Fame And Fortune Weekly (no. 187) (1909 04 30)

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Tien EOREROE ARNIS } I Wa eae a ee “TN fix you, you young viper!” hissed Dave Wambold, closing with Jack, and trying to force him into the canal. Millie uttered a shrill scream,which attracted her brother’s notice. He grabbed a boathook and ran forward to Jack’s assistance.

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ame and Fortune Weekly STORIES OF BOYS WHO MAKE. MONEY = ' Us kly—By Subscription $2.50 per year. Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1909, in foe te of the Librarian | _ es Vase of ition Washington, D. C., by Frank Tousey, Publisher, 24 ‘Union Square, New Y JACK JASPER’S VENTURE ie OR, A CANAL ROUTE TO FORTUNE By A SELF-MADE MAN" nt tered the canal at Camden, passed through the artificial | waterway, and dumped freight and even passengers at Jor- dan, a town on the west shore of Lake Cadillac, whence they were taken across in a small steamer to Bastlake, on the opposite shore. . re But the building of a railroad which took in Ceitarpent: cE knocked the business, of the canal boat company yee a cocked hat, x East-bound freight and passengers were carried a. Shr 3 longer | way, around, it is true, but the iron road ade 2 quicker time, though the cost: of eae was higher than | the old canal boat rates. s ane As time is money in a majority of cases, eles natu- rally preferred the railroad to the slow-going water route, so the canal transportation company went out of business — and abandoned their boats and the panal itself to the rav- ages of time and neglect. Ben Burling was a young man of twenty-five years ot age, and a particular friend of Jasper’s.. ; He had a sister. named Millie, who was an. ancominénly" smart girl, ¢ i Jack and Ben had hes employed until lately i ina small =) _| furniture factory, Ben as engineer and Jack as firem ; | but the closing down of the works on account of the ure of the company threw them out of work. With rites of - on their ape they had g CHAPTER T. INTRODUCES JACK JASPER AND HIS FRIEND BEN BURLING. ae ‘Missed again, Ben,” laughed Jack J asper, as the smoke from the muzzle of Ben Burling’s shotgun floated away and the water-fowl he had shot at winged its low flight : across he Camden marshes. we me gum! I don’t know what’s the matter with this old It seems to be goin’ back on me,” replied Ben, in a e. “Tt isn’t the fault of the gun. You looked crooked, t’s all,” chuckled Jack. ‘How could I look crooked ? ‘No, it’s the blamed gan, ell cy ‘T never missed twice in succession before in hole course of my life.” pred cr noes at his Beau but. he Lo es find ae of skill 0 on. his ae jasper and Ben ane were ee residents of

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i JACK JASPER’S VENTURE. the bridge which they had to cross to reach the road to Camden. No one in the county could remember when this mill was in operation, nor was there any record of the date when it was erected. There was a tradition that the miller had hanged him- self to one of the rafters, and on the strength of that legend. the old place was said to be haunted. Whether it was or not few people had the opportunity to find out anything on the subject, though it is true that two or three farmers, passing that way late at night, as- serted that they had seen a ghostly kind of light in one of the windows. _As on each of these occasions the farmers were known ~ to have gone home boozy from a tavern on the outskirts of Camden, and might reasonably be supposed to have — been in that condition when they passed along the road opposite the old mill, their stories met with little credence. — Tt was quite possible they might have seen the flash of a match as some tramp who had sought shelter in the mill lighted his pipe, but as for ghostly lights at the mill or any- ~~ where else, the community did not take any stock in them. — The sun disappeared entirely as Jack and Ben got within a hundred feet of the mill. ee They took to the dried bed of a stream that had at some ancient date flowed that way from the Salmon River and’ lost itself in the marsh. + eae It-was this stream which had furnished power to the mill, and no doubt the drying up of it had put the mill out of business. os No one living in that locality, and there were some ol inhabitants, could recolleet when that waterway was no just as it looked now. , Ges Now that they were out of the marsh and near th bridge, Jack and Ben didn’t care how soon it got dark, fo: they were not much over a mile from town. Mealy ise “Come, step out, Jack. I’m feelin’ as hungry as “J reckon you’re right, Jack. We don’t want to be _ caught on the marsh in the dark, and we’ve got quite a way to go before we can reach the bridge that crosses the canal.” ; “We've done pretty well,” said Jack, glancing into his stuffed game bag. “I’ve got fodder enough here to fill our larder. We won’t need to call on the butcher for several days, and that’s quite an item, considering I’m out of a job.” “You're better off than I am, anyway,” replied Ben, “for your mother owns her cottage, while I have rent to pay.” “That's right; but the rent you pay won’t break you or make the landlord rich.” “Well, six dollars a month is something. If I didn’t have it around the first of the month old Grimes would have a face on him as long as a yardstick.” “T shouldn’t think that six dollars would worry him much. They say he’s very well off. I heard that he holds _ mortgages on a dozen buildings in Camden, and on one or two outlying farms besides.” “Tt wouldn’t make any difference if he owned the whole ' of Camden, he’d be just as graspin’ as he is now.” - -, “Funny that an old man like him should be reaching out after the dollars, when he’s got more now than he can pos- _ -sibly spend if he lived to be a hundred.” “Spend! Why, he doesn’t spend anythin’. He just hoards it up. A cent looks bigger to him than a dollar does to you and me, poor as we are.” AH _ “TI know he’s got the reputation of being a miser ; but people always exaggerate such stories, I don’t believe he’s _ worth half what folks imagine he is. They say he lost: a lot of money in the canal company when it went up. That __ canal was a pet hobby of his, and it broke his heart when - the railroad put it out of business. They say he hasn’t been exactly right in the head since the failure of the com- _ pany he helped to finance.” _ “Don’t you worry about his head,” said Ben. “I wish Bs Thad as shrewd a head on my shoulders. I’Il bet®I’d soon hunter, and I’m thinkin’ I can’t get outside a brace of these ‘ he worth money.” Sep ian | birds, cooked as only Millie can cook them, any too soon,” zs _ “What good is money to a person if he doesn’t enjoy it? | Said Ben. ct a 4 What's the use of piling up gold for somebody else, maybe| Unfortunately in stepping out Jack’s weight came on 3 a distant relative, or even a stranger, to blow in?” round stone, which slipped aside, and his ankle turne Er “N 0 good. I always get as good a time as possible out | under him. - mV gt On ny little money. A fellow is a long time dead. Sis! Down he went with a cry of pain, and, what was worse _ won't need it, for she’s bound to get some chap to look | he couldn’t get up. ; after her. * consider her a prize package for, any likely} “What's the matter, Jack?” asked the surprised Bris. Teint man. SpSe : “The matter is I’ve sprained my ankle badly, an ah es guess she is. She’s a fine little housekeeper.” can’t get on. ll never be able to walk home, You'll Pa None better. She can: make a dollar go as far as any| to carry me to the canal, so that I can bathe it, or it _ woman, and further than most.” | swell to the size of an clephant’d foot inside of ha __, While talking together the young sportsmén were pick-| hour. I ktiow what I’m up against. Prompt atte in their way at a good pace across the marsh. | and cold water is everything at the start of an acci This wouldn’t have beén an easy matter for one not so| this kind. If I can keep the swelling down PU soo: ell acquainted with the place as they were; but both had | over it, but if I can’t V'll be laid up for a week or t topography of the marsh down fine, having visited it} said Jack. He ed “How in thunder did you do it?” gk “Stepped. on a stone that seemed lying there with ma ious intent to do me up. Come now; help me alon have to hop on one foot to

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trying to oan his gum boot off for the ankle was already badly swollen. He suffered great pain while Ben, as gently as he could, pulled the boot off. Removing his stocking, he plunged his foot into the cold water of the canal. Tt sent a shock through his body like contact with a pow- erful galvanic battery, and he had to grit his teeth to avoid uttering a howl. “Does it hurt?” asked Ben, noticing the expression of _ his companion’s face. : “Hurt! Oh, no, it doesn’t hurt at all. It feels lovely,” _ replied Jack in a sarcastic tone.. “I wish you were enjoy- ing the same sensation, for misery always likes company.” “Thanks,” chuckled Ben, “I’d rather the pleasure were “= yours.” “Gracious! the water is cold. It puts my teeth on edge.” “You don’t expect to find the water warm at this time of the year, do you?” “Of course not. Tt ought to cure my sprain in short order. It’s about as painful though as having one’s leg amputated.” tr a “How do you know that? You never had a leg cut off.” “TT just waid that to give you an idea of my sensations at ... this moment.” “gs ‘Tt was rather heroic treatment that Jack forced himself to undergo, for the water was icy cold, and for a time it ~ made the pain in his foot almost unbearable; but Jack was grit clear through, and as the swelling went down the pain decreased, His foot was so chilled, however, that there was no ap- parent feeling in it. He bound his ankle up with a wet bandage made out of his handkerehief, held in place by Ben’s handkerchief... _ Over this he drew on his stocking and then shoyed his ~ leg into his. boot. “Tt won't do for me to rest my weight on that ankle,” he said to Ben. ' “You must help me as far as the mill: and go and borrow a cart of Farmer Bradley and take ome. By favoring my ankle all I can for a day or so right. Had we been somewhere out of reach of '’d have been in a bad pickle.” en assisted Jack into the ground floor of the old mill, where Jasper seated himself on a box which stood under the stairs leading to the second story. = v! Tl leave my gun and bag of game here with you,” said 8 fe “and V’ll get yes with some kind of a vehicle as soon gan. ie _ansios to ape nee and doctot my ariklé with lini- ment,” epee Ji ack. Sst pecans th 6! 7 JACK HEARD IN ‘THE OLD MILL. JACK JASPER’'S VENTURE. . eee |for the outer door, where he paused and looked out fo and bushy eyebrows. ; what he was doing in the building. - _ The ae peice himself an It was a lonesome spot at the best, pareane after dark. rae ‘The almost stagnant water of tie canal made no sound, es and at that season of the year there were few nocturnal sounds from nature’s large family of winged and creeping. things. , Only a yery light wind blew: across the country, not’ strong enough to even whisper among the loose boards o1 Ee the mill. As the chill gradually left Jack’s foot the pain carte 3 back; but it was not so very bad, and he didn’t fe, it oe particularly. an He leaned his back against the wall, extended his game. foot at full length, and kept his eyes on the darkening — doorway. The shadows settled down thicker and thicker about the room, and Jack’s thoughts recurred to the yarns he had heard about the mill being haunted. He didn’t put any faith in them, nor in the idea of the © materialism of the spirits of dead people, but he wondered — if the. miller who had originally ran the mill had really — committed suicide by hanging wae eo to a rafter in the building. 5 “Tf I was at all nervous I wouldn't like to be obliged to remain in this old rookery after dark,” he thought. “Thank goodness I’m not affected that Way, for they say a person’s imagination can go a long way toward making ies spooks out of nothing at all.” At that moment the silence of the mill was suddenly — broken by the sound of slow and heavy footfalls somewhere : down under the flooring. | “What’s that?” cried Jack, becoming alert all at once. “There is somebody in this mill—down in the cellar 2 Bs the wreck of the disused machinery lies crumbling away. Who can it be? Some tramp probably who has been — snoozing there.and has just woke up.” Ro | The footsteps sounded as if ascending a stairs he pains they came nearer every moment. : Presently he could hear them in a room beyond an open. doorway. % Jack fastened his eyes on the door which he eis barely make out as a blot on the side wall. ta From the darkness surrounding the doasesy a human form came forth. ee _ It looked little better than a solid kind of shadow i in the aS gloom of the big room where the boy sat. Mahar Tt was a man of ordinary stature, and he walked straigh some minutes, ; Then he stepped back and struck a maaiel to light a pe a Jack saw between his teeth. The flare of the match showed a sooty shaven fac It also disclosed the fact that. the : man ‘was ° 1 dressed. He did not look at all like a ees a a WBE wo ed if ad been

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a JACK JASPER’S VENTURE. Eyery time he came to the outer door he would pause and look out, after which he resumed his stride. Jack thought it prudent not to reyeal himself in his present. disabled condition, for the man might not be an honest one, and there was no saying what he might not be inelined to do to him. The boy got the idea from his movements that lie was ‘expecting somehody. _ At that moment Jasper caught the faint sound of foot- steps on the bridge. “T wonder if that’s Ben, or is it the pergon this man seems to be waiting for? It’s a little too soon for Ben to be back, T think.” All doubt on the matter was dissipated by the appear- ance of an average built man in the doorway, with a grip. “That you, Wambold?” asked the man with the pipe, ~ advancing to meet the newcomer. “Of course it’s me. Who else would come here at this hour, or any other time, for that matter?” was the reply. “Did you bring my grub?” . “Of course 4 did. Do you s’pose I'd forget you ine “T should hope not, for there’s nothin’ left below but a package of crackers, and that wouldn’t go far on a hungry man’s stomach.” “Been working all’ day, I s’pose.?”? said Wambold. “Up to about two. Then T lay down and took a eed Only waked up about ten minutes ago.” “ow is the second plate getting on? ue “Tg nearly finished.” re “Well, it’s time we looked around for the necessary coin to buy the press and other things we need for turning out a first-class imitation of the new tf easury $20 note.’ “Wheis are we goin’ to get the stuff ?” | “Take it from somebody who has a superabundance of the article.” . “Rob him, you mean?” ' #That’s what the world calls it, chuckled Wambold. “That's risky.” - «So fs this business we're engaged in; but the promised af results of our enterprise largely overbalance bhe risk in- Ee Spolyed.”; - “Yes, as far as the plates go hes? et be a perfect fac- simile of the ones the Governatehe uses to turn out the new - notes. Ill guarantee that. If the paper and printing are equally good ‘we ought to get rich on the rapid plan.” Es “You needn’t worry “ghout’ the paper, Spangler. The 0 ernment is doing that now over the unexplained dis- ek of a case of it. The case will get here in due All that bothers me “now is the press. and other: ‘sere say oe a entsan and is So state of banks } a all is neue) hidden somewhere on the prem: | ia four or five hours?” found out that he has a sister, who is bedridden, in Hast- — He is in daily lake, on the other side of Lake Cadillac. expectation of hearing of her death. He also has a brother living somewhere beyond Eastlake with whom he has been. on the outs for years. The sister is worth money, and has made a will leaving it equally between the two brothers. though during her lifetime, for family reasons, she will hold no communication with either brother. Each brother is worried lest the other should hear of their sister’s death first, arrive at her home ahead, and get away with some of the money before it can be regularly divided.” “Well, what has this to do with us?” asked Spangler, wondering why his associate should spring such a yarn on him. \ “Don’t interrupt me. is surely at death’s door. him the same information.” “How in thunder did you learn all this?” “T found it out through the gardener, who is an ‘old pal of mine once, and whom I can still depend on.” “Oh, that’s what took you to Hastlake eee is it?” “You ve guessed it. I arranged with Bilkins, that’s the gardener, that when he received a telegraphic message from mé containing the single word ‘Grimes? he was to go to the Western Union office and send a message to old ‘Adam stating that his sister was at the point of death. Well, I sent that message this afternoon.” “do on,” said Spangler, much interested. “As Adam Grimes has made an arrangement with the Adam Grimes has tipped the gar- dener to let him know by telegraph the moment his sister ras The joke of the thing is that — the other brother has also tipped the gardener to forward — Fae: ne a E operator in the telegraph office at, Cr hdeae to send him by special messenger without delay any message that comes for him from Eastlake, he has undoubtedly got the gar- dener’s dispatch by this time, and has either started, or will soon start, for his sister’s home.” “Well?” said Spangler. “That will leave his cottage sathouk any one but his niece, who is only a girl of seventeen, to protect: his prop- erty. Now it is my purpose for you and me to visit the cottage about midnight, break in by the back way, whi should be an. easy job, chloroform the niece, and ransack the premises for the old man’s ready money. If there a he a few thousands on the premises, as I feel certain t are, we ought to get them, and then the problem of raising the funds we need will be solved. How does is . ke you! on. “All right.. You have a great head, Wambold,” ule “We'll have the whole night to make the search may do the matter coolly and thoroughly. His | cotitag | out of the way, near the canal, and only about three-q ters of a mile from here. “Nobody but an old’ cde on and miser would live in such a place if he could afford be ter quarters. Tes a wonder to me he hasn’t ears | aiatt, for I know: you don’t care to hang sted ae tree. on Ge mound ny an n? pay

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} ee JACK JASPER’S VENTURE. CD ae ie 8 “Meet me there about eleven o’clock and I’ll have the} “I didn’t know who you were, or what you might do to » tools needed to break open the miser’s strong box, if he| me seeing me here alone and unable to defend myself.” _ has one, which I s’pose we may reckon on,” said Wam-| “You had the guns to defend you, didn’t you?” said bold, taking a cigar from hig vest pocket and a box of wind} Wambold, rather surprised that the boy had not availed ' Incifers from another pocket. himself of them. Jack Jasper had easily overheard every word sunken by} “I thought if I kept aie Ls wouldn't need ee I the men, and he had listened with eager attention to the| didn’t want to get into a shooting scrape.” plan afoot to rob Adam Grimes. “Now look here, answer me, you heard all we wid _ He determined ‘to acquaint Ben with the facts, and get} isn’t that so?” him to go to the police station im Camden and put the} “Yes,” admitted the boy. authorities on to the job, so that the two rascals, who were}. Wambold and Spangler looked at each other, and it was evidently counterfeiters as well, would be captured when} clear they realized that they were in a bad box. they started to break into the old man’s house. “You can’t expect us to let you go away now that you _ Unfortunately for Jack’s purpose the wind lucifer that have learned things that would compromise us,” said Wam- “Wambold used to light his cigar made a big flaring light,| bold. “Self-preservation compels us to take measures to _ and as Spangler was standing facing the tains, beneath prevent you from giving us away. Understand ?” - which Jack sat, the rascal detected the boy’s silent pres-| “What are you going to do with me?” ence at once. “Remove you to the cellar, and keep you a prisoner there ee He uttered a startled exclamation. until to-morrow some time, by which time we will have : _ “What's the matter?” asked Wambold. made arrangements to quit this part of the country. It “Weve been overheard,” cried, Spangler, with an im-| isn’t safe for us to stay here now since you are on to us.” recation. “There is a spy yonder under the stairs.” “T can’t prevent you from acting as you choose. If my What 7 roared Wambold. “A: spy here, in this] ankle wasn’t out of order I’d put up an argument against room ?” your plan.” “Yes. Strike another glim so he won't get away,” said| “It’s lucky for us that you’re a temporary cripple then,” ; companion, rushing at Jack. said Wambold, in a tone of some satisfaction. “It will Jack knew that it was all up with him, for the two| make matters easier for us, and possibly for yourself. guns stood out of his reach and he was not in shape to| Which is your injured foot?” _ either escape or offer any kind of an effective resistance. “That one,” replied Jack, pointing to the left one. : : if: “Hold on there,” he ejaculated, fearing Spangler might} “Just hold him steady, Spangler, and rll take his hee step on hig sore ankle. “I’m not going to run away.” off and see how badly he’s bunged up.” ~ At that moment Wambold flashed a second wind lucifer,| “Hold on, can’t you take my word for. it?” fearing Wam-— and the two men saw Jack sitting on ee box, and making| bold might make matters worse for him. effort to move, “No, I can’t,” replied the man, shortly. “Seeing is be- )— lieving in this case, at any rate.” Bet ts “Tf you're going to take my boot off do it eerty if you aren’t a savage.” “T wont hurt you, though it would serve you right if I pulled it out of its socket. . Seeing that you didn’t come — here on purpose to spy on us I'll let up on you.” 4 Thus speaking he removed the boot without undue aio Ss eis and then pulled off Jack’s stocking. iat E CHAPTER III. nips aN waHTCIL JACK FINDS HIMSELF IN A FX. A ee a att sa) e ould: examine ie an? 8 Gabe. oT belong in Camden, and I’m not here iti choice,” ed Jack, coolly. What's your name?” bandage was evidence that the boy had ‘spoken ‘the “Eats so he pulled his stocking on again, and replaced the boot. — “You say your friend went for a voi as ad doe . home?” he said. * Nes,” ; ; Shen ‘aes friend will have to ie. disappointed. « noyee me, Cee or, itll be worse > for you,” said Wambold} ] wha tone. _ ios ‘Jas be in the walla) tie hith to one of ‘the posts in an eee p tion, and put a handkerchief or cloth over his mouth for the ese age Tt won't do to cee ae the abe: of y Ling ‘e on our way back past this mill Belay ona sprained my ankle badly. My friend left me| L went to get a cart to take me home. If I coulg od I wouldn't be here now.” ; ( d plausible enough to Wambold, Sa 0 sheep, and: brace of ee, ‘filled Wamhold. Ae PN 4 ae So Spangler helped Tack on his feet, at aaa step out, which the boy did, or he was not- in | to refuse = onder, though he 1 etter, and would

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6 JACK JASPER’S VENTURE. ‘ After a time Spangler came over and retied Jack to the — ost. : It was now about eight o’clock and Wambold signified his intention of leayi ing “the mill. “Better gag our prisoner again so that he can’t make s any noise to attract the attention of his friend if that chap, ~ finding that Jasper didn’t get home after all, should come 4 back to the mill looking for him, ” he said. a Spangler said he would attend to the matter, but ae e mated. that he wouldn’t leave the mill till half-past ten, — anyway, and it wasn’t likely Jasper’s friend would come — after that hour. 5 “You can’t tell what time he may come, if he comes at — all. In any case we can’t afford to take chances, When’ — you. leave you will, of course, padlock the boy in here, so | that even if he did get free from the post he couldn’t get ‘a out of the cellar.” me “Of course I'll do that. It’s a good thing anyway ‘that Be: he’s got a sprained ankle. That counts all the more in our igs favor,” said Spangler. ar “We can’t haye too much in our favor in this game One bad or careless moye might ruin us. It was unluck for us that boy hurt his ankle so near the mill. Every: thing was progressing finely, and we couldn’t ask for ras more secure retreat than this. Now we'll have to find “sorte. other place temporarily until the hunt that will be made. for us blows over. Then we'll come back, get the p and paper here and turn out enough treasury notes ‘ome e us both: rich.” . With those words Wambold left the cellar. In the meantime Wambold sauntered out of the mill and went across the bridge, where he stood awaiting the ar- - rival of Ben Burling. It wasn’t many minutes before Ben came along with a horse and a light wagon. He reined in near Wambold, tied the animal to a tree and started for the bridge. “Hello!” said the rascal, in a friendly tone, “have you come after Jack Jasper ?” “Yes,” said Ben, wondering who this man was, as he was a stranger to him. ‘Have you been in the mill and ‘seen Jasper?” “I have. Myself and a friend came along here awhile ago ina rig. We left a bundle in the mill when we went by this morning and stopped to take it up. We found _ your friend there sitting on a box. He told us he had sprained his ankle and couldn’t walk. I offered to take him home, but he said you had gone to borrow a cart for that purpose. I told him he’d better go in my rig and that I would wait here and let you know that you had gone on. After some hesitation he consented. He’s only been gone about ten minutes. He took the guns and game bags with him.” Wambold’s story was so replete with facts that Ben be- ’ lieved him. _ “All right,” he replied. “It was very kind of you to - put yourself out so much on my friend’s account.” “Don’t mention it, young man. It’s only a mile to town and I don’t mind the walk at all.” “T’ll take this rig back then,” said Ben. “Tt will save me the trouble of doing it later on. Good-night.” “Good-night,” replied Wambold, starting off toward - Camden, while Ben droye in the opposite direction. _ As soon as Burling was out of sight, Wambold retrace& his steps to the bridge, recrossed it and re-entered the mill. __ Taking possession of the guns and game bags he went _ down into the cellar, where he found things as he expectedl. In the boarded-off part of the cellar Spangler was seated at a table, on which was a candle, a plate, the open grip _ brought by Wambold and some: other things. Spangler had made a pot of coffee on a small oil stove and was eating his supper.. S Jack Jasper was seated on the floor, with a gunny-sack ae under him, bound to a post and gagged. “Wambold removed the towel from his face. - “TI met your friend, who had brought a light wagon for ~ you, and told him you had gone home in my tig. He be- lieved me and went off satisfied you were all. right,” | : an the rascal, pleased at the satisfactory issue of his} _ little maneuver. - Jack made no reply, but we are bound to say he was} isgusted with the course of events. f You must be hungry,” said Wambold. “Spangler will ou have a couple of sandwiches and some coffee when ets through. We don’t intend to treat you any worse e can help.” Jack said nothing, but he was hungry and did Han object sandwiches ‘gud ee Cheese prereds to. him, CHAPTER IV. DESCRIBES HOW JACK MADE HIS ESCAPE. After the departure of Wambold, Spangler busied self packing up the two bank note plates and his tools a box specially made to hold them, which had a handle it could easily be carried like a grip. ‘What other packing he intended to do he eteris another time. table and looked at Ji ne: “Do you often go shootin’ on the marsh { 2” iis i between puffs. “T have gone during the shooting season wheneve and I could get off,” replied J: asper, “which wasn’t So. during the past year, as we ‘were kept ‘pretty stead work at the factory. Now that the works are closed do we can go when we please, that’s why we were “marsh to-day. ” sp am ng “So you’re not workin’ now?” ; “ No. 9? “When do you expect to go to wae aaeeat, Tress “Couldn’t say. There isn’t so many jobs: eg a 1 flying around loose in Camden.” psa yon were. willin’ to stand in with us, an Ki

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JACK JASPER’S VENTURE. ai 7 “That’s it. We'd pay you well. I} would be to our in- _ terest to do so.”* “Sorry to disappoint you, but you and Wambold haven’t _ enough money to buy me. In fact, I’m not for sale at any price,” replied Jack. e “Youre a Sunday School chap, I suppose,’”’ sneered Spangler, rather vexed: at the boy’s refusal to accept a bribe. “Yes; Togo to saalley’ School. did.” “T did when I was quite young, but it never done me any good.” “ce No, I dry tone. “TY know lots of Sunday School boys ies have landed in jail. ” 2 “That isn’t the fault of the Sunday School. A great y -many more have landed i in jail who neyer went to Sunday _ School.” “So you won’t listen to my offer ?” “Not on your life,” replied Jack, firmly. “You wouldn’t need to work if you stood in with us, and you'd make more money than you’ve ever seen befote in psoyour, life.” You can’t catch me with such bait as that.”* o was don’t know what you’re missin’,” persisted Spang- er. “Yes, I do. I’m missing a fine chance of spending a big ~ part of my life in the State son e _ “Jesee there is no use arguin’ with: you,” said Spangler stat a vexed tone. S "Not the slightest.” : Paes I suppose you never I shouldn’t imagine that it did,” replied Jack in a it,” growled the engraver, refilling his pipe and lighting at the candle. ne Jack did not answer him for two reasons, _ First, he did not care to continue such a purposeless ch held him to the post had become loosened in some 5 and he felt that it would not be a hard matter to re- all, heap 4 clock in thi place pqinted to quarter past ten. “Then he got up and put on his hat. uddressing Jack. ur head: ight,” replied Jack. n his « aes, “Some people don’t know a good thing when they see/ onversation, and, secondly, he hecame aware that the rope m goin’ away and I can’t tell when I’ll get back,” he “As a matter of extra precaution lock you in here, and I shall be compelled to tie a of ‘cloth around your mouth to prevent you from in’ in case you” should hear any one walkin’ around You see we “ean’t | atord to take any “Do as you choose; I can’t] ’ . cheerfully,, for he was sure Ce if nea | freedom before him. : ol ot bother a the rope which held the ant a ane: tyo ‘shotguns and aah pags a age ‘ch a cellar in the dark, he opened the door, walked out and adjusted the stout padlock on the other side. Jack heard him making his way up the stairs, and then heard his footsteps crossing the floor ‘above, after cone silence ensued. “He’s gone,’ muttered the boy. * “Now to make a break for freedom if the thing is possible for me to accomplish.” Inside of five minutes he had removed his hands from the rope and the-gag from before his mouth. Two coils of the rope still held him loosely around the waist. His jack-knife soon make short work of them and he got on his feet to find that his injured ankle felt compara- tively all right. “That cold water treatment did wonders for me,” he thought, “and several hours’ rest has greatly helped it. It feels almost as good as ever, but I must not be too gay with it or I may spoil the cure.” He walked to the table and lighted’ the candle with one of the matches he was accustomed to carry in his pocket. Then he looked around the boxed-in room. é Spangler’s grip, containing the counterfeit plates and _ his engraving tools, stood on the floor. “Tf T ean get away from here and hide that where the rascals couldn*% find it—say at the bottom of the canal near the bridge—I’d be doing the Government a big ser- vice, and, I might get a reward, too,” thought Jack. “The problem, however, is to get out with the door padlocked.” Jack tried the door and saw that it was too strong for him to make any impression on it. The partition itself was also strongly built ‘and cipnaod up to the ceiling. Apparently wootl taken from the upper part of the ae had been used in its construction. Jack then turned his attention to other parts of the en- _ closure. The stone blocks were as solid as the day they had been built, and were backed, of course, by the ground on all sides to nearly the level of the building. It was clearly impossible to bore one’s way through the’ sides in a limited space of time. Looking at the ceiling in a casual way, Jack thought he saw the oyvtlines of a trap-door in one corner. — closer inspection showed that his eyesight was. good. He got the two boxes the men used for seats, put one on top of the other and mounting them tried the trap. Tt was tight and inimovable' from long disuse. Jack, however, was not discouraged by this circumstance. He was reasonably sure it was not bolted on the other side, so he took a bit of joist that stood in the cellar and pounded lustily against it. He was a strong boy, and shoveling coal into a furnace for months had made his arms muscular, so after a few minutes the trap yielded to his petsistent efforts. 3 He thréw it backward with a slam and saw the road to The first thing he did was to, throw the grip belonging to Spangler out on to the floor above.

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8 JACK JASPER *% VENTURE. ; eee As soon as he had’ gone on some distance, Jack walked up to the f-ont door and began to pound upon it. The noise he made echoed through the house and awoke Bessie Bannister, Adam Grimes’s niece, who slept in a backs room on the second floor. sf She had been in bed more than two hours, and was the. only occupant of the cottage, her uncle having got the decoy ‘telegram and departed for Eastlake right after supper. She was a plucky girl, and did not fear remaining by | herself in the house, for the possibility of being disturbed — by thieves that particular night had not entered her head. Indeed, a burglary in Camden or its environs was such a rarity that few-persons thought about the possibility of such a thing happening. The neighborhood, therefore, would have been a cinch — for a couple of expert professionals in the hone *s line, Pes The girl wondered at such a peremptory summons at — that hour of the night, and, fearing some accident had. ~ happened to her uncle, she hastily threw on a wrapper and went to one of the front windows, which she raised. “Who's there?” she asked. “T am, miss,” replied Jack, stepping out from under the sholtér of the porch, “Has Mr. Grimes gone to Hast- lake?” gt me “Yes,” she answered. “What do. you ens with him?’ . ~ ' “Nothing with him since he is away as I supposed. I want you to come to the door and I will tell you what brought me here.” : “Who are you?’ ae * Jack Jasper. Tt is important that you come to the: door, for there is a plot on. are to rob this house at et night.” “Rob this house !”” gasped Bessie, aghast. ‘ “That’s what I said, miss. JI accidentally learned all. about it, and as there isn’t time for me to go on to town and notify the police, even if I didn’t have a sprained ankle, I decided to come right here and help you stand the scoundrels off.”” Bessie didn’t know Jack, and she had gome doightes as to the propriety, or even the prudence, of admitting w strange iy boy into the cottage at night where she was alone, so, shi hesitated about complying with his request, especially as she could not imagine who in that neighborhood was wicked enough to plan a robbery of her uncle’s home. : T don’t think it would be the right thing for me t pe you into the house at this hour when my uncle isa awe} she said, doubtfully. “Tf you don’t let me in, mies; Til have +0 ioe with my gun and take my chances against them \| handed, for I am resolved that they shall not rob the tage if I can help it,” replied Jack in a tone that sor how inspired her with confidence. : Gris “Tf what you have told me is nie. you aight e poe there,” she said. - ‘ though my ankle feels first-class considering. Now to hide the grip,” he said. ‘He carried it outside, intending to drop it into the canal. Seeing a thick clump of bushes not far away, he con- cluded that would be a better place for it, as he didn’t be- lieve the men would think of looking for it there when _ they missed it. ‘He hid Ben’s gun and bag of game there, too, and. then with his own limped across the bridge os started for home. of, CHAPTER Y. J WHEREIN JACK OFFERS TO DEFEND BESSIE BANNISTER AND HER UNCLE’S MONEY. “Tt must be close on to eleven o’clock now,” thought Jack, as he marched along with a limping gait. “Those two rascals arranged to meet at the searred oak along this road at that hour and then go to Adam Grimes’s cottage. I won’t have time to go home and then notify the police before they will be in the house. If Grimes got that tele- gram and has started for Hastlake, the cottage will be wholly at the mercy of those rascals, for the ‘old man’s niece could hardly stand them, off even. if she discovered them breaking in, but the chances are she’ll be asleep in bed when they get there, and she won’t have any show at all. I think it’s my duty to go there and help her fras- _ trate their scheme. I don’t see any other way just now of putting a spoke in their wheel.” - The more Jack thought the matter over the more re- solved he became to try and save the old man’s property from the two counterfeiters. ; As he drew neaw the scarred oak tree he became cautious, . for he knew it would not do for the rascals to discover him. -*However, he had both barrels of his shicnerins loaded, and he determined to shoot at them rather than submit to recapture, much as he disliked the idea of shedding human blood even in self-defence, ‘A turn in the road brought the scarred oak in sight. _ One man, evidently SPANEIT was standing beside it - smoking. - “Wambold appeared to be behiindhand in keeping his _ appointment, which was quite satisfactory to Jack, for it - would give him time to reach Grimes’s cottage ahead of Ne the men—a very advantageous point. In order to escape Spangler’s notice all Jack had to do was to take to the woods behind the oak tree and. circle around to thte road further on. Phis plan he followed, se leaving Spangler and the scarred oak behind. In due time he reached. the old man’s cottage which ) 2 ges feet a from the Sava without ead any) vile dice i ris as have never heard my unele Spell kn

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oar eae . JACK JASPER’S. VENTURE. 9 “T see that you’re not a coward, Miss Bannister,” he | replied. “T should hope not. My father was an officer in the army, and was killed with Custer at Little Big Horn, while: my grandfather fought through the Rebellion with the 110th Illinois Regiment,” she said, proudly. ; “Miss Bannister, I take my hat off to you. I am proud to know the daughter of, any. hero who fell with Custer. I have read the story of that fierce one-sided fight, and my blood quickened in my veins and my soul thrilled as 1 tried to imagine the awful massacre of those men as they fought doggedly against overwhelming odds and fell to the’ last mar.” Jack spoke with the fire of enthusiasm in his eye, and the girl saw in his admiring glance a newly-born respect for her that instinctively softened her heart toward him. » “While I remain here, Miss Bannister,” continued Jack, “T wish you would go to one of the upper front windows and watch the road in the direction of the old mill. The two men were to meet at the scarred oak, midway between | here and the mill, and then come here. I saw one of them at the tree waiting for his companion, who passed this - house just before I aroused you, so we may look for them at any moment now.” “T will do as you bid, Mr. Jasper,” said Bessie; “but I want to thank you now for so generously coming to my aid ~ to-night. I fear but for you these rascals would have got — into the house and have overpowered me before I had a ‘ hint of their intentions.” “Don’t mention it; Miss Bannister. I regard it as a pleasure to be of service to you. As soon as we have fright- ened these fellows off T’ll tell you how I came to find out their designs om this place,” said Jack. ‘Bessie went upstairs, leaving her revolver on the kitchen table. When she glanced down the road from a window in her uncle’s room she saw two men coming toward the house, i one of them carrying a carpet bag. “These must be the thieves,” she thought, watching — them from’behind the curtains. “How fortunate it is that — . I have a protector in the house! How good he is to run : the risk of facing those two men to save me from a terrible. experience and protect my uncle’s property! How brave he i is, and how handsome!” fs: Wambold and Spangler pet at the gate oe looked at | the house, § ‘Tt was dark and silent, ; Satisfied that the place was practically at their mercy, they ppened the gate and entered the gertlents at the engine-house of the Camdén Furniture Manufactory ? until it shut down the other day. I live half a mile from here, close to. town, with my mother and sister. I assure you that you need not be afraid to admit me to the house, and it will be greatly to your interest to do so.” There was an honest ring to Jack’s voice that further reassured the maiden, and she finally decided to take the chances. Before going cere however, she ak her uncle's revolver from his bureau drawer. _. Drawing the bolts of the front door, and unlocking it, _ she stepped back, the revolver partially concealed by the _ folds of her wrapper. : '__As’she stood there in the full reflection of the light of Sia lamp she had brought downstairs and placed on a small = table in the hall, Jack thought he never had seen a love- a ua girl. ° ‘Her features were of the clear-cut Grecian type; her a form was symmetrical and graceful to a degree, while her golden hair was plaited in ‘two coils that hung down her back’ “below the line of her waist. “The robbers will be here in a few minutes, miss,” said 3 J ack, not makfhg a move to enter the cottage; “but if you mo till have any doubte as to the honesty of my purpose you eau close the door, and I will remain out here and do my best to defend you and your unele’s property. ata 5 _ There was a frankness and honesty in J. asper *$ bearing, vat her doubts, qa she said, in a calm yoice: - “Come in, Mr. J asper ; A feel that IT can trust you.” Jack accordingly entered, and putting down his gun and "game bag made the door fast again. “The men intend to break in at the back of the house, e had better go there. Will you tell me your name, “Bessie. Bannister. age: 2 “Thank you. I am pleased to. ‘ats your acquaintance : in so informal a way as the es ” he said, with a an en liking for iia ~ She no longer entertained any doubts as to. the truthfnl- ness of his statement about the Bevjerted robbery of the iat said, taking his gun. Follow me,” and taking up the ae ie led the way kitchen, which was as neat as a trained cise ities hae the light and place the iawn on ‘yon- | where AP A stood, gun in hand, waiting for the bola = ” said Jack. “I intend to give: these rascals a| to show up. Nees > that they won't soon forget.” “They have just maiteied the front yard,’ ” she said, an ieee this part of the ) proeats out, Tack -a low, excited tone. a arte eee tet “Here's your revolver. ‘Stand Back of me inthe 2 mee kes ia Heed tr y to cies an entrance ; Sane T see. Have you the: nerve to use So ny So seme

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¥ 10 JACK JASPER’S VENTURE. Pees ee i They walked up to the kitchen window and peered in- - side. Jack pushed Bessie back and kept out of range of the rascals’ vision, . Then the young people awaited the next move of the thieves with a feeling of excited suspense. CHAPTER ‘VI. IN WHICH WAMBOLD AND SPANGLER MEET WITH AN UNPLEASANT SURPRISE, Warabotd and his associate lost no time in beginning operations. They selected the window, as J acks judged they would, and began work on it. Their object was to reach and unloosen the catch which held the two sashes. To accomplish this Wambold. first fastened a rubber sucker to the pane and then ran a glazier’s diamond over a square surface of the glass large enough, when removed, to enable him to run his arm through with ease. Giving the glass a smart rap, it came away, and Wam- bold lowered it to the floor by means of a long string at- tached to the sucker. Then he inserted his arm, turned the catch and pushed the lower sash up to its fullest extent. “Get in,” he said to Spangler, and his companion started to obey. He threw one leg in, and was in the act of swinging around into the room when Jack discharged the contents of ¢ one of the barrels of his shotgun into the leg. With a roar of surprise and pain Spangler fell into the - room, and lay groaning on the floor. Wambold, panie-stricken at the unexpected and warm reception they had received, started to run. Jack rushed to the window and ag ae his-other bar- ea rel after him. Some of the bird- shot wounded him in one leg, put as it ‘was not enough to disable him, he ‘only ran the faster and disappeared around the corner of the house. Seizing the revolver from Bessie’s hand Jack ran fo the _ front door, opened it and caught sight of Wambold pass- - ing through the gate. He dischar ed § several shots ese the fleeing raseal, with- ott hitting him, however. Jack then setamned to the kitchen, where he found tha Bessie had turned up the lamp and was looking at the dis- abled and groaning burglar. Got a lounge handy, Miss Bannister ?” asked the boy. aie “Yes, there is one in the sitting-room,” she replied. “Take the lamp in there and then come back.” ‘ Spangler, noting a familiar ring in the boy’ 8 voice, xs looked. at him, and, with an ejaculation of surprise, recog- nized the lad he had supposed was securely housed behind oe a in ie see of the. old 7s ‘ | house a little while ago.” prised physician. | into his office and, pointed out the telephone. . the 's me all ee replied Jack, as Bessie carried om “tees room Ye a tired of bac Pink in the and calf hadn’t taken up the greater part of his attention, — Spangler would have been puzzled to account for Jaspers » escape. ‘ He started to say something, but it was cut short by a severe twinge of pain which wrung a groan from him. Bessie now came back. i “Tl take him by the back and shoulders, while you lift — his legs, Miss Bannister, and we'll carry him to the lounge ~ in the sitting-room,” said Jack. Na Between them they conveyed the unfortunate burglar to the front of the house and laid him on the lounge. Jack returned to the kitchen and closed the window. Then he called Bessie out of the sitting-room. “T hate to leave you alone with that fellow, even though you have a revolver with which to protect yourself, but I feel that I ought to run over to Dr. Boyle’s house and bring ~ him here to relieve this rascal of his pain and the leaden pellets I put into his leg. It would be cruel to make the fellow suffer all night as he is doing now. The doctor has — a telephone in his house, and will be able to communicate the particulars to the police and ask that a couple of offi- cers be sent to this cottage to take charge of our prisoner in the name of the law. There is little danger that the man who escaped will return here again to-night. Themis last I saw of him he was cutting down the road at a ee 5 a forty gait. ot = “Go to the doctor by sat means, Mr. Jasper. I will watch this man and the house as well,” replied the elas irl. : So Jack hurried to the doctor’s home, about a nites ofa a mile away, and aroused him. “What's wanted?” asked Dr. Boyle, sticking his. head out of a second-story window, and not pleased at being awakened at that hour of the night. ; “You are, to attend a man shot in the leg with the greater part of a charge of bird-shot,” replied the boy. — “T'll dress and come down,” answered the physician “You’ve got a telephone, haven’t you, doctor ?” “Yes.” re “Could you let me in iiitone you dress? I want to com-— municate with the police station, and it will save time 1 do it while you’re getting ready.” 8 “Did somebody try to murder this man you want me: attend?” “No; he was shot while breaking into Adam Grim “Breaking into Grimes’s house!” ejaculated the . “Ts it possible!” He came right downstairs and admitting Jack le As the doctor returned upstairs, Jack called | ‘up th tral office and asked to be connected with the police st As soon as this was "done, the boy briefly state facts to the man. at. the spud end of the wire, and | purpose of taking Seanaler into ental By the time he had rung off the doctor was r read he and J: ack started for the eh cottag aly ‘the ia

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It took some time for the extraction of all the small] “Well, I guess I had better go home now, Miss Bannis- + shot, and by the time Spangler’s wounds were dressed the| ter, but before I go I will nail up the kitchen window for _ policemen arrived, and he was removed to the Camden jail.| you if you will get me a piece of wood and a hammer and The doctor also took his departure, leaving Jack and nails,” said Jack. Bessie alone. Bessie got the articles in question, and Jack fixed the’ Jasper then told the girl the whole story of his experi-} window as well as it was possible to do so under the circum- ences from the moment he sprained his ankle at sundown | stances. near the mill to the time he made his escape from the} Then he bade her good-morning, for it was now after e cellar and started for her uncle’s cottage, hoping to be in| two o’clock, and receiving an invitation to call on her when time to head off the burglarious plans of the two counter-| he felt disposed to do so, he took his gun and game bag - feiters. and started for his mother’s cottage. _ He rehearsed the conversation he heard between the two _men, as near as he could recollect, and Bessie was aston- CHAPTER VII. ished at the bold scheme Wambold had originated to get her uncle away from his home. “My uncle got a telegram about five o’clock from Hast- _ ‘lake, which said that his sister, my aunt, was not expected _ to live till morning, and told him to come on there at once,” said Bessie. .“He got: ready at once to go. It was too late for him to ride across to Jordan and catch the steamer to Eastlake, so he took the ferry across the river to _ Lathrop, where he could connect with’a train that will take him to Clifford Junction, from which point he can get a ieohe train to Hastlake.” ae “When he reaches his sister’s home he will find that the dispatch was a fake one. I suppose the gardener will deny |, having sent it, otherwise he would have an awkward ex- _ planation to make. The object of the telegram was to get your uncle away from this cottage so that the two ras- cals would have a clear field for their operations, If I _ hadn’t sprained my ankle, and been obliged to remain at ithe mill till Burling weit for a rig of some kind to take me home, I’m afraid their plan would have succeeded.” pied Karst afraid it would, too,” replied Bessie. “My uncle, when he learns all the facts, will be very grateful to you for saving his property. As for myself, I hope you believe - that I feel deeply indebted to you for the service you have se / rendered me, and I shall never forget it.” : She gave Jack a look that made ay? heart go pit-a-pat, he WHICH SHOWS HOW JACK GOT HOME AT LAST. That evening when the little clock in the Jasper cottage struck eight, Jack’s mother and sister, who knew he had gone shooting on the marsh with Ben Burling, began to feel anxious over his long absence. . ried accordingly. Half an hour later Ben knocked at the door and was admitted. ‘Where’s Jack?” asked mother and-sister in a breath. ” “Where’s Jack! Why, hasn’t he got home?” ‘aid the urprised Ben. “No. 9 “That’s funny,” replied the engineer. “According to my calculation he ought to have been home an hour ago.” Then Ben proceeded to tell them how Jack had sprained his ankle so badly near the old mill that he (Ben) had been horse and wagon to take him home in. back to the bridge I was met there by a stranger, who told me he had come that way in his rig with a companion and home in his wagon, and then, having learned from Jack that I had gone for some kind of vehicle, he had remained to tell me that Jack had gone. J accepted his statement, “You are anne ait Miss Bannister. If you will permit me the honor of your acquaintance I will consider myself repaid,” he said, earnestly. all be glad to regard you hereafter as a friend, Mr. » said Bessie, blushing slightly wnder his ardent “And I am sure my uncle will also desire to know - People do not speak well about Mr, Grimes Ise he i is somewhat eccentric in his ways but I assure As Burling concluded.his story the clock struck nine. all was not right. “Those men might not have been honest,” replied Mrs. Jasper in an anxious tone. “The man who took him in his wagon might have done so to rob him, seeing that he was injt red and could not well defend himself.” — ; ey needn’t have carried him off to do that. They could have just as well robbed him in the mill, though I ¢ many eds, Reinetalies he is an old man, ived the desire for pleasures that others like The fact that he is well off i is no crime. vel bp. plied Ben. tage, ae is daddent in looking cakes what reall y harder to. save oe mney, Atlan going into the sae alter’ J a ie he now Suspected: e tim a | JACK JASPER’S VENTURE. } oe They feared something had happened to him, and wor- — obliged to go to a neighboring farmhouse and borrow, a had found Jack in the mill. He said he had sent him “YT can’t understand where that stranger’s companion — could have taken Jack,” said Ben, beginning to eel. that, — ‘don’t believe they would have found much on. him,” re-. As he spoke it occurred to Burling that the man at the bridge, who was on the lookout for him, might have told him “that yarn to send him away and prevent him from she “T Jeft Jack in the lower floor of the mill. When I got. veimmned the horse and wagon to the farmer, and came aia straight on here for my gun and bag of game, and now you tell me Jack has not farmed up yet,” concluded Ben.

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12 JACK JASPER'S VENTURE. ee come back at any moment with a wagon, had gone to the end of the bridge to head him off. Ben decided that Jack’s continued absence looked serious enough to demand his return to the mill for the purpose of an investigation. Without communicating ve migivings to Mrs. Jasper and her daughter, and simply telling them that he was going to look for Jack, he left the cottage and started for the mill, hungry as he was. { Ben, however, did not reach the mill that night. He was knocked down in the dark by a rapidly driven buggy, and had to be taken home in a demoralized condi- tion, though, fortunately, his injuries were not serious. _ Mrs. Jasper and her daughter grew more and more anx- ious at the absence of Jack as the hours passed and he did not appear. They usually retired about nine o’clock, but midnight’ came and passed and they were still sitting up in anxious suspense. Finally the clock indicated half-past two in the morn- ing, and the two women began to grow sick with the in- » creasing load of worriment. _ “Something certainly has happened to him,” cried the distressed mother. “He never would remain away like this of:his own aceord. What shall we do, Jessie?” Before the young woman could reply there came a loud knock at the kitchen door. ! Jessie rushed to the door and opened it, whereupon in _ limped Jack. _ “Jack!” screamed his sister, throwing her arms around. _ his neck and bursting into tears. “Jack! ejaculated his mother, rising from her chair, all of a tremble. “Where have you been?” ~~ “VIL tell you all,about it as soon as I’ve had something my gun and game bag back with you right away. to eat.” said the boy, throwing down his game bag and] yoy must write to-the Treasury Department at Washin, standing his gun in a corner. “There is nothing for you} qotailing all the facts of the case, and notifying thé _ to worry about. I sprained my ankle, but it’s much better partment that the plates are now in your possession.” ” now. I have had a rather strenuous experience at the mill] y,0, said he would follow Ben’s ender a" and he and also at Adam Grimes’s cottage, but I’m all right.” 1h “Why, what were you ‘doing at the Grimes house?” asked his mother, while his sister poked the dormant fire _ in the stove into life and put the kettle on to heat water in order to make her brother a cup of tea. “You'll learn the reason in due time, mother. I intend to tell my story from the beginning, and then you'll under- SA, stand everything. While sis is getting a bite ready for - me JI] clean myself up, and after I’ve at you shiall have tive all the particulars.” _ “Well, I’m thankful you’re home, and that. you do A appear to have suffered any great injury. Jessie and I have been greatly worried about you all night, but, thank Heaven, that’s over toMy said his mother, with a ‘sigh of “You certainly put in a great night, Jack,” "said his sister. ~ “T did, and now I’m going to bed, and you two had bet- ter do likewise. S : Before Jack got into bed his mother bathed his ankle oe with liniment and bandaged it up with a liberal dose of the same, “T hope it will be all right in the morning,” he said, giv- ing her a good-night kiss. ey “Tt ought to be much better,” she replied, putting out the light and leaving the room. The Jasper family slept late that morning, and Jack didn’t make his appearance in the little dining-room until ms breakfast was on the table. After the meal he went over to see Ben, and was sur- prised to find him laid up in bed. , “What in creation is the matter with you, Ben?” he asked the sufferer. : “JT collided with a buggy and came off second best. And now tell me what the dickens kept you away from home so late?” asked Ben.., “Oh, a number of things,” laughed Jack. “I didn’t get home till half-past two, and found mother and si worried to death about me.” eae “Well, I'd like to hear all about the matter.” ca. wo “Pm ready. to oblige you.” Thereupon Jack told Ben the story of his night’s adven- tures. Of course the engineer was astonished at his narrative. He asked a string of quéstions, and then declared that Jack had done a big thing in getting away with the containing the counterfeit plates. “You will surely get a reward from the Getueea Fe You must go out to the mill in a rig and bring that grip, horse and light wagoll, and started for the ali He found the spot as deserted as usual, with no s Wambold about. The articles he came after were in the bushes _— them to his house. He returned the horse and wagon with tech mid? dinner wrote a long letter to the Secretary of i e Th ury, which he posted without delay. hc eae Then he went over to Ben’s house to see how Ww ting on. es » “PTL he all ne to-morrow,” said Ben, who was sitti up in bed reading. “T. narrowly escaped rious inju but after all a miss is as good as a mile. ‘Th ran me down gave me $100 to square the matter, a ‘it go at that. ,The money will come in very han pick up ee do. Old Grimes ought i a A frugal real of cold meat, bread, butter and tea waited Jack when he sat up to the table, and for awhile | voted his sation to Ne uP the contents % the

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JACK JASPER’S VENTURE. “J don’t expect him to pay me for what I did,” replied Jack. “If he should offer to pay me I would refuse to accept a cent. It was my duty to act as I did, and the _ knowledge that I succeeded in queering those rascals is sat- : isfaction enough for me.” _ At that moment Millie Burling came to the door and said that there was a police officer below who wanted to see ~ dack. 3 “T’ve been over to your house several times after you,” - said the officer, when Jasper went to the front door. _ “You're wanted at the magistrate’s court to appear as a . witness agains{ the man Spangler, who was arrested at the Grimes cottage last night.” + “All right,” replied Jack; “Ill go with you.” ~The counterfeiter’s examination had been put off tg ' await the arrival of Jack. - He found Bessie Bannister in the court, waiting to be called on to testify. 3 fe Jack shook — with her and seated himself by her aide: _ The magistrate habia been informed that J fasper was and the proceedings were opened. yy "Saflicient to hold Spangler on the charge of burglary, and accordingly he was remanded for trial. Jack said nothing about Spangler being a counterfeiter f as well, as he guessed that was a matter for the United. ‘States author ities to attend to. Jack walked home with Bessie, and allowed himself to be persuaded to stay and have supper with her. a hand, after his purposeless journey to Hastlake. He. was surprised to see Jack Jasper, whom he only ew ie sight, a eyes of his niece, but he made no ciel a Beceie told is the story of the previous ent xplained the great obligation they both were. under to his castoman y ony manner relaxed, and he thanked “last ight.” essie accompanied J ue to the front nee ‘ Jasper,” she said. “I have scarcely any or our eighbors'seem to shun us on account of my yutatior which, as I tole yous last na in court, he*érdered the prisoner to be brought before him, _' The testimony of Jack and Bessie was deemed amply They had just. finished when Adam Grimes entered, grip a you? Ate aay: ia Lipiictare no reason to that T am eer ye aoe For see you did for us *T shall be happy to see you. at any time you'd care to is hae age Janda host of other employees made a big. ney ant eemed 13 CHAPTER VIII. IN WHICH THE CANAL ROUTE IS DISCUSSED. The story of the attempted robbery of Adam Grimes’s cottage, and how it was frustrated through the plucky con- duct of Jack J asper, was duly chronicled in the one daily paper published in Camden, and it created a sensation, for, as we have before remarked, such a thing as a burglary in. Camden and its environs was a rare oecurrence. _ Two officers had been sent to scour the neighborhood for fists miles around after Wambold, Spangler’s companion in guilt, but they were unable to find him, so it was con- eluded that he had taken time by ye forelock, and left that part of the State. Some’ days later a quiet looking man, dressed like a business man, called at the Jasper costage and asked for Jack. He was told that the boy had gone off shooting on “ marsh with his friend Burling. “J will call this evening,” replied the stranger, who then departed, leaving Mrs. Jasper wondering who he was. — Jack was finishing his supper when the stranger Sik Se peared, and the boy invited him into the sitting-room. « “ Allow me to introduce myself,” and the visitor hanided the boy an unsealed envelope. Jack found the enclosure was a letter from the Seeret ey Service Bureau at Washington, introducing Frank Brower, and instructing Jack to deliver to him the counterfeit plates and other articles he had secured at the old mill. The writer added that he would be taken care of, which — ie Jack understood meant that hé would receive some mone- tary or other recognition for his services in the matter. Accordingly the boy went to his room, brought the grip — ie down and handed it to the representative of the Govern- — ment Secret Service. how he had come by the plates and other things. Jack told the full story, including the attempted bur- — glary of Adam Grimes’s cottage; which the counterfeiters a The visitor then asked him to tell all the ‘particulars of had undertaken in order to raise the funds needed to pur- __ chase a press and other things needed to py the eounter- feit notes. — The caller haying obtained all he eathad: ganplinened >| Fack on his pluck, hinted that he would not be forgotten, and took his leave. River, was an important branch. the various mechanical branches accepted the reduc with the best grace they could, but the engineers, firemen gee to: reeiat the mandate. ae ald he disaffe ed one: ‘ The departmental clerks, station agents and the head 0 Next, morning’s paper contained the: news of a rae peas" per cent. reduction in the wages of every employee, except ‘the executive heads of departments, on the BD. & G. tgunk ‘ | system, of which the line running to Lathrop, Centerport and other points north on. the western shore of the Salmon |

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14 JACK JASPER’S VENTURE. nS ER ER mE Se STE RTS DONE mh et resurrected the old line. If the strike lasted long enough he might make a barrel of money.” “That's my idea exactly. I'd like to do it myself if i had the funds to start the boats up. It would give us both a good job, at any rate.” “Do you think you could run such a transportation — line 2?” “Ym sure of it.” “Then why not call on old man Grimes and broach your idea? He owes you a debt of gratitude for saving his money-bags. If you put the matter to him right he might be willin’? to back your scheme enough to put you on your feet.” “T’ve been thinking about it, Ben,” replied Jack, with an earnest look. “I'll call on the old man’s niece and have a talk with her about the matter first. She’s a sensible girl, and is friendly toward me. She can tell me vente there is any use of me striking her uncle on the subject.” “That’s right,” nodded Ben. “Now is the time to work this idea up. HH might prove the stepping-stone to your =~ fortune.” | om “A canal route to fortune would be something new. these up-to-date days when slow things don’t work as a rule,” laughed. Jack. — “Well, the situation on the other side of the river is most = unusual. You might say that the whole mechanical force — a of the D. & G. system is fighting to bring the company to’ terms by keeping the traffic of the Centerport branch stalled. The company is losing a lot of money every day, but the wages lost to the strikers is being made up to them ‘ by the assessment on the men working on the rest of the system. That puts the strikers on Easy Street, and will enable them to hold out indefinitely a they can keep the sg railroad from moving its rolling stock. “The company is going to ask ie the aid of State troops to keep the strikers from bribing or intimidating — the new engineers and firemen who foes their services eo i a the road, so the morning paper says.” “And I suppose the company will call on. the courts to enjoin the strikers maintaining a picket line, and all that; but Dll wager the men are determined enough to find means of getting around all the fe Geacnasy they find coe selves up against.” “They're in for a big fight i in order to win their poi and the longer it lasts the better it would be for my bas idea,” said Jack. “Sure thing. It would give you the chance to baila up a business that you might “ihe able to continue even aft the railroad settled the matter. The only thing that wi be against you is the slow method of canal transportation ; but then the canal is short, and the route to Has direct. The Hastlakers would find it to their advanta support you, and also the steamboat company on Lake | illac. ‘All that you need is a backer in this, and old. jg the man. The trouble is he’s closer than wax, but th } the canal was originally his scheme, and a pet ho him, Put it up to him right and perhaps he'll see. | through whether. he can make any saa out of it or: ee Ben, encouragingly. abies will. 3 is fall on the railroads, and the reduction was imperative and would be enforced. Two weeks from the promulgation of the wage reduction order the engineers and firemen of the Centerport branch - went on strike, and the whole passenger and freight service of this line was tied up as tight as a drum. Not a wheel was allowed to turn, except an engine and a postal mail car twice a day each way. The engineers and firemen on the main line and other branches continued to report for duty, although the tying up of the entire system was threatened. The Centerport branch, it developed, was to be used to test the power of resistance on the part of the company, because it was the only outlet by rail for the large ore ship- ments of the Esmeralda Copper Mines. Of course the shippers and the general public raised a howl at once, for all towns along the line of the Centerport branch from Clayton Junction north were cut off from railroad communication with the main line. These towns were nearly all on the river, but the railroad. having put the old Salmon River Navigation Co. out of commission, there wasn’t a steamboat running on the river to help the people out in this emergency. Even had. there been steamboats in readiness to equip a} temporary service the unusual low water in the Salmon River that spring would not have carried them over the _ shallows at a place called Sasafax Bend, one mile sent _ Camden. ‘Freight of all kinds, particularly the output of the _ Esmeralda Copper Mines, was held up by the strike, and - every day the situation became worse. _ Jack Jasper and Ben Burling were greatly interested in _ the outcome of the strike. At the end of a week they found it. was no nearer solu- tion than on the first day that the men went out. “Say, Ben, I heard to-day that if the company succeeds in getting engineers and firemen enough to begin moving its rolling stock the’ coo anne will ab once quit A work,” said Jack. __ “T wouldn’t be surprised if they did. The employees of the entire system are making a test case Ma the Center- port branch, which is a most important part of the line. If they can keep it tied up they may be able to bring the road to terms.” oh “The strikers, I hear, have plenty of money in the strike py eran.” _ “Why shouldn’t they when an assessment has been __ levied on the wages of every engineer and fireman working 9 ee the system, as well as on all the freight men and cer- tain other employees? The strikers claim to be able to keep the fight up for an indefinite time.” “Tf they can make good their boast, what are shippers along the branch going to do to get their goods to market?” _ “Ask me something easy, Jack,” laughed Ben. . “Tf the old canal-boat company was in commission now would be able to make a good thing out of this tie-up. reight could be . down from Centerport by the x

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JACK JASPER’S VENTURE. 15 of enthusiasm in what he considered a brilliant scheme, in | this town to Jordan,and back once a month since the com- which he thought he saw the chance of his life. pany went out of existence?” After dinner Jack Jasper started for the Grimes cottage} “Yes. ‘The canal route could be revived at any time sit His mind was filled with one absorbing idea—the canal it paid to use it.” scheme which the tangled condition of the Centerport} “Well, ll tell you my plan, snd you can let me know branch of the D. & G. Railroad made feasible. what you think of it,” said Jack, who proceeded to outline If anything was to be done it must be pushed at once, | the scheme he had in mind. and Jack was determined to strike the iron while it was} “I think, it a very good plan,” said Bessie, when he had hot. finished, “and I feel sure my uncle will approve of it, and He was full of ambition, and had the determination of | help you carry it out.” a great general of industry who sees the chance to make} “You encourage me greatly, Miss Bessie—I beg your a ten-strike by a sharp and aggressive effort. pardon, I should say Miss Bannister.” He pulled the old-fashioned bell handle and Bessie came} “‘You may call me Bessie if you wish,” she replied. to the door, “Miss Bannister seems too formal between us, and you are She smiled in a pleased way and invited him in. almost like an old friend already.” “T hope I am not interfering with your household duties, “Thank you. So you really think your uncle will look Miss Bannister,” said Jack; “but I wanted to.discuss with | favorably on my plan?” you a matter of importance.” “T really do. I know he is iaxioas to do you a service “Oh, I’m hot very. busy just now,” she replied, leading | in recognition of the debt he feels we both owe you, so I hin into the sitting-room, which was bright with sunshine | would advise you to call and see him early this evening. I _ and the faint odor of house plants. will tell him that you will call, and I will explain, in a ‘She seatett herself beside him on the lounge. general way, the object you have in view.” — “To begin with, I believe you are a friend of mine and| “I am greatly obliged to you, Miss Bessie.” ~ will give me the benefit of your advice and encouragement} “You need not be, for I am glad to be of any service to ==in a pisn which, if I can put it through, may do great | you,” she replied in a tone which showed she meant it. “things for me,” said Jack. After talking awhile longer Jack went away. “You may depend on my friendship, Mr. Jasper, and if I can help you in ‘any way I will gladly do it,” she an- swered, with an expectant look. “Tt is possible you may think my idea a bit ridiculous. If you do don’t hesitate to point out any objection that strikes you,” went on the boy. “It is natural for me to be over-enthusiastic about a scheme that strikes me as a - winner.” “TJ will listen to you, but I’m only an inexperienced sins in matters of business, so I cannot promise you what value po omy advice or suggestions may be to you. My uncle would "be better able t6 advise you than I, and I know he will | gladly assist you, for he has taken a great liking for you. ’ He has told me so. This is unusual for him to 2, for he does not care to. make new friendships. You appear to be an exception. He says he is sure you are a bright, ambi- tious boy, who will make your way ahead in the world. = Indeed, he was talking about reviving his canal project in _ view of the present railroad aituatian across the river, and - putting you in charge of the business if you were willing if make, the yenture. ” ; ee He was!” almost gasped Jack. “Why, it is about the “canal route that I came to speak with you. I wanted to sound you on the subject to see if it was of any use for Fy me to interview your uncle about it.” “Ts it possible!” she exclaimed, with a look of surprise. | ‘1 am sorry that my uncle is out at present ; but I would est that you call this evening and see hima: If T am : CHAPTER IX. TREATS OF A LETTER JACK RECEIVED AND HOW HE AND BEN | VISIT WHITEHALL STREET. Jack had finished his supper and was preparing to visit Adam Grimes for the purpose of laying his canal route scheme before him, hoping that he would be able to interest him in it, when his sister came to his room with a note which, she said, had just been left by a boy. Tearing open the envelope, which was addressed in a handwutig unfamiliar to him, Jasper looked at the signa- ture at the bottom of the brief communication. Ws To his surprise he saw that the writer was Adam Grimes. At least that was the name signed to the note which ran ; as follows: | ad “Jack Jasper—I wish to see you this evening on very important business. You have done me a great service in saving my house from being robbed, and I want to repay you by putting you in the way of making a good deal of money. Don’t fail to come as soon as you get thisnote, as I shall be waiting for you. You will find me at my ee ape in the building No. 16 Whitehall Street. Come alone, as this interview will be private and confidential. ' Yours, = “ADAM GRIMES.” 0. -suge “T never heard that Mr. Grimes had an office, and White- rot mistaken he will be pleased to take the matter up with hall Street seems an odd place for him to be located,” — . u. Were he a younger man I ee he would, start the | thought Jack, reflectively, as he read the note over again. .| “Why should he want to see me there at night, when his | ah | cottage would be ever so much better for a private and cou! | fidential interview? Still, he has the reputation of being jan eccentric ene at dare SB he does car different - reihiade T oo . ee way, xy he can.” ale relieve he still controls the iatied bokvay and bas ee ch a bo

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16 5 JACK JASPER’S VENTURE. and he thinks the idea such a good one that he wants to + go over the matter with me where he has the books and doc- uments of the old company on tap. Probably the reason he has a place of business in Whitehall Street is because the rent is cheap there, and he doesn’t mind appearances. I know it is one of the poorest streets in Camden, and. down along the river front. Laborers and stevedores live there with their families. It isn’t a locality that I’m stuck _ on visiting at night, but I suppose I must do it if I want to secure the financial assistance and co-operation of Mr. Grimes.” Jack went downstairs, told his mother where 'he was bound and left the house. As he was crossing the bridge oyer the canal he met Ben at the other end. ‘ _ “Hello, Jack, I was just going over to your house,” he said, “Were you coming to call on me?” “No, I’m on my way to meet old man Grimes.” _ “Where do you expect to meet him?” asked Ben, in “some surprise, for that wasn’t the road to the Grimes cot- tage. “At his office in Whitehall Street.” “Whitehall Street !”” ejaculated Ben, still more surprised. “You don’t mean to say he has an office in that locality ?” “That's what his note says.’ - “You got a note from him?” “Yes. A boy left it at my house a little while ago.” - _ “And he told you to meet him in Whitehall Street 2”. Wes “No; ‘16. 9 - “TI never knew before that there were nitices in that’ street. It is the toughest section of Camden. M suppose you know that?” ' “T know it, and T’ye been mandcws how it happens that the old man has a place there. I suppose it’s because he may own the building, or because the rent is cheap.” i “Well, this is certainly a surprise to me. I supposed | that he transacted all his business at his cottage. I don’t see what he wants with an office, anyway.” “Tt might be the old canal company’s office.” “No,” replied Ben, shaking bis head, “the canal com: | pany had their office on Wayne Street, near Washington. “Well, I made an arrangement with the old man’s niece to call at their house to-night in relation to my canal. ; project, and was on the point: of starting for the cottage - when the boy left the note.” ” _ “Did Grimes say what lie wanted to see you about? o” “He didn’t state it in so many words, but T judge from what he did say that it is about the canal matter he wants 0 talk with me. saving his house from being robbed by putting me in the} ray of making a good deal of money. Tf he has decided to hac ‘me up in the canal scheme that will probably put me in the way of thaking a good deal of money.” see ; but ie hie think his home would be the most sich acts a whole bi aifferent Bee ae peo- occupied with the cheapest kind of ramshackle tenements, | looked far from inviting to either Jack or Ben. {dently the work of an unpracticed hand, over a na doorway leading into a narrow, dark and filthy hall. _ | it doubtfully. He said that he wanted to repay me for | way, who eyed them sharply as they came. up. SA patennet: forward an , 00; but he'appeans fa deans a different. idea.” | Jack had no objection he would walk with him as far as — Whitehall Street. em “T haven’t any objection,” replied Jack. “In fact, I shall be glad to have you do so.” ny “T want to see where this office of Grimes’s is.” es “You can’t come in, for he told me to come alone, as the interview was to be private and confidential.” “Oh, I don’t want to butt in. I’m only curious to see. — where the old man transacts his business. Maybe he is do- — ing something along the river front. He owns the three — tugs that originally belonged to the canal company, but I supposed they were employed at Centerport. I guess it — would be pretty hard to keep tab on Grimes, anyway. In- stead of having his cash hidden at his cottage, as people — think, it wouldn’t surprise me to learn that he has it in- vested in some profitable river business. That would ace 4) count for his having an office in Whitehall Street.” “That’s so,” nodded Jack. “There is a lot of business done on the river.” : The two walked on, talking, their conversation drifting around to the podaibilities offered by the revival of the canal route. he At length they reached Whitehall Street, and Jack ee oe looking for No. 16. me Tt was a short, dirty-looking thoroughfare. ‘The whole of one side, where the odd numbers ran, was) filled with the poor class of Camden. Riss The opposite side, running between two wharves, was covered with similar. kinds of buildings, in which liy the riff-raff of the town in poardine-louses of the lowes grade. ; dlery ee junk shops, with here and there a ante “T’d have to, be pretty hungry to eat in one of | places,” remarked Ben. . “Vd walk a long distance ‘on an’ empty stomach I'd do it,” replied Jack. “Here’s No. 16 now.” _ The sania was inscribed in rude white figures, Tt was the last building in the world where one expect to find an office, and both Jack and Ben 100 ed Are Joe sure ie got the number right 99. 4 Beni “Well, if the old man ie an office ‘in this va must be off his perch, that’s all I’ve got to say,” sa They noticed a rough- looking man lounging i in As they came to a pause banat the oorway the d said: “Grimes?” : ie aildin

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) JACK JASPER’S VENTURE. _ “My friend here thought he’d walk as far as the street with. me.” “Yer friend kin go on then, and you kin foller me and }- Pll show you upstairs to the office.” “What part of the building is Mr. Grimes’s office ?” “One floor up in the back.” _ “Well, Ben, P’ll see you in the morning and let you know whether it was the canal scheme or not Mr. Grimes -ealled me here to talk about,” said Jack, smothering his repugnance to enter the building. “TY don’t like the idea of you enterin’ this place alone, Be J ack,” whispered Ben. “Somehow I have my suspicions that all isn’t just right.” ~ €Nonsense !” laughed Jasper, who was pluck to the back- he bone. “What danger can there be to me?” ~ “Come on, young feller,” interrupted the tough. “aitin’ fer yer.” “Good-night, Ben,” said Jack. . Ben responded in a half-hearted) way, and watched his companion and the tough enter the black hallway with some misgiviigs. _ As they disappeared in the gloom he started dip bias 2 down the street. After walking fifty feet he stopped irresolutely, a ~— flee, a action of the tough puapreiet that Taser. snsieeeel fis ee she aey 4 th es Gee who could this y 80 artful a. tric from killing you right here in this room?” added Wam- oo | that wouldn’t. suit us: | ive means. | more simple way of silencing | you forever than One glance at his face explained everything to Jack.” The man was Wambold, the counterfeiter of the old mill. “T am delighted to meet you again, Jack Jasper,” he said, with an evil laugh. i % “T suppose you wrote that letter, signed Adam Grimes, ~ which brought me here to-night?” replied Jack, ‘ageres sively. “Your supposition is correct, young man,” chuckled the rascal, : “Well, now you’ve got me here what do you want With me ?” ee “Mo settle scores between us.” His answer was not very reassuring to the boy. “You've done me a whole lot of harm, young man, and — I'm going to get square. I wouldn’t have minded your — standing Spangler and me off at Grimes’s cottage so much — if you hadn’t ‘got away with those plates of the treasury notes. They represent weeks of skilled and laborious labor on the part of Spangler, and we counted on them to make the haul of our lives. I reckon we’d have done it.if you hadn’t butted in on us with your game foot. You've done . us both up, for Spangler is sure of ten years for the cot- tage affair, and the deuce knows how many more when the — Government takes him in hand, while I’m out of the om, tune I expected to make.” | ~“T don’t see that you're entitled to any sympathy,” re- ie plied Jack, boldly. “You knew what you were up against : when you undertook crooked work.” “You evidently didn’t know what you were up against when you stuck your oar into our business,” gritted ha bold, with a black look. ay did my duty and Pm, not worrying about the cone sequences.” ; “You crow aight loud for a young Rosle: but I eases your cr ‘owing won’t last much ee ue you realize tha you're in my power?” : ine “T probably am through pisachede: a pate “The end justifies the means. What’s to prevent me” bold, taking a revolver from his pocket. \ vy oy “Nothing, I suppose, if you've got murder in your — | heart,” replied Jack, with a coolness which he did not alto- gether feel. 5 The rascal appeared a bit disconcerted because ha showed - o signs of fear. Borat! “You'd better flop down on your knees and beg. for your life instead of talking back to me.” “T guess it wouldn’t do me any good,” ated Tack, A “for you've probably made up. your minds: to, do me aR somehow.” “Right you are. However, I’m ty going is shoot you. ‘The report of a revolver might bring a policeman here, ‘and® ‘I never make use of firearms when — the same object can be reached by other and just as fe ‘The river flows under that window. ag jou, tie a few pounds of old pig iron to your Teg h you ut into the stream ? ee p deat, which wot

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18 i - JACK JASPER’S VENTURE. | - a Es aes Hurriedly explaining matters, he led them upstairs to Wambold’s assistance. The counterfeiter was taken completely by surprise by ~ the unexpected appearance and quick action of Ben Bet ling. The tables had been turned on him go ‘rapidly that ity took away his breath. pate “Tet go of that boy and throw up your hands or I shoot as.sure as I live this minute,” spoke Ben again. he There was no doubt but he meant what he said, and ~ with an imprecation of rage Wambold let Jasper go. “Now, up with your hands, you scoundrel, and back up against yonder wall.” : Wambold, trembling with fury at the desperate predica- ment he realized he was in, reluctantly obeyed, for his life was of more importance to him than anything else. tee “You came just in time,to save me, Ben,” said Jack, me with a feeling of deep gratitude toward his chum, “You — must have followed me into the building.” - Boe: “TY. did, because I more than suspected that you were oP walking into some kind of a trap. See if you can find sR something with which to tie this villain. Then we'll get — the pakice to attend to him,” replied Ben. ek At that moment there came the sounds of many feet along the corridor outside. . The door was thrown open and Higgins and five of his gang entered the room. Wambold welcomed their appearance with a _ of satisfaction. : “Seize those chaps!’ he shouted. : “Stand back!” cried Ben, swinging the revolver aroun and bringing it to bear on.the toughs. ae Higgins and his gang paused, for they were not anxious Cane to stop a bullet. y | Ben saw that notwithstanding the advantage rest his own side the situation was a critical one. Re He and Jack could hardly hope to escape by way of th street with so many to contest their retreat. o “Open the window rene J ack, ” he said, “and ‘see ae we can get out that way.” While Ben held the enemy in check with his weapon Jas- per flung ap the window and looked out. » ; : “There is no escape this way eee by jumping into as, ty | river,” said Jack, “GN DEES backbone he wasn’t going to show the white feather before this rascal. If he was fated to die he would take his medicine like a man, but he did not intend to yield up his life without a struggle. “T asked vou how you liked the idea of a cold bath this evening,” continued Wambold, angry because his threat had failed to unnerve his victim. “How would you like it?” retorted Jack, in clear-cut » tones. “T wouldn’t like it any more than you do.” “You've got to die some day, and if you have a murder ~ on your soul; you'll be worse off than I am at this moment,” replied Jasper. “No preaching, young-man. I don’t believe in none of your psalm-singing nonsense of a hereafter of fire and brimstone. When we're dead that’s the end of us. You'll sce your finish in a few minutes. As I suppose you’re _ looking for a harp and a pair of wings in the hereafter you might mumble over a few prayers to pave the way ahead. I haven’t any objection to you shuffling off in your own way if it will make you feel any happier. I'll be satisfied to know that we-are quits.” During this interview the tough chap stood with ee back against the bolted.door, apparently unconcerned as to his deutiection with an affair that looked as if it was to end _. with a murder. “Get that piece of rope in the next room, Higgins, and pind this chap. If he resists 1] help you,” said Wambold. of Bb The tough left the door and stepped into the adjoining room, .. Jack instantly saw a chance for his life. + He stooped quickly, picked up a stool from the floor and. ff ens it with an underhand swing at Wambold. ‘Then: he made ‘a dash for the door, ; _. As he drew the bolt the rascal, who had ey aded the stool ~~ by an agile“jump to one side, sprang for ward, grabbed , him by the arm and pulled him back. g tu “Not so fast, my young friend,” he ctied ; “swe don’t part ~ company that way.” _.. He swung the strug geling Jack around with one hand, and finding that the boy was too much for such a grip he dropped his revolver on the table beside the lamp and seized him with both hands. on “Quick with that rope, Higgins. This boy is as strong “Jump then and I'll follow you,” replied Ben, backi asa young bull.” toward his friend. ; ee) , no 2Ne he spoke the corridor door opened and Bex Bann “Stop them !”” shouted Wambold. is f ane had been listening and preparing for action outside,| The toughs made a move to dash forward. aia rushed in. | Ben fired straight at them and. meee. fell back wi fe J He snatched the revolver from the table and ae it | a cry of pain. at Wambold’s head. * The bullet had passed through his hip. : “Throw up your hands or Ill put a ball through your; ‘The shot created confusion: in the ranks of the ener head, you rascal,” he cried, in a ringing tone. and under cover of it and the smoke, Jack and Ben spra ae At that oe Higgins appeared at the door wit the| in succession from the window into the dark and flowi ; ‘rope. nen waters of the Salmon River. | He was staggered by the change i in the situation. _ Instead of coming to Wambold’s side he darted -back into 1, and making ‘his way to a side door, let himself CHAPTER XI. rf the corridor and ran downstairs. i 4 Al # ‘j i the sidewalk he uttered a shrill, peculiar ies TaRATS alas reson oF TACK’S vist 0 Dank ow f his gang fi . { * 2 ney sank like a pat of cannon b Ils, m

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: ; JACK JASPER’S VENTURE. - _ Both were good swimmers, and as soon as they located -* each other, they began striking out for the nearest wharf. As they started off they glanced up at the second story - window through which they had made their leap and saw it filled by the forms of the toughs. _ Reaching the wharf, they easily climbed up to the string- piece and then stepped on to the planks. “We liad a close call that time,” said Ben, rubbing the water from his eyes. “J had the closest one,” replied Jack. “Only that you came to my aid I’m afraid 1 never would have seen another sunrise. I owe you a debt of gratitude I never can re- pay.” _ “YPIl never try to collect it,” laughed Ben. “Now, step ~ out lively. We must get away from this locality and keep our blood moving at the same time. We’ll jog-trot it all a - the y way home, and then we won’t catch cold.” They started through the river front of the town at a ee gait, taking care, however, to give Whitehall Street _ # wide berths» and their wet and bedraggled appearance ~ attracted some attention from many of the pedestrians they x met along their route. In due time they reached Burling’s cottage, when Ben opped out of the race after bidding Jack good-night. ‘of. avishing to alarm his mother aa Seles with a re- al of his experiences that night, Jasper entered the house by way of the woodshed roof and the window of his room. Undressing and giving himself a good rub-down, Jack to a ia outfit and then made his way back om the ae ter os house as if el of a aie 2 nature had 1 a to Bes and neither his mother nor sister gees ibold had in the meantime made himself scarce, whil the Higgins gang prudently retired to their hiding plac to wait till things blew over. ‘ing the afternoon Jack sent a note to Bessie Ban- explaining why he had not called at the cottage on ght before as arranged, and telling her that he would rely be jal route. sent the letter by the son of a neighbor. ‘bey brought back word that Mr, Grimes would be e and would Ce for Lo to call. Poe me.” led him upstairs to the front apoeeaene knocked at or, and Adam Grimes said, “Come in.” k entered the room and was greeted in’ a friendly Aled i “My niece told me that | make my own rates. "3 were Sead to bigetidate No. 16 Whitehall Street, “pasar pet evening to see her uncle about the Tk. is a pions ie canal, the rights to: wach you whatever x 19 — branch of the D, & G. road has put a plan in my head by — ~ which I think I could build up a good business if you were willing to back me. I-have no capital to invest, therefore without your help I can do nothing.” “Well,” replied the old man, “let me hear what your ~ plan is, and how you propose to work it. If I think 2: ‘ feasible I promise to help you out.” -“T propose to put the canal route into commission “onee While the strike is on it will relieve the business* more, situation at Centerport if merchandise can be carried to Hastlake and reshipped there by rail. The strike has also tied up the Hsmeralda Copper Mines. I have no doubt that if the boats were put in operation a profitable con tract could be made with the mining company to trans port its ore to Hastlake until the strike was broken or set tled, and possibly afterward. As things stand now I couls My first object would be to make hay while the sun shone, after that I would try to continue cur. - rying freight on the best terms obtainable.” “Your idea is good,” said the old man. “Go on.” “J would make an arrangement with the Lake Cadillac Transportation, Company to carry the boats and lighters — across the lake from Jordan to Hastlake and back.* I am sure I could make good terms with the company, for its business is scarcely more than paying expenses at biage The old man nodded approvingly. “Then I would call on the leading shippers at Center- port and contract to carry their merchandise at a fair price down the river to the canal, through that route to Jordan, and across the lake to Eastlake. I would advertise im the Centerport and Camden papers, also in the Hastlake pa- pers, for I should want to carry back goods bound for Camden and Centerport that could not get through by rail, From the present outlook the strike is going to be a long and stubborn one. I propose to taket advantage of the crippled state of the Centerport branch and get my hooks into their freight traffic as deep as I can.” Jack went on outlining and expanding his idea, and Adam Grimes became deeply interested in, his project.” “Your venture has the elements of success in, it, Fass, per,” he said, “and I am favorably disposed toward it.% -“T am glad you approve of it, sir.’ “You are going to take Ben Burling as your general oe assistant ?” “That is my idea.” “Your choice is a good one, for hei is an honest, str aight- ! : forward young fellow. tg “T have always pane him such, sir, and I ‘ives sae : him. several years.” “Well, you can go ahead; Jasper. loan, to be repaid out of the anticipated profits of the. ven- ture. | I will pay you rent for the use of the boats you. own, . a Cees T will back you with : funds enough to. give j you a good start, then it will he up to. iq you to pull through.” “Thank you, sir,” replied the overjoyed ie “but: te ‘must be understood that the money is in the nature of a I shall feel more independent to have it that way. “ u thet is fair for the ee ’ through

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ACK JASPER’S VENTURE ie up to you. It will make you realize the responsibilities you| the steamboat company and make. arrangements for the have assumed in trying to make the business pay.” towing of boats across the lake to Eastlake and return.’ I~ ie “Yes, sir. All I want is a fair chance to start the ball | shall introduce you as my master of transportation.” ’ ate If I succeed it will be a satisfaction to know that} “I suppose I must put on my best suit?” said Ben. I was not absolutely boosted into good luck through your| “No, you must put on your worst one, as I intend to do, ~ backing alone.” for we will alternate at driving the mule which will fur- — EB. “Your sentiments do you maby Jasper, and make me] nish the motive power. You can bring your best suit to feel all. the more confident that you will come through with put on after we reach Jordan,” said Jack. flying colors. I suppose you will start in at once.” *“All right, old man. What you say goes with me.” : “To-morrow morning, sir.” Jack then departed to keep his engagement with Adam — “T will loan you $5,000 as a starter. Call here at cleven | Grimes. to-morrow and I’ll have the money ready for you.” The old man had the money ‘ready, which he heneen to “T hope I will not need to expend so much as that, con-| Jack, with a promissory note to sign. sidering that you: are going to let me have your boats and| | Mr. Grimes then took him to the basin, where nine canal. tugs.” boats were in charge of a caretaker. “T will merely let you have the boats as they Ore You| He introduced Jack to the man and told him that he 23, will have to pay all the expenses of running them. I ex-| had leased the boats to the boy, and that he was to take — pect you will need more than $5,000 to get on your feet; | orders from Jasper until further notice. but no matter, all you have to do is call on me and I will| “I’m going to take one of the boats through the canal supply you with the sinews of war. It will be up to you| this afternoon,” said Jack. “‘Have a mule on hand all 3 to turn my assistance to the best advantage.” ready for work.” SE “Tl do it, you may depend on,” replied Jack, in a reso- “All right,” replied the man, respectfully. hy lute tone. “T will have the contract ready for you to sign in a few _ That closed the interview and Jack went downstairs ~ days,” said the old man, as they walked away. on the acquaint Bessie with the result of his talk with her uncle.| meantime you can go right ahead. Here is your letter: of She was delighted that her new friend’s prospects | introduction to Mr. Cole, of the Lake Cadillac Steamboat — looked rosy, and ‘told him that she would watch his prog- Company ; and here is a letter introducing you to my agent . ress in his venture with the utmost interest. at Centerport, who has charge of my tugs there.” a _ Jack then went home, feeling that Dame Fortune was| “Thank, you, Mr. Grimes.” ae beckoning him onward with smiling face. “When you are ready to call on the manager of the Es-) meralda Copper Mines I will get you a letter of introduc- tion from the president of our national bank, which \ pave your way for an interview.” “Much obliged!” - “You can*use the old company’s office near the aati te i your quarters in this town. There is a long shed to Pir; ks tect freight from the rain.” Sag leaving Mr. pier Jack went to the office ont CHAPTER XII. -. IN WHICH WAMBOLD GETS A PART OF WHAT'S COMING TO 2, ¥ HIM. ° ‘ ‘ Next morning Jack called at Ben’s house to einen him with the result of his interview with Adam Grimes. Ben was tickled to death at his young friend’s success in Ai Pootitns around the old man, and congratulated him. over his prospects. : -“T shall expect you to be my right hand man, Ben,” said Jack, “1 can’t pay you large wages at ‘the start, but ‘A just as soon as things are running smoothly I will take care wis you. You won’t have to strike to get more money.” ° “TH stand by you, Jack, and do my best to make your, ~eanal: route to fortune a big success. Don’t worry your- _ self about my wages. What do you expect me to do?” _ “Irshall want you to be my superintendent of transpor- | _ tation. ‘i f Phat sounds pretty big,” laubhea Ben. _, “Tt will be a responsible position. I shall look to you ‘ta’ see that the boats get through the canal all right and across ) T shall probably have my hands full run- ng things at Centerport, and ep geal a general. super over the business.” ane SHIPPERS TAKE NOTICE. On and after Monday, April 1, ; Mase, of all kinds will be carried to Jordan and Has via the Canal Route and Lake Cadillac, daily, at LOW. RATES. ; For — eall at the offi fice of the’ Gag re: | aye He left an order with a local ante for ali h | bills which he intended to have distributed among the i pers of Camden and vicinity. — Then he went home to dinner. Jack had finished his. dinner when Ben and i appeared. “Say, Jack, Millie wants to go to Jordan seth us ien are you going to start in! » | canal boat. Have you any objection 2” asked Ben. ht away. I’m going to meet ‘Mr. Grimes in halt. an| “Not the slightest. You/will be as welcome as th as” promised to loan me. enough money to get} ers in May, Millie,” replied Jasper. _ a i. a sa me at my house | Soe J ack,” ne the. Bran ne hb dc ¥

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# ae JACK JASPER'S VENTURE. fae | al over night aboard at Jordan, but there is plenty of accom- > -modation for you. You shall have the honor of cooking for us, or perhaps I should say that the honor will be,ours _ of partaking of your admirable culinary efforts.” They started for the basin and found one of the canal- + boats at the entrance to the canal, ready to proceed on its way to Jordan, The stout mule which was to do the drawing was tied to a tree. Millie was assisted aboard and Ben followed. Jack wnloosed the animal, attached the tow-rope to him * and cried, “Gee-up !” te started off as uinconeernedly as ee he had never done anything else in his life but haul panel sbasts, whilé — Jack, with a long switch, followed after him. Ben and Millie seated themselves in the bow, and for awhile kept up a running conversation with Jack. ' For the first mile everything went on well, and Jasper had no trouble with the mule. | The boatewas now approaching the old mill, and would _ have to pass under the bridge. Ben had gone aft for some purpose and Jack was about _. to call him forward to haul in the tow-rope as soon as he © detached it trom the mule to allow the boat to shoot the i bushes and rushed at Jasper. The boy instantly recognized him as Wambold, but being i rae his guard, he was unable to put himself in a posture of defence before the rascal was upon him. _ “P11 fix you, you young viper!” hissed Wambold, clos- bi with Jack, and trying to force him into the canal. ‘Millie uttered a shrill sereara which attracted her broth- “er ’s attention. — ae ae a boat-hook and ran forward to Jack’s as- a Fasper almost lost his balance, and would have been an : easy victim but for hig agility. Wambold by the thighs. efore the fellow dreamed what was going to happen, Jack got a good hold on his legs, swung him around, and, ‘ peers al his strength, pitched him headforemost into cana There was a loud splash and Wambold sank out of sight. Ben uttered a shout of satisfaction and looked at the spot where the man had disappeared. raratpold reappeared almost immediately i the water not deep in the canal. he side of the ‘canal was NS a yard ils where he coe ups and a couple of strokes brought him to it. ~ Jack, in the meantime, had to turn his attention to de- g the mule from the tow-line, as the bridge 1 was at d en arranged that. ee ‘was hee come fo shore tossing the line back to Jasper as soon as the ‘bow of t d clear of the bridge. ae A nade the toss, which Jack caught, and: ane ik 3 ab hold Bars the Poe and ane himself =p mee when a man suddenly sprang out from a bunch of fe managed to slip around, sink to his knees and grab | ing. i mies ‘Millie cooked in her best style. | terprise and other matters till nine» o'clock, when the ee as the long craft passed. clear of a wooden link that connected the two sides of the canal near the mill. Wambold had gotten out of the water, and breathing vengeance against Jasper had made a second rush for him, when he found that the boy was now out of his reach. _ Dripping and swearing like a trooper, he remained on the bridge and looked after the boat with an ominous gaze. within the entrance of which Jack saw him disappear. CHAPTER XIII. IN WHICH JACK OUTLINUS THE POSSIBILITIES OF THE CANAL ROUTE. “Who was that man and what did he attack Le for?” asked Millie Burling. “You remember that two men attempted to rob Ades. Grimes’s house and that one of them was captured bay the other escaped ?”’ replied Jack. (v4 Yes. ” “Well, that’s the chap who escaped.” “Oh! He tried to throw you into the canal.” “That seemed to be his object, but I turned the tables on him, and he went in himself instead,” laughed Jack. “He was awful mad, wasn’t he?” smiled the girl.: “Yes, he looked kind of mad. As a rule, people don’t. feel very good after getting the short end of things,” Finally he shook his fist at it and started for the mill,. “Say, Jack,” said | Ben fhorn the shore, “that was Wam- bold, wasn’t it?” “Yes, that was him all right.” “He’s hanging around to reach you again. to send word to the police when we get hack.” “T intend to, but it’s likely he'll expect me to do that and will skip out to avoid capture.” You'll have’ “Looked to me as if he wanted to drown you in the eanal.”” “He certainly intended to ‘hoe me in, but the trick worked like a boomerang.” “You got out of your predicament very neatly, while he got more than he bargained for.” “He may get. worse than that if he tackles me again,” replied Jack. The sun was sinking below the distant horizon eee the Zz ie dan. Jack and Ben moored her in the basin, which was large. enough to contain several boats like her, and stabled. the mule in a small barn olose by, which belongetl to Mr. Grimes. It was too late for: Af ee ie: Saand to the business: that had brought him over there, so it was postponed till n morn _ He went ashore and purchased a supply of provisions, ‘They remained on deck talking about the new ceneiid en din for the night, there “eee anette Millie to asleep chica we ng Jack and canalhoat reached the end of the route at the town of Jor or- a “Oe

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as. JACK JASPER’S VENTURE. Mr. Cole, the manager, was in his private room when | he could have one or all of them whenever he was ready to they arrived. Jack sent in their names oe they were admitted. He handed Mr. Cole the letter of introduction he had brought, and then stated the object of his visit. The manager was clearly surprised to learn that traffic through the canal was to be revived, and was pleased to hear that the co-operation of the steamboat company seemed to be a necessary factor in the plan. _ He was ready to talk business with Jack, who introduced Ben as his superintendent of transportation, and they got ~ together at once. Jack wanted lower terms than the steamboat manager seemed disposed to -give, but after a spirited talk they reached a compromise satisfactory to both sides. “T’m going over to Eastlake on your noon boat,” said Jack, “and will return by the last boat. Have a contract drawn up ready for me to sign by the time I get back, so that our business can be settled up ship-shape.” : On their return trip to Camden, Jack told Ben that it would be his business to see that the boats kept moving, not only through the canal, but across the lake to Rastlake, and vice versa. “You will see to it that my agents at Camden, Jordan and Eastlake attend to business right up to the mark,” went on Jack. “You must visit shippers in Camden who regularly send merchandise East, and make them under- -. stand that the canal route has advantages for them at all _ times whether the railroad on the west shore is running or not. You must see Eastlake shippers who send goods to i Centerport, and solicit their trade for the canal route, In fact, I rely on you to keep this end of my transportation business going in good shape.” “Yowre going to Tounte yourself at Centerport, eh?” said Ben, “Yes, for that is the nee of the situation. It is a ~ mouch business as I can handle from there. I will be in touch, with the Esmeralda mines at that point, and if I a “secure a good contract from that quarter it behooves me to look after it and see that everything works smoothly in the _ direction of Camden, where it comes under your super- vision.” “You talk like a general laying out a campaign.” “That’s about what I’m doing. a laying out a busi- hess campaign.” | CHAPTER XIV. _ DESCRIBES JACK’S PROGRESS WITH HIS CANAL ROUTE. Early next morning Jack crossed the river to Lathrop and hired a rig to take him up to Centerport, a distance of fifty miles. He reached his destination early in the afternoon and registered ‘at one of the hotels. ss agent, and present his letter of ‘introduction. the agent told him he thought the idea a good traffic arrangement with the P. & Q. line. big shipping point, and I shall fight to get and control as} I will thus be able to quote a lower schedule to the manag of the mines than he has been ‘getting from the D. tik he. first thing he did was to call on Mr. Ball, Mr. le explained as much of his plans as he considered nec- | e strik on the railroad continued, ae he| W use them. Jack told him to send one tug down the river to Cam= den right away. As soon as it arrived at that town Ben had orders to send it back with six canal-boats in tow. Sending the first two boats through the canal, Jack paid a hurried visit to his mother and sister. Then he called at the Adam Grimes home, and was warmly weleomed by the old man and Bessie. He recounted to Mr. Grimes all he had done so far, and explained what he still had to do to put his plan into full working order. “You are certainly a smart boy, Jasper,” said the old man, approvingly. “You haven’t let any grass grow under your feet.” ae “Couldn't afford to do that, sir. while it is hot,” replied Jack. “That’s the right way. Well, I have the contract ready — for you to sign in duplicate, and that will complete the ar- a rangements between us.” “4 “All right, sir. J am going on to Hastlake to make ae I will only — ship goods over the D. & G. where shippers insist, as the as P. & Q. covers all points Hast as well as the other road,? He sf Jack then explained his plans for the future, by which — he hoped to control traffic even after the strike was over. am Mr. Grimes was pleased at his foresight. wee He had never dreamed of the possibilities offered by the Es canal route if worked as an ally to the P. & Q. trunk line. és “You seem to have hit the keynote of the situation,” he i‘ said. “The P. & Q. people will jump at this chance to cut in on the business of its rival. With the support and pres- tige of that road at your back, success ought to be assured. + When/are you going to call on the manager of the compet mines.” “As soon as I’ve got things in -perfect working orde I’m going to ask the general freight agent of the P. & Q. for special rates on copper ore on the ground that this is the chance for his company to secure the carriage of the output: of the Esmeralda mines, of which the D.)& G. road has heretofore enjoyed the monopoly. I am satisfied I’m striking the iron road.” Jack signed the contract by which he took a lease of the property and rights of the old canal company — vested in Adam Grimes, and then went downstairs to have a brief talk with Bessie before starting for Jordan on hors back by way of the roundabout road. “You're a busy boy now,” said Bessie, with a ‘afield! “T should say I am, Miss Bessie. I’ve got just as much, if not more, than I can attend to. I’ve gota line of op rede tion to look after/extending from Centerport on the north to Eastlake on the southeast; but then I’ve got an able as- sistant in Ben Burling. I feel T.can thoroughly depend | him, and that’s a whole lot at this stage of the ga “T should judge so. I am getting more and more in e oe in ae canal venture every day, and so is m: unel Be : ked it over often since you

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vASPER’S VENTURE. - 23 _ thoroughly interested in putting the thing through, and on much more extensive lines than I figured on at first.’ “T suppose you will spend the larger part of your time in Centerport ?” “Yes. It. is necessary that J make my headquarters : there. That, however, will not prevent me visiting this’ _ place often as soon as trains are in operation again on the _ Centerport branch.” ~ -. “T hope you will write to me when you are not able to come on here, for I want to keep informed of your prog- ress,” she said. _ “T will gladly do that. And now I guess T’ll have to go. ‘It is getting late and I have to ride over to Jordan after _ place.” Bessie went to the door with him, and their parting was the friendliest kind. Jack was delighted that Bessie showed so much interest in him, for he was already more than half in love with the beautiful girl, md her partiality for him induced him to 2) of 3 = x Bere i CHAPTER XV._ Baan on the bank of the canal near the old mill, and fficers were sent out to look him up again. “They failed to find him, though they searched the mill ‘01 . cellar to roof, and the neighborhood pretty thordtighly no danger of jaa his way. {déily a figure jumped out into the road etais him wed his arms and hat i ina wild way, asd a person o stop a runaway. 8 ‘horse was frightened by the apparition and reared man, whoever. he was,’ ‘spring forward and seized ae em the img in’ a Tees voice, “supper so as to meet the boats when they arrive at that} Beciiie if he had run across an escaped Tunatie. | “Are you going to get down of your own accord or shall ” I bring you down with this ep ?” said the man in. an ugly tone. - “PH get down,” replied Jack, thinking of a plan to out- wit the rascal. - “Then do it.” Jasper quickly dismounted, but it was on the opposite: side of his horse. The moment he got the animal between him and Wam- bold he drew his own revolver, and stepping around the horse pointed it directly at the man. “Let go of that bridle and git,” he ejaculated. .. The rascal was taken all aback. | “Drop that gun of yours, and drop it quick!” eried Jack. - Instead of obeying the fellow raised his arm and fired quickly. The bullet shaved the boy’s ear. The smoke had hardly cleared from the revolver before Jasper returned the fire, and with better results. The man staggered back and sank to the ground with a ery of pain. As Jack stepped forward he heard the sound of. wagon wheels approaching along the road. Flashing a match he knelt beside the wounded ras¢al. The light also illuminated his own features. “So it is you, is it?” snarled Wambold, in spite of the pain. he was suffering. “Do you mean to say that you didn’t know me in the dark?” asked Jack. Wambold’s reply was a fierce imprecation. “Are you hurt much ?” “You've hurt me enough,” snarled the counterfeiter. -“T am sorry T had to shoot you; but I was obliged to do | so in self-defence.” At that moment a rig approached them through the . gloom, and the driver reined in with a sharp “Whoa!” “Hello!” came a voice. “What’s the trouble?” “T’ve shot a highwayman,” replied Jack. “The dickens you have,” ejaculated the driver, dis-- mounting and coming forward. “Are you going direct to. town?” asked J ack. “Tam. May I ask who you are?” “Jack Jasper. I live on the outskirts of Camden, beaide the canal.” . “Ah! You’re the young chap who ‘got ‘ald of. ‘hat, : counterfeit plates and turned them over to sear Govern- ment?” ' “Yes,” replied Jack, wondering who this man was, for jhe had not mentioned anything about the counterfeiting | “ae business to anybody save Ben Burling, his mother and sis-— ter, Adam Grimes, his niece and the Secret’ Service man, and he was pretty sure they had not spread the news about. ve | The town authorities were holding Spangler only on the we charge of attempted burglary. $ “Maybe this is the man I’m looking for,” said the stranger, ruins a ea oe eee a view of the Be vcan af | ed rascal. “The man ‘you’ re » Tooking for! ejnonlae J ek, in re

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a oe oo - JACK JASPER’S VENTURE. a f aye 3 : i _ “Well, Mr. Smith, this is your man. This is Wambold,” yreplied Jasper. “Are you sure?” “Vos? “Tl allow you ought to know him.” - “Yes, I know him all right. You heard two shots, didn’t you, as you came along?” “Clearly,” replied the Secret Service man. “The first shot was fired by him, and the bullet nearly put me out of business. I couldn’t have a closer call and “escape without a. ‘scratch. here’s his revolver in the toad.” The Secret Service man picked up the weapon and saw that there was one empty shell in the cylinder. “Tf it had been daylight he couldn’t have missed me,’ went on Jack. “I shot him ” prevent him making a mark of me a second time.” “You did right. Every person has the right to defend his own life. Is he badly hurt ?” “T couldn’t say how badly hurt he is.” _ The officer knelt beside the groaning rascal and exam- ined his wound. He found that Wambold was not seriously injured. “Help me put him into the wagon, Jasper,’ » he said. “ye been around this locality for ten days looking for him. I’m much obliged to you for helping me bag “him, | ; and shall notice you favorably in my report to the Bureau. _ When the case is wound up against the two men the Treas- + ury Department will doubtless reward your services in the ~ matter.” Jack assisted the officer to ak Wambold into the wagon, where he was handeuffed as a matter of precaution. _ he Secret Service man then bade the boy good-night, _ and drove off toward Camden, while Jack remounted his horse and continued on his way toward Jordan, where he arrived in due time without further adventure. Jack put up at a small hotel, and after breakfast ect op enine went over to the basin to have a talk with his agent. Se He toe the hie eansl-hoata moored, waiting % be towed across the lake by a small steamer belonging to the e navigation company. - ‘Tack did not go with them, but took the eae steniiios boats. oe es ‘The first thing he did was to call on his Eastlake iat Fe ‘Phe young man told him he had had many applications | rode back to Camden. or shippers to forward freight to Centerport, and he had cen arrangements with all of them to handle their mer- --He pointed ag) some freight that had already. reached ne the wharf, and was covered with a spread of canvas. : “here will be two. boats in here. in the course of an over, which landed him more than an se beg ahead of the : ported: his progress up to gute to ‘the old man.) As soon as he had finished with his agent’ Jack called — on the local freight agent of the P. & Q. Railroad and had a long talk with him. During the interview several dispatches passed between — the agent’ s office and the office of the general freight ueen * in Chicago, where the main offices of the company were sit- uated. Jack’s proposition to tine all through freight from Centerport bound East into the hands of the P. & Q., par- — ticularly his intimation that he intended to try and secure _ a contract for carrying the output of the Esmeralda mines, captured the attention of the general freight agent, and he authorized the local agent to enter into a liberal traffic agreement for one year with the Canal Transportation Jack immediately telephoned his agent to forward merchandise not specially marked D. & G. to the Pic Diet freight depot. He then called at the D. & G. freight offices. The agent was clearly surprised to learn of the revival the old ‘canal route, but presumed that it was merely : temporary expedient to ect ohie the freight blockade at Cen : a a to the dence of that road anti further totic He After dining, Jasper returned to the dock and f that the steamer was bringing i in the third canal-boat ‘fro Center port. at Camden, and a ell solo at aren but mostly through freight to Hastlake. Te Canal Transportation Co.’s dock pees a a appearance, and attracted a lot of attention. - All the idle stevedores got wind of the situation an nur: ried there looking for work. fede ee They were hired by the hour, and as many put on 2 could be used with advantage. : ‘Jack was pleased to find that his agent was things pan out in great shape, and was satisfied : Eastlake terminal was in competent hands. | The agent was instructed to make daily reports. and t 2 mittances to the’ Centerport office via the Saber. of ‘one ‘the canal-boats. Ne Returning to Jordan by an. a: afternoon “You haye got things in shape in a migh for so important an enterprise,” said Mr. Gr approving smile, — “That’s the way to. do sna ae ee

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oe ee 3 JACK JASPER’S VENTURE. 25 . Burling was expecting him, and Mies walked to the office = near the canal basin. Ben said he had been around among the people who had goods to ship Hast, and they expressed themselves as glad of the chance to send them by the canal route. © _ Since the strike had held up freight shipments several _ of the Camden manufacturers had been obliged to cart mer- _ chandise by road to Jordan, take it across the lake on the “steamer and carry it to the depot in Eastlake. This took a great deal of time and did not pay, there- ore any method that would save them from ore this was elcome, “The shippers told me they would be glad to continue with the canal company eyen after the strike was settled their goods could be delivered promptly at the freight ds in Eastlake, as this would save them the trouble of ding their wagons across to Lathrop iby ferry, and the tomary delays the wagons met with at the freight yard,” aid Ben. 5 ase e Ji ack was talking wibh Ben a messenger came to him that his presence would be required at court. to against Wambold at his examination. ck was greatly vexed at this Summons, but there was way of evading it. three more boats full of freight had cbme down from hrough the canal, slap iieliato boats slanted up from. Camden. F figured that things were moving about as well as ould be expected. , o tugs would be enough to aes his boats moving up a the river. . . Sh to ait die, his evidence Bia Wambold, : pa to the basin 2 find that the two boats had Fi tee x , : OBA 2" CHAPTER XVI. - | _ CONCLUSION. erport late the previous afternoon, and Ben had'sent «| and .there was no immediate prospect that it would soon — : : be moved. ioe he said, mentioning a stiff figure; “or I will enter into a | year’s contract with you, with a renewal clause, to carry ' | all your output to Eastlake, and ship it East via the P. & | for such a price,” naming a fair rate. { or turn both down, as you, choose. ” | ter terms and a guarantee. BAY. replied Jack, | road will guarantee prompt carriage from here to ays des- ‘| tination east = semen & quicker and more systematically than you have done in the short time the route has been in commission,” said Ben. — When the three canal boats arrived it was found that they carried nearly a dozen passengers who wanted to get to Kastlake. Aa Crandall had charged them $2 fare, and had put pro- visions aboard so that they could dine at the rate of ‘fifty cents a meal. The captain of the tug brought a letter to Ben ae an- other to be forwarded to Jasper if he wasn’t at Camden. The hoats were full to their-hatches and carried some | light merchandise on their decks to be landed at Camden. They were dispatched through the canal one by one as soon as possible. and Billy Brown, at Jordan, advised by *phone of their coming. : Word was received from Brown that, one boat was on its way through the canal to; Camden with freight for that — town and Centerport. Tt was expected to arrive about dark. 2 “Get a lot of naphtha torches and hire a night gang, Ben. Y want her to go up the river to-night. Iim going with her,” said’ Jack. Jack reached Centerport at eight next morning and found the wharf stacked full of freight ready for ship- ment by the Canal Transportation Co. The railroad situation was not much ‘changed, though the company was trying to move trains with the help of the State militia. At the end of the first ten days the canal route was moy- ing as smoothly as a finely adjusted machine. ; The receipts were large and Jack’s profit considerable. in Jasper was now ready to tackle the problem of the cop- | per ore transit. ~ The mines had been compelled to shut down owing to the abil of the company to ship its product. | a Train loads of it had been stalled for three weeks: Bie different points between the mines and Clifford Junction, i Jack visited the mines and made a u proposition be the | manager. “J, will agree to carry your ore to Eastlake std ship it via the D. & G. until the strike is over for so much a ton,” r e, n “Take 7 your choie The manager considered awhile and then demanded be . “T have given you my best and only a Mr. aoe ne “Give me a regular contract and the P. & Q.

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bk JACK JASPER’S VENTURE. ” . He was making big money and saying it with visions of | - expanding his facilities and gathering in more trade. Bes! With the help of Adam Grimes he bought the Lake Cad- illaec Transportation Co,, and added it to his system, thus ~ making his line complete between Centerport and Hast- — lake. fe To-day Jack Jasper is a big man out West, and his name is often seen in the daily press. The canal route is out of business, as an improyed trans- portation arrangement, devised by Jack, is in operation be- — tween Eastlake and Centerport via the old route. Jack owns two big specially constructed ferryboats, one, of which carries freight trains across Lake Cadillac be- : tween Hastlake and Jordan. z Five miles of railroad follow {Ke course of the old canal from Jordan to Camden, and the cars are run ditect from. the boat to the tracks. The rail line then runs north fifty miles to the new town of Egypt, opposite Centerport, where the cars ar taken across the river in the second big ferryboat.. Jack also leased the road running to the copper mine from the D. & G. company, which had no use for it after the boy had cut them out of the copper traffic. Jasper is president of the company which owns the rail- _ road and ferryhoats. Fe The company carries passengers bea Centerport ana = Hastlake, via a regular ferry across the Seinen River ti “My canal route is short and direct. It takes thirty hours. at the best for the D. & G. to carry a train of ore from these mines as far as Eastlake. I'll do as well and include transshipment. - “T must submit your proposition to the president of the mine at Centerport.” . “All right. You can communicate the result to me at my office in the same place, foot of King Street. I have everything to start in at once in case we come to terms. If we don’t there is no harm done.” On the following afternoon a messenger called at the office of the Canal "Transportation Co. and told Jasper he “was wanted at the general offices of the Esmeralda Cop- per ‘Mines, on Washington Street. He called there and was ushered into a room, where he found the manager and the president. The latter questioned Jack closely. He had already telegraphed the general freight agent of - the P. & Q. at Chicago to know if the road would back up the Canal Transportation Co: A reply came while they were talking. The general freight agent said that the company had a traffic agreement with the eanal company, and that he would guarantee the carriage of ore from tidewater at - the mine to all points east on a two years’ contract made between the Esmeralda Company and Jack Jasper. The president of the mine, after some further discussion, authorized the manager to enter into the said contract with the Canal Transportation Co. With the contract for carrying the whole output of the Esmeralda mines in his possession, Jack’s canal venture be- came an assured success. The officials of the D. & G. road were paralyzed when they learned about it, ‘They compromised the trouble with their employees, and _ when the strike was declared off the company called on the ‘Esmeralda Mining Company to fulfil i contract, which ' had yet many months to run. _. The president of the mine replied that not only was the contract broken, but that the company was about to sue | the D. & G. road: for damage incurred through the delay in the forwarding of several train loads of copper ore. The railroad brought a counter suit, but lost in both “eases after months of time spent in appeals to: Higher a courts. "The D. & G. road, in the meantime, was chagrined to see thousands of tons of copper ore tapped in its own ter- _ ritory by its rival, the P. & Q., through the sey dis ir oa of Jack Jasper and his canal route. Not only that, but Jack held on to nearly all the big ~ Centerport shippers after the strike, which was another body blow for the D. & G. line. _. The company cut rates down in a futile tempt to put a the canal route out of business, ea ‘The profit Jack made out of the copper transit erebled pati to meet ee ee made by the ees pioa Me but its main business is in freight. All the ae cars hear the initials of the P. & a. To ‘from the trunk line for carrying the cars between Ce port and Eastlake. Jack lives in a fine house in Camden, and the char lady who presides over it was once Bessie Banniste > whom Adam Grimes left all his money “oe he died. ward of $5,000 from the Geverniien? for capturi , counterfeit plates, but that came to him at the beg THE END. Read “AFTER BIG MONEY; OR, TURNIN¢ TABLES ON THE WALL STREET BRO fehiws will be the next number (188) of Mat tune Weekly.” jah

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Ks FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY. = a, the observation that the disease is’ successfully fought by’ a proper application of fertilizer to the soil. Fame and Fortune Weekly NEW YORK, APRIL 30, 1909. | Terms to Subscribers. Single Copies | One Copy Three aoe _ One Copy Six Months.. One Copy One Year The famous tree houses of Papua.are rapidly disappearing before the march of civilization and settlement in the colony. The tree house—a neat and well built habitation, placed at an enormous height among the branches of a forest tree and reached only by a Swinging ladder—was primarily intended, as a refuge from enemies. Now, however, that the Government has bought the wild tribes under control the native prefers to live in a house that demands less skill in construction. There are still many tree houses to be seen, though few or | none are being built. In the northeastern district of Papua (where much valuable sugar, rubber and cocoanut land lies ready for taking up) the Government officials on their regular tours of inspection often sleep at night in the house of some hospitable native village constable, who draws his ladder up at sundown to a doorstep eighty feet high in the air. These tree houses are exceedingly cool, clean and picturesque with Postage Free. How To Smnp Monry. At our risk send P. O. Money a a ie i stered Letter; re- mittances in any other wes are at your ris! e accept Postage ‘Stamps the same as cash. When sending oe whap the coin in a separate sei of paper to avoid cutting the envelope. Write your name and address plainly. Address letters to Frank Tousey, Publisher, 24 Union Sq., New York. ___ GOOD STORIES. “In the British Museum are three copies of the Bible written on the leaves ‘Of the fan palm. It is astonishing how many different kinds of material books have been written on. There re still preserved works written on oyster shells, flat bones; bricks, tiles, ivory, lead, copper, and iron. tek boughs. JOKES AND JESTS. Letter Pm a Schoolmaster—“My son will be unable to attend school to-day, as he has just shaved himself for the first time.” Harry Ellefson, a student at the Racine High School, has _ the State record for writing bogus excuses. In four years he r has beenented to his tesehers sorente: four CXCUEEE, all written by transformed into helium, Miss Elderly?” “No, Mr. Jinks. Pll ig the note years he lost seventeen grandmothers. About fobty just bet you’re talking love to me in Latin.” times he was supposed to be ill. When the discovery was made ste ‘student ‘Was called in by Principal Blackhurst and ad- He has been suspended for seventy-four “The very day I first met him,” said Miss Plane, “something told me he would eventually fall in love with me.” “Indeed?” itzN { “Now,” said the teacher, who had been giving an elementary talk upon architecture, “can any little boy tell me what a ‘buttress’ is?” “I know!” shouted Tommy Smart. “A nanny goat!” in the Snake Hills of the Creek Nation, He was 96 years old. For half a century he had been one of the most turbulent Ss in Oklahoma. Hut-cho-nu-pah led the last ee of : ‘themselves Detore the United . States troops got nh a battle Hut-cho-nu-pah’s band was annihilated and : SS gapeantil to death. So great was the awe in which} Wachtig, but to injure him so severely was hardly right of you. Witness—I didn’t know he was a burglar at all. I the robber was he, ught for the Northern forces during the Civil War. ways asserted that he was under the special protection “J—T don’t pay rent,” replied the startled stranger. “Phen business?” “I’m a real estate dealer.” \ y “Oh, John!” said Mrs. oniens “You must raise a pair of those long side-whiskers.” “What!” exclaimed Popley. “Why,” I thought you detested that sort oi” “Yes, but Mr. Dubley was here to-day. He has them, you know, and it was just. net i he Canary Islands, Until a few years ago they success- nag the competition of the Antilles, and the coast of Af- They | were discussing the relative coat. of various cou : Z nor practiced any rotation of crops. ‘Confident of ee much had the: evident ebareagie ot one exci ed have eee no | the roofs of native made thatch and walls and floors of wattled “Do you know that a gaseous emanation from radium is . replied Miss Knox. “The something wasn’t your mirror, was — Judge—You were most brave in capturing the burglar, Frau 2| had waited up nearly three hours for my husband, and thought — “Come, come!” cried the brusque and hustling real estate — man. “Why do you pay rent when you might own a home?” — ‘you own a home?” “No.” “That’s strange. May I ec your. tries as musical centres. Germany seemed to have the most ‘. y * too cute to see the way baby pulled them.” — eine,

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/ The Mountain Maniac By Alexander Armstrong. Not many weeks ago business called me to West. Virginia, and one afternoon, quite late, I stepped from on board the cars and found myself in the little village of-—well, we will call it Bluebell. I had never been there hefore, and as a stranger always does, I looked about me to see in which direction to go to most quickly find a hotel, for I never ask any favors in the way of directions if I can avoid so doing. 4 Like all other country villages, it had a main street, and that one glance told me was stretched away before me, the railroad. depot being at one end of it. ‘¢ I had gone but a‘ block or two, when I saw the hotel some distance ahead, and before it a crowd of men and boys, all appearing to be greatly excited, and crowding around some object lying on the ground. Reaching the spot I elbowed my way through the crowd until I caught a glimpse of this object; it was the dead body of a man, curled up, his knees almost touching his forehead, as if he had doubled himself up in a spasm and thus died. - The next great object of attraction was a fine-looking, well- made man, with a frank, open face, sunny, but stern-looking |: blue eyes, and a wealth of tawny beard, but which was now’ ,torn and dirty; his hair also was considerably mussed, and one Pa cheek looked as if it had been clawed by some wild animal, while across his scalp was an ugly looking gash. “Fight?” I inquired. “No, sir,” replied an urchin, a regular out and outer. _ the Mountain Maniac, and t’other un tracked him to the moun- '» tain and kerflumixed him.” : poe pe I turned away after another glance at the dead body of » Which I took a mental photograph. A short, thick-set body, a lengthened, cadaverous, beardless face, immensely long and singularly muscular arms, and a hunched back ; his legs were encased in a pair of top boots such as are used by cavalry Officers, and about his waist was’a broad leathern strap, by which he was accustomed to support his pants. . Entering the hotel, I ordered some supper, and while it was being prepared sat down and penned the following: Le po Harvey Duparry, tion your name as being an old school-mate and chum. would give me great pleasure to meet my father’s old friend, Z ‘Yours sincerely, : # ? “Orrin GoBLE.” “Though it was a fight, too— You see this chap curled up here is ‘him, Esq.—Although not Serauatie ac- quainted ‘with you, the name of Goble may strike you as } familiar, inasmuch as I have heard my father frequently men- It and as a younger scion of the Goble race, renew the intimacy I Peery a Oy who agreed to deliver the cies and bring me an) answer, which proved to be a very cordial Ayitation ‘to i FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY. ee re TEER cea TS a aan ARERR evidently the parlor or best room of the house; not a “parlor,” to look at and admire, but a parlor for use, a cosy, comfortable room where one could enjoy a segar and a quiet chat. , We found there Mrs. Dubarry end several little Dubarrys, among them a little girl, looking very pale, and propped up by pillows in’a chair. ; i “Ts she ill?” I inquired. “No,” replied my host. for a couple of days, and got badly frightened. about it after awhile.” — “Has it anything to do with the Mountain Maniac?” I in-— quired. Ba He nodded his head. at Well, at last Mrs. Dubarry hustled the children off to ‘bed, then came back and took Gracie from among the pillows, and — carried: her to her father for his affectionate good-night kiss, after which he followed her with his eyes until she dienes peared, then exclaimed with a sigh: “Phank God!” and then turning to me, remarked: was more than I could say this time last night.” “Tell me about it,” I suggested. “Well, I will,” said he, clearing his throat. WERE, “Then here goes: “Two years ago, my pee this little village was thrown. Foi “But she has been away’ from home - T'll tell you Be That “Readyi2s san miles ‘away. His father learned afterward that the little fe 1 low had left his uncle’s shortly before sundown, calculatin that by brisk walking he would arrive at home by tea-tim before they would have finished the meal. “They thought nothing strange of it when Charlie faile reach home that night, thinking he had remained at hi she uncle’s, but the uncle chancing to come to the village th next day, exploded his fond parents’ belief im his safety. ; 4 J - “Ingstantly’ a searching party was organized, and I wa of the number. For three days our search was unav: and then——” “we finally camé upon a ee in the woods wiike her had been a camp fire; beside it were some bones, a fe 3 tents of flesh which had evidently been wasted, and: Charlie’s clothing.: ti “How this had oceurred—who had done it—were q involved in mystery. That it must have been done by hi im being was evident, but who or what or where was the t “We scoured the woods thoroughly for many days, find no trace of the wretch who had perpetrated such an a deed, and at length we all began to imagine that it hi done by some strolling tramp who was miles away f scene before we found the ghastly remains of little © ir “Woe were lulled into a sense of security as regard little ones, and once again began to permit them to rm as they had been accustomed to, put, ah! how soon sense of security shaken! A little toddling girl, car ie an elder sister to the woods, was left alone for a few min . “When the pee? child returned her Bia ae ? | ing! a _“She rushed hither ana tnither, madly cating ft i : voice § she canght a alin se of t before he disapp

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atce) sprees ? i f FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY. ome a eye es” a? E A Biss $4 = a-fire, a dress and a tiny pair of shoes and a few bones.~ These “told the sad tale. J - “A month later another child disappeared, and men armed} ; themselves and patrolled the mountains for weeks, but with- _ out ever even catching a glimpse of the cannibalistic maniac. “We heard ’nothing of him during the winter, but before ; _ the Succeeding summer’s course was run, nearly half a score shOL8 children had disappeared—roasted like young pigs—in his Fe maw. * “Traps were set for the maniac; every man carried _fire- arms, prepared to meet him, but he shrewdly kept out of their _ way; once, indeed, a party of four men caught a glimpse of 24 him, but he was gone before they could draw a bead on him. *“So time rolied on, and the present season opened. 3 ‘All summer Jong he had evaded those set to slay him; he ime bolder, showed himself not infrequently, and, with mocking laugh, could get out of the way before they could “I dashed towards them, saw an opening, and knew that I was before a cave, the lair of the mountain monster. ; “I dashed in, snatching out my revolver as I went, and saw —the maniac was about to cut the child’s throat. “He heard me—glanced up—tttereda wild yell—and quicker than a tiger springs was upon me, and beneath the fierce ~ assault I was forced to retreat. _ j “My revolver would not shoot, something was wrong with it, and I could only use it as a club against his murderous knife. “Furiously he forced the fight, and with a spring had~me’ by the throat even as I emerged on the ledge; the knife was raised to pierce my heart, and I saved my life only by a swift blow with the revolyer; I knocked the knife from his hand, but lost my weapon at the same time, and then it became a hand-to-hand struggle. ~“My God! what a terrific struggle that was; to my dying day its memory will haunt me. “Writhing, twisting, squirming, biting, scratching, clawing —this is a specimen of the latter,” pointing to ‘the badly scraped cheek I have mentioned; “it was terrible—terrible. “At last I got the best of him, and forced him backward to the ledge; he knew it, and grasping my shirt with one hand and my beard with the other, he showed a determination to drag me over with him. “Back—back—until one leg hung over the hagas back—a very slight move would hurl him into eae me, too. “T must free myself first. “Raising my knee suddenly, I forcibly planted it in his stomach; the pain caused him to relax his grasp a little, I broke loose, and then—he struck the rocks a hundred feet below. : el rushed in, and brought my child home in my arms; then I conducted others back to the spot, and they brought the “i body into town, arriving here but a few minutes before oy 4 saw us. FH “And that is the story you wanted to hear; so now—it’s es ike psp he es ca me i I ilaren to go beyond the ites Matte. :: ast night little Gracie started just about dusk to return e from theehouse of a little friend with whom she had mt the afternoon. Her nearest way home was through a ile” passing. along, she was suddenly pounced upon by ountain Maniac, who had lain congealed in the brush, x ae was recognized, and filled with dread they hur- ‘ried here and told me.” less. than thirty seconds from the time aha the first d fell on my ear, 2 was dashing along that: road yonder "Ornithological puzzles are the penguins, with their curi- ously shaped wings and odd, unbirdlike upright carriage. The peculiarities of their wings suggest that the penguins are de- ‘scendants of birds which used their wings rather than legs - in the pursuit of prey under water, and as the struggle inten- sified between the competing individuals the most expert ates this sort of swimming would get the most food and oust. their ; less successful rivals. The winners gained advantage over their neighbors in proportion as their wings improved as swimming organs, and inversely and of necessity became less ! suited to perform the work of flight. In all other birds t the | feathers though shed annually are more or less gradually diss rte placed; but in the penguins the new feathers all start into | at the same time and thrust out the old feathers upon eir ye so that these come away in piste pene a : renziealy I eghad onward, and I now knew that it was zaps to have met with success had not God in mercy “Tw as manne hither and thither, now pausing, now dale 2 angers here and there, when daylight broke, and ag even rescue her body estan oye ul than n the stomach of that cannibal fiend.) 1)... 1 was plai enough; it could not be lost. ‘Tt led me

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These Books Tell You Everything! = 4 COMPLETE SET IS A REGULAR ENCYCLOPEDIA! — : Bach book consists of sixty-four pages, printed on good paper,in clear type and neatly bound in an attractive, illustrated cover, ar of the books are also profusely illustrated, and all of the subjects treated upon are explained in such a simple manner that ax Se eee understand them. Look over the list as classified and see if you want to know anything about the subjechs mentioned. ; { THESE BOOKS ARW FOR SALH BY ALL NEWSDEALERS OR WILL RE SENT BY MAIL TO ANY ADDRESS * FROM THIS OFFICE ON RECEIPT OF PRICE, TEN CENTS BACH, OR ANY THREE BOOKS FOR TWENTY-FIVE ~ GENTS. POSTAGE STAMPS TAKEN THE SAMW AS MONEY. Address FRANK TOUSEY, Publisher, 24 Union Square, N.Y. MESMERISM. No. 72. HOW TO DO SIXTY TRICKS WITH GARDS.—Em- — No. 81. HOW TO MHSMBRIZH.—Containing the most ap-| >racing all of the latest and most deceptive card tricks, with il — proved methods of mesmerism; also how to cure all kinds of | !ustrations, By A. Anderson. ais Been! diseases by animal magnetism, or, magnetic healing. By Prof, Leo No. 77. HOW TO DO FORTY TRICKS WITH CARDS.— — ; Me a? B Containing deceptive Card Tricks as performed by leading conjurors’ Hugo Koch, A. G S&., co any. Hypnotize,” ete and magicians. Arranged for home amusement. Wully illustrated. > i ; No. 82. HOW TO DO PALMISTRY.—Containing the most ap- MAGIC. proved methods of reading the lines on the hand, together with No. 2. HOW TO DO TRICKS.—The great book of magic an a full explanation of their meaning. Also explaining phrenology, | card tricks, containing full instruction on all the leading card trick and the key for telling character by the bumps on the head, By | of the day, also the most popular magical illusions as performed b Leo Hugo Koch, A, C. 8. Fully illustrated. our leading magicians; every boy should obtain a copy of this boo HYPNOTISM No. 22, HOW TO-DO SECOND § he Staph oe Bia hae ai 0. 22. HOW TO-DO SH IGHT.—Heller’s second sight ie © sr tanga lc 2 Tone the Bee inp eT all 9 explained by his former assistant, Fred Hunt, Jr. Wxplaining how — f ¢ the secret dialogues were carried. on between the magician and the explaining the most approved methods which are employed by the | poy on the stage: also sivi 1 . ¥ leading bypnotists of the world. ‘By Leo Hugo Koch, A.C.8. yon the stage; also giving all the codes and signals, «The only SPORTING. authentic explanation of second sight. es No. 43. HOW TO BECOME A MAGICIAN.—Oontaining the No. 21, HOW TO HUNT AND FISH.—The most complete hunting and fishing guide eyer published. It contains full in- grandest assortment of magical illusions ever placed before the public. Also tricks with cards, incantations, ete. : structions about guns, hunting dogs, traps, trapping and fishing, together with descriptions of game and fis No. 68. HOW TO DO CHNMICAL TRICKS.—Containing over d one hundred highly amusing and instructive tricks with chemicals, No. 26. HOW TO ROW, SAIL AND BUILD A BOAT.—Fully illustrated. Every boy should know how to row and sail a boat. By A. Anderson, Handsomely illustrated. jets aks Pe grbellades ek es N oe ae HAND.—Containing over frente sr i? s Baioe : ith in. | Htty. o! é latest and best tricks used by magicians. Also contain- Full jnstrictions are given fn, thie. ttle book, together with im |ing’the seat of eccond aight Fully Miuctiated,, By A adonsom No. 47. HOW TO BRHAK, RIDE AND DRIVE A HORSH.— | ,,No. 70. HOW TO MAKE MAGIC TOYS.—Containin ‘A complete treatise on the horse. Describing the misat usetal a 4 non vas makin Hae business, the best horsea tor the read; alsa valuahle xecinee 40%" No. 7g. HOW TODO TRICKS WITH NUMEMEE © Siem “No. 48. HOW TO BUILD AND SAIL GANOBS.—A handy | ™any curious tricks with figures and the magic of numbers. By book for boys, containing full directions for constructing canoes and the most.popular manner of sailing them. Fully illustrated. Anderson. Fully illustrated. ; No. 75. HOW TO BECOME A CONJUROR. — Containin 2 Sy ©. Stansfield Hicks. ie FORTUNE TELLING. tricks with Dominos, Dice, Cups and Balls, Hats, ete. ; Embraci No. 1. NAPOLEON’S ORACULUM AND DRBAM BOOK.— thirty-six illustrations. By A. Anderson. if No. 78. HOW 'TO DO THE BLACK ART.—Containing a Containing the great oracle of human destiny; also the true mean- ing of almost any kind of dreams, together with charms, ceremonies, plete description of the mysteries of Magic and Sleight of Han and curious games of cards. A complete book. together with many wonderful experiments. By A. Anderso: No. 23. HOW TO EXPLAIN DREAMS.—Hverybody dreams, Illustrated. ai MECHANICAL. Peas coe from the little child to the aged man and woman. ‘hia little book |. N%., 29. HOW TO BECOME AN INVENTOR.—Every boy gives the explanation to all kinds of dreams, together with lucky should know how inventions originated. This book explains them _ and cae days, and “Napoleon’s Oraculum,” the book of fate. all, giving om eer in agg ee lola es) Jes ea pti No. 28, HOW TO TELL FORTUNHS.—Hiveryone ‘is desirous of } PRCUMatics, mechanics, etc. e most instructive book knowing what his future life will bring forth, whether happiness or No. 56. HOW TO BECOME AN ENGIN EDR.—Con misery, wealth or poverty. You can tell by a glance at this little instructions how to proceed in order to become a lo book. Buy one and be convinced. Tell your own fortune. ell | %iReers also directions for building a model locomotiy the fortune of your friends. with a full description of everything an engineer should kno “No. 76. HOW TO TELL FORTUNES BY THH HAND —|,.No..57. HOW TO MAKE MUSICAL NSTRUMENTS 2 Containing rules for telling fortunes by the aid of lines of the hand, 1 directions how to make a Banjo, Violin, Zither, Molian Harp, Xylo- or the secret of palmistry. Also the secret of telling future events phene and other musical instruments; together with a brie i by aid of moles, marks, scars, etc. Illustrated. By A. Anderson. scription of nearly every musical instrument used in an ATHLETIC. modern times. Profusely illustrated. By Algernon 8. Fitzgi an : ; for twenty years bandmaster of the Royal Bengal Marines. No. 6. HOW TO BECOME AN ATHLETH.—Giving full. in-| No. 59. HOW TO MAKE A MAGIO LANTHRN.—Contair struction for the use of dumb bells, Indian clubs, parallel bars, “Sarge He) and ene other ag at . mg ee 9 good, finctettedin Be Lake, Aloe ealthy muscle; containing over sixty illustrations. Wvery boy can “ ; : tiecomie, strong and healthy by following the instructions contained} No. 71. HOW TO DO MECHANICAL TRIOKS, ~Contain in this little book. complete instructions for performing over sixty Mechanical Tri No. 10. HOW ‘TO Bose Eee at of self-defense ante easy. /By A. Anderson. Fully illustrated, fee rO EF , Me Alfioe: aan : ontaining over thirty illustrations of guards, blows, an e differ: LETTER WRITING. iti od boxer. FE b h i f : ent positions of a go xer, very boy should obtain one 0 No. 11. HOW TO WRITH LOVE-LETTERS. os ese useful'and instructive books, as it will teach you how to box i , x plete little book, containing full directions for writin and when to use them, giving specimen letters for young without an Shas joni No. 25. HOW TO BECOME A GYMNAST.—Containing full : 2 instructions for all kinds of gymnastic sports and athletic exercises. No. 12. HOW TO WRITH LETTERS TO. LADINS.— Ymbracing thirty-five illustrations. By Professor W. Macdonald. | Complete instructions for ‘writing letters to ladies o: also letters of introduction, notes and requests. es No. 24. HOW TO WRITH LETTERS TO GENTLE ee en eacewmnes as o, 34. HOW TO FENCH.—Containing full instruction for Containing full directions for writing to gentlemen on also giving sample letters for instruction. . fencing and the use of the broadsword; also instruction in archery. No. 53. HOW TO WRITE LEPTHRS—A won on Mae ¢ Described with twenty-one practical illustrations, giving the best _ positions in fencing. A complete book. . ; 4 URN : P Re D - | book, telling you how to write to your sweetheart, TRICKS WITH CARDS. mother, sister, brother, employer; and, in fact, everyh body you wish to write to. Hvery young man an | lady in the land should have this book, ; | No. 74. HOW TO WRITH LETTERS CORR’ structions ee Im. ini yunctuation and

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eT, Le THE STAGE. ; No. 41. THE BOYS OF NEW YORK END MEN’S JOKE ~ BOOK.—Containing a great variety of the latest jokes used by the most famous end men. No. amateur minstrels is complete without this wonderful little book. No, 42, THE BOYS OF NEW YORK STUMP SPRAKER.— Containing a varied assortment of stump speeches, Negro, Dutch and Irish. Also end men’s jokes. Just the thing for home amuse- ment and amateur shows. _, No. 45, THE BOYS OF NEW YORK MINSTRDL GUIDH AND JOKE BOOK.—Something new and very instructive. Byvery boy should obtain this book, as it contains full instructions for or- ‘ganizing an amateur minstrel troupe. _ , No, 65. MULDOON’S JOKHS.—This is one of the most original _ joke books ever published, and it is brimful of wit and humor. It contains a large collection of songs, jokes, conundrums, ete. of -Werrence Muldoon, the greatswit, humorist, and practical joker of the day. Hyery boy who can enjoy a good substantial joke should obtain a copy immediately. - No. 79. HOW TO BECOMB AN ACTOR.—Containing com- ' plete instructions how to make up for various characters on the stage; together with the duties of the Stage Manager, Prompter, Scenic Artist and Property Man. By a prominent Stage Manager. _ No. 80. GUS WILLIAMS’ JOKH BOOK.—Containing the lat- est jokes, anecdotes and funny stories of this world-renowned and ever Sixty-four pages; handsome opular German comedian. colored cover containing a half-tone photo of the author. get : HOUSEKEEPING, No. 16. HOW TO KHEP A WINDOW GARDEN.—Containing full instructions for constructing a window garden either in town or country, and tha most approved methods for raising beautiful ae at home. The most complete book of the kind ever pub- lished. _ ‘No. 80. HOW TO COOK.—One of the most instructive books ~on cooking ever published. It contains recipes for cooking meats, ‘fish, game, and oysters; also pies, puddings, cakes and all kinds of pastry, and a grand collection of recipes by one of our most popular abs ge on. HOW TO KEEP HOUSE.—It contains information for everybody, boys, girls, men and women; it will teach you how to “make almost anything around the house, such as parlor ornaments, rackets, cements, Aeolian harps, and bird lime for catching birds, Bee elke ELECTRICAL. No. 46. HOW TO MAKE AND USH ELECTRICITY.—A de- scription of the wonderful uses of electricity and electro magnetism ; together with full instructions for making Hlectric Toys, Batteries, ete. By George Trebel, A. M., M. D. Containing over fifty il- ils, dynamos, and many novel toys to be 10 as bay Sasa ENTERTAINMENT. o. 9, HOW TO BECOME A VENTRILOQUIST.—By Harry nedy.. ‘The secret given away. very intelligent boy reading is ‘of instructions, by a practical professor (delighting multi- des every night with his wonderfu} imitations), can master the rt, nd create any amount of fun for/himself and friends, It is the eatest book ever published, and there’s millions (of fun) in it, ‘o. 20. HO’ TO ENTERTAIN AN EVENING PARTY.—A aluable little book just, published. A complete compendium arlor or drawing-room nee pte It contains more for the ~ ny k published. E ae “HOW TO PLAY GAMES.—A complete and useful little boo containing the rules and regulations of billiards, bagatelle, bac ny . dominoes, ete. Rigetacnk 5 36 HOW LO SOLVE, CONUNDRUMS.—Containing all “conundrums of the day, amusing riddles, curious catches ‘OW TO PLAY CARDS.—A complete and handy little 1g : ’” “rections for playing Euchre, Crib- Sasino, Forty-Five, ce, Pedro Sancho, Draw Poker, itch, All Fours, and nifany other popular games of cards. HOW TO DO PUZZLHS.—Containing over three hun- esting Fad and conundrums, with key to same, A » book. Fully illustrated. By A. Anderson. ETIQUETTE. TO DO.IT; OR, BOOK OF BTIQUETTH.—tit e c e’s happiness in it. - ss ; 33 As Phe HAVE.—Containing the nies pie sbauetie | society and the easiest and most approved methods p- e ood advantage at parties, balls, the theatre, church, and ing-room. — DECLAI ATION. BOOK making all kinds of candy, TENN te ae Ser etc. ete, information regarding choice of subjects, the use manner of preparihg and submitting manuscript. valuable information as to the neatness, 1 position of manuscript, essential toa successful author. By Prince mes, sports, card diversions, comie recitations, etc., suitable }H the world-known detective. a and sensible rules for beginners, and also relates some adventures and experiences of well-known detectiv ; ‘also how to make Photographic Magic L | Transparencies. Handsomely illustrated. a No. 31. HOW TO BECOME A SPHAKER.—Containing four . teen illustrations, giving the different positions requisite to become a good speaker, reader and elocutionist. Also containing gems from all the popular authors of prose and poetry, arranged in the mont simple and concig2 manner possible. i. No. 49. HOW TO DEBATH.—Giving rules’ for’ conducting de bates, outlines for debates, questions for discussion, “and the bees sources for procuring information on the questions given. SOCIETY. No. 3. HOW TO FLIR'’T.—The arts ana wiles of flirtation ere fully explained by this little book. Besides the vatious methods of handkerchief, fan, glove, parasol, window and hat flirtation, it con- tains.a full list of the language and sentiment of flowers, which ip interesting to everybody, both old and young. You cannot be happy © without one, No. 4. HOW TO DANCE is the title of a new and handsome little book just issued by Frank Tousey. It contains full instruc- tions in the art of dancing, etiquette in the ball-room and at parties, set to dress, and full directions for calling off in all popular square ances, No. 5. HOW TO MAKE LOVE.—A complete guide to love, courtship and marriage, giving sensible advice, rules and etiquette to be observed, with many curious and interesting things not gen- erally known. f - No. 17. HOW TO DRESS.—Containing ful! instruction in the art of dressing and appearing well at home and abroad, giving the selections of colors, material, and how to have them made up. No. 18. HOW TO BECOME BBHRAUTIFUL—One of the brightest and most valuable little books ever given to the world, Hiverybody wishes to know how to become beautiful, both male and female. The secret is simple, and almost costless. Read this book and be convinced how to become beautiful. BIRDS AND ANIMALS. No, 7. HOW TO KHHP BIRDS.—Handsomely illustrated and- — containing full instructions for the management and training of the - canary, mockingbird, bobolink, blackbird, paroquet, arrot, ete. No. 89. HOW TO RAISH DOGS, POULTRY, PIGHONS AND RABBITS.—A_useful and imstructive book. Handsomely illus- trated. By Ira Drofraw. No. 40. HOW TO MAKH AND SHT TRAPS.—Including hints on how to catch moles, weasels, otter, rats, squirrels and. birds, ed how to cure skins. Copiously illustrated. By J. Harrington eene, No. 50. HOW TO STUFF BIRDS AND ANIMALS.—A valuable book, giving instructions in collecting, preparing, mounting and preserving birds, animals and insects. No. 54. HOW TO KHEP AND MANAGE PETS.—Giving com- © plete information as to the manner and method of raising, keepin taming, breeding, and managing all kinds of pets; also giving fu instructions for making cages, etc. Fully explained by twenty-eight illustrations, making it the most complete book of the kind ever i) ; ] ze published. MISCELLANEOUS. No. 8. HOW TO BECOME A SCIHNTIST.—A useful and in- structive book, giving a complete treatise on chemistry; also ex- periments in acoustics, mechanics, mathematics, chemistry, and di- rections for making fireworks, colored fires, and gas balloons. This book cannot be equaled. : ‘ No. 14. HOW TO MAKB CANDY.—A complete hand-book for No. 84. HOW 'TO BECOME AN AUTHOR.—Containing full of words and the Also containing legibility and general com- 1; ‘! . TNa 88, HOW TO BECOME YOUR OWN DOOCTOR.—A won: derful book, containing useful and practical information in the treatment of ordinary diseases and ailments common. to every family. Abounding in useful and plaints. No. 55. HOW TO COLLECT STAMPS AND COINS.—Con- taining valuable information regarding the collecting and arranging 4 ! stamps and coins. Handsomely illustrated. No. 58. H iat OW TO BE. A DETHCTIVE.—By Old King Brady, In which he lays down some yaluabla - es. ; No. 60. HOW TO BECOME A PHOTOGRAPHER.—Contain- ing useful information regarding the Camera and how to work ity t, and one that every young man desires to know | CADE t effective recipes for general com- * e

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; Latest Issues ae ee — esse ————————_ = “WILD WEST WEEKLY” iA Macazine Conrainine Srorizs, SKETCHES, ETC., OF WESTERN Lirs Cotorep. Covers 32 Pacss Price 5 Cents 382 Young Wild West and “Maverick Mike”; or, Arietta and | 337 Young Wild West and the Two-Gun Man; or, Cleaning up c ; the Round-Up. a Mining Camp. ; "388 Young Wild West Chasing the Mexicans; or, The “Hur-| 338 Young Wild West’s Prairie Chase; or, Arietta and the > rah” at Hot-Head Hill.« Wolf Pack. 334 Young Wild West After the Death Band; or, Saving Ari-| 339 Young Wild West Holding the Hill; or, The Fight to¥ the Nes ; etta from the Secret Caves. Cave of Gold. f 335 Young Wild West Saving His Partners; or, A Hard Fight | 340 Young Wild West’s Cowboy AOR EOES or, Arietta and the ie with Redskins. Mustang Ropers, : 836 Young Wild West Fighting the Cattlemen; or, Arietta’s| 341 Young Wild West and “Velvet meaty or, Baffling rine Ea Branding Mark. Bandit Band. / F a “WORK AND WIN” ah. ‘ ConTAINING THE FRED FrarNot Srorres Cotorep Covers 3? Pages Pricer 5 Ganeas , 585 Fred Fearno’'s Hockey Team; or, Out to Win the Cup. 540 Fred Fearnot and “Broadway Bob”; or, Bava s a | Young: * 536 Fred fearnot’s Slide for Life; or, Lost in the Great Bliz- Man from Ruin. ices ake Teard, 5387 Fred Fearnot in the Slums; or, The Mystery of a Great City. 5388 Fred Fearnot’s Fight With the Dons; or, Lively Times in | 42 F red Fearnot’s Temperance War; or, si asiad Up a Bad. ae - Mexico. Town. f ary Fred Fearnot and the Boy Hunter; or, A Trip to the Fur | 543 Fred Fearnot and “Little Tron-Arm; or, The Boy Wi ae hve _ Country. of the Diamond. Ss *PLUCK AND LUC Kae a Contamina Att Kryps or Stories _ OCoLtorEp Covers 82 Pagss Price 5 Caw: 660 The\Houseboat Boys; or, Stirring Adventures in the; 565 The Signal Service Boys; or, Fighting aheve : the Clou _.). Northwest. By Allyn Draper. By Gen’l Jas. A. Gordon. ‘561 The Dark Sons of Ireland; or, Plotting Under the Shan-| 566 The Red Privateer; or, The First to Float the Stars an non Water, By Allan Arnold. Stripes. By Capt. Thos. H, Wilson. } 562 Young Karl Kruger; or, The Richest Boy in the Transvaal. | 567 The Iron Spirit; or, The Mystery of the Plains, 541 Fred Fearnot’s Baseball Stare; or, Winning the Opening Game. +3. By Berton Bertrew. Old Scout. ec 5638 The Phantom Fireman; or, The Mystery of Mark How- 568 The Sons of the Sword; or, The Watictiate from th land’s Life. By Ex-Fire-Chief Warden. ; By Richard R. Montgomery. ; 4 -564 Ben Brevier; or, The Romance of a Young Printer. By|569 The Lost Island: A Romance of a Forgotten World. d. Allyn Draper. Howard Austin. 2 peas FRANE TOUSEY, Publisher, a 24 Union Square, ss IF YOU WANT ANY BACK NUMBERS of our Weeklies and cannot procure them from newsdealers, they can be obtained from this office direct. Cut o in the following Order Blank and send it to us with the price of the weOknes you want and we will pene them to return mail, POSTAGE STAMPS TAKEN THE SAME AS MONEY. tb eke e eee cece erence reese ransseeseeane . Shenae eee eee eee ewe eect een eens scene teen eanns FRANK TOUSEY, Publishér, 24 Union Sitio, New York. etme ogame, bs mas eae Dear Str—Enclosed find..... .cents for which please send me: . cr a . copies of WORK AND WIN, Nos............06- Ruane on iB bbs COED aig Ra Ge aut) Mi WIDE AWAKS WHERDY: Nos .ccsces2 ses dune esha vans Cee ee ; “WILD WEST WEEKLY, Nos......... baa Vins kip hie eek eRe T TS Gaara sae Be THE LIBERTY BOYS OF ’%6, Noses in vibes heehee pteca see oeec pera © PLUCK a LUCK, Nos.....+e.00004 Pe ery LAG Gale mee arate 2 ;

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Fame and Fortune Week %, 5 y STORIES OF BOYS WHO MAKE MONEY By A SELF-MADE MAN ISSUED EVERY FRIDAY. 32 PAGES — COLORED COVERS _, PRICE 5 Cts, This Weekly contains interesting stories of smart boys, who win fame and fortune by their dbility to take advantage of passing opportunities. Some of these stories are founded on true incidents in the lives of our most successful self-made men, and show how a boy of pluck, perseverance and brains can become fam- ous and wealthy. ALREADY PUBLISHED. 119 Friendless Frank: or. The Boy Who Became Famous. 158 Fighting the Money Kings; or, The Little Speculator ,of: Wall 120 A $30,000 Tip; or. The Young Weazel of Wall Street. Street. ‘i 121 Plucky Bob: or, The Loy Who Won Success. 159 A Boy With Grit; or, The Young Salesman Who Made His Mark. 122 Krom Newsboy to Banker; or, Rob Lake's Rise in Wall Street. | 160 Ted, the Broker's Son; or, Starting Out For Himself (a’ Wah 123 A Golden Stakes or, Ihe Treasure of the Indies. | Street Story). 4 if r= ihe en oe S A see ame te en peek 3h Dick Darcell's Nerve; or, From Engine-House to Manager's Office- 25 atching His Chance; or, From [Ferry Boy to Captain. 62 Under a Lucky Star: or. 1 sitter re Palle 126 A Game’ for Gold ae Tine Young King of Wall Street, ee y ar; or, The Boy Who Made a Million in W all; : izard for Luck; or, Getting Ahead in the World. 163 Jack's Fortune; or, The Strangest Legacy in the World. i 128 A Fortune at Stake; or, A Wall Street Messenger’s Deal. 164 Taking Chances: o Sac Fon a : , ey 129 His Last Nickel: or, What It Did for Jack Rand. ' % ae passes Bh Playing: fon Semen eran Oe I a see ee ac Little Broker: or, The Boy Who Started a Wall 165 Lost in the Tropics; or, The Treasure of Turtle Key. 4 4 . é 166 Ten Silent Brokers; or, The Boy Who Broke the Wall Street Syn- i31 A Struggle for Fame; or, The Gamest Boy in the World. é dicate, 132 The Young Money Magnate; or, The Wall Street Boy Who] 167 Only a factory Boy; or, Winning a Name for Himself. Broke the Market. 168 Fox & Day brokers; or, The Young Money-Makers of’ Wall Street. 133 A Lucky Contract: or, The Boy Who Made a Raft cf Money. 169 A Young Mechanic; or, Rising to fame and Fortune. Avil 124 A Big Risk: or, The Game that Won. 170 Banker Barry's Boy; or, Gathering the Dollars in Wall Street —* 135 On Pirate's Isle: or, The Treasure of the Seven Craters. i171 In the Land of Goid; or, The Young Castaways of the Mystic Isle 126 A Wall Street Mystery; or, The Boy Who Beat the Syndicate. | 1% tron Stocks aad Bonds ; or, ‘The d'win. Boy” lsualiiat aia 187 Dick Hadley’s Mine: or, The Boy Gold Diggers of Mexico. 173 The Little Wiz ‘ Aner : "4 ‘ 3 Sy | PR a ed a orn Wi eis : t ard: or, The Success of a Young Inventor, a i 138 A ook Ser es From Errand Boy to Millionaire. (A 1s Alter the {olden Bagles on, A Lucky Young Wall Street Broker ov Jorld : 00r "s Ki » For () A Lucky Lad; or, The Boy ho Made a Railroa ‘ay. * 140 A tie Worth as kiiiiion : ogee Bay Avorked in wall | 176 Too {Good to Last; or, Six Months in the Wall Street Money 7 Street. oo AL aa ak 141 Billy the Cabin Boy: or, The Treasure of Skeleton Island. 177 Dick, the Boy Lawyer; or, Winning a Big Fee. — ee 142 Just His Luck ; or, Climbi: g the Ladder of ame and Fortune. | 17% Uroker Dexter's New Boy; or, A Young Innocent in Wall Street. 143 Out with His Own Circus; or, The Suecess of a. Young Barnum. | 179 From Mull to Millions; or, The Poor Boy Who Became a Steel 144 Playing for Money: or, The Voy Trader of Wall Street. Magrate. i ‘ 145.The Boy Copper Miner’: or. Ted Brown's Rise to Riches. 150 Three Game Speculators; or, The Wall Street Boys’ Syndicate, 146 Tips off the Tape: or, The Boy Who Startled Wall Street. 181 A Stroke of Luck: or, The Boy Who Made Money in Gil. By 147 Striking it Rich: or. From Office Boy to Merchant Prince. 182 Little Hal, the Boy Trader: or, Picking Up Money in Wall Street. —— 148 Lucky in Wall Street: or, The Boy Who Trimmed the rokers.| 183 On the Gold Coast: or, The Treasure of the Stranded Ship. Py, 149 In a Class by Himself: or. The Plucky Boy Who Got to the Top.| 184 Lured by the Market: or, A Boy's Big Deal in Wall Street. tee 150 Bulling the Market: or, The Errand Boy Who Worked a Corner. | 185 Trading Tom: or, The Boy Who Bought. Everything. hy (A Wall Street Story.) 186 Favored by Fortune: or, The Youngest Firm in Wall Street. , 151 After the Big Blue Stone: or, The Treasure of the Jungle. 187 Jack Jasper’s Venture: or, A Canal Route to Fortune. esis. 152 Little Jay Perkins, the Broker; or, Shearing the Wall Street | 188 After Big Money; or, Turning the Tables on the Wall Street — ‘Lambs,’ The Young Coal Baron; or, Five Years With the Miners. Coining Money; or, The Boy Plunger of Wall Street. 2 pigriee the Tusk Hunters; or, The Boy Who Found a Diamond ine. A Game Boy; or, From the Slums to Wall Street. A Waif’s Legacy; or, How It Made a Poor Boy Rich. 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