Tip JOP WEEKLY “An ideal publication forthe American Youth: Tssued Weekly—By Subscription $2.50 per year. Entered as Second Class Matter at the N. Y. Post Office by STREET & SMITH, NEW YORK, OCTOBER 15,1898 Pricé 5 Cents, i 8, ig id, SSS =e i } i \ BY THE AUTHOR of \ - \FRANK MeRniWell ‘*‘NOW YOU DIE!’’ HISSED DUNTON, AND FRANK SAW A DEADLY GLARE IN HIS EYES. “AN IDEAL PUBLICATION FOR THE AMERICAN YOUTH.” se ,» Tire Tor WEEKLY. ’ Issued Weekly—By Sii&criptron $2.50 per year. Entered as Second Class latter at the N. Y. Post Ofice. SrreeT & SMivrn, 81 Fulton 4 ON , " St., N. Y. Butered Aceording to Act of Congress, in the Year 1898, in the Office of the Librarian of Congress, \\ ‘ashinglon, Dil. | E Roa z ee ' No. 131 ‘NEV Ww YORK » October 5, , 1898. ice. Five Sen. i Caches of This aster. go & ge Re tee "oS Se } : Rs =< &, Page. | FRANK MERRIWELL’S FIRST PART; or, The eps as ail aoe Ors «4 Stn spe. 44 BS : “Af HOW THE DECLARATION IS PRESERVED - . of EX Pay bs : 29. * CORRESPONDENCE Z : : : ; 4 é x 2. a | ; 29, AMATEUR JOURNALISM - : . : . ; : ; bo S&C <% by. : 30, } APPLAUSE - . - : F 5 - - - : af Pm ee y 81. Le | well’ tT THE START AS AN ACTOR. By the Author of ‘‘FRANK MERRIWELL. CHAPTER I. Co.,’’ which was, in fact, the reorganized **All-Star Conibination,’’ formerly on the road playing a ‘‘modernized version’? of Pag rr 4 q. FRANK IS GIVEN A PART. 4 : fj ‘*Where’s Merriwell ?”’ ‘‘Uncle Tom’s Cabin.’? This play was & = ‘Here; sit.”? now simply one of the numerous pieces — ee 4 “I want you.’”? < in the repertory of the reorganized com- ; ste All right.” pany, the donkey and the bloodhounds: ; e ‘‘Lawrence is dangerously ill—won’t being relegated to the background for the Pi “Be able to play to-night.”’ time being, although the famous “Gold a Brie #3‘ That is bad.”’ Band”? was retained in all its glory. } ae - “Bad! I should say so! Doctor says Barnaby Haley believed in the effica¢y he ase not be in condition to goon fora ofa band of music to draw spectators in f -week.’ sinall cities and country towns. He rated ~ \ “What can we do, Mr. Havener ?”’ it next to ‘‘paper’’ in the general i run, [ : ‘*Soinebody must fill his place.”’ and even better in some cases. — 4 42 ae Pee 2“ Who?’ As for ‘‘paper,’’? three of the piéces im i You, ?? the repertory were ‘‘old stand-bys,’’ and ~~ Ps |) Prank’ was startled by ‘bie immediate, ‘‘stock paper’? could be obtained for — * curt, direct answer from the stage mana- them from any of the big eastern theatri- ey Eni pize Theatre Comedy cal printing. houses. ae DANGER OF UNCLE: SAM'S SHELES.: _SEE® “TRUE BLUE ‘Noe ae a Haley had retained his grip on the Mianvagement of the company, although eblifed to take in a partner. The partner was the ‘‘angel’’ who saved the conipany (Oul geing to pieces. His. name was Zenas Hawkins, a man with theatrical ambitions, who had ‘‘money to burn.”’ Haley was helping him burn 1t. Haley realized that ‘‘Uncle Tom” had been done to death through the section of the @oamtry he was in, and so the reor- gainize d company prepared to put on sev- eral otlier pieces. Some of those plays they could obtain legitimately. Others wére secured from a ceftain Company of ' ‘pirates’’ located in that they supply any dramas on the American or Hnglish stage. Chicago, who boasted could These plays were secured by the ‘ ‘pir- ates’’ with the assistance of expert short- hand writers, hired io attend them and take down the lines as spoken by the different actors. From these short- who -were haud gotes typewritten manuscript copies of the plays were made and sold for sums ravging from five to twenty-five dollars to such unscruplous managers as cared to purchase and use them. Of course this traffic in stolen property was -tinlawful. The manager who pur- cliaséd and produced the play was com- mitting 4 crime, but, until recently, the Peualty, was simply a fine, usually in- Significant when exacted, and the inana- @eY coijld jump on to some other part of the eoulfitry and go right ahead playing tiie piece. In wad not have money enough to pay the fiery @ud it cost the rightful owners of the BIE Fiore trouble and money to prose- @nce fain than they could afford, as such DProsecutidbn seldom or nine cases ont of ten he interfered more than temporarily with the pirating of the play. Under the amended copyright/law of never TIP ‘TOP WEEKLY. Life Ginele-Sam’s,Nayy is the Key Note-of Trtte..ddiue, 1895, however, any manager unlawfully presenting a play is liable to a fine of not less than one hundred dollars for the first each performance and fifty dollars for subsequent performance; and offenders who fail to pay the fines imposed may be imprisoned upon order of 4he court. This revised law has, in a measure, stopped the pirating of plays, although the fact that the rascally concern in Chii- cago is still doing business is evidence that there are unscrupulous managers in the country who are willing to take des- perate chances in order to play in remote and towns the unfrequented popular dramas of the day. Barnaby Haley had decided to take such chances, for he had obtained tlrree plays in manuscript from the Chicago thieves. The titles of these plays, how- ever, he had changed, to reduce the lia- bility of detection, and he had. resolved te be very careful wheré he presented them. Of course there was no paper for these pieces, but the advertising for the other plays was good enough to attract attens tion at the start, and the stolen plays would be presented to wind up full week engagements, where a change of bill wag requited nightly. Haley induced Hawkins to ‘‘pug up’? for one “‘full stand’’ of printed ad¢ had vertising, nade especially for them, and that was ‘ ‘pretty good stuff.’’ In the selection of anatne for the of astute Mr, Haley had remembered that there was al Stock .Co.”’ of which had spread extensively. ganization, the crafty and Theatre the fame By call- ing his aggregation the ‘‘Empire Theatre ‘“Rinpire Comedy Co.’’ he fancied many people might be deceived into believing it the organization of a similar name, which was handled and controlled by a wondet- fully successful theatrical managets = ey ern TIP TOP WEEKLY. oe Se Roscoe Havener,,the former stage man- * ager, had been retained in his old capac- ity, for he was a good man and knew his business. The company had played three days in 4atown where they were billed to remain for a week, wlien, one afternoon just be- fore rehearsal, Havener soi ght Frank Merriwell, opens this chapter ensued. It took place on’ the stage, which was “set for the first. act of the-play to be given that night. and the conversation which of the other members of the attired for a dress rehearsal, were present and heard what was said. One of them, a young man, Douglas Dunton, who played the scheming villain of the piece, listened with great interest. Leslie Lawrence, the actor who was ill, had been cast for the leading character of the play, a part Dunton had coveted. *“You, Merriwell,’’ said the stage man- ager, ‘‘must play the part given to Law- rence. The local stage manager will have to serve as proimpter to-night, and every member of the company must, as far as possible, look after the properties re- quired by him or her. We must get through with this piece someliow, even if you have to read Lawrence’s part.”’ Dunton stepped forward. ‘Tt strikes ime, Havener,’’ he said. Wis forward way, ‘‘that you can makea better arrangement, ’’ Several conipany, - Ross Havener turned and scowled at ‘the speaker, for he was aman who did not fancy receiving suggestions from any one. ; ““What?’’ he said, sharply, likea pistol shot. _ Dunton repeated his words in a bold ,» jmanner. 3 a ‘““What do you mean ?”’ asked the stage manager. Tt strikes me that it is a mistake to ‘onto such swiftly. ‘“SHé ean- not memorize the lines in such a short time, and he is bound to make an awiul mess of the whole play if he tries it”. put Merriwell, a raw amateur, a part,’’ said Dunton, Frank said nota word, but .lis eyes looked the speaker straight through. Havener turned to Frank. ‘Think: you anything at all With the part in such.a short time?’ he asked. can do “T can try,’’? was the quiet answer. “1, ain very apt at memorizing anything, and I believe I can have the greater part of the lines before the evening petiorm- aice, = I am tot required to downy thing eise.< . ‘“Kvyen if he had the lines perfectly,’ put in Dunton, ‘‘he could not handle the part.’”’ ‘“How do you know?’ asked the stage manager. ‘*Reason will tell anybody that Why it is almost a star part! It requifes some one with experience and judgment.. I © have studied the part, for I like it, and I believe Ican piay it as it should be played. It is the kind of a part that suits ie? ‘Hum!’ grunted Havener, are you driving at? Want to play it your- self??? i . _ ‘Well, I believe that would be the best way to arrange it.’ ‘*Whae'd fill your part ?’’ ‘You might put Merriwell on that. It — is only about half as long as the other, and it does not inake so much difference : if itis not played well. The audience — hates the villain, anyway, and so what's oe the odds if he is rank.”? ide te a “So that is the way you feel about your part, is it?’’ 7 “Yes; I haven’t liked it from the start. %! | : HOT SHOT as IF IN ae CRATER. “TRUE 3 BLUE ito: an. na a4 “What . 4 TIP TOP Haverner drew himself up, and Irs biack eyes glared at Dunton. “then, sir!’ he éxploded; ‘‘you are mot ¢apable of playing the part as it Soma be acted, much less a better part, fT [he an enlarged like that, given Lawrence! trouble witli Youis that you liave li@ad.? “l.advise you to putit in soak and Get such I shall Sea if you can’t reduce its size. motions out of your nut, or have to put you onto juveniles. You will play the part assigned you, and Mr. Merriwell 1 will do his best with the That Waniwte hear any more about it.’’ part I gave Lawtence. settles it, and I don’t Havener turued away, and Douglas Danton, furious over such a ‘‘call down,”’ Save Frank Merriwell a look of hatred, but yemained silent. CHAPTER. II. GASSIE, THE SOUBRETTE. Frauke was given the manuscript of the play, aiid he began looking the part over at once. He ada wonderful put Hisimind onto the lines in sucha memory, and he manner that he did not hear Cassie Lee, the sotbrette, till she had spoken to him three times. ‘*T don’t want to bother you, Frank,’’ She said, ‘‘but accept my congratulations, and i hope you’ll just paralyze ’eim to- niglit. Somehow I believe you will aston- ish *ein.’’ 8) shall Merry. ST know it,’’ nodded Cassie, an un- ustial ly light coming to her eyes. *‘I heard what Dunton said, and I Was mighty glad Ross gave him that call do my best, Cassie,’’ said animated Duuton isa flub, but he’s gota and he’ll Look out for him.’’ dow: bad tem per, than sin now. “He won’t trouble me.’’ ** ion’ you be too sure.”’ hate you worse WEEKLY, ‘“Well, I shan’t worry about it. Vii not afraid of him.”’ ‘“That’s just it. You'll be too careless, I wouldn’t trust fur as I could I don’t like lis too shifty. him as sling a mule by the tail. eyes. . "They te He. alwais struck me as treacherous, ”’ ‘“Well, he must hate Havener worse than he does ime.”’ ‘*He won’t dare touch Ross, and that’s all the harder to do you. My! butI wish this old rehearsal was over.’’ the very reason why he may try ‘You're tired.’ ‘TAs a dog.” ““This business of playing so many different parts is too much for you.” “*Tt’s work, but I like it.” ** Better larly ?”” ‘‘Sure. Iwas dead sick of that old part. I’in glad Uncle Tom is only played once in a while, but pop is heartbroken.” ‘‘He’d rather stick to the old piece?” **Lord, yes! ’He’s been playin’ parts thau playing Topsy regi. in it for the last twenty years, and he knows every line and every bit of bus- iness. He thinks the country is degerat- ing when people get stuffed with Uncle Tom and don’t want no ‘more of He wouldn’t stay with the company if it wasn't for me, and he’s liable to break loose any time and get on a regl’r tear, I’m watching him all the time to hold him down. Pop is all right when he lets red-eye alone, but he’s worse’n an Indiaw when he gets on atear.’’ ~- ‘‘T hope you will be able to keep him straight, Cassie; but this watching 1% You enough, and you show it.”’ weating» on you. don’t get rest She shot him a quick look. “Tt ain’t that so much,’ she muttered| et t3 else the inost. know what ails me.”’ “Ves, I. know,” something admitted Prank. bs ; Bye P ea CLIE'S FEARFUL STORM AT. SHA; Mies him. Yqu ; ~j eee =; a SS TIP TOP WEEKLY. 5 ¢ ‘ ‘Can’t you break away froin the habit ’ Cassie ?”? “How can I? as a rainstorm, my head feels Look at me! I’m dull like a block of wood, lead. Wouldn’t I be in nice‘shape to go on be- did it he wouldn’t be to aud my feet are like fore a house! Time | twice, Haley’d fire blame.”’ “But isn’t there anything else—— Got to use the same oid stuff me, and >] ‘“Nope. till the “But it’s you, Cassie.’’ Hard lines formed round her a mouth that had once been rather sweet and pretty. season’s over anyhow.”’ getting an ‘awful hold on mouth— *‘Cant help it,’’ she said, grimly. ‘‘It -wasn’t ny fault in the first and I’ve got to live. All summer there won’t be nothing for me to do, 1 must stick the season out, so as to have some- thing saved up for hot weather. I tell you this life ain’t what it’s cracked up to be. A girl that’s gota good home and wauts to go on the stage is a fool. Shie don’t know when she’s well off.’’ Frank nodded his conviction that this was true. He had not seen inuch of theatrical life, but already vineed that it was a hard life to follow, place, and he was con- especially for a girl. ‘“‘J was brought up to it,’’ Cassie went > ’ on; ‘‘and that was just my hard luck. Never had no good chance to get an edu- —cation.’’ “Vou can educate yourself now.”’ She shook her head slowly. BIN o use,’ ““¥m too old now.’? “Po old! Why, how old are you?’ ‘‘Bighteen.’’ “Only eighteen ?”’ “That’s enough. Most girls are ready , to leave school when they’re that old.’’ ~~ Frank did not tell her, but he had she said. was twenty-three or He now realized that it was led that had older than she was if fancied. that she twenty-four. the life she had niade jer seein so much truth. Life on the companies that play one night statds is: but Cassie’s life lfad been account of her and. abused stage in cheap dramatic: hard at best; particularly hard on father, her when he . For all of this neglect and abuse, Merry believed Old Dan Lée really doved when the. man was of Cassie, being é all ‘-his*actions who had neglected drank. his daugliter, for, sober, he was p-oud tender and considérate in toward her. o Old Dau was very jealous of her. He believed her too good to ‘‘tie up’? te a common ‘‘hamfatter,’? and so he lad blocked the game of every clieap actor. who tried to show tious. He believed that, soine day, she would be able to make a ‘‘good match,”’ for other inen must see in her all the fine her particular atten=~ qualities that were so evident to him. Thus it came about that the girl did not dare Jet her father know there was a love affair between herself“ and Roscoe Havener, the stage manager, for, © al-- though Havener had not seen his legal wife for four years, he was not divorced, and the entire company knew it, When Frank discovered this aftach- ment between the soubrette and the stage cg manager he felt like advising Cassie to wait a’while before she permitted cherself* ” to become very fond of Haveéner, but he quickly decided tha€ such advice would: be a waste of words, and kept still. 3ut Frank’s most terrible discovery was that Cassie was a ‘‘inorphine fiend.”’ One night he had come upon her in her + tis, ¥ dressing-room just as she was on point of injecting soine Of the drug into her arm with a tiny syringe. ves ‘TRUE BLUE IN No. 21 SHOWS'A DUMB MONSTER T0 BE A ‘TERRIBLE FOE. g TIP TOP WEEKLY. Cassie had pledged Frank to keep her sceret, Saying that she had acquired thie friphitul habit through her confinement ina Hospital once,.as the doctors had used morphine on her to allay the pain font which she was suffering. After she came out of the hospital she had continued to use morphine secretly She lad explained to Frank that an accident fill the habit became fixed upon hier. had caused her being taken to the hos- ‘accident’? pital, but Merry knew the was simply a\terrible beating at the hands of her father when he was brutally intoxi- rated. Havener had discovered there was some kindof a secret. between Cassie and Prank, aud, at first, he was furiously jeal- og Attera little, however, they suc- ceeded im convincing him that he had no teal Catise for jealousy; and then, when Merry saved the soubrette’s life, as shie Was attacked by a former member of the comjpany, Hrrol Storins, the stage mana- ger decided to trust Frank. That Havener was favorably disposed toward Merriwell Cassie felt sure, even little or about the young ian. Now, after seeing though he had said nothing hit Wive Merry the part that had been to Lawrence, who was really One of the best actors in the troupe, and ie tee : syn A 2 ASaiPiiCcd hearing lita call down Dunton, she was certain Havyener was aiming for one of two things. Hither he had confidence in Meérriwell, and wished to give him a = chance to show up, or he believed. Frank emust Wake a wretched failure in at- tempting to play on such short notice, Which would mean his ‘‘release’’ from tlie company. confidence in Frank Bhat she believed that Havener would fail if jie was aiming to disgrace Frank. Cassie had such Syic wished tO encourage Merry, and that was why she had spoken to him as ~ bs ‘™~ he was sitting on a canvas covered prop- erty tree stump, industriously and liur- riedly running over his lines in the first act. “If you’re only eighteen, you’ve got plenty of time to study and add to your education, Cassie,’? said Frank. ‘‘You have a way of learning your lines quick- ly when you takea part. You can tread the right kind of books and memorize their contents.’? ‘‘T don’t know what kind of books to read.’ “I can tell you.”’ “Oh, well, PH think it over. I don’t Can’t after the show is over, for I’m dead tired have much time, you know. do it by that time. Can’t doit forenoons, for I'm digging away on new parts all the time now.’’ ‘*But you can do it vacatious.”’ There, I’ve bothered you too much. Didn’t meant to Just wanted to teil you I’d bet anything you surprised ’em “Oh, I suppose I might. when I spoke to you. on the part to-night. Something makes ine sure you will. You have lots of lines with me, and I know them lines as well If you get stuck, (1 be able to give you a lift without the as Idomy own. aid of the prompter. Keep your nerve; don’t get the shakes. That’s all.” ‘“The shakes?’ Ves.) ‘Stage fright?” ‘“That’s what I mean.’’ ‘‘T don’t know, but I hardly think TJ have thiat.’’ "You can?t tell.’ “Why——’’ ‘*Nobody can.”’ ‘You ever have it?”? Did eP Ci ‘*Did I! I should guess yes!” LietS NOT ALT. LUCK WHBN«ChIF FARADAY WINS: ‘“Thought you were brought up on the k stage.’ a ‘“Was.’’ Then I have stage fright.”’ ‘It’s a mighty funny thing, I tell you. I began as an infant prodigy, and I don’t s’pose anything ever scared me till I was playing soubrette parts. One night I got it, just as hard. Opened my mouth to speak and, by George! I couldn’t make ; asound. I just stood there like I was nailed to the boards. Pretty quick I be- gan to shake, and you’d thought I was a taken with the ague. It wasterrible. I vay thought. I’d faint. After awhile, I got ? i don’t see why yout should strength enough to rush off, aid then I . had fits in one of the dressing-rooms.”’ He: ‘‘That was strange.’? ¥ ‘No. ’Most ev’rybody gets a touch of it Sooner or later. Whien it was all over, I was so hopping madI didn’t know what e: ea = tedo. I went on again and played right : a » + through the piece without a quiver, and ; ee I?ve never had a touch of it since. But I Bie had to have it some time. Some people : 5 _. fever get over it fully, but with most aa folks, one attack ends it. I hope you 7 4a ‘won’t have it to-niglt, Frank.”’ \ a ‘| = a $I hope so.”’ vit Well, PH git. ’Scuse me for the a bother.’’ oa i Peas She walked away, and Frank followed . ie Sher sympathetically with his eyes. == “As good-hearted girl as ever lived,”’ +he murmured. ‘‘Its’ a shame slie’s con- «tracted that frightful habit. Tin afraid it © has sucha hold on her that she’ll never “he able to get rid of it. Poor Cassie!’’ =) . Then he resumed his studying. ; ‘CHAPTER' III. bie THE REHEARSAL. . By this time the band, which had Be ‘given its mid-day parade through the & town at the regular hour, was gathered TIP TOP WEEKLY, soe a au: sign Ae eeitch Knows What He» A MetinpsAboat 7 before the stage, ready to practice the pieces to be played that evening. Ephraim Gallup had managed to retain his position in the band, as he was 4 re- and he markably good baritone player, had a way of making his horn ‘‘talk”” so ’ the ear of the average that it pleased countryman mightily. Hans Dunnerwust, the Dutch boy, had developed a knack for playing the bass was retained by Manager druim, so he Haley. Hans played the drum and cyin= bals at the same time, beating the drum with his right hand and playing the ¢ym- — bals with his left, one of the brass discs” being attached to the drum so that the other could be struck against it. The leader of the band had a great idea of the proper music for a_ street parade and for an enclosure like the interioreof a hall or theatre. On the street the little band of eight pieces roared and thundered in an amazing manner, making enough noise for four times their nuinber.- It was not noise without harmony, either; and it was the kind of music that pleased all small boys and most men and women. In the band was a quartette of fine singers. Each night the band played in front of the theatre just before the doors were opened. The final piece in the open — air was one that always pleased the fancy of the listeners, as it was replete with all kinds of musical tricks. It containeda cornet solo, into which "some imitation — | bugle calls were worked, a snare-drunt~ solo, during which for a few seconds tle druminer rattled away on the side of ae drum, instead of the head; a trombone ” solo, giving the trombone player a chance-— rie to do some fancy flourishing, and, at one ~ point in the piece, every other instrument stopped for the bass drum and cyurbals to rattle and bang and thunder and crash. ‘ But the -real catching features of- the piece came toward the end. every instrument stopped, and the entire Dand whistled a strain of the piece. Then “it Was that Hans Dunnerwust = eaeat hit, for he whistler, made his was a marvelous and he warbled and trilled ina Way that made it seem a whole flock of = mocking-birds had » Caused the spectators to _ “toes and crane their necks to see who was f . produging The final feature of this piece was singing by broken loose, and stand on their all those amazing sounds. the q@attctte, aud when it was all over the crowd almost invariably broke into a » tumult of appplaue, and the astute Mr. “Haley rushed the band off the scene, ‘ « knowing anything more would be too -much, as the crowd had been worked up “to just the proper pitch to part with its @uarters and halves. "It was soft and subdued, full of rippling melody, and quite suited to the situation. bas Of eotitse the medley in the as it was always called ™ for by fhe audience, and some new fea- “tures were introduced, Hells, tinkling cymbals and hoard to imitate dancing. was given “evening, alinost such as_ sleigh- the shuffle- Some of the musicians acted as accom- < _panists for the singing given at each per- forniance and furnished the daucing, so they were required to rehearse with the company regularly. Indeed, ; Havener was quite a stickler about the eitie # tehearsals, music for no one being ex- and che: co had the singers go through with theixgones for the evening performance. And Frank was so utterly absorbed in hts éfloft to commit as many lines as pos- Jethat he did not ehearsal began. even uotice when TIP TOP WEEKLY. We've managed to _ up quickly. lg front of the stage, where he could watelm™ - him, which made his position At Jast, the time for him rived, to go on ar- aud Havener appeared at his el- bow, saying: “If you can getalong at the start with- it will be I’}] take it and keep you along. out the manuscript, Merriwell, better. go this far without a7 prompter.” Frank did not stir. He sat with lus eves fastened on the page before hin. Havener touched his shoulder. ‘*Come, Merriwell,”’ he Then Frank was said, sharply. Aréused, and he got ‘CAll right,’’ he spoke. ‘‘I’m ready.” He handed the manuscript to Haveuer, | glee “Think you can do anything withott 3 : reading?’ asked the stage manager, __ | ‘‘T believe I can remembera part of the : e first act.”? ‘TAll right; Frank went on, aud go ahead.”’ Havener observ® that he made the proper eutrance. THe had an “‘enter speech,’’ and he gave it com * rectly. ? . . . . . : ‘ Dunton was standing in the wings, watehing and sneering. . . Havener went down into the theatre ig ? the rehearsing and see that the charactegs went through their business properly ae grouped theimselves to the best advant- | age. | «t Ephraim Gallup and Hans Dunnerwust were astonishied, for they had not known that Frank was £6 play a part. ei “Shimimny Gristinas!’’ gureled Hans: ‘Gosh all hemlock!” gasped Ephraiin. Frank knew every one was watching ® extremely # Indeed, for a professional - rehearsals are often far nore trying than dk petformances when the theatre is well” filled with people. It is difficult to actin before empty seats, with the members ofa the company looking on, for then the in "7 einbarrassing. eth 7 eRe Dey ~ ey — WP Poa ies F , ei ian as tiga “ee wre eh ce ra Ng Se, ae Yo ease mered somewhat at first. « his best, + tig. Dunton. CLEAR GRIT COUNTS Sees CLIE TAKES A HAND tensity required at certain times seeins foolish and makes tlre performer feel ri- diculous. Merry?’s face was flushed, and-he stain- Then he heard a low, sneering laugh, and he saw Dun- ton regarding hin derisively. Instantly Frank stiffened up. He was on his mettle in a moment, resolved to do and he got through thé scene fairly well. Of course Havener had to ‘prompt him several times and give him directions about certain business. But the stage manager observed with satisfaction that Merriwell made a good appearance and did not assume any awk- ward positions, get back to the footliglits, ‘or turn inthe wrong direction when it was necessary to cross, go up or walk away from another person. ‘When Frank came off, Cassie was wait- neg for hin. /< > ‘Good stuff!’’ she declared, ‘You did that all right.”’ ) approv- ingly. ‘TI think it was pretty bad,’ confessed Frank. **T tell you it wasall right. Surely you did remember those lines well. Got any more???’ **T believe Ican remember nearly all _ @ the first act.” ‘“Tf you can do that, you’re a wonder !”’ Frank did it. In fact, when’ he went on again, he was almost letter perfect. This time much of his business was with Dunton, who continued to wear a sneer- ing expression on jis face and did what- ever he could to break Merry up. . In this tle young rascal failed, for Frank ac- quitted himself splendidly. Whe-_instant the»end of the act was reached, Havener said: -£We'll go through that again.”’ “The third act is the heavy,one,’’ said ‘‘T think we’ll have to go over TYP TOP WEEKLY. ‘quit ; that more than once, and we won’t have time if we repeat the first act.”? The stage manager gave the fellowa withering stare. — ‘Look here, Dunton,’’? he exclaimed, managing this business; Ill not, kindly perinit me to give directions. ‘hat’s all. We will re- peat the first act.’ ‘if. you.are if you are ‘The angry actor ground his teeth to- gether and stalked off. Behind the scenes he found his especial chum, Arthur Sar- gent, and gave vent to lis feelings. “This is too much!’? snarled, vuardedly. ‘‘Havener gives that upstart Merriwell the leading part in the piece, and then he calls me down twicé before Ifeel like punching’ some- he the fellow. body.’”’ “Punch gent. Merriwell,’’ suggested “Sar- ‘CAll I want is a good opportunity,” declared Dinton. ‘‘I’d a to get at him. . I’d do him up ina hurry.’ : The fellow had a reputation as a ‘“‘scrapper,’’ and he fully believed le could whip Merriwell easily. . ‘You can find an, opportunity,” sail Sargent. ‘‘I’d-like to see you spoil his face. He thinks he’s handsome, and a. ~ pair of black eyes would break his — heart.”’ * “Pll give them Frank’s new enemy. “Oh, he’ll make an awful ness : of the. whole play! Just think of him in the duel scene with me! and to him,’’ qe get the best of the makea man him disarin me duel! Gods! it’s enough to daffy !’’ ‘’Phe whole business will Sargent consolingly declared. will be to blame for it.’’ “That’s right. I’d HES to tell Havenet : what I think of him.’ ier hen -why don’t you do itP? Lek: be a farce,’ ‘‘ Havener > een And I’ve got to let. . = 1" TIP TOP elaimed another voice, and Cassie Lee Suddenly f@ose scenery. some I’J] bet You don’t dare peep to him, but you pee} ; 5 appeared from behind ‘‘T’d like to see you! tase a big blow behind his back. You’re asiafi! That’s my opinion of you, Dug Dunton |’ The soubrette was aroused now, and hey accustomed languid, weary air had Yanisiied completely. Her eyes, gener- aily dull and heavy, except when she had resorted to the stimulation of morphine, were full of fire and scorn. Sargent gasped and seemed to feel like sueaking away, but Dunton brazened it out. “$0 vou were playing eavesdropper, hey?’ he hissed. ‘‘Well, I don’t care! if you blew on me to Havener, I'll give you away to your old man.’’ Cassie threw back her head and her thim-nostrils dilated. “Give me away ?’’ she panted. ‘‘About what?’ “Oh, you know,’’ with insolent significance. a el] what you manded the little soubrette, bracing up to Viana, her small fists-clinched. ‘‘Tell me what you mean, Dug Dunton, or [1] Hight onto you imyself, and I'll bet a asserted Dunton, J) me mean : com- dollar I can make you look pretty sick!’’ Hleétsaw she really meant what she threatened, and he backed off a step, put- 4in& tip his hands. "Hasy now!’’ he fluttered. ‘‘Don’t maka fool of yourself, Cassie!’’ “Tell me what you meant by your words. What will you give away?’ Oh, I ineant that I’d tell Dan about You being so thick with Havener. That’s atic? *That’s enough! What do you mean by so thick?’ What do you know, any- * way?’ | Oh, know a few things.”’ WEEKLY. ‘“Then you’ve been rubber-necking, Well, it’s just like you: a right to be friendly with Mr. Havener.’ I believe I have ; ‘Yes; but you don’t want your father to know just how friendly, and I don't fancy you care to have the rest of the company know it. You keep still about une, for I can hurt you if you don’t.” ‘*So.you’d try to hurt my character, Well, I never thought any But you do it if you dare? would you? better of you. If you say one word about me that is bad, Ill shoot you full of holes! If you blow vour mouth to pop, I’ll have your hide and tan it for shoe leather! Don’t you forgit it, either! And I keep away from Frank Merriwell, for he can lick the stuffing out of you the best advise you to day you ever saw.’”’ Dunton nearly lost his breath. ‘“Why—why,’’ crazy !”? he gasped, ‘‘you’fe ‘‘Nope just mad—tblazin’ mad!’? SoTs you’ll see—— ‘‘He never gives anybody gufl, but he’ll give you a thrashing if you get gay Merriwell gives . ») me. any gui, with him.’? “*T can whip him.’’ “Ves you can—I don’t think !”’ *‘He’s a stiff!” ‘*He’s too stiff for you. He’s a geuffes man, and you ain’t in his class. You know it, and that’s what ails you. 7 don’t propose to waste any more breath on you, for you ain’t worth, it.’’ And Cassie walked away, leaving Dum- ton shaking with rage. ““T’d Tike panted. ‘‘I never liked her.”’ ‘*Jingoes!”’ ejactiated: Sargent. *‘Never thought there was sg miucli fire in that pale-faced, washed-out creature. She al- ways reminded me of Kipling’s poeni, ‘A rag and a bone and a hank of hair” You better keep still about her, Dug,.f@ to wring her neck!’’ he A-wuauce Blow Ils Sometimes a V ery Serious One. .Sée No..21 of True Blue, ah a Ei ae ekg rs _ 7 , t * " . “ ‘ 4 S a ‘ 2 iu Be m s a WP, SME: 2 s i 2 cs + Poteet Deeg DRS ee ex had Sam agit oe 2 ae Fe ne Pane Sake i Meg F SEterrrey | an > Say a eey ia a RA ae ae oot wg age. , tenGhiee * Ses a ye Sho me ates Sy Poe: my “a 4 thing about her character. oa ‘* tee +f i TIP TOP WEEKLY. 4 something ‘makes me think she’d keep lyer word and shoot you if you said any- Such girls as she are liable. to do such things; and you know you actually do not know anyt ing * Getrimental to her, except that she is + stuck on Havener.”’ i} ‘Oh, she’s a fool! What makes me > the hottest is that she thinks that upstart * Merriwell can ‘do me. 1’ = show her about eM that, if I get a chance.’ piles was still agitated with anger ; Bait in ‘sich an ieidifferent manner r that Havener was obliged to speak to hiin sev- feral times. This the stage manager did piety, for he saw the actor was ‘‘broken up,’? aud he believed it. was because of #the calling down he had received. - As for Merriwell, he went through lis S work with a vim and assurance that sim- ply amazed everybody. This time he séemed to have his lines almost perfect- ly, and the act weut off smoothly so far as he was concerned. Mei Wa taal Bes oe Then the second act was taken up and | tushed through. Asevery one but Merry __ had his or her, lines almost perfectly, there as no absolute necessity.of prompting, / and Frank was given a chance to run over his speeches when he was not on ‘the stage. When he did go on, he again tonished them all by the number of nes he could say correctly. Iu the third act caine the duel scene between Merry and Dunton. In the duel, | @ rank was to get the worst of it at first, Z 0 be wounded by a foul thrust, and then fo disarm his antagonist and generously ecline to retaliate for his injury. * Just before the duel scene, Frank heard ,Dunton say to another member of the ‘}company : ‘“Think of being disarmed -by such a - stiff as that fellow! It willbe sidicul ous, coe 4 seventh are that the audienc®® = ‘Prob- and the chances will throw things at us to-night. ably he never saw a sword before.” Merry’s first thought was to show the « fellow without delay that he was greatly mistaken. Then came another thomght.— “Pll Jet him think away ‘till toa night,’’ decided Frank; Se then PH. try to-give him’a surprise.’ So he went on for the duel scene eae catried it through in a decidedly awk- ward manner, so that Havener * was obliged to come upon. the stage and try to show him how to handle his sword and follow out the idea of the duel properly. : disgusted. As’ they ~- going through the duel fo¥ the ~~ time, he whispered just eytve enough for Frank to hear: Dunton looked were ‘‘You're a regular stick! You’li aes a holy show of us both to-night 1}? “= oe “Oh, I don’t know,’’ murmured thie new actor. ‘‘ Wait till to- night comes FL may be able to do it better.’ ‘‘Bah! you make me sick!’’ ihe Dunton, through his white teeth. dees ae ‘‘T may make you sicker still,’ ‘said Merry, with a soothing smile. “You: ate. a not nearly as many as you imaging you. . are.’ et = The fellow.looked as if he longed fly at Merriwell on ‘the instant, but ma £? to ae Rees a ret! pe “y .* oe ee es" a at - - ete him: ‘““Now re are getting into the part, Dunton,’’ said Havener. “That expres= sion on your face is fine. et s* exac what you want in that scene.’ i Dunton swore under his breath. 4 atssorkte. too, has a good * 4% sion, declared the stage but I eats think it will oe right.’ -CL1P.COM aegee ees RENO INA 2 | : \. 12 TIP TOP WEEKLY. Then the rehearsal went on to the end, ‘“Thank you again,’’ caine simply from “9 Haveticr not allowing them to stop till it. Frank. 4 wae tiie to go to the hotel for supper. ‘‘T don’t see how you committed sq f: ena ee many lines by simply reading them ovef ie oe CHAPTER IV. aes . I have a good memory. ”? r.. DUNTON SEEKS REYENGE. ‘‘Good! Marvelous, I should say. If fe Phe most of the company got out of you save: tie Eee ce by play lng that ‘part , tle-thieatre as soon as possible after being piettiewey) Long the you. will’ pull us-out 4 ee of a bad hole and show yourself cut out given perinission to go. ’ Prank remained to receive some in- fot an Scion, Mons ftom Havener. That was all Havener had to say, and After giving Merry a few pointers, the 16 was rematkable for him, as he seldom Stave ynanager observed: complimented any one. He was profuse ’ (Vou did surprisingly well this after- with his criticisms, and sparing with. his | noon, Merriwell.”’ compliments. . : Manik you,’’ said Frank. As Frank left the building by the stage } | Tf you get stuck to-night for the* door, he remembered that he had in his : @%act lines, do you think you can fake?’ pocket a letter which he wished to mail, HT believe so.” The post-office was near at hand, and in Well, don’t try it if there is any that direction he turned his steps. fh vihs ak oe of getting off your trolley and In the window of a store near the post. jay mixing yourself and everybody else. Fak- office were two ‘‘boards,’’ on which were ‘ bane Wues is a dangerous and’repreliensible photographs of the various members Of ‘Wractice and the resort of lazy actors who the ‘‘Empire Theatre Comedy Co.,’’ and Will mot learn their parts; but there are some photographed scenes from the vas Sy tities When faking cannot very well be tious plays in the repertory of the com- HW avoided, and the ability to do it wellon pany. , stich g@ccasions is worth much to aman. ‘Two very pretty girls, sixteen or seven- L Miedo = try it to-niglit, Merriwell, unless teen years of age, had paused to look at . a ; vOut, Mave some ideaof thereal gist of the pictures, and Douglas Dunton, com? as bz | you speech and feel certain you can fin- ing out of the post-office, observed them. ; ‘ ish Dy giving the next speaker the proper Dunton considered himself a a ate 4g "dae? masher, and he knew that, as a-rule al Me * eee right, sir.’’ young girls entertain a foolish admiratiom=igyy (i e ; Hayener looked at Frank doubtfully, for actors in general, so he did not hesi : 2 dnd then suddenly said: tate to walk up to this couple and spealg ~ poe ey Pent get the swelled head, but if you to them. | i a a ‘i do as, well in playing to-night as you did The girls looked startled. ile Pith at teh barsing this afternoon, you’ll show ‘“Don’t be alarmed, young ladies,’ Va ee a Wyourselfa wonder. I don’t often say any- said Dunton, in his most amiable nrvanner. tog ae thing Vike this to anybody, but somehow ‘‘I saw you looking at the pictures, i" bas ei felt that it might encourage you with- presume you are going to the play to- Hout doing you any harin, and I ‘want to night?’’ “t i “give a all the encouragement pos- The girls leoked at each other, and oe oa. then turned their backs squarely on tlic BSN Siege, READ THE LIBERALS OFFER ON. PAGE 32, gpa: A *, wpe Foe. s it “i e *| 3 c a ¥ ’ Vii 3. aes : i is oa oe aS, a) “ a SMa ey x eck ee we a) ea Beh - wee BO Cee “ae ge - Ris TIP TOP WEEKLY. presuining fellow, their action saying as plainly as words that they did not care to * have anything to do with him. Frank Merriwell, coming along, saw all this, and it gave him a feeling of sat- “isfaction. _. But Dunton was not to be turned down thus easily. **T am one of the actors,’’ he purred, ie in a manuer intended to be very captiva- S They left the post-office and proceeded ‘to the hotel, where Frank went at once to his room, failing to appear at supper time, as he was busy studying his part, ; and could not spare time to eat. ¥ Alone in his room, Merry walked the ? floor and dug away at the lines. His door ‘“was closed, and he repeated his part, “seeking to discover the proper manner to _emphasize the different expressions. Frank was thoroughly disgusted by “the slovenly pronunciation of the average -attenion than that of pronunciation. traveling actor, but the matter of em- phasis, he had discovered, was given less In- deed, many actors mouthed their lines so that the real meaning was utterly ob- scured, or the words were made to seem to mean something quite different from » what the playright intended. As for gestures and poses, Frank knew that, on-an average, twenty actors gestic- ulate too much for oe who gesticulates too little. The absence of gesticulation is tarely, if ever, missed, while too many gestures are almost certain to be offen- sive. .Some actors seem to fancy they must do something with their hands every time they open their mouths, and they * quickly become annoying to the audience. - It is often the case that action is the re- ‘great deal about actors and their art. _ sort of impotency. Frank had studied since starting out with the company, and he had learned a He had found there were books that would give him much needed information, and he had not lost time in procuring them. It was Frank’s hobby to know some- thing about everything possible, and to = know everything possible about the, busi- ness with which he was connected. all 15. It was this that had caused him te get ahead so rapidly in railroading, and, new that he was no longer employed on a fail- toad, he hoped to get ahead swiftly in his new line of work. One of his books had told him that ‘‘More than all else it is an actor’s tices ance that fixes ris position as an-artist, and, meditating on the skill of the best actors he had seen, Merry soon decided that this was true. ks It was plain enough to Frank that the ‘old time’’ actor who resorted to voeal gymnastics, roaring or cooing, as he fan- cied the occasion required, did: not pos- sess so much actual force as some’ quiet ‘new school’’ actors, who seldom raised their voices above a certain piteh; yet 7 who succeeded in putting deep intensity into their expressions. $i Merry had decided that the beginning and end of the actor’s study should be the art of delivery. The other thmgsan - actor must learn are comparatively easy, | but the art of ‘‘reading’’ well is so diffi- cult that very few actors become suffi- ciently acquainted with it to discover how difficult it really is. Frank knew he could not learn to de- liver his part properly in the short time given him to commit it, but he resolved to do his best on the lines he did commit, and so he studied them over carefully to discover just how they should be spoken. It was plain enough to him that ‘the att of ‘elocution’’ as taught by mimety- nine elocutionists out of a hundred was something that had far better be left un-_ | learned if a person really wished to be- come an actor, for those ‘‘elocutionists’’ give their attention almost wholly to modulation, and very little to the mean- 5 ing of what they read. Ete In the matter of emphasis elocutiot teachers, as a tule, instruct their, pupils : to emphasize words, but PropeHy:3 it ds READ THE GREAT PREMIUM OFFER ON LAST PAGE. | i6 TIP TOP WIEEKLY. ideas and not words that should be em- piasized, Books on elocution give certain arbi- tary rules to be followed, but no rule fifat will apply to all cases can be made, md Draius are far better tha rules. Meérriwell shut himself up in his room t6 give his brains a chance to study out cettain things in connection with his lines, aS well as to commit the words to memory.- Almost anybody can commit words’so they may be reeled off parrot- like, buftit takes intellect to speak words this Cominitted so that they convey the meauing the author intended they should convey. Se intent was Frank on his work that lie @id not notice when his door swung ®pen, and he did not know two persons had ;@ntered the room till one of them spoke to the other. That one said: “Shut the door and lock it, Sargent! I’ll black both his eyes before anybody can come up and We've got him alone, and stop the muss.”’ Frank whirled iwanuscript play on his bed. about, dropping the Dunten and Sargent were there, and Dunton was taking off his coat in a very significant manner, while Sargent was hastily lo¢king the door. There was trouble in the air. GHA FP PER.WN; DUNTON’S DISCOMFITURE. Frank did nut wait to be attacked. He “iuade a flying leap at Dunton, caught the fellow with his coat half way off, and fitig Him clean across the bed, so that his head was rammed against the wall with a tliud that seemed to shake the building. * Then he went at Sargent. Sargent turned to meet him, but did not get round quick enough. -SGEIF STOOPS sew Frank slammed hiin .up against thg door so that if nearly burst open. ” “he wae **Glad you geutlemen called, ‘*Make I shall do my best to clared, gently. yourselves af & home. entertail you.’”’ ; He had Sargent by the neck, and hg thumped the fellow’s head against th@ door so hard that the panel was cracked! “Wow !”? astonished cried Dunton’s frieud. ‘‘I didn’t come up to fight with you!’ ‘Oh, vou didn’t ?”’ ee? “Why did you come?”’ (¢? lo :see fair play.”’ ‘*Was that it ?”? “Yes. Ouch! You hurt!’’ ‘Well, you don’t seem to be fighting much,’’ Frank, ‘*Get in under cover out of the way.’’ observed disgustedly. He caught Sargent by the slack of lis trousers and the collar and fired hit under the bed qust as Dunton crawled of it. Sargent went in till nothing but his heels stuck out, and there he lay, mak- ing no effort to retreat, evidently being well satisfied to get out of tle way like that, for it had dawned on him that he “fup against it.’’ He literally frothed at the inouth as he caine off thie and Dunton were Dunton was raving mad. bed and leaped on the ex-Yale athlete. **771] kill you!’ he howled. ‘Will you??? inquired Merry, calmly. **T don’t think !”’ Dunton tried to get him by the threat. For some moments there was a terrifie struggle, during which a chair and @ stand were overturned. Dunton was nerved by such fury that he made a desperate antagonist for a time, but he could not hold out against Merriwell. Seeing he was abotit to get the worst TO CONQUER, a > MES ce ik of it, the fellow tried to get some kind of ‘weapon out of his pocket. x Would you!’’ cried Frank, catching is wrist. po?) ‘ia a minute!’ returned the other. **VYou’re pretty bad.’’ You’ find out!"’ % ‘= Bane! bang! bang! Semebody was pounding on the door. eet * - *What’s going on in there?’’ cried a 5 woice. “What ate you doing, Metriwell ?’’ by It was Havener, h “Oh, I am practicing a little,’’ an- é pemwered Frank. Rect mie in.’ “The door is locked, and my hands Jem Sa» eee full.” 7 *‘Hands full of what?’’ 7 : *‘Man. Got one under the bed, and the i other is—going!”’ With a twist and a snap, Frank whirled Dunton about, caught him up off his feet, sent him shooting under the bed by the side of Sargent. Then hé quickly unlocked the door. Walk in, Mr. Havener,’’ he politely s invited. The stage manager did so, looking around in-wonder. ‘‘Where’s the man?’’ he asked. wg ‘Phere. ’’ . Frank pointed, and his finger indicated two pairs of feet sticking out from under ob the bed. a got ~ Havener stared. ‘What!’’ he gasped. " ; “Came in to do me up,’’ Merry ex- plained. r : **But—but—what are they doing under the bed ?’’ “By guim!’? chuckled the. voice of : Ephraim Gallup, who was now standing im the open door. ‘‘I guess they’re hunt- the bed. Haw! haw! . in’-fer him under Be haw)" ae TIP TOP.WEEKLY., 1a BY ALL- MEANS READ OUR PREMIUM OFFER—SEE LAST PAGE. ve ‘*Ha!l ha! kal’? laughed Haveuer, ott he was a inan who seldom smiled. One pair of feet began to kick, atid thay owner struggled to get out from berfeath the bed. ‘*Come out, both of you,’’ commanded Havener. They did so, one at a time, and two more crestfallen, sheepish; disgtisted= looking fellows never ‘showed ‘their faces. ‘*T didn’t come here to fight,’’ Sargent hastened to again declare. Dunton said nothing, for he could find no words to express his feelings. Ephraim Gallup-continued to roar with laughter, and all the noise had brotight several snore of,.the company to the spot, together with other guests of the hotel. Duntou ground his teeth together when he realized what a look he was 1nurderous. spectacle he was, and the one gave Frank Mertiwell for the door. ‘‘Let me out!’’ he snarled. “Go it!’ cried Ephraim. ‘“‘Ipdomt wouder yeou feel like runnin’! By pam? if I was yeou, I’d feel like findin¥a hole somewhere and crawlin’ inter it. © Them fellers came up here to lick Frank Merri- well in his room,’’ he explained, as Sar- gent hastened after his chum. ‘Gosh all hemlock! They couldn’t ’a’ done if they’d bin ten of ’um, ’stead of two,” The proprietor came up, and Merriwell apologized for the disturbance. Havener; however, was forced to pacify the man, which he finally succeeded in doing, With the assistance of Hawkins, who had found the soft side of the hotel keeper at an early date. ‘‘Why haven’t you been dow) te sip: per, Merriwell?’’ asked the stage agia- ager, ‘‘No. time,’’ answered Merry, shortive % * “Sh og Then he made a break vt “ < s : » > -eut 18 * s te show. ? ©**Can’t get anything in this hotel at that’ hour.” 3 “Then I?ll patronize a lunch cart. Can't spend time to eat. Those fellows me out of fifteen minutes. Send I won’t eat till after the somebody to tell me when it’s necessary for ine to go to the theatre.’’ “All right,’? promised Havener, as he hustled eVerybody out of the rooin. ae don’t think you'll be disturbed again, Closing the door, Frank picked up the aManuscript and went on studying as if nothing had happened. In a moment he dismissed the encounter from mind and gave his entire attetition to the lines his he was learning. Frank continued to Study till Hans _eame to tell him that the band was going “to play before the theatre, and the com- pany was going over to make up. save’ “Us from ‘Frank found Havener waiting in the office of the hotel. ‘“How are you making it?’’ asked the stage ulanager. | fan well,’’ answered Frank, estly..” corp you do as wellas I hope, you will making a big fizzle to- mod- night.?? _*‘yshall do my level best.’’ -- They went over to the theatre, and Frank immediately sought his dressing- room to make up. Qld Dan Lee was there. “Cassie told me I’d better help you make up, Mertiwell, ” said the veteran actor. . “TMiank you, Mr. Lee,’’ _ smiled Frank, ‘“‘but I believe I can do the trick without assistance.”’ “AT tight, if you say so; but I'll stay and put « on the finishing axteied: ee ate haven’ t a make-up box. Shall have to borrow from somebody.” oe Bessie Stuart Takes Big Chances to TIP TOP WEEKLY. neTe, out of this one. said Lee, ‘‘use what you want It belonged to that fel- low Storms, but he will do his making up: in jail for some time.’’ . Hrrol Storms, a former member of the: company, had been attempt to kill Old Dan’s daughter, the: attempt being frustrated by Frank hin 3 self, 4 Frank paint, and then Dunton the oreads 1S in. He stopped aud glared at Merry, astonished to find him in that dressing-roon). Ke ‘What the —-—’’ he. began Da ) began work with caine and-then. stopped short. . A moment later Dunton made a dive “= forward and caught up the make-up box — Frank was using. ‘Well, talk about crust!’ he snarled; ‘‘this beats! Drop that stick of grease-" paint!” ; Frank turned and surveyed him, quief, “ ly asking: “Why?” ’ “Tt doesn’t belong to you.’ ‘*Does it belong to you?’ CtVeo ) ‘‘How’s that?’ ‘*Because it does.”’ ‘*It was Storms’.”’ ‘‘What of that?’ He lettat *’ ‘*He gave it to me.” e “That’s a lie!’ declared Dan Lee, who had been watching everything. ‘Storms didn’t give it to anybody, but you took” it. Before that you bummed make-up off: everybody else, because you spent all> your money for drinks and didn’t have so--~ much as apiece of coco-butter of your “ own.” Ol, ary: pte snapped Duntopa, ‘You're always poking your nose into. is something that doetsn’t concern you.’? ¢ ‘*This busimess concerns me, for I told: Help a Friend in True Blue No. a1. | 2 arrested for an insane * = asa TIP TOP WEEKLY. ru gk Merriwell to use that stuff, anda by the pods! he’s going to use it.’’ **He shan’t!’’ ® ‘‘He shall!’ : The old actor slammed. the dressing- Boo door and placed his back against it. } “Ycu’re not going to take that box Out of here,’’ he declared. ‘*Put it down Bill Merriwell is through ,with it.’’ “T -won’t!”? “Theu Merriwell.will take it away fgoui you.’’ ‘Let him try it! § “Go ahead, Merriwell,’’ directed . Old Dan; ‘‘and thump .himif jie don’t. give it Wp instanter.’’ Frank started toward Dunton, who backed away, holding onto the box. “Keep off!’ grated the fellow. “Give it up!’ commanded Frank. oa Dunton backed against the partition, : and Frank confronted him. The fellow remenibered how he had been handled not very long before in Merriwell’s room, aml he scarcely wished to. fall into Prank’s hands again. eSYou can’t have it!’ ‘she. declared, Weakening somewhat. “Give It up!’’ repeated Merry, sternly. Then, like a fash, Dunton lifted the box afd hurled it at the head of the youth Steel he hated. Frank dodged, and the box flew > past his head, striking the partition and fall- ing to the floor, where its contents, pow- der, paint, puffs, and so forth, flew in every direction. Dan Lee uttered an exclamation of an- der. “Now thump him, Merriwell—thump hin hard !’? cried the old actor. ‘‘He de- serves it!” *No,’’ said Frank, scornfully. ‘‘I should be ashained to doit. He jis too eontemptible.’’ Then he turned atid. stooped. to.cather True Blue Shows That a Cartridge “Sa ; oy 193 contents @f up whatever he could of the the box. Duuton fancied he saw his opportunitys **Look The warning came from Old Dart jist out!’ as Duuton leaped onto Frank’s shoul@érs™ to Duss . : ; ; aie Dan Lee rushed forward.and caught Tai him off js Merry was crushed the floo®, oY ging > ton by the collar, drag inténded victim. Up to his feet shot Frank, and me; caught hold of his enemy. ‘*Open the door!’ Lee hastened to-do so, and Merriwell lost no time in throwing Duuton off of D the dressing room, being unable to TesiSt the temptation to give him a’ boost with his toe. The fellow undignified exit bein was sent sprawling, his witnessed by séys Oo > eral meinbers of the comipany. Prank turned back and gathered pe such of the contents of the bok as te could, and then “resumed the work af nlaking up. He didit rapidly, closely watched by Old Dan. had finished. cc? In-a very short tine Prank There,’ he said, turning to’ Be ime spected ; “‘now I will listen to your “stig- gestions, Mr. Lee.”’ ’. saitt *Ofd Dan, ‘‘You’re all right; but wheré’d you ‘Ain't got any to make,’ learn to niake up?”’ “Oh, I’ve watched the others.” ‘““Watching wouldn’t teach you to put it on like that without making a simeie lad +4 lad ICey inistake. You’ve Whiere ?”’ ‘A little at college.’ *“College Pr?” Fes:* “What college ?’’ Vale: i “Did you go to Yale?” ce Tdi 2 Is Not Al@ays Pitta Pyqin some prac ea ee a Gti 20 TIP TOP WEEKLY. _ = Never knew it before. Why didn’t — you say something about it?”’ “€Why should I?” + **Oh, I don’t know, but you never say | anything about yourself.’’ a don’t think much of fellows who e forever telling something about them- + to make up at college ?’’ ‘We had amateur theatricals.’’ f*Yes, but——’’ -**Of course we had to make up.”’ “But you were greenies. ”’ weaate.”’ -.. **How could you learn todo it like an * expert?” **Got a book of instructions and studied “#6 till I knew it by heart.”’ “AHuah! Don’t take much stock in — gtch books. Fellow’s got to learn by ex- _ perience.’’ “*T got some experience.’’ “How ?? “Well, the others found I knew some- thing about it, and I had to make up the whole’ company. Inthat wayI gota 'schance totry my hand at all sorts of | characters, for some of the fellows im- _ personated old men, some brigands, some - girls, and so forth.’ “Well,” said Old Dan, ‘I rather think es you have a way of catenins onto things --inahurry. You’re all right. What are you going to do now?”’ _ “Study till it is time to go on.”’ _ Frank was to appear in the first act in : ordinary street clothes, so his costume IT that act gave him no trouble. took the manuscript and sat down a t-played its first piece in the theatre. He Ss aroused by Havener, who caifie in a BLUES” x “CHUM! OF THE * ae TOP. *‘T’l] have to take that now, Merriwell. two minutes,’’ CHAPTER: Vi, FRANK’S FIRST APPEARNCES. Frank stood behind the scenes ready to make his first entrance. Outwardly he 3! was as calm as aclock, but inwardly he. was not so calm. Any one looking at him closely must have observed that his eyés shone with a sttange light. Whether his face was pale or not could not be told, for the make-up concealed that. The play had started off all right, and already the audience was giving it close attention. The house was good. BS Cassie had found an opportunity to | whisper to Frank: on ‘*Keep a stiff upper lip, my boy. [ll bet on you. You’re a winner, and I know 1G ‘“ Thank you, quietly. ‘‘Dunton’s the one that’s liable to go to pieces to-night, for he’s in a deuce of | a state. He’s been drinking, ‘too. Pll bet he gets stiff after the show. That fel- low hates you so he’d like to kill you now. Look out for him.”’ ‘‘ All right.”’ **So long, and good luck.’ ‘*So long.”’ He saw by her appearance that she had resorted to her regular stimulant, and again he thought: ‘**Poor Cassie !”? Even in that moment when his own affairs weighed on him so heavily be thought of another. What was that? One of the actors was speaking, and it was the speech that pre- ceded his entrance. The inoment had arrived at last! Cassie,’* he smiled, manuscript =~ The curtain goes up in 79> © ee > Frank nerved himself, and then he— ‘Vou did first rate that time, Meri entered. For a single instant it seemed that his can keep that up, you will make a iit, tongue was nuinb in his mouth and he but you know the hardest is to come”) would not be able to speak, and then, “T know,’? came quietly from Framg’s with grace and dignity he advanced down __ lips. the centre, smiling and delivering his first “Do you feel shaky ?”’ speech. ‘*Not a bit.’ The moment he gave utterance to the ““That’s good! You will doit!” first words his embarrassment left him Frank saw that the stage manager Was and he was quite at ease. He madea fine giving him all the encouragenien§ posgie TIP TOP WEEKLY, well,’’ he said; encouragingly. ‘Tf toa aypearauce and impressed the audience ble favorably. Havener himself was playing: 4 pare Frank went through the scene splen- byt he had very little bi didly, most, barring the duel scene. He had the Cassie soon canie round and conprata- ait and bearing of ahd no one in As Dunton was not on the stage atthe of you. You made a splendid appearanees timie, he had a chance to stand in the first. If I wasn’t struck on Ross, I'd ie Hed entrance at the left and watch everything. for it was the one lie had rehearsed stace with Merriwell g : : a professional actor, lated Frank. the audience could have ‘*Merriwell, nry boy, you “a it greate? imagined hiin a novice. His heart was swelling with rage, and he **Don’t make me blush, did his best to attract Merriwell’s atten- tested Frank, embarrassed. tion, hoping to b sneering look. reak Frank up by a “Oh, Lain’t giving you tafiy# straight goods. I saw Dunton wat 3ut Frauk gave strict attention tothe you. His face was like a people on the stage, and neither glanced toward the wings or the audience. In Didn’t you see him?’’ declared the little soubrette. over heels in love with you this minwmbe,’% aud he glared as if he Jonged to Kall vo ot = isiness On he = ‘“T was prota Cassie |)” #prgy foun gt thundgmekends % . no t ia . - ~ fact, when he left the stage he had not MNGs* 3 seeu asingle person besides those with ‘tHe was standing in the first’ entragenss | 12 4 ® Jain muttered. whom he had had business before the on the other side. I know he trie@®¢ar # tootlights. His exit was effective, and there was a “What for??? ripple of applause as he delivered thie “Thought he could break you up.” final speech of the scene and retired from ‘*Well, he didn’t sticceed.”’ the stage. catch your eye.”’ ‘And I was mighty glad. He's a Bad Dunton was chewing his tongue yic- egg. Some day he’ll hit jously aud swearing beneath his breath. a shall havea tumble “Oh, I rather think he’ll dtop it arters ar € Yh, the fellow 7 ; 3 Ratleh before the piecé is over!’’ the stage vil- a while light to-ni: is dined. elt.’ “T]l see to it that his “He won’t drop it, for He shall not triumph kind. He’sa snake. But I must 960m in a minute. See you later. Keep the Havener received Frank as he came good work up.’? E . ~off. She skipped away. PRE, FORMS ACQUAINTANCE WITH ACHORRIBLE:\ Why A NS | sites $ ie Sn pe GO on tN. Mente = ¥. ‘Ys the back that will hurt you. you: a slam 7s he yain't ate ¥ sts a Ph Sn : es “ton by Aria skill z. “And when Dinton left the stage kg BS Seiler was waiting for him, TIP TOP WEEKLY. SWhen Frank next went on, many of “hud fines were with Duuton. Then it was that Dunton did his best = +g break Merry up. He transposed his speeches, getting everything in, but fail- ~ "ing fo. give Frank amore than a third of wie “ties, and often the continuity of the — *con versation Cites.” . > Ofcourse Frank was placed at a disad- * tae ‘Vantage, but he faked as well as he could depended entirely on the = covered the breaks as far as possible. ndeed,*he astonished and di sgusted Dun- in carrying the scene along. Hav- lookitig de- — eided] ly ugly. oe “Look liere, man c caine harshly from oth ‘stage manager; ‘‘what do you mean vethis*kind of gies gi ainton pretended to be astonished. 3 >. oes What kind of work ?”’ he asked, with se Dee 1 vi ayes - eases innocence. Seon know what kind of work!’ : Edo not, sir. I am sure——’? wee i] #0. You did your best to 4 Dunton! IJ have not te see Ree of the sort. | mt lie about it, o 2 uch tricks,”? eRMr> Havener, this is the third time ers ay : tis the third time I have been force ed to tell you something you do not “slike to hear, and it will be the last tinte. If I have to make any further talk to yon thisday it will be to tell you that you ate discharged. 2 ' “This was straight talk, could not niisunderstand it. ***You dare not discharge me without good cause) I have a contract with Barn- ‘aby Haley, and you cannot give me my and Dunton S elease. 2 was * ~ Havener snapped his fingers. ~ “That for your contract!’ he said, ‘It § witlythe old ‘All-Star Combination,’ does tot hold with the new com- any. Vou have no contract with Haley aud Hawkins, I know that, and, if I see to release you, out you go. So now be retul. » oe We, , PRUE BLUE BAND YOUY WILL KNOW. ALL RPGDS eae Py Pet ater Ee he : Me ae aes ‘‘Such threats are uncalled for, Mr. Havener.”’ ‘‘T am talking business to you, for there is no other way to handle you. You are so sore on Merriwell that you seem crazy to do him some sort of injury. you keep it up, you will injure yourself —unobody else.’ ‘‘T shall appeal to Mr. Haley.”’ SehOG, BOs 2. mL Shaliy: 5° / “‘T hope you will. The next tine you have lines with Merriwell, liowever, give him his proper cues. If you don’t——}?’ Havener stopped of hisown accord, aud the look he gaye Dunton was more sig- nificant than words. Then he turned away. Thoroughly soreand heartsick, Dunton watched the climax of the first act, which was worked out splendidly and received a burst of applause as the curtain de- scended. Then, . behind the scenes, Dunton saw the members of the company ‘gather around Merriwell and congratulate him. ‘*Gods!’’ grated Frank’s new. .eneniy. ‘IT can’t stand that!’’ He rushed awdy to one of the dressing-_ rooms, where he raved like a mad per-~ son. Having worked himself pitch in his hatred for Merriwell, Dunton was ready for alinost anything. He felt ™. that he.nust ease his mind by talking to somebody, and he uttered an exclamation of satisfaction when Sargent came in to make a change in his costume and make- up. ‘*What do you think of it?’’ he hissed. “*Of what?’’ asked Sargent, as he went about making the necessary change. “Of what!’ snarled Dunton. ‘‘Why, curse it! of this Merriwell business, of course !”’ “*T. think he did remarkably. well,”’ said Sargent, shifting his collar and tie. Dunton caught his. breath and looked dazed. ‘*Did well ?”? he muttered. . ‘*IT should say so,’? murmured Sargent, looking in the glass as he adjusted the Knot in his tie. the best job I ever saw, circumstances. considering the eT Xs) LP “4 up to this. “T think it was about ‘5 eee en te tier how; ” lf 2 S a.’ 2 hy TIP TOP WEEKLY, 23 he did it so well on such ‘short notice. The fact that he committed the lines and was able to speak them on the stage is something beyond my understanding.”’ Dunton made arush, caught his chum by the collar, swung him .round and glared into his face. ‘“Have you got it, too?’ he snarled. ““Eh ? Got-what?’’ asked Sargent. “This foolishness over that fellow. Everybody else seems to have it, and now, by the eternal skies! you’ve caught it. It’s too much! Now I will kill him!’ **Better not,’’ said Sargent, calinly. ‘‘What do you mean? Are you going back on me?”’ ‘*Nio.’? **Well, then, what—— “Vm simply going to let Merriwell alone in the future, and I advise you as a friend to do the same.”’ ‘*To blazes with your advice—and you, too! You’reasquealer! That’s whiat’s the matter with *you!3 >) Sargent siniply shrugged his shoulders and went on making the necessary changes. ‘fA squealer!”’ repeated Dunton, grind- ing the, words derisively through his teeth. You are scared of Merriwell, and so you are going toquit. [hatea quitter!’ ‘‘Now you are getting very excited, _Dug,’’ murmured Sargent, applying some powder to his neck. ‘‘What you need just now is a good cold shower bath.”’ ‘*What you need is a good thumping!’ “That’s what you said Merriwell needed, and I went up to his room with you to watch you give it to him,’’ re- minded Sargent. ‘Yah!’ Dunton almost howled. | ‘‘So you fling about that! I didn’t think. this of you! You’ve gone back on me.”’ **No, dear fellow.”’ “Yes, you have! You’re afraid of Mer- tiwell! You are a blamed coward!” ‘In your excitement, Dug, you are Salyng a number of unpleasant things. I have found out a few things about Mer- tiwell, and I know he is a bad man to fool with.”’ Saxot 1’? “All right; but take my advice and let him alone.”’ ¥ 1 “Pll let him alone him up.’? ‘And you'll get done up yourselip@ia man, Why, this Merriwell was imyaie less than a year ago, and was calledethe champion all-round athlete of the eoMege: player, Jy oie Ay I Ve Cope when He was a great oarsinan, football sptiuter-and jumper. As for scrappingy they say he whipped the bully of fhe ce lege without getting a mark.”’ ‘*Lies—all lies!’’ palpitated Duntenm “I don’t believe the fellow ever saw Yale college. ? ‘“The trouble with you is that you won’t believe anything you don’ t#wantto believe; but I guess thus stuff about’ Mer riwell is straight goods.”’ ‘‘Lies, lies!’’ Frank’s enemy siaried! ‘How do people know so much @bout him all at once ?”’ “Oh, I don’t kuow.”’ ‘“He’s been telling such stories; and that is enough to stainp them as lies. 9 ‘‘I guess not. I remember seeing Tis name in'the papers. Frank Merriwell was often spoken of in connection ‘with Yale sports and athletics.’’ “What of that?’ ‘‘Isn’t thatenough to prove what I’ve been telling you has some foundation; at least?” ‘“No. ”» “Why not???’ ‘“The Frank Merriwell spoken of may have been quite another fellow. I know it was not this chap.”’ ‘*How do you know ?’’ ‘“Wiry, didn’t we pick him up om the road, and hadn’t he been working 6p a railroad! Such a famous wouldn’t be shoveling coalon a railroad.” ‘‘I don’t know. I’ve heard he lost his fortune and was forced to leave Goliege and go to work.’’ ‘‘T don’t take any stock in such*@ fairy story, and you area fool to bélevwe 7 He’s just a common upstart, and | am going to take the starch out of lim?” ‘‘Well, I’ve warned you. am your Yale man friend, Dug; but I’m not monkéying with Merriwell any more. é Voulwe a4 bad luck at if. Havener is sore Cn yy Ch, anda? **1’m sore on him.’’ ‘"He’s the stage manager, and he stands “SOR TABLES WERE-TURNED.UPON- MIGUEL IN. SRUE BLUE N6. er TIP TOP in with Haley. He cau get you fired if he wants to do so. “They can’t get along without me. That’s where you inake ! ia euaké “They’d find a way to get along without you.”? Dunton looked thoroughly disgusted. **T see you have gone back om me, even though you say not,’’ he said, dejectedly. aa didy’t think it of you, Art!’ >He turned away, and Sargent quickly - stepped to his side, saying: “Tam still your friend, Dug, but e can’t afford to get into trouble and lose my engagement. You know I’ve got a mother——.’’ Dunton flung off the hand his friend had placed on his arm. “The same old mother cry!’’ he _ sneered. ‘‘You pretend you send all your soney to your mother, and you’re forever broke. That mother of yours is in a Tenderloin flat in New York, I'll bet, and it’s ten to one she’s drinking fizz with another popper to- night. I’ve sized you up as a good soft thing. You’ve had your leg pulled till it’s a wonder you can walk without etuitches. Soft things always make me “tired )? He left the dressing-room, with Sar- gent standing in the middle of the floor. ‘All right, > muttered the latter—‘‘all right, Dunton! I have been your friend, but I rather think this ends it. My con- science won’t trouble me if I quit you after this.’ CHAP TE BR VII. A REMARKABLE STAGE DUEL. Douglas Dunton was ‘‘sore.’’ He felt that, besides other unpleasant things that had happened, he had lost his friend and chum, dnd he blamed Frank Merriwell for it all. And when he saw Merriwell carry his part through the second act quite as well as lie had done in the first, only getting adrift twice, aud then faking lines so that it Was unnecessary to prompt him, Dun- ton actually was sick. His lips, on ‘which there were no coloring, looked blue and cold, and his flesh was clammy to the - touch,. ~*When Merriwell wona burst of ap- Clif Finds a Rough Rider to be a Rough Diamond. that’s why WEEKLY. plause Dunton cursed the audience fora lot of fools, but took care that his curses were not heard by any one. To add to his rave, Cassie had the im= pudence to sweetly ask him if he didn’t” think Mr. Merriwell was doing ‘‘real= well.”’ He did not make a reply—he could not. ‘lll make a fool of the fellow in the duel scene,’’ he thought. ‘‘I’1] show the audience just what a stick he is before I ani disarmed, and Ill make everybody~ see that I voluntarily permit him to dis- arm me. ‘That’s where 1ll get in my work,’ Somehow when he thought it over this seemed a- weak sort of revenge. He longed to humble Merriwell, to com- pletely humiliate him, to disgrace him, if possible. He could not hide from himself the fact that Merriwell’s work thus far was really marvelous, and that added to lis rage linineasurably. ‘How was it that this fellow, with no experience on the stage, could take au important part, commit it in such short time and play it withthe skill of a drilled actor ??’» Wlien the second act was over Dunton was sutly as a dog with a sore ear. Havener came and spoke to him. ‘‘Merriwell is doing first rate,’’ said the stage manager; ‘‘but the duel will be difficult for him, and I want you to help him as much as you can. You can help him make it effective, if you will, and I shall be watching. Don’t be foolish, Dunton. ‘You can see now that it was better not to put two persons onto new parts, instead of one, and that’s what would have been done if I had let you play the part Merriwellhas. I just spoke to him about you, and he says he holds no hard feelings. He will bury the hatchet and forget all that has happened if you will do the same. Now, come, promise me that you will help him on the duel. Will you?’ Dunton hesitated, a sour look on his face. ‘‘Be a man,’ urged Haveuner, S622” **Be a man!’ Dunton ground his teeth softly. ‘¢Prom- Those words cut, and Then, True Blue No. 21. * he Pir Seppe at au at once, aud ee he said: ‘Oh, well, I can’t forget so quickly, Re byt * he pretended to relent, | do what Ican for the fellow on ; tee duel. : ‘*That’s good,’’ nodded Havener. ‘‘I sy $iall be watching.’’ ; E’ Yes, Pll do what JI can. for him!’ P rated Dunton, softly, as the stage man- Bager inoved away. ‘‘Oh, but you had a erust to come to me and talk like that!” When the curtain went up for the for the time His eagerness wade third act, Dunton was eager of the duel to arrive. fe ‘ -,% x him go at his part with more vim than heretofore, and Havener, watching him, nodded his satisfaction, saying to himself: ““T guess the fellow sees at last that he has been making a fool of himself. He’ll Be all right, now.’’ : The third act went with a swing that fairly carried the audience. Bursts of ap- plause were frequent. The play was a Success, and Havener knew he would re- ; ceive congratuations from Haley, who was ‘‘on the front of the house.’’ At last ; the duel scene wason. It was a forest setting, and Merriwell, the challenged patty, had fallen into a snare set for him by Dunton, the villain, by naming swords as the weapons. Dunton and hfs second were first on the scene, and the conversation between them was to the effect that in three min- utes the time set for the duel would pass and there were no signs of the challenged party. Dunton—‘‘He will not come—hlie not come!’ Second—‘‘ There is yet time. atrive at the last moment.”’ Dunton—‘‘ He is a coward, of cowards. He poses as a but the blood of a craven ri veins.’ These words were spoken with an in- tensity and double significance that Frank, waiting the wings, did uot uiiss. Second— wewtives tide Sas, Spe Aa dare He may froin a race gentleman, flows in his 10 ‘“The time is nearly up.’’ Dunton —‘‘Yes. (Looks at his watch. ) There is but one minute more. He will fail to appear, and, when next we meet, I will brand him as the cur. he is.” Second-*#¥oucwwill come out of TOP WEEKLY. this No, 21.0 hi ote is tn ted “Clit Lah sy Pre my or, THE Hersine Norse-si Be Lai, affair honorably without danger eet" self.”? Dunton—‘'Danger! Bah! What dangeem would there be to face him! I would tay with him—play with him asa cat plage with a mouse. I would let him see Gifat le was completely at my mercy. I woud, laugh at his clumsy efforts, and tiigmy when I had tired of the sport, I Wowie) run him through the heart! But 7 shaul not have that pleasure. (Closes ?wagisn with a snap.) The time is up, afd h@is not here.”’ a4 (Frank enters, followed by his secoma, with weapons in case. ) Frank—‘‘You are wrong, sir; I ani here!’ 23 The audience, whose sympathy was entirely with Merry, gave him a> heagty round of applause. Dunton—'‘‘ Your craven feet niust have’ faltered slowly.on the way. Frank—‘‘It was not the fault of eux feet, sir; we lost the way, and were forged to seek directions. I assure you that aye lade all haste, and, now we are héréymno time sliall be lost.’ a Then arrangements were swiftly fade for the duel, and soon the two young nien. stood face to face, stripped of coatS and and vests, their sercids in their hands. The duel began, and, at the very fitsty it seemed most skilful swordsman. But Dun himself soon discovered that Mertiw had lost much of his apparent awkwar ness displayed at the rehearsal, and He called out the fellow’s best efforts tosbeats 43. . 4 Frank back and make a displaysof superiority. eS Dunton’s rage increased with €¥ery passing inoinent. He was failing to make: such a display of Merriwell as Hephad hoped, and his anger drove him tempos tatily insane. W ith terrible fury he Beat Merry back aud back. ‘ Frank retreated, watching his antag. onist closely. All at once, he saw a d@ad= ly glare in Dunton’s eyes, and the fellow hissed : ; ‘“Now you die!’’ Then he lunged. straight heart! It was no false inovement, but 1t was ae savage thrust with murderous intent at Frank’s avidett that Dunton was thee “8 > o TIP TOP - rank realized his danger on thie in- stant. Dunton, insane with anger, meant *t0 Rill him, and then declare it was an ‘aeeident. sMerriwell leaped aside, and parried with a slight turn of his wrist.. The point of his enemy’s sword was turned < “Tae but it passed through his shirt he was baffled, Dunton a fiend, and the swords 4 ied and clanged, sparks flying from --*=the ‘glittering blades. af ‘the audience little dreatned a real duel wa istaking place on that stage, but never ~ before had they witnessed anything like a it, and, as one man, they arose to their ae ® feet. a Glash! clash! clash! The ring of steel against steel filled the house. eo e “Bike young tigers two & ctouched and darted and » spraiig. was a most thrilling spectacle. Be: “EGurse you!”’ panted Dunton, as he was liaffled again and again. Not a word came from Merriwell, but ne now there was a light in his eyes that his aa nemy had never seen there. = Duuton could not reach Frank, try as Me might, and he began to feative that His fellow whom he “despised was teally “his Master with the weapons they held. e . seconds became, alarmed and ad about to interfere, for they real- jat there was sattefliing more than Fabout this wonderful duel. antagonists circled, and Ht do it yet!’ vowed Dunton, in- dy, Now. Merriwell. was toying with the ev what a poor ad he was ing, Dunton set his teeth and nade a bold dasli for the life of his foe. * Right there Merriwell caught Dunten’s blage on his, let it slip past till the hilts ‘met, and then tore the weapon from the fellow? s hand, sending it the air. spinning into and Bay aX es WEEKLY. caught it gracefully, instantly offering it, « hilt. first, to his disarmed foe. Dunton hesitated, then, like a flash, he snatched the weapon and tried to run Frank through! ‘ The audienee gasped. : 3ut Merriwell was not caught. he went with < Back. a spring, and again his= sword clanged against that of his enemy. = 4, Now it was not possible for the eye to = follow all the movements of those gleam- ~ Frank was.a perfect whirl- © and the terrible look ou his set face © ing weapons. wind, frightened Dunton beyond measure. At last, being unable to withstand? Merry, the fellow dropped his sword and> cried out for mercy. “‘Mercy!’’ shot from Frank’s lips. ‘“‘What mercy do you deserve? But go! I would not stain my hands with stich treacherous blood!”? Then the curtain came down amid a. perfect uproar of applause. CHAPTER VIII. DUNTON SEES A LIGHT. ‘*By Jove!’’ exclaimed Ross Havener, as he rushed on to the stage tre moment 4 ~~ ‘That was great! © the curtain was down. Couldn’t have done it better if you had practiced a year! Hear them roar! Why, they’re going.to give you a curtain call!’ Dunton started to move away, and he fairly stagge-ed. ‘*Hold on, Dunton,’’ commanded the stage. manager. ‘‘You must go before the curtain with Merriwell.”’ “*T can’t!’? gasped the wretched fellow. “T—J'm iil? “It'll be only a minute. You must go. Ready, Merriwell. Out here. Go on, now. Bow—bow when they applaud.” Frank was pushed out, and he found himself before a crowd that seemed be- side itself with enthusiasin. Such cheer- ing he had never before heard in a theatre. He bowed and walked across. Then Dunton came out. There was moderate applause, and a few hisses, but it was plain that Merriwell was the one ‘who had won the house. Behind the curtain Havener tonne them both. ‘‘T don’t understand it now,’’ he de- ane Spee ee mrs TRUE 7 BLUE. * ¥ . ¥ “Why, that was more like areal. + sts See je ms albanien sian NS: xin bch ca RSet | | TIP TOP WEEKLY. ai © @uel than anything else! One time 1 was @ctually scared, for I thought it was a fifle too realistic. In fact, I don’t think will do for you to goat it like that €yery time, for you might make a slip Mat would result in a dangerous wound. Hnoticed that Dunton made some pretty fiasty thrusts.”’ Again Dunton tried to get away, for be fancied Merriwell would tell Havener everything. “It looked worse. than it really was, I fancy,’’ smiled Frank. ‘‘Mr. Dunton was very. easy with me, and all his thrusts Were easily avoided.”’ Dunton felt like wilting. “What is the matter, Dunton?’’ asked Havener. “*T tell you I am ill!’ snapped the fel- low. ‘‘Can’t you see it? My nerves—are all—unstrung!’’ ‘The duel was too much for you. Now, Merriwell seems as cool as ice.’’ Dunton went down to his dressing- rooin. Sargent was there, and he stared at Dunton as the latter came in and dropped down limply on a square box. ‘‘Well,’’ said Sargent, “‘what do you think of Frank Merriwell now ?”’ “Why !’? gasped Dunton. “Why! Don’t I know! Didn’t I watch it all! Didn’t I understand! Think I’m a fool?” ‘“‘What are you driving at?’ Dunton, weakly. ‘“You know. You made a fool of your- self, Dug. You tried to trun him through!” The fellow sprang up off the box, his eyes glaring. ‘‘Don’t you dare say that!’’ he panted —‘‘don’t you dare! It’s a lie!’ ‘It’s the truth!’ ‘‘Curse you! You have turned against me!’ “Tf you are going to turn murderer— yes |”? ‘“Murderer “Tt would have been murder had you succeeded !”’ ‘In what?” “Your purpose in that uel. Youd thought you could make it seem an acci- dent if you thrust Merriwell through. CLIF WAS NOT asked 1) th : Ga : BORN TO» HAVE You night have fooled a: jury inte Dee lieving it accidental, but I should have known better. I should have known yon were a murderer !’’ ‘*Don’t—don’t use that word!’ ‘It is the word that applies.”’ ‘*The jig is up with me!’’ half Whi pered Dunton. ‘‘Merriwell knows) and he will denounce me. You know, atid you will say it is true. Oh, ctlirsé you both! I hate you!”? He seemned ready to bust into) tears, and yet he was quivering with rage. => ‘*Dunton,’’? said Sargent, grimy ‘“fyvou’re not in your right mind, You have become insane through your hatred for Frank Merriwell, and your imsanity neatly led you to commit a terrible crime. It was not your fault that you did not succeed. If Merriwell had not been your superior with a sword, you would have accomplished the deed.”’ Dunton sat down on the box agaiil, and dropped his face on his hands. ‘It’s no use!”? he muttered, thickly. ‘‘Rverything has gone against me! I am finished |’? ‘““You have no one but youresif to blame,’’ said Sargent, rather stiffly. warned you to let the fellow alone. But how is he going to prove that you really tried to run him through ?”’ ‘By you.’’ **He can’t,”’ ‘“Why not??? ‘*He doesn’t know I think so.’”’ “You'll tell.”’ “No.’? ‘You won’t?” ‘No. If you will promise me to Gfep this thing here and let Merriwel] alené, wild horses can’t drag anything ot of me.’? Dunton lifted his head. “*VYou will remain my friend?” ‘Yes, Ill stick by you if youd quit this monkey business and walk a st¥aigit line.?? : ‘*T’]] do.it, if Merriwell don’t fiéer mem for this first round.’’ ‘You must take chanees Brace up now, and——’’ ‘Yes; give mea drink. Here, Dave something in my coat. I must take a big drink, or I can’t play through She dase AIS EYES. PUT OUT on “that: - mounced him. “98 ~ TIP TOP WEEKLY, act. They won’t do anything with me till the piece is over, anyhow.’’ He got out a bottle and took a heavy drink. ‘l'o his surprise, Sargent declined to take anything. “Y-ain done with the stuff for between- thé-acts bracers,’’ he said. ‘‘T'hose who Wat-it may take it. Merriwell doesn’t _ drink a drop, and he’ll have us all in the shade before the season is over.’’ “Are you going to take him model ?”" “Tinay. It wouldn’t hurt either of us _to pattern after such a model.”’ Dunton managed to get throwgh the final act of the play. Appearances indi- cated that Frank had not betrayed him up to the’end of the play, but he felt sure Merry would do so immediately after all was over. As soon as possible, he wiped off his make-up, got into his street:clothes, and eft the theatre. He weut straight to the hotel, and proceeded to get as full of whisky as he could hold. “Pll be good and drunk when they jump on ine,’’ he thought. ow he got to bed or when he went he never knew, but he awoke the following morning with a splitting headache, and he was forced to start the day with two stiff drinks. ‘Those seemed to brace him up, and, dressing, he went down to see what was being said about him. He met some of the inembers of the company, and they congratulated him on the’ duel scene. At first he fancied they might be trying to draw him out, but he ~ -soou decided they were in earnest. That Made it evident that they knew nothing of the facts. But Havener must know. } e met Havener, and two minutes’ _ conversation with the stage manager con- -vinced him that Havener did not know, ' Then it began to dawn on him that it was possible Merriwell had not yet de- Before long he was con- ~vinced that this was true. — What*did it mean? “‘He’s waiting for -a good opportunity to.take ine before the entire company,” thought Dunton. ‘‘Well, I'll give him “the. ‘chance, and I'll swear every word he ‘SaySisalie. I never tried to run him en.’ for a But, that afternoon at rehearsal, Frank had an opportunity to make the denun- ciation, and did nothing of the sort. The Yest of the week passed. a 7239 Saturday night, after the show, Duti- vet ilone. 2 #3 aa : ton found Merriwell < ‘Look here, Merriwell,’’ he ‘‘when you are going to do it?’?’ **Do what?’ asked Frank, surprised. 7 ‘‘Blow.the whole business.’ ‘What business ?”?: ‘‘About that duel.’ ‘“What about it?” ‘“Why, you know I was furious with you, aud I tried to do you up for keeps, Of course you will blow it to Havener and the others. Why don’t you get about | it? I’m tired of waiting.”’ ‘‘Took here, Mr. Dunton,4 said Merti: well, facing the fellow squarely, *‘I want to ask you one or two questions. — First, aren’t you a little bit disgusted with yourself for trying such a trick ?”? ‘Perhaps so,’’? admitted Dunton, sheepishly. ‘Next, would you try it again if you had the chance ?”? ‘‘No. Iwas a fool, and I’m glad I failed. I don’t want to kill anybody.’ ‘I thought rot, and I thought. 1 would give you time to come to your senses. You need not be afraid-that I will blow. I don’t want to hurt you.”? ‘“You—you will keep stil] about it 2 “*If you act decent in the future—yes,”’ The fellow was silent. He stood staring’ at Frank, seeming uncertain what he had better do. Gradually the blood flowed into his face till it was crimson. ‘*Merriwell,’? he said, huskily, ‘I never knew what a blamed cheap cuss I ain! You area white man! You would have served me right if you had blown the whole thing: Ican’t see why.you * didn’t. I don’t expect. friendship from you—I wouldn’t accept it; but I don’t think you and I will have. any more: trouble.”’ Then he turned and walked quickly away. [THE END. ] The next number (132) of the Tip Top Weekly will centain ‘‘Rrank Merfiwell in Advance; or, Adventures Alhead of the. Show,”’ by the author of Frank ed pee LSM I 1S EVER. IN THE MIND QE CLIF es ote a Brasilia ti ig NS ll ite te abhi centile elbaies deh S SacBee Bide 3 a TIP TOP WEEKLY. 33 i JOPNEEKLY- AN IDEAL PUBLICATION FOR THE AMERICAN YOUTH ” NEW YORK, OCTOBER 15, 1898. Terms to Tip Top Weekly Mail Subscribers. (PostaGkK FREE.) @ months - - - - - - - 65¢c.| Oneyear - - + = = - $2.50 4 months - - - « = = §85c, | 2 Copies One year - -.- - 4.00 S moths - - -~ - ~- $1.25) 1 copy two years - - - -. 4.00 low 'ro St!npd Monery.—By post office or express money order registered letter, bank check or drait, at our risk. At your own risk if sent by postal note, currency, coin, or*postage Stamps in Ordinary letter. RecKEIPTs.— Receipt of your remittance is acknowledged by proper change of qaimber on your label. If notcorrect you have not been properly credited, and shorld let us know at once. To CLUB RAISER Upon request we will send sample copies to gid you in obtaining subscribers. addressed to All letters should be STREET & SMITH’S TIP TOP WEEKLY, $1 Fulton St., New York City. POPRPPRP OP AL ALP ALP PO el APA A La Oe Pal at HOW THE DECLARATION IS-PRESERVED. The Declaration of Independence is kept between two great plates of glass, the edges of which are hermetically sealed, says the St. Louis Globe- Democrat. At intervals, and as a special favor, the @ustodian pulls out a drawer in a huge steel box @e shows the treasure. But most of the time the mmo plates, with their sheet of parchment between, Seests where burglars cannot break through, where Meee cannot reach, and w here daylight cannot com- -piete the ravages already wrought by long exposures. =) @itors to the State Department who want to see fee Declaration are shown a perfect fac-simile, Magich hangs in a handsome frame, and looks old Beough to be theoriginal. They go away none the Wiser for the substitution. The truth is that the Peclaration was fast becoming a tradition when iii extraordinary steps for its preservation were taken, about three years ago. In the administration of John Quincy Adams a Sopper-plate of the original was made. To get the Gopy for the engraver the surface of the parchment Was moistened with a wet cloth. A print was faken. It removed about fifty per cent. of the ink. For some years the original was exhibited under @lass at the Patent Office. It hung where the sun reached it a short time each day, until the discov- @fy was made that the script was fading. Better care was taken when the Declaration was ung in the library of the new State Department Building. But for some reason never satisfactorily @xplained, the signatures suddenly seemed to be fading. John Hancock’s name, one of the boldest on the sheet, in the space of two or thre@ years, became too dim to distinguish. Then the officials having charge saw that, if left in the light, the original would in a few generations entirely disap- pear. The strong box was built. The plates of Yelass were obtained and sealed. In the drawer, Sunderneath the Declaration, the copper-plate made fiin Adam’s time is kept. * The Declaration can be deciphered with the aid fof.a glass, but the signatures are almost entirely ¢ faded out. What is left of the fevered instrument s Will, with observance of present precautions, last a long time. Correspondence. R. F. H., Defiton, Tex.—We cannot tae Git numbers for new ones. W. H., Stamford, Conn.—The name is filtitiguss No one of that name is living that we know Of. S. H., Pocahontas, Va.—No; surgeos mm) the U. S. army are not obliged to be graduatesiof West Point. R..H. S., Savannah, Ga.—The tattoo marks'can be removed by electricity, but only q firsteclass physician should perform the operation. W. J. P., Atlanta, Ga.—1. Your eo teeth would certainly debar you from the U. S: Waval Acadeniy. 2. Your writing and compositil are both excellent. J. H. S., Lakewood, N. J.—1. We are sorry, but we cannot give the addresses of business Houses. 2. Your handwriting is only fair. - With little care you can improve it very much. You 8, By the way, too many capitals. H. T. M., Gainesville, Tex.—Flageolet is @ wind instrument have a mouthpiece at one end and six small holes on the top part of rim an @qual distance apart. You could make one very easily with a hollow stick of well-seasoned wood, Constant Reader, Little Rock, Ark.--Some authorities claim that the Bible contains 3,566,480 letters; 810,697 words; 31,173 verses; £,189 chapters. You might spend your leisure minutes in ascertaining whether our figures are rorkéet. D. M. J., Bangor, Me.—r. machine will act asa motor if a current is sent through it. 2. Naphtha is used to run engines in launches. Some of the launches are over thirty feet in length. It makes very little, if any, smoke, but there is a slight odor if you sit to the winud- ward. A dynamo eéléctric Ned S., Jersey City, N. J.—The twentieth ten- tury begins on January I, r901. The first Hundred years does not end with the year 99, buf with the year 100; the second century, therefore, bégan with the year ror, and the twentieth centtiry, as explained,. will begin with the year 19¢ Mrs. F. M. W., Mansfield, Ohio.—Gilt frames nay be cleaned by simply washing themr with a small sponge with hot spirits of wine or oil Of turpentine, not too wet, but sufficienthy tike off the dirt and fly marks. They should not be abters ward wiped, but left to dry of themselves, F. M., Allegheny, Pa.—r. drink pop if you are moderate, 2. have been published for about 3. Write to Yale College for.a catalogue. 4. Brank goes back to Yale. 5, We have made a note of your suggestion, but we scarcely think it would be practicable to have Frank Merriwell and Diame ad Dick, Jr., meet. It is not injurious to Boys’ papers forty Years. HAVE YOU-READ PAGE: 32: “4 ME b : f w ~~ é editor. TIP TOP. WEEKLY. AMATEUR JOURNALISM. EDITED BY ARTHUR SEWALL. that I want any and Also, any news that “Please do not forget, boys, MH amateur papers for review. is of interest fn the amateur world. Fred Johnson, box 255, Portage, Wis/, would like sample copies of amateur papers with view to -_ subscribing. % Gilalageo toes The Boys’ Monthly-is published at.108, William street, Springfield, Mass. John F. Gamble -and Felix W. Morton are the editors. The subseription is fwenty cents a year. It is chiefly made up for seria] stories, which are rather above the average iti tigterest, There is one advertisement, however, witi@i I should like to see cut out. a's t ‘Ihave received the September number of The American Gem, a monthly, the subscription price of which is fifteen cents a year. Chas. A. Wende- muth, 7806 Ivory avenue, St. Louis, Mo., is the *“Cuban Carl’’ is the leading feature, and it begins in a capital manner. The Dewey is a new paper to be issued by the Star Press Company of Twinsburg, Ohio. The first numiber will appear in October. Mr. Harry M. Konwiser will be the editor, and this is enough to guarantee its success. I shall look for it with in- terest. HUMORISTS. ‘Franklin Gedney in The Amateur Press. Undoubtedly, it is not universally known that many of the most prominent satirists of this en- lightened age have occasionally endeavored to Occlipy a more exalted position in the profession of literature. “Some have essayed to renounce theit positions in the lighter’ vein of literature and assume a position n common with other distinguished men of let- ters, the result of which has terminated into fail- ure, ay! abject failure. Doubtless, some may have over estimated their ability, while others did not possess the requisite talent, nature’s greatest gift to mankind. More- Over, public opinion has ruled the destinies of pub- lic men before, and in all probability this case is no exception to the rule. It is conceded that notwithstanding how wella humorist may write on other subjects; how sound “may be his arguments; how forcible his logic; or ‘how profound his philosophy, if he gains renown as a humorist, he finds it extremely difficult to Doe before the public in a different light. Take Mark ‘Twain, for instarice, who has been a prominent figure in the public eye for years as a» humorist, the public in general would be tardy £6 accept articles from: hint not consistent humor, though he is recognied as aman of broad versatility. * Max Adeler, who convulsed ‘the reading publi¢ for years with his witty sayings and anecdotes, 18, a notable exception to this rule. During the height of his fame he abruptly abjured humor and resuined: his ‘own name—Chas, Heber Clark—and went into practical business with eminent success. He now edits the Manufacturer, a paper pub- lished in Philadelphia, and is conceded to be & erudite writer om tariff subjects. ‘Bret Harte,’ it is true, appeals to our sympa- thies and better nature, but nevertheless, his humor predominates all bis writings. P. V. Nasby; *‘ Bill Nye, others of lesser note may he mentioned as hung ists, ‘‘drolls,’’ and nothing else. draw attention we themselves as speakers of th jokes and ‘‘puus’’ find convitice people that they can be serious, occa- sionally. eee ‘Sunset Cox’’ was of this type, being annoyed, while lecturing, because his audiences would fot estimate his serious speeches as such, no doubt, being accustomed to his suecess in lighter vein. Aside from the unenviable reputation as a ‘‘ mere joker,’’ humorists in general aré short lived, this is in their humorous lives. Artenius Ward died a comparatively young man; Josh Billings lived to a ripe age, though’ not beginning his career as humorist ‘until well advanced in life. Robert }. Burdett, at one time regarded as one of the most popular of newspaper humiorists, is now widely known as a lecturer. Edward W. Townsend, who will be remembered as the creator of ‘‘Chimmie Fadden,’’ is now én- gaged in the newspaper business in New York city. James J,. Ford, whose witty sayings dotes have attracted universal attention, known’ as a theattical critic. ; Mark Twain, who is now residing in England, has apparently abjured rumor. Last comes Bill Nye, dear to the hearts of the people. Born in Shirley, Piscataquis County, Maine, in 1850, reared and educated in the State of Wiscon- sin, and West, and idiosyncracies Three years victim, terminating his brilliant career at the age of forty- five, to the great regret of all his omen men, is now well did he depict the foibles and, of each. ae. YOU ARE-UP TO Has eS aD TRUE See with - Likewise,” ’ Josh Billings and many ~ and aneéc-. ago paralysis claimed him as da Men in public life who have been accustomed it extremely difficult Oe he was familiar with the habits of both East” vo $ TIP TOP APPLAUSE. get your Tip Top every week, as well as a good : 2 } : : ‘Hiauy others, but I like it better than all of the @st put together. I would like to hear of Frank azain with his fortune and he and his Yale chums ut West. Hope that he will get back his fortune and meet Elsie Bellwood again. W.S. Halstead, Columbus, Ga. Perhaps what you wish will happen, but we can- mot look into the future. The only way to know is t© read the Tip Top. How long will it be before Frank Merriwell wil feturn to Yale to finish his education? -~How tall-is Frank supposed to be? I have read the Tip Top Hibrary from No. 1 to present issue and think they @re great. I was awfully sorry to see Frank leave Waie, as I think the Y Hope he will go back soon and finish his education @ud play baseball, football, etc. I hope Browning, Kattleton, fe atad and Hodge will graduate the game time Frank does. [I should like to hear more 6f Inza, as I’ think she is the girl he should marry, as he met her first. A. E. C., Lynn, Mass. Yale series were the best. I Frank will return to Yale after his theatrical ®xperience. At New Haven he will undoubtedly fesume his place in athletic games. Frank is sup- posed to be about five feet ten inches tall. We have read your Tip Top Weekly from No. 73 up, and find them very interesting. We have also read “‘Correspondence’’ on the back pages of the books, and decided to ask you a question: Does Frank ever find his father? And does he ever re- gain his fortune? R. M. and E. D., Whether Frank ever finds his father or recovers his fortune cannot be told at present. It is proba- ble, however, that he will, Cleveland, Ohio. I have read a number of your Tip Top Weeklies, and many of other weeklies, but I think that the Tip Top excels them all for good reading. There are some lessons that can be learned from them. I will continue reading them as long as they. are published. Clarence McDowell, Fishkill-on-Hudson. We aim to teach the very best lessons to manly boys. Here is a list of questions to be answered in Tip Top Weekly: 1. Will you have Frank Merriwell meet some of his old friends soon? 2. Was there any detective by the nameof ‘‘Old Sleuth?’ 3. Is the author of ‘‘Nick Carter named Lew James? F. D., Carthege, Mo. ty Yes.. 2. No; there was never a detective of that nae. 3. No. Iam areader of the Tip Top Library and I think it the best out. I have read from No. 1 to No. 123, and hope it will continue ar age. Abner Cobb, Fott Worth, Tex. Thank you for your kind words, Naturally, we also wish Frank Mertiwell a long life. Noticing that some of your editions have been aout baseball, I would like to say tu you that you Ciik TMPERSON a WEEKL of could not have found a more appropriat 1g Bot this subject. I think it would be n to advantage to follow it up still further know th in my circle of acquaintances every on Chi iy a copy of Tip Top Weekly. when they r of bases ball editions. I am a great admirer of cit Dias mond, being a Southerner 1 elf. many more ental editions of 1 well. Jack C. Caryle, Sa se, Oi We think Frank will be on the bass mond before long. He loves the game too ll to keep away. from it. I have been reading your Tip some time and think it contains the best storie Top Weekly i published. Percy Ellis, Toledo, Ohie We intend to keep the Tip Top at the very head. I have been reading the Tip Top from No. 90 and find it the true American paper for the true Ameri ean boy, Long live Frank Merriweljl. Of all the story papers read the Tip Top! It is the warmest paper in New York. Maurice Lemaire, Nev Iberia Ta, Thank you for your kind opinion. We shall de everything in our power to make it lasting, As I am a reader of the Tip Top Weekly, T wish to state that it is the best weekly \I ‘have seen, although the Nick Carter is pretty good, but the Tip Top is the best. I can hardly wait for it te come in on Saturdays, as I stand in front of tie book store all evening, I get the Tip Top and the Nick Carter every week. I hope Frank holds his position as engineer on the Mountain Hxpre@ss aid gets little Nellie’s eyesight restored. I have beet reading the Tip Top ever since the first issué was published. ‘The bovs here hang around the book: store every Saturday, and when there’ are net enough Tip Tops to go around they send to Dalla for them. I have read the Klondike Kit and think it very good, bnt, however, there isn’t any Of them that beats the Tip Top. Where is Elsie Bell: wood all of this time. You haven’t said ayGbiigg about her in a long time. I hope Frank A¥ijl ages back his fortune. I am going to subscribe fomaiam Tip Top as soon asI can. Hope that Brank wall come out all right and®pets little Nellie’s Gyesiglt restored, I; Hagar, Dentou, Texas; It is very grafifying to know that the Bexds hoy think so much of Frank Merriwell. Hisie’ Bell- wood will soon appear again. I am very much pleased with the@Tip Top Weekly and I have only taken it about four weeks; When I get through with them I send {Bem ups my little brother who is in the hospital, to rear He thinks they are fine. To-day I- went down /10% my newsdealer and ordered a quarterly, “of Frail Merriwell’s bicycle tour. Now I must dlose tippy this letter will find Frank well. Frank H. Allen, New Bedford Mas® We hope your little brother will soon be pyiej® May you both enjoy reading of Frank’s advpet? £ ; t<« : ) OYr @r1one lil COME, ATES A VILLAIN: ‘ 458 TIP TOP WEEKLY. ms -. Tip Top Quarterly. A Great Series! | 'rhe farlier issues of Tip Top Weekly are now on sale in the “* orm Of Quarterlies, each including 13 consecutive issues of this FRANK MERRIWELL’S BICYCLE TOUR ACROSS A favorite weekly, together with the 13 original illnminated illustra- : ar AD u TON , tions, Aid au elegant cover in colors. ‘The price is 50 Cents per THE CONTINENT . s Volume, for which sum. they will be sent by mail post-paid to and ; address in the United States, pe ee - = NOW READY. =~ ~- Comprising Thirteen Issues of the de mt c rea. : ~e No. 3, a9 Nos. 27 to 39 of Tip Top Weekly. , | , e © Vy Le ix na | . No, 4, = Nos. 40 to 52 of ey Top Weekly. ip p 1 No. i, e Nos. 53 to 65 of ‘Tip ‘Top Weekly. ‘ on gy EY Oe 06 40-78 Of Tip Top Weekly. Complete in No. 5 of the TIP TOP QUAR- o. 7. x YOs. oO of Tip Top Weekly. . ea ‘ eta * 3 Mos, i and 2 out of print. TERLY, with all the original illuminated If your Newsdealer has not got the Quarterlies, remit direct to illustrations. Admirers of Frank Merriwell the pubiishers, should have this book by all means. STREET & SMITH, 81 Fulton St., N, Y. Price, SO Cents. Sent by mail, postpaid, on receipt of price WRES1 LING. = STREET & SMITH, Publishers, History tells us tbat wrestling was the first form of athletic 4 ‘ 3 Be is pastime, Without doubt, it gives strength and firmness, combined 81 Fulton St., New York with quickness and pliability, to the limbs, vigor to the body, cooiness and discrimination to the head and elasticity to the tem. O U T D O O R S P O R T S te per, the whole forming an energetic combination of the greatest - . f ay ower to be found in man. ‘The book is entitled Proressor = es ULDOON’S WRESTLING. Itis fully illustrated, and will be sent C ; ‘ : amet = ' ea Ai thin omplete instructions for playing many of the most popular out & b postpaid on receipt of ten cents. Address of-door games is found inthis took. “The games are illustrated mm ae STBEHT & SMITH, 25 Rose street, New York, and very easily mastered. . Price ren cents. Address a4 (Manual Library Department). STREET & SMITH, 25 Rose street, New York, Fig Sc Manual Library Department). oe 4 -- OUR NEW PREMIUM... — War-liraph of the Battle of Manila. - Messrs, Street & Smith have made arrangements to present a Wat-Graph to. every reader of their popular Red publications for boys. The conditions are easy. Read them. ae We publish four 32-page, illuminated cover weeklies for boys, retailing for five-cents each, as follows: a The True Blue, The Nick Carter Weekly, er The Tip Top Weekly, The Diamond Dick, Jr. We wish the readers of one series to become acquainted with the entire line. On and after the present date the - Brn coupon at the foot of this column will be printed in each one of the above-mentioned publications, Three coupon’s each clipped from a different publication, mailed-to our office, accompanied by a two-cent- stamp, will entitle you to” "this premium, sent to your address, post-paid, free of all expense, ais Fe ee r ~~ . ~ DESCRIPTION OF THE WAR-GRAPH: eS i £ A tew article, just introduced, giving in a series of thirty colored pictures a graphic portrayal of the Battle of = ~, “Magia... These pictures show in succession the cause of the war, the entry of Admiral Dewey’s fleet into Manilae* eye harbor, the first shot, the various scenes of the battle ending in the downfall of the Spanish flag, and the triumphant ne floating of Old Glory, followé@ by a portrait of our hero, Admiral Dewey, Uncle Sam spanking the boy king of sae | ‘Spain, and finally ejecting Spain from Cuban soil, These pictures are small but very interesting, and are “fastened” ¥ together sothat by a rapid motion they can be operated similar to a Mutoscope. > Bee nags : A very interesting collection of pictures. ie ; Certain to please everv one of our readers. ca We will send one postpaid to anybody who complies with the conditions as. stated in the coupon below. é 5 You can seeure as many war graphs as you desire, provided you send sufficient coupons ad stamps, provided each of the set of Pee. thrée is tronra different publication. ; = | Send in your coupons. Remember this isa purely gratuitous gift on our part. intended to calf your attention to others of our publica- _ tigns besides the ones you are now purchasing. If you cannot procure What you desire from your newsdealer, send us twelve cents. aud ~ obeconpon, and we will send you by return mail a copy of two other pnblicationsand the war-graph, Address your coupons to a STREET & SMITH’S PREMIUM DEPT. 8&1 Fulton Street, New York, Ee 5 _Conpons published previous to the following numbers are not good under this offer: 127 Tip Top, 101 Diamond Dick, 2 4 True Bine, 90 Nick Carter. ee Jee ee *Putriotic Badge Coupons” published in previons issues of these publications will not be received for badges after LS Oct. 1st, 1898. : ee TIP TOP WEEKLY COUPON. So Bee _ This coupon, accompanied by two others, each from a different one of the following publi- ess = § cations: Nick Carter Weekly, True Blne, or Diamond Dick, Jr. entitle the sender to the nies Mas ee premium we offer, ifa two cent stamp is also enclosed to pay for postage and packing. : STREET & SMITH. 4 & ~ -. ‘TRUE BLUE SMACKS OF -POWDER AND SHOT. - - oon e * tak abe MPS Sethe BAAS eer Pe a. < fen R EE a Be a wee a, ee oe ste ie RRR. Poke ae eels ea. PRICE = Tip Top Weekly = Five CENTS & COMPLETE LIST OF STORIES BY THE AUTHOR OF “FRANK MERRIWELL.” Frank Merriwell's Mysterious Foe; or, Wild Life on the Pampas. Frank Merriwell a Monarch; or, The King of Phantom Island, Frank Merriwell in Gorilla Land; or, The Search for the Missing Link. Frank Merriwell’s Magie; or, The Pearl of Tanvier. Frank Merriwell in France; er, The Mystery of the Masked Unknown, Frank Merriwell’s Feat; Fighters. Frank Merriwel) in London; or, The Grip of Doom. rank Mervriwell's Venture; or, Driven from Armenia, Frank Merriwell in India; or, Hunting Human Leop- ards. or, The Queen of the Bull Frank Merriwell’s Vow; or, After Big Game in Ceylon. | Frank Merriwell in Japan; or, The Sign of the Aven- er. Frank Merriwell’s Dead Australia. Frank Merriwell in the South Sea; or. Life, Frank Merriwell at Home Again; or, The Mystery of Ethel Driscoll. Frank Merriwell at Freshman. Frank Merriwell’s Match; or, The King of the Sopho- mores. Frank Merriwell’s Victory; or, The Winning Oar. Frank Merriwell’s Finish; or, Blue Against Crimson. Frank Merriwell’s Game; or, Snaring the Sharper. Frank Merriwell’s Great Run; or, Trouncing the Tigers. Frank Merriwell’s Even Up; or, Squaring the Score. Frank Merriwell’s Queen; or, Blow for Blow. Frank Merriwell’s Find; or, The Waif of the Train. Frank Merriwell’s Racer; or, Birds of a Feather, Frank Merriwell’s Nerve; or, Game to the Jénd, Frank Merriwell’s Shadow; or, The Mysterious Stran- ger Frank Merriwell's Dash: or, Yale Against the Field. Frank Merriwells Bicyele Boys; or, The Start Across the Continent. Frank Merriwell’s Destroyers. Frank Merriwell’s Great Capture; or, Bicycle Against Horse. Frank Merriwell to the Water. Frank Merriwell’s Close Call; or, The Tramp's Token, Frank Merriwell’s Unknown Friend; or, Old Friends in New Places. Frank Merriwell Among the Rustlers; or, The Cattle King’s Daughter. Frank Merviwell’s Desperate Drop; tures in the Rockies. Frank Merriwell in the Mines; or, The Blind Singer Silver Bluff. Frank Merriweil Aiong the Mormoms; or, The Lost Tribe of Israel Frank Merriwell on the Desert; or, The Mystery of the Skeleton. Frank Merriwell’s Underground Search; or, Saving the Buried Heiress. Frank Merriwell in California; or, The Great Tour. Prize Plot Story; Frank Merriwell as the Star. Frank Merriwell’s Yacht: or, The Chase Down the Coast. Frank Merriwell’s Combination; or, The All Around Athletes. Frank Merriwell’s Red Frank Merriwell’s Texas Among the Cowboys. Frank Merriwell’s Nine; or, League, Frank Merriwell’s Shot; or, Gun Club. Frank Merriwell’s Flyer; or, The Winning Wheel. Frank Merriwell’s Thoroughbred; or, Honesty Against Crookedness. Frank Merriwell’s Enemy; or, The Rivals of the Blue Ridge. Frank Merriwell’s Crew;>or, The Champions of the Potomuae. Frank Merriwell’s Hunt; or, In at the Death. Frank Merriwell’s Blow; or, Unmasking a Rascal. Frank Merriwell’s Return to Yale; or, The Mystery of the Examination Papers. Frank Merriwell as ‘“‘Anchor;”’ or, The Winning Pull in the Tug of War. Shot; or, Roughing it in The Cast for Against Yale; or, Freshman tide for Life; or, Foiling the Train Zesene; or, Through Fire and Ind of the Rival. Tournament; or, Sport Surprising the Southern Out With the Guthrie or, Wild Adven- | 81 82 83 84 85 87 88 89 ore Merriwell’s Initiation; or, The Secret Order of "1 Galnini, Frank Merriwell’s Sign; or, The Secret of the Silent Student. Frank Merriwell as Full Back; or. True to His Colors. Frank Merriwell’s Duel; or, A Point of Honor, Frank Merriwell’s Mark; or, Subduing «a Bully, Frank Merriwell’s Secret; or, A Friend in Need, Frank Merriwell’s Revenge; or, Aroused at Last. Frank Merriwail’s Capture; or, The Black Schooner. Frank Merriwell’s Chum; or, The Hand of a Friend. nae Merriwell’s Double Shoot; or, Winning in the Os Frank Merriwell’s Danger; or, grace, Frank Merriwell’s Wager; or, Bound to Win. Frank Merriwell in Training; or, The Mystery of the Midnight Prowler. ; Frank Merriwell's Courage; or, Le yal to the Last. Frank Merriwell at Fardale Again; or, Yale Lads at the Military Academy. Frank Merriwell in Camp; or, Frolics with the Far- dale Boys. Frank Merriwell’s Fardale Friends; or, Foes. Frank Merriwell’s Yale Chums; or, The Jolly Dogs of Fardale. ; Frank Merriwell's Choice; or, Fiardale. Frank Merriwell'’s Fardale Racket; or, Yale Lads on a Frolic. Frank Merriwel's Conrage; Bluff. Frank Merriwell’s Faith; or, The Shadow of a Crime. mie Merriwell’s Celebration; or, Last Days at Tardale, Frank Merriwell Afloat; or, The Cruise of the White ings, Frank Merriwell Under Megunticook; or, Knox County League, Frank Merriwell's Mystery; or, the Monster of Devi} Island, Frank Merriwell's Disappearance; or, The Seeret of the Island. Frank Merriwell Aroused; or, The Bicycle Boys of selfast. Frank Merriwell's Stolen Yaeht. Frank Merriwell's Catch; or, The Canoe Boys of Lake Sebasticook. ; Frank Merriwell’s Guide; or, Sport Around Moose- Head Lake, Frank Merriwell’s Peril; or, Border. Frank Merriwell’s Drift; or, With the Peno)bseot Riyer Drivers. Frank Merviwell’s Daring; or, Elsie Bellwood’s Sac rifice. Frank Merriwell's Fist; or, Bound to Know the Truth. Frank Merriwell’s Masquerade; or, The Belle of Hur- ricane Island. Frank Merriwell’s Misfortune: or, The Start of a New Cireer. Frank Merriwell, Engine Wiper; or, At the Foot of the Ladder. Frank Merriwell, Fireman; or, The First Step Up- wari, Frank Merriwell's Black Gorge. Frank Merriwell’s First Life. Frank Merriwell Frank Merriwell's Ladder. Frank Merriwell’s Advancement; or, Engineer of the Mountain xpress. Frank Merriwell Held Up; or, The Robbery of the Mountain Express. ' Frank Merriwell’s Protege; or, Hand. Frank Merriwell on Strike; Property. Frank Merriwell as a Ferret; or, Tracking the Train Wreckers. Frank Merriwell Accused; or, Reaping the Harvest. Frank Merriwell on the Road; or, The All-Star Combi- havlon, Frank Merriwell's First Part; or, The Start as an Actor, Frank Merriwell in Advance; or, Adventures Ahead of the Show, The Shadow of Dis- Facing O18 The Fair Rivals of or, True Nerve Against . With the ° Pursuit; or, The Chase of the The Smugglers of the Opportunity; or, The Ghost of tun; or, The Chance of His Engineer: or, The Turn of Fortnne. Hard Lueck; or, A Slip on The Lending a Helping or, Saving the Enemy’s be sent, Postpaid, on receipt of For Sale by all Newsdealers, or will Price, by STREET & SMITH, PUBLISHERS, 81 FULTON ST., NEW YORK.