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Lssued Weekly.
XN.

By subscription $2. 50 per year. Entered as Second-class Matter at the.N. Y. Post Office, by STREET & SMITH, 79-89 Seventh Avenue,
. Y. Entered according to Act of Congress in the year 1907, in the Office of the Librarian of Congress, Washington, D. C.

  
 

 

 

No. 572.

NEW YORK, March 30, 1907.

  

Price Five Cents.

 

ick Merriwell’s Magnetism;

_ THE CURING OF ACAD.

By BURT L. STANDISH.

CHAPTER <I,

EAST ROCK AT DAWN.

4

j

On the bosorh of Long Island Sound lay a faint,
hazy gray mist. There was a pearly light in the east-
ern sky, which was gradually growing more distinct.
The stars had faded one by one, and in the roadside
joyously de-
spite the chill of the hour.

Along the highway leading out toward East Rock
a span of horses clattered rhythmically. They were
attached to a phaeton in which sat, two persons be-
Those two persons were boyish-
looking youths, their overcoats buttoned tight and
their caps pulled hard down.

“Think we will get there in time, Duncan?” in-
pired Robert Lee Claxton, a Yale freshman from Vir-
“T wouldn’t be a minute late for the world.”

“Don’t worry,” answered Duncan Ditson,
short, nervous laugh. ‘We'll get there soon enough,
Can't you drive a little faster, Mike?”

girtia.

 

with a-

 

   
    
  
  
  
 
   
  
  
     
 
 
  
   
  
  
   
    

.

“Vis, sor,”
to the horses.

“In an affair of honor like this,” said the Virginian,
“promptness is absolutely imperative. The man who
arrives one minute late practically confesses himself
afraid. He acknowledges he fears the result, and has
delayed sixty seconds in order to get that much more
of life.” \

“Oh, rats!” said Ditson snappishly. “You talk as
f this thing was bound to end in a funeral.”

“Tt is,” murmured the Southerner, in his soft, lan-
guid way. “It is, unless Mr. Merriwell backs down,
or apologizes. There can be no other termination.” i

“Tt’s a rotten silly piece of business!” growled Dune.
“The idea of two men fighting a duel with pistols at
one yard is simply preposterous. Why the dickens did
you give Merriwell the chance to name such outrageou
conditions, Caen, old fellow ?”

“He trapped me,” confessed the boy from Virginia.
“J meant to force him into challenging, but he fore ds
me, which gave him the right to make terms. .

answered the Irish driver, as he chirped

 

 
     
  

    

  

    

  

       
 

 

Z LEP TOP
twenty paces I could shoot him through the shoulder,
while he might lose his nerve and miss me. At one
yard neither of us can miss, for we will be touching
each other with the muzzles of our pistols.”

“And that will be a fine old duel!” sneered Duncan.
“Tm in hopes Merriwell won’t show up. I’m in hopes
he'll regard it as a fine joke on us if he lets us come

he snoozes in bed.”
” said Claxton, “he will

out here looking for him while
“Tf. he does not show up,’
brand himself as a coward.”

“But you don’t understand, Rob—in the North it’s
regarded as no-sign of cowardice to refuse to fight a
duel with pistols. I don’t believe Merriwell would
think it cowardly.”

“T certainly do not understand people who regard it
in that light,’ admitted the Southerner. “If Merri-
well does not appear, I shall be well satisfied, for it
wi ill convince me that he is a bluffer and a fellow with
a craven heart.” .

“There’s the rock,” said Dunc, pointing toward a
dark mass that bulged against the sky. “You can see
the monument on top of it. We'll be there directly.”

Before long the hoofbeats of the horses were flung
back in faintly pattering echoes from the face of East
Rock... Soon they were following the road which
wound close to the base of the rock. To the right lay
the. Sound, on the placid surface of which the mists
seemed receding toward the distant Long Island shore.
5 ‘Are you sure you can easily find the place of meet-
‘ing, Ditson?” inquired Claxton, in a low tone.

“Sure,” was the answer. “We're pretty near there
ah now. Hello! i is that a carriage?”
; Ahead of them, by the roadside,

riage. On the seat sat the. driver,
‘was browsing upon some limbs which hung near.

“They must be here,’ muttered Claxton.

“IT guess they are,” admitted Dunc, in keen regret
and worriment. 4
_ They stopped near the closed carriage, and the two
boys sprang out. Ditson spoke to the driver of the
carriage they had found waiting there, and the arswer

stood a closed car-
while the horse

to his inquiry told him that Merriwell and Buckhart ,

were near at hand in the grove.
a this the eS direction ?”’ inquired Claxton, with

Good marnin’ to yez, Heise said the danas
ling to the man on the seat of the closed carriage.

A

WEEKLY.

“Yes, that’s right, Mike,” was the answer,. as the
man called Hanson eas Sickle down into the up-
“The air. bites a little.”
’ inquired

turned collar of his big coat.

“How long have you been afther waitin’ ?’
the Irishman, as he sprang down from his seat.

“Not more than five minutes, Mike.”

“And phwat do you think them bhoys do be up to,
Oi dunno?”

“It’s my opinion they’re going to settle a little
grudge of some sort. I guess there'll be a fight over
YORE in the grove.”

“Begorra! from what Oi heard wid me own ears,”
said Mike, “Oi’m afeared it will be something a bit
more serious. The two youngsters wid me were talk-
in’ about duels and pistols and such, so they were.
It gave me an extra chill, Hanson, but Oi couldn’t git
at me bottle then. Oi think Oi’ll have a nip now. »J
had a stiff wan Stale I shtarted.”’

He produced a flat quart-bottle which he held up to
the light with a grin of satisfaction on his face.

“Will yez be afther joinin’ me, Hanson?”
vited. |

“Well, I don’t care if I do, Mike,”
bracing up and showing unmistakable eagerness.
drink will do me good.”

“Your hoss is afther standin’ well, Hanson,” said
Mike. “You can lave him. But these bastes of moine
are divvilish frisky.” |

Hanson accepted the suggestion and sprang down —
from his seat, advancing to accept the proffered bot-_
tle. Removing the cork, he wiped the mouth of the
bottle on his coat-sleeve, held it up toward the Irish-
man for a moment, and said:

“Here’s lookin’ at yer. May yer never want fora
swaller of the stuff to wet your throat when it is dry.”

“Drink hearty,” nodded Mike.

There was a gurgling sound as the bottom of the
bottle was tipped skyward. ;

“Ah-h-h-h!” breathed Hanson, catching his ‘imei
and passing the bottle back. “That’s all right! That
starts my blood! That makes me feel better. Thank
you, Mike.”

“Don’t mention it,”

he in-

said the other, | |
Te: F

said Mike, relieved to find the
contents of the bottle had not been ney, depleted.

\

“Tere’s to yersilf!”’ .
When he lowered the bottle, more than. half the ae
whisky was gone. Driving in the cork, he slipped the
bottle into his pocket, and turned his attention to the
restless horses.

oy don’t hear any sounds of fighting,” ‘aid Hanson,

a listening.

 
  

 

Peete aatne nd ll en

 

 

 

    

 

LEE ALOor

Mike cocked up his ear.

“Oi hear something ilse,”’ he declared. “On me
worrud, Oi belave there’s wan av thim buzz-wagons
seid along this road.”

That's right,” nodded Hanson, catching the distant
a. of a motor, “there’s an automobile coming.”

“Me horses don’t loike thim things much,’ said
Mike, placing himself at the heads of the animals and
getting a grip on their bits. “It’s a divvil av a foine
time for an auttymobile to be racin’ round the country,
so it is.”

The sound of the motor drew near with great speed.
The car soon swept into view around a curve of the
road. It contained three persons, the man at the
wheel and two girls in the tonneau.

Catching fih of the carriages, one of the girls
seized the driver by the shoulder and spoke to him.
The car swept up on the far side of the road and came
‘to an abrupt stop. Out sprang the driver, but he was
too late to assist either of the girls, both of whom
seemed greatly excited. ;

“They are there! They are there!” oneé of the girls
was exclaiming. “Oh, let’s hurry! I’m afraid we
shall be too late.” |
a Mike was gradually soothing the horses, both of
% which had been greatly disturbed by the appearance of

5

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eae ile

es

 

Se pceemenneie einai
SAR Se rr

) the motor-car. The driver of the car strode up to
'@ Hanson,
| “Look here,” he said, “I presume you brought some
; gentlemen out here. Can you tell me’ where to find
them?”

Hanson jerked his thumb over his shoulder.
“Guess you'll find them out yonder in the’ grove
sneha hip What's all the racket about, anyhow ¢

ie Is it
a _ . But none of ee trio who had arrived in the motor-

car waited to answer Hanson’s question. Instead of
that, they rushed away, and soon disappeared in the
_ grove.

i; ~¥4e; He!’ chuckled Hanson.
—$ Look scared most to death, though. Why, one of
a them was ’most ready to cry. Mebbe you was right
about that duel-business, Mike.”

Fe “Oi were,’ said Mike. “QOi’ll stake me loife on it
|. “now. Begobs! it’s,another drink Oi think Oi’ll have.”
| The bottle was again brought forth.

 

tee y girls, by gum!

 

CHAPTER IL. ,
QUAFFING A BITTER CUP. om

ne ‘The heart of Duncan Ditson had ceased-to beat in
fs his breast. White-faced and horrified, he stood with

  

bulging eyes fastened upon those two lads who faced

 

  

   

WEEKLY. _ 3

     
  
   
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
     
     
   
  
   
  
 
  
  
 
  
    
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
   
    
     
 
   
    

each other, a yard apart, in the golden flush of the
awaking day.

Ditson had done everything in his power to bring 4
about delay, for he felt sure Casper Steele was close 3
at hand with Mabel and Barbara. Duncan had *told
the girls on the previous evening of the encounter to
take place at East Rock as the sun rose. He had like-
Wise made arrangements for Steele to bring the girls
there in his motor-car. His eager ears had heard the
throbbing of the motot, and he knew the car had
stopped on the highway near at hand.

Nevertheless,: it seemed that Steele would be too
late. With loaded weapons, Merriwell and Claxton
stood face to face, while Brad Buckhart began to va
count. At the word “three,” the boys were to fire.
The muzzle of Dick Merriwell’s pistol touched the
Virginian’s coat directly over his heart, while Clax-
ton’s hand held his pistol aimed at Dick’s heart. A
pull at those triggers meant death for both lads.

It was a duel of nerve, and Dick Merriwell won, for
ere the fatal word could be spoken, the Southerner ut-
tered a sudden cry of exasperation and dashed his pis- ©
tol to the ground. Up to that point Claxton had be-
lieved Merriwell would give in, but his eyes read no’
token of fear or faltering in Dick’s face.

ea

 

From the very first; Dick Merriwell had likewise be- J
lieved that Claxton would not have nerve enough to i
see the thing through. Dick had played the game to
the very limit, and it must be acknowledged that he
was not a little relieved when the Southerner quit. He
had made no mistake in his estimation of Claxton.
Something had told him the Virginian would face it
through up to the fatal instant, but all the time Dick
had unswervingly believed Rob would back down at.
last.

As Steele and the two girls came panting up, Dick, :
pistol still in hand, turned to meet them with a smile
on his face.

“What foolishness, Dick Merriwell!” cried, Bar-
bara. “You shall not fight a duel!”

“There’s not the slightest danger of that now,”
Dick, as he handed the pistol over to Buckhart.
has been settled amicably.”

Then he turned and held out his hand to the South-
erner. a, I

“Mr. Claxton,” he said, “tet s shake.
hand.”

But Claxton, choking with shame and rage, refeea ,

to shake hands, Turning his back on Dick, he walked
away.

said’
“Tt a

 
   
  

  

   

Give me ee ;

  

  

   
 
 

 
   

   
       
 

 

gees TIP TOP

“Good heavens, Steele!’ Duncan Ditson spluttered
in a low tone, “you had my hair standing! Why didn’t
you get here sooner ?”

“My machine balked on me half a mile back. The
motor stopped. But it’s all right. I didn’t believe
those fellows would be fools enough to shoot at each
other.”

“Claxton had to take water,” whispered Dunc, who
was keenly disappointed over the outcome. “Hanged
if Merriwell didn’t seem ready to go through to the
finish! Claxton quit, and now he’s sore.”’

“Come, come, Rob, old fellow,” said Steel
ing the Virginian, “you may as well bury the hatchet.
Merriwell offers you his hand.”

e, address-

“Why shouldn’t he?” muttered the Southerner

huskily. “I'll never take his hand.”

Claxton, the descendant of a race of nervy men and
‘fighters, felt that he had been disgraced. His soul
writhed with the shame of it. His former dislike for
Dick Merriwell was now hatred unspeakably intense.
“Qh, I’m so glad!’ almost sobbed Mabel Ditson. “I

never was so frightened in my life! When I saw those
carriages standing out yonder, | thought I should die!
Please shake hands, Mr. Claxton—please do!”
| “And T’ll take you all back to the city in my car,”
said Steele. “We'll have breakfast together, and get
- good and friendly. These little misunderstandings can
be settled without duels and bloodshed and: such folly.
‘Will you come along in my car, boys?”
_ “With pleasure,” answered Dick at once.

“You bet we will!” nodded Buckhart.

“Come, Claxton,” urged Steele. |

ra hope you! can understand my position, Mr.
" Steele,” said the Southerner, in a dry, forced voice.
“YT shall return to town'in the carriage that brought
me here. She gos other circumstances, I would gladly
_ return with you.” — |
A Duncan seemed irresolute. Observing this, the lips
of the Virginian curled a bit, and he said:
| You may accept Mr. Steele’s invitation if you wish,
Ditson. You may ride back with Merriwell and his

| I'll return alone.”

“T came here with

We'll let them

y
/

WEEKLY.

the pistols ard care-
fully rolled them in the old sweater. With this bun-
dle under his arm, Brad bowed’ courteously, cap in
hand, to Mabel. |
“Miss Ditson
“Have you forgotten my first name, Brad?”
terrupted.

The Texan had gathered up

” he began.
she in-

I passed you on the
Claxton had just
assisted you to a,seat in Steele’s car. That was enough
but maybe you ‘understand

“Mabel, I want to apologize.
street yesterday without speaking.

to get me somewhat hot,
my feelings when I tell you that less than thirty min-
utes before that time the gentleman from the South
had practically forced my partner into this arrange-
ment fora duel. TI wason my high horse, and I didn’t
realize my bad manners until I was clean past you,
Mabel.”

“It’s all right, Brad,” she assured.
must be some cause for your action.”

“T knew there

“T want to confess,” he murmured in her ear, “that
I’m a powerful lot jealous of this gent Claxton. It
seemed to me that he was getting the inside track with
you, and that made me sore. Now, Mabel—now, if
you will take my arm and walk with me out to Steele’s
car, I'll reckon myself more than square with Mr.
Claxton.”’

She accepted his arm, her gloved hand resting lightly
upon it, and Claxton, pale-faced and cold to his finger-
tips, even though his eyes burned like coals, watched
them pass beneath the trees, chatting and laughing.
Steele and Merriwell followed, one on each side of
Barbara Midhurst. Not a backward glance did one
of the five give the two lads left standing there with
the grim rock, monument-mounted, on one hand, and.
the laughing, sun-kissed sound on the other,

“Vou’re down and out, Rob,” said Duncan Ditson.
“You've met the fate of every other chap who has —
pitted himself against Merriwell since that fellow ar-
rived at Yale.” ae

Claxton drew a deep breath. ; |
_ “For Heaven’s sake, don’t rub it in!’ he muttered.
“I'm cold. I’m chilled to the bone: Let's go.”

As they walked toward the’ carriages, the sound of _ 2

Steele’s motor, just cranked, came to their ears. They

caught a glimpse of the car as it glided past an opening : 3 .

amid the trees, and a burst of light laughter, brought |

to them by the breeze, caused, the Southerner to grind :
~~ teeth with fury. i

 

 
   
 

Sate RRR

See ae hen

 

GOMER

ere

 

 

 

  

-a whole lot like a double funeral.
gentleman from Virginia and my partner a-standing

to.

Brad.

OE NTL DIC LG

 

 

 

}

CHAPTER III.
DICK’S NERVE.

Finding the two drivers in amicable conversation,
Dick paid Hanson and dismissed him, explaining that
his services would be needed no further,

“I dislike to deprive the girls of your charming so-
ciety, Merriwell,” laughed Steele, “but I would enjoy
your company on the front seat.”

“IT think Brad will be able to entertain Miss Mid-
hurst and Miss Ditson,” nodded Merriwell. “We'll
give him the opportunity.”

“For which I am truly thankful, partner,” laughed
the Texan.

_ The girls were assisted into the tonneau,
Steele threw over the crank

“Now tell us all about it,
bel, as the car rolled away.

“There’s not much to tell,” answered the Westerner.
“Tt was just over as you girls came treking through
the timber. A few seconds before that it sure looked

while
and started the motor.

Brad,” eagerly urged Ma-

There were the

face to face, with the muzzles of their loaded pistols
planted securely against each other’s breasts, and me
on the verge of uttering the fatal word ‘three.’ ”

““Me on the verge?” murmured Mabel reprov-
ingly.

“I beg your pardon!”
flushing. “You see how it is I obtained such a beastly
reputation for tmcouthness. Occasionally.some gram-
matical rule gets a waistlock on me and gives me an
awful slam, but I trust you'll believe me when I say
it’s mainly from carelessness on my part.”

“Go on,” urged Barbara. “Dick isn’t listening.
He’s talking to Mr. Steele. You were counting three.”

“T was, and at the word three those two bloodthirsty

_ young gents were to bore each other.”

“How awful!” breathed Mabel.: “Weren't you

dreadfully frightened ?”

“Not’ a bit.”

“And you were willing to see them kill each other
—you, who have professed to care so mttch for Dick?
Brad, I’m afraid, you are a heartless, bloodthirsty

wretch.” . Bi

“Wait before you drive the knife any deeper?’ urged
the. Westerner. “TI certainly was giving them the
count, but I hadn’t said three, and I didn’t propose
”?

“Oh!” exclaimed Mabel, greatly relieved.
“T had that all figured out in advance,” chuckled

“T knew the sort of game my partner was

TIP) DOP, WEEKLY; 5.

exclaimed the Texan, his face,

 
   

 

   
  
  
  
    
 
  
  
   
  
  
  
  
   
  
   
  
  
    
  
    
 
  
   
 
 
  
  
   
  
  
 

playing, and T was bound to help him as far as I dared,
but all the tortures devised by the Inquisition or prac-
tised by redskins upon captives taken in. war could
20t have wrung that word three from my lips.”

“But do you think Dick really meant to shoot ?”

“You'll have to ask him. Anyhow, he looked a
whole lot as if he was more than eager to perforate
Mr. Claxton, of Virginia. If he didn’t mean ‘it, he
certain played his cards for all there was in them. I
judge Claxton thought he meant it,

¢

anyhow, for

promptly following the word ‘two,’ the gentlemah
from the South threw down his hardware and _hol-
lerd ‘enough.’ ”

“It was a piece of reckless folly,” declared Bar-
bara, “but still, I can’t help admiring Dick Merriwell.”

“T think Mr. Claxton also showed a great deal of
nerve,” said Mabel, with a touch of sympathy in her
voice. “TI know how dreadfully hard it must have been
for him to back down, for ks is awfully proud and
high-spirited,”

“Oh, yes, it was a right bitter pill for him to swal-
low,” nodded Buckhart; “but he had to gulp it down.”

“He should have shaken hands when Dick offered
to do so,’ came from Bab. “His refusal to accept
Dick’s hand was the first ungentlemanly thing I’ve ever
known him to do. _ It put him in a very bad light.”

“Tt sure did,”’ sishided the Westerner.
I know just about how he felt.”

They came out from-the shadow of the trees toa
spot where the wide road wound near the shore of the
Sound. Barbara called to Casper Steele, and asked
him to stop.

“It’s such a glorious morning, and such a beautiful
view of the Sound,” she said. “‘Let’s stop here a few
minutes, please.” |

“Still, I opine |

Swinging the car out to the roadside, Casper
brought it to a stand, and they sat gazing upon the —
sun-silvered expanse of water. A white Sound steamer _
was ploughing its way toward New York, leaving a”
black smudge of smoke trailing across the blue sky.
The freshness and beauty of the scene inspired them
all, and set their young blood a-tingle with that keen ©
joy in life that is one of youth’s greatest heirlooms. —

“Oh, isn’t it good to be living?” cried Mabel. en

Dick’ smiled back at her. ae

“It is,” he agreed. Bepkeially after looking the
Grim Monster fairly in his glittering eve. re

“The Grim Monster!” shouted Buckhart laughing!
“That’s a new name for Mr. Claxton.”

“Weren’t you dreadfully afraid; Dick?”
Mabel.

  
     
        
     
  

  

     
          
       
    

‘tnd is

 
 
   
   
SLES Sd SCE RIERA IEEE NS on EEE ES

 

-snatrt.

through!” breathed Mabel.
bof steel.
i oftair 2’

 

TIP’ TOP

“Same one she put to me,” thought Buckhart. “She’s

probing to find the extent of my partner’s nerve now.”
“Perhaps I didn’t know enough to be afraid,” an-
“At any rate, I hope you'll believe me

swered Dick
when I say I was not.”

“Well, ['d like to know how you. could stand
with the muzzle of a loaded pistol touching your breast,
and nét feel afraid.”

“T was counting on something.”

“And that

“Was my positive belief that Claxton would quit.”

“And did you mean to shoot him if he did not
quit ?”’

“Hardly.”

“He might have shot you.”

“He might have done so, but if I’ve read his char-
acter right, he’s no murderer, and he has sense enough
to know such a thing would be rank murder.”

“What if Buckhart had spoken the word three?”
questioned Barbara.

Dick chuckled. ‘

“T believe both of us would have stood there like
stone images, without moving a muscle. I can see it
now. If Buckhart had spoken that word, Claxton
and myself both would have waited for the other chap

there,

’ to prove himself a man of human instinct or.a bloody-
_ handed assassin.
IT am willing to stake almost anything on that.”

Neither of us would have fired, and

“But I wasn’t saying three-any at all,” put in Buck-
“When Claxton dropped his shooting-iron, I
was just about ready to tell both of you a few things

in language that would have been plain and to the

point. Begging your pardon, Mabel, I judge your

brother was a heap more alarmed than any ofthe rest .

of us. He must have figured it out that we were a
bunch of hot-witted lurfatics, and there’s no telling
what lunatics will do.”

“Oh, look!’ exclaimed Mabel softly.
bird ‘drinking from that pool of water!
how a bird’s bill goes up when he drinks ?”

“See that little
Isn’t it odd
“It’s the same w ay with a man, ” said Dick. “His
bill goes up when he drinks.”

“And you~can joke after what you’ve just been
“You must have nerves
Why did you force Mr. Claxton into this

21 didn’t.”

“But Duncan said i.

“Perhaps it looked that way to your brother, Mabel,
but I think Brad will back me up when I stake my
word of honor that Rob Claxton forced me. I simply

WEEKLY.

saw what he was determined to do, and turned th2
tables on him before he could carry his plan out. It
was his intention to compel me to challenge him. |
compelled him to challenge me, which gave me the
right to name weapons-and terms. J had no desire
whatever to fight a duel with him, but I perceived that,
sooner or later, there would be a struggle between us
to demonstrate which fellow had the most nerve. For
that reason I named the distance as one yard, which
would enable us to place our pistols against each
other’s breast. Had I made it twenty yards, Claxton
would have looked on:the encounter as a gentleman’s
affair of honor, and would have fired at me. I knoav
how he can shoot, and even though he had not wished
to kill me, it is probable he would have sent me to the
No hospital for me just
3etween Claxton and

hospital with a nasty wound.
now if I can keep out of it!
myself there can be no further question as to duels.
He has forfeited his right to challenge me in future,
and I certainly shall not challenge, him.”

“After all,” said Barbara, “it seems as if the sfale
has terminated in a most satisfactory manner. You
and Brad haven’t called to see us lately, Dick. You
ought to be ashamed. What excuse can you make ?”

“Ask Buckhart for excuses. Perhaps he didn’t wish -

Ao meet Mr: Claxton at your house.”

“Dick hasn’t any right to throw it all on my shoul-
ders,” hastily. asserted the Texan. ‘He wouldn’t come
along with me. Said he was awfully busy. Tried to
post me off alone.” )

“And you, the brave man from Texas, were afraid ©
to come alone!” laughed Mabel. “I didn’t think it of
you. Haven’t you ever called on a girl alone?”

“Oh, sure, sure. I'll never forget the first time T
did that. I was sort of smashed on a little girl, and I.
didn’t know whether she reciprocated or not. I felt
rather bashful and reluctant, but one evening I braced
up and called. We sat at opposite sides of the room
and talked by spasms. I wanted to get nearer, but
didn’t know just how to work it. I realized\that the
evening was waning, dnd I’d have to sift pretty soon. |
Finally, in desperation, I blurted: ‘Say, Trixie, do you
know what ue going to do when I go? I’m going ©
to kiss you.’ ated

“Dear me!” murmured Mabel, “what did Trixie
say ?” “ 4

“She said: ‘Sir, leave the house at once!’ ”

“Hello!” cried Steele, partly. rising and. looking
back along the road, “here comes your friends, They
certainly came out here in style this pipe Those
horses are frisky beasts.”

 

 

 
   

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pe

“Here we

 

 

 

Lait a tit nan ae he

PES

 

PES

Claxton and Ditson,
horses be-

The phaeton, containing was
Ats

show alarm, whereupon Mike, the driver, seized

approachme. sight of the motor-car the

gan to

the whip and gave them both a vicious cut.

imed Steele. “That’s no way to
like those. It will spoil them.”

The animals were inclined to balk and rear, which
led the half-drunken driver to lash them mercilessly
They went plunging past the automobile, snorting and
wild-eyed with terror. ere the car they swerved
almost into the ditch, and the driver, on the point of
wielding his whip still further, lost his balance and
plunged headlong from the carriage.

With the reins dragging, the freed horses galloped
madly down the road.

“The fool!’ excla

treat horses

CHAPTER IV.

THE HAND OF THE CONQUEROR.

Mabel Ditson uttered a cry of terror.

“My brother!” she exclaimed. “He'll be killed!”

The half-drunken driver picked himself up out of
the ditch and stood, dirt-covered, staring foolishly af-
ter the runaway horses.

Steele had not stopped the motor.

And now, contrary to his custom, he slammed

the high gear and started the car with a jump.

“We'll follow them up, Merriwell!’ he cried to
Dick. ““Those frightened horses are going to smash
things generally. Hope they find a clear road.”

In the phaeton Claxton was seen climbing over the

‘driver’s seat, but there was little he could do, for the

reins were beyond his reach, whipping and eee
along the ground.
Clinging to\the rear seat, Ditson turned a pale, be-

‘seeching face toward the occupants of the motor-car.

The car was a long distance behind, but coming with
the speed of an express-train, which swiftly closed the
gap. -In a moment or two it was close behind the
phaeton, and Steele was compelled to shut off much
of the speed. ah
Ditson shouted something to the occupants of the

ear, but the clatter of hoofs, rattle of wheels, and
throbbing of the motor drowned his words.

“Bad business, bad business!’ cried Casper Steele.
are almost within reach, but we can’t do a
thing!” .
“Watch your chance!” urged Dick.

TR oar

  

- themselves jostled’ and jounced, but the steady hand

per-—-steady !”

“If you get
‘ the opportunity, drive her past on the mene
. “Tf we get ahead of them——”

Steele checked his own words, for the horses had

i

   
 

op rreerees—

  
   
   
  
  
   
   
  
  
   
  
    
  
  
   
  
  
    
  
    
  
  
 
   
   
   
 
   
   
 
    

WEEKLY.

Se ee sea Saas

swerved, and Casper put the car to the shoulder of the
in an effort to follow
the runaways swerved back

and the opportunity

SS

road, Merriwell’s suggestion.

=, peas

In a moment, however,
into the middle of the highway,
was lost. |

“If I’d been a little quicker!’ grated Steele. “Still,
there was hardly time for me to get by.”
“Watch out, watch out!’ palpitated Dick. . “You

may have a better chance any second.”

“What’s-Claxton going to do?”

This question was brought forth by the action of
the Virginian, who had stripped off his overcoat and
flung it into the bottom of the phaeton. He was now
seen removing his undercoat.

“He’s going to wid something,’
hint is a good one.”

Rapidly Merriwell followed Claxton’s example, toss-
ing both of his coats over into the tonneau.

” said Dick,. “and his

“Oh, Dick, Dick! what are you going to.do?”? 4
screamed Mabel, seizing him by the shoulder. fee,

“May not get a chance to do anything,” he an-
swered, “but I’m going to be ready if I do have a
chance.” :

The wind sang past their ears and cut their faces.
Buckhart tried to soothe and reassure Mabel; but his |
efforts were wasted. With his hands gripping the
wheel, ready to open the throttle in an instant, Steele
gttided the car with the skill and coolness of an Old-
field. : ' i

Once more the runaways bore hard to the left- hand |
side of the road. Leaning to the right, Casper Steele’s ©
eyes made a flashing survey of the highway for some_
distance in advance. : Se

 

 

Rr-rr-rr-rrt!—the throttle was snapped wide open,
Like a mettlesome horse struck with the spur, the
car fairly leaped ahead. The shoulder of the road
was a bit rough, and the occupants of the car felt.

at. the wheel kept oie from being ditched.

“Close to the horses!’ shouted Dick. “Steady, Cae

 
   
  

 
 
 
 

“Hesrose to his feet. Measuring the distance, Cas-
“per turned ever so little to the left, and‘ere the run-
ames ey it, the car was etna beside ie

      
     

    

the air and landed aitcide the nearest horse.
hands clutched the whipping reins,
gripped the animal’s side. .

“Room! !” he yelled —‘“give us room now! 1

 
       
      
Penta =

8 Ae LA
_ The brake was applied, and the motor-car dropped be-
hind.

“Whoop!” cried Buckhart exultantly.
partner! He sure will deliver the goods!
put your last chip on him!”

Following the runaways at a distance, with his muf-
fler closed, in order that the sound of the engine might
horses, Steele watched

“That’s my
You can

not continue to frighten the |!

Merriwell struggling to conquer the animals.
Dick did not seek to overcome them wholly by main
strength, for he realized such a thing would be folly
.indeed. Instead of that, with a firm grip on the reins,
he began talking soothingly to the frightened beasts
' while he guided them to the best of his ability. There
Was reassurance in his musical voice. They did not
seem to hear him at first, but after a time he felt that

? his words were taking effect.
ie “Steady, boys—steady!” he murmured.
my fine fellows. It’s all right. There’s nothing if
the world that will hurt you. Easy now—easy. You're
not going to be hit with the whip. Whoa, my beau-
ties |”

Still breathing Hiaeties their oe heaving, they
finally settled down to an ordinary gallop, from this
they were worked into a trot, and then soothed to a
walk, being at last brought to a standstill. The mo-
ment they stopped, Dick was\off and had them by the
bits.

Duncan “‘Ditson tumbled out of the phaeton in fran-
tic haste.

“Merciful goodness !”” he panted, “that was a close
“shave.” . |

Claxton recovered mn coats and began eats into

es them.

-motor-car to a stop and shut off the engine.

Patting the necks of the horses and gently stroking
- their foam-flecked muzzles, Dick continued to talk to
them. He talked with his eyes, too, for they seemed
«to. be looking him over as if satisfying themselves that
he was in truth the friend his voice had led them
_to believe.

 

ried forward from the automobile.
“Oh, Duncan,” she panted, “I was, awfully aftaid
i you would be hurt or killed, but Dick stopped the
horses! He knew just how to do it!”
“Any one might have done it in his place,’ rast
tered Duncan. “We couldn't get hold of the reins.’
! “Now, that’s not generous! You owe him thanks
' . —both you and ‘Mr. Claxton.”

  

”

 

 

WwW hoa,

Back soke the highway. Steele nid brought the (

- Mabel Ditson, accompanied by Brad Buckhagg, ht hur-

WEEKLY.

””

said the Virginian,
“However,

“T presume we do, Miss Ditson,
who had now descended to thé ground.
I’m sorry he took a hand in the business.”

“Sorry?” ‘

wes?

“How can you say that?”

“T should have tried to leap from the carriage to the
back of one of those horses. Mr. Merriwell deprived
me of the opportunity.”

Mabel regarded him with reproving eyes.

“Although you are from Virginia, Mr. Claxton,”
she said, “you do not seem to be showing up very well
in comparison with Dick Merriwell.”

The face of the Southerner, that had been quite pale,
suddenly flushed.

“Perhaps that’s true,” he admitted, with bitter re-
gret. “Everything has favored him.”

“You ought to thank him for what he has just
done.”

“IT shall thank him. I would thank a cab-driver,
or any ordinary person, for the same service.” .)

Then the Virginian expressed his thanks in a few
cold, curt words.

CHAPTER V.
A RANKLING BARB.

In his room Claxton paced the floor, his jaws hard
set, his proud face corrugated with the bitterness that
imbued his very-soul. He felt that he had been con-
quered, humiliated, crushed. He felt that he had been
shamed in the presence of Ditson’s sister, who, of all
Northern girls, had interested him the most.| He had
deliberately pitted himself against Merriwell, and this

was the result.
There was a hasty step outside and a sharp knock on —

the door. Claxton hesitated about answering. He

did not wish to see arly one, but while he hesitated, the

hand of the person who had knocked flung the door
open, and Floyd Fernald stepped hastily into the room.

“Hello!” cried the unbidden guest. “By George,
I’m ashamed of myself, Claxton! I overslept—on my
word I did! I hope you believe me. I told you I was
going with you this morning, but I failed you.”

“It’s all right, suh,” said the Virginian in a wearied
tone. binder

“T want to apologize.
like that.” |

“Your apology is not at all necessary, Mr. Fernald.
I believe your statement, suh.”

~ “Pye just ‘seen Ditson.” p> Rete

 

 

j Nite

Deuced bum of me to snooze ©
    
   
   
 
 
  
  
   
  
   
   
  
   
  
   
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
   
    
   
 
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
   
  
  
  
   
  
  
   
   
        
     
 

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By >

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did he? It is plain this wretched story will be thor-

 

SE eect ee A EE NT a ee EE IE!

TIP ‘TOP

At the sound of that name the Southerner’s eyes
flashed the least bit, and his proud lips curled.

“Then I suppose, suh, he has told you everything.”

“Well, he gave me a hasty account of the affair.”

“I knew he would spread it. I haven’t much use
for Mr. Ditson, suh.”

‘Why, you've been very friendly of late.”

“We've seen a great deal of each other during the
past week or so,’ vowed Rob, “but I’m willing to
confess that my interest in him came mainly on account
of his charming sister.”

“But he was your second this morning.”

“It may seem ungrateful of me, Mr. Fernald, to
speak of him in this manner. Did he tell you of the
runaway ?”

yen?

“And did he also tell you that after those horses
were—were stopped he declined to ride to town in the
phaeton with me driving? Mr, Fernald, suh,
father owns at least twenty blooded horses.
dled horses all my life. [think I know them thor-
oughly. Mr. Ditson betrayed a streak of timidity
which [ thought him incapable of when he abandoned
me and came into town in the car with my enemies.
But I am willing to overlook that. I had hoped that
he would have the good taste to keep his mouth closed
about the affair als morning, even though. t did not
ask him to do so.’

“If he don’t tell it, some orie else will, Claxton.”

“Let, my enemies tell whatever they please. I shall
not take the trouble to deny anything.”

my
I’ve han-

“You showed your horse-sense, old fellow, when
you dropped your pistol and declared the whole affair
ridiculous. I’ve regarded it as ridiculous from the
very start.”

The Souther ner shrugged his shoulders.

£T’m not anxious to murder a man, even though Mr.
Merriwell may be,” he said. “And I alsoyrealized that
I was not bound by any code of honor to let him de-
liberately butcher me.’

“Do you think he would have done that ?”

“T don’t know,” confessed the Virginian, “but cer-
tainly he had bloodshed in his eyes. I’ve never seen
such cruel eyes in the head of a human being.”

“That doesn’t seem to jibe with what I’ve heard of
Merriwell. His friends seem to think him the most
open-hearted, generous chap in the world. Why didn’t
you shake hands with him, Claxton?” ;

“So Mr. Ditson told you I refused to shake hands,

 

!

= wy
A Op ale ee — a

WEEKLY. | 9

oughly circulated and aired. That leaves but one
course open for me.”

“What's that ?”

“T must leave college.”

“Leave college?”

“Yes, suh.”

“Why.

“You should see, suh,
me to remain here.

 

that it will be impossible for
I am not a person to stand the
sneers of awy one. Most people who hear of this af-
fair will laugh over it, considering it a great joke on
me.”

“And so you're going to run away! You, who are
supposed to be a fellow of courage and nerve, are going
to confess that you haven’t nerve enough to stand up

like a man and take your medicine.”

“Suh! suh!’ spluttered the Southerner.

39

“T’m disappointed in you,” continued Fernald. “If
you sneak now—if you permit this business to ruin
your college career, you'll confess yourself utterly >.
lacking in nerve. Going to leave college? Don't you, |
do it!” 3 4
“But I can’t stay—I can’t,” muttered Rob.

“You can, and you shall. . Get these foolish, proud- ~
spirited notions out of your head. Treat the whole
affair as a joke. If any one tries to. josh you, laugh
at them and with them. If you do this, you’ll find 4
that they won’t think any the less of you—that is, pro- |
viding you deport yourself properly toward Merri- 7
well.” : a

“And what do you mean by that? —

“Why, you must meet him on the same level, in case
he’s generous enough to accept you on that level.’

?”

“Never, suh—never!” cried Claxton fiercely. “From
this time on, Mr. Merriwell and I are strangers. ° Tr
shail ignore him utterly.”

“The worst thing you could posaily do. . Let me —
try to reason with you, old fellow.” \

But Claxton was not amenable to argument or .
reasoning, Fernald’s logic and eloquence were wasted |
upon him. oe

“Well, you Southerners do ae some queer ideas! yr
cried the visitor at last. “I think you'll get rid of —
some of them if you live long enough, Claxton, You'’r
about twenty years behind the times.”

“If holding myself to be a gentleman, and superic
toa sensational, glory- seeking Yankee, makes mi
twenty years behind the times, I’m willing it showlas
This fellow, Merriyell

“Is a white man,”

 

| “Had

     

declared Fernald.
 

   

TIP

    
  
      
     
  
   
  
  
    
  
  
   
      
   
   
  
    
 

thrown down his pistol and quit, would you have of-
fered him your hand?”

“T should have accepted an apology from him, suh.”
d him with disdain, ¢h?”
I pre-

“And then forever regarde

“T presume he regards me with disdain now.
sume he considers himself my superior.

“You're a
and once you have presumed a thing, like a woman,
you believe it must be so. You're -hot-headed and
sore now. ‘Take plenty of time to think this matter
over carefully. Don’t make a move until you have
meditated on it for a day, at least. If you'll follow
my advice, you'll come through all right, without stf-
Pll stick by

great person for presuming,

fering much discomfiture over joshing.
you, old chap.”

“Thank you, suh,” murmured Claxton, with
real gratitude, “I appreciate it, suh.”’
Fernald shook hands with the Virginian, once more
urged him to think the matter over calmly, and then
poe left.

a show

apa? (
it , of

CHAPTER : V1.
THE PROFESSOR DECIDES TO TREAT.

Professor Darwin Jope, a small, shriveled, near-
sighted old bachelor, roomed in a private house on one
of the streets not far from the college buildings. The
eccentricity of the old professor was well known to the

_ students,
fondness for pets, which led him to keep a cat and a
parrot. In spite of his years, Professor Jope some-
_ how managed to win the confidence of many boys, and
not infrequently these boys visited him in his room,
to seek advice or instruction, or to unbosom some se-
ret woes. Although he was a busy, studious man,

  

  
  

away, and frequently, on coming from the delivery of
a lecture, or from a meditating W alk in the open air,
he found one or two lads waiting for him in his study.
i menue ae was a great loves of Bibi eaernt and

 
 

v le in his idly and £dibetieds*
- “Um-hum!” said the professor. “Why didn’t they
a little one Did they call together ?”

f “No, sir,” ‘answered the girl

\.

TOP

 

Claxton,

He was a kindly man, who had an especial -

ate came sepa- oi

 

WEEKLY,

rately. - Th
ish young

fust was a fine-looking, handsome, dark-

1e g,
feller, who had the most apathetic face [|
ever see.”’

“Apathetic, Sallie?

OY eS eir; 7

Don’t
said Sallie,
he looked sorter sad and sorrerful,

you mean pathetic?”
“T guess that’s what I mean.
but still,

%)

Anyhow,
sir, he was proud and courting in his bearing.
“Um-hum !” “Courting,
Sallie—courting? I think you mean courtly.”
‘Yes, that’s what I perfesser.. He
courtly as a pruned |
“A plumed, knight, Sallie.’
“Ves,

student I ever see.”

coughed the professor.

mean, was

t.”?

1 knight

sir, a plumed knight. He was the politest
“Did he give you his name?”
“Yes; sir; I think
sir, or Claxwell, or something like that.

it was Baxton,

9?

but I’ve forgut it.

‘And who was this other boy who came ?”’

“He was just as handsome as the fust feller, but a
heap jollier. He had dark eyes, too, and when he
smiled he was simply radishing.”

“Hum! [think you mean ravishing. Did you get
his name, also?”

“No, I forgut to ax it, perfesser. He didn’t stop
long. The fust one was gone when the second one
come. ‘The fust one he jest stepped into your study,
sir, and after a minute or so I heard him go out.
Shall I bring up your buttermilk, sir?”

“Tf you will be so kind, Sallie.”

When the girl brought Professor Jope’s pitcher of
buttermilk, she found the old man rummaging’ ner-
vously amid the papers on his desk.

“Have you lost anything, sir?” inquired Sallie.

“I’m afraid there’s something missing,” was the an-
“My lecture on Norse Mythology doesn’t seem
I have been preparing that

swer.
to be here where I left it.

lecture for some weeks, and I must have it. You
haven’t touched my papers, have you, Sallie?”
“Oh, no, sir, I never touch your papers, sir. You

scolded me once because I moved the papers on your

table and dusted the table.- I.ain’t ever dared do so

ag’in.” . AE

“Which is quite right, Sallie—quite right.
me! that lecture is certainly missing. It has been re-
moved from the table. Is it possible any one could

have taken it from this room? ee would do such a j ;

thing?”

“It couldn’t be one of them hoys who called, | could it
professor ? It don’t seem possible either one of them 5

could percolate: such a eS. agter

FT UPS GEO lee

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Lae

“Perpetrate, Sallie—perpetrate. I wouldn’t like to
think such a thing possible. I may find the paper yet.”
But Professor Jope ‘did not find his lecture, and his

ee

Sacto
tek

annoyance rapidly turned to anger.

“Tl have to keep my door locked,” he decided. “TI
must not permit any one to enter my study while I’m
away, but I’m very absent-minded, and I always for-
get to lock the door, I'll have a spring-lock placed
upon it this very day. I'll likewise see if I can trace
that missing paper.”

beri Baar

WS eg
wake —

Seis
ee, eS

oe

advised the parrot, suddenly
“Stretch

» “Get a move on!”
seeming to awaken from a drowsy state.
ae your legs, you snail.” .

Sri tishy,
me.

pest

Se

McGraw,”
IT will

said the professor.
attend to the matter at once.”

“You annoy

; That very day a man came and placed a spring-

_. lock upon the door of Professor Jope’s study. | The old
pedagogue insisted that the lock must be one which

_ could only be opened with a key. He would not ac-
cept one that could be opened in the usual manner
from the inside of the room,

 

Nor did Jope forget to do his best to trace the pur-
loined document and discover the thief. As a result,
he learned that one of the visitors to his room was the
young Virginian, Rob Claxton. In some manner, he

traced the other visitor to a certain house on York
Street, following which the five freshmen who roomed
in that house were summoned to appear in the pro-
fessor’s study.

The door of the professor’s room was standing ajar
when Dick Merriwell led Buckhart, Bigelow, Jones,
and Tucker into that room. To their surprise, they
found Claxton standing, cap in hand, in front of Jope’s
table. The old professor, who had been questioning

“Xthe Virginian, was peering benignly over his spectacles
at the boy. In its cage, the parrot was scratching its
head and blinking owlishly at them both.

 

“T shall accept your denial as truthful, Claxton,”
Jope was saying. “I do not wish to believe that a
|. young man from Virginia, with your evident instincts
of honor and justice, would stoop to such a reprehen-
sible, not to say criminal), action.”

 

        
      
    
   
       
      
 
 

Buckhart seized Merriwell’s arm and hissed in his
) ear:

“Good heavens, partner, is ie old boy going to pull
us over the coals for that duel?’

But although the duel had been the talk and jest ue
the students for several days, Professor Jope knew
nothing about it.

“Thank you, suh,”’ said Rob. “You will find that

abt shied shies
ere ah Sa cea

TOP

 
  

 

  
   
 
  
   
   
   
  
  
  
   
  
    
 
   
  
   
    
   
  
 
  
  
  
   
     
   
    
  
   
   
 
 
    
   

WEEKLY. {I

a Claxton never lies, suh. I repeat again that I know
nothing whatever about the missing document.”

The door closed with a snap behind Tommy Tucker. og

Claxton was dismissed, and he turned to leave. His q
eyes met those of Merriwell with a stony look and ;
without a sign of recognition.

“Quawk! quawk!” cried the parrot.
be a hot game—a hot game!”

In spite of himself, Merriwell smiled, remembering
the exciting events of a previous visit to that room,
where he had appeared to claim’ a hen purchased by
him and seized by Hodgman, the proctor. Merriwell
had not forgotten the parrot, nor that the bird had
formerly been the property of a baseball-player, from
whom it had absorbed the odd slang and coaching
expressions of the diamond.

Professor Jope rose to his feet and severely sur-
veyed the newcomers. At his request they lined up in
front of his table, still wondering to the last one of
them what it all meant. \

“It’s going to

Behind their backs Claxton tried to let himself out,
but found the door securely fastened. Standing on
tiptoes, Tommy Tucker peered curiously at a milk-
pan which sat upon the table. The pan contained
some rather thick, whitish substance that looked like
curdled milk.

“Young gentlemen,” said the professor, “I wish to
state that two days ago, while I was absent from this |
room, some one entered it and purloined a valuable @
document. That document was a carefully prepared
lecture on Norse Mythology, over which I had labored ~
industriously for many weeks. From the maid of the.
house I learned that two students were admitted to this
room while I was out. One of them was Claxton,
who has just satisfied me that he did not touch my
lecture. The name of the other visitor I have not
learned, but I have learned that he roomed in the house -
occupied by you young gentlemen. It was one of
you boys, and I shall give you the privilege of naming
that one. I hope he will speak up of his own accord.”

“You must mean me, professor,” said Dick promptly.

“Ah! breathed the old man. “Then you acknowl
edge that se were here, Merriwell.” 3

“Yes; sir.’ e

Claxton was now not, anxious to hurry about dei
parting. By the door he lingered to hear what would
, follow.

Professor Jope duck his head wih an expression
sad doubtfulness.

“T don’t wish to think you the culprit, Merriwell,”
he muttered. “Certain events which you may r

  

   

  

 

  

  

    
  

12 Ae Poe

I’ve believed you a young man of uprightness and in-
tegrity.”

Thank you, sir.”

‘“But now you must explain to me the cause of your
visit here. You must satisfy me that you did
touch my lecture.”

” said McGraw.
said Dick, “
certain complaints made against me by Mr. Hodgman,
the proctor. This man has been watching me of late
with the persistency of a sleuth. He has annoyed me
very much, and I’ve been told that he has brought
several unfavorable reports about me to you. I came
here to ask you if such was the truth.”

Darwin Jope cleared his throat.

“Well, well,” he admitted, “Hodgman has had some
unfavorable comments to make concerning your de-
portment, but the last time he came to, me I dismissed
him and requested him to annoy me no further with
such petty matters. It was Hodgman who traced you
to your lodging-house on York Street. He did not
name you as the possible culprit, but I am satisfied now
that he must have suspected you.”

Dick’s eyes flashed a bit.

“Professor Jope,” he said, “I give you my, word
of honor that I am not the culprit. I never saw your
lecture, and I know nothing whatever about it. The
innocence of any one suspected of a dishonest act is
_ generally supposed until guilt is proven. You accepted
- the denial of your other visitor on the day that the
_ paper was pb aba and I. think in fairness you should
accept mine.’

“Get into the game,

“T came to see you, sir,” in relation to

“And he’ 4 better haul the other gent over the coals
once more,” whispered Buckhart, in the ear of Blessed

  

it possible suspicion f from vor shoulders.”
“You're off your

 
  

a brit see what there is that I can do, sir,”: said
ck. “If you will suggest anything “3

eee cried the woe ane his arms at

 

 
 

a
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led me to investigate your reputation thoroughly, and |

_ and palatable.

 

The parrot finished with an excellent imitation of a
squalling cat at midnight on a backyard fence

‘Dear! dear!” spluttered the prdéfessor, staring at
“Tl had quite forgotten my
butternilk. I haven’t taken’ any to-day. The maid
forgot to bring it to me as usual, and I brought it from
I couldn’t find the pitcher in
as I found

the pan and its contents;

the kitchen myself.
which it is generally brought, so I took i
Buttermilk is most wholesome and
nourishing, young gentlemen. It is also productive of
At my age it is necessary for a

it in this pan.

vigor and longevity.
man of sedentary habits to nourish his vital powers.
There is nothing better for him than buttermilk, un-
less it is wholesome curdled mille that has not been
churned. You know, young gentlemen, that Profes-
or Mecklesniffer, the great Russian scholar and sci-
entist, has a theory that sour milk will materially
lengthen the span of human life through its benign,
cleansing, and nourishing influence upon the system.
Professor Mecklesniffer points as proof of his theory

to a certain race of mountain peasants who regularly

drink curdled milk, and the majority of whom reach
the age of one hundred with their vital Po prac-
tically unimpaired.”’
For the time being
gotten why these boys
study. He continued with enthusiasm:

, the old pedagogue had quite for-

“Professor Mecklesniffer has taken pains to secure
the germ which curdles the milk of these healthy, long-
lived mountain peasants, and he uses this germ in pre-

paring sour milk for his own consumption, His theory —

is that, up to the age of forty, a man’s vital powers are

on the increase, but after forty they decline through
This de+

the deterioration of the blood-corpuscles.
terioration is brought about, he claifns, by.certain poi-
sons taken into the system through our food.
poisons, unless counteracted, remain in the system and
act upon the blood-corpuscles.

and thus prevents the weakening.and poisoning of the
blood. It is a most interesting hypothesis, and it may
be that the eminent Russian scientist has hit upon the
method of prolonging the span of human life.

buttermilk is cleanly and wholesome. Any one may
learn to relish buttermilk. Any one may learn to re-
gard a glass of buttermilk as a beverage fit for kings
and princes. And why should not buttermilk revivify
and restore the vital powers? It is cool, delicious,

 

had been summoned to his >

 

ts

a eS SRS rte i

tab
ae

These

(ine 3
‘be

It is his conviction.
that sour milk counteracts the effect of these poisons,

 
   

    

And
now, young gentlemen, ordinary sour milk, as we know
it, is liable to contain offensive and harmful germs, but

     

You must at it, young arsommens ae a

   
 
  
   
    
  
   
     
   
  
   
   
  
  
    
  
   
  
  
  
 
  
 
    
   
   
  
 

Sole ets
Dn pepe teen path aiatipanapiaitomatpienannilis

“s)
'
'
vat

 

etic

 
 

 
 
     

 

  
         
     
   
  

   
  

 

 

POE LIK TT TIL A OS

Tift a OP

  

The habit of drinking buttermilk

1 you thust try it.
daily may easily be formed at your period of life. I
t advise you to form it, and I counsel you to begin at
, | once. You shall begin at once. You shall begin
l | now.”
; i In ‘his enthusiasm, the old man hastened to open a
small china-closet, from which he took a number of
y glasses, placing them on the table.
| i Tommy Tucker made a wry face.
: | _ “T never could drink buttermilk,” he muttered.
, “Don’t -you suppose we can induce the old boy to make
it beer?”

Again Rob Claxton tried the door.

: “Professor Jope," he said, “your door is locked, suh.
I cannot get out.”’
“Eh? Locked? Oh, yes; oh, yes. I have a spring-

Had it placed there after the
pilfering of my lecture. I carry the key in my pocket.
I'll let you out directly, young man—directly. But be-
fore you go you must drink a glass of my buttermilk.”

lock on that door now.

 

a CHAPTER VII.
” 3 WHAT WAS IT?
| With a shrug of his sl houlders, the Virginian reluc-

tantly resigned himself to fate.
he With slightly trembling hands the ie ibicase took
| the pan and poured the thick, curdlike contents into
the various glasses.

“Looks more like bonnyclabber than buttermilk,”

Aaa ae eh ae

 

_- muttered, Jones.
| “Here you are, young gentlemen,” said Jope, as he
“ passed the glasses, round, peering over his. spectacles
| ee with his weak, near-sighted eyes. ‘“‘There’s enough

Fs

ae

A:
a eee

Tl rinse one’ of the glasses. and use it afterwards.
Drink, my boys—drink heartily.”
‘Here’s looking at you,” said McGraw, in a
friendly tone. “Down the brook.” :
With more or less reluctance, the boys tried the rich
white fluid. Some seemed inclined to make a protest
and back out, but the eyes of Professor Jope were
on them, and he ardently urged them to persist in
their efforts,
_ The Virginian, wishing to get away, was the first
to drain his glass.
“T sure can get outside the stuff if, he ¢ can,’ ’ muttered
- Buckhart.
| In a few moments every boy had finished the con-
_ tents of his. glass. -

  

WEEKLY. is

left in the pan for me, but I haven't a glass, for myself.

spluttered Buckhart.

 

  
     

  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
    
   
   
    
   
  
   
 
 
 
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
     

“A trifle effervescent for
think ?”’

tasted any in years, but it didn't

buttermilk, don’t you
““Haven’t
e that

murmured, Bouncer Bigelow.
seem just lik
when I tried it.”

“Maybe the professor has a special ob-
“The stuff certainly feels a whole lot
On my word, I believe

brand,”
served Brad.
queer after you get it down.
my tummy is commencing to swell.”

“Dear me, dear me!” Tucker, catching
hold of the under edge of the table and hoiding on,
“the stuff is lifting me onto my toes. It will hoist me
into the air in a minute.”

“Yesy yes,’ smiled the professor, rubbing his hands.
“Tt gives you a sensation of lightness and——’” Pe

“That’s it,” muttered Jones. “Makes me feel like
a feather. Why, if there was a good, strong wind
blowing, I wouldn’t dare go out door.”

Dick also was experiencing some very singular sen-
sations, which seemed to be the effect of the butter-
milk,

“Why should people drink beer and whisky aud
poisonous intoxicants when pure buttermilk will give
them such a pleasant feeling of elation?’ said Pro-
fessor Jope.

“Um-mum-yum!’’ muttered Bouncer Bigelow, his
eyes beginning to protrude. “I’m not sure it’s a
pleasant sénsation. On my word, I’m ready : blow.
up. There’s something growing inside of me.’

Jope had poddered into his bedroom, where he
rinsed. one of the glasses, returning with it while the
boys were comparing notes and wondering at their
feelings. Taking the pan, the old pedagogue fill ed a
glass and lifted it.

“It does seem a trifle thick to-day,” he murmured, |
“but I’m sure it’s ees for the milkman knows I will
have nothing else,”’ a

He started to drink heartily from the Ae. but
with the first swallow he stopped, and a queer ex-
pression settled on his withered face. |

murmured

    
     
     
 
 

 
 

he gasped. “Goodness me! —
There’s something the matter —

“Dear! dear! dear!’
this doesn’t taste right.
with this.”’ |

At this moment Dick caught a glimpse of Rob Clax-
ton, who was leaning against the wall with both hands
clasped over his stomach. In spite of his own peculiar -
feelings, he was forced to laugh.

- Claxton shot him a look of resentment and anger.

“T don’t think—I don’t believe this can be butter-
milk,” muttered Darwin Jope. ‘an

“Great tarantulas! what have we swallowelil

 
     
       
    
 

  
   
      

  
   
  

   
   
 
 

  

   
 

  
 
  
   
   
  
  
     
    
   
  
   
  
   
     
   
  
  
   
   
   
  
    
  
   
   
  
    
  
  
   
  
  
  

14 TIP TOP

“Whatever it is,’ gasped Tucker,

There was now a jabber of voices as the boys ex-
citedly stated how they felt.

“Got ’em got ’em
McGraw. “It’s all off now!”

There came a sharp knock on the study door, and

going! going!” whooped

the voice of Sallie, the maid, was heard calling to the

professor.
“Yes, ves,”

what is it?”

“Your buttermilk, sir.

“What is it, my girl—

a

I have bringed it, sir..\

answered Jope.

“Eh? Buttermilk? You mean you have brought

it, Sallie. But what in the name of calamity have we
a ~ been drinking out of this pan?’ \

ae > In great agitation he was fishing through’ his

y

pockets in search of the door-key.
“What pan, sir?” cried the girl.
“Why,

 

49?

the pan I found in the kitchen!” shouted
Jope. j at contained something that looked like butter-
milk. |I brought it up here, and we've all been drink-
ing it,”

“Heaving’s sakes alive!” screamed Sallie, “that’s
my yeast!”
CHAPTER VIII.
“THE BUTTERMILK PARTY.”
-
Tommy Tucker gave a wild yell.
“Grab me! Hold me! Anchor me!” he cried.

“I’m going to sail off!”

“I certainly feel like a rising
admitted Dick.

“Heavens to Betsy!” sputtered Bigelow.
‘ginning to burst the buttons off my vest. I want to
be hooped. If I’m not hooped in a hurry, there’s
going to be a terrible explosion here.”
wo’ Talk about your air-ships!” groaned Jones.
- Tike one now.’

_ “Do let me out, professor!” implored Claxton. “If
‘we don’t get something to counteract the action of the
yeast the result may be fatal, suh.”

Ki “But I can’t find my key! I can’t find my key!”
-quayered the old man, continuing to rummage wildly
through his pockets.

_“Let’s\break down the door,” Srepested Buckhart.
“Le s hike for the nearest doctor.” 7
: ees *t dare Mick into the open air,” came frem >
cker. ‘I know I’d float off like a balloon.”

young man myself,”

“T’m be-

“T feel

  

  

 

“it’s making me

dizzy. Somebody grab me! Somebody hold me
down! I’m going to float up-to the ceiling in a min- .
ute.”

 

WEEKLY.

McGraw began to shriek with laughter.
“Hot stuff!”
“T wish I

moaned Jones.

he whooped. “Keep it up!”
knew how I was going to get it up,”

“If I don’t get it up in a minute, it'll get me up!”

gasped Bigelow.

“Can’t you find your key,
“We must get out.

professor?’ urged Dick.
We must have assistance. If we
don’t have medical aid in short order, liable to
find a number of dead students on your hands.”

Darwin Jope was inexpressibly agitated, but still
the missing key was not to be found.

Pale-faced and distressed; Rob Claxton hurried to
the window and flung it open. os appened that a
number of students were passing on the street below.
The Virginian shouted to them, and’they hal ited, look-
ing up inquiringly at his white face.

“Get a doctor! get a doctor!” implored the South-
erner. “I’ve taken poison!”

“Hold onto him, somebody,”
may float out of that window.”

“What’s that?” called one of the: stisfedes below.
“Did you say you'd taken poison?”

“Yes, suh! yes, suh!” groaned Claxton.
don’t bring a doctor without delay, it will be too late!”
‘“Tt’s that Southerner who fought the duel with
Merriwell,” said one of the group. “He’s been dread-
fully cut up over the joshing about that business. The
blamed fool has tried to commit suicide.”

you're

advised Dick. “He

And now the other boys crowded to the window
and added their entreaties to that of Claxton.

“Bring a doctor, quick!’ howled Tucker.
tell him to fetch his stomach-pump!”

Several of the students started off on the run.

“And

“This is very unfortunate, very unfortunate!”
moaned Professor Jope. “Boys, [I’m dreadfully
sorry !”

In spite of his own indescribable sensations, Merri-
well could not help laughing in a sickly manner.

“Laugh—laugh, confound you!” snarled Tucker.
“I suppose you think this is a fine joke! I suppose
you'd laugh if we were all dying!”

“Oh, ha! ha! ha! Oh, ha! ha! ha!’ gasped Dick,
dropping on a chair. “It’s on us, but it certainly is a
huge old joke.” |

McGraw joined in this burst of merriment. /

“Take a lead!” heicried. “Get off that sack!”

“1d take anything if ‘it would quell this agitation

\ j

in my stomach,” said: Dick. }

Within a few minutes the few students who onl.
remained outside | were “joined by others, ms still

& 7

(4g

“Lf you |

 

 

 

 
         
  
  

 
 

  
     
  

     
  
  

     
     
 
   
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
   
    
  
   
  
   
  
   
    
  
   
   
  
  
  
   
    
   
   
   
  
  
    
  
  
  
  
   
  
   
        

ee

i

 

 

   
  

  
   

e place in: the pratessor s study. .

 

seen coming from various directions.
suicide had

others were
The report that Claxton had attempted
spread with amazing rapidity, and-in a short time
there was a great crowd upon the sidewalk.
Then.came one of the students running with a doc-
tor at his side.
cine-case in his hand,

The physician was carrying his medi-
Another student and another
doctor appeared in the opposite direction.
five minutes as many doctors had arrived and had
been admitted by Sallie.
his key in the pocket where he always carried it and
succeeded in unlocking the door. The doctors
crowded into the room, but the old professor waved
back the students who packed the hall outside. With
some difficulty the door was closed again, and the lock
held it.

“We're all poisoned, every one of us!” gurgled
Tommy Tucker. “Get busy and pump us out!”

In less than

At last Professor Jope found

One of the younger doctors asked no questions, but
promptly seized Tucker, flung him upon a chair and
lost no time in applying the stomach-pump. Tucker

was advised to swallow the tube, which he did after

much gulping and gagg
its unpleasant work,

The other doctors were less excited and_ their
questions soon brought them a statement of the truth,
whereupon, to a man, they seemed more amused than
anything else.

Tucker was the only one who suffered the torture
of the stomach-pump.

ing. Then the pump began

The others were given potions

_to relieve them, and in short order there was a great

and agitated rush for the professor’s bathroom.

In the hall there was a babel of excited voices.
The students were wondering and speculating dver
this remarkable affair. Somehow they had learned
that Clayton was not the only victim of “poison.”
This knowledge added to the puzzling mystery that
aroused a thousand surmises. and speculations.

At last, having recovered somewhat, but still look-
ing pale and weak, Rob Claxton once more urged

Professor Jope to let him depart. The moment the
Southerner passed through the door and found himself

in the midst of. the curious and wondering students

he regretted his haste. In his most defiant manner he
refused to answer their questionimg and nally suc-

ceeded in forcing his way to the door.

But they followed him out upon the street and sur-
rounded him there. They held him and demanded to

ey know the truth. As Claxton was a poor hand at lying,

he was finally compelled to state just what had hes

TIP TOP

 

WEEKLY

When those lads heard Rob’s account of the affair
they burst into a great uproar.of merriment. Some
of them actually laughed until they were sore.

For days thereafter the freshmen concerned in the
“buttermilk” drinking were jollied by everyone. » The
affair was’ known as “Professor Jope’s buttermilk
party.”

Dick and his friends took all
naturedly, but it galled the Virginian beyond words
and added-to the bitterness of his already deeply
humiliated spirit.

this joshing good-

CHAPTER IX. }
AT THE CLUB.

_Ditson found Rob Claxton in his room. In answer
to Duncan’s knock Claxton opened the door and stood
there, knob in hand, bowing without a smile and de-
clining to invite the would-be visitor in.

“Oh, I say, old man,” began Dunc, “haven’t caught
more than a glimpse of you for the past two days.
Where have you eee keeping yourself? Mabel was
asking about you.”

“Was she?” murmured Rob, with the slightest in- a
tonation of interest. .“‘That’s very kind of her. W hen | :
you see her next be good enough to tell her that I am
very well and give her my sincere regards.”

The Virginian seemed anxious to close the door,
but Ditson was not to be rebuffed in such a manner.

“Youre ste yourself up like a hermit,” he said. —

“I’m coming in.’ se

Reluctantly the Southerner stood aside and. per-
mitted Dune to enter. It was a. pleasant, well-
furnished room, tasty in its decorations and plainly
indicating that its occupant had the tastes of a gentle-
man, |

Dune flung his cap upon the couch and himself
upon the Morris chair. Near at hand on a smoking-
table were some of those long, singular cheroots, |
which Claxton seemed to like so well. Dune seized
one, struck a match and lighted up without being:
invited.

“Thanks,” he said, with a grin and a wave of his:
hand. “I’m choking for a smoke. This will do very
well, although I can't say that I particularly a
your taste in weeds.” |

With a breath of resignation, ‘Claxton leaned.
against the corner of the mantel. He was ‘slend
and graceful, with a dark, romantic face, the allui
ments of which seemed doubled by an ae oO

 

  

   
     
 

 

     
  
 
   
    
   
  
     
   
   
  
    
  
 
  
     
    
     
  
  
 
 
 
   
   
 
 
   
    
  
 

cae wk

itself there during the past week.
mouth and large dreamy eyes, which were shaded by
lashes as long and silky and delicate as those of a girl.
, There was just the hint of a wave in his carefully
combed hair.

“You No’therners are singularly outspoken in your
likes and ¢ murmured Rob. “I can’t quite
accustom myself to it. Now, I don’t like cigarettes,
but I’d hesitate about entering your room, picking up
one of your cigarettes, lighting it and telling you that
you had bad taste in what you smoked.”’

“Which,” chuckled Ditson, ‘is a call down for me.
You people of the South are toa sensitive, old chap.
Even with your friends you do not get on the same
free-and-easy terms as we of the North.”

dislikes,’

“T think you’re wrong about that, suh,” retorted

Rob. “I believe we are inclined to be fully as free and
aa easy with our chosen friends, but we never think of
rudeness as a necessary stamp of extreme friendli-
ness. Up here you don’t seem to regard yourself as
on chum-like terms with a fellow unless you can say
things to him that are little short of insulting, and
would be accepted as insulting by another person.

While I don’t wish \to criticize you, old chap, and I

can’t blame you for following the customs of your

section of the country, I must maintain that our cus-
' toms are superior and represent a higher degree of
_ breeding.”

“Let’s not get into an argument!” cried Dunc. “I
didn’t come here for that. I’ve heard that you were
sore on me.”

/ “Have you?”

_ “Yep» I understand you got raw after that run-

- away happened because I rode into town with
Steele

__ Rob shrugged his shoulders a wee bit.

“T will leave it to you, Ditson,” he said, “if you
would nét have been displeased had our positions
been reversed. You know how I felt. No, perhaps
you did not know—-perhaps you could not understand
the depth of my feelings at that time. Twice that
morning had I been humiliated by this person Merri-
well, whom I thoroughly detest. Instead of sticking
__ by me, you abandoned me and came to town with
Merriwell, the Texan and the girls. -You left me to
drive in alone.” ,

“You could have waited for the driver, Rob. “You
knew he was coming somewhere on the road.”

heey we both knew that he was intoxicated. After

WEEKLY.

He had a poetic.

 

when you had departed and I was about starting, the
driver appeared and shouted for me to wait. I gave
him no attention whatever. I left him to foot it into
town.”
“Well, I don’t blame you for that!” cried Dunc.
carriage Was on the road and
It was very rank of you to de-

“TI knew the other
he might be picked up.
sert me, Ditson.”

“But my sister—she was afraid.”

“For your safety with me ‘driving? ‘ My dear fel-
handled You
Ditson, that you were the one afraid. You dared not
trust yourself in the carriage with me handling the
reins.”

Duncan made a vigorous protest, but the Souther-
ner merely shook his head and smiled as if words did
not change his belief in the least.

low, I’ve horses all my life. know,

“Well, let’s not enter into a wrangle over it,” said
Ditson. | .
“I have no intention of wrangling, suh. Gentle-

men do not indulge in it.”
““Tf I hurt your feelings, I’m sorry,” declared Dun-
can. “I beg your pardon.”

“It is granted,” vowed the Virginian.

“And now, {I want you to get on your coat and come
out with me. You’re not going to stay here hived
up while the weather is fine. Never mind if you do
run across some-chaps who are inclined to throw it
into you a little about that duel and Professor Jope’s
buttermilk party. You're only one of six fellows who
drank some of that buttermilk. Merriwell was there
and had a swig at it.”

“But they reported that I had taken poison.”

“What ofthat? Don’t be so thin-skinned, old

”
man.

ment would have proven useless had he not received
reenforcements in the form of Floyd Fernald, who
unexpectedly walked in without stopping to knock.
“Just came oe to see if you were dead, Claxton,”
said Fernald. ‘You've had/ time enough to get rid of

the foolish notion which filled your head the last .time |

A fellow can’t live the way you’re trying
We'll have a little dinner
You play, don’t you?”

I saw you. |
to. Come on to my club.
and then play some billiards.

The Southerner’s face lighted up.

“I like billiards very much, suh,” he answered.

“Will you come with us, Ditson ?” inquired Fernald.)

Although the invitation was not as hearty as it
might have been, ‘Duncan promptly accepted, It was

But Claxton positively declined, and Ditson’s argu- |

   

quite a thing for * freshman to be seen in company, |

 

  
   

~ 4nvitation,

 

with Floyd Fernald and to be invited to Ratiald’s
club.

So it happened that the trio dined together, after
which Ditson smoked, while Claxton and Fernald
played billiards.

Claxton was really an adept with the cue, which
made the game interesting for Fernald, who was
reckoned as nearly the best man in the club.

“Tell you what I'll d
the winner and beat him.”

“Really,” laughed Fernald,
a rather big job for yourself?”

“Oh, I know what I can do,” retorted Dunc, wag-
ging his head boastfully. “Billiards
point. I'd like to tackle Mr. Merriwell at that game.
He did me up at pool once on a time, but I wasn’t onto

».” laughed Duncan. “I'll take

“aren't you cutting out

is my strong

him, for he was masquerading as a tough character.’

“Is Merriwell clever with the cue?” inquired Fer-
nald.

“Well, I suppose you might call him rather clever.
You know he thinks he’s clever at anything. He-—~—
Well, speak of the devil!’

Duncan stopped abruptly, for at this moment he
had noticed Merriwell and Buckhart, in company with
The freshmen were being
shown around and had just entered the billiard-room.

Following Ditson’s glance.

@ >
two of the club members.

Claxton saw the two
classmates he disliked, and a flush

“Well, I'd like to know what they’re doing here?”
muttered Ditson, after a few moments. ‘“Can’t we go
anywhere that those fellows don’t bob up?”

burned his cheeks.

The Seutherner said nothing, but continued playing
as if he had not observed’ Dick and Brau.

In a few moments Fernald made a handsome run of
fourteen points; which gave him the’ first string. As
he finished he observed Merriwell standing a few feet
away.
salute with a smile. t

“Hello, Merriwell, old chap!” he called. “Get a

~ cue and come into the game.”

“Excuse me,” said Dick. “I don’t think I’d better

do that.”

“Oh, come on,”
we'll make it four-handed.

Fernald urged. ‘“Here’s Ditson;
I hope you’re not timid.”

Ditson rose at once and stepped toward one of the
cue-racks. :

“Yes, get a cue, Merriwell,”. he urged. “Pm
anxious to settle a little score with you.”

Thus importuned, Dick finally decided to accept the
Fernald pointed out the best cues, and

TIP TOP WEEKLY. . 17

Dick bowed and Fernald acknowledged the’

 

 

      
  
   
   
  
  
   
 
  
    
  
   
  
   
    
   
    
  
  
    
  
  
  
   
    
  
   
 
   
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
   
   
   
 
   
      
  

Merriwell selected one from the rack. As he stepped
toward the table, Claxton made a decided move-

said the Southerner,
“T. shall stop.

“Excuse me, Fernald,” as he
9 .
walked to the rack and put up his cue;

? E o))
I don’t care to play any more.

CHAPTER X,
CLAXTON CHALLENGES.
Dick
“T wouldn’t ‘think of
“T beg

dropped the butt of his cue on the floor.
interrupting game,
Mr. Claxton to con-

your
gentlemen,’ he said.
I thought

But. Fernald was indignant over
of the Virginian.

“T invited you to
“You've chosen a cue.
let him do’ so.”’

 

tinue.
the caddishness

play, Merriwell,’ he said.
if Mr. Claxton wishes to stop,

Claxton bowed and turned away.

Ditson hurried. after him.

“Oh, come on, Rob,” whispered Pvc:
this.”’

The dark eyes of the Southerner flashed him a fiery E
look.

Suh,’

low, you may do so.

“Don’t do

“if you wish to play with that fel-
Ii I do that, I shall accept him

he said,

on my own level.”
“But you were going to fight a duel with him.”
“You'll be good enough, [ hope, not to remind me 2
of that again.” | ae
“But I wanted to play with ae ae a
“You're at liberty to do So.’ Ba
“And you'll say I'm quitting you again.’ ; ‘a
“No, indeed. The circumstances are Shonen dif.
ferent, and fI shall not feel the least offended if you
choose to play billiards with that fellow.”
“Then I’'ll\ play him—and I'll beat him,”
Dunc, whirling and retracing his steps. |
Merriwell was still expressing his regret over break-
ing up the game when Duncan stepped close ae
spoke to hits,
“Once on a time you beat me at pool,” said Dune.
“T was not in my best form that night, and you were es
disguiged so that I failed to recognize you. It was not
a fair test. However, I can play a better game of bil-
liards than pool, and I'd like to go you a string of
fifty points.”
“Mr. Fernald has asked me——”
“Oh, that’s all right,” laughed Fernald.
willing to put up my cue and look on.” ,
“Then you'll play, will you, Merriwell?” cri

 

vowed

“T’m quite

      
 

a
alt ie acetate Reatien eae tenet fannie teat a
oa Agree rt eae tenga tie pam alfa Sere ee ee. e rat etal

  

.

aie TOP

   

   

 

that cue

~ LA

Dunc. “Let me try of yours, Fernald, old
mam Why, it’s just my weight and handsomely
balanced, too. May | use it?”
Fernald gave willing permission, and Duncan tested
the cue by making a few careless, graceful shots.
“Best cue I ever had in my hand I believe,’ he said.
“Pll guarantee to trim Merriwell handsomely with the
aid of this stick.”

Brad Buckhart, who had passed into another room,
returned after a bit and was surprised to find Dick and
Duncan on the verge of beginning the game of bil-
liards. They placed their balls and “strung” for the
first shot. Ditson’s touch seemed delicate, and his
judgment of the cushions’ elasticity very fine, for he
drove his ball down the table and brought it back so
that it actually lodged. against the head cushion.
Merriwell’s stopped six inches aWay and Dune chose
to lead off.

The balls were spotted, and Ditson carefully
chalked his cue, tapping it against his hand to knock
off a few, stray particles of chalk. At the very outset

Duncan chose to attempt a fancy opening shot.  In-
stead of playing from the lower object ball to the
cushion after the usual manner, he sent the cue ball
against the cushion at the right-hand lower corner,
-and the ball shot back from the two cushion, struck
the red as it lay on the spot, rolled up the table and
_ clicking against Ditson’s spotted ball. |

“About once in ten times,” commented Fernald.

Duncan laughed.

“Vl guarantee to make that shot as often as you'll
score in the usual w ay,’ he said. |
_ “Perhaps you ‘can,” Fernald nodded, “but you'll
excuse me if I express doubts.”

_ Having started in this manner, Ditson brought the
object balls together with his second shot.

Bi points and then missed on an effort to gather them
once more. |
“Thirteen is my lucky number,” said uaaiik as
Recnaid shoved up the last button on the score string.

  
 
 
 
       
   
 

«Oh, very, well.”
Dick made exactly three points before missing.
‘Can’t you do better than that?” chuckled Duncan.

rhaps I’d better play you a hundred to your fifty.”

WEEKLY.

 

Getting |
_ them in a favorable position, he clicked off thirteen -

_ there.

 

   

sound which rose into his throat. Ditson irritated
the Texan inexpressibly.

Duncan’s second run was only eight points. but he
missed on a very difficult massé, which was excusable.

To the surprise of many and to the disgust of Buck-
hart, Dick secured only two points before missing.

“Really,” laughed Ditson, “if I’d known you were
I’d not bother to challenge you, Merriwell.”

As he said this he winked at Claxton, who had re-
turned and was watching the game with a number of
others.

Claxton shook his bea a bit. Evidently he could
see very little satisfaction in defeating a chap who

played as poorly as Merriwell.

sO easy,

Qver-inflated with confidence, Duncan now tried for
a shot and missed by a hair.

“Well, wasn’t that tough luck!” he cried, thumping»

the butt of his cue down upon the floor.

said some one; “you have a’ safe
It’s impossible for him to catch you now.”

“Never mind,”
lead.

About five minutes later the speaker changed his
mind, for, having gotten the balls well in hand, Merri-
well nursed them beautifully and clipped off nineteen
points, which left him three ahead of Ditson.

Claxton’s interest in the game had suddenly de-
veloped. He now realized that Dick Merriwell could

play billiards cleverly, and therefore there would be

some glory for Ditson should he win.
>

That run of nineteen worried Duncan a trifle.
betrayed slight symptoms of nervousness as he took
his position to shoot.
ful, for, after securing five buttons, he made a miscue.

“Well, this is rather warm,’ laughed Fernald.
“This is a good game. \ You're practically ae,
neck.”

Merriwell stepped close to the table and critically
took in the lay of the balls. One easy shot was in

sight, but, if he played merely to secure that shot, he 3
realized that the ivories' would be scattered. By
_taking a chance he could bring the balls together, and

therefore he’ took a chance, sending his own ball all
the way round the table.

It was clever work, for Ditson’s ball and the red
landed close together, while Dick scored. With deft,
delicate manipulation,

“anchored” them

sii him.
_ Ditson looked on in. ee and disgust

1

es

Perhaps ‘he was a trifle too care-_

jai, es ee oe fs
POLES

Merriwell worked the balls
down into a corner and. practically :
Having succeeded in doing this, he tapped off
point after point without. oe the bale get en e

  

Sal Hi ite

  
    
     
  
    
     
   
    
  
 
 
   
  
   
     
   
  
 
   
 
 
    
    
 
 

 

 

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“That's not. billiards,”
one can do

Merriwell paused with a
prise on his face.

“Isn’t it legitimate?” he inquired. “Is the ‘anchor
shot’ barred? I don’t think we said anything about
it before the But if it’s barred in the club

“Of course it’s not barred,” put “You
have aright to run a hundred that way if you can.”

’“He can,” chuckled Buckhart softly.
At any rate

he finally muttered. “Any-
that.”

slight expression of sur-

 

came
in Fernald.

Dick could run all he needed, and when
twenty-six more buttons had been added to’ his tally
he stopped.

Ditson, exasperated, was about Se for an-
other string, when to his surprise Rob Claxton stepped
forward.

“T beg your pardon, Mr.
Claxton. “I declined to play a while ago, but since.
watching your performance on the table I’ve con-
cluded that I would enjoy playing you a hundred-
point game with a balk line that will prevent you from
working the corner ‘anchor shot.’ ”

Merriwell, ,suh,”’ said

“Hello!” smiled Dick, lifting his eyebrows, “is this
a challenge?”
“You may consider it so if you wish, suh,’’ was the

cool answer.

CHAPTER
WINNING BY A CLOSE MARGIN.

“Well, cried Ditson,. “I’ll take a back
seat. Sail in, Claxton, old man, and wipe up the earth
with him.” |

He handed Fernald’s cue over to Claxton.

Fernald called an attendant and the lines were drawn
upon the table

“Ts the cross line ‘anchor shot’
inquired Dick. .

“Oh, no, that’s acceptable, suh.” '

The Southerner flipped a coin.

“Heads,” said Merriwell,

“Tt’s tails,” said Claxton.

Choosing to lead off; the Virginian made the first
shot without any fancy flourish. He ran seven points,
and then finislied by leaving the balls awkwardly for

well, well!”

barred, Claxton ?’

-Merriwell.

Dick walked round the table, finally . chosing to
attempt a three-cushion carrom.
He missed.

The balls were gathered for Claxton, \and the

Southerner ran nine more, which gave him sixteen.

WEEKLY.

“Get into it, partner,’ whispered Buckhart, as
Merriwell stepped past him to shoot.
Dick did get into it, for, after getting the balls
ob , S &

the rail with the
had been shoved

well in hand, he worked

skill of an Ives.

them along
Twenty-one buttons
rnald before Merriwell missed on a soft draw
that left his ball < to the red.

Claxton led
this clever exhil

up by Fe
‘frozen”’
of applause that followed

almost *
the round
bition.

Claxton took
yen points better,

Cool and calm as a spring morning,
up the game and went Merriwell elev
actually scoring thirty-two points before he stopped.

lt was Dick who led the appla
ards as I’ve ever seen,’

ause now.

SAG
\ LAD

clared.
“You are up ae the real thing this
Merriwell,” chuckled Dur
is a terror with the cue.”
Had those present known it, Claxton’s

over any previous record of his

1andsome billi ’ he de-

evening,
can Ditson. ‘Why, Claxy
last run lay
by seventeen points,
He had astonished himself by the performance.

Dick made four, which left him twenty-three points —

behind his opponent. eo

Brad Buckhart was worried. Not that there would
be any particular disgrace in a defeat at billiards, but
to Brad it seemed the disgrace would lie in being de-
feated by Rob Claxton.

Claxton scored two more buttons, which gave him

an even half-hundred.

Dick got six.

“You'll win in a walk, Rob,” said Ditson.

Claxton missed on a cushion carrom, but, left the
balls in a dreadfully awkward position. 7

“He can’t make that in a year,” Ditson muttered to
a club member who stood near. j

Although the words were spoken in a low tone,
Dick knew they were intended for his ears. Instead
of making him nervous, they seemed to nettle him for
the test.
a handsome round-the-table shot and scored.

But that was all, for the balls were still split up, and
in trying to get them together Dick failed. On even

plays Claxton still had a lead of eighteen points.
Rob made six more. ig

Fortunately for Dick the balls were left favorably, 3
and he cut down the lead of his opponent by securing —

ten. Claxton started off as if confident of securing

another run, but slipped up on a simple shot, which -
left him still needing one button to make sixty.

Again Merriwell got the balls astride the line and

worked them half the length of the table. Coming to

Judging the angles with his eyes, he played

   
    
    
  
  
  
   
   
     
  
   
  
   
  
  
  
   
 
 
  
    
   
  
   
     
   
    
    
        
 

   
 
  
  
   
   
  
  
   
   
 
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
 
   
  
  
  
   
   
  

tI?

 

the head of the table,
with the balls and carried them across to the farther
side. When he missed, the lead of the Virginian had
been cut down to three insignificant points.

“Come, Rob, «
a little too near.
awares.”’

Brad Buckhart was begining to smile.
worried than

he actually turned the corner

ld man,” urged Ditson, “he’s getting

Don’t ‘let him sneak up on you un-

Ditson seemed even more Claxton
iS The Southerner came within an ace of duplicating
a. Merriwell’s last run, for he secured thirteen points
and missed the following shot by the smallest margin.

It was rather singular that Dick should follow by
making thirteen.
bal, In an effort to
missed entirely.

“Here's
the Texan.

And he was right. This was Merriwell’s oppor-
tunity, which he proceeded to make the most of, for

“cluster” the balls the Virginian

where my pard takes the lead,” thought

this stage of the game.

Ten points—twenty—twenty-five—thirty.

It came with a shock to those keenly interested
spectators as Fernald suddenly announced that only
one more point was needed to end the game. Ninety-
nine buttons had been pushed up on his side of the
string.

Buckhart looked around for Duncan Ditson.
fellow had fallen back behind some of the club mem-
bers, where he now stood biting his lips in dismay, a
scowl on his face.

Rob Claxton had not spoken a word for more than
_ five minutes. His face was quite pale, and his lips
were tightly pressed together.

Dick fully intended to make that final shot and end
the contest. His judgment, how ever, was a trifle bad,
and he failed.

eed opine the game is the same as over,’

hart. “Claxton wants thirty-one points.
‘wants one.” |

- But Claxton did not give up. Instead of that, he
resumed playing with as much coolness and delibera-
tion as if there remained a chance for him to win.

 
 

 
   

said Buck-
My pard

  

  

ie The points came regularly, although with. ahakset
asperating slowness. The Southerner was taking
Plenty of time, apparently wholly absorbed in his own
: efforts. Not once did he glance around at the specta-
i Not a look did he give Merriwell.

 

  

TOP. WEEKLY.

he well knew a good lead was extremely valuable at

The |

Duncan Ditson ventured to press forward, hope
beginning to struggle upward in his heart.
“Good boy, Clax—good boy,” he whispered. “By

’em! . You'll win!
Make ’em, old

Jove! you can do it. You've got
Only six more, Clax—only six more!
fellow—~make ‘em!’

A moment later an exclamation of dismay escaped
Ditson’s lips. With five points to go, Claxton had
all three of the ivories to the side cushion.

* thought Buckhart. “He can’t

“frozen”
abs ae
make that/shot.”

The object balls were about a foot apart.
ball lay within about four inches of the nearest object
ball

Claxton chalked his cue, his eyes fastened on the
ball. With the cue ready he stepped close to the rail
and prepared for a massé. )

“Not in a thousand years,’ muttered some one.

‘With no rest whatever to steady his hand, the
Southerner played that massé shot. The cue-ball shot
out by that first object ball seemed to kiss it on the
farther side and then carromed off against the second
object ball. Duncan Ditson gave a yell of joy.
Every one present, with a possible exception of Brad
Buckhart, applauded the shot.

Claxton was now absolutely confident that he would
win, and his confidence stood him in good stead. He
did not become over-sure, for he took all possible care
in making the shot.

“Only three more,”
scored again.

off now,

Claxton’s

39

Brad Buckhart felt like giving vent to his vexa-
tion, but grimly chewing his eran he managed to

choke down the words.

Claxton counted again.

“Two more,”
“You've got ’em right there, Rob.”

Claxton had them right there, but the balls rolled
awkwardly, and left him in such a position that it was
evident he might miss an the final shot.

“T know he’ll miss,” Buckhart told himself. “He
can’t beat my partner.
Ho Rak
_ The Texan’s words were smothered by a groan, for
Claxton had played that final shot--and made it.

Dick was beaten!

 

 

CHAPTER XI.
DITSON’S FRIENDS.

oF

Dick was the first one to congratulate the ais
Pine, although he did not offer Cees his. hand, |

said Ditson, as the Virginian

said Duncan, his voice a bit unsteady.

It would be rotten business.

 

 

 

    
      
       
       
    
     
  
       
    
   
   
   
 

 

  
 

 

TOP
The Southerner acknowledged Merriwell’s words with

a bow and a “Thank you, suh

Ditson was literally boiling over with malicious
delight.
“He certainly made you look lke an amateur,

Merriwell!” cried Duncan, offensively. “He gave you

) the lead and then trimmed you in a Garrison finish.”

Buckhart stood aloof, sour and disgruntled.

i pad both played great billiards,” declared Fer-
» nald.. “Merriwell seemed to have the game on ice

when he missed
Dick

a winner,

that last shot by a red hair,”

attempted to make no excuses for himself. As

he was never boastful, malicious or inclined

ln inti ania

to wear a superior air. Being by nature a generous
winner, he could likewise be a graceful loser.,

In spite of his satisfaction over the result, Claxton
could not ‘fail to observe that Merriwell did not seem
for he had

a whit downcast. He wondered at this,

 

ey fancied Dick’s long score of triumphs had made him
a fellow who could not endure
Qs fiture,

The Southerner did not boast or swagger, although
he looked well
he confessed that he
| was defeated.

the slightest discom-

pleased. Now that the game was over,

had feared at one time that he

It was Ditson who did the swaggering, and. Ditson’s
offensiveness brought upon him the displeased glances
and comments of several club members.

4
\~. Buekhart felt like shutting Duncan up, but, remem-
| bering that he was.a guest in the club, he refrained
-}. from producing any disturbance. . :

4: Fernald suggested that Rob- and Dick should play

another string, but Claxton put up his cue and indi-

 

cated that he had no intention of doing this.

; Laughingly Merriwell handed his cue over to
ny Fernald,

ad: , _“T believe you could beat him next time,” murmured
. Floyd. “Don’t you think yc

(he “He, plays

|y have to do my

u could?”
ota

a splendid sith answered \Dick.
prettiest to beat him.”

 

Fifteen minutes later Dick and Brad left. the club.
The Texan was silent and glum.

     
   

“Come out of it,” said Dick, when they were on the
street.

a terrible calamity had

   
  

happened.”

  

“Waugh!” snorted Brad. “It sure was a rotten
_ calamity when that haughty gent from Virginia made
that last: run and stole thé game.”

"Stole the game?”
i Thatis what I said.”

 

  

did ‘not miss it intentionally, Brad. 4
'I may have been a trifle over-confident. As you. say, a
the shot was not difficult, and I should have made it =
easily.’ As a rule, I’m always'on my guard against > a
over-confidence in anything I attempt. It has been a
productive of nearly as many defeats as lack of conf- |
dence, I’ve seen the bad effects of it in football, base- ae

‘portance,’
“Anyone would think by your appearance that

anything’ else.

 

 

   
 
  
 
   
   
  
  
  
    
   
  
   
  
   
   
  
  
  
    
  
  
  
  
   
    
  
  
    
  
  
   
    

“But he didn’t

Lind a
Steal if.

“He sure did It was a clean case of robbery.
You had it nailed. Jf he didn’t steal it——-” The

Westerner paused and gave his companion a stspi-
cious look.

“What's: the matter now?”

“If I thought you did it, I'd sure quit you for
keeps!” rasped Brad.

3

“Did what? about ?
“Did you miss that last shot intentionally, pard?”
Dick laughed as if such a thing was preposterous.
“You ought to know I didn’t,” he retorted

What are you talking

“T ought to know it, Sat I’m not plumb certain. If
I thought you did do that; I'd want to kick you clean
The shot wasn’t hard

Were you

into the middle of next week.
to make, yet you missed it.
courage Claxton?

trying to en-
Were you monkeying with him?”
“Tf I was, I certainly made a bad break.”
“That's whatever. But haven’t answered.
You haven't told me whether you missed the last shot
intentionally or not.”

you

I confess

ball and nearly every other sport in which I’ve partici-
pated.” ;

“Well,
You havyen’t won a particle
ning.”

Claxton will think he’s the real thing now. ~
° ‘ * ly ir
of his respect this eve-

“Possibly not,” admitted Dick.

“Tm not making i
any particular effort to win Claxton’s

ssrespect.”

—

But Buckhart was mistaken; Merriwell had won /
some of the Virginian’s respect. This became evident —
when Rob. silenced the boasting of Ditson, who was.
in a most hilarious and exultant mood. . |

They, also, had left the elub and were on the ue

“To hear you, suh,” said the Southerner, “any one
would think that billiard game a matter of great im-
It was insignificant—very insignificant.”

“Not much, it wasn’t.. A fellow who beats Dek.
Merriwell does a big thing, whether it’s at billiards or
The trouble is, Clax, old chap, you
don’t realize just what you've done,” .

“The trouble is,”

   
  

   
       
  

  
      
    

was the retort, “I’ve not forgotten
 

 

 

An rate Re BN IO TETRA IE ST :
en

  
  
 
  
  
  
   
  
   
  
 
 
   
 
  
  
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
  
   
   
  
 
   
  
   
  
 
      
     
      
     
   
     
     
    
    
     
     
   
  

TOP
horses, and things like that. Between you and me, I’m
afraid I’ve misjudged that chap. I
could take defeat of any sort gracefully.
true light,

didn’t think he
I'm begin-
and I

realize that I did not show up to the best advantage

ning to see some matters .in their

was infuriated
I thought

after our meeting out at the Rock. 1
with Merriwell for forcing me to cry quits.
it a low trick.”

“It was! it was!”

spluttered Duncan. “I hope you

haven’t changed your mind about it. He knew you'd

quit. He was reckoning on it. You don’t suppose
for an instant, do you, that he expected you'd be idiot

enough to stand there and let him shoot you through
the body ?”

The Southerner drew a deep breath.

“Tf I’d known his game,” he murmured, “I would
have played it to the finish.”

Duncan was seized by a singular fear.

“Great Czesar’s he ejaculated,

you're not going to surrender to him now.

“I hope

I hope
you’re not going to follow in the footsteps of several
other fellows who have started out to bump him, but
‘have quit and acknowledged him to be ‘the real thing.
If that ‘happens, I’ll expect to see you crawling round
after him within a week. You'll be trying to get into
his particular bunch.” 3

ghost !”’

“There isn’t the slightest danger in the world.
Nothing of that kind will happen, I assure you.”

“I’m relieved to hear you say it, but the only way
you can prove you mean it is to beconte one of the anti-
Merriwell set. You've held aloof from the fellows
long enough. I know a jolly good crowd, and I want
you to meet them all. It isn’t right for a chap to
. keep by himself the way you do. Come to my room
_ with me. I'll get some of the fellows in, and——”

“You know I’m rather backward about taking up
with new acquaintances.”
 “That’s right, and it’s an error. Now, you are
- coming with me. I’m going to have you meet our set.
‘Don’t be afraid—they’re gentlemen.”

-“T'll take your word for it, suh.”

2 On the way to Ditson’s room they inked up Bertie
Lee and Sam Kates. Ditson murmured a word or

    
      
    
       
 

‘of Duncah’s friends. He found Lynch, Pickering,
; and Poland, and brought them to Dunc’s room, where
they shook hands with the Virginian for the first time.

  

  

“You ought to be proud to know Claxton, fellows,”
-said Ditson. “We've all been anxious for some time
find. some one who could trim Mr. Richard Merri-

 

 

   

_ two in Lee’s ear, and Bertie set out to gather the rest

WEEKLY.

well at some old thing. Claxton has just done it.
He downed Merriwell at a hundred-point string of
billiards.” Be

whooped Bertie Lee. ‘Have
Claxton.”

“I beg your pardon, suh,” smiled the Southerner,

“Hail to the chief!”

a cigarette on me, Mr.

“T do not smoke them.
Tl lig

“Go ahead and smoke

Ifyou don’t object, Ditson,
ht a weed of my.own.”

> anything you like in this wig-
“Some of the fellows who come [%

wam,” said Duncan.

around here smoke hemp. As long as we have a
champion among us—a chap who has trimmed the Pa
great Merriwell—I propose that we drink his health.”

“What are you going to do, rush the can?” inquired

Lynch.

 

“Oh, no, I’ve goe’something right here.”
Ditson produced a quart-bottle and some glasses.
/ ‘What is it?” asked Claxton, a trifle suspiciously. .,

“Nothing but sherry wine, my dear fellow. It's

 

perfectly harmless.” ax a:

“Nothing but sherry!” groaned Lee. “Haven't you

any whisky, Dunc? Sherry is very well for children = 5
1 : ’ ? Aine
and sick people, but I prefer a man’s drink.’ : 1

“You see, Claxton,” said Pickering, with a wink, e

“T ee is a very tough case. He smokes cigarettes and
5 .

drinks real whisky.” ; ae
“Oh, I’m a bad one, I am,” chirped Bertie. “Hurry
up and get the cork out of that bottle, Dunc. I’m al-

 

most cracking open for a snifter.”
The bottle was opened up and the drinks sotreds

 

‘Dunc was handing the glasses round when the door
swung open and Mel Daggett entered without invi-
tation. / oe

“Hello!” said Mel, grinning. “I’m just in time.
Where’s miné?”’

“Yes, awe just in time!” growled Ditson, Aar
from pleased. “There’s the bottle, and there’s a glass.”

The newcomer seized the earre and filled the glass
to the brim.

“Wait a minute,” said Dune, “I'll get you a towel,
as long as you're going to take a bath,”

‘Why don’t you say something original?” rasped
Daggett. “If you don’t want me to have a drink |
with you, I won’t.”
we

 

 

 

 

 

__ personal friends and. chums.

 

 

ent. Lee was a conceited little coxcomb.
‘coarse-grained and vulgar.

and disagreeable

important and boastful.

he said.

His eyes fell on Claxton.

“1 don’t think said Mel.

“Will somebody be good enough to give me a knock-

I’ve met this gentleman,”

down to him.” }

“Mr. Claxton,” said Dunc, “this is Mr. Daggett.
If you ever get hard up and wish to make a raise, Mr.
Daggett will let you have money in case you can fur-
nish good security and are willing to be robbed to
the extent of twenty per cent. interest.’’

The Southerner
the appeatance of Mel, and this impression was re-

fishlike

had been unfavorably impressed by
doubled as he touched Daggett’s clammy,
hand. |
“Come, now,” cried Lee, “we're off in a bunch!”
“Here’s to Robert Claxton, of Virginia,”
Duncan, “the first of our class to take a fall out of
Dick Merriwell.”

They drank the toast with a flourish.

CHAPTER XIII.
CLAXTON S “SKILL.

By the time the contents of the bottle had disap-

- peared, those fellows were in a rather gay and lively

distinctive pe-
_ Look-
ing them over, Claxton told himself that these were

mood. Under such conditions their

culiarities: cropped out and became apparent.

not the sort of chaps he would naturally choose as

One and all, he con-

trasted them with Dick Merriwell, and the vast su-

- periority of Merriwell became more and more appar-

Lynch was
Kates was weak-chinned

Pickering was profane. Daggett

was absolutely repulsive, and Jim Poland was sélf-

Experience had taught Clax-

ton that Duncan Ditson was’far from what he should

be.

Poland pulled down some foils from the wall and
challenged any one present to fence with him.

“I'm getting to be a holy terror with these things,”
“T’m taking fencing- feasotie, you know. Got
a French fencing-master, Monsieur Felix Monbars.
| There’ $ a name for you. i can keep him busy nowa-

proposed —

. you, tay

 

WEEKLY.

days. Had a lesson to-day, and before it was over,
Monsieur Felix found himself as busy as a bee.”
“As busy as a bee?” chirped Lee. “He must have

the hives!”

~
Y

Then Bertie nearly choked with laughter over 1
own joke.

“T wish there was some one here who could make it
interesting for me,” said Jim, flourishing his foil and
cutting the air with it. “When I get so I can trim
Monbars’ Mystery, I'll follow Mr. Claxton’s example
and force Dick Merriwell into a duel.”

“What do by Monbars’ Mystery?” in-

you mean

quired Ditson.

“Oh, my fencing-master has a mysterious pupil who
is certainly a wiz. I think he can make old Monbars
himself look like a shine. Fact is, I don’t jusy under-.
stand why he’s taking lessons from the Frenchman. f
was just beginning to think myself a wonder when
Monbars called in his Mystery and put us at it. I
changed my mind slightly before we had finished, for
the Mystery simply played with me.” yA
. “Well, who is he, anyhow?” asked Kates. “Why
do you call him a mystery ?”

“Monbars called him that. He wears a mask.”
“What?” cried several. “Wears a mask?”
“He did when I saw/him. He was in a private
room waiting for me to finish my lesson. After showing
what I could do with Monsieur Felix, I became a trifle

boastful. The Frenchman laughed, and said he would

show me one of his pupils who could do me up in short

Then he
produced this Mystery, who entered in fencing-cos-

order. I told him to trot the fellow out.

tume, with a long mask over his face.

the usual fencing-mask, but the Mystery simply des

clined, and we went/at it.
Vm good ; but that fellow was a whirlwind. |-He had
me going from the start.
playing with a mouse.
he demonstrated that he could count on me at will, and
I was forced to acknowledge myself up against the
Teal ee
said Clan’: . nN
“Deceiving me?” snapped Jim. “How?”

I suggested
Now, I am good—I know

Played with me like a cat
When he got tired of that,

   

   
   
 
      
   
   
     
   
  
      
  

   
       
     
   
      

   

  
 
 

 

   
    
  
   
   
   
  
   
   
  
     
  
  
   
    
    
    
       
       
 
    
     
       
      
       
      
    
 

gw
\

“Perhaps he’s been giving you the impression that
you're much more skilful than you really are.”

*Not on your life!’ snapped Poland. . “I know
j what Icando. Do you fence?”
“A little.”
“Then come on. I challenge you. Til show you
whether I’m any good, or not. Where are the masks

and jackets, Ditson? Bring them out.”

Claxton shrugged his shoulders, a faint smile on
his face.

“I wasn’t looking for anything like this,’ he de-
clared, “but I’m willing to let Mr. Poland show his
skill.”

Removing coats, vests, collars, and ties, they donned
the fencing-jackets and masks. In the meantime, the
others had cleared all furniture from the center of the
room. .

Ditson was chosen to act as judge.

At the signal, the two lads began to fence, Poland
starting without delay to demonstrate his skill at the
sport. For a minute or two, Jim was on the offensive,
but, to his surprise, he soon found the Southerner
wonderfully clever with the foil. In vain the tall chap
tried to count on Claxton. Every thrust was skil-
fully met and gracefully turned.’ Every piece\of stra-

tegy proved ineffective.

3

“Come, come, Jim,” cried Lee, from the top of the
dresser, “you don’t seem to be doing so much. You

haven’t cut any ice yet.”

In exasperation, the boastful fellow left himself
open while he tried to score on the Virginian. Like
a flash of lightning, the Southerner counted itwice,
having baffled Poland’s attack. Following this, Clax-
ton made his antagonist look like a. very rank amateur.
Try as he might, Poland could rarely touch’ Rob,
Claxton. scored at least six times to Poland’s once; and
_ finally the latter flung down his foil in vexation and
disgust. -—

didn’t you tell us what you could do?”

“That is not my ‘way, suh,”
“TI seldom boast of my skill.”

  

was the quiet answer.

J “Ts he as good as Monbars’ Mystery?” asked Lynch.
_ “Blamed if I don’t believe he’s better,” answered

TOP WEEKLY.’

“Say,” he panted, “you’re a Jim Hickey! Why

   

Poland truthfully. “I'd like to see him go up against

that chap. It would make old Monbars’ eyes bug out
of his head. It wold be more fun than a barrel of
monkeys.”

“Fix it, fix it,’ urged Lee. ‘“Can’t you arrange it,
Poland?” = =~

“What do you mean?” -

“Can’t you get up a meeting between Claxton and
this. wonderful Mystery? Can’t you take us along to
see the fun?” -

“By Jove, I'll try it!” laughed Poland, wiping the
perspiration from his face. “I’m going to quit old
Monbars and get Claxton to give me lessons.”

“Would you meet this mysterious gentleman who %

wears a mask, Rob?” asked Ditson.

 

“T’d rather not, suh.” ee
“Oh, come ahead,” muttered Dunc, in the South-

erner’s ear. “You've got the fellows going. You're

  

a winner with this bunch of chaps. They'll back you/
|
up in anything if you will agree to meet this wizard \

and then trim him.”

The others gathered around the Virginian and

urged him to consent. aie:
“I don’t believe he’s afraid,” piped Lee. “Hehadn’t |
ought to be afraid of any one at that game.” 15

*“T don’t see that there’s anything to fear,” smiled |
Rob. “If Mr. Poland can make the arrangements, ©
I'll try a turn with this masked Mystery to-morrow

evening.”

 

CHAPTER XIV.

. THE MYSTERY UNMASKED.

é ‘

The boys toiled laboriously up five narrow, winding
flights of stairs, to the rooms of Monsieur Felix Mon-
bars. In answer to Poland’s knock, a slender, thin-

cheeked, dark-eyed’ man, with a grayish mustache
waxed and up-curled at the points, threw open the
door, and, bowing low, bade them enter. This man
was Monsieur Monbars himself. :
A, “My friends say you ought to have an’ elevator,
-monsieur,” said Poland.
“Fet is true,” admitted the Frenchman; “but ze

elevator eet will nevaire come on zees old building.”

a ; /

  
 
 

Lee

 

“Then why don’t you move into a modern fire-proof
building?” inquired Pickering. ““W by do you occupy
i
such a ramshackle old shack as this?’

Monbars shrugged his shoulders in a truly char-

acteristic manner,
“Eef lengage ze suite of rooms in ze modern build-
where have ze elevator, eet cost very much

ing zey

more zan I can afford to pay,” was his frank con-

fession. “‘Zese rooms do very well for me. Zey are
' ss Y =
comfortable, zey are light, zey are airy.”

and, al-

Indeed, the rooms were light and airy,

though the furnishings were a trifle shabby, they
seemed comfortable.
Poland introduced his friend.

Monbars looked Robert Lee Claxton over with un-

 

4 - mistakable interest.
‘ce yee
So zis ees ze young gentleman from ze Southern
part of ze country who weeshes to fence weeth Mon-

 sieur Mystery, eh? Zis young gentleman must be very

 

clevaire ?”

He “You bet he is!’ nodded Poland. “He made me
1, look like a plugged Canadian quarter when I tried my
| skill against him, and I am confident he can outpoint
your great Mystery.”

sc. “On ohe condition only will Monsieur Mystery-agree
| to ze test,” laughed Monbars.

» “But I thought he’d agreed already!” cried Poland.
“He has; but I’ deed not gif you his terms.”

“Oh, then he’s going to force us to accept terms

 

a te

which will be favorable to him, is he?” sneered .Po-

land. “Well, well, what do you think of that, fel-

Idws?”’

“Be not too hastee,” implored the fencing-mastef.

“Wait until you hear ze terms. Monsieur Mystery he

inseests zat only weel he meet you eef he can engage
sa

aon

you both.”

“What's that?”

_ The points of Monbars’ mustache went up, and his
teeth were exposed in a flashing smile, |

“Zose z

Frenchman.

9

are ze terms on wheech he inseests,

“But what’s the use of that?” demanded Jim. “I
know your Mystery is too clever for me.”
“He weel fence you with his left hand.

TOP’ WEI

land,

ging his shoulders.

said the

At the

 

 

   

“KLY

  
   
   
    
   
  
  
     
  
  
    
   
  
  
   
  
    
  
     
    

 

same time hé weel engage your friend, Monsieur Clax-

ton, with hees right hand.”
“You don’t

to fence us both at once?”

“Hold on! hold on!” cried Poland.
mean that he is going

“Out,

on wheech he inseests.”’

out,’ bowed Monbars. ‘‘Those are ze.terms

Duncan Ditson burst into laughter.
of that?’

“THe

must have a fine opinion of your skill, Poland! You’ve

“Well, what do you think he cried.

been giving us a bluff. I don’t believe you can fence
much of any.”

“Oh, my dear young gentlemen,” hastily objected
“you are very, very much mis-
He is

Still,

the fencing-master,
taken. . Monsieur Poland is a clevaire pupil.
not ze expert—he ees not ze finished fencaire.
he is very clevaire.”’

Claxton looked somewhat disgusted. \

“T shall agree to no such terms,” he haughtily de- .
clared. “If this remarkable Mystery wishes to use j
his left hand and match his skill against that of Po- :
If he defeats Poland, (Ml —

No man can en-

I’m quite willing.

Bhd exe Shean otek

give him my attention afterward.

gage us both at the same time. It would be a tate,

a laughable, ridiculous exhibition.”

“As you choose, saire,” said Monbars, again shrug-
“Zose are ze only terms Mon-—
sieur Mystery will.make. If you do‘not agree—at
settles eet.”

“We
This Mystery has.
You'll put it all

If you and Poland are too much for him,

“Oh, go ahead, Claxton,” said Mike Lynch:

   

know what you can do, old fellow.

      
 

bitten off more than he can chew.

   

over him.

    
 

« \ e
you can then challenge him to a single engagement.”

    
 

Claxton finally agreed to this, although he did so

    
 

under protest. When his consent had been obtained,

Monbars escorted the two lads to a dressing-room, in

    
       
 

which they were invited to get ready.

    
 

“What do you think of this business, Dunc?” in-

    
 

quired Bertie Lee,

    
    

“T think both the fencing-master and his mysterious
masked expert have underrated Claxton, about whom

    
  

  

   

they know nothing whatever. The Virginian cer-
and I’d bet my life hell

take ne conceit out of Mr. Mystery.”
vit f

     
 

tainly is a wizard at fencing,

  

   

  
 

 

      
   
   
  
   
  
      
   
  
  
   
    
      
   
      
     
       
         
       
       
   
       
       
      
 
   
      
    

TIP TOP

26

Before jong Poland and Claxton reappeared, ready

for the test. The boys now followed Monbars into

the ae ui The Frenchman uttered a call, and
some heavy curtains at the far end of the room were
flung apart. Through the opening advanced the mys-

terious fencer. He was dressed for the engagement,

while his face was fully hidden by a mask which

reached to his chin. Evidently, he was a youth in

years. He was supple, graceful, soft-footed, and easy
in his movements, yet about him there was a sugges-
tion of unusual strength.

“Fine-built, chap,” whispered Pickering,

Monbars introduced Claxton, and the Mystery
bowed in acknowledgment, without speaking a word.
~The fencing-master next brought forth foils, from
Silently the

masked chap picked up two of the foils, one with each

which the contestants were to choose.

hand. He then placed himself upon the mat in an
attitude of readiness.
“Let’s put it all over him from the very start,” whis-

pered Poland... “Let’s not fool with him.”

The two lads adjusted the masks which were to
protect their faces, seized foils, and stepped to the
RES.

The clash that followed was one which stirred the
At the word,
chap engaged both his antagonists.

blood of the spectators. the masked
The foils clicked
and hissed and rang. In his eagerness to rush the un-
: known, Poland grew careless, with the result that four
i times in rapid succession Monbars declared a “touch”
4 against him. |

a “Th the meantime, the My ter had been. holding
Claxton even play. The Southerner had scored once,
but the masked youth retaliated like a flash of light-

ning, and evened things up. i

   
 

 
 

-Dismayed and angered by the unexpected course of
events, Poland shifted his position, to get at the Mys-
tery from the rear.

.

This movement was anticipated. The first thing
land knew he was -engag ged hotly, and, with a twist). i
and a snap, the masked youth tore Jim’s foil from:

‘hand and sent it flying across the room.

  

  

While Poland was recovering the foil, a flashing

     

WEEKLY.

known. Repeatedly the Southerner lunged, confident

of scoring, only to have his foil turned and to be a

counted on bbe his antagonist. \) S.
Poland came dancing back to the mat. Just as he ee

reached it, the Mystery seemed to tie his foil about

that of Claxton and literally jerk the Vuirginian’s
weapon from his grasp. ;
While the Southerner was recovering his foil, the { %

masked wonder again disarmed Poland.

 

Monsieur Felix Monbars laughed softly.

99

“Gentlemen,” he said, speaking to the wide-eyed and

astonished spectators, “you will see zat I haf make no
mistake when I say zat Monsieur Mystery is ze great-
fencaire outside of France. He come to me to

take ze lesson. Ah, young gentlemen, I haf no skill

 

to teach heem.”

Claxton realized the fact that the wearer of the mask on
was more than a match for himself and Poland com- oe
bined.. Nevertheless, the hot blood of the Southerner —
was seething in his body, and he once more flung him-
self at the! unknown.

The Mystery turned barely in time to meet the
charge of the Southerner. Claxton’s foil was di-
verted, but it brushed the mask which hid. the face
of the wonderful fencer. In some manner, the button
on the point of the foil caught the cord which held
A moment later the Mystery
stood unmasked before them all.

Claxton’s foil fell to the mat.

“Great Scott!” he shouted, “it is Dick Merriwell!”

‘

that mask’ in place.

, DICK MERRIWELL'S SYSTEM. |

THE WAY TO WIN. ee se

      
     
    

 

The Fire Trap—Down the Rope—A Disgusted Trio—The —
Blow —Beginning to ‘Understand—T he System— _
Dick Does It—The Trap—A Fiztle—Hard Losers— 2

aw Warm Reception. oe

  
 

 

 

 

 

7

~ ,
n Yottth sad

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NEW YORK, March 30, 1907.

 

TERMS TO TIP TOP WEEKLY MAIL SUBSCRIBERS.
(Postage Free.)
Single Copies or Back Numbers, 5c. Each.

RS MIOMUILE aca bisa aculewsd weno cces 65¢. OTE: PR re ee ee oe te oi $2.50
MN OOUIE ss Fan's Bede e ctle ae 85e. 2 copies one year...........2.. 4.00
RR TENMOTUSS « Silbie Wenn ess ¢ 0.08 come P hse 1 copy two years

How to Send Monéy—By post-office 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. f

Receipts—Receipt of your remittance is acknowledged by proper
change of number on your label, If not correct you have not been properly
credited, and should let us know at once.

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

 

_ ‘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 inline
boys and girls and strive to have your name at the head of the list.

F. H. McClure, Pittsburg, Pa.
William Bloss, Chicago, III.

Nat Lekachman, New York City.
L. G. Lenz, Ohio.

S. Warren Blood, Mass.

Paul Bunion, Kansas.

Hilda Fitzpatrick, Idaho.

T. C. Dallas, South Carolina.

| Louis Laire, Conn.

Waiter W. Lee, Buffalo, N. Y.

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.

t

 

APPLAUSE.

_ Owing to the number of letters received, the editors 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.

ta 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, Remit by stamps, check or money order to the
publishers.)

(A letter from Idaho.)

I have been a reader of “Tip Top” ever since Dick was ex-
pelled from school, and have not missed one number, since my

brother and sister were two of the first readers, and I can’

remember hearing them reading “Tip Top” aloud when I was a
very little girl.

Every Sunday there would be about eight girls and boys’ at
our house reading the “Tip Tops.” !

‘T have started about six boys and four girls reading them, but
most of the girls read the numbers after I am through with
_ them or read them with me.

‘ }

 

WEEKLY. 27

Have you any back number or anything where I can read
about Frank finding Dick with Old Joe?

I like all the girls and think Dick ought to get June, and: Dale,
A 1 A 4
Madge. ,

[, and all of my girl friends, like Dick better since he has been
at Yale.

We think it a shame Dick’s “pard” coulda’t go, and think he
ought to go, anyway.

I think “Dick Merriwell’s Joke” is great, and can’t think of a
better number. I hope “Blessed” "gets over his fear of the girls,
for I don’t think our sex is dangerous.

[hat piece in Applause called “When ‘Tip Tops’ Come” is
fine. Well, with three cheers for Burt L., I remain a reader of
“Tip Top.’ Hitpa FIrzPATRICcK.

[t will not be long before the numbers introducing Dick will
begin to appear in the Medal Library. We appreciate your gener-
ous assistance and hope you will always be as good a friend to
“Tip Top.” Look in the Honor Roll.

I have been a reader of your king of weeklies for some time,
and would like to say something in praise of Burt L. Standish,
the prince of American authors for boys. I have read Alger,
Henty, Garrison, Ellis, Otis, and Optic, but the author of “Tip
Top” rules supreme. I like the old flock best, because I have
read most of the Frank Merriwell stories in the Medal Library.
But still I like Dick and his friends. I have influenced one boy
to read the Merriwell stories in the Medal Library by simply re-
lating a few of Frank’s adventures. I expect later to get him
to read “Tip Top.” Will you please send me a catalogue of the
“Tip Tops” in print? With best wishes to the author and pub-
lishers of “Tip Top,” I will close, a loyal Tip Topper.

New York City. GeorcE T, KEATING.

You have made a good start, and we always feel grateful. for
such efforts on the part of our readers. This is a mutual affair,
after all, for as our circulation grows our opportunities for im-
proving “Tip Top” widen accordingly, and whatever you do for
the boys’ own magazine comes back again to you.

(A lettet from Wisconsin.)

Well, I am writing at last. Your grand ‘old weekly has come
into my hands for the last 560 weeks, or over 1034 years, and
many an hour of pleasure it has given me. When I stop to
think that it is very near eleven years since Frank and Bart first
quarreled shortly after Frank stepped off the train at Fardale
it hardly seems possible’ I have followed these most interesting
stories through Frank’s and Dick’s school-days and travels and
Frank’s ventures and aeisicetes before Dick came into the
stories, reading some of them four or five times, never tiring of
them. We can’tgrow tired of them when we know that it’s the
best book of its kind published. There is nat any one knows
how much good the “Tip Top Weekly” has done, or how many
boys it has lifted up and helped through life. I have never writ-
ten to the Applause before, but I have thought of doing so a
great many times, and’I suppose you will have to accept the
thought for the deed. At least, I hope you will.
in “Tip Top” are certainly tip top, and are the nearest to life of
anything I have ever read about, and I want.to thank Burt L.

for the hours of pleasure I have had, and S.-& S. I wantto'con- ~

gratulate on the way they publish the same, for certainly you
all together make it a king of all weeklies.
eW. C. Rice.

Still another who owes much to the gifted pen of Burt L.
Standish. We hope W. C. has returned the favor by sounding

“se

space. I remain, yours truly,

99

benefited as he has been. If you admired “Tip Top’s” appear-
ance in the past, what do you think now that it has been ad-
vanced into the magazine class, and still remains at the sam¢
price—five cents?

(A letter from South /Carolina.)

As I have seen but one letter from’ this city, and having writ-
ten once before, I thought I would try again, hoping this letter
has better luck than the last one. which was not published. I
have not read the “World’s Famous Weekly” more than a year,
beginning at Fardale. I do not know, but it was about the earth-

7

The characters |

I will stop now, for —
I suppose that I have already taken up. too much of your valuable

Tip Top’s” praises wherever he has gone, so that others may be ©

Ma Liat at el lat ts lea eke ee

 
 

epee

    
   
  
  
   
    
 
   
   
  
 
  
   
   
   
 
         

quake at the school.
story very often.

l am doing my best to increase the sale of “Tip Top.”
copy every week and pass it from one friend to another
shave gotten about fifteen more readers of the king of weeklies.
The adults as well.as the boys in Spartanberg read “Tip Top.”
Of the characters I like Frank, Bart,-Bruce, Jack, Inza, Elsie,
“Dick,” Brad, Jones, Chet, Madge, and “June,” and Dale; alse
Crow foot.

I hope Chet and Crowfoot Will soon enter Yale. Chet is in
a bad fix out in the West, but, with the help of Frank and
Crowfoot, I think he will pull through. I will close with best
wishes for Street & Smith and Burt L. T. C. Dattras.

Your good work among your fellows surely entitles you to
have a place among the “elect”; and, accordingly, we are writing

Tt was a ‘bird,” and I laugh over the same

I buy a
mtil I

it there, in the hope that you will appreciate the honor, and

redouble your efforts to increase the circulation of “Tip Top”

im your town,

 

As my brothers and I have read every “Tip Top” ever pub-
lished, we think it about time that we added our opinion. The
only people who talk against them are those who never read
even one number.
than one quarrel trying to convince friends what fine books the
“Tip Tops” are. Nine out of ten people will always want all
the numbers. -My brothers certainly have done a good deal in
getting other young men to read them. My music and school-
teachers read them, and thanked me for letting them know

about “Tip Top.” I am afraid, womanlike, I have said too
much. Good luck to Street & pmith and Burt L. Standish.

New York City. As mee he ond. C.°Ty

It is very kind of you to go to all this trouble to tell us
what you think of “Tip Top.” Be assured that your very wel-
come letter was read with interest. We delight in receiving

words of commendation from the sisters and mothers of “our
boys,” and we have had matty in which they thank us for having
“* wrought sach’a wonderful change in the habits of those dear
to them,

This is the second time I have written to the Applause
- ecolumi. My first letter, as far as I know, succeeded in reaching
_ the waste-basket. Whether this one will reach the same destina-
tion or not, I do not know. ‘But if it does, you will at least
know what I think of “Tip Top.” My opinion of the king of
weeklies is that it is the best publication in its line, or in any
other line. I have been reading “Tip Top” for nearly seven
yeats, and it is my intention to follow it up as long as it
exists. I have read all the numbers but about twenty. I have
“done my best to get other fellows to read them, and have suc-
ceeded in inducing several to do, so. Our local news-dealer
‘Says he has four times the demand for them that he had a
short time ago.
There is one thing that has not yet appeared in “Tip Top”
_ that I would like to see; and that is a Canadian character, It
is not my intention to butt into Burt L.’s business, but I just
mention the fact that it would do no harm, but would do a lot
» Of good, and would also please all Canadian readers. Of the
- characters, I am not prepared to say which I like best; but I
see where Dick gets June atid Dale Madge. Chet is a good
fellow, if he is having a hard fight to keep on the sunny side
of the fence. I will close, wishing Street & Smith and Burt L.
“every sucess. Yours very truly, J. A. Wavpetu.
~ Ontario, Canada.

  

  

Others have written about the same thing, and we really

believe Mr. Standish should listen to the loud calls from across
the border and have a Canadian character with Dick.

 
 

 

  

.I am a boy reader of your famous “Tip Top Weekly,” and
write a few lines to the Applause column. This being my. first
letter, I have not much to say.. There are two of us reading
he “Tip Top Weekly.” Frank and Dick Merriwell are fine
ung men. I would like to see them, but I cannot. Dale
parkfair is O. K., and so is Crowfoot. But none of them can
me up with Frank and Dick Merriwell. I have riot seen any
letters from where I live, so I expect to see this in. the Applause
Olumn. I have loaned more than one hundred .of my. “Tip
r e ' ‘' ,

  

    

     

TIP TOP WEEKLY,

Although I am a girl, I have got into more -

Tops,” because I want everybody to read them. I like to read og?
the Applause column because it is very interesting.. I close with
my very best regards to Street & Smith and Burt L. Standish

for such a grand weekly. CLAuvE E. WeEpsTer..- ae
Juneau, Alaska. 1
Glad to hear from far-off Alaska, and to. know we have a ae

( , : aa

devoted little band of readers there who eagerly await. the Oe
coming of “dear old “Tip Top,’” the magazine that goes to the aoe
uttermost parts of the earth, wherever the English language ts. =
spoken. Write again, friend Claude. d
Although I have read “Tip Top” for some years, this is my ae.
first attempt at writing to the Applause. There is only one ah
word that will express the true value of “Tip Top,” and that is ar
“great.” I have nothing to criticize about “Tip Top,” but have _ ay
something to say of some of the writers to Applause. These a
are the ones who are now placing Dale ‘above Dick and Frank, a
I call this downright treason, although Dale is a pretty fair 4.
fellow in his place. 1 have just finished No. 563, and am very ay,

much interested to know the story of Cocheta. I-have worked
hard in trying to secure readers for “Tip Top,” but I have not
gotten many. Just the same, I expect to have my name at the
top of the Honor Roll some day. Before closing this candidate
for the waste-basket, I would like to express the earnest wish
that “Tip Top” would never die, but would continue to tell
the stories of the Merriwells, generation after generation. Wish-
ing good luck to “Tip Top,” its characters, its writer, and its
publishers, and hoping to see this soon in print, I remain,
Baltimore, Md. A SouTHERNER.

 

  
         
             
              
           
         
        
       
     
       
     
     

 

Thank you.’ We appreciate the sentiments that come to us
so frequently from Dixie, where we have tens of thousands of
warm friends. \

This is the first time that I have written to “Tip Top,” and
I hope to see this in print in your Applause column within six
weeks. I have only read “Tip Top” since Frank started his
athletic school, but [ try to get all the back numbers I can. I
let. about six fellows around my way read the “Tip Top” when
| am through with it; in fact, I let any fellow read it that T_
know will return it when through with it, as I am, starting a
file. I like Frank and Dick and Old and Young Joe Crowfoot
the best. I hope Young Joe goes to Yale very soon. I see
that Chet Arlington is on the wrong trail again, but 1, hope he
will soon: get right. I will now close with three cheers for
Frank, Little Frank, Dick, and all the rest, Burt L., and Street
& Smith. os Artur J. Troup. |

New York City. hoy A

It is very good of you to loan your copies, but there should
be a limit to even this friendly spirit. After a boy has become ©
thoroughly interested he might be expected to purchase his
own copy each week. Don’t you ‘think so? That would give
you a chance to do a little missionary work in a new field and
bring others into the fold. How do you like our new departure
in the way of a magazine cover?

      
    
      
          
      
       
       
   
   
   
    
      
      
         
      
       
       
      
 
     
         
         
    
       
     

'
wee

(A letter from Rhode Island.) '
Over two months ago I wrote a letter to “Tip Top,” and —
have now given up all hope of ever seeing it in print. May
this one have better luck and be published. For the past eight
years I have enjoyed reading your weekly, and am very proud
to be able to say it. I hope to enjoy them for many years to
come. Four years ago, at my home in dear old New York.”
State, I was sitting reading a “Tip Top” on an old stone wall 4
when three of my chums came by. Evidently, they had never |
read “Tip Top,” for they immediately started to laugh at me; —
said they had theiropinion of any one who would waste. vyal- _
uable time reading cheap literature. One day, while we were
all fishing on Hun’s Lake, Dutchess County, I was surprised,
upon turning around, to see the three each with a “Tip Top.”
The fish were having a grand'‘time with the worms. Now you
would think Friday was pay-day. They drive three miles every
week to get the weekly they once so despised, but now cherish
more than you can imagine. One of. those boys is preparing ”
to enter Yale next fall, and I think reading “Tip Top” has ‘
given him the ambition, rev ceed by sed
- Dick isa fine fellow, but he has, got to gO some to catch up

s

a : ‘did
1
[
1
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:
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e
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EN TOI CT PLETE IF IE ee” oe Me ere SERS Pte Soto

PIP STOP

with dear old Frank. I wish Frank happiness and prosperity,
and may his son turn out as good a man as his father. I would
like to hear more about Hans, The Yankee, Bruce Browning,
and the rest of the old crowd. I hope to seé¢ Chet going to
Yale soon, and hope that he will become a close friend oi
Dick’s, and then we will forget the past and look forward to a
bright future for Chet. I would like to see Darrell, June, and
Doris come into prominence again. I am just wondering wio
Dick will get for his partner through life. Three cheers for
“Tip Top.’ May it have long life and prosperity.
Jack MuILés,
: A True Tip Topper.

Doubtless those three boys wondered what sort of fascination
there was about a “Tip Top” to hold you so strongly, and their
curiosity caused them to investigate. Like every one else who
begins to read a Merriwell story, they were soon inoculated
with the same disease that is as contagious as scarlet fever, and
so it goes spreading through whole families and communities,
even fathers, mothers, sisters, and uncles falling willing vic-
tims. It is the greatest thing that ever happened for Young
America.

(A letter from Connecticut.)

As a beginner I read a weekly published by another house,
but by accident I read my first “Tip Top,” and I have
induced four other boys to read them, whose names follow,
William Farrel, Richard Fallen, and’ Harry Carter. I -praise
Burt Standish for his writings. yours truly, Louis Lazre.
-Here is a boy who goes right to the point and wastes no time.
Four springing from one is excellent. Just think what. the

result would be if one hundred thousand of our boy readers

did as well. We think we ought to write your name-on our
Honor Roll, Louis, don’t you?

(A letter from Pennsylvania.)

My brother has been reading the “Tip Top,” and if it were
not for him I might not have known the pleasure. I have
read “Tip Top Weekly” ever since Frank Merriwell went to
Yale, and as for praise, it is possible I can't give enough in
words. I think if all the boys and girls would take the example
of Dick and June, they would be wise. I'm trying to copy the
example myself. I think Madge Morgan would be a good squaw
for Dale Sparkfair, and: June for Dick. And as for Chester, if
he’s a little straighter he will soon find a -paleface squaw.
I’m a girl, but will always read “Tip Top.” I hope this will

_miss the waste-basket, even if you throw it at it) I remain

always, Miss Lavinta M. Youne.

What you say about boys and girls copying after the principal
characters in “Tip Top” is very sensible advice. They could not
but improve. Frank and Dick have, by their example, encouraged

tens of thousands of lads to strengthen good resolutions, and be

more manly in their characters.

As I have never written to the Applause before, I will start

: in now. It is the best book for a boy in the world. I have

just finished number 553, and it was great. I am glad Chet A.
is going to the Double X Ranch, because it will keep him out
of smoking and drinking. Will you please send me a catalogue,
as I lost the other one you sent me. I am doing all in my
power to increase the sale of “Tip Top” in this town. I have
loaned copy after copy to’ boys, and now have not many left.
The boys are buying them now, and like them very much, Well,
I will close with three cheers for Burt L., and Street & Smith,
also “Tip Top.” I remain, EN. H

~ Berkeley, Cal. ;

The catalogue has been mailed. We thank. you for the

“generous efforts you have made to interest your chums in “Tip
Top,” and expect good results to follow.

ie (A letter from Mississippi.) COs
I have written twice before to the Applause Department,. and
have waited to see if my letters would be printed, but have
never seen them in print. I hope this time that this will escape
I have been a reader of “Tip Top” for a

long time, and am as crazy about reading them now as I

 

WEEKLY. 29

was at first. Some people that see me reading one of them
say they would not waste their time that way; but after I get
them to read a copy, they always want more. I {think that
Chester will be as true a friend of Dick’s as Hodge is to
Krank. Well, 1 hope you will excuse me for taking up so much
of your valuable space. Hoping |to see this in print, and with
best regards to all “Tip Toppers,” Burt L. Standish, and Street &
Smith, I remain, Yours respectfully, SiEGFRIED GAEGER.
There is only one way to silence a scoffer. Argument will not
do, it. Ask him to be fair and honest—get him to read one eopy
of “Tip Top” and then give you his candid opinion as to whether
he thinks it a good thing to put in the hands of a boy. Ten to
one he will frankly confess he was mistaken, and that any lad
will get only good from it.
Having read “Tip Top” for five years, I thought it about
time to write and express my opinion. It certainly ‘is the best
weekly ever published, and is well worthy of the name of “king
of all weeklies.” One day I was trading novels, and a young
lad said to me, “Why don’t you try a ‘Lip Top’?” so I read
that copy, and asked him if he had any more, and got about
thirty of them. Ever since then no other stories but “Tip Top”
have | read. I have induced about nine friends of mine to read
“Tip Top.” I was sorry when Brad did not go to Yale, the
college of colleges; but Brad is with us once again, and I hope
he is: here to stay and will be glad to see him enter Yale,
Wishing good luck to Mr. Burt L. Standish, and Street & Smith,
[ remain, a loyal ‘‘Tip Topper,” Wa ter W. Lee.
Buffalo, N. Y.

3rad, as you know ere now, has succeeded in breaking into
Yale, where for some years to come the “unbranded maverick”
will help make things lively. We appreciate your efforts \to
increase our circulation, Walter, and shall take: liberties with
your name.

: (A letter from Illinois.) woud
Having read the “King of all Weeklies,” “Tip Top,” since the
first number, will not take the pleasure of expressing my senti-
ments'on same. I: think “Tip Top” is “It.’- And all of the
would-be rivals had just as well quit, as none can equal it now,
nor in yeats to come. Burt L. is “there’ when it comes to
pleasing the American boys and girls. One of our business men
said to me: “Harry, you would be a pretty good-boy if you
didn’t read cheap literature.” That meant a copy of “Tip Top,”
which I induced him to read, and now his whole family read
it every week. He said that he had made a great mistake about
“Tip Top,” and I think so, too. I like Frank and Bart of the
old “flock,” and Dick, Brad, and Flint of the new, the best. I
have every number of “Tip Top.” With best regards to Mr.

Standish, Street & Smith, and the “flock,” I remain,

Yours very truly, J. Harry GRAVES.

This story is one we never grow weary of hearing, for it tells
us that we are doing what has long been our aim—making a
magazine for boys that will soon be above all reproach, Watch ©
out improvements from time to time.

(A letter from Pennsylvania.)

After reading your peerless weekly for nine years, I feel that
I am entitled to a bit of space in your Applause column. As for —
my opinion of “Tip Top,” I think the fact that I am still a reader,
after many years’ experience, will speak louder than words.
I: often read in the Applause of some fellow who don’t like —
certain characters. Now, I like them all, because they all go to
make “Tip Top” the huge success that it is. I think that the
character of Chet A, is depicted finely, which shows the ability
of the author. Dale is O. K., just my style. Dave Flint is
another good character that we should try to follow. I think he —
has a harder time controlling himself than any other one of them, —
and he should not be overlooked: I have been the cause of
quite a number of boys in this town becoming “Tip Toppers,”
and I shall, continue to do the same. Wishing success to al
who are concerned in giving us the “King of all Stories,”
remain, a product of “Tip Top.” Jonn McCaze.

. Top,” and who tries to repay it in the only
telling others the glad tidings.

 
 

 

EDITED BY

 

 

 

(A letter from Florida.)

Pror, Fourmen: I am 17 years of age and weigh 132 pounds;
height, 6 feet, stripped; neck, 1334 inches; waist, 29 inches;
calves, I2 inches; chest, normal, 32 inches; expanded, 34%
inches, C. G. Donne ty.

You are considerably below the standard weight, and should
train to take on at least 30 pounds.

Pror. FourMEN: Being a Tipe Tor reader, I take the liberty
of asking you a few questions concerning my measurements as
compared with my age. “he following are my measurements:
Age, 16 years; height, 5 feet 4. inches;, weight, 120° pounds;
biceps, 10 inches,~expanded; neck, 12% inches; chest, normal,
32 inches; expanded, 34 inches; thigh, 18 inches; calf, 13 inches;
waist, 27 inches, These mrieastrements were all taken when
stripped.} I do not drink tea or coffee, but do drink Idts of
milk.. Do you consider milk harmful? I play basket-ball three
times a week, Can I become an athlete? By dois de
Plainfield, Wis,

Your measufements are such that you could become an athlete
if you trained properly. Milk should agree with you, if you
swallowed it slowly. ;
Having read Trp Top for a long time, I take
the liberty to ask a few questions. My measurements are: Age,
16 years; height, 5 feet 8 inches; weight, 126 pounds; chest,
normal, 32 inches; expanded, 35 inches; waist, 28 inches; neck,
14 inches; biceps, normal, 9% PENCE expanded, 11 inches
forearm, 10 inches; calves, 14 inches; thighs, 18 inches. Here
are my records: 100- -yard dash, 12 2- 5 seconds; standing broad
jump, 8 feet; running broad jump, 12 feet 8 inches; running
aN high jump, 5 feet 2 inches. How are these? Ar De B22,
' New York.

Your records are very good. You lack weight, in Your
chest expansion is fairly good.

Pro. Eide Please let me know through the Physical
Culture Department of Tie Tor what you think of my measure-
ments. I have just begun training. Age, 17 years; height, 5 feet
10 inches; weight, 15514 pounds; neck, '13%4 inches ; chest, nor-
mal, 34 inches; expanded, 36% inches; biceps, 13 inches; waist
30 inches; On a warm day my face gets blood-red when f
walk fast, run, or play ball. It looks as if the blood would
rush through the skin. I never have a headache, Gipsy Jor.
_. Washington, D. C.

‘Do not be alarmed on account of the blood rushing to your
face. This happens to cvery one when indulging in violent
exercise.

Pror. FouRMEN:

ror. FourMEN : Being a reader of Tip Top, I sak the liberty
' to ask a few questions. My age is 16 years;
inches; weight, 89 pounds. I use the United States Army exer-
ises. I do them once a day. How many times a day should
do them? I work in the daytime and’ go to. night school, I

on’t have much time for exercises except Saturday afternoons

height, 4 feet 9°

PROF. FOURMEN

 

 

 

and Sundays.
and height?
Providence, R. I.
Continue your United States Army exercises, but go through
them both morning and evening. By eating fattening food you
will soon take on weight. ©

What exercises should I follow to take on weight
FraANK MacDonnegeLL.

(A letter from Minnesota.)

Pror, FourMEN: My measurements are: Height, 5 feet 1
inch; weight, 08 pounds; age, 12 years; wrist, 6% inches; neck,
13. inches; chest, normal; 30 inches; expanded, 31% inches :
biceps, 10 inches; forearm, 9 inches; thigh, 1814 inches; calf,
12 inches, Can I become a good football-player? What is good
for short wind? BERNHARD HANSON.

Your chest should have a larger expansion. Take deep breath-
ing exercises and long-distance runs. You should train to take
on more weight ee vies football.

Pror. FourmAn: I have wate: a aie of Tip Tor for a num-
ber of years, ana [ thought I would take the liberty of asking
you a few questions, These are my measurements: Age, 24
years; weight, 126 pounds; height, 5 feet 5 inches; neck, 1334
inches’ chest, normal, 32 inches; expanded, 34 inches; waist,
2714 inches; thigh, 17%4 inches; calf, 1234 inches. My stomach
bothers me, and I have catarrh, What kind of exercise do you
advise, and what should I eat. Ought I to weigh more?

Dalhart,, Texas. ; €

Your weight is about right. If your stomach bothers you,
eat only two light meals a day. Snuff water up your nose for
catarrh. . This is' a very simple remedy, but it is effectual.
Take long walks every day, and exercise with dumb-bells,

(A letter from Colorado.)
Pror. FourMEN: As a loyal Tip Topper, I would like to ask
you some questions. My measurements are: Age, 13 years;
height, 4 feet 814 inches; weight, 87 pounds; forearm, 10
inches; chest, normal, 29 inches; expanded, 31 inches; thighs, 17.
inches; calves, 1114, inches; ankles, 9 inches ; biceps, 9 inches;
wrists, 6 inches ; neck, 14 inches. How can I become taller?
What pound dumb-bells should I use? I drink cocoa with my
meals. Is this all right? I run about three-quarters of a mile
every morning, up some very large hills, right after breakfast.
. I. RosENTHAL.

You will probably grow taller in the next few years. Use
one-pound dumb-bells. Drink your cocoa after eating, Never
drink during a meal. Take your run before breakfast. Never
exercise on a full stomach.

(A letter from Massactiieetts, )

Pror. FourMEN: My measurements are: Waist, 28 inches;
chest, normal, 34 inches; expanded, 36 Facial height, 5 fect 8 —
inches ;. weight, 130 pounds; neck, 1414 inches. | >

i

 

Tam. 16 years _ ‘
old; can run 100 yards in 11 seconds; running mae jump, 4 js
 

PE 34 inches ;

ORG CLIC GA a en tere

Min OF

I do not use tobacco or alco-
What will make me
Peter WILSON.

feet 3 inches. I sleep 8 hours.
holic drinks. I do not drink tea or coffee.
fat? How can I broaden my shoulders?

Eat only plain food, but let it consist principally of beef,
brown bread, and vegetables. The United States Army setting-
up exercises will broaden your shoulders,

Pror. FourmMen: Am an old Tip Topper. Age, 17 years;
5 ti 1034 inches tall; weight, 152 pounds; neck, 1334 inches;
shoulders, 17 inches; biceps, 9% inches; forearm, I0 inches;
wrist, 644 inches; chest, normal, 32 inches; expanded, 36 inches;
waist, 30 inches; hips, 36 inches; thigh, 2014 inches; calf, 14
inches; ankles, 9 inches. As you see, I am very tall and thin;
have a long neck, and shoulders slant far down. Is there any
cure for knock-knee. Iycannot join the Y. M. C.. A., but can
exercise at home, as I work only from 8 to 4 o'clock.
Philadelphia. Dick SMITH.

If your “knock-knee”
* physician, after examining you,
_be done in your individual case.

you should wear braces. A
would determine what should

is very bad

(A letter from Minnesota. )

Pror. Fourmen: Being a reader of “Tip Top,” I would like
you to answer me a few questions. My measurements are as
follows: Chest, normal, 33 inches; expanded, 3514 inches; waist,
biceps, normal, 10 inches; expanded, 12 inches; fore-
arm, 9% inches; calf, 1334 inches; neck, 14 inches; weight,
_ pounds; age, 15 years 3 months; height, 5 feet 4 inches. What
exercise is good for a weak back? Bde ta

Massage will cure a weak back. You honta take a course of
,Tegular training to reduce yor weight a few pounds.

(A. letter from Illinois.)

‘Pror. FourMEN: My measurements are as follows: Chest,
normal, 30 inches; expanded, 34%4 inches; waist, 29 inches;
thigh, 18 inches ; ankle, 8 inches; wrist, 6 inches; calf, 12 inches;
biceps, 914 inches; expanded, 10% inches; weight, 136 pounds;
age, 16% years. McF.

Follow the advice I have given others in this number of “Tip
Top” concerning the use of dumb-bells and Indian clubs.

(A \letter from Georgia.)

As I have been a constant reader of the
king of weeklies, I will take the liberty of asking a few ques-

-Pror. FourMEn:

My measurements are as

tions concerning my physic: il health.
weight, 112 pounds; neck,

follows : Height, 5 feet 6% inches;

12% inches; biceps, 7 inches; chest, 29% inches; chest, ex-
panded, 32 inches; thighs, 18 inches; calves, 12 inches. My age
18 15 ee I would like to add a great deal more to my weight.

ab work i a dry-goods store, but I have ample time to take
exercise 5 the morning, noon, and evening. There is not a
gymnasium in this town, but there is a lake and river, where I
_ can row. WY As

Rowing is good exetcise. Get on the water all you can.
- Swimming is also excellent exercise. Get a pair of Indian clubs
and swing them fifteen minutes when you rise 4 the morning.

(A letter from New York):

Passe: FourMEN: I am 1514 years old; weight, 130 aranhes
ios am 5 feet 714 inches hip Chest measurement, norinal,
30 inches; expanded, 32% inches; neck, 14 inches; forearm,
gh ‘inches ; biceps, normal, 9 inches ; expanded, 11 inches;
calves, 12% ‘inches; thighs, 18% inches : waist, 28 inches.
don’t think my arms are as. strong as ‘the rest of my body.
What exercise should I take to strengthen them.

An Aprronpack Boy.

a i actdli ae and pulley-weights used fifteen minutes every
morning will strengthen your arms.

(A letter. from Louisiana.)

Prot, Fourmen: As I have been a constant reader of “Tip
or about five years, I take the liberty of asking you what
ink of my record and measurements, which are as fol-

a 16. years. old, ant weigh 145, prety) ates rH feet

131)

. them to the standard measurements, and how

| everywhere,

 

WEEKLY. 31

1034 inches; neck, 14 inches;
inches; calves, 14 inches; wrist, 7
My records are as follows: Standing jump, 11 feet; running
broad jump, 17 feet 11 inches; running high jump, 5 feet 3
inches, and I can throw a 16-pound lead ball 28 feet 8 inches
from the shoulder. Of all games I like best is football. I
played in ’06 on our second team at school as full and half-
back. I smoke a great deal, and am getting short- winded. Can
you recommend anything that will make me stop the use of to-
bacco? I can hardly run without getting winded and bringing on
a pain in my sides. Tell me what will make me take on more
flesh and grow taller. I get up at 6 o’clock every morning and
ruin around the campus, a distance of about 114 miles. Does this
do me any good? I take long breaths all during the day to in-
crease my breathing capacity. I try to sleep in the open all I
can. .I have catarrh very bad. Will sleeping in the fresh air
help it any? Do you think I can make an athlete?
Prentiss M. JoHNSON.

is to stop absolutely and exer-
the desire to take a cigarette

expanded, 36
to inches.

inches ;

chest, 33
inches; forearm,

The way to give up smoking
cise your will-power whenever
seizes you. It will be hard to resist the first three days, but
after that you will not find it such a trial to withstand the
craving for tobacco. Eating very little food and drinking con-
siderable water will help you to resist. Stay in the open air as
much as possible; Your morning run should be kept up. Sleep-
ing outdoors is always beneficial, as long as one takes care not
to lie on the damp ground. Take regular exercise in your
school gymnasium. What you need is a general toning-up of
the system. When you have accomplished this your catarrh will
disappear.

Pror. Fourmen: Being a reader of “Tip Top Weekly” for
several years, I take the liberty of ee your opinion of my
measurements, which are as follows: Height, 5 feet 9 inches;
neck, 15% inches; chest, 35 inches: waist, 35 inches; thighs,
23 inches; calves, 14 inches; biceps, 12> inches; forearm, i0
inches; age, 21 years. I believe I am too stout about the waist
and hips; if so, would you kindly advise me how to reduce
to develop my
also, whether bag-punching develops the shoulders

J. Miter.

weak points;
and chest.
Philadelphia, Pa.
As I do not know what your weight is, I cannot advise as .
you request. Write me again, giving this important data, and
TI can tell you what to do.

(A letter from Texas.)

Pror. Fourmen: Being a constant reader of “Tip Top,” 1
would like to ask you a few questions. My age is 15 years;
height, 6 feet, and weight, 163 pounds. My measurements are:
Waist, 35 inches; chest, normal, 34 inches; expanded, 36 inches;
calf, 14 inches; forearm, II inches ; thigh, 20 inches. I am
somewhat stoop-shouldered ; what can I do to cure this? Will
roller-skating increase the calf of my leg?... Froyp Niccotts. |

Roller-skating, if not indulged in too much, will enlarge the :
size of your calves. Take the setting-up exercises of the United cee
States Army for your shoulders. ;

GREEN BACKS

; packs and a year’s subscription, d for a pack and show the boys what a
NV

AD you cary. C. A. NIC HOLS. JR. BOX 59, CHIL
ARE YOU COLLECTING POST CARDS? pie ine SF ncmbers,

and your name put in exchange. New members being added daily. You get cards from
UNIVERSAL POST CARD CLUB, Cedar Rapids, Iewa

STAMPS space album, roo different stamps and hie, Hinges for on ase.
S. Albumin, 18c. Collector's own cat toc. 25 different
stamps from France, 17¢. 500 foreign, t1c. 1000 foreign, 20c. Send or approval sheets.

50% commission to Agents, “ALBERT J. KRAMER, GRANT PARK, TLLe
“GO LDEN 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 me

 

 

Pack of $1,376 Imitation Bills and —
Boy's Magazine, 3 months for roc;

 

 

 

Address Wittams, Station * i stgen 24, er York. City,

 

N. Yo
 

 

ISSUED EVERY FRIDAY

HANDSOME COLORED COVERS

Never bine Burt L. Standish written such interesting tales of the
adventures of the Mertiwell brothers, Frank and Dick, as are now appear-

ing in this weekly.

he is putting forth his best efforts to amuse and entertain them.
you have no idea of what a grand feast he is preparing for you,
Top’s stories are going to astonish you.

PRICE FIVE CENTS PER

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For sale by all newsdealers, or sent, postpaid, by the publishers upon receipt of price in money or postage stamps

 

 

HERE ARE THE LATEST TITLES:

539—Dick Merriwell’s Check; or, The Hot Bunch From
Happy Camp.
540—Dick. Merriwell’s Sacrifice ; or,
Told.
541—Dick Merriwell’s Heart;
. Luck Streak.
542—Frank Merriwell’s New Auto;
Destruction.
543—Frank ‘Merriwell’s Pride;
at Pineville.
544—Frank Merriwell’s Young Winners
in the Blue Hills.
545—Dick Merriwell’s Lead; or, Bound to Hold First
+ Place.
_ §46—Dick Merriwell’s Influence; or, On the Right Road
ii At Last.
— 5§47—Dick Merriwell’s Top Notch;
Bee Fate, and Scheming, ”
548—Frank Merriwell’s Kids; or, The World Beaters In
New York.
p49—Frank Merriwell’s. Kodakers; Big
Game Without Guns.
'550—Dick Merriwell/ Freshman; or, First Days at Yale.
551—Dick Merriwell’s Progress; or, The First Chance
on the Field.
g32—Dick Merriwell, Half-back; or, Getting into the
Game at Last.

or, Breaking the Hard
or, The Lure to
or, The Double-Header

; or, The Stars

or, Against Odds,

or, Hunting

¥. 553—Dick Merriwell’s Reséiement ot, In Defense of

oh _ His Honor, »
— §54—Dick Merriwell Repaid; or, The Heart bg Officer

ee

If you want any Melick numbers of our libraries and cannot procure them bela your newsdealers,, they.

ean be obtained from this office direct. Postage stamps taken’ the same as money.

Team Work That

 

555—Dick Merriwell’s Staying Power; or, The Great
Game at New Haven.
556—Dick Merriwell’s | Push” ;
“Flying Mare.”

557--Dick Merriwell’s Running; or, The Meet at Me- © ae

chanics’ Hall.
558—Dick Merriwell’s Joke; or, Fun with the Jumping
Frenchman.

559—Dick Merriwell’s Seven; or, The Scrub That Made 4 .

the Regulars “Go Some.” “
560—Dick Merriwell’s Partner;
Texas.
561—Dick Merriwell in the Tank; or, Rushing the Regu-
lars at Water Polo.

562—Frank Merriwell’s Captive; or, The Folly of Ches- : 4 e

ter Arlington.

563—Frank Merriwell’s Trailing; or, ais Flight of af eo

Fool.

564—Frank Merriwell’s Talisman; or, The Charm of a a

Cocheta.

565—-Frank Merriwell’s Horse;’ or, The Boy “Who ey ;

Would Be Bad.

566—Frank Merriwell’s Intrusion; or, anes: the Man 4 ; 4

Who Wo on.

Bini

568—Dick Merriwell’s Regret; or, The Friend He Neve as

Knew.

569—Dick Merriwell’s Silent. Work;
Hand for a Foe.

:

Rs

rm & SMITH, Publishers, 79 Seven Avenue, NEW YORK: cry

Tip J
Do not fail to buy this library. |

or, The Victim of the a

or, The oy, from +

ell’s Bluff; or, The Lost Sefiorita of ne 5

Ot; ek Helping :

Ve
‘

 
 
May Be
Secured

How the Early
Nambers of the

TIP TOP WEEKLY

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.

 

 

MEDAL LIBRARY

150—Frank
167—Frank
178—Frank
184—F rank
189—F rank
193—Frank
197—Frank
201—F rank
205—F rank
209—F rank
213—Frank
217—Frank
225—Frank
229—F rank
233—F rank
237—Frank
240—F rank
244—F rank
247—F rank
251—Frank
254—F rank
258—Frank
262—F rank
267—F rank
271—F rank
276—Frank
280— Frank
284—F rank
288—F rank
292—Frank
296—Frank
300—F rank

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

304—F rank
308—Frank
312—Frank
316—Frank
320—F rank
324—Frank
328—Frank
332—Frank
336—Frank
340—Frank
344—F rank
348—F rank
352—Frank
350—Frank
359—Frank
362—F rank
365—Frank
368—F rank
371—Frank
374—F rank
377—Frank

AT 10 CENTS

Own Company.
Fame.

College Chums.
Problem.
Fortune.

New Comedian.
Prosperity.

Merriwell’s
Merriwell’s
Merriwell’s
Merriwell’s
Merriwell’s
Merriwell’s
Merriwell’s
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—F rank
389—F rank
392—F rank
395—F rank

398—Frank

Merriwell’s Luck.
Merriwell’s Mascot..
Merriwell’s Reward.
Merriwell’s Phantom.
Merriwell’s Faith.
Merriwell’s Victories.
Merriwell’s Iron Nerve.

 

 

 

 

STREET & SMITH,

Publishers,

NEW YORK