J All readers of the renowned Tip Top stories should beware of base imitations,
A placed upon the market under catch names very similar to Frank Merriwell,
= and intended to deceive,

 

 

Issued Weekly. By subscription $2.50per year. Entered as Second-class Matter at the N. Y. Post Office, by STREET & SMITH, 79-59 Seventh Ave. N. Y¥.

 

 

 

No. 523 NEW YORK, APRIL 21, 1906. Price, Five Cents

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

      

By at SY — : a TR 7 eS ee
ie oS se os as Se S. ~ ~ 2 *e
ms ~~ 2 —— = Sa SS a . Bs SS By :
SSS ee, ~~ SS BURT L: T4N OI SHS
- > SS . te,

 

 

With dare-devil recklessness, Chester swerved close to the rear of the speeding train. «Jump!” he
yelled. Even more daring and reckless was Sparkfair’s mad spring for the platform.

 
 
 

 

co?

 

_ heavy-hitting Eatons down

— mured June, anxiously.
hold Eaton down, and he’s confident he’ll be able to
save the game if Castle will put him in. Oh, I hope.

ae do try hima before it’s too a |

 

 

    

 

Tithe | e Ariiérican Youth _..

 

 

 

 

 

 

Issued Weekly. By subscription $2.50 per year.

Entered as Second-class Matter at the N. ¥. Post Office, by STREET & SMITH, 79-8 Seventh Avenue,
N.Y. Entered according to Act of Congress in the year 1906, tn the Office of the Librarian of Congress, Washington, D. C. j
"

   
 

 

“No. 523.

NEW YORK, April 21,

Paice! Five: Cents.

1906.

 

Dick Merriwell’s Riva

DALE SPARKFAL

By BURT L.

‘ CHAPTER I.
THE STRANGER’S WARNING.
” June Arlington sat on the rear seat of the touring-

car and- watched the game between Fairport and

Eaton. Theigame was being played on Eaton Field,

and at the beginning of the seventh inning Fairport
had a lead of two runs, the score standing nine to
/ seven.

The visitors were using a freshman pitcher by the
name of Felix, who had succeeded in holding the
in surprising manner.
Still, Eaton was confident of pulling the game out of
the fire, and there seemed indications that Felix was

_ weakening.

mur-
“He feels sure Felix can’t

“T wonder if they'll give abeter a show,”

   
  

R AT FARDALE,

 

    
 
 

STANDISH.

 
    

June knew all the fine points of baseball, and she
noted that the Fairport pitcher was erratic ee wild
at the opening of this inning.

Having such confidence in his own team and ‘bes
lieving Eaton could stagger Fairport at the very out- 4
set, the local captain sent his players to bat first. This — a
gave Fairport a chance to finish the game at bat. Ss

    
     
     
     
     
     
 

June looked around for Chester and discovered him
back of the Fairport bench talking with a utility player |
of the visiting team. Chet was watching the game
like a hawk. On the way to Eaton he had explained
to his sister his reason for coming as a change pitcher. ~
He had stated his belief that Felix would weaken be-
fore the game was over. Sa

“Creighton knows he needs me,” said Chet. “He’s
tried to get along without me, but I felt confident he’d —
have to call on me sooner or later. I made a stiff
fight to get control of the nine this spring, but my
enemies downed 4 me. All I ask is one or two fai

 
       
   
   
   
         
     
    
;

her face lighting up.

the second batter with a pitched ball, and there are

_ dangerous.
Eaton stands a good show to tie the score in this

“Then I'll speak with him ee

2 TIP TOP WEEKLY.

trials in the box.. I'll show them what I can do, and
they'll have to use me the rest of the season. I’m
going to pitch against Fardale. When I make up my
mind I’m going to do a thing, I have a way of doing
it. I told Creighton squarely that I would not go into
the box after the game was hopelessly. lost, and he
promised to call on me, if he called at all, before such
a condition arose. I have a feeling that I’m going
i pe the chap that wins the game for Fairport to-

day.’

Through all vicissitudes, disappointments, and
failures, Arlington’s self-conceit remained undisturbed.
And now he was waiting for the desired opportunity
to get.into the game.

The wildness of Felix passed the first Eaton bat-
ter in the seventh.

June was following the course of events so closely
‘hat she failed to see a straight, handsome, blue-eyed
boy who approached the car. This boy lifted his cap
and spoke to her politely.

“T beg your pardon, miss,” he said.

“Oh!” exclaimed June, starting a little and turning

to. look at him.

He was a stranger. She had-never seen him be-

fore.

“I beg your pardon,” he repeated, “but I believe

you are Miss\Arlington, aren’t you?”

_“That’s my name,” she answered.

“Well, Miss Arlington, I’ve only recently arrived
here, and I’m a total stranger to every one. I wish to
speak with your brother at once. It’s very important.
Will you be good enough to point him out to me?”

Looking toward the field once more, June saw Char-

+ lie Creighton make a signal, following which Chester
Arlington spoke to the utility player, who picked up

a big mitt and tossed’a ball to Chet.

“Oh, they’re going to put him in!” exclaimed June,
“Creighton has told him to
warm up. Something else has happened.”

“Yes,” said the stranger, “the Fairport pitcher hit
now two Eaton runners on the sacks. I understand
Fairport holds the ead.” |

“By two runs,” nodded June. “But it’s getting
With tw6 men on bases and no one out,

inning or take the lead. I think they're going to give

_ my brother a chance to pitch. He’s WARRING UP ONer

yonder. That is he,”
said the blue-eyed

boy. “Keep your eyes open, Miss Arlington. Don’t

let any strangers come around this car. Don’t speak
to strangers.”

“Why, if I’d done that, I’d not spoken to ya;
smiled June.

But the boy was hurrying away and did not hear
her words,

“I wonder who he is,” speculated June. “Anyhow,
he’s a fine-looking fellow and a perfect gentleman.”

The stranger crossed back of the catcher and made
his way toward Arlington, to whom he spoke. Ches-
ter paused a moment and give him a questioning
glance.

“Just a word, Arlington, if: you please,”
unknown.

“Can't stop now,” returned Chet. “I’ve got to lim-
ber up my wing. I’m going into the game.”

“It’s very important,” persisted the other.

‘“Can’t you wait till after the game?”

“Tt’ll be too late then.”

With a gesture of impatience, Chet turned toward
the stranger, who drew him aside and began speaking
hurriedly in low tones.

“I arrived while the last inning was being played.
I don’t know any one. By chance I happened to over-
hear a bit of conversation that should interest you. A
rough-looking man and a boy were talking. The man
has bet money that Eaton will win, He’s confiderit the
Fairport pitcher can’t hold out.”

“He’s right,” nodded Chester. “But is this the
important thing you have to tell me? Why, I knew it
all the time.” ee

“Wait a minute,” urged the other, “This man be-
lieves you'll be called Ls to finish the gamé.’

“He's right again.’ F Ny

“He says you mustn’t' go into the box.” :
1 “Oh, does he? Well, he’ll see me go in right hay,”
“But he’s going to try to prevent it.”
“T'd like to know how!”

’ “The man has been drinking. He knows your sis-
ter. I heard him tell the boy that a diversion must
be created: that would take you away from the game.
They’re going to try to run away with your sister.”’

93

said the

-

“What?” gasped Chester. “\What’s this you're say-\

ing? Why, it’s.a crazy scheme!” | 3.

“It’s the scheme of a man who has been drinking,
But I think your sister is in peril. This man has an
idea that by seizing your automobile and carrying off
Miss Arlington he’ll cause you to leave the field in pur-
suit. If you do that, the Fairport pitcher now on the — #3
slab will be compelled to finish out the, game. That's:
the scheme. Now, you had better |

 
 

iif: LOP

“Oh, blazes!” grated Chet. “Felix has passed an-
other man! The bases are filled! If Creighton wants
me, he’s got to speak now.’

“Arlington,” called the voice of the F aif aces cap
tain, “come on here!” :

» “What are you going to do about your sister ?”’ per-
sisted the stranger.
“T’ve got to pitch,’ said Chet. “Can’t you go
round and look after her? Go ahead, thaf’s a good
- fellow. I can tell you're all right by your looks. Just
keep an eye on her, and don’t let those scoundrels try
that trick. Will you?”
“Sure!” exclaimed the blue-eyed chap, as he turned
_and hastened to retrace his steps toward June Arling-
. ton. '
His heart beating high with triumph, Chet, tem-
porarily forgetting the possible peril to his sister.
_ stalked proudly onto the field.
a Felix surrendered the ball and started toward the
bench, his face crimson with mortification.
“Now, Arlington,” said Creighton, “show what you
can do. We depend on you to hold these fellows
down.” ~
“T told you Felix would weaken,” retorted Chet.

“He’s put us in a bad hole with all the sacks charged.
a You should have called on me before, Creighton.”
“Oh, it’s not too late. Let’s stop them right here.”

_. The Eaton crowd was making a great uproar,
seeming confident that the turning-point had come and
that their team “would win out.

 

a boy open the side door of the touring-car. behind
__ June’s back and spring in. He saw a man leap up to
the driver’s seat, throw on the switch, and press the
self-starting device for the motor.

_ Arlington gave a shout. —
_ The man threw in the clutch, and the auto made
a sudden forward spring.
June uttered a cry of alarm, but the boy seized her
and attempted to hold his hand over her mouth.
_ “Clear the way!” roared the man at the steering-
wheel, and in startled astonishment the crowd fell
back, making room for the automobile, which turned
toward the highway near at hand.

  

eo

 

"CHAPTER i
WHAT THE STRANGER DID.

_ To limber up his arm ‘a little more, Chet whistled
Be ball over to the first-baseman. As he did so, he saw’

. of the unknown.

    
   
    
     
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
  
  
 

WEEKLY. 3

the back of the machine and landed fairly on the
shoulders of the boy.

It was the stranger.

The astonished crowd saw this blue-eyed chap liter-
ally lift the stunned boy and fling him out of the
moving car. The startled man at the wheel turned his
head to look over his shoulder.

Crack! the fist of the stranger landed on the man’s
jaw.

Those in the vicinity of the automobile afierward
declared that the sound of that blow was like a pistol
report. The man’s hand fell from the wheel, and he
pitched headlong out of the automobile.

Even as the ruffian’s fingers released the wheel the
blue-eyed stranger grasped it with one hand and held
it steady, squirming swiftly over the back of the for-
ward seat. :

The machine had nearly reached the open highway,
but now the unknown promptly threw out the clutch, |
closed the throttle, shut off the spark, and apphed the ©
brake. The car came to a stop in the middle of the
road. : 4

As it did so, a hatless man dashed past, uttering oe
savage curses, and fled down the highway. i

Twenty men and boys were after him, but he seemed —
to have a good start and ran with such speed that he
gained at every stride.

“Catch that man!’ shouted the boy who had rescued
June. “Don’t let him get away!”

Arlington, followed by a number of the ball- -players,-
now came rushing up to the automobile.

The stranger turned and met Chester with a serene
smile. t

“Barely in time, old man,” he said. “These ruf —
fians moved quicker than I thought they would, and |
they were at the ca before I could get round to your
sister.”

“Vou’re a corker!” cried Chet, : as he seized the band
“You did that trick beautifully! By 3

iE Ee ce ee

 

 
     
     
       
     
       
 

Jove! you’re a wonder!

“Thanks,” nodded the other. “Please don’t embar-—
rass me. Tm naturally .very modest and retiring, and
I dislike notoriety. Your sister is-all right——”

“Thanks to you. June, are you hurt?”

June was pale and trembling, but she answered :

“T think not, Chester. But what does it mean?”

“Tt means that. the crazy ruffian ai 2: ae are
pursuing yonder tried to kidnap you.” :

“He certainly was crazy, or drank burst fro
Charlie Creighton,

 
   
      
         
   
   
    
 

  

      
     
   
  
    
  
  
  
   
  
 
   
  
 
   
   
   
  
   
    
   
 
  
  
  
   
     
 
  
  
  
  
  
  

“Or both,” nodded the stranger. ““T think he was
crazed by too much booze.

Apparently no one in the crowd had recognized the
man. ;

“Where’s the boy?’ demanded the rescuer.

Looking around for the lad who had been hurled
from the car, they discovered him lying on the ground,
with a crowd gathering about him.

“I’m afraid he’s badly hurt,” ‘said the unknown,
springing from the automobile and hurrying toward
the spot.

There was a doctor in the crowd, and he made a
hasty examination of the boy.

“Knocked senseless,” he said. “Bring some water.
‘ He struck on his head. It looks liké concussion of the
brain.”

“It’s Hop Wilder,” said one of the crowd. ‘“He’s
just back from a term in the reform school. This

_ought to give him another. year or two there. He’s no
good, anyhow.” ‘ hon

The stranger betrayed considerable anxiety over the
condition of the boy until the lad had revived some-
what and the doctor pronounced his injuries as minor,
although he remained somewhat dazed and refused to,
answer questions.

As the boy was carried away some of the crowd
who had pursued the fleeing man came straggling back
to the field. .

“He has taken to Preston’s woods,” they an-

|  -nounced. “He can run like a deer. If they catch
him, they’ll do mighty well.”

Chester Arlington had turned the automobile and
brought it back to its position at the side of the ball-
field. He did his best, in a way, to soothe June, who
finally assured him that she was all right, but asked to’
again speak with the young stranger who had per-

formed such a nervy and gallant act. |

Arlington found the blue-eyed boy endeavoring to
get away from a number of admirers who were plying
him with questions.

“Here, you,” said Chet, as he seized the unknown’s
arm. “I won’t worry about, June if you'll just stay
with her until we finish this game. She’s not such a
plain girl, either, and I fancy you'll find her fairly
_ bright and entertaining.”

- your sister,” said the other.
_ “Flere he is,’
to the guto. “This is my sister, Mr—Mr.—what'’s
your name? By Jove! that’s awkward. I forgot to
. aes your, name.” |

  

   

Tip taP

 

Does any one know him?”

_ you how to take & fall out of a conceited bunch that

. fair and June Arlington togeth¢r

“I shall eepard it as an honor to be presented to .

’ said Chet, as he led the unknown up —

  

WEEKLY.

“My name is Sparkfair.”
“Well, Mr. Sparkfair, you’re all to the good. Just
sit in here with June and get sociable.”

Chet flung open the side door of the car and half
pushed the blue-eyed boy into the seat at June’s side.
“This certainly is a most unexpected pleasure,” mut-

tered Sparkfair, “and I consider myself in great luck.”
“You are—you are,” laughed Chet. “You're in
luck tp meet a girl like sis, and you’ re also in luck
to have the pleasure of watching me finish this base- _,
ball-game. Just keep your eyes open, and I'll show >

think themselves the only baseball-players in this sec-
tion. Fairport is out for the championship this year.
We're going to trim Eaton to-day and eat up Fardale .
later on.”

 

Swaggering with a superabundance of confidence,
Chet returned to the diamond, leaving Dale Spark-

 

-

CHAPTER IIT.
A MOMENT OF GREAT EXCITEMENT.

The umpire had called ‘ ‘time” when the exciting in-
cidents around the automobile began to take place, and
now the game was resumed exactly as it stood, with the
bases full and no one out. The situation was one to
try the nerve of a less conceited boy than Chester
Arlington. At this juncture Chet’s confidence in him-
self was supreme, for he fully believed the time had

~come when he could, demonstrate beyond doubt to his _ ~ 4 bs

schoolmates that he was far superior to Felix or any
other Fairport twirler. ’

Although Arlington was not aware of it, he was
almost precisely the same kind of a pitcher as Felix.
For about six innings he was a wizard, and then, as. |
a rule, he weakened. This came through the fact that 1
Chet lacked the real physical and mental stamina for
a prolonged and sustained effort. Only in his enmities.
and his egotism was Chet unvarying and unfaltering.
Born to be an athlete, he had never risen to his full
development on account of certain harmful vices, such
as smoking and drinking. For a time in any contest
he performed brilliantly, but the deteriorating effect
of the cigarette and the flask invariably made itself -
felt under protracted strain. Me

He was now prepared, however, to do a brilliant 3
bit of work in the box, and, having only part ofa game _
to pitch, it was possible that he might carry-it thipugh
at his best. . et hre

 

   
      
       
   
       
         
       
    
 

   

   
    

Once more Arlington received permission to lim-
ber his arm a bit by throwing to first base, and this
he did while the players and spectators waited.

“It’s no use, Castle!’ cried the laughing captain of
the Eaton team. “We'll send this chap to the stable,
along with the other one. He'll get his bumps in short
order.”

“Oh, wait and see!” smilingly returned Charlie

Castle. “You may have another guess coming to
- you.”

June Arlingfon seemed to forget her recent peril in
her anxiety over her brother. Her gloved hands were
clasped, and she watched Chester’s every movement.

“Oh, I hope he holds them down!” she breathed.
“Tf he does—if he makes the team—he’s promised me

| he'll give up cigarettes and stick rigidly to training.”
i= Apparently she had quite forgetten the presence of
mf Dale Sparkfair, . who laughed softly as he observed:
“That’s a good promise to keep if a fellow’s going
to play baseball. I’ve had to cut cigarettes myself,”

“Oh, I do so want Chester to succeed!” murmured
pom june. “A great deal depends upory it. He’s had such
|. bad luck! He’s been so unfortunate!”
et As @ pitcher??? */ ( 7
2 “Not so much as a pitcher as in other ways. He’s
| —_ most unfortunate in making enemies. He has many
| enemies at school. They kept him off the team this
_ spring.”
She did not explain that it was really Chet’s fault
_ that he had not been taken onto the Fairport nine at
the beginning of ‘the season. | ;
_ “He’s going to hand ’em up now,” observed Spark,
_as Arlington toed the slab and prepared for delivery.
The coachers, one on each side of the diamond,
opened up barkingly. The base-runners started off
their sacks, each man with his muscles tense and his
_ senses keenly alert, ready to run on the instant. The
_ batter gripped his “slugger” and settled himself firmly
on his feet in the box. Behind the bat the catcher,
protected by mask and body-guard, crouched frog-
like, giving a signal. The majority of the spectators’
_ were rooters for the home team, and ‘they began loudly
clamoring for a hit that should tie the score,
It was a moment to set the nerves tingling. It was
an occasion to arouse any baseball enthusiast wh hap-
pened to be present. Se
_ “There!” breathed June.
Arlington had delivered the first ball.
' “One ball!” came from the umpire.
“Too high,” murmured  Sparkfair

  

 

fat TOE

 

he felt sure others knew it. He knew how to pose, and
he did not miss this opportunity to show off his “form”

‘so wild that the catcher barely blocked it.

regretfully,

       
  
   
   
   
  
   
   
  
   
   
   
   
   
  
  
  
 

WEEKLY. | 5

“Still, he came near pulling that chap. The fellow
nearly struck at it.”

With the ball again in his hands, Chet settled him-
self with a determined motion upon his pivot foot.
He was deliberate and cool, yet, when he pitched, the
umpire roared :

“Ba-a-a-a-ll two!”

“Oh, dear!” gasped June.

“It was a bender,” said Dale;
wide.”

But Arlington was kicking.

“Give me the corners, Mr. Umpire!” he cried. “TI
got the outside corner then!”

“Play ball!’ commanded the umpire sharply® e

Shaking his head resentfully, Chet received the + _
sphere from the catcher, glanced round to locate the
base-runners, and once more poised himself with his
toe on the rubber.

Arlington knew he was a good-looking fellow, and

“That looked good.”
“just a trifle too

before the spectators. In a group at one side ef the
field were a number of girls, and Chet’s eyes flashed.a
glance in that direction. Pe
Sparkfair noted all this and mentally commented : :
“You'd better forget the girls, old man. Quit play-
ing the actor and get down to business if you want to ;
save this game.”’ : 7
“Two balls! Oh, ho! ho! two balls!” whooped one
of the coachers. “He’s wild! He can’t put ’em over! —
He'll never do it! Get a lead, fellows! Move up!
move up!” — |
“Poor old fel-ler!” droned the other coacher, in a —
singsong tone. “He has one foot in the grave-y and
the other all but-er.” |
There was a roar of laughter from the crowd.
Somehow this merriment seemed to disconcert Ar-—
lington for a moment, and the next ball pitched was. |

      
       
         
       
     
   
   
     
       
   
 

“TYe’s gone! he’s gone!” bellowed the coacher baci
of first base. _ “It’s all off! The balloon is up! Wasn't —
it a beautifal ascension !’ :

“See him come dow-un in his little eaccieare
droned the fellow with the singsong voice. “A par-
a-chute is the only shbot he has that’s any good to-
day. His in shoot is rotten.” ae

Sparkfair saw that June Arlington was trembling
with agitation, while her cheeks had grown very pale.

“Oh, I never saw Chester pitch like that before!”
she palpitated. “What's the matter with him?” a

        
       
       
     
     
     

      

Phe os

  
  

_ Spark stood up in the car, and his clear voice rang
across the field:

“Put it right over the pan, Arlington, old sport!
That fellow can’t touch the ball! Don’t forget you
have eight men behind you! Make him hit! make him
hit !’’ !

Chester knew the batter would let the next one
pass, and this seemed to restore a bit of his tem-
porarily disturbed nérve, for he cut the plate with a
straight one.

“St-r-i-ke one!” came from the umpire.

“Now you're doing it, my boy!” rang the bell-like
notes of Sparkfair. “Hand him up another! Make
him hit! make him hit!”

“Qh, listen to the mocking bir- ud! ’ droned the sing-
y song coacher.

Chet lost not a moment when the sphere, was re-
turned to him, but, with all the control at his com-
mand, he sent another one over the pan.

“St-r-i-ke two!” droned the umpire.

“Good work! good work!” barked: Charlie Castle.

‘“That’s the stuff!’ roared the first-baseman.

‘Now you're even with him!’’ came from the oppo-
site corner of the diamond.

“Steady, Arlington—steady!’”’ called the short-stop.
“You can do it again!” ah

Chester smiled a bit. Turning the ball- over and
over in his fingers, he procrastinated, with his toe on
the plate, deliberately seeking to work on the nerve of
_ the batter, who had now grown anxious.

‘ “He couldn’t put three over in concussion to save

his neck!” barked the coacher on’ the line by first.
“Take a walk, old man—take a walk!"
The batter was gripping his “slugger,” crouching a
- pit, ready to swing if another straight one came over.
“Pl fool him,” thought Chet, shaking his head as
the catcher called for a straight ball. \
_ The moment he received a signal for a drop Chet
» sent the ball in. It was high, and it took the drop a
_ bit too late, coming down behind the batter's enh
ders.
- “Ba-a-a-a-Il four!’ announced the umpire.
The crowd gave a roar as the batter dropped. his
stick and started for first, while the other men moved
; AP, the man on third coming in to the plate. ~
In the midst of the uproar Chester was seen remon-
strating with the umpire.
“Too bad! ! muttered Spark fair.
hole now. This is tough luck! i i

yt asked June,

  

  

“He’s in a worse

Do you think that umpire was fair:

   

 

TIP TOP WEEKLY.

RS more cheerful from his standpoint. — er ae

lington, as he trotted’ off the ee

 
    
  
   
  
  
   
   
   
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
   
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
  
 
   
  
   
    
   
  
   
  
 
   
  
  
  

her voice quivering.
strike?” _

“T should say it dropped a little too late,” answered
Dale honestly. “It passed the batter level with his
chin. But don’t get discouraged. There’s time
enough yet.”

“Oh, I’m afraid, I’m afraid!” murmured the girl.

As the uproar subsided somewhat, the coacher near
first was heard to cry:

“A moment ago he had one foot in the gravy and
the other all butter! Now he has Woth feet in the |
soup!” |

““He’s in the sou-up all ov-er, and we're in clover!”
sang the other coacher.

“Here comes our heavy hitter!’ cried the Eaton
captain, “It’s all off now! The jig is up, Fairport!’

The next man to bat was a strapping big fellow, who
had a reputation as a hitter. In truth, the situation
was a serious one for Chet.

“Don’t try to strike him out!’
“Let him hit!
ton!”

The batter did hit the very first ball pitched. . He
smashed it out on a dead line into the hands of the
short-stop, who held it and snapped it to third with
such promptness that a double play resulted.

Dale Sparkfair uttered a genuine Indian war-
whoop.

“That'll hold them for awhile!’ he cried. :

“Pin medals on yourself, Arlington!’ yapped the = |
coacher near first. “Somebody threw a bunch of — |
horseshoes at you then!” ,

“One man more,

“Don’t you think that was a

 

implored Castle.
You've got to take chances, Arling-

Chet—only one!’ came from a
Castle. “Get him, and we'll hold'em down!” ol

Chet’s supreme confidence had returned to him in —
a twinkling. With two men out, things looked de-—

“Never mind that piece of rabbit’s-foot luck,” came
from the Eaton captain. “We can make four or five’ (eae
ORS runs now. This pitcher is easier than the other Soha
one.” . } Cota ee Jeg ¥
“TIL show you!” muttered Chet to himself. rae

It happened that he knew the weakness of the next
batter, who could not hit a low ball on the inside cor- 8
ner. Getting full command of himself, Chet deliber- ree
ately put three balls over that corner of the plate, one 4d
after another, and the small crowd of Fairport fans |
broke loose with a yell of joy as the third strike was _
called and the ball spanked into the catcher’s mitt.

“Just fooling with them, that’s all,” laughed Ar

 

 

       
        
       
 

 

_. thinks he’s a wiz.

  

 

ITP fOr?
CHAPTER IV.

GETTING ACQUAINTED.

His face wreathed in smiles, Chester came straight
to the automobile

“Oh, I’m so glad—so glad!” laughed June, her
cheeks rosy with happiness.
frightened, Chester.”

He shrugged his shoulders.

“There wasn’t anything to be frightened about. Of
course, I was in a hole after that rotten umpire gave
me the short end of it. I had the third strike on the
other man, and he should have been out. We're play-
ing against ten men to-day, but we’re going to win
this game.”

“That was a corking catch your short-stop made,”
observed ‘Sparkfair.

“Oh, pretty good, pretty good,” acknowledged
Chet; “but he couldn’t get out of the way. He had
to stop the ball. It came straight at him.”

“If he’d dropped it, the score might be tied now.”

“Tf he’d dripped it, I’d felt like kicking him up
through his shirt-collar,” said Chet. “Oh, these Eaton
chaps hate to be beaten. They die hard, but this is
their day to expire.”

-. “How does the Eaton team compare with other
_teams hereabouts?” inquired Spark.

“Why, it always used to hold the interscholastic
championship at baseball. They’ve had a strong team
here year after year. We’re out for the.championship
this year, and there’s only one thing that can possibly
_ keep it away from us.”

“What's that?”

“Fardale.” ,

“Then, is the Fardale team stronger than Eaton?”

“Oh, I don’t know as it’s stronger, but the Fardale
captain i is a fool for luck. Everything comes his way.
You know Fardale won the pennant last season. Of
course, that fellow, Merriwell—the captain I just men-
tioned—took all the credit on his own shoulders. He
3 I don’t like to talk about him. He
_ makes me sick—positively sick!’ :
“You don’t seem to like him,” laughed Dale.
“Like him?” snarled Chet. “I should say not! I
_ hate him! He and I are enemies to the finish!, The
; principal reason why I am anxious to make good to-
_ day is that I may have a chance to pitch against Far-
dale with Mr. Merriwell in the box for that bunch.”
“Don’t you consider him rather clever?” inquired
Dale innocently. )

“Clever!” rasped Chester. “T tell you he’s a fool for
luck! He was born under. a lucky star.

   

WEEKLY, 2

“But I was dreadfully ©

Things come

—-—
ay d
¥ '

his way, whether he deserves them or not.
know anything about him?”

“Oh, Ive met. him.”

“Well, I'll guarantee you thought him a mighty fine
fellow.”

“He did seem that way.”

“He always impresses strangers like that. He’s a
fine fellow to everybody he can use. .If he sees a
chance to make use of you, he'll fool you into believ-
ing him the finest chap alive. When you’ve had
enough experience with him, as I have, you'll find out
just what he is. He’s a dirty, contemptible——”

“Stop, Chester!’ remonstrated June, unable to re-
main silent longer. “Don’t let your feelings run away
with you.” : |

‘He flashed her a look

“Now, that’s the only thing I have against my sister
in all the world,” came harshly from his lips. “She
seems to think this Merriwell is all right.. You see
she attends school at the Lakeside Academy for girls
at Fardale, and consequently she’s. seen too much of
Merriwell—far too much. .He’s one of the kind who
fool all the girls into believing they’re heroic, self-
sacrificing, manly, noble, almost angelic. Why, don’t
you know, he never smokes, he never drinks, he never
swears, he never does anything out of the way. I can’t
stand a goody-goody, I never did! I never will!”

June was aroused.

Do you

“Now, don’t try to give Mr. Sparkfair the impres- -

sion that Dick Merriwell is soft and mushy,” she ex-
postulated. “You know well enough, Chester, that
there’s nothing soft about him. He is manly and

square; but he’s like other boys, and he acknowledges —

himself that he sometimes makes mistakes.”

Chet threw back his head and laughed.

“That’s his method of posing. He tries to lead
people to believe that he’s tempted to do wrong, but
he’s such a noble chap that he fights temptation. Bah!

Bosh! Rot! Now, there’s Rand Blacklock, my friend.

He’s going to bat now. Look at him. He doesn’t
drink, and he doesn’t smoke, and he doesn’t swear.

But Rand’s on the level, and he says he doesn’t do — :
_these things because he has no inclination to do them. ©

He doesn’t throw out his chest and pretend that he’s
better than other people.”

“Don’t compare Rand Blacklock with Dick Merri- |
“Merriwell has friends,
and you know that you’re almost the only friend

well!” remonstrated san

- Blacklock can claim. He is generally disliked.”

“Simply because he won't Rost Soap around ote “

eng? and play the hyponrite.”

  

 
   
   
   
    
    
  
   
     
TL bos

A

“Nothing of the sort,” asserted the girl stoutly.
“He’s disagreeable, and cold-blooded, and revengeful.
No one can say Dick Merriwell possesses such quali-
ties. You certainly should know that Dick is not re-
vengeful. If he were ”

She checked herself abruptly,
ing too much.

Arlington turried and watched Blacklock.

“Hit it out, Rand!” he cried. ‘We need a few more
runs!”

Blacklock responded by nailing the third ball pitched
him and lifting it toward the outfield. The ball was
captured after a hard run by a fielder.’ Blacklock
had reached first, but he turned back, with a sullen ex-
pression of anger on his face, although no words

came from his lips. _ |

“By his looks,” said Sparkfair, “I should say it
would relieve him to swear a little. It strikes me that
he’s got a whole lat of wrath pent up inside of him
just about now.”

“That was hard luck,’ said Chet. “If June wasn’t
present, | might do a little cussing for Rand.”

‘The next batter secured a single and reached first.

“Come, Arlington—come!” cried Castle. “You're
"the hitter !”

“Tl have to Keep this thing going,” said Chet, as he
rushed in to the bench and caught up a bat.

The Eaton catcher was a great thrower to bases, and
’ therefore the runner seemed disinclined to take any
_ chances. Nevertheless, Arlington made an insteterit
signal, and when the ball was pitched he swung at it
with a wide sweep, seemed to lose his footing, stag-
gered and | fell directly in front of the catcher.
The runner had scooted for second. )

“ Arlington rose to his feet; forcing the catcher to
step aside in ordet to throw.

Asa result the runner succeeded in stealing the base.
- The catcher was angry.
 “How’s -that for futetck ich,
cried. “Did you see this man?” 3
- “Interference?” exclaimed Chet ridiculously.
se What's the matter with you? I struck at the ball.”
_ “Did you see him?” persisted the catcher. “He in-
terfered with me!” ae

fearing she was say-

Mr. nists ?” he

‘The umpire shook his head. Nevertheless, the ex-

pression on his face seemed to indicate that he was
troubled by doubts. ) :

Dale Spark fair chuckled softly.
ok bee are tricks i in all ee he observed.

“Your, .

WEEKLY.

“Do you think he did it purposely?” asked June.
_ “Tf I know anything about baseball, he did.”

“Was it fair?”

“Well, there’s a penalty for such interference. Some
players consider it fair to resort to any trick if they
can escape detection and the penalty.”

The girl looked round at him searchingly.

“But you w souldn’t do such a thing in a game?” she
questioned.

“Oh, I’m not at all sure of that,” acknowledged
Spark frankly. “It would depend a great deal on the
team I was playing against. By the way, do you think
that fellow we were speaking about would do it?”

“Who, Dick Merriwell ?”

weet

“T don’t believe it, for I’ve never seen him do any-
thing unfair.”

“Then he’ll never make a professional ball-player,”’
laughed Dale.

“I’m sure he doesn’t intend to become a professional.
You know his: brother, Frank Merriwell, has persist-_
ently refusedsto enter the professional ranks, although
he’s been offered all sorts of inducements. He is one
man who has remained a straight amateur.”

“Yes, I’ve heard so,” nodded Dale. “By Jove!”

This exclamation was caused by Arlington’s action
in smashing the next ball delivered to him. 3

The Eaton third-baseman made a lunge at the ball,
flung himself at full length on the ground, and. trapped
it with his gloved left hand. a

The runner on second had started for third but he —
promptly dodged back as the baseman. sat up with
the ball. iy

Without rising, the baseman threw to second, and $

the runner was caught off the sack, being forced to :

turn again toward third. Immediately the short-stop _
rushed to cover third, while the catcher came down to
back him up and the pitcher ran to second. de
In a moment these players had the runner dodging
back and forth on the line between them.
Arlington’ had reached first, and he now proceeded: |
to canter down toward second, watching the efforts of
the other runner to avoid the man with the ball.
_ There was great excitement for a few moments, but
suddenly one of the players made a dive at the runner, —
after a fake pretense at throwing the ball, and tagged
him. An instant later the ball was snapped to second,
and Arlington was ee on the line oe down
from first.
“Bad! bad!” sputtered Spare

‘

| AT a sist i tee arent

 

 
 

1 “Oh, Chester, Chester, don’t let them catch you!”
palpitated June. |

In short order six of the Eaton players were on the
line and keeping Arlington dancing.

“Look out! look out!’ cried the Eaton captain.
“Keep him near first !’’

Twice Chester dodged the man who seemed sure of
tagging him with the ball, but the third time proved
fatal, for he was finally touched.

Then he proceeded to kick at the runner who had
been caught between second and third.

“Why didn’t you play the game?” he cried. “I got
off first to give you a show. How do you expect us to
win?”

“Oh, Chester is angry now!” murmured June. “I’m
sorry, for he loses his judgment when he gets angry.”

Once more Sparkfair rose to his feet.

“It’s all right, Arlington, old sport!” he cheerfully
cried. “You can hold them down alone! You don’t
need any more runs! You can win this game, my
. boy!”

Chet heard these words and looked round. The an-
gry look faded from his face beneath such an open
} expression of confidence, and he showed his fine teeth
| ina laugh. ®

“Couldn’t help making a growl over such dub play-
ing, Sparkfair,” he said.

“Oh, if he always had some one to talk to him like
that!” murmured June gratefully. “Why, I believe
you have a good influence on him, Mr. Sparkfair.” _

_ “T wish you wouldn’t call me Mr. Sparkfair,” re-
monstrated the blue-eyed boy. “My name is Dale. Do
you mind calling me that?’

1 “Why, I’ve only known you such a very short
ee tine ae
“Tt seems as if I’d known you always,” he said, in a
low tone, again seating himself at her side. “Of
course | am aware we met to-day for the first time, but
there is something about you that reminds me of an
ideal I’ve dreamed about.” ,

 

  
  
   
 
   
   
    
    
 
 
 
  
    
 
  
   
   
  
   
  

Pa “Oh, that’s a nice thing for. you to say,” faltered
‘ae the girl, feeling her cheeks begin to burn.

  
 

_ “Nothing of the sort,” declared Dale,, meeting her
eyes as she glanced at him. ‘Most fellows have an
ideal, but I fancy few find them. You know I’m aw-
fully lucky. I’ve always been lucky: But I consider it
the - greatest luck of my career that, instead of proceed-

   
  
 

  

_ drop off here to-day and watch this game.
wae happened to meet you.”
ey aM were on your way to Fardale’ e

That's how

  

TIP TOP WEEKLY.

ing to Fardale with the rest of my team, I decided to.

  

ae

“With a team—

TBs

“What tearm ?”

“The Farnham Hall team, of which I.am captain.”

“Farnham Hall?” exclaimed June, in great surprise.
“Why, that’s Frank Merriwell’s new School of Ath-
\etic Development. Dick has told me all about it. I
know Farnham Hall plays at Fardale to-morrow, and
I’m going to see that game. Why, isn’t this the
strangest thing! Oh, I’ve so many questions to ask
you when the game is over! And I'll see you to-mor-
row in Fardale! Isn’t that splendid!”

“It certainly is-~for me,’ nodded Spark.

a baseball-team ?”

emer ne

CHAPTER ve
CONFIDENCE, OR CONCEIT?

Once more Chet entered the box, literally bubbling
with self-confidence. He’ opened up with a snappy
delivery, great speed, and sharp curves.

The first batter put up a weak foul fly to the catcher,
and was out.

“That’s a fine hit!” laughed Arlington, with a touch
of mockery and derision in his tone and manner.

The Eaton captain frowned and spoke in a low tone
to the next batter.

“Don’t try to slug the ball, Fred. Make him put it
over and do“your best to hit safe when he.does.
like to take some of the swelling out of Arlington’s —
head. He’s all right as long as things are going his —
way, but get him discouraged and angry, and he'll
quit. We’ve got to get a runner on sacks to worry
him. He’s ater too confident and conceited while »
the sacks are empty.”’

The second batter used ekcellént judgment in wait-
ing, and finally forced Chester to put a good one over,
. The ball was smashed out on a line.

Quick as a flash Chet. snapped out his gloved left ope

hand, and the Spalding spatted into it.

Arlington held the ball. Not only did he hold it,
but the trick was done with a careless air, as if Chet
proclaimed it was really no feat at all for him to make _

uch a catch, hae

“You'll have to keep those out of my reach,” he he

served, with another laugh, —

June was delighted. ] aS

“Wasn't that a splendid catch, Mr. Sparkfair! we she 3
exclaimed. | para
“There you go again,”

objected Spark. “You fo Sores

 

id:

 
 

 

      
     
 

 

 

 

   

   

10 TIP TOP

got I asked you to call me by my first name. Won't
you please be kind enough to forget the mister. If
you've got to use my family cognomen, just say Spark-
fair, the way the rest of the good fellows do. My par-
ticular friends call me Spark. che like to add you to
_ the list of my particular 4

June was not a forward girl, but just now she was
feeling very happy and satisfied, so she answered:

“All right, Spark. Gracious! that name does seem
to fit you, for your performance in handling, those
tuffians a short time ago indicates that you’re a par-
ticularly brilliant Spark.”

“TU try to be my brightest if you'll Jet me spark
around you,” said Dale boldly. - j

“As a fire,’ promptly retorted the girl, ‘‘you’re not
only brilliant, but you seem newly kindled, for ye re

decidedly fresh.”

“Oh, what a headache! what a headache!” sighed
Dale, with an expression of mock dolefulness. “That
lets me out.” *

. “J hope it doesn’t totally extinguish you.”

“Well, I’m pretty well smothered. This Spark was

suddenly covered by a wet blanket. Never mind, as
long as you threw the blanket I’ll try to survive, and

I'll accept it with more pleasure than I would a royal

robe of ermine from the hands of any other person.”

“My goodness, how you talk!” laughed June. “TI
never heard a boy say such things. Have you been
reading Bertha M. Clay or Laura Jean Libby? ‘Lord
Barnsford’-uses that sort of language 1 in ‘Only a Poor
Factory Girl.’”

, “Qh, Lord!’ murmured Sparkfair’ “This is the
first time I ever knew I had such a:faculty for a high-
bred line of conversation. Look at that fellow swing
_at that ball! Your brother fooled him with a fancy in
shoot that time.”

Chester was laughing at the batter, wito had nearly

_ thrown himself down when he failed to hit the ball.

“They’re all easy, Arlington, old chap!” cried Spark-

“You've got this game laid away on ice for

fair.
Now, wasn’t that a nice thing to say?”

friends.

your team!
he inquired, in a low tone, again turning to June.
_ “Tf you make such horrible puns, you'll ruin your
reputation for a high-bred line of conversation,” said
the girl. “I can’t stand that. It chills me.”

“Then I'll have to cut it out before you give me the
frozen face. I should hate to get the cold shoulder
from you.” 7

_ “Worse and worse. Now you're making me hot.”
_. “That's retaliation. Some time ago you aroused
a flame in me that nothing can extinguish.”

 

WEEKLY.

    

Fearing the effect of this declaration, he once more
leaped up, loudly crying:

“That’s two strikes, Arlington!
easy |”

You've got him
easy—dead
. “Oh, they’re all easy!” retorted Chet.

But when he pitched the next ball the batter hit it a
savage crack and drove it toward the outfield.

Fortunately the center-fielder was able to get under
the ball and held it.

The expression of dismay which had settled on Ches-
ter’s face quickly gave way to a look of relief and sat-
isfaction, and he turned: from the diamond, trotting
over toward Dale and June.

“How are you two getting along?” he inquired... “I
hope your're enjoying the game. That last fellow made —
that long drive by accident. I was trying to- force
him to put up an infield fly. He happened to hit it
fair, but the ball went into the air, and it was all right.”’

“Spark is a pitcher, you know, Chester,” said June.

“Eh? Spark? Oh, you mean Sparkfair? Well,
seems to me you are getting along over here. And
he’s a pitcher, you say? Well, now, that’s interesting.”

“Oh, I make a bluff at pitching,” laughed Dale.
“I’m going against Fardale to-morrow.”

“What? Why, Frank Merriwel’s Farnham Hall
team plays in Fardale to-morrow.”

-“T’m captain of that team.”
Chester almost staggered.
“Cesar’s ghost!” he blurted.

so before?”

“Didn’t have an opportunity.”

“Tiow do you happen to be here in Eaton ?”

“Heard about the game here and stopped off to see
it. The test of the team kept on to Fardale.”
“Well, you must know Frank Merriwell pretty
well ?”’

“Oh, yes.”

“Don’t know but I expressed an unfavorable opin-—
ion about him awhile ago, but I’m not going to take it~
back if I did. I’ve heard about his athletic school,

“Why didn’t you say

x :

and it strikes me as a crazy scheme.”

“It’s probable that Mr. Sparkfair knows more about
that school than you do, Chester,” observed June. “I
don’t believe he’ll agree with you on that point.”

“You're quite right,” nodded Dale immediately. “T
think Frank Merriwell’s school one of the finest insfi- —
tutions in the country. No one but a man like Merri-
well, with originality, courage, and deep interest in the 5‘
welfare of the American youth, would have conceived _
such a project and carried it into execution.”

Chet shrugged his shoulders. Nespas

 

 

 

 

 

   
 

TIP: LOOP.

a

“Perhaps that’s true,” he admitted, “but P’ve heard
lots of people say it’s a crazy scheme and doomed to
fizzle out in time. Parents are not going to send their
sons, at great expense, to such a school.”

“Evidently you are not aware that the expense is
very small indeed. Mr. Merriwell is bearing the bur-
den himself.”

“Oh, well, he can’t keep that up. It would take a
Carnegie to supply funds indefinitely for such an insti-
tution.”

_ “That may be’true,” acknowledged Dale; “but there

are many philanthropic citizens who are interested in

- the school, and I understand one or two of these gen-
tlemen have pledged themselves to contribute liberally
at the end of the first year, in case the school seems
worthy and deserving of their support. I know for a
fact that already many of the boys in that school have
made marvelous improvements in a physical way.
There goes your first batter, Arlington. It’s going
to be a tight finish.”

| “Oh, that fellow never could hit,” said Chester.

1 “We've got the lead, and we'll keep it, all right.”

1 “A lead of one run is mighty uncertain in a game

like this.”
“Well, this fellow ey to help u us out some,’
clared Chester.

The next batter led off with a clean single, and Ar-
lington hastened onto the coaching-line.
“There'll be@mourning in Eaton to-morrow!”
cried. “Get away, old man—divorce yourself from
| that sack! Don’t hug it the way you would a pretty
girl! Get a start for the next one! Remember that

variety is the spice of life! Ho-o-0-o, look out! yy

| At this warning cry the base-runner lunged back to

| first, the pitcher having thrown over.

5 “Just twenty minutes too late,” laughed Chet.

: couldn’ t catch you in a thousand Yerrs, my boy.
him throw. His arm is weak now.’

|. The runner caused the pitcher to throw to first sev-

: De eral times, and then, when the ball was pitched, he
| went scooting down to second, urged bi ato

| shouts.

 

* de-

he

“He

 
 

“beautiful slide the latter reached the sack and was
- declared safe. |

_. “Why, of course! of course!” whooped ‘Chester ex-
uberantly. “It’s a perfect snap! You can purloin
third just as easy, old man!”

Nevertheless, the runner did not dare to take an-

 

 

 

 

 

 

     
 
   
    
  

  

   

 

pitcher passed the next batter on balls:

Let |

The catcher threw to shut off the runner, but by a.

other chance, and he remained at second until the

  

WEEKLY. II

“Oh, what pitching! what pitching!’ cried Chet, in
derision. “It’s too. easy! It’s a shame to take the
money! It’s like stealing candy from the baby!”

“T never knew Chester to coach that way before,”’
said June. “He usually sits on the bench and let’s
some one else do the coaching.”

“Well, he’s working for his own game, and that’s
proper,” came from Dale. “Jingoes! I'd like to be
playing myself. I always get anxious when I have to
keep still and watch a game.”

“Do you love it?”

“It’s proper only for a girl to say she loves base-
ball. If I were a girl, I’d confess that I adore it.

How’s that ?”

“Pretty near the limit.”

“We're all to the good, fellows!’ Arlington was
crying. “We don’t need these runs we're going to gt,
but we'll take ‘em just to show you how it’s done,
Eaton.”

Barely had he uttered these words when the next
batter drove a ball just inside the line toward third
hase. |

The baseman scooped it up cleanly, whipped his foot
eonto the sack for a force out, and then whistled the
ball across the diamond to first, making a handsome
double play and retiring Fairport. 3

“Oh, ho! ho!’ roared the captain of the home team.
‘Where are those runs, Arlington ?”’

Chester turned toward the disconsolate batter,
serving in a contemptuous manner :

“That was a fine hit, old man! You ought to have
a leather medal!” mS,

Then he walked onto the diamond to pitch the final
inning.

ob-

CHAPTER VI.
HOW re GAME WAS WON.

Now Chester had ie! troubles in short order. For
years Eaton had maintained the reputation of turning
out, each season a fighting baseball-team that never
gave up until the last man was out and the game was —
ended. It was this fighting spirit that won the cham-_
pionship so many years for the school. It was the
same fighting spirit, drilled into the Fardale team by —
Dick Merriwell, that had enabled Fardale to wrest a
the laurels from Eaton’s brow. — oe

If Chester fancied the game was over, he soon real-
ized his mistake, for the first batter smashed out a
two-bagger and took third when the man following: i
him bunted. / od

 
es

cheerfully cried Sparkfair.

a mistake in my identity. I’m hairs Burns.

12 Var at QE

It was Chet who secured the bunted ball, and he
might have thrown, the batter out at first, but, in
anxiety to keep the other runner from advancing to
third, he threw the sphere to that base. The runner
slid and was declared safe.

“It’s a shame to do-o-o-o it!” sang one of the
coachers. “And Fairport can’t live throu-ou-ou-ough
it !”’ |

The other coacher began yapping on the line back
of first, while the Eaton boys sent up a fine encoura-
ging cheer for their players.

Once more June was pale and agitated.

“Oh, do you think they’ll score?’ she asked.

“IT hope not,” answered Dale; “but, with no one

out, His have a pretty good chance.to get a Tun or
two.” |
_ “Tt will be dreadful if they do! It will ruin Ches-
ter’s prospects. I know what will happen; he’ li be ter-
tibly angry and discouraged.”
_ “No fellow can expect to win all the time,” observed
Spark carefully. “We all have to meet defeat at times,
and the fellow who finally wins out is the one who can
meet it gracefully.”

“Chester never could stand defeat.
courage him some way ?”

“I can try,” said Dale, again rising to his feet.

Arlington was scowling as he toed the slab.

his

Can’t you en-

{

“You've let them have show enough, old fellow!”
“They’re all blown up,
like a bladder! Just prick the bladder and See it ex-
plode! Don’t mind those fellows on the sacks! It’s
a shame for them to work so hard for nothing!’

“Oh, say, Old Wisdom in the bub-ble, your pitcher’s
having lots of trou-ble!” chanted the singing coachet.

“You'd better take that voice and file it, or oil it be-
fore you spile it,’ retorted Dale. “You're talking
through your hat, and you don’t know where you're

”
at. o

At this the goacher took off his cap and made a

profound how in Sparkfair’s direction.

“Excuse me, Lord Byron,” he drawled. “When

_ did you come to life? You seem to be a real poic.”

“Oh, I am!” flung back Dale.

“But you've made
Burns
was hot stuff.”

Eaton was determined now, and promptly on the

first ball pitched the runner on first aepnes down to

second.
The catcher snapped the ball to Chester, who whirled

_ toward second, swinging his arm as if to throw, but

\

WEEKLY.

continudd to swing round until he could snap the

sphere over to third.

The runner at third dodged back and gave Chet the
laugh.

“It’s settled! it’s settled!” he cried. “You can’t
catch any one that way to-day, Arlington!”

June found herself unable to speak. Her hands
were clasped, and her mouth dry.

Although the batter had not struck at it, the first ball
was declared a strike by the umpire. Chet now worked
carefully, and a moment later he caused the batter to
put up a little infield fly, which the short-stop easily
captured.

“That’s some relief,’ murmured Dale.

Aloud he cried:

“See how easy it is, Arlington! They're all fussed
up! They actually think they’ re going to do some-
thing !” e

Chester forced a smile, but he could not entirely ban-
ish his look of anxiety.

This anxiety increased, as he soon found himself
with poor control and unable to surely locate the plate.
As a result of his wildness the next man waited and
walked to first,*filling the sacks.

_Again and again the concerted Eaton cheer rolled
across the field. The’ worried Fairport contingent

bravely cheered in response, but their voices were.

drowned in the general uproar. oe;

It was truly a nerve-racking game®

One of Eaton’s steadiest players and safest batters
now faced Chester.

Arlington did his best to lead this fellow into reach-
ing for the wide ones, and soon three balls were called:

“I believe he’s going to force in a run,” thought —
_ Sparkfair regretfully.

“Don’t know as I mind on his
account, but I’m sorry for his sister.”
_ Chet was: compelléd to use the straight ball, and put
it over. *
Knowing the game, the batter refused to strike until,
two strikes had been called on him.

_ Chet hesitated, tempted to try another bender, al- —

though the catcher was calling for the straight one.

Finally Arlington responded, trying for the inside : a

corner of the plate and using his best speed.

The batter hit the ball. |
_ Chet flung up his left hand, and the ball struck it.
It bounded off, but went directly into the hands of
the second-baseman without dropping to the ground,
and the baseman quickly sprang onto the sack, comple-
ting a double play, in oe Arlington had unwit-

tingly assisted. |

 

 

 

 

me eae

 
i latte

 

 

 

Dale.

Bis peel,
| spare,’

a mind that 1

aa PS

There was a hush of astonishment, and then Spark-
fair’s voice rang out in a wild yell of triumph, for the
game, was over, and Fairport had won,

 

CHAPTER VIL.
A SURPRISE FOR JUNE.

The relief of Arlington was inexpressible, but in a
moment he turned and swaggered off the field as if he
had won the game wholly through his own playing.
He did not even pause to compliment the second-base-
man, whose promptness and ready wit had saved the
visitors from possible defeat.

The Eaton players were disappointed, but they
showed their sporting spirit by promptly getting to-

. gether and giving a cheer for Fairport.

Chester quickly secured his own pet bat from the

_ midst of the others, slipping it into a private bat bag,

and trotted down to the automobile where June was
waiting, rosy with delight.
“Oh, I was frightened almost to death, Chester!”
she exclaimed.
“Frightened ?” he laughed.
thing to be frightened about.”
“It seemed to me that you won by a very lucky

“Why, there wasn’t any-

a play”

“Now, don’t talk tke that—don’t talk to me of

luck!” expostulated Chet, forgetting that in almost ~
every instance when defeat came to him he was inclined

to lay the blame onto hard luck. “We won because
we played to win. At least, I did. I didn’t intend for'

‘that last batter to get a hit.”

“But he came awful near it—awful neat ares breathed

_ June.

“Nothing of the sort? The ball didn’t go outside the
diamond. I came near holding it myself. I’m afraid
you don’t know as much about the game, June, as you

pretend to.”

Sparkfair said nothing, but the manner of Arlington
in speaking to his sister was decidedly distasteful to

“Now we'll go to the hotel and have something to
eat,” said Chester. “I think I can take care of a
square meal after this. een t get out, arate old

chap. . Stay where you are.’

“I have to catch a train,” said Dale, looking at his
“T don’t think I have a great deal of time to

“Oh, dash the train!” laughed Chester. “Never

Spark; “but I don’t like to force myself on any one.”

         
   
    
 
  
   
   
  
  
   
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
  
  
    
  
    
  
  
  
  
  
  
    
    
 
   
 
  
 
  
    
   

WEEKLY. 13

“Tt’s the last train to-night.”

“You don’t have to take the train, my boy. I'll land
you in Fardale. I’m going to take sis back there.”

“Well, that’s very nice of you,” said Dale, with a
doubtful intonation.

“Come, come, my boy!” cried Chester remonstrat-
ingly. “Don’t tell me you prefer to travel alone on the
choo-choo cars when you can just as well make the
trip in this bubble with my sister for company.”

“It certainly will be a pleasure for me,” bowed

“Force—nothing! Just rest easy, and after we dine
and I find out what’s become of that ruffian, I’ll show
you how to lick up the road with a four-cylinder flier.”

By this time Arlington was on the driver’s seat. He
threw on the switch and pressed the pedal of the self-
starting device. The motor chugged a few times, and —
the car gave a start as the clutch was thrown in. Then
something happened.

The car stopped.

“What the dickens is the matter?’ snapped Chet.
“There’s some trouble with the spark.” ;

“No trouble with this Spark,” laughed Dale. :

“I think that battery must be weak,” said Arling-
ton. - “I didn’t know it. I should have started on the
low gear. I'll try the other battery, but I’ll have to
crank the machine now.” \

The self-starting device was one which could be
wound up only through the motion of the car, and
therefore it was now useless for the time being.

Chester threw the switch onto the other battery, reg-
ulated the spark, lifted his throttle a little, and sprang
out, cranking the machine. The motor started
promptly enough, and Chet expressed his satisfaction.

“This battery is all right,” he said, as he resumed
his seat. ~ ,

Rand Blacklock came hurrying up to the car. a

“T’m going to take the train with-the rest of the
fellows, Arlington,” he said. “You know I don’t care
about going to Fardale.” .

“That’s all right, old man,” nodded Chester. “I
may stop over in Fardale to see that game to-morrow.”

“You'll be called up for absenting yourself without
permission.” \

Chet grinned.

“It won't be the first time,” he said. “I think I can

stand one or two more poe this term. So long, —
Rady 42s :

He threw in the clutch, and the machine started.
“I'd just like to know what’s become of that thug —

the crowd chased into the woods,” he said. “I’m curi-—
et

A ag 6 fd bak ete aN Fes a Ri lag pbs keene
i eb a ak et Ae I RA Uh aarti eg

‘

 
      
       
       
 
    

na ei ee

ous to know who he is. If he isn’t caught, I’m going

to see if I can’t pump that boy. The little ruffian ought
to. be sent back to the reform school, where he be-
longs.”

Chester sent the machine flying down the road at
high speed, regardless of the fact that several horses
were frightened and became nearly unmanageable.

“Took out for those horses,” entreated June. “Don’t
cause a runaway, Chester.”

“Oh, these jays with their skittish horses make me
sick!” he flung back over his shoulder. ‘“They’re all
down ob autos, and I like to make their fool horses
prance.”

To a large extent just such fellows as Chester hr.
Hrigtdn have aroused prejudice against automobiles.
Their inconsideration for others is largely the cause
of the feeling entertained by a considerable portion
of the public against automobile owners and drivers.

Dale sprang out and assisted June.

“Get a room, sis,’ directed Chet. “I’m going to
take the bubble round to the stable. I’ll be up in a few

minutes, and I want some place in which I can change
my clothes.”

“V’ll look out for her,”
get a room for you.”

A tall, lanky countryman appeared on the hotel steps
and surveyed the two boys and the girl with curious
eyes. |

“Say,” he drawled, “ain’t one of.you the feller that
“had that rumpus with a raskil up to the baseball-
_ ground? Ain’t this the gal that raskil tried to carry

off?” \

“Correct, Josh,” nodded Arlington. “This is the
‘gal,’ and yonder is the ‘feller’ what did the heroic
stunt in rescuing her. We're going to crown him with
laurels and bays.”

 
    
   
  
   
  
  
   
 
  
   
 
 
  
  
  
  
   
 
  
  
   
  
   
  
   
   
  
     
    
     
     
     
 
 

promised Sparkfair. “T’ll

“Hey?” grunted the countryman -doubtfully. ey
don’t know nuthin’ "bout them bays, and I don’t cal’

late they make crowns out of laurels. Don’t try any
bobberation business with me, young feller. I was
going to tell you that the raskil sneaked out of the
woods where he was hidin’ an’ jest come right back
mY into this town as bold as you please. He was hangin’
round the railroad station a- -lookin’ for the train. I
suppose somebody recognized him, and in about two
shakes of a black lamb’s tail there was a crowd after
At im, and he was streaking it up the road. He come
right straight into the middle of the village here, and
oe Wiggins, who was mart some aigs: at

 
 

 
 

a into this hotel.

    

hummed Arlington.

Mebbe he did, but, by jucks!

WEEKLY.

we've ransacked this building from top to bottom, and
we can’t find nuthin’ of him. He kinder vanished
like a spirrut or a spook. Our deputy was in the crowd
what was arter him, and he feels really cut up and put
out over failing to nab him.”

“I don’t wonder,” grinned Chet derisively. “It’s
rather odd a ruffian can hide from a posse of pursuers
right here in this little jay town. Your deputy sheriff
better get onto himself and pinch that man.”

“Pinch him? pinch him? Why, gol-ding it! the

deputy sheriff is going to arrest him if he can catch.

him. It wouldn’t be no punishment for a raskil like
that jest to pinch him. What be you talkin’ ’bout ?”

“Zz-2-2-z! and the wind blew through his whiskers,”
‘“Say, Rube, don’t you know the
latest punishment for criminals is to pinch ’em? Ha!
ha! ha! Well, that’s a fact. It’s the method used in
all the large cities now. This progressive town should
wake up and get into the pinching-game.”

“No, sir! no, siree!” retorted the countryman, wag-
ging his head. “We don’t believe in corporate pun-
ishment round here. | We stick to the good old-fash-
ioned method of sending raskils to jail, by ginger!
That’s good enough for us. I s’pose they have reg’lar
pinchin’-machines in them jails in the big cities ?”

“Oh, no, Mr. Verdant,” replied Chester, with a_

wink at Dale, “they don’t have pinching-machines.
Instead of that, they employ a large force of officers to

‘do the pinching. You see it gives employment to a
great seats men, who seem to enjoy it as a particular

diversion.”
Then Chet bebe to hum: |

“When the hes is on the pumpkin,
And the fodder is in shock.”

The country man regarded him with a slight show of
suspicion and irritation.

“You're a pretty gol-dinged fine singer, ain’t ye?”
he observed. “You ought to have that voice of yours

cultivated. You ought to have it harrered before you

harrer other people with it.”
Now,
he retorted : © 4

“You're pretty fresh for anything* so green, ME

Man!”

“Fresh, hey °” grinned ths man. Fert ney? Well,
if there’s anything round this town that’s greener than”

 

Arlington did not like this, and strqiphogray a

 

 

 

~

 

most of the young fellers that come here to school and 4

that play baseball, I’d jest like to see what it is. They |
think they’re all-fired smart, and they go to pokin’ fun
at’ common folks, but, by the jumpin’ Joshua!*some-
times they git snapped up. Now, I want to inform you —
 

 

“a
hart 4

ey

_ They Say he is a desperate critter.

that my nameain’t Reuben, and it ain’t Verdant. Jest
because I don’t happen to own no nottymobile and go
whoopin’-scoopin’ round through the country fright-
enin’ hosses and thinkin’ I own the whole road jest
like a hog, it ain’t no sign I lack plain common sense.
You put that in your pipe and smoke it, young feller !”’

Having delivered himself in this manner, the indig-
nant stranger descended the steps and walked away,
paying no heed to Chet’s derisive laughter.

“These old jays are amusing when they’re not dis-
gusting,” observed Arlington. “I like to get one of
‘them on the string.”

“You seem to be.searching for trouble,”
Dale.

Leaving June in the little threadbare parlor of the
hotel, Spark proceeded to the office and secured a
room, the way being shown by the landlord himself.

“What’s this about a ruffian being chased in here
awhile ago?” questioned Spark.

“That’s what they say,” acknowledged the hotel pro-

laughed

_ prietor; “but I didn’t see anything of him, and I don’t »

take any stock in the yarn. He didn’t come into this
-house,, He may have dodged through into the stables
somewhere, but, anyhow, they failed to catch him.
Tried to steal an
’ automobile up to the baseball-ground and run off
with a girl who was in the machine.” .
“This is the girl,” explained Dale.

“Jerushy!” exclaimed the landlord. “You war
— say! Well, well, well! Didn’t,it scare you,’miss ?”’
“Tt did, somewhat,”; smilingly facknowledged June,
“but you see this young gentleman was at hand, and
he promptly spoiled the rygfian’s trick.”

“Whew!” whistled the hotel man, stating at Dale.
“So you're the young feller they told me about?
You're the chap that jumped into the automobile and
knocked the ruffian out? They telf'me you came near
breaking that Wilder boy’s neck. Well, it wouldn’t
have been no great loss to Eaton if you had. He’s a

bad boy, and he’ll bring up in State’s prison or on the —

gallows. Mark what I say!”

The door of the room was found to be unlocked, and

June entered.
“Will you please tell Chester to come right up as
soon as he comes in, bi ?” she requested.

“TIL send him up,’ nodded Dale. “In the mean-

% time, I'll finda chance to wash up myself and get ready

for dinner.” ~ 4
“Supper,” corrected the landlord, who was waiting

at the door. “We have supper. at night.here.”

_ “Dinner or supper, it makes no difference tome,”

’

TIP: TOP WEEKLY. 15

! rupted, as she hesitated.

_just after he was discharged from the reform. school,

began to arouse her sympathy.

   

      
  
 
    
   
 
   
   
   
    
    
   
 
  
 
  
  
   
  
 

laughed Dale, “as long as I get enough to eat, You'll
find I have a good, healthy appetite.”’

He followed the landlord, and June was left alone.
She closed the door and removed her auto cap and
coat, preparing to wash her face and hands.

Instead of carelessly tossing the coat on the bed
or a chair, she decided to hang it in the closet. With
it in her hand, she opened the closet door.

A startled cry escaped her lips.

There was a man in the closet!

CHAPTER VIII.
THE RUFFIAN. ben

At a glance she recognized him as the fugitive ruf-
fian. |
. Her heart leaped into her throat.
The man lifted a hand, but the gesture was hot one x

““T know what you ate going to say,” he inter-
“It was not for the purpose
of harming you in any way that I tried that trick at
the baseball-ground to-day. T Rave a job to pitch in
the Southern Ledgue if I can get there. It doesn’t look |
as if I’d get there. I heeded more money to pay my
railroad fare. That’s why I happened to bet on the
ball-game to-day. Felt sure Eaton would win, so I
gave odds. { knew Hop Wilder. Did him a favor, |

of threat. Instead of that, it was a pleading move-
ment. . as

“Please don’t call any one!” he entreated. “Please
don’t raise an outcry! I won’tharm you. Ineverin-
tended to do that. I wouldn’t harm a lady for the a
world.” ; Bs -

“But——” | 4

   
   
  

and that’s how I happened to call on him to help me
out in my scheme. I saw they were going to bat Felix. .
If your brother went into the box, he might save the
game. If he saved the gamnie, I was busted. It was |
my idea that I could lead him off in pursuit of his |
automobile and keep him out of the game. That’s
why I tried that trick. T swear I didn’t mean to in-
jure you in the slightest.” .

  
  
  
  
   
  
  
  

The than’s words and manner seemed to proclaim |
him truthful and sincere. The very fact that he had
spoken no word of threat and had made no threatening _
move allayed June’s shock of terror, while his dejection _
He was watching her
closely, as if trying to read her thoughts, and suddenly
he continued : s

  
  
  
  
    

    
   
  
    
     
 
   
  
  
  
   
 
   
  
  
    
  
  
   
   
  

6 TIP “TOP

“T hope you believe me. I’m not the worst fellow
in the world. No real harm came to you through any-
oe I did. If I’m arrested and sent up, it means my
ruin.’

“You should have thought of that,” came huskily
from the girl’s lips.

“Oh, I know it!
I was sore and bitter toward every one. Once I
planned on a college career, but hard luck has knocked
me out of that. My people might have helped me, but
they are sore on account of my record, and they’ve all
turned against me. I’m alone in the world, and I’ve
got to paddle my own canoe. I’ve made a bad mess of
it so far. Just now I’m in the rapids and liable to be
wrecked any moment. You can wreck me. If you
see fit, you can step to that door, open it, and call. for
help. In case you do, I’ll wait until they come for
me—lI’ll wait here.”

He sat down on a chair. .

“I want to do what is right,” murmured June, in
hesitation. “I should regret it if I became the cause

_ of your complete downfall.”

“Trust me. Give me a show.”

“Then show me your face!” cried June, pointing at
him. “Take off that beard!”

He shrugged his shoulders, lifted his hand, Geta Chie
the false beard and removed it.’

“Ah!” breathed the girl. “I’ve seen you before!’
The face revealed was not a particularly evil one.
The man was a mere youth, scarcely more than a boy.

“Yes, I presume you have seen me before,” he said.
“T was at Fairport for awhile. I played football there
- last fall. At that time I was known as Phil Hibbard.
_ Now you can see why I have no very friendly feeling
toward your brother. He went back on me at a crit-
ical time. I had to get out of Fairport after that am-
monia-throwing trick in the game between Fairport
and Fardale. Your brother planned that. It was his
scheme, I suffered for it.”
- June did not doubt that the fellow dicks the truth.
_ Noting the impression ae was making, the young
ay man went on: o |
ey “You see it’s often the ones whio 2 are the least guilty
who suffer punishment. My real name is Tom Grody.
Ae entered salut as, Phill Hibbard. After leaving

  

  

 
 
  

  

“Pin very sorry,’ * said the girl) her Spaibaey now:
ru a aroused, oe regret that ny) brother should have

I realize what a fool I was, but .

WEFKLY.
anything to do with your misfortune. What do. you
propose to do now?”

“T hope to remain concealed here until after night-

fall, when I shall attempt to get out of Eaton. My
fate is in your hands, Miss Arlington. What will
you do?” |

“You can’t remain here,” breathed June. “My

brother may come any moment and find you.”

“The closet”... :

“That won’t do. He may look there, the same as
I did. You'll have to leave this room.”

Tom Grody rose to his feet.

“You're very kind,” he said, readjusting the fatse
beard. “I want you to know that I appreciate it.
Don't know how I’ll raise the money I need to get
away.” |

“If I had money, I’d help you,” declared June; “but
I haven’t a cent.”

“Oh, well, I'll have to get it Somewhere ystocmenay,
I want to thank you for———” |

“Don’t waste time in thanks,”
quickly as you can.”

Continuing to mutter his seeming gratitude, Grody

she urged. “Go as

took her advice, strode to the door, flung it open, and “4 F

stepped out.

A moment later he was hurled backward into that) 4
room, and a pantherish figure came after him, alight- $4
ing upon him and pinning him to the floor.

It was eee

 

peeps IX,

THE SPARK ANDg THE SPARKER.

1

“Got you! palpitated Dale. pad

With a gasp, June sprang forward and seibed Spark-
fair by the shoulders,

“Don’t!” she entreated.

“Why, it’s that scoundrel—”

“Yes, I know, I know! Let him up—let ities got”

“Let him go?” echoed Spark, oe

“Yes, yes!”

“But he-——”

“Listen, Spark, He’s sek such a ruffian.
him. He has told me all about it.”

“For your sake I’ll do almost anything,” said the
astonished boy; “but it seems to me——”’

“Don’ t waste time in words!
If you wish me to remain your friend, do as I'say wile:
out further See

 
 
  

Sates acs
es

ee

>

Se

 

sr
os

ee a.

mapa te antionteee

ee

STI a OR iA nti
pee me me

ee 3

 

 

 

“You know him? Incredulous!” exclaimed Dale, »
“Yes, I know him. For my sake let him go.” a

Chester may smell

 

  
    
   
     
      
     
    
   
   
      
        
      
      
     
   
  

4
ct 7 +

  
      
       
 
     
  
       
    
  

J oerentirenetemeiner aa /
EAA wt, 4 a

      
 
   
     
   
   
   
   
   
          
    
   
     
     
      
   
   
   

Immediately Sparkfair rose to his feet, permitting
the man to get up.

“Tf you put it that way, there’s only one thing tor
me to do,” said Dale, still watching Grody like a
hawk,

Fearlessly June grasped the hand of the man and
pushed him toward the open door.

“Go!” she palpitated.

Without a word of retort; the fellow obeyed.

Sparkfair was leaning on the back of a chair when
June turned toward him.

“You'll pardon me for my deportment in this mat-
er,” he said; “but I heard the voice of a man just as
I reached that door, and I recognized the fellow the
instant’ the door opened. That’s how I happened to
jump at him. Took him by surprise, I reckon, for he

went down quickly enough. Of course, if you don’t
_ care to explain, I shall ask no questions. Your brother
sent me up for you. He’s waiting down-stairs.”
-“But Iwill explain,” said June swiftly.

And she told him all she knew about Tom Grody,
beginning with the time he had entered Fairport Acad-
emy under the name of Phil Hibbard. As far as pos-
sible she sought to shield her brother in relating the

 

“theming = Sing noon por ae

aN LOIN og

 

_ fulness compelled her to confess that the scheme orig-
inated in Chester’s mind: She sought to give the

impresssion that it, was something of a wild and

thoughtless piece of business on Chester’s part.

P It must be confessed that, although he admired

June very much, Sparkfair was beginning to under-

_ stand the true nature of Chester Arlington. Still, in
a way, there was something queerly fascinating and

interesting about Chet. In many things Arlington

seemed offensive, yet behind it all there was an inde-

scribable charm, which attracted strangers to him.

_ “Perhaps I did wrong in letting that man go,” con-

- fessed June, “but I felt it was the best thing under the

-circumstances.””

_ “Well, let’s Move you were ret?” smiled Dale.

_ “Let’s hope he dodges the local officers and reforms

after he gets rey Come, June, your brother’ll get

_ tired of waiting.” e;

_ Chet was already seated in the dining-room ites

_ they appeared. hive

_ “Well, say,” he exclaimed, cif you'd waited much

longer, I think I’'d have ent the table-cloth and nap-

kins! It took you a long Hime: to find her, Sparkfair,

you rascal |” .

y ag blushed. — /

HENS. a little regard - my. selings, Chester,”

   
 

 
   
 

  

 

TIP TOP

facts of the ammonia-throwing. Nevertheless, truth-

 

  

  

WEEKLY: i

she whispered, as she accepted the chair Sparkfair
placed for her. .

Arlington’s shoulders shook as he laughed softly.

“Oh, you want to look out for her, Spark, old man,”
he said, winking at Dale. “She’s an awful flirt. If
she keeps on, she’ll be a regular heart-breaker. It runs
in the family.. Now, you might not think it, but some-
times I have to take to the woods and climb a tree to
get away from the girls who pursue me.”

“That’s unfortunate,” smiled Dale.

“You're nervous, June,’’ observed Chester,
noticed that her hands were trembling slightly.

‘Who wouldn’t be if they had such a rude brother!”
she retorted. And Chet never suspected the fact that
her nervousness had not been created by his chaffing
remarks.

as he

The meal was fairly satisfactory, and the trio seemed ~

to enjoy it. Throughout it all, however, June con-
tinued to betray nervousness and anxiety, while her
mind wandered from the various topics of conversa-
tion. She was wondering if Tom Grody still re-
mained in the house, or if he had made good his escape.
Once when loud voices were heard in the office she
partly started up, but a burst of laughter reassured her,

and she sank back on her chair.

After supper Chester seemed in no hurry to start
out. ;
“T know the roads,” he declared. “We'll have to
make a good part of the run after dark, even if we
start right away.

things. I'll smoke a cigarette or two and give my food
a chance to digest. Won’t you have a cigarette,
Spark ?”

For a moment Dale hesitated, but he finally hook.
his ‘head.

“Don’t think I will,” he answered.
out while in training.” —

“Oh, that’s supposed to be the case out me,” smiled
Chet, “but I smoke.a whiff now and then. It doesn’ t
hurt any one, you know. That’s all rot.

“Pye cut ee

time,
my nerves.”

They sroeeuaed! to the room Sparkfair had ainda’
and there they. remained, chatting white Chester.
smoked, until dusk came on, CEN,

“Well,” sighed Arlington finally, throwing away ee
butt of his re: cigarette, “I suppose we may as well
be off. You settle the bill, Sparkfair.

I never like to hurry about these .

Oh, I suppose ~
it might do some harm if a fellow kept at it all the
It’s sort of soothing and restful for me. Calms

I'll make it~
right with you. I'll bring the bubble round in front.”
Fifteen minutes later they rolled out of Eaton. June

    
   
  
   
  
   
  
 
 
  
  
   
  
 

  

ie ae
1
a: : a

  
  

and. Dale ‘were’ on the back seat, while Chester drove
the car.
“This beautiful evening is like May,” said June.

“I think this beautiful evening is like June,” retorted
Dale, “only it’s not quite beautiful enough to be up to
the standard of June.”’

“Punning again!” exclaimed the girl.
awful habit, Spark.”

“Go ahead and talk while you get a chance,” called
Chet. “I’m going to hit it up as soon as we strike a
good strip of road out here, and you won't have much
chance for chatting.”

The lamps were lighted, and they made a golden
pathway on the brown road in advance. The stars
caine peering through the purple twilight, and the sweet
breath of spring fanned their faces. On the level road
the motor hummed softly, and the car bore them along
in a buoyant manner that seemed to thrill them with a
realization of the power possessed by this palpitating,
inanimate thing.

“Oh, she runs sweetly to-night !” cr ied Chet, as he
opened the throttle and advanced the spark. ‘“‘Here’s
that strip of toad. Now we'll go some!”

They seemed literally to fly. The spinning wheels of
the auto tarried them over the road ina way that gave

“That's an

them a birdlike feeling.

“Look out gor teams!” cried June.

“Qo-0-0-w-00-o0!” rang out the musical Gabriel horn
as Chester pressed the pedal with his foot. ;

The moon was creeping up in the east as they came

‘to a long hill.

About one-third of the way up the hill the motor ran

beautifully, but finally it showed a loss of power and
began to labor, while the speed of the car slackened
‘rapidly. :

“What in blazes is the matter flow!” snapped Chet.
“Slower and slower they moved, and soon the ex-
plosions became irregular, with now and then a Searp

one in the muffler.

“Dickens take this old machine!” growled Arling-

ton. “I believe both batteries are weak. She’s ‘not

sparking right.”

Nevertheless, the auto managed’ to| pull over the
crest of the hill on the low gear, and Rona the hill

4 they came to another level stretch of road, which, how-
_ ever, was too rough to admit of.the highest speed.

On this rough road the machine continued to. be-

have badly.

_ Finally Chester stopped. ®|

“TL wonder if there’s anything the matter with the.
oad he St as ms sprang out, sizag a hand.

_feur,”

here.

ay

‘TIP TOP WEEKLY.

electric lamp from his pocket, and opened the hood of
- the auto. One by one he examined the cylinder valves.
“T can’t see but they set all right,’ he confessed.
“I’m no chauffeur, you understand,:-Sparkfair. We did
have a chauffeur to do the dirty work until my old
man retired from business and grew penurious.”’
“Why, you know father says we can’t afford a chauf-
said June. ;
“Oh, fudge!” cried Chet. “That isn’t so. Any-
how, if it were, I wouldn’t tell people about it. I won-
der if the carbureter is doing its duty. Suppose I'd
know if I were an expert. You see it takes an expert
to definitely locate the trouble when these things get

to kicking.”

Once more getting in, he threw the switch ohto the —
opposite battery and pressed the self-starting pedal.
~The machine refused to budge.

“Well,” he cried, “it’s plain that battery’s no good! —

L’ll have to go back to the other one.”

He reversed the switch, growling because it was.
now necessary. for him to get out and crank the ma-
chine.

‘This time the motor started after a vigorous crank-

‘ing, but it stopped before Chester could reach the seat.

“Oh, blazes. take the thing!” he snapped. “Is it
going to hang us up here on the road to-night?”

“T hope not,” laughed Dale. “I wouldn’t mind it at
all if it wasn’t necessary for me to, reach Fardale in
time for that game to-morrow.” ;

“Oh, you'll get there, all right. If I can’t land you
there, you can catch a train that will, You may have
to spend the night in, one of these country towns,
though.”

,

“lm letting you. do the main part of the OTHERS)
said Sparkfair. “Can I help you any?” . .
“No; keep.sfill, I'll twist the stuffing out of. her a

. she doesn’t start.” he

Chet turned the crank viedtoully iF finally the |
. to the side of ©

motor started again. He sprang quick

_ the machine and advanced the spark.

“She goes!” he cried. “Perhaps the old thing’s all
right now. Never can* tell about these machines.

Sometimes they balk out of sheer contrariness. No

B99

one can find anything, the matter with them.
For a quarter of a mile the auto ran on, “although
there were frequent missfires in the cylinders.
“T believe some of those spark plugs are sooted,” ob-
served Chester, again stopping. “I’ve got extra PINGS,
It won’t take long to put them i in. on bao

this Bei for ni Spar BENS BAL Sa

a em ee

 

 

 

 

 
  

dif TOP

He went at it, removing the spark plugs from the
cylinders and supplying their places with new ones.

When this was done, Chester once more had trouble
in starting the motor, although he finally succeeded.
Nevertheless, the car behaved in a most erratic man-
ner, finally coming to a stop on the road which ran be=
_ side the shore of a tiny lake. Close at hand, opposite
the lake, was a strip of woods which looked dark and
dismal.

“Deuce take the blamed old machine!” snarled Chet.
One is

We

_ “Now I know the trouble is with the batteries.
_ played out, and the other is too weak.”

; ‘What can you do?” asked June.

. Chester was silent some moments.

 

“Can’t do much of anything till I get those batteries
recharged, ” he finally confessed. ‘Children, we’re
_ hung up. This is what I get by not carrying a volta-
- | meter to test those batteries. Bet you I spend a fiver
for a voltameter as soon as I can get my hands on
ae one.” : : | Mgt
“Well, this is interesting, to say the least,” laughed
_ Sparkfair. “Are we to have the pleasure of sitting
here the rest of the night?”

- Then he whispered in June’s ear:
- “Mind, I said pleasure.”

 

“We'll have to unless I can get some farmer with
_ a pair of good horses to yank us into the nearest town,
_ where we can recharge these batteries,” answered Ar-
ington. “There’s a light yonder on the shore of the
lake. Must be a farmhouse there. If you'll remain
here and look after sis, T'll hoof it round there and see
what can be’ done. I don’t suppose you mind staying
here, do you, Spark??

  

    

“Not a bit,” answered Dale promptly.
Arlington—go as fat as you like.”

“Go ahead,

  

_ So Spark and June were left in the automobile, w hile

Chester set out in search of asgistance. 1

“Tt’s rather cool,” murmured June.

Phaeeit said Dale, sitting closer. “I'll serve as a
rind-break,” PSS

They were silent some maoients. 3

called his attention to the effect of the moonlight shi-

  

this band of shimmering silver a fish leaped in the park
f the moonlight. Far away the frogs were “peeping”
n a high-pitched chorus. The night air was imbued
ith the odor of growing things.

ty! love-—” began June. Bh

Whoo! whoo! eC whooped an owl, ‘from the depths
the woods. Sa? %

  

 

Finally June

ning on the ripples of the little lake. As they watched -

    
  
   
   
   
  
   
  
  
  
  
   
   
   

WEEKLY. 19

“That's the question,” said Dale. “Even the owl
wants to know who you love.”

“Why, I love the spring, I love the world, I love
everything.”

Again they were silent for some time, and, as June
shivered once more, Dale secured the robe Chester had
been using.. He folded this and passed it round the
girl’s shoulders. As he did so his arm slipped down
to her waist, and he forgot to remove it.

“Are you warmer now?” he asked.

“Much,” she answered.

There was another long silence.

“Seems to me Chester is taking a long time to re-
turn,” June finally said.

“The longer the better it suits me,” declared Dale.

Three minutes later ae heard footsteps approach- ‘
ing. 4 e

“Here he comes,’ murmured June, as she ee 7
ened up with something like a sigh.

“Yes,” said Dale, “here he comes.
motor run down?”

a

Why didn’t his

   

Then, of a sudden, he cocked his ear and listened in
an attitude of surprise.

“Can’t be your Sete
coming the other way.”

    
       
 

he said. ‘“The person is

    
     
   

He opened the door at his side and stepped out upon
the road. The shadows behind the auto were quite
thick, as both sides of the highway were lined by trees, —
In the midst of these shadows Dale finally detected an
advancing figure.

“Hello!” he called. “Who are you?”

“T’m a gentleman of the road,’ was the answer,
I need a little assistance.” ‘

Cliek-click ! l
That double click gave Sparkfair an electric thrill.
He saw the man lift his hand as he stepped into the |
moonlight. The light showed on something bright
and gleaming gripped in that a

It was a revolver!

    
   
           
 

“and

       
    
   
      
    
   
   

CHAPTER X.
THE CAPTURE OF THE RUFFIAN.

      
   
 

“Oh, what a pretty plaything!” facet ‘Dale,
seeming to gaze with admiration at the shining re- 5
volver. “Is it for me? Are you going to make me a
present? You're awfully kind!” Z

“Hold on!” growled the stranger. “Don’t get fresh ;
young fellow! T ie gun is loaded, and I’m pe oe:

give you a lead pi

    
      
   
          
  

20 ‘TIP TOP

    
   
  
    
  
  
   
    
   
 
  
  
   
  
  
  
   
  
  
    
 
  
  
  
    
   
  
    
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
 

3?

“You must be a doctor,” chirped Dale, in his most
unruffled manner. “I don’t need a pill, doctor. I as-
sure; you I haven’t had the slightest indisposition this
spring. Usually have spring fever, but somehow I’ve
dodged it thus far, and I’m in fine trim. I presume
you're on your way to visit a patient, doctor. Well,
Pil not delay you, for, if I do, the patient may be-
come impatient. That’s awful—I acknowledge it’s aw-
ful. Hope you haven’t heart-disease, doc. Still, if you
4. have heart-disease, will you please drop déad ?”

Evidently the man with the revolver was somewhat
astonished by this flippant nonchalance and this fluent
flow of language. In the face of such apparent peril

this queer young chap hardly seemed to blink, and he
chattered away in such a free-and-easy manner. that
the “gentleman of the road” found it difficult to get in
a word himself. Finally the “gentleman” uttered a
savage oath and commanded Spark to shut up.

“Hush! hush!’ whispered Dale. “My dear fellow,
don’t you Know there’s a lady present? Can’t you
see her sitting in this busted bubble? Even if she were
not here, such language is utterly inexcusable. Only a
parson has any real privilege of speaking about that
hot place you just mentioned. Is that a real pistol, or
is it a play gun?”

“It’s the real thing, young fellow. You bet your
life! Come, now, stop this talk, hold up your hands
and I’ll go through your pockets.” .

“Are you going through my pockets? My gracious!

you must be one of ‘those legerdemain fellows who do
all sorts of startling stunts. Now, I can go through a
door myself, but I don’t believe I could get through
any one’s pocket, even if I tried my prettiest.”’

“All this talk won’t do you any good. You've got
to cough.”’ 4

Dale coughed promptly.

“T’m a little out of practise,” he murmured apolo,
getically. ‘‘Haven’t had a cold for so long that I’ve
almost forgotten how to cough properly.”

“T want your money.”’.

“Money? Real money? Real coin of the realm?
. Real United States currency? Say, stranger, you’ ve
come to the wrong shop. I haven't any money to spare
this evening. I need it myself. I’m awfully sorry, old
chap, but— |
_ “You'll be sorrier before I’m through with you!”
‘snarled the man. “I’ve got to have money, and you'll
have to fork over every dollar in your jeans!”
“Well, that won’t overburden you, cheerfully re-
torted Sparkfair. “You'll be able to carry it all with-
out staggering a bit.” ;

 

3%?

‘ coming 1"

 

ses LY.

In spite of the threatening pistol and the man’s order
to keep his hands up, Dal€ started to rummage through
his pockets. Suddenly he paused and cocked his ear
toward the road which ran along the lake shore,

Honk! honk! .
~ Faint and far away sounded an automobile horn.

‘The ruffian gave a snarl.

“Lively!” he hissed. “Fork over your money!”

“Why, that sounds like another bubble,” murmured
Spark heedlessly. “Seems to me there’s some one
coming in an auto. Perhaps they’ll have some money
for you, sir. Perhaps they’ll be in delicate health and
all ready to cough the moment you invite them.” , |

Barely had he uttered these words wher Sparkfair |
suddenly ducked and lunged forward, flinging himself
head first into the pit of the man’ s stomach. .

Bang! ; [ .

The pistol exploded harmlessly, while man and boy ar
went down upon the dusty road. |

Honk! honk!

The sound of the automobile horn was more ‘die

tinct.
With a cry, June Arlington started up, watching
two struggling figures upon the ground. The nerve
and the nonchalance of Sparkfair had bewildered June,
while it filled her with a feeling of admiration for this-~
cool, reckless boy, who dared thus boldly face an armed
highwayman. Now she was greatly terrified, for she
saw that, although the man had been taken by sur-
prise and hurled to the ground, a furious struggle was
going on, with every probability that the highwayman
would conquer. y

The girl hurriedly sprang down from the car, her
hands shaking and her heart seeming to beat madly in — .
her throat. .

Honk! honk! ; Pei

Nearer still sounded the horn.

\ “Hold him, Spark !’’\ asia June.

“ig a i

ince aia

Carat

Silents

peer te athe cote etter DE START ee

 

Were

‘““There’s help :
Brokenly the battling lad enti (ee
“Oh, I’m havi ing—not the—slightest trouble in hold- oii
ing him—on top of me.” m
“You } young fool!’ bderted the ruffian, as he partly  :
rose on Dale’s breast, pinning the lad to the ground.
“T'll choke the life out of OUT Ti, at 8
The thug’s hands were fastened on Sparkiair's
throat. é .
“Oh, aa Dale ” cried Jane, “Is he choking you?
Is he—= Hah ae
There was no answer.
Sparkfair could not answet,

 

 

    
        
 
 

Under the circumstances —

       
 

i rae?
x x hs
\

pn tiie

 

 

4

 

 

 

MAY EOP

At her feet the girl saw something gleaming silvery
bright. She caught it up.

It was the revolver.

Reversing the weapon and grasping the barrel, June
Arlington lifted her hand and struck straight and hard
at the head of the ruffian,

That blow did the work. Without a sound, the man
toppled over, stunned and helpless for the time being.

“Thanks, June!” gasped Dale, as he quickly rose
and grasped the fallen scoundrel. “Give me some-
thing to tie his hands. There ought to be some stout
cord in the tool-box. ‘Hurry as much as possible, for
the “gentleman of the road’ may recover and continue
to agitate himself.”

June lost no time in opening the tool-box, and to her
delight she found a bit of stout cord neatly coiled in
one corner,

“Give it to me,” urged Dale, as he turned the high-
wayman face downward. “Thank you. I’ll bind his
little hannies so that he’ll be fairly comfortable, and
we'll be wholly so.” —

Sparkfair worked swiftly and deftly, knotting the
cord about the man’s wrists and finally passing it
round his elbows and tying it there.

Honk! honk!

“Here it comes!” delightedly cried June, as the lights

_ of an automobile came into full view round a bend.
and the

The machine was at hand a moment later,

voice of Chester Arlington called in surprise »

“What’s goifg on here?”
The lights of the strange automobile had revealed

_ June, Dale, and the captured ruffian.

“Oh, Chester,” exclaimed June, “we've had such a
terrible experience! A highwayman tried to rob us,
but Dale grappled with him and captured him.”

“I beg to state that Miss Arlington’s modesty has

kept her from telling the whole truth. She is the one
who captured the ruffian.
_ playfully squeezing my windpipe when she hit him a
tap on the cabeza that put him out of commission. I’ve

He had me down and was

just tiefhis hands behind him, but Jae deserves the

credit of the capture.”

“Well, I should say there had been something do-
ing!’ burst from Chester, as he came forward. “By
great luck I happened to find a gentleman out with his
auto, and he has agreed to take us in tow. Let’s have

a look at this scoundrel.”

Chet had hurried forward, and he now seized the

_ ruffian, turned him on his back, and lifted his head so
_ that the automobile lights shown full and fair upon his

   

WEEKLY. ae

June uttered a low cry, for the light revealed the

. face of Tom Grody, still partly disguised by the false

beard.

 

CHAPTER XI.
A CLOSE CONNECTION.

“Well, I rather think I know that bird!” burst from
Chester. “If I’m not mistaken, he’s the chap who
tried that little trick at the Eaton baseball-field to-day.
Talk about luck! Sis, you’ve captured the ruffian—
you and Dale. We'll take this fine man back to Eaton
and hand him over to the authorities.”

Not a word came from June. She was speechless
with dismay and disappointment. She had trusted this
young ruffian, fully believing him sincere in his pro-
fessed repentance, and the result was something which

_ staggered her and filled her with an intense emotion

of sorrow.

Chet yanked the false beard from Grody’s face as
the man began to recover consciousness and mutter
thickly.

Another cry burst from Arlington’s lips.

“Jupiter!’’ he palpitated. “Of all things! So help
nie, it’s Hibbard! Wouldn’t that jar you some! Now
I understand how the whelp came to try that trick.
Well, you’ve dropped pretty low, Phil Hibbard—pret-
ty low!”

“Thanks to you!’ came huskily from the captured
rascal’s lips. ‘You helped push me down, Arlington.”

“Yes, and I’ll land you where you belong, behind
the bars!” grated Chet. “Two fancy jobs of this sort 2
in one day should jug you for a good long time. So
you’ve turned highwayman, have you! Give me a
hand, Sparkfair. -We’ll move him to one side and let
Mr. Snow pass.”

The captive was dragged to the side of the road,
and the man in the rescuing automobile moved his
machine past them on the low gear.

. “Are you sure his hands are tightly bound, Spark-

fair?’ questioned Arlington. “He can’t get away?”

“If he does, he'll do a trick that would be creditable
for Houdini,” retorted Dale.

The rascal made no protest as they lifted him tohis

- feet and forced him to get into the auto. Chester took |

the pistol from June’s hands and thrust it into the

grasp of Mr. Snow, directing him to keep guard over 2
the ruffian. de

_ “T think we can turn this machine of mine together, a z
Spark,” he said. “We must look out not to get it off

 

   

 
 

“TIP TOP

  

the level road-bed, for it will be too heavy to turn by
hand in case we do,” ;

_ They went at the work, which was no small matter,
working the automobile round bit by bit. This job
employed them for at least thirty minutes, but they
finally succeeded in accomplishing their purpose, and
Chester’s car was once more headed toward Eaton.
Arlington then found a stout rope in the machine
owned by Snow, and, with the aid of this, the “dead”
bubble was taken in tow.

“You sit in my machine with June, Spark,’’ directed
Chester. “I'll take that scoundrel’s popgun and sit
beside him in the other.

layed this way, but I'll get you oath Ln in time to pes
that game to-morrow. Depend on me.’

During the return trip to Eaton Tom Grody made
several ineffectual appeals to Arlington. Chester re-
mained unmoved through it all, quietly reiterating his
assertion that Grody would have to face the punish-
ment for his criminal acts.

On the other hand, at Sparkfair’s side, June re-
mained silent a long while. Finally Dale discovered
that the girl was weeping. |

“I know how you feel about it, June,” he whis-

pered softly, all the flippancy gone from his voice and
Bocas “I’m disappointed myself. I did hope that
fellow would reform after your generosity toward
him.”

_“T wonder if any one realli reforms after they begin
to go wrong?’ murmured June. And just then a
was thinking of her brother, instead of Tom Grody.

“Oh, sure, sure!’ answered Dale. “Lots of chaps
make false steps and realize their folly in time to brace

up and walk the straight and narrow path.”

Dale was so consoling that June finally dried her
tears and snuggled closer to him.

They were on the front seat, as it was necessary for
Spark to keep the steering-wheel steady, which pre-
vented the “dead” machine from swerving at the end

of the long rope.
_ After awhile June murmured : = |
“You haven’t had much experience in steering an
auto, have you, Spark?”
“Why?” questioned Dale.
“Because I notice you have to use both hands.”
That was enough for Sparkfair. During the rest
_ of the trip ihto Eaton his right hand was the only one
_ employed at the wheel.
_ Eaton being a quiet, hum-drum little country tow n,
the reappearance of Arlington with the captured ruf-
fian quickly created considerable excitement... The

‘ cn

It’s too bad you’ve been de- ©

 

WEEKLY.

deputy sheriff had gone home and was in bed, but a
messenger routed him out, and he came rushing to the
hotel, handcuffs in hand, to take the captive.

“Same feller, is it?” he cried, having ironed Grody.
“Playing the highwayman, was he? Well, by jing!
I see where he gits his medicine! Had a pistol, did
he? Fired a shot, hey? I bet you this case goes to the
criminal court. But, look here, you fellers and you
gal, you've gut to stay here till this rascal can be brung
up before Judge Ritter to-morrow.”

“Impossible!” eee Chester.
early in the morning.”

“Not by a jugful!” grimly asserted the officer.
“They can’t none of you go till the judge binds this
criminal over for. the s’perior court. If you don’t
promise to stay and ’pear against him, I’ll have to de-
tain you all under arrest as witnesses. That’s business.
Now, I want your promise.”

Chester shrugged his shoulders.

“We have to fae

“It won’t bother me much,”

He can take the first train to-morrow.”’ ;
' “We

“No, siree!” grimly cried the deputy sheriff.
want him, too! He’ll have to stay!”
“Well, that’s fine!” exclaimed Dale. “Evidently

I’m not going to reach Fardale in time for that game

to-morrow. At what hour does court sit here?

“Well, I s’pose the judge will call it about ten-
thirty.” :

“Ten-thirty?” muttered Spark. “Tt shouldn’t take
him more than half an hour to dispose of this case. Is
there any train I can get after that ?”

“No train that will take you through to Fardale in
time,’ answered Chester; “but I'll have my batteries

recharged and everything ready, old man. I can get
you through with my automobile. [I'll do it, too.
may as well take it easy.” ries ;

Dale shrugged his shoulders. 7

“All right,’’ he laughed, with an air of resignation;

“T’ll depend on you, Arlington. I have another pitcher

with the team, of course, and he might be all right, ©

although I’m just a bit afraid to trust him. His name
is Featherstone.

friends.

ter.
“T can try,” answered Dale.

 

he said, “but you must |
let my friend, Sparkfair, go. He’s wanted in Fardale,

We

He is a good man in the box, but
rather hot-headed, and we've not been the best of _
The Fardale team trimmed us on Farnham
Hall Field last week, and I’m anxious to ‘return the
- compliment at Fardale.” rs

“Do you think ape can do it?” eagerly asked Chess 4

“This has been acatete:

   

I ac it

 

 

 

 
  
   

TIP TOP

exciting day, but I hope to get a good night’s

. sleep just
} the same.”

14 Spark did get a good night’s ‘sleep, arid he rose in
the morning looking fresh and fit for anything. He

| took breakfast with Chester and June,
i joyed a mofning walk before the prisoner was ar-
_raigned by the local trial justice,

A trial of this sort was enough to bring out a crowd
_ of villagers, and the little court-room was crowded to
suffocation.

, Looking dejected and wretched, Tom Grody was
_ arraigned before the judge. The evidence against him
; was heard, June being the last to testify, but at the

_ “close she suddenly made an earnest appeal to the judge
| for leniency toward Grody.

S “Please give him a chance, judge,” she urged.
| sure he’s not all bad.”

a The justice asked the prisoner what he had to say
for himself. At first Grody had pleaded not guilty, but
| now he rose and desparingly confessed his guilt. He
| acknowledged that the charge against him was. just
He and failed to make any excuses for his action.

bia “In the face of this confession, despite the young
Pe lady’s appeal,”’ said the judge, “there is only one course
for me to pursue. I shall have to bind you over for
trial by the criminal court.”

It was after eleven when Chester Arlington once
more piloted the automobile out of Eaton, with Dale
and June on the rear seat.

“Oh, I'll land you in Fardale in time to change your
clothes and practise for that game, Spark!” cried
Chet. “June has brought a lunch from the hotel, so
you won't have to go into the game hungry.”

“June is very thoughtful,” said Sparkfair.

In spite of Chester’s confidence, there was trouble in
store for them, as the automobile, after running
sweetly for ten miles, begari to balk and act like a con-
trary creature of life.

and they en-

oa
>

“T’m

 

  
  
  
   
  
  
  
   
  

/

     
  
 

Chester grumbled and fussed, stopping ceetedl y to
search for the source of trouble, which he seemeq un-
able to locate. 3

“Can’t) get power on these grades!” he growled.
“She runs all right down-hill or on a level, but there’s
‘something wrong with the transmission or clutch when
we have to take a hill.”

Although he tightened the clutch, the machine con-
_ tinued to behave badly, and they lost time steadily.
At twelve-thirty Arlington anxiously scanned his
Watch, Lf

“TF this keeps up,’ ” he confessed, “you'll be late, the
best I can do, Spark. I’m sorry, old man.”

 
   

 

  
   
   
  
  
   
 

WEEKLY.

  

23

“Somehow I- have a

I'd

“I’m sorry, too,” said Dale.
feeling that Featherstone can’t hold Fardale down.
give anything if I could reach there in time.”

Finally Chet found himself hung up on a long, hard
grade, and he sprang out for the.purpose of again
seeking the source of trouble.

“This old bunch of scrap-iron must go to the repair
he exclaimed. “TI believe there is something in
one of those cylinders.”

It was fully one-thirty when they finally crept over
the top of the hill, On the down-grade everything ran
smoothly, and they were flying by the time the foot of
the incline was reached. Nevertheless, the machine
dragged on the next rise and barely crawled over it.

“There’s one chance for you, Spark,” called Arling-
ton, bringing the automobile to a stand after the crest
of the rise was fairly passed.

“What’s that?’ questioned Dale eagerly.

“If we strike for Tipton, you may catch a train
there. It’s a through-train that doesn’t stop, but we'll
flag it if we can get there.”

“Then let’s head toward Tipton,” urged Spark.

“Get in here beside me,” invited Arlington. “You
may have to jump out in a hurry.”

shop !”’

9?

“T hate to leave this back seat,” muttered Dale. But
he followed Chester’s suggestion. ,
“There’s a long hill this side of Tipton,” said Ar-

lington. “If we can reach the top of that, all right, I
fancy this old machine will carry us the rest of
way a-humming.”

Dale felt like getting out to push as the atito dragged
itself with snaillike slowness up that long hill. Near
the top Arlington once more looked at his watch.

“Close! close!” he growled, shaking his head.
afraid we can’t do it!”

On the down-grade he opened the throttle wide, and
they were soon flying like the wind.

“There’s the train! ’ cried June.

“Yes, there it isp” snarled Chet. “We're not going
to reach the station! There’s a crossing this side. The
road runs close to the track. Let’s see as we can't reach
that crossing and hold that train up.”

Half of his words were not heard by Sparkfair, for
they were now flying at such speed that the air whis-
tled past their ears like a hurricane. Chester's cap
flew off, but he paid no attention to that. |

Below them the train came into view, but it seemed
that they were making fully as much speed. Never- _
theless, Chester still felt it impossible to reach the cross-

KY?

ing. He was right, for as they came whizzing down _

the road which wound close to the railroad traek, the

  

 
 

 

 

24

locomotive had already passed them. They found
themselves running at the side of the train, which was
very close at hand.

Suddenly,. with daredevil recklessness, Chester
swerved close to the rear of the speeding train, even
as it was drawing past them.

“Jump!” he yelled.

Sparkfair rose to his feet. Still, more daring and
reckless than. Arlington, he made a mad spring for
the platform of the last car.

June uttered a cry of terror.

Dale’s fingers caught the iron hand-rail of the rear
platform, and a moment later he was on the steps,
turning to wave a triumphant farewell to Arlington
and June.

 

CHAPTER XII.

BARBELL Y “DN: TIM SB.

For seven innings Guy Featherstone did sotendidly
in the box for Farnham Hall. In the first of the eighth
the visitors failed to secure a run, but the score was
seven to four in their favor, and things looked bright.

“T’d certainly like to know what has become of
Spark,” said Bob Bubbs. “It’s mighty strange.
haven’t heard a word from him.”

” laughed Fred Hollis. “We’re going
Feather is all to the

“Never mind,
to win this game just the same.
_ good to-day.”

But Featherstone’s time of trial was coming—yes, it
was at hand.
Fardale came up in the eighth, with the head of the
batting-list leading off. Gardner opened with a two-
bagger and scored on Darrell’s beautiful single to right.
Barron Black was out at first, but Darrell had reached
second.
Then Merriwell laced out anothér single to 5 ht
field, and Hal crossed the pan.
“Dern their picters!’’ squawked Obediah Tubbs.
_ “We've got ’em goin’ now! Only one more score to
tie! Come, Jolliby, help along the good cause, and I’li

pp?

- remunerate you with a handsome custard pie!
“Let him pup-pup-pup-put it over!’ stuttered Chip,

_as he stepped out to the plate.

_ Featherstone was nervous now, and he did his best

| to fool the tall batter, which finally led him into a bad

hole and forced him to give Chip a pass.

Be “Whoop!” roared Buckhart. “It’s all off if Bob

le

ever lands on the leather!

  

TIP TOP

We

 

WEEKLY.

Big Bob Singleton was the hitter, and the knowledge
of his reputation as a slugger added to Feather’s mental
disturbance.

Again the Farnham Hall pitcher made the mistake

of trying too hard to fool the batter and placed himself
in a bad hole by handing up three balls in succession.

Then Singleton calmly waited and was presented
with a pass to first.

The bases were filled, and Farnham Hall was on the
anxious seat.

“’Ere’s where we win, don’t you know!”
“'Pre’s the gentleman from Texas!

cried Billy
Bradley. "E'lt
bring you ’ome, boys!’

Buckhart strode forth to the plate.

Brad waited for a good one and smashed the third
ball pitched. He drove it along the ground with great

speed straight into the hands of Bubbs.
Bob failed to pick the ball up cleanly and then booted

it around in his endeavor to get hold of it. When he

did secure it, Merriwell was already at the plate, and.

it was too late to catch Buckhart at first.
The score was tied.
“Oh,

Graves, who was covering first.

for Sparkfair now!’ groaned Lawrence

There was a sudden shout, for at this critical junc- _

ture Dale Sparkfair came hurrying through the gate
and trotted toward the visitors’ bench. His Cap was
gone, and his face was covered with perspiration.
The Farnham Hall lads sent up a chcer. |
“Hold on!” shouted Hi Bemis, who was acting as
captain of the team. “Give us a show, Fardale!

want to change pitchers!

(7? \

He came rushing in from the field and appealed to

Dick. -)* , \

“Spark isn’t in uniform,” he said, “but we need him >

pretty bad. Won’t you let him come in?” '

“Sure,” laughed young Merriwell.
you, Sparkfair, old man,

game.” | é

Dale expressed his thanks and lost no time in pre-

paring for the work.

“How does the game stand, Bemis?” he asked.
“We had ‘em foul up to this inning,” answered Hi.
“They've made three runs and tied the score. Its:

 

“Glad to see
Peel off and get into the —
| \

We ;

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   
 

TIP TOP

seven to.seven, with one man out and the bases all full.
If you can just save this game, Spark!”

“I'can try,” said Dale. “Let me have a few mo-
ments to limber my arm, Merriwell?”
a “Take your time,” said Dick.
| e Guy Featherstone walked to the bench, shaking his
head a bit.

he muttered.
_ last run through an error.

a

, “T’ve done my best,” “They got that
It wasn’t my fault.”

' Ina few moments Sparkfair had warmed up and

5

   

_ was toeing.the pitcher’s plate.

7 Billy Bradley faced him, and Dale smiled as he saw
"the look of grim satisfaction on the face of Joe Crow-
foot, who crouched behind Billy’s bat.

 

fe Never in his life had Spark opened up with the speed
P he now used, and it was not long before Bradley fran-
. tically fanned and “passed away.”

3 a Bob Bubbs whooped with delight. .
“That’s the stuff! that’s the stuff!” he chattered.
“Don’t give us another show to play butter fingers the

}

way I did! Fan ’em! fan ’em!”

 

‘Dern my picter!” muttered Tubbs, waddling out.
_ “Tve got to git a hit!”

  

aS _ Obediah slashed at the first ball and popped up an
infield fly, which Bubbs held. And the eighth inning
was over, with the score tied.

 
  
  

The remainder of that game, which soon ran into

  
  

extra innings, proved heart-breaking for -both players
and spectators. Farnham Hall died in one-two-three
. order i in the ninth, but Sparkfair retaliated by striking
out Gardner and Darrell and forcing Black to hit a
ae weak one into the diamond.

   
   
 
  

ip the tenth neither team scored.

At the beginning of the eleventh the big gate at one
side of the field was pushed open, and Chester Arli ing-
_ ton piloted his automobile onto the field.

 
    
 
  

- Dale hurried over to him.
“The game doesn’t seem to be over, Spark,” laughed
Chet. “How are you making it?”

. “This is the beginning of the eleventh.”

. “Whew !” a Chester.

  
   
   

 

  

“Evidently you didn’t

 
 

  

WEEKLY:

“No.”

“Why ?”

“Everything went wrong. There was a freight-car
off the track ahead of us on the line, and we were de-
layed a long time while they got it. back onto the rails.
I reached Fardale in time to get into this game in the
last of the eighth. The score is seven to seven.”

“Well, you deserve to win,” ra
Merriwell al-

asserted Chester.
hope you do, but I’m afraid you can’t.
ways has horseshoe luck in extra-inning games. He’s
on his own turf, too.”

The eleventh inning went by with no runs, and there
In this
Graves

was wild excitement as the twelfth began.
inning Hollis started off well with a clean hit.

advanced him on a single. Then Crowfoot struck out.

Barking was an easy out to first, and Bubbs put up a

foul fly, which was captured. )
“Merriwell will win now,” muttered Arlington re

gretfully. “I don’t suppose you care, prs ? I suppose

you'd like to see him win?”
“T want to see the best din win,’ said June.

Chet looked round at her with a curious expression.

“Oh-ho!” he laughed. “‘Seems to me I smell a

At last Richard Merriwell has a rival!”

June blushed furiously and protested, but Chester

mice!

continued to chuckle.

It was Dick Merriwell who made a strong bid for
the game in the last of the twelfth by lacing out a
beautiful two-bagger.
ond, for none of the batters following him could help
him along. , :

In the thirteenth Netterby and Bemis fell easy vic-
tims to Dick’s benders. 3

Then Sparkfair imitated Merriwell’s example by —
securing a clean two-bagger. ai

“That’s going some, Spark!” tact Dick.
_ “But I opine the gent has gone as far as he will,”
said Buckhart. | ie

Jake Lander, apparently half asleep, permitted two ._
strikes to be called on him, then smashed a hot one nie S :
Billy Bradley, who muffed the ball! ee

Before the ball could be recovered Sparkfair w was on
third, and Lander had arrived at first. ;
eS was not as ee A as 5 Hie ae ay Br cfr

    
 

Nevertheless, he died on sec- _ |

  
   
   
   

TIP TOP WEEKLY.

   

The Next Number (524) Will Contain

     
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
   
   
 
  
  
 

ball pitched to Hollis, Jake pranced down toward sec-
ond, but seemed so awkward and slow about it that

Dick pudapid the ball to Darrell, catching Lander be- FRANK MERRIWELL’S YOUNG CREW

tween the bases. wa
Immediately Jake began to dodge back and forth,

white Sparkfair edged off third, ready to make a dash THE MYSTERY OF THE BOATHOUSE.
for the plate.
At the proper moment Dale went leaping toward

 

 

home. The Crew and the Critics—The Fight in the Grove.
The ball was promptly thrown to Buckhart, but it Frank Names His Price—Checking the Grafters—A
struck in Brad’s big mitt and dropped out, while Dale Worthy Pupil—Like a Gentleman—The Incendiaries. —
slid to the rubber in a cloud of dust. _ Sparkfair’s Ruse—Dale Plays the Shadow—Spark-
Farnham Hall had a lead of one run. : fair Confesses Failure—The Mine—Just in Time.
“Never mum-mum-mum-mind!” chattered Jolliby. Triumphant.
“We'll square that up all right when we go to bub-bub- = :
bub-bat.” 7 CCRC

 
   
 
  

   

mJ ve 8 | +s »
TORO See See Na ee MONE OR elt A TR UN ROle Cee Rk SAE OTA Ate tect a a A ee

Es Tip Top Weekdy

We receive ase of letters every week vag resdors
asking if we can supply the early numbers of eee -contain-
ing Frank's adventures. Im every case we are obliged to reply
that numbers 1 to 300 are entirely out of print.

We would like to call the attention of our readers to the fact
that the Frank Morriwell Stories now being’ published in book
form in the Medal Library are inclusive of these early numbers,
The first book to appear was No. 150 entitled “Frank Merriwell’s
Schooldays.”

We give herewith a complete list of all the stories that have
been published in book form up to the time of writing. We will
be glad to send a fine colored cover catalogue of the Medal
Library which is just filled with good things for boys, upon
receipt of a one-cent stamp to cover postage.

The Price of Tho Merriwell Books is Ten Conts por Cepy. At ell Newadealers

       
 
   
   
  
   
   
   
 

 

Hollis did not reach Gist.

  
  
   
     
 
 

Fardale was in a fiercely determined mood as she
again came to bat. The cadets on the bleachers
cheered, but neither the fierceness of the players nor the

   
   
 

cheering of the cadets served to rattle Sparkfair. He

 
    
 

was working as if his life depended on it, and he knew

 
 
  
 

that over at one side of the diamond a girl was watch*

   
    
  

ing his every move. Only one of the three men who
faced him hit the ball, and this fellow simply lifted an
easy infield fly. The three men were out, and Farn-
ham Hall had defeated Fardale on her own field.

Merriwell was the first to congratulate Dale. He

  
       
  
 
  
     

 

 

 

  

Frank Merriwell at Yale. . Medal No. 206. 0c.
arene Merriwell Dewn South. 7 Medal Ne. 189. 10¢,
ank Merriwell in Camp. Medal No. 258. 10c.
Fuse Merriwell in England. Medal No. 840. 10c.
Frank Merriwell in Burope. Medal No. 201. Oe. §
Frank Merriwell in Maine. Medal No. 276. 10c.
Frank Merriwell on the Road Medal No. 300, Oe,

    
 
 
  

  
   

a te

      
     
     
     
     
  

SC
bile, See ee Soe, Me, Sk, ek

  

. : : BN fae K Merriwell’s Ath edal No. 288. 1
shook his hand and complimented him warmly on his Frank Mertiwell’s Bicycle Tour. Medal Ne. 217. 400
Frank Merriwell’s Book of Physical pevaapeeene

Diamond Hand-Book No @ ‘2O«e.

 
       
 

splendid work.

  
       
        
          
   
   
     
     
       
     
         
     
       
     
       
       
         
       
   
   
     
     
   

Frank Merriwell’s Bravery. Medal No. 198. 10e. f
Together Dick and Dale walked eiicd the automo- Tank Shecstouita Chase, aise eae tem Sra aa
Frank Merriwell’s Chum Medal No. 167. 10¢e

_, bile. ' ; Frank Merriwell’s College Chume. Medal No. 312. 10¢.
Frank Merriwell's Courage. Medal No. 225. 10¢.
Frank Merriwell’s Cruise. Medal No. 267. i10e.
Frank Merriwell’s Danger. Medal No. 251. 10c.

Frank Merriwell’s Daring. Medal No. 229, 10e.

    
     
   
   
     
   
      
 

_ “Here come the rivals,” chuckled Chet, once more

a Wr A SN Ark SOS SA NES

 

 

 

 

iB a iQ Gj TAN es i L Frank Merriwell’s Fame. _ Medal No. 308. 10c. &
turning toward his sister. “And it strikes me that Mr. | Frank Merrivell's Fire Jo Medal No, 284. ae
: 2 : : , renk Merriwell's Foes. al No. i c
Merriwell will run second in this race from now on.’ Frank Merriwell’s Fortune, Medal No. 320. 10c. §f
: \ i Frank Merriwell’s Great Scheme. Medal No. 336. 10c.
- be] Frank Merriwell’s Hard Luck. Medal No, 292. 10c.
THE END. — Frank Merriwell’s Hunting Tour, Medal No. 197. 10¢.
' * ) Frank Merriwell’s Loyalty. / Medal No. 254. 10c.
f4 Frank Merriwell’s New Comedian, Medal No. 824. 106,
: = | Frank Merriwell’s Opportunity. Medal No. 288. 10c.
| | | f th Frank Marriwil's Prolene, Medal No 816. 10s
¢ Le i Fran err r oblem a 5 . ec,
Beware of cheap imitations of the Tip & Frank Merriwell' Promeriy Medal No: $25. ioe
is rr fi 2. 0. ‘ :
, Top Weekly. Frank and Dick Merriwell and @ Frank Merrivell's Rocee Medai No. 218. 10e:
zt ‘4 Frank Merriwell’s Return to Yale, Medal No. 244. 0c. Fa
their friends appear only inthe pages of Tip 4 Frank Merriwell’s School-Days. ‘Medal No. 150. i0e
| T L. STANDISH. wri B Front Merriwells Suit” Medal Ne. 28, doe
fs es 6Fran erriwell’s i » 23, eS
t Top. BURT L. wr tes exclus- & Frank Neral ‘Sports Aneta — Medal ial don" ioe. |
4 , o. A .
t a ran erriw. ‘ rip West. — i 9. ‘
of the ONLY ‘and ORICINAL Merriwell iy Frank Merriwell’s @ Vacation. apt Medal No. 262. 10c.

   

torles for over hes nd beh | HA EEE STA ED Se
   

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NEW YORK, April 21, 1906.

 

 

F TERMS TO TIP TOP WEEKLY MAIL SUBSCRIBERS.

 

(Postage Free.)
Single Copies or Back Numbers, Se. Bach.
BS months....-....0.+... Mbecedes O50; <1 One yestnissdsi cos eck. $2.50
Shia MIONGNB din eeccsdevcscsccucses 850. | 23 copies one year.............. 4.00
6 months..... grrcctc eet eeeeeees $1.25 1 copy two years.. . 4.00

te: How to Send Money—By post-office or express money order,
registered letter, bank check or draft, at our risk. At your own risk if sent
by ourrenoy, coin, or postage stamps in ordinary letter.

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

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

 

| ‘TIP TOP ROLL OF HONOR.’

|. és Following the suggestion of Mr. Burt L. Standish, that appeared
in his letter to Tip Top readers in No. 480, the following loyal Tip

aah Reccens 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

we and girls and strive to have your name at the head of the list,
V. Ramsey, 73 Garfield Ave., E. Hampton, Mass.
Wm. McDowell, Elkton, Md.

liss Hazel Smith, Ashley, Ohio.

I, Lauenstein, 76 W. 14th St., Bayonne, N. J.

Cc. S. B., Brooklyn, N. x3

Geo. A. Simon, R. F.D. No. 3, French Village, ill.
A Mississippi Girl, Jackson, Miss.

 

 

 

     
 

 
 

The names of other enthusiastic Tip Toppers will be added from
time to time. Send in the result of your efforts to push the circula-
tion of your favorite weekly and win a place on the Roll of Honor.

  

‘

 

 

APPLAUSE.

ES Aah Ree of letters received, the editors of Tp Top
cannot undertake to secure their publication under six weeks, Those
who contribute to this department must aot expect to see them before

that time.

‘ i

As : have been a reader of the famous Tie Tor and Applause
‘column for three years Or more, I will write to show a fellow
with whom I had an argument that the letters written to the
Applause column are published.

I said they were, and he disputed it, ‘

Dick and Brad, Hal Darrell and Earl G., are. my favorites of
‘Dick’s friends.

‘4 a, Jack Ready, and Harry R. are my favorites of Frank’s

 

  

  

  

  
  

"But the whole bunch are there with the goods.

I belong to a baseball-team in our town. We took the cham-
: wee hip of the eS this last summer. Hoping to see this in
1 caeetn

TIP TOP WEEKLY.

‘TIP ( Richard Anderson, Pres., Baltimore, fd.
TOP 4 Albert H. Hart, Vice-Pres. “
CLUB ‘ Joe Bolger, Treas. “

27

the best of the argument with your friend. The next time you
tell him anything he will believe it. If he wants additional
proof, tell him, if he is a true Tip Topper, to pen a letter for
his fellow readers and see if it also appears. We invite all
our friends to write who have something to say that will be of
interest to the great clan of Tip Top. Please do not make your
letters too long, as our space is limited.

 

Having read the favorite weekly, Tip Top, since it started,
and never missed a copy, I think it is pretty near time, if I ever
intend to, to express my sentiments. There’s Just one word
that expresses them, and that is its just “bully.” Mr. Standish
is the man who knows what kind of literature young and old
America likes to read.

I noticed Harry G. Young’s name, of Genoa, Neb., on the
roll of honor, and as I am from that good old corn State of
Nebraska, I will be “tea-kettled” to death to correspond with
Mr. Young.

As for the characters, J have not one word of criticism. Mr.
Standish knows how to handle them to a finish. I only wish
that we had good old Burt L. at our Ak Sar Ben carnival this
year.
holler “enough.”

2419 Dodge Street, Omaha, Neb.

Let us give you a little surprise by putting your name on the
Roll of Honor, too.

Emit OLSEN.

 

1 have been a reader of Tre Top for five years, and would
like to have a place in your Applause* column. My favorite
characters in Tip Top are Earl Gardner and Dick. Would like
to exchange souvenir post-cards with any of the readers. As
I have written three times before and none of them were
published, I will close, for fear this will see the waste-basket.
Will you please send me a Tip Top catalogue? Respectfully
yours, ArTHuR H. GRAHAM.

Box 57, West Enfield, Me.

Your letter will go in this time, sure! We admire your
perseverance in writing till you ‘do see your letter in print.

 

I have read your ‘king of weeklies for three years, and must
say they are very good. I have got a brother who would tear
my weekly up every time he saw me reading it, but now he is
a regular Tip Top backer, and nobody can say anything about
it when he is around. Joun Meyer.

Chicago, Il.

We hope that you will read Tre Tor another three years.

 

Having always been an admirer of the Tie Top WEExLy, the

grand and only book for boys and girls, I wish to say a few
words in regard to it.
books, there has not been one that. was a failure.
a beginner, either.

Like-all the rest, I have my favorites.
then all the rest of the crowd.

Another thing I wish to add is that in No. 497 I noticed :
Kansas Lassie wishes to correspond with readers of the pa

And I am not

‘Well, here is my address: 570 East Sixty-third Street, Flat

Chicago, Ill. Harry A. Burns.

Perhaps a Kansas Lassie will see your address and favor you

with a letter.

 

L take the liberty of writing to show my appreciation of Trp

Tor. I have been reading it for about two years, and think it is
I am reading the Frank Merriwell stories in the —
Medal Library. Are they copied word for word, or just a —
Please answer my

the best ever.

synopsis? Will Stretcher ever appear again?
questions, as I am anxious to know. “Bart.
St. Louis, Mo

- Some of the volumes in the Medal Library contain as sates
as three and four of the early stories that appeared in Tir Top, —

 
 

This enables our readers who have become interested in the his-

tory of Frank Merriwell’s early life a chance to obtain what is
practically the first numbers of Tip —_ which tare long bees

been om of print.

We would have fed him confetti until we made him —

As long as I have been reading the ©

Frank and Dick, and

   
     
   
   
 
        
   
      
   
    
     
   
  
  
  
  
   
  
    
   
  
  
  
  
  
   
      
     
 
        
          
       
   
      

         
   
      
   
 
    
 
     
   
   
   
    
    
   
    
   
   
   
   
TIP TOP WEEKLY.

It is a great pleasure to write about the “king of weeklies,”
and I am very glad'to be able to say that quite a number of
my girl friends have advised me to send in a letter telling what
we think of your most famous book. I don’t think there is any
better weekly published than yours, which: has for its moral,
“Sobriety, Truth, and Honesty.” It is the best and purest book
that can be had for such a small sum of money; I think it is
worth double its price. Now for the characters, Dick is my
hero, and he is the truest friend one would like to have; also
is Brad, Ted Smart—in fact, the whole crowd is great. Hurrah
for Frank. He has accomplished his lifelong work and has
reaped the crown of laurels, and how nobly it fits him!

Baltimore, Md. Miss SuzaANNE Der Vat,

Though Frank has earned his crown of laurels, as you say,
his greatness will be further shown by many more gallant and
courageous achievements in the near future.

I have been a reader of your famous Tip Top WeEExLy for two
years, and think it is time to express my opinion of it. I think
it is the king of weeklies, and wish it was published daily.

Culpeper, Va, Miss J. D. Brown.

We should like to have heard from you before this, but better
late than never, Miss Brown.

While looking over your Applause column I failed to see any
letters from the land of the maple, so I took it upon my shoul-
ders to write to you. I think Tip Tor Week ty is the best book
I have ever read, I will close with three cheers and a tiger for
Tie Top WEEKLY, Street & Smith, and Burt L. Standish, Ging of
authors, Success and long life to all who read the “king of
weeklies.” A WINNIPEGER.

Winnipeg, Man. ,
We are glad to hear from our young friend in the “land of
the maple,”
6 /
Benne seen no letters of Applause from our city for some
time, I will endeavor in a few words to tell how your great
weekly is appreciated. Before reading Tre Top, I had been
reading a series in which the hero graduated from Yale in a
single paper, makes and loses a million in a single day, and does
not believe in football. Well, I was disgusted. I hope Chester A.
will reform, as I don’t believe he “is all to the bad.”
Galveston, Tex. A Boy From Brap’s Strate.

Your experience with cheap imitations of Tre Top shows that
there is only one library of its kind that gives satisfaction, and
_that is the famous Tie Top WeeExty, ;

As I have not written to the Applause column for nearly three
years I will write giving my opinion of the famous “king of
weeklies.” J am a bluejacket in the United States Navy, and
the ship I am now on carries over eight hundred men. Over
one-eighth of the crew read Tip Ter. When we are in a foreign
port we cannot buy them. I was very much interested in Dick’s
travels, and I read about Dick Merriwell in Japan teaching the
Japs the American game of baseball. We were there last cruise,
and we played some of the Japs, beating them by one run. I
have been in nearly every port in the world, and I know a little
of ju-jutsu myself. There is nothing more comfortable than
having a pile of Tir Tors alongside of you when the ship rolls
and pitches forty degrees, and standing a mid-watch at sea.

At Sea bound for Hampton Roads, Va. Jack Tar.

How many readers envy your chance to travel all over the

world and see foreign ports!

Shae, wernt se :
Being an ardent admirer of your famous Tre Top Weexty, I
venture to give my humble opinion.
past five years, I consider it to be an “‘ideal publication for the
American youth.” —
The heroes, Frank and Dick Merriwell, are as fine young men

as can be found anywhere, and are an inspiration to all who

- follow their careers, Perhaps I prefer Frank’s because he was
first introduced. By his honesty, courage, and tremendous will
nower, he has secured the everlasting friendship of every loyal

ip Topper.

ext to Frank comes Dick, always honest, courageous, cool-

x

a headed, and, although he does not possess all of the character-

After reading it for the -

istics of his renowned brother, in time he will rival him for the
honor of being the best character in Tire Top.

Good old Bart’has always found a place in every loyal Tip
Topper’s heart. May his friendship to Frank always remain one
of harmony and peace!

Let us hear more of Merry’s old flock, particularly the trio,
Hans, Barney, and Ephraim, who furnished a barrel of humor
to the readers.

Although I do not like Chet Arlington as a character, I cannot
help but admire his determination and “try again” spirit.

I think that June is the girl for Dick,

New York, N. Y. p Davin B. RosEnsERG

Your wish is gratified; Frank is with us once more.

Having read Trp Top Weexty for nearly a year, and during
that time many back numbers, I ask leave to have this little
epistle published. The way I started reading Tie Top was this:
One day a friend asked me for an Alger book, promising me a
loan of his books. The next day I went around to his house.
Among the books he had were some Trp Tops. I asked him if
these were about blood and thunder. He told me I would be
surprised if I read one. I did so, and now I am a regular reader.”
Will you please send me a catalogue of Tip Top? I close now.
with three cheers for Tre Top, Street & Smith, and Burt L.
Standish. ToY¥.

337 W. Thirtieth Street, New York City.

A catalogue has been mailed you. © ?

I have read the world-famed Tre Top Werex ty, and take much
pleasure in sending in this little memento of the appreciation I
feel, as I suppose all others who read Tip Tor do, for the ever
welcome weekly. Although it is quite old when it reaches the
islands, it is nevertheless just as interesting as if it came right
from the press. KATHLEEN ANDRADE. —

Auld Lane, Kapalama, Honolulu, T. H. :
A little bit of appreciation from Uncle Sam’s far-away pos-.
sessions. '

4
About five years ago I quit school and read my first Tre Tor; {
and to-day the desire to enter school again is so strong that I
can hardly wait until next fall, when I enter again and prepare |
for the greatest university of the Western hemisphere, so dear, —
and loved by all Southern hearts—Yale! ‘
Recently I have noticed some readers of Tie Top are asking
that we be given a Southerner.
‘It seems that they have forgotten that Dave Flint is a
Southerner. Will any one deny that he is one of the noblest
characters that ever Mr. Standish has given to the public through
his great weekly, Trp Tor? ©, ie
In the length of time I have read Tie Tor, as before stated, I
have never yet found one I like and admire more than I do him.
Some I like as well, but never one better. Nae
Who can think of the manly struggle he is making against
such odds, and not love and admirg him? |
The praise of the Merriwells, Hodge, Buckhart, Morgan,
Browning, Darrell, Black, and others too numerous to mention —
has been sung and talked of in prose, in poetry, and many other
ways. But, friends, I give to you Dave Flint, equaled by few,
excelled by none, from our beautiful Southland—the same South |
that has given to our nation its greatest men—our own beloved
Dixie. od
Will some one of either sex that lives in Olox, Ore. write —
me? eas
This is my first letter, and I sincerely hope-it will not meet
with the fate that it deserves. Cie
With kindest regards to author of T. T., and hoping to see a
great deal of my favorite soon, I remain, sincerely, » ae
, “A Bear From THE ‘Bear Srate.’’

518 Arkansas, Helena, Ark. 54
Your encomium of your favorite character will no doubt touch —
a responsive chord in the breast of many other readers. rps

If'there is any other weekly which affords more pure reading,
which gives more scope for ,the study of human character, and
which describes more fully thet American sports of to-day, I
should like to read it. Burt L. Standish is a man among men—

the way in which he writes the “king of weeklies.” [ assure you

I will do all in my power to increase the circulation of Tip Tor.

 
 

aa
Pry

 

1é x
&
ip a
ie
ee
oF Nie
Ir if SY
ie
ot ae
is
,
Mg
j he?
1
rs
My
cs i
e- 1
a. Be
ss
B. a;
{ Yate
Sy ¥
ae
a
ue
dn 5 &
a
’ ra
ya
+ ie
ee
Pa
r
Po
t Bev
' ry
4
Be
ioe
tte
.* > “ae
; ae?
fs *
> ee

 

  
 
    
  
  
 
   
  

about than Dick and his companions.

_ know what’s what in making a boy happy.

 

the Applause column.

from No. 1 to date.

TIP TOP

I am a school-teacher, and should not hesitate to encourage any

and all of my scholars to read it. I will also say that I am
collecting post-cards and stamps, and should be very much

pleased to hear from loyal Tip, Toppers, both at home and

abroad. Forp GAMBER.

Workman, Ohio.

Watch for your name on the roll of honor.
deserve to have it placed there.

We feel that you

 

I am one of the elder readers, having enjoyed Tip Top since
No. 1. It is-an ideal story from the start to finish, but I thipk
Frank and, his old friends and enemies are much better to read
C Still I will never stop
reading the ideal publication until the ‘last issue.

576 Beach Street, Revere, Mass. GerorcE G. Goxpie.

Frank has returned, so that you will have an opportunity to

read about your old friend once more.

 

I am glad you published the letter I wrote you some time ago

in regard to back numbers of Tip Top, as I have received three

answers to it already, I received one letter from a man in Cleve-
land, Ohio, informing me I could get back numbers in this city.

I have not stopped reading the books published every week, but

I intend to read the back numbers in between. I think the books
are getting better every week.

Yours respectfully, Herpert FE. Marx.

~~ St. Louis, Mo. ‘

If other readers have back numbers they wish to exchange,
write to Tip Top, and the letters will be published,

 

I have been a reader of Tie Tor for a long time. I have

_ about eight hundred five-cent weeklies. In Tre Top I have week-

lies from the number in which Frank finds his brother, entitled

_ “Frank Merriwell’s Surprise; or, The Contents of the Oilskin

Envelope,” and a dozen or, two issued previously, and Medal
Library, from the first to the time Frank goes back to Yale

; from his theatrical. work.

Trp Tor is O. K. in my estimation, and Iam something of a
connoisseur. So are Street & Smith, and their writers, who

Del Rio, Tex. Ropert A. JEFFRIES.
Here is a letter from a town that every one who passes

through wemembers long afterward. The train stops.to allow
the passengers fifteen minutes for lunch, and the Mexican ped-
lers come down to the station with some of the finest hot —
tamales a person could wish for.
Pe now! ~ '

How we wish we had some

 

Having read your Tip Top Weexty for several years, I
thought I would take the liberty to write to the Applause column.
Tip Tor is certainly the best. weekly published, and the charac-
ters are just fine, especially Dick and Brad. Earu Frirz.

768 N. Union Street, Decatur, Ill.

Never consider that you are taking any liberty in writing to
Remember that. we are always glad to
hear from Tip Top readers when they have something to say

.: of interest to the vast number of young persons\who peruse the

famous library every week.

 

é

‘We have been constant readers of your publication, Tre Top,
Most of the boys ie our city would not

read such “trash,” as they called them; but we finally induced
one of our friends to try onelof them. He said it was the best

- boys’ book he had ever read, and loaned it to another boy, and
‘so on, until about twenty-five of the boys of.our city had read it.
All of them liked it so’

well that they are now constant readers.
Tue Tie Tor Crus, or Macon, Ga.,
, Per H. B. H., Secretary.

 

  
   
  

No doubt you make a jolly crowd of pleased Tip Top readers.

 

et dave bedn reading Trp Top for four or five years. I think,

i as thousands of others think, it is the best weekly published.

have a great amount of books, but, of all these, Tre Top

for mine. When my friends ask fer a book, I show them Tir

 

_ and thanking you for your space, I remain,

  

WEEKLY. 29

Tor, but they say their mothers won’t let them read such blood-
and-thunder books, but I show them it and explairt it to them.
I interest them a little, and beg them to read a few pages of a
football game, and they get so interested that I can’t get an
answer out of them till they've finished it. They then proceed
to borrow all I have. Now they buy them as fast as they come.
I have read most all Frank and Dick’s stories there are in the
Tie Top WeEKzyY, Medal Library, and the quarterlies.
Newark, N, J. 6 H. McManus.

Between the Tre Top WEEKLY and Medal Library you haye
plenty of good literature to interest you.

 

Have read five hundred and two Tre Tops.
“king of weeklies.” I like all the characters, and hope none
will be dropped. Now about souvenir-cards; I have taken
several readers’ words and sent them views, receiving no reply
to a great many of them, Now I have their names and ad-
dresses, so I keep a record of all cards sent and received. I
have lost a great many cards.

You boys and girls whom I have sent cards to please exchange,
and I will do the same. No doubt you have overlooked the
matter.g C. F. Wison.

Joplin, Mo.

We hope that those readers who have been negligent in mat-
ters of this kind will not forget to complyxwith such a reasonable
request.

They are the

 

' 2

T have been reading your “king of weeklies” for five or six
years, and wish the privilege of expressing my opinion thereof.
Tip Top is tip-top. This expresses all the admiration of which
a “Hottentot” is capable. “ ,

I have never written to Applause before, but hope to help
keep up the reputation of Terre Haute in this department here-
after. Joun R. Day, Jr. ~

1926 N. Eighth Street, Terre Hatte, Ind,

We shall be pleased to receive another letter from you in the
future. :

 

Tam an ardent admirer and reader of Tip Top and the ten-
cent Frank Merriwell stories.

I have read them for six or seven years, but, much to my
regret, I have failed to keep them. Please send me a catalogue
of Tie Top, and let me know whether or not I can get all the
ten-cent Frank Merriwells. If not all, how many can I get?
215 Wilmer Avenue, Anniston, Ala. Witmer C: Forses.

A catalogue such as you desire has been mailed to you. All
the libraries now in print are mentioned in the catalogue.

 

« Since my last letter I have had some glorious times reading,
and also doing all I can to build up a big circulation in my town
here at Ripley.

The boys say give us the old,
Trp Top. '

Well, boys, I am still hustling for Tre Top WeEKty. Are you
doing any hustling? If-not, you should. If you are a reader,
you would like to see your name on the honor roll, as mine was.

Your friend, Joun R. Rarns.

teliable “king of weeklies,”
™~

Ripley, Miss.

Your name appearing on the honor roll showed that we
appreciated your efforts to increase the circulation of Tip Top.
We should like more of our readers to follow your example.

 

As I have been a constant reader of Tip Top WeExty for
over two years, and, not having seen any letters from Memphis
in the Applause column, thought I would write a few lines. I

like all your. characters, and think Frank and Dick are fine’ —

fellows. After Frank and Dick my favorites are Bart and Buck.

In No. 484 of Tip Top there is a letter from Miss Brown
Eyes, of Texas, saying she would like to correspond with some
of Trp Tor readers. It would afford me great pleasure to cor-
respond with her, and all her letters will be promptly answered..
Hoping that she will see this and favor me with
G. A. GREENE.
No. 66 North Main Street, Memphis, Tenn.

Perhaps Miss Brown Eyes will faver you .by adding your |
“name to her list of correspondents. |

ee
z “ee ee eS

a few lines,

  
 
iA

_-thighs, right, 1914 inches; left,

 

 

Pror. FourmMen: I am one of the Canadian readers ,of your
famous weekly, and, second to the reading in the story itself,
I take delight in reading your teachings and advice. I would
like you to answer these questions for me: I am nearly 14
years old; height, 5 deet 6 inches; weight, 103 pounds; chest,

normal, 2942 inches; expanded, 32% inches; wrist, 7 inches;
biceps, Io inches; ankle, 8 inches; calf, 1214 inches; thigh,
17% inches; neck, 13 inches; shoulders, 3914 inches. 1. What

are my strong and weak points? 2. What exercises will make
my knees stronger? 3. What time should I retire at night and
rise in the morning? 4. After fast boxing and running, or play-
ing games like football or hockey or lacrosse, I breathe hard.
What causes this? 5. What exercise should I take after rising?

Hamilton, Ontario. A Canuck ADMIRER.

You are tall for your age, but are deficient in weight by thirty
pounds. You will “fill out” in a few years. Take the “knee
exercise” of the United States setting-up movements. I recom-
mend this because it is simple, not requiring any apparatus, and
can be practised in your room at anytime. Go to bed at ten
and get up at seven o’clock. A growing boy needs sleep.

Of course you breathe hard after playing the games you men-
tion, and always will when indulging in any violent exercise.
I would be more alarmed over your safety if you didn’t. Light
dumb-bells, or a few minutes with pulley-weights, will limber
you up upon rising.

 

 Pror. Fourmen: I have read the Tie Tor for quite awhile, |

and I thought I.would send in my measurements to find out
my weak points. Age, 15 years; height, 5 feet 10 inches; chest,
30 inches; expanded, 38 inches; biceps, right, 121% inches; ex-
panded, 14% inches; left, 11% inches; expanded, 13 inches;
19 inches ; weight, 153 pounds;
calves, right, 14 inches; left, 1314 inches; wrists, right, 8%4
inches; left, 8 inches. 1. Where are my weak points? 2. How
_may I strengthen them? 3. In the baseball-team I play center-
field. Is this a good position for exercise?
best player. Bhan she:

‘Shirley, Ind. ;

Where is that other ten pounds? I ne that baseball has not
_ proved too strenuous for you. Your arms, chest, and thighs
~ should be larger. (

 

.Pror. Fourmen: Will you please answef a few questions? I
am 15 years old, 5 feet 8 inches tall, and weight 122 pounds.
Waist, 30 inches; tase 32 inches; expanded, 35 inches. I never
smoke or drink. How are my measurements ? Am I tall
_ enough? What are my weak points?

5 Flanagan, IL. Brainy Bower AND. Drowsy Duacans.

You are tall enough, but you should weigh mote and be hetter

   

7 Pror. Fourmen: As I am interested to know how I stand in

my one Here are I hope you will allow me to ask a few ques-
casas

‘ments are as follows:

-weak, heart.

I-won honor as the.

- bells and Indian clubs for your arms.
. because the tea drinker does not notice any immediate ill effects. —

He does not know what is the matter with him till it is too |
| If you want to wear out your
‘nervous system drink strong tea and in large quanties. You 2

ere ae oe measurements : tela 16 years 3 eight, 5%

      
 

  

BoOITaS 3x =

PROF. FOURMEN

feet; weight, 135 pounds; neck, 17 inches; shoulders, 42 inches;
chest, normal, 34 inches ; expanded, 36% inches; waist, 33 inches ;
wrist, 7 inches : calves, 14 inches; forearm, 10 to 11 inches;
upper arm, 10 to 12 inches; ankles, 814 inches; thighs, 20 inches;
hips, 34 inches; legs, 34. inches long: Here are some of my
records: Chin the bar, 10 times; four fingers, 5 times; two
fingers, 3 times; hundred yards, 10% seconds; fifty yards, 5 sec-
onds; 220 yards, 26 seconds; standing broad jump, 8 feet; run-
ning high jump, 4 feet 3 inches. 1. How are my measurements
compared with the average boy? 2. What do you think my
chances are of becoming an athlete?
4. Would be pleased to obtain your opinion on the Jap art.
Westfield, Mass. Captain S. A. C.

1. Very well.

2. By proper training you should be able to become an ath-—

lete.
. 3. Excellent for a sixteen-year-old boy.

4. It is considerably overrated. A great deal has been claimed
‘for it which the persons practising the art could not make good 7
Learn to be able to box and

their wonderful statements.
wrestle and you will come out better in a mix-up.

 

Pror. FourMEN:
Tor, I take the liberty to ask a few questions.

pounds; height, 4 feet, 11, inches; chest, 30 inches ; expanded,

32% inches; waist, 28 inches; neck, 13 inches ; wrist, 6 inches; e
13 inches; across —
I ride a wheel and |

forearm, 9 ‘inches ; thigh, 1734 inches ; calf,
shoulders, 16 inches; ankles, 10 inches.
that develops my thighs. I can run two miles, but.I have a
Is this running harmful?
my weight? What exercise will improve my arms?
smoke or drink, but I drink a lot of tea. Is it harmful?
Toronto, Canada. A TOoRONTIAN.

Although you lack. weight, your cHest measurement is excel-
Have your heart. examined by a physician to find out if.
hie
Use dumb- %
Tea is bad for the system

lent.
there is any great weakness.
Eat plenty of fattening foods to take on weight.

late and the damage is done.

should use cocoa and milk instead.
i »

 

3. How are my records?»

Being a constant reader of the renowned Trp
My measure- —
Age, 15 years 4 months; weight, 94 |

How can I improve —
T don’t |

 

te tee ee

a

ton

 

 

 

Pror.. Fourmen: Having read your weekly for two years, Bg

Age, 15 years; height, 4 feet 11 inches ;
have pains in the side.
weight? W.

Your weight is all right. They are i acaanty ‘growing’ pains”
you complain of. We all have them at your age.
satyrelie grow taller sa the age of _ Cree

~ hope you will grant me the privilege of asking a few questions. —
weight, 83 pounds. I _
How can I Brew taller and take on —
Pittsburg, Pa. ig

 

You will —
 

    
   
 
   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     

Booed PEP teeth

#$15,000% REWARD :

; ’ = :

: Payable to anyone who can show that ek new Five-Cent Library, : “3

[ %
B MBRARN? _ * :
\¢ | STORIES OF BS Who succeD | }
: is not now v longer by thousands of wards than any other Five=-Cent Library. :
te Here’s your chance, boys,

  

‘The biggest five cents’ worth published in America, and the
best, too. Stories of boys who succeed in life. A different story
every week. Get your photo published. MIGHT AND MAIN inca
‘pictures every week of successful, boys. és :

- Por’ ‘Sale by all Newsdealers or will be sent on receipt of price by the Publishers,

ane WINNER LIBRARY COMPANY. |

EEE EEE ESET fold

        
       
   
 

NOMI

Ss
2

RONASIROD
SCOO}OCGC, See OG
2 o o ‘eo

So
a

S DAL
DEG A¢o
3 °

De

DR

26
“er

)

x
Seay
6

a

  
  
   
  
   
  
   
   
  

epaon:
REI

G

ay:
VG

aslo

LB

2 9 OFS
BIRED2ENLED

oN
>Z

So,
Ge

xo © °
DORE ROE

336926996)

Casas

NS

V3

  
 

PAR
EO TRODRK

S

SASSI SS
BPO

ae

iN

   
 
 

 

So v, ® So, oS S, 2S, Ss 2 S
OCIOOOIOISIOX
3 o 2 Qo ° ° ° °o o

aed

sascoac, TOURNAMENT

IS NOW OPEN

0 ARTICLES GIVEN AWAY AS PRIZES!

The two teams which at the end of the season have the highest average, or, in
‘other words, play the greatest number of games, score the most runs and have
been least scored against by opponents will be declared The Winners. Of the two
winning teams, the one having the higher average will be declared the TIP TOP
CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM OF THE ALL-AMERICAN BASEBALL TOURNA-
MENT FOR 1906, and will receive a large pennant bearing the above device,

   

0.
G3

o

 

 

 

  

 

—

 

 

 

THE SECOND TEAM

 

/

 

 

IT WILL ALSO! One Pair Baseball Trousers
RECEIVE AS WILL | One Pair Baseball StocKings | 4 ruLL EQUIPMENT
One Pair Baseball Shoes @ | FOR EACH TEAM

: One Baseball Shirt @ W .
One Baseball Cap 2 wW wW AS,

FOR EACH PLAYER.
IN OTHER WORDS,

 

 

 

ENTER THE CONTEST! PLAY BALL! MAKE A RECORD IN THE NATIONAL GAME!

WOOHOO O OURS

 

Le5Y

 

-

 

DON’T FAIL TO SEND IN YOUR COUPON AT ONCE.

 

NAMES OF TEAM,

Oe eRe OREO OO HERE H OEE HERE ETHER EEE ETOH HEE EEEE EES EED
OOOO ROR eR REESE RARER EEE EEE EEE EH EEER EE ORHHEESEDE EE HES EES
POCO EON OREO E OOO E EERE EEE EEE ST HEE EEOEEEESESTED SE RH H OEE HEHEHE Ee es

CSCO RSE ROCESS ERE REE OEE EEO RETR EEE EH EEE HERE THREE EH TERE ETEEE EEE H EEE S

 

POSITION.

Pitcher
Catcher

Ist Base |
2d Base
3d Base

.|Short Stop

“R. Field
C. Field
L. Field

 

TIP TOP BASEBALL TOURNAMENT COUPON.

INGE OR TRAMs. sisal kcaesttto ate ts TOWN ikgavicvemven aches STA TBAT, Bi sc cduenss OPPONENT’S NAME.......«+ Kacekebuavedeeo ees

NAMES OF TEAM.

ROCA ORO OTE O RH KOO RH HOE EHH ERE E ROO R EERE HEHE TOOT EMO Semen aes

OPEC ROTOR OOOH R EEE EEE EE EEE ET OUEST SEH EH HESESEE SHEESH ES EH Eee

OOOO OE RE OEE ESET EEE TOSS ESTO ESET SETHE EER EE EE MERTES EE SSE EEE HEE Ee

ROO REE EEE REESE EE EE EEEE EERE TREE HEH EET EET EEE EEEH RHEE EOD

 

23

 

 

 

i A
IEP

   

SOO OOOO OOO OOS.

   

CK

4
2G

DS

BAR,
aCD5

IO; oO Ss
ED 5ONROIEEDs

AVS)
Q

Ox

9,
2

Pn

‘2

oY
NWIGaIGe

5009 hy

5
oe

x6
le

sevaveo)
li SS

2
a

S

LOANS
ROWE

Z~
09)

oS. D ~
~:
R0)309)

Ss

CSCS

SCO

Ss

2S

Z

50
S

BNA DNOPRE
PEBCRCISO)2

SOD 26D 8O00

IS
AY

>

SSGavGaeds

    
 

 

  
  
    
    
 

Hmonme
: ODEON:
PN aliens

 
 

 

 

 

A GRAND IDEA

“THE old popular favorite, Frank Merriwell, has signalized his triumphant return to
the pages of TIP TOP, beginning with No. 512, by opening a novel

SCHOOL OF
ATHLETIC DEVELOPMENT

where he has put into practice some clever schemes long entertained, with the idea
of building up the constitutions of backward lads. Here, there has naturally opened
up a glorious opportunity for meeting new characters; while the strange adventures
and thrilling situations connected with up-to-date American sports are handled as only
Frank Merriwell knows how.

The famous TIP TOP promises great things from this time on to its world-
wide circle of admirers, and with this novel field open to such a talented pen, you may
rest assured, boys, Burt L. Standish will spread such a feast before you as has never
before been dreamed of.

Tell all your young friends that Frank has come back to his own, better equipped
than ever to arouse the interest and enthusiasm of his vast army of boy admirers.
Consult the catalogue below for titles.

 

 

512—Frank Merriwell’s New Idea; or, The American School of Athletic
Development.

543 —Frank Merriwell’s Trouble; or, Enemies of the School.

514—Frank Merriwell’s Pupils; or, The Wizards of Water Polo.

515—Dick Merriwell’s Satisfaction: or, Hot Work at Indoor Baseball,

516—Dick Merriwell’s Discernment; or, The Heroism of a Coward.

517—Dick Merriwell’s Friendly Hand; or, The Boy Who Was Saved.

518—Frank Merriwell’s New Boy; or, The Folly of Dale Sparkfair.

549—Frank Merriwell’s Mode; or, Winning the Confidence of a Wild Lad.

520—-Frank Merriwell’s Aids; or, “The Secret Order of Scalp Lifters.”

521—Dick Merriwell’s Visit; or, Hot Times at Farnham Hall.

522—Dick Merriwell’s Retaliation; or, Fardale Against Farnham Hall,

523—Dick Merriwell’s Rival; or, Dale Sparkfair at Fardale.

524—Frank Merriwell’s Viasic Crew; or, [he Mystery of the Boat House.

525—Frank Merriwell’s Fast Nine; or, Champions of the County.

 

 

Price, Five Cents.

For sale by all newsdealers, or sent postpaid by the publishers
upon receipt of price.

STREET @ SMITH, Publishers, NEW YORK