Fame And Fortune Weekly (no. 983) (1924 08 01)

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BOYS, READ THE RADIO ARTICLES IN THIS NUMBER No. 983 AUGUST 1, 1924 Price 8 Cents AWE: FORTUNE WEENLY. 6fTGRIES OF BOYS THAT MAKE MONEY. THE ROAD TO SUCCESS; on, THE GAREER OF A FORTUNATE BOY 4) 2:e7-mearoem Ano OTHER STORIES : ' behind the boys. Glancing up, they saw the mysterious Frenchman with a heavy cane in his hand. Pointing at the box, he exclaimed, harshly: “‘That ee’s mine!”

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est 23d Street, New York, N. Y. Th Road i OR, THE CAREER OF A FORTUNATE BOY : = CHAPTER I.—The Mysterious Frenchman. “Look yonder, Sam,” cried Joe Page, suddenly ~ clutching his companion by~the arm and pointing _ at the wreck of an old stone house which loomed up grim and ghostly in the pale moonlight in the adjoining field; “there it is again-—the same light I saw moving around there last night from the _ Window of my room when I was going to hed.” _. “] see it,” replied his friend Sam Parsons. ~ “There’s somebody nosing around that old build- ing with a lantern. Do you think it can be John, _ your hired man, looking for something he lost?” . “No,” answered Joe, in a decided tone, “it isn’t _ John, for I spoke to him this morning about the light I saw there last night, and asked him if it _ . Was he that was poking around the old ruin, and he said no.” o. “Then who can it be? No stranger has any _ right on your property. Then, what object could any stranger have in prying around an old, dilap- _ idated building like that, especially at this hour of the night?” _ “Ask me something easier, Sam. Let’s go over and see who iis, anyway.” “T’m with you. We’d better carry a club apiece to protect ourselves in case the stranger should _ turn out to be some pugnacious tramp inclined to - resent our interference.” _ The two boys were leaning over the side ve- -randa rail of the Page farmhouse, which stood some distance from the country rodd. Both were uncommonly bright-looking boys, about six- _ teen’years of age, without a speck of hayseed in _. their make-up, although they had been raised on Ulster County farms. The Page farm was sit- ted about a mile from Pembrook village. It comprised about ninety acres, of which sixty were table for tillage, the remainder being about ally divided between woodland and pasture. ve, with the assistance of a hired man named ohn Jones, ran the farm for his mother, who was idow. He had three sisters—nice, industrious —who were a great help about the place, es- y in ghe summer, when Mrs. Page took a arders from New York City. Sam Parsons, articular crony, lived half a mile further the road. He had a father, mother and 2. ¥ s ae OT Ne hag FAME AND FORTU % Issued weekly—Subscription price, $4.00 per year; Canada, $4.50; Foreign, 9 hye: - Ww B ° = Entered as Second-Class Mat Go = the Post-Office at New York, N. Y,, under the Act of Ma NEW YORK, AUGUST 1, % 1924 =e Via, , Y To uccess %, So By A SELF-MADE MAN» one sister, and his folks also took in boarders during the summer season. The Page property had once upon a time been two separate farms, divided by a rail fence. Farmer Page, a year before his death, bought the adjoining farm, on which stood an old stone house, a relic of Revolutionary days, for fifty dollars an sacre, or seventeen hundred and fifty dollars for the thirty acres, paying five kundred and fifty dollars cash and giving a flat mortgage on the combined property for twelve hundred dollars to Squire Dalton, the village lawyer. The stone house in question, which stood near the dividing fence, was little better than an antique ruin, and within the last week or'two Joe and John had been pulling a portion of it down. They wanted the stone to build a substantial wall along the road in front of the farm-house in place of the dilapidated, worm-eaten fence that had stood there for an indefinite number of years, and which, in Joe’s opinion, at least, was a dis- grace to the property. On the previous evening Joe had seen a light moving about in the old stone house, and he supposed at the time that John Jones was out there for some purpose. John, on being questioned in the morning, de- nied that he had been there at the hour mentioned, and so the boy wondered who the night visitor was. Having decided to investigate the matter, the two boys went to the barn, got a stout cudgel each, and started for the stone house.« They ap- proached the building with due caution, though they failed to see the light uny more, and finally reached a window, bereft of sash, on the ground floor. Looking through this, they beheld a man of average height kneeling in one corner of the room, busily engaged with a trowel in detaching one of the flagstones that formed the floor. The lantern stood between him and the. wall, and consequently this body cut off the reflection of the light. The intruder wore a wide-brimmed felt hat, had a short cape over his shoulders, and his frock was buttoned close about him. a “What the dickens is he up to?” whispered Joe to his companion. “Trying to lift one of those stones out of the - floor, I guess,” responded Sam. - “What does he want to do that fur?” : On <Sf “Sy “we

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Fes THE ROAD “Search me,” replied his friend. “Mighty funny piece of business, don’t you ; think?” es “Rather. He must be hunting for something.” “Why, what could he be hunting for in this old : house?” : “You’ve got me. Hadn’t we better ask him?” “I don’t like his appearance any more than I do his actions,” said Joe. Just then the intruder dropped his trowel and straightened up to wipe his face with his hand- kerchief, when the boys caught a fair view of his countenance. It wasn’t particularly reassuring. His features were dark and saturnine, their ex- pression rather fierce. He had a long, stiff mus- tache and an imperial. “He looks like a Frenchman,” said Sam, under his breath. “He does, for fair, and a most mysterious-look- ing one, at that,” replied Joe. “I’d give some- thing to know what his game is.” “Tt’s up to you to ask him why he’s trespass- _ .ing_on your property.” “He might have a revolver, and he looks ugly enough to shoot without much provocation.” “Are you going to let him pull the building down?” grinned Sam. “Tf that was all he was up to, I shouldn’t stop : him. It would save John and me the trouble of 3 doing it ourselves. We'll just watch him and see a what he is trying to accomplish.” ; The mysterious Frenchman continued to dig the crumbling cement from around: the stone with the most industrious perseverance. He paused ‘ now and again for a rest, but on the whole he ; wasted very little time. At last he loosened the stone to such an extent that with the aid of a small bar of steel he pried it up and lifted it out of its receptacle. Then he bent eagerly down, and the boys heard him utter an imprecation in a foreign tongue. When he straightened up again his face was full of wrath and disappointment. He took a paper from his pocket and consulted it by the aid of the lantern light. Apparently he was puzzled. He rose to his feet, muttering an in- coherent expression between his teeth. “He looks as mad as a hornet,” chuckled Sam, nudging his companion. ; . “You mean a whole nest of hornets,” grinned oe. “He expected to find something under that stone, and it isn’t there,” said Sam. “TI don’t See what he could expect to find,” re- plied Joe, somewhat puzzled. . cape paper he’s got in his hand looks like a - clue. The Frenchman crumpled up the paper and _. flung it on the floor in a rage. Then he kicked at it with great fury. The paper, being light, flew up into the air; the man’s foot followed it so high that he overbalanced himself and came _ down on the floor with a thud that sent his hat flying from his head. “Sacre bleu!” he roared. The effect was so comical that Sam mys a e TO SUCCESS “He heard you,” whispered Joe. “Come hide behind that pile of stone.” They had hardly concealed themselves before the foreigner’s face appeared at the window. He looked all around, but saw nobody. Presently he left the window, and in a few minutes the boys saw him leave the building, with the lantern, now out, in his hand, and make his way across the fields toward the road. They waited till he was } out of sight before leaving their Hiding-place. “Let’s go inside and see what we can see,” said Joe. “All right,” replied Sam, and inside the build- ing they went. Striking a match, they looked around and saw that a stone, at a certain distance from each of the four corners, had been removed from the flooring. The earth beneath was pretty solid and had resisted the several attempts of the Frenchman to make much of an impression in it with his trowel. a “T guess that fellow was crazy,” chuckled Joe. “The idea of digging up those two stones! What could he have been hunting for?” “Hunting for gold, maybe,” replied Sam, with a laugh. “Say, that was the funniest fall I ever ~ saw a man get in my life. Wasn’t he mad at that piece of paper?” : Sam roared again as he thought of the ludi- yerous picture the mysterious Frenchman had cut when his foot went above the level of his head. “There’s the piece of paper now,” said Joe, walking over and picking it up. “I wonder what is on it?” He smoothed it out, then lighted a match and proceeded to examine it, Sam, with some curi- osity, looking over his shoulder. There were sev- eral lines of writing on it, but the words were unintelligible to the boys. z “That must be French,” remarked Sam. : “It certainly isn’t English,” answered Joe. “I'd — like to know what it means.” “I don’t see how you’re going to find out.” “I know what I'll do. I’ll take it down to that professor who’s stopping at the inn in the v Maybe he’ll be able to translate .it.” “That isn’t a bad idea. I’m curious myself to learn what it means. It must amount to some-_ thing, and have a connection with this old build- ing, judging from-the Frenchman’s actions.” : “That's right. . There’s some mystery in this — matter that I should like to unravel. No sane man would come digging and hunting around an old abandoned house like this one unless he had ~ some definite object in view.” “Whatever the object was, the Frenchman seems to have failed in his quest. I don’t suppose | you'll see or hear from him again.” : “Maybe not, but you can’t tell,” replied Joe, pulang the paper his pocket. “Let’s get out of ere. 3% They returned to the farmhouse, and soon ~ afterward Sam Parson started for his home. : ee pee A a) h -e. CHAPTER II.—What Was Written On the Paper. — _ Joe Page was more interested in at paper thrown away by the mysterious chman tise te etek ta. Me ante his. Stent Sees eee He believed there was something in it,

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es ee os PEP Sis Pasi Se Fea ages ei 2 THE ROAD if it had fooled the foreigner. As he couldn’t translate it himself, he intended to get Professor Burgess, a learned gentleman who had come to the village for his health, to do it for him, pro- vided, of course that the professor could read So immediately after breakfast he started for the village. Professor Burgess was on the point - of setting out for a walk when Joe reached the inn. He had a slight acquaintance with the - professor, having met him one day along the ad, and got in. conversation with him as they alked along together. On the strength of this he took the liberty of addressing the learned gen- - tleman, who shook hands with him and seemed quite pleased to see the lad again. “Do you understand French, Professor Bur- Se: ~~ gga Joe, coming to the point as soon as _ The professor replied that he did. Then you would do me a great-favor by trans- m a few lines in that language for me,” the boy, taking the paper discarded by the enchman out of his pocket and handing it to e gentleman. “I am very anxious to learn the ining of that writing.” » will turn it into English for you with pleas- ure,” said Professor Burgess, after glancing over paper. “Come into the writing-room.” Joe followed him into the inn. The professor seated himself at one of the tables, and, taking - of note paper, wrote out the following which he handed to Joe: Old stone house, near road, about one mile west of Pembrook village, Ulster County, New York Sjate, U. S. A.” “Grand floor, kitchen, northwest corner, third slab diagonally southwest.” Joe read the translation slowly, and was rather pointed at the result. “Ts that the whole thing, sir?” he asked. “Yes. That’s all that’s on the paper. understand what it.means now?” ‘ot altogether, sir; but I may be able to get the meaning after I study it a while. Seems eo for discovering something, doesn’t Can ou might take it as such. In which case object to be recovered seems to be under the i slab in a diagonal direction from the north~ corner of the kitchen on the ground floor ‘certain stone house, near a road, one mile “of this village. Do you know of such a = in this vicinity ?” és, sir. The only stone house that I know this county is on our property, which is t about a mile west of the village.” ed? It must be the one indicated in this then. All you will have to do is to follow directions, lift the slab in question, and see 2 is anything under it. That ought to be for you.” L would, sir, if the house wasn’t a wreck, nothing to show which room was the kitchen. 2 already pulled one side of. the building to s to get stone to build a wall along the front @ portion of our property.” ei did you come in possession of this paper, “do you imagine that it has any -special & ’ TO SUCCESS and how the man’s conduct had aroused his curiosity. “If this paper means anything, the Frenchman must have been hunting in the wrong room,” said Professor Burgess. “I presume you have no idea what he was looking for?” “No, sir. Judging from his actions and per- sistency, I should think it was something im- portant,” replied the boy. ; “How much of the building is still standing?” “About two-thirds.” “Well, if you have the time, and think it worth your while, you might look the ground floor of the house over in connection with these directions and see what you can make of them. [It is not improbable, but you might come upon some hid- den treasure-trove, as it were.. Money as well as other valuables have occasionally been found hidden away in old dwellings. These directions seem to point at some such conclusion with refer- ence to the ancient building on your mother’s property. At any rate, I think it worth an effort on your part. You have nothing to lose but your time, and possibly something to gain, by looking into the matter. I advise you to do it. If you are fortunate in making a discovery, I should be glad to have you let me know about it, so that I may congratulate you.” “Thank you, sir. I will certainly do so, if I find anything; but I have no great hopes of any such luck.” “Then you will not be greatly disappointed if nothing comes of it,” laughed the professor. “That will be some satisfaction, at any rate.” “That’s right, sir,” replied Joe, as-he raised his hat and walked away, while Professor Bur- gess started off in the opposite direction. As Joe drew near home he took a short cut across an adjacent field. Passing close to a clump of bushes, he suddenly tripped over what he at first imagined to be a log, but instead of a log it proved to be a leg. Then, to the boy’s. con- sternation, the mysterious Frenchman sprang up with a fierce imprecation. “Ah, cochon!” he exclaimed. shakine- a big walking-stick menacingly. “You Americans are clumsy peegs!” “I beg your pardon,” apologized Joe, hastily. 3: didn’t see your leg. I hope I didn’t hurt you, sir. “Bah!” retorted the foreigner, turning his back on the boy and stalking off. ; “He’s a fierce rooster,” muttered Joe, looking after him. “I wonder why he was lying around in these bushes? He must be half-cracked.” As the farmer lad turned to go on he noticed something glistening on the ground. He reached down and picked it up. It proved to be a sterl- _ing silver box, gold lined, partly filled with a fine brown powder which proved to be snuff. On the cover was an engraved inscription in French, the only words of which Joe could understand were “Jules Glorieux” and “Bordeaux.” . “This must be the property of that crazy Frenchman. Where has he gone to?” The boy looked around the field, but he could see no sign of the foreigner. Z : “He disappeared mighty quick. He is a mys- terious chap, if I ever heard of one.” : After hesitating a moment or two, Joe finally _ walked on toward home, with the snuff-box in his house, hand. He had hardly’ reach Aci = aft

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the country road, across which was the gate leading to the Page farmhouse, when he heard hasty steps behind him. He turned around and gave a gasp—the mysterious Ffenchman was ap- proaching him at a rapid gait, and with eyes that seemed to flash fire. “C’est un brigand—ma chere tabatiere!” he roared, making aisnatch at the snuff-box, which doe held in his hand. “By gar! You are von tief!” “What’s the matter with you?” retorted the boy. “I found it on the ground.” - “You found him, eh? It ees mine, comprenz = vous? You hand him ovair.” “Sure thing. I guess it’s yours, all rieht. Your : name is Jules Glorieux ?” 3 “Oui,” and he snatched the box out of Joe’s 3 hand. “Aha! C’est inestimable. I could not part wis dis for nossing. Allez!”. waving his arm to the boy, at the same time turning quickly around and returning in the direction he came. Joe didn’t understand what “aliez” (go) meant, 5 but, as the Frenchman glared at him when he said : it, he judged that it was a kind of curt dismissal. : John Jones. who was working on the stone -_ * wall, teld him that Sam Parsons had just gone up e to the house to wait for him, and so Joe hurried on to meet his friend. “Well,” said Sar, “did you find out the mean- ing of that paper?” x “I’ve got a translation of it,” his friend re- ax = plied. : 2 “Have you?” eagerly. “What does it say?” “Pead it. for yourself,” replied Joe, taking the English copy made by. Professor Burgess from his pocket and handing it to_Sam. “Ts that all it amounts to?” asked Sam, in a tone of disappointment. “That’s all.” “Té wasn’t worth the trouble of having it trans- lated.” “How do you know it wasn’t?” “Well, I don’t see anything in it.” “T don’t say there’s anything in it now, so far as the paper directions go, bat I’ve an idea, just the same, that there is something of value buried somewhere under the foundation of that building. As soon as I get it all pulled down I’m going = plough up the ground and see what I can d. ” “That’s a good plan. Still, if we knew which ‘room.was originally used as the kitchen of the old house, we might make a search first.” “The room where the Frenchman dug up the slabs doesn’t look as if it had ever been used as a kitchen, but, just the same, it is the only oe a: that is paved with slabs. That’s why he Z it, I guess. By the way, what do you 4 think? I came across that mysterious French- _ man a littie while ago and had a run-in with him,” said Joe, with a grin. _ “You did? Where did you meet him?” asked ‘Sam, with a look of interest. : “In that field down yonder.” “You don’t say? What was he doing there?” “He didn’t seem to be doing anything but lying -in the bushes. Taking a rest or a snooze, maybe. I fell over one of his legs, and the way he went at me in French was a mage rent ,, chuckled Joe. “He- called me a clumsy p _ “Ha, ha, ha!” roared Sam. "nat did you say 4 ; _ THE ROAD. TO. SUCCESS- pees: “T apologized for tripping over him. He said. — ‘Bah!’ and skidooed.” “IT wish I’d been there,” snickered Sam. “After he’d gone I found a silver snuff-box on the ground that he’d dropped. It had his name engraved on it, with the word ‘Bordeaux’ and something else in French that I couldn’t read.” “Let me see it,” said Sam, holding out his hand. “Sorry, but he discovered his loss and chased after me. He called me a brigand and a = and snatched the box out of my hand.” “He did?” Ne et dui 4k wel ee Joe nodded. Soke “What is the chan’ s name, if you know it?” “Jules Glorieux.” <§ “That sounds Frenchy enough, at any sabee ; Ser s’pose he hails from Bordeaux.” ae “Very likely. He ought to go back and stay there.” z “Looks as if he was still hanging around in- tending to revisit the old building to-night. Per- — haps he means to do some more digging.” “T shouldn’t be surprised. We must keep a watch on him and see what he accomplishes. Now, Sam, if you’ve nothing on hand this mora- ing you might give me a lift moving some of that stone down to the road where John is build-— ing the wall. It will be a great help to me.” “All right, Joe. I’m willing te make myself : useful.” The two bovs then went to’'the barn to harness _ a horse to the drag. : * CHAPTER Ill.—The Brass-Bound Box. For the rest of the morning the boys warkid = like ‘beavers loading stone taken from the dees molished walls of the old house to the drag and hauling it down to the road where John was — working on the new wall. At noon Joe called — a halt when one of his sisters rang a big bell at q the kitchen door announcing that dinner was _ ready. After the meal the boys returned to the — work. It was about four o’clock that they were © clearing away the last of the debris from ne corner of the dismantled part of the stone house, — when Joe noticed a slab sunk a little way in the ground. The boy looked at it with some curiosity, won-- dering what it was doing there. Sam was just then returning with the drag, and Joe, picking — up a crowbar and motioning to the other bar — that lay on the ground, calied his companion to help him dig the slab up. They set to work at once to pry it out of the ground. i “Do you think there’s anything under it?” ask ed Sam suddenly, pausing in his work and re- garding his friend with a look of interest. _ “Why, what should be under it?” ~ “Tt just struck me that this might be the slab the Frenchman was trying to find.” rs “By George! I plumb forgot all about ‘that Maybe it is,” added Joe, in some excitement. “Let’s get a hustle on and see if there is ; Vai need as fat m n no further encouragement, sinking his crowbar under the =e of the began to bear down with all his might. his bar alongside of Sam's

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his weight to try avd overcome the resistance offered by the imb: * stone. Slowly it began to yield to their : efforts and moved up- ward a fraction of a: mch at a time. *It’s.a mighty tough proposition, all right,” ~eer$ Sam, stopping to wipe his perspiring fore- “It is that. Just jab away some more of the “5 dirt from that side while I do the same with this = _ Side. Maybe we'll be able to hoist it out then.” They dug the packed earth away until both side were exposed when they got busy once more _with the crowbars. The slab now moved with more freedom and the boys, dropping the bars, grabbed hold of the edge and began to pull it backward. “There’s a hole under it, I can see that,” said _.“Yes, and there’s something in the hole, too,” cried Joe, when they had lifted it up at a right angle with the surface of the ground. “Now, ‘then, once more, all together!” They exerted all their strength upon it when it suddenly gave way and over it went kerchuck, carrying both boys on their backs. “Heavens! I hit my head on one of those stones,” cried Sam, sitting up. with a grimace and his skull with his hand. Joe picked himself up without a word and crawled to the edge of the hole to look into it. me uttered a loud shout. e’s a brass-bound box down here, Sam. t up = and help me pull it out,” he cried ‘A. brass-bound box!” repeated Sam, staring at _ companion. Then he forgot all about his sore head’ and Sprang to his feet, fully as excited as Joe Page. “May_I be jiggered if it isn’t 80,” he said as soon as he gazed into the hole. “Looks as if it a money box. I'll bet that’s what the Frenchy “The quickest way to find out the truth is to get it up where we can break it open and have a look. Some now, lend a hand.” They bent down and each seized one of the avy, tarnished brass handles, Now, then, up with it,” cried Joe. ‘he order was easier uttered than executed, for box was decidedly heavy. “Well, lift your end and I’ll jab the crowbar ne) > it.” ‘This plan was apecaiee. and the other crowbar ted under the bo x also. ow we'll both al hold of the same handle pull it up the inclined plane. Maybe we can it out that way,” said the resourceful Sam. m’s scheme was adopted with ultimate suc- nd the brass-bound box landed on the Joe first proposed to load the box on the and carry it over to the house just as it was, the examinatiqn of its contents till he | got it up to his room; but their eagerness what was in the. box, and the fact that the hasp holding the cover was loose decided break it open at once. He grasped a crow- Epsanahed the: hasp off with a-single blow, dropped on his knees beside it and pro- to lift the cover m, his tanned e flushed with excitement} leaned. for- at the contents. ae as THE ROAD TO SUCCESS 5 Joe raised the lid of the box there sounded a quick footfall behind the boys. Glancing up, they saw the mysterious Frenchman, with a heavy « can in his hand. Pointing at the box, he said harshly: “Dat ees mine?” CHAPTER IV.—What the Box Contained. “Hold on, monsoo,” spoke up Joe. “Don’t be so sure about it. This property belongs to my mother, and consequently everything on it and in it is jours. You haven’t the faintest claim to this ox.” “Aha! Vat ees dat? Your muzair she own dees box?” “That’s what she does,” replied Joe. _ “By gar! You are fonee boy,” answered the mysterious Frenchman, in a sarcastic tone. “She has nossing to do wiz dees box. Et ees mine. I come all ze way from la belle France to get eet. I had ze papier dat point out ze way.” “Perhaps you can tell us what’s in the box, you seem to know so much,” said Joe, with a grin. “Dat ees my beesness,” replied the Frenchman, impatiently. “Well, it’s our business, too, monsoo.” “Sacre!” cried Jules Glorieux. “You play wiz me. I feex you.” He put his hand in his pocket and drew a re- volver. “Now we see whezair you give ze box or not.” Sam had been standing aside leaning on his crowbar, an interested observer of the breezy pro- ceedings. If Joe gave the word he was prepared to jump in and help hustle the Frenchman off the | lot. When he saw the mysterious foreigner draw his gun, he gave a gasp of fear, then on the spur of the moment he lifted the crowbar and struck the man a blow on the arm, causing him to utter a pain and to drop the weapon, which Sam quick- << ly took possession of. Monsieur Glorieux immedi- ately turned upon Parsons and lifted the cane he ~ had in his left hand to strike the boy, but Sam— jumped back and pointed the revolver at him. That stopped the infuriated Frenchman at once, and he stood glaring at Sam. At that exciting moment John, the hired man, appeared unex- pected! on the scene. “Hello,” he said, with a look of bewildermest _ = on his face, “what's the trouble here?” “Sam and I just found this brass-bound box m a hole in these ruins, and shat t Frenchman stepped = up and claimed it.- Why; it’s been buried here a 23 papated years, I guess, so what right has he te i “Never mind,” put in Jules Glorieux at this point, perceiving that he was at a great disad- vantage. “Eet ees ze long lane dat ees not turned. +t5 Comprenez-vous? I see you some ozzaire time.” wa With those words he walked away. — : watched him climb the fence and take his wa down the road, and then Sam said: “You came just in time, John, to make the odds. = too great for the Frenchy.” = * “We haven't had a chance to see yet. Tl open it-now.” — 7 Joe threw up the cover of the brass-bound ce — ee Ax . a

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6 ‘THE ROAD.TO SUCCESS and disclosed a score or more of fat-bellied bags, cach tied at the mouth with a bit of cord. “Gee whiz!” exclaimed Sam, with bulging eyes. “Bags of money or I’m a liar. Jumping grass- hoppers! What a find!” John Jones gazed dumfounded at the unusual sight, while Joe, although he had expected a re- ’ velation of some kind, either in plate or money, was'too surprised to speak for a moment or two. Sam dived his hand m and lifted out one of the bags. The impression of the coin’ upon the surface of the bag could plainly be seen and left no room for the least doubt as to the character of its contents. The only question was whether it was gold or silver. Sam, anxious to solve this query, loosened the throat of the bag he held, and a stream of old gold coin, all English sovereigns, rolled out on the palm of his hand. “Good heavens!” he cried, “I never saw so much gold in all my life before.” As a matter of fact, Sam hadn’t seen a dozen gold pieces, all told, since he knew what money was. “Put it back, Sam,” said Joe, “and we'll carry the box to the house. Then we will count it and seé how much the treasure amounts to.” John helped the boys put the box on the drag, and then the party took up their line of march for the farmhouse. When they reached their destina- tion the treasure-box was lifted onto the veranda and then dragged into the hall. “Tell mother and the girls to come here,” said Joe to the hired man, and presently Mrs. Page, followed by Mildred, Fanny and Winnie, her daughters, came trooping out to the front door to see what was in the wind. “See what Sam and I found in the foundation of the old stone house yonder,” said Joe, pointing at the box. “Oh, my!” exclaimed Mildred, “what a funny looking box. What's in it?” _ Guess,” » Said her brother. “Books? “No. What do you think is in it, Fanny?” “Old clothes.” “You're away off. Now it’s your turn, Winnie.” “Maybe it’s full of money,” laughed the young- est sister, though she didn’t really believe it was. “That’s a good guess, Winnie,” chuckled Joe. “How did you know?” ~ “What is’in it, Joe?” asked Winnie. “Why, you guessed it—money, and chock full, “Nonsense!” put in Mildred. “Do tell us what’s in it if you know. Can’t you see that our curi- osity is aroused?” “Then you don’t believe it’s full of bags of - money ?” “Of course I don’t. That would be too absurd.” “All right. Now I’m going to open it and show you how close Winnie came to the truth. Are you all looking ?” “Yes, yes, yes,” cried the girls together. “There you are,” and Joe flung the cover back. “Oh-o-o!” screamed the ls, in great aston- ishment when they saw the : That those bags were full of real money seemed ate need ee ee Mildred had her sus- picions that a hes and Sam were playing a joke - on. them. ai, ee believe oe money at bart oe said, - tossing her head. “You bovs have made those bags and filled them full sof something or another : just to try and fool us.” f Fanny, however, made a grab for one of the’ bags to test its weight probably, when the string that secured its neck came untied and a stream of coin flowed out like a waterfall, and danced and jingled all over the floor,. The girls shrieked in © real amazement now. Joe and Sam hastened to recover the coins and return them to the bag. “My gracious! It is money—real new gold,” cried Mildred. “Why, Joe Page, did you really find that in the old stone house?” “That’s exactly what Sam and I did. We dug it up from under a big slab of stone, where it must have lain for the dickens knows how long— > maybe a hundred years.” “There must be thousands of dollars in that box,” exclaimed Fanny. “Tf the contents of all the bags are gold, there’s quite a fortune here. Let me see how many bags there are,” said her brother. “Twenty,” he said after counting them. “If there is $5,000 in each bag that would make a hundred thousand.” A fresh chorus of astonishment arose at this rough calculation. “You’re not going to keep it yourself, are you?” said Mildred. “You’re going to give it to mother.” : “I think I will divide it up after Sam and I count it. Sam is entitled to a bag, at least, for helping me dig it up. Then I might put a bag in the bank for each of you girls, which would make you heiresses in a small way.” “And how much are you going to give mother?” insisted Mildred. “As much as she wants. We'll be able to pay off that mortgage now, and get new ‘ and furniture, and we won’t need to take any boarders this summer.” “Won’t that be a blessing,” exclaimed Fanny. “Come, Sam, help me upstairs with the box,” — said Joe. “I’m anxious to count this treasure and find out what it foots up.” The girls were quite crazy with delight as they followed their mother back to the kitchen where preparations for supper were going on, and they” couldn’t talk of anything but the nice things they expected to have now, the new clothes they were — going to buy, and the splurge they intended to cut in the village. As for Joe and Sam, as soon — tas they got the box up in Joe’s room they a ricaded the door against visitors and sat down | to count the money. It was all in English sovereigns of a date previous to 1780, and they looked as if they had come fresh from a mint. Each bag contained exactly £1,000, or about — $4,800, which being multiplied by twenty, the number of bags, made a grand total of $96,800. “Well, Sam,” said Joe, “just help yourself to one of these bags. You’ve earned it, and $5,000 will be quite a stake for you.” ‘ “Do you mean that, Joe?” asked his friend, — almost paralyzed at the idea of possessing such a — large sum of money which he could call all all his” own. “Sure I do. Take your choice, though they're : all alike as far as their value goes.” oe “But it’s all English money. What shall I with it, the bank won’t accept it.” 2 “Take it down to New York and have it = ed into U. S. notes at the current exchauze is

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That’s what I’m going to do with these nineteen ” S. “I'll go with you,” said Sam, and it was so arranged between them. CHAPTER V.—That Dream Was Not All A Dream. “Ninety-two thousand dollars!” exclaimed Mrs. Page that evening at the supper table, when __ Joe told in round numbers the result of the count, _ while his three sisters held their breath at the magnitude of the amount. “Yes, mother, or to be more exact, $91,960, at the current rates of exchange,” replied the boy, with a happy grin. “It’s a lot of money, isn’t : “It is too much money to have in a lone farm- _ house even for a single night,” answered his mother. “I shan’t sleep a wink all night.” __ - “Neither will I,” cried Mildred, with an anxious look. oeNor I,” exclaimed Fanny and Winifred with ne breath. : . “Oh, nonsense!” laughed Joe. “Who will know that we’ve got it?” eee He had prudently refrained from mentioning the adventure with the mysterious Frenchman, ‘as he knew the recital would only serve to make his mother and sisters extremely nervous. “Sam Parsons will be sure to tell his folks, and then the news will get all about the neigh- Vv 1 Uy a e =. 4) Nie! vr -__borhood,” said Mildred. = ban “No. he won’t. I cautioned him against it, and he promised to be as mute as a mopstick.” “But his father and mother will want to know __** where he got the bag of sovereigns you gaye him ~ for helping you get the box out of the hole and to the house.” “PaHe isn’t going to show it to them, at least not until we are ready to take the gold to New “York to exchange it for bank notes.” : “When are you going to do that?” asked Mil- dred, earnestly. “To-morrow forenoon.” _ a “You must take John with you as a guard, said his mother. “J should think you’d have a great deal of - difficulty in making the exchange of such a big - gum of English money,” said Mildred. “] may and I may not. I’m going to take the gold to a safe deposit company first for safe- ping, and consult with the president of that nstitution as to the best way to exchange it for bills.” : ; “After supper Joe started for the village gen- store to purchase a liberal supply of ‘thin iron box binding, and while he was away John Jones was stationed in the boy’s room to tand guard over the treasure chest, with the enchman’s revolver within easy reach. As soon as Joe returned home the four starch yoxes were got out of the cellar, and as fast the boy packed a box with bags of money, ed up the vacant places ee ae eae: of which they had a quantity in the house, nailed on the cover securely, John put six is around it. The boxes were as weighty would care to. for three held THE ROAD TO SUCCESS ; 7 each about $24.000, while the fourth footed up something over $19,000. = ~ “I guess they'll hold, all right, John,” said Joe, viewing the iron-bound boxes critically. “They’re pretty heavy. Would you carry one of those to the village on your shoulders if I give it to you?” “T’ll bet I would,” replied the hired man, em- phatically. . “How many times would you have to stop and rest,” grinned Joe. “A hundred times, I guess.” “T'll bet it would take you all night to get there.” “Supposin’ it did, it would pay, wouldn’t it?” The boxes were piled up in a corner of the room and some old clothes thrown over them, while the brass-bound chest was shoved under Joe’s bed for the present. The house was more carefully locked up that night than usual, while Joe put the Frenchman’s revolver under his pil- low. While he didn’t exactly expect any trouble, it was the part of prudence to be prepared for it if it came. It was true that the mysterious foreigner had as good as handed him out a threat when he withdrew from the scene of action that afternoon, but Joe couldn’t see how the French- man would be able to do anything towards get- ting possession of the treasure of the old stone house, as he seemed to be alone in the scheme. - “Why, he couldn’t carry a single box of that € stuff any distance even if he got a chance at it; that is, unless he had a horse and wagon, and everything his own way. His threats amount to nothing. He said he came from France to hunt for the box. That’s a long distance for a sane man to come on a Wild goose chase. He must have picked up his knowledge over there from some person acquainted with the facts of the case, who furnished him with the directions on that paper he had. The chest seems to have lain under that slab something like a hundred P years. It’s a wonder no previous attempt was 2 made to bring it to light. That stone house was tenantless for years before my father bought the property. It was a fortunate deal for us. When Squire Dalton hears that we found nearly $100,000 on the property that he sold my father for $1,750, he’ll feel like tearing his hair out by the roots. He won’t get over his chagrin as long as he lives.” | Joe chuckled as he pictured the effect of the *y news on the pompous lawyer who considered him- — self the whole thing, not only in the village but the county as well. “Tt will be a huge take-down for him,” thought ws boy as he put.out his light and jumped into Then he began to think about next day’s jour- ney to the metropolis with his treasure boxes s* in company with Sam Parsons. rs “After we get through with the business end = of the trip, Sam and I'll have the time of our * lives for a few days before coming back home. ‘ = We'll take in all the sights, go to the theater, = and enjoy every five minutes to the utmost. I tell you money makes the mare go every time.” mind = Joe fell asleep. Joe’s slumber was seldom in- truded upon by drea e@ was too sound a sleeper, as a general thing, for ut the present occasion was an exception. His brain — was excited by the golden experiences of: the af- 3 sd “. .

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= ternoon, and though it was many hours before _ certain odd fancies took shape and reproduced themselves upon his sleeping thoughts, the fact that they did so at last was no great wonder under the circumstances. His first dream was a pleasant one, for in it | he seemed to be have evolved from a comparative- : ly poor farm boy to a young Monte Cristo with money to burn, and he was burning it at a great rate, and with intense satisfaction, when the scene changed and he found himself walking along a dark and lenesome country road, which he> seemed to recognize, with all his pockets stuffed to overflowing with gold coin that he had just found somewhere. A sense of undefined terror now seemed to be upon him, for he felt sure that he was being followed by an enemy who intended to get the money away from him. The journey seemed to be endless, and while he didn’t see the man who was dogging his steps he was confident his pursyer knew where he was ‘and was biding his time, the better to accom- plish his dark design. Finally he came to a wood that stretched away for miles and miles in either direction so that he could not avoid entering it in order to reach his destination. As he progressed through this wood something whispered to him that his enemy was now closing in upon him—that their meet- ing could not long be postponed. At this thought : his terror grew upon him till he could hardly drag one foot after the other. At length he reached a clearing and felt compelled to sit down here and rest. Suddenly he was conscious that somebody was creeping upon him from behind. Until this mo- ment he had had but a vague idea of who his enemy really was. Now, although something pre- vented him from turning his head, or making any effort to escape, he instinctively understood that the person who was stealthily advancing upon him was a mysterious Frenchman, who carried a heavy stick in one hand and a long, keen knife in the other. Strive as he would he could not break the ; spell that held him powerless. At last he could : feel that the man was right behind him, that he had dropped his stick and put the knife be- tween his teeth so that he could have his hands free to seize him by the throat. Now the man ‘bent over him and glared into his eyes, with a look of such malignant satisfaction that the hor- ror of it shot through his. nerves and awoke him. Yes, Joe was now wide awake, but the horror of his dream was reproduced in dread reality, for S* bending above him, with a sinister looking knife es in his teeth, and his bent fingers raised as if in the act of pouncing on the heretofore sleeping boy, “a Jules Glorieux, the mysterious French- io ~ man. CHAPTER VI.—The Theft of the Gold. “Aha! You awake, eh?” hissed the French- man, seeing the boy’s startled, wide-open eyes fixed upon his face. “You make one leetle sound, Byes and you are a dead boy!” pressed one hand on Joe’s windpipe, and with the other removed the knife from his mouth and pressed its keen point against the tender 3 _— skin of the lad’s throat. Joe was now conscious THE ROAD TO SUCCESS that Jules Glorieux was not the only intruder in the room. There was another whose form was thrown into relief by the pale moonshine that came through the open window. “Ecoutez!” exclaimed Glourieux fiercely. “Dat ees, you listen to me. Ze boot ees on ze ozzair leg. Ze lane which I speak about has come to ze turn. I have you, mon petit homme, where ze hair ees short. You move one leetle bit, poof! zis knife will do ze beesness. I come for ze box dat ees mine. I get him dees time.” The Frenchman turned his head and said some- thing in a peremptory tone to his companion. The man advanced softly, at the same time taking a strong cord from his pocket. With this he proceeded to bind Joe’s arms to his side. Then he tied a towel tightly around the boy’s mouth. “Now look for the box,” said Glorieux to the man in French. The pair hunted about the room. They pulled the clothes from the four iron-bound starch boxes, and Glorieux was about to lift one when his companion called him to the bed and pointed at the end of the treasure chest, which lay under- neath. “It is heavy, Gaston,” said Glorieux, in his na- tive tongue. “We must use care in removing it.” They both got hold of the handle and pulled with all their strength. As the entire contents of the chest had been removed, as the reader knows, the box naturally offered no resistance. In fact it shot out so quickly from under the bed that both Frenchmen lost their balance and tumbled over on the floor with a shock that could be felt through the frame house. Jules Glorieux swore roundly as he picked himself up, while his companion, who had barked one shin, growled angrily in a subdued tone. Joe, who had been lying in helpless silence since he was gagged and bound, chuckled to him- self as he thought he saw the rascals’ finish. But he congratulated himself too soon. Jules Glor- ieux was a man not easily turned from his pur- pose. While he was afraid some of the inmates of the house had been aroused from their sleep by the nose, he was prepared to take the bull be by the horns. He knew that if the present enterprise failed the chance of his ever getting his hand on the treasure from the old stone house would be very small. He had already informed himself that with the exception of the boy and the hired man, he had no one to fear but four females. and he did not anticipate that they would interfere with his plan. The two rascals stood as silent as statues waiting to see the outcome of their mis- hap. Presently their alert ears caught the sound of some one ascending the stairs in slippers. Glorieux said something to Gaston in a whisper and the fellow glided to the door, ran his hand over the wood and shot the bolt he found there. — Then came a knock on the door and the voice of Mrs. Page was heard outside. “Joe—Joe,” she said. Glorieux tore the gag from Joe’s mouth and “Ansair. Say dat you had ze nightmare and take ze tumble out of ze bed.” There was a murderous look in did as he was told. “Are you, in bed now, Joe?” Mrs. Page asked “What is the matter?” se the French- — man’s eyes that intimidated the oy and so he = j placed the knife at his throat. 7

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THE ROAD as she tried the door and found it bolted, some- what to her surprise, for her son was not in the habit of securing the door against intrusion. “Did you bolt the door?” “Yes, mother, I am in bed, and I bolted: the door.” “Are you sure everythipe son?” sh@ asked anxiously. “Yes, mother,” answered Joe, with the glitter- - ing knife pricking the skin of his throat and _ threatening instant death if he hesitated or equivocated in; his replies. / It was a trying situa- tion for Joe, but he couldn’t help himself. Jules _ Glorieux evidently meant business, and the risk - was too great for the lad to venture to thwart him. In this manner the crisis was passed and the raseals averted discovery, for Mrs. Page turn- ed away as if satisfied, and her steps were soon heard descending the stairs. ; “Tt is well,” said Glorieux to his companion, in French; “gag him again.” The towel was replaced about Joe’s mouth and the knife withdrawn from his throat. “The money has been removed from this chest,” continued the mysterious Frenchman, lifting the end of the box. - : . He hardly considered it necessary to lift the cover, but he did so .to fully convince himself that the chest was empty. - “Now, where is the money? Ah, those boxes in the corner.. This boy is.a shrewd one. He has lost no time. He intends to ship the money to New York, it is likely, and there change it into the script of the country. We will save him the trouble, Gaston, with a wicked grin. +» His companion nodded intelligently. . - You are sure these boxes contain the money?” he said. 5 : _ “Lift one of them, and its weight ought to - satisfy you,” replied Glorieux. “They were con- ~ cealed under these old clothes. I will take the risk that these boxes hold the money. We must carry them away at once.” “Tt will be a job,” answered his associate. . “Tt shall.not be so difficult. You get out on the ladder, then I will hand you one of the boxes on your shoulder. You will carry it down to the Wagon in the road. When you come back you will take a second the same way. There are ~ but four of them, so we will make the last trip together. A few ‘hours of fast driving will carry “us to the river where our sloop is moored. Once we have the boxes we will hoist the anchor and sail for the city, where we can slip them on the La Burgundie for Marseilles. She sails the day after to-morrow, so we have plenty \of time to. secure a stateroom.” _ This conversation was carried on in a low tone and, of course, in French, so it was impossible _ for Joe to either hear or understand a word that “passed between the rascals. The plan as out- lined bv Glorieux was immediately put into effect, and poor Joe was in despair when he saw the iron-bound boxes of gold, on which he had built such glorious air ca , removed from the room one by one until the last one had vanished out of the window and the mysterious Frenchman ap- ‘proached the bed for the last time. There was a look of triumphant satisfaction n his eyes as he gazed down on the helpless is all right, my * ; TO SUCCESS 9 It is necesaree that I feex you so dat you, will not fall out of ze bed and give ze new alarm. I vill tie your feet to ze post, den you will be— what you cal} him ?—ah, oui, all to ze zon, I mean ze good.” The Frenchman uttered a wicked chuckle, and then proceeded to tie Joe’s ankles securely to the. bedpost. “Now you are like ze cochon—ze peeg—when we take him to the market.” : The rascal chuckled again. “You have said adieu to ze monee, I hope, for you will not see it again, I assure you.” The mysterious Frenchman then made an elab- orate and sarcastic bow to the unfortunate Joe, walked softly to the window and disappeared. He did not take the trouble to close the window, or remove the ladder, but, picking up the last box of English gold, lifted it on his shoulder and started after his companion, who had already preceded him to the road. Gaston was waiting for him. He dumped the box into the wagon up against the other three and, mounting to the seat alongside his associate, the rascally pair whipped up the’horse and drove off down the country road toward the Hudson River at a rapid pace. CHAPTER ViI.—The Mysterious Frenchman Is Up Against It Hard. It was two o’clock in the morning and Sam arsons was standing at the window of his room looking out into the bare and silent road which ran close by the house. Sam had gone to bed as usual at nine o’clock, but somehow or another he. couldn’t get to sleep. That bag of English sovereigns which he had received from his chum Joe Page, and stowed away for safekeeping in an inside niche of the wide-open fireplace in his room, kept dancing through his head, setting the drowsy god Morpheus at defiance. _Sam had never owned five whole dollars in his life, and here he had suddenly become the pos- sessor of the equivalent of $4,840, every penny of which was honestly his own property. Why, e was now worth almost if not quite as much as his own father, which was truly an astonishing state of affairs for him. What boy under the circumstances would not have felt as Sam did that night? There was one drawback, however, to his happiness, and that was, what course would his father take with reference to that bag of money as soon as he learned it was absolutely the property of his son? Wouldn’t his parent demand its custody, and then use half or more of it to put up a model farmhouse he had long had in mind, but the realization of which he had been obliged to defer for want of the necessary funds? Sam was of the opinion that the chantes were 99 to 1 that ‘his $4,840 would go at once to his father’s credit in the village. bank, and that he wouldn’t get a Leah pa ae to: lay out on his own personal enjoy- ment. So Sam made up his mind to say nothing to his folks at all about his windfall. He had man-. aged to secure permission to go to the metropolis next morning with his friend Joe Page, and this was an extraordinary concession on his father’s’ part.. He had decided that after he got his money ~

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I 10 THE ROAD changed into bills he would open a savings bank account in Poughkeepsie, across the river, with $4,800, and hide the book and the remaining $40 in the chimney. ; He could have a swell time out of that $40, which would last him some time, and he would always have the satisfaction of knowing there was more to be had where that came from. All this planning and calculation helped to keep sleep from Sam’s eyes, and when he had settled every- thing to his own satisfaction he found he couldn’t go to sleep anyway. He turned and twisted in bad, to no purpose, and when he finally heard the clock downstairs strike two, he got up and looked out of the window. He didn’t do that because he expected to see anything. There wasn’t much to be seen even in the daytime from his window, while at that hour of the morning the road and the country side was absolutely dead. It was therefore with considerable surprise that Sam heard the rapid sound of wheels mingled with the chug, chug of a horse’s hoof on the still night air. He wondered if it was the village doctor on an emergency errand. The vehicle soon came into view in the distance and Sam saw that it was an ordinary road wagon, with two men on the seat. They seemed to be in a hurry, for the driver frequently applied the whip to the horse. Before passing the Parsons farmhouse the wagon had to cross a short bridge which spanned a narrow but rather deep creek. Just as the vehicle struck the bridge, after rushing down an incline, the rear right-hand wheel came off and the wagon dipped with a crash, as if heavily load- ed at that end, and Sam heard a succession of heavy smashes, as of weighty articles striking the bridge, and then a similar number of splashes, as if the said articles had continued their flight into thé water. Sam could also hear loud exclamations from the men, and saw the driver pull in the horse. Both mén dismounted and walked rapidly back to the bridge, where they stood by the rail and looked over into the stream. “Gee whiz!” exclaimed Sam. - “Whatever they had in the wagon has been dumped into the water. They'll have a nice time recovering it, for the water is all of eight feet deep there. The _ stuff must be heavy from the noise it made on the bridge, so the chances are they’ll not be able to get it out of the stream without ropes and a stout windlass. At any rate they’re stuck for the balance of the night for fair.” Sam saw one of the men pick up the wheel which had caused all the trouble and roll-it up to the wagon, then the pair held a consultation. One of them, whose personal appearance in- terested Sam greatly, for he put him in mind of the mysterious Frenchman, gesticulated wildly. “We’ve got stout ropes and a winch in the barn,” said Sam to himself. “I’ve a great mind to dress myself, go down and see if I can’t ar- range a deal with those chaps. I’d just as soon earn another dollar as not.” As the boy never felt more wideawake in his life, he decided to carry out his idea. He got jnto his clothes in short order, but instead of ‘leaving the house by the front door and walking down the road, he left it by the kitchen door, -and cut across a bit of pasture which would land TO SUCCESS him at the corner of the bridge. The line of heavy bushes growing b le the road fence prevented the men from observing his approach and, of course, he couldn’t see them any better.. The loud and excited voice of one of the in- dividuals, however, served to guide the boy right to the part of the fence outside of which they were standing. = Although Sam was not afraid to show him- self, still he concluded to take a sight of them first, Nothing like being on the safe side any- way. So Sam, when he reached the bushes, pushed his head through with as much caution as if he expected to find an enemy on the other side of the fence. The moment his eyes took in the man who was doing the talking he was glad he had not rushed things. It was for a fact the mysterious Frenchman. And his companion was another, although not at all mysterious-looking. Monsieur Jules Glorieux was jabbering away to beat the band, and gesticulating like a monkey on a hot stove. Sam at once lost all desire of proffering the services of the rope and winch at the bar. Had he been able to understand French he would have learned something that must have opened his eyes; but as any other language than English was as pure Greek to him, their conversation was quite lost upon him. _He wondered where the man of mystery had picked up his companion, and why they were driv- ing up the road at race-horse speed at that hour in the morning. He also wondered what was the Saeet of the freight they had lost in the creek. “It seems to be important, whatever it is,” he ~ said to himself, for Monsoo Glorieux, of Bordeaux, looks as if he wanted to tear his hair out by the _roots.” In good truth, the mysterious Frenchman was acting as if he was a candidate for a madhouse. And with good reason, as the reader will guess, for the four iron-bound boxes of English soy- ereigns they had taken such risk and trouble to abstract from Joe Page’s chamber, were now resting out of sight in the creek, and Jules Glorieux could see no immediately chance of recovering them. i CHAPTER VIII.—Sam Gets Out Of A Pickle, — The two Frenchmen went down to the water’s- edge and tried to make out where the boxes lay, but the water was too deep and dark, especially at that hour, for them to see anything in the depths of the creek. It was clear to the watch- ful Sam that they were at their wits’ end. Finally they gave the problem up and returned to the wagon, the rear axle of which they found to be fractured. They put the wheel into the forward part of the vehicle, and mounting to the seat drove over slowly toward the village of Highland, four miles distant. “They'll be back in a few hours, I dare say,” said Sam to himself, as he watched them depart. “I'd give something to know what) those boxes contain. +e surprised if they had stolen them from some — place. ’ rate he tried to do Joe out of that treasure chest — = They are heavy, all right. I wouldn't — ow, | = a That Jules Glorieux, of Bordeaux, seems _ a sort of suspicious character to me. At any —

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THE ROAD yesterday afternoon: Had the nerve to draw a revolver on us. We could have him arrested and - put in the lock-up for that. Well, I’m coming down here the first thing after I get up to see if I can get a glimpse of those boxes.” Thus speaking, Sam started back for the house. Suddenly he stopped short as if a start- ___ ling idea had struck him. 2 “Good gracious!” he exclaimed. “I wonder if _ those rascals paid a visit to the Page house, and ‘got away with Joe’s money? He told me he was going to box it up in four small starch - boxes so it could be the more easily handled for _ shipment to New York this forenoon. The wagon came up the road from the direction of Joe’s place. They were driving at breakneck speed at a suspiciously early hour and making for High- land. Gee whiz! It looks as if there was some- thing wrong, for a fact. I’ve a great mind to run over to the Page farm, wake Joe up and tell him what I’ve seen.” Ma Sam stood a few moments in an undecided way. There might be nothing in the idea after all, and Joe would give him the laugh for com- ing over at that hour in the morning. Yet the - circumstances were sufficiently suspicious to de- mand notice. The mysterious Frenchman had _ ¢learly shown that his object in coming to that part of the county was to get possesion of the treasure chest hidden in the foundation of the old stone house. When he discovered that the boys = had found the chest, and they had naturally re- 3 er id “3 used to let him have it, he had doubtless spot- ted the place they had taken it te and_ then made his plans to steal it that morning. That’s - the way Sam argued and, as the reader knows, he was right. - “He brought that other chap to help him do the business,” mused Sam, more and more con- vinced that he was on the right track. “They found that the money had been removed from the chest, and nailed up in the starch boxes, so they carried off the boxes. No doubt they worked the game slick enough to avoid discovery. Well, I’m ying over to Joe’s, anyway.. If the money is e there’ll be no harm done.” Having decided the matter, he pushed his way — the bushes, jumped the fence and started the road toward the Page property. He walked fast, and fifteen minutes later he was marching up the patch that led to the front door, “Everything is quiet around here,” mused Sam, a to think he was wrong in his surmises after all. “It seems to me if those chaps had been here they must have awoke somebody in the house. It’s no fool job to carry off several vy boxes without being detected in the act. guess I’ve made a donkey of myself, coming over here.” . : _ He stopped at the foot of the porch steps and itched his head. To pound at the door and ise the Page family, only to find out that ing had happened, would make him look fool- ‘and Sam dreaded holding himself up to Cu he marched around to the ell,’in the second of which was Joe’s room. As he turned er the first thing he saw was the ladder ¢ under Joe’s window, which was open : t making his way ¥ lose a mom ‘TO SUCCESS 1! up the rungs, and inside of a minute he had his head inside of the window. “Joe, Joe!” he cried, “wake up!” There was a movement on the bed, and Joe Page, bound and gaged as he w: sat up. He could not get out of bed, as his ankles were tied tight to the bedpost. As it was rather dark in the room, the moon having swung around, Sam did not at first notice his chum’s predicament. He saw that -hhe was awake, however, and that was enough for him. “Say, old man,” he said, “what is this ladder doing under your window at this hour? Looks as if thieves had been around. Is your money all right?” Still no answer from Joe—only a succession of odd jerks of the head and body. 7 Sam stepped into the room and walked up to oe. : _ “Why, you’re bound and gagged, and you're ‘tied to the bed. My gracious! what’s happened ?” as he tore the towel from Joe’s face. “Has that mysterious Frenchman been here and got away with your money?” “Yes, yes!” gasped Joe. “He has been here with another man, ‘and they’ve taken the four boxes. with every coin. Did you ever hear of such fierce luck?” added Joe, the tears coming into ” his eyes. “Robbed by that villain! Help me to get free, will you?” “Sure I will,” replied Sam. me all about it.” And while Sam labored to untie the knots, Joe told him the whole story of the visit paid him by Jules Glorieux and his companion, and how they had stolen the four boxes containing the English sovereigns. Sam had him free before the story was finished, and Joe wound up his mournful tale while hur- riedly dressing himself. “We must wake up John, get a horse out to the wagon and chase those rascals. It’s the only thing I can do. I’ve no doubt they went toward the river. We may find them at Highland waiting for an early train,” said Joe, feverishly. “But tell me,” he added, almost wonderingly, “how is it you came over here at this early hour? It is just three o’clock.” “I came over here because I got an idea into my head that something was wrong.” “How could you get such an idea as that?” “Go on and tell asked Joe, in some astonishment. “Had a bad dream ?” “No. The fact is, I haven’t been asleep to- night, and that’s the luckiest thing for you that ever happened.” é “You haven’t been to sleep?” cried Joe. “Nary a wink.” : “Why, how was that?” -» “Oh, I was too excited over that five thou- sand you gave me. I went to at nine, but when the clock struck two I was stil] awake. got up and looked out of my window, and wha do you think I saw?” “How could I guess what you saw?” “T saw a horse and wagon coming at a red* hot pace down the road from this direction. There were two on the seat.” ? “That must have been the wagon that was_ carrying off the boxes, and the two Englishmen.” ° “That’s right, it was,” nodded Sam. ws “Did you recognize Jules Glorieux?”

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he mello 12 “Of Bordeaux?” grinned Sam. “Bet your life I did.” “They were going toward the Hudson, as I ~ thought?” “As hard as éhey could put.” “They must be there by this. time,” said Joe, dolefully. “Perhaps they are; but the boxes of sovereigns aren’t with them. “Why, what do you mean?” “I mean the wagon met with an accident at the bridge near our place?” “An accident?” “Exactly. One of the hind wheels came off suddenly, and those boxes of money, every one of them, tumbled over into the creek.”s “Sam Parsons, are you telling me the truth, or is this one-of your jokes?” “Nary joke. It’s the solemn truth. That’s what caused me to come over here. Those boxes having been in thé hands of the mysterious Frenchman, who left us yesterday afternoon with a threat on his lips, raised my suspicions, and I came here to see if he and his companion had paid you a night visit for the purpose of getting possession of that money. I was right, and I’m glad I came over.” “Tf the boxes are in the creek, as vou say, we'll get them out somehow, vou may depend on that,” returned Joe. enthusiastically. “We must look out for those Frenchmen. They are sure to return as soon as they can with ropes and other means to try and recover the boxes. It’s up to - as to get ahead of them.” “If I was you, I’d send for the constable and have those chaps arrested on the charge of burg- lary, as soon as they showed up at the creek.” “That’s just what I mean to do.” “ll go for him if you want me to,” volunteered his chum. “No. I’m going to wake John up now and send him.” “The four of us ought to be able to capture those monsoos. After we have them safe in the {ock-up we can take our time fishing up the boxes.” “You’ve got it down fine, Sam. That’s the way we'll do. Now for John.” Joe left the room to arouse the hired man, leaving Sam to complete in his mind his plans for getting the boxes of money out of the creek. CHAPTER IX.—Capture of the Mysterious Frenchman and His Companion. ~~ At sunrise Joe Page, Sam Parsons, John Jones and Constable Snodgrass were concealed in the shrubbery near fhe creek bridge waiting for the swo Frenchmen to show up. They had not been there more than fifteen minutes before they 1eard the sound of wheels come from the direc- ion of Highland. ant eet that’s them,” said Sam: in some ex- The “gr said nothing, but waited, Jones % -jrawing out the Frenchman’s revolver to intimi- date the rascals when they came up. “This is a dandy ambuscade,” grinned Sam. give eae shape the Eee: of, their. THE ROAD TO SUCCESS : Pretty soon the vehicle hove in sight and, sure enough, the two foreigners were on the seat. Joe, who was peeping down the road, announced the. fact. The wagon drew up nearly opposite them; then the Frenchmen got out, and the first thing they did was to scramble down the bank of the. — creek to look into the water for some sign of the boxes. As the water was clear, they could now see them quite plainly eight feet below the surface. Returning to the wagon, they busied themselves getting out ropes, with a pole and hoisting tackle which they had brought from their sloop anchored in the Hudson. They intended to rush things, for they couldn’t tell when, as they figured it, Joe would be discovered gagged in bed and a pursuit. started. While they were thus occupied the constable and John Jones, followed by the two boys, quietly made their appearance from the shrubbery. “Throw up your hands,” ordered Censtable Snodgrass, producing his revolver. ; “Sacre!” exclaimed Jules Glorieux, starting back in surprise. is companion started to draw a revolver, but Jones stepped up and shoved his, at full cock, into his face. “Surrrender, you rascal. I’ve got the drop on you,” thundered the hired man. “By gar! Dees is von outrage,” cried the mys- terious Frenchman, glaring at the constable. “I demand dat you give an explanasheeon.” = “T place you both under arrest,” said Constable Snodgrass. “Comment! (what)” exclaimed Glorieux. “You arrest us?” “T do—on the charge of burglary.” z Bi sates Sare, you make one grand mis-— “Well, I shall take you before the squire, ra if I have made a mistake he will discharge you from custody,” replied the village officer. “But, sare, I have no desire to go before ze— what you call him—squire.” “Sorry, monsoo, but I shall have to take yor whether you like it or not! Hoid out your hands,” — and the constable took a pair of handcuffs reels = his pocket. Jules Glorieux put up a big kick against the steel wristlets, but he had to give in, for ‘the | officer was inexorable. His companion’s hands — were bound with a rope. They were forced to get into the wagon, all hands followed, and John - Jones drove the rig into the Yillage. where the Frenchmen were locked up, pending their ex-- amination before the justice. Joe had a stirring story to tell his mother and sisters when he got home for breakfast, and — they were greatly startled. He had to go into all th@ particulars about the movements of the mys- a= tefious Frenchman from the time he had fret seen the light in the stone house. 3 “Were you not dreadfully frightened when that — man held the knife at your throat, Joe?” ——— Mildred, with a shudder. “Well, I didn’t feel very good,” he replied. “T. am so thankful I came right downstairs — locked,” said+his mother.. “It’s a great mer that he did not kill you, my son.” fa eon. washes hak ae | as ‘ar at, mother; a a 7 of Ther Fast. the same.” 1 3 A

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ton will hold court at ten o’clock.” Mildred was the only one who cared to go. _ She was curious to look at the mysterious French- man and his associate. News of the arrest of the - two desperate Frenchmen who had broken into the Page farmhouse during the night circulated with great rapidity throughout the village of _ Pembrook, and as a consequencea big crowd of the villagers, both male and female, gathered out- side Squire Dalton’s office some time before the - hour set for the examination of the prisoners. When John Jones and the two boys appeared _ they were bombarded with questions, but they _ declined to say a word on the subject till they went on the stand to give their sworn testimony. _ At length the squire appeared and took his seat, the witnesses were admitted and took chairs provided for them, and then as many of the outsiders crowded into the small room as could find space to stand. The prisoners were led in by the constable and the proceedings began. - The Frenchmen were charged: with housebreaking, and both pleaded not guilty. Joe was the star 2s witness against them. He was duly. sworn, and then told his story in a cool straightforward man- ~ 2 “What was in these boxes that _you accuse the ~ 9» Prisoners of stealing?” asked the justice. : _—s«**Vaiuabile property belonging to me,” replied Joe, not caring to confess the exact nature of - their contents as long as the boxes were at the bottom of the creek. é : “Were these boxes found in the prisoners’ - Possession ?” “Sam. Parsons is ready to testify that he saw the boxes in possession of these Frenchmen at two o'clock this morning, shortly after the rob- - bery took place.” _ “Where are the boxes now?” -s “At the bottom of Goose Creek, alongside of the bridge.” of _ “How came they to be there? “These men were carrying them toward the Hudson in a light wagon, which broke down at the bridge, and the boxes fell out into the creek.” “Constable Snodgrass, if I find that the evi- ice is sufficient to warrant me in remanding the prisoners, you will see that these boxes are produced at. their trial,” said Justice Dalton. _ Joe looked rather blue at those words. The custody of the boxes would be taken out of his hands entirely for some little time, and he could lot tell what might happen to them during that Se them, of course, and Joe knew that he was a \oroughly conscientious man; but if even one, of am should be accidently lost, Mr. Snodgrass uld never be able to make its value good. . The boy therefore decided, while Sam was giv- > his evidencepthat he would take the constable mto his confidence in respect to the actual nature » of the contents of the boxes, and get him to send E¢ n to the village bank for safekeeping until it id be necessary to produce them at the trial, n no doubt he would_be obliged, anyway, to ar to the value of the boxes. At the close of testimony ag: a ; a THE ROAD TO SUCCESS ae erval. The constable would be responsible for . . shoes.” for what you did for me yesterda 18 Justice Dalton decided to hold the prisoners st, for trial, and a commitment was made out. Constable Snodgrass took them that afternoon to ; the county seat and turned them over to the warden of the jail. The constable allowed the boys to take the Frenchmen’s rig, just as it- stood, for the purpose of recovering the boxes from the creek and bringing them to his house in the village. After dinner the boys, assisted by ae John Jones, started in to raise the money boxes. : Inside of an hour they had them out of the cree and in the wagon. CHAPTER X.—Joe’s Business Scheme. “Well,” said Sam Parsons, as he and Joe Page sat on the veranda of the Page farmhouse on the following night, “I suppose our trip to New York is indefinitely postponed.” “Oh, I don’t know,” replied Joe. “You’ve got a matter of five thousand dollars worth of Eng- = lish gold to change into United States bank bills, 3 and the sooner you do it the sooner you'll feel =e like an American capitalist.” ; : “That’s right,” admitted Sam. “You haven’t told your folks about thav® = money ?” = “No. I don’t feel like giving it up, for that 5 is what I’d have to do if my father knew I had - it.” S “Well, what are you going to do with the — money when you get it changed into bills?” ~ “I’m going to put it into a savings bank in Poughkeepsie myself. Then I'll be able to keep a line on it. I’m sick of farming. If I should see a chance to go into some kind of business : that would suit me better, I’d have the money to back myself—see?” ‘ “I see, but I’m afraid the possession of so much money would be a temptation for you to embark in schemes that might in the end land you on your uppers.” (3 “Do you take me for a chump?” vate “No, I hope not, Sam. I’m only giving you a ae slight warning. Where did you hide that bag of. sovereigns—in your trunk?” “No. I put it in a niche inside that wide chim- ney in my room. If the house was to take fire 5 and burn down, the chimney would stand and the - money would be as secure as if in a safe.” ~ “Well, that’s one of the advantages of those BS wide, solidly built chimneys of our grandaddies. ; That house you live in must be one of the old guard.” . 4 “It was built over eighty years ago.” “Why don’t your father tear it down and put % up = new se: 4 oe ; “He would if he got hi fingers on five thou- sand dollars.” : or “He could put up ‘a good house for half that money.” ¢ x = “I suppose when your boxes of sovereigns are released you will make a model farm of your place here. You could easily build a place that — would make Squire Dalton’s place.look like thirty cents. That’s what I would do if I was in your __ “The first thing I’m going to do with that bag of it. money, Sam, is to give you another Ly

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4 THE ROAD TO SUCCESS “Another five thousand dollars!” gasped Sam. “Yes. I might never have recovered those boxes but for you. I want you to understand that Il am grateful to you. I certainly would have remained bound and gagged at least three hours longer if you hadn’t come over here and released re X “Ho! I didn’t expect any pay for that. We’re chums, aren’t we? Well, I’d expect you to do the same thing for me if you thought anything was wrong in my direction.” “And I'd do it,,Sam,” replied Joe, promptly. “Five thousand is little enough by way of a pres- ent for saving my money boxes, and so that’s what you’ll get. You can hand your father over half of it, if you want to, to build a new house.” “T’d do it, if he wouldn’t insist on getting the ' other money.” “Well, Joe, I'll tell you how you can find use for that money in-a way that I think would suit you.” > . “How ?” “By going into a business partnership with - me.” “A business partnership with you!” exclaimed Sam, in surprise. “Yes. I’ve been talking the matter over with t my mother, and she approves of the project.” “Does she? Then it must be a good one.” “I think it is. I’ve had the idea in my mind for nearly a year.” “What is it?” “The produce commission © business York.” “Gee! that isn’t bad. thing about that.” “We only know it from the producer’s point of view in a practical sense; but I picked up the whole theory of the commission end from a smart yeung chap who boarded with us a couple of weeks last summer. As he saw that I was inter- ested in the business, he gave me points to burn, and I haven’t forgotten a single one. Now that I shall be able to handle a good bit of money, I’m going into it. Why, with the capital I’ll have. I'll be able to make the fur fiy.” “Any business you were in would suit me to the queen’s taste,” said Sam, enthusiastically. “I'd like you for a partner first rate. I wouldn’t be afraid of getting skinned out of my cash. Come, now, tell me something about the com- mission end.” ; Joe at once explained to him how the business was conducted in New York. The farmers in New Jersey and, certain counties of New York sent their produce consigned to different com- mission house in the wholesale provision district west of Hudson street and below Fourteenth street, in New We both know some- - New York City. These selling agents in turn disposed of the consignments to wholesale dealers in lots to suit at the best prices they could get, and rendered statements of the transactions to ‘the farmers. The men who managed the New York end of the business in the interest of the -country producers were supposed to be content with a straight commission for their services. That was a simple and straightforward method of doing the business. _The young man who had boarded at the Page farmhouse during the early half of the preceding September assured Joe that he knew, from personal experience, that the farmers, who were compelled to trust. the ¢om- mission people, were the victims of a systematic buneo game. te “He told me that the producers got it in the neck all the time,” said Joe. “How do they?” asked Sam, much interested. “He says the commission men figure up all kinds of charges against the consignments, in ad- dition to their regular commission, and that the balance rendered in favor of their customers looks very dizzy after the head bookkeeper has footed it “Is that a fact?” “It is, if Dickson—that was the name of our boarder—told the truth.” “Why, that’s a swindle,” cried Sam, indignantly. “That’s what it looks like. I think there is some truth in what he told me, for I have heard a number of farmers up this way complain of the way they had been treated by the commission houses of New York. I know of farmers who let lots of fruit and vegetables go to waste because —— it didn’t pay to ship it to the city for e. “Gee! that’s fierce. But I should think a farmer would shake a commission man after get- _ ting one or two hard deals form him and try another.” any.” “Why not?” “Because Dickson told me that the chief — commission houses are banded together and every _ one worked along the same lines. The producer is up against the same scale of charges, no matter _ what house he favors with his stuff, and, in ad- “He does, naturally, but it doesn’t help him — dition, is kept out of his money for an indefinite time.” “No wonder so many farmers cry poverty,” said Sam. “I’ve heard my father squeal about the little profit there is in his fruit when he sends it to market.” ; _ “Now, Sam, I propose to start in the commis- sion business on strictly an honest basis. Dick- son said there was a good profit on a flat com- — mission of ten per cent. not the rule, when the country products are shipped in proper shape. If a farmer is careless ) Of course, there are — sometimes charges, but these are the exception, — in this respect he is bound to be a sufferer, and _ nobody is then to blame but himself.” “That’s right,” nodded Sam. “We'll open an office in the right location, or near it as we can find a suitable place. Then we'll take turns drumming_up the farmers in dif- ferent sections, assuring them of fair treatment. As soon as business begins to come our way we'll canvass the retail dealers in the city, the larger — ones personally and the small fry by cireulars. Then, when things get fairly started, we'll try for the hotels—the smaller ones first, and so on up 4 the ladder. ordinary produce business. I’m going into the In fact, I don’t mean to stop at the — canned industry as well, With my capital I'l — be able to handle large consignments of ¢ outbid many houses in our line whose capital is — either limited or tied up. Cash talks every day in the week. If you’ve got the money to pay down on the nail the stuff comes your way every time. I shall be able to make contracts with the _ _ steamship: companies. and other large

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THE ROAD TO SUCCESS 15 out for. The country produce will be the open- ing wedge. If through honest dealings and quick returns we can get control of a large part of the farmers’ business, we'll be able to establish a fine trade, and once we have secured the con- fidence of the producers we'll be able to hold - it against all comers. What do you think of it, Sam?” ' “Fine!” cried his chum, enthusiastically “When are you going to start in? “Right away, if you don’t mind letting me - use your five thousand dollars to set the ball roll- - ing until I can get control of my own funds.” - *Let you use it? Well, say, just freeze on to every cent of it. I’m with you in this thing from the ground floor up.” “You'll never regret it, Sam. It will be a = start in life for you as well as for myself. But, = remember, it will be a case of hustle from the be- ginning. You can’t expect to sit in an office and look for things to come your way. We'll have to get out and work like beavers early and late. _ One of these days, when we’ve built up the busi- - mess, we'll be able to take things easier. But _ that won’t be for a long time.” “V'll hustle, bet your life. Anything is better than everyday farming in New York State. I’ve had all I want of it, and I guess you know as _-well as I that there is no future in it.” _ . “Well, it’s after nine o’clock, Sam. Time you were going home. Fetch over that bag of - govereigns by eight in the morning. We'll take the 9:10 West Shore train at Highland for Wee- hawken.” : The boys parted for the night. Sam departed *) with his head full of visions of the future, and - feeling as if he had suddenly become a full- _- grown man. : yy’ 2 iia CHAPTER XI.—Page & Parsons, Commission Merchants. : When the boys reached lower Broadway next ‘morning after eleven o’clock Joe led the way to -_ g well-known trust and safe deposit company to _ which he had been recommended by the president =S of the village bank. He sent in his letter of in- ___ troduction to the president and was admitted to that gentleman’s private office. To him Joe told his story of the finding of the twenty thousand pounds of old English sovereigns under the : _ foundation of the old stone house on his mother’s ~ property. He recited the adventures he had with i the mysterious Frenchman, who had come all the way from France, by his own account, with a 238 clue to the buried treasure, but had failed to locate it. Se The president was very much interested in his - enw,” said Joe, “I have here a sample of the ee - treasure, one of the bags which I gave my chum ‘ere 1 boxed the rest up. It contains one t d pounds. I want to exchange that for eX guetican money. Then, as soon as the author- Frenchmen, I want to sell the other thousand pounds. Now will you under- do this for me for a suitable compensa- president said the company would do that 2 if ee was 2 genuine. _ and afterward went to the theater. release the four boxes after the trial of “This bag is an exact sample of the others, for my chum and myself have handled every coin when counting it.” The president examined the money closely and was satified it was the real thing. “Wasn't there any papers to give a clue to the original owners of this gold?” asked the gentle- man. “No,” answered Joe, “There was not a_ thing in the chest but the twenty bags, each one. care- fully tied at the mouth just as this one is.” The gentleman sent the bag outside to the cash- ier to count it and compute its exact valie in American money. When this formality had been completed, Joe was paid about forty-eight hun- dred dollars in bills, and took his departure, prom- ising to call later with the rest of the English money. After a good lunch the two boys started for the wholesale provision district of the city te look the ground of their proposed business ven- ture well over. They found a store for rent in the heart of the district, with the office partition standing, and Joe hired it at once for a year, with the privilege of renewal at the same rent. » He then gave an order to a sign painter for a board sign to go over the door. “Page & Parsons, Commission Merchants, will look fine, you bet your life,” said Sam, enthusi- astically, as they left the; painter’s shop. “It is the first step we are taking on our road to success,” replied Joe, as they started across town toward Broadway. “Before we make our next move we might as well register at the Sin- clair House, for we shan’t leave the city for two or three days.” “That'll suit me’ all right,” replied his com- panion, with a pleased chuckle. So they went straight to that hotel and en- gaged a room. “Now, Sam,” said Joe, as they started uptown along Broadway to take in a few sights of the metropolis, “the next thing we’ll have to do—and it is a matter requiring considerable judgment, is to secure a competent and trustworthy man te help us launch this business of ours properly. We want a man with practical experience in the pro- © duce commission line—a man who can run the city end of the concern while we are out in the coun- try drumming up trade.” Sam agreed with his chum that the problem was a serious one. Joe put an advertisement in the Herald, then they walked up Sixth avenue to Central Park and spent an hour there. They took a Broadway car back to their hotel, had dinner, They got a number of answers next morning to their adver- tisement, one of them from a man who said. he had been in the produce commission business sev- eral years, but had been forced out of it because, as the boys learned at the interview Joe arranged with him, he had tried to run the business on the very lines the two boys contemplated themselves. “I did very well at the start,” ne went on to say, “for the farmers were looking f or a square man to do business with; but when the other commis- sion men saw how things were going they wee bined to drive me out of the district.” His name was William Black, and his mannet aa and conversation made a favorable i rng ae = Sad Ss — him, SS Sept uae hs Cee

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4 Beit SS ROTH ERK = ae - A e = et at ie ' signments of produce and fruits arrive in a few days, just as soon as the young proprietors of the business secured a few. patrons. Joe only stopped a short time, just long enough to have a talk with his manager-bookkeeper, and then he started for the Desbrosses street ferry and was soon in Jersey City, when he took a train for the point he in- tended to begin operations. Both of the young partners of the firm of Page & Parsons met with success from the very start. Joe’s proposition of a flat ten per cent. commission, with no begus charges tacked on to reduce the farmer’s profits, and a ten-day settlement, captured the producer off-hand, and he readily agreed to.sign an agree- ment to send all his stuff to the new firm. Most of the farmers that the boys talked into sending introductory consignments to Page & Parsons were inclined to think this new deal they were ~ promised was too good to be true. They soon dis- covered that_the house which promised them a “square deal” was keeping its word to the letter, — and naturally they were so pleased that they made _ the fact public, and many producers that the boys had been unable to call.on in their neighborhood tried the experiment also of sending their stuff to the new commission house. The result was that _ the old commission men began to notice a steady __ drop off in their business, and, looking around to discover the cause of this, they saw that the firm of Page & Parsons, which had but lately invaded the district, was getting business that by right, they argued, should come to them. As this stage of things got worse instead of betters as the boys covered more ground, the opposition people came = to see what could be done to remedy the . evil. - The first thing they did was to send agents. into the country to head off Joe and Sam, as well as to counteract the success they had already — achieved. — The boys were prepared for some such denion- stration, and they began to tell the farmers that they might expect to hear from the representa- tives of their late commission men, and advised — them to pay no attention to wily promises of reform on the part of the old houses as long as they were getting their full ninety per cent. re- turns on a ten-day basis. The farmers who had already done business with Page & Parsons were satisfied with the treatment they were now re- ceiving, and the agents of the other commission houses found it a difficult job to make any of them return to the old fold. 3 The fruit season was now commencing, and the ~ very best of the early products found their way. to the new house, so that the wholesalérs and — stewards of the big hotels had to come and see Mr. Black if they wanted any of this stuff, which, _ as a matter of course, they did. There was one big and influential fruit grower in New Je by that Joe tried to reach, but it was some little time — before he was able to secure an interview. | : On account of his trade the old co issi men had been in the habit of treating him pretty decently—each and every one of them that en- joyed the privilege of handling consignments from his great farm and orchards were only too eager to try and retain his good will. As soo as their early fruit business began-to suffer fr the encroachments made by Sam and Joe, | commission men who handled Mr.

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got together and dispatched one of their bright- est agents to fill his head full of distrust for any proposition submitted to him by Page & Parsons. Unfortunately this man reached his ear before Joe was able te make his acquaintance, and the result was that the bright boy got a cool re- eeption and a flat refusal of business when he did appear with a blank agreement to which he had hoped to secure Walton’s signature. This . was Joe’s first important setback, and he retired ‘ feeling much disappointed. 3 He recognized that the opposition had got in of him'and that their representative had lied about him; but he couldn’t do anything, and had to accept his first signal defeat with the best grace possible. That, however, was not the worst “g of it. Mr. Walton’s neighbors, having great re- spect for his judgment, followed his lead in the x matter of commission houses as in other matters, and Joe found his work cut out for him in that section of New Jersey. + It was a big card for the other houses to be ‘able to control the Walton fruit, for it had a standing among the wholesale trade that put all similar fruit more or less in the shade with the higher class of customers. Walton fruit fetched the highest prices and sold right off the __ ‘reel on its arrival in New York. The opposition therefore scored an important point against Page _ & Parsons when they cut the new firm out of the _ Walton business. Joe was a bit discouraged to find that he could not secure even a single cus- + tomer in the Walton locality, where the best fruit would come from as the season advanced. _ + “T hate to give the fight up here,” he said to himself, “but I’ve cone the very best I could in this locality and I can’t make the least headway.” He was just coming away from the last fruit _ farm on his list in that neighborhood, after re- _ eiving the usual turn-down. He started down _ the road on his bicycle toward the village where _ he was stopping while he canvassed the district. _ He had to pass the Walton farm at the point where a lake of some size bordered the road. - As he drew near this body of water, which was ruffled by a stiff afternoon wind, he noticed a pretty little sailboat, in which was a lovely miss of perhaps fifteen and a well-dressed boy of a year older. _ The boy was steering the boat, and from the actions of the small craft it struck Joe, who knew something about boat sailing, that the lad Was a novice in the art of handling a sailboat. He kept his eye on the eraft as he rode along. _ “Phat chap knows as much about sailing a boat s a donkey does about dancing.. Even if he did now something, it was rash of him to put out on the lake in-this wind, especially with that girl for a passenger. I shouldn’t be at all surprised see him capsize at any moment.” ~The Words were scarcely out of his mouth be- killful boatman, the boy was wholly unprepared it, and the boat upset. Struggling in terror d confusion, the lad struck out for the nearest e, leaving the screaming girl to her fate. could not swim, and the suddenness of the strophe had unnerved her. - With a cry of Joe sprang from his wheel and rushed to the shore of the lake. By this time the ad sunk out of view, her natty straw hat . > THE ROAD TO SUCCESS e a sudden fiaw struck the sail. Not being a © 1/7. alone floating upon the surface of the troubled water. “By George!” breathed Joe, “I must save her if I can, but I’m afraid it’s a case of touch and go.” _He was an excellent swimmer, fortunately. He kicked off his shoes, cast aside his jacket, and sprang into the lake. With strong, sturdy strokes, hand-over-hand fashion, he worked his way out to the drowning girl. “She’s coming up,” he said. “If I ean only reach her before she goes down again.” The distance he had to cover was too far, how- ever, and her struggling form went under for the second time before he got within a dozen yards of her. In the meantime the boy had reach- ed shore and was running frantically toward a fine-looking mansion not’far away to get help. This mansion was the residence of Mr. Walton, and, as it happened, the girl who was now in such desperate peril was his only daughter, the pet of the household. Joe put on an extra spurt and reached the spot where Jessie Walton had gone down for the second time just as she reappeared in a semi- unconscious state on the surface. He grabbed her at once and skilifully lifted her head above the waterline, while he swam out with one hand for the keel of the overturned boat. He reached it after a great effort, and, getting a good hold on it, held the pallid and motionless girl as far out of the water as he could, while -he rested himself. = As the moments passed he found his situation growing more and more uncomfortable, for he could only use one arm to hang on, while the other was employed in supporting the girl, who was gradually regaining her senses. This brought a heavy and awkward strain on his left arm, and he was afraid he would soon have to let go and swim with his burden for the shore. At this point, however, Mr. Walton and his gardener came to- ward the lake at a run, the father nearly frantic with anxiety at the thought that his beloved child might now be lying stark and dead at the bottom. _ The gardener’s sharp eyes made out Joe cling- ing to the bottom of the sailboat with Jessie on his arm, and he called Mr. Walton’s attention to the fact. There was a rowboat tied to the shore a short distance away, and to this both men re- paired as fast as they could get there. They pushed off and the gardener pulled at the oars with all his energy. The overturned craft with its living freight was being blown further and further away from the shore, a fact that Joe soon woke up to. “I’m afraid it’s too long a distance to swim with this girl,” he said to himself. ‘I'll have to try and manage to get astride of the keel and haul her up alongside of it. Somebody will be sure to come out after us before long.” - He was about to put this scheme into practice when he heard the sound of oars, and looking back across the water saw the approaching boat ' CHAPTER XIII.—Joe Captures A Big Contract. Shouting words of encouragement to Joe, a urging his gardener to his best efforts Sth the oars, Mr, Walton stood up in the boat with his

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- for a service that is beyond price. 1 - §nsist that you accept some little token as evi- _. ®You have already thaaked me in a way that 18 anxious eyes fastened upon his slowly reviving daughter. At last, after what seemed an age to the distressed father, the boat shot within reach of the capsized sailboat, and Mr. Walton bent down and grasped his child under the arms. “Thank heaven!” he breathed, as he drew her into the rowboat, “you are safe, my Jessie.” She murmured, “Father,” and feebiy tried to throw her arms around his neck. In the meantime the gardener assisted Joe into the boat and then pulled out for the shore. Mr. Walton thought of néthing but his daughter until they were within reach of the solid ground, when she was so far recovered as to be able to walk ashore on his arm. : “Young man,” said the big fruit grower, “I _ am under the deepest of obligation to you for _ going to the assistance of my daughter when that sailboat upset. I feel sure that but for your _ promptness and courage my child would prob- ably have been drowned. You must come to my home at once, for you are drenched, and your clothes will have to be dried. Besides, I could not think of letting you depart in an off-hand way after what you have done for us.” “Very well, sir,” replied Joe. “It will, of course, be necessary for me to have my clothes dried, as this is the only suit I have with me. I will get my coat and shoes and my bicycle, which was only a short distance away, and fol- low you to the house.” “No, no,” replied Mr. Walton; “my gardener will get your things. William, go for this young man’s wheel and other articles.” “I hope you are feeling better, Miss Walton,” said Joe to the pretty but water-soaked miss, as the three walked up toward the mansion. “Yes, thank you,” with a blush and a smile, as she stole a shy glance into the face of the boy to whom she knew she owed her life. “I.am very grateful to you,” she added in a low voice. “Don’t mention it, Miss Walton. I am very happy I was able to reach you in time to prevent you from sinking the third time.” “Great heaven!” exclaimed Mr. Walton, “was she so near death as that?” “J’m afraid she was, sir. I was fully twenty feet away from her when she sank the second time. I barely got to her as she rose once more to the surface. However, as long as she is safe it doesn’t matter how close she came to drown- ing,” said the boy, with a light laugh. “A miss, you know, as is good as a mile.” : “My young friend, if you could realize how very dear my motherless child is to me you would understand how words fail to express the gratitude I feel toward you for saving her precious life, and I shall not allow you to leave my place until I have testified my appreciation in some fitting manner.” : “J hope you are not thinking of offering me any reward, sir,” said Joe, hastily, “for if you are 1 must decline to receive it.” “No, my lad, I am not thinking of doing that. It would be utterly out of my power to pay you But I shall dence of my esteem and friendship for you.” ws your gratitude, and 1 think that covers pot eee replied Joe. “I don’t see that I a ? “THE ROAD TO SUCCESS cumstances. As long as I am a good swimmer, it was up to me to do the best I could for the young lady. I am sure anybody equal to the emergency would have done just as I did.” They had now reached the house, and Mr. Wal- ton turned his daughter over to the 2nxious-look- ing housekeeper, who hurried the girl to her room. The grateful father led Joe upstairs to a chamber and told the boy to undress. He brought him a suit of his own underclothes and a pair of trousers. “Put these on for the present,” he said. “LI will have your own clothes dried and pressed; but of course it will take a little while. You must consider yourself my guest for the day, at least.” : : After he had carried Joe’s wet things down- stairs to the laundry-room, where a servant was instructed to attend to them, Mr. Walton return- ed to the boy and took him to his library. “I think we have met before, have we not?” asked the fruit grower. .“Yes, sir,” replied the young commission mer- chant. “I called on you two days ago to secure your fruit trade, but,” with a smile, “I had very poor luck. I could not induce you to even con- sider my proposition.” . “Ah, yes, | remember. Your name is——” “Page—Joe Page, of the produce commission firm of Page & Parsons, No. — West Fourtéenth street, New York. My partner and I have only © been in business a short time, but long enough to let the trade know that we’re alive and hustling — for our share of the fruit and produce that comes _ to the metropolis.” Mr. Walton smiled good-naturedly. He now regarded Joe in an altogether different light than previously when the boy had addressed himself to him in the guise of a canvasser for his trade. “IT am afraid.I treated you rather churlishly at- our last interview,” said the fruit grower. “If you will permit me I shall be glad now to make amends for it.” ; “Well, sir,” said the bright boy, taking ad- vantage of the circumstances, with an eye to business, “I shall be happy to repeat my proposi- tion if you care to hear me.” “T will listen to you with pleasure.” | Joe at once launched into the object which had brought him into that part of New Jersey, and he talked earnestly and right to the point. Mr. Walton listened attentively, and when his guest had finished he told him the reasons for his refusal to negotiate with the new firm. He had been dealing with his present commission people for years and had no fault to find with them. Besides, one of their representatives had lately called on him and made statements regarding Page & Parsons that did not appear to credit. “Those statements were all lies,” a bit hotly. i the old commission men, and they have evidently — combined to freeze us out. But it won’t do them — any good in the long run to run us down. We have the capital at our back and have come F stay. If they go too far [ am going to make things so hot for them that they'll be glad to haul in their horns. They ran one man out by crooked — methods because he cut into their trade. * is now our bookkeeper and manager. _ T expect vr Dae a Sere Ae 4 Fw’ debit bibs yah ois Z o ) 3 $ E ad R § & ® & g a aF § FFE NO ee *7 +e 4. &

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oie Jee THE ROAD TO SUCCESS on us, there’s going to be something doing they won’t like. I’ll put every man in jail that I can reach on a criminal charge. We may be boys, but we’re out for our rights, and we’re going to get them, in spite of every produce commission _ man in New York.” Joe looked fight all over, and Mr. Walton rather admired his. pluck. _ “Well, my young friend,” he said, .you have won my life-long gratitude, and I am going to take advantage of this opportunity to repay you in part for your invaluable services this day. I will sign an agreement with you to send you all my consignments hereafter, and take the risk _of you doing as well by me as the other com- mission people.” “You'll take no risk whatever, sir,” replied Joe, promptly. “If we can’t show as good results as the others, I’ll tear up your contracts and release you from any further obligation to patronize us.” cA, “Welle that is certainly very fair on your part,” - smiled the fruit grower. “Now, have you done _« any business with my neighbors?” . _“No, sir. I haven’t caught one. They all seem to follow your lead, and what is good enough for you seems to suit them. I hope to have better luck with them when I take your agreement around with me and show them.” ? ; “T think there is a better way than that.” - “What is it, sir?” __~ “If you will remain all night with us here, Th _ take you around in my auto to-morrow morning and personally urge my neighbors to sign agree- ments with you. I think I will be able to secure you the entire output of the district.” : “I shall be glad to accept your generous in- __-vitation, Mr. Walton,” replied Joe, overjoyed at the brilliant prospect. “It will be the biggest kind of victory for the firm of Page & Parsons.” “Your partner is not as young as you are, is he?” asked the fruit grower. J “Yes, sir. There is not more than two months ete _ difference in our ages.” “Well, I must say you are a pair of enter- _ prising young fellows and deserve all the en= couragement you can receive. You have inter- ested me greatly, and, apart from the obligation __ ¥ feel under to you, I shall be glad to give your business a boost. My fruit is the most sought after in New York, and consequently commands - tep-notch prices. It will be something of a card -. for you to handie it, for it will compel the whole- - -salers to patronize you, and will bring your firm prominently hefore the trade.” ~ “That’s right, sir. I had that in view when I came out here to make a try for you, though ‘every one I spoke to told me I hadn’t a ghost of a show to catch you.” : “Then everybody will find they miscalculated your persuasive powers,” laughed Mr. Walton. _” “I’m afraid it is more luck than anything else, _ sir. If I hadn’t been so fortunate as to be on “hand to reseue your daughter I am satisfied I ‘would have taken the train to-day back to New ‘York empty-handel.” _ _Joe’s clothes were dried and pressed in time for him to go to dinner looking as he xsually did. He was then formally introduced to Jessie Walton by her father, and he was quite impressed y the girl’s good looks and vivaciousness. She d not suffered in any way a her involuntary 19 bath, and he voted her the most charming young lady he had ever met. Joe spent a very pleasant few hours with the Waltons, and then returned to New York, where he acquainted Sam with his experiences. It is not necessary to state that Sam was agreeably surprised at Joe’s adventure with the Waltons, and it was only a day or so after that big consignments were coming in fromthe Wal- ton farm, and the firm of Page & Parsons were up to their eyes in business, and making money rapidly. In the course of time the trial of the two Frenchmen came up and Joe and Sam were able to testify as to the burglary of the money boxes. The Frenchmen were sent to the Auburn Peni- tentiary for long terms. Joe received his boxes of money and turned them over to a trust company and received a check for $91,000. Enough was put in the busi- ness to bring it up to a high standard in the commission business. During the next spring the aoe firm went extensively into the canned goods usiness. CHAPTER XIV.—Conelusion. As the summer advanced, Page & Parsons had all they could do to handle the fruit and produee that came their way. “Say, Joe,” said Sam, bursting into the office one morning at the end of the summer, “it looks like a sure thing that the United States is going to interfere in this Cuban mix-up. The paper. ~ is full of it this morning. Now, if the Govern- ment sends troops to the island there'll be a sudden call for canned meats and vegetables. How do we stand to fill a rush order in that direction if some contractor should happen to interview us on the subject?” “Well, Sam,” replied his partner, “we can de- liver $100,000 worth of such stuff inside of twen- ty-four hours, and $50,000 worth more right on top of that.” : “Whew!” whistled Sam. “Do you mean to say you have bought that much stock? You couldn’t have paid for it.” “T’ve bought it after a fashion. That is, I’ve ordered $100,000 worth of the goods to be held for a certain time subject to our order. This cost us $5,000. I’ve also spoken for the $50,000 worth provisionally.” “How did you come to do that?” “Soon after the first suggestion appeared in the papers that President Roosevelt might con- sider it necessary to shake the ‘big -stick’ ove our, sister Republic I found out that a certain contractor had received a tip from a big official ~ that bids for cOmmissary stores would soon be called for. On the strength of that I negotiated ; for the stuff I have mentioned and ther put in an order to the said contractor to supply him ~~ with $100,000 worth of goods at a figure that ould give us a fais margin of profit. I received a\non-committal reply from hini, but:I concluded F to risk $5,000 on the chance of getting the order. S The goods are ready to be shipped from the Mid- dle West on a telegraphic notice, and arrange- _ ments can be made to send them on by ‘ast — freight if necessary. If the Government e: make a quick demand for supplies I think we can- “s

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20 meet the emergency in shorter time than any _one else in our line.” “Joe, you’ve got a long head, upon my word, you have,” said Sam, admiringly. “The times are so swift, Sam, a fellow has got to see some distance ahead or he isn’t in the running.” “That isn’t any lie. By the way, I see you’ve got your grip here this morning. Where are you going over Sunday? Home?” “No. Got an invitation out to Sunbury.” “That’s the third,” snickered Sam. “Things are rushing in that direction.” “Oh, you get out. This invitation is from Mr. Walton.” “Sure, it is,” laughed Sam. “Miss Walton hasn’t the least idea you’re coming. No, of course not. Won’t be at the station to met you in her pony phaeton, like she did on the other occasions. Ho, ho, Joe, you can’t fool your old pard,” and Sam walked chuckling out of the office. Joe took an early afternoon train for Sunbury and found Jessie Walton waiting for him at the station with her dog-cart.. She drove him to her home herself, as she was quite a whip in her way. He enjoyed himself immensely during his short stay, and was decidedly sorry when Mon- : as moraine: came and he had to leave for New ork. “What do you think, Joe?” said Sam, coming into the private office that afternoon; “Jackson. & Cornish have gone into the canned goods busi- ness. ; “Who told you they had? It’s the first I’ve _heard of it.” “Johnson, bookkeeper for Tibbetts & Co. He and I are kind of friendly. He told me Jackson had nailed a big contract this morning, but he couldn’t tell me any of the particulars.” 33 “Where did Johnson get his information from? - Do you think it’s reliable?” “He got a hint from one of Jackson’s em- ployees.” “Well, I suppose we shall find them trying to cut into our trade. They’re pretty sore over the way Mr. Walton shook them for us. If they could turn the trick on us once and a while it would make them feel good.” ~ Half an hour later Joe was walking down the street and he almost ran into Jackson. “Did you get that Government order you’re after yet?” he asked, sneeringly. Then he passed on, leaving Joe in a state of ¢ great astonishment, for this was the first time e Jackson had ever addressed him. Next morning the papers had the news that : certain troops of the Department of the East had ~ . been ordered to hold themselves in readiness for ; a sudden departure for Cuba.. That meant, if true, that supplies would be needed at once, so - Joe called up the contractor to whom he had sub- mitted a bid and asked for information. The reply came back that a contract had been made already with Jackson & Cornish to furnish all that would be required. This was a severe dis- appointment to the boy. : _ “Well, Sam, Jackson & Cornish have managed ‘to get back at us at last,” he said when his er came into the office later on. w is that?” =a = -ty-four hours at the outside, but twenty if pos- ha’ baa ied S: m, me tonishment. ig osetia Baath ~ WALL STREET.” THE ROAD TO SUCCESS e Joe gave him the particulars and his chum was disgusted. : “That’s fierce. Shall we lose that $5,000?” “It looks like it just now. But don’t worry, we can stand it. I took chances on a long shot, and a screw worked loose somehow. That’s the whole story.” About two o’clock a newsboy brought in an afternoon paper into the office. Joe picked it up and the first thing he noticed in big type was a railroad accident on the Lake Shore Rail- road. A fast freight had been derailed east of Cleveland, and about twenty cars had gone down an embankment and been smashed into kindling wood. The accident had been caused by a de- fective switch. The story had no particular significance for Joe, and he soon tossed the paper aside, It was getting on to five o’clock when a man he had never seen before was admitted to his room. $ “You have the reputation for beir™® able to - fill rush orders for canned goods, Mr. Page,” said | his visitor, coming directly to the point. “Now, can you deliver in Jersey City a pretty big or-* der—say $100,000 worth of prime preserved meats é and vegetables—in twenty hours? If so, let me have your price.” “Who do you represent, Mr. Pratt?” asked Joe, “That isn’t material,” replied his caller. “I ae your spot cash figure. Money talks, doesn’t i272 : “It usually does,” replied Joe, who then quoted the man a price which his visitor accepted, con- ditional on the delivery of the goods within twen- sible. “Here is a certified check for $10,000 on ac- count,” said the man, “as a guarantee the goods will be taken on arrival within the specified time. Send your representative with the documents to my office to-morrow the moment you receive word — the cars are in the freight yard, and the balance will be paid in bills.” = The man took his departure, after laying his card on Joe’s desk, and then the young commis- sion merchant rang up the Dundee concern on the a long distance wire, and completed the purchase of __ the $100,000 order, conditional on arrival of the goods at Jersey City within twenty-two hours. —_ Next morning Joe learned that the canned — goods Jackson & Cornish ‘had ordered from — Chicago to fill their Government contract had ~ gone to smash in the Lake Shore freight wreck, — and then he smelt a mouse. Jackson & Cornish in a roundabout way had placed the same order with. him to fill, sacrificing their profit in order _ to be able fo fill their contract. aA The goods arrived in time and Page & Parsons got their money for them, and then the two young partners had a quiet laugh at the expense of their rivals. “f : We need only mention one more fact which _ Joe confided to the author the other day, and that is Jessie Walton had, with her father’s consent, promised to marry him when she reaches her eighteenth birthday. Se With those words we close the career of a fortunate boy. pore 5 Next week’s issue will contain “CHASING — POINTERS: or, THE LUCKIEST BOY BAe: Se ZA lt &

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FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY 21 CANALS ARE DEATH TO DEER overcoat buttons, a two-inch square of woolen cloth, eight inches of cloth tape and several feet More than 200 deer have been drowned this winter in the cement-lined canals of a water and power company operating in the High Sier- ras in California. The deer apparently leaped BAG WITH $7,000 JEWELS KICKED ABOUT into the canals to drink and were unable to regain AS TRASH their footing on the cement. A chamois bag, containing five diamond rings and a diamond pin, with a total value of $7,000, = aga in oe (sae of = owner, —— bevieg : i ~ lain for several hours on the sidewalk of a busy NEEDLE BOY SWALLOWED PIERCES downtown street in Syracuse. Previously unno- HEART ticed because it looked nothing more than a piece Joseph Pandolso, four years old, of 49 Stone of chamois, the object attracted the attention of street, Newark, N. Y., died in the Newark City Mrs. Mary O’Brien, Police Headquarters matron, Hospital as a result of swallowing a needle to who thought she might make use of it cleaning of string. _ which was attached several inches of thread. An windows. autopsy revealed that the needle had worked its Picking it up from the gutter, where it had way through tissue and nenetrated the heart. been kicked by a passer-by, Mrs. O’Brien found _ Also found in the child’s stomach were the the jewels inside, reported the fact to Police following articles, which he had swallowed at Headquarters and returned the bag when its _ different’ times: Eight small bits of wood, two owners, a local woman, reported its loss to police. Buy “Mystery Magazine” Handsome Colored Covers Sixty-four Pages of Reading No. 162 IS OUT TODAY, CONTAINING A Lively Detective Novelette, by GROVER KIDWELL, entitled “THE INTRIGUERS” It has a splendid plot and is full of exciting adventures DON’T MISS THE NEW TWO-PART SERIAL “A TEST OF CONSCIENCE” : By J. B. WARRENTON And the seven interesting short stories: “LAWFULLY SWINDLED,” by Glenn A. Gravatt “Pp, O. P. TAKES A HAND,” by H. Belafiger “LET THE GUILTY MAN SUFFER,” by Anne H. Hadley “A GLASS OF WATER,” by Jack Bechdolt “VERY NEARLY PERFECT,” by Noble W. Hunt “THE GIRL IN THE RED MASK,” by David F. Galvin “PROVERBS AND A CASH BOX,” by B..M. Goldenberger In addition there is an article by POLICE-CAPTAIN HOWARD “THE LAST OF THE GANGSTERS” Also a number of shorter items: “A Woman Detective,” “Hunt a Dumpy Bandit,” “Recaptured Convicts,” “Alleged Fence Ar- rested,” “Control of Detective Agencies,” “Mystery in Mail Theft” and a Beautiful Woman Led a Crook Gang.” FREE HANDWRITING READINGS By LOUISE RICE Send her a sample of your writing and she will tell your character and advise you about what you are best fitted for. THERE’S MORE MATERIAL IN THIS MAGAZINE THAN YOU GET IN ANY SIMILAR PUBLICATION ON THE NEWSSTANDS ~— Spgs Bae Boe

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: Rob and the Reporters ; a — Or, — Hustling for War News by Wireless —_—__—- By GASTON GARNE —— (A Serial Story.) CHAPTER X.—(Continued). first they thought him asleep, but closer ex- a cone disdoont the truth. He was dead and cold. “May heaven rest his soul!” exclaimed Father Alphonse, crossing himself. “But what have we here?” he added, pointing to a small brass-bound chest. Rob raised the lid, for it was not locked. The chest was more than half full of gold and silver coins. ; “Now may heaven be praised!” cried’the priest. “That poor girl has something to live on. This estate is entailed,” he went on to explain. “It - will descend to Andre De Bois’s nephew, and ” Louise thought herself penniless, but this money is justly hers. It explains what she never could understand. The old man was always very miser- ly. He pretended’ deep poverty and doled out money to Louise for household Loh see in drib- lets. She never could understand where he got it. She must be informed at once.” He went to fetch her, telling the boys to re- main where they were. “This is certainly great!” remarked Rob, “I am so glad we were able to be useful to that poor girl.” They had, been useful to themselves, sequel proved. ° Louise seemed rather relieved than otherwise over her grandfather’s death. “J shall go at once to my uncle at Antwerp,” she told Walter, “and I should like #0 take this money with me, but I dare “not ‘undertake it alone. It is a day’s drive. Pierre will not leave the castle. Would it be possible for you two to go with me? Father Alphonse can get us a closed carriage. So far as he knows there are no Ger- man troops in the section through which we shall have to pass.” “What do you say, Rob?” asked Walter, trans- lating. “J should say yes at once, but for Edith,” re- plied Rob. * “But what good can we do Edith by remaining here when we have not the faintest idea where she is?” 2 “That is true, and yet——” “T will give you five hundred dollars if you will see me safely at my uncle’s,” broke in Louise, as the - maming the equivalent of that sum in Belgian currency. \ -Pather Alphonse urged them to consent, stat- ing that there were urgent reasons why Louise ‘leave the castle as soon as possible. FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY “I suppose we may as well go,” said Rob. “But hate to take such a sum from _her.” “We need it,” replied Walter. “Listen, we are not over here to be balked in our purpose. If we expect to get news for our papers we shall have to be hustling, and it is certainly up to us to im- prove every opportunity. Once in Antwerp with money in our pockets we shall be able to do busi- ness. Whereas now we are practically helpless.” So Rob yielded and it was decided. to start at daybreak. The digging of a grave in the garden behind the castle followed, in which the two bodies were laid away. + Father Alphonse performed the funeral cere- mony, during which Louise bore up better than the boys expected. A quiet night followed and at daybreak the priest. was on hand with~a carriage drawn by two horses in which the chest was placed, and an immediate start was made. Louise was familiar with the road, so Rob, who handled_the reins, had no difficulty in finding his way. The journey was made without mishap: They were held up once only, when they reached the Belgian outposts around Antwerp, but the men- tion of Monsieur Berge’s name proved sufficient for Louise’s uncle was one of the richest and most prominent bankers in the city. Rob drove directly to his house, an elegant mansion in the suburbs, where they were most hospitably received. “You have performed a great service for my — niece,” Mons. Berge, who spoke perfect Eng- ~ lish, told Bob. ‘The money she has promised you will receive, and it is none too much. If there is anything else I can do to repay you, name it.” - “There is nothing but to help us get, to the” front,” replied Rob, after explaining his mission. “That will be very difficult,” answered the banker, “but I will do my best. I have as much influence with the authorities as any man in Ant- werp. Remain here with us to-night and to-mor- row I shall make it my business to see what can be done to further your purpose.” “Asleep, Rob?” asked Walter that night after they had been in bed fully two hours. “No,” replied Rob, “but I’ve been doing my best to keep quiet, for I thought you were.” : “Same here, but I was afraid you were awake... I have been going over and over all that has_ ages It all seems so strange.” “Oh, it isn’t that with me,” sighed Rob. “T can’t get Edith out of my head. It was a terri- ble thing to lose her the way we did.” “Shall we ever see her again, I wonder?” “That’s just it, Walt. Who can tell?” a Walter had not told Rob the true cause of his | wakefulness. F All through the lone ride his wound had been most painful and it was so still. * Sleep came to both boys at last, but next morn- ing it was found that Walter’s whole leg was in- — flamed, so Mons. Berge sent for a doctor, who ad- vised him to go at once to a hospital, as there | was danger that he might lose the limb. ‘- (To be continued.)

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2 - WOODPECKERS AND WORMS _ Woodpeckers make a lot of fuss. But while they are knocking on wood they are searching for _ meat. They play an important part in destroy- _ ing the round-headed apple tree borer, according to TF. L. Guyton, Bureau of Plant Industry, Penn- sylvania Department of Agriculture. Soon after the borers hatch, the woodpeckers find them beneath the bark of apple trees. The birds start right after the worms, continuing to drill for them as long as the borers are in the In several orchards where count was made the borers had been de- ce .The downy woodpecker and the hairy wood- _ pecker are said to be the chief varieties of the borers. UNUSUAL EFFECTS FROM COLORED GLASSES The American fashion of wearing horn spec- __tacles fitted with lenses of vivid hue seems to be gaining ground in England, but although the general effect of these licht filters is to make ob- jects appear to be the same color of the tint used, there are some startling exceptions. Thus writes S. W.-C., in Conquest (London). __ Occasionally a thin pieee of smoked glass will _ be found which appears greenish when held up to ‘the electric light; double the thickness by holding two pieces together, and the lamp filaments be- ~ come a brilliant red color. Scientists call this _ peculiar effect “dichromatism,” and it may be _ observed with a number of other substances be- sides glass. When quite dry, that useful disin- fectant, permanganate of potash, is nearly jet Jack, but when first dissolved in water it shows red color; as the strength of the solution is in- _ creased, first a purple, and then a dark blue tint - is seen. It so happens that the color of that ~ luscious sweetmeat, creme de menthe, varies ac- cording to the thickness. When a thin slice is cut the familiar light green shade is seen; when of medium thickness it is unmistakably yellow, and a greater thickness makes it appear red. Gold does not always glitter, and its dichroma- tism is probably a familiar sight to sign writers ir the gold leaf they use 1s extremely 00 of these flimsy yellow leaves of the other, a nile only inch high would be formed. The gold beater ork so thoroughly that the leaf is to the light it is but sage green. When gold is so owdered that the particles approximate in ess to the atom, they are held in suspension mixed with water, and the solution becomes red with purple. ; . j JOHN BROWN’S CAVE ing out a suggestion of the State His- > a Bee qs x Follow American FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY GOOD READING Saree f that traditional spots in Nebras- marked for posterity, the local chapter of ghters of Revolution habe set up a granite slab to designate the famous 7ee Brown cave situated southwest of Nebraska ity. The cave was a part of the underground rail- road operated by John Brown when he was known only as the Osawatomie abolitionist, and was one of the hiding places for the slaves that he and other Kansans sent to Canada by way of Ne- braska. It was built in the Missouri River hill- side, in the shape of a cross, and has an exten- sion or chamber in every direction of the compass. In recent years the face of the cave and the en- trance have been overgrown with small trees. The chasm was only one of a dozen or more locations in the Middle West, but is the largest of all because it was used as a distribution point for the others. The entrance to the underground passages came from a ravine on the west side, and was flanked and hidden by an old log cabin, which is still standing with its calked-up hole and battered weatherboards. Part of it covers one of the entrances, which led into the cellar. Old settlers say that the passageways from cave extended by relays along the Missouri Rives bluffs over into Eastern Iowa, from where the slaves were serit in many directions. About 100 feet north of the cave is an old- fashioned well where water was drawn by means of a long stick with a bucket on one end and a weight on the other. The authenticity of it as the John Brown cave is attested by a number of negroes at various times. “ ‘ ‘Mystery Magazine” Semi-Monthly 15 Cents A Copy 155 pas DEATH'S TRAIL, by Nels LeRoy Jor- ensen., ~ 158 THE MEDICINE DROPPER. by G. P. 157 A QUESTION OF KICK, b Eugene Fi tes 158 THE MYSTERY OF ROARING WATERS, by Harry Adler. : 159 THF RIVER finatee. by Hamilton Craigie. 160 THE SHADO NOOSE. by J. 161 AT 2 A. M., by Beulah Poynter. PE ee THE INTRIGUERS By GROVER KIDWELL 3 Out Today in No. 162 HARRY E. WOLFF, Publisher, Ine. 166 West 23d Street — New York City “Moving Picture Stories” A Weekly Magnzine Devoted to Photoplays amd Players PRICE TEN CENTS PER COPY Each number contains Three Stories of the Best Films on the Screen—El t Half-t Scenes —Interesting irtidles About “Prominent j-* in the Films—Doings of Actors and Actresses and Lessons in Scenario Writing. HARRY E. WOLFF, Publisher, Ine. 166 West 23d Street, New

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= 4 aH One hundred turns is the practicable limit for 3 single layer windings, if any degree of efficiency = is desired. For amounts greater than that bank z= winding should be resorted to. ‘ Leave the construction of “D” shaped, Figure 8, s basket wound and ball and socket variometers ag to. the manufacturer. He has the facilities—all ip ou have is patience and that is very easily ex- : austed. 3 x If two coils are not supposed to be in induc- ; tive relation with each other place them at right a angles to each other. at possibility of one affecting the other. When winding spider web coils, care must be exercised to see that the space between turns are even. Even spacing is one of the factors controlling the efficiency of spider web coils. wo Ob he Double silk-covered wire is preferable for spider web and bank wound coils, a8 it affords satisfactory insulation, and also .a saving in space. Double cotton covered wire’is also satis- factory, but it requires slightly more space. " A variocoupler or variometer have no wave length range. The wave length range is de- pendent upon the inductance and capacity of the other apparatus in the circuits that are used in conjunction with it. s a 5 E al 3 - 5 7 4 : : ¢ = < ri -.» When mounting inductances of any sort avoid tes the use of steel or iron brackets. These metals ‘. impair the efficiency of magnetic metals into the ras field of the coil. Use brass brackets. IS THE ANTENNA DOOMED? Many of the latest radio sets now reaching the public are of the loop type. What with the simplification of the Armstrong super-heterodyne circuit, as well as the development of radio-fre- quency circuits and reflex circuits, it becomes pos- sible to produce compact sets which operate on small loops. No factor has had a greater in- fluence on this move than the dry-battery tube, which makes possible the use of four, five or six tubes with a few dry cells for the filament cur- : rent. Not long ago the writer of these lines at- _ tended the demonstration of one of the Arm- strong super-heterodyne receivers. This particu- lar receiver has a small, oblong loop inside the long cabinet, the latter being provided with a handle so that it can be carried about. Although - the ‘demonstration was held in the. steel-encased Woolworth Building, loud and clear radio con- _ certs were intercepted from the local stations and even from a station in Philadelphia. It is posi- tively uncanny. this business of ing a radio set about a room, while,a concert ¢ s out of the -speaker. Because of the directional of the loop, these loop sets pro- This will preclude any. * ~ FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY - INTERESTING RADIO NEWS AND HINTS vide additional selectivity, which is very desirable in these days of heavy radio traffic. ; POWER FOR THE RADIO RECEIVER_ Convenient power for the radio receiver is now available in the recently introduced “Unipower” unit of a well-known storage battery manufac- turer. This unit combines a special form of chemical recharger with the usual storage bat- teries for the filament and the plate cireuits of the receiving sets. ‘The unit is permanently con- nected with the electric light socket, so that it is self-cHarging and will “float-in” on the line, and the radio listener may use the lighting current direct, so to speak, properly rectified and reduced to the required voltage. The Unipower unit is kept at full potential by fresh current coming in as fast as the set uses it up. Thus an owner — may operate twenty-four hours a day, if he wishes. No battery crackling, buzzing or fading out such as occur when batteries are just too good to throw away, is experienced. The receiv- ing set is always maintained at its utmost effi- ciency, so far as the battery current is concerned. The new unit will last for years, according to the manufacturer. It comes in a heavy oak case with connections grouped in a compact plate at one side. The Sodion tube, cleverly called “The Golden Rule Tube,” because it cannot be made to oscillate and thus interfere with the radio reception -of others, is coming more and more into use. It . is quite different from the usual vacuum tube, al- though it is also a three-element tube. The —— sodion does not have a grid or control electrode | interposed. between the filament and the plate. - Its name is derived from the fact that it utilizes ; some unusual properties of an alkali, such as — sodium, and operates through the flow and con- ; trols the ions. The input circuit of the sodium is connected between an eléctrode-called the “col- lector,” which corresponds to the grid of the ordinary tube, and. which is bent into a Z-shaped i that partially surrounds the filament with ts open side toward the anode or plate. The — output circuit contains the usual head telephones or transformer primary and “B” batteries, and runs from this plate or anode to the filament. The output of the sodion is a varying plate cur- rent. In addition to the collector and anode mem- _ bers, the sodion tube contains a non-inductive heater coil which is in series with the filament and is entirely enclosed between the tube and an outer glass envelope. e Patents on the new device are pending, and it is understood that exact hook-ups and details of construction will be available as soon as patents ~ are granted. iS In general, it is said to include a coupling re- sistance so high that the strength of the incom- ing signals are reduced considerably, requiring at least a three or four tube set. A radio fre-— quency step in the form of a radio ae eS a FS eliminates any regeneration, and a receiving set with a detector tube. VE SN Me pe ey a a” ‘ aT Leh Ab 3) Shh ig del aks ra J Te yh) Cee S na t q

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_ Louder signals are obtained with two tubes of _ audio frequency amplification. f _. The military value of the coupling unit to the _havy is very high, since it enables a vessel or station to carry on several times as’ much busi- ness or traffic as has heretofore been possible’ without interference. The navy holds the rights for military use. It has become a part of battlk- / ship standard equipment. To the general public its ehief interest will be that it will permit the use of a single antenna on an apartment house or hotel, wherein each tenant wants to operate his own set independently of others. A lead-in can be ran into each apartment or suite, the own- er specifying that each tenant must use a coupler unit. Many antennae on housetops can thus be eliminated. A number of radio manufacturers are _ said to have made overtures to Dr. Taylor for _ permission to manufacture the units, but to date eee Seine of the manufacturer has not been re- le ; WHAT IS THE SUPER-HETERODYNE? _ Called the Rolls-Royce of radio, the super- _ heterodyne of late has been coming into its own. ’ It still inspires a certain amount of awe among _ the radio laity, although, truth to tell, its com- plex nature has been greatly exaggerated. First of all, the super-heterodyne consists mainly of _ two members, namely, a frequency changer and a long-wave receiving set.. It is based on the Me that a radio-frequency amplifier will op- erate easily on long wave lengths, but not so short wave lengths. It was Major E. H. _ Armstrong, the well-known radio inventor, who 4 decided to receive the shore waves and then ~hange them to long waves in order to obtain e high efficiency of long-wave radio-frequency amplification. Now the wave changer can be anged as a distinct and separate unit from the usual receiving set. This device consists of ctor tube which receives two frequencies— the frequency of the incoming signal picked up by the antenna, and a frequency furnished by a ‘vacuum tube oscillator called the “heterodyne,” which feeds the detector by means of a suitable coupling. The output of the frequency changer has a frequency equal to the difference between the signal frequency and the frequency of the heterodyne oscillator, ifference can be varied by adjusting the heterodyne frequency. The difference in the two frequencies is impressed upon the intermediate radio-frequency amplifier. he super-heterodyne can be controlled by two stments, one for the wave length and the er to control the frequency of the oscillator tube. One is called the wave length control, and the other the frequency changer. To operate a “super-heterodyne receiver the signal is tuned in is with the usual set. The incoming signal is then mixed with a signal or wave from the os- _cillator tube. e result is a signal of much lower frequency or, put it another way, much wave length. This low-frequency signal hen passed to an intermediate high wave- rth radio frequency amplifier, and then on to detector. g is the process justment of the re- P atus to accord with a particular FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY transmitting station to obtain the greatest re- sponse to that station’s wave. A radio trans- mitter sends out electromagnetic waves thfough space in all directions. These electromagnetic waves as they go further away from the transmit- ting station get weaker. When a wire is elevated above the surface of the earth it is struck by these passing waves, which are really moving electric forces just as waves in water move. An important point to note about these travel- ing waves is that they possess a definite fre- quency or in other words a certain number of them pass the receiving aerial per second of time. The exact number is determined by the adjustment of the transmitter. Since these waves travel at a certain speed they must be separated a certain distance which is called the wave length. So instead of saying that a station sends out on 360 meters apart it would be just as well to say that it sends out 830,000 waves per second. In the actual receiving set some means must be provided for changing the electrical length of the antenna. This is done by putting in the cir- cuit some wire wound up into a coil with some means provided for changing the number of turns; for example, by a switch or with some means of varying the electrical effect of the turns without actually changing the number of therm The variometer is such a means for varying the electrical effect and consists of a coil in two parts, one of which turns within the other. Also it is found that if two metal plates which are placed _ near each other without touching are placed in the circuit, the electrical length of the circuit, is changed if one plate is moved. Such a device is called a condenser. Sometimes both con- denser and adjustable coil are used. Generally speaking, there are two different ways in which to connect tuning devices in com- mon use to-day. These are known as the single circuit tuner and the double-circuit tuner. In the operation of a receiver of either of these types the tuning system adjustment is but half the adjustment. In addition to the tuning sys- tem there is the detector which is connected to the tuning circuit and which plays the important part of changing the received high frequency current into a form which will make possible the operation of the telephone receivers. There are two kinds of detectors in use to-day, namely the crystal or mineral detector and the vacuum tube. The single circuit crystal is, of course, the easier to operate. In this there is only the tuning con- trol and the crystal. The proper procedure in tuning this.type of set is to get the crystal de- tector on a sensitive point and vary the tunin element slowly until signals aré heard. Crysta receivers of this type will not respond to stations over a range of some twenty-five miles area. The vacuum tube when used as a detector pro- vides the most satisfactory reception known +o date. It is employed in single circuit, double and ‘triple circuit sets. When using a tube as ‘de- tector it is possible to receive stations over con- siderable range. Recently an amateur heard 4 European station while using one detector tube, — Thus it can be readily seen that the use of a vacuum tube is by far the superior to any known detector to date. =

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26 Fame and Fortune Weekly NEW YORK, AUGUST 1, 1924 TERMS TO SUBSCRIBERS Bingle Copies.............-- .-Poatage Vree 8 Cents One Copy ‘three Mouths...... “ ¥ 00 Oue Copy Six Months... ss s “ 2.00 “ - One Copy One Year.........- Canada, $4.50; Foreign, $5.00, HOW TO SEND MONEY —At our risk send P. O. Money Order, Check or Kegistered Letter; remittances im any other way are ai your risk. We accept Postage Stamps the same as cash. When sending Silver wrap the Coin in a arate plece of paper to avoid cutting the envelope. Write your name and address plainiy. Address letters to HARRY E. WOLFF, ) uarry E. Wolff, Pres. Publisher, Inc., Charles E. Nylander, Sve. 166 W. 23d St., N. Y¥.J L. &. Wilsin, Treas. — ITEMS OF INTEREST LEFT THE FARM ONCE ONLY Fifty-eight years on one farm, the longest ab- sence being one of nine weeks, is the life his- tory of John D. Zeller, who had just celebrated his fifty-eighth birthday. Born on a farm ‘one mile north of North Liberty, Iowa, he has lived there his entire life. His longest absence was at a time when he made a cross-country journey from ocean to ocean. FRISCO’S FIRST SUBWAY San Francisco is building its first subway, but it is for vehicles only. It will be 900 feet long, 23 feet wide, and will cost $340,000. It is ex- pected to save seconds for a daily army of 17,000 commuters, as well as to speed up street traffic at the Great Ferry Building, where north and south vehicular traffic counts from 600 to 1,000 automobiles and teams an hour. BIG INDUSTRY HAD SMALL START In the last five years California has produced on the average more than 8,000,000 boxes of navel oranges a year. All this golden harvest of luscious fruit was started with less than twenty trees which the Department of Agriculture brought to this country from Brazil. That scien- tific experiment was made in 1870 and two of the original trees are still alive. One is in Wash- ington, D. C., and the other in California. VESSEL HAS DUSTY TRIP Reporting a dusty voyage, the President Jef- ferson, arriving from Japan, had to be thoroughly vacuum-cleaned. While traversing the great northern circle about 500 miles off the Aleutian Chain, the big ship passed through a zone of dust- filled air. The decks and cabins accumulated thick layers of fine but heavy material which irritated the eye of passengers and crew. It is thought the dust storm came from the eruption of Mount Pavlof, which in February blew out its centre cone. : Bootblacks on board declared they enjoyed a few days of real prosperity. - ” FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY GOLDFISHES’ TROUBLES Probably the thousands of person who keep pretty goldfish in a bowl for ornament and the children who find pleasure in watching them have never stopped to think that the practice may be cruel, but there are strong reasons for saying that it is. Fish need dark and shady corners tor sleep and rest. When they are kept in a small round globe with the light blazing in their eyes all day long, it appears certain that they suffer great discomfort, and it is even possible that they suffer great agony. The small size of the bowls adds to their troubles, for they must go constantly round and round in a small circle, bumping their noses against the glass. A humor- ist has expressed one view of this problem by saying, “he has as much privacy as a goldfish in a bowl.” LAUGHS A facetious divine got so many Christmas slippers that he said: “Do ladies think me a centipede ?” “Do you love me, darling?” she coaxed. “Sweet- heart, I love every hair on your bureau!” he fer- vently answered. Tommy—Papa, there is a large black bug on the ceiling. Professor (very busy)—Step on it and leave me alone, First Little Girl—Your papa is awfully cross. — Second Little Girl (apologetically)—He used to — be an elevated railroad guard. _ Gentleman—Why are you running so fast, my little man? Little Man—I wanter git far ‘nough away from Jimmy McGouge to tell him I “Bin’t *fraid of him. Gibbs—I sang a song at the banquet last night and everybody shouted: “Fine!” Dibbs—Did any eae secntian how much the fine should have een Young Lady—Guard, will I have time to good-by to my friends? Guard—Afraid not, aie This train leave in two hours and a half. “How is the steak, sir?” asked the waiter, solicitously. “Delicious,” the diner replied. “I wonder why the person who had it first left this little piece.” Doctor—Didn’t wash, hey? - Didn’t I tell you — to wash all over every morning? Small Boys— Well, sur, whin I washed mesilf yesterday, sez I ; to meself, I'll wash ag’in now fur to-morrow. MeGorry—Oi'll buy yez no new hat, d’yez moind 2 Mrs. Mc- — that! Ye are vain enough ahlriddy. Gorry—Me vain? O’m not! Shure Oi don’t t’ink mesilf half as good-lookin’ as Oi am. The report that German women have volunteer- ed to fight in case of war only goes to show that women of all nationalities like to have arms about them, . Lee FE

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BRIEF BUT THE CAYMAN The cayman is’ a member of the crocodile family. It is a carnivorous, amphibious reptile of the crocodile family peculiar to Central and ~ South America. It looks much like an alligator, _. but differs from it in having no bony bar between the nostrils and in having strong bony armor on the lower as well as upper part of the body. of - the several species, the most important are: The great cayman, called black cayman from the + olor of its back, the under parts being yellow, is usually 9 to 14 feet in length, though some- - _ times 18 to 20 feet.’ It lives in the rivers of trop- -_ jeal South America east of the Andes, retreating to the flooded forests when the rivers are high. In the dry season it generally buries itself in the mud and lies dormant until the rainy season - eomes on again, when it reappears. There are other species. A TRICKY CATERPILLAR None of earth’s creatures has a greater or more deserved reputation for intelligent ability than the ant. In spite of their intellectual power ants are occasionally made the dupes of creatures whose mental capacity is far inferior. Only quite recently the final chapter has been added to a story of ant deception which can give points to the cleverest confidence trick ever worked on an unsuspecting greenhorn. There is a butterfly found in some parts of the west of England called the large blue or Lycena Its caterpillar is distinguished for having in the middle of its back a gland which secretes a sweet substance resembling honey. . ~ Now ants, iike other.insects, are passionately ‘ond of honey, and they will go to strange lengths to get it. Long ago it was known to naturalists that ants wait upon these caterpillars and suck he honey from the gland. Later it was discovered that the butterflies “make a special point of laying their eggs on wild thyme plants actually growing on ant heaps. The ‘little caterpillars which hatch from these eggs - feed on the thyme flowers until they have cast ‘their skins for the third time, when they are only about an eighth of an inch long. Then they dis- appear completely until the spring of the follow- “ing year, when the butterfly appears. - For many years this was all that was known, but after much painstaking work on the part of several entomologists the curious story was com- pleted. ; <e = After the third moult the little ce gee ep de-; scends from the thyme to the ground, where it is . di by one of the workers from the nest below. At this meeting the caterpillar deliberately exudes a drop of honey, which the = mnt erecdity swallows. In a most inviting man- ner the caterpillar then arches its back in the mter and the ant promptly seizes it and carries - FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY the snake to.eat the last rat caught. This is its POINTED more pretense of producing honey and the ant leaves it to his own devices. It does not worry about that. It has been brought willingly into a place whither it could not possibly have gained entrance against the wish of the ants. : ? Arion is therefore free to do as it lists, and it is a bitter foe, feeding greedily on the young of its hosts until it has attained its full growth. S Then it leaves the next and enters into the seclu- sion necessary for its development into a winged creature. SNAKES AS RAT CATCHERS ‘The natives-of the Philippine Islands scorn the . use of rat traps. They had a better and surer method of ridding their houses of these rodent pests—a method which requires no bait and is self-renewing. They use snakes. The variety of snake used for this purpose is a species harmless to man but deadly in its pur- suit of the rat. It resembles our common garter snake, but is considerably larger and lives much longer. One may see in Manila and all the larger towns boys of from 12 to 16 years of age walking the streets in the residential districts, each young- ster carrying a snake about three feet long, which a he handles as one would a household pet. = sei are continually calling “Yo cojo ratones!” ( catch rats), c When the lady of the house hears the call of _the youthful Pied Piper she beckons him in and conducts him to where the rats most congregate; this is usually the kitchen, Pointing out a rat hole, she bids the youth do his duty. = The bay ts a good hold on the tail of his ‘ snake and allows it to hang till it has stopped : squirming. When the snake is hanging limp he inserts its head into the rat hole, and lowers away. Presently there is a lusty squealing and scuffling, and the boy reels in his catch—a fine fat rat gripped firmly in the snake’s mouth. He : immediately deprives his reptilian aid of its * quarry and exterminates it by the simple process = of throwing it against the floor as hard as he can. The operation is then repeated till, in the opinion of the rat catcher, the house is free of rats. : 5 When this moment arrives the boy calls the : mistress of the house and exhibits his prey. eHe is paid at the rate of 3 or 4 cents per rat. = ‘ He then ‘takes his living rat trap to another ouse. When his day’s work is finished the boy allows its sole reward for a hard day’s work, but the snakes do not complain. It is necessary to keep the snake from eating rats in the early part of the day, for it takes several hours for it to digest sone rat, and during that period it will not attack rs. Some economical Filipinos, when they build a house, seal several rat-catching snakes into the hollow space under the roof, where they live and flourish, sometimes for years, keeping the en- forced residence entirelw free of rats “a

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FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY ~- ITEMS OF INTEREST SKID ON CATERPILLARS An invading army: of billions of caterpillars nibbled at the southwestern outskirts of Los An- -geles the other day to the despair of housewives and automobilists. Housewives complained that children could not enter their homes without walk- ing on worms, and motorists said their cars were -Skidding on the advancing hosts. NINETY-EIGHT TONS OF STEEL IN ONE PIECE The heaviest, as well as the longest, steel bridge girder ever used in bridge construction in Amer- ica was recently swung into place over the Mis- sissippi River at Rock Island, Ill. This steel monster is 114 feet long and weighs 98 tons. Its removal from the foundry where it was fabri- cated required the use of four flat cars and it is said to be the maximum weight that any foundry gould produce in one piece. The girder spans a slough of the Mississippi River and forms the last link in a new bridge designed to carry traffic at this point for the next 50 years. At this point, traffic is heavy and the movement between trains is short. The ordinary expedient of diverting traffic to a temporary track could not be made use of. The old super- structure was removed and the new one erected without interfering with regular railroad traffic to any considerable degree. One track was taken out of service during the day, but was in service again when the working day was over. The completion of this bridge, which is ex- pected to progress rapidly, will make possible greater electric power, as the new type of bridge will give full power to the stream current. BIRD NEST IN SWITZERLAND IS MADE OF » WATCHSPRINGS Birds occasionally use strange material in the construction of their nests. I once found the nest of a yellow warbler composed entirely of white cotton waste and a nest of the Baltimore oriole woven completely of red and blue yarn. The former was fully twice the size of the typical nest of this species, and both were conspicuous in thé extreme, a direct departure from the usual practice, whites I. W. Brownell in Nature. In Maine, in places where the usual moss was plentiful, I have found the nests of the cokoo made entirely of this substance instead of the us- ual twigs, and I once found the nest of a wood thrush composed entirely of an old newspaper 3 torn into strips and held together with mud. One ~ _. observer mentions finding in Switzerland the nest - of a wagtail. made entirely of watch springs which the birds had collected from the rubbish heap of a nearby factory. Another tells of a spotted fiy-catclwr whose nest, found in London, was made of wax matches, and he also mentions oa: they nest of a pigeon made entirely of hairpins oe and wire. Abnormal nesting sites are also far from un- usual. I have found the Wilson’s thrush, which normally builds upon the ground, making its nest in saplings, twelve to fifteen feet above the ground. Not many years ago a pair of wrens under my observation started a nest in the end of a water spout,’ but, needless to say, the first rain- storm taught them a lesson by washing it al] out. I have, upon several occasions, found robbins’ nests in old woodpiles, and I once found the nest of a song sparrow in a haymow inside of a barn, and that of a kingbird on top of a stump stand- ing in the middle of a pond. Nests have been found in discarded cans, pottery, kettles, sauce- pans, old hats and innumerable other such un- likely places. All of which proves that birds are not entirely the creatures of habit or in- stinct.. ~ LOOK, BOYS! TRAPEZEE The Acrobatic Wonder Toy ALMOST HUMAN IN ITS ‘ ACTIONS! It consists of a handsome parallel iron frame on which the little yellow man accurately performs like an ath- lete. Five Different Stunts — THE FLYING TRAPEZE — Release the trigger-pin and the figure swings for- ward, gripping the. brass trapeze-bar, turns a somersault in the air and catches a cross-bar by his heels. THROUGH THE LOOP—A swift swing and he goes through a wire loop, makes a turn and, catching by his heels, swings head downward from a bar, THE GIANT SWING — He goes forward with a rush, releases the trapeze, catches a horizontal-bar with his heels, makes two swift somersaults in the air and catches by his heels again. He performs two more horizontal-bar acts with the grace and agility of a cir- cus star, and many new ones can be in- vented, The Most Wonderful Toy in the World! _ PRICE $1.50 _The collapsible stand and the little mani- kin are neatly: packed in a handsome box. Delivered anywhere in the United States on receipt of price. Address ; WOLFF NOVELTY CO., 166 W. 23d St., New York City, N.Y.

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-meanfhg anything to me. “Tt happened just three years ago. I was feeling pretty blue. Pay day had come around _ again and the raise I’d hoped for wasn’t there. It began to look as though I was to spend my ife checking orders at a small salary. “T picked up a magazine to read. It fell open at a familiar advertisement, and a coupon stared me in the face. Month after month for years I’d been seeing that coupon, but never until that moment had I thought of it as But this time I read the advertisement twice—yes, every word! “Two million men, it said, had made that coupon the first stepping stone toward success. In every line of business, men were getting splendid salaries because they had torn out that coupon. Mechanics had become foremen and superintendents—carpenters had become archi- tects and contractors—clerks like me had be- come sales, advertising and business managers because they had used that coupon. “Suppose that I . . ? What if by studying at home nights I really could learn to do some- thing besides check orders? I-had a hunch to find out—and then and there I tore out that _ coupon, marked it, and mailed it. “That was the turn in the road for me. The Schools at Scranton suggested just the course of training I needed and they worked with me every hour I had to spare. “In six months I was in charge of my division. In a year my salary had been doubled. And I’ve _ been advancing ever since, Today L was appointed “The Best Hunch I Ever Had!” “ manager of our Western office at $5,000 a year. Tearing out that coupon three years ago was the best hunch I ever had.” For thirty-two years, the International Correspon- dence Schools have been helping men-to win promotion, to earn more money, to have happy, pros- perous homes, to get ahead in business and in life. - You, too, can have the position you want in the work you like best. Yes, you can! All we ask is the chance to prove’it. z Without cost, without obligation, just mark and mail this coupon. Do it right now! RT ERE ACRES CORRESFONDEROS SCHOOLS 4491-C Scranton, P Without cost or obligation. please tell me aye I can the position or in the subject before which I have mar’ BUSINESS TRAINING COURSES att ty for Business Management Salesmanship Industrial Management Advertising Personnel Organization Better Letters Traffic Management Show Card Lettering Business ee Stenogranhy and Typing —— and Banking La ‘Business English luding C. P. A.) (Civil Service Nicholson Cost Accounting Railway Mat! Clerk Bookkeeping ‘ommon School Subjects Private Secretary High Schoo! Subjects Spanish 1 French Mlustrating ing TECHNICAL AND whch i =i COURSES Electrical Engineering Eleetrie Lighting Sate Blue Prints Mechanical Engineer Contractor and Builder Mechanical Draftsman Architectural Draftsman Machine Shop Practice Conerete Builder Rallroad Positions Structural Engineer Gas Engine Operating Chemistry g Pharmacy Civil Engineer Automobile Work Surveying and Mapping Airplane Engines Metallurey Navigation Steam Engineering Agriculture and Poult Radio Mathematics Name... aceeaneeseeesersnnneeretessososcestererseterssesereeteete: Street 3-6-24 AGATORE........-.2ereereeee: woneenesersocsbenesessesen gp eqaceanbesvensedsoccsteteecétnchaccanscencsenee Fe ee aOR eG ES eRe AR Ae SR ert eA SO See ASCE. ee. Seer ney eee ero Persons residing in Canada should send this coupon to the Interne- Cangow . tional Correspondence Schovis Canadien, Limited, Montreal, {tage Fe .: ie Ss

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Wajs ee a uh a | y Model AIRSHIP Boys! Hore » the great navy model Aietp Large 6 it. air bag with — singte with gy sa end como, paroctions ee i / : Pan — Gre. ee re seein Qod feet. a ights can be made. Nicech: Qn for Woackagonat pe famed pac eat as PIMPLES MFG. CO.. Dept. 957 Your Skin Can Be Quickly Cleared of Pimples, Lae Acne Ery Sons on Se Sane eee Itch, Eczema, Pores and ae ee Skin, FREE "eic.strtos & “A CLBaR-TONE Bein, telling how f | E.S.GIVENS,186 Chemical Bidg., ‘Kansas City, Mo. cured myself after being 1 MAKE THE BEST CHOCOLATE BARS Mints and Chewing Gum. Be my agent. Everybody will buy from you. Write today, l'ree Samples. MILTON GORDON Jackson St., Cincinnati, 134 Ohle cores,send eit If not, fea rea FREE. Write for it ei or to Ook which you want. W. KM. STERLINE, 8440hio Ave., Sidney, Legged and Knock - Kneed men and wom- en, both young and old, will be giad to hear that I have now ready for mee my new liance, which will successfully atraig ten within a short time bow-leggedness and knock- kneed legs, safely, quickly and perma- nently, without pain, operation or discom- fort. Will not interfere with your daily work, being worn at night. My new “Lim- Straightner, " Model 18, U. S. Patent, is easy to adjust; its result will save you soon from further humiliation, and improve your per- sonal appearance 100 per cent. Write today for my free copyrighted phys- jological and anatomical book which . tells you how to correct bow and knock-kneed legs without any obligation on your part. Enclose a dime for postage. M. TRILETY, SPECIALIST 997 L, Ackerman Building, Binghamton, N. Y. Protec: | hold-up, rowdies, etc. with AU? NE AE ity Get Behind a Hohner for Happiness?! There’s nothing like good music for happiness; and there’s nothing like a Hohner for good music. Any boy or girl can learn to play real music quickly with the aid of the Free Hohner Instruc- tion Book, procurable at all good dealers, And all good dealers sell Hohner’s Harmonicas— The Weorld’s Best “That Musical Pal of Mine” is a favorite expression among Hohner en- thusiasts everywhere. Hohner enthusi- asm is sweeping the country. Why don’t you get in line for popularity and enjoyment? Go to your dealer today, geta Hohner Harmonica—50¢ up—and ask for the Free Instruction Book. If your dealer is out of copies, write M. Hohner, Inc., Dept. 156, New York City. OHNER ARMONICAS ¢ yourself against | this clever cigarette case of light weight metal. Looks exactly like the real thing! Pull the trigger, back flies the lid showing a full package of your cigarettes. Lots of fun scaring your friends, and a great protector. Sold exclu- sively by us. PAY POST. aa eho will walk with PS: like @ real,live £080 to eleep. Put A cute Little ning ont ing Dollie: the dear with rosy cheeks, dig and the oweetest fnoe. Fight to romp anf play = fe 15 tn. tari. Doll: Swing: -Glasses Given ing, Talking, z Ppariisswith he me itt ° presen Ses om . Ee piey pet ALL Fane fares = pesmapae eo of Perfunet sashes oe sean. Write to-day. Send no Money JONES MPG.CO.D*PK s56

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. dustry ment, CHINESE FIRST TO USE NEEDLES MADE OF STEEL The American spooled thread industry is found- ed on experi- ments made by the wife of Sam- uel Slater, who in 1793 introduc- ed Arkwright’s spinning or cot- ton gin at Paw- tucket, R. I. Mrs. Slater twisted cotton yarns in ordinary spin- ning wheel and made a_ two-ply thread. This in- still has to go back to Egypt, the moth- €r country of linen, for the sewing - cotton Used in every American home. It is made al- Most exclusively of imported long Staple Egyptian cotton. The larger znd coaser sizes, for crochet- ing and indus- trial purposes, are made of do- mestic cotton. ~The first material used by women for binding was Made from the long roots of Plants or leather thongs, says the Detroit News. Woman’s earli- est needle was like an awl and Was not pierced at the head. The €arliest needles were made of me, stone or bronze. ~ In. the Stone Age need- les began to have €yes, this kind be- ing found in the reindeer caves of ce. China Was the first to use needles of steel. This instru- traveling Westward, reach- ee E arses roug the Moors. ? LITTLE ADS Write to Riker & King, Advertising Offices, 1133 Broadway, New York City, or 29 East Madison Street, Chicago, for particulars about advertising in this magazine. AGENTS WANTED AGENTS—96c an hour to advertise and distribute Samples. to consumer. Write quick for territory and cot ee ag Products Co., 1653 American Bae Cincinnatt 0. HELP WANTED BE A DETECTIVE. Opportunity for men and women for secret investigation In your district. Write C. T. Ludwig, 521 Westover Bldg., Kansas City, Mo EARN $110 to $250 monthly, expenses paid as Railway Traffic Inspector. Position guaranteed after comple- tion of 3 months home study course or money refunded. Excellent opportunities. Write for Free Booklet. CM- 101 Stand. Business Training Inst., Buffalo, N. Y. DETECTIVES NEEDED EVERYWHERE. Work home or travel experience unnecessary. Write George R. Wagner, former Govt. Detective, 1968 Broadway. N. Y. DETECTIVES Make Big Money. Travel, be your own boss. Easily Learned. We instruct, small cost. Write Johnson's Detective School, 1407 omg Ave., SE. Grand Rapids, Michigan, Dept. 8. MANUSCRIPTS WANTED STORIES, POEMS, PLAYS, etc., are wanted for publi- cation. Submit MSS. or write Literary Bureau, 515 Hannibal, Mo. PERSONAL MARRY—WEALTHY GIRL, considered beautiful, wants congenial husband. Eva, B-1022, Wichita, Kansas HOTEL OWNER, worth $60,000, wishes marriage. Box 866, League, Denver, Colo. MARRY IF LONELY: Home Maker: hundreds rich: confidential; reliable; years experience: descriptions free. The Successful Club, Box 556, Oakland, Calif. GET A SWEETHEART. Exchange letters. Write me enclosing stamp. Violet Ray, Dennison. Ohio. HUNDREDS seeking marriage. If sincere enclose stamp. Mrs. F. Willard, 2928 Broadway, Chicago, Illinois. U., PERSONAL—Continued IF LONESOME exchange jolly letters with beautiful ladies and wealthy gentlemen. Eva Moore, Box 908, Jacksonville, Fla, (Stamp). LOOK WHOSE HERE! Princess OKIE world famous horoscepes. Get your's today. Don’t delay. Send full birthdate and 10c, K. Okie, Box 230, Mds. Sq. Sta., New York. N. Y. De LONELY HEARTS, join our Club, be happy, corre- spondence everywhere, many descriptions, photos free; either sex, most successful method, 23 years’ experi- ence. Standard Cor. Club, Grayslake, Il. MARRIAGE PAPER—20th year. Big issue with descrip- tions, photos, names and addresses. 25 cents. No other fee. Sent sealed. Box 2265 R, Boston, Mass. MARRY—Particulars for stamp. F. Morrison, S-3053 W. Holden Street, Seattle, Wash. MARRY—Free photographs, directory and of wealthy members. Pay when married. Co., Dept. 36, Kansas City, Mo. MARRY—MARRIAGE DIRECTORY with photos and descriptions free. Pay — married. The Exchange, Dept. 545, Kansas City, MARRY—Write for big new > aisakary with photes and descriptions Free. National Agency, Dept. A, Kansas City, Mo, SWEETHEARTS’ Correspondence Club. Stam: velope for sealed proposal. Lillian Sproul, H, Cleveland, Ohio. SONGWRITERS PoEns WANTED—Sell your song-verses for cash. Sub- Mss. at once or write New Era Musie Co., 140, St. Louls, Mo. TOBACCO HABIT TOBACCO or Snuff Habit cured or no pay. cured. Remedy sent on trial. descriptions New Plan Co., ped en- Station $1.00 if AIA Mailing Lists Will belp Send for Uousanda ef claeaited ou increase sales | bah ES nBipvele Prices fuer $21-50 0 cisias ay eet Big 3-Ft. See itor megs Pare miles aw Pics hed were close. W: ,.Ga lend of oat, na thew re Opens out over b fect g feet or bona measures 2 inches closed. pleased Baltimore, Md. Superba Co., PC., Get Rid ofYor FF A T Free Trial Treatment Sent on request. Ask for my “pay-when-reduced” offer. I have successfully reduced thousand of persons, often at the rate o' - @ pound a day, without diet er exercise. Let me send you proof at my ex- pense. DR. R. NEWMAN, Licensed Physician State of New York, 286 Fifth Avenue New York. Desk w AGENTS—Make $12 a day Selling famous Artex French Pearl Necklaces. No experi- ence or investment necessary. Artex Sales Co., 1133 B’way, New York, N. Y. Useful and Entertaining Five Sections) (in Fiv —‘Could tell color of Light, taught almost any one at home. Small cost. Send TODAY 2-cent stamp for particulars. GEORGE W. SMITH Room M-880, 125 N. Jeff Ave., Peoria, UL Or talensine eons Se mae ony #1. ph 35 plus & a fore prasien postage Sa FERRY & CO., 630 ) Jackson Blyd., Dept. B246, Chicago, Ill. SE OrEER! Whit ke they last sesh oe eats oLp D MONEY WANTED ———_5 $2 to $500 EACH paid for hundreds of oid coins. Keep ALL Old or odd money, it may be VERY vaiuable. Send 10 ets. for ILLUS- TRATED COIN VALUE BOOK, 4x6. Get Posted. We pay CASH. CLARKE COIN CO., Ave 13, LeRoy, N. ¥.

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. FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY — LATEST ISSUES — O41 A Ye Boy; or, Born With a Winning itreak. 42 Mee 2 eee Money; or, How Ben Balley Made rk. & 942 Digging for Gold; or, The Luck of a Boy Miner. 944 A Boy with Grit; or, Earning an Honest Living. 945 Andy the Mill Boy; or, Rising to the Top. 946 Fame Before the Footlights; or, The Boy Who Bossed the Theatre. 947 Lucky Lee the Office Boy; or, The Nerviest Lad in New York. 948 Sure to Get Rich; or, A Smart Young Messenger. 949 Pushing It Through; or, The Fate of a Lucky Day. 950 A Born Speculator; or, The Young Sphinx of Wall Street. >= 951 The Way to Success; or, The Boy Who Got There. 952 Struek Oil; or, The Boy Who Made a Million. 953 A Golden Risk; or, The Young Miners of Della Cruz. 954 A Sure Winner; or, The Boy Who Went Out With a Circus. For sale by all newsdealers, or will be sent to any ad- dress on receipt of price, 7c, per copy, in money or pos- tage stamps. THE FOLLOWING NUMBERS PRICE 8 CENTS 955 Golden Fleece; or, The Boy Brokers of Wall Street. 956 A Mad Cap Schem@g; or, Ihe Boy Treasure Hunters of Cocos Island. 957 = On the World; or, Working His Way to For- e. 958 Playing to Win; or, The Foxlest Boy in Wall Street 959 Tatters; or, a Boy From the Slums. 960 A Joune Monte sto; or, The Richest Boy in the oria. 961 Won by Pluck; or, The Boys Who Ran a Railroad. Se Be Done. 963 A Rolling Stone; or, The Brightest Boy on Record. 064 7 Say Die; or, The Young Surveyor of Happy alley. 965 — of the Market; or, The Greatest Boy in Wall treet. ’ 966 The Chance of His Life; or, The Young Pilot of Crytal Lake. 067 Bisiring for Fortune; or, From Bell-Boy to Million- aire. 968 Out for Business; or, The Smartest Boy in Town. 969 A Favorite of Fortune; or, Striking It Rich in Wall Street. 970 Through Thick and Thin; or, The Adventures of @ Smart Boy. 971 Doing His Level Best; or, Working His Way Up. 972 rend on Deck; or, The Boy Who Made His ark. 973 gm at of Money; or, The Young Wall Street roker. 974 The Ladder of Fame; or, From Office Boy to Senator. : 975 On the Square; or, The Success of an Honest Boy. 976 After a Fortune; or, The Pluckiest Boy in the West. 977 Winning the dollars; or ,The Young Wonder of Wall Street. 978 Making His Mark; President. | 979 Heir to a Million; or, The Boy Who Was Born Lucky. b 980 Lost In the Andes; or, The Treasures of the Buried City. 981 On His Mettle; or, A Plucky Boy in Wall Street. 982 A Lucky Chance; or, Taking Fortune on the Wing. HARRY K. WOLFF, Publisher, Inc., 166 West 23d Street New York City or, The Boy Who Became HOW TO Price 35 Cents Per Copy This book contains all the most recent changes in the method of construction and submission ol scenarios. Sixty. Lessons, covering ever. hase of scenario writing. For sale by all Ne ealers and Bookstores If you cannot procure a copy, send us the price, 35 cents, in money or postage stamps, and we will mail you one, postage free. Address. L. Senarens, 210 Seventh e., New York, N. ¥. Beating the Brokers; or, The Boy Who Couldn’t OUR TEN-CENT HAND BOOKS Useful, Instructive, and Amusing. They contain _ Valuable Information on Almost Every Subject. No. 29. HOW TO BECOME AN INVENTOR.—Every boy should know how inventions originated. This book explains them all, giving examples in electricity, hy- draulics, magnetism, optics, pneumatics, mechanics, ete. No. 30. HOW TO COOK.—One of the most instructive books on cooking ever published. It contains reci for cooking meats, fish, game, and oysters; also pies, puddings, cakes and all kinds of pastry, and a grand collection of recipes. No, 31. HOW TO KEEP HOUSE.—It contains informa- tion for everybody, boys, girls, men and women; it will teach you how to make almost everything around the house, such as parlor ornaments, brackets, cements, Aeolian harps, and bird lime for catching birds. No. 388. HOW TO BECOME YOUR OWN DOCTOR.— A wonderful book, containing useful and practical in- formation in the treatment of ordinary diseases and ail- ments common to every family. Abounding in wSeful and effective recipes for general complaints. . No, 40. HOW TO MAKE AND SET TRAPS.—Incliud- ing hints on how to catch moles, weasels, otter, rats, squirrels and birds. Also how to cure skins. Copiously illustrated. No. 41. THE BOYS OF NEW YORK END MEN’S JOKE re aang a great variety of the latest jokes used by the most fameus end men. No amateur minstrel is complete without this wonderful little book. ~ No. 42. THE BOYS OF NEW YORK STUMP SPEAKER. Containing a varied assortment of stump Speeches, Negro, Dutch and Irish. Also end men’s jokes. Just the thing for home amusement and amateur shows. 45. THE BOYS OF NEW YORK MINSTREL LAS * ard, iy aii ok r ns ~— i : <) er Ne. GUIDE AND JOKE BOOK.—Something new and very instructive. Every boy should obtain this book, as it contains full instructions for organizing amateur min- strel troupes. No. 52. HOW TO PLAY CARDS.—Giving the rules and full directions for playing Euchre, Cribbage, Casino, Forty-Five, Rounce, Pedro Sancho, Draw Poker, Auc- tion Pitch, All Fours, and many other popular games of ecards. No. 53. HOW TO WRITE LETTERS.—A wonderful little book, cine you how to write to your sweetheart, your father, mother, sister, brother, employer: and, in fact, everybody and anybody you wish to write to. No. 54. HOW TO KEEP AND MANAGE PETS.— Giving complete information as to the manner and method of raising, keeping, taming, breeding, and man- aging all kinds of pets; also giving full instructions for making cages, etc. Fully explained by twenty-eight illustrations. No. 55. HOW TO COLLECT STAMPS AND f€0OINS— Containing valuable information regarding the collget- ing and arranging of.stamps and coins. Handsomely illustrated. No. 57. HOW TO MAKE MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS. —Full directions how to make a Banjo, Violin, Zither, Aeolian Harp, Xylophone and other musical iustru- ments; together with a brief description of nearly every musical instrument used in ancient or modern times. Profusely illustrated. By Algernon S. Fitzgerald, for twenty years bandmaster of the Royal Bengal Marines. No. 58. HOW TO BECOME A DETECTIVE.—By Old King Brady, the world-known detective. In which he lays down some valuable and sensible rules for bogianer’, and also relates some adventures and experiences © well-known detectives. yy No. 6. HOW TO BECOME A PHOTOGRAPHER. Containing useful information regarding the Camera and how to work it; also how to make Phatographic Magic Lantern Slides and other Transparencies. nd- somely fllustrated. No. 644. HOW TO MAKE ELECTRICAL MAC Containing full directions for making electrical ma- chines, inductions coils, dynamos, and many novel toys to be worked by electricity. By H. A. R. Bennett. Fully _ illustrated. No. 65. MULDOON’S JOKES.—The most original joke book ever published, and it is brimful of wit and humor. It contains a large collection of songs, spokane ro wit, — 4 Sedat ee eA eee | Le ide oan re blag De le Ce Ny ls hi le Pp AE ed HONOR Pong conundrums, etc., of Terrence Muldoon, the g: humorist, and practical joker of the day. Vor sale by gil newsdealers, or wall be sent to amy ee in money et etamps. by’ 99 an HARRY E. WOLFF, Publisher, Ine. z 166 West 23d Street New York City

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