by Quincy Allen
CHAPTER XXV
CONCLUSION
The sheriff took one look.
"Let me have it, boy. That man is dying to see, and I warrant you hewould rather gaze on this picture than on a stack of gold eagles tenfeet high. It spells liberty to him!"
With that he hastened over and handed the print to the convict. One lookThaddeus gave, and then they saw his lips move, though no sound cameforth. Perhaps he was giving thanks for the strange mercy that had beenshown him.
"All of which goes to show that a good deed brings its reward. WhenThaddeus held out a helping hand to that poor sick chap in the prison,and did some small thing to help him, he little suspected what hisreward was going to be. But Fletcher must have learned why his friendwas behind the bars, and in the end his only thought was to undo thewrong as much as possible," the sheriff said.
The man nodded, as he eagerly added:
"You have hit it right, sheriff; that was just what happened. I knew hetold the truth, and when they refused to let me make a search Idetermined to risk everything to prove my claim; and to think that now Ishall go free! Not only that, but my name will be cleared, and my familycan hold up their heads again!"
"It's too bad that the State can't make some recompense for these yearsyou have spent in prison, an innocent man; but you know that'simpossible," said Mr. Dodd.
"Yes, I know it; but after all, it served me right, because I wasleading a wild life just about that time, and all through drink. Nevermore for me! I've seen a light. When I get that big reward promised bythe owner of that stolen collection I'm going to take care of my poorfamily. Andy, here, deserves an education and a chance in life. He wantsto be a chauffeur, he says, and I'll see that he gets a place. But wordscan never tell you, boys, how much I'm indebted to you for all you'vedone for me!"
The four chums were visibly affected by his emotion, but Jerry startedsome of his pranks in order to hide his feelings, and soon the wholecompany were in a cheerful mood.
When night came the boys had another fine fish spread, for Frank, withJerry had been tempted to make a second expedition out on the lake, andthe bass took the gaudy artificial lure quite as eagerly as on theformer occasion. They brought in a dozen fine husky fellows, each ofwhich had given them the time of their lives while the excitementlasted.
There did not seem to be a single member of the little company who couldnot join heartily in the pleasure of the evening. Thaddeus was feelingmuch easier, and the prospect of his early vindication and freedom wentfar toward making him forget all the tortures he had endured while aninnocent victim to circumstantial evidence.
So they laughed and sang, after which the sheriff told many remarkablestories connected with his experiences as an officer of the law.
"I'll never forget this camping trip, boys," he said. "Eh, Bill?"
"The time of my life," declared that worthy, who was a man of few words.
"And we've certainly had the time of ours," declared Frank, "in sayingwhich I know I voice the sentiments of my chums."
"Hear! hear!" came from Bluff, as he waved his hat.
"We'll be sorry to see you go, Mr. Dodd," declared Will; "and beforethat event casts a wet blanket on our spirits, remember that you mustpose for me with all the fellows around you, and Mr. Lasher, in thebargain."
"Thank you, my boy! That's the first breath of freedom! With heaven'shelp, I shall soon be Mr. Lasher again, and not No. 772," said thewounded man gladly.
"And boys, I feel sure that no matter where we may roam, or what queerthings may fall to our lot, we never can enjoy an outing one-half sowell as we have this little trip, started with the intention of runningdown the story of the ghost of Oak Ridge. I'm sure every one of you willagree with me on that."
Although they unanimously voted that what Frank said was the truth, likeothers of us who cannot lift the veil of the future, the four chums weremistaken, for although they did not dream of it just then, it waswritten that ere six months had passed they would again be starting outon an expedition with a scope much broader than anything that had as yetdawned upon their experience.
What remarkable happenings befell them under Southern skies, and howthey proved themselves, as always, ready to meet and conquerdifficulties, will be set before the readers of these stories in a newvolume, to be entitled "The Outdoor Chums on the Gulf; or, Rescuing theLost Balloonists."
When morning came, after a hearty breakfast preparations were madelooking to the return of the sheriff and his posse, together with Andyand his father.
Will had made several fine, clear prints of the scene in the collector'slibrary, which the flashlight had revealed so cleverly, and armed withthese, Thaddeus Lasher had no fear of the future. He knew that peace andprosperity had finally marked him for a favorite, after his life's barkhad been tossed about on tempestuous seas so long.
Of course, Will kept a copy for his collection. He also secured severalviews of the camp, with the party ready to start. These would give himand his chums much pleasure during their winter meetings, when theevents of past outings were being discussed.
So the wagon went away. To dispose of the remarkable event, it might bejust as well to say right here that Thaddeus Lasher was speedilyreleased from prison on the strength of that incriminating picture whichshowed Fletcher, easily recognized, in the act of looting thecollector's safe.
Mr. Lasher, later on, led the same eager collector to the spot where thebooty had been hidden by the thief, and the whole of it was recovered.The directions given by the dying Fletcher had been somewhat vague,which accounted for Thaddeus having to cover so much ground before heeventually ran across the _cache_.
The reward was readily handed over to him. It amounted to ten thousanddollars, for the collection was valued at much more than its actual costby the wealthy man who pursued this fad. Mr. Lasher bought a smallcottage near Centerville, and with his wife and three children settleddown to real happiness.
Perhaps, after all, his experience, while rough, had been the means ofsaving him from ruin, for he had been on the downward road at the timeof his arrest. He was never heard to complain of the past.
After the departure of the team the boys set about enjoying themselvesafter their various ideas of pleasure. Horses could not drag Will faraway from that blessed camera of his, and he was forever experimentingwith new pictures.
"I tell you, fellows, I'm going to have the dandiest lot for our albumyou ever saw," he declared when they took him to task for not enteringinto the water sports with more fervor.
"Yes, and I give you my word I know the one that will hold the chiefplace in that same album," remarked Jerry sarcastically.
"Which might that be?" asked Will calmly.
"The one which Bluff took of you sticking in that quicksand, with goodold Peter hitched to a rope, ready to yank you out."
"Oh, well, I did think of giving that one a place alongside the pictureof you being chased around that tree by those ferocious wild dogs. I'veconsidered that the prize of the entire collection heretofore," remarkedWill smoothly.
Then the laugh was on Jerry, for he did not like to recall that fierceepisode, related in the first volume of this series.
"All right; but I got the whole bunch of them in the end, you'llremember," he said defiantly.
"So you did, Jerry, and nobody could have done finer," remarked Frank,throwing cooling water on the little flames.
On the following day the team came back, and they kept the deputy overnight. He reported that the wounded man had stood the rough journeybetter than was anticipated, and that the doctor had openly commendedthe treatment which the young camp physician had commenced. He said thatbut for the prompt relief afforded, the condition of the sufferer musthave been much worse.
Of course, much patting on the back for Will followed the receipt ofthis intelligence.
"Oh, I always knew the fellow had it in him to be a boss doctor, if onlyhe would let this tiresome photography alone for a spell," quoth Bluff.
"Someb
ody has to fix these wonderful stunts you fellows do, so thatposterity may enjoy them, and I choose to be the one, that's all,"remarked Will.
Their vacation was now half over. They laid plans for the balance of thedays they expected to spend at Lake Surprise. The little sheet of waterin the mountains was so charming that none of them dreamed of makinganother change of base. Indeed, they knew they would leave the spot withmany regrets, and that in memory they must often look back to thatdelightful camp, and sigh to think it was no more.
And so the last day finally came, when they had to pack up for thereturn journey. No one showed any enthusiasm about the job.
Some of them expected to go away from Centerville for a few weeks at theseashore with parents, or other relatives; but the prospect had littlecharm for them at that hour.
"I'd rather, by long odds, stay right here until school opens up in thefall," declared Bluff mournfully, as he turned to take a last look atthe pretty silvery lake ere they passed the bend that would shut offthe entrancing view.
However, as they drew further away they managed to recover from theirdepression, and it was not long before Bluff and Jerry were pursuing ananimated dispute as to which of them had come out victor in the manycontests with those air mattresses.
Will and Frank could keep the secret no longer. When, amid bursts oflaughter, they told of the compact by means of which the rivals were tobe coaxed into a competition whereby the job of blowing up those big aircushions every night would be taken off their shoulders, the two victimslooked somewhat sheepish at first, but presently joined in the merrimentat their expense.
Lucky is the boy who can take a joke, even when he is the victim.
"Anyhow, I believe my chest is an inch bigger because of the exercise,"declared Bluff stoutly.
"I don't believe you got as much benefit out of it as I did, for since Iwas the winner I must have shown larger lungs than you did," said Jerry.
Then the heated discussion was on again, leading Frank to say:
"Boys, keep all that until we go out again, when you can open up anotherheat, and settle the matter for good. Will and I agree to umpire therace without the least leaning toward either contestant, won't we,Will?"
The outdoor chums reached home that evening, and the farmer's bound boywent with them.
"Jed, I want you to come with me," said Frank.
"What for?" asked the lad.
"I want you to have a talk with Bluff's father. He is a lawyer and maybe able to do something for you."
"All right," was the prompt reply.
When they got to Bluff's home they had to wait for some time, for thelawyer was busy with one of his clients. But at last Bluff's father hada chance to listen to what Jed had to tell.
"Show me those marks on your body," said the lawyer, and when thefarmer's boy did as requested Mr. Masters looked exceedingly stern.
"I shall certainly take this matter up for you," he said. "It is anoutrage."
"Do you think Jed ought to go back to his cruel uncle?" asked Frank.
"Never," cried the lawyer firmly. "Such a man is not fit to have anybodylive with him."
A little later Frank took Jed to Jerry's home, and there asked to seethe banker.
"What is it?" questioned Mr. Wallington, with interest.
"We want your advice about something, Mr. Wallington," answered Frank."This boy has found a paper I think valuable."
"Where was this found?" asked the banker, as he took the slip, and Frankand Jed told about the locket and how the paper has been brought tolight.
"The Consolidated Heckla, eh?" mused the banker. "That is quite awell-known mining property, but whether the stock is up or down just nowI cannot say."
"Can you find out?" asked Jerry, who was present.
"Oh, yes, I'll make it my business to find out to-morrow," answered hisparent.
"And when will you let me know?" asked Jed eagerly.
"Come to my office at three o'clock to-morrow afternoon."
It may well be imagined that the poor lad could hardly wait for the timeto pass. He stayed at Frank's home most of the day, but three o'clockfound him at the banker's office, in company with Frank and the otherboys.
"Well, I have looked up the Consolidated Heckla," said the banker with asmile.
"And what of it?" asked Frank. "Oh, please don't keep Jed and mewaiting, Mr. Wallington."
"Well, I find that Heckla has made a splendid strike lately,consequently the shares owned by the late father of this lad are quitevaluable."
"Good!" shouted Frank, and all the other boys echoed his sentiment.
"As much as a--a thousand dollars?" faltered Jed.
"As much as a good many thousand dollars, Jed," answered the banker.
"Oh, dear me! I must be dreaming!" murmured the lad, and then the tearsof joy commenced to course down his cheeks. His days of want and crueltywere at an end.
"It's like a dream," he whispered to Frank. "I'm almost afraid I'll wakeup and find it ain't true!"
"But it is true, Jed, every word of it!" cried Frank.
"If you wish me to do so, I will see what I can do with the stock,"pursued the banker.
"All right," said Jed, readily, for he now felt he was in the hands ofreal friends.
"And I will act with Mr. Masters against your uncle," added Mr.Wallington.
"He ought to be punished," was Will's comment.
"I'd like to ride him on a rail," said Frank.
"Or tar and feather him," added Bluff.
"That sort of talk won't do," said the banker. "You will have to letthe law take its course."
"Well, get all you can out of the mining stock," said Frank.
"I'll surely do that," answered the banker.
Eventually the shares were sold for a large sum, and this invested sothat the income would support Jed until he came of age, when theprincipal would be his own, to do with as he pleased.
No one ever found out just how Farmer Dobson learned that the paper wascontained in the locket. He knew enough to keep his own counsel in thematter. The court reprimanded him for his cruel treatment of his chargeand took the boy away, placing him in a comfortable home, where he founda mother's love in the good woman of the house.
And so it seemed that the expedition formed on the spur of the moment,with the idea of discovering the truth about that ghost of Oak Ridge,was productive of much good to several persons who were in serioustrouble, as well as affording great enjoyment to the four chums who tookpart in the outing on Lake Surprise.
"It was a great outing, eh, fellows?" said Will.
"The best ever!" cried Bluff. "You can't beat it anywhere!"
"May we have many more like it," came from Frank.
"So say we all of us!" cried the Outdoor Chums in concert.
And here let us take our leave and say good-by.
THE END
* * * * *
THE TOM SWIFT SERIES
By VICTOR APPLETON
It is the purpose of these spirited tales to convey in a realistic waythe wonderful advances in land and sea locomotion. Stories like theseimpress themselves on the youthful memory and their reading isproductive only of good.
TOM SWIFT AND HIS MOTOR CYCLE Or Fun and Adventure on the Road
TOM SWIFT AND HIS MOTOR BOAT Or The Rivals of Lake Carlopa
TOM SWIFT AND HIS AIRSHIP Or The Stirring Cruise of the Red Cloud
TOM SWIFT AND HIS SUBMARINE BOAT Or Under the Ocean for Sunken Treasure
TOM SWIFT AND HIS ELECTRIC RUNABOUT Or The Speediest Car on the Road
TOM SWIFT AND HIS ELECTRIC RIFLE Or Daring Adventures in Elephant Land
TOM SWIFT AND HIS SKY RACER Or The Quickest Flight on Record
TOM SWIFT IN THE CAVES OF ICE Or The Wreck of the Airship
TOM SWIFT AMONG THE DIAMOND MAKERS Or The Secret of Phantom Mountain
TOM SWIFT AND HIS WIRELE
SS MESSAGE Or The Castaways of Earthquake Island
TOM SWIFT IN THE CITY OF GOLD Or Marvellous Adventures Underground
TOM SWIFT AND HIS AIR GLIDER Or Seeking the Platinum Treasure
TOM SWIFT IN CAPTIVITY Or A Daring Escape by Airship
TOM SWIFT AND HIS WIZARD CAMERA Or The Perils of Moving Picture Taking
TOM SWIFT AND HIS GREAT SEARCHLIGHT Or On the Border for Uncle Sam
* * * * *
THE RISE IN LIFE SERIES
By Horatio Alger, Jr.
THE YOUNG BOOK AGENT, Or Frank Hardy's Road to Success
A plain but uncommonly interesting tale of everyday life, describing theups and downs of a boy book-agent.
FROM FARM TO FORTUNE, Or Nat Nason's Strange Experience
Nat was a poor country lad. Work on the farm was hard, and after aquarrel with his uncle, with whom he resided, he struck out for himself.
OUT FOR BUSINESS, Or Robert Frost's Strange Career
Relates the adventures of a country boy who is compelled to leave homeand seek his fortune in the great world at large.
FALLING IN WITH FORTUNE, Or The Experiences of a Young Secretary
This is a companion tale to "Out for Business," but complete in itself,and tells of the further doings of Robert Frost as private secretary.
YOUNG CAPTAIN JACK, Or The Son of a Soldier
The scene is laid in the South during the Civil War, and the hero is awaif who was cast up by the sea and adopted by a rich Southern planter.
NELSON THE NEWSBOY, Or Afloat in New York
Mr. Alger is always at his best in the portrayal of life in New YorkCity, and this story is among the best he has given our young readers.
LOST AT SEA, Or Robert Roscoe's Strange Cruise
A sea story of uncommon interest. The hero falls in with a strangederelict--a ship given over to the wild animals of a menagerie.
JERRY, THE BACKWOODS BOY, Or the Parkhurst Treasure
Depicts life on a farm of New York State. The mystery of the treasurewill fascinate every boy. Jerry is a character well worth knowing.
RANDY OF THE RIVER, Or the adventures of a Young Deckhand
Life on a river steamboat is not so romantic as some young people mayimagine, but Randy Thompson wanted work and took what was offered.
JOE, THE HOTEL BOY, Or Winning Out by Pluck.
A graphic account of the adventures of a country boy in the city.
BEN LOGAN'S TRIUMPH, Or The Boys of Boxwood Academy
The trials and triumphs of a city newsboy in the country.
* * * * *
The Enterprise Books
Captivating Stories for Boys by Justly Popular Writers
The episodes are graphic, exciting, realistic--the tendency of the talesis to the formation of an honorable and manly character. They areunusually interesting, and convey lessons of pluck perseverance andmanly independence.
MOFFAT, WILLIAM D.
THE CRIMSON BANNER. A Story of College Baseball
A tale that grips one from start to finish. The students are almostflesh and blood, and the contests become real as we read about them. Thebest all-around college and baseball tale yet presented.
GRAYDON, WILLIAM MURRAY
CANOE BOYS AND CAMP FIRES.
In this book we have the doings of several bright and lively boys, whogo on a canoeing trip and meet with many exciting happenings.
HARKNESS, PETER T.
ANDY, THE ACROBAT. Or, With the Greatest Show on Earth
Andy is as bright as a silver dollar. In the book we can smell thesawdust, hear the flapping of the big white canvas and the roaring ofthe lions, and listen to the merry "hoop la!" of the clown.
FOSTER, W. BERT
THE QUEST OF THE SILVER SWAN. A Tale of Ocean Adventure
A Youth's story of the deep blue sea--of the search for a derelictcarrying a fortune. Brandon Tarr is a manly lad, and all lads will beeager to learn whether he failed or succeeded in his mission.
WHITE, MATTHEW, JR.
TWO BOYS AND A FORTUNE. Or, The Tyler Will
If you had been poor and were suddenly left a half-million dollars, whatwould you do with it? That was the problem that confronted the Pellfamily, and especially the twin brothers, Rex and Roy. A strong, helpfulstory, that should be read by every boy in our land.
WINFIELD, ARTHUR M.
BOB, THE PHOTOGRAPHER. Or, A Hero in Spite of Himself
Relates the experiences of a poor boy who falls in with a "camera fiend"and develops a liking for photography. After a number of stirringadventures Bob becomes photographer for a railroad; thwarts the plan ofthose who would injure the railroad corporation and incidently clears amystery surrounding his parentage.
BONEHILL, CAPTAIN RALPH
LOST IN THE LAND OF ICE. Or, Daring Adventures Round the South Pole
An expedition is fitted out by a rich young man and with him goes thehero of the tale, a lad who has some knowledge of a treasure ship saidto be cast away in the land of ice. The heroes land among the wildIndians of Patagonia and have many exciting adventures.
* * * * *
The Young Reporter Series
BY HOWARD R. GARIS
The author is a practised journalist, and these stories convey a truepicture of the workings of a great newspaper. The incidents are takenfrom life.
FROM OFFICE BOY TO REPORTER Or The First Step in Journalism.
LARRY DEXTER, THE YOUNG REPORTER Or Strange Adventures in a Great City.
LARRY DEXTER'S GREAT SEARCH Or The Hunt for a Missing Millionaire.
LARRY DEXTER AND THE BANK MYSTERY Or A Young Reporter in Wall Street.
LARRY DEXTER AND THE STOLEN BOY Or A Young Reporter on the Lakes.
* * * * *
The Sea Treasure Series
BY ROY ROCKWOOD
No manly boy ever grew tired of sea stories--there is a fascinationabout them, and they are a recreation to the mind. These books areespecially interesting and are full of adventure, clever dialogue andplenty of fun.
ADRIFT ON THE PACIFIC Or The Secret of the Island Cave.
THE CRUISE OF THE TREASURE SHIP Or The Castaways of Floating Island.
THE RIVAL OCEAN DIVERS Or The Search for a Sunken Treasure.
JACK NORTH'S TREASURE HUNT Or Daring Adventures in South America.
* * * * *
The Outdoor Chums Series
By CAPTAIN QUINCY ALLEN
The outdoor chums are four wide-awake lads, sons of wealthy men of asmall city located on a lake. The boys love outdoor life, and aregreatly interested in hunting, fishing, and picture taking. They havemotor cycles, motor boats, canoes, etc., and during their vacations goeverywhere and have all sorts of thrilling adventures. The stories givefull directions for camping out, how to fish, how to hunt wild animalsand prepare the skins for stuffing, how to manage a canoe, how to swim,etc. Full of the very spirit of outdoor life.
THE OUTDOOR CHUMS Or, The First Tour of the Rod, Gun and Camera Club.
THE OUTDOOR CHUMS ON THE LAKE Or, Lively Adventures on Wildcat Island.
THE OUTDOOR CHUMS IN THE FOREST Or, Laying the Ghost of Oak Ridge.
THE OUTDOOR CHUMS ON THE GULF Or, Rescuing the Lost Balloonists.
THE OUTDOOR CHUMS AFTER BIG GAME Or, Perilous Adventures in the Wilderness.
* * * * *
THE BOYS OF COLUMBIA HIGH SERIES
By GRAHAM B. FORBES
Never was there a cleaner, brighter, more manly boy than Frank Allen,the hero of this series of boys' tales, and never was there a bettercrowd of lads to associate with than the students of the School. Allboys will read these stories with deep interest. The rivalry between thetowns along the
river was of the keenest, and plots and counterplots towin the championships, at baseball, at football, at boat racing, attrack athletics, and at ice hockey, were without number. Any lad readingone volume of this series will surely want the others.
The Boys of Columbia High; Or The All Around Rivals of the School.
The Boys of Columbia High on the Diamond; Or Winning Out by Pluck.
The Boys of Columbia High on the River; Or The Boat Race Plot that Failed.
The Boys of Columbia High on the Gridiron; Or The Struggle for the Silver Cup.
The Boys of Columbia High on the Ice; Or Out for the Hockey Championship.
* * * * *
The Dorothy Chester Series
By EVELYN RAYMOND
A series of stories for American girls, by one of the most popularwriters of fiction for girls' reading. The books are full of interest,winsome and thoroughly wholesome.
DOROTHY CHESTER
The Haps and Mishaps of a Foundling
The first volume tells how Dorothy was found on the doorstep, taken in,and how she grew to be a lovable girl of twelve; and was then carriedoff by a person who held her for ransom. She made a warm friend of Jim,the nobody; and the adventures of the pair are as interesting as theyare surprising.
DOROTHY CHESTER AT SKYRIE
Shows Dorothy at her country home near the Highlands of the Hudson. Hereastonishing adventures befell her, and once again Jim, the nobody, comesto her assistance.
* * * * *
The Bobbsey Twins Books
For Little Men and Women
By LAURA LEE HOPE
Books that will charm the hearts of the little ones, and of which theynever will tire.
THE BOBBSEY TWINS Or, Merry Days Indoors and Out
THE BOBBSEY TWINS IN THE COUNTRY
THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT THE SEASHORE
* * * * *
The Famous Rover Boys Series
By ARTHUR W. WINFIELD
American Stories of American Boys and Girls
THE ROVER BOYS IN THE AIR Or From College Campus to the Clouds
THE ROVER BOYS DOWN EAST Or The Struggle for the Stanhope Fortune
THE ROVER BOYS AT COLLEGE Or The Right Road and the Wrong
THE ROVER BOYS ON TREASURE ISLE Or The Strange Cruise of the Steam Yacht
THE ROVER BOYS ON THE FARM Or The Last Days at Putnam Hall
THE ROVER BOYS IN SOUTHERN WATERS Or The Deserted Steam Yacht
THE ROVER BOYS ON THE PLAINS Or The Mystery of Red Rock Ranch
THE ROVER BOYS ON THE RIVER Or The Search for the Missing Houseboat
THE ROVER BOYS IN CAMP Or The Rivals of Pine Island
THE ROVER BOYS ON LAND AND SEA Or The Crusoes of Seven Islands
THE ROVER BOYS IN THE MOUNTAINS Or A Hunt for Fame and Fortune
THE ROVER BOYS ON THE GREAT LAKES Or The Secret of the Island Cave
THE ROVER BOYS OUT WEST Or The Search for a Lost Mine
THE ROVER BOYS IN THE JUNGLE Or Stirring Adventures in Africa
THE ROVER BOYS ON THE OCEAN Or A Chase for a Fortune
THE ROVER BOYS AT SCHOOL Or The Cadets of Putnam Hall
* * * * *
The Putnam Hall Series
Companion Stories to the Famous Rover Boys Series
By ARTHUR M. WINFIELD
Open-air pastimes have always been popular with boys, and should alwaysbe encouraged. These books mingle adventure and fact, and will appeal toevery manly boy.
THE PUTNAM HALL MYSTERY
Or The School Chums' Strange Discovery
The particulars of the mystery and the solution of it are veryinteresting reading.
THE PUTNAM HALL ENCAMPMENT
Or The Secret of the Old Mill
A story full of vim and vigor, telling what the cadets did during thesummer encampment, including a visit to a mysterious old mill, said tobe haunted. The book has a wealth of fun in it.
THE PUTNAM HALL REBELLION
Or The Rival Runaways
The boys had good reasons for running away during Captain Putnam'sabsence. They had plenty of fun, and several queer adventures.
THE PUTNAM HALL CHAMPIONS
Or Bound to Win Out
In this volume the Putnam Hall Cadets show what they can do in variouskeen rivalries on the athletic field and elsewhere. There is one victorywhich leads to a most unlooked-for discovery.
THE PUTNAM HALL CADETS
Or Good Times In School and Out
The cadets are lively, flesh-and-blood fellows, bound to make friendsfrom the start. There are some keen rivalries, in school and out andsomething is told of a remarkable midnight feast and a hazing that hadan unlooked-for ending.
THE PUTNAM HALL RIVALS
Or Fun and Sport Afloat and Ashore
It is a lively, rattling, breezy story of school life In this countrywritten by one who knows all about its pleasures and its perplexities,its glorious excitements, and its chilling disappointments.
* * * * *
The Flag and Frontier Series
By CAPTAIN RALPH BONEHILL.
These bracing stories of America life, exploration and adventure shouldfind a place in every school and home library for the enthusiasm theykindle in American heroism and history. The historical background isabsolutely correct. Every volume complete in itself.
WITH BOONE ON THE FRONTIER, Or The Pioneer Boys of Old Kentucky.
Relates the true-to-life adventures of two boys who, in company withtheir folks, move westward with Daniel Boone. Contains many thrillingscenes among the Indians and encounters with wild animals.
PIONEER BOYS OF THE GREAT NORTHWEST, Or With Lewis and Clark Across theRockies.
A splendid story describing in detail the great expedition formed underthe leadership of Lewis and Clark, and telling what was done by thepioneer boys who were first to penetrate the wilderness of thenorthwest.
PIONEER BOYS OF THE GOLD FIELDS, Or The Nugget Hunters of '49.
Giving the particulars of the great rush of the gold seekers toCalifornia in 1849. In the party making its way across the continent arethree boys who become chums, and share in no end of adventures.
WITH CUSTER IN THE BLACK HILLS, Or A Young Scout Among the Indians.
Tells of the experiences of a youth who, with his parents, goes to theBlack Hills in search of gold. Custer's last battle is well described.
BOYS OF THE FORT, Or A Young Captain's Pluck.
This story of stirring doings at one of our well-known forts in the WildWest is of more than ordinary interest. Gives a good insight into armylife of to-day.
THE YOUNG BANDMASTER, Or Concert, Stage and Battlefield.
The hero is a youth who becomes a cornetist in an orchestra, and workshis way up to the leadership of a brass band. He is carried off to seaand is taken to Cuba, and while there joins a military band whichaccompanies our soldiers in the attack on Santiago.
OFF FOR HAWAII, Or The Mystery of a Great Volcano.
Several boys start on a tour of the Hawaiian Islands. They have heardthat there is a treasure located in the vicinity of Kilauea, the largestactive volcano in the world, and go in search of it.
A SAILOR BOY WITH DEWEY, Or Afloat In the Philippines.
The story of Dewey's victory in Manila Bay as it appeared to a real,live American youth who was in the navy at the time. Many adventures inManila and in the interior follow.
WHEN SANTIAGO FELL, Or The War Adventures of Two Chums.
Two boys leave New York to join their parents in Cuba. The war betweenSpain and the Cubans is on, and the boys are detained at Santiago, butescape across the bay at night. Many adventures follow.
* * *
* *
The Railroad Series
BY ALLEN CHAPMAN.
Ralph Fairbanks was bound to become a railroad man, as his father hadbeen before him. Step by step he worked his way upward, serving first inthe Roundhouse, cleaning locomotives; then in the Switch Tower, clearingthe tracks; then on the Engine, as a fireman; then as engineer of theOverland Express; and finally as Train Dispatcher.
In this line of books there is revealed the whole workings of a greatAmerican railroad system. There are adventures in abundance--railroadwrecks, dashes through forest fires, the pursuit of a "wildcat"locomotive, the disappearance of a pay car with a large sum of money onboard--but there is much more than this--the intense rivalry amongrailroads and railroad men, the working out of running schedules, thegetting through "on time" in spite of all obstacles, and themanipulation of railroad securities by evil men who wish to rule orruin.
Books that every American boy ought to own.
RALPH, THE TRAIN DISPATCHER Or The Mystery of the Pay Car.
RALPH ON THE OVERLAND EXPRESS Or The Trials and Triumphs of a Young Engineer.
RALPH ON THE ENGINE Or The Young Fireman of the Limited Mail.
RALPH OF THE ROUND HOUSE Or Bound to Become a Railroad Man.
RALPH IN THE SWITCH TOWER Or Clearing the Track.
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THE DICK HAMILTON SERIES
BY HOWARD R. GARIS
A NEW LINE OF CLEVER TALES FOR BOYS
DICK HAMILTON'S FORTUNE Or The Stirring Doings of a Millionaire's Son
Dick, the son of a millionaire, has a fortune left to him by his mother.But before he can touch the bulk of this money it is stipulated in hismother's will that he must do certain things, in order to prove that heis worthy of possessing such a fortune. The doings of Dick and his chumsmake the liveliest kind of reading.
DICK HAMILTON'S CADET DAYS
Or The Handicap of a Millionaire's Son
The hero, a very rich young man, is sent to a military academy to makehis way without the use of money. A fine picture of life at anup-to-date military academy is given, with target shooting, broad-swordexercise, trick riding, sham battles, and all. Dick proves himself ahero in the best sense of the word.
DICK HAMILTON'S STEAM YACHT
Or A Young Millionaire and the Kidnappers
A series of adventures while yachting in which our hero's wealth plays apart. Dick is marooned on an island, recovers his yacht and foils thekidnappers. The wrong young man is spirited away, Dick gives chase andthere is a surprising rescue at sea.
DICK HAMILTON'S FOOTBALL TEAM
Or A Young Millionaire on the Gridiron
A very interesting account of how Dick succeeded in developing achampion team and of the lively contests with other teams. There is alsorelated a number of thrilling incidents in which Dick is the centralfigure.