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| No. 134 . NEW YORK, November 5, 1898. Price Five Cents.
| E | | Contents of This Number.
Page.
FRANK MERRIWELL’S OWN COMPANY ; or, Barastorming i in the Middle West 035 ee
CORRESPONDENCE . - 29.
AMATEUR JOURNALISM - - - mde . - - - - - - ~ 30.
APPLAUSE - . : . a - : - “ 3 : pe 5 » 31,
4
Frank Merriwell’s Own Compan
| OR,
| BARNSTORMING IN THE MIDDLE WEST.
: By the Author of OPRANK MERRIWELL.
: a rn

CHAPTER I.
Poe: IN THE POWER OF HIS ENEMY.

» Drop that!’
_ All right !”’
‘Smash! ‘Back !”? |
Frank Merriwell sprang forward toward The unknown caught up a heavy In-

the person he had detected meddling with ian club, one of a set used by Merry
his apparatus. each night in his exhibition of fancy

Perera ear aeee tape behind the Club swinging. The club was raised aloft.

the mirror at Frank’s cry, smashing it
into a thousand pieces!

‘Scoundrel !”’

Frank was aroused.

 

  
    
   
  
   
 

of one of his trunks.
stage door, he came up the stairs and
onto the stage, where he discovered a

drop curtain, which was down.

Frank had- come alone to the theatre
for the purpose of getting somthing out
Entering by the

man lifting from the easel on which it

had rested the large mirror which was
used in the ‘‘Educated Fly” trick,

And the man had promptly dropped

No. 24 of True’ Blue contains “ Clif Faraday’s Honor; or, A Pledge to the Enemy.

‘Back, or I'l] brain you!’’
‘*Drop that!’
‘On your head, if I do!’’

The ‘fellow made a threatening swing
with the club. Frank ducked, dodged
aside, leaped forward, caught his arin,
grappled with him.

\ Now they were face to face, so close
together that Merry could distinguish the

features of the prowler. ‘

  
 

   

*‘Sport Harris!’’ he shouted, aston-
ished by the discovery.

‘“Ves!’’? snarled the other, ‘rying to
wrench his hand free.

*You.here?”

**You bet!”

‘*Whiat for?’

**Business. ”’

‘‘Deviltry, more likely!
get in here?’

‘*No matter.’”’ :

‘Well, you’ll pay dearly for that
mirror !’’

‘*You’ll never make me pay for it, you
can gamble on that!”

Now Harris made a furious struggle to
break away, but Frank forced him back
against some scenery and pinned him
there.

How did you

‘“Tt’s no use, you rascal!’? came from
Merry’s lips. ‘‘You are caught this time,
and you won’t get away.’’

‘‘Don’t be so sure,’’? panted Frank’s
enemy. ‘‘I have given you the slip more
than once, and now——”’

He uttered a strange cry, and, a mo-
ment later, Merriwell realized there. was
danger behind him; but he was prevented
from turning, and, all at once, a pair of
sinall strong hands encircled his throat,
the fingers crushing into the flesh.

Frank was in a_ bad scrape, as he in-
stantly understood. Harris was not alone,
and his companion had caught Frauk un-
awares.

‘‘Choke him! choke him!’’ hissed
Sport, with a savage laugh of satisfac-
tion. ‘‘ Now we’ve got him!’

Frank twisted and squirmed. For some
seconds a furious struggle took place on
that stage, but Harris managed to keep
Merriwell from breaking the choking grip
of the unknown, and those small strong

hands were crushing the life and energy

out of the young magician.
‘‘Oh, we’ve got you!’’ exulted Frank’s
$

|

TIP TOP WEEKLY.

Clif strangely becomes a guest under an enemy’s roof.

**You can’t do it, Mer-
You caine here just in time to
tun your head into this trap!”’

Frank could make no retort, for his
tongue was protruding from his mouth,
and his eyes were beginning to bulge

old Yale enemy.
riwell!

from his head. In his ears there was a
roaring sound, and colored lights seemed
bursting and changing before his eyes.

Frank knew the venom of Harris—
knew the fellow was a brute who would
hesitate at nothing to satisfy his evil de-
sire for revenge. Alone he could have
handled the young ruffian easily, but the
attack from behind conquered him.

He wavered, swayed, and would have
fallen. They dragged jhim to a chair, on
which he was seated. He must have
fallen from the chair had not Harris held
him there.

‘*Ropes!?’ cried Frank’s foe. ‘‘Bring
them quick! We’ll tie him to the chair.”’

The other hustled away and quickly ©
returned. ‘Then the two tied the unfor-
tunate magician to the chair.

‘‘Something for a gag,’’ called Harris.

The other looked about, but could not
find anything that suited Sport.

‘‘Oh, never mind,’’ said the fellow, as
he took a huge clasp knife from his
pocket and opened it. ‘‘If he hollers, P11
cut his throat!’ -*

‘This was spoken in a way that seemed
to indicate the ruffian would actually do
the deed without hesitation.

Harris drew up another chair and sat
down facing the captive.

Slowly Merry’s strength returned. At
last he was able to sit up without the
support of the binding ropes.

‘‘Ha, ha!’ laughed his bitter enemy.
‘“How do you like it? I don’t believe |
you fancy it much. I have you foul,”

Frank made no retort, but he peered
through the gloom at the figure of Sport’s
companion and assistant. There was

 

 

  
 
   

 

 

  
  
  
 
 
 
  
  
   
 
    

 

 

something ramiliar about the slight, sup-
ple form, but it was not till the man
turned so the light reached him different-
ly that Merry recognized him.

‘*M. Mazarin!’’ he gasped, incred-
ulously. :
The little man nodded.

‘©Ves,’’ he said, coldly. ‘‘Are you sur-
prised to see me?”

‘*Rather.’’

“*T suppose you expected never to see
me again. You thought I had gone to
leave you forever. You thought I would
give up everything and let you go about
the country giving exhibitions with this
apparatus that should . have become mine
at the death of Zolverein. You fancied I
was a fool. You robbed me of what
should have been mine, and I do not love
you for it.”’

“‘Very fortunately,’’ said Sport Harris,
in his sneering way, ‘‘we met, became
acquainted, discovered our mutual hatred
for you. We are here—here to get even.’

‘Right,’ nodded the little man. ‘‘If
I can’t take Zolverein’s place on the road,
I swear you never shall!’’

“Tt is plain that you make a fine pair,’’
said Frank, speaking huskily, for his
throat still felt the effect of the terrible
pressure it had received. ‘‘You will do
well together. Harris should have been
in jail long ago, and it is not improbable
you'll both get there before a great
while.”’

‘‘We’ll ruin you before we go!’’ grated
M. Mazarin. ‘‘It will take you a long
time to duplicate this apparatus. Some of
it you’ll never be able to duplicate.’’

“Are you going to steal it???

=On, 10."?

SW hat——"?

“We are not that fooljsh,’’ said the

» little man. ‘‘You might recover it if we
ess, stole 3f,7?

‘

 

TIP TOP WEEKLY. 3

“But you are going to do something ?”’
‘“That’s easy guessing,’’ sneered Harris.
**What is it?”

**T will soon show you,’’ said Mazarin,
with a cold little laugh. ‘*But you must
keep him still, Harris.’?

“Tf he utters a chirp, I'll slit his wind-
pipe open,”’ proinised the young ruffian.

Mazarin lighted a lamp, which he
placed on a small table. Then he took a
heavy hammer, and before Frank’s eyes
he smashed at a single blow a box that
served to enable Merry to do one of his
most difficult and interesting feats.

*‘Now,’’ said the malicious little man,
*‘vou know what I am going to do. I am
here to. destroy every bit of the apparatus
you received from Zolverein. I can do it
in twenty nlinutes.’’

ee ee

CHAPTER Il.
DEADLY PERIL.

Frank squirmed, and Harris laughed.

‘That hits you hard,’’ said the fellow.
‘We'll soon put you out of business as a
professional magician.”’

‘Vou shall pay dearly for every bit of
property you destroy !’’ vowed Frank.

‘“That’s all right. You’ll uot. worry
anybody by talking like that. You’ll
have to catch your flea, and we’ll be far
away from here to-morrow.”’

‘Twas too easy with you in the past,
Harris,’’ said Frank. ‘‘I can see that
now.’’

‘Oh, yes, you were easy with me!’?
snarled the fellow. ‘‘You didn’t do a
thing but disgrace me in college!
You——.”’

‘J simply exposed your tricks when
you were fleecing my friends by playing
crooked at poker. You brought it on
yourself.’ ;

'“Tts a lie! I didn’t play crooked.

Picea?

Beauty in distress an irresistible picture for Clif

  
  

‘Vou acted as the decoy to draw them
into the game, while Rolf Harlow robbed
them with his slick tricks. You can’t
deny that. You deserved worse than
you received.’’

“That’s what you think. Anyhow, Ill
have my revenge now. Go ahedd, Maza-
rin; smash up the stuff.”’

‘He may shout.’’

‘If he does, it will be his last chirp,
for I swear I'l] use the knife on im!’

Frank fully believed the fellow would
do just as he threatened. Besides that, it
was extremely doubtful if any one could
hear him in case he shouted, as the
theatre was a detached building, in which
there were no offices or stores.

So Merriwell was forced to sit there,
bound and helpless, and witness the de-
struction of his property, the intricate
and costly apparatus for performing his
wonderful feats of magic. All that stuff
had_ been given him by a magician named
Zolverein, whom Frank had saved from
falling beneath the wheels of a railroad
train, and who afterward died of heart
failure.

M. Mazarin, the little man with Harris,
had been Zolverein’s assistant on the
road, and. he was enraged because tlie
magician had not given him the appa-
ratus, instead of Merriwell.

Frank had done everything possible to
teconcile Mazarin, offering to give him a
permanent engagement and take him
along at a better salary than Zolverein
had paid him, or to pay him a pereentage
of the net receipts; but nothing pacified
the little man with the’French name, and
he became Merry’s implacable erfemy.

Chance threw Mazarin and Harris to-
~ gether, and now they believed their time

had come to be revenged on Merriwell.
With savage frenzy the little man bat-

tered and hammered and smashed the ap-

paratus which had cost many hundreds of

 

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dollars. - He laughed while he was doing
it.

Harris lighted a cigarette and _ sat
astride a chair near Frank, whom he
continued to taunt.

This is the finish of the career of
Merriwell, the wonderful magician,’’ he
sneered. ‘‘He’ll never be heard of again.
Smash the stuff, Mazarin, old man!
That’s the way to do it! How do you
like it, Merriwell?
feel real happy to see him break up the
furniture? Ha! ha! ha!’

Now not a word came from Frank, but
his jaws were set and his eyes gleaming.
It was plain enough that he had vowed
within his heart that some day he would
squate the account with his enemies.

Piece after piece of the apparatus was
destroyed by the vengeful little man,
while Harris sat and smoked, puffing the
vile-smelling stuff into the face of the
helpless youth.

Since starting out to fill Zolverein’s
engagements on the road Frank had been

remarkably successful, but he could not

go on without the apparatus, and it would
take along time for him to replace the
articles thus maliciously ruined. Some of
them he knew he would never be able to
replace.

With the wrecking of his property one
of his dearest dreams vanished.
thought it possible that he might make

enough money during vacations to carry

him through Yale, so he could couiplete
his course in college.

He knew this was purely a specula-
tion, as it was not certain he would con-

tinue to do a good business, especially

when he got off Zolverein’s route; but

that had been his dream, and now it was
over. re,

blows, but still ,he did not quail, and he

Bloodhounds and Spanish Soldiers “Are Not the Best =<

 

Doesn’t it make you.

He had

Surely fate was giving him some hard

*

 

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and not be crushed.

 

 
 
 

 

4

was ready, like a man, to meet whatever
caine.

He had tasted of the glamour of the
footlights, and there was bitter with the
sweet. He had learned that the life of

the traveling showman is far from being.

as pleasant and easy as it seems.

But Frank had not started out in the
world looking :for soft snaps. He was
prepared to meet adversity when it came
He felt that the
young man who is looking for a soft snap
very seldom amounts to anything in the
world, while the one who is ready to work
and push and struggle and strive with all
his strength, asking no favors of anybody,
is the one who is pretty sure to succeed
in the end. ;

Whenever fate landed a knockout blow
on Frank he refused to be knocked out,
but invariably came up smiling at the
call of ‘‘time.’?

It was plain that his enemies believed
they would floor him this time and leave

-_ &iim stranded.

Harris was watching» Frank’s face by
the light of the lamp.

“‘Oh, this is better than a circus!”’
chuckled the fellow, evilly. ‘‘Every blow
reaches you, and I am settling my score.”’

“Instead of settling it,’’ said Merry,
grimly, ‘‘you are running” up a big ac-
count that I shall call for you to settle in
the future.’’ s

‘‘Vou’ll have’a fine time collecting.’’

‘‘But I always collect once I start out
to do so.”’

‘This case will prove an exception.

Do you remember the night at Jackson’s
in New Haven when you came rubbering
~ around ?”’

‘‘Ves, I remeimber.”’
‘But for your nosing everything would
have been all right that night.’’

But for me you would have succeeded

A LIBERAL OFFER—SEE LAST PAGE.

  

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in robbing my friends and chums, Harry
Rattleton and Jack Diamond, aided by
your two tools and worthy associates,
Walter Gordan and Sydney Gooch. That
was a dirty trick, Harris, and you know

“it. What other trio of fellows in Yale

would have stooped to such deliberate
robbery !’’

‘“That will do!’’ hissed Sport, his face
getting purple. ‘‘I won’t stand too much
from you now, for I have you foul, just
as I have wanted you for soine time! You
did nothing but accuse Gordan and
Gooch. You could not prove they were
watching Rattleton and Diamond and
giving away the hands they held.’’

*‘T did something besides accuse them.
I thumped their heads together, as they
deserved to be thuimped.’’

‘*Oh, yes, you played the bully!’’

“The bully in tackling two of them?
Is that what you call playing the bully?
They whined like the curs they. were.
My only regret is that I did not publicly
denounce you as the rascal you were. .
You would have been tarred and
feathered.”’

“‘Tt’s a good thing you didn’t do it!”
snarled Sport, showing his teeth. ‘‘If you
had, I’d cut your throat now! Sure
thing. I-don’t forget very easily.”’

‘Nor do I. I shall remember this
evening, Harris.”’

**T trust you will.’

**Don’t worry about thiat.’’.

**T want you to remember it.’’

‘The time will come when you’ll wish
I had forgotten.’’

“Bah! Your threats make me laugh !’’

‘‘Because I was easy with you in. the
past, you fancy I may be if my chance
eomes in the future. You are wrong!’ —

‘‘Rats!” le

‘Time will show that Iam not bluffing
now. I,have given you more chances —
than you deserved. I shall give you uo
 

6 TIP TOP WEEKLY.

more, When next my turn comes, I shall
have no mercy.’’

Somehow Harris shivered a bit despite
himself, for he knew that Frank Merri.
well was not gfven to idle words. . True
Frank had been easy with lis enemies at
college, but he must have changed since
leaving Yale and going out into the world
to fight the great battle of life. He had
seen that the world gave him no favors,
and now it was likely he would retort in
the same manner.

‘Perhaps I may have no merey now,”’
said Harris. ‘*You are in ny power, and
Ican do with you as Ichoose. Iama
stranger in thistown. No one knows I
am here. What if you were found in this
old building with your throat cut? How
could the deed be traced tome? Better
spare your threats, Merriwell, for if I
really thought there was danger that you
would bother me in the future, I swear
I’d finish you here, and now!”’

Mazarin had finished his work of de-
struction. All the costly apparatus was
broken and ruined, and the little man
was standing amid the shattered wreck,
wringing his hands and sobbing like a
child that is filled with remorse after
shattering a toy in a fit of anger.

‘‘AJ] done!’ he moaned; ‘all done!’

Harris looked round, annoyed.

“What's the matter with you?’ he
fiercely demanded. ‘‘What are you whim-
pering about ?”’

“‘T have broken everything!’

‘‘Well, now is your time to laugh.”’

‘‘Now is my time to cry! All those
things should have been mine.’’

‘‘But were not.”’

““No one can ever replace them.”’

‘And that knocks out Mr. Frank
Merriwell. Wasn’t that what you were
after?’ : :

“‘But to have to sinash all those beau-

are too low and degraded to care.

A Window Ledge is a Mighty Poor Roost, Says Clif.

tiful things! I have broken my own

heart!’

*“You’re a fool!’

Harris turned from his repentant com-
panion, his disgust and anger redoubled,

Frank, for all of the bitter raze in his
heart, could see that Mazarin was not
entirely bad. The little man’s conscience
was troubling him now. | |

‘*T hate fools!’’ grated Harris. ‘‘I hate
sentient! A man with*sentiment is a
fool! You’re a fool, Merriwell; you
always were sentimental.’?

“‘As far as you are concerned,’ spoke

the captive, ‘‘I shall put sentiment be-—

hind me in the future. I am satisfied that
you are irreclaimably bad, and you have
the best chance in the world of ending
your career on the gallows.”’

**T don’t care what you think.’’

**T didn’t suppose you would care. You
In the
past I spared you when you should have
been exposed and punished. Why? Be-
cause I hoped you would reform.’ Now I®
know there is no chance of that. For
your own sake I spared you in the Past ;
in the future, if my turn comes, for the
sake of those with whom you will mingle
and injure aid disgrace, I shall have no
mercy.”? 3
These words, for some reason, seemed
to burn Harris like a hot iron. His eyes
glowed evilly, and he quivered in every

limb. He leaned toward Merriwell, , pant :

ing:

“Vour turn will not come! pees

have let you go, but now——”’ |
He glanced down at the knife in his
hand, :
Frank watched him closely, feeling all
at once that the desperate wretch had _
formed a murderous resolve. |
Harris was hesitating. .

It was pldin he
longed to strike, and still his blood was |

 

 

 

 

  

 
    

 

 

 

   

 

a trick,’’ shot back the little man.
you think I’m going to stand here and
see ycu do murder? I guess not!”?
 “Jt?s my business !’’

If Bessie Knew, She Would Be Jealous of Clif's Spanish Beauty.

 
 

too cold to enable him to bring himself to
that point without further provocation.
So he began to lash himself into fury,
raving at Merriwell, striking Frank with
his open hand, and repeating over and
over how much he hated him. So savage
did he become that Mazarin stopped his
sobbing and stared at him in wonder.
“You ruined my college career!’
panted Harris. ‘‘You made me an out-

cast! You are the cause of all of imy ill-

And now you threaten to drag
You never shall!

fortune!
me down still further.
Ill see to that now!”’

He clutched Frank’s
lifted the knife!

shoulder and

CHAPTER III.

RASCALS FALL OUT.

**Stop!”?

The word came from Mazarin’s lips,
and the little man’s left hand shot out
and caught Sport’s wrist, checking the
murderous stroke, if Harris really meant

to deliver it.

**TLet go )?

§*No!?

The murderous-minded young villain
tried to wrench away.

He met with a surprise.

The small, soft hand held him fast,
despite all his writhings.

Harris had wondered that Mazarin so
easily choked Merriwel]l into helplessness
but, after twisting and pulling a few
seconds and failing to break away, he

began to understand the astonishing
strength of those small hands.

‘‘What’s the matter with you?’’ he

snarled. ‘‘Are you daffy?’ »

“You are, or you would not try that
“Do

 

TIP TOP WEEKLY.

‘CAnd mine now.’’

‘“(Frow ?”?

“Tf you killed Merriwell, I should be
an accomplice. I’m not taking such
chances. ’?

**VYou’re a fool!”’

‘‘No; you are the fool. I helped you
get in here that we might square our ac-
count with him, not that you might cut
his throat. You have lost your head. Do
you want to hang ?”’

‘“‘Of course not, but——’

‘“Then have a little sense. I didn’t
think you rattle-headed. We are even
with Merriwell now.”’

“‘No, I shall not be even with him till
I have disgraced him as he disgraced
me!’’? hissed Harris. ‘‘I have brooded
over it for months. I have dreamed of it.
Sometimes I have been unable to sleep
nights from thinking about it. I have
formed a thousand plans for getting even
with the fellow, and now——’’

’

‘‘Now you would make yourself a mur-
derer. Well, you’ll have to choose
another time to do that job. ‘I am satis-
fied, and from this day I shall have
nothing more to do with you.”’

‘‘So you are going back on me?’’

‘“‘No; Iam going to quit you, that’s
all, for I am satisfied that you will get us
both into a bad scrape if I stick by you.”’

“All right; you can quit. You are too
soft for me anyway.’’

Harris tried to show his contempt for
Mazarin in his manner as well as_ his
voice, but the little man did not seem at
all affected.

‘“Vouvare too hard for me,’’ he said.
“‘T believe I was foolish in having any-
thing to do with you.”’ :

‘‘Let go my wrist.’’

‘*Drop that knife!”’

They now stood looking straight into
each other’s eyes, and there was somie-
thing commanding in the manner of the
 

3 TIP TOP WEEKLY,

little man who had smashed Frank’s ap-
paratus and then wept like a child over
the ruin he had wrought.

After some seconds, Sport’s fingers re-
laxed on the handle of the knife, which
fell to the floor, striking point downward
and standing quivering there.

Mazarin stooped and caught up the
knife, closing it and thrusting it into a
pocket.

‘€Give it back,’’ commanded Harris.

‘*After a while,’’ was the quiet assur-
ance. ‘‘Not now. I don’t care to trust
you witlwit till—-—”’

He did not finish, but his meaning was
plain. He believed Harris tteacherous,
and he would not trust the fellow till he
was sure there would be no opportunity
to use the knife on Merriwell.

But Sport’s rage had cooled, and now
he himself was sick at heart when he
thought how near he had been to com-
mitting murder. Passion had robbed him
of reason for a time, but now cowardice
robbed him of his false nerve, and he was
white and shaking.

Frank had watched the struggle be-
tween the two men with
anxiety, for he realized that lis life
might depend on the outcome.

He fully understood that Mazarin had
not saved him out of pity for him, _ but
because the little man was more level-
headed than his accomplice, and not such
a ruffian. ’

No matter if Mazarin did hate Merry,
he was not ready to stain his hands with
blood in order to satisfy his desire to
‘“‘oet even.” .

A student of human nature, Frank
understood Harris very well, and he saw
when the reaction came. He knew well
enough that all danger was past when he
saw the former Yale man grow “hie and
tremble all over.

In- the past Merry had sometimes ex-

interest and’

perienced a thrill of sympathy for the -

young gambler, understanding how
youths who are fairly started on the
downward cottrse almost always find it
impossible to halt and turn back. One
crooked act leads to another, and soon
the descent becomes swift and sure, lead-_
ing straight to the brink of the precipice
of ruin, upon which’ not one man ina
thousand has the strength-to check his
awful career,
back to the path -of honesty that leads to
the plain of peace.

Now it was plain that Harris had sunk
so low that there was little hope for him.
He was almost past redemption.

_ Incapable of feeling gtatitude, the fel-
low had never realized that. Merry had
shown him any kindness in not exposing
him and bringing about his-disgrace when
his crookedness was. first discovered at
college.

Knowing that he would never let up
in the least on an enemy, Harris had be-
lieved Frank ‘‘soft’’ because of his gener-
osity. The fellow’s hatred had. grown
steadily with each and every ailure to in-

jure Merriwell, while his conscience had

become so hardened that he was not
troubled in the least by things which
might have worried him once.

As Harris swung the knife aloft, Frank
had braced his feet, preparing to thrust
himself over back wards as the only means
of escaping the blow. This, however, had
not been necessary, for Mazarin had~in-
terfered.

‘‘Now,’’ said the little
to assuine command,
get out of here.”’ 7

‘‘T guess that’s right,’? came weakly
fro Harris. ‘‘Someone might come.’’-

man,

“By this time it is dark, and we can —
slip out by the stage door without at-—

tracting attention.”’

‘‘We mustn’t be seen coming out.’

To Change Clothes is Easy. Clif Found it Hard to Imitate a Voice, —

 

obtain a foothold and climb |

 

seeming
‘it’s time for us to ~

; oe
seer

~

 
    

   

‘It’s well enough not to be seen, but
it wouldn’t make much difference if we
were. The people who saw us might
think we were members of Merriwell’s
show.’

  

‘*Merriwell’s show!’’ cried Harris,

forcing a laugh. ‘‘I rather think his
show business is over.. We have put an
end to that.”

Then he turned on Frank, some of the
color getting back into his face.

he “We've fixed you this time,’’ the re-
vengeful fellow sneered. ‘‘It’s the first
: time I’ve ever been able todo you up in
good shape. You always managed to
squirin out of everything before, but all
your squirming will do you no good
? now.”’

Frank was silent, his eyes fixed on Har-
ris’ face, and the fellow felt the contempt
of that look as keenly as it was possible
for hin to feel anything. 3

‘Don’t look at me like that!’’ he
snarled. :

Frank continued to look at him.

Once more Harris seemed losing his
‘head. One could not have imagined that

a reputation among the sporty element at
college for his ‘‘nerve.”’

“How I hate you, Merriwell!’’ he
panted, bending toward Frank, while
: Mazarin watched him narrowly. ‘‘I never
7. dreamed I could hate anyone as I hate
. you.’”

Then, quick as aflash, he struck Frank
_ astinging blow with his open hand, near
ly upsetting the youth, chair and all.
Oh, there is some satisfaction
‘that!’ he grated,
4 coward’s satisfaction,’ said the
steady voice of the helpless victim.’
“‘Only a wretched coward would strike a
person bound and unable to resist!’’
2 “Thats right!’

 

 

in

  
 

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he was the cool card player who hadywon

TIP TOP WEEKLY.

HAVE YOU READ PAGE 32.

9

Mazarin uttered the words, and they
filled Harris with unspeakable fury.

Right!’ he snarled. ‘‘What’s the
matter with you? You smashed his stuff
when he was tied and unable to prevent
it. Was that cowardly ?”’

(CVeg!)?

Sport literally gasped for breath.

‘*VYes?”? he echoed. ‘‘What do you
mean ?”’

‘Just that,’? nodded Mazarin, gloom-
ily. ‘‘I have played the coward here, as
well as you. I know it now, but it is too
late to undo anything I have doune.”’

‘‘Well, you make me. sick!’ Harris
sneered. ‘‘You are one of the kind that
does a thing and then squeals. I’m glad
we are going to quit, for I wouldn’t dare
trust you after this.’’

‘*Nor I you,’’ returned the little man.
‘‘VYou’d be sure to do something to get
us both in a mess. Comme, are you going
to get out of here?’’

‘Directly,’

“(Now ??

‘*Wait a little.’

‘“What for?”

‘‘T have a few more things to say to.
Merriwell.”’ :

““You have said enough.
alone.’

‘Well, we must gag him, or he will
setup a howling the moment we are
gone.”’

f

Let him

“Let him howl. We’ll be outside of
the building, and it is dark. Wecan get

away. It’s not likely he’ll be heard for
some, time if he does howl, and——”’
Slam !

Somewhere below in the building a
door closed.

Harris made a leap and caught Mazarin
by the wrist.

‘‘Somebody coming !’’ he hissed.
# Sure thing!’ ,

‘‘We inust skip!’
10 TIP TOP WEEKLY.

‘Tn a hurry.”’

‘Which way???

There were steps on the stairs leading
_ to the stage.

Then Frank shouted:

‘‘Help! help! This way! Look out for
trouble! Hurry!”

‘“‘Satan take him!’ grated Harris.
“‘He has given the alarm!’

Mazarin did not stop an instant, but
darted away amid the scenery and _ disap-
peared from view in the darkness.

‘““Hullo, Frank!’ came a voice from
the stairs. ‘‘Is that yeou? Whut in thun-
der’s the matter ?”’

It was Ephraim Gallup!

‘‘Look out, Ephraim !’’ warned Merri-
well. ‘‘Hneimies here! Danger!’?

Tramp, tramp, the Vermonter’s heavy
feet sounded on the stairs.

Then there was a rush, and a dark
form swept down upon him, struck him,
knocked him rolling and bumping to the
foot of the stairs.

“Wal, darn—my—pun—ugh!—kins!”’
caine from the Yankee youth in jolts and
bursts.

Over him went the dark figure, fol-
lowed closely by another.

“*Hold on a minute,’’ invited castes
‘‘Whut’s your gol darn rush ?”’

But they did not stop. The door near
the foot of the stairs was torn open, and
both figures shot out of the building.

Gallup gathered himself up.

‘Back broke, leg broke, shoulder dis-
located, jaw fractured, teeth knocked
out, tongue bit off, and generally injured
otherwise,’’ he enumerated. ‘‘All done
ina jiffy.
Hey, Frank!”

From above Merriwell answered, and
again Ephraim started to mount the
| stairs. He reached the top, found his way
to the stage, and discovered Merry tied'to
the chair.

grimly.

Whatever hit me anyhaow?

‘‘Good evening, Ephraim,’’ said Frank,
“You are a very welcome caller.
I’m getting tired of sitting here.”’

‘““Hey??? gasped the Vermonter.
“Whut in thunder——”’

He stopped, his jaw snapping up and
down, but not another sound issuing
from his lips) He was utterly flabber-
gasted. ;

‘‘Just, set me free,’’? invited Frank.
**T’]] tell you all about it later. Mazarin
was one, Harris was the other. You’ve
heard me speak of Harris. They caught
me here, smashed my stuff, got away.
We must catch them.”’

“‘Gol dinged if I don’t think so!”’
shouted the Yankee, and, a moment
later, he was working fiercely to set Mer-
riwell at liberty. Finding he could not
easily untie the knots, he took out his
knife and slashed the ropes.

Frank sprang up.

“Come on, Ephraim!’’ he
**We’ll get after those chaps.”’

Gallup followed Merriwell down the
stairs, but both Harris and Mazarin had
disappeared when the open air was
reached, and all inquiries failed te put
the pursuers on track of them.

In fact, the two rascals had disappeared
from the town, and,
seemed that they had utterly vanished
from thie face of the earth.

CHAPTER IV.
A SURPRISE BY CASSIE.

cried.

Of course Merriwell notified the au-.
thorities, swore out a warrant for the ar- —

rest of both Harris and Mazarin, and did
everything he could to pune the rascals
to justice. »

He was obliged to give up his project
of filling Zolverein’s dates and cancel all
engagements.

That night, sitting amid the ruins of.

his apparatus, he held a council with his

Clif Pays a Debt by Fighting Fire and Flame.

 

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two friends and assistants, Ephraim Gal-
lup and Hans Dunnerwust.

Hans seemed overwhelmed and stunned
by what had’ happened, while Ephraim
was ‘‘so gold dern mad’’ he occasionally
gave vent to his feelings in violent out-
breaks of lurid language.

‘‘T never was much of a hand to fight,”’
said the Vermonter, ‘‘but I’Jl be swuzzled
if I wouldn’t jest like to knock sixteen
kainds of stuffin’ aout of them critters
whut bruk us up in business! I could do
it, too, by chaowder!”’

‘“‘Vaw,’’ nodded Hans; ‘‘you could
done it, Efy!”’

‘‘Well, boys,’’ said Frank, ‘‘we’ve got
to do something to make a living. Here
we ate out here in Missouri, a long dis-
tance away from home, and it’s a case of
hustle. ”’

‘‘How we peen goin’ to donet dot,

‘Vrankie?”’

‘¢We’ll hev to start upa three-cornered
variety show,’’ suggested Ephraim, with
a sickly grin.

“If I had the old company here now,”
mused Merriwell, ‘‘I’d put what money
I’ve made in the past week into backing
12”

‘‘An’ lose it, same ast’others did.”’

' “Perhaps so. Nothing venture, noth-

ing have, you know.’’

‘‘Wal, yeou ain’t got the comp’ny.”’
“No, I hayen’t anything but this
broken stuff.’ :

Frank did not say that dejectedly. In-

deed, he did not seem crushed by what
_ had happened, somewhat to Ephraim’s

surprise, for the WVermonter could not
understand how anyone could help being
downcast by such misfortune. .
_ Indeed one of Merriwell’s secrets of

_ success was his sanguine and hopeful
co temperament. He did not believe in
worrying over anything, and so, no mat-
ter how dark the future looked, he re-

 

TIP TOP WEEKLY. ii

mained cheerful and confident, knowing
the clouds must clear away in time.

People who worry much over things
that may happen make a big mistake,
for in more than fifty per cent. of the
cases the things they dread the most
never occur.

Be cheerful and hopeful.
good motto.

The three talked a long time, and at
the end they had not decided on what
course they would pursue.

That is a

The following morning Merriwell re-
ceived a letter. -It proved to be from
Cassie Lee, the little sad-faced soubrette
of the company with which Frank had
originally started on the road.

The letter was brief. It ran as follows:

‘*Dear Friend Frank: ‘‘ Your note re-
ceived, and you bet we’re all glad to
know you are making such a hit as a
magician. The press clippings you set
show you were not giving mea game of
talk, but how in the world you can do it
is what gits me. When did you learn to
do magic? It seems to me that you are a
kind of wonder, for you do everything
you attempt, and you do it well.

‘*T write to tell you that we are on the
road again witha patched up company,
playing small towns—jest barnstorming,
that’s all. How long it will last nobody
knows, for there ain’t a blessed dollar
behind us, and Ross is doing the while
thing on pure bluff. We may keep it up
all right, but if we strike three nights of
bad business it will give us the final
knock out. If we had a few hundred dol-
lars behind us to tide us over a bad
streak, I guess ‘we’d be able to keep go-
ing till hot weather sets in.

‘“There’s something I want to write
you about, Frank. You: know the last
time we talkei together we had some-
thing to say about praying, and you told
me you reckoned the prayers of an actress

The Enemy Accepts Clif’s Word of Honor.

 

 
  

12

would be heard by God same as the
prayers of anybody else. You told me to
pray for strength to help me leave off
using the drug that has been pullin’ me
down lately. Well, Frank, I took your
advice and prayed all alone in my room.
You said you would pray for me ‘too. I
guess you did. I honestly believe I’m g0-
ing to be able to quit it without going to
a sanatariuin. If I do, I shall owe it all
to you. |

‘*Hopin’ to hear from you again soon,
and wishin’ you all the luck you deserve,
I ain always your friend, ‘

‘*Cassie Lee.”’

Frank read that letter over twice» and
then he sat meditating over it.

‘She doesn’t know what has happened
to me,’’ he said. ‘‘Cassie has a good
heart, and I hope she will get free from
that dreadful habit. Here is their route.”’

It was written across the top of the
sheet, and gave the towns the company
expected to play in for the next five days.

Looking it over, Frank found they
would play that night in a place seventy-
five miles away.

‘How surprised they would be if I
should turn up there to-night!’’ he
laughed. ‘‘And I might as well do that
as anything.”’

Then he thought that he would not
leave Hans and Ephraim behind, and it
would cost money to take them along.

‘‘Never mind,’’ he muttered. ‘‘I’ve
made four hundred dollars in the time
l’ve been out for myself, and I shall Jook
out for the boys. We’ll all go over to
Blueburg.’?’

He looked up the railroad timetable,
and found he could reach the place by
taking a train at one o’clock. So he told
Ephraim and Hans to pack up and get
ready to leave right after dinner.

Of course they wondered where he was
going, but his manner betrayed no inten-

TIP TOP WEEKLY.

Cif sent a Telegram frought with terrible meaning.

   

tion of saying anything about that, and

so even Hans had sense enough not: to
ask questions.

That afternoon they took the train,

which was an accommodation and stopped

at every little shanty station.

The monotonous scenery of that por-_

tion of the country did not interest Merri-
well any more, so he busied himself with

paper and pencil as the train crept snail- |

like along.

‘““‘Whut be yeou “doin? of, Wegkk Ee
asked Ephraim, curiously.

‘*Plotting,’’ was the short answer.

‘‘Hey? Plottin’?”

6OWes,??
_*Plottin’? whut?”

(oA play. >

““Whut’s that? Plottin’ a play? Whut
kind of a play?”’

‘A comedy-drama.”’

“Great gosh!’’ ?

The Vermonter gazed at Merry in
astonishment. |

‘“Yeou don’t mean that yeou’re goin’
to write a play, do ye?”

‘‘Why not?’ smiled Frank...

/

‘Wal, I be darned! When will yeou
git time to do it?”
‘‘In my spare moments. ”’
An? yeou really mean to write a —

play?”
“‘T’'m going to try it.’’
. ‘‘I dunno whut yeou won’t try next.
Do yeou s’pose yeou kin write a good
play ?”” | }
“Well, that is something I don’t
know,’’ laughed Merry. ‘‘Not even an
experienced playwright can tell if his
piece will be good or bad till after it is
written and tried on the dog. Even then it
is soinetimes difficult to tell what there is in
it, and many failures have been rewritten
and become successes.
ing more uncertain in the world than the
fate of an untried play.

;

 

 

 

 

There is noth- ~

 
  

 

 

‘The very pieces _

  
  
   
   

 

 

 

 

 

 
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
 

 
  
 

 

 

 
 

often prove the greatest fizzles,

 
  

boys get ahead of them.

 
 
 

2 TIP TOP WEEKLY. ote

that managers are most sanguine about
while
those pieces that do not promise very
niuch, and are rushed on as ‘stop-gaps,’
often prove winners from the word go.
Some playwriters produce one or two
great successes, and are never again able
to construct anything that will go. It isa

~ great gamble, with the chances mainly

in the favor of losing.’’
‘¢You seem to know all about it.”’
‘‘]’ve been studying up about it.’
_“Studyin’ ?”?
Vas, ”
‘‘Haow ???
‘‘By observation, by reading, and by
the aid of books.’’ :
‘Is there any books whut will help a
feller abaout writin’ plays?”’
‘‘Ves, several. I have one called ‘The
Art of Playwriting,’ and it has been a
wonderful aid tome. Of course exper-

ience is what a fellow needs, in writing -

good plays, like anything else, although
it is said that some persons have made
successes out of their very first pieces.’
‘““Yeou beat any feller I ever saw!
When yeou go todo any kind of work,
yeou set about readin’ up an’ studyin’

over it with all yeour might.’’ ,

“(That is the way to succeed. ‘The fel-
low who does any kind of work must take
an interest in it ir order to doit well.
He who simply does his work mechanic-
ally, without taking any interest in it,

and gets away from it as soon as possible,

can never be successful. There are lots of
boys who work on that plan in offices and
stores, and they wonder how it lis that
their salaries are never raised and other
Often bright
boys and men are outstripped by those
they consider slow- witted and dull, and

all because the dull ones work hard and
earnestly to get ahead, while the others

It is Exciting to carry off a Young Lady.

  
 

think they ought to get ahead anyhow.’’

‘Say,’ said Ephraim, nudging Hans;
‘tain’t he a reg’ ler filoserfer ?”’

‘“Vaw,’’ grunted the Dutch boy, who
had not the least idea in the world what
a ‘‘filosefer’’ could be.

‘it takes a heap of time to write a hull
play, Frank,’’ said Ephraim. ‘‘I’ve
heerd haow some of them fellers that
write ’em take a hull year on one single
play. 29

“That is right; but Sieve are others.’

‘‘Whut, do it in less time ?”’

Ves”? :

‘*An’ make good ones ?”’

‘“Ves; some successful plays have been
written in a very few days. All the same,
I do not €xpect to accomplish-such a feat.
I believe I have hit on a fine plot for a
good society comedy-draina, and now [|
am working up the situations and cli-
maxes. I have all the central characters
named and their peculiarities jotted down
opposite their names. See, here are a
mass of notes on the piece. I shall not be
able to work in all that stuff. Much of it
will be thrown away or altered. Some of
these situations that now seein so good I
shall have to abandon, I suppose, for it is
not likely I can work them all into the
piece in a consistent manner.’’

‘‘Wal, I don’t s’pose yeou’re goin’ to
give up everything else an’ set daown an’

-go to writin’ plays, be ye?”

“Not much!’ laughed Frank. ‘‘I am
not quite daffy, Ephraim. Lots of fel-
lows have done that—and been sorry for
it afterwards. A man is foolish to give
up any kind of steady paying work and
attempt to make a living out of play-
writing till he knows his ground and has
plenty of money to live on comfortably
for a good long time. Some fellows have
given up good jobs after making a suc-_
cess of their first play, but in four cases
out of five they regretted that they a

Why Did Clif do it?

  
 

a TIP TOP WEEKLY.

‘*Hello,
you'll vouch for us.’’

not stick ee their jobs and write plays on
the side.’

“On
thickly.

‘On the right side,’’ smiled
**No one wants to be left.’’

‘‘Darned if I don’t hope yeou’ll do
somethin’ with yeour play, Frauk,’’ said
the Vermonter. ‘‘That is if yeou ever git
it wroce, which I don’t see haow yeou’re
goin’ ter.’?

der vich side?’ asked Hans,

Frank.

*“Oh, I don’t expect to make a fortune
out of it. Of course I’ve had some foolish
dreams about having my own company
and playing the leading part, but I real-
ize those are all dreams. All tlre saine,
I’m going to write it when I ean, and
somebody may produce it sometime.”’

Merry went to work again, and Hans
and Ephraii let him alone.

It was supper time when the train
pulled into Blueburgh,
journey. The trio went direct toa res-
taurant and ate supper. By inquiry
they found the reorganized company was
in town and would play in the ‘‘town
hall” that evening.

‘*We’ll be there,”’ said Frank; ‘‘but I
think we’d better give them a_ surprise.
We’ll keep quiet till it is time for the
curtain to go up, and then we’ll walk
into the hall.”

This they did.
o’clock when Merry presented himself at
the box office and asked if he could ob-
tain three passes.

The local inanager was selling tickets,
aud he immediately asked why he should
give up three passes to three strangers.

Frank explained that he had at one
tie been connected with the company.
~The manager asked for his name so that
he could send back to Havener to find
out about him, but Frank saw a familiar
. face at the door.

DO YOU THINK IT EASY TO STEAL A TORPEDO BOAT ?

after a tedious ©

It was exactly eight

Dan!’ he cried. ‘I think

Old Dan Lee, Cassie’s father, gave a
cry of surprise.
‘‘Merriwell?’? he exclaimed. ‘*What —

in the world does this mean? How do
you happen to be here ???

‘Just thought we’d drop down and see.
how you are getting along,’’ Frank ex-

plained. ‘‘Can we get passes, or do we

have to cough for seats ?”’

‘Well, I rather think you can pass
any time. J’ll stand responsible for
them, Mr. Crisper,’’ he said, to the man
in the box office.

He shook hands warmly with Frank,
and then greeted Ephraim and Hans. .
The three were given some good seats in
the second row, and they entered just as
the curtain was going up on the first act.

Barely were they seated when Cassie
came roinping onto the stage in one of
her favorite parts, that of a tomboy, and
her three friends in the second row started
a ‘Shand’ that surprised her. She opened
her mouth to speak, saw Frank, stopped,
stared, and then exclaimed:

“Well, I never!”

CHAPTER V.

UNCERTAIN FRIENDSHIP. ;
Cassie had:been thrown off her guards
but-she quickly recovered and went on
with her part.

members behind the scenes.
‘‘Merriwell is out there, with Gallup

and Dunnerwust,’’ she said, as she grasped |

Havener by the arm. ‘‘What do you sup-
pose it means ?”’

“You must be mistaken,” said the
former stage manager, now the business
manager as well. ‘‘Merriwell is in Attle-
boro to-night.”’ a

‘*Not by a long shot! "” cried the some-
what slangy little soubrette. ‘‘If he ain’t

CLIF DID if!

 

 

 

The moment she left the |
stage she carried the news to the other

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

   

 

TIP TOP WEEKLY. 15

out there in the second row middle I'll
eat my hat!’

“Then something is wrong with him.
But I can’t believe you are right.”’

“TDidn’t you catch onto the hand I got
on my enter ?”’

“*Of course.’
_ He started it. He’s got Dunnerwust
on one side of him and Gallup on the

other, and the three of them tried to°

break ‘things when I went on.’?

“Then it?s sure something has hap-
pened to Merriwell. It’s likely he’s as
bad off as the rest of us and wants to get
in with us. We might find a_ chance for
lim, but we haven’t any use for Gallup
or Dunnerwust now there is no band.’’

Leslie Lawrence, the leading man of
the company, had been standing near
enough to hear these words, and now he
broke in:

“‘T don’t see that we have any chance
for Merriwell,’’ he said, quickly. ‘By
sharp doubling we can play any piece in
our repertory, aud to take in Merriwell
will add to the expense without proving
a decided advantage. As we are working
‘on the commonwealth plan now, I am
against anything that will add acent of
expense, I shall vote against Merriwell.”’

“Don’t be in such a hurry, Mr. Law-
rence!’’ flashed Cassie. ‘‘No one knows
Frank Merriwell wants to join ,us.
does, you’re only one.”’

‘But there are others.’’
<=. >““Name them..”’

“Dunton, that’s certain.”’

“T don’t know. Dunton did hate Mer-
riwell, but he got over it.”’

“You may think so, but a fellow like
Dug Dunton seldom gets over hating any-
body. Then there is Sargent.”’

‘’Mhat’s three, with yourself. You
don’t run everything. If Merriwell’s on
his uppers, we’ll take him in.”’

‘Who says so?”’

If he.

READ THE GREAT PREMIUM OFFER ON LAST PAGE.

“YT do, and you can bet your boots that
what I say goes! See!”

“Oh, are you running this show?’
murmured Lawrence, gently lifting his
eyebrows. ‘‘I didn’t know that.”

‘ve got something of a pull with the
people.”’

“You must be stuck on Merriwell,”
sneered Lawrence.

Havener was scowling at the leading
man, for he was not at all pleased by the
fellow’s manner toward Cassie.

‘That will do!’’ he said, sharply. ‘‘We
won’t have any growling between you,
It’s not certain Merriwell wants to join
us. If he does, we can settle that business
later. The play is going on now, so you
can attend to your business.”’

What Havener said ‘‘went,’’? and the
matter was dropped then, but, a short
time later, Cassie saw Lawrence talking
with Dunton and Sargent, and she knew
the fellow had begun his campaign
against Merriwell.

When the curtain fell on“the first act,
Havener seut out for Frank and _ his
friends to come behind -the scenes.

They did so, and there was a general
handshaking all round. The actors who
were not busy changing make-ups or
helping reset the stage crowded around
Frank and plied him with questions.

Frank told.them just what had hap-
pened to him. _

‘(Harris and Mazarin got away,’’ he
said; ‘‘but I am ready to bet anything
I'll see something more of Sport. My
turn will come next time.”’

‘*Y¥m sorry for you, Merriwell,’’ “said
Havener, who had found time to stop and
listen to Frank’s explanation. ‘“‘You
were hitting them hard. What are you
going to do now?’

“Don’t know,’ answered Frank, hon-
estly. ‘‘Haven’t made any plans.”

   
 

16 TIP TOP WEEKLY.

“I suppose you’re bu’sted, like the rest -

of us?’?

‘‘Not quite.”’

**Nlo ?”?

“T made a big haul the first night I
played to the audience that had assembled
to hear Zolverein, and I have done fairly
well since then. I’m pretty near five
hundred dollars ahead.”’

‘‘Five hundred dollars!’’ cried several
voices,

*“Rive hundred dollars!’’ cried Collie
Cates, the comedian, striking a tragic
pose. ‘‘Ye gods and little apples! A
marvelous fortune! «Hail, Monte Cliristo!
The world is yours!’

‘*Five hundred dollars!’ said Havener.
‘*Then I suppose you are going to get
out of this forsaken country and make for
the East in a hurry ?’’

‘‘Haven’t formed niy plans yet, but
Im thinking of backing a traveling
company on the road.”’

There was a great catching of breaths.

Lawrence caught Dunton by the arm.

‘‘He’s a mark!’’ whispered the leading
man. ‘‘He’s stage struck, and we can
get that five hundred behind us without
astruggle. Talk about angels! Here’s
one!’

Then Lawrence pushed his way for-
ward and grasped Frank’s hand.

‘‘T congratulate you, old man!’’ he said
in a most friendly manner.- ‘‘Not many
chaps could have done that. Vou’re a
hummer! If you want to back a com-
pany, here’s one ready organized for you,
I rather think we’ll let you back us.’’

That was too much for Cassie Lee to
stand. Her eyes glittered, and shie sur-
veyed Lawrence scornfully.

**Vou’ve changed your mind mighty
quick !’’ she cried. ‘Little while ago you
was saying we didn’t want Merriwell any-
how, and now you are eager enough to
get him in, when you find he’s got a little

money. But I don’t guess you’H fool him

that way. He ain’t going to be the angel —

for this gang.’’

“Oh, you know I was joking, Cassie,’’
laughed Lawrence, lightly and easily,
not disturbed in the least. ‘‘I’ve always
regarded Merriwell with the most friend-
ly feelings.’

‘‘Your friendship is good just as long

-asthe other feller’s money holds out. -

Whien that’s gone, your friendship gits
cold in a hurry.”’

‘You do mea great injustice, Cassie,
but I have nothing more to say about it.
Of course Merriwell will do as he pleases
with his money.’’

Dunton and Sargent took pains to
shake hands with Frank and appear very
cordial, now that they had learned that
Frank had some money.

The play went on, with~Frank sitting
in the wings as prompter. :

Merry soon found the actors were up
to their old tricks of ‘‘faking’’ lines and
whole speeches, not having committed
their parts properly. He was a good
prompter, and he knew just when an
actor was entirely off and in need of as-
sistance.

The audience, however, was not criti-
eal, and there were few spectators presént
who could tell that an actor was ‘‘off,’’
even when he was floundering helplessly,
so the play passed off all right, with good
bursts of applause at the strong situations
and climaxes. )

Frank paid attention to the audience,

as wellas tothe play, for he wished to
learn just what sort of a piece ‘would

strike the fancy of people out there in the —

country towns of Missouri.

Before the end of the play, Lawrence
came to Merry, finding an opportunity |
when no person was near to hear him,

and said:

“T hope you don’t take stock in what

IT IS WONDERFUL HOW FAST ONE CAN SWIM AWAY FROM A LIGHTED FUSE. —

 

 

 

ee

 
know

TIP TOP WEEKLY.

Cassie said about me, old fellow? You
know I was your friend when we were to-
gether on the road. You remember
I prevented you from giving away points
to Delvin Riddle, King’s advance
when the fellow was trying to pump
Sys.

*“No,’’ smiled Frank,
meinber that.’? é

‘Don’t?’ cried Lawrence, astonished.
“Why, that’s strange! Riddle had in-
duced you to come down iuto the hotel
card room at ee

‘*T know the time you niean perfectly
-well,’’ said Frank; ‘‘but I do not remem-
ber that you kept ine from giving - any-
thing away, for I had not the least idea
in the world of giving anything away. It
is possible, Mr. Lawrence, that I am not
as new as you imagine, even though I did
say I wanted to back a theatrical com-
pany with the small amount of money I
have.’?

how

mai,

“T do not tre-

Lawrence was confused for a single in-

stant, and then he laughed pleasantly

‘‘My dear boy,’’ he murmured,
quite misunderstand me. You
right to do as you like with your money.
Of course you might not have given any-
thing away to Riddle, but you didn’t
him, and the fellow is pretty
clever, as you must acknowledge.”’
“Clever as he was, he did not. get the
best of me when She attempted to stick
up King’s paper in the place of ours.”’

“That’s right, Merriwell. You showed
you could hustle when you were out
ahead of the show. ‘The notices you got
into the papers were simply great.”

Frank understood the flattery of Law-

rence’s words and manner.

“vou

ae think we understand each other
pretty well,’ he said; quietly.
af Well, I don’t suppose you will hold
any hard feelings?”
eh should 1?”

have a

‘““That’s it, why should you ?’’

Dunton saw them and caime up.

“‘Took here, Merriwell,’’ he said, ina
imanver that was intended to be very
frank; ‘‘I want you to know that I am
glad you’re back. «1 believe you and I had
some trouble once, but you treated me
white, and I was ready to acknowledge I
was in the wrong. You never blowed on
mie.”?

“Tt had nothing to blow.”’

‘‘Some. fellows might have thought
they had, though, to be sure, you could *
not have proved that I tried to do you up
in that stage duel. Of course I didn’t
mean to kill you.’’

“Oh, of course not!’’ smiled Frank,
and there was a bit of sarcasm in both
words and voice.

““T thought I might just wound you a
little, but you were too much for me.
Where did you learn to handle a sword ?”’

‘*T took lessons at Fardale Military
Academy. when I was a mere boy, and
then I received some instructions abroad.
When I entered Yale, I placed myself
under the best fencing instructor to be
found in New Haven. I kept in form up
to the time of leaving college.”’

“That explains it. Your wrist is alf
right, and you are like a cat on your
feet. You madea holy show of me that
night, though the audience thought it all
in the piece. I hope you’ll stay with us.
We really need a man like you.”

**T fancy you think you need iny money
far more than you need me, but that’s all
tight. Ishall not play the angel and lay
dead afterward, be sure of that. If my
money goes behind this show, I go at the
head of it.’?

That was plain enough, and Frank had
nothing more to say.

ao DID THE BEAUTIFUL SPANISH nate DESERT CLIF ?

 
 

CHAPTER VI.
MERRIWELL’S PROPOSAL.

After the show that night the actors
gathered in the office of the hotel and
waited for Havener to appear. Havener
had remained at the theatre to settle up
with the local manager.

After a while Havener came in,
ing fairly well satisfied.

‘‘How will we come out of this town ?’’
asked Sargent.

‘CAll right,’’? was the answer. ‘*We’ll
be able to get out aliead of the game, and
we’ll have something when we strike the
next place, but we are sailing close to the
wind. Bad weather will mean bad busi-
ness, ‘and that will mean bu’sted for us.
If we had a little money in reserve, I be-
lieve we could keep going to the end of
the season.’’

‘*Here is Merriwell who wants to back
a company,’’ laughed Lawrence.

‘Tf he’s got some money, he’d better
keep it in his pocket,’’ declared Havener,
much to the astonishment of every one.
‘It will be much safer there.’’

‘Every one stared at the speaker. They
could not understand a person who would
have any scruples about ‘‘catching a
sucker’? whenever the sucker was ready
to bite, no matter who the sucker might
be. Havener was the last person they
had expected would object to, letting
Frank “‘blow his boodle’’ backing the
company, if he really desired to do so.

‘“This is not a very good place to talk
it over,’? said Frank, glancing around.
‘There are too many ears to hear. Can’t
we go up to somebody’s room ?””

‘“Who do you want to talk it over
with?’’ asked Havener.

“The whole company, if this thing is
being run on the commonwealth plan.
_ Bring in the girls, every one, and I'll tell

you just what I'll do.’’

The manager hesitated. He had a
friendly feeling for Frank, as Merry had
done him more than one good turn, At
oue time Havener had been jealous of
Merriwell, having discovered that there
was some secret between the young man
and Cassie, with whom Roscoe was in
love; but he had been convinced that
there was nothing really wrong in thie

look-

TIP TOP WEEKLY.

secret, and he finally came to appreciate
Frank’s manliness and courage. He had
been assured by Cassie that he should
kuow everything about the secret in time,
and that ‘satisfied him fairly well, al-
though he sometimes puzzled over it and
wondered what it could be.

It had happened that Frank, as prop-
erty nan of the company, was seut to
bring something from the dressing-rooin
tised “by the soubrette, and he had entered
abruptly, discovering the little actress in
the very act of injecting morphine into
her arin with a needle syringe.

Of course Cassie was overwhelmed, for
she had kept her habit of using the

dreaded drug. a secret from everybody,

deceiving even Havener, who believed
her usual languidness and depression
came from the effect of an injury she had
sustained which had caused her to spend
some weeks in a Lospital.

Finding she was detected, the soubrette
opened her heart to Frank and told him

just how she had contracted the pernicous |

habit. The drug had been used on her to
allay the pain while she was in the hos-
pital, and she had continued to use it

after being discharged, till at last, she

found she could not give it up.
She made Merriwell promise to keep
her secret, but she kad told him she

should reveal it to Havener in time, if _

she found he could not break herself of
it.

At first Cassie’s regard for the stage
manager had been kept secret, as Havener

had a wife living somewhere, presumably,
although he had not seen her or heard
anything of her for four years. He had

applied for a divorce for utter desertion, |
Then

and expected to get it in the Fall.
he and Cassie were to be married.

“But I'll never marry him,’’ the sad-
faced little girl had said; ‘‘unless I can
break inyself of the habit. I won’t tie my-
self up tonoman the way Iam. Ross has

used me white, and I’]] use him white.’”

In vain she had struggled to break her-
self of the habit. She suffered tortures
day after day depriving herself of the
drug when her entire system craved it.
She tried to act at night without its aid,

but that she found impossible. She could
not go on the stage and simulate a light-

MOST EXCITING INCIDENTS IN No. 24 OF TRUE BLUE.

 

 

hii.

ie dibiies ec)
eS ee aa é
tn

 

 
 

   
 

 

TIP TOP WEEKLY.

hearted, happy girl without the assistance
of the dreadful stimulant. When she tried
it her feet were like lead, and there was
no vivacity in her imanner. She found
she must use it or lose her position.

That preyed on her mind, and it wasa
relief to have some person with whom
she could talk about it.

Then came the time when Cassie began
to believe she could never get rid of the
habit without the aid of some power
other than her own, and she thought of
ptaying; but it seemed utterly blas-
phemous for a girl like her and an actress
to pray.

She meditated over it a long time, not
even speaking to Frank about it till she
found le was going to leave the company
to go out aliead of the show.

Then she talked to him about it, and
he had encouraged herto pray. He had
even said he would ptay for her!

Cassie had tried it, and she began to
believe there might be something in it,
for it seemed that praying did her good.
She even bouglit herself a little Bible, and
took to reading it every night before go-
ing to bed.

Of course the girl who roomed with
her, for it was necessary for'the members
of the company to ‘‘double up”? at hotels,
soon found her reading the little Bible,
caught her on her knees beside the bed,
and began to guy her about it.

But Cassie stood the guying in silence,
not ouce showing any resentinent. Every
one observed a change in her. While she
had ever been kind-hearted and generous,
she became even more so, putting herself
out in many ways to do favors for the
other inembers of the company. A hope-
ful light came to her face at times,
driving away the sad aud wearied expres-
sion, and when her roommate told the
others that she was reading the Bible and
praying every night, it became rumored
that Cassie was turning Clhiristian.or go-
ing daffy. There seemed a general doubt
as to which was taking place.

She was the good angel of the com-
pany, and not one of them all was there
who was not indebted to her for some
_ kindness.

Frank louked at Havener in surprise
when he saw the man was liesitating.

Sai

e ‘True Blue No. 25—Clif Faraday’s Hour of Peril; or, On Board the Admiral’s Flagship.

   

19

Havener returned the look. He glanced
at the others, and then abruptly said:

‘*1’'m bound to tell you just what it is
liable to mean if you put your nioney be-
hind us.’’

*fAll right,’’ smiled Frank.
tell me that up in the room.
ahead.”?

“Well, if you say so. Cates, tell evervy-
body to conie to my room right away.’?

Fifteen minutes later the entire com-
pany was packed into Havener’s room.
Hans and Ephraim were also there.

‘*Mr. Merriwell asked ine to have you
called -here,’’ Havener explained. ‘‘He
has Some kind of a proposal to make.”’

Cassie caught him by the arm and
pulled him round.

“You don’t mean to say that you’re
going to let him throw his little roll
away, do ye?’’ she hastily whispered,
looking at him in surprise and reproyal.

*‘T’ve told him what it means,’’ imut-
tered the manager, a bit resentfully. ‘‘If
he’s itching to blow his stuff, he’ll blow
it, and we might as well get the benefit
of it.”’

**Well, he’s goin’ to kiow just wltat it
means before he does”anything of the
kind, He can’t beroped in blind. I won’t
stand for it, Ross!’

‘You'll get the others down on you if
you say too much.”’

“What do I care! He’s worth more
than all the rest of them. I’d rather have
his respect than that of the whole gang.’’

Havener looked at her, knitting his
brows.

“Von can
Come

‘*Vou’re queer,”? he said, doubtingly.
“*T don’t know what to make of you. If
you didn’t talk right out to me, I night
think you was hard hit by the fellow.”’

**You know it’s not that, Ross,’’ pro-
tested the little soubrette. ‘‘I’m not in
love with him, but I respect him, and I
don’t want to see him fooled, He’s white,
and he don’t know everything about the
tricks of people in the profession. He has
a way of thinking everybody honest till:
le finds out they are crooked.’’

“Still he hasn’t let anybody get ahead
of him thus far, unless it was this chap
Harris that he told us about. That fellow
did him up by smashing his stuff.”’

  

 

   
   

20 “TIP TOP WEEKLY. ni

‘Well, I’m going to tell him some-
thing.’’

‘‘ Better keep still till you hear what he
proposes. It’s no use going off. half
cocked.”’

By this time Frank was ready to speak.

‘It won’t take me long to make my
proposal,’’ he said, in his quiet way.
*‘You are running now on the common-
wealth plan, without any backing, and
you all know what it will mean if you
strike a few days of frost. Companies in
such a condition are always on the out-
look for an angel. That’s where I come
in. I’ve got some money, about five hun-
dred dollars, and I’m here to offer myself
asthe angel.” ~

Surely Frank was not talking like a
person who did not fully understand the
danger into which he was plunging.

Riglit here Cassie spoke up.

‘It’s mighty good of you, Frank, to
make such an offer, but I don’t think
we've got any right to accept it.”

This brought a murmur from nearly
every one present, and, tossing back her
head, Cassie went on swiftly :

«Every chauce is against our making
a goof this thing, and we have no right
to rob you of ydtr rocks. We couldn’t
fill the dates booked for*the original com-
pany by Barnaby Haley, and we’ve got
no regular route staked out far enough
ahead to know where we’re going to land
if we manage to pull along. We’ve got
to play sinall towns and make the most of
our stands fer one night. We'll play in
halls and almost any kind of an old place
where we can git in, instead of reg’ler
theatres. It’s goin’ to be a mighty rough
knocking around, and there ¢an’t be
much money in it if we manage to keep
on our pins—not enough to warrant any-
body putting his pile behind the show.
There, that’s just how the land lays, and
I don’t believe there’s anybody here dirty
enough to want to rope you in without
letting you know it. If there is, I’m
ashamed of being out in the same com-
pany with him!’

Cassie had expressed herself is lan-
guage that was plain enough so nota
word could be misunderstood.

And her finish had checked anybody
who was on the point of protesting.

Though Supposed to be Blown Up Clif was Hiding and Hungry.

Leslie Lawrence looked mildly dis-
gusted.

‘‘She’ll queer it,’? he muttered to
Douglas Dunton. Si

‘Sure thing,’’ growled. Dunton. *

‘‘She’s too good since she got religion.’? Le.

‘*Rar too good.”’ a

**Think of losing the only opportunity x
we’ll have to catch an angel !’’

**Tt’s tough.”’

“*Tt’s a shame!’

Cassie could not understand what they
were saying, but she gave them a look
that told them she knew they were ex-
pressing an opinion of her that was rot at
all complimentary.

Frank Merriwell laughed a little.

“‘T am not going into this thing to
make a fortune,’’ he said, quietly. ‘‘I
know there can’t be much money in it.
I’m looking for experience.’

‘*He can get lots of that,’? murmured
Lawrence.

**T should smile!’? chuckled Dunton.

**You’ll pay dear for your experience,
I’m afraid,’’ said Cassie.

“Perhaps not. I’m willing to take the
chances. ”?

‘‘Well,’? whispered Lawrence, routing
up and showing fresh interest, ‘‘le’s
bound to bite anyway. Somebody ought
to muzzle Cassie!”’ i

‘What kind of chances are you willing
to take?’ asked Haveuer, who was grow-
ing more interested, now that Frank was
so “persistent.

“That depends on what sort of ar- |
rangemeuts I can make with you.”’ —

‘*He shys a bit,’? whispered Dunton. a

‘Just trying to show that he’s really 5
shrewd,’’ yawned Lawrence, lighting a -_
cigarette without asking leave of any-
body.

Lillian Bird, the leading lady of the
company, a woman with a fine figure and
a washed-out complexion, held out her
hand toward Lawrence. oan

‘(Don’t be so inean,’’ she said. “You a

 

 

 

 

 

 

“night blow off once ina while when you |

are wealthy. sh a os

He grinned and passed her the cigar- -_
ettes. She took one and lighted it. Sit- —
ting on the top of the little table, which _
was pushed back against the wall, she |
puffed away at the cigarette in a manner

 

 
   

    
 

 

 

   
   
 
  
    
  
 

 

 

blind!’ cried assie Lee.
all right.”

  

TIP TOP WEEKLY. 22

that plainly indicated she did not fancy
she was doing anything to attract partic-
ular attention or comment. She handled
the cigarette in a most familiar manner,
thaling the smoke, and the yellow stains
on the fingers of her right hand completed
the public confession of her habit.

**What sort of an arrangement are you
expecting to make?’ asked Havener of
Merriwell.

**Well,’? said Frank, ‘‘if I put my
money behind the company, I shall ex-
pect to manage it.”’

Lawrence whistled softly.

**You’ll be taking considerable on your
shoulders,’’ said Havener.

‘“That is all right. I shall make con-
tracts with everybody and stand by them
as far as possible. The favors will not
come entirely from me.’”’

‘‘Kh? What’s that?’ grunted Dunton,
showing surprise. ‘*‘ Has he invented some
kind of a game?’’

‘‘What’ll he make out of it, if he
has??? asked Lawreiice, derisively.
‘““There’s no money inus. We’d better
agree to anything he may propose.’”’

‘“‘Let him becoine manager ?’’

‘“Sure. He won’t last long—only till
his boodle is used up. Then we’ll get rid
of him.”

**Will Havener agree ?”’

‘Don’t know. He’s a fool if he
doesn’t.”’

‘"In case we strike poor business,”’
Merriwell went on, ‘‘I shall expect the
members to accept a percentage of their
salaries for the time, with the understand-
ing that whatever is held back will be
paid as soon as business picks up enough

to enable me to do so.’’

Lawrence was straight and stiff in lis
chair. ‘

‘We might as well go along on the
sanie old plan,” he exclaimed. “'Merri-
well is looking for everything to favor
him. What good will it do us to run that

way???

‘*Now you are dissatisfied because he
isn’t fool enough to go into this thing
**His idea is

“All right for him, but he can claim

any time when he is not making enough

to pay our full salaries.’’ |

‘In Planning, Try Not to Overrcach Yourself.

**T will agree to show up the accounts
at the end of each week to each and every
member of the company,’’ said Frank.

‘*You shall see if I am using you square.”’

‘“That’s fair,’? said more than one.

But Lawrence, who had expected to
catch a sucker, was not at all pleased.

‘‘What salaries do you propose to pay
us, Mr. Merriwell?’’ he asked. ‘‘How
are you going to settle that ?’’

‘““When you started ont with Mr.
Haley,’’ said Frank, ‘‘you were playing
to cities and large towns. You have come ~
down from that to barnstorming in small
places. The expenses of the show have
been reduced, but the revenue cannot be
a fourth as much. I have thought the
thing over some, and have decided to
offer you all exactly two-thirds as much
a week as Mr. Haley agreed to pay you
originally. You will bring copies of your
coutracts made with him to me, and we
will make out new contracts. ‘That is,
we’]l do so if you accept my offer.”’

Now there was an animated discussion
of Frank’s proposal, every one taking
part. While it was going on, Merry was
asking Havener some questions,

‘“What pieces have you in your reper-
tory ??’? asked Frank.

‘‘Why, we have the parts of all the.
pieces Haley obtained.”’

‘‘How many can we play if we come to
an agreement ?”’ -

‘*About three of them, I think.”’

‘“That will fix itso we can stay three
nights in one place, if we find any towns
good enough for that.’?

cé Yes. ”

‘‘Who’s out ahead ?”’

**Collins.”’

‘Then you got him back?’ >

‘‘After Haley jumped us, yes. King
was satisfied as he had broken Haley up
and driven us off his route, so Collins was
able to go out ahead of us again. He’s
all right, and he has worked up business
in worse towns than the ones we’ll have
to play.”’ a

‘“How about your paper ?”’

‘“We have the stuff Haley ordered, you
know. Wecan get it shipped from the
house in Chicago as fast as we need it, if
we put up the dust for it. All we’ll have

Clif Took Big Chances.

    
   

22

to look out for is house programmes, and
we can get them printed as we go along.’”?

‘“How are you making up your route ?’?

‘*Collins is finding out about the towns
as he goes along, and is sending back in-
formation. We'll have to depend on him
to a great extent, you see.’’

‘‘Are you going to be satisfied to let
me manage the company ?”?

‘‘Well, I’m willing to let you try it, if
the others are. I shall be mighty glad if
you can do it, for that will take a load off
of ry shoulders. Just now J am business
manager, stage manager and_ several
other things. It’s too much.”’

Merriwell and Havener came to an
agreement without much trouble, but it
was necessary to talk it. over with some
of the company for a long time before
they were ready to accept the arrange-
ent.

Lawrence fought against it. He tried
to hold Dunton and Sargent with lim.

Sargent was the first to give in, and he’

influenced Dunton to fellow his lead.
Then Lawrence was disgusted, and he
showed it.
‘‘All right!’ he cried. ‘‘Go ahead and
do what you like, but count me out.”’-
‘“You won’t go with us?”’

**No. Merriwell can get a new leading
nian. Perhaps he’ll fill the place him-
self.”’

This was said,.in sarcasm, but Frank
was not at all ruffled.

‘“‘We can get along without Mr. Law-
reuce, if forced to do so,’’ he said, quiet-
ly; ‘‘but I trust he will change his
mind.’’

‘‘Y'm afraid you’ve made a big anis-
take,’’ Cassie whispered in Merry’s ear;
‘‘but I guess we’ll all pull for you as
hard as wecan. I’msure Ross and I
will.’?

‘Thank you, little girl,’’ smiled Merry.
‘*T didn’t go into it without counting the
possible cost.’’

Then he told them to come to his
room, which he would engage right
away, one at a time that night, and he
would make contracts with. them, so
every one would be ready to start out
under the new management in the morn-
ing. ‘

 

TIP TOP WEEKABY.

They came, and it was nearly three
o’clock before all the business was settled
and Frank rolled his weary body into bed.

CHAPTER VII. @
HISSED.

A week later the reorganized company,
under Frank Merriwell’s management,
was billed to play in a little town called
Bransfield. ’

Frank was a ‘great believer in paper,
and he had wired Collins to see that it
was stuck up ‘‘regardless,’’ so, when the
players arrived in Bransfield, they found
every bill-board and
pasted over with lurid advertising. ‘The
windows were full of posters, and one
could not look in any direction without
seeing something to remind him that
there was to be a show in town at the
public hall that night.

Merriwell was satisfied, but Havener
shook his head.

‘It’s a waste of paper,’’ declared the
stage manager, ‘“‘Half as much would
have done as well.’?

‘‘Don’t think it,’? said Frank. ‘‘Not
many shows coine here, and it’s doubtful

if the people ever saw any of this paper

before, even though it is stock stuff. If I
am not much mistaken they were aston-
ished by the display, and they will be in-

clined to judge the merit of the show by Ss

the amount of advertising done. If there
is any money afloat, we ought to pulla
house here.’

‘‘Well, you are paying, so I’m not
going to kick,’’ said’ Havener.

Frank had not been at the hotel thirty
minutes before a small, ragged boy
brought him a note.
hurry away, but Frank caught him by
the collar, saying:

‘““Hold on. I may want to answer it.’’

‘‘Keller that sent it said there warn’t
goin’ to be an answer,’’
boy, seeining anxious to get away.

‘oT hat’s odd. Wait till I read it.”

*l’m in a big hurry, boss.’

“You can wait a minute.’’

“NG can't.”

*“Rphraim.”?

The tall Vermonter came forward at

Frank’s call.

Clit Had the Drop on the Spaniard, but Settled Him Otherwise.

 

explained the

every dead» wall |

The boy started to

-_

 

 

 
 
  

    
    

 

TIP TOP WEEKLY.

‘‘Tust keep your hands on this young-
ster till I read this note,’’ invited Merry.

‘‘All right,’’ grinned Gallup, getting
hold of the boy. ‘‘Naow don’t ye try to
play any of yer goldarn pranks onter me,
yeou little sarnip, or Pll shaik ye right
aout of her duds.”’

The boy submitted, seeing it was use-
less to attempt to get away, and Frank
2 Bponed the note. This is what he read:

Iam not done
Harris.’

‘The end is not yet.
with you.

‘Merry whistled softly.

“‘Well, this: is very interesting!’ he
commented. ‘‘Now, my boy, who gave
this to you?”’

**Don’t you wish you could find out?’
returned the youngster, saucily.

“¢See this.’’

Frank poised a silver half dollar on the
tips of his fingers. -

The boy’s eyes sparkled and he mois-
teried his lips with the end of his tongue.

**Just tell me all about who gave you
that note, and where he was when he gave
it to you, and that half dollar is yours.”’

‘““That’s all right, boss,’’ said the boy,
with a sickly grin; ‘‘but t’other feller
give me a dollar not to say a word.”’

‘And you promised that you wouldn’t
say a word?”?

Aten 2

‘‘Let him go, Ephraim.’

Gallup was surprised.

‘‘Whut fer? Ain’t ye goin’ to make
him tell who sent hin with the note?’’

A e* “Nos ”»
YS Why not?’

**Because he has promised not to tell.’’

‘““Whut of that ?’’

**T should be inducing him ta lie.)
“An? ye won’t make him tell a that
Treason ?”?

That is the reason.’’
“Wal, darn my punkins!’’
“Ephraim was bewildered more than
eVereit -
‘“That’s whut I call too much con-
_science,’’ he growled. » ‘I jest guess I’ll
_ make the chap talk. I ain’t got no con-
_ science to stop me like that.’’

Vou will let him go,’’ came o qiniesty
: from Frank.

oA Shan to Escape, but Clif Remained to Save the Beautiful ‘ti.

   

23

‘‘Arter I take him aout inter the barn
an’ have a little set daown with him.”’

“Now. +?

Ephraim hesitated. He did not want
to offend Frank, but he did long to
squeeze the truth ‘out of the boy.

“Come, naow, Frank,’’? he urged,
**don’t yeou be foolish ‘abaout this. If I
make him talk, it won’t be northing to
yeou.”’

“T shall allow it, and so, indirectly,
Ill be responsible for making the boy
lie. Let him go, Ephrgim.’’

There was no mistaking Merriwell’s
resolve, and Ephraii said to the lad:

‘‘All right, yeou kin go; but I’d
tanned yer hide fer ye but I’d made ye
talk, if I’d had the doin’ of it. Skip.”’

Being released, the lad did skip ina
hurry, quickly disappearing from view.

“Farris is in town,’’ said Merry, speak-
ing to the Vermonter.

‘““Whut? Not the feller that bruck up
your stuff ?”’

‘‘He helped the man that did the
breaking. He is my old Yale enemy.”’

‘‘Wal, let’s go right aout and find
him.’’

‘‘That may be easier to say than to do,
but we’ll look for him. Keep your eyes
open, Ephraim. He threatens to do me
further injury.’’

It proved useless to search for Harris
in that place. Nothing of the fellow could
be found in the limited time given them
to look for him.

It was necessary for the entire company
to assemble at the hall to rehearse that
afternoon.

Frank was playing the leading part in
a society play, which was billed for that
evening. He had been able to procure a
dress suit in one of the towns through
which they passed, so he was able to
dress properly for the reception scene in
the play. The other actors had managed
to retain possession of their clothes, and

_all were fairly well supplied.

Lawrence really had left the compauy,
refusing to goon with them under the
new arrangement, so it was necessary for
Merriwell to fill his place in playing
leads, and, thus far, he had done so most
successfully.

There was some hard work done at

  
 

   

24

the rehearsal, as Havener was. deter-
mined the play should go off smoothly,
and the players were not at all well up
in the business of thie piece.

Frank’s best scene was
Bird, the leading lady, in the third act
of the play. It wasa love scene, at the
end of which, through a revelation by
the villain, the lovers learn that they are
brother and sister. Of course, at the end
of the play, it is revealed that they are
not related 11 such a manner, and every-
thing finished happily.

Havener was determined that the scene
should be inade éffective, and he worked
over it till he got every pose, every situa-
tion, every minor piece of business. to
suit him.

He was greatly pleased by the readi-
ness with which
part and grasped the details of the busi-
ness. Merry had a beautiful voice, and
he governed it naturally so that it was
most effective in his speeches.

There is no music sweeter than that of
the human voice, and Frank Merriwell
had been endowed by uature with a mag-
nificent voice.

‘‘Lawrence ought to see him. play that
scene,’’ said Cassie, as she watched Frank

‘in silent admiration. ‘‘Anybody could tell

he is a gentleman, for never once does he
make a move ora gesture. that does not
plainly speak the gentleman. There’s a
heap of difference between his manners
and the acquired gentlemanly air of
Lawrence.’’

with Lillian

‘“That’s right,’? agreed Collie Cates.
‘*Merriwell’s blue blood sticks out all

over him, and yet he never seems to feel
himself so much better than the rest of
Wa.e7 4

most as a perfect gentleman. It’s only
the cad that tries to show you all the
time that he’s a topnotcher and you ain't
in his class.’’

Frank became so absorbed in his work
that he completely forgot about Harris.
Nor did a thought of the fellow enter his
head till just as he was ready to make
his first entrance on the stage that even-
ing. Then he remembered Harris, and
- wondered if the fellow was in the hall.
The rough benches and_ chairs were

| CUES ae OF TELEGRAPHY PROVES Tae

   

Frank took hold of the.

“Phat?s the very thing that marks him

 

TIP TOP WEEKLY.

well filled by a decidedly rough-looking
audience. The advertising had turned out
a far better house than Havener had ex-
pected to see, and the stage nianager con-
fessed to Frank that there might be
something in making a lavish display of
paper in the right towns.

The stage was a poor affair,
two sets of scenery, one of which could
be used for a centre door fancy by sup-«
posing that the audience would permit a
broad stretch of imagination.

~The footlights were plain kerosene
lamps, as were the other lights in the
hall. :

The curtain rolled on a big heavy
roller, and Havener had warned all the
company not to get under it and permit it
to come down on them at the finish of an
act.

‘“There will be some sudden deaths if
you do,’’ he said. ‘‘It is heavy enough to
finish aman if it struck him on the
heaa.”’

When Frank came onto the stage there
was a profound silence in the hall:

That silence was broken by a sound
to stir the blood.

A hiss!

Where it came from no one could tell,
but all heard it distinctly.

Frank was not rattled. He did not
even glance toward the audience to see
if he could tell from what quarter the .
odious hiss came, It is possible there —
was a slight tightening of his nerves, and
it is certain that a certain thought flashed
through his head:

“That was Harris!”

with just

CHAPTER VIII.
DISPOSING OF A RUFFIAN.

It is possible that Frank did not.appear
at his best at the outset, but = quickly
got into the work. Bt aia:

He expected to hear that Gilions hiss
again, but to his surprise, it was not re-.
peated. The curtain fell on the first act,
and the applause of the audience showed .
that the sper tior were satisfied thus ato
far.

Between the acts,
Frank.

‘“Who ‘eas it hissed??? she ~ asked,

Cassie came- to" ;
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

TIP TOP WEEKLY. 26

fiercely. ‘‘That was a measly trick, for you
hadn’t opened your mouth. If Lawrence
was here——”’

““T think it must have been one of the
fellows who ruined my magician’s ap-
paratus,’’? answered Frank. .‘‘He is in
this town.’’ .

‘“How do you know?’’

Merry explained.

‘*Weil, he ought to be lynched!’ de-
clared the little actress. ‘‘Don’t let him
rattle you, if he tries it again, Frank. He
may be holding back to break you in one
of your goed scenes.’

‘*T am on my ae now,’?
Merriwell.

**T want to tell you something, Frank,”’
said Cassie, glancing around to make
sure Mo one was near enough to hear.

‘‘T am listening.”’

“Tn, playing to-night without using
the needle.”’

SCN OP”?

‘“Ves. First time I’ve ever been able
to quit it entirely, though I have been
tapering down on it. How,am I doing ?”?

‘*First rate, Cassie. Never could tell
any difference from your usual work.’’

‘‘Well, it’s hard, hard! I have to

brace up fearfully to keep keyed to the

“right pitch, and I’ll be all broke up
when the show is over. But Iam winn-
ing out.”? —

,_ **Brave little girl!’

‘‘T ain’t doing it all alone,
Someone is helping me?’’

“Who?”

Without a word the little soubrette
spate upward.

Frank bowed his head.

‘ ‘(Tam glad you feel that way,
~ sie,’’ he said, earnestly and softly.
“YT have found in the Bible that he is

just as ready to help the lowly as any-

body,’’ murmured the girl. ‘‘That’s
what makes me so sure he is helping me.

Of course Iinust do my best, but, if I

haven’t the strength, He will give nie

"strength a. \

assured

Frank.

Cas-

Frank looked at her, feeling his heart

a swelling in his bosom with a new,
‘strange sensation. Had he by his advice
led this girl to a rock to which she could
* _ cling and thus escape being swept down

 

     

ment Havener

by the flood to the whirlpool of destruc-
tion ?

‘‘Don’t give up, Cassie,’’? ‘he urged.
*“VYou can see that you are winning tle
fight: Stick to it to the end.’’

“*T wili, Frank.”’

She pressed his hand, and at that mo-
came upon them. The
man halted and turned about, his face
flushing and his jaw hardening.

He had found them whispering to-
gether. Cassie had been looking up into
Frank’s face with an expression of adiir-
ation that was little short of adoration,
and their hands had been clasped.

It might be all right, but there was
something strange about it—something
Havener could not understand. Once
more he felt the demon of jealousy stir-
ring uneasily in his heart. He tried to
quiet the beast, but it refused to. be
soothed tlius easily.

What was this secret between the two?
Why had they refused to tell it to him?

He walked away.

‘‘)’]l keep ny eyes open,’’ he said.
‘*Perhaps I am being made a fool of,
after all] !?’

A man does not like to think that.
Nothing galls him so much as to think
that he is being fooled by someone who
is chuckling over the easy maner in
which he is deceived.

The time came for the curtain to rise on
the second act. It roiled up, and the play
went on.

In this act Cassie seemed spriglitlier
than usual. Never before had the little
soubrette seemed so buoyant and full of
animal spirits. She had some good lines
and a catchy song and dance. She was
encored, and gave another song, ending
with an eccentric dance that fairly set the
audience in an uproar.

Havener was watching her, his brows
lowering.

‘“‘Never saw her feeling better,’’ he
thought. ‘‘Is it because of _ Something
Merriwell said to her?”’

Then he thought how she had de-
fended Frank, and how eager she had
been to get him back with the company.

‘The savage animal was gnawing at his
heart. He could feel the pain of its sharp

teeth.

A Revolver Cecked to Kilt al Enemy, — the ee of Metin a Friend,
    

 

26

‘‘T am being fooled!’? he told himself.
‘Well, if lam, they had better look out
for themselves! IfI catch them I’m liable
to kill them both!’

Frank, also, played his part with a fin-
ish that was surprising, as he was noth-
ing more than an amateur. The scowling
stage manager confessed to himself that
Lawrence could not have done it a whit
better, if he could have done as well.

The third act came on, and everyone
seemed getting into their parts splen-
didly.

Then there came an interruption.

Down in the middle of the hall sata
big, rough, bewhiskered man, who had
gone out after the first and second acts.
His flushed face and bloodshotten eyes
told that he had been. drinking heavily,
and now he began commenting on the
actors and the play.

‘fA lot of doods in them swaller-tail
coats,’? he said, loudly enough to be
heard in his immediate vicinity. ‘‘They
strut around, but they’d be scared to
death at the pop of a gun,”’

Some of the spectators told him to
keep still, but that aroused him all the
more.

‘‘Let somebody try to keep me still!”
he invited. ‘‘I’m Bill Dyer, an’ I’ve jest
come in from Colerader. I don’t reckon
ther folks around here have fergot me.’’

No, they had not forgotten Bill Dyer.
He was a bad man before he went out
West to work on a ranch, and no person
had cared to get him angry. Now, from
his appearance, it seemed that his resi-
dence in the West had not improved his
appearance or his disposition.

So the play went on, interrupted now
and then by the muttered words of Dyer.

At last came the act in which Frank
made love to the leading lady. They
were alone-on the stage, and Merriwell
was doing his best to win her consent to
an immediate marriage. Just as he
clasped her waist, Bill Dyer rose to his
feet with a whoop, yelling:

© That’s hot stuff, young feller; but
you hadn’t oughter do it in the light.
_Alwus make love in the dark. I'll jest
give ye alittle help by puttin’ out the
lights.

From some place about his person he-

<

TIP TOP WEEKLY.

  

produced a pair of revolvers, and, a sec-
ond later, he began shooting at the foot-
lights in a most reckless manner.

With every shot the ruffian smashed a
lamp.

Men shouted, women screamed,
there was symptonis of a panic.

Regardless of the danger from flying
bullets, Frank Merriwell leaped to the
front of the stage. *

‘‘Keep your seats, ladies and gentle-
men!’ he cried, clearly and distinctly.
“That ruffian shall be taken care of at
once.

reyrigson | roared Bill et, as he
blazed away. ‘‘Who’ll take care of me?’?’

“*T will!”

Over the footlights Frank vaulted,
striking in the aisle. Straight toward the
desperado he bounded. |

**Hold up!’ shouted Dyer—‘“‘hold tp,
or by mighty, I'll perforate yer hide!’

But Frank did not hold up. He rushed

and

upon the ruffian, clutched him, whirled -

him about, rushed him down the aisle.

Dyer tired to squirm round.

“Pll shoot “ye full of holes!’’
howled. |

As Frank reached the rear of the hall,
he found the man’s clothes were begin-
ning to give way. Dyer might twist
about in a moment.

At one side was a Wntow. Frank
hustled the fellow toward it, lifted him
off his feet, gave him a swing into the
air, cast him headlong at it.

Crash—jangle! s

Through the window the fellow
plunged, uttering a howl of dismay and
fear, and disappeared from view. ‘The
broken glass came rattling down, but
Dyer was gone.

Frank hurried back to the stage.

‘‘Tadies and gentlemen,’’ he cried, his
voice ringing out clear and calm, ‘‘if you
will resume your seats, I think the play
will go on without further interruption.
The party who made the disturbance has
just gone out, and I do not think there

he

se

is anyone else present who will try to fill

his place and follow his example.’? 3
A moment of silence, and then a terrific
burst of applause. Men shouted their ad-

miration, stamping and clapping their
Women, also, showed i in all pos-

What is the Record Swim ? Clif was et While ae to Beat It. ages aS

hands.

  
    
 

 

 

 
    
   
   
  
   
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
      
     
     
   
    
    
   
     
   
   
   
   
   
     
   
   
   
   
    
      
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
     
   
   
   
   
   
   
    

| TIP TOP WEEKLY. a7
sible ways their appreciation of this cour- “Did somebody hire you to break up
Be: ageous act. the show ?”’ he asked.
Ee In a few moments all were seated **Sure thing.’
: again. Other lamps were brought to re- ‘‘What sort of a fellow—how did he
store the broken ones, and the play con- look?”
tinued. Dyer gave a rather incoherent descrip-

And it seemed that Frank Merriwell tion, but Frank immediately decided it
played his part even better than before must have been. Harris.

 

the interruption. ‘“Do you know where that fellow can
It is needless to say that he received be found?’
an ovation anda curatin call at the end **T reckon.”’
of the act. He came out with the leading ‘“7’ll give ‘you ten dollars to take me to
lady, and they were cheered wildly. him.’?
But not a complimentary word did he **Done!”?
receive from the lips of Roscoe Havener ‘All I want you todo is wait till I can
when it was all over. swear out a warrant for his arrest and find
ieee a mani to serve it.*’ /

ne Frank hustled. In a short time he
CHAPTER IX. had a warrant for Sport Harris, and he
HAVENER’S DISCOVERY. obtained the services of a deputy — sheriff

, to serve it. Then Dyer took them straight

That night, after the show, Frank had to the house where Harris was stopping.
reached the office of the hotel when. a The fellow was there, and he was taken

man appeared and said: into custody by the officer, who gave him
“*T want to see the feller that threw me nochance to escape and lodged him in
out of the hall to-night. the ‘‘cooier.”’
‘“Won’t somebody jest p’int him out to Of course Harris was furious.
me ?”? “T was a fool to get a drunken lout to

**Skip, Merriwell,’’ advised Sargent. do my work!’ he snarled. ‘‘I should
““He’s come loaded for you, and there have pasted you with good ripe eggs.

- will be a hot time if he sees you.” — But I’ll get at you yet!”’
But Frank did not skip. ‘You'll rest in jail a while.”’
“(Tl am the one who threw you out of ‘Oh, I don’t know! You can’t afford

the hall, sir,’? he said, stepping forward. the time to prosecute me.”’
Bill Dyer looked him over from his ‘*T don’t have to afford it. Dyer is
head to his feet. ready to swear you hired him to do what
‘Wal,’ he said, slowly, “I’ll be he did, and there are a dozen citizens
hanged ef I kin tell how ye done itso who will push you.”’
easy! You done it, all the same, an’ done It was not difficult to find citizens of
it well! I thought you was a dood, but I the place who were willing to take the
reckon there’s some purty good stuffin case up, so Merriwell was not detained,

eA ye. I’d like to shake hands with ye.” for when Harris was released he was
oe He extended his hand, which Frank promptly rearrested on another warrant.
accepted. The man attempted to give The new conipany went on its way,

Merry a squeeze that would make him and it did seem that success was smiling
_ cringe, but Frank squeezed back in ear- on the organization now that Frank Mer-
nest, looking him straightin the eyes and © riwell had become manager of it. Al-
smiling sweetly. though they were barnstorming and play-
‘Ves, you’re all right,’ nodded Dyer. ing in out-of-the-way places, they seemed
~“T shan’t monkey with you any more, to have struck a good streak of business.
an?’ the feller who paid me ten dollars to But there was a shadow hanging over
_ break up the show when you was onthe the company. Havener was changed. He
stage is out that much money. That’s had grown sullen and touchy, and he
about the way I figger it.’’ / treated Cassie with a mingling of cold
_ Frank was interested now. contempt and burning love that was be-

Clit Makes Good Use of a Steam Whistle on the Enemy’s Craft. 4

    

y
28 i TIP TOP WEEKLY.

He scarcely ever
unless absolutely

wildering to the girl.
spoke to Merriwell,
forced to do so.

Then the story got out that Havener
had purchased a revolver. One night he
sat in the office of a wretched little hotel
and talked queerly. He said life had been
an utter failure with him, and he was
sick of it. He said that the world was
full of deception and all women were
liars. He had been fooled once by a
woman, and he didn’t mean to_ be fooled
gain.

‘“Flavener is ill,’? declared those who
heard his queer talk, ‘‘He’s in need of a
tonic.’’ .

The next morning Frank Merriwell
rose early and went out to take a walk.
He was surprised when he came down
stairs to find Cassie Lee dressed and _pre-
pared to go out also.

‘“Why, what does this mean?’ he
asked. ‘‘I thought you always stayed in
bed as late as possible ?’”’

‘Used to,’’? she laughed. ‘‘Don’t now.
Had to have something for a stimulant
when I knocked off the other thing, so
I’ve been going in for fresh air, morn-
ing walks, exercise, and all that. I find
it’s doing me good, too.”’

‘‘Of course it is! Nine actresses out of
ten get too little good open-air exercise.
If you’re for a walk, come with me.’’

‘All right. That will be joily.”’

Away they went together. ©

And they were not the only ones who
had risen early that morning. Roscoe
Havener, unable to sleep, was up ahead
of them and out of the hotely He tramped
fiercely out of the town to a little valley
through which ran a brook. ‘There was
some timber about, and he sat down be-
side the brook. After a time he took ont
his revolver and looked it over. It was
loaded.

“‘T can get out of the whole business
here and now,’’ he muttered.
shot planted in the right place will do it.

If I hold on, I shall kill Cassie and Mer- |

riwell sure as fate!”’ ;

He heard voices and drew back a
little, still remaining seated on the
‘ground, —

4

‘A single.

Two persons came down the road past
him and stopped by the little bridge.
They were Cassie and Frank. His eyes
blazed, and the revolver trembled in his
hands. He half lifted it, thinking:

*““Tcan get them both before I empty
every chamber!’’

Cassie was speaking: . ;

“‘T owe it all to you, Frank,’’ she
was saying, and MHavener heard her
plainly. ‘‘I am sure I am getting rid of
the awful habit now. You know I can
play without using morphine at all, and
it all comes because you encouraged me
to pray. I didn’t think it would do any
good for a girl like me to pray, but it
has’? é

“Tf T have helped you, Cassie, I am
thankful. I discovered your secret by ac-
cident, and I have kept it faithfully,
though I fear Havener suspects all is not
right because there is-a secret between —
us.”

‘TY will tell him all at once. He is
changed lately, but I love him just the
saine. He will be all right when he
knows the truth. You know I told you
I would never, never marry him till I got
rid of the habit. It is you, Frank, who
have made it possible for me to become
his wife.’?

Havener rose to his feet as quietly as
he could, drawing back and hiding him-
self by the bushes. He stole away from
the spot, quivering in every limb.

“And I thought of committing
suicide!’ he whispered, as he hastened
away. ‘‘I thought of committing mur-
der! What a fool I have been! Thank
God the discovery of my folly came in
time! Thank God! thank God!’ ——

Then he threw the loaded revolver as
far from him as possible.

«

¢

[THE END. ] |

The next number (135) of the Tip Top
Weekly will contain ‘‘Frank Merriwell
Stranded; or, The Fate of the First Ven-
ture,’? by the author of ‘‘Frank Merri-
well.’’

_ When waconsicous flying shells don’t count. Clif heard them not.

 

 

 
 

 

  

 

       

$

 
  

 

IP lOPWEEKLY.

“AN IDEAL PUBLICATION FOR THE AMERICAN YOUTH ”

 

 

 

 

 

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F. W. M., St. Paul, Minn.—Fresco-painting
means fresh painting, or rather painting applied
_ to walls while the plaster is fresh and damp. Only
ES _ so much plaster must be spread as the artist can
|  — finish painting before he retires for the day.

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K. P. N., Rutland, Vt.--To put an egg into a
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soft, so that it may be extended lengthways with-

out breaking; then insert it into the neck of a

small bottle, and by pouring cold water upon it,
_ it will reassume its former figure and hardness.

   
   
  

 
 
  

WwW. H. J., Elgin, Ill.—The deepest mines in the
world are not the immense coal mines of England.

The deepest mine is in France. It is called the
-§$t. Andre du Poirer, and one of its shafts has been
— sunk to the depth of 4900 feet. Your friend is mis-
: taken when he says that the heat would be un-

ee
;

 

 

 
 

 

Aances,

and in process of time its shell will become quite -

VIC WAS DESPERATE, HANDS MANACLED, BUT HIS FEET DID GOOD WORK.

  

TIP TOP WEEKLY. 29

bearable after 3000 feet had been reached. The
temperature in this French mine does not exceed
seventy-five degrees. In the California gold mines
—not half so deep as the St. Andre mine—the heat
is intense.

R. C. J., Canton, Ohio. —Bees can fly very fast,
and their eyes are made for seeing at great dis-
When away from their home, they go up
into the air until they spy the place where the
hive is located, and then fly directly toward it in a
straight line ata very high rate of speed, from
which circumstance the shortest line between two
places is called a ‘‘bee-line.’’ :

D. P. W., Washington, D. C.—A simple cement
for repairing china ¢an be made as follows: Mix
together equal parts of fine glue, white of egys,
and white lead, and with it anoint the edges of the
article to be mended; press them together, and
when hard and dry scrape off as much of the ce-
ment as sticks about the joint. The juice of garlic
is another good cement, and leaves no mark where
it has been used.

J. D., Rome, Ga.—We append the names of
several youthful English kings: Edwy, son of Ed-
mund I. (955-958); aged 16. Edward the Martyr,
son of Edgar (975-978); aged 13. Henry II., son
of King John, who gratited the Magna Charta
(1216-1272); aged 9. Prince Edward II. (1327-
1377), aged 14, and Henry VI. (1422-1464);
crowned at Paris while an infant.

M.D. S., Malden, Mass.—Genuine bay tum
used as a toilet preparation and for other prepar-
ations is made by digesting or steeping the leaves
of the bay plant—an aromatic plant growing in
the West Indies—in rum and subsequent distilla-
tion. Comparatively little of the pure article is

sold, an excellent preparation being prepared by

mixing the essential oil obtained from the bay
plant and the oil of pimento, allspice or cloves,

- with alcohol and water.

Fisherman, Exeter, N. H.—Fishing lines may
be waterproofed by placing them ina mixture
composed of one pint of boiled linseed oi] and a
quarter-pound of beeswax melted in a porcelain
pot in boiling water. Then stretch the line out in
a dry place, removing the superfluous liquid by
rubbing with a piece of sponge or a “piece of rag —
held between the forefinger and thumb. Do not
use the line until perfectly dry. This preparation
not only waterproofs, but also preserves the line.

C. E. Y., Adrian, Mich.—You can etch your
name on steel or iron, so as to readily identify
your tools, by the following process: Warm the
metal, and then rub over the surface with a piece
of beeswax. When cool, etch with any pointed
instrument the namé or character desired, cut-
ting clear through the coating of wax. Then
sprinkle on the scratches some powdered iodine,
moistened with water, and rub in for four or five
minutes with a camel’s hair pencil. Then heat —
again until the wax runs off; wash in warm~ |
water, and wipe dry. The characters designed = si
will be indelitly fixed on the tool by the iodine. ©
 

I hear that a new amateur paper called ‘‘The
Cavalier’’ is shortly to be issued. ‘I’. Gerald Bal-
lard will be the editor.

The Health Club Journal is published in the
interest of most worthy ends.and should be pat-
ronized. All communications should be addressed
to Miller Hageman, Jr., 890 St. John’s Place,
Brooklyn, N. Y.

The Journalist for September is excellent in
every particular. The stories are bright and en-
tertaining and the other matter distinctly good.

Harry M. Konwiser, the editor, is to be congratu-
lated upon his efforts.

The Stork is a new journal of amateur literature,
published at Dowagiac, Michigan, The subscrip-
tion is 25 cents a year. The appearance is at-
tractive and the contents generally good, al-
though I decidedly object to the column headed
‘‘Purely Local.’’ It is vulgar to a degree.

_

The Club Echo is a monthly, published at 15
cents a year by Edward L. Bowerman, 441 South
Western avenue, Chicago, Ill. ~The September
number is admirable. ‘‘Hal Howard,’’ the serial

story by Frank B. Hall, ‘‘Dot Drolley Car,’’ by J. .

W. P., and ‘‘True Tales of Newspaper Accom-
plishments,’’ by J. G. Leyle, are worthy of espec-

ial mention,
Ie eke Fi

WHEN WRITERS WRITE.

- Authors ‘are notoriously eccentric in their hours
of work, and, as everybody knows, invariably pre-
fer the small hours of the night to any other time
of the day—which may be Irish, but is true—for

the prosecution of their labors.
Mr. Crockett, however, the famous writer of

charming books, is said to be remarkable even
among the remarkable brethren of the pen. He
does not prolong his day by stealing a few hours
from the night in accordance with the teaching of

a famous song, but achieves the same result by

 

¥A
a

30 TIP TOP WEEKLY,

AMATEUR JOURNALISM.

EDITED BY ARTHUR SEWALL,

rising before any well-regulated lark thinks of get-
ting up to sing his matins in the clouds.

He begins his work at four o’clock in the morn-
ing, which must necessitate’ his rising very soon
after three. It is not, therefore, surprising to hear
that when he has a book on hand—and, judging
by his production, this must always be the case—
he never accepts any invitation for the evening
which compels him to be out of bed after ten
o’clock. From four until nine he is at his desk,
and then he considers his work is done.

At that time most of the rest of the world is just
beginning to think of going to its labor, except
the unfortunate lot of men connected with news.
papers, and niglt-watchmen,.etc., who are, of
course, having their beauty sleep about that time.

—_— —. ——.

PERSEVERANCE.
By Alfred M, Treloar in ‘‘The Dewey.’’

Very few of those at present engaged in \mateur
Journalism are wealthy, but it requires no money
to gain a desired end, no not gold, but persever-
ance. Perseverance has made such men as Frank-
lin, Lincoln and James Gordon Bennett.

Bennett had nothing; he came to this country
with less than twenty-five dollars in his pocket,
but with a good store of perseverance, that dogged
determination which says, I will. He said, ‘‘I will
publish a successful paper.’’ The result of this is
the very successful New York Herald.

Amateur, if you desire to become a publisher and

do not see the way at present, don’t despair, per-

\

severe, take as your motto, ‘‘Conquer or die,’’ and’

in the long run the result will: be the former.
Author, you may have written stories upon

stories, all of which were refused by the heartless —

publisher, but do not be discouraged, try, try
again, Dickens, Scott, Alcott and a host of others
testify to the fact that they had failure after fail-
ure, but through years of hard work they perse-

vered, and to-day their names are household words,
Perseverance is what we need to succeed. We ee

may have genius and we may not, but if we go |

into our labor with that determination to win our se

fe

end will be success.

How to Escape Death, if Handcuffed and a Brute With Sword coming at You?

 

 

 

   
 

- Dallas for one.

TIP TOP WEEKLY. 32

APPLAUSE.

_

Cumberland, Md., September 26, 1898.
Dear Sir:—We, a large number of readers of the
Tip Top Weekly, would like to know whether
Frank Merriwell will go back to Vale? And if it
will be longer than six weeks before he goes back
to Yale? Weare all steady readers of the Tiptop
Weekly, and are greatly interested in athletics, and
would like to hear of Frank Merriwell taking a

great part in athletics if he returns to Yale.
A Large Number of Readers,
Cumberland, Md.

Yes, Frank will return to Yale, and will meet
his old friends again. You will probably see him
- as a leader of athletic sports,

Denton, Texas, September 23, 1898.
From the very first issue of the Tip Top Weekly
until No. 121, we have been constant subscribers
of your interesting stories. The railroad story is
very fine and interesting; we think the Tip Top is
one of the most interesing papers for five cents we
have ever read. We can hardly wait for it to come.
We admire Frank considerably, as he is better
than any hero in any other weekly. Please let us
hear from Elsie and the college boys. One of us
read two chapters over to our mothers one night
last week and they gave us permission to read the
Tip Top. We hope Frank will succeed as engineer
on the Mountain Express. We would like to know
what town he is living in, and wish to see Bob
succeed, too. We think Frank Merriwell sets better
examples to youths that read the Tip Top than
any one of the other heroes. We are going to sub-
scribe for the Tip Top as soon as possible so we
ean be sure.we will get one. Sometimes the news-
dealers run out of them and we have to send to
Wishing the Tip Top Weekly the
very best success, we remain readers of the Tip
_ Top Weekly 2 as long as ‘we live, if it is still pub-
lished. R. Frank Hagar,
T. William Richardson,
4 Denton, Texas.
eS ‘We are very glad to hear that your mothers ap-
prove of Frank Merriwell. It is our aim to make
the Tip Top clean, interesting and instructive.

I see that boys have been expressing their opin-
- jons through the columns of your Tip Top Weekly.

se Now why can’t girls do the same? We have formed

ourselves into a club and call it ‘The Tip Top
-Girls;’’ there are six of us. We would like to see
Frank Merriwell return to"Yale and complete his
_ college course, then shortly afterward marry Inza
- Burrage, because—here I agree with one of your
readers—I think she is more womanly than Elsie
- Bellwood. We would likefto see him marry Inza—
and still chronicle his adventures—until he finally
has a little child, and then skip fifteen years or so
and then let Frank tutor him 4nd prepare him for
Wale and let Frank go up with him to the college
and recognize the tutors as his old college mates,

nd then branch off into two weekles, ‘‘The Tip

op”? and ‘‘The Tip Top, Jr.,’’ in The Tip Top’’
_ have Frank, and in the “Tip Top, Jr ,’? have his

gon “We have held debate after debate, until we

finally came to the conclusion that this was the
best plot we could think of; so we finally sent it

_to you to meet your disapproval or, as we thought

and hoped, approval.
Blanche Foster, secretary.

The other members are Bessie Hoffman, Ger-
trude Waller, Minnie Darling, Grace Foster and
May Grant.

It is a great pleasure for us to know that girls as
well as boys read of and like Frank Merriwell.
Your suggestion shall receive due consideration.
May your club live long and prosper.

Pittsburgh, Pa., September 26, 1898.

I want to thank you for publishing the best
books a boy could want to read. Namely, the Tip
Top Weekly. I like Inza the best outside of Frank,
and I wish he would marry her. I wish Frank
would return to Yale and lead Old Eli to victory
in all athletics. I hope Frank pays back Darius
Conrad with interest. Wishing Frank Merriwell
and the Tip Top Weekly everlasting success.

B. F., Allegheny, Pa.
Wait and see. We can not tell entirely what the
future will bring forth.

It is with pleasure that I write you these few
lines in reference to one of the most modest heroes,
Frank Merriwell. I am very sorry ‘to lose his
friends, such as Bruce Browning, Jack Diamond,
Winnie Lee, etc. In course of time I suppose
Frank will return to good old Yale. His present
position gives one good ideas of how to carry
oneself. I have been reading Frank Merriwell’s
ever since his first days at Fardale. There is not
one number missing.

John Webb, Baltimore Md.
We hope your interest in Frank will never be
less, and, if it lies with us it shall not be.

I thing Frank is the best boy I have read about,
and I hope when I get the next number he will be
a rich boy and married.

Alfred D. Johannesen,
Brunswick, Ga.

Frank is not quite old enough to be married as
yet.

I have read the Tip Top Weekly from one to
date, and I like them better than anything else I
have read, though I am a girl. I hope Elsie will
soon appear again, for I think she is simply fine.
She is worth three of Inza. Please won’t you have
her in the stories soon? e-3), 1 orai0.

I have read all the stories of the Tip Top Weekly

up to the latest. I think they are the best stories
published for the price. I would like to see Frank
return to Yale. Wishing you success.
Tommy Thonack,
Seymour, Iowa.

I have taken the Tip Top Weekly about two
months, and hope to take it many months more.
Let us hear from’ Frank’s chums, especially Hans
Dunnerwust and the rest of Frank’s friends, and
wish socn to hear from Elsie Bellwood.

Willie Manning,
Chicago, Ill.

oe Clif in | Irons in the Hold of a Vessel Being Ridaled by Shell. »

 
 

TIP TOP WEEKLY.

Tip Top Quarterly.

The earlier issues of Tip Top Weekly are now on sale in the
orm of Quarterlies, each including 13 consecutive issues of this
favorite weekly, together with the 18 original illuminated illustra-
tions, and an elegant cover in colors, ‘The priee is 50: Cents per
volume, for which sum they will be sent by mail post-paid to and
address in the United States. :

- = NOW READY. = =

No. 3, se Nos. 27 to 39 of Tip Top Weekly.
No, 4, eo Nos, 40 to 52 of Tip Top Weekly.
No. 5, ee Nos. 53 to 65 of Tip Top Weekly.
No. 6, a Nos. 66 to 78 of Tip Top Weekly.

4 a Nos. 79 to 91 of Tip Top Weekly.

No.
Nos. 1 and 2 out of print,

If your Newsdealer has not got the Quarterlies, remit direct to
the pubiishers,

STREET & SMITH, 81 Fulton St., N, Y.

WRESTLING,

History tells us that wrestling was the first form of athletic
pastime. Without doubt, it gives strength and firmness, combined
with quickness and pliability, to the limbs, vigor to the body
coolness and discrimination to the head and elasticity to the tem-
per, the whole forming an energetic combination of the greatest

_ power to be found in man. The book js entitled PRorissor
MULDOON'S WRESTLING, It is fully illustrated, and will be sent
postpaid on receipt of ten cents, Address

STBEET & SMITH. 25 Rose street, New York.
(Manual Library Department).

 

A Great Series!

FRANK MERRIWELL’S BICYCLE TOUR ACROSS

THE CONTINENT

Comprising Thirteen Issties of the

‘Tip Top Weekly
Complete in No. 5.of the TIP TOP QUAR-
TERLY, with all the original illuminated
illustrations. Admirers of Frank Merriwell
should shave this book by all means.

Price, SO Cents.
Sent by mail, postpaid, on receipt of price
by
STREET & SMITH, Publishers,
81 Fulton St., New York

OUT-DOOR SPORTS.

Complete instructions for playing many of the most popular ont
of-door games is found inthis book. The gamesare illustrated
and very easily mastered. Priceten cents. Address

STREET & SMITH, 25 Rose street, New Vork,
Manual Library Department).

 

 

 

 

 

-- OUR NHW

War-Giraph of the

PREMIUM...

Battle of Manila.

Messrs. Street & Smith have made arrangements to present a War-Graph to every reader of their popular
g

publications for boys. The conditions are easy,

Read them.

We publish four 32-page, illuminated cover weeklies for boys, retailing for five cents each, as follows:

The True Blue,
The Tip Top Weekly,

We wish the readers of one series to become acquainted with the entire line.
coupon at the foot of this column will be printed in each one of the above-mentioned publications.

The Nick Carter WeeklI”,
The Diamond Dick, Jr.

On and after the present date the
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.

DESCRIPTION

OF THE WAR- GRAPH:

A new article, just introduced, giving in a series of thirty colored pictures: a graphic portrayal of the Battle of

Manila.

These pictures show in succession the cause of the war, the entry of Admiral Dewey’s fleet into Manila

harbor, the first shot, the various scenes of the battle ending in the downfall of the Spanish flag, and the triumphant
floating of Old Glory, followed by a portrait of our hero, Admiral Dewey, Uncle Sam spanking the boy king ot

Spain, and finally ejecting Spain from Cuban soil.

These pictures are small but very interesting, and are fastened

together so that by a rapid motion they can be operated similar to a Mutoscope.

A very interesting collection of pictures.

Certain to please everv one of our readers.
We will send one postpaid to anybody who complies with the conditions as stated in the coupon below.

You can secure as many war graphs as you desire, provided you send sufficient coupons aid stamps, provided each of the set of

three is from a different publication.

Send in your coupons, Remember this is a purely gratuitous gift on our part, intended to call your attention to others of our publica- :

tions besides the ones you are now purchasing. If you cannot procure what you desire from your newsdealer, send us twelve cents: ang
one coupon, and we will send you by return mail a copy of two other publicationsand the war-graph, Address your coupons to

EET & SMITH’S PREMIUM DEPT. 81 Fulton Street, New Vor

Coupons published previous to the following numbers are not good under this offer: 127 Tip Top, 101 Diamond Dick,

19 True Blue, 90 Nick Carter.

“Patriotic Badge Coupons” published in previons issues of these publications will not ve received for badges” after

“Ovt. ist, 1898.

\

a ia lt ati

a

 

 

 

 

 

TR

 

 
  
   

 

 

TIP TOP WEEKLY COUPON.

This coupon, accompanied by two others, each from a different one of the following publi-

True Blue, Nick Carter Weekly, or Diamond Diek, a entitle the sender

to the premium we ee if a two cent stamp is also a to pay for posta
a

Y cations:

  

CLE SAID’ HE FOUND THERE WAS SOMETHING WORSE THAN PRISON CELL.

ige and Sees
SN

REET ‘So EL.

 

     
      
 
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
66

69
70

CATALOGUE OF FRANK MERRIWELL STORIES IN TIP TOP WEEKLY

Frank Merriwell; or, First Days at Fardale.

Frank Merriwell's Foe; or, *Plebe” Life in Barracks

Frank Merriwell’s Medal; or, **Plebe’”’ Life in Camp.

Frank Merriwell’s Rival; or, By Fair Play or Foul.

Frank Merriwell’s Fault; or, False Steps and Foul
Snares.

Frank Merriwell’s Frolics; or, Fun at Fardale.

Frank Merriwell’s Mysterious Ring; or, The Man in
Black.

Frank Merriwell’s Fag; or, Fighting for the Weak.

Frank Merriwell’s Furlough; or, The Mystery of the
Old Mansion.

Frank Merriwell on His Mettle: or, Field Day at Far-
dale.

Frank Merriwell’s Fate; or, The Old Sailor’s Legacy.

Frank Merriwell’s Motto; or, The Young Life Savers,

Frank Merriwell in New York; or, an Unknown Foe,

Frank Merriwell in Chieago; or, Meshed by Mysteries.

Frank Merri well in Colorado; or, ‘trapping the Traip
Wreckers.

Frank Merriwell in Arizona; or, Mysteries of the Mine.

Frank Merriwell in Mexico; or, The Search for the
Silver Pilace.

Frank Merriweil in New Orleans; or, The Queen of
Flowers.

Frank Merriwell’s Merey;
Everglades.

Frank Merriwell’s Friend; or, Muriel the Moonshiner,

Frank Merriwell’s Double; or, Fighting for Life,

Frank Merriwell Meshed; or, The Last of the Danites.

Frank Merriwell’s Fairy; or, The Hermit of Yellow-
stone Park.

Frank Merriwell’s Money;
“Queer” Makers.

Frank Merriwell’s Mission; or, The Mystie Valley of
the Andes.

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 Seareh for
the Missing Link.
Frank Merriwell’s Magic; or,
Frank Merriwell in France; or,
Masked Unknown.
Frank Merriwell’s Feat;
Fighters.

Frank Merriwell in London; or, The Grip of Doom.

Frank Merriwell’s Venture; or, Driven from Armenia,

Frank Merriwell in India; or, Hunting Human Leop-
ards.

Frank Merriwell’s Vow; or, After Big Game in Ceylon.

Frank Merriwell in Japan; or, The Sign of Avenger.

Frank Merriwell’s Dead Shot; or, Roughing it in
Australia,

Frank Merriwell in the South Sea; or, Cast for Life.

Frank Merriwell at Home Again; or, The Mystery of
Ethel Driseoll,

Frank Merriwell
Freshinan.

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 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 Bicycle Boys; or, ‘The Start Across
the Continent.

Frank Merriwell's Ride for Life.

Frank Merriwell’s Great Capture; or, Bicycle Agaiust
Horse.

Frank Merriwell to the Rescue; or, Through Fire and
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 Merriwell’s Desperate Drop;
tures in the Rockies,

Frank Merriwell in the Mines; or, The Blind Singer,

Frank Merriweil Among the Mormons.

Frank Merriwell on the Desert; or, The Mystery of
the Skeleton.

Frank Merriwell’s Underground Search.

Frank Merriwell in California; or, The
Great Tour,

Prize Plot Storv; Frank Merriwell as the Star.

Frank Merriwell’s Yacht: or, Chase Down the Coast.

Frank Merriwell’s Combination; or, The All Arouud
Athletes.

Frank Merriwell's Red Rival.

Frank Merriwell’s Texas Tournament;
Among the Cowboys.

or, The Phantom of the

or, The Queen of the

The Pearl of Tangier,
The Mystery of the

or, The Queen of the Bull

at Yale; or, Freshman Against

or, Wild Adven-

End of the

or, Sport

 

 

71
72

13
74

133
134
135

Frank Merriwell’s Nine;
League.

Frank Merriwell’s Shot; or, Out With the Gun Club,

Frank Merriwell’s Flyer; or, The Winning Wheel,

Frank Merriwell’s Thoroughbred; or, Honesty Against
Crookedness.

Frank Merriwell’s Enemy; or, Rivals of Blue Ridge.

Frank Merriwell’s Crew; or, The Chiumpions of the
Potomac,

Frank Merriwell’s

or, Surprising the Southern

Hunt; or, In at the Death.

Frank Merriwell’s Blow; or, Unmasking «a Raseal.

Frank Merriweil’s Return to Yale; or, The Mystery
of the Examination Papers.

Frank Merriwell as ‘“‘Ancuor;’ or, The Winning Pull,

Frank Merriwell’s Initiation; or, The Secret Order.

Frank Merriwell’s Sign; or, The Secret of the Silent
Student. :

Frank Merriwell as Full Back; or. True to His Colors,

Frank Merviwell’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 Merriwell’s Capture; or, The Black Schooner,

Frauk Merriwell’s Chiun; or, The Hand of a Friend,

Frank Merriwell’s Double Shoot; or, Winning in the
Box,

Frank Merriwell’s Wager; or, Bound to Win.

Frank Merriwell in Training; or, The Mystery of the
Midnight Prowler.

Frank Merriwell’s Courage; or, Loyal 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 Merriwefl’s Fardale Friends; or, Old Foes.

Frank Merriwell’s Yale Chums; or, The Jolly Dogs
of Fardale,

Frank Merriwell’s Choice; or. Fair Rivals of Fardale

Frank Merriwell's Fardale Racket.

Frank Merriwell’s Courage; or, Nerve Against Bluff.

Frank Merriwell’s Faith; or, The Shadow of a Crime

Frauk Merriwell’s Celebration; or, Last Days at
Fardale.

Frank Merriwell Afloat; or, The Cruise of the White
Wings.

Frank Merriwell Under Megunticook;
Knox County League.

Frank Merriwell’s Mystery; or, The Monster of Devi)
Island.

Frank Merriwell's Disappearance; or, The Secret of
the Island,

Frank Merriwell Aroused; or, The Bicycle Boys of
Belfast.
Frauk Merriwell’s
Stolen Yacht.
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;
Border.

Frank Merriwell’s Drift; or, With the River Drivers.

Frank Merriwell’s Daring; or, Elsie’s Sacrifice.

Frank Merriwell’s Fist; or, Bound to Know
Trath.

Frank Merriwell’s
rrace.

Frank Merriwell’s Masquerade; or, The Belle of Hur-
ricane Islatd.

Frank Merriwell’s Misfortune: or, The Start of a New
Career.

Frank Merriwell, Engine Wiper; or, At the Foot of
the Ladder,

Frank Merriwell, Fireman; or. First Step Upward,

Frank Merriwell’s Opportunity; or, The Ghost of
Black Gorge,

Frank Merriwell’s First Run; or, Chance of His Life

Frank Merriwell Engineer: or, The Turn of Fortune

Frank Merriwell’s Hard Luck: or, A Shp on The
Ladder,

Frank Merriwell’s Advancement; or, Engineer of the
Mountain ixpress

Frank Merriwell Held Up; or, The Robbery of the
Mountain Express

Frank Merriwell's Protege;
Hand.

Frank Merriwell ou Strike; or, Saving the Enemy’s
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-
nation,

Frank Merriwell’s First Part; or, The Start as an Actor,

Frank Merriwell in Advance; or, Adventures Ahead
of the Show.

Frank Merriwell Magician; or, For Fun, Fame, and
Fortune,

Frank Merriwell’s Own Company; or, Barnstorming
In the Middle West.

Frank Merriwell Stranded; or, The Fate of the First
Venturv.

With the

or,

Pursnit; or, The Chase of the

or, The Smugglers of the

the

Danger; or, Shadow of Dis-

or, Lending a Helping

For Sale by all Newsdealers, or will be sent, Postpaid, on receipt of Price, by STREET & SMITH, PustisHers, 81
Futton St., New York.