gunzis is67_ DICK MERRIWELLS DISADVANTAGE censrs.

PTOP

 

 
 
 

 

  

 

 

 
 
 

ori

 

 

 

 

      
 

Issued Weekly. By subscription $2.50 per year. Entered as Second-class Matter at the N. ¥. Post Office, by STREET & SMITH, 79-89 Seventh Avenue,
N.Y. Entered according to Act of Congress in the year 1907, in the Office of the Librarian of Congress, Washington, D. C. :

   

 

      
   
    
    
 
    
     
   
    
     
   
   
   

 

Dick Merriwell’s Disadvantage:
| OR,
| THE FIRST GAME WITH HARVARD.

.
i
fe By BURT L. STANDISH.
4

/ \
‘ aoe

CHAPTER I. the Harvard players, accompanied him. They were |
welcomed to Dick’s rooms, where they found assem- -
bled a number of Merriwell’s friends, all of whom
were players on the Yale team. Jones, Buckhart,

THE HARVARD PITCHER.

The Harvard freshmen had come down to New
Haven for the first game with Yale Umpty-ten. Dale

a ae ' RM SF Tucker, Bigelow, and Claxton were there, Bigelow
-  parktair, who was chosen to do the pitching against
I EI; > ma Rape ' 33 I 4 . aa tad ‘and Jones had never met Dale before, and they scru-
ene 1411S, was in rim. dis record led the lads - ; °
y ¥ ne trin ss tinized the Harvard man with keen interest. Obsery-

_}/ from Cambridge to believe he would prove to be a
- match for Dick Merriwell, who, it was said, was

lestined k Vale tl id ) round and round for their inspection. j
f A estinec Ny e a record a ale that would equa “Tal dook tikee the-Ola Boy, ee sitily ae
| that of his famous brother, Frank.

Li af ; pnts “but you see I haven't any horns.”
-— Sparkfair and Merriwell knew each other very well
rt F :
_. indeed, and they had faced each other more than once
i i, on the diamond. Neither underrated the other; they
a & * c ocrry oy * ; Ly . . Lik
_ | both knew what lay before them on the morrow. It Thanks for Fe ene offer,” smiled Spark. ;
“T fear I must decline.’ - ae

ae | was certain to be a hot old game, and, while neither

ing this, Spark promptly took the floor, and turned

“Tf you wish,” Voluritéered Tucker, “Pll take you
out to a saloon and buy you a horn or two.”

    
    
 

  

| shrank from the ordeal, both were filled with a cer- “You may not have any horns now,” said Dick;
ae tain anxiety which they did their best not to betray. “but the last time I saw you, which was up at Lake
| Dale was thoroughly trusted by his captain and Calmface, you could not say as much.” #5

4 “manager, and so he obtained permission to visit Dick “Dear me,’ murmured Dale, “that, alas and alack!

   

on the evening before the game. Mark Swan, one/of | is all too true. If memory’ serves me right, I had —

  

 
   
   
    
   

 
  
  

Se ro hook yourself?’

  

2 TI EOPR

on that shameful occasion provided myself with sev-
eral horns from old John Cobb’s jug of
That cider was the most seductive and de
refr reshment it was ever my sad fortune to innocently
imbibe. Without meditating u
and disgraceful course, and even though old ¢

hard cider.
eptive liquid
pon such an unwise

alm-
face was not. frozen over, I got a skate on. Now,
don’t Swan. I am creditably
formed that you spent the entire evening, until you

were tucked away in your little bed, indefatigably oc-

you say a word, in-

cupied in lying on your back and counting the moon,’

Swan indignantly protested that this was a mis-
tale, +
ishing astronomic discovery r egarding the moon.
Dale to “forget it.’

Benson being the man who had made the aston-
He,
likewise, advised
“All. right, Swansie,”
say another word about it.
fine collection of headaches.

chuckled Spark, “TI won’t
3ut that jug did contain a

What a doleful bunch
we were the next day! But we had fun, just the same.
That’s a great place to go to, Lake Calmface. Fish?
You bet I did! Says I to old John Cobb: ‘What do
catch in this lake?’. ‘Everything,’ ‘All
right,’ ‘T’'ve had almost everything but the
smallpox, so I'll take a chance.’ He brought the
boat up to the landing, and filled it with
tackle, oars, bait, and so forth. In getting in I stepped
on the edge nearest me. The other edge came up and
hit me across the cantaloupe. Good gracious! I didn’t
have enough breath left in me to blow out a match.
But. I was bound to fish, and I did. I caught a
-eramp.”

they says he.

says I;

Cals °
fishing-

“Tm something of a fisherman myself,” asserted
Tucker proudly, as' Dale took a chair. ‘Went out
fishing with a mighty pretty girl last summer. I was
so stuck on her that I wanted to chew her gum. I
was anxious to make a good impression, and I told
her what a fine fisherman I was. Said I always
caught’ something. She had given me her photo-
graph, and I put it in my hip-pocket. Wasn’t wearing
a coat, and had no pocket in my outing-shirt, so that
was as near as I could get her picture to my heart
and carry it with safety. I was*standing up in the
boat and showing her the way to cast out a line, when
the hook caught me in the loose portion of my
_ trousers, somewhere in the back extension. Cesar’s

ghost! I did let out a yell.’ Says she: ‘Oh, dear! Did
I says: ‘Yes.’ She says:
* ‘Where?’ I says: “In the picture.’ If I hadn’t been
carrying that dholowrash, I'd been unable to say. any-
thing and be a gentleman. I had to row the boat
_ home standing up. When I reached the landing,

 

WEEKLY,

man asked: “Yes, I

did,’

‘Did you catch anything?’

 

I answered, “but I haven’t taken it off the hook yet.’ ,
Says he: “There are nothing but suckers around this :
pond.’ Says I: “That's what I caught.’ Anyhow, I :
wasn't euchered.” :
“That will do for you, Thomas,” laughed Dick.
“Tf you are not restrained, you'll use up all the con- |
versation. How are things in Boston, Spark?’ | :
“Fine, fine,’ answered Dale, “Anyhow, that’s —
what the fellows told me who went out on a jamboree : p
a few days ago and found themselves in the police-
court the next morning. Queer. how these police- | t
court judges behave. Last time I Was out -with a Lt
friend—a fellow by the name of Gunn—lI found him % 4
too heavy to carry:jhome, so I packed him to the iL ;
nearest police-court. : Says I: ‘Judge, this is a friend © | i
of mine by the name of Gunn. Gunn is loaded. *[ | ,
know it’s against the law to carry a loaded gun on
the street, so I brought him here.’ That judge was I
all right. He says: ‘Gunn, you're discharged.” And | |
the next morning the report was.in the papers.” ;
3efore any one could speak, Sparkfair continued: = © |
“After we got outside I felt so good that I started © e
to run a race with myself right on the street. Idid — ,
first rate until I got out of step with myself, then I. f

fell over a peanut-stand, and some one started to —
count me out. A crowd gathered round and looked Hi
at me. Somebody ‘He’s got fits.’ Another
Not a soul offered to | i
‘He’s got money.” —
Soinebody was suc- °

cessful; my watch was gdne when I woke up the next

Says:
says: ‘He’s got hydrophobia.’

touch me until some one said:

Then they all tried to touch me.

4

      
    

morning. I seemed to have a hazy memory that a > (
man took out my watch to Mie my pulse, He must © a
have been a forgetful person.’ a ti

“Jack Randall told me you were inclined to keep i :
things warm around Cambridge,” said Dick. Bye
dently he stated the truth.”’ .

     
  

     

“Tt needs somehody to produce a little hot: air,”
nodded the loquacious visitor. “Those Boston girls
are so frigid that the thermometer seldom gets abovey
thirty-five in midsummer, I’ve been frozen stiff by. of
a. dozen of them. That's what's the matter with the ae
Harvard men. ‘They're desperate. They’re williny
to resort to any measures in order to have a hot time,
Have you heard about our new society ?”

“Not the ed Faes?”

 
 

      
     
  

  

    

  

        
     
     
     
 

new dblet
elected member has to ride
a real live goat,

    
 

   

the ‘goat.

 

    
 

rAd
4

TIP

ization at Harvard. Members are all regularly’ pro-
vided with booze without any expense. All that is
required is that every man shall take turns in visiting
chicken-coops and pulling the tail-feathers out of all
the roosters they can find.”

At this point Spark paused and looked round ex-
pectantly.
was not disappointed.

[f he wished some one to question him, he
“That’s funny,” said Bigelow soberly. “I should
think they might get into trouble.”

At first
the people who kept hens fancied their coops were
One man heard his
hens squawking, and rushed out in the middle of the
night.

“Oh, they’ve come near it lots of times.
being visited by chicken-thieves.

It happened that a peaceable colored man was
passing on his way home. The man grabbed the coon,
and nearly choked him to death on the spot, thinking
he had been out: looking for his next day’s dinner,
It got into the papers that negroes were raiding hen-

coops in Cambridge, and after that it was as much as
e

TOP

WEEKLY. 3

Then they laughed.

The visitors beamed on them in
manner imaginable.

“Didn't know but I’d miss-fired,”’ he said.

“Tl have a goat next vacation, and try him on
that kind of feed,’ announced Tucker.

‘By the way,’ said Dale, turning to Dick, ‘fspeak-
ing of chickens reminds me of the fact that we pre-
sented a certain Yale gentleman with a large collec-
tion of ripe hen-fruit that quiet Sabbath day up at
Lake Calmface. What was his name?”

“Duncan Ditson.”’

“Well, we certainly had a lovely time soaking Mr.
Ditson with Jim Seaver’s stale eggs. Drove him into

the cheerfulest

the lake at last, and he would have drowned if you
and Buckhart hadn’t plunged in and pulled him out.
How is he getting along?”’

“He has been a whole lot under the weather,” an-
swered Buckhart, with a faint grin. “I opine you re-
member a gent by the cognomen of Harvester was

a colored man’s life was worth to be caught out after «looking for him up around Calmface, and a-claiming

dark.

just the same, and finally people began to realize

that no chickens were ever taken—-that the only -

things taken were feathers from the tails of roosters.”

“Why didn’t they take feathers from the tails of
hens?’ inquired Claxton.

“Oh, they hadn’t a bit of use for anything but the
tailfeathers of cocks.”

“Did they wear the feathers as ornaments or decora-
tions?” questioned Bigelow.

“No, indeed. Fact is, outside the society itself, no
one could imagine what they did with the feathers.

_ The truth was discovered by accident. One, day..the

society’s goat escaped, and was captured and milked
by an Irishman. The Irishman drank the milk, and

got jagged for fair. He had an awful load. | Inves-
tigation proved that the goat was giving cocktails in-
stead of milk. The society was feeding him the

roosters’ tailfeathers which they secured, which ex-

plains why they were able to keep geared up all the

‘time ‘without expense. It was a great thought, for

you know there are no bars in, Cambridge. The so-
ciety disbanded with the loss of the goat.”
}

CHAPTER IL.

SPARKFAIR SINGS.

_ Sparkfair’s story was followed by a maurnful Si-

way. lence.)

“Stung!” gurgled Bounder, after a time.

 

3ut the raiding on the coops kept right on, .

 

_ he had swiped some money off him?”

“Oh, “Mr. Harvester ap-
peared rather wroth, and vowed dire vengeance on

yes,” nodded Spark.

Ditson should they meet.”

“Well, they met.”

“Did they?”

“Some. Ditson brought back a beautiful pair of
black eyes and a nose that had been bent a heap. Had
to have the latter organ straightened by a doctor, and
they do say it isn’t ever going to look as pretty as it
did.” cae |
“Evidently that trip was a strenuous one for Dit-
son.”

“He has been very quiet and subdued since then.
Keeps under cover the greater part of the time.”

“T’m fast becoming quiet and subdued hniyself,”
sighed Spark. “College is a great place to tame the
frisky. After a man gets through his freshman term,
if he gets through alive, he realizes as he had never
realized before that he is nothing but a poor worm of
the earth. The sophs make him realize that. All the
way a poor freshman at Harvard can realize that he
is alive at all is to get a few other suppressed class-
mates and go over and capture Boston. We usually
start in at the first bar after getting over the bridge.
I always did have a great delight in marine views. I[
love to watch the schooners crossing the bar. One night
I dropped into a place and asked the man what beer

he kept. He\ informed me that he kept what he

couldn't sell. I thought that rather ord} but, para-

Ky

   

 
hit yourself you get a good cigar.’

         
     
      
 
    
 
    
 
 
     
  
   
   

a gathering gasped for breath,

Ngee : | TIP TOP

I ordered a few
Schlitz
feeling the need of
\ll the time
I was doing this | was putting a few nickels in the
- Schlitz.
many nickels in the Schlitz that |
slots.”’

At this point Spark paused and sighed sadly.

it was true.
glasses of Schlitz. While drinking the
ticed a machine full of slots, and,

doxical as. it seemed,
L no-

exercise, I put some nickels in the slots

After a while I discovered that. I had put so
couldn’t see the

They
waited expe¢tantly for him to continue.
“Finally |

“Didn’t have enough money le

found myself broke,” he went on.

ft to buy another drop
When I get that way

and there is no telling what

——not even a cough drop, [’m
desperate,
I may do. shooting
myself, but I was half-shot already, and I was afraid
I’d lose what I had if I drilled myself with a bullet.
So, with the revolver in my hand, I started out to look
for a pawn-shop. It was a dark street and rather
lonely. I met a man walking with a woman hanging
onto him. When he saw me looking at him and ob-
served the revolver in my grasp, he took me for a hold-
up man.

careless thing
l had a revolver and meditated on s

He was so frightened he put his hands right
- up. Just for a joke, I pointed the revolver at him and
said: ‘Your money or your wife.’ I never
50 relieved. “Go ahead and take her,’
want her.’

saw a man
said he. ‘I don’t
By way of keeping the joke up, I said,
‘I meant to say give me your money or your life,
‘That’s different,’ ‘Shoot—shoot quick. If I

had money enough, I’d buy a pistol and shoot myself.’
‘How much money have you got?’ I asked.
cents,’ was his reply.
ahead,’ said I,

said he.

‘Five
‘Go
Every time you
‘T don’t like to
shock you,’ said he, ‘and so I'll not commit suicide
‘in your presence; I’ll just step round the corner.’ He
did, and I haven’t seen either the man or the revolver
since.”
ny ou do have some retnarkable adventures around
Boston, don’t you?” laughed Dick, while the entire
and Dale. seemed sur-

| handec d him the revolver.
‘and take three shots.

ye prised over their hilarity.

Spark seemed overflowing with this sort of talk, and
he amused them all for some time.
Finally he espied a banjo that belonged to ne and
ina moment he was tuning it,

ied “This is a lovely instrumént of torture,” he mur-
babe
toy with it 5 while. I love banjo music.
“thy neryes..) 607 04 .

“Go g gheed end toy with it rou’ * urged 1 Dick,

It soothes

WEEKLY.

   

“Who belongs to it? Won't somebody please’

  

“It’s mine. I'll take all the chances. Can’t you sing — ]
something.” aay

“T’d like to,” nodded Spark; “but my voice needs _
honing. I don't wish to drive any one to suicide or |
drink.” PORe

They united in urging him to sing, and, finally, with
a sigh of resignation, he said: |

“Very ll give you some- — t
thing tender and soulful. I love soulful songs.”

Striking the s

well, but don’t blame me.

trings and rolling his eyes toward the
ceiling with the look of a dying calf, he sang as fol-
lows: 1

“Tl’ve a boy that’s black and sassy, Rcant aN

Baby mine! baby mine!
And

Jaby. mine! baby
Great big
Great big
And we

Baby
And we wash him with a hose, id hate

Baby mine!”

you cannot feed him taffy,

a

mine !
warts upon his nose,
bunions on his toes,

him with a hose,

rr om Oo

wash

mine! baby mine!

Seeming on the point of bursting into tears, he drew

a long breath, gave the strings a bang, and launched ©

hintself upon the next stanza:

At’ the

Baby

table he is queer,

mine! baby mine!

Puts the pancakes in his ear,
Baby mine! baby mine!

Jams the hash between his toes,

Daubs the butter

And we wash him with
Baby mine! baby mine!

wash him with a hose,

a 12?

mine!

on his nose,

  

a hose,

   
 

And we

 

    
   
         
 
   

Baby

ing: dhe

“T am surprised to see so many of you left. Last
time I sang that I found myself heartlessly abandoned |
by the entire company, and two policemen broke into—
the house to find out who was being murdered

  

    

7 “eT can’s say : didihite your taste,”
ting the ie aside,
me.

 
 

  
 

TiP FOP

I’m not cruel enough to torture you in such a heartless

manner. Please extend a vote of thanks.”
yt ‘Huah!” grunted Jones. ‘He who boasteth much
- . of his own prowess hath great disappointment await-
ing him.”
; “That’s you, Mr. Sparkfair,” spluttered Bigelow,
who did not understand the Harvard man, and really
pd thought Dale meant to boast.

“Thanks,” said Spark gravely. “If you hadn't told

- me] might have remained in total ignorance. Won't
¥ some one else’ carol a little ditty, please.’

“Give me that banjo,” cried Tucker. “T’ll‘tell you
what's going to happen to you.’

Spark handed the instrument over.

Tommy fingered the strings a few moments, and
then, with cleverness that surprised his friends, sang
this parody on ‘Poor John,” his.eyes fastened on
Sparkfair all the while:

“He surely thinks himself a lucky chap, you know,
To pitch upon the Harvard team, but we don’t think so;
Dale—that’s the name of this gay chap, you see—

There’s no mistake, he’s just as gay as he can be;

d= ‘ He came to

T .
He came to

do us up, atid he was feeling nice,

put away our bully dog on ice;
Poor, unlucky Spark! biff—you’ll catch it soon;

You'll not be very gay om to-morrow afternoon.

“Dale, look around to see another—another—another,
And you've been introduced each one to the other;
Now you bet ev’rything that he won’t fail,
| ’Twill be just like a cross-€xamination,
7 : You'll fairly boil with aggravation,
Wish that
When you hear it ‘said:
Poor Dale! Poor Dale!”

you were dead

rake “Awful!” sobbed Spark, as Tommy finished. “I'd
_» restrain these pearly teardrops if I could.”
1% “T don’t wonder you are crying over the prospect,”

Bir “Oh, I’m not,’ was the answer.’ “I’m crying over
1 the crime you have just committed.

of murder in the first degree. If the composer of

qd said Tommy.
oO

It was a case

 _. ‘Poor John’ ever heard you sing that parody he'd have
Re: pee hs ' - ; “ So
k -- you sent to prison for life.
Bigelow gave another snort.
- “You're the only funny man in the crowd,” he said
_ -sarcaftically. “Everything you do is funny.”

“Thanks,” murmured the yellow-haired lad, spring-
ing up and seizing Bouncer’s fat hand, which he wrung
heartily, greatly to the surprise of the corpulent youth,

>

Ue But I have to whisper a painful secret in your ear,
my dear fellow. Not all my sparkling wit is original.

7
4

 “Tt’s delightful to have one person among my hated
., enemies who really appreciates my peculiar talent.,

  
  
   
  
  
 
  
 
 
   
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
  
    
      
 
 
  
  
 
   
  
  
  
  
     
  
 
 
 
  
  
 
  
   
  
    

WEEKLY. 5

I’ve been springing a lot of stuff on you that I stole
1
i

3
:
Don't tell the others, for I want

from Ezra Kendall:

them to think I gave them the original stuff right off
the bat.

wit, you understand.

great reputation as a
I let

some vaudevillain think up a lot of good jokes, and

In this way I'll get a
Clever of me, isn’t it.
then I commit them to memory and spiel them off as
That makes me a villain without the vaud
[f ever I meet Ezra I shall tell him

my own.
prefix, doesn’t it.
how handy I’ve found his clever quips and witty mono-
logues—unless I see him soon enough to dodge round
the corner. I’ve never learned what sort of a disposi-
tion the man has, and there is a bare possibility that
he might resent the appropriation of these scintillating
children of his seething brain.”

“Haw!” snorted Bouncer, finding an opportunity
to speak at last. “I didn’t see anything funny about
it, anyhow.” |

“And still you applauded—you pretended to show
That indicates that you have a tender
When you fancied I was the

appreciation.
and consideate heart.
originator of those little jests you pretended to enjoy
them; but now, having learned that I was not the
first to inflict them on the long-suffering public, you
acknowledge that they had the flavor of chestnuts.
Allow me to press your dainty digits once more.”

f Bouncer, Spark. clutched his. hand and
wrung it again, regarding the puzzled and vexed fel-

In spite o

low with an expression of gratitude which was simply
unspeakable.

Bigelow closed up, for he could not understand’ the
Harvard man, and he began to fear that Dale was
making sport of him. Net

Swan was asked to sing, but he resolutely declined,
declaring that'he could not “crack a note.”’,

Finally the banjo was forced into Dick’s hands.
Winking at Dale, Dick sang this paraphrasing of the
chorus of ‘Cheer Up, Mary °’

“Cheer up, Sparkie, don’t be sighing, sighing,
There’s a rainbow in fle sky; ,
You look better when you're smiling, smiling,
And the twinkle’s in your eye;
Harvard cheers will soon be ringing, ringing,
Cheer up, Spark, and never sigh;
Though you're queer,
Never fear,
You'll be happy by and by.”

“T’ve got to go!” cried Dale, rising. “I can’t stand —
these touching little expressions of sympathy, espe-
cially when I realize that you're all waiting to slap me ae
all over the field to-morrow. Come Swan, we must ~
chase ourselves. I wish you all good night and pleas-

  

     
 

 
 

   

 
      
  
  
    
   
     
   
 
 
  
   
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
    
  
 
 
   
  
 

6

ant dreams. When next we meet it will be in a strug-
gle to the death—to the death!’

“Hold on,
to walk out with you.
turn in.”

Leaving the others, Merriwell hurried down-stairs,
left the house, took Swan on one arm and Dale on the
other, and strolled away with them toward Heublin’s,
where the Harvard team was stopping.

” cried Dick, seizing his hat.
I want a bit of air before |

 

< CHAPTER IIL
: ONE WHO WAITED IN VAIN.

ee It is possible no one understood and appreciated the
whimsical nature of Sparkfair better than Merriwell.
Between the two lads there was a queer bond of affec-
tion, even though they had been rivals in more ways
than one since the day of their first meeting at Frank
“ Merriwell’s Physical Culture School, in Bloomfield.
‘Dale was a great admirer of June Arlington, but time
_ had taught him that Dick had the “inside track” there.
This rivalry had never produced any real bitterness
between the two lads, who were too broad-minded to
allow hatred to divide them without just cause.

At Harvard few chaps, even in his own class, pre-
tended to understand Spark. They regarded him as a
wild and.lively fellow, prone to get into the most
vexing difficulties, and yet able to squirm out of dilem-
mas which would have proved the complete undoing of

a lessyresourceful person. At first they had taken him

for a milkSop on account of his mild ways, but it was
not long before the most of them discovered their

error and came to the conclusion that he was a “hot

article.” It must be confessed with regret that Dale
did not always adhere rigidly to the truth when it
would cause him inconvenience or when a fabrication
seemed to serve his purpose better, and yet, never in
his life had he told a deliberate and malicious  false-
hood ‘calculated to injure another, even though that
_ other might be a bitter enemy. He semed td possess
an elastic conscience, and this, prevented worriment on
his part over things which would have troubled a per-
son of a different disposition. !

_ As a pitcher Spark had found many rivals on his
‘class team, but, while seeming timid and doubtful at
_ first, he had never doubted himself, and long ere this

stage of the season was reached all Harvard recog-
nized him as the cleverest twirler among the freshmen,
and a chap who promised to do great work for the
| varsity in seasons to come.

 
 

 
  
  

TIP TOP WEEKLY. ne. se

“Tm going

the superior of your teain, I must urge.you to be Pigs ,

 

Of course, Harvard had heard of Dick Merriwell —
and his work for Yale Umpty-ten. The very fact '!

that Dick was the brother of Frank, who had been both {  $

feared and respected on diamond and gridiron in years ! ay

gone by, made the Cambridge lads take particular no-

tice of the youngster and mark well his record.
Nevertheless, it was believed that Sparkfair could pa

hold his own with Dick, and the Harvard men fandied ;

their team stronger than that of Yale. That it would
be a battle royal between the two freshmen teams
seemed almost certain, therefore, as many of
Dale’s class as could raise the price of transportation
and tickets had long been planning on seeing the game
in New Haven. «As they sauntered leisurely toward ~ 1
Heublin’s, Spark told Dick that the greater part of =
the Harvard freshman class would arrive in townon —_—,j
the morrow.

and,

Ae

will be a few

” he laughed.

“There
“Jack Randall came along
with the team. He says it wouldn’t surprise him to
see a lot of upper class men down from Cambridge. |
If cheering has anything to do with a game, Yale won't 4

fellows besides freshmen ;
among them,
4

have it all her own way.”
“Randall here?”
Suppose I shall before he goes back.’
“Oh,
Sometimes
praises. He went out for a call this evening.” 4
Merriwell made no comment on this remark, but &
he felt sure he knew the person Randalk had hastened e

|
. & i
“Td ae to see ra |
|
{
Hi
to call upon as soon as he arrived in New Haven.
)
ij

said Dick.
thinks a lot of you, Dict.
jealous singing your —

Jack
he makes me madly

[ reckon so.

~~

“I know it is going to break my heart—almost—to
trim you to-morrow, Richard,’’ murmured Sparkfair, 4
almost tearfully ; “but I must do it, you know—it’s my —~
duty to old Harvard, and when duty calls I am there to.
the lost drop of my extremely aristocratic blue blood. |
Naturally I’m a modest, shrinking violet, but in this ;
case, having behind me a team that is in every way

  
        
    
  

    
     
  

pared for the worst.’

   
 

“It is very considerate of you, old chap,” laughes
Dick. “I appreciate your sympathetic emotions ove
the horrible fate that must befall me, but, if perish I
must, rest assured that I shall - fighting with TaN ‘
face toward the foe.”

“And you're not frightened ?”

“Not a bit.”

“Strange. I premise you would beat us without.
qualm of conscience.’ |

“Not only that, but with a great deal of sided

“Heartless wretch!” almost sobbed Dale. “Af

      

 
    

  
       
    
 
 
 
 
 

 
  
  

    
 

t
|
t
vo 4
oa
1
|
|
5
[
}
|
:
l
a
oe
J
>
) {
:
;
;
{
|
{
|
}
HW
Es; |
cet
f
a
f
a
} 7 il a
eu
Pe
ea
pM
al
if
: i
¢ ag Pi
cB
apt.
ay

  

_other

-and neither had ta

rah Tie

this shameless confession fri , | shall harden

1 your lip

my own heart against you. I shall Ee 10t to

svTat¢

shed tears as F sh on the battle-

field.”

your angui

They fell to chatting of the jolly times in the Blue

Hills, and Dale modestly confided to Dick the informa-
that he had received one or more communications
Madge Morgan—‘‘Ma

tion

from dge o’ Mad Lake,” as she

had been called in the hills—since she had entered the

school at Wellsburg.
Swan had vety little

anxious to get to bed.
In of

night, and turned to retrace his steps.

to say, for he was sleepy and

front Heublin’s, Merriwell bade them good
He had not proceeded far when he was not a little

surprised to hear a girlish voice calling his name.
“Dick—Dick

He turned and

Merriwell.”’
discovered a female figtire in black
hurrying toward him.

The girl, or young lady, was

wearing a heavy veil, which she flung back with one

hand, laying her other hand, trembling a bit, upon

his arm.
“I was just meditating on the propriety of seeking

you at your rooms, despite the hour,” said a voice that
he knew very well.
Her face was pale, and her large, dark eyes seemed
filled with a light of anxiety.
Midhurst !”’

are you doing here—

breathed; “‘what

hour?”

“Barbara—-Miss he
alone—at this

He was almost unspeakably surprised to see her
there, |

for he had fancied her in her own home, enjoy-

ing the society of the handsome, light-hearted Harvard
man, Jack Randall.

she con-
while something

wok

“IT don’t wonder you ask me that question,”

fessed, her voice far from steady,

like shame seemed to betray itself in her face.
spot ‘

“Looking for Jack.

vxes,. J

I have a right to see him.

I’m looking for—
suppose it seems strange, but you know
He is my husband.”

This was the sécret Dick had discovered and which

he had k for them. Barbara. Mid-

hurst,

ept Randall and

having formed a sudden attachment for each

, had been married hurriedly and secretly, al-
though both were mucli tég young to take such a step,
en the time to seriously consider
It had seemed something like

rashly taken

what they were doing.

a jolly lark to them both, and so they had

_ the step that might make or mar their lives.

“I know, Barbara,’ nodded Dick. “Sparkfair told

  

WEEKLY.

me Jack had come down with the Harvard fresh-
men.”’

“He sent me word he was coming.» He said h
would come to se me as soon as possible after arriving

in town. The Harvard men have been here since near
midday
“And Jack?”

fii haven't set eyes on him,’

:

* she confessed, with

a sudden burst of resentment. “He has not kept his

promise.”

9)

“That is queer.

“It wasn't nice of Jack to do such a thing. I waited

for him all afternoon and all evening until less than

an hour ago. I have eaten no dinner.”

“No dinner ?”

‘‘Not a morsel. Oh, I was delighted when; I. got
his note saying he was coming. have a wretched
appetite, anyhow, but I did take a little lunch... I

thought we would go out together for dinner and have
a jolly time. I wanted:to take dinner alone with Jack,
be {

chose and say whatever things we wished without: be-

so that we could free to look-at each other as we

traying ourselves to any one. I thought, perhaps, he —
would take me down to the Hof Brau, and I’ve been
just wishing the time away until we could be together.
I’ve looked. at the clock
Never in all my life have I passed such.a long day.

a thousand times. to-day.

Never in the world did time drag so slowly.
fancied the clock must be
and I listened to hear it ticking.
tiest dress to receive him.

“Sometimes | stopped,
I put on my pret-
I was worried for fear I
would look pale and tired, for he says I lack color and
animation. Oh, you don’t know how disappointed I
was when he failed to appear this afternoon! but I
tried to excuse it by saying he was so interested in the
Harvard team that he went out to watch them practise.
Then I began, to fear that something had happened —
to keep him from coming at all.

She came in. between
five and six. When I heard her step on the porch I
thought it must be Jack, and I[ fairly flew to open the —
door. I expect my face must have fallen dreadfully —

when I found her ready to fit her key to the lock, for
she asked me what was the matter. I didn’t tell her, —
but I had hard work to keep back the tears. I began’
to question her, and she told me she had seen the Har-
vard fellows on their way to practise. I learned that
she had not seen Jack with them, and that made me :
believe more than eyer that he was not here. Still, ;
At dinner-time I made the
Sti

“Mabel had been down-town.

I did not give up hope.
excuse that I had a headache and no appetite, -

     
  
  
      
     
         
  

I waited. It’s dreadful waiting for any one like that.
You get so nervous and excited.
passed sank my heart lower and heavier in my bosom.
Finally I thought I would go to bed;‘but I knew I
could not sleep, and I dreaded the long dark night. I

“Every minute that

tried to read, but I could not get the sense of a single
sentence, The words all ran together before my eyes,
and Isfound myself whispering over and over, “Jack
—Jack, where Why didn’t you come?”

She had hurried on at a breathless rate, pathos in
her big, moist eyes and a quiver in her voice, although
she seemed trying hard not to betray emotion. One
of her gloved hands was pressed to her bosom.

are you?

“T suppose you think me foolish, Dick,” she said,
seeking to force.a laugh,’ but making a wretched fail-
ure; “but I can’t help it. I never fancied I would let
any man upset me so. If some one had told me |
would do such a thing—if some one had told me a year
ago, I’d have laughed it to scorn. { can’t laugh over
it now. Mabel went to bed early. I heard her in her
room. She came to bid me good night, and I pre-
_ tended I was sleeping in my chair, with my book on
my lap. She kissed me and went back to her own
room. After I had waited until it seemed that she
~ must be asleep, I put on my eo and came out with-
out letting a soul know it. I had decided to find out
if, Jack was here. I went mtr at Heublins and
looked on the register. There was his name. It nearly
upset me when |. found it. I was a bit dazed, but I
_managed to ask for him. Sent up my name and
waited in the parlor for him to come down. Word

came_back that he had gone out. Then I didn’t know
what to do or think.

“As I was leaving the hotel two or three Harvard
> / men came in, and I heard them laughing and joking.
They were saying that Randall was bucking the tiger
again. Bucking the tiger, Dick! You ae what that
- means; you know Jack’s one great failing. He can’t
let cards alone. He has tried, but he doesn’t seem able
to conquer his passion for gambling. You know what
it did for him once.”
Dick knew all too well. He remembered how Ran-
- dall, believed to be the son of a rich man, had reck-
— lessly accumulated debts at Cambridge, all the while
wasting his money at cards. After a while he found
disaster staring him in the face, for he could not pay
his debts. His creditors pressed him hard, and he was
- forced to leave college for a time. Coming to New
: Haven, he had persisted in “bucking the tiger,” pos-
sessed by a desperate hope that fortune might turn

g | TIP TOP WEEKLY.

and he might make a stake at one sitting that would

   
     
    
    
  
 
 
 
 
 
     
   
 
   
  
    
  
  
  
  
   
  
   
    
  
  
  
   
   
   
  
 

put him on his feet again and enable him to finish his
college course. In order to secure money to gamble
he had begged it from Barbara, who thad pawned ‘her
jewels and even her clothes, going about thinly clad
walking to save car-
dollars to

in biting winter weather and

fare that her husband should have

make these last desperate veritures.
Not often does fortune smile on a

straits, but one night, ina gambling-house, the fickle

a few

man in such
dame suddenly bestowed her favors without reserve on
Randall. He won enough to set himself square with
the world, to redeem Barbara's pledges, and still to
have something left in his pocket. By the narrowest
margin he escaped from the clutches of the police, who
raided the gambling-den. That night he made a pledge
to Barbara that never again as long as he lived. would
This pledge he kept for a time, but, on a
It was

he gamble.
visit to New Haven, he forgot and broke over.
Dick, who, knowing his weakness, dragged him from
the ‘gambling-house. Randall
done forever, but now he was at it once more.

Again swore he was

Young Merriwell was well aware that the passion

for.gambling, next to that for strong drink, is the most
terrible that can beset a human, being.
lips Dick had learned how this passion had wrought
the downfall of their father, who became a dishonored
outcast, clearing his good name at last only through
his fortunate discovery of rich mines in the West.
Dick, himself, had felt the desire, but had taken care
to master it and keep it subdued and in check, as he
kept his other dangerous passions restrained.

His sympathy went. out to the distressed girl- wife,
and, for the time being, he was exceedingly exasper-
ated with Randall.
freely; but she quickly checked hiny, crying softly:

“Hush, Dick—please don’t say such things about
Jack! He means to do what is right, and he does not
mean to harm me or neglect me. He has told me all

about the awful yearning to gamble, like the craving
for liquor which possesses a drunkard—that leads him.
Tn
other things he is a strong, manly man; in this he is a
I’m sure he meant to —

into it against his judgment and determination.

weak and helpless creature.
keep his appointment with me to-day, but he got out
with some fellows he knew and forgot it when they
began playing cards for money.
—~it's likely he is—and is trying to get square. If he
is ahead and the other players are fellows he regards as’

friends, he will not stop, because they would think hee Ba

a quitter.”

“That s one of the bad features of such card-play- ia

From Frank's

This caused him to speak rather

Perhaps he is behind -

7

iia

ci ae ie

Sat

 

 

See a SS ea

 
      
his

ble

ch
cle
on
th
to
St
10
re

ld

Rina Ip

tety,

 

Ra en Re 3. ast

TIP TOP

nodded Dick. lhe lasers don’t want to stop,

can’t do so without being thought to

ing,”
and the winners
flave cold feet.”

“I wish you would try to find him, Dick. You have

more influence over him than any person I know.

‘Even though you are younger than he, he respects your

“a

level head and good judgment, and you can do almost
with
he is—if you could ge
i”

ra

$But you—let me

anything him. If you could only learn where

et to him and take him away—

do my best, Barbara,” he promised at once.
put you on a car.”

thank you,” she said.
Go back to Heublin’s
Tl wait

straight

“I can take care of myself,
“Don’t lose a moment of time.
and see if any one can tell you where he is.

up for some word from you. .I,am going

 

phone as soon
he promised softly.

Jack

home. Call me on the
“Just as soon as I can, Bab,”
it will come out all right.

“Don't worry, girl;

will be very sorry, I am sure.”

“Oh, I have no doubt of that; he always is.”

“And théught Dick,
“are but their is tem-
porary, and it does not prevent them from relapsing
into their old vices at the first opportunity.”

Nevertheless, he kept this thought to himself.

Dick Merriwell,’’

“T shall rely on

so in their sober moments,”

confirmed inebriates ; regret

“You're a good friend to have
said Barbara, giving him her hand.
Pll get a car down
yonder at the corner. Dick.
shall not close,-my eyes until I hear Jack’s voice over
Good night, and thank you more than I

you to find Jack without fail.

Do hurry, You know I

the phone.

can tell, Dick.” cae

She hastened toward the point where she could get
acar, while he again turned his face toward Heublin’s.

CHAPTER 1YV.

CONQUERED BY THE TEMPTER.

In a room of Durfee, with the curtains drawn, the
lights turned on, the of a feed scattered
about the place and innumerable “dead soldiers”’ scat-
tered about over the floor and the otherwise unoccupied
furniture, five flushed young fellows sat playing poker.
Their coats had been removed, and three out of the
taken off collars and neckties. Four of the
the fifth was, Jack Randall,

remnants

five had
quintette were Yale men
of Harvard.

_ Randall, well acquainted with Stafford Stone,
whose rooms the party had assembled, had met Stone

in

—“T like-it ‘too well.

WEEKLY. ° : Gg

by chance shortly after arriving in New Haven. They
and strolled round to Stone’s
room to enjoy a cigar. While smoking, three of
Stone’s friends, Hugh Bramwell, Vance Siddons, and
Although Randall was
these chaps were known to be “hot

had lunched together,

Tobey Clark, had dropped in.
aware of it,
” and many had predicted that they would never
they their mistake and

not
sports,
soon saw

graduate unless

mended their ways.

Of course, there was much bandying of jests over
the coming baseball-games and the boat-race between
Yale and Harvard, but, with the exception of Siddons,
no one displayed the slightest asperity or ill-nature.
Siddons was a bit inclined to be sarcastic, and he re-
sented it when any one singled him ‘out as an especial
object for good-natured jibes.

After a time, Clark, a chap with a cackling laugh
and a sallow complexion, proposed a little game of

“chip.”

Randall declared at once that he could not play.

“I have to make a call this afternoon, gentlemen,”
he said.

“You can do that bye and bye,” grinned Bramwell,
who was a big, dark fellow, having a great deal of
gold filling in his teeth, and who had never been seen
to wear a necktie since coming to college unless there
was red in it.

“We won't play long,”
“It’s just for sport; you know.

said Siddons, glancing at
If you’re
name the

his watch.
afraid of the size of the game, you may
limit.”

This suggestion that he might be hesitating because
he was afraid of the size of the game amused Randall,
who thought of the time ‘he had bucked roulett in that
very town and played the numbers to the limit per-—
mitted by the house. .

“Of course, if you | don’ t care to play, old man
began Stone, his eyes fixed on the Cambridge youth,

3?

 

“Oh, you know I like the game, Staf,” laughed Jack;
That’s the matter. I’ve practically
cut out gambling.” :

“Gambling!” exclaimed Siddons resentfully. “I

hope you don’t call it gambling when a féw gentlemen _ :

sit down to play a quiet game of poker for amuse-
ment.”
“Well, they have to play for money, don’t they.”
“OF course, but 7
ee ney didn’t the game would be tame Eid unin- —
teresting.” : 3
“That’s the way with any game of cards unless there

 

 

_is a little stake up,” quickly asserted Clark. “T don’t
1 i « . 2 «
, ¢ } 3

 

 
     
   
    
  
      
     
   
   
   
  
  
  
    
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
 
 
   
  
   
   
  
   
  
   
    
  
   
   
   
  
     
 

“IO TIP

   

TOP

see anything in cards unless you tisk

Ba Ma

i “And that’s

“T know all about it.”
“Pooh!
and bringing forth cards and chips.
a minister, Mr.
blers.”

“And we

something on

‘4

the gambling fever,’ nodded Randall.

pooh!” scoffed Bramwell, opepiug a drawer
You talk

We are none of us gam-

like
Randall.

resent it when any one insinuates such a
put in Siddons.
“Poker

thing,”
,” continued Bramwell placidly, ‘is, beyond
question, one of the most scientific and beneficial games
of cards ever invented.”

g ,
“Beneficial sounds good,” laughed

1 Jack.
~“T mean it,” nodded Bramwell gravely

‘Vhere does the benefit come in.”

“Tes a game of sttategy, of diplomacy, of bluff, and
the man who can read human nature best makes the
best poker player. It develops the faculties of percep-
tion and sharpens the wits.
for the mind.”

“Indeed it is,” chuckled Stone., “My only surprise
is that it has not already been introduced as a regular
course for mental training in some of our colleges,”

1 Age you going to sit in, Mr. Randall?” persisted
Siddons. “We'll make it any limit you say, unless you
cut it down to penny ante and a five cent limit.”

_ “Look out,” whispered Clark, with another crackle,
" which he half-repressed; “he may ¢all it two cent ante
and ten cent limit.”

_ Randall knew he should not remain, but the sight
of cards and chips had sent a‘hot flush over him, and
y he began to waver.
“We generally play dollar limit,” said Bramwell,
keeping his eyes on the Harvard man. “If ‘that’s too
~ much——” oa a
~~ “Oh, don’t let me cut down the limit. "
eT hen you'll play ?” ;
| “Only a short time,” said Jack, ning in to the
tempter. “‘When I get ready to or I shall stop.
‘Let’s have that” understood at the start.’ Re
3 ep Il be ready to stop myself in an hour,” said Sid-
dons, again looking at his watch. . “Sit up everybody.
Time is short. Let’s get into i Vou be banker,
it ne, Cut for deal, gentlemen.”
Phus Randall yielded to the tempter.

It is an excellent training

 

'

, }

 

CHAPTER vi!
CONS UMING FIRE

   

ne gave out. the
| stated ‘that bad would _ he after hes

p a Re ME) WN aE oe. Se Se

WEEKLY.
game was over. They started by purchasing twenty- / de
five dollars worth each. Bee

“That ought to last us an hour,” smiled Randall. 4

In less than thirty minutes he went broke, having bo SR
got up against Siddons, who caught a full hand ona © a
three-card draw, while Jack filled a high flush.

“Hard luck,” grinned Vance coldly.. ““You see you aa
never can tell how long twenty-five plunks worth of m4
chips. will hold out.”’ : zs ee

“That’s quite true,” admitted. the loser, with out- 4 .
ward coolness, although the gambling fever was now ~ %
burning hotly in his veins. ‘Give me another supply ; y
of lozengers, if you please, Staf.” ; |

Stone counted out another supply and recorded it 4
upon a sheet of paper. § -

Randall seemed marked for hard luck. The hour © It
was not up when he found himself cleaned out again. 4 “y

Shrugging his shoulders and forcing a laugh, he* 4 :

called for another ‘supply of chips.

 

 

When the hour expired the Harvard man was sixty-
eight dollars behind the game. _
He had precisely thirty-four dollats in his pocket. :
50, although he knew the time limit had been ex- © ’
hausted, he said not a word. 8
Fifteen minutes later he laughingly requested Stone a?
to let him have another supply 4 ; :
“That makes a hundred dollars, doesn’t it?” he in- my. s
quired. ele ce
“Cards running against you, old fellow,” observed ae
Siddons, with a sneer that made Jack long to punch | :
him. ‘Goes that way sometimes. And, say, I be-. 3
lieve we were going to quit. Why, yes’’—looking at _
his watch—‘‘we’ve played over time now.” ah
“We can’t stop now without giving Randall a |
chance to get even,” said Bramwell. . ny ay t
“But he insisted on playing only an hour,” reminded = | —
Siddons, pulling down the corners of his mouth. a A ‘ mee |
he insists on quitting, we can’t detain him, you know.” | _
“Oh, he’ll keep on playing,” cack es Clark odiously.. WH g ;
“Don’t make so much talk about it.’ na %
Hees

Jack longed to retaliate on Siddons, whom he now :
thoroughly detested, and who had secured most of his. Peale
losings. He was not in condition to quit, for he had
not the money to settle with Stone,,a fact which he 9
disliked to reveal to these fellows. Of course, as he eres
was regarded as the son of a rich father and a chap. |.
who always settled his “debts of honor,” Stone might —
fix it with the others and give him time to square —
things; but the thought of such an ae was
very distasteful to Jack. , Ne
ALE keep on,” he decided, aie will turn my way.

 

 
      
    
 

 

    
        
     
Ricca meni

 

 

pling etca ds

e ae shigpten

 

HE
[It started against me at first, and it always turns if a
fellow can stick long enough.”

So he decided to stick, suppressing his resentment
against Siddons, and laughingly saying he would post-
pone the call he was to make that afternoon.

‘“That’s “Now
can settle down for a fine little game and put in the

first rate,” erunted Bramwell. we

whole afternoon. As far as I am concerned, I haven’t

anything else to do. Keep that door locked, Stone.

We don’t want any one walking in upon us unexpect-

edly.”’
“Don’t worry Stafford.

“I always look out for that when we play here.”

about the door,’ retorted
Having practically
Randall resolved to

agreed to put fn the afternoon,
and
sut now luck switched at once,

“play ‘em close” wait for
luck to come his way.
five minutes he had the satisfaction of
bumping the sneering Siddons so jolly hard that the
fellow actually squirmed.

“How the devil did you get hold of that third ten-
spot?”

it was spread out after

and in less than

hand when
“T held one myself.

snapped Siddons, inspecting Jack’s
the call.

‘You drew two cards.”

man, as he raked in the pot.
4

by him even then.

answered the Harvard
“Had three all the while.
Caught that little pair to go with them. . Turn about

“T didn’t draw a ten-spot,”

is fair play, you know.”
“T hope it’s fair play,” retorted Vance insinuatingly
Randall paused, sat quite still, and stared hard at
the fellow, inclined to put it up then and there; but

Stone hastily interposed and poured oil on the waters

by jokingly observing that Sid always went down hard.

The Harvard man decided to let it pass for the time
being, but he told himself that there might be some-
thing coming to Mr. Siddons before the game was
over. ,

This was the beginning of a “streak” that soon put
Randall ahead of the game and continued to stick
Clark’s cackle died out dolefully,
Bramwell ‘ceased to show his gold fillings in a broad
smile, but Siddons continued to snap, and snarl, and
insinuate. |

“Wonderful luck you’re having,” he observed,
shooting a glance at Jack. :

“Oh, pretty good,”

“Pretty good! Queer how it turned
your way after you lost so much at the start.
you didn’t stop when the hour was up.
you're ready to stop now?”

“Have I said anything about stopping?”

“No, but

was the answer.
pretty good!

\I suppose

 

TOP WEEKLY

Queer |

  
   
   
  
   
  
   
   
  
   
  
   
  
  
   
 
  
 
 
  
  
  
  

Tt

‘Then let me request you to be kind enough to close
your face until I do.’
Siddons stiffened up, but found Randall looking him
straight in the eyes.

29°

‘“‘What are you looking for—trouble?” faltered the
Yale man.
“No, but you seem to be. If that is the case, you can
find it.”

“Hold ,on—hold on, fellows!” came quickly from
You don’t

That’s his way.”’

Stone. “I won’t have this in my rooms!

understand Vance, Jack, old man.
“Then I must say it’s a mighty disagreeable way.”
“He doesn’t mean anything by it.”
“T hope he doesntt.”’
“No, We know
his talk. . He knows you are my friend,
he is aware that you are on the level. If
going to be troubl
can’t afford to have
Siddons had no desire to see the

indeed. him, and we never mind
and, therefore,
there is
e, we'll stop right where we are. I

a row in my room.”
game break up at
this point, and this led him to say:

“Of course, 1 thought I
had that last pot, and it surprised me when I found
[f I’ve said anything that

I: hope. you'll overlook

| didn’t; mean anything.
he held over’ my hand.
seemed disagreeable, Randall,
it.

“T will,

forget.”

sir,’ nodded Jack promptly. “I’m ready to
And the game went on.
Dinner hour arrived before those fellows realized it
By that time Randall was more than a

- He announced that

was so late.
hundred and fifty dollars ahead.
he would have to go.
They urged him to play another hour.
said Siddons sadly. “Can’t
ack some of my losings?”

“T’m away in the soup,”
you give me a show to get
than any man at the
was throbbing in his veins”

Randall disliked to stop more
table. The gambling fire
now.

“Why can’t we make an evening of it,”
Bramwell. “‘What say, Stone?” ;
Stafford looked round. “We

thing to eat, you know, Hugh.”

“Let’s have a feed brought in.
something to drink, too.” Cra

“But [ll have to tell my friends,” said Randall. “If —
you are going to do that, I must let them oe so they
won't be rubbering around in search of me.’ =,

suggested

\
have to have some-

We can order up

“Tf he goes out to tell his friends, it’s all Oi: iene
tered Siddons! ae
\ The Harvard man turned hotly on the speaker,

 
  

DB LOY

    
  
   
    
       
      
   
   
   
    
   
 
 
  
   
   
 
  
  
   
   
  
 
 
   
 

he flashed.
Stil, to satisfy you that
I am not going to run away, I'll not ask to settle up
I’m ahead. If I you may
divide my winnings. I'll be back here in just thirty
minutes.”

“That settles it,” said Stone.
waiting by the time you return. We'll eat right here.”

“And drink, too,” grinned Bramwell. “Let’s have a
dozen bottles of wine brought up, old man.”

“My word is as good as your bond,’

{ say I’ll come back, I will.

now. don’t come back,

“We'll have a feed

 

CHAPTER VI.

WASTED WINE.

Although conscience-smitten by his neglect of Bar-
bara, Randall put thoughts of her aside and hastened
back to Stone’s rooms after telling some of his friends
at Heublin’s that he had got into a little game which

might keep him out untila late hour. One thing that
. he feared’was that this girl who trusted him, who had
“s sacrificed so much for him, should learn that he had
‘again succumbed to his old weakness, and so, thinking
she might call and ask for him, he arranged that she
should simply be told that he had gone out to make a
_call. This, he fancied, would cause her to hasten back
home and wait for him there. He would call on
_ to-morrow and explain how, having fallen in with old
friends, he found it impossible to break away. He
would fix it with her by taking her a present that
~ would show how much he thought of her. As if such
a thing could atone for his neglect! He little under-
stood the heart he was filling with doubts and wringing
with pain by his behavior.

_) They were all waiting as Randall reappeared. Stone
Was telling a funny story, Clark and Bramwell were
smoking, and Siddons was figuring up his last month’s
losses at cards and putting down the figures in a little
note-book.

‘The cards and chips had been cleared away, a cloth
| placed upon the table, and a spread of sandwiches,
‘cheese, and cakes laid out ‘The necks of some wine-
bottles were rising from a couple of coolers. A col-
-ored man was polishing glasses in the bathroom and
waiting to serve when needed,

Randall's reappearance was halted with satisfaction
: all, even Siddons looking up. from his note-book
with a sour eee of weloeier

her

    

  

 
 

   
 

 
 
  

 
 

  

    

ae

 

WEE

Fils % 3

Siddons put up his note-book, Clark
cigarette into the dead coals of the open fireplace and

snapped his

cackled, while Bramwell carefully and frugally put

further consideration.

ay

aside his half-smoked cigar for
“Sit right
Jerry!”
ex 65, darky,
his head out of the bathroom.

up, every one,” invited Stone.

sar,’ answered the promptly bobbing
“Bring the cocktails.”’
“Yes, Sar; yes, sar.” t
Evidently the cocktails were poured and ready, for
Jerry quickly appeared with them on
“Here’s luck to us all,
so that the of
and gleamed golden on the windows of the room,
seerned to impart some of its softness to the reddish-
amber liquid. “Drink h

a tray.
’ said Stone, lifting his glass
afterglow sunset,

which filled the t

‘arty, fellows.”

Bramwell gulped his cocktail down at a swallow, ©

Clark drank while holding his breath and made a wry
face afterward,
drinks with the gentle deliberation of appreciation.
Only Siddons sipped and sipped stingily like a person
in the habit of getting up a “feeling” on as few drinks
as possible.

The colored man removed the
sandwiches.

“You may open the wine, Jerry,” said Stone.

Yes, Sar;-yés, Sar.”

The popping of corks seemed to impart something —
of a “devilish’’ feeling to those young gentlemen, as-
sisted perhaps by the cocktail, which had quickly spread —

a genial glow through their veins. They laughed and

joked as they ate.

 
 
   

ers, which accounted for

sizes.

their varying shapes and_
Randall was given the only genuine champagne —

 

glass, but Bramwell declared he had the best of it
when he received a small, slender Pilsner beer-glass, —

  

while Stone and Randall took’ their

glasses and passed the -

Stone begged indulgence for his a
winle-glasses, explaining that he had accumulated them = |
‘one at a time from different restaurants and hotels
when not ‘particularly observed by too attentive wait-+.

\ we

  
   
 

The wine foamed, and bubbled, and danced ina man- | “?

   
     

ner that made those young men feel like dancing them-
Clark cackled forth a toast of a supposed-to-be — tee
witty, but decidedly questionable, nature and laughed: i

which |

selves,

 

over it himself until he nearly choked; after
he took a swallow of wine, started to laugh again, got
, the wine in his nose, and fell to coughing and gasping —
"sabi the tears ran from his eyes.
and displayed his gold fil lings for their admiring i n=
spection. The corners of Siddons mouth began to curl
up instead of down. And Stone murmured in Ran-

Bramwell beamed ,

        
 

 

     
   
     
       
    
      
  

  
-

THe fOr

1

dall’s ear that they were all jolly good fellows, as he

to know them better.
urged Siddons.

would find when he came
“Let’s hurry up with the snack,”

“We

we can play and drink.

can't eat and play poker at the same time; but
There’s plenty of wine.”
Oft4qb. “We'll
make a kitty and collect enough to pay for the other
half.”
| “Why did
Jack.

“That was Jerry’s mistake,”
him half

“I’m contributing half said Stone.

you have so much brought in?” asked
“T told
a dozen bottles, but he brought a full do

“Enough to last till morning,” chuckled Bramwell.
“We may as well make a night of it. I’m beginning
to feel like making a night of it.’

said Stone.
5’)
zen.

Clark
Started to sing, but they objected to his voice and Sid-
dons playfully

They were all beginning to feel first rate.

his mouth with a sandwich.
Jerry served more wine and still more. Some one shot
half a sandwich at him, whereupon he was bombarded
at once by every one

{
{
}
mn a

plugged

around the table.

“Gway dar, chillun

yo cried ‘the darky, as he
\dodged the flying scraps of sandwiches. ‘Yo’ ’s gwine
‘teh made dis room look lek it was strtick by a slycoon.
’ Now looker dat
| de face of de clock.

piece ob buttered bread a-stickin’ on
Nebber seen such scandalous ac-
Ah’s glad Ah nebber

looks on de wine when it’s red, fer de Bible done say it
stingeth like a sarpunt an’ biteth like a bladder. Bah

tions in all mah bawn days.

‘ golly! Ah jess guess some ob yo’ young gemmans is

done beginnin’ to feel de sting. Now quit dat! Dat
| las’ piece ob skandwich dome hit me plunko in der lef’;
eye. Do yo’ wantter make me bline? Do yo’ want-
ter make me hab to wear sprecktickles at mah time ob
life? Yo’ room is shoely gwine teh be a sight, Mistah
Stone, sar. I'll hab to chahge e double teh clean up after
dis yere gang ob Injins, sar.

Spluttering in this manner, he retreated until He
; éould seek refuge in the bathroom, and no one ob-
7 served that a half-emptied bottle of wine had retreated

with him, fearfully hiding beneath his coat. ;
f
[
f

Sain,

arts

bee Saas =a a

Once hidden in the bathroom, the darky brought
forth the wine and regarded it sternly as he held the
bottle up by the neck.
| “Yo’’s a base deceiber an’ a
he ‘muttered accusingly.
dem ordumnarily

stealer ob human wits,”
“Look what yo’ done teh
‘spectable and gemmianly ’pearin’
: young gemmans. Dey’s done lost all deyre diggernity.
“Why is it dat-a man will put an ennermy inteh his
-mouf teh steal away der dollars from his. pocketbook !

 

 

ae Jess think ob all der ae ‘money: dat’s prac fer dis

WEEKLY. 1

   
  
   
   
  
    
  
   
  
   
   
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
   
 
 
  
  
   
 
  
  
  

year sorter booze when whisky don’ cost half as much

an’ any pussOn can get jes’ as drunk on it. It’s shoely
all dat stuff dem pore
Why,

“d be loaded wif

puffeckly outrageous. Looker

innercent young boys had out dar.

it

if dey done

S
drinked half ob it dey a gag every
one of um. It’s mah duty teh sneak as much erway
wifout bein’
Ah can
spill de wine right heah in de washbowl if Ah wants
teh,

Ah’d nebber tasted none ob dis year sorter booze, so

from dem dar innercent boys as Ah can
cotched at it. Ah’s gwine teh do mah duty.

an’ nobody’s evah gwine teh be none de wiser.
Ah’ll jes’ hab teh wet mah lips wif it teh see what it’s
like

He tipped up the bottle and took a small swallow, a
Lowering the
bottle, he smacked his lips, rolled his eyes, and clapped
his hand over

look of suspicion and doubt on his face.

his mouth, crouching a bit with bent

knees.
“Golly!

it—-moah dan sebenteen millum of um a-bitin’

"he gasped. “It’s done got bumbly-bees in
der end
But Ah ruther likes it
Nebber knowed bumbly-bees could
tickle a pusson lek dat when dey.done stings him on
de tongue. Next time Ah finds a bumbly-bee’s nest out
in de grass somewhere Ah’s gwine teh lay right down
side ob it an’ stick mah tongue in it teh let de bees
tickle me. Yah! yah! yah!”:
“Jerry!” called Stone.
“Yes, sar.”
“Come out here, you rascal, and clear off the table.”
“Yes, sar; in jes’ a minute, sar. Ah’'ll be dar jes’
as soon’s Ah’s done wif dis ’spection.” ?

of mah tongue all teh once.

jes’ der same.

Rolling his eyes toward the bathroom ceiling until.
nothing but the whites showed, the darky applied the
nozle of the bottle to his lips and tipped the bottom
skyward, at the same tite holding his other hand
gently over his stomach, as if that added to the please
ant sensation he experienced. A look of blissful hap-. es
piness stole over his face as the wine gurgled some i
his throat.

“Jerry!” cried Stone.
Gurgle, gurgle, gurgle.
“Jerry!”
ares, gurgle, gurgle.

“Jerry, you black rascal, what’s that sound I hear

in the bathroom ?” sips

Gurgle, gurgle, gurgle. a

“Is that the washbowl pipe plugged up? You've |
got something in that pipe, you careless nigger. If I~
have to call the plumber in I'll tan your hide. I aa
tell by the sound that the water, in - bowl is: spl
 

  

RAY a7 COs

 

14
ing and bubbling, and that indicates that the pipe’s
half-plugged. See if you can’t get the plugging out
before it washes down and stops it up entirely.”

Jerry lowered the bottle—empty!—and gasped for
breath.

“Tt—it’s done all
soon as he could speak.
pipe am not plugged no longer.”’

“Does it run freely ?”

“Yes, sar; yo’ jess re see de freedom wif which
it runs, sar. Nebber saw anything go down a pipe so
slick befo’ in all mah life.’’

“All right, then; come out here and clear off the
table: Get a move on.”

Hiding the emptied bottle behind the bath-tub, Jerry
hastened to obey. He was ordered to open more

down, sar,” he said,

“It’s all right now,

washed as

De

Sar.

wine,

pull the curtains, and’turn on the lights, all of which

he did, feeling very well indeed and wearing a per-
petual grin which grew and broadened at the jokes of
the boys until at last something stryck him as exceed-
ingly funny and he let out a roar that caused his mouth
to fly wide open and brought Randall up in a twinkling,
crying out that the coon was losing the whole top of
his head. a

~“Shut up, you charcoal idiot!” cried Stone. “You
should be seen and not heard. You're not supposed to
listen to our remarks. Take away the débris.”’

“Take erway de Brie?” said Jerry, an in-
specting eye at the cheese. “Dat am not
beggin’ yore pardon, sar—dat’s jes’. New
schelle cheese, sar. Yo’ ordered de Cannon Bare, but
Ah couldn’ git de Cannon Bare, so I done brought de

New Roschelle.” 3

“Well, never mind what . is; take it all away.
that.empty wine-bottle, too.” _ y

“Yes, sar; yes, sar,” said Jerry, and he proceeded
_ to take one that was not yet half-emptied. A little
later, while he was supposed to be washing dishes in
; the bathroom, the gurgling sound began again and

continued for/some time, to the disgust of Stone, who
explained to his friends that “that nigger’’ plugged the
_ washbowl pipe every time he washed the dishes at a
little party of this sort. |

casting
Brie, sar,

plain Ro-

, Take

Play was resumed, and the game progressed
_ smoothly until Stone found it necessary to call Jerry
to open another bottle of wine, observing as he did so
_ that the stuff was disappearing with astonishing
rapidity.
_ The darky made a miscalculation and fell oyer a
chair he was trying to avoid as he reappeared at the
5 summons,

 

WEEKLY.

“Wh-what’s the matter wif dat dar chair?’ he splut-
tered as he sat up and glared at it. “Dat chair done
dodge right in front ob me an’ trip me,up, gemmans.””

“You're an awkward chump, Jerry,” said Stone.
“Pick yourself up, you lumberheels, and find the cork-
Open that other bottle you will find in the

oe

screw.
cooler here beside me.’

‘Jerry took hold of the offending chair to pull him-
self to his feet, but pulled the chair, over on top of him,
his balance after

losing partly rising

Hat on his back.
“Yow!”

yo’ done see dat, gemmans?

,

he gasped, in resentful astonishment. “Did
Looker dis chair a-push-
in’ me an’ a-jumpin’ on me an’ hittin’ me in de eye, an’
Somebody please
If Ah eber git an eben show

holdin’ me down so Ah can’t git up.
pull dis chair offen, me.
at dis year chair Ah’s gwine teh kick de stuffins, plumb
outeh it, bah golly!”
“He's having fits!’ said Siddons.
‘Look at his eyes!’ exclaimed Clark.
faltered Bramwell.
agreed Jerry; “de chair done
Ah’m certum it done tried teh

“Look at his teeth!”
“Dat’s right,”
habin’

am

nn,

fits fo’ sure.

bite me, gemmans.
tin’

bit by dis chair it’ll be no s’prise teh me.”

By this time he had disentangled himself,

managed to rise with no small difficulty, although he

seemed somewhat exhausted by his efforts and was

compelled to support himself, by clinging to the back | —

of another chair.

“What's the matter ar with, you?’

:

“Not mattah wif me, sar,’ was the assurance.
Ah’s all right, sar.’

“Well, get busy now and open the wine.’

~The colored man secured the well-cooled bottle free :. ~

it’s nest of cracked ice, but the corkscrew was missing, |
and Jerry'searched blindly for it for at least five min- }
utes, during which time he was shaking the bottle at
great deal and getting it in prime condition for what
was to follow. |

The corkscrew being found at last, Jerry toosetiea

the wires with it and applied himself to the task of | |.
extracting the cork, which proved te be most) refrac-) |;

and sprawling *

[f Ah hab hydetyfobery from git- 7

and he |

’ asked Stone suspi-
ciously. |
“One 4s

less Ah’s met wif a serious confliction from dat chair |

nis

 

ys : on

“Ou

“RB

hanc
gN

: tinue

V

ine

ord
Mies
"cease
had
with
that:

    

 

 

tory and resisted his efforts with an obstinacy that
aroused his ire.

“Come outéh dar!’ he whooped, yanking at the
cork.
means business, an’ don’ yo’ fergit it!

“Yo’ ’s gotter come, an’ dat’s no cree A eh

 
   
  

   
  
       
 

f
i

1. oy

 

 

A.
HT
|

pi-

n=
AIT

 

 

 

 

ordumnary

‘the sy

cork.stoppah dat can git de bes’ ob his year
niggah.”’

He placed the bottle between his legs and twisted at

then he placed it between his feet, with the

 

 

 

ceased to spout.

' eae
room! Look at everything!
” said Bramwell, lifting his head

¢
c
bottom on the floor, and nearly pitched over upon his
1
i

head; next he held it off at arm’s length and pullec

and yanked and jerked until he seemed even blacker

in the face than usual, which, however, was quite im-
possible; he danced and staggered round the table in
his furious efforts, growing angrier and more excited
every minute. ,

“Look out—look out!” cried the young men warn-
ingly. “It will come suddenly when it does come.”

It did.

a pistol and the cork flew across the table,

There was a report like the explosion of
hitting Sid-
dons on the end of his sharp nose and bringing a howl
of wine burst from
in a hissing spray which

of pain from his lips. A geyser
the the bottle
spouted over every one, the

mouth of

table, the cards, and the

chips as Jerry held the bottle off at arm’s length and
gazed upon it with unspeakable astonishment and con-
sternation.

“Stop it! stop it!’ spluttered Stone, dodging the

“Spray as the astounded and frightened darky turned

the muzzle of the bottle in his direction.

“Bah golly! see her sizz!”’ gasped the colored man.

“Lawsy sakes! nebber seen nuffin’ lek dat befo’.”
“Here!” roared, Bramwell, as the spray struck him.
“Ouit that, you idiot!”
Down beneath the table dodged Hugh, eyes, nose,
and ears filled.
“Put your hand over the nozle!’’

cr S . ””
Quick, or every drop will be gone!

shouted Randall.

_*But when Jerry tried to comply the wine struck his
hand and flew all over him, which caused him to hold
the bottle straight up over his head, where it con-
tinued to spout! to the very ceiling and fall ina drench-
ing shower over the entire room.

There the darky stood with his dripping head held
down, and the spouting bottle held up until the latter
Even then Jerry tana hy asked if she
had “done stopped playin’ de hose yet.” He came to
with a shock when Stone rose and ¢ gave him a kick
that nearly lifted him off his feet.

“You confounded idiot!” eried Staf, wiping his face
_ with his handkerchief. “You've wasted a whole quart
of good wine.
those bottles, anyhow. Cut the wires and open them
What are you good for? Look at this
What a mess!”
“Give me a gun,

 

 

 

 

 

You don't need a corkscrew to open.

Stone,

   
   
  
     
    
   
     
   
   
   
   
  
    
  
   
   
    
  
 
     
   
     
 
  
  
    
  
 
   
   
   
   
  
   
    
  
  
    
  
  

WEEKLY.

above the edge of the table, “and I'll shoot that nig-
gery |

Randall mopped the-wine off himself as well.as.he
Clark. caught it up ,with

could, and fell to laughing.

a cackle; Stone himself was compelled to pomat. in,

and even Siddons grinned in a sickly Jerry took

way.
it. up and roared until every other sound was drowned
and until he was stopped by another kick from Stone.

“Get some towels from the bathreom, and ‘wipe

things off,” ordered Staf. “Think we're buying wine
at four dollars a quart for you to waste like this ??’

Jerry seemed powerfully effected by the wine that
had sprayed over his face, for he reeled as he hurried
to the bathroom to obey this stern command. He re-
turned directly with the towels, and, after a great deal
of wiping. and scrubbing; in which all indulged, the
scattered moisture was mopped up, and, securing a

fresh pack of cards, the players resumed their game.

CHAPTER VIU,
THE INTRUDER.
Some time later,.as Jerry was supposed to be busily
employed in the bathroom, the players were startled
by the sound of a crash and a thump.
“He’s upset something, the blunderheels,” said
Stone. “Never knew him to behave like this betore.
Jerry! Jerry!”
No answer.
Stone picked up his cards, looked at them, passed,
and again called to the darky.
“Jerry! Jerry!”
No answer.
I’ll-come in there
“Answer me! -

“Look here, you black scoundrel,
after you in a minute!” roared Stone.
Jerry! Jerry!”

Still no answer. .

PCH said the exasperated
man, tossing his cards in with the discards and rising.

drop out of this hand,”

“I’m going to see what has happened to that nigger.”

Directly he called from the bathroom for his friends’ —
to come and look. They did so, and there was Jerry —
in the bath-tub, where he had fallen through some
mischance, hugging an almost empty wine-bottle to his ~
bosom and snoring soundly. Nor could they arouse —
him through any ordinary efforts. Yeas eh
?”’ said Randall. “‘He’s under the —

   
        
 
  

  
   
    
    
  

“What's the ‘use? .
weather, and he couldn’t do anything if he got up. Lets
him sleep it off.” 4 ) Se

“The infernal thief has been stealing our wine,’ ” said
“That’s what made the stuff go so fast.”

 
  

  

          
     

 
 
  

 
  

   
  

  

a

TOP

it6

FP

They went back to the table and continued the game,
receiving no further attentions from Jerry and really
getting along much better without him.

Siddons was feeling much better, for luck had
turned in his favor. On the other hand, Randall’ was
losing, although he seemed to be getting good hands
It was his luck, however,

all the while. to have some

one hold over him whenever he seemed to have cards
that should win, and nothing can prove more “hurtful”
‘to a poker-player who knows the game. Such a man
feels it his duty to “play the cards for all they are
- worth,” and every time he does so he gets “bumped.
Finally the Harvard man realized that he had struck
a hard streak, and henceforward he sought to “play
‘em close.” He had lost his entire winnings of. the
afternoon, and was once more down to his own money.
Desperation followed, induced by the wine, which
gave him a reckless feeling, Finding the cards con-
tinued to run against him, he sought to “bull the
game.” This is the very worst thing a man can do
‘when “up against it,” and Randall lost in a way that
should have brought him to a stop and caused him to
quit. Soon he was once more a hundred dollars in
debt,yand he had less than fifty in his pocket.
believe I hinted this afternoon that you were
given to cold feet,” said Siddons, laughing silently, in
a manner that was intended to convey a feeling of
friendly admiration. “I was wrong, and I apologize.
You are a dead game sport, and there is nothing of
the quitter about you. I think we had better stop
_ pretty soon, don’t you, fellows?”
Siddons was a hundfed and fifty. ahead.
“Stop?” snapped Clark. “Who's proposing stop-
ping? We've prepared to make a night of it.”
Clark was something like forty dollars behind.
“We'll stop when Stone thinks we had better,’
Bramwell, who was just about even.

” said
“These are his

rooms, and he is the one to ‘hint when the game ought

to break. up.”

_ “That's a rather odd idea,” laughed Stone. ‘‘Does
a host tell his guests when to, leave?”
‘I may as well stay until morning now,” said Ran- |

_ dall. “I had no business to stay in the first place,
but now thefe is no reason why I should leave.”

He was hoping that the Fickle Goddess would smile
on him once more if he continued to woo her persist-
: “ently. How could he tell these chaps that it was im-
possible for him to settle what he owed by more than
a hundred dollars!

-Siddons. grew actually gay, but he oe one eye on
the clock the most of the time,

 

WEEKLY.

‘“‘Let’s set a time to quit,’ he said. “Let’s stop at
eléven.”
“Why; that’s not more than hali an hour longer,”

came from Clark. “I say twelve.”

cr

“Eleven suits me,” said Bramwell. ‘“There’s noth-

ing in this old game for me, anyhow. I can't see the

cards.’ Guess I’m drunk. Anyhow, I’m sleepy as the

dickens.” :
‘““There’s lots of wine left,’ said Stone. “We've got

to drink it up.” .

” came from Siddons, who had bluffed

having taken less than

“Cut me out,
a great deal about his drinking,
half as much as any one else at the table, thus keeping
sober and “playing his points” when others were reck-
less through the effect of drink. “I’ve had enough.
ll feel it to-morrow,”’

“Feel it!” grunted Bramwell dopily. “TIl have an
awful head on me. I'll have-——”

There was a sharp, preemptory knock upon the door.
‘They looked at each other! in astonishment.
“Who's that?”

a proctor ?”’

whispered Siddons. - “Suppose it’s

“T don’t know who it is,”” said Stone, in a low tone”
“Keep still, everybody. I’m going to the door. [ll

open it just on a crack.” I won't let the person look in,

whoever it is.”

‘He stepped to the door and opened it just as another

impatient knock, sounded on the panel.
Dick Merriwell stood outside.

for Mr. Jack Randall,”
“Excuse me for disturbing you,

Vj

“T am looking
freshman quietly.
but-——~” 2

“Why the devil are you looking here for Mr. Ran-

dall ?”
fellow.

“Isn’t he here?”

Oe.

“{ have reason to believe he has been,
Will you be good enough’ to

snapped Stone, angered by the cheek of the

if he is not

’

 

here now.

/ re / “4099 4
“Will you be good enough to go to the devil!” ex- -
claimed Stone, starting to close the door in Merriwell’s  }

face.

A moment later Stone lay on his back, gasping for —
having been upset as the door was flung |

breath,
against him with positiv ely savage force.

The freshman walked into the “room, his dates eyes e

taking in the scene and sizing it up ina twinkling.
Bramwell rose from the table, his sleepiness gone.
“Throw him out!’’ he roared.
“Wait a moment and I'll get out,”

i

said the _

 

 
  
     
 

   

said Dick, as te és

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     
 
  

 

 

        

Tae
swiftly stepped to Randall's side and placed a hand
on Jack’s shoulder.

In the Harvard man’s ear, Dick whispered :

“Come with me, Jack.

Barbara has been walking

the streets in search of you. She'll not sleep until

she hears your voice. You must come.”’

By this time Stone, white with rage, was upon-his
feet and advancing on the intruder.)

“It’s that cursed upstart freshman!’’ he panted.

Randall rose and stepped in front of Merriwell.

“He is my friend, Stone,” he said quietly.

“Well, he has no right to-force himself into my
rooms, 1f he is your friend.”

“He has brought me an important message. I—
I——”. At this point Randall stopped, overwhelmed
by a realization of his position.

“I can’t go now, Dick,” he whispered. ‘“‘It’s impos-
sible.”

“OW hy ?”’

‘“Because—because I’m behind the game.”’

“And you promised Barbara you would gamble no
more!” came reproachfully from Merriwell, who, how-
ever, spoke in such a low tone that Randall’s ears alone
caught the words.

“I know—I know I did!’ huskily admitted the un-
fortunate man. f

“Then quit at once. If you are behind, stop and
pay what you owe.”

“I—I can’t, Dick.’’

ican tr"

“{ haven’t money enough to pay.

That’s why [
must Reep on playing. I must win.” )
“How mug do you need ?”
“A hundred and twenty-five dollars, at least.”

;“‘L received a check and cashed it to-day, Jack. I
have the money.”

“But—but I——’

“There are no buts about it. I'll loan you the

if:

money. You will settle and come with me.”

Dick had his way.

CHAPTER VIIL
HEART-BEATS.

Sobered and ashamed, Randall left Durfee feeling
much disgusted with himself. If he expected Dick to
utter words of reproof, he was agreeably disappointed,
for Merriwell felt that mere words would be wasted
in such a case.

The Harvard man had shown his in-
ability to keep a, pledge, and the Yale lad felt it would

TOP

WEEKLY.
take something more than friendly advice or criticism
to cause him permanently to mend his ways.

After leaving the campus and turning their steps
toward Heublin’s, Dick explained how it happened that
he had forced his way into Stone’s rooms in search of
Jack. /

“T presume Stone and his friends will hereafter re-
gard me as an intruding upstart who: needs to be,
taught a lesson,” he said. “TY can’t help that, though.
[ am not particularly anxious about the good opinion
of that set. I promised Barbara that I would find
you and do my best to—

“Barbara?” e¢ried Randall, startled. “You have
seen) Bab?”

ae OK 5

“When ?”

She left me not much more than half an hour ago.
She was searching for you,”

“T’m a brute to neglect her this way!’ muttered
Jack huskily.
she ?”’

“Searching for me at this hour, was

Dick told him all about it, and he groaned again.

“Then she knew I was playing cards!” he muttered.
‘How can I face the girl?”

“You'll have to do that.”’

“No!” exclaimed Randall; ‘1’ get out of New
Haven on, the first Boston train. I’m ashamed to look.
her in the face, Merriwell. She’s:a fine girl, and she
trusts me, miserable, spineless duffer that I am!”

“You know that wouldn’t be right, Jack. You must
speak With her to-night. She will be waiting to hear
your voice? I promised that you should call her up on
the phone. Unless you do so, she is almost. certain
to sit up the entire night waiting to hear from you.”

‘TL suppose [ll have to do it, but I’m ashamed even
to speak with her that way.
make ?” ; eth

“Don’t try to make any.”

“{ can’t tell her the truth.”

“You had better, for she knows it already.
seldom does any good in a case of this sort.” :
So Jack was finally induced to call Barbara over the
telephone, but, after several calls, it was Mabel Ditson
who answered, having been awakened by the ringing.

A lie

Randall explained who he was and asked for Bab.
Mabel said Barbra was in her room and promised to —
call her; but, a few moments later, she announced in : :
a voice that conveyed no small alarm that Bab was not
in her room and had not occupied her bed that night. —

“T don’t understand: it, Mr. Randall,” said Mabel,

in evident distress. ‘‘She semed to be sleeping in her
: ¥ 4 j 5 FRR S ts Z

What excuse can [ _
   

48,

  
  
  
  
  
   
  
   
   
   
  
  
  
  
   
   
   
  
  
   
  
   
   
   
  
   
  
  
   
  
   
   
 

 

chair when I retired. I fancied she had gone to bed
long ago. I can’t imagine what has become of her,

but I suppose she must be in the house somewhere.”

He was discreet enough not to explain that the miss-
ing girl had come out in search of him, for that would
arouse wonderment and suspicions that might lead to
the betrayal of their secret. 6

Randall’s face was pale as he hung up the receiver
and stepped out of the booth.

“Ts it all right?”
make sure.

Le

asked Dick, who was waiting to
“Tm afraid it is all wrong,’’ was the agitated answer.
“Why, what’s the matter ?”’
Instead of answering this, Jack put a-question :’
“How long ago was it that Bab left you to take a
car home?”
“Now almost an hour.”
“Then she’s had plenty of time to get there.”
“Yes, indeed. The cars run every fifteen minutes up
to midnight. Isn’t she there?”
bre ING 7;
_~ “T should have accompanied her home,”
“7 feel sure of it, but she would not let me.’
“Tam the cause of it all’ muttered Randall. “If
_ anything has happened to her I’ll never forgive my-
| self! ! What can we do, Dick?”
“Find her.”
“Come on! (bis take a cab at once, We’ll drive
out to the house and learn if she has arrived. If she
has not—what shall I do then?”
_ The man was genuinely distressed, for he felt that
on his shoulders lay all the blame of peayeney that
might happen to his girl-wife.

ae Dick.

_ They-hurried forth and secured a cab. On the way
Randall had little to say, although he was very nery-
ous and excited. His overwrought imagination pic-
tured all sorts of horrible things as happening to the
missing girl. He fancied her held up and robbed by
tuffians ; he ger her ee about the dark

 

   
  
 

filled with grief over his beblett and haiti parsel?
rs and no Hg ont loved, sh had apne herself

TIP TOP WEEKLY.

Tam getting weak and silly.

cs was ei vised sing that ride

 

He thought of himself
He realized that he stood before Merri-
He believed
the Yale lad must now regard him with no feeling
He had squandered his°
he would
have been compelled to confess before his late compan-

for his neglect of Barbara.
with disgust.
well revealed in all his pitiful weakness.
other than pitying contempt.
money, and only for the generosity of Dick

ions that he had bought chips and played poker know-
ing he could not settle unless fortune turned in his
favor. Merriwell had succeeded in slipping the needed
money into his hand without being observed by the
Oh, yes, he was a cheap
fellow, and he despised himself.

Meantime, Barbara ‘Midhurst
revealed the fact that she had a legal right to the name
of Mrs. John Randall Started to car
after leaving Dick to search for her truant husband.
Long ere she reached the corner where the car stopped
In vain she tried

others—and he had taken it!

 

who had never yet

had take a

 

she found herself in a flood of tears.
to check the flow.

“I can’t take the car this way,’ she thought. “If
I do, people will look at me. If I do, I may be seen
by some one who knows me. I'll walk.”

And so she set out on foot, turning her head away

we a stat nS

i
to avoid the gaze of such pedestrians as she met. She
could not understand herself, for she was not a pef- a
son given to weeping, and she had thought a hundred
times that anything like real grief would find her te
stony-faced and unemotional outwardly. She had oS ae:

thought that any great affliction, even though it might |
eat her heart within her, would remain unbetrayed by _
the ordinary expressions of sorrow. She had thought
of herself as going to her grave broken-hearted and
wearing a bitter smile.

 

 

she murmured, as she hastened

a7

“T must be crazy!”
along. “I am changing so I scarcely know myself. i,
But I do care for Jack, = >
and I was never so disappointed in all my life. It — “il oe
Lf betty
did, nothing could have kept him from coming straight
to me as soon as he reached New Haven. Oh, we were he
fools—fools to marry in secret as we did! He dé=
spises me! He must think I married him for his _
money, for every one thought him the son of a tich — if
man when we were married. His money! I wouldn’t ~
care if he didn’t have a dollar. I should be glad if:
he were poor, for then I could prove how much I care
for him. He thinks his father may recover and get —
on his feet again; but I—I almost hope that will not
happen, for then—then [I can prove to Jack that it is —
not re I want, but just him—just him and nothing

can’t be that he cares anything more for me.

 

 
       
   
      
        
 
   
  

 
 

  
   
 

yp Bernal Se ae

Sek

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lae

I’ve said I’d rather die than work for

else !

iny own
living; but I would work for Jack—I’d work my fin-

gers to the bone! I don’t know what I could do, but ’
’'d do something—anything—for him, if necessary.

Oh, Jack, understand me!”
Barbara had been ill of late,

now. Several times she

will you never
and she was not strong
stopped to rest on her; way

home. The distance seemed fearfully long, and she

was tottering ere she turned up the walk that led to

the door of her home. On the steps she sank down to

rest,,and, for the first time in her life, fainted dead
away.
When she recovered a pair of strong arms were

that thrilled her

through and through was calling her name.
“Bab, Bab, my _ little little

Speak to me! What It is I—Jack!”
“Jack!

about her, and a well-known voice

girl—my own wife!
is the matter?
she whispered faintly. “Jack—I am so glad

—so glad you have come! Kiss me, Jack, my hus-
band!’
Dick

his eyes. \

a mist in

Merriwell turned his back on them,

CHAPTER IX.

HARVARD S HOT START.

As a rule, Dick Merriwell was a person who per-
mitted nothing to deprive him of his sleep once he was
in bed; but this night, to his wonderment, he found
himself wide-awake hours after he crept’ between the

for all of

his efforts, he could not compose himself and get into

sheets. | His brain was in a busy whirl, and,

that condition which readily induces slumber. He con-

tinued to think Randall and Barbara and wonder

what the final result of their foolish secret marriage

would be. Already he was satisfied that their mar-

riage, like nearly all such secret weddings, had been

an act of folly which was likely to bring about no end
of distress and heart-burnings and distrust as a natural
result. The impatience and rashness of youth had led
them to commit an act which seemed fascinating and
‘and neither
Almost
those older and wiser,
it is only through bitter

experience that it eventually learns to look carefully

romantic to their youthful imagination,
had meditated on the possible consequences.
restrained by

always, unless

youth leaps without looking ;

before leaping.

Not until the first gray streaks of dawn were show-
ing in the east did Merriwell sleep, and even then it

was unrefreshing, dreamful, and tossing slumber that
claimed him.

oa

 

; erage ier bb crema:

+ Pret amere Ng eg SE Nts ores herby

TOP

in this respect.

WEEKLY: 19

He awoke in the morning feeling more tired than
when he went to bed. This he betrayed in his face,

for Brad Buckhart anxiously asked him if he did not
feel well.

ae as well as I might,” he confessed.
Say, Dick

[It was ten when I went to bed,

” called Jones, “what time did you turn

in? and you had not

come back then. I hope you didn't let that rattle-
headed fellow Sparkfair keep you out?”
“Oh, didn’t let him keep me out,”
swered truthfully
sleep after

no, | Dick an-
‘The trouble was that I could not
[ got to bed. You snored away like a log,
Blessed, while I flopped all over the bed, boiling mad
because I couldn’t get in a wink. It was daylight be-
fore I did snooze.”’

“Too bad, pard,” said Buckhart, coming in from his
“You ought to be in right good trim to-day,

we ve got. to

room,
for sat that Harvard bunch up, and we
depend on you.”

“Oh, I think I'll be a

But Dick was not all right when the game began.

li right when the game begins.”

He felt it in his bones, although he said nothing about
it to his teammates. He was pervaded by a feeling of
lassitude, and he could get no snap and ginger into
his movements unless he made.a great effort to do so.
This was something so unusual for him that he won-
As a rule, he was
constantly athrob with bounding life and enthusiasm,

dered if he was going to be ill.
dS >

and many a time he found it necessary to restrain him-
self on the street, being beset by a desite to leap and
shout and run with all his might. This feeling was
vigorous youth,
when nearly every one who is well finds delight in ex-
erting his muscles to the limit just to feel the strength
he possesses. much of this will pass
a good, solid, healthy
foundation for the future by a course of systematic
physical training will retain this enthusiasm and feel-
ing of vigor and reserve force far longer than the fel-
low who neglects the education of his body and lays
up no such store of “powder” for the battle of life be-

simply the exuberance of healthy,

In later years

away, but the lad who builds

fore him.

Every boy should take care to build for the future
But do not think overtraining and ex~ —
erting yourself to the utmost is building; that is tear- _
ifg down—that is weakening and destroying what na- :
,ture has given you to begin with. Measure yourself,

‘learn the limit of your ability and endurance, and then

always keep under that limit unless some unusual ne- _

cessity makes demand upon you. If the time comes
when it becomes imperative that you put forth the last

 

 
  

fax

rae

   
    
 
   
   
  
      
 
   
 
 
 
  
    
     
   
    
    
   
    
    
   
  
   
  
  
   
 
    
 
 

20°
¥ :
ounce you have in you, you will surprise yourself by
what you can accomplish in case you have not been in
the habit of straining for that last ounce when there
Was no reason to do so.
Only Brad Buckhart,
4. any one else, suspected the truth.
_ riwell to warm up before the game, the Texan discov-
ered that the ball did not spank into his big mitt with
the usual burning force when Dick tried to speed it.
Even though the eye could detect little difference in
this respect, Brad could feel it when he caught the
‘sphere. Besides that, Brad fancied Merriwell was ma-
king an effort to appear natural and lively. On other
occasions Dick had frequently seemed to make an ef-
fort to hold himself
~~ Qn the other hand, Sparkfair was-like a frisky colt.
His pretence that he feared Yale was plainly pretence
on the face of it. He was confident that Harvard had
the best team, and something whispered in his ear that
he would pitch the game of his life that day. |
The teams battered as follows:

Dick better than

vatching for Mer-

who knew

down.

YALE FRESHMEN.
Tucker, ss.
Jones, If.
Buckhart, c

HARVARD FRESH MEN,

‘ Bridger, If.
Cutting, 2d b.
Dowling, cf.

Gallagher, ist b. Claxton, 2d b.
Minot, c Metriwell, p.
Swan, rf. Kates, Ist b.

' Benson, 3d b. Spratt, cf.
Yoman, $s. Bigelow, rf.
Sparkfair, p Fitch, 3d b.

Toleman was on the bench for Yale, ready to go
_ onto the slab if needed, but he did not entertain the
_temotest idea that he would be called on n that day.

“Start. us off, Bridger, old bumper,” called Spark-
fair from the coaching-line, as the first crimsan batter
stepped out,

Bridger responded by basting Dick’s first ball and
Jining it into the field for a single that came very near
_ being a double.
~ Brad Buckhart’s jaws came . topether with a snap.
- The Harvard crowd rose up and cheered like mad.

_ This was the right kind of a start. Harvard would
show Yale whether their Umpty-ten team could bat
_Merriwell, who had been touted so much as a wizard.
They had come prepared to go right after him at the
start; they were going to stow the game away on i@e

   

  

   
 
 

‘oo bad, Merriwell,’ * he called, although few heard
1 because of the cheers het were still resounding

 

TOP WEEKLY.

 
  
 

across the field.

 
 

 

 
     

       

“You're all right, and I like you, but (
you're going to get your nes to-day.” }the
Ordinarily Dick, might have made some good-na- cle
tured retort, but now he shut his teeth and kept still. IVa]
Bridger danced off first base, grinning and calling to Pa]
Dick, hoping to draw a bad throw amid the excitement. ei
After being driven back twice and nearly nipped wit]
both times, Bridger grew a bit more cautious, Spark- only
fair having given him a sharp call-down. seer
Nevertheless, Bridger had made up his mind to at- Was
tempt a steal, and down the line to second he went the ish«c
moment Dick made the first motion to deliver the ball han:
to Cutting. agit:
Dick was certain this must be the runner’s intention, ««
and he pitched with the object of giving Buckhart croy
the ball in good position to make a quick throw. | matt
Brad seemed to take unnecessary time about throw- ~ that
ing, but when he did get the ball off it flew straight as ey
a bullet and with nearly the speed of a bullet into the 4) fron
hands of Claxton, who covered the sack in perfect i Rane
style and nipped Bridger on the slide. | thusi
Now Yale had a chance to cheer for something and CN
made the most of it. a bal
Harvard had quickly discovered that Sparkfair, ing ¢
who had “tipped off” the players about the throwing. see ¢
of the Texan, was correct in his estimate of Brad. It | hard.
Was not wise to attempt to steal if there was any show gener
that the Yale back-stop could get the ball to the sacks. } more
Dick nodded and smiled appreciatively to his chum ' him |
behind the bat. q it.”
Cutting set his teeth. 7 In
“Wipe that smile off your face, Mr. Merriwell,”’ bes ) suffer
muttered. “You're going to get your medicine before} starti:
this day is over.” od Were
| After trying hard to deceive the. Harvard batter, ting t
_ Dick was forced to put the ball over. Cutting “played Cay
the game’”’ by waiting, but found Merriwell could lo- _ this ir
cate the plate, which finally compelled him to go after _ | per st
a corner-cutter. RRM Kg
It was a fine hit to right. i “both
“Make him put the ball over, Dowl,” said Captain § = Ore
Gallagher hurriedly, as the next batter secured his Sid bce
stick. “When he does so, line it out. He’s easy to into
hit.” | :

 
 

Indeed it seemed that Dick was easy, for Dowling
had no trouble in hammering out a hot “daisy-cutter”
that Tommy Tucker was unable to touch, and Cutting, -
* having a good start, romped to third. i

 
   
      
 

eae threw to Fitch, hoping to catch the Yale run
ner, and Dowling made for second, where he arrived.
pr. although Otis whistled the sphere to Claxton. .

    
  
   
  
   
   
    
  
   
     
  
    
   
   
    
   
   
 
   
  
  
  
  
    
   
  
 
  
     
    
     
  
 
  
   
  
 
  
  
   
      

@

d

?

ot

yn.

 

cid

 

SH ASR RA te ote x ie x aia

{

_ his best condition.

a

 

hie (hE

going home, seeking to lead
but Rob had
whereupon the

Cutting made a bluff at
the

clear
Yale man dodged back
Pig

AL

Virginian into a reckless throw,

head and declined to be caught,
to third.

Harvard er C On the
Seats in the very center of the crowd sat Jack Randall,
with B The

only trace of Bab’s day of disappointment could be

ywd was cheering like mad.

arbara on one side and Mabel on the other.

seen in the unusual pallor of her face. Possibly there

Was at times the slightest trace of pathos in her green-

ish-dark eyes, which were frequently turned upon the
handsome young man at her side. Both girls seemed
agitated.

“Oh, dear!’’

crowd all

“ed as the

Mabel,

roared like

murmut in distress,

around her thad; “‘what’s. the

matter? Why is Dick letting them hit the ball like
that P”

“T want to cheer, and still I don’t want to,” came
from Barbara. “Why don’t you cheer, Jack?’ . For
Randall’s face was stony, betraying not a sign of en-
thusiasm.

“Never before have I been in such a predicament at

hop-
[ suppose I am anxious to

a ball-game,’’ he answered. “I came down here
ing to see Harvard win.
see that now;

hard.

[I hate to.see Merriwell hammered
knew-——the most

but
He is the finest fellow I ever
generous, open-hearted chap in the world. I owe him
more than I can ever repay.
him like this,
a

~ In truth the handsome Harvard man was actually

[f they continue to pound

I'll have to leave the field. I can’t stand

suffering keenly, even though his own college team was

Starting off with such brilliance at bat that the rooters

were already roaring wild over
ting the Y:<

Captain Gallagher was a clever
this instinctively
' low stood forth to the plate.

y the prospect of bat-
ule freshman pitcher off the slab.
batter. Dick felt

as the loose-jointed, sandy-haired fel-

A clean single would be pretty sure to a. home
both Cutting and Dowling.

Ordinarily Merriwell would not have feared such a
thing, but now, in spite of himself, apprehension crept
into his heart. He knew he was far from being in
Nevertheless, he did not lose his
P nerve, and he pitched for all there was in him.
Gallagher had a good eye, Although
hit, he restrained his impatience and compelled Dick to
| put the Spalding over twice.

The second time the ball came over the Harvard

he longed to

ue
‘

} Captain smashed it.

It was a line drive toward center field.

 

 

WEEKLY. ar

Spratt knew Bridger and Dowling would regard it

as a safe hit, for not one person in a thousand could
to

have fancied it possible for the thin center-fielder

get his hands on the sphere before it touched the
ground. Knowing the Harvard runners would not

cling to their bases, Spratt stretched himself in a most

amazing. manner, coming in on the ball with great
strides that carried him over the ground at bewildering
speed. It seemed that the sphere would strike ten
feet or more in front of him when Jack made a last

He was compelled to
1 and thrust his arms out

As it was, he caught the ball with his

headlong scooping lunge at it.
fling his entire body forward
at full length,
hands flat on the ground, but scooped up several blades
of grass with his fingers at the same time. Over he
rolled, leaping to his feet and whipping the Spalding
to second base, where Claxton, instead of touching
the sack, lined it to first to catch Gallagher off.
The umpite declared Gallagher safe. —
Spratt rushed in to second, panting:
‘Throw that bub-bub-bub-bub-bub-ball here! Wake
Kates, and th-th-throw it quick!’
Sam threw the bail to Spratt,
caught it with his foot planted on the hassock.
“Ju-ju-judgment, Mr. Umpire!’

Wonderingly who
cried Jack.

The umpire looked at the excited feilow in a puzzled |
way.

“What's the matter with you?” he demanded.

“Dud-dud-didn’t that Hatvard runner lul-lul-lul-
leave this bag before I cuc-cuc-caught the bub-bub-bub-
ball?” spluttered Spratt. ‘“‘Huh-he’s out!’

‘Before you caught the ball!’ said ‘the umpire,
shaking his head with a dry stile. ‘That's a good
bluff, my boy; but you didn’t catch it—you made a
pick-up. [I saw the ball strike the ground. You
weren't within reach of it when it struck, Back to
your position and the game will go on.”

 

CHAPTER X.
JACK SPRATT REPEATS.

Dick Merriwell hurried to second. Sadr

“You caught it, did you, Spratt?” he asked; in a
low tone. 3

“Tf [ dud-dud-didn’t T'il—hu-hu—eat it right here!”
gurgled the excited fellow. “Dud-dud-didn't yOu stis- >
see ime cuc-catch it?’ (

“T thought you did.” .

“Oh, let up on that!” shouted Gallagher, froin first.
“Everybody knows it was a pick-up, That fielder fait! ‘

 
 

 
  
   
    
  
    
  
 

 

_ pick-up.

22 LEP

his fingers full of grass when he got-up with the ball.
This sort of a bluff don’t go.”’

But Tucker and Fitch both supported Spratt.
“Tt was a clean catch,” came from Tommy.
lagher is out, and so is Dowling. Neither

runs count.’
“That’s wight!” excitedly 1
a square show, Mithter Umpire.”
“Back—back to your places,”
pire authoratively.
fielder did well to stop the ball.
before it struck the ground.”

“Gals
of those
isped Fitch. “Give uth
commanded the um-
ot eyes. Phe
He couldn’t reach it

“T have a pair

There was now a brief argument of a very heated
nature, but the umpire,
grimly refused to alter his decision.

who was of Yale’s choice,

It was noticeable that Dale Sparkf air took no part
in this argument.

Finally the irritated umpire threatened to “pull the
watch” on the Yale players, and Captain Jones regret-
fully ordered his men to their places.

“Ru-ru-ru-robbery!” angrily shouted Spratt, as he
retired disgustedly to center field.

This put the home team in a bad temper.

The great crowd of spectators were nearly equally
divided as to whether Spratt had made a catch or a
There were a few Harvard men who con-
fidentially told their friends that the Yale man had
been robbed of one of 'the most astonishing catches
ever seen; and there were Some Yale men who laughed
when it was settled and asserted that, of course, it. was
a pick-up, although Spratt had made a splendid at-

_ tempt to get the ball‘before it struck the ground.

Thus at the very outset Yale was placed at a disad-
vantage and Harvard given two runs that did not be-

long to them.

. - \ . .
This was most unfortunate, considering the fact that
Merriwell was in anything but his best trim.
Minot batted a slow grounder to Tucker, who should

have scooped it for a double play. ne \

Tommy was too, anxious: Seeing Gallagher rush-

_ ing to second, the little chap lunged in at the ball and
overran it.

By the time he got back and secured it
Gallagher was safe, and it was useless to try to catch
Minot.

“Up in a balloon! up in a balloon!” sang Sparkfair
from the coaching-line. “It’s a shame, but we’re hay-
ing a lovely time.”’

Swan’s moon face beamed as he hastened to get into
position to hit. He was too eager, however, and

popped up a little fly that Fitch secured.

This made the second put-out, but Harvard was

TOP WEERLY. t

hopeful of more runs, still having two men on the

ee

sacks.
“Here comes Professor the astronomer, ”
called Tucker, as Benson jogged out from the bench |

3enson,

with his bat.
/ The Harvard man grinned in a sickly manner, and
promptly smashed a
The ball seemed to be far over Spratt’s head.

fearfully long fly into center field. |
Jack |
realized the moment the bat cracked that he would jf |
have to get back, and he was off with those wonderful | |
strides which ate up ground in such an amazing man-

dashing toward the distant limits of the field.

“Fell never

ner,
touch that one,’ was the cry.

The Harvard crowd cheered as Gallagher and Minot
raced over the sacks with Benson hastening after them
as fast as ever he could: It seemed like three more
runs, which’ would surely handicap Yale to such an
extent that there could be little chance for the Elis.

Again Jack Spratt literally “cut the wind.” Never-
theless, not half a dozen of all those spectators fan-
cied he would even touch the ball as it fell. Craning
his neck and looking over his shoulder, the fielder
looked fer the ball, watched in painful suspense by

the heavy-Learted Yale crowd.

A moment later the Yale stand rose w ith) a roar of —
wondering astonishment and applause, for Spratt had | — We
another * ,” shot out his bare right hand,
He went down, rolled over likes.
a flash, sat up, and held the captured ball above his :
head.

‘“Perha-ha-ha-haps you think I dud-dud-didn’t catch
he shouted.

 
 
      
 

made air-dive

 
 

and gripped the ball.

      
     
     
 

that one!”
But his words were not heard, for the umpire ea
bellowed “Out!’’ and the Yale spectators roared again
and again and again.
Out of all that hitting Harvard had secured only —
two runs, and those had been presented to her by the
umpire.

 
        
      
 

 

     
   
    
 

Spratt was given a great ovation as he came in from
the field. He blushed and grinned and doffed his cap
as his name was bellowed from a thousand throats,
while the whole Yale stand fluttered with blue flags
until it resembled the heaving bosom of the sea.

    
      
 

  

      
   
 

 

 
   
 

CHAPTER XL

BLIGHTED HOPES. :

 
    

Indeed Sparkfair was in fine fettle. He opened by
striking out Tucker and forcing Jones to “pop” to. the
infie]d,

     
      
    
  

TIP’ TOP

 

“tere is where I catch it with disastrous results,”

| he said, with pretended dread, as Buckhart strode forth

 

with a heavy bat. “Be as gentle as you can, Brad.

 

Remember that I have a weak heart and any great

  

shock may prove fatal for me.”

  

Following this he fooled the Texan with such ease
<>

  

that every one was surprised: Spark knew Brad’s

   

style of batting, and he used only four balls in fanning

  

the sturdy chap.

  

“We've got this game, all right,” said Captain Gal-

 

lagher, as the Harvard team reassembled at the bench.
>

  

i “We should have had more runs in the first inning,

Se Sa fe

'/\ but we'll keep right after em and make up for the

    

| “We have nothing to complain about, captain,” said
Dale.

should be very well pleased over that first inning.

“Tn fact, it is my private opinion that we

Un-

5 léss my eyes played me a scurvy trick, that lanky
r Ds his a ¥ . nt Se

- fielder scooped your line-drive clean and fair.
y i '.

“What are you giving us!” sneered Gallagher. “He
oa ; . f s,93
| didn’t get near enough to catch it—he couldn't.
_ *’Most everybody thought he couldn’t get near

_) enough to Benson's fly, but he did, just the same.

 

. Perhaps you failed to’ observe that I abstained from

 

   

_ entering into the discussion over your hit. Under oath
ch -\ I should-have been compelled to admit that T believed
oy the ball was caught fairly.”
‘ad nae “You couldn’t see any better than lots of others who
ain

gi » thought differently.’’

 

 

 

  

“Perhaps not, but that doesn’t alter my conviction.”

   

“Possibly you think we ought to have those two runs

   
 

wiped off our score-boak ?”

 

- “Hardly; but T am glad it was their umpire who

 

‘made that decision on their field, and not our umpire

   
  
 
 
 
 

  

But in this inning, although the visitors continued

  

hit Dick and got a runner to third, fast fielding pre-
ented scoring. . , rH /
Reaching the bench, Merriwell spoke to Jones in a

tone.

WEEKLY. Z

23

  
  

“Blessed,” he said, “I think you had better put Tole-
man in.”

“What's that?’ gasped the lanky chap,-in dismay.
“What do you mean?”

“Just what I say. I’m completely out of form.
They came near having another batting streak just
Try as I will; there
If

you wish to save this game, you had better put Bill

now. I can’t seem to hit my pace.

is no steam in my speed-ball and they hammer. it.

onto the slab.”

“You don’t know what you're talking about,”
growled Blessed. ‘That might work against any other
team, but not against Harvard.. The fellows have
figured it out that you must pitch in order to win this
game. They would lose confidence and play badly
if I took you out. You've got to stick and do your
best.” / @

“T fear you're making a mistake, old man: Tole-
man can do far better work than I to-day.’

“J don’t care if he can,” muttered Jones doggedly ;
“you've got to stay and take your medicine.”

“What if ‘I positively decline?”

“Hey ?”’ “Decline? If

you do that, by the beard of the Prophet, I’ll see that

gasped Dick’s roommate.

you are suspended from the team! I mean it, too!”
There was no doubt about that, Jones meant it.

So Merriwell was compelled to remain on the slab,
in spite of his settled conviction that it would be far
wiser for, Toleman to try a hand at the twirling.

Claxton got first on a fumble, and it was Dick’s
turn to hit.

He was given a cheer as he came up. —

As a rule, Merriwell could be adndidediia to hit the
ball somewhere, and Tucker on the coaching-line urged
him to “slam her out.’ Such an action, however,
would not be “playing the game,” and Merriwell \sig-
‘naled Claxton that he would sacrifice.

Dick bunted the first ball pitched by Spark.

It went foul and was declared a strike.

Claxton, who had raced to second, was compelled to
return. E .

Again Dick bunted. ye

Again it was a foul. is

%

 

   

 

 

    
    
        
   

 

  

th . TIP TOP

Claxton jogged back slowly in order to “get -his
wind.”

Now it was necessary for Merriwell to swing on the
foul would

ball, for another bunted put him out.

Sparkfair tried a couple of “coaxers.”’

No. use.

But when Dale warped over a twisting drop Merri-
well struck and missed cleanly.

“He’

that was distinctly

s a good thing for you, Sparkie,” cried a voice

heard before the Harvard cheer
started.

Kates put up a foul to Minot.

Spratt was cheered again as he sauntered out with
a bat, but this seemed to disturb him, for he imitated

Merriwell’s example and fanned.

“They’re easy to-day, Spark,” chuckled Minot, as he
pitched off his cage, unstrapped the hody-protector, and

“Vou’ve

They couldn’t win in a century.”

retired to the bench. got-all kinds,of kinks

=

up your sleeve.
“But don’t get careless just because you think that,”
advised Dale.

i 7
“The game is far from safe yet. Let’s

get some more runs.”’ ’
_ Finding that his. “speed-ball’’ seemed to be just to
the liking of the visitors, Merriwell abandoned it for
the time being and began lobbing over some exaspera-
tingly slow ones, The result was satisfactory at the
start, for two men fanned and one put up a punk little
infield fly.
Jack Randall sadly shook his head.

i “I’m sorry, girls,” he said, “but it's plain enough
Dick is
As
soon as they get used to those they will pound him to

death,” fo Se nn

e

“y wonder ‘what makes him that way,”

- Mabel.

The Sie syocd man did not. answer:

now, that every advantage is with H: irvard.

away: off. Look how he fell back on slow balls.

speculated

He had come
Bans expecting to enjoy this game of baseball, but in
truth it was proving decidedly painful to him. |

Ne

Buckhart questioned Dick. rahe ws

,

_.“Where’ $ your speed, penne r’’ he anxiously asked.

A “I don't know where it is,” was the guarded an-
_swer; “but I do know. 2 haven’t got it with me.’ Jones

‘insists in keeping me in, and so I’ll have to do my best

 

WEEKLY.

 

  
    
  
  
   
   
   
  
   
  
   
   
     
    
  
   
   
  
   
  
   
    
  
    
  
 

to hold those fellows down with head-work and. with- ie

ape.

out my usual curves and fast ones. Work with me on

that plan, Brad. Yoman and Minot are both left-hand

tae

hitters. I shall pitch with my left hand hereafter when

they are at bat. I may try it occasionally on some of
the others.”’
[t was exasperating for Harvard to face such pitch- /

ing. Merriwell had a peculiar slow ball that seemed to

 

come up to the plate like a lump or mud, and when it
was hit it had a way of spinning into the air or twist-
ing along on the ground to be handled by ‘the in-
fielders. “Occasionally some one got a clean hit off it,
but it seemed impossible for several players to bat
safely one after the other, and, therefore, Yale held
the visitors down annoyingly.

“Why
eried Cutting hotly,
Dick’s hands.

but we haven’t seen any of it to-day.’’

don’t you do some pitching, Merriwell ?”
as he bumped an easy one into’

“We've heard about your great speed,

Dick smiled the least. bit, but made no reply.
In the sixth inning Yale started off finely, Buckhart
getting a hit and stealing second.

Claxton laced out a hot grounder which Benson
stopped, but the Harvard third-baseman threw poorly
to first, and the swift-running Virginian was safe.

Now Yale cheered like mad, for Merriwell was up,
\A: safe hit

would be almost cetfarn to send in one runner, and a | ~

and they expected him to do something.

two- -bagger might let” two men cross the pan, which |

 

would tie Harvard’s score.
“Merriwell! Merriwell! Merriwell!”” barked he ex- + S
pectant crowd. i whil
Spark fair resorted to all the strategy he could mus- | adva
ter. . , Ay Ni
Dick struck out. Bec
Harvard roared. eA
Kates waited and got a present, which filled the cor-) py,
ners. Di
With only one out, there still seemed every prospect palce
that the home team would do something worth record- | i

   

 

   

ing.

 
  

Spratt was eager to hit—too eager possibly. Any-
how, when he did land.on the ball he, drove it sae
at Benson. .

   
    
 

  
   
 

irt

ex-_

AUS-

about Merriwell.

 

~ pounded to death.

him yet and hammer him all over the field.

‘dled the ball for a double play.

_ while the batter reached first and the other men both

cing in the direction of Blessed.

 

TIP

SCIP

Benson held it.

With a leap, he was on third before Buckhart could

get back to the sack.

It was a double play, and Yale’s hopes were dashed

to eartn, while Harvard again had spasms of delight.

CHAPTER. XII:

A MISTAKE .IN) JUDGMENT.

“They are going to shut Yale out,” said Jack Ran-

dall, rather mournfully. ‘“‘I’d ltke to see the Elis get

one run. I know lots of fellows who will rub it in
I've been telling them that ‘he was
a great pitcher.”

“Well, hasn’t he done pretty well since that first
inning?” asked Mabel Ditson. “Harvardihasn’t got
any more runs.”

“That has been through Merriwell’s support. Only
for great support and good luck, he would have been
I’m expecting to see them fall on
If they
ever start on that slow pitching——- There goes a
corker!”’

It was the first of the eighth, and Harvard’s first
batter started by smashing out a beautiful hit.

The next man also lined out a hit.

“Now we're off!’ yelled a coacher. “Now we've

ot his range! .Give us some more of those slow ones.
< o

- We’re just beginning to take to them.”

Still, another man hit, but Tucker should have han-

Tommy juggled it

advanced in safety. x

ee

Not a man out.

The Harvard crowd rooting like mad for more runs.

And Dick Merriwell pitching all out of form.

The situation could not have been worse.

Dick felt that good judgment would lead’ Jones to
take him out at this point, but he refrained from glan-

Unless Jones chose

_ to make the change, Dick would stay in and take what
Was coming to him.

Blessed had no idea of changing.

cn

WEEKLY. : id

Dick set his teeth and tried an out shoot on the next
batter.

The man hit the ball on a line into the hands of the
first-baseman. who leaped onto first with a single stride
and whistled the ball to Tucker, who had cut behind
the base-runner to cover second.

It was a lightninglike triple play, for both runners
were caught off the sacks.

And

when the cheering ceased, despite the standing of the

No wonder the Yale crowd cheered like mad.

score, they sang”:

“Hard luck for poor old Harvard,
Too bad you'll lose to-day!
Tell all the boys that every hope is gone
And Eli will still -hold sway.
You may boast of your Crimson wonders
And how they all can play.
Good-by to all those fondled hopes—we’re sure that
Qld Yale will win to-day.”

“All right, boys,” called Gallagher cheerfully. ‘We
don’t need any more runs. We've got the game
nailed.”’

Many a Yale man feared the Harvard captain was
right.

At this point, however, the fine triple play, the
cheering and the singing seemed to put new life into
the Elis. Jones showed surprising ginger by ‘leading
off with a clean hit. 7

Sparkfair expected Buckhart would attempt to sac-
rifice Blessed to second, but the Yale captain had given
his followers instructions to play the “hit-and-run
gaine,” and the Texan smashed the first ball: Dale bent
over the plate. | :

[t was a line-drive into right field, on which Blessed
got to third by stretching his legs to their utmost.

Swan returned the ball to Spark, who whipped it
over to. Benson, hoping to catch Jones.

Buckhart started for second, but -Benson whizzed
the sphere down to Cutting, and Brad stopped short,
caught between the sacks. PP aNe

Then followed a few wildly exciting moments as
the livély Texan was chased up and down the base-line.
Ordinarily Brad looked rather heavy to be quick upon —
his feet, but now he demonstrated that he was like a :

cat and slippery as an eel. _ Three times the men who ae

were seeking to corner him thought they had him

. . . ‘ ; oa
nailed only to haye him squirm and dodge away from

y
\

 
    

26 TIP TOP

    

  
 

base-line. So excited and determined did the Harvard
players become that they finally neglected Jones, who
scooted home from third with Yale’s first run.

The Yale crowd, on its! feet, shouted.
for -Buckhart

dodged under the arm.6f Swan, who had come in from

A second later it shouted again,

right to assist in putting him out, lunged past Spark-

fair, slid between Gallagher's legs, and was safely
yi back at. first.

8 Things were seething. The Elis were straining
every nerve, and Harvard felt that the very air. was
surcharged with danger. |

Claxton let two of. Sparkfair’s smoking ones go past
and heard them both declared strikes, although to the

Virginian it seemed that neither had crossed any part
of the pan.

Buckhart danced off first.
Spark wasted one and then lay a high one over.
“The member from Ole Virginny’ met it on the

trade-mark. and placed it in left field, but the best

 
    
   
    
   
   
  
   
   
 
  
   

Bridger could do was to hold Buckhart.at third, while
Rob came down to second in safety.

‘Harvard was shivering now, and Yale yelled furi-
ously as Merriwell stepped out.

Many a time Dick had responded in such cases, and

he was expected to “make good” now. Sparkfair
feared Merriwell as much as any one could, and never
in-all his, life had Dale pitched as he did then.
after foul Dick made; two strikes had been called on
him; the ‘uproar was deafening.

Then Dick missed ! !’ He had struck out!

For an instant sudden silence fell on the field. It
was broken by Gallagher laughingly crying:
_) ~ “Fine and dandy, Dale! That’s the stuff!”
Harvard cheered; and she cheered again a few mo-

ments later when Kates put up an easy foul to Minot.
~~ Then came Jack Spratt and laced the Spalding away
| “over Bridger’ s head. ! s

The scene was indescribable as Buekhart na Clax-
"ton scored, putting: the Elis in the lead by a single run.
i | Spark was pale, but not a murmur came from his
Tips. |
pianos rien

 

    

WEEKLY.

them without permitting himself to be forced off the

Foul »

Without the slightest nee of ae he

 

    
    

“That was hard luck, Spark,” said Gallagher, as-the

Crimson freshmen assembled at the bench.

“T knew
nt]
| should have passed

but

“It was rotten judgment,” muttered Dale.

that lanky fellow could hit, while I was confid

could strike out the fat chap.
Spratt and given my full attention to Bigelow,
it’s too late to cry.”’

“It isn’t too late to win this game,” said Gallagher.

    
   
       
      
  
 
 
 
 
   
   
   
 

 

 

““Merriwell is pitching all out of form. Go after him, | 3).
fellows. We can take his scalp right here and now.” ren
But suddenly a change had come over Dick. The | E
situation nerved him and primed him to. the finest ae
point. In that final inning he pitched in his best form, ] char
fairly lifting Brad off his feet with speed. The change | a
from slow balls to fast proved too much for Harvard, a

who could not adapt herself again in the brief time left RY
for that purpose, and not a Crimson hitter got to first, be
although the last man up did connect with the ball and 4 ta
was nipped as he was making the final leap for the | effor
i | boys
sack. a
A cyclonic demonstration of joy followed, for no} -

game won by
son had given such satisfaction.

off the coals at the last moment, and the Eli

It had heen pulled 7

Yale Umpty-ten thus far during the sea-'| ”

shad come | :

forth victorious despite the disadvantage under which | -

they had fought with Merriwell in bad form,

Still, Sparkfair blamed himself for the result, and’ .,

continued to moan because he had not passed Spratt | 4

 

 

and used his arts on Bouncer Bigelow, who was easy j ie
for him. | tion «
THE END. ys
- 4

The Next Number (584) Will Contain | :
1 1) cannc
fe | who.

DICK MERRIWELL BESET; |
“9 | that t
OR, 9 Re.
| Vertis
THE REVENGE OF QUINN HARVESTER. : “iy
Man
| Publis
4 ee
Spark Declines to Shake Hands—The Blow of a Coward I ;
—The Vow of Vengeance—Stretcher’s Hard Luck-— , Dini
The Tragedy of the Swift Dog—Dale Meets Jacque- Peete

line Dare—McGraw Interrupts—A Desperate Struggle

   

—Ditson’s Appeal—Gone—A Hurry Call—The Bit- :

      
  

tenger eee meee

   
   
 

nd

‘he

b

 

 

 

cetacean ae

i,

/

 

‘a
- Change of number on your label.
Credited, and should let us know at once.

  

 

ALE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

-
iH “NEW YORK, June 15, 1907.
TERMS TO “TIP TOP WEEKLY MAIL SUBSCRIBERS.
(Postage Free.)

Single Copies or Back Numbers, 5c. Bach.
ME WGN tHA. sacs lich deveadeos ccs CSc, [| One $ORRs hus. o: iedecataae ts moe
BPPINONCHS > abe scscecedapsecwes 85c. | 2 copies one year......... eee” i |

ME Sto soN eae Sos $1.25 1 copy two years..........42.- 4.00

How to Send Money —By eens or express money order,
registered letter, bank check or draft, at our risk. At your own risk if sent

by currency, coin, or postage stamps in ordinary letter.

Receipts—Receipt of your remittance is acknowledged by proper
If not correct you have not been properly

STREET & SMITH’S TIP TOP WEEKLY,
79-89 Seventh Avenue, New York City.

Ce
——

 

TIP TOP ROLL OF HONOR.

Following the suggestion of Mr. Burt L. Standish, that appeared

 

 

_ in his letter to Tip Top readers in No. 480, the following loyal Tip

Toppers have won for themselves a place on our Honor Roll for their
efforts to increase the circulation of the King of Weeklies. Get in line»

boys and girls and strive to have your name at the head of the list,

Frank E. Gerhin, »

David Rossman, } So. Dakota.
Calvin Keisler,

Jos. Stahl, Newark, N. J.

Harvey Baker, Manitoba, Canada.
Howard T.. Furbush, Maryland.
R. E. Bonile, New York State.
Lauri A. Gren, Michigan.

Harry Apeler, Long Island, N. Y.
Wm. H. Shacklett, Ohio.
The names of other enthusiastic Tip Toppers will be added from

_ time to time. Send in the result of your efforts to push the circula-
tion of your favorite weekly and win a place on the Roll of Honor

APPLAUSE.

Owing to the number of ieee received, the editor of Tip Top
Cannot undertake to secure their publication under six weeks. Those

—

 

 

{

' who contribute to this department must not expect to see them before

that time.

 

Mn Advertisements—A limited number of acceptable ad-
Vertisements will be inserted in the columns of TIP TOP WEEKLY,

at the rate of 50 cents per line, of about ten words each, nothing less

‘than four lines taken.

acters are great.
write “Tip Tops”

Remit by stamps, check or money order to the
publishers,

(A letter from “Our Lady of the Snows’ Canada.)

| wrote to the Applause column once before, but I guess
my letter was put in the waste-basket. But I could keep on
Praising “Tip Top,” no matter what happened. All the char-
Mr. Standish must have a wonderful brain to
every week. I am glad that Chet Arlington
has turned over a new leaf, and I hope he will keep on the
_ Tight road for good. If any of the characters in Bin Top”

"make me tired, it is Ditson and his crowd, but I know that they

_ are necessary to make the story.
introduce a

I wish Burt L. Standish would
character from Canada. “Tip Pop has a great

TOP:

WEEKLY. 27
who all thoroughly enjoy it. I
“Tip Top,” Burt L. Standish, and
Street & Smith. I remain, yours
Bertie BRENNAN.

We believe your wish will be gratified ere long. The hosts
across the border are demanding a show—it is the old story
over again of “taxation without representation,” and surely we
do not wish to invite another “Boston tea-party” this time in
fair Canada.

many readers around here,
close, wishing a long life to
last, but not: least, Messrs.
truly,

 

(A letter from Illinois. )

[ noticed in one of your papers. where you only expected
boys between the ages of twelve and twenty-one years to read
your paper, but, although I am_ twenty-six years old, I can
hardly wait till Friday to get my next one. I started with
No. 40, and got all back numbers, and have read all up to date.

‘I wish to say that when I first started to read the “Tip Top”

my mother told me if I brought another one in the house she
would burn it, so when I got my next one, after I had finished
reading it, I laid it down on the table and told her to read it
before she burned it, and when I got my next one she would
hardly wait till I was through with it, and now, although I
live a hundred miles from her, I save them and take them down
to her. I have a Medal which I purchased about five years
ago, along with some more of my friends in Quincy, whom 1]
started to read same. Yours very truly, » B. I. Hener.

Another stout veteran who delights-to tell of his long and
valued association with “Tip Top.” And we commend his
mother as a woman of good sound sense, who, judging hastily,
like ‘many others, was not ashamed to admit that she had made
a mistake as to the character and moral influence of “Tip Top,”
after examining the weekly.
plying with the request made.

 

I have been a “Tip Top” reader for the last eight years. I
have been married five years now, and still continue to read your
ideal publication, and thought it about time to give you my
opinion of same.

My husband would object if I wished to read any other five-
cent weekly,
come from the columns of “Tip Top.”

1] have two young brothers, and my mother would always
destroy any weekly they’d bring in the house until I told her of
the merits of “Tip Top” and also its good morals. I persuaded
her to read one, and she approved of .it instantly, saying it
would surely uplift a wayward youth and keep the boys in the
right path. Now she always gives them extra money for the
purchase of your weekly, andywhen strangers remonstrate with
her for allowing her boys to read what they call five-cent novels

she instantly hands them one and tells them if they can find

any harm written therein to kindly let her know. And behold
the result. All our neighbors and friends are being, converted,
and they certainly make loyal Tip Toppers. It seems as if we
have started an endless chain of readers for
could go on writing your praises, Mr. Standish, forever, but
| fear this will not be printed on account of its length. With
best wishes for S. & S., Burt L., and my weekly visitors—“Tip
Top” characters-—I remain, sincerely \your friend, i
Pittsburg, Pa. Mrs, M. GALINE.

We think this is, one of the strongest recommendations as to
the merits of ‘Tip Top” that has ever come into our editorial
sanctum, and we thank this good friend most heartily for putting
her sentiments on record.

greeting.
blessings that spring from the weekly reading of “Tip Top,”
and may the magic circle of the “endless chain” ever widen
as more lads learn about this fine magazine.

 

(A letter from New York.) ‘
I ath proud to say that I am a reader of “Tip Top Weekly,”

which I think is the best paper ever published for the American ;

youth. Dick is my favorite of them all, but after him comes
Frank, Bart, Brad, Ted, Obed, Hal, Bruce, Harry,
and Chet Arlington. I am glad Chet has reformed.

We have taken pleasure in com-—

but—like myself—he says nothing but good can”

Lip: - sopi., oes

To herself, her worthy husband, her
sensible mother, and that whole circle of relatives and friends, —
May you all live long to enjoy the pleasures and— A

‘Jack D., .

   

 
28

Frank did well when he married Inza, and I hope Dick mar-
ries June.

I have formed a Tip Top Club. We have sent for tents to
camp in when simmer comes. [I have got every member to
read “Tip Top.”

At first my folks would not let ine read them, but I got my
sister to read them, and she read the late one to my mother.
She said it was all right.

I have quite a collection of “Tip Tops” now.

I will close now, with three cheers for Street & Smith and
a tiger for Burt L.

Do you send to Prof. Fourmen, addressed to Street & Smith?

Hoping to see this in print soon, yours truly,

Joun CARNEY.

A letter to the professor in our care will reach him the same
day it is received, as he resides at present in New York, though
somewhat of a globe-trotter.

As I have read “Tip Top” for three years, I Fete ] would
write and let you know what I think of my favorite weekly.

I think the change in covers was a very good idea, as “Tip
Top” is not only superior to other five-cent weeklies on the
inside, but on the outside also.

It is a wonder to mé how “Tip Top”
sands of readers, while other weeklies,
few months, grow stale.

Hoping to see this in print, I remain, yours respectfully.

. E. J. Bran.ey.

is still dear to its thou-
after being read for a

You did not give your street address, which was the reason
we failed to comply with request mentioned in postscript.
Write again. It is no wonder to many who have long loved the
-good old “Tip Top,” since they apply their own feelings to the
hosts of others. |

“Ihave read and preserved every copy of your “Tip Top
Weekly” from No. t to the latest number (568), and my inter-
‘est in the stories is as keen as it ever was. I keep my “Tip
Tops” in a good-sized trunk, which they more than _half-fill.
_. The other day, while arranging them, I, for the sake of curi-
_osity, placed them all in a solid pile one above another. They
were three feet four inches high and weighed about twenty
pounds. I have read and reread them several times, besides
interesting others in their perusal. If a person wished to read
_ them all, and did so at the rate of one number a day, it would
take nearly two years to finish them. This is my second letter
to the Applause, my first appearing in print a couple of years
ago. Before closing, I would like to say a few words about
zi the new covers of the weekly. I consider them a marked im-
provement over the old ones, as “Tip Top” now differs from
every other publication of the kind in its outside appearance,
as well as in the excellence of its contents. I have no doubt
that the change will immensely aid the circulation. In con-
. ¢lusion, I send my very best wishes to the author, publishers,
_ and readers of good old “Tip Top.” F,
Philadelphia, Pa,

; f3 M.--those initials. are familiar enough, at any rate, as every
lover of Frank Merriwell Knows, But we tender our congratu-
ft: ations to this favored correspondent. Any young man who has
_/a complete file of “Tip 5°08 from No. 1 up to date is to be
envied indeed. ciate ed PN. :
A letter from Ontario, Canada.)

i; Reine a faithful reader of the best weekly that ever was or
ever will be published, I write to tell what I think of “Tip
Top.” It cannot be classed with any other book that is twice
the price. I would rather have it than lots of twenty-five or
_ fifty-cent books. I have read it for two years, and I have read

a lot of the Medal Libraries. I think Mr. Standish is the best
rane in the world. I would like to see a good, true Canadian
in the crowd. I live on a farm, and am just getting ready for
sugar-making, I have secured twelve readers for “Tip Top”
in a couple - months. by, lending my books, I have to go seven
miles to get “Tip Top.” I never tire of “Tip Top.” » After
_ reading it, I cannot read any other
think it is fit for anybody to read.
reads it. Father/can’t read, but. he delights in hearing it read.
will never tire in tay p Top.” As I have not seen
rt letter from this Pap hope to see Os in Bate I will

‘are my models, but,

- and true Tip Topper,

ook for quite a whitfes/ I
ur whole family of seven

TIP TOP WEEKLY,

close, with three cheers for the best writer in the world. May
he live long and die happy. A follower of “Tip Top,”

Dante, A, MATICE. _

Patience,
gressive country north of the border will be represented by a
sturdy young Canuck. Mr. Standish, whose summer home is in
Maine, knows ‘the type well, and can do full justice to all the
good qualities that mark “our Canadian cousin.”

(A letter from Maine.)
As I have read “Tip Top Weekly” for
going to write. Dick is my hero, although I think
manly youth, ever merciful to those who hate him.
“Tip Top” I read was about Dick, so I suppose that is why
{ like him best. I love to hear Brad talk, and sometimes wish
Dick would let him do more. Of our girls, I like Inza best,
with June close behind. Frank, Inza, and baby, when you come
to Maine, call and see me. I think Dick will have plenty of
time to choose his bride, although I hope it will be June. I
want to say: “Girls, wake up and write to dear old ‘Tip Top.’ ”
May I write again? Please send me a catalogue. I close, with
best wishes to Burt L. and Street & Smith.
Mitprep F.

some time, I am
Frank ‘a

SMITH.

We have sent the catalogue, as requested. How about your
boy friends—do they all read “Tip Top,” and, if not, don’t you
think it would make better boys out of them to do so?

(A letter from Illinois.) <-

I wish to express my feelings toward the itirened ep
Top.” I have not read the “Tip Top” very long, but 1: have
read it long enough to know that it beats,the rest a country
mile and then some. I like it much better since Dick and Brad
have gone to Yale. I think that Bob Claxton will-turn out to
be one of Dick’s best friends.
to Burt L., who is capable of doing everything well. .
my “Tip Tops’’ out every week. The only objection that I have
to “Tip Top” is that it doesn’t come twi¢e a week instead of
once. I was speaking to a friend of mine the other day, and
he remarked that he was sorry that one of the imitations of the
Merriwells had been stopped; I said, I don’t care if they stop
all of them so long as the “Tip Top” keeps going.
cheers for Street & Smith and Burt L. Hoping to see this in
the Applause, I remain, CLARENCE SMITH.

“Tip Top” has no
covers added the finishing stroke, and the last one is left at
the post. You have already seen that the
has become one of Dick’s warmest friends.
Medal books, beginning with No.
as a second “Tip Top” a week.

sitll

rival now, as you well know.

Read some of the
(A letter from South Carolina.)

Being a constant reader of the “king of wee
pleasure in’ paying my respects to it.

I endorse it to any. one who wishes to read baod, wholesome, |

and interesting matter.

I buy a/ copy from the news-dealer at this city
and have influenced many other boys to read it.

We are striving to establish a “Tip Top” club at this place.

Of the characters in “Tip Top,”
being a Southerner, Robert Lee Claxton
holds my chief interest; although a little hot-headed at pres-
ent, he will soon learn Dick’s ways.

Thanking Burt L. Standish for
some reading he has furnished me, I remain, forever a loyal |
Wane Hampton. .

Glad you like Claxton.

outcome of his ridiculous. “duel” with Dick; but,
thought, ‘they realized that Robert was, after all, the true epit

ome of a gallant Southern boy, and since that time he ha a bt

on numerous occasions amply justified their confidence,
you for the good work you are doing.

the good advice and whole- |

my dear boy, and in due time no doubt your pro- —

The first ,

However, I intend to leave that. 9
I: lend 373

Three

The new
gallant Southerner —

150, and it will be the same 4

T take |

,
7

every week, ;

of course Dick,and Frank.

“4

He burst in upon the story rather |
suddenly, and a few of our warm friends down in dear old
Dixie may have felt a bit of disappointment in regard to the

upon second |

 
 

 

 

7
=
F o
f ;
[ Y
1 _

mh.
r a
u A

ar

a}

 

 

ake
me,

sek,

i ae

e.
ank
ton
res-

ole-
oyal

=~

N. are

ther |
old —
the :
cand

 

 

 

‘copy I

aie Fe

(A letter from New York.)

[ have just finished reading “Tip Top”*No. 568, “Dick Met
riwell’s Regret; or, The Friend He Never Knew,” and I must
write to tell you that it is one of the finest stories T° ever
read... Of all the fiction that has been published 11 the last
ten years, from the $1.50 kind down, I have not seen its equal,
and I have kept pretty well posted on current lit erature of all
kinds at that. I wish I could put a copy of it in the hands of
each young person in the country, and if their parents: could
read it “Tip Top” would be a welcome guest in every home. 1
trust the new covers of “Tip Top” will do much to lessen the
unreasoning prejudice so many good people have against all

 

five-cent literature. I am goitig to do some Vissionary work”
with No. 568. I have been a reader of “Tip Top: off and on,
since No. 1, and consider it the very best ‘story-paper ever pub-
lished for young people, and even we of an older growth can
derive much good from it. I alw ays recommend it to my young
friends, and think that boys and girls who read it, and follow
Frank, Di and their boy and girl chums from week to week
through its pages, cannot help’ but grow to be nobler men and
truer women for its inspiring influence. Messrs. Street & Smith
and Burt L. Standish are certainly entitled to win the highest
respect and esteem of all for their wonderful storiés and their
great power for good over “Young America.” Hoping I have
not. made myself tiresome, I will close, with a wish for long
life and prosperity to Street & Smith, Mr. Standish, and old
‘Tip Top.” I am, one of the old boys, cn Fh respect-
fully, N. JENNINGS
You could hardly have said anything to ee us feel a livelier

sense of gratitude. It is always pleasant to know that, while
pursuing the even tenor of our daily business, we at the same
time may be, consciously or unconsciously, exerting a decided

and wholesome influence for good among the boys of the land,
when they are at an age to imbibe much of the spirit that lies
in their favorite reading. We only wish that especial number,
or, in fact, of “Tip Top” could be placed in the
mother in the land.. We have faith
enough in our work to believe that the immediate result would
be an unprecedented boom for “good old ‘Tip Top’” that would
severely tax our printing facilities, matchless though they have
heen deemed by every visitor to our great plant,

any~ number,

hands of every father or

Australia.)

appreciation of “Tip Top” as the
best book I a ever read, and to ask you to send me out a
complete list of all the quarterlies you have in stock, and their
contents, right from the first issue. I would also ask you to
tell me the price in our mone¥ it would be necessary to send,
and all other information in connection with getting the money
over to you and getting the books back. (We use shillings
and pence instead of dollars and cents.) - It is extremely diffi-
eult to get the “Tip. Top” out here at all, and the yery latest
have come across is No. 456, dated January 7, 1905,
while it is impossible

(A letter from

I am writing to express my

number in succession.

IT would want a lot of both the Frank and Dick Merriwell

’ quarterlies if they can be got without too much bother.

by mail,

Strong

baseball.
, Aantipodes,
_, We welcome our Australian cousin to the fold.

If I were to say what I thought of the “Tip Top” it would
only be to endorse the opinion‘of thousands who have written
to the Applause column; and as I am so far behind the times
as regards the book, I will not say anything about the char-
acters in jit, only that I think Frank’ is a splendid model for
every young man to look up to, and I have no doubt that by
this time Dick has turned out even better.

I like the baseball stories best of any, and I wish the game
would take on aa here. It is played a little, but I have never
seen a game y though [ would follow it pretty well by read-

ing the “Tip Top.

Hoping you wi ill favor me with a speedy reply, I remain, a
admirer of “Tip Top,” Stan. Woop.

As we have written to this enthusiastic follower of “Tip Top”
Surely every
American boy can sympathize with one who has been. denied
the delightful of witnessing a hotly contested game of
True, they have cricket and kindred sports out in the
can equal our beloved national game.

we shall not answer his questions here.
boon

but nothing

é
v
a t %
/ . / i
? Ves ie ; *
ji ¢ 4 ; Sag am
i te; ers
3 9. ‘

 

WEEKLY. 29

to get the earlier numbers or to get any

(A letter from Kansas.)

Not having

   
  
  
  
 
   
  
  
  
  
   
   
    
 
   
   
   
   
   
     
  
    
 
   
  
    
 
 
  
  
   
 
    
  
  

seen very many; letters from the State of Kansas,
and being an old reader, | believe it’ is time for me to “butt in.”
[ have read every book from No. 1 to 570, and JI. hope I may
continue to read then. I have done all that I possibly could to
; “pe +h “Pe 1 +4 Bi" 66 pr: og 2»? qT hav 4
increase the circulation of “good old ‘Tip \Top. We have a
lip Top Club in our part of town, and we have caused our

news-dealer to sell more “Jip Tops” than any two of his other
five-cent weeklies put together.
While many say that Frank and Dick are the best characters,

[ think that the others are just as good. I do not believe that
too much Sparkfair doings should. be inserted in “fp Top,”
because “Tip Top” is for Frank and Dick Merriwell. *Sparkfair

is too much of a self-praising chap to be liked very well, in my
opinion.

L hope see Dick make as great a
did, and become as great a man.

[ would like to see more letters from the girls in

As I cannot find words to express my praise
“Tip Top,” I- will close, vishing you all success.

FRANK

Dale of late. He has many ad-
welcome any: news from old .Harvard.

to record at Yale as Frank
Tip Top.”
of dear old
I remain,
M. SWAN.

%

have little

We

mirers who

seen very

will eagerly

(A letter from, Pennsylvania.)
I wish to say a word in Applause for “Tip Top,” I have
been reading it for several years. I am as deeply interested
in the weekly as its younger readers. The way I first came
to read “Tip Top”: My son-in-law brought some of them home,
but I thought they were only ordinary boys’ stories, and did
not notice them; but later, after reading one, I became inter-
ested in them and was sorry I had not read the first ones. I
think “Tip Top” is truly named, and Mr. Standish is a won-
derful writer.

He makes each character seem so real one can almost see
them as they are. So many of “Tip Top” readers say which.
characters they most admire, and think some should be left

out; but even Chester Arlington is needed to make “Tip Top”

complete. He has done many things by which he made enemies.
Yet, in No. 545 “Tip Top,” there seems real hope for his
reform. Who knows but that he may yet turn out to be as

true a friend to Dick Merriwell as hé has been his enemy in the
past?’ It has been said: “No one is so bad but there is: some
good in them.”

[ think “Tip Top” is a fine book, and hope Mr. Standish may
live many/ ldng years to continue writing it, for it suits all
classes alike, both old and young. I have both laughed and
cried over its pages. I must close, or my letter will not reach
the Applause column. So, with best wishes and long life to
Street & Smith and Burt L. Standish, I remain, a true admirer
of “Tip Top.” Mrs. M. J. MicnEeneEr.

Here is'a proof of the wonderful power of “Tip Top” over
Our valued correspondept is apparently —
since is made of <
law,” yet the stories sports, temptations, and moral as)
well as physical’ triumphs appeal to her with tremendous force,
We extend our cordial thanks for so cordial an endorsement for ©
our labors.

old and young alike.

near the meridian of’ life, mention 2 “son-in-

of boys’

 

The following is letter No. 4 from me to the Applause ~
column. One of the foregoing three has succeeded in gaining
the goal it was intended for. }

My last letter, as I see by No. 571, has succeeded in reaching f
the Applause column, so I am trying my luck once more. The
new covers—well, they are fine. They certainly are inviting, —
and no one need be afraid to be seen with one in his or her
hand. And the part between the covers, that certainly is the ©
best .of all.. I need not try to describe that, as every true
reader knows it is past describing. The characters also are ~
perfect, each one carrying out its work to perfection. “

I will not begin to say so and so about what I have done for
“Tip Top.” All I can say is this: I am doing my best, which is —
all that can be expected of any one. Hoping to see this in the
Applause column, I remain, very sincerely pone. Ro Sas Vea

Montreal, Canada,

 

 

= , é “ E
You are doing your share, and we feel that those around
you are bound to hear ‘tip Top’s” praises sung, bre

      

 
   

x

"QUESTIONS

 

 

  

 

   

' (A letter frofn Kansas.)

Pror. Fourmen: I have read “Tip Top” for three years. I
- would like to ask a few questions. How are my measurements?
Neck, 12 inches; chest, normal, 27% inches; expanded, 30 inches;
right bicep; normal, 714 inches; flexed, 914 inches; left, normal,
7% inches; flexed, 8 inches; lower left arm, 734 inches; right,
8 inches; waist, 26 inches; thighs, 14 inches; calves, 1014 inches;
height, 4 feet 1014 inches; weight, 86 pounds; age, 14 years. I
exercise about fifteen minutes in the morning with dumb-bells
and about half an hour in the afternoon with dumb-bells, chin
_ on the horizontal bar, and dip on the parallel bars. Is this good
exercise? What is the world’s running broad jump record,

ord, and who holds it? What is the world’s standing broad
jump record, and who holds it? Hoping to see this in print
soon, and thanking you in advance for answer, I remain,
pie i Gro, WHITESIDE.
M. M. Roseingrave holds the record for the running broad
_ jump, having made it in 1896 by 25 feet 714 inches. The running
high jump record is held by J. Darby. He jumped 6 feet 5
inches. He also holds the record for the standing broad, having
made it by jumping 12 feet 214 inches.

 

-_ Pror, Fourmen: Being a constant reader of “Tip Top,” I take
the liberty of asking you a few questions. I am 15 years of age;
weight, 153 pounds; height, 514 feet; chest, contracted, 34 inches;
expanded, 36 inches; calf, inches. Would you advise this
course of training: Rise at six-thirty, spend fifteen minutes at
a Whitely exerciser and dumb-bells, and take a walk or ride a
bicycle? I would like to reduce weight. | Frep THoMpson.

_ “New York City, N.Y.

  

  

perfluous flesh will disappear. —
__ Pror. Fourmen: As I am an old and constant reader of “Tip
Top,” I would like to submit my measurements to you for
advice and criticism. I am 16 years of age; weight, 150 pounds;
height, 5 feet 9 inches; chest, contracted, 32 inches; normal, 34
inches; expanded, 3614 inches; waist, 32 inches; thigh, 22 inches;
orearm, 1144 inches; calves, 14 inches; neck, 14 inches; biceps,
- contracted, 11 inches; expanded, 12%4 inches. I am considered
rather/strong by the boys here. I can raise a 50-pound weight
over my head with one hand, but’ cannot throw a baseball 75
feet. Please tell-me how to overcome this difficulty.
Grove City, Pa. Aw Otp Tip Tor Frienp.

ig If you begin to throw a baseball short distaftees and gradually
‘increase them as your arm gets more power you will have no
_ Serious difficulty in pitching.

     

   

 

 

  
  

co

hee e ‘ 4 ‘ ‘
_Pror. Fourmen: I am a constant reader/of “Tip Top,” and
take the liberty to ask you a few questions. Age, 14 years;
it, 4 feet 10 oa weight, 82 pounds; chest, normal, 28%
es; expanded, gol% inches; waist, 25 niches; neck, 12%
es; calves, 16 inches; biceps. nornfal, 9 inches; expanded, 10
3 forearm, 914 inches. I play baseball, run, jump, and

  

  

5 “

 

   

   

 

AND & he >

 

_ and who holds it? “What is the world’s running high jump rec- »

oe : é ’
If you follow out the course of exercise you mention the su-

    
  

2
oot ‘

EDITED BY

PROF. FOURMEN

 

 

 

)

swim, and am a pretty good wrestler. When I run a few blocks

I. get a pain in my left side. Please tell me how I can stop °

this. I would like to become strong and healthy, and become an
athlete. Buster.
Brooklyn, N. Y.

Do not worry about the pain in your side, as everybody who |

is not used to running experiences the same thing after exer-
cising too violently. f

(A letter from Indiana.) .

Pror. Fourmen: Being a: constant reader of the “Tip Top

Weekly,” I take the liberty of asking you a few questions. Age,

14 years; height, 4 feet 9 inches; weight, 82 pounds; chest,
normal, 27 inches; expanded, 2914 inches; waist, 2414 inches;
neck, 12 inches; biceps, 8 2-3 inghes: calves, 11 inches; thighs,
16 inches; forearm, 81-3 inches. In running, I am short of
wind. I run from heme to school and back every day, Is it
good for me? I wish to be an all-around athlete. I have box-
ing-gloves, a punching-bag, and Indian clubs. Are they good
exercise? I am not very strong. How may I develop my mus-
cles? I should pot eat candy, cake, or pork if I become, an
athlete, should f How long should I sleep? I am very
healthy. ee ; P. FARE
Brookston, Ind. ;

You ought to develop into a strong, robust man if you exercise
regularly and are careful of ypur eating, cutting out pastry,
candy, and such stimulants as tea and coffee.

 

(A letter from Iowa.)

Pror. FourMEN: I have read “Tip Top” for some time. My .

age is 15 years; height, 5 feet 5 inches; weight, 105 pounds;
chest, normal, 29% inches; expanded, 33% inches; waist, 28%
inches; thigh, 22 inches; calf, 12 inches; forearm, 84 inches;

tight biceps, 8 to 9 inches; left, 734, to 834 inches; neck, 13
inches. I pitch on my gymnasium team.

; CLARENCE R. FULLAM. 7

You ought to become an athletic young man if you train

properly. ;

Pror. FourmeN: Being a constant reader of the “Tip Top,”

I tay the liberty to ask you a few questions. Age, 14% years;

height, 5 feet 2%4 inches; weight, 111. pounds; chest, normal,

3214 inches ; expanded, 3334 inches; waist, 25 inches; biceps,

normal, 9% inches; éxpanded, 11 inches; thigh, 22 inches; calves,
12 inches; neck, 12 inches; forearm, 10 inches.

Brooklyn, N. Y. Dick MERRIWELL.

You are very well built for a boy your age. However, use
dumb-bells in the morning, to keep yourself in good condition. -

{

 

Dani

/

(A letter from Massachusetts. )

Pror. Fourmen: You will favor me greatly if you answer the _
following questions in your columm: 1..What are the averaze

measurements for asboy fifteen years old? 2. Can. you name. an

exercise for strengthening the legs? 3. How much should a boy |

 
    
     

 
   
 
  

     
 
     
 
 
       
   
    
  

  
  
    
     
      
   

 
 
 
 
     
     
    
       
      
      
         
           
       
 

      
   
 
  

  
      
    
   
 
     

lw. ye

a Ma, © Pigs at

   

 

          
 

rant Mint
tis TOP
five feet eight inches in height weigh? 4, How can I improve:
my wind and gain weight? I practie forty-five minutes daily
~ with dumb-bells. The upper part of ny body is finely developed,
_ but my legs are not as strong as | wis sh them to be. Am fifteen

 

 

vears old, and lack the six feet in height mark by four inches,
i) Ww eigh only 130 pounds. 5. Do you think I will ever be a six-
"footer? I do not smoke or use tobacco in any form, nor do I
i Marin tea or coffee. I take a great interest in all out-of-door
> sports, such as baseball, football, etc. 6. What are my pros-
5 © pects? WaALter E. BurGEss.
t.. The exact: height and weight of a boy in his “teens” cannot
Ne * 1 .
be determined, as some boys are larger than others and grow
ee One lad might be only(|five feet tall at the age of fifteen,
vhile his twin brother might be nearly six feet.
2. If you ride a bicycle and take long-distance runs, your legs

 

 

 

' LE*Tip Top Weekly,” I

_ weigh 165 pounds.

will receive the necessary development to bring them up to the
standard proportions.

A person five feet eight inches in height should weigh any-
where from 140 pounds to 155 pounds.

5. You
inches, and
growing.

As
importance of exercise,

at to several more

six-footer

just
might

are as apt your age grow

become a before you stopped

your habits of life are excellent, and you realize the

there is every indication of your becom-

} ing a strong man.
At — eee
Pror. FouRMEN: Being a reader of “Tip Top” for four years,
I ask you a few questions. I am 15 years old; weight, 140
- pounds; height, 5 feet 11 inches; neck, 13 inches; waist, 29 inches ;
"chest, normal, 31 inches; expanded, 33 inches; biceps, 11%
‘inches; forearm, 9 inches; wrist, 614 inches; thighs, 17% inches;
calves, 1314 inches. J. L.. Miter.
New York City, N. Y.
Tf you join a Y. M. C. A. gymnasium and take a course of

Physical culture for a few months will begin to take on

: you
_ weight, which you lack.

 

(A letter from Alabama.)

3eing a great admirer and reader of your
take the liberty to ask your valuable
advice concerning my measurements. I am 15 years of age and
Neck, 15 inches; biceps, normal, 12 inches;

Pror. FourMEN:

} expanded, 14 inches; forearm, 1114 inches; height, 5 feet 7
y+ ‘inches; chest, normal, 33% inches; expanded, 474 inches; waist,
) 28 inches; thighs, 21 inches; calves, 14 inches. I belong to the
YY. M. C. A. and am taking lessons in boxing. Can you tell me

Sa . =

 

of a book w hich tells about ju-jutsu and one about wrestli ng?
“Kip” RANGER.

» “The Art of Boxing and Self-defense,’ by Professor Donovan,

Price ten cents, issued by Street & Smith, and “Ju-jutsu” in

Spalding’s Athletic Library, sold at ten cents per copy, will give
you the information you desire.

 

 

q: F
1 i The two teams which, at the end of the season, have the highest average—the members of ‘$ ni
| | which play the greatest number of games, score the most runs and have lost the least number of A ae |
| games, will be declared the winners. Of the two winning teams, the one having the higher |“ Pe “e
* | average will be declared the Tip Top Championship Team of the All-American pf fig
4 Baseball Tournament for 1907, and will receive a handsome pennant bearing an fie
_» | appropriate device. The two successful clubs in 1906 were the ‘‘Unions” of Hawthorne, AS eee . Ma
a N. J., and the ‘‘Athletes” of Circleville, O. Each winning team will receive a full» pe ae oy S:
yaw equipment for nine members, consisting of trousers, shirt, stockings, shoes and Mf mea ae “ tie
cap. Is this not worth working for, boys? ‘CoS i A eee
ae Pg eee

 

he ¥ ra a 7 ll “¥
I _ | No notice taken of any score not entered on a coupon. Coupons must . £ ss af <i ee
py be properly made out. One coupon for each game. Pe s s So ? io ‘ ef aed
‘ “ ” 2 = < P #igy
s )
fs, i
iL ; " oA ; { 2
; i iy r obit i gi er ey
. desi) tate i a sina a aie let ie

 

Tip Top Baseball Tournament Is Now Open.

DON’T FAIL TO SEND IN YOUR COUPON AT ONCE,

WEEKLY.

(A letter from Minnesota.)

Pror, Fourmen: As I am a constant reader of “Tip Top,” I
take the liberty to ask you a few questions, My age is J
years; height, 5 feet ro inches; weight, 136 pounds; neck, 13%4
inches; chest, normal, 34 inches; contracted, 32 inches; ex-
panded, 36 inches; waist, 28 inches; thigh, 20 inches; calf, 14
inches; biceps, 12 inches; forearm, 1014 inches; wrists, 7 inches,
t. When I run or walk a long distance 1 have a pain in my
side. What is a good remedy? 2. What exercises should I take
to get the muscles in my arms to develop evenly? 3. I am @
student, and must get up st six o’clock, and go to bed between

    
   
    
    
     
   
  
  
  
   
    
    
    
  
   
  
  
  
 

ten and eleven o'clock. 4. Should I bathe before or after exer-
a Would you advise me to drink water at my meals?
“When 1 play ball my arm gets sore. What ¢an 1 do to

—o the soreness, Ate cubeb cigarettes bad for the health?
I cannot go to a gymnasium, but have a pair of boxing-gloves
anda pair of Indian clubs and dumb-bells.
A Hien Scuoor STUDENT.

1. Do not let this cause you any worry. This happens to
everybody who is not used to running.

2, Dumb-bells and a punching-bag.

3. Eight hours’ sleep should be enough for you.

4. After take a sponge bath.

5. Drink water only between meals, never with them,
6. You are overdoing it; rest for a while.
All cigarettes are bad. Cubebs are supposed ‘to be good
for catarrh, but there are other remedies that are better.

exercising,

“7y

from. Wisconsin. )

age 20 years; neck,
expanded, 41 inches; diets: normal,
11% and 12 inches; expanded, 14 and 13%: inches; waist, 31
inches; thighs, 23 inches; calves, 15 inches; .forearms, 11 and
11%4 inches; height,.5 feet 7 inches: weight, 150 pounds, stripped,
I exercise every day, using dumb-bells, Indian clubs, punching
the bag, and every chance I get [ put on the gloves. Do you
think it will be all right to let the apparatus alone when I play
five or six games of handball? Do you think that would. be
sufficient exercise for that day? A WELL WISHER.

A little light exercise without apparatus in the morning will
case when you expect to play handball later

(A letter
FowRMEN: . My
38 inches;

is 1514 inches;

Pror,
chest, normal,

be enough in your
in the day.

“GOLDEN HOURS.’

Boys, have you any old numbers of Golden Hours? =

 

Will pay liberally for Nos. 1 to 23 to complete my files.

If ‘you have any of these numbers, write

Addrexs Wi t.iams, Station ‘‘O,” Box 24, New York City.

me.

 

  
 

 

 

 

 
   
     
   
   
  
   
    
     
    
   
 
   
  
  
   
   
   
  
   
   
   
   

Te ire * bothe

 

entertain them.
astonish you.

Boys,
Do not fail to buy this library.

THE TIP TOP WEEKLY

Never has Burt I,. Standish written such interesting tales of the adventures of the Merriwell brothers, Frank and Dick, as are ,
now appearing in this weekly. Mr. Standish has a world-wide circle of friends and he is putting forth his best efforts to amuse and
you have no idea of whata grand feast he is preparing fot you.

PRICE FIVE CENTS PER COPY

 

 

Issued Every Friday
Handsome Colored Covers

 

 

 

Tip Topr’s stories are going to

For sale by all newsdealers, or sent, pdstpaid, by the pub-
lishers upon receipt of price in money or postage stamps

 

 

 

568—Dick Merriwell’s Regret ; or, The Friend He Never
Knew.

§69—Dick Merriwell’s Silent Work;
Hand for a Foe.
§70—Dick Merriwell’s Arm; or,
the Tricksters.
§71—Dick Merriwell’s Skill; or, The Prince of the Pistol.
recs Merriwell’s Magnetism; or, The Curing of a

Cad.
573—Dick Merriwell’s System ; or, The Way to Win.
- §74——Dick Merriwell’s Salvation ; or, The Traitor on the
Team.
'875—Dick Merriwell’s

or, A Helping

The Trick that Fodled

s Twirling; or, Tracing the Traitor.

 §76—Dick Merriwell’s Party; or, Springtime’s Youthful

Fancy.

 

et they can be obtained from this office direct.

 

Here are the Latest -Titles ©

 

 

 

577——Dick Merriwell’s Backers; or, The Man Behind the
Bat.

578—Dick Merriwell’s Coach; or, Pride and Prejudice.

579—Dick Merriwell’s Bingle; or, A Hitin Time.

580-—Dick Merriwell’s Hurdling; or, The Star and the

Me Satellites.

581—Dick Merriwell’s Best Work; or,
Hard Proposition.

582—Dick Merriwell’s Respite; or, The Campers of Lake: |

Calmface. ;

§83—Dick Merriwell’s Disad

/ with Harvard.

584—Dick Merriwell Beset; or
Harvester.

585—Dick Merriwell’s
on the Slab.

Up Against a
rantage ; or, The First Game
The Revenge of Quinn

Great Rival; or, Dale Sparkfair

If you want any back numbers of our libraries and cannot procure them from your newsdealers,

Postage stamps taken the same as money.

STREET & SMITH, Publishers, 79 Seventh Avenue, NEW YORK

 

 

 

 

A Gold Mine for Our Boys ]

 

 

Columns all these letters entering into the competition:
decide to take advantage of our second great offer.

RANCH AND

i

an author whom sey knew never could have ridden a buckin
' rightaway. Even if y
everyone who competes, Let us know in what way
mifiluence your boy are to read them regularly.
will be awarded, full name and address of every winner be

$10.00 in Gold for the Best Letter.

We received so many hundreds of really excellent letters from readers of the ROUGH RIDER WEEKLY in response to our first offer:
of gold dollars, that the Committee awarding the twenty leading
which, however, was finally done, the names printed, and the rewards sent forward.

And we also hope that every one who eer in the fir st contest will
Tell us what, in your mind, a cracking good.

shoyld be, and whether these stories by Mr. Ned Taylor fill the bill.
many a Western cattle State we daily receive letters full of praise and enthusiasm for the work of

OUR COWBOY AUTHOR |

which ees are written by those entirely familiar with life on the prairie ranches, and who wv ould laugh to scorn stories by

ou fail to secure one of the twenty leading’
these tales o
The competition is open from, April 1 until ‘October 1, 1907, when the prizes
fig published in the ROUGH, RIDER WEEKLY.

$5.00 in Gold for Each of the Three Next Best Letters.
eA. 50 in Gold for Each of the Six Next Best Letters.
$1.00 in Gold for Each of the Ten Next Best Letters.

The letter should not be longer than 250 words and should be plainly addressed. to “Manager of Rough Rider Letter Competition,”
care of Street & Smith. Now, boys, jump’ih and resolve to win a cash prize.

? STREET & SMITH, Publishers, 79-89 Seventh Avenue, ps hopbnenaaee YORK CITY

SECOND GRAND LETTER COMPETITION

rizes had considerable difficulty in carrying out their work;
From time to time weshall print in our Chat

story of

RANGE LIFE ;

We believe they stand in a class by themselves, and from

bronco. Make up iyour mind to try for these golden prizes
rizes, wé expect to send a splendid consolation offering to
the Wild West appeal to you, and what you have done to
Here are the prizes:

7%

 
 
eS

KEEKAEAEK EAE ELLE
How the Early May Be

rmien te LIP TOP WEEKLY ‘ane

O THE boys who take interest in the adventures of Frank Merriwell
and want to read everything that was written about him, we desire
to say that numbers 1 to 325 of the TIP TOP WEEKLY con-

taining his early adventures are entirely out of stock and will not be reprinted.
These numbers, however, were published in the Medal Library beginning
with No. 150 which is entitled “Frank Merriwell’s Schooldays.” We give |
herewith a complete list of all the Merriwell stories that have been pub-
lished in book form up to the time of writing.

We will send a complete catalogue of the Medal Library, which is just

full of good things for boys, on receipt of a one-cent stamp to cover postage.

eT ge '
S

Se

Wag =.
Ve

hd a Lid ZZ
Y= AQ BRS \)

lel ZZ

eT ZZ
>

B Lhe
= YY

FS

=

N

ASN

Y
4
0

Xs
SS SNS

= SX

cf,
SS do

Se OX

Ae \S

SS WSS Ke SD

Oo

 

 

=

MEDAL LIBRARY

150—Frank
167—Frank
178—F rank
184—Frank
189—Frank
193—F rank
197—Frank
201—Frank
205—Frank
209—F rank
213—Frank
217—Frank
225—Frank
229—Frank
233—Frank
237—Frank
240—F rank
244—Frank
247—Frank
251—Frank
254—Frank
258—Frank
262—F rank
267—Frank
271—Frank
276—Frank
280—F rank
284—F rank
288—F rank
292—F rank
296—F rank

300—Frank

AT 10 CENTS

Merriwell’s Schooldays.
Merriwell’s Chums.
Merriwell’s Foes.
Merriwell’s Trip West.
Merriwell Down South.
Merriwell’s Bravery.
Merriwell’s Hunting Tour.
Merriwell in Europe.
Merriwell at Yale.
Merriwell’s Sports Afield.
Merriwell’s Races.
Merriwell’s Bicycle Tour.
Merriwell’s Courage.
Merriwell’s Daring.
Merriwell’s Athletes.
Merriwell’s Skill.
Merriwell’s Champions.

Merriwell’s Return to Yale.

Merriwell’s Secret:
Merriwell’s Danger.
Merriwell’s Loyalty.
Merriwell in Camp.
Merriwell’s Vacation.
Merriwell’s Cruise.
Merriwell’s Chase.
Merriwell in Maine.
Merriwell’s Struggle.
Merriwell’s First Job.
Merriwell’s Opportunity.
Merriwell’s Hard Luck.
Merriwell’s Protégé.
Merriwell on the Road.

MEDAL LIBRARY

Frank
308—Frank
312—Frank
316—Frank
320—F rank

Frank
328—F rank
332—Frank
336—Frank
340—Frank
344—Frank
348—Frank
352—Frank
356—Frank
359—Frank
362—Frank
365—Frank
368—Frank
371—Frank
374—F rank
377—F rank

AT 10 CENTS

Merriwell’s Own Company.
Merriwell’s Fame.
Merriwell’s College Chums.
Merriwell’s Problem.
Merriwell’s Fortune.
Merriwell’s New Comedian.
Merriwell’s Prosperity.
Merriwell’s Stage Hit.
Merriwell’s Great Scheme.
Merriwell in England.
Merriwell on the Boulevards.
Merriwell’s Duel.
Merriwell’s Double Shot.
Merriwell’s Baseball Victories.
Merriwell’s Confidence.
Merriwell’s Auto.
Merriwell’s Fun.
Merriwell’s Generosity.
Merriwell’s Tricks.
Merriwell’s Temptation.
Merriwell on Top.

NEW MEDAL LIBRARY

AT 15 CENTS. (Increased Size)

380— Frank
383—Frank
386—Frank

389—F rank

Merriwell’s Luck.
Merriwell’s Mascot.
Merriwell’s Reward.
Merriwell’s Phantom.

392—Frank Merriwell’s Faith.

395—F rank
398—F rank

Merriwell’s Victories.
Merriwell’s Iron Nerve.

 

 

 

STREET & SMITH,

Publishers,

NEW YORK

 

 

 

 

 

SS. sas

BLT ,

oD
LG

SA. <9
Lal,

Sas
ha