RANK MERRIWELL'S tou - BACK ‘ : 2» CENTS | + Ap.ideal Fubl ication f éthe ¢ Ani@ican Yortth : —— | . Sssued Weekly. By subscription $2.50 per year. Entered as Second-class Matter at the N. Y. Post Office, by STREET & SMITH, 79-89 Seventh Ave., N. ¥. Copyright, 1909, by STREET & SMITH. No. 699. NEW YORK, September 4, 1909. Price Five Cents. The Be d CHAPTER I. Peart ie Sy Re ae A LC Ark Cage 2 ein ‘driving a sleepy old white horse, which was attached to a wobble-wheeled, ancient farm wagon, drove down from the road leading to Joshua Sprowl’s dooryard and turned toward Camp Fair, which was the name that had been given the summer camp located by Frank _. Merriwell on Phantom Lake. Suddenly the sleepy boy straightened up and rubbed | his eyes, for to his ears had come a series of strange, gurgling, excited cries. He beheld a flushed, moon- a faged, coatless, bare-armed, tow-headed youth frantic- }, ally performing a number of surprising evolutions in a grassy field bythe roadside. Pinky Sprowl rubbed his eyes and stared. “By juniper!’ he drawled, “that feller is a-havin’ fits. I'll be switched if I don’t b’lieve he’ $ been bit by 5: a mad dorg. “He certainly is ravin’ crazy.” For the fat youth in the field was running, jumping, diving headlong, rolling over in the grass, scrambling up, dodging this way and that, and repeating these gemnovements over and over, all the while chattering and Frank Merriwell’s Bows of Bristol. By BURT L, STANDISH ae ; The sun was just rising as a sleepy red-headed boy, ’ Hold-back q 4 . shouting in a language which Pinky could not at first understand. | “Horn swizzle me,” said Pinky, as the remarkably behaving chap made a high jump and a headlong dive — into a bunch of tall grass—“horn swizzle me if I don’t b’lieve he’s one of them fellers that’s a-campin’ daown — on the lake. I seen him there day before yisterday when I carried daown t’other lot of butter and aigs.” The chap in the field drew closer, seemingly in pussy a suit of something. ‘ “Holt on! Holt on!” he pantingly screamed. ; vill catch me yet, py chiminy! You vill get me vid Sy poth hands pefore I stops. Yes” Chump—chump if you vant to. You couldt not it up keep much longer, py Choreh! Yah! I almost my hands on you got dot _ times. Maype you think a circus belongs to me. May- pe you think I like it. Oh, you vas a crate ieee ‘You vas a crate chumper!” PE IB Not far away on the upper side of the road was an old-fashioned watering trough, into which a wooden — spout conducted the water of a boiling spring. The flow of this spring was so great that it sometimes formed a brook which ran down across the field upon the lower Oe the pet beneath which it es dy “You TIP TOP a culvert. Even in dry seasons 'there was a marshy pool _ just beyond the fence, and toward this pool the frantic - fat boy suddenly dashed. “Stop! stop!” he yelled. “Vy didt you not vait some? Vot yas der uselessness to hurry so? Vou vill chase me a hundred miles uf I don’t catch you.” Then, to the unspeakable amazement . of Pinky. _ Sprowl, the fellow made another leap into the air and a headlong plunge, which carried him, splashing and floundering, into that pool of water. soft and muddy, and for the next minute or two there was a tremendous commotion in the pool. Mud and water flew in every direction. The fat lad was lit- erally bespattered, plastered, and covered with it. He sprawled, gurgled, and spluttered, grabbing with both hands and kicking with both feet while floundering about in the midst of the pool, which he had churned -into a mud hole in short order. | Pinky Sprowl scratched his head in perplexity. _ “Whoa!” he called to the still sleepy horse. “Clip my buttons if I’m goin’ fo git in that crazy feller’s | way. I wouldn’t have him stick’a tooth into me for I’d have hydrophoby sure’n : That’s what ails him; he’s been bit by a mad dorg. They allus act that way. They allus have fits when they touch water. Whoa, Mathu- elah! Stop where you be. I’m goin’ to turn round ten thousand dollars. thunder if he done it. right here and go back to the haouse and tell dad. abaout it.’ At this juncture, however, the baked ort baduebed chap rose to his feet, standing almost knee-deep i in mud an water, and triumphantly eld up ee which i" ata got. Dot frog vill bite a siesta in a minute.” st) uae I'll be blistered if he wasn’t chasin’ a ne re Bide I! Didt I!” tiowied the eile witaiiaai, fat does it look'like I haf my hand in? Py Chinks! t frog made me mad as plazes! _ Yes. Ven I after fog go undt he runs ae from me. d MP get my “stop me. Dot vas a fine Shee py Chorch! I h rte a hook as wnat show eer Saget dot en The ground was , up behind our old barn yonder. 1 ae oo WEEKLY. a fish catch me. It vas pecause I didt not haf der proper bait. Last night I up made my mind dot I vould der proper bait get, undt so dis morning I out start to. some vurms dig. In der .voods there vas no vurms dot couldt find me, undt so I out come undt I dot frog meet right in der grass. He didt chase me to peat der pand, but now I haf got him, by chiminy.” “Yep,” chuckled Pinky, “you’ve got him, but you’re a sight. I wisht you could jest see yerself in a lookin’- glass. You're kiyered from head to foot with mud and gurry.” . “Vot do you care?” demanded Herman Vigglesnich. “Plood undt plisters vould cover me from head to foot pefore I vould stop uf dis frog I didt not get. Iss he not a fine frog? Iss he not a beauty? Choust take at him a look.” . Still gripping the captured frog by the hind legs,, the fat boy waded out of the mire, rolled over a low spot in the fence, and approached Pinky. Despite his condition, Vigglesnich was proud as a peacock over his success. 3 | “He’s purty big for pickerel bait,” said the boy on, the wagon. “If you wanted frogs, why didn’t you fol- _ ler along the shore of the lake till you come to the — marsh? There’s plenty of °em around there.” — “Didt T\not told you,” demanded Vig%lesnich, “dot I out come to vurms get? A frog didt not think uf me. until I see him.” | : Sob “If you want worms, all you’ve gotter do is jest go Dad’ll let ye have a hoe, and you can dig a bucket of big fat worms in less’n ten minutes.” sees “Der vurms didt not need me now,” said Herman. “Vid dis frog I vill der piggest pickerel get der ite i: . I vill now pack go der camp to,” iJ “All right,” nodded Pinky obligingly. “Jest git — right up here side of me and T’ll take you there. I’m. , a-carryin’ daown the reg’ler amount of butter iat aigs — and milk. ‘You can ride jest as well as walk. : “Dot vas agreement vid me,” said a dood it, “There!” he chuckled. “I peliefe dot vill him Keep S secureness. Ofer him I vill tight putton my chacket.. He couldt. not pelow my Belt get. Vas it not a goodt. eon hass me? Vas it not prains 1 half en al- ‘ A 4 ct 7 M4 MY Ek che It vas easiness to ride, undt I do not valking like.. Choust vait a minute till ties NE puts me some- — where dot he couldt not get avay.” | After 2 a few moments, Herman unbuttoned the fous y of his woolen shirt and thrust the frog into his bosom between his outer and under shirts. life ior “T should say so!’ snickered Pinky. “You want to look olit for them brains of yourn, or else they'll swell Come on if you're goin’ don’t git back home in an hour the old man is goin’ He says I’ve gut to dig and pick fourteen rows up and bust. along with me. If I to fuss. of taters to-day, ‘cause yisterday I went fishin’ myself, and the day before I was away playin’ baseball.” “Pasepall!’’ muttered the mud-bespattered fat boy as he puffingly dragged himself up to the seat beside the farmer's son. . “Dot game loves me. game dot efer' plays me der vurld in.” “Get out!” cried Pinky. @ “Hey?” squawked Vigglesnich. “Vy didt you tell me to out get when you choust invitations me to in get? Vas you hafing sport py me? Vas you-fun making uf me?” e “Oh, no,” assured Pink hastily. “I don’t mean git ¥ out of the wagon. I jest said git ‘out when you was ee tellin’ that you could play baseball.” ae “I peliefe you didt notsunderstood me,’’ miutfered . ~ \ Herman, in a bewildered way. “Vy shouldt I out get 14 pecause I say pasepall couldt play me?” _ “Gid dap!” cried Pinky, cracking the old horse with a the ends of the reins and starting the animal onward ‘| \ again. “Why, I said it because I don’t b’lieve you can . oe play baseball, nohow.” “Vy not?’ demanded Vigglesnich indignantly. iss it pasepall couldt not play me?” “You're 'too fat. I watched you chase that frog. You can’t run no more’n a mud turtle.” “Don’t you peliefe me!” squawked the Dutch lad “Vy resentfully. ‘Ven you haf seen pasepall play me vunce you vill yotir miridt change. You vill petter know apout it. Yes.” | you don’t b'long a the reg’lar team at. Frank Mer- riwell’s school, do VES,” “No, der regular team does not pelong to me,” ‘mitted Herman. “Dot iss pecause my qualifications haf not peen recognitioned.” : A “T s’pose some of the fellers at Camp Fair b’ long to the reg’lar Farnhain Hall team?” : _ “Some uf them haf on it played a few times now. Der most of the regular team haf home gone for vaca-* tions.” _. “That's too bad,”’ said Sprowl, “for Clyde Dennias was a-talkin’ abaout challenging you fellers to a game.” “Who vas dis Glyde.Dennings ?” _“He’s old Hen Denning’s son daown to Bristol. Hen Denning owns the sawmill, and he’s jest’ erbout the richest man in taown. Clyde goes to school at Lyford ; Academy, and he’s the reg’ler pitcher on the academy © It iss der cratest | ad- WEEKLY. 3 team. He’s a ripper, too. By Jinks, he’s got speed! Huck Beazon, who uster ketch behind the bat for Bris- tol, couldn’t hold Clyde when he come home this vaca- tion. They’ve gut a feller, though, by the name of Rock, who’s a-visitin’ in Bristol, that can back-stop for Clyde, and them two certainly do make a corking bat- tery.. We ain’t been heat once since them fellers took to pitchin’ and ketchin’ for us, and we’ve got a standin’ challenge out against any team in the county.” “Py Chorch!” cried Vigglesnich. “I peliefe we vill | haf to against you get. Py Chiminy! I peliefe we vill had to oy take some of der swellings | vot you haf your heads in,’ Pinky Sprowl laughed derisively. “Why, you couldn’t beat us in a year,” he said, as he reined the horse from the main road into the old wood goad which led to Camp Fair. / CHAPTER II. \ Tb CHALE EN GE. Arriving at Camp Fair, Pinky Sprow] delivered the butter, eggs, and milk. ‘In the meantime, Herman Vigglesnich had cated a number of the campers and told them of his talk with Sprowl concerning baseball. Of course, Herman was guyed more or less about his mud-bedaubed appear- ance, but he did not seem:to mind that. i ? “Forgot it! Forgot it!’ he spluttered. “Ven I atier, ‘bait go I vill get it. Pimepy you vill see a big pickerel catch me. Didt you not vant to pasepall play vid dose fellows, no? Vas you afraidt uf dot teams?” . “Afraid of them!” laughed Puck Wiggin derisively. — “T should say not! ° Of course, they’re a lot of country — slobs who think they can play, but I'll bet we can get - up a team to trim them.” : “Vy didt you not dot fellow tell ?” demanded Her- man. “Vy didt you not it to him say?” “T will,” said. Wiggin. ‘Come on, boys.” They followed him to the place where the old farm wagon stood, with the white horse apparently asleep in the shafts. Sprowl had gathered the empty. milk | cans and baskets, stowed them in the wagon, and was ready to depart. Kady “Hold on!” cried Wiketn, “Vigglesnich fells aoe you think the villagers can beat us at baseball.” “Yep,” nodded Pinky. out o’ you, all right.” + “T guess we can take a fall, “Guess again,” invited Wi igein. “We'll get up a team here to play you any time.” “Will you?’ “Then mebbe you'll ave a chance, for there’s our captain, Clydé Denning, comin’ in/a canoe, along with Huck Beazon, and I shouldn’t wonder if Clyde meant to challenge you.” drawled Pinky. ing, the boys saw two lads in a canoe approaching the float which served as a boat landing. “So that’s your captain, is it?” muttered Wiggin. » “Well, I think we'll just go down and interview him.” Sprowl lazily lowered himself from the wagon and _ followed the campers toward the boat landing. The canoe ran alongside the float, and its occupants stepped out. One was a slender, clean-looking chap in white ducks, canvas shoes, a soft gray woolen shirt, and a gray cap. His shirt sleeves, rolled above his _ elbows, exposed a pair of brown, sinewy forearms, The other was a huge, thick, muscular youth, who ap- _ peared like a rustic. “Hello, fellers!” cried Pinky Sprowl. _ know what brought you over here.” “How do you do, Sprowl,” nodded the chap in ducks, - with a somewhat superior air. meron) |). \ \ _ “Why, my old man he furnishes these fellers with tfuck, I’ve jest been deliverin’ a lot of stuff. We was i talkin’ baseball when you chaps hove in sight.” | - “My name is Wiggin,’ said Puck, stepping forward “T pate I the captain of the Bristol nine?” “Yes,” nodded the other. “My name is Denning. I pitch for our team. This is Huckleberry Beazon, our centre fielder.” _ “Howdy?” grunted Beazon, nodding his head. “Fine _ morning? Ry . “We're looking for a game to-morrow afternoon,” explained Clyde Denning. “If you fellows have a team, we would like to play you in Bristol,” | _ *But if yor ain't got a purty goo team,” said Bea We've ee TEP “LOE, “What are you doing He pointed toward the lake as he spoke, and, turn- - ow and addressing the slender youth. “I understand you're 48 having a fit.’’ ei a iis Th { : j WEEKLY. Denning smiled wisely. | } ‘““T’m glad you have so much confidence. That's — really encouraging,” he said. “Who is your pitcher?” “Tl pitch myself,” announced Puck. Ww. ““"~ “Oh, ho!” said Clyde, taking Wiggin’s measure with his eye. “And are you the captain?” “Tl be the captain,” was the teply. “T’ll get up a mY téam this very day. What time will the game begin?” “Half-past two to-morrow afternoon. Then I pre- stithe we can rely on you?” “Oh, yes,’ nodded Puck; “we'll be there. I'll bring down nine men that will make it rather interesting, I i think.”’ 4 At this point Herman Vigelesnich gave a sudden wild yell, leaped into the air, missed his footing when he came down, and struck the planks of the floatina sitting position. He did not remain thus, however. In a twinkling he was bouncing and floundering all over. | the float, yelling like a lunatic, while he clawed madly : inside his shirt. In amazement, the boys scattered to get away from Herman, “He’s having a fit!” shouted Chub Clark. “Look out for him! Look at his'eyes! He’s crazy, sure!” “Avay took it! avay took it!” shrieked the Dutch. boy, as he bounced and flopped and squirmed like a fish just landed from the water, All the while he was clawing at himself sith both hands, ‘sometimes trying to reach around between his shoulder blades and then digging at his ribs, first on one side and then on the other. He closed his mouth for a moment, and’ his cheeks puffed out until his face looked like a blawn-up bladder. Suddenly he gave a | wild kick with both feet, flung his legs into the air, and spun round like a top upon his head. Huck Beazon had backed off the float in great alarm. “The critter’s ssh the rickity-flips,” said Huck. “I’ve seen folks have fits,/but this certainly beats the'record.””. “Hellup!” howled Herman. “Vy didt you not took me avay from him! Hellup, kervick! I vill bite him! Mine gootness! he vas kicking all ofer me! — Hellup! — “hellup!’’) / Oe | “Really,” FE ABE SIGIR 8 Ww said ich Dennings: i think the fellow Suddenly Pinky Sadan! slapped his knee and doubled up, with a great shout of laughter. “T know what's the matter !”’ he cr ied, “It’s the | at The: trig?” questioned Puck Wiggin. “What: What are ‘you ne about a | 7 TIP, TOP, But Pinky was laughing so that he could not answer. ak Herman Vigglesnich tore open his shirt and brought it forth, ‘ Meantime, bosom, thrust his hand inside, grasping a green, squirming thing which, with a gasp of relief, he held up before them all. | “He hass got me now,’ panted Herman, rising to a sitting posture. “How vas it he findts der vay my un- ale dershirt inside I didt not know. Py Chorch! I nefer oe feels anything like him pefore! He vas coldter as an 3 ice cakes, and ven he goes kicking undt crawling all ofer me it makes me craziness.” 4 Why, im is a frog!” said Wiggin. a ~ “Sure,” laughed Sprowl. “TI seen him ketch it. By f thutter ! { never witnessed sech a performance before. ss He chased that there frog all over our old mowin’ field, Ei _. anid wound up by ketchin’ him in a mud puddle. Haw! a haw! haw! ‘Then he tucked the fro inside his shirt bid '. and brung it here that way.” “but I did Somehow he didt “It iss correction,’ admitted Herman; not der frog put next to my pody. inside my undershirt get. bles!” “Why, you hanged lubber!” growled Wiggin, in dis- gust. “You've kicked up plenty of excitemént. I cer- tainly thought you'd gone crazy at last. I thought you'd flop off the float again.” | “Vale” said Herman, “uf der float didt fall off me again, it vould not peen you who out pulled me der -vater from. Maype you vould once more try to keep -somepody from doing dot. Maype uf you didt him, you vould haf your face punched. Yes.” “Aw, shut up!” growled Puck. “Let yout old frog go: Throw him away.” “Vhat? What?” squawked the Dutch boy. “Avay throw dot frogs? Vale, I guess nit! Vit dot frogs I vill a pickerel bite. Vid him I vill der pe pickerel | der lake into catch py and py. Yes. I vill show you - fellows dot I vas a fishermans.” ‘Chub Clark was laughing now, and he continued to laugh until the tears ran down his cheeks. “Oh, Hermie is a great fisherman!” he gasped. _ “He's been fishing every chance he could get since we sO pitched this camp, and all he’s caught up to ‘date is a . piece of rubber hose.” -'*Undt you didt dot rubber hose on put ‘to my ef hooks,” resentfully declared Vigglesnich, rising to his _ feet with the frog still tightly held in his grasp. “I out foundt apout it. Some time you vill even get vid ne, Chubs, Some time something’ vill happen py you dot vill you amuse a crate deal—not. You choust vait. av geot niemory has got Herman V iggtestiiell. . WEEKLY. 5 all this yelling about ?” OF a Py Chiminy! it vas horri- gin. A essary, either. Chris Hardy, followed by two other boys, came out of the woods “What's the matter, boys?” and hurried toward the float. ae called Hardy. “What's He was carrying a large tin can in ‘his hand. Clark explained briefly between his fits of laughter. 4 “Why, Herman,” said Hardy, “if you want to catch 7 frogs for bait, just follow, up the shore to the marsh. There are plenty of them there. Just take a look at =| this.” ig Cautiously he opened the tin can upon a crack, a whereupon a dozen frogs began to kick and rattle “ around inside, desperately trying to escape. “That's where I told him to go,” said Sprowl. “Nefer misidt,” nodded Hegman. “I dond’t pefiefe so pig a frog as mine has got you in dot can. Dese peen a special kindt of a frogs. Dese peen der right kindt a pig pickerels to catch.’ Der little frogs iss no. goot. Dey vill not bite a pig pickerel. I observation ~ dot it iss a goodt plan to put a frog a tin can int e vill gone right avay undt let a tin can findt me,-so dot my pig frog couldt keep me in it.” Clyc le Denning smiled as the Dutch boy waddled > away in search of another tin can in which to keep his eit bait. Bs “That chap can murder language worse than any one I ever heard,” he said. ‘So it’s understood, is it, that you fellows will play us in Bristol to-morrow after- noon ?” tae “Yes,’ nodded Wiggin; team.’ " “What's this?” ates Hardy, in on it. “T'll be there sah my — : ‘I don’t think I’m = 79” “These fellows, echladined: Whigssih “represent the 3ristol baseball team, and they have challenged us to play them to-moyrow. I’ve agreed to get up a team — for the ptirpose. You can play if you ree Nee Hardy.” oe This was said in a ‘host ondescending. manner, as if he felt that he was bestowing a great favor on Chris, “Oh, thanks,” laughed Hardy. “Have you consulted Mr. Merriwell about ‘this, Wiggin? °” o “You know both Mr. Mertiwell and Mr. Hosipe Bat | up before daylight and went fishing,” returned Wig “There’s no eer to consult them. It isn’t nec> Wetre here to enjoy ourselves, and y i know as well as anybody that Mr. Merriwell rega’ baseball as the finest sort. of outdoor sport. He wor ne he'll be glad we got this game,’ es ee “But: we > hav en t a Arey organized team, and we 6 | TIP TOP WEEKLY. haven't practiced. What do you expect to do against a team that has been playing together right along?” “Tf you've got cold feet, Hardy,” sneered Wiggin, “don’t let everybody know it. Of course, if you haven’t courage enough to play with us, you don’t have to. We can get along without you.” “If your team is. weak,” said Denning, “it will be better not to have the game for reasons which I have already given: .We were in hopes you would have a bunch that was fast enough to make it interesting.” “Don’t you fret about that,” returned W iggin. “I’m going to pitch myself, and I’ll guarantee that you'll find it interesting enough.” “Oh, very well,” said Denning, with a shrug of his Shoulders. “That’s what we’re looking for. Come on, “Beazon, let’s go back.” They entered the cange and paddled away, Denning eracefully waving his hand to the boys of Camp Fair, who were watching their departure. ; ce CHAPTER III. \ \ ON THE FIELD AT BRISTOL, Some thirty minutes before the hour that the game was to begin, the team from Camp Fair arrived in . Bristol and inquired the way to the ball field. Now it chanced that Frank Merriwell had fancied there might be an opportunity for the campers to play baseball, and therefore he had packed with the rest of the outfit ten of the reguldr team’s discarded uniforms. He had takén care, however, that the letters F. H., ‘which stood for Farnham Hall, were removed from the bosoms of the shirts. : Dressed in these uniforms, the boys followed Puck Wiggin, who marched ahead of them with the air of/a commander. Wiggin had taken charge of everything without consulting anybody, but had craftily given _ Merriwell the impression that he was. the regularly chosen captain.of the team. No one had disputed this, although the boys were far from satisfied with their leader. Had they been given an opportunity to make a choice, it is probable they, would have selected Hardy; - but, observing that Chris betrayed no inclination to dis- "pute Puck’s authority, none of the others had nerve endugh to do so. _ Quite a gathering of villagers, facluding: 2 a number of girls, had assembled at the field. As it was Saturday f afternoon, the sawmill had Stowe aoe and the labor- ers employed by Clyde, Denning’s father were all on hand to watch the sport. “Here they come!’ shouted Brick Jordan, a tall, rough-looking man, who was notorious in that region as a quarrelsome character, having won the record of being an unconquered fist fighter. “Here they come!” cried others gleefully. Denning advanced to meet Wiggin. Clyde was wear- ing his Lyford Academy uniform, while his teammates were dressed in homemade suits- of all sorts and de- scription. “Hello!” nodded Wiggin, looking the Bristol players over somewhat contemptuously. “Is this your great team? They don’t look very dangerous to me.” “You can’t always tell by the looks,” returned Clyde warmly. “‘Have you brought a man to act as umpire with the one we'll furnish?” “Mr. Merriwell himself will be here before the game begins,” said Wiggin. “He ought to be satisfactory as an umpire, for I don’t fancy there’s any oné in the country knows the game any better than he does. But we won't put him in to work with another man. He can run the whole game all by his lonesome a great deal better than it will be run with two umpires officiating.” “Oh, yes,” scoffed Denning. “We know about such things. We've had plenty of experience. If, Mr. Mer- riwéll wants to help Cawson at the umpiring that’s all, right.” “Tt is plain,” said Chris Hardy, “that you don’t know much about Frank Merriwell, Denning. A squarer man never stood.” “T'll do the talking, Mr. Hardy,” snapped Wiggin sharply. Denning insisted that Cawson, the local man, should act as one of the umpires, whereupon Puck snapped his fingers, saying: “Oh, all right. Let him do it all, ee at the next time we play we'll furnish the umpire.” ‘ “Unless you make the game interesting to-day,” re- turned the Bristol captain, “it won't be worth while playing again.” “Interesting!” scoffed Puck. trim you handsomely.” ‘ At this young Denning smiled derisively. “You may have the field for practice,” he said. “Why, we’re going to _ The Camp Fair boys took the field, and their prac- | tice was watched with considerable interest by. the vil- They did fairly well, with one or two a lagers. tions. In right field, Vigglesnich caught only one of the ; many balls batted to him, and his efforts soon aroused TIP , TOP at shouts of laughter from the spectators. Herman could , not seem. to judge flies at all, and several times while running at full speed he tripped and fell sprawling on the grass, seeming to bound and roll like a rubber ball. Perspiration stood out in great drops upon his flushed ‘face, and he spluttered and gurgled and grunted ina When he finally sueceeded in catching and holding an easy fly he whooped joy- ously. “Py Chorch!” he cried. “Dot pall got me dot time! | Didt you see him do it? Vas it not crate, vurk?”’ t Wiggin was disgusted. “I wish we'd brought an extra man,” “T knew Dutch couldn’t play.” Hardy covered second and performed fairly well in practice, although he lost two difficult grounders, which caused Pick to snap at him. Frank and Bart arrived as the campers finished prac- _ tice and the locals were taking the field. Brick Jordan was trying to get a bet on the game. The moment he saw gee the tall man rushed up to him, waving a ten-dollar bill. | fo “Two to one Bristol beats ye!” he cried. | a ten to five on it. Put up yer money.” | Merry took the man’s measure. ; “Go away,” he said quietly ; “I never bet.” “You don’t dast!’’ scoffed Jordan. “Well, mebbe yow'll have nerve enough to take me up,” he added, turning on Hodge. Re ae no,’ answered : Bart; ages death,’ ] b af “Tt’s gitting so I can’t make a bet, nohow,” growled | the man. “I never care a rap about a baseball game or 8 horse trot, or anything of that sort, unless I can bet "on if? Frank and Bart passed the man and walked on to the bench-at which the campers were assembled. most distressing manner. ins he muttered. “Tl bate “T’m frightened to “Boys,” said Merry, “I want you to play this game Ay for all there is in it, but don’t get nervous. . Don’t let it rattle you if you happen to make an error or two.” “Oh, don’t worry about us, Mr. aaa. said Wiggin. “We're going to play the garhe; you can de- pend on that. At any rate, J am. be my fault.” wie ene best player in the world can’t be sure of that,” said Merty. “All aman can do is his level best, Some- 4 times hie the fastest man on a team who loses: the a game.” If we lose, it won't 1 manner which seemed to 0 Ray that he knew who the fast- WEEKLY, . eanty because of the manner in which he exposed with a swift ball, which Hay missed. “Tt won't be that way to-day,” Grattan Puck, in a The locals, thoroughly familiar with their own ae eround, put in something like ten minutes of good prac- - ig tice, which made the visitors seem like bunglers in com- a parison, Meantime Wi iepin warmed up with Hackett. Just before the game began, Denning called his a players around him and said: 4 “Boys, let’s take the bat first. Wewon't needthead- - 4 vantage of finishing the game at bat. I believe we can jump on these fellows right off the reel and demoralize them. Of course, it will spoil the game for the crowd, but it will give us the satisfaction of trimming ‘this great Frank Merriwell bunch.” And so it happened that, to their surprise, the Camp Fair boys were sent into the field. Cawson, the umpire, was a one-armed man who for- ; merly had played baseball, his days on the field ending when he lost his atm in the sawmill. At precisely two- thirty he announced that the time for the game 6: be- gin had arrived. Taking his place behind the pitcher, ‘Cawson loudly. — called: iis ° The game to-day is between Camp Fair and Batok ae Battery for Camp Fair, Wiggin and Hackett, Battery — for Bristol, Denning and Rock. Play ball!” ate CHAPTER IV. d A DOUBLE WHITEWASH. eve BrisToL, Camp Farm, Hay, If. ; Hackett, ‘c. Se SARS Foss, 3d b. Wiggin, .p. ce Denning, p. . Doyle, 3d b. : ee Beazon, cf. Hardy, 2d 6 Pie Prosper, 1st b. / Clark, ss. Rock, c. Pole, cf. Gooding, 2d b. Davis, Ist b. Willis, ss. Vigglesnich, rf, bi Os area Sprowl, rf. ioe If, See a oy right after him! Give him gowdy! we Wiggin toed’ the slab, and Harry Hay, known. as. ter’s box. , | ‘ Puck waited for tt to signal, and started of . “Strike!” cried the umpire. ee “That’s the stuff, Puck!” ‘called ‘Chris Hardy, ae » “He couldn’t pee it,” ‘laughed Hackett. Strike: him out,” ’ urged Link Davis, eS re el eR a ae an Ta) TIP. TOP. “Viou’ve got his measure,” chattered Chub Clark. “Tet him knock der pall out dese vay and see it catch me!’’ squealed Herman Vigglesnich. “Bend it over! Bend it over!” bellowed Mat Oakes. “He’s easy!’ laughed Joe Doyle/ Tom Pole, in centreffield, was the only silent man. “Well, I'll be swizzled if they can’t talk some!” cried Jordan. “Any one would think it a whole nest of mag- pies.” Hackett signaled for an outdrop, and Hay made the mistake of reaching for it. “Strike two!” said the umpire. “Tt vas suchia nonsense,” cried Vigglesnich. didt you let it hit him, Puck?” “He can’t see that speed, Wiggin,” exulted Clark. “Tt’s a shame to do it,” came from Doyle. Having two strikes.on the batter, Wiggin kept the ball wide, seeking to pull him for the third strike. Hay, however, declined to reach again, and finally Puck was compelled to put it over. This he did, using his best speed and getting’ the inside corner. For the third time Hay fanned the air. “You’re out!” announced Cawson. Wiggin smiled and strutted. he looked toward the group of girls to see if they were watching him. “Come, Foss,” said Clyde Denning’, “you know what we're here to do. This isn’t getting the jump on those fellows.” gt Bob Foss, a little chap, trotted out to the pan and smote the first speed ball Wiggin handed up, driving it _past Hardy, who failed by an inch to touch it. “Oh, come, come!” snapped Wiggin. “Get after those, Hardy! That shouldn’t have been a hit.” ‘ Chris made no retort. Denning gave Foss a chance to steal, although the first ball was straight over, and the little chap went _ down the line with surprising speed, making a beautiful - slide under Hardy, who took Hackett’s throw high in the air and tagged: the runner a moment too late. -’ “Safe at second!” declared the umpire. e _ Wiggin was sore, and growled at Hardy again. “You've got to tag a man quicker than that,” he said, “Vy rip lines. - Tguess we can show ’em how to run bases.” pitcher by drorping a soggy bunt in front of the plate and getting off toward first like a flash. . On that bunt Foss went to third. WEEKLY. Brushing back his hair, . - Pinky Sprowl and Guy Gooding were on i coach- " ~ Prosper off guard. ‘ “Waal, ” drawled Sprowl, “ guess it’s vues easy. _A moment later Denning surprised the Camp Fair into that field, with him in his regular position, would If Denning had thtended it as a sacrifice, he suc- ceeded in turning it into a scratch hit thrgugh his swift tunning, for Wiggin got the ball too late to whip it down to Davis ere the local pitcher, romped over the sack. SW. ell, well, well!” whooped Brigk Jordan. “Just look at that! I kinder guess that feller knows how to ‘ play the game—lI guess he does!” Wiggin’s face was crimson now, and his manner in-. dicated that he was angry enough. — Big Huck Beazon, the slugger of the local teani, stalked into the batter’s “Pound it a mile!” shouted Gooding. cover off, Huck!” ‘They had better move their outfielders back,” dik Sprowl. Wiggin promptly bored Beazon in the ribs and filled the bases, with only one out. Puck was ina stew now. He had started off finely with a strike-out, which had given him the impression that the task before him was going to be easy. With the bases filled, however, and only one. man out, he knew that the situation was dangerous. ee box. “Knock the s said “Make ’em be good, Prosper!” cried Denning from second. “Make him put it right over!” Puck was afraid to put it over, and in short order three balls were called on him without a strike being declared. He attempted to growl at the umpire, but was promptly silenced. . Behind the pan Hackett signaled for Wiggin to put one over, shoulder high on the inside corner. Puck took his time and succeeded in cutting the | corner. “Strike!” cried Cawson. “Do it again!” urged Hardy. “Make him hit!” The next one, to the satisfaction of the Camp Fair pitcher, was likewise over the inside corner, and Pros- per let it pass, the second strike being called on him. “Got him now,” said Chris. “‘He’s got to hit.” Wiggin felt his nerves quivering a bit as he glanced ae round toward the bases. Gooding and Sprowl were coaching loudly, and the spectators were rooting for runs. Suddenly Puck snapped the ball over, hoping tocatch |} Inthis he failed, for the batter met . the ball with such a sharp, snappy swing that he lifted = it over third toward left field. co hee Now it happened that Mat Oakes had crept in from his regular position until he was playing a very short field behind Doyle. Mat had reckoned that a short hit o TIP TOR give Foss a chance to score. In order to prevent this, he had chanced it that the batter would not make a long driye into left, and his judgment proved good, for he was able to get under Prosper’s fly and hold it. Although Foss made a fake start’ for the plate, he stopped short, well aware that a good throw by Oakes would get him. Oakes showed that he could throw to the pan from into Hackett’s his present position by lining the ball hands, Wiggin drew a breath of relief and summoned a mocking smile to his face. “That’s the way to play baseball, Mat!” he cried. “Hard luck! hard “Never mind, boys, you can get some runs just the luck!” bellowed Brick Jordan. same.” Randall Rock, the Bristol hitter. “Don’t fool with him, “Make him hit.” 3’) catcher, was the next Puck,” advised Hardy anx- iously. “Who’s know the game.” “There’s a chap,” sitting by Frank’s side, ceit taken out of him.” Merry nodded. “Tf he doesn’t get it taken out of. him I'll be sur- prised,”’ he said. ’ Rock smashed the first ball pitched by was a high fly into deep right field. pitching?” growled Wiggin. “I think I said Bart Hodge, in a low tone, “who needs some of the con- Wiggin. It groaned as he realized this. who seemed The Camp Fair pitcher . Then he yelled at Herman Vigglesnich, asleep out there in the pasture, » Wake up, you snail!” he yelled. “Get after that ball !” ' “Vhat? looking all around for the ball. hass it gone alretty now ?” The base runners were galloping over the sacks, urged on by the coachers, who believed the Dutch boy had lost sight of the ball, and would not be anywhere near it when it came down. Suddenly Herman, blinking skyward, seemed to dis- in surprise, Veré Vhat?” squawked Herman, “Vere iss it? cover the ball. ‘“‘Choust see it catch me!” he yelledyas he started at a run to get under it. | He was making full speed, with a possible chance of touching the ball as it dropped, when he seemed to catch his right toe behind his left heel, and turn over in the air like an acrobat. ‘ Striking the ground upon his back, he bounded to a sitting position, stuck up his WEEKLY. hands with the evident desire to shield his head from , being hit by the ball and—caught the ball! It was one of the most surprising performances ever witnessed on ce that field. “Out!” shouted the umpire. “He don’t know he’s got it now!” exclaimed Guy Gooding in disgust. Vigglesnich rose to his feet, squealing joyously. “Didn’t you see, dot pall catch me?” he cried. “Vas it not crate vurk? Didt der peat of it efer see you?” “Oh, ginger, what an accident!” gasped Wiggin in relief. Chub Clark capered like a colt, as he ran toward the bench. “Can Herman play baseball?” 2? he laughed—“can he? Hardy waited for the Dutch boy to come jogging in. from the field. Vigglesnich was beaminy all over his brdad face. , “T vas going to let der Ameri¢an Leagues choin me — next veek,’’ announced the Dutch youth. “T vill ex- ception a salaries of ten thousand tollars a year.” “You're worth it, Hermie,” chuckled Chris, patting the hero upon,the back. “Old Ty’ Cobb never made a catch like that.” “A peliefe I vas a crate outfielder. Yes. But sai ; choust vait till you see der pall hit me vid der bat.” 8 It chanced that Wiggin seated himself on the bench at Merriwell’s side. | “Wiggin,” said Frank in a low tore, “you must keep your temper if you’re going to pitch. Don’t fret at your players when they’re doing their best.” “Tt was enough to make’a man fret to have therh put — me in such a hole,” muttered Puck, * | “They didn’t put you in a hole; you did it yourself. Your. support was first-class. A team will do better \when it works together good-naturedly and earnestly than it will when it’s trying its hardest with half its. — players angry. Las of temper has lost thousands of Baseball games.” . © Wiggin closed up. Ae Jack Hackett’ faced Clyde Denning. The local pitcher opened with a swift shoulder high ball, ane Hackett whiffed at it. | / The second one was too ‘high, Cawson calling a ball. Then came another speedy inshoot, and again Hackett simply agitated the atmosphere. “Haw! haw! haw!” roared Brick Jordan. is never could hit you in the world, Cly de. You've got. him salted.” Rast ; é tte Lor . Denning followed with a wide one, and Hackett shook his head and held back. “Two balls,” said the umpire. “Chat’s the eye, Jack,” called Hardy softly. him put it over.” -It seemed. that the next ball delivered by the local pitcher was swifter than any of the others, and Hackett struck a bit too slow, The sphere spanked into Rock’s mitt, and the umpire shouted: “Out!” “Pl hit it,” muttered Wiggin, rising from the bench. Then he walked into the box and wiffed at three straight balls. without touching’ one of them, . “Haw! haw! haw!’ laughed Jordan still more loudly. “y guess they're ‘seeing some pitching now. Mebbe _ they’re beginning to realize what they’re up against.” _ > “He’s easy,” muttered Wiggin, returning to the bench. “All he’s got is speed. We'll murder it by and by. Just lay against it easy, Doyle.” But when Doyle swung at two of those speedy ones and missed them both it began to seem as if Denning - would commence’ his work by striking out three men straight. { “That boy can panne some, Frank,” low tone, ‘Merry nodded. oh | “He's got fine pects bite ie tae s all, he would ee “Make said Hodge, in a reat last Doyle stuck out his bat ‘nd bumped one of those speedy balls. It was a slow grounder ee Den- ning, who failed to get it. cine the second baseman, should have taken bi i enough for Powis to, reach first. “Never mind, Good, fi ee Denning ; ‘accidents Ao eepien fA ay ei be a aid a stile was dsclatac by the ee ; Wiggin could not keep still, SP tegarecity, Hardy did not iach Believing the next u eq trike two,” etiet the umpire, | ont knock it out of the © diamond that way,” pied COB hit at the Line ones,” he called { in a i would bend over, he sac at it pare with a vas a foul. Ba ag vying ey ie Pen WEEKLY. ce Denning “wasted?” one, following it immediately with a high, swift, straight whistler. Again Hardy snapped his bat round with that short, quick stroke. This time he met the ball fairly, grip- ping his bat handle hard, and, although he had not strnche with any outlay of strength, the ball, sailed a away dver second base. Big Huck Beazon made a hard run and took the ball on the jump at the height of his knees. It was a splen- did catch, which closed the first complete inning with a double whitewash. ». CHAPTER. V. CAMP FAIR’S BAD INNING. “I pelief,’ muttered Herman Vigglesnich, as he waddled forth into right field—“TI pelief dot poy a goot Nefertheless, he vill get his bumps ven I against him go, Yes.” Sitting on the bench, Merry’s eyes followed: Herman, and Hodge observed that Frank was smiling. “What is it?” asked Bart. “T was thinking,” answered Frank, “that our Dutch pitcher iss. boy, Vigglesnich, is almost a duplicate of Hans Dun- nerwust, in those days, when’ Hans was just about the greenest thing that ever came over from Holland. Why, [ remember seeing Dunnerwust go through al- most precisely the same performances as Herman did How long ago it seéms, in capturing that fly ball. Bart!” “Yes,” nodded Hodge, “sometimes it does seem long ago, and then again I can hardly realize that those days are forever past and gone. Occasionally it seems that only yesterday we were all together at Fardale.. .. It’s sad to think that Those were great times, Frank. the old bunch has scattered. Only 0 and I are still sticking together. Even Browning _he thought so much of.” heart to any girl, | tle Otero, it proved to be a serious case. 4? “Big-hearted, splendid old Bruce!” murmured Mer- riwell. I fancied he would go through life without losing his But when he did get smitten on lit- It was I/ ae urged him to get away from the ranch and travel, Bart. I did it because I felt that it was the-proper thing fe i himy As long as he remained at the ranch he w ould continue to visit the little girl’s grave daily; and from ; a jolly, good- natured, easy-going chap, he was surely be- hy ORIN, panies wand, ee has broken away — and disappeared sihce he ont that little dark-eyed girl ~ “There was a time I thought him invulnerable. 1 was worried Spear a ae Slee ar is o- CI ae Ber a NP ec TEP: TOP a] i about him, Hodge, for when a man gets into that con- 4 dition there’s no telling what. foolish thing he may do. I had a long talk’ with him one night, and succeeded in exacting a promise from him that he would spend a few months in travel. He’s going to visit old Jack Diamond over across the water, and Jack will ¢heer him up. I’ve written Diamond a letter, so that he and his wife will be prepared to give Bruce a proper recep- is tion and proper treatment.” } “Only last night,” said Hodge, “I was thinking about Diamond, Gregory Carker, Hock Mason, Harry Rattle- - ton, and the rest of that bunch. I suppose the boys of to-day have as much fun and are just as good fellows : as the boys of our day, Frank, but I swear it doesn’t a seem so.” 4 “Oh laughed Merry. “They’re still boys, just the same. They have their - friendships and their hatreds, their fun and their heavy hours. continue so. become men. Mulloy, Ephriam Gallup, and Buck Badger.” “T should say.not. Merry, some day we’ve got to get the old crowd together a gain. We must have one more grand reunion.” “Tf it is possible we'll do it, bumping Wiggin, Bart.” , boys haven’t changed much,” Human nature remains the same, Bart, and will Boys are still boys, but you and I have I know. you haven't forgotten Barney ” said Frank. “They’re second, Gooding and Willis, had secured clean hits. With no one out and those two runners on the the Bristol boys were confident of making several runs. sacks, The Camp Fair pitcher was again in bad humor, ¢ fact which he betrayed all too plainly, leading the c into guying him, something that almost always happens 4 crowd he Bee in country baseball when the pitcher exposes such weak- i ness, } ae : “Haw! haw! haw!” roared Brick Jordan. “Jest look | at old Thunder-cloud in the box. Ain’t he mad! Ain’t a he sizzling! Don’t git mad, young feller. Its jest as. can pound your pitching with their eyes shut.” “Oh, yes!” sneered Wiggin. “They’re a great bunch of hitters—I don’t think.” “Stop him, Merry,” urged Bart. back to the crowd.” “FHe’s captain of the team,” _ chose him for that positioh, and—+— - “ think he chose himself, Y don’t believe they se- lected him.” ; / “Well, then, they accepted him as captain. I’m go- ing to hold back and let things take their course.’’ “Don’t let him talk said pee 99 Indeed, the first two batters to face Wiggin in the ~ natteral as can be for our boys to hit the ball. They , “The boys , WEEKLY. Bristol will win.” “A worse calamity could happen. It sometimes does a chap like Wiggin good to get a trouncing. Such fel- lows need to learn that they can be beaten. Not until a 4 boy learns to meet defeat like a man is he qualified to fight the battle of life.. A run of continuous good luck and success sometimes spoils a young fellow, for he gets the false notion into his head that he can’t be de- feated. And when fortune turns against him, as it sometimes will, he lacks,the stamina and staying power to fight on until he, can triumph through his own per- sistency and perseverance. “Indeed, Wiggin was rattled. Had Pinky Sprowl, the next batter, waited patiently, Puck would have filled the bases, for he was-wild. Sprowl, however, desirous of distinguishing himself. by driving in one or more runs with a hit, slashed at the ball and finally succeeded in lifting a high infield fly which Chris’ Hardy got un- der and held. “Well, it’s a good thing you didn’t drop that one,’ rasped Wiggin. “If I’m going to win this game to- ene [ve got to have some support.” “A fellow who talks that way always makes me hot,” muttered Bart Hodge. “If they should win, Wiggin would take all the credif to himself.” “That’s right,” nodded Frank, “and therefore it’ might be a good thing for them to lose.” “Tf they lose he will lay the blame on the others.” Ey ae will open his eyes to his self- conceit.”’ Harry Hay, exposing his back teeth in a broad erin, trotted eagerly into the batter’s box. “Come on, Toothy!” called Huck Beazon from the coaching line. “It’s up to you. You've got to do it.” “Oh, is that so!” whispered Wiggin to himself. “Well, i. struck this fellow out before, and I can do it again.” Hay, however, was one of the surest sania hitters among the Bristol boys, and he was particularly good. — ina pinch. This fact he demonstrated when Puck put the ball over the pan. The bat met the horsehide sphere - squarely and sent it whistling out on a dead line. — It was a clean drive into the field betw een Vigglesnich oe Pole, both of whom raced after it. “Come on! come on!” bellowed Brick Jordan. “Seore everybody! Wasn’t that a ripper!” : Gooding and Willis raced across the plate ‘ere Pole could get the ball and return it to the diamond. Hay reached third, having made a fancy three-sacker. “If you’d been playing ten feet farther to the left you could have got that ball, Hardy,” said Wiggin. + a a “Perhaps that’s right,’’ admitted Chris; “but I was playing in my position.” “It was a clean hit, “Never mind, let’s gun.” Muttering sullenly i to himself, Wigg slab. Bob Foss batted a slow bounder into the diamond. Apparently there was an understanding between Foss and Hay, for the latter started, toward the plate with ( Wiggin’ s first movement to pitch. Chub Clark came in to meet the bal, oat id Hari, see- - ing it would be impossible to stop Hay from scoring, yelled for him to put it to first. Chub obeyed and got _ Foss by ten feet. : Again Wiggin displayed temper, _ . “What did you mean by telling him to put it to first, _ Hardy?” he snarled. “He should have sent it home. ’ He should have stopped that score.”’ i 7 “He couldn’t,” declared Chris, “They were playing the squeeze, and Hay was too near the plate when Chub got his fins on the ball. If he’d tried to stop the run he would have lost the man at first base.” Puck,” said Jack Hackett. play the game. It’s only just be- gin again toed the _ “Who's captain of this team, anyhow ? ‘Are you run- _ ning it?” ‘ AP “> “No, but “Then keep still, will you?” “You didn’t tell him to put the ball home, Puck.” 3 ye thought he knew enough to do that. When I think it necessary to tell the fellows what to do I'll tell them. You play your position and keep still.” - “Frank,” said Bart, “that fellow certainly needs a call-down, He’s SHORTS, his grouch toward Hardy. _ That was the proper play.” eae! Merry agreed that the score could not ‘have been - Wiggin. eS Denning, next in order, picked out a ball that looked good to him and drove'it humming out of the diamond. _ “Put the blanket on that pitcher!” cried Brick Jordan. “Send him to the stable!” . ition with his big bat. ‘‘We'll,do it.” ving first tossed the ball to Hardy i in order to ne enning from trying to steal a base. - ig-to pass this man. He’s a slugger. I think I can e care of the next CHAD ey a ‘| “I that’s shen ia go. ahead, MMs said Jacke LIP. TOR WEEKLY. stopped, but still he. peicained from saying anything to snich, as he dolefully seated himself on the bench. pusiness gafe nie a pad cases of heart failures, pefore didt such distress suffer me in der vurld.” “AML right,” chuckled Huck Beazon, setting into po- any errors dot vas afraidt uf making us. me like eferypody his level best tried. Yes, Viggin, dot dose poys hit you some.. pall vhat caught Matt Oakes vas a vunder! Pe “Oh, what do you know about baseball?” sneered i Puck. “I’m only aang you because we haven’t any one “40 put in your place.” 6 Wiggin was afraid of Beazon, and he called Hackett, | ook here, Hack,” said Puck, in a whisper, “yp m / - “ness. “You seem to pelief you vas der whole shooting houted with merriment as tors, slapped his thigh and s the Camp Fair pitcher deliberately handed up four balls and walked Beazon, * “Afraid of yer, Huck—afraid of yer!” mill man. “He knew you’d pound it a mile. Let him fill the sacks up, then somebody will clean ’em off.” To Puck’s dismay, he got the ball too close to Pros- per, and the fellow was hit glancingly. “He jumped into it!” cried Wiggin. to get out of the way!” “Take your base,” Prosper to go down. The sacks were filled. “This is a pretty hard game to watch, Frarik,” mut- tered Hodge. “It looks as if that bone-headed pitcher of ours is going to hand it over to Bristol right here.” Still Merriwell held back, letting events take their course, Rand Rock forced Wiggin to put the ball over, and then he lifted a long one into left field. “It’s a homer!” roared Brick Jordan, the game!” But Matt Oakes, running with his back toward the home plate, looked up over his shoulder, saw the ball coming down, made an amazing leap into the air, and caught it. Every man on the local team had been at bat in the second inning, but only three runs were secured. “He didn’t try said the umpire, motioning for “That clinches CHAPTER VI. WILD BASE RUNNING: T pelief a doctor s needs me,” said Herman Viggle-. “Dot Nefer “Tt was rotten, rotten!’’ growled Wiggin. “If you fellows are afraid of making $F rors and won’t touch. the ball, we can’t expect’ to win.’ “Mine gootness!”’ squawked Herman, It looked to I pelief, Py Chorch! ‘dot AN ~ “Now vas dot so! Vale, Viewin, you gife me a sick- said the big oe A ee ae ni : ian es S we saat s eh PRN Me Aa at BSF San) Ko ; “T did not see a -matches. Py Chiminy!: I couldt into der{pox go undt do as vell as you didt.”’ “You talk like a sausage.” ae “Vhat? I talk like a sissage? Vale, you talk like a lemons, and dot’s vhat you peen.”’ “Oh, cut it out!” said Hackett sharply. “Stop chew- ing the rag. We were dead lucky to get off So ‘easy. ) — Oakes, that was a great catch.” “Thanks,” said Oakes. “I didn’t believe I could touch it; but I tried my hardest.” “Batter up! Where’s your batter?” 3 pire, “Come, Clark—come!’’ snapped Wiggin. “It’s your turn. Step out there and fan. You won't hit it.” “At least,” said Chubby, “you’re an encouraging cap- 4 tain!’ 4 Tingling with resentment, the dumpy little shortstop went into the box and lifted a baffling Texas leaguer over the infield. , “Vot didt you know apout dot, Viggin?’” asked Vig- A glesnich. a “Well, I’m glad the acicdent happened,” said Puck; “but I wish we had somebody besides Pole to follow him.” Chubby, panting like a hound in pursuit of a fox, tol’s left fielder. . “Now, Tavis,” implored Herman, “choust lean YP ~ against dot pall undt see vot will happen.” | “We've got fo have this run, fellows!” 99 continued on to third, where he arrived ahead of the a ball, which had been secured and sent to Foss by Bris- cried Chris 2 Hardy, who was on the coaching line. “We need re" TIP + TOP! WEES ¥, fat duck, ene the crowd to shout with amusement. a ‘a game with stich dumb ones!” - “That’s right,” laughed Brick Jordan. ‘Hanged if I don’t hope you get it, so’s to make the game some interesting.” But Link Davis put up a high foul, which fell into the catcher‘s big mitt and stuck there. “Yep,” grinned Jordan, oo hope you get-that run, but it don’t look like it now.” “Too pad!” groanéd Vigg the bench. “It iss hard luck.” “Come, come, wake up!” snapped Wiggin. your turn to hit, Dutch.” : lesnich, ‘settling back on rites “T yish you vould not let dot name call me!” cried _ Herman savagely. “I didt not like him, Vas dot pall — going to hit me now? Vale, choust you vatch undt see _ vhat vill peen didt.” iB) Grabbing a bat at random, he waddled forth like a “Be cakeful, Clyde!” cried some one among the spec- tators. You'll have hard work to pitch a ball past . Fatty. You'll hit him if you don’t look out.” 3 “T augh! laugh!” squealed Herman. ‘‘Maype der other side of your mouth will laugh out of you pimepy.” W hile he was talking, Denning flashed over a straight one, and the umpire called a strike. “Now, look at that!’ growled Wiggin. “He’s gone | to sleep. Wake up, you mole! Try to hit the ¢ Pall anyhow.” Herman spat on his hands and Seueraa away, swing- ing wildly at the next one pitched, although it was far out of his reach. The violence of that swing spun him round like a top, and he finished by sitting down faily, and squarely upon the rubber plate. | “Py Chorch!” he muttered. “Uf dot pall had fee hit dot bat ied ne vould findt it in der next ony) Yes,” : “We may as well get ready to go into the field. agate fellows,” said Puck. | “How can anybody expect to win Brick Jordan laughed louder than ever. “Be careful, Eat he cried, ‘ ‘or you ‘Il bust.” pudgy hand, ee the palm open toward the a pitcher. “Gif mea chance to get my. feet on peor again pitch.” “Take your time,” chuckled Denning. ek ded iy Vth, 8 ; “Not let him come,” he iayited. #0ut dass vee can see ate He Gk ae ROO os tai “That will be a hard old job, Clyde,” ‘Scoffed Rock. T don’t believe this fellow ever hit a ball in his life.” Apparently Vigglesnich shut both eyes when he swung at the next ball. Whether he did or not, every; body believed it a surprising accident when he hit-the ball fairly and put it into right field. “Py Chorch!” he squealed, flinging the bat straight up into’ the air and starting for first. “I knew I couldt dood it!” “Score, Clark, score!’’ cried eats Hardy, sending Chub home. As he raced to first the Dutch boy looked like an inflated push-ball being propelled over the ground with a queer little pair of short legs. Although the right fielder had secured the ball, Herman turned to the left after crossing the sack. Sprowl, thinking Vigglesnich - would attempt to get back to first, made a swift throw _ to Prosper. But Herman kept on toward second. “Put it here! put it here!” cried Gooding, covering the sack. Prosper increased the excitement by throwing wide ‘to Gooding, and the ball bounded toward the field, with _ Vigglesnich capering onward to third. The Dutch boy’s fists were tightly clinched; his cheeks puffed out, and his eyes bulged. With his face _ beet-red, he continued to. cover ground as fast as he was able. _ Huck Beazon got the ball fe threw to third, where 4 Chris Hardy was waiting to stop the runner in case : peice arrived safely. Suddenly Chris leaped into the air with a yell of de- Aight, and waved his arms pee for Herman to > keep on. aie ~ “Go home, Herman—go home!” he shrieked, _ For Beazon’s throw was at least ten feet too high, “You pet I vill!’ panted Herman. “Gal darned if he ain’t going to make it!” shouted Brick Jordan.. “Who ever saw anything like that?” + Shortly before reaching the plate, Vigglesnich got his feet tangled, plunged headlong, seemed to fold up a legs and arms and roll across the rubber. _ Hackett and Clark grabbed him and lifted eal to \ his feet. “Great work, Hermie!” shouted Chub. right!” ; “You pet my boots I vas,” said the Dutch lad. “Vere ss dot Puck Viggin? Vere iss dot chaps vot says der pall couldt not duit me? Vhat does he apout it think ! 1? How vas dot for a home runs?” “Vou’re all TIP TOP WEEKLY. “The greatest home run I ever saw,” laughed Hack- ettt. “I wi#h you'd coach me a little in base running, Herman.” ¢ “Uf you vill choust vatch my style, dot is all you vill need.” Proudly walking to the bench, Vigglesnich slapped Wiggin on the shoulder, inquiring: “How vas dot for ! igh, oldt poy? Vhat haf you apout it got to say now?” “Of all lucky slobs you’re the limit,” “T vas much opliged for der compliments. said Puck. I pelief now der complexion of der game some tifferent looks, ain’t it? Uf der rest of der bunch vill ness vot I done, it vill peen a skinch.” dodd der same- Even the Bristol players were laughing over the ludicrous affair. Denning seemed so highly amused that he gave Oakes a fine ball to hit, and Matt hit it. It was not a safety, however, Willis cuffing it down with one hand and lining it over to Prosper for the third put-out. | On even innings the home team had a lead of one run CHAPTER VIL AN EXCITING FINISH. Wiggin could not complain of his support in the third inning, for, although Gooding, Willis, ahd Sprowl all hit the ball, genuine fast fielding by the visitors pre- vented them from reaching first safely. ! Still Puck had no word of praise for his fellows. Hackett.opened the last half with a clean single, but Wiggin, trying to sacrifice, popped a short fly to Den-| ning. Before Hackett could get back to first, the Bristol pitcher had put the ball there for a double play. “It iss evidence,” vill haf to win der gathe mineselluf.” ‘The Bristol twirler struck Doyle out a moment later. “Now let’s get down to business, boys,” said Den- ning. “We can’t afford*to fool, for you can see that accidents will happen. We've got to have this gamé Come on, Hay.” Wiggin gave Hay an outcurve, and Toothy drove a liner straight at Vigglesnich. Herman muffed it beautifully. Before he. could re- cover the ball and send it to Davis, Hay had reached first. j | “Oh, you're a great tsaebiatl player, you are!” mocked iggin. aes ' said Herman Vigglesnich, “dot I 4 Be fa ae eee TTP.“ TOP | “T pelief,” said Herman, “dot pall hass rubber in it. 4 It yould not in my hands stay.” : Foss bunted and was out at first, while Hay tools sec- ond, Denning hit the ball for the third straight time, but the coacher held Hay at third. On the first pitch to Huck Beazon, Denning went i - down to second. : Hackett threw on a line. Hay leaped off toward the plate, and Chub Clark cut in behind Wiggin, taking the throw. Hay’s start proved to be a bluff, which gave Den- | ning a chance to reach the sack without sliding. The 3 man at third dove back se} the hassock before Clark could get ‘the ball there. - | Again Wiggin growled. “Why didn’t you let it alone, Chub?” he asked say- “Tf you had, Hardy might have caught the run- e we. apely. mee ner,” ‘ ss _ \ “The man on third started for home,” said Clark. ay “You should have seen it was a bluff. How can we He. Win if you fellows play the game in this fashion ?”’ ak “Flow can they win if you. keep chewing at ’em?” a cried Brick Jordan, '|_, Beazon was again at bat, and once more Puck felt his | courage sinking. . A sin “Hit it a mile, Huckleberry!” urged Denning. Gl ie. “Perhaps he'll walk you again!” cried Hay. That was precisely what Wiggin did, in spite of the ‘fact that it filled the sacks. Then Prosper leaned against the ball for a safety, on which Hay and Den- ning scored, | “Ding swizzled if it ain’t sett discouraging !”’ called . Pinky Sprowl from the coaching line, his eyes fastened Py / on the exasperated Camp Fair pitcher. “I don’t blame a yet for feelin’ sick. Why don’t you let somebody who ean pitch have a try at it?” Hackett called Wiggin and spoke to him in,a low - tone, “Hadn't you butte put Hardy in?” he asked. | ~ “Put bim in. where?” demanded Puck fiercely.’ “What are you talking about?” | ’ “Let him pitch a while. They’re hitting you, Puck, a ATS you think he can stop their hitting you're a lasts They haven't got this game yet. ac ask © is decent backing. I’m going to pitch it out.” : 2 “You're the doctor,” said Hackett, turning to his - position. , 4 “That fellow is obstinate as a ‘mile: Frank,” Bart, i in a low tone, sa a, WEEKLY. swung blindly and missed three times. to. snuff.now.” —.», | ints ‘on an error by Davis, who dropped Doyle's low throw. -You' ve Bot to dood it.” : | / ! Withee to the left of the pitcher. ae Percgien “He's obstinate as : witole drove of mules,” nodded Merry. Randall Rock had not made a hit, and Puek believed 3 he knew the man’s weak spot. He was quickly unde- - ceived, however, for on this occasion Rock found. the ball and batted it far into centre field. Although Pole made a clean catch; Huck Beazon weit home from third and arrived ihbie before the Camp Fair centfe fielder could get the ball to Hackett. Wiggin wound up his performance in that inning by striking out Guy Gooding, which gave him great sat- isfaction and caused him to remark thaf, seeing he could not depend on his support, he would have to work ee | strike-outs during the rest of the game. Denning pitched like a streak in the last of the fourth, Although. Hardy got first on a scratch single, Clark, Pole, and Davis were mowed down by the Bristol lad’s speed, eae The fifth was a fast inning. Wiggin fooled Willis, who whiffed. Sprowl hit the first ball for a punk safety, but died in an effort to steal second, Hackett. making a splendid throw to Hardy. Hay lifted a high fly to left field, and Oakes held it. ene Denning burned the ball over to Vigglesnich, wh _ Oakes popped to Foss, and Hackett died a moment later, being hit on fair gr ound by his own batted ball. : e got all‘the runs they get to-day, de- “Our pore are playing right up. “They've clared Brick Jordan. f The locals made a good bid to increase their lead, Foss leading off with a hit, and Denning getting a life’ Then Wiggin, nervous over again facing Beazon put a bender into ae ae and ae cot ners, | Nota man was out, and it looked like a noynber ° certain tallies for the home team. be Wiggin nervously pitched two wide ones to Praia 8 “Got them ofer! got them ofer !” yelled Vigglesn 1 “Some, ‘dependence put on pees packing, View Chris Hardy oe for thé ball and spared it his: s bare Hale eee erin The base runners had all started, fancying the hit a safe one. Therefore Chris simply kept on, touching second with Denning off the sack, and swung round toward Beazon, who was coming down from first, still unaware that the ball had been caught. Running forward to meet Beazon, Chris touched him, complet- ing a triple play unassisted. third put-out. It was Brick Jordan who broke the hush that had fallen on players and spectators. Leaping into the air and cracking his heels together, Jordan bellowed: What do He put out all three of them “There’s the boy that can play baseball! you know about that! men, He’s a ripper.” . Wiggin’s first feeling of relief and joy over the sudden and surprising occurrence, turned almost imme- _ diately to jealousy because of the applause given Hardy. _ Despite the fact that the local spectators sympathized hi strongly with their own team and were even inclined to _ “That was a beautiful play, Hardy,” said Frank Merriwell, as the flushed second baseman arrived at _ the bench. | “Tt was a corker, Hardy!” cried Hodge. Ms covehing that sack handsomely 1”? “You're | Wiggin ground his teeth and said nothing. His dis- ~ like for Hardy was redoubled. Silently he found his bat and went out to hit. “T’ve got to get a safety this time,” thofight. wh haven't hit the ball’ yet, but I will now,” 5 \ He did hit it, it is true, but he simply put up a high - foul back of first base, and Prosper gathered it in. Joe Doyle scratched a questionable single through ; short, but Hardy’s long fly to centre was caught. Chub Clark fanned again. “°Tain’t no use,” said Brick Jordan, “you can’t do nothing with Denning’s twisters.” ‘The first of the seventh produced further thrills, for 1e bases were filled with only one man out, and again. th prospect for Bristol to make runs was bright—espe- 1 y so with the head of the batting order up. | Tir? fOr It was all done so quickly that few realized the full ' significance of the play until the umpire announced the be rabid and unfair, they cheered Chris Hardy roundly. \ WEEKLY. Hay tried hard for a Texas leaguer, which Toby Clark ‘succeeded in pulling down after a sharp run to- ward the outfield. b Foss drove another liner straight at Herman Viggle- ee snich. Once more the Dutch boy seemed dazed. His\com- rades yelled at him, and he awoke, putting up his hands just in time for the ball to smack into them. t “It hass caught me!” he screamed, clinging fast to the sphere. “That fellow should be decorated with a whole string ; of horseshoes,” cried the Bristol captain. Rie thie ea ES Fickle Dame Fortune seemed to favor he visitors ee in the seventh, for, after Pole struck out, Davis hit , safely, Vigglesnich was hit by ‘the ball, and Oakes reached first on an error. “Now we've got the head of the batting order up,” said Wiggin. “Get against it, Hackett; itmeans runs.” | Hackett smashed a, hot one at Willis, who held. it and threw quickly to second for a’double, Viggiesnich aS being the final victim. ““That’s the way to hold ’em,”’ laughed Brick Jordan. “They'll never make another run after that perform- ance.” The second ball Wiggin pitched to Denning struck | the latter on the right wrist, and the umpire sent him to first. Clyde was hurt, and. time was called while the first baseman rubbed his wrist. Beazon pounded along fly = into left field and was out, Denning taking second after y the catch. Prosper and Rock both hit the ball, but ae could not place it safely. ; chuckled Jordan; “You don’t need no more tallies,” “you've got enough already.” Although Denning’s. wrist was paining him, he suc- ceeded in striking out Wiggin, who failed for his fourth and last time at bat to get a hit: Doyle poked a slow one through the infield and reached first. for a hit, but was thrown out while Doyle took second. =k Hardy tried At this stage of the game, Denning became wild, passing Clark, Pole walked a moment later, and Camp Fair lads grew excited with the bases filled. Davis dashed their hopes, however, by eng upia foul, ee Rock meen etE, | a a e Fs 3 & * ip. - him, and the bases were to their feet to watch the result. The ninth inning opened with the score 6.to 2 in fa- vor of the locals. - Wiggin showed plainly that he had lost heart, for he simply lobbed the ball over, permitting the enemy to hit at will. This, however, seemed to be the best thing he could have done,.for although three men hit the ball they could not hit it safely, and the visitors came in for stick. Herman Vigglesnich was the man to lead off. their last turn with the Wiggin pulled on his sweater, indicating by his ac- tion that he had no. hope of winning that game. Even ‘while Puck’s head was hidden by the sweater, Herman Vigglesnich biffed a single into right field. This time he did not run. wild on the bases, but heeded the coacher and held first. Oakes, however, lifted a pop infield fly and retired in disgust to the bench. Hackett surprised the enemy by laying down a bunt and making such a swift run for first that he turned it into a clean single. “Come, Puck,” called Joe Doyle, This game isn’t over yet.” ‘it’s your turn. Come ‘on, 93 “It is, though,’ muttered Wiggin, as he listlessly found a bat and stepped out. He swung in a hopeless, foolish manner at the wide ones and was out. Doyle was hit in the ribs by the first ball pitched to full with Chris Hardy up. Hardy’s teeth were set, and there was detetmination in his eyes. He let two wide ones pass, and then fell on the ball for a tremendous long drive. Over the pan romped Vigglesnich, with Hackett fol- lowing closely and Doyle coming: fast. yelled like Indians as they saw Chris Hardy stretching -. every nerve to turn his hit into a homer, which would tie the score in the ninth. Both Merriwell and Hodge were electrified, and rose f Far out in the field the ball was secured by Davis, b Who threw to Gooding. Chub Clark, coaching at third, yelled for Hardy to go home as Chris came flying up from second. Hardy kept straight on to the plate. TIP TOP WEEKLY. The visitors . Gooding threw to Rock, but Hardy slid and lay with his hand on the pan ere he was touched. Foss, at third, danced up and down, shrieking wildly ; “Put the ball here—put it here!’ Rock hesitated a moment and then threw to Foss. “Mr. Umpire,” cried the third baseman, “that man didn’t touch this sack. He’s out.” ‘That's : over the base. right,” said the umpire. “I saw him step He failed to touch it. He’s out.” Then there was an uproar. Wiggin rushed at the umpire, calling him names and declaring % was a piece of robbery... Few of the spectators had seen Hardy ~ fail to touch third, and some of them were inclined to. believe that the visitors were getting the raw end of the deal, ; The crowd swarmed onto the diamond. 3 “Hold on!” cried the umpire. ‘‘Where’s the runner? Where’s Hardy: me 3 Chris was seated on the bench. “He’s calling you, Hardy,” said Frank. “The um- a pire wants you,” Hardy rose reluctantly. es es | “Took here,” said the umpire, “I want to ask you a. question. Tell me the truth. Did you touch third base?” | . e A moment Hardy hesitated, and then, ie shaking eo his head, he answered : “T don’t think I did.” “Ts that sufficient 2” cried tlie umpire. “Is everybody satisfied?” ) : ee. “Yes,” snarled Puck Wiggin, “I’m satisfied that a : fellow who will give a game. away like that is a fool!” : A \ CHAPTER VIII. £ THE BEST POLICY. It was a bitter pill. for the boys of Camp Fair to swal- low. In those moments of tremendous nerve-racking excitement following Hardy’s wonderful hit, which wotld tie the score, could Chris make a home run of it, their hopes had risen high. Even Wiggin, the most downcast and oe of them all, went crazy with the excitement of it, In baseball nothing can be more thiilling than the spectacle of the team that is behind making .an unex- pected rally at the very last moment in the ninth in- ning, thus threatening to turn seemingly certain defeat ‘into victory. Such an occurrence always fills the sym- pathizers of one team with a sort of heart-chilled an- guish, while the sympathizers backing the other team are maddened by sudden elation. Possibly there were not more than half a dozen per- sons on that field who did not believe the visitors had fairly tied the score. They wondered vaguely when Bob Foss began shouting for Rock to throw the ball to third. Even Foss, in his excitement, did not realize put out when Rock touched him with the ball at the plate. _ Frank Merriwell was one of the very few who no- ticed that the runner had miscalculated in his stride and missed the sack cleanly. That there had been no deliberate intention of cutting the base on the part of hs the runner Merry knew. In fact, Hardy had not gained anything by it. } Deliberate base-cutting on the part of a runner is deliberate dishonesty, and the man‘who will do such a thing and deny it if accused is a fellow who cannot be trusted in anything. The belief of some ball players “that any sort of a crooked trick that helps their side to win is legitimate and praisew orthy i is sometimes a mis- ‘take which comes from the false teaching of others; out feeling guilty iny his heart. His conscience must smite. him, and it is conscience by which the most | trustworthy men are guided. Let a person persistently ee phere to listen to the still small voice of conscience, and in time that voice will cease to speak. In time he Ae grow hardened and calloused, and gradually, hay- ; ing: refused to recognize the shame of little dishon- ‘esties, he will sdulge in other - more shameful 4 to inculcate Saini in the boys beneath him. ae ai TIR TOP ambitions, that, in case he had cut third, Hardy had properly been, policy. He had formed the opinion that certain little tricks of dishonesty were no more than side steps to 4 Ye “success, and were practiced by all thoroughly success- | bu? no honest fellow: can perpetrate such a trick with-. failed to actually touch third base. “By every “poobiet method, Frank. Merriwell sought | | game for us.” WEEKLY. It is regretful that a large number of boys and youths in these days should come to believe that a cer- tain amount of craftily hidden dishonesty and crooked- materially aids most ness, usually called “cleverness,” people in becoming successful in life. This false be- lief has been increased in recent years by the exposure of the unworthy methods of great corporations and numerous wealthy. and so-called successful rich men. There are honest men who become rich, but the mere accumulation of vast wealth is one of the lowest of It is right that every man should seek to become prosperous and comfortable in circumstances, but continued accumulation after a certain amount of worldly wealth is obtained can benefit‘none. The man who has placed himself and his family beyond the possibility of want has riches enough, and the con- tinued hoarding and piling up of more money is a crime against his fellow man and himself. Had Frank Merriwell chosen, it is possible he might. — 4 have become a very rich man; but there came a time when he was satisfied that he had secured all the money he could need for his own personal benefit, and hence- = forth he gave his life and his best energies to the work — a Peery to) % , | of benefiting his fellows in the world. | oe Wiggin was one of those chaps who had heen. * 4 : brought up to believe that honesty is not always the best ful men... Therefore he could not understand the mo- — ae tive w hich led Chris Hardy to acknowledge at once, Fes when questioned by the umpire, that he believed he had f Snarling with 9] anger and disgust, he turned his back on Hardy, whom _ he had called a fool. \ Frank Merriwell remained calm and outwardly un- moved, but in his heart he exulted because Hardy had ‘demonstr ated his manhood in such a manner. "Hernan Vigglesnich nearly shed tears. ihe Bd) “Vy didt you not let dot pase touch you, Chris!” he, moaned, 4 ou vent dot pase py, undt it couldt haf i touched you easiness, Py Chorch! you haf lost der y i TIP TOP “Ehe's Denning was up in the air with oD | | _ “That’s right,” muttered Joe Doyle bitterly. lost the game for us. his pitching, and we would have won-sure if Chris hadn’t cut the sack.” On the other hand, the Bristol boys were unspeak- | ably relieved and elated. They shouted their triumph | and congratulated each other warmly. Not one of his Even Chub Clark and Tom Pole were so downcast that they could Hardy, sick at heart, turned away. companions had a kind word for him then. say nothing whatever. Slowly, sadly they gathered | _up their bats and prepared to leave the field. Hardy drew on his sweater and turned to follow _ the others. &, Suddenly some one seized him by the arm, and he | turned to see Clyde Denning holding out his open left hand. “Shake, Hardy, old man,” said Denning. “Excuse | } my left, but my right wrist is frightfully lame. It was a hard luck. You certainly stung the ball handsomely, 4 and it should have been a home run. I’m almost sorry | Foss noticed that you failed to touch third.” wa F His face brightening a bit, Chris acaepted the Bris- tol pitcher’s hand and received a warmclasp. “T’m glad of it,” he said. Sha?’ Glads”’ ~ Yes," “Why?” “Because I knew I didn’t touch third, and I should : have felt like a thief.” “How was it you failed to touch the base?” “Twas running fast with my eyes on the coacher to if I could reach the plate, and therefore I was making the best time possible’ I also knew the fielder must _have the ball, and therefore if I did score it would be by the narrowest possible margin. I’d located the By base, of course, as I came up from second, but I mis- -, calculated and passed over it in my stride. I knew it instantly, but it was too, late to turn back and touch the sack if I was going to score, so I kept right on, -That’s all there is to it.” ' “I’m sotry Foss noticed it,” repeated Denning. “If get the tip frorh him. I knew it would tie the game up WEEKLY. | 19 you'd tried to cut the sack that would have been dif- ferent. Really and-truly, you went far enough ‘to touch the base easily, and therefore I feel that you fel- If you’d tied it,” he added, shaking his head, “I’m afraid it would have lows should have tied the score. meant defeat for us. .My old wing is on the bum. Anyhow, that finish made it a corking,exciting game, and. I fancy the crowd was more than satisfied. We'll have to play you again now. I think you would have done better all along only for the growling and fret- ting of your pitcher. He’s a sorehead.”’ “Naturally Wiggin was eager to win,” said Chris. Not a word of complaint did he utter against Wig- gin, 7 ‘ “That’s all right,’ nodded Denning; “but a fellow . never gains anything by snarling and snapping at his players. He seemed to have a particular grudge against you. What have you ever done to him?” “Not much,” confessed Chris, with a faint smile. “He doesn’t like you.” Ne 2 “There’s a reason.” | “Of course. We had a little set-to one day.” “Oh, a fight ?” : OY Gee. “And you whipped him?” “No; he knocked me out.” oo “Is that so? Are you afraid of him now?” “T don’t think I am,” laughed Hardy. © “Still, I reckon he thinks you are. What he needs is some one to take a lot of the nasty conceit out of him. The rest of your team ‘behaved decently enough, and * I think they’re good fellows.” ‘ Wiggin, looking back, saw Hardy talking with Den- ning and called the attention of others to it. “Just take a look dt our great second baseman, fel- lows,” he urged, with a sneering laugh. “He's mighty © chipper with the Bristol.captain. What do you think of that? I’m a lobster.” % “Maype you peen a lobster, anyhow,” muttered Vig- glesnich. What does it look like? If that doesn’t come pretty near indicating that he threw the game Heys What's that ?” cried Puck savagely. “You'd better be careful, Fatty, or of the goods I handed out to Hardy. “Py Chorch! you. I'll give you a couple I pelief he, out handed a few goots to Py chiminy! you me your nate ofer some dec- ‘orations after dot scraps.” “Well, I guess I'll have to thump you!” rasped Puck, But Doyle grabbed the angry fellow by the arm and checked him. | “Steady, Wiggin,” he said. Mer riwell. we Mr, to see you.” “Don’t you know Mr. Hodge are here? ‘They'll be sure Wiggin looked round again and perceived Frank Merriwell and Bart Hodge passing down the road which led into the village. _ “There they go,” he said. “Do you think I’m going to take a lot of lip off a fat Dutchman?” “You can’t start a scrap here, unless Mr. Merriwell hears about it, Puck,” said Link Davis. “Don’t pay any attention to Herm.” 7 der Didt I not felt pad ven Puck unt Chris into dot fight got ofer “T vas a fighter not,” said Vigglesnich, “but all sameness, Puck Viggin couldt not scare me some. me? Didt I not almost cry mit my eyes?” a I presume I’d be a fool to “Oh, you're abig booby, anyhow,” said Wiggin. _ suppose tao is right. punch you.” _ “We can’t afford to aie a 1 ight, ” said Chub Clark ‘sadly. “Just think how near we came to winning that game!” tan ri a “And just think who lost it for tis by his idiocy,” said Puck. ~ him with Denning. It looks to me a a great deal more _ like a nasty, deliberate, dirty trick.” es “No, I won’t call it idiocy, since I’ve seen ‘CHAPTER IX, pe viii as SETTLEMENT. of lads back to Camp. Fair.” prow, paying little heed to anything that was said by me ee Even when ‘Wiggin panty made LIP EOP ) ‘The motor boat carried \a somewhat doleful bunch | "Hardy sat alone in the. WEERLY, porary boathouse, and was likewise used for bathing purposes, : Matt Oakes, who had charge of the motor boat, ran it alongside the float, and the boys got out. Upon the opposite side of the float some canoes lay in the water, and there were two or three more upturned upon the shore. The boys who had remained behind to guard the camp/came running down to the float to shout inquiries concerning the game. Even before their questions were answered, however, they knew by the manner of the players that Bristol had won. “Did they beat us! did they beat us!” snapped Wig- “Sure they did—assisted by Mr. Hardy.” gin, “Assisted by Hardy? What do you mean by that???» said Puck, “Oh, he threw the ‘game to those chaps,” At last Chris turned on the angry fellow. “You've kept saying that all the way home, Wig- | gin,’ he said slowly, Cand I’m’ getting tired.” “Oh, you are? Well, you ought to be tired. ought to be ashamed to look any of us in the face.” “T’m not ashamed to look any one in the face,” said Chris. “I haven’t done anything to be ashamed of, I’m sorry I failed to touch that sack, but it was an ac- cident.” “An accident well planned.” “Do you mean to say that I deliberately threw the game to Bristol, Wiggin?” demanded Chri % : eyes flashing. “That’s what I mean,” was the retort. the game in a nasty manner. shouldn’t win as long as I did the pitching. you wanted to pitch yourself.” “Did I make a kick when you put me on second?” a4 “Ho! you knew that wouldn’t do “any good. If. : you'd kicked I’d taken Chandler or Ayres to fill vente | place.’’ ain Wiggin? and you had ‘everything your own way.” ¢ oes “And you were jealous.” “L’f ’'d been jealous, Wiggin, I’ could have iticldeade: _ you out of your authority in short order, You 3 s, his blue | “You threw | Youknow — “You've run things to suit yourself, haven't you, — fs You elected yourself oe of the team, I’m not Bo ‘ing to call any names. but T’ll tell.you now that several of the i said they were not satisfied with you as ae pl ee Senet SS ee ee eee a ah MBA ge oe ees gen T es 4 You were bound we } AIP TOP captain, and offered to support me if I'd call a regular meeting and have a captain elected in the proper man- ner.” “Who are they? You don’t dare name them.” “T’m not going to call any names. It isn’t necessary. All through that game you snapped and snarled at me whenever you could get a chance. You growled at - others, too. I'd stood for that, but I don’t propose to stand for your persistent statement that I threw the se - game to Bristol.” : i “I saw you talking out there with Clyde Denning So did the others. I ‘q "suppose he was thanking you for your kindness.” | after the game was finished. Wiggin.” “What?” shouted Puck shut ? furiously. “Keep my mouth I tell that game because you were You can’t shut it! You tried that once. you again that you threw jealous of me and sore over not ‘having a chance to pitch.” Wigpin you're a liar!” ; . There was'no stopping them then. The boys knew it would be useless to interfere, for the lie passed in _ such a manner meant that those fellows would have to - fight it out some time. , at Hardy. Chris was prepared/ With a mad roar, Wiggin went All the way home he had been thinking it over, and the unjustness of his enemy’s re- - peated accusation had made his blood boil in his veins. ‘He was well aware that unless he faced Puck and had a settlement his comrades would fancy, eyen as Clyde ‘Denning fancied, that he was afraid. He mightyhave stood for that, but the growing sense of wrong and ‘unjustness had proved too much for his self-restraint. ‘He was aware that in time Wiggin’s repeated accusa- tion mtight lead others to believe the worst. TS Puck’s surprise, Hardy did not seek to avoid his tush, In their first encounter Chris had kept away fellow with a savage right-hand jab that stopped Wig- gin’ s charge and made him stagger. a to jump and quiver like a mass of jelly. | ee Chincher !” he spluttered. “Dot peen a crate “Suppose what you like, but keep your mouth shut, from ‘Puck as much as possible, but now he met the. - WEEKLY. icine.’ ing! You're faster than he is! Look out for that wallop! Don't’ let him get you with it to-day. Nail, him! That’s the stuff! Nail him!” ve might as well settle it now as any time.” _ what happened before, he was full oa apprehension o ov cholt! Didt it not make Viggin nod his head pack- ward kervick!” But Hardy was not satisfied merely to deliver such a. blow and wait for his antagonist to come again. While Puck was staggering, Chris followed him up and hit him again and again, Hardy, although he possessed considerable sparring skill, was not a natural fighter who could find satis- Still, the moment the fight began a sort of exultation took faction in the anticipation of a fistic encounter. possession of him in every atom of his being. < Although in their previous fight Chris had seem- — ingly obtained the best of it until Puck landed with a knockout blow, he had since come to {believe he tad made a mistake in holding off so long. ee ; | There was no holding off on this occasion. In short order Wiggin found himself fighting on the defensive. He managed to get. away and recover his footing, but the persistent fierceness and fury with which Hardy followed up amazed him. ; ; Among them 5 The spectators were amazed also. were usciys who longed to see. Wiggin “get his med- _ Tom Pole was one of these, and again, as on the former occasion, he. capt cased his eympathy, in ‘words. Os , “That's s the stuff, Chris! !” he eed “Keep him go- x Doyle, a Wiggin es made a move to ine terfere. ; “Mr. Merriwell and Mr. Hodge a are liable to show up any time,” he cried. “They could come as fast tby road as we came by water, Let’s stop this fight.” 2 : Jack Hackett seized Doyle by the collar. : “Those fellows "You keep away,” ’ he commanded. Chub Clark thrilled joyously as he saw Hardy get- ting the best of ‘the en¢ounter. still, remembe : the possible result. ae ra best se “Puck will land him yet,” fe muttered. : “Don’t ie pert me!” cried Tate: 22 FL POP the outlook, you pet my poots. Py chinks! he iss a fighter ! able his eyes to look out of.” One of Puck’s eyes was puffing up, and again a blow Der morning in Puck Viggin vill not peen on the nose had started the blood. He was dazed and bewildered by the fury of the outraged and insulted + boy. _ Finally, closing quickly, he grappled with Hardy and back-heeled him. Even as they fell Chris turned Wig- ‘ / : ‘ In spite of his nerve, fear crept into his heart. gin and brought him undermost. They struck on the ground with great violence, and Puck’s hold was broken. Hardy tore himself free and rose to his feet. The with the fierce joy of it. “Get up, Wiggin—get up!” he cried. “This is a fight, not a wrestling match. There’s something more coming to you.” Puck lifted himself, watching Hardy, who had re- fused to strike him when down. Suddenly he sprang _ up and leaped away. “Py chinks!” squealed Vigglesnich. “He iss going to run avay!” | His - object had been to escape the immediate renewal of But the bully had no intention of Aa that. hostilities, and this he had accomplished. Turning sharply, he advanced once more on Hardy, but he did / : tot charge after his usual manner. “Perhaps you think you’re a,wonder!’” he rasped. “T'll show you ina minute!” He had not believed Chris would dare fight him _ again, but now he realized his mistake. Something like a grim, contemptuous smile flitted over. Hardy’s face. 3 — &Take your time, Wiggin,” ‘Know who clinched. _ wrestling match say so, but 1f you mean 25 make it a f oe fight stand up and use we fists.””* ~ “Oh, T’ll use them!” / OD iencee Hardy off guard, Puck sprang and ne : ‘that terrible fist of > he said. “The boys If you want to turn it into a light of battle was still in his eyes, and he quivered gin, crack, _ Bristol and brought them be.k to the road which led a - from the main highway down to Camp Fair. This road WEEKLY, f “Didt it not like a bass drum sound?” shouted Her- man. That body blow stopped Puck in his tracks. A moe * ment later he received an upper cut that sent him reel- é ing again. is With that fierceness which had astounded Wiggin, ie Hardy followed up and struck repeatedly. Down went Puck. His feet planted firmly, his hands clinched, Chris 1y. again invited his enemy to risé. q Wiggin is whipped,” said Tom Pole. b “You lie!’ panted the fallen chap, although in his a5 heart he fearéd it was true. The moment he got up Hardy was at him again, and ere he could escape he was once more stretched upon the ground., Again and again Wiggin rose, and each time he was promptly knocked down. Finally, exhausted and bat- = tered, he gave up, declining to get on his feet and take, further punishment. “Come, come,” said Hardy; “I’ve got some more of the same.” OE a I'll fight you—some other day,” gasped Wig- “No,’ you.won’t,’ said Chris. “I'll never fight you ge r . 4 er ob® . ‘ again. This ends it. Yoi’re whipped, and you may as well acknowledge it,” “That’s right, Wiggin,’ “You're fairly whipped.” ’ cried Pole in great satisfac- aS tion. ie “Let me tell you something, Puck Wiggin,” said Hardy. “If you open your mouth again to make any nasty talk about me I shall settle your case instantly. There won't be any fight, for I’ll fix you with the first “I vill pet the can dood it,” chuckled Vigglesnich. “Der gogse of Viggin is cooked. Yes.” CHAPTER X Av GHOs® ik Gh: \ Joshua Sprowl had taken Merriwell and Hodge into f 0 IS SOP being so rough that it was uncomfortable to ride, Frank and Bart had chosen to foot it the rest of the way to ~~ the camp. ; They arrived while the fight between Wiggin and Hardy was in full progress, but were unobserved by any of the boys who were eagerly watching that af- o° . fair. re. ‘ bee | Pe I thought,” said Merry, in a low tone, “that those fellows would have to have it out.” + “That chap Wiggin is a bully,” said Hodge. “He should be givén a lesson, Frank. 1 “Wait,” giving It’s up to you,” said Merry. “It seems to me that Hardy is him a lesson now. Look, Bart. Chris has knocked the fellow down.” *“THe’s He’s one of those sluggers who ; “But he’s up again,” said Hodge. a perfect bo hog for punishment. can take any sort of hammering and then get the best of a scrap.’ ay ‘Somehow I.don’t believe he’s going to get the best of this one. I don’t approve of fighting, but sometimes it can’t be prevented. I’m not going to interfere here, Let’s step back out of sight, and see how this business mcrends.”” So Frank ! and. Bart retreated and watched the en- Beth ee} counter from the cover of the woods. They saw Hardy ~ — give Wiggin the whipping Puck justly deserved. *Tt’s all over now,” said Frank; “but we hadn’t bet- ter put in an appearance for some little time. I care to take notice of this fight, Bart.” “But you can't help noticing Wiggin’s face, for I’m s fists.” certain he will bear the marks of Hardy’ Lt © best to be blind sometimes, Hodge, and I think this i is one of the times.” ~ When Frank and Bart did appear, Wiggin took care to keep out of their sight as much as possible, Hardy contemplated telling Merriwell the truth and inflict upon him. x time, Chris sought Frank. : | | Mr, Qin oy He - you.” i : Merry looked at him sharply, but said nothing. Merriwell,”’ he said, “T’'m not naturally quarrelsome, sir,” said Hardy; WEEKLY. 23 don’t. accepting such censure of punishment as F rank should After thinking the matter over some “I’ve something to tell “but there are some things I can’t stand for, . I know you do not countenance fighting, and I nit intend to break any rules unless forced to do so,’ Chat’s: quite right,” nodded ei aware at last “*T have confidence 1 ift eer that the boy meant to speak out. your good intentions,” pre eae “Wait a minute,” sa “But, sir, id Frank. aware that I have a good pair of eyes in my head. I “T ‘presume you are understand your motive, Hardy, but occasionally I see 4 things which I do not mention. - In such a case I have my reasons for not caring to make it known how much I have Hardy took the hint instantly. seen.” “Very well, sir,” he said in relief. “I was going to 39 tell you ; . “T want to tell you,” interrupted Merry, ‘‘that you. gave me both satisfaction and pride in you by your honorable behavior on the baseball field to-day. Isaw | ‘you miss that base, and I should have felt very sorry, cee lindeed, if you | had claimed that you touched ats BE you. go through life. preserving that high sense of honor you! will never regret it.” said Chris, deeply affected by thask 2 “T shall always .try to act in an honorable man- > “Thank you,” words. ner” | Wiggin was surprised over the failure of either Mer- . “He was relieved, also, for he had fancied when the facts rene riwell or Hodge to observe his battered condition, became known: that once more he would receive punish= Y ment for provoking the encounter. i 3 ks Upon t the following morning a wagon bearing a strange load arrived at the camp. Upon that wagon, were ten brand-new wash tubs, which Merriwell had purchased i in Bristol, _ The boys wondered over ‘this, siecitaibie about the use to which Merry intended putting those tubs, a pelief, ” said Herman Vigglesnich, “dot ve vas going into der laundry pusiness. I'pelief it iss arranged for us to took i in family vashings. Yes.” eae it lee a aa washerwomany Tie? POP what those tubs were for. Frank announced that, hav- ing seen them at the store of Pete Baxter, in Bristol, he had purchased them in order to give the hove the fun of participating in a novel sport. “We'll have a tub race, boys,” he said. “There can be ten entries, but I want no one to take part in it who Js not an expert swimmer. The rest can look on.” The idea of such a race delighted them all, and di- rectly they were clamoring for the privilege of taking part in it. Even Herman Vigglesnich begged to try it. “Wait,” laughed Merry. fellows for the race to-day. other race in shallow water and give the om of you “I’m going to pick out ten To-morrow we'll have an- an opportunity.”’ _ Among’ those ‘selected to enter the tub race were Hardy dnd Wiggin. rying to the tent by the float and getting into swimming Both lads lost little time in hur- suits.» By chance they came face to face as Wiggin was leaving the tent. “Look here, Puck,” _ It’s an even thing between ts now. he said, “let’s bury the hatchet. You whipped me the first time, and I got the best of it yesterday. I'm willing to call it square and shake hands.” He put out his hand. . “Shake hands—with you?” muttered Wiggin, scowl- - ing blackly, “Never!” “Oh, all right,” “It’s just as you choose. to hold a grudge.” said Chris, shrugging his shoulders. Still, I think it foolish for us When the boys were ready, each was given a tub and eee up in order opposite the float.. FE rank took charge of the race. Some distance away a pole had beeri set in the water, and it was understood that each lad should try to paddle his tub around that pole and return to the starting point. _ Any one who has not taken part in a tub race can | } An _ awkward person will sink his tub almost immediately - little realize how much actual skill it requires. on trying to seat himself in it. It is only by cievey - manceuvring that one may get into the proper position in the tub, and it is through fine bal lancing’ and careful “work that he will keep himself afloat and paddle over a course with his hands, “He discovered .that Doy --was much laughter and sport. WEEKLY. Beth Wiggin and Hardy had participated in such races before, and they were among the first to get away successfully: Wiggin seemed even more skillful the outset, and before long he had obtained something | of a lead over Hardy. The others trailed behind, try- ing Vainly to keep up with those leaders. On the shore the watchers shouted and cheered. ‘3 “Go on, Gristopher!” yelled Herman Viggles.tich. “You vas a stayer. I know him py observations.” Finding that he was still in the lead, Wiggin took it = > led him to turn to look back. easy. His curiosity finall y le had overtaken Hardy and Pee was passing him. | ; 5 Suddenly he caught his breath, for in turning hé had incautiously permitted his tub to tip until it was taking a water. | “Confound it!” muttered Puck. “If I don’t look out Pl be swamped.” am fe After that he could not paddle as fast as before, and mee me it was not long before Doyle came’ up shes hirh with Hardy following close. For a short distance the three had a warm brush, but eventually both Doyle and. Hardy forged ahead. t Wiggin was angered. “Tf I hadn’t looked round,” he thought, beaten them easy.” Tih “T’d have Suddenly-Doyle made a miscalculation, and a mo- | ment later he was floundering in the water, with his tub bottom up. Immediately he struck out for shore, swimming with strong strokes, “Are you all right, Joe?” called Hardy. “Sure, ” was the answer. ‘‘Never mind me.” (ood boy,” laughed Chris, hard luck.” At intervals he turned his heatl slightly to glance “T’m sorry you had toward Doyle, who finally reached the shore and waded out. - Wiggin made desperate efforts to overtake Chris, but his tub had settled to such an extent that it took in 1 more water whenever he paddled vigorously. Among all the boys in the tubs, save Wiggin, there Finally Puck made one -— more miscalculation, and ere he could get his balance the tub spun out ase beneath him, TIP: TOP Happening to glance over his shoulder, Hardy ob- served this, and his merry laugh rang out as: he saw Wiggin topple helplessly into.the drink. Wiggin came up puffing and spouting water. Three strokes he took toward the shore, and then uttered a sharp cry of pain. “Cramps!” he called. ‘I’ve got cramps!” ; His head went under, and a few bubbles rose to the _ . surface. Chris Hardy plunged forward out of his tub * ' ' and turned with swift, powerful strides toward the ‘ ea * CoS Dee 00h er aN Oe ae spot where Wiggin had vanished. 4 \ Puck rose, gurgled forth another ory, atid sank again. : Reaching the place where Wiggin had last been seen, Hardy made a dive. Beneath the surface of the water | ihe kept his eyes open,, looking for the unlucky lad. Down, down he went, discovering Wiggin and seiz- ing him. The now thoroughly frightened boys saw them rise, and beheld Wiggin desperately clasp his arms about Hardy’s neck. In this manner Puck dragged his would-be rescuer down. ae ; r e y ) ‘Frank Merriwell had lost not a moment. FlinBing off his coat and kicking aside his canvas shoes, he shouted to Hodge and ran toward one of the canoes. Bart followed. a _- in reaching the spot where those two boys had last ap- peared above the surface. It is no simple trick to dive from a canoe without upsetting it, but this Merriwell did. Down he went, _ cleaving the water and looking around beneath its sur- face for Wiggin and Hardy. He fouhd them still struggling, and fastened one hand in Hardy’s hair. _ Wiggin was clinging to Chris, and for the next five minutes Merriwell had the struggle of his life. Alt though he brought them again and again to the surface, _ wotking toward shore, and, finally, assisted by several ' of the boys, he dragged both lads out. They were unconscious, even though Wigg in’s arms and legs were twisted about Hardy in a clasp that it was not easy to break. _ Hodge was on hand to render assistance. The boys - They wielded the paddles swiftly and were not long , ia iie--he could not break Wiggin’s hold. All the while he was ered. That his suffering was intense he betrayed WEEKLY. were lifted and carried swiftly to the big tent, bothends of which were flung wide open to admit plenty of air, “Look-after Wiggin, Bart,” directed Merry. “Tl take care of Hardy.” ‘ 4 For an assistant Frank had Tom Pole, who seemed to be the coolest one among the ne and who obeyed aS Re ee Pape k oe Met Ry Merry’s every order. Hardy was placed face downward, with his arm be- - neatla his forehead. In this position the water he had swallowed began to run from his mouth, but to Frank’s disappointment there was no sign of breathing. “Give me a couple 6f folded coats, Pole,” directed Merry. “Be quick about it. Fold them up like a pil- low.” These coats were placed beneath Hardy’s chest.” | “Now keep his arms tfhder his head,” said Frank. Taking hold of Chris, Merry rolled him on his side ‘and then back again with his chest upon the folded coats. This movement he persisted in, rolling the un- conscious boy in that manner about fifteen times to the minute. “Shan’t I rub him to start the circulation, Mr. Mer- riwell?” asked Matt Oakes, his voice trembling. “Not yet,” said Frank. “Never do that until there are signs of breathing, for it endangers recovery. Get some warm clothes. Get this wet bathing suit off him if you can. Cut it off if necessary. How is Wiggin?” “He’s coming all. right, Frank,” answered Hodge. “He's breathing now.’ Indeed Wiggin was recovering, and his nfoans and gurgling, gasping secimeeta filled the tent with unpleas- NS ant sounds. ~ eee Many of the boys looked on hélplessly. Frank or- Z dered them back’ so that plenty of air would circulate | E through the tent. ee | It was really surprising how swiftly Wiggin recov- - plainly enough, but with returning consciousness. he saw those White-faced boys looking on and vaguely real- ized that he had been saved from drowning by a ‘narrow, ; margin, indeed.. As soon as Puck had begun to breathe naturally, Hodge set about rubbing his limbs upward Lower his Body to stimulate the circulation, pa TIP TOP WEEKLY. 3 “Cover him with blankets,’ he directed. “Here, spread one under. him.” Wiggin was placed on a blanket and then covered by others. at last Puck became fairly comfortable, although he Bart continued to rub the fellow’s limbs until was weak and helpless as a sick kitten. “How, is Hardy coming, Frank?’ Hodge asked again, “I can’i see any signs of recovery yet,” _ Marry, still working to revive breathing. answered 0 _ “Hardy?” whispered Wiggin. “Why—why, what’ S the matter—with Hardy?” ' “He tried to rescue you,” said Hodge “You _ gtabbed him and pulled him down.” “‘TTe—he tried to—to rescue me?” “Yes, he was the first one to reach yout. You would | thie drowned and drown hin also if Merriwell hadn’t — you both out.” - Wiggin lay still, trying to Sisal He was all right now, and Hodge turned to assist F rak. _ Wiggin plainly heard their words, |. 7 | “Hardy i is dead,” said one. « “He gave his life try- 4 ing to save Puck.” i “Wig- “T guess he’s a goner,’ ’ whispered the ‘seat gin fixed him by grabbing him in that fashion.” things that had. happened of late. He thought of the two-fights he had had with Chris Hardy, and remem- ea most pay teak ee had ne offered . “And now he’s dead!” (iiapia Puck. | | Fully half an hour Merriwell and Hodge worked i over Hardy before the boy showed ‘the slightest signs of reviving life. ee failed i in his origi method, - Outside the tent two boys were whispering, and Puck _ So Hardy was dead! Puck Wiggin recalled several Frank Merriwell’s air. In. this way breathing was finally started. Im- mediately regular breathing began the boy was wrapped in warm blankets and every effort was made to stimu- late circulation. Frank had ordered some strong coffee to be made. As soon. as this, was prepared he requested some to be brought in a tin dipper. Making sure it was not hot enough to scald Hardy’s mouth, he lifted the boy’s head and turned a small quantity between his lips. There was ‘great. rejoicing among the boys when | they knew Hardy was finally’recovering. It was a full hour, however, before Chris was comfortable. He was alone in the tent with Wiggin, Hodge, and Merri- well, the boys having been sent away. “Well,” said Frank, smilirig a bit, came neat going for it, but you're all right now. It. was too close to be pleasant.” Wiggin turned his head and looked toward Hardy, who lay stretched beside him amid the blankets. “Chris,” he said, “I’ve been thinking about some- thing, You—you offered to shake hands with me just before’ the tub race, and I refused. Still, you tried to saye*me from drowning and came near going for it yourself. I don’t suppose you feel like shaking hands HO He | Hardy moved his right arm and slowly pushed his hand out from. beneath the blankets. ae “TI haven't got much ginger in that paw, Wiggin,” he said ; “but I’ll do my best at shaking.” Wiggin likewise reached forth from beneath the - blankets which covered him, and their hands met. THE END. The Next Number (700) Will Contain | Lively Lads; body slightly Faised, and. ‘Hidge held the boy’s ap OR, tg be gue so it'would not slip back and fill his throat. = 7 FH RIVAL, CAMPERS, ri oe, at Marly s head, Merriwell eae tig cian} i eo : a A \ An Besty. pee Encounter—Forced into ItaThe Morning Plunge-——Professor Ichabod Codd—Improv: ing Baseball thd ee prayers ‘Trick—In “vou chaps both 5 | TIP TOP Baseball in the Making of Men. By SIDNEY CUMMINGS. ¥ Baseball, the great American game, is to a certain extent char- acteristic of our strenuous lifes It is a game marked by stirring activity—one cannot be an idler and play baseball. It involves ; A real work, and at times calls into play every ounce of available a. energy that one may possess. It not only requires extraordinary ) agility of the body, but an equal degree of mental activity is re- ' quired. One must be able to think with lightning-like quickness at times to play the game well. In the development of all-around muscular and vital energy, there is perhaps no better exercise. Baseball players, as a class, are big, strong, fugged men, In a many cases they are striking representatives of the indubitable ao value of this splendid exercise. They do not exhibit the develop- ment that is found in the gymnast—there are none of the big, - bulging muscles, but the breadth of chest, the squareness of | __ shoulders, the well-set-up figure, and the general ruggedyess that ~~ you find in the ball player clearly indicates \what this great sport is capable‘of accomplishing in the makihg of men. : Baseball is a game that develops lung power—it strengthens the heart, the stomach, and all the vitality-building organs. One cannot play baseball without a good, strong heart. One must be ready to run with every atom of energy that he possesses at any nment, and the pulsations of the heart under such circum- stances must be equal to the emergency. To be clear of eye, alert of brain, and strong of limb is essential in order to become a capable player of this strenuous game. Baseball is really a science in itself. To become a capable player requires years of practice, and the average ball player will be found to have been indefatigable in the pursuit of his favorite game in early youth. Though the game is unquestionably of very great value to those, of mature years, its principal advantage lies in the exercise that it furnishes to enthusiastic growing boys, who become lovers of the game. The average American boy takes to baseball almost like a fish to water. It is one of the first games that he learns. All sorts of games which lead up to the scientific development of baseball itself are indulged by these growing boys. Baseball is a game with life in it. It keeps one active every moment that one is engaged in play. At the bat, for: instance, a combination of skill, agility, and strength is required. When initiated into the science of running basés, one again finds that mental alertness is needed to make a quick decision absolutely essential. In addition to that, one must be able to run rapidly, Batic, occasionally, must quickly turn and return and reverse should ' one be caught between bases. All this requires mental and physical activity of a superior order, When a boy begins to play ball, if he does not possess these characteristics, if he becomes a ae _ capable player he is bound to develop them; as his body develops his mind improves to a similar degree. It is not a game that develops muscular and vital strength alone—it is a powerful stimulant to mental development. A dullard could never become a baseball player. It requires mental alertness equal to that pos- sessed by the shrewd lawyer or politician to really become an expert at this splendid game. In fact, many a baseball player - who has made a reputation in his field of endeavor, if his abilities had been diverted to the law or to politics, would unquestionably have been equally successful. ; . One*of the most commendable features of baseball ‘as a sport is that not only does it provide wholesome outdoor recreation for those. who attend the thousands of exhibition contests played throughout the season, but that the game itself is played by in- - numerable players, who, although lacking the highly developed skill of the professional, nevertheless. derive great pleasure and ¢ physical benefit from indulgence in the sport. In fact, of the total number of spectators in attendance upon a ball game, the ball players, and in the degree of benefit resulting from the game. ,is developed symmetrically in all parts. - must be an all-around athlete, in order to play the game properly. percentage of those who have at some timé participated in the WEEKLY. 27 ee game as actual players is in the great majority—and the propor- tion of those who even continue to play the game is by no means ; inconsiderable. ae The widespread hold that baseball has upon the public of this country may be attributed principally to the fact that there are few men who have not personally played the game at some period of. their boyhood or youth. In this respect the game differs widely from other sports which, although quite popular from the spectator’s point of view, nevertheless require considerable train- ing and preparation, and in some instances more or less expensive equipment in order to enable the ordinary individual to indulge 4 in them. It is this very adaptability of baseball, and the fact that ba the game can be played with pleasure and benefit by those who are fo not possessed of a high degree of skill, which renders it such a notable factor for good in the outdoor life of America. In addition to the great national organizations, and the various interstate, State, and local leagues, devoted to the promotion of baseball for profit, there are vast numbers of teams which play ~ the game for pleasure, pure and simple. Although these are less in the public eye,-they are just as important in the creation of Many are the amateur games which occur between teams repre- senting rival communities, commercial establishments, and the like. Even the al fresco contests played by groups too small in number to afford the. regulation complement for each team, pro- vide pastime and exercise for their participants. It is from the vast field of players affiliated with the obscure teams that the minor leagues obtain their playing material, and it is from the ~ minor leagues in turn that the more prominent organizations recrttit the ranks of their players. This gradual process of the evolution of the ball player from the lad who is merely the most expert player of his own particular coterie, to the position of a local celebrity, thence to the station of the leading player of one of the minor leagues, and finally to the elevated \rank of the acclaimed favorite of one of the great cities of the nation, may cover all of theyyears from early boyhood to mature manhood, but each of the upward steps is attended by a commensurate increase in compensation, and for those fortunate enough to attain success at the game it surely offers a career that should appeal vividly to the mind of the growing boy. What matters it that the playing career of the national stars of baseball may be comparatively short? After they have reached the zenith of success in the greater leagues, their retrogression into the ranks of the nonplaying public is usually gradual and serene. In those instances where they have not a sheet anchor to windward, in the form of a profession or a business enterprise — acquired through the proceeds of ball playing, they still have left to them the.opportunity of reverting to minor organizations, and of continuing to play the game until they no longer retain the — favor of their managers or of the public. There is no game or exercise that can be more highly com- — mended for growing boys. Running—an exercise continually re- _ quired of the ball player—develops pn all-around ruggedness of — physique ‘which is especially desirable. Results of this kind are more especially noticeable when combined with a certain amount pf active use_of the muscles of the upper part of the body. The batting and throwing necessary in baseball furnish this exercise in an ideal manner. ' Furthermore, baseball never becomes irk- some—a player never loses interest in the game, especially when the success of if seems to depend upon his skill and activity. x Baseball players are in nearly all instances fine-looking men. The game séems to develop a symmetrical figure. It seems to harmonize one’s physical development. The body is usually smooth and well-rounded, though no extraordinary development _ is noticed in any one part. The physical development exhibited by the seasoned ball player is rather of the Apollo type. So — many of the muscles are brought into active use, that the body A good baseball player One especial advantage of baseball is that it is played out of | doors. In strenuous stages of the game the activity of the © muscles must be-exerted to the limit. This, of course, greatly stimulates the activity of the lungs and heart, and naturally gives — the growing boy a chance to develop every atom of his attainable — power. In adult life also this strenuous use of the body of course helps to maintain its vigor, though one can well understand that ~ such violent exercise would naturally be dangerous to one not accustomed to using the muscular system in this manner. + For the physical culturist desirous of securing all the attainabl power of the body, no better game can be found: Those able to do so should take every chance that comes their way to play baseball. After you, are past the growing age, it will keep y Goi] = ee ; WIP, OR WEEKLY. young and supple and active. If you are still developing, it will assist materially to bring about that perfection of the body, sym- metry and strength so much desired by every one-—(From Ber- narr Macfadden’s magazine, “Physical Culture,” for August, 1909.) LADS AND LUMBER. In the northwest corner of the United States, in the great territory made known to white men just one hundred years ago by the explorers, Lewis and Clark, an army of men atd boys 4s how engaged in the picturesque task of logging or lumbering the biggest trees in the world. Although the forest giatits, which ate being cut down in the States of Oregon, Washington, and Northern California, are so large that ordinary trees look like twigs in comparison, a cénsider- able portion of the work of turning them into lumber is per- ‘ formed. by lads who have not yet reached their majority. Some of these boys ate the sons of veteran! lumbermen who have come to this new “timber country” from Maine and Michigan, where the lumber-yielding forests are| almost exhausted, but a goodly proportion of them are natives of the Nortltwest—boys who have grown up in the wonderful climate which appears to foster bigness and strength. _ But some reader may be inclined to inquire how it is that mere boys can-do so much of the work of handling monster ttees which it might be supposed would tax the strength of the _ most powerful men. The explanation is found in the fact that in the Northwest lumbering is carried on largely by steam power, and of course a bright, intelligent boy is fully the equal of an older man in applying this force. Indeed, it may be explained that nowhete else on the globe are trees taken from the forests in the manner followed in this | region—possibly because nowhere else is, the lumber harvester _ cotfronted with trees from ten to twenty feet in diameter and _ towering toa height of from one hundred to two hundred feet. _. The boy lurmbermen of our North Pacific coast live, for the ‘most part, in cabins, roughly constructed of boards, and the location of which is changed several times each season, ‘as each _ successive locality is stripped of its trees and the lumber crew , Thoves to a new scene of activity, It.is a healthful life, but it can scarcely be said to be an easy one. If a boy happens to be one of the lumberers assigned to prepare breakfast he must be astit.each morning as early as three , O'clock. Otherwise he is allowed to sleep until four o’clock or four-thirty o’clock, but in any event he must tumble out of bed as promptly as a West Point cadet when thé rising signal is yA . sounded. - However, there is little danger that the young lumber workers of the Northwest will suffer from cold at any season of the year, ! ‘Every boy who has ever visited or worked in a lumber camp in the East knows that in winter, with the thermometer register- ing many degrees below zero, frozen hands and faces are an Vvery-day ittcident. In the Northwest, however, the Frost King is a rare visitor. Although this part of the country is as far north as Labrador, the climate is very mild, and winter brings rain instead of snow storms. — € Oni the other hand, the lumbermen of the Puget Sound country, they are spared the biting cold of New England and the Middle West, ‘are also denied the assistance which snow atid ice renders e luntber workers iti those localities, In Maine and Michigan id other lumber-producing States east of the Mississippi, the tees are felled in the autumn, and are sledded over ice roads ee dead of winter to the banks of streams down which they float when the snow melts in the spring ya - In the far Northwest, however, the trees, which may be felled at any time of year, are dragged from the forest to the waiting railroad cars which convey them to the mills by means of great cables, operated by engines so powerful that the tree trunks. be drawn through the forest, despite the uneven ground and h of Sioa enderbruth, SH eae “a 0 eS A thy we shifted our quarters, but they followed. We camped cutting down one of the giant trees of the Pacific one’s of the most interesting operations in the lumbering the Northwest. The tree trunk is not severed at a point a few feet above the ground, as is the custom with ordi- nary trees. The “swell” at the bottom of these forest monarchs is usually of a poor quality of lumber, and so the tree is cut at a point perhaps ten. feet above the ground, leaving a stump of that height. In order to render it possible to chop and saw through’! the tremendous tree body at thjs height, notches are cut in the trunk, and into these boards are fitted, forming shelves on which the lumbermen stand. As the first operation of felling the tree, men with axes, “undercut” by chopping about one-third the distance through the ponderous trunk. Then two men, each at one end of an eight- foot saw, begin operations on the opposite side of the tree, and saw through the trunk to a point about ten inches distant from that where the chopper ceased work. With the tree completely severed, save for a “hinge,” not more than ten inches thick, steel wedges ate driven, in, and the towering giant is gradually forced over in the direction desired. Great care must be exercised in choosing the direction in which a tree shall be made to fall, lest the trunk in crashing to earth damage other good trees, and possibly sustain injury itself cal- culated to lessen its value to the lumberman. After the tree is dowr it is sawed into log dengths, and these ate dragged ott of the forest by the wire cables previdusly | mentioned, Great difficulty is often experienced in placing the big logs on _ the railroad trucks which are to catry them to the mills where they will be sawed up into the various forms of lumber in which they will reach the consumer. A log which will yield, say, forty thousand shingles, is too big and too heavy to be placed aboard any regular freight car. The only way to move ‘it satisfactorily is to set it down upon pairs of railroad trucks provided for the putpose—a no slight task. The stumps of the giant trees in the Northwest are frequently » put to odd uses.” At one point in Washington such a \stump has been converted into a cozy one-room house, and another stump was leveled off and affords an ideal dancing platform, on which a dozen couples can dance at one time. The lumbering of the giant trees has been going on for some time past, but it is probable that the National Congress will ere long put a stop to it. These giant trees are oné of the world’s greatest fiatural curiosities, and ex-President Roosevelt and other prominent men were strongly of the opinion that they should be. preserved. To that ehd most of the forests containing the giant trees are being converted into national forest reserves or national bers , This is good news for all tree lovers. . BESET BY WILD BEES. Bees abotind in certain parts of Abyssinia, and, as the land is’ almost waterless in the dry season, the insects stuffer much from thirst. In “The Source of the Blue Nile” is an interesting ac- count of the manter in ‘which, on his journey, the author was mobbed by bees, which were after his drinking water. va S From the account he gives we get some idea of the way the ,— dear, delightful, “busy bee” of our childhood’s maxims can make himself formidable when he and his'fellows are all bent on ob- taining the same thing—drink. ‘ Says the writer: “Every drinking vessel was crowded with them, Our boys dratk from calabashes, and when they were put dpon the ground, bees clustered on the edges and crawled toward the liquor. Impatient successors thronged upon the first _ comers and pushed them into the water, so that in a few min- — utés the surface was a mass. of ‘struggle-for-lifers.’ In spite of the heat we had to keep moving ; for when we settled, so did the - bees—all over us, st “We halted for luncheon in a small ravine, and the bees. dic not find us till we had nearly finished the meal. We smoked — them with cigarettes, cigars, and a bonfire, to no purpose. Then — All of us were stung, and we were not quit of them till we mounted our camels and outdistanced, the swarm. 5 Res “They get their honey from the flowers of the mimosa‘tree. cal that night among the mimosas, thinking that we had been delivered from the plague of insects, but we were mis- taken. A host of the honey-scekers thronged and crawled on candle, one’s book, one’s face, and one’s hands, adding , injury to insult by-stinging us. It was more than twenty-four — hofirs before we were free from them.” we Manag sat eee ia ie a 7 . il a ee "lie back, ee choking with laughter. e Li? 4P OF, NEW YORK, September 4, 1909. TERMS TO _TIP TOP WEEKLY MAIL SUBSCRIBERS. (Postage Free.) Single Copies or Back Numbers, 5c. Each. 3 MONTHS . 2... scent eewsewawewan 65¢, | One year s....5..-600.scnnesee-. 2.50 SE ONUNG auspaccouddldcakuduenté 85c. 2 copies one year...........52 4.00 G MONTHS Jewvsavepdenerccddonne $1.25 1 GOpy TWO YOATB.......sceeens 4.00 How to Send Money—By post-offics or express money order, registered letter, bank check or draft, at our risk, At your own risk if sent by currency, coin, or postage stamps in ordinary letter. Receipts—Receipt of your remittance is acknowledged by proper change of number on your label. If not correct you hayé not been properly credited, and should let us know at once. STREET & SMITH, Publishers, Ormond G. Smrtn, } 79-89 Seventh Avenue, New York City. Gsorce C. Smitx, ¢ Proprietors. — 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. Getin line, boys and girls, and strive to have your name at the head of the list, G. Rangnow, Philadelphia, Pa. R. F. Vanatta, Denver, Colo. E. P. Slocum, Iowa. R. A. Lee, West Virginia, Russell Ransom, Virginia. E. J. Silverman, Oklahoma. William Quackenbush, Albany, N. Y. Frederic B. Eastman, Canada. Allan F. Malone, Arizona. Vv. D. Reynolds, New York State. The names of other enthusiastic Tip Toppers will be added from time to time. Send in the result of your efforts to push the circula- tion of your favorite weekly and win a place on the Roll of Honor, APPLAUSE. Owing to the latge number of lettets received, the editor of Tip Top cannot undertake to secute their publication under six weeks, Those who contribute to this department must not expect to see them before that time. ae FREE POST CARDS-—Any boy who writes us, telling _ why he loves Tip Tor, and what the magazine has done for him, as well as what he is doing on his part to increase its circulation, will, upon request, receive a set of six fine post cards of the principal characters in Tip Top free by mail. Be very sure and address your letters ‘Editor Tip Top Weekly Post Card Offer.” \CA letter from. Illinois.) Have read’ “Tip Top” for several years, and it’s great. In fact, its “greatest.” At first I and my brother were not allowed to read them. We said to our parents, “Look them over,’ and after that we read them. The “Tip Top” is hot the kind to get stale, but is always alive and full of ginger—no places where one skips over on account of lack of interest. And many fine bits of advice are found in the “Tip Top,” while sometimes one has to The jokes are really funny; not stale ones that have been heard before. I am also WEEKLY, x Burt L. Standish. 29 reading Burt L.’s stoty in the Popular, “Bill Bruce of Harvard.” It’s great. When the Popular came I locked down the list of writers, as I always do, and to my surprise and delight I saw I read the first issue in a hurry, and also the second, which just arrived. As I have told many people—Burt L. Standish can write a baseball story better than any man in the United States, yes, the world.’ I aim,-and always will remain, a loyal Tip-Toppist.. I cannot give my “choice of characters; they’re all equally good. Fearing I will take up too much space —if space is awarded me—I will close, wishing to see my eatnest opinion of the “Tip Top” in that great little, but famous magazine. Yours truly, Ep, BisxHop. We have found space for it, Ed, and take occasion to thank you most cordially for your words of good cheer, which we feel certainly spring from out your very heart. I have been a reader of “Tip Top Weekly” for some nine years, or thereabout. I was pleased to see Mr. Standish give the impractical, idealistic, revolutionary socialist a good-rub in No. 678, “Dick Merriwell’s Development.” ‘The practical socialist takes the conditions of to-day and tries to apply such remedies 4s he can find and open the way for greater opportunities. Soak the dreamers another. You will do a great work for human progress. I certainly enjoy the “Tip Top.” I like Frank Merti- well the best, I missed some after he returned to Yale. I intend to get them sometime. I think that Frank stands out distinct from all the rest. Next comes Dick, and then Brad. Brad, it seems to me, does like we would feel like doing under the cir- cumstatices, and Dick does it the way it should be done, I wish some of Brad’s knockers would place themselves in his place and — see if they wouldn’t take his course instead of Dick/s. Well} now I wonder! I like Inza the best of the girls, probably because I am very partial to brunettes. Elsie is the dandy girl, and my new favorite'is June. Could say a great deal more for “Tip Top,” but too much is enough. Yours truly, CHas. Hockensroucn. Cleveland, O, Burt L. Standish has not limited the field of his observation to the evil effect of liquor and tobacco upon the system of a growing lad. He is always ready to shiver a lance in defense of clean sport, and his practical advice upon many subjects that are of intense interest to our boys have borne abundant fruit. Every. one will admit that the creator of these astonishing “Tip Top” characters does not bear the earmarks of a dreamer, but must be a doer. r (A letter from Tennessee.) In regard to the “Tip Top Weekly” I have been reading them regularly, and I like them fine, and don’t forget I am a dear lover of your paper and will introduce it to other boys. The reason I like the “Tip Top” is’ because it keeps me at home with my dear mother, whereas if I didn’t read it I might be on the street nights and possibly get in bad compatty. I would like to see this published in the “Tip Top Weekly.” I rémain, yours, “Tip Top” reader. Rosert JOHNSON, ‘A very good reason, too; and we are led to believe from this that you have the stamp of approval from the home folks with regard to your choice of reading. : é (A letter from Massachusetts.) As I have read “Tip Top” for eight months, I think it time for me to express my thoughts about it.' As for weeklies, I have read many different kinds, but none can equal dear old “Tip Top.” I am trying hard to get the boys around where I live to buy them, .I succeeded in getting two boys to read them. Now to tell why I love it. It is because the stories are clean, pure, and stories all ought to read. If all boys would take Frank Mer- riwell. or Dick Merriwell as models there would not be many criminals in the world. My favorites are Dick, Brad, June, Ches- ter, and Tommy Tucker. Of Frank’s set I like Frank, Bart, Jack Diamond, Elsie, and Inza. I wish Burt L. S. and Street & Smith’ long life. A true Tip-Topper. Frep MAcLAUGHLIN. Keep on trying to circulate “Tip Top” among your “friends. Loan back numbers here and there, and see that your newsdealer orders..a sufficient number of the current issue to meet an in- creased demand, That is the way the magazine grows. Boys ong > them. ALE LOL who truly enjoy the Merriwell stories find it impossible to keep from telling others. They want to talk about the characters with some one, compare notes, and in a’ short time one enthusiastic friend has interested half a dozen so that they count a week end dull indeed without a “Tip Top” to read. (A letter from Illinois.) I am a reader of the Merriwell stories, and find they are very interesting. They make a boy like me feel like doing something decent whether he wants to or not. All the boys here read them. I am trying to become a pitcher like Frank and _ Dick. I can throw an “out,”- an “in,” and an “out drop.” If you have any books telling how to throw more curves or any-. I am glad A. M. San- Well, I close for TIMMIE HANLON. thing about pitching, please let me know. ders in our town keeps “Tip Top Weekly.” this time. Yours in haste, You are doing well. As you have already mastered the art of pitching curves and drops, things will come to you by degrees. Daily practice as well as observing the work of good pitchers will accomplish more for you than a dozen books. T want first to thank you for printing; then Burt L. for writ- ing sucn fine, grand stories as are contained in “Tip Top.” I am reading “Bill Bruce of Harvard,” by Burt L. Standish, in the Popular Magazine, and I realize that I am “getting my money’s worth.” It is dandy. You talk of your ideal stories—lI’ll enter “Tip Top” in any race. Burt L. doesn’t play on the emotions in a tiresome manner—not a bit; but while reading his stories the blood throbs through your veins and you thrill with excitement and enthusiasm. Then, considering the stories from a rhetorical standpoint, no instructor could object to Burt L.’s yarns as a model of unity, coherence, and emphasis. I mean that emphatic- ally. I owe you my greatest thanks for causing first pleasure, -and also for the benefit that I have received from .reading the _ stories. I was born with a fierce temper, and to “Tip Top” I owe what fair control I have over it now. Hoping that “Tip Top’s” growth and prosperity will be great and far-reaching, | remain, A Texas Hoopium. * If you really believe you owe a debt of gratitude to “Tip Top,” friend, the only way. you can cancel the same is to tell your. friends about the wonderful characters of the Merriwell stories. _ The wider our field the more growing lads we can interest, amuse, and benefit. 4 | / (A letter from Canada.) » I have read “Tip Top” for two years now, and am more highly pleased with them than ever before. The characters are so good—especially the one of Dick Merriwell—that I always feel better morally after reading them. They seem to lift you up and make you want to imitate Merriwell and his friends, and in this way I think a boy is bound ‘to greatly improve his morals. “ I used to lend all my weeklies to the boys around here, but now I have quite a fair order every time I go to the town where I get They are very popular around here and ‘deservedly so. Yours sincerely, Witt’ ApAMs, Jr. - That is very pleasing reading for us, Will, and we thank you sincerely. . f ‘ (A letter from New Brunswick, Canada.) _ In reading the Applause column of “Tip Top” to-day I took a notion to stick in my oar, so here Iam. I have been an admirer _ of the “Tip Top Weekly” for two years, and during that time have read a large fumber of copies. It is certainly the king of magazines for boys to my mind; not only for the vivid descrip- _ tions of sports which are given, but also for the fine moral principles which always stand out so prominently. In closing I wish to aa that I hope Mr. Standish may be spared for many years to come, and that he may always continue to write as ex- cellent stories as at the present’time. With best wishes for the prosperity of “Tip Top” and all connected with it. ‘at _ Herman W. Reep. ~N. B—Can I secure “The Rockspur Nine,” and what is the price? . 36 inches normal. WEEKLY. QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS. DITBD BY PROF. FOURMEN. NOTICE—So many inquiries reach us each week concerning the various manuals on athletic development, which we publish, that we have decided to keep a list of them at the head of this department. Any number can be had by mail by remitting 10 cents, and 3 cents postage, for each copy, to the publishers. FRANK MERRIWELL’S BOOK OF PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT. THE ART OF BOXING AND SELF-DEFENSE, by Prof. Donavan. U. S. ARMY PHYSICAL EXERCISES, revised by Prof. Donavan. PHYSICAL HEALTH CULTURE, - = __ by Prof. Fourmen. oe nae (A letter from Maine.) Pror. FourMEN: As f have been a reader of the “Tip Top Weekly” for some time, I take the liberty of sending you my measurements and records. Age, 16 years 2 months; height, 5 feet 6 inches; weight, 135 pounds; neck, 14 inches; across shoul- ders, 22 inches; chest, normal, 36 inches; waist, 27 inches; arm, 10% inches; flexed, 12%4 inches; forearm, 1014 inches; flexed, 11% inches; elbow, 10 inches; wrist, 6 inches; hips, 34 inches; thighs, 20 inches; knee, 13 inches; calf, 1314 inches; ankle, 814 inches. My pole vault record is 10 feet; running high jump, 5 feet; running broad jump, 19 feet 9 inches; standing broad,jump, 8 feet 6 inches. I can chin myself twenty times; with one hand I can chin but once. How are my measurements for my age? Where are my weak points? I am desirous of becoming as near perfect physically as Dick Merriwell. Dick is my favorite in the “Tip Top” series. Hoping to see this in print in the near future, I am, very respectfully, Ciinton R. SHAw. You are in fine shape, my boy, chest an inch to the good; weight 15 pounds above the average, and yet, strange to say, this. does not show in your waist, which is just what it should be, 27 inches. Keep it up. If you lose 1Q pounds and gain in’ hard muscles, so much the better. Pror, Fourmen: As I have been a reader of “Tip Top” for several years, I thought I,would send you my measurements and see how you think they compare with others. I may be a little above the age limit, but it is never too late to do good. I am 25 years old and weigh 159 pounds; height, 5 fect 7 inches; neck, 15% \inches; chest, normal, 34 inches; expanded, 37% inches; waist, 32 inches; around shoulders, 431% inches; thigh, 20% inches; calf, 1434 inches; forearm, 1134 inches; biceps, 13% inches. I play baseball every summer and run fairly well fot short distances, but my wind soon gives out. What are my weak spots, and how can I remedy them? Hoping to see this in print soon, and thanking you in advance, I remain a Tip-Topper forever. C. EM, Ottumwa, Iowa. You can see where you lack when I say that an athlete of your height should weigh but 130 pounds, but his chest would measure Naturally, with a surplus of 29 pounds your waist is over 4 inches beyond what it should measure. You “want to go in stronger for athletics during the winter season, — build up some inches of lung capacity, and drop about 20 pounds in weight. ¥ ee _Pror. Fourmen: As I have been reading ‘that glorious “Tip Top” for the last eight years—four before I came to college and four since I have been here—I rather opine I am pretty near the | ‘ranks of the Old Guard. When I first came to St., Michael’s ‘there were about three reading “Tip Top,” but I guess now out of “ two hundred and twenty boys half of them are reading it, thanks di to the work of myself and my two friends. I have been building myself up for the ‘past five years, and would like to hear your — opinion of my measurements. ~Age, 18 years 6 months; height, 5 feet 1134 inches; weight, 166 pounds; waist, 33 inches; neck, ; ; 4 _ Thank you, cousin. We echo your wish, As to the book you mention, you will find it marked as No. 427 in the New Medal catalogue we are sending you. | - ges meas: t 15 inches 3, chest, normal, 40% inches; biceps, 12% inches; fore-' — arm, 12% inches; thigh, 23 inches. I play hockey, baseball, Rugby football, and handball, and a little basketball. Sincerely trust- , very truly, %% 4 working hours. TIPcTOR ing that you will give this letter space in your column, I close with three rousing cheers for Burt L. Standish, the man who is admired by all young Canadian and American athletes. Yours “Doc? C, St. Michael’s College, Toronto, Canada; College Boy. : Chest and weight gilt-edged. Waist 2 inches above average. - You certainly send us words of good cheer, such as brighten our Accept my. personal thanks and also those of “Tip Top’s” publishers, for the interest you are taking in secing “Tip Top” in the hands of boys everywhere. (A letter ffom Minnesota.) Pror, Fourmen: I have read the “Tip Top Weekly” for about six months only because I heard nothing of them before. I want to send my measurements and questions. Age, 15 years; height, 5 feet 2 inches; weight, 10214 pounds; neck, 1114 inches; shoul- der to shoulder, 15 inches; calves, 11 inches; waist, 25 inches; chest, normal,’ 27 inches; expanded, 30 inches; forearm, 8% inches. How are my measurements? What are my weak points? I hunt and play all kinds_of games, running, jumping, etc. What is the price of “Tip Top” for one year? I remain a reader. Ray, RopMAN. Your weight and waist seem to just hit the mark. Your weak ‘point lies in your chest.. It should measure 31 inches normal. Suppose you send for a manual, study up the matter, and begin. to work with the intentign of, gaining the lacking inches. Pror, Fourmen: I am a reader of “Tip Top Weekly,” and therefore have taken the liberty to ask a few questions. I am 16 years 3 months old; weight, 160 pounds; chest, normal, 33% inches; expanded, 3614 itches; height, 5 feet 942 inches; meck, 1334 inches; shoulders, 1734 inches; waist, 3234 inches; wrist, 634 inches; biceps, 12 inches; expanded, 13 inches; ankle, 934 inches; calf, 1434 inches. 1. What are my weak points, and how can I “remedy them? 2, What exercise should I take? 3. Friends in- form me I am growing up too fast. I have tried running exer- WEEKLY, 3t cises and had to stop for lack of breath before running a block. Please advise me. Thanking you in advance, I remain Denver, Colo. A Cororapo “Tip Tor” READER. I. Chest is 5 inches too small. 2. Deep breathing and such other exercises as you will find described in our manuals for under-developed lungs. 3. No-deubt about it, but as you cannot stop your growth, try to keep pace with it-by broadening out. Pror. FourMen: I have read the “Tip Top Weekly” for the last three years, and think it a magazine that every youth should read. I would like to have you tell me my weak points and my good ones, if I have any. Age, 16 years 11 months;. height, 5 feet 4 inches; weight, 127 pounds ;.neck, 13% inches; from shoul- der to shoulder, 17% inches; chest, normal, 31 inches; expanded, 33M inches; waist, 26 inches; wrist, 7 inches; forearm, 10 inches; biceps, 10 inches; thighs, 19 inches; calves, 13 inches. Do you think I could make a good wrestler? Thanking you in advance, I remain a sincere Tip-Topper. RAYMOND PERRY, Chest, 2 inches too small; weight, 17 pounds over, but, strange to say, your waist is exactly right. Now chase that missing a inches of lung capacity and you will be all right. Pror, FourMEN: Having read your magazine for a few years, IT take the liberty of asking you for your advice about my physical development. Age, 16 years 6 months; weight, 12414 pounds; chest, normal, 33 inches; expanded, 35% inches; waist, 28 inches; neck, 13 inches; biceps, 9 inches; expanded, 1014 inches; forearm, 9% inches; wrist, 6% inches; ankle, 8 inches; calf, 13 inches; thigh, 18 inches; across shoulders, 16% inches; height, 5 feet 7 inches. What are my wéak points? How can I remedy them? Yours very truly, SAMUEL SIMONSON, Pittsburg, Pa. ; - You are shy a few pounds in weight, but this is not serious providing you feel healthy otherwise. About the chest, though, you are lacking some 3 inches, and this counts strongly against you, z ey : \ ‘ tr TIP TOP BASEBALL TOURNAMENT FOR 1909 past, has induced us to once again enter the field with a tempting offer. ‘at the end of the season, have the highest average—the members of which play the greatest number of games, score TE gteat interest taken by enthusiastic amateur baseball teams all over the country the most runs and have lost the least number of games, will be declared the winners. having the higher average will be declared the Tip Top Championship Team of the All-American Baseball Tournament for 1909, and will receive a beautiful silk pennant bearing a suitable device. receive a full equipment, consisting of trousers, shirt, stockings, shoes and cap for nine members. newspaper accounts of your games also to substantiate the score. _ notice takén of any score not entered on a coupon cut out of Tip Top. Coupons must be properly made out, one for each game. country in our contests for some years So here it is, boys: The two teams which, Of the two winning teams, the one Each winning team will, When possible send > DON’? FAIL TO SEND IN YOUR COUPON AT ONCE. Vo NAMES OF TEAM. PSRE HOME HK ERO O HERMON ERE e OR er EM Een ene enneenwene BaHeeeeeenees beswawel ° CAPRA ROKK EH ete mH ene HH Ewen HOON ener tere meee sddatwdubi ckwasuden ‘ ‘ i SOCCER EHH T HERAT Hee eet ee SR ATMS BT eae a Ree ne pene CECE ERE EO EER RO EEE OEE RR ORME EEO REE eee eee =eeewewes / | OOOO OOO CO MMO M UO REE Hee eww neem eee Seer nme rat weeeeeesesenahewesdes| <7 / (| FRSC ROC SRE MT MRE RR em mH RHE O Rw HOHE OHNE E HT EER ee ee EOE eee eee eee Wewee | RPOER OSHA RMON EOORN COHEN ea N ea nhan een nuan sewed enwwnneeesuneshunaesenenae OOOH REM E REM SHEER EHH OMEN HEHEHE HH HRTEM T ERROR ee ew He Rw EERE EEE eRe ee ¥ GE e eRe en m COTE ORR OEM Eee rnnnE HE eee Ewe aw ane een e nanan 94 scectecoves eeesaue x \ r PO IN mS eo _ 1909—TIP TOP BASEBALL TOURNAMENT COUPON. oy NAMB OP TEAM... & ALL, OF THE BACK NUMBERS OF TIP TOP WEEKLY THAT CAN NOW. BE SUPPLIED me 194—Frank Merriwell’s Stratagem. 496——-Dick Merriwell’s Value, 195—Frank Merriwell’s Limit. 197—Frank Merriwell’s “Flock.” 198—Frank Merriweil’s tion, 199—Frank Merriwell’s Work. 213—Frank Merriwell’s Handicap. 214—-Frank Merriwell’s Stroke. 230—Frank Merriwell’s Battery. 231—Frank Merriwell’s Archer. 232—Frank Merriwell’s Play. 233—Frank 234—Frank 235—Frank 236—Frank tege 237—Frank 238—Frank 239—Frank 240—Frank 241—Frank 242—Frank 243—Frank Shot. 244——Frank Merriwell’s Shrewdness 245—Frank Merriwell’s Entertain ments. 246—Frank Merriwell’s Mastery. 247—Frank Merriwell’s Dilemma. 248-—Frank Merriwell’s Set-Back. 249—Frank Merriwell’s Search, 250—Frank Mérriwell’s Ring. 251—-Frank Merriwell’s Party. 252—Frank Merriwell’s Life Strug- gle. 253—Frank Merriwell’s Skill. 254—Frank Merriwell’s Club. 255—Frank Meriwell’s Scheme. ae tees Merriwell’s Mysterious Mov 257—Frank *‘Merriwell’s Hand, 258—Frank Merriwell’s Suspicion, 259—Frank Merriwell’s Trust. 260—Frank Merriwell’s Sweetheart. 261—Frank Merriwell’s Bosom Friend. 262—Frank Merriwell Deceived. 263—Frank Merriwell in Form, 264—Frank Merriwell’s Coach, 408—Frank Merriwell’s Fire. 409—Frank Merriwell’s Great Peril 415—Dick Merriwell’s Devotion, 418—-Dick Merriwell’s Force. 423—Dick Merriwell’s Trap. 432—Dick Merriwell’s Set Back. 433—Dick Merriwell’s “Phantom.” 434—Dick Merriwell’s Management 435—Dick Merriwell’s Dilemma. 4836—Dick Merriwell’s Persistence. 461—Dick Merriwell in Constanti- nople. 467—Dick Merriwell in Hegypt. 469—Frank Merriwell’s Retaliation Merriwell’s Find. Merriwell’s Hustlers, Merriwell’s Captivity. Merriwell’s New Pro- Merriwell’s Power. Merriwell’s Policy. Merriwell’s Freshmen. Merriwell’s Generalship Merriwell’s Kick, Merriwell’s High Jump Merriwell’s “Brassie’’ Tempta- 499—Dick Double , 497—Dick 498—Dick Merriwell’s “Dukes.” Merriwell’s Drop Kick, 565—Frank Merriwell’s Horse. 566—Frank Merriwell’s. Intrusion. 567—Frank Merriwell’s Bluff. Meriwell’s Regret. Merriwell’s Silent Work. Merriwell’s Defeat. 568—Dick 500—Dick Merriwell’s Chance, 569—Dick 501——Dick Merriwell’s Stride. 570—Dick 502—Dick Merriwell’s Wing-Suit. 571——Dick 503—Dick Merriwell’s Skates. 572—-Dick 504—-Dick Merriwell’s Four Fists. 573—Dick 505—Dick Merriwell’s Dashing 574—Dick Game. 575—Dick 506—Frank Merriwell’s Tigers. 576—Dick 507—Frank Merriwell’s Guard, 508—Frank Merriwell’s Flying Fear 509—-Dick Merriwell in Maine. 510—Dick Merriwell’s Polo Team. 511—Dick Merriwell in the Ring. §12—Frank Merriwell’s: New Idea. 5138—Frank Merriwell’s Trouble. 514—Frank Merriwell’s Pupils. 515—Dick Merriwell’s Satisfaction. 516—Dick Merriwell’s Discernment. Treasure 577—Dick 578-— Dick 579—Dick 580—Dick 581—Dick 582—Dick 5838—Dick tage 584—Dick 585—Dick 586—Dick 517—Dick Merriwell’s Friendly 587—Dick Hand. 588—Dick 518—-Frank Merriwell’s New Boy. 589—Dick 519—Frank Merriwell’s Mode, 590—Dick 520—Frank Merriwell’s Aids, 591—Dick 521—Dick Merriwell’s Visit. 522—Dick Merriwell’s Retaliation. 523—Dick Merriwell’s’ Rival. 524—F'rank Merriwell’s Young Crew 525—Frank Merriwell’s Fast Nine. 526—Frank Merriwell’s Field. 527—Dick Merriwell’s Reprisal. 528—Dick Merriwell Dared. 529—Dick Merriwell’s Dismay. ,530—Frank Merriwell’s Son. - 533—Dick Team. 5384—Dick Merriwell’s Demand. 535—Dick Merriwell’s Slabmate. 536—Frank © Merriwell’s Camp 537—Frank Tariiwaitia Proposal. 538—Frank Merriwell’s hunters. 539—Dick Merriwell’s Cheek. 540—Dick Merriwell’s Sacrifice. 541—-Dick Merriwell’s Heart. Merriwell’s 543—Frank Merriwell’s Pride, 544—Frank Merriwell’s Young Win- 616—Dick Merriwell ners. 545—Dick Merriwell’s Lead. 546—Dick Merriwell’s Influence. 547—Dick Merriwell’s Top Notch. 548—Prank Merriwell’s Kids. 549—Frank Merriwell’s Kodakers. 550—Dick Merriwell, Freshman. 551—Dick Merriwell’s Progres. 552—Dick Merriwell, Half-back. 592—Dick 593—Dick 594—Dick 595—Dick Merriwell’s Merriwell’s Merriwell’s Merriwell’s Merriwell’s Merriwell’s Merriwell’s Merriwell’s Merriwell’s Merriwell’s Merriwell’s/ Arm, Skill. Magnetism. System, Salvation. Twirling. Party. Backers, Coach. Bingle. Hurdling. Merriwell’s Best Work. Merriwell’s Respite. Merriwell’s Disadvan- Morehead Beset. Merriwell’s Great Rival. Merriwell’s Distrust. Merriwell, Lion-Tamer, Merriwell’s Camp-site. Merriwell’s Debt. Merriwell’s Camp-Mates. Merriwell’s Draw. Merriwell’s Disapproval. Merriwell’s Mastery. Merriwell’s Warm Work Merriwell’s Squeeze.”’ “Double Athletic 596—Dick Merriwell’s Vanishing. 597—Dick Merriwell Adrift. 598—Dick Merriwell’s Influence. 599—Frank Merriwell’s Worst Boy. 600—Frank Merriwell’s Annoyance. 601—Frank. Merriwell’s Restraint. 531—Frank Merriwell’s Old Flock. 602—Dick Merriwell Held Back. 532—-Frank Merriwell’s House Party 603—-Dick Merriwell in the Line. Summer 604—Dick Merriwell’s Drop Kick. 605—Frank Merriwell’s Air Voyage 606—Frank Merriwell’s Auto Chase. 607—Frank Merriwell’s Captive. Summer 608—Dick Merriwell’s Value, 609——Dick Merriwell Doped. 610—Dick Merriwell’s Belief. Fortune, 613—Frank Merriwell on Top. 542—Frdnk Merriwell’s New Auto. 614—Dick Merriwell’s Trip West. 615—Dick Merriwell’s Predicament. Valley. 617—Frank Merriwell’s tion. Spook- ae Merriwell in the Mar- 612—Frank Merriwell’s Fight for in Mystery Proposi- 618—Frank Merriwell Perplexed. 619—F rank Merriwell’s Suspicion, 620—Dick Merriwell’s Gallantry. 621—Dick Merriwell’s Condition. 622—Dick Merriwell’s Stanchness, 623—Dick Merriwell’s Match. 624—Frank jMerriwell’s Hard Case. 625—F rank’ Merriwell’s Helper. 27—Frank Merriwell’s 628—Dick 629—Dick 630—-Dick 631—Dick 632—Dick 633—Dick 634—Dick 635——Dick Staying 626—Frank Merriwell’s Doubts. 6 “Phenom.” Merriwell’s Stand, Merriwell’s Circle. Merriwell’s Reach. Merriwell’s Money. Merriwell Watched. Merriwell Doubted. Merriwell’s Distrust. Merriwell’s Risk. 472—-Frank Merriwell’s Handicap. 553—Dick Merriwell’s Resentment. 478—Frank Merriwell’s Method. 554—Dick Merriwell Repaid. 485—Dick Merriwell in Manila. 555—Dick Merriwell’s 486—Dick Merriwell Marooned. Power. 487—Dick Merriwell’s Comrade. 556—Dick Merriwell’s “Push.” 488—-Dick Merriwell, Gap-Stopper. 557—Dick Merriwell’s Running. 489—Dick Merriwell’s Sacrifice Hit 558—Dick Merriwell’s Joke. 490—Dick Merriwell’s Support. 559—Dick Merriwell’s Seven. 491——Dick Merriwell’s Stroke §60—Dick Merriwell’s Partner. 492—Dick Merriwell Shadowed. 561—Dick Merriwell in the Tank. 493—Dick Merriwell’s Drive. 562—Frank Merriwell’s Captive. 494——Dick Merriwell’s Return. 563—Frank Merriwell’s Trailing. 495—-Dick Merriwell’s Restoration. 564—Frank Merriwell’s Talisman. 636—Frank Merriwell’s Favorite. re wy 637—Frank Merriwell’s. Young Clip- pers. 638-