No.8 SEPTEMBER 21,1912 5 CENTS.

 

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No. 8.

Frank Merriwell,

NEW YORK, September 21, 1912.

Price Five Cents.

Junior’s, Danger;

Or, THE CROSS-COUNTRY RACE.

By BURT L. STANDISH.

CHAPTER I,
A CASE OF “SOUR GRAPES.”

“Oh, jingo,” gasped Owen Clancy, stifling a roar of
laughter, “just look at that! Talk about your ground
and lofty tumbling! Say, Spink, that scrub pitcher ought
to be doing a stunt in vaudeville.”

Clancy addressed his remarks to a runner who was
taking a dangerous lead off first. Clancy, for the scrubs,
had charge of the initial bag. Young Merriwell was
playing short, and Billy Ballard was on third. Handy,
of the regular nine, was dancing off second. . There was
no one out and the third man up was waiting at the plate
for the first ball to come over.

It was a practice game between the Ophir Athletic
Club’s best performers on the diamond and a scrub team
gotten together out of the club’s left-overs. Merriwell
and his chums, Clancy and Ballard, had been drafted into
the scrub ranks by Rynder, who was coaching the players
for the O. A. C.

There had been muttered protests from many of the
players over what they considered a gratuitous slight put
upon Merry and his two friends by the coach. The lads
from the East had not been long in Ophir, Arizona, but
they had been long enough in the place to win the good
will of all the inhabitants by their athletic prowess, and

- to have tendered.them every right and privilege of the

club. They should have had honored places on the regu-
lar nine, so most of the members of the O. A. C. thought,
instead of wasting their abilities with the scrubs,

Young Merriwell, however, had a different idea. A
poor scrub team, he knew, is a mighty poor vehicle for
whipping a regular team into form. He and his friends
were content to play with the makeshift nine, and to do
their best. Frank saw no slight in Rynder’s notion, al-
though Clancy and Ballard averred that if Rynder really
wanted to add strength to the scrubs, he would have put
Merry in the pitcher’s box instead of at short.

The scrub pitcher was putting up a weird and wonder-
ful performance. Each batter landed on. his delivery
with joyous vigor, and only swift work in the outfield
kept down the home runs. He was, nevertheless, a con-
scientious worker, and had a surprise or two in his box |
of tricks, and he sprung one of them just as Clancy »
finished his comments to Spink.

Instead of letting the ball go at the batter, quick
as a flash he whirled and drove it at Clancy. Spink was
neatly caught. Clancy jumped the sphere over to sec-
ond, and Handy was touched out a yard from the bag.
It was so sudden and unexpected that everybody was
dazed. eae

It was the only thing the scrub pitcher had done that
called for commendation, and Chip Merriwell looked for
a little applause from Rynder. To his surprise it did
not come. ,

“What's the matter with you, Bonehead?” Rynder
shouted angrily.
capers and deliver a few hard balls?

Every man up _
has hit you all over the lot.” - aa .

 

“Can’t you cut out the preliminary ~
 
  

w-

A swift color mounted into the long, meager face of the
pitcher. Leaving his post, he walked deliberately off
the diamond and to the bench where Rynder was sitting.

“My name is Birkhead, not Bonehead,” said he quietly
but firmly. “If you wanted to call me ‘Bonehead, why
didn’t you do it while I was being pounded out of the

box? Why did you put it off until now? .

“T know my business,” snapped Rynder,
don’t know yours.”

“Y’m not a pitcher,” continued Birkhead, “and don’t

pretend to be. If you are so anxious to give the regu-
lars a few hard balls, why don’t you put Merriwell: in
the box? And if you want to show how a real batsman
should face a real pitcher, why don’t you walk to the
plate and pull off a little stickwork? We could all learn
something, I reckon, by watching you and Merriwell.
ih, fellows?”
. Sympathy and approval were all. with Birkhead.. He
had been told to pitch and he had pitched. Possibly he
had accentuated his awkwardness in the box—-he may
have added a few frills to his “winding up” for a throw
—but certainly he had done nothing to draw down on
him a term which he considered an insult.

Rynder got up from the bench, his face a little white
under its tan.

“Go back to your place, Birkhead!” he ordered sharply.

“T couldn’t learn to twirl in a. thousand years, and my
place is. here.” W ith that Birkhead .dropped his lanky
form on the bench. “I’m hungry to see you knock Mer-
riwell,out of the box, Rynder.. Go to it!”

_. Rynder was a man who loved to be in the spotlight.
He wanted. to be considered an authority on athletics, but
shirked a personal.exposition of the requirements of the
game. He liked to be active as a critic and monitor,
and to have his instructions received. and his orders car-
ried out with abject submission by the real workers, but
he drew the line at doing any real work himself.
_.There may have been a concerted movement afoot
to put Rynder to a test, a movement that had reached a
climax through this sudden rebellion of Birkhead. Ryn-
der’s showy and. high-handed methods were disliked by
the club members... No one had ever seen him in baseball
_6r football togs, or in running or jumping costume, and
there was general wonder as to what he might be good
for in a practical way. Here, perhaps, was a_ subtle
move to force him. out of his. shell.
_ ®That’s the talk!” shouted Hannibal Bradlaugh from
a player’s bench. “Put Merriwell in the box, Rynder,
and. then you.tear off a few three-baggers and “home
Tuns sO we can see how to do the trick, You'll open
our eyes, I'll bet!”
“Sure he will, Brad!” cried Spink Sp abeeaatty. | Th
* pair like Merriwell and Rynder will make us all sit up
and. take notice.”
_... Everybody was re for the proposed exhibition.
Rynder looked around at the players with a sickly, hesi-
_ tating smile. How could he show the white feather with-
out dropping way down in the estimation of the club?
His. prestige, which he had carefully nursed up to that
time, was in danger. The props were becoming insecure
and he was tottering to a fall. The sickly smile seemed
frozen about his lips. Mechanically, as though impelled
to the act by a force outside of himself, he began remov-
ing his coat. Then, abruptly, ‘his face cleared as if by
nagic. . An idea had come to him and muc h me his Ln
se i-confidence Fesreiss EN a ar Saath Pig pis ot

“even if you

    
 

     
 

 

NEW TIP TOP WEEKLY. bc

-over the heads of these fellows.

  
 

“How about it, Merriwell?” he laughed. “Shall wes
jump in and hand the boys a few samples?”

“I’m here to do whatever you think best, Rynder,”
Frank answered, with the ghost of a smile. é Spek

“All right. You get in the box and let Birkheac play oe
short. I'll go to bat. Just a moment,” he added, step- —
ping apart from the crowd and beckoning to Merriwell
to follow.

As soon as Merry had joined him, Rynder laid an
arm across his shoulders and drew his head close.

“Just put over a few easy ones, Merriwell,’ he whis-
pered....‘‘Anything fancy in the way of balls would be
seet!”

“Yes,” Merry answered, “I see.” ge

Already he had taken Rynder’s sizing. When Frank
and his friends had first reached Ophir, Rynder had |
taken a stand against them which was something more it
than officious. Yet Frank cherished no hard feetings and te
had no desire to humiliate the coach. )

Merry went into the box and Rynder stepped con-
fidently to the plate, bat in hand. An easy ball cut the
plate squarely in the center. Rynder swung at it—and .
missed! Merriwell’s astonishment knew no bounds. ~ :

No yell of derision greeted the failure of the coach
to connect with that easy ball. There was a dead silence fy
over the whole field. There are times, however, when ;
silence spéaks louder than words. “Strike!” yelled the 4
umpire, his voice breaking the stillness that had endured :
for a space that seemed to register itself in minutes 1)
rather than seconds.

“What ate you trying to do there, Chip ?”

“Why don’t you pitch?

Owen Clancy remembered the disagreeable things Ryn-
det fiad done, following the arrival of himself, "Merry,
and Ballard in Ophir, and was not disposed to see Rynder
come off too easily from his ordeal.

Again, however, Merry gave the batter a straight, fair
ball. Rynder let it go by with a jeer.

“Why don’t you put ‘em over?” he called.

“Strike two!” bawled the umpire.

The catcher laughed. “Good eye, Herman,” said he,
but he said it in a voice that made Rynder turn on him
with an angry retort.

The third try Merry made should have been good fora =
single, at least. Rynder went after it hard—so hard that
he flung himself to his knees and the bat sailed out of
hig hands. Again he had pounded the air!

“Striker out!” cried the umpire, his voice husky and
badly controlled.

There were no jeers, no catcalls, no joshing. “The
scrubs came trotting in and the regulars went trotting -
out. There was a grimness in the face of each player, 4
nevertheless, which no one who saw it could fail to jf
understand, Young Merriwell was genuinely sorry, al- |
though his surprise over Rynder’s poor performance was sf,
still as great as ever. inl

“Hard luck, old man,” said Frank, pausing by the ~
plate while Rynder picked himself up and dusted Ofe ea
the knees of his trousers.

“You worked it well!” gritted Rynder, lifting his face
for an evil look at Merry. ‘You wanted to show off at —
my expense—and you succeeded. Well, this isn’t the end —
of this. You're the first man up, and r m going into, the |
box and fan you. Vineet stand that? You can’t make

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the delighted Birkhead,

and down like an enraged animal behind steel bars.

and had been in Ophir less than a week!

 
 

, | NEW TIP TOP WEEKLY. 3

Frank’s face lost some of its amiability and a flash
leaped ‘from his dark eyes.

“I didn’t pitch, Rynder,” said he sharply, “but just
tossGd you the easiest balls I could. Clancy saw it, and
so did Ballard. It’s not my fault if you failed to line
one out.”

Rynder muttered a savage epithet ‘under his breath.
“Wait!” he scowled; “this isn’t the end of this.”

Had he shown a different spirit, Merriwell might have
struck out purposely for nothing else than to salve the
injured feelings of the coach; but to be accused of show-
ing off at Rynder’s expense, when he had favored the
coach by every means in his power, sent him to bat
with another purpose in mind.

All the players felt that a little drama was being
enacted, there on the diamond, which might have far-
reaching results. Not one of the lads but felt that
Merry had sunk his ability as a pitcher in a generous
attempt to help Rynder on his way around the bases;
and there was not one who could not see the churlish-
ness of the coach over his disastrous failure to hit the
ball:. A dead silence once more settled over the field.
Up in the balcony of the clubhouse a man could be seen
leaning over the rail, studying the players through a pair
of field glasses.

If Birkhead was awkward in the box, Rynder was even
more so. He “wound up” with a series of grotesque
gyrations, and when he made his delivery Frank had to
drop in order to avoid being hit by the ball.

“Don’t kill him, Rynder,” begged Ballard, with great
solicitude, from the bench. “We need him for a while
yet.”

The ball got away from the catcher, and after he had
sprinted after it and sent it back into the diamond,
Rynder went into another flurry. When the sphere
finally issued from all that maze of contortions, it was
greeted with a crack like the report of a firearm, and
Merriwell trotted around the bases. for a homerun.

Then the yelling broke loose; and, while pandemonium
reigned, Rynder rushed for the bench, picked up his
coat, and streaked away to the clubhouse. Frank was
on his way in from third while the enraged Rynder was
hustling across the cinder path to the quarter-mile track.
With mingled feelings of regret for the discomfiture of
the coach, and of wonder at the coach’s poor showing,
he stood on the’home plate and watched him vanish into
the clubhouse.

“We brought him to a show-down, fellows!” cried
“and he takes it like a cad! It’s
a plain case of sour grapes, Merriwell. Don’t fret about
it. ”

But Merry wasn’t fretting. He was only trying to
guess what the result would be

CHAPTER IL.
“LISTENERS HEAR NO GOOD OF THEMSELVES.”

Rynder had left the ball ground in a huff. He was
filled with .a wild, unreasoning rage against young Mer-
riwell. Plunging into a small room where the directors
of the athletic club held their meetings, Rynder paced up
Who
was this Merriwell, anyhow, that he should come to
Ophir and deliberately go about undermining his—Ryn-
der’s—influence in the club? He was a rank outsider,

 

Rynder had

been a coach and athletic instructor in the club for a
year. Nobody had ever picked any flaws in his work
until Merriwell came. And yet this upstart—this won-
derfully proficient, all-around athlete—in just a few min-
utes of baseball practice had discredited Rynder and
made him the laughingstock of the club!

Why couldn't he hit them? Rynder paused in his rage
for a few lucid moments of wonder. Why couldn’t he
hit Merriwell? That was it. The sphere, just at the
critical moment, had shot over, or under, or around the
end of that swiftly moving bat. Merriwell had done it
purposely, and in the face of Rynder’s request for a few

“easy ones.’

This was Rynder’s only reason fer believing that Mer-
riwell had duped him. The real reason, and the one that
Rynder totally lost sight of, was altogether different.
Rynder was facing a test with shaking nerves. He
wanted to make good and yet felt that it was not in
him to do so.

Rynder likewise deceived himself with the thought that
Merriwell had wanted to humiliate him. Only blind
prejudice, and a willingness to go far afield in justify-
ing himself, could have inspired such an idea.

If Rynder, instead of rushing off in a fit of sulks, had
accepted the situation good- -naturedly y, he would have
won Merriwell’s respect no less than the respect of all
the other fellows on the field. But his pride had been
touched, and Rynder’s overweening pride was his most
vital part.

Little by little the temperature of Rynder’s feelings
dropped toward normal. As reason forced its way into
his swirling emotions, the fact that he had made a fool
of himself began to claim his attention. Here was an-
other staggering blow to his pride. He dropped into a
chair, fumbled through his coat for a cigar, moodily fired.
the weed,-and began to smoke. x

It would take nerve to go back among the club mem-
bers again and recover the ground he had lost. Even
if he had the nerve, could he recover the lost ground?
The players had discovered that he was a coach who
couldn’t play the game. A pretty big hole had been
knocked in the wall behind which he had been screening
himself. That hole, it seemed, would: get bigger and big-
ger until no wall was left.

Here was scant encouragement for Rynder. He
puffed moodily at his cigar, wondering if he could not
regain his old standing among the club members by pilot-
ing the O. A. C. team to victory in the forthcoming
cross-country race with Gold Hill? Rynder knew more
about track and cross-country work than he did about
baseball or football. In fact, he had laid out the cross-
country course, and if he could send a team over it to
victory he would have a very fine feather to put in his
cap. If there was one thing more than another that
Ophir desired in this world, it was to beat Gold Hill in
that cross-country race.

Here, at last, Rynder began to feel a little hope.
would get back among the club members; he would laugh

away their covert jeers and flings, and he would turn ©

humiliation into a personal success by ae the Ophir
cross-country team to victory.
He began to feel better.
ing the directors’ room and going over to the gymnasium
when he heard voices from the other side of the parti- |
tion. The reading room and library was in that direc-
tion, and the sounds Rynder heard canned him to. sit,

He =

He was on the point of leav-

      
   
   
    
  
 
   
   
   
   
   
  
   
    
  
    
 

*
‘tensely and to cock up one ear. Yes, one of those voices
belonged to Bradlaugh; and the other—yes, he was sure
of it!the other voice was Merriwell’s.

What could Bradlaugh and Merriwell be talking about ?
On the instant Rynder was fired with curiosity. As the
mumble continued beyond the wall, suspicion lifted its
snakelike head in Rynder’s mind. Very carefully and
quietly he got up and drew the table over to the parti-
tion. Then he mounted the table, and, with ‘his fingers,
pulled a tin disk from a stovepipe hole in the boards,
On the reading-room side, as he well knew, the round
‘hole was concealed by a picture.

Through the hole thus opened, the conversation of
Bradlaugh and Merriwell came distinctly.

“TI was up in the clubhouse balcony,” Bradlaugh was
saying, “watching the practice with a pair of field glasses.
Of course I couldn’t hear what was said, Merriwell, but
I saw everything. Rynder went to bat and you fanned
him; then Rynder pitched for you and you made a home
run. That was Rynder’s cue to rush from the field
like a bear with a sore head.”

“Tt wasn’t a fair test of Rynder’s ability, Mr. Brad-
laugh,” Merriwell answered. “He was excited and
nervous and couldn’t work well.”

“T don’t think excitement and nervousness had very
much to do with it. For a long while. I’ve been of the
opinion that Rynder, as an athlete, is a pretty poor stick.
[ don’t think I ever saw him in a pair of spiked shoes.
i The only good coach is the man who can get into a
game and show those he is coaching how every part of

the work ought to be done. Rynder, is not that sort of
man, Merriwell.”’

Merriwell did not reply to this. After a little silence,

Bradlaugh went on.

“You know how intense a rivalry there is, in an ath-
letic way, between Ophir and Gold Hill. For the past
year Gold Hill has made Ophir take a back seat in every
event our games committee has arranged. The way our
_ eleven was slammed around the Gold Hill gridiron last

November was simply awful. And last spring our show-
ing on the diamond was just as poor. And so it has
been ever since Rynder was given a say in the Ophir
coaching. We have good material here, and I think we
could win our share of athletic events if the material
was properly whipped into shape. I have suspected for
some time, and now I’m beginning to feel positive, that
_ Rynder is a weak link in the Ophir chain.”
_ “T wouldn’t be too hard on Rynder,” said Merriwell.
“There's a doubt, and I'd give him the benefit of it.”

“Speaking as an individual, and not as president of
this athletic club,’ returned Bradlaugh, “I have more
pity for the fellow than. anything else. His conceit is
‘go monumental that it resolves itself into a mental weak-
ness. And he’s nothing more than a four-flusher. With
such a man, Merriwell, one can bear, as an individual;
but in my official capacity, as president of the O, A. C,,
T’ve got to consider what all this means to the club’s
prestige and success.”
Young Merriwell had nothing to say to that, either,

_and after a short silence the president of the club con-
tinted: | 4
_ “The only bright ray from the dark cloud of a year’s
_ defeats, came to Ophir when, the other day, running
for this club, you defeated a Gold Hiller in the one-

¥ !

 

     

 

NEW TIP TOP WEEKLY. hg

twenty hurdles. Of course, that was not strictly a com- .

petition between the two clubs. You faced against ‘an The intruders, in turn, stared at Rynder. For pos-

 
     

ex-professional, masquerading as an amateur, solely iim
the interest of right and justice. Ophir, nevertheless, is
pluming itself on the result.. The only basis for this feel-
ing is in your remarkable work at the hurdles—arjg you
are not even a member of the club!” Bradlaugh could
be heard to chuckle. “You and Clancy and Ballard have
cards, and are adinitted to all the privileges of the club,
but you are not part of this organization. Merriwell, |
vant you and your friends with us. If you will become
active members, as sure as shooting, the O.-A. C. will
have a‘ different record next year from the one it had
last. What do you say?” :

“I’d like nothing better, Mr. Bradlaugh,’ answered
Merry, “only, as ‘it happens, | am not my own boss—
just at present.”

“Not your own boss?”

“Dad sent me here from Sandstone, California. He
didn’t tell me what I was to come for. All he wrote
was that I must come to Ophir and stay here until he
sent further instructions. I may get a letter any day,
keeping me here or sending me somewhere else. You
see how it is. I’m on waiting orders. Anything I can
do. while I’m waiting, Mr. Bradlaugh, I'll be glad to
try my hand at; but as for becoming a permanent men-
ber of the club, that’s out of the question.” Ht

“I’m sorry,’ said the elder man. “All I hope is that, He
when you find what your work is to be, it will be of
stich a nature as to keep you here and allow you to be-
come one of us. You can join the club anyhow, even
if you don’t become a permanent member. I'd like to
have you do this so as to take part in the cross-country
run, which will take place in a few days, and in which
the O. A. C. will meet the Gold Hillers. I not only
want you and: your friends to take part in the run, but |
want you to be captain of the cross-country team and do
the coaching.”’

“That's Rynder’s work, isn’t it?” Merriwell asked.’

“It would have been his work if 1 hadn’t decided to
ask you to take his place.’

“T don’t want to butt in like that, Mr. Bradlaugh. It
would only create hard feeling rm

“Nonsense! What can Rynder expect after the ex- |
hibition of himself which he made on the ball field?
We- .
Eavesdropping was not proving at all pleasant for
Rynder. He had heard himself frankly discussed, and ~
his sensitive nature must have shriveled under the ordeal.
But the most disagreeable event, so far as Rynder was
personally concerned, happened while he was on the
table, his ear glued to the stovepipe hole. The door
of the room opened, and Hannibal Bradlaugh, the son
of the president, came in with his crutch and_ his
baridaged ankle. Just behind Hannibal were Owen
Claney and Billy Ballard.

Fate has a good deal to do with things like this. There mee
were days at a timé when fio one ever ventured into - 4%
the directors’ room. And yet, at this time of all times,
here came Bradlaugh, Clancy, and Ballard! _

There followed a dramatic, almost a tragic, moment.
Rynder was discovered in a most contemptible act— —
discovered in such a way that there could not be the —
shadow of a doubt regarding his intent and putpose. He-
stood as though paralyzed on the table, the side of his |
face to the opening in the partition, his wild eyes staring _
at the intruders. . Be eT a

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sibly half a dozen seconds no one spoke. Then Rynder
recovered himself, after a fashion.

“While I was in here,” said he,
out! of the hole. | pulled the table over
up to put it back.”

A lie never helps a man out of a bad situation. Some-
times it seems to do so, but in the end it only makes a
bad situation worse. In this particular case the lie was
so transparent that it excited nothing but derision.

“Rynder,’cried Hannibal, ‘you're a sneak—as well as
some other things I’m not going to mention. You pulled
out the piece of tin and got up there to hear what pop
and Chip had to say to éach other. Fine business!”

Rynder was so shaken by the discovery that Clancy
felt sorry for him. Ballard experienced no sentiments
of the sort and began to jeer.

“You’re the chap that was ‘going to keep Chip, Clancy,
and me out of Ophir!’ he exclaimed, ‘‘and you were
going to do that because we were ‘suspicious characters.’
I guess there’s somebody else that ought to be kept out
of Ophir for being a sneak and a spy.

“This is all a frame-up!” Rynder cried huskily, jump-
ing down from the table, “to humiliate me and get me
expelled from the club. Merriwell is back of it—Mer-
riwell and these other two. I’m the victim of a plot, by
gorry, and some of those who are getting me in wrong
are going to pay for it. That’s right! I know what |
can do. Let Merriwell look out for himself, that’s all.
This thing isn’t going to end here.”

He grabbed up his hat and flung through the open
door. The next moment- he was out of the clubhouse
and striding toward town.

Fortune had gone sadly against Herman Rynder that
afternoon. Yet he did not blame himself, and a hot de
sire for vengeance flamed in his breast.

“that piece of tin fell
and had got

CHAPTER III,

FOSDICK’S WARNING,

“What’s the matter, Han?”

It was the voice of Bradlaugh,’senior. Drawn by the
loud voices and the commotion in the directors’ room,
he and young Merriwell had come to the open door.
sy the time of their arrival on the scene Rynder had
disappeared.

Hannibal explained. Bradlaugh’s brow darkened and
a queer look overspread young, Merriwell’s face.

‘So Rynder listened to our talk, eh?” muttered Brad
laugh. Then, as he recalled the nature of the talk, the
frown vanished and he began to laugh. “What he over-
heard,” he went on, “won’t do anybody any harm. Asg |]
remember it, Merriwell, I handled Rynder’s character
without gloves. If he heard that, then the homely truth
may do him some good. This afternoon’s developments
have proved conclusively that this club is no place for
Rynder. If you don’t take charge of that cross-country
team, Merriwell,” he finished, turning to Frank, ‘“we’re
going to be up in the air.”

“I'll take charge of it,’ said Merry,
and | will take active part in it.”

“As members of the O. A. C.?”

“Yes; we'll belongfor the present, anyhow.”

“Bully!” cried Hannibal, throwing up his hat.

“The ©. A. C.,”’ said Bradlaugh, “has reason to con-
The games committee will now get busy
You see,” he chuckled, ‘‘we’re going to

“and Pink, Clan,

with Gold Hill.

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make the most of- you white you're aids us. And now,
Merriwell, let me remind you that Abner Fosdick, our
Denver friend, is on the front veranda. He's anxious

| don’t know what he has on his mind,
You'd better bunt him up.
Vil take you

to talk with you.
but it’s something important.
After you're through with your conference,
all over to Ophir in the car.”

Merry beckoned to Clancy and Ballard, and the three
boys made their way to the front veranda. l’osdick was
there, enjoying a cigar in the shade. He smiled broadly as
the lads came hustling out of the clubhouse.

“Howdy?” he asked.

“Fine as silk, Fosdick,”.

“If we felt any better,”
to take’ something for it.”

“You certainly look fit enough,’ Fosdick answered,
surveying the young athletes with an admiring eye.
“Now, draw up your chairs. I’ve got something to tell
you.”

There was a momentous air about Fosdick that cap-
tttred the instant attention of the boys. They pushed
their chairs close and awaited developments curiously.

“T don’t suppose,’ pursued Fosdick, “that hurdle race
has been wiped entirely out of your memories?”

“Not so you could notice it,” returned Clancy.

“It was-a great race,’ said Ballard, “and Chip won
it, and at the same time won for us the good vil of
Ophir.

“You all know why I came down here and mixed up
in that race,” continted Fosdick. “Clean sport was my
motive. I’m a crank on the subject of straight athletics.
Bill Brackett was going around the Western country
with an ex-professional sprinter whom he claimed was
an amateur. Whenever he struck a likely town, he’d
back his supposed amateur against any champion the
town could offer. Brackett, his pockets full of money,
would back his runner to the limit. The runner, Jason
Peers, would go privately to some of the townspeople
and make a deal to throw the race for a certain amount. —
Then the townspeople, the sports and gamblers, thinking
they had a sure thing, would clamor to put their money
on the local celebrity. When the race was run, Peers —
did not throw the race but won handily; and Brackett
collected all his bets and left town in a hurry. The —
game was worse than crooked. It gave clean sport.
a setback and brought athletics, in the minds of some
persons, into disrepute. You know how I took up the
matter and trailed Brackett until I was able to ‘get’ —
him.” . ae
“That was good work, Fosdick!” declared young Mer-
riwell. “Not many men would have interested them- |
selves in the matter to that extent.” ;

“Perhaps not. I did it because I peliceed it to be my |
duty Brackett picked up this Hayward Wolf, an énemy —
of yours, in’California. Wolf got into the crooked game —
and came on here with Brackett and Peers. You, Mer-
riwell, at my solicitation, ran the hundred-and-twenty-
yard hurdles against Peers and beat him out. That was
good work, too; the best kind of work. It was all in
the interest of right and justice. You ran. that race
fora principle, and high principles are always the thing 1
to fight for. As a result Brackett and Peers have been
taken away to be tried for their swindling.’ Wolf would
also have been taken away, but he stole a horse an
escaped. By winning the race you also won the goo

laughed Irank.
grinned Ballard

ed have

        
  

  

    

  

    
     
     
    
  

 
 
  

    

  

      
  

  

        
  
  
 
  
  
 
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
  
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
    
   
   
   
   
      
 
   

will of the people of Ophir, who had been set against

you by these men.

“I theught you said,” interposed Merriwell, “that
Wolf's escape didn’t matter? ‘That-he had only recently
joined Brackett and had not profited by any of Brackett’s
swindling ?”’

“That’s what I did say,” Fosdick answered gravely,
“but I have been undergoing a change of sentiments.
Stealing a horse is a bad piece of business in any country,
but particularly so in the Southwest. In order to escape
the consequences of one piece of evil work, Wolf takes
a horse belonging to a ranchman and makes off with it.
The horse has not been found, and the ranchman is
clamoring for his horse and justice.

“Wolf has got himself into a pretty bad hole,”
Frank, and not without a twinge of regret.

It seemed too bad that a fellow from Farnham Hall

- should disgrace the school by turning out to be a mere
horse thief.

“He. has,” declared Fosdick. ‘I hate to see a young
fellow get such a wrong start in life. Wolf has come
to the parting of the ways and has taken the wrong
course. But that isn’t what I want to talk with you

about: The point is here, Merriwell: I am, satisfied, in
my own mind, that Hayward Wolf is lurking in this
vicinity.”

“What?” returned Frank, astonished. ‘‘How can that
be, Fosdick? Hasn’t the country been searched?”

_ “The ranchman. has hunted for Wolf, yes; and the
sheriff of the county has taken the matter in hand and
has sent out messages, far and wide, with a descrip-
tion of Wolf and of the horse. Those messages haven’t
resulted in anything. They certainly would have borne
fruit, it seems to me, if Wolf had left this section. As
he has not been found, I am of the opinion that he is
not a great way from us at the present time.

“But what could he live on? What’s his reason for
hangiag out in this section?”

“He could find ways and means for getting food. As
for his reason in staying around, probably he knows
he’s safer’ in this section than anywhere else—just at
present; One fact presents itself very clearly to me,

- Merriwell, and it bears upon you as well as upon Wolf.
Hayward Wolf is your enemy, and it is conceivable that
he is more bitter against you now than he was before that
hurdle race. An enemy, you know, is quite apt to lay
all his misfortunes less to himself than to the man
against whom he holds a grudge. I haven’t a doubt but
that Wolf, in his own mind, has convicted you of putting

him in his present position.

‘Tf that is the truth,’ went on Fosdick, “then Wolf

will not remain around Ophir long without showing his
hand against you in some covert way.”

A smile crept over the handsome face of young Mer-
‘riwell) .» -
_. Much obliged, Fosdick,” said Merry lightly. “But
just how am I to be on the lookout for a fellow of that
stripe?”

said

extra care at times, and a keeping in mind of the fact
that Wolf is liable to do the unexpected at any moment.
_ Parker, the ranchman, will be ready as soon as Wolf
shows himself; but by the time Parker gets Wolf it might
be too late to do anything for you.”

“7 don’t believe it’s so serious as all that, Fosdick,”
returned Frank. ‘Wolf is bad enough, in his way, but

       
  
    

 
 

at £ gee a : : 4

6 | NEW TIP TOP WEEKLY.

“It’s a difficult proposition, but I would suggest a little |

 

he knows where to draw the line. I really think he has
the making of a pretty decent sort of chap—if he was
put through the right course of sprouts.” p

“He'll either come out of the West a decent sort of
chap or he'll stay here for good,” said Fodick signifi-
cantly. “The point of the matter right now, though, is
that if he tries to injure you in any. way, he’s going to
give Parker a chance at him. Wolf will get a good deal
the worst of it in the end.” s

“Well, just now I’ve got a cross-countrygrace to think
about, and I’m not going to bother my head with Wolf
and his designs. I hope the fellow gets out of: this
horse-stealing scrape, learns a lesson, and profits by it.”

“Well,” said Fosdick, “I expect to be around here for
a few days and I shall make it my business to try and
locate Wolf. I am acting independently of Parker, and
goin gentirely on my own hook.’, %

“If you find Wolf, you’ll turn him over to Parker?”

“IT haven’t gone so far in my plans as to give that any
consideration. Manifestly, though, it would be the right
thing to do.”

Just at that moment the big touring car belonging to
3radlaugh came into sight around the corner of the
clubhouse. Bradlaugh was driving and Hannibal was
in the rear seat. fj

“All aboard for Ophir!” called Bradlaugh. ‘Come i,
on, Fosdick! I'll. give the lot of you a lift back to
town.”

“What was this important conference, Abner?’ in-
quired Bradlaugh, of his old friend, as they pulled away i
from the clubhouse. “Am I too inquisitive?” of

“Not at all,’ was the reply; “there’s nothing very
secret about our talk. I was merely giving Merriwell my =f}
opinion that Wolf is somewhere in the hills around here, }
and that he ought to keep his weather eye out for sudden is
squalls.” ;

“Merriwell can take care of himself,’ declared Brad-
laugh.

“T think so; but a warning, now and then, is never out
of place.” re }

While they forged along the fork of the road leading nis
from the clubhouse to the main trail, a man on horse- x
back was seen galloping north. He passed the fork, |e
keeping his face turned steadily away from the touring
car and quirting his mount to faster pace. A short dis-

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tance off he was swallowed up in a fog of dust. : oe
“There goes Rynder!” chirped Clancy. i:
“And he didn’t say ‘hello!’”’ added Ballard. ‘Cut us a!
dead.” he
“What's the matter with Rynder?” Fosdick was asking a
Bradlaugh. my)
' “We've just found out what sort of a man he is,” was a
the answer, “and the O, A. C. is aboutsthrough with t
him.” ii

“What was the row, Brad? Tell me about it.”
3radlaugh talked while he drove the car; and, as Fos-
dick listened, his face became grave and thoughtful.

CHAPTER IN.
AN EVIL INFLUENCE.

Rynder, on breaking away from the clubhouse, made
his way furiously back to Ophir. He had been caught
in the act of eavesdropping, but this caused him no_
chagrin. ‘He was thoroughly convinced that he was the |
victim of a deep, dark plot. Young Merriwell, he knew, _

 
 
  
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had no cause to like him. Judging him by his own
standards, Rynder was sure that the young athlete had
deliberately gone to work to oust him from the club.

in his wrath Rynder did not try to be logical. He
argued the case so as to put himself in the best light.
He was turning that question over and over: in his mind
as he halted in front of his boarding house in the out-
skirts of Ophir. Letting himself into the house, he raced
up the stairs to his room on the second floor. Closing
and locking the door, he flung himself down in a chair
by a table.

Merriwell, Merriweil, Merriwell! How he hated him.
Hesgave evidence to his feelings by clinching his fist
and bringing it violently down on the arm of his. chair.
What could he do to get even with his enemy?

It was a perplexing problem. Suddenly he had a
thought that electrified him. “By gorry,” he huskily
whispered, “that’s just the ticket!”

He got up from his ‘chair and went to his bed... Kneel-
ing there he pushed. his hand under the mattress and
drew out a soiled white envelope. Returning to the table,
he took the inclosure from the envelope and, for the
third or fourth time, read the message it contained. The
message was: brief and not signed. It ran: “Bring me
something to eat as soon as possible.”

That morning the landlady of the boarding house had
found the envelope tucked under her front door. It was
addressed, plainly enough, to “Herman Rynder.” The
letter had been delivered and Rynder had read the mes-
sage—but with fear and disapproval. ‘He feared that
the message might be found in his hands, and he dis-
approved of the writer’s pushing such an envelope under
the door of the boarding house.

Rynder, that morning, was firmly: resolved not to
involve himself in any way with the writer of that mes-
sage. The events of the afternoon, however, had caused
him to change his’ mind.

Striking a match, he set fire to envelope and. letter
and dropped the flaming paper into a4 washbowl. Then
he looked at his watch. It was five o’clock in the after-
noon. 4

He changed his trousers for a more serviceable pair of
corduroy, and drew on a pair of knee boots, to the heels
of which big spurs were attached. Then, clapping a
broad-brimmed sombrero on his head, he left his room
and descended the stairs.. He passed the landlady in the
lower hall on his way out.

“I’m going to look over the cross-country course, Mrs.
Yaple,” said he, “and won't be back for supper. ll
buy a hand-out at the grocery, so I won't suffer for some-
thing to eat.”

Making his way to the town corral, Rynder secured
his riding horse. On his way through town he stopped

at the general store and bought a liberal supply of crack-

ers, cheese, sardines, salmon, and tinned beef. These ra-
tions were put into a stout canvas bag and he tied them
to his saddle cantle.. After that he spurred northward.

He saw the Bradlaugh car, filled with those whom he
was pleased to consider his enemies, coming toward. the
main trail from the clubhouse. He regretted that he
had. been seen, but made the most of it by studiously

avoiding the automobile.

The frail he was following led him to the rim of a

~eafion, and down a rather steep sees to the cafion’s bot-
_ ‘tom.’ Two red flags were on either gide of the trail
_ where it pitched over the cafion’s brink, and there were

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two more flags at the point below, where the trail turned
northward.

A brisk gallop of a mile or two through the caizon’s
gloomy depths brought the horseman to a place where
a gulch opened in the left-hand wall. Here were two
more flags, dimly discernible, indicating a route into the
gulch

Rynder rode rapidly up the gulch, past a wooded flat
with a deserted cabin, past a point, farther on, where
more flags acted as sign boards for a turn to the south,
up the gulch slope, and on between walls that grew
steeper and closer together as he proceeded.

The route of the cross-country race was being left be-
hind. Looking it over was farthest from Rynder’s
mind. That had been the only excuse he could think of
to offer Mrs. Yaple. .

Perhaps a mile beyond the turn of the cross-country
course Rynder drew his horse to a halt. . Lifting his
fingers to his lips, he gave vent to a shrill whistle.

The whistle was answered faintly, the sound seeming
to come from the solid wall of the gulch on the north.
But the wall was not as solid as it looked. A thick
growth of greasewood and-mesquite hid a narrow open-
ing; and against this mask of brush Rynder forced: his
horse. The bushes yielded as he urged thé animal on+
ward. In a few moments horse and rider were.in a
rough passage, slashed: through the bank—a- passage
whose sides: brushed Rynder’s: stirrups. ee

Then, in a few moments more, the rider emerged into
a small isolated basin’ among, the steep’ hills, “In. the
center of the basin was a water hole, On one*sidé of
the water hole was a‘ chaparral of ‘mesquite, with a eo
picketed horse grazing on the mesquite beans. ;

Abruptly a form appeared in front of Rynder—the
form of a youth, clothing torn and bedraggled and with
a sinister face. The face, even in the fading-light, looked
haggard and careworn, but there was a sinoldering gleam ips
of determination in the eyes: ie em eo

“You were a long-time getting here, Ry nder,” said the
youth, in a tone that was none too amiable.

“T carne as soon as I could, Wolf,” Ryder answered.
“You're careless. How in the world. did that note get —
under the front door of my boarding house? You're
foolish to trust any one to act as your messenger.” -

“t l didn’t,” was: the drawling, almost sneering, reply. af

“T was my own messenger.’
Rynder gasped. “Do you mean to say that you dared i
to come into Ophir last night?’ he demanded. ae
“That’s what I méan to say. Furthermore, t rode the
hor se, and I wasn’t very long going or coming.” *
“You took chances, and f

“T had to—I was hungry. Did you bring some grub: r

“Of course.’

“Then hand it over. I’m nearly famished. I etaos A
a little from the cabin down the gulch night before last,
but there wasn't much there, and yesterday cleaned up
the supply.”

Rynder unfastened the bag from the cantle and handed
it 'to Wolf. After that he dropped the reins so they
hung from the bit and dismounted, his trained ‘COW-
horse standing as though hitched to a post. | ae

Wolf, dropping down on the. ground, had opened thes
bag and was greedily devouring, the crackers and chee: Se,
Rynder, sitting down at a little distance, lit a cigar, ind
watched him speculatively.

“Nit ice place this; for eas to be Re growled Wolf be nt

 

  

  
 
    
  
  
  

    
    
   
  
  

   
 

  

tween mouthfuls. ‘Every man’s hand against me, and
holed up like a trapped rat here in this crack in the hills!
1 wonder,” he finished bitterly, “if Merriwell is satis-
fied ?” :

“He ought to be} confound him! [
within reach of my quirt this minute!”

Rynder spoke so fiercely that Wolf stopped munch-
ing his food to look at him in surprise.

“What has he been doing to. you?” he asked.

Rynder proceeded to tell his various grievances against
Merriwell. The mere recalling of his fancied wrongs
loosened his tongue, and words poured from him in a
torrent.

Wolf’s smoldering eyes brightened evilly as the story
developed. It was not ‘difficult for him to see the shallow
nature of Rynd@r’s supposed injuries, or the illogical
stand Rynder had taken, or the folly. that had marked
his actions. Wolf shrewdly plumbed the depths of Ryn-
der’s weakness, and as shrewdly refrained from setting
him right. On the contrary, Wolf was planning to exert
his evil influence and secure in Rynder an aide in carry-
ing out his own designs against Merriwell.

“Why don’t you say something?” burst out Iynder
‘impatiently.

“All right,” drawled Wolf, “I will say something. Give
me a cigarette—a box of ’em, if it’s handy.’

Rynder passed over the box and Wolf lighted one of
the Turkish destroyers and leaned back, puffing a cloud
of vapor and clasping his hands around his lifted knees.
.“Merriwell has come down on you,” he remarked,
“the same as he has on me. Have you got any nerve?
Are you going to stand for all that humiliation and
injustice?

“No!” almost shouted Ry nder.

“Good !” he approved. “I’m glad to see that you've
got a little ginger in your make-up. Merriwell has
driven me into this devilish hole, and he’s got the hounds
of the law trailing me. As for you, he deliberately
trimmed you during the baseball practice, and probably
put his two confederates, Clancy and Ballard, up to ex-
pose you there in the directors’ room. And all the while
he’s been fraternizing with Bradlaugh, and pretending
to be your friend, he has been working to get your place
in the O. A. C. Oh, I know him!”

Under the sting of Wolf’s cunning words, Rynder
_ leaped to his feet and began pacing up and down in
front of his horse, shaking his fists and mumbling savage
threats. Wolf watched him with gleaming eyes.
“That's enough of that, Rynder,” said he sharply.
_ “Such actions don’t count. The question is, what are
you going to do?”

“I. came here,”’ panted Rynder, breathless from the
explosion of his feelings, “to get a suggestion from you.”

“So you want a suggestion?”

_ “Yes. Tell me something to do.
_ jumble, and I can’t think.”

_ “When is this cross- -country race to be pulled off ?”
“Day after to-morrow.”

“And Merriwell is to have charge of the team and
to run in the race?”

‘f 1 6s.”

“There'll be nothing to it. Merriwell will lead the
whole crowd over the course. We’ve got to give him
credit for his ability. And pight there is your chance to
get even with him.”

‘How?” demanded the puzzled Ban,

wish |

My mind’s all a

NEW TIP TOP WEEKLY.

had him -

 

“How?
some obstacle that can be tampered with so that the
first man to cross it will find more than he bargains
for: ty

“You mean

“You know what I mean. What's the use of making
it any plainer? If you're really in earnest—if you’re
man enough to resent this injustice Merriwell has done
you—you won't hesitate a minute. You laid out that
cross-country course yourself, and you should be able
to think of a suitable point for working your little game.
Merriw <t will lead the runners from s‘art to finish, and
Gold Hill hasn’t a ghost of a chance. You can eount
on him being the first to cross the obstacle you make
up your mind to tamper with. ‘There’s the suggestion.

 

Don’t tell me what you finally agree to do, for that’s.

your affair.”

The train had been laid. Already Rynder was going
over that cross-country course in his mind, picking out
the obstacles, the combinations, the jumps—weighing this
difficulty and that ‘and trying to discover just which one
would fit into his scheme.

He was still plotting and scheming when, an hour
later, he mounted his horse and rode out through the
mask of bushes into the gulch.

“The fool!” Wolf muttered to himself, with a bitter
laugh. “Why, the. fellow’s only half baked, but if he
can keep his nerve, Merriwell will have something to
bother him during that cross-country race.”

CHAPTER V.
A PLAGUE OF CATS.

It was nine p. m. in the office of the Ophir House.
Clancy yawned and threw aside the paper he had been
reading. P

“It’s time we cross-country sprinters hit the feathers,”
he remarked to Merriwell and Ballard, who sat at a
table over a game of checkers.

‘Hold your breath!” implored Ballard. “Here’s where
I take two of Chip’s men. That’s the time I fooled you,
Chip. Eh? Say, what are you doing?” Ballard added,
in sudden consternation.

“Trading two for three,” chuckled Merry. “You took
two of mine and now I’m taking three of yours.’

“And two of mine are kings!” wailed Ballard. , [ve
only got two men left, and they’re bottled up.” He
pushed back from the table in disgust. “What’s that you
said about hitting the feathers, Red?’

“Time we did it, that’s all,” said Clancy. “I’ve been
yawning my head off for half an hour. I hope the
darned cats will hold their convention in some other part
of town to-night. Last night about forty of them got
right on my window sill, and there was a deuce of a
jamboree.”

“It was my window sill they were on,” corrected Bal-
lard. “I tried to massacre the lot with a water pitcher,
but they only got off at a safe distance and threw insults
at me.’

“Proprietor Pophagan says that he and Woo Sing will
clean them out if they make any disturbance to-night”
put in Merriwell. ‘“Here’s Woo Sing now,” he added,
as a fat Chinaman shuffled in through the front door.
“Say, Woo Sing,” he asked, “how about those cats? Are
we going to get any sleep?”

“Bettee life, Mellywell,” answered the celestial, with

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a broad grin. “One piecee cat no makee noise ally mo’.
Boss and China boy lound up allee cats in neighbolhood,
sendee by mine to ketchee lats. Woosh! Mebbyso you
lakee town with fine-tooth comb, no findee one li'l piecee
cat ally mo’.” ;

Woo Sing was a very important individual, as befitted
the roustabout in the only hotel in Ophir.

“You and Pophagah. rounded up all the cats in the
neightborhood, eh,” repeated Merry, “‘and sent them out to
the mine?”

“Bettee life,”
cats all makee go by mine.
China boy ketchee fitty,
plenty fine for ketchee cat.
in camp.”

Woo Sing’s complacency was almost morbid. He
lolled his head on one side and puffed languidly and con-
tentedly at his cigarette.

Merry winked at his chums,’ He turned his head
slightly, and the nerve-racking wail of a feline seemingly

was the complacent response. “Fitty-fi’

Boss and China boy ketchee.
boss ketchee fi’. Woo Sing
Not one li'l piecee cat left

‘ came from without, well toward the rear of the hotel.

‘the joke,

A violent spasm convulsed Woo Sing. His _ smile
faded into a look of horror and perplexity. The ciga-
rette dropped from his lips as his jaws fell agape. His

fat form grew tense and rigid.

“Look here,’ growled Clancy, catching the spirit of
“what do you mean by saying you and Pop-
hagan cleaned up on thecats? Listen to that!”

Merriwell, accomplished in mimicry as he was, threw
the wail of another cat into the night. The caterwauls
rose shrilly, now one at a time and now in discordant
chorus.

“Jiminy Klismus!” gasped the agitated Chinaman,
starting out of his chair and hopping around in his
sandals.“ “No savvy so many cat! Woosh! ‘Watchee
China boy makee othel clean-up.”

He executed a frantic rush for the desk. Behind it
stood three or four pairs of boots. It was the habit
of most of those guests of the hotel who wore boots to
remove them in the office, using the office bootjack, and
to go up to their rooms in their stocking feet. Woo Sing
took firm hold of the bootjack and started for the door.

“Where are you going with your cat hunting, Woo
Sing?” inquired Ballard, keeping a straight face with
difficulty.

“Cat makee noise by kitchen,”
man; “China boy makee tlacks fo’ kitchen. No savvy
so many cat,” he continued to mumble. “My makee
sneak along kitchen, sendee cat top side with bootjack.”

With the bootjack tightly clasped in his right hand,
the Chinaman crouched down and sneaked _stealthily
through the front door. Clancy fell back in his chair and
held his sides. Ballard found it even harder to restrain

answered the China-

his mirth. Merry, with his head out of an open win-

dow, was keeping up the infernal chorus that seemed to

come from the rear of the kitchen.

   

Just at that moment Pophagan, the proprietor of the

hotel, rushed into the office in his undershirt and
trousers. It was evident that he had just got out of
bed.

“Those cats are at it
Woo Sing

“Jumping bullfrogs!” he cried.
agin, full tilt. Where’d they come from?

and I bundled a lot of ’em together, this afternoon, and
sent ‘em all out to the mine.
_ another .cat left in Ophir.

I didn’t think there was
Dog-gone! Ain't no sleep

   

a?

  
 
 

TOP WEEKLY. 9

for anybody. I’m going to polish off that outfit, and T’ll
do it in a brace of shakes.”

He jumped for the rear of the counter.

‘“Where’s that bootjack?” he yelled, pawing around in
a fruitless search. “Some one’s took it up to his room,
and it’s plumb ag’in orders. Well, I reckon a couple
of boots will do.”

He emerged from behind the counter with a boot in
each hand and started for the door.

“It’s real scandalous,” he glowered, “the way them
cats are carryin’ on. Sounds like a dozen of ’em, all
yowlin’ together. They’re out back of the kitchen, from
the sound. Here’s where I creep up on ‘em and begin
the slaughter.”

Carefully he slipped out on the veranda, noiselessly
descended the steps and disappeared. Ballard watched
him from the door and turned with a gasp of joy.

‘““He’s—he’s sneaking around the—the other side of the
hotel,” reported Ballard. ‘Chink on one side, Pophagan
on the other. They’re bound to come together at the
corner of the kitchen. Oh, jinks, but this is rich!”

“Let’s trail them, fellows,’ Chip suggested. “We've
got to see how this thing comes out.”

“Sure,” agreed Ballard.” ‘““Come.on!”

In single file they left the room, crossed the veranda,
and came around the side of the hotel. Ahead of them
at some distance, dimly prominent in the shadow, they
could see the skulking form of Woo Sing.

For a minute or two the caterwauling had ceased. The
Chinaman was plainly in doubt, Then, suddenly, a’ loud
“me-e-e-ouw !’”’ cut through the night. It came from
around the end of the kitchen, and the sound was not
made by Merriwell.

“Thunder!” whispered Clancy.
there, after all?”

“No, Clan,” returned Merry, laughing so he could
hardly talk. “It’s Pophagan—he’s imitating a cat in
order to get a response and locate the imaginary cats
that I had out in the rear of the hotel. He

“Sh-h-h!” broke in Ballard. “What’s the chink up to?
He’s sitting down and getting ready for something.”

The boys peered hard at Woo Sing. Suddenly he let
go with a decoy wail of his own: “E-e-e-you!”

“M-r-r-oow!” carolled Pophagan from the other side
of the kitchen.

Here was encotragement for the Chinaman. He
dropped on all fours and began crawling onward, wail-
ing as he went. Every time Pophagan let off a yowl,
Woo Sing answered it. And, all the time, of course,
both were drawing closer together at the kitchen corner.

The situation was too funny for words. Ballard and
Clancy were rolling on the’ ground, in the shadow of
the hotel wall, struggling to keep back their mirth.
Merry was as hard put to it as his chums to stifle his
laughter, but he kept his feet and watched.

“Ts there a real cat

 

Inch by inch Woo Sing crept toward the corner of the -_

kitchen, and little by little Pophagan approached the
sanfe corner on the other side. The yowling was con-
tinued, and each knew very well that he was decoying —
one of the disturbing cats to a point within reach of his se
vengeful hand. nae
. The Chinaman, reaching the corner, started to his feet
and lifted the bootjack, Pophagan must have jumped
at the same time Woo Sing executed his leap, for ‘the —
tHe, came tame in Besa collision, and | a sound ot

  

    
       
       
     
  
   
 
  
 
 
 
    
  
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
   
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
   
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
 
  
  
  
 
    
      
       
 
     
   

boys. Then came Pophagan’s wildly astounded voice:
“Woo Sing, or I'm a heathen! Say, consarn you,
-what’re you trying to do? What d’ou mean by slamming
that bootjack at me?”
Then followed Woo Sing’s voice, in a feeble gurgle:
“My lookee fo’ cat. Woosh! You makee look, too?

My makee noise like cat; you makee same noise. Jiminy
Klismus! You hittee China boy with boot. No likee.”
“Oh, blazes!’ whooped Pophagan disgustedly. “Get

away from here before | hurt you!”

It was time for the boys to get back in the office and
smooth out their faces. They managed to accomplish
it before Pophagan, radiating ill humor, tumbled in
through the front door with two boots and a bootjack
under his arm.

“Did you clean out the cats, Pophagan?”
innocently.

“Be hanged to you!” snorted the landlord, and flung
the boots and the bootjack angrily behind the counter.

“What's the trouble?” purred Ballard. “You didn’t
come close enough to the cats to get scratched, did you?”

“Never you mind,” grunted: Pophagan, and ducked for
the ‘stairs leading to the upper floor. “If you want any
more cats massacred,” he called back, as he labored up
the flight, “yor. go and do it yourself.
any use for chinks, nohow. Never saw one of ‘em that

_ had a thimbleful of sense!”
‘The landlord had hardly disappeared before Woo Sing
_slouched moodily into the office, rubbing one side of his
face.

“What did you do to the cats, Woo Sing?” asked
Merry.

“No ketchee cat,” mourned the Chinaman. “Pophagan
 makee noise all same cat. China boy hear noise, thinkee
- Pophagan cat. Then China boy makee same _ noise.
Bumby China boy think he ketchee. No ketchee cat,
ketchee bootheel—biff; biff—all same face. One piecee
pidgin no good. Whoosh!”

Then the gathering mirth of the three chums refused
to be further restrained. It broke forth in a wild roar.
Woo Sing leaned against the counter and scratched his
left shin reflectively with the toe of his right sandal.
_ He was perplexed. He knew there was something wrong
- about those imaginary cats, but his heathen mind was

finding it hard to figure the matter out.
- “*Melican kids have got plenty fun flom cat hunt,”
he remarked solemnly, “but China boy no ketchee fun.
_ Plenty laugh fo’ Melliwell, not muchee haw-haw fo’ Woo
Sing, Pophagan one cat, Woo Sing two cat. All same
_my hear plenty mo’ cat. Who makee cat noise fo’ rest
of cats? Huh?’ bee
 Merriwell got the whip hand of himself long enough
to send a piercing “me-e-ow!” from directly under Woo
Sing’s feet. The Chinaman jumped as though from a
attleshake. “After he jumped, he began looking for a
at that had strayed into the office. Merry, with wonder-
| art, had him behind the counter, under the table, and
1! around the room. — ad nt
‘nally Woo Sing caught on. He stared at Merry in
jerstitious awe and wonder. — ye
eliwell,” he asked, in gredt solemnity, “you makee
of cat in back yard, huh?”

asked Merry

    

  

blows from boots and bootjack reached the ears of the :

Never did have |

are NEW TIP’ TOP WEEKLY.

quism once more, giving a caterwaul that seemingly came
from outside, in the direction of the kitchen. ~ It was
so successful that Pophagan’s voice boomed down the
stairs:

“Woo Sing, you cut that out or I'll come down and
fire you! I’ve had enough of this cat business for one
night! D’you hear?”

A door banged somewhere on the second floor. The
Chinaman had also had enough. He gave a wild look

at Merriwell, uttered a terrified yell, and fled through a_

rear door toward his own quarters.

“Let's go to bed, fellows,” grinned Merry. “It’s all
right to have a little fun, but we’ve got work on hand
for to-morrow.”

Before they could leave the office, however, Abner Fos-
dick came in. He halted in some surprise at sight of
the boys.

“T thought you fellows would be in bed,” said he.
“Glad you're up, though, for there’s something I want
to tell you.”

CHAPTER VI.
FOSDICK’S FOREBODINGS.

“You'll begin to think that I’m a bird of ill omen,”
went on Fosdick, with a grim smile. “My object, Chip,
is not to alarm you unnecessarily but rather to put you
on your guard.”

“That's all right,” said Merry, “and I’m grateful to
you for the interest you take in me. I think, though,
that you’re giving Wolf credit for being a more’ able
villain than he is in reality.”

“Perhaps. What I have to tell you now, however,
hasn’t all to do with Hayward Wolf. You remember
that Rynder passed us, going north on horseback as we
came from the clubhouse. E

“Rynder,” Fosdick went on, “is a peculiar chap, I
don’t think that he is naturally inclined toward criminal
things, but there is a flaw in his character. He made a
foolish show of temper this afternoon, and an even worse
‘break’ when he was caught listening at that hole in the
partition. He’s in line, I hear, for expulsion from the
club,”

“He had to take down his false front this afternoon,”
remarked Clancy, “and that made him sore. Chip
showed him up as a false alarm, and Hannibal, Pink, and
[ got a further line on his character when we rushed in
on him in the directors’ room,”

“T’m not defending Rynder,” said Fosdick, “but merely

suggesting that, while not a criminal at heart, he might

answer very well as a tool for a criminal. He has a
grievance, we must admit that; and if the grievance was
properly played upon by a stronger mind, Rynder might
bring himself to do really desperate deeds.”

“Tf he has a grievance, Fosdick,” said Frank, “it’s his
own fault.
his scrapes—except,” and he laughed, “when he goaded

me into knocking one of his balls to deep center for a

home run.”

I did everything I could to help him out of

“No one could have any fault to find with you, Merri- ba

well, yet that fact does not alter the situation. All ‘this
is leading, up to something which I consider quite im-
portant.’ Directly after we had had supper here at, the

hotel, I went to Rynder’s boarding house and asked. for
him, He had not returned. The landlady told me that —
he had gone to look over the course of that cross-country,

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race; that he hadn’t waited for supper but said that

he would pick up a ‘hand-out’ at the grocery store. See
anything off color in that?”
“Not much,” admitted the puzzled Merriwell, “except

that he must have known, if he overheard what Brad-
laugh was telling me, that he was to have nothing further
to do with that cross-country race. Why should he go
out in the late afternoon to look over the course—a
course that he had laid out himself?”

“That’s it!” exclaimed Fosdick; “Why? Well what
he said was only an excuse to account to the landlady
for his absence. From the boarding house I went to
the general store. How much of a lunch do you think
Rynder took with him?”

“Give it up.”

“Five pounds of crackers, two pounds of cheese, three
cans of sardines, two cans of salmon, and two pound-
tins of beef. Quite a ‘handout’ for one man for a single
meal.”

“He must have. been going out of town for quite a
stay,” commented Clancy. “He had enough rations for
two or three days.”

“But he didn’t make much of a stay,’ continued [os-
dick. “I waited around the corral, where he keeps. his
horse, for him to come back. He got here an hour ago—

and he didn’t bring back the bag of, provisions, He left
that somewhere.”
“Probably he cached it?” suggested Ballard. ‘“He’s

getting ready to camp out, more than likely.”

‘That isn’t at all likely. Merriwell, when I expressed
my conviction that Wolf was hanging out in this neigh-
borhood, wondered wheré Wolf would secure his pro-
visions. Now

Merriwell gave a jump of astonishment.

“You think Rynder is supplying Wolf with
while he’s in hiding?” he asked.

2 think he took that bag of chuck to him this after-
noon.’

“Then yout ought to tip Parker off to see Rynder!”
cried Clancy. “If that sort of work is going on, the
rancher ought to know about it. Possibly he could find
the stolen horse by watching Rynder.”

“That's possible, of course,” said Fosdick, “but it isn’t
the point that commands most of my attention. “Two
men with a grievance against Merriwell have got their
heads together. One of the men, although a fugitive, is
presumably a desperate character, and the other, while
free to go and come and do as he pleases, is a man easily
led. What would be the natural result ?”

“Why,” said Ballard, “the two would begin to scheme
against Chip, here.” ‘

“That has come to be a pet foreboding of miné,” went
on Fosdick. “Wolf would have a tool ready to his hand
in the person of Rynder. With a little cunning effort
Wolf could fan the spark of Rynder’s anger into a flame.
Then almost anything might happen.”

“I’m still obstinate. about getting scared,” laughed
Merry. “You’re a regular Sherlock Holmes, Fosdick,
and the way you've figured this business out proves you're
a top-notcher in the detective line. But it’s all too far-
fetched, and doesn’t convince me.”

“What could Rynder do, even if Wolf nagged him on
to something desperate?’ spoke up Clancy.

“I don’t know what he can do,” answered Fosdick.

 

food,

“Tf left to himself I don’t think his wits would help him

TIP TOP WEEKLY. :

o'clock it was.
- Alfred I heard ’em.”

hagan, winking at the boys. __ .

ere

——- pon Se

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ad

to do anything. If there’s a plot of any kind, depend
upon it that Wolf’s brains have furnished the details.”

“Your theory, Fosdick,” said Merry, “is built up on a
lot of possibilities—none of them very probable.”

“Well, maybe you.are right, Merriwell. I hope you
are, anyhow. Rynder, it seems to me, is more to be
pitied than blamed. I’m for bed, now, and you boys
ought to have turned in some time ago.’

Fosdick got up and started for the stairs leading to
the second floor. Frank. and his friends trooped after
him. He let himself into his room and the boys went on
to their own quarters. Ballard had a room to himself,
while Merry and Clancy had a big room with two beds
in it. The three were soon under the covers, at least an
hour and a half behind their usual schedule.

“This afternoon has been full of doings,” said Clancy
to Merry. “You haven't much time to line up the Ophir
fellows for that face. It’s on the bills for day after
to-morrow.”

“They’re already lined up. Seven runners are to com-
pete on each side, and the course is a stiff. one—better
than four miles. Rynder selected it, and I'll bet its chuck
full of ‘Liverpools,’ combinations, and tough jumps.”

“Ophir hasn’t many sprinters that can get over such
a course with any sort of speed. Hannibal was one of
their best sprinters, and that lame ankle of his will keep
him out of this.”

“We'll have to do the best we can,” said Merry. “You,
and Pink, and I will have to sail in and help out the
Ophir fellows. I haven’t-an idea what sort of material
they have on the Gold Hill team, but I’m pretty’ sure
we're going to give a good account of ourselves.”

“You will, anyhow,” averred Clancy. “If I’m any
prophet, Chip, you'll lead the whole pack from start to
finish.”

“We can’t bank on anything. Before I stick any
feathers in my hat I’m going to wait till I get my hands
on them.”

A faint “m-e-e-ouw!” came from Ballard’s side of the
partition. Clancy leaned out of bed to grab a ‘BhOE and
hurl it against the wall.

“Good night, Clan,”
went to sleep.

said Merry, and turned over and

Fosdick’s forebodings did not trouble Merriw ell. His
sleep was not broken in the least—neither by howling
cats in the back yard nor by his dreams of disaster, He

beat Clancy to the tub of cold water in the morning—
the tub being filled by one of Pophagan’s Chinamen on
special order—and was out and rubbing himself down
before Clancy had a move.

“All right, Chip?” called Clancy, with a yawn.

“Never better, Clan,” sang out Merry.

“Then empty the tub and bring up a couple of pails
for me.

Frank obliged his chum, and in half’an hour they
joined Ballard in, the hall and went downstairs together.
Pophagan was leaning on his elbows on the office counter,
wearing a gloomy expression.

“T heard cats last night,” a guest, who was pulling on
his boots, was saying. “I sure did,” he declared, as
Pophagan turned to glower at him. “€Clost on to nine |
the other side.

and another on .Ull take my solemn —

“You et too much and had dreams,” grunted Pop- —

4

 
 
     

There was one on one side of the kitchen, _

    
     
     
       
     
  

“T reckon I didn’t,” snorted the guest defiantly, stamp-
ing into hjs boots. “I know when I hear cats, by jing.”
“Dreams, | tell you. There ain’t no cats left in Ophir.”
“Somebody hit ’em and | knocked ’em out of business,’
persisted the guest. ‘I heard blows, I did so, and a
voice that sounded a heap like yours, Poph lagan, ‘anid an-
other that sounded like a chink’s.

“Go on!” scowled the landlord. “TI
a feller!”

The boys passed Pophagan’s wink around, and, then,
just as the landlord had dismissed the subject, Fosdick
presented himself and went in with the lads to break-
fast.

Woo Sing, back from the post office, came in and laid a
letter beside Merriwell’s plate.

“What’s the letter?” inquired Ballard, with sudden in-
terest. “I'll bet it’s from Bloomfield, Chip, and that
it gives us orders to leave Ophir at onte.”

“Wrong, Pink,” said Merry, reading the letter. “It’s
unsigned, and must have been mailed here in town.
There’s not much in it. Listen: ‘If you try to take part
in that cross-country race, I’ll see that you’re disqualified.
You ran the hurdles against a man you knew to be a
professional.’ Well, well! What do you think of that,
Fosdick ?”

“Don’t worry,” replied Fosdick, frowning.
you to run that race in the interest of law and order,
and I’ve got a clean bill for you. Rynder is showing him-
self a sneak in more ways than one.”

“You think he wrote this?’ Frank asked.

“Who-else would do it?”

But Fosdick was mistaken. Herman Rynder, smart-
ing under fancied injustice and racking his brain with
_ schemes for vengeance, was only too anxious to have
. Merriwell take part in that cross-country race.

never saw stch

“T asked

CHAPTER VII.
Oat STUDYING THE COURSE.

9

-**An athlete becomes a professional,’” quoted Bal-
lard, “ ‘if he enters a competition open to a professional,
or knowingly competes with a professional,’ ’

“We knew pretty well,” said Clancy, “that Jerry Pier-

‘son, the supposed amateur, was really Jerry Peers, the
professional,” Ce)

“That does not count,” said Fosdick, “for I wired all
' details to the headquarters of the Pacifi¢ Association and
have an O. K. to enter Merriwell in that event. 1 told
_ you I'd look after you, Merriwell. Rynder doesn’t hap-
pen to know about that telegram.” | |
_ Merry’s face cleared in a flash. »

“So that’s the result of the scheming between Rynder
and Wolf, is it?” Fosdick remarked, with an amused
laugh. | “All they seem bent on is cutting you out of the
amateur ranks! | begin to think you are right, Mer-
riwell, and that Wolf isn’t the alts villain I took him

  

the clubhouse to ee ‘ha: course Rites had laid out
Soe the aa ine SBRB There was a roe drawn

  

sand as the finish was at ites game point. - From
stand the course led out of the athletic field
: fork: we the; road reaching: Arg the: celub; -

  
 

NEW TIP TOP WEEKLY.

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house to the main trail running north and south. Be-
tween the field and the branch trail was a bank jump of
five feet much of an obstacle and encountered ‘at
the very beginning of the race. =f P

The course followed north along the main trail ak
tipped over the steep bank and into the depths of the
cafion. Here there was a pool which made a water |
jump of two yards. The fork and the main trail, right
up to the cafion’s rim, were sandy and heavy going. The
ground was firmer in the cafion, after the water jump
was. made, and the course wound: through the chaparral
for a mile and a half, entering at that point a gulch which
opened in the cafion’s west wall.

‘ Following the trail through the cafion was the easiest
kind of work, with no obstacles of any kind. _At the
mouth of the gulch there was a “combination,” consisting
of a low bank—where placer miners had cut away a

       

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gravel “flat” in a hunt for black sand and bed rock— i
followed by a ridgelike wall, two feet high, and then a i
dry ditch, four feet across. 4
After the “combination” came a straightaway up the 4
gulch. The gulch was not sandy, but it was ragged, up- a}
hill, and rough going. At a distance of half a mile ‘|
from its mouth, the course mounted the gulch wall on i
the south side and gained the level on the return to the i
clubhouse. 1
Here began the worst obstacles of the whole course. 4
First there was a crack in the earth, fourteen or fifteen :
feet wide, and labeled on the chart “one hundred feet ‘2
deep, plus.” This was bridged with planks. Ri. *.
Then came a ‘Liverpool,’ consisting of a five-foot me
dry ditch backed by a five-foot stone fence—or what ;
looked like a fence but was really a relic of superstitious :
Indian builders—and followed by a broad, high edge of j
greasewood. Then, close to the clubhouse grounds was £
another water jump of eight feet over an irrigation ditch., q|
From the last jump the way was clear back to the start- %
ing point in front of the gr ‘and stand. 4
“What do you think of it, Chip?” asked Ballard, fol- a
lowing an hour’s examination of the chart. , }
“T think Rynder used poor judgment,” Merry an- 7)
swered. “All the hardest obstacles come on the last half ;

of the course. .There’s that bank jump of five feet within
a stone’s throw of the start—easy enough; but compare
the water jump of five feet, not much farther from the
start, with the second water jump of eight feet close to
the home stretch. Eight feet is easy, eh? Well, is it
going to be easy after four miles of running ? And then
that‘Liverpool!’. This course of Rynder’s S$ is going to be
a tough proposition for some of the runners.’

“Rynder ought to have reversed it,” said Clancy, “and
sent the runners west instead of east from the grand
stand. That would have given the ‘hardest work to the
first half of the course.” Ab

“That would have made the work easier, Clan, but it i? ee
wouldn't have been so interesting. We've studied the — E:
chart; now let’s get into our running clothes and study
the actual course.”

They left the clubhouse for the gymnasium dressing
rooms and soon emerged in sp printing costumes,

“We're just reconnoitering now, fellows,” said Merry,
as they halted in front of the grand stand, “and we’re
going to soldier over the course, for the most part, and
This afternoon, when the rest. of
the Ophir runners show up, we'll see what we can da: in je
se way of speed.” i, Be Nieg hse

 

 

 

 

 
 
    
 
 
   
 
   
  
  

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They started off easily, left the cinder track at the
turn and made for the two flags at the bank jump. The
leadgwas child’s play. The fork and the main trail, on
account of the sand, were rather ‘trying; and the six-
yard jump across the pool at the foot of the slope into
the cafion found them all breathing pretty hard. The
jump, however, was successfully managed, and with
ground to spare.

The trot through the cafion was refreshing. The over-
shadowing walls made the course cool and comfortable.

“Here is where we ought to save ourselves for the
harder work ahead,’ said Merry. “Some fellows might
try to get a good lead in this cafion, but it would be
wiser to go a little slow and keep their strength for what
follows beyond the gulch.”

The “combination” at the entrance to the gulch was
taken carefully.

“Don’t waste too much energy on this combination,
fellows,” instructed Merry. “Save all your ginger for
the ‘Liverpool’ and the eight-foot water jump. Fall over
this combination—who minds a few bruises? Take it in
classy style after pounding at top speed through the
cafion, and it’s a safe guess that you'll land in the middle

_ of that irrigation ditch right in sight of the grand stand.”

After the “combination” came the up-grade work along
the gulch.

“This is familiar ground,’ remarked Ballard, as Frank
kept down the pace, mindful of the fact that they were
only “reconnoitering.” “Leavitt’s cabin, where Fosdick
was staying when we met him for the first time, is just
ahead on that wooded ‘flat.’ ”’

“Wonder if Leavitt’s at home?” put in Merry. “I
think we’ll stop there and breathe ourselves.”

The cabin proved to be locked, and there was no one
around. Slipping into their blazers, the boys dropped
down on a bench at the cabin door and continued their
comments about the course.

The conversation was suddenly interrupted, A patter
of hoofs was heard up the gulch, accompanied by the
shouts of men, well in the distance but coming rapidly
nearer. The boys, startled, jumped to their feet.

In another moment a horse, saddled and bridled but
riderless, broke into view, dashing wildly down the gulch.
As he raced, the animal dragged behind him a thirty-
foot picket rope from which the pin had, in some manner,
become detached.

“What does this mean?” called Chutes:

As if for reply, three mounted men dashed into’ view.
They wore broad-brimmed hats, blue shirts and chapar-
rejos, and were plainly cowboys, and as plainly in pursuit

of the runaway horse.

All three of the boys started across the “flat.” The
horse was almost abreast of them. With a snort the
brute shied off a little and continued on. Clancy, hap-

pening to be in an advantageous position, did a particu-

larly clever bit of work.

As the horse shied, the trailing picket rope was flirted
in Clancy’s direction.
it, whirled, and took a quick turn around a stout pifion
tree that, fortunately, stood close at hand. Then, after
taking the turn, he laid back on the end of the rope and

_ dug into the ground with his spiked shoes,

The runaway reached the end of the leash with a ter-

-rific jolt, but the turn of the rope gave Clancy a leverage
against the strain.

jhe held on,

Claney was thrown to his knees, but
The horse was thrown. .

He made a jump for the end of |

    

TIP TOP WEEKLY. | 13

“Bully for you, pard!”” whooped the cowboys, as they
dashed past.

By then the cowboys had reached the horse and had
secured him safely. They rode back, leading the cap-
tured runaway.

“You kids in the short pants,”
on the jump.
pretty.”

“Much obliged,’ grinned Clancy.
beauty when it comes to ropework.
home.
for?”

“Which same we didn’t,” went on the coyboy. “We’re
Parker’s men, and was out combin’ the hills for a horse
thief. We didn’t find the thief, but, by the jumpin’ sand-
hills, we found the horse. Say, as we rode down the
gulch, all to oncet we seen Baldface, here, hikin’ along
ahead of us, draggin’ the rope. Some mystery, that.”

“Do you mean to say,” asked the amazed Merry, “that
that horse is the one Hayward Wolf rode away from the
Ophir clubhouse a few days ago?” ;

*That’s a bull’s-eye hit, son.”

grinned one, “are some
Say, that move by Redhead was right

“I’m the prize
It hits me right at
What did you let the horse get away from you

CHAPTER VIII.
FOLLOWING THE COURSE.

One thing at least was proved, by this discovery of
Parker’s stolen horse. That was that Fosdick was right
in his surmise that Hayward Wolf was still somewhere
in the vicinity of Ophir.

“You haven’t any idea where the horse came from,
have you?” Merriwell asked,

“Nary, we haven't,” replied the cowboy who had been
doing the talking. “It’s as plain as print that Baldface
got away from the feller that took him, but that may
have happened a day or two ago.

“Your name’s Merriwell, ain’t it?
others,

‘Why, yes,’ ’ dhakeered Frank.

“You and your bunch are ace high with us,” grinned
the cowman. “Say, we seen you run over them hurdles
ag in the Gold Hiller. Whoop! That was some run, be-
lieve me! We’re goin’ to sit in at that race to-morrow
if it costs us a month’s wages.”

“You bet we are!” boomed the other two.

“Shake!” said the man called Hank, solemnly, reach-
ing over to take Merry’s hand. “You, too, red top,” he
added, dropping Frank’s hand to: take Clancy’s. ‘‘Also
yours,’ and he shook with Ballard.

“Obliged to you,” said Hank. “Adios:

They spurred away at a gallop,’ the riderless horse
tollway at the end of the rope.

“What do you suppose Fosdick will say when he heir S
about this!” Chip asked.

“He’s a right.to say ‘I told you so,’ answered Ballard,

“There’s no telling how long that horse was loose,”
said Merry. “If he got away from Wolf two or three
days ago, Wolf has had time to put a good distance be-
tween himself and this gulch.

“We've fooled away time enough,”
“Let’s get over the rest of the course.’ ;

They started on along the gulch, oo the turn to the
south bank where the flags pointed: the way, scrambled —
up the steep slope, and gained the level, sandy plateau.
Fifty yards brought them to the crack in the earth, —

A “crack” it was, almost, literatly. It looked as.

”

inquired one of the

pj?

49

went on M erry.

  
  

     
     
     
     
     
     
 
  

  
  
   

  
  

   

    
    
  
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
  
   
   
    
 

 

14 NEW TIP TOP WEEKLY.

the earth had ‘split apart, riven deep ifito its crust. The
chasm reached far down into the gloom, with dizzy, per-
pendicular sides. Here and there the walls showed
patch of grisly green, where a stunted tree ot bush strug-
gled to find sustenance and grow.

“Jingo!” gulped Clancy, starting back. “That would
be a nice thing to stumble into in the dark. Looks as
though a fellow might fall to China, and not half try.”

The chasm had been bridged. Two sixteen-foot two-
inch planks, nailed together, had been laid across the gap
at the narrowest point. East and west, as far as the

_ boys could see, the split ran.

“The bridge doesn’t lap over enough at the ends to
suit me,” said Ballard. “And if those planks were about
ten feet wide I'd like it better.”

Frank, cool-headed and resolute, stepped out. on the
plank bridge and trotted easily to the opposite side.
Clancy followed him over, and Ballard came last. Bal-
lard came with great care, drawing a deep breath as he
reached Merry and Clancy.

“A man with a dizzy head would do well not to look
down,” said he. “When you get in the middle of that
bridge, it springs until your hair stands right up. Wow!
I'd rather cross a dozen ‘Liverpools’ than one obstacle
like that.”

Merry and Clancy laughed and ran on to the dry ditch,
the stone wall, and the hedge of greasewood.

“We'll want to save ourselves here, too,” remarked
Merry, observing the obstacle with a good deal of care.
“Unless you’re hard pressed by the Gold Hill runners,
don’t rush it too fast. Remember the water jump.”

Frank cleared the greasewood hedge at a flying jump,
then whirled quickly and directed Clancy and Ballard
to make the leap farther to the east.

“Remember where you make the jump,” he called, ‘‘and
do it in exactly the same place this afternoon, and dur-
ing the race to-morrow.”

The reason for this was apparent to Clancy and Bal-
lard the moment they had cleared the bushes. Where
Frank had come down was a clump of cholla cactus,
sprawling out in every direction for several feet.

“Jupiter!” exclaimed Ballard, staring hard at the

prickly mass. “How did you avoid coming down in that,
Chip?”

“Sheer luck, and a little quick work while |
the air,’ Merry answered.

“Rynder ought to have put that on his blessed chart,”
grumbled Clancy.

was in

“TH see that it’s put on just as soon as we - get back.

to the clubhouse,” said Merry.
' From the “Liverpool,” the fluttering flags at the sec-
ond water jump would have enabled the runner's to de-
scribe a straight course but for many prickly obstacles.
Some’ of the cactus clumps could be leaped over, and
others would have to be gone around.
_ They padded along easily toward the flags, Merry
_ studying the ground and indicating the best way among
the prickly growths. There was a fairly clear space for
fifty feet at the ditch side and the boys got a good start
for the leap.
Merry took it in exhibition style, landing well beyond
the farther margin. Clancy took off before Merry was
-on the ground, and did nearly as well. Ballard came
down/on the ditch like a limited express, took off too
soon, struck soggy ground as he landed, slipped, and sat
down in the apuddy water.

Merry and Clancy dropped in the sand and roared.
Ballard splashed to his feet and came up the slight
slope, trailing water as he walked.

“Pink,” said. Merry, sobering a little,
farther than either Clancy or I did. You started too
quick, that’s all the trouble. You cleared too much
ground, old chap, but on the wrong sidaof the ditch.” >

Ballard sat down in the warm sand and hunched up
his knees under his chin.

“Greatest lot of obstacles | ever saw in a cross-country
race!’ he declared. ‘Couldn't find some of ‘em any-
where but out here in the Southwest.”

“Chip,” went on Ballard, don’t believe that horse
got away from Wolf very far from Leavitt’s cabin in
the gulch. Further, [) don’t believe the horse got away
from Wolf until some time this forenoon. And, last
but not least, it’s altogether likely that Wolf is too close
to this cross-country course for comfort.”

This was startling, but it was founded entirely on sup-
position. Neither Clancy nor Merry was willing to admit
that Rynder had left Ophir the night before to call on
Hayward Wolf and supply him with food.

“] don’t see,’’ said Clancy slowly, “how Wolf’s hiding
near the course of this cross-country race can make us
uncomfortable. Even,’ he added, “if we admit that he
is lurking in the neighborhood.”

‘“T don’t, either,’ returned Ballard promptly,
Fosdick is right in a few of his forebodings.’
“Bosh!” jeered Merry. ‘“Rynder’s bolt, if he shoots
is wrapped up in disqualifying me for the race
The

“unless

one,
by claiming that I competed with a professional.
letter I received this morning settles that part of it.”

“Providing,” hinted Ballard, “that Rynder wrote the
message, and sent it.”

“Who else could have sent it?”

“All this talk is getting you nowhere, fellows,
Clancy, ‘and it’s getting me badly muddled. Pink fell
in the ditch and got water on the brain. I move that
we jog on to the gym and see that he’s properly rinsed
off, Chip. After that, maybe he'll talk in words of one
syllable and give me a chance to understand him.”

“Jove!” cried B allard, jumping up, “I do feel the need
of a shower.’ \Come on!

They sprinted in briskly, struck the cinder track, and
came down the home stretch in the liveliest sort of
style.

Two men, on a lower seat of the grand stand, got up,
one of them consulting his watch. They were Brad-
laugh and Vosdick.

“Two hours and_ fifty-three minutes,” announced
Bradlaugh. “From appearances, only one of you fell
in the ditch.”

“We just got a phone message, Merriwell,”

called. “It came from Parker’s ranch. That
orse has been found.”

“No news to us, Fosdick,”

’ growled

Fosdick
stolen

chirped Clancy

CHAPTER IX.

THE STRONGER MIND,

Two nights and a day had wrought a terrible trans-
formation in Herman Rynder. He had settled upon a
plan of action: he had ‘worked out to the last detail
a scheme which, carefully executed, would enableshim to
pay off the score he thought he owed young Merriwell,

Rynder had not in him the making of a hardened

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IF something, and I’ve worked it out.
scheme.

criminal. He might, under the influence of a stronger
character and impelled by a sense of wroug, consummate
a désperate deed. He had not the resolution, however,
to go on from crime to crime.

The constantly haunting specter of the crime he con-
templated put Rynder in a state of mind bordering upon
frenzy. He felt that he was losing his nerve, and half
the night he walked the floor, trying to flog his sense
of wrong and injustice to the point where his will would
sustain him for the work ahead.

He felt that he must see Wolf again. Wolf, he fondly
and foolishly. imagined, sympathized with him. W olf
understood what he had suffered at Merriwell’s hands,
and could counsel with him and strengthen his waver-
ing purpose.

Rynder decided that he would make the journey on
foot. He had grown so suspicious of every one that he
was afraid to go to the corral after his riding horse.
The corral keeper would ask questions, and Fosdick
might come to him with his prying.

Before he left the boarding-house premises, Rynder
sneaked around to the woodshed and found a hatchet.
The handle of the hatchet he pushed into the band of
his trousers and then buttoned his coat over it.

So eager was he to get to Wolf, now that he had
started, that he ran along the trail till he was breathless
and almost exhausted, In the cafion he slumped down
on a bowlder to rest.

He had eaten but little the day before, and he had
had no breakfast. He was shaking from weakness and
fatigue like a man with a chill, For perhaps a quarter
of an hour he sat on the bowlder, slowly recovering his
strength; then, after drinking deeply from one of the
pools in the cafion, he staggered on. It was sunrise when
he reached the mouth of the gulch. Half an hour later
he was floundering through the mask of bushes into the
concealed basin among the hills.

Wolf heard him coming, and when he emerged from
the narrow passage, met him with a weapon glimmering
in his hands. An exclamation of. relief escaped Wolf
when he discovered that the man was Rynder.

“Oh, it’s you, is it?” said Wolf, in his sneering voice,
“Did you bring any more grub? Where’s your horse?
What

The flow of questions halted abruptly. Wolf’s curious
eyes were searching the drawn, hueless face.

“Great guns,” he exclaimed, “what’s happened to you?”

“Nothing,” mumbled Rynder.

Wolf gave a half start as another thought flashed
through his brain. Leaning forward, he demanded
huskily:

“Has anything happened to Merriwell?

“No,” was the response.

Wolf drew himself b: ick sharply, almost with a gesture
of contempt.

“Then what the devil ails you?” he asked.

“T—I guess I’m losing my nerve,” almost blubbered
Rynder. “I know what I want to do, but as the’time
comes to do it, something seems to hold me back.”

Wolf laughed jeeringly, turned away, and walked to
a scrap of shade by the water hole and the mesquite
bushes.

fey!” cried Rynder imploringly, “
I ‘want you to stand by me!

 

don’t leave me like
You gave me an idea
It's a gr-great
It will do the trick, I know it will. m3

that,

NEW TIP TOP WEERLY.

. this afternoon,”

   

remarked
“Why don’t you buck up and be a man?”

“That’s what I’m trying to do.”

“You've been worrying your head off about this thing,

“You're a good deal of a fool, Rynder,

Wolf.

p

haven’t or

“T—well, it has bothered me a lot.”

Wolf gave a mirthless laugh. ‘“You’re the limit!” he
growled. Where did you leave your horse?”

“In the Ophir corral,” answered Rynder.

“You walked out here?’ came the surprised query.
Why ?”

Rynder explained about Fosdick, and his fears that
Fosdick suspected him of designs against Merriwell.

“And that’s the reason you failed to go for your
horse, is it?’ sneered Wolf. “You’re a bigger fool than
I thought you were. My own horse is gone, and I could
have used yours.”

“What became of the horse?” asked Rynder.

“Broke the picket rope yesterday afternoon, and was
out into the gulch before I could overhaul him. As
hard luck would have it, some cowboys came down the
gulch and chased the horse. After a while I saw them
going back, leading the horse by the rope. So you see
the fix I’m in. No grub, no horse, no anything.”

“Maybe I could help you,’ suggested Rynder hope-
fully.

“Maybe you could,” grunted Wolf, “only you don’t
seem to have nerve enough to help yourself.” His voice
grew fierce as he went on. “Are you going to duck on
this whole proposition and let Merriwell run .you out’
of the club?) Are you going to stand it to be humiliated
and mistreated by him, and never do a thing to show
that you’re a man and able to look after yourself ?”’

The sense of wrong and injustice was stirred in Ryn-
der’s breast, as they could have been stirred by no one-
else than Wolf. Already Rynder felt his courage grow-
ing.

-“No!” he cried savagely. “I’m going to get even with
Merriwell. All I’m waiting for is the right time,”

*And when is the right time?”

“Just as soon as I know that the course of that cross-
country race is clear—that there will be nobody. over it
until the racers come.’

“The race starts from the clubhouse at two o'clock
' said Wolf, “You can bank gn it that
there will be no one over the course, after twelve, until
the racers come. You can stay here until noon, then go_
otit and do what you've got in mind.” .

“Here’s my plan, Wolf, I want to hear what you
think of it. Merriwell will be first over the course. I’ve
planned en that, and if any one else should be first, then.
the wrong man would tumble into the trap. Now, I'm
going to

“Cut that out!” ordered Wolf gruffly. “I don’t care
to hear what you’re going to do. It isn’t necessary, and _
I have other matters to think of. If you're pO a ;
will turn the trick, go ahead with it.”

“But I thought. you might give me some suggestions.” ‘S
“T’ve already made one suggestion, and you say you've ©
acted upon jit. You ought to be man enough, now, to go —
it alone. After the race wh: it are you going to do?”

“T hadn't thottght of that,” answered Rynder. OW

“Well; you'd better’ think of it. It won't be heilthy
for you to stay in Ophir. / What you do after the race is
this: Get your own horse and ‘a horse for me and

 

       
   
      
     
     
  

   

   
      
   

a railroad point some distance away. Then we can sell
’ our horses and hit the iron trail for the East.”

“I guess that will be best,’’ said Rynder, after a little
thought.

“Of.course it will be best. We'll make our get-away
together. You're tired and sleepy—lI can see it in your
actions. Lie down there in the shade and see if you
can’t doze off. Ill keep track of the time and call you
just before twelve—if you don’t wake up before then.”
' Rynder sprawled himself out in the shade, doubled
his arm under his head and went to sleep. It was com-
fortable to have a friend like Wolf, a resourceful friend,
who had the wit to advise and the courage to do!

The sleeper slept on and on. He did not wake until
Wolf aroused him. Wolf was just snapping shut the
lid of his watch and returning it to his pocket as Rynder
sat up.

Bi! “It’s nearly time for you to pull out, Rynder,” said
Wolf. “Do what you’re going to and then get back to
town without being seen... It’s well for you to be in town
when the runners go over the course. Understand?
Come out to-night with the horses—your own and one
for me. Better bring some rations, too. We'll put in
most of the night in the saddle and get where no one
will be able to molest us. This place here—I haven’t
forgot that you steered me to it—is likely to become
unsafe.

“It would be hard for them to find you here,’ de-
clared Rynder. “It was by merest accident that I
stumbled upon the place, and I haven’t heard of anybody
in Ophir, or in this section, that knows about it.”

“Well, I’m not going to stay here longer than. till to-

night,’”’ said Wolf firmly, ‘so be sure and come with the
horses just as soon as it’s safe.”
, “YT will,’ said Rynder, and started at a run in the
direction of the gulch. He paused when he got to the red
flags, and looked cautiously in the direction of the cabin
and of the cafon. The coast seemed clear, and there
was no sign of a living person anywhere in the vicinity.
Hie-climbed the slope of the gulch wall and again care-
fully surveyed his surroundings.

Giving no further attention to anything but his evil

_ plans, he hurried to the plank bridge that crossed the
chasm. Rynder knew all about that bridge. It had been
._ made under his direction, and he had personally over-
seen the laying of it across the deep rift in the earth.

_ Kneeling down at the end of the planks, he carefully
lifted the end and pushed it a little to one side. Next,
with the hatchet, he began cutting away the earth. He
did it cunningly, hewing out the soil to the width of the
planks and sloping the cut downward, so that the end of
the bridge would slide into the yawning gulf under a
-runner’s weight.

_ This was his plan; and here would lie Merriwell’s
awful danger if he led the runners. And there was ao
- doubt but that he would lead them!

The work done, Rynder cautiously replaced the end
of the plank bridge in its former place. The planks
seemed as safe as ever—no visible trace had been left of
ynder’s nefarious tampering—and yet a terrible pitfall
waited the first man over those treacherous planks. —
Hatchet in hand, Rynder started up and raced back
toward the gulch. He had carried out his plans—he had
lone all he could to “get even” with Merriwell!

  

 

NEW TIP TOP WEEKLY.

out here. We'll both try to get out of these hills and to

CHAPTER X.

OPHIR VERSUS GOLD HILL.

“This way, fellows!”

Six lads in running pants, spiked shoes, and with the

initials “O. A, C.” on their white shirts had been stand-
ing around the gymnasium door. At the call from Mer-
riwell, they grouped together and followed him to one
corner of the grand stand.

The time for the race was almost at hand. The crowd
overflowed grand stand and bleachers and stretched out
along both sides of the cinder track in the vicinity of
the starting line. Distance judges had already gone to
their places around the course. The air was vibrant with
excitement, and the tension and strain, usually in evidence
before the get-away, could be read in the faces of most of
the Ophir men.

Merry gathered the Ophir runners about him and began
giving his final instructions. He was quite the calmest of
the lot, and his voice was cool and his manner convincing.

‘Now, fellows,’ and he smiled a little, “don’t break
your hearts over this before you leave the starting line.
Just forget that you have anything like nerves. Ophir is
going to win. Ophir has not done very much winning
during the past year, but it’s a long lane that has no
turning—and here’s where it begins to turn. There are
just three men on the Gold Hill team that need watching.
They are Mingo, the Mexican, Bleeker, and Chappo, the
half-blood Indian. The remaining four in the Gold Hill
crowd are not going to bother us.

“Remember what I told you when we went over the
course yesterday afternoon. The race isn’t always to the
swift, but to the man who combines sound judgment with
speed. The worst obstables are on the last half of the
course, sO save yourselves over the first half as much as
you can. The cafion is a good place to nurse your stay-
ing powers, and you won’t lose much in the gulch if you
go through it as you should. Don’t try for style in tak-
ing the combinations or ‘Liverpool,’ and remember the
cactus on the blind side of the greasewood. One more
thing: Go carefully across the plank bridge over the
chasm. No matter how closely you are pressing some
other runner, or are pressed by him, don’t take to the
planks until the other man is off.”

Just at that moment the seven Gold Hillers emerged
from the gymnasium door. Mingo, thé Mexican, led the
exit from the dressing rooms. He was slender, and
swarthy, and wiry, and every ~nove was catlike in its
quickness. It did not require two glances at him to tell
of his ability as a runner. Chappo, the half-blood, fol-
lowed Mingo. The half-blood was lean as a hound, and
his clean-cut limbs gleamed in the, sun_ like bronze.
Bleeker, towheaded and awkward-looking, followed the
Mexican and the half-blood.
Gold Hill cracks gave everything to Mingo and Chappo;
and yet, to Merry’s practiced eye, the awkward Bleeker
showed indications of endurance and power.

The athletic rivalry between Ophir and Gold Hill was
keen. Because of a long string of victories, Gold Hill
partisans were swaggering and perhaps overconfident.
Ophir was on the defensive.

The runners had come over from the rival town with
many wagonloads of rooters, and many a horseman burn-
ing with a partisan spirit. These visitors were now dis-

tributed through grand stand and bleachers and along

  

A comparison of the three |

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little later,

‘was easy.

the track, waving flags and shouting lustily for Gold
Hill.

Mérriwell had faced a bit of an ordeal, for the captain
of the Gold Hill team had protested against his taking
part in the race. It was the claim that, having com-
peted against a professional, he was no longer in amateur
ranks. This, indeed, had been the substance of that
anonymous message received by Merry through the mails.
Some one in Ophir must have laid the matter before
the Gold Hillers.

The judges were addressed by Fosdick, and Fosdick
offered for their perusal a telegram. Merriwell was de-
clared eligible. This was a straw in the wind. For one
thing, it showed that Gold Hill was afraid of Merry.

“They’re ready for us, boys!” called Merriwell sud-
denly.

A storm of applause greeted the Ophir runners as they
made their way out on the track. Another torrent of
cheers was let loose when Gold Hill appeared, headed by
their three crack sprinters.

“They say Bleeker is the best man at the running
broad jump in this part of the country, ” Clancy mur-
mured to Ballard.

“IT guess Merry could trim his spurs,”
lard.

“Ready?” called the starter, cocking his pistol.

A deep hush had fallen over the crowd of onlookers.
The runners poised forward, every muscle alert and every
nerve tense, waiting upon the signal to “go.” ‘There was
a brief pause ; then—bang!

In the mass the runners swept down the cinder track,
left it at the turn, and made for the back jump. In a
‘rhythm of motion they could be seen going over, the
bank, to reappear just beyond in the fork of the road.
Here the contestants separated into two divisions, and a
in the main trail, into three. In the first
division were Mingo, Bleeker, and Chappo, leading
Merry, Clancy, and Ballard by a stride.

In the second division were Spink and ae for
Ophir, and Rasmus and Twomley for Gold Hill. The
third division comprised the stragglers of both sides—
men who hoped, y some freak of fortune, to be one of
the four on his side who were first at the { finish line.

The first man in from the race would count one in
the number of points for Ophir or Gold Hill, as the case
might be; the second man would count two, the third
three, and the fourth four. No more than four on each
side were to be counted, the team scoring the lowest num-

returned Bal-

ber of points being the winner.

Merriwell and his chums were letting Mingo, Chappo,
and Bleeker set the pace. It was not particularly fast,
and Merry was well anetis to follow.

The Mexican had a nervous stride, while the half-blood
reached out with a conscious power it was a delight to
behold. Bleeker jogged awkwardly, and yet with a
palpable reserve of speed and endurance,

The sand of the main trail told on all-of them. Wisely
the leaders slackened pace to take the first water jump.
On the slope to the cafion’s bed the speed quickened, and
the six-foot pool was cleared in splendid style.

The three Gold Hill men took off and landed as one,
and behind them Frank, Owen and Billy did the same.
The six leaders were now in the caiion, where the going

From end to end of the cafon part of the course Mer-

 riwell and his, friends were content to look at the heels

   

NEW TIP TOP WEEKLY. : 1

of their rivals. Chappo had trouble with one of his
shoes, and slipped just at the gulch entrance and lost
his stride. He dropped behind, and Merry, Clancy, and
Ballard swept past him.

By a miscalculation Mingo barked his shins at the stone

_ridge’ of the combination jump and was hung up for.a

space that gave Merry time to pass him, hot on the trail
of Bleeker. Clancy and Ballard, according to instruc-
tions from Frank, took the combination carefully.
Frank, on the other hand, being sure of his powers for
a final spurt, copied the work of Bleeker and made the
shortest possible work of the obstacle.

Bleeker seemed tireless. More and more it was be-
ginning to dawn upon Merry that this apparently
awkward captain of the Gold Hill squad was something
of an amateur phenomenon.

It was not until that moment that Merry experienced
a desire to begin taking the lead. He felt that in Bleeker
he had a foeman in every way worthy of his mettle. If
Bleeker could stand the fast clip and come up well for
the final spurt, then certainly Merry could.

Steadily he began drawing in on Bleeker along the up-
grade of the gulch. The way Bleeker avoided the rocks
and bumps of the rough going was a surprise. He
seemed to have as little airy grace as a hippopotamus,
and yet he leaped and dodged the bowlders like a gazelle.

The next moment Merry was abreast of Bleeker. The
latter did not seem in the least discouraved. His face,
set in strong lines, was stolid and inexpressive. If he
felt the strain of the pace, he did not show it. He did
not attempt to increase his gait and prevent Merry from
taking the lead. On the contrary, he seemed perfectly
satisfied to drop behind.

The runners were now strung out for a great dis-
tance. Clancy and Ballard were dashing along with
Mingo and Chappo. Spink and Handy and Twomley, of
the next division, were pressing them close. Rasmus had
joined the stragglers.

One Ophir man had taken a bath at the first water

"jump, having lost too much energy. in the sand. of the

trail to carry him clear of the pool. One Gold Hill run-
ner, too, had slipped on the descent into the cafion, and
was limping back toward the clubhouse with a game .
knee,

Thus twelve runners were left. Those in the race
who were close énough to catch occasional glimpses of
Merry and Bleeker were of opinion that one of the two
would be first aeross the finish line. Clancy and Ballard,
of course, were loyally positive that good old Merry
would handily best the Gold Hiller; Mingo and Chappo,
in their own minds, were equally confident that+Bleeker
would show Merry his heels.

Mingo and Chappo were now figuring to come in third
and fourth. Clancy and Ballard, however, were also
doing a little figuring along the same line.

The Mexican’s shin was smudged with an ugly spot
of red. It did not appear to be a serious injury, nor
to interfere at all with his speed. But it evidently made
him nervous.

The half-blood’s shoe was rubbing his heel. Clancy,
could see that. Chappo was favoring the growing blister
just a little,

The second division was now made up of what had.
been the first division, and the third division had once
heen the second. Some of the third division were lag-
ging back dangerously close to the aes

      
      
  
  
  

   
   

   
  
    
 
   
   
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
   

  
  
 
 

 
  
 
 

Merriwell, still leading and steadily increasing the dis-
tance between him and Bleeker, passed the cabin on the
wooded flat, Somewhere in the vicinity of the cabin
Fosdick, as one of the distance judges, was supposed to
be stationed, Yet Merry, as he hustled by, did not catch
a glimpse of him,

In a nest of rocks at the foot of the gulch wall, about
midway between the cabin and the cafion, a haggard face
had peered out at the runners from a copse of white
thorn,

The face was not only haggard; but hueless and deathly.
Tt was the face of Herman Rynder. His courage had
oozed out of him. Again he was haunted by the hor-
tible thing he had done.

He saw Merriwell dart by, well in the lead. Rynder
‘started up, as though he would’cry out a warning, but
fear deadened his voice to a whisper and he sank down
among the rocks again, covering his face with his hands.

What a load he was to have on his conscience after
that race was done! It was a load which he would carry
with him to his grave. He lifted his strained face and
again peered through the thorn branches.

Runners were still flitting by. He could call out to
them—he could tell them of the fate lying in wait for
Merriwell—but what good would it do? It was too late
to do anything for Merriwell, Already he was too far
in the distance to be warned. No; for the dread thing
that followed, Rynder must answer to his conscience,

At that moment Rynder would have undone his evil
work had it been possible. Only the voice and presence
of Hayward Wolf had supported him at the critical mo-
ment when he was on the point of going to pieces.

Now, when all was done, Rynder was going to pieces
fast. What should he do? He forgot about his promise
to meet Wolf that night with a led horse; he forgot every-
thing but that he was a man with an awful crime on his
soul,

The last runner had passed. Rynder emerged from his
hiding place, flung up his hands wildly, groaned, and
staggered away toward the cafion,

Meantime Merriwell had reached the red flags where
the course turned out of the gulch and led toward the
hardest obstacles, ‘Bleecker was dropping farther and
farther behind. Divisions were mixed and broken again,
and runners seemed to be strung out all the way down

the gulch,

 Merriwell ‘sprang lightly up the slope in front of him,
and gained the crest, the cactus-covered plateau stretch-
ing between him and the athletic field. He was still in
excellent form and knew he could take every obstacle
ahead ang come down tg the finish with a good burst
of speed. | | nas

With hardly a pause at the top of the gulch slope, he
got into his stride and made directly for the plank bridge.

ie CHAPTER XI,
Ei CHANCE BLUNDERS.

_ Fosdick, mounted on his saddle horse, rode out to
the gulch a little in advance of the time for starting the
race, The gear had been put on his horse in Ophir, and
the animal brought to the clubhouse by a man from the
own corral. losdick, after mounting to ride to the
Ich, discovered that another saddle than his own was
ider him. It was a big Sonora saddle, with a horse-

ata over the horn,”

  

NEW TIP TOP WEEKLY.

Fosdick had never owned a reata in his life.
dered how the corral keeper had made such a mistake in
his personal riding gear, Changing saddles, at that mo-
ment, was out of the question. The big Sonora affair
was comfortable enough, and Fosdick concluded to leave
the horsehair reata just where it was.

Thus, on that memorable day, chance began to blunder,

Once in the gulch, Fosdick rode slowly toward Leavitt's
cabin. The air was still; in fact, so still and quiet was
everything in the gulch that Fosdick, faintly but distinctly,
heard the pistol that started the race’ more than a mile
and a half away. The report of the pistol was followed
by a distant rumble of cheers.

“They’re off!” thought Fosdick, “I wish I was as
sure of a million as | am that Merriwell will give a good
account of himself.”

Reaching the wooded “flat,” he dismounted, left his
horse at the corner of the cabin with bridle trailing from
the bits, came down toward the edge of the flat, and
took up a position on a bench under a cottonwood, He
had a pad on his knee, a pencil in his hand, and was
looking down the gulch for the first glimpse of a white-.
clad figure taking the “‘combination.”

While the minutes slowly passed, Fosdick started on
the bench arid looked around.
from the direction of the cabin, He knéw Leavitt was
not at home, and that the cabin was supposed to be de-
serted for the present. While he stared, he caught a
flash of a human form clearing an open space between
the end of the cabin and a copse of mesquite, On the
instant he leaped erect, dropping his pencil and paper.

“Wolf!” he-shouted, “Stop! Halt! or it will be the
worse for you.”

By that time the form of Hayward Wolf was in
precipitate flight. There was now no occasion for
secrecy, and Wolf was racing ‘at his best speed up the
gulch.

Fosdick ran to his horse, lifted the drooping reins, and .
In another moment he was in swift

rose to the saddle,
pursuit of Wolf, .

lf it had ‘been Wolf’s intention to regain his hiding
place in the bush-masked basin, that intention was
changed when he discovered his pttrsuer mounted and
bearing down on him at a gallop.

What could Wolf do to avoid capture? This question
passed through his mind. Fosdick would surely overhaul
him before he could reach the basin. .

Wolf was quick to plan and equally quick to execute.
He remembered the.chasm in the plateau, and the plank
bridge Rynder had*laid in preparation for the cross-
country race, Here was something that might serve
him well. If he could reach the chasm ahead of Fos-
dick, he could hurl the bridge into the gulf, after crossing

it, As a result, Fosdick would be blocked and Wolf
would have time to effect his escape--going a mile or two

around the western end of the chasm and then regain-
ing the gulch, oe
na twinkling the fugitive whirled and bounded up the
slope of the gulch wall, just where the flags indicated
the course of the race. Fosdick, still calling loudly on
Wolf to halt, was at the bottom of the slope as Wolf
gained the crest. Far down the gulch the foremost run-
ners were coming into view, sprinting rapidly and all un-
conscious of what was taking place on the plateat.
Wolf felt sure that he should effect his escape,
had gone to Leayitt’s cabin in a further quest for food,

:

 

He won-

He had heard a noise ‘

He

   

   

   
   
   
   
  
  
  
  
   
 

 

 
     

  

 
     

  

 
 

 

  

   

 
 

 

 

we a ‘ ts
and the coming of Fosdick had been a surprise.

 

 

NEW TIP TOP WEEKLY.

He had
tried to get out of a window and escape unseen by the
distance judge, but he had slipped from the window sill
and made a noise which Fosdick had overheard. So
chance had blundered a second time.

‘ With confidence growing in his breast, Wolf plunged
across the level stretch toward the planks. Only a few
yards more and he would be safe!

He was at the end.of the planks as Fosdick rode over
the rim of the gulch.
out on the defective bridge. Then, feeling the structure
yielding beneath his feet, he gave a loud cry of terror,
and attempted, at a bound, to reach the opposite side.
In this he failed. Fosdick, horrified, saw the farther
end of the two planks shoot into the air and drop from
sight. The figure of Wolf dropped with them.

Quickly as he could, Fosdick rolled out of the saddle
and hastened to the brink of the chasm.- There he knelt
and was looking downward when he heard a panting
voice behind him:

‘““Where’s the bridge, Fosdick?
the bridge?”

He turned and saw Merriwell.

a towheaded, stolid-faced runner from Gold Hill.

» ‘The bridge was tampered with, Merriwell,’’ Fosdick
explained excitedly. “It was unsafe. While I was at
the cabin on the ‘flat, I saw Hayward Wolf sneaking
away, on foot. I followed him on horseback. He came
this way, tried to cross the bridge, and -vent down!”

“Good heavens!” gasped Merriwell. ‘Is he done for,
Fosdick ?”

A twinge ran through Bleeker’s face.

“Bridge tampered with?’ he demanded huskily. “Nice
sort of a cross-country course you Ophir fellows are giv-
ing us! What’s to be done now? How——’

Fosdick paid no attention to Bleeker, nor to Clancy,
Ballard, Mingo, and Chappo who were topping the rise
and bearing excitedly down on the group by the chasm.

“Wolf has not been done for, Merriwell,”’ said he.
“He's down there, caught on a ledge and a stunted tree
fifteen feet down, and seems to be unconscious. He
hasn’t made a move since | saw him.”

What’s happened to

 

Merriwell also knelt on the brink and studied the
chasm wall. He could see Wolf distinctly, lying face
up, arms sprawled out, on the bit of ledge and the stunted
bush, He was motionless.

‘“He’s unconscious, all right,” said Merry. “If he
comes to himself, he’s liable to make a move and fall
off the ledge and the tree to the bottom of the chasm.
Something has got to, be done for him. You've got a
reata on your saddle horn, Fosdick. Clancy, bring up the
horse—hurry !” wins

It was not a time for getting at the reasons of that
tragic situation; it was rather a time for hurried thought
and action.

Without a word, Clancy ran for the horse.
stepped close to Merriwell.

“Don’t take any chances, Chip,” he urged.

“T must do something for Wolf,” was Merry’s answer.
“We can’t leave the fellow down there like that. * He’s in
danger of falling every nioment.’’

Fosdick voiced no comments, but there was a look in

Ballard

“his eyes which expressed admiration for Merriwell. He

athered Merry’s intention from mention of the reata,
serked it from the saddle, and opened the noose,

With a quick stride he stepped |

Back of Merriwell was’

   
 

rank, drew the noose over his head and shoulders,
pulled it taut, and sat down on the brink of the chasm.

“Tail on to this rope, you fellows,” ordered Fosdick.
“We're going to let Merriwell down, and then pull him
up with Wolf.”

Bleeker was the first to lay hold of the:rope. Other
runners were coming, and as they arrived they asked
questions. Few answers were given, but all were told
to help with the reata.

Fosdick, crumpling up his sombrero, laid it over the
rough edge of the brink so the rope would not chafe in
slipping up or down; then Frank, the rope kept taut
by the many hands that held it, lowered himself over the
brink.

What risk there was in the proceeding he was taking
in order to save the life of his bitterest enemy. This
thought did not occur to him. He knew that a human
being was in danger, and that if he was saved at all it
must be done quickly.

No eyes could watch Merriwell’s descent, for every
available man at the brink was gripping the rope.

“Stop!” came Frank’s voice hollowly from the depths.

The hands on the reata held rigid. The rope tingled
and jerked; and, then, after a space of two or three min-
utes, Merriwell shouted for them to pull away—slowly.

Foot by foot the reata was drawn in, straining fear-
fully under its double weight. When Merriwell’s head
and shoulders appeared above the rim of the chasm, Fos-
dick, with a warning to the others to hold fast, left his
place, knelt down, and pulled the unconscious Wolf out
of Merriwell’s arms.

Two minutes later, Wolf and Merriwell were both on
solid ground. Bleeker, his stolid face glowing, reached
for Merriwell’s hand.

“That’s bully!” said, he. “I wish you belonged with
our crowd. “I’m going on with the race, Merriwell, but
I don’t caré to set a pattern for the rest of you. Ex-
ercise your judgment. I’m out to win for Gold Hill.”

He dropped Merriwell’s hand, went back for forty
feet, and came rushing toward the chasm. The other
runners held their breath. After a bold take-off, Bleeker
sailed across the ch 1asm and landed onythe opposite side
with ground to spare.

Those at the edge of the chasm had hardly
exhibit their relief before Merriwell,
though he must have been by his recent effort, rushed at
the break i in the plateau and got over it neatly,

It was a fourteen-foot running jump, taken on the —
heels of a trying sprint of more than two miles and a
little hard work for Wolf at the chasm. +

A volley of cheers burst from those runners who had
been left behind. Fosdick, his face glowing, turned to
the lads around him. .

“There are some planks back of Leavitt’s cabin,” said
he. “Some of you can go after them and make a bridge
of your own.’

“I’m taking the jump,” said Clancy grimly, as
watched Chappo hurling himself at the big ditch. “Don’t
you come, Ballard,” he &dded, ‘‘unless Mingo tries—even
then I’d think about it for a while. There'll be two
Ophirites and two Gold Hillers across, counting Chappo
and me, and you can take your chances with another
bridge.” 4

Chappo made a hair-raising landing on ‘the other ‘ins
of the chasm, and came within one slipping back into the
dizzy void. Clancy was not at, all CARE ne 7

time to

ae

a little fagged,

 

 

   
    
     
       
 
   
  
       
 

   
         
      
    
       
    
  

been saving himself, and the short rest he had had was
a help te him.
He cleared the gap finely and rushed away after
Chappo. If any other of the Gold Hill men. had thought
_ of attempting the jump, Chappo’s experience decided them
against it. Somé of the lads had already gone after the
planks. They were of oak and twenty feet long, so there
was not much difficulty in placing them in position. The
planks were simply stood on end and dropped across.
While this bridge building was going forward, Fosdick
had loaded the unconscious Wolf upon his horse, tied him
there with the reata, and was on his way back to the
cabin.
Meanwhile Merriwell was rushing after Bleeker.
From the top of the old Indian wall Bleeker cleared the
greasewood hedge, missing the cactus ee about which
Merriwell had taken pains to warn the Gold Hill team.
At the water jump Merriwell was tight at Bleeker’s heels.
Both runners covered the jump well, and then, side by
side, broke into the home stretch.
Wild cheers greeted them as they struck the cinder
patch. There were only twenty yards between the run-
ners and the finish line, and their staying powers seemed
-about equal.
Between lines of frantic men and women, cheering,
' shouting, and waving hats, flags, and handkerchiefs, the
two leaders in the race rushed down the twenty yards.
Ten yards from the finish line Merriwell drew a little
ahead, and the Ophirites almost went crazy. <A heart’s
beat later there was no “almost” about it, for the towns-

| people— every man, woman, and child of them—gave an
imitation of bedlam let loose.

Merriwell had passed the line, winner by a stride!

It was with difficulty that the track was kept clear for
the runners still to come. As Frank left the track, a
burly cowboy caught him in his arms and gave him a

bear’s hug.

“T’m Hank,” he rumbled, “Hank, of the Parker out-
fit. Oh, you! If there’s anything you want, pard, just

ask me for it.”

The good luck still continued, for Claney came in just
ahead of Chappo. Both were wet and bedraggled, and
it was a plain case with them of having spent all their

_ energy at the chasm and falling short at the second

_ water jump.

It was fifteen minutes later before Ballard got in, lead-
ing Mingo. Spink was beaten by Twomley, but: that

made little difference, for when the score was finally run

up it was as certain as fate that the Ophir runners would
be found to have covered themselves with glory.
Bleeker made his way to Merriwell and again took
him by the hand. ‘You're the best ever, old man,” said
he, “and if there’s pleasure in being beaten, it’s in being
beaten by a chap like you. I had less to do at the chasm
than you did.”

“What caused the delay at the chasm, Merriwell?” in-
uired Bradlaugh,

“The bridge went out,’
named Wolf went out with it.”
Bradlaugh’s face expressed his horror.

“Oh, not so bad as that,” went on Clancy. “Fosdick
as handily by with a rope and we lowered Chip down.
Wolf had lodged on a stunted tree, fifteen feet under
the brink, and Merry took him in his arms and we
| both of them up. .Then four of us jumped the
nd came in.

Wiis eT: Sa

  

* said Claney,

.

“and a fellow

NEW TIP TOP WEEKLY.

? = others went: to eeyet Ss cabin |

for planks and made another bridge.
well, and here’s where I make a break for the gy mnasium
baths.”
“Come to the clubhouse,
“after you're through at the gym.
you,”

Merriwell,” said Bradiittigh,
I want to talk with

CHAPTER XII.
PROMISES OF REFORM.

Merriwell’s talk with Bradlaugh at the clubhouse closed
as dramatically as another conference which the two had
had in the same place two days previously, And it was
Herman Rynder who injected the dramatic factor into
both interviews.

“Why: did that bridge go down?” Bradlaugh asked.
“This is a very serious matter, Merriwell, and must be
probed to the bottom.”

“IT understood Fosdick to say that some one had
tampered with it,” Frank answered.

“Tell me everything you saw and heard that took place
at the chasm. I want all the details, just as they came to
you.

Frank went into the affair minutely.
grew grave as he listened.

“Those planks must have been tampered with,” said
he, “but the tampering was done, not to entrap Wolf but
one of the runners. How did Wolf happen to be on
the bridge?”

Merry repeated what Fosdick had told him regarding

Bradlaugh’s face

Wolf.

“Irom which it appears,” deduced Bradlaugh, “that
Wolf didn’t know anything about the trap and blundered
into it in trying to escape from Fosdick. I wish we
knew .

He was interrupted by some one bursting into the room.
It was Rynder. His clothing was torn, his hat was gone;
and his rather long hair was flying about his face. He
looked more like an escaped lunatic than a person with
a sane mind.

“I’ve killed him!” he gurgled, tossing his arms and
staggering into a chair. “I’ve come here to confess! I
was the one! Wolf gave me a suggéstion, and I carried
it ottt—I—]!”

Rynder did not seem to see Merriwell. Remorse had
dropped a pall over all his faculties. He was shaking
like a man with the palsy, his eyes: were glassy, and his
face wore a stony expression and was dead-white.

“Killed him?” queried Bradlaugh, surveying Rynder
with astonishment. | “‘Whom have you killed?”

“Merriwell,” raved Rynder. “He got me expelled
from* the club and I wanted to get even with him. 1
knew he’d lead the runners all around the course—Wolf
said he would. I dug away the earth under one-end of
the planks. I waited in the gulch until I saw Merriwell
go by, leading the runners. He stepped on the planks,
and they gave way and threw him to the bottom of. the

 

chasm. I was the one, I tell you! Arrest me! Have
me locked up! I shall go mad if you don’t do something
to me!”

Bradlaugh looked from Rynder to Merriwell,
had dawned upon each of them.

A light,
The horror and indigna-

tion that had leaped into Merry face gave way to some-—

thing like pity as he studied the wretched man in front
of him, Getting up slowly, he stepped to Rynder’ s ed
and rarer a apn on pe shoulder.

  

 
  
   
  
  
   
  
   
  
    
  
   
    
   
   
    
 
  
    
  
  
  
 
   
 

All’s well that ends

 

Be

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SER RY EE

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en eh
UPL IZ alte

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Bil. te

1 ‘“You’re mistaken,” said he. “Don’t you know me,
i Rynder? Look! It’s Merriwell. You haven't killed
-anybotly. Chance saved me and also helped Hayward
e. Wolfs”
|. Rynder peered steadily into Merriwell’s face. He tried
i to talk, but the words stuck in his throat. Slowly, still
' staring, he arose from his chair. The next moment a
wild cry burst from his lips and he dropped to the floor
ina faint.

ie + * * x * x x

S .

ie Nothing was seen of Abner Fosdick until late that
' evening. When he finally came to the Ophir House he
qe wore the expression of a man who has accomplished
|} something worth while. Merry, Clancy, and Ballard
= were alone in the office of the hotel, looking at the small
-| gold medal which had come to the first:man across the
' finish line in the cross-country race. A similar medal, of
' ~ silver, had gone to Bleeker.

e “Well, well!” cried Clancy. “Look who’s here!”

t. “Hello, Fosdick!” said Ballard. “We thought you’d
| dropped into that chasm. Where have you been for so
a long?”

4 “I've been looking after Hayward. Wolf,” Fosdick
[t answered, drawing up a chair and seating himself close
- to the boys.

fa “Was he badly hurt?” asked Frank.

re “He was stunned, that’s all. Struck his head on the
a ledge, I suppose, when he fell.” :
Ae: “Where is he?”

Si “By this time, I suppose, he is taking the train at
iF Bentonville, bound East.”

   

The boys were startled.

e “Great glory!” exclaimed Clancy. “Well, I suppose
| it’s safer for him to go somewhere than to bi around
=> Ophir.”

y “You had him in your hands,” said Frank quizzically,
_ “and you let him go!

Ba SPT should have turned him over to Parker, but for
one thing,” answered Fosdick.

nie

“What was that?’
ii “Why, when Wolf came to himself, and T told him
what had happened, he became a different Wolf from
the one you have known. He told me that he had
nagged Rynder on to settle his score with you, and that
he had suggested tampering with the race course. He
wouldn’t Jet Rynder tell him what he had done; so,
| when Wolf saw me pursuing him, he thought at once
- of the oe ‘bridge. It was his intention to cross the
; _ planks and then blockade me by dropping the planks
into the chasm. Instead of that, he walked right into the
ep Rynder had set for you.’
_ “And so the biter got bitten!” said Ballard.
“Good enough for him,” added Clancy. “When a fel-
low fools with fire he must expect to get burned once
ina while.”
“Wolf told me all that,” pursued Fosdick, “and he ex-
pressed sorrow and regret for his part in the work.
' When I explained how you had gone into the chasm
1 after him, he showed genuine feeling, “This is the
hardest lesson I have ever had,’ said he, ‘and I’m going to
profit by it. If I can only get out of this country I'll
lead a different life.’ ”
_ “He was working you,” grunted Clancy,
“T don’t think so,” answered Fosdick quietly.

 

   
   
  
 

 

 
  

  

  

  
 

“I be-

 

   

ieve I'm a pretty good judge of human nature and can and women alike do this.

  

NEW TIP TOP WEEKLY. 2 21

tell when a man is bluffing or telling the truth. Wolf
told the truth. I got a horse for him at a ranch near
Leavitt’s and accompanied him to Bentonville. There
I left him. He had money enough to take him where he
wanted to go.”

“You did exactly right, Fosdick,’ said Merriwell.
“T’ve always thought that there was good stuff in Wolf
—if he’d only give it a chance to come out.”

“Here’s a note he wrote in Bentonville and asked
me to give to you,’ went on Fosdick, handing over a
scrap of folded paper.

Merry unfolded the note and read:

“MERRIWELL: [ am going East. Fosdick has proved
a trump and is helping me to get out of the country.
Before | go | want to say that I was not entitled to the
aid you gave me in that chasm, for it was a situation
which I had brought upon myself. Fate stacked the
cards. We may never see each other again, but, if we
do, it will not be as enemies. Haywarp WoLrF.”

Merry, with a thoughtful expression, passed the paper
to Clancy and Ballard.

“It was a queer situation that developed during the
race, Fosdick,” said Merry. ‘“Rynder’s schemes missed

 

fire, so far as they concerned me, but hit Wolf. It was
Rynder who
“T know all about that,” interrupted Fosdick. “I have

been. in town an hour and have talked with Bradlaugh.
Rynder lies in his room at his boarding house, with a
raging fever. He’ll recover, all right. Wolf is not the
only man who has received a lesson out of this. Ryn-
der also came in for’one.”’ Fosdick leaned back in his
chair with a smile. “What do you think of my fore-
bodings now?” he asked.

Merry reached over and gripped his hand. It was a
silent pressure, and yet that meeting of palms carried an
exchange of sentiments beyond the power of words.

THE END.

“Frank Merriwell, Junior’s, Relay Marathon; or, The
Lost Town of the Picket Posts,” will be found in the next
issue of this weekly. In this story young Merriwell re-
ceives the letter from his father, for which he has been
held on waiting orders at Ophir. It directs young Mer-
riwell to locate an abandoned mining camp and send a
description of a certain house to the elder Merriwell.
This story is full of incident and excitement, and young
Merriwell’s race to file a location notice is only one of
the story’s fine features. This issue is No. 9, and it
will be out September 28th.

—_——_ ~0 + 0+

TOOTHSOME SOUVENIRS.

“Would you think,” mused the dentist, “that any one
would want their teeth after they had been extracted?
It is.a fact, though, that lots of people do. Whether
they keep them to hand’ down to their children, or

whether, once carrying them home, they take them out _

and look at them occasionally with great interest, I can’t
imagine, but however it is, they do ask for them.
“At first I was astonished. Now I lqok upon it purely
as a matter of course, and I keep little envelopes to. ship
the teeth in when people ask Noe them. I must use
at least a hundred of these little envelopes a month. Men
T ne women, 7 sna to a Tittle’

 

    
       
      
     
     
       
       
      
   
     
  
  
 
    
  
 
   
   
  
   
   
   
   
  
  
   
 
   
   
   
  
  
 

 

‘greater extent than the men. Of course, any number
of women want the teeth of their very little children. I
can understand that, but when a woman or a man turned
forty carries off, say, three bad teeth that have just been
extracted, I simply wonder,”

 

THE YELLOW DOG.

By GEORGE BARTON.

SYNOPSIS OF PRECEDING CHAPTERS.

Carl Spencer, a capitalist, is found dead in his New York office.
Evidently the blow that killed him, whether a physical or mental
one, was delivered while he was at the telephone. Ralph Sparks,
a young lawyer, who had come to: New York to participate in a
deal with Spencer, interests himself in solving the mystery.
Sparks has become smitten with Grace Garland, adopted daughter
of the dead millionaire. Jasper Morris was waiting at the resi-
dence of Spencer when the body was found.

CHAPTER III.
THE EXPECTED.

He turned and gave instructions to the two dazed men
with him. One was to notify the police.

“Shall I hang up the telephone receiver?”
blue-coated person.

“No,” was the sharp retort, “the heart of the mystery
probably rests at the end of that dangling green cord.
Don’t touch anything. Simply notify the police and
coroner, and tell them to’ be sure to leave everything just
as they find it until I can come back. I'll try to attend
to the rest. Meantime, I’m going to break the news to
the family.”

In twenty-five minutes Sparks found himself pressing
the call button in the doorway of the Spencer mansion.
He learned that Mrs. Cramer, the housekeeper, was the
presiding genius of the establishment, so he asked for
her. “The servant ushered him into the old-fashioned
drawing-room.

While he waited, he wondered what he should. say, and
how he should say it, the curtains of the doorway parted,
and Mrs. Cramer entered the room. She was a middle-
aged woman, slightly above the average height, plainly
attired, with her hair combed straight back, revealing
“a broad forehead and a sweet, motherly face; an ideal
housekeeper, one would say, for a rich widower who
shunned the glitter and show of wealth. Sparks arose
as she entered, and said:

“Mrs. Cramer, if I am not mistaken?”

She smiled as she extended her hand,

“You are correct, and this is Mr. Ralph Sparks?”

“Yout memory is very good. This is only the second
or third time I have been here.”

“T rarely forget a name or a face,” she smiled, “es-
pecially if they belong to a friend of Mr. Spencer. What
can I do for you, Mr. Sparks?”

He was at ease immediately. Here was a woman who
_ would make his painful task less difficult. He approached

- the subject cautiously, nevertheless.
“I come to speak of Mr. Spencer,”
“Yes? What of him?”

_ “He has met with a serious accident,”
‘speaking slowly, and weighing his words,
_ The color left her cheeks, and she grasped him by

the arm. 3

asked the

he said suggestively.

said Sparks,

 

   

NEW TIP TOP WEEKLY.

   

“You mean that he is dead?”

He bowed his head. She seemed stupefied for sev-
eral moments, and then the tears came. Presently she
touched him on the arm. He turned and faced her‘again. :
She was dry-eyed, but pale as death.

“I’m perfectly composed now,” she said simply.
me _all about it.”

He did so quickly and’ intelligently, omitting nothing
that could be of interest. At its conclusion, she thanked
him, saying:

“This is shocking, but not entirely unexpected.”

“What do you mean?” he asked. “Has Mr. Spencer
been threatened ?”

She smiled sadly.

“Not that. I only mean to say that I have Kad :
premonition of evil for some days. Now, Mr. Sparks, I
am not a superstitious woman, but I have had a feeling
of fear that I simply could not shake off. I am afraid
that poor Mr. Spencer has been affected in the same way.
He has been dreadfully distressed for some time, and
when he left for the office to-day he came to me and in-
sisted on shaking hands good-by. It was so unlike him
that it disturbed me very much. He was not an emo-
tional man in any way, but I am sure he was a man of
deep sentiment.”

“T don’t doubt it, Mrs. Cramer,” said Sparks, trying to
comfort her in an aimless, sort of way.

“There is something I should speak of, Mr. Sparks,”
she said, afterea brief pause. ,

“What is it?” he asked gently.

“Why, just before daylight this morning I heard groans
coming from Mr. Spencer’s room. I hurried there, and
tapped on the door. But he called out that it was noth-
ing. At breakfast he confessed that he had had a dread-
ful nightmare. ‘He said that a man with a hideous face
had taken him by the throat and was choking him to
death. He awoke in a cold sweat, having endured all the
horrors of the real thing.”

“Did he recognize the face?”

“No, it was strangely familiar, yet unreal.”

‘A coincidence, Mrs. Cramer,” said Ralph. “I wouldn’t
set too much store by dreams: The thing for us to dis-
cover is the actual cause of death.”

“But Grace!” she exclaimed, the thought of the girl
flashing through her mind, “what will she do? How can
we tell her?’

“My dear Mrs. Cramer,” he said, “that is why I came
to you. I met her only to- day, and a little while ago she
charged me with a telephone message for her father to
the effect that Jasper Morris, an old friend, would be at
dinner.”

“Oh, yes,” interrupted Mrs. Cramer, “in the excite-
ment, I forgot all about him. It will be a dreadful blow
to Mr. Morris. He was one of Mr. Spencer’s old. min-
ing friends. I remember well when they started for the
Klondike together. They have not seen each other in
years.

“Probably Mr. Morris can take care of himself: You
must break the news to Miss Garland. I believe she was —
the adopted daughter of Carl Spencer ?”

“Yes; years ago, Carl, Morris,
Alaska to make their fortunes. Carl succeeded. His
wife died, and his son, Abner, became wayward. ‘The
father disciplined him. The boy resented it, and when
he was twenty-one left home. That was nine years ago. —

“Tell

J

- ——- — eee

 

 

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bet ot A =a

 

 

and others went to- :
  
 

 
  

#

P ‘ a
| We have never heard of him since. Seven years
Mr. Spencer adopted: Grace Gatland.”

ago,

SEP Le NERS SER ARES

“Thése two, then; were the only ones in the house?”
“No} there was one other—Philip Garland, the brother
of Grace.”
1° “Was he adopted, also?”
“Oh, no; he has been living here Kenneally but he
| has never been looked upon.as one of the family.”
_ “Did Mr. Spencer dislike Philip Garland.”

“Tt wouldn’t put it that way,” she said gently. “Mr.
Spencer did not care for the young man, but he never
expressed any positive prejudice against him. He has

 

 

tried to hel ) him in a business w ay, but not always with
i. success,”
re “Thank you very much for the information, Mrs. Cra-
)° mer,” said Sparks ; “it. may serve a useful purpose in run-
S ning down this affair.” '
% CHAPTER IV.
, “THERE STANDS THE MAN!”
i As he arose, there was a rustling of silk skirts in the
_ hallway. It was Grace Garland going upstairs, As
} Ralph Sparks and Mrs. Cramer came into the hall, the
[ . : : . +
| young girl glanced carelessly in the direction of the vis-
| itor. A flash of recognition crossed her face,
Be “Good afernoon,” she called.
:

2 He looked up.

 

| “Oh, Miss Garland, how do you do”
are She descended the stairs. “I’m glad to meet you again,
) Mr. Sparks,” she said brightly.. “By the way, did you
| deliver my message to father ?”

_ He hesitated for a moment.

“Come,” she cried, “you didn’t keep your promise.”

=, . “You're right; 1 didn’t,” he said, with a painful smile.
“You must pardon me.”

| She turned to the housekeeper,

; “Ts father home yet?”

= ©.“ No—not yet.”

k “Did you see Mr. Spencer?”
\ Sparks,
on “No,”
“You come from my father?”
He nodded,
“Something has happened to him!” she exclaimed, and
would have fallen to the floor had not Sparks caught
_ her. When she was able to hear it, Mrs, Cramer told
her the dreadful story. Scarcely had she finished, when
there was a tap on the door, and a servant entered the
_ room.
_ “A gentleman wishes to see Mr, Sparks,
name is Boggs, .
_ “The janitor of the Broadw ay building,”
_ “Show him into the parlor,”
the maid.
The housekeeper left the room as ‘Boggs entered,
whispered to the young man;
_ “Question him here. If you need me | shall be within
' easy call,”
_ The janitor, who was evidently laboring under great
excitement, said:
“Well, sir, we’ve carried out your orders to the letter.’
‘What's been done ?”
“or he police have been notified, also the coroner.
a s ie all ?”
“Noy it isn't,

  
    
  
   
   
  

He says his

  
  

said Ralph.
signaled Mrs, Cramer to

   
   
 

She

  

    
      
     
     

  

 

NEW TIP TOP WEEKLY

she inquired, turning to .

_. ( that smote Sparks to the heart.
I've got an important bit of news to.

    

give you. I would have told you sooner only you hur-
ried away from the office without giving me a chance
to speak.” ;

“Well, what is it?”

“A man called on Mr,
his death.”

“Ah! Well?”

“They had a quarrel.”

Sparks arose in his eagerness.
calmly.

“How do you know that?”

“T saw him go into Mr. Spencer’s office, and when
T passed along the corridor a few minutes later they
were talking in loud and angry tones.”

“What then?”

‘After that I went downstairs. Five minutes later,
while I was standing at the front door, the man came
down and went away, looking flushed and depressed.”
“This is of the utmost importance, Boggs,” said Ralph.
“Can you describe the man to me?”

“T never was very good on description,”
tor, with a foolish laugh:

“Well, try,’ persisted Sparks; “do your best.
tall, or short; light, or dark?”

“He was inclined to be light

“How was he dressed ?”

Boggs scratched his head, at this question, and began
pacing up and down the long parlor. His walk brought
him to a rear window on one side of the apartment. This
view overlooked a veranda leading from the dining room.
The janitor paused in his laborious work of trying to
think, and suddenly uttered a loud exclamation.

“‘What’s the matter, Boggs?” asked Sparks.

“There stands the man!”

As the janitor spoke, he pointed to the veranda.

Sparks looked. A young man was standing there talk-
ing excitedly to Grace Garland. Her face was very white,
and she was listening to him with absorbed interest.
He gesticulated freely, and what he said appeared to
alarm the girl,

Sparks turned to Boggs. “Are you quite sure that
is the man who called on Mr, Spencer before his death?”

“T would swear to it.”

“And you are satisfied that he is the person who quar-
reled with Mr. Spencer?”

“There could have been no other person in the office
with Mr. Spencer,”

“Did you ever see him before?”

“Never,”

Sparks walked to the hallway and called for Mrs. Cra-
mer. The housekeeper responded immediately.

“Mrs. Cramer,” said the young man, “I qauk you for
purposes of identification. "I am going to ask you a_
question, and I want you to be careful with your reply.”

Sparks led her to the window and pointed to the cquple
on the veranda.

“Who is that young man with Miss Garland?” aye
“Philip Garland,’ was the mene be he ee Wie a
brother of Grace.”

Spencer about an hour before

He tried to speak

said the jani-
Was he

" said the janitor,

CHAPTER. V.
THE WEB OF FATE,
The young lawyer stood there until, brother and sister 2
parted. She kissed Philip good- by with a gesture of love
He was ere by the |

sound of Mrs, Cramer’s voice.

 

   

 

 

   
 
  
   
  

 
 
 

. house.

  

“Why, Mr. Sparks, what is the matter ?”
“Nothing,” he answered, recovering himself by a great
effort.
“You look ill.”
“Me? Oh, no; I’m all right.”
“But,” she insisted, “you look as if you had seen a
ghost.”
“Possibly,” he answered, “the ghost of my happiness.”
The housekeeper looked at him steadfastly. She was
not the sort of woman to be easily deceived. She plucked
him by the arm.
“You suspect Philip Garland ?”
“T haven’t said so.’
“No,” she replied
cient.”
He turned away with a gesture of despair.
lowed him resolutely.
“Mr. Sparks, I must say a word to you.”
“All right.”
“Philip Garland,” she said impressively, “is a disgrace
to the family. He is wild, impulsive, thoughtless, but he
-is not wicked. He has a good heart; I am sure he would
not commit murder.”
Involuntarily Ralph took her hands.
_ “Mrs. Cramer, I am glad to hear you'say so.
lieves me. I have faith in your judgment.”
Boggs. was fidgeting in the corner of the room.
“T shall have to get back to the building, Mr. Sparks,”

sadly, “but your manner is suffi-

She fol-

It re-

he said: “I’m afraid I’ve stayed away too long, as
R38:

_ “All right. I'll go with you. Come; I'll take you in
my car.”

The two men stepped into the vehicle; the chauffeur
pulled’ the lever, and they were whirled away. Boggs
appeared to haye something on his mind, Sparks no-
ticed it.

“What's the matter, Boggs! Py”

“It’s about the coroner,”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, he says you have no right t6 mix up in a matter
of this kind. I gave him your orders, sir, and he wanted
to know what right you had to send him orders. He
said you had no more power than any other private
citizen.”

“Of course,” said Sparks, “the coroner is right. 1
haven’t any authority.”

“What are you going to do about it?”

“Pm going to get some authority.”

Sparks leaned out of the window of the car and gave
an address to the chauffeur. In a few minutes they
pulled up in front of an imposing-looking apartment
As they waited, Ralph answered the inquiring
glance of his companion.

“An old classmate of mine—who happens to be dis-
trict attorney for the county.”

The door opened, and an aggressive-looking man ap-
peared on the threshold. The minute he recognized
Sparks, he gave a cry of joy.

“Hello, Ralph, old man; come in.”

“Hello, yourself,” said the other, and, nodding toward
. the janitor, he added: “This is Mr.. Boggs, who is as-
sisting me in a little matter.”

“Glad to meet you, Mr. Boggs,”
torney ; “come in and sit down.”

__ Cigars being passed around, the
ook at his caller,

said the district at-

NEW TIP TOP WHEKLY.

official took a good

“Now, Ralph, tell me what good wind blew you into
my bachelor quarters.”

He came to the point at once.

“I want you to appoint me an assistant district at-
torney.”

The district attorney regarded his friend closely in
silence. ‘‘I know it’s on the level, Ralph,” he said seri-
ously, “but what is the game?

In a few quick sentences Sparks explained, and in
ten minutes Ralph was in his automobile with Boggs, the
necessary certificate of appointment»in his pocket. «—

The run to the office building was speedily made.

“Hello,” he said to the janitor, “I guess I won't need
your skeleton key. There’s some one in the room.’

He knocked at the door. It was opened by a man
with a little face almost hidden behind bushy whiskers.
It was the coroner.

“This is Mr. Ralph Sparks,” said Boggs apologetically.

The functionary looked at the yourig man through his
glasses, as though he were examining some new species
of insect.

“Ah-hem,” he said, in throaty tones, “is this the—per-
son who came into this room in my absence?”

Sparks bowed.

“Tl was one of the persons whose misfortune it was to
discover the body.”

“Mr.—Mr.—I really can’t recall your name—I must
beg you to withdraw at once,” said the coroner fussily.
“The police have been here, and concluded their investi-
gation. We don’t need you. My experience teaches me
that justice suffers more from officious intruders than
from any other cause.’ i

Sparks pulled out his commission, duly signed by the
district attorney, and presented it to the circumspect one.

“Very well, if the district attorney is willing to stand
for this sort of thing, I’m helpless. Go ahead. Crack
your whip. As far as I’m concerned, I have a mind to
wash my hands of the whole business.”

“Mr. Coroner, I have no desire whatever to interfere
with your functions. I only ask, as a matter of courtesy,

that when you are through I may be permitted to make-

some observations of my own.” I

“I’m through now,
ner, jamming his high silk hat down on his head, stalked
out ‘of the room, his little eyes set straight ahead, and his
whiskers flowing.

Sparks smiled, and set about his task. The telephone
receiver had been replaced upon the hook. Otherwise,
the condition of the room remained the same as he had.
left it a few hours before. The clock was on the floor.
The lawyer picked it up. The hands pointed to twenty-
five minutes of six. Sparks laid it on the mantelpiece
and continued his investigations. He went down on his
hands and knees and carefully scrutinized every inch of
floor space. Boggs looked on with a half-amused ex-
pression. Finally Sparks gave a little gasp.

“What is.it?” asked the janitor.

The lawyer held up a gold ring with a tiny digasondst in

the center. He carried it near the light where he Ronee
make a more minute examination.

“Look!” he said,

Boggs obeyed. On the inside of the band were the
initjals, IOP

“Mr. Spencer’s ring!” cried the janitor, asthe

’ was the angry retort, and the coro- | ~

  

 
   
 

   

 

 
 

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”

“Precisely; and it may have a good deal to do with
the solution of this mystery.

Sparks put the ring in his pocket, and resumed his
search? Presently he saw a dark-red spot on the office
rug. It was where the head of the stricken man had
‘lain.

“There is really no evidence of a struggle,”
after a while.

“How about the ring?”

“T don’t know what to say about that—at least not at
this moment. I'll have to give it careful study.”

“There’s no evidence of robbery?” suggested the jan-
itor.

“Not that I can see,” responded Sparks.

A large safe stood in the corner of the room, about
two feet from where the body was found. The floor
in that part of the room slanted ever so little. While on
his hands and knees, Sparks noticed a little round bit of
wood protruding from beneath the safe. It was a walk-
ing stick—a highly polished bit of ebony with a big silver-
mounted ball-like handle. The two men walked over
near the light to examine it critically. The janitor ut-
tered a cry of horror. Sparks Sete realized the
cause of his agitation.

The handle of the walking stick was covered. with
blood.

He turned pale. Something told him that this was
the weapon with which the crime had been committed.
‘Boggs, had the same thought, for he said, with an owllike
manner which ill accorded with his dull, heavy face:

“Get the owner of that walking stick, and you’ll have
the murderer of Carl Spencer!”

Sparks was silent.

“If you need me, I’ll be on the first floor,”
_ janitor.
“All right,” said Sparks mechanically.
As Boggs left the room, the lawyer was looking at a
little silver band that encircled the cane just below the
handle. He gave a cry of horror, and the cane slipped
from his nervous grasp and fell on the floor.
The engraving on the silver band about the walking
Stick said:

“To Philip Garland. From his Sister Grace, Christ-
mas, 1909.”

he said,

”

said the

abies

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NEW TIP TOP WEEKLY.

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insisted Sparks.

“But I haven’t done anything.”

A faint ray of hope arose in the young lawyer’s mind
He tried to speak a little more kindly.

“Do you mean to say that you were not concerned in
any way in the death of Carl Spencer?”

“Oh, yes, there is,

“Of course I do. I hadn’t anything to do with the
old man’s death.”

The tone of disrespect jarred on Ralph’s sensibilities,
but the denial pleased him.

“T’m glad to hear that. Now, all that you’ve got to
do is to explain your presence in Mr. Spencer’s. office on
the evening of his death.”

“How do you know I was there that night?” asked
Garland, a look of cunning in his beady eyes.

“T’ve evidence that you were in the office > shortly. before
the discovery of the body. has

“Well, what of it?” was the sullen rejoinder.

“A great deal of it,” retorted Sparks. ‘“‘Can’t you see
that you have placed yourself in a compromising posi-
tion ?”

“How?”

“Well, you were heard quarreling with Mr. Spencer.”

“Who heard me?”

“The janitor of the building,” _

“It was a private matter—I don’t see what right the
public has to meddle in my personal affairs.”

“Ordinarily it hasn’t, but when you get in the hands of
the police, things are different.”

The mention of the police caused the youth to turn
white. Sparks held up the walking stick before Gar- -
land.

“Did you ever see this before er

“Yes; it’s mine. I left it at the office.”

“An important ommission,” said Sparks dryly.

“Now, see here, Mr. Sparks,” cried Garland, casting
aside all affectation of indifference. “I. want -you. to
know that I had nothing to do with this crime—upon my
word, I didn’t.”

“Now, that. sounds as though you were telling the
truth.”

“I’m glad you féel that way,”
sigh of relief,

“Now, the next step,” continuéd Sparks,
a coronér’s jury feel the same may, .

said the other, with a

39

“is to make

     

‘ “Will I have to go before a coroner’s jury?” asked Gar-
ee CHAPTER VI. land. in evident alarm.

ig | YOUNG GARLAND DEFIANT. ones. ;

Ralph Sparks slept badly that night, after making the “But I didn’t do anything,” he wailed.

® discovery about the cane. The next morning he was Satisfy the jury of that.

“How can I do it?”

ae Se
gies:

‘surprised to receive a call from Philip Garland, who

 

Sa’

 

  
    
   
    
 

 

 

     
 

| came to the point at once.

 

“Mrs. Cramer says you’ve been saying nasty things

about me.”

_ “T have not,” replied Sparks calmly.

“Well,” said the boy, in a sort of a whine,
shouldn’t have put it in that sort of a way.”

- “T’m sure you shouldn’t,” said Ralph sharply.

Garland threw aside all semblance of aggressiveness.

“See here, don’t be too hard on a fellow.”

__ “TI haven’t the slightest desire to be hard on you. In
act, if it is possible, I'd like to help you.”

“What shall I do?”

“Tell me the truth.”

“There’s nothing to tell.”

>

“maybe I

 

  

“T’ve told you already. Give a straightforward ac-
count of just what took place between you and, Mr.
Spencer. Now, promise me that you will do so.”

“T promise,” he said weakly.

“In the meantime,” said Sparks, “it might be a gooil
thing to tell me. If I’m to be of any use to you, I’lr aes
your confidence.”

Philip Garland looked at the other for some Suitoesilic
He seemed to be wavering on the brink-of a confession. —
Presently he jumped up with an angry start. His agita- —
tion had left him. He was defiant, insolent. |

“T’ll tell you nothing,” he Matted, and left the room,
banging the door. we

f0\ni ConTinuwD <6 8° Pe

   
 
  
 

 

 

    
 

 

NEWS ITEMS OF INTEREST. ~

National Banks Cannot Contribute,

National banks or other corporations or-
ganized under the authority of the United
States will be prohibited from making any
campaign contributions, either of money or

“other things of value,” and individuals
will be limited to offerings of $5,000 by a
bill agreed upon by the Senate committee
on privileges and elections. The measure
was introduced by Senator Culberson, but
was altered by the committee.

For violation of the proposed law officers
or agents of corporations are to be pun-
ished by fines.of $1,000 or one year’s im-
prisonment and the corporation itself by a
fine of $5,000. Individuals who violate
the law will be fined $10,000 or be impris-
oned for two. years. The present law pro-
hibits contributions of money by corpora-
Bee but does not bar “other things of

alu

[f the bill. becomes a law the contribu-
tion lists of both parties would be materi-
ally changed,, There were twenty individ-
uals or groups of individuals who contribu-
‘ted more than $5,000 each to the Republi-
can campaign fund of 1908. At the same
time August Belmont, Herman Ridder, and
others who have helped to fill the Demo-
cratic campaign coffers would be barred
from acting in. the spirit of generosity
which guided them in past Democratic cam-
paigns.

Norman E,. Mack, chairman of the Demo-

cratic national committee in 1908, testified ;

before the Senate committee investigating
campaign contributions and expenditure.

Put on the Ban.

The “bunny hug” and the “ttrkey trot”
have been officially disapproved by the Im-
perial Society of Dance Teachers, which
tga held its annual convention in Lon-

on

Strenuous efforts will be made to re-
turn to morte dignified dancing, and the
‘Boston and the one steps will be the popu-
lar dances this year, according to the so-
ciety. -

It is announced that three new operettas,
by Franz Lehar, composer of. “The Merry
Widow.” will be ptoduced in: Vienna dur-
ing the season shortly to- begin.

Baseball Populat in the Philippines.

Baseball is in a fair way to displace
cock fighting and’ sports of a similar na-
ture in the Philippines, according to Wil-
liam Pierce Gorsuch, instructor in the de-
partment of public speaking at the Uni-
versity Of Chicago, who returned from the
islands, where he lectured before the
teachers’ assembly of Baguio.

_ “Progress ‘of baseball among the natives
is stirprising,” said Gorsuch. “It is fot
only interesting the boys who play, but it is

tes commanding the attention of large crowds

- who are deserting the coc
mond. Everybody likes it.”

Rat Catchers Make Merry.

kpits for the dia-

neg

metty at a pictic not long ago on the vil-
lage green at Padworth, near Reading,
‘England, © For ; a few nants SoeeerNe

The ‘rat catchers of the world wate:

 

 
   

NEW TIP TOP WEEKLY.

   

 

chad an opportunity of seeing the followers
of this ancient art, for they assembled in
the city office of Phillips, the rat king, on
whose doors are printed the words which
proclaimed the doom of the rat. Phillips
claims to have killed more rats than any
man living.

Among the picnickers were Piker, of
Birmingham, famous through the midlands
as a slayer of vermin; Snoozer, of Liver-
pool, and Slusher, of Buenos Aires, whose
kindly face gives no hint of a man who
delights in slaughter.

There were other huntsmen from. all
parts of the world, exchanging views on
up-to-date methods of rat catching, and
disctissing with glee new devices for lur-
ing victims to their doom.

Caught in an Apple Tree

John Farrell, a recluse, who has lived
all alone in a hut in the Kent Woods, more
than a mile back from Mount Pleasant
Avenue, recently had reason to thank for-
tune for his escape from death by starva-
tion. One Thursday afternoon Farrell, who
is no longer a young man, went into an
apple tree to pick some early fruit. Upon
descending he lost his hold on a limb and
fell into a treacherous crotch. He tried
to move, but he could not. His best efforts
to extricate himself proved futile.

Caught in the old bough, Farrell -was
further tormented by fierce electrical
storms. Luckily he had filled his- pockets
with apples ot else he would have been
worse off. He held his old canvas hat in
his hand when it rained and got enough
water to quench his thirst.

It is Farrell’s custom to go to the Kent
farm every day to get water and. milk, but
he failed to put in an appearance on Thuts-
day and Friday, and when he again did not
show up the next day, the suspicions of
Munson R. Ketit were aroused. At the
request of Mrs. Kent, he, decided to see
what was the matter with the recluse. Upon
neafing the little hovel Mr. Kent heard
strange noises from the diréction of an
old apple tree. At first jhe: grew fright-
ened, for he thought it might be a wildcat
or some stratige animal that had drifted
into the mountains.

“Munson, for God’s
heard.

He knew the voice. It was Farrell
caught ih the tree. The prisoner was re-
moved and taken back to the Kent home,

sake, help me!” he

where he was cared for.

Why These Idle Armies?

The trade-tinion returns made by the
New York buteau of labor statistics -for
the first quarter of the year show a heavy
percentage of idleness. Ags many as 458,-
070 members had been partially or continu-
ously idle. Strikes, lock-outs, disability,
and lack of ‘work were contributing eauses.
Probably the situation in New York is not
greatly different from that existing in other
manufacturing States in so far as trade-
union membership is affected. Undoubtedly

there is a corresponding percentage of

idleness in the ranks of nonunion labor.
These conditions of unemployment in the

towns and the pee? are in ee

F

,

 

tne as Bis te to 25a, = averse

  

’

contrast with the conditions of labor famine
on the farms in all parts of the country.
The farmers cannot get men enough dur-
ing the\season of outdoor work to do their
preliminary digging, plowing, and planting
ot the harvesting of their crops. An army
of half a million men is needed at this
time for harvesting operations on the plains
of the West. Western Canadians are ad-
vertising for 70,000 men to do farm work.

It would seem that some method of over-
coming the existent immobility of labor
so.as to better equalize demand and supply
might be devised. It might go far to
cheapen the cost of living of unwilling
idlers in the great centers of population
could be turned into willing workers in
the fields through some adéquate adaption
of means of transport and terms of négo-
tiation between the men who want workers
and the men who want work.

A Dash fot Freedom,

Four of the: most desperate inmates’ of
the Cook County jail recently madé an in-
effective attempt to obtain their liberty.
They were cheered by forty other prisoners
who did not take part in the attempted
jail delivery. The men tried to tush the
“bull pen” gates, and a fierce battle be-
tween the guards and prisoners followed.
Cornelius Sullivan, a guard, was beaten £04!
insensibility by the prisoners in the fight.

Even after they saw they wete waging
a useles. fight the four prisoners retreated
into a cell, and with drawn revolvers
threatened other guards with deatH. Quiet
finally was restored when Jailer Will
Davies promised the men he would not
put them in the dungeon for their at-
tempted escape. i

Saws were found in the prisoners’ pos-

his erate tt 8%
aay

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oa
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session. ‘They were Frank O’Neil, Jerry
O’Connor, J. C. Clinton, and’ Robert
Schultz. O’Connor, a paroled convict, was

   

the leader

Is the World Growing Insane?

Doctor Forbes Winslow, the\ well-known . |
alienist, speaking of the statement’ of Doc-
tor Mott, at the eugenics conference, that
the’ increase of lunacy is mote apparent |
than real, says that investigations made by, |
him during the last foftty-five years in va+_
rious parts of the world convince him that
lunacy is making uninterrupted progress,
and that the only goal to be reached is: —
world madtiess in the not distant future,

“Doctor Mott bases his figures and con-_
clusions maifily on a study of the pauper
class in London,” * said Doctot Winslow.
“Although there is more crime, lunacy, and —
drink in London than’ in any city of the
world, I would be the last to take statis-
ties of insanity in London as a basis for
an opinion.

“In 1859 there was one lunatic yi every
536 of the population; to-day there is one
in evety 275. In France, sixty years ago
there was one insane person in evety 750;
to-day there is one in evety 300,

“Switzerland, where I made an official
investigation last year, shows also an alarm-y
ing increase. Last year in Englatid the fi
ures were the highest for the deca

He broke jail ten years ago.

    
 

Cae S ‘

 
     
   
     
       
             

  

           
     
     
  

  

    
 

 

    
         
  
  

    
  

        
       
    
 

 

   
 

 
 

   
 

 

    
       
       
 
 

  

    
  
 

    

 
    
 

crease in the last ten years. The question
is of vital importance not only to the
present generation, but to the generation
unborn.:

“From the point of view of comparison

the increase of the population has noth-
ing to do with the increase of insanity in
England. The cities, taken in the order in
which insanity is most prevalent, are Lon-
don, Bath, Bristol, and Brighton. There is
less insanity in Bournemouth than in any
town; why I do not know, except that
Bournemouth is exceptionally healthy.
» “Among the uncivilized races insanity is
practically unknown, but where compe-
tition is great and gigantic mental efforts
have to be made to keep up with events
and where temptation is thrown in the way
of mankind the increase is very real. The
chief cause of the increase is shown by
statistics to be drink. Twenty-five per
cent of all the lunacy in the world is due
to drink, and more than 25 per cent in
London.

“Other causes are heredity and injudi-
cious marriages. Those who have been in-
sane once should not be allowed to marry.
Further to check mental degeneration there
should be immediate legislation for the
compulsory confinement of habitual drunk-
ards and for the establishment of halfway
houses, where those suffering from acute
but curable insanity could be_ placed, in-
stead of incarcerated in lunatic asylums.”

The annual report of the lunacy com-
mission shows 135,661 insane confined in
England and Wales on January 1 last.
Patients not in hospitals numbered 11,136.

Shirt Sleeve Democracy.

In these days of democracy a_ sheriff
would be lynched if he dressed in the style
of some of the early officials of New York,
so Sheriff Julius Harburger wrote to a
person who wanted to know if any of the
forms of other days still attached to his
office.

Through page after page of ancient New
York history the sheriff plowed his way re-
cently to find out what sort of garments
some of his predecessors had worn,

“I found said the sheriff in his letter,
_ “that some of the early sheriffs had flunkies

sitting on either side of them, and that
they wore robes of great value. If such
a thing were attempted to-day the sheriff
would be lynched.”

Sheriff Julius impressed it on the mind
of the man to whom he wrote the letter

that he believed in the shirt-sleeve democ-

“racy, and that he did most of his work
with his coat off, but that when he went
out to dinner he “dressed up.”

Swallows His Words.

“Where is the document that Renze Price
forged,” asked the recorder.

e ate it, your honor,” replied the wit-
ness. :

-Renze Price was on trial in a police
court on the charge of having written a
- recommendation for himself as a chauffeur
and forged the signature of H. L. Collier,
junior. The forged recommendation was
presented to Colonel James W. English,
junior.

When Mr. Collier secured the forged
document and confronted Renze Price with
t, Renze seized the paper, waded it into

is mouth, chewed it up, and swallowed it,

stated Mr. Collier to the court.

Price, while not denying that he swal-
lowed the evidence, refused to swallow

 

NEW TIP TOP WEEKLY.

the story he told at first, or to eat his
words, and stated to the court that the
recommendation had been written and
signed by Mr. Collier’s brother. This, of
course, was denied.

Without the forged paper it would have
been impossible to convict Price in the State
courts and so the recorder did not bind
him over, but fined him $25.75

The Reward of Kindness.

Several years ago a tramp appeared at
the kitchen in which Maggie Drain was
working and asked for something to eat.
The family in which she was employed as
a séryant protested, but she gave the man
his breakfast, and. an hour later he re-
turned with a paper which he handed to
her, charging her to keep it. It proved to
be a document giving to the girl the prop-
erty of Marshall McMurran at his death.

McMurran owned a farm in an adjoin-
ing county, and when he died, a year ago,
the document was presented and claim to
his property made. The relatives of Mc-
Murran sought to. break the will, but it
was sustained by the court, and Miss Drain
will get about $40,000.

Must Economize Coal,

Leading coal dealers believe that by Oc-
tober the anthracite shortage in several
Canadian cities will have amounted to
6,500,000 tons. Nova Scotia dealers who
have found it impossible to fill their or-
ders in their territory placed orders with
the wholesalers. The mayor of Toronto,
it was stated, cabled to Wales for Welsh
anthracite, which is inferior to the Ameri-
can article. A leading coal dealer said re-
cently :

“The cessation of mining in April and
May during the shutdown caused a short-
age of 9,000,000 tons. One million tons in
excess of the usual output were mined in
July and it is expected that 1,500,000 tons
in excess of the normal will be mined in
September.”

Manager F. W.
Trade Journal, said:
in June, but there was a shortage of men
during a large part of that month and the
normal output in June fell 16,000 tons, and
during the coming winter there will be
enough shortage in anthracite to make it
necessary for consumers to economize.’

Deer Drowned in Hudson River.

- A large deer on its way across the Hud-
son River from the Westchester shore was
captured in the water by three men who
set out for the animal in motor boats.

The young men wound a piece of rope
around the horns of the deer and attempted
to pull it toward the shore. The tide was
low and the animal, becoming frightened,
struggled and swam in a circle. In this
way, the rope being drawn tight, it is sup-
posed its head was kept under water and
it drowned. One of the horns of the deer
was broken by the rope.

Arthur M. Gage, assistant game warden,
went to the place with a wagon and brought
the dead animal to Nyack, N. Y. Mr. Gage
made a thorough investigation of the mat-
ter and forwarded reports to Game Pro-
tector Willet Kidd, at Newburgh, and to
the State conservation commission.

‘Boy Scouts on Bicycles,
Six Boy Scouts of America, in charge

of their scout master, O. L . Chaney, arrived
in New York from Burlington, Iowa. With

Seward, of. the Coal

“Mining was resumed,

 

the exception of the trip from Albany to
New York they traveled all the way on
bicycles.

The boys are rugged and hardy after
their trip of 1,250 miles. Each of them
gained from three to eight pounds. They
slept in the open, except, of course, when
they reached cities, when they were enter-
tained at scout headquarters. The boys
carrie@ hammocks, which they swung from
trees. When showers came up they would
make for a farm.

The boys are carrying a message from
the mayor of Burlington to President Taft.

A Dangerous Descent.

Orrin Wright, a Chicago fireman, climbed
down a sixty-foot smokestack to bring out
the body of John Patcus, a laborer, who
had been smothered to death by soot.

Patcus had crawled under the base of
the stack to clean out soot, which, falling
from above, overcame him. Wright volun-
teered to descend the chimney.

Lightning Plays Strange Pranks.

While out walking through the moun-
tains two boys came across an old apple
tree on the Thompson farm which had been
split in half by the lightning two nights
before.

While examining the tree and tracing
the course of the lightning the youths were
surprised to. see something glistening from
the wood as if it were a piece of gold im-
bedded.

Pocketknives were soon brought into
play and with some difficulty the young
men succeeded in digging out a gold band
wedding ring. The circle bore the inscrip-
tion, “To Julia Henderson from John,
May 17, 1879.” Not even the oldest inhabi-
tants could recall any one named Hender-
son having lived in this vicinity, and it is
thought that some visitor lost the ring
many years ago when the tree was butsa
sapling, and that it became imbedded in .
the trunk,

‘The Ether Test Failed.

Even the ether test left alienists unde-
cided whether Charles Carson, a convict
in Folsom penitentiary, near Sacramento,
Cal., had been stricken dumb or-is sham-
ming. He has not spoken a word for two
years and six months.

The common effect of ether being to
loosen the tongue, it was expected that
Carson would lose voluntary control ‘of -
his vocal organs and answer questions put |
to him by the physicians, but no sound es-—
caped his lips.

Carson: was sentenced to life imprison-
ment in 1904 for assault and robbery. Two
years later he was sentenced to death for
his share in a murderous jail break, but
he has several times been. reprieved.

Turkeys Wage War Against Worms,

M. M. Kicklighter, of Groveland, Ga.,
has discovered a sure cure for the army
worm, now devasting the Southern States.
In a letter to the House and Senate, he
says:

“T saw your advertisement in the Atlanta
paper for aid to check the army worms.
I had ten acres of corn and the army
worms had just started in my corn, and
I had a large drove of turkeys. I drove
my turkels in my field and they ate the

army worms up in two days, and if it had =

not been for my turkeys I would not have ~
had any corn now. os is ine only wae

 
 

Fi oeneeter Pee

to get rid of army worms. If it had not
been for my turkeys | would have lost 500
bushels of corn by these worms. That is
the only way I know how to check these
army worms, which are a pest to the farm-
ers, and if they are not checked they will
ruin the Southern farmers. So please send
me a check for.said amount, for this is
the only way to destroy the army worm.”

A Remarkable Cow.

To Valdessa Scott 2d, a Holstein-I‘riesian
cow, owned by Bernard Meyer, of Fin-
_derne, N. J., goes the honor of being the
best dairy cow in the world. The cow has
just completed a seveti-day official record in
which she produced 695.9 pounds of milk,
33.50 pounds butter fat, and 41.87 pounds of
butter.

A Humane Mutderer Fined,

An official charge of $2 for committing
murder has just been quoted in Vienna. This
is in the form of a fine imposed on a clerk
named Haas, who shot his wife dead in
a railroad car and then attempted to kill
himself.

At the trial Haas said his wife was in
the last stages of consumption, and that
he could not bear to sée her suffer. Evi-
dence was given that the pair had lived
in pee harmony, afid two doctors testi-
fied that the illness of the wife was sufh-
ciént to make Haas not responsible.

Haas was fired $2 for using a revolver
without a license and released.

Canada Must Have Some Show.

R. L. Borden, premier of Canada, who

went to London with four of the eighteen
members of the Canadian cabinet, and
invited the British cabinet ministers to visit
Canada, told the British cabinet that Can-
ada is prepared to assist Great Britain to
thaintaiti her naval supremacy, but when
she does so she will want to be consulted
as to thé way thé mofiey is spent.
. Mr. Borden says the part Canada pro-
poses to take will not be decided until there
is a meeting of the full cabinet on his re-,
tutn to Ottawa. —

The Canadians want fepreésentation in an
Imperial Pafliatment to deal with all mat-
ters of ifterest to thé empire, iricluding
foreign relations and the defense of the
whole and each part, and not mefely a

icé in the committee of impertia) defense,
“which is oily an advisofy boafd. —

Stupendous Amount of Clothing Manufac-

tured in New York.

Among the many things that New York
inakes to sell is women’s clothing and this
commodity to the amount of $266,000,000 is
now thanufacttired thefe in a single year.
It may be that the figures afe even more
stupendous now, as they were taken from
the just published bulletin of the thirteenth
census report. The manufacture of women’s
apparel, therefore, is easily the biggest item
in New York’s industries. When to this
total is addéd the artificial flowers, plumes,
corsets, hair goods, furs and millinery, ac-
—cessories of the woman, the total reac éd is
 $301,115,000, a suit Which exceeds that of
py other industrial ‘group by at least $100,-

Men’s ‘Wéafing appafel coihes ext,
amounting to $218,411,000, with heckweat
‘ aoe other acéessériés additig more than
re et to the total, On y-one other
f New York’s 200 various industries ap-

Will become not only wageé earners,
stockholders in the company hack of the

oe a a a :

  

NEW TIP TOP WEEKLY.

manufacture of men’s and women’s cloth-
ing. That is the printing industry, in which
2,883 separate establishments are engaged
in New York. Their combined output
amounted to more than $184,000,000.

After these first three there is a big drop,
their nearest competitors being meat pack-
ing, which totals only something like $95,-
000,000. Foundry and shop products, $64,-
000,000, and tobacco products, $63,000,000
come next in the list. Bread and bakery
products were valued at over $61,000,000,
But in comparing those figures it must be
remembered that much of the tobacco
manufactured is sold all over the country,
while the bakery product is consumed al-
most entirely within New York.

One hundred and eighty industries are
listed by the census bulletin in New York’s
manufactures, The combined value of their
products, together with those of the miscel-
laneous industries, totaled over $2,000,000,-
000, which is more than one-tenth of the
industrial value of the whole United States,
which the same bulletin places at $20,672,-
052,000. In other words, New York, with
one twenty-fifth of the country’s entire
population, is doing one-tenth of the coun-
try’s manufacturing business, or two and
one-half of her share of it.

Following the seven industries already
noted, New York’s principal industries were
listed thus:

Malt liquors, $53,460,000 ;
000,000; fur goods, $40,000,000;
000,000; paint and varnish, $6, 000,000 ;
musical instruments, $26,000,000; men’s fur-
nishings, patent medicines and drugs, lum-
ber and timber products, copper, sheet iron
and tin, each at about $25,000,000. Still
lower come jewelry, artificial flowers,
feathers, candy, furniture, boots and shoes,
leather goods, silk goods, coffee and spices,
electrical machinery, hosiery, knit goods, et
cetera, valued at from $10,000,000 to $19,-
000,000,

World’s Record for Motor Cycles,

Eddie Hasha showed more of his speed
oti a motor cycle at the Newark Motor-
drome recently, when in the third and
final heat of the Class A event he covered
two miles in 1 minute 18 seconds, an aver-
age of. 39 seconds to the mile, which is
said to be a new world’s record in compe-
tition. 2

Hasha won all three heats of this race,
with Peck second and Flickenstein third.
Then he ¢atne out in the eight mile free-
for-all and spéeded on to another victory.
This time he had a lap and a half on
Peck, who was second, and nearly three
laps on Flickénstein, who was third. He
covéred the distance in 5, tinutes 33 2-5
seconds, an avarage of 4f 2-5 seconds to
the mile,

millinery, $51,-
gas, $35,-

Farm Work fot the Unemployed.
Provision for establishment of a muni-
cipal lodging house and labor bureau was
made by the budget committee of Los An-
geles city couricil when it appropriated $10,-
000 for the purpose. The lodging house

will have free beds, baths, and other fea-

tures for the unfortunate.

Witherspoon, of the Back-to-the-
lard: Association, notified the city officials
that a farm for Los Angeles’ unemployed
has been established and the encores
ut

farm, His idea is to require all unem-

 

pariee the ae pe i oan

are who would benefit ree: the farm,

 

erases Rr aise OA Se mete Eee a arent nase rae eee

 

to make a year’s contract. They willuge-
ceive a cash statement at the end of each

 

six months, and will buy shares with 25 ae
per cent of their earnings. > Se

Witherspoon declares there af 15,000 &
unemployed in Los Angeles, and all are of- ae
fered work. + oa is

Census of Horses in the United States.

Some interesting facts are published in
the report of the bureau of animal in-
dustry, a branch of the department of |
agriculture, at Washington, on the produc-
tion of horses. [from its figures it is
learned that there are at present in the
United States, not counting the Philippine

Islands, 23, 798,425 horses; in Canada, 2,303,- he
725; in Central America, 27,873,248; in |

South America, 9,155,425; in Austria~-Hun- Bh ;
gary, 4,196,634, and in European Russia, 1

23,548,876. A comparison of the horse

aie
ome tie”,
eye
Pa

census of this country on January 1, 1867,
and on the same day of 1912 show just how
our resources in that line have increased.
On January 1, 1867, there were 5,401,000
horses on the farms of the United States,
while on January 1 last there were 20,509,-
000, an encouraging increase in 45 years.

It. is constantly stated that the horse is
a vanishing factor in modern life, and that
in many instances the automobile is sup- . }
planting him, but if accurately compiled
figures are to relied upon there is no, dimin-
ishing,-but, on the contrary, a very promis-

= ge

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eg
ee

ee

 

   
  
  

ing increase. In 1900 there were 21,203,-
901 horses in the United, States. By the 7

   

census report of 1910 there were 23:813,- Te
850, a gain of 1,609,910. In 1909 there (|
were 3,438,523 mules in the United States,
In 1910 there were 4;453,043, a gain of |
1,015,420.

The total value of the horses, mules,
and colts reaches the suum of $2,598,699,908, |
leaving only $2,296,248,874 as the total value i
of -all other live stock, including cattle,  }
sheep, swine, asses} burros, goats, and poul-
try. While cattle increased in total value |
duting the decade less than I per cent, —
horses and colts increased in total value 132)
per cent, and mules_and colts 16.6 per cent. | e t

Prehistoric Skeleton Unearthed. ,
The skeleton of what is supposed to be —
the largest dinosaur is being unearthed at ie
the Jensen quarry, near Rock Springs, —
Wyo. Already 7 5 lengths of vertebra, be-
ginning with eee lengths of the neck and ©
extending far out onto the tail, have been
uncovered; the animal is thought to have
been 85 feet long. a

No “Dual Nationality.”

Stefan Dabrowsky, who appealed to Vic-
tor Berger, the Socialist representative, to —
rescue him froth Siberia, cannot be helped
by the United States. Representative Ber- |
ger interested President Taft in the case,
but it was found that as Dabrowsky had-
lived in Russia more than two years since
he became a naturalized American he had—
no claim to protection by this government

Secretary Knox could find no crake
with the case of Kate Malecka, an
woman, whose \release from —
British government obtaitied on the rounds y
of “dual nationality.” *

A Heto in Action.

With his chair and whiskers afire, hi
celluloid collar springing into circles o
flame around his neck, Niglt Wate
J. Alfred Striker valiantly fought aud e:
tinguished what eniat have resulted |

  
     
  

        

  
  

    
     
       
   
 

  
 

    
     
   
   
   
   
      

om

      
   
    
 

   

 
   
           
  

  

    
     
 
 

  

    
 
 

  

     
  

    

   
 

  

   
 

 

    
 
 

  

    
 

   

 

it
a Bisastrous fire at a lumber mill. He was
h severely burned, and was finally rescued
5 and sent to a hospital in a critical condi-
‘ tion, as a result of the burns he received.
When the firemén arrived he had the
Fé fire weil under control and practically out,
but he was burned almost from head to
foot. Owing to Striker’s good work, no
damage resulted to the building.
Fi Health is an Important Factor,
os The board of education of Kansas City
. a recently issued an order that all persons
s |. teaching in me public schools of Kansas
e.5 on City must undergo a medical examination
gre - _» and produce a health certificate signed by
= eae the health commissioner. The board is
ni eae convinced that the teacher’s health is an im-
- -| portant factor of the pupil’s environment.
A Ty Recognition for a Worthy Profession.
Z, ie The Temple University of Philadelphia
N ~~” will begin its new year equipped with a chair
1. | ~ of household research, the purpose of which
o | «is to secure recognition for housework as
s | a distinct and worthy profession. The
Pe oi new department ~.will be» under John B,

Leeds, now professor of household econo-
mies.

 
  

Shoes for Uncle Sam’s Army.

American soldiers will wear only tan
shoes in the future, and there will be only
one kind of shoe instead of ‘three. At
present the soldiers have black and tan
‘shoes in three typés—dress, garrison, and
marching. The “modified” shoe will replace
all of these. It will take about a year,
however, to use up the supply of shoes
now on hand.

   
     
  
  
  
   
   
   
   
   
 

Blind Man Goes to Congress,

Although it was necessary to have a
friend guide his hand because of blindness,
Carleton E. Bradley, of Minneapolis, signed
his filing papers for the office of representa-
tive in Congress from the Fifth District,
now fepresented by Frank Nye. Bradley is
a Democrat.

The Only Woman Police Sergeant.
Des Moines, Iowa, has the distinction of
having the only woman police desk ser-
geant*in the world. It is Miss Fay Han-
kins, nineteen years old. She protests
against recent claims made that women
should not be placed in positions of re-

  
   
   
  
   
    
  
  
   
    
   
  
  
  

sponsibility requiring cool nerves and de-
termined action.
She holds her place down well. If there

  

ig a murder, the first notice to the-police
comes to her ears. It is up to her to act
quickly and rightly. She sets the ma-
 chinery of justice in motion. If there is
a, robbery, she puts the motor-cycle cops
on the wing. If some woman is annoyed
by the neighbor’s chickens scratching up
her garden, Miss Hankins mails the warn-
ing notice to the neighbors.

All the big blue-coated coppers on the
Des Moines force have to feport every
half hour to her. She has her thumb on
every member of the force. She knows
where every policeman is and what he is
doing, and if she does not, somerhing is
able to happen to that cop.

_ Famous Cathedrals in Danger of Collapse,
Milan and Como Cathedrals have been
eclared by experts to be in imminent dan-
ger asada the collapse of their respective
ag eS,

"the — facdde’ was added’ to ve gor-

  
    
    
 

       
     
       
        
     
           
   

   

  

 

 

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geous sixteenth century: pile by Napoleon I.,
who, as though he realized that his power
was too mighty to endure long, insisted
that it should be rushed up within a brief
specified period. Hence this part of. the
grand gothic cathedral was jerry built in
a hybrid renaissance style, with unselected
marbles, most of which are so soft and
badly set together that twenty years later
serious signs of decay appeared, which
necessitated periodical clamping with iron.

During the last fifty years various pro-
jects have been entertained by the civil au-
thorities for the demolition of the facade
and i's entire reconstruction in harmony
with the rest of Milan’s noble national
monument, Indeed, a definite design was ap-
proved by the government a few years ago,
but the opinions of the experts were too
conflicting, and popular opposition too in-
tense, to render such a solution feasible.

Since then the prospect of a collapse has
become very grave, and a resolution has
just been taken to demolish the upper part
of the facade immediately. It is reckoned
that the work of demolition will occupy the
next four months,

After the Milan Cathedral and the world-
renowned Certosa, at Pavia, the Como
Cathedral front presents the finest example
of Lombard architecture of its kind extant.
Constructed of black and white marble,
it has been gradually bulging outward for
nearly a century, until a large section now
protrudes well-nigh three feet out of the
perpendicular. Much money has been ex-
pended from time to time in commissions,
expert consultations and reports, to the
utter neglect of any effective action.

Architects say that the facade is likely
to come down with a crash at any mo-
ment, in which case they fear it may in-
volve the destruction of a large portion
of the nave of the cathedral, to which it
is affixed by huge metal clamps.

Sardine Crop Shott.

The failure of the sardine schools to visit
the coast of Maine in their accustomed
numbers this year has resulted in a short-
age of the canning supply, which»threatens
to send up the price of the fish for Ahe
year 1913. ~

The canners usually plan to close the
season with a supply of 2,000,000 cases in
stock, but this year, even’ with the 400,-
000 cases carried over, there appears little
prospect of securing the normal product.

Turkish Sultan Issues Proclamation.

The sultan has isstied a proclamation to
the Turkish army denouncing the muti-
nous tendencies of the younger officers,
who recently formed a military league, and
alluding to the desertion of officers sent to
fight the rebels in Albania. The sultan
says in his ploclamation :

“Certain demands were put forward in
the name of certain officers, demands con-
trary to the constitutional charter and the
supreme rights of the khalifate, which
ought to be “respected by all. :

“It is the duty of the soldier to observe
the discipline, order,’ and obedience which
constitute the basis of his attachment to
the khalifate and the imperial throne.
Those who are invested with this quality
should hold themselves aloof from politics,
carry out the orders of their superiors °
the letter, and devote their lives and,
necessary, sacrifice them, exclusiv ely to ‘he
defense of their country.

“To act otherwise is to commit treason

 

These
grave incidents have led to the develop-
ment of certain tendencies which Tiave en-

toward the nation and the country.

couraged the enemy, who dared recently
to approach the gates of the capital. These
are facts which constitute a warning. I!
promulgate the present tirade, charging the
minister of war to read it in person to the
entire garrison of the capital and to make
it known to all the imperial troops.”

Old Republican Dead.

Ira Haworth, known as the “grandfa-
ther” of the Republican party in Illinois,
and a personal friend of Ptesident Abra-
ham Lincoln, died at a Kansas City hospital
recently, a charity patient. He was eighty-
five years old, and friends. had arranged
to celebrate the event with a dinner.

Haworth was one of the six men who
attended the first
Illinois in 1856, and later was one of the
delegates who voted for the nomination of
Lincoln for president. In 1860 Lincoln
sent Haworth a gavel and a cane made
from a rail which he had hewn from a
fence.

Girl Suffering With Strange Disease.

Lying helpless in an armchair. at the
Homeopathic Hospital in Great Ormond
Street, London, W. C., is a girl of 15,
named Edith Winter, of Boundary Lane,
Camberwell, S. E., who is suffering from
a mysterious disease which is causing her
muscles to turn into bone. It.is the same
disease that attacked Allan Rushbrook,

known as the “brittle man,” who left the
same hospital partly cured some months
ago.”

Edith Winter’s case is declared, to be
worse than that of Rushbrook; it is also
more pathetic. At her age she naturally
feels the restriction of movement caused
by the disease more than Rushbrook, who
was aged 35 when he entered, the hospital.
Her capacity for self-amusement is also
more limited, as her education has been
very scanty owing to her ailment, and she
can only read a little.

The disease began to develop soon after
birth and she was taken to the hospital
about a month’ago, Since then a few signs
of improvement have been observed in her
condition. She cannot walk or even stand,
unsupported, and can hardly move her head
at all, as the muscles of the neck and on
either side of the face have largely turned
to bone. The muscles of the jaw have also

hardened, and it is with some difficulty that —

she is able to eat.

Great care has to be exercised in moving
her,
muscles might break,”
“When I lift her,”
tal nurses,
ing a bundle of sticks.” It is four years
since Edith took her last walk.

tr Says Live Man is Dead.

said a doctor.

The appearance of a man at the mo- —

ment when what was supposed to be his

Republican ‘meeting im

said one of the hospi- —
“T feel as though I am mov-

    

“If she were to fall the hardened ©

body was being placed in the coffin led to a © .

dramatic scene at Courbevyoie, a. Paris sub-

urb.
A young man threw himself into the
Seine from the Pont*de Neuilly. A corpse

was tecovered, and was identi ed by a boy. :

famed Arrias as his i9-year-old brother

{| Hubert, who had disappeared from home —
The corpse haying also

after a quarrel.
been identified by the mother, the authori-
ties gave periaawn for tae remains to to be

        
     
     
    
  

taken to Madame Arrias’ house for the
funeral.
The death certificate was made out and

signed, and at noon friends and relatives
assembled for the funeral... Madame Arrias
had promised her son a new suit of clothes
for the national féte, and with touching
affection insisted on the body being dressed
in the new garments.

The undertakers were fastening down the
coffin, when shrieks were heard from the
staircase, and a woman cried: “It is he!
The corpse has come to life! Help!”
Amid screams the mourners made a rush
for the street.

In the midst of the din Hubert Arrias
walked upstairs and explained that he had
decided to live at a hotel in; future, but,
remembering. his mother’s promised present,
had come for his clothes. He was most
indignant to find that a corpse was dressed
in them.

The young man is still a corpse in the
eyes of the law. At the mayoralty, where
he called to announce his return to life,
he was informed politely that he was dead.
He has now retired to the country, pending
his recall to life by the Seine tribunal.

Woman Catches Outlaw.

After successfully eluding heavily armed
posses from three counties for a week, Wil-
liam Sartelle, alias William Morgan, said
to be the leader of a desperate gang of out-
laws from the “Hole in the Wall” country,

Wyoming, who escaped from the jail at
Craig, Colo., was made a prisoner by a
woman.

Mrs. Annie Decker, wife of a Snake

River rancher, “covered” the outlaw with
a revolver while he was eating a meal she
prepared for him at the point of a gun.
The. woman disarmed the bandit, then
“hog tied” him.

Afterward she telephoned Sheriff Davis,
of Carbon County, Wyoming, and until his
arrival the woman was alone with her
prisoner. Sartelle is now in jail at Dixon,
Wyo.

Navy to Hold Big Reviews.

The United States navy is to hold grand
naval reviews on October 14 and 15 simul-
taneously in New York, San Francisco, and
Manila. At a signal from President Taft
each of the three great fleets in unison will
steam over a review course in each of the
great harbors named and pass through evo-
lutions which are now being formilated.

The review in New York harbor will be
the largest, with 120 vessels of all descrip-
tions in line and the president of the
United States reviewing the ceremony from
his yacht, the Mayflower. Secretary Meyer,
‘if he recovers his health and remains
in the cabinet, will_also participate in
ihe demonstration,» The entire battleship
fleet on the Atlantic will be in the line, with
Rear Admiral Hugo Osterhaus in chief
command on the new dreadnaught Wyo-
ming, especially fitted for his flagship.

See, Brokers for Money Husband Lost in

: Stocks,

Mrs: Helen Augusta Clark, of Boston,
the wealthy widow of George t¢ jark, son
of John M. Clark, who was known in his
lifetime as Suffolk County's wealthy sheriff,
has brought suit in the Suffolk superior
court for $594,785 against William C.
Hawes, of New Bedford; J. Winthrop

‘finishing touch to this superbird of ugli-

NEW

 

‘TIP TOP WEEKLY.

 

Arlington, members of the stock brokerage
irm of Hawes, Tewksbury & Co., of Bos-
ton, .

‘The Back Bay widow claims that her
husband lost more than half a million dol-
lars dealing with the defendants “on mar-
gins” between September 1, 1909, and Janu-
ary 20, 1912. The plaintiff characterizes
the transactions her husband had with the
firm as “gaming and wagering contracts
contrary to chapter 99 of the revised laws.”

When former Sheriff Jomr M. Clark died
he left his son $2,000,000, It. was stated
recently that the estate is now worth less
than $500,000,

Olympic Athletes Surprised.

Ben Adams,'the New York Athletic Club
standing broad jumper, who took a second
and a third place at the Olympic games,
received a shock when he visited the club-
house at Fifty-ninth Street and. Central
Park West and found that he had been
dropped from athletic membership in the
organization for nonpayment of dues. It
was not at all the reception that a point
scorer in the big meet at Stockholm ex-
pected, and the jumper was flustered when
he was informed that strictly speaking he
was no longer a member of the club for
which he had done such good work.

Ben Adams was not the only one of the
Olympic band that fell a victim to the
ironclad rules of the New York A. C,,
which require that the athletes shall pay
their modest dues as regularly as the com-
mon or garden members of the club. About
20 men altogether were dropped at the
last meeting of the athletic committee, and
among them were C, C, Childs, who was
third in the hammer throw, at Stockholm}
Fred Keiser, the walker; G. B. Dukes, pole
vaulter, and’ Simon P, Gillis, hammer
thrower, all of tvhom made the trip to
Sweden.

New Musical Instrument in New York Hotel,

In the Holland House music room has
been placed a new musical instrument called
the choralcelo, which was invented recently
by two men in Boston, after 20 years of ex-
petimenting. It has the appearance of a
pianovand can be played to produce the
sound of either a piano or an organ. At
will one can use the right hand to produce
piano tones and use the left to play organ
accompaniment. Another attachment per-
mits the imitation of an orchestra with
strings, reeds, and brasses. This is the
first instrument of the kind to be placed
in any hotel in New York, and it will be
a feature of the afternoon and Sunday
night concerts at the Holland.

The Whale-head Stork.

One of the latest acquisitions to the Lon-
don zoo is the whale-headed stork, which is
described as the ugliest bird in the world.
The bird stands about four feet high, and
has dingy gray feathers and baggy knees
of loose skin.

On af evil-looking head it carries a beak
like a trough, so powerful that a full-
grown specimen could crunch a man’s arm.
Two eyes, yellow and furtive, peer out on
the world from behind this enormous beak,
and in expressing annoyance they cloud
over with a milky film, whith adds the last

ness. ; ’
The shoebill, which was. presented to the

 

Sir E. R. Wingte, R. C. M. G., has otily
just arrived in London from the Sudan.
It is only six months old, and was bought
from a native who stole the egg ffom the
nest and reared the bird with his own poul-
try. Its home is on the marshy banks of
the upper Nile.

The native’s testimony of the shoebill’s
affectionate nature is the one ray of hope
for the zoo keepers, who, so far, find it
good-natured only before food, which it
swallows greedily from the hand. After
the bird has gorged itself with herrings,
mackerel; and smelts, it allows the fish to

tunity of snapping at the keeper’s head
when he bends to pick them up.

More Men than Women in this Country.

The returns for the last census showed
that in this country the men outnumbered
the women by about 2.7 millions, giving a
proportion of 106 men for every one hun-
dred women. In the New England States
we find that the women outnumber the men,
while the proportion of men to women in-
creases westward,

A TABLE OF SEXES,

Men per

Division. 106 Women.
NEW  EGGtRi 3s Civikeee cinckne oo pane 99.3
MIGdIO? FitlaNINC hi Soci, case ce cateuie we 103.3
Hasty wortt Central tvs 5 gic Cann 106.0
West North: Gentrarcsek cad tees 109.9
SOtth A tANMC Ns Fs 5. ut sees peat ene 101.2
Past’ Souta-Central.s.\. ce twe es eae 101.9
West South ‘Cetitral. esd aveeene 107.2
Mountain | os 24k cep oneal Pera oer eae 127.9
MN Cie ce EES. 5 Chie 1 kee epee once eas 120.5

six States, including the
in which the women

There are only
District of Columbia,
outnumber the men, These are Massachu-
setts, Rhode Island, Maryland, District of
Columbia, North Carolina, South Carolina.
All of these States had an excess of women
in 1900, and in addition there were five
other States—New Hampshire, New York,
New Jersey, Virginia, and Georgia—which
at that time had an excess of women, but
now have an excess of men.

Among the native whites of foreign
parents and the negroes the women out-
number the men, although the excess is very
small. Almost all of the excess of men
can be credited to the foreign born, among
whom there are 129,2 men to 100 women.
In 1900 there were 104.4 men to 100 women
in the total population, so that the propor-
tion of men in this country is evidently on
the increase. This increase may be at-
tributed to immigration.
Among the births the male children are
generally a little more numerous than fe-
male children, but the higher mortality to
which men are exposed, as a rule, leaves the
women in excess after the fiftieth year.
Were it not for immigration it is possible
that the women in this
slightly outnumber the men.

Captures an Eagle.
Aiter a fierce fight of 15 minutes, a small

American eagle was captured b ‘Hugh -
Carney, junior, of Providence, 1. ont &
tree in the yard of his home. It is the

first time that an eagle had been seen in
that, vicinity for a long period.

The eagle,
from one wing tip to the other, had ap-
parently made a ‘long flight and was dis-

 

 

Tewksbury, of Boston, and Jere Colman, of

zodlogical society by Lieutenant General

covered by Mr. Carney perching on the

   

slide out of its beak, and takes the oppor-

country would _

which measured 69 inches —

     

   

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top of a big oak tree in his yard, exhausted
and sleeping.

Seizing a club, Carney struck the tree
trunk and the eagle dropped to a lower
limb of the tree and resumed his sleep
there. Carney then found a clothes pole
and succeeded “in cracking the limb on
which the bird had perched, apparently doz-
ing, and the eagle dropped to the ground.

Carney jumped for his prize, but the bird,
though stunned and frightened by the fall,
put up a battle.

Insane Train Robber Now Consents to Wear
Clothes,

Oliver Curtis Perry, the noted train rob-
ber, admitted by State prison officials to be
one of the most troublesome men with
whom they have ever had to deal, has con-
serited to wear clothes after a talk with
Herbert P. Bissell during a recent visit
of the State hospital commission to the
State Hospital
for the. Criminal Insane.

Perry, who is blind; has been in_ the
Dannemora institution more than ten years,
during which he has refused to wear cloth-
ing for long periods. He lies on the floor
in preference to a comfortable bed and at
times declines to eat, so that food has to

be forcibly administered to him through a:

tube.

- For a long time previous to the recent
visit of the hospital commission, Perry had
refused to wear clothes. The coarse garb
of the inmates was displeasing to him.
Other clothes of softer fabric had been

_provided, but these also were discarded.

Mr. Bissell finally succeeding in obtaining
a promise from the insane man_ that he
would resume his apparel. He has kept
his promise to the extent of wearing un-

 derclothing, ‘but he still refuses to wear

  

 

 

coat or pants.

Perry spends much of his time dictating
verse to an attendant or fellow inmate.
He put ott his eyes in the Matteawan State
Hospital, where he had been transferred
from Auburn Prison in 1895. The theory
was that a blind man could do no hatm,
even thotigh insane, and he hoped by blind-
ing himself to arouse pity and eventually
bring about his release,

Wants Laws Made so that Enlisted Men
Shall Have Equal Rights.

Acting Secretary of the Navy Winthrop
has written to Governor Baldwin, of Con-
necticut, calling his attention to the re-
cent refusal of admittance to a dance hall

in that State of five petty officers of the

navy becatise they were in uniform.
Secretary Winthrop requested the gov-
ernor to bring about the enactment. of laws
by the Connecticut legislature which will
guarantee to enlisted men of the army,
Navy, and marine corps the right to enter

public places of amusement on the sare

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

terms as others.

He reminded the governor that New

York, Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, and

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

  

  

Rhode Island have passed such laws. The
incident in Connecticut occurred at Nor-
wich recently.

Stray Horse Eats Rockefeller’s Cabbage. |
Jolin -D. Rockefeller won't enjoy many
of his favorite dishes of “corned beef and”
this winter.

Mr, Rockefeller had a fine crop of cab-
bages ff his garden at Pocantico Hills. A
“owned by George Ferguson, Rocke-

aie
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NEW TIP TOP WEEKLY.

feller’s icéman friend, walked into the
garden and ate them. Terguson went to
get his horse, and Moussa, the gardener,
assaulted the iceman and refused to give
back the horse, claiming it had done $200
damage. Ferguson had Moussa arrested
for assault. He was fined $10.

Holes in Swiss Cheese.

What makes the holes in Swiss cheese?

Deep problems for whose soltition gov-
ernment experts have been seeking, have
been laid aside for research into the causes
of the little windy tunnels that penetrate
this variety of cheese. The holes, say the
men of science, are dollars and cents to the
merchants, for they indicate the grade and
value of the cheese. So they want to know
how the holes may be encouraged to appear
more frequently and to grow more rapidly.

Some of the itnps of chemistry, such as
carbon, dioxide, nitrogen, and hydrogen,
have to do with the making of these holes
and the professors with the retorts and
the microscopes hope to find a way by
which every little cheese may have some
channels all its own.

Defends Small Newspapets.

An attack on the recent National News-
paper Conference in Madison, Wis.,
marked the address of J. L. Sturtevant, of
the “Wausau Record-Herald before the
Wisconsin Press Association. His talk was
a defense of the small daily and weekly
papers. He said in part:

“Recently in the city of Madison there
was held what purported to be a national
hewspaper conference to discuss the sub-
ject, ‘Are Newspaper and Magazitie Writ-
ers Free to Tell the Truth? If Not, Why
Not, and What Can be Done About It?’
Why was it necessary to call a public
meeting to consider a question, the very
form of which was an insult to every de-
cent, conscientious newspaper man?

“I say to you that honesty is not a matter
of policy at all; it is a fundamental. No
newspaper can long survive unless it tells
the truth and prints the news without fear
ot favor. ,

“This national newspaper conferetice was
unjust to the thousands of real newspaper
men, As usual in a discussion of this
kind, the central figure is the big fellow,
the yellow press of the big cities; the maga-
zines with their hundreds of thousands of
readers. No thought is given to the little
fellows. A Boston paper is alleged to be
controlled by its advertisers. Ergo, every
newspaper, no matter how small the town
where it is printed, is controlled by its
advertisers. Nothing is further from the
truth.

“Let us stand up in our own strength.
in our own right, and defend ourselves and
our property from the attacks of these
demagogues, these superior sort of beings
who touch, but to defame.”

Boy on 7,000-mile Walk.
Ben Gordon, 18 years old, of Ranch 246,
Oklahoma, went through Utica recently on
his way to San Francisco, When he com-
pletes that journey he will have walked
about 7,000 miles, ;
Twenty-five young men started out with
3en to make the long hike across America
and to get a good look at every spot and
place worth looking at in the country. It
was just a practical sort of way they took
of seeing the East, then of seeing the

‘
i

 

 
   

But the
It’s rio joke
hiking 7,000 miles, and so some of the boys
slipped out of the party and caught trains

West in all its phases and charms.
25 young men didn’t stick.

for back home. Four companions stayed
with Ben until they. reached St. Johnsville.
Then they shook hands with the 246 Ranch
boy. He says he likes to walk, to see the
country and meet people. He will be able
to tell some great stories to boys on_the
ranch When he hangs his hat up there
again.

Kindness Seems to Have Killed this Man.

Harry Munshower, aged 36, a patient at
Dixmont Insane Asylum, at Pittsburgh, Pa.,
died recently after being in the institution
less than four weeks.

Munshower was shipped to Dixmont
from. his home in Indiana County in a
rough box, bound hand and foot, with a
small grating as the only opening.

Munshower lived twenty years chained in
a room at his father’s farm and his exist-
ence was not known until his father died
in July. The county commissioners put
the man in a box becatise he had never
worn clothes and tore from his body the
garments the commissioners put on him.

He never made a sound after he arrived
at Dixmont and weighed only 86 pounds
when he died, although he weighed nearly
200 less than a month ago.

Ice Cream a Necessity.

Marylarid’s blue laws recognize ice cream
as a necessity and not as a luxury.

While members of the exclusive Chevy
Chase Club may not buy soft drinks or
cigats Sunday, the deputy sheriff of Mont-
gomety County will wink the other eye
while iced delicacies are served.

The reeve of Motitgomeryshire says he
will enforce the blue laws while they re-
main on thé statute books. _ Meanwhile
not only the Chevy Chase Club, but many
amusement resorts of the national capital -
just ovet the Maryland line are affected by
the activities of his deputies,

Finger Prints Cause Artest.

Finger prints and,Bertillon measurements
have revealed the identity of Thomas Bailey
Henry, who posed as an English lord, and
who recently was arrested at Oakland, Cal.
accused of swindling.

The London police report the prisoner
is Joséph Harold Fendell, born in Surrey,
England, an ironmonger, who has served a

term in an English prison for grand
larceny,

Henry was brought batk recently from
Chicago. ¥

Left Money to Obedient Children,’

Added indtcernent to the scriptural prom-
ise for obedience to parents is offered the.
children of Feliks Majewski, wealthy
butcher, whose will was filed for probate
recently.

To each of his five daughters and four) 27

sons was left $1,000, on condition that they
obey their mother, with a provision that
they shall receive only $25 if disobedient.
A part of the will provides that any child
who leaves home before attaining tmajor-

ity without the consent of the mother will

forfeit his or het inheritance. Friends say
that the absence o

 

the father’s death inspired the unusual pro-— bits
vision of.the will. * ane

      
        
    
       

one son just, befote —
 
   
  
      
   
  
  
  
   
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
 
   
  
     
  
   
  
   
   
   
   
  
  
  
 
   

SE eS a

 

 

PPLAy| Eleventh Annual Toray) -

? f
| BALL! | Baseball Tournament | BALL! i

Tip Top Championship Contest of 1912

Open to amateur baseball nines anywhere in the United
States. New uniforms for each of the two winning

teams. BEGIN NOW. Contest Closes October 15th.

FIRST PRIZE:—The team which, at the end of the season, has the highest
average—that is, plays the greatest number of games and scores the largest number
of runs, will be declared the TIP TOP CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM OF 1912, and will
receive a handsome silk pennant bearing words to that effect. In addition to this, |
the champion team will receive an equipment of nine high-grade uniforms—cap, |
shirt, belt, trousers and stockings for each member.

- SECOND PRIZE:—The team showing the next highest average, will be declared
the winner of the second place, and the members will receive each a uniform equip- |
ment exactly like that given to each member of the champion team.

In the event of a tie between two teams, the batting and fielding average of the teams will be considered. The captains of com-
peting teams are therefore advised to preserve the detailed score of each game, but not to send it to this office until requested to do so.

TEN COUPONS REQUIRED FOR THE RECORD OF EACH GAME

In order that TIP TOP may have a complete and ‘proper record of ‘each _ played by each
team entering this contest, ten coupons must be sent in for each game. ‘These consist of one
coupon from each of the nine players,.and one manager’s coupon. The last coupon must be mailed
on or before October 15th, when the contest closes. ie

ee eee amar. ee
MANAGER’S COUPON PLAYER’S COUPON

In fairness to all the clubs that enter this contest, and that there
may be no doubt as to whom the prizes should go, Tip Top requires a

 

 

 

 

 

 

: ‘
oe te

 

 

 

 

For each game Riad Serine ~ penton, the "manager peceins to
Contest, is required to fill out a Manager’s Coupon, =
fetune hetowe aN te ip, sign. it, and obtain the ‘endorsemenit of hig | Coupon from each member of the nine as well as the manager's

‘ i ; ; coupon. Below is the coupon which each player should cut out,
ait iS Gita news dealer, as provided in the coupon, | fin sign and give to the manager of the,nine that he may send it

along with the manager’s coupon.

 

 

TIP TOP BASEBALL TOURNAMENT OF 1912

 

 

Name of My Team ee ey AM Ee I OT ee This is to certify that I played in the game between the
‘ Name of Opposing Team.....----.---------s---cewsnnnanwnnnnnnnnnenmennenne PO je. ee ae
Winner ...... ---00---000---00e-nannnennnnennannescnncnnnamannayeccnnsencranas Dy Tenth WR Ne ian Salsa wsnobdbanhocs suheng oaedailiiecmcncichaael
Wikal WeOve 26k Sk enks cet ceusacdbviesdenidubcssatocephiansttadnnan | saphann Why: Paalllae Webs iis ci sol Rsk gtheewtnadnioedl itu padasaeealaae

INTRON a Es a cdi eeesanie pats

 

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Ri aaa cee oe ee a re Panel Wetre ii 362 ud 2 saeco cds deenncanameniadewGighcsd balsas lpia

Dute GF Gumseci72606cd&.’ ick ae

 

 

Manager’s Signature Oa a a i bith mcfll ante

 

 

 

TIP TOP BASEBALL TOURNAMENT OF 1912 |

 

Where Pitvedennk ou oldies lomarncane
nese node tins ie twaadan nape von emetnoe nn* Plasers Bien suee i ik oc nacred sasulc daunes
Endorsement of Postmaster
eRe TEP RMIAN eon rks iid ca tbs oe a caialgeacae ut baiekies dia abisccepw donna PAGER ists iis wid ulaines's odbc Like Wis alis an Okeke cid gin cu kiicihe doctrine

 

——— es

 

a to cit Nn A et aa
ae

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nce renee ene rn SE So

STALL, OF THE BACK NUMBERS OF

TIP TOP WEEKLY

THAT CAN NOW BE SUPPLIED

 

575—Dick Merriwell’s Twirling. 658—F rank Merriwell’s Lesson. 30—Frank Merriwell’s Six-in-hand 799—Dick Merriwell on the Great

576—Dick Merriwell’s Party. 659—F rank Merriwell’s Protection. 731—Frank Merriwell’s Duplicate.

Lakes.

577—Dick Merriwell’s Backers. 660—Dick Merriwell’s Reputation. 32—Frank Merriwell on Rattle- 800—Dick Merriwell Caught Nap-

578—Dick Merriwell’s Coach. 661—Dick Merriwell’s Motto. snake Ranch.

ping.

579—Dick Merriwell’s Bingle. 662—Dick Merriwell’s Restraint. 33—Frank Merriwell’s Sure Hand. g¢4—pick Merriwell in the Copper

580—Dick Merriwell’s Hurdling. 663—Dick Merriwell’s Ginger. 34—Frank Merriwell’s Treasure

§82—Dick Merriwell’s Respite. 664—Dick Merriwell’s Driving. Map.

ee Merriwell’s Disadvan- 665—Dick Merriwell’s Good Cheer, 735—Frank Merriwell, Prince of
666—F rank Merriwell’s Theory. the Rope.

Country.
802—Dick Merriwell Strapped.
803—Dick Merriwell’s Coolness.
804—-Dick Merriwell’s Reliance.

ge.
584—Dick | Reitwiit Beset. 667—Frank Merriwell’s Diplomacy. 736—Dick Merriwell, Captain of gp; 5—Dick Merriwell’s College Mate

586—Dick Merriwell’s Distrust. 668—Frank Merriwell’s: Encourage- the Varsity.
587—Dick Merriwell, Lion Tamer. ment. 87—Dick Merriweli’s Control.
588—Dick Merriwell’s Camp-site. 669—Frank Merriwell’s Great Work. 738—Dick Merriwell’s Back Stop.
589—Dick Merriwell’s Debt. 670—Dick Merriwell’s Mind. 389—Dick Merriwell’s Masked n-
590—Dick Merriwell’s Camp Mates. Gs 1—Dic k Merriwell’s ‘‘Dip.’’ emy.
591—Dick Merriwell’s Draw. 2—Dick Merriwell’s Rally. 40—Dick Merriwell’s Motor Car.
592—Dick Merriwell’s Disapproval. 673 Dick Merriwell’s Flier. 4 —Dic k Merriwell’s Hot Pursuit.
593—Dick Merriwell’s Mastery. 674—F rank Merriwell’s Bullets. 4
594—Dick Merriwell’s Warm Work. 675—Frank Merriwell’s Cut Off. 48—Dick Merriwell in Court.
595—Dick Merriwell’s “Double 676—Frank Merriwell’s Ranch Boss. 744—Dick Merriwell’s Silence.

Squeeze.” 677—Dick Merriwell’s Equal. 45—Dick Merriwell’s Dog.
596—Dick Merriwell’s Vanishing. 678—Dick Merriwell’s Development. 746—Dick Merriwell’s Subterfuge.
597—Dick Merriwell Adrift. 679—Dick Merriwell’s Eye. 47—Dick Merriwell’s Enigma.
598—Dick Merriwell’s Influence. 680—F rank Merriwell’s Zest. 48—Dick Merriwell Defeate dd.
599—F rank Merriwell’s Worst Boy. 681—Frank Merriwell’s Patience. 749—Dick Merriwell’s “Wing.’’
600—Frank Merriwell’s Annoyance. 682—Frank Merriwell’s Pupil. 750—Dick Merriwell’s Sky Chase.
601—Frank Merriwell’s Restraint. 683—Frank Merriwell’s Fighters. 751—Dick Merriwell’s Pick-ups.
602—Dick Merriwell Held Back. 684—Dick Merriwell at the ‘‘Meet.”? 752—Dick Merriwell ‘on the Rock-
603—Dick Merriwell in the Line. 385—Dick Merriwell’s Protest. ing R.
604—Dick Merriwell’s Drop Kick. 686—Dick Merriwell in the Mara-753—Dick Merriwell’s Penetration.
605—F rank Merriwell’s Air Voyage. thon. 754—Dick Merriwell’s Intuition.
606—Frank Merriwell’s Auto Chase. 687—Dick Merriwell’s Colors. 755—Dick Merriwell’s Vantage,
607—F rank Merriwell’s Captive. 688—Dick Merriwell, Driver. 756—Dick Merriwell’s Advice.
608—Dick Merriwell’s Value. 689—Dick Merriwell on the Deep. 757—Dick Merriwell’s Rescue.
609—Dick Merriwell Doped. 690—Dick Merriwell in the North 758—Dick Merriwell, American.
610—Dick Merriwell’s Belief. Woods. 759—Dick Merriwell’s Understand-
611—F en Merriwell in the Mar- So4-- Dick Merriwell’s Dandies. ing.

692—Dick Merriwell’s Skyscooter. _760—Dick Merriwell, Tutor.

612—Franke’ Merriwell’s Fight for693—Dick Merriwell in the Elk 761—Dick Merriwell’s Quandary.

Fortune. Mountains. 762—Dick Merriwell on the Boards.
613—Frank Merriwell on Top. 694—Dick Merriwell in Utah. 763—Dick Merriwell, Peacemaker.
614—Dick Merriwell’s Trip West. 695—Dick Merriwell’s Bluff. 764-—Frank Merriwell’s Sway.
615—Dick Merriwell’s Predicament. 696—Dick Merriwell in the Saddle. 765—Frank Merriwell’s Compre-
616—Dick Merriwell in Mystery 697—Dick Merriwell’s Ranch hension.

] Friends. 766—Frank Merriwell’s Young

Valley.
617—Frank Merriwell’s Proposition. 698—Frank Merriwell at Phantom Acrobat.
618—Frank Merriwell Perplexed. Lake. 767—Frank Merriwell’s Tact.
619—Frank Merriwell’s Suspicion.- 699—Frank Merriwell’s Hold-back. 768—_Fr ‘ank Merriwell’s Unknown.
620—Dick Merriwell’s Gallantry. Cy ge rank Merriwell’s Lively Lads 769—F rank Merriwell’s Acuteness.
621—Dick Merriwell’s Condition. ‘rank Merriwell as Instructor. 7 70—Frank Merriwell’s Young
622—Dick Merriwell’s Stanchness. 702—Dick Merriwell’s Cayuse. Canadian. :

623—Dick Merriwell’s Match. 703—Dick Merriwell’s Quirt. ” :
624—Frank Merriwell’s Hard Case. 704—Dick Merriwell's Freshmans2! —- pank aac Roo a : eat o {
625—Frank Merriwell’s Helper. Friend. (= _F es oon “deg — y.
626—Frank Merriwell’s Doubts. 705—Dick Merriwell’s Best Form. , Hox, ff ARROLY ED:
627—Frank Merriwell’s “Phenom.” 706—Dick Merriwell’s Prank. iy h ,
628—Dick Merriwell’s Stand. 707—Dick Merriwell’s Gambol, 774—Frank Merriwell’s Daring Deed
629—Dick Merriwell's Circle. 7O8—Dick Merriwell’s Gun. 775—Frank Merriwell’s Succor,
630—Dick Merriwell’s Reach. 709—Dick Merriwell at His Best. 776—Frank Merriwell’s Wit.
631—Dick Merriwell’s Money. 710—Dick Merriwell’s Master Mind. 777—Frank Merriwell’s Loyalty.
632—Dick Merriwell Watched. 11—Dick Merriwell’s Dander. i8—F rank acme we iI 8 es a lay.
633—Dick Merriwell Doubted. 12—Dick Merriwell’s Hope. 779- —Frank Lb eae a
634—Dick Merriwell’s Distrust. 18—Dick Merriwell’s Sti nds urd. 780—Frank Merriwe i's ee.
635—Dick Merriwell’s Risk. 14—Dick Merriwell’s Sympathy. 781—Frank Merriwell’s Campaign.
636—F rank Merriwell’s Favorite. 15—Dick Merriwell in) Lumber 782—Frank Merriwell in the Na-
6387—F rank Merriwell’s Young Land. tional Forest.
16—F rank Merriwell’s Fairness. 788—Frank Merriwell’s Tenacity.
17—F rank ae rriwe it oe: PL t—Dick Merriwell’s Self-sacrifice.
18—F1 i erriwe 16 Man Of 785—Dick Merriwell’s Close Shave.
ert eae tee srate719—F ‘t rit. Merriwell’s Return 7e-ap ise Marriweil's Percept ae
—Dic none rriwell’s esperate7 rank Merriwell’s t 787—Dick Merriwell’s Mysterious
642—Dick Merriwell’s Example. 720—F rank Merriwell’s Quest. as _ Disappearance. :
ick Merriwell at Gale’s Ferry. 721—I'rank Merriwell’s Ingots. 788—Dick Merriwell’s Detective
644—Dick Merriwell’s Inspiration. 722—Frank Merriwell’s. Assistance. Work.
645—Dick Merriwell’s Shooting. 23—Frank Merriwell at the 789—Dick Merriwell’s Proof.
646—Dick Merriwell in the Wilds. Throttle. 790—Dick Merriwell’s Brain Work.
647—Dick Merriwell’s Red Comrade. 724—Frank Merriwell, the Always 791—Dick Merriwell’s Queer Case.
648—F rank Merriwell’s Ranch. Ready. 792—Dick Merriwell, Navi igator.
649—F rank Merriwell in the Saddle. 725—F ee Me rriwell in Diamond 7983—Dick Merriwell’s Good Fellow-
650—Frank Merriwell’s Brand. Li TE:
651—F rank Merriwell’s Red Guide. 726—IF vane 'Mterriwell’ s Desperate 794—Dick Merriwell’s Fun.
652—Dick Merriwell’s Rival. Chance. 795—Dick Merriwell’s Commence-
653—Dick Merriwell’s Strength. 727—Fr eon Merriwell’s Black Ter- ment.
654—Dick Merriwell’s Secret Work. 796—Dick Merriwell at Montauk
655—Dick Merriwell’s Way. 728—Frank “Merriwell Again on the Point
656—Frank Merriwell’s Red Visitor. Slab. 797—Dick Merriwell, Mediator.
657—F rank Merriwell’s Rope. 729—F rank Merriwell’s Hard Game 798—Dick Merriwell’s Decision.

Clippers.
639—TI'rank Merriwell’s Record
Breakers.

806—Dick Merriwell’s Young
Pitcher.
soa ae k Merriwell’s Prodding.
—Frank Merriwell’s Boy. +

¢ 309 rack Merriwell’s Interfer-

ence,

—Dick Merriwell at Forest Lake 810—Frank Merriwell’s Young

Warriors.

811—F rank Merriwell’s Appraisal.
812—Frank Merriwell’s Forgiveness

813—F rank Merriwell’s Lads.

814—Frank Merriwell’s Young

Aviators.
815—F rank Merriwell’s Hot-head.

816—Dick Merriwell, Diplomat.

817—Dick Merriwell in Panama.

818—Dick Merriwell’s Perseverance.
819—Dick Merriwell Triumphant.

apace Merriwell’s Betrayal.

821—Dick Merriwell, Revolutionist.
822—Dick Merriwell’s Fortitude.
823—Dick Merriwell’s Undoing.

824—Dick Merriwell, Universal

Coach.
825—Dick Merriwell’s Snare.
826—Dick Merriwell’s Star Pupil.
827—Dick Merriwell’s Astuteness.
828—Dick Merriwell’s Responsi-
bility.
age oe Merriwell’s Plan.
80—Dick Merriwell’s Warning.
a1 —Diek Merriwell’s Counsel.
2—Dick Merriwell’s Champions.
33: 3—Dick Merriwell’s Marksmen.
834—Dick Merriwell’s Enthusiasm.
835—Dick Merriwell’s Solution.
836—Dick Merriwell’s Foreign Foe.
837—Dick Merriwell and the Car-
lisle Warriorss
eo Merriwell’s Battle for the
Blue.
839—Dick Merriwell’s Evidence,
840—Dick Merriwell’s Device.
841—Dick Merriwell’s Princeton Op-
ponents.

. 842—Dick Merriwell’s Sixth Sense.

843—Dick Merriwell’s Strange
Clew.

844—Dick Merriwell Comes Back.

845-——Dick Merriwell’s Heroic Crew.

846—Dick Merriwell Looks Ahead. -

847—Dick Merriwell atythe Olym-
pics.

848—Dick Merriwell in Stockholm.

849—Dick Merriwell in the Swed-
ish Stadium.

850—Dick Merriwell’s Marathon.

NEW TIP TOP WEEKLY

1—F rank Merriwell, Jr.
2—Frank Merriwell, Jr.
3—Frank Merriwell, Jr.’s, Struggle.
4—Frank Merriwell, Jr.’s, Skill.
5—F rank Merriwell, Jr., in Idaho.
6—Frank Merriwell, Jr.’s, Close
Shave.
7—I'rank Merriwell, Jr., on Wait-
ing Orders.
8—Frank Merriwell, Jr.’s, Danger.
9—Frank Meyriwell, Jr.’8, Relay
Marathon. 4
10—Frank Merriwell, Jv., at the’
Bar-Z Ranch.

 

PRICE, FIVE CENTS PER COPY

If you want any back numbers of our weeklies and cannot procure them from your news-dealer, they can be obtained direct

from this office. Postage-stamps taken the same as money.

STREET & SMITH, PUBLISHERS, 79-89 SEVENTH AVE., NEW YORK