Fame And Fortune Weekly (no. 1190) (1928 07 20)

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BOYS GIBWiae MONEY. $ 50000 FnouA NICKEL; WHO WAS [UCKY IN STOCKS. (AUB L pT SI Ong) LI 70 ELE =e Ree ag AR anaes o oen a FF OTIC pee a, AND a z y Ti) a 2 ==, = E a) ey s : on : a Pe? ee ir inet We» ‘a ee Fe, “Take him down and stow him away in the little closet behind the ladder,” ordered : Gaston, pointing at the prisoner. While the confederates were obeying the order, : > Gwin br ~en the tin box aaG proceeded to exan ie its contents. ’ wt} ——_— >

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MeWeotary beg magi Con Inc. 140 Cedar wercet New York WY! Rotered’ a Second Clase Macter by Pe the Post-onice at New’ York. NY. ander the Act ot March B 1Nt iz ate No. 1190 NEW YORK, JULY 20. 1928 Price 8 Cents, me iuas From A Nickel © OR, THE BOY WHO WAS LUCKY IN STOCKS ° - ‘Bob, so, earnestly that the street Azad loo _ CHAPTER I.—Cash—One Nickel. “Well, I’ve got just one nickel and a letter. to & man in Wall Street, which will land me in a job,” said Bob Eaker, as he stepped ashore from the Albany Day Boat at the foot of Desbrosses Street, one afternoon, about half-past five. He was a healthy, strapping lad, with a slightly pro- vincial air, and nea‘ly attired in a plain business suit. In one hand he carried a suitcase which eontained all of his worldly possessions that he was able to bring with him. By A SELF-MADE MAN “Are ver really strapped? What. yer been doin’ with yer-chink? Came off the boat, didn’t yer?” “My pocket was picked on the way down the river, and I’ve only got a nickel left.” “Yer don’t say? Well, wot’s tke difference. The nickel ’ll pay yer way home on the clevated and then you'll be all right.” “T haven’t any home to. go to.” “Wot! no home?” exclaimed the Arab, looking at Bob in astonishment. foe} I’ve just come to New York to go to work.” “I’ve also got a healthy appetite, but I need “Dat’s so? Wh from?” the price to satisfy it,” he continued, as he looked = wprayn "ere You come from at the moving procession of trucks and other “Dat's up the river, ain’t it?” ‘ vehicles passing up and down West street before “Yes, ; him. It was a novel] scene to him. for this was his first appearance in New York City. He had been born and raised in Troy, up the State, and hav- ing lately lost his only relative, his mother, which threw him on his own resources, he had come to the metropolis, like many others, to seek his fortune. “No supper, no bed and no breakfast seems to be the program for the next few hours,” he mut- tered, as he started to thread his way through a teams. “That is what I call tough. When I left Troy I had twenty dollars in my pocket, but some rascal picked my pocket and now I’m on my uppers. Only for the nickel I’d be flat broke. I might just as well be for a nickel hardly There’s a small restaurant,” he said, as _ counts. he landed on the_ sidewalk. See re oa if the aged would give me g to do in ex- for a meal He soight if if " nexplainied the I’m in.” “Carry yer bag to the stashun for a nickel,” Mids footed youth, glidin, up beside him. “Thanks. tor I need the—nickel to make my with,” replied Bob. “Aw, shat yer givin’ me! Be a sport and gs a feller a show to make his supper,” said “I wish I saw a show to make my own ” said Kked at ou’re a gent, ain’t yer?” he said. _ | Sisatodlaa ebay as “Yor a hayseed, ain’t yer?” grinned the zee “But if yer ain’t got no money yer can’t be took in by dem confidence chaps wot_are ys on the lookout for fellers dat ain’t fly to der game. Where are yer goin’ to put up for de night?” “In one of the parks, I guess.” “Dat’s tough. If I had one of me cards = me I'd give ver a knock-down to me friend, the Stacia of de Waldorf-’Sstoria,” chuckled the “Waldorf Storia! What place is that?” “Dat’s de swell hotel uptown. Dere are udders, but most all de folks of note stop dere, because it’s de proper caper, see? “Swell hotel, eh? Say, don’t jolly me, yo fellow about giving me your ie If rae to do me a favor tell me if you think the boss of that restaurant over there would give me my supper if I offered to work it out.” - “I couldn’t tell yer, as I’m not on speakin’ — terms wit’ him. I wouldn’t like to try him me- self. He’s chased me two or t’ree times = from his door.” : “Say, where do you live, and what's: pe name? “Me name is Pete Swift, and I live wit? me — uncle, the mayor. “Mayor of eat?” “Oh, cut out your kidding! “I ain’t kiddin’. S ager a. ye one mayor in New Y. ~ “Mayor of Green’ich a ree grinned the ops ;

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for I want to forage for a meal, and I can’t get one any too quick.” 4 “Sorry to lose yer, but yer ain’t told me wot Maybe yer’ve got a card.” If you ever want to “>, , | Ver name was. s && ~ “My name is Bob Baker. see me you'll find me in Wall Street.” “Where?” ; “Wall Street, where the Stock Exchange is. pllFe You know where it is.” a “Hully gee! What yer goin’ to do in Wall : Street wit’out a cent?” “I’ve got a job there.” “Wot, already?” Yes. I’ve been recommended to a broker who wants a boy, and who said he’d give me an open- ing.” Fen yer all right.” : “TI expect to be to-morrow, but in the mean- time, owing to the loss of my twenty dollars I’m on the ragged edge.” * “Who is de man yer goin’ to work for?” * “You n what is his name?” “Yep.” “Philip Gaston.” ; “Whw don’t ver look in de directory for his fname, sad to his Foon ll him how yer fixed, He'll see yer t’rough. F “That isn’t a bad idea. I never though of it. I. think I’ll do it if I can find a directory.” “Most of de drug stores has ‘em. Dey won't charge yer not’in’ to look inter it. Everybody does it.” , 3 “I’m much obliged for the suggestion, Pete. “Don’t menshun it. Yer welcome. When me automobile is repaired I'll drive over to Wall y Street and call on yer. So long!” a Bob. decided to try and get supper before he hunted up a city directory, for he was nearly famished. Accordingly, he walked into the cheap restaurant and put his case before the proprie- OrYyou don’t look as if you were broke,” said a I was robbed of all my money on the - Albany Day Boat.” ‘ ats Le “Are you a stranger in the city. -“Yes; but I've got a letter to a Wall Street broker, who’s going to give me a job.” “Let’s see the letter. Bob handed him the envelope. It was addressed to “Philin Gaston, Esq., No. — Wall Street.” “Well,” said the man, “I ain’t in the habit of trusting stranzers. It doesn’t pay. But I’ll take a chance on you. You can eat a quarter’s worth ae : chalk it inst r honesty. I'll alg oo eal so few days and ; to come arou seni +, “TI] do it,” replied Bob, gratefully. “I expect borrow some money from Mr. mor- or to-night, if I can find out where he lives, hire i for myself right away, You are very 5 Sit down at that table and order When th he oe was name to the "$50,000 FROM A NICKEL street to find a drug store that had a city direc- tory open to the public. After going several blocks he found a direc- tory and looked up the name of Philip Gaston: He found the following: “Gaston, Philip, stock broker, — Wall street; home, — East 62d street.” “That’s him, I guess,” thought the boy. “At any rate I’ll call there. I hate to spend my last nickel so I'll walk. I wonder how far it is?” He started un Broadway and in due times reached Fourteenth street. He rested himself on”. a bench in Union Square and then continued on to Twentv-third street. He sat down awhile in Madison Square, as the hour was comparatively early. He asked the man who sat next to him the shortest route to take to reach the number he wanted. “Go up Fifth avenue.” “Where is Fifth avenue?” asked Bob. “That street that comes in yonder,” pointing. Bob thanked him and resumed his tramp. It was quite a walk to 62d street, but he got there at last, and found that the numbers started from the avenue and went east. , Mr. Gaston lived in one of the big brownstone houses on the first block. As Bob approached the house, Broker Gaston was seated in his hand- some library in company with his cashier, Ed- ward Gwin. “Yes, Gwin for six months I have considered myself master of my brother’s business and*for- tune, the revenues of which have been insufficient as yet to discharge the debts which a life of ex- travagance has char, against me. Now I’ve just made the astonishing and disquieting dis- covery, that my brother, in atoning for his own follies, has ruined me,” said the broker. “Ruined you, Mr. Gaston!” exclaimed the cash- ier. “You amaze me!” “Well, it’s a facet. I will explain my situation to you. My late brother, Henry, as you are aware, established the business which I succeeded to by virtue of being heir-at-law. I was his represen- tative in the board-room while you were second bookkeeper.” Mr. Gwin nodded. “His death made me, as I supposed, his suc- cessor. I took charge of everything—the office, this house, his bank accounts and investments— and became for the time being a rich man. I quietly Eo rid of the old cashier and raised you to that position.” “You did, use I was useful, nay, indispen- sable to you,” said Gwin. The broker frowned, but went on. “For six months I have been living in a fool’s paradise, and now it appears that I must resign everything, and be con with a salary in, as merely the manager of the business, if the lady choses to continue me in that capacity.” * lady!” exclaimed the cashier. “What lady?” My brother’s widow.” “His widow! Why, I wasn’t aware that he was married.” “Neither was I, but it appears he was. The proofs forwarded to me from San Francisco ap- pear a It seems that Lepage, ried many years was ice Ageia bus Wiix of bar’ ke asncriad Ae yan Sey See 2 ee a Henry was a gay in his way. Very much like the old

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ae | _ sailor who had a sweetheart in every port. At any rate, he married this respectable young per- son under an assumed riame,-and when he pulled up stakes and came East she was unable to trace him.” - '. “Bum!” ejaculated Gwin. ; “Orie of the results.of the marriage was 4 daughter whom he never saw.” : “So you have been an uncle for a long time without: knowing it,” smiled the cashier, grimly. - “It would appear so. My brother wore his marital harness lightly,,for he never breathed a word about it to me.- I had come to regard him as a confirmed bachelor up to the day of his death. When he was taken down with his last iYmess, and lesrned from~ the doctor that his hours were numbered, his conscience became a bit tender and he called in a yopng lawyer, unknown to me, had him draw up.a will leaving everything to his wife, and- Ga os me the young attorney ‘west to hunt up the . It took the lawyer six months to accomplish the object of his mission, and during that. time I was allowed to come into possession. This morning I received a letter from him, explaining everything and notifying me that he had found my. sister-in-law, and would start East with her and her ca mk pg ie daugh- ter, immediately. He regretted necessity of dispossessing me, but under the circumstances there was no alternative. He presumed, he said, that I would be allowed—hark .ye, allowed—to run the brokerage office as manager and repre- sentative of the widow. That’s how the case stands, Pleasant, isn’t it?” satirically. ; “Decidedly so.” replied Gwin, with a_ slight laugh. “I should have thought your — brothe would at least have left the business to you. His widew would haye been quite rich enough with- out it.” “It either did not occur to him to do so, or he ” chose to mak: amends: for his treatment of his wife as full as was in his power. At any rate, he. fixed so that I now come out at the ; things sthall end of the horn.” “Well, what are you going to do about it?” “What _ I do but veld as gracefully as pos- anand , you, ‘sir, quietly give up fortune sf can ting one effort to retain it?” “i The lady, according to that I see.” ; “No? To-day are possessed of affluence. ized in Wall Street as your brother's legiti- . What will your standing be when legal possession of everything? n? I hate to figure on it. -natured raillery ympathize, i $50,000 FROM A NICKEL clear case. resolute measures be adopted to resist “Indeed!” “Promise me $50,000 if I save the day for you and I will help you out.” “What can you do, Gwin?” asked the broker, in surprise. “Is it a bargain?” “I should be glad to make such a bargain if I thought that x “Is it a bargain? paper to that effect?” “First explain your plan. I will give you the paper.” “Good! Now listen.” But at that moment there was a ring at the doorbell and the appearance of a servant at the door of the library interrupted the interview. Will you give mea signed If I think well of it CHAPTER Il.—The Rascally Compact. - “Well, what is it?” asked the master of the house, impatiently. “There is a boy at the door, sir, who wishes to see you.” “A boy! Who is he, and what does he want?” “He says he has brought a letter of introduc- tion to you.” ; “Show him into the parlor and I will see him.” The servant retired and piloted Bob Baker, who was the caller, into the pac. In a few minutes the broker entered the room. “Well, young man, what can I do for you?” hé said. - ‘Bob handed him the letter he had brought. It was not sealed and Mr. Gaston read it. “So you are Bob Baker to whom I promised the position as messenger in my office?” “Yes, sin” “I guess you'll do for you look like a smart boy, and my friend Adams recommends you high- ly. You will report at my office in the morning at nine o’clock. You haven't found lodgings for yourself yet, eh?” he added, glancing at the boy’s. suitcase. “No, sir. to get any.” o! How is that?” Bob explained how he had been cleanéd out on the boat by some unknown “ “That is the reason I took the sa of call- ing at your house to see if you would advance me a few dollars to carry me over.” : “How did you find out my residence?” “From the city directory. The him acquainted with Gwin. - “He lost his money on the boat said Mr. Gaston. “Some pick I have just advanced him $10. him with it on the books, and he The fact is, I haven’t any money

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“J guess I’d better send somebody with you to find a suitable place,” said Mr. Gaston, pushing a button twice. Presently a man in house livery appeared. “William, have you had your dinner?” asked the broker. “T am eating it now, sir,” answered the man, respectfully. “After you have finished I wish you to take this young man downtown and find him a board- ing house within easy reach of the Sixth. avenue elevated road.” “Yes, sir.” : “A genteel, reasonably priced house. a. hand?” ; “Yes, sir.” . “Take him into the parlor now. He will wait there till you are ready.” So Bob was marched back to the parlor, which was illuminated by one electric bulb. Illumin- ated is hardly the word, for the room was long, _--_—s- fairly wide and lofty, so that the single bulb ie. only lighted up a little part of it. te The furniture was substantial and the other - furnishings costly. magnificent large rug, a that must have cost $1,000 or more, covered the oo center of the floor. The decoration of the walls and ceiling was as fine as art could make them. = The curtains and hangings of the windows were : in perfect keeping with the rest of the room. J Altogether it represented high-class taste and lavish expenditure, and what little Bob was able to see of it quite took his breath. “Now, sir, we will continue our conversation,” said Gwin, as the door closed behind Bob and the second man of the house. “Well, what plan have you to lay before me?” - replied the broker. : any “When do you expect your brother’s widow “Probably in a week.” “She and her daughter will be accompanied by the young lawyer whom your brother sent West to find them?” “IT am so advised.” “Have you anv idea of the route they will take? ‘Will they leave California by the Southern Pa- - ¢ifie road, or by the Central Pacific?” “JT eouldn’t tell you.” “Then it would be advisable for you to tele- graph the lawyer to select his route so as. to connect with the Pennsylvania road.” _ “Why?” asked the broker. “You have a country residence near Elizabeth.” _ “My late brother’s.” Under- F ns necessary to ish to leave In your message say that you will meet the > at Philadel ~ ‘ f a2 $50,000 FROM A NICKEL the entire prospects of many people. For in- stance, after your worthy sister-in-law and her daughter ire comfortably fixed at their country home—we will call it theirs under the existing circumstances—the house might catch fire, burn down, and they in it. That would relieve you of the necessity of making a six months’ account- ing of the estate.” “There isn’t one chance in a hundred of such a thing happening.” “No? It is remarkable how people will differ on a subject. Now I think there is every chance of such a catastrophe taking place.” “Perhaps you will explain why you think so?” “Because it is to your interest that such a thing should take place. It is also to mine.” “Yours?” “Certainly. I am interested to the extent of $50,000.” “Fifty thousand dollars!” “Precisely. You promised to pay me that sum if I helped you out of your predicament.” “Then your plan is to burn the country house down when my sister-in-law and niece are in it, and thus——” “Secure you in absolute possession of your late brother’s estate. That is one of my plans. After I have gone well into the matter I may find some other:plan equally as effective and lessly costly.” “But this is murder, Gwin,” cried the broker, aghast. “There is no occasion for you to give it such a strong term. Accidents will happen in the best regulated households, why not at your country place near Elizabeth?” : “I don’t like your scheme, Gwin.” “I am sorry. Have you considered what is at stake? Can you tamely see yourself reduced from wealth to comparative dependence? Haye you thought how different your position will be if your brother’s widow and child come to the front as the acknowledged heirs of all this prop- erty as well as the Wall Street business?” “Have you a of the enormity of the crime” you have proposed?” 3 e “My dear Mr. Gaston, I never let my mind dwell on the unpleasant side of any matter if I can help it,” said the cashier, suavely, drawing a cigar from his pocket and lighting it with a match scretched on the sole of his shoe. “I am thinking at present of the $50,000. That is a _ great deal pleasanter.” “Gwin, I can’t undertake to fall in with your views. Your plan is too——” — “Well?” “Strenuous, to use an easy name for it. Per- haps as manager I may be able to get along. will be practically the boss of the business. That’s -much better than the position I held while my ~ brother was alive.” “Manager—hum! will be manager?” “What other arrangement would my sister-in- law make? I am the man she will naturally con- fide in - run ac weer rast cues detail at my fingers’ a am the logical manager.” ~ Gwin smiled sa tically, while he puffed non- — - chalantly at his cigar. + a “Your points are well taken, Mr. Gaston, but - — —suppose the lady should decide that she did_ not care to continue the brokerage business?” How do you know that you | & « a alge GT RS Rig Shed cet ade bey SNe | Poe es RS ee a ae Y- a a. ; Pe ows ers - ate 5 vay al Tt) Melo Ei, => i ee ae 2 ee s : sO ret 2

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ee ee NS Fe ee TIO A MOAT 000.022 $50,000 FROM A NICKEL “Not continue a profitable business? Ridicu- us. “There is no accounting for a woman’s whims. If you are going to protect yourself you have got to consider the case from all its different angles. Suppose she decided to wind up the business, where would you be? You have no funds to if take it off her hands. At your age, with no money to speak of, vou would hardly be able to build up a business, You would lose your seat in the Exchange, for the lady would naturally realize on an asset worth close on to $100,000. Mark me, sir! I have had experience with wo- men, and I know them. Onge your sister-in-law is safely established in this inheritance you will find that matters will not go as you seem to think. You are really nothing to her, and she will soon give you evidence of the fact. Twist this matter as you will, the only hope you have is to fall in with my views and let me help you win out.” ; ; The broker stared at his rascally cashier. “You sit there, Gwin, like the enemy of man- kind, 4empting me to engage ina crime. You grasp me by the hand and drag me to the verge of an abyss whence I may plunge to everlasting ruin,” he said, in a shaking tone. 1 “What nonsense you are talking, sir! yourself and be a man.” “A murderer you mean!” : _“Pshaw! Double the promised sum and you _-need take no part in the matter at all. Guar- antee me $100,000—that’s but a tenth part of the value of the estate—and I'l] engage to clear your path of the obstacles that now obstruct it. Gwin dropped his former soft tone and spoke with some energy. Nigh es “I will be your accomplice, just the same, said Rouse aston. : _ Well, that can’t be helped; but the chief risk will be mine.” “T must consider the matter.” -“There is nothing to consider. You must agree to my plan or step down and out of the prop- . Which is it to-be?” - : agree,” said the broker, desperately. “Good! The business is already half accom- plished. Where there’s a will there always is & way. Permit me to use your desk and I will draw up the paper which you are to sign. Then, we will be hand-in-glove, and success is bound to be vours, while I will be well provided for. The cashier seated himself at the desk close ‘iby and began to write. Ou vv - oo. ).. = i CHAPTER III.—Bob’s Introduction to Wall St. In the meantime, William took Bob downtown with him and found a suitable boarding place for ~ the boy in West Twenty-third street, near Sixth | He explained to Bob that he was to go Rector street in the morning on a train ae — ane bri into the ilding out on the third floor. You’ll see Mr. Gaston’s name on the front suite of offices.” : “Thanks,” said Bob. “I’l get there all right.” Being tired, he went to bed right away, and next morning he was the first one at the break- fast table. It was only eight o’clock when he got through, so he thought he would take a walk up Sixth avenue. He went as far as Thirty-third street, where the avenue is intersected by Broad- way, and there is a station, and then took a train downtown. He didn’t use his solitary nicket of the day before, as he determined to keep that as a reminder of the time when he landed in the city with only five cents to his name. “Tf I ever get wealthy I’l] have a gold rim put around that nickel, with a hole in it, and use it as a watch charm,” he said. He reached the office without any trouble, but found it locked. He waited till one of the junior clerks came with a key and opened up. Bob fol- lowed him inside. “Got a message for Mr. Gaston?” asked the clerk, looking at him inquiringly. ae I've come ee? to =e y % “Oh, you've t the job of messenger, eh? What’s oe mame?” : we Bob told him, and learned that the clerk’s name was Tom Brush. “Live in this city?” asked Brush, who seemed to take a fancy to Bob. * “Yes. Vm boarding in West Twenty-third street. I came from Troy.” “Lately?” “Yesterday afternoon, by the Albany Day Boat.” - : “You don’t say! Ever been in New York be fore?” “No.” “Then you’ve a lot to learn.” It won’t take me long to pick things up.” “T guess not. You look bright.” “What will I have to do here? Sages? Yes; that will be your chief duty, but there are lots of other things you’ll have to attend to. I was messenger myself here for three years, and as you’re green the boss may put me to teaching you the ropes. I’ give you one tip right now. You want to keev a sharp lookout that Mr. Gwin, our cashier, doesn’t catch you napping. It was on his account that our last capri 4 quit.” “I was introduced to him at Mr. Gaston’s house last night.” “ae “Were “Yes, Carry mes- ey. ow ie

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Last of him to Miss Sidney, the ‘stenographer. to his desk, all, Gwin‘came in: He called Bo asked him a number of questions, including the address of his’ boarding place, and then called Brush over and instructed him to take the new messenger around the district for a day or two until he learned where the more important office buildings were, and such other places as he was likely to he sent: to. By that jtime Mr. Gaston made his appearance. After he’ had gone through the mail, dictated such replies as were necessary and seen a couple of callers, he sent out for Bob. He gave the boy a general outline of what would be expected of him, told him what his wages’ would be, and said that Brush would show him the ropes. Brush was kept on the run that day and the next, car- rying messages, and running errands, and Bob accompanied him everywhere, taking note of whatever his companion called his attention to. After they returned from the bank, where Brush had earried the day’s deposits, on the second day, the junior clerk reported to Gwin that he guessed Bob was able to go out by himself. now. - The cashier dalled Bob up and examined him as -to the location of a number of office buildings, the Exchange and other places, and the boy didn’t: make a single slip. *T guess you'll do, Baker,” he said. “You can go off now. To-morrow you will go out alone.” That afternoon Bob found his way to the res- taurant where he was indebted for his ealpe on the afternoon of his arrival in. town. he proprietor was ing a paper at the counter. “Pye come to pay you that quarter,” said Bob. - “What quarter?” asked the man, not immedi- ately recognizing him. “Pm the boy you trusted for a meal, three days ago. Don’t you remember?” “Now I remember you. So you’ve come around to settle, have you?” __ rete : “Yes, sir,” and Bob laid down a quarter. ss Fell, you’re an honest boy,” said the man, sweeping the money back into his drawer. “You’re ust about one in a hundred. Did you get the As you expected in Wall Street?” “Yes. I’m messenger for a broker.” “J wish you luck. If you ever get hard pushed for a meal, come around and I’ll trust you again.” ‘As Bob stepped outside he ran against Pete Swift, who was selling afternoon papers now. “Pete zed him at once. "Hello pen ie he said. “Whatcher doin’ 'round bout dat Wall Street posish?” a ‘got it,” replied Bob. : 35 emit are "geet president of a bank?” “Pm a broker’s messenger.” “Js dat all?”. How many bones a week does ‘ {t pan out?” 8] get seven dollars.” _ “] wouldn’t mind havin’ yer job; but I guess clothes ain’t good for Wall Street. see, I owe me tailor for de last soot, and he ’t trust me no more. 2 SE hat's - *Dat’s too bad!” Bob. ; me yaks ain’t up-to-date.” ask your uncle, the mayor, to EP 9 uncle, I was only givin’ yer ee. tp ¥. Zz $50,000 FROM A NICKEL “Nowheres in perti¢ular. .I roost out in carts when I can’t: get into ‘Billy Lange’s’ stable.” “How do you manage in the winter?” “De best way I kin.” “Selling papers now, eh? Give me one. Heére’s a nickel. Keep the chan 2 “Tanks! reg’lar customer.” © “Weill, good-by. Hope. to see you again some ime. : = - “Good-by, boss. When me ship comes in you’ll see me around in Wall Street blowin’ de boodle in.on stocks.” Bob walked up Desbrosses street to the Ninth avenue elevated station, and was soon on his way to his boarding house. Next morning he started in on his messenger duties in earnest, and no fault was found with him by the cashier. The fourth day of his experience was Saturday, and at half-past he received a full week’s wages. Gwin also complimented him on his rapid progress in getting acquainted with the Street. “The cashier seems to be giving you the velvet hand,” said Brush, as they walker out of the office together. “Don’t forget that he has pce! claws. e may treat you all right for a w or two, but sooner or later he’ll show his real character and you’ll be in hot water’ unless you look out sharp.” - “T don’t intend to give him any cause to find fault with me,” replied Bob. “He'll find some cause if he can. At any rate, that’s the way he treated the last messenger. He a (aad ; er a brick! I wish yer was @ made things so hot for the young fellow that he™ got out.” “Well, I can’t afford to lose the job, so I'll be careful not to have a run-in with him. I’m much obliged for the tip.” “That’s all right. I want to see hes get along.” They partéd\at the corner of Broadway, and uw for a change and Caani Park. Bob took a surface car spent the afternoon in CHAPTER IV.—The Nickel Gets Busy. Bob took to the messenger business like a duck to water and made from the start. The he was going somewhere out-of-town. seated in his chair about noon, ¥ to be ealled on, when Gaston’s bell rang.: new see what he messenger went into his room to ted, : wan “Call a cab for me,” said the broker. Bob knew he would find one of those vehicles

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$50,000 FROM A NICKEL the trader made his appearance and drove off toward Broadway. The boy had heard him tell the driver to tie him to the Cortlandt street ferry, so he guessed the boss was going some- where on a trip. Bob had already get on friendly terms with several messengers, but the one he liked the best was a curly-headed lad named Will Sparks. Next morning, Gwin sent him with a note to a Beaver street wine merchant, and just as he reached the place he met Sparks. “Hello, Baker!” said Will. “Where bound?” “In here,” replied Bob. “Going to purchase a case of champagne for your private consumption?” laughed the other nger. . é “Hardly. Our cashier sent me here, and if this note is an order for liquor it is for him or the ” — 3. “Most likely for the boss. He’s got to be a pretty swell guy since he came into his brother’s shoes. I don’t wonder, for Henry Gaston was said to be a millionaire.” [ : “And his brother, my boss, got it all, so Tom Brush, of our office, told me.” : “Yes, that’s what he did, because his brother was a bachelor and had no one else to leave it “It’s a wonder he never got married. He lived in great style in the house whére my boss lives now. And Brush says he’s got a dandy country place somewhere near Elizabeth, in New Jersey. Maybe that’s where Mr. Gaston was bound rday when I got him a cab to take him and is suitcase to the Cortlandt street ferry.” _ “Probably. It’s a fine thing to be rich. If I me a few thousand dollars now I could make a ig haul.” “How could you?” ‘ an “I got hold of a dandy tip a while ago, but it’s no to me because I haven’t any money to : » it. “What’s the tip?” “Have you any 7 you in on a sure thing or - you’ll make out of it. tos “ “No. I’ve on ninety cents in my clothes.” | “Ni a eo hats several times more _ than I have, but it wouldn’t help you work the | tip. You’d want at least _ Shares of the stock.” “What stock?” , : ns the use of telling you if you can’t use “If you'll tell me I'll let you gaze on my lucky i laughed Bob. ; “Have you got a lucky nickel?” _ _.“I don’t know whether it’s lucky or not, but the other night I dreamed that I should make $50,000 out of it.” ocPifty thousand out of a nicke]—that’s pretty ’s look at it.” _ Bob fished his ial nickel out of his vest Pocket. He had it wrapped up in a piece of ~~ ’ would think that was a rare coin.” it’s rare with me, at any rate, 1 ng it from the paper and handing it to If you have I'll let ten per cent. of what fae Tn 2 $50 so as to buy five | himself. said Bob, | ~ eof “Yes, and because it was the only bit of money I had in my clothes when I landed in this city, 4 last week.” ener “The only piece, eh? I suppose you had a bank : draft, or a money-ordar in your pocket?” “You suppose wrong. I had twenty dollars and fifty-five cents in my pocket when I left Troy in the morning. That’was all the money I had in the sorta I spent fifty cents on the boat for a meal.” “That left you twenty dollars and the nickel.” “Yes, but some rascal] picked my pocket of the f twenty.” ; “The dickens! That was rough.” “You bet it was!” “How did you get along, then?” Bob related the incidents of that momentous afternoon, holding the nickel in his fingers. When he finished his story he started to wrap his nickel up again. In some way it slipped out of his fingers, struck the pee Pile, A on its edge and rolling toward the iron grating that admitted light to the cellar of the liquor store, disappeared through two of the bars. Bob made a futile grab at it, and then knelt down and peered through ~ grating to see if he could see it anywhere Ow. “That’s the last of your lucky nickel,” laughed Sparks. “You’ll never make $50,000 out of that now.” . “That’s too bad. I didn’t want to lose that. I must ask permission to go down into the cellar and look for it,” said Bob. pa “I wish you luck finding it. So long!” and Will Sparks walked away. Bob entered the store, handed his note to a clerk, who read it and then’ nodded his head, as much as to say, “all right.” “Say,” said the boy, “can I go down in yeur cellar?” ; ; Boer ant sed the clerk. ” : “I drop a pocket-piece through the grating E outside and I want to get it.” = % “All right. You'll find the stairs in yonder a” corner. There is a door that will let you out under the grating. Draw the bolt and when you have found your coin, bolt it again.” ; Bob hastened down into the cellar and made f his.way out under the grating. He looked care- * fuily around, but saw no signs of his recious _ nickel. He didn’t. want to poke about, for that De 5 would be likely to cover his coin up or push it "* into some crevice where it would be a goner. He ~ struck a match to assist his search, and at last he. saw the nickel lying on top of what appeared to be a mildewed pocketbook. : Sa He grabbed the coin and then picked up the __ other article. It was a pocketbook which, had evidently been lying there a long time. et “I wonder if there is anything in it?” he asked “Feels as if there was something.” He opened it carefully and was astonished to see a wad of bills, the outside one being a fiver. _ “Gee! This is a find!” he exclaimed, in some _ excitement. . ee. 7h he f

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_ showed to whom it belonged, so he tossed it down. “The money is mine after all,” he said, in a tone of satisfaction. “I must see how much it amounts to.” He counted his find and discovered that the bills footed up $582. : “That nickel is lucky, upon my word. Seemed as if it scented that money down here, wriggled out of my fingers, ran through the grating and dropped right on top of the wallet. If that was published in the papers the readers would call it a fish story. I begin to think that dream of mine is going to come true. Just think of $50,000 from ; a nickel! That’s going some. Yet stranger + . things have happened, I guess.” A igs He made his way back to the store, told the 3 - elerk he had found his nickel, thanked him for - Jetting him go into the cellar, and started back to his office. On the way he thought about Will 3 Spark’s tip. - | - “I must get him to tell me about it. If he can “ prove it’s a good winner I will buy some of the = stock on margin and give him ten per cent, of a2 whatever I make out of the deal.” a. When he got off that afternoon, about half- ast three, he felt hungry and went to a lunch Ketone for a sandwich and a cup of coffee, He saw Sptrks perched on a stool at the counter : seated himself beside him. s “Find your lucky nickel?” asked Will, with a : grin. | ; = > ae CR j “Then you’ve still got a chance to make that $50,000.” “P’m going to make it,” said Bob, confidently. “When you get old and gray-haired, eh?” “No, long-before that.” ; Pet iy never make it out of that nickel, “ r) > ‘ _ — “That’s as much as you know about it. That nickel is going to make it. It’s got to work already.” y. - “Has it? How?” : “Never mind. It’s put some money in my , igae Now if you'll let me in on that tip, and et it will put some money in your pocket, “How much have you got to invest?” 5 gy ut five hundred dollars?” = | Where are we goi . i ~S nt is too rich

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$50,000 FROM A NICKEL “You can have my pint, for I don’t drink wine,” said Bob. “You take beer, don’t you?” er “No: Nothing stronger than soda or sarsapar- illa.” “It’s just as well. You’re a boy yet.” “J hope I won’t drink anything stronger when I get to be a man.” — : é A highba!l once in a while won’t hurt you. - You'll have to hold your end up when you’re out with your friends.” ° 5 “Pye sean chaps who tried to hold their end up, but in the end couldn’t hold themselves up. The spectacle was quite instructive.” “They went toc far.” . : “That’s the trouble. When a fellow drinks in company he never knows where to draw the Tine. It’s better not to drink at all.” By this time thev had reached the restaurant and Brush led the way in. : “What-are you going to do with yourself this afternoon?” asked Brush, as they were eating ~ their dessert. ; “T was going up to Harlem to see what kind of place it is. ou can see it any time. Suppose you come alone with me?” “Where to?” - : “Elizabeth. Dye got a married sister there, and it’s about time I paid her another visit. Ill pay my respect to her, introduce you, and then we'll take a stroll around the town, After sup- per we’l] return to good old New York.’ “Elizabeth is where the boss has his country idence.” “Don’t mention it. The favor is on your side, Sethe tee aining me. the wamalt 0 your -50- ; » On leaving the restaurant they walked to the Cortlandt street ferry, where Brush bought tick- ets to Elizabeth and return, for them both. The time-table showed them that were just in time to catch a local train. In due course they alighted at the station in Elizabeth and made their way to the home of Brush’s sister, who Was the wife of a bookkeeper employed in the Bob found the young matron a charming out to see the mn pny and heard a scream inside of a house they were pass- ing. “TI wonder what’s wrong?” said Bob. : A second scream followed and then the front— door was swung open and a young man rushed out with a smal! bundle under his arm. “Help! Thieves! Help!” screamed a woman. The young man vaulted the fence and ran up the street. : “Help! Stop him, he’s a thief!” cried the woman, coming to the door. That was enough for Bob, and he started after the fellow with a rush. Tom Brush followed. The man with the bundle glanced behind and see- ing that he was being pursued, put on a spurt, but Bob was a swift runner and overhauled him rapidly. The nace proved too hot for Brush, and he fell behind. Seeine that he couldn’t outrun Bob, the crook suddenly jumped a low stone wall into an exten- sive grounds and darted toward the handsome residence that stood close by. The boy was close at his heels when he disappeared around the cor- ner of the house. When Bob turned the corner he was survrised to gee no signs of the fugitive. A low French window, one side of which stood open close to the ground, suggested the idea to the young messenger that the thief had entered the house in order to throw him off the scent. “He worn’t fool me that way,” thought Bob, who immediately stepped in through the window himself. 5 He found himself in a small room furnished as a library, and was connected with a wide hall by a door. Two sides and a half of the apart- ment were furnished with bookcases, filled with books of al} sizes and binding, many of them valuable on account of their rarity and for other reasons. Above the bookeases were handsome steel en- gravings. Near the window was a desk and a pivot chair. “He has gone through that door,” muttered Bob. “Perhaps is standing on the other side, waitin Sox mie to. ge Cue et See ay: Yl give him. the surprise of his life*if he is. As. Bob walked toward the door he heard a stealthy footfall outside. rei mee " | bs s 3 3 w

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ee transpired that held him spellbound where e was. “Now, Mr. Gaston, we’ll get down to business,” said Gwin, as the broker seated himself at the desk facine him. “While your sister-in-law and her daughter were out riding this morning with you I fixed everything so as to insure the suc- cess of the accidental catastrophe. The nearest s engine house is a mile away, and I have put the Soacand on the corner out of business.” “It seems a “ity to destroy this beautiful house, but. I suppose there is no other way,” replied the broker. - “None that is safe. You treated the young lawyer so nicely that he has no suspicions as to the sincerity of the welcome you extended to your : dead brother’s wife and her daughter, the heir- cs ess. ‘He will — > yo to ag rene, er “ ft invitation, if everything works right, he F wall find only a smoldering ruin, while the corpses % of the two obstacles will be in an undertaking es- tablishment. That no suspicion may attach to you, a telegram will arrive about the time we are at dinner to-night, summoning you to New York on important business. You will go, leaving me to earn the $50,000 you agreed to give me to se- cure you in undisturbed possession of the prop- : erty and the business in Wall Street.” | ’ “My conscience smites me when I consider the terrible death you have selected for your victims.” * “My dear Mr. Gaston, there will be nothing lexeitie about it whatever. Before the two ladies retire I will see th.t they are treated to a glass of sherry. The wine will be drugged, so that after they have retired they will sink into a rr dreamless sleep and will have no realization of a what happens to them afterward.” : “Well, you are the doctor. I have left the mat- — ter entirely to you. At any rate, you will be well paid, and your conscience seems to trouble very little about the way in which you earn e money,” said the broker. e cashier laughed softly. jience!” he said. “Only a few timid peo- are troubled with such a thing in these en- ightened days. Has Wall Street any conscience? Do not the kings finance coolly engineer a coup in securities which they know will result the ruin of thousands of confiding investors? the multitude buy stocks when the market flat and prices low? No, because they are ‘. The Wall Street barons have their meas- boost. prices to fictitious standards to the lambs—I call them gulls—bite. When merely study how to repeat the oper- lot of the uninitiated. They ; tters so that these same securities are. _ If necessa’ yn Sears res San _ ‘purpose - e m drops os Bat of valucs, tumbles. Then these a pe BB n at low figures what J ones, Then they are in a to start once more in ball rolling ! Could they do this if their ? Bah! There is no such have Wall Street down fine, Gwin,” old groove. es were | “"s50,000 FROM A NICKEL _“Why shouldn’t I? I have spent nearly all my life in the Street. I have not been asleep, I as- sure you, sir.” “In matters of business I'll admit that con- science plays little part. The pace is too swift for one to stop and think. It is different in your case. You have done deliberately to work to mur- der two unsuspecting persons, and yet your hand is as steady and your manner as composed as I- have ever seen them. You are a most accom- plished assussin.” : “Thank you for the compliment,” grinned the cashier. “I am doing this out of regard for you, my dear friend. To save you from utter finan- cial downfall.” -“Say rather for the sum of $50,000, which I have agreed to pay you for your services in this matter.” “For both.. You are useful to me and therefore it is to my interest to keep you on top. I niight as well tell you the truth, for we are both in- volved in this case, and may yet be in others that ~ will not bear too close inspection.” “Hum!” ejaculated the broker, with an uncom- fortable look. _ “Now that the train is laid, and everything ready for the inevitable, I think I will touch you for a check for $25,000 as an evidence of faith on P gd is socal “But, Mr. this plan of yours, in which case I should be in- debted to the estate for a large sum which I never could repay,” protested Mr. Gaston, who evidently objected to the “touch.” “T shall not fail, don’t you worry.” “The best-laid schemes of men sometimes go astray.” “There is too much at stake for me to take any chances. As it isn’t possible for me to cash your check before Monday, if by any mischance I should slip up, I will return it to you. But I as- sure you that within twelve hours you will have ample evidence that I have earned the money.” “Very well” said the broker, reluctaritly, “rll give you the check. He ovened his desk, took out his check-book, drew up and signed the check, and handed it to his accomplice. . “Thanks! Now I shall finish the business with an easy mind.” said Gwin. “When do you propose to fire the house?” “I propose merely to fire the room where the women are in bed. While you were away with them showing them the nei rhood I soaked the room with an-inflammable chemical, which gives out no smell and dries quickly. It has the property, however, of rendering all it touches particularlv tinder-like. The room will burn like shavings. and t-vo minutes from the time it is ignited will be a sea of I will be ready to give the alurm at once so that the servants can escape. I will make a big bluff to save your new relatives. but, of course, that will be impos- sible, and to-morrow morning’s mapas will re-. en you go cord the +: reakfast you should be able to eat with a heart: ite, knowing that now you are the indisputable. possessor oF all your brother’s for- tune. - “Tis a bad deed, but I’ve passed the Rubicon win, you might fail to carry out ~ and needs must when the Old Boy drives. ['m afraid that I never could face the sympathetic

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$50,000 FROM..A NICKEL grins of the boys if I had to abdicate-in favor - of my late brother’s hitherto unsuspected matri- ~ Monial partner.” “Of course you couldn’t, Mr. Gaston, so you ' ought to feel deeply agai to me for coming to your rescue,” said the cashier. “Well, the ladies must be wondering what has ‘happened to us. It is wrong for us to throw them, strangers as thev fee] themselves to be, on their own resources.” > “I acree with you, Mr. Gaston. It behooves us to make their last hours on earth as pleasant as possible,” grinned Gwin. As the two men rose and started for the door there was a sudden crash in the closet. CHAPTER VI.—The Tables Are Turned on Bob. The broker and his rascally cashier stopped and looked at the closet with a startled expression on their countenances. The sound was the smash- ing of glassware, and might have been caused _ by the accidental displacement of some carelessly Pp article. Men, however, who have been concocting villainly are apt to be nervous, even when apparently cool and collected. : ' “Something fell in the closet,” said Gwin. “I heard it. One < house cats might have in there,” sai mn. : eon think it sit bear investigation,” said the cashier, “I don’t believe a cat was responsible for the noise, for I hear no further sounds. = “Well, open the closet and see what happened. The closet door, however, to the men’s aston- ishment and consternation, opened of itself and Bob stepped out and confronted them. Knowing from their words that discovery was imevitable the boy decided to act first. ar from being nervous and embarrassed he was quite cool. He had heard that which placed both his employer and the cashier in his power, consequently he did not fear what action aig rage ye ' £Bob!” ejaculated Mr. Gaston, as “Baker!” exclaimed the cashier, saa enerey: _ “Yes, gentlemen. I presume you wish an ex- lanatioe at my presence in this room,” answered the r, calmly. - F “Naturally,” oak Gwin. vote seems to be in order. How came you here “I chased a thief into this house. At least I rush invited me to come here with him married sister. We then walked out to put in a couple of hours seeing the town, and came this way cause Wwe wes a =a oe ad curi- - e around here, we were hay S-Series : “Ana Mr. Brush, is he in the closet, too?” asked Gwin, i tone. — in, in a» _ ways.” “I will explain,” and Bob told how he and ~~ Brush had seen a thief run out of a dwellin = on the cross street, how they chased him, an how he (Bob) had followed him into the grounds, not knowing that he was on Mr. Gaston’s prop- erty. “Admitting all these facts to be true, why did you not show yourself the moment Mr. Gaston and I entered the room?” asked Gwin. b : “That is what I should have done, I admit, ut “Well?” said the cashier, sharply. “After what transpired in here between Paes two gentleman I am beginning to think ‘that Providence had a hand in bringing me here.” 3 “Indeed!” sneered Gwin. “You overheard all o of our conversation, of course?” “Every word,” replied the boy, locking the man squarely in the eye. : “Well, what are you going to do about it?” “That is for you gentlemen to say.” Fa hat do roe mean by se agi be “That is a hint, I suppose, t ean henehe off?” —_ ie nee = a “No, sir. ou haven’t got money ‘h buy me. You must abandon your pe Bowne: set fire to this house for the pu of destroying two persons who, it is clear, d in your path, Mr. Gaston. You ought to be thankful that heaven has thwarted your infamous project by sending me here to stop it.” - e Bob was talking, Gwin was busy think- ing. He realized that both he and the broker were in the boy’s power. The lad must be silenced. He was not in favor of buying Bob off, supposi such a could be accomplished, and whic. ; the lad’s ‘words indicated was impossible. The ‘ cashier saw that his anticipated reward was in grave peril, and he did not propose to lose it without making a desperate effort. Gaston might be willing to throw up the scheme, now that he faced exposure, but the wily cashier id ot oe to yield an inch. One more life peers. Ragen ares to nothing to pins, foe. he. in c commit murder anyway, so Bob’s fate was quickly settled in his mind. * “What are we going to do, Gwin?” asked Gas- ton, in a peacteies way. y “Do? row up the project, I suppose, for our messenger has'us where the hair is short,” he replied, carelessly. “If we give up the plan can we rely on you to ai the matter secret?” said the broker to Bob. ck “Yes. I have no wish to injure either of you,” _ re a boy. = eee will raise your wages to ten dollars or even twelve, and make it all right with you in other LMG ei, ae _ “You ae not, dbligal to de Tha I a not sell- ing my silence, I am giving i you. Some peo- ple prokehly would e ativan of bene a ping to bleed you, but I’m not one of the kind. You can thoroughly rely on my word.” _ eat ee “At any rate I'll have to take it.” = : “We can trust him,” said Gwin “A who has no price mey be etn. P guess there is - nothing further to be said. We’ll bind the ba: gain with a drink and then Baker can Brush. ’ 4 ~~ caged drink,” Ce ps7 Bob. “I'll to you two tlemen. Ii have | ther to say Fir go. “Before Pieave

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- J shall notify the fire department that the hyd- rant on the corner is out of order.” ~~" Oe Gwin darted a look of malice at him. “Our young friend seems anxious to go,” he said, suavely. “You had better show him out by the front door, Mr. Gaston.” ~ “That is unnecessary. I can go out by open- ing this. window ” replied Bob. “Yes, vou can. if we let you,” said the cashier. “Let me? I don’t think you will attempt to stop me.” “On second thought, I have concluded that you are too dangerous to our interests to be allowed at liberty.” “You will find me much more dangerous to your interests if you attempt to interfere with me in any wey. You have my word that I will say nothing, and I have yours that you will give up your villainous scheme. I shall not be dan- gerous to’your interests unless you make me so, so you see the matter is entirely in your own hands. What more can you ask? » Bob turned to undo the catch of the window. Gwin, with a murderous glare in his eyes, sprang upon him and bore him to the floor. . - “You shall-never leave this house to repeat what you have learned in this room, young man!” he hissed, as he gripped the boy by the throat, The cashier found, however, that the strong Troy lad was not an easy proposition to handle. Bob broke his grip and smashed him in the face. ' “Help me, Gaston; this boy must be secured at all hazard!” cried the cashier. - “I thought we had arranged matters with him,” said the broker, who was surprised by Gwin’s change of front. 4 ! ; “I am not such a fool as to trust him, even if you are. Isn’t there something in the closet that we can tie him with?” “There’s a curtain cord.” “Get it and tie his arms while I hold him down. ' Be qtick about it or he’ll get away from me.” _ The broker, who seemed to be dominated to a considerable extent by the strong will of his ac- _ eomplice, got the cord and proceeded to bind the _ boy’s hands and arms. In a few minutes Bob was rendered helpless. Gwin then gagged the -~ boy with his own handkerchief. » Shlow: we must get him up to that small unoc- - eupied room on the third floor,” said the cashier. “Look out and see if the hall is clear.” - Broker Gaston looked out and said there was ders,” said Gwin. no one in sight. , “Grab his feet, while I take him y the shoul- 3 “Make haste. e have no time to loose.” : 5 Between them the two men carried Bob up to. the room in question. Gwin partly unbound the boy and then tied him to the foot-post of the iat ! -he’s safe for the present,” he said. me with me.. I want to talk with you, Gaston.” moment later Bob heard ‘the key turned in lock, and then he thoroughly realized that he prisoner in the power of two unscrupulous - VII.—Bob Gets on Top. t they intend to do with me?” _ “Mr, Gaston is bad enough, ee, * : | dyed-in-the-wool scoundrel. $50,000 FROM A NICKEL ~ but he isn’t in it with the cashier. Gwin is a I don’t wonder all the clerks in the office are afraid of him. I’m afraid he is figuring on carrying out his plan to set fire to the house and burn up that lady and her daughter, who seem to have turned up in an unexpected way as claimants to the estate left by the late Henry Gaston. If the boss’s brother really had a wife,and daughter, it’s funny that the fact does not seem to be known in Wall Street. He seems to have been regarded as a bachelor by everybody. Evidently she must be in a position to prove her relationship or Mr. Gaston would not be so anxious to get her, as well as her daughter, out of the way. I’m afraid I’ve got myself in a bad box. If those men decide to go on with their plan they will consider it necessary to do me up, too, in order to avoid exposure and punishment. The way things now stand, I am unable to save either the ladies or myself.” In the meantime, Gaston and Gwin had re- turned to the library. - “There’s only one thing to be done,” said the cashier. “This meddling boy must be included in the conflagration.” “I am sorry we didn’t let him go. I am sure he would not have betrayed us,” said the broker. “But we would have had to give up our project. That would mean the loss of everything to you as well as the reward to me. No. Mr. Gaston, I have gone into this thing with the intention of seeing it through, and I’m going to do it.” . nee that means another life must be sacri- ced. “Well, that’s not our lookout. The boy butted in and must take the consequences. He’s an orphan and no one will miss. him.” “I’m afraid when his body is found it will lead to complications.” “There won’t be enough left of him to establish his identity.” “How can you be sure of that?” “Leave that to me.” “IT see there is no use arguing with you, Gwin.” “Not the slightest. I’ve made up my mind to earn that $50,000, and I’m going to do it. You start for New York when you get that telegram I’ve arranged to have sent, and leave me play the game alone.” “If I was sure there would be no ‘slip——” “Look here, Gaston, you ought to know me by this time. I never do things by halves. This scheme is too dangerous to take any chances with. A slip means a life sentence or the gallows for us. I’m not looking for either, consequently I mean to make a sure thing of it.” Ten minutes later the rascals rejoined the ladies in the elegant sitting-room on the second floor, and no one to look at them would have sus- pected that their smiling faces hid the blackest of thoughts. Two hours went by and then din- ner was announced. By that time it was getting dark. Bob, after many desperate efforts, had suc-- ceeded in freeing himself from the cord, and was now figuring on how he could get out of the room. | The door was im i for it was locked - on the outside. The windows was the only avenue open to him. He opened it and looked out. There was: no way of escaping down the side of the house, but by the exercise of nerve he might pass-

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— A MIM yA $50,000 FROM A NICKEL - to the window of an conpreges Hoge § That win- o Ss f, dow was partially open to it the air at the top. . * d ding on to the top sash of his window an Ph Bee a with the pe hand and one leg he could step on the coping and grasp the a sash, This he proceeded to do and was presently standing in front of the adjoining window. a he raised the lower sash and stepped into “ms toom, evidently occupied by one of the — servants. Crossing to the door he found a ; was not locked, and he walked out into the _ Unlocking the door ~ the room oo npn is escape he w in, inl _chey it. Me Brn to the hall and locked the door again. “When those rascals return and find me se they'll wonder how I made my escape, tif chuckled. “Now to leave the house and notify the police.” : nak reached the second floor when he’ a somebody coming up the stairs. Fearful that the person might be Gwin, he darted into wen room at hand. It was a handsomely furni apartment of moderate size. On the table ~* hat he ized as worn by the cahsier. 4 the floor, near the dressing-case, was Gwin are ease. Evidently this was the room —,. Dy that individual. Hardly had Bob noticed sm things in the dimlight of the waning day w - he heard the cashier’s voice in the a ws - side. Instinctively the boy looked aroun ae some place to hide. There was a door at - elbow. Bob pulled it open and found:it was, a he gu a-closet.. He popped into it. He was Not. a moment too soon. Gwin opened ~ door and entered the room. He turned on an electric bulb and the room was illuminated. St “This room will probably catch fire, too, for it’s Next to that occupied by the ladies,” he mutte: om aloud, ‘so I’d better take my agreement mee Gaston out of my bag and put it in my pocket with the check. Gaston is a rascal at hea A he lacks the nerve. Without me at his fee ma would have thrown up his hands and let Widow step into everything.” ‘ He opened his suitcase, took out the paper an read it over. hand of him. To-night I will make him his million, and myself the whi knock came at the door. Me henieally, be laid the agreement down on the table and went to the door. _ Bob sli loset, grabbed the agree- Ment fg only ache ome told the oe ‘Mr. Gaston wanted to see him before, e started for the station to catch a train for New but to his e went thro the door open. rise - gh his MOAN O08 has “I had it in my hand a moment ago. Where the dickens. could pe put it?” He looked about on the floor and everywhere that he thought he might be, but naturally, he did not find it. And while he was thus engaged, Bob was watching him from the closet. “It won’t do for me to lose that,” he muttered. “That would incriminate me as well as Gaston. I must find it.” ; At that moment the door opened and inf walked the broker. “What is detaining you here? Don’t you know I’ve got to catch the 8:10 train, and I’ve barely ’ time to make it with tke auto?” -said Gaston. “Pve mislaid an important paper and was look- ing for it,” replied Gwin. “You can hunt for it after I am gone.” “Well, what do you want to say?” “I-want you to send me a telegram, or ’phone me at my house the mo nent everything is accom- plished. I shall be nervous til] I hear from you. Somehow or another I feel as if there was going to be a slip in your arrangements.” Gwin laughed in a wicked way. “Don’t you worry, Gaston, there will be no slip.” “Have you been up to see the boy?” “Not yet, but I’m going in a minute.” “You're going to drug him with chloroform, are you? “Yes, and saturate his clothes with the chem- ieal, as well as the lounge on which I shall place him. No fear that he will ever bear withness against us.” “Be very careful that your movements are not noted by any of the servants.” “For them to babble about afterwards, eh? Trust me for that.” “Then, goodnight. I’m off.” The two r: s shook hands and the broker walked out of the room. Bob was in hopes that Gwin would accompany him downstairs, but he didn’t. He was too anxious to find the agreement between him and his guilty partner. . He searched his pockets again, moved the table aside, and then stood considering, clearly non-. plussed. At that juacture the door of the closet a creaked. His sharp ears heard it, and after the episode in the library his suspicions were aroused. . He walked straight to the closet and threw Bob stepped out and faced him, because he couldn’t do anything else now 3 his presence in the room was disclosed. 7 “You—you here!” cried Gwin, fairly staggered. “How did you get out of. © “<i Bob saw that action, no words, was.his cue. He shot out his fist and caught the villain oa the point of the jaw. Gwin dropped to the floor, kenpaeed out as clean as any prize-fighter ever _ was . ; « CHAPTER VIII—Bob Interviews Mrs. Henry - Gaston, : Bob looked down at the fallen man. “Nothing could ba attend to his. thank

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- of the two ladies, as well as my own, are saved.” There was a bunch of thin Suit strong cord in 3 the closet. Bob got it, turned the rascal over a on his face, and after wrapping a piece of cloth around his wrists, to prevent the cord cutting his skin, he tied the man’s wrists securely _to- gether. Then he tied his ankles and gagged him with a towel. Leaving the scoundrel on the floor, perfectly _ ¢ helpless, Bob left the room, locked the door and as put the key in his pocket. d 3 “Now I shall call on Mrs. Gaston and explain £ the situation to her. It is a fortunate thing that : I have the agreement Mr. Gaston signed, for she will hardly credit my story. The paper, however, . will prove that the conspiracy against her is a - fact, and that Gaston agreed to pay his cashier ; $50,000 to put her and her daughter out of the way. Then the check will be found on him when > the police search him. Better it should be, that’s ‘at why I did not search his pockets for it. No doubt an investigation by the fire department of the room occupied by the ladies will show traces of the inflammable chemical which I heard Gwin say he had saturated it with. That will be proof positive of the contemplated crime, and then Gwin and Gaston will find themselves in a bad box.” Bob walked to the head of the stairs and then began to wonder which door led into the sitting- room.. While he was considering the matter a door facing him opened and a quietly dressed lady of perhaps forty came out. She was dressed , in k, and Bob was sure this was the widow x of the late Henry Gaston, and the chief victim of the conspiracy. : , : “TI beg your pardon, madam,” he said, “are you 5 Mrs. Henry Gaston?” a +. “= “T am,” she replied. ; “Can I speak to you on a matter of the great- est importance?” 2 . “Why, yes, I suppose so,” she answered, in ~* 4. some ae: “Step into the sitting-room.” - noi “Your daughter is there, is she not?” le “She is.” 2 - *f think you had better come downstairs with me to the library as it might be better for her ot to hear what I have to say.” f ] ad Baker. I am = ” in Mr. € m’s office in Wall - ac wish to see me privately?” “Yes, ma’am.” ; “Vv. ma’am. I will go with you to the library, At.” Bob led the way, and helping Mrs. Gaston to : d himself opposite to her, after electric light. : I’m afraid interview is going to , and that you will doubt the S facts I am going to lay before you, ortunately I am proved with the proofs began E back it up, ou astonish me. Is this matter then so seri- Serious, madam, I should say so. It could ye more serious. Unti fe inutes age Soeteh ono ce ahs zeditia yon: ed ' $50,000 FROM A NICKEL “That is what I’m about todo. To begin with, your appearance East as the acknowledged “widow of Henry Gaston, who was supposed by . all his: friends ‘as well as his brother to be a bachelor, has’made a whole lot of difference to _ Philip Gaston, my employer, who, until he heard of your existence, naturally supposed that he was the heir to all his brother’s property as well as the Wall Street business.” “I suppose so; but I do not intend that he shall suffer to the extent that the law allows. It is my intention to make him a present of the business in Wall Street which he now is in charge of. I think it is only right that he should have it.’ Indeed, I am surprised that my late husband made no such provision in his will.” “Have you told Mr. Gaston of your intentions?” “No; I have left that to my lawyer.” “I thought he wasn’t aware of your generous purpose. Well, madam, as I was saying, your coming on the scene entirely unex i upset all of Mr. Gaston’s calculations. ubtless he believed he would be stripped of everything he had taken possession of, and naturally he didn’t like it. So what does he do but take his cashier Edward Gwin who is a terrible scoundrel e “Mr. Gwin a scoundrel! Impossible!” exclaimed the widow. “He is in this “house at this minute, a guest of Mr. Gaston’s.” : “I know he’s here, and I repeat that he is a scoundrel of the first water, as you will admit when I have'shown you the evidence proving him to be such.” “You amaze me.” a *T shall amaze you more in a minute. I was about to say that Mr. Gaston, your brother-in- law. took ‘this Gwin into his confidence and agreed to pay him the sum of $59,000 if he would pre- vent you and your daughter from depriving him of the estate and business of his late brother.” ~ “I cannot believe that Mr. Gaston would do | such a thing. ..I have found him to be a perfect gentleman, and verv solicitous for the comfort of myself and my child,” said Mrs. Henry Gaston. “Why have you come to me with such ah out- rageous story—ycu, an eéemployee of his?” she added, indignantly. : “Madam, I expected you would receive my state- ment in this way, but fortunately I have some- thing more substantial than mere words to con- vince you. Kindly read that paper. It is signed by Philip Gaston. I can guarantee that is his signature.” The lady took the paper and read it over. Its contents more out Bob’s statement, but it seemed so outrageously improbable that Mrs. Gaston doubted its genuineness and said so. “Well, I saw it in Mr. Gwin”s hands not half an hour ago, and when he laid it down I took possession of it. The writing, with the exception of the signature. is in Gwin’s handwriting, and it shall be proved in court.” — : gee court!” exclaimed the widow, with a startled “Yes, madam. As soon as I have finished this interview I shall call the police to the house and give Mr. Gwin in custody. At present he is my _ | “ Ce £ ete ns

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$50,000 FROM A NICKEL shows the existence of a conspiracy against you and your daughter. It shows that your brother- in-law stands ready to pay his cashier $50,000 —he has already given Mr. Gwin a check for $25,000 in advance—if he can carry out its pro- Visions. Mr. Gwin has made all his plans to do so, and had I not happened accidentally upon the scene, this evening would have been your last on earth, and your daughter would have met a like fate.” “Heavens, you cannot mean this?” cried the lady, her face going white. “IT do mean it. Before you retired to-night BM were to be invited to take a glass of sherry. The wine was to be drugged. Within an hour you and your daughter Wook be wholly at Gwin’s mercy. And what did he intend to do? It would not do to shed your blood. That would be dangerous. While you and your daughter were out driving with Mr. Gaston this morning, Gwin went into your room and soaked the sperms well with an inflammable chemical, which would cause it to burn like tinder. He went to the corner and put fire-plug out of business, so as to make mat- ters sure. At or about midnight he intended to get into your room somehow and set it on fire. In fifteen minutes you and your daughter would be in a sea of fire, and being drugged would give no sign. Your death would be absolutely cer- tain, and the cause apparently an accident. Mr. Gaston would then be in no danger of losing his ther’s fortune. “My heavens!” exclaimed Mrs. Henry Gaston, looking as if she was going to faint. “I cannot élieve that Mr. Gwin would be guilty of such. a horrible design,” she added. t “You will believe it when an emissary of the department, whom I intend to send for, has made an investigation of your room and also of the hydrant.” The lady gasped. “How did you come to learn all these facts?” . asked. P a Bob explained how he had visited Elizabeth With one of the clerks of the office, and how,. ile taking they had chased a thief, whom he (Bob) had fol- lowed into the grounds. He then explained why entered the library and hid in the closet. “That was a most forjunate thing for you, Penn am, and your daughter,” he went on. “It foil the dastardly purpose of your: into the library, and how, conceal closet, he had overheard all their plans. Then that I should perish with you, - but fortunately I a dangerous witness T before Mr. escape a short time York. a walk to see Mr. Gaston’s house, - _,.doubiless is wondering where I have gone, and as if heaven sent me here to save your told her how Mr. Gaston and his a her how they discovered his presence, — Gwin knocked him out, how h Upstairs, bound and gagged, and lock the third floor. . “Gwin intended for I was was taken - in a room” manner so earnest, that Mrs. Gaston began to credit its truth in spite of her disinclination to connect either her brother-in-law or Mr. Gwin with so infamous a project. : “Now you know everything, madam, so I will take the liberty of using this telephone on the desk to communicate with the police,” said Bob, neiey, “If what you have told me is really true, and it seems. to bear the impress of fact, my daugh- ter and I owe our lives to you,” said the lady. “You do, next to heaven! As surely as the sun will rise to-morrow you both would have been destroved this night if I hadn’t come on the scene.” “Then you may be sure that I shall not forget the debt of gratitude I owe you. It is terrible to think that my dead husband’s brother could be guilty of such treachery to me, who meant to do the right thing by him.” “When he learns the truth he will curse the day he called his cashier in to help him. Of the two, Gwin is ten times the worst. I am sure Mr. Gaston never would have conceived, much less have carried out, such a fiendish scheme as the cashier was about to put into execution to gain $50,000.” The telephone book lay on the top of the desk, and Bob looked into, it. for the number of the police headquarters. When he found it he asked to be connected. Over the wire he told the man at the other end the bare particulars of the pro- jected incendiary purpose of Cashier Gwin, which he had blocked. He asked that officers be sent to take guage of the prisoner, and that the Fire Department asked to send an expert to secure evidence, He was promised both. Mrs. Henry Gaston remained in the room while he used the wire. She was much depressed b the exposure she had listened to. When Bob hung up the receiver she asked him if he would send a message for her to her lawyer, - “Certainly, madam. Jam entirely at your serv- ice,” he answered. ; “His name is George Gardner, and he lives with his mother at the Endicott Hoiel, in Eighth ave-_ nue. You can connect direct with the louse by telophone. Tell him that I wish him to come out” here at once without fail, Assure him that it is. urgent. I will now return to my daughter, who: ~~ what is keeping me, After you get through, come up to the sitting-room. It faces the stair-. case. I will introduce you to my daughter. By” that time she will know the great obligation we 5 are both under to you.” Bob bowed and the lady left the room. CHAPTER IX.—The Jailing of Gaston and Gwin. Bob immediately called up Central again and = asked to be connected with the Endicott Hotel, of to New York City, over the long-distance wire. = anes — take ten or apeand i -pren replied — e operator, “Hang-up | rin uu when the connection has been made.” sad = es “All right,” replied Bob. tae He sat down to wait and to think over what had gone through since he entered 2 hours before, whe ¥ - aes

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f a8 pee i. the door. peking for Mr. “Tom doubtless came to the conclusion that the thief led me a long chase when I did not rejoin him, and he went back to his sister’s home, trust- ing I would find my way there. When I didn’t tarn tp in a reasonable time he doubtless re- turned to the city alone, concluding that as I was ‘a stranger in Elizabeth I couldn’t find his sister’s house, and went back to New York on my own hook. Tom will get the surprise of his life when he sees the facts in the papers. And perhaps Wall Street won’t be surprised to discover what a rascal Broker Gaston has developed into. Well, this world is full of surprises, pleasant and other- wise.” Ting-a-ling-ling! rang out the telephone. Bob grabbed the receiver. “Hello, is this the Endicott Hotel?” “Yes. “Is Mr. George Gardner in? I wish to speak to him on a matter of urgent necessity.” “Hold the wire and I will see,” came the reply. Ina a minutes a man’s voice asked who was on, the wi “Are ‘you Mr. Gurdner?” asked Bob. “Yes. “This is Mrs. Gaston’s residence in Elizabeth.” “Ah, indeed? Does Mrs. Gaston wish to talk * with me?” “She wishes you to come right out here without delay. “She does?” as a ngs mates grave importance has hap- pened and must see “All Sekt I'll come rete’ can get a train.” Ws ow by trolley if you can’t get wets any er way. “Tt must be something serious.” “It is very Gaston I assure you. will come without fail.” Good-by. tee. wy Ss receiver and left the library. ter he was in the sitting-roo: Mamma says you saved our lives, and so I will understand that we are’ very, ver 1 to and that we never will forget it, “That’s all right, Miss Gaston. It’s a satisfac- tion to me to esi ome ation so service to ™ 1m} er man a ie acd pe “At that moment a iervant ee ee em ” sha said. SS down and see said Bob. Pies eT, discovered a conspiracy on the part of two one — incon $50,000 FROM A NICKEL “Well, I want you to inspect the room thor- oughly to secure evidence against the rascal who is a prisoner. Follow me,” said Bob. Pee three men accompanied him to the floor above : “Mrs. Gaston, will you show this man your Boge so he can look it over?” said Bob, opening the ogee ase door. The widow came out and led the way to the apartment occupied by herself and her daughter. Bob and the three men entered it. The electric light was turned on and the in ion com- menced. _Evidence of the proj crime was soon forthcoming. “This room has been converted into a regular on pat said the inspector from the fire depart- mere lady was soon convinced, if she hadn’t been before, that she and her daughter had had a very escape. “I will now give the rascal I caught into your See said Bob to the policeman. “Hi took the officers to Gwin’s room and the man was found sitting on his bed Figs < his legs free, making desperate efforts’ bound wrists. He sprang up wie the = as were let in by Bob and g red at all hands. “There is your prisoner,” said the boy, “take charge of him.” “Arrest me!” roared the he. “What for?” “Attempted arson,” said Bo! “You must be crazy to po me with such acrime. This is some patay job. I charge that boy with sneer officers. request that Mrs. Gaston be sent f “Mrs. Gaston te all about your attempt on her life and that of her daughter. She has no — to see you,” pany them to the police station. “This is a most ridiculous accusation. I am the friend of Mr. Gaston, the stock broker of Wall Street, and cashier of his office,” said Gwin. ic tefam, the maps a Ee noni eta se! ‘ore the magi in the mo: one of the policemen. Gwin found that he had to go, and Bob went with the partv to make beng i wi

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50,000 FROM A NICKEL with his accomplice. Mrs. Gaston appeared re- luctant to push the case against her brother-in- law, but her lawyer asserted that Gwin could not be dealt with without incriminating his em- ployer, and that the law must be allo to take its course. : As it was quite late when the conference age both’ Gardner and Bob were invited to remain night, and they accepted. Next morning they ap- peared in the i te’s court, which was held on Sunday to dispose of arrests made the after- noon and night before, : Gwin was held under heavy bail for the action of the Grand Jury, and Gaston was also held in New York at the request of the Jersey City au- thorities. Bob and Lawyer Gardner then started for New York together. ea “I’m afraid the office will be on the fritz to- morrow with the cashier and boss both in jail, said the boy. : “I shall file = will re eae ores in the morning at the Surrogate’s , and secure an order to, take charge of the business on behalf of the testator’s widow,” said the lawyer. $e. will then secure a competent manager to run it. “The story will be in all the papers in the morning, and all Wall Street will read the facts. . It will mark the finish of Philip Gaston in the Street.” : “He deserves all that’s coming to him. I never heard of such a terrible piece of rascality in my life. That man Gwin seems to have got murder down to a fine art. It makes my blood run cold when I think of the fate he designed for Mrs. Gaston and her daughter. Young man, you have done a fine thing for yourself in saving the life of my client. She'll see that you? are suitably rewarded.” 5; “J don’t want any reward, Mr. Gardner. I ‘ Should refuse it if it was offered to me. I have done nothing more than was my duty, and I don’t ‘take nay-for that.” 2 “Mrs. Gaston won't offer pay, but she’ll be a good friend to vou henceforth. A real friend z: is an excellent thing to have in this world.” s “{ shall be glad to accept her friendship,” said er i about the fair Edna, “and she may § command my services at any time.” .He and the lawyer soon after parted, reached his boasting take me to Elizabeth on Saturday afternoon. You were the unconscious means of saving the lives 3 of an estimable lady and a very charming girl,” said Bob. “I was!” “You were. If you hadn’t taken me over to Jersey I wouldn’t have been in the position to block the boss’s villainous scheme.” “Tell me how you happened to get on to it? Where did you chase that thief to after I lost sight of you?) Did you catch him?” “I did not. He away in some slick man- ner after I had chased him up to the Gaston house.” Bob then started to tell Tom his story in detail, and while he was doing so two other clerks came They had read the mornin " were just as paralyzed as was Tom, They were to learn that the late Henry Gaston had h ier. The crowded around Bob and listened to what he mond telling Brush. The rest of the clerks entered and they, too, gathered around the hero of the newspaper account. When he finished bombarded him with numerous questions. No one thought of going to his desk, for as the cashier would not be on hand da the Henry Gaston. Bob Baker acquired something of a reputation in Wall Street, and regarded as quite a plucky lad. time to think about his deal in A. & C., noon he took a look at the ticker and saw that lazy time of it up all went out in a- while they were gone Shia seein ‘aan fi w was his re to see Mr. Gaston. That held without bail to await the action of the Jersey authorities. He furnished the lawyer with the combination of both safes, the to his private one duplicate key to the one. Gardner —— 2 Or set the clerk’s at putting second bookkeeper in cashier for the present, with the his holding the fob right along. Ficinens went on as before, son * the Bob When the Exchange closed that his lucky nickel was poi the $50,000, and he went to was wu half point.

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3 » 5 J -. I think from the present outlook it - ws be safe to hold on till it to 105. The — trouble is that CHAPTER X.—Bob Makes Two Hauls : in the Market. : When he came downstairs to dinner he dis- covered that he was an object of great interest. to the boarders. They all knew that he. was~- Philip Gaston’s messenger, and the story in. the. paper had enlightened them as to what had oc- curred in Elizabeth on Saturday evening, and” By degrees - ihe part he had played in the affair. they began to question him about the matter. He had little to say, referring them to the news-- paper account as containing all the important. particulars. He said that as an employee of .the office he did not care to discuss the case at all. Next morning business went on at the office as usual. Mr. Gaston, after a consultation with his lawyer, agreed to waive any opposition to appearing voluntarily in Elizabeth, as a detective took him to the town and delivered him to the police there. He was brought before the magis- tvate and Bob was taken to Elizabeth by Mr. Gardner, to appear against him. He was re- leased on a heavy bond, which he succeeded in procuring, and during the afternoon he got bail for his cashier. That- evening Gardner held a conference with the recreant broker, and an ar- rangement was made by which Mr. Gaston was. - allowed a reasonable time to vacate the house on. East Seventy-second street. Mrs. Henry Gaston voluntarily agreed to allow him an annuity out of the estate, and would not have prosecu she could have avoided doing so. That matter was out of her hands, so the _ chances were the annuity would do the broker i for several years to come, as he would core be convicted when brought to trial - with Gwin. ing that week A. & C, advanced to 94, and began to attract some attention. On Monday morning it opened at 95 and then went up to 99 by noon. Bob met Will Sparks in front ~ of the Ex ange about that hour. “*] told you my tip was a winner,” said Will. _ “Tt will soon be up to par.” - “Shall I sell out, then?” asked Bob. eas - *— wouldn’t be m a hurry. Keep your eyes on it. Wait till the boom is well on and then get out.” - : “When will that be?” _ a _ “Most likely by to-morrow. The morning pa- =peee REDDY that the stock will go several points le is never can ppen in W ted him if- $50,000 FROM A NICKEL “Bet your life!” replied Will, who then said he had to be getting back to his office. “If it goes to 105 and I sell out at that price I’ll make Net a thousand dollars,” he told him- self, “and Will will get nearly double what -he expected.” Next morning, soon after the Exchange opened A. & C, took a bound upward and went to 106 in no time at all. When Bob went to the board room with a mes- sage to the broker who was now attending to the business of the house, he saw the price on the blackboard. He also saw that there was great excitement around the pole of the stock. “IT guess this is the time for me to sell,” he thought, “and I’d better do it before I return to the office.” While he stood waiting for the broker to come up to the rail, the price advanced rapidly to 107. When he left the Exchange it was up to 107%. He hustled up to the little bank and told the margin clerk to close out his deal. When he got back to the office he heard-one of the customers, who held the tape in his fingers, say that A. & C. was up to 107%. His stock was sold at 107%, as he found out next day, and his profit footed up $1,055. When he collected his money he turned over $105 to Will Sparks as his share of the transac- tion. That left him $950 ahead, which, added to the money he had found, raised his capital to’a little over $1,500. A day or two afterward he reeeived a note from Mrs. Henry Gaston, inviting him to spend Saturday afternoon and Sunday with herself and her daughter. He accepted the invitation with pleasure, invested in a new suit and other fixittgs for the occasion and went over. The lady’s automobile met him at the station and _ he rode out in style. He received a warm welcome from the young lady and her mother, and then he and Edna Gaston took a ride around the country in the auto, . returning shortly before dinner was announced. Next day he and the young lady spent most of - their time in each other’s company and appeared to be quite taken with one another. He received an invitation to come out on the following Sat- urady, and he promiesd to do so. During the following week, Mr. Gaston removed his personal belongings to a bachelor apartment house not far from the one he had been living in at the same time his brother died. On the following day he rendered a partial ac- counting of the estate while it had been in his possession. He completed this accounting the succeeding week, and the figures showed that he- was indebted to the estate several thousand dol- lars. He might have covered this up one way or another, as Gwin advised him to do, but he didn’t seem to care since he knew he was facing a long term in the State Prison at Trenton, be- cause conviction seemed certain. Gwin, on hi part, didn’t intend to stand trial if he could help before the trial and light out to parts unkno He was not confiding his intentions to Gaston,

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“wholly responsible for the failure of their pro- ; : “second street house it was put in the hands of paititers and decorators to brighten up, though it did not need a great deal in that line. In about two weeks it was ready for occupancy again, and _then Mrs. Gaston and her daughter, and the serv- ants at the country place, moved in. puey had no furniture to bring with them as all the furni- ture and fittings of the house remained there. They had’ never been used to such grand sur- roundings, but being nice, sensible people they assumed no airs in consequence, but settled down to enjoy life in their improved situation. The only real friends they could count on at the start were La Gardner = Bob a. oe with wealth at their a ey would soon have all the friends they desired, though it didn’t follow that these new acquisitions would all be the real article, s It was about this time that Bob, who was pick- ing up Wall Street ways at a rapid rate, dis- covered that a syndicate had been formed to corner and boom N, & R. shares. The stock was then ruling at 72, which was low, and on looking up its general record he found that it usually sold between 75 and 80. Accordingly, he thought marginal advance of $1,500, he nt him on. to the .stock, and Will Will as to whether he had better sell then or not. _ _ “It will stand me in a profit of nearly $2,000 if x ci now,” he said. ans pass “I’m going to hold ox for 90,” said Will. “I hat day, and next morning ur N. & R., Jones; it looks got out from to see it slump at any $50,000 FROM A NICKEL ject. After Mr. Gaston’s evacuation of the Sixty ~ the stock opened at 85 St looked as if it was 0ing to 90. As stood on the curb waiting * under. I. 19 —— Bob! So you’re caught, too, eh?” he said. “IT hope not.” “Hope not? Why, the stock is down to 76.” _ “Suppose it is. I bought it at 72, so I can’t © lose, anyway.” ; “1 bought my ten shares at 74, so I may win $25, but if I’d sold out in time I’d have made, at stg $125. Hard luck, isn’t it?” : “« es. ” - “You have 150 shares and ought to make over” $500 if the price doesn’t break when the market ‘ opens.” 4 “I’ve got nothing to do with the markét in the * - morning. I gave my order to sell about twenty ! minutes before the slump, and I’ve come aro to see if my stock was sold at the then ruling < figure,” said Bob. : “al “The dickens you say!” cried Will. “If you sold 3 ees the slump you’re all to the good. How e you to do it?” “Thought thée~stock looked shaky when I was last at the Exch , So I hastened to get out from under, notwithstanding what you said about the probability of it going to 90. You see, it didn’t go to that by sad “You’re a lucky boy,” said Will, enviously. ; ou can luck on that nickel. I be- . lieve it will make ,000 for me yet, just as I. “It is likely to if luck continues to break your b then spoke to the margin clerk and ascer- — tained that his shares had been the top + aetna ea “How mu you when you HAE ca Will as they w: out of the li ; “How much? About $3,700.” ui “You’re going some since you came to Wall — Street.” « F Pad ~ “Yes; I’m doing pretty well.” ; ESF neds “You've done one thing that no other messen- a ger can boast.” oF “What’s that?” ; $ “Put your boss out of business,” laughed Will. ‘ “No, he put himself out of business. I merely ‘ spoiled his scheme.” ; Then Bob said good-by and jumped on a Broads way car. CHAPTER XI.—The Burglary. The Grand Jury returned an indictment. ing Philip Gaston and Edward Gwin with » and the di roceeded sat together in itting-room

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‘CHTINTIAL A 20 term, or are we going to jump our bail and disappear from our customary haunts for good?” | “If I had th money to make good my bail bond : for I still have a sense of honor, I’d step out and : let the police try and find me,” replied the ex- broker. “In my opinion, charity begins at home. We are bound to protect ourselves even if our friends are the losers thereby. What’s $10,000 any way to the parties who went on our bonds? © They can better afford to lose the money than we can afford to go to prison.” , said nothing, but gazed moodily at the mm of the rug. ; “It’s tough for a gentleman like me to have to don prison stripes—to become a jail-bird,” he said, after a pause. = why submit to it? Look here, Gaston, we're nem pretty pod Ee stra) but re peo see a our- sa win, “How?” asked cis comeneion. : “I haven’t been since we failed to accom- plish that little job at your late brother’s country home. I won’t call it your country place, for as matters have turned out it never really belonged ines cover to lawyer gave him the ination of that the key and the combination | nM cow pane mage ‘told. me that ther 7 Faas 1 gr agalnt noe sesame ‘to us to- 1 enterprise I have planned.” “You propose to commit a burglary, then, of my late residence?” ) “I do, and I have engaged two men, experts , at the business, to help us put the game through 4 successfully,” said the ex-cashier. for parts ? Gwin nodded, although he, on his part, did not intend to make good the amount of his bail bond. e was a thorough unprincipled rascal, and it as the unluckiest day of his life that Gaston took up with him. : “Mrs. Gaston and her daughter are going out of town after dinner to be gone overnight, and Bob Baker is to sleep at the house as a kind of gr ager ee re rae’ = fear though he did do us u accident. may afford us the chance to heck at him. It would give lot of satisfaction to sew his mouth ; him most neg es objected Gaston; “if I go in wi ou eme there must be no murder. e in the mire. I don’t MOUNT you have the courage to embark in the - you, | ae had ap A i SS iv s HOO OAS $50,000 FROM A NICKEL “High tobers of the first water. They will share one-third of the between them. One of them is a safe expert. He will bring his tools to use in case thie combination has been changed.” The two men talked for some time over the projected job and then went out to an early din- ner. That day Bob received a tip that a certain stock, called D. & L., was going to be boomed shortly. He knew he could rely on the informa- tion, so he bought 300 shares of it at the ruling figure of 80. He put his deal through after leaving the office for the day, and then he took an a cpp train uptown on the Third avenue road. He got off at Fifty-ninth street station and walked over to the residence of Mrs. Henry Gas- ton, where he had been invited to a quiet dinner. He expected to stay there all night, as the lady and her Spat were going to Brooklyn to visit a new friend, and would not return till the fol- lowing morning. Bob found Edna waiting for him, and they enjoyed a pleasant chat before they were called downstairs to dinner. “You mustn’t let any one run away with the = while we are away,” smiled the girl at the table. “TI will try not to. I think you will find it here when you get back. Don’t leave any of your diamonds around loose, for the temptation might be too great for me to resist.” “We haven’t many diamonds or er precious stones yet, but those we have we shall carry with us. However, there is $10,000 locked up in our wall safe, — with some securities of no great value. Mother has the combination and the key. She might -let you have both if you ask her.” ~ - “Thank you, I would prefer not to be burdened. with the responsibility,” la Bob. “There are lots of valuable things in house that would offer a fine hau] for an accomplished house- breaker. I presume it is to protect them that you have asked me to sleep here to-night?” “Yes,” said Mrs. Gaston, “that is the reason we have asked you to stay here. The servants at the of the house, and if thieves broke in they would have a clear field below. You will, therefore, sleep in my room on the second floor, as a protection to the lower part of the house.” “It gives me great pleasure to be of service to rs. Gaston.” “We appreciate your kindness greatly and shall not forget it.” Dinner over, the ladies got ready to go. At eight o’clock a cab came to the door and they departed in it, leaving Bob to amuse himself among the books in the library till he got ready to go to bed. He found a book that interested him greatly and he read for a long time. - The servants went upstairs to bed and the house be- came silent. : The street was a quiet one, and the noise of the surface cars on Madison avenue did not reach as far as the house. Bob was used to some noise at night, for his boarding place was near enough . to Sixth avenue for him tp hear the rumble of the elevated trains when th The silence _ of the house and neighborhood presently had a somnolent effect on his nerves, so that before he suspected its effect on him he nodded over his ee ere ste aa re tite asleep for a couple of hours when _

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With $50,000 FROM A NICKEL he awoke with a start. He looked at the gilt clock in one corner and saw that it‘‘was) nearly e. “ve been asleep, that’s clear,” he muttered, “and have been wasting the electricity. It’s high time I turned in.” “He turned off the light and started for his bedroom. : As he stepped out into the hall he heard a noise in the sittine-room. It was so suspicious that he opened the door and looked in. Three men were there before the safe, two are derby hats and the other a silk tile. The latter he recognized as Philip Gaston. Then he identified one of the others as Edward Gwin. The third was a stranger to him. The presence of these three in the house staggered him, for they had no right there and their purpose could not be honest. “They are going to make an attempt on the safe,” he thought. “While they are engaged I'll return to the library and telephone the police.” He was about to shut the door and start for the library when he was suddenly seized from be- hind and pushed into the room by a smooth-faced young man with a cap. The three men turned at the sound and beheld Bob struggling in the grasp of the man they had left outside on the watch. Gwin jumped forward and grabbed Bob. “Gag and bind this chap, quick!” he said. The other man in the derby joined in the strug- gle, and in a few minutes. Bob was helpless, with his arms secured behind him and a towel tied around his mouth. / 4 “So, young man, you woke up and heard us, eh?” said Gwin, in a vicious tone. “So much the worse for you! Gaston and I owe you a debt that maybe I’ll pay before we leave the house. Let him lie on the floor till we get through. Not in here, but outside in the hall, and you stay and watch him, Burke.” to the chap with the cap. - It didn’t take the men long to get into the safe, for the combination had not been changed, and Gaston had the key to it. Gwin took a tin box out of the safe and as there was nothing else of any value in it they shut the door and re- locked it. “The bo, has recognized us, Gaston,” said the ex-eashier. “We ought to pickle him so he can’t give us away.” ; ; ; - “There is only one way of: silencing him effec- tually, and I object to that,” replied the ex-broker. * “There is another way. We’ll take him away ith us in the cab and make a prisoner of him. Then he won’t be able to inform on us until after We-have left the city.” “Where shall we take him?” asked Gaston. ~ “Pll attend to that. Come on.” ' ~ He laid his hand on the door and was aston- ished to find it locked. *“What’s the meaning of this?” snorted the ex- cashier, angrily. “Burke wouldn’t have locked Us in.” ¥ “= ~ Gaston tried the door himself and’ saw that it Was fastened. jiffy. He »ulled the door open and as the three ‘vascals started to walk out they found their way obstructed by a pointed revolver in the hand of Bob Baker, the lad they supposed was their pris- oner under the eye of Burke. CHAPTER XII.—Caught Off His Guard. The reader will naturally wonder how Bob, who had been tied and gagged and left outside the door in charge of Burke, got free and was in a position to turn the tables on the rascals, It happened this way: One of. the female servants upstairs had been unable to go to sleep, owing to a headache. At the moment of Bob’s capture she got un _to look for a bottle of stuff she used to alleviate her trouble. Not finding it on her table she recollected she had left it down in the kitchen. She started down to get it, and Burke heard her stepson the stairs. He immediately started up to waylay and secure her from giving the alarm. The moment he left Bob the boy began tugging at his bonds, and as they had not been well tied he was free inside of a couple of min- utes. Then he tore the towel from his mouth. The first thing he did was to lock the sitting-room ° door. Taking off his shoes, and carrying the cord and the towel, he followed Burke upstairs and found him straggling in the dark with the stout cook. He took a hand in the scrimmage and pulled the rascal off the woman. “Now, Mary, tie him while I hold him,” he said, The cook, who was a pugnacious Irish woman, lost no time in doing what the boy told her, and when she had his arms tied Bob gagged him. “Now stand guard over him,” said the young messenger. “There are three more downstairs whom I h.ve locked in the sitting-room.” “Three more, is it?” gasped the cook. “Yes, but don’t be alarmed. I’m going to tele- hone the police, and. we'll have them behind the ars in a short time.” Bob ran downstairs and rushing into the library turned on the electric light and was soon in com- munication with the nearest police station-house, over the phone, but he took care to muffle the bell when using it. He told the officer at_the other end of the wire that there were four bur- glars in the house. “l’ve captured one, and got the other three locked in a room. You must send policemen in *-a hurry or they’ll be able to get out by bs Ra! er the front windows on the street, though it’s ra a dangerous route, but men will take chances to avoid arrest.” He was promised immediate assistance. As he started to turn off the light his eyes lighted on a revolver lying on the top end of one of the bookcases. e grabbed it and started for the sitting-room to head off the rascals if they tried to break their way through. So when they came out, as'we have seen, he had them all covered er. with the weapon. The three men started : if consternation, and Gwin uttered an impreca- ion. : '“Throw up your hands!” cried Bob. “Your side-partner is a prisoner and the police are out-— side and will be here in.a few minutes.” Gwin was a man of quick expedient.

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_ snatched off his hat and flung it in Bob’s face. As Bob started back the three rushed upon’ him, throwing him down. He fired his revolver at random, but did not hit one~of them. In the helter-skelter. rush, Gwin dropped the box, and as he stopped to get it he was pushed ahead by Gaston, and he had to leave it behind. The three 3 ran downstairs and made their escape by the = street door. Bob followed them as quickly as he 4 ould, and fired at one of their retreating figures x! _ ‘without result. When the police arrived he had _ to re sand led the officers upstairs to where the cook ‘was watching Burke. That crook was marched ‘ff to the station. ; “- The excitement had cured the cook’s headache, ‘and after Bob had explained matters to her she ‘returned to her room. Bob, after locking the ‘front door, and séeing that the basement door “which had been forced, was secured, went to bed “himself. Next’ morning after breakfast he took %he tin box with him to the office, leaving word ‘with the cook to tell Mrs. Gaston to call him up on the phone when she back to the house. He was not called to the ’phone until nearly three o’clock. Mrs. Gaston h and learned the facts from the cook. After quite ‘a conversation, Bob told her he would fetch the box up with him in an hour. As he was leaving ‘the office with the box in his hand a messenger stepped up and handed him a note. vad emake it came from Lawyer Gardner, requesting Bo to rheet him‘ at the office of a friend of his on the top floor of a Broadway office building at once, ‘on business of great importance. a ‘but started to call on the lawyer. He found the =f number easily en ? started upstairs in the elevator. A man, who had followed him from roof. d found it locked. He Balle out a ‘a couple of minutes fo ‘it open. down and stow him away in the ind the ladder,” ordered Gaston, e ex-broker had directed. The door was 1 and the button turned, then the two — rt that three of the rascals had got away, just reached home . ~ Will Sparks, the ladder and disposed . $50,000 FROM A NICKEL confederates returned he said, with a wink at Gaston: “We’ve had our trouble for nothing. There was nothing in the box but these securities, which are not worth their salt.” : The confederates looked at each other ‘in dis- appointment, and followed the two Wall Street men back to the scuttle up which they had ae. inally reached the roof. In the meantime, Bo found himself in a pretty bad predicament, but ze did not lose courage because fate was against m. 3 Remembering how easily he had escaped from his bonds the night before, he started te repeat the operation, and succeeded in freeing himself in five minutes. He rushed up to the scuttle, threw it open and -looked out, but saw no sign of the rascals on the roof. He ran downstairs as quickly as he could, but he missed the rascals in the crowd of pedestrians on’ Broadway. He looked around for some moments, then ran into a drug store and notoified the police by telephone of the occurrence. There was nothing for him to do now but FO uptown and tell Mrs. Gaston what had happened to him and her box of money. When he reached the Gaston home and made a full ex- planation to the lady and her daughter, they did not blame him, Bob was invited to stay to sup- per, and he did, after which he spent the evening in Edna’s society. CHAPTER XIII.—Bob’s Remarkable Luck in a _ Stock. During the ensuing week nothing was heard of either Gaston or Gwin. They failed to appear when their trial came on, and a h warrant was issued for their arrest. Their bail also was forfeited, to the great disgust of the bondsmen, who declared that never again would they be re- sponsible for another man.. Bob devoted his.at- tention to business. but he did not forget to kee a close watch on his new deal. The. stock se up by slow degrees, and on Saturday closed at 83. On Monday following it began to attract atten- tion at the opening of the Exchange, and that da it jum " y it went to A seat great excitement in the board room, and Bob sold out at 1013-8, making a profit of $6,300, and making him worth $10,000. : s . “Well, I’ve got one-fifth of my $50,000,” he told and I haven’t been so very long in getting it, either.” A month passed away and-then Bob caught on to another tip. The market had been in bad shape nd a aye ye s 3 a ne was = ing anything spea : e gilt. _ ste were holding their own, and were about the only shares dealt in. The stock that received the least consideration was X. & Z. It had been in the dumps for a year or more, and was down to 40. It might have gone lower if the bears-had taken the trouble to raid it, but it didn’t seem worth their while. In fact, nobody paid any attention to it nowadays. Speculators naturally only care to handle shares that have e life in Shor an

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wey, 1 oe 4 Later iu the day he met a broker he was on terms with. “Say, Mr. Black. there are a number of shares on the list that never seem to be dealt in to any at extent. You seldom see them quoted in the market report.” “That’s true,” replied the broker. “We call = dead tee pe * : “Suppose that a big operator was buying up all the shares of one of them he could get, what would you think about it?” “I'd think it rather funny.” “Is that all you’d think?” “I might think there was a deal on foot to bamboozle the public.” “If you thought that you’d buy some of that stock while it was low, hold it till the syndicate forced it up, and then do a little realizing your- self on the lambs, wouldn’t you?” - The broker laughed. - : f . “Have you discovered that some syndicate is going to do that?” smiled the trader, playfully. : “Maybe I have. Do you want to stand in with me?” ; “What’s your tip? If I think it’s a good one I'll make it all right with you.” « “Will vou agree to give me ten per cent?” “Yes, if I tackle the proposition.” f “All right, Mr. Black.. Your word is good with me. 5 He then told the broker what his tip was, and chow he got hold of it. é “Tt looks pretty good. I'll investigate, and if I take hold and win, you shall have ten per cent. of whatever I er said the broker. ; = % Bob waited a few days, and noticing that X. & Z. had crawled up to 41, he took his money and “went to the little bank, where he put it up on 1,000 shares of the stock at the market price. Next day he met Will Sparks and told him he had bought 1,000 shares of X. & Z “xX. & Z.!” exclaimed Will, in “Jollying me, aren’t’ you?” o ORE will take my advice you'll buy ten te Bh a said Bob, who then let a little light in on the subject by telling his friend all about “ is mind changed around at once. astonishmentt. all. Bob, ne Ie 4,3 we sasnoey no i en brokers began | themselves who was buying this fossil. ‘At the end a buzz of excitement. Next morning it was forced to 55, and during the day to 60, and the traders - knew that there must be a raft of money behind began buying, eagerly, and so did the wens stock went up day after day till it 71 anda fraction, then Bob sold out and and was as happy as a clam. -afterward Bob received a letter in the all hen gt the letter said, “and after the got about 45. I ed hand you herewith the prom- _ “That makes me worth $46,000,’ said Bob. “I "$50,000 FROM A NICKEL other car came up. The first two raised their only need $4,000 more to make my dream come out true.. Will I get it? I guess yes.” CHAPTER XIV.—Conclusion. Only $4,000 more and he would reach the $50,- 000 mark. Two days before Thanksgiving he finally broke in by buying 1,000 shares of S. & T., at92. On Thanksgivine morning he called at the Gas- ton residence to take an automobile ride up in Westchester ‘with Edna, according to a previous arrangement. They were to get back in time for dinner at five. When the machine appeared at the door the regular chauffeur was not in the machine. There was a stranger, who handed in a note to Mrs. Gaston. It purported to come from the regular man and said that having been taken ill he was obliged to send a substitute who, he said, was fully competent. There seemed to « be no objection to accepting the man who brought the note, so Bob and Edna got in the auto. Bob gave the route to the driver of the machine and he started off. : - He turned into Fifth avenue and went straight up that thoroughfare as far as 110th street, down which he turned as far as Seventh avenue, and then made a fine run to Central Bridge. After crossing the bridge he took his course up Jerome avenue and put on a bit more speed. All this time another auto, in which was a chauffeur and two full-bearded men, followed the Gaston ma- chine. Occasionally the driver let off a succession of toots, even when there was no occasion for it, and sometimes the chauffeur of the Gaston machine tooted when the coast was clear. Bob and Edna were so engrossed im each other’s so- ciety that they did not take any notice of these toots, which were in reality an exchange of pre- ~ arranged signals. It was a long run up Jerome avenue, and as the Gaston auto neared the end of it the chauffeur suddenly eased up. The auto behind came whizzing past, ran on for several hundred yards and then stopped in front of a double gate. The chauffeur got down, opened it and drove the auto into the place, leaving the gate open. ; The Gaston man turned in there when he came to the gate. Bob noticed his action at once, — on there! Where are you going?” he - cried. . E “I want to speak to the chauffeur of that ma- ; i He’s a friend of mine,” replied the man. Bob made no further objection, and the ma- — chine rolled up behind the other and stopped. The _ two bearded passengers and the chauffeur of the _ hats to Edna. “IT presume you have called to visit this old historical house,” said one of them, in tones that sounded familiar to Bob. =. Fo ee “No, sir; we were not aware that this ‘os historical house,” replied “Our chat BE came in here to speak to your chauffeur.” “Oh, I see!” smiled the man, wickedly. ] while they are talking it will give us great pleas- ure to show you ao i. ha will ge very interesting i sap é one aed not often are strangers admitted, but as you here we will let you see it. The

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“several of the rooms is very old-fashioned, and _ there are many articles not seen to-day out of a curio shop. It will only take you a short time to Fo through the house, but, of course, if you ‘don’t care to do so we will‘not press the matter.” oi “Let’s go in,” said Edna, who liked to view F old-fashioned things. : , “Just as you say, Miss Gaston,” replied Bob. 3 So they got out and pencengewed the gentlemen aa into a wide, dreary-looking hall, built on a plan that was in style in the early part of the nine- > teenth century. “% The two chauffeurs followed behind. No sooner was the big hall door closed than the gentleman . who had done the talking pulled off his beard : and revealed himself to the surprised eyes of the | two young people as Philip Gaston. The other also pulled off his beard and disclosed the wicked eountenance of Edward Gwin. “We regret the necessity of detaining a young _. * Tady for whom I have such a high regard,” said . Gaston, “but we need money, and we think your mother will be willing to pay us $25,000 for your release. At any rate, that is our price, and we think it quite moderate. All you have to do, Miss Edna, is to step into that room and write a letter oo mother, such as I shall dictate, and we attend to the collection of the ransom. Until we receive money you will have to remain here as our guest. As for your companion, as we can make nothing out of him, he will simpl be held a prisoner until we let you go, thoug' we owe him a debt which we would like to repay. ce the circumstances we have decided to let : . 4. : “Thisyoung lady is in my care, and I intend Dapp her to best, of my ability,” replied , resolutely. “That won’t be much for we are four while , are only one, and a boy at that!” sneered ee “I may be a boy, but fortunately on this occa- = 7 ‘4 ft ate Stighis: slow to protect Miss d Bob, coolly. ing to be door and let us de- part. I shall be sorry to have to shoot, but shoot ‘will unless vou throw up your project!” 4 rascals were taken by surprise, and they “were at a disadvantage because they did not hap- ‘be armed. ; wouldn’t dare shoot one of us,” said Gas- dare shoot all four of you to save Miss ow order that door opened or I’ll be- hawed Win edited eat Wits tide x tips to en made a si one ; The man reluctantly opened Ete eaten !” and Bob covered him “in a way that. $50,000 FROM A NICKEL city. If you obey my orders we'll let you off of the consequences your conduct entitles you to. As for the rest of you, the quicker you make your- selves scarce the better it will be for you.” Their own chauffeur followed Edna outside and did as he was told, helping the girl into the ma- chine. Bob ordered the others to stand away from the door. When they did so he backed out and then made a dive for the auto, in which he jumped. “Now go!” he said to the chauffeur, and the man started up. “You’re a brave boy—the bravest in the world!” said Edna, ay “I simply did my duty, Miss Gaston, and that was to protect you,” he replied. When they reached the city they drove through Central Park and reached the house long before they were expected. Mrs. Gaston was surprised, but their story explained everything, and the lady thanked Bob for his service to her daughter, with tears in her eyes. S. & T..stock went up eight points and then suddenly slumped. Bob happened to be at the . Exchange at the time and he rushed up to the bank and ordered his shares sold. Strange to relate, he made just $4,000, which gave him the coveted $50,000. He came to the conclusion that he had better stop lest his luck change and he lose all he had made. So he quit short off and invested his money in five per cent. gold bonds. That gave him an annual income of $2,500. Six months later he was engaged to Edna, with her mother’s consent, and with ev: prospect of be- coming a wealthv and successful man, we will draw the curtain on the boy who was lucky in stocks and made $50,000 from a nickel. Next week’s issue will contain: “BORN rts OR. FROM MINER TO MILLION- TAKE NOTICE “] will pay eleven cents a copy for any old Secret Service magazines that you may have formerly published by Frank Tousey and Harry E. Wolff, Inc., of New York. Write or send Parcel Post collect to M. St. Leon, Box 416, Hugo, Oklahoma.” : HAPPY HOURS MAGAZINE The journal for those interested in the old dime and nickel novels. Sample Copy Free The real Diamond Dick writes for this magazing, SMITH BOOK CO. Lawrence, Mass, LOVE LURE Box 661.

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"Phe leftfielder was SHORT-STOP SAM or The Boss of the Baseball Boys By GASTON GARNE (A Serial Story.) CHAPTER IIl. The Game Begins. “Tt is a question of which side has the best pitcher,” said one of the wise*ones. - It was seven minutes past the eppetntat time when the umpire stepped up and called out: “Play ball!” The visiting team had the field, and in their maroon uniforms be big, atnletie foclang fellows made a great pictu “Reardon to the bat!” called out the scorer for the home team, and the wiry centerfielder stepped up to the plate. The first ball that was pitched was a vicious in-shoot and the batter narrowly missed getting out of the way. ‘a “Ball one!” sai e umpire. The next one deceived Reardon, for a stviike was called on him. wate struck at the next one and missed. Then, after knocking out two long fouls, he struck out. : McGuire was’the next to bat. After he had two strikes on him he managed to make a clean hit sg ge ge Mar remind and got to first. The rooters for the home team made them- selves heard when this happened, for it looked _ as though there was a possibility of snc! a 5 “O'Donnell to the bat!” for they gave him os eg one put anda, ah on, third!” said Jack as though they are i veteran. Saeall-sinading: thars' be the. dearly of the Bdgertons that the rooters sud- eet voice from the that war Buses ahi Hs SUBi iE "gam sain hin eee a al FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY was a pretty sure hitter, and | ? » sat a couple of seats behind ae ae ee Oh, the Sha r ny, Pe “Foul—strike!” The next one was a good one, but Sam tet it around too far to the left of third. ‘ hat made two strikes on him. he next three were balls, so that meant that something was liable to —— at the next. Sam was as cool as could be. He watched the ee a an eagle eye, and held his bat ready. The ball ed the pitcher’s hand and sailed to the plate Whack! Sam caught it about four inches from the end oe bat, sed then a yell went up that was High tn the air the ball soared, and Sam sprinted for first for all he was worth. McGuire made sure that the ball was was going far over the leftfielder’s head, and then he started for home. Sam was an excellent runner, and c. glance over his shoulder, saw the jot heldne in fe the act of throwing the ball to the third baseman. He knew Se eae call, but he meant to get there k at dat lad run!” cried a little fellow from the top of the fence. “Gee! but he kin beat der ball, all Bon eB Just as the third baseman- reached to’ catch the ball Sam dropped and slid to the bag. His hand was upon it the fraction of a second ~ before the ball was put to him. a “Safe!” shouted the umpire, and then thé = crowd went wild with j Harry Bates and Peek Jones caught our hero in their arms and lifted him on their shoulders as he crossed the plate on a single from Frank Timlin. : Three runs and only one out! It looked as E though the Peerless boys were Saeae going to ‘ e RB good account of themselves. eX to ran, and could their half of the frst inning, and the Peerless in the field. What do you of that C Cuny?” called out an enthusiastic admirer of the home team, who — the president. of the “Done!” said the man, and the be the hands of a the: me what you win UN Six it & wate you give me what you win I i ( CRAPTES pads cig ya 0 on

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amy he had made the bet. He wanted to see the home "era team defeated because he felt that the Peerless __-—s boys ~were upstarts, and not worthy of being a known as first-class amateur ball players. If they should happen to win this game the swell club of the town would have to humble it- self to play with them, or else suffer the criticism of the press and public. “Tf you can prove to me that you are the cause of the home team losing the oe you can have ‘ _ the whole twenty dollars,’ Cuny whispered to Marks. : It so happened that the two knew each other pretty well. They were not on the same social standing, but Marks had done a few mean things sd the rich boy, and had always been paid well or it. Hence the proposition he made. Marks went away, and no one knew but that he had simply stooped to pass a word with the - young president of the athletic club. But let us follow up the game. The Peerless nine was in the field and the Ed- : gertons were about to take their first inning. cS The face of Pitcher Timlin wore a happy smile. He resolved to do his level best to hold the visitors down, and all he wanted was support. He felt he was going to get it, for the boys were all in fine form to-day. Frank Timlin was a good pitcher. : He was as steady as a clock, too, and it was seldom that he got rattled. ; Fred Jones was so used to him that a passed fe. ball was not likely to be credited to him. "ie The pitcher pa Me around and saw that every one was in his proper position, and then he sent a ball whizzing over the plate. It was a straight ball, but the batter had not . ; been. ready. a ; “Strike!” eG ae The stentorian voice of the umpire rang out so every man, woman and child in the big crowd jaid hear it. * Prank sent in another. sounded like the report of a pistol, and away sped - the ball over the second baseman’s head. . The centerfield got it, but not in time to keep the batter from reaching first. - Jt was a clean base hit, and the crowd that had ihe ‘members of the Athletics seated on the ‘ smiled and nodded to each other. won’t stand a : Fes they did not keep it up. ‘The best batter in the nine had come up first, and he succeeded in doing what he did nine times out of ten—made a base hit. . . The next man to step up was a nervous sort of fellow. He held his bat as though he meant usi , though, and struck at the first ball a ce one!” shouted the umpire. It was an out-curve, and he did not come within Crack! The bat hit the wall with a noise that : come over with the Edgertons did not spare their - = “If they keep that up for a while Peerless - ost of a show,” said Jack Cuny. . good Tuck that put the three men out. FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY “One ball!” The next was a rather high one, but the nerv- ous chap reached it and lined it out to left field. That made it two on bases and none out. It looked as though the visitors were going to get a run. The next man to step up was the captain of the Edgertons. He prided himself on being a sure hitter, and he was ready for business. He got two strikes and three balls on him, and the ‘crowd waited with bated breath. Timlin, in answer to the catcher’s signal, de- livered a straight one for the purpose of striking him out. But no! Whack! A red-hot liner went shoot- ing straight for Sam Walters. It was a little over his head, though, but the bog. wes equal to the emergency. p went his left hand, and the ball was caught.- Both the base-runners had started to run from first and second the moment they saw the hit. They thought it was a sure base hit. But they were treated to a great surprise, for like a meteor the ball went to second, and then it was lined to first. : “A triple play!” screamed the little fellow on the fence. “Did yer ever see anyt’ing like dat, fellers? Hooray fur der new short-stop!” A roar went up then, and it surely seemed that. four-fifths of the people gathered there had sud- denly gone wild with joy. The umpire remained stock-still in his tracks for the space of a second. and then he beckoned for the team in the field to come in. . It would have been impossible for him to make. himself heard, so he did not try it. The Edgerton players were stunned for a mo- ment. They could scarcely realize what had hap- pened. ; But they had seen the triple play, and as there was not the least doubt that the three players had been put out, they raised no objections. With the cheers of the crowd ringing in his ears, Sam Walters walked in with the rest. It was a wonderful catch he had made with his left hand, but the quick throw to second was . the crowning point of the play. : Seaver, the second beseman, had ample time to get it to first, and he got it there. The hopes.of those who looked to see the vis- itors —_ in the first inning were dashed to the und. . There were many ladies on the. grand-stand, . and they cheered and waved their handkerchiefs. . Many of them did not quite understand what it was all about, but they were enthused, just the» same. : ~The face of Jack Cuny darkened when he saw how the “scrubs,” as he chose to call the Peerless - ~ nine, were being applauded, and he began to hate Sam Walters from that very moment. “It was the new player who did it all,” he mut- tered. “I wonder what Len Marks intends to do to prevent them from winning? It will have to be something great, for they are bound to win ~ the game with such luck as that.” The young man was not willing to admit to i even, that it was good playing and not ¥ way at (Le be continued.)

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- ; - i) I 4 _ TERMS TO Fame and Fortune Weekly NEW YORK, JULY. 20, 1928 SUBSCRIBERS TO SEND MONEY—At our risk send P. O. PS angie oF Check or Registered Letter; remittances im any other way are at your risk. We accept Postage Mam the same as cash. When sending silver wrap the Coin ina rate piece of paper to avoid cutting the envelope. Write your name and address plainly. COPieB...escceccccececsece Postage Free 8 cents Mae Copy Three Months .,...... ‘ * 00 One Copy Six Months........... j 4 One Co One Bears... cic ckcoce> eeu * by OP canada, $4.50; Foreign, $6.00 Address letters to WESTBURY PUBLISHING CO., Ine. 140 Cedar Street, New York City. ; FRED KNIGHT, Pres. and Treas. RB. W. MARR, Vice-Pres. and See. a Ic TUNNEL PLANNED UNDER aS RONGRO RS ac gt cite kon, vernment is studying a “te ae pore the island with the mainland by a tunnel similar to the Holland tubes, which “join Manhattan Island to New Jersey. d Between Hongkong and Kowloon, its mainland suburb, lies a three-quarter mile wide strait, : _ which is Hongkong Harbor, crossed by an inade- ae | ong and ae erry sevice, which is usually suspended Y wag typhoons which frequent this coast. Engineers estimate that the tunnel need not be than some sections of the London “under- .” Such an eee first of its ae ‘Far E would relieve the congestion 0 i cba the already rapid growth territory of Kowloon other towns in Briti on the mai and, . € LINDBERGH GETS DEGREE | Lindbergh, the University of . He was an engin tes and 2,600 tors, the University Stock Pavilion. An number waited outside to glimpse Glenn Frank told Lin the de- FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY _. the trade of any woman cost more than a dollar a second to broadcast, do = you ‘suppose, the Walrus said, that they’d have... cut ’em short? e According to figures.made public yesterday by M. H. Aylesworth, President of the National, Broadcasting Company, the radio bill for the con-,, vention amounted to $77,000. As the actual pro- ceedings lasted twenty hours, or 72,000 seconds, it,. cost the National Broadcasting Company and, forty-two associated stations almost $1.07 for each second of broadcasting. Specially engineered telephone circuits, totaling .. 45,000 miles, in broadcasting from Kansas City; and an additional thousand miles of wire was , required when broadcasting began from Houston. , The entire expense, Mr. Aylesworth pointed ou is being borne by his company and associa stations. . The cost of reporting the Republican Conven- , tion by radio was divided as follows: Rental and operation of regular N. B. C. circuits at $1,650 an hour for twenty hours, $33,000; rental and operation of special transcontinental circuit at $1,200 an hour, $24,000 ; installation and opera- tion of special “pick-up” circuit, $10,000; rae of personnel and expenses, $10,000; total, $77,000. ‘ i PARLIAMENT BILL TO ABOLISH BARMAIDS IS DRAFTED te One of the oldest and most English institutions, % the barmaid, will disappear if a Parliament bi 8 The Church of England, which is sponsoring - the proposed legislation, believes that ea resses -~ d not raise their daughters to be The bill will impose conditions such as will pre- > vent the ae number of 26,000 women and girls employed in selling retail liquor from in- creasing, and gradually restrict them to thev daughters and wives of owners of saloons. re The Rev. C. F. T maid movement, declares that “the health of many ; barmaids suffers through the stuffy and unhealthy © = atmosphere too often found in the but iy damage to physical health is not the most serious ‘ form of harm that barmaids are likely to suffer. “They may give way, and not infrequently have ~~ given way, to insobriety, and many have to be'* c packarsod for he 9 The So — ; is m easy throu: e treating o raids * by -the Tabitues of the house.” . ; The barmaids, it so happens, are among the prettiest girls of England. The Rey. Mr. Tonks explains is by saying: c z Barmaids, as advertisements show, are selected ** — mainly for y ness and attractive a: -now being drafted is p tain number of positions are open to older women, “| the ordinary barmaid finds it extremely- di as if not impossible, to obta: the trade after the a The proposed bi

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- A BLOW FOR A RIVAL __ “Gentlemen,” said the captain of the British sloop-of-war, Sea Lion, as his lieutnants came up at his bidding, forming a semi-circle near him, with the midshipmen bringing up the rear. “There are the heights, and there is the fort. We storm ; and take that fort to-morrow or perish in the a attempt! I need not say that I expect you will do your duty, for I know you will!” very officer bowed and saluted. All eyes were then turned upon the fort. Far up on the heights by the Chagres River, Panama, it stood, and seemed an impregnable work. The height was steep and difficult, and the fort was well pro- vided with guns, whose hugh, dark muzzles could be seen frowning through the embrasures. “Ay, gentlemen, look at it—there it is,” contin- ued the captain; “the stronghold San Lorenzo! Phe The admiral’s order to me, ere we left Jamaica, = was to take it at all hazards.” se - Bolt upric¢ht stood the lieutenant of marines. | “You hear, men?” he said, turning toward his eorps of fine soldiers. “We are to take that ; Spanish fort.” ; : is Then from each marine, standing with his chin oe ee ae Ne well up in his collar, and his tanned, freckled face immovable as a rock, came the simultaneous: “Yes, sir,” like the grinding sound of a clock ere it strikes. ‘ tain now toward them and said: ~ “Young gentlemen, here will be a chance for one of you to distinguish himself by leading a The midshipmen looked at each other. The cap- stepped = is party of sailors in the assault. Which shall it be?” - “J__J—I!’ cried every boyish voice. “TI require only one.” “Tet me be that one, Captain Warlock,” said George Felton, a fine looking British youth of re seventeen. + * Another youth, Herbert Manning, of the same age, stepped forth and requested the honor of leading the party. He, too, was a fine, handsome fellow, but he was a native of New York, who had shipped aboard the vessel after she had touched at that = rt. Mr. Felton darted an envious, angry glance , fT eard him, when the captain said: “J will choose you, Mr. Manning.” The latter saluted, and his dark eyes flashed with satisfaction as he answered: - “T'thank you for the honor, Captain Warlock.” As the captain turned away to converse with his lieutenants, the mids crowded about Manning. - “Better make your will, old fellow,” said one. “Ay,” remarked another, “you’ll never get in- side that fort, my wg ; . “He may go in, but he’ll never come out again,” bie said a third. Nevertheless, it could be seen that each of Man- ; @’s companion was disappointed because he not been chosen, instead of the American in should favor an are British have _ loud BALI Seer MAK RTA? -FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY “Because an Englishman should be chosen to lead Englishmen;” answered Felton. nae ~ “You do not mean to imply that I will not do my duty, I hope?” said Manning, hotly. “How can you, with your views?” “What do you mean?” “I Will not accuse you of meditating treachery,” said Felton, “but youcannot have the same heart in fighting for the English cause as the rest of us would. “Explain yourself.” “Did you not tell me that you thought the pas- sage of the Stamp Act, which there is a rumor of, in the British Parliament, as we heard at Jamaica, would be unjust and wrong to the American Colonies?” “Ay, -I said so, and I repeat it. Taxation of that kind would be tyrannical.” “You further said that, should the colonies re- bel, you would join the Americans against Great Britain the moment your term of enlistment should expire.” _“I said so, and I say so again,” answered Man- ug boldly. “Such views are unbecoming an officer in his majesty’s service.” “They are not, sir. own opinions,” = “And I think they are. Were I the captain, I would not trust one with such views to lead British sailors.” : “Once for all, Felton,” said Manning, “I inform a that you are mistaken. To-morrow shall prove w I mean to do my part.” ; . “I would not trust you. You heart will not be in the undertaking.” “Tis false!” “Do you tell me I lie, sir?” “Tt do”: 7 - “I expect satisfaction for this.” ; “You shall have it whenever you like—when-. ever we have the chance.” : “By ——!” said Felton, “and it shall not merely. be with the ‘ist. It shall be a combat to the death—with swords.” ; “I am the challenged party, and have a right to a choice. But be it so, swords, if you wish.” The other mids endeavored to make peace be- tween their two hot-headed messmates. But Fel- ton was firm. He insisted he would have the sat- isfaction he required.. All the talking of these young officers was done in the waist, and they took care to speak in low voices, so that neither : the captain ‘nor the lieutenants could overhear what was said. “Mr. Manning,” cried the captain, “take a cut- ter’s crew and make soundings yonder,” ~~ i to a at the base of some rocks, off whi the sloop-of-war now was lying becalmed. “See how near we can approach the coast, and also, make a eareful inspection of the ground further. inland, leading toward San Lorenzo.” ; “Ay, ay, sir!” “Better take another of the young tlemen + with you. to assist. You will go with him, sir,”> — he added, turning to Felton. e* _ “Ay, ay, sir,” answered the latter, with fierce, Inw: joy. . we * “Bo sum and go armed—take your swords, 4 continued the captain. i eee _ Again Felton’s pulse bounded with fierce pleas- — « i . wee 3 = Nees Ste We all have a right to our aes -

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“Tf I can prevent it, that American shall not _ have a command in the assaulting party to-mor- row!” he reflected. Soon shrilly rang the boatswain’s pipe, followed | by the hoarse, rasping voice of the boatswain’s ‘mate, as he bawled out: - “Third cutters away!” Down went the boat, and into it bundled the crew as lively as crickets. “A peaceful h’expedition,” remarked one of the tars, in a low voice, as he winked to another. “FRit will be different to-morrow.” - “Ay, Jack,” was the reply. “That H’american reefer’ll git ’is jacket scorched some ’fore ’e’s er ’E’ll smell powder h’if ’e never did be- ore.” . “Stow that!” said the coxswain, sternly. ; The two midshipmen, with their swords buckled _ to their belts, now entered the boat. - “Give way, lads!” ordered Manning. Away went the boat, and, as the beach was but two miles off, the party was soon making soundings. This having been finally done, Man- ning walked off toward the interior to take a look at the country between this place and, the fort which was to be attacked on the morrow. Mr. Felton accompanied him. The two had reached a secluded valley bordered by rocks and shrubbery when Felton paused and drew his sword. “Retract what Re said to me, Mr. Manning, or we must fight!” “What I said to you?” “Yes, you called me a liar!” : .“Not until you accused me almost of intended ” treason. ~“Granted. Well; sir, draw and look to your- self!” “See here, Felton,” answered Manning, “I am not going to fight you now.” Determined, hgwever, to bring matters to an igsue, Felton was about striking Manning across the breast with the flat of his sword, when the crash of musketry was heard from the shrubbery, followed by the whizzing of bullets. Down went Manning, falling lifeless, and ere his companion, + who had not been hit, could strike a single blow, he was surrounded and disarmed by half a dozen _ Spanish soldiers. The soldiers made good speed - with their prisoner through narrow paths known to themselves, for thev had heard the shouts of the sailors, who, guessing what had happened from the report of musketry, had hastened in the direction of the noise. < ‘An examination of Manning’s injury showed _ that he had not been pierced by the bullet which _ had struck him. It had glanced over his skull, _ though, with sufficient force to deprive him of his _ Senses. A little brandy soon brought him to. In __ @ few moments he seemed as well as ever. Mean- _ while, it was perceived that there was no hope o . The cutter was back to the Sea i Manning reported the attack by the am- ‘ton’s having been, by delaying the two in the val- ley, the probable cause of it. : _,, A few hours later a breeze having sprung up, the morrow. The FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY _ Of overtaking the fugitive soldiers: with their — bush of soldiers, but he made no mention of Fel- - hands. and_were ever after the mile of the fort. The commander of the latter rightly judged that the English captain would not try to bring his guns to bear upon the rocks, with one of his own officers a prisoner there. “Tt does not matter much,” said Captain War- lock, grimly. upon that lofty stronghold. Now, boys!” he shouted, waving his sword from the ship’s quar- pari “advance, and let every man do his uty ” “Come, lads!” cried Manning, ih a ringing voice. There was a loud hurrah and the sailors and marines commenced to scale the height. Manning, sword in hand, led one of the advance parties. “On, boys, on!” came his ringing voice, again and again, while the flash of his sword was seen through the rolling smoke. “Come, lads, press on! We must take that fort and rescue Mr. Felton!” he shouted, when still higher, with his men closely following him. Lit- tle did they know that, blended with his desire for victory. was also an earnest wish to free his brother midshipman, in order that, on the first opportunity, he might cross swords with him and give him the satisfaction he craved. Pressing on like a veritable young tiger, Man- ning was socn within a few feet of one of the embrasures. A tall soldier aimed a thrust at him with his bayonet. At the same moment, an- other would have cloven his skull with a sword had not a sailor shot this second assailant with a pistol. Manning caught the bayonet of the soldier who had made the trust, with his left hand, and, raising his sword with the other, sprang forward and cut him down just as an- other of his foes had raised a huge boulder above his head. Down came the boulder, but Manning avoided it by dodging and thrust his sword into the: Spaniard who had hurled the fragment of rock. With a cheer he sprang into the fort, followed by his men. Cutting down their foes right and left, the sailors now drove their opponents before them. One, however, was .about to bayonet the bound prisoner, young Felton. * He would have succeeded had not Manning sprung forward and passed his sword through the man’s body, at the imminent peril of his own life, for a small field-piece had been slowed round by some Spaniards and was pointed straight toward him as he made his leap. Fortunately the fallen solcier clutched the youth by his jacket and drew him down as he dropped, causing the - _ ball from the field-piece, as it was discharged, to just graze his left shoulder, thus narrowly miss- ing his heart! Manning, releasing himself from the dying man’s clutch, was soon on his feet. And © now there was a loud huzza, as the English took ssession of the fort and their dusky flag waved rom the parapets. ae “Felton,” said Manning, as he freed the pris- oner from his cords, “I have saved your life that we may have a chance to meet as you desire!” “Never!” cried the grateful midshipman. “I see that I made a mistake, and I retract all that I said! Mine shall never be the sword to cross ours after such gallant conduct on your part! a ag aA ie ae Then there two young officers grasped dirmest of trlends: ee! “Our shot could do no execution ~ 5 z "Ss om. is 34

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OLD AUTO CASINGS FOR STOUT BOOTS 3 Old automobile casings are not wasted in 2Greece. In fact they are not worn out fast tenough to supply certain classes with an innova- a -tion in modern footwear. During the last four -years they have been used in gradually increas- sing numbers until now it is estimated that at, least 50,000 are imported annually. ~ The casings are in particular demand for the eymaking of footwear for thé peasants, especially “in. Greek Macedonia and Thrace. The tcharik, a srough footwear of Greek villagers, was composed formerly of a strip of leather held around the Yfoot with a leather lacing passed several times ; -~around the ankle and calf over the thick stock- _ Sings. Now strips of old casings have completly -supplanted the leather, A hide tcharik lasted only ifrom one and one-half to two months, whereas : ‘the rubber tcharik wears from eight to twelve ‘months. It also affords better protection from dampness during the winter months. | § GLASS EATER STRUTS HIS STUFF AT. - ; VILLAGE HOSPITAL BENEFIT “How the wicked Borgias would have been fooled ‘ig they had tried to kill Reginald Himes with one “of their poisons is food for lots of laughs in Rock- vs Sie’ wee sil laughi ntly be ~ People were . ng recently beeause Reginald Himes, who lives in Atlantic Avenue ‘Lynbrook, L. I., not only revealed that he had een thriving on a dash of ground glass for some fourteen years but ate before the sceptical ‘eyes of a doctor of the e Center Hospital. © The glass, according to Dr. Willard Wheelock, f ; tested in solvents to prove that it was no = trick ration, Watching Himes crunch the = “glass to bits before swallowing it Dr. Wheelock _ ‘said the only explanation. he could off for Himes’ ‘surviving is a combination of unusually strong : teeth and tough tissues. : ES, Himes, now in his thirties, said glass eating “+ was first a schoolboy habit. He is said to have swomen who saw Himes eat at a pare Be vited him to perform for carnival. er : who read about the Borgias killi the ape a Se geet ne ee "Were sure glass wasn’t ‘or people, objec _ on,.the ground of cruelty. Some believed that the , was not glass and there was some trick ° ~ Hi ‘exonerated and congratulated, per- _ formed for the hospital’s benefit. COUNTRY CAMPS FOR CHILDREN FROM -. NEW YORK’S SIDEWALKS oups in the metropolis will hearty swing—the Summe FAME AND . FORTUNE WEEKLY BRIEF BUT POINTED Thirteen such outdoor establishments will be operated this year as in the past by the Federa- tion for the! Support of Jewish Philanthropic So- cieties, which expects to accommodate 6,987 ju- venile guests. At some of these camps the young- sters pay a nominal sum for room and board; at others, everything is free. The Jewish Work- ing Girls’ Vacation Society, one of the units, gives to its members a choice between the seashore and the Catskills, maintaining. establishments at both. Several Jewish fresh air camps are im Inter- state Park (the sites being provided by the Inter- state Park Commission) created several years ago through the generosity of the Harrimans: Hun- dreds of independent camps now dot the Bear Mountain district under that family’s provision. Until two years ago the Jewish camps in this region and other parts of the metropolitan area conducted their programs without attempt at ‘coordination, according to the association. “Then,” it says, “followed the formation of the Jewish Vacation Committee, which appointed a committe to make a survey. of the situation and its need. The work of twenty-six agencies send- ing campers to fresh air societies was studied.” .As a result of this survey, a need for vacations for at least 48,000 Jewish children was announced. A special fund raised among children at private camps and providing for 445 additional weeks of vacation was placed at the association’s disposal. SMALL FORESTS OF BIG.TREES ARE NOW SUCCESSFULLY MOVED Because of the desire of E. T. Stotesbury of Philadelphia to have beautiful trees on his estate ‘at Bar Harbor, Me., without waiting half a cen- tury for them to grow, Mount Desert Island has become the scene of some notable tree nurse work. Expert tree-movers from Long Island, N. Y., are to stock his estate with a number o fine specimens to be transferred from the is- land’s forests. Some of them are very large, being two feet or more in diameter at the base and from forty to fifty feet in height. Last Winter a Bar Harbor nursery accom- lished a notable piece of work along a sirhilar ine. More than nhirety trees were moved on the Stotesbury estate. Most of them, including pies, spruces and beautiful silver maples, were trans- ferred only from one location to another, but eighteen were obtained from the forests, and all are flourishing. This tree moving was done in the dead of Winter when the earth was frozen in a ball around the roots. The holes to receive the trees were dug a foot larger around than the frozen ball, the space between being filled with fresh woodland leam, and the roots inside being kept undisturbed. In the Winter the sap of the tree js dormant, allowing the greatest safety possible in. moving. Thus a ready-made forest has become a pos- sible achievement of nursery technique, although it is not likely to become a popular oe with the average Summer cottager who mus&é — count costs. _ . a ae aE: s, 7 F : “3 j

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4 | FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY . CURRENT NEWS ig SS “ge 31 TUBERCULOSIS RATE DOWN Advance figures from the thirty largest cities in the country show that tuberculosis mortality in _ 1927 set a new low rate, erasing the slight rise of 1926 and showing a greater per cent. of decline than any other recent year. This information is contained in a report to be presented to the National Tuberculosis Associa- tion by its managing director, Dr. Linsly R. Wil- liams of New York at the opening of the organi- zation’s annual convention. DOG CARRIES RED FLAG AT SPANISH RAIL CROSSING ‘A dog acts as guard of the grade-crossing over the oogwheel railroad to the convent of Montser- Yat, Spain, to which thousands of pilgrims and tourists make excursions. ‘ - At ordinary times, when no trains are passing the animal lies on a wooden bench at the side of the road, wearing a cap his owner made for him. When he hears a train approaching, he jumps up and stands on his hind legs, bearing between one of his paws and his breast a red flag which sig- nals road travelers to a stop. DOUGHBOYS IN TIENSIN SPEAK TWENTY- TWO FOREIGN TONGUES ~ A canvass of the Fifteenth United States In- fantry at Tientsin, indicates that 115 of the 800 doughboys, composing the regiment, speak twen- ty-two different languages. ; Company A of the regiment, with a strength of approximately eighty men, boasts the ability to make itself understood in thirteen tongues. The number of linguists in the regiment capable of conversing in foreign tongues are: Thirty-one in German, twenty-seven in Spanish, sixteen in French, fifteen in Russian, five in Italian, four in Polish and two in Lithuanian-Bohemian, while one’ each speaks Dutch, Malay, Hebrew, Greek, Rumanian, Portuguese, Norwegian, Swedish, Hungarian and Danish. BICYCLE IS MAIN VEHICLE FOR HOL- LAND’S POPULATION Bicyeles are more frequent in Holland than -. in the United States. There is a “rijwiel,” or - bike, to every 2% inhabitants. In a university ’ town like Leyden virtually every student, male or female, owns a wheel. ‘ Pa ‘The great popularity of the bicycle is attribu- __ table to the fact that there are practically no hills The importance of the bicycle is recognized by s: _ the authorities in that they provide separate “rij- wiel POF —— roads running parallel to the automobile and horse-drawn vehicle roads. er care not to be run over by a bicycle than by an automobile. ; EX-NOBLES IN THE ARMY One of the reforms upon which any German _ Government under the control of the Socialists is : to insist is some sort of reorganization : the regular army for the purpose of making ‘ » Friendly Islands, a British The pedestrain in Holland must take far great-. that small but well-trained force as dependable against possible reactionary “putschs” as it is against Communist revolts. The possibility of such action is held to be one of the principal rea- sons for the demands voiced by many of the anti- Republican papers for the “protection” of the army by President Hindenburg. In connection with the discussions in the Ger- man press over the advisability of minimizing the class distinctions -in the new army and cuttmg down the percentage of officers belonging to the former nobility figures are cited showing that 779 of the 3,724 officers of the regular army are of noble birth, about the same percentage as ob- tained in the army of the Kaiser. Of the 42 Generals, 23 were born nobles; of the 109 Colo- nels, 35; of the 191 Lieutenant Colonels, 58; of the 876 Majors, 90; of the 1,100 Captains, 192; of the 1,273 First Lieutenants, 250, and of the 633 Second Lieutenants, 131. : JAPANESE FLAPPERS ADOPT TATTOOING AS A NEW FAD The public morals inspectors of the Osaka Po- lice Department, Japan, are concerned over what action to take to stop the fad of tattooing that has spread among young girls. They view it as one of the tricks of modern youth—which is as mod- ern here as anywhere—and are looking for a law under which they can suppress the “immoral fool- ishness.” - : The fad started with the dancing girls, but lately office girls, waitresses and high school girls have taken it up. One dancing girl had peonies on her back and on each arm were ascending and descending dragons. Decorations among waitresses were found to be tattooed eyebrows, while some stenographers had red hearts on their ears. High school girls, the police reported, had names of favorite actors and symbols of secret societies engraved indelibly on their arms. WE LOSE AN ISLAND It is reported from Wellington, New Zealand, that Dr. George E. Ladd, the American geologist, . after he had discovered the volcanic island of ¥ Falcon, in the South Pacific last winter, returned to ER. rei where he had several interviews © with Uiliame Tugi, the Premier of Tonga, or protectorate, so ac- knowledged by a treaty negotiated by Sir Basil Thompson some years ago. 3 It appears that Mr. Tugi was very much ex- cited about the discovery and asked several ques- tions énding with: “Of course you will raise the American flag over it?” re : * Dr. Ladd is reported to have disclaimed any such patriotic ambition saying: “It’s only & mound of volcanic ashes, which ray disappear at any time, and I certainly would not be thanked for annexing it.” : . 2 = a replied the Premier, “I will do it my- self. : = 1 He thereupon fitted out a ceremonous expedi- - tion and with Dr. Ladd in the party proceeded to — Falcon and the Tongan flag over it. %

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s140 A Bey From the South; or, Cleaning Out a ll Street Crowd. Pa Wa ‘e sh Hustler; or, The Feat That Made Him Famous. “i 1142 A Mad Broker’s Scheme; or, The Corner that 4 Couldn’t Be Worked a 1148 Dollars From Dust; or, The Boys Who Ag Worked a Silver Mine. 1144 Billy Black, the Broker’s Son; or, : Worst Boy in Wall Street. 1145 Adrift In the Sea; or, The Treasure of Lone Reef. - 4146 The oe Wall Street Jonah; or, The Boy vs o Puzzled the Brokers. A 1147 ‘canis Will; or, The Success of a Young Telegraph Operator. 1148 Wall Street Jones; or Trimming the Tricky The Traders. 1149 Fred the Faker; or, The Success of a Young ae Street Merchant. 2150 The Lad From ’Frisco; or, Pushing the “Big Bonanza.” “$451 The Lure of Gold; or, The Treasure of f Coffin Rock. 2152 Money Maker Mack; or, The Boy Who Smashed a Wall Street “Rig.” 1158 Missing For a Year; or, Making a Fortune in Diamonds. ” 4154 Phil, the Plunger, or; A Nervy Boy’s Game of Chance. - 155 Samson, the Boy Blacksmith; or, From the Anvil to Fortune. ~ $156 Bob’s Big Risk; or, The Chance That Came rz 2157 Stranded in the Gold Fields; or, The Treas- ure of Van Dieman’s Lan 158 pe 8 the Broker; or, Playing a ae Capit inst a Hot Game; or, Two Coll 1160 Up, Asin in Yall Street.” _ A Big Contract; or, The Poor Boy Who Won. i at ; or, Whooping up the _ Wall Street M 3 Driven to Work; or, A Fortune nd ars a ONS, = Dime; or, —e His Way to Fame and Fortune Weekly — Latest Issues — 1164 The Way to Make Money; or, Taking Chances in Wall Street. 1165 Making His Fortune; or, The Deal of a Plucky Boy. 1166 The Stock Exchange Boys; or, The Young Speculators of Wall Street. 1167 Seven Bags of Gold; or, How a Plucky Boy Got R 1167 Dick, The Wall Street Wait; or, From Newsboy to Stockbroker. 1169 Adrift on the Orinoco; or, The Treasure of the Desert. 1170 Silent Sam of Wall Street; or, A Wonderful Run of Luck. 1171 Always on the Move; or, The Luck of Mes- senger 99. 1172 Happy-Go-Lucky Jack; or, The Boy Who Fooled the Wall Street Brokers. 1173 Leaxeine a Trade; or, On the Road to For- une. 1174 bie” sen Poe Margin; or, The Boy Who Won the Money. 1175 Joe Darcy’s Treasure Hunt; or, The Secret of the Island Cave. ~ 1176 A “Live” Boy; or, Quick to Get the Dollars. 1177 “A Barre] of Coin; or, The 1 -ck of a Boy Trader.” 1178 “Driven to the Walt; or, The Nerve of a Wall Street: Boy.” 1179 “Johnny the Parcel Boy; or, The Lad Who Saved the Firm.” 1180 Going to the Limit; or, A Big Risk For Big Money. 1181 ss To Him; or, Running His Father's usiness. 1182 “Back-Number Bixby”; or, The Boy Who Was Up to the Minute. 11838 A Young,Barnum; or, Striking It Rich in e Show Business. 1184 The Brotherhood of Gold; or, A Daring Wall Street Game. 1185 Ed, the Express Boy; or, His Own Route to Fortune. 1186 The Stolen Bonds; or, How Wall Street Will Made His Mark. 1187 A Favorite of Fate; or, After the Head - Hunters’ Treasure. 1188 Master of the Market; or, The Boy Who - Cornered the Stock. 1189 Landing on His zen or, - The Pluckiest . Boy in the World wo ft rade aad ee ee ne ae New York City

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