IP lOP WEEKLY “An ideal publication for thé 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. 261. Price, Five Cents. POA PY BURT L.STAADISH THE BATTERIES AT WORK IN YALE’S BASEBALL CAGE. pes _ a= 5 TID TOD WEEKLY AN IDEAL PUBLICATION FOR THE AMERICAN YOUTH seuss P hae gota 2 © ‘bscription $2.50 per year. Entered as Second Class Matter at the N. Y. Post Office, by StREET & SMITH, 238 ‘William NY, YB: ed According to Act of Congress, in the year 1901 in the Ofice of the Librarian of Congress, Washington, D, C. No. 261, NEW YORK, April 13, 1go1, Price Five Cents, Frank Merriwell’s Bosom Friend; - | OR, MAKING UP THE YALE NINE. By BURT L. STANDISH. => CHAPTER I. ANXIETY AT YALE, Vale was in perplexity and distress. Where was Merrivwell? ‘That question created all the trouble. He _-had obtained permission to leave a few days on important businesg, but the ‘‘few days” had lengthened into many and still he re- ‘mained away. Woe} ee _ He was needed at Vale, for he nad been | _ chosen captain of. the baseball team, and the men were in training for the Easter trip to — ae the South. His absence and the uncertainty. ing to.work with vim and enthusiasm. of his return seemed to have a most baleful influence upon them, for they failed to turn out with enthusiasm for work in the cage, and they plainly lacked the needed spirit that-year after year has led Yale gladiators’ to stand ready to sacrifice anything and everything but honor for the glory of Old Hii. =: me The coaches were in despair, for never be- fore had they handled such indifférent ma- terial. It seemed impossible to find the usual number of new men who took an interest in baseball, showing some ability, and were will- The outlook was discouraging. Experi- enced men: shook their heads and looked blue. Was this a relapse after their great vi¢- tory over Harvard on the gridiron the pre- vious fall? Among all the new nfen in the squad but one showed up enough to create general comment, and that one was the black-haired, miduight-eyed freshman, Dade Morgan. Having resolved to try for a place on the nine, it was not remarkable that Morgan he had adtempted since entering college he mination and intensity that would have ad- vanced a poorer subject. Being an athlete, supple, strong, qtick, sure-eyed and con- fident, it was not singtilar that he-made rapid advanceinent. niore singular if he had not. *Morgan had played baseball before com- ing to college. In fact, he had once cap- tained a very clever amateur team at a sum- mer resort. He was one of those surprisingly versatile fellows who could fill any position. It is a well-known fact that much of the success of a ball team depends on putting the players into the positions for which they are best adapted, and that it is not often a good first-baseman does equally well- on . second or third, while a remarkable out- fielder may be utterly worthless in the dia- . ‘mond, or vice versa. But Dade could handle grounders, catch flies, cover a base, play behind the bat, even pitch with a certain amount of skill that did not seem lessened in any position. that he bégan to train as soon as the squad ‘ got to work. 2 TIP TOP WEEKLY. + ' . should attract attention, for at everything had made himself a marked man. He wasa fellow who went at any task with a deter-’ It would have been far _ quire about him day after day. But it was his ambition to! pitch, and for There were a number of new candidates for the position, but the coaches confessed to ' b , ; themselves that Morgan was the only highly promising man in the lot. cf Frank Merriwell, however, had been de- pended on as the mainstay in the pitching 4% department of the team. | Of course, Bart Hodge would fill his old position behind the bat, and there were one or two promising mei? who might serve as 1 substitutes in case any accident happened to him. But Bart did not go about the work with his usual spirit. In fact, it was hard to get him gentinely interested, and, somehow, o he seemed sad and restless, appearing at . - To the surprise of everybody he did not say times to be brooding over something. much about Merry’s absence save that he had not heard from Frank and did not know why he was remaining away so long. The’ anxiety and restlessness caused by Frank’s unaccountable failure to return spread to the professors, who began to in- ~# Merriwell’st enemies. had been keeping pretty quiet, for they realized that it would | not be best to say too much at first, as he» was the pride of the college, and slurs against j him would not be tolerated. E Honest men who had once been his enemies . were silent now, or his pronounced friends. ie Iuefact, it seemed that no open enemies were ; to be found. ' \ But the petty spite and meanness of the i Chickering set was simply held in restraint. j Although they -were not particularly bral- 4 liant, they knew enough to realize that it MV would not be healthy to express themselves Pe too freely in public. ‘ c” Secretly, in the seclision of Rupert’s per- ‘ fumed apartments, they anathematized Frank feos over their cups of tea, for was he not the personification of all that was manly and noble, while they were the worshippers of the decadent and degenerate. So through. é x ™ _ tirethome!’’ TIP TOP clouds of noxious, disgusting and debilitat- ing cigarette smoke they gazed at each other with-adimiration in their weak eyes. and drawled their expressions of disapproval to- ward the man who by his grand example had done more than any other of his years to uplift by his noble example the youth of our land. As time went on.and it began to seem that Merriwell might not return to college, these bolder. creatures grew At. first they dared not .speak .outright, but they hinted and slurred and sneered. Without saying why at first, they suggested that there had been ‘fa very good reason’’ for Merriwell’s sud. den departure, and that it was not at all likely he would ever again be seen at Yale. Thus it came about that one sunny after- noon these fellows were gathered at the fence along with other students, wlio were discussing the baseball situation. “‘T tell you what,’’ said Lib Benson, ‘‘I’m afraid we’re going to get it in the neck all round this spring. It’s a dead sure thing that the men are not taking hold with the usual spirit, and I have it straight that the coaches are disgusted with the mateMal for a nine.”’ ““Oh, that’s always the way,’’ declared Irving Nash. ‘‘It’s the same old cry that’s heard évery year.’’ “‘Not a bit of it,’”’ put in Gene Skelding, who had blossomed out with a handsome new pink shirt, of which he was very proud. “Vale seldom has nituich to say, though the newspapers: may be full of rot about the mine, or the crew, or something or other. This year it is different. “We’ve tried to keep the truth from geting into the papers, but it’s ent just the same.’ “What maketh me thick,’? Veazie, “ith thith thilly talk about alt the twoble coming fwom the abthence of. that fellow Fwank It ith lisned Lew Merriwell. vewy WEEKLY. 3 ‘ } WW nH ea Fe a eS aaa 1 Ollie Lor ihat’s so, chumimie,’’ agreed Oijiie Lora, standing as high as possible on the high se A heels of his polished shoes. As if he could make any difference if he were here!’ . ‘‘He’s usually made a difference in the < I> anin Tnat : +n 1x Fv Lhawee aay past," Said Nash, instantly. ‘‘He has a way of stirring things up.”’ Benson. ‘‘I “That’s right,’ agreed Lib wonder where he can be and what is keep- ing him away. He’ll fail in his exams sure as fate if he stays away much longer. Even now I’m afraid he’l) have to grind so hard « that he won’t have much time for baseball or anything else.’” “Talking about Merriwell?’’? grunted Browning, loafing up and leaning lazily against the fence. ‘‘Don’t worry about his failing. You never knew him to fail in any- thing.” “‘Not even in waking you up and getting you onto the eleven last fall,’’ laughed Hock Mason. ‘‘Why aren’t you in the base- ball squad, Browning? You played with Merriwell’s ball team last summer.’’ “And got enough of it, too. It’s altogether too much like work, Old South Carolina; that’s why I’m not sweating in the cage every day.”’ ; ‘If Merriwell were to show up now, he’d be pretty sure to drag you out in a hurry.” ‘““Never! There are plenty of others. I refuse to be sacrificed again for the public good.’ “What is this rumor I’ve been hearing lately 24 broke in Julian Ives, thrusting his cap back and patting down his pet bang. “Tt can’t because he knew he must fail at exams this. be true that Merriwell got out spring. He has wasted his time, it is said, in athletics and such folly, till now he is face-to-face with failure in his studies, and he can’t stand that. Rather than to be set back a year he has taken himself out of the way, and hé’ll not -be seen here again.’’ 4 TIP TOP WEEKLY. ‘And I brand that as a malicious lie!”’ rang out a clear voice It was Bart Hodge, who had approached in time to hear Jves’ words. There was a black look’ of anger on Bart’s face, and his flashing eyes glared with scorn and contempt at Julian. ‘‘There is a very good reason for Merri- ‘»? { ‘ ment of him,’’ murmured Rupert. hates me I am sorry for him, that’s all. having me for a friend.’’ ‘The entire college will go foolish over Merriwell ‘‘Let’s all ‘keep away,’’ said Ives. now, see if it doesn’t; I did hope the fellow would never show his head here again.”’ “Tho did I,” chirped Veazie. “ug think he’th a wegular wuffian! If I could do tho jutht ath well ath riot I’d never become tho beathtly stwong ath he ith. I wegard thuth stwength as thimply bwutal.”’ : “Brutal Ollie Lord. ) prevent any man from training till he is so ak isn’t fair is the word, chummie,’’ agreed “There ought to be a law to much stronger than other mae to the other men. “Don’t talk like asses |”? growled Skeld- ing. “You know that either one of you | " be is aiaeehal MARR m Ea Sk Cig ee es i i TIP TOP would gladly be as strong as Merriwell if you could; but he’s not the only athlete in the world—or in Yale, for that matter. It’s this bowing down and worshipping him. that gives mea pain! Why, I could be just as strong and skillful as he is if I’d deny my- self drinks and smokes and good things. to eat aud keep working away every day to put myself inform. But I like a little booze, I enjoy a cigarette, I like to stuff my stomach full of good things, and I won’t pelt away with dumb-bells, clubs, chest weights and such things every moment I get- from my studies. What’s life good for if_a fellow has got to be a regular slave!’’ z “T with you wath ath thmart ath Merri- well,’’ lisped Lew. “Well, I thought I was, once,’’ confessed Gene; ‘‘but I found it was no use for me to try to buck against a fellow like him who kept at his very best all the time. I’m not fool enough now to try to fight him with my fists. a lick at him I might try it.”’ If I found another good way to get in ‘‘That’s the only way to jar him,’’ said Tilton Hull, his high collar holding his chin very high in the air. ‘‘Let’s go up to Rupert’s room and talk it over.’’ “‘Yeth, leth!’”’ urged Veazie. ‘‘I feel the need of a thigawette and a dwink of wine thince Gene had that wow with that low fellow Hodge. That dithturbed my nerveth,”’ So they passed from the campus, and the sun seemed to shine more brightly when they were gone. Bart Hodge had shaken hands with Frank during the rush and crush of the students to reach Merriwell, but. he did sO silently and withdrew at He had_ been ready enough to defend Merry from his defamers a short time before, but he was not among once, those who made the greatest hurrah over _Frank’s return to college. _ After a while Merry looked round for WEEKLY. - Hodge and saw hiu standing quite by him- self on the outskirts of the throng. The ex- pression on Bart’s face was not one of happi- ness; indeed, he seemed sad and depressed.- / It. is possible that an inkling of the thoughts passing through Bart’s mind came to Merry then. The dark-eyed lad knew nothing of what had taken placé while Frank was away from college. He knew only that he cared for Eisie Bellwood with all the intensity of his passionate nature and that she had repeat- edly told him she would never marry at all. Why had she made that assertion? Was it not because she still loved Frank Merriwell ? Bart believed so, and it was his conviction that in the end Frank must win her, for had not he a way of winning anything he greatly desired! Still he would not give up. He had told Frank. squarely and honestly that he would never cease his efforts to obtain Elsie till he knew beyond the shadow of a doubt that there was no hope for him. Then what? Who could tell? For Bart had a peculiar disposition, and a disappoint ment of this sort might wreak havoc with his sensitive organization. Metriwell’s hand had lifted him from the ‘path of temptation and ruin in the past and set his feet upon the highway leading to splendid achievements, but this disappoint- ment might undo all the good that had been done and turn him back along the downward course. Frank thought of this, and he was eager to let his friend know what had happened, revealing to him that the road to Elsie’s heart was open and undisputed. “‘Hodge!”’ Frank spoke Bart’s name and started to- ward him. Then one of his many friends 8 TIP TOP caught hold of him and asked him a ques- tion, which he paused to answer. When he looked for Bart again he looked in vain, for Hodge had hastened away. CHAPTER III. A SHOCK FOR BART.” Bart Hodge sat alone in his room. ‘The _curtain§ were’ drawn at the windows anda lighted ‘student’s lamp sat on the table, over which books and papers were scattered. In Bart’s hand he held the photograph of a pretty, sweet-faced girl, at which he was gazing with earnest intentness, the light in his dark eyes being one of unspeakable ad- miration. It was the picture of Elsie Bellwood. Bart had been trying to study, but his mind would revert to Elsie, try as hé might to fix it on other matters, till at last he gave up, brought out her picture and sat there musing over it. ; His love for her had seemed to ike § pos- ‘session of him full blown in a moment, but cooler afterthought had revealed to him that he had always admired her intensely since that wild night when he had aided Frank to save her from the wreck on Tiger Tooth Ledge near Fardale. He had first seen her that night as she was lashed to the mast of the doomed vessel which had struck upon the terrible ledge. Led by Merriwell, the cadets had succeeded ‘in mannitig a boat and pulling off to the vessel. On reaching the dripping deck Bart had eas Hisie held fast to the mast by ropes, but in the gloom he ‘was unable to _ discern if she were young or old. Her voice, ‘however, as she appealed to the lads for aid when her father was assaulted by one of the ‘sailors had sounded musical and sweet. - The music of that voice had atitiod silent chords within Bart’ s heart many times since - that wild aight. But he was loyal to Merry, and grow. WEEKLY. his best friend, and it had seemed that Elsie and Frank cared for each other, so, with Spartan-like heroism, he had resolutely com- pelled himself to think not at all of her. Thus he had lived with the germ of love in his heart, refusing to permit it to sprout For a long time he had fancied himself a ‘‘woman-hater,’’ but it was all because other girls made him think of Elsie —made him: think of her as a thousand times more winsome, pretty and attractive. That he wished to forget, so he avoided girls . in general. But it is not natural for a strong, manly youth to shun womanly and attractive girls,. and Hodge began to succumb at last. He could not hold himself aloof from them, try as hé might. them and enjoyed their society far more than he would confess to himself./ And the time came when, like other young . men, he fancied he cared for one of them. The first was Stella Stanley, an actress several years older than Hodge; but Stella had told him it was not true love and that he would get over it. At first he had taken this rather hard, but. he came at last to recognize her wisdom and thank her for her plain speech. Then there was another, Grace Vernon, _who fascinated him for a time, but, merely comparing her with Elsie, quickly banished all thought of her from his mind.: . With Elsie it was different. discovered how much he cared for her, “he was unable to’ brush aside the knowledge, which matter what de did or where he was. The knowledge that his love for her might . be hopeless simply made it.all the more in- terise, for it was not Bart’s. nature to Telin: Seas quish anything on which. He had once fairly set his heart. eee - But: | Merriwell stood a asa bartier between i He was naturally attracted by - Having once reniained with him constantly, 10” TIP TOP them, and, worse than everything else, Mer- riwell was his friend. No wonder Hodge spent sleepless nights! No wonder he lost flesh and became more and No wonder he spent wretched days! more irritable till it became dangerous to cross him in anything! Still in his loyal heart he was true to Frank Merriwell, whom he well knew had been’ his best friend and benefactor in a thousand ways when almost any other fellow would have been a mortal foe. As of old, Hodge would have yielded up his life for Frank, but his love for Elsie was rf i something stronger and more intense than ; his love for life, and he could not put that ) | aside. SMa “As of old, he had been ready to defend | Frank against enemies and traducers; but f , the sight of Frank’s happy face filled him Hh with gloomy forebodings and intense misery. Why had Merry looked so happy? Why had he remained away from Yale so long? Bart could not help being suspicious of that happiness. He could not help wonder- ‘ing if it came though an understanding be- - And that had been brought about while Merry was away from = . tween Frank and Elsie. college! _If this was true, Bart felt that Elsie was al lost to him, and th ambition had gone out ie of his life forever. , Therefore he sat alone in his room and gazed longingly, earnestly, and almost hope- fs, _ lessly, at her pictured face. Her open eyes WS seemed to smile back at him re-assuringly, a ‘ but they did not lift the gloom from his i Ree - eaits Her lips—— 3 Impulsively, he. lifted the picture and kissed it. . : The door opened quietly and some one stépped into the room. ‘‘Hello, Bart, old man!’’ cried a hearty, familiar voice. ‘What are you doing there?’’ Sy ear Stee Oe capes eyes. WHEKLY. Hodge sprang up, his face flaming, and tried to hide the picture behind him. Frank closed the door and advanced into the room. Hodge stood beside the table, trembling from head to feet. His eyes were fastened on Merry and he was speechless. “I thought you’d come round to'see me, Bart,’’ said Frank. ‘‘You did not, so I came to see you, though I’m missing time that I Oh, I’ll be a greasy grind for a while now till I get on ought to spend in grinding. Hasy street again. It will take lots of stiff work for ane to catch up, but I believe I can do it.’’ Still Bart stood there without speaking, looking straight at Frank. ‘*What’s the matter?’’ Merry asked, in perplexity. ‘‘Why do you stare at me that way? Why, hang it! you don’t seem at all pleased to see nie.’’ He was surprised and htrt by Bart’s singular manner. 3 Hodge opened his lips to say something, but the words did not seem to come freely and he stuck. | ee Merry came closé and placed his hands on Bart’s shoulders, looking deep into the dark eyes of his comrade. e “Tell me why you meet me like this, old maun!’’ he urged.. ‘‘Have I done anything to cause it ?’’ of ENG, 22 ‘““Then why——’’ “It’s nothing, - Merriwell—nothing!’’ huskily muttered Bart. ‘“Take a chair. I’ve been thinking, and I expect I’m in a deuced: unsociable mood, but I’ll try to, be decent.’’ — Frank did not sit’down immediately on the invitation. Instead, he looked at Bart as if trying to read his very thoughts. **You’re thin,’’ he said. ‘‘You have lost flesh and there are dark circles round your. -— 2 Are you ill?’ _ which he thrust the photograph. ant thing is the nine. 10 : e TIP TOP ret, ‘‘Something is the matter with you, and I fancy I know what it is.”’ “Perhaps so.”’ ” “T’ve come'to talk it over—— The dark-eyed lad cut ‘him short with a gesture. “‘Dent!”? he exclaimed, hoarsely. ‘‘Talk of anything else—baseball, spring sports, } the: Southern trip, anything!’ “What is that you/have Almost and walked to a in your hand ?’’ rudely Bart pushed Frank aside desk, mto. the drawer of But when he turned round he felt certain Merriwell and that ’ had been seen pressing that picture to his knew it was a picture of Elsie he ips. ‘Sit down,” he invited again, with a mo- tion toward a chair. Frank did so. “There are a number of things I wish ‘to speak about, Bart,’’ said he. “One import- Are you working to get into form to catch? That’s one thing.’’ ‘ & fe 7 “Perhaps I’m not working as hard as. ‘‘Somehow, I haven’t seemed to have any heart in it. You usual,’’ confessed Hodge. know you were not here, and that has made - lots of difference.”’ ait a “Tm here now, and we must get to ¥v vork, for-I iear that the outlook fora strong team is very unsatisfactory.’’ “It might be better.’’ « Well, if we get into our usual form, the battery should net be so very weak, though, of course, I can’t pitch all the games.” “Do you know who’s working like a fiend to get into the box i re “T haven’t heard, : “That cad, Morgan! Why, he’s. datbing every day, and they say there’s a prospect that he’ll make it. What do you think of. that?” ea ee ek good thing. a 3 WEEKLY. “‘Good? Do you fancy I’ll ever catch with him pitching? Not for my life!’ ‘Not even for Yale?’’ ““Why should I?’ ‘*Because you should be ready to do any- thing for Yale, my boy.” “‘T ‘can’t “swallow that scoundrel, and I refuse to have him thrust down my throat! That’s all there is to it! If you can stand for him, that’s all right, but I decline.’’ ‘*Well, over that now, we won't get into an argument though I want you to remem- ber the splendid work Morgan did on the gridiron Jast fall.’? z ‘“And I don’t want you to forget that-up to the last, minute he pulled every string possi ble to down you, Merriwell. He was as full of tricks as an egg is full of meat.”’ **Let it pass now. T-hear that Starbright has not been given much of a show with the squad. How is that?”’ : ‘Rot! You know any, man will be given ‘all the show he deserves.’’ “And Brownirig ?’’ ‘tHe refuses to get out.?? : ‘And Ready st ‘ He’s got himself disltked by his freshness, and I fancy he’ll havea ‘‘He’s too flip. hard pull to. make the nine.’’ ‘Nor is he better than other men who are working for his place @} have been promised absolute authority this spring, and I ‘shall have something to say about the make: “up of the team I ameto captain.’ By this time Bart -had began to Gol Saou somewhat, and now, of a sudden, _ Merry reverted to the thing about which he had attempted to speak.a while before. ‘‘ Hodge, you want to stop worrying about. - the thing that has troubled you so much lately. I am your truest friend, and you You'll, feel. I know whose must let me speak out frankly.. better when I have fi nished. picture you held in, your: hand when I en- S tered—the picture you put in that drawer.” ree Tir Lop . 1 Bart’s face was very pale now and he had begun to quiver again. ‘‘We had a plain face-to-face talk about her on Cumberland“Island not so very long ago,.but the finish of that talk left us just where we began. Since then many things have happened, and, as far ‘as I am con- cerned, that matter has been entirely set- tled.’’ Bart felt a it was true that Frank had remained away x about his heart. So o ightenin ‘from college to see Elsie again and to win her back to him! Somehow, it did not seem just exactly like Merriwell, and yet how could Bart complain, for had not Frank held the prior claim to her? ‘‘Filsie is a beautiful, noble-hearted girl, words to properly whom I cannot find extol,’’ Merriwell calmly continued, his coolness and confidence causing Bart’s heart ‘“‘T do not wonder that I It would to sink still more. came to admire her very much. have been far more remarkable if I had not. But I have learned that I wholly misinter- preted my feelings and emotions toward her. Read others however well I may, I did not properly read and analyze inyself in regard to her.’’ What was Frank saying? Hodge felt a - 2 a rush of blood to his heart, which began to thuinp violently in his breast. ‘‘Rvents which I cannot fully describe ' have opened my eyes and revealed to me the truth. I loved Elsie and still love her as.a very dear friend, and one of the sweetest girls ‘alive, but I do not love her and never did love her as one should love the girl he means to make his wife.’’ f _ Bart’s lgps parted, but no sound escaped them. He stared at Frank as if turned to stone. ‘*But I have learned,’’ Merry continued, ‘that I love another with all my heart, and that knowledge has brought me great hap- WEEKEY. — 1d pivess, for my love is returned, and we are engaged to be married sometime, though the day is not set yet., Of course, you know without being told that the other of whom I speak is Inza Burrage.’”’ Bart sprang up. ‘“Merriwell,’’ he gasped, ‘‘you—you really mean that you are engaged—to Inza?’’ “Yes, that is just what I mean. So you see, my dear boy, that you have been worry- ing over a trouble that does not exist, and ‘the field is open and clear for yow to win Elsie.” There was a ringing as of many bells in Bart’s ears, and the room seemed to whirl round him. Then he sat down quickly, all the strength having gone out of his legs. But the happiness of the shock made him long to shout, though his lips uttered no sound. CHAPTER IV. IN THE BASEBALL LEAGUE. ‘“Ginger up, there, Robinson! You're worse than a dead man !’’ ‘“Get in front of ’em, Dashleigh! Stop ’em with your body if you can’t hold ’em with your hands!’’ ‘*VYou throw like an old woman, Mason! You’ll break your back soine day.’’ ‘“ Here, those flourishes!. When you get hold ofa here, Ready! that will do with ball throw it. Don’t juggle it.’’ » “Say, you chap with the curly hair, don’t get so excited. Take a little time in throw- ing to first, after picking up a ball.’’ ‘‘Who is that long-legged chap? Gamp? Here, Gamp, it’s your turn to bat.”’ “Oh, murder! Who let that grounder go through him? Carker? Is that his name? Say, Carker, you’rea sieve! Keep your feet together and you’ll do better.’’ It was a lively scene in the great baseball 12 TIP TOP WEEKLY, cage at Yale, for the squad of candidates for the ball team were hard at work and the coaches were putting them ‘‘through the paces. ”’ The men were working hard, and the coaches were yelling and shouting at them, giving orders, criticising, commenting—but seldom expressing approval. It would not do to let any man think he was doing too well at this early stage of the work, for it might spoil him by giving him a good opinion of his ability. More men have been spoiled by praise than by adverse criticism, and the profes- sional coach knows this very well. It is a pretty level-headed youth who can stand open praise without thinking himself the ‘‘only one.’’ : Sometimes it pays to praise a man, but it is best to know your man before you ven- ture to praise him. Be sure it will do him more good than silence, or keep your mouth shut. In rare instances praise will serve to spur a man on to do still better. Far oftener it will cause him to think he is good enough already and that the other fellows should hustle to keep in his class. The fellow who manages or coaches a ball team must know this, and he must be ex- ceedingly careful with his praise. In the cage the sweating crowd of candi- dates accepted this criticism without a word, for it would not do to ‘‘talk back.’? When one was called down for something he did, if he was a good man, he shut his teeth and made an extra attempt to do it well the next time. If he was sulky and had a bad temper, he might tell himself he did not care a rap and then he would be careless and do worse the next time. were he would be quietly informed that it would be a waste of time for him to practice further, and that the room he ene in the cage was needed for others. Of course there were men, and plenty of _ them, who worked like slaves to improve yet failed to make the necessary progress, and who were dropped one after Sut het for that reason. But no man of this class, willing and - determined, was dropped till the coaches In that case, the chances’ were perfectly satisfied that there was no possible chance of making good material out of him. The turn-out this year had been most un- satisfactory, barely more than half the usual number of candidates coming to the cage each day. This happened despite all efforts to ‘gat out the usual large squad. It seemed very re- markable, but men came to attribute it to the absence of Merriwell, which, they said, accounted for the apathetic interest taken in baseball. There was at one time talk of making some move to choose a new captain for the team, to see if that would not bring about better results; but Merriwell had given no notice that he would not be on hand to fill the position, and the one who hinted openly of selecting some one to fill his place was soon hissed down But now Merriwell had arrived, and his — return showed immediately by the change that took place in the cage. He had made inquiries about the work, and, learned what men were practicing and who were not, he went around among those whom he regarded as Having a chance to make the nine. The following day a swarm of new men flocked into the cage and went to work with a vim that astonished and delighted the coaches. Joe Gamp, Hock Mason, Berlin Carson and Greg Carker were among the new men. Carson had given tip in despair, bavitte tried to make the team the year before and failed; but during the trip of Merriwell’s athletes through the West the previous sum- mer Frank had been given an opportunity to see what the rancher’s son could do at the — : gate, and he urged Berlin to come out and — make one more attempt to get onto the ’Varsity nine. ; Frank did not have so much sapdades in Greg Carker, the pessimist, for h@knew that Carker’s peculiar temperament was such that he could never be at his very best i in anything. _ Joe Gamp, fowevks: despite his awkward- < ness, was one of the best out-fielders Merry. had ever seen. This was rather astonishing, © having ie for Gamp was not regarded at college asa person having the least baseball material in him, and he had never tried for a place on the ’Varsity nine, But. Mertriwell had.seen him play center- field on the great athletic trip, and he knew Gamp could cover an ‘‘outer garden’? in splendid style, and could throw with almost - the marvelous power of the once famed Sockalexis, and was an unusually good hitter against pitchers who had not discovered his ‘fweak spot’’—high and. close to his shoul- ders. With Hock Mason it was different. Frank had seen Mason, who was from the South, catch some flies in field practice, which he had done very well; but outside of that Merry knew very little about the fellow ex- cept» that he was sturdy, well-built anda perfect bulldog at anything he set out to do. It was well enough fo get such a man into the cage and see if something could not be made of him, so Frank urged Mason to turn out and practice. Mason did so. A long time before this Mason had been one of the greatest bullies in college; but he found more than his match in Frank, and the result of the sound thrashing he received was. very beneficial. After that it was his belief that Merriwell must despise him, but when he was injured and lying in a hospital it was Merriwell who came every day to ask about him, it was Merriwell who first reached his side when a visitor was permitted to see him, and it was Merriwell who pressed: his hand and spoke encouraging words to him. When he left that hospital the student from South Carolina was cured completely of his bullying ways, and Frank Merriwell | had made a new and staunch friend. Still Mason was strangely proud, and he would not force himself on any one, for which reason it happened that he never be- came one of Merritvell’s recognized ‘‘flock.’’ Deep in his heart Mason had often longed to join the jolly band of Merriwell’s friends, but his haughty pride had held him back. Now, when Frank came and asked him to get out for practice in the cage, Hock was ready enough to do so, even though it seemed really preposterous that he could TOP WEEKLY. 13 ever make sufficient advancement to havea show to get onto the nine. Bertrand Defarge was among the men who had taken his regular amount of work in the cage day after day, and he was showing up pretty well, too. But Frank knew Defarge of old, and he was aware that such a fellow, though full of vigor, fire and intensity at times, could not always be relied upon, having a temper that conquered and swayed-him absolutely at times. Of course, Frank was on hand, and it was his presence in the cage that seemed to make the marvelous change in things, so that the men went at their work with a gingery earn- estness that quite surprised and wholly de- lighted the hitherto disgusted and disheart- ened coaches. And Frank had managed to keep himself in excellent form, so that he remained the admiration and marvel of the athletic-loving students. He began his pitching work easily, however, knowing the folly of start- ing off with too much vigor even though he was in perfect condition. ; Even Frank was not above taking advice from.the coachers, although it is probable that not one man among them knew more about baseball and the work of getting into trim for it than’did Merry himself. If any one watched the first day to see him: throw some samples of the ‘‘double- shoot’’ that person was disappointed, for he indulged in nothing of the kind. But he still had it at his command, as he very well knew, and his wrist was hard as iron. When the time came he would swiftly convince his doubting opponents that the ‘‘double-shoot’’ was not a fanciful invention of some romancer’s brain. ‘For among the hundreds of pitchers who had worked and tried and schemed to learn his secret, it was not probable that one had entirely succeeded, therefore they gave up in despair, and became scoffers, saying there was no such thing as the double-shoot.* *T have never learned of but one pitcher who succeeded in the slightest degree, by his own un- aided efforts, in acquiring this perplexirg and marvelous double curve. This one is a clever little athlete and baseball player, and he in- stand the least show of making the _my head alone. ’ 14 PE Se Among the candidates for pitching honors was Dade Morgan, and he worked persist- ently and faithfully On the the cage one > first day of Frank’ of the coaches asked watch Morgan’s work and thought of it. Merry did ments, and Dade flushed hotly when he saw this, though he kept at it without a break. When Frank had moved who was coaching Morgan said: S appeareance in: him to he so for a few mo- see what away the man ‘ise ato throw that drop with just the same motion you use in throwing your other curves. You give yourself dead away every time you start to throw a drop. The batter would know just what was coming.”’ Dade’s dark eyes flashed and drooped._ For one moment he betrayed anger, and then he smiled sweetly, saying: “‘P??ll do my level best.’’ : But Bertrand Defarge quickly found an opportunity to slip over to Morgan and sneer: see ees **So you got acall-down! I knew it would come the minute Merriwell saw what you were doing. He’s jealous, and you don’t nine. You may ‘How “Oh, I’m not a pitcher, and, there is no chance that I’ rob him of ‘any glory. In- deed, if I pan out well, I may add to his glory by helping him in games, so he’ll let Yours comes off before the You may as as well give up trying now.,”’ about you ?”’ Easter trip, see if it doesn’t. well quit now.’’ “TU never aur till I pave to!” returned tsiined me tent he nearly wore eRe arm ett in his ersistent and unceasing efforts to emulate Frank ferriwell. That he succeeded in a certain de- gree, those who have caught his pitchiug testify, for itis asserted that he can throw a ball that will start to curve ‘‘in,’? but quickly changes to an ‘fout-drop.’’ This, of course, is not an abso- ‘lute reversal of the curv e, but it is so nearly that that he may honestly claim the ability to throw ‘fa double shoot.’ But he has found this ball hard to govern, not always at his command, and something that no catcher fully understands and is prepared for, the result being that, though the batter cannot’ hit it, it cannot be used often on account of the great danger that the catcher will not handle it and there will be a ‘‘passed ball.” The name of this partially successful emulator of Frank Merriwell is Walter S. Wiley, and his ad- _ dress is amiga, Me. B. L. S: WEEKLY. Dade. ‘‘Get out and let me alone! I’m sick of your croaking!’’ ‘*Go to blazes!’’ hissed Defarge. find a way to make you sicker!’ . “‘T may CHAPTER: V. A DESPERATE ENEMY. A number of men were hard at work field- ing ground balls and throwing to first. Mason was one of this squad, and he was not making a great success-of it. The coaches yelled at him, but that did not seem to do him much good. Then Frank Merriwell, being a privileged character, walked down and talked to Mason in a quiet, soothing tone. ‘*Vou’re rattled, Mason,;’’ said Merry. ‘‘Just get rid of the idea that everybody is looking at you. They are not. The other busy taking care of their 2) men affairs. are +? owll “‘T reckon you made a mistake when you’ asked me to get out here, sah,’ said the Southerner, the perspiration standing out on his drawn and worried face. ‘‘I judge I ain’t put up right to be howled at like this by a lot of loud-mouthed duffers.’’ “Don’t be touchy, man. You can’t sue- ceed if you are. We’ve all had coaches yell at us in the same way.’’ "But it? s mighty galling to a man like me.’ é “Haven't a doubt of it, but you must set your jaws and lay right down to the work. Get your body in front of those bounding balls every time, even if they take your head off. Keep your heels together, and they may stop»balls when your hands fail. Jump into the track of anything that comes your way. If it’s a slow one, go ahead to meet it, for every second counts in trying to cut off a runner who is sprinting to first.”’ ‘All right. I’ try it again, sah, but im mighty afraid it isn’t in my line.’ After that Mason did better stopping the — ball that came his way, even though he did not pick them all up cleanly, but he made. his worst mistake in his hurry to throw to first. Seeing this, Frank fancied he had ‘given the fellow a wrong impression, and so worked round to Hock to set him straight. > t little time in _ force TIP such a fearful hurry to . ¥ OU throws by your hurry.’’ ~ ‘“‘But you told me a little while ago. that every moment counts in cutting off a man runuing to first.’’ ‘‘That’s true, but it’s far better to make a good “Don't he in throw,’’ he instructed. make poor to lose a taking’ care throw than it is to hustle for all you’re worth and lose the man entirely by a poor throw. Beside that, you do not throw right. 9” You never get into the right position. ‘“That being the case, sah, I reckon I bet- ter quit now.”’ ‘J. don’t think you’re a quitter, Mason. Let me tell you where you make your mis- take. In your haste to throw, the ball up with from the base you wish to throw to, but you if you pick your body leaning away you do not take time to right yourself, throw in that attitude. throw. your arm too far. Try a Never take a hop, skip You ‘can’t get any into the Besides, you swing shorter swing; throw from the ear. and. jump before throwing, as I saw you do a few monrents ago. Even though you seid the ball whizzing across, the diamond like a bullet, you have lost lots of-valuable time before you got it away from your hand, and that may mean the loss of the runner. Pull your hand back behind” your ear, lean for- ward a little as you and just as it take a single step. Try ” throw, leaves your’ hand that. Practice it all the time. Then Frank worked on to another had selected to advise. In this manner Mierraeit: coachers. In fact, his quiet coaching was far more efficacious than that of some of the coaches who considerable assisted the regular made noise. A regular system of batting practice was gone through, each man being directed how to stand properly, how to hold his bat and how to swing. Bunting and place hitting were practiced by the more skillful batters. Base running and sliding to bases was a part of the regular work. At this the older hands showed up well, but some of the new men were very awkward. It cattsed the coaches to howl when a runner was told to ‘slide, and he slammed himself prone on the D ) 1 ¥ - TOP WEEKLY. man he- 16 going through to China and howled ‘let him- ground as if slid about ten inches, but they equally as much at the one who‘ self down in sections,’’ his knees striking first. excellent show- ing. He hada good the ball when batting, and he could sprint to first like a Dade Morgan was making eye for deer. When it came to sliding, he slipped over the ground in an easy, graceful manner that was deserving of applause. Frank felt like givimg Morgan a word of praise, but remembering the past, and not knoWing just what the effect on Dade would be, he refrained from doing so. , 8 Dick Starbright, in the midst of the work, the giant freshman, was and he went at it with an energy that seemed almost savage. A change had come over him, and the good- that had habitual bad vanished before one of stern natured, pleasant iook seemed determination, Indeed, Dick was doing everything possi- ble to keep his mind from dwelling on a;cer- tain beautiful, dark-eyed girl whom he now lost to hifm. He studied hard, worked hard, played hard, and in this man- knew wads ner succeeded fairly well in his purpose. He had result of the trip to Fardale, but it had been exactly what he expected. And Frank’s talk with Hodge had seemed to transform Bart, who had been. fretful, list- less and ill-natured before, failing to take much interest in the cage-work or séeming to care whether Yale put a winning team on tlge held or not. Now Hodge went intosthe work with vim and earnestness, and he actually smiled oc- casionaily; which was so remarkable that it caused more than oneato comment upon it. read in Frank’s happy face the Defarge had seen Merriwell talking to Mason, and at the first opportunity the French youth spoke to the Southerner. “Did you get a calling down from the high muck-a-muck of this combination ?’’ sneeringly asked Bertrand. ‘What, do you sah?’’ demanded Hock. , “Why, I saw Merriwell shooting off his mouth at you, and I presume he was telling mean, | , 16 TLP COPY you just what sort of a slouch you are, which is a habit of his, the egotistical cad!’’ ‘*No, sah, he was not calling’ me down. He was giving me a few pointers, and I appreciate his kindness in doing so.’’ ‘Well, you’re just like all the others,’’ growled Defarge. ‘‘He can rub it all over you and you’ll think it’s nice, but ts d kick like a mule if anybody else tried it.’ ‘Tl may kick like a mule, sah, if you are not careful about your language’ in address- ing me, and I’ll guarantee that you’ll be within reach when I kick.’’ ‘Defarge showed his teeth. ‘Tf you ever kicked me I’d ka a hole in your skin and let some of your confounded upstart blood out!’’ he hissed. ‘‘And if you ever tried that trick,’’ re- torted Mason, not in the least: frightened, ‘‘I’d forget that I’ve sworn to never strike a man who did not weigh as much as myself, aud I’d give you the blamedest thrashing, sah, that you ever had in all your life!’ “*Pouf!”’ said Bertrand, as he wheeled away. ‘It really would do me. good to thump him,’’ muttered Mason, watching the fel- low’s retreating figure. “‘I think he’s about the only enemy of any account that Merri- ell has left in college.’’ Roland Packard did not occur to him just then. pretty quigt about Merry since the begin- ning of this term, realizing that popular sentiment was entirely against him. “The Chickering set was not regarded as worth considering. - Defarge could find little consolatiom in his attempts to deride and sneer at Merri- ‘well, and it began to seem to him that all the old enemies of Frank with blood in their bodies and courage to take a stand against © the idol of Yale had given over the Birugete as worse than useless. * Thus when the practice work was over and the men were preparing for the run into the suburbs, which always followed cage training, Bertrand sulked and growled and was disagreeable to every one. “T’d like to get a good chance to do up - Merriwell !”” he thought; but he remembered | how all his oem efforts had ened and | Besides, Roland had been keeping WEEKLY. brought disgrace upon himself in several instances, and even his hating -heatt quailed. As soon as the men were ready they left the gymuasium in a body and started at a brisk trot along one of the widest and most | ° comfortable streets of the old city. - The pace was not made too fast at first, and yet it was enough to keep them going sharply. : It was an interesting spectacle to see these sturdy-limbed youths start out ina body, their heads up, mouths closed, cheeks flushed and nostrils dilated. Surely a representative. ~ , lot of young Americans they were. Ss Frank ran lightly and easily, seeming to find it no effort at all to get over the ground & at the pace set. . Hodge was beside him, and Jack Ready had swung in with them. Ready still ran Ba .in his own peculiar fashion, toeing in with his left foot; a habit he had been unable to A .: break; try as’ he might. His cheeks were rosy and his eyes bright. : , ‘‘Ah-ha!’’ he exclaimed, as he. trotted along. ‘‘This isthe kind of stuff that makes ~ one feel fit to tackle the gods!» Yea, verily ! Why, just now I believe I could give old x Thor, — god of thunder, a rattling good e set-to.’ re “Vet,’”? said Frank, “‘we know any” va ainount of fellows in Yale who are literally 3 ee grinding their lives out, and not one of them a ‘has sense enough to take sufficient exercise 2 < to preserve their health.”’ ‘‘Which means that a few more fools will graduate near the head of their classes and © go out into the world with broken constitu- tions. What will they be good for?’’ “‘Tt’s all right for a man to graduate as near the head of his classas possible,’? Merry asserted, ‘‘in case he gives enough time to — { exercise to keep his health and strength; Be but when he wears his life away and soe a forth from college a physical wreck he has committed a crime. Not only that, but he will be punished for his crime, and there is” no way for him to escape that punishment.’ “‘And all the while he doesn’t dream ahead fun he’s missing,’’ laughed Jack, thumping his breast with his clenched hands. “Why, ee it’s great just to be living and feel this way! ct I oe aS ¥ : had a a flying machine.’ eee SIP POor ‘You have the necessary wheels in your head;’’ declared Merry. “But . youll never wings,’’ asserted Hodge. By the time they were well out into the suburbs it had begun to grow dark. They had passed Beaver Ponds, and were not far from West Rock, before the leader swung to the left by a country road and turned back toward the city. The men had strung out behind for a short distance. It was impossible to tell if develop a pair of all of them had held out and kept with the : squad. In fact, one of them had not. Defarge had slowly fallen behind until he was near the rear of the squad, and then, making an ex- cuse to tighten up his shoe, he knelt beside the road and let them go on without him. ‘I know the way they’ll come back,’’ he muttered. ‘‘ And I know where I can watch them without being seen. If Merriwell would just take a fancy to spurt or would get off by himself! Oh, yes! I’d make one more try to settle his hash!’’ Then he turned back, struck into a cross lane and ran swiftly through the gathering gloom, his heart filled with black thoughts and evil designs. % CHAPTER VI. BAFFLED. Defarge crouched behind some rocks and “bushes which: grew near the top of a high ridge of ground. Some distance below him, running parallel with the ridge, was the road along which he knew the baseball men must come on their way back to town. It was rather dark down there, but the crouch- ing youth could see the read when he lifted his head and peered down. Sy it his, hands Defarge had a large, jagged in his heart was a design so dark that — rock ; he dared not meditate upon it. Although it was cold, he felt prespization starting out upon his face, which he mopped _with his handkerchief. He told himself that he was justified doing aflything in his power to down Frank ‘Merriwell, for had not Merry once brought WEEKLY. a7 about his disgrace and nearly caused his expulsion from college? He did not pause to consider that it was through Frank’s generosity alone that he still remained at Vale. Had he reasoned calmly he must have known that any other man might have exposed him fully and com- pelled him to leave. But now’ he seemed to feel the sting of hard knuckles on his face, and again he reached for the handkerchief, which trembling fingers did not at once find in his his . pocket. Hark! They were coming! He heard the beat of running feet far along the frozer road. It was likely that Merriwell would be among the very first, for of old Frank had often led the squad on the return trip to the gym: The crouching lad quivered in every limb. ‘He disgraced me before them all!’’ he panted. ‘‘He made me the laughing stock of the college! No man can do that toa De farge and escape reprisal ! I’ve waited a long, time, but I’m going to fix him now!’’ He gripped the jagged rock with feverish intensity and peered along the darkening road. e The sound of running feet came nearer. ‘‘Hello, Merriwell!”’ . Some one of the runners was hailing Sa **Hello!’’ sounded still clearer in the unmistakable voice of the captain of the nine. ‘“Take the Blake road.”’ *‘ All right.”’ a ’ ‘*Merriwell is tend iipe as usual!’’ panted Defarge. ‘‘ Here he comes!’’ . 4 A dark figure was coming swiftly down the dusky road. With the stone in both hands, Defarge crouched and watched, every oe taut, every nerve quivering. ‘‘He’s some rods ahead of the next man,’’ thought the fellow with the stone. ‘‘He’s played right into my hands!’ s The figure was plainly’that of Merriwell. Defarge straightened a ese and lifted ene stone. . 7 In a moment the unconscious young oh coming up ane stopping. pened ?”’ 18 TIP athlete would be directly beneath the re- vengeful scoundrel on the ridge. ‘‘Now!’’ Defarge panted the word as he swung the stone over his head with both hands and hurled it with murderous aim straight at the head of Merriwell. There was a thud, and the young scoun- drel saw Frank. go and lay out- stretched upon the ground. “I’ve done it! I’ve done it!”’ With that awful thought filling his heart, the wretch crouched behind the bushes and along the ridge, passing down ran quickly back over it and disappearing. Hidden from view, he ran as swiftly as he could back course of the road down which the Pretty soon the ridge sunk piece of thin timber, through which he pressed till he came to the road itself. He halted amid some trees to let severa] men pass, and then he sprang out into the road and started along in the same direction as if he had been in the eee) all the time. ‘*Now let any one prove that I did it!}’ he laughed to himself. ‘I took nobody into my confidence,, and there is no proof against me. It’s a job wel! done.’’ As he approached the spot he * was not sur- prised to find the men ahead of him had stopped and were gathered in a group. along the baseball and he was ina ‘They'll take him in on a stretcher,’’ thought the villain. He came up, breathing heavily, as if he had been running all the while. ‘*What’s the matter???’ -he asked, approached. ‘‘Anybody hurt?’’ ‘‘Hello, Defarge,’”’ said one of the men. ‘*You’ve made good time to-day. You’re. usually a tail-ender.”’ ‘Anybody hurt?’’ persisted. Bertrand, ‘‘ What has hap- “Oh, nothing much; was. the answer. Merriwell got a nasty fall, that’s all.”’ ‘*That is mon all!’? declared a voice that. caused Defarge was that of Frank Merriwell hiniself. fall was nothing, but I’d like to know where eke this huge stone, came from, for I know it s heart to stand still, for it ve My yor men had come. as he- TOP WEEKLY. whizzed past my head just as I tripped and went down.’’ 3eneath his breath Defarge muttered an oath. ; CHAPTER: VII. BART AND HIS LANTERN. Frank ‘was absolutely unharmed, for, being in perfect condition, the shock of the fall over a large stone which lie ad not seen in the road affected him to uo percepti- ble extent. when a fan is in the best physi- cal condition, falls, that seem to jar and severely injure the untrained, are not Sometimes a man Indeed, ordinary noticed at all. niay, in. perfect condition, receive shocks and sustain falls which naturally would break the bones of the unprepared and still eseape without aly apparent harin. Thus it is that exercise, physical training and muscle building prepare those who fol- low faithfully the upbuilding of the body for all the hardships they may have to encounter itl ze: “The survival of the fittest” isa nature that has been in full sway since the dawn of* creation, and modern couditions | have simply saved to emphasize its un- yielding rigidness. A weakling might have been severely, even fatally, injured hy the fall that had not harmed Merriwell at all. die from the law of Sometimes men’ effects of shocks which trained athletes would have.” * withstood without great distress. Thousands of weak- backed, chested, scrawny-necked men wearing away their’ lives i in offices and stores and other places of business when, had they | known and respected the laws of health, they might be strong, and robust, and healthy. They will stand up to their tasks as long | -as the candle of life flickers and. flares’ in’ their wrecked bodies, but one by one they will lay\down and die long before there is any need of it, had they paid the slightest attention to the demands of nature. | The most of these men neglected in boy- hood and youth their opportunities to devel- op. themselves and build up strong and — healthy bodies to take them through life. Ye j we narrow-- are swiftly — (BE ek i 3 : } 4 ’ “Hello, TIP TOP They try to buy health of doctors and at the drug stores. Nature. provides health and strengtn for every One who is willing to work for it. We get few things in this life that we do + not work for, unless we happen to be so unfortunate as to fall heir to wealth. What is worth having is worth working for. Frank Merriwell had not been born strong aud healthy. His mother was an invalid, and he had inherited a weak body. But, fortunately, he had been given brains And he That was the best with which to think and reason. had used those brains! part of it. ‘ Having found that others had acquired health by exercise and by obeying the laws of nature, he had made a resolve to do the sane. He was stubborn, and, having made such a resolve, he kept at the work day after day, week after week, year after year. What a glorious reward was his! Froma weak boy ke had become a strong, supple, superb youth, a typical young American of the very highest class. All by his own efforts! Was not the reward sufficient for the effort ? It had not always been by charice, as on this occasion, that his enemies had failed to wreak upon hin) the injuries they sought to inflict. Had he been weak they must have suc- ceeded many tines. But one by one they had fallen before hiin, and he remained triumphant and unharmed. ‘“The fellow bears a charmed life, or the devil aids him!’ thought Bertrand Defarge. he can’t be harmed!’’ “It’s no use \ Once more he felt for his handkerchief to wipe from his face the beads of cold per- spiration that started forth; but the handker- chief was not in the pocket where he fancied heshad thrust ates s". ‘‘Where could the stone have coine from ?’’ Bert: Dashleigh was asking. ‘‘You don't suppose——”’ . Defarge!’’ exclaimed one of a little bunch of men that came up. ‘‘ How the dickens did you get ahead of us? We thought you behind: with the tail-enders.’’ ‘What's the matter here?’’ asked another, VEEKKLY. : 19 Frank. ‘‘And yet—— aud, to Bertrand’s relief, they all forward to learn what had happened. rh] [hat ‘saved pressed Defarge from answering unpleasant question and explaining how he came to be ahead of those men. 3ut. Bart Hodge had heard the question and had noted that no answer was given. When the men started on again, Bart was at Merry’sside. He soon found an opportun- ity to say, using a guarded tone: ‘‘Vou still have some enemies, Frank—or an enemy, at least.’’ ‘““Then you think——’’ ‘‘Of course! Somebody tried to knock your brains out with that stone.’’ “*T don’t like to think that, x,” »? declared ‘You can’t help it. Your enemies have been chirping inighty soft of late, but it was because they didn’t dare sing louder. They converted. Whefe is Morgan ?”’ $ are not all dead or ‘«Soimewhere on the road. You khow I have that fellow’s pledge.’’ ‘Which doesn’t amount to shucks!”’ ‘‘But his uncle is’ dead, and there is uo further reason why he should try to injure me,”’ ‘‘Don’t fool yourself! He’s ambitious and proud as the devil. He wants to pitch this and it is his way to long to be cock- He knows spring, of-the-walk at anything he tries. he can’t be that with you om the team.”’ ‘*But he could not have possibly done the trick; he did not throw that stone.’’ ‘‘T don’t say he did.’’ ““Then what——”’ ‘‘He is a fellow to,se accomplices.’’ Frank shook his head. “‘T know all about your hatred for Mor- gan,’’ he said, ‘‘and I confess the justness of it; but something tells me the fellow did not do this trick or know anything ahout it. In fact, even though he may not love me, I do not believe he will make any further attempts to harm me. While-Santenel lived he held Morgat under his hypnotic influence and made him do some very nasty things. But Sdntenel is dead.’’ “Well, Morgan still lives, and you’ll see that you will have your troubles just as long as he remains in college.’’ @ mae, 20 TIP TOP Frank knew how useless it was to try to reason Bart out of a conviction so firmly im- planted in his mind, and so he made no further effort. Along the hard road they sped, their lungs filled with clean, fresh air, their entire bodies tingling. with the intoxication of perfect health. Ahead of them gleamed the city’s lights. On either side lights shone from the win- dows of houses. = They strung out on Whalley avenue, for now they were permitted to speed up some as the end of the run drew near. At last they came to Elm street and the gym. There the men were given cold siniaiees and rubbed down .with rough towels till their bodies glowed like furnaces. When they left the gym they felt ‘‘like fighting cocks,’? for all of what they had done and gone through. And up in the dormitories were hundreds of men who were ‘‘grinding’’ unceasingly, their backs curved, their shoulders begin- ning to round, their entire bodies crying out for exercise and their overworked brains in desperate need of rest. At college such men should be compelled to take enough exercise to keep themselves healthy, at least. ‘Not until physical train- ing is a compulsory part of a college man’s education will there be a perfect educational institution in the world! There has been an idiotic outcry against college athletics. Of course, athletics may be carried to excess, and sometimes a stu- dent. is injured by such excesses; but where one is injured hundreds are built up, im- proved and given a lease of long and healthy lives. | Frank and Bart left the gym together. “Are you going to your room, Hodge?’’ asked Merry. ‘‘Not now,’’ was the diye: “Well, come up to mine. I’ve got to work hard to-night, but we can have a little chat of a few minutes before I get aes to grind- ing.’’ “ve got to go icinewlhiere else. you to-morrow, Merry. So long.’’ — Frank wondered as Bart swung away. He I'll see WEEKLY. would have wondered still more had he observed .where Hodge went and what he did. _ Direct to a certain store the dark-eyed lad proceeded, and there he purchased a lantern, which he had filled with oil and prepared for lighting. With this lantern he struck out at a brisk walk, avoiding the vicinity of the college buildings. More than an hour later ee was search- ing along the ridge of high land near where Merriwell had fallen on the road. The lighted Jantern aided him in his search behind the mass of evergreen bushes. He came to a place that interested him very much, for there was every indication that some one had been there ahead of him. Then he uttered a low cry of satisfaction and suddenly snatched something om the ground. It was a handkerchief! ee et ee CHAPTER VIII.» HODGE AND DEFARGE. Defarge had roomed alone ever since enter- ing college. He was SO exceedingly unpopu- lar that it would have been difficult for him to find a roommate had he desired one; but he declared that on no’condition would he share his aparments with another. His rooms were well furnished and com-' fortable, but he cared little about their ar- rangements or decorations, and about them there was not a single thing in the way of ornament that would suggest to a casual visitor that a Yale man slept and studied there. In other rooms were flags, badges, blue ribbons and a hundred other things gathered . by the students as tokens to remind them of something connected with their college life. When they visited home’ at .holidays they: took some of these things along to give © brothers or sisters, who treasured them oe pride. But it is probable that Defarge felt none of that love for Yale that seems to imbue almost every mat among the great throng of students. It is even possible, astéunding though it may seem to every other Yale s seatlitaiae aate etal tte 1 iste ie TIP man—that he would have been quite as well satisfied had it been his fortutie to attend Harvard or any other college. He had failed totally and entirely to imbibe the ‘‘ Yale spirit.’’ Personal conquest and advancement had been all the French youth seemed to care for, and his utter selfishness made him offensive to those who might have regarded him in a friendly spirit because of similar likes and dislikes. He had regarded himself as a wonderful fencer, and, indeed, his skill was most com- mendable. He found little difficulty in de- feating all comers until he encountered Mer- riwell, upon whom by sneers and insults he forced an engagenient. Merriwell, however, had studied fencing under a past master of the art, and he had one very clever and original thrust which Defarge could not parry or avoid. Again and again Frank dropped toward the floor till his weight rested on his feet and the fingers of his outstretched left hand, at the samme moment lunging straight and fair. Again and again Defarge tried to get away, but every time the button on his opponent’s foil reached him and counted.* Thus the French youth was easily defeated by the representative American, which filled him with unspeakable shame and chagrin. His defeat caused Defarge to lose his head entirely, and he took to drink without delay. That very night, while in a state of insane intoxication, he attempted to strike Frank in the back with an open knife. For- tunately, Frank saw him in a mirror and was able to turn and grapple with him. Then followed something that astonished all who witnessed it, for, looking straight into the eyes of the intoxicated youth, Frank caused him to quail and become as harmless as a lamb. In that moment Frank diaaogered that he possessed a strange power, and this power he had heen called upon to use many times afterward. Once, at least, it had saved his. ‘life. Once it saved the life of his father. But although Merriwell had declared that he a make a friend of Defarge, the pee ee Poe See Tre Tor WeEekty No. 186, “Prank Merri- | well’s Thrust; or, Taming a Dangerous Foe.” TOP WEEKLY. 21 French youth remained his bitter and un- yielding enemy. Fora time he had avoided Frank, but now Merriwell having been away from college a while, he ventured. to strike again. : Alone ‘in his room that evening, Bertrand cursed the luck that had permitted him to fail in accomplishing his terrible intention. And while he was cursing, the door opened to admit—— Bart Hodge! Defarge stared in astonishment. Never before had such an amazing thing occurred and he could not understand it now. He wondered if Hodge had by accident wandered into the wrong roon. But Bart deliberately closed the door be- hind him. There wasa key in the lock. This key Hodge turned, after which he removed it, and quietly put it into his pocket. ‘‘What the deuce are you doing ?’’ cried Defarge, who was now on his feet. Bart advanced, his eyes fixed on those of Bertrand. ‘ ‘*T’ve called to see you,’’ said Frank Mer- riwell’s bosom friend, in a peculiar tone of voice. ‘*You locked that door ?’’ “Yes.” “Why ??’ ‘So it would not blow open,’’ answered Hodge, in the same queer way. ‘‘Blow open! Why, there’s no danger of that! Are you crazy ?’’ **T don’t think so, but I’m mad.’’ There was a sort of grim, mitthless humor ' about Bart that made Defarge uneasy. ‘*You have no right to lock my door and put the key in your pocket!’’ snarled the French youth. ‘‘That may be’ true, but I’ve done it. I want to have a little talk with- you, and I do not propose to have'that tall terrupted, even os you may get noisy and yell for assistance.’ ‘There was a threat in this, and Defarge retreated behind the table that stood in the center of the room. “‘“What’s your game?’ he demanded. ‘‘Are you playing the SE o the house robber ?”’ TIP 22 ae ‘“Phank you; I-do not travel with class in society.’’ Still there was a look in Bart’s eyes that made Defarge think himself in danger. Usually, Hodge was excitable, but now he seemed strangely cool, which gave him an air of menace. Defarge glanced quickly round in search of some weapon with which to defend him- self. ‘*Sit down!’’ commanded Hodge. ‘‘It won’t do you a bit of good to raise a rumpus. ’’ “*Now, what in the name of the Oid Harry do you want?’’ panted Bertrand, be- ginning to get angry himself. your ‘‘T have a few questions to ask you.’’ ‘*Well, go ahead. I’ll answer them or not, as I like,”’ ‘*You’ll answer them before I leave this room! In the first place, how did you hap- ‘pen during the run after the cage practice to take the short cut through Beaver Pond Lane from Crescent street to Fitch street ?’’ the French youth had flushed, but now he suddenly became pale. ‘*T did nothing of the kind!’’ he declared. -**Vou are a liar!’’ said Hodge, without lifting his voice, still keeping his eyes fast- ened straight on those of _the lad across the table. Bertrand’s bosom heaved and his lips curled back from his teeth, which gleamed white and wolfish. , ‘Vou shall answer for the insult !’’ panted Defarge. - ** With pleasure,’’ was the grim retort. ‘‘I think you must know by this time\that I take special delight in thumping you.’’ “I'll not fight you that common way! You have not the skill of Merriwell, and ? you must meet me with rapiers! ‘“Hardlyg said Bart. than that.’’ . **You can’t avoid it!” “Oh, yes, I can!”’ ‘¢¥Vou shall not! I will force you into it!’’ ‘*And I shall insist on meeting you with the weapons provided for us by nature, otir . fists.’” ie v Do you ‘think I ‘could be satistied that _gleamed behind the back-drawn lips. **T know better WHERKLY. way for such an insult? No! You have come here to force a quarrel upon me! I see that!?’ ‘“*Nothing of the sort. I’ve come here to compel tell the truth, and, by Heaven! I’m going to make you do it!”’ ‘“‘You can never force me to anything! You-waut the fight, and you shall have it! I will let out some of your nasty American blood! I may kill you!’’ Then, with a panther-like leap, Defarge reached the wall against which hung a pair of crossed rapiers. Quick as a flash, he grasped them and tore them down, whirling them in his hands. Seizing the hilt of one, he flung the other with a clanging sound at Bart’s feet, shouting: ‘‘Take it and fight for your life, you American pig, for I swear Tl run you through without mercy if you don’t!”’ you to CHAPTER IX. THE FIGHT WITH RAPIERS. Batt Hodge was a fighter without a drop of cowardly blood in his well-developed body; but he had seen Defarge handle a rapier, and he knew he was not the equal of the wily French youth in that particular line. pistol with great skill; but he was not an expert fencer, and so would be at a disad- vantage in an encounter of this sort. : But it was useless to admit this to Defarge, whose eyes were glaring and whose teeth farge would laugh exultantly and come on. Indeed, he was making ready to attack even now. ; . “Pick up the weapon!’’ commanded the French youth. ‘ Do your best, for I’m ene to pink you—I swear I am |"? Bertrand’s heart was full of mad joy, for he believed his opportunity to obtain re-~ venge .on Hodge for past grievances nee) come, and he meant to make the most of it. Laughing savagely, he started to idtane © _ Hodge’s hand rested on the back of a chair, and he had not altered his position — when the other youth sprang to ae wall and tore down the rapiers. Now, without the least warning and with ts such ateengtl, and quickness as: only a. < He could handle his fists or shoot a, De- Sf Metz 3 er Y ? > ek mt aad “kal as TIP trained athlete could command,'he grasped the chair with both hands, swung it aloft and hurled it straight at dértecare bebe Defarge had no time to dodge, but he put up his arm to protect his face, and the chair sent him reeling against the wall. Hodge had followed the chair with two swift bounds, and he “was on the French youth instantly. He grasped Bertrand’s right wrist with one hand and his throat with the other, pinning the against the wall and holding him there. “You devil’s whelp!’’ grated ‘““You would not hesitate at murder! guarantee that you land in prison yet!’’ fellow Hodge. 1711 Defarge had been shocked by the impact of the chair, and for a few seconds he seemed quite helpless and unresisting. Then he suddenly gathered himself and tried to hurl Bart off. Hodge kept his hold, attempting to twist the fellow’s wrist and thus force him to drop the rapier. But Bertrand’s hold was not broken thus easily, and with his left hand he tore Bart’s fingers from his throat. ““Dog!’? he huskily chair at me, will you! fix you!’’ Then the struggle for the possession of Ke rapier began, Defarge doing his best to cast Bart away long enough to lift and thrust. gasped. ‘‘T‘hrow a Now I am going to “with the weapon. ms Bart knew it was a fight for his very life, as the French youth was wrought to a pitch of rage that robbed him entirely of his _ reason. 7 ‘There was a terrible glare in Bertrand’s eyes, his teeth were set anda white froth began to forn on his parted lips. With all his strength he strove to twist away from Bart’s grip, but, Hodge held fast. ~“Steady!"? Bart growled. ‘“‘You can’t do it!’ — “Twill! I will!’ panited Detaige: ei “kill you!” “You may find that. I’m quite as hard to Frank Merriwell.’’ “What do you mean ?’’ “*You know what I mean!”’ oe? “Vou lie! You came here to insult me - TOP WEEKLY. 23 and make lying charges against me! You shall pay for it!’’ Again Defarge gave a mighty twist and tried to fling Hodge off. They reeled against a chair, which was overturned. Then Bart’s feet struck against the chair and he fell backward to the floor, his grip on Defarge’s wrist being broken as he went down. Down upon Hodge came his antagonist, but he tore himself away from the fingers that tried to clutch and hold him. Witha quick spring, Bertrand rose to his feet and stood over Hodge with the rapier uplifted. “Now!” he hissed, with a savage laugh— ‘now you get it for fair!’’ Then he lunged as if meaning.to pin Hodge to the floor. With a squirming movement to one side, Bart barely avoided being run through by the blade. “‘A miss is as good as a mile!’’ he thought, and, at the same time he again cast the chair at Defarge. Bertrand’s legs were struck br the chair and he was confused and disconcerted for a moment. That moment was enough to give Bart time to spring up. ‘And, as he rose, Hodge had the other ‘rapier gripped in his hand. At last, he realized that there was no way to avoid such an encounter, and so he hurled himself into it with the furious energy of a creature at bay. Clash! clash! rang out the sects blades. Probably no stranger encounter ever” oc- curred at Yale than this night battle between two students arined with deadly rapiers. The expressions on their faces told that the struggle was of the most serious nature. This was no mere fencing bout for sport. On one side,’at least, it was a duel with the most deadly import. But Defarge had been astounded by the escape of Hodge from that thrust. The crack of the chair‘against his knees had confused him. And then he was dazed when Bart leaped up like a supple panther, gripping the rapier,.and attacked ae with the gleam- ing blade. The fierceness of Bart’s assault was some- thing impossible to withstand long. Die Eee VOY Clash—clang ! Sparks flew from the meeting’ weapons, which gleamed and flashed and hissed through the air. The look om the face of Bart Hodge was one of such furious ‘determination that the French youth involuntarily gave way before him. = ‘You would have it, you devil’s whelp!’’ came through Bart’s teeth. ‘‘Stand up and fight! You forced it on me, now make good —or take the consequences!’’ Clash—clatter! With a twisting stroke, Bart had torn the weapon from the hand of his adversary and sent it spinning into a far corner, where it fell rattling to the floor. The next instant, with his left hand, Frank Merriwell’s friend and champion seized the unarmed youth by the throat and hurled him backward upon the table that stood in the middle of the room. As Defarge lay there helpless and terri- fied, Bart stood over him, his gleaming rapier raised as if to make the final and fatal thrust of this most remarkable encounter. The helpless youth turned chalky white with fear. ‘*Don’t strike!’ he gasped. ‘*Why not?’’ demanded the other, quiver- : ing with the excitement of the encounter, **You’ll kill me!’’ ; ‘‘Just as. you tried to kill me when I lay” on the floor helpless: and unarmed, you - cowardly sneak!’ ‘“» *““Why do you hate him ?’’ ‘Because he was once friendly ionaee me, but now seems to Be ready to become your ~ friend,”’ ‘Would you like to do him an injury?” “*es.”’ ‘‘Has he any influence.over you?’’ aS Noe tires ‘Not the slightést ?”’ ‘Not the slightest.”’ © “Then he cannot ‘compel you to do any: : thing he commands?’’ CIINO.** XN *. “He did not ae you to catisent eutte ote beside the road one night when the “squad — took a run into the suburbs and throw a . stone at mie??? <6 No. ”” ‘ p “You did that of your own accord? gir Ea did. id: TIP TOP Frank took the confession from his pocket and held it before Bertrand’s eyes. ‘“Then this confession is false?’’ Every word of it.’’’ ‘“Phat’s all,’’ said Frank, quietly, as he tore the paper into shreds. ‘‘I have nothing further to ask you. But now, while you are in this condition, I want to force upon you the knowledge that you cannot harm me if you try. More than that, I want you to know that you can never try to harm me again. I hold absolute power over you, and you will never again lift a hand todo me an injury. Defarge bowed slightly. ~ Merry rosé and passed his hand before Bertrand’s eyes “Wake up!’ he said, sharply. ished with you!”’ The French youth gave a strange start, rubbed his eres stared at Frank and Bart and mumbled: ‘Why, what—what—where——’ Merriwell and Hodge were retreating. Bart turned the key in the lock. ‘“Good-night,’’ said Merriwell, as ‘door closed behind them. ce ‘*T’ve fin- ) the WEHEKLY. 29 ‘“Well, I'll be hanged!’ muttered Hodge, when they were outside Dade Morgan went South with the ball team on its Haster trip, and Bart Hodge made no further objection. THE The next number Merriwell Deceived; or, Charlottesville.”’ END. contain ‘‘ Frank Jimmy Lee, of will ————_——_—_-@ + +@+> +~@— ATH ST ISsU ES. 261—F rank Merriwell’s Bosom Friend; or, Making Up the Yale Ning 260—Frank Merriwell’s Sweetheart; ‘or, The. Girl to ty ODOSE da. Trust; 6T, The Whom He 259—Frank Merriwell's Black Stick. - 43 Mystery of the 258—Frank Merriwell’s Suspicion; or, The Girl from Maine. 27—Frank Merriweéll's Hand; or,-Saved from the Snare. 26—Frank Merriwell’s Mysterious Movye;or, Thirteen Pieces of Silve r, 255—F rank well’s Scheme; or, ception of Dr. Cloud. 254—Frank Merriwell’s Club; or Baltimore: The Daring De- Mer ri Indoor Baseball in 253--F'rank . Merriwell’'s . Skill;. or, . Liz, -the — Girl Wrecker. 252—Frank Merriwell’s Life Struggle; or, The Bluff That Did Not Work. 251—F rank -Merriwell's Party; or, The Crulse of the Petrel. SE4684 SS 64444466446 - 7 RENEWAL OF THE Hb LLAAADAALSOALL OSHA ; -«* TIP _TOP LEAGU€ MEMBER’S BADGE. ¢ Halt Price @ “ip Top readers, the publishers, after carefully considering a 3 number of designs for e badge of membership in the TIP TOP gs LEAGUE, finally adopted one which is an artistic gem of ex- @ cellence. Thé picture shows the design, but it does uot give , you an adequate idea of the exquisite beauty of this elegant e ornament, It is solidly and substantially made, finished in % gilt und beautifully embossed. The widespread desire for this @) badge was so great that they were disposed of ina very short “@) time, and we only recently secured a new lot. We stil offer it at the very low figure of TWENTY CENTS (‘Tren Cents in Cash or Stamps and ‘Ten Cents in Coupons.) » AN EXACT PICTURE ~ THE LEAGUE BADGE avin 5 FOR MEMBERS ONLY to Our e Some time ago, in response to the urgent request of a host of # coiesagiadl PIRIEISVIRIVIIIR IGS ITSIIOIIIIIOIITT® FT IPOTIFOSSTTITSSIFTITSTIIITTGS Readers Oni». . Each coupon is worth five cents when accompanied by five ¢ cents In stamps or coin. TWO COUPONS AND TEN CENTS ¢a SECURE YOU THE BADGE, Youcanget as many badges (> as you desire at the same rate by use of the extra coupons. OB Badges without coupons will cost fifty cents each. The coupons are free to Trp Tor 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 THE LEAGUE; AND EN- eo TITLED TO WEAR THE EMBLEM OF THE ORDER—and @& our word for it, you will be more than pleased after you re- ~@ ceive it. °& TIP TOP LEAGUE} — MENMBER’S COUPON (e- This Coupon and FIVE CENTS ° will be accepted for ten cents towards the purchase of the League Badge. STREET & SMITH. TIP TOP LEAGUE MEMBER’S COUPON * This Coupon and FIVE CENTS will be accepted for ten cents towards the purehase of the League Badge. ° STREET & SMITH. bt To secure the promptest attention, the subject to TIP TOP LEAGUE, STREET & SMITH, 238 William St., N.Y. address all letters on SFSSSSOTTSSTTSITTSSSETTRITTS s 30 Tip TOPWEEKLY. TIP TOP AN IDEAL PUBLICATION FOR THF AMERICAN YouTH ” NEW YORK, APRIL 13, 1901, Terms to Tip Top Weekly Mail Subscribers. (POSTAGK FREK,) Single Copies or Back Numbers, 5c. Each.» Po imontia - - - + + - 65c. | One yeur .- *« - 2 < ©« = @niouths - - - - « = + $5e,;2 copiesone yenr - - = - 4,00 6 mouths - - + - + + ~ $1,256] 1 copy two years -« « - = 4.09 110W TO SEND MONKY.—By post-office or express money order, registered letter, bunk check or draft, at our risk. At yourown risk if sent by currency, coin, or postage stamps in ordinary letter. Kreuiprs.,— Receipt of your remittance is deknowledged by proper change of nwrberon your label... Ifiuotcorrect you have not been properly credited, «ud shomld let us isow at once. STREET & SMITH’S TIP TOP WEEKLY, 238 William St., New York City. '« APPLAUSE. Having read the Tip Top Weekly from No. 1 up to date, Ideem it about time to express my thoughts, Your publication is certainly above criticism. It has helped me pass many a pleasant hour, and, besides affording me pleasure, ‘has taught me quite a few lessons. The characters in your stories are very good, and the way their nature is shown up is still *@hetter. Mr. Standish is an excellent writer, and his words have afforded the readers of the Tip Top Weekly many a pleasant. hour, especially to Uncle Sam’s boys in the far-off Philippine Islands. There are two companies of our regiment here, and every man reads your valuable weekly, the Tip Top, and I can assure you that we pass away many a pleasant hour in this God-forsaken country. I would like to hear from some of the admirers of Frank Merriwell, and if they write to me I will answer all letters. So, hoping that I will see this in print soon, and with kind regards to Frank and his friends, Mr. Standish and the publishers, JACKSON BLACK, Company L, Second United States Infantry, Manila, Philippine Islands, via San Francisco, Cal. $2.50 It gives us great pleasure to receive letters from our readers so far away, and we are well repaid for all labor involved if the Tip Tops afford you and your companions such pleasant hours. Let. us hear from you again. bey aioe ver since your first publication ofthe Tip, Top Weekly was issued, I have been an ardent reader, I ought to be ashamed for not having expressed my opinion sooner, because I think it is the best of its kind in the United States. Frank Merriwell is truly an ideal American youth. As to the Inza and Elsie question, though fermerly a friend.of Elsie, J have now forsaken her and become an Inzaite. Still, I hope that neither the friends of Inza or ofi Elsie will be disappointed in the end. As to Frank’s boy friends, I like Hodge and Ready, though they are very dif- ferent in character. Wishing a long life to rank, and his friends; and also to Mr. Burt L. Standish and the publishers, — R. SMITH, St. Paul; Minn. f ‘ You seem to have a keen insight into human na- ture that may serve you well in aftér life. You will know by this that Frank has‘at last made known his choice. Perhaps something led you to believe that it would be Inza, but now that that great day has come, let us one and all take off.our hats and cheer for Frank and Inza, sweet Elsie and Bart, and all our other friends in Tip Top whose careers are, after all, just beginning, and whom, we shall see for a long time yet to come: : ae ——— / As it is some time sin¢e you have heard from the “Pride of Fitchburg,’ the Patch Patrol, we thought we would again express our admiration for Mr. Standish and the Tip Top. The paper certainly im- proves with age. Since our last letter to the Ap- plause Column we have made good our boast that the Patch Patrol ts the coming club on the ath- jetic field. We won the city. league pennant in baseball last years and at football we defeated the RC ¥. H. & and CG A. C, teams. In basket- 4 pall we have defeated: the two. crack teams of this ax ee “ ay Ss j % _ P WEEKLY. City. the.¥ bas 7€. LHO-Y 5 REG; our contests were very warm, especially our basket- ball games with the YY. M. C. L. team; but. our Frank came to the fore ahd pulled us through. We would have sent you the words and music of our song which was composed by one of our menibers, but our financial secretary, who is a very modest and retiring young man, did not like the idea of so much notoriety. So, out of consideration for his feelings we dropped the subject. We have had some arguments on the Elsie-Inza question. We find lots of amusement in reading what others about whom Frank should marry; but the majority of our fellows think that it is not our business to run. others’ love affairs... Personally, there is not a mem- ber of the Patch Patrol who would let any oné“dic- tate to him whom he should marry We .. think Frank is fully able to judge for himself. We cannot understand why others should attempt to decide such a question for a young man who is so. sensible as Frank. We have one of the finest gyms in the State; our membership reaches 104; our rooms are located at the corner of Water and Third’ streets. We gave a show a short time ago. It was the ‘‘Tip Top Minstreis,’’ and was a success in every way. Our old friend Batty made quite a hit with his funny sayings, songs, ete. Our favorite Nose gave-a fine ex- hibition of buck and wing dancing and club swinging. Our. old friend Bink bought three Havanas one day last week, in ‘the vain attempt to give up his filthy cigarette habit; but, alas! poor boy, they were too heavy. .We are looking forward to a certain quiet wedding in a nearby town, in which Bink will take a prominent part. The Patch Patrol Send regards to Burt L., and wish him long life and prosperity. By order Com, R. O'DELL, Secretary, Fitchburg, Mass. ana A, Some. of say Your records are certainly fine, and you seem to have an invincible.team. We think you could even give Frank’s team a close game. Three cheers for “the “Patch Patrol!” Not seeing any applause from Erie, Pa., I would like to inform, you that the Erie boys can appreciate a good book as well as any one else. I and my friend, Joseph Kiein, have read most of the Tip Tops and we are hearty Merriwell supporters. We think Bart is second to Merry. Good luck to Frank and his friends. EDDIE HAYES, Erie, Pa. Thank you. Ww The Tip Top Weekly is the best weekly ever pub- lished. On the back is printed, ‘‘An Ideal Publica- tion for the American Youth.” That is a mistake, for it is the bést weekly ever published in thé Old World or the New, for men, women, children, old — maids and bachelors; for the bachelorg who have read the Tip Top from number one to the present date, have followed Merry, as a bachelor trying to decide who to marry, fora few years. The. only reason that Merry is not a bachelor is, that he is too young. I like Bart Hodge better than any of the character of the “King of Weeklies.’% He owes what he is to Frank, and for that reason some of the readers say he is no good. If Hodge were to be taken out of the greatest of weeklies, I swear J would never read another of them. Long life to the Tip Top, Mr. Standish, Street & Smith, Bart Hodge and Inza Burrage. I remain yours, the truest ad- mirer of Bart Hodge that ever lived. WM. JOHNSON, Charleston, W. Va. ) Such championship of Bart is very see his many good Thank you. pleasing and we are glad you points. —_—-— Having read the Tip Top Weekly for some time and seeing no news from Clarendon, I thought J woul write. I have never read any more interest- ing paper; it is my favorite among the weeklies. . I am glad Inza has at last won Frank, and hope to hear of their being very happy. With best wishes to Mr. Standish and Street& Smith, J, will close, F CRG desey : a North Clarendon, Pa. Thank you. ae 4 Ta ee x - , we As we have been reading Tip Top Weekly from the first number to the present one, and formed a club | known as’ the “Frank Merriwell Reading Cirele,”’ we thought we would write to the Applause Column of Tip Top Weekly to let them know how much Frank is thought of down here in the Gulf City and. balmy South.: We‘think, as a great many. others do, that Frank is an ideal character, and Tip Top Week-. ‘lv is one of the best weekly publications for the American youth. We thing that if Mr. Standish , 7 eae COP should writ pl on Fran characters and thrilling adventures. that books, and tour the United States with it, boy in Uncle Sams dominion who has of Frank Merriwell would. patroni disappoin ted on not seeing Frank vi he was in-St. Augustine about hope he will visit us when he is Le Giving three cheers for Frank, Bart, Ready, Brown- ing and last, but not least, “Old Bli,”’ we re niniey, re- spectfully, SID o na 5 : DERSON : ALLIB eYREETI , Mobile, ‘Ala. some and have Our re gards to the trio and many pleasant tter. If Frank sh thanks for your uid go South again, we le hope he may find time to visit your town, as we Know what a rousing time you would give him. Permit me to ¢ake up a little of your time and space, which I hope may be granted. I have, read nearly all of your famous papers and.I- hope t6 con- tinue to do so. I have spent many pleasant hours, caused by the wit and truth in your work. I hope Bart will win Elsie. I think she and Bart are suited to each other. Accept this little stanza, which I send to show my admiration for your weekly. THE TIP TOP WEEKLY. It welcomes me on Friday With a greeting bright and Tt is useful and adorning, Without it I ne’er could do. It's a friend I may depend on, And always will have, I wish; Peer of its class, its author, {s the weekly written by Standish. evening true; Hoping to see this in print soon, CAROLINE C. New Bedford, FRASIER, Mass. Thank you. We thought we would write to you about your excellent publication. We like the baseball and foot- ball series the best, as we play both. We both are very ardent admirers of Hodge'and hope he will marry Grace Vernon. We like Jack, Harry, Bruce, Bink and Danny and Ephraim and Dick Starbright. We thing Dick is a fine fellow. We hope Frank will come to California. Success to Street & Smith and Burt L. Standish. ro A\RTIN F. DONOHUE THARLES R. TURNER, pasaten. Marin Co., Cak Thank you. Having read nearly all of the Frank Merriwell series; I find it a very great pleasure to let how much [ enjoy reading them. The Weekly is certainly “Tip Top,’’ and: far anything I ever read. Mr. Standish is a ahead of splendid author and he knows how to please his readers. think that Frank has chosen for favored Inza, because she was Frank’s oldest and first-love. Elsie will make a fine wife for Bart, and Rosalind Thornton for Starbright. Wishing Mr. Standish a long and. prosperous life, I remain an ardent admirer of his wonderful works. Success to Street & Smith. TI. B. HIGGINS, Brockton, Mass. the best. I always Thank you for your pleasant letter. Having been a constant reader of the Tip Top Weekly, and not having seen any applause from this section, I take the liberty of writing to inform you that the. Tip Top Weekly is, in my estimation, the foremost publication of its nature in the United States. I might say that in regard to the Inza-Elsie question that I do not agree with the Blsie ad- mirers, as | was from the first an Inza admirer, and no other young lady whom Mr. Standish has intro- dueed (since the publication of the first weekly) has ever held a place in my mind equa! to Inza’s. I do not understand why so many,;readers are so much taken up with Elsie. It is true, I will confess, that she is pictured as being a handsome girl and very loving. But has not Inza been pictured to us in the samé light? I would like to ask ofthe Elsie admir- ers, who read the first ten issues,’as they were re- eeived from the press, each week, if they ever at that time thought Inza not the girl for Pre unk. Did not Frank encourage Inza, in a way, while attending school at Fardale, and does she not love him as much now as then? It was from the first publica- tion that I became an Inza admirer, and I am. glad ‘to say that I continue to be so to this day, and at this time of writing think that nothing can change accomplished my mind toward this young lady -good examples! WEEKLY. 31 (Inza). I have heard not a few re: Top in this city state thrown for Elsie ing your most Mr. Standish torily. | iders of the Tip that should Inza be , that they would discontinue up-to-date weekly, but I am has brought everything out satisf: will remain by the Tip Top until f am sure I have made a i in supporting Inza, after which I fear it all its charm and enjoy- ment to me. ] hope frank is in some respects like the people of the West in reg: to duties to part- id not like people whom I have noticed signed their names as belonging to Hastern towns, stating that they were once Inza admirers but have changed to Blsie. As ba my knowledge, Inza has done nothing to warraz changes, some these and people changing, as some hav re done, are wanted, as far as I am concerned, to enlist th sympathies to the support of Inza, as people of i character appear to me to be ready to turn the way of the tide at any moment. AN ADMIRER OF INZA, Butte, Mont. favorite -is the Good luck to her Your seen. winner, as you have alréady and three cheers for Frank. Not seeing any letters from this part of the tinent, I though that I would write and tell you how we are reading and how eagerly we await the com- ing of the Tip Top Weekly. This weekly paper has about fifty readers in our town and about thirty who have read the book from No. 1 to date and who will continue .to, read them as long as they are pub- con- lished: In fact, they cannot say enough good of the book and all wish that they Gould go and see Yale description of football good and are pronounced so players. A few things I would like 3art Hodge and Elsie Bellwood to for themselves. Your matches are especially by old football to see are for become engaged, for yak Diamond. and Bruce Browning to meet their eat also for Jack Ready to become engaged to Lou -D: uinty. Of engagements could not pa riers ali at once, but I would like to see some one make the start within the next few numbers of the Tip Top. RUS. G. BAILEY, Portage, La Prairie. course, these You evidently believe in the saying ‘‘In the Spring, a young man’s fancy lightly turns to thoughts of love,’’ as you desire such wholesale engagements to take place and all at once, too. Now that Frank has started the ball rolling, we may hope to see some of your wishes fulfilled. We are tively, sixteen and eighteen years old, respec- and we go to Randolph-Macon College. We have been reading your admirable and attractive weekly for a long time, and have become very much organized a. club, Merry Club.’ The the spirit of Frank attached to it. We have just whic h goes. by the name of ‘“The object of this club is to introduce Merriwe Ll among our college chums. We think that Frank Merriwell is an ideal to which every Ameri- can boy should aspire. ‘‘The Merry Club’ at present only numbers six, but the prospects are very prom- ising.. We hope that Merry and Bart will not fall out over Elsie, for they have been such true blue friends in the past. The object of this letter is to show our high appreciation for your excellent publication, and. we hope that your. success in the future will be equal to that of the past. Three cheers for the Tip Top Weekly, The best that’s in the world, Three more cheers for Frank -And Inaa, his best girl. Merriwell, * Now let us give three more cheers For the great and noble Bart, The true friend of Frank Merriwell, And the man with a true heart. J. Q’REILY, ‘ B. S. MOORE, ; Ashland, Va. Such unstinted praise and admiration are more than gratifying to us, and we appreciate your good While we of course strive to keep. Tip Top progressivé and at the highest notch of excellence, still praise of our efforts is always welcome. We wish the “‘Merry Club” great success, wishes Wery muc h indeed. Five years ago, in round numbers, I commenced reading your paper-ythe Tip Top—and have now come to offer.my mite to the Applause, which be it ever so earnest, heartfelt or vociferous, cannot do justice to the weekly or its author, I am twenty years old and about the size of Dick Starbright. How can any one read these stories and not feel encour- aged by their themes and drivén to imitate their How can any one help approving, 82 7 TIP TOP nay, enthusiastically so, of these brilliant, dashy stories. Mr. Standish I consider one of the finest writers of the. present day, not excepting Richard Harding Davis and Irving Bacheller. He treats his subject with the delicate care and skill of an accom- plished artist, and I want to thank him right here, not only for many pleasant hours of reading, but many subjects of inspiring examples and many themes for thought; some sober, reflective, resolute; some impulsive, fiery; some lofty and even sublime, It is a splendid stroke of generalship and Mr. Standish deserves all the applause showered upon his productions. I. could write all night upon this won- derful subject, but I must beg pardon for making my note of praise as long as it is. In conclusion, I wish once more to thank Mr. Standish for his vigor- infusing tales, and wishing him a long and happy life and another to Frank Merriwell and Inza, BE. W: HODGSON, Brooklyn, N. Your letter is very pleasing and gratifying to us. It does honor to Mr. Standish to class*him with such a pee of famous writers. He appreciates it very muc As I have been a constant reader of your most poptlar weekly I inclose you a few short verses, » which [ think will’show my views in regard to the Inza-Elsie question. It was by the hand of fate That he leaned upon the gate And gently stole a kiss From a dark-eyed, pretty miss. Sinee then a maiden fair, With locks.of waving hair, Has entered in the strife To be his future wife. Although she has the courage, She’s not’ like Inza Burrage, Who never seems to fear For the boy she loves so dear. s A TRUE INZA ADMIRER Your verses are very good and will please all the Tip Top readers we are sure. We are a committee appointed by the Indianapolis Merriwell Club to let you know what we think of the Tip Top Weekly. We believe that Frank Mer- riwell is a model for the young men of America, and we all try to follow in his footsteps. As a club we wish to express regret for the letter which Alfred Shafer,, one of our members, wrote lately, and in which he unmercifully roasted Inza. For doing this he was publicly expelled from the club, and after the meeting was taken to the gym., -where one of our members attempted to give him the thrashing he deserved, but the instructor stopped the fight after ten rounds. WILLARD BOYLE : JAMES MCPHEETERS, CLAUDE MASON, Indianapolis, Ind. Of course such harsh treatment was carrying mat- ters to the extreme. Neither Elsie nor Inza would look with favor upon such belligerent adherents. It is always well to remember in any controversy what- ever, that one man is as entitled to his opinion in this’ free country as another. While we admire your loyalty, we must refer you to the way our model Merriwell would act under similar circum- stances, and ask you, like thousands of others, to follow his example in all things. : - I would like to write a few words in praise of the Tip Top Weekly. My idea in regard to the Elsie and tied question is that Inza is the girl for Frank, and Elsie for Bart. The reason I'd like to ‘see Bart get Elsie is in No. 249, “Frank Merriwell’s Search; or, Elsie’s Narrow Escape, ” where Bart tells. his secret to Elsie and says he will perish in the flames with her. It makes me feel bad the way poor Hodge is troubled at the end. I hope Hodge will win her, but I will leave it to Mr. Standish. {f send my best re- _ gards to Mr. Standish and Street & Smith and a long -guecess to the Tip Top Weekly. E..8.; s St. Paul, Minn. Thank you. This is the first time I have ever written to the Applause Column, although I have been reading it for a long time. I think Inza the girl for Frank and am delighted he will marry her when the time comes. Inza_ better. town, and I hope towsee this in print. | Bruce ano Ready are HY favorites, Perhaps T like Elsie is a fine lady, I will admit, but I like~ I have never seen a letter from this . - company. Starbright, © WEEKLY. Ready because the boys call .me Ready. I saw a letter in the Applause Column saying Inza was a brave girl. The writer knew what he was saying, as Inza is a very brave, fearless girl. I remain a faith- ful reader. RBADY, Trinidad, Colo. Your wishes have come true, aS you perceive, as Inza and Frank are at last engaged. We wish them both great happiness, as do ali the readers, undoubt- edly. 1 thought {£ would take the responsibility on my- self to express my sentiments on your popular week- ly. I am,an ardent admirer of Frank Merriwell and -his college chums, and have Been reading it’ for several years. Several of.us here have organized a’* “Tin Top Club.’ We wish Frank and his friends would take a tour through. Virginia. If they do, we- hope thay will stop in Winchester. I would like very much to’see him and his friends. I[-look for Tip Top as regularly as I do my meals, and couldn’t do without it. Hoping you won’t think this note an intrusion’ on our part, Collins and Calvert, followers of Frank Merriwell. Weaver? Va. Three cheers for the ‘“‘Tip Top Club.’ May you have every success with it and we-~hope its numbers increase largely. Our Tip Top club is nearly a year old this month. Our book-store man, Mr, Richardson, says that he gets more Tip Top Weeklies from the Detroit News Company than any newsdealer outside of Detroit. We look for the paper regularly. We still have the same officers in our. club. Miss Gertie Miller, president; Fred. MacKenzie, secretary; Chas. Rose, treasurer; Ray Green, orator. Hoping success for 1901, with best wishes, the Bay City Tip Top Club, MISS GERTIE MILLER, Pres., : Bay City, Mich. Thank you. Not having seen any letters from Addison in the Applause Column, I thought I would write and ex- press my opinion of the Tip Top.. I think it is the most fascinating, interesting and instructive book of the kind published, As to the Inza-Elsie contro- versy, I am glad sweet, passionate, little Inza won Frank as she did. OCAHONTAS, Addison, Conn. Thank Vou. ; > Correspondence. W. A. Lederer, New York.—No premiums on either ~ coin. Robt..A. Wilson, East Main street, Frostburg, ae —No premium. Ed. Schaub, St. Paul, badges still to be had : Ss. D. F., Boston, Mass.—There is i premium of ten cents on coin mentioned. E. W. Smith, Boston, ‘Mass. ee McC lure’s Syndicate, Fifth avenue, New York Cit -Barrios, New Haven, Conn. aaeess eae near 22d street, New York City. E. Hildreth, Waterford, N. Y.—Be patient, wear ieaeens and in time you may correct your fault. Ses hs 5 Gry AEST, firm and you will. undoubtedly receive a reply, as there is such a firm and magazine at that address. C. Wi P:, Astoria, Il.—Address United States Land Office, ' Washington, D. C., stating the information you desire, and you will be replied to satisfactorily. PS ote aes BS 1847 or the half- dollar of 1857, but if the dollar of 1804 is , fillet peas, reverse large eagle, premium of $500. 4 ““Query Box,” “Uniontown, Pa.—(1) Address ‘J. W. Scott Co., 40 John street, New York Cc ity. (2) At the Minn.—Yes, there are some Frederic, same address, and about 25 cents. (3) Git: At 3a" Confederate States halt- dollar of that date it has a premium of $100. Tip Topper, et erhoro: N. C.—(1) Yes, ‘put it all. depends on the. article; better send it along and then one can quote prices according to its merits, ete. (2) Yes. (8) Yes, and when one secures a good position, it .fs very lucrative. © : J. W. M., Dallas, Texas.—1. Address ag: Co,, 40 Fohn street, New York City. variety with the rays back of the eagle. is’ very com. mon, and has value. over fave. Del.—Write once more. to the Chicago.—No premiums on the penny of- there is a. W. Scott 2. The- aqme “ 3. No premiums on coins ‘mentioned o ni TOP WEEKLY Has Three Times The Circulation Of any Library Published STREET & SMITH PUBLISHERS, IN EW Y OF fe