Fame And Fortune Weekly (no. 871) (1922 06 09)
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aan Harry was amazed. The missing jewelry was in his trunk. Judson grabbed him. “You young thief!" he bellowed. “I’ve caught you with the goods. It's jail for yours now!” The searcher held up some more oi the missing property.
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_ Issued Belg egg amet price, ae 3 Pg Canada, $4.00; F, n, Nn ork, N. ¥.. Entered as Secon == athe Pont Ofiice at New York, N. Y., unde: NEW YORK, JUNE _ FULL OF WEEKLY ry E. Wolff, ERI tober 4, 1911, at ‘ 7! Of 5 (= nape late, Gren, SOP * Ct'a 77D BUSINES J. Gig uy WM¥treect, ’ OR, THE YOUNG TRAVELER FOR THE FIRM./24 ¢.,, By A SELF-MADE MAN CHAPTER I.—On the Wrong Tack. “J have certainly missed my way, for I ought to have reached the village before this. Now it’s getting dark and I don’t know where I am,” said Harry Green, feining in his horse and look- ing over the country landscape ,on either side of the long, dusty road. Harry was a young com- mercial traveler out on his first trip. He was employed by the firm.of Hatch & Co., of Chi- _ ago, jobbers of cheap jewelry, watches, stylo- graphic pens, and a miscellaneous collection of nicknames, which the firm picked up ‘at rock bottom figures at auction sales and sold at a handsome profit through traveling salesmen. The young drummer was supposed to sell only by sample and transmit his orders to the firm to be filled, and carry out this impression he carried a regular sample a. around with him; but as a matter of fact he also carried a trunk ‘full of the goods which he delivered himself, tak- _ ing the cash for the same. : ~_ These goods he had bought and paid for before starting out, but any unsold articles at the'end of the trip he had the privilege of returning and getting his money back for the same. The rea- ‘son he carried a trunkful of duplicate was be- cause he visited chiefly villages and small towns, _. the storekeepers of which, in many cases, were people who did not require to purchase a bill _ @f goods large enough to make it worth while _ transmitting their order to Chicago, so he sup- plied them on the spot for cash. As he sold only to dealers at wholesale figures, he could not be -_ eonsidered in any sense.a peddler, and was not _ liable to arrest for selling goods without a local _ license. Harry made his headquarters at a town on the railroad, stopping at a second-rate hotel, -. and when he had done the town thoroughly he would hire a horse, take his sample, and another ease full of duplicates, and start out for a tour of the nearby villages, leaving his trunk at the in the storage-room. ey to the town he would board to the attention of the : the there of Woodland?” 3 Ay ¥ VED 72 Ork he pushed on to another village a few mile away, where he put in the night at the inn. Here he learned of a large village ten miles away, and he went on there first thing in the morning. He did very well there, and was about to return to Springdale when the hotel man, where he got his dinner, told him that if he would go on to, Woodland, eight miles away, he ought to do business there in his particular line. After considering the matter, Harry got the béarings of the village, had the road ok we; out, and started. He should have reached Wood- land around six, but it was now close on to seven, twilight was coming on, and the village was nowhere in sight. He had, without knowing it, taken the wrong turning at the cross-roads, and was getting further away from his destina- tion ever moment. The perme 4 ran up hill from the point where he stopped to survey his sur- roundings, and he decided to push on to the highest point, thinking that from that elevated place he might see the village in the distance. When he reached the top of the hill, only outly- ing farms met his sight. The village was no- where in sight. When his gaze rested on the foot of the hill, where the road swung around to the left, he spied what he took to be a road- house embowe among the trees. The house was only a third of a mile away, so he did not Batey his animal, and he made the distance at a Walk. Dusk gathered rapidly, and it was almost dark by the time he reached the house. The gloom was intensified by the overcast sky which had hidden the sun all the afternoon. Harry found the buildine was not a road-house, but a large dwelling surrounded by a weather-stained picket fence, which took in a*barn and one or two smaller outbuildings. All the windows in sight were dark and, as far as appearances went, he could not tell whether the house was inhabited or not, but he judged it must be, and that people were at supper in a back room on the ground floor. He opened the gate, walked his horse in, and tied him to a large apple tree on one side of the front yard. hen he walked around to the rear. He found lights here, as he ex: and he knocked on the back door. An elderly woman opened the door and looked at him in- quisitively. - : “How do you do, ma’am,” said Hal, politely. _ “Can you me how far I am from the village 7 = ’ AN,p | 1924
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Z FULL OF “Woodland!” she exclaimed. “That’s all of ten miles from here.” “Ten miles!” ejaculated the boy. “I thought it was close by. I must have come a long dis- tance out of the way. The landlord of the hotel at Fairview told me it was only eight miles from : there. I left Fairview at two o’clock, and took the toad he pointed out, and now it’s after Seven and I’m two miles further from Woodland, ap- parently, than when I started.” “You must have taken the wrong road at the fork. Had you taken the right one you would only have had a mile to go. You have come nine miles out of your way.” “That’s kind of awkward for me. I’m a stranger in this part of the country, and if I try to get to Woodland in the dark I’m likely to make a worse job of it than I have already done. It looks as if it might rain soon, too. Could you accommodate me 1 will pay whatever you think is right.” . “No,” she said, “we couldn’t accommodate you. The. house is full.” “Well, if you can’t furnish me with a bed, * I supose you can’t,” he said, in a disappointed tone. “Perhaps you could provide me with sup- per. I see no chance of getting anything to eat . . to-night unless you do. I will pay you for it.” The woman hesitated. Then she said she would see. She closed the door, leaving him standing -. outside, and Harry. waited for her to return, - trusting he would not be sent away hungry. Presently a man appeared out of the darkness of the yard. “Hello!” he exclaimed, in a sharp tone, “what you doing around here? Who are you?” “I am a commercial traveler on my way to Woodland, but being ignorant of the proper way there, I came quite a distance out of my way. I have just been talking to the woman of the house. As it’s very dark and the sky suggests rain, I her if I could remain all night, offering to pay for the accommodation. She said it was impossible, as the house was full. From that I judge that the family occupies all the rooms. She has retired to find out if I will be permitted to remain to supper.” ae “Supper! I fancy you'll get no supper here % unless I say so.” ; “Are you the master of the house?” “No; but what I say ety “Well, you see the fix I’m in. oblige rhe with supper I’m not likely to get any- oh ol Ce | 3 Sere to eat before morning. I'll pay you for _ “What will you pay?” ; “I think fifty cents would be a fair price.” _ “And what will you pay for a bed if I find you one?” : “Fifty cents more.” ind over the money and you can stay.” shoved his hand in his ips. you’d like to take it out in a watch,” > ee ere for the night.” Unless you > BUSINESS “A watch!” cried the man. money?” “Oh, yes, but as I’m selling a fine grade of a gun metal watch for $1.50—warranted first-class time-keeper, guaranteed for at least one year, perfect in all respects, fully as good as a $50 gold repeater for your service, your money back inside of thirty days if the watch fails to come up to what I represent it—I thought maybe I could make a trade.” The watch in question was what Hal was sell- ing at $1 wholesale, and as it cost him about 70 cents, he naturally preferred making a trade for one than coming down with $1.50 in cash, “T’ll look at it,” said the man. “What’ll you charge for feeding my horse and keeping him in your barn overnight?” “You’re riding a horse, are you. I'll charge you another fifty cents.” “All right,” said Hal. “Tle’s tied to a tree in the front yard.” They went and got the horse and took him to the stable. The man lighted a lantern and helped take his saddle and two cases off. He eyed the later curiously. “You’re selling watches around the country?” he said. : “I’m taking orders for cheap jewelry, watches and other things. Sometimes I sell a watch, or a piece of jewelry, or something else, as a special favor, at wholesale price.” |' - “You carry your stock in those cases, I sup- pose?” “Yes. They’re my-samples cases that I use to show oe and take orders with. The goods selec are afterwards shipped to the customer from my firm in Chicago.” The cases were placed on a low shelf used for carpenter work, for there was a string of tools at the back of it, and they left the barn, the man locking the door. “Ain’t you got any CHAPTER II.—A Strange Pair. Harry entered the house with the man. The room they walked into was the kitchen, and the — woman was busy at the stove. A table was spread for supper there, and the young traveler — noticed there were but two plates. ; “Lay another plate, Jane,” said the man; “this young man sups with us. He also stays all night and will take breakfast, so you had better get the red room ready for him later.” - “The red room!” she repeated, faintly. _“I said the red room,” ‘said the man, harshly. The woman made no reply, but turned to the stove, and her movements appeared nervous and - unsteady. As’ the young traveler was a close observer of all that transpired around him, he — wondered at her agitated manner. He the woman was the man’s wife, and that she was afraid of him. If the red room in question was a spare one, why had the woman told ; that he could not be accommodated, alleging that the house was full? . before turning him down. In any case he did refuse their hospitality to one placed tua ca) = a=
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= : FULL OF BUSINESS 3 tion he was. It wasn’t like country people to do | Harry took a seat out of the way to wait ~ tai he was called to the table. The man filled a tin basin with water out of a bucket near the _ sink and proceeded to wash himself. He combed and brushed his rough hair with the aid of a small mirror attached to the wall near the window looking out of the back yard. “Well, isn’t supper nearly ready?” he growled he turned around. _ “Yes,” said the woman in a low tone. Dish it up, then, and lay that other plate as I told you to,” he said. - The woman placed a third plate with knife and fork at the side of the table, and then brought _ -the cooked food on dishes. She poured out three cups of coffee, and announced that supper’ was x read '¥- __ *Sit up, young man,” said the man, throwing _ down the paper. “We haven’t a big spread, but - the old woman didn’t expect a visitor.” _ Harry drew up his chair and was served to - a portion of bacon and eggs, and told to help = yet to the fried potatoes andthe bread and r. _~ “Make yourself at home,” said the man. “What did you me your name was?” . “Harry Green.” - _ “Mine is Smith. This is my wife.” _ _ Harry bowed to the woman, but as she was “vu pking down at her plate, his politeness was - Tost gn her. “The family will have no objection to my _re- Maini be aeernlone I hope?” ventured Hal, _ wishing to make sure on that point. - “Pjon’t you worry about that. I’ve given you as and you’re going to pay me for it, also Ser your supper and breakfast, and taking care horse. As long as you can pay there ’ be no trouble about you staying.” Harry kept his ears cocked for sounds indicat- ing the presence ef the family in the front of house, but not a sound reached him from = direction. Still supposing that a large _ family occupied the house, he looked to see one or more members of it come into the kitchen, “none came. Several times he was on the int of referring to the family, but he didn’t. supper was over the man asked him if he to go to bed soon. Harry looked at watch he carried and saw it was half- . m not in a hurry,” he said. ou can look over the paper,” said Smith, ing him the News. “Go and get the red 1 ready,” he added to his wife. ° e woman looked at her husband and_hesi- He took a step toward her in a menacing and that started her. In the course of 2 minutes the woman returned and began g off the table. . > room ready?” asked her husband, going ” she answered, laconically. .- - at did you do with the lamp?” ft it burning in the entry,” she replied. ou want to retire I’ll show you the way,” th. to. the visitor---.5= > —% 4 ve * “Come along, then,” said the man. : The lamp stood on the back stairs. Smith icked it up and mounted the flight. Harry fol- owed him. Not a sound reached his ears but the man’s footfall and his own. The house was - certainly uncommonly quiet for one fully oc- ecupied as the woman had told him it was. A long corridor, with doors on either side, took them to the end of the second story. Here Smith opened a door and introduced the young traveler into the red room. It was fully entitled to its name, for the walls were papered in a deep red color, and the furniture was upholstered to match. The bureau even was set off by red tidies. The carpet was also of a pronounced red pattern. The effect was not pleasant on the nerves and eye. The lamplight cast weird shadows over the red walls and about the corners which the light was not strong enough to illuminate. “T don’t wonder you call this the red room,” said Harry. “I never saw so much red in one combination before. I can’t say that I admire - taste of the person responsible for the decora- on.” “Don’t you like it?” “No n “This is the best room in the house.” “The best room! Why isn’t it occupied by the master and mistress, then?” ; “The doctor and his family are away in Europe.” “Oh, they are? An besides you and your “Nobody.” “But your wife told me the house was full.” ”She didn’t want you to stay here.” “Didn’t she like my looks?” =< “Your looks are all right, but you see this is the 13th of May.” “What has that date ing here one night?” “Because on the night of the 13th of May things herpes in the house.” : ‘“What happens?” . “I’d rather not tell you. Nothing happens in this room, that’s why I’ve put you here. If you hear sounds around the house later on, pay no attention to them. Probably you won’t hear them if you go right to sleep and you’re tired.” “Do you want mé to understand that the house is haunted on the night of the 13th of May?” “Well, that’s what my wife says.” “What do you say about it?” “I’ve heard strange sounds,” but they don’t bother me any.” _ “This is such a singular looking room that if any part of the house was haunted I should be inclined to fancy it would be this room.” “No, this room is all right. Me and the missus - always use it on this night. As I’ve given it to you, we'll have to sleep in the barn.” “You and your wife always use it on this night, you say? How long have you lived here?” ~ “Thirteen years.” who lives in this house ife?” got to do with me stay- “Have those strange sounds been heafd every ~- 18th of May since you've been here?” «= "Yes. “Where do the doctor and his family sleep on_ the 13th of May when they’re home?” PS Po. always go away on the 12th and come ¥ — 2p te ,.
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= 4 FULL OF = “Hasn’t the doctor ever investigated the phen- omena?” - “Yes, but he never could find out what caused the noises.” ¢ “What kind of noises are they?” « “I couldn’t tell you. They’re always different.” “Always different?” “It’s the garret mostly that’s haunted. The sounds come from there. Crying and odd sounds like that. But as they come from the other end of the house, you mightn’t hear them anyway. At any rate, you needn’t be scared. You won’t be hurt.” ; Then Smith bade him good-night and left him to turn in. Harry stood and looked after him. Something like a soft click, as if the key was turned in the door, struck upon his ears. The sound aroused the young traveler, and he walked se — door to lock it. There was no key in the ck. ey wonder if that man locked me in here?” he asked himself. He laid his hand on the knob and turned it. He found the door fast, evidently locked from the other side. “Now, what does this all mean?” said Harry, ; not quite easy in his mind, not because of Smith’s £3 statement that the house was haunted on the 13th of May, but because the said Smith had clearly locked him in the red room, and the boy wondered ‘why he had done so. : CHAPTER III.—The Girl. He went to the window, which he noticed was down a couple of inches at the top, and started ats to lift the bottom sash. It wouldn’t move. He =i looked to see what was holding it, and found — ' that a nail was driven in on either side. Then =e he tried to pull down the upper sash, but that, “eee: too, was secured in some aoe With the door cae locked and the window immovable, Harry realized that he was a prisoner for keeps. “If I had a revolver I wouldn’t feel quite so helpless,” he murmured. “Yet why should I-ex- pect a hostile visit from that man? If he is ~ after my property he knows it is in the barn. Still, I have money about me, and he probably figures on that, though I showed him none. A person could be murdered in this lonesome place and no one but the guilty person be the wiser = of it. To say the truth, I don’t like the looks of things at all. My unlucky star. was in the : ascendant when I missed the road to Woodland.” So time passed slowly away and ten o’clock - ¢ame around. Not a sound reached his ears from below. He was not surprised at that, for he was in the wing farthest from the kitchen. BUSINESS ready satisfied himself that the only entrance to the room: was by way of the door, and the door was at the other end of the room, he may be pardoned for being a bit startled at the strange and silent appearance of the figure in white. He had little time to consider the matter, for the figure advanced toward the center of the room, and as its outlines became clearer to his sight, he saw that the visitor was a girl clad in white. Nor could it be the ghost of a girl, for there was nothing ethereal or impalpable in her composition. It was not possible to look through her, which convinced him that he had real fiesh and blood to deal with. How she could have got into the room, apparently through the solid wall, was a puzzling problem, but that she had was self- evident, consequently it stood to reason there must be a secret door in the wall. As secret doors in houses were rather out of date, it struck him that the door had been made for a purpose— probably a sinister one. These thoughts flashed through his mind while the figure was advancing. Who was this girl, and under what conditions was she an inmate of the house? Was there a mystery connected with her? What had brou her to the red room? So far she gave no sign that she was aware of his presence there. Harry remained quiet as a mouse. He could hardly hope to escape her observation, and he — was afraid if he made a movement it would startle him, and she would’scream out. That was — bound to reach as far as the kitchen and bring the man up to see what had caused it, for the scream itself didn’t give him a clew. The girl — moved quickly, passed on the other side of the table and seemd intent on only one thing, and that was reaching the door. She reached for the handle and turned it. ; “Locked!” she exclaimed. “Oh, dear, will I never be able to escape from this house?” _ She sank into a chair and buried her face in her hands. -The girl started up with a stifled scream and stared at the boy. its “Don’t be frightened, miss. Are you a pri- soner in this house?” said Harry. ‘ “Who are you, and how came you here? [I never saw you before,” she said. “My name is Harry Green. I’m a , traveler from Chicago. Overtaken by darkness on this road I applied here for supper and a bed. I found a man and a woman in ¢ ‘ of the premises. They gave me a meal. He a there was no one living here but himself and — his wife. Your presence here proves he, did not tell the truth. Your actions show you are not a voluntary occupant of the place. Tell me who you are. If I’can help you in any way I will — do so.” Bsn: “You can help me by unlocking the door. I | have been kidnap from my home in Chicago, ; and am being held here till my father pays a — large sum of money for my return. If I ean get out of the house I will be able to claim © shelter at one of the farm-houses in the ; borhood until I have sent word to my to come after me.” ; 1 ould gladly open. the door if I locked me in, = =
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as FULL OF opened, I am as much a prisoner as you are »” yourself, ; 5 - “Why did he lock you in?” . *I suppose his intention is to rob me. I have x hand cases of samples in the barn, where my horse is, and I have money with me. It is ite evident to me that the man is a rascal, and woman, who is his wife, must be tarred with _ the same brush.” - “Oh, dear, what are we to do?” - “How did you enter this room? I have ex- amined it close enough to assume myself that - the only door, other than the one leading into the closet yonder, is that locked one.” rs pecieentelly discovered a secret panel in the room where I have been confined in the other ~ ‘wing of the house. It let me into a long and ‘marrow passage, which I followed, hoping I would be able to find my way out of the house before my escape became known, for the woman brought me my supper as usual before dark, and I did not expect another visit from her - till the morni When I reached the end of the passage I hunted for the exit I felt must be there. I could not find it, and was about to - give up in despair when, as if I had touched _- @ spring, a panel in the wall, similar to the one in room I left, opened and I found myself - in this room, which seemed to be occupied. I - vushed at once to this door, only to find it was ~~ locked.” ___ *¥ sympathize with you in your disappointment. You don’t want to leave the room any quicker =e I do. Tell me your name and how it came about that you were kidnapped from your home, and by whom.” “My name is Elsie Carter. My father is a wh merchant of Chicago. We live on Prairie 5 I was surprised on the street near my hom ot dusk a month ago by three men who my cries with a shawl thrown over my I was lifted into an automobile and car- off. After I was brought here, which seems ‘be a considerable distance from Chicago, for we traveled all night at a high rate of speed ‘without stopping except for brief intervals, I twas told by one of the men that I would be 2 when satisfactory arrangements had made with my father for the sum of $50,000, : and the money had been Soa paid.” a Bs . “Three men, you say, brought you here. as of them named Smith?” “I do not know their names at all. I only woman. She brings me my meals and She seems very sad, like a woman ef. I think she sympathizes with w help me if she dared.” is the woman I met downstairs—the _ the house. She did all she could to prevent me _ from stopping here. Had not her husband a eared and agreed to let me stay if I would him a sum agreed upon between us, I would tt be here now. I sup he is one of the } men who kidna ikely. Well, now, we must try to_ sg Mor go iad 72 BUSINESS 5- room, I’ll bet that man couldn’t prevent us from getting away.” “How can we get out of the room?” “That’s a problem. I haven’t anything to ferce the door with. If you showed me the wey to your room I suppose we should be no better off, for the door of that room is locked, too. How about the window? Is it fast like this one?” “The lower sash is nailed, but the upper one can be moved up and down half way.” “Half way,” said Harty, looking at the window and mentally calculating whether it would be possible for him to craw! out of that space, It struck him as very doubtful. “Where is the secret panel?” he asked. The girl took him to the back wall, but there was no sign of such a thing. “It is closed,” she said. “It is operated with a spring, you said. The only way to open it is to find the spring, I suppose., Let us hunt for it.” He’ got the lamp and turned it up. He flashed the light all over the part of the wall indicated by Miss Carter, but they failed to discover the spring which released the panel from that side. “How did you find the spring in your room?” asked Harry. “The lamplight shone on a bright spot in the wall. It attracted my notice and I went over to see what it was. It looked like a circular disk of brass. I felt of it, pressing my finger upon it. It yielded and the panel opened, much to my astonishment.” “T don’t see any brass dise on this wall. If one is here it has been painted red to agree with the color of the wall.” += They finally had to give the matter up. “You can’t get back to your room, Miss Carter, but I guess you’re not anxious to go back. If we are going to make our escape it must be from this room,” said the young traveler. P At that moment they heard a sound at the oor. “Hist! There’s some one at the door—the man Smith, probably. Hide behind the bureau,” said Harry, blowing out the light as he whispered. CHAPTER IV.—The Escape. Harry had no chance to replace the lamp ec» the table, for he heard the key turning in tne lock. He crouched down where he*was and waited developments. The night was so black that not ~ a gleam of light came in through the window, — and therefore the room was as dark as pitch. Harry heard the door open, but could not see the person who came softly in. He reasoned that it must be Smith. Presently there came’ an ex- clamation from the bed. It sounded like a woman, Harry grabbed Miss Carter by the arm. _ “We must steal out softly,” he said. “The door is open.” . touch > ~ “3 ees ae 3 Spe le I BS eye 2, Fa eee
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Pe FULL OF the room, and he could not hope to escape dis- covery. Accordingly, he decided to take the bull by the horns. The door stood open and he could easily master the woman in a struggle. He rose and stepped forward as she turned and faced him. “Well, Mrs. Smith, what brings you to my room?” 2 She started and ge the match. This was the boy’s chance, as he figured, and he glided for- ward and grabbed her. | : . “Now, what is the meaning of all this busi- ness? Why did your husband lock me in here? If you scream I'll choke you. Answer my ques- tion.” sen “Don’t ask me—please don’t,” she cried, all in a tremble. “I came to release you and get you away from this house; but for my sake—I am a most. unhappy woman—you will be silent as to what has happened. If you send the police to arrest us—my husband and I—it will be the last straw upon my back—it will kill me. Be satisfied then to get away with your horse and property. Take the road back to the fork, turn to your left and you will reach Woodland. Well, ma’am, I’m inclined to believe that you mean well. You did not want me to stay here to-night, and you did what you could to prevent me teing so. : F “Yes, yes. My husband is leading a bad life and is breaking my heart.” } “Why don’t you leave him, then? “J can’t; oh, I can’t. He is the cross of my life, and I will not desert him, come what may. You will be silent, won’t you? I am saving rom trouble, at a great risk to myself. The thing I ask of you is not to breathe a word of what has hap to you here.” gg ry ma’am, I'll comply with your wishes for the aid you-are giving me. “May heaven bless you. If you could guess what I have passed through, and am passing through, you would pity me. “I do pity you as the wife of such a man. Where is he now?” < “He went to the village of Eastchester a little while ago.” “Six miles from here.” . “No. It is less than a mile. He did not tell you the truth about the distance lest you should decide to go on there after supper. e wanted to make the two dollars you had promised him. “And to rob me besides. Is it not so?” The woman was silent, but Harry felt her shiver at his words, and he knew he had voiced = the end of the : 3 : *at will ad oak e said, submissively. w to the door and saw her out, He 3 Specs nw Se Bess a Sony , 4 BUSINESS : = had not hidden his money in the room. His statement was a ruse to get her out of the way so that he could have a word or two with Miss Carter and arrange for the young lady’s escape. As soon as the woman started down the passage, Harry rushed back. He found the girl trembling - behind the bureau. ‘ “Now, Miss Carter,” he said, “the woman is going to take me to the barn so I can get m horse and property. Follow us cautiously, as soon as we are outside, watch us to the barn. Then get out yourself and run to the front gate. Then wait. for me. Your escape will then be certain, and will probably not be discovered till morning. Long before that we will be on the road to Springadle, which is on the railroad, for I have decided not to go to Woodland now that I have you to protect and see to a place of safety where your father can come and take you bac home.” “You are very good to me. I shall always re- member you with gratitude, and my father will reward you liberallyl” F508 “I don’t want any reward for serving you. It is my duty to rescue you from your rascally abductors and see that you get back home in safety. Now I am going. member, follow with caution, for though I think you are in no danger, even if the woman found you were get- ting away, for I would get you away at all hazords, it is better that she be left in ignorance CFF 0 as you say,” sai e girl, pres: his hand to her heart. Harry then walked out of the room and found the woman waiting for him at the head of the stairs. They went down together, and without any delay passed out of the kitchen door and went to the barn. Harry saddled his horse, se- cured his sample cases on his back and led him e. “Here’s a dollar for you, ma’am, to pay you for the supper and the feed of my horse,” he said. “No, no. I don’t want it,” she said. “You must take it,” he said, pressing it into hey trembling hand. ° She locked the barn and they went as far as the house together. “Good-by, ma’am. I hope you won’t get into trouble over this. Here is my with my. Chicago address. If you should ever stand in need of help, write to me, and I won’t go back on you.” © : ; The woman made no reply, and he felt her_ standing near the door looking after him. He was soon in the road, and after walking his horse a few yards he saw the white figure of Miss Carter awaiting him. She rushed up and caught him by the arm. “IT am so happy to be out of that house,” she said. “I shall never forget that you have aided me to escape.” ; “Don’t mention it, Miss Carter. will be in way, your position will be a bit — awkward, but I’m afraid you will have to put up with it under the circumstances.” FP od “T will put up with anything to a escape.” i aa ee Ses is : cA eee = 7 is
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FULL OF In a couple of minutes they were riding down - the road. ‘The girl’s position was rather ungrace- - ful, and somewhat unpleasant, but she did not complain. After they had gone a mile, Harry allowed the horse to walk for a while. It took - * them more than an hour to reach the fork, where ~ the road branched both to the left and right. he left road led to Woodland, about a mile away, _ the right one direct to the village of Derby, eight miles away, whence he had started out _ that afternoon to go to Woodland. . It lay on the route to Springdale, with the village of Edge- water between. As his watch noted ae ages 1:30, Ha did not see any use of going the aa Sond can as the hotel at Woodland would ie — bly be closed for the night. In any case, <<. ju it expedient to carry Miss Carter to es Spongdale as soon as possible. : They would put up at the hotel where his _ trunk was, and he would telegraph to her father _ in Chicago to come on and get her. As they had ridden nine miles since leaving the house, _ Harry judged that she would appreciate a short ed — so he dismounted and lifted her down. -_ “T guess you find riding that way hard on you, Miss Carter,” he said. a “It isn’t as hard as being locked up a pri- oner in a room without knowing when you will ted,” she replied. s -*That’s right. You say you’ve been in the hands of your abductors for a month?” gh Ces oe aren pose the police have prevented your father fom coming to terms with the rascals, to catch the men napping?” = Setayioee so. I know my father wouldn’t = hesitate a2 moment in paying over the amount manded if he saw no other way of getting me ” “Of course he would if he could raise the eo _ “He could get the money in a few days.” _ “Have you seen the men since they brought you to the house?” __ *No, but I know they were there.” ; “Would you be able to identify them if they ce. He may not have been one of the three, or leir beards may have been false ones, assumed disguise. Do you know, I think that woman ore to be pitied than blamed. She appears 2 a slave to her husband. I noti that he was afraid of him. I wouldn’t like to see her r for the part she has acted in connection yourself. I dare say she was obliged to your jailer.” have no fault to find with her. She pre- nice meals for me, and did many things m She wouldn’t talk with aes I BUSINESS 7 that hour, I intend to push on to Edgewater, where we'll stop for breakfast and then go on to Springdale, where I'll register you at the hotel that I stopped at while doing the town. You can take a good long sleep there, and before I turn in myself I'll telegraph to your father.” They remounted the horse and went on their way. CHAPTER V.—The Upset. It was about half-past two when they reached Derby. Lig - dismounted in front of the hotel, which was shut up and dark, like all the stores and houses in the neighborhood. In fact, not a light was to be seen in the village as far as they could see. Harry tied the horse, after water- ing him at the trough, and then rejoined the girl, who was seated on the veranda steps. After resting for half an hour they started for Edge- water. Morning dawned some time before they came in sight of the place. By and by the sun struggled at intervals through the clouds that still covered the sky to a considerable extent. The night had been cold, and it wasn’t much warmer now. Harry had given his coat to Miss Carter as a ponies: but as she necessarily had to hug close up to him, he didn’t feel the absence of the garment as much as he otherwise would. However, he was chivalrous: enough to regard her comfort as the first consideration. The village of Edgewater was beginning to stir itself into life when Harry stopped in front of the inn. The porter, who was also the hostler and all-around factotum of the establishment, was sweeping out. He stared at the new arrivals, and then recognized the young traveler. He was evidently surprised to see the girl perched behind. Harry dismounted, assisted Miss Carter to alight, and asked the man to fetch out a -couple of chairs and take his horse around to the stable. He removed his two cases and took them into the little office. The girl was so tired and seeps after her long ride and ioss of rest that she looked all done up, and Harry decided that they must stop at the inn al] afternoon and give her a chance to recunerate. ‘They had to wait an hour and a half before breakfast, and Miss Elsie went to sleep in ths cnair. Harry registered their names when the pro- prietor appeared, and asked for a couple of rooms. He explained that he was taking the young lady to Springdale. After brenkfast both retired to their rooms and slept through ‘he whole morning, awakening much refreshed. After din- ner Harry called for his horse, and put Miss — Carter in the saddle, walked beside her till they had left the village behind, when he resumed the saddle and the girl took her place as before. They passed through two small villages on their way and reached the cutskirts of Springdale at dark. Here Harry got off, transferred the girl to the saddle, and walked the rest of the way ~ to the hotel. He secured two rooms and the~ Ae eR
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8 FULL OF remain in town till Mr. Carter came for his daughter, for he feared an effort might be made by man Smith to recover the girl. At any rate, nage. rescued her, he did not propose to take any at half-past seven a telegram was handed to him by the hotel clerk. It was from the merchant, stating that he would take the next express the evening before for Springdale. Harry and Elsie were coming out of the dining-room after break- _ fast when Mr. Carter entered the hotel, and in a few moments his daughter was in his arms. The girl related her experiences from the moment she was kidnaped, and then Harry told his story. Mr. Carter declared he would never forget the obligation the young traveler had placed him under, and wanted to pay him the reward he had offered the police—$10,000—but Harry re- fused to accept it, or any sum whatever. “All I'll take from you is the small expense I have been“under on your daughter’s account,” he said. As he was firm on that point, the merchant was obliged to yield. He asked the boy about the business he was in, and how long he expected to be on the road. Harry told him as near as he could figure out. _ “When you return to Chicago you must call at my store,” said Mr. Carter, “and I will give you a position as a clerk, or send you out on the road, as you prefer. In either case I will see that you have better opportunities for ad- vancement than I fancy you are enjoying at present.” “IT am much obliged to you, sir,” said Harry, taking the business card of the firm which Mr. Carter was the head of. “I will not fail to call on you when I get back.” ; Rp eichy, at beth Gemake wo tee wong fully happy, an e young traveler for his services me young lady’s be- half, took the ress for Chicago, and Harry stood on the station waiting for his own local ing the other es come along, and waved Conn a good-by. the short time they had known each other, Harry and Elsie had become very well py The long night horseback ride, where the girl was obliged to cling close to her rescuer in order to maintain her seat on Harry was a good-looking, manly young fel- low, and. most girls admire those features in a There was a touch of romance in their girl dearly loves a bit of fate her life. So it will not to write to one another, and as the rapidly /movy- went on its way Chicagoward, the each other flew back and forth be- : came in fifteen min- ances. When he came downstairs . BUSINESS moniously dumped out on the platform with other inoffensive trunks, and the train went on. He got into the "bus that bore the name of the Commercial House, and was frequented by Commercial travelers, traveling theatrical com- panies and baseball an expressman to transport his trunk there. He busied himself before dinner, which was here served in the middle of the day, in picking up information about the business section of the town. After dinner he started out to pick up orders. As Hatch & Co. had no regular cus- tomers we might say, though the firm was not unknown to dealers who had dealt with them through other drummers, the amount of business nis | might do in Millville depended wholly on his ability to push his goods. He was provided with a list of the dealers who had previously bought of Hatch & Co., as well as other dealers who had not, and with his regular sample case he began his tour to take orders only. His prices being low, and his line of samples attrac- tive he managed to secure several fair orders, which he later forwarded by mail to his firm. He put in the evening at a show, and next morning he went out with both cases. On this round he struck retail dealers and sold outright many things from his cases. As he was paying his own expenses, railroad faré excepted, he depended on these cash sales for ready money, and a portion of his profit. He spent the whole day on this tack, and then after supper he made inquiries regarding the outlying places, as was his custom. He learned there was a small town to the south that was a live place. He found he could get there by the daily stage. The name of the town was Exeter. Taking both cases he boarded the coach in the morning, with two other passengers, and was presently en route. After leaving the outskirts of the town, the way ran along a shady country road, bordered by fields under cultivation, though it was early in the season. The coach carried an express box and several pouches of mail. At a cross- road the farmer who sat on the box seat with the driver got down. ther on they came to another cross-road. Here eral store, a blacksmith shop, and a small collection of houses. Exeter was than ld a ites rf i e teams, after eee. with - ae a) _ ee
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J ® FULL OF = such as one often meets with in the country. The _. driver pointed out a factory at the head of Main street, which, he said, they would pass before they entered the town. “What do they make there?” Harry asked. __- ®Novelties, they call the thingembobs they turn out. I drep one of the mail bags there. There are several express bundles for them, too, but I have to take ’em on to the express office. carry a big load. of mail back with me, goods they are sending out all over the copntry. I get the = bags at the post-office, not at the factory, and Te a bunch of their express matter, too.” * “Bow is it that you deliver the mail to the factory? I should think you'd have to’take it to the post-office,” said Harry. : a “They have an arrangement with the Millville post-office on account of the amount of mail mat- er they receive. It saves time for them, and snables them to fill orders in time for me to take back a part of them this afternoon. They have ite a bunch of registered mail, too, but that have to take to the post-office, and they get it n there.” 4 see,” ‘said Harry,‘as the horses struck the __ bridge and dashed across it. He saw something else- the next morning. It was the sudden dipping of the forward end of the bridge. He saw it too late to call the driver’s ‘the dge_sank at the left corner, the horses slid jnto the water, with the stage pressing them ward, and then as a second crash resounded the calm air, the vehicle turned ever on its side, tossing the young traveler into the stream, and the driver after him, and then landed at an angle of forty-five degrees. The two men inside vere thrown into a heap and in a great peril n suffocation by the inrushing water. Three “men appeared as if by magic from the bushes and rushed to the assistance of the coach. One ahered on the upturned side and pulled the : He reached down and helped the ngers out, awkwardly shoving both into the » which was not deep enough to drown ». The other two began rescuing the mail s and the express box. They dropped them a rowboat which they pulled out from under bridge. arry was trying to reach the bridge when saw his two cases of samples go into the after the express box. One of the men §nto the boat, shoved it under the bridge from the half surm ‘coach, and out other side, while the other two men offered d to the passengers to assist them up on Feep - The first thing the driver did to release the horses, and Harry helped lo it. ‘ year get up here. We'll have to lead wn a bit to the ford,” said the driver. fully utes for them to get ashore and ck to the side of the said the jehu. “It is as - Seat tice = eb ee ng: iust have sud- understand how that bridge could have passed over it BUSINESS 9 freshet. This places me in a nice fix. Some one will have to goon to town for help to pull out the stage. I’ve got to stay here and watch the mail bags and the express box. You can help me get them out. You can’t get much wetter than you are.” “Two of those men pulled them out and placed them in a rowboat with my sample cases. All. you'll have to do will be to watch the boat which they shoved under the bridge,” said Harry. “Good.. That saves me some trouble. I dare say one of the men will go on to town for e. “I don’t see them now,” said Harry, as they approached the broken end of the bridge with the horses. “There’s your two passengers, but the men have gone away.” “They’ve gone to town to carry the news,” said the driver. ; Apparently they had, for on asking the two passengers, one of them said the two men had started off down the road as soon as they had helped them ashore, saying they were going for help. They could not be seen as the road turned sharply to the right a hundred yards away. “Where’s the other man, there were three of them,” said Harry. “He must be in the boat on the other side of the bridge.” Harry stepped to the other side and looked down. He saw no boat. He peered under the broken bridge, but the boat wasn’t there. He looked up the stream as far as he could see the water through the trees, that grew close down to it, but as the stream turned off close by, he saw nothing of the boat or the man. “That man has rowed the boat away with your mail bags and my property. Can he reach town with them that wav?” Harry asked the driver. “What's that? What are you talking about?” said the jehu. Harry explained more clearly. : “What in thunder did he do that for?” roared the driver. “Of course he can’t reach town that way. The stream runs away from the town right through the woods. Are you sure he car- ried off the mail bags?” “I’m positive, for I saw him and one of the other men pull the bags, the express box and my sample cases from under the seat and drop them into the boat. Then one of the men gent in and rowed the boat under the bridge.. I sup- pesed he intended to tie it there, on the other side, away from the broken end. I hope those fellows are not thieves. I don’t want to lose / -™y cases any more than you de.the mail bags and express box.” : The driver uttered an imprecation and begar dancing around like a wild man. S CHAPTER VI.—Tracking the Thieves. : Z “Did you see a man row a boat up into the woods with the mail bags in it?” he excitedly
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é 10 FULL OF “Where did the men come from, did any one notice?” asked the driver. Under the strenuous circumstances no one had noticed, not even the jehu, who had had the best chance of seeing. All anybody could say was that they were right upon the scene when the accident took place, though they were not in sight the instant before. “ “If the mail bags and the express box have been stolen I’ll be in a pretty pickle,” said the driver, with a worried look. “T'll run into the woods and follow the stream and see if I can find any trace of the boat,” said Harry, who was more concerned about his own Hroperty than about the mail pouches and express box. “Do so and I'll go too. Scramble across the bridge, you’re lighter than I am, and take the other side. I'll follow this side.” The driver sat down, took off his boots and emptied out the water. Harry took off his shoes and stockings, got rid of the superfiuous mois- ture and put them on again. He was soaked to the skin, as were the driver and the passengers, and the quartette were not feeling very comfort- able. The young traveler crossed the shaky re- mains of the bridge and rushed into the woods, while the driver entered on that side. Harry, being the most active of the two, soon distanced the driver. The stream did not go straight at any point, but wound through the woods like a as snake. The boy followed its course, but he saw no sign of the boat. Not a sound reached his ears but what he made himself. He hustled along to keep off the chill of his wet garments, and after going perhaps half a mile to came out of the woods into a field. A quarter of a mile away he saw a farmhouse. In the next field two men were working. Fields stretched . away on the opposite side of the stream, and there was another farmhouse over there. He was now able to get a better view of the stream, which ran straight until it was lost in the dis- _tanee, but he saw no boat upon it. However, he knew the boat had passed. that way and he did not pause. Without his sample cases there was no use for him to turn back and go on to town. When he got on a line with the farm-house on his side, he suddenly came upon a boat tied to the bank. He stopped and looked at it. It was wet inside in places and he believed it was the boat he was after. _ There was nothing in it but a pair of oars _ threwn carelessly along the two seats, and they were ‘dripping as if from recent use. : “T’ll bet the other two men rejoined. the chap _in the boat along here somewhere and the three * have earried off the pouches, express box and . My cases between them.” And yet that looked something like a feat for three men to do, particularly at a spot where they would be likely to invite observation. While he was considering the matter he noticed the ae aoa ruts made by wagon wheels» The ruts do fresh, and this convinced him the men had . had a wagon waiting here to aid them. The ruts kee straight toward the farm-house, and Harry 2 followed the tracks. When he reached the fence that cut off the field he saw a lane began there and ran past the farm-yard. The rails must : | remo ‘permit the wagon aeer'$ removed to Marry, aid Es BUSINESS ‘ through. At any rate, the tracks went straight on under the fence. The wagon ruts were not so clear in the lane, and were soon lost in a multitude of other wagon tracks by the farmer’s wagon. However, that didn’t greatly matter— the wagon went down the lane to the road beyond. Harry walked over to the farm-house to make a few convincing inquiyies. The farmer’s wife came to the back door and stared at him. Well she might in his damp and mussed -condition. -“For gracious sake! Hev you been in the river, young man?” she asked. “Yes, ma’am. I was a passenger on the stage going to Exeter. The bridge broke down and umped us all into the stream.” “You don’t say. The bridge broke down, did it? How came it to break down?” “I couldn’t tell you, ma’am. I want to ask you a question or two.” “T'll listen to you, but you’d better come inside, I’ve got a spare room where you can take your things off, and I’ll loan you some of my hus- — band’s clothes to put on while your own are - drying. You'll get your death of cold going © around that way.” : “Thank you, ma’am, I guess I’ll have to ac — cept your kind offer. I suppose there isn’t any use of my following the wagon that came through here a little while ago from the stream below, for I couldn’t overtake it on foot. You saw the wagon, didn’t you?” “You mean the wagon that went to the river to meet a boat and get. some stuff off her?” 5 “Yes. There were three men in it.” ys “There was. One of them came to the house ~ and asked permission to let down the fence and — cross the meadow. -I let ’em do it.” “Were the men strangers to you?” : “They were. Are they friends of yours?” - — “No. They are charged with stealing the mail — pouches and others things from the stage after the vehicle fell into the stream when the bridge - broke down.” “For goodness sake!” “Did you see the wagon when it came back?” “T saw it coming across the meadow, but I — didn’t pay no attention to it.” : “The three men were in it, then?” “Yes, I guess so.” “Your lane connects with a road?” “Of course.” “Where does it lead to?” : .“It runs through the woods into the Exeter highway one way, and off that direction to Clay- — ton Center and beyond,” said the woman, waving her arm. As the men wouldn’t be likely to go — toward Exeter, Harry judged that the wagon, — with the stolen mail bags and other things, was driven toward Clayton Center. To attempt to follow it on faot in his condition seemed useless, — so he accepted the woman’s hospitality, went to the spare room, removed his clothes and Pri the garments she supplied him with. farmer’s wife put his under garments through — the wringer, and squeezed the moisture out of — the others by hand, after which she hung ’ near the fire. By that time it tue eke tee noon, and she had to hustle to get the dinner on — the table for her husband and the two hired me wang te tn Save eat Salama | os ee > «~S * a |
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FULL OF sented to lend the boy a horse to ride to Clayton Center to notify the police at that place. ‘The young traveler took dinner with the famil - and an hour later his clothes were dry enoug’ _ for him to put on. He mounted the horse, and provided with the direction he was to take,’ he started. off, somewhat dubious as to the outcome of his ride. Clayton Centre was five miles away. He had covered four miles when he came up with a wagon which had broken down. It was drawn up close to the fence, and a horse was =. ea to a tree near it. It struck Harry that * ‘this might be the wagon he was after. While looking at it he saw something sticking in the bushes. He went to see what it was and_dis- - covered it was a mail pouch marked Exeter Novy- elty Co. That settled the matter. "The pouch had been slit open and its contents taken out. A second pouch, marked “S.S. Mail,” lay underneath. This had also been cut open and rifled. An upper rail in the fence was down, and Harry guessed the men had abandoned : horse and the disabled wagon and gone off that way. Harry took down two more rails and ed his horse into the meadow. Then mounting, che galloped across it. This brought him to an- _ other wood, a small one, and he pushed slowly through it. Suddenly he saw the outline of a house ahead. Suspecting that the men. might be in hiding there, he dismounted, tied his horse advanced toward the house on foot. The - building, which was little better than a hut, a _ story and a half high, stood in a small clearing. - The trees came within a few feet of the rear it, and Hal worked around to that part of it. He listened for some sound that wovld indicate that the hut had occupants, but he heard noth- ‘ing, so he ventured to approach the only window he saw. Looking through the cracked pane, he _ saw three men squatting on the floor, opening envelopes and examining their contents. Beside = ‘man was a pile of discarded envelopes and written enclosures. In the center of the > was a pile of money orders, another pile of bills. and a third pile of silver coin, mostly ent pieces and quarters. Harry knew at he first look that he had run the three thieves nyvn at last. ers CHAPTER VIl—The Explosion. he men had almost finished going through > ma The last of the registered letters were their hands. One slot mail pouch lay over corner where they had thrown it after still untouched, and the boy’s sample Harry was afraid one of them, the fellow window, would see him, and he took “window. against the three of them?” # are stout chaps, and andle me.”. < its contents. Near by was the ex-— ‘BUSINESS See window, and looked in there. The man with the money orders was tying them in a bunch¢ with a piece of string. The other two men were dividing the money in three piles. The fellow laid the money orders down, picked tip the pouch and began cramming the envelopes and. written sheets into it. This done, he dragged it up the steps leading to the loft and threw it there. He was gone a féw minutes. When he came back he had something in his hand. It was a metallic cannister enclosed in a covering of stout wire. “What have you got there?” asked one of his companions. “Search me! There’s a tag on it. Maybe that will explain what it is.” He looked at the tag and saw the following words printed on it in big black type: = Sas with Care. itro-Glycerine. Jessup 0. “Holy smoke!” gasped the man. “Take it out of the shanty! Throw it away!” roared the other, in a hurried tone and with a look of consternation which was shared by all three. “Where’ll I throw it? It might off and arouse the neighborhood. That would } bring the farm hands on the run to see what had happened. I'll bet the report would be heard in Clayton Center.” ‘Take it into the wood and lay it down care- fully—in ‘a hole or in’the bushes. Get a move on you. It gives me the shakes to see it in ur hand. It you dropped it we might all be lown to perdition.” Hal heard every word and was not a little alarmed himself. He knew the terrific explosive power of nitro-glycerine, and there was enough in the cannister, perhaps, to blow the building and all in it to pieces. He decided to get out of the way till the man had disposed of the cannister. He retired a dozen yards into the woods. and waited. Suddenly a terrific explosion shattered the air. The trees shook all. around the boy, and the ground trembled under him. A rush of air full of unseen power passed through i the trees and staggered him. Though fifty feet F from the shanty, and in a manner protected by ~ . the trees, the shock was almost heavy enough sa to stun the boy. The clearing was full of smoke 23 and flying splinters of wood; and many sizable pieces of the latter were thrown around Harry. = “My gragious! I’ll bet somebody has got hurt,” uae said the young traveler, as he peered through the trees and saw the dense vapor that hun about the clearing. He couldn’t see a sign o ; the shanty, and it struck him it had either been ‘ blown to pieces with its occupants, or else leveled 2 with the ground. = “Heavens! If that cannister went off inside 7 the house the men have been surely wiped out; | e and I guess their plunder and my sample cases 23 have been scattered to the winds. Great smoke! = What a terrible death. Why, the shock staggered = me here.” : +255
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he! wh . to any extent. enough to catch a good part of the shock.” “How ‘that is 12 FULL OF walls lay over against it, and that seemed to cbe the reason why the shanty had not gohe en- tirely to pieecs. As it was, the wreck was so bad that Harry did not believe the inmates could have escaped instant death. Harry was satisfied that the cannister had not exploded inside the building, for had it done so the shanty would have been scattered around the clearing, and reduced to mere kindling wood. It was then easy to see where the explosive had gone off. A great gap was torn in the trees on the otker side, and a big hole showed in the ground. Fully a score of trees had suffered—some being entirely torn up and shattered, while other hung over, half uprooted, and still others were bent and broken. “That fellow must have thrown that cannister toward the bushes, and it hit a tree and ex- ploded,” thought Harry. He went to the hole and look at it. As his gaze swept the gap in the trees he was shocked to see a man’s leg from the knee down haaeene to a limb by the torn trouser’s leg. That tol him the fate of the fellow who had found the cannister. He had been blown to pieces on the spot where the explosion took place. “I don’t see how the thing could have gone off if he was carrying it carefully, as one woul naturally handle such an article,” thought Harry. The real fact of the matter was the man’s foot had caught on a ground creeper and he had been thrown violently forward. The cannister, escaping from his hands, struck a large stone and the shock did the business. The tragedy occurred so quickly ‘that the unfortunate man never knew what happened to him. Harry went to the collapsed shanty. He was certain the other two men were in the debris, but wheter dead or badly hurt he could not say. He pulled away some of the timbers and brought to light his sample cases and the expfess box uninjured He led them out, but as the building threatened to go to pieces he was afraid to push his inspection further until help arrived, which he looked for, since the explosion was sure-to have attracted a lot of attention in the vicinity, and curiosity would be rife as- to the cause of it. He listened at the opening he had made, but did not hear a sound from the interior, which was ominous of the fate of those inside. In a few minutes the nearest farmer and one of his hands appeared. i ag what. has happened here?” asked the farmer, looking at Harry. “You can see for yourself what has happened,” replied the boy. iy was a heavy explosion. What caused i sa “A cannister of nitro-glycerine.” “Whew! Where were you at the time? You - do not appear to be hurt.” “I was in the- wood close by. I was close “Tt went off in the shanty, I suppose?” _ “No, it didn’t. It exploded where you see that Je in the trees and in the ground. The man © carried the cannister was blown to pieces.” do you know?” elas of a man’s leg is hanging yonder, and retty suggestive” Ps ' bits, then it was scattered to the-four winds. BUSINESS his hand over to the gap and pointed out the ghastly object.” mt While they were looking at it another farmer showed up. . “There are two men in the ruins of the shanty, — but whether they are alive or not I can’t say. We must dig them out,” said Harry. “Did you see the men?” “I saw them in there before the explosion, but not since.” : “I wonder where they got the nitro-glycerine.. — Do you know anything about it?” 3 “The man whose leg is hanging there found it — in the attic of the shanty.” “Did you belong to this party?” : “No.” , “Then how do you happen to know so much, — and yet be the only one to escape?” asked the — first farmer, suspiciously. 4 “If you want to know the truth, I was follow- — ing these men.” “Following them? What for?” “They wrecked the bridge on the outskirts of Exeter this morning, and dumped the coach in the stream. I was a passenger and followed the vehicle into the water with the driver and two other passengers. While we were extricating ourselves and the horses, these men stole the mail pouches, the express box and my sample cases—I’m a traveling salesman and was on my — way to Exeter at the time. They got away with the articles in a boat, went up the stream about three-quarters of a mile or so, and transferred — their plunder to a wagon they had in wai aS I learned all that by following them, though I did not come up with them at that time.” Harry told the balance of his story up to the moment the explosion occurred, and his auditors were not a little astonished. <. “You will find ample proof in the ruins that- my story is true, for one of the mail pouches © is there with the letters. The money ought to be — there, too,” said Harry. = They began work on the ruins at once, and while thus engaged another man arrived on the scene. He was invited to help. The boards were carefully lifted and thrown aside. Where it be- came- necessary to detach them extra care was used. Presently the legs of a man were E The timbers were raised sufficiently to drag him — out. He was not dead, but the extent of his injuries could not be told. He was unconscious — and one of the farmers, after an examination, gave it as his opinion that the man was not. fatally hurt. Soon afterward the second man — was got out, and his condition was similar to — his companion’s. Harry discovered that each of — the men had a bunch of money in his pocket, and he judged that represented their share of the plunder. If the balance had been on the dead main’s person at the time he was blown to x Garg ad —— of od would bee found or hame zi ry bit, by boys or others going through rt of the wood. The wreck, eereenee ined cle. : away to enable the workers to make a thé search of the inside of the demolished there, and Harry Se Re ee =
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FULL OF One he farmers offered to provide a wagon to se the senseless men, the express box, Ss cases, and the rifled pouches, for the =: young traveler mentioned the two pouches he had Seen in the bushes along the roadside. The - farmer’s offer was gladly accepted by Harry, who was conceded to be the best person to assume a of matters. : = 2 ag direction the two thieves and all “property were carried to the farmer’s house by crowd, loaded on a light wagon, in charge of the farmer’s son, and was driven to the road, _ where the other pouches were recovered. Harry ~ followed on his horse, and the farmer who had ~ Yoaned the wagon took charge of the horse tied ~ to the tree in the road, and his son subsequently ha the wagon up to their yard. Although Clayton center was but a mile away, while Exeter ras all of five, and the bridge at the road was passable, u s it had been repaired, the g traveler decided to do to the latter place, the crime had been committed within, or at Teast on the edge of, that township. By going a quarter of a mile out of the way the wagon vould he able to ford the stream. They started or Exeter at a good pace, Harry riding beside the wagon. When they reached the lane of the farm where Harry had got the loan of the = horse, he told the farmer’s son to wait till he re- turned the animal. The woman met him in the a tn aS Seu” see. You didn’t catch the men, ; _ guess. = Wisk i= that explosion I heard in - di i Clayton Center?” she asked. direction of Clayt venter?” “Well, ma’am, I was within sixty feet or so of the spot where the eeenesion happened, and was a stunner, I can tell you.” ages For goodness sake! What caused it? itro-glycerine, one of the most powerful of ives. It blew one man to pieces.” -gracious! Is it possible? How did you ‘ha’ ime to tell the facts now. I ee that I a two of the men, have recovered the larger part of the stolen ort Faget my own.” “Yes, eae thanks to your husband for the : of his horse. I will also tell you that the who was blown to bits was the third thief. of his legs, all I could find of him, is still ng from the branch of a tree in the wood or Be aie went off.” y ven’s sake!” > § 2 pl good-by. It is possible I may : with some small token of my appre- “for your kindness before I go back to , and then I will tell you the whole story ‘ha happened to me since I left this farm dinner. ry lifted his hat, bowed and returned to the ere he found the wagon waiting for him e two men still unconscious. APTE R VIII.—Harry Meets A Rival. ng rion they passed through the was, and in a few min-— a" oe BUSINESS been repaired—a gang of men having been en- gaged on it for several hours. They drove across, and inside of ten minutes the farmer’s son reined up in front of the novelty factory. Harry got down and went into the office. ; “Can I see the manager?” he asked. He was admitted to the private office, where he found a florid man of forty at his desk. “I came to notify you that I have caught two of the three men who robbed the coach this morning of the mail bags and other property. The third man is dead,” said Harry, abruptly, as the gentleman turned to him. The manager stared at him. “You’ve caught two of the men! Are you con- nected with the police?” asked the gentleman. “No, sir. I’m a commercial traveler, and was one of the passengers on the coach when the ac- cident took place at the bridge. The two men are now in a wagon outside, unconscious, and I am taking them to the station-house to hand them over to the police. As they have a large part of the money they stole from the letters on their persons, I think you had better go along with us.” “I will do so,” said his hat. Room was found on the seat for him, and the Sn proceeded to the station-house. The crime had been reported hours before by the driver of the coach, and half a dozen policemen were out looking for the three men. Herry surprised the authorities when he said he had two of the thieves in the wagon outside, and that the third one was dead. The senseless men were brought into the station-house, and the police wanted to know how they came to be in that condition. : Harry told his story from beginning to end, detailing how he had gone looking for the rascals, how he obtained his first clew by seeing the brok- en-down wagon drawn up by the roadside, and discovered the empty pouches in the bushes; how he had followed the clew to the wood and found the three men rifling the letters in the shanty; how one of them found the cannister of nitro- glycerine in the attic, and how the finding there- of led to the explosion, his death, and t cap- ture of the others who had not yet recovered from the effects of the shock which had brought the shanty down about their heads. Harry’s story was a most unusual one. and proved he was an exceptional young chap. The factory manager declared that he had the instincts of a detective. A doctor was sent for to bring the men around, and while waiting for him the fellows’ pockets were searched and the money taken possession of by the police. “You mustn’t leave town of your intention to do so,” the police to Harry. stop?” - “I don’t know yet. Perhaps you'll give me a line on them.” ; “The Exeter House is the best—$2.50 a day. Then there’s Smith’s Hotel, that’s a $2 house; and the American House, $1 and upward, on the European plan.” = oO. _ “TI guess I'll go to Smith’s. We travelers get _ oe te Oe PEE. “Weee t EME. 2: wa i > ca —. = 2 sa > a si
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— . drinking is a 14 FULL OF it on the way to the post-office and express office.” - The officer at the desk put down Smith’s Hotel as Harry’s address, and he was told a police- man would call next morning on him if the men were brought up for examination and take him to court, “J shall probably start out early on a tour of the dealers in my line,” said Harry, “but Pll make it a point to return to the hotel at any hour you name.” “ “Jf the officer calls. it will be about eleven.” “All right,” replied Harry, who then left the station-house with the manager of the novelty factory. Harry left the express box at the office of the express company, and the manager was pleased to death to get it untampered with. He took down the boy’s name and temporary — and also handed him a business card 6f his firm. Then they went on to the post-office around the corner and delivered the slit mail bags with their contents stuffed in one of them. The money orders had not been recovered, and were pre- sumedly in the pocket of the man killed by the explosion. ‘As the man’s remains were widely seattered in small pieces, the chances of the money orders ever meg. up were small. The postmaster was informed that at least two-thirds of the money which had been in the registered and other letters was in the hands of the authori- ties, and probably would be held as evidence. The manager of the factory said that he hoped the postmaster would have the opened letters sort- ed out at once so the factory could get those addressed to it. He would fill all orders except those that he could identify as having held money orders, and the senders of those he would com- municate with so they could apply for duplicate orders. The postmaster listened to Harry’s story, took his name and business card, and then Harry, after dismissing the farmer’s son with the wagon, went to Smith’s Hotel and registered. Supper being ready, he went to the dining-room and partook of it. After the meal to went to the reading-room and wrote a long letter to Elsie Carter, describing his rience of the day. Be- fore he was half through a visitor called to see him. This was a reporter of the Exeter Times, who was after his story. _ Harry submitted to be interviewed, after which the young scribe invited him out to take a drink. Harry politely refused to imbibe, as he never drank strong liquors. * “Take a cigar, then,” said the newspaper man. “J don’t smoke, either.” “Upon my word, you’re something unusual in the traveling salesman line. How do you get along? Many of the people you deal with ex- pect to be treated. If there is any business where art of the game, it seems to me it’s the trave ing salesman. I’ve met lots of them—mostly jolly good fellows—and I fail to f can hardly be sociable if he does not irink or smoke,” ae reporter, to get along so far with- out patronizing a saloon,” replied ~ “And and continue along the same lines. other people for drink- —_ e ~~ _ BUSINESS do a but with respect to exploit in the town paper. He myself it is against my principles and tastes. If I can’t make things go without having to drink, I'll quit the business and take to some- thing else.” ‘ That wound up the interview and Harry went — on with his letter. Then feeling tired, he went — to bed. After an early breakfast he started — out on his round. He found Exeter a town of — more importance than he had anticipat As 3 the town was not down on his route, Wowie B that no other traveler for his firm had been there, he had no list of dealers in his line to ~ guide him. «He got over that by consulting a business directory, pyblished in Millville, and taking ia Exeter and one or two other places of similar size. As the morning daily printed a — graphic account of his experience with, and cap- ture of, the coach thieves, giving him the full — credit of running the men down, and recovering — the larger part of their plunder, he was 3 nized at each place he visited, and as a he did three times as much business as he other- — wise would have done. a In consequence, his visit to Exeter was a big — success, and he did not mind the cecaesiata 4 remaining over to appear against he two rascals. He returned to the hotel at eleven, met the ~ policeman who was waiting for him, and accom- panied him to the court. The two rascals had recovered from the shock they experienced, and — were brought before the bar to plead. As their last recollection was association with the shanty toward the young traveler were anything but friendly. — T id the were sent back to jail. After dinner Harry a tinued his round and, as we have remarked, he did a good business. The next day was Sunday, and as the coach did not run, the young travele: found he would have to remain in Exeter till Monday afternoon unless he hired a private co veyance to take him to Millville. As he hae received an invitation from the manager of the sactary to dine at his house, Ha did not worry about caving the town, particularly as there were a number small stores where he expected to pull off some cash sales on Monday morning. After breakfast next morning Harry went out for a walk. He found the town as as a vi : There was absolutely nothing doing except at the churches. Even the side doors of the saloo1 were hermetically sealed, as were also the be shops, As soon as he left the business section he found himself surrounded by private residence strung along tree-lined streets. The general a pect of the residential section was that of a larg village. He extended his walk to the Whit farm, where he had borrowed the horse to chase — the thieves. In his pocket he carried one of his bape A oe oe Seer Sone og we for his son, and a number of pieces o eap but attractive look- jewelry ig Mrs. saeene en received a h come, and was regar as something hero, for the family had read the
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FULL OF remain to dinner, but declined owing to his pre- vious ment. _ @he farmer’s son, however, hitched up the and drove him back to his hotel. At two eA he presented himself at the manager’s house and took dinner there, remaining till dark. _ Next morning he finished up the town and was - ready to take the coach back at three. He rode all the way with the driver, who was under ~ censure for having lost the mail pouches. He took the evening local fot Danville, roe nest _ stoppi int on his regular route, reached that S2 a = ten o’clock, and registered at the Danville Hotel. This place was a fair-sized city and boasted three theaters, besides other places of amusement. There were a number of drum- ae t the hotel, and among the bunch was a man of thirty, named Alex Judson, in a similar line to Harry. __ _He had just arrived, too, and finding an ac- oe intance at the hotel was drinking with him heel the bar when Harry reached the house. Jud- son was a shifty individual, but an experienced sheaman. He and Harry, came together at a wholesale establishment on the principal - next morning. Judson took a look at the young traveler and asked him if he was selling goods, rather a superfluous question, as the boy’s _ sample case spoke for him. *Yes,” replied Harry, pleasantly. z mer, too?” . “I am. There isn’t any use of you waiting here; Jenkins always buys from me.” _ This was a pure bluff, as Judson had only sold one small order at that store before. It was a “trick to get rid of his young rival, who looked bright and smart, and might cut into his oppor- ity to do business with the proprietor, for as Harry was on hand first he was entitled to the ‘first interview. It didn’t work. *Well, as I’ve called, I intend to see Mr. Jen- a kins,” said the young traveler. “I have unusually og “You’re a < - seengns so. } hasn’t any time to waste on guys like you. _ Harry made no reply. He had no intention moving on till he saw the boss of the house. n a shelf in the waiting-room stood a case the best grade of cheap watches. A clerk had them there because the proprietor was en- and went to wait on a customer. Judson, g Harry wasn’t going to move, got up and -at the different articles on the shelves. oked into the case holding the watches, and up their value. Then he walked to the door oc into the store. At that moment the in the private room came out and Harry 5 ae ‘ ; ER IX.—The Stolen Case of Watches. = of then went out with both cases. fp the to out both BUSINESS “Thank you, sir,” said Harry, after Jenkins had signed the order—the biggest single one the young traveler had taken so far on his trip. “This will be a great help to me.” “You are new to the road, aren’t you?” “Yes, sir.” “I guess you'll get along all right, for you’re full of business.” “The man outside who is waiting to see you, and is in the same line as myself, told me I would only lose my time trying to do business with you. He said you never wasted any of your time with new drummers.” “He was trying to get you out of the way,” smiled Jenkins, who was wise to the ways of traveling men, “I never take those kind of tips,” laughed the boys. “If I did I wouldn’t do much business where I had a rival.” “That’s right,” nodded the man. “You’ve got ahead of this one. I have bought about all T want of your line of goods. I don’t think I will be able to do any business with this competitor of yours.” “He told me you always bought from him.” Jenkins got up, went to the door and looked into the waiting-room. He recognized Judson as a man he had done some business with, though not a whole lot. He didn’t like the man much, wa was not predisposed to do any more with im. “Oh, that’s Alex Judson,” he said, walking back to his desk, “When he told you I always bought from him he did not tell the truth. I bought one order from him, and the goods were not wholly satisfactory. I shall do nothing with him now. “You'll find Hatch &-Co.’s goods just what I represented them to be, for you have bought from their regular line of standard articles. I carry a cheaper grade, too, but they are not warranted, and I sell them only for cash in the villages, and to retail storekeepers. I wouldn’t show them to you.” Harry then took his leave and Judson walked in. He walked out soon afterward, mut dis- gusted, for Jenkins told him he had pu chased all the goods he wanted from his young ri*al. He remained in the waiting-rom a few minutes and then left, with a mental resolve to get square with the boy traveler. In the meantime Harry went on to the next wholesale house in his line and captured an order there. Judson followed him and was turned down. He swore under his breath when he learned that the boy had been there. Judson would have met Harry in the next store if he hadn’t stoppél to drink and waste time in a corner saloon. He would have stood a good show to have got ahead of Harry in that store, because the proprietor was preju- diced against boys ‘as drummers, and it took a great deal of tact and genial talk on Harry’s part to overcome his objection. oe Having the field entirely to himself, he finally succeeded in selling the man a bill of goods. After he had departed for the next house, Judson | came along and did nothing: Harry : his regular order | ; 15 cleaned hasiness by thies o#iick ant notel at seven and got his sup ; o - ‘te op : <* ~ ~' “sae eo aS =. |
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$2: to act 16 he came out two men were standing near the desk talking to Judson. : “There he is now,” said Judson, pointing to arry. The two men went up to him. “Your name is Harry Green?” said the one with a chin beard. : “Yes, sir,” replied the boy, wondering who the men were. , “You’re a drummer for Hatch & Co., of Chi- cago?” 3 “That’s right.” : ‘ : “You called at the store of William Jenkins this morning after an order?” “Yes.” “T am the chief salesman of that place.” “Well?” “You were alone in the waiting-room for a while before you saw Mr. Jenkins?” “Yesy sir; about ten minutes, then another salesman in my line came in—a man named Jud- son. I left him there when I went into the private office.” “While you were in the waiting-room did you see a case of engineers’ watches on one of the shelves?” “No, sir; I didn’t notice it. There were quite a number of things on the shelves.” “This — case was by itself.” “T don c n the shelves at all. Mr. Judson did. He might have noticed the case of watches. There’s the gentleman talking to the clerk at the desk.” Judson was ied over. “This young man says he didn’t go near the shelves, ‘but that you did,” said the Jenkins salesman. “He’s a liar,” said Judson, hotly. “I saw him ening wi that case of watches, and if it’s ing I ne bet he took them and slipped them under his coat.” : + “How dare you make such a statement, Mr. Judson?” demanded Harry, angrily. “You know it is false.” “You can’t sneak out of it that way, you young geezer. If I were you folks I’d search his cases and his trunk.” “I have no objection, but to make the thing fair they ought to search yours, too.” “They shall do it, if only to show what a liar you are.” i : ” *T haven’t accused you of taking anything. All I said was you were inspecting the shelves in Mr. Jenkins’ waiting-room.”. . “You said that to implicate me. I didn’t go near the shelves.” “I am ready to swear that you did.” oa “You’d swear to anything to get out of your predicament.” = ~ “Gentlemen, if you will show me your authority in this matter I'll let you ex e my cases and also my The latter is + FULL OF _ BUSINESS “from Mr. Jenkins store, I shall be glad to prove 2 remember seeing it. I didn’t go near — that I didn’t.” Harry got his sample cases, opened them and XS let the two men look them over. Nothing Was — found in them that did not belong there. “He wouldn't have them in his sample cases,” said Judson. “Look in his trunk. ‘Phat’s the place.to find them, if anywhere.” ; : ‘s The porter was called to open the store-room. — Harry pointed out his trunk among several there and handed the key to Salesman Jones. That ~ man unlocked the trunk. The upper tray was filled with clothes. These were carefully lifted ont and the space underneath examined. A flat c twelve by eighteen, lay revealed, Judson swoo, down upon it. He opened it and exposed a dozen — new watches. Harry was amazed: The missing — jewelry was in his trunk.. Judson grabbed him. — “You young thief!” he bellowed. “I’ve caught ~ you with the goods. It’s jail for yours now.” “I am afraid, young man, you are guilty,” said Salesman Jones. = “T know nothing about that case of watches — or the other articles you have found. I could not have put them in my trunk, for I have not been — near the store-room to-day. The porter-will tell — you that,” protested Harry. , “This porter hasn’t been on duty all day,” said — Judson. ; “Yes, I have,” said the man. “This young — man wasn’t in the store-room to-day, but you — were. And I guess you know how that case of watches got in his trunk.” er “What's that?” roared Judson, turning color. “J let you in the store-room after dinner.” “What of it?” “You sent me upstairs for a sheet of paper.” — “Well, what if I did. You brought it to me.” — “I guess I came back quicker’n you thought. I ~ saw you putting that case in that trunk. I_ didn’t think anything of it, for I supposed the — trunk was yours. Now I know it belongs to that young chap, and as you’ve accused him of steal- — ing that case of watches, I guess you’ve put up the job on him to get him in trouble. That’s the whole story.” . “You infernal liar!” howled Judson, launching _ out his fist and knocking the porter down. ~ a “Hold on,” said the detective, seizing him. _ The man sprang up and rushed at Judson. The officer stopped: him. a “The man is a liar,” said Judson. “How could I get into that chap’s trunk without a key?” ~ “I saw you toss something into that corner,” — said the porter. “Maybe it was the key you~ used.” va He rushed over to the corner, and in a moment came back with a new key, which he held up, “See if that fits the trunk,” he said. #4 It was found to fit the lock perfectly. - — “What have’ you got to say about this man’s accusation!” asked the detective of Judson. “What I said before—that he’s a liar.” _ J: “Gentlemen, wasn’t it this man Judson + accused me in the first place?” said Harry. “They admitted it was. : =
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= ¥, . _ at Danville. a _ knowled taining ] with the mail pouch thieves. fe “proud é = age your advantage. FULL OF There was no doubt about that. “Then, gentlemen, I leave you to judge, in the face of the porter’s statement, which of us took these watches from the Jenkins store.” _ *} will take you both, with the porter, to the station-house and let the captain pass on the matter,” said the sleuth. Judson protested that it was an outrage to him. The whole party went to the sta- tion-house, and the case was laid before the captain. : “It’s a case for the magistrate,” he said, and ordered both Harry and Judson to be locked up. As neither traveler had any acquaintance in -town he could appeal to for bail, they seemed doomed to remain there all night. The porter, however, who was dead sore on Judson, deter- mined to secure the boy’s release if he could. He returned to the hotel, interviewed the proprietor, ‘swore that Harry was innocent of the charge 4 of theft, and was the victim of a-put-up job on x > S — - Judson’s part, and asked his boss to get him -out on bail. The aga decided to do so, and an hour later Harry was free, but Judson experienced no such luck. after hearing 08 the - testimony, he discharged Harry and held Judson - for trial. Thus the rascally drummer was hoist aa by his own petard, as the saying is. CHAPTER X.—Number Thirteen. - Harry was very well pleased with his success stl -s was nea better pleased to re- - eeive-a letter from Elsie Carter when he re- = ed from the police court to get his dinner. The clerk handed it to him as he was passing toward the dining-room. He read it at the table while waiting to served. The young lady ac- is first letter from Exeter, con- is account of his exploit in connection She complimen him on his conduct, and added that she was ‘to number him among her most particular, : Ariends. She said she hoped his trip would successful in oes way, and hinted that her _ father was partjcularly anxious to do something for him. : “J shall be delighted if you -accept whatever ffer my father makes to you when you get back sare ™: she wrote. “I am sure you will find it I would like you to I could a position in his store, for then : u often, but, of course, if you prefer to sek on the road, it isn’t for me to make any In that event, my father will wish I could do as well in every town as have done here,” Harry said to himself. “ld e money fast. , e visited several of the outlying not out well, so he was gl to pull - night. vileges, but’ BUSINESS 17 found a package from his firm. It contained several enclosures. First, a letter from the head of the firm, complimenting him on his showing up to that point. Secondly, a letter bearing the -express company’s imprint, addressed to him in care of his firm in Chicago, and containing an official recognition for his services in recover- ing the express box at Exeter, together with a. check for $250. Thirdly, an official letter from the post-office department at Washington, com- mending his services in recovering most of the stolen money and securing the arrest of the thieves, and enclosing a check for $500, payable to his order at once of the Government bank de- positories in Chicago. “That little adventure has paid me well, after all,” Harry told himself, as he looked at the two checks. “I'll. be able to start a bank ac- count when I get back.” Clinton was the biggest place he had visited yet, and he hoped to do a first-rate business there. He found, however, that a rival drum- mer had preceded him, and he did not do half as well as he expected during the two days’ canvass he made for orders. He was much dis- appointed. When he started around among the small stores with his own stock he did very much better, but he realized there was more peddling to it than anything else. However, as it turned him in a handsome profit, he had no kick coming. Harry signalized his last night in town by going to a show. The performance was a long . one, and the curtain did not fall till nearly mid-. When he came out on the street he started, as he thought, in the direction of his hotel, but- found after a while that he had taken the wrong direction. In trying to correct this, his unfamiliarity with the town got him more mixed up. He was passing down a dark and silent short street one block in length, lined with substantial looking private houses, When the ~ door of one of them opened and two men in — evening. dress came out. They nearly ran into him, and Harry said, “I beg your pardon,” in his usual polite way, and was continuing on when one of the man, hurrying after him, caught him by the arm and said: “Are you in a great hurry to get home, young man?” “Well, as it’s after midnight, and I’m going to leave town by an early train in the morning, I think I ought to get back to my hotel as soon as possible. Being a stranger here—I’m a com- mercial traveler, and this is my first visit to Clin- ton—I’ve got mixed up, and if you would direct me right I’d consider it a favor.” = “What hotel are you stopping at?” - “The Planter’s.” z “You are walking away from it. It is ten blocks over yonder. But I say, we would like ° you to do us a favor if you don’t mind puttin : in an hour having a time and a big feed.” “What is the favor?” ‘ Nes “Joining our dinner party.” seks “Why. should I do that? In what way would ~ that bs a favor to you?” ae, bs , the fact is we are teen Club.” ke Ped Thirteen Club!” z members of the Thir- _
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18 FULL OF month. This is the 13th of this month, and the dinner is all ready to be served, but, un- fortunately, a difficulty has presented itself that has unset-all our arrangeemnts.” “What is the difficulty?” : “One of our number was taken suddenly ill on his way to the club and had to be taken home. That leaves us a party of only twelve, and to sit down to our regular banquet one mem- ber short of the magical number would not only spoil all precedent, but would doubtless lead to the disruption of our organization.” “And how can I help you out?” “By joining us—becoming No. 13, in fact. You are not superstitious, are you? We aim to hit the old superstition that 13 is an unlucky num- . ber in the solar plexis. We have been organized exactly one year, lacking perhaps half an hour, and this is our twelfth dinner. The supersti- tion says that if thirteen people sit down at table together one of them will surely die within the year. Nothing like that has occurred so far. In thirty minutes the year will have elapsed, and we will have demonstrated the folly of put- ting faith in that popular superstition, besides driving a nail into a few others that we have arranged to do up. As it will be practically im- possible for us to secure the thirteenth man we stand so eng 4 in need of, unless “you will ac- commodate us by your presence, we trust you will not refuse to honor us, with your society,” ' said the man. Harry hesitated. He would not admit that he was superstitious with respect to the number 13. We are not prepared to affirm or deny the fact. As he was their only hope, the two men seized him, one by each arm, and urged him toward the house from which they had come. If the Thirteen Club was about to hold one ofits month- dy dinners there, no evidence of the fact was apparent on the outside. The building was as dark and somber looking at that hour as all the other houses in the block. Before Harry yealized it he was being led up the short flight ; ing accompanied the well-dressed men that far, he had tacitly accepted their invitation to be- 4 come No. 13 for this occasion, and he felt that _- it would look bad for him to balk now. A pass- ‘ key admitted them into a dark hall, and the door _ ¢losed behind them. ee Sct. pik proceeded down the hall in deep _ darkness. Then a door was pushed open’ and the sudden transition to a brightly lighted room _° dazzled the young traveler. He shut his eyes -and stopped short. - Ah, you have secured No. 13,” said a deep- ~~ toned voice. : _ We have, and he seems to have no special ‘reverence for the number, as he offered no op- as = “position to coming with us,” said one of Harry’s 2 ee) Ss. ; ss entlemen,” said the deep-toned voice, “we will do No. 13 the honor of placing him at the head of | table in recognition of the service he is doing us. Is there any objection?” ~ “None?” came in chorus from a number of 3 Sra her ‘Ha ae eyes and found himself h_ was a of steps that connected with the front door. Hav-- BUSINESS with the other things necessary to a well-appoint- ed party. The men in full dress were standing in small knots about the apartment. Harry and his conductors made up the required thirteen. The boys was led to the head of the table and the others took their places standing. “Gentlemen,” said Harry, “this is an unex- pected surprise to me. As I appear to be a neces- sary guest, you will have to excuse my lack of attire. It isn’t my fault that I appear before you in a garb different from your own.” “Say no more, young man, no excuse is re- quired under the circumstances,” said the deep- toned voice. “Gentlemen, be seated. It lacks but five minutes of the time that completes our first year. Not one of our number has died, and so we may congratulate ourselves on having downed one very foolish bugaboo.” As the.last word escaped his lips and the ser- vants entered with the first course—the soup—a loud ring came at the bell. “Who can that be?” said the man. with the deep- toned voice, who appeared to be the guiding spirit of the club. A servant entered with a salver and presented him with a note. He took it, but as he read it his face changed color. “Is this a message from our absent and tem- porarilv afflicted brother?” said one of the club members who sat opposite. “It is nothing, nothing that need interfere with our dinner” said the gentleman, putting the note in his vest pocket. : As he sat down he glanced at the clock and saw that it was just one. The year had expired, but the superstition had done its work, for the note had conveyed word that the member who was taken ill on his way to the club had died on the stroke of midnight. Nevertheless it made no difference to the Thir- teen Club apparently, as the dinner was proceeded with. At the end each member gave Harry a "memento of his presence on that occasion, besides which a paper was handed him by the president, ~ who Stated it was sent by the member he repre- mtn! who had died on the stroke of 12 of the clock. The club soon adjourned and No. 1 of the Thir- teen Club accompanied Harry as far as the Planter’s Hotel. The next morning Har again on his way. -After leaving Decatur Harry hired a horse and proceeded to Ridgefield. He soon came to a large house which seemed to be deserted. Harry determined to stop there, as a. storm was coming up. He dismounted and tried the door. It was locked. He then went to a large barn back of the house. The door was open and he entered. Soon the storm came and with it tremendous thunder and lightning. He shut the door and was — out of knothole in the side — of the barn toward the house, when, as a flash of lightning came, he saw the face of a hard-looking —_ peering out of one of the windows of the ouse. : “There’s some one in the house, after all,” : was” rT muttered Harry. “And a-hard looking character.” | The storm appeared to let up all of a sudden, - and Harry went out the barn door just as a tre- SSS |
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FULL OF the side of. the house hung a human figure in _ shirt sleeves and pants, * “Tt must be the man I saw in the window, and “he’s probably killed by that awful bolt,” said Harry. CHAPTER XI.—Conclusion. _ |Harry rushed toward the house. The sky had already lightened up areca and was grow- ing lighter every moment. hen the young _ traveler reached the jagged hole in the house he saw something bright in the wreckage. Stoop- ing, he pulled it out and»discovered it to be a tin box such as householders and office people keep valuable papers in. Laying the box aside, Har erawled into the ground floor from over the wrec of the brick chimney. An open door in the * vacant room let him out into the main hall where the front stairs were. Up the stairs he ran and, reaching the landing, found his way into the room where the figure lay by the jagged opening once orcubied by the upper part of the chimney. One look at the hard looking, gaunt face, with thrée weeks’ growth of reddish beard ‘addine to its uncouthness, told Harry that it was the face he had seen at the window, and that the man was stone dead. 2 ' His shirt was ripped open to the waist, and one trouser leg cut as clean as if by a sharp _ knife, and the shoe on that foot was torn to pieces. A blue mark ran down his chest, mark- ing the course of the lightning. “He looks like a tramp who had taken refuge in the building,” though the boy. “Well, he has "met his fate here... It is a case for the coroner of the county, and I had better not disturb nim.” As it might be some hours before the coroner viewed him, Harry, knowing that dead bodies stiffen rapidly, composed the man’s limbs, bound up his falling jaw with a piece from his shirt, and, closing each eye, placed a small piece of brick on them. He then took a rapid survey of the upper part of the house and found it com- pletely bereft of furniture. The lower part was in the same condition. Only the stove remained __ inthe kitche n. “Tt is lucky no one else was in the house. Had I taken refuge from the storm in it there is o telling how I would have come out between man and the thunderbolt. I don’t like the look on the man’s face, and I wouldn’t have fancied him as a companion,” said Harry as, he - erawled out of the building. Then he thought of the tin box and picked it and reached the He took the arn we ea! < Ls, eeeeony i = ~~ { , unless the will turns up. The w BUSINESS station-house and notified the authorities that a man, struck by a lightning bolt, lay dead in the big vacant house on the road to Ridgefivid. He explained the circ-mstances under which he hal made. the gruesome discovery. : “That’s the Risdon Homestead,” said the officer. “It’s tied up in court. Old Risdom made a will leaving the property to his second wife, a young woman, but the document could not be found at the time of his death, though the old man’s lawyer, who represents her interests, declared he had drawn it up, and that it was witnessed in proper form. The witnesses testified to the same effect. The old man has a gocd-for-nothing son, by his first wife, whom he practicaHy dis- inherited. This man is fighting for his legal share of the property on the ground that his father died intestate. He will oe Se ana win ife fears that a servant, working in the son’s interest, found the will and gave it to him, in which case he, of course, has destroyed it. All these facts in detail were printed in the morning papers a few weeks ago.” ; “What kind of looking man is this son?” asked Harry, with a suspicion in his mind. i: a sandy-featured chap of average height and uild.” “Your descri jon fits the corpse now lying in the house,” sai the boy. “The dickens you say!” ejaculated the officer. - “What was he doing there?” ‘Don’t ask me, for I couldn’t tell you. Per- haps he was hunting for the will,” said Harry, thinking of the tin box. “That’s so,” said the officer. “Well, his death won't alter the situation much, for he has a wife and family, and they will succeed to his rights.” “Under the law, as the case stands, how much is the widow entitled to?” . “Her dowry rights only, I believe, though I don’t know for certain.” .- “Do you know ‘who her lawyer is? I should like to call on him.” “T don’t recall his name. You can find it out, with his address, at the office of one of the two morning papers. He has offered a reward of $2,000 for the will, which I believe has been increased since.” “All right. Notify the coroner to take charge of the dead man, whoever he is.” “T will. By the way, I want your name and address.” ‘ ‘Harry Green, commercial traveler, Decatur House.” The officer wrote it down, and Harry left the station-house. He went to the office of the De- cautr Tribune, a few doors away, and made his way to the editorial rooms» There he got the information he wanted. The lawyer’s name was o, 150 Wash- to $5,000, because hand down his decision soon, and knew it would be therefore, ce a bring the will to light, or secure information that uld show it wa ibera ; person mart invereted mn Heeping ou of 9 19 s against his client. He was, Re. strenu be : ous effort to either : bf a s the judge was expected to ® _ the ] ieee
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20 FULL OF ~ partial destruction of the Risdon Homestead by a thunderbolt, and the death through the same agency of the son of old man Risdon, the con- testant for his property. Not a word appeared about the tin box. Harry had been interviewed by a reporter from each of the papers at the hotel the evening before, and he told his story frankly, omitting all refer- ence to the tin box he had found. His name, of P course, appeared in the newspaper stories as the | eyewitness of the tragedy. About ten o’clock _ Harry appeared at the lawyer’s office with the tin box. He was admitted to the private room. bs | presume, sir, you have read what the papers printed this morning about the Risdon Home- stead?” said Harry, after introducing himself. “JT have,” nodded ‘the lawyer, eyeing his curi- ously. “I am the party who is mentioned in the papers in connection with the matter. I furnished the details to the reporters, and notified the police of the man’s death.” “Ah, indeed.” “J hold back an important fact.” “What is that?” “Something that may prove of interest to you ~ and your client, the widow, of the late owner.” “Ha! Has it something to do with the missing will?” said the Jawyer, with fresh and eager interest. “T think it has.” “Let me know at once. I have offered a re- ward of $5,000 for the discovery of the will or ° information in connection with it. Perhaps you may win it.” s “I hope so. I found this tin box in the wreck ef the chimney,” and Harry laid the box on the * lawyer's desk. He pounced upon it with avidity. “This is the missing box in which the old man kept his private papers. I have no doubt I shall find the will in it. If I do I will pay you the reward.” _. A locksmith was sent for, and while waiting for him to come with his tools, Harry told how he found the box, together with much not record- ed by the papers bearing indirectly on the issue at hand. The locksmith came, opened the box and the will was found in it, together with other _ ‘{mportant documents, such as the insurance ~pol- ~_ iey on the homestead, and the policy for $3,000 on old Risdon’s life. When Harry left the office he carried the lawyer’s check for $5,000, pay- able to his order.- The recovery of the will and the other papers were duly chronicled in the __ afternoon papers, and Harry again appeared in the limelight in connection therewith. The morning paper reporters, on reading these fresh facts, were much disgruntled with Harry for keeping the information back, so that the after- Reon papers got the full benefit of the news. Harry collected the money, bought a draft on o with it, and put the draft in his trunk _tw | from the express company om . going on the road for Hatch & Co. Elsie, who gave him a rousing reception. ‘met her mother for the first time, and received - IRON NERVE.” : would collect when we will mail you a a on ‘andes oe 2s = stews) = BUSINESS he reached the Windy City. This affair ended Harry’s adventures on that trip, and two weeks later he got off the train in Chicago and went to the boarding-house he had lived at before His first duty was to report to his firm; his next to eall on Mr. Carter at his store, where he received a cordial welcome. Before he left the presence of that gentleman he had made a very satisfac- tory arrangement with him to go on the road for the house in the fall. That evening he called ‘at the Carter home, on Prairie avenue,. to see He that lady’s grateful thanks for the services he had rendered her daughter. He and Elsie spent a fine evening together, and when he left it was after promising to call on her at least once a week until he went on the road for her father. Next day Harry distributed $6,000 among the best Chicago ‘savings banks, and felt quite rich for a boy who a few months since had left Chicago on his first trip as a drummer with all his surplus cash invested in cheap auction goods bought of the firm he had signed with to take orders. During the few weeks he remained in Chicago he spent a great deal of his time in Elsie’s company, not only visiting her, but taking her around to one’ amusement resort or another. Her parents offered no objec- tion to the growing intimacy betwen Elsie and Harry, though the boy was not in the same social swim. Mr. Carter saw that he possessed the elements that make a successful man, and he was confident the boy would rise to the top of the ladder in time. When the time came, Harry started out for the Carter firm as one of their travelers, and he proved a great success in taking orders. We have not the space to. follow his career, as ex- perience broadened his cabilities in his chosen calling, but we will simply say that he merited the excellent opinion Mr. Carter had- formed of him, and in due time was accepted as the favored suitor for his daughter’s hand. After his marriage to Elsie he was admitted to the firm as junior partner, but he still went on the road, taking his wife with him. They proved a very congenial couple, and the only fault Elsie ever had to find with him was that perhaps he was too full of business. Next week’s issue will contain “BAFFLING THE BROKERS; or, THE BOY WITH THE Send us a one-cent stamp to cover postage, and a 4
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the special articles are j <a _ For sale by all newsdealers, or - new family. Ss Have you seen the latest number out? The detective stories are splendid, and ust the kind you want to read. Get a co ‘will be surprised at the fine quality of everything in the magazine. FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY CURRENT NEWS ‘NUGGETS UNDER SKELETON START ‘ GOLD RUSH A small bottle of gold nuggets found under the skeleton of a man discovered in the woods near Bothell, twenty miles from Seattle, Wash., has started a stampede for placer claims on creeks and rivérs there, and some pans of color are the rule. The man had been dead eight or ten years. At his side were the remnants of pan, pick and shovel. ' CAT HATCHES CHICKENS A house cat belonging to Mrs. Fred Loomis of Perrysburg, O., is the wonder of the town. The cat has just hatched out two chickens. The other day Mrs. Loomis heard a noise coming from the eat’s nest. She investigated and found two baby chicks. Her theory is that a hen used the cat’s nest for her nest, while the cat furnished the in- cubation. Anyway, Mrs. Cat is puzzled over her o LARGE TOTEM POLE The largest totem pole ever carved was shipped from a quarry near Langley, Wash., recently to Alaska by its maker, A. C. Thompson. es It was ordered a year ago by a wealthy Indian who has large cannery holdings at Petersburg. - The rock totem is to grace the last resting place . Sixty-four Pages ONLY GOOD STORIES of Ru Keidesti, an ex-chief of the Thlinket Alas- ka Indians. ts The totem was made from granite, is 9 feet 6 inches high, carved to resemble a cedar totem, with the inscription and figures to represent the past traditions and history of the Salmon and Bear tribes who once dominated the North coast, ILLEGAL FISHING Columbia River is as much a river of mys- tery, of adventure and of romance, even though the romance be unrecognized by the stern eye of the law, as it ever was. Deputy John Larson of the State Fish Warden force, State Department of Fisheries, vouches for the mystery at all events. Larson patrols the river from Astoria to Multnomah Falls, twenty- five miles above Portland, in the patrol boat Gov- ernor Oleott. He believes illicit fishing is going on, but admits the fishermen have a clever sys- tem of evading detection. Flashing signal lights from river bluffs warn of the approach of suspicious craft, even as the signal fire-of pioneer days advertised for the sus- a Indian the approach of the white man’s irch. According to Larson, the signal may be a blazing bunch of newspapers of a spotlight, but when he gets there the quarry has departed for safer waters. ee Nae “MYSTERY MAGAZINE” Interesting Illustrations : Handsome Colored Covers rs tre a in address. BIG VALUE FOR YOUR MONEY will be sent postage free for 10 cents a copy to py and you
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Daring Dan Dobson on - ‘vHE BOY WHO BEAT THE . MOONSHINERS By GASTON GARNE (A Serial Story.) CHAPTER XVII.—(Continued.) His own gun was out in a jiffy and was barking away in the direction of the judge. x But that gentleman had skilfully swung himself around a handy door. ; Men came running in all directions, and the judge stepped out, with his weapon before him, and a grim smile on his clear-cut face. _ : “Pm going to kill the first man who raises his _’ hand against me,” declared he, “and this is my start. Now, you’d better take Newcastle out of here, or I'll finish the job.” In reality, they could doubtless “have over- _ ‘whelmed the Easterner, had they tried. But it was certain that he had two or three shots at least for any one who would attempt to quiet him. SS And it was those two or three shots which caused the men to ponder and hesitate before ap- plying for the honor of being martyrs for Jake ‘. ; ewasstle’s benefit. ‘The judge reached down and snatched up the => Sadaieer which had fallen from the wounded man’s hand. : ““Now—he’s only punctured in his leg—he will get worse if he makes any more threats against me or my daughter. Here, Mr. Proprietor, I want this man cleared out of here, and I would the morning: . _ The owner of the miserable hotel was over- He was “between the devil and the deep blue he liked the judge, nd was showing a re- whom he found sobbing ne , 1 was afraid that you had been taught that Newcastle artes wey, ieee peed gon _ by the way, that young gone i home ‘town. There may be some like to pay my bill and leave the first thing in ~~ + a - body bring a lantern so we can see FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY ci . to watch for trouble, tilting himself back in an old-fashioned rocking chair, by the window, with the lights out. His daughter finally went to sleep, with her father’s reassuring watchfulness to calm her. No harm came to them that night, although the trickeries of Newcastle were not, through. Meanwhile, at this same time, Dan Dobson was feeling his way along the dark, rough road, back to the farmhouse, where his party was resting, unconscious of his own adventure. Dan reached the place, and picked his steps as best he could around the house, toward where he knew the barn to be. He heard the horses stamping nervously in the stable, as though alarmed at something. “That scoundrel is trying to hamstring or poi- son those horses as sure as shooting!” he ex- claimed under his breath, as he noted this. Quick as his thought, he sprang forward to a run, and in a jiffy reached the barn. The door was open, and Dan daringly rushed into the dark doorway. He encountered a man’s figure at once, and there was a scuffle. “Let me go, or I'll stick this knife inter ye!” hissed his opponent. ‘ Dan believed him, for there was a sudden pain in his left arm. “Not, yet!” grunted Dan, as he managed to club his revolver and bring it down on the fei- low with a resounding whack. The man gave a cry of pain, and tried to wrig- gle away from Dan’s hold. But the determined youth was ready and ac- — tive. ., , ; . He took his good chance. ‘ The wriggle gave him a hold on the fellow’s arms, and Dan pulled them behind in “double- - hammer throw” by which a man’s arm can be broken if the holder desires. “Hey, fellows. Hey, Tom Dingle!” yelled Dan, lustily, to his friends in the house. 7 The call woke them up, and there was a rush - of men out toward the barn in a minute or two. : “What's the matter?” : “Where are ye?” “Here I am,” res who was, trying to Dan. “I’ve got a man amstring the horses. Some- This was done, and Tom finally released his _ prisoner, who sprang up to face a half dozen . gun-barrels pointed at his heurt. = “Ye’re all robbers!” cried the owner of the farmhouse. “I'll have a law on ye.” ; ; i “No, you won't,” said the sheriff, “for I rep- resent the law. ‘ Let’s see the hosses, Dan. a 2 makes you accuse him?” ate Our hero then related the experience, and the story.of the esca girl, who had gee to spread the news of their approach to Newcastle's re- gion P} - : et =H" gone ; . (To be continued.) =
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ITEMS OF a4 QUEER STAMP COUNTERFEITERS A conspirary through which the Government has been defrauded of large sums by wholesale distribution of counterfeit postage stamps was _ disclosed by treasury a as a result of the -- arrest in Milwaukee, Wis., of a girl known as the “Queen of the Counterfeiters.” E Arrests of ringleaders in the East are expected as a result of the revelations. ; Counterfeit postage stamps have been distrib- uted over the country, it was learned, and large mail order houses are said to have been swin- dled of thousands of dollars. _. he stamps are believed to have been printed - jn several denominations, the principal ones being - ~ two-cent and one-cent stamps. . FACTS ABOUT THE GIANT RAY The great devilfish or giant ray, which abounds in the waters around Beaufort, S. C,, and Cap- - tiva Inlet, Fla., has occasionally been found off New York and New Jersey. The furthest north dt has ever been taken is Block Island, where one was caught in the last week of last August. This is fourteen feet wide between the tips of _ the ral fins, sevén feet long from head to base of tail, and weighed 1,686 pounds. This is the only specimen known to have been weighed, _ but there are stories of fish that are said to have weighed 10,000 pounds. ¢ Dr. E. W. Gudger of the American Museum of - Natural History writes of the giant ray in - Science, and says that naturalists who have de- ‘seribed it differ as to whether it has a large spine or sting on its tail. The one caught at Block Is- aa had none, but there was a wound on the tail gam a spine was said to have been torn off. : ne late Theodore Gill, dean of American ich- thyologists, doubted the spine, as have other riters, although some naturalists picture it with ta - §PEED OF FINGERS DIFFER IN HANDS . : fingers of your right hand are quicker an Sig ar than those of your left, says the — Po Seience Monthly, pen? ring finger of your left hand shows a burst of speed whenever it can work with the forefinger _ of your right hand; and it slows down noticeably when it must team with the middle finger of your hand. Two fingers workin together are faster than 2 eng it one. ‘And a combination of two ers on opposite: hands is faster than two fin- m the same hand. eatiot rebae it increases the speed of all fin- ends to increase the rate of the slow ones ‘than the fast ones, thus overcoming the eap of the ones that lag naturally. SS ey aiak Be No nagh dled haa of these facts about the ‘of your hands. They have been conclu- recently by a series of tests _ meg e ji of Technolo- = ae ne ee Or oe FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY ; { pianist, perhaps you have _ 83 INTEREST MAURETANIA HANGS UP ANOTHER RECORD The Cunard liner Mauretania, holder of the westbound transatlantic speed record, has added new laurels by. establishing a new eastbound rec- vaya according to cable advices to the Cunard ine. The ship, which left April 26, arrived at Cher- bourg at 3:46 a. m., having made the voyage from New York in 5 days, 8 hours and 56 minutes. This is said to be eight hours faster than any other run ever recorded between these two ports. The Mauretania’s record run from Queenstown to New York was made in 4 days 10 hours and 41 minutes. The record day’s run was 676 knots, an average of 28.16 knots per hour. The total av- erage speed for the voyage was 26.06 knots. At that time she was a coal burner and she is now equipped for fuel oi]. On her first voyage to this port predictions were made that she would lower her own record, and the belief that She will do so in time is shared by her commander and her officers. Send us a one-cent stamp to cover postage, and = will mail you a copy of “Moving Picture ories. : “Mystery Magazine”. SEMI-MONTHLY 10 CENTS A Copy —— LATEST ISSUES —— AT MORIARITY’S, by Fred F. Shuey. : cy — Ss STAR OF THE FILMS, by Jack Bech- COUNTERFPIT CLUES, by Chas. F. Oursler. ey RnChET SERVI = uiste SECRET SERVICE MYSTERY, b Craigie and Elliot Balestier. Bef, mone A_CRIMSON PRICE, by Elliott Lester. 102 ie Sx adage g STRANGE CASE, by Gottlieb acobs. A MUSEUM MYSTERY, by Jack Rechdor. THE LITTLE RED BOOK, by Alexander Young A MAN FROM STAM, by Charles Fuiton Oursler The Clue of the Emerald Ring, by Renlah Poynter, HELL'S HINGES, by Hamilton Craigie. THE WOLF, by Katherine Stage. THE BRASS BUTTON, by Jack Bechdolt. The Famous Detective Story Out Today In No. 110 Is A WHISPERING NY By CHAS. FULTON OURSLER HARRY E. WOLFF, Publisher, Ine., ood West a Street, New York city i “Moving Picture Stories” © A Weekly Magazine Devoted to Photoplays and Players PRICE SEVEN CENTS PER COPY . Each number contains Four Stories of the Films | on the Screens — Elegant Half-tone the Pleys — int pe About Prominent hos in the Films —— ‘in oo of Actors and A resses Studios and Tessons in Scenario Waiting : ii’ oo ce ee se
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24 Abandoned In a Mine By ALEXANDER ARMSTRONG In the summer of 1850 three men penetrated that part of Colorado which is now known as Gunnison County. The party consisted of a Corn- jshman named Hall, an American sailor named Goff, and a Spanish Indian, whose surname of Juarez was corrupted into “Horace” by his com- panions. They came from California Gulch and were looking for gold. In those day the presence of silver was not suspected in that part of the “Rockies,” and the mines were all “placers.” They were all adventurers, and Goff and the Spaniard were, in addition to that, frontier desperadoes of the worst class. They had fallen together hap- hazard, and started on their venture upon for- ‘tune with a few weeks’ rations packéd on a mule, their tools, arms and the clothes they stood in. They found eventually a promising spot, and went into camp. It was on the margin of a lit- tle stream, where the sand at first showed gold __ in the washing pans; but, after a time the placer played out, and certain surface croppings prompted them to sink a shaft. As they went down the ore that they encount- . ered—a sort of rotten quartz—seemed continually . on the point of growing richer, but continually z failed. So°a month’s time found them with an unprofitable hole of fifty feet, worn out, dis- couraged, angry—in brief, ripe for trouble of any kind. Hal] had favored going on with the work; - the other two were eager to abandon it, and re- proached him with the failure. This led to hard words, quarrels, and nights When never a word was spoken at all. One morning all three went to the shaft, Hall and Horace descending, and Goff remaining above ‘to work the windlass. . seended ‘by means of a rude rope ladder, as one man’s strength did not suffice to draw them up in a bucket. In the course of an hour or two the > Spaniard made some excuse to return to the sur- face, and while he was - Hall filled the bucket. He gave the signal, and up it went, but when he - turned to his pick again he heard a peculiar noise, : and looked around to see the rope ladder being » owithdrawn. ‘Tt was then a dozen feet above his head. At that his veins ran ice and his peril flashed before his mind as clear as day. “Hello, above there,” he shouted. “Don’t take that ladder away from me.” ___By that time both ladder and bucket were clear of the shaft, and the flat, sinister face of the American peered over the edge. _» “Baw] away, lad!” he called tauntingly. “We'll you something to bawl about!” : “Yo ain’t going to leave me here, are yeu?” A miner. — red at the verge, with a “You love the r — “8 ee They ascended and de-~ - flannels, and tore his cl “pi ie <= strips. He tried dnd tected them, Te waa not FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY mine—ver’ good—you stay in him; stop now, or I smash you dead.” But the American remonstrated. It was a bit of cruelty more to his fancy to let the fellow starve there; and at last, laughing heartily, they waved him adieu, and-went away. Ten minutes later he heard the hoofs patter dgwn the gulch, and he knew he was abandoned. Hall sat down and tried to think. He knew that rescue by other miners was impossible, for they were the only white men in the district. Discovery by Indians was only a contingency al- most equally remote, and such a thing would mean nothing less than the stake. The sides of the shaft were not timbered, and it was altogether out of the question to attempt to climb them. : He was caught like a trapped rat, and turn the issue however he would it took no other form than death. In a few hours he must begin to suffer from thirst; in a few hours more from hunger; then all the hideous stages of famine and madness. He was buried alive. His hair stood on end at the thought, and spurred by terror, he leaped to his feet and split the air with shrieks and curses. : _ The hollow shaft echoed them back again until his lungs wore themselves out and he was: still. The situation was deadly in its very simplicity, but still he could not make up his mind_to die. Between his paroxysms of horror he gathered | his senses and conjured up and dismissed a thous- and hopeless plans. * Only one did he attempt to put into execution; that was to cuf steps in the shaft sides. He carved a dozen with his pick, but the soft formation crumbled under his toes, and he knew it was vain. Thus the balance of the day passed, and the night. Morning found him pacing a circle at the - bottom of the shaft, his eyes glassy, his breath coming in gasps, and his hand weaving the airin’ - aimless gesticulation. The torments of thirst and hunger, augmented a hundredfold by antici- pation, were upon him. Sometimes he sobbed like a child, sometimes he dropped on his knees and tried to pray, and again he sprang to his feet with a jargon of oaths shook his clenched fist, and called on his murder- ers to meet him in perdition. ' : When he looked upward he saw a blue dise of sky, cut in twain by the windlass bar. He stared 3 at this, and as he stared he gave a sudden yell of joy. He seized his pick and scrutinized the han- = dle. It was made of stout, well-seasoned hickory, - and very carefully he split off a piece from end 4 to end about the size of his thumb. Then he tapered it gently at the extremities. It was true and elastic, and sprung under his fingers like steel. This done he snatched off his boots. Thanks to the love of an‘old mother back in England; he wore long blue acksOge. knitted of sound, home- ly yarn. He loosened a strand with _ touch, and it unraveled readily. ¥2 S58 In a little while it lay in a coil at his feet. _ Then he stood erect and stripped himself of his long enough. ? mrss Ret eae Re ee tee om Se ne eS ho re aes fei, oan
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He split his leather belt in two; he twisted _ his braces into cord; his coat was lined with a _ By this time it was afternoon. At the first attempt the arrow struck the side and clattered _ back, bringing some loose dirt with it. He re- laid the yarn and tried again. _ Up went the arrow and dropped outside. The - miner felt the sweat start on his forehead, and very tenderly, lest he should break the string, he _ drew it in again. _._ The next time he did not dare look up. Had he done so he would have seen the arrow leap ‘Straight and true into the open air, pause for an Instant like a bird on the wing, and drop back __ On the other side of the wind] shaft. It fell at his feet, and when he saw the cord _ joy. His hand shook so that he could scarcely at- _ tach the rope, but it was made fast at last and went slowly up’ and back again. _ He waited not an instant, but, gathering his Strength for a final effort, he seized the rope and started up, hand over hand. - i“ But before ‘he ascended a dozen feet he was - seized with a premonition, so potent that he slid back, and, tearing an old letter in two, penciled $ name and story on the margin. “That in case of accident,” he muttered, be- And well he did so. Had he forgotten it, this y at least would never have been told, for en he was within a fathom of the top—when -haggered eyes had caught the green crests of 2 pines, and the free air of heaven was in his uth—the weak rope broke, and he fell headlong to space. me wandering miners found his corpse the tt year. The American and the Spaniard, "ez, were never heard of again. a ‘ONE CENT A MONTH it a year ago a bright looking young man d our counting-room in response to an ad- ment for an peg shipping-clerk. a usual tale of how he desired a position i. 3 e FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY ded in the air he burst into wild tears of’ 25 month, providing you think it would not be too much to double my salary each month there- after.” “That’s a novel proposition, surely,” said the proprietor, with a smile. “Do you know what you’re talking about, my dear boy?” “Well, sir, my principal aim is to learn the business,” responded the young fellow, “and I would be almost willing to work for nothing, but I'd like to feel and be able to say that I was earn- ing something, you know.” “Vl take you,” remarked the proprietor, de- cisively. “One cent, two cents, four cents, eight cents, sixteen,” he enumerated. “You won’t get much for a while,” he added. He took him up to the cashier. “This is John Smith,” he said. “He will go to work as assistant shipping-clerk to-morrow. His salary will be one cent this month. Double it every month from now on.” ‘ “In consideration of my working for this small salary might I ask you to assure me a positien for a definite period?” inquired John Smith. “We don’t usually do that,” replied the pro- prietor, “but we can’t lose much on you, any- how, I guess, and you look like an honest fellow. How long do you want employment?” “Three years, sir, if agreeable to you.” The proprietor agreed, and young Mr. Smith, on pretense of wanting some evidence of the sta- bility of his place, got him to write out and’siga a paper that he had been guaranteed a posi- tion in the house for three years on the terms stated. : He worked along for six months without draw- ing a cent. He said he would draw all his earn- ings at Christmas. The cashier one day thought he’d figure up how much would be coming to the young man. He grew so interested im the project that he kept multiplying for three years. The result almost staggered him. This is the column of figures he took to the proprietor: First month, .01; second, .02; third, .04; fourth, .08; fifth, .16; sixth, 32; seventh, 64; eighth, $1.28; ninth, $2.56; tenth, $5.12; eleventh, $10.24; twelfth, $20.48; thirteenth, $40.96; fourteenth, $81.92; fifteenth, $163.84; sixteenth, $327.68; seventeenth, $655.36; eighteenth, $1,311.72; nine- teenth, $2,623.54; twentieth, $5,247.08; twenty- first, $10,494.16; twenty-second, $20,988.32; twen- ty-third, $41,976.64; twenty-fourth, $82,953.28; twenty-fifth, $165,006.56; twenty-sixth, $331,- $13.12; yg: Ppt Gare $663,526.24; twenty- eighth, $1,327,252.48; twenty-ninth, $2,654,504.90; thirtieth, $4,309,009.92; thirty-first, $8.618,019.84; thirty-second, $17,236,089.68; thi hird, $384,- 472,078.36; thirty-fourth, $68,944,156.73 ; - fifth, $137,888,313.44; thirty-sixth, $275,776,626-
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26 FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY NEW YORK, JUNE 9, 1922 TERMS TO SUBSCRIBERS Single Postage .-Postage Free 7 Cents One Copy Three Months. % = = Cents One Copy Six Months. . S ve $1.75 One Copy One Year........+- v2 = Canada, $4.00; Foreign, $4.50. 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 Posta Stamps the same as cash. When sending silver wrap the Coin in a — piece of paper to avoid cutting the envelope. rite your name and address plainly. Ad- dress letters to Harry E. Wolff, Pres. HARRY E. WOLFF, C. W. Hastings, Treas. Publisher, Inc., Charles E. Nylander, Sec. 166 W. 23d St., N. ¥. INTERESTING AR1iCLES COLD AIR FROM HER WELL A woman at Newark, N. J., has a ved! artesian well which always emits a stream of cold dry air. This she has had piped through her house, where it is used for drying clothes, and in place of ice, and for keeping the house cool in summer. SEA HORSE DISAPPEARING The sea horse (hippocampus) is becoming searcer in the North Atlantic, and the Scientific American suggests that this is due to the large quantities of heavy oils used as fuel by ocean- -going vessels. This oil kills the tiny crustaceans which are the sole food of the little sea horse. FIND MASTODON TUSKS “Was Pratt County, Kan., at one time the graz- ing ground for mastodons?” _ Such is the question the citizens of the county are asking themselves. A fragment of a tusk ten inches in diameter was found a few days ago - while digging a ditch, and Prof. Rufus Gray of ~ the Pratt High School believes it is from a giant mastodon, a skeleton of which was found thirty years ago in the same neighborhood. The ribs of this skeleton were eleven feet across, indicating a height of twenty-five feet or more, This skeleton, according to old time citi- zens, was found in nearly the same spot as the ‘tusk was found. OWNS MOST VALUABLE PECAN TREE What is said to be the most valuable pecan tree FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY they will be budded with buds from the parent tree, which will assure their bearing true to the original stock. Roth, from a few trees on his place, sold over $2,000 worth of trees last year. As there will be 1,600 trees on the 190 acres, and buds from only the best tree will be used, it should produce a fortune in ten years, according to pecan growing authorities. Because of the deep rooting system of the pe- can, the general farm work will not be interfered with and the trees will not interrupt the grow- ing of crops on the land, cultivation of which will force growth upon the trees, it is explained. LAUGHS Mrs. A.—What did your husand say when he saw the bill for your new gown? Mrs. B—I didn’t hear. I started to play on the piano. _ Friend—Does the new landlady at your board- ing house appear to be getting a living out of it? Boarder—Yes, she is, but we are not. * He—They tell me Jones is Cornish by birth— She—How strange that it should run in the fam- a I thought they were always caused by tight shoes. “Hubby,” said Mrs. Begg, “I want a new ring.” — right, my dear,” acquiesced her lord and master. “T’ll have the electrician put in a new door-bell to-morrow.” - Sonny—Aw, pop, I don’t wanter study arith- metic. Pop—What! a son of mine grow up and not be able to figure up baseball scores and bat- ting averages? Never! “Well, dear, I guess the honeymoon is over.” “Why do you say that?” pouted the bride. “I’ve been taking stock and find I’m down to two dol- | lars and sixty-five cents.” “Since you have decided not to marry me, please give me my presents back.” “Well, of all the nerve! _You’re the first man I’ve ever been engaged to that showed such a mean spirit.” “Won’t you take this seat?” said the gentleman in the car, rising and lifting his hat. “No, thank you,” said the girl with skates over her arm. “T’ve just been roller-skating and I’m tired of sit- ting down.” “ in the United Bespes = sven rid sere 218 __ 3 Tex. It is owned by A. B. Roth, a farmer, who . = Pasion If doll was offered and refused $1,000 for the tree as it Net mig aetiine Red 6 pgerwtge tres < one ; stands... From the nuts of this tree Roth is plant- 4, get de change, an’ when I came back he was Ag ee ated edatits een aeane ae gone. Second Newsbay Het long was you gone ae o * 9 i. all . aA bein 2 ¥ | ori eat oe large atd ofthe for de change? First Newsboy: ut two hours. Sey 1 iety. They are in such demand for = : z ooiting is be re that they sell readily for 50 —- Send us a one-cent stamp to cover postage, and — Oy SU ae eae Sa. pel See pS ee __. we will mail you a copy of “Moving Picture — m. the little. pecan trees are two years old- Stories” = Sa < sss Sia 5 abe aoe,
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_ SKELETON OF BARBARIAN TIMES FOUND SS IN GENEVA “While digging a trench in his vineyard, at _ @hancy (near Geneva), a peasant found a hu- man skull and bones placed in a sort of c z These remains date apparently from the time of the great Barbarian invasions; they were ly- _ ing on a sheet of limestone as is found in Bur- _ gundian and Alemannic tombs. Another interesting discovery has been made in the town of Geneva on a spot where old houses are being pulled down. The workmen have _ “brought to light many rows of well preserved oak statues 9 feet high. They mark the place where the shore of the lake stood at the time of the Romans. It is not yet known whether they formed _ part of the Gallo-Roman port of Geneva or sup- ported lake dwellings. They are at a distance of _ 450 yards from the present shore of the lake. ar he) >, eae KILLED CHICKS IN’ EGGS Joseph Diefenbach, a veteran musician and an amateur poultry: raiser, will have to decide whether to discontinue raising poultry or give up _ playing his bass viol at home. He has discovered the two will not harmonize in the home. His wife objected to his playing the bass viol in e living room owing to the constant vibration, _ and he arranged a place in the basement where he could practise. He also had four settings of 7 fifty-two in all, about ready to hatch in _ the basement. Diefenbach became worried when the eggs 1 to hatch and investigation disclosed a dead < in each egg. He was unable to determine cause and consulted an expert. He was in- ‘med that the vibration from the bass viol play- g had killed the chicks. me CUELESS BILLIARD EXPERT __ There have been all sorts of freaks in the ath- Jetic world, including the h billiard won- ‘der, the armless harness horse racing driver, the one-armed golfer and the three-fingered base- “ball pitcher, but it remains for Sam Weinfeld, ng Hungarian, to come to bat as the cueless Weinfeld, who is just twenty-one Forge old, has doing this trick for years; in fact, since the ‘of six. He makes the most difficult shots with Gngers—shots that the world’s wizards of the Willie Hoppe, Jake Schaefer, Caesar Conti others find trouble executing with their : Y. : twist, much after the fashion e his eyes and locate the is able to make forty points at straight = | FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY FROM ALL POINTS 2t.. HATED THE WHITES Peter Waiska, eighty-seyen years old, the last of the Waiskas, proudest branch of the long line of Chippewa Indian chiefs, is dead. The aged Indian carried with him to his grave the strain of pride and all his hatred of the “whites,” which for years made the Waiska In- dians the outstanding braves of the many tribes inhabiting the Great Lakes section. He died of exposure to the cold, an element which for years he scoffed at. The Waiskas inhabited the region now known as the Bay Hills and the Waiska River and Bay district in Chippewa County, Mich., when the first white missionaries and settlers pushed their way into the wilderness. The tribe, with its cen- turies old pride, looked with disfavor on the white man, who came and cleared their lands and then broke them with a plough. Peter Waiska until the last maintained the- same feeling of hatred that befitted the final sur- vivor of his race. His friends say that he grew more and more melancholy year by year as he watched the forest disappear and the white men’s modern inventions take their place. KEPT COFFIN UNDER HER BED FOR 25 YEARS The coffin that Mrs. Eliza Bass kept under her bed for 25 years has at last been put touse. The old woman has died at the age of ninety-four and they have buried her, as she commanded, in the rude box that kept her close and constant com- y for so long. Its proximity soothed her and made her slum- bers more satisfactory. She always declared, moreover, it kept her lonely little house on the edge of the village as safe from chicken thieves and other marauders as if she had a pack of fierce bull dogs to protect her. The negro population of Lumberton, N. C., and the surrounding Soi | had a deadly fear of the. old woman’s house. ey would go hundreds of out of their way to keep from passing near e . “ Back in 1898 Mrs. Bass became ill and Arren Ivey, an old‘carpenter, was brought into the room and instructed as to how the coffin should be made. In a few days a nice bcx made of heart pine and varnished black was brought into the room and, at the old woman’s request, placed un- der her bed. Immediately she grew better. This happened several times in susequent years. do you get well every time when they bring the coffin out from under the bed?” she was once asked. 3 “Well, I'll tell you,” she said. “I hate coffins as much as an . So when I see it, it makes me hate to die so d that I just naturally gits
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FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY GOOD READING > CRACK-PROOF GLASS GLOBES FOR GAS A series of opal globes, designed for use with the incandescent gaslight, recently placed on the market in England, will survive the most se- vere conditions of heat without eracking, says the Scientific American. Every housewife who has had trouble with the usual glass globe knows how expensive and dangerous the ordinary form is, with its short life and frequent crackings. The new material changes all this. There is absolutely no chance of its cracking through over- heating, even if a mantle kreaks and the flame impinges ¢irect on the globe or shade. For it is vitreous silica, silica fused in the intense heat of the electric are (at a temperature of over 400 degrees F.) and allowed to cool into the ey beautiful and artistic forms in which it is available. The great characteristic of this fused silica is that its coeffcienc of expansion is practically nil. From this cause arises its immunity from dam- age by sharp changes of heat. We.have seen a piece of vhis material dipped into water, placed wet in a Bunsen gas flame and heated to bright redness, and then suddenly thrown into cold ‘water. No apparent change took place, and this drastic treatment may be repeated indefinitely without the “vitreosil” (as it is called) losing its beautiful glaze or its characteristic semi- transparency. This latter property, which be- stows upon light transmitted through it a de- lightful soft effect, is due to the presence of innumerable minute air bubbles throughout the whole body of the material. PROTECTING THE FUR SEAL . The Pacific fur seal herd is on the move. and the vanguard will shortly appear off the coast of Washington and British Columbia, lead- ing the way to the summer rendezvous on the - Pribiloff Islands in the middle of Bering Sea. All winter long the seals have been scattered through the South Pacific, but as spring ap- a) Bo OA de the North and they converge toward the Cali- fornia coast and then follow their time-worn ‘ ‘cove along the Western coast of the United tes, British Columbia and Alaska, the mile- stones of their route being the deep sea fishing » banks where succulent salmon, halibut and other fish keep them sleek and fat. 2 _ Few, if any, other animals are so carefully for sach fostering the fur seal probably now t Id be an extinct animal. With the exception of a smal! colony that summers on the Comman- _ der Islands, off the coast of Kamchatka, Siberia, _ the herd which propagates on the Pribiloffs is ee the only fur seal herd known to be in existence. a ‘ tht dhe ae The annual migration to the northward has begun, - proaches the mating instinct turns their heads to. pamj-ered and nursed by Uncle Sam, and except. ‘tte Prion Inlandsnombered, aceon ing to various official estimates, from 2,000,000 to 000,000. animals, but due to ruthless operations by sealers of many nations, the herds were deci- mated annually. The United States Government, yeam after year, endeavored to negotiate treaties for the protection of the seals. In 1891 a measure of success was obtained in a treaty with Great Briain which practically eliminated Canadian sealers. The massacre of the herds continued, however. Numerous schooners, flying the Japanese flag an- nually reaped a rich harvest, and the Japanese government steadfastly refused to interfere with the enterprise. Finally, in 1911, when the herds by unrestrained pelagic sealing had been reduced to approximately 250,000 animals, the efforts of the United States were rewarded and a treaty among four nations—Russia, Great Britain, Japan and the United States—was negotiated to con- tinue in force for 15 years. This agreement prohibited any of the nationals of the signatory powers from taking seals at any time anywhere, with the provision, however, that agents of the United States might take a few thousand skins each year from bachelor males summering on the Pribiloffs. This does not in- terfere with the propagation of the herds. By the terms of the treaty the United States not only amply rewarded the nations for any loss sustained by their nationals, but agreed to give annually 15 per cent. ef the proceeds of the skins taken from the few animals killed. During the months of April, May and June this year, the cutter Snohomish will guard the herd along the route between the Columbia Rive and the Alaskan boundary, and the cutter Unal from the latter point to the entrance to Bering Sea. After the middle of June, the herd, with the exception of a few stragglers, will have passed into Bering Sea and three other coast guard vessels will maintain a rigid guard there. . ————————_—_—_—_—_=_=_—_—S—//_ Musical Handsaw Greatest Novelty of the Age : . : ’ 5 ra eer ..
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GOLDFISH IN SUBWAY Nobody would ever expect to find goldfish in the subway, but they are there. If sceptics doubt this take a trip over to the At- lantic avenue sta- tion of the Inter- | borough and see. Moreover, it is doubtful whether the thov-ands of Passengers who pass that point daily are aware of the aquarium that stands near the window of the Signal station at the north end of the station plat- form. The Long Is- land commuter had passed it many times _be- fore he noticed it. One morning he caught a glimpse of it as the train speeded by. The following day he determined to in- vestigate. The aquarium is about two feet long and eight- een inches high. One of the men employed in the Signal station who is a lover of outdoors placed it i and tends it. “Tt is a rather odd place to keep anaquarium, isn’t it?” he re- marked. “Well, I like’ flowers, but can’t grow them here under _the street. So lI tried “an experi- ment with gold- fish and they are thriving’ in their Subterranean at- mosphere. Down here in the dark- hess, away from the sunshine, these fish help me to pass the hours away. They aren’t any trouble and “4 give me Pleasure.” TOBACCO OR SNUFF . HABIT CURED OR NO PAY $1.00 IF _SUCCESSFUL No matter whether used in pipe, cigarettes, ‘cigars. chewed, or used in the form of snuff, Superba Tobacco Remedy contains nothing in- Juriour. no dope. poisons, or habit forming drugs. SENT ON TRIAL GUARANTEED. Costs yp ly if results are not satisfactory. WRITE FOR FUL! TREATMENT TODAY. SUPERBA COQ. Baltimore, Md M-21 TOBACCO HABIT MAKE &T QUIT YOU your loved ones, but it containsa which weakens heart, stomach, Datees vitali vites 4: “ay shorten your life, ybtem hy trying EASY TO QUIT od Nix- PB tine te Tobacco Treat- a from the craving ‘o further desire for 4 jess; F muarantocd. R succeeded In thou- ie mise Sami Sent On Trial Write today for fi full Te Treatment on trial. CHEMICAL CO., 12-ASt., Hastings, Neor, SOR PS ¢ in vigor,bat don ‘t shock your 5 to quit unaided. makes "dares how ta OUT FLT. Rush your nameand address and we will tell you HOW you can get this Baseball Out- fit, consisting of Baseball Suit, Cap, Fielder’s Glove, lively league Baseball, Catcher's Mitt. Absolutely FREE Write at once for FREE Basebal] Outfit Home Supply Co. 114 Nassau St., Dept. 858 New York City 00 a Se racy tgs AT. ONCE— Prepaid, N Pay the balance $2.00 eb g If any jeweler anywhere can CS licate this watch jor less than return after 30 DAYS FREE TRIAL CREDIT Dept. P77, Not only is tobacco filthy and disgusting to adly Poison & LAwRIONS seDAR The Wonderful ALL- YEAR CAR — Elect STARTER and LIGHT: —Drive Your Own Car & count th ) fun. Try it. Send us your an- swer and become ; ' ; — ae Ford a > fantOther l4 recently won Auto prizes and hundreds of dollars in Cash body Wins &. ceny ye w a be —— ra W oo Teen ewes many os tos. t you? Send your answe Ford Willson, Maried W. Ohio St, Dept. 2107 valuab! i. Shicozo.m, Especially Appro- priate for Wed- ding Gradua- tion or Gift. “* TWORITE” TOJLET SET $3.88, postpaid Beautiful design, 6x11 in. mirror, heavy beveled glass, ll-row pure white bristle brush, extra strong comb. Sent C. O. D. or ou money order. Sent prepaid within 24- hours after receipt of order, SUPERIOR PRODUCTS CO., No. 3 Park Row, New York His Rupture Old Sea Captain Cured His Rupture After Doctors Said “Operate or Death.” Own His Remedy and Book Scent Free. Captain Collings sailed the seas for many years; then he sustained a bad double rup- ture that soon forced him to not only re- main-ashore, but kept him bedridden for years. He tried doctor after doctor and truss after truss. No results! Finally, he was assured that he must either submit to a dan- gerous and abhorrent operation or die. He did neither! He cured himself instead. Captain Collings made a study of himself, of his condition—and at Iast he was reward- ed by the finding of the method that so quickly made him a well, strong, vigorous and happy man. Anyone can use the same method; it’s sim- ple, easy. safe and inexpensive. Every ru tured person in the world should have the Captain Collings book, telling all about how he cured himself, and how anyone may fol- low the same treatment in their own home without any trouble. The book and medicine are FREE. They will be sent prepaid to any rupture sufferer who will fill out the below coupon. But send it right away—now —before you put down this paper. FREE RUPTURE BOOK AND REMEDY COUPON Capt. W. A. Collings (Inc.) Box 368F, Watertown, N.Y Please send me your FREE Rupture Remedy and Book withont any obli- gation on my part whatever. Name .....+ Address Peer eee ee eee eee eee eee ee oreo eee Pee See eee eee eee ee ee eres
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Brand new, absolutely first cord tires. Guaranteed 8,000 miles and adjusted at-the list price on that guarantee. The prices below include a brand new ‘Tubs 30x3™_....$ 9.50 2x4 $16.10 S08G. 21.10 35x65, - 26.50 Send no money. d tell us thé size of your tires O. D. with section New Hair Growth After BALDNESS On legal affidavit, John Hart Brittain, business man, certified 20 this: My head at the top and back was absolutely bald, The Bcalp was shiny, An expert said that he thought the hair roots were extinct, and there was no hope of my ever having a new hair growth, “Yet now, at an age over 66, I have a luxuriant growth of ft, strong, lustrous hair! No trace of baidness. The pictures shown oo are ae my photographs.’” Mr, Brittain certified furthers INDIAN’S SECRET OF HAIR GROWTH ) **At a time when Z had become discourage at trying various hair lotions, tonics, specialists treatments, etc., I came across, in my travels, & 3 eenehee Indian pacer man’ “i pe oe Bee memliied oa) that he asseverated would grow my hair. though fey hair grow Shad but littl faith, I gave it's trial. To my “ growth amazement s light fuzz soon appeared, It developed, day by day, into a healthy growth, and ere long my, hair was as prolific as in my youthful days. f (as nll ae sc ‘ * That I was astonished and hapby is expressing my state of mind mildly. Obviously, the hair roots had not been dead, but were dormant im the scalp, awaiting tho fertilizing potency of the mysterious pomade, 2, I negotiated for and came into possession of the principle for pre~ — — paring this gene pty ealles, ~ ec and later had bald, Fecipe ut,into practic orm by a chemist. Photo when bald, © Phat my out hair growth was permanent has been amply proved,** How YOU May Grow YOUR Hair Tt has been proved in very many cases that hair roots did - ‘hot die even when the hair fell out through dandruff, fever, _ elopecia areata or certain other hair or scalp disorders. Miss A, D. Otto reports: ‘‘About 8 years ago my hair began to fall KOTALKO a almost entirely I used everything that was recommend< FOR FALLING HAIR BALDNESS, DANDRUFF “ ed but was always disappointed until at last I came across Ko- talke; My bald spots are being covered now; the growth is al- ready about three inches.'’ G. WwW. Instchil re apts: 14,7 had spots completely a over hich hair ts For Sale at all hich now growing since BusyDrug Stores ‘4 used Kotalko,’* Mra, Matilda Maxwell reports: ‘‘The whole front of my head was as bald as the palm of my hand for about 15 years. Since usin Kotalko, hair aL. over the place that was bald,’ Kotalko is wonderful Many more splendid convincing yeports from satisfied users, for women’s hair, contains GENUINH BEAR OYE: and other potent ins No alcohol, no shampoo; but a hair elixir of 4 a TA L 4 0 par: ffi All ingredient fe and harmless . ecdients are sate a By ate Sven for achild’s sealp and bair. Positively KOTALKO is one delightfully reliable hair preparation that succeeds upon genuine merit, Buy 9 box of KOTALKO at the drug store. Or ask for Kotalko et the toilet goods or drug counter of any large depsrtment store, Remember the mame. Accept nothing else as ‘*just as ** $300.00 GUARANTEE, Or if you send 10 oma ae or stamps), you will cd a PROOF BOX of Kotalko with B rag ost, Determine NOW to eliminate DANDRUFF, to treat BALDNESS, to 8TO Eive From FALLING. Get = box of guaranteod KOTALKO, apply once or twice daily; watch in your mirror. For PROOF BOX (10 cents, none otherwise) write to 000 Mile Cord Tires -KOTALKO OFFICES, BA-375, Station X, New York | vidual SAVING MONEY NATION’S STRENGTH In a letter to Stuart W. Wells, president. of a Minneapolis, Minn., bank, who had requested an expression on the subject of Thrift and systematic saving of money, jthne Hon. Andrew W. Mellon, Secre- jtary of the Treas- jury, said: “It has always been a firm con- viction with me that ability to save money is one of the essential elements in indi- success, The economic habits of the peo- ple are a fair in- dex to the eco- nomic strength of the Nation. I know, therefore, of no more influ- ential effect that could be made upon American society than that the practice of saving money should become universal. “In continuing the Treasury sav- ings movement after the close of the recent war it was the object of the Treasury De- partment that the economic habits developed in America during the war might be made permanent and that the sav- ing and safe in- vestment of mon- ey might become a universal prac- tice. Let me as- sure you that any- effort on the part of the banking in- stutions to im- prove the finan- cial condition of — the people through the sav- ing of money has the hearty in- dorsement of the Treasury Depart- ment.”
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DESERT WASTES MAPPED BY AID OF RADIO TIME eMy 2 new de- av now been added to the map of the Meso- tamian desert, by blazing of the trail for the Cai- ‘yo- Bagdad air route and_ the method. adopted to locate the ex- act position of the new geographical features has something of the romantic in it. A small party of surveyors set out to cross the desert from Cairo to Bagdad to dis- cover and mark suitable landing grounds. Before their departure the map of this region, which had never before had been crossed by _ Buropeans, was a blank. They made use of the stars for fixing their exact position, a ; a which en- : an exact whine of the time. To this end @ small wireless - Feceiving set was _ Carried, and every Night at about - 10:30 o’clock the Chief surveyor ‘would listen on it for the time sig- Nals sent out by the Eiffel Tower ~ and was thus able -t correct _ to a tenth of Mes a Secord. It isa momance of agp inven- a tion that a wire- less operator in the centre of a &reat city should Sag his sound- rou rR HOME and EARNINGS |j2 with this 25 Calibre = regulation — blue steel Wake e Auto- Automatic car Keep one safery rath ra —— $53 be fully protected against meat ieee tenis ae trible ht wake up in the Bistithear down stairs or in the neglect Fed ee pm ag Ro UNE ROTECTED: vague 4 Absolute satisfaction You ows it to your FAM and to pea EARNiNnGas which :$Q75 to Wha: Id Lost ALL suse “because tou” nite to PROTEST Duy one of these automatic revolvers and always be FULLY PROTECTED, Tipnemne aranteed blue ateel, Brand New : Goods, gun metal fintsh, HAS W ERFUL SAFETY end is Practically “Fool Proof.” Accurate aim, rifled barrel, hard rubber coifortablo- grips, safty lever. SMALL, in pocket, Shoow all stan make care SEND NO MONEY! ORDER een No. TTA as display No. 1500A. 82 cable elector POLICEMAN’S Pistol This e ip sanins, ts be, AOOUBATE St oss as the wonde: ng oul and workmanshi Tepe used in =~ ice while they last........sseseesereecre** $9.75 Ro. or 1‘ as No. 1500 ous = agen % 11.75 1760A. For those who ave DEPENDABLE HAMMERLESS. "pistol, rat 3 ealibre gun is absolutely ap gn a nm boo respects, Specially treated sicel these gw ho We can personally recommend oy Pm to Puen MUST have absolute protection. This NUINE - can not be sold anywhere f Siege eg ss $49. Our as while they last Same model, 38 calibre......... AUTOMATIC REVOLVER made. Ev made, e tion on safety embodied in this model. = ES aseinst accidents. Specially treated steel. None Secret Service Men are using this gun. Regular price, $49.00, wed TueogeRDER TOBAYE Wa receive THOUSANDS of orders every tioate, the Be We el pai faction coverecsoes + 914.80 Prodenth] Bates Co, 147 W, 234 St. New York Prodentil B2ics Co» 147 W, 234 St» New UT Shirt Manufacturer santa agents to sell complete line of pos, Geant to wearer. ag tena Brand. Exdineive pattems. Ho os c tal or experience req values. Entirely new proposition, e tor HIRT CO. MADISON F Noy, gee mail D for ~y Py aiead d to on —— Your choice 0; oa and ate of the toes iP Low aes to der sag Monti ian Heads A Secret How Actors and Actresses Overcome Obesity and ~ Reduce Their Figures Gracefully c Sy ane i} cycle Company ju Sri Sied Ne: |HOW TO BE SLENDER People wonder how it is that actresses and actors maintain their graceful figures, their buoyancy and litheness when the tendency is to become stout. The popular theory that these heroines and heroes of the stage and the movies follow rigid systems of self-starvation (fasting) and strenuous exercising is er- roneous. If they were to do this, they could not be so vigorous or supple. They would be unfit for their duties. Neither can these performers take dras- tie drugs such as thyroid extract, salts, purgatives, ete., for reducing their weight, for those are injurious and weakening. There is a very efficacious self-treatment which consists in taking a harmless com- pound and following simple directions. The name of this is Korein. By following this method, the superflu- ous fat may be eliminated without causing any wrinkles. Flabbiness disappears. In- deed, the flesh becomes firm, while the skin is kept white and velvety. If you find yourself too stout, you should lose no time in getting a box of. Korein tabules at the drug store. With each box is a cash refund guarantee of weight re- duction if easy directions are followed. ‘When you have lost whatever surplus adiposity you desire, it will be easy for you to maintain a graceful, slender figure. By the Korein (pronounced koreen) system persons have reduced from five to sixty pounds, according to their requirements of health, normalcy and beauty. There is vsually a wonderful improve- ment in the health and mind. Irritability disappears and is replaced by cheerful- ness. You see things in an optimistie light, your efficiency is @eveloped—you are your real self. ‘Surely this is better for you than to have your beauty spoiled by gross fatness. Enjoy life and hold the esteem of others. ; A booklet is published called “ Weight Happily’ which will be mailed free - (in plain wrapper) if you write to Koren Company, NM-375, Station X, New York. You would do well to obtain this treatise, for it contains much information @f value to you—if you are overstout, or : becoming #0. Correspondence confi - -
Page 33
/ x3 Le gp pase aad a ree ae aes Fame and Fortune Weekl — LATEST ISSUES — 3 831 Ralph, the Reporter; or, The Mystery of Assign- ment No. 10. 832 A tpexy Risk;, or, The Nerve of a Wall Street is) ice Boy. 833 The Race for Gold; or, After an Aztec Treasure. 83+ are To Win; or, The Wall Street Messenger ho Made a Fortune. 835 The Boy Salesman; or, Out On the Road For Suc- cess. 836 A Young Money Rroker; er, Striking Luck In Wall Street. 837 The Way To Fame; or, The Success of a Young Dramatist. 5 : 838 In the Money Game; or, The Luck of Two Wall E »t Chums. 839 “ y. 7 A enee Sinbad; or, Wrecked on a Treasure Island. $58 Bill Bond's Syndicate; or, A Fortune From a Two- Cent_ Stamp. 859 The Boy Who Vanished; or, The Treasure of the neas. $60 A Born Broker; or, The Success of a Wall Street Boy. 861 Striking a Good Thing; or, College Chums in Business, 862 Among the “Sharks”; or, The Lights and Shadows of Wall Street. 863 In Business for Himself; or, The Lad Who Made the Money. P 864 Charlie of the Curb; or, Beating the Mining Brokers. 865 A Million in Rubies; or, The Rié¢best Find in the World. 886 _ the Bank Messenger; or, The Boy Who Got Rich. 867 Contractor Bob; or, Fighting for a Big Job. 868 A Nervy Deat: or, The Boy o Bought a Kailway. 869 In Bes Newspaper Game; or, The Rise of a Cub rter. 870 Up to the Minute; or, From Office Boy to Broker. For sale by all newsdealers, or will be sent te any on receipt of price, 7c per copy, in money or Dostage stamps, by = HARRY E. WOLEF, Publisher, Inc. 266 West 23d Street, New York City HOW TO SCENARIOS HOW TO. pe a= 5 Paes Oe Sinks! See Cane . covering every phase of scenario writ- For sale by all Newsdealers and Bookstores. . in OUR TEN-CENT HAND BOOKS Useful, Instructive and Amusing. They Contain Valuable Information on Aimost Every Subject No. 35. HOW TO PLAY GAMES. — A complete and useful little book, containing the rules and eS. bagatelle, back-gammon, croquet, nee rang No. 36. HOW TO SOLVE CONUNDRUM * tain- ing all the leading conundrums of the cay, Seeaae riddles, curious catches and witty sayings. No, 40. HOW TO MAKE AND SET TRAPS.—Incind- ing hints on how to catch moles, weasels, otter rats, squirrels and birds. Also how to cure skins. Copiousiy illustrated. Ne. 41. THE BOYS OF NEW YORK END ." JOKE BOOK.—Containing a great variety of che inven jokes used by the most famous end men. No amatear minStrels is complete without this wonderful littie book. No. _#. THE BOYS OF NEW YORK STUMP SPEAKER.—Containing a varied assortment of stump speeches, Negro, Dutch and Irish. Also end men's Just the thing for home amusement and amateur a _ No. 45. THE BOYS OF NEW YORK MINSTREL GUIDE AND JOKE BOOK,.—Something new and very > ecg Fare bey should obtain this. book, as it itains fu nstructions for organizin minstrel troupe. = 4 = eters No. 46. HOW TO MAKE AND USE ELECTRICITY. —A description of the wonderful uses of electricity and electro magnetism; together with full instructions for muking Electric Toys, Batteries, etc. By George Trebel, A.M., M.D. Containing over fifty illustrations. No. 48. HOW TO BUILD AND SAIL CANOES. — A handy book for boys, containing full directions for con- Structing canoes and the most popular manner of sail- ing them. Fully illustrated o. 4%. HOW TO DEBATE.—Giving rules for con eae Seah —o for gs questions fer dis- ussion an e st sources for procurin, oo questions given. 4 <5 For sale by all newsdealers, or will be sent to any 2. o any on receipt of price, 10c. per copy, in money or stamps, by : ‘HARRY E. WOLFF, Publisher, Inc, =} a 7