Fame And Fortune Weekly (no. 590) (1917 01 19)

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AT MAKE MONEY. it ee BOYS TH. WIZARD FOR LUCK}. | AD INTHE Yor LD, syfsec- Mareen) | Peer q = ~~ } = a ; — OR, GETTING: 4 Xe Daze he hah 5 veh \3 7 ‘| Gave Ni Oe Hoey od * Se 4% nefarious work phe gianced at him in a startled way. % . c , PERO ei es Ree tx <n wre + Ah 4 2) “told on, there, you rascals!” shouted Fred, springing from the bushes, club in hand. “What in thunder are you doing? Robbing the man?” The two ruffians paused in their ee ee Sere SY ‘ Sees bios i 7. bier Se ee ee

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j oh i Weekly—By Subscription $2.50 per year. by Frank Tousey, Publisher, 168 ° No. 590. A WIZARD GETTING AHEAD IN THE WORLD 5 By A SELF-MADE MAN. CHAPTER I, FRED SPARKS UNDERTAKES A DESPERATE MISSION. “Can you get this message through to Boston to-night?” Fred Sparks looked up from a game of solitaire he was teat to while away the time and saw a portly, well- dressed’ man, a stranger in the village of Edgecomb, stand- ing outside the counter of his little a which bore the sign of the Western Union Telegraph C “4 “Ym afraid not, sir. The railroad tiie has been car- iF ried away by the breaking of a boom above the village, and - the wires are down The gentleman looked both annoyed and worried by this news. _. “Can’t you. send the message by way of. Riverdale? That’s on’ this side of the river and about fifteen miles below.” ; “No, sir. There is no wire from here to evant is only a branch line and goes no further.” . “Tf is a matter of’ great importance to me to get this _ message to Boston before the Stock Exchange opens to- -morrow morning. Can you ride a horse?” Ba eS,. Sin.” ase OU ‘hire a horse from the stable and give you $25 for rourself if you'll take the message down to Riverdale and lave it sent from there.” “From what I’ve heard the road to Riverdale i is so flooded t it is impassable. At any rate, the bridge across the 2 rke River branch is known to have been destroyed early is morning. It was only a light wooden affair, anyway.’ Idn’t you take a boat, row across the river here and message from some place on the other side? I'll it worth your while.” stranger pulled out a well-filled pocketbook and | to open it. e nearest office on the athe side is at Greenville, six es away. The river is so swift and high, not to speak gs one would be apt to meet, that any one would sking his life to. cross it in a boat,” replied Fred. & ook here, boy, ean’t I make it an. object for you to run » risk. Here is $100. Come across the street to the I will put the money in an envelope and eh Mr. Murray, the landlord, with STORIES OF BOYS WHO MAKE MONEY Entered at the New York, N. NEW YORK, JANUARY 19, 1917. This | safe. lace it, in e under-. Y., Post Office as Second-Class Matter West 28d Street, New York. Price 5 Cents. 4 FOR LUCK — The temptation to make that money and thus relieve his mother’s anxiety was irresistible. | Besides, Fred was a plucky boy, and dared attempt. what many a man would refuse to undertake. “ll take your offer, sir, and do the best I can,” he said, ewretink the pack of cards into the drawer of the table s on which stood the telegraphic instrument which had been _ silent ever since the railroad bridge had been partly de- * stroyed by the onslaught of the liberated giants of the for- Sy est after the boom gave way. ‘f The gentleman handed ee the telegram, and paid thal tariff on it from Edgecomb to Boston, after Fred read it and counted the words. It was addressed to a well-known stock broker in Boston, — and related to the purchase of a certain stock. 5 Fred. enclosed it in one of the Western Union envelonety and put it in his pocket, then he glanced at the clock. | It was just five. Locking up the little office he accompanied the gentleman across the muddy street to the hotel: Mr. Murray was behind the desk in the office. : The gentlenian, whose name Fred now found out was ie Woodhull, ‘told the landlord of the arrangement he had — made with the young telegraph o es me enclosed the $100 in an euysinze and handed it to . Murray to place in. his E. “Here is a five-dollar bill, my (iad: to pay for the boat, and to meet any. other expense you may be put to,” the gentleman. “If you get across the river all right, bring 5 pack with you a paper signed by the operator Greenville — ‘showing the hour you turned my message over to him, — That will be evidence sufficient to entitle oe to the $100.” Ai. Fred nodded and walked out of the hotel. : It was a late afternoon in March. /Rain had been falling steadily for three days, visa} from ye J all parts of the State came reports of frightful damage bse Hh flood. ial Trains were delayed on all the railroads by wash-outs; bridges were swept away; farms and villages inundated, and there had been disaster along the seacoast. Snake River, which flowed by Edgecomb, was ‘syollen to a tremendous volume. ands of anding that if by any means you can ‘send this dispatch eet in State Street, so that he will receive it} ‘ xe} clock to-morrow morning, the money is yours.” a munificent one to Fred Sparks, who was ery all salary as the village operator. | \ eded by his mother*just| ey ich} hake “which supported resist the impetu Sober mortgage er, two mile ut ee a br i poured in a

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3 A WIZARD — a4 ; a id The telegraph wires over the river were carried away with the bridge, and for the time being Edgecomb was prac- tically eut off from the outside world. j _Fred Sparks was a new hand at the telegraph business, his appointment as the village operator dating back just one month. Fred had been raised on a farm in the neighborhood. He disliked the work quite as much as did othér boys of his age, but love for his widowed mother made him ever faithful in the performance of his share of the labor of the small farm, in which he had long since lost faith as a means to fortune; for despite the industry of himself and his brother, John—and they did work hard—the -farm only yielded the little family a poor living. John, the elder brother, modest and unambitious, accepted this lot in life as inevitable, and patiently trudged along the rough way. : But Fred was cast in a different mold. He was twice as smart as his brother and chock full of ambition to get ahead in the world. He grew more and more weary of his plodding existence and longed for an opportunity to cut loose from the farm and seek his fortune in some other pasture. ss His mother, however, could ill afford to lose his services, and so Fred hung on. When the opportunity to learn telegraphing was thrown in his way he eagerly embraced it. ' He rode to the village every night to take a lesson from the Edgecomb operator and practice on a spare sounder. When his instructor, who had secured a better position, is oe him capable of handling the business of the ittle office, his mother consented to his taking the job, for the money he would be able to turn in would more than pay the wages of a hired man to fill his place on the farm. _ So the Western Union Co. hired him on the recommen- dation of the retiring operator. The change suited Fred to the queen’s taste, for he looked upon it as a stepping-stone to something better. He had lots of time to himself, and he utilized the bulk: of it in adding to the knowledge he had obtained at the district school, for, in his opinion, to be successfal in any undertaking one must first possess an education. . #. ; CHAPTER II. FRED MAKES THE ACQUAINTANCE OF TWO STRANGE MEN. Fred was strong and sturdy and perfectly at home in a ‘boat on the river, but to cross that river under the present _tireumstances was an entirely different proposition to un- flertaking. the same feat when ordinary conditions prevailed. To reach Greenville in time to put the message through to Boston within the specified limit meant that he must dare the perils of a swollen current in the darkness and.in the _ rain which had come on again, _. Furthermore, he would have to make the trip’ alone, for he was satisfied that it would be useless to try and persuade ae one in the village to accompany him across. _ “such an attempt would be considered foolhardy. Indeed, he was fully aware of the great risk he was fac- ing, but that $100 prize was before his eyes. i Tf he could win it he knew how happy it would make his -. mother, and for that mother’s sake he was prepared to dare ~ anything. rf ere was a rubber coat, an man’s lantern in the office. He donned the first two and, taking the lantern in his band, started for the riverside to hunt up a serviceable * boat. . He consumed half an hour in looking one up and obtain- ing the reluctant permission»of the owner to use it for. the sum of one dollar. ; Han ’ When he pushed out into the rapid water he could not see the outlines of the further shore. : _ The current was so strong that he did not attempt to row straight across, but allowed the boat to drift down stream. He pulled sturdily at the oars for some time, and then t frequent glances over his shoulder in expectation of Saree the opposite shore loom up before him. wold slouch hat and a line- it, now that both banks were more or less overflowed, distance across’ was fully three-quarters of a mile. ittle below the village the river widened and at this | FOR LUCK. | i ' Although he had managed thus far to keep the boat right side up, his situation was becoming more uncomfortable all the time, to say the least. Suddenly a bend in the river brought a light into full view. t It evidently came from some house on the bank he was _ aiming for, : i He hailed its appearance with a thrill of joy. Heading the boat for a eth about it to allow force of ie current, he rapidly approached it. At last, completely tired out by his violent and unusual exertions, Fred. managed to effect a landing and tie his © boat to a tree. 2 Satisfied that he must be at least a mile below the ruined railroad bridge, and feeling loath to start upon his dreary walk to Greenville across a soggy country, in his wet and exhausted condition, he decided to apply at the house for temporary shelter, hoping he might find a fire before which to warm himself. Bis Accordingly, he stepped up to the door of the building which was but a small, one-story and attic frame affair, an rapped loudly. Almost instantly the light went out, but no one answered his summons. He waited a few minutes and knocked again, louder than before. j ; Still no one came to let him in. “I guess they don’t want to receive callers,” he mut- tered. “It’s pretty tough on me if I have to continue on a this shape. I may not strike another house for some ime. sae j Finally he knocked. a third, time, determined to gain ad- mission if he could if only for.a short spell. ; He was on the point of giving the thing up for a bad job when one of the two small windows was cautiously opened and a rough voice inquired who was there. ‘ “I’m a boy from the other side of the river. I’ve just rowed across. I’ve got a long walk before me in the rain and fd like to come inside and rest a while before going on.” “It’s a kid,” said the voice to some one behind him. i “Says he’s just rowed across the river and wants to get under cover for a while. Shall we let him in?” Fred couldn’t catch what the other person said in reply, but the man at the window closed it and presently“the door was opened and he was told to walk inside. — eS The room was quite dark, and he could barely see the outlines of the individual who had admitted him. ; A match, however, was struck a. few feet away, the light flamed up, and soon a lamp standing on a table diffused a cheerful glow around the only real room in the house, Fred then got a good view of the two persons who ap- peared to be the occupants of the house.’ They were hard-looking fellows, both of them, of about — the average height and build. One ,wore a soft felt hat and the other a rough cap. , Their garments were somewhat shabby and threadbare, and, on the whole, they looked pictures of hard luck. - Fred like their appearance so/ little that he was sorry they let him in. Aes “So yer jest came across the river, did yer, young fel-. ler?” said the chap who had admitted him, and whose name the boy afterward learned was Jobkins, while his com- panion’s name was Rowley. ‘ es for the “Yer have got a good nerve,” said Rowley. “It must have been a matter of importance that fetched yer across.- Where did yer come from?” , “Hdgecomb.” “Is'that the village up the river?” “Yes,” “What's yer name?” » “Fred Sparks.” , “If yer tired why don’t yer sit down?” — ip Fred availed himself of this permission, but he kept a wary eye on the two men, for he had his suspicions of them. _ “Where are yer goin’ on sich a night as this?” Pai “Greenyille.” ty “Where is that?” 5 Roa AA “About seven miles from here.” ; hrte “Ts it on the railroad?” bain 3). eae ae ; : “What sort of place is .it?” : inte “T's a large village.” Wines sip ACE eee «S’pose we was to foller this river down, what’s the next

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ine kk. A WIZARD FOR LUCK. ee: ee “Wow far is that from here?” a This was the change Fred had received from the man from © _ Ps 7 fifteen miles. It’s opposite the town of River- | whdm he had hired the rowboat. / - mouth.” The young operator put up a game struggle to avoid bein, __ “What did yer do with the boat yer come across in?” robbed, but the two men were odds against which he “Tied it to a tree outside.” had no show. _ Expect to go back in it, I s’pose?” said Rowley, with a| “Now, Jobkins, hold him till I get a cord to tie his hands » kind of grin. with,” said Rowley. “Yes. It belongs to a man in Edgecomb,” As the rascal rose from his seat a sudden shock struck “Yer borrowed it, then?” ; the house. £ - “T did.” The building was lifted bodily from its slight founda- __,While Fred and the man named Rowley were talking, the |tion and swept over on an angle of fifteen or twenty de- other chap was cooking some bacon and. eggs on the small | grees. E ‘ 7 stove in a pan that looked very much the worse for wear.| The table went over with a crash, carrying the lamp with He used the blade of a six-inch knife to turn the food. |it, the light being extinguished when it struck the floor. When the stuff was done to a turn he took a small bundle Fred and his captors were thrown in a heap against the _ from a shelf and disclosed a loaf of bread. base-board of the further wall of the room, , ; : With the same knife he cut off three slices and on each| The stove also participated in the general .ruin, placed an egg and some of the bacon. ‘ It turned oyer on its side, scattering its blazing embers Then he cut three more slices of bread and placed them | over the floor in the direction of the wall where Fred and over the eggs and bacon. the two rascals were floundering. ; He handed one of the sandwiches to his associate, a sec- ond to Fred, who, being quite hungry, did not refuse it, and took a third himself, : There were only two: boxes in the room, which served as seats, and one of these was held down by Fred, Rowley occupied the other. : All three ate the simple meal in silence, and when the _ last morsel had vanished down their throats the men drew flasks from their pockets and washed the food down with a liquor that looked and smelt like whisky. i ane a drink?” asked Rowley, proffering his flask to red. “T don’t drink any kind of spirits,” replied the young weleer eh operator, : ‘ f “T reckon it’s a bad habit,” grinned Rowley, taking an- ' other swallow. “Say, what brought yer across the river on sich a night?” , “An errand,” repled Fred. “What kind of an errand?” persisted Rowley. Fred was not anxious to disclose his business, but the question was too direct for him to evade, so he said: “T came across to send a telegraphic message from: Green- ville to Boston.” __ : e ; “Oh, yer did. Ain’t there no telegraph office in yer vil- age?” 7 ' “There is, but the wires went down with the bridge.” “How much money have yer got about yer?” “What do you want to know for?” asked Fred, rather, startled by this inquiry. “Well, me and my pal is strapped, and we’d like to borrow it from yer.” z _“T need whatever money I have. It isn’t much, anyway. Still, ’'m willing to let you have a dollar for the sandwich and privilege of resting here.” “How much more’n a dollar have yer?” “Not a great deal more,” replied Fred, evasively. _ “Well, yer might turn out what yer have on the. table. _ Yer won’t need it to-night, ’eause ye’re goin’ to stay here ' till mornin’,” ’ , , “Stay here till morning!” exclaimed Fred. “Oh, no; aa I've got to hurry on to Greenyille right away, because that "message must be sent to Boston as soon as possible.” “Sorry to interfere with yer arrangements, but yer’ve got _ to stay. We ain’t pertic’lar about havin’ no visitors afore _ mornin’, which we might have if we let yer) BOE esg' “Do you mean to say, you intend to detain me against | my will?” said Fred, rising. ; __ (T reckon that’s what I mean,” replied Rowley, coolly. _, “You’ye no right to do that. And I won’t stand for it, either,” replied Fred, in a resolute tone. “How are yer goin’ to help yerself? We're the bosses of this ranch. We can’t afford to let yer go,” A cone did you let me in for?” demanded the boy, in- of nant] y. t oN le } “ “To see if yer had any coin in yer clothes, Dump out ae kin go yer way. _Fred’s The building would have: stood a fair show of catchin afire but for an inrush of several inches of water which deluged‘ the firebrands ‘and thoroughly drenched the young operator and the two men. , : Then the building righted with a wobbly motion, and went sailing down the river at the mercy of the swift current. } y CHAPTER III. FREv IS TREATED TO AN UNCOMFORTABLE RIDE DOWN THE RIVER, As Fred, somewhat dazed. by the shock he had sustained, struggled on his feet, his head struck against the ladder leading to the attic or loft. ; ; He grasped at it for support, and held pn in the dark, wondering what had happened to the house. His thoughts quickly grappled with the situation, and with a thrill of dismay he realized from the motion of the building that it was afloat on the river. : “My gracious!” he palpitated. “We'll all be drowned, like rats in a trap!” It looked that way, for the water had risen to a good foot | on the floor, and he could hear and feel it washing about the room with the swing of the house. ‘ an The water was cold and uncomfortable, and as the ladder offered a chance to get away from it, Fred took advantage — of it and ran up to the loft. ae The opening was fitted with a trap-door which he might | q easily have closed against the two rascals, but though he > had no desire to enjoy their compeey further, he was not. “9 heartless enough to shut them down in the room, where Niet they might, in that case, be drowned. % They were, entitled to a chance for their lives as well as ¥ himself, however bad sa & might be, to deprive them of that opportunity would be little short of murder. ower So he left the trap open and groped around to see whether ‘a there was any opening by which, in case of emergency, he could get out and swim for his life. Mat At that moment he heard the two rascals scrambling up the ladder as fast as they could. A: ty The rapid flooding of the room below had driven them to waa seek safety aloft. , No sooner were they in the loft than they slammed the trap down and stood upon it. o— Then they heard Fred moving about. a “Are you up here, kid?” asked Rowley. Ww “T am,” replied Fred, coldly, for he saw he would have stood small chance for his life had he been the last to ascend. ; ' ace “Then open the trap in the roof so we kin all git out.” “Where is the trap?” asked the young operator, de- ignited to learn that there was an opening in the peaked roof, j ; ey: b “Tn the center, to one side.” Ores Fred, following this hint, soon found the trap, which was _ held by a small bolt. a : : 1 ts He released the bolt and threw open the flap, which R* worked, outward on hinges. A ; eee ek : Then he worked himself through the opening and straddled _ the middle of the roof. ‘ oi Rowley and Jobkin’ did not immediately cole, ‘ g in that direction, and so ‘ ed him with a not im but ¢« tented themselves with thrusting their heads and sh ulde -hrough ; ine. eae need hov “ihe rain had dled ‘away to a mere drizzle, but gee: Die tear: co it ee aes, a see Bee he thrust one of his hands into the right ‘red’s trousers and fetched up four one-dollar sl rx r . Dat 5. id 09 bs § ct 8 s m Sab SO NSE eR EP REE Sy ice 1 Ri Sa Sree ee ne ate NY 4 Sa Ee oe * os Sy Meret ie Ne ieee eee

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was blowing a stiff breeze that raised whitecaps on. thestur- bulent surface of Snake River. 5 It was dark as pitch, and it was impossible to find out whether they were sailing along in the middle of the stream or close to the shore. : In any event, their position was one of great peril, but they were powerless to make it any better. The house was now about half-submerged and rolled from side to’ side, like an old-fashioned Dutch lugger in a cross sea. ‘Occasionally when it made an extra dip to one side or the other, Fred, for the moment, thought it was going to turn over, ; This, however, it couldn’t do, owing to the quantity of water ballast it carried in the room below. There was a little comfort in the reflection that, owing to its buoyant character, it could scarcely sink much below the level of the floor of the loft. — Apparently the three were in for an all-night ride if their odd/eraft did not go ashore or fetch up against some’ ob- struction in their path. - As the minutes passed away, Fred saw the $100 bill he had fondly hoped to capture slipping from his grasp. - It was too bad, after all the trouble and danger of cross- ing the river, to lose the price that surely would have been -his if he had not stopped at that house. Had he kept right on after landing he would by that time Re ye been well on his way to Greenville, if, not actually ere, / The more he thought the matter over the more exasper- ating it appeared to him. : “Say, kid, how do you like it up there?” asked Rowley, ' who seemed to,consider their chances of ultimate escape pretty good. “Why don’t you come up and see how you like it your- self?” asked Fred. : t “This here place where we are is better,” returned the rascal. “I reckon yer won’t reach Greenville to-night to send that message yer were in sich a sweat about,” he added, with a chuckle. j / “That needn’t worry you,” retorted Fred, in a sour tone. . “It ain’t worryin’ me a bit. Mebbe yer kin send it from Glendale if we hit the shore. That'll save yer that long tramp of six miles through the mud yer were goin’ to take only we stopped yer. Yer ought to thank us for providin’ ‘yer with a free rid@ down the river.” _ Fred made no reply, for at that moment he caught sight ‘of several lights in the distance which pointed out the line “of the shore on the Glendale side. He was now able to see that they were some distance out - on the stream, which reduced their chances of grounding near the bank very soon. _. The speed with which they drew near to the lights showed how swiftly the, current was bearing them down the river. As they reached a point opposite the light a turn in the _ stream swung the. house in toward the shore. ~The house was caught by another current that set into a bite of the bank where hundreds of logs from aboye had jammed together into a kind of temporary boom that extended out a short distance, dnd was held in place by the. diverse influences of the tide at this point... _. Before the three voyagers suspected that an obstruction lay in their path, the house came, with a jolt, against the outer line of logs, and Fred, only by the greatest good luck in the world, saved himself from taking a header into the ‘wobbling mass. ¢ eet . Rowley and Jobkine were unprepared for the shock, too, and they fell over themselves on the floor of the loft. “Gee! JI wonder what we’ve run against?” Fred asked mself, being unable to distinguish’ the nature of the ob- structions in the darkness. sia Raves tae ~The house gradually swung around till its Side rubbed ainst the logs, and as the action of the current bobbed ‘the roof towards them Fred made out several of the logs lying stationary, and he began to understand that they had something to do with the stoppage of the building. was bad enough to be floating down the stream, but it worse to be held up by a collection of partly submerged lo, kid! What have we run ag’in?” asked Rowley, dn’t see the obstructions as the trap opening was de i ee the logs. Lia bid up here and see x yourself,” was what the r SN a a Od a er aa cE A WIZARD FOR LUCK. Fred] host and himself. » 7 , i; The house was not fated to remain long in the embrace of the logs. Tee By degrees the action of the current worked it in toward shore and it finally grounded close to a big, overhanging tree. As the leaves brushed in Fred’s face he grabbed hold ‘of one of the boughs and succeeded in swinging himself onto the bank, : The two rascals called after him as soon as they saw him vanish from the peaked roof, but he did not consider it necessary to make them any reply. , 4 As soon as he felt the firm ground under him once more’ he started off briskly toward the nearest light. It proved to be the dwelling of the foreman of a section | gang on the railroad that ran to Glendale. Fred knocked on the door and was admitted. Here, before a fire which warmed his half-frozen frame, he told the story of his trip across the river and his ad- ventures in connection with the building which had carried him down the river to that point. Sant He learned, to his great satisfaction, that Glendale was wees about three miles away. : threes e told the railroad foreman the nature of the errand tnat had brought him across the river and how anxious he was to reach the nearest telegraph office as soon as possible. “It is ten o’clock now,” said the foreman, “and as the road is in a beastly state it would probably take you hours to walk to town in the dark. Better stay here. I'll give you a bed and will send you on to the yard on a hand-car around seven in the morning. That will give you plenty of time to send your message to Boston before ten o’clock.” Fred, with some reluctance, accepted the friendly invita- tion to stay at the man’s home that Sy ae He was not sorry he had done so when, half an hour later, just as he was under the blankets, he heard the rain come own in bucketfuls once more. bs i He wondered if Rowley and Jobkins had succeeded in getting ashore from the house and, if they had, where they were at that moment. 1 ; Rr Toward morning the weather cleared up and the stars. were paling in the sky when the section foreman come into the room and awoke him. He hurried on his clothes, and when he got downstairs — found breakfast on the table, ready and waiting, for his — It was just sunrise when Fred and the foreman left the house for the railroad track, “nearly half a mile away. About a quarter to seven a hand-car, loaded with section hands, came bowling down the line. _ / eae ‘It stopped at the crossing where Fred and the foreman were standing. PR After the men had alighted, the foreman instructed two of the hands to carry the boy to the yard, so Fred said good-by to the friendly railroader, mounted the hand-car. _ and was soon being hurried toward the freight yard at — Glendale. _. i { ™ ; CHAPTER Iv. FRED SAVES MAJOR STRATTON FROM BEING ROBBED. a 7 ss As soon as Fred was landed at Glendale he hurried to the nearest Western Union office and presented Mr. Wood- hull’s message for transmission. _ =e 7 0 eras He introduced himself to the operator as a brother tele. grapher in charge of the company’s office at Edgecomb vil lage, and explained how he had rowed across the river earl on the previous evening in order to carry the message, whic was a very important one, to Greenville to be dispatche from that place. ~ i He then went

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A WIZARD — The nearest route back was by the river road, which of- fered pretty rocky walking that morning, but Fred was in _ high spirits, for the $100 was as good as in his pocket. However, the sun was shining bright and warm, and though the fifteen-mile walk to a point opposite the village might take him a good part of the day, he faced the job like a little man. He entertained some slight hopes of recovering his boat which he had tied securely to a tree when he landed near ' the house, but if it was gone when’he reached the spot he ay Cae nes to get a boatman higher up to put him across. the boat he had borrowed was lost for good he would have to pay for it, but, on the whole, he felt that he could afford to do that under the circumstances. With his waterproof coat under his arm he trudged sturd- ily forward, unmindful pf the mud, and taking care to skirt i big puddles which glistened at frequent intervals along is way. 3 After covering nearly three miles, which brought him close to the vicinity where the house had grounded the night before, he climbed. upon the roadside fence to take a rest. ‘In front of him, a short’ distance off, he could see the rushing river’ swelled to a considerable degree, and dottéd here and there with floating logs. - Behind. him wag a thick hedge, with fields beyond. Ahead of him the road pranched slightly away from the stream. Fred was thinking how surprised and. pleased his mother would be when he handed her that $100 which she needed so much, when he heard a cry for help in a man’s voice. from somewhere behind the hedge. The cry was repeated, and mingled with it came the _ rough tones of two men. . lp lnc ‘who ‘was in trouble and why, Fred sprang into the field, rushed to the edge and, parting the bushes, looked through. : _ In an opening on the other side two men were struggling with a third. The man who was getting the worst of the encounter was - well dressed and seemingly a gentleman. : His assailants the boy had no difficulty in recognizing as ‘Rowley and Jobkins. i ' There could be but one object in their attack, and that ‘was robbery. ~ Even as Fred looked they succeeded in tripping the gen- tleman up, and he fell heavily on the soft turf. _ He lay still, however, after hitting the ground, for hij ot had struck upon a stone, and the shock had stunned im. { 2 The rascals then proceeded to delay, ' Fred saw them draw a bag of money from one pocket and a large wallet from another. ‘ “T can’t stand by and see that gentleman cleaned out without making an effort to assist him,” breathed the boy. “And yet, what can I do against those two villains, one of whom I know has a knife, or at least he had it last night "in ‘the house?” | Fred, however, was too plucky to hold back simply be: -eause the odds were against him when he believed that it was his duty to do something. _ He glanced around for something that a weapon. ; f ; At his feet he saw a heavy stick. He grabbed it up at once and, thus armed, prepared for instant action. iad age : _. “ffold on there, you rascals!” shouted Fred,’ springing from the bushes, club in hand. “What in thunder are you doing’ Robbing the man?” a _. The two ruffians paused in their work and glanced at . him in.a startled way. } 5 '' “Tt?s the kid!” snarled Jobkins, who was on his kneeg beside the fallen man, and was in the act of taking a. paper from one of his inner pockets... { é : . Rowley, who had straightened up from a stooping posi- m, glanced over his shoulder, with an ugly scowl on his by no means prepossessing countenance. — _ \ “Come now, drop that!” said Fred, advancing on the ras- rifle his pockets without might answer fox Ur gf 2 he roared. “I reckon we'll learn seize Fred, but the boy swung his nding a blow on his shoulder that pia? es hard characters.” x : FOR LUCK. 5 Rowley uttered a string of imprecations and put his hand to his hip-pocket. J Suspecting the fellow was about to draw a revolver, Fred jumped at him and brought his stick down on Rowley’s head with such good effect as to stretch him senseless on the ground. : Then he turned his attention to Jobkins. That ruffian. was paralyzed by the way the boy handled his companion. — He pulled out his knife and jumped to his feet. ; Fred gave him no time to use the weapon, but swung his club upward, catching the fellow a blow on his wrist that sent the knife hurtling through the air into the bushes, Jobkins, furious with rage, tried to close on him. The young operator, nimble as a monkey on his feet, avoided his onrush by springing aside. Then, with a low sweeping swing of his club, he smashed the rascal in the shins. : : Jobkins. fell to the ground with a howl of pain and was unable to get up in a hurry. Fred stood over him with his weapon and ordered him not to move on his peril. The victim of the villains had by this time recovered his senses and was a witness of Jobkins’ discomfiture. “Well done, my lad!” he said, picking himself up. “You” came just in time to saye me from being robbed. You scoundrel!” he added, facing the rascal. “You and your: — companion shall pay dearly for your assault on me. You — both have the look of jailbirds, and I’ll see that you go back to prison, where you belong.” Jobkins glared up at him, but said nothing. “Here, iy lad,” said the gentleman, “take my hand- kerchief and tie that raseal’s hands behind his back. Give me your club, which I noticed you know how to use with . good effect, and I’ll see that he doesn’t make any trouble for you. a : 4 The gentleman was clearly a man of resolution and action. Had he not been taken at sudden disadvantage by the ruffians he would have made matters very hot for them before they could have succeeded in getting the better of him, if indeed they could have done so at all. Nays His manner helped to cow Jobkins, and Fred had no trouble in tying the fellow’s hands behind him. ! Ni Then ‘insensible Rowley was treated in the same way — with the aid of his own bandana handkerchief, * Ne When both jobs had been satisfactorily executed by the young operator the gentleman expressed his satisfaction. “Now, my lad, what is your name and where do you live? Shae i wish to know whom I am under such a great obligation 0. : Ne “My name is Fred Sparks, sir. I live on a’ small farm belonging to my mother about two miles outside of the village of Edgecomb, on the other side of the river.” © EE “Ah, indeed!” replied the gentleman. “You are some dis- . tance from your home. Let me introduce myself.. 1am Major Payne Stratton, and I live in Glendale.” . Piers te “IT am glad to make your acquaintance, Major Stratton,” said Fred, with some deference, for the major looked like tad se ‘ q he ty aman of position and influence. ; ox ou are a plucky boy, Sparks,” said Major Stratton.’ — “TI don’t know how you managed, all by yourself, to down ‘both of these rascals, but there is no disputaing the evidence say of the fact. However, I recovered my senses in time to see — is. [the neat way you handled that ruftian yonder, and Iam bound to; say that no one could have done it better. The ;raseals collared me unawares and pulled me off my horse ce I was looking at some of the damage done by the © ‘recent rains. It is my habit to take a ride around the coun- try every | pleasant morning. This morning I followed my usual custom in spite of the miserable condition of the roads. On this occasion I was combining business with ‘pleasure, for I brought out a sum of money to loan a farmer ‘acquaintance of mine, and but for I would have been robbed of it.” The major stooped and recovered his bag of money and your timely assistance appreciation of your servic bills.) 6) j ; j UE “Vd rather not take any pay, sir,” replied Fred are welcomé to what I did in your ena I cons my duty to interfere to save you from being x possibly injured by a pair of rascals who Vay

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6 | A WIZARD oe , “But you must let me do something for you, my lad,” insisted the major. “There are many ways I could probably be of assistance to you. Do you work on your mother’s farm?” “No, sir; not since the first of last month, when I took charge of the Edgecomb office of the Western Union Tele- graph Co.” “Are you a telegraph operator?” “Yes, sir, though I’m only a new hand at the business.” “What pay do you get?” Fred told him. i “What prospects have you of advancement?” The boy said that he wasn’t very clear on that point, but ; that he supposed after he had been a year or so in the com- pany’s employ he would get a better position with more pay. - ae any rate, that’s what I’m looking for,” concluded ‘red, . “How would you like to get a better position and more +. pay right away?” “That would suit me very well, sig,” replied the boy, eagerly, “but I can hardly exp ct such good luck,” “You look smart, and I should judge that you’re am- bitious.” ; “Well, sir, I’d like to get ahead in the world as fast as F I could, but I expect to do it through my own efforts en- ’ tirely. I hayen’t any backer, and, on the whole, I don’t know that I’d care to be boosted into such a thing as a soft ‘snap. It doesn’t do a fellow any real good in the long run.” : ' The as nodded as if he appreciated the force of the -. boy’s words, st d “Nevertheless,” he said, “it’s a good thing to have a friend at court, as the saying is. A boy may have the ability to make his mark and yet lack the opportunity to show ‘what’s in him. It’s half the battle, sometimes, to get an early’ opening in the right direction, I think your talents fit for a wider field than that offered a regular telegraph operator. How would you like to go into railroading?” “Railroading, sir?” ; “Yes. I can place you in the Eastern road, for I am one - of the directors, and well acquainted with the chief officials _ of the line. There are three branches to the service—office, mechanical and road. Perhaps it would be well for you -. to get your start in the first. You would have to make up your mind to go to Boston, though, for the general offices of the company are there,” td go to Boston in order to benefit “I have no objection myself,” replied Fred. _ “And your mother?” ; i “My brother. John has charge of the farm and my pres- _ ence is not necessary as long as I can send a few dollars _ home every month.” _ “Very good. Do I understand that you will give up the : Western Union, then?” - ’ af ee “T will to get something that offers a better future.” A “Very well. I suppose you know that a good deal goes ‘by favor in) this world?” _ “Yes, sir; I have heard so.” - “J mention this because I have it in'my power to favor - you—and I. intend to do it. You have done me a great - gervice to-day, and I should not be satisfied unless I re- turned it in a way that would tend most to your ultimate advantage. In a few days I have to go to Boston. will then see the general passenger agent of the road about lacing’ you. In due time you will receive a letter to report on a certain day in Boston. You will.do so promptly and, after that, I shall expect to hear a good report of you for remember, I shall take an interest in your progress, and to that end will keep you in mind. Now, Sparks, we must : see about getting these rascals to the Glendale jail. You don’t mind keeping an eye on them, I suppose, until I-can ride to town and send the police out here to take charge of them?” “1 watch them, sir, and see that they don’t get away,” ith my address. Tm "Fred told hi FOR LUCK. CHAPTER V. FRED LEAVES HIS HOME FOR BOSTON. After the lapse of an hour, during which Rowley re- covered his senses, and the two rascals made all sorts of threats against Fred for deing them up, three policemen arrived in\a light wagon and took charge of the prisoners. They were dumped into the wagon with little ceremony, and when the outfit had departed in the direction of Glen- dale, Fred started on again.up the river road. 4 After a short walk he reached the indentation of the shore where the house had come to rest after its trip of ten miles down the stream. He saw it aground to one side, not far from the tree that had furnished him his means of escape. Further out he saw hundreds of logs jammed together and piled on one another against: the shore. ; The submerged house and. the mass of logs gave one,some idea of the damage which the flood had occasioned along the dourse of the Snake River. 2 After Fred had satisfied his curiosity he resumed his way again. By noon he was nine miles from Glendale. The sight of a small farmhouse in the near distance, with’ the smoke pouring from the kitchen chimney, reminded Fred that he was getting hungry once more, so he decided that, as he still had some distance to go, he would try to get a meal at the place. He was now able to pay for the favor, as he had re- covered his four dollars from the rascal Rowley. Accordingly, he walked up the lane to the farmhouse and « asked if he could be accommodated with a meal. ; The farmer willingly acceded to Fred’s request, but re- fused to accept any pay for same, The boy told the story of his night’s and morning’s ad- Hoptuers at the dinner-table, and was looked on as quite a ero. - i ‘ The farmer declared that he must have a cast-iron nerve to have dared the dangers of the river in the darkness and rain. . js “Five hundred dollars wouldn’t have induced me, to at- tempt it,” he said. “I consider that you took your life in your hands, and that you ought to be thankful to Provi- dence that you got across alive.” ) ; Fred remained nearly an hour at the farmhouse and then resumed his journey: : - { He had gone about four miles when he came to the place where he landed in the boat the night before, and, to his great satisfaction, he saw the stout little craft tied to the tree just as he had left it. , ‘ The stream having overflowed the spot, Fred had to re- move his shoes. and stockings, roll up his trousers legs, and wane out a’ dozen feet or more before he could reach the oat, ° ; “I guess I’ve got my work cut out for me to row up. against the stream,” the boy said to himself, as he looked out on the swiftly flowing river, “but it will have to be done, so the sooner I get down to work the better.” ie He decided to row across first. : ; He was carried down half a mile before he landed on the other side. y p _ After taking a rest, he started to row up the river, keep- _ pot rag in to the shore, where he found the current less swift. ‘ ; ope He was obliged to stop several times to renew his wind, ~ but about four o’clock.the spire of the principal church in Edgecomb loomed up ahead, and he judged that he had not over a mile more to go. | her Age: OR) At length he reached the‘little wharf. where he had hired the boat. : _ The boatman was sittin ing, when Fred landed an at the door of his house, ‘smoke: nae fastened the boat. ; me G9 had almost given you and the boat up as lost,” he said, when Fred stepped up. “I didn’t notice you coming — across, Which way did you come?” & pred Fred told him that he had crossed two miles below and — then rowed up on that side. : Mpa ee 3 _ “Were you earried down as far as that last night?” - “J was. And then I was carried nearly ten miles furthe down afterward on a shanty.” Pea ay “How is that?” asked the boatman, in some surprise. _ Without going into particulars about the_ 4 him how he had stopped at | + Lg ae ee

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carried the house away, and that it finally went ashore three miles that side of Glendale. ‘ “Where was the boat all that time?” “Tied to a tree where I landed first.” ; “Did you have to walk all the way back to it?” “Looks as if I did, for there’s your boat safe and sound at your wharf.” “T didn’t know but you might have got a lift on your way. It must {have been tough walking in the condition. the roads are now.” aves “You ean gamble on it that it wasn’t a picnic.” “Did you send your telegram off all right?” “Sure thing. I sent it from Glendale.” “Then you had to walk to Glendale from the place where _the house went ashore?” “No. I put up all night at the home of a section foreman ‘on the Hastern Railroad, and this morning he had me carried to town on a hand-car.” “Then you walked all the way from Glendale to the place _ where you tied the boat, eh?” - Tl did.” i - “T don’t wonder, then, that the trip took you nearly all ay.’ : : _ When Fred left the boatman’s he went straight to the hotel and presented the paper he had received from the Western Union operator at Glendale, certifying to the fact, that the despatch had been sent to Boston at a quarter of bi eight that one ; j Sree ; r. Murray read it, accepted it as satisfactory evidence that Fred had fulfilled his contract, and handed him the envelope containing the $100. Fred then went to the office and returned the waterproof, the lantern and the old hat, after which he locked up, went to the stable, got his horse and rode home. ' “Why, Fred!” exclaimed his mother, as soon as he ap-, peared, “where were you last night that you did not come home?” “On the other side of cheerfully. ; “On the other side of the river!” she cried. “What took you there?” : ; - “A yowboat, mother,” he replied, laughingly. “Also the chanee of winning $100 by getting a espatch through to Boston in time after the wires went down. “I don’t understand you, Fred.” : “Well, let me h&ve my supper first, for I’m as hungry as a hunter, and then I'll tell you the whole story. ‘ His brother John now came in and started to wash up. “Why didn’t you come home last night, Fred?” he asked. ‘ 4Mfother was very anxious about you. I rode in to the vil- lage this morning and found your office locked up. Where were you?” ; 4 Fred gave him the same answer he had given his mother. eps AT. ig? Jose you went across before the bridge gave way and f ebuldnt get back before to-day,” said John. es 4 N It was because the bridge went down carrying the | and that while he was there a sudden rise in the river had the river, mother,” he answered, “No. wires with it that I went across.” . : ves that so?” said his brother, in some astonishment. * “How did you get across?” “Rowed across in a boat.” : ; “When. did you do it?” fe Ny “Last night, between five and six.” : John looked at his tee as if he thought he had done the iest kind of an act. “Did you tell mother what you did?” he asked. __ “I told her I had been across the: river, that’s all.” “What did you go across for? Don’t you know that you ere risking your life?” | } : Ass oe ya ent Ri dtone to earn $100, and I earned it,” replied red. | “A hundred dollars!” ore ; sii Pred aa what I said. Here is the money to prove it,” and ete ive $20 pills. : _ John looked at the money with a stare that showed his ral unfamiliarity with $20 bills. ea § that ee yours?” asked John, as if such a fact was tes e to do with it?” Shee ee She needs a hundred dollars badly tee ‘ ) Boe oo A WIZARD. FOR LUCK. took the envelope out of his pocket and showed his|_ * Railroad, F aon speaking, the -young operator took his place at the able. The meal was eaten in comparative silence. “Now, mother, I’m going to tell my story,” said Fred at length. ? : He began with the appearance of Mr. Woodhull in his office the preceding afternoon, and his offer of $100 if’ he (Fred) could ‘by any means get a message through to Bos- ton for him before ten o’clock on the following morning. “I took him up, mother, because I knew you needed $100 the worst way,” went on Fred. “I had only to manage to get across the river before morning and the money would be mine, so I decided to risk it, though it was a pretty hard and perilous feat.” Then he went on with his story, telling how he had man- aged after considerable difficulty to hire a boat; how he had set out on the turbulent river, and how he had finally arrived at the other shore two miles below. ; He told how he had applied for shelter at the house on the bank; the reception he met with there; how the rising water had carried the house away, described the trip down the river, and how he had finally reached shore. He narrated how he had spent the night at the section foreman’s house, and had gone on to Glendale next’ .morn- ing, from which place he sent the message within the stipu- lated time. Then followed his trip back up the river, in the course ot which he described how he had saved Major Stratton from ~ the two rascals, and how, in return for that service, the major had promised to get him started in the railroad busi- ness in Boston. “Surely you don’t mean to leave your position in Edge- comb and go way up to Boston?” cried his mother, who did not relish even the mere suggestion of such a thing. “Why not, if I can better myself?” replied Prat “Oh, I couldn’t let you’ go so far away as that among strangers, my son,” she said, with an anxious ring in her voice, “Yes, you could, mother. You wouldn’t stand in my , way for anything. Edgecomb is really no place for me, no more than the farm was. I mean to get ahead in the world, and the only way to do that is to get out and hustle where one can make the most of his opportunities. I believe I’ve made a good friend in Major Stratton. He’s promised to give me a start in the right direction. Then it will be up to me to make good, and don’t you worry but I'll do that, ‘Now, mother, you’ve béen worrying yourself about the lack of $100 to make your next payment on the mortgage. Well, at is the money,” and he tossed the five bills into her ands. ‘ _ The little woman looked at the bills and then, with tears in her eyes, she rose and threw her arms around Fred’s neck, “To think that you risked your life to earn that money for me!” she cried, in quavering tones. “Had I known you were going. to do such a thing I neyer would have allowed you to do it.” { “Well, you didn’t know, mother, and so the money has been honestly earned and it will pull you out of a hole. Let it go at that and say. no more about it.” ext day a force of men were put to work rebuilding the ruined section of the bridge, and at the same time a number | of Western Union linemen managed to reconnect the broken wires and thus re-establish the circuit in a temporary fashion, At any rate, Fred’s instrument began to show signs of life again, and he sent a number of delayed messages that he had on file. : _ Thus a matter of ten days passed away, and he was be- — ginning to wonder whether the major hadn’t forgotten all ‘about him, when he received a letter bearing the imprint of the office of the General Superintendent of the Eastern : Railroad. : = a ae Opening’ it, Fred found an exceedingly brief communica- tion addressed to himself requesting him to report at the superintendent’s office in Boston at his earliest convenience. __ The result of that letter was that Fred resigned his job — with the Western Union Company, and one day, about a week after its receipt, he left Edgecomb, en route for the “Hub.” CHAPTER VI. FRED TAKES UP RAILROADING _ “I wish to see Mr. Lamport.” on Bee It was Fred Sparks who spoke, and the person_| dressed. was a young clerk in the employ of the Hz in their general offices in the city of Bo +

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Caaier haughty air bred of constant contact with visitors whose business might or might not be of sufficient importance to warrant their names being carried into the sanctum of the great mogul whose private office was close by. “Not exactly,” replied Fred, “but I’ve got a letter which 3 directs me to report here as soon as I could.” ; Sy bring that letter with you?” ag “ i “Tet me have it and I will take it in to Mr. Lamport.” Fred produced the letter, the clerk took it, told him ‘to take a. seat, and then disappeared through a door which bore the two words, “General Superintendent.” In a few minutes he reappeared and beckoned Fred to ' follow him. : ' A moment later the boy found himself standing beside the ig erintendent’s desk. , amport was one of the most important employees Puen 30 the service of the Hastern Railroad Co., and his manner "showed it. _ | “Sit down,” he said, to Fred, scarcely glancing at the boy. E “Your name is Sparks?” : “Yes, sir.” "You belong in Edgecomb ?” . “On a farm two | miles outside the village.” “Parents living 2” “My mother is.’ ' - “You have been eciieaiee to me for office work—as a starter, till we find out what you’re best fitted for—by the general passenger agent, Mr. Peabody. You are a telegraph: ‘operator, I understand?” “Yes, sir. I had charge of the Western Union office at '. Edgecomb.” “Didn't like the business, I suppose. Want to change. 1 tet, been requested to put you to work. When can you gin? “At once.” The papeniitondent drew a ‘saad from a dawar, ‘filled in Some blanks on it with Fred’s name and other particulars, and placed it in a shallow, oblong kasket on his desk. Then he pressed an electric button. A small, neatly ‘dressed boy answered the summons. Mr. Lamport in the meantime had dashed-a few brief sentences off on a desk-pad. Tearing the sheet off he enclosed it in.an envelope which he addressed, “Andrew Bulgin, Esq.,” small youth, ‘with these words: “Take this young man to the Claim Department.” Then he turned tothe desk and other business, while the ‘small boy led Fred out into the! corridor. - The general offices of the Eastern Railroad Company oc-. eupied ane upper floors of the depot building, while the headquarters of the president and other officers were located in the heart of the city. _ The boy led Fred down the corridor to the extreme end, where | a door faced them bearing the words, “Claim Depart- nee bi trates this door, Fred’s conductor ushered him into a reception-room,, the first of the suite, where they Nitaaad another small boy seated before a small table, reading amagazine The superintendent’s ‘messenger laid ‘the envelope on the table and walked away. The youth at the table took up the ‘envelope, looked at ed and then entered an adjoining room with it: In a moment or two he returned and told Fred to go in. Our hero did’ so and found himself in a large, well-fur-. Yeo hed room and in the presence of the chief of the depart- _ ment, who was seated at a desk in the center of it. : | Wr. Bulgin, who was a small, nervous-looking man, with lasces, looked Fred over critically and then said: Nrite a ‘good hand?” ‘Yos, sir,” replied Fred, ome with me.” | He rose fro Bie s chair and led ea way into an adjoinin m fitted. up with two desks, at the larger one of which eated a sandy-haired, sharp-featured man of perhaps Hock, ” said Mr. Balen: “you are short-handed, Put ‘this young man at work “ahh us reports in book. I dare say you will useful in any t “Got an appointment?” asked the clerk, with a certain ‘back toward the depot. half of them probably on their way to some train he saw an elegant. equipage drawn by 4 pair of metitles | was seated in the hack seat, holding a red parasol we the sunlight. had gotten out of gear with the harness, and des his perch to fix it. , | a ee moment aired auto. came A WIZARD FOR LUCK. é “Fred Sparks.” \ ; “Handwriting good?” ' “Yes, sir” : ‘ ! “Specimen, please. You will find paper on yonder desk.” Fred sat down at the desk,and wrote a dozen sentences offhand, finishing off with his name and address. He brought it over to Mr. Hallock. The assistant agent glanced at the paper and seemed to. be satisfied. He pushed a button in his desk. © A nearby door opened and a clerk, see a pen behind his ear, entered the room. “The copying, of our claim reports are way behind,. I think?” said Mr. Hallock. “Very much so, sir. We are short-handed, as you know.” “T know. Take this young man. His name is Sparks. Give him the desk formerly used by Maltby, and show him what to do with the reports.” “Very well, sir. Come this way,” to Fred. ; he boy followed the young man into the next room, where a dozen clerks were busily employed ‘over books: and papers at as many desks. He was shown to a desk in a corner by 4 Cate ae overlook: ing an alleyway. There was a closet near by where he was directed to hang. his hat and overcoat. The clerk then got a record book—a big, thick volume it was, and a pile of legal documents. Fred was told to copy the contents of the papers into the book, in their order. “Bear in mind, Sparks,” said the clerk, “that the copies must be an exact fac-simile of the originals. No words or punctuation marks omitted or transposed. No word, or mark inserted that does not appear in the legal copy. Ina word, you cannot be too careful in transcribing these papers, — as everything depends on their correctness. Understand?” Fred said that he understood what was required of him and he was left to make a beginning. The other clerks in the room looked at him curiously, men- tally sizing their new associate up and wondering what sort of a chap he was. The first inspection was, on the whole, favorable to Feed. i They liked his face and the way he carried himself. They judged him to be a good fellow and were disposed ‘to court his t and handed it to the | oe i ain ai Fred worked steadily away until noon, when the clerks, bean to drop work and go out for lunch. here was an exit and ‘entrance of the ‘employees of this room on a side corridor leading to a stairway that con-' nected with the alley. : As each clerk passed a certain desk he picked up a small, square slip of paper, stamped it on a time-clock, (wrote. his : name on it and hung it on a file. ix He repeated this performance when he came back within tt Eom the hour allotted to him. — > a The clerk who had introduced Fred into the room and ‘set. him ‘at work came u and, telling him he could go to lunch, - explained the time-clock system. . Accordingly, when Fred put his hat and coat on he fol ‘lowed the routine and left his name on file. He had noticed a clean, modest-appearing restaurant ‘within a block of the depot when on his way that morning to the superintendent’s office, 80 he went there for his noonday meal, He dispatched is lunch inside of half. an, hour and left the restaurant with a toothpick between his teeth. — With thirty minutes yet at his disposal, he walked slowly The sidewalks were alive with pedestrians of both sexes, ? There were also many vehicles passing in the stree hig When Fred reached the street on which the depot teed grays standing in front of the main entrance to the offices. A handsomely dressed girl of sixteen or seventeen years. The coachman, who had been si tting as. stiff as ar on the elevated box seat, suddenly noticed that s

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The high-stepping grays took alarm at the sound and both suddenly sprang forward, knocking the coachman to one Side in’ the dirt. ; In another moment the horses \and carriage were off down the Street at a speed that scattered the people at the first crossing right and left in terror for their lives. Fred was standing at the opposite corner when the team took fright. He heard the sh confusion. : Then he saw what was happening. It was a runaway, pure and simple, and as the block be- low was congested with trucks and other vehicles waiting for their chance to get alongside the long freight platform, a Smash-up, that was bound to wreck the stately equipage and probably kill the horses as well as the girl in the carriage, was imminent. He saw that unless the team could be stopped within a comparatively short distance a catastrophe was certain. _. . The girl evidently realized her peril, too, for she dropped her parasol, stood up and seemed on the point of jumping oat which would probably have been a fatal move on her part. Fred never thought quicker in his life. ( »On the spur of the moment, with the nerve for which he was noted at home, he decided that it was up to him to stop the runaway and save the girl. __ He sprang into the middle of the street and waved his hat and arms at the approaching team. ~The frantic horses paid no more attention to him than if he wasn’t there. , ae j They bore right down on him, like a whirlwind, and were upon him hefore he realized his own danger, outs and saw the people fall back in some CHAPTER VII. FRED MAKES A DARING RUSCUE. After all, self-preservation is the first law of nature. Fred jumped back to save himself from being run down. As the nearest horse brushed by him, one of his hands | caught the check-rein, while the other instinctively seized - the upper part of the girth. In a fraction of a second the plucky boy was carried off his feet. NAY |. \Shouts and eries from the sidewalk greeted his perilous predicament. ' Everybody looked to see him fall under the legs of the frightened animals, to be crushed under the wheels of thu carriage. (i But Fred’s lucky star sayed him from such a fate, and ‘ his steel-like sinews, bred of years of farmwork, aided by his natural agility, did the rest. boa, Springing into the air he threw one leg across the horse’s back and swung himself astride of the animal. ips Tearing off his epkets he threw it over the steed’s eyes and pulled his head back. + The animal immediately lost headway and began to hold ‘back, thereby clogging the movements of his mate. The girl in the carriage gazed in a fascinated way at the boy who had come to her rescue. Instinctively she felt that her safety lay in him. As the team lost headway several men took courage to e jump into the street and add their efforts to that of the | brave boy. ; aay. |. Finally the horses were stopped within a short distance of a heavily loaded truck, and Fred sprang from his perch and resumed his jacket. aN He was surrounded by an excited crowd of onlookers who t for his intrepid performance. : He pushed his way back to the carriage and asked th ‘irl if she wished to. get out of the carriage. R A WIZARD FOR LUCK. vied with one another to express the admiration they: felt |. his remark. » plied Fred, regarding the girl with a look of: admiration, - for she was uncommonly pretty. “You look faint. Shall I take you into the drug store to rest?” “No, no; it isn’t necessary. Take me back to the depot, where my father is.” “Certainly.” Pes He took her by the arm and they made their way through the crowd to the street crossing, and so over to the block bordered by the depot. : A fine-looking gentlemah came running up to them just as they reached the corner of the building. “Father!” cried the girl, throwing herself into his arms _ and bursting into tears. “My dear child!” he exclaimed, kissing her fondly. “Tell me chi you’re not hurt in any way. I saw what hap- pened. h “No, father, I’m all right, but ’m—frightened!” “Well, miss, I’ll bid you good-by now,” said Fred, feel- ing that his usefulness to her had come to an end. f “No, don’t go,” she said, recovering her self-possession a bit and catching him by the sleeve. “Father, this boy saved my life.” : “Indeed! Then, young man, you have placed me under a debt of gratitude. Let me know your name and your ad- dress, for [ shall want to see you again.” “Fred Sparks is my name, sir. My address is the Claim Department of the Eastern Railroad Co.” . “The Hastern Railroad! Are you one of the clerks?” “Yes, sir.” “Young man, you shall hear from me in a day or two at the outside. I am George Wentworth, the president of the road, and this is my daughter Edith. Be assured that J] shall not forget the service you have rendered my child. You have thanked him, have you.not, Edith?” he added to | the girl. : “No, father, I was too confused and frightened. You will excuse me, won't’ you, Mr. Sparks?” she said, looking’ at Fred. “I am deeply grateful to you for saving my life, and shall never forget what I owe you.” “That’s all right, Miss Wentworth. I am glad I was able to help you out.” “But you risked your life to save me. You might have been crushed by the horses and the carriage. You were very, very brave to do what you did. I saw it all. You were the only one who dared come to my aid.” @ : She flashed a look of admiration at him that made his blood tingle. : “Well, { must get back to work, for I have already over- stepped my time,” said Fred. “You will call at our house and see me, will you not?” she said, detaining him. “We live at No. — Common- wealth Avenue. Write it down for him, father.” : ' “We shall be very happy to see you, young man,” said Mr. Wentworth, writing his address on the back of a card and handing it to Fred. “Mrs. Wentworth will want to thank you, too. Cail on us as soon as you can.” ; , “T will try to do so,” replied the young clerk. A el Roe He lifted his hat and walked away, followed by Edith’s | eyes. _ ; His stamped ticket showed that he had been out an hour and a half. ; : ‘ ‘I was unable to return any sooner,” he said to the clerk “There was a runaway in the ae who looked after the tickets. 3 street and I stopped the team, that’s why——~” | “Ned Me og the team!” exclaimed the clerk, Uy “ i i” ‘ The clerk whistled and looked at him in a strange way. “Was Miss Wentworth hurt?” he said, in some little ex- citement. | aes f bees “Not a bit. You know, then, that——” hee “It was the carriage of the president of the road—yes. I’m thinking you made a ten-strike. You’re likely to be in « the butter-tub after this.” aie Ag “What do you mean by that?” asked Fred, puzzled at — i “If you prevented a smash-up, which might have resulted ae dj}in the death of Miss Wentworth, you’ll be in line for the _ softest’ job in the building. I wish I was in, your shoes, | Spape ye oie.) sia Mae Rr: “Tm not looking for a soft job, and wouldn’t take it if am

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10 = desk and resuming his work of copying the legal papers into the record book. _ Within a quarter of an hour every clerk in the room had learned what the new clerk had done while out at lunch, and he was the focus of admiring and envious glances from * the rest of the force. At five o’elock work was over for the day. “{ hear you saved the life of the daughter of the presi- dent of this road,” said the head clerk of the room, the ee man who had put him to*work and whose name was uller. A “J won’t deny it,” replied’ Fred, modestly. “I did what I thought was right.” “Well, all I can say is that you ' thing for yourself.” “In what way?” : “In what’ way? Why, by doing a favor for Miss Edith Wentworth you’ve made a good friend for yourself in her father. He won’t forget you. Ill bet you won’t remain long in this room, doing routine work. You'll be advanced to some easy berth with big pay and short hours.” “Think so?” said Fred, with a smile. : “Tm ‘sure of it.” _ “I wouldn’t advise you to bet on it. I didn’t seek a posi- tion on this road to be advanced before I deserved it. 1 ex- pect to get ahead on my merits, not by luck.” Fuller regarded his words with some astonishment. “Oh, come now, Sparks, you don’t mean anything like that. Promotion here goes as much by favor as by anything else. You may be as smart as greased lightning, but it does not necessarily follow that you’ll get on unless the powers that be take special notice of you. In no business is competi- tion for advancement so keen as it is among the clerks of a big railroad company. Accident and pull count for as much and, very often, more than real merit. Who got you the job here?” “Major Payne. Stratton.” “The deuce you say! He’s one of the directors. Are you a friend of his?” ; “T am acquainted with him,” replied Fred, evasively. “With him and the president to call on, you ought to land on the top shelf.” : “I hope to land there some day, but I don’t intend to i there through either Mr. Stratton or the president of e Be “You tell that@o straight that one feels almost compelled to believe you.” “T never say what I don’t mean,” replied Fred. “Upon my word, Sparks, you’re an odd kind of chap. Why, there isn’t a clerk in this room but would give his eye-teeth if he could exchange places with you after what you did this afternoon.” . Fred. laughed. “Where do you hail from?” “Hdgecomb, Maine.” “What did you work at before roading ?” 5 { - “J was an operator in the employ of the Western Union.” “Why didn’t you ask for a job in the train despatcher’s office or on the road?” Be ; “J didn’t ask for anything in particular. Major Stratton eneret to placé me in an office job and I accepted, so here » am. ‘ . ’ve done a mighty big , you decided to tackle rail- “And you expect to stick here in spite of your pull?” “T hope to stick until I can see my way clear to some- _ thing better.” Fuller thought he saw a mental reservation in Fred’s an- swer and, winking a large wink to himself, said good-night and the two parted at the corner. sy Ps CHAPTER VIII. FRED DEMONSTRATES THAT HE IS ALL TO THE GOOD. _ The morning papers had an account of the gallant rescue of Edith Wentworth, daughter of the president of the Hast- ern Railroad Co:, by Fred Sparks, a clerk in the Claim De- partment of the company; consequently, nearly every em- loyee in the depot building, from the general superintendent rei knew about the occurrence by the time he reached the ce. gel ep eake. ; ~ There was naturally much speculation among the clerks in the different departments as to who t ene ie, ot : Atal x ets) d BLD is ia ee ae a a ee ea the lucky employee was, A WIZARD FOR LUCK. eee a for, of course, they considered him uncommonly lucky be- cause. he had saved the life of the president’s daughter. © The clerks in the Claim Department fell over one another in their eagerness to make his acquaintance next morning, , and, much to their surprise, they did not find*him puffed-up with a sense of his own suddenly acquired importance. ‘On the contrary, they found him a very modest and socially . inglined young’ fellow, and all took an immediate liking to im. Fred wag preparing to go out to his lunch that day when: a messenger summoned him to the office of the general superintendent. ; “Sparks,” said Mr. Lamport, when the boy appeared be- fore his desk, “you appear to have specially distinguished yourself yesterday afternoon, judging from what I read in the morning papers. I did not call you here, however, to speak about that, but to tell you that the president has just asked me over the *phone to send you up to his office in the Narragansett Building, so you had better go at once.” “Yes, sir; but I’m not very familiar with Boston yet, and I have no idea where the Narragansett Building is.” ; “Tt is on Tremont Street, near—but to make sure that you will not go astray I’ll send my aia he with you.” The superintendent summoned his boy and told him to take Fred up to the office of the president of the road. They boarded a ear and before long entered the building where the executive offices of the company were located. The superintendent’s messenger left him in the general re- - ception-room and hurried back to the depot. : . President Wentworth was expecting Fred and shook hands with him when he took his seat besidé@ that official’s desk. We will not record the conversation which took place be- tween them, but will merely say that Mr. Wentworth once more expressed the gratitude he felt toward the boy for saving his daughter’s life, and then said he would like to give Fred some substantial evidence of his appreciation. | } “How long have you been in the employ of the company?” he asked. ; f Fred clearly surprised him when he answered, “One day.” The boy told him how he came to connect with the com- pany, and how he expected to advance himself in time to a good position. ‘ : Fred plainly let it. be known that he had no wish to be but that he hoped to get ahead by his any one’s favorite, merits alone. N ' His attitude made a good impression on the president, and that gentleman assured him that he would see that his ability was fittingly recognized. \ “I will keep myself informed of your progress, Sparks,” . he said, “and you will be promoted as fast as the service” will permit and your abilities warrant.” : Then, ins red not to fail to call at his home some evening soon, dismissed him and the boy returned to his desk in the Claim Department after getting his lunch. 4 The other ‘clerks looked at him inquisitively as he sat down to his desk, and wondered if’ that was to be his last day in that department. When, however, he turned up next morning as usual and the day after that, and*so on, they began to wonder from a different point of view. Fred learned the location of Commonwealth Avenue and the means of getting there from his boarding ouse, and on Friday evening he called at Mr. Wentworth’s home. + . He asked for Miss Edith, and was shown into the parlor while his name was carried upstairs to-that young lady. She retreated to her room to get into one of her best gowns, and in the meanwhile Fred was invited to come up- stairs, where he met Mr. Wentworth, and was by him in- troduced to his wife. fo ieee The lady of the house was very gracious to him, and thanked him for- the priceless service he had rendered her daughter., After a little while Edith appeared and welcomed him — to entertain him, and her bright, with unaffected warmth. She laid herself out é i vivacious ways completely fascinated him, so that when he oade her and her parents good-by he was desperately smit- — ten with her. f pares She made him promise that he would call again soon, and he was only too glad to assure her that it would give him great pleasure to do so. i ’ if Fs er Fred worked steadily in the Claim pen veo for three months at a somewhat higher rate of salary than the posi- tion usually. commanded for a beginner, 422 He did not know that the president had fixed his rate o Yo marar b. ‘ ai Pea NX :

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Mr. Wentworth, whether his daughter was a é A WIZARD FOR LUCK. Se ¢ _ vay himself, and that he was receiving as much as a clerk who had been in the company’s service for two years or more. The office employees were paid on the first of each month, and on the following day Fred sent his mother a sum equiva- lent to the wages he had earned during the short time he had worked for the Western Union Company. This was sufficient to stop the gap made by the loss of his services on the farm, and his mother gradually became recon- ciléd to his absence from home. During those three months Fred demonstrated the fact that he could work like a Trojan, and also that he was accur- ¥ ate and painstaking in everything he took hold of. Fuller, the chief clerk, came to look upon him as an em- ployee who could be thoroughly relied upon to pull out in any emergency. Mr. Bulgin, the chief of the department, noticed that Mr. Lamport, the superintendent, seemed to take a whole lot of interest in Fred. He wasn’t aware, however, that this was occasioned b the periodical requests made to the superintendent by the president of the road for a’report on the boy’s progress and general efficiency. Once during that time a similar request came from the general passenger agent, who was responsible for Fred’s ap- pointment. ; That official made the inquiry in response to a letter from -Major Stratton, who wanted to learn how his protege was getting on. , Altogether, quite unknown to the bright boy, powerful interests were overlooking him with a view to his early ad- vancement in the service. Everybody but himself seemed to take it for granted that he was slated for rapid promotion as soon as he had been broken into railroading. 4 Strange to say, this good luck did not give rise to any great amount of jealousy on the part of the other clerks, for Fred had establisltd himself as a general favorite in the department. _He was modest and unassuming in his deportment toward his fellow-workers, and was always ready to help any one of his associates out at any time that his own work permitted him to do so. , Although hi boarding-house life in a big city like Boston, which was new to him, brought him in contact with many temptations, he managed to- steer clear of the acquisition of bad habits that would have seriously impaired his general usefulness. ; .. He visited Edith Wentworth about twice a month, and had firmly established himself not only in the good graces of a: iar young lady, but in the good opinion of her parents as Beall: rell. _ They learned all about his -former life, for Fred had no secrets to conceal, and was very frank in, telling everything about himself. 5 as In this way Mr. Wentworth got a line on the bent of the boy’s ambition, and he decided that it would be ultimately to Fred’s advantage if he switched him off from routine office work and afforded him an opportunity to enlarge his scope of railroad knowledge, _ Perhaps the president of the road had noticed the growing intimacy between Fred and his daughter, and thought it would be well to prevent it from going too far. He! was too grateful to the lad and appreciated his manly - and independent way, as well as his evident ability to a de gree that would not permit him to suggest a curtailment - of his visits to the house. But there are more ways than one of killing a cat, and actor ‘in the - ¢ase or not, decided that Fred would be more in his element in a road than an office position. So as a first step to this change he requested the superin- _ tendent to transfer the boy, with a strong recommendation, ) to the freight department of the Boston yards. cs _ The freight yards were about a biock from the depot, and “ there one morning Fred was put to work checking outgoing and incoming freight, and attending to such other work as tha agent saw fit to give him to do. Here he*remained for another three months “and estab- lished on cen a reputation for himself as he had done in _ the Claim Department. , _ ile was getting on swimmingly at his new branch when one veatonden he was summoned to the office of the general tendent. a ifs if 11 _* CHAPTER IX. FRED IS TRANSFERRED. “Sparks,” said Mr. Lamport, when Fred presented himself at his office in response to instructions, “you’ve been working at the freight sheds for the last three months.” ; “Yes, sir,” replied the boy, wondering what was coming. “T have received very favorable reports of your work from the agent in charge, and as an opportunity offers for your advancement I have decided to push you ahead.” : “I am very much obliged to you, sir,” replied Fred, with a thrill’ of pleasure. Had the boy known the truth of the matter he would have found that his promotion had been brought about by the president of the road. So early an advancement as he was about to get the benefit of was decidedly unusual in the routine of the road, but, then,, he didn’t know that. E Most of his fellow-clerks at the freight. sheds had been anywhere from six to twelve times as long holding down their present jobs as he, and their chance of rising higher was not particularly brilliant at that moment. He was to be passed over the heads of the whole force of. ordinary clerkg,and given a responsible position on the line, “I'am going’to shift you down the road,” said the super- intendent. “Down the road, sir!” “To Cresson Junction. Harlow, the agent. competent to take charge of the station yourself,” Fred was staggered. He was actually going to be made a station agent. He was delighted beyond measure, and yet he hated to get away from Boston—Kdith Wentworth. ‘ ’ There was no getting away from the fact that he was dead gone on the president’s daughter, though there was little likelihood that that fact would do him any good. He was a poor boy, dependent in his own exertions ‘fo a livelihood, while she was the only child of a rich an influential man. “a The boon of her society for the past six months would henceforth be as a sweet dream to him, nothing more, : “This is more than I expected so soon, sir,” he said to Mr. Lamport. \ \ “You will not return to the freight sheds,” said the super- intendent. “You will need a few hours to get your traps in order to start.” “When do I go to Cresson?” “On the Portsmouth Accommodation, No. 233, which pulls out of the station at six.” ; Fred thought his transfer a quick one. He wonderéd if he would have a chance to call on Edith, tell her he was shifted out of Boston and wish her good-by. The superintendent drew a-map toward him, ran’ his finger along the main line of the Eastern road till it paused at a spot where a short branch line diverged from. it. “Here you are,” he said. “Cresson Junction, 110 miles east of Boston. Harlow has been instructed to secure ac- commodations for you, and will be on the lookout for you to-night. Call at half-past two. I will have your orders written out and all other papers necessary. You can look them over on the train.” Fred went directly home, told his landlady that he had been suddenly ordered out of the city, squared his account with her to date and went to his room to pack his two grips, He carried them with him to a restaurant, ate his dinner and rode down to the depot, where he\left his property in the baggage-room to be called for. It was now close to half-past two, so he repaired to the superintendent’s office once more. seca “Mr. Lamport has been called away,” said the messenger. “Your name is Sparks, isn’t it?” . “That’s right.” : “Come inside. There is an envelope for you on the perintendent’s desk that he told me to give you when came here,” ssveh” You will start in as assistant to “Mr. Lamport told me to tell you that there is a pass to Cresson Junction in the envelope. He also said that your time at the freight sheds has been made up and that if you’ apply at the paymasetr’s office you will get your money.” replied Fred. “All right,” re He hurried to the designated room on that floor, received Ut In thirty days we expect you to be Pe It was addressed: “Frederick Sparks, Cresson Junction.” :

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12: his wages to date and then, looking at the clock; calculated that he had time enough to pay Edith a brief visit. As the car was passing up Washington Street he hap- pened to glance out of the window and, to his surprise, saw Edith and her mother standing in front of a big retail dry goods store talking to a gentleman and lady. He sprang from the car and hastened over to them. “Why, Fred!” exclaimed Edith, when the boy touched her on the arm. “This is quite a surprise!” . She shook hands with him in a way. that showed she was delighted to meet him, while her mother nodded and smiled. Fred drew the girl a little aside. ; “I was just going’ to your house to see yeu,” he said. . “Indeed!” she replied, in surprise. “T wanted to bid you good-by.” “Bid me good-by!” she ejaculated, in not a little astonish- ment. “What for?” “I leave Boston at six to-night.” “Atisix! Are you going home for some reason?” she asked, with a serious look. I’m going to Cresson Junction.” “Yes, station to-ni, “Isn't that rather sudden?” she naka a a look of con- _ cern. yilgy is sudden. to-day.” “And you expect to remain there for a while?” she asked, evidently not pleased at the idea of losing him. “For some time, I guess. I’m to be the station agent there after thirty days. “3 “Ym sorry you're going to leave Boston,” with a sus- picious moisture in her eyes. “J wouldn’t mind it if it wasn’t for——” “for what?” she asked, as he stopped. “Leaving you,” he blurted out, with a look that she readily “interpreted and which called a bright blush to her cheeks. ‘“Y’ve learned to think a whole lot of you, Edith,” he went on, in a low tone, Oe know I haven’t any right to, but I— well, I can’t help it.’ You’ve been very kind and nice to - me—as nice as a sister, and I shall be lonesome and homesick away from you. ‘I should like to think that you—vwell, - what’s the use of talking?” he said, huskily. “I don’t amount to anything, while you-——you re rich and have lots of friends and I am nothing to you.” ; She saw the moisture in his eyes, while his tones thrilled her_and she laid her daintily gloved hand on ‘his arm. _ “Don’t talk nonsense, Fred,” she said, in a low, soft tone. "You are something to me. I don’t want you to go, but if you must, I shall not forget you. I shall think of you every day, and long for the time to come when I may see you again. ; ‘ Bee you mean that, Edith?” he asked, eagerly. “T do. You must write to me and 1 will answer your lets . ters. You won’t forget to do that?” _ “Forget, Edith? Never! Never as pane as I live. 1 onl igh? oy What do you wish?” she asked, Joking at him with glis- ‘tening eyes. '. “Don’t ask me, Edith. I have no right’ even to breathe the thought of such a thing. Your father and mother would be very angiy if they thought I was so presumptuous as to dream of crossing the gulf that lies between us, At any rate, _ Inever would be considered worthy of aspiring to what was ‘beyond my reach.’ I only heard about the change at eleven t set his blood tin ngling in his veins. “Shall I give you a tehword? It is ‘Hope.’ There is nothing that may not ; won a perseverance and a brave heart. You have both. Then why be heer he eal at the outset? The gulf you speak about rey be bridged and the object you seek gained.” ~ “But you not know the ae I would win.” “Perhaps I can guess,” she replied, looking down. »- “Oh, fut, if I only dared hope that % had even ‘the ms ost. ‘of a chance!” * @Foolish boy! Can’t you see that you ‘have every——” dith,” interrupted her jg a this to excuse yourself to Mr. Sparks. e have scarcely A WIZARD FOR LUCK. The superintendent ordered me to greport at that. | Stratton and President Wentworth stood forth with great that influence had anything to do with his transfer. _“T think I understand you, Fred,” she said, with a look. cerning the boy’s pull. em “you will make our Lops cid for we are due at. a Pres- et to the job. hig “Indeed!” ejaculated Mrs. Wentworth, who sireslag knew that the young railroader was slated for an out-of-town position. “When do you leave town?” : “At six to-night.” “Then I suppose I must say good-by to you. eat will call on us, of course, whenever you return to the city.” “Certainly, Mrs. Wentworth. Good-by.” They shook hands and the lady tamed ‘toward the entrance of the store. “Good-by, Edith!” a “Good-by, Fred! Remember the watchword—‘Hope.’ ” “Then I may hope—you promise me that?” eagerly. 5 “Yes, have I not said so? Good-by.” And so they parted, Fred taking a car. back to the depot, and wondering if his chance of ultimately winning Edith | ‘Wentworth was within the bounds of arabe nie CHAPTER X. FRED ARRIVES AT CRESSON JUNCTION. j At quarter past nine that night the Portsmouth Local, No. 238, stopped at Cresson Junction and several passengers, ineluding Fred Sparks,, alfgglited on the long platform. Fred walked into the waiting-room of the station, which was lighted by 2 Ilurre reflector lamp, in time to see a square-built man icone out of the little office where the tickets were sold}; and other clerical work connected with the station done, The boy stopped and looked at him He guessed this might be Harlow, the station. agent, He was not wrong in his surmise. : Harlow looked at him and was prepared to recognize him as his new assistant, and the lad who was to relieve him a the end of thirty day 4 “Are you Mrs. Seviow? 2?” asked Fred. il ‘“That’s my name. You are Frederick Sparks, I sue! 9 “Correct. Glad to:know you, Mr. Harlow.” eres “Same here,” answered the agent. : ANION oP They shook hands. “Come inside and we'll have a talk, then I’ll take. you over to your boarding-place. The lady "who owns the nad is a widow. You'll find her a nice person. I’ve known her ever since I came to the Junction.” ie They entered the little office, which Fred viewed with a: — certain sense of proprietorship, as he felt that he would be in full charge a month hence, t “You are young for a station agent,” began Harlow, after te were s seated. “How came you to catch | on? Got a. pul } be 280 ies His words struck Fred like an unpleasant blow. : It had neyer occurred to him until that moment that Wa promotion was due to anything other than his own ability and. strict attention to business. Now: there flitted across his mind a vision in’ whieh Major RAN clearness. ret He began to realize that one of these gentlemen, probably the latter, had been the lever that had moved him” from Boston to Cresson, and shoved him up a notch. ANA To a boy like Fred this was not a palatable cud to. hate Harlow’s question was so direct that he had to answer ei it somehow, though it was embarrassing for him to. admit: : “I’m acquainted with the president of the road and- also with one of the directors, but I never. asked for nor desired their influence,” he replied. : Harlow coughed incredulously. : : He knew that advancement along the line went largely avor. Only a chump would refuse to avail himself of the @ fluence of a friend at court, and certainly this boy: sa look like a chump, even in the most remote degree. ©» “How long have you been with the road?” he asked, “Six months.” That settled any doubt he might have entertained ¢ “Pye been instructed to break you into the j Harlow.. “I think it pent take me thirty ays’ to for you look as smart as chain ago You’s tor, of course? you Facies IT need pos as \ . “How did you tensa? Ata school ? 27 “No. was rats ie a ‘Western

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A WIZARD - ; his place with the company until I resigned to go rail- roading. t “I guess you’re all right. Well, I’ll soon show you the ropes... You won’t find your regular duties hard, for there isn’t much going over the branch at this time of the yeari It’s a sort of summer line in the main—goes to Lakeview and connects with the navigation company’s steamers. It _ isn’t the work—it’s care that killed the cat.” You refer to the responsibilities of the position, I sup- pose ? : - “Yes; you’ll find them unusual.” “In what way?” “In ‘several ways. leave, “ You'll get on to some of them before I Mooney is the worst.” ho’s Mooney?” rn _"He’s the night operator. Goes on at six. He’s away to- night. I don’t know where he is.” i “Oh! What’s the matter with him?” ’ “Ae drinks.” Z “How does he hold his job?” age _ That word was hateful to Fred, and it prejudiced him against Mooney. - {Doesn’t he attend to his business?” “Yes—after a fashion. He isn’t attending to it to-night.” “Ts he drunk ?” . “Probably. That isn't the worst, however, I suspect that he stands in with a bad crowd around here.” : ; “What about this gang?” _. “They’re night-hawks. Always up to some kind of ras- , ¢cality. You must always keep your weather-eye lifting after ~ ‘dark; if you don’t——” onl. ret it, that’s all. TV . “You'll regret i at’s all. I’m glad to get away from _ this joint. ‘Another six months of it moan burn ae hair oe gray? . pos eb tecdisst prospect for me,” said Fred, squaring his jaws. My ae ee the ecto “You'll get along, probably, for I can see you have grit.” “Well, haven’t you?” s * “ve none to spare. I can’t stand continuous worry.” __“T never worry—if I can help myself,” replied Fred. “It would take a cast-iron man not to worry here.” . “Well, I suppose I’m up against it, but you can paste this _ in your hat—I mean to do my duty or break a leg.” ahh; A Harlow couldn’t leave the station, he got the watch- man to take Fred over to the place he had selected as a _ home for the boy while he remained at Cresson Junction. Fred rather like the little widow who owned the house, nile the room seemed to be satisfactory in-every respect. He appeared at the station next morning at seven ready to submit to the breaking-in process, and Harlow was on hand to give him an insight into the manifold duties of a ‘station agent. y; i _. There was not such a great number of way-bills to be iB, ee oe nor tickets asked for during the day, as he had 4 ected. ; ras there was a whole lot to attend to in one way or other. ‘ After he had set all the lights up and down the track, - which ended his duties for the day, Harlow told him that the day’s work was a fair sample of what he might expect 0 have to handle at that season of -the year. “That so?” replied the boy. “Then I should: say you've had a fairly easy time of it, take it all together.” ) “vat never had a kick coming on account of the work, even 1 the summer, when things are a bit lively. No; it’s what is liable to happen at night that’s kept me awake for hours after I turned in.” : Paner hat got to do with you? ‘What's that g It’s up to Mooney, I Should imagine.” — : ae ohare -__ "No, I’m the agent. If anything. serious happened while mey was on I’d have to shoulder the responsibility.”, : Sarinis he Was talking with Harlow, a short, chunky, smooth- e ‘man came into the station and walked into the office. _“That’s Mooney,” said the agent. “Come, I’ll introduce you im. You might as well make his acquaintance first as rath eds Gy ta SPO eai4 f LePry ie So they followed the night overator inside. SS ineeee a oney,” said Harlow, “this is Fred Sparks, who takes} arge here on the first of next month. Sparks, I’ll make ou acquainted with) Phil Mooney.” £ Ae Mooney sized Fred up to his own satisfaction at one e grinned sardonically. 3 Bh sendin’ boys out now A ot Noy fsa hold him down. PN Ny i |. \ Fred caught a look of his face, reflected in the lantern, and gave a gasp of astonishment, | * ay to run the stations, are! FOR LUCK. 13° they?” he chuckled. “I wish ye luck, young feller, but ’m afeared ye’ll have yer hands full.” “I was telling him that things were rather strenuous ~ around here at timés,” said Harlow. , “T s’pose ye told him I was a soak, too, eh?” replied the night operator, with an unpleasant chuckle. ; “I did tell him that you crooked your elbow too often on occasions, which is the truth, unfortunately.” “It ain’t your funeral!” snarled the operator. “But it will cause yours one of these days.” “Huh! Forget it!” Click! Click-click!, : Mooney turned around and sat down before the table on which: the station call—D. G. 13—was sounding, sharp, clear and distinct, on the little brass instrument. Fred’s ear translated the message as it came over the wire and Mooney wrote it out with a pencil on a pad. It came from the next station on the Boston side, and was something to cause the three to sit up and take notice. © It ran as follows: “An engine, running wild at a two-forty clip, just passed, bound east, on down track. You have barely time to switch runaway before Express No. 66 is due at Junction.” ‘ Fred easily understood the import of the message. { The runaway held possession of the track supposed to be clear for the Boston and Portland Express, which should pass Cresson Junction in six minutes. Unless the wild engine was promptly switched onto the branch track, which at that hour was clear all the way to Lakeview, there would be trouble to burn. . Clearly, there was no time to be lost if a disaster was | to be averted. CHAPTER XI. : FRED AVERTS A HEAD-ON COLLISION. Fred, after a glance at the clock, was the first to make a moye. : He seized a lantern that stood on the floor, dashed out of the office and ran down the track with the switch-key in | his hand. It was a dark night and the sky was threatening rain. To the eastward when the express was coming on at a — high rate of speed the track lay straight as a die for a mile or more in the gloom. { In the opposite direction the track took a curve a quarter of a mile from the station and disappeared behind the trees, ‘The station was the only bright object in the landscape, but beyond it, some little distance away, were the straggling lights of Cresson. } : £i Fred hustled to make the switch that would shunt the wild engine off the main track onto the branch, With no means of making steam the runaway would then | probably “die” before it got as far as Lakeview, which sta- tion would, of course, be notified of its coming. ; There was a thick mass of shrubbery near the switch, and as Fred placed the lantern on the ground and. stooped to. re the lever, a man’s face was thrust through the shes. : The boy’s face was thrown into relief by the light, and the man in the background saw it quite distinctly. He uttered/a low exclamation of ‘surprise, which was fol- lowed by a deep imprecation. N He pushed his way through the shrubbery and, creeping toward the switch, suddenly threw himself upon, Fred ae bore him to the ground. ; : A pair of wiry fingers sought for the boy’s throat, but nied pest taken completely by surprise, was not easily subdue S f ' The thought flashed across his mind that he was up against one of the night prowlers mentioned by the station agent, and he was fully resolved that the rascal should not find him an easy mark. : is ate x j ' A desperate struggle for the mastery immediately ensued. 'The knowledge that’ more even than his own safety de- pended on the outcome of the scrap nerved the boy to put forth his utmost efforts to win out. aOR hd By a quick movement he squirmed out of the man’s clutch _ and rolled over on his back, the better to see what kind of antagonist he was facing. The rascal, however, jumped on his chest and tried re the light } YeiZe

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A A WIZARD FOR LUCK. It was Rowley, one of the two men he had had trouble with along Snake River, near his home, and whom he sup- _ posed was safely lodged in State prison for attempted high- way robbery, of which crime Major Stratton had nearly been the victim. “Oh, it’s you, you villain!” cried Fred. “Yer recognize mé, do yer?” hissed Rowley, pausing in his efforts and glaring down at the boy. “Yes, I know you.” . “Yer’ll know me better when I’m done with yer. I owe yer somethin’ for gettin’? me pinched, and helpin’ to send me up, and I always pay my debts!” . “You only got what was coming to you.” “Did I git it?” chuckled the rascal. : “Tm afraid not. A screw must have worked loose some- where. You got ten yedrs, and here it isn’t ten months and you’re free.” “Jest so. So ye’re workin’ for the railroad, are yer? Yer won’t work long, I’m thinkin’. Ill fix yer so ye’ll lay up in the hospital for a while, drat yer!” “Don’t count your chickens before they’re hatched,” re- plied Fred. | 3 He made a sudden shift of his body, exerting all his strength at the same time. He threw Rowley over so that they lay side by side with their heads touching the side of the rail. The villain struggled hard to regain the mastery, but Fred’s muscles of steel held him down, though he could not get on top himself. : “Blast yer!” gritted Rowley. “I'll git the best of yer yet!” “You only think you will. I’m not a.chicken.” After another ineffectual struggle, both stopped, with one accord, to regain their breath. . ‘Then it was that Fred’s alert ears caught the first faint . vibrations telegraphed along the rail of the approaching runaway engine from the west. ; He was facing in that. direction, too, and presently the headlight of the locomotive came into sight around the ‘curve, a mile away. - The sight of that glaring white eye cutting its way through the darkness awoke the boy to the realization that everything depended on the issue of the next few seconds. } The switch was unlocked, and all he had to do was to pull | the lever. , But he must reach it first, and to accomplish the job he must shake off Rowley in an effectual way. | As he gripped the rascal for a fresh effort, Rowley seemed “to understand his purpose, for his fingers got busy, too. While they struggled fiercely in each other’s embrace the wild engine was rushing down on them at a lively gait. The glare of the headlight was now upon them. : ns te moment or two the runaway would have passed the switch, . At that tense moment the boy heard the long-drawn-out _ whistle of the express up the track as it passed Bailey’s Crossing, three-quarters of a mile distant. ‘Tt was approaching like a whirl-wind, and no power on earth could avert a head-on collision with the runaway if ‘the latter got by the switch. With a cry of desperate earnestness, Fred put forth every Inch of power he possessed. '-He fairly rose into a sitting position with Rowley at ‘arm’s length in his grasp. _ Then, with a sudden swing, he threw the man down. _ Rowley’s head hit the rail with a thud that jarred every bit of consciousness out of him. The boy struggled on his feet, weak and dizzy from the tefision he had been through. | ., The runaway engine was right on top of hirn almost, with rapidly moving drivers, coming out of the darkness like some mysterious phantom of the night, its eye glaring ahead like an ogre’s. The sudden wild screech of “down brakes” came thrillingly through the air from up the track. ; : The engineer of the express had seen the approaching 3 headlight dead ahead on the same track and knew some- oi thing was wrong, for no train should be coming in that di- ; rection on the north track. tue. As he had. been assured of a clear track to Berwick by the signals displayed at Tower No. 16, two miles back, he had supposed, when he first caught sight of the headlight, that it came from the locomotive of the night freight drawn up on the long siding at the Junction. ; -' . The air-brakes were instantly applied, but with a momen- tum of nearly a mile a minute to overcome, there was _ little chance of stoppage that side of Cresson, As Fred sprang forward, seized the lever of the switch and pulled it over, he saw. the headlight of the expréss dangerously near. A second or two later the runaway engine dashed up and then glided off on to the branch with a rumble and a quiver of its big driving-wheels. Until it had passed Fred’s heart was in his mouth, then he pushed the thanksgiving at his heart. The crisis past, his strength gave way all at once, and he collapsed beside the switch. The engineer of the express saw the switch-light turn from white to a blood red, denoting a blocked track, as Fred pulled the lever over, and his blood ran cold, for he knew his train could not be halted before reaching the switch. .Then he saw the glowing headlight before him suddenly disappear and the switch-light return: to a white, or clear ever over and locked it, with a thrill of : track, and, with a cry of relief, he whistled “off brakes” and- threw off the reverse lever. : So, as Fred half-crouched, half-lay, beside the switch, the ponderous express train flew past in safety with a rush and roar and soon vanished around the curve on its way to Boston, es CHAPTER XII. FRED FINDS HIMSELF UP AGAINST MOONEY: While Fred reclined half exhausted beside the switch, Rowley recovered his senses, staggered to his feet, and looked ‘around in a dazed way. Then, muttering incoherent expressions under his breath, he reeled off into the bushes and disappeared, without no- ticing the boy in the gloom. Finally Fred pulled himself together, got up, took the key out of the switch lock, picked up the lantern and re- traced his steps to the station. ; “What’s the matter with you, Sparks?” asked Harlow, regarding his assistant with some surprise. “You look as white as a sheet.” “J nearly missed connections, that’s all.” “JT noticed you were a long time getting the switch open. What was the trouble? 'Wouldn’t the key work well?” — “It worked all right, but I was jumped by a rascal who must have been hiding somewhere down there, and, I had the time of my life getting the best of him.” ; “Oh, that was it, eh? L rob you. A bad moment to be up against those scamps. So you beat him off?” sy “Tf I hadn’t done him up there’d have been a smash-up on the line. I barely had time to switch the runaway. when the express was on me.” One of the night prowlers tried to — “Thank heaven things turned out all right!” ‘said Har, low. “You’ve had a taste of what’s before you if you re- main at the station any time.” “What’s the matter with the police Why don’t they clean the night-birds out?” “They’ve tried it and failed. sight whenever there’s an officer around. To trace them to their retreats has proved an impossible job.” et “J know the chap who attacked me. He and his pal were convicted of highway robbery at Glendale, Maine, about fifteen miles from where my folks live, and they were sentenced to ten years in State prison. That happened six months ago, and I can’t understand how this fellow happens to be at liberty, unless he escaped.” On their way up the road to Cresson, Fred told Harlow the incidents which led to his acquaintance with Rowley force at Cresson? The prowlers keep out of. — and Jobkins, as well as his adventure in the field: by the — river road when he saved Major Stratton from being robbed. ~ “I see,” remarked the station agent. “The rascal evi- dently managed to make his escape in some way. Now he’s hanging around this neighborhood, or tramping it to Bos- ton, He’s got it in for you because of your hand in sending him up. It is probable that he’ll get away from this lo- eality as fast as he can, as he knows you have recognized him, and will put the police on his track.” vee “T’]1_ go to the station-house at once, if you'll show me 2 the way.” : “T'll do that willingly.” ; When they reached the station-house in Cresson Fred told his story, and assured the chief of the force that Rowley * was an escaped convict and ought to be recaptured. 2x The officer said he would send men out to try and him. 2h, BITES LATS So eae Fred was satisfied and returned to his boarding house. catch Mey

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The Cresson police caught Rowley next day several miles from the Junction, and he was returned to the prison from which he had escaped. As for the night prowlers, the four weeks that Fred was tion, and Harlow remarked that he guessed they had aban- doned their old stamping-grounds. ss At length the first of the month came around and with it the pay-car. _ As soon as Harlow got his money he bade Fred goodby and the boy was left in full charge of the station. At no time up to this point had the work been very hard, and consequently Fred had enjoyed a cinch while Harlow was around to help out; now that he was alone he did not logan that he would be overcrowded. a " e had written three times to Edith, and had received they kept very quiet during 2 two replies, penned in her neatest style on fine note paper |h bearing an embossed monogram. On the day Harlow left he got an answer to his last letter, and its contents made him very happy, for the girl wrote more confidingly than usual. : He read the letter several times during the day, and after e supper, when in the seclusion of his own room, he put his hand in his pocket to get it for another perusal. It was not there. ‘ _ He searched all his pockets in vain for it, and then he recollected that while reading it that afternoon he had been interrupted by a message over the wire, and had laid it on a shelf in the office. The message had taken his attention off it, and subsequent duties so engrossed his time. that he had forgotten it. Then the thought struck him that Mooney, the night op- | bo erator, might notice it and take the liberty of reading it. - Not for a good deal would he ‘have the man do that. He determined to walk to the station, which was only a short distance away, and recover’ Edith’s letter. _ Besides, he would see how the night man was getting on. So Fred put on his hat and went over to the Junction. ° He glanced in through the ticket window as he walked to the door of the office. . Mooney was sitting with his chair tilted back, his feet on es ‘table where the instrument was, a black bottle at his lips. fined his drinking to the tavern, as it was against the - eompany’s regulations to bring liquor into the station for ‘consumption on the premises. _ Now he understood what the late station agent meant when he said that his responsibilities were “unusual.” _ Suppose Mooney was to drink too much from that bottle some night and go to sleep, what might not happen? Tf an accident occured on the line owing to the failure _ of some operator at another station to get the Junction on the wire the blame might rest on him, re His career might be blasted at the outset, and then how _ sould he hope ever to win Edith Wentworth, the bright star of his life? ets __. It was with an anxious look on his face that Fred walked _ into the office and stepped toward the shelf on which the letter he had come for lay undisturbed. Mooney whisked the bottle out of sight and glared in an unfriendly way.at the new agent. “What brought you back?” he-snarled. “This letter,” replied Fred, as he put it in his pocket - “Humph! I thought you came to spy on me.” ! ie, shonld I do that?” replied the boy,. looking him in the eye. 4 ices showed a momentary confusion, flant. \ “Because Harlow may have told you to watch me.” “Why should he tell me to do that?” asked Fred, calmly, He told you I drank—hard, didn’t he?” ts He did.” “J don’t deny it,” snorted the operator, still more de- fi tly. “What are you going to do about it?” i Nothing, as long as you drink away from the station.” “And suppose I take a few snifters here in the office— 4 then 28 LUCK, learning how to run the sta-|your swelled head because you’re the agent. Until that moment Fred supposed that the operator con-|_ the station. “It’s not doing you any good.” “That’s my business.” ; j “And mine,” replied the boy, firmly. f “Yours! Confound you for a young whippersnap of ae e m thinking you won’t last. It takes a man to run this station, not a beardless kid. Things are coming to a. pretty pass- when the super sends one of his favorites to lord it over a veteran like me. I won’t stand it!” Mooney brought his hand down on the table with a blow that made his pencil and pad jump. “T won’t stand it,” he repeated. that?” - : Fred made no reply, but looked him straight in the eye. The operator writhed under his steady gaze. _ There was something in the boy’s eye that disconcerted im. “Don’t look at me that way!” he screamed. “Don’t!” waving his arms wildly in front of his face. “You put me in mind of him!” ’ “Him! Who do you. mean?” Fred stepped forward, picked up the black bottle where. the man had attempted to hide, opened the window and threw it out. The crash of glass against the track aroused the operator., He looked for his bottle as Fred was closing the window, saw it was gone and sprang. to his feet in a rage. “You’ve thrown it away!” he frothed. r : “T have. I won’t stand for anything like that in this station.” With a howl like a furious beast Mooney sprang at the over me. I'll half kill you!” In another moment the two had grappled in a desperate struggle. ; CHAPTER XIII. FRED TAKES THE STARCH OUT OF PHIL MOONEY- They swayed to and fro around the small office, banging up, against the telgar ee table, against the walls and get- ting tangled up with the chairs. ; Mooney had come to the office with something of a jag on, and had been loading up since from the black bottle. ~ He was in a bad humor, and Fred’s return had only ag- gravated it. He had a standing grouch an agent because he was a boy, an he believed. Having worked himself into a crazy fit, he was in a con- dition to do Fred a bad injury. E The boy saw that he was up against it hard, for Mooney was no mean antagonist. ¢ : ae! He didn’t want to hurt the operator if he could help %, ay against the young somebody’s favorite, as but he soon saw that it was a question of downing the nian — or being downed himself. Suddenly his feet were tripped from ‘under him, and he went down with Mooney on top. The shock dazed him, and he lay helpless. — : The night operator uttered a shout of satisfaction, and po up a heavy wrench that lay within his reach to hit) the boy. As he raised his arm to give the blow the sharp call of the Junction—D. G. 18—came from the instrument on the table, repeated over and over again. y t seemed to recall Mooney to a sense of his duty. » _He dropped the wrench, jumped off his intended victim and staggered over to the table where he answered the call, and the following message was clicked off: : “Hold freight No. 61.(on siding for special to pass. Re- peat.” then came “O.. K.” back to him. : Fred, coming out of his daze, heard the message heed bats It was the night operator’s business, as soon as the “ oes tay him, to set the switchlight, three hundred yards Re ack, - L ier This he could do, without leaving the office} by means OE a rod within his reach. Mechanically he threw out his hand to grasp the rod, but : as his senses were somewhat confused he)got hold of the wrong one and set the switch-light at the opposite end of “Do you understand . y. “Tl break your neck!” he hissed. “You sha’n’t boss it, a ‘Mooney repeated the message back to the operator, and a 6.

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i GAS A WIZARD 16 Then he threw himself back in his chair, having appar- ently forgotten all about the young station agent. /. ~~ In a few moments he began to nod, and by the time Fred got on his feet he was snoring loudly. The boy regarded him with a disgusted: and troubled air. | Mooney was apparently useless for some hours, if not for the remainder of the night. Fred would have to stand his “trick.” That was an awkward predicament to be placed in, for besides losing his proper rest he had but an imperfect knowledge of the night routine. The first thing he did was to drag Mooney, chair and all, out into the waiting-room, where he left him near the stove. Then he returned to the .office, took up the train sheets and tried to familiarize himself with the situation. While he was thus engaged he heard the rumble of the approaching freight, which he knew must be No. 61,: or- dered to be held up on the siding until a special following with right of way had. passed. Without looking at the switchlight rods, for he had seen Mooney reach out and set what he naturally supposed was the proper one, Fred picked up the lantern and started for B the platform. i He opened the door just in time to be dazzled by the } hicadtiont: of the freight as it came up and dashed by with i a rumble and roar, _. The engineer showed no disposition to slow down, and the boy gazed upon the s speeding cars in great astonishment. He couldn’t understand why ae driver had disregarded the signal. Could Mooney have made a mistake? Glancing at the rods, he saw that the night operator had indeed blundered. s The question was, could he repair the matter? , His fingers dropped to the telegraph key. With feverish speed he sent the call rh the operator at - the tower. The response came back immediately. Then he wired: ig Freight No, 61.” The operator’s O. K. came back to him and the instru- ment became silent. As a precautionary measure he set the block signal that should have been displayed by Mooney, so that in ease the freight did not get back before the special came around the curve the latter would be stopped. He took the lantern and went to the door to watch for the return of the freight, and in a short time he saw it ' backing down the main track, He got it on to the siding just as the special came‘in eee _ and he hastened to set the block signal to “a clear track . ahead.” - Mooney sndred all through the night and awoke at sun- rise fairly sober. i" ‘He was astonished to find himself sitting out in the| waiting-room. ‘He made for the office at once and found Fred napa down a despatch. “What does this mean?” he growled. doing here?” “Taking your place so that things would go right,” plied the boy, coolly. “How did I get outside? ” ote put you, there.” “You did?” “After receiving an important message, and then setting “What (ake you re- intoxicated.” The boy had him in his power, and so Mooney threw up - the sponge and promised to be “good,” ‘-Thenceforth Fred had no further trouble, with him of any importance. \! Winter came on, wore away and merged into spring, and everything ran smoothly at the Junction. just one year in the employ of the Bastern Railroad Co. when something happened. Fred got a hint of coming advancement through Edith’s as last letter. » a ae couldn’t tell him exactly what was on the tibia) but heard her: father tell her mother that certain oe about to be ee os foros, by the company would “more responsible | Stan. eee the. wrong signal, you fell back in your’ chair helplessly |) The first of May was close at hand, and Fred had been ; FOR LUCK. CHAPTER XIV. FRED IS MADE ACTING SUPERINTENDENT OF THE LAKEVIEW BRANCH. : One morning a dapper little man, with a curt, business- like air, dropped off the Boston & Portland east-bound ex- sie which slowed up, but did not wholly stop at Cresson unction, . f “Your name is Sparks?” “That’s right,” replied Fred, in\some surprise. “I’m the travelling inspector of the .road,” said the in- truder, tossing a card on the shelf in front of the” ticket window where the boy was writing. Fred glanced at the eard and then at the man, who now had a bundle of papers in his hands. He had heard of this gentleman, and knew that he was an important executive officer of the line. “There is to be a change at this station,” said the in- spector, briskly. “A change!” ejaculated Fred. “Exactly. A new agent.” “Oh! nd what about me?” “You’re shifted a peg higher.” “I do not quite understand,” replied Fred, rather bes wildered by the short, crisp way in which the inspector im- parted his news. “Here are you official instructions,” said the company’s representative, handing Fred a bulky envelope which bore the imprint of the superintendent’s office. It was addressed to “Frederick Sparks, Acting Superin- bars Sa Lakeview Branch, Eastern Railroad Co., Cresson unction.” Fred’s eyes expanded to the size of small Saucers. “What does this mean?” he gasped. “Plain enough, isn’t it? You’ve been promoted.” ae “But the Lakeview Branch hasn’t such a thing as a su- perintendent,” protested Fred, who under other circum- — stances would have laughed at the idea of the short line to the lake, which was scarcely more than a summer road, _ having an official to supervise its operations. \ i “What does the envelope say?” replied the “inspector in Age answer to his remark. ir, : Te says ‘Acting Superintendent of Lakeview Branch,’ kg ut—— Fee “That ought to be sufficient. New official.” ty “Oh!” exclaimed Fred, beginning to understand that. the igs position had just been created to meet some new conditions in the business. “The situation along the branch is about to undergo a change. You understand, of course, that its sphere of use- fulness enlarges about this time of the year?” Bs Faveetie “Yes, sit.” : 2 “Very good. Hereafter the branch will ‘become. a more Wi important part of the system. After this summer the steamers will not run to on ed” where ey connect wit the Eastern Division of the road.” “No?” replied Fred. ney Sone “No,” answered the: inspector, emphatically. “The « com- any is about to continue the branch from Lakeview to — Bunkport, Construction will begin immediately. When the Han ait ‘line is fully completed it will be known as the Lakeview ; & Bunkport Branch, and you will take charge exclusively, : Now you understand why a superintendent.” : Fred bowed, for the argument was. against DeubestepMnc ey | “When does this change go into effect?’ “On the first. Your office will be at the ‘Tunetion til further notice. The salary will be—— The inspector mentioned a very apbatential increase ove | Fred’s present income. What wonderful news he would have to communicate Edith in his next letter, unconscious that the Lo oe: heart. already knew all about the matter. Th inspector took his leave and Fred saw him. the windows making notes’ with a View: $5. 2 certain improvements. ; pi

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A WIZARD FOR LUCK: That afternoon he went to Lakeview to make further ob- servations, and from there he went on to Bunkport. __ Unknown to the young station agent the extension from Lakeview to Bunkport had already been surveyed and the right of way secured. o nights later a construction train, loaded with men and material, reached the Junction and was switched on to the branch, : Next day ground was broken south of Lakeview, and after that there was great activity in that direction. i On the morning of the first of May an early local dropped the new station agent at the Junction, - His name was Frank Jones. _ He was a young man of twenty-two, and Fred took an immediate liking. for him, which feeling was reciprocated. Fred’s instructions required him to exercise a general supervision over the Junction. : e had to attend to freight collections and other outside business, . j His duties would take him to Lakeview, where the present pe vod was a2 woman operator who lived in the building, and ultimately to Bunkport when the road was in operation at _ that point, _ Pred easily saw that when the branch connected the main line and the eastern division of the road it would develop into quite an important part of the system, and he felt a eer igeg re pride in the reflection that he would be at the ead of its affairs. Fred made his first trip to Lakeview the day after the new agent got into harness. Mrs, Somers, the lady agent, was expecting to make his _ acquaintance, but she hardly anticipated seeing one so young _ holding a position that on completion of the branch to Bunk- port ud be virtually that of a small division superin- ent. CE aoe she could not help taking a great liking to the bri ht, cheerful-looking boy, who addressed her as palitel as he might a duchess. 7 _ He went over the business of the station, as it was and would be later on when the summer travel set in. The assistant engineer in charge of the extension con- stru invited him to go over the new track as far as it ad been completed, and he remained some time watching the work under way. __ When he got back to the Junction he found a letter from Edith awaiting him. | Her letters, as a matter of course, were the chief pleas- e of his life, and he read them over almost as many times «pga toeg lady ee can me ee e letter was addressed: “Frederick Sparks, Esq., Act- ne Supt, nigeend ora re pee ts R. Co., soa unction,” and the superscription looked very important in- leed in the eyes of the new official. - ae iam ‘ a) As usual it contained!several pages of close-written man- it, and the wonder was what Edith could find to cover ch good paper with, especially as the young people xchanged confidences seeplanty once every week. girl a ways looked for Fred's letter on a certain day, didn’t come until the next her mother always could -the oe eee on her face, ( ‘ e almost had’ a fit because, pying to some te. that the transfer cted epistle was three days 1 rs. Wentworth had ho quite possible that, with all their gratitude toward yy, and their personal ae for him, they hardly ed him as a suitable match for their only and much- ild, whose social standing was among the highest W: convinced that she and Fr nee to win her, once, until he heard from her a) 17 CHAPTER XV. A WIZARD FOR LUCK. Before reading Edith’s letter, which he: was very impa- tient to do, Fred: picked up an official envelope addressed to himself which had come down on the same train from the superintendent’s office. pee y the end open he took out the contents and read em. : They were fuller and more explicit»instructions relative to the conduct of the Lakeview Branch. It was evident that the company regarded the short line aay. as something more important than a mere summer road. ‘ Fred, as he read the superintendent’s matter-of-fact let- ter, began to realize in full the growing responsibilities that ee on hig young and comparatively inexperienced shoul- ers. ; The company anticipated no failure on his part, and the boy began to wonder if he could continue to give the satis- faction he had done in the past. When he laid the letter down there was a different ex- pression on his face than had ever rested there before. He felt as if years had passed over his head. - ° He was no longer a comparatively care-free lad, to whom the duties of station agent had seemed like second nature, a" a man with a weight on his brain. dith noticed the change in his answer to his letter, The eyes of love are quick to perceive the slightest al- teration in that subtile essence that, like a wireless tele- graph, flows from heart to heart. : As far as words went there was no change in Fred’s usual style, but the girl missed something, and she began to ask herself what it was. iy It was simply that the boy had ceased to be a boy—a fact she could not understand. May and June passed and: the third of July, an unusually hot day, was at hand. The Lakeview Branch was in full swing, with two pas- eo trains running each way daily, and a freight at night. red had his hands ‘tolerably full of business as things were, and a lively anticipation of what would be in store for him when the extension was finished to Bunkport. So far he had made good right up to the notch. { Everything was running as smoothly as a well-regulated machine. Py Fred, in consequence, was feeling like a fighting-cock. _ No word of commendation had reached him officially’ from headquarters. He hardly expected that. . | It was sufficient to know ‘that nothing of the reverse — order had come to hand. . But he was not left without words of praise and encour- agement for all that. These came in Edith’s letters. f bist Her father had evidently kept himself well informed about the progress of the acting superintendent of the_Lake- t view Branch, and he had once in a while mentioned Fred to his’ daughter in a complimentary way that made the girl’s heart glad. ; fe ‘ And Edith had reported her father’s words to her ie ng over. \ Be Edith and her mother were going to leave Boston d eS 8 for their summer outing. : Kens In her last letter, received by Fred that morning, she had stated that fact, but in a seemingly unaccountable way had neglected to give him a hint as to their destination, there- fore he could not answer her letter, which he always did at ain. { : It wasn’t like the girl to ne “rect such an essential par- ticular, and Fred was surprised and disappointed that the omission existed. : “Oh, well,” he thought, “in the hurry of. packing and etting ready to be off she forgot it. When she gets to her Forel wherever they are bound for she’ll be looking for the > she won’t give — a scolding in her next.” ; ia That’s the way Fred excused his little sweetheart. A He’ looked wistfully at the signature, “Yours lovingly Edith,” and wondered when he would have the pleasure of \ letter that will not come and then—maybe i | seeing’ her. as determined that the dear boy| ss ton Street that afternoon when It was nine months since he parted from her on Washing. e left Boston to =:ke charge, 3 ‘ ai Leary ie ¢ st e. |

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18 SS aE es eae eee A WIZARD of the station at Cresson Junction, and a whole lot had happened since then. . Fle wondered, if she could see him now; would’ she notice any difference in him. At that moment the shrill whistle of a locomotive was borne to cs ears. ; : He hardly needed to glance at the clock to assure himself that that was the Boston and Portland Express which now stopped at the Junction to accommodate the summer travel up the branch. : Fred knew that there would be a mob for Lakeview that _afternoon, for the next an was the Fourth. The hotels had been filling up rapidly- during the week, but a large proportion of their by the Eastern Division, and too at Bunkport. The rest came by way of Cresson Junction. Fred went out on the platform as the ponderous engine swept past with air-brakes set, and trailing behind it fol- lowed the mail, express and baggage cars, the smoker, day coaches, and drawing-room cars. ‘ Frank Jones, the agent, came out behind him, ~* “President Wentworth’s private car is attached to this train,” he said. “It’ll be dropped here, and I’ve received orders to see that it’s hooked on to the Lakeview train that leaves in ten minutes.” ; “What!” almost shouted Fred. it’s going to Lakeview?” “s ; - The thought flashed across his mind—could that. be the destination of Edith and her mother, and the girl hadn’t even hinted the fact to him? He stared after Jones, who was pushing his way down the platform through the streams of alighting passengers bound for Lakeview. a Why hadn’t Edith told him? ‘Didn’t she know that it offered her a chance to see him _ again? 5 Of course she couldn’t hel But perhaps, after all, Tdi aboard of the car. the steamer up the lake “The president’s car, and knowing it, then why-—— th and her mother were not Perhaps Mr. Wentworth had loaned the car to a party of| his friends. ‘ _ Well, he would go and see who were on the car. It was his duty as well as the agent’s to see was attached ‘to the Lakeview train. As he passed down the platform he saw a vision of love- tiness, in white attire, standing on the front platform of the private car. | His heart began to beat faster, for he was willing to swear that was Edith. . . He hurried his steps, for he :aw ‘she was looking for some one, and who ought that some one to be but himself? In another moment she singled him out and began waving her handkerchief at him. ° ; He wanted to break into a run, but he felt that would be an undignified proceeding on the part of the acting su- -* perintendent of the Lakeview Branch, so he walked for- that the car wad 88 fast oe weg vi ¥ “Fred, you dear, dear boy, e cried, as he sprang up the steps and. caught her by the hand. ies “Edith, this a great surprise to me. You never——” | _ “old you? I wanted to surprise you,” she cried, with flushéd face and dancing eyes. ; _- “Well, you’ve done it, all right. he said, looking at her with mingled admiration and love. gensed 2) {? An you—you haven’t changed a bit, except you - look eonalae and handsomer than ever,” she added, de- - murely., fat “Thank you, Edith, you said that very nicely,” he laughed, and there was a happy ring to the laugh. “You don’t know how glad I am to see you.”: elie “Ave you really?” she said, laying her gloved hand ca- ressingly on his arm. “Are you really and truly glad to. sea—— 3 f t rh “My little sweetheart! Well, I guess I am!” — ' She blushed like a June rose and smiled coyly in his face. _. The express pulled out at that moment, leaving the’ pri- vate car standing on the main track. | ; Be Lone oa -* “Come inside and see mamma,” said Hdith, stepping to- How well you look,” \ atrons came to Lakeview }. | OR, A-WALL STREET MESSENGER’S DE FOR LUCK: Fred thought he could, but he didn’t say so. The Lakeview train now: backed down the track and the private car was coupled on. j “All aboard!” sang out the conductor. — rs “ae “That means I’ve got to drop out,” said Fred, extending his hand first to Mrs. Wentworth and then to the girl. - “Isn’t it a shame!” cried Edith. “But you'll be up _to- morrow, won’ you? We’re going to stop at the Lakeview. Remember, I’ll look for you.’ ; “Tl be up im the afternoon, and I guess I can manage to stop over,” he said as the train began to move. “Good- by till then.” Bes eee He jumped off and watched the flutter of a handkerchief ~ as long as he could see it, R=? : Penta He kept his word, and called at the Lakeview Hotel at five next day. — eK ye He dined with Edith and her mother, and then he and the girl went out for a walk together to watch the fire- works. : Parts, They had a great deal to say to each other which wouldn’t interest the reader, but which was extremely interesting to their two selves. : sple S re eet The tete-a-tetes were continued at frequent intervals all through the summer nights, and when the first of Septem- ber came around, and Edith had to return to Boston, they parted with mutual regret. SIS ee Their last night together both remembered a long time. “You know I love you, Edith, and I know you love me, isn’t it so?” he asked. ; tetas “Yes,” she answered, softly. * : epee : “Then why deny me one kiss at parting?” he asked, wistfully. ~ bi “Because the gulf is not yet spanned, dear. When you ‘ean go to papa and mamma and ask them for me, and they ive,their consent, then I will be wholly yours, and you may iss ‘me; but until then you must be patient, for though my - heart is yours my hand is yet to be won. It is up to you to win it.” : ‘pee On Christmas week the first train ran through from the Junction to Bunkport, and now Fred was no longer desig- nated as the acting superintendent, but the superintende of the Lakeview & Bunkport te And did he fill the bill? : eee Well, rather, for he was fighting for a dainty prize Life’s Lottery, and he was determined to. win, be the what, they might. ! ets During the year that followed Fred built the branch Qs up in a way that won the hearty commendation of the gen- eral superintendent and President Wentworth. — He was evidently the right person in,the right place, b he was too useful an employee to be kept on a branch when, an opening for division superintendent occurr On his twenty-first birthday he was put in char; Eastern Division of the road, and a year later w: ferred to the Portland Division of the main line. vik After nine months’ service he was shifted ‘to the B Division, with an office in the depot building where h first begun his career of railroading in the Claim ment. : Dee eee. These shifts had all been made for a purpose, and ai instigation of President Wentworth. : valet: It was to make him familiar with the whole sys' Mr. Wentworth, having weighed him in the balance found him full weight, Detertataba he ‘should eventually ceed Mr. Lamport as general superintendent of the roa It was not expected that he would attain this office some years, but here Fred’s luck again came in play— Lamport was found dead in his office one afternoon, a viel of heart failure, and thus ‘at the age of twenty-five Sparks became virtual head of the Hastern Railro Then he went to Mr. Wentworth and asked him fo hand. rele : - Mr. and Mrs. Wentworth had long accepted tl foregone conclusion, and so the answer was favor Then Edith placed her hand in his and said: _ “The gulf is spanned at last, and I am wholl Now you may kiss me.” pee ~ And thus Fred won both fame ‘and fortune—fame as best superintendent the Eastern road ever had, and fo with Batch; for she was an heiress toa million, Next weck’s issue will contain “A FORTUNE anch. rial ne

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7 ne | _. FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY. CURRENT a Mrs. Mary Brundage, the seventy-five-year-old widow of the late Superior Judge Bernard Brun- dage, a pioneer of Kern County, Cal., was registered as freshman in the Kern County High School, and will study the Spanish language. Mrs. Brundage _ has several grandchildren attending the high school at which she is registered. The Baca old apple tree planted in the lower part of Vancouver Barracks in 1826 bore quite a little fruit this year. The apples were as large as baseballs. The apple tree is the oldest on the Pacific Coast, and the legend has it that the seeds for it were ‘brought from London, England, by an officer for the Hudson’s Bay Company. Ten or more trees _ grew up but all have disappeared but this one webaeh _ is protected by a wire fence. a DOr, Frank J. Hardy, of Chicago, Ill., had almost given up hope of having a turkey for Thanksgiving. din- Thirty-five cents a pound for an undressed bird seemed an awful price to pay. But Mrs. Hardy, _ who is an economical housewife, said she could get = oes without the fancy extras, so Hardy bought the fowl. In dressing the turkey Mr. Hardy found ‘a diamond stud in the bird’s crop. It was a pure ~ white stone, weighing almost a carat,. aie valued : a mee ? ‘ ‘epgistorie Events of Colonial Days,” by Rupert i re Holland, has just reached us from George W. Jacobs & Co., Philadelphia. This book tells of some the most. dramatic episodes in colonial history, ch as How Peter Stuyvesant Flew the Flag of the ew Netherlands, How Nathaniel Bacon Stirred Up ie Old Dominion, When the Pirates Were in arleston Harbor, How the Colony of Connecticut . Saved Its Charter, When the Green Mountain Boys et the Yorkers. “Hach fully © illustrated. Large -12mo, cloth, decorated cover. ake. dates from the reign of. ee! Elizabeth | years old. He and an older cowpuncher took a Lord | train-load of cattle from Pierre to the ranch, over esterfield was the first man of weight to take it| the river buttes. and had its origin in rounders and stool ball. eriously and ton the first public school.. ys scores were notched upon tally sticks, the ball’ heavy cross seams, the bats were curved, and iders stood almost in Indian file. The early f the game had their inception at the Star and ey inn, Pall Mall, and one of the few of these nal laws which obtain to-day is that of the toss- ceed wickets were twenty- two inches high and in iameter.. The first country are: all England in 1711. NEWS The Canadian munition industry has been devel- oped to a point where it is independent of the United States. This announcement was made on Nov. 10 by the Imperial Munitions Board, which is respon- sible for placing $500,000,000 of shell orders in Canada for the British government. Heretofore fuses, primers and steel were largely obtained from the United States. The industry has been developed in Canada, it is asserted, until all the component parts of shells can now be made in the Dominion. Orders are out which will keep the Canadian plants going until July next. Canada’s war expenditures during the seven months ended Oct. 31 of the fiscal year aggregated nearly $127,500,000, or an average of more than $18,000,000 monthly, according to fig- ures issued in Ottawa on the same date. Wage increases in New Hampshire industrial es- tablishments, affecting, according ‘to a conservative estimate, 50,000 workers, have been made during the ~ past summer and autumn, most of them coming in October and November. John 8S. B. Davie, State ° Commissioner of Labor, states that these wage in- creases will average for all New Hampshire about 10 per cent., the percentage of increase in some instances being as high as 20. The largest corpora- tions which have announced wage advances are Amoskeag Manufacturing Company, Manchester, 15,500 employees, 10 per cent.; Stark Mills, Man- chester, 1,173 employees, 10 per cent.; McHlwain Shoe Company, with 5,704 employees in Nashua and Manchester, 10 per cent., with a shortening of the work week from fifty-five hours to fifty-two; International Paper Company, with several hun- dred employees at Berlin, 10 per cent. } Perhaps. the “youngest | “real. cowboy” in the- Northwest is Maurice Paul Gowdy, ten, son of Ches- ter Gowdy, who, with Bert Waite of Sioux City, is the owner of. the Fort Sully Cattle Company, the biggest cattle ranch in the central portion of the State, located along the Missouri River twenty-six. miles northwest of Pierre, S. D. Maurice is ten The boy did his full share of the 3:30 o’clock in the morning until nearly sundown. The ranch grazes thousands of ‘heads of cattle, both on the lowland and the highlands along the Mis» It is probably the last of the really big — ranches in this section of the Northwest. The ranch was owned formerly by Tom Steel, Bert Waite of | : Sioux City, and Chester Gowdy, of Tarkio, Mo., but souri. at ikea 8 owned by Waite eae foray, only. 19 In those} work of driving the cattle the long distance, -so as — to miss no school day. It required riding from about

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| | : THE BOY WHO GOT THERE ae FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY. By ED KING (A SERIAL STORY.) CHAPTER XII (Continued). Tiff and Tug had been witnesses of all this with mingled emotions. They were prepared to stand by the Sailor. : ; But the appearance of Colonel Pulsifer put an instant end to all. Gaines’ manner quickly changed, and he bowed low to the millionaire. “All right, Colonel! We're putting the harness on Sadie now. You say they’re getting ready for the score? I'll be there!’ With rapid fingers Tiff and Tug helped the Sailor to buckle the harness onto the little race mare. She ’ was quickly hitched into the sulky. Then Gaines got into the seat and drove out onto the track: As he did so Tiff saw Horner standing by the gate and saw him exchange signals with Gaines. ‘The Sailor saw it also, and his brow clouded. _ “I see the chap,” he muttered. . ‘“He’s a profes- sional gambler from the far West. But if Jimmie Gaines don’t win this heat there’ll be trouble.” _ Just then Tiff felt a touch on his shoulder. He turned with surprise to face Colonel Pulsifer. The horse owner’s face was very pale. “Step aside here, my boy,” he said, in a low tone. ' “T want to talk with you.” Late obeyed with a queer sensation. But the next Words spoken by the colonel staggered him. “Tiff, do you think you could drive Sadie in a race?” ‘Drive Sadie?” . eso “Ves, ” “Why, Colonel Pulsifer, you surprise me! not a professional driver.” “No, I am aware of that. And that is why I am asking you the question.’ “Well,” replied Tiff slowly, ‘drive her.. Yes, sir!” “All right,” said Pulsifer, with set lips. see what Jimmie does this heat. iad “What? Do you think of pulling him out and put ting me in to drive in his place?” . “We'll see! I “it explain a little something to you. “T think T could ! know that Jimithie’ Gaines tory ou told, Sailor. ‘| . dishor i y I am “We'll was in the next stall and overheard the whole of “You'll n this fellow Horner. ing to do.” “Colonel Pulsifer,” said Tiff’earnestly, ‘“‘it is all true. This man Horner is a scoundrel. I fear that he has a hold on Gaines and he is compelled:to do as he says.” “Come with me,” said the Colonel grimly. will watch this heat.’ “Tiff followed the colonel into the grand stand. I want to see what he is go- “We ‘The horses were scoring. The crowd was cheering for Sadie Mack. She was a hot favorite. ach time she scored down ahead of the other horses. Suddenly the word was given. The trotters dbad away around the turn. Over to the quarter bole ‘they went like meteors. Bunko Boy had the pole and was in the dese: Sadie Mack seemed pocketed among the rest. Shouts of disappointment and disapproval went up from the crowd. There were angry cries. “She is being pulled! Take him out! Put in a new driver!” i Into the stretch swung the horses. The drive home was a hard one. Bunko Boy won by half a — length and Sadie Mack was fourth. There was an ih ominous silence in the crowd. Tiff saw Horner walking up the quarter sivetah There was 'a grim smile upon his saturnine face. oN Colonel Pulsifer’s face was white and set. ‘He. descénded from the grand-stand and walked up to the judge’s stand. “Gentlemen,” he said to the judges, “I wish to ‘notify you that I am not satisfied with the way my — mare was driven in that last heat. ts am going put on a new driver.” “All right, colonel,” said the seavting: judge. “Send him over to weigh in!” Hes Tiff went with the colonel back to the stall. and Sailor were rubbing the mare out. Gainer soo coolly by. “T got a bad start that heat, colonel,” driver. “I could have won it only for the vote Yl bring her down to the wire the next heat, a right. Reon ; “Do you mean that, Gaines?” asked the col » “Why, yes! Barring an accident.7a/ui enna “I don’t rer di you will, » Bald) ‘the! Saale arply

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fe aM Pak LS OETL DIE Snes Ae ce RUB MRO oe Og aM cies x thunderbolt could not have given Gaines a| Now the horses were going down to the half. — greater shock. He gasped and stared at his em-| Tiff let Sadie out a trifle and she moved like magic dcr up into second place. He was now at the wheel of “You’re joking!” he exclaimed. the black horse, Bunko Boy. “No, Tam not!” | Even at that stage Tiff knew that he had the heat “Why, Colonel Pulsifer won. He waited until the corner into the stretch “No use to make excuses, Gaines! I know all was turned before making the last drive. 4 cpoat your little business with Horner. I am done! ‘Then he drove right around Bunko Boy, and was with you forever. You will kindly remove your) first under the wire by a length. effects from my premises and never return.” The uproar that followed was tremendous. The “Colonel—I—it is a lie! It is the fabrication of| crowd would have rushed out upon the track but Sailor, and I’ll square it with him,” fumed Gaines.| for the high fence and the police. “You hired me to drive the mare, and I’m going! When Tiff dismounted from the sulky Colonel Sd } i SS FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY. son eS 1 | j ee en ‘a : Pulsifer with radiant face met him. = Sa ad Riapaegaetia : “A “You drove like a veteran,” he cried. “Gaines Who is going to drive her? never did better!” ; “I have a man! We will not discuss the matter) «y°,i glad,” said Tiff nonasatler: further. Sailor and Tug were transported with delights Then Gaines lost his head. Rage got the better of him, and he hurled epithets and'threats and abuse Nhe the: stable was: reached' there was & sbneral jubilee. at Sailor and at Tiff and even at the colonel. But Nothi Baar £ Cai eH now the bell rang for the second heat. : othing was to be papedpbead oat A sipapte a5 Tiff had weighed in properly and was ready. The next heat Tiff vikcaee ox adet e, t i migguiier - Sailor was delighted and patted him on the back. the race. His reputation might have been made | *You’ll do the trick, boy! Only hold her head then and there as a driver of trotters. and let her do the rest. She will take you through Colonel Pulsifer came down to the stall after the ~ all right.” race, and placed a, roll of bills in Tiff’s hand. The . As Tiff got into the sulky a tall figure passed by youth was staggered when he saw that they repre- ¥) the wheel. A hissing voice reached his ear, and he| Sented two hundred dollars. | caught a glimpse of Horner’s dark; malevolent face.| ‘Oh, Colonel Pulsifer, I really cannot accept so *Tf you drive that mare to win you'll never Son much,” he protested. ; | Montana alive!” “What?” exclaimed the colonel. “That is only a Demy “Tiff ignored the threat, and + a next moment was fraction of what you ought to have. Do you know ae jouging onto the track. » what those Western Stakes are worth to me? Over ten thousand dollars. Just you keep the money. Te oa aa ; That is not all! Ill be glad to give you a contract eareR Gi to drive my horses indefinitely at a good big salary.” CHAPTER pot Tiff’s blood tingled. It seemed to him as if suc- Ce ete d cess was attending him on every hand. The tempta-— p ai A BIT OF GOOD FORTUNE. tion was a powerful one. ’ v “Great Scott! Of course you'll take it, Tiff, rhe. qt was a thrilling sensation to Tiff to sit in ‘the “Tt bi thi t sulky and drive the fleet’ little trotting mare a colenirr ed hal ae ws dahnagtssasesn Mai at oxides cas de wn the stretch with the field of fast horses to the Bat Te’ shook his head: Se e, tc ” Tata great ml onthe grandstand soon tot AME, FO, Colonel Pulte” he wh a x Sn oo: ira fr a. ae aor: CHES te Fane, plans. I do not intend to drive horses for a living.” _ pita after the first thrill of excitement he was The colonel looked at him curiously. The boy’s : iF handsome refined face and epee manuer im- pressed him. foe “Pardon me,” he said quickly. «q can see that a ie Mack was~very froelapie § aud level. “She you are capable of entering a higher sphere. But. in starting life we often have to take up an humble BY porcupanton< me eh appreciate that, Colonel Pulsifer, ” said Tift. fs was wiven:. “But I am anxious to reach my land in Montana + at quite still and let. +t Sadie go as he Sa and begin to develop it.” oY turn was made. He had seen enough ‘Then Tiff told of his bequest ‘from ‘Moses Fiske, teach im to play a waiting game.| and_ the conditions attached. The anita list - to beat the aa horses. with interest.

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gg eat ES “FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY. FACTS WORTH READING - NO DYE SHORTAGE NOW. The spring flows with great volume for twenty Ba es Stone, president of the National Aniline and| minutes and then ceases for the same length of Chemical Co., told members of the National’ Silk| time. Association, in convention at Paterson, N..J.,a few| This spring furnishes about half the volume of days ago, that dye-making factories in Ameri ica are| Swift Creek, and played a great part in the failure at present turning out enough dyes to supply the en-! of the sawmill enterprise several years ago, accord- tire demand in this country. It is said that part-of| ing to Mr. McCain. the Deutschland’s cargo of dyes brought from Ger-| A settler established a mill on Swift Credle When | many some time ago still remains unsold at the|he turned, the water into the millrace his troubles Baltimore warehouses. began. For twenty minutes the volume was ae ; ficient to turn the wheels and then for the next AMUNDSEN BUYS FIFTY TONS OF FOOD | twenty: minutes everybody was idle. a! eh FOR DASH. ‘ : _| Fifty tons of food were purchased recently b ; : Captain Roald Amundsen, iecoveren of the South| PRINTER WOKE UP IN TIME. Pole, in preparation for his expedition to the North} _ Harry Daugherty, a printer of Mount Pleasant, ° Pole. Provisions will be taken, he said, for a six-| Ohio, was dead to all intents and purposes the other year stay in the North. The supplies include ten| evening. The members of the household where he tons of canned meats and twenty tons of flour. ~ lived so reported to an undertaker and the coroner. Captain Amundsen plans to make the final dash| The coroner immediately notified the man’s parents — to the pole in an airplane. ’ of the death and asked the relatives if they wanted : pla Phe IAL e Nees an investigation made. = : When the coroner and the undertaker, carrying a T th ce RODE ral bie dead basket between them, opened the gate leading om, the big cat pet of the woodsmen in a mill) into the yard, they met Daugherty, hale and hearty, ‘at Sheboygan, Wis., had a most unusual joy ride going to work. and escaped with his life, or one of them. Exhausted from a long day’s work, Daughevr. The big cat attempted to leap through a sixteen-| ,.q Jain down on the bed for a nap when another foot flywheel while it was making seventy-one revo-| member of his household, seeing him, became fright- lutions per minute, but was caught in, the wheel tified th authori- i and held for twenty i pein when the engine was one poe ies a ee ; i stopped. eae During the ride the cat patniea 68,160 feet, or hee twelve and three-fourths miles, He was picked up IMPREGNABLE BANK VAULT. Wa a as dead, but one hour later ate a heavy meal. One of the largest and strongest bank vaults in pact PE ine ee the world was put igto commission apie a the hi new Fifth Avenue Branch of the Guaranty te. _ PASSES CONFEDERATE BILL. Company, at the corner of Forty-third street, ee A few days ago a stranger appeared at Jake| York. > ; Grubbs’ farmhouse, near Macon, Mo., and asked| ‘The main door of this vault weiehe nearly £6 r to buy some cider. Grubbs filled two bottles for| tons and looks like the polished steel breechlock of © him and charged him 40 cents. The stranger handed] a great gun. It is so accurately balanced, however, — him a $10 bill and walked away. As soon as the) that it car be swung to and fro by a hand pressure,» ig farmer could scrape together the necessary $9.60 in| The corfbination of the vault is not: on the door, change he hurried after him and though somewhat} but on the jamb, at one side. This is the latest puzzled by the man’s reluctant manner he made him) handicap that the safe-maker has placed on the take the money. en Grubbs attempted to buy| safe-breaker. The mechanism of the, cone groceries he learned that the piece of paper which) might be blown away by some powerful explosive, the man had given him was worthless; it was an old| without impairing the impregnability of the safe. Confederate bill issued during the Civil War. . Moreover, the combination ¢an only be seen | y Lag Seas tape SSS Re the person who manipulates it. ‘There are: near] yo -,. ~ SPRING LIKE GEYSER. 5,000 steel boxes in the vault room, arranged it Upon ‘his return from an inspection trip in Wy- es on the side. There are wall mirrors at ¢ oming, A. C: McCain, Assistant District Forester,| ends/of, the eross aisles. They are an added elemel ee that he had rediscovered a strange geyser-| for protection, for any can be-seen in them a : ‘ike ae. of clear. and cold water enone seven aes anywhere.. Even the 2 ,000-ton ‘central safe can x : bile on all Spee ny the means ot agonab — ei

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: t 2 FAME AND anc da “WEEKLY ch, FA ert CHAPTER IV (Continued). _ “Well, I should say so!” and Kittie seized her friend, kissed her and pulled her into the house. ~ - “T have a friend; can he come in?” laughed Lucy. - “Of course; come in, sir,” to)Bob, who entered i pat once, and stood there, cap in hand, a quiet smile on his face. “Kittie, this is Mr. Bob Hardy,” said Lucy. . Kittie e extended her hand and said frankly: ‘ au “TJ am glad to make your acquaintance, Mr. _ Hardy.” - “The pleasure is mutual, I assure you,” he said, pleasantly Then Kittie closed the door and called out: “Mother, it’s Lucy! Come here.” | A good-looking, buxom woman of perhaps forty- years came from an adjoining room and kissed and gave her a cordial welcome, and was then duced to Bob. he gave him a keen, searching glance, and it was "Then she looked at Lucy, and then at the bundle . 1 she carried. Lucy noticed this and said quickly: j have left, home—or Bill Bunker’s cabin, rather ; f you will give me a home, Mrs. Wilson.” ; course I will. Left him, have you? Well, I’m e a to Genk me, Mrs. Wilson, and he would handled me very severely, I’m afraid, if this hey sat down, and Lucy told the story i in idetail, spoke 80 glowingly of Bob’s bravery in pro- ing her from the ruffian, Bunker, that the youth his hand over her mouth, playfully, and gly exclaimed: re my blushes, Lucy. Don’t pile it on, little ; did-no more than any honest man or boy done in my place. But I tell you I am me that happened along instead of some he eoye a, a look that brought a, evident that she was pleased with his appearance.| wees ih end 3 you liked it, GOOD AS WHEAT THE cae! ee oe ALL RIGHT By GASTON GARNE (A SERIAL STORY.) She hastened on with her story to cover her em- barrassment, and when she had finished both Mrs. Wilson and Kittie assured her that she was welcome to make her home with them as long as she wished —if that were always. “Oh, you won’t have to keep her always,” said Bob, laughingly, and again Lucy blushed, but there . was deep down in her eyes a pleased gleam that Mrs. Wilson and Kittie both ngticed. f “Have you had supper?” asked the woman, baad denly. “I never thought to ask you.” “T have,” said Lucy. “J haven’t,” from Bob. “T’l] set out something for you right away, Mr.—’ “Call me Bob, Mrs. Wilson.” ; “Very well, Bob.” - The woman quickly placed some food on the table in the kitchen, and while Bob was eating, Lucey talked fast to Kittie, and a little later Kittie said something to her mother, who, when Bob had fin- ished, asked him to stay all night. “Thank you, Mis. Wilson; I shall be pleased to stay,” said Bob. “And he will play on his violin for us, won't you, “Bob?” cried Lucy, eagerly. “Tl do anything for you, Lucy,” was the quiet, . but earnest reply. | ; CHAPTER V. BOB TALKS SENSE. _ Bob got out his violin and played some for his new friends. It is safe to say that he had never played better in his life. Lucy’s-pretty face was an inspiration to him, and he played some fine selections, such as he. never played in the bar-rooms, where he was wont - to play for the edification of the rough miners. The woman and the two girls applauded each piece, and when he Beesenyy stopped, they drew fe long. breaths. aS “T never heard anything ike it,” breathed paki ¥ “Nor I,” from Lucy. z ate Sta ei are a splendid) player, Bob” from Mrs Wilson, og

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24 ’ They talked an hour, and hati Mrs. Wilson aati | would have to do at the hotel.” that it was time for them to go to bed. She conducted Bob upstairs to his room and left a small hand-lamp for him to see to undress by. He lost no time in getting ready for bed. Then he blew out the light and tumbled in and was asleep in a jiffy. He slept soundly till morning, and then got up and dressed. He went downstairs and found Mrs. Wilson at work cooking breakfast. The girls were not yet down. He washed his face and hands and combed his}: hair, and then sat in the dining-room. The girls came down presently, and they had al- ready made their toilettes. Mrs. Wilson had taken them up some water as soon as she got up. They gave Bob a cheery good morning, and he returned the salutation in kind. . Breakfast was soon ready, the girls having set the table, and the four set down and ate heartily. After breakfast was over Bob stayed an hour or so and talked to Mrs. Wilson and the girls. At last he rose, and with something like a sigh said: “Well, I can’t stay here forever, much as I would like to. I must get out and hustle for a living. I thank you, Mrs. Wilson, for your hospitality.” “You are more than weleome, Bob,” she said earnestly. ‘‘Didn’t you do Lucy a great kindness? And I think almost as much of her as I do of Kittie.” “Tt was a pleasure to be of assistance to her, Mrs. Wilson,” with a quick glance at the girl that made her color up becomingly. “How long are you going to he in Silverton?” Mrs. Wilson asked. “T don’t know. As long as I can make anything by playing my Violin, I guess.” “That will be a good while, likely.” “Yes, this is a lively place,” said Kittie. “Indeed it is,” from Lucy.. “Well, I’ll stay as long as I can make a dollar, a declared Bob. “You are intending to go to a hotel? Vise } “Yes, Mrs. Wilson.” "Don’t do it, Bob. Stay here with us. more than welcome.” The girl’s eyes glistened with eagerness, They tried hard not to show that it would give them pleas- ure to have Bob stay, but it was evident that such was the case, nevertheless. “Are you sure I would not discommode Bob asked. ; “Quite sure, Bob. You can have that room, and we have plenty of food, such as it is.” Metw by “The food is all right, Mrs. Wilson, ‘and to. have oom: for my own exclusive use would remind me} sai i } Youi are ey) you ” FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY. , when I.had a home,” said Bob). be ey to Moe. your kind tar te > 0 peiie ne 3 “That you jet me pay my board, the same as I “All right, Bob,” with a smile. “You may do so.” “Then consider the matter settled. Ill stay.” “Very well; you are to make yourself as much at” home here, as though you had always lived here.” “T will do so.” The girls did not say anything, but the look in their eyes was indicative of the fact that they were delighted. As Bob took up his violin case to start out, how- ever, Kittie said: “We'll. have music igi Lucy. Won't that be nice?” “Indeed it will!’ “But you girls must remember that Bob will be tired after playing for hours on a stretch, ie. said Mrs. Wilson. “Oh, I’ll never be too tired to play for you folks,” smiled Bob. Then, with a cheery good-by, he attracted the at-— tention of people whom he met. Some made re- marks, but he paid no attention to them. He was a man of the world in experience, though only an youth in years, He stopped in front of a good-sized building - which bore the high-sounding appellation of “The United States Hotel,” and after hesitating a few moments entered. There were only about half a dozen men be the | barroom besides the bartender. Pe) They looked at the boy with some show of i int er- est, and he went up to the bartender and ask Lif he would allow him to play in there that evening, and take up a collection from the miners. | “Sartin,” was the reply. “An’ I'll give ye’ all dime free drinks ye aah bersides. Et’ll draw_trade prob- — erbly. pee *E ee want any free drinks, for I never er drink” was the reply. The bartender stared. “Ye never drink?” he exclaimed) as though could hardly believe that he had heard aright. — “No, sir. I don’t think it is good for boys.” ig : “Oho, mebbe et hain’t.” -“Mebbe ye think et hain’t good fur men, neith sonny?” snarled one of the. men at a table in ' corner. “Well, I don’t think it is good . for men,” the ‘replied quietly ; “put I have nothing to say: ag, any one drinking it who wishes to do so.” “Oh, is thet so?” ironically. “I thort thet nebh ye wouldn’t let enny uv us drink while ye aroun’ !” : Bob laughed Gocdauigeeole ~ Oh, you’re quite epee to drink while here,” he replied. ; “Thank ye! 177 “Oh, ‘ed, wl welcome.

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BURIED 123 YEARS, BODY WELL PRE- SERVED LIKE MUMMY. t Buried 123 years ago, according to the tomb- y stone’s. inscription, the body of John Black, an an- | cestor of James C. Packer, of Sunbury, Pa., was dis- | interred recently for removal from the William Penn | to the Pomfret Manor Cemetery. W. G. Minier, _the undertaker, was surprised to find the body in a 00d state of preservation, with all the signs of being mummified. Nine other bodies were also re- moved and found to be in almost the same condition. COMBINAGION OF ELECTRIC LAMP AND % STOVE. Norman G. Nicoll of Newark, N. J., has been granted a patent on an electric lamp that may he used as a stove as well. The shade of the lamp con- tains the heating unit, which may be connected to ~ the ‘socket of the lamp by inverting it, removing ey screw top of ornamental design, and screwing the bared” attachment plug into the socket of the lamp ~ stand. ‘Liquid may be placed in the bow] of the in- verted lamp shade, or a number, of utensils con- tained in the base of the lamp may be employed in oking the food. ie So NEW BOOK FOR JUVENILE READERS. ob Hunt in Canada,” by George W. Orton, has been issued by George W. Jacobs & Co., Phila- a. It is a story suited to juveniles of from 15'years of age, and should become very popu- e story tells how Bob Hunt and his party in the Canadian woods, becoming manly and liant through their out-door activities. Their are spent hiking, canoeing, swimming, and , and in the evenings, while gathered around : camp fire, weird tales are related. ‘The freedom 2 ne camp life will delight all boy readers, and will ie stil a love for the open in the hearts of those who not already experienced it. A book to induce h petcal and mental health. rf “a 522 MORE INDIANS IN. U.S. instructive and profitable year has been en- y the Indians, according to the report of is, Commissioner of Indian Affairs. — reage and yield of lands cultivated,” Com- s reports, ‘Their stock interests, both wha; have been a wonderful suc- FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY. TIMELY TOPICS have. made a remarkable showing in in-| ing the rays of light, weighs 21% tons, measures The employment of Indians for exhibition pur- poses by Wild West and other shows has been dis- couraged as being neither educative nor conducive to formation of habits of industry and thrift.” TRANSATLANTIC FLIGHT PLANNED BY NORWEGIAN. Kjell Nyegaard, a Norfegian naval lieutenant, and Hugo Sundstedt, a Swedish naval captain, will sail to New York soon to prepare for a transatlantic aeroplane flight, according to the Aerial Age Week: ly. They will carry as passengers Lieutenant Nye- gaard’s wife. The Norwegian aviator expects to purchase a Curtiss machine of larger type than that built for Rodman Wanamaker. He intends it to be a triplane of 131 feet wing spread, equipped with six motors of 160 horsepower each, capable of lift- ing 5,000 kilograms (55 tons), carrying six per- sons, with a fuselage constructed like a motor boat, with a water propeller, so if forced to alight on the ocean they can chop away the planes, proceeding as a motor boat. It is understood that the start is to be made from Newfoundland in April or May, when favorable winds prevail, and reach Ireland in 20. hours, continuing to London without stopping, if all is well. The performance would win the Paris Matin and London Daily Mail prizes of $50,000 each, be- . sides other cash awards. A BIG TELESCOPE. | For the present, and until the completion of the 100-inch reflector now being built for the Mt. Wil- son observatory, this telescope has the honor of be- ing the largest in the world. This optical giant is located in the Dominion Ob- servatory at Little Saanich Mountain, Vancouver Island. Like all the largest telescopes of recent _ years, this one is of the reflector type. | Seventy- two inches in aperture and 31 feet long, it weighs 12 tons dismounted and 55 tons with all its fittings. In spite of the firm foundation of concrete piers | | necessitated by this great mass, the tube is so deli- © cately mounted that it responds instantly to the smallest push. In fact, the excess of the current required to move the telescope at its. top speed, — over that necessary to run the motors light, is barely — sufficient to feed a sixteen- -candle-power, lamp. telescope, takes the place of the lens in concentra inches from edge to edge, is 12 inches thick a outer rim, and is pierced by a hole 1014 inche nao ag ‘The silvered upper surface ad as a pe The enormous mirror which, in the reflecting _

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26 E - FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY. Bae i Among : the fossils recehtly discovered by the Fame and F or tune Weekly United States Geological Survey, Department of the —_—_——— | Interior, are remarkably well preserved impressions NEW YORK, JANUARY 19, 1917. or casts of leaves of several extinct varieties of ash, oT poe and hickory, which Ma found, eee erie 5 || with three present-day species, in States bordering TERMS TO SUBSCRIBERS : | |the Gulf of Mexico. Although the leaves themselves i|have rotted and gone, here and there some were « /|buried in soit clay by sediment in such a way as l|to leave perfectly preserved impressions. The nuts, . 1; on the other hand, neither decayed nor petrified, but fell into pools of stagnant water, which is one of l| the best preservatives in nature, and sooner or later ii were also buried under silt and clay. Owing to their hard coats, those which fell into places favorable to their preservation are to-day in excellent condition, — though slightly flattened by the long soaking and — the gentle pressure of the clay. The deposit in which the leaves and nuts are found is not, less than a million years old, or at least a hundred times as old as the pyramids: of Egypt. Grins and Chuckles Cholly—How old is your sister? J ohnny—Twen ty-six, going on twenty-five. Single Copies 05 Conts One Copy Three Months v. 65 Cents One Copy Six Months .. One Copy One Year POSTAGE FREE HOW TO SEND MONPY—At our risk send P. 0. Money Order. Check or Registered Mtter; remittances in any other way are at your risk. We accept Postage Stamps the same as bo ger When sending silver wrap the Coin in a separate piece aper to avoid cutting the pest aoe Write your name and fades ress plainly. Address letters t ‘Harry E, Wolff, Pres, FRANK TOUSEY, Publisher ‘| ON, Hastings Wolff, Treas. > : Charles B, Nylander, See. 168 woes 23d ag Nu Y, Good Current News Articles That the American Indian is not deteriorating is the deduction made from the examination of Indian babies at the Bad River fair at Odanah, Wis., re- cently. Twenty-two Chippewa babies were meas- ured, weighed, calipered and given rigid physical tests. The report of the examiners is that the sub- jects averaged better than the white babies who were examined at a recent baby show at Ashland. 4 Teacher—Johnny, what is a ever Jomany * aes: boy wot comes t’ school wid a smile on his face,» Miss Oldwun—I’ve refused many, many oie of | marriage. Gayboy. (absent-mindedly)—I’m ure that’s very thoughtful and considerate of you, ms. F } a Plans are orider way for the establishment of a ‘atakiiship line between Japan and Brazil to promote - emigration to the latter country. It is stated that the first steamer of the new line will leave Japan next February with 900 emigrants. According to arrangements already made, it is said, Japan will send to Brazil every year 5,000 emigrants to be employed in cultivating rice, ory. potatoes, onions and coffee. Harkins—Why don’t Walker stop to spe thought he knew you. Barkins—He used to; introduced him to the girl he married. Neithe them recognize me now. on A gray wolf measuring five feet from tip to tip was'killed about seven miles southwest of Naples, N, Y.,.the other afternoon. Hunters, with dogs, tr acked the animal for several days:and finally, after he was wounded, drove him out from cover and a shot him. Damage amounting to more than $1,000 -was -done to sheep. herds before the animal was caught. It is the first wolf to be seen hereabouts in the memory of the oldest resident. manage one more piece of cake. Johnny (ina whisper) —No, aren mum. a! can still eat, can't swaller! Rrerecys a Gus—I hear George has married an heiress, in clover now, I suppose? Dick—No, he’s wi like a horse, trying to pay his board at a $40~ hotel. Her father pays hers, and she won't where else. rye 4 ah A ‘fine specimen of snowy. or Arctic owl was bagged by F. LaRouche, in his chicken yard at Portland, Ore. After lying in wait with a club, La- ~ Rouche discovered the owl. He was feasting on one of his sie A blow Fist, the club knocked the me _ Little George (to debt Sect —] |but he told me to ask you to call to- lector—He ‘will be at, home then, will he'll be out. That’s why he t

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DOCTOR NIGHT-OWL. By Alexander Armstrong “That was a narrow escape of Barron’s last night.” / “Indeed it was; he. fright has turned. his hair | a8 the color of snow.” “And well it might. Did the man escape?” _ “Yes; and there are no traces of him to, beet seen.” » . “He was mad, they say?” - “Mad? Yes, indeed; as mad as ever a man was } in his life.” | The subject of the conversation of the two speak- a ers was a strange affair that had happened the | previous night, in which a respectable gentleman had nearly lost his life, the fright occasioned him having turned his hair fy om jet black to snow white. The night before, as Mr. Barron, the owner of an elegant mansion on the outskirts of the town, ‘was seated in his library, which was on the ground floor, and opened upon a broad piazza by means _ of glass doors, or more properly windows, he heard se outside. another moment the window was pushed aside, | * reer reaching nearly to his feet. his eyes. ese were black and gleamed like living coals, oe set near together, made his gaze. most ng “man oe felt somewhat alarmed at the Ms his nocturnal visitor, who, to tell the is Mr. Barron, I believe,” said the strange e great literary genius?” m engaged in literary work,” answered the simply. d I have been sent to examine the aouatea r brain. I am Dr. Night-Owl. Queer name, ot?” . rather singular.” “They ‘call me so because I work only at night, itherto unknown to medicine.” eed!” answered Barron, scarcely knowing 0 get rid of his visitor, and not being sure e meant violence or ast to ais. m: ns by which a man’s ) the: delicate FAME AND. FORTUNE WEEKLY. a man entered, having on a long dr essing-gown w more then—can do more. The occult scien¢es| i. revealed to me, and I have discovered he "He Sisappeprad in on organs be given a thorough overhauling, and then the head be replaced. It’s a wonderful discovery, and after it has been done three or four times, there need be no fear of a°’man’s dying.” “Possible?” . “Certainly,” answered the man, sistise down in front of Barron and upon the same side of the table. “Listen.” : He fixed those glittering eyes upon his host, and the poor man felt scarcely able to move, and then, with one finger raised to about the height of his nose, proceeded’ to argue the case. “Listen to me before I proceed to relieve you of your troubles,” said the man. “Your head bothers you, your eyes become tired and your temples throb. You think all this comes from overwork... So. it does, partly, but more because you want your head cleared, taken off, treated by my secret process, after which you will feel better.” aie. What could the man intend to do? “The head is the great seat of power,’ he con- tinued. “Everything depends upon the head, the life, the will, the soul, the strength of man all comes from the head; some say that it.is the heart that sets everything i in, motion, but that is erie it is the head.” The man was certainly crazy, but that did not’ : -| alarm Barron so much as did that other thought. There were harmless lunatics and there were dan- | gerous ones. “T am Dr. Night-Owl and live in the darks “my home is in the church vaults. I shun the daylight, but at night walk forth to do good te mankind. You need to have your head fixed, so that you can do ‘| better work, and I have come to perform the opera- tion.” — Barron. sprang to his feet, and uttered one des- perate cry for Help; which rang all through the house. Before he could cry out a second time, the eyes man seized him in his strong grasp, and fixing his terrible gaze upon his intended es a Pome : charmed him into. silence, Then, binding him securely to the chair he sat i in, and gagging him to prévent any fyrther outery, the maniac threw off his long dressing-gown, and rolling up his shirt sleeves, produced a sharp knife from | about his person, and began rubbing the edge. upon his thumb to test its keenness. — Then he advanced with that terrible weapon in his hand; and the man in the chair shuddered-and turned © eel wr pale, the big drops of moisture standing out upon high forehead. x5 He fainted - dead away after ‘that and kaa no more until he found himself in bed with the physi- by: cians bending over him. Lie _ Some inmates of the house had canbe the mad- i$ man. just, as he was about to Net om the acl in the chair. ° .

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28 lowed him, the poor man in the chair claiming all their attention. — His hair was found to fave turned, white in an in- stant, and his nerves were so unstrung that for hours his life was despaired of. By morning the man was very much improved, and wrote out a brief account of the scene of the previous night, being unable to speak. From this the’ officers obtainned some clue to the maniac’s identity, and recognized him as a former physician of the town who had mysteriously disap- peared some months previous and had not tyes seen since. The man had said that he dwelt in Jassie made}: his abode in the church vaults, and never ventured forth except at night. The place to seek for him, then, was in the church vaults. There were several churches in the town, but only two or three that had vaults beneath them. The search, therefore, was narrowed down to these two or three. In one of these the vaults were so small and so clogged up with rubbish that it would have been im- possible for a rat to have found a hiding-place, much less a man. Then the second place was visited. It was dark, damp, and unwholesome; the dust lay inches deep upon the floor, and the rough beams and the stones were cold and clammy to the touch. The man was not to be found, nor was there any indication that any human being had been in the place for years. — “T remember now,” said the sexton, “that my man said to me several times lately that he had heard strange noises here, and that he could not account ‘for them, not believing in the supernatural.” “Let us search further,” said the officer. convinced that we shall find the fellow here.” The old sexton suddenly remembered a small arched enclosure, shut in by a wooden door, which had long ago been used for storing coal, but had been disused for many years on account of its dis- tance, the furnaces having been taken out of the vaults and removed to the basement of the church. To this place he therefore led the way, with trem- bling steps, expecting every moment to hear the shrill laugh of a maniac sounding in his ears and to feel the icy fingers clutching his throat. As he reached the closed door leading to thie smaller vault the sexton pulled aside the heavy door, Which creaked and groaned upon its hinges, causing both men to shudder, and throwing it wide open cast the light of his lantern into the enclosure. A rustling _ noise was heard,' and then a harsh voice, after which. something seemed to arise, out -of which esi _ peered the gleaming eyes of a human being. _. Then in the round patch of light made by the lan- . on the rear wall of the narrow space, the ex- rs saw a man, in his asic se tei and partly red old blanket, sittin: “IT am FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY. ‘land the insane man stepped. out upon the | y | ce He rested his weight upon one hand, and with the other upon his knee, which was upon a level with — his breast, stared stupidly at them, the light seem- ing to dazzle him. “It ig the man himself,” muttered the officer. “What do you want?” ‘growled the man, angrily. “Why do you bring a light to Dr. Night-Owl? I hate the light—I shun it, but I love the darkness. Go away with the light.” “We want to consult you, most learned physician,” i said the officer, who was a man of considerable tact. “We wish to have your assistance in restoring a poor man to reason.’ ' “Ha, ha! the world at last is awakening to the importance of my wonderful discovery. Oho! fame and fortune shall now be mine! I knew it—I knew it; and yet men called me idiot, fool, dotard, when I advanced my theory.” “The whole town is waiting for you to have their heads cleaned out and reason restored,” continue, the officer. ‘Do not keep them waiting whe you can relieve them so readily.” “I must have a hundred dollars for every case, before I stir a peg.” ‘Ha, ha! that does not uy like the speech OLN a madman,” muttered the sexton. “Thats an. un- | commonly wise remark.” “You shall have two hundred, ohtls) come with us at once,” said the officer. i= SEG IS Ot night yet. I will not stir oe the sun has gone down.” y “Most worthy physician, the sun 1 has alvonae Ais his face for very shame at the brightness of your fame, and you will. find all as dark as you ae wish.” Be: “Say you so? ‘Ha, ha! then I will go ane yo rf dragging his blanket rie him. over I his head, and ave it sahil: ad hi ~The man struggled wildly, and tried to but the two determined men hurried him q from the vaults and out- into the alm, whe ditional help was procured, — ‘ Dr. Night-Owl was most securely bound, , he made his teeth meet in one man’s hand wh blanket was removed, and was carried to the asyl where he was pronounced. a maniac of the danger ous type. He remained in the aniline for some ti wrote many treatises upon his wonderful but seemed annoyed at not being able to. practical demonstration of his theories. | At last, one day, after having been p violent, complaining that his head needec tion, he secured a knif to us, and cut his ieee him he was lying

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FR OM ALL POINTS MILLIONAIRE MAY LOSE AN BYE. A special to the Daily News, Chicago, from New Orleans Says that Joseph Leiter, millionaire of | Chicago, is threatened with the loss of one eye. os Leiter, according to a hunting party which had been at Leiter’s hunting lodge, was hit in the eye ‘by a reed as he sat in a dugout waiting for game. He is a brother of the late Lady Curzon. SUNLIGHT BLINDS YOUTH. A flash of sunlight caused L. E. Wood of Newton, ‘Kan, to lose his eyesight the other day. ‘Wood was walking along slowly when one of his fraternity brothers called to him from an upper story in the college of the Sigma Nu chapter house. Wood threw up his head suddenly. The brilliant reflection of the sun on some freshly painted wood- work blinded him. He was taken to his home in Newton. | : Physicians who attended him declare that the ‘sudden strain on the optic nerve caused a paralysis that may become permanent. Apa BUILD NESTS UNDER FIRE. a Birds build nests in European forests while trees are. being shelled during the artillery engagements, according to Dr. Arthur A. Allan, head of the de- partment devoted to bird study at Cornell Univer- ‘sity, “who spoke at the American Or nithologists’ Union meeting in Philadelphia, Pa., recently. « “He said a doctor with an ambulance corps in France counted 35 species of birds that had built ests in ruins of buildings and trenches abandoned } inhabitants and soldiers. “Artillery fire that sweeps away entire sections tt woods fails to disturb the birds which happen to uilding there,” Dr. Allan said. * “The observer able to see a number of these birds building was | e ests under fire. The tree in which one of the birds a making a nest was entirely swept away by a \ uilding. i ie JUDGEH’S AUTO KILLED WILDGAT. ' Municipal Judge A. C. Backus, his wife and four children narrowly escaped with their lives when a wild at jumped at the automobile in which they e animal pedal: the front left tire so hard that ti i was driving toward Athens when I noticed a rk object, on the left of the road,” said Judge Si: aS ‘At first I thought it was a large dog. i saw that it was a cat and too large for a aN é te. f speed, The cat Norers pears) FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY. wa l, but a' bird on a onan tree kept pight ee for the car and I turned the wheel so that the cat struck it. Its skull must have been fractured. At the time I had no means of defense. It was a lucky thing that the cat was in front of the car instead of at the side, or it could have jumped into the machine,” Judge Backus took the dead animal from Athens to Marshfield, where he had it mounted. It weighed between forty and fifty pounds, and is of a grayish brown color. It will be presented to the Milwaukee Press Club: ‘ALARM CLOCK ROOSTER. W. Dz. King, of Dalton, Ga., has a rooster site in itself, is nothing out ‘of the ordinary; but then the rooster is. The bird has the alarm clock beaten, and he has the right to crow over it. This rooster each morning on week-days takes his stand promptly at six o’clock beneath a window on the southwest corner of the house and begins to crow. On Sunday mornings he lets the family sleep thirty minutes later, as he doesn’t ia es es Sundays until six-thirty. His promptness is marvelous, for he is never a minute too soon or a minute too late. He doesn’t have to be wound up at night, and he uses the hen roost, so he has the advantage over the alarm clock in that he doesn’t hang around and tick loudly throughout the night. And he crows until some one comes to the window and heaves a stick at his head, so there is no danger of the alarm failing to wake the household. PLAN EXPEDITION TO FRENCH CON Go. Plans were made public recently for what experts representing the Smithsonian Institute declare will be the most important. scientific expedition ever launched from this country to the French Congo. Professor R. L. Garner and F’, Aschmeier, who form the advance guard of the expedition, will sail with months’ sojourn in the Congo. They will be followed in March by Alfred M. Col- lins of Philadelphia, and Professor Charles Welling- ton Furlong of Boston. The object of the expedition is to obtain zoological specimens for the Smithso- nian Institute and to make ethnological collections. Mr. Collins is a big game hunter and explorer. Mr. Aschmeier for five years past has been asso- ist and naturalist. Professor Furlong, who is a fel- cpa of the Royal Geographical Society and an ex- plorer, writer and painter, previously has been in Africa. Professor Garner also has been in Africa, having lived among the natives in: ane eeneh Cong |and seas their hata s several tons of supplies, preparatory, to an eighteen - —~ ciated with the Smithsonian Institute as a taxiderm- ae fH i i 5

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80. | : FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY. ‘INTERESTING ARTICLES ALCOHOL KILLS THREE CONVICTS. - _WILDCAT SEIZES TRAIN. Three prisoners in the [llinois State Penitentiary | When a wildcat attacked a Western ‘Maryland - are dead, three more are expected to die and three | freight train in the mountains near Elkins, W. Va., others are ill as. the result of drinking wood al-|the crew, after giving battle for a few minutes, ~ cohol which they extracted from shellae. fled, leaving the animal in charge of the train. The men were employed in the shoe shop, where| The wildcat. leaped upon the tender of the en- shellac is used. They brought the alcohol to the|gine from a mountain slope and attacked Carl M. surface by adding salt to the shellac. It is believed Austin, a flagman, leaping upon his back. and Tip- they consumed two quarts of the poison. One man,|ping a sleeve from:his coat. when told that he was dying, aoateed what they| Austin, who was shoveling coal in the tender, had done. hit the beast with his shovel. ‘The animal returned . Sie SIME RCT to the attack, and when Austin saw that HD rae WILDCAT TOOK MEAT. the train crew had deserted him he, too, fie ater _ Héaring a commotion in the yard’the other night, the crew returned and found that the wildeat — members of the family of B. A. Ritchey, a farmer disappeared: at Three Culverts, Pa., discovered a large wildcat making off with a section of a hog that had been! UNEARTHS OLD iNDIAN TOWN. hanging on a tree. ‘ Prof, W. B. Nickerson, of Epworth, la., who has” Thanksgiving night while the butchering party |peen making extensive excavations on the ‘site of an- was at dinner, the wildcat dragged two shoulders of old Indian village near Cambria, Mian., and- in meat off a cooling board, - +some Indian mounds in the vicinity, has just. com- Persons“living in the vicinity stay home nights, pleted his work for the Minnesota Historical So and securely fasten their hog pens and chicken | cje coops, through fear of the animal. ae Naviaiiol found that the Indian village was” f situated’ on the bluff overlooking the sine | River valley some 500 years ago and has une e FRANCE ENROLLING WOMEN ey rauch pottery, weapons, household tools and ete A woman’s coramittee, presided over by Mme.| He is of the opinion that the Mandan Indians may Emile Boutroux, wife of the celebrated philosopher, have inhabited the locality, which might account for has been organized to enroll women volunteers in many evidences of some degree of civilization, as S- the service of the country. It is appealing to all|these Indians were lighter in color than others and women to inscribe their names, with a statement of jare believed to have had some white blood in their their aptitudes, and the time they will be. able to | veins, Bete eee a devote to work in different categories when their ‘services may be needed, _ Enrolling offices will be opened soon and a. com- prehensive effort will be made to enlist all the women of France in the service of the nation. ‘pany, is coming to New York to operate the {hotel in the world, the new Hotel Penns |which is being erected on the east side of Se _ VETERAN DUG owN GRAVE. avenue from Thirty-second to Thirty-third - Dana B. Watson, aged eighty-four, a Lynn, Mass.,| directly opposite the Pennsylvania Statio Civil War veteran, has been buried in the grave| York. Franklin J. Matchette, lessee of the p' he dug for himself a few days ago in his family lot|ty, announced that Mr. Statler has pane in tle cemetery of this town. He felt himself fail-' controlling interest in the lease. Mr. Statl ing health about two weeks ago and came here to| ducts hotels in Buffalo, Cleveland and Detr _ prepare his grave. It took him three days to com-|has a new structure going up in St. Loui; plete the grave and line it with cement. Then he| Matchette will keep a financial interest i in th _ returned to Lynn after covering the grave with a/|sylvania. Pay _ wooden cover to keep out the rain. A week ago| Plans for the erection of the first section of he told his friends in the Grand Army Hall in| hotel have been changed to include a greater x liynn that he had his grave all ready and. that he|ber of rooms than at first intended. expected to live but a short while longer. He re- to be divided into four great wing: ; urned to his lodging house and died later of heart! will be put up at this time, giving disease. The body was shipped | here and has hugs oo 2,200 rooms, or Oe) more than “ied according to the veteran’s aN ERM |

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rt FUNNX KISSING GAME, + These curds, from No. 1 to No. 16, run in rotation, but must be mixed and dealt, a white’ one for a boy and a red one for &@ girl. They are then read alternately, and the questions and answers make funny ~ combinations.'The right lady is rewarded + with a kiss, A very funny game. Price, tive cents a pack by mau. + B. LANG, 1815 Centre St., B’klyn, N. ¥. ; : GAME OF AGE CARDS. 4 With these cards you cu tei the age of ) ABY persvn, KuOW LOW imucH money he hus AM dus pocket, and do luany other wouder- ful stunts. No previous knowledge neces- Sary,. ‘ihe cards do tie trick for you.. Lhe best magi¢ cards out, Price, tive cents a pack: by mail, Wout Novemy Co,, 29 W. 26th St. N. xX ————— : \ GAME OF GOLD HUNTERS, The game consisis of malcuiig .cards, Phere is un odd card. ‘he unlucky one hoiding it thust ride the rest of the piay- ers on bis back wround the room or side- Walk. Very tuuny. Price, tive cents a puck by mail. ' Wolf! Novelty Co., 29 W. 26th St. N, X. ee > SNAPPER CIGAR. The real thing idx the cigar grafter. If you smoke you must have met him. He Sees a few choice cigars if your. pocket aud makes no bonés about asking you for one. You are all prepared for him this time. How? ‘Take one of these cigur suap- “pers (Which is so much Jike a real cigar you are Yable to smoke 1t yourself. by mistake). ‘Bend the spring back towards the lighted end, and as you offer the cigar let go the spring and the victim gets a sharp, stinging snap on the fingers. A sure - eure for grafters. Price, by mail, ten cents éach, ov, three for 25c. ©, BEHR, 150 W. 62d St., New York City. ii - u eae RELAY I Lvs = m eee . tas Bs hai ] ; ‘ the plays. mail you the latest number issued. v oe ie ae + | . | 28 ie Scenario Hints and the names of all the co FORTUNE TELLING CARDS. The most comical fortune telling cards ever issued, Every one a joke that will arouse screams of laugliter. They are shuf- fled, nd one is drawn—red for ladies, white tor gentlemen. On the drawn card is a mirth-provoking -pieture, and a few words revealing your fortune. Price, five cents a& pack by mail. H. I, LANG, 1815 Centre St., B’klyn, N. ¥; NAIL PUZZLE. : Made of 2 metal nails linked together. Keeps folks guessing; easy to take them apart when you know. how. Direc- tions with every one. Price, 6c., postpaid, . Wolff Novelty Co., 29 W. 26th St., N. ¥. HAPPY HOOLIGAN JOKER. With this joker in the lapel of your coat, you cen meke a dead shot every time. Conyplete with rub- ber ball and tubing. Price, 15e. by mail, postpaid. H, F. Lang, 1815 Centre St., B’klyn, N.Y THE SPOTTER CAKD TRICK, The performer exhibits a die.. Lhe ace of spades aid sive cards ate now taken from a pack. The ace of spades is thor- oughly shuffled. with the other cards, Which are then placed down in a row on the table. Lhe die is now thrown, and as if embodied with superhuman _ intel- ligence, the exact position of the Ace is in- dicated. Without touching the die, the per- former picks up the cards, gives them a complete shuffle and again spreads them out. The die is rolled as before by any person, and is seen to come to a stop with the locating number uppermost. The card is turned over and found to correspond in position. Price, 15¢. postpaid. H. F, LANG, 1815 Centre St., B’klyn, N. ¥. | WE WANT YOU ‘Moving Pi TO READ ‘ISSUED EVERY FRIDAY Specs eo ait ts ‘BEAUTIFUL COLORED COVER DESIGNS nr oA 4 Naw portraits of actors and actresses every week - EVERY NUMBER CONTAINS x Gripping Stories, based on the latest and best films, each profusely illustrated with fine half tones of scenes in hotographs and Biographies of the most celebrated Photoplay actors and actresses. eh pecial Articles relating to Moving Pictures, written by the greatest authorities in the film business. ews Notes from the studios about the doings of everybody of prominence connected with the Photoplays. j mpanies who may buy the plays you write. ; pes a ems, Jingles, Jests and every bright feature calculated to interest both young and old. GET A COPY NOW from your newsdealer, or send us 5 cents in money or postage stamps, and we will __ “MOVING PICTURE STORIES,” Inc. 23d Street. - F Clure Stories” Weekly Magazine devoted to Photoplays and Players. Absolutely the finest little publication on the news-stands ‘i | "as- PRICE 5 CENTS A COPY 33g FINE HALF-TONE FRONTISPIECE Get a copy of this weekly magazine and see what it is FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY. “81 fe TS (et ane es aes sie is 2 to $500 EACH paid for hundreds oi old Coins, Keep ALL money dated be- fore 1895 and send TEN cents for New illustrated Coin Value Book, size 4x7, it'\'may mean your Fortune, CLARKE COIN Co., Box 95, Le Roy, N. ¥. CUFF BUTTONS. Gold plated, bright finished, assorted shapes, set with fine brilliants.’ Price 10¢ postpaid. H. I. LANG, 1815 Centre §St., B’klyn, N, ¥. THE SPIDER WEB PUZZLE. A very interesting lit- tle puzzle. It consists of a heavily nickeled plate and brass ring. ‘Lhe object is to get the ring from the side to the center and back. This is very hard, but we give directions making it easy. Price, 10 cents each, by mail, postpaid. _ PRANK SMITH, 383 Lenox Ave., N. ¥. LAUGHABLE EGG TRICK. This is the funniest we trick ever exhibited and always produces roars of laughter. The, per- former says to the au- dience that he requires some eggs for one of his experiments. As no . spectator carries any, he calls his assistant, taps him on top of the head, he gags, and an egg comes out of his mouth. This is repeated until six eggs are produced. It is. an easy trick to per- form, once you know how,.and always makes a hit. Directions given for working > it. Price, 25 cents by mail, postpaid. H. F. Lang, 1815 Centre St., B’klyn, N.Y. THIRTY-TWO PAGES

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DUE. LANG, Pe ih ; nie 1815 ae ; MAGIC PUZZLE KEYS Two keys interlocked in such a man- ner it seems impossible to separate tiem, but when learned it is easily done. Price, (6e,, postpaid. FRANK SMITH, 383 Lenox Ave., N, ¥. TARE re WS er es - LITTLE RIP’S TEN-PINS In each set there are ten pins and twe bowling balls, packed in a beautifully or- namented box. With one of these minia- ture sets you ¢an play ten-pins on your dining-room table just as well as the game can be played in a regular alley. Every game kuown to professional bowl- ers can be worked with these pins. Price, 10e. per box by mail, postpaid. Hi. F. LANG, 1815 Centre St., B’klyn, N. Y. THE CREEPING MOUSE. ‘ This is the latest novelty out. ‘vhe mouse is of a very natural appearance. When placed upon a mirror, wall, window or any other smooth surface, it will creep slowly downward without leaving the perpendicu- Yar surface. It is furnished with an ad- hesive gum-rolf underneath which makes it stick. Very ne to both young and old. Price, ten cents by mail. Wolff Novelty Co., 29 W. 26th St., N, ¥. ———— — TRICK CIGARETTE BOX This one is a corker! Get a box right away, if you want to have a barrel of joy. Here's the secret: It looks like an ordi- hury red box of Turkish ciragettes. But it contains a trigger, under which S place a paper cap. Offer your friend a sinoke and he raises the lid of the box. hat explodes the cap, and if you are Wise you will get out of sight with the box before he gets over thinking he was shot. ' Price, 15e., postpaid. Wolff Novelty Co., 29 W. 26th St, N. ¥, ———— IMITATION BED BUGS, ie This. toy is an exact imitation of the , friendly little fellow who shares your bed, eats out of your hand or leg and who%ac- ‘ vepto your numbie hospitauty even with- out an invitation. he fact-that he also insists on imtroducing all his friends and tamily circle sometimes makes him most unpopular with the ladies; most every . jomun you know would haye seven kinds of fits if she saw two, or even one, of these imitations on her bedspread. Six are coutained in a transparent envelope. Price, 10¢e. by mail. . IF. LANG, 1815 Centre St., B’klyn, N. ¥. ———_—_—— ' BINGO. It is a little metal box. It looks very Innocent, but is supplied with an ingenious mechanism which shoots off a bariniess cap When it Is opened . You can have more fun than a circus with this new trick. Place the BLNGO in or under any other urticle aud it will go off when the article - jy opened or removed. tt can be used as 2 funny joke by being placed in a purse, cigarette box, or between the leaves of a Magazine; «sO, Under any Inoviavie article, such as a book, tray, dish, etc. Lhe BLNGO cub also be used us a burglar alarm, as a theft preventer by being placed in a drawer, money till, or under a door or window or under any article that would ve moved or disturved shouid a’ theft be attempted. Price 15e. each by mail, postpaid. FRANK SMITH, 883 Lenox Ave., N. Y¥. | WHO DROPPED THE EGG? The most screaming comic catch of mod- ern times. Drop it anywhere on the tavie or the floor and await results. The shell is a real egg snell, but the ‘white and yolk of the egg is. made of wax. ‘the exact size and color ot u reat broken egg. No one for a moment would think it other than an ordivary hen’s egg, ‘carelessly dropped on ine floor, Atter re- eelving a good scolding for your careless- ness, pick it up and tell your parents not to fry or scramble it for your breakfust, us ‘you wish to keep it for further use. Price 10¢; 3 for 25, mailed postpaid. Centre St., B’klyn, N. ¥. yA RY a SE Se SE le Re £ cE, AR KNITTER hip-ldsh, pair ¢ deine of The most beautiful de- de by 2 ) a re a a _ mysteriously highly recommended, ih ed SOUVENIR SHOE THERMOMETER. This is the prettiest and daintiest little article that we have ever seen. It con- sists of a miniature French shoe only 1% inches in length, to which is attached a perfect and thoughly reliable thermome- ter. They are made in: Paris by skilled workmen, and the workmanship in every detail is simply perfect. ¥ Ladies sometimes use them to attach to embroidery work, and nothing could_ be more suitable to present to a lady friend as a momento. Besides being a practical ther- mometer it is a perfect work of art. Price, 8e.; 4 for 25¢e. postpaid. H. F. LANG, 1815 Centre St.. B’klyn, N. Y. GOOD LUCK GUN FOB. The real western article carried by the cowboys. It is made of fine leather. buckle. The holster con- tains a metal gun, of the same pattern as those used by all the most famous scouts. Any boy wearing one of these fobs will at- tract attention. It will give him an-air of western romance. The prettiest and most serviceable watch fob ever made... Send for one to-day. Price 20 cents each by mail postpaid. Wolff Novelty Co., 29 W. 26th St., N. ¥. THE CANADIAN WONDER CARD TRICK. Astonishing, wonderful, } and perplexing! Have you seen them? Any child can work them, and yet, what they do is so amusing that the sharpest people on earth are fooled. We cannot tell you what they do, or others ‘ would get next and spoil the a set and read the directions. resuits will startle your friends and A genuine good thing fun. Just get The utterly mystify them. 42 you wish to, have no end of amusement. Price by mail, 100. H. F. Lang,1815 Centre St., B’klyn, N.Y. ad esi HS ss A BLACK-EYE JOKE. ) New and @musing joker. The viotim is tole te held the’ tube close to his ey@ vo as te exclude all Hight frem back, and then to remeve the tube until pictures appegr in the center. In trying to lecate the pictures he will re- ceive the finest black-eye you evor a small box of lutely each; rmiess. 3 for come C. BEHR, 150 W. 62d St., New York City. MINIATURE COMPASS CEARM. A beautiful charm, to be worn on the watch chain. It consists of a true and per- fect ‘compass, to which is c c attached, by B, powerful magnifying glass. W hen not in use the magnifying glass fits clostiy iuside the compass and is not seen. ‘he compass is protected by a glass crystal, a pivot, a - and is handsomely silver-vieckel plated and burnished, presenting a very attractive ap- pearance. Here you have a reliable compass, a powerful marnifying glass, and a hand- some charm, all in one. Jt is a Parisian novelty, entirely new. Price 25¢e. by mall, postpaid. . FRANK SMITH, 388 Lenox Ave. N. Y. THE DEVIL’S CARD TRICK.—From thrae cards held in the hand anyone jis asked to mentally select one. All three cards are placed in a hat and the performer removes first the two that the audience did not select and passing the hat to them their card has vanished. great climax; with a highly nickeled | | Price, 10e, | 13 Xe d- MARBLE VAS. | A clever and puzzling effect, — easy to do: the apparatus an be minutely examined. BPffect: A marble can be made to pass from the hand into the sinwell ene & moment pelere n P Ly beautiful enameled turned po co y is 18 a vase. i ~ +. Price, 20¢, C. BEHR, 150 W.. 62d St., New York City. LINK THE LINK PUZZLE. The sensation of the day. Pronounced by all, the most baffling and scientific novelty ones pee ee, Wight r hours wit) tering it, still it can be done f Pere densa : by giving the links the proper twist, but ‘tn- \ less you iknow how, the harder you twist them — the tighter they grow. Price, 6c.; 3 for 16e.g - one dozen, 50c., by mail, postpai i FRANK SMITH, 383 Lenox Ave, ‘N, We. THE INK BLOT JOKER.’ — ; Fool Your Friend@ —The Exearest novel» / a joke re everybody ,laugh More fun.‘than sy other novelty. ti i has been shown in years. Place it on a di st tablecloth, 01 any piece of furniture, 9) ! $m the above cut, near some valua or on fine wearig apparel. Wat guilt! Oh, Gee! Price, 15c, each, H, F., LANG, 1815 Centre St., B’kh; The most remarkable trick-cigar in tae world. It smokes without tobacco, and never gets smaller. Anyone can have @ world of — tun 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 smoke is so real that it is bound to decéive the closest observer, ‘ Price, i2e. each, postpaid. : FRANK SMITH, 383 Lenox Ave, N, ¥. 9 WDOUE. pee ecw ener eee ee eee een enn ET H. F. LANG, 1815 Centre St., B’klya, HAL FMASKS. 9) False-faces beaten a mile! © There are 7 in a set and repre- sent an Indian, a Japanese girl, a I clown, Foxy Grandpa, an English ounny Atkins and an A toi bilist. Vs we: 7 for 25¢., postpaid. . Mite C. BEHR, 150 W. G2d St., New York City. NEW SURPRISE NOVELTY. . Foxy Grandpa, Mr, P. ° and other comical faces are tistically colored, to ° f ig attached. a lon tube, connected with ber ball, which can hb with water, the ru being carried in® the a slight preasure on th causes 2 long stream, th sult cen easily be seen, Price, 15¢., ; Postpaid, W. 26th St., Wolf Novelty Co., 29 THE BLK HEAD PUZZLE... cnt Just out and one of’ most fascinating puzz the market. ‘The stunt Separate the antler join them. It looks. try it and you will : it is without exce you have ever seen. e. Made of silvered best’ puzzle. Jeave it a } Are, WDA s

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ney = \ "c e Oe Lad na 3 Market; or Mone or, el & His Pate erits; or, The. Smartest Boy King Money; or, A Wall Street SSESSRESESE > oe the Curb} or, i His Own Business; or, Mhe bgp a wad toker at Eighteen; a Dollar; or & Co., Boy a > 4 va Bi B64 &3% £SS45Ss aay FRANK TOUSEY, Publisher, - « hs a FAME. AND|\ FORTUNE, WEEKLY * ad LATEST. ISSUES—— A Keen Boy in’ Wal] Str Yi he Legacy of a Lucky Boy. From ‘Rags to R chea* or, A Lucky Wall hee Mess“ ger. Alive. ’ the Brokers; or, A Game Wall Street Bol. in Gold; or, The Treasure of Santa Cruz. Bound to Make Money; or, From the West to Wall Street. The Boy Magnate; or, Making Baseball Messenger’s Harvest of Gold; or, The Buried Dreasure of Coral Island. Beating the Wall Street. Brokers. Freak of Fortune; or, The Boy’ Who Stfuck Luck. Prince of Wall. Street; or, AY BigyDealtfor Big’ Money. oy Who Caught On, rner in Stock; or, The .Wall Street, Boy Who. Won. in the, Field; or; Dofne Busitiess for Himself! or, Roy Gilbert's Wall Street Career. rom Errand Boy to Owner. Brokers; or, The Young Traders of Wall Risk; or, The Boy Who Made Good. me to a Million; ,or, A Wide-Awake Wall: Street to Good Buck; or; The Boy Miner of Death Valley. Morton’s Money; or, A Corné? ‘it Wall» Street. Stocks. For sale by all newsdealers’ or will be sent to.any ad Chatice. Pay. Luck. S76 Making a Ri 583 A $30,000 Tip; POSTAGE STAMPS TAKEN THE«SAME AS MONEY: ¥RANK TOUSEY, Publisher, : Ne. 44. MOW TO MAKE AND USE ELEC- TRICTTY.—A description of the wonderful sees of electricity and electro»magnetism ; to- her with full instructions for making ectric Toys; Batteries, etc. . By Goat e AM, 4D. Containing .over # ra | atrations, . No, 41. HOW TO BREAK, RIDE UND DRIVE A HORSE.—A. complete treatise on the herge, Describing the most useful horses for business, the best horses for the road; giso valuable recipes for diseases pecullar to tah horse. Ne. 4%. BOW TO BUILD AND SAIL CANOBS.—A handy book “for boys, contain- H fall @yrections for conseructing canoes 4a gaost popular .manner of sailing hema, . ly {llustrated: ; Ne. BOW TOYDEBATE.—Giving rules tar vag ries debates, outlines for debates, questions for discussion, and the best jeurces Yer proeuring information on the question given. Ne; @& HOW TO STUFE BIRDS AND MAXS.—A valuable book, giving instruc- ma im collecting, preparing, mounting and preserving birds, anitbals and Insects, Ne. &, HOW TO DO TRICKS WITH sc ea BN ~ Ianenons ot onG eral principles of sleight-of-band appli- table t® ecard tricks; of card tricks with » ecards, and not requiring sleight- band: of tricks involving slelght-of-hand, or the Gse ef specially+prepared cards. D- instrateé. No. & HOW TO PLAY CARDS,—Giving ‘ rules ax full directions for playing re," bbage, Casino, Forty-Tive, unee, Pedro Sancho, Draw Poker, Auction ‘an Fours, and many other popular games (of cards. } Ne: 8. HOW TO WRITK LETTERS--A wonderfel little book, telling’ yon how to write to your sweethearf, your father, moth- A, brother, employer; and, in fret, end anybody you wish to write a Ne. 4 HOW TO KEEP AND MANAGE .—Giving ‘complete information as to the manner and method of raising, keeping, amin, one, and managing all kinds od pete also glving sue yg eT Sor waking ca, ete. nully . explain ¥ werent y: illustrations. . Me. HOW TO.COLLECT STAMPS D OoINS.—Contalning yaluable jnforma- regardin Pein Fggecks collecting yea areata lig an ins, andsomeély Hlus- dzated., . Ne, , HOW TO BECOME AN BN- rontaining full Instructions how become a locomotive engineer; aiso diree- fer building @ model locomotive; to- } with a ful description of everything Me engineer should know. , : For sale by ali newsdenlers, or will be sent, to ane FRANK TOUSEY, Publisher... - OUR TEN=-C No. 60, HOW TO BECOME A PHOTOG- RAPMER—Containing useful infermation regarding the Camera and how to work it; also how to make Photographic Magie Lan- tere Slides and other, Transparencies. Hand- somely iUlustrated, No. 62%. HOW TO BECOME A WEST POINT MILITARY icity ered eg how to.gain Admittance, course of Study, Examl- nations, Duties, Staff of Officers, Post Guard Police Regulations, Fire Department, and all a ‘boy should know tobe a cadet., By Lu Senarens. } No. 63... HOW TO BECOME A NAVAL CADET.—-Complete instructions of how to gain admission fo the Annapolis Nayal Acad- emy.’ Also containing the course of instriec- tion, description of grounds, and buildings, historical sketch, and everything a boy should know’ to become an officer in the United States Navy: By Lu Senarens, “ No. 61. HOW TO MAKE ELECTRICAL MACHINES.—Containing ‘full directions for waking electrical machines, induction coils, dynamos, and many novel toys to be worked by electricity, By R.A. R, Bennet. Fully illustrated. No. 65. MULDOON’S JOKES.—The most original joke book ever published, and it is brimful of wit and humor. It contains a large colleetion of songs, jokes, conundrums, ete, of Terrence Muldoon, the great wit, hu- morist, and practical joker of the day. No. 66. HOW TO DO PUZZLES.—Con- taining over three hundred interesting puz- zles and conundrums, with key to same. A complete book, Wully Ulustrated. No. 6% HOWTO DO ELECTRICAL TRICGKS.—Contaiming d large collection of instructive and highliysamusing electrical tricks, together with fllustrations. By A. Anderson, No, 68. HOW TO DO CHEMICAL TRICKE.—Containing over one highly amusing and instructive tricks with ehemiecala, “By A. Anderson, Handsomely illustrated. No. 6. HOW VO DO SLEIGHT-OF- HAND.—Contnaining over fifty of the latest and ‘best tricks used by magicians, Also containing the secret of second sight.‘ Fully Ljustrated. No. 10. HOW MO MAKE MAGIO TOYS.—~ Containing full diveetions Tor making Magic Toys and deyices*of many kinds, Fully {l- lustrated. No. 71, ' HOW TO DO MECHANICAL TRICKS.—Containing complete illustrations for performing over sixty Medhanical T: 6, Fully ttustrated, No. 72. HOWTO DO SIXTY TRICKS AWITH CARDS.--Himbracing fil of the latest and. most deee card-tricks, with. illus- Ruations, Pd f address on = 4 - - - - - \ \ | | “ sa ha i: 4 es 5 Ss 569 Tips ‘ortune ; B10. Striking “His Gait S71 Fro: senger to Street. 572 The "Boy “Gold Hunters; or, After a@Pirate's. 578. Tricking the Traders; or, A S74 Jack Merry’s Grit; or,. Making a Man .of Himeeif. 575. A’ Golden Shower; or, ecord; or, The “Luck of a Working Boy. 577 A Fight for Money; or, From School:to Wall Street, 578 Stranded Out West; or, The Bo 579. Ben Bassford's Luck; or, W 580 A Young Gold King; or, The Treasure of the -Seeret yen. 581 Bound to Get Rich; or. How a Wall Street ‘Bo 582 Friendless Frank; or, The Boy jWho Became or, The. You gaze! gf Wall Street: 84. Plucky Bob: or. @hé Boy Who Won 585 From Newsboy to Banker; or, Rob Lake's Rige in Wall Stree. 586 A Golden Stake; or, The Treasure of the ‘Indies. 687 A Grip on the Market; or, A Hot Time‘in*Wall Street. 588 Watching His Chance; or, From. Ferry Boy to Captain pi 58) A Game of Gold; \or, TheiYoung King of Wall:Street. + ay 590 A Wizard for Luek; or, Gettin a2 591 A Fortune at»Stake; or, A Wal fF 592 His’ Last Nickel; or, What It Did for Jack Randy i algun sereot ot orien, 8 pots per coor IF -YOU's WANT ANY _BACKe NUMBERS ” ¥.our weeklies and cannot procuré them from newsdealers, they can be obtained from this office dixect. Write out and Ab} te your Order and send it to us with the price of the weeklies you want and We will. send them to’ you “by return mail); ENT HAND 6B hundred , Feceipt of price, 10c. per copy, or 3 for We. in money or postige sta rN at. 2) e" or, A ae, Wall ‘Street Deal. ; or, The Perils of a Boy Hngineer. : Millionaire; or, A Boy's Luck in Wem Treasure | Boy's Game of J. Wall "Street The Boy Banker of. Wall’ Street: Who’ Found a Silver Mine orking on Wall Street Tips. Made’ Mons, amous. Sitecess. aa Ahetd in the World Street Messenger's Deal. i — , in money or postage’ stamps. by 168: West 23d.St., ¥° 3 = 168, West 23d St. N. Yeu va ry No, 78% HOW TO DO TRICKS Tm NUMBERS,.--Showing many curious eke, 9 witl figures’ and the magic of numbers. Bye A. Anderson, Fully. illustrated: y No. 74 HOW TO WRITE LETTERS CORRECTLY.—Containing full Instructions! for writing letters on-almost any % algo rules for punctuation and compost! | with specimen letters, . 1 No, 15, HOW TO BECOME A CON, me —Containiig tricky . with minoey ieee Cups and Balls;, Hats, ete. Bmb ‘ thirty-six illustrations, By A, Anderspa. 3 No, 76. HOW TO TELL FORTUNES. 4 THE HAND.—Containing rules for fortunes by the aid of lines of the han the secret of palmistry. Also telling future events by ald of moles, gears, ete, Ijiustrated. eae No. 7%. HOW TO DO FORTY TRICME) WITH CARDS.—Containing deceptive . Tricks as perfosmed by leading conju and magicians, apes for home am ment, Fully {lustrat hb No, 18. HOW TO DO. THE BLAGK Ps pea ctore pays) 2 a complete description jot ; mysteries of Magic and Pat ea 4d, to gocher with "many wonderful experiments’) y A, Anderson, Illustrated, aN ¢ No. 19. HOW TO BECOME AN AOTORY —Containing ,complete instructions how fe make up for various characters on the stage: together with tha duties of the Stage 7 ager, Prompter, Scenic Artist and is j an. i No, 80, GUS! WILLIAMS' JOKE: BOOK, Containing the” latest jokes, anecdotes % funny stories of this world-renowned Ger - . man comedian, Sixty-four pages; handge bs colored cover, containing a half-tone pi 3 of the author. i HOW TO MESMERIZE, ; ing the most approved methodvot. ; ism; animal magnetism, on, Migmetc ¢ ing. By Prof. Leo Hugo Koch, a Sy a0. thor of “How to Lae o Tia No. 82. HOW TO DO PAT, BS On. taining the most eppreved methods of ing the-lines on the hhnd, LOR siieR full explanation of their meaning, Iso plaining pierce ey and the key of ite characters by thé bumps on the: heady Koch, ACS. Fully<4 HOW TO HYPNOTIZE. ing valuable and instruetive inf, : garding ‘the science of hypnotism, “Also, platnin roe TORE approves spies areyenmrploye: 6 leading the “wi By. Aes Hugo Koch, We: paris og ed ee AN A Containing ormation regarding © of subjects, the use. of words por s® ner. preparing and ‘submitting scripts. Also. coutaining valuable in! tion as’ to the neatness, lecibility and | eral composition of manuscripts, ~~) th Leo Hugo t 168 West 23d Sty