=i, ce

ication for d € American Youth”

— a

Entered as Second Crass Matier at the N. Y. Post Office by Street & SMITH

Issued weekly — By Subscription, $2.50 per year.

Nort 109, =. - Price Five Cem

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IT WAS PAST MIDNIGHT, BUT THERE WAS MERRY GRINDING AWAY.

 
 

 

 
 

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AN IDEAL PUBLICATION FOR THE AMERICAN YOUTH

   

 

Issued Weekly—By Subscription $2.50 per year. Entered as Second Class Matter at the N. ¥. Post Office, by STREET & SMITH, 238 William
St. NW, Y. Entered According to Act of Congress,in the year 1900 in the Office of the Librarian of Congress, Washington, D, C.

 

No, 196.

NEW YORK, February 3, 1900.

Price Five Cents.

 

Frank Merriwell’s Work

OR,

In Training for Spring Sports

ee ee mee ey ene y

By BURT L. STANDISH

CHAPTER I.
AGNEW’S ANGER

Even Rupert Chickating’s set felt not

a little contempt for Morton Agnew. The

news that he had been detected by Frank

Merriwell cheating at cards and had been

kicked out of the club room by Buck
Badger spread quickly through the col-
lege.

~ Just who circulated the report did not
appear. Frank Merriwell had spoken of
it only to his close friends, in the intim-
acy of his own room.

Badger inight have
told of it, he thought, or the Kansas cow-
boy, Bill Higgins, or the colored waiter

 

who served the drinks and cigars in the
club room. However, Merry did not
think it worth while to trouble himself
about the story, though he knew that his
enemies were using it to prove that Merry
was himself a confirmed gambler and card
sharp. ‘ .

In the perfumed pees of Rupert
Chickering’s, apartments Agnew talked
over the events of that, to hiin, unhappy
evening with the delectable members of
the Chickering set. He felt the unspoken ~
contempt that even these gilded and in- —
ane youths held for him, but he was re-_
solved to lie brazenly through’ the diffi-

    
  

culty. Under ordinary circumstances, he
might have despised their friendship, but
he could not afford to do that now. ‘‘Tell
a lie and persistently stick to it, and
there will be some who will believe
you!’’ was the motto which he now
adopted.

“The whole thing wasa plot to ruin
me here at Yale,’’ he bitterly comment-
ed, shifting his eyes from the floor to the
fireplace. ‘‘Merriwell is determined to
down ime. I’ve learned that fhere isn’t
a bigger scoundrel in New Haven. I
ouglit to have refused to play with him,

but I didn’t think of a trap. In fact, I

didn’t credit him with the ability which
he showed.’’

*“He ith a dangerouth man!’’ lisped
Lew Veazie.

Gene Skelding smiled. He was not
smiling at Veazie, though; but because
he was pleased with the rage against
Frank Metriwell which he saw burning
in the heart of Morton Agnew,

‘“Vou can say your say here without
any danger,’’ he said, when he thought
Agnew was about to hesitate. 3

“T wish there was a man at Yale who
could do up this Mr. Merriwell,’’ lan-
puidly observed Julian Ives. ‘‘It would
give me the-greatest satisfaction.”

‘Agnew is the man for that!’? said
Skelding. .

‘“As I said,’? Agnew continued, ap-
pearing not to notice Skelding’s re-
“mark, ‘I didn’t credit him with the skill.
I discovered at once that some one was
marking the cards, and of course, as that
 hadn’t been done before he began td play,
I knew immediately that he was the
guilty party.
prove it perhaps, and so I began to watch
him.’?

“He ith a weal thlick wathcal!” Vea:
zie admitted, impressed by Agnew’s state-

* ment. ‘But wathn’t you afwaid of him,

Agnew? There ith thomething about
that cwecher that alwayth maketh me

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But I felt that I couldn’t |

feel weak. The latht time I patht him in
the stweet he gave mea look that tho
thattered iny nerveth that I had to come
thwaight to my woom and get a ‘cup of
tea!’’

‘‘Of course he wasn’t afraid of him,’’
said Skelding. ‘‘Veazie, you make me
sick with such chatter. Of course he
wasn’t afraid of him. Nor is he afraid of
him now.”’

“‘J’d like to choke the heart out of
him!’? Agnew declared, with a convul-
sive movement of his hands, which made
Lew Veazie cringe and shudder.

‘You are tho bloodthirthty!’’ Veazie
gasped. ‘‘You give me the cweeps,- both
of you!”’

‘“That’s what all babies have!’ Julian
suggested. ‘‘The creeps!’

Then he squared his shoulders to ex-
hibit what he supposed to be the good
points of his manly form,

Agnew gave him 4a glance of scorn.
‘Even in his present state of humiliation
Agnew could not help doing this.’

“Don’t quarrel!’? Rupert Chickering
purred, blowing a cloud of cigarette
smoke from his nostrils. ‘I aim sure I
can’t apptove of any of the seitiments
which lave been uttered. It’s better to
endure wrong than to——”’

*‘Let Agnew finish his story,’’ Skeld-
ing interruptéd. ©

“T saw that Merriwell was marking
the cards, as I said,’’? Agnew went on,
‘‘but I was afraid I couldn’t prove it.
You see, the other players were all his
friends, and, of course, they wouldn’t be-
lieve anything against him unless it was
made so plain that they couldn’t help it.
I knew that, and so I watched for an op-
portunity.” |
“All his friends but Buck Badger,’’
corrected Ollie Lord.

‘He is Merry’s friend, too!”? Aguew
insisted, with the uneomfoftahle Senna:
tion of being kicked by Badger still

clinging to his coat tails. ‘‘You couldn’t —

   

 

  
   
     

 
 

 

Sp nab. a

ie

   
 

 

 

 

  

-say,’’ asserted Skelding.

  

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have doubted it if you hadseen and heard
him!’

‘‘Badger is a fool!’’ said Skelding.
*“When is a fool like a ballet dancer?”
simpered Julian Ives. ‘‘Say, fellows, this
is original with me! When he isa high
kicker!’

Lew Veazie stared, unable at first to
see the point. But when Ives nodded to-
ward Morton Agnew and made a kicking
motion with his foot Veazie ‘‘caught
on.’’

‘“That’th thimply gweat!’’ he said,
getting up and putting an arm affection-
ately over Julian’s shoulder. ‘‘A high
kicker. And I thuppothe you’d call that
wude cowboy another high kicker?
Thay, fellows, that’th the gweateth thing
I’ve heard thith theason! Ives, old chum-

mie, I'll have to thmoke one of your

lovely cigawettes on that. A high-kick-
er! Ha, ha! Yeth, that’th good—vewy

good!”

_ Morton Agnew looked as if he wanted

to throw both Veazie and Ives through

the window.:

*‘T watched for an opportunity,’’ he
continued, wishing he had an oppor-
tunity to twist the necks of the youths
who were so unintentionally torturing
him with their poor wit; ‘‘but before I
felt safe in attempting to show Merriwell
up as acard sharp, he sprung the charge
against ie that I was marking the .cards
and cheating. Of course he made his
friends believe it.”’

‘They swould believe anything he’d
Such a set of
sycophants J never saw. They simply
disgust me. .No matter what Merriwell
says or does, they are ready to fall right
down at his feet and worship him.”’

“T hadn’t the ghost of a show with
that crowd. Merriwell exhibited the
marked cards—cards which he had
matked himself, mind you!—and_ told

them that I had marked them, and they

believed him, They forced me to give

. 4 oy

back my  winnings—just robbed me!
And, by threatening me with everything
short of death, they made me say that I
had marked the cards. Of course, I

would have said anything, just to get

away from them. But they can’t make
mie continue to repeat that lie!’’

**VYou’ll have to get even with Merri-
well in some way,’’ Gene Skelding craft-
ily suggested.”

‘‘And with Buck Badger!’’ said Ives.

**Buck Badger is our friend,’’? Rupert
Chickering protested. ‘‘I won’t have
anything said in these rooms against any
one who is our friend. I don’t like to
hear you say the things about Merriwell
that you’ve been saying, though I can
understand how great is the provocation
in the case of our friend Agnew. But as
for Badger, I must insist on drawing the —
line there.”’

Agnew looked at Chickering in a way
that was not pleasing to the latter. The
look seemed to have in it the snarl of a
dog. More than that, it seemed to say
alinost as plainly as words to the foppish-
ly dressed proprietor of the perfumed
apartments, ‘*You’re a cad and a ‘hypo-
crite, Rupert Chickering, from the bot-
tom of your creased trousers to the top of
your worthless head!’

He only said, but he said it with fierce
emphasis:

‘‘T shall retain the privilege of hating
both Frank Merriwell and Buck Badger
to the bottom of my heart, and I shall
not rest until I have made them pay with
interest the insult they put on me in the
club room. If I can’t do it by fair means,
I shall do it by foul.”’ :

“Good! said Skelding. ‘‘That’s the.
stuff. And you may count on me to help
you.’ Pee te

Julian Ives clapped his hands softly,
then smoothed his bang into place.

Tilton Hull looked fiercely over his

high collar, and Ollie lifted himself on

     
 

ee kind.

ping of Morton Agnew.

 

& TIP FOP WEEKLY.

his toes until he was at least an inch
taller.

eG daiciaust® gasped Lew Veazie.
*‘Vou fellowth are tho fierthe that you
miake me twemble; you do, weally!’’

CHAPTER II.
IN THE GYMNASIUM.

“Nothing of the kind!’ shouted Harry
Rattleton. ‘‘I’ll block the knock—I
mean I’ll knock the block off of anybody
that says so, too!’’

Bertrand Defarge, to whom he was
speaking, turned as pale as chalk and
seemed about to leap on Rattleton, but
controlled himself with an effort.

“Pm not saying it, but only telling
you what I heard.”’

“Don’t tell it again, please.”’

‘“Why not ?’’ .

‘Because it isn’t so.”’

‘*But perhaps it is so.”’

‘Oli, row that stot—stow that rot, De-
farge. I was in that game, and I saw thie
whole thing. “ Agnew had been fleecing
me right along with the others. Merry
showed him up. And now you and a lot
of others who don’t like Merry are ready
to cry out that leis a card sharp. He
isn’t. He never plays unless it is for the
purpose of showing up some such rascal
as Morton Agnew.’’

‘‘Merriwell marked cards.’’-

‘‘Of course he did, but he hada pur-
pose in it; and that purpose was the trap-
And he trapped
him most beautifully. If: any one says
that Merry marked the cards for cheating

purposes, you tell them for me that I say

it is a lie!’’
ae glared at Defarge as if he half ex-
pected the French lad to accept the chal-

lenge. But Defarge did nothing of the
His dark* face lost its unwonted

pallor and flushed.

< “I hope you don’t meal to insult me?’

 

 

he questioned, his voice quivering with
suppressed passion. 7

‘‘Notliing of the kind. You ought to
know that. But you shouldn’t repeat
things about Merriwell unless you know
they’re true. It makes me cot under tlie
holler—I mean hot under the collar. I
just can’t stand it, and won’t.?’ :

They were at the door of the gymna-
sium. ‘The door opened and a group of
young men streamed out, and Harry Rat-
tleton and Bertrand Defarge entered.

The gymnasium had been well filled,
but a number were leaving. Diamond
was standing near the opposite wall,
across the room, swinging some Indian |
clubs, and near him Danuy Griswold was
trying to do some tricks with the rings.
Frank Merriwell came out of another
room, accompanied by Bart Hodge.
Hodge carried a new Spalding baseball.

‘We're going to do some practicing in
the cage,’’ he said.

‘And you'll let us lock on if we’re
good ?’? squealed Danny. ‘Oh, my!
Willie was a good boy and he had plum
pie! Johnuy was a bad boy and——”’

“He got it -in the eye!’’ completed
Bink Stubbs.

‘*Vou’ll get it in the neck if you don't
look out!’? shouted Danny, feinting as if
he meant. to hurl a stick at Stubbs. ,

‘“By your words and motions, my dear
sit, I suppose you mean that the thing I
ain to get in my neck will have a stick in
it. If so I am ready.”’

“Oh, you’re always ready. You'll
never die of thirst. You never wait long —
enough to get thirsty.”’

‘‘Rellows,’’ said Stubbs, with mock
gravity, ‘‘Danny has recently come toa
decision which you never would have
dreamed of. He has decided that, he will
be a dentist.’’ | ;

“So that I can make guys like you
howl ?’’ asked Danny.

“He is to be a dentist becattse he _
thinks he can get rich at it. You see, he |

$ :

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

   
 

every body

as:

Jones.

 

“Juh-Juh-Jones, too!

  

Sat was a sad warning!”’

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won’t ever

-have to pay any bills for
gas.’?

“If I hit you once it won’t be laughing
gas,’’ said Danny, flercely, humping his
Nee ade | = ‘ ’ y
back like a gorilla and throwing himself
into a fencing attitude. ‘‘You’ll feel like
a jay that has blown the gas out and
gone to sleep in a city hotel. You simply
what is the matter with
VOU, \

won't know
**Basy, Danuy, or 171) blow on you!”’

‘*T said I wouldn’t, but I
‘)

Bink warned.
can’t stand everything.

“Blow it! There isn’t anytling to
blow. Of course, you’ve got some monu-

mental lie that vou’ve lain awake of
nights for a week to make up. But
Bink. += So
nobody will believe you,’’

oO
go

knows you,
ahead ;

, .
‘*Sone chaps were arguing tlie other

day about when the ceutury ends and the

new one commences. Suddenly one of
them turned to Danny and said, ‘What is
the meaning of fiz de You’re a

college chap, so I suppose you can tell
9”)

szecle?

“And what did he sus-sus-sts-say ???

asked joe Gauip.

‘*He said that it was one of these wa-
ter bicycles with fins on it like a fish.’’
‘CA -haw! r4%?

Gamp.

roared
“Gosh darned if that ain’t purty

a-haw! a-haw!

‘gug-gug-good.”’

“Thats about all Danny knows about
the watery element,’’ drawled Dismal
‘*Man died down in Rhode Island
the other day because he wouldn’t drink
water. It was a sad warning.’’

“And his nuun-nun-name was
Whis-Whuh-Whuh——”’

“Whistle, Joe; if that’s what you
mean!’ cried Danny Griswold.

“His nun-nun-name was Whi-Whiskey
A-haw! a-haw! I
sus-sus-saw that in the newspapers my-
Seis? 5 ee

‘*First cousin of mine,’’ said Dismal.

Whi-

    

5

Merriwell and Bart Hodge walked on
toward the baseball cage, which they en-
tered.
auxious to see the practice work. All
knew that Frank Merriwell was working
hard at athletics in preparation for the
spring sports. Daily he and Hodge and
others practiced in the baseball cage; and
they kept up football practice, too, as
well as all-round physical training.

Bink Stubbs, Danny Griswold and
some others began to march round ina
circle near the

Some of their friends followed,

cage singing:

‘*He’s not lazy, he’s a daisy.
He will win;

Not a shirker, but a worker,
He will win.

He’s a comer, he’s a hummer,

He’s a scooter double-shooter
He will win.

‘Merry, Merry, he’s a fairy,
He's a bird—-—”

began Bink Stubbs, pretending to im-
provise lines previously prepared.

“Oh, off!’ growled Danny.
‘That wor’t do. Frank Merriwell a
fairy {"?

Bink began again :

‘Franky, Franky, every Yankee,
Knows you’re great !

Every nation in creation,
Every State——

Every highland, every island,
Every dell,

Tells your story, sings your glory, ’
Merriwell.’?’

coine

‘Hear the fools!’’ said Defarge, pass-
ing toward the door with Pink Pooler.
‘“They make me sick. ‘There is a set of
idiots in this college who are. just ready
to fall down. and worship Frank _Merri-
well. I don’t understand it. I have never
seen anything in him to be so admired.’’

“Well, he has a way of gripping

friends to lim,’ said Pooler.
‘fAnd making fools out of them.. I

hate him, and I hate the whole set that
bows down before him, al ways ready to
kiss his shoes,’?

  
 

 

 

CHAPTER III.
TRAINING FOR SPRING SPORTS.

‘Hot as a Mauser ball!’’ cried Bart
Hodge, as he rounded upon catching a

ball that had come flying like a bullet.

from Frank Merriwell’s hand. ‘‘You
aren’t shooting those out of a gun?”’

Frank laughed. His hat, coat and vest
were off and he was perspiring freely, for
the weather outdoors was not cold, and
the gymnasium was warm. Frank de-
lighted in all forins of athletics and in all
kinds of games and sports. One had but
to look at him to see in him the trained
athlete. |

Frank was studying hard, too; harder
than any of his friends knew. He did not
want to fall behind in his studies any
more than he desired to_deteriorate in his
phsyical condition. To many even ainong
those who were not his friends he seemed
amarvelous man. Study came easy to
him, and because of this, and owing to
the fact that he was known to give so
much time to athletics and to baseball
and football practice, some fancied that
he did almost no studying at all. Even
some of those who knew him best had
fallen into this error; the ease with
-which he usually got his lessons making
them believe that he needed todo no
more than to look over a page to retain
all of its contents in his memory.
This belief had given rise to some

garvelous stories, and to an uncoveted.

reputation for readiness in everything
that at times gave Merry no small annoy-
ance. |

‘‘Harvard won’t be so warm in the
spring !’’ said Bart, as he sent the ball
back.
“Well, we’re not cutting any ice just

$ now ourselves !??

‘Why aren’t we?”’

“Because it’s too hot in here!’
“Don’t go to imitating Danny Gris-
_ wold and Bink Stubbs,’’ growled _ Bart.

rod

TIP TOP WEEKLY.

   

‘‘T was in earnest in what I said about
Harvard.’’ ;

‘Ves, of course you were. But we
don’t want to begin to think this early.
that Harvard or Princeton or any other
team is going to be easy. The fellows
and the teams that fall down are the ones
wlio under-rate their opponents.’

‘*How is your wrist?’”’ .

‘SAll tight.”

‘Walter Gordan was telling some fel-
lows yesterday that you’d never be able
to win a game with that again. I over-
heard him, but he didn’t know it.”’

‘‘Ves, Gordan is one of my pretended
friends!’’ said Frank, meaningly. ‘‘Get
this one, old man!’’

Hodge was expecting him to use the
double shoot; but he did not, and in con-
sequence Bart came near letting the ball
pass.

‘‘T expected that to shave my neck,
but it didn’t,’ he grinned. ‘Do it
again.’?

Bruce Browning came strolling toward
the cage, with a bat on his shoulder.
The big, lazy giant was actually doing
hard work in the cage daily now, under
Merry’s direction, though it went much
against the grain. But Merry had told
him he must keep up his batting practice
so that he could be depended on for as
good work as ever when the season
opened. ;

The cage was constructed especially for
baseball practice, and though the con-
fined area was entirely too small for any-
thing like a gathe, it was ample for catch-
ing and pitching and batting. It was an -
oblong enclosure fenced in with strong
wire netting that ran from the floor to”
the gymnasium ceiling.

Frank threw. Bart another ball,
Bart dodged and let it go by.
~ “Booled once more!’ he exclaimed.
**T guess you don’t need the aoe
Merry, ny boy!’ .

‘The: Harvard men are doing hard

and

   

ene

 

 
 

 

    
  
  
  
 
 

 

  

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work,’’ said Frank, picking up the ball
that had come rolling to him. ‘‘I saw an
old Harvard man yesterday who has just
been at Cambridge.”’
‘‘A Harvard man? Likely he was feed-
ing you with fairy tales.’’
No. He spoke the truth. I could tell
that. He says they’re practicing every

- day, and that they’re going in for a record

next spring. They’re determined todoup
Yale, he said.”’

‘‘Rasier said than done!’’? Bart de-
clared, catching a ball that made him
blink and gasp. ‘‘That was chain light-
ning! And.some of the chaps who don’t
like you are saying that you can’t pitch
as you used to! Of course you don’t pitch
as you used to; you pitch even better!”’

“Play! said Frank, with a laugh,
motioning to Bruce, and then twisting
the ball round in his fingers. ‘‘See if you
can’t knock a hole through the netting.’’

The big giant put himself in front of
Bart Hodge. Bart donned a mask and
came close up behind him. |

The first ball that Merriwell delivered
looked like a pretty one, and Browning
weit after it. It was an inshoot, and

Browning’s bat pounded the air.

‘‘Are you trying to cut my’ ear off?’’
he grinned,

“One strike!’ called Danny Griswold.

“Say!” shouted Bink Stubbs. ‘‘How
is Browniing to get any practice if you
won’t let him hit the ball?”

‘He fooled you witha high inshoot
that time,’’ said Bart, throwing the ball

back to Merry. ‘‘Merry’s wrist is knocked

out, and he’s all out of gear and can’t
pitch any more—1 don’t think! Let ’em
believe that rot; it will be good for
them to believe it.”’

‘Be good for us if they believe it?’’
said Browning. ‘‘You can’t do that

es: Sean, Merry.’

Frank carefully wound his fingers

ki round the ball, made a jumping motion,
es ee sent the sphiere whizzing through the

‘squealed Danny.

air. Again Browning fanned the atmos-
phere. Frank had pitched a double-shoot,
and Bruce had not guessed it until the
ball was past him. |

The next ball was another inshoot, and
Browning struck it fairly.

‘A three-bagger!’’ yelled Danny.
‘(Take that netting out of the way!’’

Frank went back to the netting and
picked up thie ball.

*“‘Don’t see any hole in the netting,’
he said, looking up at -the point where
the ball struck. ‘‘That was hot enough
to burn a hole through a brick wall.’’

‘"He’s a daisy, he’s not lazy!
He’s a bird!”

howled Bink Stubbs.

‘“‘Oh, no, Browning is never lazy!’?
“Any one would know
that by just looking at him!’

Merry motioned to Bart that he was
going to pitch another double-shoot.
Bruce saw the motion and fancied that he .
understood it.

Again the ball whistled through the
air. It was another double-shoot, as
Browning had guessed, but the curves

‘were different; for, whereas Merry liad

given the former ball an inshoot as it
passed the batter, he gave this ball an
outshoot.

‘*Bang!’’? Bruce nearly knocked the
cover off the next ball that came. But
the netting caught it as before, and
Frank picked it up.

Frank pitched two more of those queer

curves and then stopped.

“That’s enough for to-day,’? he said.
“The snap of the wrist that does the
work is liable to knock the wrist out,
you know. We’ll take curves of another

kind, now.”

“‘What’s going to be Harvard’s strong
point next season ?’’ asked Browning, get- .
ting ready for the next ball. .- ,

 “Vikely the whole team,’? Frank an- ~~

   
 

 

& a - FIP TOP WEEKLI)

swered. ‘‘And they’ve got some good in-
dividual players, too.”’

Bruce knocked the ball
ting.

‘“That’s enough for to-day,’’ Merry
declared, when he had pitched a few
more balls. ‘‘We must keep the good
work up.’’

“‘Oh, you can keep"it up!’’ was Bart’s
confident assertion. ‘‘You’re all right,
Merry !’’

into the net-

CHAPTER IV.
FRANK MERRIWELL’S WORK.

It was not often ‘that Buck Badger
found his way into Harry Rattleton’s
room, and whenever he did, sharp words
sometimes followed. Harry was such an
admirer of Frank Merriwell that he could
not stand it to have a word spoken against
him,
speaking his mind pretty freely on any
and all subjects, Frank Merriwell in-
cluded. When he failed to approve of
Frank Merriwell’s actions or manner—
and that was more than half the time—
he did not hesitate to say so, and if this
expression of opinion was made in Rat-
tleton’s presence there was certain to be
a war of words.
~ However, though he disliked to admit
it, an increased feeling of friendship and
respect for Merry existed in the Kansau’s
heart since Frank’s exposure of Morton
Agnew in the club room.

‘*¥ allow that I never was so taken in
by any chap as,I was by Agnew!’ Bad-
ger admitted, as the incidents of the ex-
posure were recalled. ‘‘It makes me hot
to think how he pulled the wos) over ny
eyes,’?

**Y want to kuff the sticking out of him
every time I think of it!’’ said Rattleton.
‘‘But Merry showed him up in great
shape.’’ moe

Badger frowned. Strangely enough,
even this praise of Merry hurt him.

   

and Buck Badger, had a way of

‘*You can always

depend on Merry!’
crowed Dauny Griswold.
Griswold and Bink Stubbs were in Rat-

tleton’s room, together with
and Disnial Joues.

“Franky, Franky, every Yankee
Knows he’s great!’

Joe Gamp

sang Bink Stubbs.

“Oh, stow that!’ Badger protested.
‘You hero-worshippers make me sick.
You’re always bowing the knee to—to—
Baal!’ .

‘*A-haw!”? gurgled Joe Gamp.
pup-pup——’’

“*Whistle, Joe!’’ said Danny.

‘*Pup-pup-pup-politician was accused
once of bu-bub-bowing the knee to Bub-
BuB-BuB-Baal, and he denied it. Sus-
sus-said that it was an infernal lie, for he

“Pup-

dud-dud-dud-didn’t know the man!
A-haw!”?
Badger colored unpleasantly, and

seemed about to hurl a retort at Gaimp,

when there came a resounding knock on

the door.

Rattleton opened it and admitted Bill
Higgins, the Kansas cowboy.

“‘Been follerin’ up Buck’s trail fer an
hour,’’ he declared, dropping into a
chair. ‘*Wuss’n follerin’ a steer. Ve kin
kind o’ figger out what a steer will do,
but Buck, never.
feller not much bigger’n a Kansas grass-
hopper he’d——”’ Sie

He caught a warning look froin Bad- a

ger, and his voice dropped.

“Glad to see you, gents; glad to meet
up with you ag’in!’? he deciared, cough-
ing and coloring. ‘‘This hyer Eastern
wind gits into my throat an’ sets up sich
a tarnation ticklin’ that I feel like I’ve

got the whoopin’ cough er the mumps er _

somethin’.’’

‘He took off his big hat and threw it on

the floor and ran his: iggers | through his

long hair.
“Looks like Alkali Ike,’? Bink whis-

ee

 

When he was a little _

 

 

OF,
 

 

SS

 

 
 
     
 

ear

pered to Joe Gamp. “‘If he should throw
that rope at you, what would you do?”
“*T'd sus-sus-swallow it!’’ Joe retorted.
‘“Ves, you always swallow everything
that comes your way. I’m told that
you’re eating six meals a day now?”’
“‘How’s that ?’’ Joe questioned.
‘(Doctor’s orders, I was told.
said you must drink only at meals, and

that makes you eat such an awful lot of
1)?

Doctor

meals, you know

“Tf you had to mum-mum-make a
mark for every lul-lul-lul-lie you tut-
tut-tell, you’d use up all the chehi-cheh

i]

“(Chew what?’’ whispered Danny. ‘Or
were you trying to play iocomotive ?”’

‘€You’d use up all the ch-chalk in the
college! A-haw! a-haw!”

Joe Gamp could not subdue that roar.

Bill Higgins looked fiercely in their
direction.

“T allow that you weren’t a-laughin’
at mie, gents?’

Bink shrank into his chair.

“N-no, sir!’’? he stammmered.

‘‘T allowed that vou weren’t!”’

Then Higgins crossed his legs and

-Jooked fiercely in another direction. ‘

“Gamp laughs when he isn’t think-
ing,’’ Danny explained.

“And that’s why le laughs so much!”’
said Dismal, solemnly.

“Merriwell is doing a lot of athletic
work and baseball practice lately, they
tell me,’? said Buck Badger, anxious to
draw the conversation from Higgins, for
he saw that Higgins was nettled.

“No more than commdon!’’ snapped
Harry Rattleton.

“Then he is always fiercely practicing ?
Is that what you mean ?”’

“He does no more practice than any of
the other fellows who keep themselves in
‘coudition aid in readiness for whatever
comes up.”’ x :

“YT was merely going to say,’’ Badger

-, ¢ontinued, ‘that he will fail in some of

et

TIP TOP WEEKLY.

    

9

his studies if he gives too much time to
athletics. You’re his friend!’

‘COf course I am, and every man that
knows Merry is his friend!”?

“I suppose I don’t know him!’ said
Buck, with peculiar significance. ‘‘You’re
his friend, and you ought to warn him.
I have heard it talked.”’

‘‘Heard what talked ?”’

“That he’s in danger of breaking him-
self down by night work !’’

‘But he isn’t doing any night work.’’

“Oh, he isn’t? He burns a light in his
room pretty late for some reason. I’ve
seen it.’’

‘Why is it, Badger, that you are al-
ways trying to injure Merry?’’ Rattleton
angrily demanded. ‘‘He has helped you
more than ouce, and yet you take every
opportunity to say things against hiim
that seein to belittle hiin.”’

“YT felt that was what you’d do!’’ said
Badger, hotly. :

What?"

“Throw that upto me! Merry has
helped me, of course. I give him credit
for it, and I’ll make proper return when
I’ve an opportunity, I allow. But that
ain’t any reason why I shouldn’t be able
to see his faults. That’s the trouble with
you fellows; you can never see a wrong,
if it is done by Frank Merriwell.”’

‘(He hasn’t done anything wrong that
I know of. What do you mean? What
do you mean by that ?”’ "

‘‘T reckon you’re daff over Merriwell!’’
said the Kansan, with a sneer. ‘‘But that
doesn’t alter my opinion that he is doing
night work and that he is in danger of
breaking down mentally aud physically.
I mean it when Isay it! If I was his
friend as you are, I’d go to him and tell
him so, too.”’ |

“Why don’t you, anyway??? Harry de-
manded. 3 =

‘‘Because he is just like you. I reckon

he’d flare up, and perhaps invite me to

 
   
 

sed out hurting himself.’? |

     

  

10

walk out of his room. And then we’d
have a collision.’’

The derogatory words of Buck Badger
remained with Harry Rattleton long after
his guests of the evening had departed.
He wondered if it could be true that
Frank was overworking. He did not like
to believe it. He told himself that he
would not believe it.

‘‘Why, there just isn’t any need that
he should!’ was his mental declaration.
‘*He’s got a memory like a vise. It will
hold anything. I never saw such a mem-
ory. Hecan get his lessons easier than
any fellow I ever knew.
ous to say that he’s doing what Badger
said”?

Nevertheless, the thought clung to
Rattleton—so clung to him that at a very
fate hour he put on hat and coat and sal-
lied out into the street.

At the first corner he encountered
Bruce Browning, Bart Hodge and Bink
Stubbs. They were on their way to their
rooms.

‘You heard what Badger said,’’ Harry
began, speaking to Bink; and then he
proceeded to make himself clear to his
other hearers.

‘‘T saw a light in his room as I came
by awhile ago,’’ Browning dubiously ad-
mitted. ‘‘I don’t myself see how Merry
can keep up unless he does some night
work. ‘The training he is doing for the
spring sports is enough work for any
man without any head work:”’

“Oh, gammon!’’ said Rattleton.
“You’re like all the rest. Peady to rick
—I mean ready to pick flaws in Merry.
I’in going over to his room. Come along.
I'l] warrant that he’s in bed.”’

**1"1] go with you,’’ cried Bink.

“Though I can’t see what’s the differ-—

ence when and how a man studies if he
don’t hurt himself.”’

_ “No; but he can’t do much night
study, on top of all this other work with

     

TIP TOP WEEKLY.

It’s preposter-.

   

‘Well, he is doing night study,’ said
Bink. ‘‘I wouldn’t admit to Badger, of
course; but it’s so, for I haveseen him at
‘fc

‘There is a light in his room now,’?’
said Browning. Ss was burning just that
way awhile ago.

“‘T shan’t believe any of-this stuff until
I have to,’’ Rattleton growled. ‘‘Are all
of you fellows in a conspiracy against.
Merry? It begins to look so.’’

**Tt’s true!’’ persisted Bink Stubbs.

“I don’t have to believe you!’ Rattle- 9 =

ton urged. ‘*You might have been mis-,
taken, you know!’’
Bart Hodge looked at his watch by thee

light of an electric lamp. |

‘‘Past midnight. I hope Merry isn’t
studying as late as this.
see.”’

“Y’ll not believe it untii I do see!”
Rattleton stoutly declared.

‘*And then you won’t believe it,’’ said
Bink. ; ee

A few minutes later they stood before —
the door of Merriwell’s room.

Harry Rattleton ventured to push the
door open. Then the intruders filed in,

‘all but Rattleton, who remained outside.

for a moment.

Harry had obtained a complete view of _
the room’s interior, and he had seen the’
destruction of his hopes. Frank Merri-
well, in dressing gown, and with a towel
bound about his head, was studying by a
table on which burned a student’s lamp.
It was past midnight, but there was
Merry grinding away.

Merriwell “looked up as Browning,
Hodge and Bink came into the room.

‘““There!’’ said Bink, pointing toward
Frank and speaking to Browning and
Hodge, ‘‘what did I tell you?”’

Harry Rattleton slipped: in with a a ff

fallen air.
‘*T wouldn’t have believed it of you,

- Merry!” he cried, dropping helplessly in- 3 ee

WE oe

 

  

But we’ll soon *

 

 
 

 

 

  

  

   

TIP TOP WEEKLY.

toachair. ‘‘Indeed I wouldn’t. When

they told me, I said it was a lie!’’

CHAPTER V.
A NOTE FROM JACK READY.
“Said what???

‘What was a lie???
“They told me that you had turned

Merry questioned.

yourself into a greasy grind, and I
wouldn’t believe them. But you have!’

Merriwell took the towel from about
‘his head aud looked at Rattleton with a
smile.

“Tm in danger of falling behind in
my studies,’’ he admitted, ‘‘and so I’ve
been doing extra work.’’

“‘And you’ve been digging here more

niglits than this!’’ declared Browning.

‘I admit it. I cannot afford to be
dropped, or afford to come anywhiere near
being dropped. And if I ain conditioned,
it may interfere with my baseball work.
I have been putting in a good deal of
time training for the spring sports, and

that has made the other work a bit hard.

But this was my last night of extra study,
for the present at least. I am through,
and was only looking over the thing to
make sure, when you came in.
been a hard pull, and to-night I had a
headache. ‘That’s why I tied the towel
round my head.’’

Rattleton seemed a little more cheer-.

ful.
‘‘But I didn’t think you’d need to do
it at all!’’ he confessed. ae
“’m not a miracle worker,’’ said
Merry, laughing. ‘‘A man has to do
some plugging. I’ve given the time that
_ belonged to this to my hours of training.
So I got behind. I had to study to make
it up. But I’m all right now, for this has
enabled me to put the hardest part be-
hind me.”
“And you haven’t hurt yourself ?’’
“Not in the least. 3 :

 

It has.

a3

‘(Neither mentally nor physically.”’

‘*Neither.’’

Harry came over and took him by the
hand, at the same time looking into
Merry’s clear eyes; those kindly, noble
eyes that were the windows of a gener-
ous, splendid soul.

“Vou're all right, Merry, whatever
you do! And J’ll thrash anybody that
says you ain’t. But I was afraid you were
hurting yourself, and I did want to tell
3uck Badger that he was a slirty dander-
er—a dirty slanderer! But it’s all right,
Merry. You've kept up in your studies,
and you’re in tip-top physical condition,
and are more neatly ready for the spring
sports than any man at Yale. I am bet-—
ting big money on you, whether you
train, or study, or play.”’ _

Something like a suspicion of moisture
came into Merry’s eyes. The loyalty of
Harry Rattleton and of these other
friends touched him beyond measure.

‘It would be worth the best efforts of
any man’s life to gain the good will and
regard of such friends as I have,’’ he
said, warmly, ‘‘and I have gained them
alinost without effort. But I can’t tell
you how much I think of your friendship
—it is love; the love of one man for an-
other who is his comrade tried and true.”’

Bart Hodge and Bruce Browning sud-
denly became too hoarse for utterance,
and even Bink Stubbs felt a strange lunip
rise painfully in his throat. |

“Well, we’re going to do up Har-
vard,’’? said Browning at last, with as
much emphasis on the statement as if the
contest on the diainond between Harvard
and Yale had been the topic of conversa-
tion.

‘“That’s whatever!’’? cried Bink, imi-
tating the phraseology of Bill Higgins.
“We'll do up anything that comes
against us!’? Ca

“You! — said Rattleton, dropping —
Merry’s hand and turning away. ‘‘Any s

36

 

    
   
a ae for zee to-morrow night.

   

  

one would think that the whole thing de-

pended on vou, Bink.”’
**So it does!’ Bink asserted.

“ £I'm a rooter, I’ a tooter,
In the gale—

With the screechers on the bleachers
For old Yale!’

Why, say, you couldn’t do without
mie !’?

A faint patter of footsteps seemed to
come from the hall into which Merri-
well’s room opened. Browning threw
open the door, but saw no one.

‘*T heard some one just the same,’’ he
declared. | :

**Havesdroppers ! squealed
‘‘Who could it have been ?’’ :

Bart Hodge leaped past Browning into
the hall. Then, seeing no one, he de-
scended to the street entrance. Like
Browning, he was sure he had heard foot-
steps, but the owner of the feet had hast-
ened to put as much distance as possible

between himself and Merriwell’s door.

1)

Bink.

‘‘Aha!’ cried Bart, as he turned back.)

~ Perhaps this explains!”

Just in front of the door he pares up
an envelope. .

“What's this?’ he questioned, bearing
it toward the liglit.

‘fA billet doux!’’ whispered Bink,
mysteriously. ‘‘Who is sending love
notes to Merry at this lone hour ?”’ ;

‘*Your name is on it, any way,’’ Bart
announced, passing the ,envelope to
Merry. ‘‘There is a note in it, and it
seems to be for you.”’

“The beginnings of a romance,’’ said
Stubbs. ‘‘Sdeath! What can it be? Bul-
ud! Bul-ud!” |
“Keep still!” urged Bart.
what it is.”’

Merry tore open the note and read:

“Tet’s see

“Mr. Frank Merriwell: We are coming

‘*Jack Ready,
“Leader of tie Erestag ati

than mensed.

12 TIP TOP WEEKLY.

‘How refreshingly modest Mr.

9)

Ready
is,’? said Merriwell. ‘‘That quite cures
me of the headache. There will be two
ready— Mr. Jack Ready and myself!”?

‘‘T wonder what their game is?’’ Rat-
tleton questioned.

‘"No telling. But I suppose Ready
nieans to try to retaliate on me for that
hazing affair. However, as it turned out
in a manner to satisfy him completely, I
don’t see why he should trouble to retali-
ate. Good thing I don’t have to study to-
morrow night, for no doubt Mr. Ready
and jis freshmen friends will contrive to
occupy my /time.’’

“They'll have fun with you,’’ said
sink.

‘And perhaps I shall have a bit of fun
with them. Keep your eyes open, Bink,
and if you hear anything, post me.”

‘‘We’ll all keep our eyes open,’’ said
Rattleton. ‘‘But we'll. not keep them
very wide open if we don’t get to bed
pretty soon. I’m for going home and
turning in.’’

All were of the same notion.

ee

CHAPTER VI.
IN THE FRESHMAN BOARDING-HOUSE.

Bink Stubbs was not able to learn’ any-
thing of the plans of Jack Ready and tlie
freshinen. Those young gentlemen were
quite able to keep their plans to them-
selves. But many of thei were seen to
bend curious glances on Frank Merriwell
the next day, and to confer among them-
selves in whispers whenever he passed.

Shortly after dark another note came,
purporting like the. first to come from
Jack Ready.

“These may not be from Ready,”’
Frank reflected. ‘‘Coime to think of it, it
is quite possible they are from some one
else. I don’t know Ready’s handwriting.
Who else would try a trick of this kind?”

The question was more easily asked

 

,

Bn

ea

 

 

 

 
      
     
    
    
 

   
 
  

“Very different from the other,?’ Frank
couiented. ‘‘The other said they would
come for me here; this says for me to
come to Mrs, Harrington’s freshman
boearding-louse = eight o’oclock. That’s
what Icall nerve! The idea of inviting me
to call on him!”

A curiosity
to, know the truth overcame him. Instead

‘He glanced at his watch.
of being angry, he laughed at the cheek
of the irrepressible freshman.

He remembered that Ben Halliday and
some other friends and acquaintances
were to visit him at his room soon.

‘fVes, I’ll go,’’ he decided. ‘‘I’m anx-
lous to see what Mr. Jack Ready is up to,
aud the sooner the fun begins the better
I shal] like it.”’

So Merriwell sallied forth into the
street, aud made. lis way to the freshman
boarding-house to which he had _ been di-
rected in the note. “

There was a light in Ready’s. room,
and. the sound of voices came from it.
Merry remembered tlie room well. It was
the one from which he had decoyed Ready
on the memorable night of the hazing.

When Frank rang the door bell Mrs.
Harrington appeared. He had hoped that
the bell would be answered by some one
else. She recognized him at once, and,
rather to his surprise, seemed glad to see
him.

“Is she playing into Jack Ready’s
hands, or is she really pleased to see me?”
was lis inward question.

Aloud he said:

“T have called to see Mr. Jack Ready.”

“TI don’t know that I ought to let you
in, then,’’ said the widow. ‘‘Not that I
set any store by Jack Ready, for he’s one
of the noisiest and rudest young ruffians

that Iever kept. But you stole him out

of here before, and of course I don’t want

you to do anything of that kind again.”

‘‘He’s trying to steal me this time,”’
Frank explained. ‘‘That is, I suppose he

is, He sent for. ine to coine here, and I

   

TIP TOP WEEKLY. 18

don’t know what for, unless he wants to
steal nie.’”’

‘*Dear me!’’ exclaimed the widow. ‘‘I
suppose if you want to walk up to his
room it will be all right. He has some
friends up there. Hear them!”

Frank did hear thein. © From the noise
they made they seemed to be tearing up
the floor.

After mounting the two flights of
stairs, Frank kuocked loudly on the door
of the room froin which the sounds of
singing aud laughter proceeded.

‘Come in!’’? some one shouted, and
Frank strode in, warily, though, for on
the occasion of his previous visit he had
received a ducking from a pail of water
suspended above the door. No pail show-
ered its contents over him this time, but
a big red globe on which was outlined an
ogerish face swung toward him and
seemed to say:

‘Hurrah for Jack Ready!’

One young man, standing on ‘a table
near the centre of the room, was pouring
forth his soul in song.

‘‘And for Bonnie Annie Laurie I’d lay
me down and dee-ee!”’

He squeaked out the final syllable just

as the ogerish face darted at Frank.

There were ten or a dozen young men

in the room, but Merry did not see among

them Jack Ready.

‘“We are ready!’ one of them shouted,
as if anticipating his inquiry.

Another reached toward Frank a light-
ed cigarette.

‘“Thanks,’’ said Merry, ‘‘I read the
other day that the cabbage crop is short
this year, so I’ve concluded not to assist
in exhausting it.’?

‘*Cabbage smoke conte to be good for
cabbage heads!’’ said the offerer of the :
cigarette. ;

‘Yes, cetainly; I presume that is 3
you smoke them !”? ae

      

(byg lay me down and dee-ee!?? again -

  
       
   
   
  
     
  
   
   
  
  
  
 
   
   
   
   
   
  
   
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
 
    

 

       
     

  

~ _ guillotine.
_ lis fall! To horse! To horse! My king-
dom for a horse!”?

be the ogerish head.

1é

 

squealed the singer from the centre of
the table. 7

‘Tt would oblige me very much if you
would!’? Frank coolly observed. ‘‘I called
to see Mr. Jack Ready!’

“Hurrah for Jack Ready!’ came from
tlle direction of the ogerish face, in so
queer a voice that Merry felt that it sure-
ly could not be human.

Quickly glancing in that direction, he
saw that the big red globe suspended by
a cord in front of the door had two oger-
ish faces on it, one looking toward the
door and the other toward tlie centre of
the room.

.“‘Hurrah for Jack Ready!’’ said the
double head again, and Frank actually
saw the ugly mouth open.

A higher glance cleared away the mys-
tery. On a perch above the head wasa
big green and red parrot. The bird had
croaked the words, and one of the mis-
chievous youths had at the same moment
pulled a string that caused the ogerish
mouth to open.

Frank smiled. Then the parrot, or the
ogerish mouth, or both, seemed to say:

‘‘Hurrah for Jeff Davis!’’

The singer was so astounded that he
aliiost fell off the table. All eyes were
turned toward the parrot. It was believed
that the bird had really said the words.
It had been taught to shout for Jack
Ready,ebut it was not known that the
name of Jeff Davis had ever been men-

tioned in the presence of the bird.

Of course, the reader understands that
Frank had brought into play his vén-
triloqual powers. |

‘‘Hurrah for Jeff Davis!’’. the parrot
again seemed to croak.

‘Treason !”? shouted the singer. ‘‘ De-
capitate the rebel at once. Bring the
Ho, warden! let the portcul-

‘““Wouldn’t another jackass do??’ said

ey

 

TIP TOP WEEKLY,

‘Hurrah for Jack Ready !’’ shouted the
parrot, growing excited. ‘‘Hurrah for
Jack Ready !”?

‘“‘Hurrah for Mary Livermore!’’ fol-
lowed iminediately, and it was impossible
to tell that the bird did not say this, too.

‘‘Rrank Merriwell would be glad to
know where Mr. Jack Ready is!’’ said
Frank, apparently speaking to the bird.
‘Tf you have any information not in pos-
session of these young——’’

He hesitated.

‘‘Freshmen!’’ shouted some one.

‘‘Very fresi-men—lI should be glad to_

know it.’’

‘‘Ready, Ready, sure and steady,
You’re the stuff!”’

sang the parrot.
squawked:

Then it apparently

““Vou’re a duffer, you’re a bluffer,
Full of guff.” -

‘Treason !’’ called half a dozen voices.
‘Treason !”?
‘“Treason! treason!’ screamed the par-

rot: ‘*You are traitors yourselves. You
You shall be slaugh-

shall be killed.

tered!’
‘‘What a slaughter of the innocents

that will be!’’ declared Merriwell.

_*’These are such bloody threats I think

I'd better get out of here. Will any of
you tell me where I may find Jack
Ready ?’? ;
The occupants of the room were~too
much surprised by the actions of the par-
rot to heed him. They could not conceive
that the parrot could say such things, and
yet they were not willing to believe that
the words had come from Frank Merri-
well hiiself. :
Merriwell turned toward the door.
“‘Good-by!? he cried. ‘‘See you la-
ter!’’ ; .
‘‘Ves, and we shall be most delighted
to see you later,’? was the meaning an-

-swer. ‘‘Good-by. We'll wring this bird’s

neck as soon as you’re out of here.’’

PL oat ‘ - ; ates SO Pine

 
   

 

.
}
|
|
.

 

 

 
    
    

  

“Hurrah for Jack Ready!’ shouted
the youth on the table.

Frank had pulled the door open.

“Hurrah for Jerry Simpson!’’ the par-
rot seemed to shout.

Then Frank stepped into the hall and
cautiously hurried down the stairway,
expecting a trap at every step. But he
reached the lower landing and the outer
air in safety.

“‘Now, what did all that mean?’’ he
questioned himself: ‘‘Oh, I see! For
some reason or other Jack Ready wanted
to get me away from my room for a while
just about now, and this is the means he
took to accomplish his purpose. Score
one for Jack Ready. The game gets in-
teresting from the start. I wonder what
will be the finish?”

ee ee ee

CHAPTER VII.
FAKE POLICEMEN.

When Frank Merriwell returned to his
own room, from which he had been lured
by that note from Jack Ready, he found
there two young men of stalwart frame,
who were apparently policemen. They
were dressed in police uniform, and
seemed to be typical New Haven cops.
But there was something about them
that made Merry conclude that they
were only fake policemen after all, and
that their presence had something to do
with the mysterious plans of Jack Ready.

However, he was careful not to let any
of these conclusions appear in his man-
ner.

‘“Any way in which I can serve you?”
he asked, in feigned confusion.

They were standing, and one of them
contrived to edge between Merry and the

door. The movement did not escape

Frank’s attention.
‘‘Mr. Frank Merriwell, I believe???
said the other, and Frank was certain

r: that he had heard the voice in a crush in
_which sophomore had met freshman,

fe,

TIP TOP WEEKLY.

    

18

The face began to seem familiar, too. He
was sure that both of the pretended po-
licemen were freshmen, big fellows,
chosen for this especial work, and de-
tailed-by Jack Ready, the now recognized
freshman leader.

‘At your service!’’ Merriwell an«
swered, with a bow.

‘It is a disagreeable duty that we are
called on to perform, Mr. Merriwell,”
the speaker went on, drawing a legal.
looking document froma pocket. ‘‘We
are commanded to place you under arrest
and convey you forthwith before Judge
Taintor.”’

“On what charge?’’ asked Frank,

He was wondering in what theatrical
costumer’s establishment these freshmen
had hired their uniforms.

‘‘On the charge of gambling. You are
accused of having been engaged in gam-
bling on Tuesday night last in a certain

resort. There were six young men there, -

including yourself. All of them are to be —
arrested. The Mayor and the police are
determined to break up gambling among
the students and other parties, and they
are being assisted in this by the Yale
authorities. ’’

Merriwell gave the two a searching
glance. But a moment was consumed in
it, but in that moment he had sized them
up, and knew that in a fair tussle he was
more than a match for both of them, big
and imposing-looking as they were.

‘Shall I go with them?’’. he asked >
himself. ‘‘I don’t know what kind of a
game they mean to play, but I know that
they will not try to take me before Judge |
Taintor.”’ =

Only for an instant did he hesitate. |

“Of course I shall go with you,’ he
then said, quietly and submissively.
‘This is a preposterous charge, and it |
can’t be substantiated. But I'll gowith |

you. ‘There’s no use in making trouble’ |

for the authorities.’’ rs ee ed
**Nor for yourself,’ ventured one of ©

 
   

16 TIP TOP WEEKLY.

the fake policemen, though both of them
looked iminensely relieved. They had
not relished the thought of a possible
struggle with Frank Merriwell. They
were awate of Merry’s prowess, and knew
he was one of the best boxers and _ all-
round athletes that Yale had ever known.

The fake policeman thrust the paper
back into his pocket, as Merry did not
fail to observe, without reading it to the
prisoner.

Then one placed himself on Merry’s
right and the other on his left, and so
marched him down the stairway, after
Merry had locked the door of his room
and dropped the key into his pocket.

“Halliday and the others ought to
have been here before this,’’? was Frank’s
thought.. ‘‘They’ll know that something
has takén me out—but they won’t know
it was fake policemen. They’ll have to
pardon me this. evening—pressing en-
gagement!’’

One of the pretended officers was fiercee
ly squeezing his arin.

“I think Ishould prefer to take you

by the arm, if you please!’’ suiting the
action to the word and shifting his hand
to the freshman’s arm so quickly that the
latter could not prevent it.

‘Thunder! don’t grip so hard, then!”’
the latter shouted. ‘‘What have you got
in your fingers ?”’ :

‘‘Nails!’’ said Frank, so increasing the.

force of the grip that the big freshman
bellowed with pain and fell on his knees.

“Tet up!’’ he pleaded. ‘‘I’ll report
you to the judge for contempt. You
idiot! you've broken my arm!’’

/‘*Just caved in your biceps a little!’’
said Frank, smoothly. ‘‘I shall be happy
to recite the circumstance to Judge Tain-
tar.:*?

The big freshman scrambled up in
confusion. shea
“Move on!?? he roughly commanded.

Be “Any more of such mankey tricks and

Ill elgh eae y?

‘fA circumstance which I should also
be most happy to recite to Judge Tain-
tor!’’

‘‘Don’t get too gay!’’ the other fake
policeinan warned,

They were crossing an unlighted space
where there were but few buildings and
those at intervals. Suddenly Frank
pitched forward on liis knees, with an ex-
clamation, as if he had stumbled in the

darkness; but he contrived to fall in front.

of one of the freshiman, who toppled over
Merry’s body, plowing his nose into the
frozen earth.

‘‘Reminds me of the old gaine of ‘Bags
in awmill!’ ? cried Frank, reaching up
and pulling down the other freshman.

Then before they could scramble up,
he contrived to slip out from beneath and
fall on them both.

““You’re a thundering idiot!’’ ex-
claimed one, punching his fellow student
in the ear, in the belief that he was hit-
ting Frank Merriwell.

Whereupon the other rapped him
viciously over the head with lis club.

When they at last untangled them-
selves and rose to their feet, they saw
Frank Merriwell standing a dozen feet
away, with arms folded, surveying them
calinly.

‘*Vou’re such jays that I don’t know
whether to go any further with you or
not!’’ he called. ‘‘I guess I won’t. Ta-ta!
Tell Judge Taintor that I’m exceedingly
obliged to him for his kind invitation to
visit him, but previous engagements, etc.
You will know how to word it. Iam
sorry that you have been put to so much
trouble. Good-night.”’

Then Merry ran ee along the dark
path.

wo

CHAPTER VIII. |

IN THE PRESENCE OF JACK READY,
It was Frank Merriwell’s intention to
make a little circuit in the darkness and
return to his own room to there await the

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eee Me a les Sm, =
nee A aiietehel

 

 

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TIP TOP WEEKLY. 7

further movements of the freshman lead-
er, Jack Ready.

‘Stop thief!’’ shouted one of the fake
policeman, brandishing his club and leap-
ing in purstit, in which he was joined by
the other.

$9

“Not thisevening!’’ muttered Merri-

well, running lightly on.

Then the cries behind him rose louder.
“They will call the police down on us
sure enough!’ was Frauk’s thought.
Then something caught him by the
legs and hurled hiin to the ground.
‘‘Help!’? a voice squeaked, and the
darkness seemed to swarm with darting
forms, that closed round Merry.
They piled on him, dozens of them ap-
parently, asthe Liliputians piled on the
hero of Gulliver, fairly crushing him to

the ground. They were the freshmen

sent by Jack Ready to assist the fake po--

licemen at that corner if they should need
assistance.

‘* A dozen or two more won’t matter!’’
Frank panted, squirming until he could
thrust his head out from beneath the
heap of struggling forms. ‘“‘But I’m not
a hog!’

“‘Surrender!’’ was shouted at him.
“Surrender, Frank Merriwell, or we'll
never let you up!” :

“T don’t see any need of iny surrender-
ing,’ he admitted. ‘‘You’ve got me.

_ The game is going your way just now.

You ought to have that parrot here to
shout for Jack Ready !’’

He was petmitted to rise to his feet,
but half a dozen strong freshmen had
their hands on him, and one youth thrust
forward a rope.

‘‘Oh, don’t tie him!’’ came in a com-
manding voice. ‘‘We can handle him. If
we can’t, we’d ought to let him go.’’

“Tl should like to be introduced to Mr.

' Jack Ready!’’ said Merry. ‘‘T have an
_ engagement to meet him this evening. It
seems to me he is delaying the meeting.

Perliaps, though, he is taking time to

send for the parrot to hurrah for him
whenever he gets off a joke.’’

**You’ll see him soon enough!’ was
shouted at him. ‘‘Hurrah for Jack
Ready.”’ .

“Ah, I see that the parrot has come!”’
Frank solemnly observed. ‘‘Of course,
then, the meeting need be postponed no
longer. If Mr. Ready is ready I am
ready; so we're both ready. Will you
kindly proceed with your procession !’’

The fake policemen had arrived by
this time, and the party into whose hands
Frank had fallen turned sharply into a
narrow side street, and moved on. The

freshinen subdued their voices now, and
walked with great speed, as if anxious to

reach their destination without molesta-
tion from the authorities. One big fellow
marched in front of Frank, another be-
hind him and one at each side, while a
dozen more crowded close against him

‘prepared to pull him down if he sought

to make a dash for liberty. But Merry
did not try to get away. He saw tliat
such a thing would be well-nigh impossi-
ble, and, besides, he now wanted to see
the thing through. .

‘*They’re going to have fun with me,’’
was his conclusion. ‘‘Well,-I shall try to
help make it interesting.’’

Another turn up a dark street brought
them to the rear entrance of a large
building, into which they marched, with
Frank still closely guarded,

Before a big door they halted. One of
the freshmen advanced aud gave a pecu-
liar rap.

‘““Who goes there ?’’ came the military
inquiry.

“Yieutenant His Nibs and a detail,
with a prisoner from the enemy’s coun-
try!”

“The countersign !’’
‘*Ready!’’

‘Jack Ready ?”?
‘*Rver ready !’?
‘“’That’s the same! Advance, Lieuten-

  
 

  

18

 

ant His Nibs and detail, with prisoner
from the enemy’s country !”’

The door swung open and Frank Mer-
riwell was pushed into a lighted room.
It was a large room, one corner
were a nuinber of small canvas tents dis-
posed in imitation of a camp. A camp
fire smoked in the midst of the tents.
Guns were stacked in various parts of the
room. On the walls were swords and cut-
lasses, with muskets in racks. Near a
throne-like dais at one end of the apart-
ment rested a small brass cannon.

‘““An armory, I guess. Or a Grand
Army Hall. Must be an armory !”’

Then Merriwell recalled the fact that a
nuuiber of the students had secured thie
use of an armory and were practicing
military drill and evolutions.

What attracted his attention most,
tlrough, was a small company of youths
who were drilling in the centre of the
room. ‘The drill-master, who was also a
commander of rank, judging by the stars
on his shoulders, was Jack Ready.

Ready paid not the slightest attention
to the entrance of Lieutenant His Nibs
aud company, with the prisoner from the
enemy’s country; in fact, he could not
have more completely ignored them if he

had been blind and deaf. And his men
tried to imitate his example.

Frank Mertriwell stood calmly in the
midst of his captors and watched with
ailusement the singular scene. For five
iminutes that drilling went on. Then the
company dispersed at a word of command
and Ready turned toward Merriwell.

‘‘Refuse men!’’ he said, apologetically,
after a flourishing salute with his sword.
“Wasn't that well done? That drill, I

mean? Behold me! The Napoleon of
Yale. You may join my company, if
you’re worthy. We have received your
application; but you understand that you
have got to stand the tests first. Every
man has had to do that. Are you brave?
As brave as I am, for example. Oh, you

and in

TIP TOP WEEKLY,

_ to glow with delight.

-oner??? he asked, turning to those who

cantly.

I won’t
I’n only flesh and blood!??

may look at me if you wish.
hurt you!
*fAll but your cheek! That’s brass!??
““Thanks!’’ said Ready with another
flourish of the sword. ‘‘Such praise
makes ime feel that life is worth living,’?
His red cheeks and round face seemed :

 

‘What is the charge against the pris-

stood at Merriwell’s side.
‘‘An enemy to the king!’ gravely re-
sponded the leader of Merry’s captors.
Ready tapped himself on the breast.
““They mean me!’ he adinitted. ‘‘I’m %
the king!’ <<
“King of the Fools!’ laughed Merris | *
well.
*“My dear sir, King of Vale!” 3
“‘T see that you have quite as good afi ;
opinion of yourself as you ever had,”’ ob-
served Merry with a smile. |
“Think highly of yourself and others
will imitate your example! As my good
friend Emerson used to tell me ‘Hitch
your wagon to a star!’”? ~ ee
‘Likely he fancied that the Stars were») Fy
diamonds???
“And that diamonds were trumps? :
Well you can’t play any game with me if
they are. I have heard of you. This isn’t
a poker room. You haven’t answered my
question. Are you ready for the ordeal?
Are you ready to prove that you’ve got
red blood in your heart? That you're
worthy of the position to which you have
aspired—a soldier of the king? That you
are as brave as I am?’’ ee
Again he touched his breast signifi-

 

 

 

   
 

**T am ready!’

“We are ready!?’ shouted the fresh-
men.

‘*So is the king—Jack pues i!
. forth the guns!?? |

  
  
  

Then

 
  

    
    
PPh,

 

 

 

   

 

 
  
 
  
 
  

  
 
  

 

 

  
 

tune who stands ready——’”
interrupted Frank: :

 

CHAPTER IX.
AN ENEMY TO THE KING.
Jack Ready

clapped his hands and

three freshinen in brilliant uniform came

out of a side door and solemnly took seats
near the center of the room. :

‘‘Behhold the High and Mighty Court
Martial of the King!’’ announced Jack
Ready,

“Vou mean the court martial of the

. High and Mighty King!’’ Merriwell cor-

rected,
ing modest!’

‘You are afraid of the ordeal and so
you vainly lope to anger me into killing
you and thus save you from it. But I
refuse !’’

‘*Vour High and Mighty Court Martial

‘*Don’t surprise yourself by grow-

looks as if it wanted to stampede!’’

‘*)]] refuse you mercy in the hour of
your terror!’? said Ready in a solemn
voice.

Merriwell was pushed into a chair be-
fore the august three constituting the
court martial. %

‘“What are the charges against the
prisoner?’ asked one of ee: brilliantly

uniformed freshinen.

“An enemy to the king.”’
Jack Ready flourished his sword.
‘‘Worse than an enemy—even worse

than a spy!’ said a freshman stepping
forward.

‘*We expected the army of thie
Sophomores to be against us. They were
born to that fate. But that this man from
the army of the Juniors should join them
is beyond belief. He is no common en-
emy of the king. He is a soldier of for-
”

‘Tack Ready!?’

whereupon Jack Ready again flourished

_ his sword.

““Hyven my foes cannot keep from lisp-
ing my name!’’ he murmured.
**To sell his sword to the highest bid-

der!’ the accusing freshman wenton.
‘Death to the enemy of the king!”
was. shouted in a chorus.

TIP TOP WEEKLY.

up no defense, puts in no

    

i9

‘*Refuse me!’’ gasped Merry, imitating
the nianner and accent of the freshman
leader. ;

“The prisoner makes no answer, sets
denials!’ said
the spokesman of the court-martial, ju-
dicially rustling some foolscap that rested
on the table. ‘* Therefore no deliberation
of the court-inartial is required. He shall
die! But as he has been a soldier—even
though but a dishonorable soldier of for-
tune—we decree that he shall be shot!”

**T should prefer to be half shot ?? mur.
mured Frank, plucking a cap froin the
head of the nearest freshman and fanning
himself with it.

There was a rattling of guns and six
armed and uniformed freshmen fell into
line before Jack Ready.

‘“These are guns!’’ said Ready.

“‘Oh, beg your pardon! I thought they
were freshmen!’ Frank declared.

The cap was jerked away by the owner
who replaced it on his head. *

‘If you wish to leave this» place alive,
Keep silent!’ said Ready, with a severe
look.

“Then
me !?? ;

‘*These are real guns. One of them
will be loaded with ball, but only one of
them. We do that to protect the soldiers
of the king’’—he thrust out his breast—
“‘from knowledge of who fires the fatal
shot. When the guns are loaded, one of
them with ball, they will be juggled;
then none can tell. who has the Joaded
gun and who has the ones with blank
charges. See!??'

The butts of the guns rattled against
the floor.

‘*Toad!’’ conmanded Ready.

The guns were muzzle-loaders. What
looked to be powder was poured into each
one of them; then into one was dropped
and raimmed home what seemed to be an
ounce ball.

Mestiwell gid not Lie: ne though he fe

I’m not to be shot? Refuse

 

   
 
  

   

30 pS. TIP TOP WEEKLY.

was determined not to say anything. He
had heard of too many men being killed
by guns that were ‘‘not loaded.’’ Be-
sides, a gun in the hands of, an inexperi-
enced youth is always a dangerous thing.
“He knew that Jack Ready and the fresh-
men had no notion of shooting him, but
they might do so accidental] Y, nev erthe-
less.

‘*Refuse me!’’ said Jack Ready.
‘“Have you any message to send. to your
friends ?”’

‘Cut on my tombstone the line that
was placed over the grave of the man
who was kicked to death by a mule:
CAME TO HIS DEATH FROM TOY-
ING WITH A JACKASS!
ready—Jack Ready!”’

Jack Ready waved his sword and the
freshmen witl the muskets, after jug-
gling their guns, retreated across the
room. The other freslinien fell

‘from Frank’s side.

Now I am

away

‘“The best of friends must part,’’ said
Ready, stepping back. ‘“Good-by! We’ll
see that your grave is kept green.’’

He made another motion » with the

sword,

“‘And you'll write that on my tomb-
- stone—-—"’

Merry did not finish the sentence. The
guns were pointed at hini, the triggers
pulled. One of the guus—the one that
had apparently received a bullet—spout-
ed fire with a crackling report, and a ball
of flame dropping at Merry’s feet turned
quickly into a green serpent that writhed
and twisted over the floor, sending forth
sputtering sparks and smoky spirals.

‘Refuse me!” exclaimed Jack Ready,
in mock surprise. ‘‘The enemy to the
king still lives. He is proof against ball.
Rush him into the furnace room.
stay, bring here the floor of molten iron.”’

Before Merriwell could comprehend
_ this change in the programme his feet
_were knocked from under him, and as he

4

But.

fell, four or five strong freshinen hurled
themselves on him.
‘Tie his hands,’’ was hissed. ‘Take

off his shoes.’’

Jack Ready himself came forward in
his eager anxiety.
re Merriwell,
his ope palm, and,

‘‘Beg pardon,’’ said

fly with

letting
catching

Ready on the nose, fairly bowled him
over.
‘“Refuse me!’’ said Ready, wiping

away a drop of blood. ‘“‘I’d rather have
my claret extracted from a bottle.”’

There did to be a trace of
anger in the tone, and scarcely a sign of
surprise. .

‘“There’s good stuff in Ready!’ was
Frank’s decision. ‘‘All the better if I can
down him at his own game!’

““Tie his hands!’ was again hissed.
‘“*He’s too free with his flippers. ’’

This was not easy to do, though.
Frank struck right and left. He did not
hope to escape; really had no wish to es-
cape, for he wauted to see the freshman
prograinme to the end of the show. But
he wanted to prove to these frisky fresh-
men that the junior against wlhioimn
were struggling was worthy of their best
mettle.

not seem

Every time he struck out Frank's fists
came in contact with soiething— bodies,
heads, shoulders! and for a few moments
it seemed that le would batter down all
opposition, in spite of the uumbers

agaiust him, and would be able, by sheer.

force, to fight his way to Hadden, But

this was something that no mortal could

be expected to do, for the freshmen op-
posed to him were, many of them, - as
large and almost as strong as he was, and

they swarmed on him likea pack of dogs.
But even though they were finally able |

to hold him down, it was not found easy
to tie his arms. However, this was done,
finally, by means of a slip noose that was

tossed over one hand and then over the
| ther and drawn ti ight,

they

  

 

    

 

  
  
  
  
      
   
   
  
 

 

  

Frank Merriwell lay panting, with
bound hands, on the floor. But it is safe
to say that he never stood higher in the
opinion of these freshmen than at that
moinent. All over the room were bleed-
ing heads and noses and exhausted men.

‘‘Refuse me!’’ said Jack Ready, coming
forward and saluting. ‘‘You are alinost
wortliy to walk beside the king!”

Then he stooped and whispered:

“They are going to make you walk on
red-hot iron. I admire you, and I?m will-
ing to help you. When you get up, kick
open tle door on the other side of the
toom and make a run for it.”?

A ery came froin the farther end of the
room, and Frank saw a number of fresh-
mien bearing ona low iron truck what
seemed to be a sheet of iron. A steamy
heat arose from its red hot surface.

‘The fire test!’? went up from a dozen
throats.

Then Frank’s shoes were quickly
stripped from his feet, to be followed by
his stockings.

The freshmen fell away from him
again, and he rose to a standing position,
and looked about. Just across was the
door to which Jack Ready had called his
attention. He glanced at the smoking red
iron.

muttered, ‘‘and I'll bet on it. Then why
does Jack Ready want me to makea
dive through that door???

CHAPTER X.
A ‘TEST OF COURAGE.
~ When Frank looked again toward Jack
Ready he saw that throne—or rather a
throne-like chair—had been placed on
the dais.. On this the leader of the fresh-
men had taken his seat, having on his
head a tinsel crown, and a flowing robe
‘of purple over his uniform. On each side

of the throne stood a_ stalwart freshman, |

armed and garbed asa Soldier.

TiP TOP WEEKLY. : a

“Painted wood and nothing more. he.

ed Jack Ready, with a ugly wave Pb

    
   
   
    
  
   
     
  
  
   
    
  
   
   
  
   
  
    
  
   
  
     

Turning from the king on his throne,
Frank glanced quickly at the smoking
sheet of metal. He had fancied that it
must be only painted wood, but a doubt
of the correctness of this conclusion now
cainé into his mind. ‘The sheet, rolled
forward on the iron truck, seemed to be
more a sheet of red-hot zi1c than of iron.
The manipulators of the truck were
screening their faces, as if the heat from |
the zine was unbearable. 7

“Tf it isn’t red hot, the deception is
clever,’’ was Merry’s thought. ‘I sup-
pose I can find out by putting iny feet on
it. J wonder what is behind that door?
Can it be the way to freedom, or is Jack
Ready doing some more lying? The lat-
ter I verily believe.

‘*T suppose this nay be called “hazing,
though it’s a new thing for a junior to be
hazed by freshmen. But everything seeiis
to go with Jack Ready. And if this is
hazing, hazing rules apply. One of them
is: ‘Always do what you’re told to do.’
Jack Ready said for me to kick open that
door. I presume that is the thing for me
tu do, even if bare feet are not just adapt-
ed for such work. If I mash my foot, I
shall Bere . kick him afterward to even
tlie score.

‘‘Rxcuse me!’’ he said, recoiling as if
in fear from the sheet of red zinc. ‘‘You
don’t really mean that I shall put my
feet on that?’

_“YVes!?? was fiercely yelled.

“My little bare feet? My wootsy, Shes
feet ?””

The answering yell was not quite so
fierce. Indeed, here and there was heard
a murmur of applause.

 
 
  
    
  

**Vour teenty, weenty feet!” snickered
a freshman.

   
 

Merriwell looked in apparent deapalt,
toward the king on his throne. |
‘Force him to the torture!" command.

  

 
 
      
 

the hand.

   
  

 

      

    

“Thus we treat every enemy to the
king !’’ bellowed a heavy voice.

Jack Ready’s face expanded in a
pleased sinile.

‘*My subjects are always ready to de-
fend my kingdom and my honor, and to
punish imy enemies! On with the fire
test |”?

“Pll try the door,’? Merry concluded.
“I don’t like the looks of that zinc. It
niust be only painted wood,. but it doesn’t
look like it.”

It did seem that painted wood could
not throw out a heat glow like that which
seemed to come from the sheet of zinc.

Two big freshmen rushed at Merriwell
as if for the purpose of forcing him to-
ward the zinc, but Merry tossed them
aside with a sweep of the arm, and then
sprang toward the door which Jack
Ready had pointed out.

He did not kick the door, as he had

been instructed to do, but thrust his foot-

against it, and gave a vigorous sliove.
There was a sound of falling and break-
ing glass beyond. To his surprise, his
foot went through the door. It was only
a painted imitation of a door,

Fierce cries rose behind him, with com-
mands for pursttit. Merry tore aside the
paper door and leaped into the lighted
space. Then he stopped in indecision.
He was in a room, whose floor was much
lower than that he had left; and this
floor, just in front of him, was oo
with broken glass.

He drew back. To leapon that heap
of glass with his bare feet was as much to
be dreaded as the hot zinc. |

‘Out of the frying pan into the fire!”
was his thought. ‘‘Of course, this was
planned just this way. They knew I

would prefer to try this door rather than_

_ to have my feet placed on thiat red-hot
: zine—for it is really red-hot zinc, as this
proves. They didn’t expect me to put my:
feet on Mi in fact, wis knew I wouldn’t,

TIP TOP WEEKLY.

move a step toward it.

and so they could afford to have it really
red hot.’’

‘‘Coward! coward!’’ was hissed be-
hind him. ‘‘Coward! coward!’

‘Of course, this is merely a test of
courage,’’ he reflected. ‘‘I.am_ to show
that Iam as brave as the king, Mr. Jack
Ready! Well, Iam not a fool, I hope,
and I wouldn’t throw myself on a heap
of glass in my naked feet to escape being
called a coward by any set of men. But
that can’t be glass! It only looks like
glass. That rattling of broken glass when
I stuck my foot through the paper door
was for the purpose of aiding in the de
ception.’ ,

Then he thought of the zinc. Cer-
tainly, ashe now was convinced, that had
been no make-believe.

‘He has failed in
the voice of Jack Ready.

“The brave Frank Merriwell has failed
in the test!’’ was shouted by a score of
voices.

‘“If I supposed it to be glass, I wouldn’t
It would be cow-
ardly for me to hurl myself.upon a lot of
broken glass. just to keep those fellows
from calling me a coward. But it isn’t
glass, and here goes!”’

With that he leaped straight out and _
descended with both feet squarely on thie
heap of make-believe glass; for that was
what it was. Bits of torn white and
green and blue paper, covered with a
preparation that gave them the glistening.
look of glass. Into this mass his feet
sank.

AF sier that it ai glass,’® he de-
clared, ‘‘or I should not have jumped. I
was fooled, though, by that paper door, I
didn’t dreain that it, too, was paper.”’

‘““This is a paper house, as the theatre

the test,’? caine in

manager said to the ticket seller,’” one ts

young freshman grinned.
- “And the crown of its king is made ate
fool’s-cap!”? said Merry.

“But the red- Hot zinc is alt right!” de-

 
 

   

 

 

 

      

 

  

clared another, taking Merry by the arm
to assist him in ascending again to the
point from which he had leaped. ‘‘And
you’re all right!’’ he whispered, in a tone
of subdued admiration. ‘‘I didn’t dare to
jump on that paper glass. A good. many
of them balk there. It simply gave me an
awful cramp in the feet to look at it.”’

““You’re a genial fellow!’ laughed
Merry. ‘‘Now I’m ready to walk on your
paper zinc!”?

But the sheet of zinc had been wheeled
away, as he found when he was conduct-
ed back into the armory. It had been
altogether too real for even the wildest
hazers.

Jack Ready descended from his throne-
like chair, came forward, and thrust out
his hand like a fin.

‘You may wiggle that!’’ he said, loft-
ily. ‘‘Only the brave may touch the fin-
gers of-the king. You are brave. If you

wish, you may kiss my feet.”’

“‘King of the Finns!’’ said Merry, tak-
ing the fingers in his vise-like grip and
closing on them. ‘‘Some people have
called you a hog, but I see that you area
whale. I believe a whale has fins. I bow
in your presence. I mean, you bow in my
presence !”?

The pressure on thé fingers ishieuad.
Then, with a quick movement, Frank
gave Ready a forward jerk, and the king
fell to his knees.

‘Refuse me!’? he cried, scrambling up.

**If you become boisterous we shall have

to give you the fatal draught.”?
_ “The fatal draught!’ was shouted.

‘“‘T suppose that is given when you be-
gin to puff about your merits. I notice
that you always set a great deal of air in

ceMmotions’”-~
Jack Ready slowly pulled his crushed

fingers apart, holding his hand up to

view.

“Tt puts the insolent to sleep!’’ he ex-
ee plained. ‘I saw Sandow crush a quarter
DECEs : But Pm nos a a quarter.’

 

 

TIP TOP WEEKLY, 93

‘‘No, you’re the whole thing. Nothing
could crush you!” Pas
‘“Thanks!’’ said Ready. ‘“‘I try not to

leave out any part of the performance.’’

‘Ready, you really are the coolest and
cheekiest fellow I ever saw!’’

‘“Thanks again!’’ said Ready. ‘‘I rath-
er think Iam myself. But it’s good in
you to mention it. Where did you learn
that grip? You must have been taking
lessons of Professor Kelley. Or have you
joined some new society ??’

Again he gently smoothed out his
crushed fingers. —

“The fatal draught!’ was shouted.

‘*Ves, bring on the fatal draught!”’

‘It makes me sorry to hear that!’’
Ready declared. ‘‘Somehow, I have taken
a liking to you. Your way of shaking
hands is so impressive. The fatal draught
is really something terrible. It’s worse
than cayenne pepper !”’

The king was evidently thinking of
the exceedingly fiery stuff he had taken
into his own mouth on the occasion of
the hazing which he had received not so
many weeks before.

‘“The fatal draught!’’ was shouted all
over the room. .

‘“‘Refuse me!’’ bowing before Merri-
well. ‘‘My subjects are impatient. This .
talk grows wearisome—to them!’’

‘“To me also!’’ agreed Frank.

Jack Ready put up his hand as if to
cominand attention.

‘The fatal draught!’ he called, in a
commanding voice.

CHAPTER XI.
THE FATAL DRAUGHT.

Immediately there was a great uproar
and confusion. Merry was pushed into a

chair, which was hastily brought forward — 2 :

for him.
“May I put on my isaee ?”? he asked.
His shoes were pitched toward him. | z
 

    

24 TIP 'TOP

‘‘Put ’em on or you'll get cold in your
‘understanding !”’ .

“T didn’t know but you’d tell ime that
I’d soon be warm enough without them.
Thanks! Then there isn’t any more glass
for ine to jump on?”

The chair was whirled round so that
Merry was faced toward the king, who
had again mounted his throne. Before
Frank had quite completed the work of
lacing his shoes, a freshman in uniform
hurried toward himn with a tray contain-
ing a single small glass, which held a
dark liquid. ‘

‘‘VYou're sure that you’ve got the right
glass?’’ Jack Ready inquired in a voice of
anxiety. ‘‘You must be sure on that

point!’

‘“‘Ouite sure,’’ was the answer.
drops of this will kill an ox.’’

“The a half glassful of it ought to
put Frank Merriwell to sleep for thirty

“Pwo

minutes !”’

He bent his eyes on Merry.

“his is the fatal hemlock that slew
wise Socrates!”? . ee as

‘Poor old Sock !’ some one groaned.

“He isn’t the only man that hemlock
has killed,’’ gurgled another. “Ask your
Maine woodsinen !”’

“Poor old Sock! Poor Merriwell!
The end of all this greatness. Here proud
Ceesar fell!”’

‘(Refuse me, base caitiffs!’’? Jack Ready
hissed. ‘‘Who is making this speech?”

‘The king! the king!"’

“Then cease your murmurous mur-
wurings and listen to my strains of elo-
quence. There is nothing quite equal to
the hem——’’

“Of your gatments!”’ interrupted Mer-
riwell. — :

‘Hark! Even the prisoner at the door
of death praises me!’’ softly rising and
- lifting his tinsel crown. ‘‘This hemlock
slew wise Socrates, and I regret to think

that it will slay you. But drink, brave —

prisoner! Drink !””

re

 

the other

 
   
  

WEEKLY.

‘Tf I drink it, it will burn my throat
out!’ thought Frank, as he put forth his
hand to take it. ‘Or perhaps when I lift
it to my lips some hand will strike down
the glass. I'll just fool them into think-
ing I drink it.’?

There was a sudden rustling in the
other end of the room and a loud voice
called, ‘‘Stop!’’ It did not occur even to
the king that the voice was Merriwell’s,
and he, with the other freshmen, turned
toward the sound.

Quick asa flash, Merriwell lifted the

glass and seemed to drink off its contents.
There was only about two thimblefuls of
the liquid in the glass, and it went into
Merry’s vest, for there was no cuspidore
at hand to empty it into, and he knew if
he threw the contents on the floor the
deception would be discovered. 3

Then another voice—not Merry’s: this
time, though it came from the same point
—shouted loudly ‘‘Stop!’ and an excited
freshinan came tearing into the room.

His face was ghastly white, and he was
gasping for breath.

‘Say, fellows,’’ he panted. ‘*That’s
the wrong stuff! Honest itis. I’m not
fooling. Stannard got hold of the wrong
bottle.’’:

A drop of the liquid had fallen on
Merry’s finger, and by thrusting his
tongue against it he discovered that it
was not fiery. He might have thought it
iierely stale tea, but for a certain odd
taste. But for that discovery he would
have pretended that his mouth had been
burned.

Pleased and significaut glances passed
Jack Ready
observed these, and his wonderful nerve
alinost deserted him. He suddenly  be-
came aware of the fact that there was
treason on in the camp of the king!—
that these freshmen had fooled him! Two
bottles had been brought to the place;
one coutaining a harmless preparation,

between certain freshmen.

}

   

 

the,

 

 

containing a drug that would =

  
   
  
   
   
  
   
   
  

 

 

 
 

 

  

  
 

 

 

 
    
   
 
 
  
  
    
 
 
  
 
 
 

 
 
   

 

men with him thought so.

“puta person to sleep for a short time.

The treshmen bringing this latter drug

had urged its use, but had been over-'

ruled in their wishes by Ready.

‘“‘We’re going to play this thing fair!’’
Ready had stoutly asserted. ‘‘No real
drugs nor real anything shall be used
that will harm Frank Merriwell or any
other man who is brought before us. If
we can shake his nerve by pretended ter-
rors, that’s the thing we’ll do; but we’ll
not use auything that can harm him!’’

He had noticed that his decision was
not well received, but had thought his in-
fluence and power sufficient to guarantee
that his wishes would be represented and
his commands obeyed. He saw now that
they had not been.

A chill as of sudden cold struck
through him! The freshman who was an-
nouncing the discovery of this change of
the bottles was Ready’s strongest back-
er; hence Ready knew he was not utter-
ing the words for the purpose of trying
to scare Frank Merriwell.

‘‘They have beaten me,’’ he grated.
“They have given Merry that sleeping
potion !”’

Then he caught his breath.

“But there wasn’t enough of it to
niake him sleep long.’’

CHAPTER XII.
FOOLED.

“Sh!”

A group of freshmen stood listening in
the shadow of a building. They had put
down a heavy burden. It was a sugges-
tive burden; the form of a man wrapped
in a sheet.

That was just your imagination. No

one is coming. How are we going to get.

him into the building ?”’

The voice was that of Jack Ready. As
the reader has guessed, the fori in the
sheet was Frank Merriwell.

But Frank Merriwell was ‘not uncon-
scious, though Jack Ready anid the freshi-
Nor. had
Merry been unconscious. As the reader
knows, he had not swallowed the drug
prepared for him by the scheming fresh-
men who had set themselves in opposi-
tion to the will of Jack Ready.

‘He had cleverly made the freshinen be-
lieve that he had done so, however, and

TIP TOP WEEKLY.

   

26

had pretended to fall quickly into a deep
sleep. :

Deceived in the first place by a little
group of freshmen, Ready was being even
more cleverly deceived now by Frank
Merriwell.

‘The door is just round here,’’ was
the answer to Ready’s question. ‘‘I have
a key that will open it!’’

“Tet us go on then. If we stand here
long we may be discovered. Lead the

. way to,the door.’’

In obedience to this order. from Ready,
the freshmen stepped along by the side of
the building toward a shadowy corner.

“‘Tt’s just here,’’ he said, fumbling
with a key. ‘‘Come on.”’

Then Jack Ready and his companions
again lifted Frank Merriwell and crept
toward the door. Merry was no light bur-
den and groans both loud and deep had
been uttered by them more than once.

‘‘He weighs like lead!’’ growled one
of them now. ‘‘He niust be all bone and
muscle, round and trim as he looks!’’

They halted and hesitated, even after
the door was open. .

“Oh, move on!’’? Jack Ready com-
manded, ‘‘Are you losing your nerve?’’

“Tt was you who lost your nerve
awhile ago!’’ was the reply.

“Tt wasn’t so much a loss of nerve,’’
said Ready, ‘‘as a loss of something else
—of faith in my followers. That was the
knife that cut my courage. 1 thought I
could rely on implicit obedience, and I
found inyself mistaken. ‘That was whiat
held the worinwood to my lips!”’

‘The hemlock, you mean! Goon, he
gets heavier every second! Inn five imin-
utes he will be weiging a ton. How long
before he will come out of this?’’

‘CA half hour ought to bring him out
of it!?’ another curtly rejoined. ‘Quit
gabbing and move on!”? =

‘Not a word of all this was lost to Frank
Merriwell. He even smiled; and he
would have laughed outright if he had
dared, as he recalled the ludicrous fright
of Jack Ready when he first came to the
supposed knowledge that Merry had been
drugged. ,
Ready had at first rotindly. denounced
the freshmen who had deceived him,
even though he was assured and believed

that the drug would not harm Merriwell — a

and that Frank would come from under

 
26 TIP TOP WEEKLY.

its effects in less than an hour. After
that, he had yielded to acrafty sugges-
tion.

The building which the freshmen now
entered contained the operating and dis-
secting rooms of the medical college; and
by the imperfect light which came
through the windows they saw several
bare, suggestive-looking tables.

‘Right here,’’ said the freshman who
had opened the door. ‘‘Put him on this
table.”

He seemed to be perfectly familiar with
the place.

It was in. Frank’s thought to use his
ventriloquial powers at this juncture for
the purpose of thoroughly frightening
the already nervous freshmen, but some-
thing saused him to defer it. He was
glad a few moments later that he did.

The freshmen had no sooner placed
Merriwell on the hard bare table than
they prepared to retreat.

‘We'll watch him through
dow over there,’’ said the freshinan with
the key. ‘‘We can reach it from. the
other side, by going round the building.
I can slhiow you the way. He’ll come to
himself in less than half an hour, and
he’ll be the worst scared man that was
ever in-Yale.’’

“When he finds hiniself in this dissect-
ing-room he’ll conclude that he is dead!’
hoarsel y eee red another. a

that win-

“Tt will pay him back for placing me

in the room with that skeleton,’’? chuc-
kled Jack Ready. ‘‘He’'ll fancy himself
as crazy as I seemed to be. ‘This is turn-
ing out all right, fellows. That is, if he
coies to on time. Now, let’s slide!’
Then they crept forth as ney as they
had entered.

CHAPTER XIII.
FRANK MERRIWELL’S MANIKIN.

They were scarcely out of the building
before Frank Merriwell was off the table,

the sheet cast aside. He looked
Then his face

with

around, questioningly.
lighted witli: a sinile.

‘*Tust the thing !’’ he whispered.

He strode quickly and softly across the

‘room, and returned with a manikin in his
arms. It had been suspended in a corner
uf the room by a cord,

he chuckled.
Just the

‘fA good-sized one!”?
‘"Nearly -as large as I am!
thing !”’

The manikin was a representation of a
human body, made of some paper-like
material, used for the purpose of exhibit-
ing the various parts and organs of the
body. All the parts were now in place,
and, as the manufacturers had: given to
the face and skin a flesh color, the mani-
kin looked not unlike the nude body of a
man, as Merriwell carried it a¢ross the
rool,

In another inoment it was clothed in
the sheet and lay on the hard table.

‘““Now it is my time to slide,’’ was his
conclusion, ‘‘before Jack Ready and his
friends reach that window.”’

He had listened and had not heard the
key turn in the lock of the door, so he
knew that the door had been left un-
locked as the freshmen went out. ‘Tos
ward the door, therefore, he ran, and let
himself softly into the street.

‘TL must get where I can see what they
will do, They will be scared half to death
when the half hour goes by and I do
not come to myself. They will begin to
think the drug was too strong, and that
perhaps they have killed me.’?

But a stranger denouement even than
this was in store, A man came walking
down the street. . Merry looked keenly at
him, atthe same time keeping himself
well out of sight.

‘Why, it’s—it can’t be—yes, it is,
Harry Rattleton !’’

Merriwell waited until Rattleton was
nearly opposite, then hurried out to him,
Rattleton was even more astonished than
Merry had been.

‘““Yell you all about it some other
time,’’ said Merry; ‘‘just now I am sup-
peed to be lying on a table in there un-
der the influence of some sleeping potion.
The fellows who put me here have gone
round to the other side of the building
where there is a window, from which
they hope to view my. frightened antics
when I come to myself. I’m playing a
little game to foolthem. I’ve got an
idea, and if we can carry it out it will

knock them silly!’

Harry Rattleton was instantly bub-
bling over with enthusiasm, even though
he was still pretty much in the dark.

Merry drew him into the shadow and

 

 

 
 

TIP TOP WEEKLY. 37

proceeded to make things a bit clearer.
Harry Rattleton was ready to dance with
delight.

‘“The plan came to me the moment I
recognized you. It’s better than the
other. It will give them a worse fright
than they’d get if they should be left to
think I ain not speedily coming out from
under the influence of the drug.”’

“It’s grimply slate—I imean simply
great!’ Rattleton asserted. ‘‘“®ay, Merry!
They'll never get over it!’’

They continued to talk in the shadow
of the building, discussing the details of
Merry’s plan, for nearly ten minutes, dur-
ing which time Merry enlightened Rat-
tleton concerning the events of the night.

“It’s tinie now!’’ Merriwell at last
whispered. ‘‘Disguise your appearance as
much as you can. Pull your hat into your
eyes and turn up the collar of your coat.
Give your face an unnatural twist, if you
can. ‘They’ll not recognize us readily,
for the light in the room isn’t good.
There, that will do. Now, follow me!’

They turned to the door, at which
Merriwell fumbled and rattled as if he
were endeavoring to unlock it. Thenh
pushed the door open and walked in, fol-
lowed by Harry Rattleton.

“They're there!’’ Rattleton whispered.
‘‘They’re looking through the window.”’

Merry saw the faces pressed against the
back window.

“They’re waiting to see my terror
when I wake up,”” he whispered.

‘We'll wake ’em up!’’ chuckled Rat-
tleton, subduedly.

There was almost a panic at the win-
dow when Jack Ready and the other

freshmen saw Frank Merriwelliand Harry ©

- Rattleton enter the room. As Merry had

thought would be the case, they fancied.

that these visitors were surgical professors
or students.

“Tt will scare Merry moreé than ever, if
‘these fellows are in the room

when he
comes to!’’ chattered one of the fresh-
men. ‘‘Say, this is all right! We want to
give Merry a scare! ‘This is all right!’’

“It may turn out all wrong!’’ muttered
Ready, wishing that he had not yielded
to the persuasions of those who had
planned this escapade.

‘“Vou’re looking quiet enough!’ Rat-
tleton was whispering to Merry at the
same moment, nodding toward the mani-

kin. ‘I should think from your appear-
ance that you might sleep there a week.”’

‘*Too bad to disturb my peaceful rest
and the minds of those chaps by the win-
dow! But they were bent on a disturb-
ance to-night!’

Then they solemnly walked to the ta-
ble on which = the manikin covered by

the sheet.

*“Which will you take?’’ asked Merry,
whispering the questions. ‘‘A wing, or
the gizzard ?”’

‘*Slice me out the wishbone!’’ Rattle-
ton answered.

Merry selected aknife. It glinted in
the dull light, and looked wicked enough
to the watchers at the window. Harry
Rattleton also produced a knife.

**T say !’’ gasped one of the freslimen at
the window. ‘‘They think “he’s dead.
They think -he’s a stiff that’s been
brought in for dissecting purposes, and
they’ll have those knives into him in an-
other minute!’’

Frank Merriwell rolled back the sheet,
at the same time interposing his body be-
tween the manikin and the window.
Then he flourished the knife.

“IT tell you they’re going to put those
knives into him,’’ gurgled the startled
freshman.

Without a word, Jack Ready scrambled
down from the window. He wasas fright-

-ened as the one who had uttered the

warning. The other freshmen streamed —
after him.

‘“They’ve left the window !’’ whispered
Harry Rattleton, casting a quick glance
in that. direction. ‘‘Al] the faces have
disappeared. Have we frightened them
away ?’?

Before Frank Merriwell could answer
there was a rattle at the door and a shout
of warning; then Jack Ready sprang into
the room, with the freshmen at his heels.

“Stop! stop!” he panted.

Merriwell gave his knife a quick flirt;
then held up before the bulging eyes of
Jack Ready and his companions what
seeiied to be the heart of the man they
fancied they had drugged.

“Youve committed murder!” Jack.
Ready shrieked. . ‘“That was Frank Mer- ©
riwell, and he wasn’t dead!” 5

For answer, Frank Merriwell removed —
his disguising hat and- turned toward _
them, Enea

 
   

28 VIP TOP WEEKLY.

‘Tam Frank Merriwell, at your ser-
vice!’? he said, in his well-known and
unmistakable voice. ‘‘Jack Ready, wlio
is the victor ?’?

For a inoment Jack Ready stared as if
stupefied. He could not compreliend it all
in the first swift glance. Then he under-
stood. The blood that had seemed stag-

nating in his heart fowed again through
liis veins and his cool assurance returned.

**Refuse me!’’ he cried. ‘I doff my
crown and fall at your feet. You are the
king !”’

THE END.

   
 

* The next number [200] of the Trp
Top WEEKLY willcontain ‘‘Frank Merri-
well’s Skates; or; Into the Ice Trap.

4

Correspondence,

De, ha Three Rivers, Mich.—No premium.

H. H. D., Hartford, Conn.—See answer to L. 8.

H, O, J., Racine, Wis.—Yes; they are all in print.

J. J. C., Hartford, Conn.—There is no premium on
the quarter of 1843 or the dime of 1856.

J. H., Johnstown, Pa.—We know of no firm manu-
facturing what you speak of, —

Tip Top Reader, Cuthbert, Ga.—The inscription has
no meaning that we can discover,

i. G. S., Schuylerville, N: Y.—Write to American
News Company, Chambers street, New York.

S. M.,, Benwood, Va.—Consult a lawyer. We are
sorry, but we cannot give legal advice.

E. R., Boswell, Ind.—The Princeton colors are or-
ange and black.

Dragon, Easthampton, Mass.—The dollar of 1795 is
worth a dollar and a quarter.

a, HH. B., Wilmington, Del.—Write to superintendent
of Military Academy, West Point, N. Y.

_E. M, N., Denver, Col.—The fiye-cent piece of 1883
is worth’ only its face value.

MW. M. D., Canton, Mo.—No' premium on the half
dollar of 1827. :

B..H. Peoria, IlL—We have called Mr.’Standish’s’
attention to your suggestion.

Rattles, New Bedford, Mass.—Your proportions are
fair and your handwriting is excellent,

M. W. H., Adrian, Mich.—Your proportions are fair,
What you have read is, as you say, absurd.

T. J. K., Bordentown, N. J.—No premium on either
coin, ;

C. H. Z., Pittsburg, Pa.—Your communication has
been referred to Mr. Standish.

H, L. M., Harrisburg, Pa.—No premium on any of
the coins. There was no nickel cent coined in 1808.

A. B., East Taunton, Mass.—You are much above
the average in both height and weight.

A. B., New Bedford, Mass.—The first Atlantic cable
was made of strands of copper wire, insulated by
gutta percha,

Laurence, Jackson, Mich.—Yau inclosed the wrong
letter to us. If you will send your full name and ad-
dress we will return it to you.

E. S., Coatesville, Pa.—We do not understand just
: what you mean. Give a fuller description of the coin,

“with date, ne

H. B. L., Providence, R. I.—We are under the im-
_ pression that the amateur journals you mention have
been discontinued. :
‘ H. T. H., Pittsburg, Pa.—The three-cent piece of
- 1866 is worth twenty-five cents. No premium on the
other coins.
Jack Cramp, Philadelphia, Pa.—It is impossible to

tell the exact date in advance. You must have pa-
tience,

Kentucky June, Mt, Sterling, Ky.—We have no
knowledge of the ‘‘professor’’ mentioned. We do not
believe it can be taught by mail.

N, A. H. M., Hastings, Minn.—You can obtain wigs
and false whiskers from Charles L. Lietz, 39 West
Twenty-eighth street, New York City.

Aspirant, Central Falls, R. I.—Write to Col. O. HF.
Ernst, Superintendent of Military Academy, West
Pont; Ns Y.

Cc. J. O., Bangor, Me.—Thank you for -the interest
you take, but we do not see our way clear to adopt
your suggestions at present.

EK. L. N., Montgomery, Ala.—The three-cent piece
(silver) of 1865 is worth twenty-five cents.. No: pre-
mium on the other coins.

A. G. A., Columbus, Ohio.—You can obtain a book
on physical development from Spalding & Bro., New
York City.

A. B. J., St. Paul, Minn.—You area little above the
average in height. You ought to weigh somewhat
more.

C. T., Raleigh, Pa.—The coin you send an impres-
sion of is Spanish and is worth about fifty cents; No
premium on any of the other coins.

Joe L., Philadelphia, Pa.—Ten minutes, twice a
day, morning and night, is sufficient exercise with
Indian clubs for a boy of your age.

Dicky Darling, Delaware, Ohio.—The scene has al-
ready been used. To do so again would be an in-
fringement of copyright.

A Tip Top Reader, Schenectady, N. Y.—Yes, you
can enlist in the navy if you pass the examination
satisfactorily.

Reader, Montreal, Can.—We cannot tell you the
reason why the coin has no premium. Probably. be-
cause there are plenty of them to be had.

W. L., Milwaukee, Wis.—If you have any natural
ability in that direction, we think a book on the
subject would help you.

T. I. F., Natick, R. I.—Thank you for your parody,
which is very good, but, on account of its length;
and owing to the large number of letters we are re-
ceiving, we are regretfully obliged to omit it,

W. C. C., Chicago, Tll—l. Modern ~Freemasonry

dates from 1717, when four lodges were formed in
London, Eng. 2. Zionism is the movement to bring
all Jews back to Jerusalem, and there found a great
city. ‘

P. J. P. H., Hastings, Minn.—We have carefully |

weighed the pros and cons of your project, but regret
to say that we do not deem it feasible. It would
lead to too many complications. Thank you all the
same,

W. D. M,, Providence, R. I.—Use Indian clubs and
walk briskly every day, gradually increasing the dis-
tance. You can obtain the book you want by writ-
ing to Spalding & Bro., Nassau street, New York
City.

Bart Hodge, Michigan City, Mich.—We cannot an-
swer medical questions. 3y all means consult a
physician. We would advise your club to pufchase
dumb-bells, Indian clubs and parallel bars to begin
with. j

A. L. C., Indianapolis, Ind.—To remove freckles,
squeeze the juice of a lemon in a goblet of water,
ee ee night and morning. Buttermilk is also
good. *

A. D., Las Vegas, N. M.-1. Henry Irving, we sup-

“pose, would be considered the foremost English-
speaking actor. 2. Yale University has 2,700 students.
3. The Catholics of.ithe world number 230,866,500. The

, Protestants have a following of 143,237,600.

Gifford, Memphis, Tenn.—1. The premiums on the
.three-cent pieces are as follows: 1863, 35 cents; 1864,
50 cents; 1865, 25 cents; 1866, 25 cents; 1867, 25 cents;
1868, 30 cents; 1869, 25 cents; 1870, 15 cents; 1871, 15
cents; 1872, 15 cents; 1878, 40 cents. 2. The colors of
the University of Tennessee are orange and white.
3. In our opinion, General Lee was the greater gen-
eral of the two. /

Youngster, Medford, Mass.—In extreme cases of
height or shortness of stature, the shorter undoubt-
edly have the advantage. Dwarfs have been known
to live to the age of ninety, and to the patriarchal
age of ninety-nine years, whereas giants usually die
while comparatively young. But, as a general rule,
tall people are the longer lived, and ‘‘Youngster’”’ has
no cause to regret his fine height. The same causes
tend to promote both longevity and stature, chiefly
good food and fresh air. The growth which outpaces
a grower’s strength has, of course, to be taken into
consideration in endeavoring to strike an average,
but height more often accompanies physical develop-
mient than physical failure,

  

 

 
  
 

 

 

 

 

eats a

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TIP TOP WEEKLY, a9

 

IP IOPWEEKLY.

AN IDEAL PUBLICATION FOR THF AMERICAN YouTH ””

NEW YORE, Fesrvary 3, 1900.

 

 

Terms to Tip Top Weekly Mail Subscribers.
(PosTaak Frees.) :
Single Copies or Back Numbers, Sc. Bach.

Bmonths - - - - - + = 5c. - + $2.50
4 months -'+'+ + ++ ~ 5c, - - 4.00
®@ months = - 9+. -°- - $1.25 a: wr OS.

HOW 10 SHND MONKY.—By post-office or express money order,
registered letter, bank check or draft, at your risk. At yourown
risk if sent by postal note, currency, coin, or postage stamps in
ordinary letter.

RECKIP’s.— Receipt of your reniliance ts acknowledged by proper
ehange of nivnber on yourlabel. If notcorrect yon have not been
properly credited, and should let us know'at once.

STREET & SMITH’S TIP TOP WEEKLY,
a 238 William St., New York City-

One year (- - * =o
2 copies one yeur - -
1 copy two years - -

APPLAUSE.

Please allow me space enough in the applause Column to
_ express my opinion of the Tip Top Weekly, which, in my

judgment, is the best published. It is the paper for the
American people—a good teacher for the young and a guide
for the old—in fact, it is a family paper. One thing is, it
does not uphold cigarette smoking. Frank Merriwell does
not like it, and even the high-tempered Westerner looks
sour when any one is around smoking them. Of Frank’s
male friends I particularly like Diamond and Bruce
Browning. I think Frank should marry Winnie Lee. My
best regards to Prank, Burt L. and Street & Smith.

JOHN EB. SKRINE,
: Macon, Ga.

There is no question as to the harmful effects of the
cigarette habit, especially on boys. We wish all our read-
ers who are addicted to it would give it up. We thank
you for your high opinion of the,Tip Top.

HURRAH FOR MERRIWELL.

Hurrah for Merriwell
And all his gallant crew!
Hurrah for Hodge and Diamond
And all the things they do!

Hurrah! A toast for Merriwelil!
And while the glasses ring,

We will shout for Merriwell,
Our athletic king.

Hurrah for Merriwell
And all his merry crew!
Hurrah for Hans and Barney!
Hurrah for Ephraim, too!

(Once more and a tiger.)
Hurrah for Merriwell
And all his gallant crew!
Hurrah for Elsie and Inza!
Hurrah for Standish, too!
NEIL DAHL,
Cass City, Mich.

We are pleased to print your creditable verses.

You cannot imagine how I look for Friday to come, when
I get the Tip Top Weekly. I generally buy it at a news
room. Are ail the characters in the Tip Top real? I have
not read all the Tip Tops. I started last summer, when I
found a story about baseball at Maplewood, and I let my
friends read it. Now I guess a lot of them take it every
week. MICHABL S, HARTIGAN, JR.,

. / Albany, N. Y.

Most of the characters in the Tip Top are drawn from

. life. May we always number you and your friends among
our readers.

ae

As I have seen no applause from Goodell, I thought that
I would write and let you know that your Tip Top Weeklies
are read here also. I am fourteen years of age, and have
read all the Tip Tops from No. 1 to the present number.
I would like to hear some more about Hock Mason. If
Frank marries I would like to see him marry Elsie. Send

my regards to Mr. Standish. OLE OLSON,

' Goodell, Iowa.

We are sure. Mr, Standish will appreciate what you say.

Have just finished number 194 of the Tip Top, and it is
fine. The Tip Top Weekly is a publication which no

~

mother or father should have the least objection to their
sons and daughters reading. It has no vulgar words, and
is greatly benefiting the boys and girls of the United States.
The paper that is trying to imitate the Tip Top is not
worthy of our notice. With best wishes to our readers
and Burt L. for the coming year.
A TRUE SOUTHERNER,
Savannah, Ga.

It is our constant aim both to benefit and to amuse, and
it is a great satisfaction to us to know that we are suc-
ceeding. The compliments of the season to you and all our
readers.

“FRANK THE HERO.”

Once there was a weekly paper
Full of jokes and sayings funny,
Also full of moral teachings,
Which was called the Tip Top Weekly.
In this story Frank the hero
Goes to a great learning wigwam,
And of wise mén learns their wisdom.
Fleet of foot was Frank the hero,
Many leagues could he go over
Twice as fast as other mortals,
Strong of will was Frank the hero,
Young and tall and very handsome,
Four good friends had Frank the hero,
Singled out from all the others,
Bound to him in closest union.
Bartley Hodge, the first, which means
The man impetuous and daring.
Next comes Jack, the fire-eater,
Meaning one with hasty temper.
Rattieton, the third, good friend was he,
With speech confused and stammering,
And the very strong man Browning,
Coming of a race of giants—
Yet he could not race the hero.
These four friends and Frank the hero
Spake with naked hearts together,
And they kept each other’s council,
Pondering much and much contriving
How to benefit ‘‘Old Eli.’’

We enjoy the Tip Top Weekly very much.

MARGARITA ELLERSUIE. ANITA SILVIER,
Malden, Mass,

Hurrah, girls! You have done splendidly. The boy

poets must lookout for their laurels.

I got very much interested in a sample copy of your
valuable weekly which was left. at the house the.other day.
I think that in the hearts of Tip Top readers Frank is
equaled only by our great Admiral Dewey. Being an Irish-
man by birth, I can greatly appreciate the wit of Barney
Mulloy. I only wish that the Tip Top might be read in
old Ireland. TERENCE BROWNELL,

Fitchburg, Mass.

We have many readers of the Tip Top in ‘‘old Ireland,’’
Yes, Barney has the real Irish wit. We are glad to have
heard from you.

I/thought I would write and let you know how much I
like the Tip Top Weekly. Every number is more inter-
esting to me. I love Frank Merriwell, our hero, and next,
Bart Hodge,- I have read from No. 1 to No. 194. Frank is
a wonderful jumper, and so is Badger, or Buckrum, as
Frank calls him, I have. already sent for the Tip Top
badge, Will Frank meet the Hon. Hammerswell and his
worthy Sani Herbert? ARCHIE REDLAND,

> St. Paul, Minn.

Frank will probably meet the Hammerswells again. You
are certain to be delighted —— the badge. Thank you.

As there has been -very little correspondence between
your paper and Washington boys, I ara going to write and
tell you what we think of your magnificent paper. I read
Frank Merriwell every week for the love of .good literature.
I notice what the hero in the other publication imitating
Tip Top has done, and I, too, echo the sentiments of ‘‘A
True Kentuckian.’’ He is right. I think Frank should
marry Elsie Bellwood, RAYE E. HURD,

. Mt. Vernon, Wash,

It is apparent that there is no more comparison between
the two heroes than there is between pure gold and pinch-
beck. The boys of America fully appreciate this. Success
to you and all our friends in Washington.

/ ———

Not seeing any letters from Phenix, I will express my
opinion of: the Tip Top. I have read a great many of
them, and they are just excellent. A great many of the
girls and boys read it here, and they all like it. I am
a great admirer of Frank, and his heroic way of doing
all things. Frank certainly is a fine fellow. And I like
all of Frank’s friends, especially Rattle Rariton, or Rat.
tle Harriton. Oh, mean Harry Rattleton. He’s just
all right when he isn’t talking. Of the girls, I like
Bilsie best, although they are both as sweet as they can
be. Really, I don’t know which I like best; that’s for
Frank to decide, though. Wishing success to Burt L, and

ood luck to Frank..
tar paz B. LAYFIELD,
\ Phenix City, Ala.

We are pleased to hear from you. Our regards to you
‘and all the boys and girls of Phenix. .

 
30

If any one, no matter who they were, should ask me
what was, in my opinion, the best book for boys to read, I
on answer without the least hesitation, the Tip Top

eekly.

Not only would they get good reading matter, but, if_
there were any questions which they wished to ask, there
fis the correspondence column, always open and ever ready
to answer them. :

At the same time, if any one had any doubt as to the
circulation of this interesting book, let them purchase a
copy and carefully read the applause column. There they
would find letters coming from school boys, school girls,
army and navy boys, and even grown up men and women.
What beiter recommendations could be needed than these?

Though the editor may not receive many letters from
Bangor, he needn’t think that there are not many readers
here, but on the contrary, the Queen City is doing her
share in reading them. I noticed that some of the read-
ers have been writing about a cheap and trashy publica-
tion, which is trying to imitate. Tip Top, but the best
thing to do is to absolutely ignore it. Though it may try
to, it can never ‘‘hold a candle’ to Tip Top. I remain as
ever, ‘‘True as Steel,’’

Cc, J. O'LEARY,

: Bangor, Me.

Every effort is and will be made to keep the Tip Top un-
rivalled. We are very proud of the letters from our read-
ers. See Correspondence column,

I send you this.as a token of friendship and good will
toward the Tip Top Weekly. May its publication never
cease. I wish to say that Mr. Standish is a true artist
at the kind of fiction which I read in the Tip Top. I
have taken it since the first Saturday it came here, about
two years ago, and there are a great many readers
in this town, though it is only a small one,

OMAS J. FLANAGAN,
Natick, R. I.

We are glad to hear we have so many readers in Natick,
See Correspondence column,

_I thought I would write and tell you how I adlmire the
Tip Top stories. I was with the Eleventh Regiment at
Manila, in Company M, ‘There were about twelve boys
and myself who read your admirable weekly. I was shot
in the thigh and had to be brought home on a transport.
While on it I couldn’t secure any reading matter whatever,
and I tell you I felt mighty glad when I got home and got

the Tip Top Weekly.
4 CHARLES BOLTEN,
: Wilmington, Del,
It is one of our greatest pleasures to know how the Tip
Top has been and is enjoyed by our splendid soldiers and
sailors, We trust you are entirely recovered from your
wound. We would like to hear from your companions,

I take great pleasure in reading your Tip Top Weekly,
and think it is a fine library for people, old and young, to
read, as each has.a moral attached to it. I have read every
number published up to date, and always look forward to
Friday with anxiety, as that is the day on which the book
comes, Inolosed find a newspaper clipping of an engage-
ment our band filled last night.

EUGEND C. PETRIBD,
Grand Junction, Col,

Thank you. We wish your band every success.

We have read your Frank Merriwell and think it is the
finest book ever printed. Frank is the hero of the age.
With best wishes for Frank and his comrades of Yale.
WwW. M. STANLEY, JOHN M. BATES,

; Montgomery,

Pd
Thank you, and best wishes for you both.

Ala.

I have been reading the Tip Top for some time, and I
think it the best. weekly published, ‘There is in this
town a cheap imitation of the Tip Top, whose hero has
adventures similar to those of Frank’s, Even. the author
copies Burt L. Standish’s last name, We are going to
have a carnival here in February, and I expect: to have
a great time. Dewey has been invited, and he is ex-
pected to be here, and I cordially invite Frank to be pres-
ent and enjoy our celebrations with us, }

; Paes: Painted
_ St. Paul, Minn.
Frank would appreciate your invitation, but we fear

other duties will detain him at Yale. We hope, however,
that your anticipation of a good time will be realized.

Being a great admirer of Frank Merriwell, I write these
lines to congratulate the author, Mr. Standish. I have
read the Tip Top Weekly from No. 108 to the present date,
and I think they are very good. I have read a great many
libraries, but I do not think there are any as good as the
Merriwell’s. Next’ to our great hero, whom I like
best, is Harry Rattleton. Are we ever going to hear from
Hans, Inza, Elsie or Ephraim? Long may the Tip Top
Weekly have a success,

oe FRED PANOR,

Des Moines, Ia.

You can be sure that the Tip Top will never belie its
name, Yes, you will certainly hear much in the future—
of ail those you mention.

» Kansan hotly,

TIP TOP WEEKLY.

I will write a, few lines to let you know how I like the
ace Weekly. I think it is the best book I ever read.
I ve read them from No. 1 to the present issue, and
It is indeed an ideal

E. BROWN,
Reading, Pa.

Thank you. May you always read the Tip Top.

expect to keep on reading them.
publication for the American youth.

As I have been a constant reader of Tip Top from No.
1 to.the present date, I here present a small poem:

I love to read the Tip Top well,

Of good old Yale and Merriwell,

Of Browning, Hodge and Diamond, too,
And all the others whom he knew.

He has had many a close call,

But he has got out of them all.

He’s made many friends, and, some foes, too,
But his friends have always remained quite true.
He’s traveled nearly the whole world o’er,

And at baseball he’s made many a score.
At Rubgy he’s a corker, too.

And has wom victory for the blue.

HARRY EDWARDS,
Cleveland, Ohio.
Your poem is very acceptable, and we are happy to re-
produce it.

I have not seen any applause from this town, so.I thought
I would write to show you that I appreciate your wonder-
ful stories very much, I have read the Tip Top ‘from
number one to the present number, and I think they are
the best stories written for boys and girls. I think that
Frank is a hero, and every American boy should follow
his example. I like Bart next to Frank, Hilsie is the
girl for Frank. Badger is a nervy enemy. I hope that
Mr. Standish will write the Tip Top for years to come,

CLAUDE GOULD,
Black River, N. Y.

We are sure Mr. Standish
See Correspondence column.

Not. having seen any letters from around here, we
thought we would write to you. We, the undersigned,
have formed a club, called the Merry Merriwell Thirteen,
‘We have been reading the Tip Top Weekly from No. 16 up
to date, and we all think it is the best nove] published.
Our newsdealer has been trying to sell us another book,
but we read one of them, and you bet we won’t read any
more of them. The reading in them is as coarse as sand-
paper, while the Tip Tops’ are as fine as silk.

Now, three cheers for Merriwell, and Standish the same,
And may we always remember Street & Smith, who never

are to bil .
F. WHISTLER AND OTHERS,
Danvers, Il.
Your comparison between the two publications is a good
one, and we know will be agreed to by thousands of boys
and girls. Good luck to your club.

We all join tn your hope.
could not be spared now.

Z

Cc. Club, of which Prof.
Mr. Burt L.
Standish the congratulations of the club. We have redd
Tip Top from No. 81 and bope to send for the back numbers
soon, and must say that our eonfidence is all placed in Tip

We are members of the A. M.
Chas. Terrell is president and wish to send

Top Weekly.
Prof. C. TERRELL, }’res.
J. F. MALLOY, Vice-Fres.

Miss K. MAYOCK, Treas,
Miss KITTIE CAINE, Secy.
Cleveland, Ohio.

Your confidence is not misplaced. Mr. Standish thanks”
you for your congratulations.

The boys of our town have formed a Tip Top Club, and
have named each other according to the characters in 'Tip
Top which they most resemble. ;

We all enjoy the Tip Top very much, for we have read
them from No. 1 to the latest,

It is the best weekly ever published.

We wish Tip Top a long life and that it may always hold
first place among boys’ weeklies,

ARCH TAYLOR and others.
‘ Wells, Minn.

Your kind wishes are appreciated. May your club “‘live
long and prosper.’”’ “

>

I wish to say that I have heen reading your Tip Top
Weeklies for over a year. I think they are, without ex-
ception, the very best books published for the ;
American: youth, and that every boy that can should read:
them, for I think they°do much good..I am also interested
in the Applause Column. Long life to the Tip Top. Weekly,
1 also wish all good luck to Frank, Bart, Jack, Ephraim, -
Hans, Inza and Hilsie, and I hope that Frank will down the _

MURRAY SWPENEY. ~
; Rockford, Ill. —

We also wish you good luck, and are gratified that you
think so highly of the Tip Top. . says

—_—_—-_-

"We have read your paper from No. 1 to the present issue
and think it just swell. We have formed a club and have
named it the True Blue.
have a club room in the White Block. We hope success
nf . f Ex

 

There are eight in it, and we. |
TIP TOP WEEKLY. 31

and a Happy New Year to Frank and his admirers and also

to Bilsie and Inza.
Cc. W. THOMAS and: others.
Port Huron, Mich.
A Happy New Year to you and to all our friends. Let
us hear how your club progresses.

I am very pleased with your weekly. I have just finished
No. 194, and liked it very much. I like especially, where
Frank defeated. Badger. I know Badger is true at heart, I
like Frank Merriwell’s friends. 3ig lazy Bruce Browning is
a good fellow, Harry Rattleton is true blue and so are Jack
Diamond, Burt Hodge, Ben Halliday,,Gamp, Griswold and
Stubbs. I would like to have some of Frank’s first friends,
such as Tod Jones, Winslow, Graz, Ross Kent and the
others meet him again. I wish Frank would marry Elsie
and Bart Inza. 1 like Hans Dunnerwust and Ephraim
Gallup and Barney Molloy.

{ HOLGER O. JACOBSEN,
tacine, Wis.
We will submit your suggestion to Mr, Standish. Glad-to
hear from you. See correspondence column,

Not seeing any letters from our town in your paper, I
thought I would write one to keep up with the times. I
think the Tip Top Weekly the best paper for boys and girls
ever published. I have not missed a single number yet
since the first one out. Mr. Standish is without a doubt the
best writer in the business,

If you cannot read all of this letter excuse poor writing,
as. I am lying in bed with a broken leg, but I manage to
get some of my friends to get the papers for me. Wishing
Mr. Standish and Frank and all of his friends a Happy
New Year. Cc. H. REDIC,

Butler, Pa.
We are very sorry to

A Happy New Year to you also.
soon be out

hear of your: misfortune, and trust you will
‘again, as well as ever,

I wish to write a letter of approval to you. I think the
‘Tip Top is fine. I should like to see Frank visit Maine
again. If he were to come to Ellsworth we would give him
“@ hot reeeption. .The boys about here all like Tip Top. I
should like to see Frank visit the lakes this Winter on a
fishing trip. ‘ HAROLD B. MADDOCKS,
North Ellsworth, Me.

Thank you. Your suggestion will be considered, but
Frank could scarcely leave Yale again before the close of
the term. :

I have come to the conclusion to write the author of Tip
Top Weekly a few words of praise. I have been reading’
them from Nw. 15 and never missed one book. I can hardly
wait till Friday comes. JACOB BADER,

: Dayton, Ohio.

Thank you, *

I have read all of the Tip Top Weeklies from No, 100 to
the present date and I like them more every week. I read
them when I was single. I am married now and I read
them and think there is none better. I wish the Tip
Top and Mr. Standish success. LUCY NOLLEY,

; Montgomery, Ala,

The Tip Top seems to please all, young and old, married
and single. We hope you will always enjoy it.

—_—

I live in South Boston and we boys have formed a read-
ing club, which we call the Tip Top Reading Club. We
like your weeklies very-much and we think’ Mr, Standish is
all right from his feet up. We look forward to Friday with
great joy. We wish your weeklies would never end, Our
members are as follows:
GEORGE M’DONNELL.
BILLY M’ DONNELL.
H. MONAHAN.

JOHN MONAHAN.
ARTHUR HUNT.

Best wishes for your reading club.

you like the Tip Top.

VINCENT BRANNON.
BILLY HOFNER,.

BILLY HUNT.

HARRY MERRER.

ED. SULLIVAN.

We are pleased that

——,

I write to tell you what a great field has the Tip Top
already in Northern New York. It seems as though every
boy in the village reads them. All that is needed now is a
little encouragement from you. They get it every Friday,
A Httle stir would make them form a club. They hardly

_ think there is anything like Tip Top up here. The readers
here are:
OSMAR McINTOSH.
FRED LEWIS MOTT.
MOTT.

BD. McCARTHY.
ROY JOHNSON,

ED. MULLIGAN.
FRANK BUTTS.

JOE LAVIBPR.
-B, PERKINS.

PEDRO BLAKE. 4
MYRON DONOVAN. /
WALTE WALTER WILSON.
“PETE MORRIS. MOODY MASON.
ARTHUR MORRIS. f

7 Ogdensburg, N. Y.

Certainly, we most heartily encourage you to form your
club, and shall be most interested in hearing the result of
your efforts, Write again and let us know,

~~.

, dict just what will

Dis vos me vonce alretty yet. I vos sot me down here
to vrite dis letter vonee again alretty vos eading me von
Slimbeger sandvich, oxcuse any & se sbots vot gots der
baber on. Dot Vrankie Merrivell he vos von dandies alret
Dot Hans Dunerwust he gant dalk United Saads von led
bit yust de.same. Vale, I have do close pefore der baber
vos used out alretty yet. Vos alretty Vrank’s friends.
OTTOMOLYER UPUNDOWNDERSTREETER,
Ashtabula, Ohio.

Hans would undoubtedly like to meet you. You would
understand one another.

As I am a constant reader of the Tip Top, I would like
freely to give my opinion of it. I think it is the bes
weekly ever published in the United States, and that every
youth should read it. I think that the Tip Top is the best
—yes, the VERY best—paper ever published. gut the only
question I would like to ask is: Is there a man by the
name of Frank Merriwell? and was he the best man at
Yale? Is he ever going back to Maplewood?

BART STEADMAN,
Brooklyn, N.

Thank you for your enthusiastic praise, which we sh
ever endeavor to merit. Frank is founded on a real
acter as are most of his friends. We cannot tell yet whether
he will return to Maplewood or not.

Hot naving—I mean not having received much app!ause
from this city, no dot—I mean do not think that there are
not ramy meaders—no! many readers here, We have or-
ganized a hub dere—club here of eighteen members, called
the Tip Lop Teague—I mean Tip Top League Club and hope
soon to have many more members, The Tip Top is, dithout
woubt—no! without doubt the best’ publication for
American youths that is written. Our regards to B.
Standish, Street & Smith, and Mank Ferriwell—I mean
Frank Merriwell, **RATTLES,”’

New Bedford, Mass.

You are evidently an admirer of Harry Rattleton. Our

regards to yourself and all the members of your club.

I affix my name to the list of admirers of the Tip Top
Weekly. I have read all the numbers except the first two
quarterlies and think them just grand. It certainly is an
ideal publication. I am very sorry Merry did not let Hodge
get a crack at Herbert Hammerswell. Will Merry ever meet
Larry Logan, his fireman, again, or little Nell and Jack
and Bob Nutting’? I hope Buck Badger will become Merry’s
friend. Wishing Merry, Burt L., and Street & Smith suc-

cess.
RUDOLPH BROCKMAN,
Chicago, Ill.
Your kind wish is heartily reciprocated. We cannot pre-
happen. Don’t you’ see that it would
detract from the interest even if we could?

Not having seen many letters from this city, I write to
tell you that your Tip Top Weekly is thought as much of

It arrives in Wilmington on Thurs-
day afternoon about 8 o’clock, and at 4.15, when school lets
out, there is quite a rush to get Tip Tops I am a member
of the Merriwell Club, and if a member reads one of those
infamous imitations of thé Frank Merriwell’s, as we cal
them,’ he is suspended for a month. Next to Frank my
favorite is Jack Diamond. Wishing Frank a long life and

hoping he will marry Inza.
Cc. R. KENWORTHY,
Wilmington, Del.
The boys of your city are like those of thousands of cities
and towns in their rush for the Tip Top. Thank’ you for.
letting us know how much the Tip Top is liked in Wil-
mington.

here as it is anywhere.

I have been a constant reader of the Tip Top Weekly two
or three years and think it is fine, the boys and girls that
don’t read it are missing half of their life, or that is what
I think. I hope Frankg will keep on going to Yale and
keep at the head of all the sports. If Frank ever gets mar-
ried I want him to marry Inza.. Next to Frank I like Bart
Hodge, he likes to fight and don’t let people run over him.
If he ever has another fight with Badger, I want him to hit
him so hard he will always remember it. I wish Bart would
meet that girl that was on the train when he and Frank were
going to New York, for I thought she was all right. [f
don’t see many girls writing what they think about the
Tip Top, but I expect they are afraid. I have started to
save up all the Merries I can get and have about 50 and
am going to try and get them all. I want. Frank to be on
the base ball team next spring and want him to have Hodge
behind the bat. I hope you will pardon me for telling you
my wishes, but I have told every body in town until they
are tired of them, so I thought I would start out on a
larger field, I extend my congratulation to the Tip Top and
Mr. Standish and hope you may always publish the Tip Top,

HARRY W. RICE,

; Osceola, Iowa,

Mr. Standish will consider all your suggestions. The girls
need not. be afraid to write. We especially welcome them
to our columns, We appreciate your congratulations.

We are constant readers of the Tip Top Weekly and have
formed a club named the Tip Top Six, the officers as follows:
FRED MILLER, Pres. HENR RANKS.

CARL WILLES, Treas. LOUIS SHOEMAKER.
W. SHOPMAKER, | Sect. RALPH DOTY. said
Fort Wayne, Ind.

Best wishes to you all.

 
32 hae LOOP

LAS Ss: teSsU es:
PRICE, 5 CENTS EACH.

200—F rank Merriwell’s Skates; or,
199—Frank Merriwell’s
Spring Sports.
=e Que Merriwell’s Temptation; or,
Quiet Sport,
—Frank Merriwell’s
of Badger.
is6—Frank Merriwell Tested;

Into the Ice
Work; or, In

Trap.
Training for

Nothing but

“Flock’’; or, The Awakening

or, A Doubtful Honor.

195—Frank Merriwell’s Limit; or, Calling a Halt.

194—Frank Merriwell’s Stratagem; or, True Friends
and False. F

~Frank Merriwell’s Holidays; or, A

mas with Old Friends.

rank Merriwell’s Touch; or,

Yet Heavy as Iron.

1g9i—F rank Merriwell’s Generosity; or,
Brick,

190—Frank Merriwell’s Drive; or,
fessionals.

189—Frank Merriwell’s Heart; or, A
giving

is8—Frank Merriwell’s Sport; or,
Ready.

187—Frank Merriwell’s ‘‘Set’’
east,

186—Frank Merriwell’s
ous Foe.

185—Frank Merriwell’s

and New Foes.

rank Merriwell’s Vim; or,

Yale Spirit.

1883—Frank Merriwell at Yale Again; or,
the Blue.

182—Frank Merriwell’s Triumph; or, In
Finish.

181—Frank Merriwell’s Hit;

180—F" rank Merriwell’s
Against the Tide,

1799—Frank Merriwell’s Skill; or,

Lead.

178—F rank Merriwell’s Bat; or, Saved by an Alibi.
177—Frank Merriwell’s Freak: or, The One-armed
Wonder. f
1%—Frank Merriwell’s Turn; or,

- ming Streak.
176—Frank Merriwell’s Fall; or,
Twirler.
174—Frank Merriwell’s

Merry Christ-

192-—-F Light as a Feather,
Square as a
Defeating the Pro-
Royal Thanks-
The Hazing of Jack
; or, Picking Up an Out-
Trust; or, Taming a. Danger-
Ola Friends

the

Automobile; or,
1s84—F Re-awakening
Batting for
Front at the

Ninth.
Pulling

or, Won in the
Confidence; or,

Fighting for the

Working the Win-
‘Tom, the Tramp
Paid in Their Own

Hard Luck and

Ruse; or,
oin,

173—Frank .Merriwell’s Injury; or,
Crooked Work.

172--Frank Merriwell’s Determination;
Best of His Foes.

17i—F rank Merriwell’s Secret; or

Double Shoot.

170—Frank Merriwell’s Ball
First Game.

169—Frank Merriwell’s Return; or,
of the Mystery.

168—Frank Merriwell’s Friendship; or,
of Youth.

167—Frank Merriwell
League.

166—Frank Merriwell Suspecte a;
France

165—-Frank Merriwell in Paris; or,
a Name.

164—Frank Merriwell’s Farewell; or,
Merrie England.

163—Frank Merriwell’s Caddie; or, On
drews’ Golf Link Ss.

162—Frank Merriwell at Henley; o

i61—F
Night.

160—Frank Merriwell's
the Derby

159--Frank Me -rriwell's
Sports.

or, Getting the

, Trying to Steal the

Team; or, Winning the

The Unmasking

The Hot Blood

Doomed; or, The Anti-Dreyfus

or, For the Honor of

The Man Without

Last Days in

the St. “An-

r, Life on a House

oat. {
rank Merriwell’s Sand; or, London Slums by

Black Beauty: or, Winning

Backer; or, Among fondon

For Sale by all Newsdealers, or will be sent, postpaid, on
receipt of price, by STREET & SMITH, PUBLISHERS,
oe Witiam St., New York.

 

WORTH of Tricks & Make-ups, postpaid
Apparatus for performing the great ues esipaid 2 5°
trick, a cure for lovo, a novelty sure to please, loco-
motive or detective whistle, a nice moustache or ae
Goatee under the chin, side whiskers, Galoways or, %
full Beard, any color, s bottle of Spirit Gum fo ee

oe — af aaa ko., » box of Burnt Cork to

Coin through the hat trick, Imitation}

IR0 wane 30 a long in glass covered cabinet toscare

WwW drinkors,imitation rubber mouth with big

TULL, g tooth, it a et ag from ear to ear. Mentiou whero

BEARD you saw ad. and I will send you a Gold plate
ing FREB. aeons Be: a i DighS
offer is to get your sdd: rg Q
SE eee TnewPLAYS "WIGS Tricks, Novol- Ws =

stamps or silver. Agents wanted.

1 BE MARSHALL, Mfgr., Lockport, N. ¥.~

WEEKLY,

Tip Top League Member’s Badge.
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In response to the urgent request of a host of Tip Tor readers
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AN EXACT PICTURE OF THE LEAGUE BADGE

 

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STREET & SMITH.

 

 

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To secure the promptest attention,
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address all letters on thia
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STREET SMITH, 238 William St., N.Y.

 
 
Don't Grab
at Shadows!

If you do, you will surely lose substances.
Don’t try this thing and that thing and
everything you see advertised as a cough
medicine. You will be simply running
after shadows.

Grasp at once the real substance,---a
bottle of Ayer’s Cherry Pectoral. For
sixty years it has been curing asthma, bron-
chitis, croup, whooping-cough, hoarseness,
loss of voice, la
grippe, weak Way
throat, soreness in [{, ie Su
the chest, and even Ny
consumption itself. by.

“T have used Ayer’s Cherry Pectoral since early
in 1853. And I have used it a great deal in my :
family. I have always found it to be the very best of rem-
edies for coughs, colds, and all throat and lung troubles.”
J. O'NEILL, Pittsburg, Pa., April 21, 1899.

 

Now is the first time that you can buy a bottle of
Ayer’s Cherry Pectoral for 25 cents. It's just right to
cure an ordinary cold. The 50c. size is better for harder
cases, as bronchitis, croup, hoarseness, la grippe, etc.
You can still buy the $1.00 size, which is by far the most
economical in the long run.