LARGEST WEEKLY CIRCULATION IN AMERICA ul ch ya IDEAL PUBLICATION FOR THE AMERICAN YOUTH P WE 2 ea Entered as Second-class iP Ie ey N.Y. ¢ ive Cents 9-S9 Seventh A +7 by STREET & SMITH ’ ter at the N. Y. Post Office 1906 / i Ma Ly subscription $2.50 per year. issued Vi eekly. ice, F Pr 9 NEW YORK, OCTOBER 13 Before Dick and Brad could break through the mob, a young fellow sprang out and placed himself in Let him who is without sin cast the first stone!’’ «Stop! front of the cowering girl, crying: Issued Weekly. By subscription $2.50 per year. Entered as Second-class Matter at the N. Y. Post Office, by STREET & SMITH, 79-8 Seventh Avenue, N.Y. Entered according to Act of Congress in the year 1906, in the Office of the Librarian of Congress, Washington, D, C. No. 548. NEW YORK, October 13, 1906. Price Five Cents. i CHAPTER I. eee , A DISAPPOINTED MANAGER. _ Park Grifford, manager of the New York profes- sionals, was vexed when Frank Merriwell brought his youthful team of “World-Beaters” onto the field. Grifford regarded the youngsters with an expression of sad surprise and injured dismay. Having looked _ them over, he approached Frank and spoke to him. _ “What does this mean, Merriwell?” he asked; with f an intonation of reproach. “What does what mean?’ was Merty’s counter- question. : “Where'd you find this bunch of nuirsety g graduates ? or "Where are your World-Beaters we’ve heard so much about in the papers?” ico. Lmey re. right here,” smile. Grifford shee: dekbit pained. “T’ve heard you used to be a practical joker, Merri- well, ? he said solemnly, “but this is a poor time for a answered Merry, with a Frank Merriwell’s Kids: OR, THE WORLD-BEATERS IN NEW YORK. ‘ By BURT L. STANDISH. tion of kids onto the field to-day, the game will be so. joke. Just look at this crowd. We've turned out a — bunch of people to fill the bleachers and the stand just because your wonderful World-Beaters were ad- vertised to play here this afternoon. I don’t suppose — you think these people are going ‘to be satisfied with a freak game against a lot of high-school boys, do _ you? If we’d won the pennant, we'd be playing the — top-notchers in the National to-day, instead of your. — team. It was hard luck that kept us from the championship. ‘ When I heard you were in town with your ball-team, I made arrangements for an exhibi- — tion game here, but I supposed you'd put a team onto the field that could make some sort of a showing. Your reputation, as much as anything else, has — brought out this big crowd. If you put this collec- rotten that you'll stand a fine chance of getting © mobbed by the spectators.” cea “Til risk that,” said Merry, quietly. “I think you're — worrying without any real cause, Grifford. I ac- — F snow how to play baseball just the same, and I’m con- ident the game will be interesting enough to please the crowd.”’ Park Grifford shook his head. “It won't do,” he asserted. Merriwell.” “In what way ?”’ “Why didn’t you tell me you had a lot of half- developed youngsters, instead of your regular team?’ “You didn’t ask me the make-up of my team. This is my regular team at the present time.” “But it contains none of your old-time players. Where’s Hodge? Where’s Browning? By Jove! - Merriwell, this is a bad mess. [’m indignant over it. I think- we'll have ie ne the game and return the 8a money taken in.’ “Of course, you can do that if you choose,” re- turned Merriwell quietly; “but I wouldn’t advise you to, Grifford. You'll lose a lot of money, and, you'll make a grave mistake. I presume it’s natural for you to imagine by the appearance of these youngsters that they can’t put up much of a game against your power- - fulteam. I confess it’s likely that. in a series of games the experience of your players would enable them to defeat my boys. You may beat them to-day, but you'll have to play the game if you do it.” “You've tricked me, at a pebble on the ground. After some moments of “ silence, he said: . _“There’ s only one way to fix this. I’ll have to tell the spectators the truth. I'll have to explain to them _ that I expected you to bring. a different team onto the field. I'l notify them that anyone wishing to recover i leaving the grounds before the game starts. Unless appoint everyone. After the game, Merriwell I shalt tell. you exactly what : think of you.” “After the game,” smile, “I shall be pleased to hear your opinion, Grif- ford. ‘Don’t forget to’tell me what you think. Let me caution you further. In explaining to the specta- tors you’d better not state that you were deceived in any manner. you fancied the team made up of older players, but the sort, - That’s all. Go ahead.” The expression of sadness and regret on Park Grif Park Grifford talen, his arms and stood frowning _ his money at the gate may do so by calling for it and i you agree to this, we'll have to cancel, which will dis-_ returned Frank with a faint It'll be better for you to explain that ford’s face was almost laughable as he took a position: : in front of Lhe 8 grand pane, and made the oe | TIP TOP WEEKLY. Co: ae of the dissatisfied ones in the crowd, they gave a organizations in New York State. = joying the proposition for a game from the manager finally asked to fill. Merriwell or Dale Searles, p.; Obediah Tubbs, sub. ner’s position in a satisfactory manner. him on. the diamond. The outfield had been strength- how much he regretted the mistake, and urged all who were at all dissatisfied by the prospect to leave the = field and get their money at the box office before the 5 hem umpire called “play.” He further added that Mr. et Merriwell gave him the assurance that the “kids” could put up a stiff game of ball, but in his mind the | ~b prospect of anything like a close contest was very fi gloomy indeed. St “Where are these World-Beaters the American told d about last night?” cried a man in the stand. tpt Grifford shook his head and smiled as if on the as; point of shedding tears. 2 oe “Mr. Merriwell informs me,” he answered, “that | these high-school boys are bas wonderful World-— Beaters.” | At this there was some laughter from the stand, | and the man who had asked the question cried: “Wipe ’em off the map,’ Park! We'll see wae the ‘American has to say about it after this game.’ ae? Later on the same explanation was made to the : bleachers, arousing some cat-calling and hoots of de- rision. On the bleachers, however, had gathered a 2 group of Columbia students, and, following the hoots 4 ca x ae Meare AS * hearty cheer for Merriwell. It was rather surprising to Grifford that no one seemed inclined to leave the ats. grounds after being notified in this manner. i At the close of the baseball season in the Blue Hills, ic. Frank Merriwell had made up a team by choosing oe the strongest available players from the Happy Camp | and the Pineville clubs. With this team he had dee | feated two of the strongest independent baseball The boys were en- _ of the local Americans. ‘Frank’ S young wonders pasts ‘ up as follows: ma Bob Bubbs, ss.; Billy Bradley, 3d b.; Chester Adlington. 2d b.; Hiram Bemis, lf.; Chip Jolliby, cf.; Dave Flint, rf.; Bob Single-' ton, Ist b.; Brad Buckhart or Young Joe Crowfoot, i$" Dick Earl Gardner, ‘possibly the best diaitetdy & ever de- ; veloped at Fardale, was not with them, Earl had been ! taken ill near the close of the summer season, and — through Frank’s advice, had gone home for a week before returning to school. Bob Bubbs filled Gard- Hal Darrell, being also compelled to return inane) left an opening at second that Chester Arlington w In the two games played, Arling- ton had covered himself with glory and demonstrated — that when at his best, few lads of his age could. excel IIb lor ened by placing Hi Bemis in left, with Dave Flint | in right, and sending Obediah Tubbs to the bench asa substitute player. Brad Buckhart and Young Joe Crowfoot did the . ~backstopping, while Dick Merriwell and Dale Spark- fair were the pitchers. It is doubtful if any prep. school or independent team in the country could have defeated this aggregation in a series of games. 4 Nevertheless, it did seem somewhat amusing to im- agine that these lads could hold their own with the great New York Americans. | Sha. CHAPTER II. ENEMIES. _ The practise of the “kids” was watched with great | Re interest by the crowd. To a man those lads were in E the finest possible condition, with the exception of - Dick, whose right shoulder was still a bit stiff, having _ been injured in base-sliding. They did some snappy work in this practise, the infield scooping grounders ; 4 Py | and nailing liners hot from the bat, while their throw- _ |. ing to bases was of such rapid and accurate order that “> it could not be criticised. The outfield covered lots Ws of ground and displayed splendid judgment in getting after flies, not one of which was dropped. Both Dick and Dale warmed up, although the former took it easy and was careful not to strain his shoulder. Two of the Highlanders were doing the batting _ for this practise work, and they made the boys hustle toward the finish. The cleverness of the youngsters x finally elicited applause from the spectators in the _ stand and on the bleachers. In the front row of the erand stand, however, sat five young fellows who did not applaud. That these young chaps knew Frank Merriwell very well was _ made plain by their conversation. Indeed, they were _ Frank’s old-time enemies, the Chickering set of Yale. Rupert Chickering was there, dressed in black and _ wearing a pair of “siders,” which made him look like ; a divinity student. On his left was Julian Ives, still distinguished by his pet bang and a pink shirt. On ‘seemed to be peering like a person looking over a high board fence. On the right of Hull were Lew -Veasie and Ollie Lord, quite affectionate in their de- eo for Lew leaned against Ollie, who had an WEEKLY ? 3 please us to-day, Chummy,” smiled Lord. “Just think how ridiculous it is for Frank Merriwell to bring a lot of kids like this onto the field to play the High- landers.” “That’th tho,” lisped Lew. “He mutht be crathy. Don’t you think he’th crathy, Ollie?” “Of course he is, deah boy. He always did have wheels in his head.” “And he’s got the biggest head of any fellow I ever knew,” rumbled Tilton Hull, bumping his chin against his collar as he spoke. “You must acknowledge,” purred Chickering, “that Merriwell has been wonderfully successful. I believe in giving every one proper credit, whether he is an enemy or not. Of course, we all know there is such a thing as luck, and that has had much to do with his | success.” pe “Luck?” snapped Ives. “Why, if you should tie Merriwell on a railroad track in front of the Empire State Express, the train would jump the rails before it would hit him. I didn’t want to come here to-day, for I expected to see him put a stronger team onto the field and win out in his usual lucky manner.” “You ought to be glad you’re here now,” said Hull. “Merriwell has made an ass of himself. Just because he’s been fortunate with his bunch, he thinks he can take a lot of kids and put oo up against aay big team with a chance of winning.” “Yeth, he’th a perfect awth,” simpered Veasie. “I alwayth thaid tho. We alwayth knew he wath an awth, didn’t we, Ollie?” “Of course we did, Chummy,” answered Lord, giving Lew a hug. “You know asses may blunder along in good luck for a time.” ‘ “His time never seems to have an end,” complained Hull, his collar catching him and giving his voice a choking sound. “I wish I’d known the kind of a team he was going to put on the field to-day. If I’d known it last night, I might have made some money. Heard | a man at the Imperial offering to bet even that Merri- _ well would win. What do you think of that?” “My dear fellow, how could you have made any money?” questioned aeck ie jes | “Why, by betting, of course,” answered Tilton. “But I didn’t know you had any money to bet with.” / “Oh, I could borrow some, I fancy. you up, Rupert. % ‘“Yes, you've touched me frequently. Do you know how much you owe me, old chap?” — “Oh, a mere es or ba ee T'd touched ‘i Dae SCT “Haven't you kept an account of it?” “T*haven’t put it down, but I can remember just what it is if I stop to think.” “Do you fancy it’s more than fifty?” “Oh, no, I’m sure it isn’t.” “Well, you’re mistaken, Tilton. hundred and thirty-five.” “Oh, come, Rupert Chickering produced a little account book, “T have jotted it down here,” he declared. are the dates and the sums borrowed.” You owe me one 99 “Here Hull looked surprised. “Why, I didn’t suppose you would take all that trouble,” he said. “TI had an idea you regarded me as a gentleman who would pay his bills. As I said, I didn’t fancy it was more than fifty, but, come to think of it now, I remember I have had something like a hundred and thirty-five. That’s all right, Rupert. I'll pay you as soon.as I get the change.” _ “Forget that,” advised Ives, pushing back his cap and carressing his bang. “You can settle that matter any time, fellows. Just watch these chaps practise. It’s rather surprising. I didn’t think they could play / so well.” “I really hope they'll make some sort of a show- _ ing,” declared Rupert. “Even though Frank Merri- well has never been my friend, I should hate to see _ him disgraced here to-day.” “Oh, would you?” sneered Hull. “Well, I’d like to see the Highlanders make a hundred scores in this game. I hope it will be so one-sided and ridiculous _ that every spectator will be disgusted. I hope they mob Merriwell and his bunch of kids. I'd like to have a basket of rotten eggs’ myself. I think I could use them before the game is over.” | Sitting directly behind these chaps were two young men who were curiously interested in their conversa- tion. One was tall and dark, with deep blue eyes, while the other was a slender chap with a light-col- -ored mustache. The latter was smoking a cigarette. _ At intervals he smiled over the words of the Chick- ; ering crowd. The dark man observed this and sired in alow tone: wUeT: hese fellows don’t seem to have much use for x Frank Merriwell, do they?” he said- _ The cigarette smoker’ laughed softly. retorted. ee there’s: ban man in this world that ) WEEKLY. . a hand. your grievance?” ie “They haven’t as much use for him as I have,” he , _ with Merriwell somehow sometime.” To the speaker’s surprise, the dark man extended “Put it there,” he said. is Dalton—Fred Dalton.” “And my name is Fillmore—Fred Fillmore,” turned the chap with the light mustache, as he ac- ~ t cepted the proffered hand. “You seem to know Merri- well.” of es “Know him? I should say I do!” , on “Where are you from? By your intonation I fancy you’re a Westerner.” “You're right. I’m from Omaha.” “I call Baltimore my home now,” said Fillmore. {| “What’s your parccuias grievance against Merri-: | well?” . : “It’s rather a long story if I should enter into de-— tails, so I’ll cut it short. “Frank Merriwell accused me. of cheating in the card-room of the Mid-Western A. A. at Omaha. I forced him into a duel. I. was the champion fencer of the Mid-Western. We had it for blood, and he got me, all right. He ran me through. It was a nasty wound. I’m mighty lucky _ to be here. Now, I’ve been frank with you. Whar ei “T’m with you. My name as PP remnant ae wt benedeni tps ioe ae ¢ = a om Fillmore’s cheeks blazed, and a strange look filled his eyes. | ! “Tt’s even worse than yours,” he answered. “Merti- 3 well married the only girl I ever loved.” CHAPTER III. CONFIDENCES EXCHANGED. Dalton whistled softly. fi “Oh, a shattered romance on your part,” he said. “And nearly a tragedy,” muttered Fillmore, thine.” strange, wild light still blazing in his eyes. “Some men are weak enough to go plumb dotty over women. I suppose I may as well confess that I’m one of ‘that’ | kind. I don’t mean that I get struck with every pretty woman I see. In fact, it’s a rare case that I’m — particularly attracted by one of the opposite sex. -Be-, fore meeting Inza Burrage, who is now Mrs. Merri- well, I had a fancy that I was invulnerable. It was my i pleasure to flit from flower to flower, figuratively speaking, taking a sip of honey here and a sip there. But when I met Inza Burrage—the first: time I saw her—I knew it was all off with me. T did’ t get her, ees I did my level best. I’ve SHOER to get even | “No woman ote, into oy Chae said Dalton, TIP TOP have but one desire, and that is to stand once more face to face with Merriwell where no man can inter~- fere between us and to fight him for his life and mine as we fought before. There’s plenty of time for that. oe Vm in no hurry. I can wait.” | “Well, I’m a bit impatient, ” confessed Fillmore. ‘“He’s been enjoying life and the sweetness thereof, while I’ve been suffering like a dog. I want to see him suffer. If I had the power to strike him dead 3 this instant, I wouldn't do it. It would be too easy for bes tae him. I want him to know something of the mental | anguish I’ve endured. J want to reach him through } those who are nearest and dearest to him—his brother, : for instarice. They tell me he’s intensely proud of his brother. They tell me he’s unspeakably fond of | young Merriwell. I’ve fancied that some day [Il find . |» a way to wring Frank Merriwell’s heart through his e*<: Brother.” 1 Dalton smiled. Av 4 f e AD 5" . a eck Stam ne. “Tsn’t it a singular thing that we two, who hate this man so much, should meet like this and become confidential! It seems almost preposterous that such a thing could take place. If any one had told me I’d _ confide in a stranger as I’ve confieded in you, I should have thought him foolish. Where are you stopping in town?” “At the Hotel Imperial.” “Indeed? So am I.” _ “That is odd, Fillmore. there?” “Only one day.” ; _ “T’'ve been there three days. These fellows in front of us are stopping at the same hotel.” How long have you been “They're a sickening lot,” observed Dalton, with a slight grimace of contempt. “But they seem to detest Merriwell as much as we an 9 _ yet fears to touch him. Those fellows hold Merri- _ well in absolute awe. I wonder where Merriwell and _ his crowd are putting up?” Fillmore shook his head. ‘ of these chaps may. We'll ask them.” | ‘3 in themselves that they failed to hear any of the con- _ more totiched Tilton Hull on the shoulder, saying: 1 beg ae Ee well! a or he : a LAN j WEEKLY. 7 s “T have no use for any man itis debuts another — more feeling daintily to make sure that his bang was” “I can’t answer that, but it is possible that some The Chickering set had been so completely eS versation between the two men behind them. Fill- . » York? questioned Ives, as the home Rea! took You sah to ) know Merri- Hull was compelled to stretch his neck and turn his body stiffly in order to glance around. “TI do,” he growled. “‘What of it?” “Why, nothing in particular,” answered Fillmore, as pleasantly as possible. ‘“We’re a bit interested in Mr. Mertfiwell, and we’re wondering where he’s stop- ping in the city.” “T reckon you'll find him and his gang down to the Breslin,’ answered Hull. “Interested in them, are you? I suppose you have an idea they’re going to put up a game of real baseball this afternoon.” aig “T don’t know about that,” laughed Fillmore; “but i I do know that Merriwell has a record for delivering the goods.” oa ‘Look here,” Tilton challenged, “I’ll bet you fifty — dollars, even money, that New York wins.” : ‘You must be looking for a snap!” “Do you take my bet?” : “Oh, no. I’m not a betting man. Even if I were, | I don’t think I could go you to-day. Any man with good judgment can see that Merriwell has brought onto this field a lot of youngsters who are bound to” be outclassed.” | Hull mumbled.a few words of disappointment and straightened round in his seat. nS “I’m surprised at you, Tilton,” murmured Chick- ering. “I thought you didn’t have any money.” “Oh, that’s all right,” grinned Hull. “TI knew ~ you'd back me up in such a bet as that. I[ thought that fellow might be friendly toward Merriwell, or one of his. fool admirers, at so and it seemed a chance to make fifty with ease.’ ae “That’th wight, Tilton,” lisped Veasie. evn thowed your thporting. blood, old fellow. By Jove! you're the weal thing. ° He’ th the weal thing ithn’t he, Ollie?” | | “That's w fiat he is, Chuminy,” smiled er giving 3 Veasie a sidelong glance of fondness. observed Ives, onc “The game is about to begin,” properly arranged. “Now we'll have the satisfaction of seeing the Meg swells buried.” CHAPTER IV. ONE PITCHER GETS HIS. “Who's that fellow, that’s going to pitch for Ne field. ‘ ae qT know him,” asserted Hull. 6 Curran, of Manhattan College: Wonder how it hap- pens they’re using him to-day.” “I fancy they have some pity for those striplings,” murmured Chickering. ‘“‘They’re trying to give the poor boys a chance. They don’t want to make the game too ludicrous.”’ Hull laughed hoarsely. “They'll have a great chance against Curran!” he sneered. “Why, don’t you fellows know what he did last spring? He was the champion pitcher for his college. Chicago wanted him. Boston tried to get him, too. He went onto some independent team up in Vermont. Declined to play big league baseball this year. Said he’d like a little more experience. That shows he has a level head. I fancy New York has him nailed for next season. “Mark my word, Merri- -well’s crowd we be lucky if they get a hit off him in this game.’ “I’m glad to hear you thay that,” “Who’th thith firtht batter, Tilton? ever thaw him before.” “He’s some chap from Frank Merriwell’s new school. I wonder how much money Merriwell paid the newspapers to crack that school up.” The first batter was little Bob Bubbs. He jogged out to the plate in a brisk manner, settled himself for business and cracked the first ball handed up by Cur- ran. It was a stinging single and brought a shout of surprise from the bleachers. -“That’s bumping ’em some, old cayuse!” shouted -Buckhart, as he pranced onto the coaching line. _“That’s the way to start a game!” -“Gwathuth thakes alive!” half-sobbed Veasie. “Did you thee that, felloth? Why, he jutht thmathed the firtht ball pitched. ‘Ith that your wonderful Man- hattan College pitcher, ‘Tilton, old chap ?” Hull scowled. “Curran made a mistake, I fancy,” he simtieredk Still, it aay be he gave the first batter'an easy one on purpose.’ “That must be it,” nodded Ives. “You know Grif- : ford was very much disgusted with Merriwell’s silli- : néss i in putting such a team onto the field. It’s prob- able he’s told Curran to be easy with those chaps.” simpered Veasie. Don’t think I “Well, let’s see what this person will do,” mur- _batter’s box. — Like Bubbs, Bradley seal after the first ball all e did not swing at it, however. Instead of that, he bunted skilfully, giving Bob a chance to reach sec- ond. Billy was thrown out at first. War FOP “WERERILY, mured Chickering, as hia! Eee walked into the “That’s playing the game!” cried a clear-voiced Columbia College chap. “Look out, Grifford; you may have your troubles!” “Thay, I know thith fellow,” declared Veasie, as Chester Arlington advanced with his slugger. “How ith it that he’th playing with Dick Merriwell’th cwowd? I with thomebody would tell me that.” Tilton Hull tried to shake his head and nearly cut his throat with the edge of his high collar. “Tt’s the same old story,” he declared. 33 “That fel- low hated Dick Merriwell worse than the devil hates holy water, but now he is playing baseball on Merri- well’s team. It beats blazes glee these Merriwells make friends out of their enemies.’ “I haven’t seen them trying to make friends out of us,” observed Chickering. “Well, don’t ery over it—don’t cry!” snarled Hull. “Who'd be friends with them anyway? Tas sure I wouldn’t.” Curran was cautious now. The first two balls de- livered to Arlington were intended to deceive, but Chester declined to reach for either of them. Seeing this, the Manhattan twirler bent one over the inside corner. . Arlington fouled it. “Foul—one strike!” barked the umpire. _ Immediately following this, Chester was deceived by a sharp drop. “Two strikes!” Ollie Lork chuckled. “He'll be easy, Chummy.” “Oh, yeth, he’th a mark,” grinned Veasie. “TI don’t thee what the Merriwellth can want of him. He never did much of anything againtht them.” Although two strikes had been called, Arlington ee cool and ieee _ Curran sought to “pull” him on a wide out-drop. “Ball three!” said the umpire. “You've sure got him guessing, Buckhart. ‘‘Get a lead, Bubbs! sock some! You'll jog home directly.” _ “T with I thought it!” sneered Veasie. I'd be willing to bet ten thenth that he never geth wound to third.” | aN A moment: later Lew seemed to have an attack of ¢ Arlington!” er io heart failure, for Chester Arlington met the next pitched ball and. laced it into right field, placing jE safely, xy Bubbs went flying over third and cut toward the iN plate. New York’ S right- fielder secured the ball and lined Move off that has- “Weally Meee Se oie re ating ile 5 Re eRe ir meres Hull. “safety. : | “Awful! awful Y eoliinea, tea his face the color ; ee sane. ae out? It th aries naa oe PLP 2k)P it to the second baseman, who whirled and whipped it home. Bubbs slid safely. Arlington had been watching for he stretched himself for second. “Slide!” roared the Texan, as the catcher returned the ball to the second-baseman. Chester slid, spikes first. The baseman secured the ball and tagged him, but one of Chester’s feet was against the sack, and the umpire pronounced him safe. “Rah! rah! rah!” barked the Columbia College group. “Thay, that maketh me thick!’ snapped Veasie fiercely. “Ith that your great pitcher, Tilton? Caethar’th ghotht!: he ith no good!” ! “I can’t understand it,” confessed Hull, with an expression of angry disappointment like a hungry dog that has been robbed of a bone. “Curran’s got to do better than this.” “I should say so!’ palpitated Ives. “You don’t suppose Grifford is deliberately giving Merriwell’s crowd a few runs, do you, fellows?” in- quired Chickering. “It must be that war There’s no other explanation of it.” the throw, and “Well, somebody ought to call him down!” rasped ll. “We didn’t.come here to see that kind of base- ball. If he thinks he’s pleasing the crowd by it, he’s liable to realize his mistake.” Hiram Bemis, wearing a faint comical smile, walked into the batter’s box. “You've treated them other fellers purty good,” he ened to the pitcher. by me.” The first three balls pitched by Curfan to Bemis were wide, and Hiram ey, refused to reach _ for any of them. Following this, the tall boy stood, bat on shoulder, i and saw two straight ones cut the plate in halves. The Manhattan College twirler bent the next one over a corner. _ Bemis found it and sent a Sogrebiny grounder past _ Curran. a | The second buakeah got his hand on the ball but _ it twisted out of his fingers. . Arlington took mimi, and Bemis arsived at first in of his shirt. “I can’t stand this.” “This must be Curran’s bad day,” said Eat 4" _ “T thould thay tho!” sneered Veasie. “Why don’t WEEKLY. 7 3 pleasure. “See if you can do as well the South Laferve had been reckoned as a wond Julian Ives. . Chip Jolliby was the next man at bat. He let the first ball go by, giving Bemis an opportunity to try for second. Hiram raced down the line. The catchér lined the ball to the bag. Arlington leaped away from third. Bemis stopped, caught between the sacks. Immediately several players got onto the line to run the tall lad down. At the same time Arlington was being watched as he edged toward the home plate. It was the belief of the New Yorkers that they could catch him with ease when he finally made a determined dash for the plate, | They miscalculated Arlington’s speed, however, for when he did go after that score, he covered ground in a most amazing manner. 3 /The ball whistled to the catcher. Chet slid, and the umpire declared him safe on a close play. “Ho! ho! ho!” laughed Hi Bemis, as he danced up and down on second. “Never Breed the ae landers would be fooled by that one.’ Park Grifford, who had been sitting on the bench, rose to his feet, wearing a sad expression of dis- & He heard the great crowd laughing and — cheering, and the sound was anything but agreeable — to his ears. At last he realized it would not. do for his team to take such chances with these “kids.” — Stepping forward a few feet, he stood with his left hand on his hip, a bat held cane-wise with his right. It was one of his well-known postures of disapproval, and told his players as plainly as words shat ai would have to brace up at once. ‘It is possible Curran became a trifle rattled over what had happened, for he pitched a beauty to Jolliby, who smashed it into left field for two sacks,’ sending Bemis over the pan. Immediately Grifford made a gesture that was uh derstood by the disgusted paca who walked out of the box, muttering to himself. | Pe a “Now you've come to your senses!” Sinabied Tilton Hull. “Everybody’s getting disgusted over this busi- ness. Put a good man in there.” Grifford. chose a pitcher by the name of Lafery. a recent acquisition from the Southern League. I believed to be any the equal of the peat, Mathew son. “Now I ‘hope we see something cifferent ” sai TiP TOP “I hope tho mythelf,” nodded Lew Veasie. “Don’t you hope tho, Ollie?” “Indeed, I do, Chummy.” “Keep her going, Flint, old man,” urged Buckhart, as Dave Flint walked out to the plate. Dave succeeded in hitting the ball, but he put up an easy fly to third and was out. Big. Bob Singleton fanned twice, but found the ball next time and drove a fly in deep center. After a hard run the fielder pulled it down, and Frank’s “kids” were retired. But they had batted one pitcher out of the box and secured three runs, which was an excellent start. —e CHAPTER V. AN EYE-OPENER FOR THE HIGHLANDERS. “Good gwathuth!” breathed Veasie. “I’m dwead- fully disappointed.” “What's the matter, dear boy?” solicitously. | “Don’t you thee—don’t you thee Dick Merriwell ithn’t going to pitch? They’ve thent that other fellow onto the thlab. I wonder who he ith?”. inquired Lord pose,” sneered Hull. “I don’t believe he’s any good.” “Now, now,” remonstrated Chickering, “you shouldn’t judge-in advance. It isn’t right, my boy. You should wait and see what the poor chap can do. -He’s rather a decent-looking fellow. I’m sorry for him.” : _ “Sorry?” sneefed Ives. “I’d like to know why.” _ “I’m sorry he’s fallen into such company. It’s very unfortunate for a young chap of that sort. The rest of you fellows don’t seem to have any genuine sym~ pathy for any one. Now, I’m not like that. At times ‘I’ve actually sympathized with Merriwell himself. I ccouldn’t help it. When I saw him all puffed up with conceit, I told myself it was too bad. A fellow with his attainments might be all right, and it’s painful to ‘see one degenerate into a snob. Now, Merriwell is absolutely snobbish. Why, I don’t suppose he would speak to me if he met me on the street.” “Would you speak to him?” rasped Hull. “Oh, if he were polite artd respectful I might con- descend. e -£Well, you ’d make a fool of yourself! !_ Who’s that : Beart fellow behind the bat? Looks like an In- ian’ : : “Another of herria s finds,” eee goes ne York’s first batter.” Sucked ee: WEEKLY. | every fellow of them knew it. _ “Oh, another of Frank Merriwell’s phenoms, I.sup- Dale Sparkfair, toeing the slab for the Merries, felt his nerves tingling all over his body. No wonder, for the situation was one to thrill any lad of Dale’s years. Here he was pitching against this great team which had fought tooth and nail for the championship —and he a mere boy whose baseball experience had been hitherto confined to the country and rounded out mainly by his-work in the Blue Hills League. “So help me,” thought Dale, “I’m going to have an attack of the Willies!’ I’ve got stage fright, and by jingoes, I’ve got it bad! My knees threaten to wilt. will knock every tooth out of my head.” At this point the umpire announced: “Battery for ne Merries, foot.” Sparkfair and Crow- To the Columbia College chaps those two boys were — total strangers. The collegians had waited for this announcement in order to learn the names of the boy on the rubber and his supporter behind the pan. As soon as the umpire’s announcement was heard, the captain of the cheerers passed Sparkfair’s name along | to his comrades. They repeated it to each other until Then the captain lifted his arms. There was a hush. Suddenly those uplifted arms descended with a sharp movement, following which they beat time as the college boys barked: “Rah! rah, rah! Rah, rah, rah! Sparkfair! Spark- fair! Sparkfair!” The strange tingling of Dale’s nerves seemed to ‘concentrate beneath his cap, ‘and the sensation was that — His face ~ of a million thrills at the roots of his hair. had been pale, but a sudden flush of color suffused it. Glancing toward Crowfoot, he saw the black eyes of the Indian lad gleaming between the wires of the catching-mask. He was positive the young Indian — smiled. If this were true, it was a token of Joe’s first real pleasure since arriving in New York. The wonderful sky-scraping teepees of the pale- faces had appalled and frightened the young Indian. | Even though Joe had been told about them by his com- -rades, his imagination had failed to picture such lofty — structures and such an immense collection of them. When he walked up the streets his soul had been pos-~ sessed by a great fear that those massive walls would | fall upon and crush him. The rush of human life in those cafionlike streets had added to his bewilder- ment and dismay. Crushes of cars, teams, trucks, If I don’t take care, the quivering of my jaws. ayant ay : ae I alee ae atc Site teadenis h _ all through his blood. ap Jee q . ee a Fy ge 7 tone. “You know where. ‘do it.” Indeed, one might have fancied he had not seen it cabs, and automobiles had left him speechless, for his emotions were such as no words could depict. When questioned concerning his impressions, he simply shook his head and remained silent. At night the wonderful glow of lights along Broadway, from Long Acre Square to Twenty-third Street, making that strip brighter than mid-day, had again hypno- tized him-into silence. The hotel lobbies, the restau- rants, the theaters, the crowds seeking refreshment and pleasure, were sights which cast an enchanted spell upon him. He was intensely fascinated by it, yet he longed to take flight—to escape from this swarm of human -beings and get away, away to the open prairies, where a man could fill his lungs and had room to turn about without knocking his elbows against another man. But in Young Joe the baseball germ had developed and taken possession of him, as it develops and pos- sesses every boy, once thoroughly innoculated. It was And now, as he poised himself behind the plate, he felt it leaping for joy in every vein. That electrifying cheer from the college men made it leap even more madly. Yet, with the exception of his gleaming eyes and the passing of that faint smile across his face, Crow- foot was like a man of stone. There was nothing about him to indicate that a nerve quivered. He was the personification of calmness and self-poise. ing, he lifted his huge mitt and bare .hand, placing them each side of his face, and gave a signal with his mouth. “All right, Spark,” he said, in a quiet, soothing You know how. You These words indicated absolute confidence in Dale, and the young pitcher felt his agitation leaving him in a moment. The first batter to face Sparkfair had a reputation for opening nearly every game with a safe bingle. He was also one of the cleverest and most level-headed base runners in theeAmerican: Of- ten it seemed that he was reckless on the sacks, but careful judgment of his work invariably revealed that his recklessness was simply discernment of the right instant to move and unfaltering action when that in- stant came. . Sparkfair put over a high one, and the ball simply . scorched the air. “Ha!” cried a hundred persons, _ This lad had speed. | ; The batter seemed totally disinterested i in that ball. TIP TOP WEEKLY. 9 Stoop-. close. . pass. He made no movement of his bat and betrayed no anxiety whatever. “Ba-a-a-a-a-ll!” bellowed the umpire. Crowfoot returned the Spalding. Dale’s next one was an in shoot that missed the corner of the plate. “Another!” said the umpire. “Hit it, Mat—hit it!’ urged some one on the bleach- ers. “You like the hot ones.” As if willing to comply with this request, the batter met the next ball and drove it out for a safety. With one accord, the Chickering crowd bellowed. “That maketh me feel better, fellowth!’’ chuckled Veasie. “I gueth they’re going to potind thith Thparkfair’th head off. He won’t latht no time at le, “Oh, do be grammatical, Chummy!” implored Lord. “T never heard you make such a dreadful break be- fore.” The laughter of Tilton Hull sounded like the croak- ing of a raven. “IT see how it is,” he declared. “Grifford was will- ing to let the poor fellows have two or three runs, even though he. sacrificed Curran to appease the crowd. Under the circumstances, it wouldn’t do for the home team to shut those striplings out. And whatever the result may be now, it will be better for the spectators to think the kids pounded one pitcher . out of the box.” Bee “T’m really sorry fot this poor chump, Sparkfair,” said Chickering, as he lighted a cigarette and settled himself in a comfortable position. “I’m afraid he’s going to be a sacrifice to the vanity of the Merri- — wells,” San “In what way?” questioned Ives. figure that out, Rupert?” “Why, they’ve put him in, knowing he’ll be sent to the stable. That will give Dick Merriwell a chance to canter onto the field and show off as a great man to stop a batting streak.” @ | “Ho! ho! ho!” mocked Hull. “What if he can’t: stop the streak? What if\it keeps right on when he goes in? You may be right in thinking that is Frank Merriwell’s plan, but I’m willing to bet a few oe. that his plan goes crooked.” ok “How do you — “Watch Mat purloin second,” invited Ives. go down on the first ball pitched.” The runner took a lead off first and was ati back three times by Sparkfair’s throwing. It was evident that he was testing Dale’s ability to hold him If so, he found that the boy was “onto ime “H e'll 10 | TIP ‘TOP job.” Nevertheless, runner made for second, left Dale’s fingers. “T knew it! I knew it!” got that sack by a mile!” But the young idea of putting it into Crowfoot’s manner that the Indian boy would be in perfect throw- ing condition. This was accomplished, and Joe, with- - out moving out of his tracks, snapped the Spalding to Arlington with a short-arm throw that lost not a _ jiffy of time. One surprising thing, considering Joe’s delivery, was the speed he succeeded in putting into the ball. ‘On a dead line the sphere whistled past Sparkfair and straight into the hands of Arlington, who stood in perfect position to tag the runner. Chet when Sparkfair pitched, - the taking a start ere the ball chuckled Ives. . “Why, he’s pitcher had delivered a ball with the hands in such a on the Highlander as the latter was reaching for the hassock. _ The umpire had raced down toward that sack, and ‘he made a sharp decisive sweep of his arm, which in- dicated that the runner was out and should retire from the diamond. If he announced the put-out in any other manner, his words were drowned by the great aman in a hundred was there who had not fancied the toward it. voice, who literally bellowed: “Well, well, well! That’s throwing some! That’s a scalp for the redskin!”’ ~ _ The Columbia lads broke loose again, Their cap- tain waved his arms and across the field rang their cheer: oie: ra “Rah, rah, rah! Rah, rah, rah! ) Crowfoot ! Crowfoot! Crowfoot!” Rupert Chickering was sitting up straight as a et his eyes almost bulging from his head and Rah, rah, rah! din: ‘Atter : a time he swallowed with a dry sound. in oe goes and huskily observed : sieht like that, me “He was safe,” snarled Hull. “That umpire is ‘fotten, see rottenest ! ‘T never did take any stock bas : on the ee ee cried: received it within two feet of. the ground and had it. _ shout of surprise that burst from the crowd. ‘Not - - base safely stolen when they saw the runner speeding | Up in the grand stand rose a man with a stentorian | WEEKLY. \ “Still I don’t know as I regret it very much. It simply shows Grifford what ee got to do. He'll ee his team play ball now. ale Sparkfair regarded Crowfoot with mock sad- ness. “Too bad—too bad, Chief,’”’ he said. of yours is on the bum. “I know, Spark,’ answered the Indian boy, in an apologetic manner. “All same, I do my best. Mebbe I throw all right ’fore game is over.” “That wing You can’t throw a little bit.” These words were heard by those nearest to the grand stand, and there was a ripple of laughter. “It grieves me to hear them laughing at you, Chief- tain,’ said Dale. “Do brace up a little, my. scalp- lifting pard.” “You pitch good enough, so mebbe I don’t have to throw much,” suggested Joe. On the bench the New York players exchanged glances, and one of them observed: “Well, by George! the kids are stringing us. What do you think of that?” “They’re a fresh bunch!” growled Laferve. “We'll have to take the conceit out of them. baseball now.” Every one play The next batter landed on the first ball delivered by Sparkfair. It was a savage drive along the ground just inside the first base-line. Billy Bradley had barely time to lunge at the ball, but he reached it with his bare hand and forked it beautifully. Recovering himself, he sent it across the diamond in his finest manner, and it spanked into Singleton’s mitt with the batter a full rod away from _ the sack. Another great shout rose from the spectators. Their derision for these youngsters was rapidly turning to admiration. / “They can’t keep it up—they can’t keep it up!” rasped Tilton Hull. “A lot of young squirts like that -can’t hold the Highlanders down.” “Oh,” murmured Chickering, “of course they'll go to pieces. sometime during the .game. pei Aan, 8 “By gwathuth, w upert,” cried Veasie, ny never did 1?) understand you and I never will!” “Oh, he’s a bluffer,” said Hull, pulling down his. collar and rubbing at a chafed spot under his chin. , He doesn’t mean what he says, and you i to j know it by this time, Lew.” | As the third batter stepped out from the bench, a We all ‘expect; “7a that. I’m at to see them start off in this man- ar A 3 Penne tet TIP. FOP “Come on, Anderson, it’s up to you! You know what you can do!” “Here’s Anderson, New York’s crack batter,” said i Ives. “He's driven in more runs this season than any | other man on the team. They say he can get a hit any time he wants it.” “But you know there’s no player who can do that,” [ said Chickering. “Anderson is a marvelous batter, to be sure, and the chances are a hundred to one that he’ll lace the ball now. Still, no hitter is absolutely oe certain to get in a bingle when he wants it.” h Anderson seemed to fancy the first ball passed up to him by Sparkfair. Nevertheless, he merely fouled it. oe ; “Foul—strike one!’ came from the umpire. “That’s a piece of it, Andy!” shrieked the boy on the bleachers. “Take a good bite next time.” Dale tried a high whistler, but it was a ball. A sharp in shoot followed, and another ball was called. Anderson let the next one pass. It curved ‘beyond the outside corner, and Sparkfair fs found himself facing the necessity: of putting the fol- | _._ lowing two over. ie Something told the young pitcher from Farnham Hall that Anderson would not wait in case he received a straight one. For this reason Dale used a bender and curved the ball onto: the inside corner. 39 . vom = 4 henson r= es pi esac » Again Anderson fouled, and the second strike was called on him. . “Him good batter, Spark,” _ careful. said Joe. “You be Mebbe you better let him walk some.” “Don’t make me nervous, Chief,” implored Dale. “Perhaps we'd better let him hit. We’re not playing this game all alone. There are others.” - Crowfoot gave a signal, and Sparkfair followed with a sharp delivery. It looked like a swift one across Anderson’s shoulders. As it came up to the plate, however, the ball took a marvelous drop, and_ the great batter of the New Yorks missed it by moree than six inches. “You're out!” cried the umpire, as the Spalding was smothered in Crowfoot’s mitt. CHAPTER V1. A SIZZLING GAME. eae seus ‘that the entire crowd of spectators was 3 standing and roaring “pee as the kids trotted in from the field. ! In the — row of the grand stand, however, five oD WEEKLY. rm fellows remained seated. Of course, they composed ‘the Chickering crowd. “Thay, Wupert,” gasped Veasie, “you don’t thup- pothe we’re going to thee the thame old luck repeated by Frank Merriwell’th crowd, do you? You don’t thuppothe thothe felloth can win thith game, do you, Wupert ?” “It’s too much to hope for,” ing. “Vah!” snarled Hull. “Too much to hope for? There’s no one here hoping for anything of that sort!” “Don’t get agitated, Chummy dear,’ implored Lord, as he patted Lew tenderly on the cheek. “This is only the beginning, you know. There are eight innings more. Don’t forget that, old chappy.” | “Goodneth knoth thith inning hath been a dweadful stwain on me,” said Lew. “The next one will be different, I am sure,” mured Lord. _ At the bench Frank Merriwell was congratulating Crowfoot and Sparkfair. | “Beautiful work, bays .: guessing now all right.” Grifford spoke to Laferve as the latter started for the pitcher’s box. a “No monkeying now,” he said grimly. “I’ve al- | ways heard that these Merriwells play in luck. Just hold them down, and shies bat the cover off the ball — before the game is over.’ es Laferve nodded, pulled up his belt, and sauntered. forth. ; It was Crowfoot’s turn to face the Highland shee Joe found his pet bat and lost no time in taking his place at the plate. Laferve limbered his arm by throwing three balls to first. By that time the locals were on the field and ready for business. ty Young Joe hit at the pitcher’s first shoot and missed it. The next one was a trifle wide, but Crow foot went after it and fouled. 3 answered Chicker- mur-~ he said. ‘“You’ve got them Some one started a war-whoop on the benches. It was taken up by a number of persons, and many fan- cied it would rattle the youth. Nevertheless, Joe stood waiting while Laferve tried to “pull” him with two benders. : : “That’s the eye, Joseph!” cried Buckhart, from the coaching line. “Make ’em be a whole lot good.” »_ Laferve followed with a corner-cutter. es Crowfoot smashed the ball onto the ground, ‘ahd the short-stop smothered it by sharp work. Although he threw to first without delay, hundreds of witness held their breath, for the Indian lad had dashed down the line at such speed that is seemed possible he would reach the sack. He was making the final leap when the ball spanked into the baseman’s hands, “Out!” shouted the umpire, “Close! close!’’, came from Buckhart. them go some, Joseph.”’ Sparkfair was given a hand as he advanced to the plate. “Git a hit, Dale,” implored Obediah Tubbs, “and V'll reward ye with the best pie I can buy in New York,” After letting two pass, Sparkfair lifted a high foul and shook his head sorrow fully when it was caught by the third baseman. . “J told you this would be different, Chummy,” laughed Ollie Lord. “Thtill,” murmured Veasie, “I haven’t theen any- body strike out.” . Veasie’s desire to see somebody strike put was quickly gratified, for Bob Bubbs proved to be a victim. Laferve seemed to have the little chap sized up. Bob failed to touch the ball in three desperate attempts to do so, “That’s something like it!’ rumbled Tilton Hull, “Now we're getting the real thing. Those fellows have got onto themselves, and you'll see them go after ‘Sparkfair,” “I hope so,”’ riodded Ives. - Imagine the dismay of these chaps as Spark struck out the first batter who faced him and repeated the performance with the next man. The Columbia College lads began singing one of heir war songs, introducing Sparkfair’s name in a ‘clever manner. It seemed that Dale had the next hitter on the string, for two strikes were quickly declared. The expression on Park Grifford’s face was a study. He could not repress the smile which had obliterated his usual look of sadness, | “Make it three—make it three, Sparkfair,” ‘plored a delighted spectator. -“What’s the matter with your team, Grifford?” “You made im- ) head.” (ealefnis was z anxious to “make it three.” Perhaps ee Tie TOP. WEEKLY, shouted another. Ne onae Pi couldn’t come in € was too anxious, for i in seeking to strike the batter t he ee a ball that was hit fails on the trade- “Wait, wait,’ urged Chickering. “The center- fielder is after it.” “But he'll never get within a mile of it,’ asserted Tilton. “He can’t possibly.” Hull cut himself short, for he saw Chip Jolliby cov- ering the ground with most amazing strides. An ordi- nary fielder would have missed that ball by thirty feet, and there seemed no possible chance for Jolliby to catch it. Nevertheless, Chip was straining every nerve as if his very life depended on the result. With a last magnificent forward leap he sent himself across the track of the Spalding and gathered it in, At this juncture many of the spectators realized that Sparkfair had trotted in from the box as soon as he saw the fly going toward center field. By the time the ball landed in Chip’s hands, Dale was two- thirds of the way to the bench. This denoted his ab- solute belief in the tall center-fielder’s ability to cap-. ture that fly. Jolliby received a great ovation, and he tipped his cap repeatedly in response to the cheer of the multi- tude. It is doubtful if any game ever played on that field had awakened such enthusiasm in its early stages. Bradley opened the third inning with a bunt, which was a surprise for the ee, and Billy reached first by a yard. Arlington followed by a beautiful sacrifice that landed the Cockney youth on second. On the codching line near third, Obediah Tubbs did a grotesque dance that produced a burst of laughter. “we're. “Dern our picters!” squealed the fat BoP, makin’ ’em go a 4ittle.” To the astonishment of many, Hi Bemis bunted toward third. To handle this ball the third-baseman was haikd | to leave his. position and come in swiftly. Bradley shot along the line from second, while “Bemis made for first with the speed of a scared — dog. It was a close play at the initial. sack, but fair- ie minded persons averred that the ball landed in the — baseman’s hands as the runner’s foot struck the has- sock. At any rate, the umpire declared him safe. | Once more Park Grifford posed with his left hand on his hip and a bat held cane-wise. ball delivered to Jolliby, The ball was lined down by the catcher, ‘His eyes were fixed Pes ; on Laferve in a manner that irritated the pitcher. ' oe Bemis unhesitatingly dashed for second on the first ca RE a ee pep Be Sneia 1 QP TIP \ Apparently Bradley started from third with the full intention of trying to score. . ‘Without seeking to tag Bemis, who had stopped, _ the baseman returned the ball to the plate. 3radley proved to be working a clever game, how- ever, for he stopped in his tracks and turned back with all possible haste. The catcher burned the ball to third, and it was clapped onto Billy. But the Cockney youth lay at full length, with his hand on the sack, and every one knew he was safe. “Ha! ha! ha!” laughed Obediah Tubbs. “We _ don’t play that the same way every time.” a a _ Laferve shrugged his shoulders and looked his dis- » gust at the work of his team-mates. If he uttered any words, they were drowned by the cheering of the spectators, “Boyth,” gasped Lew Veasie, “I’ve got to leave! I can’t thtand it! My goodneth thaketh alive! I do with I had a milk punch.” “Oh, keep still!’ rasped Hull, scored yet, have they ?” : “If this keeps up they’ll have all the scores. they want.” “They haven’t —_ ~ » __ Grifford seemed inclined to question the decision at be third, but the umpire waved him back. And now it was up to Jolliby, who took his cue ae from the bench. An instant later Chip indicated to 1. Bradley that he would attempt to hit the next ball into the diamond somewhere, and on this hit Billy was ex- I | pected to score, if possible. } This being the case, Bradley started on the jump for the plate as Laferve swung his hand for the delivery. Unfortunately Jolliby drove the ball straight at the ‘pitcher, who scooped it on the first bound and whipped it back to the plate. gave the pitcher time to shoot the Spalding to first before Jolliby could reach the sack, _ Up in the stand leaped the salir Chickering set with a shout of delight. $e “Thplendid ! thplendid! thplendid!’ squealed Lew ‘Veasie. “That’th what you call weal batheball!” _ “Great work! great wor——” Tilton Hull roared _ these words, but bumped his chin against his collar and caught his tongue between his teeth, ae shut _ him off with laughable abruptness. | Julian Ives smashed, Chickering between the should- _ Bradley was tagged as he slid, and this rapid work WEEKLY, 13 that again! back ?” Den’t you. remember I’ve got a weak “Don’t be tho dw eadfully wude, Iveth, old chappy,”’ urged Veasie. “You must wemember Wu pert hath a weak back.” And they wondered why every one in that vicinity seemed to be laughing at them. Grifford had a brief but vigorous talk with his players. He told them it was time for New York to get some runs and he expected them to do so without delay. These words seemed wasted, however, for again Sparkfair was in fine fettle and struck out two of the three men who faced him. The other batter was re- tired on an infield fly. Laferve returned the compliment, showing up in splendid form and permitting none of the “kids” to land on first in the fourth: | New York opened the fifth with a three-bagger and then failed to score, although the three men following hit the ball, into the diamond. Sparkfair’s support was of the most sensational order. In the final half of this inning there was thing doing” “‘some- once more. The Merries fell on Laferve in earnest, and bingle followed bingle with bewilder- ing succession, Almost before Grifford realized it, two runs had been driven across the plate, and, with only one man out, the youngsters had a runner on second and third. Then Laferve was sent to the bench. CHAPTER VIL. THE HEROES. Lew Veasie actually started to leave the grand stand, but was restrained by his companions. “T mutht go, boyth—I mutht go! "he pleaded. a thee you at the hotel.” “Aw, wait!” ordered Hull. “You stay here. This game’s not over. There’s lots of time.” “Don’t take it so hard, Lew,” pleaded Lord. “If they ever get to hitting,” said Hull, the kids go to pieces like a soap-bubble.” “But will they ever, ever get to hitting?” ques- tioned Veasie. | “Of course they will,” said Ives. his years playing major baseball.” “Who’s this pitcher Grifford is sending i in?” asked : Chickering. ya . 5 fe “you'll see “Sparkfair never can keep it up. Why, he’d be good enough for any — big league if he could, and you never saw a fellow of — thetic,” 14 ee Re “That’s Pillsbury, one of his regulars. They won’t do anything with Pill. Grifford should have put him in before.” » Pillsbury had a peculiar delivery that seemed to bother the Merries, for, in spite of the prospect of further scores, he mowed down the first two batters to face him-and checked the slaughter. But the youngsters had five tallies, while, up to the moment, New York had not crossed the rubber. With the advent of Pillsbury, however, the locals seemed to “hit their pace.” In their half of the in- ning they opened up handsomely, the first man secur- ing a two-bagger and the next hitter bringing him in with a single to right field. The Chickering crowd shrieked like mad over this. “Didn’t I tell you! didn’t I tell you!” roared Hull. “I knew how it would be! Now watch! You see what will happen now!” “Gwathuth! but I do hope they can keep it up,” lisped Veasie. It seemed that these two hits had disturbed the youngsters, for a moment later Bubbs let a hot one go through him, and another run came in. A drive to right field followed this. Dave Flint had to make a desperate run for the fly, and it bounded off his fingers as he leaped into the air to secure it. Then came a smash that sent two more runs over the plate, and New York was only one score behind the youngsters. At this point Frank Merriwell sent his brother into the box, while Buckhart took Crowfoot’s place behind the pan. “Te-he! te-he!” laughed V easie. ‘Good ewiathuth, ain’t I glad I thtayed! I gueth, by thmoke! thoth New Yorkerth have jutht been fooling all the time.” _ “That’s what they have, old Chummy,” chortled Lord. “When they got ready to hit they simply knocked the packing out of Sparkfair.” “The poor boy!’ said Chickering. ‘SW elled up over his success. now.’ “He was all How cheap he must feel “But here’s whete we get our satisfaction!” rasped — Hull excitedly. “Dick Merriwell goes in, and eae. Il pound him to death.” “I hope so! I hope so!” palpitated Ives. “Oh, you fellows are very unfeeling and unsympa- murmured Chickering. | “They can’t help pounding him,” asserted Hull. | ; “Sparkfair’s as good a pitcher as young Merriwell. ~ We've seen Merriwell work on his Fardale team.” “But he’s had lots of expsricbtc since then,” re WEEKLY. given Merriwell a chance to warm up a little.” ninded Rupert. “He’s been coached oF his brother since that time. He’s much older now.’ “Well, I hope you don’t think he can hold these professionals down!” sneered Tilton, giving Chick- ering a scornful glance. “Even you thought Sparkfair v them down,” reminded Chick. “T didn’t see through Grifford’s game,” confessed Tilton. “He’s a clever one.” { “He certainly is,” agreed Ives. “Why, he led those | chaps along in the slickest manner imaginable. He pretended he was worried over the way the game was going. I don’t beileve he gvas worried at all, do you, Tilt ?” 3 “Of course not,” laughed Hull. “He’s been hold- ing the crowd. He was disgusted at the outset when Merriwell put such a team onto the field. He saw the only way to satisfy this crowd was to make it seem — as if the kids were really giving the locals a hot go.” “I hope he doethn’t dally along any more,” said Veasie. “It’th beén vewy dithtrething for me.” “You bet your life there won’t be any dallying : now,’ nodded Ives, moving his head with such vio- lence that his bang was slightly disarranged. “They’ve was going to hold Sei aaa ak i get Dick was pitching a few over the plate, the batter standing back and waiting with patience that seemed born of absolute confidence. . ! Young Merrriwell used his right hand, swinging his arm and feeling of his shoulder between times when he was not pitching. “What maketh him do that?” questioned Veasie. “T was just going to inquire myself, old chappy,” said Lord. | “He’s making a bluff that his shoulder is lame or stiff,’ explained Hull. “Evidently he expects to get his bumps, and he’s trying to deceive the spectators. | Wants them to think he is not in condition to pitch.” The New Yorkers waited until young Merriwell — indicated by sign that he was ready to begin. To the — surprise of Dick, the batter took a position at the plate to strike left-handed! Young Merriwell had — been watching every hitter and knew that this man — was a right-handed batter. For some reason he had — shifted over. G If the batter surprised Dick, the youthful pitcher — returned the compliment, for, without hesitation, he began pitching with his left hand. | The first ball had a nasty curving drop that brought it over the plate, although many fancied it — would hit the batter. The Highlander did not swing, 4 TIP -TOP Mtg it, but the umpire promptly called a strike. After pitching a high one, young Merriwell repeated that € twisting drop. The batter reached for it—and missed. - ——s “ T'wo strikes!” cried the umpire. ay The spectators waited in silence. d | ___A ssharp rise followed, but it was too high and ‘passed as a ball. dis The youthful pitcher seemed to hesitate before mak- ) ing the next delivery. Ce Ee Suddenly he burned one over. It seemed a straight a one, destined for the outside corner, but, as the batter s oe swung, it took a sharp in shoot, and the batter failed 1, ee #0 touch ‘it. “You're out!” roared the umpire. cae a _ At this the spectators gave a shout of satisfaction. nj Their sympathy for the youngsters had been fully e et aroused, and the sudden batting streak had filled them mn | with apprehension lest Merriwell’s team go wholly to 2 PE pieces. On the bench the confident New Yorkers faved » at their deceived comrade as. he came back from the g |. plate. me _ “Why don’t you bat in your proper position?” asked igs the next man as he passed. “See if you do any better,” was the retort. - After letting two pass, the batter smashed one on -d a line. 1 The ball epaaned into Dick’s bare ee and stuck Soe _ there. es rk Like a flash the boy wihignged the Spalding to the keg nearest base, catching the runner off and completing = _ a double-play that retired New York. — | . 3 4 - Over the field floated the cheer of the Columbia a ih College lads: et Rah, rah, rah! » Rah, rah, rah! Rah, rah, rah! gt Dick Merriwell! Dick Merriwell! Dick Merriwell!”. cee _ “What do you think of that, fellowth?’” questioned off: Lew Veasie. “Gwathuth thaketh! wathn’t that wather bak wemarkable ?” ae | “More of Grifford’s cleverness,” declared ‘Hull. “Mark what I ay, he'll fool Merriwell just the same Chickering. | “Yah! 48 es Tilton. “Let up on rip on make _ Behind these lads Fillmore and Dalton were iach Although the two Freds did not ynpathize with ‘Frank RS and his World- simple truth. -isfaction. “That'll be too bad for Mertiwell—too had ” said . Bees him to. second. WEEKLY. is Beaters, the antics and words of the Chickering crowd awakened their risibilities. “On my word,’ muttered the Westerner, “I feel like congratulating Merriwell on having such enemies as these.” “They’re a lot of sap-heads,” decided Fillmore. Pillsbury quickly disposed of the visitors in the first of the fifth. Young Merriwell returned the compliment in a manner that gave the crowd further satisfaction. From that time up to the ninth it was a pitchers’ battle, with the honors evenly divided. As the game drew toward its close the entire Chick- ering set fluttered with anxiety. Even Tilton Hull began to lose confidence and fear that the “kids” would win out. “Grifford is taking too many chances,’’ he mut- tered hoarsely. “It appears to me,” said Chickering, “that he is urging his men to do their best, and they are not quite able to fathom Dick Merriwell’s twists.” Whether Rupert believed this or not, it was the Dick was pitching a wonderfully brainy game. While sitting on the bench he had noted the peculiarities of every New York batter, and when his turn came to face them he seemed to know them all as well as if he had pitched against them an entire season. It was not long before the stiffness disap- peared from his shoulder, and he found himself in ‘such form that he was never-lacking for a moment in confidence. It seemed that he could place the ball within an inch of any spot desired. His control was as fine as that of any pitcher who had ever stood on that rubber slab. Behind the bat Brad Buckhart was fake with. sat- his heart Peon JeNOre at the nina mote of his para. 4" In the first of the ninth the youngsters made a Bae for a run, getting a man round to third with two out. The next batter smashed a liner into right field, but the fielder took it cleanly within a foot of the ground, — aind the boys did not score, — Then came the final half, in which it was ed tela | for New York to secure one run to tie or two to win. At this point the Highlanders seemed to fathom Merriwell’s curves. The fi rst batter lashed out a clean single, ‘and the man who followed him | sacri~ Although he appeared cool and collected, — he felt his blood throbbing warmly in his veins, and ar \ “first went to second. _ ing down, Buckhart made a bluff to do so and sent it to third. If he hoped to catch the runner there, Brad there was no shouting or cheering. Every one waited oi me Se thy se b ” curren all a ig EER eae te Taine scat * cated Aa 16 tabs FOL Anderson, the great of the High- landers, was up. The crowd grew breathless, for they recalled many times that “Old Andy” had driven in the needed runs under such circumstances. It is probable that two- thirds of the people watching that game were satis- fied that Anderson would turn the trick once more. Dick Merriwell knew his danger, and he worked with caution, although showing not the least sign of agitation, Even after he had secured two strikes on Anderson, the crowd continued to believe the batter would smash out a clean one. The young pitcher worked carefully, endeavoring to keep himself from getting into a hole. With two balls called, he resorted to his strike-out curve, that wonderful rise which seemed to turn into a drop. Anderson hit the ball. It was a weak grounder, but by great running he succeeded in turning it into “pinch hitter” , a scratch single. The man on second could not score on this hit, al- though he reached third: The Chickering crowd was simply agog with excitement. “Too bad—too bad he didn’t drive in that run!” breathed Rupert. Hull gave him a jab in the ribs. ‘“What’s the matter with you?” he demanded. “TI thought you were all sympathy for the Merriwells.” “TI think they've done very well, indeed,” retorted Chickering. “Although I sympathize with them, I hardly wish them to win the game.” “They won’t win it. Don’t fret about that,” as- sured Tilton. “My! but that man Grifford is clever. Can’t you see how slick he’s worked this thing? He’s taken chances, to be sure, but he’s just let it slip along until the last inning, and now he’s going to win, out. The crowd will be perfectly satisfied when it _ leaves the field. There'll be no kicking. ie “You don’t thuppose he’ll make a thlip-up now, do you?” questioned Veasie. “Not on your life. They have two men on the bases and sips one out. Just see how easy it is for them to score.” On the next ball pitched by Dick, the runner on Instead of whipping the Spald- failed, for the man was-too clever to be tricked. “Tt’s all over,” asserted Hull. “You'll see two runs come in right away.” Although the excitement of the crowd was intense, WEEKLY. _ stop, Chet threw with an under-hand motion to Bubbs, ‘ team. breathlessly for what was to take place. They real- ized that Dick Merriwell was in a distressingly bad | hole. A safety would send one run home beyond | question, and the two chances were more than even | that it would drive in two runs and settle the game in favor of the Highlanders. : Young Merriwell glanced around and saw that his supporters were all in position, waiting like panthers, ready to leap the moment bat and ball met. A moment later an electrifying thing happened, for the batter smashed a furious one along the ground. It seems that Chester Arlington leaped the instant that hit was made. Out shot his right hand, and once, . more he forked the ball in a sensational manner. Al- though he was bending far forward and could not . who had promptly covered second. e The base-runner lunged back as if his life depended on the result, but he was a bit too late. It wasaclean | double-play, and ended the game, with the youthful : World-Beaterrs one run in the lead. . The Chickering crowd left that field like five chaps i who had attended the funeral of their dearest friend on éarth. Ollie Lord supported and sought to com- fort Lew Veasie, who seemed ready to shed tears. Tilton Hull muttered and swore under his breath. Julian Ives dragged his feet along as if they were — clods of wood. Even. Rupert appeared like one who had lost all interest in life. < Ere passing through the gate they looked back to ‘. see the field literally swarming with human beings, * ; and out there on the diamond were a hundred Colum- i os bia College men singing, and bearing on their should- ers the three heroes of the game, Merriwell, Spark- | ; fair, and Chester Arlington. 1 CHAPTER VIIT RIODEN AND THE EAST SIDE GANG. All the morning newspapers contained full reports of that game, which was universally pronounced the most remarkable ever played on the American League © grounds in New York. One or two writers claimed — that the Highlanders had lost through their mis-— judgment concerning the strength of Merriwell’s — It was generally asserted that had Grifford put Pillsbury into the box at first the result would have been different. Nevertheless, they were liberal in their praise of the youngsters whq had astonished fe , \ the baseball fans of Manhattan. Sparkfair was pro- d nounced a young wizard, but the keenest critics de- d ; cided that he was a degree beneath Merriwell, who - f had finished the magnificent struggle with Pillsbury e for his opponent and had come forth triumphant. is ae In commenting on Dick’s work, the American said: 5 * . fr. | “Young Merriwell enters Yale this fall, and Old Eli is to be congratulated. Frank Merriwell’s marvel- ous work on the diamond and gridiron is recalled with & / enthusiasm by every Yale man. It is a simple matter or to prophesy that the younger Merriwell will acquit ee ‘2 himself in such manner as shall add further athletic oe 1 glories to the university and to the name of Merri- | well. His career will be watched with the keenest ‘ interest by all college men.” d : On the afternoon of the day following the game, . 5 while Frank was attending to business affairs of im- Fe 1. portance, Brad and Dick started out by themselves to Ds | expiore the lower East Side of the city. Broadway, dk Fifth Avenue, Central Park and Wall Street had been n- E visited by all the boys, with Frank as guide. It was 3. a pleasure for Dick and Brad to get away by them- h. selves, and they made the most of the opportunity. oe The Bowery was followed from end to end. They trated still farther to the eastward and, out of curios- ity, lunched in a queer little Hungarian restaurant. - Down there in that quarter were strange, foreign- | looking people, who spoke in many tongues and re- _ garded the sight-seers with an air of suspicion and pens ‘streets. Dark doorways seemed suggestive of mingled Dirty children played and *brawled in the _wretchedness and mystery. _ As the boys ascended the restaurant steps their at- tention was attracted by a sudden fierce shouting of cs terrified manner before a mob of boys and youths, who we e armed with sticks and stones. | Great horn spoon!” exclaimed Buckhart. “Look ‘at that, pard!” PERS OS ice 4 “Come on!” cried Dick, as he leaped forward. The girl staggered and stumbled, Before she could rise, that mob gathered around her. She half-crawled, fP DOP WEEREY, visited one or two of the cheap shows, but finally pene-. many voices and they saw a young girl fleeing in a _ Pincher. There’s Muggsy Mike. There’s Ikie Rosen- feldt. And I could name a few more, if necessary, been away, but I’m back again, and I find the same and eee herselt toward a wall, ee which 1 she cowered, holding up her hands to protect her ~~ face and head from the threatened missiles. Without and Buckhart charged forward to break through the circle of young hesitation, Merriwell ruffians. Before they could do so, a young fellow sprang out from somewhere and placed himself in front of the cowering girl. Flinging up one hand, he cried out in a clear voice: “Stop! ?? stone! Let him who is without sin cast the first Both Dick and Brad paused in amazement, for they 7 recognized the features of that defender of the help- less. Apparently he was not over eighteen years of = age, with a thick neck and a square, bulldog jaw that With the exception of a rather remarkable plaid tie, he was wa made him look like a young prize-fighter. dre8sed in a manner that would not have caused com- ment on Upper Broadway or Fifth Avenue. Dick clutched Buckhart’s arm. “Rob Rioden, by all that’s marvelous!” he ect {?? “Sure as shooting, pard!” came from the Texan’s — lips. “Wait,” urged Dick, “et s see what he does. Let’s hear what he has to say.” The leader of the mob, a rather fierce-looking Ital- ian, promptly threatened the girl’s protector. ae _“What’s der matter with you?” he snarled. “What a are you butting i in fer? rei are yer ?””. “You ought to know me, Tony Amando,” answered — ; Rioden calmly. ‘I don’t suppose you’ ve forgotten the | time I put you down and out on Pier 23.” = Wat shouted the fellow called Amando, as»he “Dis can’t be Bob der peered still closer at Rioden. Slugger.” ES “That’s what the gang used to call me,” acknowl- “Yes. I’m Bob the Slugger. I know You belong to the South Street. : There’s Pete the edged Rioden. the most of you. gang. There’s Skinny French. There was a time when I ran with this crowd. I’ve old gang at work. Now, as ‘me, fellows, sd the girl done.” | i8 answered‘a young chap, “She She’s got’it wit’ her now. I “She pinched me sparkler,” who seemed dressed like an East Side sport. hooked it outer me tie. last week, when she give me der touch.” “Ts that all?” sneered Rioden, with a scornful smile. + “Well, I guess that’s ? enough!” was the hot retort. “And you called on the gang to help you run down this poor girl to recover your sparkler! That was a brave thing, Plunger! You ought to be proud of it!” “Dat’s all right. a I don’t want youse to tell me me _. business. | I didn’t know she’d touched me until she got Ee away. Den I asked der bunch to help me find her. She can run like blazes, and she raised der dust when we spotted her. have it.” > bg I want me sparkler, and I’m goiye to “What was it, a Barrios?” questioned Rioden de- risively. “No, it was der real t’ing.” “How much was it worth?” “A couple of hundred.” “And did it belong to you?” | “Dat’s what it, did.” Go on, Plunger! You never saw a couple of huh- dred in your life. / Back up, the whole of you! There oY’ pirl.” “Well, what do yer Pink of, dat?” hissed the chap ‘called Skinny. “Here’s der Slugger dat goes off and _ gits a whole bunch of style and comes back and tells us what we ain’t goin’ to do. Is dis gang goin’ to stand fer it? Come on, fellers, let’s climb all over ; him f is This appeared Sap eciely to arouse Rioden, who seemed suddenly to have forgotten his careful manner of talking, for he relapsed into the dialect of ae East 3 - Side streets. | : snarled, tearing off his coat. and flinging it onto the _ ground. “Just let Skinny and Tony sail in foist, and . den 1 foller. lem dubs as close as. yer ‘wanter. V'll bet pe life Vu put half of dis bunch ter sey F TIP TOP WEEKLY. was talkin’ wit’ her about her brother, who was pulled Pp ain’t nobody here that’s going to put a finger on the ~ “Come on, der whole rotten Pakel of yer!” he _-yer want ter see me, you can find me dere. For der — “that’s the Come, pard, we'll stand by “That’s Rioden!” palpitated Buckhart; Rioden we know, Dick! him as long as we have a hoof under us!” Flinging some of the surprised thugs aside, they lunged through the circle and hastily placed themselves | on either side of the defiant defender of the girl. — “We're with you, Rob, old man!” assured Merri- well. “You bet your boots we are!’ came from Buckhart. “You won’t have to stand against this bunch alone. Dick branded Maverick of the Pecos, am with him.” Merriwell, of Fardale, is here, and I, the Un- | Of course Rioden' was amazed by their’ appearance, =~ but he suppressed his surprise and surveyed the youth- -_ t ful thugs with eyes that gleamed triumphantly. ie “Say, you slobs,” he exclaimed, “if you want to git f- ; der finest trimmin’ yer ever struck, don’t be bashful be \?? ; HH about climbin’ right aboard us t’ree! “What do yer t’ink of dat, fellerrs?” snarled Skinny. ; “Dem is some of his fine friends he’s made since he =| gut too good fer der East Side.” | “T want me sparkler, and dat’s all!” frothed the Plunger. “What are yer goin’ ter do, Tony? Are yer goin’ ter let dem git dat skirt off? Are yer goin’ ter let ’em stand between us and dat gal?’ ag At this moment Rioden suddenly pointed out some- — i thing on the ground within two feet of the Plunger. a “What’s dat?” he cried. “What's dat piece of paste down dere? Is dat your fine sparkler, Plunger? Looks to me like you must jest dropped Fees The Plunger hastily picked up the object, siebstel proved to be a scarf-pin set with a clever imitation _ diamond. , : reget as | “Dat’s it,” he confessed ; “but I didn’t drop it dere. I guess der gal must have tried to get rid of it her self. She dropped it when she fell down.” s | “You can’t prove it, Plunger,” retorted Rioden. ce “You've got your sparkler all right. Now take me | advice and chase yourself. Take der gang wit’ yer. Ht “Fellers,’ ’ said Rob, “I’ ve been pals wit’ der bunch | of yer. Yer all know me. I’m stoppin’ at der same old place on James Street. Any time in der next week tie: te sake of old times, chase yerselves now. You don’t bear no grudge for dat scrap on der pier, Tony. You remember I pulled yer outer der drink arter dat. _ They’d had yer on ice if it hadn’t been for me. You're der boss of dis bunch. **That’s me outer der river. Take der gang along.” right, Slugger,” nodded Tony; “yer did fish As long as Plunger has his spark we'll chase. Git a move on, der whole of yer. Mebbe Til look yer up, Bob.” Evidently the word of the young Italian was law, for he led the crowd in their retreat, and the threat- - ened encounter was averted. ye CHAPTER IX, b, MAMIE MARKLEY. Fs. be All through this the girl had remained cowering Be there by the wall. She was trembling and wild-eyed . _as she started to rise. Rob Rioden stooped and lifted f her with an air of courtesy and tenderness that sur- E prised his two Fardale friends. : “T haven’t forgot you, Mamie,” he said, dropping much of his slang and dialect. “I knew you the min- What's ute I saw you, though you’ve changed a lot. this they were saying about your brother ?”’ “Oh, he’s been arrested,” answered the girl chok- ingly. | “THe was caught in company with some crooks, and they’ve sent him to the Island. Mother is sick, and I’m out of work.” “That’s tough,” murmured Rob. “You ought to keep away from this quarter. Didn’t you know the South Street gang held out here?” “But I have to go through here to get home.” “How’d yer a i to be talking with the Plun- ger?” “Oh, he’s been following me up for a month. Every 3 chance he got, he’s stopped me and talked with me. _ He was mad because I tried to miss him and didn’t want anything to do with him.” . “How about that spark, Mamie?” “T don’t know,” she answered. “On my word, I don’t know. I didn’t take it. Plunger told me he’d make me ane if I didn’t stop giving him the cold why he didn’t wipe me off the map, Mamie. WEEKLY, 19 “Of course I knew you didn’t pinch his pin,” said Rioden. the thing wasn’t worth a two-spot. “You'd been a fool to do that, Mamie, for I suppose he’s made the gang believe it was the real goods-” “T don’t know. All I know is that that crowd pur- sued me and threatened to beat me. I ran as far as I could. Oh, Rob, it was so good and brave of you! And your friends “Well, I’m clean forgetting my manners, Mamie! These fellows are some friends I made at school. J 9 have been away at school, you know. “Oh, I know. changed, Rob—so changed!” Rioden’s “T hope it’s for the better,’ he muttered. ” breathed “You look like a real swell, Rob.” | Tom told me. And youw’re so face flushed a little. “Why, I could hardly believe it was you, the girl. “Oh, I ain’t jest a swell,” he laughed; “but I’m try- ing to be as near a gentleman as an East Sider can. You know an East Sider can be a gentleman if he . tries hard enough. I suppose it seems strange to you that Rob Rioden should care to be anything like that. I’ll tell you how it happened. At school 1 met a natural-born gentleman, and I guess_I hated him jest about as much as I ever hated any one in my life. I tried to do him dirt a dozen times. times I came pretty near making the job good, but he fought me fair and square and he beat me at every turn. He might have put me down and out, but he was a generous fellow. At first I thought his generosity was fear for me. take. couldn’t make him afraid. Somehow he had taken a — After awhile I found out my mis- — He wasn’t afraid of me. A dozen jest like me notion that there might be a little of the real man in me, and he was anxious to see it come out. That’s going to tell you about the time I thought I’d finished — him and I felt like a murderer. It’s too long a story. : He turned up all right, and right there I began to see my mistake. Luckily for me, he wasn’t done for. There wasn’t another fellow in school who had any confidence in me. If anything nasty was done at that © school, they all believed that my hand must be in it, — More than once this chap cleared me and gave mea Two or three : ‘ig I ain’t . sf 20 A TIP’ TOP chance to stay and fight to be a real man. pretty hard. , Lots of times I was tempted, and I came _ near throwing up the sponge. I guess there’s some- _ thing of the bulldog in me, Mamie, for I stuck it out. And now I’m sure of myself. There'll never be any turning back, If it’s possible for me to become a true - gentleman all the way through, I’m going to get there. Now, Mamie, I want to introduce you to that friend I’ve been telling you about. Here he is, Dick Merri- well, of Fardale, the whitest boy that ever breathed ~God’s air. Dick, this is Mamie Markley.” And Dick was actually blushing like a girl as he took -Mamie’s hand. | “Rob has been altogether too extravagant in his praise of me, Miss Markley,” he said.“ “Not on your life!” denied Rioden promptly. “I can’t find words to describe it just as it should be de- scribed. well’s pal, and he knows it’s all true. : - Buckhart.” If you don’t believe me, Mamie, here’s Merri- This is Brad Markley,” said Buckhart, “and I sure allow Rioden has given it to you straight from start to finish. If Td had my way at Fardale, he’d been kicked out of : school in disgrace. My pard held me back with a strong hand, and’ I’m a whole lot glad of it now. Rio- den, give me vour fist. I swear I’m proud of you!” CHAPTER Be Joan? BUILT OF THE RIGHT STUFF. ihe mites boys aoaiee’ to escort. ‘Mamie home. On ” she confessed, tears in her eyes., 5 yi your mother very ill?” questioned Dick o left her pabed, "2 whispered the girl, Dushpig. a bit WEEKLY, It was “I’m a whole lot glad to meet up with you, Miss | happy if only once more she could return to the old e “I don’t know. what we'll do Winnie Tom to help ful flowers! Buy the sweet flowers!” them, we'll fix that all right,” “Well, now, assured Dick { promptly. it “Leave it to me,” entreated Rioden. “I have a ( little money.” 7 “You keep your money in your pocket, Rob,” laughed Merriwell. “You'll need it all. I happen to ' be flush just at present. Now, say, old fellow, I ask this as a favor. Let me do the buying. Where can 7's we find a fruit store and a market?” Rioden led the way, and at the fruit store they pur- ft chased many things. At the market they secured an 15 amount of provisions in a small bundle, while Dick — g ordered a further supply to be delivered at the Mark- (5 ley “home.” if The girl seemed to be fighting hard to keep back i the tears. ; b: “Oh, you're so kind!” she breathed. “T don’t know how we can thank you. All last night mother could | P’ not sleep. She kept talking about the home we left ed out on the Connecticut shore when we came down | ™ here to. the city. I can remember it, though I was j qT a little girl. They call it Rose Beach now. There 2. was a great cove, with a beach at one side, which ran di out to a point that extended into the Sound. Up in Se the cove there was a large strip of land that was over- run with wild roses. There were hundreds and oy thousands of them there. I used to love them and as gather great bunches to bring home. We had them a all over the house. | Mother loved them, too. Last _ night she kept telling me she could see the roses and She thought she would be ie . smell their fragrance. place and see that great field of wildflowers.” ae : Dick Merriwell did not miss a word. Suddenly his ears caught a sound that caused him to look round = A hand-cart, loaded with flower-pots — and flowers, was being pushed through the streets by — os an old Jew, who cried in a sing-song way: — noe ae “Oh, the sweet flowers! Oh, the beautiful, beauti- ‘ with interest. 39 “Wait a minis: batt Dick, as he thrust several bundles upon Brad, who was already loaded with. TIP. JOP Then he made a dash for that cart. In short order eifieed . he had purchased a bundle of roses secured by the old pedier in some manner. With these he hurried back to his companions. “Flowers for your mother, Mamie,” he said. And now it was impossible for the girl to keep back her tears. “You are so good—so good!” say. was all she could The Markley “home” proved to be two small rooms a. tucked away up three flights of dark and creaking | stairs. In one of these rooms, lying where she could get a little air from a window that opened on a blank \ brick wall, was Mamie’s mother, The girl rushed in and knelt by the bedside. “Oh, mother,” she exclaimed joyously, | brought some friends!” “Friends, Mamie?” questioned the woman, in a sur- / prised way, “Why, child, we have no friends,” | “Oh, but we have, mother—we have the dearest, | 1 noblest friends in all the world! May they come in? | They are here. “T’ve They are waiting.” ‘Just a moment, dear,’ said the woman, as she . ‘drew the quilt about her. “I am not prepared to re- 39 ceive visitors, but | “Oh, but you won’t mind them, mother. They're j ‘so kind. You know one of them. They’ve brought 1 “us some things.’’ | ; ~ The woman brushed back her hair and lifted her- | sett a little on the pee ’ she said. “Let them come in, Rioden was the first to reach her. | “Mrs. Markley,” he breafhed, cap in hand, “I’m very sorry to find you ill. I hope it’s only tempo- : ry., I’m sure you'll be better soon.” ‘She peered at him doubtfully. “Ts this Rob Rioden?” was her question, “Why, pn ee you are! I remember you the last You came with Tommy—you cs didn’t know about you » me. WEEKLY. ar SOn: a cae of iffiaks to-day. mother,” said the girl, “he saved. me from They pursued me on the and street and threatened to beat me with sticks stones. You should have seen him as he defied them all, Then his friends came. Here they are,” “Mrs. Markley,” said Dick, me of your love for roses, “your daughter told I have brought you some,” Those boys felt their hearts leap as the woman ut- tered a joyous cry and stretched out her hands to re- ceive that huge bunch of roses which Dick placed on her breast. “Oh, how sweet—how sweet they are!’ she ex- claimed. “They bring me back the breath of Rose Beach. They show me the old cottage where we lived. It was.a poor place, indeed, but it was far better than this wretched city. It was far better than these miser- able rooms in which I’ve been imprisoned so long. Oh, that cottage seems like a palace to me now!” Dick felt Brad Buckhart’s fingers grinding into his shoulder. In his ear Buckhart huskily whispered: “Where's that cottage, pard? By the eternal, we've got to buy it if we can raise money enough to do so! . I’ll give my last dollar!” “Hush!” said Dick. Perhaps the place has been torn down.” “Don’t thention that now. The woman was sobbing over the flowers. Mamie laughed and sobbed herself. Then she had them bring all the bundles they had purchased, and she her- self prepared an orange for her mother. There was a knock at the door of the other room. The-sound startled them all, and Rioden accompanied Mamie to answer it. oA At the door they found a young man with a blonde = Markley could be eee mustache who inquired if Mrs. found there. pees , Wear “Pm her “Yes, she lives here,” answered the girl. vat daughter: 3. Ut ee -§ ; “Why, is it possible?” exclaimed the young man, stepping into the room. “This is rather surprising to. I had an idea that you were a meré tot. know why I should. I don’t suppose ee remember :, me?” Don’t “No, “Well, ’'m your cousin. “Fred Fillmore? Your father was her brother.” “That’s right. indeed.” I’m Fred Fillmore.” ve heard mother speak of you. Kind of lost track of you in recent years. You know my father is dead. I took a fancy to trace you, but I was about to give it up. If this scent had proved a false one, I think I’d quit. Where is your mother?” “She’s Fillmore followed them into the room where Mrs. in the next room.¢ Won’t you step in?” Markley lay. He glanced at Dick and Brad, and something like an exclamation of surprise was smoth- ered behind a quickly uplifted hand. : Dick looked the fellow over keenly and was struck by the conviction that he had seen Fillmore be- fore. “Fred, is this you?” said Mrs, Markley, as he took her hand? “TI didn’t expect you'd trouble yourself to look for-us. Your father never spoke to me after I married Jack Markley. We were estranged and sep- He’s dead now and so is Jack.” “And we'd better let the dead past be dead,” Fillmore. arated by my action. said “Evidently you’ve been unfortunate. I’m glad I’ve found you. Perhaps [ll be able to assist you.” “Fortune must have turned, Mamie,” said the wo- man. “Isn’t it strange, after all our hardships, that so many friends should come at once!” “Brad,” said Dick, “I think we'd better be going. Mrs. Markley, we'll see you again before we leave the city. We shall leave some time to-morrow or next day.” : “Do come again if you care to,’ urged the wo- man. “I can’t express my thanks. It’s useless for me to try. My heart is overflowing. If I could only 99 . find words to— _ “You’ve thanked us more than we deserve already,” ~ said Dick. has been our delight. | we shall meet, Mrs. Markley.” “Let me assure you that your pleasure ‘I’m sure this is not the last time | They shook hands with Mamie and Rioden, who accompanied them to the door. edi suppose you' re going | to ale this fall,” said Rob, TOP WEEKLY. somewhat reckless and extravagant. addressing Dick. “I’m not fitted for that yet, but I gi mean to follow you. I'll get there some time, if I pe live.” de “You'ré all right, Rioden, old man!” exclaimed | gj Dick, giving Rob’s fingers a squeeze. “You're built | Y of the right stuff.” to fo CHAPTER XI. J AGAINST THE GANG. Be That night at dinner Dick told his brother about | e the Markleys, and Frank betrayed ‘considerable in- terest in the story. Although Dick spoke of Fillmore, Merry did not connect this fellow with the Fred Fill- | 8" pr dey more who had given Inza so much trouble and had sought at the last moment to stop the marriage in the little church at Bloomfield. 9 “TI remember Rose Beach,” said Merry. “I was there once years ago with a lot of my college friends‘ | I believe I recollect the Markley cottage.” “Brad proposes raising a purse to repurchase the : 4 ‘ 4 oe 4 cottage for Mrs. Markley and her daughter,’ said } Dick. “Do you suppose it can be done, Frank ?” “We'll “T'll run out there to-morrow and look the ground — have to find out about that,” said Merry. over. As you say, people like Mrs. Markley and her daughter should not be living in the lower East Side | of this city. The place for them is God’s open country, 4 and not the squalor of a crowded East ae tene- ment.” ; The following morning Frank took an early train E o's over the N. Y., N. H. & H.; the afternoon with good news. returning at 3 o’clock in | He had found the | Markley cottage without trouble, discovered the owner, — interviewed him, and made all arrangements for pur- chasing the place at a modest figure, paying down a 2 sum to bind the contract. ee “Tf I ever did things in a hurry,” laughed Merty, I think I’ve been Oh, yes, I confess it.. I have some men employed clearing up the old “to-day was my hurry-up day. place, while three women are at work scrubbing and cleaning. There'll be a load of household furnitur and fixings put into the cottage this afternoon. | 1t i~ id 1e 'y. ad a | “When you make up your mind to do a thing, | York as quickly as possible. for De geliata i Use TOE given instructions to have the place ready for occu- pancy to-morrow. Of course, lots of things should be done that cannot be done in such a brief time, but I de- cided it was best to get Mrs. Markley out of New If Mrs. Markley is able to stand the journey, they’ll find the old cottage ready them to-morrow evening.” “Well, that sure is just like you,” he observed. you > go ahead and do it a heap sudden.” It was agreed that Dick should carry the good news to Mamie and her mother, and he took the down-town ae | | subway for the purpose. Leaving the subway at the ' proper station, he-set out for the “home” of the Mark- | leys. As he approached the neighborhood he was not a little surprised to meet Fred Fillmore, who rushed up + to him and seized him by the lapel of his coat. “By George, I’m glad to find you!” exclaimed Fill- ore. “You're the very fellow.” ay beg your pardon,” said Dick doubtfully. “The sry fellow for what?” . “You're re Rioden’s friend, aren't you?” “Tam, if : “You're a person who can have some influence over nim. He'll listen to you, but he wouldn’t to me.” . “What's the matter?” questioned Dick. ~*Rioden has fallen in with the gang again. They've g ot, hold of him, and they’re filling him up in Spalet- to’s, dive. r : to get Rioden away. He told me to chase my- dt you dare go there, I think- he’ il listen to ” Psi fs It’s a tough joint, but I ventured in and. Brad Buckhart’s eyes glowed as he surveyed Frank...’ pals. WEEKLY. He looked around in search of Rioden. “He’s had followed at the boy’s heels. here somewhere,” whispered Fillmore, who “IT left him here not fifteen minutes ago. There’s a back room. He may be shooting craps in there.” The members of the gang were regarding Dick in anything but a pleasant manner. ‘There was some muttering among them, but young Merriwell paid no heed to this. Spaletto himself was behind the bar. He eyed the new-comers, demanding to know what they would have. “We'd better take a drink,” whispered Fillmore. “We don’t want to get in trouble here.” “IT don’t drink,” said Dick quietly. 99 “But you'd better have just one, grasping his arm. urged Fillmore, “The whole crowd’s watching us.” | ! He turned Dick toward the bar, at the same time speaking to Spaletto. “We'll both take whisky,” he said. “Not fot me,” came quietly from the boy. touch it.” | | | “You have-a da beer?” asked the proprietor. : Dick shook his head. “No. beer, “Then why you com-a here into my place?” snapped I don’t drink anything of the sort.” Spaletto. “What you want-a here?” “Tm looking for a friend.” “You look-a for da friend. What seats you les for here?” | “Do you know Rob Rioden? Is he here ?” “Oh, yes, I know-a dat Rob-a Rioden!” sneered the saloon-keeper. “One time-a he very fine fel’. Bimeby he go-a away and git-a da educashe. Den he > a He put-a on da air. ‘He think-a he much bet’ than friends he know-a long Oh, yes, sir, oh, yes, sir, I know-a dat ae Rob-a Rioden!” — 3 come-a back with much-a style. time ago. “Dat’s right,” cut in Sinai? stepping out, “we all know dat mug. ciety. “T never. -He’s der kind dat goes back on his He’s der-kind dat tries to butt into high so- Cause he’s been away ter school he t’inks him- ee self better dan’ der rest of dis bunch. _Dat's w ‘at's der 24 TIP TOP WEEKLY. matter wit’ you. You t’ink you’re one of dem real You say yer don’t drink, but der Now, gang. swell big-bugs. matter is dat yer don’t want ter drink wit’ us. you're goin’ to take some whisky wit’ der See! Eh, fellers?” “That’s what he is!’ cried a dozen voices. Amando rapped on the bar with his knuckles. “Set out the whisky for the gang, Spalet’,” he di- rected. “If this swell young member of der four hun- dred is modest and don’t feel like pourin’ it fer him- self, I’ll see dat he gits a good swig. I'll fill his glass.” “Take it! take it!’ hissed Fillmore. There'll be rough-house here if you refuse.” Dick’s dark eyes flashed. “There are not toughs enough on the lower East “I’m going to. Side to drive a drink into me as long as I can lift a hand to fight,” he said distinctly. 1? “Hear dat, Tony!” shrilled Skinny. ‘Der gent from Fifth Avenue t’inks der bunch of us can’t drive a drink inter him.” “You wait a minute,” grinned Amando, as he slipped off his coat and tossed it to one of the crowd. “Mebbe I can persuade him to change his mind. Peel down; me high-stepper. I’m goin’ ter knock der face off’n you.” | “Great Caesar!” palpitated Fillmore. “You made an awful ee Merriwell, my boy! You've got to fight now.’ . Dick’s blood was iteae. He felt that he was'in a trap from which there was no retreat. “All I ask is fair play ee he exclaimed. ‘Hold my coat, Fillmore.” He was out of his coat in a twinkling, tossing it to his companion. An instant later Amando came at him, crouching and holding his fists in fighting form. The gang shouted with satisfaction and formed a circle to give those boys room. Beyond question Amando believed he would cat defeat this clever-looking youngster, and it was his ambition to show the rest of the gang how quickly he could “polish off an aristocrat.” \ He went at Dick in a manner that betokened his determination to put rt : Ais os boy down and out in the shortest i | What followed amazed every spectator, including Fillmore, for Merriwell met his antagonist ,half-way, and within ten seconds he was chopping Amando up at will. Never in his life had Dick handled himself with greater judgment in a fistic encounter. Never had he fought more swiftly, and his first three blows were all effective. To begin with, he split Amando’s lip and loosened a few teeth. Then he cracked the fellow on the nose and started the claret, following which the young Italian got a punch on the left eye that came near putting him to the sawdust. “Hully gee!” squealed Skinny, in astonishment. “Look-a dat, fellers! Amando seemed bewildered, but his rage increased, ? Der guy is soakin’ Tony! and he made a sudden rush for young Merriwell.. That rush proved fatal for the leader of the gang. Dick side-stepped and gave Tony one in the pit of the stomach, following which he hit the fellow a blow on the jaw that left Amando quivering on the saw-_ dust. The fight was almost over before the spectators realized it had begun. “T’ll take my coat, Fillmore,” said Merriwell — calmly. No one warned him when, behind ids back, Muggsy — Mike lifted a sand-bag and brought it down on his head. : Dick dropped senseless at the side of Amando. \ CHAPTER XII. BACK TO THE OLD HOME. 5 As consciousness came creeping back to Dick Merri- well he found himself huddled in the corner ofa small, | At first he did not realize what had happened. There was a dull throbbing pain in the head, and his limbs seemed bound and helpless with a sickening lethargy. dark room, the air of which was heavy and foul. Somewhere in the room two persons were mut- ie in low tones. At first he could not distinguish their words, but erenealy the sounds neaaee more dis- —- TP stor? fact that their faces were hidden by handkerchiefs, over which their eyes peered. One of the men was saying: “Are you sure he’s not seriously hurt? You say ; it’s been an hour and a half since he was knocked out, j and he’s still unconscious.” _ “The fellow who soaked him did it with an ordi- nary sand-bag. He’ll come around all right in time.” ( “But I mee see what good this 1s going to dg you, _ old man.’ rok WME _ “Well, things didn’t work just as 1 planned,” was : the confession. “I thought the gang would frighten | him into drinking, and it was all fixed up to drug him. Then I was going to see that he was arrested and t | Tocked up. I was going to take pains that his name | appeared in the papers as one of the common drunks. Don’t you fancy that would hurt Frank Merriwell eae oe ‘3 | any? Don’t you fancy Frank Merriwell would squirm ae with: shame over it?” fc “Quite likely. But what are you going to do now?” | | “I didn’t suppose the young fellow would try to 1 | fight the whole crowd. I didn’t imagine for a moment _ that he could whip the leader of the gang in less than yy ‘wenty seconds. That’s what made the bunch hot. | That’ s why one of them soaked him with a sand-bag. I sent for you to get your advice. What had I better do, Dalton?” 3 “You'd better get out of this. is That’s my advice he street. They say Spaletto has a pull with the If the youngster makes a complaint, yps down here. ri- ‘ 3 aby i! | Saloon and picked a quarrel. As for you, it’s easy Me | Ce as iough to assert, that you were thrown out yourself be ter this chap was sand-bagged. You can say that fas $ ; ‘ j ; . ou went in search of his friends, if any one asks you ed. inpleasant questions. Just claim you couldn’t find a oliceman anywhere in this vicinity, and when you did tell an ates, he said it was on his ee and he ; to you, my boy. Let them throw the kid out into’ the whole gang will claim that he came into the WEEKLY. 25 him when I led him into the saloon to look for Rio- den.” At this point Dick moved and lifted himself to a sitting position with a desperate effort. ° “That’s where you fool yourself, Fillmore,” he said weakly. “I don’t know what you have against me, but I do new that you played me crooked, and you’re a dirty cur.’ The men were sored, Fillmore’s companion clutched his arm and hissed: “Evidently he has come around all right! It’s time for us to hike!” At this moment there was a commotion in another part of the building, and Dick fancied it came from the barroom. He heard loud voices, and among them he recognized that of Brad Buckhart. words reached his ears with such distinctness that he Indeed, Brad’s understood them. “We know my pard is here, and, by the everlasting Rockies, we'll clean out this dirty ranch in short order if we don’t find him!’ This was followed by a shout of many youthful voices. Dick Merriwell laughed. , ” he said. chance to explain to them, Mr. Fillmore.” “My friends have come, “You'll have a With an oath, Fillmore tore open a door and dis- appeared into a dark passage, followed closely by Dalton. Dick dragged himself to his feet by the aid of the wall, against which he leaned. “This way, boys!” he cried, but he realized that the sound of his voice was drowned in the uproar out- side. For the time being it seemed that his legs would melt beneath him, and he felt everything swimming © about him. With all his strength he fought against this sickening faintness, and finally threw it off. Get- ting command of himself, he started toward the door through which the men had vanished. Into that room several persons came rushing. “Pard,” cried a voice, “where are you?” “Here, Brad, old man,” answered young Merri- And a moment later he was supported by Buck- __ well. 26 Through the dusk he recognized Sparkfair, Then Frank himself appeared, and the Texan shouted with satis- hart’s stout arm. Crowfoot, and the others. faction : “Here he is, Mr. Merriwell!” Between Brad and Frank, Dick was almost carried from that room and out through the barroom, behind the bar of which Spaletto stood rubbing his hands over and over and chattering in broken English and Italian. “Tll attend to you later,’ said Frank, shaking a finger at the saloon-keeper. “If I have influence enough to close this wretched hole, I promise you I'll do it.” Not until they were outside did Dick realize that Rioden was one of the rescuers. Even then young Merriwell was thinking of Fillmore and his companion, and he asked about them. these two rascals had escaped by a door which led into It seemed, however, that _ the adjoining fruit store, through which they fled to the street. By this time they were far away, and no one could tell whither they had fled. A small gathering of excited East Siders were In the midst of these was Mamie Markley, who hurried forward as Merri- chattering on the sidewalk. well’s party emerged. “T knew I -was right, Rob,” she breathed, clutching Rioden’s arm. “I was in the fruit store and saw your friend go into that place in company with my cousin. I looked in at the window and saw them fighting in there. Then I hastened to find you.” “Tt’s a good thing you did, Mamie, 9 out delay,” nodded Frank. It is no easy thing to find any man who inoue New York well, if he seeks to hide himself in the "metropolis of the Western hemisphere, the police finally acknowledged their inability to dis- cover a trace of them. Through Mrs. Markley, Frank ahs ‘Merriwell. Jearned_ that Fillmore was the same fellow who | had forbidden the bans in the little church at TIP TOP WEEKLY. Bloomfield. said Rioden. _ “And it’s a ‘good thing you telephoned to me crith Although a rigid search was made for Fillmore and his companion, - Dalton, both these men had vanished completely, and Further investigation revealed the fact that this chap, afterwards confined in a private sani- tarium for the insane, had been released as cured. Dick had heard Fillmore call Dalton by name, and yet the man remained a mystery, for Frank Merri- well could hardly believe him to be the Fred Dalton, ¢ . of Omaha, whose bitter hatred he had incurred by exposing him as a card sharp and crook in the Mid- Western Athletic Club. Mamie seemed right in thinking her mother’s ill- ness came from lack of proper nourishment, for Mrs. | _ Markley recovered strength with such rapidity that — : she was able to leave the city, as hoped by Frank. Back to the old cottage at Rose Beach, before the i door of which the blue Sound lay in all its remembered | Markley and. Mamie. It is impossible to describe their feelings as they reentered fi beauty, returned Mrs. the cottage and beheld ‘the marvelous alterations wrought at Frank’s command. But when Merriwell | placed a deed of the place in the woman’s hand and |i told her that was to be her future home, assuring her E further that he would see that she was never again © to be beset by want, she broke.down completely. “I don’t know why all this good fortune should | come to me,” she said, her eyes dimmed by the flowing | | “Still in all my trials I’ve held fast to my faith in God, and He has not forsaken me. , tears. It is promised ae in the Word that when your ere and your friends is | forsake you, He will not fail you.” THE END. The Next Number (549) Will Contain _ Frank Merriwell’s Kodakers; OR, Ul ‘HUNTING BIG eine WITHOUT A GUN Three Sportsmen—Babes in the Weods.-Bveniiog in , town—Big Jim’s | Challenge—A Surprise toe" Slabtowners—The Second Fall—The Best Mas _ Generous Conqueror—A Bully No Lange thaeg emy’s Camp—The Battle of Monarthe—Steql Steel. Mr TIP. TOP t iq t d Pee fete at f NEW YORK, October 13, 1906. > ©=6Mr. Standish is a wonderful man; any one must be who can a hold one’s interest week in and week out, You always remem- th =6~—SStsé er-his: characters and see them in every-day life. That is what nt | makes his stories so interesting. I see in the Applause column 1 | where some one was “knocking” “Brad” because he was so to high tempered; there isn’t anything so unusual about him. as There’s lots of “Brad Buckharts” in this world, but not many re like “Frank” and “Dick.” They are the best ever. r “ , ng I want “Dick” to do the right thing and marry “June” when at he gets older, for she is the truest character of them all. Look es, rs what a miserable brother she has. Some one said they hoped nd | the time would come when “Chester Arlington” and “Dick” as} would be friends. I don’t think he will ever be worthy of it Aa _“Dick’s” friendship, so I would like to hear of him falling ove ors a high cliff never to return. He is always causing trouble, aed x the way he treats his sister is awful. nd? I hope some time in the near future the admirers of Tip Top a to will have the pleasure of seeing a picture of Mr. Standish on _ the front page of the King of all Weel lies, _ |. With best wishes for all interested in Tip Top, I am yours aly | truly. I hope’to see my letter in the Applause column. Ros. OP! G29 Ravenswood, W. Va. id | , Still, you may be surprised “Rob” when you read on further ich : about Arlington. Mr. Standish usually has one redeeming se aun te \ ee quality in his villains, which makes them so true to life, and it ifs 2 is through means of the single peg that they are saved if at all. idl ‘Chester has shown more despicable traits than any character ae ever brought into the stories, and if he does try to reform he evidently will have a rocky road to travel for a long time. ~ The old flock back again? Well! well! well! This is a great and delightful surprise to me and many of the old readers. But there is one thing which I deeply regret and that is, I don’t see my favorite back among them; namely, Harry Rattleton? Dear old Rattles. He was always. so loyal and confident to N _ Frank i in the days at Yale. Also I miss Jack Ready, Dade Mor- n, and Dick Starlight. Let us hear more of them in the SR tare: Now I will say a few words about Farnham Hall. That certainly beats the Dutch and I hope that it will be as » famous as Fardale. Dale Sparkfair is certainly the candy, and in him I see a second Dick Metriwell. Frank’s idea about the Blue Hills League is a peach and I look to see Happy Camp come out the winner, which I hope they do. I would not like to see Spark and Chet enemies, as I firmly believe that Sparkfair has some influence over Chester and that he can use it to good effect. i. Nell, I-guess I have said enough. With best wishes to Burt ‘i ca & Smith, and all the readers, I remain, a true Tip 5 R. J. CrostHWAITE. op New York City. : Perhaps ere long “Rattles” and somé of the ‘other old favorites “may bob up again if in the land of the living. Burt L. has a faculty of remembering those of the old flock, many of whom have ay appeared. I have her a constant reader of Tip Top for five years and a that time haven’t missed a copy. As almost every one says | it is truly the king of weeklies. I admire all of the characters— | Frank and Dick, most of all. I think them perfect models of vhat a yee, man should be and I try to emulate them in my ryday lite. é n I finish a Tip Tor T always give it to some of my ends, and there are lots of boys in our town who have became stant readers of your great publication. I think’ that Tip Tor ideal and have not a single objection to offer. As to the girls I am not goin nire all Bf the fair sex. As to Burt L., I think him the greatest py abit See & Smith, and all seers ae TOP ‘to express myself, because T WEEKLY. 29 this publication the success which they surely merit, I remain, An ardent admirer. Bo 35,08,, Yorktown, Ind. Thank you. No matter how often we hear such words of praise we never grow tired. From all over this wide country, and even from abroad, boys are singing the glories of Tre Top. As I have not seen any letter in the Applause from my city in some time [ would like to express my opinion. Frank is_my favorite, as I first read about him in the Medal Library. Then come Dick, Bruce, Harry, Bart, Jack D. Of Dick’s crowd, I like Brad, Obed, Hal, Earl Gardner, and Flint. I come far from liking Chet, but he has some good points and I think it makes the story more interesting with him in it. Of the girls I like Doris, Elsie, Inza, June; but I think Doris is the girl for Dick. I am a new reader of the Tip Top and have read about one hun- dred weeklies. Hoping this will be printed in the Applause col- umn and not reach King Waste-basket: With three cheers for Burt L. and Street & Smith, I remain, a future reader of your famous weekly. Pe. Watertown, N. Y. It would have been interesting had you fold us just how you came to begin reading Tie Tor. We know how easy it is to get a boy started, since there is a peculiar fascination about the publication few lads can resist. — Having been an ardent admirer of Tie Top for several years I think it’s up to yours truly to express her appreciation of it. It really is a jolly good weekly, and right out here—well I guess! Anyhow “them’s my sentiments” and those of a whole slew of other boys and girls in this place. In fact, Tip Top can’t be beaten. In my estimation dear old Dick comes first. good” and that’s no joke. What has become of our high sind mighty friend, Chester Ar-. lington, by name (son of D. Roscoe Arlington, the great rail- way magnate!). Perhaps he has at last come to his senses, and has concluded that 23 is the number for him. For cheap guys he can’t be beaten. awhile, things lively in the Tre Top world. All of the girls are all right, all right, but my favorite happens to be June, and I hope that Dick will decide she is the girl for him some day. Anyway, the feller who wins her should cer- tainly consider himself kind of lucky. Will close with best re-— gards to Street & Smith, Burt L., and all Tip Toppers, I remain, Roanoke, Va. ; JACQUELINE, You write a breezy letter, Jacqueline, and we can imagine that — s you are no laggard when it comes to doing things. By the time this is in print you will have read a good bit about Chester, and Despite his bad habits, some- oe some of it may surprise you, too. how Chester has had many friends who wish him well. | As I have been reading Tip Top for the last four years T thought I would write and let you know what I think of it. In my opinion it is the best weekly that is or ever will be +5 published. Of Frank’s flock I like Frank, Bart, Eph, Barney, Hans, Dismal Jones, and Rattles the best of all. I was pleased to hear that Frank married Inza, and it was too bad that Bart and Elsie could not get married at the same time. I should like to read more about Dave Flint, for he is a fine fellow and one of Dick’s best friends. Nadia Budthorne, it being more than four months ago since I read anything about her. had someone like Frank over him I think he could become a fine athlete. rg oe her for a long oping this escapes t cheers and a tiger for Burt’ L., and Street & Smith, and wish- ing Burt L. a long and happy: life, _ Yours, _ W. ScHEDER. ~ Pittsburg, Pa. WG ae : ‘time, It would not be possible fot. the author to resurrect ae. character which he has used in these years. But ee ee Te's “Sil to: Hier But we hope he won’t skiddoo for yet — for no one can deny he is a brainy chap and makes — I should like to hear more about 2 She is the girl for Brad, and June na is the girl for Dick, and Doris is the girl for Hal. at I hope Chester Arlington becomes a friend of Dick’s. If he What has become of Felecia, as I have heard: noth- e wractétimabit I will clone. with three 2 xy? Pror. FourMEN: I became interested in Tip Top through the advice of my brother, who has been a reader since the first num- ber of this publication was issued. Kindly pass your opinion on my measurements, which are as follows: Age, 17 years; height, 5 feet 1014 inches; weight, 154 pounds; neck, 14% inches; chest normal, 3434 inches; expanded, 37 inches; waist, 36 inches; thighs, 2114 inches; calves, 1434 inches; biceps normal, 10 inches; flexed, 12% inches; forearm, 11 inches. Frep Goutp. Toledo, O. Well, Fred, you are not built like your brother! You need to be fattened up, instead of being put on a restrictive diet. You can eat all those things which he would like to, but shouldn’t, while he is reducing weight. Take light exercise, so that you will ‘not lose what you take on in weight from your diet. Ten minutes with chest-weights and Indian ‘clubs will be enough to begin with. (A letter from Ontario.) ie Pror. Fourmen: As I have.read the Tre Top WeEkty for two or three years, I take the liberty to ask you a few questions. I am II years; weight, 71 pounds; height, 4 feet 8 inches; chest, 28% inches; expanded, 29% inches; calves, 1014 inches; neck, 12 inches, HucH PLUNKETT. You will increase in weight and size in a few years. Pror. FourMen: This is my first letter to the Tre Top. It is the king of weeklies. My measurements are: Chest normal, 27 inches; chest expandéd, 29 inches; thigh, 18 inches; right bicep, 9% inches; left bicep, 934 inches; right calf, 12 inches; left calf, ' 12 inches; height, 5514 inches; weight, 83 pounds. For break- fast I generally eat toast dipped in coffee, a poached egg on toast, sweet milk. For dinner two sandwiches, two deviled eggs, and some kind of fruit. Is this a good diet? What is a 50-cent piece worth whose date is 1834? My age is 12 years. I play center field on the baseball-team. Fat B11. ' Columbus, Miss. Substitute cocoa for coffee at breakfast. Do not eat “deviled” eggs; better to take them poached or fried. Remember that a simple diet is the best. The rest of your menu is all right. _ There is no premium on the fifty-cent piece. _. Pror. Fourmen: Being a reader of the Tre Tor WeeExty, I take the liberty of asking you a few questions on my measurements. _ Age, 13 years; height, 5 feet; weight, 100 pounds; chest normal, 30% inches; expanded, 34 inches; waist, 26/2 inches; thigh, 18 _ inches;'calves, 16 inches; biceps normal, 834 inches; expanded, 9% inches; neck, 12% inches. Nat. LEHACHMAN. ~ Brooklyn, N. Y. : You are a well-built lad. , ee p i _-Pror. Fourmen: Being a reader of Tre Tor, I now take the » liberty to ask you a few questions. I get up at 4:15 every morn- ing, and do not have much time for exercise. I take “free _ work,” Indian-club exercise, chest-weights, and a cold bath every f cA if i ° morning. I have just commenced bag-punching at night. I have never took any physical exercise before. I never get eight hours’ sleep, but always have sleep enough. I am 19 years old; weigh 142 pounds; height, 5 feet 5 inches. These are my measurements: Neck, 15 inches; right bicep, 11 inches; expanded, 13% inches; left bicep, 11 inches; expanded, 13 inches; chest, 36 inches; ex- panded, 38 inches; waist, 30 inches; right thigh, 2014 inches; — left thigh, 20 inches; right leg, 13 inches; left leg, 13 inches; right ankle, 10 inches; left ankle, 10/4 inches. A. G. H. You have the right idea; keep up the course of exercise you are following. If you find that you do not need 8 hours’ sleep, it is not necessary for you to try to sleep that length of time. Pror. Fourmen: I am a young reader of Trp Top who would like to ask you a few questions. My measurements are as follows: Age, 16 years; height, 5 feet II inches; weight, 157 pounds; chest expanded, 36 inches; calves, 15 inches; neck 1414 inches; waist, 30/4 inches; forearms, 10 inches. I get cramps in my legs at night when in bed or. running. What do I need to develop my arms, legs, and chest? Allegheny, Pa. RussELL HornisuH. Take up a course of training which will give you a general {i 2 development. Running, bicycle-riding, dumb-bells, bag-punching, and outdoor sports will give you this. Massage your legs every night. 1 Pror. Fourmen: As I have been a reader of Trp Top since it was first started, I think I will write to you and have my physical condition criticized. The following are my measure- ments: Age, 16 years; height, 5 feet 4% inches; weight, 122 pounds; chest contracted, 30 inches; expanded, 33 inches; waist, 28 inches; biceps, 11% inches; calves, 13 inches; neck, 1244 _ inches. I am rather short-sighted, and I wish you could tell — me some way to remedy this defect other than by the use of glasses. I attend the working-boy’s class in the Y. M. CG. A.” a twice a week. After the class we have a 1% mile run. Iam ~ bookkeeper in my father’s office. I think my chest is too small and my waist too large. Does my weight compare favor-_ ably with my other measurements? A Loyat Tip Top READER. Victoria, B. C. . 4 : g Your weight compares favorably with your measurements. Exercise, bath, and care of your health by observing the rules of right living will improve your general condition so that, in turn, - your eyesight will improve; but if your defective vision is due to an organic trouble, it will be necessary for you to wear glasses. You had better consult an oculist. Both your chest and waist are too small, fe ee 5 7 ¥ er Pror. Fourmen: As I am a constant reader of your splendid weekly, Tip Top, I take the libertyrto ask you a few questions, and: trust they will appear in print in due time. TOA Soap - My measurements. are as follows: Age, 17 years; heigh § feet 10 inches; Weight, 140 pounds; neck, 13% inches; biceps 1114 inches; chest normal, 33 inches; chest expanded, 38 inches; ‘ waist, ‘27 inches; thighs, 19 inches; calves, 1314 inches. I can ~ run a mile’ in 5 minutes 30 seconds. What is the best way to- train for a distance run? Am also a pretty good boxer and a ©6=os wrestler. I belong to the Y. M. C. A. gymnasium, and go every night except Sunday, and take an all- round course of exer- cise. I take a little exercise every morning before breakfast; also run about 4 mile and walk about a mile. Is this good for me? I eat very little meat, drink no coffee, eat vegetables, eggs, butter, and drink plenty of milk; get 8 hours’ sleep every night, retiring at 9 o'clock, arising at 5 o’clock. Are these good hours? What chance have I to become a first-class, all-round athlete? Atlanta, Ga. “A GEorGIA CRACKER.” aaa While your weight is against you at present, you will begin to fill out and become better proportioned after your present scheme . _ of living has been operating long enough to give it a fair chance to. produce results. Pror. FourmMen: Having been a reader of the Tire Top for some time, I take the liberty of asking a few questions. I am 17 years of age; weight, 147 pounds; height, 5 feet 10%4 inches; neck, 15 inches; chest normal, 32 inches; expanded, 35 la inches : waist, 31 inches; thighs, 23 inches ; calves, 15 inches; left forearm, 11 inches; right forearm, 1144 inches. What course of exercise should I take? L. ORM, Brunswick, Ga. Get out in the open air, play all kinds of games, like football and baseball, eat simple food, exercise with pulley-weights, dumb- bells, and Indian clubs, and there will be a marked improvement Sy in your physique. Pror, FourmeEn: Being a reader of Trp Top, I will take the liberty to ask a few questions. My measurements are: Age, 14 years; calves, 11 inches; thigh, 16 inches; neck, 12 inches; height, 5 feet 1 inch; chest, normal, 29 inches; expanded, 30 inches : weight, go pounds. Will too much ball-playing do any harm? G; Roe, New York City. You lack weight and need general development. Use Indian clubs and chest-weights. Too much baseball is injurious. Every- thing is the same’ when a person overdoes it. Be moderate in all your sports and exercises. ae Na ry ae a B Te = Pi - may (A letter from California.) - Pror. Fourmen: As I have been an enthusiastic aise ardent . reader of ‘Tip Top, the king of all weeklies, for the past few years, I take liberty. in sending you my measurements, and asking a few questions. The following are my measurements and a few records: Age, 17 years; height, 5 feet 7 inches; weight, 143 _ pounds; neck, 15 inches; chest, normal, 352 inches; expanded, ; inches: waist, 33 inches: biceps, 13% inches; forearm, 12 - inches ; wrists, 7 inches; calves, 16 inches; thighs, 21 inches. Here are a few of my records : 00-yard dash, 10 4-5 seconds ; standing broad-jump, 9 feet 3 inches; running broad j jump, 17 feet, Je-vault, 6 feet 6 inches. I play second base on the Fresno ome ae Ribbon team of this town, one és the crack amateur TIP TOP WEEKLY. gu teams of the San Joaquin Walley, of which our pictures are in the Spalding Baseball Guide of 1906. You are quite an athlete, and have no cause to complain. keep yourself in good condition, better than you have already. LeRoy SuNDERLAND. Just and you ought to do even Pror. Fourmen: I am 15 years of age, and, having been a reader of Tip Top for several years, I take the liberty of asking you a few questions. I am 5 feet 834 inches; my chest measurements are, normal, 34 inches; expanded, 38 inches. I weigh 132 pounds. How are my height, chest, and weight? Yours, Cc. G, U. Wilmington, Del. You are'a well-developed boy, but need a little more weight. You are of a good height. Exercise to put another inch on your chest. (A letter from Michigan.) Pror. Fourmen: I am an ardent reader of Tre Top, and read the Applause every week. I would very much like to ‘hear what you have to say about me, and also to hear what will make me stronger and my measurements larger. My age is 13 years; height, 5 feet 2 inches ; weight, 103 pounds; chest, normal, 29 inches; expanded, 3214 inches: left calf, 11% inches ; right calf, 1244 inches ; left thigh, 16 inches ; right thigh, 16 inches. W hile pitching in a baseball game my arm began to get lame near the shoulder. I can’t throw but 3 or 4 balls now before it gets lame. What should I do for it? You are well-developed for a boy of your age. Give your arm a rest for a few weeks, and never pitch when you feel the muscles of your arms beginning to get strained. A. B. Douerty, Jr. Pror. FourMen: Age, 15 years; height, 5 feet 4 inches; weight, 121% pounds; chest, normal, 33/4 inches; expanded, 35 i inches; waist, 29 inches} neck, 13 inches; calf, 13% inches; forearm, A inches. I play baseball and football. I smoke a pipe. New York City. A Loyat Tip Topper. Give up smoking. No person can expect to attain the highest perfection of physical development who disregards the laws of health in this way. “GOLDEN HOURS.” Boys, have you any old numbers of Golden Hours? Will pay liberally for Nos. 1 to 23 to complete my files. If you have any of these numbers, write me. Address WiIttiams, Station ‘‘O,” Box 24, New York City. A — TIP. ae BASEBALL TOURNAMENT IS NOW OPEN. The two teams which, at the end of the season, of games, will be declared the winners. bearing the above device. | members, consisting of trousers, shirt, ee worth working for, boys Pear : which play the greatest number of games, score the most runs and have lost the least number _ Of the two winning teams, the one having the higher average will be declared the TIP TOP CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM OF THE ALL- AMERICAN BASEBALL TOURNAMENT FOR 19906, and will receive a large pennant Each winning team will receive a full equipment for nine DON’T FAIL TO SEND IN YOUR COUPON AT ONCE. z No notice taken of any score not entered on a coupon. np: REOPSCW, made out. One coupon for each game. have the highest average—the members of shoes and cap. Is this not. wie ef Coupons must be 1 Cut POSTAGE STAMPS TAKEN TH THE TIP TO ISSUED EVERY FRIDAY HANDSOME COLORED COVERS Never has Burt L. Standish written such interesting tales of the adventures of the Merriwell brothers, Frank and Dick, as are now appear- ing in this weekly. he is putting forth his best efforts to amuse and entertain them. you have no idea of what a grand feast he is preparing for you, ‘Top’s stories are going to astonish you. Do not fail to get it. Mr. Standish has a world-wide circle of friends and Boys, Tip PRICE FIVE CENTS PER COPY | For sale by all newsdealers, or sent, postpaid, by the publishers upon receipt of price in money or postage stamps — HERE ARE THE LATEST TITLES: _ §24—Frank Merriwell’s Young Crew; or, The Mystery of the Boat-house. © §25—Frank Merriwell’s Fast Nine; or, Champions of the County. 526—Frank Merriwell’s Athletic-field; or, The Great Meet at Bloomfield. 527—Dick Merriwell’s Reprisal; or, The Clash of the Champions. —528—Dick Merriwell Dared: or, The Grapple at Wells- burg. —529—Dick Merriwell’s’ Dismay; or, The Departure of June. 530—Frank Merriwell’s Son; or, The Mark of the Star. 531—Frank Merriwell’s Old Flock; or, The Reunion at . Merry House. 532—Frank Merriwell’s House-Party; or, The Rustle with the Rovers. 533—Dick Merriwell’s Summer Team; or, Baseball in the Blue Hills. 534—Dick Merriwell’s Demand; or, The Draw at Mad- | —awaska, ' — §35—Dick Merriwell’s Slabmate; or, The Boy from Bloomfield. , 36—Frank Merriwell’s Summer Camp; or, The Athletic- school in the Woods. 537—Frank Merriwell’s Proposal; or, Starting the Sport in the League. } | 538—Frank Merriwell’s Spook-hunters; or, The Mys- terious Island of Mad Lake. 539—Dick Merriwell’s Check; or, The Hot Bunch From Happy Camp. 540—Dick Merriwell’s Sacrifice; or, Team Work That Told. 541—Dick Merriwell’s Heart; or, Breaking the Hard — Luck Streak. 542—Frank Merriwell’s New Auto; Destruction. 543—Frank Merriwell’s Pride; at Pineville. or, The Lure to 544—Frank Merriwell’s Young Winners; or, The Stars _ in the Blue Hills. 545—Dick Merriwell’s Lead; Place. 546—Dick Merriwell’s Influence; or, On the Right Road At Last. % 547—Dick Merriwell’s Top Notch; or, Against Odds, Fate, and Scheming. 548—Frank Merriwell’s Kids; or, The World Beaters In i New York. . 549—Frank , Merriwell’s Kodakers ; Game Without Guns, If YOU WANT ANY BACK NUMBERS of our libraries and cannot procure them from newsdealers, they ean be obtained from this office dirsot, a price of the books you want and we will send them to you by return mail, er: Cut out and fill in the following order blank and send it to us with the SAME AS MONEY. ty i STREET & SMITH, Publishers, 79 Seventh Setiot Maw VAN CHIE fie oS Ci WORE eg aitled fuk lenas thi ah e e 190. Ait Gentlemen :—-Enclosed find............ cents for which please send me : : ape at hte ...copies of TIP TOP NOs ain wan snes aceecede sims csecubicnced,) -Sebsewns copies of BUPPALO BILL, © No8.....22.-.--2-20-csesencecesenaneaee xe 2 Ree he crwies “ “NICK CARTER | LTS GLUES vata who oN ReaA epleinps aS omiok nie *. BRAVE AND BOLD NOG. -cbno 6 is: es (ascites eaeabrae leeeeies” “| “ DIAMOND DICK NoMias Luisa ae cahienn ts ates ion se) aaa e ah “| 4 BOUGH RIDBR: =o" Nosn i er ee Name...... Seaeee ik oui Sine oluankdaie ...--Street IRSA TN Sad ah eis eeit nsth eh a lege 2 op anaacdae POW saat ota oo ah Ne dcsuenes States ee eee cy or, The Double-Header z or, Bound to Hold First. ag or, Hunting Big. = me es voy ; 7 eee anaes sat FF eee ne . r ; : : ars te ‘ ay ‘ Me : 2 = xa oe , Su ae ° aera! «Eber 6p F i f " 5 ny. f é 5 wells \ f oes fs re 0 Ae NA « Ps ¢ i Fie t ¥ Lb Mae dar THE FAVORITE LIST OF FIVE-CENT LIBRARIES BOWERY BOY LIBRARY The adventures of a poor waif whose only name is ‘‘Bowery Billy.” Billy is the true product of the streets of New York. No boy can read the tales of his trials without imbibing some of that resource and courage that makes the character of this homeless boy stand out so prominently. MIGHT AND MAIN DIAMOND DICK WEEKLY These are stories of the adven- The demand for stirring stories tures of boys who succeeded in | of. Western adventure is admir- climbing the ladder of fame by | ably filled by this library. Every honest effort. No more inter- | up-to-date boy ought to read just esting tales can be imagined. | how law and order are estab- Each number is at least one-third | lished and maintained on our longer than the ordinary five- | Western plains by Diamond Dick, cent library. Bertie, and Handsome Harry. “BUFFALO BILL STORIES NICK CARTER WEEHLY __ Buttle! WM is thee Of a ek ee ne ‘| no need of introducing to you thousand exciting adventures | Nicholas Carter, the greatest among the Redskins. These are | sleuth that ever lived. Every || given to our boys only in the | number containing the adven- | Buffalo Bill Stories. They are tures of Nick Carter has a peculiar, but delightful, power of fascina- tion. bound to interest and please you. BRAVE AND BOLD ROUGH RIDER WEEKLY _ Ted Strong was appointed deputy mar- Al shal by accident, but he resolves to use his - {in his reading matter, ought to authority and rid his ranch of some very |be a reader of Brave and Bold. tough bullies. He does it in such a slick way that everyone calls him ‘‘King of the Wild West” and he certainly deserves his } who are past masters in the art | title. $100 in cash are given to the readers | 3 of telling boys’ stories. Every of this publication, every three months. , Pet Buy a copy and learn how to come in for a tale is complete in itself. sate of it. Every boy who prefers. variety sq | All these were written by authors THE TIP TOP WEEKLY Frank Merriwell and his brother Dick are known and loved by over one hundred and fifty thousand of the best boys in the United States. They are both clean-cut, vigorous fellows who dare to do right no matter what the consequences. Get the current number. We are sure you will like it.