an
tans”

CHAPTER  V.
THE FACE OF A SPY.

It was a typical crowd of railroad men
who gathered in Riverside Hall that
night. ‘They were bearded, bronzed, be-
erimed. ‘Their hands betrayed that they
were laborers, for dirt and grease had
worn into the pores of their skins so that
numerous ‘Turkish baths could. not. re-
move all traces of it. |

They smoked and chewed tobacco.
Their manners were not polished, but
they treated each other with a certain
rude courtesy. They had a direct, truth-
ful, straightforward way of speaking.
The very air about them seemed to indi-
cate that they were honest men.

On every face was a stern expression,
a determined look. They gathered in

groups and discussed the reduction of

WEEKLY. 11

wages. Few showed excitement, few
spoke loudly. But there was that in their
imannér more ominous than loud wards
aud excited actions.

They seemed to be waiting for sonie-
thing, or for the appearance of some oue.
Frequent glances were cast toward the
door,

‘‘He promised he would come,’’ de-
clared a big man.

“Then he will be lhere,’’ assured an-
other. ‘‘He always keeps his word.”’ }

**Tt's late:””

‘“Something may have detained him.”

A stir near the door, a swaying of the
rough men. Into the hall advanced a tall,
straight, beardless youth.

‘‘Here he is!’’ was the cry that went
up.

Frank Merriwell had arrived,

The door was closed and locked, and
the meeting was called to order directly.

Then followed speeches, and some of
those rough-looking men showed they
were able to talk forcibly, intelligently
and freely ou. the matter of vital interest
to them all.
ance, some of them proved to be edu-
cated men.

Despite their rough appear-

The course of the stockholders
universally condemned.
that the regular semi-annual. eight per
cent. dividend had been declared. The
yet the wages of the
employees were to be reduced.

was
It was known.

road was paying,

Those ‘speeches were like sparks
around a tinder heap. Any one of them
might ignite the inflammable mass and
bring about a great conflagration.

Frank Merriwell knew this, and he
was in some suspense. It was his hope
that the men would move slowly and
carefully. Excited, infuriated men do
rash things.

Frank was called on.

Never till that —
moment was he aware how well-known

AN ELEGANT PREMIUM FREE—SEE PAGE 32. _

ee oT

Pex

a

 
12 rp TOP’ WEEKLY.

and popular he had become among the
laborers'on the Blue Mountain Railroad.

The mention of his name brought a
stir, its repetition caused a murniur.

**Merriwell! Merriwell!’’ was the cry.
‘*Let’s hear from him!’?

**Merriwell! Merriwell!”’

His name sounded on all sides. Men
pressed around him, tiiey grasped his
arins, they pushed him toward the plat-
form, where the chairman of the meet-
ing sat.

“Up there!’ they cried. ‘*‘Up where
we can all see and hear!’

**Plenty of room, Mr. Merriwell,’’ said
the chairman, moving aside.

Confused; blushing, | embarrassed,
Frank was lifted to the platform. He
stood tp and faced the throng. His was
the most striking figure in the hall.

Frank was dressed tastily from the hat
on his head to the boots on his feet. His
hands were unsoiled, for, in some man-
ner, he had prevented the grease and dirt
from wearing in so that he could not
remove it. His linen was spotless, and he
might have been chosen .as a youth of
leisure.

Swaying men turned upward a spread
of faces to the young engineer. ‘They
pushed aud jostled one another to get
nearer the platform.

“Hurrah for Frank Merriwell!’? cried
| one enthusiastic fellow.

“Shut up!”

“*Keep still!”

**He’s going to speak !’’
| The enthusiastic one was quickly sup-

¢

a ; pressed.

For a few moments Frank had been
_ confused; then, all at-once, he was cool
-asice. All his nerve came back to him.
Taking off his hat, he lay it on the table
beside the chairman of the meeting.
Then he mabeSS. to. the edge of the plat-

Bang!
for order.

bang!—the chairman rapped

**Silence!’’ he cried, stepping up be-
side Frank. ‘‘It is probable that among
the ranks of day laborers on the Blue
Mountain Railroad one person is better
known than all others. There is a young
man who entered the employ of the com-
pany a few mouths ago and whio has, by
his own efforts, without the aid of influ-
ence, risen to the position of engineer on
the leading train of the road. At the
saule time, this young fellow has proved
himself a man among men, a man whose
syinpathies are with his fellow laborers,
and in every possible he has
shown himself to be one of us. At first,
because of his youth and his pushing pro-
pensities, he made enemies; but, in time,
his enemies became his friends, for they
began to understand him better and real-
ize his success came entirely from merit
and his own efforts. ‘To-day there is-ke
more popular man on thie road. Of course
you know to whom I refer. He stands
beside me. Here he is, the engineer of
the Mountain Express—Frank Merri-
well!’?

wauner

That brought a storm of applause, and
Frank bowed, blushing again. It wasa
wonderful reception for a youth in such
a position, ,

Well it was for Frank that he was not
liable to that contagious and fatal disease
of youthful success—the ‘‘swelled head.”’
All his life he had guarded against an
attack and had been pretty successful in
warding it off.

Frank had made speeches before, but |

never to a crowd of brawny, bewhiskered
men. He had spoken to a lot of whoop-—
ing academy lads, and’ he had made
speeches before a collection of celebrating
college students, but this was different.
Frank cleared his throat and opened
his mouth. |

 

spor a moment he could Het es =
TIP TOP.

utter a sound. All at once, however, he
began speaking, his voice sounding clear
and distinct, although he did not lift it
above the conversational tone.

It was the effort of Frank Merriwell’s
life thus far. He began calmly and dis-
passionately to discuss the situation, and
it was not long before the men who were
listening found he was heart and soul
with thei. He was a laborer, and he was
proud of it. He believed
had rights which
spected,

the working-
man should be re-
Then Frank went on to show that not
all capitalists were foes to workingmen,
that not even all those connected with
the Blue Mountain Railroad were in-
clined tp oppress their employees. ‘Then
he expressed a belief that, even though
the majority should seek to oppress the
laborers, as far as possible those who
were favorably inclined them
-imust be protected.
This caused a stir and murmur.
“They shouldn’t be such com-
epany,’’ growled a man.
‘“If they are, let them take the conse-
quences, ’’

Frank made a motion. ‘There was
silence, and he went on. For a moment
they had doubted him, but he soon won
them over again. He grew eloquent, and
he swayed then. Right there he proved
that he was a natural born orator.

‘What a labor leader he’d make!”’
said one man to another. ‘‘Hecan talk!’

‘‘Vou bet! He is taiking sense, too.’’

Frank favored exhausting all other
method of persuasion before resorting to’
-a strike.

toward
in

said another.

_ He knew the cut-down was unjust and
uncalled for, but he called attention to’
the fact that eee: as a rule, are fail-
ures.

However, in this case

it might be
different.

lf there was a strike on the

Se geie THE LIBERAL

WEEKLY.
B. M. R., the F. B. & Y. would profit

by it, aud, when the strike was over, the
B. M. R. might be unable to win back
the traffic it had lost.

This fear might keep the officials of
the B. M. R. from holding out against
the men if there was a strike. But the
property of the road must be. protected
under any and all circumstances.

“eats]?”

Some one shouted the word. ‘There
was a stir.

‘Who said it???

No one seemed able to tell.

Frank expressed a belief that it was the
duty of the employees of the road to
notify the superintendent of tle impend-
ing strike.

Again there was an interruption:

*“Go die!”

**Here he is!’

Two men caught hold of the offender.
He wore a his hat was
slouched over his eyes.

**Who is he?”

‘*Let go!”

The man_ struggled with
strength to break away.

beard, and

No one seemed to know him? :

‘‘He’s a spy!’’ roared a voice. ‘‘He got
past the guards outside the door! He is
a sneak !”’ :

**Kill him!”

A roar went up. The crowd surged
toward the frightened fellow. A hand
shot out and snatched the hat fromm his
head. Another tore the beard from hig
face.

He had been disguised. The beard was |

false.
‘““Know him???’
“‘Stranger.’’
He was no stranger to Frank Merri- a

well. One glance at that face brought a a
name bursting from Frank’s lips: a.
““Dyke Conrad ! ig

OFFER ON PAGE 32. aes

 
TIP TOP WEEKLY.

CHAPTER VI.

THE STRUGGLE FOR LIFE.

Dyke Conrad treacher-
ous, worthless son of Darius Conrad, and
he was Frank
How much
by the fact that even
his life he-still

was the idle,

Merriwell’s most persistent
Merry
though

foe. he hated was
revealed
Frank had once

stood ready to injure him in any possible

saved

manner.
He was the son of his father.
Conrad, frantic with grief, had
thought his only son was doomed to per-
At the peril

Darius

once
ish in their burning home.
of his life Frank
his youthful foe from that doomed build-
ing, brought out, dropped him at
his father’s feet.

Still father and son were ready to work
They had tried on vari-

Mertriwell had rescued

him

harm to Frank!
ous occasions—and failed.

And Frank? He had no leve for either
of them. He knew the father was a vil-
lain, and the son a chip of the old block.
He had not forgotten that Dyke, in re-
vege for a fancied injury and insult, had
attempted to put him .to torture, after
having him captured by a band of hired
tuffians. He had not forgotten how the
shoes were stripped from his feet as he
lay bound and helpless, and the young
fruffian had attempted to apply a burning
firebrand to the bottoms of his bare feet.

_ Of all the enemies he had ever known,
Frank believed the Conrads the most
dastardly.

-Merriwell was. not a youth to cherish
tevengeful thoughts. He made a rule to
put them from him. But, despite himself,
there were times when he would think
how some day he could square the debt
standing between himself and the Con-

\

did Frank that Darius was one of

the leading stockholders.

Jearu

The discovery was a shock for him.

llis first thought was to leave the road
at once, but, after serious deliberation,
he decide not to do so. He had advanced
with amazing swiftness since starting in
as engine wiper, and it would be neces-

sary to begin all over again if he sought

another job;

And then the very thought that he
might be near his bitter enemies, that in
some way he might be given an oppor-
tunity to square the score with thei,
served to hold him there.

At last Darius Conrad his
tardly son had discovered Frank was an
engineer on that They found
him driving the engine of the finest train
on the whole road. }

and das-

railroad.

Surprised? They were flabbergasted.

And they, without delay, set out to

injure him, to bring something against —

him that would cause his discharge.
Thus far they had failed. Now, if they
could prove he was inciting
ployees of the road to strike, they would
have the hold they desired upon him.
Frank comprehended their game—he

the em-

saw through it instantly.

Dyke Conrad had been caught in the
act of playing the spy, aud the rough
inen were not using him tenderly. They
were infuriated, and they handled him in
a manner that filled him with terror.

‘Help!’ he choked, trying to break
away. —}

‘Give it to the spy!’’

‘Hang him!’’

‘“Tar aud feather him !”’

**Ride him on a rail!”?

They shook him, they punched him,
they hustled him.

Ont: hes, “quavered._

joke.”’
sake} ? roared. one.

“It’s only a

“It'll be the
STORIES. —

 
TIP TOP

worst joke you ever had anything to do
with.

‘*Joke!’’ grated anvther.
a joke. And this!’’

Whack! whack! — two open-handed
blows knocked the frightened fellow’s
head to the right and to the left.

His knees failed under hii, and he
would have dropped, but strong, ail-
stained hands held his up.

“Give it to himrP?

‘‘Let me get at the sneak ;

‘*7]] be murdered!’ whined Dyke.

“Throw out of
thundered a big man. ‘‘Jt will serve him
right.”

‘*So is this

§

him the window!”?

Toward a window he was _ hustled.
The big man caught him up as if he were
a featherweight.

All this happened swiftly,-but now
Frank Merriwell got into action.

“Stop !’’ he cried.

But they paid no heed to his command.

They did not hear it.

He made a flying leap from the plat-
form, plunged into the swaying mob,
tore them apart, cast them to the right
and left. His display of strength was
wonderful.

‘‘Make room !’’ he shouted.

He made room for himself, reaching
the dense mass of human beings packed
about the railroad magnate’s frightened
son. Hecould not break through that
solid body, he could not tear the men
apart.
ww? })

The word was hissed from his lips, and
up onto their heads and shoulders he
went. Over them he scrambled.

The big man was swinging Dyke Con-

rad to fling him headlong from the win-
dow. That window was in the third story
of the building. A fall to the ground
must be fatal.

Frank shot

forward, clutching at

Our Premiums Are “All Right”

WEEKLY. 15

Dyke. He grasped the imperiled youth,
slipped, lost his hold, went down among
Beneath their feet it
be crushed and

the enraged men.

seemed he would soon

maimed.

Frank was struck by booted feet, and
he knew the danger that hovered over
then. °° He
bunch, crouching between the outspread

] Then, with all his

him gathered himself in a

legs of a man.
strength, he straightened upward, lifting
the man bodily and casting him out upon
the heads of the crowd.

There was a crash, a shriek, a jangle
of broken glass.

‘““They’ve done it!’

The panted words seemed torn from the
lips of the young engineer, for he saw a
body shoot horizontally toward the win-
dow and disappear.

Dyke Conrad had been hurled through
the window.

Not headlong, however.

In that brief moment when Frank had
clutched his youthful enemy, the fellow
had been turned about in the air, so that
the giant who was swinging him aloft
had been bothered in his terrible pur-
pose.

Dyke had struggled, and then he was
lifted again. This time he was -cast at
the window.

Striikng feet foremost, the railroad |
magnate’s worthy son had shot through
the glass janglingly, tearing away a por-
tion of the sash.

Then, realizing what had \ happened,

the excited men within the room were
motionless with the horror of the sup-
posed tragedy. §

To the window Frank piikoek He
had seen Dyke’s hands outstretched and)
gasping as the young rascal disappeared,
and now he saw them again, as he thrust
his head through the broken window. —

Beneath that window was an extending

ls What Our Readers. Say.

 
  

   

16

horizontal flagpole. To that pole the

hands of the spy had fastened with a.

despairing clutch.

In the air dangled a dark body—the
body of Frank Metriwell’s young foe.

**Hold fast !’’

Frank uttered the cry, bending swiftly
out of the window. Ina moment he had
clutched one of Dyke’s wrists. ‘The fel-
low’s other hand let go its hold on the
pole, and, reaching upward,
itself on Merry’s wrist.

Then Dyke swung clear and was held
suspended in mid-air by the youth he had
sought to injure, the one he hated most
in the world.

fastened

_—

CHAPTER VII.

HH Ua Ei M Ae Mi

Dyke was gasping with fear.

‘‘Save me!’’ ,

‘Cling fast!’

Frank called down to him. The strain
was great, and he fancied he felt Dyke’s
fingers slipping from his wrist.

At that moment Merry could have
- shaken himself free and sent his enemy
down to be maimed or killed on the flag-
ging far below. He thought that he
‘could do it, but he was not tempted.
Instead, he was filled with fear least he
- should be unable to keep Dyke from fall-
4 ANB

Frank tried to lift the fellow, but he
had stretched so far out of the window
~ that it was impossible. His efforts were
too much for him, and he felt that he
was slipping over the window sill.
| In another moment the two young men
| might go whitling downward to destruc-
- tion.

Hold on!”

_ Frank panted the words, relaxing his
efforts | to draw Dyke up, as_ he saw that
vas what was dragging him over.

‘

 

TIP TOP WEEKLY! '

Some caught hold of Merry’s legs and
held them fast.

‘“All-roight, Frankie, me b’y!’’ cheer-
fully called a familiar voice. ‘‘Oi have
yez safe an’ solid.’’

It was Larry Logan, Frank’s fireman.

‘‘Hold fast to me, Larry,’’ gasped
Merry. ‘‘I’ll go over in a moment if you
gone’

““Ve’ll nivver go over widout takin’
ine along wid yez,’? grated the royal Irish
youth. ‘‘Pwhat ar@yez up to, anyhow?
Pwhat have yez down there ?”’

‘“The fellow they threw out of the
window.”’

“Th? spoy ?”?

eee

‘“Whoy, it’s thot divvil’s own imp,
wan ay yer worst ineimies”’

cy ieee-ag

“You know ut.”’

“Sure?

“Thin whoy didn’t yez let him alone ?’’ -

‘‘Because I did not want to see him
killed in this manner. Pull me up,
Larry, and I’ll] hang to hiin.”’

Larry was not alone. Others hastened
to assist him, and Frank was dragged
back through the window. He clung to
Dyke, lifting him till the fellow could
scrainble and tumble in at the broken
window, white as a sheet, trembling in
every limb.

The crowd roared, and Dyke acted as
if he was on the verge of inaking another
plunge through that window, preferring
that to facing that furious mob ®of
brawny, fierce-looking fellows.

The big man who had been foremost

in the assault on Dyke now tried to get

at him again. His face was flushed, and

it was plain he had been drinking heav-

ily.
“Smash him!” i shouted.
Seger - no

 

 

 
   
  
  
   
  
 

 

 

 

 

         
      
 

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now TO ete A ee PRESENT cate PAGE oe

TIP, TOP. WEEKLY, ;

Frank planted himself in front of lis
enemy. He motioned the mob back.

“Don’t touch him!’ rang out his clear
voice. ‘Are madinen? This is
Darius Conrad’s son.”’

you

“To blazes with old
son!’? came back the cry.
spying on us! Smash him!’

“Not while I am _ here!’’ shot from
Merriwell’s lips. ‘‘You are mad to think
of such a thing! Yotieeg halt not touch
han again !’’

**He’s here

Larry placed nidiaele at Frank’s side.

‘““Aurru!’’ he cried, his fighting blood
beginning to warm up. ‘‘Oi don’t think
much av proticting such a Spalpane, but
pwhat ye sez goes, an’ Oi’m wid yez!”’

He placed himself in a belligerent
attitude.

‘‘Wait a moment,’’ urged Frank. ‘‘Let
ine talk a little sense to you. If this fel-
low is injured here to-night, we stamp
mirselves as alot of lawless ruffians, and
we ate nothing of the sort.”

‘*He’s a spy!’

“True; but his principal purpose in
coming here was to injure me, or to find
out something that would injure me. I
can stand it. I am not afraid or ashamed
fo have everybody know just how I
stand in this matter. My sympathies are
entirely with the laborers in this case,
and I believe the reduction unjust and
uncalled for, I am willing that Dyke
Conrad should go from this room and
report that I said so. I have always done
my duty on this road, but I am a free
American citizen, and I am not afraid to
express inyself. I believe the most of the
men ptesent feel the same about this.
This is a time for us to show our man-
hood. This fellow has sneaked in here,
and he has been handed pretty roughly

¢

for his pains. Now let him go. ‘The treat-

ment. will be a warning to other coe
We

Conrad and his

     

17
cannot afford to offer him any further
bodily injury. Weare a crowd against
one man. Is it manly to harm him ?”’

Some of the began to betray
shame aud draw away, while others
nodded their heads and expressed them-
selves as convinced that Frank was right.

3ut a few still clamored to do Dyke
bodily harin.

‘‘Come,’’ cried Frank; ‘‘we will see
that he is put out of the hall, and we’ll
let him go. He may tell what he likes.
Our cause is just, and we need have no
fear of the result.’’ <

Friends flocked to his side. He carried
his point, and Dyke was escorted from
the hall. |

For a time the meeting threatened to
break up in dissention, but things were
smoothed over, and Frank took up his
speech exactly where he had dropped it
when the startling interruption came.
He weut on to the end, and the impres-
sion he made was deep.  _

Then others spoke, and all were for
striking at once if the pees in wages
was inforced. :

Half of them were union men, but
those who were not stood with the ones
who were, and not a dissenting voice was
raised.

Somebody made a motion that a com-
mittee be raised to call on the superin-
tendent and inform him that the em-
ployees of the road would strike if the
cut-down was inforced.

men

The motion was carried, aud instantly |
a red-whiskered man nominated Frank

Merriwell for chairman of the committee.

Frank protested that he had acted as
chairman of the engineers’ and firemen’s —
committee, and asked to be excused.

It was useless; they were determined ©
to have him, and he was forced to
accept.

Fout others were chosen on ‘the ‘com:
ie AE

  

  
 
 
18 TIP TOP WEEKLY.

mittee, and then the meeting instructed
then to wait on the superintendent of
the road and inform that official that the
men would strike the day the reduction
was inforced.

Then the purpose of the meeting was
accomplished, and it broke up.

The following morning EKmery Eaton
came down to his office at an unusually
early hour. He was looking troubled.

3arely liad he seated himself at his
desk and received his mail from a clerk
when the door opened and the attendant
announced : ;

‘*Rive of the employees of the road are
waiting to see you, Mr. Haton,’

The superintendent turned his head
slowly. Surprise and annoyance were
written on his rather heavy, stolid face.

— “What do they want???

‘“They did not say; sir, but stated it
was very important business. ”’

‘*Well, let them in.”’

The man stepped back and soon the
committee chosen at the meeting the
previous night walked into the room,
Frank Merriwell leading them.

Emery Eaton stared hard at them all,
nodding a bit to Merriwell.

“Well, gentlemen,’’ he said, ‘‘please
state your business at once, for I have
considerable business that requires my
attention this morning. Short stories are
best.’

Frank advanced a step, his hat in his
hand.

‘(We will not take much of your time,
Mr. Eaton,’’ he said, politely. . ‘‘We are
here as a committee from the employees
of this road, whom we -have been chosen
to represent.”’

**Well ?””

‘We are here to ask that our wages be
maintained at the old standard, as the
‘road is prospering, and we are working
now at the lowest rates possible on which
we can live.’

Frank Tae have said morte, but the
‘superintendent cut him short.

‘“‘Gentlemen,’’ he said, ‘‘the stock-
holders have decided,
do otherwise than as directed.’’

‘*By that you mean that the reduction
will be inforced?”?

ores certainly wi J

Ce ARE you PATRIOTIC?

gf

had

I am not able to 3

Frank, calmly, ‘‘it
you that the em-
will strike in\a

“Theh, sit: ead
is ivy duty to inform
ployees of this road
body !”?

CHAPTER VIII.
THE STRIKE.

There was suppressed excitement on
the Blue Mountain Railroad. Something
was about to happen. A foreboding of it
seeined to be mm the very atmosphere,
although every*employee of the road
was at his post and everything seemed
moving like clockwork.

Then came an astonishing bit of news
that spread from lip to lip like wildfire.

Hmery Eaton, the superintendent of
the road, had resigned, or had tendered
his resignation, A special meeting of the
directors and stockholders was to be held
for the purpose of electing a new super-.
intendent, and it was. believed that
Darius Conrad would fill the place made
vacant.

That report created a
not liked Emery
ventured to claim he was’ ever -anythim
but just and honest in his dealings with
his nen. ;

What counted most for Mr. Eaton was.
the fact that he had never been in favor —
of the reduction. This became known,
and the men who had disliked hiin before
now expressed regret that he had offered

Many.

ee

_ his resignation.

Whoever knew Darius Conrad had no
love for him. It was generally reported
that he considered a workingman no bet-
ter than a beast of burden, and that was
enough to make the laborers hate him.

All the afternoon the men on the road
seemed waiting for something. They
grew impatient as the hours slipped away.
There was some gathering in groups,”
some talking privately.

All at once the wires along the line
began to hum with a single “word and
number. Every operator on’ the line re-
ceived that word and number.

‘“Snow 5.’

In every Sarl on the road a

pices
received the mysterious signal, and he
made haste to post it on the walietin
board in the yardmaster’s office. -

READ “TRUE BLUE.”

 

Jaton, but few
TIP TOP WEEKLY. 19

Men passed it along from one to an-
otlier, their faces looking grim and de-
termined.

Some were silent, some said ‘‘Good!”?

At five o’clock that afternoon every
man onthe road quit work. The fire of
every locomotive was: dumped and every
wheel stopped turning.

The strike was on.

It seemed that, in-one minute,
entire road had been paralyzed.

rank Merriwell had come in with the
express and run No. g into the round-
house. He was just im time to step off
the engine on the moment when the city
clocks began to strike the hour.

On every side inen threw down their
tools, and the sounds of the place were
hushed in a moment,

At first the foreman was atiazed,
dazed. He looked around and saw the
laborers preparing to leave the place.

“What does this mean ?’? he demanded.

‘*We’ve struck.’’

That was the curt answer he received.

The news spread to the offices. The
president came out to see if it was true.

arius Conrad visited the roundhouses

the

without delay, as he happened to be in —

the president’s office when the news was
received. He blustered, he stormed.
Then he caught sight of Frank Merriwell,
just preparing to Jeave the roundhouse,
and rushed at him.

“Haw! I know—I know!’ gurgled
the excited man. ‘‘You are one of the
chief movers in this infainous business,
and you shall suffer for if you young
reprobate!’

Frank measured the man teh his eyes.

“Will you please let me pass?’’ he
asked, quietly.

‘*Ves!’’ snarled the inagnate. ‘‘Go—
Don’t ever come back! You are not
wanted, and you will not be received
here! You are discharged!’

‘*Discharged by whom ?’?

Ves?

_ Frank smiled.

‘‘You haven’t the authority to dis-
charge any one,’’ he said.

“But I shall have—I soon shall have!

!
go!

_ By the time you are ready to come back

- I shall have authority, so you ee con-
: sider yourself discharged. -

*““You could not discharge me if you
had the authority. Ihave quit. Every
man on the road has quit. They will
stay quit till the old scale of wages is re-
stored, for this cut-down is a inonstrous
injustice—an outrage.”’

‘“You are not called on
opinion as to that.”’

‘“‘T have expressed it, nevertheless, and
I have tried to make my words plain
enough so they cannot be ictus
You know I speak the truth.”’

“Bah! Go! I. will not waste words
with you.’’

‘‘Oh, I will go all right, Mr. Conrad;
but remember that every other engineer
goes with me.’

“Ves, yes; and you iets the
move. I know! my son heard your law-
less speech.”’

‘*VYour son heard me say nothing that
I would hesitate to repeat on a public
square of this city. Did your son tell you
all that took place ?”’

“Oh, Iknow. You beat him shame-
fully, and even tried to murder him. He
was thrown through a window, and he
barely escaped by clutching a, flagpole
and clinging there till help caine. He
was bruised and cut. Somebody shall
suffer for it!’

“‘Did he tell you who helped him ?’’

‘*He didn’t know.”’

**He did know!”’

‘‘Haw! What do you mean ?’’

‘‘No matter. He did not tell you the
whole story; I didn’t suppose he would.
He is just what I took him to be.’’

‘Don’t dare malign my sou!??

“I wouldn’t take the trouble;
not worth the effort.”’

Darius choked, Darius gurgled, Darius
turned purple.

““Puppy!’’ he palpitated.

Frank wag not even disturbed. The
greater the man’s wrath, the cooler he
grew. His smile nearly gave Darius
heart failure.

‘‘Excuse me,’’ he said, placidly, ‘‘the
English language does not contain a
word appropriate to apply to you.”’

He was burning his bridges, but he
knew it was just as well that he did so,
for, if Darius Conrad secured the position

to express an

he’s

of superintendent there would be no pa =

ee Sa LIBERAL OFFER—SEE LAST PAGE.

 
oe cay

20 _ TIP. TOP

left for him on the road. His only hope
of future employment on that road lay in
the discomfiture of Conrad and _ his fail-
ure to secure the office he now coveted.

Hence Frank’s boidness.

Conrad seemed at an utter loss for
words. ‘Twice he started to say some-
thing, but he simply made some inarticu-
late sounds in his thick throat. He shook
his pudgy fist at Frank.

“Get out!’ he finally exploded. ‘‘Get
out, and never come back. If you are
ever seen on any of our property, you
wili be arrested for trespass!’

The effort seemed to exhaust him so
ar as words were concerned, but he stood
making® flourishing motions with his
hauds and arms, as a woinan inight if
she was trying to drive a flock of hens.

Not a few of the men laughed, for the
spectacle was a comical one. Their mirth
infuriated the magnate still more.

“Pil fill the places of every one of
you!” he shouted, squeakingly. ‘‘You
are all discharged!’?

And this made them laugh all the
more. It was grim sort of: laughter, and
there was a menace behind it.

Mike Ganzell, the foreman of the
roundhouse, had not been in the secret
of the impending strike, and he seemed
utterly adrift. He was like a man with-
out a mind. Of course Ganzell had been
included in the cut-down, but he had not
thought of striking. He was a member
of no union, and had always stuck by
the road in a most loyal manner, so he
was not intrusted with a knowledge of
the coming strike.

But now two or three engineers got
hold of him and urged him to leave with
the others.

‘“The whole road is tied up,’’ they
told him. ‘‘Every man has quit. We are
going to stay out till wages are restored.
The cut is an outrage.”’
~ Ganzell hesitated.

“Why wasn’t I let in?’? he muttered,
be “Tf T had been I might——

_-Now [ll be hanged if I will!”
“Vou won’t strike?’
“No. PH stick by the road.’?.
So Ganzell remained, while the others
left ina badly, Frank Merriwell in their
eee ;

-that way.’’

WERKLY,

Frank was young

; g, energetic, enthusi-
astic,

and he believed the road could be
brought to terms.
He was not awate that nine strikes aie

of ten are failures.

ee

CHAPTER IX.
THE ‘TRIUMPH OF JUSTICE.

Bob, the newsboy on the
walked home with Frank.

‘*So der jig is up,’’ le said, rather
ruefully, ‘‘and I’m outer me job.”’

“Only for a short time, my boy,’?’ said
Merry, cheerfully. OThis strike can’t
last long.”’ ;

**T dunno "bout dat.”’

“T do. The company cannot hold out
without bringing ruin on itself for the

express,

F, B. & Y. will get all of our business if
we lay still ”’

‘‘Den yer t’ink der strikers will win?”

“They must.’

Bob shook his head.

“It’s all right ter t’ink dat way,’ he
Dis won’t a

said; ‘‘but I has ine doubts.
be no snap fer der strikers.”

“But they are in the tight,
cause is a just cause,”’

‘ Dat don’t make ‘no difference. Day
have der right of it, but dey ain’t got der
boodle. Boodle wins in dis ole worl’.’’

‘“Not always, Bob. Get that idea out
of your head; my hoy.’

“Well, w’en boodle goes up agin jus-
tice, an’ justice is poor, justice gets it in
der neck.”’

‘‘Not always,’’ repeated Frank. ‘‘In
fact, I believe that a just cause will
ultimately triumph if it is sustained with
determination. It nearly always happens

Their

**Perhaps.’’

‘‘You are a pessimist, Bob.’’

“No, I ain’t; I’m a demmercrat.’’

Frank laughed.

“Vou can be a democrat and
mist also,’’ he said; ‘‘but, in order to be
a first-class pessimist, you should be a

inugwuinp. But we are not talking poli-—

tics. I wish to drive out of your head the
false notion ae boodle always wis over

virtue.’ Sol
“Dat’ll be a tough job, ” declared the

‘BUY ee ONE COPY OF ‘TRUE BLUE.’ eee

 

a pessi-
TIP ‘TOP WEEKLY. 21

newsboy. ‘‘I’ve seen too much of it in
dis worl’.”’

“The trouble is that the just cause is
seldom backed up in a spirited manner.
That is why boodle wins so many times.
If justice would fight to the bitter end it
would win nine-tenths of the battles.’’

‘*Mebbe so; but der trouble is dat jus-
tice lays down fer a price.”’

‘Lays down for a price? What do you
mean ?’’

*“Wen boodle says, ‘How much’ll ye

take ter git outer dis an’ keep still?’ jus-
tice natnes der figger, an’ dat ends der
game.

‘‘Justice never does such a thing; the
traitors to justice may.’’

‘Well, dere’ll be traitors ’mongst der
strikers. ”’

‘‘Not enough to damage us.’?

**Mebte not.”’

‘**T see it is useless to talk to you just

now, but you shall see the strikers win
wn this case. The road must cave in or
perish. If I had not thought so, I would
not have been in favor of the strike, for
at will mean much suffering to scores of
families if we do not win.’’

‘All right, Frank; but yer don’t wan-
ter fergit dat Darius Conrad is one of der
chief backers of der railroad.”’

‘Oh, there is no ave that I shall
forget that. ns

‘Dat man has boodle ter burn, an’ he
hates a workin’man, It won’t stop him
if he knows der road is goin’ ter be
ruined. He won’t t’ink of nutting only
not ter give in ter der workers.’’

**Darius Conrad is not the whole rail-
road.’?

‘*He’s der biggest part of it.”’

‘‘Not'yet.’?

‘Well, he will be w’en dis t’ing is
over.”’

‘‘In that case, there will be no show
for me anyhow, but I shall be sorry for
the other poor fellows who are under
him.’?

Bob had a room in the same house
with Frank, and he took his meals in
the morning and at night with Merry.
When they reached home they found
Inza Burrage was there.
wraps, and it was plain she had just

She had on her

called. outside
for her.

“Oh, Frank! she exclaimed,
iously; ‘‘I caine here to warn you.”’

Frank was surprised.

‘““To warn mie? About what?”

“Then you do not know? You have
not been arrested ?”?

‘* Arrested ?’? cried Frank.

‘‘Arrested?’’ gasped little Nell,
blind. girl.

‘* Arrested ?”’
brother.

‘“Wot’s dat??? exploded Bob.
rested fer wot???

‘‘Mr. Harper told us of it,’? said Inza,
‘fand I Jost not a moment in coming here
to let you know. You are to be arrested
for a murderous assault on Dyke Con-°
rad.’?

Frank looked astonished, then mildly
amused, then broke into Jaughter.

‘“The mere suggestion of such a thing
is a joke,’’ he declared. ‘‘Why, I saved
the fellow from falling tliree stories to
the flagging of the sidewalk, and I pro-
tected him when the crowd wanted to
tar-and-feather him as a spy.”’

“Still he says he will have you ar-
rested, claiming that you attempted to
kill him,”?

‘He is not worth noticing, Inza, and I
am sorry that you permitted his idle
threats to alarm you. At the same time,
J am deliglited to see you. You may not
know that I am out of a job for the pres-
ent.’

‘“‘Out of a job? How is that, Frank?’

‘*T have struck.’’

**You—aloue ?”’

‘*No; I ain but one of hundreds. The
Blue Mountain Railroad is tied up to-
night. Notatrain is being run. The
e1 ployees struck in a body at five o’clock
this afternoon.’’

“That is it. That is what they meant.
They said you were inciting them to law-
lessness. Oh, Frank!

A carriage was waiting

anx-

the

her lame

piped Jack,

‘*Are

power to injure you. You must look ~—
out. Darius Conrad is rich and influen- —
tial, while you are poor.”’ a
“Dat? s we’re boodle counts,” put in=-4:
Bob. ‘‘It’ll knock yer if it kin.?? cere

WE WANT es READER TO HAVE A PRIZE—See oes, 32.

 

those men hate
you, and they will. do everything in their —
22 TIP TOP WEEKLY,

“‘Oh, Frank,’’ exclaimed little Nell,
**‘f do hope no harm will come to you.”’

‘“They have you spotted,’’ declared
Inza.

‘I can’t help that.
lawless, and they will
harm me.”’

‘*Boodle
boy.

There was a knock on the door, and
then, before auy one could open it, old
Andrew Congrave, who had one of the
back rooms, came hurrying in, followed
by his daughter.

“Good news!?? panted the old *man,
excitedly holding up a_ legal-looking
document, his hand quivering.

The attention of all was turned to hii,

‘*Good news?’’ said Frank. ‘‘It can’t
be that you have——”’

*‘T have.

‘*Beaten the railroad ?”’

‘*Beaten Darius Conrad !”’

“Ts it possible——”?

“At tast

The old man was fairly tottering with
excitement. His daughter, iooking very
happy, put her arm about him and sup-
ported him.

-**The paper——’”’ began Frank.

**Is from Mr. Dolby, my lawyer.”’

“And it says—just what?”

“Conrad has caved in and wants to
settle.’’

“*How bad ?”’

*‘Offers fifty thousand dollars.’

Frank caught tle old man’s hand.

**Mr./ Congrave,’’ he said, earnestly,
‘“nermit me to congratulate you. Your
hour of triumph has come. You are vic-
to1ious over yout enemy. Without doubt
he will double the amount if you insist.’’

Then Frank caught Bob by the collar

I shall do
not be

nothing
able to

kim’ do it,’’ asserted the news-

/ and yanked him forward, standing him -

in the midst of the group. ?
‘*Here, you!’’ he cried; ‘‘here is posi-
tive proof of my claim that justice is
. bound to triumph in the end. Mr. Con-
(gtave’s cause was a just one. He was
_tobbed of a patent by Darius Conrad,
| who made money out of the invention.
_ He sued Conrad, but the mills of the
_ gods grind slowly, and his heart grew
weary with waiting. It seemed that jus-
= would never be his, But now his

hour has come, and he has triumphed.
The wretch who injured him is at his
feet, offering to settle on liberal terms.
Justice has triumphed over boodle.”’

‘*Dat’s once,’’ admitted Bob. ‘‘Count
up der times it? s been der odder way.’’

‘‘T feel that I owe everything to you,
Mr. Merriwell,’’ said the happy old man.
‘You gave me hope when my hope was
gone, you sustained and encouraged me.
I thank you—I thank you!’’

CHAPTER X.

TROUBLE IN THE YARDS.

The morning papers blazed with. ac-
counts of the strike, and in several of
them the name of Frank Merriwell was
prominent as the leader of the strikers.

This was notoriety that Frank did not
exactly relish. He knew he was not the

actual leader of the.strikers, although he
had taken a prominent part in the meet-
strik-

ing and had been chairman of *the
ers’ committee.

Two of the papers accused him of in-
citing the strikers to lawlessness. ‘They
started that he had sworn that not ate->
comotive should be run till the former
scale of wages was restored. He was
pictured as one who had received special
favors from the road, and this was: his
gratitude.

In all this. Frank recognized the hand
of Darius Conrad. The magnate had sub-
sidized the papers to his evil purpose of
injtring the young engineer as much as”
possible.

3ut Frank was firm in his belief that
justice would eventually triumph, and
even the maligning statements in the
papers did not trouble him much.

In the papers also were advertisements
for laborers. Railroad men of all kinds
were wanted, and anybody who could
work would be sure of getting a job on
application. In particular, engineers and
firemen were called for by the advertise-
ments.

To these glvzweieateats the naine of
the president was attached. The superin-
tendent’s name was not affixed.

Until there could be another sicetiug,
the Blue Mountain Railroad was without
a superintendent. fete:

Set gl a. You Want Po Know A Fine Fellow? oe ae ay One. es

 
TIP TOP WEEKLY. 23

Frank read the papers with great inter-
est, and he actually smiled over the state-
ments made about him. As they were
false, they seeined very absurd, and he
did not see how tiey could injure him.

‘*Say!’’ cried Bob, ‘‘dis is where ye
gits yer name in de poiper, sure. Dey
has give yer a great send-off. Looker dat
line in big black print. Dat’s fame.”’

**¥ don’t.know that I covet that kind
of fame,’’ said Frank. ‘‘We’ll go round,
Bob, directly after breakfast and see what
is going on.”’

“Oh,’? exclaimed httle Nell, ‘‘why
don’t you keep away, Frank? You will
get into trouble-~something tells me you
will. ed

‘(Don’t worry, dear little girl.- I am in
the right in this matter, and I scarcely
_ think any one will molest me.’

‘‘Remember Inza’s warning.’’

“Yes;
1esses to prove that, mstead of assaulting
Dyke Conrad, I saved the worthless fel-
Jow’s life. Let them arrest me. I do not

believe they will try it. They have some-
=~ tiiing else to think of now.”’

So, directly after breakfast, Frank and
Bob started for the railroad yards. They
fell in with other strikers going in the
same direction, and the conversation was
of the reports in the morning papers.

When the railroad was reached, it was
found that a lot of clerks had been
‘brought out of the offices and set to work
getting the green coal out of fireboxes,
pulling spikes out of switches, forming
hucket brigades, and doing innumerable
things that filled them with repugnance
and soiled their hands and clothes

The strikers were gathered about,
laughing, jeering and offering advice.
Thus far they were orderly, not attempt-
Ing to interfere with the work.

But Frank could hear mutterings.
Over and over the men vowed that not a
wheel should turn on the road. They
were holding themselves in check, but
there were mutterings of the coming out-
break. )

New men were coming in a stream.
Times were hard, and plenty of men
were out of employment. The most of
them were met by some of the strikers
; es warned to keep away.

but I can bring a hundred wit-.

Some heeded the warning, but the
most of thein were not to be turned away
in such a manner,

As fast as men could be hired, they
were set at work.

They went about their
wardly, jeered and ridiculed by
watching strikers.

Frank moved about among the strik-
ers, talking to them and cantioning tliem
to be moderate. He warned them against
molesting any of the new men.

Among the applicants were two engi-
neers, and they were immediately given
engines, Firemen were placed on the en-
gines, and soon the strikers found two
locomotives, at least, were to be run out
of the roundhouse.

““They’ll never cross the table!’ de-
clared a desperate looking man. ‘‘Ready
for action, inen!”?

‘CAll ready!’ came back the sullen as-
surance.

Now Frank realized a collision was im-
minent. He also realized that when des-
perate men are started on a mission of
destruction they sometimes lose their
heads and go to unlimited Jengthis.

‘*Got to hold them!’’ he muttered.

‘‘Can’t do it,’? declared Bob, who was
at lis side and caught his words. .

‘“Must do it!’ came grimly from
Frank.

‘Biggest job you ever tackled, an’
dat’s straight goods. Dis strikin’ may be
all right, but der way it’s kerried t’rough
is wot ruins everyt’ing,”’

There was a movemént toward
roundhouse.

Out of the building came an engine,
run by one of the new drivers. It ran
onto the table, which was to be turned to
place it on a certain track.

_ There was a sharp whistle, and fifty
imen started toward that engine, their
hands chnched, their eyes blazing, the
purpose of destruction written on their
faces.

The engineer and fireman saw them
coming.
he jumped from the locomotive and took
to his heels. oe

The engineer stood at his post.

He caught up an iron bar and flour-
ished it. :

tasks awk-
the

the

HAVE these a PAGE 32.

 

The fireman was a coward and
24 TIP TOP WEEKLY.

‘*Back!’’ he shouted, menacingly.

‘‘Come off that engine!’’ roared a_ big
man, who was leading the mob.

**1’ll smash you!”?

COP ry it)?

The engineer did try it, but the big
man dodged. The bar struck his shoulder
a glancing blow and caused him to utter
an exclaination of rage and pain.

‘“That settles you!’’

The big man went up and caught the
engineer’s legs, dragging the latter from
the locomotive and flinging him into the
midst of the mob.

The engineer attempted to lay about
him with the bar, but it was torn from
his grasp in a twinkling,

‘Give it to the scab!’’

**Scab! scab!?’

“Kill him !”’

The unfortunate engineer was knocked
about, his clothes were torn from his
body, he was choked and beaten. He
quickly found himself helpless and un-
able to make a defense.

**Kill the scab!’

The mob was furious enough to do so,
and the life of the man was in actual dan-
ger.

‘“They shall not do it!”’

The words came from Frank. With
his strong arms he tore a path through
the crowd. He reached the unfortunate
engineer, ace

“Drop i it!’

They did not heed his cry.

‘‘Hands off, everybody !”’

He fought to save the engineer.

‘‘Not much!’ grated one man. ‘‘That
was my engine they gave him to run.

— Nobody’s touched her throttle before for

a year. Let me hit the scab!’’

‘‘He was not to blaime,’’ protested
Frank. ‘‘It’s the men who placed him
onher. They are the ones.’’

**He had no right coming here,
was warned.’’

‘“‘Wife—babies—no work—no money—

_ hungry,’’ panted the man.
_ This told his story. It was understood
by some who had wives and_ babies.
Frank found backers in his attempt to
defend the man.

He

ae ve done enongh to him,’’ said

one. ‘‘Let him go! Let him get away
from here at once.”’

And so, on his promise to leave the
railroad, the man was permitted to de-
part, but he looked like a_ battered
wreck.

The engine still steed on the turn-
table.

‘We'll fix it so they won’t run another
one over right away!’ cried a voice.

Two men scrambled onto the engine.
Then the table was turned so the rails
did not join others leading to the tracks.
The engine was sent ahead and run half
way off the table onto the ground, where
it came to a dead stop. Then it was aban-
doned.

— ee

CHAPTER XI.
RIOTING.

It seemed that the demon of destruc-
tion had been Jet Joose. The men roared
and raved. ‘They rushed into the round-
house, where the other engine was stand-
ing under steam.

“Cet off!” they howled at the new-en-
gineer and fireman, and the ‘‘scabs’’ tum-
bled off in a hurry, running away, pelted
by bits of iron and jeered.

Onto the engine scrambled a man.

“*Clear the road!’

They got off the track alhiead.

Hiss! ‘puff! rumble!

There was a rush of steam, a belching
of smoke, a sound of turning wheels, and
the engine moved out of the roundhouse. ~

‘‘Look out! The table!”’

Some person shouted the words at the
man onthe engine. They were meant for
a warning,

‘“‘That’s all right,’’ he answered.

Then he jumped down from the en-
gine, and it plunged off into the turn-
table pit

cop har 1? vem

‘it’ll give
soinething to do before they run any more
engines outer this place.”’
The mob yelled its satisfaction and ap-
proval of this piece of work. :
The new men were being mustered by |

he cried,

some of the officials. They were armed

with iron bars, hammers and- orhies heavy

implements. a
Darius Conrad caine. cout and made |

ee “TRUE BLUE” costs ONLY FIVE CENTS.

 
TIP TOP WEEKLY. 25

some talk to them. He pointed at the
strikers aud inade savage gestures.

‘Sweep those ruffians from the yard
and every man’s pay for to-day shall be
doubled !”’ he cried.

**Génerous soul!’

“He'll ruin the company !”’

‘*Such extravagance!’

Cries of scorn and derision came from
the strikers. The new men hesitated.
They did not relish the task of fighting
those brawny, begrimed fellows, and they
showed it plainly.

‘The police will be here in a few min-
utes,’’ said Conrad; ‘‘but you must hold
the ruffans in check till the officers come.
Charge them! Drive them back!’

‘““Why don’t you lead the charge?”
asked a fireman. ‘‘We’d like to have you
do that. ‘Try it!’

‘“The police are coining!’ exclaimed a
switchman. ‘‘They have sent for them!
They. will try to arrest us!’’

‘““Hang the police! They won’t be
much bother!’

‘*Let’s show that we mean business be-
@oie-the cops show up. Now is out
time.”?

Then several short, sharp, _ fiery
speeches were made, urging the men to
the work of destroying.

Frank Merriwell was lifted by two
strong fellows.

**Fellow laborers,’’ he cried,
me a moment.”’

‘*Merriwell! Merriwell!”’

“Hark!”

**Hear what he has to say!’

**T am one of you,’’ began Frank,
“You know that—you know I am with
you body and soul.’’-

“ Hooray for Merriwell!” bellowed a
stentorian voice.

The rough fellows cheered.

“Thank you,’’? said Merry. ‘‘I have
listened to what the others had to say.
They have urged you to show your tem-
per before the police arrive. You could
not inake a graver mistake than to de-
stroy property now. Our cause is just,
and we shall have the sympathy of the

‘listen to

= people at large as long as we are law abid-
ing men.

The moment we riot and de-
_ stroy pe we put ourselves in Som

large percentage of its business.

wrong, and we lose the sympathy of the
public.’’

“‘Sympathy won’t buy bread and but-
ter,’’? shouted a voice.

‘‘Neither will the destruction of the
company’s property help you to buy bread
and butter.”’

““Tt?ll let ’em know what’s comin’ if
they don’t give us our honest dues.”’

‘It will make us appear entirely in the
wrong. It wilkbe playing into the hands
of the railroad for that very reason. The
police will be called out, then will come
the militia.”’

There was a roar of anger.

‘Let them come!’’ screamed a_ voice.
*“They are a lot of stuffs anyway! We'll
make it warm for them!”

‘And we shall be on the wrong side,
for we’ll be rioting, while it will appear
to the public that they are right in their
attempts to preserve order aud protect
the company’s property. We can’t afford
to place ourselves in that light. I. know
many of you are men who can stop and
consider this thing before making the
plunge. Don’t be hasty, I beg of you.”

‘What d’yer want? Think we’re goin’

to keep still and see our places filled?
Think we’re going to keep still and see
the company running trains?”’

“It will not be an easy thing to fill our
places in a hurry, and not many trains

will be running inside of a week. The
road will suffer an incalculable loss by be-
ing tied up for a week. It can’t afford to
suspend operations that length of time,
for its rival, the F. B. & Y., will geta
With
new men, it cannot be running as it was
before inside of amonth. That will mean
ruin for the road. Keep still, wait, re-
spect the law, and we will win this
battle. Riot, destroy property, get the
militia out, and we will be defeated.’
Frank’s words began to impress them.
They saw that he was talking sense, and

more than a third of the listeners began a

to express their approval of his method
of carrying on the strike, .

Darius Conrad had heard Merry’s

speech, and he was choking with rage. |

He realized that Frank had niade an im-
pression, and he knew the young engineer
spoke the truth. The service on the —

 
26 , TIP TOP WEEKLY.

Mountain Railroad had been of the very
best, and it had held its business, for all
of the F. B.& Y., a new road built in
rivalry; but let the B. M. R. be tied up
a while and the F. B. & Y. would. profit
by it. If the strikers were orderly and
law-abiding they would have the syimpa-
_ thy of the public; if they were riotous
the public would turn against them.

Then Conrad resolved that there should
be a collision, when the police arrived
they should find fighting taking place
there in the yards.

With all his vigor he urged the new
menon. One of them threw a stone and
it struck the head of a striker, felling the
man to the ground.

‘<The scabs did it!’’ was the hoarse cry.

‘CAt them.’’

Frank was dropped. The strikers were
aroused in a moment, and they charged
on the new imen.

Within half a minute a furious battle
was taking place there in the yard.

Darius Conrad discreetly took to his
heels, making a run for the president’s
office. If he had lingered, it was possible
that he might have been roughly handled.

The strikers could not be resisted.
They drove the new men before them,
chasing them from the yards, pelting
them with missiles, and swearing to kill
them all if they returned.

That was just enough to let them loose.
When the ‘‘scabs’’ had fled, the strikers
felt like destroying something. They
charged through the yard, and soon
smoke and flames burst forth from various
points.

They had fired a number of cars!

All Frank’s efforts had failed;
fatal step had been taken,

He woiked to gather some of thie

strikers who would aid him in putting
out the flames and trying to save the

company’s property. Ina short time he
had twenty men at his back,

~ Larry Logan found him

_ ‘Whist, Frankie!’’ exclaimed the ex-

cited Irish youth. ‘‘Phwat do yez think?”

oo  ** Lote: of things. What are ay driving
at?”

“TH? Paders av th?

settin’ th’ foires.’’

‘Who are. they ?’’

the

gang phwat’s

fp BS

‘*Ye can’t guess.’’
‘‘No time to guess.’”’
| Chase an’ Nick Roper.’’

‘‘No? Why, those fellows left the road
long ago. They are not strikers.’

CP hey lift afther troying to do yez up.
Both av thim hate yez loike sin. An’
they’re troyin’ todo as much damage as
they can.”’

‘‘Where are they ?”’

“Over thot way.’’

‘‘Come on, boys!’’

Frank led his party toward that part
of the yard indicated by Larry, and soon
they came face to face with a wild, yell-
ing gang of rioters. The mob satel
torches, and was firing cars as fast as
possible

Foremost among them was Nick Roper.

‘Hold on!’? shouted Merry, rushing
forward.

‘“Stay back!’’ snarled Roper,
him.

**You shall
have done damage enough!

Vou?” grated the former fireman.

oe MES. Why are you here? You are not
an employee of this road. You have no
right to be here.”’

“Roper? s eyes gleamed redly.

“T have been “looking for ah he de-
clared.

“Well, herelam. Stop itIsay! You
shall not fire that car!”

Frank led his backers forward in au)
attempt to save the car, Roper hurled
his force against them. There was a
savage battle.

In the midst of the struggle Frank and
Roper were again face “to face. Thie
ruffian snatched a pistol from his pocket.

‘‘Here’s whiere I settle with you!’ he
howled.

Then he fired, and Merriwell dropped. Z

Some one of Frank’s friends uttered a.
howl of rage and sorrow, aud an iron
coupling pin flew through the air.

The pin struck Roper’s head and
dropped him to the ground with a
cracked skull.

Then the police came charging into
the yard.

facing

not fire those cars! You

1)?

 
TIP TOP WEEKLY.

CHAPTER XII.

CHOOSING A LEADER.

Barely had Frank struck the ground
when he leaped up again. He had seen
Roper’s movement, and, realizing that
the fellow meant to shoot, pe c lropped to
the ground just in time to escape being
shot “through by a bullet.

**Hurru!’ cried Larry Logan.
dead Oi thought ye wur!
harrud 2?”

“Not hit at .ail®
‘*Here are the police.
the ‘fires. Scatter,
this!”

There wasatrush to get away, for the
police with drawn clubs were cracking
tight and left at every head they could
hit.

A fire alarm had been sent in, and the
engines came clanging from several direc-
tions. It was not possible, however, to
get them through the yards, so the fire
raged destructively for some time before

(fT p>
Are yez hit

answered Frank.
Let then: put out
fellows—get out of

,it was checked and held back.

y

-Merriwell,

at with credit.

Hundreds of cars were burned, while a
number of locomotives were completely
ruined.

The first day of the strike had been a
disastrous one, and Frank Merriwell was
heartsore and discouraged.

Nick Roper had been picked up and
carried to the hospital, where he died
with a fractured skull before night.

And it was never known that the hand
of Larry Logan threw the iron pin that
cracked the ruffian’ s head. Larry had be-
lieved that Frank was shot, and he
wrought quick vengeance for the dastard-
ly deed. .

Bill Chase, Roper’s boon companion,

kept in hiding for a time,

It happened that several reporters were
present when the outbreak in the yard
occurred, and the most of them gave
truthful reports of Frank’s speech to the
strikers, and praised hii for his fruitless
attempt to hold the lawless element in
check.

Those reports caused Darius Conrad to
erind his teeth with fury, for he saw that
whom he wished to injure
above all others, was coming out os the

1

27

A meeting of the stockholders was held.
Much to the surprise of the strikers, Con-
rad was not chosen superintendent.
Some, however, declared. he might as
well have been, for one of his friends,
named Orlando Frost, was selected for
the position.

It was said that Frost would be a
pliable tool] in Conrad’s hands, and would
strictly carry out the wishes of his

~ master.

‘*Well,’’ said Bob, as night was coming
on and, from a distance, he and Merry
stood looking down on the scene of
smoking desolation presented by the
yards, ‘‘I reckon dis is'der last of me rail-
roadin’, Ii] have ter go back ter sellin’
poipers on der streets.”

“Oh, I don’t know about that,’’. said
Frank. ‘‘They will want you back on
the express when it gets to running
again.’

“Wen will dat be?”

**T don’t know.’’

“Wot d’yer t’ink *bout dis strike ?”’

“T think that everything unfortunate
happened to-day.””

‘*Dat’s wot’s der matter; but yer can’t
hold a lot of men back w’en dey gits
started. Dey loses reason an’ ev’ryt’ing
else. Dat’s wot knocks der stuffn’ outer
strikes.’

“You are right,’? admitted Frank.
‘“‘This is. my first experience with
strikers, but it seem to me that they
would throw good sense to the winds.
What happened to-day should not have
happened, for there was no real cause for>
it. Ifthe men had been out of work a
long time and had seen the company
moving trains, there might have been an
excuse for an outbreak; but this business
puts the strikers in the worst light pos- —
sible.”’

‘“—D’ yer feel like givin’ up?”’

Frank smiled.

‘“What good would it do me to give
up,’’ he asked. ‘Conrad would be the |
witiner, and there would be no chance |
for me on the road. If the men want to; |
give up, let them. There is to be another |
meeting to-night in Riverside Hall.’’

“Bor what???

“‘T don’t know -yet.
notified: to attend.”’

I Lie been

 
28 TIP TOP WEEKLY,

Frank went to the meeting, and he
found a sober, serious-looking collection
of men inthe hall. The strikers began
to look as if they realized the gravity of
their acts.

The meeting was called to order, but it
was difficult to find anybody to iiak ea
speech. Whiere the inen
and eloquent at the last meeting, they
were now silent and dismal.

Pretty soon Frank was called on.
responded promptly.

‘*I do not like to be the first one to say
anything,’’ he began; ‘‘but somebody
must start this. From what I have-heard
since coming into this hall, I learn that
the events of to-day are regretted very
much. We see our mistake now in play-
ing into the hands of the enemy by mak-
ing any kind of a disturbance or taking
part in one.”’

‘Wel’? interripted a voice. ‘‘Don’t
say ‘we!’ You didn’t have anything to
do with it; you urged us against it.’ |

‘‘And you was right!’ cried another
voice.

*‘I did do everything in my power to
persuade you not to create a disturbance,’’
nodded Frank. ‘‘Still Iam one of you,
and Iam ready to share my blame for
whatever happened.”’

‘““That’s the stuff!’ muttered several.

‘*What’s the matter with Merriwell ?”’
shouted a voice.

eke Sale right |”? roared the entire
meeting.

“Now,?? Frank went on, ‘‘I know that
the leaders of the rioting to-day were not
strikers, but were former laborers on this
road. One of them died in the hospital
this afternoon with a hroken skull. An-
other is at large. Those fellows hada

He

had been fiery.

grudge against the road, and they did not
care a rap for the consequences if they
could do the company some damage.
They did not care whether we won the
strike or not.

‘‘Although Iam _ sorry that the rioting
happened, I ain sorry there was any prop-
erty destroyed, still I hope things have
not gone too far. I hope to win out in
the end. But we must show that we do
uot mean to destroy the company’s prop-
erty, we must show that we are ready to
protect it. We should organize ourselves
and do everything ; im our power to pro-
tect it.

‘“That is my suggestion, fellow labor-
ers. I believe it is a good one. You may
act on it as you choose. Be sure I ain
with you to the end.”’

There were cheers for him when he
stopped speaking. ‘Then his suggestion
was taken up by others. He carried the
meeting with him. A body of the most
reliable men among the strikers was
organized to act as protectors of the rail-
road’s property.

Frank was chosen leader of them all;
and lhe made another brief speech, assur-
ing them that he would be with them to
the end.

The meeting then broke wiih cheers
for Merriwell.

The strike was still on.

How would it end ?”’

[THE END. ]

The next numoer (128) of the Tip Top ©
Weekly will contain ‘fFrank Merriwell

as a Ferret; or, Tracking the Train
Wreckers,’ by the anthor of ‘‘Frank Mer- -
riwell.’’

 
TIP TOP WEEKLY.

 

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WHY? WHY? WHY?

His five-year-old boy was perched on his knee,

and the fond father gazed at him with eyes that
beamed with paternal pride.
‘*Father’’—pointing out of the window—‘‘ what

are those men doing over there?’’
“Boyggpling a house, my son.’’

ON my???

‘*Because they are paid to do it.’’

“‘Who pays them for doing it?’’

**The man who is putting the house up.’’

‘*What does he pay ’em for???

‘For building the house. ’’

“Why ???

*‘ Because—well, because they would not build
the house if he did not pay them.’’

‘‘What does the man want the house for?”

The paternal smile became ne:

**To live in.’’

**Hasn’t he got a house to live in?

**Oh, yes!”’

“*What does he want another one for?’’

**Oh, for other people to live in.’? _

‘‘What other people ?’’

‘‘Oh, men and women and little boys and girls ”’

‘‘Why do they want to live in the house?’’

‘‘Well, they must live somewhere. ’’

‘*Who 2?

**The people.’’

‘*What people ?’’

‘*Any people.’’

“Why?”
—- Atthis juncture the innocent, prattling child
saw a firm hand raised aloft, and hastily retreated.

ete ee ee

; Fenny“ Father, Billy Jones says can I go
- a-fishin’ with him,’’

Father—‘‘Well, I think not, my son.
stayed away from school to ue a when I
‘was a boy.’’ ‘

‘Fimmy—""Ves, but you never went to school. ae

I never

little oil of cloves or sassafras.

Correspondence,

R. R. C., Wilmington, Del.—Millenium is a
word used to denote the 1,000 years mentioned in
Revelations, Chapter XX., during which Satan
will be bound and holiness triumph throughout
the world.

M. P. G., Milford; Mass.—Ves, the President
of the United States can serve more than two
terms if he receives the nomination, and is
elected. There is no law against it, but no Presi-
dent has as yet received three nominations.

R. F. C., Montpelier, Vt.—Cider is miade by
grinding up ripe and mellow apples into little
pieces, and the pulp thus made is at once put into
a press in layers folded in straw and pressed. The
juice runs into a tub, and after being carefully
strained is put into barrels, where it is allowed to
ferment or work, after which it is drawn off into
other casks or put into bottles, which are sealed
to prevent souring.

J. Q. C., Dyersburg, Tenn.—To make court
plaster, take haif an ounce of benzoin and six
ounces of rectified spirit; dissolve and strain;
then take one ounce of isinglass and half a pint of
hot water; dissolve, and strain separately from the
former. Mix the two, and set them aside to cool,
when a jelly will be found. Warm this, and brush
it ten or twelve times over a piece of black silk
stretched smooth. When dry brush it with a solu-
tion made from four ounces of Chian turpentine
and six ounces of tincture of benzoin.

Musician, Concord, N. H.—Cleaning your vio-
lin—if it were carefully done—would certainly
benefit rather than injure it. For the outside, use
ordinary paraffin oil, Slightly saturate a rag of
soft silk and proceed to wash your violin there-
with. The effect is almost magical. The paraffin
dissolves the crust of dirt and resin and cleans the
varnish without injuring. For the inside get a
handful of rice, steep it in a solution of sugar and
water five minutes, strain off, and nearly dry the
tice till just sticky. Put in at sound holes and
shake till tired. This will pick up all dirt; then
turn out.

R. F., Melrose, Mass.—The following cement is
said to stick on anything. Take of clear gum
arabic two ounces, of fine starch one ounce and a_
half, and of white sugar half an ounce. Reduce
the gum arabic to powder, and dissolve it in as
much water as a laundress would use to render one
ounce and a half of starch fit for use. Dissolve the
starch and sugar in the gum solution. Then place
the mixture in a vessel and plunge the vessel itself
in boiling water, and let it remain there until the —
starch becomes clear. The cement should be as
thick as tar and remain so, It can be kept from
spoiling by dropping in a lump of camphor, or a
This cement is —
said to be very strong indeed, and wil] cause glazed :

surfaces to adhere perfectly. It 1s u seful for repair

ing specimens of récks, minerals, or fossils that
may have been accidentally broken. —

_READ THE GREAT PREMIUM OFFER ON LAST PAGE. Se

 
TIP TOP WEEKLY.

AMATEUR JOURNALISM.

The first number of The Marysand Major is
at hand. P. T. Shevlin, 600 N. Eutaw’street, Bal-
timore, Md., is the editor. ‘The subscription price
is twenty cents a year. It contains several fine
illustrations, and promises well.

Of The Pioneer, published by Arthur E. Stan-
ton, 316 Branch street, Philadelphia, Pa., we have
nothing but good words to say. It consists of six-
teen well-printed pages, and almost every page is
interesting.
a year, and the paper is well worth the price.

The Diamond, published by Frank E. Williams,
583 St. Marks ave., Brooklyn, N. Y., is a capital
little sheet.
amateur monthly, called the
Ray N. Cary,
The

A new eight-page
Stork, is about to be published.
Volinia, Mich., is the business manager.
subscription price will be twenty cents a year.

”

Wallace Macdonald, 2537 Columbia avenue,
Philadelphia, Pa., would like to receive sample
copies of amateur publications.

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New York city, would like to receive sample
copies of amateur papers; wants to subscribe.

The Badger, published by Benjamin -Fuelle-
mann, 2004 Lisbon ayenue, Milwaukee, Wis., is
in most respects an excellent little paper, but we
strongly object to one or two of its advertisements.
Leaving the moral question entirely out, it does
not pay to accept vulgar advertisements for the
sake of the little money there is in it, and so
cheapen your publication. We wish we could im-
press this fact upon all‘amateur journalists,

The National Flag Association of America seems
to be a most worthy organization, and _ patriotic
boys could not do better than join it, For particu-
lars, address R. G. Ballard, Kingston, N. Y.

HOW OTHERS HAVE SUCCEEDED.
3y L, Prentiss Bethel, in The Editor.

Some months ago there appeared in The Editor,
an article on ‘‘Literary Beginnings,’’ which con-
tained many excellent suggestions, not the least of
‘*Practice
To write much,

which were: is a great educator and

teacher for the writer.

lish little, might be said tobe the axiom in this
profession.’”’

This Pang to mind a weet conversation with

The subscription is twenty-five cents

and to pub-

a well-known author. Regarding his literary habits
he said:

‘‘T wrote four books before I felt that my pro-
-ductions were worthy of publication. The manu-
script of the fourth book submitted was accepted,
and passed through several editions. Since that
time I have rewritten the second and third stories
and they, also, have been published in book form.

‘““The writing of short stories was the same. I
wrote many of them before feeling satisfied with
my productions. I will tell you how I write them.
First, the idea is evolved, the plot formed, and the
perhaps. It is
and
but
this time with pen and ink. that
the MS. has gone through a second revision.) I
then read the story aloud to some friend, stopping
here and there to ask his opinion as to how this
If he is able to tell, that

portion is underscored and afterwards rewritten in

story studied mentally for weeks,

then type-written, revised with lead pencil,
The second’ copy is revised,

(This signifies

then rewritten.

or that will turn out.

yn

such a way as to make it more obs
manuscript is then laid aside for from four to six
weeks to ripen, as it were, then final revisions are
made and it is in as good shape as I am capable of
placing it. This thorough prepatation has been
one of the secrets of my success.

Many of our great writers owe much of their
success to thoroughness. Newton wrote his
‘*Chronology’’ fifteen times over before he was
satisfied with it. Gibbon wrote his ‘‘Memoirs’’
nine times. Macaulay rewrote several times many
a chapter before he felt that it was suitahbJe for
publication. Dickens, Tennyson and we might
add many others, were just as thorough.

Perseverance, also, has added to the success of
many. E, Ralwer Lytton is a good exeaiyis His
first book, ‘‘Weeds and Wild Flowers, proved a
failure. He wrote another, ‘‘Falklard,’’ but it met
the fate of the first. But with a determination to
succeed, and not discouraged by these failures, he
worked on. He was incessantly industrious and.
read prodigiously. Less than a year from this time
he completed a third Loox, ‘Pelham,’ which at-
tracted some attention. From this time his literary
life was a succession of triumphs. - x

Disraeli reached successs only through» a_ sue-
cession of failures, his first work being laughed at
and regarded as indications of literary lunacy
Sir Joshua Reynolds would not believe in what is

called inspiration, but only in study and labor,
‘*Excellence,’’ he said, (ig never granted to men
but as the reward of labor. If you have great tal-—
ents, industry will improve them; if you have but |

' moderate abilities, industry will supply their de- —

ficiency. Nothing is denied to well- directed labor ;
nothing is to be obtained without it,”’

CLIK FARADAY IS A oe TO THE SPANIARDS.

 
TIP TOP WEEKLY, 31

APPLAUSE.

Imust highly recommend the Tip Top Weekly,
and hope it will always remain ‘“‘Tip Top.’’? The
members of our club read it, and the present series
I think, “‘indeed all of us think,’’ are fine.

G. F. M., Harrisburg, Pa.

I have been reading your most interesting paper
ever since the first number has been issued, and as
it gets older it increases a hundredfold. I nrust
acknowledge it is one of the best papers I ever
read, and I read considerably. Please let us hear
from EHisie and his college boy chums. Wishing
Tip Top a long life and prosperity, I remain as
ever a Tip Top Weekly admirer,

Bayou Goula, La. C, T. Duffel.

I think the Tip Top Weekly is one of the best
weekly papers published. Instead of being excit-
able to boys, it fills them with a desire to be true
and manly, like Frank Merriwell. I recommend
it to everybody. Buy one copy and you will want
another. A friend of mine lent me some of the
back numbers, and ever since I have been reading
them. I hope you will keep on publishing this
paper. Wishing you success.

Baltimore, Md, James Stewart.

Allow me to speak a word for Frank Merriwell.
Pthiik tres the hero above all other heroes whose
influence may be felt for good by the readers of
the Tip Top Weekly. The railroad stories now
running are superfine. No such blending of char-
acter may be found in any other paper fiction.
Merriwell is a young man without reproach, and
just the vigorous fellow that every boy likes to
read about. Three cheers for the author who can
find few leaders in any juvenile literature, and
thanks tothe publishers for securing so valuable
services. Willis Kdwin Hurd.
Newport, N. H.

—_—— ——

I have always been an omnivorous reader, but
until a short time ago invariably eschewed that
class of fiction that came under’ the head of dime
novels. This was a short-sighted prejudice on my
part, for lately I happened across the Tip Top
Weekly, and it was not until after I read it that I
realized the good, wholesome stories I had been
missing by eschewing paper novels. _It would be
superfluons to state that I am now a constant
reader of your excellent publication, and an ardent
admirer of Frank Merriwell. I sincerely believe
that if all publishers of juvenile stories would
_ present such stories as those Mr. Standish writes
to their youthful patrons there would be no more

disparaging remarks about the ‘‘dime novels,’’
_ and parents would gladly let their children peruse
_ such pure works of fiction. Every number of the

_ Tip Top Weekly points a moral, and the youth of

_ this country could do no better than to strive, as
_ far as in them lies, to emulate the noble examples
set by Frank Merriwell. In every number of the
ee oP Weekly we are treated to a profound

. No, I’m better without it.

study in the early life of an honest, upright youth
that I do not think has been excelled in any scien-
tific treatment on the subject. The impressions
and principles of such a sterling youth as Frank
Merriwell are given with a clear and vivid power
that interests far beyond the usual character
analysis found in novels. Given such a character
as Frank Merriwell, with uncertain elements to
harmonize, is it any wonder, under the virile hand
of Mr. Burt I. Standish, there should come forth
a series of stories at once a wonder in their depart-
ure from conventional methods of dime novel fic-
tion and an ever growing charm in their develop-
ment and sequence? William H, Greenfield,
Philadelphia, Pa,

From the very first number of your Tip Top
Weekly until No, 121 we, the undersigned, have
been constant subscribers of your exceedingly in-
teresting series. We wish to ask of you if the hero,
Frank Merriwell, is ever going back to Yale, or is
he ever going to play football or baseball again?
In our estimation the most interesting books of
this library were from Nos. 10 to 117. We would
be very disappointed if we were to find out that
Frank would no moresee his old college comrades,
Rattleton, Hodge, Browning, Diamond, Jones, ete.
As we have a club of twenty-five members and are
either high school or college boys, and therefore
its for this reason and many others innumerable
that we should like to see him again installed in
old Yale, carrying her colors in every branch of
athletics to the front. Please let us know your
final answer on your Page 28-29 of your weekly.
Do not get the idea that we purchase only one or
two books, but. we purchase twenty-five (25) copies
every Friday night at the stores which carry them
near our homes.

‘Elmore Progressive Combine.

Roxbury, Mass. R. M. Kenny, secretary.

nl I I ne
OF DOUBTFUL VALUE.

A somewhat amusing incident oceurred the other
day in a barber’s shop, which caused a general
titter amongst the customers.

Businesslike Barber.—‘‘ Your hair has had a re-
markable change for the better, sir, since buying
a bottle of my hair cleanser,.’’

Wily Customer—‘‘ Indeed,
hear it!’

Businesslike Barber—‘‘Yes, I would certainly
recommend you to have another bottle. It hasa
wonderful effect on the hair.’’

Wily Customer—‘‘Possibly so; but Iam of the
opinion that it has a still more wonderful effect off
the hair, as I have not even opened the bottle yet.
Good-morning!’’

————_++@+-+~<—_______

*‘Johnny, Mr. Jones tells me he caught you in
his apple-tree to-day. What were you doing
there ?”’

“Studying.”

‘‘What! Don’t tell falsehoods,
were you studying ??’

“‘Apples,’’? was the reply.

I am very glad to

What

Johnn y:

“

a COUEON PREMIUMS ARE JUST WHAT YOU WANT.

 
32 Tre TOP

Tip Top Quarterly.

The earlier issues of ‘Tip Top Weekly are now on sale in the
orm of Quarterlies, each including 13 consecutive issues of this
favorite weekly, together with the 13 original illuminated illustra-
tions, and au elegant cover in colors, ‘Che price is 50 Cents per
volume, for which sum they will be sent by mail post-paid, to and
address in the United States,

NOW READY.
Nos. 27 to 39 of 'Tip
Nos, 40 to 52 of Tip
Nos. 538 to 65 of ‘Vip

No. 6 = Nos. 66 to 78 of Tip
No. 7. ” Nos. 79 to 91 of Tip
Nos. Land 2 out of print.

Top Weekly.
Top Weekly.
‘Top Weekly.
Top Weekly.
Top Weekly.

No, ! “4
No. 4 a
No. st

If your Newsdealer has not got the Quarterlies, remit direct to
the pubiishers,

STRE ET & SMITH, 81 Fulton St., N; Ye

A Great Series!

—

FRANK MERRIWELL’S BICYCLE TOUR ACROSS
THE CONTINENT

 

Comprising Thirteen Issues of the

‘Vip Top Weekly
Complete in No. 5 of the TIP TOP: QUAR-
TERLY, with all the original illuminated
illustrations. Admirers of Frank Merriwell
should have this book by all means.

Price, SO Cents.
; Sent by mail, péstpaid, on receipt of price

y ee

}MITH, Publishers,
ulton St., New Vork.

an FOR EVERYBODY

BO Ok TEN CENTS EACH,

‘The following list of books will be found useful, entertaining, and
full of instructive information for all, vv hey are handsomely
bound in attractive covers, printed on good quality paper, illus-
trated, and are marvels of excellence. ‘hese books have never
before been offered at such a low figure, ‘The price, 10 cents each
ncludes postage, B

USEFUL AND INSTRUCTIVE INFORMATION.

Boys’ Own Book of Boats
The Book of Knowledge.
Kiveryday Cook Book.
Amateur’s Manual of Photography. ‘The Taxidermist Manual.
Mills’ Universal Letter-Writer. Good Housekeeping.

The Hunter and Angler. The International Cricket Guide.

The Complete Angler, Amateur and Professional Oarsman’s
Riding and Driving. Manual, ;
Boo’s Koot-Ball., Complete Training Guide for Amateur
e: unpbell’s Lawn Tennis. Dunn’s Fencing Instructor.

‘he Complete Checker Player. Capt. Webb’s Swimming
Bac kgammon and Bagatelle. Instructor.
Out Door Sports. Aquatic Guide; or, Yachting
The Young Gymnast. Sailing.

FORTUNE-TELLING,

Book of Fate. Cupid’s Dream Book
Zola’s Dream Book.

TRICKS.

Heller’s Hand Book of Magic,
Herrman’s Tricks with Cards,

Album Writer’s Assistant.
Short Hand for Everybody.
How to Do Business.

and

Napoleon’s

Herrman’s Black Art.
The Way to Do Magic.

RECITATIONS AND READINGS.

The Peerless Reciter. Select Recitations and Readings.
The Young Elocutionist. The Standard Reciter,

These books will be sent prepaid upon receipt of 10 cents. ¢€ o*.
When ordering, please be particular to send the ful eo
books desired, also your full name and address. TheWooks are 10
cents each, postage free. Address

STREET & SMITH, 25 Rose St., New York.
{Manual Library Deuartment.) ot

 

 

ne =

THE PATRIOTIS

 

 

se

IS HEREBY DISCONTINUED.

 

A NEW PREMIUM WILL BE
OFFERED NEXT WEEK.

ee BS &

The Coupon in This Issue Will Be Accepted Under the New Offer.

HF hhh

DON’T FAIL TO GET NEXT WEEK’S PAPER.
YOU WILL BE PLEASED WITH OUR NEW PREMIUM.

TIP TOP WEEKLY COUPON.

This coupon, Se eeaets by two others, each from a different one of the followin
eekly, Diamond Dick, Jr., or True Blue entitle the sender to the pre-

eations: Nick Carter

publi-

mium we offer, ifa two cent stamp is also enclosed he for postage and pack
’S rie ES Ke IS MA EL

 

“TRUE BLUR? 1S PUBLISHED EVERY WEEK,

 
 
TIP TOP WEEKLY

IMuminated Cover—Price, Five Cents—Thirty-two Pages.

Complete List of Stories By the author of “Frank Merriwell.”
—e*

Tales of School,

Fun, College, Travel and Adventure.

PAPAS I™
Att back numbers are constantly on hand, and will be mailed to any address on receipt of

price, Five Cents each.

67—Frank Merriwell’s Yacht; or, The Chase Down the
Coast

68—Frank Merriwell’s Combination; or, The All Round
Athletes.

69—Frank Merriwell’s Red Rival.

70—Frank Merriwell’s Texas Tournament; or,
Among the Cowboys.

71—Frank Merriwell’s Nine; or, Surprising the Southern
League.

72 —Frank Merriwell’s Shot; or,
Gun Club.

73 —Frank Merriwell’s Flyer; or, The Winning Wheel.

74—Frank Merriwell’s ‘Thoroughbred; or, Honesty
Against Crookedness.

75—Frank Merriwell’s Enemy; or, Rivals of the Blue
Ridge.

74 —Frank Merriwell’s Crew; or, The Champions of the
Potomac.

77—Frank Merriwell’s Hunt; or, In at the Death.

73 —Frank Merriwell’s Blow; or, Unmasking a Rascal.

79 —Frank Merriwell’s Return to Yale; or, The Mystery
of the Examination Papers.

80—F rank Merriwell as ‘Anchor; or, The Winning Pull
in the 'T'ug of War. «>

81—Frank Merriwell’s Initiation; or, The Secre Order
of Pi Gamma.

82—Frank Merriwell’s Sign; or, The Secret of the Silent
Student.

83—Frank Merriwell as Full Back; or, ares His Colors.

84—Frank Merriwell's Duel; or, A Point o ‘3

85—Frank Merriwell’s Mark; or, Subduing ly.

86—Frank Merriwell’s Secret; or, A Friend in Need.

87—F rank Merriwell’s Revenge; or, Aroused at Last.

88—Frank Merriwell’s Capture; or ‘The Black Schooner.

89—Frank Merriwell’s Chum; or, The Hand of a Friend.

90—Frank Merriwell’s Double Shoot; or, Winning in
the Box.

91—Frank Merriwell’s Danger; or,
Disgrace.

92-—Frank Merriwell’s Wager; or, Bound to Win.

93—Frank Merriwell In ‘Training; or, The Mystery of
the Midnight Prowler.

94—Frank Merriwell’s Courage; or, Loyal to the Last.

95—Frank Merriwell at Fardale Again; or, Yale Lads at
the Military Academy.

96—Frank Merriwell in Camp; or, Frolics with the Far-
dale Boys.

97—Frank Merriwell’s Fardale Friends, or, Facing Old
Foes.

98 —Frank Merriwell’s Yale Chums;
of Fardale.

99—Frank Merriwell’s Choice; or, The Fair Rivals of
Fardale.

100 —Frank Merriwell’s
On a Frolic.

Sport

Out with the Guthrie

The Shadow of

or, The Jolly Dogs

Fardale Rackets; or, Yale Lads

 

101— Frank Merriwell’s Courage; or, True Nerve Against
Bluff.

102—Frank Merriwell’s Faith; or,
Crime.

103—Frank Merriwell’s Celebration; or, Last Days at
Fardale.

104—Frank Merriwell Afloat;
White Wings.

105—Frank Merriwell Under Megunticook, or, With the
Knox County League.

106—Frank Merriwell’s Mystery;
Devil Island.

107—Frank Merriwell’s Disappearance; or, The Secret
of the Island.

108—Frank Merriwell Aroused;
of Belfast.

109—Frank Merriwell’s Pursuit; or, The Chase of the
Stolen Yacht.

110—Frank Merriwell's Catch; or, The Canoe Boys of
Lake Sebasticook.

111—Frank Merriwell’s Guide; or, Sport Around Moose-
head Lake.

112— Frank Merriwell’s Peril; or, The Smugg](qgvst =>
Border. 7

113—Frank Merriwell’s Drift; or, With the Penobscot a
River Drivers.

114—Frank Merriwell’s Daring;
Sacrifice.

115—Frank Merriwell’s
Truth.

116—Frank Merriwell’s Masquerade; or, The Belle of
Hurricane Island. im

117—Frank Merriwell's Misfortune; or, The Start Ona
New Career.

118—Frank Merriwell, Engine Wiper;
of the Ladder.

119—Frank Merriwell Fireman; or, The First Step Up-
ward.

120—Frank Merriw ell’s Opportunity; or, The Ghost of
Black Gorge.

121--Frank Merriwell’s First Run; or, The Chance of
His Life.

122 —Frank Merriwell, Engineer; or, The Turn of For-,
tune.

123 - Frank Merriwell’s Hard Luck; or, A Slip on The
Ladder. i

124—Frank Merriwell’s Advancement, or, Engineer of |
the Mountain Express. -

125—Frank Merriwell Held Up; or, The Robbery of the .
Mountain Express. 3

126—Frank Merriwell’s Protege; or, Lending a Heljing
Hand.

127—Frank Merriwell on Strike; or; Saving the Enemy’s
Property.

128—Frank Merriwell As a Ferret;
‘Train Wreckers.

The Shadow of a
or, The Cruise of the
or, The Monster of

or, The Bicycle Boys

Fist; or, Bound to Know the f

or, At the Foot

or, racking the

 

STREET & SMITH, PUBLISHERS, NEW YORK.

DLPALAVSI™

For Sale by all Newsdealers.

Every Saturday.

 

or, Elsie Bellwood’s. ae