Fame And Fortune Weekly (no. 475) (1914 11 06)
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N° 475 NOV. 64 1914 5(enls ee STORIES OF He beat out the fire and carried her forward a short distance toward safety. Alternately he worked the senseless girls toward the end of the long room, with the flan.es. now in control of the floor, reaching out hungrily after him.
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-. The boy in the overalls and jumper had seen Lewis Jarvis grab Jessie Fairweather by the wrist, and easily overheard all that followed. ~ His natural chivalry toward the fair sex told him !t was ¥ time to interfere, even without reference to the fact that he looked upon the girl as a particular friend. fr So- he dropped the wheelbarrow, stepped up to the son of ve Northport’s magnate, and laying his hand on his shoulders, sald, with quiet determination: a “[ think you had better let Miss Fairweather go home if _ she wants to. ~ Lewis started back in some little trepidation, for he knew _ he was in the wrong, and Jessie took advantage of the mo- ~ment to snatch her hand from his grasp. - But when he recognized who it was that had interfered ~ his brow grew as black as thunder-gust, and he snorted: “What do you mean, you pauper, you! How dare you lay your dirty hand en me!” ~ “TY interfered because you were annoying Miss Fairweather,” said the newcomer in straightforward tones, and he raised _his soft felt hat politely to the girl. - “You common tireman! I’ve got a good mind to——” He doubled up his fists in a threatening manner, but the calm, undaunted look which the other gave him convinced 4 Lewis that discretion was the better part of valor. 2 “Wow. dare you butt in where you’re not wanted?” “Tf you°can convince me that I was in the wrong, I am willing to apologize,” said the working lad, with a genial smile. ; “You were not in the wrong, Will Somers,” spoke up Jes- sie Fairweather, quickly. “Mr. Jarvis was acting in a very ‘rude way to me, and I am very much onteed to you for coming to my aid.” “You hear thaty Lewis Jarvis?” said Will, grimly. _ have you to say for yourself?” . “None of your business what I have to say! But I'l tell you one thing. smart aleck, I'll get square with you for this.” i “All right.” responded Somers,.cheerfully. “I think, how- ever, you owe Miss Fairweather an apology for your con- uct toward her.” Pear you don't get down on your knees right now and beg my pardon for sticking your nose into my affairs, I'll see hat you’re discharged to-morrow from your job in the factory ine-room,” threatened Jarvis, hotly. uch obliged for your kind intention, Lewis Jarvis,” re- ‘turned Will Somers, disdainfully; “but when I get down on my knees to you, just let me know, will you?” _ “Bah! you common laborer!” cried the squire’s son in a Se I “My father is one of the owners of this mill. He's 5 y got to say the word to have you fired. I'll see that he ag does it,” he added, vindictively. _. “Your father isn’t the only stockholder, nor the biggest fe: Lewis Jarvis.” retorted Will, calmly. “I may be a com- mon mechanic, as you say, but I understand my business here and attend to it, so I don’t think the superintendent will poaseharge me without sufficient reason. Simply to oblige you ’t any reason at all.” “You'll see,” replied Jarvis, darkly, moving off without paying any further attention to Jessie Fairweather, who had ‘taken advantage of this controversy to continue on her ay, but stood by, hoping her presence would prevent a erious mix-up between the two boys. tybe tl there was another reason, too, for it was a fact that e greatly admired young Will Somers. knew he was a good boy, an earnest. hard witho®: the : cial of a widowed mother and a younger brother and oe “What e was a his and gentlemanly to all, and considerate «psp of even the smallest girl or boy in the factory. knew that a considerable part of his spare time was the. fun ag order to better his Sondition,, He had an ad Tatas” eS an ipipbaemect in the damper of the engine, which had proved an economizer of patent for it had been applied for in his name by intendent, who, in recognition of its benefit in the . had given him a welcome increase in salary. now at work on another Scheme, designed, to re- en a ject. that genta eS of, goat asted. steam, | , the nt line mn oe RR. ia that ‘mo lease ought to de suMiclont,” sald the it: te THE WINNING TRICK. ; ment, for {t was known that by far the greater proportion of the units of the mist formed by condensed vapor, other- wise known as steam, went to waste; consequently any in- vention which would serve to utilize a larger number of. those infinitesimal particles would proye of untold value in econo- mizing the coal consumption. As Lewis Jarvis turned on his hegl and strode away. his small mind brooding upon the retaliation he hoped to be able to inflict on the boy who had dared to cross him, Jessie walked up to Will, and holding out her hand, said: “I hope you ‘will understand that I am very grateful to you for what you did for me, and I trust you will not get into any trouble over it.” “Don’t worry about that, Jessie; ’m not afraid of anything Lewis Jarvis can do with such a lame excuse to work upon. I am yery glad I was able to be of service to you, for there is no girl I would sooner——” “And then he stopped in embarrassment. “Thank you,” she answered, with just the suspicion of a blush. “Ysn't it most time for you to go home?” “Yes; if you wouldn’t mind waiting a few minutes I'll be happy to escort you home,” he said, eagerly. “Pi wait, for it’s getting quite dark now, and I should be glad to have you with me.” Five minutes later they left the yard of the engine-house together, CHAPTER II. IN WHICH LEWIS JARVIS, HAVING FAILED TO GET SQUARE WITH WILL: SOMERS, DECIDES TO EVEN UP THINGS WITH JESSIE FAIRWEATHER. Superintendent Harper of the Northport Cotton Mills was in his office on the morning following the affair mentioned in the preyious chapter, when Squire Jarvis walked in unan- nounced. “Good-morning, Mr. Harper,” said the magnate, blandly. “Good-morning, Squire Jarvis,” answered the superintend- ent. “I would like to speak to yon about a certain matter.” “Well, Squire Jarvis, in what way can I be of service to you?” asked the superintendent, wheeling about in his chair. “Ahem! I'm sorry that I have to make a serious com- plaint against one of your employees,” began the nabob some-' what brusquely. “Indeed! I regret to hear that such is the reason of your visit. Who is the person to whom you refer, and what is the nature of the offense?” ry “T will explain, sir. My son Lewis happened to be in this neighborhood last evening at -half-past five, which is the hour the mill shuts down for the day, I believe.” The superintendent nodded. “He stopped to speak to one of the girls—her name is Fair- weather, I believe—when a boy by the name of Somers, em- ployed in the engine-room, came up, and laying one of his greasy hands on my son’s clean clothes, broke up the inter- view by saying it was time for the girl to go home. Lewis very properly resented this unwarranted interference; where- upon the Somers boy insulted him in a gross manner.” “Tam sorry to hear you bring such a charge against young Somers, Squire Jarvis. Are you sure there isn’t some mis- take? Will Somers is the brightest boy in this establishment, and is noted for his gentlemanly conduct.” “No mistake whatever,” answered the squire, positively. “My son stated the case very fairly to me. I judged from his manner. that he rather underestimated the gravity of the offense, being unwilling, no doubt, to have his aggressor too severely punished. which is to his credit. As a large Sick holder in this company, I wish you to understand that I ¢ not permit my son to be insulted by one of the employees. I therefore request that you will immediately discharge this Somers boy.” “I will take the matter under consideration, Squire Tarvin politely responded the superintendent. “The charge will be investigated. It is only. fair that young Somers be given a hearing in his own defense. weather has to say about it. ell your son to eall here at ~ two o’clock this afternoon and I will listen to his side. ; question. If I find that ;Will Somers: has not son fairly I will see that he is disciplined.” “TY should think, Mr. ‘Harper, that my I will also hear what Miss Fair-— Ais
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= oh, $ntendent that afternoon and gave his version of the difi- ‘ter how Humble bis or her position, ‘and*I had a run-in last night about closing time, and he _ ferred to Jessie Fairweather for corroboration of his story. - the boy’s statement. a quizzical simile. _ jected convinced Mr. Harper that there was no ground on - Wimselt son would not lie to me. He has too much respect for him- i self and the position he occupies in society to make a charge not founded on fact. I may say this is not the first time this mers boy has failed in according my son the respect to ch he is entitled.” “Tt is a rule of mine never to proceed against any em- ployee without having thoroughly sifted the evidence in the case. As a lawyer you understand that every one, no mat- is entitled to an equal show. of justice.” “Very well.” responded the nabob, stiffly. “I shall expect that you will look into this thing at once. As soon as the Somers boy's offense has been shown to your satisfaction lL look to you to discharge him immediately.” Superintendent Harper made no reply to this, and the _ squire, taking his silence in an Affirmative sense, rose from | the chair. bowed coldly and left the office. “This isn’t at all like Will Somers,” muttered Mr. Harper, after be had sent to the engine-room for the boy. “Young reg has evidently exaggerated the affair to suit his own views.” Will presently reported at the superintendent’s office, clad | in his overalls and jumper. and his bright, manly, young face favorably impressed the official whose duty it was to pass on the merits of the alleged difficulty. Tae) wished to see me, Mr. Harper?” asked the lad, mod- estly “Yes, Will. I regret to sty a charge has been made against you by Squire Jarvis. He has just left.” “TI expected it,” replied the boy, cheerfully. “Lewis Jarvis threatened to tell his father and have me discharged.” The superintendent smiled good-naturedly. “I will hear what you have to say about it,” he said, kindly. Will at once rehearsed the cause of the trouble, and re- ‘Mr. Harper nodded, as if he put a good deal of faith in “I will send for the lady in the case,” he said, genially. “You may return to-the engine-room. Rest assured. you will be treated with perfect fairness: re Jessie Fairweather was called°down from the operating room, and she backed Will's story with an earnestness that called up a smile to the superintendent’s face. “ft see you have a friendly feeling for Will Somers,” he “said. “I faye.” she repiied, without any embarrassment. “He has been yery kind to mother and myself, aud I'm sure I like him yery much.” “That is all, Miss Fairweather.” “You don't think he will be discharged for taking my part, you, sir?” she asked. anxiously. “I don't think you need worry about that,” he replied, with “Thank you.” ~ Much adainst his will, Lewis Jarvis called on the super- culty. His statement showed so much personal rancor against - Will that the brief cross-examination to which he was sub- so ae to proceed against Will in the matter, and accordingly dismissed the charge, writing a note to Squire Jarvis to at effect. ewis was very much dissatisfied with the outcome of the ving. tailed to get square with Will Somers, he now sferred a portion of his eumity to Jessie Fairweather. _“She’s a stuck-up thing for a poor mill hand,” he said to with an air of disgust, as he was retiring for the “I'd like to take ber. down -a peg, or two. I believe stuck on that mechanic, and he acts as if he was gone If I could only manage to get her fired Ed the ry pees 3 make them a feel sore, and so I could - I know what I'll ado. fi Per ex- ‘ib: a minute. ‘Tf it works, itn rae pt right; essle gets into trouble over it. why, that'll I don’t risk anything. I'll see Whegetbings don’ a3 ome ht - THE WINNING TRICK. ‘ or ——— hr CHAPTER IIt. IN WHICH LEWIS JARVIS INTERVIEWS TESSIE RICKSON, AND APTER-— i WARDS HEARS SOMETHING THAT GIVES HIM anEss 3 ? 3 SATISFACTION, s The factory hands had an hour for lunch, and most of the. girls went home for the midduy meal. “ Tessie Rickson was one of these, and Lewis Jarvis, in ac — eordance with his amiable intentions toward Jessie Fair- weath, took care to meet her as if by acéident on the way to her father’s cottage. Miss Rickson was a tall, somewhat angular young person, with red hair, which, however, she referred to as auburn, — a freckled face, a vinegary-looking mouth and a turned-up ~ * nose. a While she wasn’t prepared to admit even to herself what a other people could see with half an eye—that she was de- cidedly plain, so far as looks were concerned—she was jeal- ous of-every girl who received more attention from the boys — é than herself. She was particularly down on Jessie Fairweather because — a everybody said Jessie was the prettiest girl in Divino a and chiefly because she (Tessie) was somewhat sweet on Will Somers, and all the other girls said Jessie was Will's s sweetheart. a8 Had she been mentally capable of originating any plan rte get square with the captain’s daughter she would have put it into practice long ago. ws Fortunately, her powers in that direction were rather lim- ; ited. iy But she was mean and reckless enough to put into execution = any scheme that might be suggested to her that had for its a object the humiliation of Jessie Fairweather. 5 Consequently, as Lewis Jarvis had surmised, she was an a easy tool for him to use. “Good-afternoon, Tessie,” her. “Good-afternoon. Mr. Jarvis,” addressed by the nabob’s son. “I s’pose you don’t object to my company for a little way, do you?” he said, with a smirk, intended to be fetching. “Not at all; on the contrary, I shall consider it an honor,” she answered, hoping some of her girl friends would “Bee her walking with the magnate’s son, and that the sight would make them turn green with jealousy. “It’s too bad that such a pretty girl as you should have to. work on such a pleasant day,” proceeded the astute Master Jarvis. with a polite grin. ; “Isn't it?” cried Tessie, in a discontented tone. _“ However, I don’t expect to work always, Mr. Jarvis.” ne “Sure you won't. Some rich young. fellow, like mys for instance, will come along and snap you up when yo : aren’t thinking.” “lm afraid the other girls would all be jealous of then.” said Tessie, delighted at the suggestion, which not occurred to her before. “I guess they would, especially Jessie Fairweather. TI she doesn’t like you for a cent,” said Lewis, artfully, “ doesn’t care who knows it.” “IT hate her!” snapped Miss Rickson, vindictively. , “She isn’t so much, though she seems to think ae boys are crazy over her,” continued the boy. “Do. yout she’s so pretty?” “No. I don’t; do you?” asked Tessie, with coinpie lips. “Not by a jugful. ter than hers.” “Do you really? You are making fun of me, ain't she asked, doubtfully. : “I'm not. Her hair is nice enough in its way, but is the most fashionable shade. I heard my moter: A whopper or two by the boy did not worry his ¢ a great deal’ when they assisted him in the the attainmen some object he had in view. “Miss Rickson was very pleased to hear that Mrs. Bi : leader of Northport society, had actually noticed and ably commented on her hair. : She ste take care that all the girls she knew hear about it. . Re a ‘you I wouldn't stand. for Jessie and telling other girls | pri &e i/ said Lewis, taking off his hat to = sbe replied, pleased to be - I like the color of your hair mui
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4 ot =" THE WINNING TRICK. : “Did she say that?” almost gasped Tessie, with flashing eyes. How much is it for?” “Tt’s good, then. I really can’t afford to lose so “Three hundred dollars. “Not only carroty hair,” added Lewis, smothering a grin| much money.” “with his hand, “but freckles as large as warts——” “The idea!” screamed Miss Rickson. now as mad as a hornet. “The mean, artful creature!” ‘i “Phat isn’t all,” went on Lewis. in his soft way. “I sup- pose you wouldn’t believe she said your mouth was big enough to eat snowballs?” “I'll get square with her for that,” snapped the thoroughly enraged girl, clenching her coarse, brown hands. “That's right. I wouldn’t let any one crow over or make fun of me,” “said Lewis, egging the poor, deluded girl on. “I heard she was making fun of you before Will Somers the other night. Said you were only a bundle of bones—she was _ afraid to touch you for fear you'd rattle, and somebody might think one of the machines was out of order.” “Oh, Til fix her, the fiaxen-haired thing!” exclaimed Tessie, -- furiously. ' “Look here,” said Lewis, tapping her on the shoulder, “do _ you know what a girl once did to another girl who talked about her in that way?” =f “No, I don’t; what did she do?” asked Miss Rickson, with some interest. “She got her fired from the shop where they both worked.” “Served her right. I’d give a good deal to get that washed- out blonde discharged from our place.” _ “This girl managed, somehow or other, to have a purse that did not belong to her found in one of the other girl’s - pockets. She was accused of theft, and as she couldn’t prove ashe didn’t take it, she was thrown out by the boss. It ought _ to be easy to work a thing like that. Now, mind, I don’t tell you to do it—you’ve got too kind a heart to do anything daa) ‘that, I know.” “Oh, yes,” gritted the furious maiden. grasping at the idea ‘like a drowning man at a straw, “I’m too kind-hearted. I ' oceechen think of doing such a thing. But how do you know ms this pasty-faced Miss Fairweather would not steal the purse 5 ff she got the chance?” “That's a fact.” admitted Lewis, humoring her. ul “And if ’twas found on her ’twould show she was really ‘thief, wouldn’t it?” Sypeag it would,” snickered Lewis, now feeling sure of the gir ; “1 shouldn’t be surprised if something like that actually _ did happen. We girls are very careless with our purses. If I should miss mine I’ know whom to accuse.” ‘By that time they had reached the gate of the poor-looking kson cottage, and Lewis was on the point of bidding ‘the girl good-by, when Jock Rickson, her father, appeared at the door, and asked him if he would not walk in, as he ‘wanted to see him about a matter of importance. Young Jarvis was not anxious for an interview with Tes- _sie’s father, but as he saw no way out of it, he followed the ke; girl into the house. While she repaired to the dining-room to get her dinner, he old man led Lewis into the darkened sitting-room, and i him to sit down near his old mahogany escritoire. ‘Job Rickson looked older than he really was. - J. He _was thin and spare like his daughter, with closely ed carroty hair and freckled features. “Was mean and miserly by disposition, and though he a fat account in the town savings bank, he always de- d he was not worth a cent. kept his house and property in poor shape so as to ( the assessor, but etter all he deceived nobody so ch as himself. He often loaned money to his neighbors, on the best of ity, of course. he = ways and means of getting around the law e" ue, (eink your aged would be willing. to collect a ” began Mr. Rickson. te not? That's part. of his business, isn’t it?” some surprise, . hought I'd ask you, because this here note’s been runnin’ time, and I hain't made no great attempt to collect the party hain’t any too well fixed, you see, and Fra my sae to heros i eee ye nee le the State law prevented him from exacting usurious } Money isn’t everything, not by a long shot. It sometimes has “Who is it against?” “Tt is signed by Nat Somers. He’s dead, you know; but I reckon his widder is responsible for ft.” “Who did you say?” said Lewis, in some excitement. “Nat Somers, Will Somers’ father?” “You’ve got it jest right, young man,” nodding his head. “You give me that note. Mr. Rickson,” cried Lewis, jumping to his feet, “and my father’ll collect it for you all right.” The old man promptly produced the note in question, and after the boy had looked it over to see that it was all right he started for his father’s office. “By the great hornspoon?” he ejaculated. “This is luck. I don’t believe Mrs. Somers will be able to pay it. This is where I have got the squeeze on that low-down mechanic, Will Somers. You'll put your greasy paws on me, will you? Oh, father and I won’t do a thing to you this time, you pauper! I’ve got you where I want you now, and I'll make you eat humble pie, all right.” ; With this pious feeling in his mind he hurried along the street. replied Mr. Rickson, — CHAPTER IV. THE GAME OF CHANCE. As the Fairweather and Somers homesteads, of some five acres each, adjoined. one another on the suburbs of North- port, it was quite the usual thing of late for Will and Jessie to go home together after their day’s work. At closing time on the day that Master Jarvis had his in- | terview with Tessie Rickson, Jessie found Will waiting for ~ her at the gate. “I’m on time to-night, all right.” he said in a tone of sat- isfaction, as he bowed politely to several of the other girls passing out at the moment. “Are you glad?” “TI am afraid it will make you dreadfully conceited if I admit I am,” said Jessie, with a tantalizing little laugh. “You boys do think such an awful lot of yourselves.” “Come, now, Jessie, you’re too hard on us,” remonstrated Will with a grin, as they started off together. “Am I? Really. Why, I never look at Lewis Jarvis but I almost fancy the world isn’t quite large enough to hold him, comfortably,” laughed the girl. “Lewis Jarvis Is in a class all by himself, so far as this town is concerned. I shouldn't feel at all flattered if you compared me with him.” “TY certainly wouldn't think of doing such a thing. He isn’t a real boy. And just think, he calls himself a gentleman, be- cause he doesn’t have to work and because his father is looked upon as one of the biggest men in town. A gentleman wouldn’t act the way he did the night before last,” said Jessie, scornfully. : “I should say not,” answered” Will, emphatically. “He didn't lose any time trying to get me bounced because I interfered in your behalf. But his pull didn’t seem to work. He’s mean enough to do most anything. Of course, he’s got it in for me now, but I ain’t afraid of anything he can do. There isn’t anything against me at the mill, and I don’t propose there shall be, as I make it a point to attend strictly to my business during working hours.” “Mother says you're bound to become a successful man if you live,” said the girl, with a look of admiration at her escort, “That’s what I’m aiming for,” replied the boy, with mod- est confidence. 2 “You intend to become an engineer. I suppose?” “Certainly; but I don’t mean to stop at that. One of these — days I hope to own at least a part of a mill myself. and a_ thorough knowledge of the requirements cf the engine-room ought to be of great value to the proprietor himself.” “You are aiming high, Will,” said Jessie, with a smile. “I think every young fellow ought to aim high in this world if he ever expects to land in. a good place where he can make money.” “That's something many boys, Lewis Tarvis, ‘for instance, = % don’t feel called upon to worry about, The money is Seay, provided for them in advance.” j “All the same, I wouldn't change places with Lewis Jarvis. and disappears all of a sudden. a one tether’ 4 If he puts all his re- ei ca nd happen to”
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THE WINNING TRICK. away from him one of these days after he has grown up,|I sought means to carry out my plan. { found them at hand. where will he be at?” “I’m not good at guessing conundrums, Will,” laughed the girlie “And that reminds me of a conundrum with which you are connected, and which I’ve been trying hard to solve ever »since last. winter.” “What's that. Jessie?” asked the boy, curiously. “The girls all call it Will Somers’ Folly whenever they speak about it.” _ *Oh, I know what you refer to now,” grinned the boy, “and perhaps they may -be right, though until the fact is proved I must beg to differ with them. I call it a game of chance— it’s a toss-up whether I come out ahead or not; but I think the odds, if anything, should be in my favor, for I have worked the thing on a sort of scientific basis. While I feel confident I have gone the right way about it to reach results, it doesn’t follow that I shall succeed. When dealing with sych a treacherous proposition as the ‘quaking bog,’ as the people eall it, or the ten-acre swamp-lot, as I call it, a fellow can’t feel yery sure where he’s going to come out. Success means a good thing, Jessie; failure means—well. the loss of twenty- five dollars cash, and a great many hours of the hardest “work I ever put in in my life. But, worst of all, it will mean the ‘grand laugh’ at my expense.” “Do let me into the secret, won’t you?” said Jessie, per- suasively. “For there is a secret, I know. You're too smart a boy to go into any scheme blindfolded. It isn't like you. It may be a game of chance, as you call it; but I’m certain there’s some method in your madness.” “Well, Jessie, at least I had the advantage of one man’s failure to give me a wrinkle before I went into the thing.” “Tt was such a total failure that’I wonder you ever took up with it.” : “Phat’s what it was. When Mr. Rickson bought that Swamp-lot at what he thought was a bargain, he was under the impression that all he had to do was to erect a strong dam across the outlet of the bog at the beginning of cold weather, and by confining the water which constantly soaked into the swamp from the springs and small streams from the ledgy hills above. overflow the lot: At first nobody, in- eluding myself, could understand. what he was: trying to get “I remember,” laughed Jessie; “but when the boom in ice began, and the papers were full of accounts of almost fabu- lous prices paid for ‘ice privileges’ which lay convenient for shipping, whether they were mill-ponds or fresh-water marshes, the object of Mr. Rickson’s dam was apparent.” - *Just so,” agreed Will. “He intended to overflow the swamp and make a ten-acre pond. From the pond thus formed to the wharf below is about two hundred yards, and a descending grade al! the way—so that by means of a cheap “ehute the ice, after having been marked out and cut into “proper chunks, could be sent sliding down to the very verge of the wharf, there to be taken on board of vessels ready to receive it. It was a great scheme, wasn’t it?” “Yes: but. unfortunately for Mr. Rickson, it turned out a t failure.” ' “That's right. Still, how could he guess that the yery effort he made to flood the surface of the lot would merely cause the swamp itself to rise until it was nearly level with the land around it.” ' “What made it act that way? One would naturally think = ; that the incoming water, finding ‘its escape cut off, would form a pond there.” ; = “That’s the way Mr. Rickson figured; but here’s how he The roots of the moss and matted grass All that remained was the manual labor, for which I could not afford to pay. So I tackled it myself when I could find the time, and you can gamble on it, Jessie, there wasn’t an ounce of fun in it.” Z “I shouldn’t think there was,” admitted the girl, “judging from what you told me at the time; though you would not gratify my curiosity by telling me the reason for a proceeding which seemed so senseless to every one who heard about it.” “Well, I’m telling you now, but you must keep it quiet.” “J won’t say a word, honor bright.” protested Jessie. “I bought the swamp-lot and the dam just as it stood from Mr. Rickson for twenty-five dollars. I agreed to remove a big heap of stones, as tall as a barn, from Farmer Botts’ land hard by, on condition that be would let me have the use of his ox-team for that purpose.” 3 “He must have thought you were crazy.” “Probably he did, but he wasn’t feol enough to say so, as he had the soft end of the bargain. When the swamp-lot had frozen over so that it would bear the ox-team I began to use up all of my spare time of night hauling rocks from Boggs’ field to the basin in which lay the swamp-lot, and I spread them in heaps over the surface of the ice. I’d hate to tell you how many tons I deposited there before the end of winter. I was mighty glad when I got away with the last load.” - “I know all about that, Will Somers—everybody knows it. Lots of people have gone over there and looked at those piles of rocks and wondered what you were tryiig to get at, but they couldn’t guess any more than I.” “As it wasn’t any business of theirs, I didn’t take the trouble to enlighten them. I haven't any use for butters-in, Jessie,” “Do you include me in that remark, Will? If you remem- ber, I was just as curious as anybody else,” said the girl, — with a quizzical smile. - mas “Present company always accepted,” said the boy, hastily, — whereat she laughed gaily. ; “Well,” she said, “1’m waiting patiently for this explanation you promised to give me. I'm still as much in the dark as — ever.” “After I had finished with the rocks I took down part of the dam and waited. When the ice began to melt with the coming of spring the stones gradually disappeared among the moss and grass. Then the swamp looked the same as it ever did. Since then I’ve simply been waiting.” “For what, pray?” POs: Fi “For winter to set in again. This is October. In a week | or so I'll repair the dam. and let the water collect. I ex-— pect it will be on the surface, not under the swamp this — time.” : a “Why should it be different with you than what it with Mr. Rickson?” j “Because I trust that the rocks, which have gone down — pretty evenly into the matted grass and moss, will anchor — down the entire surface of the bog. Should this prove to — be the case, the formation of a ten-acre pond will be a simple proposition.” tae an “Oh!” exclaimed Jessie, a great. light dawning upon-her — 4 =e Se wacaibilerelintie cS So, 3 y a was 4 “What a head you've got, Will Somers!” cried the girl, j admiration of his genius. Srp wee as “If I fail my name will resemble the soil wader the swamp. “What is that?” asked Jessie in surprise. “Mud!” ejaculated Will, tersely. CHAPTER V. Ee kaa | IN WHICH SQUIRE JARVIS VISITS THE SOMERS HO} The quaint little Dutch timepiece which Capta weather had brought from Holland some years bef afterward presented to Nathaniek Somers, his neighbor, which occupied a conspieuous position on the mantel of the — sitting-room in the Somers home, had just struck the h ro of eight, when a loud, authoritative knock came on the fr door. : aieaees “YT wonder who ‘ean that be?” said Mrs. Somer ever a new book on the town public lib
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to find that the visitor was none other than the pompous Squire Jarvis. What could be the mieaning of this great man’s visit to their humble home? “Is Mrs. Somers at home?” asked the lawyer, stiffly. “Yes, sir,” replied Will, respectfully. “Will you walk in?” : Squire Jarvis brushed past the boy with as little consid- eration as though he was a wooden image, and Mrs. Somers ‘rose hastily from her chair as his portly form filled the door leading into the sitting-room. “Squire Jarvis!” she exclaimed in surprise. f “Yes, ma’am.” answered the nabob, in a tone that seemed to indicate that he was conferring a distinguished honor on the cottage by his presence there. “Take the rocking-chair,” said the lady of the house, point- . fing to a substantial piece of ‘furniture that was the pride of the house. The squire bowed condescendingly, glanced curiously about the room. Mrs. Somers reseated herself and waited for the great man to explain the nature of his unexpected call. “Ahem, ma’am,” began the squire, feeling that what he seated himself, and - had to Say was not likely to cause a pleasant impression, “I have called in reference to a little matter that has been placed ip my hands.” Mrs. Somers bowed and waited for him to proceed. _ At this moment Will re-entered the room, and took up a position in the background, curious to learn, as he half sus- - pected, if he was the cause of the magnate’s visit. He was soon undeceived. ‘ “I refer to a note of hand, signed by your late husband in fayor of Job Rickson, for the sum of $300. The note,” con- tinued the squire, fishing out his glasses and poising them with a sort of professional movement upon the bridge of his aristocratic nose, and then taking out a bulky morocco pocket- ' book, from which he deliberately extracted the document in - question, “isidated February 1, 189—, and expired one year from date, when it became due and payable, according to the terms therein expressed. It should have been presented for payment at that time. But your husband having died in the meanwhile, leaving you (ahem) in somewhat straightened | ¢ireumstances, so far as ready money was concerned, Mr. Rickson refrained from calling immediately on you for the unt owing him, feeling ture you would recognize his claim as soon as you were in a position less financially em- rrassing. While this was not business, it reflects a great credit on Mr. Rickson’s goodness of heart—a fact. I regret to say, not generally appreciated by his acquaintances. In fact, he has delayed so long the presentation of this note that it is now within a few months of the time when, ac- se per’ to the laws of the State, it would have become out- lawed, and consequently worthless. Fortunately, he called attention to it, and I advised him to collect at once, and so he turned it over to me for that purpose. Therefore, I should be glad to learn what you are prepared to do about it.” _ Squire Jarvis having delivered himself of the toregoing in S$ most impressive manner, he removed his glasses from fr h and began ‘to twirl them around his index finger while he regarded the little brown-haired widow with a - fudicial sort of look, possibly with the view of confusing ae itimidating her. firs. Somers had listened to him with the utmost amaze-| hat note was taken up by my husband a few days before ‘death and paid.” ‘Paid. ma'am!” ejaculated the lawyer. 5 “Yes, sir; and Mr. Rickson gave my husband a receipt for e money.” — are u certainly are honing under a misapprehension of the : _ It your husband paid this note, it stands to reason it t now be in the possession of Mr. Rickson. When Be settled it is always delivered to the person who by whom it is, or should be, immediately destroyed.” ink I can account for the fact that it happens to be Ricksou’s possession,” said ‘Ms. Somers, a slight note in her tone. ~ lawyer, stiff he presents’ it at this late day for Es Ao Sion well for that goodness of heart you have just ge ." said _the little. eal P agra ; 4 of another Piste hundred. oe ea ' of Northport | Somers, firmly. THE WINNING TRICK. i tel “T was abouteto explain to you why Mr. Somers did not get possession of that note at the time he paid the money. The note still had several months to run when he expressed his intention of taking it up. Mr. Rickson at first objected, but when my husband offered him the year’s interest be ac- cepted the money and gave a receipt for the seme. saying he would give up the note in a few days, as scon as>he got it from the bank, where he had deposited it for safe-keeping. My husband, probably feeling that he was protected by the receipt. did not hurry him, In fact, before he may have thought of the matter again. he met with the accident which resulted, unfortunately for himself and family, in his prema- ture death.” Mrs. Somers paused and wiped away a tear. “Your statement is certainly plausible.” admitted Squire Jarvis, beginning to fear he had called on a fool's errand, after all, and that the unsavory reputation Mr. Rickson bore in town, with which the squire was familiar, was once more cropping up in evidence. “If you have Mr. Rickson’s receipt for the three hundred dollars, of course I shall have nothing more to say. I am not responsible for any act of Mr. Rick- son's, ma’am, being merely his agent in the matter. If it is not too much trouble, will you kindly produce the receipt, so that I may convince myself of its genuineness?” “IT am sorry to,say that the receipt has been mislaid ever since my husband’s death,” replied Mrs. Somers, not without some apprehension as to what effect this honest admission would have on the lawyer. “Mislaid, ma’am!” exclaimed the squire. raising his eye- brows in a way that might have implied that he’ thought such a statement rather thin. “Yes, sir,” replied the little widow, with a slight touch of indignation in her voice, for the squire’s pantomime had not escaped her. | . “Very singular,” he remarked, tapping the note with his glasses. “Very singular, indeed.” “T hope you don’t think I am not telling the truth?” with a quiet scorn that disturbed him. ° : “Not at all, not at all,” he replied, hastily. “I never doubt I lady's word; but people are often mistaken, ma’am. ‘oy——” “There is no mistake in this case, Squire Jarvis.” said Mrs. “T regret to say I have not been abie to find the receipt. As Mr. Rickson made no effort to recollect the note when it became due, nor at any time during the years that have since elapsed, I naturally presumed it was all right, and gave no further thought to the matter. I must say it is a-singular thing fer him to present it for payment now, within a few weeks of the time when, as you say, it would become outlawed. I will not express my opinion as to his motives, but will leave you to judge that yourself.” “Well, ma’am,” sald the wily lawyez, scratching the point of his nose with the rim of his glasses, “it is certainly un- fortunate that you- cannot produce the receipt. As the case stands, Mr. Rickson has the law on his side, and so, unless ~ you can find the receipt, I am afraid you will have to pay the money over again.” “But, sir,” eried the widow, aghast, unjust.” The law, ma’am, passes only upon facts; it has nothing faeeon to do with sentiment. People should not be eare- | less—therein Hes the cause of much trouble in this world that we lawyers are often called upon to unravel, and not always with suecess. If your husband had insisted upon the im- mediate return of the note, which was well within his rights, or you had not lost the receipt, which would to all intents and purposes answer the same end, you would not now be in this trouble.” “I consider {t an outrage that Mr. Rickson should make this demand when he well knows that he was paid once,” cried Mrs. Somers, in great indignation. , “With that IT have nothing whatever to do, ma’am,” said the nabob, rising and taking his hat.- “I am simply acting “that would be most on the instructions of my client, with the evidence he has produced, and whieh you seem unable to gainsay. I will give you a week to consider what you will do, at the end of which time T shall expect you to call or send to my office and advise me of your determination.” “But I cannot agree to pay that note over again,” she ‘sald, ? almost tearfully. | wk: “tn that case the law will have to take its: course.” rf -“Do you mean to say, sir, that 1 law will rob y jay. noes " demanded Will, facing
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. © Squire Jarvis eas oy 8 r and son retired for the night. 3 window of Will's room overlooked the river, on whose surface the old October moon shone with a chilly glitter. As Will stood a moment gazing out upon the landseape he - what he thought to be a small boat, with a single oc- it, moving | cautiously up the river. "he said. “Rather a cold night to be on the water. do —e oe his ‘So landing place, th boa e mers nding place, the occu- ce ene’ of the spile-heads and jumped b along beside the fence that di- from that of the’ Fairweathers.. ; “is he’ up to?” Will asked y near to the ° ‘since he had it.” At this stege of his reficetions the intruder suddenly re- appeared around the tree and began a critical survey of the ? Somers premises. Then he deliberately walked over to a small tool- -house, stocked with implements formerly used by Mr. Somers when ~— he was alive, and which since his death had not been touched. — He tried the door. re It was found to be ‘locked, of course, ‘ $ After considgving a moment the fellow hauled a tall chop- ping block up against the side of the shed, mounted it, and pushed in the culy window the building had. = Then he climbed into the opening and disappeared inside. = “I guess it's time for me to interfere,” said Will resolutely. — “I don’t believe he’s gone in there to sleep. and I’m not going — to have any of my father's things stolen if I can help jt? Se, taking his shoes in his bands so as not to awaken his mother, he crept down to the kitchen, which overlooked: the es tool-house. Wis ie | “I'll wait here and see what transpires,” said the hoy, put E ting on his shoes, so as to be in readiness to pop out suicenre into the yard. Will waited a good quarter of an hour before there were any further developments. Then the visitor’s head reappeared at the window, and with | remarkable agility he swung himself through the opening and ~ dropped to the ground. = Will saw the handles of several! short tools protruding fro 0 his side pockets. is # 7 = “That settles it. I’ve got to stop him. Now, how in Name of wonder did he know that was a tool-house? would think he was familiar with our place, yet so far can judge, he seems to be a perfect stranger in this ve a As the stranger started off for the open gate Will soft opened the kitchen door and attempted to cut him off fro) the street. His sudden appearance on the scene startled the intruder for 2 moment, and he steod stock still. . Bach had a plain view of the other in the moonlight. © — “Will Somers!” ejaculated the yoifng fellow, beginning back away. nr His voice had such a familiar ring that the boy sous and regarded him keenly. . The closer view and the bright moonshine did the rest. “Ed Rickson!” Will exclaimed in astonishment. ae back?” “Well, what of it?” replied the fellow with a snarl. “Ain't this where I live when I’m at home?” “What were you doing in our tool-house just now?” manded the boy, aggressively. “I didn’t think you were thief, Ed Rickson. Your father wouldn't like to know you’ve been up to.” : j “My father!” <n had reached the fence by this time aa laid one : on The two words were uttered with a sneering {intonation pleasant to hear. Rickson‘ 'S Manner. “Good-night!” and with a mocking laugh Ed Rickson r the paling and darted-off down he deserted pastors : rate of ‘speed. : It was hays for bees to ‘think 0 of following him: do so,
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8 , THE WINNING TRICK. will went back to the tool-house, mounted the block, struck | “Are you in the habit of taking things that don’t belong to a match, and looked inside. you?” He saw that the lid of one of the chests had been forced “IT don’t understand, Miss McBoyle,” replied Jessie with open. dignity. “I'll investigate closer in the morning and see what you’ve “Indeed! Perhaps you can explain how Miss Rickson’s _ taken, Ed Rickson,” he said. as he closed the window and| pocketbook happened to be in the pocket of your dress?!’ removed the chopping block. The other girls crowding around stared in astonishment. “T haven’t the slightest idea how such a thing. occurred, unless Miss Rickson put it there hersélf by mistake.” CHAPTER VII. “The idea!” sniffed Tessie, with a scornful glance at her “a : : | intended victim. : Bite WHICH TESSIE RICKSON SPRINGS A TRAP ON JESSIE FAIR-| “She accuses you of stealing it from her;” said. the fore-\ WEATHER, AND HOW IT WORKED. | woman, severely 2 : - The operating room of the Northport cotton mills was in “Accuses me—of—stealing her pocketbook!” gasped Jessie, . full swing. flushing with mortification at such a charge. At least a hundred busy girls were. employed in that room, “Yes, miss. And as the article has been found in your and the majority of them had their eyes cocked up at the! possession I shall have to inform the superintendent,” said big clock which hung within sight of all, for the long hand! Miss McBoyle in a tone of satisfaction. “I had no idea we - pointed to a minute to twelve. had a thief in the mill.” ' Way down in the engine-room, at the corner of the big “Miss McBoyle, how dare you insinuate such a thing!” yard, Will Somers was also watching a smaller timepiece, | erie Jessie, tears of indignation coming into her pretty while one of his hands was raised, his fingers gripping the! eyes. cord that would in another moment send forth the welcome| “It’s a shame!” chorused the other girls. “Jessie wouldn't blast releasing every one of the mill’s employees | from ee do such a thing.” for cne hour. “You’re mad because you’ve been caught in the act,” sneered At that interesting moment Tessie Rickson, who had iced the forewoman. “I always thought you were a sly thing. — _ to the dressing-room, rushed up to one of the forewomen in| with your innocent airs and prudish ways. You ought to be ~ _ a state of great excitement. ashamed of yourself,” “Oh, Miss McBoyle, somebody has taken my pocketbook!” “Girls, do you believe me capable of such a thing?” cried she said, hysterically. Jessie, appealing with burning cheeks and flashing eyes to her _.“What’s that?” asked the forewoman, sharply. working mates. She was a stout, red-faced woman, whom none of the girls! «yo! they shouted with one accord. _ liked, because she was such a crank. “How can you accuse Jessie of taking your property, Tessie, " _ Jessie Fairweather, in particular, was a target for Miss| Rickson?” cried one spirited girl, putting her arm around Mc yle’s ill temper, because she took very little notice of| Jessie Fairweather. _ the woman’s outbursts, and also because she was so pretty; “Well, it was found on her, all right,” said Tessie, spite- " and. such a general favorite. fully. _ _ “Somebody has taken my pocketbook,” repeated Tessie, in| “I believe you put it there yourself, just to get her into a voice sufficiently loud to attract attention. trouble,” cried another girl, coming to Jessie’s aid. _ “Nonsense!” snapped Miss McBoyle. “The idea!” retorted Tessie, angrily.’ “You can believe “It’s really so!” persisted the red-haired girl, with a great| what you like, Clara Parks, but ’'ve my own opinion. It isn’t show of earnestness. the first thing I’ve missed. Some people put on a lot of airs, _ “You mislaid it somewhere.” when they ain’t no better than——” -. “No, I. didn’t, Miss McBoyle; I know I left it in the pocket ~ of my jacket in the dressing-room.” fell, what do you expect me to do about it?” grunted _ the forewoman. “T wish you’d come in and help me find it.” “The idea! Don’t you think I’ve something else to do, Miss ckson?” “Oh,, dear! fully. that moment off went the whistle, and the girls through- the room began to flock at once toward the dressing- 73 “Than what, Tessie Rickson?” said Jessie, walking up to her accuser and looking her squarely in the eye. “You needn’t try to intimidate me, Miss Makebelieve,” re- plied Tessie, scornfully. “You may softsolder the rest of the girls, but you can’t draw the wool over my eyes. You are a deceitful thing! I know you talk about me behind my back. Say I have carroty hair, that my mouth is large enough to I don’t know what I shall do!” piped Tessie, | swallow snowballs, and I’m all bones. I hate you—there!” - And Miss Rickson, with tears of rage in her green eyes, marched out of the room, leaving Jessie almost paralyzed with pained astonishment. Miss McBoyle had in the meanwhile gone down to the superintendent’s office to register the charge of attempted theft against Miss Fairweather. “What must you girls think of me?” exclaimed Jessie, breaking down at last under the strain of the terrible position in which she was placed. “Il know what I think!” cried one of her devoted ad- herents. “You're the best and sweetest girl I ever knew,” and the speaker kissed Jessie tenderly. “Tt's a shame!” said Miss Parks, indignantly. “Tt’s more than that,” cried a little brunette, “it’s an out- rage. “I move we have nothing more to do with Tessie Rick- son. »” te * “I say so, too!” cried another girl. “and ft!” “And Jit? “And B 2 Mie The whole bunch agreed. } . “We'll fix her, the hateful thing!” cried Miss Parks. “It's ‘a put-up job of her own. As for Miss Vinegary McBoyle, she — only wanted an excuse to jump on Jessie. She is forever _ | picking at her, anyway. Now don’t cry, dear. We're all your friends, and we're just going to stand by you a Rh: to the handle, as my brother calls it, aren’t we, girls? “Yes,” in chorus. i ae “You're very kind, all of you!” sobbed Jessie. “But si $h Dg know how mortified I feel at being called a thief. qt as if I could. Fearte the guard + Vs from any one. Gh, a * lit: terrible! tra ; Meat Te ‘ell, come along,” said Miss McBoyle rather ungraciously. “Somebody must kave taken it out of my pocket,” in- luated Tessie. : don’t believe it,” replied the forewoman. “Well, I wouldn’t trust that Fairweather girl, as she is ; _a favorite,” said Tessie, vindictively. at makes you think she might do such a thing?” I’ve my reasons,” said Miss Rickson, tossing her head nfully. Vell, I apont say I don’t fancy her myself,” sniffed the : y knew that, and began to throw out insinuations ‘the fair Jessie. Lobes her own, the foreyoman:* was ready to adopt plan, for she was only too eager to humiliate the ‘she snatched down the girl’s walking dress from the ust. owner entered the room with a bevy of her vie, that’s my dress,” protested Jessie, her coarse red hand into the pocket of ES osene ed the f
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tunities. All boys are not as clever as you are. THE “And we'll all go with yous” exclaimed the rest. And the result of it was that Jessie did march straight down to the superintendent’s ‘office‘and stated the case. Mr. Harper smiled good-naturedly. “Miss McBoyle made a sort of charge against you, Miss Fairweather, but I laughed her down. Why, bless you, young lady; ‘Vd as soon think one of my own daughters guilty of such a thing as you. There! Don’t cry, please. I take no stock in it at all. It is simply ridiculous. Go home; all of you, to your dinners, and I'll allow you half an hour extra to-day, under the circumstances, as you’ve lost that much time over this silly affair.”~ And Miss Rickson, when she returned to work that after- noon, found, to her great disgust and mortification, that not @ girl in the room would notice her. CHAPTER VIII. FOR THE SAKE OF HER ENEMY. A great deal of sympathy was expressed by the giris of the Northport cotton mills for Jessie Fairweather that afternoon, while at the same time, if Miss McBoyle and Tessie Rickson could have heard ail the remarks passed upon their conduct over the pocketbook affair, they would not have been a bit pleased. “Now, what do you think of that?” cried Will Somers, after one of the “kids” of,the establishment had told him all about the dressing-rocom uble. This remark was made to Mr. Davis, the engineer, who, pipe in mouth, had been quietly listening to the story. . wal jealous girl is capable of doing a great deal of mis- chief,” said the engineer, sagely. “Well. I should say so. But only a yery spiteful, reck- less girl would put up such a mean job as that,” said Will, angrily. . ©Mr. Davis nodded. “Of course there isn’t any doubt but she was at the bottom of the scheme,” went on Will, “though the fact hasn’t actually been shown. But from the way Billy says the girls are hand- ing it out to Miss Rickson this afternoon it’s evident that they all believe she’s guilty of the plot. And wouldn’t you think that a woman like Miss McBoyle would easily have seen through such a thin device?” “This latest contrivance of yours which I attached to the boiler yesterday afternoon seems to be working all right,” said Mr. Davis. “Is that a fact, sir?” answered win, with sparkling eyes. The engineer nodded: “You've got some good ideas in that brain of yours, young men,” continued Mr. Davis, approvingly. “I’m satisfied you could pass examination for a stationary engineer’s license.” “Thank you for your good opinion, Mr. Davis. I am sure _ I owe a large part of my proficiency to your instruction and - encouragement,” replied Will, gratefully. '. “That may be,” admitted the engineer; “but if it was not in. you my endeavors would have been wasted. There is a heap of satisfacticn in helping a young fellow along when yeu see he’s trying his best to take advantage of his oppor- Too many of them are ambitious to do great things for which they have no ability, but are not inclined to do little things for which they alone are capable, Now, for instance——” ~ Thai, however, Was as far as the engineer got on this occa- sion, for at that instant there came to their ears a shrill a. scream from the direction of the factory building. . . “Something's wrong!” exclaimed Will, springing to the open orway. - ‘The third-story windows of the operating-room were filled with screaming girls, above whose heads a thin film of smoke was sifting out on the afternoon air. “Fire! Fire! Fire!” wailed the girls from point to point. “Great Scott!” shouted Will back to’ the engineer as he dashed | out of the doorway. “I believe the factory is on eu Big! men employees working about the yard started for imperiled building, into the main entrance of which Su- rt Fs Hie -hatless and excited, had just disap- ig three girls eame bursting out from the employees’ ap and brtiags worern! of ey away be some | WINNING. TRICK nee, falling faint upon one another in a heap, and were |_ street, Will saw a huge volume of dark smoke, mingled with spurts of fiame, rising above the level of the roof. “The place is on fire, sure enough!” he cried as he hurried forward. “But why in creation don’t the girls chase them- selves down the main stairway?” ys The reascn for this was apparent when the boy entered the building and had mounted to the second floor. The stairs leading to the small corridor on the next floor, and which communicated with the main fire-escape on the front of the building, was a mass of flames. The upper passage was choked by a -dense smoke, that blocked any attempt to reach the fire-escape in question. All retreat from the operating-room by the main avenues of escape was cut off. “Great Cesar!” exclaimed Will, aghast at the peril which menaced the employees on the upper floor. “The girls will have to hustle down the emergency iron stairways at the ends © of the building.” rt “Where’s the hose?” hoarsely shouted Mr. Harper at the foot of the burning stairs. “We're bringing one up, sir!” replied a burly yardman from below, who, with the help of a companion, was dragging a length of fire hose which had just been attached to the © hydrant outside the back door. fs Will saw he could be of no use where he was, and anxious for the safety of the girls, and that of Jessie Fairweather in particular, he ran back to the yard in time to see a Jong ‘ ladder planted against the wall of the factory, beneath* one of the windows that was crowded with screaming girls. The men were shouting to the girls to go to the ends of — the building and come down by the iron stairs, but so rattled — were the poor things that only a few were seen to take ad~ i vantage of these exits. “Let me go up the ladder!” and Will started at once to xe ascend, with a view of calming the panic that was raging on the top floor. 0 The ladder was too short to reach the level of the window, _ but by carefully balancing himself on the topmost rung Will | grasped the window-sill and scrambled into the long operat- ing-room, forcing back a dozen girls who blocked the way. a “Why don’t you go to the end of the room?” cried the boy 2 to the terrified young women, “You can all get down by the — iron stairways if you only go about it right.” i Will began forcing the groups of employees toward the other end of the building, never for a moment ceasing to — shout to them how they could get out, until at last he. ae the tide set in both directions; and the girls then began to — stream down the iron stairways, encouraged by workmen on. the several landings and on the ground below. By this time a stream of water was turned on the fire, put the blaze had got too much headway to be subdued by on line of hose. However, help was coming from the outside. Q The town fire department, three engine companies, were _ now rushing to the scene as fast as the horses could bring — them. 3 Will, working like a beaver for the safety of the girls, had not recognized Jessie among the crowd, which had by this time thinned down to a dozen or two, waiting their chance in fear and trembling to get onto the ‘ron stairs. * ¥ a a n “She must have got out all right,” he thought, thankfuil: as he saw the last of the girls passing through the end vee - casing dows of the smoky room. “Gee! It’s getting pretty here now, all right. The fire has got hold of the dress: room, I see. The girls will lose all their clothes; .but be’ that than their lives. Time for me to go, I guess.” Fa: At this moment one of the sides of the partition sepz the operating-room from the corridor fell ‘in with a « and Will had a clear view of the biazing stairway beyond. As he started for one of the iron stairways himself, tea in his eyes from the effects of the smoke, ae ‘is parched and smarting from the same cause, * stopped short within a few yards of the The hurried glance he had east in that direction : him a human hand and part of an arm thrust bray’ half open doorway. “Great heavens!” he cried. “Some poor girl has fainted ts there. I must save her at any cost!” ; Dropping on his knees to escape the stifling air as possible, he crawled rapidly one 4 to the door | aoe the door wide open, he saw in had full
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ey THE WINNING TRICK. act of dragging her companion away from peril when she} Such was the tenor of the remarks in the crowd around herself had been overcome, he recognized, with a thrill of | Will, who finally made a dive through his admirers and made horrified surprise, as Jessie Fairweather. his way to the engine-room, at the door of which stoodythe ~ - The other was Jessie’s bitter enemy, Tessie Rickson. engineer, * Will took in the situation at a glance. In the meantime Jessie Fairweather and Tessie Rickson ~ “You're a noble girl, Jessie,” he murmured, as he seized | had been taken in hand by sympathizing friends and brought hold of her and released the grip she had on Tessie; “but}to their senses. that I saw you by the merest accident, you would have lost At first Tessie hardly knew whether she was glad or sorry. your life for the sake of the girl who tried to ruin you this/to find herself alive. : _ morning.” This may seem like an odd statement to make, but then ‘He dragged her several yards away and a returned for Tessie had her reasons. Tessie, the hem of whose skirt was now or ‘ In the first place, she had been the cause of the fire. He beat out the fire and carried her forward a short dis-| She had been enraged by the way the girls had treated “her - tance toward safety. that afternoon, for all of them suspected that she was at the . Alternately he worked the senseless girls toward the end | bottom of the pocketbook affair, and for the purpose of getting of the long room, with the flames, now in control of the floor, | square she had deliberately gone into the dressing-room and reaching out hungrily after him. set fire to several of the dresses in one corner of the Staggering along, gasping for breath and dizzy from the |ycom - heat, he slowly drew them nearer to the opening connecting | jn her anger she did not reflect that she was endangering with the fire-escape. the building, her idea being to destroy the clothes of those Tie girls who had been particularly conspicuous in their hostile ‘attitude toward her. But she had unwittingly selected a par- CHAPTER IX. ticularly inflammable part of the room. / Consequently the fire spread to the landing outside with IN THE NAME OF THE LAW. great rapidity. - Sen cprt ad eitiased Siaaite She "peel by this to sive nog iy A ae ey was -_ cone with terror and + pais gnines wore getting into panition, andthe Sremen Were | eons ware of fae brave sid Wage forts te il she < streams on the blazing factory, the upper floor of which, on ae ae, kan soe to save her trom a fate she was 2 —_ side, “was” rapidly Deng” gutted “by” the Peal hated to think she actually “owed her life to Jessie | The fire now having a good headway, it was playing high ‘When tthe’ two girls learned their escape was due to gallant ee teeeis wos betieved tos got out of the danger Noe Berers. they expressed themselves in different ways, ER ae ES Sa Pd eh ey rots 2 = = pe PR Die nips, coor cn Big Depo tages hero and heroine in the story papers she was accustomed to ee gel ott = paieaet pest enhance ports the Northport fire department was doing its best to . stairs. eemed to pull himself together, but to everybody's | set the flames under control Will Somers interviewed a x gape content of Tabatie down the escape, he dashed | bucket of water and a bar of castile soap, which, with the assistance of a crash towel; soon made him presentable again. Many admiring friends gathered at the engine-room to congratulate him personally. “Oh; come now!” he remonstrated good-naturedly. “Let up on a fellow, won’t you? I didn’t do such an awful lot, when you come to look it in the face. I simply found the girls lying at the door of the dressing-room, and you don’t suppose any one but a savage without a grain of feeling would have left them to perish, do you?. Any one of you fellows wouid have done exactly as I did, under the circumstances, so: what’s the use of making all this fuss about it?’ I'm glad I got them/out, so that’s all there is to it.” “Oh, I don’t know,” remarked a big operator who worked on the ground floor; “many boys, or men, for that matter, \_ would have thought ‘of number one first of all, and not have F taken the chances you-did. At any rate, you're all right, : Will.” “Bet your life he is!” said another husky fellow admiringty. “You're the real article, young man,” spoke ‘up one of the foremen. ‘Every day I hear people blow about what they can do or have done, but I like to talk to a party whol © know has done something worth while and isn’t blowing off . about it afterward.” ; “You hit the nail on the head that time, uckion, said _- another employee. ~ s “There’s one thing certain,’ grinned a fifth, “you’ ve got all the girls. dead to rights this trip, They'll rave over you for a month.” ; ere “Say, don’t!” objected Will, with a laugh. “I’ve only got _ one-size hats to my name, and I don’t want you fellows to swell my head up so I can’t wear them.” - PE erre “No fear of that,” said the foreman. “You aren't built” that BS way. » - ‘ “Is Will Somers here?” mek a volee on the outside at this juncture. “Sure “ eh somebody was heard to say. » “What Guerin : want wit m, officer? He hain't been stealing some ate heart, has he?” with a loud guffaw. ”_ ; ead hands cone Rage the doorway the ‘head. ons t entere @ en, ne-room ‘siete “you dé, Wii So m ick into the burning floor. -“He’s mad!” cried a spectator. Plum crazy!” said another. _ “Who is he?” asked a third. 4 ong knew at the time, for no one had clearly seen his 3 Two of the firemen started up the fire-escape. Before they reached the platform Will again appeared at the opening, this time with a burden in his arms. “Hurrah!” shrieked the mob, in a paroxysm of enthusiasm. Propping the girl, who was Jessie Fairweather, against the railing, Will vanished into the smoke once more. ' The crowd seemed to realize what was meant. “There’s more inside,’ was passed from mouth to mouth, d all grew quiet with apprehension. There he is!” cried one, eagerly, pointing at the open- which was now more obscure than ever from the smoke. jiher simultaneous yell went up from the crowd, as up Miss Fairweather, while the other re- f Tessie Rickson, and down the ladder they iowa by the boy, whose face and hands were black | the stains of smoke, and blistered by the heat. surging mob shouted its approval and experienced a ied of relief. le. superintendent was wringing wil by one hand, ice-president of the company, who had arrived on the as were i him. by the other. _ Ming him what 4 brave ‘yound fellow he came time a a ig of employees of both sexes aouka the i neouaree™ crt pied those in a position to see, and. 2 Ww about from one to another until every- had es
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THE WINNING TRICK. if errand is an unpleasant one; but I have to do my duty. haye a warrant for your arrest.” ; This unexpected announcement created a profound sensa- tion among those present. CHAPTER X. W WHICH SQUIRE JARVIS FAILS TO MAKE A CASE AGAINST WILL SOMERS, “What do you mean, Mr. Brady?’ gasped Will Somers in the greatest astonishment. “T am sorry my duty obliges me to make you my prisoner; ‘but I don’t see any way out of it. I'll have to conduct you before Justice Benson.” “But I haven't done anything for which I should be ar- rested,”’ remonstrated Will. “I hope you haven't,” replied the constable. “It is quite possible some mistake has been made, in which case you will be immediately released.” ‘There certainly is a mistake,” said the boy, stoutly. . . “You don’t look at all like a guilty boy,” said the con- _ Stable, with a smile. “I should think not. All right; I’m ready to face the music.” -“What’s the charge, Mr. Brady?” asked Mr. Davis, the en- gineer. “T regret to say it’s a very serious one,” replied the officer, soberly. “You don’t mean to say this boy is accused of murdering somebody, do you?” said the engineer, with a contemptuous laugh. “Hardly as bad as that,” answered the officer, who saw that, officially, he was not favorably regarded by Will’s friends. “Well, what am I charged with?” asked the boy.. “Burglary!” “Who made such @ preposterous charge against this boy?” demanded Mr. Davis. “Squire Jarvis.” That was the second surprise, but it was evidently a serious one. Surely the magnate of Northport would not make such an accusation without some ground to base it on. No one had heard that a burglary had been committed on the Jarvis premises. But suppose such had been the case, in what way was Will Somers, one of the brightest dnd most respected lads in town, connected with it? That was the question each one in the engine-room asked himself as he looked at Will’s honest face and then at the officer. “| ‘suppose you have the warrant with you?” asked Mr. ~ Davis. “JT have,” answered the constable. it?” Yen.” Constable Brady produced it, and the engineer found it Was made out in proper form. “f shall be ready to go along with you as soon as I get out of my working clothes,” said Will; “but I guess the Squire will find he has made a serious "plunder in bringing this charge against me.” “Well, I hope you will get out of it all right. It’s no pleasure for me to come after you in my official capacity. Your father was a good friend of mine, and this job is not at ail to my liking,” “I have no fault to find with you, Constable Brady,” said the boy, as he slipped off his overalls, In a few moments he was ready to go with the officer. * So, while the factory fire, which was now under control, held the attention of almost everybody in the vicinity, Will Somers and Constable Brady left the yard by a back gate and proceeded to the courthouse, where the officer said the Jus- tice was waiting to hold a sort of informal examination of the charge. Will was conducted to Justice Benson’s office and Wirected _take a seat. _ Besides Mr. Benson, the most prominent person in the room "as Squire Jarvis, who gave the prisoner a severe, uncom- : look. ‘The gardener of the Jarvis establishment was also present. “Will Somers, I am sorry to haye you brought before me ‘a criminal charge, especially one so serious as the warrant have no doubt you will be able to clear and Justice Benson looked ns) ia pgs known A “Do you wish to see his infancy, and who did not at all look like a boy capable of committing an unworthy action. Squire Jarvis sniffed at Mr. Benson’s encouraging view of the situation, and thumped the floor with his gold-headed cane, as though to express his disapprobation. “I want you to understand, Master Somers, that this ex- | amination is entirely informal,” continued the justice, “and | that you are not compelied to say a word unless you choose | to do so. But if you do say anything, I warn you that you are not obliged to commit yourself, and that whatever you . say may be used against you.” “Tf he wants to confess he had better do so now,” said the. magnate, impatiently. “You are rather hasty, Squire Jarvis. The boy has not | yet been informed in detail of the charge against him.” “Pooh! He knows about it better than any of us,” sneered | the nabob, casting a black look at Will. | “Squire Jarvis, that remark is hardly a fair one,” objected. jthe justice, who was clearly favorably disposed toward the | prisoner. | “Pooh!” and the lawyer thumped the floor once more. | “Listen to me, Master Somers,” said Justice Benson. “Be- tween the hours of eleven last night and six this morning, | Squire Jarvis’ office, an extension of his residence, was forcibly entered, his desk pried cpen, and several papers, including a ten-dollar bill, were abstracted. You are charged with the crime. Do you wish to make any statement?” 5 “J wish to say that I know nothing whatever about the Matter. This is the first I have heard of it. I was in bed and asleep between the hours mentioned.” This general denial of the charge was received by ‘the Squire and his son, who was also present, with sneering dis- approval. “Then,” remarked the justice, “if this case ever comes. up in court you ought to be able to prove an alibi.” “IT think the prisoner “would find it a rather difficult matter to prove to the satisfaction of a judge and jury that he was, in bed every moment of the time within which it was pease for him to commit this crime,” said the Squire, acidly. ~ “You seem to be greatly prejudited against this boy,” served Justice Benson. “Huh!” snorted the nabob, moving about in his chair. ; Mr. Benson took up a hammer and a cold chisel which er béen lying on his desk, and asked the constable to hand them to Will. “Have you ever seen those implements before?” he sat quired. : The boy looked them over and then answered promptly: — “Yes, sir; they belonged to my father, for his name is upee them.” os “Can you assign any reason for their having been found” this morning on the floor of Squire Jarvis’ office?’ ie “The only explanation I can offer in this: They were abstracted from our tool-house last night about eleven o ‘clock | by Ed Rickson——” ; “Who?” demanded Squire Jarvis, jumping to his ‘feet, pee “Ed Rickson.” “What tomfoolery is this? He hasn’t been in this neighbor- hood this two years back,” snorted the nabob, angrily. 52 “1 know that,” answered Will, calmly, “but the fact that i: saw him enter our tool-house last night through the window, — and leave with something in his pockets, shows that he yen? returned.” “T don’t believe any such rot,” said the great man, rudely. .- “Softly, Squire Jarvis. You should not attack the lad’s” veracity in this way. He is entitled to make whatever planation he sees fit, and it is quite possible that he cae the truth. Go on, Master Somers.” rr “I tried to head him off, but he jumped the fence and away.” “If Ed Rickson had come back to town I fancy I i have heard of it,” said the magnate with an ine ‘ smile, “for I was speaking to Mr. Rickson at noon fonda, and he made no mention of the circumstance.” “Yon cannot be ignorant of the fact that Edward F did not bear a very good reputation while he lived in | port,” said Justice Benson, meaningly. “If we accept } Somers’ statement of his encounter with that young » last night, it certainly casts a shade of suspicion in a tion it might be well to follow up. If Edward award Rickson d enter the Somers tool-house, as the presume he is willing to swear to it in cen kage istrate glanced inquiringly at Will. “Yes, sir,” answered the boy promptly. fhe cre ‘eyeglass the ae ‘he must.
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12 object in doing so. Had the object been a worthy one, it Seems to me the owner of the tool-house would have been consulted. As the tools found in your office this morning have been identified by the accused as the property of his family, and as it has not been shown that Master Somers carried them there himself, why the inference——” “I beg to say that we are not dealing with inferences,” said the Squire, stiffly. “Can you prove that the accused entered your office with '. these tools?” asked Justice Benson rather sharply. - “Tf I could there would be no necessity for this teadae : role,” replied the Squire, a bit disconcerted. “But I can show B= with sufficient clearness that this Somers boy had a well- ® A ig object in breaking into my place and rifling my _. desk.” “From which I presume you draw an inference of his guilt,” said the justice, with a smile, laying stress on the word _ inference, much to the nabob’s annoyance. 4 oF believe it will establish a strong presumption in that direction,” persisted the great man. - _ “I will hear what you have to say, Squire Jarvis,” Justice Benson, quietly. “The only thing of importance taken from my-desk,” pro- ceeded the nabob, punctuating his sentences with a downward movement of his extended index finger, “was a certain paper, - or, to be more explicit, a note of hand deposited with me ' yesterday by Mr. Job Rickson for collection. This paper ‘would not be the slightest use or value to Ed Rickson, as- ‘suming for the sake of illustration that it was he who broke _ into my office; but, sir, its destruction would be of the greatest _ importance to the pecuniary intere of the Somers family, - inasmuch as it represents an unseitied claim against their property. ” “Mr. Benson,” interrupted Will, springing to his feet, “I deny Squire Jarvis’ statement that the note to whic& he refers Tepresents an unsettled claim against my mother. The note was paid by my father before his death, and the attempt now said mn is a rank swindle.” “Master Somers,” said the justice, mildly, “you must not 7 interrupt Squire Jarvis while he is speaking. Whatever you _ have vee say about this matter I will hear after the Squire has _ “The note in question,” continued the magnate, casting a supercilious glance at the boy, “is a promissory one, for the sum of three hundred dollars, drawn in favor of Job Rickson, and signed by Nathaniel Somers. Together with unpaid in- ‘terest to date it represents a perfect legal claim against the ‘drawer’s estate of four hundred and twenty-five dollars. This is the vital point I wish to impress upon your atten- iz Mr. Benson, The other papers, as weli as the ten-dollar I believe were merely taken as a blind. It is fortunate the thief, owing to the hurry of the moment, perfectly ‘natural to one unaccustomed to the commission of crime, : it to take away the implements he brought with him to “T believe you hand a safe in your office, Squire Jarvis?” “T should think, then, that would have been the proper Place for you to have kept that note.” “T can explain why I did not have it in the safe last night,” the lawyer, pompously. “I called with that note on Mrs. rs last evening about eight o’clock for the purpose of ng with her as to its payment.” And mother contested it on the ground that it had already paid once, a fact. we could prove only that the receipt _been mislaid or lost,” broke in Will, impetuously. ao Sarre Jarvis,” said Mr. Benson, overlooking the was) ~ ee late when I returned home, and not caring the trouble to unlock my safe, I opened my desk and into one of the pigeon-holes. I naturally had no ‘ that any one was likely to break into my office mu night—certainly no one interested in that particu- of paper. It seems I was mistaken,” fOREUIER the y, as he sat down again. } all you have to say, Squire?” fea oon a oe. oe rap around with made by Mr. Rickson, through Squire Jarvis, to collect it over }\ "| couragingly. | can may return it to his father, as it is of value to = THE WINNING. TRICK. strument; that he entered the office, and found evidence that the Squire’s desk had also been tampered with; that he had found the hammer and cold-chisel, which he now identified as the articles in question, on the carpet beside the juStice’s desk; that he immediately aroused his employer and notified him of the circumstances. “Have you anything further to say, Master Somers?” asked the justice, gazing at the boy, whose honest face and straight- forward manner favorably impressed him. “No, sir,” replied Will, fearlessly. “T should think not,” said Squire Jarvis, offensively, piurlng at the lad. “I presume you will permit the prisoner to stand trial——” : “I am afraid,” said Justice Benson, interrupting him, “that the evidence is not sufficient to warrant holding the boy.” “Sir!” exclaimed the Squire, in some astonishment. “IT am surprised that you, a lawyer, in view of ‘the lack of evidence, even of a circumstantial nature, should insist on such a course, which, in the event that you afterward failed to make out a true case, would make you liable to be proceeded against in a civil suit for damages. Will Somers, you are discharged.” “Thank. you, Mr. Benson,” and putting on his hat, he walked out of the justice's office a very happy boy. CHAPTER XI. / FURTHER DISCUSSIONS ABOUT WILL SOMERS’ GAME OF CHANCE. When Will Somers got back to the factory that after- noon he found the fire had been put out and the engines gone. A solitary representative of the fire department stood on guard at the main entrance, and a few curious spectators hung about the neighborhood gazing up at the ruin of the third story. Superintendent Harper and an insurance adjuster were figuring out the loss in the office. _ All the employees, with the exception of the engineer and a few of the yardmen, had departed. “Hello, Bill!’”” exclaimed Mr. Davis when the boy walked into the engine-room. “Back again, eh? Got. out of your scrape, all right?” , “Yes, sir,” answered Will, cheerily. “That’s good. What was it all about, anyway?” Will told him the whole story. “The Squire seems to have it in for you,” commented the engineer. “T don’t seem to be an especial favorite of his, that’s a fact,” replied the boy with a cheerful .grin. “That's right; but I wouldn’t let that fact be Sickie you any.” “T don’t: mean that it shall. " “Ed Rickson is at the bottom of ‘that affair,” said ME. Davis, nodding his head sagely. A “TJ should not be surprised,” said Will. “He always was a hard nut,” said Mr. Davis; “but I never knew before that he was a thief. His two years’ absence has not reformed him, I see. I’m afraid it has only developed his criminal instincts.” “His father’s reputation isn’t anything to brag about. swindle he is trying to work on my mother only serves to confirm my opinion of the man. The idea of him keeping that note all these years in the background, and then ringing it in on us at,the last minute on the chance that we couldn’t produce the receipt he gave to father for the money! shows you what kind of a man he is,” said the boy, in- dignantly. “Squire Jarvis can’t but have some suspicion of the truth. It doesn’t speak well for him to support a fraud.” This That “Mr. Rickson has probably promised him a large commis- sion to-collect the note,” “Such a proposal as that should be enough to arouse ‘any lawyer's doubts, especially after your mother affirmed the note had already been paid, and Mr. Rickson had allowed it to run sO many years after pane without presenting it for payment.” phage right. It has all the earmarks of a skin on the e of it.” “Now that the note has disappeared, it is possible you may never hear from it again,” suggested the Legale - d Will, “doubtfully. ‘i “T don’t ‘know about that,” sai m ‘ ) sh m1 “at a Sa
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2 THE WINNING TRICK. . ) 13 a Sd office at all. He couldn't expect to get any money without breaking into the safe, and he certainly was not provided with tools for such a purpose. The ten-dollar bill he got just * happened to be in the desk.” “It would only be wasted time to figure upon what his object was,” said the engineer as he relighted his pipe. “He had one, no doubt, and it will probably come to light if he ” should ever be caught.” “Tt don’t believe’ Squire Jarvis will make any complaint against him,” intimated Will. ‘His efforts. were all directed to fasten the crime on me. Lewis is dead sore on me, too, and [ think that’s the secret of his father’s ill-will.” “Very likely. You might as well go home, Will. It’s aecer four, and there’s nothing for you to do around ere.” “AN right. Guess I'll go and take a look at my dam. It’s pretty near time I had it repaired.” “Say, young man,” said the engineer, curiously, “what are you up to, anyway? What are you going to make out of that swamp-lot? You aren’t such a fool as to try the same dodge Rickson monkeyed with, are you?” “What makes you ask?” said Will with a grin. “Because I’m curious to learn what your little game, is. Rickson figured on making a small fortune out of an ice privilege by damming the outlet of the swamp and making & swamp out of the ten acres. The idea was certainly in- genious, but the conformation of the bog knocked his scheme on the head. He was badly disappointed. The next thing I heard was that you, with all your smartness, had paid him twenty-five dollars for a clear title to the place, which, in my opinion, isn't worth a cent.” “I know you said so when I first admitted to you that I had purchased it. But that’s where you and I differ.” “We certainly do,” replied the engineer, positively. “Are you going to fill it in and try to reclaim the land?” with a grin. “Kind of foolish thing to attempt, when people say it hasn’t any bottom. Those stones you dumped on the frozen surface last winter are probably coming out in China, or somewhere eise, by this time. Better let the place alone and devote your time to engineering, where your talent lies.” : “It is possible I may surprise you with that swamp-lot yet, Mr. Devis. I’m working a scheme—a sort of game of chance my brain is playing against the perverseness of nature. You ought to know that a large proportion of success in this world is the outcome of chance, anyway. Rickson was sure he was going to succeed. When he failed he threw the whole thing up in disgust, without investigating the cause that threw him down. I didn’t get on to it at first myself, but after a little while I saw through it. Then I began to figure out how the real difficulty might be overcome, just as I have worked my brains to try to produce a ‘successful new damper regulator, or my steem condenser which you have just ap- plied to that boiler—see?” The engineer nodded and began to Jook interested. “TI may fail and get the grand laugh,” continued Will, though his eyes sparkled with the enthusiasm of the hopeful in- yentor, “but I am satisfied I am working along correct lines, If I fail this winter the character of the failure will determine _ whether I shall make another attempt or let the whole matter go by the board, I have thoroughly investigated the quality and consistency of that swamp grass. That was the most im- portant step in the scheme. Once I was satisfied my idea was feasible.I went ahead. The chief element of chance in my mind lies in the uncertain course nature may pursue when the water is prevented from escaping.” “You know what occurred the last time this was done.” ‘ “Exactly. My scheme is to offset a repetition of that oc- currence. “That's a sensible idea, I'll admit. How do you propose to overcome this difficulty?” asked the engineer, now thor- ES Bes ea interested. “That’s my secret, Mr. Davis, and I hope you won't feel . gore because I prefer to keep you in the dark about it for the _ present. I’ve only told one person, and she—” : “Your mother, I suppose,” said the engineer, “No, I haven't explainéd the matter to my mother, because ppen to be way or be I shall be able to work a very See surprise on Ke pers ‘Then, who eee the wane 2” asked Mr. Davis, tantalizingly. a h eee, was 4 ee ariaped the en- don’t you?” “Oh, I see. You mean the prettiest girl in the factory— Jessie Fairweather.” “Well, maybe I do,” admitted the boy, reluctantly. “You needn’t be ashamed to acknowledge it, Will Somers. She’s the brightest girl in Northport, just as you are the smartest boy. If I had the picking out.of a girl for you she’d be the first choice. You two are well matched. I hope one of these days to see——” “Good-night,” said Will, hastily. ‘I’m off.” And the honest old engineer shook with quiet laughter as the boy made a sudden break for the door and disappeared. CHAPTER XII. REPAIRING THE DAM AT THE MOUTH OF THE SWAMP-LOT. For the next day or two, while the first and second stories of the factory were being cleaned up and put into shape for the resumption of work in those departments of the building, ‘| Will had nothing to do in the engine-room: of the Northport cotton mills. ‘ So he teok advantage of the opportunity to repair the dam — at the swamp-lot. He did not. do this all by himself, but induced a par- eet friend, named Sam Travis, to give him a helping and. They took a number of substantial boards and the neces- sary tools, and wentaJut to the grewsome spot. The water was rulining freely through the opening Will had made after he had completed his self-imposed job of distributing the heavy stones over the frozen surface of the bog. - “So you think you'll have an ice privilege for sale this — winter, do you, Will?” said Sam Travis, with an incredulous : grin. “Tt is possible I may,” replied Will, tersely. . “Nit!” ejaculated his companion. “Old Rickson tried the — experiment last winter, and he got badly roasted. I didn’t think you was such a chump as to tackle the same scheme.” — ‘Well, Sam, we can’t all be wise in this world, you know,” replied Will, with a cheerful laugh. “Perhaps I’m only doing — this for fun—just to put in my time, you know.” ra “Yes, you are like fun,” grinned Travis. “I see you doing * such a thing. No; you mean business, all right. But, hang me! if I didn’t give you credit for more brains,” ; “Thanks, Sam, for the compliment,” said Will, with “ t utmost good nature. ‘oa “You’re welcome.” . “Well, now, since you’ve had your little say, s’pose you get busy. Hand me one of those boards. You stand here and hold your end until I get it straight, and then drive halt hed Ebed dozen of those nails to hold it in place.” rs “All right, old man; ,only it’s an awful waste of good lum- f ber, nails and energy.” eh, - “You will let me be the judge of that, Sam.” ~ i “Sure; it’s your funeral, not mine.” “Se “If you don’t watch where you're putting your feet it may be your funeral, first thing you know,” said Will with a a, grin, as one of ‘Sam’s legs slipped and went down into the: ee 5 ooze in a very unpleasant manner. 5 ‘ “Thanks for the warning, old chappie, but I’m not taking a mud bath to-day,” snickered Sam, with a rueful look at the bottom: of his trousers leg. se -“Mud baths, they say, are good for rheumatism.” “Then old Rickson ought to come over here and aie a bx. course of treatment.” iy “He’s had all he wants to do with this place, I guess,” — chuckled Will. 2 ee) “There'll be others in the sweet by and by, too,” ie Sam. : “You're a Job’s comforter, Sam.” : “Think so? You know what the immortal Shakespeare a “He said, or rather he wrote, a good many bright thin; What particular one do you refer to?” asked Will, to nail the end of the plank. “Suffering jewsharps!” howled Sam, as the phages the hammer came in sudden contact with La ings started to drive in his second nail. _“That’s what he said, was it?” “What you laughing at? i,j an aggrieved bina of voice. “Hang the couldn't it” straight?” gucking &t his ia ¥ - \ e RATS :
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xa: “You should have taken aim at the head of the nail, not at -- your thumb.” “Go bag your head, will you?” growled Sam, with pretended indignation. “How about what Shakespeare said?” persisted Will, after driving home his last nail. “That whack knocked it all out of my head,’ he said as he ay finished nailing up his end. “Want another board?” i ae es. 3 aa “All right; here you are,” and he pushed over the end of the second board. “Did you hear what happened to Stubbins ‘when he was up to Boston?” “No; what happened to him?” asked Will, curiously. “He attended an Adams Express Company sale and bid : = og labeled ‘dry goods.’ What do you s’pose he found , t os “A bundle of calico, I guess, or something of that sort.” ~~ .“Not on your life, He found six bound volumes of the a. Congressional Record,” snickered Sam, -- “That isn’t so bad for you, Sam; but I wouldn’t do it again if I were you.” _ “Can’t help it; runs in our family. Dad and I were talking politics the other night, and I asked him what a political ring -was made of, and he said ‘steal.’ Wouldn’t that jar you? ' Have another board?” grinned Sam, Bs, “Pass it along.” “By the way, Will,” said Sam, after a few minutes of silence, “I heard to-day that the selectmen were going to give you a medal’ for your heroic conduct at the factory fire in _ Saving the lives of Tessie Rickson and Jessie PLN CREASE, “Nonsense!” “It’s a fact, and the only committeeman who voted against the proposition was Squire Jarvis. He still claims it was you who broke into his office to get hold of a certain promissory note that he had presented to your mother for payment. as takes any stock in that, though. Constable Brady is oo. a still hunt after Ed Rickson, all right, and if he catches " I guess there will be something doing.” oi Will rather objected to a public acknowledgment of his oteworthy action at the factory fire, with the natural modesty of the true hero, but nevertheless he could not but eel flattered at the honor which his townsmen proposed to mfer on him. Both Jessie and her mother had thanked him with such feeling and earnestness that there could be no doubt of their gratitude for the service he had rendered them. He felt this expression on their part amply repaid him for whatever risk he had run in Miss Fairweather’s behalf. As for Tessie Rickson, she had made a special visit at the Somers cottage to tell Will and his mother how much she _ appreciated his conduct on that thrilling occasion when, as she glowingly expressed it, “her life hung on a hair.” Before she tore herself away, with evident reluctance, she d used up all the adjectives of her limited vocabulary. “Well,” said Will, after he and the sturdy Sam had worked ‘more than an hour on the dam, “I guess that will do. n little water will get through here now. In a week I shall begin to get some idea how things are going to pan out.” “You, mean that in a week you'll begin to discover what a you are,” grinned his compamion. “ Al) right, have your own Yin ded returned the hopeful young itor. And you really do expect. to make a pms here?” said Sam sduously, hat’s what I hope to accomplish.” ou ll have a pond, all right, but the water will be out of That's just where we differ; I’m looking for it to show on at’s what Rickson looked for, but it didn’t do him any If the water pushed that grass up once it’s going to again. . pe cf that, are you?” “Of course I am; it stands to reason that it will, ze f you wanted to find out the depth of that old dry well back yard without going down into it, how would you simple. Yd drop. a stone down and count the sec- ; elapsed till it struck bottom,” said Sam, pleased to knowledge of natural philosophy. a string to the stone and measure the string after- er int of view.” oe rf Teould measure we t THE WINNING TRICK. “l’ve Just taken as simple a way to make a pond here, the only difference between the two is that this is a game of chance.” ; “Oh, you haven’t the least chance in the world,” replied Sam. Then they gathered up the tools and left the spot. CHAPTER XIII. ED RICKSON TURNS UP AGAIN UNDER PECULIAR CIRCUMSTANCES. The Bugle and the News, the two weekly papers of North- port, came out that afterncon with a column account of the factory fire, and the Bugle, in particular, praised Will Somers’ heroism to the top notch. Both papers also published notices of the project afoot to | present the boy with a medal as a mark of the town’s appre- ciation, though the matter in the Times was dismissed with a three-line item in the locals. In addition, each paper printed a report of Will’s arrest and examination before Justice Benson, on the charge of breaking into Squire Jarvis’ office and stealing certain papers from his desk. The Bugle’s story was brief and the charge commented on as baseless. On the other hand, the Times, the editor of which was a per- sonal and political friend of Squire Jarvis, gave considerable space to the affair; but while the writer was careful to say nothing which could be construed as a reflection on the lad’s honesty, nevertheless he scouted the idea that Ed Rickson was in any way implicated in the crime. On Monday morning Will returned to duty in the engine- room, as the first and second floors of the factory were in shape to resume operation. Nothing had been heard from Squire Jarvis in respect to the promissory note. This, of course, was a matter of no surprise to Mrs, Somers or her son, for it was not supposed that any action could be taken until the missing note should have been recovered. A thorough search for the mislaid receipt had proved un- availing. In spite of the fact that Sam Travis regarded the flooding of the swamp as a hare-brain sort of proposition, nevertheless he was, boy-like, interested in the prospect, if only for the pur- | pose of being the first to give his friend Will the laugh as soon as he had assured himself that the scheme was a failure, as he confidently expected that it must prove to be. So, during the week that followed the repairing of the dam, he made daily visits to the ten-acre bog after school. As a matter of course, the change, if any, in that short time in the appearance of the swamp was not so perceptible to him as if he had waited a week and then inspected it. So at the end of eight days he reported to Will that ne bog had not changed, even a little bit. ~~ “You are quite certain of that?” asked Will, with a ages of disappointment in his voice. “Sure thing,” asserted Sam, shaking his head dismally. “Same.old grass and moss, though it looks a bit more soggy. There are a lot of little pools here and there, but that don’t — count for anything.” “Well, I’m going out to take a look myself to-night. The moon will be up after eight o’clock, and there shou!d be light enough for me to see all I want.” So after supper Will started off aloné for the swamp-lot to size up the appearance of his game of chance. He liad arrived within a hundred yards of the place when he heard some one shouting in acconts of terror, and the appeal. undoubtedly came from the immediate vicinity of the quaking bog. » “Somebody must have got caught in the swamp. It’s as bad as quicksand,” he said, as he broke into a run. The moon was just rising about the tops of the trees that partially surrounded the swamp-lot, so that the boy could easily see over the whole surface of the bog. The call for help sounded in the vicinity of the dam, and thither Will directed his steps. He soon made out a dark object floundering al on, the a surface of the swamp a few yards out. “Hello!” he shouted encouragingly. “Help! Help!” answered the unfortunate being. ; A long, broken limb was hanging pendant from a tree near by. The boy seized it, and by a stout pull disengaged it from the Will, . “That shows you we ip at the me thing | heayy limb on which it had grown. ag . Then he ran down to the edge of the morass, called to ini S ” said Sam ; ona a erson imprisoned by the matted ee ee i the gatas ee twat him. ¥ '$
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ye 33 THE WINNING TRICK. 15 rd The jackiess person grabbed it as a drowning man might a plank, and held on with desperate energy until Will succeeded in | zing him to the firm ground. “Give me both your hands now!” cried the boy. They were eagerly extended to him, 2 Planting his feet firmly, Will gave a mighty tug, the per- E son’s feet were suddenly released by the grass, and both rolled Over together on the dry turf beyond the danger line. They immediately struggled to their feet and looked at one another. The moon shone full in the face of the rescued atrariger. Will recognized him instantly. “Ed Rickson!” he exclaimed. The fellow hastily scrambled to his feet without a word, and made a movement as if about to flee. “Hold on, Rickson. You needn’t be in such a sweat. I’m all alone,” said Will. ) Rickson paused and looked keenly at the boy, and then gave a short laugh, as if somewhat reassured. “Oh, it’s you, Somers, is it?” “It isn’t anybody else. Where have you been hiding these last ten days?” “Who says I’ve been hiding?” said Rickson gruffly. - “T say so, for one. And there are others.” “Look here, Will Somers, do you want to do me a favor?” “T think I’ve just done one for you,” said the boy, grimly. “That's right, you have; but I want you to do something else for me.” “What do you want me to do?” asked Will cautiously. 2 “I'm kind of fagged out. Haven’t had a mouthful to-day? Will you fetch me something to eat and promise you won’t say anything about having seen me out here?” “You have got a pretty good nerve, I think, after what I’ve | gone through on your account already.” *What do you mean by that?” asked Rickson sharply. “You used those tools you stole from our place'to break into | Squire Jarvis’ office. Then you left them in the place, and so | I was accused of doing the job, because a certain paper we are supposed to be interested in was found missing.” F A Rickson grinned as though he had just heard a good oke “Oh, well, no harm came of it. Everybody knows you're a little angel who wouldn’t be guilty of such a ting,” he re- ' plied, with a palpable sneer. “A fellow who goes to Sunday- schoo! and meeting regularly never goes wrong, of course not. Canada is full of those kind of chaps.” “Tf you are so anxious to do me a favor you are taking a : strange way to get me to accommodate you,” said Will, in a t tone of disgust at Rickson’s coarse humor. : “Only 2 joke,” the now wretched-looking wanderer answered hastily, as if suddenly conscious that he had gone too far. “For heaven’s sake, get me a bite of something to eat. I’m _ glmost starved.” ._He certainly looked it, and there was a pathetic earnestness rag Bane his request that easily assured Will that Rickson told the truth = “Well,” said the boy, “I can’t refuse a hungry man some ‘thing to eat; but it'll take me some little time to get it here.” = WYoun won't tell any one you've met me here, will you?” asked Rickson anxiously. “T shan’t volunteer the information.” “And you promise not to fetch anybody back with you? I shall be on the watch, so it won't do any good.” “I'll return alone,” said Will coldly. - “Y wish you’d fetch a blanket with you, if you could, for it’s mighty cold hanging around here, especially when a fellow’s _ trousers are soaked to the skin,” said Rickson dismally. _ “Where do you sleep?” asked Will, as he prepared to depart on his charitable errand. ’ “T’ve got a snug place,” he replied, with one of his impudent grins. “Now, don’t be any longer than you can help, Somers, if you've got a spark of feeling for a fellow in my condition,” and Rickson contorted his, countenance into an expression of y ite tent ‘physical anguish in order to give additional éffect to his < nye sag ey CHAPTER XIV. "pen SOMERS LEARNS SOME INTERESTING Facrs. as his word, and half an hour later returned akon ge with a liberal supply of plain food, wer, He had it wrapped up in into ‘the: ‘folds of an old horse- < & Ber hiss at his request, without asking |. When Will struck the open space facing the bog, where he had held his brief conversation with the disreputable son of - Job Rickson, he found no one in sight. “He couldn't have got tired waiting, for I wasn’t so very long away,” thought the kind-hearted boy, as he transferred his bundle from one arm to the other. ‘“Well, it’s his lookout, so while I’m waiting for him I'll take a look at the swamp.” So he walked slowly along the edge of the quaking bog, ex- amining its surface with the greatest attention and interest. He had taken care to gauge the original height of the marsh before he began to flood it, marking its level by means of sticks thrust horizontally out from the sides of the basin. © By looking at these guides he saw that so far the swamp itself had not risen to any noticeable extent. This was encouraging, though not conclusive evidence that his scheme would eventually be successful. The water was certainly forming on top of the matted grass. A hundred little pools were visible upon its surface, which looked very watery and glistened in the cold moonshine. — “JT don’t think I can find any reason to kiek so far,” mused Will, with a sense of satisfaction. “In another week I hope ~ to see a clear enough, though perhaps shallow, sheet of water above the grass. Well, the saying is, nothing ventured, noth- — ing won. You have got to take chances in this world it you expect to do something worth while.” At this point in his reflections he fancied he heard the sound i of voices somewhere near at hand. He was standing at the side of the swamp opposite the brass let where the dam was. He listened. f | It was the first of November and the country air was quite | still, | ‘There was scarcely a breath of air stirring, and the bare - | trees stood silent and motionless in the moonlight. “Somebody is talking, all right,” said Will to himself, “which is a pretty good sign he isn’t alone. I wonder if that can be ~ Rickson? If so, who is he taiking with? He seemed to be — mighty skerry about any one knowing he was out here. Well, — ? that’s his business, not mine.” Will walked on a little further, and the sounds grew plainer. — gr “That’s Rickson talking, for a fact. Evidently he has run by across some friends he isn’t afraid of.” The boy sat down on the stump of a tree, and now the voices reached his ear quite plainly. “Look here, Lewis,” said Rickson, roughly, as if he was out “6 of patience, “I’ve stood your shillyshallying long enough. | I want that money you promised me, and if you don’t stump — up by this time to-morrow night I'll not only find means of = letting your father know the truth of the matter, but I'll we Will Somers wise to the whole thing also.” “You wouldn’t dare!” ejaculated Jarvis, for it was indeed. the son of the magnate of Northport who was holding ses aiab ne, . with Ed Rickson in the shade of the trees. : | “Wouldn’t I? You evidently don’t know me, young fellow. es | You see the trouble I've got into all on your account. I don’t dare to show my face lest I be arrested for the crime you intended to fasten on Will Somers.” “If you hadn’t been such a fool that night when you broke in Somers’ tool-house to get those tools, and let him recognize you, he never would have been able to throw suspicion in your direction.” “He came on me so suddenly that he took me by surprise. I supposed everybody was in bed and asleep,” said Bie in excuse. “You should have waited an hour or two longer, any wa: You spoiled everything by your haste. If the plan had suc- ceeded, as I supposed it would when I proposed the to you when I met you in Gateville, I would have given you the — money right away. It wasn’t my fault you tangled things the way you did.” “Well, I’ve earned the price we agreed on, and I’m going to have it, or somebody will have to suffer; that’s all there is to R it,” said Ed Rickson doggedly. “You haven't earned it, for the scheme failed. Nobody Cake side of my father believes Will Somers guilty of breaking into the governor’s office, and I wouldn’t be surprised if my has his suspicions.” Ny “He'll have more than that ff you don’t fork over tha: dred doliars you promised me,” said Rickson, in ah ashes tone. “T'll give you twenty-five dollars to-morrow.” “No, you won’t. You'll give me the hi derstand? I’m sorry I went into the Ae good L isn't x pee ged poaetn by 2 “He pulled me i
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< THE WINNING TRICK. ‘ here an hour ago, and. I expect him back with some grub, something that I need as badly as any man alive. Next time you want any dirty work done, just lock up somebody else to do it. If it was to give you away to Somers he'd probably thump the stuffing out of you, and ’twould serve you right.” - “He’d thump nothing out of me,” sneered Lewis angrily. “I hate the pauper. I’d have given a hundred dollars willingly to have seen him gone to jail.” “For a crime he is innocent of, eh?” said Rickson, with a sneer. “You're a peach.” “That's none of your business!” retorted his companion, in an ugly tone. “All right. Cough up the hundred dollars and we'll let it go at that. I'll let you have the papers back, and you can - Say you found them in the grass outside your house. If you fail me, young fellow, you’ll find yourself in a heap of trouble.” “Tll have you arrested if you dare to do anything like that!” eried Lewis hotly. “You will, you little monkey!” exclaimed Rickson, grabbing him by the arm. “I’ve a great mind to chuck you into the marsh. ” “Let me go, will you!” “Are you going to fetch me that hundred dollars?” - .. “Yes, Pll give it to you.” Zz “Then see that you turn up here to-morrow night with _- the cash. If you try to trick me I’ll make you suffer in a way _ that you won’t soon forget.” Lewis muttered something under his breath and then walked off under the trees. A moment later Will Somers saw Rickson pushing his way through the bushes toward the open spot of their encounter an hour previous. So he rose from his seat and followed him. When Rickson came out into the moonlight he discovered - Will within a few yards of him. ; “Helio!” he said, with a hungry glance at the bundle. - “You've fetched the grub, have you! Let’s have it.” - Will relinquished possession of the blanket and its con- tents. Rickson unrolled the bundle, cast the blanket on the ground, and attacked the package of food with the greediness of a _ famished hyena. “Somers, you're all right,” said Rickson, with his mouth “T wish I could return the compliment,” replied Will coldly. “You stole a hammer and chisel from our tool-house for the deliberate purpose of getting me into trouble.” “Who get I did?” replied Rickson, with a malicious grin. Fe) : “T say a: “Your Te co your base, Somers.” “Am I? Perhaps you'll not admit that Lewis Jarvis hired - you to execute the job?” - “You’re dreaming, boy!” “Look here, Rickson; I think I’ve treated you pretty white. I pulled you out of a bad hole and brought you a square feed. ‘Why don’t you own up?” “Nothing doing,” grinned E41. __ “Then I’ve got nothing more to say,” said Will, turning on his heel and starting off. Ed Rickson allowed him to go without another word. A nice pair, he and Lewis Jarvis,” muttered Will as he alked slowly homeward. “A rascally piece of business for the son of Northport’s most prominent citizen and such a scamp as Ed Rickson to engage in, to try and down _boy who never did either of them any harm. Rickson has scheme has developed into a boomerang, which may land him his side partner in jail on a very serious charge. It’s a r rule that doesn’t work both ways.” : ; CHAPTER XV. LEWIS JARVIS ORIGINATES ANOTHER SCHEME. following evening Constable Brady and an assistant the woods about the ten-acre swamp-lot, but failed to trace of Ed Rickson or his associate in iniquity. matter rested for the present. the next ten days evidence of the successful flooding ot was 80 Pa eei that even Sam Travis horns, and sai jnlp frlonde that tf xnere/ miTeao was a smarter boy in Northport than Will Somers he’d like to make his acquaintance. Will’s silly attempt to fill up the bog with stones the pre- ceding winter, which everybody who had heard about the mat- ter supposed to be his object, had been generally forgotten. Now, however, when it began to be known that a pond had actually formed in the basin of the swamp-lot, scores of curi- ous townspeople tramped out to the spot to see the miracle with their own eyes. There it was, sure enough. It was a fine pond of water, and was daily growing deeper. Somebody carried the news to Job Rickson: Ridiculous!” was his comment. “But I’ve just seen it with my own eyes,” protested his in- formant, rather glad than otherwise to rub it in on the old fellow who was so generally disliked. “Pooh! You can’t tell me any such nonsense,” grunted the man who had already burned his fingers with the scheme of originating an ice privilege. “It seems that Will Somers has the bulge on you, after all,” said a neighbor who had also come to inspect the marvel, rub- bing his hands gleefully, as if Rickson’s take-down particu- larly pleased him. At first Job Rickson was too much astonished to speak. He could hardly believe the evidence of his eyes. But after a while he began to realize that somehow nature had turned him down in favor of the young fireman of the Northport cotton mills. When Will first took hold of the scheme the person who most persistently jeered him was Lewis Jarvis. “What else can you expect from such a lobster?” was his sneering comment. Then, as time went on, he, matter. Now its revival as a successful issue jarred on his feelings: He refused to believe all reports concerning the actual flood- ing of the swamp-lot, until the Northport papers printed a news item on the subject; then he went out to the site of the quaking bog himself, and what he saw did not make him feel happy. He comprehended that the young mechanic he despised so much had managed to solve a very clever problem. : : “T never saw such a piece of luck,” he muttered in a tone of disgust.. “When that water freezes through the pauper will have a regular ice harvest to dispose of. It’s a shame how luck will play into the hands of the common people. Why, that beggar will think, he’s as good as I am. If I only knew some way to head him off.” He was standing near the dam, and as he spoke an idea sud denly came into his head that pleased him greatly. “Twill be just the thing,” he grinned malevolently. “By the great hornspoon! I'll take him down a couple of pegs. It‘ll break him all up to have his great scheme go up in the air at the last moment. This is better than if I had landed him in jail, for he was bound to get clear of that in the end; but this—well, this will pickle his hopes in great shape. It'll be a dead easy cinch for Ed Rickson to earn another twenty- five bones. Then I guess it'll be time for me to find that note and hand it over to the governor. He’ll do the rest. Nothing like rubbing it in good and hard when you get the chance.” That afternoon Lewis Jarvis took a train for a certain town thirty miles away, where he knew he should be able to find Ed Rickson. : As a matter of fact, Ed was on the lookout for him, for Lewis had agreed with him to settle his hundred dollar obli- gation after paying him twenty-five dollars down, and the first of these payments was now due. j “I thought you wouldn’t go back on me,” grinned young Rickson significantly when Lewis turned up at the appointed rendezvous, a road-house on the outskirts of the town, where Rickson had secured employment congenial to his tastes. “Why should I?” answered Lewis, as if offended at the very idea of such a thing. “That’s right! Why should you?” said Rickson. you have brought the cash?” he added eagerly. “Sure thing,” and Lewis produced twenty-five dollars fa motes, which he handed over. “You're a little man of your word, Lewis,” said Ed, stowing the money away. “Come inside and have a drink.” ~~ Lewis was not accustomed to intoxicating liquor, as the — Squire very properly frowned upon any such indulgence in like others, forgot all about the “F s’pose his own son, whose sole form of dissipation was confined to y . superior brand of imported cigarettes; but the boy was” ashamed to refuse Rickson’s invitation lest Ed twit bs as - P. TEN
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THE WINNING TRICK. 17 re —_- : ¥ Fr _ several occasions, and the recollection of his parent’s weak- ness in “this respect stilled his own conscience. ws whiskies. “Here’s luck,” wa Rickson, swallowing his like a veteran. Lewis’ pertion nearly strangled him, for it was a flery com- _? pound and none of the best. “Went the wrong way, did it?” grinned Hd. water.” Lewis presented a sad picture as he stood gasping over the * dose. which had brought tears to his eyes. Indeed, it is always a sad picture to see a young man—it was far worse in this case, for Lewis Jarvis was only seven- teen—taking his first lessons in that curse of civilization, liquor drinking. That it is the root of all evil is graphically illustrated in that piece of Oriental fiction called the “Arabian Nights,” - which recites that a genie, or wicked spirit, having obtained control over a certain young man, agreed to spare his life on condition that his dupe should commit one of three mortal sins—either to murder his father or get drunk. The young _ Iman chose what he considered the least of the three. He got drunk, with the result that on being taxed with his sin by his father, he, in a burst of fury, killed him; then, realizing his crime, he in despair cursed the day he was born. Lewis Jarvis soon recovered from the effects of the potation, and after a short conversation on sporting topics he broached the real object of his wit. “How is that for an idea?” grinned Lewis, proud of the a scheme he had devised. “I'll have him dead to rights, “You've got a great head, Lewis,” said Rickson with a sneer. “So you want me to sneak into Northport again and work it res yee ' “How much do I get?” “Twenty-five dollars.” “Cash down?” “Yes; but you'll have to give me more time on what I owe -you on the old account.” Rickson considered a few minutes and then agreed -to the a B.S “Take some “When do you want it done?” “Any time within a week will do.” : “All right. Have another drink,” and the hardened young _ fellow replenished the tumblers. Lewis looked at his portion and hesitated. _ “What’s the matter?” laughed Rickson banteringly. “you_go two drinks?” * !” replied Lewis, flushing up as he grasped the glass. you had better dilute it,” grinned Ed, tantalizingly. “Pooh!” cried Lewis, raising it to his chin. “I’m no baby.” _ All the same, the liquor gave him another coughing fit, and was glad to take some water afterward. When he boarded the train for home half an hour later he “Can't ' CHAPTER XVI. “ALL'S WELL THAT ENDS WELL.” ‘The railroad station was not far from the Northport cotton and Laws Jarvis had to yee the factory on his way Stina not ‘noticed Jessie haiewikttier since the evening Somers had interfered between them in her behalf. And with good reason, for the spirited girl took good care keep out of the way, having no Saige for any further inter- urse with him. was feeling somewhat exalted from the a. ct of Eau: whisky on his brain. As he came along the factory girls were leaving the mills, oF full force having been yet to work that day for the first + ‘time since the fire. - e was walking slowty- down the street in expectation “ babs ‘would soon catch up with her, as usual. — had not: yet appeared when Lewis Jarvis saw her ahead. The it ot of her at GS pty monient aroused zu that ‘was ugly in catego his ee and with me this time, soon caught wp with her: aren’t you?” he demanded cating le So he stood up to thé bar, and Ed poured out a coupte of | woul : y bas — Serer eS ee ay o r Secretly he believed drinking was a manly art, for he had | of the road, when he put out his hand and roughly detained seen his father slightly under the influence of stimulants on | her. “Going te answer me or not?” he said menacingly. “Let me alone, Will. Jarvis!” she cried angrily. dn’t dare touch me if Will Somers was here.” 2” he returned with a hiccough. Thinks he’s as good as ~ You “What do I care for Somers? “Mis’rable pauper! Common upstart! me. Know who I am, don’t you?” “J pelieve you have been drinking,” cried Jessie in dismay. “Besn drinking? Sure thing. All gen’lemen drink. My father, Squire, most important gen’leman in town—he axinde, So do 1.” “If you don’t take your hand from my arm, ' Lewis Jarvis," cried Jessie, desperately, “I'll slap your face.” “Which face? This face?” asked Lewis, with drunken hu- mor. “You will slap nothing, see! I’ve got you now, and I’m going to kiss you!” At this threat Jessie struck him full in the face, but he seized her in both his arms and tried to carry out his purpose. Jessie, unable to help herself further, uttered a shrill scream, which reached Will’s ears as he was coming out of the engine yard gate. The boy started to her assistance at once, Coming up at a run, he seized Lewis bodily as the young — aristocrat was bending back her head to accomplish his reck- less object, and, tearing him away from the girl, he flung Bia in a heap against the fence. “Oh, Will!” cried Jessie, impulsively throwing her arms about his neck, and, dropping her face on his shoulder, she burst into hysterical weeping. “Tt’s Lewis Jarvis, is it?” he cried, in some astonishment, now recognizing the Squire’s son, as that reckless youth stag- gered to his feet with a flerce scowl on his feattres. “Yes, and he’s been drinking!” shuddered the girl. “Oh, he has!” “I'll get square with you fur that, Will Somers!” yelled Lewis furiously. “I will, if I have to die for it.” “Come along, Jessie,” said Will, ignoring the vengeful youth, Lewis shook his fist after them as they passed on. “You pauper, you! I'll fix that dam for you and burst your whole scheme up! Do you understahd? You'll strike me, will” you, you beggar! Ill fix you! Just see if I don’t!” he screamed ut. y Will heard the threat, but he and Jessie went on as if Lewis _ had spoken to the empty air. ; Lewis watched them out of sight before he left the spot. ; It was getting dark now, and he managed to reath home without attracting any comment. ; Fortunately for him, his father was absent in Boston on business, and so he escaped a well-merited reprimand for the Me's condition he was in. i That week Will received from Washington a certificate, con- a firming to him for the usual number of years the patent rights: _ on his improved damper regulator, and the superintendent © made an agreement with his mother, as his guardian, for its hs use in the factory engineroom on a regular royalty. ae5 Specifications for his mew steam economizer and condenser were at the same time drawn up and forwarded to a patent attorney in the. Capitol City to be patented, and we may as | well state here that in due time he sold the rights to the North- ' port cotton mills for five thousand dollars. * Superintendent Harper had, at Will’s request, visited the swamp-lot and investigated the outlook. — His verdict assured the boy that he would have a kc borin field of ice in due course to sell to the Rockland Ice Com} which was in the market for such privileges as soon as ‘they were ripe. tga ’ Ags they left the spot they did not see a crouching form hiding in the underbrush. ; It was Ed Rickson, and he had a crowbar with him. — As soon as all was still again he clambered out on the dam, and inserting the end of the bar between the narrow ‘crack in the boards, began to pry them apart. His object was apparent. He meant to make a sufficiently large Spa tae in the dam to allow the confined water to escape. Fortunately, the plans of the wicked do not ‘always prosper. Before Will reached home he missed his big horn-handied jack-knife, which was 2 handy: companion in the engin I repair shop. Arties & “By George!” he said. “1 remember ni jaid that down. one of the stringers of the dam ae mda 384 ‘Harper. I must go back and get ees So he hastily retraced his vet ¥
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18 : THE WINNING TRICK. CoV A SS 5 ne are ie a ee Se Re ST SLT NAPE ETE As he drew near the dam he heard queer sounds, not unlike the ripping of boards, and he began to wonder. He rushed forward to investigate. At that moment the moon, which had been obscured all the evening, suddenly shone out between a rift in the clouds, and Will saw something that staggered him. it was Ed Rickson hard at work in his efforts to destroy the dam. ; “Hi, there! cH ' Rickson turned in a startled way and dropped the crow- bar into the water. sf : “Come out of that!” exclaimed Will. “Go to thunder!” replied the rascal. “So it’s you, Ed Rickson. You’re a nice scoundrel, you are, trying to spoil my property,” ejaculated Will, as mad as he could be when he came to realize the despicable attempt to _ ruin his ice privilege. “Well, it’s me, all right,” replied Rickson, in surly tones, for he saw the game was up, especially as the crowbar was gone. “What are you going to do about it?” “I'm going to-hand you over to Constable Brady right away.” _And he meant it, too. ; Now it happened that Will's blood was up, and so reckless of / -—s- €ensequences was he that he clambered out on the dam, deter- ‘mined to bring Ed Rickson to justice at last. 1 Ed saw him coming, and waited with a diabolical grin. Br: He was satisfied he could easily handle Will Somers, as _ ftout a Jad as he looked. ‘When they grappled in the center of the dam he found out that the job was not as easy as he had supposed. ; It was a pretty even thing, however, as to which would come out ahead, : “Wait until I get a good grip on you and I'll toss you into your pond, blast you!” gritted Ed. _ As they struggled and struck at one another on top of the dam they were in alternate light and shadow, as the moon shone down upon their writhing forms or hid their faces be- hind a drifting cloud. _It was a fight to the finish, and no mistake. Will was a bit overmatched, but not outclassed. y He was strong and tough, and his fists were like small __-—s gledge-hammers. r Every time they landed on Rickson he grunted, while Will took his own punishment in silence, never yielding an inch to his antagonist at any stage, though the blood trickled from a Dasty cyt over his eye. ae length Will’s greater power of endurance began to pre- i, Taking advantage of this, the boy ducked down, seized Ed’s _ leg below the knee, and jerking it up, overbalanced his an- : tagonist, who pitched sideways into the water of the pond, ‘That ended ‘the fight. Rickson came up from his plunge completely subdued. _ It was not improbable that had he been left to himself he might have been drowned, so exhausted was he. : _. Will, however, grabbed him by the collar of his jacket and slowly. dragged him to firm ground. He then took the precau- tion to bind his hands behind his back. Will marched his prisoner to the residence of Constable _ Brady, a quarter of a mile away, who took him to the town day Will Somers went before Justice Benson and swore a of malicious mischief against Ed Rickson. _. Ed lost no time in sending for Lewis Jarvis. a out of this, do you understand?” he said to Lewis ppeared, “or I'll blow the whole business from What are you doing?” Will cried in astonished »” ee © terrifi ‘at the thought of public exposure, promised to enlist his father in Rickson’s behalf. : secure the Squire’s co-operation, it is probable 3 y rate, Squire Jarvis appeared for Ed when he was brought before Justice Benson; the prisoner was also charged with burglarizing the lawyer's office. y _ The nabob, of course, refused to press this charge, and there was not sufficient evidence against the | it was ed to drop. : 1, with Sam Travis’ assistance, recovered the short crow- th which Rickson had intended to break down the dam, ced it against the prisoner. flatly denied that he had us with malicious intent, but both Will and Sam, as 7 Sema PeAar. whe Aes ates the dam, testified to srasures in the boards, w ich admitted of but one con- ese ae 4 used it against Will’s struction, so Ed was adjudged guilty by the justice and sen- tenced to thirty days’ imprisonment. A day or so later Squire Jarvis called on Mrs. Somers and notified her that the promissory note having been recovered, - she would be held for its payment. When Will came home from the factory his mother told him of the Squire’s visit. “We'll contest it, mother, on the ground of fraud. Call on , Sam Travis’ father. He’s a good lawyer, and he will advise you in the matter.” After supper Jessie Fairweather came in, as she often did, to show Mrs. Somers a new dress pattern she had received from Boston, “’ve got something to tell you, Will,” she said, while Mrs. Somers was out of the room for a short interval, “but you must promise not to say a word about it to any one,” “All right,” said Will, “I promise.” “Tessie Rickson came to me to-day and begged that I would become friendly with her again, for she said as long as she and I were not on speaking terms none of the other girls would notice her. She admitted that it was she who put her pocket- pook in the pocket of my dress on the day of the fire, in the hope of disgracing me. She said Lewis Jarvis had put her up to it, and had told her I had said many unkind things about her, which, of course, was not so; and she now knows that Lewis Jarvis simply made a dupe of her in order to get square with me, But the worst thing of all, Will, she confessed to me that she was the cause of the fire at the mill, and told me why she set a match to the dresses of certain girls without thinking any further damage would result. She’s a thought- less girl, with very poor principles, and I feel sorry for her.” “She’d get into a pack of trouble if it became known that she started the fire at the factory,” said Will, not a little aston- ished at the revelation, ; “Well, I must be going,” Jessie said, as Mrs. Somers re- turned to the room, “Why, what’s the matter with the clock? It must be half-past eight now, yet the hands point:to a quarter past seven, just as they did when I entered the room.” “Evidently it has stopped,” said Will, walking up to the mantelpiece. While fumbling with it the bottom suddenly came away in his hand, and a small piece of folded paper dropped out. Jessie picked it up and handed it to Mrs. Somers, who casu- ally opened it. “Why, Will,” she said in a tone of mingled surprise and joy, “here is the missing receipt at last.” “You don’t mean it, mother!” exclaimed the boy in/amaze- ment. é His mother passed it to him. “Received of Nathaniel Somers the sum of three hundred and six dollars, in full satisfaction of his note of hand bearing date of ” read Will. “And it is signed by Job Rickson. That settles it, mother. You don’t want a lawyer now.” “Isn’t that splendid!” exclaimed Jessie, clapping her hands with pleasure. “How fortunate that the dear oid clock stopped.” : Will allowed the case to be brought into court, and then, when Squire Jarvis was gloating over the bill of costs he | thought Widow Somers would have to pay, she produced the receipt, and covered both the nabob and Job Rickson with confusion. The same day, too, Will was waited on by three members of the town council, and presented with the gold medal, appro- priately inscribed, which had been awarded to him in recogni- tion. of his heroism at the factory fire. ‘ Will Somers’ ten-acre pond produced an ice privilege in January which netted him something like three thousand dol- lars. Not only that, but the swamp-lot thereafter annualiy netted him a similar sum, so that his game of chance, after all, re sulted’in a permanent income. ’ “Just enough for you and I to buy a nice little house and start housekeeping within a year or two,” he said to Jessie when he showed her his first check from the Rockland Ice Company. And Jegsie blushed radiantly and clapped her pretty fingers over his mouth. Next week's issue will contain “THE YOUNG EDITOR; OR, RUNNING A. COUNTRY NEWSPAPER.” : ATALOBUE, : a “ *
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* > Edward Wickham, living north of Ottawa, Ont., has “captured a queer, bat-like creature, of vampire type. It bit Mr. Wickham’s dog, causing its death in a few moments. “It is about four inches long, covered with thick, gray fur, mottled with yellow, brown and white. The membranous " wings measure twelve inches from tip to tip. It has five _ toes, a small mouth and teeth. _ What is probably the smallest working electric motor in the world was exhibited recently at the University of North Dakota by I. T. Nedland, a jeweller of Hillsboro, N - Dak., who made it. It weighs 34 grains and its dimen- ons are: Length, 0.563 inches ; height, 0.291 inch; width, 0 .336 inch ; diameter of PETES, 0.071 inch; Bigiihe of commutator 0.0106 inch. the armature weight 4 grains. A 5-volt battery supplies the energy. _ Harry Williams of Elkhart, Colo., has been brought to ichita, Kan., for treatment for a faxaritula bite that he ed in southern New Mexico several days ago, and ; ch has caused him to lose thirty pounds in flesh. He ! forgot to wind his lariat round his pallet after a cattle x ound-up and the insect stung him on the hand. He _ drove twenty-three miles in a motor car and took the train for Wichita, where he has an aunt who is a physi- - cian. Seis. arm is greatly swollen, but he will recover. Bt "Six city lots in Akron, Ohio, was the price placed on his “daughter by John Basco, who admitted to Juvenile Court authorities he -had arranged to” séll his daughter, Mary, sixteen, to a man of sixty. The man was to marry her. am an old man and cannot support myself,” he told dge | Lytle. “There is a man of my own age who wishes natry my daughter. He has promised me six city lots her. On that I could live comfortably the rest of my * The girl will not be returned to her father. ~ When Mary Canova, the thirteen-year-old este Bis of onio Carnova of 12 Forest Street, Orange, N. J., awoke other morning she found that her long black hair, ch was of exceptional beauty ‘and the pride of the mily, had been cut off. She did not know how or when had been despoiled.. The police arrested Polo’ Cripsy, : | fifty-one, a boarder at the Carnova home, but Carnova “woul ld not believe Cripsy was guilty, and the charge against h was nner Chief of Police Drabell believes that. ion from iieope to western Canada has cea } er and there has been a great decrease from ; Some interesting conclusions may figures. In the Jast immigration ent 208 perwons: gps Canada FAME AND FORTUNE the oraft, The rocks { —— the harn ‘the he WEEKLY. 1 CURRENT NEWS persons entered from the States, bringing $201,247 in - money and $60,304 worth of effects. From these figures it will be seen that peas rheos from the States has fallen off 80 per cent. Norman Anderson, a seventeen-year-old English midget, standing 3 feet high and weighing 60 pounds, who arrived recently on the liner St. Louis, tells an interesting story of how he escaped from the war zone in a bale of hay. Ander- son, who is an acrobat, was traveling with a cireus through England. He says-English army authorities asked him to go into the English army as a spy. He also declared Eng- - land has hired a family of German midgets to go into the German forces dressed as children to sell newspapers. Norman refused and escaped to this country smuggled in the bottom of a bale of hay. wee ob Pe Pe at he ey os Vaal » Honors for hooking the biggest fish that ever got away go to Marlin Ulrich, a salesman of Oakland, who, with — a party of friends, was out for a big fish in Ulrich’s launch ‘ Germany off Angel Island in San Francisco Bay, says the San Francisco Chronicle. Suddenly his line gave a vio- lent tug.. He grasped it with all his might. So strong was the pull that the launch began to plunge wildly through the waves. After a few minutes of excited un- certainty something strange and shapeless rose from @ swirl of foam ahead. It was submarine K-27 taking a practice spin. Ulrich’s hook had fouled a rivet on the exterior of the submarine. He cut the line. = 43 e's With a classic selection played on a mouth organ, wine iam H. Harding of Spring Grove, Pa., took the fight. out : of a six-foot blacksnake that showed every disposition to attack him. Harding was strolling through a grove near Nashville, when he saw the snake coiled on a limb. ap- parently preparing to flop down upon him. Recalling stories of snakes charmed by music, Harding leaped asi and, drawing a mouth organ from his pocket, began - The play a plaintive air. The effect was like magic. reptile swayed with the music until it lost its cine fell to the ground, where it lay as though lifeless. YE Harding stopped playing the snake _ glided off bid 5 bush, ; ty marine boat and armed cruisers such as ‘they had about in connection — the European war, Misha to sate the submarine, Je sent to the bette 1 of St. Joseph River. His life was saved by men on thi -Geould entered an old cider barrel with a hole. top and his companions began to heave hea cf
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FAME AND FORTUNE WHEKLY. THE GALLANT TROOPER | ees GR yess FIGHTING FOR UNCLE SAM CHAPTER I. COMMENCEMENT WEEK AT LAKE FOREST MILITARY ty ACADEMY, > : some Vivian Merle, stood talking to the principal, Captain _ Henry Noble, a tall, distinguished-looking man of about ‘fifty years of age. He had made an honorable record for the most famous military school in the West. _ It was a pretty scene that the last rays of the setting eke . |ous, but to the boys at the Academy it seemed to be "| another world almost. The boys at Lake Forest Military Academy had just | ae finished their afternoon drill, and. their captain, hand-} tain Noble remarked, thoughtfully, “and that is Clarence t himself during the late war, and was now at the head of | saber. By GASTON GARNE (A SERIAL STORY) the beginning of the general uprising among the Indians in 1876, that tragic time when the gallant Custer lost his For weeks the situation had been growing more seri- “There is one thing which, troubles me, Vivian,” Cap- Kendal’s conduct at every drill. I do not know what to make of him. Why, he actually trembles at the report of the muskets, and I have seen him turn pale at sight of a He is a good-hearted boy, too, generous, agreeable, entertaining, well liked by all his comrades. It was a mis- take his parents sending him here. I am really sorry for ie = shone over. The throng of young men standing about | im, he looks so wretched at every bugle call.” - in groups eagerly conversing, their blue uniforms and ae glittering brass buttons making a fine showing, the huge - old oaks of the grove where they were forming a leafy, canopy over their heads, while just below the steep ravine that skirted the edge of the grounds lay the shim- away, on the summit of a gentle sloping hill, appeared the white wings and gables of Lakeside Seminary, a select 30ol for young ladies. Vivian Merle’s blue eyes glowed : with pleasure at the principal's words and his bosom P heaved with pride. ¥ _ “I must say that I never yet saw a regiment of soldiers were better drilled. or who appeared to obey the shght- est motion of their commanding officer, any quicker than the boys obey you, Vivian,” Captain Noble said. “You will By a great soldier some day, my boy,” laying one young man’s shoulder. Phat has always been the dream of my life, sir,” Vivian ed, ariel “And all I ask is a chance to prone good ways f=. n’t be too sure of that, ita” ‘Captain Noble re- : hat gravely. “You may possibly have a chance er more of fi ting than you really want. You w tha nearly all the troops are ordered to the front. ven then there’s ‘not enough to conquer those red f bs sil worst See es FTE Aes es mering waters of Lake Michigan. A quarter of a mile |eause he was so much more popular than they were. : the « same time ae dared not . bv their uban had b “He will most likely get over that in time, sir,” Vivian” replied fespectiully. “I believe he is a trifle nervous, that is all, and then you know he is an only child. His parents © have, always petted him, but I don’t think Clarence is a coward at heart.” “A few weeks of hard knocking about would make a- man of him,” Captain Noble said with a smile. “T have seen lots of young fellows just like him, but a taste of army life soon cured them, and—there goes the supper bell. I did not think it was so late.” Leaving the gymuasium, which was in the grove, the’ a i boys formed in line, marching in a body to the academy. In that same way they entered the long dining-room, where Captain Noble already awaited them, standing ee the head of the first table. They were as fine a looking lot of young men as one would wish to see. Strong, sturdy, their limbs and” ‘shoulders well developed from constant Eating their faces flushed with exercise. id _ Viyian: Merle sat next to Captain Noble, and beside him a was Clarence Kendal, a rather delicate at. youth with dark eyes and hair. Opposite the two was a'very striking looking couple, a direct contrast to each other, and yee ie they were intimate friends—Charlie Root, a decided blond young man with cold, light-gray eyes, and Manuel de ~ Garcia, a swarthy, heavy-eyed Cuban, handsome enoug in a sinister sort of way. Aside from being friends on were room-mates, and neither one liked Vivian M
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Charlie Root was not so fortunat~. He was de- _ ‘pen upon an wncle in Chicago, who paid his expenses ,and lgoked after him until he should graduate. sala 3 hones ST Mal tir with ol ‘had been more than kind to Vivian Merle, inas- ~ much as she had blessed him with good looks, a sunny, _ »genial disposition that made for him friends wherever he _ went. He was the only child of a millionaire banker who _ thought the universe especially created for his handsome ~ gon. ___Eyvery boy at the academy could testify as to his gener- osity, and many a poor boy, who had a hard time to fight _ his way through, blessed Vivian Merle for the helping _ hand extended to him in the hour of need; and while ’ he was faithful, conscientious, and an earnest working & student, no one in the school was ready for a lark any _ quicker than he was. _ Supper over, the boys marched from the dining-room and thence to their own rooms. The morrow would be _ the beginning of the commencement week—the most pleas- ant time of the whole year—and there was much to be _ done to get everything in readiness for it. _ Captain Noble sent for Vivian to come to his private _ Office for a few moments, as he wanted to see him about something concerning the exercises of the next morning, and while he was absent, Charlie Root, chancing to pass his room, saw the door open. Hesitating a moment only, he softly entered. - The room was the same as those occupied by the other boys, but the luxurious hangings, the extra appointments _ made it seem entirely different. __ “My fine young swell is not satisfied to “have his room like the rest of the boys,” he muttered enviously, “and neither will he share his apartment with any one else. I would give ten years of my life to see him taken down a peg or two. Ab, what is this?” _ He was fingering the silver-backed hair brushes, the t-glass scent bottles with nervous, restless fingers, his a eyes glittering greedily. Why should Vivian Merle haves ‘so much while he had nothing, he asked himself, The object which called forth that last remark was a crystal decanter encased in a network of solid silver. He moved the stopper and sniffed the contents. oot no Manhattan cocktails,” he said with a grin, “and \ ones, I must confess,” tasting them. “I wonder gee ‘Captain Noble would say if he knew of this? I : ave I will quictly inform him that his favorite is in- dulging « bit too heavily. Then, Mr. Vivian Merle, I fancy will get called down before the whole school.” earing the sound of approaching footsteps he dodged t of the room and down the long hall. He was not a tnt peor tor Vira eetened aa setting kin re the table wds soon busy studying. y was astir early the following morning, all eager’ to excel, for they knew the next few en re yo eg the performances in the gymnasium day, the ances in a evening when the girls ere all present, the moonlight singing, And then there were the Ba the bell rung: ae ioe FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY. d be the time for them to distinguish themselves. = all in all, it was a week never to be forgotten by those merry, lighthearted young men, most of whom had never kiiown a care during their lives, and the girls, who were determined to have a few nights’ enjoyment away from the watchful eyes of the two spinsters at the Seminary. . CHAPTER Ii. AT LAKFSIDE SEMINARY. Life at. Lakeside Seminary was not nearly so pleasant for the young ladies as it was for the students at the academy. Captain Noble was a jolly, good-natured man, always ready to conceal the faults of the boys, whereas the two maiden ladies who presided over the former were ever on the alert to discover wickedness in some of their pupils, especially if that unlucky damsel chanced to be one who was not blessed with any too much of this world’s dross. Money was a balm for all wounds in the virgin eyes of those fair ones, and every girl there knew it. Diana Le Grand was the orte who chanced to be in dis- favor on the fair June morning following the evening of the hop at the academy, and Miss Rebecca Skelton’s green, gray eyes fairly snapped fire as she glared at the young lady who serenely returned her strong stare. Miss Rebecca was the elder of the sisters, a vinegar-faced female, who had started in life with the firm resolution of going to her grave unmarried. And it must be confessed that she never had any trouble in keeping the opposite sex at arm’s length, for she was about as disagreeable looking a woman as one would encounter in a day’s travel. Miss Rose, two years younger, was a very coy, kittenish young person, always looking for the handsome stranger. who was to come from a distance, and bear her away to his ancestra! halls where she would reign a queen all the rest of her life. She might be found almost any moon- light evening strolling about the seminary grounds, her head fancifully draped in white lace, peering into every — spring and brook expecting to behold in their depths the long-looked-for face. But alas! she waited in vain, for no one who knew the lady would be caught within a so of the place. The pretty culprit who was in such deep disgrace faced Miss Rebecca, defiantly. us “Now, Miss Le Grand, will you be so very kind as rth S: inform me why you left the hall last evening after you stopped dancing and with whom you were at the time?” she asked, in her sharp, rasping voice, her thin chin quiver-. _ ing with rage. “Are you aware that such a proceeding was disgraceful beyond measure? Is it your cist ~~ ruin the school?” / The girl thus addrewed smiled, and thinking the was the object of her amusement, the irate spinster demanded: “What are you laughing at, Miss Le Grand ?” Baa “Nothing,” Diana answered very innocently, look straight at her. “I was merely thinking. I believe asked me why I left the hall last night after nag: stopped dancing, and who I was with? I simply strolled out into the grounds of the Acade y to get a breath: fresh air, for it was very close in 5 panion was Mr. Vivian Merle... Anything oa oe like to know, Miss ganatiien 2 aN: ip
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FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY. FACTS WORTH READING A HEARSE DRIVER’S RECORD. Charles Turner has attended approximately 9,000 funerals within twenty-four years, yet he retains a cheer- ful disposition. Turner, who is a hearse driver in Detroit, Mich., says he believes he has established a world’s record in the matter of frequent attendance at burial ceremonies. “T regret that I have not kept any record of the funerals I have attended,” Turner said. “However, I am absolutely safe in estimating that I have attended 375 funerals a year for the last twenty-four years. That’s just a little better than one a day.” , Turner has been-in every cemetery within a radius of twenty miles of Detroit. He is only forty-two years old. GERMAN SCHOOLBOYS ENROLLED FOR ARMY. Several States of the German Empire are taking vig- orous steps to organize the boys who have not yet reached the age of enlistment, which is nineteen, for military sefvice. The Prussian Minister of Education has issued a decree authorizing the headmasters of elementary and secondary State schools to take necessary measures in con- junction with military authorities to raise @ reserve army consisting of boys between the ages of sixteen and nineteen. Boys between sixteen and nineteen will be available for active service in the ficld when they have been trained. Boys between the ages of fourteen and sixteen are to re- ceive special military drill to enable them to become active soldiers the moment they attain the age of sixteen. In Berlin itself several regiments of lads between sixteen and twenty already have been formed and similar reports come from many provincial towns. COLUMBIA’S FIRE LOSS. The fire at Columbia University early the other morn- ing, which started in the gymnasium, did not canse a loss of more than $270,000, possibly only $250,000, all of which is believed to be covered by insurance. Much of the gymnasium can be restored. This building was erected in 1901 as a general home for many of the extra activities of the campus. Owing to a lack of funds, _ however, the building was not completed, but the gym- nasium, swimming pool and power house were installed. __ The gymnasium and pool were among the best equipped in the country. The power house, which supplies light, expenditure of nearly $1,000,000. The top floor was a temporary addition. ‘Investigation leads to the belief that the fire started on ¢ top fioor. It was there that the dining rooms and kitchen of the university commons were located, together the offices of The Daily Spectator, The Jester, the fe? Quadrangle, College Entrance Board, Prison Labor Bureau e State, the band room and the private offices of sev- mene of the faculty. These rooms and the things heat and power to the entire university, represented an GERMANS SANK OWN BOAT AT PAPEETE. Two lives were lost, $2,000,000 damage was done, two vessels were sunk and two blocks of business houses and residences were destroyed by the German cruisers Scharn- horst and Gneisenau in their bombardment recently of ithe French colony of Papeete, Tahiti. Refugees from the island told the story on their arrival at San Francisco aboard the Union Steamship Company’s liner Moana. No landing was made and no supplies or stores were captured. The French set fire to a 40,000-ton coal pile to prevent the Germans replenishing their bunkers. A pas- senger on the Moana said: “The little French gunboat Kelee sank, riddled with holes.. Her prize, the German merchantman Walkyrie, flew no flag, and the Germans, ignorant of her nationality and that her crew were prisoners on the island, sank her too. “The bombardment lasted about two hours. Those houses surrounding the American Consulate over which ; the Stars and Stripes were flying conspicuously were not damaged. but the water front ee mercantile district were utterly wrecked. The German warships steamed away undamaged.” LAND RETURNED TO GOVERNMENT. For the first time in history a farm has been deeded back to the Government after it became known the land had been improperly filed on. As a result the funds in the United States treasury have been increased $5,000, for Mrs. Mary Mitchell, who lives just across the line from Denver, Col., in N ebraska, turned over property valued at that amount after she became converted. Before Mrs. Mitchell “got religion,” as she expressed it, she got from the Government 160 acres of good Nebraska farm land by a method which has since been found irregular. The day after her conversion she wrote a letter denouncing herself. She is now the wife of a prominent Nebraska resident, a former office holder, and herself prominent in educational circles in more than one State of the West. She writes that she now has “peace of mind” since she gave back that $5,000 farm. The letter came to the office of M. D, McEniry, chief of the field division of the general land office. She frankly said she had proved up on 160 acres of land a year ago. She confessed she had made statements not justified as to matters necessary to make final proof on the claim. Special Agent J. L. Stack was assigned to investigate. He went to the county seat and found the farm standing in the name of Mrs. Mi Then he went to the farm and found it was rich with golden corn and wheat. Acting upon the advice of his superior officer in Denver, Stack told the woman that inas- much as she had admitted irregularities in obtaining the farm, there was only one course to pursue, and that was -— to deed it back to the Rageanaates, dee rcp tin af a Se
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' FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY. CHAPTER XII (continued) “Advance then!” said the pirate chief. The three men came on. - “What means this?” he yelled. “Oh, captain, the men have landed !” _ “What men? Speak, wretch !” “From the Albatross.” “What?” “Tt is so, captain, there’s not a moment to be lost. We endeavored to resist their landing, but two boatsful were coming ashore, so we ran to give the alarm.” _ “Thousand .furies!” shrieked Captain Diablo. “These scoundrels on my island! By heaven! Il teach them a lesson they won't forget! Not one shall leave the place alive! T swear it!” _ He was mad with passion, but felt no sense of fear. - He knew too well the wonderful nature of his strong- oll, and was really rather pleased that his mortal, foes had placed themselves in his power. “Stay here on guard. See that no one forces the door. FM fetch help. Ruiz, look well to it. Your heads shall answer if one man gets inside.” With | a glance which conveyed even more than the , he left his, followers at their. perilous post. ‘Aa, "Captain Diablo -hurried off, Ruiz and the three rates, who realized that their lives depended on the e, ran down the passage to the entrance. utside, through the thick walls of rock, they could thy hear the noise made by the enemy. . _ Finding the fastening of the door, Ruiz pushed the bar- - tel of his pistol into it, so that he could defy the efforts fthe invaders, = / Jot thet 6titsidé for some time made no movement. _ hae in doubt: as to whether, ee = Be now nds, for ‘the siti bg could hear them rapping on + door, a gem = an intention of finding the é which Spaued it. Haha ” Irughed Ruiz. “Waste your time, my good £ you find it, you won’t be any better off. aD Otani fasténings secured inside.” ; tin Sais was an Sa fregiting _ The Fight for the Pirate’s Isle ie CAPTAIN DIABLO’S LAST CRUISE answer. KING By ED. (A SERIAL STORY) Then the glimmer of light cast by their lanterns was easily distinguishable. But just at this moment the huge rock, which seoad as a door to the secret passage, seemed to quiver. There was only a slight movement, but the pirates saw it plainly. Ruiz, secure in his own mind, smiled serenely. All at once the heavy rock, set in motion by some mys- terious agency of which no one had_the least anole commenced to move. i The mighty force that controlled it snapped the’ heavy Ba steel barrel of the -pirate’s pistol in two as if it were a piece of wood.@ With a crash, back swung the great door, and a body of armed men sprang into the entrance. nig But ere th ey had advanced a yard, Captain Diablo, at “ the head of his men, barred their passage. La So sudden was the onset that the invaders were asiven : back to the beach. “Seize the boats! of them escape!” A body of pirates hurried to execute the order, : But the leader of the attacking force had no intention of being gaught in this manner. : Se His men spread out and barred the way. Then. the fight became hot and exciting, As Captain. Diablo came into the light of day, his gue fell on a well-known figure. Y !” yelled the Sea Penibis “let ey one “Dick Decker !” he gasped. “The dead come.to life.” P “Yes, monster, come back to send you to your doom.” Ss With eyes that blazed with fire, Dick Decker secs at a the pirate chief. “ aj te Their blades crossed in fierce conflict, Y= 3 Te Each knew the desperate nature of the fight. — For Captain Diablo’s men greatly outnumbered the crew of the Albatross, and it was only by the most heroic " exertions that the latter could hope to reach their eats: a : Harry Hamilton was not with the party. i = had stayed behind in command of the eee Captain Diablo, as he faced his young foe, aie : ~ “Tf thank you, Canes Decker, for paying me i “That remains to be ‘secon, my ae trend” 3 the | for a
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FAME AND. FORTUNE WEEKLY. — * Tn their eagerness neither noticed what was happening} With a bound like a tiger, waving his cutlass ‘ti clear to the rest of the combatants, the way, Dick Decker sprung past Captain Diablo. {- A wide space separated them from their followers. The latter was so surprised*that he made no eftort te "Under Ben Barnacle and Bill Bluff the crew of the Al-|stop him. batross were fighting their way back to the boats. Right into the jaws of death the young sailor appeared - Meanwhile, notwithstanding all his efforts, Captaia|{o be rus ching. + * Diablo found it by no means an easy task to get rid of his) For he was madly dashing towards the sens that led age to the pirate stronghold. ; es og In truth,-he had met more than his match, But he felt it was his only chance. : _. For although he might be a better swordsman, the ; ag Sther's youth and activity more than counterbalanced this advantage. _ Step by step the Sea Demon was forced back into the “secret passage. - Blood was falling from his shoulders and body where ie had been wounded by his opponent’s blade. - This infuriated him, and he renewed the attack sav- ee _ But he could not break down his young antagonist’s guard. _ Then from the beach came a wild shout, and the bang- ing of guns and pistols. ~ Looking down rapidly, Captain Diablo saw that the crew of the Albatross had reached their boats and were eae off from the shore. _ Wild though he was at their escape, yet the position of Decker modified his rage. The Sea Demon drew a pistol ‘pists his belt and fired, Bang! The shot re-echoed through the rocky way, but the but- let passed harmlessly by Dick Decker. =f He heard it flatten itself against a rock. ’ . “After him, men, after him!” yelled Captain, Diablo. Like a pack of bloodhounds, with the Sea Demon at — their head, the horde of ruffians dashed after the fugitive. Up the steps toiled Dick Decker, they after him. "i: Now and again one of the pursuers would fire a Pathe but without. doing any damage. The shot served to show how near they were. Once at the top of the steps, Dick Decker ran rapidly along the narrow pathway. Then commenced a descent down the slippery way- that led to the great hall of the stronghold. The pursuers gained rapidly. Dick Decker, turning aorund, could see their hideous faces by the light of the. lanterns they carried. “Heaven help me if I fall into their hands,” he mut a, | “Ha! he roared, savagely. “at last your time has come. ‘Yield I say, yield! You are alone on the island!” tered. ath See At the bottom of the steps, with the pirates ee on his heels, the fugitive redoubled his exertions. oe CHAPTER XIII. He was hoping all the time to discover some hole. or corner where he might hide and elude the ruffians, "f ae "i Bi Ss A few yards only separated the parties. fia oe Bas Ss yates Captain Diablo was taking things easy ule for re saw z Et there was no escape. ioe : Dik arte pee was critical. “Dick Decker,” he cried, sarcastically, “wait for us eee Zs ae awe ‘Diablo. seotiag ape. we 03 standing opposite we'll lend you a lantern, “You'll be sure to atuahle in bg i ¢ ap dark . Outside a crowd of pirates were rushing up the beach uk pees Seibel tise cava! oktecinig wild shouts The words were no sooner out of the Sea Demon’ 3 hae Byery instant they came nearer. when there was a loud ery and the noise of Seige o turn and run for the sea was not pancho: ang pira tea ctapoed. aghast. i a: ee a 4 5 or siboes if he eae the pirates his eSige By 7 a Sy NS Bs apparently ape pit, *, whose base the water whirled and boiled, | Dick Decker — plunged headiong. >. He had forgotten its existence. sae “Blame him!” yelled the Demon. Mg . cae “But he’s dead, captain,” said a pirate. pees ‘Dead, yes, but I wanted to see him die. He ‘spoiled {my plans., ’d arranged a nice little bit of fun, and we'll lose it.” ~ ” % _The men peor round the pee ae
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FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY. WE WANT YOU TO READ “Wieving Picture Stories” e A Weekly Hagazine devoted to Photoplays and Players Absolutely the finest little publication on the news-stands SF PRICE 5 epadates - COPY Se THIRTY-TWO PAGES FINE HALF-TONE FRONTISPIECES Got a oopy of this weekly magazine and see what itis 25. ISSUED EVERY FRIDAY BEAUTIFUL COLORED COVER DESIGNS New portraits of actors and actresses every week EVERY NUMBER CONTAINS Six Gripping Stories, based on the latest and best films, each profusely illustrated with fine half-tones of scenes in the plays. + i Aa ae ae a wd ti Be: S Photographs and Biographies of the most celebrated Photoplay actors and actresses. a Special Articles relating to Moving Pictures, written by the greatest authorities in the film business. aN a ace - | News Notes from the studios about the doings ot everybody ef prominence connected with the Photoplays. spas! Scenario Hints and the names of all the companies who may buy the plays you write. a Poems, Jingles, Jests and every bright feature calculated to interest both young and old. 3 GET A COPY NOW from your newsdealer, or send us 5 cents in money or postage stamps, and we will mail : | you the latest number issued. be & ~ = | FRANK TOUSEY, Publisher aa * hae ' 3 ge West 23d Street New York The Financial Committee of the Board of Aldermen, Chairman Henry H. Curran, announced that in the future New York City departments must be content with plain printing as far as official writing paper is concerned. The ~ committee will not hereafter authorize expenditures for : embossed, engraved or other “classy” kinds of note paper, and the expectation is that the city’s printing bill w a: he cut about $25,000 a year in consequence. “Albert MecQuiglin, thirty-two years old, of Terre Haute, noted; is again under arrest on the charge of forging checks. _ -He has no hands and does the writing: with his teeth. It is his mother’s name he is aceused of forging. He writes name so well that only experts can detect the sig- ature i is not genuine. When arrested some time ago, his 0 her. made “good the amount the son obtained, and he s not ; prosecuted. He has been bound over to the circuit the latest Sheree a > Show’ King, sa six, of Paadcidass Mass..is the west of the university city’s prodigies. He has just throu igh the primary school, receiving three pro- ; and is now the youngest { grammar c pupil Sichet Lester can add half a dozeh ‘mind and give the correct, result mathematical stunts for. ad- Te purchases were made on commission for an unname: lector. bf of rare steiupe has heen cut off from siren sent : nt Sr Because of conspicuous bravery shown in the Russiau campaign in East Prussia a Jewish non-commissioned officer named Miller has been recommended by Gen. Rennenkampff for decoration with almost the highest class of the Order of St. George. Miller ‘enrolled as a yolunteer at the outbreak of the war and later was pro- moted to the rank of non-commissioned officer in a regi- ment of Cossacks. Among his exploits were the capture of a German armored automobile, the seizure of a supply, train, and the taking of a quantity of arms and ammuni- tion. Also, while the Russians were nearing Suwalki, : Miller, disguised as a peasant, entered the German lines - and obtained full details regarding their ‘forces. oi ¥ George R. Tuttle paid $1,750 recently for a ee 1% American postage stamp of the “error issue” of 1869, eae the first public sale of the season by John A. Kiemann, eae: New York City. The stamp is one of a plate printed pe with inverted flags, and collectors know of only three examples of it that have been saved. The price made a ee new high record. Mr, Tuttle also paid $627 for a thirty- — cent American stamp of the issue of-1851, for which a record of $715 had been made at a previous sale. Both . The sale is of uncommon ‘interest. because impo
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hark SS) FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY. The little mining town of Telluride, Col., was virtually Fame and Fortune Weekly wiped off the map when a cloudburst fell in Cornet Creek, P TRWw TE four miles above the main part of the city. Two womens ies Ec ee ee ear were drowned and fifteen children were rescued afier a wall of water from eight to twenty feet high had hit the _ city. A modern Paul Revere warned the citizens of their ~ impending danger from the flood racing down upon them. Gregory Sanchez, a miner, was not working, and while sitting upon his porch he heard the roar of the torrent. He ran half clad into the town, warning every one as he HOW TO SEND Ps Andery gated SOP E TE ‘Marley Order, Ohadk passed. Soon after he had given the warning hundreds Wee acorns Fissas themes tet cama con, "Whesacadlon sive of families were fleeing to the hillsides. the Coin ina be py wee piece of papar is: avoid cutting the envei- P ab Write pour name and address plainly. Address letiers to furcisin Touexy, President” FE k To: , Publisher ” . Sai rhe tome} «168 West 28d Se., N. V. JOKES AND JESTS. Train Robber—Come! shell out! Rural Minister (sad- BRIEF BUT POINTED [TEMS _|')-“1i I had such energetic fellows as you to pass the plate now and then, I might have something to give you.” TERMS TO SUBSCRIBERS 2 Thirteen university girls living at Madison, Wis., have pledged themselves to speak German, play German and __ eat German food during their college year, merely to culti- » vate the German atmosphere and to learn the language to better advantage. The members from the northwest are : Elsie Springer, Mineral Point, Wis.; Agnes Robinson, Council Bluffs, Ia.; Charlotte Harpel, La Crosse, and} 4 eclored woman was arguing and sarpuing 4vith“her = Owner—How does your furnace work this ait Hulda Roade, Esterville, Ia. Miss Anna Essinger of es gid whek she find: Hui@ied: he aatdk “deste eae weather? Tenant—The exercise of raking it keeps me warm enough, but the other members of the family com- plain. German department of the university is the “house talk don’ affect me no mo’ than a flea bite.” “Well,” she mother” at the girls’ club apartments. answered, “I’se gawna keep yo’ seratchin’. » * David Wilson woke up suddenly in the railroad yards early the other morning and thought he was fighting Austrians. He did not. know who he was, but when -switchmen shook him it was learned he was a soldier. He had on nothing but a union suit of underwear. At a local hospital it was found he was a member of the Thirteenth - United States Infentry. In a dream he bad jumped over _ the breastworks and had landed on the ‘ground, out of a _. window of a forty-mile-an-hour special train on the way to the Philippines. “What was the nature of the cruelty you sii ed in the English jail?” was asked of the suffragette. was ae to eat.” “But was that particularly cruel?” “It might not be for a man, but it’s crnel to make a woman do “Dy thing she doesn’t want to.” - wily _ ey ee rar “Daddy, what makes your nose to dreadfully red'?” asked a little boy of his father one day at dinner. “The east wind, of course!” the father answered gruffly. “Pass that. decanter, and don’t talk.so much.” “Yes, Tommy,” said ae the boy’s mother sweetly, “pass your father the east: wind, _ Frank Herse lost a leg at South Bend, Neb., a few|and be careful not to spill any on the table cloth!” days ago when he got his foot caught in the frog of a pare railroad track. A passenger train was approaching and before he could release the foot the train was upon him 80 he simply leaned back and allowed the engine and sey- _eral ears to pass over and crush the cork leg. Herse un- aa fastened the re8 after the train had gone and hopped to One predicts a future forthe schoolboy who wae the following terse narrative about Elijah: “There wasa man named Elijah. He had some bears and he lived in a cave, Some boys tormented him. He said: ‘If you keep on throwing stones at me, I’li turn. the bears on you and ~ they'll eat you up.’ And they did and he did and the — iF bears did.” es Lae - pevbadWenen see 2. eS ‘i Here is another Mark Twain story which may be new to many. He had finished his speech at a coos and on his seating himself a lawyer rose, shoyed h deep into his trousers pockets, as was his habit, analy ake of those Sree “Doesn’t it strike thie = A record shipment by fave post was made from the ai Marysville, Cal., postoffice by the J. R. Garrett Company ee to. firm at Sawyer’s Bar in Siskiyou County. In weight ¢ pment aggregated 11,0€0 pounds—five tons and a e up in 55 pieces, Most every commodity carried by house was represented. ‘The postage on the ie unted to $129.30; ‘Tepresented in be funny?” When the laughter that greeted ‘this. sal had subsided Mark Twain drawled out, “Doesn’t is company as’ a little unusual that a law. as j ;
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> « OF ay 2 nl Lae t IN A DEN OF RATTLESNAKES. By D. W. Stevens bd “Hello, boys, there goes Uncle [ke into the mountains rattlesnake hunting,” yelled Roland Aubrey, one morning, _ to a group of youngsters with whom he was playing. | They stopped their play and called out: “Say, Uncle Ike, can’t we go along? i “Ti’s a mighty good distance, boys; but ef yer think ye kin stand it, yer kin come along,” eried Uncle Ike. | Isaac Daggert, or “Uncle Ike,” as he was familiarly _ called, had been, in his day, a famous backwoodsman and hunter, but as civilization encroached on his wild domain, and increasing years impaired his strength, he had come down from the mountains to live in the village of Avon- dale. But he never lost his love for his old pastimes, and he would tramp the woods for days at a time in search of game. In later years he was called “the rattlesnake hunter,” _ on accotnt of the number he caught alive and shipped to the purchasers in the cities. The boys jumped and danced, aud turned somersaults - with glee at Uncle Ike’s consent, for they knew that they were in for a day’s sport. _ They marched for miles along the base of the Pocono, _ that stands guard over the eastern side of the beautiful Wyoming Valley,:so famed in history aiid song, and in later times for its black diamonds. The old man and _ boys then began to ascend the mountain, along the edge _ of the defile down which pours Roaring Bitook. The - scenery was picturesque and wild. “Boys, we're gittin’ on my old huntin’ grounds, whar : T’ve killed many a bar and deer: Yer see over thar on - other side uv the stream is where I fit a panther. I was _ watchin’ deer cum down to drink, and the critter jumped on ‘me from a tree.” __ “Tt ain’t many years since there used to be Indians in ie these woods,” broke in Roland Aubrey. “Bless yer soul, child, Uncle Ike has nigh lost his scalp 3 many a time, but I was young then. Along this yer route, _ which was then a wilderness, an’ the trees were blazed so that they could follow the way, the settlers what were not killed by the red devils in the massacre—the women and children—fied this way back to York State and Connecti- cat. It’s called to this day ‘The Shadow of Death’.” The old man was in the most talkative mood, and the revival of old scenes and memories made his tongue more : ; “There hain’t any Indians, bears and sedis here now, there, Uncle Ike?” chimed in the tidbit of humanity, Vaal, pee I’ve seen bar here only last week—a ran’ her two cubs. They live in one of them caves ver thar,” pointing to the other side. “I see something black in the water away up the ravine. must be a black stump,” ‘said Roland Aubrey. Tke, ements glance age hed not yet dimmed, “3 forehead, looked ap the ravine and FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY. a Dave Fach, with a timed, yet assuring, air and tone of a6 sale bacon eee 27 “Them’s the bars I seen t’other day; they’re out takin’ a drink.” “Oh, boys, let’s go back; they'll eat us,” the boys, as he shuddered with fright. Uncle Ike chuckled, and, drawing a terrible looking hunting knife, he assured them that there was no danger. They were several hundred feet above the bears, and they were going on beyond where they were. The boys, how- ever, had their eyes open, and kept a sharp lookout on all sides. They did not want to be surprised. After descending the mountain a half mile farther they came to immense ledges of rocks, broken and tumbled about in irregwar and promiscuous confusion, which lay ~~ exposed to the rays of the sun, and with only here and there a stunted forest trée. Taking something from his pocket and placing it in his mouth, Uncle Ike gave a sharp, shrill whistle, and looked around him, “There goes a reptile,” he said, starting for a broad, flat rock, on which the snake had been sunning himsélf and having a quiet snooze; but Ike’s alarm had awakened his snakeship, and it darted in an opposite direction fo escape. But the old man was after it, with a long stick in his cried one of | hand that had two short, sharp pointed prongs at the lower end. When he caught up to the snake he thrust the prongs behind its head, and impaled it to the ground. It was a powerful one, but the old man held it down, while its body and tail writhed around the stick. He stooped over, seized it back of the head with his left hand and held it. firmly, while with his right he took a-small pair of nippers and performed a rapid dental operation by pulling out its poisonous fangs. He opened the lid of his basket, threw the snake in, and fastened the top. “Waal, boys, that’s snake number one. I reckon we're a-goin’ to have luck to-day—it’s jes’ the day, shiny enough fur the reptiles to be out. But I want ter warn ye whar ye step. No tellin’ whar they’re lyin’, and I wouldn’t have one uv yer git bit fur th’ world.” + Ike’s admonition was not needed to spur the boys to watchfulness. The chase Ike had just given and the method of capture was new to them; in fact, somewhat startling. It is not easy, even for fearless, dare-deyil boys, to overcome the common dread that belongs to the race of the venomous crawling part of creation. “The reason I warn ye particularly, boys, is ’cause some on ’em is sheddin’ thar skin, an’ they're more’n half blind. The film uv th’ old skin makes ’em so. Then they lay mighty stupid—half dead; but ef ye step on ’em, they're “4 awake quick enough, I kin tell ye, an’ strike right an’ left, A rattlesnake is an honorable enemy when he’s in his true skin. He gives ye warning that he means ter fight. Bite, BS kin tell whar he is, an’ get ready yerself.” “What makes them’ ral away from a whistle?” ee ie quired Roland. er . “Waal, ye see thar’s a kind uv hawk what flies around = whar rattlesnakes live, and lives on their flesh. When the bird sees-a snake he swoops around, utterin’ a ‘sharp whistle like; this skeers the snake and starts him offons
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Gee Pe : ay » the interior of a Gothic church edifice. ? f <3 the. a she caught the old man’s eye that made him suddenly 28 } the neck, and that’s the last uv the snake. ‘learned to catch ’em, by noticin’ these birds.” ‘The boys were so much interested in the art of capturing a rattlesnake, they wanted to try for themselves, so Uncle Ike consumed some time cutting and preparing some long sticks with sharp prongs on the dower ends. When ready they shouldered arms and advanced in search of the enemy. ' Dangerous as the sport was, it afforded a good deal of amusement to the old man and no little excitement to the boys. Quite a number had been captured and placed in the basket, when, the game becoming scarce, they continued to descend still deeper the steep sides of the ravine, where the dense growth of trees shut out the rays a the sun and ‘enveloped all in semi-darkness. - “Oh, Uncle Ike, here’s a big cave right sistas the moun- tain. How dark it is in there!” “That is what the old hunters used to call Bear Cave. Many’s the time I’ve chased my game in thar when I had “mnissed my aim, and it had got away from me. I tell yer it tried a man’s grit ter follow a bear or a wolf in thar, but -e done it.” * “Do you think there are any in there now?” nervously gudstioned one of his listeners. “Qh, no; what bears an’ other wild animals there is in ‘these parts keep lower down the ravine,” and he went “searching around for some dry pine knots along some old devaying timber. ‘In a few moments he returned, bent down, and ignited the knots. “What are you going to do, Uncle Ike?” asked Roland. ~ “Go into the cave.” _ ~ Uncle Ike took the lead; next came Roland and the rest of the boys, They clambered, over some fallen rocks that had narrowed the entrance, and kept on till they lost sight -of the mouth of the cave. The roof continued to become ' higher and higher the further they advanced, till at they stood in a vast auditorium hewed out by nature’s hand. The oozing water drops upon which the lights shone, glistened and glared like thousands of eyes, the stalactites and stalagmites hung suspended from the ‘roof, some resembling chandeliers, others the ornate work The boys were wrapped in wonder. They advanced till Sebay came to a bench of rock on the left, when Roland, who was all eyes, exclaimed: “Uncle Tke, what is that over there?” pointing in the sae “Hirection. The old man went nearer, and getting on the Be bench, he rolled down something that rattled like bones. cae % bunch of the reptiles’ skeletons,” he coolly remarked. t it made the shivers come over the boys. ~ “Hello! What’s that?” whispered Roland, whose quick ear detected an ominous sound. -“That’s one uv ’em,” said Ike, starting in the direction rattle. guided by the light of his torch, but some- _ Confronting him was a snake of huge proportions, ike of which he had never seen before. On his ap- had coiled itself ready to Spring, i ‘its tee That’s how I FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY. | up an incessant rattle that resounded through. the cave like the quick reveille to awake an army, or the rattle of drums calling “to arms.” . The alarm of the king rattlesnake was followed ¥y a Te- sponse from eyery quarter of the cave. There was a rattling, hissing sound, which increased every moment, The hair stood out in tangent lines on the heads of the boys—goose-pimples gathered on their skins as they lis- tened. “Oh, look at them coming,” breathed out Roland. Sure enough, the mottled reptiles came crawling out of every crevice by the hundred, and gliding down to where their king was giving the alarm, and they, too, joined in the din, angered by the invasion of an enemy. : “Boys, let’s git out as soon as we kin. There’s no use fightin’ ’em ; they’re too many for us. Now, follow me.” | They retreated a few yards, but the king snake glided right across their pathway, surrounded by his bodyguard. “They mean to fight us,” half muttered the old man to. himself. “Well, it’s life or death fur us, so here goes,” and raising his stout green stick that he used to catch with, he swung it in the air, dnd down it came upon the body of the monster, inflicting a serious wound. Ike intended the blow for the head, but the snake was too quick for him, The latter, however, paket, by its wound, sprang into the air, and planted its deadly fangs into the left hand of Ike, between the thumb and fore- finger. He pulled out his hunting knife, and by a terrific blow severed the head of the snake from the body. The blood spurted all over him. Ike took a bottle of whisky from his pocket and drank a — very heavy draught—then, sucking the wound, he hastily covered it with some plant leaves he had with him and u wrapped a bandage about it. The battle raged furiously for some time along the line of retreat, till the party reached the narrowing point of the cave, where the snakes did not form in such large numbers, — Those that did show themselves were quickly dispatched — by the sturdy blows of the old bnunter, and the party quick- ly emerged from the cave into daylight, more dead than ~ alive. They had had a frightfud encounter, with the bur- — den of the fight falling upon Uncle Ike. with blood from head to foot, and his face and body — swollen into a puff. The poison was doing its work. Once — it reached the heart Uncle Ike would be a dead man. “He took out the whisky bottle and emptied it of its contents — in one continuous swallow; he applied some more plants to he the wound on the herid—a ‘remedy he had learned from : the Indians—and fell in a drunken stupor upon the bank, They eagerly watched every sign of returning conscious- i ness in Ike, who had passed the crisis favorably, as had done many a time before, for he had often been bitten — by his own carelessness, and when sufficiently recovered walk, they slowly wended their way home through the darkness. It was after peat when they Bh se st Te, h He was covered
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= A 2 ey County farmer has bought 1,900 goats in New _®Mexico. The animals will be used in killing out sprouts _ on the owner’s land near Rolla. Experience has taught farmers that it takes a goat and a half to the acre to clean up the ground properly, according to the Linneus, ies Bulletin. - Barney Kelly, Chief of Police of Kokomo, Ind., has ex- plained why a sightly sideboard of walnut stands unused in a woodshed. When Ne was a stage carpenter in Boston he spent his idle hours at a crematory and learned that "= the wood of caskets was stored in rooms above. He built _ the sideboard from the caskets and shipped it to Kokomo. When the woman folks learned its history they banished it to the woodshed. 3 ce ‘Like- a chapter from an old-fashioned novel reads the 4 story anearthed by Surrogate Stratton, of Binghamton, uel N,: a in the contest over the estate of Mr. and Mrs. “Orrin Beckwith. This aged couple, found dead from ex- “posure in their cottage last winter, supposedly left no ~ estate. The surrogate’s court disposed of their little place, ‘but when a contractor proceeded to tear it down he found : in the walls forty packages, each containing $1,000. 13? Ed Rosenthal, of Topeka, Kan., an official of the Para- gon Film Company, was instantly killed at Texas, Wis., while taking moving pictures. .A bowlder thrown by a blast which he was photographing, crushed his skull. While photographers from the same company were taking pictures of water sports at Rothschild, the railing of a _~ bridge broke and several men were thrown into the water. fe ae were rescued with difficulty. ‘ canine: a ive: descended 212 fect in Long 4 Sound, establishing, it is said, a new record in -sea diving. ‘The apparatus in which Gentsch ven- ed to depths before unexplored is an ingeniously con- ucted submarine vessel. It is built entirely of metal, | the diver is bolted and screwed Securely inside. The utmost Aepths hitherto attained with safety by-divers had een 100 fect. At that depth, it is said, no man ever ot 0, has lett ‘at least $10,000. Tn her vy she has bequeathed about $7,500 to two to be used for general church | work, to elrose Abbey, Scotland, $1,500, and to Hood, $500. The Rutherford inst. Shee geri FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY. GOOD READING rh to remain for more than een gated be- that city net and a companion, aie: Russell, were ate a | After the stranger recovered Ward paid the hotel bill, -amounting to $14.75, and a doctor’s bill for $9. he ee the Srate he soon or about the ineid ‘$40, 000, a had no. Pahl iden: means of The English and Scotch universities opened their fall terms recently with greatly reduced attendance. Oam- bridge University had only 1,500 students (3,500 last, year), many of those at the institution last year having. joined the army. ‘he other seats of learning have lost, in about the same proportion. Leeds University has sent) more than 150 of its professors and students to the war. The German Rhodes scholars and other German and Ause. trian students. who have been attending English univer- — sities in large numbers are all absent this year, a majority, of them being with their-armies. Edinburgh University’s asking all its German professors and lecturers to resign is; © much commented on. The medical department alone has lost 450 students. Pembroke College, Cambridge Uni-| versity, called the sportsman’s college, sent 200 of its lad students into the army. Workers in the sand pits near Wellington, Col., have, been twice driven from their work in two days by swarms of winged ants. The insects have a bite that is almost; as poisonous as the sting of bees. They have attacked | men and horses alike, causing great lumps and swellings, upon the men and driving the horses nearly frantic. These, flying ants are the hatch of this year. When they attain: maturity, they are equipped with wings, and during the hottest days come to the surface of the sand pits, where! many of them fly away. Some are caught by the peo ed workers in the anthills and they are shorn of their wings) and carried back into the galleries, to become industrious members of the community. The swarms usually come | out early in July, but this year they have been delayed by’ wet weather. Twice teams have run away from the sand, , where the insects were enierging in clouds. Men haye had! — to take gunny sacks and whip into the swarms to drive them .away. They have killed millions of them in this, + manner. mA : Strange are the ways of fate, and stranger yet the vaihe | see which lead to furtune, through a forgotten favor. Maxwell Ward, of Columbia Cross Roads, Pa., is now; ~ worth $40,000 for the simple reason that he kept a receipt lL» | for $23.75, representing the amount of money he years ago to befriend a penniless man. In 1904 Ward was a lineman in Sioux City, Towa. One morning in that al, took him to a hotel and agreed to pay his expenses, eipts. Ward recei 37.508 fen R. oe
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FAME a 5 ~ -*pIDN'T KNOW IT- WAS LOADED. ‘Warren Rhoads, a farmer of Jacksonwald, Pa., says hereafter he will carefully examine yould-be-empty whisky _ barrels before he tries to alter the bungholes; He came to this’conclusion after’ one exploded when he attempted - to enlarge the bunghole with a red-hot poker. Most of his Date was burned oif and many cuts and bruises resulted. Z S exvastiontiin proved that the barre] had been recently > emptied, was still wet, and the red-hot iron formed so * much gas inside that it burst with a crash. — He DISCOVERS RARE PLUM TREE. A plum tree believed to be the only one of its kind in the United Statcs and which yields a fruit unsurpassed, it 48 declared, by any of the products of the orchards of California or Oregen, - Catholic Indian mission at Assinins, Baraga County, ~ Mich.; for many years and each season has borne abund- -antly. Tts existence has become known to the general pub- ee dis ‘only recently. The tree is believed to be of European origin and is thought, to have been planted by Bishop Baraga, a pioneer eee of upper Michigan and founder of the Assinins - mission. It was discovered recently by Leo M. Geismar, farm ex- "pert for Houghton County. The agriculturist has been oe oe 7 a _ unable to identify the species, but is so enthusiastic he is Ba arranging to perpetuate the tree. ‘BIG CROP OF TURKEYS. “ “While prolonged drought has adversely affected many “crops, it has tended to keep the young turkeys’ feet dry, _ thereby assuring a large and fine crop of turkeys for Thanksgiving,” says Charlotte R. Bangs. “It’s too early ae predict exact prices, but if plentifulness means cheap- ness, then they should be very cheap this year. There is “g Hkelihood, however, that the farmer will hold on for a od price. It is believed that if he does, the best grades ill bring 22 to 23 cents wholesale, which would mean at ast 25 to 28 cents at retail. ssouri sends the most turkeys to mca: with Sided Ohio, sca ecias and Tennessee prominent. ith other States, and could never supply the de- r Manhattan alone. 3 is no gage in securing de ponted game. Will be $3.50 to $4 a pair, and plover $5 to $6 a pair. Venison is sees this 1 os Sa nage feb ee Yh ARTICLES OF ALL KINDS has been growing at the Roman} | plained. One of the most simple was the very elemental action produces prussic acid gas, prohably ibe most one j}ous gas generally known. e handled—with a teacupful of vinegar, would mak i) gas, if properly dispersed, to suffocate as many could be | into Madi AND FORTUNE WEEKLY. ferring to place the invention at the service of his: own, Government. He has satisfactorily carried out experi- = ments before an Italian commission, and he is coming here to lecture on ‘his invention. ‘= The apparatus costs about $3. It is capable of inter- ; cepting messages from the Hiffel Tower, 730 miles from Aquila. In speaking of Prof. Argentieri’s invention a few days ago -Father Alfani, Director of’ the Florence Observatory, related after the declaration of war the Italian Government forced all private wireless stations, including that of the Florence Observatory, to discontinue operations. The next day Father Alfani obtained from _ Prof. Argentieri copies of official wireless messages which — the Professor had been able to intercept without a wireless installation. There were many ways to do this, Father Alfani ex- expedient of.sticking two steel needles into a potato. A DEADLY GAS SHELL. Is the German army using shells which, when they burst, liberate gases that kill men? For more than five years past Gérmany has been experi- menting with guns and projectiles adapted for the use of © explosives that cannot be safely placed in the ordinary shell. On Aug. 24. 1909, the United States Patent Office issued letters patent to Karl Wieser of Bredeney-am-Ruhr fer a projectile the diameter of which is greater than the bore of the gun which fires it. The shell, in the Wieser — patent, was to be attached loosely to a steel shaft, then the _ shaft was to be fired, with the shell on the forward end of — it. Attached to the muzzle of the gun was a weight so. arranged that when the shaft was projected out of the — barrel: it engaged stops which checked the flight of te, shaft and so detached it from the flying shell. os, Wieser transferred his patent right to the Krupp Com- pany, and came back with an application for a new patent - (granted Sept. 12, 1911) for a simpler shaft. Evidently _ the Krupps saw enough merit in the diabolical contrivance to urge the inventor to perfect it. A handful ef gun-cotton placed in a thin-walled shell os of the Wieser tvpe with. forty, fifty or more pounds of: . i cyanide of potassium will scatter the cyanide so thorougiily that when the day’s work of destruction is over there is. z nothing to show how the dead men met their end. Gases could be generated in the shell in many ways When an acid comes into contact with cyanides the re- One brick—the commercial - rhntrs in which cyanide is ah crowded: Garden, es Squa
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> my IMITATION GOLD TEETH. § Giise Gold pfated tooth, shape made so that it will ft any tooth. Price, 5c., postpaid. _H, F. LANG, 1815 Centre St., B’klyn, N. Y. A NEW SQUIRT BADGE. : Great fun for the mil- Mon! Wear it in your buttonhole and then press the bulb and watch the other fellow run. Price, 4c. Cc. New York City. —_eo——__--—__---- POOKET SAVINGS BANE. A perfect little bank, handsomely nickel plated. Holds just five dol- lars (50 dimes). It cannot be opened until the bank is full, when it can be readily emptied and re- locked, ready to be again refilled. Every parent should see that their ehildren have 2 small savings bank, as the early habit of saving their dimes is of the atest importance, Habits formed im ¢ariy Nife are sel- dom forgotten in later years, Price of this Httle bank, 10c.; 3 for 25c., mailed postpaid, WOLFF NOVELTY CO., 29 W. 26th St., N. ¥.. NEW SURPRISE NOVELTY. Foxy Grandpa, Mr, Peewee tistically colored, to which fg attached a long rubber tube, connected with a rub- ber ball, which can be filled with water, the rubber ball being carried in the pocket, a slight pressure on the bulb causes & long stream, the re- sult can easily be seen. Price, 15¢., Postpaid. BEHR, 1505W. 62d St., New York City. MYSTERIOUS SKULL. Shines in the dark. The most frightful ghost ever shown. A more startling effect could not be found. Not only will it afford tremendous amusement, but it is guaranteed to scare away bur- giars, bill collectors, and bcok agents. It cannot get out of order and can be used repeatedly. Price, 4x5 inches, 15c.; by mail. WOLFF NOVELTY CO., 29 W. 26th St., N. Y. TRICK PUZZLBE PURSE.— The first at- tempt usually made to open it, is to press down the ttle knob in the centre of purse, when 2& small needle runs out and stabs them in the finger, but does not open it. You can open it be- fore their eyes and still c. : they will be unable to open it. Price by maii, postpaid, 25¢, each. HH. F. LANG, 1815 Centre St., B’klyn, N. ¥. JUMPING JACK FENCIn, This pencil is mede up in handsome style and —<—saE looks so inviting that — every one wit! want to look at ft. The natural thing to do is to write with [t, and just as soon as your friend “+ tries te write, the entire inside of the pencil files back like a jumping jack, and ‘Mr. Nosy” will be frightened stiff. It is one of ‘our best pencil tricks and you will have a hard job trying to keep it. Your friends will try to take it from you. Price by mail, post- paid, 100, z 4. A. WaAREORD, 16 Hart St., Brooklyn, N. ¥. ae THE HIDEOUS SPIDER. i. Fun for every- body with one of these handsome brutes. His body is $ inches long, beautifully enamel- BEHR, 156 W. 62d St: and other comical faces ar- | ' JAPANESE TRICK KNIFE. You can show the knife and instantly draw it across your finger, apparently cutting deep into the flesh. The red blood appears on the blade of the knife, giving a startling effect to the spectators. The knife ig removed and the finger is found in good condition. ite an effective illusion. Price 1 each by mail. WOLKE NOVELTY CO., 29 W. 26th St., N. ¥. PICE-ME-OUT PUZZLE. The head is finished in black japan, and in the Pmouth is a highly polished steel ball. The puzzle is to pick out the bail. Price, 1€c.; 3 for 25e, by mail, postpaid, FRANK SMITH 883 Lenox Ave., N. ¥. — CHINESE RING PUZZLE. Here is e genuine “corker.” The object is to remove the handle from the rings. Made BS of polished brass and each one in a box. The bar can be taken out and replaced in less than five minutes without bending the rings or bar, when you know how to do the trick. Price by mail, postpaid, 19c.; 8 for 25e, ©. BEHR, 150 W. 62d St., New York City. RISING PENCIL, —-The performer ex- hibits an ordinary pencil and shews it top and bottom, The pencil is laid on th< palm, the performer calling attention to his hypnotic power over innate objects. The pencil is seen slowly to rise, fol- lowing the move- ! ments of the other hend. The witnesses are asked to pass their hand around it to assure themselves no thread or hair is used. Price, 25c. H. F. LANG, 1815 Centre St., B’klyn; N. Y. OF FUN Guam Ventriloguist Double Threat Fits roof of mouth; always livinible; grestest thing yet. Astonish sod mystify your friends, Neigh like a horee; whine like a ; stn, Nike # canary, and imitate birds can tonesaat ‘he Geld and forest. Londs of fun, Woader- julinvention. Thotssuds sold. send s dime LOTS a DOUBLE THROAT CO., Dept K, Frenchtown, NIL Old Coins Rams hoe | ald for before 1895. Send 1@c forour ili strated coin value book 4x7; get posted, Clark d& Co., box 95, Le Roy, N. ¥. i / | | | | | | | | j | | KORKER Repeating . LIQUID PISTOL ° Will stop the most vicious dog or man) without pormanernt injury. Perfectiy sale to carry with- Y out danger of leakaze. Pires and re- - | charges by palling the trigger. Loads from any Liquid. | No cartridges required. Over six sbote in one loading. All deslers, or by mafl, 25e. Pistol with rubber-covered | holster, 80¢. Holsters separate, 100. Send money order or U. & ae PARKER, STEARNS & 0., 273 Georgia Ave., Brooklyn, N. Y. k . Wri BOYS, GIRLS, Tow tor ranticaees, So * BAUGH COMPANY, Springfield, Mo. ROUGH RIDER DISCO PISTOLS, Made of nicely cole / red wood 5% inches long. The power ts furnished” by rubber! bands. Ten discs of Dist Estee de. coeke pistol. ice, postpaid. | WOLFF NOVELTY CO., 29 W. 26th &t., N. ¥, are a fan and a to the form 0; spectator 14 requested mentaily select one of the four. The cards are now ‘ shuffled and one is openly ~ ag taken away and placed in his pocket. The performer remarks that hs has taken the card mentally selected by the spectator. The three cards are now displayed and the selected card it found to be missing. Reaching in his pocket the performer removes and exhibits the chesen ca Price, 15e. a. A. WARFORD, 16 Hart St., Brooklyn, N. Y. THE FRIGHTFUL RATTLESNASE! To all appearance it isa harmless piece-of coiled paper with a mouth- piece attachment, but upon placing it to one's : mouth, and blowing Hes . into the tube, an imita- : tion snake over two feet in length springs out of the roll like a flash of lightning, producing a whistling, flut- tering sound that would frighten a wild In- dian. We guarantee our rattlesnake not to bite, but would not advise you to play the _ on timid women or delicate children. ach snake packed in a box. Price, 10c.; 3 for 25¢e., mailed postpaid, WOLFF NOVELTY CO., 29 W. 26th St., N. ¥. = EUBBER TACKS, They come six tin a box, A wonderful imitation of the real tack. Made of rubber. The box in which they come is the ordinary tack box. This is a great parlor entertainer and you can play a lot of tricks with the tacks, Place them in the palm of your hand, ad green, with point upward. Then slap white ridges, yel- tacks aed we wih conte et b re w seem ac ell wah six logs and twe show the tacke and then wae thet to sue t feelers, made of flexible cpiral springs. | youth and chew them, making ‘believe rod be 3 you / have swallowed them. San8 friends wiil think en, agaid. you can | exhibit the tacks and then quickly push one jin your cheek or somebody elss’s cheek and they will shriek with fear. Absolutely harm- less and a va practical and funny joka ESR TLANG: Hits “cashes Ei, Ee you are 2 magician. APPEARING BILLIARD BALL.—A solid | billiard ball, beautifully made, can be made to appear in the bare hands with the sleeves rolled back to elbows. Very fine and easy to do. Price, 350. . LANG, 1815 Centre St., B’kiyn, N. ¥. AUTOMATIC COPYING PENCIL. The importance of carrying a good re- Hable pencil need not be dwelt upon here. It is an absolute ne- cessity with us all, pencil is beautifully. box-wood handle, give in writing; the pencil auto- matically supplies the lead as needed while &@ box of these long leads are given with each pencil. The writing of this pencil is indelible the same as ink, and thus can be in writing letters, addressing envelopes, Bills of account or invoices made out ww this pencil can be copied the same as if copy- ing ink was used. It is the handiest penail on the market; you do not uire a to keep it sharp; it is ever ready, ever and just the thing to carry. Price of pencil, with box of ds complete, only We. ; 8 for Bes one dozen We. postpaid. WOLFF NOVELTY CO., 29 W. 26th &t,, N. ¥, The holder this nickeled with grooved ing a firm grip or Fat and Lean Funny Paces By in these mirruya uy right your features hecome = io sa elongated. Look Into ts eg the tices eottienl r ‘ ———| MAGIC MIRROR | in a bond: morocco case.
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5 LAUGHING CAMERA. Byerybody grotesquely photographed; stout peo- ple look thin, and vice versa. Price, 25c. postpaid. WOLFF NOVELTY CO., 29 W. 26th St., N. ¥. ALUMINUM DRINKING CUPS. These handsome little cups are very handy in size, do not leak, and are Satin fAnished. When com- pressed, can be carried in the vest pocket. They hoid a good quantity of liqu‘d, and are very strong, light, oF i aaa Price, 144. eac’ pe WOLFY NOVELTY CO., 29 W. 26th St., N. ¥. ' FALSE NOSES. Change your face! barrel of fun! They are elike reproductions of noses, made of shaped cloth, waxed, and colored. en placed over your none, they re- main on securely, and only @ close imspection reveals their false character. All shapes, such as puss, lemons, and rum blossoms. Bet- ter than a false face. Can be carried in the ,vest pocket. Price, by mail, 10c. each. B. F. LANG, 1815 Centre St., B’kiyn, N. Y. Have & life- funny THE DEVIL’S CARD TRICK.—From three cards held in the hand anyone is asked to mentally select one. All three cards are laced in a hat and the performer removes the two that the audience did not select and passing the hat to them their card has mysteriously vanished. A great climax; highly recommended. Price, 10¢, FRANK SMITH, 388 Lenox Ave., N. Y. ————_—-- —-—— post- | hooks, short-horn | THE HELLO PUZZLE Can you get the ring off? This puzzle is the latest cre- ation of Yankee ingenuity. Apparently it is the easiest thing in the world to remove the ring from the biock, but it takes hours of study to Giscover the trick, unless you know how it is @one. Price by mail, postpaid, 10c.; 8 for 25e. H. F. LANG, 1815 Centre St., B’klyn, N. Y. FOUR WEEKS (A LOUD BOOK). Has the absolute and exact shape of a book in cloth. Up- on the opening of the book, after having it set up accord- ing to directions furnished, a loud report similar to that of a pistol-shot will be heard, much to the amazement and surprise of the victim. Caps not mailable; can be bought at any toy store. Price, 65c. by mail, postpaid. WOLEF NOVELTY CO., 2% W. 26th St., N. ¥. THE BUCULO CIGAR. The most remarkable trick-cigar in the world, It smokes without tobecco, and never gets smaller. Anyone can have a world of fun with it, especially if you smoke it in the presence of a person who dislikes the odor of tobacco. It looks exactly like a fine per- fecto, and the stnoke fs go real that it is bound to deceive the closest observer. Price, 12c. each, postpaid, ©. BEHR, 150 W. 62d St., New York City. IMITATION CIGAR BUTT. . It is made of a composition, exactly resembling a lighted cigar. The white ashes at the end and the imitation of to- bacco-leaf being perfect. You can carelessly place it on top of the tablecioth or any other ex- pensive piece of furniture, and | await the result. After they see the joke everybody will have a good laugh. rice, 10c. each by mail, postpaid; $ for 25e. H. F. LANG, 1815 Centre St., B’klyn, N. Y. A GRAND PREMIUM Made of aluminum, Ke Gee stylographic ink pen- lar pencil on the market. your vest pocket. THE CROWN STYLO. satin finish, guaran- teed not to leak. This cil is made on a new plan. it carinot cor= rode aud will outlast and outclass any simi- writer, and is easily kept in order. Bach one packed with a filler, and a clip to hold it, . Price, 25c. each,’ post: H. F. LANG, 1815 Centre Sit., B’kiyny N. ¥. MAGIC PUZZLE | KEYS. Two keys Interlock- ed in such a manner it seems impossible to separate them, but when learned it is easily done. Price, 6c., postpaid. WOLFF NOVELTY CO., 29 W. 26th St., N. ¥. PIN MOUSE. It is made of cast metal and has the exact color, shape and -} size of a live mouse. Pinned on | your or somebody else’s clothes, : will have a startling effect upon » the spectators. The screaming fun had by this little novelty, especially in the presence of ladies, is more than can be im- agined. If a cat happens to be there, there's no other fun to be compared with it. Price, 10c. each by mail, postpaid; 3 for 25e FRANK SMITH, 383 Lenox Ave., N. ¥. NORWEGIAN MOUSE. A very large gray mousé, measuring 8 inches from tip of nose to end of tail. The body of mouse is hollow. Place your first finger in his body, and then by moying your finger up and down, the mouse appears to be running up your sieeve. Enter a room where there are iadies, with the mouse runn’ag up your sleeve, and you will see a rapid scat- tering of the fair sex. Many practical jokes can be perpe- trated with this small rodent. Price, 16c.; 3 for 25c. mailed, postpaid. C. BEHR, 150 W. 62d St., New York City. Look! One of these fine watches FREE to anyone sending us One—] yeer’s subscription at. . . Two—6 months’ subscriptions at . . Four—3 months’ subscriptions at. . $2.50 1.25 each 0.65 each For either of the following: “Moving Picture Stories,” “Happy Days,” “Wild West Weekly,” “Fame and For- tune Weekly,” “The Liberty Boys of 776,” “Secret Service,” “Work and Win,” or “Pluck and Luck.” only one condition—send us the money ($2.50) send you the watch, and any one of the above publications for the pertod subscribed for. Description of the Watch Tt ts American-made, epen face, stem wind and set, and will run from 80 to 36 hours with one winding. The movement is the same size as an expensive railroad timepiece, absolutely accurate, and each one is guaranteed. The cases are made in Gold Piate, Polished Nickel, Gun-metal with Gilt center and plain Gun-metal. The design on the back ease is a fancy engraved scroll. Send In Your Subscriptions Now to - sceeccccees-Btate. Settee eee eee eee FRANK TOUSEY, Publisher 168 West 23d St.,N. Y. ime + It is a splendid « ‘ City |
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way Pee Ad
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—LATEST ISSUES— 449 Tom, the Steeple Jack; or, Winning a Living by Nerve. 421 Fighting for Fame, or, The Struggles of a Young Author. 450 Saving a Million; or, Ben and the Wall Street Brokers. 422 Stocks and Bonds; or, The Firm Witha Grip on the Market. A | 451 Down and Out; or, A Hard Boy to Beat. Wall Street story. ‘452 The Boy Banker's Double; or, A Strange Wall Street Mystery. £23 Stranded in the City; or, The Boy with a Head for Business. 453 The Young Beach Comber; or, A Fortune From the Sand. 424 Getting the Coin; cr, The Luckiest Lad in Wall Street. 454 The Little Boss; or, After the Wall Street Money Kings. #25 In the Lumber Trade; or, A Winning Speculator. 455 $250,000 In Gold; or, wie A a Hindoo Treasure. ot 8 426 A Boy's Big Deal; or, The Wall Street Tip That Won. 456 A Corner in Money; or, Beating the Wall Street Money Sharks. 427 Prince, the Printer; or, The Little Shop That Was Made to Pay. | 457 Going it Alone; or, The Boy Who Made His Own Luck. 428 The Little Money King; or, Tempting Fate in Wall Street. 458 Little Dan Tucker; or, Making Big Money in Wall St. 429 Among the Missing; or, The Treasure of the Silver City. 459 Fighting for Business; or, Beating a Bad Start. * 430 Lucky Larry; or, The Boy Who Made Wall Street Take Notice. | 489 A Boy Money Maker; or, In Wall Street on His Nerve. 431 The Young Wrecker; or, The Boy Who Dealt in Derelicts: 461 Buried Gold; or, T Treasure of the Old Buccaneers. 432 In the Game for Gold: or, Beating the Wall St iMarket, 462 Hitting it-Rich; or, The Luckiest Firm in Wall St. ae votes 4 Abn, reet - Marke 463 Sam, the Salesman; or, The Boy With the Silver Tongue. 433 Messenger Sixty-Four; or, Hustling for a Living. 464 Playing in Luck; or, a Plotter’s Dangerous Deal 434 Old Kitson’s Kid; or, ‘The Best Tip in Wall Street. 465 After a Big Stake; or, Brains Against Brawn 435 Lineman Jack; or, The Boy Who Built a Business. 466 Facing the Mexicans; or, The Secret Of the Aztec’s Gold. > Barry & Co., Bankers and Brokers; or, The Boy Money-Makers in 467 Fighting For Fame; or, The Luck Of a Young Contractor. Wall Street. 468 Geckine a Lost Treasure; or, The Nerve Of a Young Explorer. 437 On the Fast Mail; or. From Clerk to Postmaster. 469 Matt, the Mechanic; or, The Boy Who Made His Pile. 438 His Last Chance; or, The Boy Who Made Money in Wall Street. 470 Among the Ice Peaks; or, The Voyage That Made the Money. 439 Shipped to Sea; or, The Treasures of the Coral Cave. 471 The Little Castaways; or, The Fortune That a Wreck Brought 440 An Errand Boy’s Fortune: or, The Office of Wall Street Secrets. 472 Taking Big Chances; or, The Boy Who Saved a Town. 441 In the Film Game; or, The Boy Who Made Moving Pictures. 473 Always Lucky; or, Winning on His Merits. 442 A Smart New York Boy; or, From the Tenements to Wal! Street. | 474 Out for a Corner; or, A Smart Chicago Boy. 443 Mark Milton’s Mine; or, a Schoolboy’s Inheritance. 475 The Winning Trick; or, How a Boy Made His Mark. 444 The Young Banker; or, The Mystery of a Money Box. 476 The Young Editor; or, Running a Country Newspaper. 445 The Secret Chart. or, The Golden Treasure of the Crater. 446 The Boy Behind the Deals; or, The Luck of a Wall Street Broker. 447 Thrown on the World: or, Starting Business on a Dollar. 448 A Speculator at 16; or, The Lad. Who Worked His Brains. For sale by al) newsdealers, or will be sent to any address on receipt of price, 5 cents per copy, in money or postage stamps, Dy FRANK TOUSEY, Publisher, - - - - - - - - - - 168 West 23d St., New York. IF YOU WANT ANY BACK NUMBERS ef our weeklies and cannot procure them trom newsdealers, they can be obtained from this office direct. Write out and fill in your Order and send it to us with the price of the week lies you want and we will send them to you by return mail. POSTAGE STAMPS TAKEN THE SAME AS MONEY. 168 West 23d St., New York. FRANK TOUSEY, Publisher, - - . - - - . « = ~ ounR TEW-CENT HAND BOOES No. 1. NAPOLEON’S ORACULUM AND ; ETIQUETTE.—It is a great life secret, and No. 30. HOW TO COOK.—One of the most DREAM BOOK.—Containing the great oracle | one that every young man desires to know all instructive books on cooking ever published. - ef human destiny; also the true meaning of | about. There’s happiness in it. It contains recipes for cooking meats, fish, almost any kind of dreams, together with No. 14. HOW TO MAKE CANDY.—A game, and oysters; aiso pies, puddings, cakes charms, ceremonies, and curious games of cards. No. 2. HOW TO DO TRICKS.—The great book of magic and card tricks, containing full instruction on all the leading card tricks of the day, also the most popular magical illu- sicns as performed by our leading magicians; every boy should obtain a copy of this book. No. 3. HOW TO FLIRT.—The arts and wiles of flirtation are fully explained by this Httle book. Besides the various methods of handkerchief, fan. glove, parasol, window and het flirtation, it contains a full list of the language and sentiment of flowers. No. 4. HOW TO DANCE is the title of this little book. It contains full instructions in the art of dancing, etiquette in the ball- Foom and at parties, how to dress, and full or for calling off in all popular square ces. No. 5. HOW TO MAKE LOVE.—A com- piete. guide to love, courtship and marriage, ving sensible advice, rules and etiquette to observed, with many curious and interest- things not generally known. No, 6. HOW TO BECOME AN ATHLETE, —Giving full instruction for the use of dumb- bells, Indian clubs, parallel bars, horizontal bars and various other methods of developing good, healthy muscle; containing over sixty fiustrations. ~ No. 7 HOW TO KEEP BIRDS.—Hand- gomely illustrated and containing full instruc- tions for the management and training of the canary, mockingbird, bobolink, blackbird, paro- LS ‘parrot, etc. No. 9 HOW TO BECOME A VENTRILO- QUl .—By Harry Kennedy. Every intelli- gent boy reading this book of instructions can master the art, and create any amount of fun for himself and friends. It is the greatest book ever published. No. 10. HOW TO BOX.—The art of self- defense made easy. Containing over thirty iliustrations of ards, blows, and the differ- ent positions of a good boxer. Every boy should obtain one of these useful and instruc- tive books, as it will teach you how to box without an instructor. No. 11. HOW TO WRITE LOVE-LETTERS. —A most complete little book, <ontaining full rections for writing love-letters, and when 3 to use them, giving specimen letters paged = No. 12. BANK TOUSEY, Publisher, - complete hand-book for making all kinds of candy, ice-cream, syrups, essences, etc., etc. No. 18. HOW TO BECOME BEAUTIFUL. —One of the brightest and most valuable Httle books ever given to the world. Every- body wishes to know how to become beauti- ful, both male and female. The secret is simple, and almost costless. No. 20. HOW TO ENTERTAIN AN EVEN- ING PARTY.—A complete compendium of games, sports, card diversions, comic recita- tions, etc., suitable for parlor or drawing- room entertainment. It contains more for the money than any book published. No 21. HOW TO HUNT AND FISH.—The most complete hunting and fishing guide ever Published. It contains full instructions about guns, hunting dogs, traps, trapping and fish- ae together with description of game and sh. No. 22. HOW TO DO SECOND SIGHT.— Heller’s second sight explained by his former assistant, Fred Hunt, Jr. Explaining how the secret dialogues were carried on between the magician and the boy on the stage; also giv- ing all the codes and signals. «No. 23. HOW TO EXPLAIN DREAMS.— This little book gives the explanation to all kinds of dreams, together with lucky and unlucky days. No. 24. HOW TO WRITE LETTERS TO GENTLEMEN.—Containing ful! directions for writing to gentlemen on al! subjects. No. 25. HOW TO BECOME A GYMNAST.— Containing full instructions for all kinds of nastic sports and athletic exercises. Em- racing thirty-five illustrations, By Professor W. Macdonald. No, 26. HOW TO ROW, SAIL AND BUILD A BOAT.—Fully illustrated. Full instructions _ are given in this little book, together with in- structions on swimming and riding, companion sports to boating. No. 27. HOW TO RECITE AND BOOK OF RECITATIONS.—Containing the most popular selections in use, comprising Dutch dialect, French dialect, Yankee and Irish dialect pieces, together with many standard readings. No. 28. HOW TELL FORTUNES.— Everyone is desirous of knowing what his fu- ture life will bring forth, whether happiness or misery, wealth or poverty. You can tell by a glance at this little book. Buy one and be conv: a No. 29. HOW TO BECOME AN INVEN- TOR.—Every boy should know how inventions originated. This book explains them all, giv- ing example in electricity, hydraulics, magne- tism, optics, pneumatics, mechanics, etc. Vor sale by all newsdealers, or will be sent to any address on receipt of price, 10 cts. per copy, or 8 for 25 cts., in money or postage and all kinds of pastry, and a grand collec- tion of recipes. No. 31. HOW TO BECOME A SPEAKER. —Containing fourteem illustrations, giving the different positions requisite to become a good speaker, reader and elocutionist. Also con- taining gems from al] the popular authors of prose and poetry. No. 82. oO TO RIDE A _ BICYCLE.— Containing instructions for beginners, choice of a machine, hints on training, etc. A com- plete book. Full of practical illustrations. No. 35. HOW TO PLAY GAMES.—A com- plete and useful little book, containing the rules and regulations of billiards, bagatelle, backgammon, croquet, dominoes, ete. No. 36. HOW TO SOLVE CONUNDRUMS. —Containing all the leading conundrums of the day, amusing riddles, curious catches and witty sayings. No. 38. HOW TO BECOME YOUR OWN DOCTOR.—A wonderful book, containing use- ful and practical information in the treatment of ordinary diseases and ailments common to every family. Abounding in useful and effec- tive recipes for general complaints, No. 39. HOW TO RAISE DOGS, POULTRY, PIGEONS AND RABBITS.—A useful and in- structive book. Handsomely illustrated. No, 40. HOW TO MAK D SET TRAPS. —Iincluding hints on how to catch moles, weasels, otter, rats, squirrels and birds. Also how to cure skins. Copliously illustrated. No. 41. THE BOYS OF NEW YORK END MEN’S JOKE BOOK.—Containing a great va- riety of the latest jokes used by the most famous end men. No amateur minstrels is complete without this wonderful little book. No. 42. THE BOYS OF NEW YORK STUMP SPEAKER.—Containing a variea as- sortment of stump speeches, Negro, Dutch: and Irish. Also end men’s jokes. Just the thing | for home amusement and amateur shows. r No, 43. HOW TO BECOME A MAGICIAN, — —Containing the grandest assortment of mag- ical illusions ever placed before the public. Also tricka with cards. incantations, etc. No. 44. HOW TO WRITE IN AN AL- BUM.—A grand collection of Album Verses suitable for any time and occasion; embrac- ing Lines of Love, Affection, Sentiment, Hu- mor, Respect, and Condolence; also Verses Suitable for Valentines and Weddings. o-- No, 45. THE BOYS OF NEW YO MIN- STREL GUIDE AND JOKE BOOK.—Some- thing new and very instructive. Every boy should obtain this book, as it contains < instructions for organizing an amateur min-! stre] troupe. m P - 168 West 23d St.. N a