Fame And Fortune Weekly (no. 1011) (1925 02 13)
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BOYS, READ THE RADIO ARTICLES IN THIS NUMBER ee FEBRUARY 13, 1925 Price 8 Cents No. 1011 SR ‘sill the young senor take his last look at the sparkler " grinned the Mexican, malevolently, holding the jewel box tantalizingly toward Tom. Bound firmly to the post, the fast rising tide laving his shoulders, the boy met Mercades’s despairing gaze.
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‘2 ace aS = ) ; ot a en _~ 1960-1961 SEND YOUR WANT USF. RALPH P, SMITH | BOX 985 LAWRENCE, MASS.
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Read. Page 24 for Radio News and Hints. West 23d Street, New York, N. Y. the Post-Office at New York, N. NEW YORK, FEBRUARY 13, No. 1011 FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY Issued weekly—Subscription price, $4.00 per year! Canada, $4.50; Foreign, $5.00. Harry E. Wolff, iat’ ty] ¥, R : i : Entered as Second-Class Matter, October 4, 1911, at UCT 28 4 Price 8 Cann Y¥., under the Act of March 3, 1879. 1925 A MILLION IN GOLD OR, THE TREASURE OF SANTA CRUZ ai’ ao e f CHAPTER I.—In Which the Curtain Rises On : Scene 1. _ “Hello, Jennie! You’re lookin’ like a. daisy this mornin’” said Moses, with a grin. _ “Goin’ : to give me a kiss, ain’t you?” Jennie Dean, the prettiest girl, by long odds, in Cobalt village, edged away from the speaker—a coarse, freckled- face boy, who had burst suddenly from the bushes by the roadside and confronted her. She flashed a look of mingled displeasure and appre- hension at the newcomer, and it was easy to see _ that she rather objected to his companionship. ¥ : “What's the matter with vou? Ain’t I as good as Tom Danvers?” continued Moses, advancing on her as she retreated, while a disagreeable look : came over his sallow face. ‘ “JT wish you wouldn’t bother me, Moses Gilpin!” said the girl. “Don’t you like me?” he asked, in a menacing kind of way. “No, I don’t! So there!” That was plain English, and straight from the, shoulder. “T s’pose you think there ain’t no one like that _ beggar, Tom Danvers,” sneered Moses. “He’s a gentleman, and you’re not,” she. re- torted frankly. “Oh, he is?” with a malicious chuckle. “He is a gentleman, is he? A fellow whose brother is an escaped jail-bird!” *“Aren’t you ashamed to say such a thing!” ried the girl indignantly. ee “No, I ain’t, ‘cause it’s the truth. He was % arrested for stealin’, and put in the lock-up. If he hadn’t broke out and run away, he’d have been sent to the State prison, where he ought to go!” “T don’t believe he was guilty,” replied Jennie. “Tt don’t: make no difference whether you be- lieve it or not. Everybody else in the village does. My old man seen him comin’ down the Squire’s lane at two in the mornin’. If he’d only known as much as he did afterward, he’d have stopped him and found the goods on him. But that didn’t - matter much anyway, as he was caught diggin’ Sei ea stuff up next night. He’s a thief, and that’s | there is to it.” “Jf I told Tom what you’ve said about his “ater he’d make you smart!”" oh By A SELF-MADE MAN ~ “Yah! He wouldn’t dare. My old man would fix him if he laid a hand on me. I’d just as lief as not tell Tom Danvers to his face that his brother is a thief, for that’s what he is.” “You’re a liar, Moses Gilpin!” cried a voice close at hand, and Tom Danvers, a stalwart, good-looking boy of seventeen, with brown curly hair and a frank, honest expression of counte- nance, sprang from the same line of bushes and confronted Gilpin with clenched fist and a men- acing look. “My brother is not a thief, and I’ve half a ‘mind to cram the words down your throat!” Moses jumped back a couple of feet and looked Scared. “You’d better not touch me if you know when you’re well off!” he snarled, darting a venomous glance at the last arrival. “Then don’t you dare call my brother a thief, for I won’t stand for it!” “Tf he isn’t a thief, what is he?” snorted young Gilpin. “I’m not going to argue the matter with you, Moses. The whole thing was a mistake, and time will show it.” “Yes, it will,” replied Moses, sarcastically. “Who do. you suppose believes that cock-and-bull story of his that he saw a tough-looking tramp bury the stuff, and he started to dig it up in order to return it to the Squire?” “It’s the truth, whether anybody believes it or not,” replied Tom stoutly- “T believe it, Tom,” spoke up Jennie, earnestly, “and ‘so does ‘Agnes and mother.” Thank you for saying that, Jennie,” said Tom Danvers, flashing a grateful glance at the girl. “I didn’t expect anything else of you, and of Agnes and your mother. Jack will prove his in- nocence some day, and he will never forget those who stuck by him in his trouble.” A sneer curled the mouth of Moses as he lis-, tened to Tom’s words, but he did not dare to ex- press his feelings openly. He hated the fugitive Jack Danvers because the young man had given him a whipping for. cruelly maltreating a poor dog; and he hated Tom Danvers because Tom was the most popular boy in Cobalt and attracted all the girls, especially Jennie Dean, for whom Moses had a sneaking liking himself. Since Jack rw Py
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2 : 3" ‘4 MILLION IN GOLD Danvers had been arrested on the charge of ; So they walked on. leaving Moses Gilpin stand- breaking into Squire Penrose’s house one night jing by himself in the middle of the road. s “when the family was away at a wedding In a : : neighboring ‘town, and had subsequently escaped from the village lock-up and disappeared, Tom had been the sole support of his widowed mother. CHAPTER II.—Tom Resents An Insult But it seemed as if misfortune never came singly, ; age but in shoals, for Tom, who, up to that time, had When Tom. Danvers reached home; ~an “hour been attending school in the next towns, riding to” jater, he found his mother in great F tedicte: and from the academy each day, found -it almost tt once hada erying, mother,” he said. “What’s urea ge ce goskhe se do bh jae oe sagas the matter?” : ; imself obliged to put his shoulder to the wheel. “ “Ti ‘ seats ne On stop of that; the bark-in the next. town, RF ag Gilpin hae been here again for his rent, a where Mrs. Danvers had a deposit of several hun- “What if he has? Were not going to cheat dred dollars, failed about that time, and Tom im out of it. We'll pay him as soon as. we get - and his mother were reduced to great straits to the money.” : » make ends meet. The Deans, mother and two “Hétven alone knows where or when we'll get hs daughters, were warm friends of the Danvers. it, my son,” replied Mrs. Danvers, tearfully. “At Agnes Dean carried on a millinery and dress- any rate, Mr. Gilpin says he won’t wait any making business in the village, and was the main longer.” — support of the family.. She and Jack Danvers, at “He won't, eh?” ahs the time of his arrest, were engaged to be mar- “No, He says we must move right away.” ried. Although the bright young fellow, who “Did he say that?” - was an expert carpenter, had fled the village un- “Yes, Where can we go? We have no money der a cloud, Agnes did not break the engage- with which to rent another cottage, even if I ment. She firmly believed in his innocence, and knew of one in the village suitable to our cit- determined to remain true to him. Jennie Dean cumstances that was to rent. Besides, Mr. Gilpin assisted her mother to keep house and her sister says he'll have to levy on our furniture to pay in her business. She was a bright, vivacious girl, himself for the two months’ rent we owe. He’s | and a great favorite with the boys. Tom thought been looking around the house, and declares thai the world of her, and she had a very high opinion all we have wouldn’t fetch him twenty-five d of him. Moses Gilpin was her particular aver- lars at auction.” 4 : Sr, sion. “The old villain!” cried Tom. “What right has She didn’t like him even a little bit, though he to bulldoze you?, He hasn’t any right to touch — he was always trying to make himself solid a piece of our furniture—it’s against the law. with her. He was the only son of John Gilpin, If we had a cow or horse, he might attach it, the village auctioneer, church deacon, and gen- but ‘he can’t levy on our furniture. He has eral man of importance. Mr. Gilpin was reputed made a big bluff because he wanted to frighten to be. well off, though he and his family didn’t you. Maybe he thought you had a little pe | put on any style, being close-fisted to a degree, in a stocking somewhere, and he could m making a dollar go as far as it was possible to you show it up. After all the years we’ve paid’ stretch it. Mr. Gilpin owned the cottage where * him rent he ought to be ashamed of himself to the Danvers lived, and he was always most push you because we happen to have been hit — Se punctual in calling for his rent. by a streak of hard luck.” ‘ Mrs. Danvers paid eight dollars a month, and “Y’m afraid he’s a hard man, Tom.” ; . even that sum she was unable to raise when “J don’t want to leave you, mother, but I ca mn’) the landlord put in an appearance on the last. find anything to do in the village. It’s up to me day of the preceding month, for she did not pay to get out and hustle somewhere else. Tm going in advance. F to Brentville in the morning to see if I can met As the Danvers had lived many years’in the a place in a store there.” oF. Se cottage, Mr. Gilpin felt obliced to give the widow — “Well, Tom, perhaps that is the right thing * time, though he did so much against the grain; for you to do. As soon as you get work Ti and he told her he would call again on the move to a small house theres ‘ta fifteenth, when he intimated that he expected “All right, mother, and then the postmaster — her to have the rent. would: know where to send any letters that “She didn’t have it when the middle of the might come for us, By the way, that reminds | month came around, and then Mr. Gilpin sug- _me that I got a letter at the post office for gested that if she couldn’t pay regularly he’d you.” re prefer she’d leave. Who is it from?” : > Although they were now poor, and the taint “I don’t know. The handwriting is strange to of a crime rested on the head of the elder son, me. You'll have to open it to. find out,” and they were proud, and suffered in silence rather Tom produced the letter ard handed it to his than make an effort to borrow moriey and chance mother. ; <j she a refusal. Mrs. Danvers opened the letter, out of which — “You are returning to the village, aren’t you, «n enclosure fell to the floor, which Tom picked Jennie?” said Tom, after thanking her for stand- up and held in his hand without looking at it, ing up for his brother. = and glaneed at the signature. : Neb ine “Yes.” . ” ; - “Harley Roberts,” she said in a mystified way. “Then Vl go along with you, if you don’t “I never heard of the man before.” ae 2 : “The letter is surely for you, isn’t it, mother?” _ sil ‘shall be glad if you will,” she answered. , said Tom. 2 ee ae = * ee Ss <p z - E
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“Yes. There seems to be no doubt of that.” “Read it, then, and see what he says.” Mrs. Danvers did so. This is how-it ran: “Mrs. Frederick Danvers: Dear Madam: Six years ago I borrowed $100 from your late husband, which I promised to re- turn as soon as I could. . He had faith in me, and trusted me without even a note of hand. Not until now have I been, in a position to pay that money. My cireumstances having changed for the better, I take great pleasure in sending: you the sum in question, trusting that you have not at any time been in need of the money, which “was a god-send to me at the time I received it from your husband. I deeply regret’ that so good.a man is no, longer in the land of the living, and I wish you to understand how grate- ful I have been to him for the accommodation, which I now turn over to you who are most entitled to it. “Respectfully yours, “Harley Roberts.” ‘Dear me! I*knew nothing about this!” said Mrs. Danvers. “But I don’t see any money in the letter.” - “Perhaps this is,jt, mother,” said Tom, hold- ing up the enclosure. “Yes, it’s a money order two of them—for .$50 each!” At this juncture there came a knock, a sort of authoritative one, on the door. Tom went to the door and opened it. On the step outside stood John Gilpin. He walked in without wait- ing for an invitation. _ “Hem!” he said, clearing his throat, and not - deigning to notice Tom. “I have rented this house to Mr. Dusenberry, Mrs. Danvers. He is willing to take the furniture off your hands at a fair valuation, leaving the appraisal to me as a licensed auctioneer. I should be glad, if , You can make it conveneint to move to-morrow or ' the next day, aS Mr. Dusenberry wishes im- mediate possession.” “Well, I must say you have an awful nerve, Mr. Gilpin,” said Tom, -wrathfully. “Who told vou that we were going to give up this cot- . tage?” ; } “Tut! tut! young man!, Remember whom you are addressing,” replied the auctioneer,. pomp- - -ously.: “Qh, ’'m addressing you, all rivht. What busi- ness have you to rent this place over our heads - to Mr. Desenberry, or anyone else?” | - “How dare you use such language to me, you _ youne. whippersnapper?” sputtered Mr. Gilpin. _ “Tom! Tom!” interjected Mrs. Danvers, in a > tone of remonstrance. ae Mrs. Danvers, I did not expect to be insulted when I entered your house. After all I’ve done - for you, this is a noor return for my generosity.” _ “What have you done for my mother?” de- - manded .Tom, angrily. “Given her a month's time in which to pay a paltry eight dollars renw Haven’t we paid you regularly for the last ten years? Do you suppose for a moment that we intended to cheat you out of your due? You can go right back to Mr. Dusenberry and tell him _ that we propose to stay here as long as we choose and can pay our rent.” es - “You young scamp!” exclaimed» Mr. Gilpin, >! A MILLION IN GOLD aie ee turning furiously on the boy. “You're as bad as that thief of a brother of yours!” Biff! The auctioneer went down on the floor from a blow straight from Tom’s shoulder, while the angrv lad stood over him with heaving chest and flashing eye. CHAPTER TIL.—The Encounter Behind the Hedge. Mr. Gilpin lay for several moments quite dazed. The blow’ had been a hard one, and it took all of the conceit out of him for the time being. Then he scrambled to his feet livid with rage. : “You young viper!” he roared. “I’ll have the law on you for this! You’ll spend: the night in the lock-up as sure as my name is John Gilpin! As for you, Mxs. Danvers, I order you to move out of this house at onee, bag and baggage. Don’t expect any further consideration from me. Blame your son, madam. He, like his—brother, will bring your gray hair with sorrow to the grave. He’s an ingrate—an ingrate, madam, and shall pay dearly for striking me!” With those words, jerked out of his mouth, he grabbed up his hat and left the cottage, slam- ming the door after him. “Oh, my boy, you will be arrested and locked ee You have broken the law! What shall we 0? “Til never give that- rascal the satisfaction of having me arrested.” “How can you save yourself?” ; “By leaving the village at once. I intended to do so anyway in the morning. A few hours earlier can make little difference with me.” “My dear son, must I lose you, too? Must you, also become a fugitive from the village— to return only on the pain of arrest?” ‘Well, mother, I suppose I could remain, and get off with a fine; but our funds are too limited for that sacrifice. I can return any time that I can afford. to pay the fine. At least, I’ve had the sat- isfaction of resenting an insult to my brother from a man for whom I have no respect.” Tom went to his room, filled his suit case with such apparel as he needed, and then, kissing his mother good-by, left the house. He went directly to the home of the Deans, told them about the ave he had got into through his loyalty to his brother, and said that to avoid arrest he was going to leave Cobalt right away. They were sorry to learn that matters were so serious, and Jennie was particularly depressed by the news. Mrs. Dean promised to bring his mother to their home and see that she wanted for nothing so long as circumstances rendered it necesary for her to depend upon their hospitality. Tom’ left the ~ house shortly after. Night came down upon him by the time he was half way to the neighboring ~ town. Soon afterward he heard the sound of. ~ wheels on the road ‘behind, and fearing that it might be the constable in pursuit, he took tothe fields, pausing in the shadow of the hedge to allow the vehicle to pass by. He knew,Constable Black well, and recognizing him as the man who was driving the light wagon, he easily guessed that he was the cause of the officer’s presence on the road. As a matter of fact, he was right. Mr. \
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ie A MILLION IN GOLD. Gilpin had sworn out a complaint against Tom before the justice of the peace, and a warrant had been given ‘to the constable to serve. He had first gone to the cottage, thinking he would find him there, but was disappointed. Mrs. Danvers would give him no information regarding her son’s whereabouts, and the constable went away. Tom was about to resume his walk along the highway as soon as the wagon disappeared in the distance, when he was grabbed by an arm and pulled back. “Hello, sonny! Who were yer hidin’ from— the man in the waggin?” said a voice at his elbow. Tom turned and confronted a _hard-looking man in a disreputable outfit. ~ “Runnin’ away from home, I s’pose,” grinned the man, when the boy did not answer. “What’s that to you?” answered Tom, aggres- swely. The fellow laughed. derisively. “Yer a spunky chap, derned if yer ain’t; but it won’t go, fer there are two of us. Show yer- self, Jim!” Jim. came forth from the bushes. He was a fair-sized youth, miserably clad, but his face, though tanned and sunken, was not a bad one. Tom looked at him, and mentally figured that one blow would put the forlorn-looking youth out of business. : : “Yer see,” said the man, “yer don’t stand no show ag’in’ us. We don’t want to clean yer out. - Jest open yer bag an’ if we see anythin’ that we specially fancy we'll borry it off yer, to be re- turned with thanks when we git wealthy.” _ “Sorry to disoblige you,” replied Tom, sarecas- tically, “but I’m not making any loans at present. J want all I’ve got, as I’m strapped for money, ‘and can’t afford to lay in a new stock at present.” “Are yer really strapped?” asked the man, in a tone of disappointment. ‘Yer don’t look like a boy as was hard up.” : “Looks are not always to be depended on. Good- night!” ; Tom, as he walked off, heard the man berating his companion in round terms for refusing to ‘assist in the hold-up; then he dismissed the strangely assorted pair from his mind and headed once more for Brentwood. ~ CHAPTER IV.—Tom Is Hired by Dr. Quack- : enbush. Tom reached the outskirts of Brentwood an. hour later. He kept his weather eye lifting lest he run foul of Constable Black as he entered the, town. To avoid the possibility of such a misfor- _tune he turned aside from the main street and tramped across.some vacant ground, Drawn up jn the center of one of the lots was a large covered wagon. Through the top a small stovepipe pro- ~ jected, and from this smoke was issuing. A pair of horses denuded of their harness was - tied'to one of the forward wheels, and the animals were eating their supper out of bags tied around their heads. When Tom came abreast of the out- fit he ‘stopped-to read a big painted sign attached to the side of the wagon, announcing some of the virtues of the “Great Kickapoo Throat and Lung Medicine. Warranted to cure Coughs, Colds, and 5 7 eo similar afflictions inside of three days,” and con- sumption after the internal application of the — contents of six dollar bottles for $5, + While he was standing there a tall, smoothly — shaven man, dressed in black, came out of the | vehicle. With an eye to extracting half a dollar, — or even a modest quarter, from the pockets of the lad, he approached Tom and said: x “Better buy a bottle of “the Great Kickapoo — Remedy, young man,” he said, in a seductive way. You may not want it now, but it will be handy to have on hand when you catch a cold, which — you’re liable to do at any moment. It will cure a_ cold in the head inside of three hours, an or- dinary cough in twelve hours, eatarrh in yer “I don’t think I need any,-sir.. I haven’t th price, anyway.” ; “Haven’t the price?” exclaimed the man. “Why, — : can let you have a small trial bottle for a quar- er. : “Can’t afford it, sir. I’m practically strapped.” _ “Strapped! You don’t look it,” neuted tie a) ves surveying him with some curiosity and perhaps — interest. “Live around here?” “No. I’ve come to Brentwood to hunt up a job.” “Hunt up a job, eh? What do you expect to turn your hand to?” : Se: “T hope to get a position in a store.” “Bver worked in a store?” “No.” “On a farm, perhaps?” “No, sir. Haven’t worked at anything, yet.” . “You aren’t running away from home, are you?” ~ t é Rares “Oh, no. ThegBrentwood Savings Bank failed three months ago, and mother lost all her money; — that’s why I’ve got to get out and hustle. As_ there isn’t anything for me to do in Cobalt, I’ve come on to Brentwood.” : oo tks elds “How would you like to see the world, young man?” a Pa “Vd like it first rate if I could afford the lux- “Well, you can afford it, I guess, if you will travel with me.” : ae “Travel with you?” exclaimed Tom, in some astonishment. ‘ “I. want an assistant, and I want him right — away. The young man I had took sick with con- gestion of the lungs——” : “Congestion of the lungs! cine ae 5 a “My medicine would have cured him, but he wouldn’t take it. So I had to send him to a hos- _ pital, and my business suffers in consequence. I can’t attend to everything and sell my famous remedy, too, without serious inconvienence, : If you'll hire your services to me, and agree to stic for six months at least, ’ll pay you $6 per week — and find you. That is, you’ll sleep and eat in the wagon along with me. Can you cook at all?” “A little,” replied Tom, wondering whether it wouldn’t be a good idea to take up with this offer, for he didn’t expect to get more than three of four — dollars a week at first in a store, while the idea of going from town to town, and State to State. rather appealed to him. Baie ade “Well, what. do you say?” asked the’ man i black Sot ae ae ages so hrsgsteas y, r < J thought your medi- 2
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A MILLION IN GOLD Sf se ie “What will I have to do?” “You'll have to do all my errands; look after the horses, feed water, and occasionally clean them; help make, bottle and label the mixture; _ help "get the meals, and attend to such other duties as will fall in your way.” ~“Which way are you traveling?” “Straight out West and Southwest. You'll get a look in at all the prominent mining camps on our route. This is the chance of your life to see the country.” “ll try it for a week, and if I’m satisfied to continue I’ll agree to stay with you for six months, or longer, if you want me to.” “Very well. My name is Dr. ~ What’s yours?” : “Tom Danvers.” - _ “Danvers! That sounds familiar. About six weeks ago I met a young man named Danvers. He was about twenty-two, and said his first name -was Jack, I think.” “Where did you meet him?” asked Tom eagerly. . “That must have been my brother!” “Your brother, eh? I ran across him in Peoria. He told me that he had just come from Buffalo, and was bound for the gold-fields.” “Tam sure it must have been my brother you : a Did he say what gold-fields he was going to? “TJ asked him the question, but he wouldn’t tell _ me; that is, he said that he hadn’t made up his mind where he would fetch up at.” “What is the most likely one he would aim for, “do you think?” - “Goldfield, I should imagine.” “Are you going there, too?” “TI expect-to.” “Then I might meet my brother?” said Tom, ‘eagerly. ; #You'll stand a good show of doing so if he is there.” Then the disquieting thought occurred to Tom— was the outfit going to Cobalt? If it was, he would surely be caught by Constable Black. To find out if he was going to be up against this dif- fieulty, he asked his employer if he expected to ~ pass through Cobalt. : “We'll start for there in the morning, as I am through with this place,” replied Dr. Quacken- bush. ~ “Then I can’t go with you.” “Why not?” asked the doctor, sharply. “Don’t want your friends to know that you’re connected with the medicine business, is that it?” Tom concluded that the best way was to tell Dr. Quackenbush the truth, and he did so, explain- in that one of the most important men in the g ' village had insulted his absent brother, and he ~ had knocked him down for it; consequently, the constable was on the lookout to arrest him. ~- “That's it, eh?” said the doctor, after Tom had : finished his story. “Well, then, I’ll skip Cobalt, as far as doing business is concerned, and go straight ‘to Athens. Ill anise the wagon from here to a point beyond the village, and you can remain saeee out of sight. You'll find lots to do to keen a a ave i pe. wasten ae id the Sigee Quackenbush. toe I’ve got a couple gross of bottles that _ » and he started to prepare breakfast. = done: and. the dishes washed up, the heres. ‘were I’m not spotted on the wagon. I-don’t intend te go to the lock-up if I-can help myself.” “Put your case into the wagon. The bunk on the left-hand side is yours. Did you walk here from Cobalt?” Vas.” “Had your supper?” “No, sir.” “oP nen 4 guess you must be hungry. Jump in- side and cook a mess of bacon and eggs, if you know how to do it.” “All right, sir,” replied Tom, springing up the short ladder into the wagon, for he had suddenly become aware of the fact that his stomach was making strenuous demands that only a square meal would satisfy. CHAPTER V.—In Which Tom Does Up Con- stable Black. After placing his suit case beside his bunk, which consisted of a‘narrow mattress covered with’ - bedclothes, un top of a kind of locker, he looked around the interior of the wagon. There were a ~dozen boxes. pied in ‘the forward part of the wagon, which Tom subsequently ascertained con- tained empty bottles of different sizes. A tier of . shelves running along each side, above the bunks, were’ filled with shallow boxes, some of which ~ contained the Kickapoo Remedy, ready for sale. There were two closets, one at the foot of each bunk. One contained a modest display of cups, saucers, dishes, etc., with knives and forks and spoons, while beneath was a spacé used as a re- ceptacle for food. Tom lost no time getting his supper, and though he was only an indifferent cook, he thoroughly relished the bacon and eggs, and-left not a morsel on his plate. Dr. Quacken- bush was absent an hour, and when he returned Tom had everything tidied up, much to the man’s satisfaction. - “You'll find a pair f horse blankets on the seat in front,” he said to Tom. “Get them, and cover the animals for the night.” The boy carried this order out and then réturn- ed to the wagon. He found the doctor seated on his bunk, smoking a cigar, and reading the Brent- wood Evening News, He ‘put the paper down and proceeded to give the boy a detailed insight into _ what would be expected of him. “What do you do with the horses when the weather is bad?” Tom asked. “Tye got a canvas attachment secured under the wagon which I put up in front. That shields them from the rain and wind. In cold weather I can always find a place to stable them in over- night.” At nine o’clock Tom turned into his bunk, and the last thing he remembered. was that Doctor Quackenbush was still smoking and reading on ~ his side of the wagon.. Tom was an early riser, and was up the next morning before six. The doctor was still sleeping placidly in his bunk. - The boy’s first duty was to attend to the horses; that done, he cleaned out the stove and started a fire. By this time the doctor was up and dressed, The meal _
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6 hitched to the wagon-pole, and, with Doctor Quackenbush on the driver’s seat, the medicine outfit started en route for Cobalt. As soon as the team got under way Tom got a case of empty bottles and proceeded to wash and rinse them, preparatory to filling them with the unrivaled Remedy and corking them up. By the time the wagon reached the outskirts of Cobalt he had six dozen bottles ready for the finishing touches, which consisted in placing a small piece of chamoi ' skin over the cork and tying it artistically in pla¢e with a piece of thin red ribbon. They had panned quite through the village and entered on the road beyond before Tom had finished this part of his job. Then he took a pot of paste from a shelf and: affixed the label, printed in three colors,. to each bottle. The final part of his work was to wrap a printed document around each bottle and encase the whole in a strip of blue tissue paper. When the six dozen were ready for market Dr. Quackenbush called him to drive the team. “We' re two miles west of the village now,” he said, “so I guess it’s safe enough for you to show yourself. -As the team approched a cross-road a light wagon, driven by a bewhiskered man, with a boy by his side, shot suddenly into view, and came toward the medicine outfit. Tom immediately rec- ognized John Gilpin and Moses as the occupants of the vehicle. “Christopher Columbus!” ejaculated Tom. “I hope they. won’t recognize me!” He pulled his hat down over his forehead, and turned his face away after turning the horses out so-as to give the Gilpins room enough to pass by with safety. In spite of his endeavor to escape recognition, Moses knew him right away, and called his father’s attention to him. The village auctioneer merely caught a fleeting glimpse of his face as they flew by, but he identified him just the same, and took note of the conveyance he was driving. Instead of going’ home after reaching the village, Mr. Gilpin hunted up Constable Black and told him under what circumstances he had met, Tom Danvers on the road to Athens. The constable at once hastened to his house, hitched up his rig, and started in pursuit of the - boy; for whom he had a warrant. In the mean- time, Tom, unconscious that he had been recog- nized by his enemies, drove on in good spirits, and about noon came in sight of Athens. Dick Quackenbush : directed him to pull up alongside the road, water the horses, and supply them with their accustomed bag of oats. "While Tom attended to the animals the doctor pre- pared a substantial lunch, which was soon on-the table. Just then there was the sound of wheels gand.the rapid trot of a-horse along the road, coming: from the direction of Cobalt. Presently _the vehicle came to a sudden stop. A moment _ later the canvas at the back of the wagon was pulled aside, and the unwelcome features of Constable Black appeared at the opening. Tom Danvers started up in surprise and econsterna- tion. Z “Well, “Tor, ” said the constable, with a wicked smile, for the boy was not a favorite of his, “I’ve cote for you. You've got to go back with me to _ Cobalt.” x ‘A MILLION IN eee “What’s the aheoree against this boy?” asked Dr. Quackenbush, knitting his brows. “Assault with intent to do bodily harm,” re- plied Constable Black. “Come, Tom, I’m wait- ing for you.” “What am I going to do?” the boy asked the doctor. “Can’t you stand him off while I escape over the seat and take to the fields?” “Tl try,” whispered the doctor. “If he should overtake you, here’s a weapon that will put him ~ to rout,” and the wily practitioner reached for and handed Tom the phial of asafcetida. “Draw the cork and let him have a dose if you cannot otherwise avaid him.” Tom, holding fast to the bottle, made a ‘sud- den ‘dive for the front seat and sprang down into the road. Constable Black, however, was as quick as he was, and rushed around the wagon to cut off his retreat. Tom dashed for the fence, climbed it, and was about to drop on the other side, when the agile officer ran up and caught him by the ankle. “T’ve got you, Tom, so you might as well give up!” exclaimed the constable, triumphantly. ~ “You’re a pretty foxy boy, but you can’t fool your uncle this trip.” He reached up to haul the boy down, when 5 Tom, quick as a wink, drew the cork from the small phial and dashed some of the fluid in the officer’s face. Constable Black released his grip — and fell to the ground as if he had been shot. He lay there, gasping for breath, a truly piti- able object, while Tom clapped the cork into— the mouth of the bottle, and holding his’ nose on account of the horrible stench that filled the air around the officer, jumped to the ground and made for the wagon as quick as he could.* ie Springing to the horses’ heads, he yanked their empty dinner bags away, threw them into the — doctor’s lap, who was laughing heartily at the success of the boy’s ruse, and, climbing up beside him, seized the reins and started the Soe for- ward at its best pace. As for Constable Black, he stapgered 46 his © ‘feet, a mighty sick man, and the last Tom and the doctor saw of him he was leaning against the fence gasping. CHAPTER VI—A Night Alarm. “That’s the time Constable Black got it in the neck,” chuckled Tom, as he flicked the off horse ~ lightly with the whiplash. M “He'll think he must have caught hold of a skunk instead of the boy he was after,” smiled Dr. Quackenbush. wat “He might telegraph to. the police at Athens - to arrest me. Do you think I had better kee away from the wagon while you’re in i: asked the boy, anxiously. ne: “Perhaps you had better do so, to be on the safe side,” replied the doctor. 7 “I can get out and walk after we get into the — main street. I'll keep the wagon in sight, and hang around at a safe distance until you’re ready ia to go on again.” aes Accordingly, just before the outfit reached ibe prominent corner at. which the doctor intended to — stop. Tom alighted and crossed to the other side of the way. It was well that he did so, for the 3
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A MILLION IN GOLD © - ie wagon had hardly been on the corner ten minutes before a policeman appeared, and, jumping into the vehicle, asked the owner of the Kickapoo Remedy where Tom Danvers was. The doctor re- plied that the boy had left him soon after they had entered the town, and he could not. say with. certainty where he had gone. - The officer was permitted to search the wagon, and being” satisfied that.the boy was notin the vehicle, de- parted to make-his report to headquarters. Tom watched the policeman from the other side of the way, and chuckled to think how easily he had foiled the efforts of Constable Black to get him into his clutéhes. He sat on a box and watched the doctor draw a crowd by means of his clear tenor voice, which he accompanied with a silver-toned banjo. with funny talk and finally got down to busi- ness. Tom approached the wagon several times to show Dr. Quackenbush that he was in the - vicinity. “Jump in,” said the doctor, at ‘last, about six o'clock. “I’m going to drive over to yonder ' restaurant, where we’ll take our dinner.” The wagon came to a stop before the restau- rent in question, and Tom was told to look ‘after the horses and outfit while the head of the concern dined: Three-quarters of an hour later Tom werft inside himself, and had a good dinner at the doctor’s expense. , * The wagon proceeded after that several miles outside of Athens, on the road toward Elyria, and at length the proprietor ordered a halt. The vehicle was drawn up under a wide-spreading oak tree, well out of the way of any passing conveyance, Tom released the horses from the pole and removed their harness..Then he watered them and gave them their evening supply of : oats. “By that time a cup of coffee and some bread and butter were ready for Tom, and after he had disposed of it he went to bed. along toward two o’clock in the morning that he was suddenly awakened by a noise in the wagon. There was no light in the caravan, but Tom » easily saw that there was an intruder on the - premises, who -seemed to have stumbled over the table. - “Who’s there?” he asked in a loud voice. -There was no reply, but he made out the in- . ‘distinct form of a man crouching down at the “end of the table. Tom sprang out of his bunk sand struck a match. The flare of the light awoke Dr. Quackenbush and startled the inter- a loper. “The fellow made a dive for the rear opening, and would have escaped only for a box that lay in his way,, over which he stumbled, and went down sprawling, his head hitting the grate of the stove. Before he could scramble _ to his feet Tom had him a prisoner. -. “What’s the trouble, Tom?” asked the doctor, getting up and striking a light. _ *P’ve got hold of some chap that has no busi- ness to be in here. I suppose he’s a thief,” re- lied the lad, holding on to the struggling and “swearing rascal. The doctor lighted the reflector lamp, and in he glare thus cast on the scene Tom recognized the intruder as the tough individual who had — | to hold him up behind the hedge on the = Brentwood the evening before. ° se, ‘road Then he amused the crowd. It- was- “So: it’s you, is it?” cried Tom. © “What are you doing inside this wagon?” “Nothin’. Only came in to have a snooze,’ said the fellow, sulkily. g The doctor now took a hand in the Roeaeed ZS. % "Look. here, my fine fellow, you may. thank your stars that it wasn’t me that you woke up, or you probably would have caught an ounce of lead in your insides. I guess I'll have to tie . you up and hand you over to the police of Elyria, where we are bound.” Tom let him get up, but interposed himself be- tween hirn and the rear entrance, so he couldn't make a dash for liberty. The fellow protested that he meant no harm. Neither Dr. Quacken- bush nor Tom believed him. “His companion is probably outside—a boy named Jim. It’s my opinion that he meant ‘to rob you if he could. If he isn’t a regular crook he’s next door to it.” ese ‘The doctor was of the same opinion, but de- cided that it would be too much trouble to hold the rascal, turn him over to the police, and then appear against: him in. the police court next. * morning, so he ordered him to skip, and threat- ened if he didn’t make tracks down the road to put a bullet in him. The rascal was only too glad to get off ‘with a whole skin, and left the wagon in short order. CHAPTER VII.—Jim. At the end of Tom’s first week of service he received six dollars. from the doctor, according to arrangement, and was so well pleased with his job that he signed a contract to remain with his employer for six months. Tom sent a letter to his mother from a big town en route, enclos- ing a postal order fot $5, and informing her of the nature of his employment, how he had heard of his brother, and had got a line on his pre- sumed whereabouts, where he hoped to meet him within a couple of months. He also wrote a letter to Jennie Dean, in which he said a good ae things that gave her great pleasure to rea Although Tom was kept pretty eee in one way or the other, he was, on the whole, well satisfied with his job, and time passed rapidly and pleasantly with him. Thus over two months passed away, and the wagon began to penetrate the wilds, of the great West.. Dr. Quackenbush was aiming for the Nevada Rold-helds. where he expected to locate in Goldfield. After spending a couple of days in Denver, the doctor loaded up with supplies, and the cara- ‘‘van left that city and headed toward Utah. Two days later, at the close of a cloudless July day, the wa7on toiled upward through the moun- tains toward a large mining camp, where the doctor expected to remain until next morning. The shallows of the narrow mountain stream were golden, and the fringes of the pines were dull and dark no longer. Coming to a level stretch of road, the horses were halted for a rest, and Tom, ‘taking a tin bucket, started for a stream close by for water. As he approached the water course he was surprised to see a de- jected-looking boy sitting on a stone, gazing inte ; the. rapidly flowing stream. é * %
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3 _ A MILLION “Hello!” said Tom, as the boy made no more movement than if he had been carved out of one of the big rocks so plentiful in that vicinity. _ The lad looked up in a slow and listless kind of way. Then it was that Tom, in utter sur- prise, recognized him as the boy Jim, who had - been the companion of the hard-looking rascal who had so unceremeniously entered the wagon that night on the road to Elyria. Evidently the boy knew him, too, for a faint grin rested for a moment on his woe-begone and _half-starved features. “You're Jim, aren’t you?” said Tom, pausing, and swinging the pail to and fro. The boy nodded. “What’s your other name?” “Dunno. Ain’t got none, I guess.” Tom regarded the young derelict in wonder, and the other returned his stare without , any special emotion. “Where’s your companion?” asked Danvers, ‘at length. Jim jerked his thumb up the ravine. “Up the gulch?” The boy nodded. . “How far up?” ’ “Bout three miles.” : “Three miles! And what are you doing here?” “Nothin’. He shook me.” “So that rascal is done with you for good?” “That’s what he said. Told me to git or he’d throw me down the mount’ns.” “What’s his. name?” “Dan.” “Hasn’t he got another name, either?” “Yep. Calls himself Mullins.” “What’s he going up the gulch?” “Dig gin’. » ' “Ts he all alone?” d : “Nope. Got a young chap with him.” “Another boy?” “Nope. Older’n you.” “You look hungry, Jim. Don’t you want a square meal?” “Where kin I get one?” Jim asked eagerly. “Come with me and I’ll see you get enough to eat.” “T'l1l come,” said Jim, getting up from the stone. Tom filled his’ bucket and started for the wagon, which was out of sight ‘around a tufn. Jim followed him with a-meek and shuffling gait, his hands in‘ his pockets. “Who have you there?” asked the doctor, as they came up. Tom explained the identity of the boy, and Dr. Quackenbush regarded the young stranger with. no little astonishment. “What’s he doing out here in the wilderness?” “You'll have to ask him, doctor; I didn’t. He’s half starved, and, with your permission, I’ll give him some supper when it’s cooked.” ; “He’s welcome to all he can eat,” said his em- ployer, critically examining Jim with his eyes, and mentally deciding that he was in pretty bad shape. “Where are you bound for?” asked the doctor. “No place in pertickler,” replied Jim solmenly. “What did you expect was going to become of vou way out in these wilds?” 79 “Didn’t pez ene oF Beet ON ix ° IN GOLD. Then the doctor asked why Mullins had chased him off, and what the man was doing up the ravine. The lad’s answers convinced the pro- prietor of the Kickapoo Remedy that Mullins and his new companion had discovered gold and were working their find. CHAPTER VIII. —Some Tall Sharpshooting. Tom now called the abies and Jim to sup- per, and for the first time the stranger lost his listlessness and moved about briskly. There was room enough at the table to accommodate the three by crowding the plates, and Jim was fur- nished with an empty box to sit on. A liberal supply of ham and eggs was placed before him, and the food disappeared into his mouth with amazing rapidity. It was like shoveling coal into a furnace the way Jim transferred the pro- vender from the plate to nature’s feeding aperture. His eyes stuck out like those of a lobster during © the operation, which evidently afforded him great delight and satisfaction. It was clear that he hadn’t enjoyed such a meal for heaven knows _ ; how long. After the dishes were washed up, in which operation Jim was allowed to assist as the wiper, the team started on again toward “The Lucky | Chance” mining camp. Jim went along as a mat- ter of course, and he offered no objection to the free ride, nor the destination they were bound for. here was no moon up, but the night was bright with stars, and the road was straight and plain before them. Tom and Jim sat on the driver’s seat, the former looking after the horses, while Dr. Quackenbush lay on his beans, inside, taking the world easy. “There’s a hull lot of lights yonder,” said Jim — suddenly, pointing off to the right, where the road swung around in a semicircle. “That must be ‘The Lucky Chance’ Pee : answered Tom, chirping to the horses, -hey hav- ing been taking things easy ever since leaving their last stopping place. . He called into the doctor. : The proprietor of © the Kickapoo Remedy outfit came up »ehind the — seat and looked ahead into the night. “That’s the camp, without a doubt,” he. said. “Pick out the best vacant spot you can see near the center of the place, and we’ll come to anchor for the night.” 3 This was finally accomplished. Their advent created something of a sensa-— tion, and a crowd of miners and other habitues crowded around the wagon when Tom drew up, not far from the store, which was also a hotel in its way, though its way was rather tough. “Hello!” exclaimed a burly six-footer, pushing I reckon. — his way to the front. “Tenderfoots, I What in thunder have yer got in that waggin? “ The Kickapoo Remedy for coughs, cold, and— chy haw! haw! haw!” The crowd ‘joined in the laugh, and looked at the mht boys on the seat with much interest. “ ey the six-footer. - “Denver,” replied Tom. “Are you ther, ae of the outfit?” t } Whar did you come from?” inquired —
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<= A MILLION IN GOLD ee 9 '“No; I’m just the driver. The proprietor is. inside.” : “Tell him to show himself, then. We'd all like to see the feller who’s peddlin’ medicine for coughs, colds, and—haw! haw! haw!” js Dr. ‘Quackenbush immediately came to the ront. jas “Are you the man who’s come west to cure coughs, colds, and—haw——” “Yes,” replied the doctor, interrupting him, “and I think you need a bottle badly.” “Oh, you do, stranger? I look as though I was on my last legs, don’t I?” sarcastically. “Waal, I’ll tell you what Ill do with you. If you kin get the drop on me quicker’n I can have you ~covered, I'll ¥/ a “Buy a bottle,” said the doctor, yanking a pair : of revolvers from his pockets like greased light- nine and aiming them at the. six-footer just as his hand went to his ‘hip. “Come, now, ante up | your dollar, or maybe I'll have the coroner sit : on you to find out what you died of.” The crowd gave a gasp of surprise, and the six-footer turned green. y “Say, stranger, you ain’t no tenderfoot, and Vl come up with the dollar, for you’ve earned it fairly. You’re the first man I know that has ever got the drop on me, by the horned toad you \ are! Here’s the dollar, and shake.” The doctor leaned down, took the money, and shook hands. ‘ “Now come over to the saloon and liquor,” said the six-footer, in a friendly way. ‘The crowd cheered the doctor as he alighted, and the whole mob escorted him across the wav to the principal saloon in the camp. Tom, as- sisted by Jim, took out the horses, tied them to. the front wheel, and put their blankets on. There was nothing else to do, so Tom asked Jim to watch the wagon while he went across to see how the doctor was getting on with the crowd. As a matter of fact, he was getting on swimmingly. When, Tom appeared, he had just ordered drinks for the house, and that made him solid with the mob at once, for they were already predisposed in his favor. ; *Tell you what I'll do, stranger,” said the six-footer. “After that lightnin’ exhibition you give us outside, you ought to be somethin’ on the shoot. I’ve got six shots in this gun ’r mine jest achin’ to match six of yours. If you kin shoot as good as me in six trials, ll give you the’ price of a hundred bottles of that stuff ’r - yourn. If you can’t, you’ll hand me out’a hun- _ dred plunks. Are you game to call me?” . “I am,” replied the doctor quietly, to Tom’s amazement. : i ¥ — “?Nough said. Bill, stick a gix-spot agin ‘that wall yonder,” said the big man. The six of spades was fastened up at ten paces. The six-footer then drew his gun, and one by one _ he plunked the six spots in the center. This re- _ markable performance oecasioned no surprise among those present, who regarded the doctor with great interest as he drew his revolver. “Git another six-spot, Bill, and put her beside ee other,” said the crack shooter, with a grim smile. ~ “Never mind,” put in the doctor. “Just move that card over a couple of inches.” te but the older chap shut him up. It’s up to you, “Why, what are you goin’ to do?” asked the six-footer, in a mystified way. ; “Tl show you. Do as I request you, Mister Bill.” Bill moved the card over just far enough to leave the six bullet holes exposed. Hardly had he stepped back when Dr. Quackenbush fired as rapidly as he could pull the self-cocking trigger. When the smoke had cleared away the card look- ed just the same as before. “Why, you hain’t hit the card at all, stranger!” ‘eried the big man, bursting into a boisterous and sarcastic laugh. “T didn’t intend to,” replied the doctor, coolly. “Then what on earth was you firin’ at?” “Those holes you made.” The six-footer gasped, while the crowd stared. “Well, you hain’t come within a mile of ’em,” said the big man. “Hand over the money.” “Hold on a moment!” said the doctor. “What’ll you bet I didn’t hit them?” “T’ll bet you another hundred.” “Pll. take you up. There’s my two hundred,” he said, flashing out his wad and stripping off the right number of bills. “Now cover that. H I didn’t hit those holes the money is yours.” The big man came up with his two hundred. . “JT call you,” he said briskly. “Now stranger, show up.” “Knock that card down, somebody!” said Dr. Quackenbush. Bill was the nearest, and he snatched the card from the wall. A buzz of astonishment rose from the crowd, for there on the wall was the duplicate of the big man’s six bullet holes, where a mo- ment before had been smooth, untouched wood. There was no doubt in the minds of all pres- ent that the stranger had punctured every hole made by the crack shot of the camp in the six of spades. : : CHAPTER IX.—Jack Makes A Discovery. It was at this stage of the proceedings that a man rushed into the saloon in a state of consid- erable excitement. “Say, boys!” he exclaimed, “I want you to help me out!” ‘ “What’s the matter?” asked Gid Parsons, wheeling around from the bar. “What’s troubling you, Ike Baxter?” : “You all know I’ve taken up a claim down in Placer Gulch?” “Yes, we know it, and we’ve all thought you was a fool to do it,” replied Parsons frankly. “Have you come to tell us that you’ve made a strike, eh?” © “T ain’t sayin’ nothin’ about a strike, but it’s a good claim, all right. I want your help because my property has been jumped.” “Who are the critters that have jumped it? 1 thought the example we made of the last chap ~ who did such a thing was warnin’ enough,” said Parsons. “T dunno their names. There’s two of them. One is a smooth-faced, tough-lookin’ critter. He ordered me off with my own gun. The other is a ” young feller, *bout twenty, I should say, who did- n't take no hand in the proceedin’s, and I'll give him the credit of bein’ willin’ to argue the matter;
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10 ‘A MILLION IN GOLD boys, to clear ‘em out in short order, for J can’t do it alone.” “We'll do it all right. How came those fellows to get the upper hand of you in the first place?” Dog for some tools yesterday, and I stayed all night and part of the mornin’ with some friends of mine I found there. When I+got back to-night there was them~- two fellows in’the little cabin I put up on my claim. I wanted an explanation, and the tough- lookin’ rooster said he’d give it to me with my gun, which he snatched up and pointed at me. He then ordered me off, declarin’ the claim was his and that he meant to hold it.. Only two days ago I struck a promisin’ vein on that claim, and I don’t reckon I’m goin’ to let the first onery cuss that comes along do me out of it, after I’ve put “T was obliged to go down to in three months of steady work on it.” ‘Tom was curious to learn what the crowd in- tended doing to the two interlopers. He wondered ' * if they really had thoughts of lynching them. He > easily guessed that the tough-looking chap must be the rascal who had brought Jim out to that lo- eality and then driven him off into. the wilds. Tom went back to the wagon, and found Jim squatting on the seat. . “Say, Jim,” said Tom, “your friend Dan Mul- lins will soon be up against it hard.” “How?” asked Jim, without any particular in- terest. “He and his new companion have jumped an- other man’s claim down in the gulch, and there’ll be something doing in a way he won’t like before long.” Jim grinned, as if the fact that. Mullins was likely to see trouble didn’t worry him greatly. that’s with. Mullins now?” asked Tom. “He came up the gulch afte Dan and me struck a cabin with a lot of stuff in it, as though somebody lived there, where Dan said he was ay goin’ to stay a While. He got talkin’ to Dan, and Se showed him a bunch of money that he said he earned at a place called Red Dog. Dan told him he’d sell him a half interest in the cabin and ground for the money, and took the feller out to show him the place. Then they started in to dig a hole in the ground, and afore long Dan came up to the cabin and told me to git, as he didn’t - want me round any more.” “Nid the other fellow know that Dan drove you ~ off?” which I guess must have been this name.” fugitive brother. . . “How tall was he?” he asked Jim earnestly. “A little taller’n you.” » “You didn’t hear his other name, did you?” “Nope.” ; > e asked Tom suddenly. that?” “ -my brother.” Stee : ~ “Yount brother?” said Jim, wonderingly. .gulch. rani : “Where did you meet with that young man gulch. Tom set a rapid pace, however, as he : _“Dunno. He didn’t seem like a bad chap. He _, had a small muetache, and Dan called him Jack, Tom caught his breath, for somehow the name and the slight descrigtion reminded him of his “Did he have a sear over his right eyebrow?” “Yep. A-sort of half moon. How’d you know ‘rose on his elbow, detected what he was doin Pe ' “Gracious!” gasped Tom. “I do believe that’s “Yes. Did you notice if he had a gold ring on his little finger?” 3 “Yep. A kind of snake wtih red eyes.” : “Tt is my brother!” cried Tom. “And he’s with - that rascal Mullins. I must see him at once and warn him against that scoundrel, who means no doubt to rob him of his money. No time is to be — lost, for the miners here mean to visit the gulch — pretty soon, and it may go/hard with my brother being in that fellow’s company. ‘ Will you come | with me, Jim? I’m going down to the gulch as — fast as I can get there. I want you to show me: where the cabin is.” ; “Tl. go,” agreed Jim,’ apparently anxious. to ~ serve his new friend. ; _Tom, with a resolute expression in his eye, told Jim to wait a moment, and then crossed over to the saloon. é “T want to borrow one of your revolvers,” he said, addressing the doctor. cong Dr. Quackenbush handed him one without a word, and Tom returned to the wagon. oh “Come on, Jim,” he said. “We’ve got to hustle. With that they started off down the road. They _ were hardly out of sight along the moonlit trail _ when Gid Parsons, the doctor, Ike Baxter and _ nearly a dozen miners came out of the saloon — rea ee down the same road toward Placer — ulch. : iia $ Pe 3 7 4 4 4 CHAPTER X~-—What Happened at the Cabin - in Placer Gulch. : ‘ < The boys had more than a two-mife walk before them down the road, and as much more up the believed time was precious, and, besides, he was in a fever of eager anticipation to meet the youn; man he implicitely believed was his brother Jack In less than twenty minutes the boys reached — the gulch and turned into it. They then proceeded _ with more deliberation, for walking was not so | ensy and the way: was dark and somewhat dif- cult. Z “How much further is the cabin, Jim?” asked om. tS “Not far,” replied Jim, who was in the lead. Fifteen minutes later they saw a dim light — ahead. It shone through the cabth window. Tom, dubious as to the reception’ they: were likely to receive from Mullins, crept softly up to the — dow and looked in. # companion’s pocket. As Tom looked, Mullins drew out a buckskin pouch, and then, rising, stoo near the candle and unwinding the string tha secured its mouth poured the contents, a numbe of gold coins, into the palm of his hand. With gleam of satisfaction in his eyes he was return the money to the pouch when the sleeping’ man felt for his property in his pocket and then spra: to his feet. re ae joe ited Ree “So,. you would rob me, Mullins, wo he cried, reaching for the pouch. — o uld yeu?
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- A MILLION IN. GOLD The rascal drew back, with a snarl of surprise ‘and anger. 2 i “Give me back my money: Then I’ll‘leave this place, for I wish to have no dealings with a thief. I am satisfied now that you do not own this ~ claim.” : “Hang you! Ill give you this knife in your gullet!” cried Mullins, snatching the blade from. his teeth and springing on Jack Danvers. - . Tom sprang for the door, pushed it open and rushed inside. Mullins had his companion at a clear disadvantage, and, seeing his chance, raised the knife to plunge it into his victim’s breast. Tom, seeing his brother’s peril, drew his revolver and fired at the rascal’s shoulder. With a howl of agony, Mullins’s arm dropped helpless at his side, and the knife clattered on the floor. Jack Danvers immediately pushed him back, and rose quickly to his feet. - “Jack—my krother!” cried Tom, running to m. : . “Tom! Is it possible it is you?” exclaimed the astonished young man, grasping his brother by the hand. : _. “It’s me all right, brother, Jack,” replied Tom. - “T see I’ve arrived just in time to save you.” “You did that,” grazing at the writhing Mul- - tins. “I thought I was a dead one when that _ fellow raised his knife above my head.” He stooped down and picked up his money- pouch, which lay on the floor. _ “I was a fool to trust the rascal, but I thought he owned this claim.” } “He owns nothing. This claim belongs to 4 man named Ike Baxter.” _ . “A man came here and claimed it some hours -. since, but I had my doubts as to his right, for he was tougher-lookine than this Mullins.”, | “He'll: be back again with half the miners from the Lucky Chance camp to support him, so you’d : better come away with me, Jack, before they = reach here, or you'll find yourself in trouble.” _. “Why, what trouble can I get into? I haven’t -made any claim on this shack or the ground. Mullins is the man ‘who will have to face the _- music, if anybody.” ; _. _ “Well, you were in his company when he held _. Ike Baxter off, and .you’ll be regarded as his | aeeomplice. As there’s no use of you taking -any chances, I want you to come away at once.” “All right. I was. going, anyway, as I wouldn’te stay any longer with Mullins for a share in a gold mine. I hate to leave him in the condition he is, though, for you seem to have hurt: him badly.” , “J didn’t give him any more than he deser—” The seritence was cut short by the banging open ‘of the door and the entrance of Gid Parsons, Ike Baxter, Dr. Quackenbush and as many of the miners as could crowd ‘inside the cabin. The intruders were rather surprised at the scene that = : = met their eyes. j _. “Tom,” said the doctor, starting forward, in astonishment, “what brings you here?” : “This is my brother, doctor,” replied Tom. - “Don’t you remeniber him? You met him once, back East.” “Of course I recollect him,” replied the doctor. “Hello!” said Parson, “what’s the matter with that chap on the floor? Seems like he’s hurt.” “That’s the fellow who ordered me off my -rest went on to the camp. 1] property and said the claim was his,” inter- jected Baxter. : “So ho! And the other chap? Is he t’other one?” ; : “Yes; but he ddin’t make any move ag’in “ll go bail for this young man,” said the doctor, placing his hand on Jack Danver’s shoul- der. “I'll warrant he meant no harm in this matter.” “All right, Doc, what you say goes with us every time. Now, you chap, whatever your name is, what’s the matter with you?” “P'm shot,” groaned Mullins. “Shot, eh? Who shot you?” “That cub over there.” “Yes, I shot him,” spoke up Tom, and he ‘ex- plained why he had to do it. “You seem to be a pretty cussed sort, Mullins,” said the superintendent. “You deliberately jump- ed another man’s claim without as much as say- in’ by your leave, then you turn around and rob your companion, and when he catches you doin’ it you try to knife him. Seems to me there’s only one way. of dealin’ with a scoundrel of your stamp, and that is to give you a lift in the world. What have you got to say for yourself?” Mullins had nothing to say—he simply scowled. and groaned with the pain of his wound. “Well, boys, you’re the jury in this here case. Is he guilty or not guilty?” ; “Guilty,” was the unanimous: verdict. “Correct. Now what’s to be done with him?” “Hang him!” suggested several. Others, however, objected, as they didn’t fancy the idea of executing a wounded man. Dr. Quackenbush made*an examination of the wound and declared that he was not seriously injured. “The ball is imbedded in the tissues under the shoulder-blade,” he said. “It will have to be. extracted before he can use his arm again. Bet-, ° ter carry him up to the camp and I'll operate on him. Then you ean decide what you'll do with him, but in any case I object to his being _ strung up. He deserves it, perhaps, but I’m op- posed: to lynch law.” : The majority agreed with the doctor, but the men were averse to carrying the rascal a matter of five miles. : “I don’t want him ’round here,” said Baxter, bluntly. ae you leave him I’m liable to pitch him out into a gully, where he may lie till he rots, for all I care.” i Much against their will the men consented to burden themselves with Mullins as far as the road, where they proposed to leave him for the ow to drive down in the wagon to attend to im. “Then you can take him on to Red Dog in the mornin’,” said Gid Parsons, “with a note from me to the deputy, sheriff of the county. He’ll clap him in jail, and I guess Mullins won’t bother this part of the country no more,” The delegation from Lucky Chance camp then took up its return line of march, accompanied by Tom, his brother, Jim (who had remained in the background) and Dr. Quackenbush. Mullins was deposited on a_soft spot beside the road, with Jim and Jack: Danvers to watch him, while the Tom hitched tne~ horses to the wagon, and drove the doctor down fe ¥ : : ra {33 ps Sop = es OS yA Va. ger see
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- on the table. _ accuracy into a spittoon two feet away. 12 to the entrance of the guleh. Dr. Quackenbush had Mullins lifted into the vehicle, his coat strip- ped off and the uvyper part of his body extended While he probed for the ball the rascal raised a terrible howl, for the operation hurt him like sixty. -No attention was paid to his strenuous kicking, however, the bullet was located and extracted, after which the doctor ap- plied a bandage and he was laid on Tom’s bed. When the wagon returned to Lucky Chance the rascal. was accommodated with a bunk for the night in the back of the saloon, his hands and feet being bound to prevent him taking French leave if he felt in condition to attempt. it. Tom had a long talk with his brother before turning in that night. He told him how he had come out West with the doctor, after being oblig- ed to leave Cobalt suddenly to avoid arrest for knocking down Mr. Gilpin because the auctioneer ealled Jack a thief. “We, that is the Deans, mother and I, know you’re not a thief, Jack,” said ‘Tom, “but I’m sorry to sav that, owing to the fact that you were caught digging up the Squire’s stolen property, the bulk of public opinion is against you. I hope the truth will yet come out so that you can re- turn.” “T hope so, but how I’m going to prove my in- noeence is more than I ean see,” replied Jack, with a melancholy shake of his head. And it was more than Tom could see, either, as the case stood. CHAPTER XI.—A Ghastly Discovery. Next morning Gid Parsons and those of the miners around gave Dr. Quackenbush and _ his Kickapoo outfit a hearty send-off. The wagon was uneommonly well loaded, for Dan Mullins. was in one of the bunks, and Jack Danvers and Jim had been assured of a free ride and feed to Goldfield. The mining town of Red Dog was in the valley between two mountain ranges, and eight. miles from the Lucky Chance mine. The wagon drew up in front of the hotel at ten .o’clock. Dr. Quackenbush got out and went. into the building to make inquiries for the deputy sheriff. He was diretted to his office a little dis- tance up the street. The deputy sheriff was en- tertaining a squad of idlers in the room when the doctor arrived and asked for him. “TY'm the man you want,” said a tall, angular _ individual, in a rough suit, who was straddling a chair, with his arms crossed over the back of it, ~- squirting a stream of tobaceo juice with great “What can I do for you, stranger?” Dr. Quackenbush handed him‘ the note he had - brought from Gid Parsons, and the deputy sheriff read it with some deliberation. ~ “Glad to make your acquaintance, Doctor,” he said, affably, rising from his chair. “My name is Henry Case. Boys, this is Dr. Quackenbush, from the East, but no tenderfoot, by the Great Horse- fly, for he’s done what no one else has done to my knowledge, and that is beat Gid Parsons at ‘a shootin’ match. Gid put a bullet into every “mark on a six-spot, whiclf he’s done before more’n sODCEs, and this gentleman ee every one of A MILLION IN GOLD “Mexican border, for there were mountains to the holes immediately afterward. That’s tall shootin’, by gum! Where’s the prisoner men- tioned by Gid?” “In the wagon, outside.” : “He seems to be an onery cuss, from what Gid says. We'll have him in here. Pll lock him up in the strong-room and we’ll liquor.” Mullins was brought into the deputy’s office. Mr. Case looked him over and then marched him into a large, cell-like room at the back of the office. Having secured the door with*a stout pad-. lock, the deputy invited the doctor and all hands to the nearest saloon, where they spent half an hour together. Jack-and Tom Danvers were re- quested to make depositions before a notary, the doctor also swore that Mullins had attempted to rob the wagon a couple of months previous i the East, and signed a statement to that ef- ect. “There’s - enough against that rascal to send him to jail for several moons,” said Case, “if. nothin’ worse happens to him before he gets there. In my opinion a noose around the neck would be the most effective way to cure such ras- cals as he of their cussedness, and I guess this chap will come to it sooner or later.” Dr. Quackenbush returned with the deputy — sheriff to his office and sat for an hour talking to that official on mining matters. Case was very enthusiastic over a new silver ~ mine, which. promised great results, that had lately been. discovered in the western part of Mexico, and the doctor caught the infection. The — deputy produced documents he had received from a friend of his on the spot, that spoke encour- _ agingly about the new mine, and ue advised Dr. Quackenbush to give up his trip to Goldfield and start immediately for that part of Mexico where the silver mine was situated, assuring him that this was the time for him to get in on the — ground floor with ready cash before the develop- ments had proceeded so far that the mine should be taken out of the market. The doctor decided — to follow the man’s advice and head southward — instead of westward, right away. se Accordingly, after laying in some. additional — supplies, the horses’ heads were turned southward and the party left Red Dog en route for Mexico. It was a considerable journey from central Colo- — rado down through the wild of New Mexico to the _ ag eee climb in part and to get around where the trail was practicable, and for many days they did not meet. with a soul along the route. The wagon entered Mexico within sight of the Sierra Madre Sz mountain range. , After stopping for the greater part of: two. days and a night at a big hacienda in the foot- hills of the Sierra Madre, the Don who lived there furnished the doctor with a peon guide to noint out a trail through the range into Sonora County. Leaving the mountains behind they con- tinued on to the south and west toward the Gulf — of California. At last they-reached their destina tion, a little Mexican town near the coast. fay away was the mountain range, running par-— allel with the gulf, in whose fastnesses waa thoy New Eldorado Silver Mine the doctor was inter ested in. On the morning after their arrival at Sar Tenbcion soon after Jack Danvers and the doctor
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started off to visit the mine, Tom, attracted by the blue water of the gulf, only a short dis- tance away, decided to go to the shore to see if he could find a secluded spot to take a swim. Jim, as a matter of course, went with him. At this point the shore was lonesome and unfre- quented, and there was no lack of places where they could sport at their leasure in the water. Directly opposite, probably a mine away, was a small island called Santa Cruz. After remaining in the water as long as they cared, the boys dressed and walked along the shore. “Hello!” exclaimed Tom, as. they rounded a jutting point of land. “What’s that? Blessed if it isn’t a vessel stranded on the shore. Let’s take a look at it.” : As they approached they saw that it was a small schooner, in a fair state of preservation, ‘sunk in the sands as low as the “bends.” Ap- parently she had gone ashore at this point in a storm, and now lay at high-water mazk. The stumps of two masts, that had gone by the board, projected above her deck. Her broken bowsprit pointed to the southwest. A stove-pipe, thrust through the planking, close to the fore- seuttle, spoke of a cook-room below. In the. i center of the after part of the derelict was a raised section of deck, ornamented with an oblong X skylight, suggesting a cabin below. There was an open companionway leading down into it. Drawn up close to the water’s edge, her painter secured to a stake driven into the sand, was a ‘small and rather dilapidated sailboat. All these ‘facts the two boys noted as they drew near the _ wreck. “Come, Jim, we might’ as well go aboard this stranded craft and see how she looks below.” -_ As her deck was only a yard ‘above the sand it was an easy matter to spring up on the planks, and Tom did so, followed by his companion. They walked up and down the deck first and then Tom paused and looked down into the gloomy compan- “jonway. * “711 bet she’s been cleaned out by the natives Png ago,” he remarked. “However here goes.” He put one foot on the discolored brass-bound ‘step and then came to a sudden halt, for at that moment a strange, weird-like sound came up from below. At first Tom couldn’t understand the na-_ “ture of the vibratory noise, but at last he made it out as a man singing;-but such a song and ‘such a voice—never in his life before had- he heard anything approaching it. . “The crew sat around the dead man’s chest. Yo ho, and a bottle of rum! - To fill their skins they were tryin’ their best. Yo ho. and a bottle of rum!” The villainous couplet ended in a long-drawn- ut cackle of insane-like laughter that seemed to die away in the singer’s throat. : “Gee!” exclaimed Tom. “Whoever is down there must be a corker; but he talks English at any rate.” » 2 ¢ - “Help; for the love of heaven, help!” was waft- ed up the companionway, in a feeble voice. _ “What the dickens can be the matter with that chap?” said Tom. “He’s calling for help now, and from the sound one would think he was at his last gasp.” — : ieee A MILLION IN GOLD- Rie ak = yasked: Toms. 35 The bov hesitated about nenetratine: the cabin.” There was no telling what he. might be up against down there. ; “Water—water! For the love of heaven— water!” came up from the depths. There was no mistaking that aponized appeal. “There must be something wrong with that fellow. Maybe he fell down the steps and in- jured himself so he can’t move. Judging from the tone of his voice he seems to’be in a: des- perately bad way. Follow me, Jim, and we’ll see what’s the trouble.” 7 ; ‘Down thé companionway ran Tom, with Jim close at his heels. In a moment both stood ina small, low cabin. The sudden transition from the glare of the sunshine to the gloom of the cabin naturally blinded them to objects below. At first the place seemed as dark as a dungeon, but gradually their eyes grew accustomed to the surroundings. While they stood in the middle of the cabin they heard a kind of delirious raving coming from the landward side of the vessel. “The crew sat around the dead man’s chest. Yo.ho—ha, ha, ha, ha!” It was a blood-curdling kind of laugh, that made Tom shiver as he listened to it. : “Water—water! For heaven sake—water! I’m burnin’ up. I’m—ha, ha,. ha, ha!” ; “Good lord!” cried Tom. “What can be the matter with the man?” He struck a match and approached a bunk where he made out a tossing object stretched at full length. Holding the match up he looked at — the man. “My gracious! What is the meaning of this?” He’s bound hand and foot.” y The match dropped from his fingers and ex- pired. Tom struck a second lucifer. A bearded weather-beaten, sailor-like man lay in the bunk, secured there by thin roves drawn across his neck, his chest, his waist, his thighs and his ankles, so that movement was almost impossible. His cheeks were sunken, his staring eyes glassy, and his lips, drawn~back in a hyena-like snarl, were flecked with foam and blood. Truly, he was a ghastly-looking object. CHAPTER XIJ.—A Million In Gold. The poor wretch seemed to be conscious of their presence, for he cried out, in a hoarse whisper: “Water—water—water!” é “There’s some crooked work here,” said Tom. “The man is dying for want of water and-prob- ably food. Some infernal scoundrel has, no doubt, robbed him and secured him here so that his erime might go undetected. I wonder where f shall find any water?” - ees Tom made -out a lantern on the table and lighted it, then, with his drawn jack-knife, he cut the man’s bonds. The poor fellow essaved — to rise, but the effort was quite beyew! his strength, and he fell back, with a desnuiringe groan.- : *“Water—water!” he gasped. te “Where shall I find some? Any in the cabin?” With on effort the. sailor raised his arm ani 13
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14 pointed at a small doorway leading into the hold. Tom took the lantern and went in that direction. He stepped into the hold, traversed an empty space and then came to the galley, which was fitted up with a stove and several lockers. ‘There was a keg just outside the door of the bulkhead _ which separated the galley from the hold proper. Tom kicked it and the sound it returned showed that it was partly full of something which, on in- vestigation, proved to be water. The boy seized a pannikin that lay on a locker, filled it with water, and returned to the side of the forlorn wretch as soon as he could. He put it to the man’s lips. The:sailor seized it with his hands and almost bit through the tin, such was his eagerness to get a taste of the precious fluid. His throat, however, was half paralyzed, and he showed symptom’s of strangulation*after the first swallow. Tom pulled the pannikin back, though it took an effort to do so, until the man recovered his breath, and then allowed him to drink again, but more slowly. He slung to the tin until every drop had gone down his throat, and then with a sigh he let his head fall back on the pillow and his eyes closed. “If he had some liquor now it would brace him up until he was in condition to eat some- thing,” thought Tom. He returned to the pantry again and looked it over, but nothing in the shape of liquor was there. There was a supply of eatables, however, some of which were no longer fit for use, as if they had lain there several days, untouched. Returning to the cabin, Tom examined the locker under the sailor’s bunk and there discover- ed a black bottle nearly full of whisky, and a glass: Pouring some of this out he held it to the man’s lips. The smell of the liquor aroused the mariner, and he opened his eyes. Then he opened his mouth and Tom let the stuff trickle down his throat. It acted like magic on him. He revived and his voice grew stronger. _ “Thanks, my lad. I feel better; but I’m afraid I’m done for.~ Who are you and how came you here?” “[’m an American, just arrived in Mexico yes- _terday. I and my companion here came down to the coast from Sdn Ignacio to take a swim. We saw this stranded vessel and came aboard to look her over. Then we heard your cries for water and entered the cabin to-see what was the matter. Now tell me, if you ean, who you are and how came you to be bound hand and foot here and left to perish, apparently.” “My name is Bob Short. I’ve been livin’ on the old hooker for some time. A Mexican rascal, named Mendez Pinto, discovered the object of my presence in this locality and had been tryin’ for some time to get possession of the ‘secret that I possess. I wouldn’t tell ‘him, in spite of the promises he made, for J distrusted him, feel- in’ certain he would do me up the moment he found out what he was after.. “A few days ago he visited me again and suc- ceeded in druggin’ me. When I came to I was flighty and fastened to the bunk, as you ae Next day he came again and> said that unig I told him the secret of the treasure buried © an the island of Santa Cruz, I should lie here till I rotted. I refused to. say a word, and he left me. But each day he has ‘called again. ie is 5B A MILLION IN _venomous does that crossed your path.” GOLD only an hour since that he was here last. I begged him for water in my delirium. He laugh- ed at and taunted me. He said I should not have a drop until I had told him what he wanted * to know. If. I told him he would only leave me to my fate, so I said nothing and he left in a violent rage. He will return again before long, I am sure, for he fears I will die with the secret. untold. Give me some whisky. I feel I am grow- ing weaker once more.” ; Tom gave him another drink, which seemed to brace him up. Well, if he comes while we’re here we'll kick ° him out,” said* Tom, resolutely. “Perhaps; but you don’t know what a tracher- ous dog he is. He has a knife and a revolver in his clothes. You would be no match for him. Still, I can help you to the means of standin’ him off should he surprise you here. Look in the locker under me. You will find a pair of load- ed revolvers. Take them, between you. You would do. the world a. favor if you shot the rascal.” Tom found the revolvers, and putting one in his’ pocket placed the other beside the sailor. Hinge be able to defend yourself now,” he: sai “No; I'll never be strong enough again to use it. Give it to your companion. He may need. it = to defend himself.” - Z Tom, to humor him, handed it to Jim, who was. seated on a box nearby. “ “Oh, you’ll come around all right, Mr. Short,” : said Tom, encouragingly. “We'll see that you get on your pins again, and thn we'll see if we can’t make it hot for the Mexican.” j “No. I’m booked for Davy Jones. I aaniee ; : live many hours. I feel it here. My insides are — all gone like. That rascal has finished me; but’ it won’t do him any good. No, no; he’ll never © a learn my secret—the secret of a million in gold.” 4 “A million in gold!” exclaimed om, wonder- ingly. “What do vou mean? “Give me another drink and you shall know.. 4 You’ve been good to me and shall profit by the 4 er knowledge that the greaser couldn’t wring from — me. It is a fortune, my lad, a great fortune. Think of it—a million dollars in Spanish gold.” “My gracious!” cried Tom, as he poured an- — other dram down the sailor’s throat. fics: “It’s buried on the island of Santa Cruz. You a know the island. It's across from this shore, a a mile out in the gulf.” “You mean that small island yonder?” asked Tom, waving his arm waterward. ! “Ay, ay, that’s it. Now listen and I’ll sa se you how you can find it. = companion to watch at the head of the compan ion-stairs. It would not do for that villain to come upon us unobserved. He’s like a cat. If he heard voices down here he would creep in somehow and hide, and listen to all I told you. Then he’d know what I have tried to keep from him. He’d follow you to the place, and kill you for possession of the treasure. After you've learned the secret you must be cautious and not let him find out that you know it, or he’d con- trive some way to force you into yielding up 7 knowledge. Beware of him as youf*would “Where does he live? LR you a ea ss 73 = x “ a
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“On the island; so, remember, be cautious how you go there.” p “Jim,” ‘said Tom, “go to:the head of the com- panion-stairs and keep watch. Let me know at once, if you see any one approaching this vessel.” Jim obediently obeyed, and Tom cautioned him - to keep under cover as much as possible, so that Mendez Pinto might not become aware that there were visitors on the stranded schooner. “I will go back to the beginnin’,” said Bob Short, in a weak voice, “and tell you how a eame to learn about this treasure. I am a sailor, as you have no doubt guessed, and have followed the ~ sea since I was a boy. Last winter I was strand- ed in San Francisco. While huntin’ for a berth in some coaster I ran foul of an old skipper I _ sailed with once, and he seemed mighty glad to - see me. i : short trip with me.’ -‘TI’'ll do it,’ said I, right off the reel, for I was anxious to get a ship. ‘This - ds somethin’ out of the usual, Bob,’ he said. ‘T don’t care what it is, cap’n,’ I answered, ‘count me in.’ ‘All right,’ he said, and he up and told me that the destination of the voyage was the Gulf of, Californie; and the object of the voyage “was to discover a million in Spanish gold hidden -more than a hundred years ago by a Spanish pirate named Vasquez, _ ; - “Aye you sure the money is there, cap’n?’ I asked him. ‘Sure as I’m a-sittin’ here lookin’ ‘at you,’ said he, in a positive way that showed he was dead in earnest. With that he pulled ‘put a time-stained chart and showed it to me. ‘That gives the full partic’lars,’ he said. ‘Any ‘one could find it with that there chart.’ ‘A mil- - jjon is a lot of money, cap’n,’ I said. ‘A powerful Jot,’ he answered, solemnly. ‘I suppose if you find the gold the rest of us will get a rakeoff over ‘and above their wages as an inducement to do : ir best?’ I said. = ar eee said he. ‘There’ll only be four of us all told, includin’ the cook. You and the other rky $5,000, Are you satisfied?’ he asked. ant That suits me, said I. ‘I shan’t know what to do with so much money when I get it.’ ‘Put ‘it in a bank and live off of it for_the rest. of your life,’ he said, and I thought that good advice, and meant to profit by it. : = - “Well, we left ’Frisco on Christmas mornin and sailed straight for this place. But we hadn’t _ more than struck the Gulf before a storm caught ~ ys, sudden like, and before we knew where we '- were the schooner was ashore. When I came on deck from the cabin where the cap’n sent me for somethin’, I forget what now, I found him dead, erushed by the fall of the mainmast, and ‘the ‘other man and darky nowhere in sight. As they ever turned up from that time to this, of course ts natural to suppose that they went overboard ind were lost. Next day it cleared off, and then realized that I was stranded on a foreign coast. I buried the cap’n in the sand near the point, but before I did so I took possession of all his effects, includin’ the treasure chart. “Then I made up my mind to try and get that ‘million in gold myself, though how I was to carry it away after I found it puzzled me greatly. 1 ~ eouldn’t go to the island to look for it without a boat, so I hunted around and bought an old pail in’ boat from a Mexican fisherman, with, some Se oe * or A MILLION IN GOLD ‘Bob,’ he said, ‘I want you to take a. foremast hand are to get $10,000 each, and the ’.dez Pinto stepped down into the cabin. He stop- 15 of the cap’n’s money. Then I went to the island, . and after'a little while I located the treasure. “I was gettin’ ready to carry it off when that Mexican scoundrel, Mendez Pinto, got wind. of my game. He knew the treasure was hid somewheve ' on the island, and had been huntin’ after it for years, as he afterward told me when he. tried: to get me to go in with him and. divide up. . That’s why he’s livin’ there—him and a gal nam- ed Mercedes, whom he calls his niece. I’d haye been glad to divvy with him only there was that in his eye which told me he was not to be: trusted. I sized him up as’a chap who would kill you as quick as winkin’, if there was any object in it, and I guess half a million, the share I was supposed to get, would have been object enough. “At any rate we couldn’t come to terms, and since then I’ve found it impossible to go near- the place without him knowin’ of it. At length es he got impatient and started in to threaten me, I laughed at him, for I thought I-had him on the hip. But I didn’t know the cuss I was dealin’ with, and this is the end of it.” The sailor did not tell all the foregoing as we. have written it. It took time, and many drinks from the bottle to keep him going. There were many interruptions while he lay back and looked like a dead man. But he finally got it all out. “Here’s the chart,” he said, finally, hauling _it out from under a slit in the mattress and placing it in Tom’s hand. “I’ye made some marks on it myself, as you will see. The place is: at the north end of the island, in a little cove. You won’t have to make none of them measurements. I’ve done that myself and snotted the place. In fact I’ve seen the chest that holds the money: It’s in a eave, the entrance of which is just below the low-water mark, and -can’t be seen at any time. : : “But vou’ll see three tress on a bluff over- lookin’ the water. The cHart will guide you to them, and then you won’t need it any more, for all you'll have to do, ifjyou can swim, is to dive at the rock directly under them trees and you'll find yourself in a marine cavern. Strike a light and the money-chest you'll see right: before you, with its million in Spanish gold.” f : “There’s a man comin’ this way,” said Jim, ap- pearing at that moment. ; “That’s Pinto,” said the sailor. “Hide, both of you, for your lives.” CHAPTER XIII.—Mendez Pinto. w “Douse the light before you go,” said the sailor, “and try and keep within hail, for I don’t know what the chap will do to me when he finds I’m loose, and I’d rather not be murdered in cold blood, for I’ll die soon enough as it is.” Tom blew out the light, and he and Jim took up their stations, revolvers in hand, on the other — side of the door leading into the hold. They had | hardly secreted themselves when they heayd a light step on the planks overhead. Presently the ~~ companionway was darkened by a man, and Men- ped and listened intently.. as quiet as the grave. Bob Short remained 4 lee A
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16 A MILLION “Perdition!” exclaimed the Mexican, in Spanish, “ean the dog be dead? If so, I have cheated myself out of the prize I seek. I will see. This time he shall tell me what I wish to know, or—” His voice ended in a hiss. He approached the bunk ‘and felt of the sailor. “Warm—ah! He still breathes. Caramba! What is this? The ropes cut. What does this mean?” : He struck a match, looked for the lantern and lighted it. “Ha! The glass is warm. Some one is here, and he extinguished the light when he heard me _ on deck.” He drew his revolver and flashed the light around the cabin. { “Not here, ha! . Then he’s hiding in the hold. Caramba! I will have him out in a moment. What is another life, niore or less, to me with -such a stake in sight? Nothing. You want the sheep, or the bullock, or the fowl, for your pleas- ure, and you kill. Suppose you want the life of a man who stands.in your way? You kill him, too.” ‘ The sailor heard and understood -the villain’s words perfectly. The boys heard him. plainly enough also, but as he spoke in Spanish its signi- ficance was to a great extent lost on them. His actions, however, showed that he believed that there was some one else besides the sailor and himself under the deck of the derelict, and the © ~ boys began to look for trouble. Tom plucked Jim by the sleeve and started for the galley. Jim aeeompanied him on tiptoe. As soon as they were behind the bulkhead Tom struck a match and looked around for a hiding-place for himself and his companion. There was a pile of dunnage for- ward of the gallery. “Hide under this,” said Tom, and they did. They had hardly got under cover before Men- dez Pinto appeared with the lantern in his hand. He flashed the light around the galley, and see- ing no sign of an intruder he began examining the space behind it. In one hand he carried his revolver ready for action, and he looked very for- midable indeed to the boys. : They kept very quiet in their ‘hiding-place, and although Pinto looked the dunnage over, the light / was not bright enough for him to discover their proximity. He stood a moment as if puzzled and then returned to the ‘cabin, muttering Spanish oaths under his breath. He went out on deck and looked around the immediate vicinity, carefully, but all to no purpose. He returned to the cabin in a bad humor, and, placing the lantern on the table, turned to Bob Short. By that time Tom and Jim had returned to the shadow of the doorway looking into the cabin, and were watching for developments. “So, Senor Short,” said the Mexican, in English, “you have had a visitor, eh? Caramba! Had I caught sight of him there would have been some- thing to feed the fishes with. You do not feel so bad as when last I was here. This visitor - not only cut you loose, but gave you something to drink.” ‘ The rascal smelt of the whisky bottle, then _ poured out a portion of the tumbler and drank it. “Well, are you tired of this? Shall we come th terms? It is as you say whether.you go to oe IN GOLD > the island with me and dine on the, what you call, fat of the land, or—is it necessary that I go to the trouble of expressing myself clearer? You -.ngos are stupid. Of what use is it that you hold out, eh? What you gain: by it? You are now the picture of a dead man, and all because you thought to get the better of me. Caramba! I am like an old fox. It is not so easy to get the better of me. Suppose you refuse to tell me where the treasure is hidden, what then? die and I search on as I have done these five years past till I find it. It is but a question of time before I find that million, and then it will all be mine. Think well, senor, is it worth whil that you die to cheat me out of half of that million and yourself out of the other half?” “Tt is too late. I am as good as a dead man. — An hour or two and all the gold in the world will be nothin’ to me. The secret dies with me. You may hunt yourself till you’re white-headed, but you will not find that million. Never, Men- dez Pinto.” i “Caramba! You laugh at me!” cried the Mexi- ean. furiously. “You are not as yet dead. Per- haps I find a way to open your lips. ou are in my power, Senor Short. I can do with you as I choose. Perhaps you have never heard how Cortez, who conquered this country, treated the Aztec chiefs who would not reveal the hiding- places of the Montezuma treasure. Shall I tell you one ordeal they underwent? Their feet were tied over a brazier of live coals. What think you if I try that on you, eh? You can feel pain, Senor Short, is it not so? Well, I shall go now to the galley to prepare the torture.” The rascal rose from the box he had used as a seat, with a sardonic smile on his lips, and moved toward the entrance of the hold. The boys re- Youn 4 treated to their former hiding-place. -Tom saw, however, that they would presently have to in- terfere between the vindictive’ Mexican and his intended victim. The Mexican lighted a fire in the stove and s placed an iron pan over the blaze. There wasn’t the least doubt that he was thoroughly in earnest with respect-to his fiendish intentions. The boys watched him heat and finally test the tempera- ture of the pan with a piece of paper. At length he took it off the fire and returned to the cabin, 3 followed, cautiously, by the boys. es <3 “Now, Senor Short, you shall have a taste of the tortures of the Inquisition if you do not at once tell me where that treasure is buried. Come, open your mouth, or, Caramba! the torture will — open it in a way you shall not fancy.” “For heaven sake, let me die in peace!” gasped . Short, rolling his eyes around the cabin as if in search of help from the boy to whom he had confided his secret. ; : “Ha! TE have touched you at last, eh?” grinned the Mexican. “The secret—pronto!. Then I leave you to die as you choose.” : “No, no—you shall never know it—never, Men- — dez Pinto!” A “We shall see!” cried the Mexican, with com-— pressed lips, turning the pan lower so as to begin the torture. . “Stop!” cried Tom Danvers, stepping int cabin. “This business has ene far enous i dez Pmto.” AK gate Sead or, be the len- ue - Be: hs
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’ “viously done. _A MILLION IN GOLD “Ave. Maria!” ejaculated the Mexican, dimly — making out the. figure of the resolute boy by the uneertain light of the lantern, which stood on the table. “Who are you?” i “a “Tt’s none of your business who I am,” replied Tom. “Put down that pan or I'll shoot you as you stand there.” ‘ > : Mendez raised the pan as if to hurl it at the boy, when Tom pulled the trigger. A sharp re- port followed. With a ery, Pinto dropped the pan, clapped his hand to his head, reeled and fell to the floor, where he lay quite still. a CHAPTER XIV.—The Curtain Falls On Bob Short. The boy had intended to hit him in the arm, but not being an expert shot the weapon had jerked up and the ball had cut a slight furrow in Pinto’s’head. 3 “Wave you killed him?” fluttered Bob Short. . “No; and Lm glad of it,” replied Tom, with a sigh of relief. “I wouldn’t want his death on my soul.” pi “Tt would have been better for you and your chances of recovering the treasure had you set- tled him for good,” said the sailor, faintly. “What ought’I to do with him?” asked Tom. “Tie him hand’ and foot and take away his weapons. You can release him after I am dead. “Do you mean to say that you really expect to die, Mr. Short?” asked Tom, shocked at the idea. “T haven’t an hour’s life in.me. I can feel the hand of death at my heart at this moment. I can’t escape my fate, so what’s the use of kieck- sy? “P]l send Jim to San Ignacio for a doctor,” said Tom. “Maybe he’ll be able to save you.” “Tt is useless. I'll be gone before he could get back., Give me a drink of the whisky, for I feel deathly faint. Then attend to that rascal.” Tom gave him a drink, and it brightened him up a bit, but not near so much as it had pre- -- Tom motioned to Jim tq bring the pieces of line which had lately secured Bob Short to the bunk, and then called on him to assist ‘‘in making a prisoner of Pinto. Then they car- ried him into the hold and left him to recover his senses as best he might. Bob Short lingered an hour and then died like the puffing out of a candle. Tom then took the lantern and went into the hold to take a look at the Mexican. He was still insensible. “J wonder when he’ll come to?” the boy asked himself. “The doctor ought to be back from the i this time. ee ‘aed attend to this rascal. That bullet may have given him concussion of the brain. Pl have to bring the. wagon over anyway to carry the sailor’s body to San Ignacio for burial. ves I guess the doctor had better see this fellow. : Tom decided to cut Pinto loose, and did so. Then he and Jim started for the town. They found the doctor and Jack waiting in the wagon _~for them to show up. ‘ “Where have you .boys been?” asked Dr. Quackenbush. “We've been holding dinner back half an hour for vow? See eae } guess I’d better bring him» 17 “Oh, we've been down to the shore taking a bath, for one thing, and up against a pretty strenuous experience, for another,” replied Tom. © “You don’t say,” replied the doctor: to the table.° You both look -hungry. you’ve filled up vou can tell your story.” All hands showed that they possessed excel-. lent appetites, for they cleaned up about every- thing in sight. ; “Jim can wash up the dishes while you tell us about this stirring adventure that you hinted at,” said the doctor, after they had finished the meal. The proprietor of the Kickapoo Remedy got out one of his cigars, Jack produced his pipe, and then Tom began his story. He related every- thing just as it happened to Jim and himself, but he said nothing at all about the treasure on the island. Jack “and the doctor were greatly astonished, and the latter agreed to go down to the wreck, in the wagon, and give the Mexican . the benefit of his services. Accordingly, Tom and Jim hitched the horses’ to the wagon and the former drove the vehicle to the shore. “There’s the old derelict, yonder,” he pointed to the doctor. “Hard and fast ashore in the sand, isn’t it?” was the reply. : ; “Yes, she’s sailed her last trip on the briny,” laughed Tom. : He guided the wagon close alongside the wreck and, with his brother and Dr. Quackenbush, step- ped on her deck. The lantern was still burning on the table in the cabin, and the face of ‘the dead sailor looked calm and peaceful. The Mexi- can, however, was not ‘there. “He’s gone,” said Tom, in some surprise. - “Recovered his senses of his own accord,” re- plied the doctor. “The wound couldn’t have been a serious one. The ball probably only stunned him, though from your description I judge that he had a narrow shave of -it.” “I guess he did,” replied Tom. “I. didn’t aim at his head; but, then, I’m no great shot. The . “Sit up 2 After © revolver kicked and the ball was deflected up- — ward.” The body of Bob Short was wrapped in a blanket and carried to the. wagon. Then they drove back to San Ignacio. As the wagon re- ceded from the wreck a head, bound up in a blood-stained rag, appeared above the companion- way and glared after them. prt It was Mendez Pinto who had recovered his senses a little while before the vehicle drove up, and seeing that he could not leave the derelict without being observed had concealed himself be- hind the galley until the party left. “So, young senor, I have your face well booked in my memory,” he gritted, with a look. that augured ill for Tom Danvers. “You. balked me at the moment of success. It will be my turn soon to pay you back, with interest, the debt I owe you. You shall regret the hour you interfered with Mendez Pinto. I will make you dance to the tune of the dead march.” ; He shook his fist after the departing vehicle, ; and when it had vanished around a bend in the road he emerged entirely from the companion- » 3 ladder,/stepped on to the beach and walked up the — shore to a point where a trim little sailboat. was. view
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» 18 A MILLION mooréd, by her painter, to a rock. Boarding her, he cast off, raised the sail, and laid his. course for the island of Santa Cruz. CHAPTER XV.—In the Hands of Mendez Pinto. After supper that evening Tom took his brother off for a walk. “This is a curious old town, isn’t it?” said’ Jack. after they had proceeded a short distance. “Yes, but it’s not half so curious as the story I’m going to tell you,” replied Tom. “What story is that?” asked Jack, curiously. “The story that the dead. sailor told me.” “So he told you a story, did he? What was it about?” “A hidden treasure.” . “A hidden treasure!” exclaimed Jack, in sut- prise. Q “Bxactly. A million dollars in Spanish gold.” “Go on, Tom. What are you giving me?” “Nothing but the truth. Listen.” Then Tom told his brother all that Bob Short had narrated to him about the pirate treasure concealed in a marine cavern on the island of Santa Cruz,a mile out in the gulf.” “Do you believe there’s anything in it?” asked _ Jack, in some excitement. “J do. Vve got the chart in my pocket which Tl show vou in the morning. I want you and Jim to help me recover this gold, and I promise tu wive you a good slice of it for yourself.” ~-“J’m with you, Tom. It would set us both up - for life if we found that amount of money. Have ~ you said anything to the doctor about it?” “Not a thing. He’s all right, the Doc, but I see no reason letting him in on this. He’s got a . good bunch of money already, and will probably ‘make a lot more out of this silver mine which he’s decided to buy into, while you and I have nothing. We'll take the sailor’s boat to-morrow, which lies down by the wreck, sail over to the north end of the island, with Jim, and dive for ° that cave. But we've got to keep our eyes skinned for that. Mexican, Mendez Pinto. | He’s shown that he won’t stop at murder even to ~ get a line on that treasure. You can take that revolver and knife I took away from him after - J shot him. Jim and I have the two guns the sailor gave me. With that armament we ought - toybe able to stand Pinto off.” (|. *We’ll stand him off all right,” replied Jack, _ eonfidently. : In the morning, Tom showed his brother the chart, and they studied it over together. . . “Bob Short has simplified matters for us, for he’s found the marine cavern, and all that re- - mains for us to do is to locate those three trees. _ He’s' marked them down here,” and Tom put his finger on the chart. “When~we find them . we've only to dive down under the rock at that point, and according to the sailor we'll come up nside the cavern With the chest of gold right before us. You’d better keep the chart, Jack, as ' ‘you’ve got an inside pocket to your vest and I haven’t got a vest ‘at all.” : An hour later, after the doctor had gone back to the silver mine, Jack, Tom and Jim went to e shore and found the bsttered sailboat in the een, NG ‘s 4 te IN GOLD same place it had been since Bob Short last used it. Jack knew. something about handling a boat, so under his directions the sail was hoist- _ ed and they started for the north end of the island. As a matter of precaution against Men- dez Pinto’s watchful eyes, they did not aim di- rectly for Santa Cruz island at first, but ap- proached the north shore by a roundabout course. Finally they got close in and sailed along, watch- ing the chart closely and keeping a bright look- out for the three trees. “There they are!” cried Jim, whose eyes were uncommonly sharp ones. : ; “Rureka!” cried Tom, feeling like pitching his hat into the air. ; ? \ “Will you make the first dive, Tom? the best. swimmer in the bunch.” “Sure I will” and he started to undress. “You'll need a light, Tom, if you come up in the cavern,” said Jack. “How are you going to manage about it?” e - “J’ll wrap half a dozen matches in a piece of my handkerchief and carry them in my mouth.” In a few minutes he was ready to make the — dive, and providing himself with the matches he sprang overboard and disappeared beneath the surface. He came up, as he expected, in the midst of dense darkness, and after: swimming a stroke or two felt bottom under him. Walking forward, up an inclined surface, and feeling around with his hands he emerged altogether from the water and came against a hard surface, which proved to be the bare rock. Tom struck one of the watches against it, and when the light flared up he found himself in the cavern; and right before him stood a good-sized, iron- ~ bound, chest. 4 With a palpitating heart, the boy bent over the chest and struck a second match. The glare of the flame revealed, through the gaping hole made by the hatchet, the yellowish hue of the | precious metal shining up from an opened bag. “Hurrah!” cried Tom, in ecstasy. “The gold is here, and it is all ours for the taking.” After he had recovered his self-possession a bit he examined the treasure as well as he could with the remaining matches. He saw what seem- ed to be a jewel-box in one corner of the chest, and by the aid of his last match he pulled it~ out. * “Tl see if I can carry this back with me as ~— an-evidenée that I saw the treasure,” he said to himself, Then he walked down the incline into the water, with the box in his hand. As soon as the | water was up to his chin he plunged forward ~~ and struck out with one arm. He arose to the | light of day, and saw the sailboat a few yards away and close to patch of beach. He swam - — bi it and soon felt the ground under his _ feet. j Af so Hee “Y’ve found it! I’ve found it!” he shouted to his brother, and held up the box, triumphantly. “What have you there?” asked Jack. ; “It’s a handsomely inlaid box full of some- thing—jewels perhaps,” replied Tom. “I picked it out of the chest, the cover of which is smash-_ ed in. It’s simply full of bags of gold coin, the chest is. I guess there’s a million there all _right.” * ; € es Dene Jack made no reply, for he was busily engaged examining the box, which was inlaid with gold You’re rahe oa C
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A MILLION IN GOLD and mother of pearl—a very handsome and ar- tistic piece of work. “Chuck me my clothes, Jim,” said Tom. Jim threw them on the beach and Tom dressed himself. “We'll have to smash this to open it,” said Jack, “and it would be a shame to do that, for it’s worth money as it stands.” ~ “Why should we smash it?” answered Tom. . “We need not be in a hurry to open it. I'll bet it’s full of rare’ jewels. We'll wait till we get to Frisco, and get a locksmith to open it properly. Well. do you want to take a dive in there your- self?” “Certainly I do.” : “Then peel off and work the boat around to the rock. Take some matches in your mouth, like I did. You'll find them handy. I'll stay here till you get back. Then we'll figure on how to get the gold out of the cavern.” ‘ Jack decided to undress in the boat. As soon as he had disrobed he worked the boat into the proper place, made the dive and did not come up again. ; : “He’s in there all right.” thought Tom, as the boat floated back to the patch of beach, under the action of the tide. “This is a fine box, bet your life. Ill make a present of it to——” He was interrupted by a warning ery from Jim. Tom started to his feet and looked toward the boat. : “Run—jump into the water!” frantically. Before Tom could comprehend the situation a man sprang from the top of the low bluff behind him and seized him around the chest with both arms. ; “Caramba!” exclaimed a triumphant yoice in his ear. “I have you, senor Americano. Now I fix you for keeps!” Then it. was Tom realized that he was at the mercy “of Mendez Pinto. : shouted Jim, wi . f t * “CHAPTER XVI.—A-Close Call—The Treasure of | ee Santa Cruz. © Jim drew his revolver, but didn’t dare shoot -.9n account of the chance of hitting Tom in place of Pinto. The >*sult was soon placed beyond - doubt by the ap™®arance of several men on the bluff, who were evidently connected with the - Mexican. They sprang down and relieved the Mexican of the boy, making him a helpless pris- ~oner, while Pinto, with a ery of satisfaction, snatched the box ftom the lad’s:hand. At Pinto’s -’ orders, they bore Tom back up the bluff, the Mexican following, and Jim soon lost sight of the party altogether. When Jack ‘returned from the marine cavern Jim told him the startling news of Tom’s capture of the Mexican. q os “We must rescue him,” said Jack, resolutely. -. *7’}} help ‘you do it,” said Jim, with a dogged expression on. his face, for he was ready to go through fire and smoke for Tom’s sake. - Jack hurriedly dressed. himself. “That rascal. lives at the south end of the island, so Tom told me, and I'll bet he’s taken my brother down there. We'll just sail around and make the fur fly, in spite of him and all the x a 5 o 2? St. i -The sail was raised again and the boat’s head turned in a direction that would ‘fetch them around to the southern end of the island. In the meantime, Tom was hurried along southward by his captors, Mendez Pinto following in the rear with the box, which he judged must be a part of the treasure, carefully tucked under his. arm. A half an hour’s rapid tramp brought them to ° the other end of the island. Here Tom saw a two-story, white adobe house standing on a gentle elevation near the shore, and backed by a grove of tall, tropical trees. with an olive complexion, was standing at the door, and this, Tom guessed, must be Pinto’s niece, Mercedes. in fast. ; “Now, senor Americano, it is my turn,” hissed the Mexican, as the party paused within earshot of the girl in the doorway. “Yesterday you did what your gringos shall call the but-in. You spoiled. my little game with the Senor Short, and -besides you put a ball so near my scalp that a shade more and it had ben all up with me for keeps. Well, the tables are what vou call turned. To-day it is I who am on top. You are now in my power. Suppose I kill you, what then? Noth- ing. You will be gone. Your life is forfeit to me, and I will do with it as I please. it is my purpose to do you up. Still it is just possible, -senor Americano, that you can buy yourself off. Is it the fact that Senor Short has told you where the treasure of Santa Cruz is hid? Is it not. well that you take warning by him? What say you? Is it a bargain: between us? “No, it isn’t,” blurted out Tom. “I wouldn’t tell you a word if I died for it.” “Say you so, young senor? It is a pity I have not a lead bath ready that I bring you to your senses. However, I have that at hand which will, perhaps, answer as well. Mark you the tide is coming in? It will soon be two feet higher, enough to cover you to the eyes if you were bound out to yonder pole which you see there in the water. How think you it would feel to have the water rise slowly, inch by inch, tilly it covered your mouth, eh? Then above that till it touched the tip of your nose? You would throw back your head to catch a whiff of air_to breathe, would you not? And what then? The water would eut you short.” “You can kill me if you mean to, Mendez Pinto, but as Bob Short stood you off so will I. I re- fuse to deal with vou.” “Ho! let us see’if you practcie as well as preach. Here, Hernandez and Gonzalez, take this boy and bind him tightly to yon pole.” The two men seized Tom and hurriedly bore him into the water. The “girl, Mercedes, who has been listening intently to the words of Pinto, new rushed forward and threw herself on her knees before him. : “Mercy—mercy, Mendez! she cried, supplicatingly, in Spanish. He cast her away from him impatiently... ‘“Caramba!” he cried, furidusly, in Spahish. “You would balk me, too, Mercedes! You shi A handsome-looking girl, You speak brave words, young senor, — Do‘not kill the boy!” pay for this. It is not the first time you have 19 About a hundred feet from the beach | was a stoyt pole sticking up out of the water. . The tide was low at the time, but it was coming ~ At present —
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20 % i tried to cross me. You are taken with the young man’s face, I believe. Well, you shall come with me, then, and see how he likes his water bath. It will please you perhaps to watch him drown.” He caught the struggling girl around the waist and bound her arms behind her, dragged her to a boat and pushed off with her toward the pole, where Tom was now secured, hand and foot, chest deep in the water. Pinto worked the boat within a foot or so of Danvers. : “Ha, senor Americano! Shall the bargain be made between us, or will you drown, like a_ rat in a trap?” he cried, maliciously. Tom returned him a defiant look. “You are stubborn still, eh? You gringos are all alike—all stupid fools. Well, you~ at least shall have a taste of death by degrees. See the ‘ater has already risen to your armpits. Soon it will cover your shoulders. Then your neck. Ah, you will feel it creeping up to your mouth. Por dios! I will wait here and see you drown. It_will be to me a salve for my sore head.” Presently a thought came in his mind. He took a strong knife from his belt and insertine it along the cover of the inlaid box succeeded by skillful manoeuvering in prying the cover open. The sunlight flashed from a collection of costly diamond ornaments with which the box was filled. Pinto’s eyes devoured the gems with an avarici- ous gleam. He saw at once that they were im- mensely valuable. Then he locked maliciously at the boy before him. _ + “Will the young senor take his last look at the sparklers?” grinned the Mexican, holding the jewel-box . tantalizingly toward Tom. Bound firmly to the post, the fast-rising tide laving his shoulders, the boy met Mercedes’s de- spairing gaze. So interested was Mendez Pinto and his myrmidons that they did not notice the appearance of a sailboat around the corner of -the point until it was practically on them, then one of them uttered a cry of warning. - “Compadre!” shouted Pinto, furiously. “Head the boat off!” Mercedes now began to work at her bonds, and _as the rope was insurely tied she got free of it. To stop the boat, however, was more than they -sved attempt, for Jack Danvers stood at the helm with his drawn revolver, ready for business, aiid Jim, in the bows, was equally prepared for pction. _ Seeing how things looked, the Mexican drew his knife again and started to make a lunge with itat Tom’s defenseless neck. Mercedes, per- ceiving his intention, seized him by the arm, and in the struggle the knife fell to the bottom of the boat. As Pinto turned furiously on the girl - and seized her by the throat, Jim fired at him, point-blank. The bullet penetrated his back and passed through his heart. With a dying scream, he threw up his hands, pitched headfirst. into _. the water, and did not reappear. _ Mercedes snatched up the knife, leaned cown und severed the ropes that bound Tom’s chest to _the pole. Then she sprang overboard and sank _ beneath the surface. In less than half a minute - Tom was free and clinging, with the girl, to the boat. “You have saved my life, Mercedes,” he said, gratefully.. She smiled, but made no answer. sailboat came up and Tom was taken on board. ' got possession of the Treasure of Santa Cruz— Then the - Mercedes refused any assistance, and, despite A MILLION IN GOLD her clothes, swam gracefully to the shore, landed, — and ran into the house. “Wait a moment, Jack,” said Tom. “That box, of jewels is in that rowboat. We must get it.” It lay where it had fallen from Pinto’s hands, and was recovered by Tom, after which the boat filled away from the island. They decided to do nothing further with regard to the treasure’ until next day. for they had to secure means to get the gold from the cavern. : Next morning, having provided themselves with candles, a covered basket and a long rope, they visited the site of the marine cavern and by de- grees got out all the treasure in the-chest, which pretty well filled the sailboat. They carried it to the wreck and there found boxes enough to ac- commodate every bag. : With some of the gold they chartered a small schooner to take them with their newly found property to San Francisco. They arrived in San Francisco without mishap, and there Tom turned ' the Spanish gold over to the sub-treasury and re- raved an order on New “ork for a million dol- ars. a million more, and Tom had to pay a duty on them, amounting to $125,000, which was deducted from his order on the New York sub-treasury. The boys went straight to New York, where they put up at the Astor House. Tom collected $850,000 from the Government. He gave his brother $300,000, promised Jim)$50,000 when he got older, and retained $500,000 and the jewels, worth as much more, himself, ¢ The jewels were appraised at nearly half - Leaving Jim in New York for the present, he and Jim set out for Cobalt, where they duly ar- rived, and Tom was joyfully received by his mother and the Deans. As soon as possible he presented -himself before the justice, and said he was prepared to pay whatever fine that gentle- man though fit to impose on him for striking Mr. John Gilpin. He was let off for $10, Tom then learned that his brother’s character had been re- established by the capture and confession of the j man who had robbed Squire Penrose. He at once telegraph Jack the facts, and his brother came es home right away. In a month there was a wedding at the Dean’s _ home, when Agnes Dean became the wife of the — young man she had stuck by in his adversity. Tom’s air castles all came true. He built a fine house on a hundred-acre farm that he purchased, - adjoining a similar plot of ground secured by | his brother, and there his mother went to live. few years later Jennie Dean also took up her permanent home as Mrs. Tom Danvers, and the young couple are the happiest and most pros- perous pair in all the county. oe Jim lives with them, for nothing can persuade him to live anywhere else. He is still going to school to make up for his early lack of oppor- © tunities, and no one who knew him as the com- s 5 panion of Dan Mullins would recognize him now. 23 ‘On a long winter’s evening his greatest delight : is to sit around the blazing: fire, Jennie, and talk about how he, Tom and Jack, A Million in Gold. Next week’s issue will contain “BOUND TO MAKE MONEY; or, FROM THE WEST TO WALL STREET.” "| reese with Tom and —
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FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY _ - CURRENT NEWS WEIGHT 692 POUNDS ‘ “All Farmersville, Tex., mourns Sam Harris; probably the heaviest man in the United States, who died at his home there. Harris weighed 692 pounds. “Big Boy,” as he was called by his friends, had his furniture made to order. “I can get pretty comfortable,” he said not long before his death, “by placing two chairs together and sitting in them, but I haven’t yet found a bed that will bear my'weight. I have to place a mattress on the floor.” : 170-POUND PUMPKIN Last year’s tragedy. when a 140-pound pump- kin sent from France bv airplane to provide pies for the Thanksgiving dinner of 500 lonely Ameri- cans.in London, fell overboard while the airplane was landing and shattered, had a hanpv sequel this year. Five pumpkins. one weighing 170 pounds, grown from the seed saved from last year’s debacle, were made into tempting “tarts” —as the English call pies—for the great feast. HALF-CLOTHES , There is a clothing. store on Broadway which specializes, among other things, in suits for theatre treasurers by selling the ton half of evening dress. The public sees only the head and shoulders of the average box office attendant, so these gentry do not have to don complete eve- ning dress. As only the upper part of their get-up is visible, light-colored trousers and tan shoes are often worn with their tuxedos. ~ MANY PERISH IN COLD IN THE CAUCASUS One hundred persons and thousands of cattle have been frozen to death during the unpre- _eedentedlv cold weather now: prevailing through- out the Caucasus. ‘ sates ‘Tn several cases shepherds and farmers who went to. the fields to tend their sheep or cattle were found frozen with their flocks. ‘Driven from theix mountain shelters by the fierce cold and lack of food. great droves of ante- Jopes and wild boars have invaded the plains “and valleys, onlv to perish in their tracks. Tn the Alexandropol district of Armenia, where Americans of the Near East Relief are caring for thousands of orphans, the thermometer registers 82 degrees below zero. = 2 The Caucasus has not experienced such bitter cold for a century, and it is feared the effect on ‘the crops will bring a famine next year. ; ‘DRY SQUAD FINDS 31,871 CITY OASES New York for eleven months past has had y 81,871 “speak easies”—approximately one for sissy > 200 citizens. ~— - ie ov rthis fides was supplied Acting Police Com- Belton, commanding the special service squad. ; declared: ‘ : we Bethe Volstead act is unpopular with the citi- zens and enforcement is hampered by the re- uetance of juries to convict offenders.” “In_addition to the 31,871 “speak easies” listed y Belton in his report. the inspector added: ‘missioner Leach, recently, by Deputy Inspector. * ai a “In the thickly populated sections, chiefly amone the poorer elasses. stills are operated in tenements and the vile, poisonous concoctions are sold to persons in the neighborhood. Private apartments, in the better sections, house boot- leggers’ agents, where liquor stocks can be pur- chased at any hour.” TERRIFYING SPEED OF SHOOTING STARS Forty-five miles a second is the speed sometimes attained by those meteors whose blazing rocket trails we can often observe in a clear night sky. This was brought out in an address by Prof. C. M. Snarrow of the University of Virginia. -“Meteors,” he said, “are believed to be small bodies, which, efitering the upper air at high speeds, are heated~to incandescence, pursue a visible course through the air and when com- pletely evaporated disappear. The heights at which they appear are known to be usualy be- ~ tween 50 and 100 miles, their speed from ten to © forty-five miles a second. When we understand the details of the processes by which the meteor becomes heated we can draw conclusions regard- ing its nature and particularly regarding the physical state and composition of the upper at- mosphere, The only other source of information on this point are the little understood aurora and the sounding balloons of the meteorologist, which have reached to about twenty miles: From the balloon observations it has been inferred that above sixty miles the atmosphere is almost en- tirely hydrogen, which, though forming but a 10,000th part of the air at the surface, dimin- . ishes so slowly in density with increasing height as to outlast the heavier nitrogen and oxygen.” — 320 BILLIONS IS U. S. WEALTH » The wealth of the United States at the end of December, 1922, on the—-best estimates available ‘of all property classified by the Census Bureau, was placed at $320,803,862,000. This was an in- crease of 72.2 per. cent for the decade, since in / 1912 the census found the Nation’s wealth to. be $186,299,664,000. et The item of greatest value was real estate and its improvements subject to taxation, which were found to be worth $155,908,625,000. The second was the grouped valuation of the clothing, furni- ture, vehicles and like property of. individuals, which totalled $39,816,001,000. ; . Third was manufactured products on hand and in distribution, placed at $28,422,848,000, while the next largest item was $20,505,819,000 repre- — improvements listed senting real property and its as exempt from taxation. The value of railroads and their equipment was. estimated at $19,950,800,000. The value of public utilities property, including telegraph and tele- — phone systems, electric light and power systems, street railways, canals and irrigation enterprises, _ was fixed at $15,414,447,000. _ Motor vehicles of all classes were Ay Ye t said tov-Le — worth $4,567,407,000. Case fe:
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= 22 GUS AND THE GUIDE — Or, — Three Weeks Lost in the Rockies By GASTON GARNE (A Serial Story.) CHAPTER II.—(Continued). “The Gophers! The Gophers! The Gophers are coming!” bawled several of those at the door, and oe a rush for the open, anxious to have a ook. That Gus had hit Black Rock at a strenuous time was evident. Good luck had thrown him in with Colonel Tim Tolkins first thing, although he could hardly have missed him at whatever time he might have struck - in on Bill Biggins’s bar, and now by ill-luck he seemed to have run head-on against a typical raid’ of Wild ‘Western bad men, for Gus knew wat the coming the Gophers could mean nothing else. Of course Gus ran to the door with the rest, for he wanted to see all that was going on. “Heavens! They’ye struck in both ways,” shouted Silas Stump. “They ara coming up- street as well as down.” é : Bang! Bang! Bang! - Another volley of shots rang out, followed by another chorus of yells. - Gus saw a large-band of mounted men dashing through the snow, yelling like demons, and firing their’ revelvers in the air as they came. “Shut the door! Shut the door!’ cried Colonel / Tolkins. ‘“Mebbe it’s the smelting works they’re if after. If we keep shady mebbe they’ll let us ’ alone in here.” : : _ “Shut nothin’!” bawled Bill Biggins, “If it’s - the Gophers my whisky is free to them. I don’t want this to be my last day on earth—not none!” The miners crowded back into the barroom, leaving the door wide open, with the snow blowing in. Gus’s eyes were watching Colonel Tolkins, and he saw the garrulous old lawyer down a big drink of whisky. ; It seemed a good time to get next to him, for the old man was clearly horribly afraid. “Do you think there will be trouble in here, ysir?” asked Gus, stepping up to him, “I’m a good shot.. If you——” x ‘Boy, stand by me,” breathed the colonel. “My shooting days are over, for my eyesight has failed ‘me. Stand by and do my shooting. These fellers are after 10¢.” CHAPTER III. -The Mix-Up With The Gopher Gang. Gus had come to Black Rock in the nick of time, and all his fine-laid plans of getting next to Col- ‘onel Tim Tolkins’s secrets were:to be knocked in the head by the coming of the Gophers, as he was soon to learn. ; ‘ Tee : Ait on) a + a 1 can put out a couple of cases of bottled whisk ’ who’s that ar’ papain kid at your side?” FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY “Why not take’ a sneak out the back way?” he suggested to the colonel, with whom he stood alone at the end of the bar,.for the miners had ranged themselves along the side of the room, each with his revolver drawn. Evidently these men meant business. As there.were as:many as thirty of them pres- ent, it looked as though Bill Biggin’s barroom was rather a bad place for the gang to attack. “Bless you, boy, there is no back way. We are right against the side of Black Mountain,” re- plied the lawyer. “Slow and easy, now! ‘These fellers are after me, but gab has often got the best of their kind better than bullets. My business is gabbing, and I prefer it to shooting. If they ask for me to go up to my office I shall have to oblige them, and I want you to go with me. You’re my nephew, just up from Denver—understand?” “Good!” said Gus. ‘You will find me all there. Here they come.” The gang had now rounded up in front of the hotel Gus looked through the open door, and could see that the were all big, stalwart fellows, wear- ing long cowskin coats with the hair side out, Oe round fur caps, with the ear-pieces turned own, - Five of them sprang from the saddle and start- ed for the open door. One, taller than ‘the others—he was over six feet—strode on in advance, while his four com- - paniens with drawn. revolvers followed close be- ind. All five, were masked, having a strip of black cloth tied across their faces just under the eyes, — one it was the same with their companions out- side. “Gentlemen, put up your guns!” shouted the giant leader as they strode into the barroom. . | “This is no raid on Black Rock. This isa personal Re matter, and unless you choose to make it other- © wise we have no business to transact with you. The man we want to see is Tim Tolkins, and thar he stands by the bar.” ‘ ; ites The old lawyer had pulled himself together by this time, and there was no tremor to his voice * as he replied: ‘ 3 R ay “Captain, yours truly. I don’t need to intro- duce myself; you know Colonel Tim Tolkins, the . — man what made Frisco, an’ I know you.” : “Right,” said the mask. “No introduction needed so far ag you are concerned, colonel. But * “My nephew,” replied the lawyer, unblushingly. “My dead sister’s son. Gus Brandt’s his “heres i See aa it? Comes pretty close to him. Ha, — ? al” 4 “Tie up that’ laugh of yours,” said the mask, sternly. “We are here for business. I want legal advice, and you are the man to give it. Lead the 2 way to your office, Colonel Tolkins,” is “Gentlemen,” he added, “you now see how the Gophers jump? Make yourselves easy, I beg of you, This is entirely a personal matter, as I said — before.” ale “Won’t you and your friends licker up?” asked Bill Biggins, coming forward and. rubbing his hands. “The house is at your service, I’m sure. It’s a cold night, and a drop will do you good.” __ “Not even one drop,” cried the leader, “Yo x eee Beat
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and a couple of beer if you wish, and my men will take care of them; but there is to be no drinking now. Colonel] Tolkins, are you ready to move? “Tl go,” said the colonel, “but my nephew m=st go with me. I’m an old man. I crossed the plains in 48, and hit Frisco in the spring of 49. I— e er | “Cut it out! Get a move on! Let the boy come’ if it’s any satisfaction to you!” the mask roared. “Come, Gus!” said the colonel, and he started for the door, Gus following. : They tramped through the snow to the Pacific Block, where the colonel’s office was located, not ¥ aman among the miners making a move, although* - Sr mp cried out: : bac rei old Talky Tolkins’s finish, you bet.” The five Gophers kept close behind them. The mounted gang followed them up with their horses. ~ “Fralt!” cried the leader when they had reached the Pacific Block. “We can do our talking here in the snow. Have you written that letter to Marston yet?” Sn Gus’s ears were wide open, be very sure. He could hardly credit it when he heard the banker’s me spoken. : me xs not,” revlied Colonel Tolkins, backing -- against the Building. “I told you that I should “not, and d V’m a man of my word. : : “Settles it!” said the leader. “Now then, boys! So quick were their movements that Gus would not have been in it even if he had tried to draw on them, which would have been madness, of course. : Two covered the colonel and two turned on Gus. ' Mount, both of you!” shouted the leader. ~~ “To we want. the boy?” exclained another * Gopher. | Sis = “Mount! roared the leader, pointing to a sad- ~ dled broncho which stood with the rest. : “Look out!” cried one of the mounted men. _ There was something doing down by Bill Big- ‘ins’s-hotel. . ret once every miner in the barroom had come charging out upon the street, led by Silas - Stump. Rs oft “T’]] never go with you, George Brandt shouted Colonel Tolkins. “Shoot him, boy!” “Mount, both of you, or yourare as good as dead!” roared the leader, and the others ran them “to the broncho. : ae yield, George Brandt, but I’m an old man, ~ ** and you will never get me up the mountain alive!” protested Colonel Tolkins. ‘Let me write the let- ter here.” Popes ! “We'll take our chances on that,” was the re- -. -ply, and the colonel was forced into the saddle, * with ( ind him. y bibgre para r Let her go! Give them their dose ~ on-the fly!” shouted Brandt, as all five sprang to eir saddles. ; : nie was a mad dash toward the approaching _ miners then. | ; - ® Gus never knew which side opened the attack, forall in an instant he and Colonel Tolkins found _ themselves in themidst of a whirl of bullets. ~ Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! ; ‘The flash of the oie raha Se be actually seen against the white falling flakes. : ; = SS epawn with the Gophers!” the Black Rock boys © shouted, while the Gophers. themselves took it out n- ane peies. vel as they charged past the } rave fellows who faced them in the storm. ha ~ FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY 23 It was down with some on both sides. Two empty saddles and two dead Gophers in. the snow was the record on the one side, and Gus. saw several of the miners fall. é The outlaw band swept past the enemy and ~ turned down the canyon. , : “Stick to me, boy!” said Colonel Tolkins. “They won’t kill us. They want me for a purpose. I might have known. You stick to me, for ’m an . old man, and will die up there unless I have some one to look after me better than these fiends are likely to do.” : : : “J shall have to stick to you,” replied Gus,’ “But I wouldn’t desert you, anyway. Where are we going? Do you know?” - . : “Don’t ask me. - I don’t know. They are taking us to their hold-out. It is somewhere in the ro at eg Great heavens! I shall never. survive this!’ : 7 They had passed well out of town now, and the shots had ceased to fly. ; The outlaws now doubled up and rode two’ abreast, following the stage road thus far. 4 After covering a distance of perhaps half a mile, they turned abruptly to the left. and struck across a rude bridge which spanned the creek, — All along Gus had found great difficulty in maintaining his seat behind Colonel Tolkins, who, as we have mentioned, was a man of heavy build. - Now, as they ‘crossed the bridge, the horse slipped and stumbled. ne RRs In his effort to recover himself he half rose on his hind legs. : Fi A result was just what might have been ex- ~ pected. 5 Gus lost his grip and, siding over the horse’s rump, dropped into the creek, which went foam- ing and tumbling over the rocks below. bef “The boy is off,” Gopher George!” shouted one’ of the men. “He has tumbled in the creek!” F “To the deuce with him!” cried the leader. “It’s — the man we want, and we’ve got him.” e Away they dashed, leaving Gus struggling for his life in the icy waters of Black Rock creek. . Gus was in a hole, but if he had not fallen into it the adventures which were in store for him could never have occurred. Prere ae not help, It was a case where swimming could any. ae Nowhere was the creek over Gus’s head, yet so — swift was the current that he was swept ae) | for perhaps an eighth of a mile before he coul check his speed in the least. » He was banged against ice-covered rocks, whirled this way and that; now trying to grab at some bush on the bank or some rock which seemed to offer a hold $3 again going head under, struggling for breath, for life itself, in. fact. ae t was an awful situation, and in the mean- while the Gopher gang; with Colonel Tolkins their _ prisoner, rode into a narrow defile in the moun- tains, and vanished without making even the “2 slightest effort to rescue the unfortunate DOYssees - Naturally Gus thought he was a goner, and so. he would have been if he had been anything but # the brave fellow he actually was. oes At last velief came. Gus got hold of a trea which had fallen partly across the creek, and by ~ the greatest exertion managed to pull himself out. ~ of the water and straddle the trunk. _ Bhby (To be continued.) pa
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24 FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY Interesting Radio News and Hints THE SOLODYNE The solodyne circuit does away. with the “B” battery. Solodyne means “single power.” The only source of power in the set is the “A” bat- tery. The circuit requires a vacuum tube hav- . ing two grids. It is thought that the solodyne will be developed for use with standard tubes. ADDING RADIO FREQUENCY Radio frequency amplifiers ahead of the first detector of a superheterodyne will increase the sensitivity, but will also make the set More com- plicated and more difficult to tune. The super- heterodyne is a complicated circuit for the average radio follower to build, and if radio fre- quency amplification is added, more difficulties will be encountered. . HOW “C” BATTERIES HELP A “C” battery will help to minimize distortion, ° ‘but will not increase the volume. The negative side of the “C”’ battery connects to one side of the secondary of the audio amplifying transformer, and the other terminal of the-transformer con- nects directly with the grid. The positive side of the “C” battery connects to the negative ter- minal of the “A” battery. 4 .THE LOW LOSS CONDENSER A low-loss variable condenser is one which of- ‘fers a minimum resistance to the weak currents because of its mechanical and electrical efficiency. It differs from the ordinary condenser in that the framework is metal, including the bar on which the fixed plates rest. The ends of this bar are supported by a good insulating material. THAT TINNY NOISE Bad quality of sound may be caused by the unit which connects the radio set to the phono- graph horn. If the tinny sound is not caused by the attachment, which can be determined by using the phones, a “C” battery may clear it up. Use -a 4%-volt “C” battery and connect the positive side of the “C” battery to the negative terminai of the “A” battery. The other side of the “C” battery goes to the secondary of the audio- amplifying transformer. The others terminal of the transformer secondary connects to the grid of the tube. ; JACKS AS RHEOSTATS. _—__ .. As most of the present day radio circuits in- volve the use of three tuning dials, efforts must be made to eliminate as many of the incidental controls as possible. One step in this direction is the use of “automatic filament” jacks and auto- matic rheostats. : i Filament jacks are like ordinary telephone jacks, but are built with extra springs. These extra springs, when properly connected, act as switches for the tubes. For instance, in ‘a com- ‘plete three-tube set wired with filament jacks, only the detector tube will light, or indeed can light, when the plug attached to the earphones is inserted in the detector jack. : \ s If it is desired to use two. tubes, the plug is re- moved from the detector jack and inserted instead in the second one, which usually is marked “first stage.” Both tubes will not light up. To use all three, the plug is pushed into the last jack, mnerounen the three tubes will spring into bril- jancy. While a filament rheostat should be retained for the detector tube, the rheostats on the am- plifiers are entirely unnecessary, as fine control here is not needed. Automatic rheostats can be used instead. These are little devices which look like large grid leaks, and which fit in clips sim- ilar to leak mountains. «They are no more ex- pensive than adjustable rheostats and can be pur- chased in any large radio store. In many receivers using UV-201-A -tubes 3 throughout even the detector rheostat can be done ~ away with. The tuning process then resolves itself down merely to the manipulation. of the tuning dials. To turn the tubes off, the tele- phone, pings is*removed; the entire set is then ad. ; BALANCING THE NEUTRODYNE A practical s stem used at the factories con- sists of a simple wave-meter circuit, which em-. ploys a buzzer as an exciter. The inductance consists of a 50-turn coil of No. 22 double cotton-covered wire wound on a tube 3% inches in diameter znd four inches long. A 23-plate variable condenser is shunted around the coil. A buzzer, dry cells and a control switch or push button are placed in series with the coil and condenser. This combination forms a wave meter, which can be tuned to a definite wave length. ceiving set, and is more satisfactory to balance by then broadcast programs, which vary and go on, and off the air. One end of the wave-meter coil is connected to a wire about six feet long and the other end of this wire is connected to the antenna binding post on the receiving set. The ground binding post on the set connects to the ground as usual. To balance the neutrodyne start th: buzzer and adjust the variable condenser to pick up the sound of the buzzer. When the buzzer is tuned in as loud as possible, remove the first radio frequency amplifying tube from the socket and place a piece of paper over one of the filament prongs, in such a way that the filament will not light when the It produces a constant signal in the re- tube is replad@d in‘ the socket. Then put the tube _ back in the socket and retune the set. Then ad- just_the neutrodon until the buzzer note is in- audible or nearly disappears. It may be impos- sible entirely to eliminate the sound of the buz- zer. The first tube is then balanced. Remove the insulation from the prong of the tube and put it back in the socket. The same method of neutralizing is applied to the second tube. The second tube is generally easier to bal-- ance than the first tube because the buzzer sound in the first tube is too loud, since it is closer to the tube. paper is removed from the prong and the set con- nected to the antenna in the regular way. 1 After the second tube is balanced the |
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Fo a I Ne al st eel STORE WITHIN STORE A remarkable feat of engineering has been accomplished in the construction of an addition to a Philadelphia department store. A fourteen- story structure has been erected inside the origi- nal building in the space originally devoted to a rotunda. The addition was built entirely through an eight-foot door, which was the only opening used for the introduction of steel beams, ma- chinery and all the other material used. a = re =~ . ABOU’ FISHES . Fish are nearly the same weight as the water } in which they live. so that they can move in it a with great ease. The majority of them also have an air bladder inside of the body, which -enables them to go up or down in the water at ‘ will. When a fish desires to go down deep it gan press the air out of this bladder by means of certain muscles and thus increase the weight 3 of its body, and when it wishes to rise again it ) takes off the pressure, the bladder fills with air :. again, and its body becomes light enough to rise. r : 2 2 DIES AT 134 ; rleans’ oldest resident, Antonio Solitana, iat oe old, a native of the Philippines, died yecently. He was ill only a few weeks and was said to be planning to be married. ‘The age of Solitana is vouched for by a New Orleans family which cared for him during his residence here. He was born in the Province of Cayagan, Philippines, in 1791 and, after serying in the army there for several years, he became cook on a whaling vessel. For a hundred years he sailed the seas on ships of virtually every na- ey eae 1860, according to the story of this life; Solitana was convicted of setting fire to a Brit- ish brig, but, was set free because of his advanced age. TALLY DEPLORES CONDITIONS menting after the conference on the crime Socetion in New York City, Judge Tally said: “Something must be done to make criminals fear the law. In my boyhood it was not uncom- jon to see a slip of a girl on lower Broadway carrying a bank book from the leaves of which protruded banknotes which she was about to de- posit. You don’t see that Sen a : te § you can see almost every afternoo an paar ed pull up toa bank on lower Broad- way. An armed guard jumps off and, placing his right hand on a large pistol in a holster strapped to his side, stations himself at the bank entrance. hand on his pistol, takes a post at the rear of the ear. A third man, with his hand on his pistol, then steps out with a bag of money and hurries _ jnto the bank. What a sad commentary on affairs - in this big city.”. : - ly : 7 FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY GOOD READING - ‘As#ther man steps out of the car and, with his _ 25 BRITAIN HAS 21 PHONES TO 1,000 INHABITANTS The formation is announced of the London Telephone Development Association, the object of which is to remedy the backwardness of the country in the matter of telephone development and usage. It is composed at present mainly of manufacturers interested in the telephone indus-. try. Its only customer is the State, but it realizes that in the end the public at large is its real clients, and it has decided on a direct appeal to them on the twofold ground of its own interests as manufacturers and of the general public con- - _ venience, +It has instituted a fund for this pur- — pose and is making an appeal to the public. Explaining the objects of the association, Sir Alevander Roger, the Chairman, said it had been launched by British manufacturers who were in- + terested, directly or indirectly, in the telephone industry.. They hoped it would speedily develop into a recognized central body, dealing with all questions affecting the industry in relation to the: requirements of users It was universally agreed that rapid communi- cations of all kinds were an index of national progress, und from that’ point of view it was un- satisfactory that Great Britain should not be leading the way in telephone usage. While the British Postal and Telegraph Service was ad- mittedly the best in the world, the nation is be- hind¥in the use of the telephone. There were only 21 telephones for every 1,000 inhabitants, as compared with 59 in Norway, 83 in Denmark and 143 in the United States. It seemed desirable that, whatever the under- lying cause might be, thesindustry as a whole should do everything possible to remove that dis- tinct handicap on national efficiency. It aims to make the. telephone occupy its rightful place _ both as an ally to business and as an indispens-* able, social and domestic service. By means of newspaper advertising and other methods, it in- tends to throw a searchlight on the many uses and amenities of the telephone auxilary service, so that all might see and appreciate them at a fuller value. It expects to help to create em- ployment in at least three distinct directions— in the manufacture, in the maintainance, and in the administration of more telephones through- out the country. Its general aim should be to make the telephone as much a part of every office, home and street as the main water supply. “Moving Picture Stories” A Weekly Magazine Devoted to Photoplays and Players PRICE TEN CENTS PER COPY Each number contains Three Stories of.the Best Films on the Screen—Elegant Half-tone Scenes from the Plays —Interesting Articles About Prominent People in the Films—Doings of Actors and Actresses in the Studio and Lessons in Scenario Writing. HARRY E. WOLFF, Publisher, Inc. ER aS 166 West 23d Street New York City f erg = 3 or t
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26 FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY NEW YORK, FEBRUARY 13, 1925 _ TERMS TO SUBSCRIBERS Single, Copies. fi...... eovery is lost. The tradition recorded by Pliny the Elder (about A. D. 23-79) concerning the i before the American beauty, “I would oa “You may act in that — ‘ferred your trade to my rival across the street. ‘Dealer (more gently)—May I ask, FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY way in which it was discovered bears the stamp of probability. This story was that long ago a Phoenician ship was making its way from Egypt to Syria, and that the crew of the vessel built a fire on a sandy beach. near Mount Carmel in Palestine to cook their food. They needed some- thine to prop up their pots over the fire and for this. purpose they took chunks of natron from the vessel’s car&o, natron being a crude sort 0 soda which was ee in embalming the dead. The heat of the fire fused this soda and sand together, forming lumps of glass which the sail- ors discovering in the morning. The story that Phoenecian merchants found. a glass-like sub- stance under their pots which had been supported ~ on blocks of natron.need not be discarded as pure fiction,” said the’ Encyclopedia Britannica. “The fire may well have caused the natron, an impure form of carbonate of soda, to combine _ with the surrounding sand to form a silicate of soda, which, although not a,permanent glass. is sufficiently glass-like to suggest the possibility of creating a permanent transparent material.” ee LAUGHS “He told me my operation would be absolutely = an seas “And wasn’t it?” “No, it eost me “I heard the missus talking about us,” said the _ cook. “What did she say,” inquired the chamber- maid. “She said we was neither of us any good. “Ain’t it terrible the way ladies talk about one another nowadays?” é _A Yankee clinched his argument with.an Eng- — lishman*as to the relative size of the Thames and Mississippi by saying: “Why look here, — mister, there ain’t enough water in the whole Thames to make a gargle for the mouth of the Mississippi.” ; Ben—So you think the sudienes ‘ag pleas with your singing? Bolt—Certainly. oie ypu hee io 6 atc ey pleased. “Yes; but they didn’t applaud until you Leg so I conclude that’s the time they were pleased.” as ° Prisoner—I didn’t steal the horse. I only took him from the fellow what stole him. Short—I ‘phoned that to the vigilance committee, but it’s no go. They ’phoned me to hang up the ee a ceiver. ; Rae SS “Ah,” eried the count, gallantly, as he bent low “was ze glove upon your hand.” capacity, count,” she replied, graciously. “I never wear a glove more than once, and then I give it i to my maid.” ft Small Dealer (gently)—I see-you have trans- Mr. Highhead (with dignity)—yYes, sir, I have ir, what have done to deserve this? Mr. Hig’ head (with added dignity)—You sent in your bill, That’s a sign they were ue
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; FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY , ARTICLES OF INTEREST ‘ CURIOUS OYSTER FIND While raking for seetl oysters down in _ Virginia, A. T, Muir caught with.tongs an oyster _ dish. Engraved inside of the dish was a flag of the old Weems Line of steamships, blue with a- red dot in the center. A natural oyster five inches long and three inches wide had formed on the side of the dish. There were no flaws or cracks in the dish. : ; ; _ MORE LEFT-HANDED MEN THAN WOMEN . Basing her observations on the results of ex- amination of 400 men and women, selected from the American Psychological Society, Prof. June E. 3 Downey of the University of Wyoming brought i forward some interesting conclusions with. regard ; to right and left handedness. People who are ambidextrous (that is, those who can use either | hand with equal expertness) are frequently of superior intelligence. The returns also indicated pronounced sex differences in handedness; fewer women are left-handed and fewer women are very strongly right-handed than men. This might be taken to indicate women in general are more in- _ telligent than men. Persons who place their left thumb over their right when they fold their hands show a hidden tendency toward left-handedness. For many individuals the distinction between right and left is not nearly as strong as the distinction between up and down; they learn the distinction only with the greatest difficulty. They often have recourse to some arbitrary association, such as a sear on the hand, a ring on the finger, or even specially constructed trousers with a pocket on one side only. ee ae ot Ne Sy ee eer ee ee Pe Vee ter ey ISLAND OF CRETE Crete is the fourth largest island in the Medi- terranean, 160 miles in length and from 7 to 35 miles in width, with an area of 3,330 miles and a population of about 350,000. Crete has been noted in history for thousands of years, since the island lies midway between Europe, Asia and Africa and has frequently been the battlerround of warring nations. It was the seat of the earliest European civilization (known as the “Aegean étvilization”) and the stepping stone for the arts and sciences to cross from Asia and Egypt. In € ancient times, Crete, which probably got its nome from Curetes, who lived there, was popu- - jous and had numerous fine cities. One of the early kings was Minos, who built the famous labyrinth. The Cretans were noted archers and used to serve as. such in the Greek and other - armies. In later times, after belonging to the Romans, Byzantines and Saracens, Crete was sold to the Venetians-in 1204 and ruled by them until con- palace was uncovered by excavations in recent ‘times and it was found to contain bathrooms, running water and ‘other conveniences which were currently supposed to be modern. In recent times Eleutherios Venizelos, a Cretan, who was at the head of the Greek Government, during the last - year or two of the recent Great War, succeeded in freeing his native island from Turkish rule in donkey are alike in many respects. quered by the Turks in 1669. King Minos’ great - 27 1897-1899, and it was placed under the govern- ment of a high commission. As a result of the Great War, Crete is now a part of. Greece. % FACTS ABOUT THE DONKEY 2 The donkeys of Spain are especially good, and ° in Egypt the donkey is far more precious than |. the horse. It is said that the donkey is far bet- ter able to find its way over the desert than is the camel, and travelers have reported seeing long lines of camels traveling in a caravan with a single donkey in the lead. The camels carry the water supply for their little pilot of the cara- van and, im return for this service, he leads them safely in the right direction. . ~The donkey is the father of the mule. On the Eastern continent donkeys run wild and have in= terbred with horses. The mule is the result of © this interbreeding, its father being the donkey and its mother the horse. The mule and the The mule is the larger of the two animals but both have the same streak of obstinacy and an excellent mem- ory. Asa matter of fact, their memory is often too good. They ‘will long remember people who have mistreated them and plainly show their re- sentment for a long time after. They are alike endowed with a will power that is peculiarly strong and they like to have their own way. This trait has earned for them the reputation of be- ing balky, obstreperous and obstinate. The donkey has a mouth that is lined with very tough skin so that he can live on vegetable fare that would probably kill a less hardy animai. . Thistles he can masticate thoroughly. Both the mule and the donkey can live on rough food on which a horse would starve to death. Each eats considerably less than a horse. “ In European and Asiatic countries and, in fact, in all countries where there is much mountainous territory, a greater part of the commerce is de- pendent upon the donkey. The hardy little ani- mal can carry a load of unbelievable weight with apparent ease and little discomfort. Caravans of them will start on a long trip over the mountains heavily loaded with merchandise for all parts of | — the world.. Over the mountains and down to.a seaport he will carry’ his burden. There the _ cargo of spices, camphor and whatnot is loaded — on ships and earried to the four corners of the | earth. : Interesting stories are told of the sagacity of the donkey. Many of the roads over which the donkey caravans travel are really nothing more then very narrow passes. Oftentimes these nar- row passes are mere niches cut high on the side’ of a mountain and only wide enough for one donkey. _It sometimes happens that a caravan passing in one direction meets a caravan travel- ing in the other direction. The problem of how — to pass on so narrow and perilous a pass is a perplexing one, but the donkeys solve it in very able fashion. One caravan lies flat on the reac, — perhaps. a thousand feet above a deep canyon. The donkeys of the other caravan then walk over them and go on their way. : oo ¥ 7 ~ : bay
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WORK TO AID LEPERS The American Mission to Lepers at its annual meeting answered questions concerning the dis- ease so that the public might know what leprosy ‘was and what was being done in the world-wide effort to eradicate it. The mission, with offices in New York and London, has direct supervision over ninety-five centres for lepers in thirteen countries. There are said to be at least 2,000,000 lepers in the world. Some estimates put the number at 8,000,000, or one person in every 800 of the earth’s population. There are from 500 to 1,000 lepers in the United States. In the last twelve years one or more lepers have been found in thirty-two dif- ferent States. According to the mission, there ¥% no cause for alarm that leprosy will spread in this country. If the disease is increasing here it is doing so slowly. Many of the cases have devel- oped among the foreign born. South China and India, as well as parts of Africa, have the largest number of lepers. ANOTHER WAR It is not to be denied that Germany is planning another war as soon as she can enter it with con- fidence of victory. The rising generation is burn- ing to vindicate Germany’s prestige, and we can rest assured that they will try to do so. What direction this will take is as yet unforeseen, Ger- many has become great by highway robbery of neighboring nations. About the time we were be- - eoming a nation, Germany was scarcely bigger than one of our townships; but she had an army —great for that day—of 7,000 men, and a well- filled treasury. Frederick the Great began look- ing around for somebody to use the army with which to rob some territory. He frankly said it was to. make the world know him and talk about him. McCauley says in one of his paragraphs: “Tn order that he might rob a neighbor whom he ‘had sworn to defend, black men fought each other on the shores of Coramandel, and red men sealped one another i:. the forests of America.” He gained Silesia by this war and every one of his successors has boasted that he has made a strong addition to German territory. It is not any more likely that the Germans have renounced this policy: than that the leopard’ can change his spots, or the Ethiopian change his skin. citar DOWN THE DISMAL SWAMP — Half a century ago the Dismal. Swamp Canal - gn Virginia was. one of the most important arti- ficial waterways in tue United States. In these - days of rapid railroad transportation, however, and owing to the competition of the Albermarle and Chesapeake Canal, which parallels it, it has drovped somewhat out of sight, though it is still - eonsiderably patronized. It is one of the oldest canals in the country, and its management is probably the oldest incorporated company of its ‘kind. George Washington was prominently con- nected with it, and he found it a yery available ¥ a > FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY HERE AND THERE means of obtaining supplies when he was con- tending with Cornwallis at Yorktown. Mr. Marshall Parks, the supervising inspector- general of steamboats, whose early days were ‘passed in canal construction in Virginia, tells an interesting and remarkably coincidental story of the building of the canal. Nearly. two cen- turies ago the large land owners of Virginia began to penetrate the dark and gloomy wilds of the Dismal Swamp in search of juniper and eypress shingles. The greatest difficulty with which they had to contend, however, was the ~ soggy condition of the soil, in which the wheels of their carts sank to the hubs. The further they penetrated the swamps this difficulty became greater,,and at last they resorted to the expedient of digging a narrow and ill-shaped ditch just deep enough to float a small flat boat. Down this canal the timber was floated to Deep Creek, a tributary of the Elizabeth River, and thence to : the market at Norfolk. Year by year the timber was cut away along the banks of the ditch, and each year, as the demand for juniper and cypress shingles became greater, it was extended further into the almost impenetrable wilds of the forest. The work was done altogether by slaves, with _ shovels and pickaxes. The uSe of steam shovels ‘S was then known and unthought of. The tower- , ing cypress trees were also felled and split into s shingles by slaves, who were given tasks each day by their overseers, and for all shingles they : made over the required amount they were paid extra. | One Sunday afternoon they were visited by their overseer who was much surprised to hear © several negroes singing away off in the swamp. Their voices sounded like faint echoes. He asked the slaves who lived constantly in the swamp, if they knew the men who were singing, and was S. told that they were North Carolina negroes. An = investigation of their unexpected and rather in- truding: presence was made, and the fact was — discovered that the North Carolina landowners, like those of Virginia, about twenty miles away, had experienced the same difficulties of hauling lumber in the soggy and treacherous swamp, and — had sent their slaves into the wilds to dig a ditch to aid them in their transportation of shingles and lumber. Z : For years these two forces worked independ- — ently of each other, and each, strange to say, was digging unawares, toward the other. The two sections of the canal were joined, and the point of connection is marked by an angle. The almost trackless swamp through which ms of stock of the Dismal Swamp Land Company was worth as much as $32,000. The tract original- ly taken up and surveyed embraces 60,000 square acres. About half as many additional square — acres are now embraced in the forest. ears <a r Bears’ wander unmolested in its trackless depths, and— the deadly rattler basks himself in the sun ‘with=" Be out fear of men. a Saar ea ¢
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‘Dont tell m you. never shad a chance!” “Four years ago you and I worked at. the same bench. We were both discon- tented. Remember the noon we saw the International Correspondence Schools’ advertisement? That woke me up. I ‘realized that to get ahead I needed special training, and I decided to let the I. C. S. help me.. When I marked the coupon I asked you to sign with me. You said, ‘Aw, forget it! : “T made the most of my opportunity and have been climbing ever since. - You had the same chance I had, but you turned it down. No, Jim, you can’t ex- pect more money until you’ve trained yourself to handle bigger work.” There are lots of “Jims” in the world—in- stores, factories, offices, everywhere. Are you -one of them? Wake up! Every time you see an I. C. S. coupon your chance is staring you in the face. Don’t turnit down. _ ae Right now more than 180,000 men are preparing themselves for bigger jobs and bet- ter pay through I. C. S. courses. You can join them and get in line for pro- motion. Mark and mail the coupon, and find out how. INTERNATIONAL. CORRESPONDENCE SCHOOLS Box 4498-C, Scranton, Penna. Without cost or obligation, please tell me-how I can rant A tor the position or in the subject before which I have marke: BUSINESS TRAINING COURSES Business Management Industrial Management Personnel Organization Traffic Management Business Law Banking and Banking Law Accountancy (including C.P. A.) Nicholson Cost Accdunting Bookkeeping Private Secretary Spanish U0 French Salesmanship Advertising « Retter Letters a Show Card Lettering * Stenography and Typing Business English © Civil Service Railway Mail Clerk ‘Common School Subjects High School Subjects Tilustrating © Cartooning TECHNICAL AND ede ee inh SS CaUneES Electrical Engineering Electric Lighting Mechanical Engineer Mechanical Drafteman Machine Shop Practice Railroad Positions - Gas Engine Operating Ciyil Engineer Surveying and Mapping } Archit Architect Blue Prints Contractor and Builder Architectural Draftsman Concrete Builder Structural Engineer Chemistry [ Pharmacy Automobile Work Airpldne Engines Metallurgy Navigation - zs Steam Engineering Agriculture and Poultry Radio Mathematica Name siiseisesseseee sbdvevosedeeneneneeevereedtorenesseseraevecsecescsqensensses deseecsedeseseesteetisre Street “24 AGATERE.....cecereeee aveseseeneeneeencececeanerenensecesseretheneerennaneetenesereresseneese ee CHY. ici. cccatsccvenese eendenserne soeseeeereesnseceee APSURER <cnes stoner deqoeniecdecewecenitbdss cabsge = Occupation..... Pereons residing. in. Canada ‘should ‘send ‘this ‘coupon Yo 4 “Interna- rae Corr: ¢spondence Schools Canadian, Limited, Montrecl, Canada, tn
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Le iy Sd STRONGFORT whose featsof strength have never been equalled on Concerts, Lectu: in Singing, etc. Can receive %5 to 100 miles and more, RUSH forcangeta ABSOLUTELY FREE h Don't delay. Write today for FREK RADIO PLAN. Home SupplyCo., 131 Duane St.,N.¥.Dept 937 GOV'T HELP REEDED 117-3250, stationary ator neat rite, Mr, Omment,533 Bt. Louis, Mo, immediately ‘ Allmen, women, boys, Government Positio: home, or traveling, a red, id “HE’S A HUSKY KID” You've heard that often, when’ one of your companions ‘has excited the admiration of onlookers by ‘some feat of strength. Men as well as boys—and women, too—like a STRONG man, one who can DO THINGS. ‘They have no use for weak, sickly fellows with no muscle or mind to take ¢are of themselves and make themselves respected. DON’T BE A WEAKLING, tag- ging along after stronger men or boys with no spirit in you, @ with flabby, undeveloped: muscles and the bad habits that are undermining your constitution written plainly in: your face.’ There isn’t any reason in the world why Make Yourself Strong you can’t do it, no matter what youmjcon- dition !s now, if you follow my directions for a few months. I BUILD UP BOYS AND MEN. T’ye spent a lifetime learning how to do it in the quickest, easiest way. I made myself the strongest man in the world. I am making men and boys strong in every part of the world. I will show you how to develop your muscles, clear your brain, strengthen your vital organs, get rid of ailments that are making you weak and sickly and holding: you back, and how to break away from evil Habits that may be ruining your life. My Book on Strongfortism will show you the way— You Can Do It Nature’s way, the easiest, quickest, simplest way, without having to\buy or take any patent medicine stuff. Thousands of my pupila have become strong, powerful men by means of Strongfortism—and you can prac- tice if you like, 38 many of them have done, without interfering with your school or work, in the privacy of your own bedroom. BUILD YOURSELF UP into a strong, red-blooded MAN. You'll be looking for a position pretty soon, and your whole success in life will depend on how your first employer sizes ybu up. Begin right now to FIT YOURSELF for that examination; get yourself in shape, so that when you stand up among a dozen other boys he will spot you at once and say, DON’T PUT IT OFF. Write now, TODAY, for my FREE BOOK, ‘‘Promotion and Conservation of Health, Strength and Mental Energy.’’ It will tell you just how you can become a big, strong MAN. There’s no charge for it, and : Just enclose llc piece, one dime, to pay for the postage and packing and. Y'll mail you a copy at once. as LIONEL STRONGFORT Physical and Health Specialist over 25 Years Dept. 1702 NEWARK, N. J, “Reduco” GOITRE Bandage FREE Love isthe greatest thing in the world, Why not have go98 luck in love? The heik, the world’s NO MONEY. trip of paper for ‘When it arrive! If you have Goitre or Big-Neck then send in your name and address and we will mail you a " Reduco” Goitre Bandage Free of Charge, also a very interesting and valuable booklet on how to Treat Your Goitre at Home. No Charge For This Now or Ever, Give Size Around Neck, Only one to each person, Send now while this offer lasts, Address DR. ROCK LABORATORY, Box 737, Derr. 637 Micwaukee, Wis. Old Money Wanted to premiums for all rare coins? kinds. Send de for large Coin May mean much profit to you. NUMISMATIC BANK, Dept. 436 $100.00 for eertain U. S. Cents? add: i Ht tell hy rea wew I tel, fa Ow SEAUTIFUL SILVER SET GIVEN landsoma di Pl attern. Stentnne willing to Do you know that Coin Collectors pay up And high We buy all Cireular, Et. Worth, Texas _ di n. Guaranteod 6 ours f bonea Martie STAMP LO V- ERS’ LEAGUE An _ organiza- tion known as the Stamp _ Lovers’ League, which was started with four clubs in New Jersey more than a year ago, has been endeavoring to make it: easy for members to exchange their duplicate - stamps for copies they do not possess: The system is arrang- ed by monthly circuits, the books of stamps being held each club for the perusal of mem- bers for one month, and then they are sent on to another club. The. plan has worked. so well that three addi- tional clubs, in- cluding one in Brooklyn and one in this city have joined the league, making a mem- bership of seven. The oldest club in the league is the Rutherford Stamp Club, of which C. Maars- chalk is Presi- dent. It has been in existence six years and recent- ly formed a jun- ior auxiliary which has sever- al young philatel- ists from twelve to seventeen years of age. The other clubs are the Hudson Coun- ty. Stamp Club of West Hoboken, the Philatelic So- ciety of the Oranges with headquarters in East Orange, the Newark. Stamp Club, the Pas-~ saic Stamp Club, © the Workmen’s Stamp Club, of 342 West Eighty-~ fifth street, Man- hattan, and the Stamp Collectors’ — Club of Brooklyn. by — pot ot
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PO eee oe Pe ee Pee > eines ears Ee Cece i Ce ee A ope OLD BUT SPRY _ William Mack- ay, of Sydenham, an outlying dis- trict of London, is eighty years old, but that does not deter him from celebrating his birthday in a Spartan manner. No cakes and candies and feast days for Mr.Mackay. On the morning of his eightieth birthday William arose at 4, and leaving the rest of his household peacefully sleep- ing started on a -twelve-mile walk to the Highgate | 8 Bathing Ponds. At 8 o’clock he was in the water, and, to use his own words, “as fres h as -a daisy.” This enuemetie Londoner cele- brated his seventy- fifth birthday in the same way, and in- tends to do the same thing at eighty-five. He is very glad his birthday falls in March. “I hate summer bath- ing,” he _ says, ¥ “there’s hardly room to kick. Whereas in March there’s no crowd.” Another won- derful Londoner, ‘though of a dif- ferent type, is Mrs. Gambrill, ‘aged seventy-, four, who has ‘just resumed her dancing lessons, after an interup- tion by a trip to Monte Carlo! Mrs. Gambrill is ambitious. She is not satisfied with modern dancing. ‘and so has taken “up a course of ballet dancing, ‘and physic al ‘training. [OP Ne a ea en ae eee Se yo a eee ROLL Em FREE ine Eestman, ROLL films. Sy ‘only 40 pkts. vegetable seeds at 10 large pkt. EASILY SOLD. Get 40 pkts. today. WE TRUST VOU with seeds ontil sold. AMERICAN SEED CO. Bex K-127 Lancaster, Pouna. HOWTO MAKE LOVE (NEW BOOK) Tells how to Get Acquainted; How to Begin Courtship How to Courta Bashful Girl; to Woo a |) Widow; to wis an Heiress; how to catch a Rich Bachelor; how tomanage your aids goatps him Propose: show tomake oe fellow or girl love you; what todo " fore and after the wedding’ Tells 6 other things necessary for Lovers to know, Samp ay mail 10 conte. BOTAL BOOK CO0., Box 236 orwelk, Conm LATEST. 2wrist Watch re REE < Wie m An exquisite little Bracelet Watch in the new Platiruam finish. Jeweled crown, satin finish Roman dial engraved : = design on case, Stem wind na stem set. Guaranteed to aeep good time. Has a good quality black ribbon and patented adjustable clasp. A very je fig Wrist Watch for young Girls aud Ladies. Given for ‘ew hours work selling our Perfumed Sachet at 10ca packe of Write today for 24 packs ge order and easy plan for oe this handsome Wrist Watch FREE. NES MFG. CO., Dept. 102, ATTLEBORO, MASS, GROW TALLER INCREASE YOUR HEIGHT! Simple, Natural, Easy Meth- od, Will increase your height and improve your appearance. Write tor FREE Booklet. Dept. M. THE NATURAL METHOD BUREAU Atlantic City, N. J. ——— Your Skin Can Bo Quickly Cleared of Pimples, Blackheads. Acne Eruptions on the face or body, Barbers Itch, Eczema, Enlarged Pores and Oily or Shiny Skin, FREE ™ Write ie today ioe my FREE BOOKLET, 8 SezNn,”"— For sie', Pell how maces S mayeelf 2 after being afflicted E.S.GIVENS,186 Chemical Bidg., Kansas City, Mo. | TOBACCO Habit Cured or No Pay Any soba ag cide poe a oy Serene lye anteed. Harm Complete treatment sent trial. Costs $1.00 a it cures. Nothing if it faile. SUPERBA CO. M-21. Baltimore, Md. THROW YOUR Je Under the table, into a ~, a as Trunk, down Cellar or anywhere, Our lessons in VENTRILOQUISM teaches you, With our VENTRILO (fitsin the mouth and (7Z cannot be seen) and (Z imitate Birds, Ani- mals, etc. without moving goer This out JOKES ae mail for.lO-, Universal. Dist. Eom Box 502, Stamford, Ct. £ ‘ A ae eo a: nea th ane ee oo RRR Why Don't You Reduce? Aren't you tired of being called fat? Aren't you tired of being made fun of, tired of being unable to do the things that slender people do? Then here is what you are isang Fr a pimple, pleasant, method of reducing — Marmo la Pre- scription Tablets. Just take one of these tablets after each meal and at bedtime and almost immedi- ately your fat will begin to disappear. time you will be as slender ag you want to be. Ina short : Don’t endanger your, to your druggist and ask for 8 box of ‘larmola acription Tablets, or, if you prefer, send one dollar to the Marmola Co., 1879 General Motors Bldg:, De- . troit, Mich., ahd s box will’ be sent postpaid. Then. try them. See how quickly. slender—with- out tiresomé ex- ercises orstarva- tion diets. Eat anything you want, Marmola Tablets will make you slen- der! Get your box and 8 tare: today, Athletic consisting of re Punching Bag, 2|f FREE. Write at meegionce for Tree BiAthletic Plan. Home Supply Co. Dept. 262 New York City THE MAGIC BOX OF A “) ND WONDERS} | Toes F REE - ; EAS aE Here is eens jMasiog Re ei ak things. 24 fire = z == Dies, prc \ B Leaping Frow Fou ald heath, SAY Myater; f Sees) Beet ie pele ey e yo ora. tok See: } ‘ 131 Duane St. c Secreta kf ee, cea th tek RES Becher & 1be ach end Ai SR PARSS. flor ei 24 packages ea JONES MFG. CO., ATTLEBORO, Dept. $57 Wonderful, new sori guides your hand‘ corrects - your writing in few days. Big improvement ee res ase No failures. Complete outline F Write C. J. Ozment, Dept.;9 St. Louis, Mo, health by staying fat. Go | Pre-. they make you.
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406 West 23d Street ‘FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY —. LATEST ISSUES —— 865 Boss of the Market; or, The Greatest Boy in Wall Street. 966 The Chance of His Life; or, The Young Pilot of Crytal Lake. 967 atthe. for Fortune; or, From Bell-Boy to Million- aire. - 968 Out for Business; or, The Smartest Boy in Town. 969 at ce of Fortune; or, Striking It Rich in Wall Street. 970 Through Thick and Thin; or, The Adventures of a Smart Boy. : 971 Doing His Level Best; or, Working His Way Up. 972 ee its on Deck; or, The Boy Who Made His Mark. 973. A Mint of Money; or, The Young Wall Street Broker. 974 The Ladder of Fame; or, From Office Boy to Senator. 975 On the Square; or, The Success of an Honest Boy. 976 After a Fortune; or, The Pluckiest Boy in the West. 977 Winning the dollars; or ,The Young Wonder of Wall Street. 978 Making His Mark; or, The Boy Who Became President. 979 Heir to a Million; or, The Boy Who Was Born Lucky. 980 ost in the Andes; or, The Treasures of the Buried CAE. 981 On His Mettle; or, A Plucky Boy in Wall Street. 982 A Lucky Chance; or, Taking Fortune on the Wing. 988 The Road_to Success; or, The Career of a For- tunate Boy. ‘ Chasing Pointers; or, The Luckiest’ Boy in Wall Street. 985 Rising in the World; or, From Factory Boy to Manager. 986 From Dark to Dawn; or, A Poor Boy’s Chance. 987 Out for Himself; or, Paving His Way to Fortune. 988 Diamond Cut Diamond; or, The Boy Brokers of Wall Street. 989 A Start in Life; or, A Bright Boy’s Ambition. 990 Out for a Million; or, The Young Midas of Wall Street. 991 Every Inch a Boy; or, Doing His Level Best. 992 Money to Burn; or, The Shrewdest Boy in Wall Street. % 993 An Bye to Business; or, The Boy Who Was Not 994 Tipped by the Ticker; or, An Ambitious Boy in all Street. 995 On to Success; or, The Boy Who Got Ahead. 996 A Bid for a Fortune; or, A Country Boy in Wall _ Street. 997 Bound to Rise; or, Fighting His Way to Success. Out for the Dollars; or, A Smart Boy in Wall Street. 999 For Fame and Fortune; or, The Boy Who Won Both. 1000 A Wall Street Winner; or, Making a Mint of Money, 1001 ihe re to Wealth; or, The Boy Who Found t Out. 1002 On 8 Wing; or, The Young Mercury of Wall Street. 1003 A Chase for a Fortune: or, The Boy who Hustled. 1004 Tugsiiog with the Market; or, The Boy Who Made It Pay. 5 Cast Adrift; or, The Luck of a Homeless Boy. seas pee the Market; or, A Keen Boy in Wall § at. 1007 a Boe of Money: or, The Legacy of a Lucky Boy. 4008 From Rags to Riches; or, A Lucky Wall Street Messenger. é : Raa His Merits: or, The Smartest Boy ve. pats Sexpoing the Brokers; or, A Game Wall Street Boy, For sale by all newsdealers, or will be sent to any address on receipt of price, 8c. per copy, in money or stamps, by HARRY K.- WOLFF, Publisher, Inc., New York City prepared cards. _ HOW TO PLAY CARDS.—A complete and - handy little book, giving the rules and ful! directions OUR TEN-CENT HAND BOOKS Useful, Instructive, and Amusing, They contain Valuable Information on Almost Every Subject. No. 26. HOW TO ROW, SAIL AND BUILD A BOAT. —Fully illustrated. Full instructions are given in this little book, together with instructions on swimming and riding, companion sports to boating. No. 28. HOW TO TELL FORTUNES.—Every one is desirous of knowing what his future life will bring forth, whether happiness or misery, wealth or poverty. You can tell by a glance at this little book. Buy one and be convinced. No. 29. HOW TO BECOME AN INVENTOR.—Every boy should know how inventions originated. This book explains them all, giving examples in electricity, hy- gs Nest magnetism, optics, pneumatics, mechanies. o. 30. books on cooking ever published. It contains recipes for cooking meats, fish, game and oysters; also pies, puddings, cakes and all kinds of pastry, and a grand collection of recipes. No, 33. HOW TO BEHAVE.—Containing the rules and etiquette of good society and the easiest and most approved methods of appearing to good advantage at arties, balls; the theatre, church, and in the draw- HOW TO PLAY GAMES.—A complete and useful little book, containing the rules and regulations pe billiards, bagatelle, back-gammon, croquet, domine ete. No. 36. HOW TO SOLVE CONUNDRUMS.—Contain- ing all the leading conundrums of the day, amusing rid- dles, curious catches andewitty sayings. / No 40. HOW TO MAKE AND SET TRAPS.—In- cluding hints on how to catch moles, weasels, otter, rats, squirrels and birds. Also how to cure skins. Copiously illustrated. : No. 41. THE BOYS OF NEW YORK END MEN’S JOK EBOOK.—Containing a grdat variety of the latest jokes used by the most famous end men. No amateur minstrels is complete without this wonderful little book. No. 42. THE BOYS OF NEW YORK STUMP- SPEAKER.—Containing a varied assortment of stump speeches, Negro, Dutch and Irish. Also end men’s jokes. Just the thing for home amusement and amateur shows, No. 45. THE BOYS OF NEW YORK MINSTREL ‘GUIDE AND JOKE BOK.—Something new and very instructive... Every boy should obtain this book, as it contains full instructions for organizing an amateur minstrel troupe. No. 46. HOW TO MAKE AND USE ELECTRICITY. ~A description of the wonderful uses of electricity and electro magnetism; together with full instructions for making Electric Toys, Batteries, ete. By George Trebel. A. M., M. D. Containing over fifty illustrations. \ No. 48. HOW TO BUILD AND SAIL CANOES.—A handy book for boys, containing full directions for con- structing canoes and the most popular manner of sail- ing them. Fully illustrated. No. 49. HOW TO DEBATE.—Giving rules for con- ducting debates, outlines for debates, questions for dis- cussion and the best sources for procuring information on the question given. ‘ No. 50. HOW TO STUFF BIRDS AND ANIMALS. —A valuable, book, giving instructions in collecting, pre- paring, mounting and preserving birds, animals and in- sects. : No. 51. HOW TO DO TRICKS WITH CARDS.—Con- taining explanations of the general principles of sleight- of-hand applicable to eard tricks; or card tricks with ordinary cards, and not requiring sleight-of-hand; of tricks involving sleight-of-hand, or the use of specially Illustrated. No. 52. for playing Euchre, Cribbage, Cassino, Forty-Five, Rounce, Pedro Sancho, Draw Poker, Auction Pitch, All Fours, and many other popular games of cards. No. 54. HOW TO KEEP AND MANAGE PETS.— Giving complete information as to the manner and meth- od of raising, keeping, taming, breeding and managing all kinds of pets; also giving full instructions for mak- — ing cages, etc. Fully explained by twenty-eight illus-— trations. For sale by all néwsdealers, or will be sent to any address on receipt of price, 10c. per copy, in money or stamps, by HARRY E, WOLFF, Publisher, Inc. — 166 West 23d Street HOW TO COOK.—One of the most instructive - New York City