Te lop WEEKLY “An ideal publication for the American Youth Issued weekly By Subscription, $2.50 per year. Entered as Second Crass Matier at the N. Y. Post Office by STREET & SMITH No. 237. Price, Five Cents. RANK TFERRIWELES POWER Ay HALEN THE HAZING OF THE FRESHMEN. TID TOD WEEKLY ep rmnigme eo AN IDEAL PUBLICATION FOR THE AMERICAN YOUTH ey Issued Weekly—By Subscription $2.50 per year, Entered as Second Class Matter at the WN. Y. Post Office, by STREET & SMITH, 238 William S8t., N. Y. Entered According to Act of Congress, in the year 1900 in the Office of the Librarian of Congress, Washington, D. C. ), No. 237. NEW YORK, October 27, 1900, Price Five Cents. ey aT cum: gia oiek Ee >) CHAPTER I | A-DANGEROUS SCHEMER. | Bee Dade Morgan sat alone in his room. ro The moon rode high over the trees of the |} campus and the green, and the soft — night wind, odorous of. the sea, byought to his a ears sounds of. singing and laughter. Seniors, juniors | and sophomores were Frank Merriwell’s Power; HAZING THE FRESHMEN AT BILLIE’S. By BURT L. STANDISH. sung by Yale men: “making merry about bas famous sues “Wrap me up in my tarpaulin jacket And say, ‘A poor duffer lies low!’ ”’ From a sentimental trio at the ieues Sees floated the words of another song mich Se “Nut-brown maiden, thou. heat a bright blue’eye for love! _ e Nut- brown pies thou hast | a right blueeye! Sons A bright blue eye is thine lo ¢ to “Light heads!’? Dade muttered. ‘‘But light heads are easily handled.”’ Drawing back from the window and lowering the blinds, he took from his pocket a letter which he had received by mail that afternoon and began to re-read it by the light of his student iamp. He had no room-mate and wanted none, for room-mates expect confidences and he had none to give. ; The letter spoke of possible ‘‘tools,’’ and gave a list of names of college men. “Bertrand Defarge, Donald Pike, Rol- and Packard,’’ Dade read, as he ran his eyes down the written page. ‘‘Packard? Oh, yes, that’s the medical student I heard talking against Merriwell yesterday. He doesn’t like the Yale king a little bit. I wonder how I’ll go to work to handle him. I must find out his pet weakness.’ There were other names in the list, and he read on: ‘“There’s not much stuff in the Chick- ering set, outside of one or two fellows, perhaps, but they hate Merriwell, and it will stand you in hand to coddle them.”’ Dade Morgan smiled when he read this. He had met the Chickering set. ‘‘T can work them on Dashleigh. As good luck would have it, I’m already ac- high and lordly juniors. All they need is a little patting on the back to make them swell up like the ox in the fable. They’re z just dying for popularity, and they get precious little of it.’’ ‘“Gil Cowles, Mat Mullen, Lib Benson, Newt Billings, Chan Webb,” he read on. acre well, but he has squealched them. They pretend to be his friends, but they hate him like sin. Maybe you can use some of them?” “ “If only Morton jae were here,”’ “was Dade’s thought. ‘‘He has some iron ain his blood, and wouldn't stick at any- thing, But these fellows! Bah! I’ve al- - ready sounded some of them, and, though quainted with them, even though they are _ hese were once open enemies of Merri-— the king of Yale now, — wait awhile! ; Just wait awhile!” ee 2 TIP TOP WEEKLY. they are willing enough to have Merriwell done up, they haven’t any sand. I'll have - to do all the difficult things alone.’’ The name of a detective appeared in the body of the letter, and Dade looked at it curiously. Then he glanced at the signature, and 4 read this in connection with it: “Bor the sake of safety, I shall here- . after sign myself, HeEcTor KING.”’ ON ee eee When he was sure he had mastered the letter in all its details, he kindled a little fire in his grate and committed the writ- ing to the flames.. He sat with half-lowered lids as he Me watched the letter curl and crispand burn 4 to ashes. The lowered lids and the sinister 4 ginile gave to his handsome face a dis- torted look. ‘‘J don’t know but I’ve been too reck- less in my stabs at Merriwell,’’ he rumi- nated, putting his hands above his head , and stretching out his feet as he stared a into the fire. ‘‘I must use caution. The = | advice in that letteris good. If I use these Se tools, I must not let them know that they . ib are tools. I must stir up their hate against Merriwell and then take care to direct = 4f that hate. I’ll play the fine Italian hand.” == J His eyes glittered with a feverish fireas he continued these musings. ee “Oh, how I hate that fellow!’’ he hissed, as if speaking to the log that lay sputtering before him sending up acloud ~ of smoke and steam. “‘‘I’ll wring his heart before I’m through here. Yale isa great | institution! Oh, yes! I don’t doubt that abit, and I'll have to study tokeepup, * |: so that I won’t flunk in the exams, But Si, the study is just to enable me to stay here | where I can strike at Merriwell. These — other fellows that have locked horns with : - him haven’t had the money to back them eas that I have, nor have they had the brains, j nor have they hated him as I do. He’s tf ee nt eee He was thinking of the writer of the letter, and seemed to be growling these declarations and promises to him. The burning stick broke in two and fell apart with a volley of sparks. Morgan straightened in his chair and lowered his hands. ‘*But Pll never do anything, if I allow myself to get excited in this way!’ The sinister smile passed. He arose and stood before the mirror, drawing his hand- some form up to its full height and look- ing into his dark and strangely attractive face. ‘Such frowns will spoil these good looks! In a fight like this, good looks and a seemingly amiable disposition are in the list of winning cards. ‘A man may smile and smile and bea villain!’ but if he wants to smile effectively in public he must continue to smile in private, no matter what he feels or thinks. ”’ There was a laughing light now in the dark eyes and a winning smile on the lips. He felt of his arms. ‘‘And biceps are not to be despised! I’ve got to go in for athletics more than I’ve been doing lately, for the time is coming when I shall want to try conclu- sions with that big freshman, Dick Star- bright.”’ He still smiled at himeslf in the glass, though he seemed to feel the rough grip of Starbright on his collar. Dade Morgan was no mean athlete, and he had already taken elaborate lessons in the ‘‘manly art of self-defense,’’ but he felt that he would need every atom of ability -and strength possible for him to possess in the struggle he saw coming between _ himself and Frank Merriwell. He sat down again and continued to ve think and to plan. **One of the first things to do is to get Bert Dashleigh in the power of the Chick- - ering set. That ought to be dead easy.”’ He recalled these words from the burned TIP TOP WEEKLY. 3S **Dick Starbright’s one weakness, ac- cording to the detective. who has been looking up his antecedents, is an inherited love of drink.”’ **One wouldn’t think it, to look at him. Of course, he has come here with a firm determination to keep away from every- thing of the kind. But I'll see to it that he doesn’t. With the temptations round a {:llow here, that ought to be easy, too! Theu he sat twiddling his thumbs, thinking of Merriwell. ‘‘T’ll have to oppose him in every way. Every popular man has a host of enemies. Scores are jealous of him simply because he is popular. There seems to be a defect in human nature that makes it want to pulz down every man who rises above the dead: level. I'll use this feeling and I’ll use it for all it’s worth. I’ll become his rival and rally round me all the opposi- tion.’ There was no doubt in the schemer’s head that he was equal to all this. He felt himself to be a born leader. In the school from which he had come he had contrived to put himself in the forefront of about everything. He had not only been a leader in sports and athletics, but in matters lit- etary as well. There could be no doubt that Dade Morgan was the most dangerous enemy who had yet risen in Merriwell’s path. He was especially gifted, a natural leader, an athlete and fighter of no mean skill, a fine football player, and he hated Merri- well more fiercely than any enemy who had ever opposed him, though apparently for no reason whatever. For a long time Dade sat there, outlin- ing his cunning plans and mentally pre-. paring himself for his fight to down Frank Merriwell. The sounds at the fence and in the campus died away. Still he sat there, with drawii blinds and low-burning lamp. : : ‘*T can do it!’’ he smiled, as he aroused himself at last and prepared for bed. - 4 TIP TOP WEEKLY, Then he retired and slept as peacefully as an infant. CHAPTER IL. AN EVENING WITH THE CHICKERING SET. The next evening Bert Dashleigh bounded into the apartments which he occupied with Dick Starbright in Farnam. ‘‘Tust look at that!’’ he said, slapping a néatly-written note down on the table where Starbright was engaged in study. ‘“That’s great, coming from juniors to a freshman !”? Dick looked into his friend’s smiling and exultant face. ‘Better sit down and fan yourself a bit. You’re wildly excited. ’’ ‘Look at the letter!” Dick looked at it and found it to be an invitation to a little ‘‘dinner’’ to be given that evening by the Chickering set. It was written ina fine hand on delicately- scented paper and requested the ‘‘honor’’ of M. Bert Dashleigh’s presence. Starbright’s face darkened. ‘“*T suppose it’s all right, of course, even if a little unusual. But I shouldn’t accept it, if I were you.”’ “Oh, bother! Why wouldn’t you accept it? I know, though!”’ ‘*Well, they haven’t been exactly nice to us since we’ve been here. You know that, as well as I do.”’ “But if they haven’t treated me right in the past, that note shows that they’re going to begin it now. Old boy, I’ll speak a good word for you. ‘Those fellows are rich and they’re juniors, That makes it worth our while to know them, if we can.’’ He took up his guitar and began to thump it as if to cut off all objections. “Oh, pees Levi! Tra-la- la, la-la-la, See AE, _. Dick Starbright fumed back to his book a and his oe | hae ‘‘Oh, saw off on that!’’ he impatiently exclaimed, looking up from the table, after Bert had sung a verse or two about the Jew clothing dealer who ‘‘lives on Salem street. ”’ ‘Well, now. I want to talk to you. I want your opinion about that invitation.’’ ‘*You’re going to accept it?”’ “Yes; I’m thinking that I will. you don’t seem to like it.”’ Dick leaned back in his chair and stuck his thumbs in the armholes of his vest. ‘‘My opinion is like that of Lincoln, But when asked to recommend a certain book: ‘For people who like that kind of a thing, it is just the kind of a thing they will like!’ For people who fancy fellows like the Chickering set, the Chickering set are just the kind of fellows they will fancy. For myself, I don’t fancy them, and if [ 7 should receive such an invitation I’d ignore it.’? ‘“That’s because you don’t know them. I thought I hated them, until I met Ru- pert Chickering himself this morning. Of — course he’s something of a cad in his dress. I’ll admit that. But he was the most genial fellow I’ve met since coming to Yale. I fancy I impressed him a little with a sense of my own importance, and the result is this invitation. ’’ “Oh, [knew you would go!’ ‘Yes, I’m going. Suchachance doesn’t _ /come every day in the week, and I Cant oe afford to throw it away.”’ I don’t want you to study just & so Dade Morgan would have laughed could he have heard that speech, and he would have laughed more loudly if he could have seen Bert Dashleigh begin to dig out : his collars and ties,and lay out his best — apparel. An. hour or so later Dashleigh was ee zn = mitted to the perfumed atmosphere of Ru- pert Chickering’s aristocratic apartments, and was warmly greeted es ieee biseey a oe ee, TIP bang,and Gene Skelding with his gorgeous necktie. Ollie Lord lifted himself on his ay high-heeled shoes to welcome the new- &% comer, and ‘Tilton Hull smiled over his high choker collar. ‘“‘We’ve been waiting for you,’’ said a) Rupert, in a manner that made Dashleigh | feel that he was the only man at Yale worthy of such consideration. = And he saw that he was the only guest. Then he thought that perhaps the other “a guests had not arrived. sy a ‘‘Just one of the little feeds we have up a here and then,’’ Chickering ex- a plained. ‘‘We thought we’d like to have ae you with us.’ oa ‘Pye been admiwing you, don’t you a know, ever thinthe the night of the Torch Light Wush!’’ Lew Veazie simpered, holding out his hand like the fin of a fish. Bert Dashleigh was not particularly Ee, pleased with this reference, for on the | night of the Rush he had been badly handled in the wrestling match with Jack Ready, and was still sore on the subject. However, he showed nothing of this. The tables were already laid in an ad- joining room, and the dinner was ready now - 7@ - ~~ and waiting. > Bert Dashleigh was a well-meaning fel- y low and honest, but he was somewhat rat- tle-brained and frivolous, liked attention and flattery. He had not received much of ‘either at Yale so far, and the Pog open compliments and honeyed words of pes h these juniors were doubly pleasant to him on this account. It did not occur to him 3 that they might have a sinister purpose in thus adinitting him to the charmed circle of their friendship, and he had not been at Yale long enough to know the exact estimation in which they were held. The handsomely-furnished apartments, the glittering silver and glass on the res tables, the immaculate dress of his hosts, and the elaborate dinner served by colored men caught his fancy and intoxicated his “imagination. He es “no ba doubt and he TOP WEEKLY. 5 that the Chickering in spite of -all that might be said worthy of cultivation, and the belief came to him that the fellows who spoke so se- verely against them were moved to it through jealousy and envy. Dashleigh did not care for wine, though he had no scruples against its use; but it was so persistently pressed on him, and he had such a fear of not doing just the thing he ought to do on this occasion, that he permitted his glass to be filled again and again, until his head took to itself a queer feeling, and the objects in the room began at times to assume a strangely wobbly Ser: against them, were aspect. By and by the talk turned to college athletics and college men. Whenever the talk at Yale turned to these subjects, no matter who the speakers were, Frank Merriwell’s mame was invariably men- tioned. Dashleigh mentioned it now, speaking rather favorably of Frank. ‘‘T must say that I don’t like Jack Ready,’’ he confessed, for the wine he had taken made’ him incautious in his state- ments and caused him to give free expres- sion to his feelings. He had not liked Ready since the time Ready won from him in the wrestling match. That had humiliated him and em- bittered him against the apple-cheeked sophomore more than anything else could have done. “Merriwell isn’t like Ready, though,’’ he went on. ‘‘Ready is a hare-brained sort, of fellow, I take it, who is simply, stuck on himself.”’ ‘‘And Merriwell is in the same boat!” Gene Skelding declared, with a show of feeling that surprised Dashleigh. But Chickering came purringly to the. rescue of Merriwell’s reputation. Chicker- _ ing always pretended great fairness shone he did not feel it. ure - “Never apeat ill ofa person behind his * back, especially if he is a Yale man!’’ he urged. ‘Well, I don’t want our friend Dash- leigh to make the great mistake, at the outset of his career here, of becoming a worshipper of Frank Merriwell,’’ said Skelding. ‘‘You’ll want to keep away from him when you know him, Dash- leigh. ‘That’s straight. He has a lot of fellows trailing round at his heels all the time, singing his praises, but there is really nothing in the fellow—not a thing.”’ “(We may as well admit that he’s done some remarkable things,’’ said Chicker- ing. ‘“‘I don’t particularly like him, as you know. No one does who is not of his stripe. But I want to be fair to everybody. Of course he was helped by an uncommon run of luck in that tour he took this sum- mer with his so-called Yale Athletic ‘Team. >’ ‘*Vale team !’’ sniffed Ollie Lord. ° ‘“‘What right had he to call ita Yale team?’’ asked Julian Ives, squaring his shoulders to give himself a manly look. ‘’Mhat’th what I thould like to know mythelf?’’ lisped Lew Veazie, taking a delicate sip of wine, for too great a quan- tity always turned his little head. ‘He had no right to call it anything of the kind, ll] admit that!” was Chicker- ing’s answer. “They didn’t represent Yale, but——”’ “Tt was. simply an exhibition of un- bounded gall!’’ growled Skelding. Dashleigh was beginning to feel that perhaps he had been wrong in rating Mer- tiwell as a hero. These were Yale men who had known Frank for a long time. Consequently their words were entitled to weight. He was sorry that Dick Star- bright could not be there to hear this, for - Starbright had become a ee wor- 3 2 Binyst. 3 _ After dinner the party mejor to the » : ae talking. He did not want Dick Starbright 4 f to become a member of the football team, simply because hé believed that Merriwell did want him, and it was his plan to pre- a went it if he could. He and Dade Morgan” a had talked the thing out that day, and ) there was a perfect understanding between them. . When they again stood in front of Traeger’s, he drew Dick toward the door that leads to the down-stairs portion of je that establishment and Dick went in with 7 him. Here, at one of the small round tables which fill the lower room, the talk about football was continued. ‘ Dick could not agree with his supposed | new friend in the latter’s opinion of Mer- tiwell, but he could agree with him on a many other points, and the talk was ex- > ceptionally pleasant to the young and in- 3 experienced freshman who was longing > for sympathy and companionship. Roland Packard showed a surprising amount of information concerning Yale’s football timber and their plans, all of which was intensely interesting to the ex-captain of the Andover eleven. ; Students came and went, andthe two _ talked on in that genial way fora time, when Roland beckoned to a waiter. | The waiter disappeared, soon returning — with a bottle and some glasses. The bot- 4 tle contained a fine grade of whisky. wR aie Roland turned outa quantity in one of the glasses, and the odor smote strongly the nostrils of Dick Starbright. He Bee as white as a sheet. ig Roland. poured another gles, covertly gi Sas, ‘‘Here’s to the success of ‘ales ball team, no said, pushing one of the glasses to Star- bright. There was a strange light in Dick’s eyes. His hands trembled and his form shook, An almost overpowering temptation to lift the glass to his lips came upon him. He asked himself, where was the harm? Why should he offend this genial friend | by a refusal to drink this toast with him? And where was the harm? Many Yale men drank liquor there at Traeger’s True, he knew that the temptation to drink was the black temptation of his life, and that if he began to drink he might not be able to stop. Nevertheless, he put out his hand. Packard smiled encouragingly. Starbright’s hand stopped half way to the glass. Merriwell’s voice had sounded from the pavement. Frank was talking to some one on the street. He did not know that Starbright was in Traeger’s, shaken by that almost overmastering temptation. The words themselves were trivial, but somehow they took hold on Dick Star- bright like fibers of steel. The uplifting feeling that had come to him from Frank’s words on the night of the Great Rush when he sat on Merriwell’s knee between the bouts of the wrestling match came to him again. It again gave him strength and determination. It filled him with a desire for uplifting and manly things. ae He drew back the extended hand. His face was still white and his eyes bright as stars. “No; I can’t do it!’ he declared. ‘“Why, what’s the matter ?’’ Packard had heard that voice on the sidewalk, and he now wondered if it could have influenced the tempted freshman. He knew something of Merriwell’s pow- erful influence—his wonderful mastery of as minds. that were friendly toward him. And he asked sane tt the freshman had TIP TOP WEEKLY. not given Merriwell some promise not to drink, whicl: Frank’s voice now recalled. From the room above came the words of the song: ‘‘Here’s to good old Yale! drink her down, drink her down!’’ The song seemed to say to Starbright, “Drink! drink!” The fumes of the liquor cried to him, “Drink! drink!’ Roland Packard, sitting Supakite him like a smiling fiend, was, by his manner, urging him to drink. ‘Why, what’s the matter with you, old fellow?’’. Packard queried. ‘‘Justa toast to the success of the football team ?’’ “*T could willingly drink the toast, but not in noe: ‘‘Oh, you’re one of those temperance men !”’ Packard said this with an impatient sneer that cut Starbright to the quick. But.the color was coming back to Star- bright’s face and strength to his brain. “‘T can’t do it!”’ he said in a trembling 3 voice. ‘‘You must pardon me.”’ He felt that he must run, if he saved himself. He did not know how he got out of the chair; but he rose up, pushing a back the liquor. . Then, with his heart hammering and his face on fire, Dick Starbright stumbled up the steps and into the street like a man pursued. | Merriwell had passed on, but he felt that Frank’s voice had saved him. - He did not stop to look back. He could explain and apologize to Packard at some other time, if necessary. Then he turned toward Farham and ~ hurried blindly away, not stopping until — he had gained his rooms. 2 Here he paused, breathing heavily ai and | looking reproachfully at himself in ‘the glass. ‘You aren’t fit to iva Starbright! You just now insulted one of the few friend you pave made since beg here! But; LO Str Or what else could I do? I had to get out of there!” He scorned and hated himself and his weakness, feeling that he, the Andover athlete and football player, was weaker and more cowardly than a child, and really needed a guardian. Then he went to bed, where he lay toss- ing, until Dashleigh came into the rooms talking hilariously and volubly of the great time he had enjoyed in Chicker- ing’s apartments, and with a breath smell- ing of the wine he had swallowed:and the cigarettes he had smoked. a CHAPTER IV. . THE MYSTERIOUS STRANGER. A few evenings later Dade Morgan had a visitor. The man came to his rooms after night- fall, tapped softly on the door and was cautiously admitted. Dade stared as the light feveaied the face and figure, if a face may be said to be revealed which is disguised by heavy false beard, and mustache and wig. ‘“You wouldn’t know me on the street ?”” 7 . Dade started again. euised, too! “Tam not dead sure that I know you now!” ‘You ought to know Hector King! I told you I was coming.”’ ‘‘No; I shouldn’t have known you on the street in broad day. That’s a funny disguise you’ve got on,’’ ‘Well, as you know, ’ve my special _ reasons. for not wea to be recognized here.’ : ‘The man laughed as he said this and took the chair; and the laugh was dis- -guised. Pos SON ought to go into the detective line,” “Thanks; but I’ve seb one of the best The voice was dis- -‘mendous sentiment jetectives in New Haven at work for me. WEEKLY. My part in this little game is more impor- tant. How are you getting along ?’’ He had spoken in low tones, and now he glanced toward the door. “*Oh, all seating himself. at the fence or strolling ought to be getting the night air for the benefit of my health and muscle.’ He smilingly glanced at some dumb- bells and Indian clubs and a strength. de- veloping machine in the corner of the room. The stanger nodded and laughed. “‘J’m ploughing into Merriwell all I can,’’ said Dade. ‘‘I’m working up a tre- against him. He hasn’t begun to feel it much yet, but he’ll feel it by and by. I’ve been trying to think out a plan to throw Bart Hodge down. ‘That would hurt Merriwell more than anything else. I think I can do it by and by!’ Then he told of Dashleigh and Star- bright. ‘‘T’ve got Dashleigh on the string all right, and I’ll get Starbright. I came near getting him the other evening. I’ve a trick that’s oe now that will sure- ly throw him.’ He laughed like a fiend; then remem- bered himself and drew his features into a smile of apparent joy. Getting up, he looked at his handsome . face in the glass. “T keep practicing this effective ‘smile all the time. You don’t know how power- fulitis. It’s already won mea host of friends, and will win me more. ‘The fel- lows are coming over to my side. I’m Merriwell’s open enemy now, and I’m stacking the cards against him. He wants to be captain of the football teams but. he’ll get it in the neck.” , ‘ ‘‘Perhaps you can es s what brought : me here ?”’ ‘To hear how I am getting along, ee because you said you were coming.”” right,’’ Dade assured, ‘The fellows are all out about town. I we’re his room, TIP ‘‘T’m going to help you crush Merriwell by spiriting away his father!’’ Dade gasped. “If Frank carries out his plans, he must he right here on the grounds; but he won’t remain here, if his father sud- denly and mysteriously disappears.’ “But the old man has gone away in that queer manner before. It won’t work.”’ “Merriwell thinks that his father is all right now; and he is all right. But when he suddenly drops out of existence Frank will be alarmed, for he will think that one of the old streaks of insanity has at- tacked his father, and he will devote his energies to the work of finding him.”? “Vou are going to spirit him away ?’’ ‘“Merriwell’s father ?”’ The disguised laugh that followed was so harsh and cold-blooded that Dade shud- dered. ‘*Ves, I shall spirit him away—and to- night. My plans are all laid. That’s why Icame to New Haven to-night. I shall strike in the dark and disappear in the dark. That’s why I am in this disguise. -‘That’s why I am Hector King, instead of my real self.’’ : asst SLT Re a The right name of the man before him was on Dade’s lips, but the stranger seemed to divine it and held up a finger warningly. — ‘That name must never be spoken by you until I give permission. You must not even think of it in your sleep. I am Hector King! Understand! That is my name to you, and you whe not even think of any other name.’ “How are you going to get Charles _ Merriwell away from his room at the New Haven House? He stays there pretty closely.” oe, “TI shall not try to get him away from f He takes a walk through the green every, evening, I shall find him e there. halts clock, is his favorite time. TOP WEE f oKLY. 11 Sometimes, when he does not sleep well, he is to be seen there at much later hours.’ He laughed, so falsely and in sucha disguised voice that Dade Morgan shiv- ered. ‘“To-morrow morning you may begin to tell the fellows that Charles Conrad Merriwell. has had another of his insane spells and has skipped out. Work this for all its worth. fami- Merriwell has done queer things in Merriwell, Pull aud show that Ge is not a fel- Insanity runs in lies. his time— Frank I mean. that string; low to be trusted. streak that led him to organize his chums into an Athletic Team for an advertising tour. You can work it.’’ ‘*T will work it!’ Dade tremblingly promised. ' ‘‘T knew you would. **So soon ??’ “Ves. Jl] see you again; and if I don’t, I'll write. If you want detective help, go to the fellow named in my let- ters. He’s shrewd and capable, and he knows how to hold his tongue when he? s well paid.”’ The disguised man rose to his feet, softly opened the door and slipped away, leaving Dade staring at vacancy. Say that it was a crazy Now I’m going !”’ CHAPTER V. A BLOW THAT HURT. . Dick Starbright received a letter the next afternoon which took all the strength . out of him. | The envelope was addressed in a deli- cate feminine hand and postmarked in an_ interior town, and Starbright tore it open with eager impatience. It held but a few, words, a “You will please discontinue your let- ters to me, for we shall be henceforth only mage oie “Rosarsanp THORNTON. 4 but these 5 stabbed him like a knife. iy 3 eo y aes = ing his first college term. ; 12 TIP TOP WEEKLY. Dick’s fingers shook as he read the let- ter over and over. His face whitened, and there were lines of pain round the firm, true mouth, but that was the only outward sign of anguish. ‘‘T have been afraid of it,’’ he muttered. He folded the letter, put it back in its envelope, carefully stowed it in an inner pocket, as if it were something precious, and began to pace the floor.’ “TY might as well get out of Yale now!”’ was his thought. ‘‘What’s the use?”’ His mind went back to the glorious summer days recently past and to the time when he had first met Rose Thornton. It was at a little village in a notch of the White Mountains. He had been boarding and lounging there, when the girl, who had since become so much to him, had come to the place with her aunt for a few days’ stay. He went over in memory that first meeting, together with the other meetings that followed. They had played tennis and golf together, they had walked to- gether along the rim of the hills and through the woodland paths, they had ridden and driven together. He had said some words to her that might mean a great deal if the fates willed, but which became meaningless now. Rosalind Thornton had been in his dreams when he came to*’New Haven. Thought. of her had spurred his ambi- tions. A desire to do something and be something for her sake had nerved his hand and his brain. She had relatives in New Haven. aunt with whom The she had visited the White Mountains was a resident of that city. For this reason he had expected to be able to meet Rose more than once dur- He had thought — of her as he walked lonely about the New - Haven streets through those first home- sick days at college. But it was all over now. . They had ce weeks before, but that had been patched up. He had been fearful, though, since. ‘It’s all over!’ he said, as he tried to pull himself together. He did not blame Rose for putting in no word of explanation. Certain things had been told her against him before. He knew that, for she had so informed him. They were true. Something else had now been told her. Perhaps that was also true. ‘Well, I won’t get down on my knees and beg her to let us remain as we were!”’ he grimly declared. Then, feeling miserable enough, he left the room and went out for a stroll. The afternoon was a half holiday. He might have remained in for study, but he knew that he could not study. He wanted to get away from himself and from thoughts of Rosalind; ever he wandered, this was impossible. Down by the New Haven House he once moze met his evil geniu8 whom he again mistook for Oliver. He could not know that Roland was_ expecting him, with an assured feeling that he would come sooner or later, and that he was but the victim of a plot hatched in the cunning brain of Dade Morgan, for the letter had been unmis- takably in the handwriting of Rose Thornton. He had kept away from Packard since the evening of that visit to Traeger’s, but he now welcomed the warm grasp of Roland Packard’s hand, . He was in a reckless mood, too. yet he knew that, whereso- the use ?”? Seemingly, there was no use. What if he did fail in class and athletic honors at Yale? It made no difference now. Nor - did it matter much if he went to the devil over the shortest possible route, Most young men have felt this way at one time or another, and many who are not young rue have” the unfortunate enough to quarrel a few 2 "periods | of he was telling himself over and over, ‘*What’s a5 TIP ing themselves that intensely pessimistic question. e Packard again linked his arm warmly in Dick’s and they turned down the street together. Packard did not seem to notice that they were walking toward ‘Traeger’s. Dick Starbright noticed it, and he did not care. He cared nothing now to drink that toast to the success of Yale’s football team, but he would not have pushed the glass from lim. But Packard was crafty, and pulled him by Traeger’s without so much as looking at the place. He had failed in his pre- vious effort at Tareger’s, and he purposed now to steer his intended victim into Morey’s, for many freshmen like to geta view of the interior of that famous old tavern, a privilege which is not accorded them unless they are accompanied by an upper classman. Roland Packard was well acquainted with Morey’s and the keeper there. _ Starbright was going along willingly enough, thinking of Rosalind and telling himself that nothing in the world was of any use now. They crossed Temple street and ‘aimed down that thoroughfare. Just then there was a whirr of wheels and the buzzing sound of an automobile and Frank Merriwell’s voice came out of the noise: “Starbright! I should like to speak to you a minute!”’ - Again, as it. seemed, had Meiriwell drawn Dick Starbright back from the power of the insidious tempter. *‘Just a moment!’’ said Starbright, - turning from Packard, who uttered a low and bitter curse under his breath. _ ‘The soundrel!’? Packard hissed, as Dick was walking off. ‘‘Merriwell is al- ways turning up at the wrong moment. How the deuce did he know?”’ It was a queer 1 mental auestign, ye Rox ; TOP WEEKLY. ‘Oliver is a gentleman. 13 land Packard could not help the feeling that Merriwell had in some manner divined his intentions. Frank spoke a few words to Starbright, then called out: “‘T have invited Starbright to take a little ride with me, Roland, and he has accepted. See you later—perhaps!”’ a CHAPTER VI. ON MERRIWELL’S AUTOMOBILE. ‘Roland ?”’ Frank Merriwell’s automobile had start- ed on with Dick at Frank’s side, leaving Roland Packard white with wrath. The question was from Starbright. ‘‘You thought the fellow was Oliver. I guessed as much!’ Merriwell had guessed a good deal more, had in truth seen perfectly through Ro- land’s sinister intentions, though he did not care to say so just then. ‘“‘Do you mean to say that was not Oliver Packard ?”’ “fA very different fellow from Oliver. Roland is a scamp that any one will do well to keep away from. I was sure you were mistaken. They are twin brothers, and their most intimate friends find trouble at times in telling them apart Ican’t always do it, but I knew it was Roland as soon as I saw him heading in that direction. Not but that Morey’s is all right in many respects, but I think Oliver does not go there.” The automobile was spinning along the firm roadway, and the motion, together with Merriwell’s strengthening presence, seemed to lift the young freshman out of — his depressed state. Again he felt that in- fluence which Frank was able to exert over those whe desired to have his help and become his friends. Starbright had taken no eck in the — 2 7 stories which the Chickering set had dili- gently poured into the ears of Bert Dash- — lege and which _ ahiagh had d tebe oe herited it from my father. 14. to him. and wanted to be numbered among his friends and adherents. He had been called ‘‘Frank Merriwell’s New Protege,’’ and the title, which seemed destined to stick, had drawn him nearer to Merriwell than anything else. Frank headed the automobile out into the country, when the streets of the city were left behind. The odors of autumn were in the air and the brush of the great painter, Nature, had given to the trees an infinite variety of gorgeous tints. The two young fellows had been chat- ting of college subjects, especially of col- lege sports, but nothing had been said for some time of Roland, though the events of the afternoon were constantly in Dick’s mind, he declared at last, in a sudden outburst, for something in Merriwell’s manner in- vited the confidence. ‘‘Perhaps I might have had strength to resist after entering the place, but I doubt it. A man‘ never resists anything unless he wants to resist, and the desire to resist had been taken from me.’? His words sounded earnestly in the **pr-r-r-r’’ of the horseless vehicle. “You don’t mind, if I tell you of my- sel?” ‘*No;, I want you to. of service to you.”’ Dick thought of Rosalind Thornton, and felt that here Merriwell could not help him. ‘Twas about to do the one thing of all others that 1 ought not to do—go into Morey’s and take a drink as a bracer.’’ He waited for Metriwell to say some- thing; then went on: “That’s a thing I’ve got to fight Perhaps I can be against, Merriwell, though I’m ashamed “tg aay 1h _ Frank urged him to go on. “The desite is in my blood, and I in- TIP TOP WEEKLY. He still believed in Merriweil, — ‘J was about to makea fool of myself,”? There seeins — to be two natures struggling in me ‘con- tinually for the mastery—that of my father and that of my mother. My mother — is a—— Well, she isa lady. My father had but one fault—he was a drinking man. ”? He was stumbling on as if he feared he would lose his courage. ‘‘Father was a sea captain of the old style. Bluff, gruff, brave and jolly. He was generous to a fault, and I think it must have been his generous disposition which led him to drink, for when he sailed the ‘seas, drinking was common among seafaring men. He was in the China trade, and he made a fortune in it and caine home to enjoy it. But he could not get away from drink. It killed him and almost broke my mother’s heart. Yet, knowing all this, I have a craving for the stuff. I must have inherited it from him, for I never did anything to acquire it.”? Frank Merriwell, looking, into the open, honest face, unsullied and unpol- luted, could see that this was so. ‘““That’s all, Merriwell—at least, all that’s pertinent now. I’m a mixture, and the devil fights within me for the mastery of the good angel of my nature.”’ He could feel Frank’s sympathy, and it strengthened him, though no word was spoken. Frank was thinking of his own peculiar temptation, against which he had been compelled to wage an unrelenting warfare—the temptation to play cards and gamble. | ,‘l know how it is, Dick. You must just make up your mind to keep away from the stuff. Shun the companionship of fellows who drink. Come to me, when- ever you feel pressed, and I think I can help you.”’ “TI take my great size and height from that is to say, my physical. strength, sd along with it this weakness, I don’t look weak, Merriwell, but I et zs my father; Suddenly Starbright uttered a oy ‘Rosalind 1" ; Seaipeene Cate The name came from his lips before he a could check it. : Just ahead of them was a narrow bridge over a stream. On this bridge, coming toward them, was a young woman on a bicycle. ’ A horse was dashing along the bridge on the further side, drawing a buggy. Frank saw in an instant that the horse was running away. The young woman became aware of the RAE ‘pee . saine thing at that moment, and turning her wheel to the railing, dismounted. The railing gave way as she did so, for Er) she fell heavily against it in~ her excite- ie ment, the instant she went | plunging downward from the bridge. Dick Starbright leaped from the auto- mobile before Frank could stop it. The girl had fallen from bridge was Rosalind Thornton. The runaway horse came tearing along, with the man hanging frantically to the reins, grazed a wheel of the automobile, and next who the Frank had brought the automobile to a stop, and now sprang after Starbright. He feared the girl had fallen to her death, for the drop from the bridge seemed a big one. On the impulse of the moment, without realizing the dangers, Starbright leaped from the bridge for the purpose of jumping into the stream to rescue her. As Frank reached the first boards, he -_ was greeted by a shout, which he was _ — sure was not a shout for help or a cry of : _ despair. Then he saw Starbright standing up on a load of hay, wildly waving his hat, and with the other hand supporting the girl. _ - 'Phis was so different from what Frank expected that for a moment he stared. Then he comprehended what he saw. _ By some miraculous chance, a farmer - with the load of hay had chosen to ford - the stream rather than the bridge. ‘When the girl whom Dick had called Rosalind slanderous - letter then dashed madly down the road . went off the bridge, she fell upon this TIP TOP WEEKLY. 15 load of hay, which was just below and at the side of the bridge, and Starbright had leaped after her and landed at her side. The stolid driver had pulled his horses to a stop and now sat in front on his load of hay, staring back at Starbright and the girl as if he could not understand how they came to be there. This unexpected development of what might have been a grave accident was so much like a scene out of a comic opera that Frank laughed, then swung his cap and sent back a chieer. CHAPTER VIL DADE MORGAN TRIES TO WORK OUT HIS PLANS. ‘‘I was foolish enough to believe a about Dick that I re- ceived from an acquaintance here in New Haven. ’”’ Frank Merriwell's automobile was spin- Dick Starbright and Rose Thornton were seated in it, side by ning homeward. side, holding the bicycle. They had taken time for a talk, which had resulted in an understanding and a restoration of the old order of things. | Rosalind was a pretty girl of seventeen, with dark, laughing eyes and a winsome smile. could become intensely jealous on slight provocation. But Merriwell could see that she ‘Tt was from Grace Garcelon. She has pretended to be my friend all along. “I ought to have known enough, though, not to believe anything she would write about Dick. She was up in the White Mountains with me this summer, and I had enough chances to know her!’ Frank concealed a smile. He knew Ahat Dick Starbright had also been in the © White Mountains. Rose’s manner told him that she was jealous of Grace Garce- lon. He knew, now, why Dick had been so depressed. There had been a quarrel of — some kind between Dick and Rose, and 16 the result had been to make Dick despond- ent and soinewhat reckless. Thinking along this line, as the two chattered on in the back seat, he suddenly remarked **Perhaps Dick has some enemy in Yale who has told false storiesto Miss Garcelon about him ?”? As usual, Merriwell’s keen discerninent had struck right to the root of the matter. Through the machinations of Dade Mor- gan, Grace Garcelon had been led to write the letter to Rosalind, which had brought the discouraging note to Dick Starbright. 7 Merriwell understood, too, another thing. Rose had been introduced to him by Starbright as from another town than New Haven, aud as being on a visit to her aunt, Mrs. Virgil Throckmorton. She had atrived in New Haven only that morning; and Merriwell. knew that her desire to learn the truth of Grace Garcelon’s ac- count had drawn her to the city. She had ridden on her wheel out into the country, merely because she was too nervous and upset to remain in the house or in the New Haven streets and stores; and, by a happy chance, she had encoun- tered Dick in that wholly unexpected way, and so there had been brought about a talk and an understanding. She was now so happy and light-hearted that her musical laughter rose continually. ‘Dick is safe from Roland Packard and Dade Morgan for a while,’’ was Frank’s conclusion, as he sent the automobile on toward the streets of the college city. Dick and Rosalind left the automobile when they reached Church’ street, and took a car for Mrs. Throckmorton’s, and Frank, after putting the vehicle away, sot out for his rooms in Vanderbilt Hall. He found a number of friends there | eatin him, in much excitement. Hodge was there, with Browning, Ready, | —Carker, Carson and others. oe Da: you know what Dade Morgan is’ TIP TOP WEEKLY. telling?’ Hodge asked, and his excited and angry manner showed that he ‘was aching to punch Dade’s head. Frank dropped into an easy chair, as smiling and undisturbed as a May morn- ing. : ‘“‘T’'m sure I shall not let myself get excited over anything that ao low may say !”’ ‘‘Well, he started it this morning, and it’s all over Yale, that your father became violently insane last night, and has dis- appeared mysteriously from his rooms at the New Haven House and from the city.’ ‘Which can be easily disproved by any one who will take the trouble to go. down to the New Haven House.’’ ‘But we’ve been there!’ **And he isn’t there ?”’ ‘“No. That’s just it. He went out for a walk in the green last night and failed to return. His room showed that he was not in it last night. No one down there knows what has become of him.”’ Merriwell was disturbed, in spite of his declaration that nothing Dade Morgan could say would have that effect. | He remembered the time when Dade stretched a ropeacross the path of Charles Merriwell at nightin the green and tripped him. A sense of impending ill came to him. ae you made any inquiries ?”’ ‘(As much as we could without exciting undue suspicion,’’ said Browning. | “Have you found out how Dade Mor- gan obtained his information ?”’ ‘He felt sure that Dade Morgan knew more than he had declared. ““He says he saw your father on tee green last night wandering round. raving is mad and muttering to himself that he was: % going to get out of New Haven.’” ae ‘““Of course that’s a lie!’” said ees “A lie right out of . his eck heart!” Z = Hodge panted. ‘That 2 of it” is a lie? ” said Frank TEP "TOP “but I’m afraid there has been under-handed work.’ ‘*Dade Morgan is at the bottom of it!’’ Bart fiercely declared. Merriwell rose from his chair. some ‘*P!m going to look into this thing.” Hodge followed him out into the hall, though uninvited, ““T want to go with you, Merry. Per- haps I can help you!”’ The others trailed out after Hodge. ‘*Hodge and I will look into this thing. Just keep mum, fellows, until we make a report. There’s no use in scattering the news.’ ‘‘Oh, Dade Morgan’s doing that, you bet!’ grunted Browning, ‘‘It makes me want to shake that lying tongue out of his head.” “Tl hammer it down his throat, if I ruin up against him!’’ Hodge asserted. ““You know how Dade has been work- ing against you, Merry !’’? Hodge continued, after they descended from the Hall. ‘‘Anything new???’ ‘Well, he’s using this against you with the football men, and all his clackers are retailing the same thing. They’re saying that you are crazy at times, that you take it from your father, and that it would be suicidal to put you in as captain of the team. ”’ ‘Pm not anxious to go in as captain, if I’m not wanted.”’ “But you are wanted.’’ ‘“Then these stories can’t hurt me.’? “But they are hurting you. Your friends want you for captain of the team, and they are going to put you there if they can, whether you care anything about it or not. We're going to fight for it. Dade Morgan is against you, and he has rallied every man who ever fancied you did him an injury, and that other great lot of fellows who have always been jeal- _. dus of your popularity. ”? a uae doesn’ t matter. ’? WEEKLY. LF ‘It does matter!’ ‘You know, Bart; that in football I’m only anxious to have Yale win. personal feelings in the matter, no ax to grind, no enemies to punish.”’ ‘Well, I want you to punish Dade $9) I’ve no Morgan! ‘*In football??? ‘Yes; he mustn’t goon the team. You keep him off, if you will use your influence. can He’s pulling every string he can against you, and you ought to strike back.’ Frank smiled, in spite of his anxiety about his father. ‘It would be a strange thing if I, a senior, should range myself against that freshman in such a contest. It’s simply ridiculous, ”’ ‘Then he will go on the team!?’ ‘Tf he adds strength to the team, I’m willing’? ‘‘Merry, you make me tired! That kind of talk makes me sick !”’ ‘‘He’s said to be a fine football player.’’ **T shouldn’t care if he were the finest on earth, I’d never let him have the sat- Getiats of going on the Yale team, if I had iny way !?’ Merriwell was striding on as if this sub- ject did not concern him. ‘“Why, look at what he’s doing! He is telling all sorts of stories about you; and not only that, he has in some manner got every man who dislikes you to telling the same, They’re doing everything they can to rub dirt all over you, to smirch your character and to injure you in the eyes of — all Yale men.”’ Frank turned toward a street car, when they reached,the line. ‘“Where are you going ?”’ Betces ime tiently asked, ‘ “To see Selton Dirk, the detective,’ : answered ees — ss TIP CHAPTER VIII UP AGAINST DADE MORGAN. Merriwell saw Selton Dirk, he talked with the proprietor of the New Haven House, he questioned quietly the officers at the railway station—in fact, he left no stone unturned to locate his father or determine what had become of him, but without avail. Charles Conrad Merriwell seemed to have dropped out of existence. Frank was deeply disturbed and dis- tressed. however, from any outward sign. Only his friends knew how the thing troubled him, and they did not know fully. He could not hide from himself the fact that there might be more than a grain of truth in Dade Morgan’s statement that Charles Merriwell’s mind was unhinged. But Frank was determined not to believe this until it was absolutely forced on him as the truth. **T shall proceed on the theory that there has been some foul play, of which Dade Morgan is cognizant,’’ he said, speaking to Bart, as they turned toward Vanderbilt, at the end of their wearying and fruitless search. The day had passsed and night had again descended on the elms of the col- lege city. Freshmen were skurrying about the streets and college grounds, and the seniors and juniors were gathering at the fence. ‘J just want an opportunity to take the scoundrel by the throat!’’ Hodge grated.” - Suddenly Frank stopped. ‘*What is it, Merry ?”’ “Tm going over to see Dade istered: és “Good! P’ll go’with you! We'll choke the truth out of the scoundrel!’ | ‘“That’s the trouble with you,.Bart! I No. one would have guessed it, x don’t think you’re the one to go with mein that mood. That may be the very rst course to take. TOP WEEKLY. Merry !)’ “Run it to suit yourself, Hodge impatiently grumbled. my way of doing business, though Frank knew that he had no better friend than Bart Hodge. ‘*You’re all right, Bart; only you’re fiery. We’ll go over there, and Ill do the talking. If the fellow thing——’’ Ctr ‘hat’s TRF knows. any- ‘‘Knows anything? The scoundrel is at the bottom of the whole business!’’ ‘‘T think so, myself. Come on.”’ Dade Morgan’s room was not far away, and they soon reached the _ building. When they mounted to the floor on which his room was located they found his door open and Dade in. He looked surprised and perturbed by the unexpected call. But only for a moment; then the smile that usually sat on his handsome face came back. Hodge wanted to choke him for that smile, ‘‘Be seated, gentlemen!’’ he invited. ‘o whom am I indebted for the honor ?’’ Merriwell dropped into a chair, but Hodge remained standing near the door. He had a notion that Dade might try to make a break for the outer air, and he wanted to be where he could stop him in that event. Frank sat down and began to talk on indifferent things, all the while looking into Morgan’s handsome, smiling face, but making *tto mention of the subject uppermost in his mind. Morgan was a good talker on any sub- ject. He was wonderfully well informed. He fancied that Frank was trying to rake his mental measure, and he tried to make as brilliant a showing as he could. C¢r By and by it began to seem to Hodge that Frank had entirely forgotten the subject that brought them to Dade’s room. He grew impatient and anxious, but he did not sit down, and he never left the oe. of the door. Se ae ss EP gee - ean ae er jie sins Wi. “pew Ti? ‘““Why does he amble on in that fash- ion??? he mentally grumbled. ‘‘My way is to go right to the point at once.”’ He did not see that Frank was trying to get Dade under his powerful and subtle influence for the purpose of then extract- ing all the information he possessed con- cerning Frank’s father. But Dade Morgan knew it and under- stood. His eyes wavered away from Frank’s as they talked on, but always came back. Finally Frank began to think that he was about to accomplish his puprose. But suddenly Dade aroused himself with an apparent effort, and picking up a heavy book hurled it straight at Hodge’s head. It fell short, striking Hodge on the shoulder and almost knocking him down. With an enraged roar, Hodge sprang at Dade Morgan’s throat. “Vou villain!’ he snarled. Dade rose to meet him, now thoroughly aroused and on the defensive. He cleverly evaded the blow that Hodge launched at his head, met it with a coun- ter blow on Hodge’s cheek and tried to drive his heavy left into the pit of Hodge’ s stomach. But Bart’s rush was irresistible. It car- ried Morgan off his feet; and in another moment they were rolling on the floor, with Hodge’s hand searching for Dade’s throat. Frank knew that Dade had roused him- _ self in a desperate effort to break the spell that was being woven round him. ‘*You scoundrel !’’ Hodge was panting. **1’1l choke the black heart out of you!”’ Metriwell quietly closed and locked the door, to shut out from the other rooms the sounds of the struggle. Then he turned to the combatants. : Hodge was not having it all his own way. Dade, with a mighty flounce, had 5 emer Bart — sey ee: back the TOP W can see!’ 19 TEKLY. outstretched hand, and with his fingers in Bart’s hair, was forcing back his head. The freshman was a fighter. Whack! He planted a blow on Bart’s cheek that brought a red welt. Then he broke from Hodge’s grasp and backed into a corner of the room. Here he put his back against the wall, lifted his hands in a defensive attitude and called to Hodge to ‘‘ There was a sound of \hurrying feet in the outer hall, together with cries and calls. Frank heard the word ‘‘Proctor.’’ He did not want Hodge to be found fighting with the freshman, and with a leap, he put himself between the belliger- ents. ; ‘‘Drop it!’ he commanded. ‘‘This thing must not go on. Drop it right here and now!”’ The words were quietly spoken, but there was deep meaning in them. Hodge drew himself up with an effort. ‘‘He began it, Merry! I don’t care a fig for the authorities. Let me get at him!’ ‘‘Drop it!’’ Merriwell commanded; and Hodge, picking up his cap, turned sul- lenly toward the door, that red welt show- ing plainly on his face. 5 “J’ll see you again!’’ he growled, turning to Dade Morgan. ‘‘Then we’ll settle this thing.” ‘Any time and place you please!’’ Dade retorted, with a cold, taunting smile. A rap sounded on the door. Frank opened it. The man outside bowed and smiled when he saw Merriwell. ‘“‘Anything wrong in here, Mr. Merri- well ?’’ he asked. . Frank answered the question, Yankee- like, by asking another ‘‘What’s the row ?”’ ““There were a of fighting along come on.’’ here somewhere.’ ‘Well, I haven’t been aah as 3 you : 20 TIP ‘Certainly not. had, Mr. for interrupting you. here somewhere. ”’ I didn’t suppose that Merriwell. I But you beg pardon it was along Then he bowed apologetically to the famous and went on his way, searching for the culprits. Frank There was no further use to disguise the senior turned back to Dade Morgan. cause of his visit to the room. ‘“‘Mr. Morgan, my father is missing from his hotel and from the city. You know what stories you have been telling.’’ ‘“They’re all true!’’ Dade hotly de- clared. ‘*Pardon me, if I tell you that you lie!’’ Dade had tried to coax the perennial smile back to his face, but now his cheeks flamed. He wanted to launch himself at Merriwell’s head, but he did not dare. “TI know nothing about your father, mote than I’ve told, and if I did I should _ tefuse to tell you.”? ‘‘Oh, ve got to get at him, Merry!’’ Hodge panted. Merriwell pushed his friend back. ‘“There’s no friendship lost between you and me, Merriwell!’’ said Dade. ‘*You know that, even if I am only a freshnfan and you a senior. I’veset out to down you, and I'll do it. Put that in your pipe and smoke it!’ He was white now and shaking likea leaf, yet he was still defiant and courage- ous. He looked like a stag at bay. Frank saw that it was a mere waste of breath to try to extract anything from him, Choking and blows would not have dragged from Dade Morgan’s breast any of its secrets. ‘The next time Hodge goes at you, I hope it will not be necessary for me to interfere,’’ said Frank, grimly. : _ He turned toward the door. — “JT don’t want you to interfere. If he ever tackles me again, I’ll teach him a ~ lesson that he’ll never forget.” TOP WEEKLY. ‘““Come off the **Bah!’’ Hodge sneered. dump!’ Merriwel] was unlocking the door. Hodge stopped, as if he still had a thought of going back and trying conclu- sions with Morgan. But Frank pulled him through the doorway. ‘‘Come on,’’ he said. ‘I’ve other work to do to-night. We don’t want to have the room raided while we’re here. Cork up, and come on!’’ ‘“‘You allowed him to defeat you! Hodge grumbled, as he followed Frank from the building. ‘‘He hasn’t defeated me. I shall strike in another direction. I must have time to think. There’s no use following a trail when there’s nothing at the end of it, merely to gratify a desire for revenge. I’ve other plans to work to-night. If he feels that he has defeated me, I shall be glad to have him think so.”? 199, re CHAPTER IX. WITH THE HAZERS. Jack Ready hopped into the rooms oc- cupied by Dick Starbright and Bert Dash- leigh. “Say, fellows,’’ he chirped aely: blow- ing out his cheeks, “if you want to see something that’s more fun than a dog fight, just chase your faces down to the front entrance. ’’ The hour was late; and Starbright had been on the point of retiring. Dashleigh jumped up to follow Ready. Dick opened his window and looked out. ‘he moon was shining brightly and the night was still, except for such sounds as were made by various groups of rol- licking students. ‘‘What’s the row?’ he asked. Dashleigh was following Ready along the hall, and Dick now chased unsuspect-— ingly after him. | Polen 8 He did not once think of hhazers ; Con- a > TIP tinued security had caused a loss of wariness, and, besides, knowing that Ready was a particular friend of Frank Merriwell, as he expected no hazing trick from the apple-cheeked sophomore, not- withstanding the fact that sophomores are the sworn enemies of new freshmen. When he reached the entrance, he was unceremoniously picked up in the arms of a half-dozen stalwart sophomores, among whom he recognized Ralph Bing- ham. Dashleigh was already in the toils and had ceased to struggle. Dick looked round on this sophomore contingent, as he felt himself caught up. Gentlemen!’ he drawled, an imperturbable manner. assuming ‘*T learned to walk a long timeago. There doesn’t seem to be any particular necessity for carrying me.’”’ His coolness struck the sophomores favorably. ‘Tf you’ll go along peaceably, we’ll let you down!’ said Bingham. ‘“‘Use him tenderly, for he’s my— friend!’ said Ready. ‘‘Don’t jab pins into him, gentlemen! For pity’s sake, don’t! Observe the proprieties and it will make you feel bigger than other people. Yea, verily.’’ Dashleigh appeared to be inclined to make a struggle. Dick gave him a word of advice: ; ‘‘No use rowing! If there's any medi- cine to take, take it and have done with cat, ” They had talked this matter over in their first days at Yale and reached the conclusion that if they were caught by - lous. the sophomores the best thing was to sub- mit as gracefully as possible and impli- _citly obey all orders, no matter how ridicu- And really this is the only way to ) escape severe hazing. | Another party of sophomores had ap- proached the freshman boarding-house a ied be Date Mawar TOP WEEKLY. 21 ‘“You can’t come in!’’ the landlady eclared. ‘‘It’s a perfect shame the way you soph’more fellers bamboozle the poor freshmen !”’ With this she unceremonously slammed the door in their faces. Only a few moments later she came running out of the house, shrieking. “T’ll have the folice on yer! Come down from that ladder in a minute; or Ill pull it out from under yer!”’ At the top of the long ladder, which reached up to Dade Morgan’s room, were two strong sophomores, who had uncerc- moniously invaded Dade’s room through the window. ‘Madam,’ said a calm voice from the top of the ladder, ‘‘there is no necessity for such exuberance on your part. Kindly let go of the ladder or I’]] drop on you!’ ‘‘Sarah! Sarah!’’ she screeched, look- ing toward the entrance. ‘‘There goes two more oF the se Oaa Ee inter the front door.’ More than two went in, and the irate landlady frantically gathered up her skirts and sprinted for the front stoop, wildly declaring that she would call the police. With sophomore foes to the front of him and sophomore foes to the rear, and more coming, Dade Morgan wisely decided that it was useless to kick, and he calmly prepared to submit. The landlady was telephoning for the police, shrieking her woes into the instru- ment in-so frantic a way that a whole platoon of the blue-coated gentry hurried to the scene; but like every other well- conducted organization of the kind they arrived when everything was quiet again, and the freshman, sophomores and ladder were all gone. When they understood, the Se of the peace smiled at her Woes. “They may git kilt!’ she sobbed. “Ver never kin tell what them Nes fools will do.” att ones hed: not be so mach killed 22 but that his room rent will go on,’’ was the answer. They might have respected her lamenta- tions had her from a less leathery, greasy source than her purse. Two other freshmen, big yellow Ha- erief arisen been invaded, put up a stiff fight before they yielded, Wwalians, whose room had and, aS a consequence, had scored up against their account two sophomoric black eyes and a bleeding nose. This was a heavy tally, and had their youth been brought up in regions less remote from civilization they would have known that to inflict such injury was only to punish themselves with ten-fold severity. In this way a press gang of thirty or mote freshmen was gathered under the glare of an arc light on the green. They were a fantastic and unique conipany, and they made a sorry spectacle, with their coats turned inside out and their trousers rolled up to the knee, thus exposing the white undergarment and the gartered calf. Each of them was armed with a broom, which he was required to handle as if it were an army rifle. : The sophomores who formed the escort of this meek and grotesque array were congratulating themselves on the splendid round-up of the evening. Not for a long time had such a number of freshmen been beguiled from their rooms to undergo the trials that were about to be put on them. As the freshmen were being lined up and set in marching order, Frank Merri- well appeared on the scene. Some of the sophomores were disguised in various fanciful ways, and among these, Frank, also disguised, smuggled himself. Frank smiled in a grim and mysterious way beneath his disguise when he beheld Dade Morgan. He had a little plan to -trip Dade Morgan, and he was there to work it out. _ Frank’s influence as a senior and popu- d lar Yale man would have been sufficient : to bring about ee s release ok the, TIP TOP WEEKLY. toils of the sophomores. But Frank did not want that. “Hep! hep! hep! Company—halt! Parade—rest! No levity, freshmen; no levity !’’ The entire sophomore class had gath- ered on the green to witness the public humiliation of the freshmen, and a swarm- ing rabble of TTownies was there for the saine purpose. Merriwell recognized the big sophomore who was shouting the orders as Ralph Bingham. In fact, Bingham seemed to be the leading spirit of the inquisition, for such was the character this demonstration was soon to assume. ‘‘Company, ’tention!’? Bingham shout- ed. ‘‘Line up for inspection! Carry— arms !’? The fun had begun. CHAP TBR = 2s THE PUBLIC HUMILIATION. The freshmen fell into a. long line on the asphalt walk and ‘‘carried arms’? at such various angles that the whole row presented a ridiculous rear view of white legs, variegated backs and bristling broom heads. Bingham as drill master had many lieu- tenants, all armed with keen switches, and he and his lieutenants were literally whip- ping the freshmen into line. ‘Stand up straight! Bunch up! Head . erect! Eyes to the front!”’ * Swish! swish! swish! went the switches. ‘“‘Wow!’’ Dashleigh exclaimed, as the switches cut his legs. ‘‘No levity, freshman! Wear drawers hereafter.’’ . Swish! swish! swish! ‘(Wipe off that smile!” This to Dade Morgan, who was still | i putting into practice his belief that ‘‘a man may smile ane smile and be = villaie. vt TIP TOP WEEKLY. ‘Trim down those piano legs.”’ “111 trim you down!’’ was shouted back. Swish! swish! the switches fell on the “‘piano legs,’? making the owner dance a hornpipe. ‘*No back talk, fresh ! what it’s meant for.” Dick Starbright and Bert Dashleigh, near the center of the line, were hopping up and down ‘‘like chickens on hot coals,’’ but Dick knew enough not to use any ‘‘back talk.’ The two big Hawaiians near the head of the line were being unmercifully casti- gated. They had not only resisted the efforts of sophomores to take them from their rooms, but they had given black eyes and a bloody nose to their tormentors, and now they must be made to pay for it. The yellow fellows were boiling mad. They wanted to ‘fight, and would have If it hurts, that’s _ done so if the sophomores had not been round them in overpowering numbers. ‘‘Gentlemen,’’ said the tall Bingham, when the line had been switched into some sort of shape, ‘‘this is a very pleas- ant occasion. It gives me great pleasure to say that it has never before been my ptivilege'to look upon such a mean, raw- boned, poorly-developed, knock-kneed, -scared-to-death aggregation of freshmen! 1 ; Bingham’s speech was punctuated with howls from the sophomores of* ‘‘ Footless - freshmen!’ ‘Rotten !” Popes!’’ and similar uncomplimentary Brass _ The freshmen moved restlessly under this load, and one of the Hawaiians audi- bly growled his resentment. — “Give ’im another for me!’ ordered the sophomore whose nose had been ham- ~mered by the Hawaiian. Swish! The Hawaiian got it and took it with wrath at the boiling point. aM ee gentlemen, you are a lovely ah “And now we we ; continued Bingham. ‘*Pie-eyed |”. 23 are ready to proceed with the physical exaininations of this hemmorrhagic dias- thetical bunch. If the surgeons have their knives in readiness——”? Shouts of ‘‘Fruit! fruit!’ interrupted him. ‘‘Exactly!’? assented Bingham. ‘‘We are now about to operate on and xemove the ‘appendix togae,’ popularly known as the ‘fruit.’ The results of these several - operations will be sold at auction sale at 64 Vanderbilt to-morrow afternoon, the object being to make this ‘fruiting’ as sys- tematic as possible.’’ Two sophomores came up behind the Hawaiian, while Bingham and four others approached the head of the line. One of the sophomores cafried an opened pen- knife in his hand, and he thus addressed the big Pacific Islander. ‘‘Does your mouth trouble you while eating ?”’ ‘‘No!”? angrily. Thump! thump! The two sophomores behind the Ha- waiian brought their knees up against the posterior portion of his anatomy with jarring force. “‘No, what??? demandéd the man with the knife. **No, it doesn’t—— Thump! ‘“Trouble me——”’ Thump! : ; ‘My mouth!”’ The confused freshman stammered and gulped, for at almost every word those jarring knees came up against him. ‘‘One moment, if you please, surgeon,’’ interposed Bingham. ‘‘I don’t think the gentleman understands the question. Freshman, will you listen carefully to what I say?”’ ‘‘Ves,’’ replied the oo Thump! thump! ‘Yes, what?’’ demanded Bingham. “Ves, I'll listen carefully !”” soem ime 9? a4 TP DOr ‘*You are very stupid,’’ said Bingham, with condescension. ‘‘But try to open the avenues of your intellect to my words while I tell you that it is customary when addressing an upper classman to say ‘sir.’ ’” D> ‘Oh!’ exclaimed the Hawaiian. Thump! thump! ‘‘Oh, what?’ shouted the man with the knife. “Oh, sir!” ‘Right!’ cried Bingham. ‘‘Have you heart disease??? asked the surgeon. **No, sir!” ‘‘Rver been in Philadelphia??? **No, sir!’ ‘“Then let the operation proceed !’’ Two sophomores held the big fellow’s arms, and another seized the tag at the end of his shirt bosom, which appendage bears the name of ‘‘fruit,’’ and this the man with the knife deftly removed. ‘“‘Now,’’ said Bingham, who wanted to humiliate the big fellow all he could for what he had done, ‘‘being a prominent man, we desire people to know who you are. Put your arms about yonder light pole and continue to call as loud as you can, ‘I am a greasy Kannaca!’ Do you understand ?”’ *“Ves—yes, sit!’? said the subdued Hawaiian, who proceeded to follow out his instructions, while the ministers of the inquisition passed down the entire line, removing the fruits as they went. Starbright and Dashleigh let them take away the tags bearing their initials with- out a word of protest. It was better so, The work occupied some minutes, but all this time the big Hawaiian clinging to the’ electric light pole was shouting with the best power of his lungs. - “Tam a greasy penne Iam a greasy ~Kannaca!”’ | If he paused for a moment, he was urged to it again by hissing switches -_ which played familiarly about his calves. parlor windows converted into one hum- _ Truly ale! gs was Paying ae wa pie ‘showease ae samples of. Billie’ WEEKLY. those blackened sophomoric optics and bleeding proboscis. Finally, the public humiliation being completed, the freshmen were turned into regimental columns of fours. “‘Carry arms! For-ward march!" shouted Bingham, and the freshmen began to move on to further troubles, with .the great crowd of ‘‘muckers,’’ which had gathered to watch the proceed- ings, following and surrounding the de- jected and ridiculous-looking company aiid hoots and yells. ‘*Hep! hep! hep!’? The freshmen were marched from the green and gyrated up Elm street toward ‘*Billies’,’’ whose rubic signboard graces him with the renowned degree, ‘‘Con-. noisseur of All Mixed Drinks and Manu- facturer of Unsurpassed Fish House Punch.”’ CHAPTER XI. HAZING THE FRESHMEN AT BILLIE’S- The indignity which was thus being thrust upon the freshmen was the relic of a barbarous form of hazing, which has been so ceaselessly agitated and legislated against that it has fallen into disrepute and disuse. Hazing as practiced in the past has completely unnerved many a strong man and has not infrequently terminated in violent death. Nevertheless, when the jolly old grayhead of ’umpty-eight returns ‘to see the old place again and there falls in with the jovial old fellow of ’umpty-_ nine, they will laugh over their Toby at Morey’s, or their Musty at ‘‘Heibs,’’ as they recall the wild, rollicking history of ~ the days that were truly hazing days—a — history that contains many bits of humor- _ ous, startling and grave story. . : Three narrow wooden steps lead up to ; Billie’s modest threshold; two front — TIP TOP WEEKLY. 25 famous ‘‘Golden Seal,’’ and inimitable “Blue Ribbon,’’? which, standing on either side of a dark, somber-looking cask, together with various inviting signs, complete the pleasant exterior adornment of this dingy freshman tavern. Mounting the steps of the low frame building, Bingham swung back the door and disclosed the interior. A narrow, low- ceilinged room whose mural decoration consists of red and yellow cuts depicting pugilistic champions and scantily ap- parelled histrionic beauties.» The ceiling is dingy and dark. Dividing this room in half runs a long mal-treated bar, over which a single light burns in a red globe. Opening at the rear are several doors which lead into a maze of little rooms. Behind the bar, with his back leaning against the bottle shelves, stood the little man of the place, with his sleeves rolled to his elbows and his round stomach rest- ing his spotless white apron against the inner rail of the bar. A jovial little fel- low, smiling genially and constantly, with a head profanely called ‘‘the human billiard ball,’’ shining merrily beneath the red globe. Bingham held the door open, and the sophomores and freshmen began to pour into the room, which was reeking with fumes of liquor and tobacco. “Tine up, freshmen!’’ shouted Bing- ham. The freshmen wheeled line, broomsticks and all, _broadly-smiling Billie. into crowded to face the ‘*Billie,’?? said Bingham, ‘‘the honor, _ sir, has devolved upon me to introduce to your excellent notice this congregation of pusillanimous warts, representing the freshman class. ; Billie smiled till the smile became a grin, till the grin became a grimace, the - gtimace a yawning gap beneath the: glis- tening soins of his cranium, *‘Freshmen,’’?. commanded Bingham, ‘bow to this august gentleman !”’ The freshmen, broomsticks and all, bent forward in a ludicrous salaam. **Freshmen,’’ continued Bingham, ‘‘this is honest Billie. If there is one thing he longs for more than your happiness it is your money.’’ Merriwell was closely watching Dade Morgan. The crowd began to surge back through the little rooms, with Frank close to Dade, and soon they reached a wide open space, covered by a canvas roof, beneath which ran a long line of heavy tables. In a moment this summer garden was filled to its limits. Bingham stood up on one of the tables and addressed the freshmen, saying that, as it would shortly be their duty to up- hold the honor of the University on the water, they were therefore about to receive some instructions in this noble sport. Eight freshmen, among them Dade Morgan, Dick Starbright and the big Hawaiian, were now seized and set astride the long tables and made to use their brooms in the manner of oars. “Dick had the position of ‘‘stroke,’’ while the Hawaiian was set to coxswain the unhappy crew. “Now, fresh, ready, row!’? The freshmen began to swing their bodies and arms furiously, sweeping the eight brooms with vigor through the empty air. Immediately cries of derision filled the tent. : *‘Coach there! Give the time!’’? com- manded a number of sophomores, speak- ing to and crowding- about the big cox- swain. ‘ **Hi, whoop!’’ cried the unlucky Pacific Islander. Thump! whack! whack! ‘‘Hi, whoop what?’’ they yelled, beat- ing him lustily about the shoulders. os ‘Hi, whoop, sir! Hi, whoop, sir! Hi, — 26 whoop, sit!’’? sang the miserable Hawaii- an, swinging his body in time with the crew till the perspiration stood out on his brow in great beads. ‘‘Hawaii, Honey-lulu ?’’ (How are you, Honolulu?) called Jack Ready. Then came admonitions from the coach- ing line. “*Steady, 7!’ ‘*Don’t rush that slide, 4!”’ “‘Ouicker on the catch, 2!’’ “Leave a littie water in the pond, 6!” ‘‘No bucking there, stroke!’ ‘Whoop, now, all together!’ And all the while the freshmen swung to their work with enough energy to send a boat flying over a course. “Now,” shouted Bingham, ‘‘we are ready for the great four-mile race with Harvard. Freshmen, upon your right is the Harvard crew waiting for the signal. The word ‘go’ releases you both, and the honor of Yale hangs upon your efforts.’’ The freshmen bent forward for the catch. suspense. ‘Gol’? cried Bingham. Back swung the freshmen, forward swept the brooms. Cries, yells and howls rose from the spectators. Many of the sophomores stood on chairs, waving their hats and yelling encouragement to the laboring: crew. *“Hi, whoop, sir! sang the Hawaiian. ‘Go it! Hit it up. You’re gaining. You’re ahead! Goit! Go it!’ cried the crowd ina frenzy, as the crew was row- ing its phantom course so fast and furious- ly that the entire summer garden trem- bled and strained on its foundations. Suddenly the sophomores bawled into the boating song: Hi, whoop, sir!’’ “And if it’s a girl, sir, I'll dress her up in blue, And send her out to Saultenstall' To coach the freshmen crew. es if it is a Sok sir, The crowd waited in breathless TIP TOP WEEKLY. I’1l put him on the crew, And he shall wax the Harvards, As his daddy used to do! Chorus: ‘**I’m a son of a, son of a, son of a, Son of a gambolier; I’m a son of a, son of a, son of a, Son of a gam bolier. Like every honest fellow, I take my whisky clear; I’m a rambling rake of poverty, A son of a gambolier.’’ **One half mile from the finishing line!”’ howled Bingham, swinging his arms wild- ly about his head. ‘‘Pick up your stroke now. Hit herup! Make the water boil! You’re gaining! You’re ahead! One scant length! Hold your stroke. Steady. Yale! Yale! Pump your very hearts out! Still gaining! Full length! Length and a half! Magnificent spurt! Oh, you’re beauties! You’ve got ’em going! They’re cracking! There’s the flag! Just a little further! Give it to her, my hearties! Go over the line like heroes! Don’t break now! Not a crack! Steady! ‘Throw her over the line with a jump! Splendid! Once more altogether now for old Yale! You’ve done it! Yale wins by two and one-half lengths. ’’ : The speaker ceased. Panting from their violent exertions, the freshmen came to rest on their un- gainly oars. The crowd had increased its uproar ten- fold. All the previous noise was but the dinning of a tin horn compared to this stentorian outburst. A tush was made for the victorious crew. Each of the crew was dragged from the table and congratulations were rained, poured, thumped and pounded upon him till he staggered about like adrunken | man. Especially did the Hawaiian seem a mark for these muscular congratula- tions, for his admirers, not satisfied with slapping him on the back, drove home _ their ee with closed fist and shoe _ J guises, TIP TOP WEEKLY. 27 If every victorious crew should receive such treatment, what a sorely-bruised: body of men would be returned to the college _ pews next day! ee CHAPTER XII. FRANK MERRIWELL’S POWER. The hazing had not ended, however. ‘When the cheering and noise had sub- sided Bingham clapped his hands as a sig- nal, and two sophomores appeared bear- ing an oak board with keen knives set in it, points upward. The freshmen looked at the ominous thing with a shiver, for they heard the sophomores whispering that the freshmen were to be made to leap on these knives with their bare feet. Starbright, Dade Morgan and other freshmen selected for this trial were hur- tied away, and the big Hawaiiah, against whom the efforts of the sophomores seemed to be now principally directed, was commanded to remove his shoes and stockings. He seemed seen 4 to rebel, as he looked at the shining knives in their cruel array. Other freshmen were hurried away, and the sophomores crowded round the board with the knives as if for the purpose of keeping the freshmen from seeing what was about to be done. Looking at the Sandwich lager Frank saw that his yellow face was cov- ered with perspiration, and that his eyes held a hunted and distressed look. _ Suddenly Frank stripped away his dis- bringing wondering cries from the crowd, for his presence had up to that - moment been unsuspected. ‘Fellows! You’ve gone far enough S eit this chap. u The sophomores fell back when they be- on in taking the leap. opposition to Frank through the mach- inations of Dade Morgan, felt the in- fluence of his presence, and not for a mo- ment did one of them think of disobey- ing him, save Jack Ready. “Oh, I say, Merry! Let’s have this thing. We want to prove his courage. It takes courage for a man to jump barefooted on those knives. I don’t believe the Kan- naca will do it. If he does, he will prove himself to have the heart of a knight of old.’ “Let the Hawaiian go, and bring on some other fellow!’ The Sandwich Islander gave Frank a2 grateful look. He was aman who would remember such a favor. Instantly there arose a cry for Dick Starbright. And Starbright was brought forward, while the Hawaiian, once more breathing easily, was pushed back and or- dered to ‘‘rehabilitate his corns!”’ Frank looked into Dick’s face, as the big freshman came forward. He saw Dick glance unquailingly at the knives, as he was instructed to bare his feet and get ready to jump on them. ‘The board with the knives was also given him to exam- ine, that he might be sure they were real knives and their points sharp. There could be no doubt that they were all of shining cold steel, with points like needles. But Starbright jens off his shoes, Again the sophomores crowded round, for the apparent purpose of hididg the per- formance from the other freshmen who might be called to undergo the same or- deal later and therefore should be kept in ignorance concerning it. A stool was brought for Dick to stand He mounted this stool as requested. There was a deep Si- lence—the silence that seems to precede an. _ tragedy. ‘Frank caught Starbright's eyes. were clear and calm. They MO asked. 28 'ELY “The fellow has infinite nerve!’’ was his thought. ‘‘He will make the jump!”’ ‘‘FRreshman,’’? said Bingham, ayain assuming authority, ‘you will proceed to jump with your bare feet upon those knives. You that they are sharp. This is a test of freshman courage. If you fail in this ordeal we will know that you-are a craven. Freshman, jump!”’ Without an instant’s hesitation, Star- bright jumped straight out from the stool in his bare feet and descended on the mur- derous-looking oaken board. A groan went up from some of the spec- taturs who still believed the knives what they seemed. But Starbright’s feet struck nothing more dangerous than knives of rubber, which bent under the pressure and inflict- ed no wound. Frank pushed forward and took the big freshman by the hand. “Did you know what they were?’’ he “Did you see the sophomores change the board with the real knives for this one?’? ‘‘No,’? Dick answered, ‘‘but I was dead sure that there was a trick some- where, for no men in their senses would ask any one to jump with. bare feet on real knives. So I jumped!”’ | Others were called on to undergo this ordeal; but many of them quailed and re- fused to do so, and, when that occurred, the offender was picked up bodily and jammed down on the dangerous-looking knives. “More than one of the freshmen shrieked with fear when thus forced to sit down on the rubber knives. have seen Again there were shouts for the Hawaii- _ an, followed by a rush for him. But Frank once more interposed, for he saw that the nerves of the big yellow _ fellow were so badly shaken that it was worse than cruelty to force him further. _ Then there was a bustling about, and excited whisperings. , antwed, no other sign. TOP WEEKLY. Frank put up a hand and called for attention. “The hazing has gone far enough to- night!’’ he declared. “But we’ve got a whole lot of hair- raisers left in store!’’ Jack Ready howled. ‘““Why, we haven’t begun! We’ve some other things stowed back here that will make those knives lose their glitter.’’ 3ut Frank Merriwell was obdurate; and when he said positively that the merri- ment had gone far enough, that great mob of sophomores, who could have rid- den over him and done as they pleased by sheer force of numbers, meekly yielded. Merrriwell had said it, and Merriwell’s word was law in this thing. Not even his enemies offered a word of: protest, but meekly submitted. Dade Morgan heard the outcry, and this show of Merriwell’s influence and mastery was almost more than he could bear. He had fancied that he was swinging the power of the most influential of the soph- omores against Frank, but this exhibition taught him his error. He saw that Merri- well was the same unsubdued, conquering and invincible Merriwell as of old. “Well, we must have this, then!’ chattered Ready, motioning toward Dade who, held far in the rear, had not been able to see or understand the trick of the rubber knives. The sophomores looked at Frank; and, when he did nét object, a half dozen of them rushed back for Dade, pounced on brim and dragged him forward for the knife ordeal. : At this moment Frank put up his hands in a peculiar way. Then Dade, mounted on the stool, saw a form rise up from the midst of the’ sophomores opposite, _ Ga It was the form and face of Charles ears Conrad Merriwell. Dade stared. He thought Charles em. é But he riwell had been spirited away. - TEE Frank was watching him with the eye of an eagle. ‘‘Not the guilty one!’’ he murmured. ‘*Whoever did it, that one was not Dade Morgan!’? Dade was as fearless as Dick Starbright and took the leap upon the seeming knives without a shiver. Then there was a rush for the outer en- trance. Frank linked his arm in that of his father and hurried out, being among the first to pass through the doorway. A young man had walked stealthily along outside and stopped in front of the - doorway, where he stood, listening to the ‘sounds within and furtively watching those who came out. When he saw Charles Merriwell, with his remarkable face and snow-white hair —a face that could not be mistaken any- where—he uttered acry, and fell back- ward. The young man was Morton Agnew! Morton Agnew fancied he had seen the ghost of Charles Conrad Merriwell. The plot hatched in the brain of the mysterious stranger, Hector King, Agnew ‘had in fact sought to carry out, though without King’s knowiedge or the conniv- ance or knowledge of Dade Morgan. King had planned to capture Charles Merriwell in the green and spirit him away, but had been baffled, for the reason that Merriwell did not that night walk in the green. King’s object was to strike at both father and son in this way. He sent word by mail to Dade of his failure, but Dade was industriously spreading the story when the letter was received. Morton Agnew, knowing nothing of King’s plot, had by a mere chance en- countered Charles Merriwell walking at night along the wharves. With the assist- ance of a disreputable sailor who was in his pay, he had secured Merriwell and put him ina rowboat, with the rather wild and foolish idea that he could smug- gle him bound aboard the Whzp-foor- wll, a schooner lying not far from shore et with sails up and on the eo of sailing _ for the Bermudas. But Charles Merriwell had struggled so much that the boat was upset as it _ neared the schooner, and Ve entire ratty thrown ; into the water, a TOP WEEKLY. 29 Agnew had seen Charles Merriwell, with hands bound, sink, as he believed, to a watery death. But Metriwell was a magnificent swim- mer, and in spite of his bound condition had gained a floating rowboat, to which he had managed to cling while the tide carried it out of the harbor, where his cries were heard and he was rescued by a fishing schooner, which, however, was not able to put him immediately on shore. As soon as he arrived in New Haven, which was the next night, the night of the proposed hazing, he had communi- cated with Frank. What followed was largely of Frank’s planning. Knowing from Ready that Dade Mor- gan was to be hazed, Frank planned to have his father appear before Morgan in that spectacular way, believing that Mor- gan would not be able to conceal a show of fear and guilt if he were guilty. He knew now that Dade Morgan, what- ever else he had done, was at least inno- cent of this. Agnew was the guilty party. But Frank was not at once able to pun- ish the rascal, whom he had driven out of Yale the previous year, and whose un- dying enmity he had earned in conse- quence. He sought to lay hands on him, but Agnew, even while uttering that tell-tale and frightened cry, stepped backward, and, the tide of excited sophomores and freshmen pouring out and around Frank at the moment, the rascal was given time and opportunity to make good his escape. ‘‘T unveiled the real villain, anyway,’’ Frank thought, as he walked homeward © from Billie’s, ‘‘and I’m glad to know that it was not Dade Morgan. He is capa- ble of it, perhaps, but he didn’t do that!’’ THE ‘END. The next number will contain “Brank — Merriwell’s P olicy; or, Poa Columbia i oe ae (some other girl 30 Tir NEW YORK, OcroBER 27, 1900. Torms to Tip Top Weekly Mail Subscribers. (PosvTaek FREER.) Single Copies or Back Numbers, 5c. Each. 8@months - - - - - - - 65c. 4months - - - - + + = §8dc.|2 copies one year 6 months - - + - + + = $1.25) 1 copy two years - - iow ro SHND Monky.—By post.oflice or express money order, registered letter, bank check or draft, at our risk. At your own risk if sent by currency, coin, or postage stamps in ordinary letter. ‘ RECHIPTS,— Receipt of your remittance is acknowledged by proper change of number on your label. If notcorrect you have not been properly credited,«ud should let us mow at once. STREET & SMITH’S TIP TOP WEEKLY, 238 William St., New York City. One year - - + « APPLAUSE. We have been constant readers of the Tip Top Weekly for some time, having in our club-rooms all the Tip Tops from No. 1 to date. Our society has been organized since 1896, and during that time we have read nearly every weekly published, but we unanimously declare the Tip Top the best. We call our society the Kappa lota Gamma. The society is made up entirely of high school boys, and we have some of the finest boys in school. Although there is another society in school which is older, we think urselves second to none. With few exceptions, we ike Buck Badger the best of. Frank’s friends. When we first began reading Tip Top, the parents of some of our members seriously objected to our reading ‘‘five-cent novels,’’ so we concluded to call a meeting and consider the matter. After a few sug- gestions, we unanimously declared that we would try and get the parents to read one. They were, indeed, surprised to find them as good reading. as they had ever read. Before long we are going to send for enough badges to be distribuied to every boy in our fraternity. We are anxious to see this letter in print, as we want to paste a number of them in our club rooms. Also, each boy intends to put one in his own room at home. We are about evenly divided as to who likes Inza and who likes Elsie best. Inza admirers—Don Stewart, Fred Rus- sell, Herb. Snow, Alfred Stearn, Carl Goodrich, Glenn Patterson; Elsie admirers—Melville Dunkley, Frank Ford, Julian Todd, Harold Upjohn, William Packard, Gordon Stewart. : 7 Kalamazoo, Mich. Luck and prosperity to the fraternity, and may Tip Top ever be your best friend. ‘ T have been started. I admire the character of Buck Badger, but Jack Diamond is my favorite. I also have a great admiration for Browning. I have watched with in- terest the dispute over Inza. and Elsie. Inza, to my mind, is the girl for Frank. One Elsie admirer said that all sensible readers would take up for DBlsie. Now, I believe we have at least a few sensible per- sons on our side. Some try to make out that. inza hasn’t the tender nature of Elsie, but is more like the Women’s Equal Rights Societies. I say she has a tender, affectionate heart, for look how, when -Frank was shot. by Badger, she sobbed, ready to break her heart. Also, when she was nursing him back to health, after the railroad accident, when he raved about Elsie, I believe that some of these Elsie cranks were just as much in favor of Inza before Elsie was ever thought of. And, likely, if came up, they would leave Elsie. They are fickle-minded. One thing more, they say Inza would be more suitable for Hodge. Although Inza is tender-hearted, she is also high strung, and would be apt to clash with him where Elsie would hold him in check, as Winnie Lee does Buck Bad- A CONSTANT READER, Worcester, Mass. There is much in what you have to say. Of course, there is a great deal of tenderness in Inza’s) heart, : her manner is less demonstrative than ‘hence it is that some readers think she is less pathetic and tender. — zs aiSenae ioe - ger. a reader of Tip Top ever since it Isie’s,. TOP WEEKLY. Tip JOPWEEKLY. “AN IDEAL PUBLICATION FOR THI? AMERICAN YOUTH ” We have been reading the Tip Top Weekly for over two years, and think it the best book of its kind published. I don’t like Inza, as I think her too = Elsie is the only girl for Frank, and we hope they will marry soon. We admire her sweet disposition, and don’t think she possesses one spark of jealousy, while Inza does. Inza is also too con- fident of Frank’s ability. He is no more than mor- tal, and she has no fear of danger for him, while Elsie has a great deal. Bart Hodge and Jack Dia- mond are the nicest of Frank’s friends, and, I think, are the truest. Hoping Frank will marry Elsie, ERMA MEYER, LUCILE MEYER, St. Louis, Mo. Thank you for your pleasant letter. We write to tell you that you have many Tip Top readers here. We greatly admire Frank’s pluck and fine qualities. We are trying to equal his club as athletes and ball players. We have a strong ball team, but our pitcher can’t get on to Frank’s double- shoot. We hope Frank will marry Elsie, as we like her the best of all the girls. We call our club the Tip Top Athletic Club, and we have fifteen members. We hope to see this letter in the next number of Tip Top, as we have never seen any applause from this place. president; Bert Fred Lamson (Frank Lee (Bart Hodge), vice-president; Will Learned (Harry Rattleton) secretary; Bob Holmes (Jack Diamond), treasurer; Louis Boardman (Bink Stubbs), manager. Havana, N. Y. . Good luck to your athletic team. Merriwell), ; As I have been a constant reader of your weekly, it is with pleasure that I send you these few words to let you know how much I appreciate your book. I noticed some of your amateur records in running, standing and high jumps in the Applause Column, and thought I would send you mine. I am eighteen years old, weigh 138 pounds, 5 feet 6% inches in height, can jump 9 feet 6 inches. standing, 16 feet 10 inches running, 4 feet 2 inches high jump. VANCE MONTGOMBERY, Norfolk, Va. ae records are excellent. Keep up the good work. I have read the Do and Dare, Comrades and Tip Top, and I find they are all intensely interesting, » I would like very much, as well as my friends, to. have Frank make a trip to Washington. Wishing Tip Top success, W. MACK, Washington, D. C. Thank you. Your interest will never flag so long as you read Tip Top,,Comrades and Do and Dare. I have read Tip Top from start to finish, and want to congratulate you on its success to capture the American boy’s heart. It is strictly up to date, and words cannot express the admiration I_ have ‘for Frank and his flock. Success to Street & Smith, Tip Top, and, last, but not least, Burt L. Standish, ie. Bria Port Clinton, Ohio. Thank you. Seeing that so many of Frank Merriwell’s admirers have expressed their admiration for him, we wish to extend our kindest regards to him, and hope that he will succeed in the future as he has in the past. We have formed an organization known as. the ap Top Mandolin Club. Clarence E. Johnson, presi- dént; George Fox, vice-president; John Preston, treasurer; Clarence Lindsey, secretary; ,Edw. P, Thompson, director. Kent’s Hill, Me. Frank’s ambition, determination and capacity for work insure his future success. May we hear soon that the mandolin club is doing well. I have taken your paper from No. 1 up to the present number, 233, and have always read your Ap- plause Column. I would like to give my opinion as to characters. I admire Bart Hodge above all others, and excepting no one. I also like Inza the best of any of the girls, and would like to have her fall in love with Bart. boys, or at least part of them, back at Yale soon, as I think the books about Yale are most interest- ing. I don’t think that there are many men that ean describe a ball game as Mr. Standish can. Here’s long life to him, and may the Tip Top con- tinue forever. pe hp oe ED,, eee j 4 iopat: Utica, N. dt é You will_see by this time that. the flock is back - Yale. What a great year it is going to be for t em! : ios ntonrt Th : ae Sapte a \ IT hope that you will have the 3 TIP TOP WEEKLY. I thought I would write to you and tell you how I liked your Tip Top Weekly. I-started to read them with No. 194, and have read them to the present number, 232. I would like to see Frank marry Elsie after he gets through college. Next to Frank I like Joe Gamp and Bruce Browning. JOE ANDERSON, Clyde, Kan. We are glad you have joined the hosts of Merri- well admirers. A few weeks ago I started reading your famous Tip Top Weekly, and I have become very interested in them. I have read a large number of books writ- ten by other authors, but never admired a hero. so much as I do Frank Merriwell, and next to Frank [I think John Swiftwing is a hero of no mean ki. LEONARD S§. REILLY, Buffalo, N. Y. Thank you. As I have been a constant reader of, the Tip Top, I thought it was about time I told you what I thought of it. I assure you that it is the best book I ever read, and I still continue to do so in the future. Next to Frank I like Bart Hodge, as I think he is the best friend Frank has. As to his baseball team, I think they have made a great hit out West, and I hope they’ll win every game they play. Allow me to announce that there are many of Frank’s ad- mirers in this city. I wish Frank would come to Philadelphia with his famous team and play a game of ball. Give my best regards to Mr. Standish and Street & Smith. Wishing the Tip Top Weekly to continue forever, ARS Philadelphia, Pa. As you will see, Frank is back in college, and it cannot be expected that he will travel again with his team while he is finishing his education. In regard to your famous publication, the Tip Top Weekly, I think it contains the most interesting and highly instructive stories that I have ever read. Tf have read all but a few numbers, and I am held spellbound from the first page till the last one is finished. Its hero, Frank Merriwell, has all the fine points of character that any young man should de- sire to possess. I also like the friends: that Frank has around him: The Inza-Elsie question has in- terested me very much. My favorite is Inza, but, of course, Burt L. Standish knows how to fix it so that all readers will be satisfied with Frank's choice. , GEORGE BOWEN, Springfield, Mass. Thank you. You show moderation in your opinions and good sense in your ideas. 2 As I have just finished reading No. 232, I thought I would let you hear from me again. I do not agree with B. B., of Peru, Ind., when he says that those who read Tip Top from No, 1 are in favor of Inza. Inza is all right, but she just won’t do for Frank. Look how Elsie has gone away from Frank to give Inza all the chance that she wanted. When Frank had his play out on the road, look how little Blsie stuck to him and helped him out, and when Elsie met Inza she would not speak to Elsie, and said she was noth- ing but an old actress, and she met Frank and treated him in the same way. Is Elsie the girl for Frank? Yes, she is the only girl that is worthy of him. I hope the readers will agree with me when I say that Elsie is the girl for Frank. See how Inza treated Frank in No. 2; how Frank had risked his life to save her from death, then she broke an en- gagement with him and went out with Frank’s enemy. Three cheers for Frank and Elsie. Hodge, Harry and Bruce are all right, and I can’t forget Ready, Carker, Swiftwing, Badger, Gamp, Griswold and Stubbs. Long life to all. aa Dy Richmond, Va. 4 This certainly will give the Inza people something to think about. 4 I have read your Tip Top Weekly, and I am very ‘much pleased with it. 4 best of all. I think that Elsie is the girl for Frank, ‘ JOS. -W, PP: DALY. Boston, Mass. Thank you. t We have been taking your Tip Top Weekly for over two years, and we now write to show our ap- preciation of it. We will now close with three cheers and a tiger for Burt L. and Street & Smith.. Pash - X.—O.—P.’s, rs ‘ . Ottawa, Ill I like Frank, Bart and Bruce. 31 As a member of the Good Literature Club of this city, I am requested to write you a letter expressing the appreciation by the club of your Frank Merriwell series. Ve all think the history of Frank Merri- well’s life is calculated to up-lift all who read it, as it sets before them a grand and noble ideal of American manhood which they should each strive to reach. No one could read of Frank Merriwell’s generosity and courage without being the better and nobler for it. We especially enjoyed the last one, “Frank Merriwell’s Archer.’’ We are glad to hear that Frank has succeeded in putting out of the way that dastardly sport Hammerswall; We are all Elsie admirers. Next to Frank we like Bart, and we would like to hear from the Chickering set. Wishing the Tip Top Weekly, its publishers and its author a long and prosperous career, GOOD LITERATURE CLUB, Middieburgh, Pa. We are delighted to receive such a letter from the Good Literature Club. What you have to say about the Tip Top, and coming from such a source, is most gratifying to us. We trust the club will suc- ceed, the course of good literature prosper, and Tip Top enjoy the distinction of ‘‘none better.”’ As I am situated too-far from your place of busi- ness to personally congratulate you upon your weekly paper, the Tip Top, allow me to do so by mail. For years I have read the weekly, together with some others, so that I can truthfully state that it is the best published. As to the question of drop- ping characters, I think it is absurd; but, then, we all have different opinions about such matters, so I think the best plan ig to allow Mr. Standish to fol- low his own ideas, which, in the past, have proved So agreeable to his readers. With high esteem: for yourselves, Mr. Standish, Merriwell and his flock, E. VEIHMEYER, Washington, D. C. Thank you. After over a year of silence, I write to let you know I am alive and take Tip Top every week. I have read it since the day it came out. For a fel- low who has followed Tip Top as closely as I from No. 1 to the present date will agree with me and Say that Bart Hodge is Merriwell’s truest friend in every way. I know that Hodge has his faults; so has everybody. Boys who have been reading Tip Top for a long time will remember that Hodge was spoiled at home by being madé a pet; but Merriwell is slowly but surely breaking him of all these things, and has won Hodge’s friendship in return. I know Hodge has done Frank many a mean turn, but I think his good turns will outnumber all. TI will close, sending my best regards to Burt L. Standish and the rest of Frank’s flock. CHARLEY M. GRIEBEL, JR., New Canaan, Conn. This letter shows a long and close acquaintance with Hodge. You understand his character very well. The last number of Tip Top was just received by our Tip Top Club. We think it is very fine, indeed. I hope Frank will marry Inza and leave Elsie for one of the others. When Frank Merriwell and his ° friends come over the Blue Mountains again, tell them to stop and see us. We are situated at the base of the mountains, It has often been remarked by my friends that I somewhat resemble Frank’s pictures. I hope it is true, as he is. my model of an American boy. Hoping to hear from some of Frank’s friends, EDW. REHREN, Pinegrove, Pa, it would be good to resemble Frank in but a much better thing to and to follow his splendid Indeed, Outward appearance, be like him at heart, example. I have just finished reading the letter from ‘Ja- son’’ in No. 2383, and wish to say that although he is. very generous in praising: Elsie’s good traits, I think that a mistaken idea has gotten into hig head. I wish we could win him over to Hisie’s sihoteg a think that his arguments are very strong, and if he was on the right side he would ‘‘take the cake.” am going to a military institute here, and am trying and will continue to try through life to imi- tate Frank’s example. I think that the short story idea is great. Wishing good luck to the publish-: ers, the author, Frank and his “‘flock.’’ ; BUCK ARMSTRONG, Bordentown, N. J. _ We are sure that your efforts will not be without just reward if you continue to emulate Frank’s example. : hod ape Correspondence, Medical Frat., New York City.—Address Surgeon General of the Army at Washington. R. W. Tucker, Emporia, Kans.—Your question, “How is a football team trained’”’ is best answered by describing the system employed at Yale. Bear in mind that two great purposes must be accomplished —first, to whip the team into such shape that it will work together with the harmony of a machine; sec- ond, to conduct the training of each individual player in such a way that he can make the best use of his strength and agility, while he is always kept in the best physical condition. This divides the sys- tem into two departments. Those who have charge of the first are the graduate coaches. Each year a great number of old Yale players come back to New Haven and devote much oftheir time to the team. They watch the work of each player, suggest im- provements, evolve new styles of play, find the weak points of the team and work to strengthen them and give the players the benefit of their experience and knowledge of the game. These coaches work very hard and conscientiously, and little by little the team is rounded into shape by their efforts. Every day about 150 candidates for the team appear at the field. The coaches line up a ’Varsity eleven and run them through signal practice, set them to falling on the ball, catching punts, running down the field under kicks and getting quick starts. A college eleven is then put on the field and the two teams are sent through two sharp @practice halves. The entire squad is made to take regular daily exercise of the stiffest kind. The second department is presided over by the famous trainer, Mike Murphy. He keeps his eagle eyes on every player. If he sees a man getting “too fine’? he makes him rest for a day or two. He prescribes the diet of the training table and watches the men like a cat so that none of them dares to break training. He cares for their bruises and bumps, and, in short, personally directs the physical training of each man until he knows he has been brought up to his best possible condition. The office of trainer is a most ‘important one, and a wise trainer is a great factor in the success of a victo- rious football team. - ie ee A WEEKLY. 217—Frank M LATEST ISSUES. 38—Frank Merriwell’s Policy; or, Playing Columbia for Practice. 7—Frank Merriwell’s Power; or, Hazing the Fresh- men at Billie’s. 236—Frank Merriwell’s New Protege; or, The Star of the Freshman Class, 235—Frank Merriwell’s Captivity; or, The Vendetta in Kentucky. 234—Frank Merriwell’s Hustlers; or, Cracking the Colonels. 233—Frank Merriwell’s Find; or, The Hoosier Her- cuies 232—Frank Merriwell’s Double Play; or, Winning His Own Game. 231—Erank Merriwell’s Archer; or, Beating the Red 30wman. 230—Frank Merriwell’s Battery; or, Taming the “Broncho Busters.” 2299—Frank Merriwell’s Rough Riders; or, The Ath- letic Team at Badger’s Ranch, ‘ 228—Frank Merriwell’'s Speed; or, Breaking the Chi- cago Colts. 227—Frank Merriwell’s Vault; or, The Blades of Toledo. 226—Frank Merriwell’s Wonders; or, Hitting the Eastern League. 3 225—Frank Merriwell’s Throw; or, Yale Athletes at Niagara. 224—Frank Merriwell’s Wrist; or, The Nerve of Iron. 223—Frank Merriwell’s Camp; or, Yale Athletics in the Great North Woods. 222—Frank Merriwell’s Athletic Team; or, Sport in the Adirondacks. 22i—Frank Merriwell’s Discovery; or, The New. Lon- don Boat Race. 220—Frank Merriwell’s Curves; or, Clipping the Tiger’s Claws. 29—Frank Merriwell’s Compact; or, The Triumph of Badger. 5 218—Frank Merriwell’s ‘‘Liner;’’ or, Elsie, the Mas- cot of the Nine. riwell’s ‘‘Pull’’; or, True and Tried. 216—Frank Mé€rriwell’s Phantom; or, The Ghost of Barney Mulloy. 5 Back numbers always on hand. _ If you cannot get our publications from your newsdealer, five cents a copy will bring them to you by mail, postpaid. HALE PRICE TO OUR READERS ONLY. In response to the urgent request of a host of Tre Top readers ‘the publishers after carefully considering a number of designs for a - badge of membership in the TIP TOP LEAGUH, finally adopted one which is an artistic gem of excellence. The picture shows the design, butit does not give you an adequate idea of the exquisite beauty of thiselegant ornament. It is solidly and substantially male, finished in gilt and beautifully embossed. The widespread desire for this badge gave us so much faith in the enterprise that our first order was enormous, but we have been obliged to give a second order, We still offer it at the very low figure of TTWENTY CENTS (‘l'en Cents in Cash or Stamps and ‘Ten Cents in Coupons, AN EXACT PICTURE OF THE LEAGUE BADGE V2 TIP-TOP LEAGUE} Each coupon is worth five cents when accompanied by five cents in stamps or coin. TWO COUPONS AND TEN CENTS SECURE YOU THE BADGE. You can get as many badges as you desire at the same rate by use of the extra coupons. Badges without cbupons will cost fifty cents each. The coupons are free to TIP Top readers, and we adopt this method to prevent others from getting the badge at the special rate given to our patrons. IF YOU ARE A READER OF THE TIP TOP YOU ARE A MEMBER OF ''HE LEAGUE, AND ENTITLED TO WEAR THE EM- BLEM OF THE ORDER—and our word forit, you will be more than pleased after you receive it. TIP TOP LEAGUE MEW.BER’S COUPON This Coupon and FIVE CENTS will be accepted for ten cents towards the purchase of the League Badge. STREET & SMITH. as TIP TOP LEAGUE MENBER’S COUPON ‘ This Coupon and FIVE CENTS will be accepted for ten cents. towards the purchase of the League Badge. ° STREET & SMITH. a To secure the promptest attention, address all letters on the ne Subject to 4 4 tx : pi oh TIP t OP LEAGUE ost ee 8 William St., N. __ STREET & SMITH, 23 e. VISTO SOOSVTOSOSOOOOOOOOOW ONCERNING x» IMITATORS +ARLY five years ago Street & Smith originated and introduced the Tip Top Weekly, combining the new features of beautiful and attractive olde covers, and a continuous series of stories, each dealing with the same characters ; each book complete in itself yet part of a progressive series. | It was an instant success. An enormous circulation was at once se- cured, and this has yearly increased with rapid strides. The Tip Top Weekly, containing the onlyand original Frank Merriwell stories, by Burt L. Standish, has today three times the circulation of any similar publication not issued by Street & Smith. In response to continued demands we have, from time to time, established new libraries as companions to Tip Top. Success always stimulates imitation. Other publishers have copied the general style and form of the Tip Top Weekly, Do and Dare, etc., and, while the contents and general merit of these would-be rival publications are far below the standard acceptable to Street & Smith’s patrons, it is probable that some have been induced to purchase the inferior product of other publishers under the mistaken idea that they were getting “Street & Smith’s.” In one instance a rival publisher has gone so far as to ascribe the authorship of his stories to a name very similar to that of Burt L. Standish, a method calcu- lated to confuse the reader. We wish to call our reader’s particular attention to the fact that all of Street & Smith’s five-cent libraries are of uniform size, of convenient dimen- sions to handle readily, and to fit nicely in the pocket, and that any five-cent weekly which is not of the same size as the one you hold in your hand is not Street € Smith’s. As a further safeguard against disappointment always look for the name of Street & Smith as publishers on the cover. We use every effort to secure the very best stories by the very best authors, and give our readers this caution that they may not be disappointed by mistaking the lines of other publishers for ours. As a further safeguard we give herewith the complete list of the five- cent weeklies published by Street & Smith :— THE TIP TOP WEEKLY, containing the Frank Merriwell series., DO AND DARE, containing the Phil Rushington series. COMRADES, containing the best series of railroad stories ever written. MY QUEEN, our latest, containing the Marion Marlowe series. THE NICK CARTER WEEKLY contains the exploits of the world’s greatest detective, Nick Carter. DIAMOND DICK, JR., the best stories of the West. STREET & SMITH, Publishers, 238 William St., N. Y. LAA AOE ‘“ MOOMOMMOMMOOM MOON OOM OOM MAD ZB = Ss = Si = = = = = = = = = = 3 Si ZI = Z Si SI SI SI = SI SI SI SI S SI = ZI Q SRT