Fame And Fortune Weekly (no. 561) (1916 06 30)

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No. 561, JUNE 30, 1916 Panrea UIE sy sTORIES OF Boys THAT MAKE MONEY. RST IN THE Se PS oe Sets At ey Ll. wee Serer > Dee —_ b i Bob suddenly grabbed Max Fowler and exclaimed: “Now, then, saessy-thires for. vont March— one, two, three!” The third step landed Fowler on the threshold of the shop, and a push completed his ignominious exit,

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= FAMEAND FORTUNE WEEKLY STORIES OF BOYS WHO MAKE MONEY Issued Weekly—By Subscription $2.50 per year.- Entered at the New York, N. Y., Post Offiee as. Second-Olass Matter by Frank Tousey, Publisher, 168 West 23d Street, New York. No. 561. NEW YORK, JUNE 30, 19169 MAR 14 192@ Price 5 Cents. ~ > CHAPTER L THE BOOM AT RIVERDALE. “Say, Joe,” said Bob Channing, looking up from the copy} of the Westgate semi-weekly “Times” he was reading, as his| * chum, Joe Craig, came apthing up the gravel path that led ; from the shady street to the veranda of the Channing cot- _ tage, “what do you think? That one-horse little village of Riverdale, ten miles below here, has got a boom on.” “So T heard my father say the other day,” replied Joe; “but I didn’t take much stock in the report. Has the ‘Times’ got Something to say about it this morning?” ' “Yes; a whole lot.” “Let's hear,” said Joe, in a tone of some interest. Riverdale hasn’t even got a bank, I understand.” “That’s right. —_— i “Why, people. When er had an offer lied Joe, “for I wouldn’t ve you move away. We’ve been chums ever since here to live, and I’d feel lost without you.” here, Joe. © Still. now that I’m through school, ané have got to get to work, if I had any capital a growing place j such as Riverdale promises to be from this out, is just the “4 spot I'd like to anchor in and start a business of my own.” : “Is that so?” asked Joe, in some surprise. “Why?” - “Because the fellow who is first in the field is the one who you came “ By: Pe a stationery and I t, and candy within hailing distance of this burg.” _- “0h, I don’t. know. of our Western villages rake ‘ Riverdale seems to be started on, it to become a place of some impor- BY A SELF-MADE MAN Ye sa.” 4 6 yy Le Oy, “ep <p Bing by, Joe didn’t take the same enthusiastic view of the subject — Bob did, for he was built on different lines from his chum. He had never thought about going into any business for a , probably because he was somewhat deficient in am- ion. F Bob. on the contrary, was a pushing, ambitious , always . scheming and planning with an eye to the future. me day - he meant to be his own boss, and he didn’t intend to permit the grass to grow under his feet just because he did not see any immediate prospect of reaching that desirable condition. While it is true that there is a saying that. all things come to him who waits, it does not exactly mean that success comes to him who, Wilkins Micawber-like, waits for something to turn up. ; : : Bob, while obliged by circumstances to wait until thi began to come his way, was a boy who was wide a : enough to scent a favorable slant of good luck in the distance Ni rome hustle to meet it half way and grab it before it got y him. He was determined when Fortune knocked at his door to be right on hand to tell the capricious dame to walk in and . make herself at home. ‘ : In fact, he would have helped her to take her hat and cape ff, and pushed a chair forward for her to sit down, so that ihe couldn’t find any excuse for leaving. - yr Bob’s energy and perseverance made him a general favor- ite with his comrades, for he took the lead in all-sports, and ~ made things hum when he was around. : ; Whether it was at a game of baseball, or a row on the river. . that ran by the town, or a spin on the wheel, or a tackle at football, he went at it as though it was the business of ¢: life, and consequently he became a shining mark among school-fellows, and they were proud to acknowledge him as their leader. eay le 3 = ih Bob’s father and mother were naturally very proud Fa and the former especially said that the boy was a comer, ; from all indications he seemed to be right. ‘ : Oe: “Well,” said Joe, in ‘answer to last’ hear what the ‘Times’ has to say about Riverdale.” , . “It has this to say,” replied Bob, picking up the rea referring to the column in whi¢h the news 1 tts Then he read out all the particulars printed -

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found it advantageous to their interests to begin the immedi- ion of a branch line from Centerville, the near- on ate est town to Riverdale. Sidney Graham, proprietor of the Graham Mill, sed er ad, in view of the expanding interests of Riverdale, recently applied lish a bank, and this would be opened eral of the more important residents of the village, for a charter to for business as soon as the necessary formalities had been gone through with. soon to be introduced into the place. than a The Westgate “Times” did not apprehend that the boom would hurt the growth of that town in the least, and it there- the occasion to fore too! congratulate the little village on a lively little town that ‘will cake geen stle on to keep in the van.” d “Ho! Don’t you believe it. Riverdale will never get with- hailing distance of this place.” ‘ “Is that so? Well, don’t you be too sure of it. Remember, one advantage over this town: it’s practically-at the of navigation on the river. The shallows, two miles this side of Riverdale, where the river narrows out through the woods, cuts off Westgate from the east by water. No craft of any depth can pass that point. Snake River, so far as this lace is concerned, is little better than a long and narrow e.”” + “What of it? Westgate hasn’t much use for the river, any- . The railroad is good enough for us. River navigatio out of date.” 2 “No, it isn’t out of date, by any means. However, I won't argue the matter, as it would only be a waste of time. All I can say is, that if I had a little capital I'd go right to River- _ dale now, rent a shop as close to new railroad station-as I could get, and open up a business on the lines I mentioned. “And you think you would succeed, do you?” “Jt wouldn’t be my fault if I didn’t. I wouldn’t sit behind the counter and let people find out that I was there. Not on life, I'll bet every person in the village would know inside of 4 _ they could reasonably expec’ dred miles about. Wiel I didn’t carry in stock I’d get for ldn’t-give one of them an excuse for sending I wish I was in the posi- sage of. the ge en n, oat Tm ~~ unfortu- step in and garner the cream, One ese days, however, I'll be on both feet, and then I'll have the as I see fit.” I wish I had your guess, only we’re not alike. “pueceed at the same thing. Find and a your whole _ into success, an chances are you'll come go swimming.” z 4 ata "engeroo ot the: Westen Wool Z , as he scene Weties. ie siron ¢ FIRS? IN ‘THE WIELD. A printer from Chester was putting in a plant to estab- “lish a weekly newspaper, and several other businesses were Altogether, Riverdale bade fair to shortly take its place Scie Wi sa fear d next morning about eleven o’clock and saw his father seated on a stool with his head buried in his hands. Richard Channing, whose overalls and checked jumper, stained with grime and oil spots, plainly showed that he was the engineer of the mills, raised his head and looked at his stalwart, good-looking son. Bob was alarmed at the expression he saw on his father’s features. His face was ghastly pale, a look of mute despair shone out of his eyes, and he was trembling with excitement. “Matter!” ejaculated the engineer, in hollow tones. “I’ve lost my pocketbook.” . “Lost your pocketbook?” answered Bob, rather surprised at the intense emotion displayed by his father, for Mr. Chan- ning was not in the habit of carryi much more than a dollar about him for pocket money. “There wasn’t much in it, was there?” “Wasn’t much in it!” exclaimed his father, in a hoarse voice. “There was twelve hundred dollars in it.” “Twelve hundred dollars!” gasped Bob, in amazement. “Yes. Every cent I had.in the bank. I drew it an hour ago, intending to pay off the mortgage on our cottage, which is due to-day. Now the money is gone—lost. Oh, heaven, what shall I do?” : ; Bob was staggered by this unexpected revelation. He knew that his father and mother had been practising great economy for the past three years in order to save the money to wipe out the mortgage on their home. He had heard his father say the night before at supper that on the morrow they would own the cottage free and clear of any incumbrance, and both his parents seemed to be very happy over the bright prospect ahead. Now, like a thunderbolt out of a clear sky, came this an- nouncément that his father had, at the eleventh hour, lost the money he had striven so hard to accumulate. It is simply a terrible and overwhelming misfortune, and the boy no longer wondered at the despairing haggard look on his father’s countenance. “You say you drew the money from the bank an hour ago, father?” asked Bob. “Yes.” “Did you lose the money on the street.” “No. I had it when I came back to the engineroom, for I opened the pocketbook and looked at it just before I took off my coat and hung it up on yonder nail.” TA you been out of the engine room since you came His father shook his head gloomily. “Then it must be in your pocket still,” said Bob, hopefully, starting for the packet, which now lay upon the too hai “Tt isn’t. I searched every pocket thoroughly, though I knew positively I put it in the inside pocket.” “Has any stranger been in here since yoy returned?” “There’s been no pne here but Steve Fowler.” Bob glanced around the engine-room and observed Fowler, the fireman, watching them in a furtive manner from under his shaggy, beetling eyebrows. He was a surly fellow, who had a standing grouch against the world because things didn’t seem to go as well with him as with other people.” ‘ In stature he was short and burly, and from the way he handled the iron coal barrow and shoveled the fuel into the furnace, was evidently very strong. r Among his other failings was a great liking for drink, to gratify which at all times he was accustomed to smuggle a pocket flask of whisky into the engine-room. This was against the rules of the mill, and also eg the express orders of the engineer, but Fowler persisted in fetching the flask and ae surreptitious drinks when his t reaso RSS oe icles Soi oa: oe RE A alan big See hag i es 4) Tee alee r3 7 ee et ey ae

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FIRST IN THE FIELD. . ; $ to suppose that Steve Fowler might know something about the missing pocketbook. Whether it was that there was something in the boy’s eye that disquieted the firerhan or because he had some other rea- . son for quitting his post, he laid down the oil can he had been using up to that moment and sauntered slowly and doggedly _ toward the dgor. “Look here, Fowler,” said Bob, stepping up to the fireman, _ “have you seen nty father’s pocketbook anywhere?” “No, I haven’t,” replied Steve in a sulky and defiant tone. “Tid you help my father hunt for it?” “No. He didn’t ask me to.” ae was an oblong, black pocketbook, wasn’t it, father?” . es. “What’s that sticking out of your shirt now, Fowler?” _ asked Bob, turning suddenly on the fireman and pointing at his chest. This was a pure bluff on the boy’s part, as he didn’t see any sign of the pocketbook in question on Fowler, but his suspicions being aroused, he wanted to see how the fireman would take it. Steve looked startled, grabbed his undershirt, which was a gem at the neck, and pulled it over, and edged toward i. > - Bob’s words and the man’s action had a remarkable effect on Mr. Channing. - Jt seemed as if he suddenly woke up to the realization that his fireman might have taken advantage of a moment of jnattention on his part and have abstracted the wallet from his jacket. : : : _ Tt was Quite possible that Fowler had seen him look at the pocketbook when he got back, and had noticed that there ‘was considerable money in it, and then had watched his chance to steal it. __ “Steve Fowler,” , feet and clutching the fireman by the wrists as shirt closed, “did you take my pocketbook ?” “No, I didn’t,” answered the man, doggedly. “Let me see what you’ve got inside your shirt,” said the igineer, clawing at his assistant’s undergarment. owler started back with an imprecation and tried to throw Mr. Channing off. f This action only made the engineer more persistent to get at the truth. A he ee roared ‘Mr. Channing, springing to his e held his : “ . A violent eraesle took place between them. Mr. Channing had worked himself into a condition very a3 no for a man of his even temperament. > Mal astonished at the sudden display of fury he. ex- __In the mix-up Fowler’s shirt was torn and the boy, whose alert eye was watching every move of the pag em men, dis' ly saw the end of an oblong, black object thrust down __ into the fireman’s bosom next his skin. _ Satisfied that that was the missing wallet, Bob sprang for- _ ward to seize. and drag it forth into the light. ___ At that moment Fowler, with a desperate effort, hurled _ the engineer away from him with great force. ie ing staggered against the tool bench and went _ down on the floor. __ Bob, however, reached for the wallet, but as his fingers closed around the end of it, Fowler, with a scream of rage, shoved him away and rushed out of the doorway. _ Recovering his balance, ae pet Serie after him and saw yar ing for a corner of ard. it was close to noon, and the time-keeper was crossing the d toward his post at the closed gate to take the names the er ees who left the premises during dinner hour. Stop him! Stop that man!” yelled Bob. e clerk heard him, but not seeming to comprehend the tion he permitted Fowler to pass him. ab then veg efforts to overiabe the key i outstrip Steve on a straight course, he over- him rapidly. enly the rascal made for the door of the office. red de ahead of pursuer, swung it open, h, a slammed it in Bob’s face. the boy more than a moment, but fireman an opportunity to cross the should be able to catch him before he can & very far.” arrested,” cried the boy, reaching out one hand and grabbing the man by the shoulder. Steve’s answer was to turn suddenly and plant a heavy blow on’ Bob’s forehead, which knocked the daylights out of him for several moments, sending him to the ground. When Bob staggered to his feet and looked around in a dazed way for Fowler, the fireman had disappeared. CHAPTER IIL FIRE. Bob figured that Fowler must have passed up or down the next street, a few yards away, so he began to make inquiries of pore in the vicinity. e found a man who had seen the fireman running toward the river which flowed by the town, and the boy resumed his pursuit in that direction. As Steve’s home was in this direction, Bob judged that he was making for it, and with that idea in his mind he made a short cut across lots, hoping to overtake him before he could reach shelter. When he struck the river road, which was shaded by a great many trees, there was no sign of Fowler in sight. ' This was a great disappointment to Bob, for he had ; counted on cutting the fireman off, and the boy was keyed up 5 for the expected struggle between them. Looking up and down the road, Bob saw his friend, Joe Craig, sea on a sawed-off tree-stump, fishing. Joe observed the approach of his chum and shouted to him to come over. Bob dashed across the road. ' ‘ “Hello! what’s the matter?” asked Joe. “You look excited.” “Have you seen Steve Fowler down this way within the last few minutes?” asked Bob, disregarding Craig’s question. — “No,” replied Joe, in surprise. “Why should he be. here ? at this hour?” “He stole a pocketbook from my father containing $1,200, “When?” and is trying to get away with it.” “He did!” exclaimed Craig, much astonished. “Half an hour ago. I followed him from the engine-room to the corner of the mill fence near Blank Street, where I overtook him, but when I thought I had him cornered he hit. me a blow in the face that knocked me silly for a minute or two, and when I got on my feet he was out of sight. Mr. Creswell, who runs a small grocery store near the corner, told me that he had seen Fowler running down toward the . river, and thinking he was bound home I chased this way to - try and head him off. I’m afraid now that he went in the opposite direction.” Ness. “And he has stolen $1,200 of your father’s money?” said Joe. ‘“That’s a small fortune.” “It’s a fortune to us. It’s taken my father over three years to save it.” Ate “That’s tough! How did he come to get away with it?” “My father drew it from the bank this morning, intending to pay off the mortgage on our cottage with it. He hung his coat up in the engine-room, with the wallet in it. In some way Fowler got wind of the fact that the pocketbook contained considerable money, so he watched his chance when my father wasn’t looking and it. I never thought muc Steve, but I did not think he wag bad enough to rob my father, who, on the whole, has been good to him.” “You'll have to put the police onto him right away. They = Bei ae | ee ie ek Ot ck ihe ol —- ‘ I dare say father has done that by this time,” replied _ Bob; “but I’d give a good deal to catch the rascal myself. The wor of it is, he’s so strong that I can’t handle him myself.” ae N ih i: “You can count on me to help you if you only know where we might be able to find him,” said Joe, winding in the line and stowing it away in his pocket. : ; ; “We could follow the road down thé river on the chance of said Bob, in a tone that was not over-. f is house to- outs" he said, “We'll ge

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FIRST IN THE FIELD. ry FSO Ee Occasionally they glanced through the hedge at the river as they went along, and thus kept their quarry in sight. At length they came in sight of the Fowler cottage, which was hardly a presentable kind of habitation after having been in Steve’s possession half a dozen years. . It was a one-story-and-a-half affair, sadly in need of a coat of paint, and much out of repair. : The Fowler family consisted of Steve himself, his wife, who found it necessary to go out washing for the ——— about twice a week to make both ends meet, Max Fowler, - a disagreeable young bully of seventeen years, and three younger children, all girls: Max was a good-for-nothing boy, who might have helped od family finances if he had been disposed to work regu- y. Why his father didn’t compel him to be industfious was a Certain it is he was idle about three-quarters of his time, and what he made when he worked ,he spent on himself in one way or another. : : He wouldn’t even stay around thé cottage when his mother | was away to look after his sisters, and to prevent the chil- dren from wandering down to the river at the risk of falling in and being drowned Mrs. Fowler was accustomed to lock them in the house when she was absent. ; “We'd better get a stick apiece to use as a club, hadn’t we?” suggested Joe, as they drew near their destination. “Steve Fowler is not an easy proposition to handle.” Bob agreed that it would be a good idea to provide them- selves with a weapon of some kind before tackling the burly fireman, and the boys looked around for something that would answer for cudgels. : While they were thus employed they heard a succession of shrill screams coming from the direction of the cottage. “What’s up now?” asked Joe, looking ahead. ; The screams were ‘childish ones, and seemed to be inspired by terror. < Evidently something unusual was going on at the Fowler “Good gracious!” exclaimed Bob, observing smoke coming out of the front windows. “I do believe the house is on fire.” “T guess you're right,” replied Joe. ‘The kids are yelling to ng the band. It’s a wonder they don’t run out into the roa 4 Neither of the boys was aware of Mrs. Fowler’s practice of locking the little ones in when she went off to her day’s “Steve has heard the racket, and I guess he sees the smoke, * too, for he’s working ‘hard at his oars,” said Joe. “It will take him some little time to reach the nearest point of the shore. It looks as if we'll have to lend a hand to save his ome and then settle with him afterward. If he’s got any titude he’ll be willing to give up that. money in return or our services. If he hasn’t we'll make him, if we have to knock the daylights out of him.” - ven as he spoke the cries of the children grew more shrill and agonizing, while the smoke increased in density. Satisfied that the little ones were in il of their lives, Bob momentarily dismissed his concern about the pocketbook from his mind and, followed by Joe, started at full speed for the burning cottage. : See entree te ve Woe frees doer BAA ek a ee k It was locked. @ ; z “Come around the back,” he said, making a break for the ‘rear of the building. f On trying the kitehen door he found that locked, too. “No wondef the young ones can’t get out,” he said, ex- citedly. “We’ve got to break in, Joe.” “That’s what we have to do,” replied his companion. a Fortunately, there was an axe standing against a’ small wea, and Joe got it. : 7 ee i a smashed in the lock and the door swung : wa. rushed inside and made his way to the front room, he had seen the smoke issuing from the window. girl of seven la ereking on the rag t; her dress I children stood near ey crying and sister’s peril. oining tore the comforter returning to the blazing room, by yi i the flames that had al- and \ t Z - 7 Bob removed the comforter so his companion could pour water over the smoldering clothes of the little girl, who con- tinued to scream with fright and the pain of her burns, from which she doubtless suffered considerably. Bob tried his best to calm her, but with little success.” \ The whole side of the room, however, was on fire by this time, and the smoke was beginning to stifle them. Bob saw the necessity of removing the children from the danger that threatened. .) “Run the kids outside, Joe. I'll follow with this girl.” Craig seized the little ones each by a hand and hurried them out into the yard, while Bob followed with the sufferer in his arms. “We've got to try and save the house, if we can, Joe,” said Bob, laying the girl down near the well. “Stay with your sister, little ones, and don’t dare move away,” he added to the children. ‘ ; They regarded him with a look of awe and huddled around the other girl, whose shrieks were now reduced to pitiful moans. the kitchen for more pails, but The boys looked around none were to be seen. “Get hold of-that pan; it will have to answer. Tl go into the front. room for the bucket you had,” ordered Bob, assuming command of the situation. , “All right,” replied Joe, seizing the pan and making for the well. Bob entered the burning room, which was now filled with smoke that was pouring out of the two front windows, and grabbed the pail. He could see the lurid flames creeping up the window frames, and all about the wall. i 3 The boy was afraid that the fire had got too grdat a head- way. for them to cope successfully with it. “I’m afraid it’s a hopeless job,” he muttered, his eyes be- ginning to smart from the smoke, as he retreated to the doorway. ‘However, we’ll do the best we can, and that’s all we can do.” As he left the room the flames seemed to take a fresh hold on the inflammable material at their mercy. : Apparently the cottage was doomed. A CHAPTER IV. TRAPPED. The boys carried two or three pails and pans of water into the front recom and threw their contents on the without materially diminishing the conflagration. A half-consumed toy stove lying against the blazing e- * board, and a box of matches ide it, suggested the origin of the fire. <j i Bob soon saw that it was useless to continue to pour water on the flames in the room when he saw that the fire had) 7 penetrated the attic. roe Unless the blaze could be arrested ‘above, the roof was bound to catch in a few minutes. So, when they filled their pail and pan again, Bob led the way upstairs, and found the fire just coming through the oor Turning the contents of the carefully into the blazing hole, he sent Joe back for another supply of water and then=., ene the good work with the pailful he had carried up imself. b The boys had forgotten all about Steve Fowler in the ex- citement of the moment, and now that rascal came rushing on the scene in a badly demcralized state. Joe met him as he issued from the kitchen. “Get hold of something to carry water and help save your. house,” said Joe as he hurried past. s pwd caught sight of his three little ones and rushed over to them. At that moment his wife, who was working not far away and had at len caught sight of the smoke, came running frantically on the scene, foll y two men. se ; She grabbed the burned girl in her arms and began to ery out for a doctor. = Steve, forgetting about the money he had on’ his person, hurried away to a house of& phytician about halt’ tlle away. : ; g The two men started in to help the boys put out the fire. _ By the time Steve returned with the Por the brio of the four had. subdued the strenuous job for a while on

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FIRST’ IN THE FIELD. 5 Bob had suffered the most from the smoke on account of the position he had maintained in the attic so long as there was any danger. _ When he rejoined Joe below his eyes were red and swollen, and smarted a good bit. . As soon as he got the chance, he drew a bucket of water and LS on bathing them. Thé little girl in the meantime had told her mother how Bob had saved her from being burned up, and how Joe had carried her sisters outside the house, and thus saved their _ lives, too. pane Pet woman was deeply teful to the boys, and ex- _ her gratitude as bes e could under the circum- ces. As soon as his cottage was out of danger, Steve suddenly - recollected what had brought him home, and he hastened to get a coat and hat and try to steal. away. / oe saw him when he started for the river. ing to skip, Bob,” he said to his chum. ter him at once and prevent him from : Bob hurriedly dried his smarting eyes, and with Joe _. started for the road. ~~ bo = Steve was making tracks for his boat. “Hold on there, Steve Fowler,” cried Bob. “Come back and hand over my ens gsio ine a Steve cast a ra glance over his s er and, seeing the two boys in pursuit, broke into a run. Evidently it was his rls ed to hold on to the money. = “Well, he’s an ungrateful beast,” growled Joe. “He knows 3 saved the life of his oldest girl, and this is the way he tr repaying Dern him, I could kick him!” : _ Joe Sten , picked up a stone and flung it at the rascal. er 5)-3t. mi him by a foot and fell with a splash into the river. Before Steve could step aboard his boat, whieh he had moored to an old flatboat that had stranded at that point, Bob was upon him. The rascal turned upon the boy with a snarl of rage. Seizing him by the shoulders and exerting all of his great strength, he fairly fiung the lad down the opening of the little cuddy at the after end of the boat. Bob lan with a jolt that deprived him of consciousness. _ Joe was furious at the attack made upon his companion and flew to his aid. : He was ly helpless in the grip of the fireman, who swung him aboard the flatboat as though he were a child, and ~ tumbled him on top of his chum. ~~ Steve then noti¢ing the slidin d it in place made prisoners in the little 4x6 foot space Steve Fowler was master of the situation. laugh he unloosed the painter of his own as stepped into her the small flatboat rocked weight. » seemed to suggest a new idea to him. worked the rowboat around to the beach, stepped , and while he held the line in his hand-he gave the eraft a h push, which partially set her afloat. ent ae giense his object, and the current catch- began to carry her off into midstream. s floating down with the tide, and Steve, pepe into his own boat and, shipping the ith leisurely strokes. meantime Joe had crawled off of Bob and was his companion to his senses, which was not a ‘as Bob was coming to himself. nh the the cuddy shut, the place’ would have wrapped in Cimmerian darkness but for two small open- about six inches square on either side of the boat that you. ed, pi door to the cuddy, pulled y thrusting the stout pin 3 B a iH a zg i: i i F 4 rib ae HF fe / and air, and through. one shone the sun. / feeling, Bob?” asked Joe, when his looked around in a bewildered way. replied Channing. “ are we? fired me into a hole.” you down into the after i ee “He pulled the slide over after he bundled me on top of you,” said Joe. “I hope he didn’t firid a way to secure it, for if he did we’re in a pretty fix.” “Say, this craft seems to be afloat.’ I thought you said it was stranded on the shore.” “So it was. It must have worked off, or Fowler pushed it off. I remember now that the old thing rocked two or three times while I was floundering about.” ; Joe reached for the slide and tried to open it, but found that it resisted lis best efforts. _ “Gee! It is secured on the other side, Bob. We're prison- ers for fair. . What are we going to do now?” “Try and kick the old thing open, if you can,” returned Bob. “TI’ll help you.” They made an united assault on the door, but found it too stout for the heels of their shoes. ‘ “No go, old man,” said Joe, at length. “We’re like a pair of rats caught in a trap.. Here we are Kkely to remain until we can attract assistance.” Bob went to one of the small openings in the side of the cuddy and Joe to the other, and looked out on the surface of the river. : f The stream was about two hundred yards wide at_this point, and though the sense of motion; was imperceptible to the boys, a glance at the river banks showed them that they were slowly moving down the stream. ¥ They found that they were about.midway in the river. “Hello!” cried Bob. “Here’s Steve now, rowing past us,” Joe turned arounxd and looked over his companion’s shoulder. : Fowler was abreast of their observation hole, a few yards away. He saw the faces of the two boys framed in the little win- — dow and he gave them the sardonic laugh. To better enjoy his triumph he pulled close alongside of the flatboat. “Well, my chickabiddies, how do you like it in there?” he asked, with a grin. : . “You’re a nice man, you are,” returned-Bob, in a tone of disgust. “A fine way to treat us after we saved your cottage from being destroyed and your children from being burned to death. I should think you’d be ashamed of rself.” “T had to look out for myself. You chaps had no business to follow me,” replied Steve. ‘ “No business to follow you?” cried Bob. “After you had stolen every cent of my father’s savings!” “T couldn’t resist the temptation of takin’ the money when it was so easy to get at. And now I’ve got it I’m goin’ to keep it. I never could earn so much money if I lived to. be a hundred. The world hasn’t treated me right., I've as much right to have money as your father, for I worked harder than he did. But luck was agin me and in his favor. Now I’ve evened things up. He’s got a good job and can make the money over agin; I never could make it workin’, so I’ve took it and mean to make the most I can out of it. If you’d left me alone you wouldn’t have got into your hole. Now you've got to stay where you are y comes along and lets you out.” i With these parting words he resumed rowing once more, and soon shot out of range of the boys’ vision. - ae ae wa AL oe CHAPTER V. DOWN THE RIVER. “It looks as if our names are Mud at present,” said Joe, gloomily, as the sound of Steve’s oars died away in the dis- tance ahead. “Tt’s too bad. He'll escape with that monev now, and my father never will recover it,” replied Bob, Weta ‘ : “If your father has notified the police, as I should think it — likely he has done long before this, they will probably tele- — hone to Riverdale, Chester and other places to be on the — cookout for Fowler, and in that way he might get caught.” _ “It igs more than likely that he won’t land anywhere until ~ after dark, if he does then. It’s my opinion he'll remain on the river till he gets down to Chester. | That’s thirty miles — from here. Then he’ll land somewhere above the town, sneak — to the railroad station and board a train for the East. After that one might as well hunt for a needle in a haystack as to © t to overlaul him.” ¢ 4 or BaF ca ¢ He’s a measly seamp, if there ever was one. That m won't do him any good.” ‘ ae 9 _“Perhaps not, but that will give my father very satisfaction,” i ve ere ? % ~aS > 5 ES

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FIRST IN THE FIELD. “T wish we could get out of this hole.” sees. « ow TOR sap pese we're going?’ “We are fleati from Westgate at the rate of three or four miles-an / ort ‘should think.” “What time-do you- ate it is?” “Around +0 0’elock 7? obody- boards - hig we're likely to float all the way to Chester,” said - “Yes, and even beyond. “It will be long after dark before we reach that town at this rate.” “There’s no doubt about that.” “As we haven’t had our dinners, we’ll be ween before we get there,” growled Joe. “I’m read “Tm not thinking about my stomach—it’ 's the probable loss of the money that worries me.’ “T don’t pe ties a big sum to lose.” “Tf we could on of this cccbeg of the hold, we might find a chance some snaons,, that rascal, thoug suppose he’s out of. sight “We must keep one ere for pepple along the retty hungry banks—you ive 4 of tim, windew ne Pll look out of _, this—wave our weniets cob Wane wie, see any one . hear the shore. That se¢ms. our car ok 8 Rhow.” “We'll do — but: these. thes¢ holes pia yuey small that i Bb nen crappie? fe pees ae ze mt Tikely to be seen. 2 rient.” “But They could 3 the see the Rasul the.signal be understood? The waving of a han move of a salute than anything else, and that’s enetamgan, 8S take it.” “We could attract ir attention first with the handker- f th ll for hel oon thes unde ts if that we were in a tight box, how could any one reach us from the bank unless he had a boat han “That's so,” replied Joe, with a glum look. “J didn’t think of Well, ged. We're not going to give up ort don’t be discoura’ eae Siok because things look a bit bad. Never say die, is my motto.” nt aie make another fire me on-the door,” said Joe. . Saver ¢ it with great energy until they saw Pi on their part. -ram will have any effect or ee Teapaee ‘how that rascal fastened it?” ee: Held -by a hasp and staple arrange ewer it’s - sts me. ¥ cng take a look at the i og tes“ lace from the mair. hold. ‘ BY al oe board ps might be able to batter our Th 1d be all ri Se at wou An examinati ade to disclose any weak board, nor was there a aaa through which they could peer into the examining the two cupboards in the ther held a few broken an : line with several hooks at en knife, a various pea and ends of no value. t if the hatchway is open.” 3 bore Sigg holes in that door in a circle with ae imight be able to knock a piece out large aa * me fies d reach the staple, if it > x Ss ; eeling peckish Over all lay the brilliant afternoon sunshine. Under different circumstances the scene would have inter- ested the two boys. “Suppose this old hulk was to spring a leak and go down, where would we be at?” asked Joe, suddenly. “At the bottom of the river,” replied Bob, with a faint chuckle. At that moment the boat swung around a bend and was swept within ten feet of the banks. “If some boy was only down here fishing or swimming, now,” said Joe, “we could easily attract his notice and get him to free us.” “If is a small word, but oh, my! it does make a great figure in the world. If Steve Fowler hadn’t stolen my father’s money, we wouldn’t be in this fix.” “If Steve hadn’t stolen the money, we wouldn’t have been at his cottage to save his children and his home. The wicked FeAP the reward sometimes while the good get it in the nec The flatboat began to recede from ‘he shore again. “We’re going back into the middle of the river once more,” said Joe. “T see we are. I’ll bet if we were on a pleasure jaunt we’d see a dozen beys scattered along the bank. When a fellow wants anything badly, that’s the time he doesn’t get it.” “[’ve noticed that fact before,” replied Joe. “Say, how long have we been on the river, anyway? It seems like hours.” “Not over an hour, I guess.” “I’m getting deuced hungry, do you know.” “Are you? Then tighten your belt. I’ve heard that is a good antidote.” “I don’t wear a belt,” growled Joe. “Then you'll have to grin and bear it.” “Aren’t you hungry, too?” “Not so much; but if I ‘had father’s money in my pocket now, I’ll bet I’d be as hungry as a hunter.” Another hour passed and still not a soul did they see with- in easy distance of the stream, which had now narrowed down to a width of less than a hundred yards across, and seemed to be getting as crooked as a ram’s horn. At one time they’d be within a yard or two of the bank on yne side and then the current would sweep them close to the og Ng? shore. t became a matter of wonder to them that the old boat didnt go aground somewhere at one of the many turns. The position of the sun in the sky plainly showed that the | ifternoon was drawing to its close, though it would still be light for several hours. Sometimes the shore presented a thickly wooded aspect sad: ba again the fields and pastures stretched away on both sides. At length the river grew still narrower and they appeared — ‘o be sailing through a good-sized w Suddenly, as they swung around a ‘pend, they saw two. oe not over well dressed, seated on a log near the water’s Rach had a paper bundle on his knee, the contents of which ‘hey were eating. The boys were about to hail them when the nose of the craft hit a projecting bit of the bank ahead and suddenly came to a stop. < The end the boys were in—that is, the after Sk nate swung inward until it finally rested against the bank t under the spot where the two men sat. “Sing out, Bob,” said Joe, in some excitement at their a -* ticipated liberation. “These fellows will let us out in a ji Bob put his face against the opening to do so when he 3 heard one of the men say something to the other that stopped — F him. “Why don’t you shout?” said Joe in his ear. “ “Hush!” replied Bob, Recmay his head partly around so — that his ear was e opening, and grasp his 4" | tonished friend by ake sp < 4 “What’s the matter?” quivered J ; Bob merely held ed his fase oe ilence, SRE ye cid ha pti stcns” wale al Ae eta paras ae

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FIRST IN THE FIELD. . ké@p it in the safe in the office overnight. We've just learned that the regular watchman is sick, and it’s more than likely some greenhorn will be on guard. That will make things easier for us. Pay-day Reng, Ress" two weeks, there ought to be a good wad in the safe to-night, and we've got the tools that'll whistle it open in no time.” “I agree with you,. Jackson,” said the other. “The village hain’t had a robbery:for years, and the neople don’t expect nothin’ of the kind is likely to happen. Although the place has taken a boom on, and seems likely to spread itself to some extent before long, Sua been’ made no pervision yet for raisin’ more constables. e two who now attend to the night duty are slower than molasses. At the present moment a ghey is a re cinch for a pair of experienced chaps ike us. ; “That’s what it is, Billings,” replied Jackson, complacently. “Tt oughtn’t to-take us more’n an hour to get into that safe, and then with the boodle in our clothes we'll skip out for Chicago and enjoy life while the rhino lasts,” “With the proceeds of the Chester job in our grips, which we'll be able to pawn in Chicago without danger, and $1,000 to $1,500 in bills from the mill safe, we ought to be able to live high for the next three or four months.” “8, Lg Ha gee we ee Jackson, a out his pipe, an g a light, an ‘ol- icon Sid - povnea Ty @ example immediately “That there factory couldn’t be in a better spot for our purpose,” remarked Billings. “It’s quite isolated from the as part of town.” 5 t is at present, but it won’t be for long. The railroad is buildin’ a branch that will soon be finished, and six months from now there will be a dozen more manufacturin’ establish- ments all around the Graham Mill” “We kin come back then and make another haul,” chuckled his c anion. “We'll think about that later on. Say, pard, is that a boat hauled up in them bushes?” “Whereabouts?” of. When we've cracked the crib e in it and take the first train in th “That will be just the thing. What luck!” replied Billings. pees better hide it somewhere else, so that if the owner awiings accordingly got up, and Bob heard him moving way. Ten minutes of silence followed, daring which Bob whis- sige the gist of the conversation he had just overheard to oe, and warned him to qe still. ! Te ae een Bhs ealied Gant tha Suton! Sen working away from the bank. _ It was only the stern that moved, however, and very slowly As the legs of the two crooks came into the lad’s range of visien above on the bank, Bob overheard the man J ! some one comin’ this way. It th owner of the boat. We'd better hide.” steal trees He sat down on a rock within a or two of the spot where the crooks had vanished, and without a g to ' notice the flatboat, opened the bundle and began to eat some- thing it, Bob “A watched him furtively from their prion pen. buy something to eat at the village iverdale, one of those rascals called it. I'll bet that k possession of and hid further He’ll. find himself stranded here now. If we were able to get out of this place, we could take him by sur- ap toed mage mig gris Ape op t a Stone as look-at him,” tel oes without trouble, I’d over the head with a ee They watched Steve eat his meal with considerable appe- tite, and the operation made Joe hungrier than ever, though it did not have the same effect on Bob. Although neither was aware of the fact, two other pair of eyes were on Fowler at the same time. The eyes, as the reader will surmise, belonged to the crooks who had temporarily withdrawn from the scene. “If those rascals who just left knew that Steve had $1,200 in his clothes, I guess they wouldn’t leave it long in his pos- session,” whispered Joe. “T"]] bet they wouldn’t,” returned Bob. “His* advantage is that he doesn’t look like a capitalist. No one to look at him would imagine he had any ng speak of.” “T should say not. He looks a tramp more than any- thing else.” : Steve continued to eat until he had satisfied his rece then he rolled = ihe semen der of his provender and plac the package at his ‘After canine a cautious survey of the fp ome he placed his hand inside of his undershirt and drew out Mr. Channing’s black pocketbook. vs : : Bob and.Joe watched this action on his part with eager interest. y : “That’s my father’s wallet,” whispered Bob, excitedly. “He’s oj it,” replied Joe. “Going to count the money, behin and the faces of the two crooks appear. “Great Scott!” 3 those rascals now watching him. do him up for that money as sure as reply. After the crooks had fully satisfied themselves that Fowler , they stealthily ad- upon m. He was taken completely by surprise, and the money and pocketbook fell to the grass. Then the man Jackson struck him on the head with the butt of his revolver, which he had drawn for the purpose, and Steve was knocked out for fair, dropping like an ox in er oun icked up a pair of large which had been hidden in the my A leaving their Lf al on the prem, silently took their way through wood, disappear- 7 the boys’ sight. spend se ee ee Pn tee Gnie or some hour or Mill at Rive 4 We must make another strenuous effort ae out of the hold.” don’t see how we're going to-do ft. We've already done re windows, I'm ready to try you say, but I'm ee ee een ere A The of it is, we’re anchored in this beastly wood, w chances all i i. Bob made no answer, but a leok of determmation came over his features. He drew back opposite the slide as far as he could, then rushed at it and planted his foot agaieat the fastened with all the force he could muster, The door shivered, but did not show any of He repeated this effort several times, and then Joe eek: as dah and rattle, yet in the end it defied his most sturdy attempts to break it pa oe eS tion I’ve ever been up against, he said, finally up sponge. “cif at frat you don't musceed,, nen mane” el Ee again making a battering-ram foot. The continnous falling of a drop of water in one place on

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8 f FIRST IN THE FIELD. ened the lower slide until finally one of Joe’s kicks demolished the outer edge of it completely and the door yielded at the corner where the force had been mostly applied. This success encouraged the boys to keep up the good work, and as it is a known fact that a chain is only as strong as its weakest link, so, strong as this door still was in the main, its ability to hold out rested wholly on the power of rresistande offered by the weakened end. The boys went for that end in desperate earnestness, and it soon began to sag outward under every blow, bending and twisting the hasp out of shape. With intervals for rest, the boys banged away for more than an hour, for it seemed to be the only avenue of escape from the cuddy. At length a tremendous kick from Joe’s foot completed the demoralization of the slide. Baar It flew upward, snapping the hasp in two. “Eureka!” yelled Joe, seizing the bottom of the door and pushing it outward until the upper slide snapped off. “Now, altogether!” cried Craig. “(Push out with all your might, Bob.” ir united muscle snapped the door off at the other end, and it fell onto the deck, leaving the way to freedom clear them. - before Joe sprang out on deck, quickly followed by Bob. “Free at fast! cried the latter, exultantly. CHAPTER VII. TRYING TO PREVENT A CRIME. d “Gee! It feels good to be out of that hole,” said Joe, ex- anding his chest and inhaling a deep breath; “but oh, lor’, believed I’m crippled for life,” and he limped up and down the deck of the flatboat. . Bob. was also sensible that his right leg was sore and lame from the unusual exercise it had been called upon to perform. “Let’s go ashore and see what shape Steve Fowler is in. He’s been lying like a dead man for more than an hour. hope they didn’t injure him so seriously that he won’t re- cover.” Steve was beginning to recover his senses when they him, and they concluded to let him complete the operation. ; had better on It was just sundown and Bob said th see about check- to Riverdale as fast as they could a mating the two crooks. “We'll notify Mr. Graham as soon as we find out where he lives that an attempt is to be made to-night to rob the - mill office safe. Then it will be up to him to figure out how “We can’t reach the village oy plied Joe. “I’m almost famished. self,” answered Bob, as they started stant ire which they believed indicated the village of had a stiff walk before them, fields before they came to the i road that led to the ey ye eee ae tate rented the turnpike they had worked their better : Title and buy a few slices of their appetites a inquiries, t The woman cut the pie in quarters and told the boys to help themselves. Joe got the first slice, and every crumb vanished like the dew on the grass before the morning sun. Then he tackled a second slice. While he was eating it the farmer came into the room, and Bob asked him if the village ahead was Riverdale. ~ The agriculturist said it was. “Can you tell me where Graham’s Mill is?” “It’s about a mile from here down the road, and half a mile this side of the village,” replied the farmer. “There are no houses near it, are there?” “No. It sets off from the road by itself.” “Kind of a lonesome spot at night, isn’t it?” The farmer nodded. “Where does Mr. Graham, the proprietor of the mill, live?” eco going on to the village, aren’t you?” < es.’ ‘ “Then you’re bound to pass his house before you get there. He lives in a fine mansion near the junction of the co road and Main street. It’s surrounded by a lawn and has an observatory on top.” “Thank you,” said Bob. “I guess that is all I wish to know.” A few minutes afterward the boys took their leave of the hospitable farmer and his wife, and refused to take any pay for the food they had so generously furnished the lads. “TI feel like a fighting cock now,” said Joe, when they were on the road once more. “I could have eaten twice as much, but what we had went to the right spot.” “That’s right. An empty stomach kind of takes all the enthusiasm out of a fellow.” “T should say that it dogs.” “Tt will be dark before we reach the mill.” “Are you going to ston there?” ~ “No. I’m going straight on to see Mr. Graham.” Dusk was rapidly fading into the darker shades of night r I|when they came in sight of the mill, which stood about a hundred yards back from the road. With a line of woods a short distance in the rear and not a house within a radius of a quarter of a mile, it certainly did look lonesome at that hour. It was a three-story frame structure, with numerous win- dows for the admission of light and air, and a small brick ell. that the boys easily judged to be the engine-room, for a tall, black smokestack projected through its roof. i There was no fence surrounding it like that.of the West- gate Woolen Mills, where Bob’s father was employed, so that one could walk right up to the building from any point of the compass. A solitary light shone from a window on the ground floor at one corner, - Z : The boys afterward found out that this was the office. “I guess there is no one on the premises now but the watch- man,” remarked Bob, as they tramped past. “It certainly strikes me as an easy place to rob, iran 20 the thieves have - er tools and the experience with which to break into the safe.’ 4 Joe agreed with him, and said he wondered the owners would keep a large sum of money in what was probably an ordinary safe so far outside the village with only a single watchman to guard ‘iit. “Oh, it’s safe enough under the general run of conditions in village neighborhoods. Professional cracksmen very sel-_ dom are attracted to such small places as Riverdale. Tramps and such scalawags are about the only dangerous characters that float around here, and they couldn’t open a safe if oY, knew there was a million dollars inside of it. It takes

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least trouble in away with th to arty ~zotting y e money they expect pretty sure thing that. they’ll go there to- to gamble on it.” Bidet bear chan nents time, but I da ear them mention any t re say they'll in early, as the place is so lonesome; for the sooner they e more time have to get away before the discovery of robbery will be made.” rate there isn’t any time to be lost in arranging robably will not get down to business before dare say they figure on taking a couple of ob. It is now somewhere around half-past ere’s the house with the observatory yon- That’s where Mr. Graham lives. It won’t take me lone him wise to the situation.” AY i later the two boys entered the front gate and gravel walk to the veranda of the Graham mn : Ey B be Fa | - | a. is there, Maria?” asked a gtrlish voice at that “Two who want to see your father on important busi- ast ied the. soxvauhs : D are they?” don’t miss, Shall I ask their names?” we know them let them in, and I will talk “My name ts Bob Channing. My friend here is Joo Craig. ee eee te ly to the lady, who, full rep young lady, who, of curiosity as to the mission of the young strangers, came to the door and looked out at them. outside she could see little more than their = for not admitting you, but tt ‘ when my father is »| two foremen of the mill, an it. impressed iteelf on both of the young visitors. Bob moron. constituted himself spokesman, a ion not Fy eee by Joe, who always considered hi as second fid wherd his chum was concerned, Miss Gertie naturally bestowed most of her attention on him. She saw that he was a ng, an te boy, with engaging ee and eset an te ing for ee Now, Mr. Channing, a ain matters to me? You say that you found out a rabbaer ts to be committed at the ts “h “Yes, Miss Graham.” “How did you happen to discover this plot? Do you know who the men are?” . “To make you tho: hi I'd have to tell you Craig, to this neighborhood. I’m time than we can afford fo lose, for there is no telling when the two rascals, who I can assure i fessional crooks, may get to work ' much interest in having them captured have. They have in their possession $1 to here. I will tell him to house, and to bring any other help he can pick up,” said Gertie Graham, rising from chair. “That will answer first rate,” replied Bob. “If we can get half a dozen men together, Joe and I will make eight. That ought to be force enough to capture the rascals, a a, if we can take them by surprise, as I should like to do.” The young lady at onee called the head constable at his house, which adjoined the illage Lack-up, and got the officer’s wife on the wire. She said that her husband was out, but she thought she knew where he was and would send for him at once. Gertie iy that the matter was of the utmost r- tance, and that if she was unable, to find her husband right away she must ring re Hogan and tell him that Miss Graham wanted to him. justice rings me up, “While we are wai as I can,” i sa i his how had started fn pursuit of the up to answer it. ene head constable him in possession o' Se ee eS er ae t necessary she wanted him to do, and advised particulars, told him what the utmost haste. Then he told her how and how the rascals had knocked him out and taken $1,200 away from him. After that he detailed the strenuous efforts, finally success- ful, of Joe and himself to break out of their floating prison. At this juncture there came a loud ring at the front door bell. Maria, the servant, went to the door and admitted Con-

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ee eee FIRST IN THE FIELD. stable Howard, Treasurer the two foremen of the mill, and one of the Bob th d= = told them such particulars as he con- sidered necessary, and advised instant action. i: Constable Howard and Mr. Black a: that no time had bidden Miss Graham Bob particularly had been invited by her to morning if he and his friend remained over- in the village, as it was very likely they would be to do, the party took up its line of march for the mill. was now nine o’clock, and they lost no time im covering intervening half mile. = burning those rascals are hanging around s moment waiting until they think them to force their entrance into the “If they should see us walk to the yp sary n a body, that would certainly scare them off and we shoul to catch them. I think it would be to right here and watch. We can’t fail when they approach the mill, and they will be our presence. By idea is to let them get into the . Then two of us can tt ourselves in front of the office and two in the rear. t will cut off their retreat. Mr: Howard, his deputy, and either Mr. Black or myself will thea enter and overpower them while they are engaged at out on the ground and of their watch were showing signs of gures ” he said, in a tone of suppressed ex- a teen watchers were on the rascals carried each a grip in his right and they drew near the mill with some caution. ; then one, leav- ¢ pith his companion, advanced an rs) lows 8 - “Here mye now, tement, an alert ready for business. one entrance to the mill, and ree the r, rd. loyees’ ih to to Cache eae Sita ad och. Taking their grips with them, they disappeared inside the SOW aG litien itl: is nh soon to capture the watch- <= Par oo Sidhe ” paid “Then we'll creep up Constable Howard nodded, and no move was made for a ae tin ond of that the constable directed the advance ‘oe and one of the foremen were stationed outside the front door, ; - Treasurer Black the other foreman took their places at the rear of the ana , while the two officers, with drawn revolvers, accompanied Bob, entered by the employees’ great caution they made their through the lower tm Ue date commsabbeating with the dlfice, which was or-we'll perforate you on the spot!” Sor ms Phas he Sete ge “Turn out their pockets,” said Bob. “I want my father’s ” early $900 was found on each of the prisoners, and the constable took charge of it, Bob then learned that his father would not be able to get his money until after the crooks were tried at Chester. “T will turn the money and the two grips over to the court, where they will remain until the case against these chaps has been decided. Then your father can put in his claim for his $1,200, accompanied by your sworn statement of the circumstances.” The watchman was found bound and gagged under a table in the office, and was liberated. Re senesg the entire party took up its line of march for the village. CHAPTER Ix. BOB AND JOE RETURN TO WESTLAKE. _Bob and Joe were quartered at the Riverdale Inn that night, and next morning the head constable called for them and piloted them to the office of Justice Hogan, before whom the two crooks were at on the charge of the attempted burglary of Graham’s Mill. e boys gave their evidence, the constables testified to catching the rascals at work on the safe, the watchman ex-_ plained how they had come upon him unawares and gagged and bound him, while Treasurer Black and the two mill foremen stated what they knew about the crime. Jackson and Billings refused to make any statement in their own behalf, and were remanded by the justice for trial at Chester at the next term of the court. Constable Howard communicated with the Chester police and ascertained that the home of the president of the Chester Bank had recently been broken into and $5,000 worth of jewelry and about $600 in money stolen. A reward of $500 had been offered by the banker for in- formation leading to the arrest and conviction of the thieves. A description of the jewelry furnished by the Chester authorities tallied with the contents of the yh taken from Jackson and Billings, and left no doubt in the mind of the constable that the men he had captured were the rascals who had robbed the banker’s home. He notified the Chester police to that effect and claimed to} the reward in behalf of Bob Channing and his friend, Joe Craig. Miss Graham, who attended the examination of the crooks at the justice’s office, invited Bob and Joe to return to her father’s home with her and take lunch previous to their de- parture for Westlake. The invitation was accepted. Miss Gertie paid especial attention to Bob, to whom it was évident she had taken a fancy, and that young man met her advances more than half way. During lunch Bob spoke about the boom that appeared to have struck the village, and remarked that Riverdale was likely soon to become a lively place. Gertie coincided with him, and in the course of the con- versation mentioned the fact that her father was about to establish a bank in the village. When she learned that Bob and Joe, at the end of their vacation, were going to look up situations for themselvés, she said that she was sure her father would be pleased to ive them an opening in the bank if they week th ambition. 4 this point a friend-of Mies Graham's called to soe beri} and she was introduced to the boys as Miss Bettie Martin, niece of Justice 5 She was quite an attractive brunette, and Joe Crai seer Tesitlon slits tone d on in Joe, se the for to

Page 13

FIRST IN THE FIELD. | ee At two o’clock Mr. and Mrs. Graham returned from “Our letter. When the trial comes ‘off, Joe and I will have Chester. © go to Chester anyhow to testify, and that will clinch your Gertie introduced Bob and Joe, and told her parents a few | ‘ight to the $1,200.” 7 sag § particulars of the attempted robbery at the mil’), Mr. Channing regarded Bob with a proud and approving which had been frustrated by Bob’s timely interference. ‘ook. Bob then told his story all over again. A great load had been suddenly lifted from his mind. The mill owner expressed the obligation he felt under to There was every chance now that he would in time recover _ the lads, especially Bob, whom he recognized as the leading | he money he had almost given up as lost’to him forever. ‘spirit of the affair, and assured them that he would testify| “Bob,” he said, with emotion, “the next hundred dollars I his appreciation in a substantial way. F : save shall be yours as a nest egg for your future,” __ The boys politely refused an invitation to remain to dinner,! “Thank you, father. Mr. Graham has promised to give _ and then Mr. Graham had his coachman take them back to ;me—and Joe, of course, too—something for saving the mill Westlake in his automobile. from being robbed; and Constable Howard, of Riverdale, said Before they left Bob promised Gertie that he would come | that we:are entitled to the $500 reward offered for the cap- _ over soon and pay her a visit, and Joe told Miss Bettie that | ture of the thieves who robbed the residence of Mr. Baldwin, __ he would try and do the same. d ; ._ | president of the Chester Bank. He said he put in a claim for The parents of both boys, although their anxiety over their |itin our names. So you see, father, I’m likely to have a little unexplained absence had been relieved the preceding night by | capital before long.” Constable Howard through the Westlake police department,| “You are richly entitled to every cent you get in connec- were much mystified as to the object that had taken their | tion with this affair. Don’t you think so, Clara?” he said, sons to Riverdale. turning to his wife. : y, Kob, what in the name of goodness took you and Joe “T do, indeed, Richard,” she answered, beaming on. her age to Riverdale?” exclaimed his mgther when he entered | stalwart boy. ty | cottage. : \ “Father,” said Bob, after a pause, “I wish you could see 7 “Important business, mother, although we did not exactly | your way to moving to Riverdale. You might be able to get ~ go most of the way of our own free will,” he answered, {charge of the engine-room of one of the new mills at more >: pmilingly. money than you’re getting here.” . “We heard that you and Joe saved the cottage of Steve “Why?” asked Mr. Channing, in some surprise. ad 4 Fowler from burning down, and-also the lives of his three} ‘Well, father, as I’ve got to get out and hustle in a few children,” . weeks, I think there is a better chance fo to get ahead —- -vThat’s right, mother.” pry in Riverdale than here.” ; r me to get a “And they say Steve was there himself at the time.” “What makes you think so?” “He was, mother.” < Several reasons. Mr. Graham is going to start a bank in “And what about your father’s money that Steve stole?|the village in a little while, and I’ i Couldn’t you get ins to give it up after; what you did?” position there if I will take it.” ee See _ “No, mother. As soon as the fire was out he started to “Did he make you an offer?” make off, before Joe and I could corner him; then—but I'll “No, but his daughter Gertie said that she was sure her tell you the whole story from start to finish, and then you'll | father would give me an opemine.if I asked for it.” understand better how things stand. Where’s father?” “A position in a bank wotHi.be better than anything I “He hasn’t got home yet. I expect he’s gone over to the | could get for you here. Yor, ~ better apply for it. You police office to see if any word has been received about Steve.” | could come home once a week, ¥t hiry rate.” _ “He can let Steye go now. The rascal hasn’t got the| “I “on’t know that I showkd fike-to have Bob away.from ~ i aiesiew.?? ; us.” objected Mrs. Channing, wifif : erly solicitude. | _ *“Hasn’t got the money! What do you mean? Did you| “My cng ih: boy’s future must We‘considered first of all, "succeed in getting it’away from him?” ._ | Whatever Sacrifice we may be called on to make for his bene- Bob then-began at the beginning; which was at the engine- fit,’ said the engineer. ,Poom of the Westlake -Mills, and told his mether all that} “Then yeu have no objection to my going to Riverdale?” | ae to him and Joe the preceding afternoon, growing | Said Bob, whose ambitious thoughts were mingled with a out of his effort to overtake Steve Fowler,and get his father’s ree ee gyre i a eyes. ; our adv: : i ten miles rts y' antage, my son. It is only ou migkt sell your interest in this cottage, and secure a position there-as soon as the new mills are completed. Mr. _ Graham, I guess, could secure you the job as engineer to one _ F of them. He wanted to hire you himself once, you told me.” Bob’s suggestion is a good one, oh his wife, ~~ “An effort to recover your money was the cause of it, r ; who was evidently in favor of such a ¢ now that it 4 Z seemed likely that her son might go the “T will think about it,” replied Mr. | committal way. : Bob, having finished his supper, put on his hat and ran. around the block.to call on Joe Craig, and tell him about the possibility of his going to Riverdale to live, and to prop: that Joe also apply for some kind of a job in the new bank, ied Bob. : : su se I needn’t ask you what luck you’ve had?» The olice have not found any trace of Steve Fowler—the rascal! —so it’s hardly to be supposed that you discovered any trace ‘him. after letting him get away from you at the fire where : reported that you saved his cottage and the lives of his children.” - “¥ou needn’t worry about Steve any more,” replied Bob. _ “Why not?” asked his father, sharply. “Bec your money is out of his hands.” __ r is ready,” said Mrs. Channing at this point. Bob and his father drew their chairs up to the table, and etween bites Bob went all over his adventures again. Channing listened with interest and growing expecta- the narrative developed. : ne quite excited at the point where Bob described the P ° aN ing, in a non- 4 CHAPTER X PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE. “Then you really have made your mind to ask Mr. Graham for a job in his bank?” sail Joe. ; “Well, to tell the truth, Joe, I’d rather go into business for myself; but as I am not sure that I can do that, a position in better than anything else I~ the Riverdale Bank would be know of.” 3 eta * “I mean to ask my father if he7l let me go to Riverdale, -|too, If he will, emt in my applicatior poe. to Mr. Graham. ru with Hs at the mill, ( “ ‘ ‘ b tokd him what Constable Howard had said about jon of the money and valuables taken from the |’ write to the Chester authorities at nee and

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oi2 “Ym glad you do, for Miss Bettie takes my eye,” grinned oe. “That settles it. There is no danger of our becoming rivals.” : “Not the slightest, old man.” The boys talked, an hour longer about their prospects in Riverale, and then Bob went home. : About a week later Bob received an invitation from Mr. Graham to come to Riverdale and stay overnight. The mill owner said his auto would meet Bob at the Cén- terville station on the arrival of a certain train. It was about eleven miles by rail from Westlake to Cen- terville, and the local train covered the distance in twenty- one minutes. ; , Bob was tickled to death at the chance to meet Gertie Graham, so he told his parents that, with their permission, he was going to Riverdale, at Mr. Graham’s invitation, the next afternoon. , When he arrived at Centerville he was surprised and de~ ‘lighted to see Miss Graham seated in the auto, She had done him the honor te_come over and meet him. Evidently she was taking a great interest in the young Westlaker. The ride from the station to the Graham home was_ the most enjoyable Bob thought he had ever taken in his life. ‘Miss Gertie, who looked charming in her best clothes, laid herself out to entertain him, and Bob tried his best to do his share. He was cordially welcomed by Mr. and Mrs. Graham, and soon after his arrival dinner was announced. tae After the meal Mr. Graham took Bob into his library. -__ “Now, Bob,” said the mill owner, “first of all I will hand you Mr. Baldwin’s check for $500 to your order, covering the reward he offered in connection with the robbery which was conunitted at his residence by the two men whose capture der /’ you were conspicuous in bringing about.” a _ "° “Thank yor, sir. Half of this will go to my friend Joe Craig, who, I think, is equally entitled to participate in it” ete.‘ ig for you to decide as you think proper. Now, as far-as the saving of my money is concerned, I think you are entitled to the chief recognition. I have’ therefore de- cided to give you $500, and your friend Craig $100. Here are the checks on the Centerville Bank.” oe — J don’t think I am entitled to so much,” replied Bob, | poe, Sa the check to his order, and’ feeling a certain deli- - cacy ut accepting it. ‘ “Allow me to judge of that, my boy,” + owner. “Put them in your pocket.” Bob put the three checks away. apne cove mi “The next heron is, do you want a position in my bank? ‘said Mr. G ba should like it very thuch, sir, provided ——” 9 business in this answered the mill “What is the proviso?” : “T think I should er to start a certain place if, in your opinion, you saw no great obstacles to my timate success.” : _ “My daughter spoke to me about ie that. Let me have your of experience, but suecessful business that with. fairs ni Riverdale promises to a w to be the first in the field in my lace of no little importance, I ae line. ; his enthusiasm and “aes FIRST IN THE FIELD. present indications. In the meantime I suppose you will start in with your friend Brown and learn all you can about the business?” r si. _“That’s just What I mean to do. Ill give him my ser- vices in return for his instruction and advice.” “An excellent arrangement. Now, the station is to be built on Main street, in a prominent location. I sold the ground to the company, but I have a plot alongside of it. I intend to put up a building on it with a double store—one side for the post-office, already spoken for, and the other for the local druggist. Now, instead of the druggist, you shall have the store next to the post-office. So you will have the station on-one side and the post-office on the other to draw custom to you.” “That will be fine,” exclaimed Bob, enthusiastically. “They will certainly help you, while your store will be in the most prominent situation in Main street.” Piss: do you think I'll be able to stand the rent at the s 22. “Don’t worry about the-rent. We will Fr gs of that later. The main point at 4 present is to give you the chance to establish yourself. ere is no regular stationery and periodical store in Riverdale as yet, so you will be the first in the field, as you'desire. Your general ideas for drawing custom are good, and I think with your energy and per- severance you will get along. Of course, you will have up- hill work at the start, as the village is a small one as i but thare will\be a great change inside of six months. Four manufacturing establishments are going to be erected and put into operation within that time, and they will employ, I understand, about 2,000 people who will have to live here. I shall have to enlarge my own mills, and hire more help, to keep abreast of the orders that are coming in. things considered, I don’t think you could start out for yourself un- more encouraging auspices.” : _Bob fully agreed with the genial mill owner, and thanked him for the interest he was showing in his 4 7 “Don’t mention it, Bob. I have taken a liking for you, — and want to give you a boost.” Bob then thought of Joe, and asked Mr. Graham if he — would give his friend a position in the bank. . ie will, if only to oblige you. Let me Have his name and ress.” Bob gave it to him, and then began to speak about having his ep at to ap ag 5 gp “Do you think you cou my father the position as. ineer in one of the new mills?” ie eae he: “— ‘I think I made your father an offer myself when I first _ started my mill,” said Mr. Graham, “but he did not care, to accept it.”, pel pa a “That was because he ght a cottage in Westlake — and ¢ to remain there permanently.” : o, “T dare say he would have little trouble. in selling his — place if he wanted to make a change.” ate Sieeil “That’s what I told him...At any rate, mother wishes — to: come here if I do, and she can’t come unless father does.” “Well, Bob, it is possible that I may find it necessary to - hire another engineer in place of the man I have. If so, I will make your father an offer.” __. ‘ inn ; or he “Thank you, sir. I will tell him.” jae the _ girl’s. After 'a very pleasant evening, Bob retired to the rue 4 no oo with “Gertie. ‘ee oh ‘par- built; wares and where he ex 1 After lunch he was driven back to the station, train for home. .. + ~