» All readers of the renowned Tip Top stories should beware of base imitations, placed upon the market under catch names very similar to Frank Merriwell, ™ and intended to deceive. IDEAL PUBLICATION FOR THE AMERICAN YOUTH Entered as Second- it th , by STREET & SMITH, 79-59 Seventh Ave. N. ¥. K, DECEMBER 2, 1905. Price, Five Cents i th iD | HEE Tt HTT | Hi | $4434 | i + f t py BURT L. STANOISH Dribbling the puck, Arlington dodged man after man, bearing down on Fardale’s goal, before which, long, lank Chip Jolliby crouched, quivering with anxiety and excitement. 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 ¥ Entered according to Act of Congress tn the year z005, tn the Office of the Librarian of Congress, Washington, D. C. i, o. 503. NEW YORK, December 2, 1905. DICK MERRIWELL’S SKATES: Price Five Cents. OR, Playing Ice Hockey for Every Point. By BURT L. STANDISH. | CHAPTER I. PROF GUNN NEEDS EXERCISE. “What I need,” declared Prof. Gunn as he doddered “up and down the room, “is exercise. My whole organ- ism is dormant. I need something to stir up my liver, _ set my heart beating and revivify my nerves.” e “Hey: ?” said his wife looking at him oddly. ‘What's ¥ that you're saying, Prof. Gunn? You need wha-a-a-t ?” _ “TI need a new set of lungs and a voice like a loco- motive whistle to make that woman hear!” mumbled “Hey? hey?” snapped Nancy. “What are you say- ing to yourself: ? Now don’t be saying things to your- self! I don’t like it. Didn’t you make some remark about exercise?” _“That’s what I did!’ shouted the old man. “My abits are too sedentary. I’m growing old before my ne. oe I ie to be as young and frisky as a “He! he!’ laughed Nancy derisively. “Young and frisky, Zenas Gunn! You're seventy-three if you're a minute! Young and frisky indeed!” “Woman, don’t make such statements! Seventy- three! Why, I’m not yet seventy! Don’t think every- body i is getting up toward a hundred just because you are.’ ; “Now that'll do, sir—that’ll do!” cried the woman. — “You know I’m more than ten years younger than ; you! {?? To prove this she tried to skip about in a girlish ¥ manner, wet eeO the old man cackled derisively. | “Oh, yes, you’re frisky, you’re frisky!” he sneered. — “What? What d’you say about whisky? Don’t accuse me of taking whisky, man! Don’t think ’m up to your tricks! Oh, I know what you have hidden in your study! I know what you have hidden in that black bottle! Perhaps it isn’t whisky; but it smells like gin, sir—it smells like gin!” 3 “Ahem!” coughed Zenas. “How-ugh! how-ugh TIP. TOP You know I have a slight cold on my lungs, my dear. I have to have something stimulating for that.” “When you want to take a drink you have the most convenient manner of catching cold of any man I ever saw,’ retorted his wife. “You're always talking about exercise, Prof. Gunn. Why don’t you take some?” “How'll I get it, Mrs. Gunn? Please explain that.” “Oh, Pll show you,” she declared as she made a dive into her work-basket and produced several pairs of socks. “Here, you just set down on that chair and Pll show you how to get exercise. Look at the holes in. those socks! You can darn ’em up!” “Darned if I do!” flung back the old professor. “You've made a mistake, my lady; that’s not the kind of exercise I need!” “Hey? Oh, ain’t it? Well, exercise ain’t nothing but work, and I guess you'll find it work darnin’ socks.” “Hold right where you are!” commanded Zenas dramatically. “None of that for me! I'll continue to wear socks with holes in the toes and holes in the heels as long as I haven’t a wife who will look out for such little things. I'll wear socks that would disgrace a beggar! No, woman; I’ve consulted the doctor, and he informs me that the sort of exercise I need is one that will stir up my liver. Now, darning socks would stir up nothing but my dander.” “Oh, yes! oh, yes!” snapped Nancy. “That’s the way you get out of it! Well, Ill Suge gest something f. for you. * There’s‘a man sawing wood to be put into the basement. Just you go down there and take hold of that saw for a while. I rather think it will fix your liver !” “Well, my dear,” said Zenas, “you fail to grasp my necessity. The doctor informed me that the exercise I ought to take should be something that would be agreeable to me—something that would give me pleasure. If there is any one thing under the broad canopy of heaven that would fill me with displeasure _ and wrath it’s sawing wood. Madam, your brilliant | attempts at suggesting some sort of exercise to meet } my crying needs are pitiful failures. Don’t try it » again. Don’t put such a strain on the gray matter in _ your head.” maliciously suggested Nancy. “I believe you tried that once. If I remember correct, fies was in bed for a week afterward.” “You know the football season is over, my dear. There'll be no more football until another autumn. Desist, desist! Don’t give me any more advice! It’s exceedingly kind of you, but I don't think I appreci- ate it.” _ “You never appreciate nothing that I do for you!” whimpered his wife. “There! there!” cried the old man. “Don’t sniffle! If I don’t appreciate things it’s my fault. You _ shouldn’t put yourself to so much trouble. Just let me alone if youcan. At least, I hope you'll try.” What?” she almost screamed. “ Hope I die? hare you go, you brute! ee s just like you!’. “You might go out with the boys and play football,’ several of them were skating. WEEKLY. “T didn’t say that!’ he protested. Pah “Don’t tell me man! Didn’t I hear what you said?” |g, “If you did it’s the first thing you ever-heard!’ he | spluttered. ‘Oh, shades of Macbeth! Is it a wonder ae my nerves are upset? Is it a wonder I’m nearly a oY iad wreck ?” es “Go ahead, Zenas Gunn—go ahead! Rantandrave and tear your hair! Oh, you're a fearfully violent man feat when you get started! I’m afraid of my life! You Ae know what a condition I’ve been in since that horrible experience I lately passed through. I believe you were responsible for it, too. At least, you had no right to leave me alone and unprotected.” In spite of himself the old professor g grinned. “T didn’t find you alone when I came in,” he said. “He! he! That was the funniest sight I ever beheld. You’re very choice in your company when I’m away, aren’t you? If I couldn’t find anything better than a gorilla fits Nancy uttered a scream of rage and came at him as if intending to scratch his face. “Don’t you dare speak of it, Zenas Gunn! you even hint at it!” He retreated, putting up his‘arm to ward her off. ce gs “Keep your distance, Mrs. Gunn—keep off!’ he | squawked. “Where’s my hat? Where’s my cane?? | “What are you going to do?” “Tm going out, woman—going out! Don’t try to stop me! I’m going to get a breath of free air.” He caught up his hat and stick and made for the | door. _ “When are you coming back?” she demanded. “I don’t know! I don’t know! I may never come back! If I’m found stark and stiff in some lonely spot you'll have the satisfaction of te you drove me to suicide!’ i He slammed the door behind bi and went t pegging a away down the corridor with his cane. pa Don’t CHAPTER II. THE PROFESSORS DECIDE TO SKATE, Over at Lily Lake that afternoon the boys were en- joying the first solid ice of the season. A number of — girls from Lakeside Academy were also ‘present, and The arrival of Dick Merriwell was the signal tok : the starting of an impromptu hockey game. Although no regular ice-hockey schedule had been arranged, it was certain that fine skating ‘and plenty of it would bring about the meeting of Fardale vi several rival school teams. The ice in the neighborhood of the lake’s cashiill shore presented a lively appearance when Prof. Gunn, accompanied by Prof. Gooch, came down to the rir of the broad mirror-like stirface and paused to watch the skaters. ‘ “Hum! haw! Haw! hum!” burst from Zech ; 4 FIP CLOP he clasped his mittened hands together and beamed genially. “What a pleasant spectacle, Barnaby! Just survey it! Doesn’t it warm your blood?” “Well, I cari’t say that it does,’ admitted Gooch. “Tt will take more than that to warm my blood after being out so long in this biting cold air.” “Dear me, Barnaby—dear me!’ breathed Gunn. “Ym afraid you're getting old! I’m afraid you’re getting passé! I’m afraid you’re in the seer and yellow!” “Flow about you?” demanded’ Gooch. kid, sir!” “Oh, maybe I’m no kid, but I’m pretty young and kinky I tell you! I refuse to grow old, Barnaby!” “Ha! ha!” laughed Gooch derisively. ‘You can refuse as much as you wish, but you'll keep right on _ growing old just the same. You can’t stop that!” “Oh, I don’t know! A man is as old as he feels | you know. Now the matter with you is that you’re rusting out. You don’t take exercise enough.” / “You seem to be getting daffy on that matter of _ exercise lately, Zenas.” “T need it, Barnaby—we both need it. What we need is exercise that is diverting and pleasant and - agreeable. As a rule men of our years are inclined La to abandon the very things that will do them the most ~ | good. They decline to get out and caper around a Be little for fear that they’ i lose dignity. Ridiculous! If they thought less of their dignity they’d keep young longer. I know old fogies who decline to walk fast qcpough to stir up their blood because they’re afraid some one will regard it as undignified. Golf has been “aie salvation of lots of old chumps who persistently declined to take part in other sports. Bui you can’t _ play golf in mid-winter. It don’t last the year round. Now we used to have fun skating when we were | young, didn’t we, Barnat y ?” _ “T did myself,” admitted Gooch. _ “Well, why did you stop it? Why didn’t you keep it up? It’s a splendid form of exercise and perfectly adapted to the season. I'll tell you why you abandoned it. You fancied you'd be laughed at. You thought _ you'd lose your dignity if you skated with a lot of boys and girls. Don’t deny it, Barnaby. That’s the real reason. Lots of times you’ve thought you’d like to try it once more, but you didn’t dare.” “Well, what are you driving at, Zenas?” “TT tell you I’m going to stop being an old man. _ There’s nothing in it. I’m going to get back to the sports I enjoyed when I was a boy and try ‘to enjoy them now. Skating was one of those sports. Barnaby Gooch, I’m going to skate! Barnaby Gooch, you’re ing to skate!” | _ “Wha-a-a-t?” gasped Gooch. “Yes, sir; yes, sir! I mean it! We're both soing to skate! We’ re going at it this very day!” “Zenas, I’m afraid your mind is affected. Be careful hey’ll have you in a strait-jacket!” Prof. Gunn laughed in his cackling manner. =~ VY oO cer “You're no oO Se ee bigot a — a oy we PI oa is WEEKLY. 3 “No danger of. that!” he said. “Come on, Bar- naby !” “But we haven't any skates!’’ “We'll get some!” “How ?” “If necessary we'll go down there on the ice, seize some of those young rascals, throw them down and take their skates off.” “Zenas, is your head hot?” “Heéy.27 “Let me put my hand on your brow. I seem to see a wild light in your eyes. You're talking strangely.” “Oh, I’m all right. Now don’t back out, Barnaby. Just brace up and have some nerve. Let’s canter out on the ice and show these youngsters how we used to skate when we were boys. Let’s show them how to cut a few fancy figures. Why, the very idea of it thrills me. I can remember my old ring-toed, creased skates and how I used to astonish people when I strapped them on. I’m going to astonish every be- holder to-day. Something tells me I can skin around just as I used to.” “It’s a delusion, Zenas—a delusion and a snare! You'll find yourself deceived. If you go down there and attempt to skin around you'll make a spectacle of yourself.” “’Fraid cat! ’fraid cat!” mocked the old professor. “That’s what we used to say when we were boys. Oh, do brace up, Barnaby! Don’t be a coward! Of course I know I can skate a'! round you and you won’t be in it with me; but never mind that.” “Hey?” cried Barnaby. ‘You skate round me— you? You’re dreaming, Zenas Gunn! Why, if I ever let you skate round me I’d go right away to some lonely place and die! [’d be ashamed to look at my own reflection! Skate round me—you? Not in a thousand years!’ “Well, just come out onto the ice, and I'll show you in double-quick time!” “Well, I certainly would like to see you show me anything! If you can show me anything that I can’t do, [ll conclude it’s time for me to make my will and prepare for death.” Zenas dragged his companion down to the edge of the ice. “Hey, boys!’ he cried. borrow your skates.” A dozen fellows hurriedly dashed to the spot and eagerly offered to surrender their skates. “Are any of you using creased bottoms?” asked Zenas. “Creased bottoms!’’ cried the boys. they ?” “Why, they’re skates with creases in them. They’ re the only kind of skates to use!” To his disappointment there were no skates with creased runners. | “Oh, well,. never mind,” he said. “We can do just as well with these. We're going to show you chaps how your fathers used to skate. You think you're “Come here! We want to “What are tine 4 pretty smart I suppose. You think you can skate well, I fancy. Just hod on until we get out there, and you'll change your minds! We'll astonish you! We'll para- lyze you!” Some of the boys laughed at this, whereupon the old man seemed offended. “Oh, laugh away!” he exclaimed resentfully ; “laugh away! You won’t laugh so much in a few minutes! Here, how do you hitch these things onto your feet? Where are the straps?” “‘They are clamp skates,”’ explained one of the boys. “Don’t need straps with them.” Zenas shook his head. “T don’t think much of these new-fangled folderols,”’ he declared. “Never mind, go ahead and hitch them onto my feet.” Eagerly the boys hastened to clamp the skates onto the feet of the two old professors. They expected to see some fun, and they were not disappointed. When his skates were on Barnaby attempted to get up first, in order to obtain a start on Zenas. He half rose, and then his feet went scooting out from under him, and he slid away onto the ice. Prof. Gunn actually whooped with laughter. “Ts that the way you skate, Barnaby? >” he inquired. “Tm proud of you!” “Never mind,” retorted Gooch; balance just right.” “Wait a minute and I'll help you,” said Zenas catch- ing hold of one of the boys and dragging himsel f to his 7 feet. “I'll be right there.” fos ie gave a push, and out he went onto the ice; but, to his unspeakable astonishment, both skates seemed elued fast to the slippery surface, and he was unable to take a stroke. Straight toward Barnaby he went, and, seeing the danger, Gooch shouted: “Turn out! turn out! You're going to run into me!’ “Turn out yourself!” cried Zenas. sitting there like a stump? I Then he struck against Gooch and went sprawling over him. “T didn’t get my “Why are you CHAPTER III. ZENAS AND BARNABY DO SOME FANCY STUNTS. There was a shout of laughter from the spectators. Zenas rolled over and sat up, glaring at Barnaby. “What'd you trip me up for?” he demanded say- agely. ‘That isn’t fair! Don’t be up to any such tricks as that!” ? “T didn’t trip you up!” protested Gooch. over me and nearly broke one of my ribs!” “Well, never mind,” said the head professor sooth- ingly. “It was a little accident, that’s all. Why don't you get up?” _ “T was trying to discover a method of doing so.’ “Tl tell you how. We'll get up close oes take : hold of hands and ee each other.” | ? “You ran both showing ourselves down.” ‘ ay stars flying all around it.” WEEKLY. 6 “That's fine! that’s fine!” re They hitched along until near enough to one another mine to clasp hands, and then, drawing their feet up beneath — | ae them, sought to rise when Zenas gave the signal. They | snap did rise about half-way to an upright position. Then witt one of Barnaby’s feet shot out, and almost simultane- _ dare ously one of Zenas’ feet did the same. Down they “ came with a crash that cracked the ice. | him “W augh! waugh!” cried Barnaby, holding onto his and mouth. “My tongue! I bit my tongue!’’ aod “Waugh, wotigh; yourself!” barked Gunn. “You | quit tried to kick me in the stomach!” et RIS ‘You're another!” snapped Gooch. “You tried to | stat kick me!’ ae “Base prevaricator! How dare you say such a ~‘Kee thing! If you’re not going to skate fair, 1 won’thave | F&F anything more to do with you! You may go it alone. _ ing I know your tricks, sir! out You're full of them. You , do you?” - “Seems to me we're think you're going to show me up “T don’t know,” said Gooch. Several of the boys offered to assist them to uss but Gunn haughtily waved the lads aside. ey “Stand back!” he commanded. “When I need as- sistance I’[l call for it. Just keep that old reprobate away from me long enough for me to get on my feet a. and I'll make you open your eyes.’ ao He turned over on his hands and knees. Simul- taneously Barnaby did the same. A moment they paused thus, and then each carefully drew up his left ts and placed it beneath him. Slowly and uncer-— pny they lifted their hands from the ice and Btabe ened up. And there they were on one knee and one foot, un- able to make further progress. 3 “Go ahead, Zenas,” invited Gooch. for you.” - : “You go ahead first, Barnaby,” urged Gunn. before beauty, you know!” x “Well, you’re certainly a beauty!” flung back Gooch. ae One of the boys gave er a lift, and he stood upright. “He! he!” chuckled Zenas. “I knew you'd have to ‘ have assistance! Now just watch me.’ With a spasmodic effort he partially rose and plackd his right foot beneath him. His left foot flew back-— ward, his right one followed it, and an instant later he struck on his ear and went scooting away in a beauti- ful half circle. Barnaby Gooch actually shouted with laughter. | _ Hold me! hold me!” he ce “Tm: waiting “Age a fe ‘ 1” way! Gunn sat up, holding one aitteclll hand to the : si of his head. ; “Did you see it?” he asked. “Did you see that comet? It had the most beautiful long tail I ever beheld! It was red and blue and green, and there ve “We didn’t come out here to study astronomy,” re- 2r minded Gooch. ‘We came out here to skate.” h | = “Well, why don’t you skate, you old back-number !” ry | snapped Zenas highly offended. “There you stand n __ with half-a-dozen boys holding you up, and you don't - dare wiggle! You're afraid, sir—you’re a coward!” y “Let me go, boys,” commanded Barnaby. “I'll show | him whether I’m afraid or not! Release me gently is and give me time to collect myself.” They complied, and he stood there for a moment | quite motionless. Then, to his astonishment, one of | his feet began to move to the north, and the other one oO started away to the south. _ “Hold on! hold on!” he cried. “Come back here! a _—C Keep together!” ee But then, in spite of all he could do, they kept mov- ing away further and further until he was well spread 1 out and tottering in the air. | “Ffatha!ha!” shouted Zenas. “What are you.going e | todo, Barnaby? Thisjis no circus! Don’t do the Wf ? split!” , | Fearing he would actually be split from crotch to ee: - erown, Gooch managed to tumble as easily as possible - | upon the ice. ___- “There’s something the matter with those skates,” t | hedeclared savagely. “Never knew a pair of skates to act that way before. They’re not mates. They won't . | ~ keep together.” -___— Needless to say, the spectators found it almost im- possible to restrain their shouts of laughter. The more e apeceealey laughed, however, the more determined the two professors became. | “Are you sure these skates are all right, boys?” asked Gooch, as he examined them with a critical eye. _ The owner of the skates assured him that they were - | the best he could purchase in Fardale village. | “Can-you skate on them all right?” inquired Bar- maby. “Certainly, sir.” , “Then I’ll skate on them or burst a suspender !”’ _ “Hooray!” cried Zenas, feebly. “Go ahead, Bar- -naby, my boy. I like your courage.” — “That’s all right. Why don’t you go ahead? You _ sit there and tell me to go ahead, but I don’t see you doing any more fancy tricks.” “Pll be with you,” promised Zenas. “I confess Pve made a poor start, but I’ll get into it directly.” - Indeed, the courage and determination of the two old professors seemed quite unshaken by what had pened. However, they were now willing that the ys should help them somewhat, and with such as- _ sistance both were planted on their feet. . _ “This ice seems awfully slippery,” said Zenas. “It doesn’t seem to me that the ice used to be so slippery when I was a youngster. Boys, you haven’t been play- os trick on us, have you? You haven’t greased the hey assured him, however, that nothing of the kind been done. Late ‘Lul-lul-lul-let me help you,” urged Jolliby. ‘“Kuk- be TIP TOP WEEKLY. 5 kuk-kuk-keep hold of my arma minute. That’s right. Now we'll sus-sus-start off sus-sus-sus-slowly.” \ They did start off slowly, the old man taking a few faltering strokes, but gaining courage every moment. “Ah-hal’”’ he cried, with satisfaction. “Now I’m doing it! Iknew I could. Why, it’s almost too easy! It——— Whoa, there! Look out! Look i? Somehow one of his feet had dodged in between Chip’s, and a moment later they were badly tangled up. Down they went, while Barnaby Gooch came near hav- ing a fit. te “Boy,” said Zenas, as he sat up and glared at Jol- liby, “don’t you ever do anything like that again! Now don’t tell me you didn’t do it intentionally! 1 saw you! You thought I was getting along too well. You tripped me.” In vain Chip protested that he did not intend to trip the old man. “T think I'll start now,” said Barnaby; “but I want two of you to keep hold of me on either side. When I get ready to go it alone I’ll let you know.” He was between Billy Bradley and Obediah Tubbs. These boys succeeded in supporting him very well at the outset, and like Zenas he soon became overconfi- dent. “Strike out, strike out,” he said. too slow.” Then he attempted to strike out. In fact, he did strike out with his left foot, and promptly upset Brad-— ley, who struck the ice with a resounding slap. Down on Billy came the professor, and on top of the professor landed Obediah with all his weight. It is a wonder Bradley was not flattened out like a | sheet of paper. When they rolled off him he lay there feebly gasping: “Where am Hi hat? Who threw that brick build- ing hon me?” “I. think I’ve lost something!” muttered Gooch. “Will some one please look around for my right leg? Is my head on straight?” “See here, Prof. Gooch,” cried Zenas, who had once “You're going” ‘more been lifted to his feet, “this thing is becoming farcical! If you can’t skate, get off the ice for good- ness’ sake!” “T can skate as well as you can, and don’t you for- get it!” flung back Gooch. “You'd better get off the ice yourself!” In spite of all that had happened, they persisted in their endeavors, and after ten or fifteen minutes they were able to take a few strokes without assistance. Then they waved the boys aside. “We're doing it now, Barnaby,” said Zenas. 2 knew we could. This shows what persistence and de-» termination will accomplish. In five minutes more © you'll see me skivering around here like a cyclone.” “Tet’s skate together,” invited Gooch. “That’s a_ nice way. Just give me your hands, Zenas. Cross — : them this way. Now all right. Go ahead slowly.” They had one or two more tumbles, but nothing’ could dampen their ardor—at least, nothing had dam- pened their ardor thus far. The boys gave them plenty of room, for their move- ments were very erratic. At a point some distance from the shore was one of those treacherous “air-holes” in the ice. This the boys had discovered, and a stick had been thrust down through the hole with. a board nailed to the top of it. On the board was lettered the word, “Danger.” Suddenly cries of warning came from the boys. “Look out!” they shouted. -“Look out for that hole!’ The old professors had acquired considerable mo- mentum and were going straight toward the air-hole. They were quite near it when they discovered their peril. “Look out!” squawked Gunn. “This way!” And he tried to drag Barnaby Gooch to the right. “Hey! hey!” cried Gooch. ‘This way! And he tried to drag Zenas to the left. In this manner each foiled the other, and, in spite of their frantic efforts, they scooted straight toward the hole and plunged into it with a terrific splash. CHAPTER IV. THE RESCUE. It may now be truthfully said that their ardor was somewhat dampened. Not only that, but they were dampened generally. As they plunged in they broke holds on each other, and Prof. Gooch clutched at the edge of the ice, while Zenas managed to grab the upright pole which sup- ported the warning danger sign. The icy water cut their breath short for a moment, and then, as they recovered, both shrieked for help. Among the boys dashing toward them Dick Merri- well was the leader. He flung himself at full length on the ice and in this manner came sliding up to the hole into which the unfortunate old men had plunged. Ap- parently he made a nice calculation, for he stopped at precisely the proper time, being able to clutch Bar- _ naby Gooch’s wrists as the old man frantically sought to cling onto the ragged ice edge. “Get hold of my heels, fellows!” cried Dick. got him! Get hold and pull! e The ice was fairly solid at a distance of eight or ten feet round the hole, and therefore the boys were able to seize Dick’s ankles and pull vigorously. In this manner they dragged him backward, and he, holding fast to the wrists of Prof. Gooch, pulled the old man - out upon the ice. _ “Bub-bub-bub-brave boy!” chattered Barnaby. “T’ll never fuf-fuf-fuf- -forget it, Richard! You sus-sus-sus- saved my life!” “Gug-gug-gug-gracious!” stuttered Chip Jolliby. “T _ bub-bub-bub-believe he’s ©mum-mum-mum-mocking smelt: See ee atin BY. “lve ,. * TIP ‘TOP: WEEKLY. wet tut-tut-tut-too much.” C Prof. Gunn still remained in a position of great peril, . and when they attempted to rescue him in the same sh manner an unexpected difficulty arose. The old man ha was clinging to the upright pole with all the feeble 1” strength he possessed, and he refused to let go of it. : - at “Drop down, professor,” urged Dick, lying out- stretched as before and extending his hands toward Gunn. “Turn this way a little and let yourself down. T’ll catch you if you'll put out your hands to me.’ Tae “Nun-nun-nun-no, Richard,” gasped Zenas, “I can’t dud-dud-dud-do it, my boy! If I lul-lul-lul-let go Ill — sus-sus-sus-sink in a moment. Richard, I’m lost! | > Richard, I must perish! I’m a dead man, and that old idiot, Barnaby Gooch, is responsible for it! He ae a dragged me in here.” Me. d Gooch heard this, but he was too wretched and too © nearly frozen to retort. Some of the boys had stripped = W off his skates and were wrapping him in heavy over- coats, while the others were trying to rescue Zenas. SR “Prof. Gunn!” called Dick. SPU. “Yes, Richard.” ane g “You must trust me!” Rael “T dud-dud-dud-do, Richard.” as ‘Then you must do as I tell you! Let yourself down oe and put out your hands to me. I'll catch you.’ ig t The old man started to follow directions, but when — he lowered himself into that icy water a bit his courage —S failed, and he made a last frantic endeavor to shin up a the pole. Of course he did not get far, but there.he __ clung with his expiring strength, chatteringly reitera- _ ting that all efforts to save him were vain and that he ae was doomed. In the midst of his distress a new thought seemed Se to strike him. 2 3 “Tt was all that woman’s “deine he groaned a i faintly. “She drove me to it! She drove me out into rage the cold and bitter world! Well, I hope sus-sus-sus-_ ae a! she’ll be satisfied when she looks on my pale, dead Be oe face.” of Dick could see that the old man’s strength was fail- ing, and he realized that something must be done with ; out delay. Again he called to the professor. “Look here, Prof. Gunn,” he cried sharply, ‘ ‘you'll. have to do as I tell you. I can almost reach you now. If you'll just put out your hands to me I’ll get hold of you. You must do it, too. Understand that ? Bec lively for this ice is growing weaker beneath me.” “Save yourself, Richard—save yourself!’ moaned - the old man. “‘It’s better that I should pup-pup-pup- perish than that a young life like yours should be cuc cuc-cuc-cut short!” | oe Dick was truly vexed, and now in a tone of grins. command he ordered Zenas Gunn to obey him. He realized that coaxing and pleading would be vain with - 5 AMY the foolish old fellow. He spoke as if issuing an order to one who had no alternative but obedience. - “All right, Richard,” whimpered Zenas; “but it’s last of me! Tell Nancy how I died. Tell her I w courageous to the last. Tell her not to reproach he | 4iPfOPR [: 7. Then he seemed to drop back into the water from e | Sheer lack of strength. Indeed, he was nearly ex- n _hausted and failed to thrust out his hands toward Dick. e ..__Instantly Dick gave a forward squirm and clutched | at Zenas. He secured a grip on the old man’s collar - | and cried to the boys: ae eb ull! pull!” . | Apparently more dead than alive, the old professor _ was dragged out on the ice. eed “Now snap those skates off, fellows,” directed Dick. 1 | “Wrap him up, all but his legs. We must make them i both run all the way to the academy.” ee i The sport of the afternoon had nearly terminated in e | a tragic manner, and the boys were ready enough to do anything they could for the two old professors. » Soon Zenas and Barnaby were being hustled away to- {| ward the academy. | When the academy was nearly reached Prof. Gunn - managed to chatter forth: Ss te “J don’t want Mrs. Gunn to see me like this! go to my study.” | “Have you anything warming and bracing in your ~ study, Prof. Gunn?” asked Gooch. “T have a little tonic that might be beneficial,” was the answer. “T think a small potion of it would do me good,” declared Barnaby. Together they were hustled up to Gunn’s study. “We're all right now, boys,” asserted Zenas. “Don’t - worry about us, my brave lads. We'll not forget your courageous behavior. Return to your sports.” _ In this manner the boys were dismissed. Pil CHAPTER V. THE EFFECT OF THE TONIC, ih “T always keep one or two changes of clothes in my closet,” said Gunn, when they were in the warm room. _ Possibly I may have enough for you, Barnaby.” “Never mind the clothes now, Zenas,” urged Gooch. “Bring out that tonic.” __ “That's in the closet also,” explained the head pro- fessor, as he unlocked the door and began rummaging _ around numbly on a high shelf. “Ah! here it is.” He brought to light a large, fat black bottle. ~ Gooch smacked his blue lips, and his eyes began to - twinkle as he extended his hand for the bottle. “As I said before,” bowed Zenas, jerkily, “age be- fore beauty.” ‘Oh, then I suppose you're going to drink first!” sn ‘pped Gooch, jerking his hand back. _ “No, indeed; no, indeed,” answered Gunn. want to caution you, Better not take too much of the stuff. It’s very powerful—very powerful.” _ “Well, I need something powerful,” said Gooch, as he fumblingly removed the cork from the bottle. > as. x “But I ‘Here’s hoping we don’t get pneumonia out of this, j I9F 5 ' WEEKLY, ” Then he proceeded to take a good pull at the bottle. “Humph! humph!” grunted Gunn. “Little danger that you'll get pneumonia if you swallow it down like that.” Barnaby lowered the bottle and gasped for breath, “Tonic!” he panted; “tonic! I should call it tonic! That’s liquid chain-lightning! Why, I feel it all over me as quick as this!” “Well, are you going to hang to it all day?” snapped Zenas, as he caught the bottle from his companion’s hand. “Perhaps you were going to drink the rest of it before you gave it up?” The effect of that “tonic” on the old men was simply amazing. Each rubbed his hands together and began to beam and look satisfied. “I’m extremely obliged to you, Prof. Gunn,” said Gooch politely. “Not being a drinking man, of course I had nothing of the sort in my rooms.” “Not being a drinking man, hey? What do you mean by that, Barnaby Gooch? Are you insinuating that I’m a drinking man? No, I suppose not! It costs money to have a little preparation of this sort on hand, and it’s great economy on your part to drink my stuff, instead of your own.” “Now I didn’t think that of you—I didn’t think it of you,” said Gooch reproachfully. ‘However, I'll forgive you, as what you’ve passed through must have affected your mind slightly.” Instead of retorting, Zenas once more plunged into the closet and brought out clothing of various descrip- tions, which he flung about on the chairs. “T don’t need all these things, Zenas,” said Goochs © “Oh, don’t you?” snapped Gunn. “Well, you’re not going to get them all! Have you a notion in your head that I’m going to give you every dry rag in the place and go soaked myself? If you have any such vague idea wandering around in that vacancy where your gray matter should be, I urge you to abandon it at once.” na They began stripping off their wet clothes, and the spectacle of these two old men panting and puffing and tussling in their haste to make the change would have been amusing had anyone witnessed it. Gooch was the nimbler, and soon he was undressed to his under- — clothes, As he started to remove these Zenas Gunn chuckled and giggled. “What's the matter?’ demanded Barnaby. “Oh, nothing, nothing,” was the answer. “Excuse me if I smile, I can’t help it. The idea that such a little dried-up old runt as you are should ever think he could skate better than I! He! he! he!” “Oh, he! he! he!” sneered Gooch, “TI don’t see that you're such a handsome brute! Your knee-caps stick out like door-knobs!” “You'll refrain from commenting on my personal appearance, sir!” rasped Zenas. “You began it, sir!” flung back Barnaby. | They glared at each other a moment and then re-- sumed their desperate efforts to remove the clinging _ underclothing. Ga Sere TIE TOP “Modesty, sir, should prevent you from looking in this direction,” said Gooch. “Modesty might prevent it,’ retorted Gunn; “but my interest in monstrosities would overcome my mod- esty.”’ “Oh, you’re as graceful as a gazelle!” snickered Bar- naby. “From your appearance I should say you have _ been addicted to the practice of walking much in the grassy fields.” “Why, sir—why should you say anything like that?” “I see your calves are missing. I suppose they went down to feed on the grass and failed to return.” “Oh, he! he! ho! ho! You're a brilliant creature, aren't you. Do you shave yourself, Prof. Gooch?” “Always, sir—always.” “Well, you have no need to purchase razors. You can shave with your shin-bones; they’re sharp enough.” . “Now I don’t call that funny at all. There’s noth- ing bright about it, Prof. Gunn. I refuse to bandy words with you.” Saying this, he caught hold of his undershirt and attempted to pull it off over his head. In his haste he had forgotten to unbutton it and, having wrapped it about his head, he found it stuck fast. In a rage he yanked and dragged at it until he fell over a chair, hitting his shins a crack that brought a smothered howl from the depths of the undershirt. “Help!” he called in a muffled voice. of the thing, Zenas! Pull it off!” Prof. Gunn generously complied, seizing the flap of the undershirt and giving it a terrific pull. As a result he dragged Barnaby to his feet and nearly wrenched his head from his shoulders. “Come off, drat yer—come off!’ squawked Zenas, as he started on the run round the room. “Hold on! hold on!” choked Gooch. “I’m holding on,’ answered Gunn. “I’m holding on as tight as I can. What’s the matter with the dratted old thing anyhow? Why doesn’t it let go?” “Let go yourself!’ gasped Gooch. “You're wring- ing my neck!” “Didn’t you tell me to pull this thing off? Well, I want you to understand I’m going to pull it! Pll pull — it or I'll die in the attempt!’ Round and round the room he dragged Gooch, who slipped and slid and squirmed and waved his bare arms wildly in the air. Finally there was a sudden snapping sound and, with a wild flourish, Zenas flung _ the wet undershirt up against the ceiling and sat down - with such violence that the windows rattled. At the same time Gooch, who had been pulling in the opposite direction, likewise went sprawling. __ Then they sat up and looked at each other. Barnaby - lifted his clenched fist and shook it at Zenas. “You tried to murder me!” he huskily declared. “You tried to strangle me! know you did!” | “Catch hold Didn't yon tell me » to au that ay. off? 2 Well, by, - soberly shook his head. sc deny it, sir—you — “What an_ idiotic thing to ta desered Gunn. WEEKLY. Jupiter, I did it! Can’t no wet cotton undershirt get the best of me, sir!” “Cotton—cotton! It’s silk, Zenas Gunn! If you : i wish to see cotton underclothes, look at your own!” “Mine are linen, sir—the finest linen!” ae , “T don’t care what they are! I want a suit, and § é I want it quick!” gee “Take this one,” said Zenas, hurriedly rising and * tossing a suit toward Barnaby. | : “Thank you,” said Gooch, also getting up. “TI think I'll take that other suit. It looks more satisfactory re to me.” See” “Oh, take anything you want!” sneered the head = professor. “Take anything you see! Take everything — BS you see!” “ta After this they dressed in resentful silence. a Suddenly, actuated by the same impulse, both made — : , for the tonic-bottle. This time Zenas secured it and kept it for all of Barnaby’s appearance of disap- pointment. “I don’t trust you, Prof. Gooch. I fear for your Fs health. You’re indiscreet. You're rash. Tm sure | you would overindulge if given the opportunity. T’ll tee pour out a small potion for you.” Ares “Oh, very well,” said Gooch sarcastically. “Doas | you see fit, sir.” og Zenas brought out glasses, and they indulged in an- — other nip. ae “Ah-ha!” cried Gunn. “I’m feeling better-—much better! But I want to tell you, sir, that as a skater you're the greatest fiasco I’ve seen. self ridiculous before all those boys.” “Ts that so?” retorted Gooch scornfully. “Well, if I made myself any more ridiculous than you did, I must have been a spectacle! When you tried to skate = you spraddled out like a centiped!” “And you, sir—you hopped around like a turkey =i on a hot platter! Besides that, you dragged me into ky ae that hole!” Be “You dragged me in! [I tried to pull you aside! 1” “T tried to pull you aside!” , 4 “Don’t tell me that; I know better! You codeine 7 you'd push me in there and escape yourself!” , “You're another, sir!” : “That’s an insult! I’ve stood enough from you!” By this time they were shaking their fists at a “i other and seemed on the point of grappling. Zenas finally seemed to think better of it, for he You made your- 4 “Tl not waste ay strength or my breath on you,” he said. He again had recourse to the black bottle. At firs ; he seemed disinclined to give Gooch anything more from the bottle, but the reproachful looks of pe were too much for him, and he surrendered. This third draft on the bottle soon brought wonderful change in both of them. Their wrath melted and they began to look pacified and contented. — “*Fessor Gunn,” said Barnaby a trifle a ne think we’ve mishunderstood each other.” ret “’Fessor Gooch,” said Zenas, “I think you’re emi- nently correct—eminently correct. It’s a shad mis- take for us to have any misunderstandings. If I’ve shaid anything I’m sorry for I’m glad of it.” “That’s excheedingly kind of you,” bowed Gooch. “’Fessor Gunn, I’m shatisfied that you’re a great skater. Only for that unfortunate acchident your ska- ting must have appalled everyone.” “Thank you, shir. Your skating was likewise ap- palling. You chertainly did cut some new fancy fig- ures. Have nuzher drop of tonic.” “Your shenerosity, ’Fessor Gunn, is only excheeded by your capacity. Thank you, shir. Here’s to your very good health!” _ Zenas then brought forth pipes and tobacco, and they proceeded to smoke. “Seems to me,” said Prof. Gooch, “that Mrs. Gunn doesn’t prove of schmoking.” ; “Don’t mention that woman’s name,” protested Gunn. “Don’t ’rouse me, shir! She doesn’t ’prove of _anything I ’prove of! Doctor told me I needed pleas- _ hant, agreeable exercise. She wanted me to shaw wood! Think of it, Barnaby, she wanted me to shaw bees qe wood!” + “Pshaw!” said Barnaby. “How ridiculous! Never + mind, “fessor, you chertainly got ex’chise to-day. __ *Scuse me; I s’pose you’re going to your rooms now. | Think Pll go, too. I feel quite. comfortable, thank | you. I'll retire if you’ll ’scuse me.’ “I surely hate to part with you, Barnaby,’ said Zenas as he escorted his companion in an uncertain | manner to the door. “You're just a little unsteady. The tonic sheems to’ve affected you.” ‘eae “Nushin’ of the sort, shir!’’ retorted Gooch instantly. “Tm all right. You're affected yourshelf. You're *toxicated, ’*Fessor Gunn.” je *Seraceful, libelious statement!” flung back Zenas. - “T’m shteady as a clock. I can walk a crack, shir. But I’m ’fraid shome of the boys will shee you and note your condition.” “Don’t you let that trouble you, ’Fessor Gunn. But _ you take my advish and stay in this room until the effect wears off. If your wife shees you now you'll _ get shome more ex-chise. Good-evening, shir—good- evening.” Ju id id tO i Bt thing i Se IN meee Me a ee 0 mer § Giese . Pee Rathi ete a ’ CHAPTER VI. THE PROFESSOR ENCOUNTERS A BURGLAR. “Poor old chump!” mumbled Prof. Gunn, as he un- _ Certainly weaved his way back to his chair. “I’m -shorry for him. He desherves my shympathy, but he needs to be repressed. If I’d permitted it he'd drank up every drop in that bottle. Dunno but he’d swal- lowed the bottle. Where is it? Oh, yes, there you are! Hey? Bless my soul—bless my soul, there are two bottles! Now that’s queer. Didn’t know I had but one. Let me see,” — § Ete reached out abd and eaaneeee with ee Se tT Gee WY EY 9 hands, bringing them gently together until he could get hold of the black bottle. “Strange,” he said. “Uzher bottle was there, but it’s gone now. Don’t sheem to be only one. Musht be the ’fect of the cold water; yes, that’s it. Wonder if Barnaby left anything in here? Where are those glasses? My goodness, there they are! There are four glasses! Now this is most amazing! I’m sure I only took out two glasses. There’s shome psycholog- ical reason for the ’stonishing appearance of four glasses, ’stead of two. Never mind, I won’t use ’em. Bottle’s good ’nough for me.” But when he attempted to drink out of the bottle he came near thrusting the nozzle into his ear. “Funny where my mouth’s gone!’ he mumbled. “Seems to have moved. Most ’stonishing thing I ever sperienced. But I'll find it! Got to find it!” With one hand he held the bottle poised, while with the other he fumbled around over his face in search of his mouth. Finally an expression of great relief set- tled on his countenance, and he grinned broadly, for at least he had located his elusive mouth. “Began to think I’d lost it,” he confessed. it is.” Then he nearly put his eye out as he brought the bottle closer. “Hold on!” he cried resentfully. “Don’t you try that on me! Don’t you poke me in the eye!” After a while he succeeded in taking the final “nip” that completed his state of pacification. Reaching out in the wrong direction to place the bottle on the table. he dropped it on the floor and wondered very much what had happened. A few moments later, reclining comfortably in his chair, he dozed off to sleep. In the meantime Mrs. Gunn had grown repentant over her treatment of Zenas. “Poor, dear man!” she said. “He does work dread- fully hard in his way, and I suppose he should have exercise that will be agreeable. I must find some method of assisting him. He should have some sort of apparatus. Now mere dumb-bells don’t seem to be just what he needs. I wonder what I can get him?” After a time she remembered a punching-bag she had seen in one of the student’s rooms. As she thought of this she smiled joyously. f “Tust the very thing!” she exclaimed. “I must have one like it for dear Zenas. He'll be cold after his walk in the open air. I haven’t time to purchase one, but I might get that boy to loan his.” She considered herself very fortunate when she found the owner of the punching-bag in his room. She was further pleased when, on explaining her de- sire, the boy offered to loan the arrangement for the professor’s use until one could be purchased. “T’ll bring it right down to your rooms and set it up,” he said. . It was not a suspended punching-bag, but one oh “Here those arrangements at the end of a long rattan rod, having a heavy iron base, that may be set up any. 3 where in a room. When the bag was struck a shee 10 TIP TOP _ blow it could be knocked over against the floor from which it would rebound violently. Having set the thing up, the cadet illustrated the manner in which it could be used, standing up to it and banging away at it with his fists to the delight of Mrs. Gunn. “La me!” she cried. “Won't that be just perfectly splendid for the professor! I know he’ll enjoy it. I know he’ll have a lovely time with it! Just let me see how it works.” Then she got into position and gave the bag a good thump. Down it went biff! on the floor, and back it came bang! against Nancy’s nose. “Oh, luddy sakes! * she squawked in astonishment. “How quick it is!” “One has to get used to it,” “Tt’s easy enough after that.” In vain Mrs. Gunn waited for her husband to re- turn. Night came on and still Zenas did not put in an appearance. The evening passed and Nancy was very lonely. ; “T hope he hasn’t done anything rash,” she said. “Oh, I know he hasn’t. He’s always making such foolish talk. He’ll come sneaking in by and by. I'll just go to bed and let him take his time.” Having retired, she finally fell asleep. A, It was in the neighborhood of two o’clock that Prof. Gunn, in his stocking feet, came softly sneaking into the little sitting-room. The lights were off, and he decided to leave ‘them thus, hoping he might creep into bed without disturbing his wife. As he sought to cross the room he suddenly found himself confronted by a dark figure. He could only obtain a dim idea of what the thing looked like, but - before him he fancied he beheld a human head. His heart leaped into his mouth. “A burglar!” he thought hazily. Now the effect of the tonic was still potent on Prof. Gunn. It gave him unusual courage. He drew back his arm, and ott shot his fist, landing with fearful force on the face of the burglar. The unknown went down like a log, and Zenas threw out his chest and took one step forward. Then up rose the burglar and smote the professor a terrific crack on the mouth. . Zenas was so surprised that he fell flat upon his back, Looking up he saw his enemy standing over hitn, apparently rocking his head from side to side. “He’s groggy,” thought the professor. “That first swat I gave him jarred him some. One more will fin- ish him.” So he hastily scrambled to his feet and again let _ fly at the burglar. - He landed beautifully, but, to his further bewilder- ment, the intruder promptly countered and fetched him a staggerer on the jaw. The instant he could recover he struck again, but, to his surprise, his opponent dodged the blow. Nevertheless, the professor's courage was highly stimulated by the tonic, and he swung ee with his other fist. ; explained the owner. ~ gnarled. WEEKLY. Biff !—he landed fairly and again he saw his oppo- aoe nent fall. 7 oO But the man seemed built of springs, for he came 1 Nyt up like a flash and soaked the professor in return. a “Jupiter and Mars!” gasped Zenas. “What sort of ee a man is it?” ey Then he let himself loose in earnest. He rained 1 and blows on his antagonist, but almost. every blow was : promptly returned. os “Got to down him—got to do it!” grated the old ae man. ie In desperation he sprang in and grappled with the | he enemy. .He found the wretch pretty firm on his feet ne and simply succeeded in throwing himself. Neverthe. | ken less, his courage seemed increased and the battle raged a ow furiously. ‘34 By this time Mrs. Gunn was wide-awake. She heard tak the racket and began to scream. “Help! murder! burglars!” all “Oh, I’ve got the scounttrel, my dear!” panted Zenas. ab ‘Don’t be frightened, my darling! Ill handle him, a or sacrifice myself trying!” il “Zenas!’ she called; “Zenas Gunn, is that you? | Le ¢ What are you doing? What's the matter ?” Boge WW! “I’ve found a man here in our rooms! Bring a a light, Nancy. I’ve got him!” | _ Shrieking with terror, Mrs. Gunn finally succeeded in lighting a lamp. With it in her hand, she appeared at the door between the two rooms. 1 There lay the professor panting for breath and‘so | bewildered he scarcely knew where he was. Over him stood the punching-bag, gently swaying to and — : fro and not in the least put out by the violent attacks that had been made on it. a, “Where’s the burglar, Zenas?” asked Nancy. ae “Where the bur What? Hey? Why, what — the dickens is that thing?” “That? What that’s a punching-bag I got for you, my dear. I had it brought in here so you could take exercise the first thing in ‘the morning.” Zenas sat up. He glared at her as if he longed to strangle her. “Punching-bag, eh? Punching-bag, hey?” | He’? “So that’s the thing I’ve been fighting with! by You had it brought in here so I could take exercise, __ did you? Woman, you'll be the death of me yet! Ex- _ ercise! Well, if I haven’t had exercise enough to-day Pil give up!” a “You don’t mean to tell me you’ ve been fighting with = | that thing, do you, professor?” ) “Don’t I? Well, then will you just explain what I did mean to tell you? Perhaps you know what I meant to tell you better than I know myself. That’s likea | woman ; they know everything! Oh, you’re a wise one, — you are! You're a female Solomon, you are!” a “Landy massy! Don’t make such a noise about it! There, there, professor! Do calm down! Do be rea sonable !’’ “Yah!” he snarled, as he rose to his feet. “Caln ; thirsty burglar, as I supposed! Think of me ready to shed my heart’s blood in your defense, woman! | What gratitude do you show in return for it?” “Tf I was in your place, professor,” said Nancy, with a slight titter, “I wouldn’t say anything about '. my bravery. The idea of attacking a punching-bag ed and making such a racket over it.” as “The idea of having such a dodgasted thing around!” flung back Zenas, giving the iron base of _ the punching-bag a kick. Then he uttered a wild howl, for in his excitement _ he had forgotten he was in his stocking feet. lot s “Qw-wow!” he wailed. “I’ve broken a toe-nail! I e- | knowl have! Hang that arrangement! I'll throw it ad _ out of the window!” “Tf you do,” said Nancy mildly, “how can you take exercise in the morning?” “Exercise! I'll be diddley-hanged if I haven’t had all the exercise I need for a month! Don’t talk to me - -_ about exercise! Don’t even breathe it to me!” “Well, you certainly are the most ungrateful man TI ever saw!” “Oh, now hear that! Ungrateful! - woman! It’s just like you!” “You’re behaving in a perfectly scandalous manner, _ Prof. Gunn! What have you been doing? Seems to me Ij detect a suspicious odor!” “What, me? You can’t mean me, Mrs. Gunn “T believe I smell your breath!” “What, mine? You can’t mean mine, Mrs. Gunn!” _ “Oh, no!” she retorted. Perhaps it’s the burglar’s breath I smell!” / +“Silence, woman! I have heard enough! I’m going to retire. In the morning I’ll have that thing re- 4. moved.” _ Saying this, he stalked into the bedroom and began to disrobe. Nancy said nothing more until they were settled in | bed and the light had been extinguished. Finally she fell to laughing, and her laughter gradually grew so violent that the bed shook. _ “What’s the matter?” rasped the professor. “What makes you shake like that ?” “JT was just thinking about the burglar,” said Nancy. _“Oh, te-he!”’ sneered Zenas. “And I was just think- ing about that gorilla! Perhaps that will quiet you for a while! Good-night, Mrs. Gunn!” s. ~~ po- me . es Sail aaa Saree CHAPTER VII. . TWO BOYS FROM FAIRPORT. While the youthful rescuers were hustling the renched, half-frozen old professors over to the acad- my, two boys came sauntering along the shore of the ake and paused to watch the skaters and survey the spectators. chap, with nervous eyes and a quick, restless manner. Lie fOr. One of these boys was a tall, slender, dark-faced WEEKLY. II This was Randal Blacklock, one of Fairport’s fast half- backs. His companion was Chester Arlington. “I don’t see anything of Merriwell on the ice,’’ said Blacklock. He had a most peculiar metallic voice. At times it had a dull ring in it, like that of iron. At other times it grated harshly, with‘a sound suggestive of rusty hinges. His teeth were very white, yet extremely ir- regular, and when his upper lip was lifted by laughter, which seldom occurred, he exposed two tusklike teeth which had overgrown the others on his upper jaw. A casual observer might have pronounced Blacklock a good-looking fellow. On closer inspection, however, it is certain anyone would have expressed doubts in regard to this point. When his face was in repose there was nothing particularly displeasing about Black- lock, but in a football scrimmage he invariably wore an awesome, ugly expression, which, however, was not as disagreeable as his looks when he laughed out- right. This chap was an athlete from his toes to the hair on his head. There was not an ounce of superfluous flesh on him, and every muscle was trained and hard- ened. He took the best of care of himself. Per- haps it may not be said to his commendation that he neither smoked, drank nor dissipated in any manner whatsoever, for, although he had none of these vices, it was simply because they did not appeal to him. Smoking was extremely nauseating; he had tried it. The taste of beer made him shiver with aversion, and stronger drinks were still more offensive. He could see no sport in card-playing, and so none of these things had ever tempted him. At Fairport Blacklock was known as a fellow of fine moral character. The professors sometimes mentioned him as a model in habits and deportment. At the same time it is absolutely certain that not one of them had any pronounced liking for him. approval of his bearing and behavior, there was some vague thing about him that prevented in them the de- velopment of any strong feeling of friendship for him. On first entering Fairport, Chester Arlington had been inclined to avoid Blacklock and sneer at him on account of his behavior; but after a time Arlington’s eyes were opened to the fact that this fellow assumed no superior attitude toward others who had certain little vices. On the contrary, strange as it may seem, Blacklock appeared to have a preference for a chap who smoked, drank occasionally and swore on provo- cation. Indeed, when aroused to anger, although he did not resort to profanity, Randal Blacklock occa- sionally looked relieved if some one else did, and he persistently avoided the companionship of boys who were moral on principle. Having made this discovery, Chet fell to studying s Rand Blacklock, and it was not long before he con- cluded that this was the one fellow in Fairport he could trust without fear of ever being betrayed. Grad- — | ually a strange kind of friendship had developed be- In spite of their _ 12 TAP OP tween these two lads. It was not the true, spontaneous sort that is ever the finest thing between schoolboy chums, but in a way it was quite as strong and stable. “Merriwell may be somewhere on the ice,” said Chet ; “it’s strange if he’s not here. I know he enjoys skating, and he’s clever at ice hockey. There are a number of hockey sticks tossed on the shore yonder. I should say the boys had been practising.” “We'll run across him sooner or later,” “This lake is handy for the Fardale fellows. convenient to the academy.” “Yes,” nodded Chet. “It’s a nice little bit of water. I’ve had some fun here myself. Jingos! that ice looks inviting. I wouldn’t mind trying it. Hello! there are some fellows I know. Let’s go down to speak to them.” The fellows proved to be Vance Silkley, Orrin Hoke and Snack Tait. They recognized Chester as he came _ down to the ice. “Why, hello, Arlington, old man,” saluted Silkley softly. “This is something of a surprise. Where did you come from ?”’ He skated up to the edge of the ice and shook Ches- ter’ s hand. “Just ran over from Fairport. to-day,’ answered Chet. “Let me introduce my friend Blacklock. You remember him, of course. He was our left half-back. Blacklock, this is Vance Silkley.” “Glad to know you, Mr. Blacklock,” purred Silkley, giving Rand’s hand a polite grasp. “This is Orrin Hoke, and this is Snack Tait.” “Why are you not getting in some ice-hockey prac- tise?’ asked Rand. “Glitterin’ guns!” snapped Tait. Why should we practise?’ “Why shouldn’t you?” “We'd waste our time. You don’t think for a mo- ment, do you, that we’d ever get a chance to play in a game for Fardale?” “Why, I should think you might, if you made good.” “Ha! ha! ha!’ laughed Hoke. “Evidently he doesn’t know the way Merriwell runs things over here.” . “Oh, yes, he does,” him.” “Ves,” said Blacklock; “I can’t seem to get it through my head that any one fellow could. be such an absolute czar.” “We're plebes, you understand,” said Hoke. “Plebes have small show for anything in this school. If Ar- lington had remained here it might have been differ- ent.” | “That’s right,” said Chester. ‘The fourth class at _ Fardale should regard me with friendliness, for I cer- tainly gave them more of a show than any fourth class ever had before at this place.” _ This was true; but Chester had done so out of sheer necessity, having turned down the principal athletes of other classes and made himself generally unpopular by his methods. said Rand. It’s fairly ‘“What’s the use? , nodded Arlington; “I’ve told WEEKLY. “Where is Merriwell?” inquired Blacklock. ley, “Oh, he and a bunch of fellows have just taken | do; Prof. Gunn and Prof. Gooch over to the academy,” :: answered Silkley. “Those two deluded old chumps | dies came out and tried to skate. It was perfectly ridicu- bef lous. They certainly disgusted me, and I was glad ee by | when they skated into that hole you see yonder. How- : ever, it gave Merriwell a chance to play the hero, for that he was prominent in the work of getting them out.” con “Oh, you bet he wouldn’t miss a chance like that!” | C cried Chet. “He’s on the watch for such opportuni- Be: ties. Did old Gooch get a ducking?” _ mai “Sure.” ; Me “Well, I’m glad of it. I don’t think I’d shed a tear pai had he ‘been drowned. If there ever was a thick- _ oth headed old chump, it’s Gooch. I see my sister out there : on the ice. She hasn’t noticed me. I wouldn’t mind thi putting on a pair of skates myself. Hello! here’s a | ska pair lying here on the bank now. I wonder if they’ re [° ¢wh any good? They don’t look very fancy to my eye.’ ph sat down and prepared to fasten the skates upon his feet. hae He picked up the skates and examined them very act critically. “an “Why, those are Merriwell’s skates,” said Silkley. a “He must have dropped them there when he hustled he away to the academy.” | str “Merriwell’s skates!’ sneered Chester. ‘Well, now | _ thi look at them! Aren’t they handsome!” do “They may not be very handsome,” said Snack Tait; = “but by the great jumpin’ jingos he can get round on ay 40: them! I hate to say it, but he certainly is a cracker- | jack skater!” “are SE “Well, ’d never dream anyone could cut much of Sa a figure on these things,” said Arlington. “They look of like home-made skates. I should say some blacksmith ‘to knocked them together. Still, it’s nouse to letthem lie = here, so I think I’ll put them on.” Beg: me) “What?” exclaimed Hoke. as “What?” gasped Tait. ae at “What?” murmured Silkley. it OR ae “You may get into trouble,” said Hoke. “I don’t believe Merriwell will like it.” he | Ae tt “Well, let him lump it,” laughed Arlington as he | re 5 | CHAPTER VIIL ae ZONA’S DISAPPOINTMENT. Having made the skates fast, Chester rose and tried _ them. To his surprise they worked beautifully. He — found that, for some singular reason, they were well © adapted to straight-away "skating, yet when it came to © dodging, turning sharply or cutting fancy figures, they seemed equally satisfactory. In fact, in less than three minutes he came to the conclusion that they were the finest pair of skates he had ever tried. Ageut all sonts of figures and concluded by writing his orate or the ice. S “They seer to work pretty well,” ' smiled Vance Si ley, slowly following Arlington’s movements. ‘What cen | do you think of them?’ y,’ | “Well, I’m astonished,” said Chet. “They’re dan- Ips dies! I’d never believe it from their looks. As I said cu- | before, they have the appearance of having been made ad by a blacksmith.” w- “IT don’t know who made them, but I’ve been told or that Merriwell had them manufactured after a model | - constructed by himself.” {"~ } = Chester whistled. i- |§ “That explains their appearance,” he said. “The .~ | manner in which they work explains the real cause of _ Merriwell’s skill on the ice. Give him an ordinary ar | pair of skates, and he’d be no better than lots of k~ — 4-2 Others,”’ re | “That’s quite a discovery,” said Silkley, ‘for I don’t id | think he’s ever permitted another fellow to try those a |__ skates. Of course I don’t know about this, but that’s ‘e | what I believe.” 43 Chester sat down on the ice, placed his left ankle y | across his right knee, and again surveyed the skates _ in a critical manner. rn | | “Fe certainly has an odd-looking runner there!’ d | he muttered. “Look at that peculiar curve in it. He’s struck an original idea in skate-runners. I'll bet these vy. ___ things would be great in a hockey game; a man could _ dodge about just as he pleased on them.” ; Having borrowed Silkley’s skates, Blacklock now 1 =| joined Arlington. - | ‘By this time the two boys had been observed by | nearly everyone on the ice. When June Arlington | saw her brother she hesitated and seemed to lose a bit of the color that exercise and cool air had brought to her cheeks. - “It’s Chester,” she murmured. over here?” | “Oh, there’s your brother, June!” called Zona Des- mond, “Were you expecting him?” | “TI was not,” admitted June. ; _. “Who’s that handsome fellow with him? Why, I think he’s perfectly splendid! -Isn’t he one of the Fair- port football players? I’m sure I have seen him before. I wouldn’t forget such a fine-looking chap.” __ Aware that he was being watched by so many, Chester again rose to his feet and did all sorts of fancy _tricks on the ice. He was showing off to his heart’s content. | __ “ll show them that some one besides Merriwell can skate a little,” he thought with satisfaction. _ After a time, in company with Blacklock, he skated over and joined his sister. _ “Hello, sis!” he called. “Glad to see you. My good- “ness, June, but you’re looking fine to-day! Never saw you looking better.” “Thank you, Chester,” she answered. ‘How does it happen that you’re over here?” _ “Oh, I came over on a little business. This is my um, Rand Blacklock; Rand, this is my sister, June.” _ Mamie Woodcliff was near, and the boys were in- roduced to her by June. “What is he doing TIP TOP WEEKLY. Zona Desmond came skating up and gave June a nudge. “For goodness’ sake do introduce me to that fine- looking chap,”’ she whispered in June’s ear. “He cer- tainly strikes me as just about the proper thing.” . So Blacklock was introduced to Zona, who immedi- ately assumed her sweetest expression and began to gush. “T’m so glad to meet you,” she said. “I saw you play football, don’t you know. I couldn’t help notic- ing you. You were one of the fastest men in Fair- port’s line.” “Ahem!” coughed Blacklock. line, you know.” “Oh, yes, of course I know,” said Zona hastily. “That was just a little slip on my part. You were quarter-back, weren’t you?” “No; left half-back.” “Why, of course, so you were. I declare those. games between Fardale and Fairport were just per- fectly grand. I never saw anything so exciting, Really, don’t you know, although I live here in Far- dale, I couldn’t help sympathizing with Fairport. I suppose that’s natural for one reason, at least, as June’s brother is captain of your team. So you’re one of Chester’s friends. I always did admire Chester; he’s so smart. Don’t you think he’s real smart? And his father was awfully rich, you know, but he met with reverses. I am sorry for that on June’s account. Hush! Don’t speak loud! Don’t let her hear you mention it!” 4 Blacklock looked as if he longed to suggest that she should take this little bit of advice to herself. “I’m glad you came over,’’ Zona went ‘on. “We girls do get so tired of the boys here. That’s natural enough when you consider what a really rough set they are at Fardale Academy. Oh, I don’t mean all of them are rough, you know, but the most of them are. There are few real gentlemen among them. It’s surprising that Mr. Arlington ever sent Chester here. I should think Chester would be real glad that he’s in Fairport now. Don’t you love to skate? Oh, I’m just enraptured with it! It’s so fine when you have some one to skate with you.” Zona had her lariat out, and Blacklock looked ‘a trifle anxious. He saw the noose whirling over his head, and he seemed ready to dodge. “But I think it’s finest on a moonlight night,” the girl went on. “Qh, it’s charming when it’s real moony, and the ice is fine, and there’s no wind, and you go gliding away, away, away with some one that’s good — and strong holding your hand so you feel safe.” “Well, I’ve never had that experience,”’ said Rand. “Do tell!” exclaimed Zona. “Don’t you enjoy ska- ting with some one?” “Oh, it’s very pleasant. What I meant was that I’ve never skated with anyone who was good and strong and held my hand and supported me.” “Oh, of course not. I didn’t know you took it that — way.” e : : . s “T was behind the Nh} 14 TIPS TOP Behind his back Blacklock made distressed signals to Chester. Arlington saw them and proceeded to come to his companion’s rescue. — “Well, well, Zona!’ he exclaimed familiarily, “it’s good to see you out on the ice again. You always were an enthusiastic skater.” “I was just telling Mr. Blacklock so. I was just telling him how much I enjoyed it. Now, Mr. Black- lock, don’t you think She stopped short with an expression of disappointment, for Rand had turned away and was talking with Mamie Woodcliff. “That girl always manages to push in,” said Zona, speaking to Chet. “I never saw anything like her. I think it is positively immodest, but then I don’t sup- pose she realizes how it looks to others. “My goodness! what are they doing? Why, I be- lieve they’re going to—— Yes, they are—they’re going to skate together!” Indeed, ‘Blacklock had asked Mamie to skate with him, and she consented. A moment later they struck out together, while Zona glared after them, almost _ green with envy. “Some one ought to tell that girl a few things,” she said. “It’s not my place to do it. I’m no particular chum of hers. I suppose she just pushed herself onto Mr. Blacklock. Well, I’m sorry for him, that’s all I can say. She’s awfully awkward, but she does her best. He’ll get tired of it soon enough. I hope he doesn’t ask me to skate with him now. I should hate to show Mamie up. Are you going to skate much, Chester ?”’ “Not much,” hastily answered Arlington. “You _know I didn’t bring my own skates. You'll excuse me, _ please.” He hastened to make good his escape, chuckling to himself. Zona turned to June. “T think it’s your duty, June Arlington,” she said. “What’s my duty?” asked June, in surprise. “Why, to give Mamie Woodcliff a few pointers. You ought to give her some advice.” “I don’t understand. What sort of advice?” “Oh, you should caution her not to push herself for- ward the way she does.” “Push herself forward!” said June. “Why, Mamie is the last girl in the world to do that!” “Good gracious! how can you say such a thing? You know better, June! She always butts in! Didn’t she do so just now? You know she did!” “T fail to understand how, Zona. She was here when the boys came up. It was you who came along afterward and joined us.” Zona gave a toss of her head. “Oh, indeed!” she exclaimed witheringly. “T think - I understand you, Miss Arlington, but I don’t like your insinuations. It’s not your place to cast slurs.” _ “T assure you I had no intention of casting slurs, _ Zona.” “Oh, you say that very nicely, but I’m By not so dense ‘that I can’t understand some things. It’s all right; WEEKLY. we'll not discuss it. Of course there was a time when you could talk just as you pleased to anyone—at least, b you thought so; but you should realize that circum- y stances have changed. P k With this er uel thrust she skated away. a t fi a CHAPTER IX. f MOTIVES MISUNDERSTOOD. June skated after her brother and overtook him as t he was once more displaying his skill in cutting fancy A figures on the ice. c “Whose skates are you using, Chester?” she asked. t A frown settled on his face. begeo Me £ “What’s that to you?” he harshly demanded. “Oh, nothing, only I—I thought—I didn’t ‘ know——” tf “You think a great many things that you shouldn’t | think,” he retorted. “I picked these skates up on the | 1 a shore. They belong to somebody; I don’t know who,” “Don’t you know whose skates they are?” . ee “Why, no, I haven’t taken the trouble to find out. | 1 Perhaps you know?” a “T think I do. They are Dick Merriwell’s.” reat! “Oh, are they, indeed? Well, all I’ve got to say | 1 is that they’re the homeliest things for skates: : evér,.7 4. saw. I should think he’d have a decent pair.” q “If you don’t like them why do you use them? Be- sides that, Chester, you know you haven’t any right to use them without asking his permission.” He flashed a savage look on her. “Now, Miss Arlington, -I’ll thank you not to come around telling me my rights!’ he growled. “TI won’t stand for that from you! If I want to use these skates I'll use them, and that’s all there is to it! Why shouldn’t I use them? They were lying on the shore. = Evidently Mr. Merriwell doesn’t think much of them, - 4 es or he wouldn’t go off and leave them like that.” hae “Oh, there was a reason why he did so. Prof.Gooch | and Prof. Gunn have been skating here. They got Nae into that hole through the ice, and the boys pulled them = out. Dick was the first one to reach them, and he-really had a hard time to get Prof. Gunn out. Of course | they were both nearly frozen, and so, as soon as DOES | | sible, the boys started them on a run for the academy. — Dick told the boys what to do, and in his excitement and hurry he just pulled his skates off and dropped — them anywhere. That’s how they happened to be — lying on the shore. I’m sure he’s usually very care- ful of them.” “You seem to know all about his business the same _ as ever!” sneered Chester. ‘I suppose you’re just as much stuck on him as you used to be! You'd think him all right no matter what he did! You're a nice sister to have! You know he’s my worst enemy, ve . you go against me and favor him!” “Tt’s no use to discuss this matter! ¢ flashed June ‘sae sudden spirit. | ee Tal ens tre TOR | | “Not a bit!” he flung back. “We've discussed it before. You know what I think of your behavior, and you know ‘what your mother thinks, too! Still you keep right on. The old lady’s a fool to leave you here at Lakeside Academy! I’ve told her so, but she says the gov’nor’s the one who insists on that. This is the first time I ever knew her to give in to the gov’nor on anything. I think just about as much of Lakeside - Academy as I do of Fardale. That old hen, Miss Tart- ington, who runs the school, is a back number, and the girls are a lot of silly, soft-headed things! They all think Merriwell is the only think that ever happened! _ The only one who ever had sense enough to think any different is Zona Desmond, and she’s such a silly crea- ' ture otherwise that she’s even worse than the rest. A | fine place for a sister of mine, I must say!” : “Dick Merriwell will return soon,’ reminded June. “He'll find you are using his skates.’ Chester threw back his head and laughed. | “That’s what I want,” he declared. “Perhaps he’ll | try to take them away from me.” ‘ The girl gasped. “Why, you wouldn’t dare to keep his property after he called for it, would you?’ “Wouldn’t dare—wouldn’t dare?” sneered Chet. : “Why, you little softy! Have you a notion that I’m ne the least afraid of the mighty Mr. Merriwell? You make me tired!” “But you have no right to take anything that doesn’t _ belong to you and keep it from the owner. ‘That’s practically stealing.” “Oh, is it? Well, it strikes me it'll be a good joke. _ Why, I wouldn’t fool with these old skates if I didn’t Want Merriwell to return and find them in my posses- sion.’ “Have you no sense of right and wrong ?” Oh, now wouldn’t that give anyone a cramp! To hear you talk a person might think I'd picked a pocket or committed burglary. Using another fellow’s skates when you happen to find them dropped around any- where is not such a terrible thing! Don’t talk to me, =e ve ns I’m sick of it!” _ Although ske appealed to him to wait, he sped away on Dick’s skates. He performed a few feats on the outside edge, skating forward, and backward, and then did the cross-roll, which he had down to perfection. _ Following this, he swung into the serpentine move- ) ment, changing from the inside edge to the outside edge without a turn. ; Vance Silkley and his two particular chums were watching Chet’s every move. “He’s pretty clever,” nodded Silkley. ; “Clever?” cried Tait. “Howlin’ Halifax! He’s a corker! I believe he can skate better than Merriwell!’’ “He can skate fully as well,” asserted Hoke. “Too bad we lost him from the echckald With Arlington here, we'd have a worthy rival for Merriwell.” Silkley slowly shook his head. “He seems to skate as well as Merriwell,’ ”* he said; June! Every time you talk to me you get me stirred WEEKLY. 7 is doubt if he could hold out as long “but somehow I in a contest.” “T’ve never seen Merriwell do so many fancy stunts,” said Hoke. “That’s no sign he can’t do them, “What is it a sign of, then?” “Perhaps he doesn’t. care to show off so much. That’s one bad thing about Arlington; he never misses an opportunity to show off. You know how little I like Merriwell, but I must confess he’s not given to display- ing his abilities simply to win applause and admira- tion.” “T don’t care what you say,” cut in Hoke; “I agree with Tait in thinking Arlington can outskate Merri- well.” “Vou’ve fancied Arlington a better man at football and some other things,’ ” reminded Silk] ey; “but the result hasn’t justified any such belief.” “Shinin’ scissors!’ snapped Tait. you become a Merriwell admirer?” “My dear fellow,” purred Silkley, “‘that’s the way. you're given to misunder standing me. J haven’t a par- ticle of “admir ation for Dick Merriwell, but I can’t help recognizing his unusual abilities. I'd like to see him defeated at something just as much as either of you would—even better, I fancy. At the same time, I’ve ceased building false hopes. It gave me quite a bump when Merriwell’s team defeated Eaton. I lost all the money I bet on Eaton, and that’s left me in a hole. I’m busted, and I owe some money that I’ve got to pay somehow. In response to a letter home, asking for money, my father wrote that he’d sent me more than double my allowance and he didn’t propose to send any more for a full month. The amount I borrowed I promised to pay back the Monday following the Ea- ” returned Vance. “How long sirice ton game. I couldn’t do it, and I’ve been dodging ever since. It’s mighty disagreeable for me, I tell you that.” “Why don’t you make an appeal to your friend Rio- den?’ suggested Hoke, with a malicious grin. Silkley glared at him. “My friend Rioden!” he exclaimed resentfully. “Why, yes,” said Hoke. “Didn’t he do you a friendly turn after that game? He kept some of the fellows from mobbing you.’ “And I haven’t forgotten, ” retorted Silkley, “that. both you and Tait dodged away and left-me when you saw those fellows coming for me. That was a nice, friendly act on your part!” . “What could we do?” cried Tait. dozen fellows, at least!’ “Rioden didn’t hesitate about facing the whole of them.” “You ought to know why he did it. He regards tis as his special game, and he doesn’t want anyone else to get a crack at us. That’s my idea of it.” wes “You may be right, ” admitted Vance. “T believe he is,’ said Tait. | - Rob Rioden must have been disgusted and disap. pointed had he known how these three boys interpreted “There were a_ 16 his action. Following the advice of Dick Merriwell, he had endeavored to show himself generous and for- giving, but the very fellow he had defended believed him wholly incapable of anything like generosity. “Oh, say,” exclaimed Hoke, suddenly, “here comes Merriwell and the rest of that bunch! Arlington will be caught using Merriwell’s skates. Now we're going to see some fun!” CHAPTER X. THE CHALLENGE. Dick Merriwell arrived and looked about for his skates. It was not long before he was told that Chet Arlington had them. Dick paused on the shore and surveyed Chester, who was still displaying his skill on the ice. “Well, whatever do you think of that for nerve, partner?” cried Buckhart, joining Merriwell. ‘Look at the galoot! He’s wearing your skates and doing all sorts of monkey-shines.” “It’s hardly surprising,” said Dick, quietly. has nerve enough for anything.” What are you going to do about it?” “Why, I’m going to get my skates.” “You ought to light on him all spraddled out’ Seeing Dick, Chester came swinging round toward the shore, taking long, graceful strokes. “Arlington,” called Merriwell, “come here!” Chet pretended he did not hear. , Although Dick called again, he sped past and went circling away over the ice. “Great horn spoon!” grated Buckhart, as he sat down and hastily began putting on his skates.’ “Just wait till I get my paws on him! TI certain will shake those irons off him in a jiffy! You hear me gently warble!” “Wait a minute, Brad,” said Dick. “I’m the one to recover those skates. I don’t need any assistance.” “How are you going to do it?” “Lend me your skates.” “But you can’t skate on them as well as you can on your own. Arlington seems pretty fast on the ice. If he tries to run away from you——” “T don’t think he will.” “But if he does——” *T’ll have to run him down, that’s all.” “All right,” said Brad; “here are my skates. But when you do run him down I hope you’ll soak him one for me!” There was now more or less excitement, for the boys realized that Dick meant to pursue Chet and force him to give up the purloined skates. Several of the boys gathered near while Merriwell was deliberately adjusting Brad’s irons to his feet. “By Jim! I’ll bet a punpkin pie that he catches Ar- lington!” piped Obediah Tubbs. “Who’ll take me? Pil bet a oS pie Nie a atest c | “He - wP TOP WEEKLY. “That’s a heavy bet!” sneered Orrin Hoke, “T should think you’d be afraid you'd lose!” “Afraid I’d lose?’ shrilled Obediah. “Well, I ain’t afraid, by ginger!” a With itig netad suave nerve, Silkley came butting in. | “Arlington seems to be a clever skater,” he observed. “He’s decidedly fast on the ice. I think he’ll give Mer-— riwell a run for his money.” Buckhart glared at the speaker. “Say,” he growled, “if I were in your place I’d go ‘way back and close my face. Remarks from you are not appreciated.” hay Once more Chester came swinging toward a little . group at the edge of the ice. With taunting audacity, he skated close, although going at full speed. a Dick rose to his feet and, as Chet shot past, he started. ee out. 7 Arlington had the ita oieass of a good start, while Dick was compelled to get up speed. oe Vance Silkley laughed in his quiet way as he saw | Chester swiftly increase the distance between himself —_ and his pursuer. at) “Why, Merriwell isn’t in it for a minute,’ he said. Buckhart looked as if he longed to hit Silkley, and — found difficulty in restraining the impulse. nd Dick steadily gained headway, and soon he was fty- ing along at a good clip. Still Arlington had a long start and was confident of his ability to keep this ad- vantage if he desired. 1) “Merriwell couldn’t run me down in an hour,” he thought. “I'll show him up. I’ve got him foul, for he’s wearing another fellow’s skates.” 4 With this idea in his mind Chester wheeled hice and skated backward, laughing tauntingly at Dick. “Why, hello, Merriwell!”’ he called. “Are you — here? What are you doing?” ly “Just wait a minute and you'll find out!’ retorted - Dick. “Oh, excuse me,” said Chester. “I’m having a fine - time myself. Of course I don’t think much of these © skates I’m using, but I can manage to get around on them, I think.” 3 “If you'll just hold on a minute,” said Dick, “p 1 relieve you of them.” “Why, are they yours? Do they belong to you?! Well, I’m surprised! Never mind, Merriwell, you may have them when I get tired.” Ka This was said in a most provoking manner. To add to the taunt, Chet whirled and cut a circle, going round in front of Dick barely a rod ahead of him. At the moment when Arlington was nearest, Merri- well suddenly leaped forward with a surprising burst of speed. He cut down the distance between them until Chet was barely beyond reach. A shout went up from the watching boys. “Look at that!’ ~“T told you!” “He'll catch him!” “He has him now!” “No he hasn’t!” wf 4. of ‘IT | “Arlington is going some!” | Realizing the necessity of exerting himself, Chester un’t | dashed away, bending forward and striking out with all his strength. La, Both boys fairly flew over the ice. ved. ‘It is impossible to say what the result might have fer- § been had not an accident occurred. Arlington caught a runner in a shelly bit of ice, and in an instant he | went down, sliding at full length. gO Re Dick was so close that he found himself right upon are | Chester before he could make a move to stop. With a leap, he went flying over Arlington, landed on his ttle | irons, and set one of them into the ice sidewise with a ity, | scraping sound that quickly brought him to a stop. _ When he turned Arlington was less than five feet ted 4 _ away and seemed somewhat dazed by the shock of the wo tall. ule | = ——_~‘Dick pounced upon Chester in a twinkling. Before | Arlington realized what was happening Merriwell had aw | snapped the skates from his feet. | self “Much obliged,” said Dick coolly. — you'd give them up.” Arlington grated forth an exclamation that sounded like a smothered oath. “Confound you!” he cried.. “Your luck sticks by “T thought nd 4} , you! You couldn’t have caught me in an hour only ng for that fall!” id- “Think not?” said Dick. “With my own skates on my feet [Pll agree to catch you in less than five min- :ttes.”’ _ Chester rose, his face almost purple with wrath. He heard the cadets laughing and shouting, which added to his intense rage. The thought that he had pre- sented a ludicrous spectacle to the eyes of those _ watching boys and girls was most humiliating. _ “Hang you!” he grated, as he stepped toward Dick. Ri? _ He made a swing at Merriwell’s face, but, with _ scarcely a movement of his feet, Dick glided away. _ The force of the blow was spent on empty air, and _ Chester’s feet flew from beneath him, which again sent him sprawling on the ice. _ Another shout of laughter reached the ears of the fallen lad. “Oh, laugh! laugh!” he panted. “I'd like to make some of you laugh out of the other corners of your - mouths!’ Realizing that he was now completely at a disad- vantage, he once more rose, gave Dick a vicious glare and turned away toward the shore. | Obediah Tubbs was slapping his kness and fairly ch king with laughter as Chester approached. ‘You fat-faced toad!” sneered Chet. “Who, me—me?” piped Obediah. “By Jim, I'd _ never say anything if I was you! You oughter seen yourself! Why, you looked like a monkey the way you sprawled around!” Randal Blacklock had returned with Mamie Wood- liff and, leaving her, he hurried to join Chester. bee or ut TIP TOP WEEKLY. _ go back home with the report that you refused. [’m_ “What’s the matter?” he asked. powwow about?” “Oh, I fell down and Merriwell got his skates,” con- fessed Arlington. “Then Merriwell is here, is he?” “Sure.” “Where is he?” “Look around for him; you'll find him.” Dick came up at this moment and handed Buckhart’s skates over to him. “Much obliged to you, Brad,” he said. “But you didn’t soak him,” muttered the Texan in disappointment. “He tried to hit you, too.” “Well, he didn’t make much of a show at it, did he?” “He made a show of himself.” “That satisfied me.” “Hello, Merriwell!’’ called Blacklock, looking for you.” “Ts that so?” said Dick, as he quietly turned toward the fellow. “What do you want of me?” “T represent the Fairport Hockey Team to-day.” “Do you?” “Yes. I’ve been sent over here to challenge Far- dale.” “Indeed !”’ “We want to play you as soon as possible. sume you'll give us a game?” “Fairport seems very presuming,” said Dick. “Un- der the circumstances a challenge from Fairport is lit- tle short of insolent nerve.” “How do you make that out, sir?” “You know what happened when we played football in your town. You know that affair came near putting an end to all relations between the two schools. The | “What's all this “T’ve been I pre- majority of the fellows favored cutting you off after that piece of work.” “Oh, what’s the use to hark back to things like that? Let bygones be bygones. tions with us, have you?” “Not yet.” “Perhaps they will when they find we want to play them a game of ice-hockey,” put in Arlington, in his most sneering manner.. “They won't dare play us.” “You're a liar!’ exclaimed Buckhart. “Excuse me for my politeness.” “Oh, you’re very free with your tongue when you’re in the midst of your friends!” flung back Chester. “If you were somewhere else——” “Name the place!” cried Brad instantly. “Quit that!” said Blacklock. “We didn’t come here to fight!” “Tt’s a bub-bub-bub-blamed good thing you didn’t! chattered Chip Jolliby. | “Keep still, if you can, Arlington,” urged his Fair- port chum. “You know the ‘fellows said Fardale — wouldn’t meet us at hockey. I told them I thought dif- ferently. Now, Merriwell, I hope you won’t let me — You haven’t severed rela- | 18 sure you're not afraid of us, but I know lots of our boys will think you are.” “That kind of talk wouldn’t make the slightest dif- ference with me, Blacklock,’ declared Dick. “You may as well drop it.” “I knew they wouldn’t play!’ cried Chester, who couldn’t keep still. Dick did not seem to hear him. “We want a hockey game ourselves,” he said, “but we're not going over to Fairport for it. If you want to play us here I think we'll meet you.” “You think? Don’t you know?” “T’m not the whole team and the athletic commit- tee.” “Anyone would think he was!” sneered Chet.. “Well, when will you play?” questioned Blacklock. “Any time that is convenient to you.” “Good!” cried Rand. with satisfaction. Phat’s the same as an agreement to meet us. We'll play you Tuesday of next week.” “Hete fr" “Yes, here; and we'll bring over a team that will beat you, too.” or CHAPTER XI. THE BARGAIN. Before departing Chester Arlington found an oppor- tunity to speak with Vance Silkley. “Look here, Silkley,” he said, “I’m going to remain in Fardale this evening. I’d like to talk with you. Can’t you meet me somewhere in the village?” Vance glanced around quickly to note if they were observed. “’Sh!’”’ he hissed. - don’t want anyone to catch on. Yes, Pll meet you.” “What time ?” “Any time to suit yourself.” “Seven-thirty.” “All right. Where?” “T’ll be in Dickey’s cigar store; look for me there. E So long!” . Silkley was on hand promptly at the time set and found Chester purchasing a package of cigarettes at Dickey’s. “Hello!” cried Arlington, with an expression of satisfaction. “So you got here all right, did you? I was afraid you wouldn’t come.” What made you afraid?” “Oh, I didn’t know how it would be. I hear you have made yourself rather unpopular lately. They TIP TOP WEEKLY. say you had some trouble over at Eaton when Fardale played there.’’ a * “Yes,” he admitted, “I did get into a mix-up there. 4 Perhaps I am not popular in a certain sense.” a tt A cloud settled on Silkley’s face. 4 fe Chester’s hand fell on Vance’s shoulder. Gh “My boy, you don’t seem to realize that you never can be popular at Fardale as long as you refuse to ~ 4s toady to Merriwell.” “Oh, yes, I realize it by this time,” retorted Silkley. “T’ve had it drummed into me all right. I did try to 7 stand in with that fellow some. I wanted him to take — & Bencher and Grody, you know. .He turned me down. 4 i Ever since then he’s treated me in a way that arouses my wrath. He hasn’t molested me personally, but he seems to ignore me as if I wasn’t on earth. I can’t stand for that. The more I’m used that way the fiercer ? it makes me. Oh, Id like to find some way totakethe _ ae | wind out of him.” ce “Would you really ?’ “Didn’t I say so?” “Well, now let’s step back into the next room and a sit down by the stove. It’s all right, eh, Dickey ?” get “Sure,” said the proprietor warmly. “Go right in, | boys, and make yourselves at home. It’s cold to-night, 7 and you'll find the fire agreeable.” m They entered the little boxlike room and sat down behind the stove. Silkley warmed his hands and seemed to feel more comfortable. ae “ave a cigarette,” invited Arlington, offering them. : “Don’t care if I gare nodded Vance, as he accepted one. “TI see you still smoke. I suppose you’ve taken it up again since the football season closed ?” Chester smiled. ms “Taken it up; I never left off. Of course I didn’t — smoke publicly, but I’ve found plenty of fa bic “Don’t you think it hurt your wind?” “Rats, no! That’s an old woman’s etek Of a course a Merriwell would claim that cigarettes hurt a fellow, but there’s nothing in it. I’ve used them con- — tinuously, and I know.” | ae Chester did not acknowledge that on various occa- — sions he had attempted to abandon the use of cigarettes, but had found his will-power insufficient to sustain him in his resolution. Nor did he acknowledge that deep down in his soul there was a lurking conviction that to a certain extent the free use of cigarettes had de- tracted from his stamina and staying powers. This is ever the case with a helpless victim ot the little paper- wrappped seducers. | “Where's your friend Blacklock?” inquired Silkley. | “Why isn’t he with you ?” _ “Oh, Rand has gone back to Fairport. He’s re- _ turned to carry the good news that we have arranged _ for a game. I say, Silkley, is it true that you bet heavily on Eaton when Fardale played her?” “T guess it’s true enough,” admitted Vance with a slight doleful note in his voice. “I got hit hard.” “How hard?” _ “Well, it stripped me of every dollar, bese put- _) ting me into debt.” i “That’s tough; but then I suppose you'll have no | trouble in paying your bills.” _ “Oh, I’ve had trouble already. I promised to pay | the Monday following that game, you see, and I ~ couldn’t make good. When I appealed to the gov’nor | he gave me the throwdown.” Pig Bo ee “Well, that is tough! Then you're on the rocks, are wot tt “Sure—on the rocks and bumping.” ~ Well, now perhaps I can help you out some. I’ve | made a little stake lately, and I have some loose change in my clothes.” ay “Oh, if you'll fend me twenty-five dollars” be- | gan Silkley. ; _ “Hold on, my boy; not too fast. ie Twenty-five dollars _ 18 some.” “Tl have to have that much to get on Easy Street.” E “Well, if I do you a favor, my boy, I shall expect | something in return.” | “Oh,” said Silkley doubtfully. | anything I can do——” “Of course if it’s _“Tt’s something I want you to do. T’lkexplain. You know I tried Merriwell’s skates to-day. On my word, they’re the slickest things I ever had on my feet. If I hadn’t fallen when he pursued me he could not have caught me in a week. Those skates are the secret of his success on the ice. I want a pair like them. You ay he had them made from a model he got up him- “Yes,” _“Where’s that model ?” “You know as well as I do.” “Well, we both know where the skates are. Now, Silkley, I'd like to have those skates long enough to make a pair like them. I don’t want you to steal them, nderstand; but I do want you to get hold of them 9x me. Will you do it?” Silkley looked doubtful and alarmed. HP TOR WEEKLY: 19 “It would be a bad piece of business if a fellow got caught at it,’ he muttered. “Oh, but you’re not going to get caught. dces Merriwell keep his skates?” “I’m not sure. Maybe it’s in his room. Perhaps it’s in a locker in the gymnasium. I could find out.” “Well, I want you to find out ina hurry. I want you to get hold of those skates this very night, if you can. I must have them to-morrow. [I'll return them to you to-morrow night.” “But Merriwell will surely find out they’re gone.” “What if he does? He can’t say where they’ve gone.” “He'll raise an awful rumpus over it.” “Let him; you can return them, and that will settle it. Come, my boy, what do you say? I'll loan you twenty-five dollars now, but you'll have to promise on your word of honor to get those skates for me if it lies in your power. See, here’s the money, Silkley. What are you hesitating over? Haven't you any nerve?” Chester displayed a roll of bills from which he re- moved five fives. “T’ll take it,” observed Silkley, snatching it from Ar- lington’s hands. “I'll take it and get you those skates !’” Where _ CHAPTER XIL THE THEFT OF THE SKATES. The following day, when he went to take his skates from his private locker in the gymnasium, Dick made the discovery that the locker had been broken open. Further investigation showed that the skates were gone. “What’s the matter, Dick?” asked Jolliby, as he ob- served Merriwell standing with his hands on his hips and silently staring at the locker. “Some one has broken in here,” answered Merriwell. “Wha-a-a-t?” cried Chip. “You don’t sus-sus-sus- say so!” “My skates are gone.” “Gug-gug-gug-gone ?” “Ves, I think they’ve been stolen.” By this time the excitement of Jolliby attracted the attention of other boys, and they gathered about asking questions and becoming greatly excited when told what had happened. “What sneak-thief done that job?’ piped Obediah He ought to be shot!” Tubbs. “Dern his picter! “Pard,” said Buckhart, “if a certain fellow that we - both know were in this school I fancy I could name — — 20 the chap who broke into your locker. His initials are Chet Arlington.” Dick shook his head. “There was no way for Arlington to get in here,” he said. ‘‘Some one else did this job.” “Tf we have a thief in this school Id like to know who it is!” flared Hal Darrell. “We'd all like to know!” cried several others. The thought that any fellow in the school should do such a thing was sufficient to arouse those boys to a high pitch of indignation. “T hate to lose those skates,” can’t replace them. At least I can’t replace them right away. It will take considerable time to do that. I’m so used to them that I'll find myself at a disadvantage on another pair. Well, I’ll have to make the best of it; but I'll certainly try to find out who did this trick. If I do Pl He checked himself, but the watching lads saw a dark, ominous look on his handsome face. Plainly his anger had been greatly aroused, although he was seeking to repress it and hold himself well in hand. Immediately several boys offered to loan Dick a pair of skates. He selected a pair, and, with the members chosen for the regular ice-hockey team, together with the second team, he set out for the lake. It was a’ gray day, and some of the boys looked doubtful and apprehensive. “I’m afraid we're going to have snow,” said one. _ “If it snows heavily we'll have a fancy time clearing _ the ice for that game with Fairport.” Billy Bradley rolled a knowing eye skyward. “Don’t worry hover it,” he advised. “There may be a few flakes of snow, don’t y’ ’now, but the storm won't be ’eavy.”’ “Listen to the words of the prophet!’’ cried Dick, attempting to regain his usual good nature. “Remem- ber that he is always accurate. He never fails in his _ predictions, so let your minds be relieved.” - Brad fell in at Dick’s side. “Pard, I’ve been meditating some on this business,” he said. “It’s mighty queer your skates should: be ‘swiped so soon after Arlington’s appearance here. He made sport of them, but, all the same, I reckon he | = a great shine to them. He liked them a whole lot.’ “But he couldn’t get into the gym and steal them, Brad. _ “Why not?” : “Well, it doesn’t seem probable.” | “T opine that galoot has a few duplicate keys for admitted Dick, “for I eying Vance aslant. in the gymnasium and took them.” TIP. LOR WEEKLY. the locks around Fardale. over in the village last night?” “No. Did he?” “Sure thing. One of the fellows saw him.” “Still,” said Dick, “I don’t believe he came monkey- ing around the academy in the night. I’m more in- clined to believe it was the work of some enemy of mine who is in the school. It’s possible Arlington may be behind the whole business. It’s possible he induced some fellow here to steal those skates.”’ “T’ve thought of that, too,” nodded the Texan. “If that’s correct, I opine I can put my paw on the gent who did the trick for Chet. I’ll guarantee his name is Rioden.” “"Sh!” breathed Dick. “Better not say that, Brad. You haven’t a bit of proof oats it’s a bad thing to cast unjust suspicion on anyone.” : “How do you know it’s unjust? I know that galoot, Rioden, can’t be trusted as far as a cow-puncher could throw a steer by the tail.” When they reached the ice Dick dismissed all thoughts of the stolen skates and entered heartily into the work of practising and coaching his players. He had carefully picked out six fellows who he believed were best adapted to complete the team. Nevertheless, the second team proved strong and swift, which was decidedly to Dick’s satisfaction, as it gave him and his players all they could do to prove their superiority. : The practise game was in full swing and a number of spectators were watching it when Vance Silkley | ) ; appeared on the shore and joined Hoke and Tait, who t were already there. 3 . “How is the mighty Merriwell doing to-day?” in- quired Vance, with the usual sneering inflection he adopted whenever he spoke of Dick. “Oh, he’s getting the best of it, of course,” answered | Hoke, “But, by the jumpin’ jingos, he’s not showing up so almighty well himself!” put in Tait. _ “How’s that?” inquired Vance innocently. “Well, you see, he hasn’t his own skates to- say. “Hasn't ?” “That’s natural, for he’s picked his players. . t “No”? 3 . “Why not? Has he broken them?” _“Haven’t you heard about it?” “No “His skates were stolen last night,” “Some one broke into his locke “Whew!” whistled Silkley. “That’stoo bad! I Do you know he stayed explained Hoke, § he SESS pean: eae ik 1 A jt W h +O! ep teas TIP TOP ed | clare I’m sorry! Who do you suppose could do such a thing?” “Haven’t an idea,” said Tait; “but I’m blamed glad of it. I heard some one say it might have been Rob y- | Rioden.” n- “Oh, you did?” cried a voice that made the trio of jump. “Well, I’d jest like ter have youse tell me ay who dat lying mut was!’ ed _ Rioden had overheard the reference to himself and | his face indicated that he was very angry. If | “Who did yer hear say I swiped dem skates?” he nt demanded. “I wanter know der feller w’at made dat is | temark! He'll have a chanct ter repeat it in me . presence and den I’ll climb all over him! See!” d. | “I don’t remember just who it was,” faltered Tait. st | “Oh, yer don’t?” sneered Rob. “Well, mebbe you | didn’t hear nobody say it at all. Mebbe you jest t, | tought yer heard somebody say it. Now, look a-here, id } -youse, you wanter be careful how you cast any in- Sinuation on me! Git dat? I don’t wanter hurt youse ll | dubs no more, but dere are some t’ings I won’t stand 0 fer. I know I ain’t got no Sunday-school record e | around here, but der next lobster dat accuses me of d | stealing has got ter prove it or take his turn in der | ~ hospital !’” | d | “Seems to me it was Buckhart or Merriwell, one tt | or the other,” said Tait. “Of course I won’t swear it € | was either one of them, but I’m inclined to think it “was.” r aes ‘Dat’s right; hedge all you can!’ sneered Rob. | “Mebbe dey did say it, but dey lied.” : : Pe “Why don’t you tell Merriwell that?” purred _ | © Silkley. | , |. “I don’t have to!” retorted Rioden harshly. “Tf | he accuses me to me face dere’ll be plenty of time rie S fer me ter tell him w’at I tink. In der meantime I pee __ happen to know two or t’ree fellers w’at don’t like 4 | him much, and any one of dem would steal his skates Bi if they got a chanct. I ain’t callin’ no names, but _ mebbe youse chaps know who I mean.” . HERP Z i _ “T hope you don’t suspect us?” said Vance. i “Are any of youse above suspicion?’ shot back | Rioden. “Have you showed dat you'd be troubled __ by your consciences if you did do the trick?” ; “Well, now when it comes down to a matter of conscience, it strikes me that you haven’t anything in particular to say.” | | Rob lifted his hand as if to strike a blow. “Hold on, Rioden; better not pitch into me here! ‘ve stood all I’m going to from you! I told you 21 WEEKLY. once that I purchased a pistol for your special benefit. I’m not carrying it, but if you molest me any more and I can prove it [’ll put the proof before Gunn and have you fired from the school. That'll be the easiest way in your case.”’ “Oh, I never had a t’ought of putting me fingers on you,” retorted Rob. “I’m done wit’ dat. I tried to prove it over at Eaton. Didn’t I keep yer from being mobbed by der fellers? I didn’t git no t’anks, neider. Well, I ain’t lookin’ fer t’anks. 1 know youse chaps have a rotten poor opinion of me and I admit dat dere’s a reason why you should. At der same time you wanter remember dat I don’t t’ink none too much of youse. I’ve quit; ’ve turned over a new leaf.” “Eh?” grunted Tait incredulously. “What do you mean by that?’ asked Silkley. “T mean dat I’ve reformed,” asserted Rioden with a bit of hesitation in his manner. “T’ve seen der error of me ways and I’m goin’ ter behave decent hereafter. Dat’s on der level, fellers. Youse can laugh about it behind me back if you wanter; I don’t care.” “Excuse me,” smiled Silkley, “but I can’t help laughing. You reformed—you? Oh, go on with your fooling, Rioden! What are you trying to do, anyway? Are you trying to get on the soft side of Merriwell? Of course we know what he did to you. We know how he trimmed you when you forced him to fight. I suppose that’s your reason for reforming.” “Well, now you don’t s’pose right,” retorted Rioden, refusing to be swayed by his anger at the misunder- standing. “That never made no difference wit’ me. Dat made me hate him worse dan ever. Dere’s anud- der reason why I’ve turned over der new leaf. Never mind what it is. You wouldn't understand it if I tol’ yer. I mean dis, fellers, and I hope you'll see your mistake and follow my example. Dat’s all I’ve got to say.” With this he turned away, leaving them chuckling and grinning derisively behind his back. “Wouldn’t that kill you!” exclaimed Tait. “Turned | over a new leaf! Reformed! Rob Rioden! He was a great bluffer, boys! He kept it up as long as he could, but when he got a full stomach he simply threw up the sponge.” CHAPTER XIII THE THIEF DETECTED. The night was dark. The midnight hour had struck when some one came _ shock and found himself so unnerved by fear. 22 sneaking into the gymnasium by means of one of the high windows which had been opened from the outside. The fellow let himself down from the sill and dropped with a soft thud to the floor. There was a peculiar jangling sound as he landed on his feet. For a moment he paused there by the wall, seem- ing to listen intently. “All right,” he whispered to himself, “but I wouldn’t do this trick again for four times the price I got! I see my finish if I should be caught.” He crossed the floor of the gym, threading his way amid the apparatus with a certainty that told of perfect familiarity, Although he had no light to guide him not once did he run against an obstacle or make a false step. Entering the room where the lockers were he pro- ceeded to one of them and then paused to strike a match. The light which flared up fell on the pale face of Vance Silkley. He carried a pair of skates swung over his shoulder by means of a cord. Silkley’s hand was not quite steady as he removed the skates and placed them on the floor, kneeling down before the long rows of lockers. “T’m glad Merriwell hasn’t had a new lock put on!” he muttered. “He'll be surprised when he finds his skates to-morrow.” As the match burned close to his fingers he opened Dick Merriwell’s broken locker and thrust the skates in. Then he struck another match to enable him to see to close the locker. He had closed it when a soft sound directly behind him gave him a chill and a start. He attempted to turn, but was nearly paralyzed with fear when a pair of hands grasped his shoulders. The match was dropped and went out. “Heavens!” choked Silkley. Then he attempted to rise, with the idea of making a desperate struggle to escape. Those powerful hands forced him back to his knees and held him there in spite of all his efforts to squirm about and grapple with the unknown. Never in his life had Silkley experienced such a It was Up “Tm caught!” a terrible thing to be caught in such a manner. before his mental view rose a vision of disgrace. “This is my finish!” he thought. “I’m caught by the watchman!” - He made one more fierce effort to squirm around i and. clutch at the legs of the unknown. He hoped to _ throw the iain and coe in some manner, TIP TOP WEEKLY. with a low, sneering laugh. | back ¢ o “Hold on!” said a voice that filled him with still greater astonishment, not to say relief. “I’ve got | youse good and solid and it ain’t no use fer you ter to kick. You can’t git away from me. See!” ner, “Rioden!” exclaimed Silkley huskily. Sc “That’s me,’ was the answer. = “What are you doing here?” : “W’at are youse doing here?” _— “Why, I—I : Bi “W’at are youse monkeying wit? Merriwell’s locker iM fer? I’ve catched you, Silkley. You can’t put up | | no bluff ter me! You're der guy dat stole der skates. | 55, I seen yer put dem back.” ee Vance resolved on a bold course. a “Well, what of it?” he demanded. , , a “Then you don’t deny it?” £ the “What’s the use? Haven't you caught me?” ee “Sure t’ing,” chuckled the big plebe. “I dunno jest — | or what led me to watch here to-night, but I kinder had P de a hunch dat I’d discover some one. I knowed dere tri was fellers in dis school dat t’ought I took dem skates. | | I wanted ter find out der trute. You tried to insinuate Soe about me ter-day. You laughed when I told yer Vd | turned over a new leaf. Now, look here, Silkley, I It ain’t no ain’t goin’ to hang onto yer no more. : . Jest keep} use fer you ter try ter skip, fer I know yer. quiet and we'll talk this thing over a bit.” : Saying this he released Vance, who rose to his — ; feet seeking to recover his nerve and composure. mm “T’m mighty glad it’s you, Rioden,”’ he admitted. “T thought it must be the watchman and I confess it — frightened me.” | “Course it frightened yer, fer you was doin’ some- ting crooked. Say, Silkley, dis business is bad. Dere ain’t nuttin’ in it. A feller gits scart outer half his growth when he’s up to crooked tricks.” . “Are you going to preach to me?” demanded Vance a “T didn’t mean to do no preaching, but I want a ; 4 give you jest a little friendly advice.” ” “Save Yoneieey the trouble, Rioden. advice from you.” “What for did you steal dem skates?” Silkley hesitated. For a moment he contemplated telling Rioden the truth, but suddenly he nesolvad Ons a different course. ) “Why, I wanted to do something to hurt Merri- well,” he declared. “I knew he ne a lot of thos . skates.” | “Well, arter stealin’ ’em what made yer bring I don’t need Vance determined on still further deception. “The plain truth is,” he answered, “my conscience | troubled me. I worried over it. I heard you indig- | nantly assert that you were no thief and that cut me some. Says I to myself, ‘At least you ought to be as decent as Rioden.’ bring the skates back. “Well, say,” exclaimed Rob, “I’m glad to hear dat! _When I seen yer I t’ought it was up ter me to tell BE iterriwe ell who done der trick.” . “But you won't tell him?’ exclaimed Vance anx- iously. “Now that I’ve brought the skates back you'll - my secret, won’t you?” | “Are you really sorfy fer what yer done?” “Certainly Iam. If I hadn’t been I’d never taken the trouble to bring them back.” “Well, dat’s all right; I don’t tink dere’s been no great harm done. So I'll keep me face closed and dey’ll never find out trough me dat you done der trick.” _ “I’m much obliged to you,” ! of pretended gratitude. At the same time he was inwardly exclaiming: “Confound you for a meddling jackass! If I ever get a chance Ill soak ey ae this!” * “T tell you w’at it is,” Rioden went on, “I never knowed until lately the meaning of the word con- science. Nuttin’ bothered me. Der foist time my conscience ever got holt of me and shook me good and hard was when I t’ought Merriwell was drowned and I was to blame for it. Den for der foist time I seen jest w’at a cheap slob I was. I seen jest where I was goin’ ter end up if I kept on. I reckoned dat I deserved to hang den. I remembered dat Merriwell had pulled me inter der bo’t arter I fell overboard, and he done so Te he knowed der chances were |) dat we'd bot’ drown. He talked ter me some out } ere in dat old bo’t. Fer der foist time in me life he made me believe dere really was a God. He i showed me dat God knowed everyt’ing I done. When I done a dirty trick and t’ought nobody but meself KI owed it dere was God dat knowed all der time. Youse want ter tink all dat yerself, Silkley. It'll kinder keep yer straight.” Had there been a light Rioden would have seen scornful look of derision on his companion’s face. Then I made up my mind to een said Silkley in a tone “The first thing you know you'll turn into a minis- rt! said Silkley. fs ‘Oh, dere ain’t no danger of dat,’ answered the plebe. “I'll never be fit fer nuttin’ like dat, but | goin’ ter try to turn inter a decent feller. It ain’t TIP TOP WEEKLY. 23 .may be caught. goin’ ter be no easy job fer me, eider, but when I make up me mind to a ting I come pretty near stickin’ to it.’ “Do you expect to get credit for your fine behavior ?” asked Vance. ‘No one will take stock in you. They know you.” , “Oh, well, mebbe dat’s so. Mebbe der people won't give me no credit, but I’ll have der satisfaction of knowing w’at I’m tryin’ ter do whether I git credit or not.” “Lots of satisfaction in that!’ sneered Silkley. “I’ve found out dere is. I’ve found out der best t’ing any feller can have is a clean conscience. Never felt so decent in all me life as I have sence 1 made up me mind to walk straight. Dat’s right. I can look anybody in der eye now wit’out havin’ a meechin’ feeling inside. I know I’m not as decent as lots of fellers, but I’m goin’ ter stick to it till I come pretty near satisfying meself. You'd better do der same: 7 ting, pal.” Ry “All right,” said Silkley, “I’m willmg enough. But ; let’s get out of here. This is no place for us. We How did you get in, anyhow?” “I stayed in last night when der place was locked up. Dey didn’t know I was here. I kept meself outer sight. I’m roomin’ alone now, so dere wasn't anybody to ask where I was unless me room was in- spected. How are we going to git out?” ‘a. “The same way I got in,” said Vance. “We'll pull Mw a step-ladder up under the window and it’s easy. I have a long plank against the building outside. You're sure you won’t give me away, Rioden, old man! ro a “I tell yer not to worry "bout dat. I'll never blow on yer fer ae trick. Yer has me word. Here's me A hand on it.’ . . 5 They shook hands in the darkness. And Rob Rio- © den little suspected that inwardly Silkley was laughing _ a over the deception he had perpetrated. =m CHAPTER. XIV. THE GAME. FARDALE, PosITIons. FAIRPORT. poy ROR ARIS ee Secu COA KeeSet uae ds oo sain -,. Langdon TAMTINUE, Oc 2 ue ui Siela ie gasoe he POM. sees ORR, oasie a Hazen EAOM a ics ets 8h tae fea Cover-point 2. v6 TS ebels Blacklock Darselliicss seas EE annie oy Hipsts MOPWAT sas si0aseaaeen eases Castle CAGBROT dior as Second, MOTWatd. cuss .20ases sees Brickley Merriwell. yao. 242435 Third Forward... .. Arlington Black... iis 7229s oc os OUTS. Forwatdes svi ie y's ... Haughton It was in truth a fast hockey team that came.over — from Fairport on that crisp, clear day of early winter. — 24 TAP DOP Although Arlington had succeeded in securing the position of captain, the team represented Fairport Academy, and therefore Charlie Castle, Billy Brickley and Dashing Ned Hazen put aside all prejudices and entered into the game to play ‘it for every point and for the honor of their school. Leon Haughton appeared as one of the forwards and paid no attention to the unfavorable comments and contemptuous looks of the Fardale spectators. Fairport had a great rush-line. Castle, Brickley, Arlington and Haughton were all very fast and clever. The men back of the line were equally clever in their positions. _ Chet had a new pair of skates. The model for the runners, had.been made from Merriwell’s skates and sent to a skilful workman, who received orders to rush the job through at any price. Arlington, was delighted with them when he gave them a trial. “I’m going to make it hot for Merriwell to-day,” he thought as he lined up with his companions for the game to begin. . Brickley and Gardner “faced off.” Billy the Brick was clever at this and he managed to secure possession of the ball when the whistle sounded. Quickly he snapped it past Arlington to Haughton, who dodged by Darrell and made a dash toward Fardale’s goal. _ Logan blocked Haughton, whereupon Leon snapped the disk across to Arlington, who was waiting for it. Buckhart came charging in and their sticks clashed together. “Oh, no, you don’t!” snapped Chet as he passed the puck to Castle and gave Brad the hip. This body-check prevented Buckhart from _ inter- fering with Castle, who found a clear road with only Jolliby before him. c Chip danced about in front of tie goal as Castle made a drive. ef Quick as a flash Jolliby caught the rubber with his lifted hand, flung it down on the ice and drove it off to.one side. : Merriwell might have secured it, but he was “off- side,” and therefore he did not touch it. Arlington i was on him andhere was a sharp fight for oe ae the rubber. A shout went up from the spectators, ae Dick se- cured the disk by a clever trick, dodged to the right , - could do on his new skates and she succeeded ‘hand and then leaped to the left and escaped Chester. It was a most exciting: race, for, dribbling the puck, ferriwell rs Oe away re Pere s goal. WEEKLY. Haughton tried to cut him down and failed. Brickley fancied he could turn Dick into a pocket, but the Far- dale captain went round him and avoided the snare. As a result Brickley bothered Arlington in his pursuit and caused Chester to utter exclamations of vexation. Blacklock was waiting and Merriwell came straight at him. To the left he swerved and the Fairport cover-point swerved to check him. | Like a flash Dick swerved again to the right and went by Blacklock. Then he found himself fairly on top of Dashing Ned, who made a stroke at the puck. With a snap Dick passed the rubber across to Earl Gardner and Gardner drove it humming straight at Fairport’s goal. Langdon blocked the disk with his body, alholiet it stung like a bullet. He slashed at it when it fell to the ice and drove it away; but before he could re- cover Gardner sent it skimming past him for the first goal. Arlington was furious, “You’re responsible for that, Brickley!” he ex- claimed. ‘Don’t get in my way again. I’d had the rubber away oe Merriwell in a moment if you hadn't 2 bothered me.’ ; _ “Oh, rats!’ cried Billy the Brick. whole team!” “Well, I’m the captain, don’t forget that!’ reminded — Chet. “Merriwell can’t run away from me to-day.” “Perhaps not,” “We'll know better — about that later.” | 2 In the next face-off Gardner foiled Brickley and © gave the puck a little snap toward Black. Barron — took it and went round Castle, but found Blacklock in — his path. mm He passed the disk to Merriwell. a Arlington blocked and Dick promptly passat to Darrell. Hal failed to catch the skimming rubber and, Haughton scooped it up. ane “You're not the — said Billy. ‘As. Leon went circling round behind his own goal. he came out Black was on hand to meet him, with Merriwell lurking a little in the rear. | Haughton took a chance and snapped the puck to. Arlington, who. picked it up cleanly it ee as dale’s bataar® He was deren to show what fh hedaman ed a aaah TIP TOP WEEKLY. 25 before which long, lank Chip Jolliby crouched, | _ ing with anxiety and excitement. Merriwell had an opportunity to close in on Arling- ton and he did his best to improve it. Nevertheless, \ Chester reached a position to make a try for goal and, £. with a deceptive sweep of his stick, he sent the disk past Jolliby. “Goal!” was the cry. The score was tie. After that it was a struggle of giants. Repeatedly iy: 'Fairport’s fast players rushed the disk down into _ Fardale’s territory; but time after time they were pre- _ vented from making a fair shot for a goal. .When they did try to score it was usually from an awkward position and Jolliby succeeded in baffling them. The game was most exciting, but to the majority of the spectators it seemed that the visitors had the faster team. Vance Silkley was smiling with satisfaction. “Merriwell is up against the real thing to-day,” he observed. “Notice how Arlington plays. chain-lightning. He has a new pair of skates, too. Did you see them, Hoke?” “No,” answered Orrin, particular.” De did... quiver- “T hadn’t noticed them in asserted Snack Tait. “So help me, they I honestly thought they were “look like Merriwell’s! -Merriwell’s when I saw Arlington putting them on. _ Rioden thought so too. He wanted to look at them, bat Arlington wouldn’t let him.” . Silkley shrugged his shoulders. “Rob Rioden better mind his own business,” he - said. ~ “Look at that! look at that!” cried Tait. “There goes Merriwell with the puck! Arlington is after him! Arlington will force him out! He won’t get -a chance to shoot for goal!” — Out of a mix-up Dick Merriwell had darted with the puck. Arlington was on hand, chuckling to him- elf, for he felt satisfied that he could force Dick off _to one side with perfect ease. _ Having a clear field it was a race between them. - Arlington was unencumbered, but Dick found it neces- ry to carry the puck. ‘The speed of those two lads was something re- markable. Faster and faster they flew over the ice. _ Merriwell seemed to gain slightly, but’ plainly it was -not enough to enable him to obtain a good position for a ‘try at the goal.. Besides that he was unaccompanied any of his forwards and could expect no assistance He’s like “Got you!” know!’ grated Chet. “You can’t do it, you He closed in at a sharp angle to force Dick still further away. To his surprise Merriwell seemed to stop in his tracks. Of course he did not stop dead still, but his speed slackened so suddenly that, before he could recover, Chester shot past in front of him. Then Dick leaped ahead on the other side and sent the disk whizzing at Langdon. He tried to drive it away, but Merriwell came on like a charging cyclone and gave it a smash that sent it between the goal-keeper’s feet and the upright posts. The whistle sounded. Fardale had made her second goal. The first half ended without either- side SCONE: another point. During the intermission Arlington’ growled at Brickley and one or two others on his team. “We can beat those fellows as sure as fate if you play half a game,” he asserted. “Why, we had them going almost all the time. We should have made three or four more goals.” “That’s right!” grated Leon Haughton, ready to back up Arlington. Langdon blocked it and it fell at his feet. always “You know there is such a thing as luck in this game,” reminded Charlie Castle. “Well, then they had the luck in the first half,” asserted Chet. “I’m going to win this game or die right here on the ice!” “Have you made your will?” inquired Ned Hazen. “T don’t like that talk from you!” said Chester. “If you’re weak-kneed we'll put in a substitute in your place.” “Didn’t I play the game?’ demanded Ned. you see any signs of weakness?” “Oh, you did fairly well, but you might have done better.” | Hazen did not like this, but he declined to make a retort. “Did The second half began. In less than three minutes it developed into a battle between Merriwell and Arlington. Fate or something else seemed to pit those two fellows against each other time after time. It must be admitted that Chester was the star of his team. Never in his life had he been more determined and fought with greater skill — and obstinacy. Only for the fact that Merriwell re-— peatedly blocked him or stole the puck from him after a , blocked, abot at goal, ie might have won sr 4 ~ 26 game on his. individual efforts. Inwardly he was boiling with wrath over Merriwell’s success in baf- fling him, but he managed to maintain an outward ap- pearance of self-possession. Twice during the first few minutes of the final half he had the pleasure of turning the tables on Dick, keeping him from making a fair shot at the Fairport goal. _ ‘The spectators grew more and more excited. A bunch of Fairport visitors wildly cheered Chester and other members of the team. Some of the watching girls were almost hysterical over the game. Tt was well for Dick that his shins were properly protected, for many times he felt Arlington’s stick rapping him across the guards. He more than half expected Chester to loose his temper and attempt a foul ‘blow, but, if’ tempted to do so, Arlington re- frained. The game was drawing toward a close and the score still remained two to one in Fardale’s favor. Assisted. by two of the forwards Chester forged into the home team’s territory and made still another try for a count. Jolliby dropped the puck some four feet away and leaped to carry it out of danger. Buckhart covered Jolliby’s position. Haughton forced Chip round behind his own goal and the tall boy looked dismayed when he saw Castle and Brickley laying for him. With a quick turn he dodged Haughton and double-backed, but he ran straight into Arlington, who deftly robbed him of the puck. Chester came round and drove the disk smartly against Buckhart’s skates, Brad kicked the rubber away, but Chet drove again and gave a cry of satis- faction as he did so. His disappointment was unspeakable when he saw Brad drop to his knees like a flash and stop the disk. _ Then, before Chet could get in, Merriwell flashed up and snapped the rubber away. Once more it was a race between Dick and Chester. This time Merriwell let himself out in a most astonish- ing manner and, in spite of all Arlington could do, the Fardale captain drew away until he had an oppor- tunity to circle in and drive for a score. Dick lifted the puck from the ice with a handsome sweep and sent it waist-high past Langdon for another count. _ Then came a long blast from the referee’s whistle, and Arlington uttered a savage exclamation of dis- may, for the game was ended. For all of his sche- ming, for all of the fact that his skates were built on exactly the same plan as DERE 5) he had met another defeat. ' The rejoicing cadets were returning to the academy TIP TOP WEEKLY. _ said Silkley. when Vance. Silkley felt a hand on his arm. He looked up and saw Rob Rioden drawing him aside. “What do you want?” he demanded. : “I want to speak with you,” demanded Rob harshly. “Well, speak away.” “All right, if you want der rest of dis buch ter hear me.’ “Oh, well, if it’s private that’s different,’ said Vance quickly, as he permitted the big plebe-to pull him off to one side. “What is it?” he once more asked. ! “T want to tell you somet’ing,” said Rob harshly. “You lied to me! I know now why you took dem | skates. I seen Arlington’s skates and dey was copied © after Merriwell’s.” | “Well, I suppose you're going to blow on me now?” “Do so if you want to. I reckon my word is as good as yours and [ll deny everything.” “I’m not going to blow on you,” answered Rioden. “I gave youse me word dat I wouldn’t tell. I ain’t goin’ ter break me word. See! W’at you done didn’t hurt nobody and I rudder tink Chet Arlington is ‘bout der sorest mut in Fardale to-day. "But der next time I trust you yer’ll have ter give me somet’ing {?? more dan your word. See! THE END. The Next Number (504) Will Contain DICK MERRIWELL’S FOUR FISTS; OR, The Champion of the Chausson. The Awakening of a Wizard—The Snowball Battle—The © Terrible Swede—Triumphant Plebes—Rioden Gets His—Dupont’s Challenge—Fighting With Four Fists. — Dupont Has a Thought—A Night Encounter—What Happened in the ‘‘Gym.’’—Remorse—The ae of Conscience—Repentance and Forgiveness. | = Beware of cheap imitations of the Tip Top Weekly. Frank and Dick Merriwell and their friends appear only in the pages of Tip Top. BURT L. STANDISH writes exclus- TIP TOP WEEKLY. cS ae -— NEW YORK, December 2, 1905. < = TERMS TO TIP TOP WEEKLY MAIL SUBSCRIBERS. ff ee P. (Postage Free.) be Single Copies or Back Numbers, Sc. Each. B MONS. .ncccceccecevece ems 5s G565s 1 ONO VORP wiscsascnosscusedeuens $2.50 WH A MONTHS... oe necnecscccconce- 85e. 2 copies one year.............- 4.00 > —s- G MonthS..... 24-2. -eeene ene eeee $1.25 | 1 copy two years...........-.- 4.00 yon a How to Send Money—By post-office or express money order, Th. 4 4 registered letter, bank check or draft, at our risk. At your own risk if sent . | py currency, coin, or postage stamps in ordinary letter. dhs a Receipts—Receipt of your remittance is acknowledged by proper _ change of number on your label. If not correct you have not been properly 5 —s eredited, and should let us know at once. ; STREET & SMITH’S TIP TOP WEEKLY, ry ye. 79-89 Seventh Avenue, New York City. a TIP TOP ROLL OF HONOR. ; ey ee Following the suggestion of Mr. Burt L. Standish, that appeared 't in his letter to Tip Top readers in No. 480, the following loyal Tip is Toppers have won for themselves a place on our Honor Roll for their _ efforts to increase the circulation of the King of Weeklies. Get in line xt _ boys and girls and strive to have your name at the head of the list. is William Alkire, 295 Laurel St., Bridgeton, N. J. Z. T. Layfield, Jr., Montgomery, Ala. J. G. Byrum, Chattanoga, Tenn. ‘Wm. Schwartz, New York City. Edw. W. Pritner, Curelsville, Pa. H. D. Morgan, Indianapolis, Ind. a Wm. A. Cottrell, Honolulu, H. I. lg J. (Pop) H., Birmingham, Ala. ’ Roy R. Ball, 902 Olive Street, Texarkana. Fred F. Blake, 1512 E. 10 St., Kansas City, Mo. The names of other enthusiastic Tip Toppers will be added from time to time. Send in the result of your efforts to push the circula- _ tion of your favorite weekly and win a place on the Roll of Honor. he APPLAUSE. ts ts. - Owing to the number of letters received, the editors of Tip Top : _ cannot undertake to secure their publication under six weeks. Those at who contribute to this department must not expect to see them before of - that time. I would like to know, through the Applause column of TiP op, if there are any readers who have back numbers of Tre Top from 325 to 424, and if they will trade for other numbers. If so, some of you readers who care to trade will please let me hear m you soon. I will close, with best wishes for Tre Top, and _ may we all be gray-headed before it is out of print. _ Hanover, Kan. W. V. Owens. _ Thank you for your sincere wishes for the continued success of the famous Tie Top Weexty. Having had a letter published in your famous weekly some 1e ago, I have decided to write again. That letter signed A ew Jersey Pearl and a June Rose I agree with about Zona. Vell, Frank is married now to the girl he loved. May he live 27 long and happy with Inza.*Dick is home again with Brad. How glad Arlington will be to see him again. Well, he is satis- fied now. Ted, Obed, Bob, Dave, Billy Barron and Brad Buck- hart, who always backs up what he says. I just cannot say one- half what I think about the stories, except they are the best ever. Doris is my favorite. I think she is the girl for Dick, and Hal for June. Well, I hope Dick plays football this fall; also, basket ball. I am saving souvenir postals and will ex- change with anyone. Would like to hear from readers also, Well, I will give some one else a chance, hoping this is not too long. I remain, Harry F. SMELTZER. 1729 North Third Street, Philadelphia, Pa. So you think the stories in the Tip Top WEEKLY the “best ever”? You express the thought of thousands of readers all over the world. Having read your interesting weekly steadily for over a year, I must say it deserves the name of “king of weeklies.” It is grand, inspiring, noble and patriotic. The characters are so real and lifelike, especially old Bart and Brad. Frank and Dick are my favorites, especially the latter. Oh, when the glorious Friday comes, and when dear Dick and Brad return to Fardale, how happy I will be. Maybe old lady Arlington will come down a peg or two when she-sees..her beloved son shoved to the wall. To the wall! Did I say wall? Well, he will be pushed clean through the wall into his most gracious mother’s a Oh! how I pity Mr. Arlington having such a wife and child. Now next week, Mr. Standish, whoop things up. Come, everybody, and send up a cheer, and let us hear: Hur- rah! Hurrah! Hurrah for Tre Top, Burt L., S. & S., big Bob, Obed, Ted, Billy, Chip, Brad, Earl, Wiley, Joe, Black, Flint, Weston, and last, but not least, Dick. ; Now, fellows, once more: Huray, huray, hurrah! Yours truly, we remain, Jack LicutFoot and Happy Hoo.ican, Houston, Tex. Mr. Standish will see that Chet always gets just punishment. for his malicious deeds. T have been a constant reader of Trp Top for some time, and words are inadequate to express how much I enjoy it. My brother buys a number of weeklies every Friday, but none of them can compare with Tip Top, “the prince of weeklies.” I shall not try to analyze the merits of all its characters, but will simply state that Dick Merriwell is the greatest hero of whom I have ever read, and Brad is a close second. I have just finished reading about Dick’s return to dear old Fardale, and was tickled to death because Chet Arlington was kicked out of school in disgrace. I think he is a contemptible cur, and clear out of Dick’s line, and am sure that a majority of the readers will agree with me. . The girls of this city have organized a “Tip Top Club,” of which I am president, and you can just bet that we are learning some fancy gymnastic stunts. Our members have nicknamed me “Doris,” for they all declare that I am very much like Doris Templeton; but I guess they think so simply because I have golden hair and blue eyes. Trusting to see this in print soon, and with three cheers for the “prince of weeklies,” I remain, an ardent admirer, Virginia. “Sweet SIXTEEN.” You must feel highly complimented to be called “Doris.” She is, indeed, such a lovely character. Mr. Standish has shown that he is a master of character sketching if by no other thing he has done. But he has depicted so many characters, both girls and boys, that seem like living, breathing people that, after all, one can hardly pick out any one character as being superior to the others. Being a constant reader of your Trp Top Weexty for the past five years, and seeing few letters from my home city, I thought I would write to the Applause to let you know that I am well pleased with the different characters. It takes many different characters to make the stories interesting. 5 I wish to say that I agree with the readers in regard to a correspondence club, and if any of the readers care to do so, they may write me and I will surely answer any letters I receive, as I will give my name and address below. In reading the Ap- plause column, I noticed a letter from Brown Eyes, saying she Se 28 cif SEO was in favor of corresponding with other readers. I only hope she may let her brown eyes fall upon this letter and kindly let me know her address, for I would like very much to cor- respond with her or any other girl readers; also, the boys. Well, as this is. my first letter, and wishing to see it in print at an early date, if possible, I will close, wishing success and long life to Burt L., Street & Smith and all Tip Toppers, 33590 De Kalb Street, St. Louis, Mo. Joun Ropinson. We cannot undertake the responsibility of forwarding ad- dresses of correspondents through the mail who have made use of a nom de plume in their printed communications. If anyone desires to correspond with other readers the address should be sent with the person’s name, so that others seeing it in the Applause column can send a letter direct to the person who wishes to start a correspondence. Having read Tie Tor from the time of Dick’s appearance, I wish now to express my appreciation of it. Dick and his pard Brad* could not possibly be any better, while Frank is incom- parable. I don’t think anyone should kick in regard to the dis- posing of the girls, for certainly no one knows more of the characters*best suited.to.the boys than Mr. Standish. Although a girl of eighteen, I appreciate a good, close football or baseball game, and take much interest in reading of. those described by Burt L. I would like very much to correspond with any who would care to exchange letters and postals. If anyone cares to do so, please signify your desire through the Applause column, with your address appended. I will promise to write promptly and answer all letters re- ceived. Hoping this will be favorably received, and with three cheers and a tiger for Burt L. Standish, I am, CuHIc. Saginaw, Mich. Are you naturally interested in sports, or does the attraction consist in Burt L. Standish’s marvelous way of depicting living, breathing characters and the victories they win on the diamond and gridiron? ‘IT have been a reader of Tie Tor for a number of years, and I think it greatly surpasses all other publications of its kind. Not only are the characters ofja true and manly kind, but they are also excellent examples of the young American of to- day. Before I close I would like to add the following lines: Hal is true-hearted, Flint is the same; Bob is a dandy, Chet gives me a pain. Bart is a terror, Brad is another; As for Frank, I just love him, And also his brother. With best wishes’ for Burt L. Standish and Street & Smith, and hoping that this, my first letter, will escape the wastebasket, I remain, yours truly, | C. Z. Rapper. Brooklyn, Ds Me You have a very terse and satisfactory way of summing up your opinion of the various characters. { This letter is for the purpose of showing my aloha, as well as many others in the Hawaiian Islands, for the Tip Top Weekty. I have read the weekly for seven years, and have also read the weeklies which were issued before my time, so, you see, I am one of the kamaainas, or old-timers, of your weekly. Dick Merriwell and his crowd are O K, but the old-timers will agree with me that dear old Frank’s crowd beats them all. Dick’s trip around the world is very interesting and instructive. I would not mind having been with him. I was very sorry to see that Dick did not stop over at Hono- lulu on his way across the Pacific. He could easily have stayed over at Honolulu, and this place is just as interesting as any other in the world. There are about sixty thousand Japs in Hawaii. In Hawaii you see a Jap every time you turn around. The “Yellow Peril” is in no place plainer than in Hawaii. I am just waiting for Dick to enter Yale; then there will be things doing. By the way, Yale is Hawaii’s favorite university; most of her boys who_ ba oe East go to Yale. — when Dick goes to Yale I hope that WEEKLY. 3 Burt L. will not fail to have a Hawaiian character in the story. I hope this will find its way out of the wastebasket into the Applause column. With many alohas for Burt L. Standish, Street & Smith, Dick — and Frank, 1 remain, yours truly, Henry H. BLAKE. 1710 Pukoi Street, Honolulu. This letter from over the balmy Pacific carries with it the charm of a semi-tropical clime. The Kanaka words which our friend has put in his letter should be of interest to all boys who ~ have heard about Uncle Sam’s island territory, where the fa- mous discoverer, Capt. Cook, lost his life a hundred years ago. Not seeing any letters lately in the Applause columns from Memphis, I take the liberty to write. This is my second at- tempt. I think Tre Top is the greatest magazine published. Frank Merriwell is my favorite among the boys. I like Dick very much. Glad Frank married Inza. Of the girls, [ like Doris, June and Felicia. I read Burt L. Standish’s letter in the Applause columns. I have persuaded about thirty of my friends to read the library every week. They all think it is the best and cleanest book they ever read. I will try to get more of my friends to read them. I enjoyed reading Herman J. Henser’s letter very much. Well, I'll. close now, wishing Mr. Standish and Street & Smith continued success, I remain, a reader from — the Bluff City, Miss Oxrivia McCiuna. Memphis, Tenn. Your efforts to interest new readers in Tre Tor are very com- — mendable. Every one of the thirty gets a great many more pleas- ant hours than they ever dreamed of before having a copy of ~ the great American weekly placed in their hands. Here I come with a whoop and a yell; that is, I happen to come from here, as I don’t belong anywhere else. I love to travel and that’s what I’m doing most of the time, so I cannot send in my subscription, but must always just buy the good old Tie Tor wherever I happen to be. I think Tip Top is the finest book that is published to-day. It is so interesting that, in my imagination, I am right in among the boys. I think Dick and Frank are ideal characters, and Buckhart and Jack Diamond next. Bart Hodge is O K, and I think Frank stands too much from some people. I think Chet has some little good in him, but it does not show itself in the right way. — Please jabber to those measly gazaboes of North Dakota to fasten _ their bazoos and not think their ferocious names, namely, Bemidji Kid, One-Eyed Pete. I have read the Tip Top for about two years, and the more I read it the better I like it. Hoping this will be good enough to be put in print, I will close, with three cheers for Tre Top, Burt _ L. Standish and Street & Smith, and the entire flock. Yours truly, A TraAveLING Frrenp or Tip Top. © Atoka, I. T. ‘The Tie Top Weexty is ever the traveler’s delight. What so ~ good as one of these stories to while away the time, no matter — where you might be! The sailor on the briny deep, the trapper and hunter sitting before his camp fire, a traveler in a railroad ~ train or in the cabin of an ocean greyhound, all find delight ans % entertainment in the wonderful pages of Tre Top. I see my letter in Applause column of Tir Top WEEKLY No. 484 has created quite a sensation. I didn’t mean when I wrote it that I would correspond with every boy that read Tre Top. I am getting so many letters I shan’t be able to answer them, Please do not send any more. Brown EYES, Dallas, Tex. We trust that our boy readers will observe your request add ; refrain from writing you hereafter. As I have never seen a letter in the Applause column from this place, and I know there are lots of people interested in our beloved Merriwells and their friends, I will try to give voice to their sentiments. There are six of us in the family, and we have read Trp Tor. from its infancy until this time. I wish it were a ps inst of a weekly. Frank is "all right, but. Dick is my favorite. Brad is gr Fae a We a eer ee ee CR eR —~ Se, Fy Poe = cae °" Be ese Le Se. eae 1 only wish he would put his hand on Chet A. I feel sorry for June, but I would hate for Dick to marry her. I don’t blame June for her brother’s mean ways, and I like her, but I hope Dick won’t marry her. Crowfoot is Dick’s best friend; he is true blue. It has been said: “The only good Indian is a dead one,” but that is all a mistake, for an Indian is a true friend, although an awful foe. I expect I have‘ taken up too much space already, so} with three cheers and a long life to Tip Tor, B. L. S. and S. & S., I remain, “A Trip Topper Forever.” Elkins, Ill. Here is to the health of the family of six Tip Toppers! May you enjoy a long life, and read Tie Tor always with the same delight. I have been a constant reader of your famous weekly paper for almost three years, and have never had a word in the Ap- plause column. It is hardly necessary for me to name my favorites, as I think Dick and his friends are the only ones, and yet 1 feet sorry for Chester Arlington. Think of what he might have been. Dick himself says Chester could have been his superior if he had taken care of himself. Do you think Chester was alone to blame for this? I do not. He should have had some one to watch over him as Dick had, and then there would have been a big change. But instead of that, Chester has had everything his own way. His own mother even helped him to carry out his unmanly tricks. But every time I think of June it makes me feel sad. Mrs. A. or Chet do not seem to think of her at all. She is a girl that any American boy would be proud to claim for a sister or sweetheart. There are not many such girls here in old Iowa, but the few there are we are justly proud of. Wishing the best of success for Tir Top and Burt L., I will close, Forep ALLEN, JR. ~ ‘Des _ Moines, Ia. _ That’s it, stand by the fort! We expect you will continue to read the Tie Top WeEEKLy another three years. . ty TO OES a Ree This is my first trial at expressing my opinion of Tie Top and some of the characters that write to Tip Top. Doris is the girl for Dick M. I haven’t been reading Tire Top a very long time. I like Dick, Brad, Dave Flint, Ted Smart, Gardner, big Bob, Tubbs and Hal D. If any fellow wants to say anything against Brad please come down to Texas, the Lone Star State, and see how long he would last. We are all firm supporters of Brad _Buckhart. Hoping success to Burt L. and S. & S. forever, ' Plainview, Tex. SHrop. 1’ Have no fear of anybody saying anything against Brad. He -wouldn’t last a minute before that strapping individual. But no one has anything disagreeable to say about the noble fellow, _ anyway. _ Will you kindly publish the following letter in the Applause column of the Tre Top WEEKLY? I have been reading the Tie Top Werxty but a short while, but think it the greatest weekly that I ever read. It is cer- tainly “the goods.” _ I think that Frank is the best, but Dick is good and the stories are getting better each succeeding number. _ I saw, in the Applause, where one reader said that Frank M. : would not appear in the pages of the Tir Top any more. sincerely hope that his statement is not so and that he hopes the ‘same thing. I have no criticisms or suggestions to make except I wish Frank would have, married Elsie instead of Inza. I ought to cut this out, for I expect Burt L. knows more about his business than I do. I have read nearly all of the Frank -Merriwell novels, and advise all that have not read them to read them, notwithstanding that they may have read all of the Tie Tors. This is not my first letter, but my third, and I have seen neither of the former in print. Hoping to see this one in print, i I remain, A Loyau Tip Topper. Box 87, Conshatta, La. No doubt your former letters appeared in some of the issues Having read Tir Tor for about three years and only seen one r from here, I thought I would write you a few lines. _preciate its merits. TIP TOP WEEKLY. 29 Well, I like Dick and Brad, and then comes Frank and Bart, and then comes the rest of the flock, which includes Rattles, Ham and Ephraim. Of the girls, I like Inza and June. They are all right. Well, I think I had better close for this time, as somebody else will want to write, too. So I remain, a ‘Tip Top admirer, AN UNBRANDED MAVERICK OF THE Rio PEcos. Pecos, Tex. Here is a reader right from a part of the country where our heroes saw some lively times. Did you meet them when they passed through Pecos? I have been a constant reader of Tip Top for a number of years, and consider it the “cream” of all weeklies. It is a good clean publication right throughout.. Mr. Standish is certainly a winner, and here’s to his good luck and continued success. Dick is O K from the word go, and, of course, dear old Brad follows suit. Anyone from Texas couldn’t be anything but the “candy.” I ama girl, and would be pleased to correspond with, any reader of Trp Top. One restriction, however—such readers must be stanch admirers of Dick and Brad. J. B., from Dorchester, Mass., voices my sentiments to a “T.” Well, I hope this letter will see the Applause column before it does Mr. Wastebasket. What a grasping old chap he is! With three cheers. for. Tir Top and dear old Burt L. Standish, T-am, Miss “Boston.” Boston, Mass. Mr. Standish will be very pleased to hear that his immortal works are appreciated by young ladies from a city famous as a place whose inhabitants are the best judges of literary art. The grasping wastebasket has failed to get your letter contrary to your expectation. My poor addition to your Applause some months ago ex- pressed my thoughts in so small a degree that I determined to write again. I have now read all back numbers. In 494 Chet certainly got his. I’ve always hoped Arlington would become a friend of Dick’s. You'll all admit I think that Chet had a fine physique in the beginning, and then—but now, what’s the use—Chet’s gone, but has he gone to stay? Won't he return? None know what dear Burt L. has in store for us, so why surmise? Let us wait for the fine things to come. Please, Mr. Publisher, don’t throw this in the wastebasket, as I would like “A Blue-Grass Admirer” and “An Alberta Gopher” to mail me their addresses, if they would correspond with yours truly. It is quite enough to say that Tre Top has no rival. Will be delighted to exchange postals or correspond with any who can take any interest in H. ArTHUR COLLINS. 1915 North Seventh Street, Terre Haute, Ind. Tre Tor has never had any serious rival among publications published for boys. To be sure, weak imitations have sprung up from time to time, but their quick death showed that the manly young American who likes clear, wholesome stories finds that the Tre Tor WEEKLY is the ideal boys’ paper. As this is my second letter to your famous weekly, Tip Top, I hope it -won’t find its way to the wastebasket. In the first place, it’s no use of my praising the characters, for other readers have done so in far more eloquent language than I could éver express. I’ve been reading Tie Top for the last four years, and I hope to continue reading it for many more ears. I have recommended Tire Tor to several of my friends, who swore they would never read any other novels. Now they get it steadily, and what’s more, they have helped me to circulate it among other people, who now know and ap-: But then, I guess you have heard all this from other readers who have been equally industrious regarding the interests of Tip Top. No doubt you are by this time tired of reading this poor, scribbled mess, so I guess I’ll close, wish- ing long life to Tre Top, Burt L. Standish and yourselves. [ remain, E. DresCHNACK. New York City. Whenever a person reads one number of Tip Top, it means that there is another steady reader added to the long list. ‘ Pror. FourmMen: Having read your page of the Tip Top for quite a while, I will ask you some questions. Age, 13 years 5 months; height; 4 feet.1014 inches; weight, 89 pounds; neck, 124% inches; right biceps, 9 inches; left, 834 inches; chest, nor- mal, 28 inches; expanded, 31 inches; across the shoulders, 17% inches ; waist, 271% inches; right calf, 12 inches; left, 1134 inches; thighs, 2114 inches; wrists, 6 inches. 1. Are my measurements good to become an athlete? 2. I smoke and take a glass of liquor once in a while. 3. Is it good for me? 4. How much will a pair of boxing gloves and a wrist machine and a punch- ing bag cost? Thanking you, I hope to see this in next week, New York City. Was Vigne A boy of your age should not indulge in stimulants of any kind, Smoking will stunt your growth, and if persisted in to any great extent will affect the lungs to such a degree that they will be left in a permanently weak condition. No one can expect to become an athlete whose habits are injurious to health. Write to A. G. Spalding & Co., New York, for price list of sporting goods. Pror. Fourmen: I am an ardent admirer of your physical culture columns. I am 15 years old, weigh 142 pounds, am 16 inches across the shoulders and am 5 feet 9% inches tall. Is there any way to make hair grow over a scar? as I have an ugly cut over my ear. I play full-back on the Summer School team and I am quite “a dog” at it. If you please, I would like for you to give me some information as to kicking, catching, tackling, etc., in your great book; and please tell me what is the best way to keep a football bladder from sticking after you take it out of the ball in the fall, and oblige, ARTHUR CHARLES. Topeka, Kan. There is nothing known that will make hair grow on a scar. A football bladder very seldom lasts longer than one season to be of any real service, and for that reason it is hardly worth while trying to preserve. If you get a whole season’s wear out ef one, it will be time to get a new bladder the following autumn. The subjects of kicking, catching and tackling can be learned only by experience and watching others on the football rizld. No work on football, other than the rules governing the game, will teach a person anything of particular importance. You must practice continually, observe other players and com- pare your work with theirs. This is the only sure way. Pror. FourMEN: Will you kindly tell me how these measure- ments a.c? Age, 13 years 10 months; height, 5 feet; weight, 95 pounds; neck, 12% inches; across shoulders, 16 inches; biceps, 814 inches; flexed, 9% inches; forearm, 9 inches; wrist, 6 inches; chest, normal, 30 inches; expanded, 32 inches; waist, 24 inches; thigh, 16 inches; calves, 12 inches; ankles, 9 inches. 1. How are my measurements? 2. What are my weak points, and how can I strengthen them? 3. Could I become an ath- lete? 4. Is jiu-jitsu exercise good? Hoping to see this in print, I ‘remain, A Wovtp-Be ATHLETE. Bluéfield, W. Va. You should endeavor to take on weight and increase the size of the chest. You may become an athlete if you are willing to devote a large share of your time to systematic training. Jiu- jitsu is a science that might do more harm than good to a grow- ing boy. As a means of physical development, a course of train- ing such as one gets in an up-to-date American gymnasium will give better results. Pror. FourMEN: Being a constant reader of Trp Top, I send you. my measurements, desiring answers to a few questions. TI. Is the use of tobacco in any form injurious? 2. Is football good exercise? How about basket ball? Here are my measure- ments: Age, 16 years 5 months; weight, 142 pounds; height, 5 feet 114 inches; chest, normal, 34 inches; expanded, 38 inches; wrists, 7 inches; forearms, 9 inches; biceps, relaxed, 10% inches; contracted, 12 inches; thighs, 21 inches; neck, 13% inches; calves, 13% inches, Standing broad jump, nine feet; running broad jump, seventeen feet. 3. How are my measurements? What are my weakest points? 4. What is the world’s record at a standing high jump? Running high jump? Yours, and oblige, Mt. Vernon, Ind. LorEN Curtis. 1. Yes. 2. Yes. 3. You should train to take on weight. 4. T. F. Kearney, Oak Island, Mass., July 25, 1889, 5 feet 8%4 inches; M. F. Sweeny, New York City, September 21, 1895, 6 feet 554 inches. Pror. FourMEN: Being a reader of Tre Top, I take the lib- erty of asking you a few questions. Here are my measure- ments: Weight, 98 pounds; age, 13 years 8 months; height, 4 feet 9 inches; neck, 12%4 inches; across shoulders, 17 inches; biceps, 9 inches; flexed, 10 inches; forearm, 10 inches; wrist, 614 inches; chest, normal, 30% inches; expanded, 32% inches; waist, 26 inches; thigh, 18 inches; calves, 12% inches; ankles, 9% inches. 1. How can I become supple? 2. When I get up in the morning I feel so stiff that I can hardly get out of bed. How can I remedy this? 3. What causes a coated tongue? 4, I have weak knees. How can I strengthen tuem? I do not smoke or chew. Thanking you in advance, I remain, Bluefield, W. Va. A Loyat Tie Topper. The symptoms you describe indicate a run-down condition of the whole system. You must tone it up by observing regular hours, eating plain food and taking light exercises. Become in- terested in outdoor sports and live as much as possible in the The coated tongue comes from a bad state of the stomach. Avoid pastry and candy, which, if indulged in to ex- cess, upsets the digestive organs. Jumping, running and boxing will make a person’s muscles supple. open air. Pror. Fourmen: Having been a reader of Tip Top for two years, I take the liberty of asking a few questions. I am 17% years old, and the following are my measurements: Height, - § feet 8 inches; chest, 36 inches; expanded, 4114 inches; waist, 2914 inches; forearms, 10% inches; neck, 15 inches; right bicep, 12% inches; left, 1214 inches; thighs, 2152 inches; calves, 14% cise per ure Ti bef opi low for exp cal am side nas poi wre too, see B too the con cont mor ures thig foll stan vaul mile 45 are bod: Ste inches; around hips, 35 inches.» Wrestling is my. favorite exer- cise. I. What: are my weak points? 2. What are my strong pots? 3, Can I become a boxer? 4. Can I ever become a perfect man? If so, how? | By this, f mean physically. I re- main, yours very respectfully, A VoLUNTEER. Lebanon, Tenn. As you have not included your height with the other meas- urements, it is impossible to determine the good and bad points of your build. Wrestling and boxing are good exercises, pro- _ vided you do not overdo the matter. Pror, Fourmen: Although I have been a steady reader of the ‘ye Top for the last five years, yet I have not written to you efore. I now take the pleasure of writing to you for your Opinion of my physical condition. My measurements are as fol- ows: Age, 16 years; height, 5 feet 1 inch; weight, 95 pounds, ipped; neck, 13 inches; biceps, g inches; expanded, IT inches ; orearm, 10 inches; wrists, 6% inches; chest, normal, 31 inches; expanded, 34 inches: Waist, 30 inches 3 thighs, 174 inches ; calves, 1134 inches; ankles, 8 inches. My reach is 62 inches. I am 18 inches across the shoulders, Which of these do you con- ‘sider my weak, and which my strong points? What sort of gym- nasium work would you recommend to expand myself in all points? Can you not again put in these papers something about wrestling? Since last you gave us some points, I—and others, 00, I suppose—have lost them. With the hope that I may soon see this, my first attempt, in the Tir Top, I remain, Je. Boston, Mass. - Your chest expansion is good, but the thigh measurements are 00 small. Use pulley weights, horizontal bars, dumb-bells and he punching bag. The series of articles on wrestling may be ontinued in the future. Pror. FourMEN: As I have read Tir Top a few months, I feel onfident that I may ask a few questions. I am 12 years 8 months old, 5 feet in height and weigh 76 pounds. Neck meas- ures 1114 inches; chest, normal, 28 inches; expanded, 30 inches; highs, 30 inches; calves, 15 inches ; ankles, 634 inches. The following are my records : Running jump, 12 feet 3 inches; ‘standing jump, 6 feet 3 inches; high jump, 3 feet 9 inches; pole vault, 5 feet 10 inches; hundred yards, 13 seconds, flat; quarter le, I minute 19 seconds; half mile, 3 minutes; mile, 4 minutes 45 seconds. How can | develop my legs and ankles? How re my measurements? Tell me what to do to develop all my body? Yours truly, P. B. P. Walla Walla, Wash. 1. Ride a bicycle and take cross-country runs. 2. You are considerably under weight. 3. Take a general course of training in a gymnasium. Pror. Fourmen: Having read your famous Tie Top for the Past five years, I take the privilege of asking you a few ques- ions. My measurements are: Age, 18 years 1 month; height, feet ee inches; weight, 132% pounds; neck, 15 inches ; chest, ormal, inches ; expanded, 36 inches; biceps, right, 1134 ches; ielt, II inches; forearm, right, 11 inches; left, 1014 inches;, waist, 2634 inches; hips, 34 inches; thigh, right, 19 nches ; left, 19% inches; calf, 13 inches; ankle, 9 inches; wrists, 7 “inches ; reach; 69 inches : shoulders, 1734 inches. What are my points, and how could I strengthen them? What exer- se would you advise for gaining weight, as I play football d am light? Thanking you in advance, yours for athletics, South Dakota. Ni IG. Keep regular hours and eat only plain food to take on weight. Light exercises similar to those practiced in the United States rmy is what you need, Pror. FourmMen: Being a reader of Tip Top, I would like to kk you a few questions. My measurements are as follows: », 18 years 10 months; height, 5 feet 9 inches; chest, normal, inches; expanded, ae inches ; biceps, 101% inches; forearm, ‘inches; wrists, 7 inches; waist, 29 inches; thighs, 1814 inches ; eS, 13% inches; across shoulders, 19 inches; ves shoul- ae inches. 1. How are my measurements? What are strong. and weak points? 3. How can I fretted them? ve m pigeon breast. How can I get over that? 5. What WEEKLY. . 31 0 is the best exercise for hardening the iuséles? Hoping to see this in print, I remain, a Tie Top admirer, yours truly, APSR Iowa. I do not know what your, weight is, and cannot attempt to pass judgment on your proportions without it. The peculiar enlargement of the chest, known as a breast,” which some people have, particularly abnormal development. There is no way of reduc- ing its size; and if your breathing power is not affected by it, there should be no occasion for alarm. To harden all the mus- cles, train in a well-equipped gymnasium, using dumb-bells, pulley weights, etc. “pigeon is not regarded as. being a Pror. FourmMEN: Having read your weekly for a number of years, I beg to ask you a few questions. 1 am 14 years 3 months old; height, 5 feet 4 inches; weight, 107 pounds; waist, 28 inches; biceps, 10%4 inches; forearm, 10 inches; reach, 30 inches; neck, 13 inches; calf, 12!%4 inches; thigh, 1814 inches; chest, normal, 29 inches; expanded, 33% inches. I can run two hundred and twenty yards in twenty-six seconds. 1. Is that good time? 2. How are my measurements? 3. What are my weak and strong points? Thanking you “in advance; I re+" main, yours truly, C.H. S. W. H. New York City. Chest and thighs show good development, weight. but you lack. Pror. FourMeN: I am 14 years 9 months old; height, 5 feet 6 inches; weight, 116 pounds; neck, 13% inches; chest, normal, 29 inches; expanded, 31% inches; waist, 28% inches; forearm, 10’ inches; wrists, 6%4 inches; thighs, 16 ‘inches; calves, 12 inches, 1, What are my weak points, and how can [I develop them? 2. What are my strong points? 3. Do you think I would make a good football player? I remain, Joun L. Calumet, Mich. The lack of weight and a small chest are two things you should remedy if you expect to play football. A football player must have a good physique and a great deal of endurance to be successful. Train in a gymnasium for several months and harden yourself before venturing in a game that requires a per- son to be in the best physical condition possible to do good, telling work. Pror. FourMEN: Being a constant reader of Trp Top, I take the liberty of asking a few questions, ments: Height, 4 feet 914 inches; chest, normal, 29 inches; ex- panded, 3034 inches; right thigh, 17 inches ; left, 16% inches; right forearm, 9% inches; left, 834 inches; calves, 1034 inches; across shoulders, 15% inches. I am 12 years old and weigh 83 pounds. All these measurements were taken stripped. 1. How are my measurements? 2. What are my weak points? 3. My strong ones? 4. How can I develop my weak points? 5. How can I develop into a good boxer? Hoping this will be answered in Tip Tor as soon as possible, I remain, your constant reader, Cincinnati, Ohio. 43 O53 Several more pounds should be added to a physique like yours to give it the proper proportions. To become a skillful boxer it is necessary to cultivate the ability of hitting hard and getting away quickly, to judge distance accurately, and take advantage of the weak points of one’s opponent. This, with constant prac-_ tice, will qualify an ambitious young man to become a good boxer. Here are my measure- “GOLDEN HOURS.” Boys, have you any old numbers of Golden Hours ? If so, see what numbers are among them and write me, stating price. I will pay liberally to complete my files. Address Wittiams, Station ‘‘O,” Box 24, New York City. - TIP TOP WEEKLY All readers of the Renowned Tip Top stories should beware of CAUTION base imitations, placed upon the market under catch names f very similar to Frank Merriwell, i i and intended to deceive 463—Frank Merriwell Blizzard Bound; or, After Big Game in the Rockies. 464—Frank Merriwell Captured; or, Trouble in we the Black Timbers. '465—Dick Merriwell in Damascus; or, The Sword of the Sheik. 466—Dick Merriwell on the Desert; tives of the Bedouins. 467—Dick Merriwell in Egypt; counter on the Nile. 468—Frank Merriwell’s Fingers ; Who Came Back. 469—Frank Merriwell’s Retaliation; or, The Clash in California. 470—Frank Merriwell in ’Frisco; or, The “Go” at the Golden Gate. 471—Frank Merriwell’s “Dope Ball”; or, The Wizard Twirler of Leland Stanford. 472—Frank Merriwell’s Handicap; or, Hastings, The Hurdler from Humboldt. 473—Frank Merriwell’s Red Challengers; or, The Hot Game with the Nebraska In- dians. 474—Frank Merriwell’s Fencing; or, For Sport or For Blood. 475—Frank Merriwell’s Backer; Baseball for a Fortune. 476—Frank Merriwell’s Endurance; or, The Cross-Country Champions of America. 477—Frank Merriwell in Form; or, Wolfers, the Wonder from Wisconsin, 478—Frank Merriwell’s Method; or, The Secret of Becoming a Champion. 479—Frank Merriwell’s Level Best; or, Cutting the Corners with a New Curve. 480—Frank Merriwell’s Lacrosse Team; or, The Great Hustle with Johns Hopkins. 481—Frank Merriwell’s Great Day; or, The Crowning Triumph of His Career. 482—Dick Merriwell in Japan; or, Judo Art Against Jiu-Jitsu. 483—Dick Merriwell on the Rubber; or, Playing Baseball in the Flowery Kingdom. or, Cap- or, The En- or, The Man or, Playing _484—Dick Merriwell’s Cleverness ; or, Showing the Japs the American Game. 485—Dick Merriwell in Manila; or, Papinta, the Pride of the Philippines. 486—Dick Merriwell Marooned; or, The Queen of Fire Island. 487—Dick Merriwell’s Comrade; or, The Treas- ure of the Island. 488—Dick Merriwell, Gap-Stopper; or, A Sur- prise for the Surprisers. 489—Dick Merriwell’s Sacrifice Hit; or, Win- ning by a Hair’s Breadth. 490—Dick Merriwell’s Support; or, Backed Up When Getting His Bumps. 491—Dick Merriwell’s Stroke; or, for His Life. 492—Dick Merriwell Shadowed; or, The Search for the Lost Professor. 493—Dick Merriwell’s Drive; or, Evening Up with His Enemy. Swimming 494—Dick Merriwell’s Return; or, The Reap- . pearance at Fardale. 495—Dick Merriwell’s Restoration; or, Whip- ping the Team into Shape. 496—Dick Merriwell’s Value; or, The Success | of Square Sport. 497—Dick Merriwell’s “Dukes”; or, His Fight with Himself. 498—Dick Merriwell’s Drop-Kick; or, Chester Arlington’s Team of Tigers. 499—Dick Merriwell’s Defeat; or, How Arling- . ton Won the Second Game. 500—Dick Merriwell’s Chance; or, Taming the Tigers of Fairport. 501—Dick Merriwell’s Stride; or, The Finish of | the Cross Country Run. ; 502—Dick Merriwell’s Wing-Shift; or, The Great Thanksgiving Day Game. 503—Dick Merriwell’s Skates; or, Playing Ice — Hockey for Every Point. 504—Dick Merriwell’s Four Fists; or, The Cham- i a pion of the Chanson. 505—Dick. Merriwell’s Dashing Game; or, The | Fast Five from Fairport. Back numbers may be had from all newsdealers or will be sent, postpaid, by the publishers upon receipt of price nn STREET @ SMITH Ss CENTS PUBLISHERS NEW YORK PESTS TEE DLE RE Ie lias THE FAVORITE LIST OF FIVE-CENT LIBRARIES TIP TORNEEKL Tia en Pe TIP TOP WEEARLY® ie ; be es ba : to have exciting sport. Frank and Dick Merriwell are two brothers whose adventures in college and on the athletic field are of intense interest to the American boy of to-day. They prove that a boy does not have to be a rowdy Buffalo Bill Stories Buffalo Bill is the hero of a adventures thousand exciting 2 23 e - eae, among the Redskins. These are given to our boys only in the Buffalo Bill bound to interest and please you. Stories. They are Nick Carter Weekly ‘| We know, boys, that there is | no need of introducing to you eso Pe | Nicholas Carter, the greatest sleuth that ever lived. Every My | ny | number containing the adven- e ~ | tures of Nick Carter has a peculiar, aft Une i but delightful, power of fascina- a tion. OCU oo 28 ot om Ate, ir TTS pir : All sports that boys are inter- le AILOEES @ | | Harpo hee ested in, are carefully dealt with |) SS" || in the All-Sports Library. The stories deal with the adventures of plucky lads while indulging in healthy pastimes. . ‘ | | Paul Jones Weekly Do not think for a second, boys, that these stories are a lot of musty history, just sugar- coated. They are all new tales of exciting adventure on land and sea, in all of which boys of your own age took part. sin ‘Si 0 maori “\ f “ait | ux “ct ne 24 Wy AT ~ Brave and Bold Every boy who prefers variety “aa Sn oa in his reading matter, ought to be a reader of Brave and Bold. All these were written by authors who are past masters in the art Every my | of telling boys’ stories. tale is complete in itself. Rough Rider Weekly 7 | Ted Strong was appointed dep- vume | Uty marshal by accident, but he io Zn) | resolves to use his authority and || rid his ranch of some very tough ee | bullies. He does it in such a slick | A way that everyone calls him {| | | RON il PI [ya a a Ny “King of the Wild West” and he | certainly deserves his title. ten reves if Sele eters? tT Diamond Dick Weekly DD net The demand for stirring stories of Western adventure is admir- CFnnajreiry Tange , evita! ably filled by this library. Every “Kinwutxooere| | Up-to-date boy ought to read just +i 'how law and order are estab- f4| lished and maintained on our Western plains by Diamond Dick, ; Bertie, and Handsome Harry. | ne 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 re- ‘| source and courage that makes the character of this homeless boy | stand out so prominently.