LARGEST WEEKLY CIRCULATION IN AMERICA

 

  

Issued Weekly. By subscription $2.50 per year. Entered as Second-class Matter at the N. Y. Post Office, by STREET & SMITH, 79-89 Seventh Ave., N.Y.

No. 545 NEW YORK, SEPTEMBER 22, 1906. Price, Five Cents

     

 

 

OR Ee

Bown To Hot First Fy

 
  
     
 

 

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5 eee Ba

 

 

 

«“Waz-al, I be di-unged!’’ drawled Sleepy Jake, as he stared in astonishment at the bat. «The
hanged old thi-ung is plumb full of ho-ouls! No won-der I ain’t made a hi-ut to-day!”
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Issued Weekly.

By subscription $2.50 per year. Entered as Second-class Matter at the N.Y. Post Office, by STREET & SMITH, 79-8 Seventh Avenue,

N.Y, Entered according to Act of Congress in the year 1906, tn the Office of the Librarian of Congress, Washington, D. C.

 

No. 545.

NEW YORK, September 22, 1906.

Price Five Cents.

 

eee LEAD;

OR,

BOUND TO HOLD FIRST PLACE.

By BURT L. STANDISH.

CHAPTER I.
THE FOLLY OF FOOLS.

Once more neck and neck, Pineville and Happy
ake were fighting for the lead in the Blue Hills
- League.

The Happy Campers fancied they had she ae

Price, for they were playing on their own ground.
Besides that, Sparkfair had not pitchedsfor two days,
and he was in perfect condition when he went into the

Dealing this struggle was certain to be a desperate

one, and feeling determined to hold first place, Dick

Merriwell had saved himself for the game, and he
went in against Dale. — | ;
i For seven full innings it was a pretty contest. At
the beginning of the eighth the score was tied, —
team having made four runs. _

The boys of Happy Camp were shnbiabe that their
team would pull down Pipeville and sa step into

The visitors were equally confident that the result
would again leave Pineville on top. |

The boys from Pineville were encouraged by alarge
delegation from the Pine Tree Inn. June Arlington a
was there, together with her father and a party of
friends.

Chester Arlington was in the crowd, but he kept
away from his father and June, for he had been drink-
ing heavily, although he still had sense enough to de-
sire to conceal the fact from D. Roscoe.

Chet’s particular companion on this day ‘was Hector
Porter. At intervals they slipped away into the woods
and applied themselves industriously to Chester’s —

flask.

Hec’s tongue was rapidly getting thicker, and there ss
was a foolish look on his fat face. Ms
During the seventh inning these boys stole off by
themselves for another drink.

“You'd better go light, nee | as Chet. You’
getting alond.” | paige we ae |

1
Rae i

 
    

2 hires

“Whosh getting a load?” demanded Porter, through
his nose. ‘Yoush another! I’m all ri’.”

“You'll be all rye if you keep on trying to drink all
the rye in that flask.” |

“I can take as mush as you can,
drunken boastfulness.

9)

asserted Hec, in

“Now, look here, my boy,” smiled Chester pity-
ingly, “you don’t know what you’re up against. I
bought this stuff over at Slabtown, and it’s rotten, rot-
tener, rottenest. This is the.kind of whisky that
makes those Slabtowners crazy and causes them to
fight like blazes among themselves.”

“Whatsh you drink it for?’ mumbled Hee.

“Because. I’ can’t get anything different. Old
Springer won't let me have a drop. The gov’nor has
given him notice, and all my efforts to get a ‘little de-
cent stuff have been wasted. You know I’m.a bad
case when I get soused. I don’t care what I do. I
don’t fear the devil himself.”

1 “fraid your old man,
“Yoush *fraid your old man,” “You

_ been dodging him all day.”

“It’s not that I’m afraid of him,” retorted Chet;
“but I’m anxious to pull the old boy’s leg awhile
longer. I don’t want to go West for my health, and
he’s threatened to put me out on a Wyoming ranch
unless I walk a chalk-mark. Besides that, I’ve told my
sister I was on the water-wagon to stay. Of course, it
isn’t the first time I’ve lied to her, but I’m ashamed of
it, and I wouldn’t have her see me with my skate on
for a good deal.”

“She’sh all ri’,’ nodded Porter, grinning again.
“She’sh peach. I like her, Cheshter. Cheshter,
marry her in a minute.”’

grinned Hec.

Arlington gave the speaker a Rorrbecepetois look.
“You marry her?” he laughed. “Why, Porter,
she'd take a yaller dog quicker’n she’d have you.”

“Like to know why. I’m all ri’. My fasher’sh got
boodle. Hesh rich man. I’m hish only shun. When
he kicks bucket I'll get all hish dough.”

“That’s a great recommendation—with June! If
_ you had so much money that you shed twenty-dollar
_ gold pieces every time you winked, she wouldn’t look
at you cross-eyed.”

“Oh, don’t you tell me that.
all ‘like. They’re all out for the dough. They may
flirt a little with shum poor fellow, but when it comesh

   

co to have shum sriflaiat, Cheshter. Now, why
i don’ t you put in a good word for me? Why don’t you
any blamed nist fellow I am. ‘You pia help

I know girlsh. They’re

 

WEEKLY.

 

it ‘long shum.
ter ?”’

Arlington placed a hand on his companion’s shoulder
and looked him straight in the eyes.

“Hee,” he said, “I’m going to be frank with you.
If I had an idea my sister thought of hitching up to
you, I’d take an ax and kill you.” |

Porter blinked like an owl blinded by a glare of
light, and his dumb face took on a drunken expression
of wonderment.

“Wha’ for?” he mumbled. “Whatsh you mean? =
You're joshing, Cheshter. I’m a good fellow. You |
like me—I know you like me, Cheshter.”’

“Oh, yes, I like you; but I wouldn’t like you as
June’s side-partner. You're all right in your place, but
that isn’t your place. Let’s drink and get back to
watch this game. We're forgetting all about it.” ;

“That’sh sho. Game ish going on, ain’t it? Shay, ~~
who'sh going to win? You shtill think Happy Camp
going to win? Them fellowsh have the blamedesht
luck ever shaw. Jusht shee how they knocked the
shtuffing out of old man’sh Stars. Old man losht
thousand dollarsh on that game. Mad? Thunderand
lightning! he wash madder’n a wet hen. Said he’d fire
whole bunch if they losht game, and darned if he
didn’t do it. He’sh been shore on you and me ever
shince. All he doesh is sit ’round on Pine Tree Inn
veranda and think how he losht hish thousand dollarsh.
If I try to spheak wih him he swearsh and tells me om
to get out.” a

“Oh, yes,” chuckled Chet, “he’s a Sood oben
don’t think! He’s a squealer—that’s what he is.)
Here’s the booze. Now be easy.’ ray

Porter came near dropping the flask, for me fingers
were rapidly getting numb.

Won't you help it ‘long shum, Chesh-

 

a es

a

     
   
  
      
   
  

“Careful, careful,” cautioned Chester. pS
Hector took two swallows, and then a the flask ‘
taken away fromhim. 2 Pig
He gasped for breath, and tears filled his eyes. f
“Br-r-r-r-r!” he exploded. . “T hat’ sh good! Thay :
fine!” |

   
 
 
   
 

      
      
        
 

Arlington drank twice as much, oeias the cap 0
and slipped the flask back into his pocket. | s
“Listen to that!’ he exclaimed, as a cheer reached
their ears. “There’s something doing out there. | Let s
hustle.” biges

Hector attempted to foilow Chestes,! but ran. full ;
against a tree and went sprawling on the ground. +

“Wh’—who pushed me?” he spluttered, rolling
arpiatt ina vain ate to rise, wb ghe nove)

     
      
  

  

  
 
   

      
  
  

    
  

   
 

  
   

  

that tree? Somebody put that tree right in front of

”

- me.
Arlington paused, with his hands on his hips, and
surveyed the fallen chap. °

“And

“You're loaded to the guards!’ he sneered.
you were telling how much you could carry!”
“Give feller hand,’ urged Porter. “Help feller up.

I’m all ri’. I can get along if you take my arm.”

“And that'll be a fine spectacle, won’t it! Ill be
seen coming out of the woods with you hanging on my
arm. Now look here, Hec, you’re tired. You better
}- stay where you are.”’

. “T want to shee resht of game.”

“You can’t see ten feet from your nose now. If you
do see anything, it looks double to you. Now, I'll bet
you can see two of me this minute.”

He craned his neck and blinked again as he stared
stupidly at Arlington.

“That’sh sho,” he admitted, astonished. ‘‘That’sh
funny, Cheshter. Whosh other feller? Looksh just
like you. Never knew you had twin brusher before.”

“Stay where you are,” again advised Arlington.
— “Tl come back for you. T’'ll bring you a good big
_ drink if you stay here. The game is pretty near over.
a a tel! you how it goes. You're tired, Port. You
need a rest.”

“Ain’t tired,” mumbled Hec, “but shomebody’sh
rocking the ground. Funny feeling when ground tipsh
like that. Ob-o-0-o! Woo-o-o-o! Let me get hold of
something! I’ll fall off in a minute!”

_ He clawed at the moss, securing a hold on it and
clinging desperately, for at that moment the whole
2 world seemed threatening to tip wrong side up.
“He'll stay right where he is, all right,” decided
Arlington. ‘“T’m going to watch the finish of that
game. I'll have to take care of him after it’s all over.”
_. He left Hector where the intoxicated boy had fallen.

  
 
 
   
 
  
   
  
  
   
    
    
   
     
 

 

CHAPTER II

A BATTING STREAK.

 

  

There was something doing in the eighth inning.
_ Buckhart was the first man up, and, realizing he might
ot have another turn, Brad inwardly vowed to do his

 
   
 

, Sieedk eye to lead the Texan into gees
Three balls followed, and then Spark found it neces-
ry to put one over. ey )
= he did not use a ae ball, however.

 
 

  

    

TIP TOP

Having

 

WEEKLY. | 3

splendid control, he curved a bender onto the outside
corner of the pan.

Buckhart found that bender, and straightened it out
for two sacks.

The cheering that went up from the Pineville spec-
tators reached the ears of Arlington and Porter as
they were drinking near-by in the shelter of the woods.

Darrell, the next hitter, took his cue from Dick. He
was given a signal to hit the ball, although he more
than half-expected Merriwell to call for a sacrifice,

Cap’n Wiley, on the coaching-line, was wise to the
game, and he cried:

“Tay down a little one, Hallie, old daisy! Just push
him along a sack, and Dick will do the rest.”

Bubbs, Netterby, Hollis and Brooks, comprising the
Happy Camp infield, crept forward a little and held
themselves ready for the expected sacrifice.

Merriwell had believed this was exactly what they:

would do.
Darrell’s keen eyes noted the position of each in-

fielder, and when Sparkfair put one over the inside

corner Hal dropped it back of second base.

This hit was a beautiful Texas Leaguer, and Buck-
hart went romping over third like a frightened mus-
tang trying to escape the noose of a roper.: ~

“Go home!” squealed Tubbs. “Score, old bronco
—score! I'll bet a squash pie you do it!”

Hollis secured the ball and lined it to the plate.

Darrell was watching for this throw, and he made
no halt at first, cutting to the left as he stretched him-
self to reach second.

Had Crowfoot not tried to stop that run, it is pos-
sible hé could have caught Darrell at second. But
Young Joe knew the danger of letting the enemy secure

another score, and he tagged Buckhart as quickly as.

possible on securing the Spalding.

The umpire was close at hand to get the play at the
plate, and his eyes told him Brad’s spiked foot was on
the pan as the Indian boy touched the Texan,

“Safe home!” he announced.

Joe whistled the sphere to Hollis, but Darrell made

a grand headlong slide that placed him securely on oi

second.

Cap’ n Wiley did a sailor’s hornpipe on the coaching- —

line.

“Talk about your fast cruisers!’ he whooped.
“What do you think of that pair? When they hoist ~
anchor and fill their sheets they go some! Hang fast ss
to that second buoy, Hal! You’llsreach port in safety

this cruise! It’s all off now, Happy Camp! Get out

    
     
   
       
     
        
       
       
 
    
     
  
 

   

4 TIP [OP

your crape. There'll be mourning on the old camp-
ground to-night!’

If Sparkfair felt dismayed, he skilfully sabinedied
the fact. ,

“You need more runs than one,” he said.

“By Jim, we'll git ’em!”’ squealed Obey Tubbs.
“The fun has jest commenced.”

“You no worry, Spark,” said Young Joe Crowfoot
calmly. “Tt all right.”

“We'll make it all right in our half,” said Dale.

Darrell saw Merriwell walk out, holding his bat in a
manner that indicated he would try for a hit.

Hal took a lead off second, being forced to dodge
back by Bubbs, but refusing to hug the base unless
forced to do so.

“Don’t get too promiscuous, Hal,” urged the marine
marvel. “There’s no need of it. We want that tally,
and we must deliver the goods.”

Dale bent a sharp one outside the plate, and Dick
‘declined to be pulled. |

Like a bullet the ball sped from. Crowfoot’s hand
into the hands of Hollis, who had leaped onto second.
Darrell obeyed Wiley’s frantic warning to “get
back,” and, although Hollis tagged him, he had his
spikes against the sack.
_ Sparkfair tried Dick with a high one.
“Two balls,” said the umpire. : .
“Got to put it over, Spark,” laughed the ics ate
a baton-twirling act with a bat. ‘‘He’s no sucker. He
won't bite at the wide fellows.” ,
Dale’s control was still fine, and he ventured t to hand
up a drop. —
Dick lifted the ball into a vacant field and emulated
Buckhart by making a clean two- sacker of it,
Darrell scored.
Happy Camp looked stad while the visitors
. shouted joyously. Bijah Stump, in his shirt-sleeves,
was leading the cheering, and his long. arms cut ees
geometrical figures in the air.
“You can’t beat our fellers!” he Sie as the.
shouting subsided. “-They’ re the oe bunch you
ever see,” A .

“Seems to me that the slaughter ought to be oe are

_ Sparkfair muttered to himself. “The dangerous point
2 is past. I have Joliiby on my staff eae one i the
TH fan him again.”
Dale soon discovered that? he “had another think
coming to: hima fi /
ncited by the example of those who had ecu
im, Jo slliby smashed out a hot Sroaiidsta: 0 on eae

>

to warm up a bit.

“was declared a ball. Pos Sa [

_ batter’ s Rae and again Gardner failed to en,

  
 

e tot turn ane ba of battle,”

 

WEEKLY.

7
H

zs

_

a

The visitors had their batting-clothes on, and they
meant business. 3

Sparkfair grew cautious, passing Flint to first. A
moment later ke hit Singleton with a pitched ball and
filled the sacks.

Then Dale motioned to Crowfoot, who met him in
front of the plate.

“T’m on the punk, chief,” he admitted.

“You pitch fine till you give that pass,” returned
the Indian boy, with an attempt at encouragement. a?

“Is it possible you didn’t see those other chaps lacing }-
me all over the lot?” retorted Sparkfair. “I’mashine, J
Joseph.” : ;

“Mebbe you stop ’em now.’ | ‘9 gi

“There’s not a man out, and the sacks are full,” ‘

“I saw you stop runs good many times that way.”

Dale shook his head. |

“If I stay in, they’ll pile up some more tallies,
up to you to stop their picnic, Joseph.”

“T try it,” agreed Crowfoot.

Happy Camp’s reversible battery changed places.

Merriwell readily agreed to give Crowfoot a chance :

 

 

   

It’s. re % :

    
 
   

The umpire called time, and Joe pitched six or sie &
balls to Brooks. a
Obediah Tubbs waited in the batter’s box until the
young Indian toed the slab, and nodded that he was
ready for business. a
The umpire called play. 1 Pa pe
Crowfoot handed up one of his. speediest balls, sot
Obey met it fairly and squarely. “
It was one of the fat boy’s surprising feats, for
when the smoke cleared away Tubbs was on third and
three more runners had crossed the plate.
Among the spectators no one seemed sO thoroughly :
disgusted as Chester Arlington. | 3
“It’s the same old Merriwell luck!” he snarl
“You can’t break his streak.”

Earl Gardner, flushed and a feaets was ready with |
bat'poised. _ i oa
Crowfoot gave Earl an in shoot and Gardne
missed. '
‘The Indian boy followed with 2 an 1 ont drop whi

 
  
   
 
  
 
  
   
   
    
 
  
   
   
  
   

  
 
 

  

“Then Joe used a speedy. setae one close to th

  
  

   
 

from Sparkfair.

“The. son of Sitting Bull « came on bihes scene ae
came from Wiley. “You

   
 

   
            
  
 
 
    
  
 
 
   
  
  
   
    
   
     
     
    
      
      
   
   
        
     
   
     
     
   
      
   

TIP TOP

wasting your skill, my redskin friend. If you keep up
the pace, you'll get a kink in your precipitating-wing.”

Crowfoot kept up the pace all right, for eventually

‘he retired Gardner with a beautiful drop.

“’Ow did you miss hit?” said Billy Bradley, as Earl
returned to the bench.

“Perhaps you'll find out, William,” muttered the

_ boy from Maine, vastly disappointed that he had not

succeeded as well as the batters preceding him.
ae Bradley did find out, for he finally fanned.
_ “It’s a shame I didn’t get onto myself sooner,”
- mured Sparkfair.

Buckhart was eager to sete another hit, but his
chances looked slim when Crowfoot secured two strikes
with the first two balls pitched.

| _ Dale coached Joe to use benders, and Crowfoot fol-
__ lowed with two of them that were not over.

ng aa Then he tried one on the inside corner, and the
_ Texan felt a thrill of satisfaction as he met the ball and
saw it fly like a bullet just beyond the reach of Bubbs,
~who made a desperate leap for it.

s Tubbs came home with the seventh score in that
inning.

_“The hoodoo is on us,” Sparkfair muttered.

_ Hal Darrell put a a high fly, and Spark gathered
cht: 1h;

Pineville was seven runs to the good, and the game
‘seemed settled.

mur-

CHAPTER III.
GETTING DANGEROUS.

_ Although Frank Merriwell was on the bench, he aie
no word of discouragement for his team.

“Never give up until a game is finished, boys,” he
said. “If they can make seven runs in one inning, why
can’t you do the same?”

a We got to do it,”’ muttered Crowfoot, as he selected
a bat. :

_ While Frank was ita of his brother’s success, he
was really anxious for Happy Camp to win the cham-
ionship of the Blue Hills League. Should this take
place, it seemed an assured fact that Pineville would
finish in second position. Instead of harming Dick
[erriwell, it might be a good thing that he failed in
his ambition for the championship. Too much success
is ‘sometimes more detrimental to a person than a fair
share of ome Leta mee get the impression that he

 
 

 
 

  

  
 
 

 
 
 
  
 

‘a it aes a ae at ats

WEEKLY. 5

head” has injured thousands of boys. Confidence and
determination are good things; conceit is obnoxious
and often sadly detrimental. It is not easy to differen-
tiate between confidence and conceit. But that there is
a difference must be recognized.

Of course, Dick was well pleased, for it seemed that
Pineville had “placed the game on ice.” Frank won-
dered if his brother would let up. If such a thing hap-
pened, Merry was more than eager for Happy Camp
to get after Dick and hit him hard.

Crowfoot had a good batting-eye. From an ordi-
nary hitter he had developed into a wizard with the
stick.

No one knew this better than Dick Merriwell, and
therefore Dick used all his art to deceive the. Indian
boy.. Having secured two strikes on Joe, it seemed
that Dick would succeed, but a moment later the young
redskin landed on the Spalding and lifted it far into
the field.

It was really Obediah Tubbs’ ball, but all through
the game Obey seemed dopey in the field, and, though
his comrades shouted to him, he’stood in his tracks and
stared round dumbly in search of the sphere.

Chip Jolliby had leaped toward right field at crack
of ball and bat. Chip was developing into a marvelous
fielder, having accomplished many surprising feats in
center garden. Just now he raced over into Tubbs’
territory and took Crowfoot! s fly within thirty feet of
Obediah. ; :

“Why dud-dud-dud-don’t you gug-gug-get in your g
sleep nights, Obediah?” he exclaimed. ‘“‘You’re sus-
sus-sus-sleepier than Jake Lander, and he’s been in a
tut-tut-trance all through the gug-gug-game.” r

“I guess, by Jim, I ken play ball as well as youken!”
exclaimed Obediah hotly. “Sometimes you don’t see
where the ball is goin’.” | | se

“Good work, Chip,” called Dick, with satisfaction. 4
‘Don’t stop to chew the rag. Throw the ball in here.” —

‘Berlin Brooks followed Crowfoot to the plate. ©

‘The young Indian boy returned from first, looking. 5.
grimly dissatisfied and disappointed.

-“T try hard, Spark,” he said. i.

“You'd had a hit only for the long legs of Joby,” ;
answered Sparkfair. _

Merriwell worked hard with Berlin Brooks, nites
unexpectedly with his left hand after securing two
strikes on the home team’s first-baseman. :

Brooks hit the ball, but he was slow about it, and it
rolled down inside the line to Sanaa, who. €a

       
     
      
 
       
     
      
   
    
    
   
   

    
a

ee

Se?
y;

 

  

6

  

“It’s no use—it’s no use!” piped Cap’n ONT “The
struggle is all over!’

Fred Hollis fouled the ball a couple of times, but
that was the best he could do. In the end Dick struck
him out.

Sparkfair seemed as lively as ever as he crouched
behind the bat at the beginning of the ninth and chat-
tered at Young Joe.

Crowfoot pitched three balls to Darrell, and Hal

_ found nothing but empty air with his bat.

“We're just beginning to play,” declared Spark,

“You’ve begun too late, by Jim!’ chuckled Obediah
Tubbs.

Dick Merriwell hit a slow fly in the direction of ee
Lander. Jake stood limply with his hands at his sides
and seemed astonished when his teammates shouted at
him. .

“What's the mat-ter?” he drawled.

_ “Catch that ball! catch that ball!’ was the cry.

. The fielder looked up just as the ball threatened to
strike’ him on the head, lifted his hands, and caught it.
“Why did-unt somebody tell me?” he inquired.

“Oh, you’re a dandy to-day!” said Spark. “You’ve
been dreaming ever since the game began.”

“Did-unt I ca-utch the ball!” cried Lander resent-
fully.

Jolliby was the next batter, and he was fully as easy
for Crowfoot as Darrell had been. The Indian boy
fanned Chip in double-quick order.

Happy Camp came to bat for her last turn, and tale
Lander was the first hitter.

_ Jake had not touched the ball during the entire day.

Several times the boys had told him there were holes»

in his bat. One of the Happy Camp spectators had
taken an old bat and bored it full of holes. This bat
was brought to Sparkfair, who received advice to give
it to Jake.
Thinking Lander would perceive the condition of
the bat, Dale handed it to him and told mar to coiee
out and hit.
_ Rubbing his eyes and sales, Jake wandered into

fhe batter’s box and de: at the first ball ee by

“There are holes in rage bat, Lander!’ cried several.

\

-Merriwell.
The spectators shouted ofith tiaiter

j woices’ 3

The batter looked at the stick, and an expression of
‘wonderment settled on his face. His apnenraane | was
$0 comical elias the entire crowd roared, | |

 

ai EOP WHER LYS

No won-der I ain’t made a hi-ut to-

full of ho-ules!
day.”

He flung it down in disgust, and Barking brought
him another bat.

Somehow it seemed that this aroused Lander, for
the instant that Merriwell put a ball over one corner of
the pan Jake smashed it out on a line and trotted easily
to first.

Naturally there was a great best of applause.

“Got to hit, Barking,” said Sparkfair. “Sacrificing
is no good now. Get against the ball—get against it!”

Thad Barking responded by going out to the plate
and sending a beautiful grounder past Singleton.

Any other batter besides Lander might have reached
third on that hit. .

Jake stopped at second.

Bob Bubbs was up.

Bob looked serious now.
and drove a grounder into Gardner’s hands.

Lander and Barking were forced.

Bubbs threw to Netterby.

side.

Little Bob landed on bret easily, but Jake barely
reached third, with several of his comrades frantically fh

urging him to hurry.
The bases were filled.
Marlow Netterby was the next hitter.
“Come, Mate palpitated Sparkfair.
has turned our way.”

“Luck

When Netterby batted a ball into right field and it 4
was lost in the grass until he circled the bases, it really
seemed that luck had turned. Four runs were in, and ee

not a man had been sent to the bench.

Dick’s pitching should have retired the next hiteed ies
but the visitors seemed rattled. The ball went to :
Bradley, who threw poorly to first, giving a cs

a 18
Sparkfair was up.
Dale signaled for Bemis to try for a steal.

rt

Buckhart’s throw to Darrell was accurate enough,

But Hal muffed the ball, and Hiram reached second. |

Sparkfair followed a moment later with a ‘grounder |

into the diamond.

Gardner scooped the ball and held Bemis at Sone
Then he threw to Singleton, and big Bob added _

the comedy of errors with a miserable muff.
“We've got ’em going!” shouted Dales

up, Crowfoot!’ .
The Indian boy drove a fy ball straight at Chip

anche

He picked out a good one |

Netterby muffed the ball, and it bounded off to one

“Keep it.

 

 
   

a At this point Chip made his first mistake of the
= game, for he misjudged the ball. He ran in for it,
only to discover that it was holding up, and his des-
_ perate effort to get back proved a failure.
Bemis and Sparkfair both scored.

Crowfoot reached second. 3
There was still not a man out, and only one run was

needed to tie Happy Camp’s score.

CHAPTER IV.
ee poe JOLLIBY’S MARVELOUS FEAT.

The Happy Campers rooted like mad for their team.
Even Guy Featherstone, who had lately rejoined the
Farnham Hall boys, caught the enthusiasm and yelled
until he was black in the face.

The Pineville supporters were anxious.

Sitting at her father’s side, June Arlington clutched

his arm with a trembling hand.

“Oh, what’s the matter?” she breathed. “Are they

_ going to lose the game now? Is it possible?”

“Baseball certainly has some queer quirks to it,”
said Mr. Arlington. “Now, this game seemed settled
when Pineville made those seven runs, but Dame For-
_ tune has turned her smiles on the enemy, and it
— wouldn’t surprise me to see Dick’s team go down in
4 a defeat. In fact, it’ll be almost marvelous if Happy
. Camp doesn’t win out now. They need but one run to
tie, with not a man out, and things are coming their
way. They have a runner on second base. That In-

 

 

; chance of doing so.’
“Oh, dear! oh, dear!” hal-sobbed June.
Vick’s fault ?”

“Ts it all

 
   

The team is up in the air.”
“Fie sha’n’t lose!” exclaimed the girl. “I’m his mas-
; cot!” |

“Mascots don’t always save games.”

The Happy Campers were inclined to crowd in on
/ Buckhart, which gave him little room e handle fouls
behind the bat.

~ “You may be able to catch a cow,’

: chaps get ; at his benders.

 
 

’ said Shackleton,

 
 

TIP TOP WEEKLY.

dian is swift on ae ae and he'll score if there’s any

“Not entirely, although he siriea it by letting those |

aoe Brad, “but you’ re no good at catching any-

~ himme on the head?

-shick!
_ moise!

     
  
 
   
   
   
  
 
    
   
    
   
     
   
   
     
     
     
        
    
   
     
    
      
       
         
      
      
   
   
  

7

Sparkfair,” nodded Brad. “You
In about two winks
I was

“Much obliged,
saved me some trouble, I reckon.
more I’d been all tangled up with somebody.
getting a heap hot under the collar.”

“Play ball!’ “Keep ’em going!” shouted the crowd.

Bubbs and Bemis were on the coaching-lines now.

“Wow! wow!” snapped Towser. “It’s a shame to
take the money! , It’s a shame to do it!”

“Why, the poor fellers thought they had this game
tucked away in the ice-box,” laughed Bemis. “You
never can tell. Here’s where we git into the lead
again, fellers. Play the game. Merriwell is clean off
his feet. Great Jamaica ginger, won’t there be a cele-
bration at Happy Camp to-night!”

“Move your moccasins off that cushion, Crowfoot,”
urged’ Bubbs. “They can’t catch you in a century.
Take a good lead. Be ready to score when Brooks
hits.” q

Dick Merriwell was not hurrying in the least. Hav-
ing secured the ball, he threw it to Netterby, knelt on =a
the ground, untied his shoe-strings, readjusted the _ 4
laces, tied them, and repeated this three times. a

“Make ’em play ball, Mr. Umpire!” yelled Bemis. |

Netterby threw the Spalding to Buckhart, and Brad =
walked down a few feet in front of the gaan motion-
ing for Dick to meet him.

“Well, so help me, they’re going to swap eum,”
laughed Bubbs.

“Tt’s all a bluff! it’s all a bluff!” tien Bemis.

- Every one knew Merriwell was taking time to steady
down and permit his team to do the same. 9

Dick and Brad had their heads together for a. fat %
moments. Finally they retired to their positions.

“Play ball! play ball!” icine shrieked the Happy ;
Campers.
Merriwell found a ehble beneath his feet, dug it out ©
of the ground with his toe, picked it up and cast it into
the woods beyond the field. That pebble struck Hector —
Porter on the back of the head and caused him to—
grunt. . . :
“Lemme “lone,” he mumbled. “If I leggo, Um
goin’ to upset. Talk about earthquakes! Bet ten
shents grounds didn’t shake like thish out at Frisco. :
Talk ’bout ocean wave! Bet nusher ten shents open
ocean in a shtorm is shteadier than thish. Whosh
‘Head feelsh funny, anyhor
Lemme ‘lone. Oh, goshfry! ma top! I—!’m shpin- 2
nin’! My! my! how I’m goin’. Awful funny feelin’
round my gizzard. ‘Wisht I could shtop. I’m gettin’
I’m feelin’ awful bad! Shtop makin’ that
You're dishturbin’ me, 7 ;

     

   
   
 
 
       
  

  
 
  

 

  
   
    
  
    
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 

Cheshter, you’re mean chap. You lef’ me all ‘lone.
Mebbe I’ll die! You shaid Slabtown whishky was
poison. Yot shaid it would kill a nelephant. I ain’t
a nelephant. I’m jesh poor blame’ fool! Wish I
hadn’t took that shtuff!’’

At that moment young Arlington was frothing with
excitement in the midst of the spectators.

“You've got ’em, Sparkfair!” he cried. “It’s a
cinch! I knew you could do it! Keep it up! Don’t
let them waste time!”

“Play ball, Merriwell,” commanded the umpire.

Brooks had been getting’ impatient and nervous as
he waited for Dick to pitch. He was eager to hit, and
Merriwell realized it.

Up to this point in the game Dick had used his
combination curve most sparingly, having diseovered
during the season that it was wearing on his arm and
threatened to give him a “bunch of crockery in the
elbow.” Now, however, after pitching a wide out
curve, he whipped over the combination, and Brooks
missed it by many inches.

“Tt’s all right, Brooks,” assured Towser.
even with him. He can’t fool you.”

__.. The next ball seemed to be precisely like the last, but
it was a sharp rise instead, and Berlin’s bat passed

beneath it.

“Two stri-i-i-ikes!” came from the umpire.

“Now you're pues Dick!” cried Gardner,

“That’s what ’e is,” said Bradley.

“They ¢euc-cuc-cuc-can’t cee that kuk-kuk- kind !”
yelled Jolliby.

“Strike this fellow out, and the next two will be
easy,” said Singleton.

“Dern your picter, you’ve gut to do it!” squealed
Obediah Tubbs, who was no longer indifferent and
es ‘sleepy.

“You know the spot, partner—you know the spot,”
- said Buckhart softly. ‘We've fooled long enough.”
-A sharp in shoot nearly “pulled” Brooks. He
- stopped the movement of his bat just in time, and it
was declared a strike, as.it missed the inside corner of
by the plate by several inches. :
_ Frank Merriwell was watching the game in silence.
No one could tell by his face whether he was anxious
or ae by the turn of events. The truth was that

“You're

1?

 
 

 
 

_Merriwell: took his time about pitching the next bal,
d tried to drop on Brooks. acd
Berlin hit it. | ie

  

As Fred picked up a bat Dale saw by the expression on

twister, and Kilgore merely fouled it.

that one corner of his mouth curved upward still more

   

 

8 | TIP TOP WEEKLY.

Nevertheless, the ball struck too low on the bat, shot —
down to the ground, and rolled straight toward the
pitcher’s box.

Dick gathered it up quickly, whirled and made a
motion that forced Crowfoot back to second, after
which he threw to first for a put-out.

The Pineville players whooped joyfully, and the
spectators from the Pine Tree Inn applauded with
vigor and satisfaction.

“I knew they couldn’t take it, pard,” said Buckhart,
smiling in a manner that seemed to say his confidence
had not been shaken for a moment. “I knew you'd a
stop their streak. They’ve had horseshoe luck, but it’s a
all over now. You hear me murmur!” ; -

As a pinch-hitter, Fred Hollis could not be depended : ii
on. Sparkfair knew this, and he knew Hollis knew it. e

his face that he was wholly lacking in that faith in him- — :
self which was necessary just then.

“Wait, Hollis,” said Dale. “Think you can hit
that ball?”

“T don’t know,” was the answer. “I’m afraid not.”

During the last few games played Happy Camp had
kept Brandner Kilgore, the boy with the crooked
mouth, on the bench as one of the utility players. Kil-
gore had shown in practise that he was a hard batter,
but his fielding had not been quite up-to the mark. —
Spark now called Hollis back to the bench and sent —
Kilgore out to hit.

Dick found himself pitching against a new man,
whose weak spot he had never searched out. — 3
- He tried an in shoot, and the batter let it pass.

Tt was a ball. ee

He followed with a drop, and Kilgore. likewise, de- 4
clined that one. It proved that he had a good eye, for —
the drop came down too late, the ball as it passed being —
fully on a level with the hitter’s chin when he stood
erect. | ae

“You've got to put ’ em over for that chap, Richard AS
the Great,” laughed Bob Bubbs. sae

Dick did put the next one over.

       
       
         
    
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
      
   

It was a nasty:

      
   

“One stri-i-i-ike!” droned the umpire. eG
“That’s a piece of it, by ginger!” squawked Hi a
Bemis excitedly. “Take a good bite next time.” 2

Kilgore seemed undisturbed. If possible, it may be aca

 

    
     
 
  
 

 
 

than usual, while the other was pulled down a trifl
lower, but in no other manner did he betray , his feel- e
ings. 3 5 i ceteg bathe
Dick now tried an out curve. — SNP es

  
 
 
      

Bip TOF

Although the ball curved a few inches beyond the
outside corner of the plate, Kilgore landed on it and
drove it into right field.

Crowfoot saw instantly that Tubbs could not get his
hands on the ball before the Spalding struck the
ground. Therefore the Indian boy sped away toward
third.

Obediah did not make the mistake of trying desper-

-ately to secure the sphere on the fly. Instead of that,
he gaged it to perfection and took it on the first
bound, running straight in toward the infield.

Quick as a flash he whipped it into Singleton’s
= hands, and Kilgore was out three feet frem first.
ae This was a piece of fast fielding on the part of the

: _ fat boy, and he deserved the round of applause he re-
ceived.
Growfoot was held at third.

“You came near delivering the goods, Brand, old

man,” said Sparkfair, as the disappointed batter re-
turned to the bench.

_ The most exciting point of the game was now
reached, and Sparkfair regretted that he had not held
Kilgore back to bat in the place of Lander. For all
that Jake had secured a hit the last time up, there

seemed little prospect that he would be able to bring
Crowfoot home,

“Fetch out that bat with the holes in it!” cried some
one, “He'll do just as well with it this time.”

“Ts tha-ut so!’ grunted Lander angrily:

you just wa-ut!”

Like Tubbs, Jake now seemed astonishingly wide-
awake, Never before had his teammates or any one
else observed so much ginger in his appearance and
movements. He was particular about the bat chosen,
selecting and rejecting several ere he finally discovered

one that suited him. With this heavy stick in his
_ hands, he advanced to the plate.

_ Young Merriwell remembered a previous occasion

on which he had been sadly fooled by Sleepy Jake.

This put him on his mettle, and he pitched as if satis-

- fied in his own mind that Lander was the best hitter

- on the opposing team.

_ Jake fouled the first ball, let the second pass, and re-
peated a foul as he reached for the third one.

ie Sees all Over;
oF “Jacob will climb the ladder,”

Then came a shock for the visitors as Jake landed

_ on the next ball handed up to him, hitting it a terrible

, smash and driving it far into the field.

ee? Chip Jolliby knew what it meant if he could not get
that ball. ohowd it ace beyond his reach, not only

 

“Wa al,

 
 
    

     
 
 

. /

i

WEEKLY. 9

would Crowfoot score, but there was a possibility that

 

solemnly announced Cap’n Wiley.

      
  
    
 
 
   
   
  
  
  
  
  
   
   
  
  
    
    
     
     
     
     
         
   
       
       
       
     
       
     
       
       
       
     
     
       
   
      
     
  

   

Lander might circle the bases and reach home with
the next run.

There was a roar from the crowd and then a great
hush. Every eye seemed following the course of the
ball.

Away, away it sailed, with Jolliby making terrific
strides and fairly flying over the ground in his effort
to get under the sphere.

Cap’n Wiley looked sick.

“Old Sleepyhead has won the game,” he mumbled.
“Somebody bring me a doctor, quick! I’m about to
expire!”

Chip looked over his shoulder and saw the ball
coming. Up into the air he leaped, reaching as far
and as high as he could.

The Spalding struck in his hands, but bounded out.

Down came Chip, making a lunge after the ball as
it was falling toward the ground.

A second time he grasped it, and now his fingers
closed upon it with a grip like that of a drowning man
grasping a life-preserver.. Almost plunging headlong,
as he struggled to keep on his feet, the tall center-
fielder held fast to the ball, finally regaining his balance
and straightening up. Turning, he held the Spalding Z
high in the air. we

The crowd from Pineville seemed to go mad, for —
this marvelous catch had saved the game and placed
Dick Merriwell’s team again at the head of the league.

 

CHAPTER V. 5 ee
ARLINGTON’S PISTOL. a

Dick Merriwell promptly gave Jolliby the credit for
saving the game. He met Chip as the tall boy came —
sauntering in, grinning broadly with satisfaction. © —

Dick wrung Chip’s hand and anes him on ne
shoulder.

“That was the finest pide of fielding I ever saw, .
Jolliby, old fellow,” he declared. “You saved our a
scalps.” a ‘
“By juj-juj-juj-ginger!” stiaetened Chip, “TI was
afraid I cuc-cuc-couldn’t do it.”

“T don’t believe there’s another fielder in the tena
that could have touched that ball.” |

June and her father were among the first to ane
Merriwell and Chip.

“Oh, I’m so glad!” laughed the srt: “My heart!
stopped beating and stood still all the time that ball
was in the air. There was a terrible pain in my breast, :

 

  

   
  
   

  

  
  

catch,”

“He’s the real hero of this game, all right,”
Merry.

The people from Pineville came forward to praise
and congratulate Jolliby, whose face grew crimson,
and he found it impossible to speak, although he tried
|, to do so several times.

Then Sparkfair appeared and punched the tall boy
in the ribs.

“You're a robber!” he said. “You're the worst rob-
ber Lever saw! Merriwell, I congratulate you for hav~
ing such a phenomenal thief on your team.”

Frank, likewise, had words of generous praise for
Jolliby. |

“Now, boys,” he said, “we want you to remain here
to supper. Mr. Arlington and June are going to stay.
I’ll see that you all get home safely to-night. I have
a boat that will take you to Pineville. There'll be a
good moon, and you'll enjoy yourselves.”

os THE visitors were ready enough to accept this invi-
tation.

Having seen her brother in the crowd, June’s keen
eyes had detected by his appearance and manner that
there was something wrong with him. ‘Now, however,

- it seemed that he had disappeared, and she looked for
him in vain.

Sparkfair urged the members of both teams to fol-
low him. |

“T'll take you directly to our private bathroom,” he
said. “We'll provide towels for everybody.”

smiled

They followed a path through the woods that finally
led them to a secluded cove with wooded shores. In
that cove the water was clear and deep, and it did not

. are those lads long to strip and plunge into the lake.

__. There was a great deal of shouting and joking as
eiey splashed and swam about in the cove. |
_ After some moments the discovery was made that
_ Jake Lander still sat on the shore, having failed to
follow the example of the others. His face wore a sad
and doleful expression that was both pathetic and ludi-
- crous.
“Come on, Jake!” they cried.
Why don’t you come in?”
_ “T ga-us I hadn’t bet-ter,”’ drawled Lander.
e “Why not?” was the question. |

_ “Because I know. I'll drown-un that fool ie just

 
 

  

  

en

  

10 TIP TOP

and I nearly fainted when I realized Chip had made the

“The water’s ae {

; . | father and tell him everything.”

WEEKLY.

rounded Jake and threatened to throw,him in, clothes
and all, unless he undressed in a hurry. After his
usual deliberate fashion, Jak ke “hurried.”

“You kee-up Jolliby out of my way,’
“That’s all I ask.”

Dick did not remain in the water long. He was the
first to come out and rub down with a coarse towel.
Dressing in a hurry, he slipped away while the others
were still swimming and splashing in the cove.

> he warned.

In the meantime, June Arlington had been searching
for her brother, and she found Chester alone on’ the
shore some distance from Happy Camp. As she drew
near she observed that he was examining a revolver.

“Chester,” she called.

He looked up, and the expression on his face fright-
ened her.

“What do you want?” he snarled.

“What—what are you doing?” she faltered.

“T’m loading this gun.”

“Why do you carry it?”

“Oh, a fellow needs a shooting-iron in this infernal
region. June, there’s blood on the moon! I’m going
out for a scalp!”

Although she was afraid of him, she resolutely ap- |

proached and placed a hand on his arm. A

“You've been drinking, Chester,”
father should see you now—-~”

“Oh, don’t speak of him! He thinks I’m a fellow
he can order round just as he pleases. I’m my own

she said. “If

master! I want you to understand I’m my Own mas- —

\

ter. He'd better understand it, too.”

The look in Arlington’s eyes was that of a person
excited and deranged. His face flushed, and his breath
bore the repulsive odor of the vile liquor he had swal-
lowed. The stuff had muddled his brain until, for the
time being, he had holy lost all sense of right and
wrong. |

“You mustn’t come back to the camp,”
“You must get away without letting father see you.”

“T’ve got to come back. I’m looking for some one.
I’m going to find him.”

“Whom are you looking for?”

“Lf I tell you, you'll warn him.”

“Chester, give me that pistol.”

“Not on your life! I need it. I’m going to use it.”

Her face was very white now, and her heart was . ue

filled with fear and anxiety.

“You're crazy, Chester!” she half-sobbed..
don’t give me that weapon, I shall hurry straight & to

said Fie a

    
  
  
   
  
   
   
    
   
      
   
   
  
   
    
     
  
 
  
  
       
         
     
       
      
     
     
    
   
   
   
     
   
   

a
i
2
4

é

4

 
    

   

“Go ahead! go ahead!” he snarled.
continental !’’

With sudden desperate determination, June clutched
at the revolver with both hands seeking to wrest it
from his grasp. There was a brief struggle and a
sharp report.

Fortunately, the bullet touched néither of them. It
was flattened against a rock a few feet away.

At this moment Dick Merriwell reached the spot.
a As Arlington twisted the revolver from his sister’s

| “grasp Merriweéll’s fingers closed on his wrist. Dick
ee had taken Chet by surprise, and in a twinkling he had

a the fellow flat on his back, pinning him to the ground.
“ = With a wrench he tore the pistol from Chester’s
: fingers. A sweep of his arm sent the revolver flying
into the lake.

“What in blazes

“You poor fool!” said Dick,
didn’t kill yourself or June!
to do?”

“Let me up!” palpitated Chet.

x He made a furious struggle, and in seeking to hold
_. him Dick had his hands full for a few moments.
Through his own efforts Arlington finally struck his
head against a stone and was temporarily stunned.
June had watched it all like a person turned to
stone,

ey “He’s all right, now,” said Dick, straightening ae
“This is too bad, June. I’m awfully sorry for you.”
“Oh, Dick! Dick!” was all she could say just then.

“T don’t give a

’ panted Arlington.

 

“it’s a wonder you
What were you trying

 

aay

Bet

“Go back to the camp,” he urged. “Leave your
brother to me.” .

“Tf father sees him——”

“Tl take care of that. Trust me. Ill look out for

aun,”
“But he’s crazy!”

Arlington stirred and struggled to his elbow.
“Go at once, June,” directed Dick. “Trust me itt
- this. You can do nothing with him, but I believe I
may Becca Pll keep him away from the camp.
_ Please go.” |
- Thus urged, the girl reluctantly turned away.

_ Dick gave his attention to Chester at once. Arling-

ors was trying to get up, but seemed to find the task
too much for him. |

“What have you done to me, Merriwell?” ee mum-
bled. “Where’s my gun? I said I’d shoot be ec said

iL would!”

- “But you didn’t mean it, Arlington. You weren’t

‘talking—it was the whisky. We're going to have a

    
 

Tif: 1OF

 

.there are two grades of wild oats.

igtle ih, ie and I, It's no use to snarl and growl.”
f j ; ‘ ;

    

WEEKLY. iz

      

Dick sat down on a rock in the coolest manner im-
aginable, while Arlington stared at him in half-
drunken wonderment.

    
  
 
 
 
  
  
  
   
   
  
  
  
  
    
   
   
   

CHAPTER VI.
. ARLINGTON’S CONFESSION,

Dick’s quiet manner had an effect on his enemy.
Arlington’s blood had been heated and his brain be-
fuddled by liquor, but now he felt a sort of calmness
and indifference come over him. -He regarded Merri-
well with a drunken sneer. His features relaxed and
changed until he seemed quite unlike his sober self.

“You're a devil of a chap, ain’t you!” he muttered.
“You think you’re-the greatest thing that ever hap-
pened. There you sit like a king on the throne. Mer-
riwell, you make me sick! If you’d get loaded to the
guards once and raise merry blazes, I might think more
of you. I hate to acknowledge it, but I suppose you're
better than the common run of chaps. Oh, I’m jagged!
T know it! If I were sober, I wouldn’t say that much
to you. The very fact that I know you're better than
most fellows is what makes me hate you so like poison.
Why don’t you ever make a bad break and do some-
thing rotten, same as everybody else does? Every fel-
low has to sow his wild oats.”

“That’s a fallacy,” returned Dick. “At least, it’s a
fallacy in the sense you mean, Arlington. When a
fellow speaks of sowing his wild oats, he generally re-
fers to disgraceful actions of which he would be
ashamed in his sober hours. I’m ‘inclined to think
If I should explain
what I mean to you, you wouldn’t understand me
now.”

Chester laughed in a silly manner.

“Oh, I understand you,” he retorted—“I understand
you too well. * You think no fellow should ever get
jagged the way I am. ‘That’s because you’re sober.
If you had a few drinks in you, you’d think it fine.”

“And if you could see yourself at this moment,” re-
turned Merriwell, “you'd be so thoroughly disgusted —
that you might reform. Haven’t you ever seen
drunken men who were disgusting to you? You were
sober at the time, and you felt ashamed of them.”

“Oh, there’s a difference between a common: chap ,
who gets loaded and a gentleman who takes ona jag.
A gentleman i 8 a gentleman all the time, no matter
how full he is.’ es

“Then I presume you think you’re always a gentle.
man, Arlington. Wait a minute. When you're sober
you have some respect for your sister. Are you just

y.

 
     
         
       
     
     
     
       
       
     
       
     
         
   
     
       
     
     
         
       
     
     
     
   
   
     
     
        
     

     
 

ake ee

t2

as re
not.

spectful when you’re loaded? . You know you're
Do you realize that if I had not happened along
here just when I did you might have shot yourself or
June while struggling for the possession of that re-
volver? The weapon was discharged, and it’s really
astonishing that neither of you was harmed. Let’s
suppose something entirely different happened when

that pistol went off. Let’s suppose that bullet struck
June in the breast. Picture yourself bending over
your sister, whom you had killed in your drunken
frenzy. Picture June hereon these sands, with her
life-blood ebbing away and you vainly trying to stanch

the flow. There she is, Chester, and you’re kneeling
beside her. She’s pale as death, for she knows death

has claimed her as its victim. You know it, too.
You’re sobered by the frightful thing that has hap-

_ pened. The horror in your heart is such as you’ve

Ij meyer experienced before in all your life. You wring
_ your hands and entreat her not to die. You beg her
to speak one word. She looks up at you, and there’s
forgiveness in her eyes. Her pale lips move, and she
whispers words of affection and pardon. Those words
rend your very heart. You feel that the curse of Cain
is on you. You realize that the sowing of wild oats

   
  
 

the slayer of youf own sweet sister. Her head is on
i your arm. The light of life is fading from her eyes.
In another moment you will hold her dead body in
your arms. In another moment -

“Oh, “stop! stop!’ screamed Arlington, whose’ fea-
tures had-been working all through this speech.

_ Merriwell’s words had painted the fearful scene in
such a way that it seemed like an actual occurrence.
“For God’s sake, stop!” entreated Chester, once
- more. “Such a thing did not PEON ee hap-
saben sy |
“It’s Heaven’s mercy that it didn’t happen,” said
Dick. “You were crazed by drink. ee were you
= doing with that revolver?” |

. Huskily Chet confessed:

. “T was loading it—for you. I was crazed, but that
wwas because I’d been drinking the wretched stuff they
sell in Slabtown. Decent whisky would not have af-
fected me in such a manner.’

“There's no decent whisky when used as a bever-
“ age,” asserted Dick. “There was a time, Arlington,
when I had hopes of you. There was a time when I

 

  

  

  

At Galic best you're fois phiysically, and I still believe
ou have a decent streak in you. It doesn’t seem pos-

   
 

has made you a blood-stained wretch, a thing accursed,

sible at ay one with a saster like agers can 1 be thor-

WEEKLY.

oughly bad. Nevertheless, I have given up all hope
of your reclamation. You've had too many chances,
and you've thrown all of them away. At one time I
sympathized with you. on your own account. That’s
not the case now.
sister. Think how she must feel at this moment!
Self-pity has never done any chap good, so don’t waste
it on yourself. Pity her.”

“TI wish you’d stop this kind of talk!’ muttered Chet,
his eyes downcast, “I don’t like to have you talk to
me, Merriwell. I don’t mind what any one else says,
but somehow your words make me feel rotten. You
say that you have no hope that [ll reform. If I should
reform, you'd despise ‘me just the same. I’ve tried
to reform, Merriwell.. I hate to confess that much,
but I have tried. It’s no use. I guess you’re right—
I’m a bad one.. Every time I make any good resolu-
tions I break them, and every time I break resolutions
it’s harder to make more. What’s the use? Every
chap’s life is cut out for him, and he’s got to follow it.
There is no way for him to escape. If he’s going to
the dogs, he’ll go, even though he fights against it like
the very devil.”

“There never was a greater fallacy in all the world,”
asserted Dick. “Every chap with will-power and reso-
lution is master of himself and his fate.
preordained. All things come to the man who is
strong of heart and masterful in his determination to
accomplish, He can’t accomplish anything worth hav-
ing by sitting ‘down and waiting for it to come; he:
must go after it, and he must persist in the face of all |
disappointments and failures.”

4 wish 4 could believe that way,’ ’ said Chet.
could

He ceased speaking And drew a deep breathe

Try to be a man,”
more, Arlington. Theré’s still a chance.

“Tf i

 

power by yielding to temptation so many times, but,

you may conquer yet. I said I had no faith in you. —
I'll take it back. The very fact that you want to ie

lieve a fellow is master of himself makes me fancy —
there’s a chance for you.

shun temptation. Don’t think you can choose disso-
lute fellows as your companions and be all right your-

     

self. Don’t think you can frequent barrooms and not

‘drink. Don’t. fancy you can make comrades. of gam-
blers and not gamble. You ought to be a fine athlete.

You were built right, and you'd be a wonder to-day ik

‘if vou had followed the SrOERe course, There’ $ one

My sympathy is wholly for your

Nothing is —

urged Merriwell; “try it once i
Fight for —
your manhood, old chap. You’ve weakened your will- —

But there’s one thing you —
must do—you must cut out evil associates. You must —

3 veil testa

    
     
     
         
     
       
      
      
     
     
     
     
   
      
       
        
      
      
     
     
     
    
         
 
     
  
 
 
   
IP. TOR

  
  

thing you must learn at the outset, and that is not to be
jealous of other chaps who are successful. You must
learn to accept defeat when it comes to you, and make
up your mind you'll work all the harder for victory
| ‘next time. One of the first things taught me by my
4 |. brother was to be a good loser, but never to be thor-
i a. _ oughly satisfied with anything except victory. I have
| a temper of my own, Arlington. It was hard for me
| _ to face defeat at the outset. I’ve had to face it many
4 times this summer right here in the Blue Hills League.
} [ve lost games I was dying to win, and every time
_ this has happened I’ve vowed to fight harder for the
next game. At one time Pineville stood next to the
_ bottom in the league. If I had lost faith in myself, if
‘Thad become discouraged, the rest of the team might
_ haye known it, and we might be at the very bottom
_ now. Instead of that, we’re at the head. If it s in uf,
we're bound to stay there.”
hot ert think you will,” confessed Chet, “That’s what
infuriated me. I told myself it was luck, but I know
better, Merriwell—I know better. I know it comes
from your undaunted heart. I’m pretty sober now,
am I not?”
i? "You! seem so.”
3 “You'll win the championship, ‘Merriwell. “They
can’t beat you. I’d give anything in the world if 1
could be just like you! You never heard me say any-
thing like that before. I’m a fool to say it now! No,
_ they can’t beat you, Merriwell. Sparkfair is a fine fel-
_low—he’ s a dandy.
_ team, but he can’t make your equal of i Sparkfair.

eey

 

 

 

 

 
 

 
 

 
 

  

di ion when she sees me: next. Tell her I’m sorry,
Merriwell. Don’t let her worry any more to-night.”
; ees, had risen to his feet and, was preparing.

 
 

   

ah
emer
{

 

  
 
     

Ng . $ t f . ;

ae CHAPTER | Vil.
2 - PORTER TAKES A BATH.

      

- York Chity. We'll take New York Chity and turn it

Frank Merriwell i is coaching that —

with you.

~ mebbe I didn’t mean all that.

   
  
   
    
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
          
      
     
           
          
       
          
      
       
    
      
   
       
        
    
    
     
     
   
   
     
 
    
  

WEEKLY. 13
As she waited she heard a crashing in the bushes,
and a moment later Hector Porter came staggering
forth into the path. He discovered her and pursed
his lips, although he failed to whistle when he made
the attempt. A silly smile settled on his face, and he
limply waved his hand at her.

“Ah, there, my size!” he chuckled.

!??

Tra-la-loo!

‘““Hoopee-doo!

June moved at once and attempted to pass him. He
placed himself in her path.
“What’s your terrible rush, Peachy?’ he said,

“My ! but you’re the real thing! You're Chet’s shister.
You’re a regular shtunner. Prettiest girl I ever shaw.”
“Will you be kind enough to step out of my aay
exclaimed June.. 3
“Jesh a minute, jesh a minute. Want to look at you. Ry
Want to ’mire you. You know who I am. My
fasher’s Horace Porter. He’sh got money. He’sh all
ri’, only he’sh a little closhe with the dough. When he
croaksh I’ll be rich. I’ll have s’much money I won't
‘know what to do with it. Wee! I’ll blow it. I'll make
it fly. Ill have automobile. Ill have shteam-yacht.
T’ll open wine. I'll play the raches. »I’ll whoop her up
all the time. Oh, I’ll be hot shport. Girl that gets a
hitch on me can have anything she wantsh, I'll buy
her di’monds, I’ll buy her dresshes. I'll buy her New —

wrong shide out. We'll smash up furniture at Rec-

tor’sh. St. Regis won’t be good enough for ush.” 4
June turned aside from the path and made an ne th

to pass on, but he prevented this. |

“Jesh a minute, jesh a minute,” he ciara A
“Lotsh of time. ’Tain’t sunshet yet. Old shun’s ~
pretty near gone, but he ain’t quite gone. There'll be
full moon to-night. I’m full, too. When I’m sober ~
Tm all ri’. Now, don’t get nervoush. I don’t load |
4: every day. ° Where’sh Cheshtér ? Didn’t treat me —

. Left me all ‘lone in bushes. Made me'cry. Oh, ©
Pa tender-hearted feller. I cry shometimes. I like
pty Don’t know why ‘tis, but Cheshter never —
sheemed to want me to have much of anything to do-
Never would put in good word for me.
Shay, what’m I talkin’ bout? Didn’t I tell you I’d be
rich when my old chump of a dad turnsh up hish toesh? |
Didn't I shay shomethin’ *bout blowin’ money? Well,
‘Fyou marry me, ri.

   

    

good feller. De anything you shay. | ‘Fyow'll inant
fie ] or
_ “Oh, you're sickening panted BAS: & as she ema

- dart to 0 get bk Si aM

 
 
 

14. Tie TOP
Hec thrust out his arm and caught her in a grip she
could not break, .
“All ri’,” he said. “If you goin’ to run away, Lil
let you go ina minute. Always wanted to kissh you,
and I’m goin’ to do it now.”
At that moment Merriwell appeared. '
Fifteen seconds later Hector Porter was floundering
in four feet of water. for Dick had thrown him into
the lake.
Porter managed to get his feet under him and waded
out, gasping and strangling. oe
“Who pushed me?” he gurgled. “Wash that you,
Merriwell? Where you come from? You pushed me
in washer. Now jesh look at my clothes! They’re all
wet, and I’m shoaked,”’
“Yes, you’re soaked all right,’ nodded Dick. °
“Don’t speak so harsh! Jesh shee how wet I am.
Jesh shee how my clothes are all shpoiled. Besht-fit-
ting shuit I ever had.”
Hec began to shed tears. »
“Come, June,” said Dick, thoroughly nauseated,
“this is no sight for you.” :
along the path.
“Most unshympathetic people I ever shaw,” sobbed
Hee.
Push me in the washer and got me all wet, and then
went off and left me without shayin’ he was shorry.
Wonder where Cheshter ish? I dunno. Wonder how
I’m goin’ to get back to Pineville? I dunno. Guessh
I hadn’t better go to Happy Camp. Might get into
more trouble there. Got to go shomewhere. All ri’.”
Mumbling in this maudlin manner when he returned

to the path, he followed it along the shore.

CHAPTER VIIL.
“NEARER TO THEE.”

_ Dick succeeded in reassuring June in regard to her
brother. He told her Chester was all right gn had
_ started for Pineville.
. Sparkfair observed them as they returned to the
camp. At the first opportunity Dale drew Dick apart,
and they sat down together and talked over the game.

_ peatedly asserted that Dick had escaped” defeat by a
airacle,

“Perhaps - your mascot saved you, Merriwelt, hte

7 said. “Mine was absent to-day. I a t understand

why Madge Morgan didn’t come over.”

  

 

He drew her arm through his, and they disappeared

“That fellow Merriwell perfec’ly heartless.

Sparkfair pretended to be in good spirits, and he re-

 

et was ating the weaern res as a Paty party,

 

WEEKLY.

gathered in the large dining-tent, which was open :
front and rear to admit the breezes. a

Although June tried hard to appear natural and at A E
her ease, Dick knew she was troubled about her At
brother. After supper there was music and singing in
front of Frank Merriwell’s tent.

In the midst of this Madge Morgan appeared, anx-
iously asking for Doctor Schnitzle.

Dale hastened to join her.

“What’s the trouble, Madge?” he inquired,
didn’t you come to the game this afternoon?”

“Oh, I couldn’t,” she answered. “Mother was taken
suddenly ill, and I remained with her. She thought
it was nothing serious, but she grew worse toward
night, and I finally insisted on coming after the doctor.
I must get back just as quickly as possible. Won’t you |
please find Doctor Schnitzle for me, Dale?’ ; | :

Sparkfair found the German physician and hurried re
him down to the float where Madge was waiting.
Taking the doctor in her canoe, the girl paddled away
in a manner that plainly bespoke her intense anxiety. © |.

 

  
   
  
   
   
   
  
 

“Why.

 
   
     
     
     
     
    

“She didn’t even ask me how the game went,” mut-
tered Sparkfair. “It must be something serious. Still,
it’s possible she’s unnecessarily frightened.” —

Finding Dick, he spoke to him about it, and the two
boys decided to take a canoe, and paddled over to.
Mose Morgan’s cabin. | =

In the meantime, while stumbling through the —
woods, Hector Porter had come upon Chester Ar-  —
lington. : bp

Chet was sitting on a log, his elbows upon his —
knees and his head in his hands. :

“Hello!” muttered Hec. ‘There’sh poor Cheat :
Guessh he’sh shick. He looks shick. Went off and —
left me all ‘lone in bushes. But I ain’t goin’ toholdno |
grudge. If he’sh shick, Pll shtand Py. him. If he’sh
shick, I'll hold hish head.” a

Arlington did not look up as Porter approached. te
His cap was lying on the ground at his feet. | -

Hec placed a hand on ee s head.

“Poor fellow!” he said, “you're shick. ‘Tl hold —
your head.” d

Drawing a deep breath, Arlington straightened up. ‘s

“Get out, Porter!” he commanded, “I’m all HERG
Where did you come from?” : +"

“T dunno. Come from shomewhere. Whete'ti a
goin’? ’mall wet, Cheshter. Dick Merriwell pushed —
‘me in the water. He’sh a mean feller, Cheshter. ‘ x
don’t blame you for dishlikin’ him.” :
“Don't talk about him now!” ie Chet, Picking

      
       
        
       
     
     
   
   
     
       
   
      
 
           
 

i

    
       
       
     
      
    
    
       
  
  
 
  
  
    
 
   
  
    
   
    
    
       
 
      
  
       
    
   
     
    
     
       
      
    
    
     
    
     
  
       
   
 
    
   
    

TIP TOP

up his cap and rising to his feet. “We’¥e got to get
out of this, It’s going to be dark soon.”
“Where we goin’ ?”
“Back to Pineville.”
“How?”
“Foot it.”
_ “Oh, Se odes: Cheshter, I can’t walk all that dish-
2s tance!’ ;
“Then you'll have to get back the best way you can.
I’m going to walk.”
“Oh, don’t—pleashe don’t! Let’s hire a cab.”
“Where are you going to get a cab?” |
“Anywhere. I don’t care where.”
“You'll do lots of business looking for a cab here in
) these woods.” |
— “But I’m all wet. I can’t walk.”

“Then you can stay behind.”
_. “You're mesht unfeelin’, unshympathetic feller
_ ever shaw, Cheshter. You'd go off and leave me here
all ’lone.”’
“Are you coming?”

“Sh’pose I'll have to.”

a Arlington strode away, with Porter stumbling after
him, imploring him not to hurry.
ped “ain't well, Cheshter,”’ said Hec. “You musht
have shtomach like a dog. That shtuff never knocked
you out way it did me.”

It is doubtful if Chet heard these words. He was
Biase of the picture Dick Merriwell had conjured
up before his mental vision, and, with this in his mind,
he plunged aimlessly through the woods. There was
‘no longer a path, and they were forced, on account
of a thicket and a wet strip of ground, to make a
detour from the shore, Back in the woods there were
heavy shadows, and darkness threatened. At times
they et a aun ne of a golden glow in the western
sky.

Once Porter lost sight of Chet, which filled him with
sudden and frantic terror, and.he rushed forward,
shouting for Arlington to wait.

<4

“ 4 ‘ .
SPREE TRE TS og, NS Bey EP

pa Ne pe ENE:

se

 

 
 

 
 
  

  

 

  

  

  

  

PN;

 
 

  

“Won't you please shtop little while?” entreated

 

 
 

 
 

he foot of a tree.

 
 
 
 

 

oa an

AE

“A tree-toad. was s piping g dolefully from the e depths bk

 
 

Hee.“ vl m awful tired, Legsh all played out. I’ve =

Without a word, Arlington flung henteell down at

    

WEEKLY. ‘15;

those boys in spite of the shadows, for it uttered a
harsh cry and went flapping away. ®

Finally, Chester aroused himself and looked around.

“We've got to move on now, Porter,” he said. “If
we don’t, we'll be caught here in the woods when it
comes dark.”

“Don’t sheem as if I could move a muscle,”
bled Hec. 7

“Well, do you want to stay here all night r’”

“Gracioush, no!”

“Then come on.”

Again they were crashiny and floundering through
the woods. The shadows melted one into another as
the golden light died out in the west.

“D'you. know where we're goin’?’ questioned |
Porter.

“I’m going somewhere,” was the answer. “I’m
going to keep on pegging until I get out of these
woods.” ;

Sudden terror seized upon Hec. |

“You're lost!” he exclaimed. “You dunno where
you are! Oh, Jingoes! sh’pose we'll have to shtay in
the woodsh all night? I don’t want to shtay in the
woodsh all night!”

“Then keep moving,” growled Chet.

In truth, Arlington had very little idea of the direc-.
tion they were following. It grew very dark as they
plunged on. Porter caught a grip on his companion’s -

mum-

coat tail and held fast, fearing they would become sepa>-

rated. 3

“There’sh an awful lot of woodsh in these hillsh,’ ”
Hector observed huskily. ‘More’n one man has been
losht in um. One man died. Sh’pose we'll get losht
and die, Cheshter? It’s a nawful thing to think of.” |

“You've got a chicken-heart in you, Porter!”
sneered Arlington. ,

“T can’t shee. Can you shee?”

“There'll be a moon by and by.”

“Let’sh wait for moon.”

“We won’t wait for anything.” |

More than an hour later they found themselves once

again at the edge of Mad Lake. Ahead of them a
faint light shone froma window. The moon had risen
and was creeping up above the tree tops.

“There’sh a house!” gleefully crief Porter.
shaved, Cheshter—we’ re shaved.”

It was Morgan’ s cabin, and by the dim light Of a.
candle old Mose was bending over the bed on which |
lay his wife. She had been sleeping, but now she was
awake. As she first ‘opened her eyes Morgan anxiously
asked how she felt. Bye the Fist CBee of the sek

ORES

iq
a
¥4

 

’ si i
nae ft

  
, he began.

    

16 TIP TOP
he perceived a look on her face that filled his soul with
anspeakable® anxiety.

“ls that you, husband?’ she asked, moving one of
her hands until she found his fingers. “I can hear your
voice, but I can’t see you, Why don’t you light a
candle?”. |

“The candle is lighted, Ruth,’ he answered.
right on the stand at the head of the bed.”’

“But it’s very dark. Where is Madge?”

“She’s gone for the doctor.”

“Y’m sorry she’s gone, Moses. It'll do no good.”

“Oh, but you know what the doctor did for me.”

“I know, and I’m very glad. I hope Madge returns
soon. I want to see her once more.”

The old man felt a sudden tightening of his heart-
strings.

“Once more?” he whispered huskily ;
see her once more?”

“Yes, Moses; the time has come.”

“The time has come? No, no! You're going to be
better to-morrer, Ruth. The doctor’ll fix ye all right.”

“T’ll be better to-morrow,” she breathed, “for I shall
be at rest.”

The old man set his teeth to choke back the cry
which rose in his throat.

“Tt’s

“you want to

“Why, you’re so young,” he said; “you’re many
years younger than me, I’ve always a I’d be
the first.”

“I hear footsteps,” murmured the woman.
- Madge. I’m glad she’s coming.”

There were heavy steps at the door, and the old
man waited for Madge to appear, followed by Doctor
- Schnitzle. . It was not the girl and the doctor. Arling-
ton and Porter entered the house.

“Hello, sigh v8 !’? called Chester.
you?”
For a moment old Mose turned from ite bedside.
They saw his dark figure silhouetted in the doorway.
He lifted his hand. ;
“Be quiet,” he said. “My wife is very sick.”
_ “Shceuse ush,’ mumbled Hector. “I’ve been shick,
too. I want shomething to eat. I’m hungry now.”
Arlington turned and clutched his companion by the
neck.
"You close your face, Porter!’ he said.
_and keep still.” |
He thrust Hee on a chair. i
“Tf T can do anything for you, Mr. Morgan"

*Tt’s

“Where are

“Sit down

Pg

“The doctor’s coe soon, I ROBE

5 “answered | old
Mose.

   

WEEKLY.

-a good husband to me.

worry about that.

 

“Where's Madge?”

“She’s gone for him.
away.”

Then a sudden thought took hold of old Mose, and
a moment later he had the boy by the shoulder, and
was huskily whispering in his ear: Re

She ought to be back right

  

“Can you tell if any one is dangerous sick? Can ,
you tell if they’re liable to die? My wife thinks she’s
nigh the end. I can’t believe it. Can you tell?” .

“Perhaps so.”

Old Mose drew Chester into the room where the
sick woman lay. Chet lifted the candle ang held it so
that he could look at her face.

   
  
  
  
  
   

Without a word he put it down and turned to
leave the room.

Old Mose followed him through the doorway. |

“What is it?’ he questioned. “What do you think?” —

Arlington hesitated.

“Even if she does get better,” he said, “it’s well
enough that you should be prepared now to a the
worst. I’m no doctor, but I fear her chances are
small.”

Old Mose lifted a hand and covered his eyes. For
several moments he stood there as if turned to stone,
Finally, in great haste, he wheeled and made his way
back to the bedside. :

“Is that you, Moses?” asked the woman. “I can see
a light now. You must have lighted more candles.”

   
  
    
   
 
    
  
  
  
   
  
  

“Tt’s the moon,” he said. ‘The moon has risen over _
the trees. It’s shining in at the window. The moon-
light is on the bed.”

“Yes, I can feel it,” she murmured, lifting her hands
with an effort and holding them out in the light. “I _
think I can see the moon now. How beautiful it is to-
night. How many nights I’ve sat here by the shore
of the lake and watched the moon come up over the
hills. This—this is the last time, Moses. You’ve been —
Who was it that came in? It —

   
   
  
  
  
   
 
   
 

        
     
     
       
       
       
       
     
      

was not Madge.”

“Some boys.”

“But Madge will come, won’t she?”

“She'll be here in a few minutes now, Ruth. ‘Don’t —
She'll be here right .soon.’ <

“You must take care of her, husband. You know 2
we talked about leaving the Blue Hills. I told you 3
we ought to do so for her sake. When I’m gone you —
must take her away from here—away to some place
where she can attend school. Will you do so?” -
“I'll do anything you ask, Ruth.” \ '
“The window is open, isn’t it? I.can feel the breeze, ;
585 ee he

I can hear the pines murmuring. I seem to hear other
sounds. Do you hear music, Moses ?”’

“I hear nothing ’cept the rustlin’ of the trees, wife.”

“T wish Madge was here to sing.. You can’t sing,
Moses... I wish some one would sing. I wish some
one would sing ‘Nearer, my God, to Thee.’ ”

Chester Arlington heard these words. An impulse
moved him, and he came silently into the room.

“T will sing if you wish,” he said.

A moment later Chet began.

In his better days his voice had been sweet and ten-
der, but dissipation had cast a husky note into it,
Now his emotions banished all that huskiness, and his
voice was as clear as the notes of a silver bell.

“Nearer my God to Thee,
Nearer to Thee,
E’en though it be a cross
That raiseth me.
Still all my song shall be
Nearer my God to Thee,
Nearer my God to Thee,
Nearer to Thee.”
The face lying there in the white moonlight took
on an expression of peace and tranquillity that no
‘words can describe. The woman moved her hands as
if searching for something.

“Let him touch me,” she whispered,

Chester Arlington grasped those fingers.

“My boy—my boy,” murmured the woman,
_ have the voice 2S a good man,
come a good man.’

_ Then Chester ete: broke down, and tears ee

é “ike rain from his eyes.

“ce

you

CHAPTER IX.
SLEEP.

Hector Porter had stretched himself on the floor,
and was snoring there as Arlington came from that
room, his face wet with tears. Chet ohana and looked
- down at his companion.

~ “A good man!” he murmured. “She said I had i
me voice ofa good, man, and she was sure I would become

one. She doesn’t know! But is there any chance that:

_ ‘Tl ever become a thing like that? Any chance? How
“much better am I now? Better? I’m worse! It was
I who provided the rotten whisky! It was I whe got
him drunk!”
Approaching the 1nd and niifog the spuds with

she ran toward the Bole, leaving Doctor Schnitzle to

| there.”

I’m sure you'll be- |

WEEKLY. va

wy

Chester met her outside the door.

“Your mother has been calling for you, Miss Mor-
gan,” he said. And she was amazed to note that his
words were broken by a sob.

“Mother—oh, I’m not too late?”

“No. Go to her at once.”

Doctor Schnitzle came puffing up the bank, medi-
cine-case in hand.

“Hello!” he said, peering at Ghet through va spec-
tacles, “vot vos you doing here alretty now?”

“Don’t ask questions, doctor, You're needed in

Chet found a seat on the shore of the lake. A tu-
mult of strange thoughts ran riot in his brain.

“A good man,” he repeated. “Is it possible? Well,
I suppose I’ve been about as bad as they make ’em. If
I haven’t killed any one yet, it isn’t my fault. Still, .
Merriwell said there was a chance for me. I realize
now that I’ve been a miserable cur. I’ve known it for
some time, but I wouldn’t acknowledge it even to my-
self. Merriwell said that I would have to get away

from all my old companions. He said I’d have to avoid
_ temptatioh, Tve tried that.

How can I doit? Every
time I try, temptation flings itself in my way. andy,
try to shake off old companions, they follow me up.
What am I to do? There’s just one thing I can do.
The old man has threatened to send me out. onto a
ranch in Wyoming. Well, I’ll go! I won’t wait for
him to send me. To-morrow I'll ask him to give me ~
transportation. I’m going to cut clear of every one
I’ve chummed with up to date. ' I’m done with them
all, Porter, Blacklock, and the whole of the bunch.

“T’'ll make one last try for it. If I fail—by Heaven,
I won't fail! Merriwell said a man with resolution
need never fail. I’ve got resolution enough when I
start out to do something bad. I’m no quitter. Now, :

when I’ve decided to turn in the opposite direction, ]’ aN

show them I’ve got just as much stamina.

“He was right when he pairited that picture for me
this afternoon. I might have killed my own sister.
‘Well, I might have done anything. The only wonder 2
is that Merriwell or any one else on the face of God’s
earth can have the remotest idea that there’s ‘still a
chance for me. I’ve treated June in a manner that |
makes me disgusted with myself. I’ve never had a —

- thought for any one but Chester Arlington. I’m self-

“ish, crooked, and thoroughly disgusting!” — !

all her strength, Madge Morgan had heard Arlington ;
ging. The moment she could spring from the canoe

Doctor Schnitzle came from the cabin, ao strode

| toward the boy.

_ Arlington rose hastily and faced the physician, |
oe is it doctor ?” he asked. re eae

 
18 | TIP TOP WEEKLY.

Schnitzle shook his head solemnly.

“Der vos no chance vatefer,” he declared. “Dot
voman coot nodt lif an hour. She vos asking vor you,
She vants you to sing vunce again alretty now.”

“But I don’t.want to see her die,’ muttered Chet.
“I’m afraid of death. [ve told myself lots of times
that I didn’t care for it, but I lied. I’m afraid.”

“You vill nodt go?’ questioned Schnitzle regret-
fully. "

“Yes, I’m going,” said Chet hurriedly.
lieve I can sing. There’s a lump in my throat.
TU try—U'll try,”

Schnitzle watched him until he vanished through the
dark doorway.

“Maype dot poy peen nodt so pad as somepody pe-
liefs,”’ muttered the Reiman: “I neter knew him like
dot pefore.” | |
‘A few moments later he heard Chester singing as
sweetly and as clearly as before:

“T don’t be-
But

“Jesus, lover of my soul.
Let me to Thy bosom fly,
While the nearer waters roll,
While the tempest still is high. ”

Schnitzle shivered, although the night air ‘vas soft
and balmy.. Kor all of his phlegmatic temperament,
for all that he had looked on death scores of times, he
was now profoundly stirred.

“T vill go back mineselluf,”” he muttered.

On tiptoe he stole into the cabin. Softly he ap-
proached the door of the room in which the woman lay.

The candle had been extinguished, for the light of
the moon was sufficient. Madge was there, kneeling
_. by the bedside, her mother’s cold hands held tight in
' her fingers. Chester Arlington was there, his face
veiled by the shadows. Mose Morgan bent over the
_ bed and gazed at his wife.

_ -“She’s asleep,” he whispered. -
_ Doctor Schnitzle stepped past him and looked at the
iy woman. ,
Yah,’ ” he said,
sleep.”
Then he took Adlington by the arm and led him
| from the room.

“she Vos asleep—der last, long

i Mi,

'

"CHAPTER xi
THE CALL. |

E irae days later thiey buried her there on the shore
of Mad Lake, where she had spent so many years of
her life. | se was at rest near the lake she had lave

H gan,” he said, ‘

nature’s requiem. In summer it would whisper softly
of the many hours she had spent watching the sunsets,
with her husband at her side. It would murmur of
those long-past days when she crooned at eve above
the cradle of her baby girl. The pines would tell one
another how she had watched and guarded ‘the little
dark-eyed, barefoot lassie that romped through the
woods, waded in the lake, and filled the humble cabin
with that sweetest music in all the world—childish
laughter. In winter the wind that swept down from
the hills and flung drifting snow across the frozen
bosom of the lake would shriek in the pines that she
was gone, gone, gone. And never again could that
spot there on the shore be the same. The home was
broken. A shadow that would never pass had fallen
upon it. Two human souls were left, but from the
heart of each something had been snatched that left
those hearts with an empty chamber.

The funeral was a simple ohe, being conducted by
a minister from Silver Springs. Many of the boys.
from Mad Lake and Pineville attended. Frank Mer-

._tiwell and Bart Hodge were there with their wives.

June Arlington came, and she was accompanied by
several ladies from the Pine Tree Inn. What sym-
pathy could be offered was bestowed on Madge and
her father, but at such times words are idle things.
It was the pressure of June’s hand, it was the clasp of
her arm, it was the look in her eyes that told Madge
how sincerely she sorrowed with her and gene for
her.

Chester Arlington was there, but he held himselt’
aloof from all. When the preacher offered up a
prayer ere the coffin was lowered into the grave Ches-
ter bared his head with the others. |
ening of his jaws, which told they were set in. an 43
effort to keep his face rigid and prevent any betrayal of
deep emotion. ae

Hector Porter was not there, for Arlington had ad- es
vised Hee to stay away. Rea

It was over at last. The people disappeared, a few.
lingering uncertainly, as if wishing to do something
for the bereaved old man and girl, yet finding nothing -
they could do. Ere going, Arlington walked up to —
Madge, hat in hand, and spoke to her in a low tone, —

“Tf I can ever befriend you in any. way, Miss Mor-
‘it will give me untold pleasure. If you |
need a friend, don’ t forget to callonme. You'd better
not remain here this fall and winter. It'll be awfully,

lonely! My sister has asked you to room with her i
Wellsburg, and attend the seminary there.
a Mitt oe and chum, and I one she ‘Aikes you bet "

She wants.

 

 

There was a hard:
iP TOP

ter than any one she’s ever met. Perhaps it’s too soon
to speak of this. We'll talk about it later.”

There was a remarkable change in Arlington’s man-
ner. His face was grave and a light of sincerity and

earnestness hitherto unseen there dwelt in his eyes.

That night, as the sun was sinking over beyond the
western hills, old Mose and Madge sat alone on the
door-step. Not a tear had old Mose shed. His face
was like marble, and his eyes bore a look of desolation
' that grieved Madge and filled her with dread fore-
bodings.

“Isn’t the sunset beautiful, father !’’ she said, as she
held one of his peaceful hands in both hers.

He was looking straight at the many-tinted clouds
_ in the west, yet he answered:

“I hadn’t noticed it, girl.”

“See those clouds over Bald Ridge.
with pink and gold.”

“Gold?” muttered Morgan.
for it.

They’re tinted

“Men sell their souls
I sold mine! And what good is it to me now?
It’s too late! She’s gone! I wonder where she is to-

: night? I wonder if she can see us settin’ here? I won-

der if she can hear us as we talk?”

We should not worry

“She’s happy now, father.
about her,”
“But she’s left me, Madge. I’m an old man.
pathos in his voice was indescribable.
“T’m still with you, father.”
“Bimeby you'll go, girl.”
“Oh, never, nefter.”
“Yes, you will. That’s the way jit allus is. It
wouldn’t be right for me to try to keep ye. It would
be selfish, Bimeby you'll meet a man you love same as
‘I loved her.”
_ “But that cannot change my love for you, father.”
_ “Girl, your mother done all she could to give you an
_ eddecation and fit ye for the place you should fill in
: ‘this world. I ain’t gut no eddecation. I’m a plain
‘old man, I’m what they call ignorant. I know it.
No one realizes that better than Mose Morgan does.
ae. didn’t jest realize it for some time arter I married
your mother. Little by little it come to me that she
was a mighty sight different from what I was, and
when I saw that, I wondered how she ever consented
z to marry me. Late oe sence i ‘ve been growing

” The

as they was.

now:

WEEKLY. 16

you couldn’t help feelin’ some ashamed of your igno-
rant old father.”

“Oh, that was a mistake, father! Nothing in this
world could ever make me ashamed of you!”

He slipped his arm across her shoulders and drew
her close to him.

“Mebbe not, mebbe not,” he admitted doubtfull
“Still, we'll s’pose a case. We'll s’pose you married a
man who was well fixed, and he had a fine home and a
lot of educated friends, ladies and gents, coming to his
home. I couldn’t mix with them folks. I cow 4n’t
talk to them like I was of the same caliber and degree
I wouldn’t have their manners, and I’d
do things certain to bring a blush to your cheeks, girl.
No matter how much your husband loved ye, he’d feel
down in his heart that I was an encumbrance and better
out of the way.”

“Then I should hate him!”
tensely.

“That wouldn’t be right nuther, girl. There’s only
one thing for it. When the time comes, you'll have
to go the way your heart leads ye, and I’ll go t’other

breathed Madge in-

way. We won’t separate never to see each other no

more, for that would kill me. Some time, wherever I

- may be spending the last days of my life—some time

you'll come to visit me. It’s your visits that will keep -
me alive. It’s the hope of seeing you to-morrer, or
next week, or next month, that’ll be my last happiness
on earth,”
“Oh, father, father—please let's not talk of this
“Might as well now as any time, Madge, child,
We've got to talk about it sooner or later. There’s got —
to be an understanding betwixt us.” aap
“See how the bright colors are dying in the west.”
“Jest as everything dies, girl.
of a human life.

A day is a pattern
It brings brightness and delight, and

its early hours are all filled with hope and expectation

and joy and eagerness for what is to come. There

_ may be clouds and showers, but they pass, and the sun

shines out again. Midday goes by, and the time runs
on, quiet and peaceful, into the afternoon. That’s

middle age in a human life. The sun keeps on sinking,

and at last we kinder see, with a feeling of re$ret, that
it ain’t goin’ to be long before it goes down and night
comes on. Still, we’re sorter contented and happy, and
we don’t worry much, though we know the time is
gettin’ shorter'and shorter right along,’ Bimeby the
sun touches, the western hills, and as it sinks from

view: the whole sky gits beautiful, jest the same as it’s
, been over yonder ter-night.

That’s the last example
Le eee eS ok

 
a ‘TIP TOP WEEKLY.

of a decent human life. The finish is peaceful and
pleasant, and in. lots of ways it’s more beautiful than
the beginning; but arter the sun gits down and the sky
is all gold and silver and crimson and purple it ain’t
long before the colors fade end die, and night comes on
jest as night is coming now.’

Old Mose had failed to express his thoughts in the
most appropriate words, yet he had not faltered in his
speech. To him the passing hours of a day had been
synonymous with the passing years of his life.

The shadows were deepening, and above them ‘a,

night-hawk whirled with a booming whir of its wings,
Far out on the laké a loon called plaintively.

Suddenly old Mose started up and seemed to be lis-
tening intently.

_ “What is it, father ?” questioned the girl.

“T heard a voice,” he answered.
calling me, Madge. It was Ruth’s voice! She’s away
off yonder somewhar, and she wants me to come. We

buried her body over thar by the pines, but her soul is
calling us. She don’t want us to stay here, Madge.

She knows I may feel like lingering here by them pines,

but she made me promise before she went that I’d
take ye away from the Blue Hills—that-I’d take ye
away out into the world and do my level best for ye.

She’s afeared I'll ont that bbe girl, and Se. s

callin’ to me now.’

Madge shivered, for there was a’ strani geneds in her
father’s manner that aroused a new fear in her heart.
“You need rest,” she said. “You haven’t closed
_ your eyes since mother died.” |
“TI can’t sleep—I don’t want sleep. T’ve got to move,
girl. Eve got to follow the sound of that voice.
Mebbe if I walk awhile in the woods, I'll git tired and
then T’ll rest.”

She clung to him as he rose to his feet.
a “Tn the morning, es the morning,”

breathed, ;

she

“Do you think I could wait all that time with Ruth

callin’ to me? Let me walk in the woods. Perhaps

3 she'll know I mean to keep my promise. Perhaps she'll

I've gut to walk, girl.” —

i ‘come to me and touch me.
Me _ At length she a.

Madge’s. entreaties were vain.

"cided that it might be a good thing if she permitted

him to. follow. this whim. In- time he would become
. wearied, and ‘she'd lead him back there to rest.
“Tl go with you,” she said. “We’ I close the cabin®
and walk together in the woods,”

| He was, ‘rapidly growing eager ‘to be shi fa’
urged her to. hurry as she closed the windows and
corona the door. es she finished he Lan ane She |

“T heard a voice

hastened after him and took his hand, to which she
held fast as they turned their steps toward the old road
that led away into the woods and hills.

CHAPTER XI.

THE CARDS ARE STACKED. .-

It was Pineville’s day at Silver Springs, and once
more it was necessary for Dick Merriwell’s team to
fight hard to hold the lead. Happy Camp had won
from Madawaska, while Pineville and the Springs
rested. Now, should Silver Springs capture the game,
the Campers would go into the lead.

William Strawbridge had a surprise for the visitors.
He was keeping this quiet, although he had telephoned
to Benjamin Brace, asking the proprietor of the Mada- |
waska House to come down that afternoon to the

‘game.

Brace appeared at an early hour, and was greeted
by Strawbridge, who seemed in unusually good spirits.
“Thought you'd like to see this go this afternoon, __
Mr. Brace,” said Strawbridge. “We're going to pull
old Springer off his perch.” a
‘Brace rubbed his scrubby mustache and sna his
head. ; 3
“Perhaps you rk he said.»
“I know we are,” retorted Strawbridge. |
Now, such confidence on the part of the Silver —
Springs man was wholly unusual, and the visitor won- |
dered at it. e | On
“You never can tell how things will pan out in gio!
ball,” he said. By
Strawbridge led Brace into his private office. i
“The last time we talked,” he said, pushing forward lc
a chair, which the man from Madawaska accepted,
“we decided it would not do for Springer’s team to
carry off the championship. You recognized the fact ;
that there was absolutely no chance for Madawaska,
and we entered into a little agreement. by which the

: Springs will take all future games played against you

team.”

“And that was a mighty bitter pill for me to aia:
low,” admitted Brace. “Here Madawaska has. always”
held the championship. This os she’s got to ae a ¥)
rank tail- ender.” he

patie at the Pine Tree Inn flagstaff,” ene } oe
“But what galls me is the fact that neither you jor a
aL will be able te to hoist that eee fe ia

 
  

have Pineville secure it. Happy Camp is a thing tran-
sient. At any rate, it’s not a hotel. Should Merriwell
come up here next summer, of course, he’d have a right
to fly the pennant. But who can say he'll bring his
youngsters into the Blue Hills another season ?”

_ “Oh, yes; we went over that ground. But we'll
have to be careful, Strawbridge, not to let Frank Mer-
riwell get onto the fact that there’s a job between us.
_ If he found it out, I believe he’d throw all his games
ae Pineville, and we’d be checkmated.”

“Very likely.”

“Anyway, we'll have to down Pineville once or twice
| ourselves in order to clinch this thing.”
; “That’s just what will happen to-day.”
“T’d like to know what makes you so sure.’
“Eyer hear of Marvale and auae the great
Norwich pitcher and catcher of the Connecticut
~ League >”
_ “T don’t know as I ever did. You know I don’t take
“much interest in baseball-players.”’
— “Well, T’'ll tell you who they are. McCurby is
wanted by several teams in the American League, but
-Marvale is wanted a great deal more. In fact, it’s a
ettled thing that these two mem will play big league

 

 

Loe!
qe
ie

palin ae :
me

 
   
   
     
   
 

 

   
  
 

| teen games for Norwich, winning fourteen of them.
| That’s something of a record.”

“Well, what are you driving at?”

 “Marvale will pitch for the Springs this afternoon,
? and McCurby will be behind the bat. It’s cost me
omething to get hold of these chaps, but I was bound
‘0 have them. Besides what I’ve paid them already,
- made them a special offer to win this particular
ame, If they do it, they get fifty dollars apiece.”

  
    
  
  
  
   
 
   

vitchers and catchers. Some of these chaps with big
epute tions haven't done ante business against the

  
  
   
 
 

 
     
 
   
   

aseball next season. This Marvale has pitched seven-

We hayen’t had the best of success picking up

  

TIB TOR WEEKLY, ar

“Round the other side of the hotel,”
Drake,

Chester was leaning against one of the veranda supe

answered

ports as the Silver Springs captain spoke to him again.
“Glad you came over to-day, old chap,” said Drake.
“I know you want to see Merriweil properly trimmed,

and you'll have that pleasure this afternoon.”

“Think so?’ questioned Chet.

“IT know it, I know it,” nodded the Silver Springs
captain, “It’s a cinch. If you want to make dollars,
find somebody willing to back Pineville, and cover his
money.”

“Thanks for the advice.”

“Now, you don’t take any stock in it. I see you’re
discouraged, Arlington. You think Pineville is bound
to win all the games.”

“There’s nothing certain about baseball,’ declared
Chester, taking a cigarette-case from his pocket and
selecting a cigarette.

Suddenly, to Drake’s surprise, Arlington snapped
the cigarette aside, closed the case, took it in his fingers
and threw it far out onto the lawn.

“What the dickens made you do that?” asked Drake,

in surprise.

“Qh, nothing,” “only T’ve decided
to cut the coffin-nails out.”
“You mean you're going to quit smoking ?”
SP HAUS it. | 2
Drake laughed.
“Don’t believe you can. If ever I saw a 1 cigarette.
fiend, you're it.”
“T suppose I have been,” admitted Attingteh:

concluded the things are hurting my ‘wind.”

was the answer,

“Tve

“Oh, I told you that weeks ago, put you ridiculed aN

”

me.

‘f div they weren't good. for me then, but I didn’t

have nerve enough to give them up. It’s been three

If sae 5
noticed, I had exactly three cigarettes in that case.
was full when I decided to knock off. Every little
while I’ve mechanically pulled that case and taken out
a cigarette, but I haven’t lighted one of them. I know
now _ I can Bsc 8 That's why, i ‘threw Cat case -

days now since I made up my ‘mind I’ d quit.

 

It f :
22

“You wait a minute,” laughed Drake. “Though I
don’t smoke, I know plenty of fellows who do, and
some of them would appreciate that case.”’

He trotted out on the lawn, secured the cigarette-
case, slipped it into his pocket, and returned.

“Tf you feel 6 changing your mind,” he chuckled,
“Tl give it up.”

“I’ve changed my mind too many. times,” said Ar-
lington. “This time I think I’ll be gray-headed or
bald-headed before I change again.”

“Ah-ha!” exclaimed Drake. “Look at Old Reso-
Behold Old Determination!
make me laugh. I know you. It wouldn’t surprise me

lution! Arlington, you
to find you smoking within an hour.”
Chester flushed.
“Perhaps it wouldn’t surprise you,”
“but you'll not find me smoking within an hout, a day,
a month, or a year.”

he said quietly,

“You'll be knocking off drinking next.”

“T have.”

“What ?”

“T have already.” 3

“That’s a joke, old‘man. Why, you used to tell me
when you were going to pitch a game that two or three
drinks put you on your mettle and that you could do
your prettiest,”

“I know I did. That was a fool remark.”

“But I know you played better when you had some-

thing than you did without a drink.”
“Because I’d been fool enough to let the stuff get a
grip on me. I couldn’t brace up in a natural manner
and do my level best. I had to have a false stimulant.
I’ve been shaky for three days now. I’m dust getting
over it.”

Drake whistled.

“You must have been on an awful jamboree,” he
said. “It’s a clean case of remorse, Arlington. You'll
get the hankering as soon as you're thoroughly
_ straightened out, mark my word.” __

“T have it now.”

“Oh-ho! And you admit it ?”

“Ves, I’ve had it bad. Pm getting over that some-
what.” |

Two young fellows came sauntering along the ve-

_randa and were stopped by the Silver Springs captain.

oe ie

TIP TOP WEEKLY.

“Arlington, I’d like to have you meet Mr. Hargon
and Mr. Jarley,” said Drake. “By the way, Chester,
we'll have a new man in the box to-day. These are
two of his friends.”

Hargon and Jarley shook hands with Chet, while
Herbert explained that Arlington had been on the
Silver Springs staff, but had left of his own accord.

“That’s not quite the case,” said Chet. “I left be-
He threatened to

send me out onto a Wyoming ranch unless I obeyed

cause my father ordered me to.

him, and just at that time I wasn’t anxious for ranch-
ing. ;
“Are you anxious now?” asked Jarley, with a grin.

93

Chester shrugged his shoulders.

“Not anxious, perhaps,” he admitted, “but I think |
I'll take a whirl at it.”

“You think what?” cried Drake.
“T’ve told my father I’m ready to get onto that ranch ea
any day he'll provide me transportation.”
said
There’s something the matter with your head. You'd

“Arlington,”

better see a doctor.”

Chester smiled a bit.

“Perhaps I’m getting sensible,” he said.

“We've been looking for some one anxious to waste 4
their money backing Pineville,”
don’t suppose you know of anybody?” fue

“If he did, he’d be after them himself,” asserted re.
Drake. “I’ve just told him the game is as good as
nailed for us. Perhaps I didn’t give him all my rea- —
sons for thinking so. Chester, these two chaps can tell
you the kind of a man we're going to put in the box.”

“Know anything about. Jim Marvale?’ questioned :
Jarley. “He’s been pitching for Norwich, in the Con-

necticut League.”

“T’ve heard of him,” “nodded Chester. Ma
“He’s the man who'll trim your Pineville kids to-
day. He’ll have his own catcher behind the bat, and
you'll see something clever when Marvale and Mc- —

Curby work together. Oh, I doubt i those res

scrubs get a hit this afternoon.” —

“Tf your friend Marvale holds Merr iwell’s team
down t to no hits, Vl eat my b hat, . ’ nodded Chet.

 

rake, “you're getting bug-house. |

said Hargon. “I -
tar EOF

“You'd better get ready to masticate your chapeau,”
.. laughed Hargon. ‘Why, I’ve seen Marvale shut Meri-
"den out twice this year without a ghost of a hit.”

“That doesn’t make me feel any different about this

“This fellow is a rank. doubter, Drake,”
- Jarley.
“I never knew you to be so utterly hopeless, Ches-
ter,” observed Drake.

sneered
“Come on, Hargon. See you fater, fellows.”
“IT could tell you something
i: more if I wanted to. But I’m not supposed to know
. anything about it.
_ open, you may discover before the game’s over that
S . those two chaps are taking a hand in it, even though
~ they don’t play.”
_ “What do you mean ?” asked Chet.
_ The Silver Springs captain grew ney cautious.
"Now, don’t repeat a word I’ve said,

ae

es

If you keep your eyes and ears

- se

ae

eee

’ he warned.
‘Don’ t let any one know I’ve said that much. I’m not

going to say any more. But Pineville couldn’t win this

CHAPTER XII.

ARLINGTON PUTS DICK WISE.

‘Chester Arlington took Drake’
eyes and ears open that afternoon.
_ inning that he began to

s advice to keep his
It was in the third

“cet wise.” Merriwell was

WEEKLY.

Shorkley followed Flannery.
Again Buckhart gave a signal.
“Rise it, Shork—trise it!” cried Hargon. “Give it
a long ride!’

The ball proved to be too high, and the batter let it
pass.

Buckhart’s next signal was for an in shoot.

“Now you'll bump it!” came from Jarley. “Get into
it! get into it!”

Shorkley fell back a bit as the Spalding came whis-
tling from Dick’s fingers. He nailed it handsomely,

and Flannery romped over third and came home.

“Um-um!” muttered Arlington. “I think I'll see
what Merriwell is pitching.”

He walked round behind Buckhart and took a posi-
tion, unobserved for the time being, in front of the
foul-board.

Eason jogged out, bat in hand.

Buckhart crouched behind the plate and signaled.

“You're all after him!” barked Hargon.

“Drop it over the infield!” urged Jarley. “Give us a

Texas Leaguer!”

Dick pitched a drop, and Eason did rap out a pretty
Texas Leaguer.

Shorkley landed on third.
Manning was now up. : ;

“You're the man to do it!” laughed Hargon. “Come
in, Shorkley—come in!”

Chester observed that Merriwell pitched an in shoot
to Manning.

Shorkley started from third, while Eason et
toward second. |

Manning eaahied the ball straight into the hands
of Earl Gardner. Gardner snapped it to Bradley, and
Billy whistled it across to Singleton, completing a
handsome triple-play. |

The spectators cheered this work as the visiting
team trotted in from the field. 7

x3 |
Dick Merriwell took a seat on the bentts wiping the
perspiration from his forehead.

“Those fellows are finding me to-day, Buckhart,”

he said. “My benders are good and ey pe ane : :

_ seem to judge them toa ee ata

 
of
“That’s righ “but I don’t
allow they can keep it up long. You'll fool them here-

t,’ admitted the Texan;

after.”

A hand touched Merriwell’s shoulder, and he looked
round to find Arlington behind him.
said Chester, in a
low tone, “I’d like to speak to you. Don’t let any one
see us talking together. It’ll be to your advantage if
I'll be behind the foul-board.”

Buckhart erowled.

“Well, look at the nerve of that galoot,” he said.
“What do you think of it, partner?”

“If you have a moment to spare,”

you follow me.

Chester was sauntering away. Apparently he was
moving toward no particular objective point, but in a
few moments he disappeared behind the foul-board.

“I think I’ll see what he wants,” said Dick,

“Look out for the scorpion,” warned Brad. “T’ll

bet he has some crooked scheme in mind. Better pay

no attention to him, Dick.”

In spite of this warning, Merriwell rose from the
bench a moment later, and, after walking aside and
pausing as if to view the field, he finally turned and
passed beyond the foul-board.

Arlington was waiting there.

“Your signals are being tipped off, Merriwell,”’ said

Chet. |
“How do you know?”

“Now I don’t want you to take my word for it. I
_ see you're doubtful. I see you don’t think ’'m on the
level». When you go back into the box just notice that
two chaps back of the coaching-line are calling to every
batter that comes up. Somehow they’re getting Buck-
hart’s signs. When you throw an out curve they tell
the batter to ‘lace it out,’ or they use the word ‘out’ in
e some form. When you throw an in shoot one of them
cries ‘get into it.’ If it’s a rise, they say ‘rise it’ or
- ‘lift it? or anything that indicates that the ball is to
rise. ‘Drop it over the infield’ means that you'll pitch
adrop. Now, you don’t have to take any stock in what
’'m saying unless you want to, but, if you're wise,
you'll get onto the job right away and change your
: _ signals. Don’t wonder wy I’m ee you this. I’m
ae to dust out now.”
| Without a another word d Arlington hustled’ | away. |

Sa

\

pt
wy

TIP TOP WEEKLY.

CHAPTER XIII.
THE RETURN.

After that Dick and Brad changed signals at inter-
vals throughout the game, the result being a complete
mix-up for Jarley and ‘Hargon. When these spies
fancied Dick would pitch an in and tipped a batter to
that effect, Merriwell was liable to pitch an out or a

drop or almost anything besides the curve expected.

It was not long before Jarley and Hargon gave up in

disgust, realizing that the visiting pitcher was “onto
them.”

In spite of his reputation, Marvale was hit for two

doubles and a single in the fifth inning, which, com-

bined with a couple of bad errors and a pass to first,

gave the visitors three runs.

The ninth inning opened with a score of 3 to 2 in —

favor of Pineville.

Thoroughly sore over the game, Marvale pitched —

LL AN TR ate
. aE Mees ngs hag a
PF ee NE er peng

Bal aaah eae nti ae eee cae
oe ERP My WEAR

-

rete nt jr

like a fiend and mowed the batters down in one, two,

three order.
"As the home team went to bat in their half of the
ninth, Frank Merriwell and Dale Sparkfair, in Frank’s Ps .

auto, came up and stopped in a position to witness the na

finish. | ed
Chester Arlington was rooting openly for Pineville *

by this time.
side of the field, he cried:

“Return the compliment, Merriwell,

to-day. They tried to steal the game from you. Soak
the robbers!”

Sparkfair gasped for breath.

“Ts it my ears or my eyes that deceive me?” he mur-
mured.
that individual yonder is Chester Arlington?” |

“That’s Arlington,” nodded Frank.
“And did I hear him rooting for Pineville: ” °
“Tt sounded like that.”

“I don’t suppose you carry a large palm-leaf fan
this machine, do you? I don’t suppose you have
smelling: salts, have you? I’m fearful that I’m abou

to swoon. If you see me slump suddenly, make haste 4

to revive me before rae heart apes oe entirely

Standing alone on the bank at the =

“Mr. Merriwell, will you kindly tell me if

“Sh

old fellow! —
You can do it! You know what you were up against s

Sn SD

ee ae > rs
snc = OF MPR ONO eth aD

a

 
Tif. TOP

  
  

At this juncture happened one of those nerve-rack-
The
of the Silver Springs batting-list was up. Carey hit

ing things which make baseball so exciting. head
2 grounder to Bradley, who threw wide to Singleton,
a and the Silver Springs man was safe at first.

ie Eggleston followed with a bunt, and turned it into a

 

f hit by remarkable sprinting.
I Drake lifted a fly to Jolliby, who dropped it after a
_ hard run.
Silver Springs had filled the sacks, and there was
: _ not a man out.

OR NS

Still Chester Arlington was rooting hard for the
visitors.
D ~ “Rotten luck, Merriwell!” he shouted.
By” “care! They won’t score now!”

“Don’t you

ae Teal > — m
ren anes

  

$ “Oh, it’s a cinch—it’s a cinch!” whooped Drake, as
“he joyously danced on first. “We've been fooling you
kids! We've got you right where. the wool is short!
Flannery is the chap to do it! Just a little single,
Flan, old man, and it’s all over!”

 
   
  
  
   
 
 

_ Striding out with his slugger ready for business, the
heavy hitter of the local team grinned derisively at
Dick.

_ ‘Pitch your head off, kid!” he sneered. “It won’t
lo you any good. You're gone to the races now.”

   
  
 
 
  
  

Dick knew the players behind him had been seized
by the rattles, and therefore he took as much time as
possible to let them get steadied down. Although he
fully realized the danger, his nerve was as good as

    
  
  
  

ever, and he was ready to do his part to win.

  

“You'll have to fan ’em, partner,” came from Buck-
art, “You'll do it as sure as I’m the Unbranded
faverick of the Pecos.”

Dale Sparkfair had seized Frank Merriwell’s arm.
ae him a word, Mr. Merriwell—give a word,”

  
   
  
  
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

| beat

  

WEEKLY.

Frank stood up.
Dick,”
seen you turn the trick before.

Tre

“Don’t worry, he laughingly called.

You can do it again,
boy.”

Young Merriwell’s cheeks flushed, and his eyes glit-
tered. He toed the slab and put the combination ball
over, pulling Flannery for a strike.

A high ball followed and was declared a “ball” by
the umpire.

Next came a high in shoot, and Flannery merely
fouled it. |

“Two strikes!” announced the umpire.

“ Dick decided to waste one, and, after noting the
positions of the base-runners, he whipped over a ball
that was level with Flannery’s topknot.

The Irishman hit it, although it would have been
declared a ball had he permitted it to pass.

Straight as a bullet he smashed the Spalding irito
Merriwell’s hands. The drive was such a fierce one
that more than half the spectators did not see the ball
after it left the bat until Dick whirled on his heel and
lined it to Darrell, who had leaped onto second.

At the crack of the bat Drake had started for
second.

Eggleston was well off toward third. ae

The ball spanked into Darrell’s hands, and Eggle-

\
\

ston was out.

Not a fraction of time did Hal lose in whipping the
Spalding to Singleton.

Drake turned and was leaping back toward first.

The sphere whistled so close to his left ear that he
felt the wind from it.

‘Plunk !—it landed in Singleton’s mitt.

The voice of the umpire was heard declaring an out
at second and another at first, which completed the —
second beautiful triple-play of the game and ended the
struggle in such a sudden and sensational manner that

for a few breathless moments the spectators were 2

dumb.
Dick Merriwell hastened straight toward his Shanti |
er’s automobile, heedless of the applause and cheering. 2
Frank caught Dick’s hand and gave it a hard grip. a
“That’s the way to get out of a ae Here, BOY, he —

 
   
26

“Didn’t expect to see you here, Frank,” said Dick.

“What brought you?”

“We're looking for Madge Morgan and her father.
Have you seen them?”

“No, not to-day. Aren’t they home?”

“Sparkfair paddled over there early this afternoon
and found Morgan’s cabin closed tight, with no signs
of life anywhere about it. He managed to get in by

one of the windows, and the place was deserted, no fire
having been built in the stove to-day. When he re-
turned I took the machine and started out with him.
We. came here in hopes of learning something. We
thought it possible Madge had taken her father’ to
Pineville. Thought June Arlington might have asked
her to do so. You're sure she wasn't there when you
left Pineville?”

“Dead sure,’

“Then change your clothes as soon as possible and
_ get into this machine. We must find out what has
become of them.”

’ answered Dick.

* Bee * * * *

It was near morning ere old Mose was willing to
rest. At last, when he could drag his feet no farther,
he lay. down on a bed of brown pine- aside at
Madge held his head on her lap,
io) ates no use, girl,” muttered old Mose, “I can’t hear
My #trength is all
| gone. Tve got to sleep. Where are we, child?”

_ Ruth’s voice calling me any more.

| «ey don’t know,” she answered, “We're scuethete
: in the Blue Hills—somewhere i in the heart of the great
x pine woods.”
“We'll go on to-morrer,” whispered old hase. ty
cpt promised Ruth I’d take ye away, and we'll go on.
We'll leave the hills. Mebbe we'll come back ag’ ‘in
some day. You must sleep, too, child. I know yore re
- dog-tired, same as I bea: | |
~ “Don’t worry about me, father. I’m all right.”
. The moon had passed far over into the west.
night ‘was waning. At last the old man slept.

Long after daybreak old | Mose opened his ate and

, Tooked up into the eae of the eet: sete iaa te Sabet

/

TIP TOP WEEKLY.

“Oh, yes,” “with my back against
this tree trunk I have slept and I’m rested. I’m afraid
you're still tired. You were murmuring in your sleep.”

“Mebbe I was. Madge. Your —

she answered,

IT had a dream,

mother she come to me in the dream. I wonder was it —

a dream or a vision. Anyhow, I seen her as plain as I _
ever seen hey in all my life. She smiled, and her face a
was the most beautiful face these old eyes ever looked —
She’s happy, girl, and she told me not to worry
She told me that I was to go back—back —
home with you. We'll start when you’re ready.” ;
It was slow work retracing their way through the

on.
any more.

woods, and scores of times old Mose was compelled _
to stop for rest. Thus the forenoon passed, and it was
mid-afternoon ere they saw Mad Lake rippling —
beneath a cloudless sky. .

“Home again, father!” exclaimed Madge.

“Home ag’in, girl,” he said. “It’s home to me arter
all, but I sha’n’t stay long. Next time you start to
leave here you'll go alone, for I—I feel that I'm going
soon to another country.”

“Don’t talk of that, father,” she urged, as she: une
locked and flung open the door. ‘“Here’s your easy
Sit and look out on the lake while I get you
something toeat. After we have satisfied our hunger,
Pil come and sit mae you and wel watch thie. sun set
once more.” | ea

They were there, hand in hand, pitaing the
go down behind the western hills when the search
found them. | | 3 e

t

chair.

THE END.

The Next Number (646) will Contain.

DICK AERRIVELL INFLUENCE

The A

Real Babies the Sailor is s Deceived—The FR t
_Iateligent ae Appeal—Hee ‘Tells

 
 

Ct Sa ee 0 re tee &

Oo Nn ss, ©

es

1e

mn

 

—tiaiagieet en we wt

wast ine ctats i Sag, tlt EOE.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NEW YORK, September 22, 1906.

 

 

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

SB MODEHS..cccvsenececsencccanes G0. OnS YHA cicesvancesncoses vevn 2.50
BE INGDUEDB ie sec einen ds wacvccconcs 85e. 2 copies one year..........-... 4.00
MIEN GO cacdies oo daakcaseconaes $1.25 | 1 copy two years..........-..- 4.00

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 currency, coin, or postage stamps in ordinary letter. F

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

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

 

 

TIP TOP ROLL OF HONOR.

 

Following the suggestion of Mr. Burt L. Standish, that appeared
in his letter to Tip Top readers in No. 480, the following loyal Tip
Toppers have won for themselves a place on our Honor Roll for their
efforts to increase the circulation of the King of Weeklies. Get inline
boys and girls and strive to have your name at the head of the list.

A Tip Top Fiend, Springfield, Ill.

H. Knapp, New York City, N. Y.

From a Van Wert Lassie, Van Wert, Ohio.
Walter Roberts, Ohio.

F. J. H., Fort Worth, Tex.

P. D. Q., Charleston, S, C.

Richard R. Wayne, Kentucky.

Allan G. Brown, New York State.

Fred. Henthorne, Ohio.

Pauline Schneider, St. Louis, Mo.

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

APPLAUSE.

Owing to the number of letters received, the editors of Tip Top
cannot undertake to secure their publication under six weeks. Those
who contribute to this department must not expect to see them before
that time.

 

 

 

(A letter from Kentucky.)

I was exceedingly glad to see my last letter published. What
would we readers do without Tip Top? If something should
happen to terminate its prosperous career, it would be as though
half the earth’s pleasures were blotted out. The characters could
not be any better than they now are. They are all O. K.; even
Chester Arlington is fine for the part he takes. He is as per-
sistent as Sport Harris, of “those early days.” Let us hope he
will meet a better fate.

I am doing all in my power to entice boys to read Trp Top.
I lend them any number from my file that they want. Say!
that’s something hard to do, too, when you have a file of them
and treasure them as I do.

I have induced about eight to read one. You know, one is all
you need to get a fellow to read, for he will be hanging after

   

WEEKLY. 27

_you to get another, and another, until he is safely harbored as
a constant reader. I will not stop at eight, but will keep on
working for Trp Top. It is an agreeable occupation, and I hope
to organize a Tip Top Club in the near future

Please print this as early as you can, as it will mean much to
me to have such an honor conferred upon me.

RicHarp R. WAYNE.

Your letter breathes the right spirit, and if many others were
just as zealous in spreading the gospel of healthy living and
clean sport, the circulation of Tre Top would be double even its
present top-notch stage. We shall certainly place your name
among the honorable: “immortals” who believe in working for
the success of their favorite weekly. A catalogue has been
mailed as you requested,

 

(A letter from New York State.)

I have beensa reader of Trp Top for over three years, and have
never expressed my opinion before. I think it the king of week-
lies, and I am glad that I have so noble a book for my constant
reading. I have persuaded many others to read them, after first
convincing them of its good merits. They are now as stanch
friends and readers of the Tie Tor as I am.

ALLAN G. Brown.

This is about as straightforward a letter as we can remember
receiving in a long time. It expresses the sentiments of a loyal
Tip Topper, one who believes in spreading the circulation of- the
cleanest, most instructive, as well as most interesting boys’ paper
ever published in this or any other country. And surely Allan
deserves to have his name enrolled with other friends of old Tie
Tor in our Honor Roll.

 

(A letter from Ohio.)

I wrote a letter to the Applause column of Tre Top about
twelve weeks ago, and as I have not seen it in print, I thought I
would write again, and see if this one would miss the waste-
Basket. I was very much disappointed, as all my friends were
waiting to see it in print. I have read the king of weeklies
about four years. When I first started to read Tir Top my
grandfather, whom I live with, and who is sixty-nine years old,
scolded very much, and said that all five-cent novels are trashy.
I told him that the Tre Top was not trashy, and asked him to
look one over; and he did, and read it through, and, since then,
he can hardly wait from one week’s end to another to get one.
I have tried very hard to increase the circulation of Tir Top.
I think Frank and Dick are two fine examples for the American
youth. I will close with three cheers for Burt L. and Street &
Smith. Frep HENTHORNE.

We certainly could not allow a splendid letter like this to fall
into the gaping mouth of the hungry waste-basket. It is the
same old story—age has nothing to do with it. Tip Top inspires
the young, and to the aged brings back again the joys of their
youth. Give your grandfather our hearty respects. He certainly
knows a good thing when he sees it,

 

(A letter from Penn.)

It has been such a long time since I scribbled a missive to
Tie Top Applause that I suppose my fellow readers have for-
gotten the boy from the “Nursery of Great Men.”

Why wasn’t Harry Rattleton, Bink Stubbs, Danny Griswold,
Dade Morgan, Dick Starbright, and some of the other well-
known “old-timers” at Merry’s house-party? It could not be
complete without Harry, Dade, and Dick.

*"Member the days when Frank’s freshman protégé thought
Inza considered him “it”?

Apropos of the Inza subject, Mr. Steve S. Hawkins says that
June is the greatest girl character ever introduced by Mr.
Standish. Has Mr. Hawkins forgotten sweet Inza? June is. all
right; in fact, as I said before, the girl for Richard, but—she
cannot be compared with the “mascot of the crew.”

I forgot to mention Jack Ready. Where is the “apple-cheeked”
boy? Now, I come to Dale Sparkfair. I like Sparkfair and I
don’t like him. He’s a good pitcher and all of that, but don’t
you think that he has too much conceit. And, besides, he wants
to keep away from June. I was almost angry with, and was cer-
tainly disappointed in, June because of her actions the night

 

 
28 TiP FOP: WEEKEY.,

Chet’s car refused to work. But June made up for that when
she squeezed Dick’s hand when they met each other. Poor Spark-
fair, full.of ov erwhelming conceit; thought June was “head over
heels” in love with him, when there was no occasion for him to
suppose that she was. But Dale has many redeeming qualities,
so the “balance-sheet” gives him a good-sized “present worth.”

We have a splendid baseball-team here. They play all
kinds of teams, mostly professionals though, and generally beat
them, too, Both of the tie games went eleven innings. One
was O—O against the Pullman professionals of Buffalo; the other
was 9—9 against the semi-pros of Polk. Next week we play the
Oil City Inter-State’ team, and what that bunch gets done to
them will make up for last year’s defeats. by the Oil Well Supply
of Oil City. Most of you New York “sports’—I mean people
interested in sports—saw the football-team from here wipe up
everything at Madison Square Garden in 1903. Well, our base-
ball-team compares favorably with it.

Here’s to the Pirates and the Athletics!
in their respective leagues.

A long letter from a Pennsylvania reader,

May they win out
R. W.

(A letter from Old Kentucky.)

T now take great pleasure in writing to you to express myself
concerning your great book, Tie Top, the king of weeklies.

Dale, Joe Crowfoot, Dick, and Brad are my favorites,

My father always objected to my reading any five-cent novel,
but one day I asked him to read one of the books that had such
a hard lecture on smoking; since then he has never said any-
thing about my reading them.

Hoping to see this in print, I remain,

James J. Montcomery,
A Constant Reader.

You were wise to ask your father to read a copy. We have
yet to hear any man denounce Tip Top after he has been fair
enough to read one or more of the stories. Other boys should
do likewise, and the parent who now threatens punishment will,
likely enough, buy the weekly himself after ee had a taste. It
becomes a habit.

(A letter from Indiana.)

As I have long been a reader of the famous Tir Top, I take
this liberty of writing a few lines. I hate riever seen a letter
from this town, and have never written before.
the Tip Tops in the five-cent series, and also in the ten- cent
_ books, They are the finest stories, and Mr. Standish has cer-
et a knowledge of what Young America wants in the read-

ine.

Me vile T admire Dick and his crowd, they can never take the
lack of Frank and his old chums—Bart, Harry, Bruce, Jack,
and Barney.

Dick ought to take Chet in hand and teach him some sense;
eS seems he doesn’t have any when around ‘any of Merriwell’s
chums.

Of all the girls, Elsie is my favorite, and I congratulate Bart.
‘Of the other girls, comes Inza, June, and Doris. Madge is
O. K., and I, hope she will drop Chet

Wishing Burt L. Standish and ait aek & Smith continued suc-
cess, I will close for this time. GurrNey McMurtry.

We mar tire of having our young friends send in the praises —

of Tie Top. These letters, genuine, ardent, and coming straight
- from the hearts of loyal Merriwell admirers, encourage us day

. by day to continue giving | new issties of the greatest boys’ paper.

We firmly believe we are doing a grand, good work, and desire
_ the hearty cooperation, not only of all boys, but their mothers
hs wi fathers, yes, even their grandparents, as well.

se ec
(A letter from Tilinois. )
Ag I have been a reader of Tre Top for nearly five Waking: oi

will venture to write a few lines. I have been a faithful reader

ee of the Applause column, and have never seen a letter from this,

- town as a tribute to the author of Tre Tor. Will say I have
_ $pent many happy hours reading these books, I also have eight-
een of the ten-cent Medal Library books. There is more good

advice in Tre Top than any five-cent book I ever. read; nothing i
confide to you that Mr. Standist

but what the most conscientious person may read.
For a Jong. ‘Gime:

[ have read all |

have been a silent reader for some time.

will insure him all the pie he wants.

lad ies and young ae were atraid 0 of being

criticized if they wrote to the Applause column, but that day has
gone by.
Epna Harr.

Tip Tor is being read more and more by girls and young
women,

I take great pleasure in writing to you, giving my opinion of
the greatest of publications, the Trp Tor Werexty. I have been
reading it for a number of years. I have also read a number of
stories written by such far-famed boys’ authors as Alger, Optic,
Henty, Ellis, Otis, etc., but I think none of them could beat the
works of my favorite, “Burt L.” I would like to have a photo
of “Burt L.” Would I frame it? I think so.

Now, for my opinion of the characters in Tip Top.
every character in your superb weekly. Of course, I like the —
others better than Chester A. As to the Farnham Hall stories,
nothing could be better. I think Dale S. is a character to be
praised, Young Joe, Bemis, and Bubbs are also great characters.

“Ransom George,” in No. 536, says that Dale was stepping
into Dick’s shoes. That is wrong. If that aris co hear
enough of Dick to satisfy him, I’ll blow away.

I admire

followed by three about Farnham Hall, also Frank and Dale.
that doesn’t satisfy him, he should quit reading Tip Top. Iwas
thinking Dale S. would become a favorite with every one until ~
I saw that letter. ‘
But the character who is “It” is Captain Wiley.
I would like to hear more of Jim Strecher, Jack Ready, etc.
Philadelphia. James F. WALSH. —

Your opinion of Tire Tor is the same as that of several hun- —
dred thousand manly American boys, who regard it as the finest —
thing ever placed on the market. We hope you preach Tip Top

gospel wherever you go, and do good to your chums by indu- | i
It is easy, once you

cing them to also become regular .readers,
have a few old copies to Iend.

j (A letter from North Carolina.)

This is my first letter to the Applause column of the Tre Tor
Weexty. Of the characters, Dick and Brad are my favorites.
As for Chester Arlington, I think | they ought to send him to
some insane asylum for safe-keeping. I can just picture sweet
Doris Templeton out in my mind. I think she is trying to cut
June out of Dick. As for Tubbs—pass him the pie if he can’t
reach it. I think Dick is the best all-round athlete at Fardale. —
But some of Chester Arlington’s friends think he is a wonder.
I don’t guess he will boast much more since his father lost his
fortune. As for June, she ought not to have such a brother. I

‘it wasn’t for her, Dick would have done away with Chester lo:

ago. H. M. Coxe,

We are always pleased to hav our readers give their opinion ;
of the characters, though, of course, all boys cannot be expected
to think alike. Many like Chester, and prophesy that the day
must come when he will see a great shining light, even as Paul
did of old, and that he must sooner or later become one of
Dick Merriwell’s best friends. They are waiting for this miracle
to be wrought, and say Burt L. Standish has done greater thing:
before. Be on the watch, therefore, and read the signs well.

(A letter from Ulinois.)

This is. my first attempt to write to the Applause, althiowitt
My brother takes T
Tor. It comes to him on Fridays, and we can hardly wait. for i
I think it fine. It is a model publication for the young.

If Mr. Tubbs will come out to Mlinois and make us a visi
Say, what is the matt
with Dale and Joe? They are all tight! Katie HARNE

A pleased reader tells other readers her opinion of the er at
Tip Top Wareiw. | We PEM?

I tals satiavond Tr Top from No. 1 up to the present ti
You will surely bear, me out in saying I am not so young a

when I began Tir Tor. When I say I am ever so anxious

the next number, you will ae I am still appreciative.
has given me in the

“3 3 ee: pens a er ye or eemeesvopy: to

 

Standish — a eo
writes three novels ahout Dick and his friends e niece ee
rhe Ph

VO

RO ee Pe De” OO

BS

Merriwell and their chums.

24h TOP

I like Tre Top very much, for you would think one foolish to
have read a book so long unless this were so. Frank was my
first love. Dick is his equal in every respect, and succeeds to a
place in-my heart. Frank is a very clever fellow. So is his
brother Dick. Of course, I was more than delighted that Frank
should choose Inza for his wife, because she was my favorite.
Dick has quite a career before him.
St. Louis, Mo. PAULINE SCHNEIDER.

Your name will appear on the Honor Roll.

(A letter from Michigan.)

I have been reading the Tip Top now for over four years, and
have read all the back numbers. I have never read a better
weekly; I think it is the king of them all. I have spent many
happy hours reading its fine athletic stories of Frank and Dick
I think all the characters are fine,

C, H. Symons.
The athletic stories are very popular.

For many years I have been a reader of your different papers,
and am writing to ask your aid in a project of mine.

I want to organize a Tip Top football-team, and I know there
are enough Trp Top readers in New York between the ages of
sixteen and eighteen to make up a first-class team.

I have read all of the Tip Tops to date, and am greatly ins
terested in your story of the “Rockspur Nine,” now running in
The pee Magazine. WALTER BARKHAN, ~

New York City.

This letter speaks for itself, and may appeal to readers who

are interested in football.

A few lines in praise of the “best ever’;

Tie’ Top, Tip Top,
Best of the bunch are you;
Your stories are witty, |
Your heroines pretty;
The heroes are’ bell-metal—true.
No one could ever deride you,
’Cept he were a fool or a fop;
King of the lot’s the opinion I’ve got
Of Tir, Tie T oP,

Tip Top, Tie Top,
Pick of them all are you;
Ten years in biz,
My: only hope is
_ You'll last till you’re twenty-two.
When I’m deep in your pages
Trouble and care seem to drop;
Clean, honest, and sound; filth never is ‘found
In Tip, Tip Top, |

Tie Tor, Tip Top,
First | in the field were you;
We others may read,
But only through. need—
‘We're waiting Tie Tor day come due.
fans to read your rivals,
sleep like an overfed “cop”; :
_ Well written and bright—all boys delight
In Tr, Tip Top.

; ‘Liverpool, England. F. N. Veins

at Tr Topr’s praises have many times been sung in pleasing
rse by enthusiastic readers ; and we are glad to receive a

are the:
are red and black.

|
a letter from Michigan.) .

I have fags 2 reader of Tip Tor, the king of weeklies, for
t four years, ae have ape never read a word of Applause from
e; so thought I would’ write and let you know that there

umber of us read dene appreciate its merits, even if we do
blicly express our opinions. _

am working in an office as bookkecper, and as I have a fiw

re hours each day, I find plenty of time to read Tip Top

-y week. Yesterday the aioe cana came "ig and found te

Tre OF. aa beg! said if he would

“Can any good come out of Nazareth?”

WEEKLY. 29

ashamed to be found reading five-cent books—why didn’t I cut
It out:

I told him I was proud to be found teading a book as fine as
Tip Top, etc. and he promised to read the next book published.
I think every character in Tie Tor O. K., but I like June the
best. I will close now for this time, with best wishes for the
future success of Tip Top. A BLuE-EYED MICHIGANDER.

Port Huron,

That is nice of our blue-eyed girl friend. We commend ‘your
action, No one need be ashamed of reading Tre Top. And if
the same stories were published in cloth, at a dollar each, rather
than at*the low price of fiye cents, there is hardly a minister in
the land but {who would gladly purchase them for his boy, recog-
nizing the splendid work that is being done among the youth of
America by the manly examples of Frank and Dick. It ‘seems
strange that so many persons condemn “cheap literature’ with-
out, examining its merits. The mere fact of its being a “five-
cent novel” stamps it in their minds as being worthless. They
seem to forget that people once upon a time asked with wonder,
Get these doubters: to
read, a copy, and nine times out of ten Tip Tor has gained a
new friend,

As I never have written to the Applause, I think it’s time I: vga

did express my mind of your king of weeklies. I have read the
weekly for a year now, and will always read it so long as Dick |
and Frank Merriwell are the heroes. ‘Frank J. LAvER -
New York City. A: -
Once a reader of Tie Top and it is seldom the ties can be
broken. Our boys find a subtle charm about the stories that
has never rested with any imitations. They seem to know the
characters personally.
Standish’s success as a Writer for young fellows.
catalogue you ask for has been mailed ere now.

That is the great secret of Burt L. ae
The Tw Tor, oy

Although a reader of your Tie Top for over six or seven years,
this is my first Applause letter... ;
I have read. your king of weeklies from No. 150 to the latest,

and I never. get tired of reading them.
I like Frank and thé old flock best. Pinta ky McGowan.
‘Boston, Mass. es :

So you prefer Frank and the old flock?

‘(A letter from Penn.)

I Kae been a subscriber for several years, and have bought all
of the back numbers. I think I ought to be entitled to a little
space in the Applatse column. ek

I think Tip Top is by far the best weekly I have ever read.

First, because the stories are interesting, helpful, and instructive.

Second, because the characters are so well described and seem
so true to life. Third, because it is a continued story of the
lives of Frank and Dick Merriwell. Fourth, because its heroes,
Frank and Dick, are all that any young American ‘could roe
to be. ©

I hope the Tip Tor will continue to be published for many”
years, i 7 Crype S. WeLts. ©

Your rease s for preferring Ts Tor to other publications are
good not and show x you appreciate a thing having aero

=a

yi

Af letter from far-away Idaho.)

The Ty To seems loyal to me, because the colors of Fardale

Same «as the colors of the State Normal School, which _
Luioyp SALOMAN,. ta

The team of the State Normal ‘Schoo! ought to win every. game, a
as it has the samye colors as Fardale. aries

‘

I ama “Foeduent reader of all your Sainents books: ait: also”
a lot of your ten-cent ones, I read all I can of them, and must
say that the Tir Top interests me most. eg are good, clean
ie = : and Rone. spat, > Leo Kasip, —

anila, P.

 
meh

_ you a few questions.

¥

Sey inches ; expanded, 13. inches,
are. my measurements compared with the aver:

; (A letter from Alabama.)

Pror. FourMEN: Being a constant reader of the Tir Top
WEEKLY, I hope you will grant me the privilege of asking a
few questions, Age, 15 years; weight, 124 pounds; calf, 14 inches;
~ thigh, 19 inches; waist, 30: inches; neck, 13 inches ; ‘chest, nor-
mal, 32 inches; expanded, 35 inches; biceps, 10% inches; €Xx-
panded, 12 inches. I do not smoke or drink.

A. F.. BAKgr.

Go t bed at 10:30 and get up at 6:30. You do a wise thing

to refrain from smoking and drinking.

Pror. FourMEN: Being a reader of the Tie Tor WEEKLY,
and as I shall continue reading it, I take the liberty of asking
I am 22 years of age. My measurements
,are as follows: Weight, 150 pounds; Height, 5 feet 9% inches;
chest, normal, 3514 inches; expanded, 30 inches; waist, 31%
inches; forearm; 10 inches; calves, 14 inches; thighs, 21 inches,
What kind of exercise will be best for me to indulge in?

Charleston, S. C. ; L. H. WEEKLEY.

Your proportions are very good, but you should take a course

in a gymnasium for the: purpose of general development.

¥

Pror. FourMEN : As I ‘have read the king of weeklies for some

| Ao fee I would like to take up a little corner of it to ask you a

I am 5 feet 734 inches tall, weigh 140 pounds;
my chést is 32 inches, I know it is much under the ordinary
size, and I would like to increase it. Which would you ataise
me to get—chest- weights or a rowing-machine?

Annapolis. A Tw Tor, Avwriies:

Your chest is considerably under size, but it can be increased
to normal by proper exercise, if kept up long enough. Chest-

cae questions.

weights are excellent, but, if you can afford it, get a rowing-

machine, as it is far more satisfactory,,

(A letter fain anit

Pror. Fourmen: I have read the Tie Top for quite await
and I thought I would send inymy measurements to find out my
_ weak points. I am nearly 17 years old; height, 5 feet 6 inches;
weight, 135 pounds; chest, 32 inches; expanded, ‘34. «inches;
wrist, 7% inches; calf, 14 inches; neck, iches ; biceps, 11 4
ik have cramps # my legs. How.
Bec boye After

tunning or exercising I breathe hard; what is th f this?.

é What exercise should I take after rising? Iam a cite after

idea: a game of ball my arm hurts. What is good to keep it
from getting sore, or from hurting after pitching?
Captain OF THE J. B. B. ae.
Your measurements, as compared with those of the average
boy of your age, are very good. If you run regularly, at a cer-

tain: time each day and over a certain specific distance, you will
find that the hard breathing 1 will not trouble you so much. Of
ourse, you must expect. some increase in your lung inflation fat

es, as. they al required to do more work than when

Meen-breating’: exerci ises “gin aise

science of physical eae

wei

BDITAD Bot es

PROF. FOURMEN

-and use dumb-bells. When your arm gives out after pitching,
rub it with arnica and rest for a few days.

Pror. Fourmen: As a special favor to one of Tie Tor’s
most earnest and longest readers, will you kindly tell me where
I can find a school where boys and young men are taught how to
become physical directors? A. WEISSBRATEN.

Brooklyn, N. Y.

Write to Bernarr Macfadden, publisher of the Physical Cul-—

‘ture Magazine, for the information you seek. He ‘has lately

established in New Jersey a school for teaching young men the

*

e (A letter from Michigan.)

Pror, Fourmen: As I am a constant reader of Tre Top, I
wish to ask you these questions: _I am 17 years old; weight,
115 pounds; height, 5 feet 5 inches; neck, 14 inches; chest, nor-
‘mal, 30 inches ; expanded, 33 inches; waist, 31 inches; forearms,
10 inches ; calves, 13 inches. I have catarrh in the head, and
don’t know how to get rid of it. I use boxing-gloves and play
baseball. I do not smoke at all. Does beer affect one? I
drink 8 or 9 glasses a day. Let me know if I can take any at
Mek ae biaenkeceu a little. I am ee to be a er :
and all-round athlete. ‘ Au, J. CHRISTE.

I am amazed to hear that ani one who drinks 8 glasses ee
beer should expect to become an athlete. If you wish to do
anything in that line, avoid all intoxicating beverages and. to-
bacco in all’ its forms. Snuff cold water up the nostrils several |
times a day and it will cure your catarrh. You can become >
quite an athlete if you give up bad habits, sae on a simple diet, ,
and exercise regularly. a

Pror. FourMEN: Being a constant andes of Tip Top for
- some time, I take the liberty of ‘asking you a few questions. —

Age, 15 years; biceps, 9 inches; waist, 28 inches; height, 5 feet

- 2 inches. Work in office from 7 A, ’M. to 5:30 P. M. Pla ay

ball often. Ride bicycle. A LanerAa eee
Opelousas, La.

Continue your outdoor sports, and exercise morning and night:

‘ with pulley-weights; also take the U. S. A. exercises tone :

apparatus.
cicadas
Pror. oeasebis I am a constant reader of the Tip Tor
WEEKLY, and am an admirer of. Frank, Dick, and all thei
_ friends, and also of! Frank’s wife.
Therefore, I thought I would take ih iaiec of your

ness and ask you a few questions as to your opinion of
measurements,

My weight is 137 pounds; height, 5 foot 7 inches: chest 1
mal, 3314 inches; expanded, 38 inches; biceps, 11 inches;
arm, 934 inches ; waist, 201/ inches ; neck, 14% nee

19%. inches; calves, 14% inches; age, 15 years.

What is a good help. for a cigarette fiend ? yagi
Trenton, Ds I ie

~ Your physique As’ not badly proportioned Hes re ra

 
  
   
   
    
    
    
 

   
  

TIP TOP WEEKLY. : 3r

being a cigarette fiend, I wish to state that you must give up (A letter from Ohio.)

the coffin-nails if you expect to enjoy good health. Exercise  Pror. Fourmen: Being a reader. of the Tip Tor for some
your will-power, and give up ihe use of the weed at once, time, I would like to ask you a few questions. Age, 16 years;
Bacal y Saekihens vai are aoe + d tt age: te don’t height, 5 feet 2 inches; weight, 118 pounds; neck, 14% inches;
aan y Sere , SOURS POs AR WAST Cur the YOR GGA t, biceps, 9544 inches; biceps expanded, 1144 inches; forearms, 10

they will bring you to an early grave. inches; chest, 31 inches; chest expanded, 35 inches; waist, 28

inches; thighs, 17% inches; calves, 13% inches.

. (A letter from Illinois.) McCrure ALBRIGHT.

Pror. Fourmen: As I am a constant reader of the “King of After you have exercised properly for a few months and lived

Weeklies,” I will take the liberty of asking you a few questions oy 3 diet of fattening foods, you will find that your weight has
in regard to my measurements. Age, 13 years 11 months;

| weight, 117 pounds; height, 5 feet 4 inches; chest normal, 30‘ increased considerably, something that is necessary in your
f inches; expanded, 33 inches; biceps, 10 inches; waist, 2934 case if you expect to come up to normal standards.
inches; calves, 13 inches. Two ‘months ago I weighed 123 ;
pounds, and now I weigh 117, but have been training on 50-yard Pror. FourMEN # Being a constant reader of your Tip Top
dash. I use a pair of Spalding’s grip machines. Do you think | Weexry, I would Me 40cask “a few questions, My measure-
_ the above enough for my age? I forgot to say I am a photog- ments-are, viz.: Age, 17 years; height, 5 feet 6% inches; weight,
_ rapher. Do you think that will disagree with my health? 122 pounds; neck, 1314 inches; chest normal, 31 inches; ex~-
A Tie Top Worm, panded, 33 inches; biceps normal, 10 inches; expanded, 11
Husert TURNER. inches; waist, 28 inches; thigh, 19 inches; calf, 13 inches. Is
You are fairly well proportioned for one of your age. Do _ ice-cream or soda injurious? I am very thin. What can I do
not train too hard. Let up on your excessive work for awhile t© make myself heavier?
‘ : : Portland, Me.
-and confine your exercises to light dumb-bell work. Your occu- ‘ : ‘
pation should not interfere with your health if you observe ordi- Read the answers to recent letters in which I have advised
nary care. readers as to means for increasing weight. Too much ice-
cream and soda-water is injurious.

 

 
 

 

 
        
         
   
       
    
 
   
 

      
      
 
   

  

 

   

 

_ Pror. Fourmen: My age is 15 years; height, 5 feet 614 inches; ‘ rae
weight, 140 pounds; neck, 1514 inches; chest normal, 32 inches; Pror. FouRMEN ! Since last writing you, about a year ago, I
‘expanded, 34 inches; waist, 29 inches; upper arm, 1234 inches; have increased in weight 14 pounds, chest development about 2
lower arm, 12% inches; thigh, 20 inches; calves, 14 inches. I inches, and in strength about 50 per cent. I hope you can help
play both football and baseball. Which am I best adapted for? me as well on the following questions: r.. Is 136. pounds suffi-
Chehalis, Wash. | A. F. W. cient —, i boy 17 years 5 feet 8 inches a 2. Is it ee
ae éf in running high jump to follow a common method or to adopt
You ought to do well, both as a baseball player and a foot- style one considers better? 3. I can clear about 4 feet 9 inches.
ball-player. How is that? 4. How high is it possible for one to. vault with
ee it only a 10-foot pole? I can go about 8 feet. How is that?
Pror. FourMEN: I am 16 years 6 months old; 5 feet 8 inches 5. Isn’t it best for one desiring more weight to go through
tall, and- weigh 146 pounds. My measurements are: Neck, 1444 exercise sets with rather tense muscles? ; Ambitious ATHLETE. .
inches; chest normal, 351% inches; expanded, 38% inches; waist, Wolfe City, Texas.’ Q :
29% inches; thighs, 2074 inches; calves, 14/4 inches; biceps, 12% 1. No; you should weigh at least 145 pounds. 2. In athletic

inches ;, forearm, 111% inches.. AcoB HEILWEIL. : ; ii
Nes Miter 1: A J work in general one gets the best results by following the method 8

  
  
         
  
 

    
 

 

 
  

          
   
       

     
 

     
 
 
  

 

 

 

     
 

        
 

    
 
 

    
 

° You have no particularly weak points. Skill in jumping tomes best ae to ie ae F’ a 3. Your ee + aa
- to one only after several seasons of practise. Make sure that V°TY 8004, 4 +t all depends upon the person jumping. Your )
ou are in good training. {re record is very good. §. Yes. p 5 o

BER ie P ‘< - = *) Sieg

_ Pror. Fourmen: Havihg been a reader of Trp Topforanum- 1» *S& GOLDEN HOURS.” yee
ber of years, I will take the liberty to ask you a few questions. es. 5 : ae
ow are my measurements? Age, 20 years; weight, 187 pounds; Boys, have: you any old numbers of Golden Hours? ¢
ght, 5 feet 11 inches; chest normal, 41 inches; expanded, é : i ¥ ’ ae
hes; waist, 35 inches; biceps, 12 to 14 inches; forearm, 12% Will pay liberally for Nos. 1 to 23 to complete my files. Re

hes ; neck, 15% inches ; thighs, 22 inches; calves, 15 inches. s

: Roz Rov. _-If you have any of these numbers, write me.
-Youi are well proportioned and seem to have a good physique. Address WitLiams, Station ‘‘O,” Box 24, New York City.

     

 

 

  

  
 

f .

 TIP_TOP BASEBALL TOURNAMENT IS NOW OPEN _/

| _‘ The two teams which, at the end of the season, have the highest average—the members of sé
4 which play the greatest number of games, score the most runs and have lost the least number +.
of games, will be declared the winners. Of the two winning teams, the one having the ‘e re oa
higher average will be declared the TIP TOP CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM OF THE ALL- Dee
| AMERICAN BASEBALL TOURNAMENT FOR 1906, and will receive a large pennant
bearing the above device. Each winning team will receive a full equipment for nine
members, consisting of trousers, shirt, stockings, shoes and cap. Is this not
worth working for, boys ? pte ve | pte en

DON’T FAIL TO SEND IN YOUR COUPON AT ONCE,
No notice taken of any score not entered on a coupon. Coupons must be

Rea
*
& ,
. '
& - ‘ \

  

x

      
    
 

    
   
 
 

  
 
    

 

  
IF eee, er ad BACK NUMBERS of our libraries and cannot procure them from newsdealers, they can be obtained from this office dicoons

ss Gat ont and fill following order blank and send it to us with the price of the books you want and we will send them to you by nevare
mee POSTAGE STAMPS TAKEN TH

  

  

 

 

  

ISSUED EVERY FRIDAY

HANDSOME COLORED COVERS

 

Never has Burt L. Standish written such interesting tales of the —
adventures of the Merriwell brothers, Frank and Dick, as are now appear-
MreStandish has a world-wide circle of friends and —
he ts putting forth his best efforts to amuse and entertain them. Boys, -
you have no idea of what a grand feast he is preparing for you,
Top’s stories are going to astonish you. Do not fail to get it.

PRICE FIVE CENTS PER COPY

For sale hy all newsdealers, or sent, postpaid, by the publishers upon receipt of price in money or postage stamps =

ing in this weekly.

Tip

 

ie

HERE ARE THE LATEST TITLES: = = =  ~

520—Frank Merriwell’s Aids; or “The Secret Order of
Scalp-Lifters.”

eee Merriwell’s Visit; or, Hot Times at Farnham

all. ,

522—Dick Merriwell’s Retaliation; or, Fardale Against
Farnham Hall.

523—Dick Merriwell’s Rival; or, Dale Sparkfair at Far-
dale.

524—Frank Merriwell’s Young Crew; or, The Mystery
of the Boat-house,

525—Frank Merriwell’s Fast Nine; or, Champions. of
the County.

526—Frank Merriwell’s Athletic-field; of, The Great
Meet at Bloomfield.

; 527—Dick Merriwell’s Reprisal; or, The Clash of the

Champions.
528—Dick Merriwell Dared; or, The Grapple at Wells-
burg.

re Merriwell’s Dismay; or, The Departure of
une.

530—Frank Merriwell’s Son; or, The Mark of the Star.

531—Frank Merriwell’s Old Flock; or, The Reunion at

Merry House.
532—Frank Merriwell’s House-Party; or, The Rustle
_ with the Rovers. «

J

 

hehe 2 oastieins iit desea

533—Dick Merriwell’s Summer Team; or, Baseball in —
the Blue Hills.

534—Dick Merriwell’s Demand; or, The Draw at Mad- _
awaska. |

535——Dick Merriwell’s Slabmate; or, The Boy from
Bloomfield.

536-~«Frank Merriwell’s Summer Camp; or, The Athletic-
school -in the Woods. :

537—Frank Merriwell’s Proposal; or, Starting the Sport
in the League. a

538—Frank, Merriwell’s Spook-hunters; or, The Mys- —
terious Island of Mad Lake. z

539—Dick Merriwell’s Check; or, The Hot Bunch From
Happy Camp.

Cg A RE one

 

 

540-2 Dick Mertiwell's Sacrifice; or, Team Work That pe
Told. Re:
54I—Dick Merriwell’s Heart; or, Breaking the Hard
} Luck Streak. on
542—Frank Merriwell’s New Auto; or, The Lure to 4
Destruction. the

543—Frank Merriwell’s Pride; or, The Double-Header a
at Pineville. 1 ak
544—Frank Merriwell’s Young Whiter: or, The Stars
_ in the Blue Hills. aes
ae Merriwell’s Lead; or, Bound to Hold ‘- a
Place. \ e “4

 

    
 

 

 

 

SAMB AS MONEY.
STREET & SMITH, Publishers, 79 Seventh Avenue, New York City.

 

Gentlemen :—Hanclosed find..........+. cents for which Please sénd me: 3

Meee nae TOP ty cians s adh bot evobleasdnlshavendasis bday copies of BUFFALO BILL NOG sscnepedevesdicusassoudebautapienee
 weessaee “NICK CARTER NOB. cceesesesecascaseneencensavenacetese |. gaaccens “ “BRAVE AND BOLD Nos............ abwaacdecgasaenssndensecwn
ceaeecas “DIAMOND DICK | P Wasson ee oe SF abcank co ROUGH SABRI; S¥apo0e+-css akg anacedcesdgl Perea e
a seemaneceersscnge Aatesennacaeaae Rae hinse LO Wikis ed helssc se hblauauwemus Stato. Neue eocanae eae saa

© NAMIC. nnerenensonnennsennseronnaesesnensas Street and No. waa

 

°

   
 

 

   
 
     

      

    
  
  

   
  

     
 
  

THE FAVORITE LIST

OF FIVE-CENT LIBRARIES

    

 

 

 

 

   

| Dee ey Nt

pee ier Maggs he -s

 

 

DIAMOND DICK WEEKLY

Tee Bore Sen The demand for stirring stories of Western adventure is admir-

: il ably filled by this library. Every up-to-date boy ought to read
just how law and order are established and maintained on our
Western plains by Diamond Dick, Bertie and Handsome Harry.

   
  

    

 
    

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

MIGHT AND MAIN

These are stories of the adven-
tures of boys who succeeded in
climbing the ladder of fame by
honest effort. No more inter-
esting tales can be imagined.
Each number is at least one-third
longer than the ordinary five-
cent library.

BUFFALO BILL STORIES
pure ILL

Moicarea es! Son = ke =e)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Buffalo Bill is the hero of a
an thousand exciting adventures
.|{ among the Redskins. These are
i given to our boys only in the
’ Buffalo Bill Stories. They are

| bound to interest and please you.

   

   

 

 

  
   
 
 
 
 
  
   
   

NICK CARTER WEEKLY __

We know, boys, that there is
no need of introducing to you |\&
Nicholas Carter, the greatest | he )
sleuth that ever lived. Every | .S-
number containing the adven- ||
tures of Nick Carter has a peculiar, | >
but delightful, power of fascina-
tion.

    
       
     
      
   

 

   

Ted Strong was appointed dep- | 7
uty marshal by accident, but he
resolves to use his authority and
rid his ranch of some very tough || ,>”
bullies. He does it in such a slick
way that everyone calls him
“King of the Wild West” and he
certainly deserves his title.

   
  

  
  
  
 

TEDSIRONG KING Yee WIDEST)

“+. Winning a lown by a Ride
} ey a

  

    
 
     
   

 

    

 

 

 

] Every boy who prefers variety
: a) in his reading matter, ought to
| be a reader of Brave and Bold.
el All these were written by authors
_ || who are past masters in the art
ey | of telling boys’ stories. Every
tale is complete in itself.

  
 

 

 

 

 

BOWERY BOY LIBRARY
The adventures of a poor waif | eve

 
      

   

whose only name is ‘‘Bowery aa ae
Billy.” Billy is the true product ponetoes
of the streets of New York. No
boy can read the tales of his trials
without imbibing some of that
resource and courage that makes | =) Gu
the character of this homeless boy |jh~ —-#uu
stand out so prominently. a

   
       
 
 

 

 
   
 
      
  

 

 

 

 

 
     
 

 

THE TIP TOP WEEKLY

Boys, Frank Merriwell has opened a school of physical devel-
opment. He has gathered all of his old-time comrades about him
and their adventures are wonderfully interesting. These are cer-
tainly the best tales of athletic adventure.