Fame And Fortune Weekly (no. 768) (1920 06 18)

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7 Cents \Boy Wirt IDEAS. % t3¥A Serta (Ya With an angry roar the farmer tried to carry out his threat. Sam grabbed the axe by the handle, while Micky seized the hayseed around the Waist from behind. The boys found the busky chap a mighty proposition.

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fyyui ™ S RALPH P. SMiTH BOX 985 FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY Street, New York, N. the PostQgfice at New York, N. ok Z . Issued Weekly—Subscription price, $3.50 per year; Canada, $4.00; Foreign, $4.50. Harry E. Wolff, Publisher, 166 West 23d Y. Entered as ¥., under the Act of March 3, AE A BOY WITH IDEAS wee Second-Class Matter, October 4, 1911, at oe me Sh o ? See A ise t BY A SELF-MADE MAN Sane. ES A 9. I.—The Barnstormers. rence heavy it cea. 8 ee the steps of the car, people only half awake. The this Plainfield?” asked Sam Sharpley, a : husky-looking boy of eighteen, poking his head out of the door oF one of the coaches of the 2:15 a. m. accommodation from Motley Junction, on y the D. & G. railroad line, as the train began slowing up for its brief stop at a dreary-looking station, lighted by a single smoky lamp. The ; brakeman, to whom the remark was addressed, -— paid it P= kit's Plainfield, Micky,” said Sam, turning half -@round and speaking to a small boy with a Hi- jan cast of countenance. “Get a move on and hustle the ladies and gents out as soon as the train stops. And don’t overlook Downey Grab like you did last night. He’s got his usual load on, and is asleep in the corner seat. Yank him out if he won’t come of his own accord.” “Is it the manager yez want me to lay me z hands on? Sure it’s bounced I’ll be whin he gets __ sober,” replied Mickey. “Bounced! Don’t you worry, Micky. He isn’t such a fool as to bounce so useful a member of 3 the company as yourself. Besides, he’ll never remember the incident. Go on, now; you haven’t more than half a minute to get every one on the — “5 Sam stepped out on the forward platform of ~~ the coach and got down on the last step ready to spring off when the train awn Right ahead ee Ss Seeds the side door was . and through it protruded the end of an a ong sinister-looking black box, a large yellow per na on it bearing the printed words in sv paper type—“The Downey Grab Stock Co.” The b i piney ae oad the scenery, such as it was, of the theatrical organization whieh owned the - aforesaid Grab as its manager. On either side of it Stood two grim-visaged ee =: tag ready to - fire it out on the station platform. As Sam ae Soe off the car the black box shot out of the tan i lig < Scag agama ee i pre innced. oe: he: po pagers with a crash io that awoke the echoes of th ght. Then fol- ee lowed a couple of aed nixed rn one con- taining “props” and the other costumes and other _ instruments, handled with the same remorseless energy. : Sam, whose duties as property man of the “show” madehim responsible for the’ obleng box and the two trunks the moment they left the baggage car, was a witness of the rough handling they ‘had received, but he knew better than to 2 e a protest, In the testis a dozen ghostly- oe = deat were females, conductor, lantern a gees watched their exit from the car with ill-concealed impatience. Dow- ney Grab, the manager, came last of all, leaning heavily on Micky Free, Sam’s assistant. The odor of rum hung about him and he seemed in- capable of looking out for himself. That was nothing unusual with Grab. Like all great men, he had his weakness, not that the manager was really considered a ‘distinguished personage by any one but himself. The moment Micky got him on the platform the conductor shouted “All. aboard!” from sheer force ef habit, since there was nobody waiting to get on the train at that early hour in the morning. Then he swung his lantern and hopped en the car as the engineer pulled out for the next station, some fifteen miles away. There was no ’bus on hand to convey the tired professionals to the hotel, half a mile away, so they had to start off and tramp the distance on foot. As they filed off into the darkness, two of the men forcing the manager along between them, Sam went up to the sleepy-looking station agent and asked him to help Micky and himself puil the oblong box and the two trunks into the sta- tion building, where they were to remain til called for later on. Assisted by the half-dopy agent, the boys hustled the company’s property into the station, and then they hurried after the manager and the performers, after learning that the road on the other side of the station, if fol- lowed to the right, would bring them to Main street, where they would find the hotel, a typical country place. wae 3 that hour the hotel was dark and silent, like the stores in its fangs vicinity, and the houses roundabout. The boys, hurrying forward, could hear the thumping of one of the actors on the front door. “Begorra, we always have to wake thim land- lords up,” said Micky, with a yawn. “Since we’re never expected, how can it be otherwise?” replied Sam. “Mr. Grab does not consider it necessary to keep an advance agent ahead of the show, therefore our advent in these villa, is unheralded, * That throws all the work of billing the company on us.” “Sure it does, worse luck!” The tired actors had just succeeded in enticing = landlord from his bed when the two boys —— The boniface stood in the doorway, only f slippers. Such a bunch of guests at any hour would have bean gladly weleomed by him, but for awake, clad in his shirt, trousers and

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2 “MILLIONS IN reasons he felt rather shy toward the votaries of the drama. He stated his terms, agreed to a re- bate in favor of the profession, but wanted a de- posit on account as an evidence of good faith. It was not-the business of the members of the company to advance the required deposit, and as Mr. Downey Grab was snoring peacefully in the grasp of his two supporters, matters looked blue until Sam came to the rescue. “How much do you want, landlord?” he asked. “Ten dollars will do,” was the reply. Sam walked up to the manager, shoved his hand into his right trousers pocket and pulled out a small roll of bills, while the company looked on admiring his nerve. The boy counted out the necessary amount, handed it to the landlord, and returned the rest to Grab’s pocket. The Thes- pians were then admitted and allotted to rooms, everybody doubling up except the old lady and the manager, who got small rooms to themselves. The landlord regarded Sam as the most impor- tant personage connected with the company, and gave him and Micky the best room in his house, which wasn’t saying a whole lot. He called it the bridal chamber. “Bridle chamber, is it?” said Micky, as he and Sam pulled off their clothes. “Sure that’s what I always called the stable in the ould dart.” The manager and his performers slept till elev- en, when they appeared in the dining-room for breakfast. Not so Sam and Micky, who regard- ed themselves as the backbone of the show. The former had requested the landlord to have him and his companion awakened at seven, when they to be served with their breakfast. The evening’s box office receipts depended on their early exertions, and after finishing breakfast, they started out to corral a squad of kids to help them bill the village. The only inducement Sam had to offer their allies was a free pass to the show, and this had never failed to get all-the help they wanted. As fast as they arranged with a boy they directed him to go to the Op’ry House, which Sam had ascertained was a small hall over the capes office and post-office, not far from the te! . It was equipped with cheap chairs, fastened on planks; a yellow-keyed, consumptive-toned piano. of a brand in fashion about the time of the Civi forei subject, originally painted in glowing ot Gn eithe Was a very ples to be Le the West, in which region Downey Grab’s reper- tory company was touring. | _ CHAPTER II.—Sam Sharpley on the Job. When Sam reached the opera house, entrance which was to be had through a double door, at over which was a large lamp Rf wok provided with red glass, lettered on both sides, “Opera House,” he found seven eager-looking youths assembled in a bunch canvassing the mer- its of the forthcoming show. As yet they were densely ignorant of the play that was to be pro- duced, but judged that it was in line with such productions as had already honored the village at irregular intervals. ; “Are you all ready to get to work?” asked am. “Yes, yes,” chorussed the lads. + “What time doés the express office open?” “It ought to be open now,” said one of the boys. “The agent has our paper. patient till he gets here.” “Here he comes now,” said a boy. Up the street came the express agent, who was also a Western Union operator, and handled all the telegraphic business of the town. In fact, he expected a theatrical company to materialize that day, for he had received a C. O. D.-bundle, the afternoon before, addressed “The Downey Grab Stock Co., Plainfield. From the Chicago Show Printing House. Collect $4.” Sam was waiting to get that bundle. He had taken the precaution to get a $5 bill from Dow- ney Grab before the previous night’s perfo at Motley Junction, in order to pay for the paper. The manager gave it up with reluctance, but he realized that it was one of the absolutely neces- sary expenses he had to meet if the show was to go on. Sam paid the four dollars, and the ex- press charges on the bundle, and was about to take it outside when the express agent said: “What kind of a show have you got, young man?” “Finest on the circuit,” replied the boy, with a grin. “That’s what they all say. Where is the man- ager?” “At the hotel, asleep. We didn’t reach this burgh till two-ten this morning.” “You can tell him that I’m the owner of the opera house upstairs, and that he’ll have to see You'll have to be + me about getting it.” “T am authorized to represent him. I have a blank contract in my pocket which we can fill out and sign now just as well as not.” “All right,” said the express agent. “Say, you don’t mind if I open this bundle here, do you? I want to send those boys outside around town with the small bills.” “Of course I don’t mind. Use the counter all you want,” Sam cut the cords and opened the bundle. A bunch of quarter sheet hangers, in two colors, la on top. Sam skinned off one of them and ed it to the agent and manager of the opera house for his instruction. The bill ran as follows: OPERA HOUSE. To-night! To-night! To-night! THE DOWNEY GRAB STOCK Co. will present The Greatest of all Dramatic Successes, The Thrilling 4-Act Drama, “LIGHTS OF A GREAT CITY.” Special Scenery. Eff ALL-STAR COMPANY. = 10—20—380 Cents, Reserved Seats at —— eee + Se

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“MILLIONS IN While the express agent was reading the bill, with mental reservations as to special scenery and electrical effects, Sam ed out of the : bundle an armful of small throwaways reading fe exactly the same as the hanger. He distributed these equally among the boys, and chased them to work, telling them to report to him at the hotel about one o’ when he would hand out tinge the passes, which would admit bearer to a ten- cent seat at the back of the hall. The boys start- ed off, each reading one of the bills to learn about the play, and Sam returned to the counter. At that moment Micky joined him, and without ‘a word picked up a bunch of the hangers and went off to display them in all the stores and other public places. Sam pulled a small folding ham- mer and a paper of from his pocket and tacked up a bill/ on the post-office side of the room. “Pm ready to do business with you,” said the agent. “Very good,” said Sam. “There isn’t much to be done. You furnish the hall, lighting, orchestra, ushers, ticket seller, and we furnish the company, special scenery, electrical effects, printing, band and doorkeeper. We expect seventy per cent. of - the cae eS 2?” asked the agent. “Seventy per cent.” - “You don’t want much, do you?” : “As we havea large fompedy. a box of special scenery and a bang-up band, that’s about right.” “How many pegple do you carry?” f “Thirteen, including myself and the manager. “What are you—the business manager?” ; “Yes, I’m the business manager, property man, I double on the stage and also in brass, and, as you see, I am also the advertising agent.” “You have your hands full, haven’t you?” _ “T am kept fairly busy. Well, shall I write in seventy per cent.? . : “T think not. Make it sixty.” ae “We'll split the difference and call it sixty- five,” said Sam, writing that in, without waiting “Now sign eh pide si ait Bn) SAR BBC .* ne de tale tA et ia for the opera house man to dissent. here, Mr. ——” : ; - My name is Fox,” said the man, affixing his John Hancock to the contract, ; “My name is Sam Sharpley,” said the boy, dashing his signature off. : as - The contract was signed in duplicate, each = rty retaining one. pee You'll see the manager later,” said Sam. “He 5 will introduce. himself.” : "Downey Grab. I think I’ve heard of him, but --. ‘Tam sure I never met him. He has been in the -_ business some time, I suppose?” = “Oh, yes,” replied Sam. “He’s one of. the best known managers in the West. This is the first time he has taken in such small places as Plain- field on his route. He is losing money by doing so. But he feels that he owes a duty that can best be fulfilled by giving the inhabitants of the villages a chance of seeing the truly splendid drama, ‘The Lights of a Great City.” Under these ‘circumstances I trust, for your own interest, as you will call the attention of all who ‘Cl deer a eur: 4 on rs? ¥ Mitte PBs YY bill in cach of th ” IT : ; § double door of the opera house, and a coup!> more on the two trees in front. As everybody i: the village knew that reserved seats for oper2 house shows were sold at Brown’s drug store cn the next corner, Sam didn’t bother writing the: fact on the bill. He got a bunch of thirty-cer’ tickets ang took them to the drugstore, where h> introduced himself to Brown, hung up 2 couple of bills inside, and several more on the trees out side, after assuring the druggist that Downe. Grab’s Stock Co. and the drama of “The Light: of a Great City” were the finest ever. Sam then dropped in to see the editor of the village paper. After introducing himself, he asked when the paper came out. The editor and proprietgr told / him that the Clarion was published on Saturday morning. “What a pity you don’t come out to-day!” said Sam, with assumed regret. “In that wase I couki give you a large advertisement. I never negiect a chance to pull the people.” “You might give me a job of printing,” suggesi- ed the proprietor, with an eve to business. - “Sorry, but we have all the paper we need. 1 have a dozen or more of the rising generation o° this village out billing the place. I suppose thre passes will be as many as you require.” The proprietor modestly suggested that hi: family was a large one, and that six would come nearer the mark. “All right. I'll give you three now. You can ask Mr. Grab, when he calls, for the others. fF suppose you will give me the nrivilege of hang- ing a bill in your window? Thank you. Good av. ‘ Sam slapped up two bills outside and went op his way. j ; ‘ CHAPTER IlI.—Doubling on Brass. At noon, precisely, the male members af Dow- ney Grab’s Stock Co., arrayed in red caps dec- orated with gilt braid, and accompanied with e some kind of wind instrument, took their way to ° PS the opera house. It is the long-established cus- tom of repertoire companies playing one-night and even longer stands, at the moderate prices of ten, twenty. and thirty cents, for the masculine mtmbers to make their bow to the tooting of their ‘own horns, Whether he be the leading man or the hustler of props, he is engaged with the un- derstanding that he “doubles in brass,” or, in — other words, performs as a musician in. the mid- day street parade, in addition to displaying his abilities on the stage in the eyening. It is therefore necessary for a person whose ambition circles around a cheap road company to learn to play passably well on some brass instru- ment. He can learn to act afterward. The way“ Sam Sharpley secured his engagement with Dow- ney Grab was through the fact that he was a very fine performer on the cornet. ‘As soon as the manager heard hitn play, he snapped him up at once at the princely stipend of ten dollars per- haps. He got hold of a treasure with Sam, for. the boy was fond of the show - business, though, strange to say, he did not care to be an actor. He was looking for experience so as to take out 2 show himself some day. 1 ra re < "Micky Free was the only male member of the =

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~~ tant, Micky, beside A “MILLIONS IN IT” stock company who could not perform on a wind instrument. Sooner than have his services go to waste, Downey Grab nurchased a second-hand’ pair of cymbals for him, and thus the Irish lad was enabled to double in brass. Sam, on account of his musical ability, was made leader of the band. He led off with the air and the others followed down to Old Howler, an ex-tragedian, who did old men’s parts on the stage, who fur- nished the “Um-pah—um-pah” on the big brass instrument. : It was a great band, and when it got down to business you could hear it half a mile on a still day. On the present occasion Sam began pro- ceedings with a cornet solo, as usual. As he was yeally an artist in his line, his playing always attracted a big crowd. The crack cornet players ef famous bands had very little on him when he did his best. He invariably received a big round of applause. Naturally the spectators, after hear- ing him, expected something unusual from the rest of the band, and were eee gma After _Sam’s playing had been applauded he gave the _ order to march to the ching, ching, ching-ching- ching of the cymbals in Micky’s energetic grasp. With a bunch of village boys behind, the pro- cession proceeded up Main street. In a moment or two the whole band burst forth with “There'll Be a Hot Time in’ the Old Town To-night,” or something equally characteristic. While his peo- . ple were trying to draw the public, Downey Grab was hobnobbing with the proprietor of the hotel across the bar. What Mr. Grab didn’t say about ~ himself and his abilities as a theatrical manager is hardly worth mentioning. At one o’clock the company sat down to dinner in the hotel dining- room, and then Sam and Micky sneaked off to get the balance of their sleep. Sam, from ex- jence, knew better than to go to their room. @ Manager was sure to arouse them both to attend to some business connected with the show. So they glided off down Main street and took their way to the suburbs, where a small river ran sparkling in the sunshine. Here they found a quiet, shady spot among the trees that bordered ie stream, and in ten minutes both were asleep. While’ the overworked property boy, business manager, and advertising agent combined was sleeping the sleep of the weary, with his assis- ide him, three members of Dow- ney Grab’s Stock Co. came that way. The after- noon being theirs to dispose of at will, Charley =z ‘ Ss price of a bed,” said Robinson, in practical tones. Unger, the comedian, Henry Johnson, the heavy man, and Frank Robinson, who played juvenile ~~ Jead, took a notion to explore the country around eld. Plainfi : “Listen!” exclaimed Johnson, in tragic tones. “fT think I hear the sound of some one’s nasal ‘bugle. Dust hear it, brothers?” > *¥ dust,” replied Unger. “Tt’s some guy snor- ing.” - ~~ “Ah! What a lovely sylvan glade in which to court slumber’s sweet bondage!” said Johnson. “It’s a good place to sleep if you haven’t the As the actors advanced nearer the sleepers they said Unger. “It’s histling ‘Erin Go Bragh’ Robinson, as the Thespians paused in front of the boys. “T should judge that their legs brought them, for I don’t see any whiz-wagon around,” said Un- ger solemnly. “I suppose you think that’s funny, Unger?” said Robinson, with an air of disgust. “If you were half as funny on the stage as you try to be off, the show would probably make more money.” “You’re the Jinx of the show yourself, Robinson. You try to pose as a matinee idol because you’re east for the lover’s part, but you’re a yap at the business.” s “Is that so? Who ever told you that you were a comedian?” said Robinson. “T don’t have to be told. True ability always comes to the surface.” “So does a dead fish.” “That’s a good wheeze for you, Robinson. You are certainly wasting your talents in repertoire. You ought to be playing with Booth or Irving.” “Why, they’re dead, you chump.” “T know it,” replied Unger, with a wink at Johnson. “That’s where you got his goat,” said the heavy man. “Talking about goats, what’ll we do with these kids?” said Unger. “Sell them to the railroad company. They’re always looking for sleepers,” said Robinson, with a grin. “Don’t pay any attentian to him, Johnson. He’s sometimes taken that way. Now I'll tell you what we'll do with Sharpley. We'll lift him up gently and carry him aboard that abandoned canal-boat in the creek. When he wakes up he'll wonder how he got there. It'll be a good joke on him,” said Unger. The other two fell in with the idea. Sam looked so fagged-out that they didn’t believe a little handling would wake him up. So between them they lifted him as gently as possible and carried him a short distance up the river to the creek where the cumbersome-looking canal-boat _ lay moored to a post driven jnto the bank. A plank connected with the deck, and over this they got him on board. Then they lowered him down into the hold. As they started to leave, Sam rolled over on his side and they distinctly heard him mutter: “It’s just the thing, Micky. There’s millions in it!” CHAPTER IV.—The Discovery That Sam Made. - “He’s having a pipe dream,” chuckled Unger, as the actors left Sam alone in his glory. Three hours passed away, and the sun was pretty well down in the sky when Sam awoke. He rubbed his eyes and looked around him in astonishment. “Holy smoke! where am I at?” he exclaimed, not a little amazed at the transformation which

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: “MILLIONS IN IT” 5 Then he stopped and listened, for he heard Voices behind him. Looking around, he saw noth- ing but a rude bulkhead. ‘he voices came from behind it. Curious to learn who the speakers were, he felt along the bulkhead till he found a knothole. Applying his eye to this, he saw two . rough-looking men examining and commenting on the contents of a good-sized bag. Sam almost gasped when he saw them take a complete silver service, piece by piece, out of the bag, and figure on the value of each. They valued it at $1,000 at a rough guess. Then they took out a lady’s jewel case, which they opened, and appraised its contents of gems at a couple of thousand dollars more. Other articles of value followed until they summed up the total results at about $5,000. There seemed.to be no doubt that the men had committed a big robbery in the neighborhood. “We've made a bang-up haul, Bill,” said one of the pair. . i “You bet we have. We'll live like pigs in clover when we reach Chicagon “It’s about time we had a little luck. We must hide this bag somewhere till we’re ready to light out after dark.” “There’s a hollow tree on the bank. We can > it in there. No one is likely to come this way $ ‘ore to-morrow, and by that time we’ll be half- way to Chicago.” “A idea. We'll do it. Then we'll go to the village and get supper at the restaurant.” _ “T71 go up first and take a look around,” said the fellow named Bill. : He jumped out of the forward hatch d_ his companion awaited his return. Bill came ack in about ten minutes. i 2 “The coast is clear,” he said, poking his head down the hatch. “Hoist it up.” With Bill’s help the bag and its contents were landed on deck, and the other man followed it. = Sam heard their tread on the deck. Stepping on -- g box which stood under the main hatch, he ven- tured to follow their movements. They carried the bag to a huge gnarled oak tree, whose dead limbs pointed at the four quarters of the com- - pass. The men shoved the bag into an opening ‘that Sam could not distinguish from his place of ‘observation. After pushing the shrubbery against it, they started off in the direction of the village. ‘Sam waited a while to give them a start, and then fhe got out of the hold and went ashore. He '. -went straight to the hollow tree, pulled the shrub- _-_pery aside and came upon the bag. “They’re coming back for it after supper, and ee to take it to Chicago and realize on the sae I guess it’s my duty to remove it from their clutches, later on turn it over to the __. police of his village. Now where shall I hide it 80 they won’t discover it?” Sam walked around, and at length came to a hole in the ground at a point near the head of the creek. It was partly hidden by a bunch of ishes. It seemed to be as good a place for hid- “ing the bag as he was likely to find, Returning to the tree, he found the bag much heavier tian 0 it ‘th: had supposed and it took all his up an armful of wild vegetation. He threw this down on the bag, hiding it wholly from sight. “That will do. I'll bet they won’t find-it there. Now I'll get back to the village, for it must be nearly supper-time,” he said. Although he did not know just where he was, for he and Micky had not come upon the creek during their walk, he had a general idea of the direction in which the village lay, and he started that way. Ten minutes later he was walking up Main Street toward the hotel. There were a dozen chairs lined along the low veranda of that building, and these were mostly filled with the male members of Downey Grab’s Stock Co., talk- ing shop, while awaiting the supper bell, always a cheerful sound to them. When Sam stepped on the veranda he was greeted by a broad grin. Unger, Johnson and Robinson had circulated the joke they played on the boy, and all hands wondered-what his sensations had been when he awoke and found himself on board the canal-boat instead of where he went to sleep. The reader may think that the said practical joke didn’t amount to a great deal, but anything that will afford even a trifling diversion goes with the members of a cheap repertory company on tour. Sam saw the grin on the actors’ faces and sus- pected that he was the cause of it. “Hello, Sharpley! Where have you been?” asked Unger. “Out in the suburbs,” replied the young prop- erty man, “You and Micky went off together, didn’t you?” “We did.” “How came you to shake-him?” chuckled the comedian. : “How do you know that I shook him?” asked Sam suspiciously. “Because he’s looking for you.” ss “Yes, he got back a little while ago and said you and he went to sleep under the trees beside the river,” said Rebinson, “and when he woke uw» he found that you had gone away and left him. That’s a nice way to treat your side partner.” “T wouldn’t treat a chap that way—lI’d take him up to a bar,” said Unger. . > “Tt isn’t my fault. I walked off in -my sleep.” ; A roar of laughter greeted Sam’s reply. = - “What are you fellows laughing at?” asked rer am, ; “J. didn’t hear anybody laugh. Did you, Un- = ger?” asked Robinson.. The comedian shook his “a5 head. i= “That must have been Old Howler you heard. He just went inside to brace the boss of the show Sa for a quarter,” said Unger. . “So you walk in = your sleep, Sharpley? Where did you go in your = somnambulistic condition ?” ‘ on I just took a stroll,” replied Sam eva- sively. “gw here did you find yourself when you woke | up?” “In a place where I made a surprising discoy- » ry. “Tell us about it.” ; “You'll learn about it later on. Which way did Micky go?” ee The Irish boy answered for himself by appear- _ ing at the door. fs a+ dees State pe ame See" te OE ee did yez go to?” Sef ee

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a ) “MILLIONS IN IT” - Before Sam could reply, the supper bell rang. The actors rose like a flock of birds at the dis- charge of a gun and made a rush for the dining- room. CHAPTER V.—The Company Strikes a Frost. As Sam and Micky had to go directly to the opera house after supper to set the first act of the play, which, owing to their desire for sleep they had neglected to do during the afternoon, the former had no time to hunt up the police and tell them about the bag of stolen property ‘which he had concealed. He intended to tell Fox, the proprietor of the opera house, who would be in the box office, and-let him attend to the mat- ter. The walk to the hall was-too short to en- able him to tell all his story to Micky, but he began it by describing how, when he woke up, he found himself in the hold of a canal-boat in a creek, and it was a great mystery to him how he got there. “It was some of thim actors pulled the trick on yez,” said Micky. / a9 “But how could they carry me to the boat with- out waking me up?” said Sam. “You must have been dead tired like myself. Sure I wouldn’t have heard a cannon if it had been fired off alongside me ear.” “T can guess who the funny ones were.” “Faith, a blind man could do that. It was Un- er and Robinson. They’re always up to just such didoes. They may have followed us, and when they found us aslape they worked the trick on yez.” By that time they reached the opera house, the door of which was open. A small boy, the pro- prieter’s son, was sitting in a chair beside the box-office, which was merély an enclosed space just large enough for a man to squeeze inside of. “Ts the door open upstairs?” asked Sam. “No,” said the boy; “do you belong to the show?” “[’'m the property man, and we’ve come to set the stage,” said Sam. “Here’s the key,” said the youth. Sam took it and marched upstairs, followed by Micky. Although it was light outside in the street, the landing above was rather dark. Sam unlocked the door and placed the key on the in- ‘ide. He brought out the chair used by the door- keeper, usually the manager of the attraction, or his representative, stood on it, and lit the kero- sene lamp, turning it low, Jest the proprietor of the house should have an attack of heart failure. ‘vhe hall was lighted in the daytime by four windows at the back that overlooked Main street. » When in use at night the illumination was sup- plied by numerous kerosene lamps, fastened to the Is at intervals and supplied with reflectors. Sam and Micky reached the stage through a “oor at the top of four steps. The curtain was black box, flanked by the two vp and the oblon ‘trunks, lay lengthwise on the twelve-foot stage. The first thing that Sam did was to open the costume trunk, It was divided into two sections, ene of which held the larger musical instruments, _ which had been returned to it after the parade, > 4 -\ hile the other was crammed with the costumes.” It didn’t take Sam long to yank the suits for the night’s show on the stage. A city melodrama doesn’t require much in the way of costume. The comedian and the soubrette were about the only ones who wore anything outside of their street attire. Further disguise was accomplished with wigs, beards, and a stick or two of grease paint, applied with professional skill to their faces. Sam tossed a thin-flowered skirt, fancy bodice and foreign headdress to Mieky. He didn’t have to tell his assistant what to do with them. The Trish boy carried them into the ladies’ dressing- room and hung them on a couple of pegs. While he was doing that, Sam conveyed the comedian’s German coat, pants, vest and flaxen wig into the gents’ dressing-room, . A few other articles followed behind each of the canvas screens, and then Sam slammed down the cover of the trunk, and he and Micky pulled it behind the wings near first entrance, to answer for a seat. Sam then attacked the “props” used in the melodrama, and Micky picked them up as fast as he threw them out, and carried them to a corner behind the scenes. Trunk No. 2 was then hauled over to the gents’ side and left. Be- fore tackling the box containing the “special scen- ery,” Sam let down and examined the six stock “drops,” or scenes, that formed the seenic re- sources of the opera house. As he expected, one was a Street cloth, and that would do for the first act of “Lights of a Great City.” it was hung near the front. He and Micky removed it to the extreme back, against the brick wall, for the full stage was required. An- other drop was a parlor scene, and that would fill the requirements of the second act—the draw- ing-room of a Fifth Avenue mansion. The third act represented_a view of the East River, with the Brooklyn Bridge by night, and other local additions. Nothing that would answer was to be found in the house, as a matter of course, but Sam had the cloth in the box, and got it out, and hung it rolled up in front of the street scene. The fourth act was an attic inte- rior, and could have been faked up with the kitchen drop, but Sam considered the bar-room cloth, used in “Ten Nights,” would be more sat- isfactory, so he got it out. Two or three set pieces, that folded up small by means of hinges, came out of the box, and then the black case was closed, lifted off the stage and laid length- wise in front of the first row of seats in the au- ditorium., ‘Before this work had all been accomplished, Micky had to light the lamps on the stage, at the wings, and those attached to a board in the flies, The country-looking youth, who comprised the force of ushers, appeared and began to light up the hall. Down at the entrance the bunch of boys holding free tickets began to assemble, pre- pared to make a rush and occupy the best ten- cent seats as soon as the door was o to them, The members of the company also began to ar- rive with small bundles in their hands, contain- ing their make-up sticks and other necessary ar- ticles which they carried in their private suit- eases. The manager followed a little later, and he stood at the outer portal like a great mogul till it was time for him to get “on the door” upstairs, : and Mieky ~

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“MILLIONS IN IT” 7 As soon as the stage was ready for the first act Sam lowered the curtain, leaving the usher to light the footlamps. Sam had been so busy that he had had no time to think about telling the proprietor of the opera house, had he been pres- ent, which he wasn’t, about the stolen property down at the creek. It was too late now for him to do it, for aeons = acer’ up a : tough a his appearance in the ac icky appea: in the same act, and in the third and fourth as well, as a New York bootblack. In the second act Sam enacted the thinking part of a footman and a servant to the owner of the Fifth Avenue man- sion. He also appeared in a minor role in the other two acts. In addition to appearing on the stage, Sam and Micky had to arrange the scenery for each act in turn, distribute the propetries when required, fire a pistol behind the scenes, shout and growl as part of a fierce mob in the distance, and do a lot of other things, besides wait on the performers when wanted. As if that wasn’t quite enough to earn his ten- dollar salary, Sam was expected to wash up and go outside between the second and third acts and play a cornet solo, with F vege accompaniment. To tell the honest truth, that was the best fea- _ ture of the show, because it possessed real merit. Half-past seven came, Downey Grab took his place at the door of the hall and prepared for the rush of business he calculated that the thrill- ing melodrama, “Lights of a Great City,” ought to draw. As we remark, Downey Grab was prepared for a rush. It came in the shape of the seven small boys who had earned passes by helping to bill the village that morning. Then there was a lull. Ten minutes passed before the stairs resounded to the tread of anybody else. and then a man who had paid real money at the box office for a twen- _ty-cent seat came up. A dozen people with free tickets followed him at intervals, and then came the second paid-for ticket—a thirty-cent one this time. Following them came a rush of two who chad purchased reserved seats at Brown’s drug store. The house looked awfully thin, but the seven small boys who were stamping for the or- chestra to appear didn’t worry about that. The less people in the hall the better they could see the stage. Professor Smith, who gave lessons on the piano to the rising generation of Plainfield’s - upper circle, was the orchestra, and he took his at the antediluvian instrument in the hall at minutes after eight. As he had taken care to collect his pay in advance, the meager size of ‘the audience had no effect on him. He opened _ the piano and began the overture with the same _ energy as though the opera house were crowded _ to its capacity. The moment for ringing up was at hand, but there was no enthusiasm on the Bt One and all had in turn piped off the =< through the peep-hole, and all agreed with Charley Unger’s dolefu] remark, that they had run up against an awful “frost.” ij 2 5 ¢ - y m « _ CHAP VI:-—Blocking Downey Grab. _Mr. Downey Grab saw the finish of his show yhen the rose on the first act of his play, 3 Lights of a Great City.” When that wouldn’t pull a house, it was “good night.” He counted $1.60 in the auditorium, and his contract entitled him to sixty-five per cent. of that, or $1.04. Some people wouldn’t have had the nerve to ask for it, but Mr. Grab wasn’t built that way. “T suppose you’d like a return date,” said Pro- prietor Fox sarcastically, when the manager look- ed in at the box-office at half-past eight. The witticism was lost on Mr, Grab, He sug- gested a settlement, and pocketed the $1.04. Then he went to the hotel to get his suitease. He needed it, he told the hotel man, to put the night’s receipts in, The confiding boniface had no sus- picion that he wanted to get it out of the house, because he had announced that the company would remain at his house all night and take the 8:10 accommodation in the morning. Downey Grab had learned that a train for Mot- ley Junction stopped at Plainfield at 12:15 a. m. He made up his mind to take it. He knew that Sam had arranged with an expressman to take the scenery and props to the station immediately after the show, so they would be in readiness for the 8:10 a. m. accommodation. He meant to have them put on the 12:15 train instead. Im the meantime he deposited his suitcase in the empty box-office and went upstairs to see how “The Lights of a Great City” was progressing. He found there had been some additions to the au- dience since he left, but he could not tell whether they had paid or not, as Proprietor Fox was not in sight. There were worse companies on the road than Downey Grab’s—much worse—and it was the fact that the village had been buncoed the week previous by an aggregation of talent that would have been sweeter on cold storage that kept the inhabitants away from the opera house that night. “Mr. Grab will have to eo down into his jeans for the hotel bill,” said Sam to Micky, after the curtain had fallen on Act Two, and the boys were setting the stage for Act Three. “Begorra, that’s what he will!” replied the Trish lad. “That is, if he intends to go on with the show.” “Go on with the show!” exclaimed Sam. “Why wouldn’t he go on with it?” “Well, yez know we haven’t been pullin’ much money for the last tin nights, and after sich a frost as we’ve got to-night, he might fale that a frish start was better than kapin’ on wid de prisint show. I know the ould cormorant, and nothin’ he might do would surprise me, begorra.” “But it would cost him something to take the company back to Chicago.” “And do yez imagine he would do that?” “What else, if he closed the tour here?” “Sure it’s easy to see that yez are grane to the business yet.” _ “What do you mean, Micky?” asked Sam, paus- ing in the act of lowering the Brooklyn Bridge drop. Z “I mane—but let me whisper it in your ear. If . Mister Downey Grab intinds to quit now, he’ll take no one out of the place wid him unless it’s yersilf and me.” “No one but us?” exclaimed Sam, in s i Re ex in surprise. on the stage. Not so loud, or it’s a riot yez’ll have The only raison he'll take us is

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8 “MILLIONS IN IT” bekase he couldn’t get the scenery and props off widout our hilp.” “And what about the company?” “Sure they'll be stranded and will have to take . pot luck.” “Do you mean to say he'll desert them?” “What does he care for thim? The woods are full of actors.” “Do you really believe that Mr. Grab would do such a thing as that?” Z : “As he’s done it siveral times before, he’s likely . to do it ag’in. Did yez iver know a leopard to change his spots?” E “Well, he won’t play that game on this com- y, if I can stop him!” said Sam, in a decided me. “How will yez stop him? We’ve got to take the baggage to the station after the show to have it there in readiness for the 8:10 train in the mornin’, A train bound for the Junction, * where we played last night, will stop at a quar- ter past twilye. If Mr. Grab is goin’ to skip we'll find him at the station waitin’ for that train. He’ll tell us that the show is busted, and that we're goin’ back to Chicago. If you ask about the company, he’ll tell yez he’s given thim tickets to come om in the mornin’. How are yez goin’ to dispute his word? He may take us back to Chicago or he may drop us at the Junction— just as it suits him. All he’s lookin’ out for is to get the scenery and props back wid him, so he'll have thim ready for the nixt company he takes out.” “How can he take out a new company if he can’t on with this one?” ; “Hell advertise for a backer, separate him from two or three hundred A ave and that'll be enough to get him out ag’in.” *T don’t believe that any of our people, out- side of Unger, has much more than the price of a clean shave in their pockets. They expect Mr. Grab to cough up a few dollars all around in the morning.” I : ey on the house we’ve had to-night?” grin- ned Micky. ‘ “They expected a good house. z “Their expictations haven’t panned out. “Which is tough. If Mr. Grab leaves them stranded here, how will they get out of the vil- “Te it was fifty they’d be up ag’in it just the same.” - $am was about to reply, but the stamping of © the small boys at the back of the hall for the play te go on became se insistent that Johnson, who was stage manager; told the young property man to hoist the curtain. At the close of the show the ‘wagon hired to carry the box and scenes and the aes two trunks to the station was in readiness out- In a yery short time Sam had down and rolled up the ae in the drama, and folded up the curtain 2 2. i 8 5 : gq a ’ 5 FE ig a fg me 43 3% nned the job over to — his assistant and stopped Unger as he was leay- ing the hall. “Look here, Charley, there is a suspicion in my mind that Mr. Grab intends to take the 12:15 ac- commodation for Motley. Junction,” he said. “You know _what that means. Before I have the bag- gage taken to the station I wish you’d find out whether the manager is at the hotel or not. if you can’t find him, it will be a sure bet he’s gone to the station and intends to skip. In that case we must find out where the justice lives, go to his house and get him to issue an attachment against the scenery and props. That will block .Grab’s game to carry them away with him. Then maybe we can manage some way to go on with the show ourselves.” “You’re a good fellow, Sharpley, to give me the tip even if it amounts to nothing. In any case, forewarned is forearmed. If Grab skips, posses- sion of the scenery and props will give us a chance to proceed on the commonwealth plan. Maybe we'll be able to keep out, even if we only make expenses.” “Well, hurry now, for there’s no time to lose. The expressman is waiting,” said Sam. Unger rushed off to the hotel, only a few doors away. He soon found out that the manager was not:about, nor was he in his rogpm. He also learn- ed from the proprietor that Downey Grab had taken his suitcase to the opera house to put the night’s receipts in. “Did he say that was what he wanted to use it for?” asked the comedian. “Yes,” replied the boniface. That settled the case in Unger’s mind. He hurried back to the hall. “The old guy intends to shake us,” he said to Sam. “Hold the baggage and send the express- man away till morning. I'll go out and swear out an at ment. The justice lives about four blocks from here.” ; “Wait, and I'll go with you. I’ve got a very important matter to see the justice about, my- self,” said Sam. The expressman was dismissed, and then Sam and Unger started for the home of the justice, — after seeing the hall locked up by the usher. Af- ter some trouble they located the house and pounded on the door till a window was raised, a man’s head thrust out, and an impatient voice demanded to know what was wanted at that un- ae hour. Before Unger could explain, Sam shouted: “We want to see you about a big robbery that was committed in the village this afternoon,” “& big robbery!” cried the magistrate, in as- tonishment. “Whose house was robbed?” “Come down and I’ll explain.” The justice shut the window and hastened to dress himself. : 2 “Say, Sharpley, what kind of a game did you give the justice?” asked Unger. “Is that the way you thought you’d get him downstairs?” “Tt’s no game at all. A robbery was commit- ted.” * “How do you know?” asked the surprised come- dian. “I haven’t heard a word about it. If such a thing had been pied off here the village would have been in a ferment over it, and we’d have heard about it.” , “I don’t know anything about that. All I know — ew

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“MILLIONS IN IT” is that when I woke up around five, on board that canal-boat where you and Robinson carried me “How do you know that Robinson and me car- ried you there?” grinned Unger. “It was an easy guess, for it was like you two to play such a prank. As I was saying, when I ~ woke up Ih voices and saw two rough chaps inspecting a bag full of plunder which could only have come from some well-to-do person in this neighborhood.” : “The dickens — say!” ejaculated the comedian, quite astonish ; At that moment the door opened and the jus- - tice stood in the doorway. HAPTER VII.—Grab Takes His Departure. s The justice saw that the boys were strangers, and he regarded them with some suspicion. “May I ask who you are?” he asked. “My name is Samuel Sharpley, and my com- panion’s is Charles Unger. We are members of _the dramatic company which performed at the “opera house this evening,” said Sam. The theatrical profession did not seem to appeal favorable to the justice. . . “Am I to understand that the robbery to which you referred was committed on a member of your company?” he asked in a frigid tone. “No, sir; some residence in this neighborhood has been looted of valuables worth fully $5,000. - ive thousand dollars!” ejaculated magis- trate, clearly astonished. “Yes, sir.” “How came you to hear of this robbery? I have heard nothing about it, and I would naturally be one of the first to learn about such a thing. When did this robbery happen?” : “J couldn’t tell you, but judge some time before five this afternoon.” : “Before five, ‘and it is now nearly midnight. Excuse me, young man, if I say that it seems Yidiculous that a robbery could have happened in this village this afternoon and yet not have been. reported up to this house,” said the justice, im a tone of disbelief. : “TJ admit that, particularly as it is a heavy rob- bery. I should have thought that everybody would have heard of it by this time.” ? -“When and how did you learn about this al- robbery ?” “t found it out about five o’clock, but the par- -ticulars can’t be told in a minute.” z “Come around to my office in the ' I will hear the case.” too “The manager is going to take the 12:15 train : ghd though I have had the box and trunk we wish to levy on locked up in the hall, Mr. Grab might succeed in getting possession of them be- fore we could bring the case before you in the morning. I think that in justice to the people who are entitled to recover even a small part of what is due them, that you should try and pro- tect them.” “Well, I will issue an order on the proprietor t “ag Be se forbidding him to let = morning and _ for himself matter has been decided at my office in the morn- ing. Walk in, please.” The justice let Sam and the comedian into his library and pointed to seats. He drew a printed blank out of a pigeon-hole in his desk and filled -it out in accordance with Sam’s answers to his question. Handing them a testament, he said: “You both swear that the facts herein set forth are the truth?” Sam and Unger answered “yes.” _ “You serve that paper on Mr. Fox,” said the justice, after signing it, He handed it to Sam. “You take this, Charley, hunt up the proprietor of the hall and give it to him.” said Sam. “I've got to tell the justice about the robbery.” The magistrate gave Unger directions about finding Fox’s house, and then the comedian took his leave. Sam, alone with the magistrate, told him the particulars about the stolen goods. The justice, whose name was Steele, could not but put faith in his story. The proof of the pudding, how- ever, is in thé eating, so he determined to in- vestigate it, at once. He aroused his gardener, and had him put the horse to the light wagon, and taking Sam and the man with him, Steele drove to the head of the creek where the canal- boat was moored. After pointing out the hollow tree where the burglars had‘ left the bag, Sam led them to the hole where he had hidden it. The bag was founud there, and a brief examina- tion of it contents assured the justice that a rob- ber had indeed been committed. It was. loaded on the wagon and conveyed to the magistrate’s home, After Sam had been directed to appear at Steele’s office at nine in the morning, he started for the hotel, where he found Unger, Micky and a servant of the hotel waiting for him. : “Grab has turned up,” said Unger. “Then he didn’t take the 12:15 for tion?” replied Sam. “Begorra he di want to go widout the scen- yery and props,” said Micky. “Whin you and Un- ger went to see the justice | walked to the sta- tion, and there was Mister Downey Grab, as large ~ as life, wid his grip in his hand, waitin’ for the Wwagin to show up wid the stuff.” “What do you suppose he intends to do now?” “He left a call for six o’clock for himself and you and Micky. He’ll get you to hustle the bag- gage to the station before breakfast. Then he'll send you two back to the hotel to get your break- fast, and in the meanwhile he’ll connect with the early accommodation, which I’ve found stops here at 7:40, for the Junction, and he'll take his prop- erty with him. That’s his plan as sure aS you live,” said Unger. “Did you serve that. paper on Mr, Fox?” asked “Then how will Mr. Grab be able to get his property to the station in the morning in ,time for the 7 402” “I forgot about that. He won’t be able to.” Sam told the hotel servant, who was waiting for them to to their rooms, to rub out the call and Micky. When this was doae all hands aren) Leta Sam and P rag! were awakened by a grea unding on their door af — icon splnuths etek wee, ae the June- ~ ” \

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a ’ brother actors about the 10 “What’s that?” growled the Irish lad, sleepily. Bane—bang—hbang! “Hello, there, what do you want?” demanded Sam, not quite awake. “Get up,” cried the voice of Manager Grab. “Go chase yourself,” replied Sani, lying down again. ; Mr. Grab, seeing that he couldn’t arouse his pronerty man and Micky, determined to get the baggage to the station himself, but to do this he knew he would have to secure the co-opera- ton of the proprietor of the opera house, He found out where Mr. Fox lived from the hostler of the hotel, and hastened to his house. The express avent, who was an early riser, was in his yard doing somethins. Having been told by Unger that tne manager intended to take the 12:15 train the night before, he was somewhat surprised to see him that morning. As Downey Grab had no time to lose, he came to the point at once—he wanted Fox to oven the opera house so he could get the long black bex and the prop- erty trunk as soon as the expressman arrived. “Sorry,” replied Fox; “but you can’t have them.” : “Can’t have my property!” exclaimed the man- ager, “No. An order, signed by the justice. has been served on me which directs me to hold the box and trunk until further notice.” Downey Grab was paralyzed. He jumped to the conclusion fhat the proprietor of the hotel had attached his property to make sure of being id. This was a heavy blow to the manager, for he had not figured on paying the hotel man. He saw he couldn’t get his propertv. so, turning on his heel, he walked away. On his way back to Main Street, he balanced what he guessed he owed the hotel against the value of his scenery and props, and though the difference was in favor of the latter, it was not large enough to induce t a bunch of good was rather limited. train and shook the dust of Plainfield from his feet. ea CHAPTER VIII.—Sam Gets a Reward. Sam and Micky slept on till half-past seven, and joined the company in dining-room for breakfast. Unger had said nothing as yet to his s purpose of leaving them stranded in the village. They had all brought their suitcases from their rooms, and as soon as they finished breakfast they walked - outside to take the "bus for the station, Then Un: called them all to one end of the veranda gait wscke the news to them. While he was doing 5 this the proprietor was looking for Downey Grab - to get his bill settled. Of course he couldn’t find et = him, for Mr. Grab was by this time on his way “MILLIONS IN Py? to Chicago, so he tackled Sam, as the most im- portant person next to the manager in his opin- ion. He produced his bill and handed it to the young property man. Sam looked it over, noted the amount due, and handed it back. “Ym not the treasurer, he said. , The boniface declared that the Downey Grab Stock Co., from the manager down, was a bunch of skins. “Hold on,” objected Sam. “We’re not to blame. There is hardly a person connected with the show that isn’t out more in salary than you are for accommodation.” : He explained to the hotel man that Mr. Grab owed most of his people three full weeks’ salary, and that there wasn’t money enough in the crowd to take them a third of the way back to Chicago. “Well, you can’t remain in my hotel,” said the boniface, doggedly. “If you had trunks I’d hold them. I might have known you were ne good when I found out that you all had only suitcases.” He walked away in very bad humor, and Sam joined his friends. They were a very sick bunch idced. They couldn’t find words strone enough in the English language to experss the senti- ments they felt toward the recreant r. The three actresses were as outspoken as the rest. If they could have laid their hands on Downey Grab at that moment-they would have made hin - bald. “What’s to be done?” asked Johnson, in deep base tones. “Continue the tour on our own hook,” said Unger. “On what? Grab has doubtless carried off the scenery and props.” “No, he hasn’t. Sharpley put me wise last night to the manager’s purpose and so Pve at- tached the stuff.” “Yon did?” cried the company, in chorus. “T did, at Sharpley’s suggestion. I tell you, my professional friends, that boy has stood by us like a little maior, and he is entitled to our thanks.” Sam was immediately voted a brick. “It’s going on to nine, Unger,” said Sam. must move on to the office of the justice. “We Come ‘along, Micky.” The whole company decided to accompany them. As they were afraid to leave their suitcases at the hotel they carried them along and as a result they attracted considerable attention as they passed down Main Street. All hanas filed into the office of the magistrate and took possession of the seats, followed by as many villagers as could crowd in. In a short time Justice Steele appeared. He took up the attachment case, heard the testimony of the witnesses—about half the company—after Sam and Unger had stated the facts, and decided that the company. as a whole, was entitled to levy on any property belonging to Downey Grab that was in sight. ‘2 Sam told the justice how much in the aggre- gate Grab owed his people, and then, prompted by Unger, estimated the value of the scenery and props. It fell considerably below their claims, so the magistrate signed an order turning the black box and the trunk of props over to the ie proprietor of the hotel got wind gs, and rushed into the office with plaintiffs. of the p .

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“MILLIONS IN IT” il collectively, owed him nothing, and as they had -captured all the visible assets of the show there was nothing for him to levy on. He retired more disgruntled than ever, swear- ing that the next troupe of actors that wanted to scop at his place would have to pay in advance or kunt for accommodations elsewhere. At that moment an excited man rushed into the office and told the justice that the residence of Lawer Ben- ton, the richest man inthe village, had been robbed while the family was away the previous day at Darien. “Yell Mr. Benton to call here and see me. You may also tell him that his stolen propesy has been recovered and is at my house. The thieves, however, have not been arrested so far, though tne constables are out looking for them,” said Justice Steele. “Young man,” added the magis- trate, turning to Sam, “I advise you to wait here till Mr, Benton arrives. Doubtless he will wish to reward you for the part you have played in the matter.” The members of the stranded stock company, Unger and the boys excepted, looked their sur- prise. Being ignorant of Sam’s connection with the stolen property, they could not understand ‘what he had done to entitle him to any reward. Unger beckoned them out into the street and put . them wise to the matter, then he suggested that they return to the hotel and stay there for dinner at any rate, proposing that all hands chip in to the extent of their resources, and that he would make up whatever difference there was in the landlord’s nee. . This suited the company, for they didn’t know what else to do, so back they went to the hotel, and Unger tackled the landlord, made terms with him, collected the amount and paid it over in ad- . -Yanee, aS was necessary under the circumstances. Sam and Micky remained at the office of the ice. In the course of half an hour an auto- mobile stopned at the door and Jawyer Benton walked in. After saluting the justice, he said: “My man reported to me that the silver serv- ice, jewelry and other articles stolen from my _ house has recovered.” “That is a fact, Mr. Benton, and I congratulate you on vour good fortune in getting them back. This young man, whose name is Sharpley, is en- titled to your thanks in the matter. According to his story, the thieves would have earried your property to Chicago but for him. He will explain everything to you,” said the magistrate. “Tl be glad to hear your story, young man,” said the lawer. ~ Sam told it in a few words. —- *Now, oung man, you seem to be a stranger in this village,” said the lawyer, looking at Sam. “I am. I came h with the theatrical com- > - sad ae “No, sir. I’m the property man and business manager. This is my assistant, Micky Free.” “Well, you will come with us to Mr, Steele’s house, and afterward te “ own. Your assistant can wait your return at the hotel, where I sup- se your company is stopping. If you are ready, r, Steele, we will go now.” The party boarded the auto and were soon at the magistrate’s home. Lawyer Benton\examined the contents of the bag and said that, as far as he could see, everything taken from his house was there. The bag was placed in the auto, which - started for the Benton residence. Sam went along. The boy was introduced by the lawyer to his family, consisting of his wife, a pretty sev- - enteen-year old daughter and a younger son, as the person to whom they were indebted for the recovery of their property. Sam was regarded with a great deal of consideration. Nothing was said about his connection with the theatrical pro- fession. The lawyer took him into his library and told him that he thought his services were worth $1,000, and he proposed to give him that sum. Sam was rather dazed by the amount. The lawyer then inquired about Sam’s connec- tion with the company, and asked him what kind of an aggregation it was. Sam told him how he came to join Downey Grab’s outfit, which was solely for the rgea of learning how to run a company himself, as his ambition was to become a theatrical manager. “There’s millions in it,” he said. “if you can put out an attraction that will hit the public. I in- tend to be a successful manager some day, but, of course, I have to begin at the bottom of the lad- der and climb.” j “There is certainly monev in the theatrical business if one has the ability to make it a suc- cess, just as there is a fortune in any other large enterprise for the man who is built the rignt way,” said the lawyer. “You look smart, and if you are fitted for the theatrical business I see no reason why you should not succeed. The thou- sand dollars I shall presently turn over to you - may be the nucleus from which you will carve a fortune, but it will all depend on yourself. Now I am al8o inclined to do something for these people who have been thrown over by their man- ager. You Say you had no house last night.” - “No, sir. It was an awful frost,’ said Sam. “Well, I will use my influence to get you up a benefit at the opera house.” “They would appreciate your kindnéss very . much. ‘Fhe majority of them have no money at all, and would have to walk out of the village © unless I came to their aid, which, of course, I would do. I would allow none of them to suffer _ as long as I had a cent,” said Sam, earnestly. “You could put on the same piece that you played last night, since as you had a poor audi- ence it would be as new to! the people as anything else. What was the name of play?” . “The Lights of a Great: City,” replied Sam. “Tt’s a stirring melodrama. We have three other -Pieces in our repertory. We use them when we - play three nights in a town, changing the bill nightly. a rural Perhaps the peo hi drama. We have fe rey ed se Down on the Farm.” + “You can suit yourselves. Have a talk with the s be ee a > i? “= 35

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12 company, and then call at my office on Main Street—anybody will tell you where it is—before half-past four, and I will go into the benefit with ou.” “All right, Mr. Benton, but there’s no doubt but the company will accept your proposition joy- fully, for they need the money,” said Sam. Sam was invited to remain at the lawyer’s house for an early lunch, after which Mr. Benton took him to the bank in his auto and handed him the $1,000. CHAPTER IX.—Millions in It. Sam found the company holding a symposium on the hotel veranda, and he laid before them _ the proposition of the proposed benefit. Needless to say that the offer was accepted by acclama- tion, and the Thespians voted the lawyer a brick and entitled to their most grateful thanks. — Sam went inside and interviewed the boniface. When the latter heard that Mr. Benton was going to engineer a benefit for the stranded people he became quite affable, for the lawer was the most important person in Plainfield. All he wanted was some assurance of the fact. ee “Tl see that you get it, Mr. Thompson, said Sam. “In fact, if the benefit is a good one we may pay half of the bill that the manager jumped, though we are in no way responsible for it. The prospect of recovering half of his loss put the landlord in excellent humor, and his srouch i the professionals disappeared entirely. . - “MILLIONS IN IT” at his request, had consented to loan the hall at the bare cost of running it for the night. Half the village would hear about the benefit before the bills were out, so that only a moderate amount of advertising would be necessary. As soon as the benefit matter had been settled Sam asked — the lawyer who the canal-boat in the creek be- — longed to. ag te me.” “Are you using it?” “No. I have no use for it. I’ve tried to sell it, but nobody wanted it.” : “What use can you make of it?” “Who wants it?” “You!” exclaimed the surprised lawyer. “Yes, sir,” x “What use can you make of it?” - “Tl tell you. My plan is to fit the hold up with sleeping and eating accommodations for the company, which is going out in a few days under my manavement, and on the deck I intend to build a small stage at one end, using the rest of the deck as far as the house cabin for the auditorium, which I shall enclose with a roof and sides of canvas to protect the audience from the weather,” said Sam. “That is the first one of several ideas I have for making a million out of the theatrical business.” Mr. Benton sat back in his chair and stared at the boy. ; “Upon my word, that is quite an original idea of yours, to conduct a marine theatre, but the question is, will it pay?” he asked. “T feel sure that it will. I will be able to do awav with railroad transportation to a consid- | erable extent, also hotel and boarding-house charges. I can get the people to work for lower salaries by furnishing them with board and resi- dence. It is a novel idea and will a to the company at the start, and if the idea does not ~ grow upon them I shall be surprised. We can be a sort of happy family. We can keep out all year around, thus affording permanent employment to ple who ordinarily are lucky if they are work- ing half-the time. The chances are al] in favor of the getting their money, whereas under the management of such rascals as Downey Grab they received more promises than lucre.” “That’s all very well, Sharpley, but you will be obliged to tour only the waterways of the States hereabouts.” “Not necessarily. After we get on our feet we can, after playing a river town, tour the im- mediate neighborhood by short rail trips, or even by wagon, leaving the boat anchored till our ¥e- turn in charge of a watchman. While on the boat I will save the customary thirty-five per cent. that the proprietors of opera houses ask. I will get the gross receipts, see?” - “Do you think people will patronize a marine theatre?” “Why not? They will do jt if only for the nov- elty. If I saw such a show advertised to-morrow I’d go to it to see what it looked like.” Before the boy had finished unfolding his plans, the Tawyér, who had a leaning tow the drama, somewhat enthused over the idea, too. ld Sam that if he ran short of funds _ DA —.

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“MILLIONS IN loan him enough to see him through. Sam thanked him, but said he hoped to be able to , pull through without a loan. “Darien is a large town, and I intend to play the company a week there while we are fitting up the boat, which I shall have towed down there the day after to-morow if you will sell the boat cheap.” “You can have the boat for nothing, Sharpley, -and welcome. I see no prospect of selling it ex- cept for firewood. If you can turn it to the use you are thinking of why take it. It will save you the cost of buying another elsewhere.” “That is very kind of you, Mr. Benton, and I appreciate your generosity very much. Every- thing counts at the start, and even with the boat as a gift it will take about all of the $1,000, and most of what I expect to pull in at Darien dur- ing next week, to get under way.” “T should judge it will; but if you need more don’t fail to wire me and I will see that you get whatever you may need.” That ended the interview. The lawyer went off home in his auto while Sam returned to the hotel, after stopping at the Clarion office and handing in copy for the benefit CHAPTER X.—Sam Gets Down To Business. The bills for the benefit, which were delivered at seven next morning, read: “To-night at the opera house. Under the aus- pices of Mr. George Benton and leading citizens of Plainfield a benefit will be tendered to the members of the late Downey Grab Stock Co., who are stranded in the village. The committee in charge of the affair has selected the beautiful pastoral drama of ‘Down on the Farm’ for rep- resentation. This drama has’ been played by various companies throughout the United States for more than 3,000 nights, and is still drawing crowded houses where presented It is a play that appeals to every one. Don’t miss this op- portunity of seeing a play that will live in_ your memories for many a day. ‘Down on the Farm’ is a gem—a True Story of Human Hearts. The cast is a stréng one, embracing the entire com- pany. Prices, 10, 20, 30 cents. Reserved seats on sale at Brown’s drug and Carter’s stationery stores.” Sam and Micky spent the best part of the morning billing the village for the benefit. They found that most of the people knew about it al- ” ready, $e: the ig had bare Fig ee oye to mouth. e bills, however them the par- tieulars, and as a pastoral drama had not visited while the rest of the out on the north and bg ' 13 alboat in the creek, and the former thought it a good chance to look the boat over. He told Mickey all about his scheme of a marine thea- tre, and the Irish lad was quite taken with the idea. “Begorra, it’s a great head yez have, Sam,” he said. “Sure,-our people will fale as happy as clams at low tide. No hustlin’ to catch a train after the show, wid a walk to the boardin’-house at the nixt stoppin’ place in prospect. All they'll have to do will be to slape, and ate, and dress for the show, and draw their salaries on Monday afternoon. Faith, it’ll be a regular picnic for fair, so it will.” The boys went all over the boat, and Sam ex- plained where the bunks for the men would be placed, and where those for the three women pros go, with a dividing partition between with a door. “The two sleeping-rooms will answer for dress- ing-rooms as well, and they’ll be right under the stage, with a ladder apiece to reach it through a trap opening,” said Sam. “Aft of the sleeping quarters will be the dining-room, provided with a long stationary table, with a bench on either side in place of chairs. The main hatch will have to be done away with and boarded over, as it-will come about in the center of the auditor- jum. I'll have a small hatch made in the floor of the deck cabin, with a flight of stairs so that the dishes and food can be carried down that way. And [ll have the hold lighted and ven with a dozen small windows cut in the sides just under the deck. At night we’ll use lamps to il- luminate the whole boat.” They spent some “time on the boat, and then they left to disftibute the bills among such of the rural population as they could reach. As they were aiming for a certain farmhouse they saw in the near distance, they spied a very coun- trified fellow coming toward them with an axe over his shoulder. They stopped him and hand- ed him a bill of the show. The farmer looked at it curiously. He read in big letters: “To- night at the Opera House.” Then he uttered a howl, tore the bill into pieces and glared at the boys. , “Por the love of Mike!” ejaculated Micky. “Has this chap escaped from a lunatic asylum?” Sam was astonished at the farmer’s conduct. “What’s the matter? Why did you destroy that play-bill?” he asked. The ruralite swung his axe-handle menacingly. “Get out of my way, you play-actors, or I'll bu’st your heads open,” he cri “He’s as mad as a March hare,” said Micky. “The constables ought to be here to take charge Sa him or he’ll be after doin’ some wan an in- jury.” -. - With an angry roar the farmer tried to carry out his threat. Sam grabbed the axe by the handle, while Micky seized the hayseed around the waist from behind. The boys found the husky chap a mighty hard*proposition to handle. Fortunately for them two horsemen hove in sight at that moment. The newcomers rode hastily aa the sqsne, dismounted and interfered in — e, They were the head constable of Plainfield and one of his assistants. =. 2

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Oy OF Up eT ing 14 “MILLIONS IN IT” “What’s the trouble?” asked Constable White. “Why are you fighting with these boys, Petti- grew?” 2 “Sure the man is plum crazy, sor,” said Micky. “Play actors!” cried the farmer, pointing his finger at them. Sam explained the situation. The constable laughed. m. “The sight of an actor or a play bill has the same effect on Pettigrew as a red flag on a bull, he said. “Why does it?” asked Sam. “Is he off his ase?” “J think he is, a little. Four actors stopped at his farm all last summer, and never paid him a cent after the first week. They told him that they were big actors from Chicago, that they money from there every day. In the end they decamped, leaving two cheaps trunks filled with stones behind. Since then nobody dares ‘ mention an actor to him, for it would end in a row.” “Oh!” said Sam. “Well, we’re not actors. We're just distributing the bills for the benefit at the opera house to-night. The farmer’s at tack on us was unwarranted. We could have him arrested, but I guess we’ll let him go this time admi that he was, and gave the constable all of the facts. Then he and Micky continued on their way. - : Next morning Sam called the company together and explained plan to them. He asked them if they were willing to embark in it.. They were, but wanted to know what he was going to de- good \ Sat and oth x of wholesome other Sings, ovis a regular book account of a the latter case her wages will have to be met by an extra asi x! The ladies declared they would do the cook; save money. “How long will it take you to get started?” Robinson. Sam went on to Darien, twelve miles away, alone. Before he went he and Mickey took the full measurements of the canal-boat, and he car- ried the figures with him. When he reached Darien the first thing he did was to call on the proprietor of the opera house. He introduced himself as the manager of Sharpley’s Stock Co. The owner of the opera house told him that he had the whole of the next week open, aud could give him any night or nights he wantec. “Thursday, Friday and Saturday are the best nights for a good show,” he said. “Saturday matinee always draws, too, if the bill is such as will attract ladies and children. What have you got to offer?” “We have four plays: ‘Lights of a Great city’ a city melodrama; ‘Down on the Farm,‘ a rural play that appeals to the sympathies and is de- void of clap-trap; ‘Ten Nights in a Bar-room,’ and an old favorite, and “The Girl of Goldea Gulch,’ a wild west drama.” “They ought to draw here, if you have a goad company, for three nights and a matinee, start- ing Thursday with the city melodrama, follo>- ing it with ‘Ten Nights,’ putting on the rural play at the matinee, and the Western drama Saturday night. Saturday night is the best o* the week, for you’ll catch the factory people, and they like something strong,” said the proprieto=. Sam asked a lot of questions, and among othe - things he learned that the proprietor furnished an orchestra of three pieges, which could b2 ey tigen by mutual arrangement; that his stock of scenery consisted of eight sets, ‘com- prising a garden, wood, landscape, street, dur-.- geon, cottage, parlor and a salon with large ex- trance, which could be backed either with the garden or the parlor cloth; that the house was lighted throughout with electricity; that there were two real dressing-rooms under the stage; and that he furnished one stage helper. The boy also learned that there were two papers in the town, one of which, the Times, came out every other day, and the other once a week, and that the proprietor of the opera hotse owned the bill-posting boards. “What ‘paper’ have you?” asked the proprie- tor. Sam had to admit that he had no printing at all, and then explained that the former manager of the show had skipped back to Chicago, and he had taken charge of the company himself and was anew. “Last night we played to the capacity of the Plainfield opera house, and the people are rest- ing till I can open up a new route,” he said. The proprietor looked rather glum at that, for “it didn’t speak well for the show, and he micht Yeleia4) tale ge have Sam on but for the fact that he was hard up for an attraction. “T dare say I can e. out what printing is required at an office here,” went on Sam. “I can pay for the best.” “Yes, you can do that. stands, 15 3-sheets, 50 1-sheets, 50 one-half sheets, besides the usual small bills, and I ought ea lithos, but of course you can’t pet i ni em. I'll go half on the newspapers.” __ “Tl put out a wagon, with a painter rraneat I shall want four |

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“MILLIONS IN work, and our band inside. That ought to ad- Vertise the show well,” said Sam. “That will be first rate. You can send it through the factory streets and the business streets, and at night through the, residential section.” The matter was duly arranged, and Sam has- tened off to the largest printing plant in town and left an order, paying a bonus to have it all turned out by morning. He ordered some cards to be printed that afternoon, as he intended to call at the newspaper offices as soon as possible. While waiting for them he went down to the river front and inquired about a tug. He found there were two, one of which was laid up for lack of work, and which would answer his purpose. He arranged with the owner to go down to the creek and bring the canal-boat to Darien, to- gether with his company, all their effects and the ge. He then telegraphed instructions te Micky. After that he returned to the print- ing office and got his cards. He visited the newspaper offices and saw the dramatic editors of each, and talked his show up. Then he arranged for an advertisement in each. By that time it was after five, so he went to a cheap hotel and registered. _ CHAPTER XI.—Sam’s Marine Theater. The “paper” was promptly delivered at the op- era house by nine next morning, and the pro- : prietor called on his poster to put it out. is expense was to be charged up against the show. . Sam looked up a carpenter and_ builder, gave _ him the dimensions of the canal-boat, told him what he wanted done, and asked him to estimate on the job. He called on two other carpenters, submitted his specifications, and requested a bid from each. Then he called on the proprietor of the opera, house, who carried on a hardware store under the theater, which was on the sec- ond floor, and after a short talk about the show a in hand, asked him if there was a scene painter q in town. ' “Yes, the man who painted some of my scen- ery has a house-painting shop around _the corner. If you want anything in the scenic line he’ll do it up in good shape, and cheap for cash,” said the proprietor. meu around and see him,” said Sam, and = He told the painter what he wanted done, and _ -the man said he could do it all right, and any- 3 thing else in the theatrical painting line. Sam __ gave him the dimensions of the canvas that was _to be used for the proscenium—three jieces, to be together later on the framework. 3 : also furnished him with the size of the x _drop-curtain, and they decided on a subject be- tween them—the bay of Naples, with Vesuvius in yes distance, and the town in the background. ; ‘The most important object was to be a fishing- smack in the middle fo und, with several, gaudy-looking sailors on her, the whole bril- fanely lighted up with sunset effects. Sam paid him a suitable deposit and then Ey fr IT” 15 went down to the office of the tug owner to see if he had sent the tug to the creek. The tug had gone. Then Sam made arrangements with an expressman forsso many hours continuous sery- ice as soon as he could get the framework built, and the canvas leitered—a job he had also given to the painter. He got the address of a cheap boarding-house from the proprietor of the op- era house, called there and arranged for keep of the company as soon as they arrived. Then he went to his hotel for lunch, and found the estimates of the three carpenters awaiting him. He went over them-carefully, while at the table, and finally selected the lowest bidder. After lunch he called on him and made a contract with him. He walked around and inspected some of the posting, all of which was up. He felt like a real manager as he gazed on the big bills which informed the public that Sharpley’s Stock Com- pany, from Chicago, would play “Ten Nights in a Bar-Room” at the matinee, and “Lights of a Great City” in the evening, at Lowe’s Opera House, on the following day. The tri-weekly paper, which came out that afternoon, comment- ed favorably on the Sharpley Stock Co. For lack of authentic information, and in consideration of the advertisement the editor had accepted Sam’s flattering tale of his show, and printed it, _ The Weekly Blade would be out next morn- ing, and Sam had no doubt he would receive a similar favorable notice in that. As a matter of fact he did. Micky, the company, and the bag- gage arrived early next morning on the canal- boat. The baggage was sent to the opera house and the company to the board'ng-house. At nine o’clock the express wagon appeared in front of the opera house, with its large transparency roughly lettered in red and black, as follows, on both sides, and the rear end: “Lowe’s Opera House—Sharpley’s Stock Com- pany—Matinee, two p. m., “Ten Nights in a Bar- room.—This evening at Eight, ‘Lights of a Great City’—A Thrillmg Melodrama of city life. —Popular Prices, 10, 20 and 30 cents.” The male performers, with their instruments, supplemented with a bass and snare drummer combined, got in, and then the driver, having his directions, started off at a walking gait. The music soon attracted attention, and the town gradually learned about the show that was in the place. After parading a couple of the main streets the wagon proceeded to ihe residence sec- tion to notify the ladies and children about the matinee. At half-past twelve it dumped the per- formers out at the boarding-house for dinner. The driver then yot his own dinner at a restau- rant and spent the afternoon in drivine around with the bass and snare drummer. In the meantime Sam had piloted the carpen- ter down to the canal-boat, and they went over the plans again, which required some alteration. The stage was to overlap the bows of the boat a few feet on either side, and was to have a depth of ten feet inside the curtain or procenium line, in front of which it was to extend two feet more. ‘The opening was to be nearly the full width of ~ the boat, and ten feet high, and there would be three feet of space in the flies for hanging the seenery. The customary grooves were to be pro-— vided for in the wings, and when completed it

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16 = poo’ to be quite a practical little theatre. returned to the hotel for lunch, and then went directly to the opera house. Already there was a line of small boys, and some girls respec- tably attired, waiting for the box office to open. The proprietor supplied both a box clerk and a door tender, and all Sam had to do was to stand on the door and keep watch for his own interests. Mickey and the regular stage hand were able to do all the work, so there was no cause for Sam to worry him about that. manager Johnson would see that ev went right. His share amounted to $91, which he receiv the third and fourth act he treated the audience to his cornet solo, and, as usual, scored The company gave a good performance of “Ten = in a Barroom,” and the spectators were ed they had got the worth of their money. actors went back to the boarding-house for spirits. Sam went to his too, for he looked for a big before eight. ag con! buy general wever, they would ‘ormance. ows amounted to $193. Out Sada pos Ppeorgtors newspaper advertising, some other The printing and the expressman he had already paid, on his book he properly deducted the amount from his receipts. The ac- tors were not under regular contract with him yet, and would not be until his marine theatre be- gan tour. They were to pay their own board and receive pay only for the perform- ances in W. they took part. Sam got his other three dates for the following week, and on Monday he got out fresh printing, and arranged for the paper he intended to use on his water “The Lights of a Great City” was repeated on Thursday night to a full house. “Ten Nights in » enjoyed good business on Friday “Down on the Farm” filled the theatre at i “The Girl of Golden peg Grab rate, “MILLIONS IN IT” of the marine theater on Wednesday and that at- tracted many people to the wharf where the canal- boat was moored in the hands of the carpenters and painters. A reporter of the Saturday Blade photographed the nearly completed théatre on Friday afternoon, and a half tone reproduction of it appeared next morning in the paper, with another story. That brought quite a crowd on Sunday morn- ing. Sam determined to take advantage of it, and he put up a sign announcing that a special performance would be given that afternoon—ad- mission. 10, 20 and 80 cents. He was sorry now that he had not advertised a show in the Blade, but the idea had not struck him in time. How- ever, whatever was taken in would be clear gain, even if it was only a slim attendance. The news that a performance would be given at the new marine theatre was circulated around by those who visited the wharf in the morning, and as a result so many people came that they could not all be admitted. Sam took in about $80 at the portable box office he had built for the purpose. The hastily arranged show consisted of one act from “Ten Nights in.a Barroom,” and an act from “Down on the Farm.” =>. CHAPTER XII.—The Marine Theatre Starts. “Begorra, if yez kin draw the people like vez did on Sunday and last night yez will do mighty well, I’m thinkin’,” said Micky, on Thursday »morning. ~ “Yes, I did very well, but I can’t expect to al- ways have a full house,” said Sam. ? “Oh, I o. Faith, this is a great novelty, and I'll bet people will come to the boat that might not go to the opera house. Are yez goin’ to give another show on Saturday night?” “Yd like to, but there’s a big attraction at Lowe’s theatre on Saturday—a New York com- pany in “The Girl and the Curl.’ We’ve done this town prett well, and I don’t know that they will stand for any more from us, particularly as I have nothing new to offer.” “Where ae open nixt?” ; “At Leesville, ten miles down the river. I’m figuring on taking the boat down there for a show © on Saturday night. The scenery we are waiting for can be sent to us by rail next week. Weflon’t need it for ‘Down on the Farm,’ so I could: put that on the bill for Saturday night.” Ee “That would be just the thing, begorra. Why don’t yez do it?” Sam called on the owner of the tugboat and told him that his contract would begin next day when he was to tow the marine temple of the drama down to Leesville. After dinner, leaving the boat in charge of Micky, he took the train for the next town, with a bundle of small printing, for he didn’t believe that the proprietor of the Leesville opera house would rent him his, bill- boards. Reaching his destination, he registered at one of the hotels for the night, and started out to learn what if any attraction he would be up against on Saturday, The boardings showed him that a repertory company, somewhat like his own, held the date. Its paper was all over town. The fact that he would have opposition did not bother Sam a whole lot, He hired an expressman for

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' hand you my card. “MILLIONS IN Saturday, and gave a painter an order for a transparency reading as follows: “Sharpley’s Stock Co—At the New Marine Theatre, Taylor Wharf—Matinee to-day at two: ‘Down on the Farm’—to-night at eight: ‘Girl of Golden Gulch.’—Popular Prices 10,,20 and 30 cents. Change of bill for Sunday matinee and _ night.” Then he telegraphed Micky to bring on the show and make fast to Taylor’s wharf where he had secured dockage. Leesville had two weekly newspapers, one of which came out on Saturday. Next morning he went to the office of that paper and inserted an advertisement, saw the editor and » talked up his show. Then he hired a stout boy to help him with a pastepot and a bunch of sin- gle-sheet posters which read: “To-night— Sharp- ley’s Stock Company.—At the Marine Theatre on the river front—Popular Prices 10, 20 and 30 cents.” Over the word “To-night” he put'a paster read- ing: “Saturday and Sunday afternoon at Two, Evening at eight,” and at the bottom, “Taylor’s Whari.’ He slapped these up all over town where he could find a vacant and suitable spot, and they attracted a lot of attention. He missed his dinner at the hotel, as he didn’t finish till about four o’clock, but a restaurant furnished him with a meal as soon as he was done. Then he went down to the whart_and found that his floating show had just arrived. Quite a bunch of curious peo- ple had gone down to Taylor’s wharf to see what the marine theatre was, and were in time to see the tug bring it down the river with the band _ playing at intervals and the streamers labeled “Sharpley’s Stock Co.” and the “Marine Theatre,” flying fore and aft. Another crowd of idlers was on hand in the morning. The express wagon came down there to get the band, after which it paraded the prin- cipal streets. e advance agent for the reper- tory, show that was to give the matinee and eve- ning ormance at the opera house visited the wharf about thé time the wagon started. He inquired for the manager, and Sam was point out to him. y “Are you Mr. Sharpley?” he asked. “That's my name,” said Sam. : “My name is Nick Whiffle. I’m advance agent for Gourlay Company that plays the opera house this afternoon and to-night. Allow me to “Glad to know you, Mr. Whiffle. Step aboard.” camp-chairs, with backs, faced The afternoon. I give a mat- You a 17 have had all the advantage of the boardings and earlier posting, but I’ve done my best to adver- tise my show since I came to town Thursday night. This theatre is a novelty and ought to draw. Besides I have a good company. They’re actors, not hamfatters.” “Is this your own scheme?” “Tt is—one of my ideas for the beginning of making a million in the show business.” “A million in the show business, eh?” grinned the advance man. “Why not? There’s millions in it. It only needs a person with ideas to dig it out.” “Tt takes something besides ideas—money and nerve.” “Half of the traveling managers depend whol- ly on the latter.” The agent grinned. “T hope you'll have a house this afternoon, but I’m afraid we'll keep the crowd away from you,” he said. “T’'m not worrying about that. I think the ma- rine theatre will get it- are.” The advance agent didn’t believe it. His com- pany had a New York atiraction, and he was of the opinion that no other show could buck against it successfully. Sam treated him, and then they parted. The ladies of the marine show had din- ner ready when the express wagon brought the male contingent back from the parade at half- past twelve. Before dinner was over a crowd be- gan to cojlect on the wharf, which grew rapidly with numerous accessions. Woman and children Were in the majority. Sam began selling tickets. at a quarter-past one, and the people fairly stormed the portable box office on the wharf. At twenty minutes of two every seat in the house was taken, and the S. R. O. sign was displayed. Finally even standing room was at a premium, every available place having been taken. Ladies and children were still coming, and Sam was re- luctantly obliged to turn them awy. _As it Was a warm day, arid fans were in requi- sition, Sam conceived the idea of casting off from the wharf, and giving his audience a cool sail ‘while the show went on. He communicated with the’ man in eharge of the tug. The banked fire was started up and by the time the first act was © on the marine show was under way down the riv- er. The sail was an unexpected luxury, and the spectators were delighted with it. The show at the opera house in the meantime had a very slim attendance. \ : _Some of the people turned away from the ma- rine theatre went there late, but altogether it ‘looked like a frost. Sam took in nearly $100, and — he got every cent of it. The boat returned to the wharf before the last act was finished and was made fast again. After supper the band played for a while, and by seven there was a rapidly ac- cumulating mob on the dock all waiting to get on the boat. At fifteen minutes to eight Sam had sold as many admissions as he dared, for ev seat, noek and corner of the auditorium was filled. CHAPTER XTII.—Down the Mlinois, After the show the soubrette came up and asked Sam and Micky why they didn‘t come to the

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18 deck cabin and get the coffee and sandwiches that were ready there. “Everybody is through, but you two,” she said. “Come on.” So they went to partake of the light midnight repast. The marine theatre was packed next day at both performances and Sam took in nearly $200 more. The show had evidently caught on. Many of the _ “Yes, sir; this is the boat that lay in the creek o:% at Plainville when I got possession of her,” re- a plied Sam. eR gUEETt: “When I came to think your scheme over cri- - tically I had my doubts if you could work your ideas out.” _——s—s * We'll, you see I have. Come, let me show you _ over the boat. Most of my people are away on the band-wagon, as I call it, advertising the show. ‘We give a matinee this afternoon, and a regular _. performance to-night. - We repeat the same to- morrow if the look encouraging enough. - arrived with fine appetites. “MILLIONS IN IT” Then we'll move on to Phoenix, for four perform- ances are about all I think this town will stand.” Sam took the lawyer all over the boat, and Mr. Benton declared that Sam’s ingenious arrange- ments truly surnrised him. One of the actresses was setting the table for the half-past twelve dinner and Sam pressed Mr. Benton to stay and dine with them. The lawyer accepted the invitation to eat with the company, and shortly afterward the actors Sam had a fair house that afternoon, taking in about $50. He explained to Mr. Benton, who stayed to the show, that he had had double the number at his first six per- formances. After the show, Mr. Benton bade him goodby, told him to write regularly so that he would know how he was getting on and then took his leave. That night Sam had a good house, nearly every seat being taken. The house programmes an- nounced that the bill would be changed on the fol- lowing day. On the following morning the wagon with the band paraded the streets again, and Sam had a good attendance at both shows. The young manager continued to do well as the boat pro- gressed down the Illinois River.- He abandoned his idea of eee side trips by rail to towns near the river as he would lose time in making arrangements with managers of opera houses and in advertising the show; besides it was better to stick to his marine theater than to give up the customary percentage. He made trips up some of the larger tributaries of the stream when he thought it would pay, and it gen- erally did more or less. At last the marine thea- ter. after a successful run of many weeks, en- tered the Mississippi just above the town of Graf- ton, which had a population of about 1,000, and was made fast to the principal dock. CHAPTER XIV.—Early Morning Intruders. By this time Sam had quite a bunch of money, and its safety was a scurce of uneasiness to him, as he had no place to put it except in a tin box he had bought at Dexter. Several times he had been on the point of aie ap a small safe, but owing to the rush of business on his hands he had put it off. He kept the tin box hidden in a locker of the deck cabin, and as the three women were in or around there most of the time, for they still continued to officiate as cooks, he had confidence enough jin them to believe that it was perfectly safe. As there wasn’t a week so far that he hadn’t added something to his profits, and some weeks it amounted to considerable, his pile had steadily gtown larger, until now, as we said, it Was quite large. As the company, with the exception of Micky, slept in the hold well forward, he had no protec- tion at night, when lying alongside a wharf, but the revolver he had bought and his general as- sistant, who was two years younger than himself. They hauled into Grafton late on a Wednesday af- ternoon, and Micky immediately went ashore to purchase groceries, and the meat needed for the evening and morning meal. The leading lady fur- nished him with a list of the stuff required, and

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“MILLIONS IN IT” 19 Sam gave him a bill to pay for the goods. The converted canal-boat attracted attention along the owned the wharf was at his office, i i ing outside the door he “Ts it in good ition ?” x “First class. Tl let you look at it.” The man took’ him outside and opened the safe. As far as Sam could see it appeared to be all right. “Pll give you $15 for it, delivered on board my boat,” said Sam. ; : : “Vil let you have it for that if you'll take it away yourself.” . No,” said Sam, “I won’t buy a safe unless 8 E. Es Fs bunch of stale.” - “That’s right. Only a burglar with the proper experience with safes could get into it, noise wouldn't be healthy for him,” said Micky. = “And while he was tryin’ to fix wan of us what ‘would the other be doin’?” . “It isn’t likely he’d be alone. Those chaps always go in pairs when there’s not more of Sey we're a couple of bolts on the dure. Wate ne no chap could get supper, so their conversation came to an end for thee time being. While they were all at supper many curious people came down to the wharf to look at the floating theater. Micky had placed a billboard outside which announced that the stix- ring Western play, “The Girl of Golden Gulch,” would be performed on the following evening, with a matinee at two, and a bunch of people gathered around it to study the information in the gathering darkness. Then they looked at the boat, and many wondered how a real play could be performed on board of her. “Say, mister, is that a fioatin’ opera house you have there?” a spectator asked Sam when he ap- peared at the gangway entrance. “Yes, sir,” replied the young manager. “Then you have a stage, and scenery, just like they have at theaters?” ? “We surely have. Step on board and you can see for yourself.” Sam told Micky to light a couple of lamps at the wings so the man could see that there was no fake about the stage. As soon as Micky had done so Sam invited the rest of the crowd to take a look, too, for he knew they would tell all about what they had seen and that would prove an ad- vertisement for the show. The crowd was satis- fied there was no flim-flam about the theater and they made many inquiries about the play. Sam puffed up the drama and the crowd went away to carry the news to their friends and acquaint- ances. A few loungers remained and Sam noticed that two of them were particularly hard-looking characters. He called Micky’s attention to them and his assistant agreed that they would stand watching. In the course of an hour, however, they went away, after the rest had departed, and the wharf remained silent and deserted. 3 “There’'re gone at last,” said Sam; “but I wouldn’t be surprised if they came back in the early hours of morning and ventured on board te see what they could pick up. Their Were decidedly suspicious.” let thim stale a march on us. They might try to c ome i aboard and set fire to the stage and put me out of business for a while.” a niver kin tell what some spell, and it fell to so Sam turned in for two hours. Micky aro him at one o’clock, and informed him that nothing had ; with his revolver in his pocket, took up his post -at each side. It feet ae Se foe enero: pear tat oe In fact there were lots of chances for a person to get on the boat in a clandestine - Sam’s two-hour spell stpanbieliipaes: seis’ aac thing occurring, and he was i think © that the marine theater would not be molested, ‘ bal ‘

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_ Look at him.” oe 20 when he saw two shadowy figures slouching toward the boat. “By George!- Here come two men now, and their errand can’t be an honest one, for they have no right here at this hour,” muttered the young manager. : He watched them through a narrow opening in the side of the canvas door. They paused at the edge of the wharf and listened. The gang- plank, with its protected sides, had been taken on board, but it was a simple matter for a fairly active person to step across the two feet of space which lay between the stringer of the wharf, pull the canvas door aside after cutting the cords that held it, and then spring on the deck of the craft. That is exactly what the rascals decided on doing, as Sam, who was pre- pared for them, supposed they would do. Confi- dent that the coast was clear, one of the men stretched his left leg out, and gaining a foot- hold on the edge of the boat, put out his hand to see how the canvas was held in place. As he bent forward, straddling the watery two feet, Sam shoved the muzzle of his navy revolver in his face, and said, in resolute tones, “Skip!” Taken completely by surprise, the rascal start- ed back, lost his hold and shot down between the boat and the wharf, like a demon vanishing Le. a stage trap in a spectacular play, hit- der. water with a loud splash, and going un- CHAPTER XV.—Conclusion. His companion had not observed the cause which led to his discomfiture, and supposed his associate’s foot had slipped and thus precipitated him into the river. He uttered an exclamation of disgust and looked down into the water. But Sam woke him up by firing his revolver so close to his head that he uttered a howl and fell back on the wharf, thinking he had been shot. When he found that he had not been touched, he scram- bled to his feet and beat a hasty retreat, leaving his pal to his fate. That individual rose, blowing like a grampus, grabbed a convenient pile and hung on. The water was too deep for him to touch bottom, and he could not swim. He was afraid to climb up lest the person with the re- volver should fire at him as he had done at his companion. The report of the weapon had roused Micky, and he came running out of the deck cabin with a club in his hand. He immedi- ately jumped at the conclusion that the shoot- me happened on the boat, and he ran for- ar “Where are yez, Sam?” he cried out. “Here I am, Micky,” replied Sam, who had been watching the rascal in the water, drawing in his head. “Come here.” “Who did yez shoot at?” asked his assistant, - €oming up. “A pair of rascals who tried to steal on board,” 4, ered Sam. “One has run away and the z) r is down in the water, clinging to a pile. => “MILLIONS IN IT” Micky poked his head out and could just see the outline of the half-immersed man, At that moment a night watchman in the neighborhood came running down the wharf. Sam called to him and explained the circumstances. Micky got a rope and threw it down to the rascal. “Catch hold, ye thafe of the wurruld, and we’ pull yez up.” When Sam and Micky got him up to a level with the stringer, the watchman seized him by the collar and yanked him up the balance of the way. Sam asked the watchman to take him to the station-house, promising to make a charge against the man in the morning. In the course of the morning Sam appeared at the magistrate’s court and made his complaint against the pris- oner. The man denied that he and his pal in- tended to board the vessel for an unlawful pur- pose, declaring that they were drunk and did not know what they were about. The watchman tes- tified that the fellow seemed to be perfectly sober, and Sam said the same thing. As the fel- low had really not got aboard the boat the mag- istrate sentenced him to thirty-five days in the county workhouse, and that ended the matter. The company showed that afternoon and eve- ning to two fair-sized houses considering the size of the town, and Sam carried away over $100 above his expenses. The boat then started up the Mississippi. It is not our purpose to fol- low the marine theatre further, as our space will not permit. We will simly say that Sam fol- lowed the route which Micky had, in general terms, outlined, and the novelty of the show made it a big financial success to the young manager. Altogether they were out two years by the time they reached Pittsburgh, via the long Ohio, and Sam had a big stack of yellow bills in his safe, enough to build a mighty fine new floating theatre, with its own motive power, electric lighting and up-to-date accommodations for his company, for he was resolved to continue the business that way and still leave a balance to run his show. The new floating theatre, had u seating capacity of 500 seats and standing-room for 150 more, With this outfit Sam and his en- terprise retraced their way back over the Ohio to the Mississippi, and for years the young man- ager did a land office business, and from last srcounte ae ibe sp erie ak he was still unning the show that had d was “Millions in Tt.” te ee Next week’s issue will contain “THE MYS- TERY OF A MINING CHART, AND THE WALL STREET BOY WHO SOLVED IT.” eee - “Moving Picture Stories,” No. 308, contains an article entitled “HOW TO BECOME A MOY ACTOR.” Buy acopy. Price 7 cents; Postage free, — HARRY E. WOLFF, 166 W. 23rd St. N.Y.

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FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY CURRENT NEWS i GIRLS KILL SNAKE > Annie Fisher of Yorkville, and May Rose of York Farm, while gathering dandelions on Cot- Hill, Pottsville, Pa., were atacked by a blacksnake over three feet long. The snake had been stirred out of its winter home by a farmer plowing and was in an angry mood. After the girls recovered from their first fright they killed ‘the snake and brought it home as a trophy. HER NOSE IS HER FORTUNE ; Girls are making fortunes from their noses in France and England. They enter the profession of scent seekers, and find new perfumes for the i ealth, ladies of onglish girls are trained in London scent firms, while some study the art in the Riviera for the profits of a year. id $5,000 a year or two ago to An actress pai A have the sole use of an appealing new perfume. in = city of Per- Pyrenees region, has again r question in France of the ill influence of mov- "10 and 12 of age een an years paris that © they { chair and the noose was The chair fell from ging in the Fy 4 3 : E : ¢ 2 A z 3 age the rope and took f e DANDELIONS FOR THINNESS : Health Commissioner Robertson of Chicago, his flying nay of 7 pitas vee Pa , is w ges at later eat tier; by TIL, put hi ; oavk efit dandelions xm 7 pl the ag : gees four circular women : peck. a one ee he gut 30s. One has dropped si ands. Peters keeps a diary, which says of 3 po Florence \ __There’s one advantage of be- t *t have to bother about Dr. Robertson attends ’ve got to hand it to tissue now totals 210- watched me; also a*man who was lying on a bench with his shoes off.” KING BUILT 72 bette nt TO CONFUSE HIS FO The Ming tombs near Pekin, are the most famed tombs of China. But in the matter of tomb building the Emperor of the “Three King- doms,” 220-265, A. D., greatly exceeded the- Mings. He ordered his son to build for him 72 tombs, so that his enemies would not know which contained his body. Another Chinese Emperor built, peopled and garrisoned a city near a tomb he had built to contain his own body. The tombs of the kings of the “Six Kingdoms,” in Shantung, though now only earthen pyramids, terraced with little fields, have the air of the pyramids. The Manchus followed the Chinese custom and law in respect to their anéestors. Solemn juniper forests enclose their sepulchres, which are ap- proached through magnificient p’ai-lous, and pre- ceded by stately buildings. There are five imperial Manchu burial places, The original is at Hsin-King, Eastern Manchuria, and is called the Yung Ling. Two are at Muke den and two in the region of gS : THE ROBIN’S FOOD A long time ago some one got the notion that the common Ameri robin is a foe to the or- chardist and berry wer. The alleged dis- covery was promptly published broadcast and the . fruit grower loaded his shotgun and went forth to slay the robin. The fruit grower’s investigation into the food habits of the robin went no further than observ- ing that he sometimes ate cherries. It never occurred to the man with the shotgun to examine. the contents of his victim’s stomach. If he had done so with a mind open to conviction a sur- prise would have met him. The robins do eat early fruit, but the quantity is small in propors tion to the number of insects they destroy. The robin’s diet consists chiefly of moths, but~ terflies, caterpillars, earthworms, cut-worms and ~ other creatures that the farmer can very well spare. The small fruit that the bird consumes igs only his dessert after meat. : If the robin plucks small apples from one’s trees, it would be well to examine the apple be- fore killing the bird. He may be domg one a great service. Probably you will find that he has not eaten the young apple, after all, but hag dropped it on the ground. A little further in- vestigation will show that it contained a larva of the destructive codling moth; the bird was not after the apple, but the larva, | > : : Nestling birds live wholly on insect food. There were once watched a pair of robins that— had their nest on a porch cap. From the time — the young were hatched until they e the parents visited them on Fe, leave the nest average once every fifteen minutes, and broug at each visit from one to three insects. 7 sare : were ready to. en ae To - a hang aes

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if ~ 2 = /; ARA Sotter +2 kriyf f _ At - fi .~ , tT Lean on IV A Pap dena u £2 FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY Kas. Lost On Mt. Erebus A Boy Ex pie A i) pa 4 By GASYON GARNI 77] (A Serial Story) CHAPTER VI (Continued) “After we left the ship,” remarked Dr. Carr, “T noticed after each return down that defile for stores and wreckage that the bow remained in- tact and immovable.” “Would it be possible for any one to hide there, do you think?” - “Yes. That is if no unusual storm came up, like the one that cast the poor old ship up so high. The stern was quickly washed away, but the bow is doubtless there yet.” Somehow this conclusion, which all felt to be ‘probable, made the girl vaguely uneasy. “J¢ don’t seem probable that,-if Rucker is alive, he would have remained away from our ramp.” This from Hawley, whe was laboriously _ trying to beat out a path around the ledge of a “T differ with you;” said Dr. Carr. “Especially ‘any more of our crew that failed to join us. One thing I did not mention at camp, I thought it might alarm Captain . Barelay. Im his helpless condition, useless wor- _ +. ties are bad for him.” . '* “Twice on my return with one of the sailors + ¥ noticed that cases of provisions were gone— - had utterly disappeared.” - “Might it mot have been done by bears or sea walrus?” “So far as known, there are no bears along the -islands or on the barrier. What there is inland - we have yet to find out. Another. thing that so - puzzled me I did not mention it at the camp, for ‘the same reason that kept me from making. | known the missing cases of pemmican. The boat sled was also gone.” * J] suppose that.it was washed off when the ~ stern broke away from the bow,” said Hawley. , ** “On the contrary, I and one of the sailors drew it from the wreckage on one of our trips after aS ar On the next trip, it, too, was gone. i ot being able to explain these things, I—I kept si camp, for the reason I have stated.” this?” exclaimed Madge. “We will have more : " trouble with him yet. To think that my father’s ~~ ehief-mate should turn out to be such a—a vile ; ee eA teas aa ile: Seip ae ae yon, filled _snow drifts, while here ieee “there treacherous abysses yawned. 5 mow that Rucker is at the botom of all y Dr. Carr and the first sled. is “I may be mistaken,” said Ord, calling te Carr, “but I thought I saw a man ahead of us, on_top of that glacier.” He pointed at an icy summit beyond the treacherous defile along which they were slowly plodding. / It cannot be,” exclaimed Hawley, who was in vance, with the rope from his waist connecting “Look!” cried Joy, pointing upward. “Where ?”- began Hawley, when a scream from the girl interrupted Joy’s further explanation. “He’s gone—gone!” Madge, bracin herself. Hold back!” ; gled to the rescue, attached to Carr “All right, doctor,” encouraged Madge, leaning back stoutly, though her howed h for Joe’s safety. “I’m with you.” seen rags _ “So are we, Doc,” said Joy, laying hold of the line himself. “Here is Mr. Ord. Catch on any- oe aM aed = hands! Up he comes hand over han p ! A lon £ together!” : is % wh on ae Hn 2 5 The poor pony was gone, but Madge felt a thrill = rpie te ~ Cana nd square shoulders se up throug’ e sliding snow, and i 2 of all things, a broad grin, — ae ae i almost reeled as the strain relaxed an e mi was safe. “J oe I a rapt 8 22, “Not a bit of it, Madge. But the p by me like a streak, Did he kick pee fi = Poor little chap. I wish we had him back. He’d ‘make fine eating for a change with this everlast- ing gectoves t you had gone on after the pony, sir, we sure would have been all b ” “was Joe’ ar ted Ap agree ae eee ‘Broke up!” exclaimed Madge, as J oe - ing hands all around, passed iis aha cae ar the girl’s shoulders. “I would have died—I know I would. Joe, you sim m i in.” “Believe —s ply must not do it again, almost worth Ord and Carr exch the boy and girl paitne te if nothing else was worth w: lances I won't, if I can help it. But it is. while, just to see how folks wel-— they noted — stnte-auth othantes oO Stace ag

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a 4 y. | San ry a i oo 4 eye YA FOA “ \\ ' FAME Al Grca G NIA The RP pata WHY THE BUFFAL WALLOW The water buffalo of China, writes Cc. O. Le- vine, associate profes husbandry, ~Canton ollege, in the Journal of Her- ~ edity (Washington), has few sweat glands in its skin, and for this reason cannot endure hard work in the sun for a long period, unless its body is wet with water. This accounts for the desire of the buffalo to wallow in mud or pgs The animals are easily overcome by heat i worked hard in the sun, and sometimes they go x crazy and become very dangerous. : : " BOY oe . areca ne ly in revenge for having been i met Oliver Gemmel of West Brad- 3 ford, Pa., Leo Kelly, sixteen, took Ruby Gemmel, ten months old, from her crib and, according to the police, plunged the blade of his pocketknife into The baby died Before the arrival of a physician. The boy is held on a charge of - murder. =? ; +. an adopted son of James Gemmel of se thie ey s noisy of Oliver Gemmel. He escaped a week ago from the State Institution for Feeble Minded in Polk and returned to his home are Last night he is said to have taken a horse an buggy from Oliver a a get aes: ission. He was taken 2 toda 3 ot the reprimand he entered the ‘house and a few minutes later Mr. and Mrs. -_. Gemmel found the baby dying. > _—_ r= ~ ANIMALS THAT USE OTHERS AS WEAPONS OR TOOLS ‘There i species of crab, indigenous to the Island °+ Mauritius that habitually holds a sea- anemone in each claw, using them presumably ay weapons of defence—one animal using another as a utensil! There are, however, somewhat ray caeaitar instances quite as curious. One is that ‘Span ant of the East Indies that builds shelters : 3 of leaves whose edges are fastened together with SK fiorizin of this silk had long puzzled ento- ss mologi The ant has no spinning glan of oa gist at adult age. Holland, of Balangoda, ee coat Green, of Parodeniya, Ceylon, verifying old cy ‘and incomplete observations made in India, have — working ants, in order to spin vas ee tran Dat fastens the edges of the leaves, BF: ‘make use of the larvae of. their own species, Which they hold in their jaws, moving them ier al in all directions and afterward : ta eng a to the nest when they have fin- ished with them. Chun has shown, these larvae, that they usual size after serving . speak. They use these organs origin of manifé in a study of the anatomy of possess spinnerets of un- the adults as distaffs, so to spin the co- aa 4 m0 4) ean A ‘ FORTUNE WEEKLY READING a * “ee. : : - XN 23 BAN ON REFILLING CIGAR BOXES More than 140,000,000 cigar boxes are de- stroyed in the United States every year. These cedar cigar containers now cost from twenty- seven to thirty cents apiece. If all cigars were packed fifty to the box (and they’re not) the cigar manufacturers of this country alone would be spending $35,000,000 a year for receptacles; but as nearly one-half of cigar production goes into fortieths, or in boxes of tweny-five, the cigar manufacturers are spending a great deal more than $35,000,000; a conservative estimat> is $55,000,000. Thirteen years ago cedar boxes cost from ten to eleven and a half cents. _ Every cigar box which has contained cigars is immediately smashed after being emptied, by the retailer, to comply with the rules and regula- tions of the Department of Internal Revenue of the United States. Meantime, millions upon mil- lions of cigars are lying loose on the shelves of manufacturers of them ause of an acute scar- city of cigar boxes. If only half of the total amount of cigar. boxes could be used over again, not indefinitely but only for the second packing, the innovation would en- tirely correct the shortage in cigar boxes, and thus an actual saving of $17,000,000 per annum would accrue to the cigar manufacturers, who could reduce the prices of their cigars somewhat. Many more than one-half of the ec'gar boxes destroyed are in perfect condition and could h> reclaimed not only for on¥ refilling but for sev- eral. It is not so much the great moneta~” Saving, though; it is the desire to get a sufficient number of boxes so that cigar distribution may - not be longer arrested because of the box short- age. The object of the Government in requiring that 140,000,000 cigar boxes be junked every year is not one of wanton waste. In prescribing that cigars shall be packed in boxes never having been used before for that purpose, the Government’s object is to minimize the temptation to reuse the internal revenue stamp. In other words, the Government, after exacting a tribute of. $50,000,000 a year from the tobacco trade, in the form of internal revenue taxation, compels the cigar manufacturers to dump more ~ than $35,000,000 of their personal property into the junk pile, for the sole purpose of making. it easier for the Government to collect its $50,- 000,000 in taxes. But the solution of the box supply question may be not far off. Recently perfected mechani- cal devices will. doubtless make it possible for every cigar manufacturer to be his own box- maker. A number of New York cigar manufac- turers have already placed orders for these machines. : Definite action by cigar manufacturers in con- nection with the increasing cost of cigar boxes will be taken at the annual convention of the America, to‘ Tobacco Merchants’ Association of open at Washington, D. C, i 7. ‘

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-. for him over at the - pandemonium. [had a presentiment of danger. 24. & THE PAWNEE MASSACRE By HORACE APPLETON. Our party, composed f bound for the land of the buffalo and the wild ges d f travel along the After man ays of weary tra’ re we halted burning sands of the Republican River, ] at the mouth of Massacre Canyon, and went into camp. Captaia Baker, our guide, was an old hunter, perfectly familiar with the great range, noted not only as a hunter of game, but of men also of the outlaws, robbers, and desperadoes who infest the hills and prairies of the West. The captain was_a jolly, good-hearted fellow, and told a story in an original vein of humor that ’ had to be heard to be fully appreciated; and as he had met with an adventure at the great Indian massacre that made the canyon famous, we lis- tened to the story of that event. Thirteen years ago (he began) the Pawnee In- dians—seven hundred, all told—men, women, and children—come down from the north and camped in the west fork of this canyon, some five miles f here. : ; : “They came to hunt buffalo—to lay in their winter supply of meat. ‘About the time the Pawnees cast anchor there, me and a young hunter named Ben Zant, were in the same district hunting bisons, too, as soon as Ben heard the Pawnees were camped in the canyon, nothing would do him but we must visit them. I kicked back, but Ben pulled forward. I just concluded that I weren’t done with these raven locks, but Ben assured me he had a pass- * port to the Pawnee camp, and that he would run me in on his frank. ie I asked him how he’ had come by such privi- ‘leges, and he showed me a little charm made of hone, with some figures on’ it. : : : He said the Pawnee chief had given it to him by request of his—the chief’s—daughter, Prairie se. ee Then it all became clear to me. Ben was in love with that Pawnee girl, and I saw all creation couldn’t hold him back, so I told him to go in and see his red darling, and I’d wait head of another canyon. _ Sq away he went, and I went back to wait for his coming. ae Night settled down over the prairie. : The sky was clear and the stars shone bright. The moon would not rise until nearly morning. From the Indian camp came the songs of war- = riors, and the laugh of papooses, and the bark ¢ dogs, while up along the edge of the canyon Sales fas million coyotes had assembled, and set up a howling that knocked the rocks off of They kept it up till after midnight, then all be- é quiet. Stili I conid not rest. pene bt ore pet eo of eight persons, Was - FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY Tt was in the air; but the night pulled slowly along. It was just growing a little light in the east, where the lazy old moon was poking up, when I heard a faint sound like soft-treading feet. I listened, and found the sound was up above me on the prairie. . ~ I crept up a pocket of the canyon and peeped over, and I beheld a thousand shadowy forms stealing along towards the Pawnee camp. I waited and ‘watched, a The moon came up and, before the last of the band of shadows had passed, I recognized them as Sieux warriors in war-paint. In an instant the truth flashed through my - rain. “Those red fiends were going-down to butcher the Pawnees, their old hated enemy. My first thoughts were of Ben Zant, and whirl- ing, I darted down the canyon like an antelope, determined to get in ahead of the Sioux and warn the Pawnees of their danger, and thereby save Ben. As I had to keep the shadows of the canyon, I had a long way to travel, and I was almost to the Pawnee camp when I heard the Pawnee sentinels giving cries of danger. I stopped to listen. Just then it seemed to me as though Hades had ~ let loose ail her fiends armed with breech-loading ms. A yell burst from the throats of a thousand bloodthirsty Sioux, and a broad sheet of sulphur- ous flame shot down from the top of that canyon, a mile in length. . The Pawnees were surprised, but they rallied bravely in defense of their women and children, and soon sheets of flame shot upwards to meet those poured down upon them. The smoke of battle rose quickly and hovered” . = just above the gorge. The moon shining upon this cloud of smoke— into the gorge upon the distracted Pawnee camp and the fiendish forms on the bluffs—presented one of the most awful scenes I ever gazed upon. The whole Pawnee camp was soon surround and the first thing I knew I was inside of the ring of death. = Where Ben was I knew not. é Se Bema ia Fe 5 the side of the canyon, and in- myself in a narrow rift or wash-out w. I could watch the battle, — I hadn’t been there long when some warriors ~ passing above me started an avalanche of dirt down over me, completely burying me under it; a a few athe ore such as a man will make when he s he’s smotherin death, brought air and light to me. whe : Nothing, however, but my face was uncovered, and as a number of Sioux were near me, I con- cluded it would be to my interest to keep under cover, and so I kept. - The battle was still waging, and from the way the Sioux were advancing up the canyon, I felt certain it was going hard with the Pawnees, and unless Ben had got out of there before the battle — he’d have a tough time of it if caught in £ = p= ape whee camp, a It wasn’t long till gaylight came, and when the _

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Si sun rose it shone upon the most horrible spectacle I ever beheld. ; : Half of the Pawnees were lying dead in the canyon—men, women, and children lay every- where. : : The remaining i te? repay were still - fighting bravel ainst e =e eed eaten were huddled together ae here and there in the pockets of the canyon. I kept a lookout for Ben, and presently I saw an Indian girl, upon whose arms and in whose _ chair bright jewels flashed, come running from - the center of the canyon, with a gourd cup in her It was filled with water, for in her hurry I saw I knew at once she was Prairie Rose, the sun- flower of Ben Zant’s affection. She ran across the grassy plauteau and entered a pocket in the hillside, where under a shelving _ rock I saw the form of a person lying. It required no second glance to tell me that m was my young friend, Zant, and my first laipaise was to bulge out of my hiding-place and "£0 to his assistance, for I knew he was wounded. But before I could act a frightful yell rose on _ the air, and then from the summit of the bluffs a thousand triumphant Sioux came like an ava- che down into the canyon. mts for the ains of, the to butcher away in the pockets of the canyons. sec iin — . Ben and Prairie Rose, and d—raised aloft her gleaming hatchet, ut it to the heft in the brain of Ben t. - Then, wi wild heartrending scream, she fled. down ae pan ne dozen great fiend- ‘Sioux, all frantic for her scalp. : JT never saw the poor thing again, and there is “no question in my mind but that she met her fate there with her friends: a : ; of the princess no doubt save i ergy the oat aad suffering of savage _ torture. “sank to the earth, and scarcely moved after Tay ia weapon fell, and when I saw a Sioux rrio ae cine aad soe and tear the scalp. ‘the boy’s head, I could scarcely hold in Sr Eas rat nt death, and so I kept quiet until I was to leave under the shadows of night. that band of Pawnees net a dozen es- live. in the the FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY 25 and, what makes it look worse, the Sioux were led by a white man named Dashing Charley, one whom some have extolled as a dashing hero, but whom I regard a cowardly brute and murderer. The Sioux left the bodies of their enemies to rot and bleachen in the sun where they had fallen, and to this day the canyon is ghastly with the horrible relics of that massacre. 04 a oo HIDES FOR TWO YEARS IN CAVE Stories of how a deserter from the Union Army during the Civil War had been brought to bay in a nearby village by a United States mar- shal and shot, brought visions of a similar fate to Carl Amerine of Chillicothe, O., and impelled him to hide in the hills for almost two years. Amerine, drafted into the army, left a wife and two-year-old child at home in the hills. He could neither read nor write and the largest vil- lage visited in his twenty-four years had num- bered less than a thousand people. The bustling thousands at the camp, military restraint an customs weighed heavily on him and an impelling desire to see his wife and-baby boy led him to quit camp to see them without obtaining per- mission, At home, his father, a veteran of the Civil War, told him he was a deserter. Visions of the firing squad flashed through his mind. Kissing ~ his wife and baby good-bye, he took to the hills. There he found a cave in which he spent most - of the time, venturing forth only at night and at a time in the day when there was little chance of being seen. His fare was the scanty food that his wife could get to him, herbs and wild berries that he gathered and such wild game as he could catch. The cave in which he lived was large enough for one person only and could have been defended against an enemy. So closely did he watch all approaches to his hiding place that un- til a few days ago he had been seen by no one except his wife and a brother-in-law. Military authorities had abandoned the search for Amerine. Three weeks ago an attorney friend of the family became interested and im- plored the wife to have her husband return and give himself up. She steadfastly held that her husband would be shot if captured .and refused te have him return. : ‘On May 7 Clarence Stone, of Adélplia, managed to get word to the youth that his was not a case for a firing squad. Last Monday night Amerine visited Stone’s home, where they went over the situation, He agreed to give himself up, Early Thursday morning the fugitive again went to Stone’s home. His wife brought his uni- ‘form, which she had preserved for him and had pressed for the occasion. With Stone and an at- torney Amerine went to Camp Sherman and sur- rendered to the adjutant. He made no comment except to —— himself as being well pleased ae that “it is over.” He—Darling, what do you suppose Th to-day? She—I couldn’t guess in a ibe years. “I have had my life insured.” “ *) RS Tikes IL) eit a ts. at’s — The massacre has no equal just like you, John Mann. Al. you seem to think West for coldblooded fiendishness; vf is yourself.” | Sah [VO SR a ante Tae 1s fe <~ Pa

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7’ AS, at le VY eg. | NY) Ph eu A Sy 26 FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY NEW YORK, JUNE 18, 1920. TERMS TO SUBSCRIBERS Single Copies............-.-: Postage Free.... -07 Cents One Copy Three Months... =~ = -90 Cents One Copy Six Months...... ig « $175 One Copy One Year....-.. aS “Tl 8.50 HOW TO SEND MONEY—At our risk send P. O. Money Order, Check or Registered Letter; remittances in any other way are at your risk. We accept Postage Stamps the same as cash. When sending silver wrap the Coin in a separate piece of paper to avoid cutting the envelope. Write your name and address plainly. Ad- dress letters to HARRY E. WOLFF, Publisher. 166 West 23d St., New York ITEMS OF INTEREST TWO EAGLES CAPTURED eagles alive. . WIND MILLS DOING THEIR BIT The windmills of Cape Cod are coming into their own again. Some of the mills, which closely resemble those of Holland, were built more than 150 years ago. At that time they were used to grind grain, and it is the high price of grain that brings them to a new life. In the early 70s the mills did their duty in pumping salt water from the sea up into large vats, where the salt was scraped from the boards after the water evaporated. Not long after, a new process of making salt was discovered and the salt industry of Cape Cod declined. Some of the mills were demolished. Some were left standing and within recent years many have been purchased by summer residents to serve as ornaments on country estates. A few that have survived the severe Cape Cod easterly storms are awakening from their half century sleep and will grind meal for farmers. FOUND A STRANGE TRIBE The existence in Africa of a hitherto unknown tribe, the members of which paint their bodies in such a manner as to make themselves practically invisible to the animals they hunt, is vouched for by Dr. Cuthbert Christy, a well-known English traveler, who has returned after spending three in the Congo on a scientific expedition for the Bel ian Government. Dr. Christy spent eigh- teen months in a part of the Ituri forest, pre- viously almost unknown, He succeeded in shoot- ing an okapi and in collecting four of these strange animals. The Bambuti dwarfs, among whom he lived, enabled him to penetrate to the okapi’s haunts. But it is his discovery of the “invisible people” that has attracted the most notice, He found then in the Ituri forest. They are very shy and quite naked. By means of dull red lines _ painted in various. directions across their bodies they make themselves invisible. They organize great drives in the forest, using nets with which to catch the animals. Dr, Christy began his expedition at Boma in 1912. His Eu- ropean assistants fell sick and only natives ac- companied him. When he learned of the war he decided to return home by way of the Nile. —_———)0 oie. LAUGHS “Here, waiter, there’s a fl “Serves the brute right. He’s here all the mornin’.” in my soup.” een buzzin’ round “Say,” remarked the village lawyer, as he en- tered the general store. “I want a ribbon for my ter.” “All right, sir,” responded the new clerk. “Do you want one for her, or for it?” Boarder (warmly)—Oh, I know every one of the tricks of your trade. Do you think I have lived in boarding houses twenty years for noth- ing? Landlady (frigidly)—I shouldn’t be at all surprised. Rev. Goodman—Mr. Slick, our Sunday-school superintendent, is a tried and trusted employee of yours, is he not? Banker—He was trusted, and he’ll be tried if we’re only fortunate enough to catch him. “Dear me,” said Mr. Meek; “it seems so ab- surd for men to be constantly talking about their wives having the last word. As for me, I never object to my wife having the last word.” “You don’t?” “Not a bit. I always feel thankful when she gets to it.” : “Now that we’re engaged,” she said, “of course I can’t call you Mr. Parkinson; and even Sebas- tian seems too long and formal. Haven’t you any short pet name?” “Well,” replied the happy Parkinson, “the fellows at college used to—er— call me ‘Pie-Face.’” “Auntie,” said the judge to the battered lad of color, “did your husband strike you wi malice aforethought?” “’Deed he didn’t,” was the indignant reply, “he didn’t hit me wid that mallet afore he thought; he’d been figgerin’ on dat er long time, jedge, ’deed he had.” “Td like to have your check for that little mid- night supper I served you at your house last month,” said the caterer. “You'll have to wait until I get the doctor’s bill for curing me of in- digestion,” replied the victim. “That comes off your bill.”

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night. - HE KILLED THREE BEARS __ Ebenezer Ramsey, 82 years old, killed three _ bears near his home in Lon Valley, on the line _ between El Dorado and Placer Counties, Cal., a few days ago, but escaped possible death from one of them by the interference of his dog. ; a 's dog treed a large bear and her two cubs, and Ramsey, with an ancient single shot rifle, went to investigate. Seeing the bears, he - shot at all three, but the mother bear was not killed and on falling to the ground she took after oo sey before he could reload his rifle. His % dog, however, pounced upon the infuriated ani- - mal and kept it busy until Ramsey secured an _ @xe with which he killed the brute. He says it Was the most exciting hunt he ever had. = A SOLDIER’S CHANCES Great as the danger and large as the losses in _ the aggregate, the individual soldier has plenty : ft chances of coming out of war unscathed, or at _ least no’ ly injured. ’ 3 Ran aglagetd mortality statistics of the allied armies, a soldier’s chances are as follows: __ Twenty-nine chances of coming home to one _ Chance of being killed. __ Forty-nine chances of recovering from wounds __ to one chance of dying from them. One chance in 500 of losing a limb. Will live five years longer because of physical - training, is freer from disease in the Army than In civil life, and has better medical care at the front than at home. : In other wars from ten to fifteen men died from disease to one from bullets; in this war one ~ man died from disease to every ten from bullets. _ For those of our fighting men who did not es- ‘ seatheless, the Government under the sol- ier and sailor insurance Sa — ane age he wounded and their dependents and to the ~ families 2 and dependents of those who made the breme sacrifice for their country. A FREAK BANKNOTE ery few mistakes escape the vigilance of the i States in the Bureau of Engraving and 2 notable exception, however, was a a $50 value on one side and a $100 discovered by - clerk ar ate making accounts for the = le Fa aan t balance. ich he had on hand fronr FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY A FEW GOOD ITEMS 8 left to right, laying them face down as he did so, is accounts: balanced exactly, but when he re- versed the process and counted from right to’ left, laying the bills down on the other side, he was $50 short. After vainly counting over and over, in despair, he called in the manager, who had no better success. At last they, examined each bill carefully on both sides, and the cause of the trouble was discovered. It was found on communicating with Washing- ton that record was held there of the bill and the department was anxious to recall it. With an- other bill it had been printed for a bank in Kan- sas, and the mistake had been made in some way by a printer who had turned the sheet up- side down in printing the reverse side. The first plate bere the obverse of a $50 bill at the top and of a $100 bill at the bottom, while the other plate held the reverse of both notes. By turning the sheet around for the reverse printing the $50 impression had been made on the back of the $100 bill and the $100 impression on the back of the $50 bill. “THE WAY TO BECOME A MOVING PIC- TURE ACTRESS” is in “Moving Picture Stories,” No. 326. Get a copy. Price 7 cents; postage free. HARRY E. WOLFF, 166 W. 23rd St., N. ¥. _—_—_——————————— “MYSTERY MAGAZINE” SEMI-MONTHLY 19 CENTS A COPY —— LATEST ISSUES — 53 THE BLACKJACK, by Wm. Hamilton Osborne, 54 THE WHISPERING HEAD, by Chas. F. Oursler, 55 THE INSPECTOR’S STRANGE CASE, by Beulah Poynter, 66 THE SECRET OF THE SEALED BOOK, by Ethel osemon. 57 THE CLUE OF STEEL, by Willis Lathrop, 58 ALIAS Pa VARDON, by Wiliam Hamilton sborne. bg 59 MYSTERY OF THD OLD TIMP CLUB, by Caroline Bingold. €0 CAUGHT WITH THE EVIDENCE, by Ethel Rose- mon, 61 A LITTLE GOLD SPIDER, by Cecil Burleigh. 62 THE VELVET TOUCH, by Julian Darrow. The Famous Detective Story Out To-day in No. 63 1s “THE CLUE OF THE RED LAMP,” By Charles Fulton Oursler, FRANK TOUSEY, Pub., 163 W. 23d St.-N. Y. SL a A AS “MOVING PICTURE STORIES” A Weekly Magazine Devoted to Photoplays and Players PRICE SEVEN CENTS PER COPY. Each number contains Four Stories of the Best Films on the Screens—Elegant Half-tone Scenes from the Plays—Interesting Articles About Prominent People in tte Films—Doings of Actors and Actresses in the &trdios and Lessons in Scenario Writing. ~ —eEeEeEeEeEeEeEeee ee HARRY E. WOLFF, Pub., 166 W. 23d St, N. Y.

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CORN GROW- ING ON ROOF For several weeks farmers on the Lane Road observed a green substance on the roof of an aban- doned house on the Le Gale farm, Gaffney Falls, No ey. Peasy watched it* grow until it attained a height of five feet. The men re- ported the phe- nomenon but were laughed at. Jabez Montow, who watched the green substance for four weeks,- came here and. in- vited the Village President, H. E. Shotts, and two others to accom- pany him to the house for an in- vestigation. The men ac- cepted the invi- tation. A ladder was secured from the engine house, placed in an auto- mobile truck and the men went to the house. There they found two stalks of corn six feet in length, with two large and well formed ears of corn on each stalk _pro- truding from the roof. The men entered the gar- ret of the house and found the hill of corn in a mass of soot and dirt, an accumulation of years. The stalks were removed and brought to town. They measured nine feet in length, two feet being beneath the roof. The men each took an ear of corn, which is of the red variety, for seed next sea- LITTLE ADS Write to Riker & King, Advertising Offices, 118 East 28th Street, New York City, or § South Wabash Avenue, Chicago, for particulars about advertising in this magazine. AIDS TO EFFICIENCY WRITE THE WORDS FOR A SONG. We rovise poems, MISCELLANEOUS—Continued MAGIC WATER FLOWERS 10 cts; fragrant incense 10 write music and guarantee to secure rer Bi cts. silver. Durso, Dept. 39, 25 Mulberry, N. Y. City. + mit on any subject. Broadway Studios, *| CAMPING OUT? Get circular about Donayin Army Fitzgerald Building, New York. Camp Range. Used 20 years in ‘U. a: eee and Marine Corps, also Y. M. C. A. and Boy Scouts. Quad AGENTS Stove Mfg. Co., Dept. RK, Columbus, 0. BOYS; 500 money-making secrets for 25 cts. to introduce berry, Grape, Cherry, Orange, Claret, Bottle makes | “our catalog of books. 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Fitzgerald Building. New York. YOU WRITE THE WORDS FOR A jody free and | i : - as oo

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SONGWRITERS SF YOU WILL WRITE the words for # song, I will write the music and guarantce publisher’s acceptance, Poems on any subject acceptable. Ethwell Hanson, Boom 129, $303 Broadway, Chicago, Ill. STAMMERING ST-STU-T-T-TERING and stammering cured at home. tive booklet free. Walter McDonnell, 15 Potomac Bank Bidg., Washington, D.C. STRONG, CLEAR VOICE FOR YOU by this new in- expensive Anti-Stammering and Voice Perfecting Method. Send 50 cts. for complete instructions by which You will succeed. KE. M. Jarvis, Box 1381, Sait Lake City, Utah. TOBACCO HABIT “TOBACCO or Snuff Habit cured or no pay. $1 if cured. Remedy sent on trial, Superba Co., PC, Baltimore. Md. TOBACCO KILLS MANLY VIGOR. Quit habit easily. Any form, chewing, smoking or snuff, cured or no if cured, $1. Stops craving, harmless, Full Temedy on trial. Perkins Co.. B-5l_ Hastings, Nebr. RABBITS nd RABBITS. We pay you $5 to $10 each. cen a pair Belgians $15. Fisher Bros., F at Is Fatal A Burden of Unhealthy Fatness Shortens Life. Reduce Weight Comfortably. Would you like to reduce your weight Do you want to become healthier, to ik younger, to be sprightly, to possess _ follow any starvation plan or tedious €xercising, but adopt the delightful oe air each morning and evening, taki es tha lone, deep breaths. Inhale through four times daily and follow the other Simple directions that come with it. Re Go to the drug store and get a3 Some oil of korein to-day, or write E Weight Happily.” The guarantee ode absolute. . ars, chewed, or used in the form of snuff. rha Tobacco Remedy contains nothing cures costs you one dolar. If it fails, or you are not perfectly satisfied, costs you to sixty pounds in a simple, safe, _tomfortable way? Eitecn? figure without wrinkles or flab- Then stop harmful drugging; do not ~ home method. _Stand by your window or in the o the nose with the mouth closed; exhale tay with the mouth open. Take oil of korein You will positively reduce your Reight, or you will receive a forfeiture ON rein Company, NC-103, Station F, ew York, N. Y., for free book “Re- Matter whether used in pine, cigarette, {Bjurious, no dope, poisons, or habit form- drugs. Guaranteed. Sent on trial. If ning. Write for full remedy today. RBA COMPANY, M2i. Baltiosore Mad, THINGS OF INTEREST A whale can re- main under water for an hour and a half. The Lapp fre- quently sleeps up- on the mountain plateau with no other covering! than the and the clothes he wears. In the earliest Colonial days in America, musket- snow ; balls passed for change, and were legal tender for sums under a shilling. The South Sea Islanders have a curious method of salutation, which is to fling a jar of water over the head of a friend. It is the privi- lege of the gran- deees of Spain to stand in the pres- ence of their sov- ereign with their hats on. Flames and currents of very hot air are good conductors of electricity. An electrified body, placed near to flame, soon loses its charge. Light acts up- on the brain, and those who sleep with their blinds up find that, in summer time, when so few hours are really dark, their sleep is not refreshing. The mole is not} blind, as many! persons suppose. | Its eyes are hard- ly larger than -a} pin-head,. and are | carefully protect-) ed from dust and} dirt by means of | enclosing hairs. Send Your iauie and We’ Send You a Lachnite eee eeeeia ote iy a 10 i dage’ free N’T send speney- 7 Futon Lachnite - it to oe 5 hy —— 'y depos: ° ’ plow efor 10 rai days. vr you, or Lit it irom a diamond, send it bac nao a recat antil $15, 3. Nib bas been Send your name Have fun and healthful exercise with a bicyele! Own the Black Beauty, the finest bike in the world! No waiting! Just send for catalog, select your model, and we'll ship at once. Pay 2 smal] deposit, then $1 a week + Direc you Black Beauty The wonderful 18 Exclusive Black Beauty Features $i) "yisetone Bine Non-Skid Tires; New Departure Coaster Brake; ‘motorcycle sad- dMebars ; bearings, etc. FR EE Erepair xit, toot ————. Case and Stand. Five yr. guarantee, and six mos. insurance on the wheel. The marvelous construction, dazzling finish, Write to-day for Catalog. Get our factory prices, Sundries Lowest in the monty: Tires, lamps, horns, rims, ete. Send for Free Sundries Catalog. HAVERFORD CYCLE Co. y Dept. 526 PHILADELPHIA VAUDEVILLE STACE Bergh ain ‘ou bow! Et Fosclnatine pactocsion, Big sal- me itcries 2b ook eat ‘thout Vaud VSedevile,* ” ros } FREDERIC I LADELLE, Sta 214, jacy.SON. mich. ~ BLANK CARTRIDGE $ PISTOL pepia Only AO should have one. Order at once. jean fag FREE. Money refunded if desired. FW. Lewis CO., 1402 BROADWAY, NEW W YORK cry = REE “racine ‘6 a real boat for red-' Mevied boys bors snd gts giris. % cendertal little et yacht pvafenter, foresall, main, a8 loaded keel @

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_ Gained 25 Lbs. in 2 Months SS SINCE QUITTING TOBACCO HABIT HIJALMAR NELSON (address on application), whose photo appears at the left, learned of my book and other information being given FREE, explaining how Tobacco Habit can be conquered by oneself, safely, speedily and completely. He obtained the information and reported a gain of 25 pounds, as well as (Ym, VICTORY IN THREE DAYS 2.22222" are more letters—voluntary testimonials, Though they are a small fraction of the thousands and thousands that can be produced, they are sufficient to show you what may be expected after the TOBACCO HABIT is overcome within 72 hours by the simple Woods Method. READ THESE! “While addicted to the tobacco habit ery muscle H Roca God bless you. I am feeling finer every day and joint ached, and I had almost given “up business. of my life—not like the same person. My appetite is 1 was poor in health, weighing about 130 pounds. Now better, and my stomach is all right. 1 can hold out in i am well, weigh 165 pounds, and can work every day. walking better, my voice is better and my heart is I have never wanted to chew or smoke since following stronger.’’—Mrs. Mattie E, Stevenson. (Full address Sos ee F. Shelton. (Full address on on application.) applicatian. iS ‘ “T have no craving for tobacco; this I consider won- “Have used tobacco in all forms (mostly ciewing) derful after having used a pipe for 35 years. I have for 15 years, using about a plug of tobacco a day. # + 42 pounds in two months, which is very good began ollowing your Method on a Friday noon and at the age of 59 years. To say that the benefits far after that day the craving for tobacco was gone, I am : “my expectations is putting it mildly. Anyone or hi gpeta & ee Teas “oe ie one you = a J . ve gaine: nine unds Sager $0.ma.evaha Brodie: ull adarees in seven weeks, and feel like a new man.”"—Robert a ighed as low as 128 pounds, never got over S. Brown. (Full address on application.) , Z I used tobacco. Now |! weigh 156 pounds. “My. husband hasn’t smoked a single cigarette, and — ‘wants to know why I got so fleshy; I tell has no desire to smoke since following your method of — them to follow Edward J. Woods’ method for overcom- quitting. He looks like a new man—the best I ever Season application. out.’”—W. S. Morgan. (Full ad-. saw him. He gained seventeen pounds, and is feeling — on application. fine.”’—C. C. Rogers. (Full address on application.) ~ QUIT TOBACCO EASILY NOW! STOP RUINING ... Why continne to commit slow suicide, when you can live a really contented YOUR LIFE life, if you only get your body and nerves right? It is unsafe and torturing to attempt to rid oneself of tobacco by suddenly stopping with ‘‘ will power’’—don’t doit. — The correct way is to eliminate nicotine poison from the system and genuinely overcome the craving. Tobacco is poisonous and seriously injures the health in several ways, causing such disorders as nervous — dyspepsia, sleeplessness, gas belehing, gnawing or other uncomfortable . : sensation in stomach, constipation, headache, weak eyes, loss of vigor, red spots on skin, throat irritation, catarrh, asthma, bronchitis, heart failure, melanéboly, Jung trouble, impure (poisoned) blood, heartburn, torpid liver, loss of appetite, bad teeth, foul breath, lassitude, lack of ambition, weak. ening and falling out of hair and many other disorders. . Overcome that peculiar nervousness and craving for cigarettes, cigars, pipe, chewing tobacco or snuff.) Here is an opportunity to receive FREE a reliable treatise on the subject, containing inter- esting and valuable information that you should be giad to have. This book tells all about® the renowned Three Days’ Method by which Mr. Nelson, and thousands and thousands of others, saved themselves from the life- wrecking tobacco habit. The book on tobaceo and snuff habit will be~ mailed FREE TO YOU in plain wrapper, postpaid. All you need do is - ; merely REQUEST IT by using this coupon ” Edward J. Woods, Station F, New York, N. Y.! Mail me, FREE, your Sook-on How to Conquer Tobacco Habit in Three Days. ac ye fs. ie “T sleep well and have no 3 or writing a letter or ~ restless or nervous feeling. I am past. seventy-ecight years of postcard to the ad- , a ie: > and’ feel fine since -adoptir: e dress below: Woods Method.”—Tohn P. Mont os _ EDWARD J. WOODS TA-103, Station F, New York, N. ateeneeante ceteetengepenneecestesnenrereernenee Sa ASE Te | Address Pe es a ee See is ai se asd ne Migeiesied ws Sadat ay es se pm ne : Fans TA-103 —-. SS cinapaenr sail cater clnah one neem = a reed

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SHANGHAI'S BAMBOO ORGAN After 50 years of service the bamboo organ in the Church of St. Francis Xavier, Tungkadoo, Shanghai, is still in fairly good condition. It is stated that there “Is one other bam- boo organ in the Orient, but it is not possible at this time to se- cure definite in- formation relative to its where- abouts or condi- tion. As metal Pipes are to re- Place the bamboo in the Shanghai organ, the noted instrument will lose much of its Public interest. In a recent is- Sue of the North Daily News of Shanghai, the following ecom- ment appears re- the tone of the historic “It better if it were completely in €, for a long Wave beat, simi- 3 A short me which gives beauty to the mulous vox Colestis betrays the fact that it is not. Possibly ‘it never was, for bamboo does not suit for organ building. Despite this, however, the me is sweet, if Somewhat ‘wood- ly, and the whole Nstrument volumes for the skill of those —. who, using y mate- Nials immediately at hand, were able to devise an organ pleasing to ear and able to defy the sever- ext y ever that of HAIR GROWN ON MR. BRITTAIN’S BALD HEAD BY INDIANS’ MYSTERIOUS HAIR GROWER My head at the top and back was absolutely bald. The scalp was ghiny. An expert said that he thought the hair roots were extinct, and there was no hope of my ever haying a new hair growth. = Yet now, at an age over 66, I have a luxuriant growth of soft, strong, lustrous hair! No trace of baldness.. The pictures shown here are from my photographs. INDIANS’ SECRET OF HAIR GROWTH ~ At a time when I had become discouraged at trying various hair lotions, tonics, specialists’ treatments, etc., I came across, in my _ travels, a Cherokee Indian “‘medicine man’’ who had an elixir that he asseverated would grow my hair. Although I had but little faith, I gave it a trial. To my amazement a light fuzz scon From recent phote, 4 appeared. It developed, day by day, into a healthy growth, and ere long, my hair was as prolific as in my youthful days. / That I was astonished and happy is expressing my state of mind mildly. Obviously, the hair roots had not been dead, but were dormant in the scalp, awaiting tho fertilizing potency of the mysterious pomade, {negotiated for and came into possession of the principle for preparing this mysterious elixir, now called Kotalko, and later had the recipe put inte practical form by 8 chemist. That my own hair growth was permanent has been amply proved. Many mon and women, also children, have reported satisfactory results from Kotalke, How YOU May Grow YOUR Hair My honest belief is that hair roots rarely die even when the haty falls out through dandruff, fever, excessive dryness or other dis- orders. I have been told by experts that often RECIPE Photo when bald. when hair falls out the roots. become imbedded within the scalp, covered by hard skin, so that the for a time like bulbs or seeds in a hottle which grow when fertilized. Shampoos (which contain alkalis) and hair lotions which contain alcohol are enemies to the hair, as they dry it, making it brittle. Kotalko contains those elements of nature which give new vitality to the scalp and hair. To prove the GENUINENESS of Kotalko, I will send the recipe FREE on request. Or I will mail @ testing box of Kotalko with the recipe for 10 cents, Silver or stamps, sf you mention this publication. Satisty yorre You want to stop falling hair, eliminate dandruff or cover that bald spot with healthy hair. Get the dime testing box NOW, apply once or twice daily—watch in your mirror! Address: ; ¢ For women’s hair. JOHN HART BRITTAIN, BN-103, Station F, New York, N. Yy - Oh Girist reat Mec s Voice Thro Tow your voice under WARNING in keeping your bowels regular do not become addicted te weakening purgatives or mineral Juxatives; just try KOROLAX; safe, gentle, wholesome. Best and goes farthest. Obtainable at busy druggists, every- trunk, des in Shook any Ol where. Korolax is relief for many ailments, 7 ig FUN fooling Ped= including constipation, headaches. dizzy Enea rite ew spells, belching, gas, heartburn, torpid liver, eb eeaee ry bad breath, nervousness, dyspepsia, indiges- tion, obesity, menta] and physical duliness, SORENESS HEALED Sore or open legs, ulcers, enlarged veins, eczema healed while you work. Write for free book and describe your own case. A. ©, Liepe, 1457 Green Bay Av., Milwaukee, Wis. NEW SCIENTIFIC WONDER | 1 instructions, Se riting Tricks, all sent for 10 dime. No stamps . CLAXO TRICK CO., Dept.S New Haven, Conn. mii in How to Court a Bashful Girl; to Woo a ‘Widow; to win an Heiress; how to catch K) Tells ) mg es Bo @ Rich Bachelor; how to manage your beanto make him show tomake fellow or girl love you; what tode Before and after the wedding, Tells other things secessary for Lovers t knew, Sample mall 10 conta, COe Box ay

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FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY ~ — LATEST ISSUES —— 747 Dick and His Chum; or, Making a Fortune For His Firm. 748 Out To Win; or, The Mystery of Safe Deposit Box No. 666, 749 A Wall Street Hero; or, A Winning Tip On the Market. 750 Winning a Fortune; or, The Boy Hero of the Mill, 751 Stockbroker Dick; or, The Boy Who Broke the Wall Street : ~ Market. | 752 On the Job; or, Tom Taylor’s Lucky Venture. | 753 The Lucky Seven; or, The Boys Who Won the Money. | 754 Will, the Waif; or, From Bootblack to Merchant. 755 Prince of the Curb; or, A College Boy in Wall Street. 756 Wrecked in the Gulf; or, The Gold of the Old Buccaneers. 757 The Rival Boy Brokers; or, Out for Every Deal in Sight. . 758 Under the Big Tent; or, From Acrobat to Manager. ;' 759 A Pair of Jacks; or, The Smartest Messengers in Wall Street. 7 Brave Billy Bland; or, Hustling Up a Business. 74) Taking a Big Risk; or, The Dime That Led. To Riches. | 762 sae Grit; or, The Office ae Who Made Good. 17 ealing in Stocks; or, Sav by a Wall Street Ticker. p OLD COINS WANTED 764 The Sailor's Secret; or, The Treasure of Dead Man’s Rock. $2 to_$500 EACH paid for Hundreds of | -, artes Coins dated before 1895, Keep ALL old | — rong: ape 3 the Coin; or, The Deals of a Boy Broker. / n His Own Hook; or, Making a Losing Business Pay. Honey. You may have Coins worth 8 | 767 Lucky Jim; or, $160,000 From Stocks, Large . Illustrated Coin Value Book, size 4x6 | For sale by all newsdealers, or will be sent to any address on _ Posted at Once. | Feceipt of price, 7 cents per copy, in money or postage stamps, by CLARKE COIN CO., Box 35, Le Roy, N, ¥. HARRY E. WOLFF, Pub., 166 West 23d St., New York. No. 1, NAPOLEON’S ORACULUM AN DREAM BOOK.—Contain- KING INSTITUTE, FH-103 Station F, New York, N.Y, | “imost any kind of dreams, together with charms, ceremonies, and | No. > HOW TO DO TRICKS.—The great book of magic and card * 4 vs » | tric containing full instruction on all the Jeading card tricks of Pg go] RING pa al | the Sky: also the most popular magical illusions as performed ‘by our 39k yout’ See, Weil male. Biehfy poe | leading magicians; every boy should obtain a copy of this book. our rf Hing | No. 3. HOW TO FLIRT.—The arts and wiles of flirtation are fully Aaly E j explained by this little book. Besides the various methods of hand- yan ise fan, glove, parasol, window and hat flirtation, it contains a full list of the language and sentiment of flowers. No, 4, HOW TO DANCE is the title of this Mttle book. It con- tains full instructions in the art of dancing, etiquette in he ballroom and a parties, how to dress, and full directions for calling off in all pepular square dances, bServed, with many curious and interesting things not generally : thown. Writing; 1 Dream. Beoke = No. 6. HOW TO BECOME AN ATHLETE.—Giving full instruc- tune Teller; 1 Cools — i _— ‘tions for the use of dumbbells, Indian clubs, parallel bars, hortzantat Bail — ——- or Eames; | bars and Yarious other methods of developing a good, healthy muscle; ; —— 1 dkoree Tele ph Aipha- | Coutaining over sixty illustrations, if bet; 12° Chemical ents; No. 7, HOW TO KEEP BIRDS.—Handsomely illustrated, and eon- ind ‘ Magic Age Table; Great North Pole | taining full instructions for the management and traini = of the * 4 Same 109 conundrums: 3 Tae: canary, mockingbird, bobolink, blackbird, paroquet, parrot, ete, Games; ¢rses for Autogra bums, + No. 9. HOW TO BECOME A VENTRILOQUIST.—By Harry Ken- the above by mail for 10 o peuch Waraale Gens. nedy. Every intelligent: boy reading this ps bts of instructions a ROTAL €0., Bex 20 . | master the art, and create any amount of fun for himself and | friends, It is the greatest book ever pubilshed. For sale by all newsdealers, or will be sent to any address on receipt of price, 10e. per copy, or 3 for 25c., in money or postage stamps, by Should Masage Her Besa en eitian inca FRANK TOUSEY, Pub., 168 West 23d St., New York, - WARD ‘TILTON, | WOW, JAZZ "EM UP, BOYS! A HEW AND WIFTY INVENTION ‘ PGs ens ores eed ‘Slide Flute-Piccolo. played instantly. 25e AGENTS WANTED STEWART CO., 321K W. 48th St.. N. ¥. G HOW TO_ SCENARIOS ware tem By JAMES P. COGAN Price 35 Cents Per Copy _This book contains all the most recent changes in the method ef construction and submission of scenarios. Sixty Lessons, covering every phase of scenario writing, from the most ele- Mental to the most advanced principles. This treatise covers everything a person must know in order to make money as a successful scenario writer. For sale by all News-dealers and Book-Stores. If you.cannot procure a copy, send us the pfice, 35 cents, in money or postage stamps, and we will. mail you one, Postage free. Address L, SENARENS, 219 Seventh Ave., New York, N. ¥. — By ae - ; X =) on ota. for ayear's PGs Wiad Ste Dept . 5. HOW TO MAKE LOVE.—A complete guide to love, court-. p and marriage, giving sensible advice, rules and etiquette to be PUB. CO., TILTON, N, H. cele i een