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If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - -Title: The Spirit of the School - -Author: Ralph Henry Barbour - -Release Date: February 18, 2017 [EBook #54190] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE SPIRIT OF THE SCHOOL *** - - - - -Produced by Donald Cummings and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - - - - - - - - - - _The_ SPIRIT OF THE SCHOOL - - - - -BY RALPH HENRY BARBOUR. - -Each 12mo, Cloth. - - The Spirit of the School. - Illustrated in Colors. $1.50. - - Four Afloat. - Illustrated in Colors. $1.50. - - Four Afoot. - Illustrated in Colors. $1.50. - - Four in Camp. - Illustrated in Colors. $1.50. - - On Your Mark. - Illustrated in Colors. $1.50. - - The Arrival of Jimpson. - Illustrated. $1.50. - - Weatherby’s Inning. - Illustrated in Colors. $1.50. - - Behind the Line. - Illustrated. $1.50. - - Captain of the Crew. - Illustrated. $1.50. - - For the Honor of the School. - Illustrated. $1.50. - - The Half-Back. - Illustrated. $1.50. - -D. APPLETON AND COMPANY, NEW YORK. - - - - -[Illustration: “A more harmless youth it would have been hard to find.”] - - - - - _The_ - SPIRIT - OF THE SCHOOL - - RALPH HENRY BARBOUR - - Author of “The Half-Back,” “Weatherby’s Inning,” - “On Your Mark,” etc. - - - [Illustration] - - - D. APPLETON AND COMPANY - NEW YORK - 1907 - - - - - Copyright, 1907, by - PERRY MASON COMPANY - - - Copyright, 1907, by - D. APPLETON AND COMPANY - - -_Published, September, 1907_ - - - - - TO - - JOSEPH SHERMAN FORD - - - - -CONTENTS - - - CHAPTER PAGE - I.--AN OLD ACQUAINTANCE IN A NEW RÔLE 1 - II.--HANSEL DECLARES FOR REFORM 20 - III.--MR. AMES TELLS A STORY 36 - IV.--SCHOOL AGAINST TOWN 56 - V.--HANSEL MEETS PHINEAS DORR 73 - VI.--THE CAUSE GAINS A CONVERT 91 - VII.--THE FIRST SKIRMISH 111 - VIII.--MR. AMES STATES HIS POSITION 131 - IX.--THE SECOND SKIRMISH 149 - X.--HANSEL LEAVES THE TEAM 159 - XI.--HANSEL MAKES A BARGAIN 176 - XII.--THREE IN CONSPIRACY 191 - XIII.--FAIRVIEW SENDS A PROTEST 216 - XIV.--THE SPIRIT OF THE SCHOOL 241 - XV.--THE GAME WITH FAIRVIEW 255 - - - - -LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS[*] - - - FACING - PAGE - - “A more harmless youth it would have been hard to - find.” _Frontispiece_ - - “‘I am looking for Bert Middleton,’ he announced.” 12 - - “‘Play the game the best you can, and let me manage your - campaign.’” 108 - - “In place of his former attire was an immaculate suit of - evening dress.” 118 - - “He was beginning to be looked upon as ‘queer.’” 156 - - “‘Who do you think will win, sir?’ asked Phin.” 192 - - “‘Gee! I didn’t know I represented anything!’” 236 - - “Lockhard ... was streaking around the right end of his - line.” 264 - -[*] These illustrations are used by arrangement with the publishers of -_The Youth’s Companion_. - - - - -THE SPIRIT OF THE SCHOOL - - - - -CHAPTER I - -AN OLD ACQUAINTANCE IN A NEW RÔLE - - -“It’s all well enough for you to sit there and grin like a gargle.” - -“Gargoyle is what you mean, my boy!” - -“Well, gargoyle,” continued Bert Middleton. “What’s the difference? -Of course, it’s easy enough for you to laugh about it; it isn’t your -funeral; but I guess if you’d had all your plans made up only to have -them knocked higher than a kite at the last minute----” - -“I know,” said Harry Folsom soothingly. “It’s rotten mean luck. I’d -have told the doctor that I wouldn’t do it.” - -“But it wasn’t his fault, you see. It’s dad that’s to blame for the -whole business. You see, it was this way. The Danas used to live up in -Feltonville when I was a kid, and dad and Mr. Dana were second cousins -or something, and were sort of partners in a sawmill and one or two -things like that. Hansel Dana was about my age, maybe a year younger, -and we used to play together sometimes. But his mother used to take -him away on visits in the summer, and so we didn’t get very chummy. -The fact is I never cared much for him. He was sort of namby-pamby, -and used to read kid’s books most all the time. Mr. Dana died when I -was about twelve, and Mrs. Dana and Hansel went out to Ohio to live -with relatives. Then this summer dad gets a letter from her saying that -she wants to send Hansel to a good school in the East, and asking his -advice. And nothing would do for dad but that the little beggar must -come here to Beechcroft and room with me! Did you ever hear of such -luck? And Larry Royle and I had it all fixed to take that dandy big -suite in Weeks. Of course that wouldn’t do, for dad says I’ve got to -sort of look after the kid. And as his mother hasn’t much money, why, -we have to room up here on the top floor of Prince with the grinds and -the rest of the queer ones. Look at this hole! Isn’t it the limit? One -bedroom, about the size of a pill box, dirty wall paper, a rag of a -carpet, and a fireplace that I just bet won’t do a thing but smoke us -out!” - -“Oh, I don’t know, Bert. I think the place looks mighty swell with all -your pictures and truck around. The carpet isn’t much, as you say, but -then that’s all the better; you won’t have to be careful about spilling -things on it. And maybe What’s-his-name will turn out all right.” - -“A regular farmer, I’ll bet! They live in Davis City, Ohio, and I never -heard of the place before. He’s been going to some sort of a two-cent -academy out there, and now he’s got it into his head that he can enter -the third class here. If he makes the second he’ll be doing well.” - -“You say he plays football?” - -“That’s what dad says; says he was captain of his team last year. I can -just see the team, can’t you? And I dare say he’ll expect me to get him -a place on the eleven here; maybe he expects to be captain again!” - -“Oh, well,” said Harry, smiling at his friend’s woe-begone countenance, -“perhaps it won’t be as bad as that. And if he’s played football at all -we ought to be glad to get him. We haven’t so much new material in -sight this fall that we can afford to be particular. I really think, -though, you ought to have gone to the station to meet him, Bert.” - -“I was busy putting up pictures,” answered Bert grumpily. “If he can’t -find his way from the station up here he’d better go back where he came -from.” - -“I can see where little--say, what the dickens _is_ his name, anyway?” - -“Hansel.” - -“Where’d he get it? Well, I can see where he’s going to have the time -of his young life when he gets here; you’re so sweet-tempered, old -man!” And Harry Folsom leaned back among the pillows of the window seat -and laughed. Bert, sprawling in a dilapidated Morris chair, observed -him gloomily. - -What he saw was a rather plain-looking lad of seventeen, of medium -height and weight, with light hair and gray eyes and an expression of -good nature that was seldom absent. Bert had never seen Harry angry; -in fact, his good nature was proverbial throughout Beechcroft Academy. -He was manager of the football team, and was just the fellow for the -office. He possessed a good deal of executive ability, a fair share of -common sense, and a faculty for keeping his head and his temper under -the greatest provocation. - -He differed widely in that respect from his host. Bert Middleton had -a temper, and anyone who was with him for any length of time was -pretty certain to find it out. Unfortunately, with the temper went a -stubbornness that made matters worse. - -Except with a few fellows who, in spite of these failings, had stuck -to him long enough to discover his better qualities, he was not very -popular. His election the preceding year to the captaincy of the -football team had come to him as a tribute to his playing ability and -not his popularity. He was strikingly good looking, with very black -hair and snapping black eyes, and in spite of the fact that he was but -eighteen years old, he tipped the gymnasium scales at 170 and stood -six feet all but an inch. He was generally acknowledged to have won a -place on the All-Preparatory Football Team of the year before, and was -without doubt the best full back Beechcroft Academy had ever had. Just -at present his expression was not particularly attractive, his forehead -being wrinkled into a network of frowns and his mouth drawn down with -discontent. Both boys were in their senior year members of what at -Beechcroft is called the Fourth Class. - -The room in which the two boys were sitting on the afternoon of the -day preceding the beginning of the fall term was, in spite of Bert’s -grumblings, pleasant and homelike. It was well furnished, and if the -walls were stained and cracked, the dozens of pictures which Bert -had just finished hanging concealed the fact. Through the double -window, which formed a recess for the comfortable window seat, the -mid-afternoon sun was pouring in, and with it came a fresh breeze and -scented from the beech forest which sloped away up the hill behind the -school buildings. To the right of the window an open door showed the -white unpapered walls of the small bedroom. In the center of the room, -beneath an antiquated chandelier, stood a green-topped study table, -at the present moment piled high with books awaiting installation in -the two low cases which flanked the fireplace. Had you lifted the -brown corduroy cushion from the window seat you would have discovered -the bench beneath to be engraved quite as completely and almost as -intricately as any Egyptian monolith. For Prince Hall is well over -eighty years old, and succeeding generations of students have left -their marks incised with pocket-knife or hot poker on the woodwork of -the rooms. - -The residents of Prince Hall professed to be, and probably were, -proud of the antiquity and associations of their building. But they -couldn’t help being sometimes envious of the modern improvements, -large, well-lighted rooms, and up-to-date appointments of the rival -dormitory, Weeks Hall. Weeks stands at the other side of the academy -grounds, with the Academy Hall between it and Prince. The three -buildings form a row in front of which the well-kept gravel driveway -passes ere it disappears to circle the ivy-covered red brick walls of -the laboratory at the rear. Across the drive stand the gymnasium and -library, the former a modern brick and sandstone structure more ornate -than beautiful, and the latter a granite specimen of the unlovely -architecture of fifty years ago, charitably draped in a gown of green -ivy leaves, which in a measure hides its rude angles. - -Beyond the gymnasium and library the ground slopes in a gentle terrace -to a broad meadow, which, known as the Green, is the academy’s athletic -field, and has two wooden stands in various stages of disrepair. Then -comes the winding country road which leads to the village of Bevan -Hills a half mile or more away. - -Beechcroft is encompassed on three sides by parklike forest, in which -the smooth gray boles of beech trees are everywhere visible. As yet -their pale-yellow leaves still rustled on the branches, for in the -Massachusetts hills the heavy frosts do not come until October at the -earliest. To-day, a Wednesday in the last week of September, summer -still held sway, and the thick woods were full of golden sunlight and -green gloom. - -When, having recovered from his mirth, Harry Folsom raised himself and -looked out of the open window, he saw spread before him a sunlit vista -of yellowing fields, with here and there a white farmhouse amid a green -orchard. But the scene was a familiar one, and his gaze passed it by to -the village road along which was rattling a barge filled with returning -students. - -“There’s a load of ’em coming around now,” announced Harry. “I think I -saw Larry out front with the driver.” - -“That’s where he would be naturally,” answered Bert, some of the -despondency clearing from his face. “For years he’s been trying to get -Gibbs to let him drive the nags. Some day he will do it, and somebody -will get killed. I suppose Hansel was on that load; he wrote he was -coming on the 4.12.” - -“I guess I’ll have to stay and see this Fidus Achates of yours, Bert.” - -“Fidus Achates!” exploded the other. “Fidus poppycock! I wish he -was--was----” - -“Careful, now!” cautioned Harry with a grin. - -“I wish he was at home,” ended Bert with a gulp. “I thought I was going -to have a good time this year--a decent room with a fellow I liked, not -many studies, plenty of time for football and hockey, and--and--now -look at me! Stuck up here among the pills with a silly little runt of a -country kid for roommate! Oh, a nice cheerful fourth year I shall have!” - -“Oh, quit your yowling!” said the other good-naturedly. “You don’t know -what Dana will be like. For my part I’m ready to like him, if only -because you’ve run him down so. I dare say he will prove to be a very -decent sort.” - -“Oh, decent enough, maybe; but if he’s anything like what he used to -be, he’ll just sit here and read his old books all day and make me -nervous. Maybe he’ll turn out a grind!” - -“But he can’t be so awfully fond of staying indoors and reading if he -was captain of his football team.” - -“Shucks! I’ll bet I know what sort of football he plays! His team -probably averaged a hundred and twenty pounds and played back of the -village livery stable. I’m going to have the dustpan ready to sweep up -the hayseed when he takes his hat off!” - -“Well, he will be here in a minute,” laughed Harry, “and then we’ll -know the worst. If he’s as bad as you picture him, I don’t blame you -for being----” - -He was interrupted by a knock at the door. The two exchanged -questioning glances, and then Bert called “Come in!” The door swung -open and a tall, well-built youth entered, set down a suit case, and -looked inquiringly from Harry to Bert. - -“I’m looking for Bert Middleton,” he announced, “and I guess you’re the -chap, aren’t you?” He looked smilingly at Bert, who had arisen from his -chair and was observing the newcomer with a puzzled frown. - -[Illustration: “‘I am looking for Bert Middleton,’ he announced.”] - -“Why, yes; but--you--look here, you’re not Hansel Dana, are you?” - -“Yes”--the two shook hands--“I suppose I’ve changed some since you saw -me last. So have you, for that matter. You’re heaps bigger, but that -black hair of yours looks just the same.” - -“Yes, you have changed,” answered Bert. “I’m glad to see you.” He -turned to where Harry was smiling broadly at his amazement. “This is -Mr. Folsom, Hansel; Mr. Dana. We--we were just speaking of you when you -knocked.” - -“Yes,” said Harry, shaking hands heartily, “Bert was telling me how -glad he was you and he were to be together.” He shot a malicious glance -at Bert and was rewarded with a scowl. The newcomer looked shrewdly at -Bert’s innocent countenance and smiled a little. - -“Rather a pleasant room we’ve got, Bert,” he observed. - -“Oh, fair for a cheap one.” - -“Is this a cheap one?” asked the other, opening his eyes. “I thought -the rent was sixty dollars.” - -“So it is. Over in Weeks some of the suites are two hundred.” - -“Hum; things come high here, don’t they? Is this your furniture?” - -“Yes, most of it; one or two things are rented.” - -“I didn’t bring much. I didn’t quite know what was wanted. But I -suppose I can get things here, can’t I? I’d like to do my share.” - -“You can’t get much here,” answered Harry. “You’ll have to go to -Boston, I guess. But I don’t see that you two need much else.” - -“We need another easy chair,” said Bert, “and a rug or two wouldn’t -look bad. If we’ve got to live in a garret like this we might as well -be as comfortable as we can.” - -The newcomer’s eyes narrowed a trifle. - -“All right,” he answered quietly. “I’ll see what I can do.” He went -to the window and stood there a moment looking out over the sunlit -landscape and peeling off a pair of very proper tan gloves. Harry and -Bert exchanged glances. Presently he turned and, tossing his gloves -aside, sat down on the window seat, took one knee into his hands, and -looked about the room with frank interest. - -Hansel Dana was seventeen years old, a tall, clean-cut boy with very -little superfluous flesh beneath his neat, well-fitting gray suit. -Despite his height he looked and was heavy. His hair was brown and so -were his eyes, and the latter had a way of looking straight at you -when he talked that was a little bit disconcerting at first. Harry -Folsom, who, being quite out of the running himself, had a deep liking -for good looks, mentally dubbed Dana the handsomest fellow in school. -His nose was straight, his mouth firm without being thin, and his chin -was square and aggressive. There was a liberal dash of healthy color -in each cheek. As for his attire, there was little to confirm Bert’s -prophecies. He wore a white negligee shirt, a suit of gray flannel, -low tan shoes, and when he had entered had worn a gray cloth cap. -The clothes were not expensive, but, as Harry ruefully acknowledged -to himself, looked better than did his own garments, for which he -had paid possibly three times as much. Altogether Hansel Dana made a -very presentable appearance. And his manner, a pleasing mixture of -self-possessed ease and modesty, was not the least of his charm. - -“He looks to me,” mused Harry, “like a chap who knows his own mind -and won’t be afraid to let somebody else know it. And if he can play -football the way he took his gloves off and set that bag down, I fancy -there’ll be something doing. Also, unless I’m much mistaken, 22 Prince -Hall has got a new boss!” And he smiled to himself at the idea of Bert -Middleton knuckling under to anybody. - -Hansel had plenty of questions to ask, and he asked them. And the -others supplied the answers, Bert becoming quite genial under his new -roommate’s implied deference to his experience and knowledge. Harry, -who fancied he could see a rude awakening ahead for Bert, enjoyed -himself hugely. Presently the talk worked around to football, as it -inevitably will where two or more boys are gathered together when frost -is in the air, and Bert inquired whether Hansel played. - -“Yes, I’ve played some,” was the answer. “We had a team out home at the -academy. They made me captain last year. We had pretty good fun.” - -“Did you win your big game?” asked Harry. - -“No,” Hansel answered carelessly. “We lost that; lost plenty of others, -too, for that matter. But we were pretty light, had no coach, and had -to pay our own traveling expenses besides; that made it difficult, -for lots of the fellows couldn’t afford to pay fares, and so when we -went away from home it was mighty hard work to get a full eleven to go -along.” - -Bert glanced across at Harry with a “I-told-you-so” expression. - -“Yes, that must have made it hard,” laughed Harry. “Well, you must -come out for the team to-morrow. By the way, where did you play?” - -“Last year at left end; before that at right half.” - -“That’s bad,” said Bert. “We’re pretty well fixed in the back field and -we’ve got slathers of candidates for the end positions. What we need -are men for the line. But I guess you’d be too light there. What’s your -weight?” - -“A hundred and fifty-eight when I’m in shape.” - -“Well, maybe you’d have chance at tackle,” said Bert dubiously. - -“Don’t believe I could make good there,” answered Hansel. “I guess it’s -end or nothing in my case. By the way, when do we get supper?” - -“Six,” answered Harry. - -“I’m starved. Didn’t get any lunch in Boston because my train from the -West was over an hour late. Well, I guess I can hold out another hour.” - -“You’re going into the third class, Bert says,” said Harry. - -“Yes, if I can pass the exams, and I guess I can. Latin’s the only -thing I’m afraid of.” - -“Well, get Bert to bring you over to my room to-night. You take the -exams to-morrow, you know, and maybe we can give you a few pointers. -Bring him over, Bert, will you? I’ll see you in dining hall, maybe. I -want to run across and see whether Larry has turned up. Did you notice -a big fellow on the front seat coming up from the station?” - -“Yes, weighed about a thousand pounds. Who is he?” asked Hansel. - -“Larry Royle. He’s in your class. He lives in the big house across the -road. His dad owns pretty near everything around here. Larry’s our -center, and he’s a crackajack, too. I’ll run over a minute. By the way, -Bert, shall I find that dustpan for you?” - -And Harry disappeared beyond the door, laughing. - -“He seems a nice sort,” said Hansel warmly. - -“He is; he’s a mighty good chap. He’s manager of the football team, by -the way, and if you want any favors you’d better stand in with him. -You know, I dare say, that I’m captain this year?” - -“Yes, I think your father said something about it in one of his -letters.” - -“Yes; well, of course, I’ll do what I can for you if you want to make -the team, but--there’s a bunch of pretty swift players here, and so--if -you shouldn’t make it, you know, you mustn’t be disappointed. Of -course, I can’t show any favoritism; you understand that; and----” - -“Oh, that’s all right!” interrupted Hansel with a smile. “Don’t you -bother about me; I’ll look out for myself, Bert. If I thought there -was any likelihood of you showing favoritism I wouldn’t go out. But I -don’t believe there’s any danger--at least, not unless you’ve changed -a whole lot. Perhaps you don’t recall the fact, Bert, but you used to -make life pretty uncomfortable for me when we were kids back there in -Feltonville. I suppose you didn’t mean anything particularly, but I -haven’t quite forgotten it.” - -“Pshaw!” said Bert uncomfortably. “You were such a little sissy----” - -“And I don’t suppose,” the other continued calmly, “that you were -overpleased to have me for a roommate. For that matter, neither was I. -But there wasn’t any help for it, and so I thought we’d make the best -of it. What can’t be cured, you know, must be endured. I dare say we’ll -get on pretty well together. At least, we know where we stand. You’ll -find me pretty decent as long as you behave yourself. But”--Hansel -arose and went toward the bedroom--“but none of those old tricks of -yours, Bert.” - -He disappeared, and Bert, sitting fairly open-mouthed and speechless -with amazement, heard him pouring water into the bowl. - - - - -CHAPTER II - -HANSEL DECLARES FOR REFORM - - -Two days later Hansel Dana had officially become a student at -Beechcroft Academy, one of a colony of some one hundred and forty-odd -youths of from twelve to twenty years of age, about half of whom -lived in the two school dormitories and half in the village or in the -occasional white-painted and green-shuttered residences along the way -to it. (In Beechcroft parlance the former were called “Schoolers” and -the latter “Towners,” and there was always more or less rivalry between -them.) Hansel had passed his entrance examinations with a condition -in Latin which he must work off during the fall term, and he was very -well satisfied. Harry told him, in the words of Grover Cleveland, that -“it was a condition and not a theory which confronted him,” but Hansel -didn’t have any doubt as to his ability to work it off before the -Christmas recess. - -He had also meanwhile passed another examination, and that without -conditions. The candidates for the school eleven, by which term the -first team was known, had assembled on the afternoon of the first day -of school, and never before, according to Mr. Ames, had there been so -many of them; and never, he had also added to himself, had they been -nearly so unpromising. Out of a possible one hundred and forty-odd -students, seventy-one, or practically one-half, had reported for -practice on the green. Of the number five had played on the last year’s -team, while many others had been on either the scrub or the class -elevens. Hansel, because of an examination in mathematics, had not been -able to reach the green until the first practice was almost half over. -He had reported to Bert Middleton, and had been ungraciously sent to -one of the awkward squads composed of the candidates from the entering -class. But he hadn’t stayed there very long. Mr. Ames, making the round -of the squads, had watched him for a moment and had thereupon sent -him into the second group, which was under the instruction of a big, -good-natured boy whom Hansel recognized as the Laurence Royle of whom -Harry Folsom had spoken. The first day’s practice consisted principally -of exercises designed to limber up stiff muscles, and proved most -uninteresting and disappointing to many of the new candidates. After -doing a quarter of a mile jog around the cinder track, the fellows -were sent up to the gymnasium, where their names and weights were -taken down by the manager. On the second afternoon the unpromising -candidates were weeded out, and definite teams--first, second, third, -and fourth--were formed; and Hansel found himself one of sixteen lucky -fellows constituting the first. - -The coach was Mr. Ames, instructor in French and German. He had played -football and baseball during his college days at Harvard, and had, -in fact, been an all-round athlete. He was a young man, very popular -with the students and very successful in handling them, either on the -gridiron or in the classroom. During his five years as coach Beechcroft -had won three football games from Fairview School, her dearest enemy, -and had lost two; had been defeated three times in baseball, had tied -one game and won one; had been generally successful on the track, and -in the two years that hockey had been played had been twice defeated. -The physical training was looked after by Mr. Foote, the director -of the gymnasium. Undoubtedly Beechcroft could have done better in -athletics had she had a professional trainer and additional coaches, -but there was little revenue from athletics and almost no support from -graduates, and as a consequence what money was obtained for athletic -expenditure came from the students themselves and was insufficient -for anything more than the items of equipment, field maintenance, -and traveling expenses. Under the circumstances, it was felt that -Beechcroft did very well. - -Mr. Ames believed that in Hansel the football team had a find of no -small importance. The boy evidently knew football from the ground up, -had weight, speed, and brains, and promised to develop into one of the -best men on the team. He confided his belief to Bert and Harry one -afternoon after practice was over, and even Bert was forced, seemingly -against his will, to agree with him. Harry was enthusiastic, possibly -because he had discerned Hansel’s abilities at their first meeting, and -so felt a sort of proprietary interest in him. - -“He’s got end cinched,” declared the manager. “Cutter and Grant will -have to toss up to see which one of them goes to the scrub. I knew the -first moment I set eyes on the fellow that he could play the game.” - -“Well, if he’s a find he’s the only one that I know about,” said Bert. -“There isn’t anyone else in sight who threatens to become famous.” - -“That’s so,” agreed Mr. Ames. “The new men are a poor lot from the -football standpoint. But there’s some good track material in sight.” - -“Hang your old track material,” laughed Bert. “What I’m looking for is -a few good heavy linemen.” - -After the coach had taken himself off, Bert and Harry went up to the -latter’s room in Weeks. - -“How are you and Achates getting on together?” asked Harry when he had -pushed Bert into an easy chair and thrown himself among the window -cushions. - -“Oh, all right, I guess. I told you he had a grudge against me, didn’t -I, because he says I used to haze him when he was a youngster?” - -“Yes, but of course you didn’t really do such a thing,” laughed Harry. - -“You dry up! I dare say I did tease him a bit; he was such a milksop, -you see. But I think it’s mighty small of him to remember it all this -time!” - -“Yes, I suppose so, but--oh, I don’t know; he seems sort of funny in -some ways, don’t you think?” - -“Yes, he’s woozy, the silly dub! And I know all the time that he’s -sort of laughing at me up his sleeve because I told him not to be -disappointed if he didn’t make the team.” - -“Did you tell him that?” laughed Harry. - -“Yes; I didn’t want him to think he could get on just because he roomed -with the captain; you know lots of fellows would have thought that.” - -“Ye-es, but I don’t think Dana’s that kind.” - -“Maybe not; I know he isn’t, in fact. But I didn’t then. Gee but he -_can_ play!” - -“You’d better believe it, Bert! I’ll bet he’ll turn out the best end in -years. Why, the chap can run like a gale of wind, and as for putting -his man out--” Words failed him. “Well, I’m glad you two are chummy; it -makes it better, eh?” - -“We’re not exactly chummy,” answered Bert with a frown, “but we get on -all right. He attends to his affairs and I attend to mine; we don’t -have much to say to each other--yet.” - -“Pshaw, don’t be nasty, Bert. He’ll be decent if you will, I bet. You -know you have a temper sometimes, and----” - -“I don’t remember things a thousand years, do I?” asked the other -angrily. “Temper! Who wouldn’t have a temper when----” - -“There, there, old chap! Don’t get waxy with me. If you do I’ll throw -you out of the window!” - -Whereupon a scuffle ensued, and Bert’s ill temper passed. - -Bert’s description of the existing relations between the occupants -of 22 Prince was a true one. He and Hansel “got on all right,” but -there wasn’t much chumming. Football seemed to be the only topic which -could induce conversation. Sometimes an hour passed in the evening -during which not a word was exchanged across the study table. Bert -would have been glad to let bygones be bygones, for he liked Hansel, -if only because of the latter’s ability to play football; Bert would -have found a warm corner in his heart for the sorriest specimen of -humanity imaginable had the latter been able to play the game well. But -he wasn’t one to make advances even had there been encouragement, which -there wasn’t. Hansel was always polite, always amiable, but, so far as -Bert could see, didn’t care a row of pins whether his roommate came or -went. Life at home wasn’t enlivening to Bert in those days, for he was -very dependent upon the society of others for happiness; solitude had -small attraction for him and silence still less. As a result he spent -most of his time, when study was not absolutely necessary, away from -his room. - -On the second evening following the conversation recorded with Harry, -however, he was at home; study to-night was incumbent. He sat at one -side of the table and Hansel at the other. For the better part of an -hour each had been immersed in his books and not a word had been said. -Finally, Bert pushed his work away, stretched, yawned, and looked at -the little clock on the mantel. As the clock was never known to be -right, the resulting increase in knowledge wasn’t valuable. He knew -plaguy well it wasn’t twenty-six minutes to seven! Hansel raised his -head and glanced across at him. - -“Going to knock off?” he asked politely. - -“Yes, I guess so.” He pined for conversation and wished heartily that -the other would stop studying and talk. “What you worrying over?” - -“Latin,” was the laconic reply, as Hansel’s head bent over the book -again. - -“Find it hard?” - -“Yes, I hate the foolish stuff.” - -“Well, I never found it hard; but math has me floored.” - -“That so?” - -“Yes.” - -Silence, during which the untruthful clock ticked loudly. - -“How are you with math?” - -“Fair, I guess; mathematics don’t bother me much.” - -“Wish I could say that. Did you ever hear the yarn they tell on Billy -Cameron?” - -“No, I don’t think so,” was the polite and uninterested response. But -Bert wasn’t to be silenced. - -“Well, you know Billy’s about twenty or twenty-one. He went to Bursley -for about a hundred years before he came here. They got tired of trying -to teach him anything and so he left there and showed up here. At -least--well, that’s one reason. The other reason is that we needed a -good half back, and Billy was open to inducements.” - -Hansel’s eyes came away from his book and he began to show signs of -interest. - -“What sort of inducements?” he asked. - -“Oh, the usual, you know; tuition paid by popular subscription and a -nice comfortable place as waiter in dining hall, where he doesn’t have -to do much and gets his meals free.” - -“Oh,” said Hansel thoughtfully. - -“It isn’t supposed to be known, of course, but I guess it is. I guess -folks don’t make the mistake of thinking Billy is here to improve his -mind. He’s a good chap, but his mind will never trouble him--that way! -And of course the only reason they let him stay at Bursley so long was -just because he was one of the best players on any school team and they -needed his assistance. Well, as I was saying, the story goes that some -one said to Billy one day--and, by the way, he’s been in the second -class ever since he came here, and that’s a year this fall--some one -said to him: ‘Say, Billy, how are you getting on with your studies?’ -‘Oh,’ said Billy, ‘pretty fair.’ ‘That’s good. Find it easy going, do -you?’ ‘Well, I don’t know about that,’ says Billy. ‘The field’s pretty -rough in places.’” - -“Hm,” said Hansel. He didn’t even smile, and Bert regarded him -disgustedly. Bert thought that a pretty funny yarn. - -“Look here,” demanded the other after a moment of silence, “do you mean -to tell me that that fellow is here just to play football and that the -school is paying his expenses?” - -“That’s about it,” answered Bert in surprise. “Why?” - -“I don’t like it,” said Hansel decisively. - -“Don’t like it? Well--well, what can you do? Why don’t you like it?” -Bert was genuinely astonished. - -“I don’t like to think that that sort of thing is done at the school -I go to,” answered the other firmly. “When I found I was coming here -to Beechcroft I was proud of it. I had heard of the school all my life -and had always wanted to come here, but never expected to be able -to. Beechcroft has stood for me for everything that’s fine and high -and--and noble in school life, and now you tell me that it’s no better -than any of the little mean sneaky schools out West that give free -tuition and board to any chap who can kick a football or run around the -bases! That’s why I don’t like it, Bert.” - -“Well, don’t you let the fellows hear you calling Beechcroft mean and -sneaky,” said Bert indignantly. “If you do you’ll get laid out.” - -“Isn’t it?” asked Hansel quietly. - -“No, it isn’t!” exploded Bert. “You needn’t judge Beechcroft by your -little two-by-twice schools out West. What if Cameron does get helped -along by the fellows? If we’re willing to do it it’s our affair. He’s a -_bona fide_ student at the academy, and no one can say he isn’t.” - -“But I say it,” Hansel replied calmly. - -Bert glared at him across the table as though on the point of -inflicting blows. But Hansel’s steady untroubled gaze deterred him, and -he contented himself with flinging himself out of his chair and seeking -the support of the mantel. - -“Then you lie!” he retorted hotly. - -“I don’t think I do,” was the answer. “You’re not looking at the thing -fairly and squarely, Bert. Here’s a fellow who hasn’t come here to -prepare himself for college, who isn’t paying his own tuition, and who -wouldn’t be here a day if he wasn’t a swell football player. And you -call him a ‘_bona fide_ student’!” - -“Of course I do! He’s taking a regular course at the school and keeping -up with his studies----” - -“How?” - -“What?” - -“I asked how?” - -“Same as you and I, I suppose.” - -“But you’ve said yourself that he couldn’t stay at Bursley, and anyone -knows that Beechcroft is three times as hard as Bursley. Who’s -coaching him?” - -“What’s that got to do with it? Aren’t lots of the fellows coached?” - -“Maybe; but who is coaching Cameron?” - -“I don’t know; it’s none of my business. And it’s none of yours either, -Hansel.” - -“Yes, it is. Cameron has no business here; at least, he has no business -playing on the school football team, and you know it.” - -“Oh, don’t be a silly ass!” said Bert angrily. “You’re too blamed -particular. Why, great Scott! lots of the schools have fellows on their -football and baseball teams that aren’t any better than Cameron. Look -at Bursley!” - -“Maybe lots of them do, but that isn’t any reason that we should. -Besides, I don’t believe many of them are like that. Bursley may be, -but how about Fairview?” - -“She’d take Cameron in a minute if she could get him!” - -“I don’t believe it, Bert.” - -“You don’t have to. Maybe you know a lot more about it than I do!” - -“Well, anyway, I think it’s a pretty poor piece of business. It isn’t -as though we couldn’t get a winning team out of a hundred and fifty -fellows, either; that makes it worse; we’re dishonest when there isn’t -the least excuse for it. You needn’t tell me we couldn’t win from -Fairview one year out of two without this Cameron fellow. Are there any -more like him here?” - -“You find out! I’ve told you all I’m going to. You make me tired, -putting on airs as though Beechcroft wasn’t as good as any old school -out where you come from.” - -“She’s better than some of them,” answered Hansel calmly, “but I don’t -know of a school out my way with half the reputation that Beechcroft -has that would do such a thing.” - -“Rot!” - -“It’s so, just the same.” - -“Well, let me tell you one thing; if you go around talking the way you -have to-night you’ll get yourself mighty well disliked--and serve you -right! You needn’t think we’re going to take a lot of nonsense like -that from a fellow who comes from a little old village academy that no -one ever heard of!” - -“What does Ames think of it?” asked Hansel irrelevantly. - -“You’d better ask him.” - -“I will. And I’ll tell you what else I’m going to do,” continued -Hansel, with a look in his steady brown eyes that Bert found -disquieting. “I’m going to do away with that sort of thing at -Beechcroft, if not this year, then next. Will you help me?” - -“Me?” gasped Bert, thoroughly taken aback. “No, I won’t!” - -“Well, I didn’t suppose you would, although as captain of the team you -ought to be the first one to do so. I’ll just have to go ahead without -you.” - -Hansel drew his book toward him and seemed to consider the subject -closed. Bert regarded him a moment in silence. Somehow he felt worsted, -impotent, and in the wrong. And the feeling didn’t improve his temper. - -“A fat lot you can do,” he growled wrathfully. - -“You wait and see,” was the placid response. - - - - -CHAPTER III - -MR. AMES TELLS A STORY - - -The next day was Sunday. For a week the weather had been suggestive -of early December rather than the first week in October, but to-day -it had relented and there was a warmth and balminess in the air that -would have coaxed a hermit out of his cell. There was nothing of the -hermit about Hansel and so he required very little coaxing. There was -church in the morning at Bevan Hills, and the boys who lived on the -grounds--the “Schoolers,” as they were called--walked thither in two -squads under the care of Mr. Ames and Mr. Foote. They were required to -walk, if not exactly in procession, at least in an orderly manner on -the way to church, but coming home, as there was a full hour between -the close of service and the time for dinner, restrictions were largely -removed, and the fellows loitered or made excursions afield about as -they chose. Mr. Ames’s squad was always the larger of the two, since he -was rather more popular than Mr. Foote, and allowed the boys greater -liberty, at the same time maintaining, seemingly with little trouble, a -far better discipline. As Harry Folsom explained to Hansel on the way -back: - -“You don’t mind doing what Bobby tells you to, somehow. But Foote--oh, -I don’t know; you always feel like worrying him; and he’s not a half -bad sort, either. Bobby, though, seems more like one of us fellows; I -guess he understands what a fellow wants and--and all that, you know.” - -The sun was pretty warm on the way back, and when they left the road to -take the well-worn path across the green--a route which cut off a full -quarter of a mile of the distance between village and school--some one -proposed a halt for rest before they tackled the slope. - -“That’s a good suggestion,” answered Mr. Ames, seating himself on the -grass in the shade and fanning himself with his hat. “I wanted to make -it myself, fellows, but I was afraid you’d think I was getting old and -infirm.” - -The fellows followed his example and threw themselves down on the grass -out of the sunlight, all save one or two who roamed away into the -little patch of forest across the dusty road to see how the chestnut -crop was coming along. For a time the conversation, what little there -was, was half-hearted and desultory. The explorers returned with an -encouraging report, and proceeded to cool off. Presently, one of the -older boys sat up and turned to the instructor. - -“Tell us a story, Mr. Ames,” he said, and there was an immediate and -unanimous indorsement of the request. Mr. Ames smiled and looked at his -watch. - -“I guess you fellows have heard all of my yarns,” he answered. - -“No, sir, I haven’t!” - -“Nor I, sir!” - -“I’d like to hear them all over,” added a third. - -“Well, I won’t inflict that calamity on you,” laughed the instructor. -“But let me see. What sort of a story do you want?” - -“A funny one, sir.” - -“Tell us about the time you went to New Haven as sub and got in in the -last half and won the game.” - -“Come now, Strafford, I never did that! You’ve let your imagination run -away with you. I’ll not tell you anything more except fairy stories if -you twist things around that way.” - -“Mr. Ames,” answered the boy earnestly, “you did win that game, sir. I -heard a man at home telling all about it last summer. He said Harvard -was going all to pieces when you went in at quarter and that you just -shook the men right together and just _made_ them score that time. He -said if it hadn’t been for you the game would have ended nothing to -nothing.” - -“Oh, I guess he was just having fun with you,” said Mr. Ames somewhat -embarrassedly. “I don’t remember anything like that.” - -“He wasn’t telling me about it at all,” protested the boy. “I was just -there and heard it. I wanted to tell him that you were our coach here, -but I didn’t know him.” - -“It was just as well, then, under the circumstances,” laughed the -instructor. “What was the chap’s name; do you know?” - -“Yes, sir, it was Higgins; a big, tall----” - -“Mortimer Higgins! Is that so? I haven’t heard of him for a long time. -We called him ‘Mort’ at college. And, by the way, if you still want a -story I can tell you one, and it’s about this same Mort Higgins. It -isn’t exactly a funny story, but it’s a true one; and if you don’t -believe it, why, Strafford here will show you the hero!” - -“That’s fine!” - -“Go ahead, sir!” - -“Shut up, you fellows! Mr. Ames is going to tell a story!” - -“Well, I’ll try and make it short,” began the instructor, “for it’s -getting along toward dinner time. Let’s see, now. Mort was in the class -ahead of me, and I never knew him until my sophomore year. He was a -junior then. I wonder if I can describe him to you, so that you’ll see -him as I did. He was tall--a good six feet, I guess--and a bit lanky -and ungainly. He came from one of the Carolinas--North, I think, and -was sort of slow and careless in his movements, used to throw his -shoulders all around when he walked, and when he shook hands with you, -you felt as though your fingers were tied to a pump handle and the -pump was going until it ran down. He had black hair, coarse and long -and all rumpled up. It used to fall down over his forehead, and he had -a way of brushing it aside with his big hand as though he was trying -to dash his brains out. He had a long nose and a long neck, and he -always wore those turndown collars that made his neck look longer than -it really was. His eyes were gray, I think, and were always laughing -at each other; at least, that’s what I used to think. His mouth was -big and sort of--what shall I say?--sort of loose, and altogether he -was about as homely a chap as there was in college. But his homeliness -was of the kind that attracted you. When you first saw him you said -to yourself: ‘My, isn’t he homely! Talk about your mud fences--’ Then -you looked again and began to think: ‘Well, now, he may be homely, but -bless me if it isn’t becoming to him!’ - -“He had a queer sort of a drawl that made his most serious remarks -sound funny; Mort only had to open his mouth to start you smiling. He -was awfully good-hearted and good-natured; he’d do anything for you if -he didn’t absolutely dislike you; and I don’t believe Mort Higgins -ever really disliked anyone. He was one of the sort that can always -find good in folks. No matter how mean a chap was, Mort could always -point out a few good things about him. And, on the other hand, I don’t -suppose there was a fellow in college who didn’t like Mort--whether -they knew him or not. But most everybody did know him. Mort never -waited for introductions. If he ran up against a fellow and had -anything to say he said it; and no one ever resented it; you couldn’t -with Mort Higgins. You only had to glance at him to see that he was -simply bubbling over with human kindness. - -“He was a smart scholar; did all kinds of things in his last year, and -graduated with honors. But that isn’t what I started out to tell about. -There used to be lots of stories around Cambridge in those days about -Mort. Some of them were true, I guess, and a good many of them weren’t. -One of them was about Mort and his school club.” - -“Tell it, sir, please,” said Harry Folsom. - -“Well, at Harvard we had a good many clubs and societies, you know. -If you were from the South, you joined the Southern Club; if from -California, you joined the California Club. If you went to school at -Exeter, you belonged to the Exeter Club; and so on. Every school, -pretty near, was represented by a club, which met once a month or -once a fortnight, as the case might be. I think Mort belonged to the -Southern Club, but that wasn’t enough for him. His friends all had -their school societies, and so Mort thought he ought to have his. -It seems that he was prepared for college--or so he said; I have my -doubts--at Turkey Creek Academy. I suppose it was some little village -school in the backwoods of Mort’s native State. Wherever it was, it -soon began to become celebrated. One day there was a notice in the -_Crimson_--that’s the college daily, you know--saying that it was -proposed to start a social club of Harvard men who had attended Turkey -Creek Academy, and that a meeting for that purpose would be held that -evening in Parlor A of one of the hotels in town. Well, for a couple -of days everybody was talking and joking about Turkey Creek Academy; -it got to be a byword. A week later there was another notice in the -_Crimson_ announcing a meeting of the Turkey Creek Club in Mort’s -room. Then came the announcement the next day--of course it was a paid -advertisement--that at a meeting of the Turkey Creek Club Mortimer -Higgins had been elected president, Mort Higgins secretary, and M. -Higgins treasurer. And then Mort appeared, wearing a green, yellow, and -purple hatband on his old gray felt hat, and a pin about as big as a -half dollar on the front of his vest. He said they were the insignia of -the Turkey Creek Club. He had a grip, too, and he’d show it to you by -shaking hands with himself. For, of course, Mort was the only member. - -“Well, he had lots of fun, and so did everyone else. ‘Turkey Creek’ -spread through college until you heard it everywhere. The principal -drug store got up a ‘Turkey Creek College Ice,’ and a quick-lunch -place advertised a ‘Turkey Creek Egg Sandwich.’ Mort got the name of -‘Turkey’ for a while, but it didn’t stick, probably because ‘Mort’ was -shorter. He kept up the Turkey Creek game all the rest of the year. -Every now and then there’d be a notice in the _Crimson_; and everyone -used to watch for them. Finally, though, it dawned on the _Crimson_ -that it was being used to perpetrate a joke, and it turned Mort down; -the _Crimson_, you know, is the most serious paper in the world outside -of the _Congressional Record_! After that he used to post his notices -up on the notice board in the union and the gym. One day there was a -notice saying that at half-past twelve the Turkey Creek Club would -have its photograph taken on the steps of Matthews Hall. Of course -everyone who could get there was on hand, and sure enough there was the -photographer waiting. And pretty soon Mort steps up, dressed in his -best clothes and wearing his green and yellow and purple hatband and -his club pin, and stands on the top step and folds his arms. You can -imagine the howl that went up as Mort faced the camera as serious as a -judge!” - -“I thought you said it wasn’t a funny story!” gurgled one of the -audience when the laughter had died down. - -“That’s so, but that wasn’t the story I started out to tell,” answered -Mr. Ames. “I was going to tell about Mort’s baseball experience, but -I guess I’ve wasted too much time and we’ll have to let that go until -another day.” - -“Oh, go ahead, sir! It isn’t late!” The instructor looked at his watch. - -“Well, maybe there’s time if I hurry up with it. When Mort came to -Harvard he’d never seen a game of baseball played, and he fell in -love with it right away and went out to try for his freshman team. He -didn’t make it, but he wasn’t discouraged, and the next year he made -the sophomore team; they let him play at right field, I think. The -next year he went out for the varsity nine. He slipped up on that, -but he made the second. And somehow he began to get a reputation as -a heavy hitter, and, as the varsity was weak at batting, they nabbed -Mort and took him to the varsity training table. But he spent most of -that spring on the bench, for while at times he’d just about knock the -cover off the ball, he wasn’t a bit certain, and there was no telling -whether he’d make a home run or strike out; and usually it was a case -of strike out with Mort. And in the field--they tried him at left and -then at right, and it didn’t seem to make any difference to Mort--he -was a good deal of a failure. If he ever got his mitten on the ball he -clung to it, but he didn’t seem to be able to judge the direction of -flies, and like as not would be four or five yards out of the way when -the ball came down. But he tried terribly hard, and everyone liked him, -and so he stayed with the team, even though he didn’t get into any of -the big games. - -“In his senior year he was out again, and the coach, who was a new -man, got it into his head that Mort could be taught to field. And he -was taught, after a fashion. At least, he did a whole lot better that -spring and only disgraced himself a couple of times. But those times -were enough to queer him, and back to the bench he went. Now and then, -when the varsity was up against a weak team, they’d let Mort take a -hand, and it was a pretty sure thing that he’d stir up some excitement -by getting a couple of two-baggers or a home run before he was through -with the enemy’s pitcher. We used to laugh and cheer like anything when -Mort went to bat. But the real fun came when he got to base. At base -running he was like an elephant in a forty-yards sprint. To see him -try to steal was more fun than a circus. He’d get the signal and start -off at a lope for second. The batsman would strike at the ball without -hitting it, the catcher would throw down to second, and second baseman -would stand there with the ball in his hand and wait for Mort to come -galloping up to be tagged out. Oh, it was beautiful! And Mort would -come ambling back to the bench smiling and unruffled. - -“Well, that’s the way things stood when the team went to New Haven -for the second Yale game. We’d won the first at Cambridge, and if we -could get this one we had the series. I was playing short. It was a -pitchers’ battle all through. We managed to get two runs in the second -inning, and after that there was nothing doing until the sixth, when -Yale’s first man was hit with the ball and stole second on a bad throw -down. The second man went out on a pop fly, and the third struck out. -The next man got his base on balls, and then there was a three-bagger -that brought in two runs. So the score stood two to two until the -last of the eighth. Then came a bunch of errors--I had a hand in it -myself--and finally a squeeze that brought in another run. We settled -down then and our pitcher struck out the next two men, and we went to -bat in the first of the ninth with the score three to two against us. - -“I was first up and managed to get a scratch hit, beating the ball to -first by about an inch. I had my instructions to wait for a sacrifice -and I waited. But the next man was struck out. Then came a long fly -into the left-fielder’s hands, but I managed to sneak down to second -on the throw-in. There were two out and it looked as though there was -going to be a third game to the series that year. The Yale stands were -cheering incessantly and beating drums and having a high old time. -The next man up was our first baseman. He was the slugging kind of a -batter; if he hit the ball he made good, but he was easily fooled. -Well, this time he wasn’t fooled. He cracked out a clean base hit over -second and I started home. But there was a fine, swift throw to the -plate and I had to go back to third--and I didn’t get there any too -soon! And meanwhile the other fellow had got to second. And there we -were; a man on third and a man on second, two runs needed to win, and -the weakest batter on the team up! That was our pitcher. He was a bully -pitcher, but, like nine pitchers out of ten, he couldn’t bat a little -bit. I was feeling pretty sore when I saw him pick up his bat and start -for the plate. But he didn’t get there, for the coach called him back, -and suddenly there was a burst of cheering from the Harvard section. -They were sending Mort Higgins in to bat for him. - -“Well, that was all right, thought I, for Mort couldn’t do any worse -than the man whose place he had taken. But I didn’t look for any luck, -for the Yale pitcher was one of the best on the college diamond that -year, and we had made only four hits off him in the whole game. I -wondered whether I could make a sneak for the plate and tie the score. -Mort struck at the first ball and missed it. He looked surprised, -and the Yale crowd howled. Then he let the next one go by and the -umpire called it a strike. My heart went down into my boots. Then Mort -refused the next one. I can still remember the feeling of relief with -which I heard the umpire say ‘Ball’! The Yale pitcher tied himself -up again and unwound and the ball shot away. And then there was a -nice, clean-sounding _crack_, and I was racing for the plate. The ball -went whizzing by my head along the base line, but I didn’t stop to -see whether it was going to be fair or foul. And neither did the man -behind me. We put out for the plate like sixty, and we both made it -ahead of the ball, which had struck about a foot inside the line. There -were things doing in the Harvard section about that time, I tell you, -fellows!” - -“And did Mort get in, too?” asked some one eagerly. Mr. Ames laughed. - -“No,” he answered, “Mort didn’t score. Catcher threw the ball back to -second, and second ran half way over to first and met Mort coming along -like a human windmill, waving his arms and pawing the earth.” - -“And Harvard won?” - -“Yes, four to three. We shut Yale out in her half of the inning. And -that’s how Mort Higgins saved the day. Come on, fellows; we’ll have to -hurry or we’ll be late for dinner.” - -“Gee!” said one of the boys, as they scrambled to their feet and -started up the path, “that was bully! I’d like to have been there, Mr. -Ames!” - -“Well, I was rather glad to be there myself,” answered the instructor -with a reminiscent smile. - -After dinner Hansel met Bert and Harry in front of Weeks, and the -latter called to him to join them in a walk. Bert didn’t look as -though he was especially pleased with Harry’s procedure; since their -discussion of ethics the evening before, he had treated Hansel -rather coldly. But Hansel went along, and presently Bert forgot his -resentment and the three spent a very pleasant two hours along the -bank of the lake. Naturally, the talk soon got around to the subject -of football, and the team’s chances of success in the final contest -of the year--that with Fairview--were discussed exhaustively. As -though by tacit consent, both Bert and Hansel avoided a reopening of -the controversy regarding Billy Cameron. On the way back to school, -Harry Folsom let fall an allusion to the “raid,” and Hansel asked for -information. - -“Oh, you’ll know all about it in a day or two,” laughed the football -manager. “It’s due to happen either to-morrow or Tuesday night. You -want to get into your old clothes and be prepared for trouble in -bunches.” - -“But what is it?” insisted Hansel. - -“It’s when the Towners come up here after supper and try to get on to -the steps of Academy Building and cheer. I don’t know when the thing -started, but it’s been the custom for years. They try to take us -Schoolers by surprise and rush the steps before we can stop them. Our -play is to keep them away, or, if they get there, to put them off. But -if they once make the steps they’re pretty sure to stay there. It’s a -lovely rough-house, isn’t it, Bert? Last year they did about as they -liked with us, and all we could do was to bother them. They stood there -on the steps and cheered for themselves for about half an hour. When -they started home, though, we got at them in fine style and chased them -all the way back to the town.” - -“I got a peach of a crack on the side of the head last year,” said -Bert, with a trace of pride in his voice. - -“Well, some of the Towners got a heap worse,” laughed Harry. “Simpson -had most of his clothes torn off him before he got home. Simpson was -their leader,” he explained for Hansel’s enlightenment. - -“And Poor! Do you remember?” cried Bert. “He lived at Mrs. Hyde’s, -and two of us fellows chased him inside the yard and he tried to dive -through an open window and the window came down on him when he was half -way through and pinned him there. We didn’t do a thing to him!” - -“But how do you know when the raid’s going to occur?” asked Hansel. - -“We don’t,” Harry replied. “We only know that it usually comes the -first of this week. We have to be on guard. But we’ve got a dandy -scheme fixed up for this time. I’d tell you, Dana, but it’s a sort of a -secret; we don’t want it to get out, you know.” - -“That’s all right,” said Hansel. “I suppose I’ll learn about it in -time.” - -“I wouldn’t be surprised,” said Bert, “if you learned about it -to-morrow evening. I have an idea that they mean to raid then, for -Royle told me yesterday that young Gates, one of the Towners, told him -that it was going to come off Tuesday. That looks to me as though they -wanted to put us off the track.” - -“Sure! That’s just what it means,” Harry answered with conviction. -“Anyhow, we’ll be ready for them whenever they come. They won’t find us -asleep the way they did last year, you can bet on that!” - -And, as it proved, they didn’t. - - - - -CHAPTER IV - -SCHOOL AGAINST TOWN - - -“I don’t believe they’re coming to-night, after all,” said Bert -disappointedly, as he turned away from the window. He was dressed in -his oldest trousers and wore a canvas football jacket. Hansel, propped -on one elbow on the window seat, was similarly attired. It was long -after supper, and twilight was fast deepening to dark. The stretch of -road visible from the study window which they had been watching for -almost an hour past was already merging itself with the surrounding -gloom. - -“We couldn’t see them now,” muttered Hansel, “if a whole army of -Towners marched along it.” - -“I’m going to light up,” said Bert disgustedly. - -“Go ahead,” his roommate answered. “I guess you’re right, Bert. It’s -to-morrow night, after all. I wish, though, that they’d come and have -it over with. I can’t study now after having the raid in mind all day.” - -“I don’t feel much like it myself,” Bert replied as he scratched a -match loudly, “but I guess I’ll have to do it if I don’t want to get -into trouble. That’s the worst about being on the team. Other fellows -can get behind a bit in their studies and no one thinks anything about -it, but just let one of the football----” - -“_Hist!_” called Hansel sharply. “Blow out that match and come here, -Bert!” - -The match arched through the darkness like a miniature comet and fell -in the grate with a shower of tiny sparks, while Bert, blinded by the -sudden transition from light to gloom, went stumbling and bumping to -the window. - -“What is it?” he asked hoarsely. - -“I don’t know,” answered Hansel doubtfully. “Perhaps I was mistaken.” - -“Well, well, what was it?” the other demanded impatiently, as he peered -out into the darkness. - -“See that light stretch over there between the grand stand and the -woods? Well, I could have sworn that I saw three figures cross there -coming this way.” - -“You couldn’t have,” said Bert. “It’s too dark to see anything. You -imagined it, probably. Besides, what would three fellows be doing -alone? There are eighty-four Towners this year, and when they come -they’ll come in a big old bunch. I tell you what, Hansel; what you saw -was probably some of our pickets. Gordon and Stark and two or three -others are down that way somewhere.” - -“Maybe that was it, then,” said Hansel. “Only I was sure I saw -something. And they seemed to be sort of crouching along as though they -didn’t want to be seen.” - -“It was probably some of the pickets coming in. It’s eight o’clock; -they won’t be up to-night.” - -“Well, let’s go out for a few minutes,” said Hansel. “I can’t study -now. I don’t see what good we could do up here, anyhow, if they did -come!” - -“Well, we wanted them to think we weren’t expecting them. That’s why we -told the fellows to stay in their rooms and keep the gas lighted until -they heard the alarm given. If they came sneaking up here and found us -all standing around the yard waiting for them they might take it into -their head to go back again. But it’s so dark now I guess they couldn’t -see us, so come on. I’ll light up first, though. What the dickens did -I do with that box of matches, I wonder? I had it a minute ago. See if -I left it on the window sill there, will you? Here--oh, hang it! I’ve -spilled them all over the floor!” - -He scratched one of the troublesome matches under the edge of the -mantel and turned toward the gas fixture. With one hand on the key of -the nearest bracket and the other holding the flaring match he stood -motionless, staring at Hansel’s face uncertainly visible in the half -light. - -“What was that?” he cried softly. - -“What? I didn’t hear----” - -“Listen!” - -“_School this way! School this way! School this way!_” - -Bert threw the match into the grate and leaped toward the door. - -“Come on!” he cried. “They’re here!” - -As he dashed out of the door, Hansel close behind him, the corridor and -stairway were noisy with the tramping of many feet. - -“Raid! Raid!” was the cry echoing through the building. Doors were -crashing shut upstairs and down, and the valiant defenders were taking -the stairs three or four at a time. Bert and Hansel joined the hurrying -throng, and in a trice found themselves outside in the darkness. -Overhead a few stars twinkled wanly. The unlighted bulk of Academy -Building rose before them at a little distance and toward it they sped. -But the cries of “_School! School! School this way!_” came from farther -along toward Weeks. The steps of Academy were empty, and after a -moment’s indecision, Bert and Hansel and a few others who had followed -them turned away and hurried toward the rallying place. A crowd of some -half hundred fellows had already gathered in front of Weeks, and in -the dim light from the open doorway Hansel made out Harry Folsom, who -seemed to be in charge of affairs. - -“That you, Bert?” he cried, as they ran up. “They’re down there on the -road. They’ll be in sight in a minute. They’ve got Johnny Parrish and -they almost got Jones, but he escaped and gave the alarm. He says there -doesn’t seem to be more than fifty of them. I say let’s meet them at -the gate, break them up, and chase them back. What do you say?” - -“All right! Come on!” - -With a cheer the party moved toward the gate, a hundred yards away. -Hansel, between a couple of fellows he didn’t know, for he had lost -track of Bert in the confusion, felt his heart pounding excitedly. -As they reached the edge of the school grounds, a cheer started from -the head of the little army, and those behind, taking it up, pressed -forward. At a little distance, a black blur in the surrounding gloom, -were the invaders. Finding themselves discovered, they set up a defiant -cheer of “_Town! Town! Town!_” - -Then they moved forward again. - -The defenders halted just outside the gates and awaited them silently. -Nearer and nearer came the Towners until, when a dozen yards away, they -broke into a run and, cheering wildly, dashed into the ranks of the -Schoolers. In the instant confusion reigned. Cries of “School!” and -“Town!” rang out. Hansel, in the center of the school army, was swayed -hither and thither, jammed in between laughing, shouting fellows. For -a moment the defenders gave before the impetus of the rush, but for -a moment only. The Schoolers recovered and moved forward, the foe -giving before them. Suddenly Hansel found himself toward the front of -the school group, and a big town boy had him by his sweater and was -striving to push him aside, shouting his battle cry of “Town! Town!” -deafeningly in his ear. Hansel panted and shoved; those behind came to -his rescue, and his opponent went struggling back again. - -Then Hansel was in the thick of it. Hither and thither swayed the -struggling mass, shouting, laughing, panting; now and then a sweater -or jacket would give with a ripping sound, or a cap, the property of -some misguided youth, went sailing away into the darkness. It was -impossible to distinguish friend from foe, and so Hansel set his teeth -and shoved and pushed forward with the rest of his side. There were no -blows struck, or if there were, they were harmless and unintentional. -Hansel was surprised at the good humor which prevailed in spite of the -excitement. The Towners were yielding foot by foot now, and the cheers -of the defenders arose triumphantly into the night air. But just when -it seemed that in another instant the foe must break and run, a new -and disturbing sound reached the defenders. From behind them, in the -direction of Academy Building, came the loud challenging cry of “Town! -Town! Town!” - -“By Jove!” cried Harry Folsom. “They’ve fooled us! Back to the steps, -fellows!” - -The school forces turned in dismay and raced through the gate and back -along the curving drive, the invaders, cheering lustily, close upon -them. Hansel, as he ran, recollected the forms he had seen crossing -behind the athletic field. The Towners had tricked them! While their -main force had attacked openly by the road a smaller force had crept -around by the woods on the other side and were now, judging from the -sounds, in possession of the coveted steps! Yes, there they were, some -twenty-five or thirty of them, shoulder to shoulder, on the steps of -Academy, cheering loudly. - -“Town! Town!” they shouted in unison. - -“School! School! Drive them off!” cried the defenders as they raced -toward them. - -But at their heels came the main army of the invaders, cheering and -laughing, and the Schoolers were literally caught between two fires. Up -the first steps dashed the Schoolers and sought to pull down the enemy -in possession of the stronghold. In a moment chaos reigned! - -Up and down the steps flowed and ebbed the tide of battle. Towners were -dislodged, but others sprang through the ranks of the school and took -their places. Hansel fought his way to the front only to be hurled -unceremoniously over the edge of the steps onto the turf. He picked -himself up and sprang again into the swaying, shouting mass. It would -have been much simpler had it been possible to distinguish friends from -foes. As it was, the Towners when challenged shouted “School!” in order -to reach their comrades on the steps, and the Schoolers, following -suit, cried “Town! Town!” in order to fool the enemy. - -Confusion reigned supreme then when the doors of Academy Building -suddenly crashed open behind the little group of Towners holding the -top steps, and the disconcerting yell of “_School! School! School!_” -broke forth behind them. It was the Towners’ turn to be surprised. -Out from the doorway dashed a handful of defenders and, shoving and -shouting mightily, they took the invaders in the rear and scattered -them like chaff. With cheers of triumph the Schoolers below took the -place of the invaders, and in a moment the tide of battle had turned -effectually. Quickly the Schoolers gathered their scattered forces on -the steps and about them, while the Towners rallied again at the corner -of the gymnasium. - -There was a moment or two while hostilities ceased, and in that time -Harry and the other leaders laid their plans hurriedly. Then, with -a cheer, half of the defenders hurled themselves upon the invading -forces. For a while the result of the charge was doubtful, but at last -the enemy’s ranks were pierced and divided. Part of them fled along the -road in front of the gymnasium and part scattered across the terrace, -making for the green and the path to the village. Had they remained -together they might easily have retired in good order and gained the -village without further loss of prestige. But the sudden attack from -the rear had dismayed them, and now, disorganized thoroughly, their -only thought was to reach the village in safety. It was every man for -himself, and the fleeing Towners were soon strung out without form or -discipline, the fastest runners heading the rout. - -Hansel was among the body of pursuers which charged across the terrace -and the green in the wake of that portion of the invading force which -had luckily chosen the shortest way home. Until the road was reached -the Towners held well enough together to be able to resist any real -attack. But once on the road the flight became a mad scramble for -safety, in which every fellow thought only of himself. Then the pursuit -caught up with the laggards and either sent them into the woods or -fields or captured them and subjected them to such indignities as -smearing their faces with handfuls of dust or depriving them by force -of jackets or sweaters. As every fellow was careful to wear only -the oldest things he possessed, the loss of the garments was more -embarrassing than serious. Before the edge of town was reached, the -pursuit had slackened. Some two dozen Schoolers, Hansel among them, -paused, panting and laughing, and listened to the cries dying away on -the road ahead of them. It was much too dark to distinguish faces, -but Hansel recognized one or two fellows by their voices, and soon -discovered that Harry Folsom was there. - -“My,” said some one, “I haven’t any breath left! Let’s go home, -fellows.” - -“Get out!” said another. “What we want to do is to wait here for the -rest of the Towners, and when they come jump out on them and scare them -into fits.” - -“That’s so! They’ll be along in a minute if they stick to the road.” - -“Oh, they’ll stay on the road all right. Listen! They’re coming now!” - -“Get down, fellows,” called Harry softly, “so they won’t see us!” - -There was a minute of silent suspense while the group crouched in -the darkness at the side of the road. Then came the _pat_, _pat_ of -footsteps up the road. - -“It’s only one,” Harry whispered. “Wait till a bunch of them comes -along.” - -The runner jogged past, dimly visible, panting wearily, and silence -followed. Then more footsteps sounded in the silence and in a moment a -half-dozen fellows, very tired and short of breath, trotted up, and---- - -“Now!” whispered Harry. - -With blood-curdling screams the party in ambush leaped out upon its -quarry. The latter sought to escape but were quickly surrounded and -captured; all save one, a big fellow named Cartwright, who managed -to beat off the enemy and put a dozen yards between them and himself -before they started in pursuit. Then Hansel and two other Schoolers -went after him. Weary as he was, it was a short chase, and they soon -had him at bay against the fence at one side of the road. But he didn’t -propose to submit meekly to capture. - -“You fellows touch me and you’ll get hurt!” he panted angrily. “Keep -away now.” - -“It’s Billy Cartwright!” exclaimed one of Hansel’s companions. “You’re -our game, old chap, so you might as well give in.” - -“You let me alone,” was the reply, “or there’ll be trouble!” - -“He wants to fight,” said the Schooler. “You ought to be ashamed of -yourself, Billy, to lose your temper. Look at us; we’re not angry!” - -“That’s all right, but if you fellows think you can rough-house me, -you’re mightily mistaken. I’m going home.” - -“Oh, no, you’re not, Billy. We’re not through with you yet!” - -“Keep off, I tell you!” - -“Come on, fellows!” - -The three sprang onto him together, and for a while there was a very -lively tussle there by the fence. Cartwright fought like a tiger, -thoroughly angry. Hansel received a blow from some one’s elbow that -dazed him for a moment, but he clung hard to the victim’s legs, and in -a moment Cartwright was down and they were on top of him listening to a -torrent of abuse and threats. - -“Oh, shut up,” said Hansel, a little out of temper now himself, since -his nose was still aching with the blow he had received. “Can’t you -take a joke? What’s the matter with you, anyhow?” - -“Did you get him, fellows?” called Harry from up the road. - -“Sure,” replied one of Hansel’s companions, “but he put up a dickens of -a fight. What’ll we do with him?” - -“Wanted to fight, did he?” asked Harry as he came up with two or three -other fellows. “Who is it? Cartwright? Oh, Billy never could take a -joke. We ought to show him how. There’s a brook over here somewhere. Do -you think we can find it?” - -“Easy!” answered some one. “Where is he? Hello, Billy! Still feeling -scrappy?” - -Cartwright replied that he was, only he didn’t confine himself to a -simple statement of the fact. The Schoolers listened to him disgustedly. - -“You make me tired, Billy,” said Harry at last. “Shut up or we’ll half -drown you! Say, fellows, let those dubs go and come over here. There’s -something doing.” - -A moment later Cartwright was lifted over the fence, no easy task for -his captors, since he still struggled fiercely, and was half pushed and -half carried across the meadow. No one knew just where the brook lay, -and it was finally discovered by one of the Schoolers stumbling into -it. - -“Are you sure this is it?” laughed Harry. - -“Sure!” replied the fellow succinctly as he wrung the water out of his -trousers. “And it’s good and wet, too!” - -“All right then, fellows. Lift him up and when I give the word drop him -gently into the seething caldron. All ready? Then--let--him--go!” - -He went. There was a splash, a torrent of choking remarks from -Cartwright, which was drowned by the laughter of the Schoolers, and -then he was crawling out on the other side, dripping and somewhat -subdued. - -“Good night!” called Harry mockingly. - -There was no reply save a growl as Cartwright stumbled away across the -meadow toward town. - -“Next time, Billy,” called another of his friends, “I advise you to -keep your temper.” - -Still laughing, the group made its way back to the road and turned -toward school. As they went, now and then a group of two or three -Towners passed. But they had had their troubles already and the -fellows allowed them to go unmolested. But they were forced to listen -to many jeering remarks, such as: - -“’Rah for the Towners!” - -“Great cheering on the steps, fellows!” - -“Come again! Always glad to see you! And bring your friends; you’ll -need them!” - -Ordinarily, the fellows were required to be in the dormitories at nine -o’clock and to have their lights out at ten, but on Raid Night the -rules were relaxed, and so when they reached the campus, their cheers -were answered by a throng in front of Academy, and a jubilation meeting -was held there. Every few minutes late comers straggled up with new -tales to tell. Almost everyone had some trophy of the chase in the -shape of captured garments. The crowd was in a fair way to cheer itself -hoarse when Mr. Foote appeared on the scene. - -“Fellows, you must stop this now,” he said. “It’s almost eleven -o’clock.” - -They jeered good-naturedly and then sent up a cheer for him, and -presently dispersed to the dormitories, Hansel, and possibly many -others, to dream of the evening’s exciting adventures. - - - - -CHAPTER V - -HANSEL MEETS PHINEAS DORR - - -For a week life progressed quickly and busily for Hansel. His mornings -were fully occupied in the class rooms, and at three o’clock each -afternoon he was on the green dressed in football togs ready for the -practice. He was at right end now, having displaced King of last year’s -second, and there was little doubt in the minds of the other players -and Mr. Ames that he would be able to hold the position against all -comers. His playing was a revelation to many of the candidates. There -was not a faster, harder runner on the team, and none could equal him -at tackling. And with these physical abilities went a mental alertness, -coolness, and judgment that enhanced and perfected them. Mr. Ames -struck right end from the list of positions to be filled and turned his -attention to other points in the line. - -Back of Hansel played Cotton at quarter, Curtis at left half, Cameron -at right half (the Three C’s they were called), and Bert Middleton at -full back. At center was big Royle. But the rest of the positions, -excepting right end, were still filled only tentatively, and every day -the linemen were shifted or dropped out to make room for promising -candidates from the second squad. - -Naturally, Hansel soon made the speaking acquaintance of Billy Cameron; -and he found himself at a loss to understand that youth. Hansel made -the mistake of imagining that a fellow occupying such an equivocal -position in the school must necessarily exhibit signs of depravity -or meanness. And a more harmless, better-natured youth than Cameron -it would have been hard to find. He was popularly believed to be -twenty years of age, and looked it. He was rather heavy of build, but -wonderfully quick on his feet, and was an ideal plunging half back. He -had tow-colored hair and twinkling blue eyes and was rather handsome. -He was good-natured to a fault, had good manners, which seemed to have -been acquired rather than inherited, and had never been known to -indulge in dirty playing. And Hansel never heard a foul word pass his -lips. The former, after a week’s acquaintance with Cameron, discovered -that he would have to revise his preconceived ideas of that youth. He -even found himself entertaining a mild liking for him, and, since his -notions of right and wrong were pretty sharply defined, it worried him -not a little. And he began to wonder what was to become of Cameron if -he succeeded, as he had determined to, in setting school sentiment -against that youth. - -During that week Hansel realized that, in spite of his expressed -confidence in his ability to bring about reform, he had a difficult -task ahead of him. He had not spoken as yet to Mr. Ames on the -subject--he was purposely putting that off until later--but the one or -two fellows to whom he had mentioned the matter, had disappointed him. -Folsom, for instance, of whom Hansel had expected sympathy at least, if -not actual assistance, had only laughed good-naturedly. - -“It isn’t quite right, of course,” said Harry, “but then it’s done all -over the shop. Even the faculties wink at it, and in some schools they -lend a hand. If you’re going to change things, Dana, you’ll have to -begin at the bottom.” - -“Where’s that?” asked Hansel. - -“At the top,” answered Harry with a laugh. “I mean the colleges. You -see, we school fellows take our cues from the colleges. And when they -hire athletes we think we can do the same thing.” - -“But do they--here in the East? I thought----” - -“Yes, they do; that is, lots of ’em do. It’s usually done on the sly, -but we knew of it. Why, thunderation! don’t they come here every year -to get our best men and offer ’em all sorts of easy snaps if they’ll -go with ’em to--well, any of the colleges, pretty near! What’s Perkins -doing at ---- this year? Steward of an eating club with a salary that’s -big enough to pay all his expenses and let him run an automobile! And -Perkins’s dad is a carpenter over in Whitby; never saw a fifty-dollar -bill in his life, I’ll bet! It isn’t right, as you say, Dana, but--what -can you do?” - -“I don’t know yet,” answered Hansel, “but I can do something. And if -you won’t help----” - -“Oh, I haven’t said that,” replied Harry easily. “You find your method, -you know, and maybe I’ll take a hand. Only,” with a meaning laugh, -“don’t get too near home, Dana.” - -“How do you mean?” - -“Well, I’m manager of the team this year and I want to win. So don’t -meddle with any of my men; see?” - -“Yes,” answered Hansel thoughtfully, “I see. Only--I may have to.” - -Harry laughed good-naturedly and clapped him on the shoulder. - -“I’ll risk it, I guess. You mean well, Dana, and I--well, I hope you -succeed--next year. Come around and see me.” - -Anderson, captain of the baseball team, to whom Hansel sought and -obtained an introduction, told him he was wasting his time, and refused -to lend even moral assistance. Field, president of the fourth class, -looked bored, and said it was a good work and he hoped Hansel would -succeed, but--er--it was a difficult undertaking; “Every fellow doesn’t -look at the matter in the same light, you know, and--er--well, come -around again and let me know how you get along.” - -To add to the difficulties, Hansel was practically an outsider. While -he was a member of the third class, yet he knew scarcely six men in -it. The other members had been together for two years and had formed -their groups and coteries long since, and to gain admittance to these -was likely to prove no easy task. Had Hansel come up to Beechcroft from -some nearby school it would have been different; he would scarcely -have failed to find others who had attended the same institution and -who would have taken him up and, possibly, secured him admission into -their clubs. But no one at Beechcroft had ever so much as heard of -the little academy out in Ohio from which Hansel had migrated, and so -there were no outstretched hands to welcome him into the inner circles -of class life. At the end of his second week at Beechcroft Hansel was -well acquainted with Bert and Harry, knew most of the members of the -first squad well enough to talk to, and had a nodding acquaintance with -some or six other chaps. Of course he had no intention of allowing -such a state of affairs to continue for long, and he had a shrewd idea -that after the first one or two games, by which time he would have -become identified as one of the school eleven, he would find it fairly -easy to make acquaintances. But meanwhile he felt rather outside of -things and, had he had time, would probably have experienced qualms of -homesickness. He wrote more letters to Davis City, Ohio, during that -fortnight than during any subsequent period of like length, and his -mother’s replies, full of the trivial but vastly interesting happenings -of the little town, were happy events. The first offer of assistance, -in what Harry jocularly called his “crusade against vice,” came finally -from an unexpected quarter. - -Harry’s invitations to visit him were frequent, but so far Hansel had -not entered the study in Weeks Hall since the evening of his arrival. -And so, on the afternoon preceding the first football game, when the -practice was light and over early, he accepted the invitation. He had -not yet abandoned hope of winning Harry over to active membership in -the “crusade”; and, besides, he liked the football manager better than -any of his few acquaintances. Harry roomed alone in a suite of study -and bedroom on the second floor of Prince. The study was plainly but -richly furnished and was a revelation to Hansel. The walls were covered -with dark-green cartridge paper, against which hung a scant half-dozen -good pictures. Over each door was a shelf holding a cast. The floor was -painted and bare save for a few rugs in quiet tones of olive and gray -and dull red. A handsome mahogany study table took up the center of the -apartment and a few easy chairs with good lines stood about. These, -with a comfortable divan, heaped with pillows, practically comprised -the furnishings of a room which was at once simple and in good taste. -Harry was at work at the table when Hansel entered. - -“Busy?” asked the latter. “I just came in to chin a bit, and so if----” - -“Busy? Not at all; merely studying,” was the reply. “It isn’t often any -fellow has the decency to come in and interrupt me when I’m studying. -First thing I know I’ll have brain fever! Sit down and rest your face -and hands.” He pushed his books and paper aside, laid down his pen, -and leaned back in his chair. “How’s the crusade coming on?” - -“I’m afraid it’s at a standstill at present,” answered Hansel with a -smile. “The fact is, I’m still recruiting.” - -“Like Falstaff,” suggested Harry. “How many have you got?” - -“Only you so far.” - -“Me? No, you don’t! I refuse to be drafted. I--I’ve water on the brain -and can’t fight. Scratch me off, if you please, general.” - -“All right, but I’ll get you yet,” said Hansel cheerfully. Harry looked -across at him thoughtfully. Then: - -“Hanged if I don’t believe you will, confound you!” he answered. Then -he laughed. “Why don’t you give it up until next year, Dana?” he asked. - -“So as not to interfere with Cameron?” - -“No, honestly I wasn’t thinking of him. But look here, old fellow, to -speak plainly now, if you go ahead with it, the first thing you know -they’ll set you down as a crank and--and that isn’t pleasant in a -school like this. Give a fellow a name for--for peculiarity here and -it’s all up with him.” - -“All up with him how?” - -“Well, in a social sense, I mean. The fellows fight shy of you and you -get left out of things, societies and offices, you know. I don’t want -to seem cheeky, Dana, but really there’s a good deal in what I say. -And--and you’re the sort of a chap that can have a pretty good time -here and do a whole lot if--if you don’t get--peculiar.” - -“I dare say you’re right, Folsom----” - -“Cut it out; no one ever calls me that.” - -“All right, then I won’t either. I’ve been thinking myself that very -likely the fellows would put me down for several kinds of a crank, -but--really, I don’t know why I should feel so--so strongly about this -thing; but I do; and there you are. And I guess if I am in for getting -a reputation for peculiarity, as you call it, why, I’m in for it, -that’s all. Anyhow, I haven’t any idea of backing down.” - -“No, I didn’t suppose you had,” said Harry with conviction. “I only -thought it was my duty in a way to--er--mention the matter to you.” - -“I’m much obliged. And, to prove it, there’s a captaincy awaiting you -whenever you are ready to join.” - -“Confound you,” laughed Harry, “you’re a -regular--what-you-call-it--proselytist!” - -“It’s an awful sounding word,” said Hansel, “and I don’t quite know -what----” - -There was a knock on the door, and, at Harry’s command to enter, there -appeared a youth at whom Hansel gazed with interest. He was apparently -of about Hansel’s age, but slighter, with a thin, pinched nose, a -straight, serious, and determined mouth, too large for symmetry, rather -long and very dark-brown hair, which needed trimming, and a pale face -from which a pair of keen, attractive hazel eyes smiled across at -Harry. He was far from handsome, but there was, nevertheless, that -about him, an expression of kindliness and honesty, an atmosphere -of purposeful courage and manliness that had made him one of the -best-liked fellows in school. His clothes were neat but the worse for -wear. The straw hat which he held had evidently seen more than one -summer, his shoes were patched from heel to toe, and the very low -collar, encompassed by a wispy black silk tie, threadworn and long -since out of date, emphasized the length and thinness of his neck. -Hansel’s first conclusion was that the fellow needed a square meal, the -next that he needed several. - -“Hello, Phin!” cried Harry heartily. “I’m mighty glad to see you. Where -have you kept yourself since school began? By the way, you fellows -haven’t met, have you? Phin, this is Mr. Dana; Mr. Dorr--Mr. Dana. -Dana’s in your class, Phin; just entered. I want you to do what you can -to get him into the crowd; will you?” - -“I shall be very pleased to,” said Phineas Dorr, as he shook hands -with Hansel, “though I don’t suppose there’s much I can do.” He had a -rather deep voice which scarcely seemed to belong to such a thin body, -but there was a quality to it which attracted Hansel just as it did -everyone else. The three sat down, and Harry repeated his question. - -“Where have you kept yourself? Why haven’t you been around?” - -“Well, I’ve been rather busy, Harry. I’m boarding at a new place this -year, and there was a good deal to do about the house.” - -“I see. Where are you?” - -“At Mrs. Freer’s, near the Congregational church.” - -“Freer’s? I thought I knew them all, but----” - -“She’s a newcomer; just moved in a couple of weeks ago. The fact is, -she’s from Lowell, where I live, you know; she’s a friend of ours, sort -of a--a relative, you know.” - -“Oh, and you’ve been helping her fix up, eh? Putting down her carpets -for her, running errands, and everything else, I suppose. You’re too -blamed good-natured, Phin.” - -“Well, she’s a relative and so, of course, I’ve had to help, Harry. -She’s--she’s very kind.” - -“Like all of ’em, I guess; gives you a hole under the eaves and soaks -you three dollars for it!” - -“No, I’ve got a very comfortable room this year; much better than the -one I had at Morton’s.” - -“Well, I should hope so! That was the limit!” - -“I didn’t pay much.” - -“You shouldn’t have paid anything,” said Harry grimly. “Mrs. Morton -ought to have paid you. Well, I’m glad you came around; glad to see you -back again. You know you said last year you weren’t certain of getting -back.” - -“I know; there was some doubt about it, but I managed it--so far. That -reminds me of what I came to see you about.” - -“You’re a mean dub, Phin,” said Harry sadly. “I thought you came -because you wanted to see me again.” - -“So I did, as you know,” said the other with one of the infrequent -smiles which made his thin face almost good-looking. “But there was -business, too, in it. You see, Harry, I’m under rather more expense -this year, and I’m trying to find a little work to help out. I’ve got a -few furnaces in the village, but I need more.” - -“My dear chap, I don’t own a furnace,” laughed Harry kindly. “You can -search me!” - -“I know,” answered Phin, echoing Hansel’s laugh. “What I want is to do -any odd jobs you may have.” - -“Odd jobs? For the love of Mike! what sort of odd jobs, you crazy -duffer?” - -“Well, carpentering and things like that. You know I’m pretty handy -with tools. If you want any shelves put up or things like that, I can -do them a good deal cheaper than the town carpenter will.” - -“Oh!” Harry looked thoughtfully about the apartment. “Well, I don’t see -anything right now, Phin, but if I ever want any tinkering you may be -sure I’ll send for you.” - -“Thanks.” Phin looked across at Hansel. “And I’d be glad if you would -let me do anything of the sort for you, Mr. Dana,” he added. - -“Surely,” said Hansel. “Glad to have you.” - -“Hold on, man! You’re not going?” asked Harry. - -“I must,” replied Phin, who had arisen and was moving toward the door. -“I’m soliciting trade, you see, and I’ve got a good many fellows to -look up yet. I’ll come around some other day and see you, Harry. Very -glad to have met you, Mr. Dana. I shall be around to see you in a day -or so, if I may? Thank you. I know several fellows I think you would -like to meet and who will be very glad to meet you. By the way, Harry, -there’s another thing.” He paused with his hand on the doorknob. “You -don’t happen to know of any fellow who is looking for a nice room -without board in the village, do you?” - -Harry shook his head. - -“If you do, just mention Mrs. Freer’s to him, will you? She’s got -a very comfortable downstairs room which she will rent very cheap. -Good-by; see you both again.” - -And Mr. Phineas Dorr passed out. - -Hansel looked across at Harry inquiringly. - -“Poor old Phin,” muttered Harry, smiling and shaking his head. - -“Why?” asked Hansel. “What’s the matter with him?” - -“Nothing, except that he’s as poor as a church mouse. I don’t believe -he’s seen a beefsteak near to in his life. He looked bad enough last -year, but this year he’s thinner than ever.” - -“Who is he? Tell me about him.” - -“Well, he’s Phin Dorr, Phineas Dorr, though no one ever calls him -that. He comes from Lowell, and is working his way through; looks -after furnaces, cuts grass, mends everything he can find to mend, and, -in winter, shovels snow. He’s a wonder as a Jack-of-all-trades, is -Phin. He entered last year. He’s in your class. He managed to get a -scholarship last year, and I guess he’ll get another this year; if he -don’t, I fancy he’ll be up against it pretty hard. Every fellow knows -Phin--and likes him; in fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if he had more -influence than any chap here. He’s one of the best fellows ever made.” - -“Has he folks?” - -“A mother only; poor as poor, they say. His father had money once, I -heard, and lost it. He’s dead now. I shall have to fake up something -for him to do for me, though goodness knows I don’t need any shelves.” - -“I do,” said Hansel. “I want a big, long one.” - -Harry observed him smilingly. - -“Well, don’t let him suspect you are doing it for charity, old man; -Phin won’t stand for that. Besides, I thought--” He paused in some -embarrassment. - -“Thought I was poor, too, you mean? So I am, but he’s a heap sight -poorer. And--and I like him.” - -“Every fellow does. Phin, in spite of his old patched clothes, is one -of the best things we have here. And, by the way, Hansel, you tell Phin -about the crusade. He’s sort of peculiar himself.” - -“I will,” said Hansel. - - - - -CHAPTER VI - -THE CAUSE GAINS A CONVERT - - -The next afternoon Beechcroft played Kensington High School. -Kensington’s men were light, and Bert’s warriors had no difficulty -in piling up seventeen points in the first fifteen-minute half. Only -old-fashioned formations were used, and there was little in the -game to awaken the onlookers to enthusiasm. In the second half the -team was materially changed, Bert, Conly, and Cotton giving their -positions in the back field to substitutes, and Hansel and two other -linemen retiring. They hurried through the showers and rubdowns in the -gymnasium and were back on the side lines in time to watch most of the -second half. - -The leavening of subs in the Beechcroft team made a good deal of -difference. The line developed holes and the back field was slower. -Several times Kensington made her distance, and Bert, who was -entertaining hopes of reaching the Fairview game with an uncrossed -goal line, displayed signs of uneasiness. The substitute who had taken -Cotton’s place at quarter did not prove as good as expected, and twice -a poor pass resulted in a fumbled ball. On each occasion luck stood by -the home team and the pigskin was recovered, but there was no knowing -what might happen the next time. - -Kensington was unable to make gain consistently through the line, and -so, having obtained the ball on a punt, she set to work trying the -ends. The first attempt, a run outside left end, was nipped in the bud -by King, who got through and nailed the high school captain behind -his line. But the next try worked better. There was a long pass from -quarter to left half and the interference, admirably arranged, swung -wide and rushed across the field. Cutler, who had taken Hansel’s place, -was put out of the way without difficulty, and when the Beechcroft -right end penetrated the interference and brought down the runner, the -latter had managed to reel off a good fifteen yards and the ball was in -the middle of the field. The little group of high school supporters -yelled delightedly. The next play was a straight plunge at center, -which came to nothing. This was followed by a cross-buck at left tackle -and a yard had been gained. The Kensington quarter fell back for a kick -on the third down, but the ball went to right half and again there was -a gain, this time around King’s end. For the first time during the -game, Kensington was inside Beechcroft’s forty-yard line. - -Kensington’s spirits rose. She hammered at left tackle for a yard, -secured two more between right guard and tackle, and made her distance -through left tackle. On the side line, Bert scowled wrathfully and -Harry made notes at Mr. Ames’s directions in a memorandum book. It -began to look like a score for Kensington. But her next three attempts -only netted four yards, and Bert sighed with relief as the substitute -quarter dropped back for a kick. Royle passed well, but Kensington, -massing her attack at the right of the line, broke through, and when -the ball left quarter’s toe it struck full on the breast of a leaping -high school player, bounded back, and went rolling toward Beechcroft’s -goal line. Like a streak of lightning, the Kensington captain was on -it, rolled over, and found his feet again and raced toward Beechcroft’s -goal. There was but a scant thirty yards to go, and for a moment it -seemed that he had every chance of making it. Two Beechcroft pursuers -were shouldered away by the hastily formed interference, and another -white line passed under the feet of the speeding high school captain. -Then a light-blue jersey broke from the straggling pursuit, left the -others as though they were standing still, and bore down like a flash -on the runner with the ball. It was Cameron. He eluded the first of the -interference, was shouldered aside by the second, recovered instantly, -and gained at every stride on the Kensington player. They were both -inside the ten-yard line now and Cameron’s arms were stretched forth -for the tackle. But surely he was too late! No, for just short of the -line he dived forward, his arms locked themselves about the opponent’s -knees, and they crashed to earth together a yard from the last white -streak! - -Bert smiled contentedly. Hansel, nearby, shouted his delight. It -had been a heart-stirring run, and Cameron’s tackle was one of the -cleanest and hardest seen on the green that fall. Beechcroft lined up -on her goal line and Kensington hammered despairingly at her, only to -lose the ball on downs and race back up the field under a punt which -this time was got off without hindrance. A moment after the whistle -sounded and Beechcroft’s goal line was still uncrossed. As he trotted -up the terrace toward his room, Hansel reflected ruefully that the -fellow against whom he had undertaken to arouse school sentiment was -the one who had saved them from being scored on. His task looked more -difficult every day; while, to make matters worse, each day brought him -an increase of liking and admiration for Cameron. - -“Hang it all!” he muttered. “I wish he wasn’t such a decent chap!” - -The next day was Sunday, and in the afternoon he set forth for the -village to find Phineas Dorr. It wasn’t an easy task, for no one seemed -to know where Mrs. Freer lived. Finally, he remembered that Phin -had said something about the Congregational church, and after that -it was easy. The house was a tiny white cottage with green blinds -and a general look of disrepair. The paint was so thin that in many -places the warped clapboards showed through it. But in spite of its -neglected exterior, which, after all, was somewhat mitigated by the -cleanliness and neatness of the little front yard, the interior proved -very homelike and attractive. Hansel didn’t penetrate farther than -the hallway on that occasion, for Phin was not in, but what he saw -from there pleased him. Everything was scrupulously fresh and neat. -The strip of rag carpet in the hall looked as though it had just come -in from the line after a hard beating, and the dainty dimity curtains -in the parlor made him think, somehow, of his own home, although he -couldn’t recollect any similar window draperies there. - -The person who answered his ring was a sweet-faced little woman of -perhaps forty-five years. She wore spectacles, and the near-sighted way -in which she peered up at Hansel seemed to add to the homely kindliness -of her expression. Even had Phin not mentioned the fact that Mrs. -Freer was a relative of his, Hansel would have guessed it from the -resemblance between the two. Mrs. Freer was very sorry Phineas was -out, and begged Hansel to leave his name and a message, if there was -one. So Hansel scribbled a note on a slip of paper and asked her to -give it to Phin. - -“I would like to have you come and put up a shelf for me when you have -time,” he wrote. “If you can call to-morrow afternoon between half-past -two and three I shall be at home. Yours, Dana, 22 Prince.” - -That evening he mentioned to Bert his intention of having a shelf put -up above the couch in the study. He expected opposition, and was not -disappointed. - -“A shelf?” exclaimed Bert. “What do you want a shelf for?” - -“My books.” - -“But you’ve only got about a dozen! What do you want a six-foot shelf -for, I’d like to know?” - -“I may get some more.” - -“Well, it’ll make the place look like the dickens!” - -“Oh, no, it won’t. I’ll get Dorr to enamel it white.” - -“Hang it, Hansel, I think this place looks bum enough as it is without -any homemade truck stuck around!” - -“Oh, you’ll like it when it’s up,” answered the other cheerfully. - -“I’ll bet I don’t! Besides, if you’ve got money to spend on furnishing -the room, you’d better buy a chair with it.” - -“We’ve got chairs enough. Besides--Dorr needs the money.” - -“Oh!” said Bert, with a sudden change of expression. “So that’s it, eh? -Why didn’t you say so? If you’re doing it to help Phin----” - -“I’m not; at least, not altogether.” - -“Bet you are,” said the other more amiably. “He was up here last week -with a yarn about wanting to do carpentering. I guess he has a pretty -tough time of it.” There was a moment’s silence. Then, “Look here,” he -said, “I’m going to pay half, you know.” - -“No, I’ll pay for it. It’s my affair.” - -“How is it? This study’s as much mine as it is yours, isn’t it?” - -“Of course.” - -“Well, then I pay half on improvements.” - -“But I thought you didn’t think that shelf was an improvement,” said -Hansel slyly. Bert grinned. - -“I guess I can stand it,” he answered. - -Phin turned up next afternoon, according to appointment, and Hansel -explained what was wanted, speaking of “my books” in a manner -calculated to impress Phin with their number and importance, and allay -any suspicion of charity, if such suspicions existed. Phin whipped out -a pocket rule, set down some figures on the back of a dirty envelope, -and promised to attend to it the next day. - -“I suppose two coats of enamel will do?” he asked. - -“I guess so,” answered Hansel doubtfully. “Or maybe you’d better put on -three; I’d like it nice and shiny.” - -“All right. Much obliged to you.” - -“You’re welcome. Not going, are you?” - -“Well, I guess you’re busy and I’ve got some work to do in the village. -Suppose I do this job to-morrow night. Would the noise disturb you?” - -“Not a bit. I’d be glad to have you do it then. I--I want to have a -bit of a talk with you, Dorr.” - -“All right, then; to-morrow night. Oh, by the way, you forgot to ask -about the cost of this job.” - -“So I did!” exclaimed Hansel in some confusion. “How much--er--will you -charge?” - -“It’ll be a dollar and twenty-five cents. You see, I’ll have to use -three brackets, and they cost quite a lot.” - -“Of course, and so does the board, I guess.” - -“Well, I get that down at the mill; they let me have lumber at -wholesale prices. Good night.” - -Bert came in ten minutes later and at once looked at the wall over the -couch. Hansel thought he seemed disappointed at finding it still bare. - -There was a shake-up in the eleven that afternoon. Bert experimented -with the position of left tackle, for which his weight and build -admirably fitted him; but the experiment wasn’t a howling success, and -he went back of the line again very contentedly. Mr. Ames abducted a -heavily-built youth from the first class team, and seemed fairly well -pleased with the result. But, altogether, the line-up that day was a -mixed-up affair, in which no one played for more than three or four -minutes at a time in any one position. Even Hansel was shifted over -to left end for a while, and later given a chance at left tackle. But -the latter position was a new one for him, and he didn’t shine in it. -Everybody, the coach included, was heartily glad when the work was -over for the day. Mr. Ames, Bert, and Harry went up to the gymnasium -together, and, judging from the way hands were waved and heads shaken, -they weren’t very well satisfied with existing football conditions. -Some of the team who were aware of having lately offended felt uneasy. - -The next day three second team men went onto the first; among them -Phipps, the quarter back. Things went better, as a result, if we -except an injury to Cameron’s knee which threatened to keep him out of -the game for at least a week. In the ten-minute scrimmage, the first -managed to score three times on the second, and there was a better -exhibition of team work than at any time so far during the fall. - -That night Hansel had his talk with Phineas Dorr. The latter put in -an appearance at eight o’clock, armed with a six-foot white-enameled -board, three iron brackets and a canvas bag of tools. The couch was -moved away from the wall, and he went to work. Hansel helped him once -or twice by holding up the shelf during the operations of leveling it -and screwing in the first bracket. Presently he broached the subject -of Cameron and the condition of Beechcroft athletics. Phin heard him -through in silence, barring an occasional encouraging grunt as he -worked his screwdriver. Then, - -“What you say is just so, Dana,” he said earnestly. “And I’m glad to -find some fellow who thinks that way. It’s bothered me ever since I -came last fall. I’ve talked with some of the older fellows about it, -and from what they’ve said, I think there’s been a decline during the -last five or six years in the school’s ethics, so to say. I think a -whole lot of the blame belongs to Johnny.” - -“Johnny? Oh, you mean Dr. Lambert. But I should think the principal -would be the first one to--to----” - -“He ought to be, but Johnny’s not quite the man for the place, -according to my thinking, Dana. He doesn’t get close enough to the -fellows. Those who don’t take Greek of him don’t see him sometimes for -a month. Last year one of the fellows asked me what sort of a looking -man he was! You see, too, athletics here are left to a committee of -two members of the faculty, Ames and Foote, and three members of the -two upper classes. But they very seldom get together. If any question -comes up, instead of calling a meeting and discussing it and finding -what’s best to be done, some one goes and asks Bobby--that’s Ames, you -know--and Bobby says, ‘All right, go ahead,’ or, ‘No, I don’t think -you’d better.’ As for Johnny, I don’t believe he ever saw a football -game!” - -“He hasn’t been here very long, has he?” - -“Five years. He came from the South somewhere; some small college; I -think he was just an instructor in Greek and Latin. The school had been -running behind for a few years, and the trustees wanted a man who would -do what they told him to do, and who hadn’t any very strong convictions -of his own. Well, that’s Dr. Lambert. Personally, I think he’s not -half bad. But for one thing he’s too old; he’s nearly sixty if he’s -a day; and he sticks too much to his office. He ought to get out and -use his eyes, and see what’s going on. I don’t believe he knows that -the fellows are paying Cameron’s way through school; don’t believe he -knows who Cameron is, except for seeing his name on the books now and -then. He ought to know a whole lot he doesn’t. And that’s why I say -that I think a lot of the blame for the present lax condition of things -belongs to him.” - -“But Mr. Ames?” asked Hansel. - -“Well, Bobby’s a good fellow and he means well; every fellow likes -him; but I suppose he tells himself that since the principal doesn’t -bother his head about such affairs it isn’t up to him. As for Foote, he -doesn’t bother himself much about anything outside his own province, -which is looking after the fellows’ physical condition.” - -“Well, who are the student members of the athletic committee?” - -“Folsom and Middleton for the fourth class, and Royle for the third.” - -“But they’re all football men!” - -“Yes, that’s a fact. You see, they’re elected by the fellows, and the -fellows generally pick out the most prominent athletes. Harry got on -because he made a fine reputation as a chap with brains last year when -he was assistant manager.” - -“I see,” said Hansel thoughtfully. - -“Yes, and you can see how it would be mighty hard work to keep Billy -Cameron from playing football.” - -“Yes,” said Hansel dejectedly. “Maybe I might as well chuck it. -Only--no, I’m hanged if I do! There’s next year yet, and if I-- Look -here, Dorr, I was in hope you’d join forces with me. From something -Harry said----” - -“What did he say?” asked Phin, working his screwdriver busily. - -“That I’d better talk to you because you were--peculiar, too; he says -that’s what I am.” - -“Well, you haven’t asked me yet,” said Phin dryly. - -“Oh! Will you?” asked Hansel eagerly. - -“Yes, I will. Have you made any plans of--campaign?” - -“No, I haven’t. I meant to speak to Mr. Ames first; I thought he might -suggest something.” Phin shook his head. - -“Let’s leave him out of it for the present. After we’ve made a start -we’ll ask his assistance, and I think he’ll give it, but just now, what -with being in a bit of a pickle over the team and not wanting to lose -one of his best men, it’s a difficult proposition to put to him. See -what I mean?” - -“Yes, I see,” answered Hansel. “Then what do you think we’d better do?” -It seemed comforting to be able to say “we.” - -“I think we’d better keep next year in mind, and not count too much on -this. If you and I were members of the committee, and could get Bobby -to act with us on the questions that came up, we could do about as we -pleased.” - -“Yes, but----” - -“The new committee will be elected in the spring. You and I will stand.” - -“You might make it all right,” said Hansel, “but I don’t know a soul, -scarcely.” - -“But you’re going to; that’s part of the conspiracy,” answered Phin -with a smile. “We’ll begin to-morrow. I’ll introduce you to the best -fellows in our class, and you must set out to win them. You’re certain -of your place on the team, and that fact alone will carry weight. What -you’ve got to do is to become popular, Dana.” - -“I don’t like the sound of it,” Hansel objected. - -“No, I don’t either. But it’s in a good cause. I don’t like shoving -myself forward for an office, either, but it’ll have to be done.” Phin -paused with screwdriver suspended in mid-air. “Come to think of it,” he -said, “there’s going to be a meeting of the school next Saturday night -to elect a new assistant manager of the football team; Bliss didn’t -come back this fall. I wonder--” He stopped and pondered a moment. -“I can’t really afford the time, but--I’ll do it; I’ll stand for the -assistant managership.” - -“You will?” cried Hansel. “That’ll be great. If you do that you’ll be -manager next year and----” - -“And you’ll be captain,” said Phin quietly. - -“Captain!” - -“Why not? Just keep from being injured and laid off the team, that’s -all you’ll have to do. You’re a star player, and the fellows on the -team like you already.” - -Hansel flushed. - -“It isn’t likely they’d elect me, though,” he objected. “There’s Royle, -who has been here for two years already, and Cotton----” - -“He graduates.” - -“And Conly.” - -“So does he. As for Royle, well, he might push you, but if we go at it -right I guess we can get you in.” - -“I don’t like it,” said Hansel again. - -“No, but you will have to put up with it,” answered the other with a -smile. “Mind, I don’t ask you to swipe. All you need to do is to be -friendly with the fellows, play the game the best you can, and let me -manage your campaign. With you captain and me manager, I guess I can -name two members of the next committee. Besides, maybe we can run our -own man for the third position. I’ll call to-morrow night and we’ll -make a few visits on some of the fellows. Meanwhile whenever we see a -chance to drive in a wedge we’ll do it. But I don’t believe we’d best -throw down the gauntlet just yet; we wouldn’t gain much by worrying -Bobby or antagonizing Bert and Harry.” - -[Illustration: “‘Play the game the best you can, and let me manage your -campaign.’”] - -“I think we could win Harry over,” said Hansel thoughtfully. - -“Maybe; we’ll think about it.” Phin gave a final turn of his -screwdriver and stood off to examine the result. “There,” he said, “I -guess that finishes it for now.” - -“I’m awfully much obliged. It looks fine, doesn’t it? I think I might -as well pay you now.” - -“Just as you like,” answered Phin, packing up his few tools. - -“How much did you say it would be?” asked Hansel. - -“I said about a dollar, but it will be seventy-eight cents.” - -“That seems awfully little,” said Hansel. - -“It’s just right. The board was thirty cents, the three brackets and -screws thirty-eight, and the enamel ten; seventy-eight in all.” - -“But you’re not making anything!” - -“No,” answered Phin with a peculiar smile, “not on this job, Dana.” - -“But--but I wouldn’t have asked you if--if----” - -“That’s just it, Dana,” Phin replied quietly. “I guessed as much, and -I don’t like charity.” Hansel colored up. - -“I beg your pardon,” he muttered. - -“That’s all right,” answered Phin. “Good night.” - -“Good night,” murmured Hansel. - - - - -CHAPTER VII - -THE FIRST SKIRMISH - - -Phin was as good as his word. He was on hand the next evening at a -little before eight, and he and Hansel set out to pay visits. The -campaign had begun. - -Phin did not make the mistake of letting his friends know that he was -“rushing” Hansel, but, on the contrary, allowed them to think that he -and Hansel had been going by and had just dropped in for a moment. -Everybody was glad to see Phin; a few seemed genuinely glad to meet his -companion; but for the most part Hansel was received “on suspicion,” -as he put it to himself, and given plainly to understand that were he -not vouched for by Phin he would be quite unwelcome. But Hansel had -the tact to take no notice of such attitudes, did more listening than -talking, was modest on the subject of his football prowess and so, in -every case, created a good opinion, and was directly or indirectly -invited to come again. And Phin impressed upon him the necessity of -accepting the invitations. After they had left the eighth study at -shortly before ten, Phin accompanied Hansel back to 22 Prince, and, -seating himself at the table, drew up a list of the fellows whom Hansel -had met, and set down after each address a day of the week. - -“That’s your calling list, Dana,” he said. “Better drop in in the -evenings as a rule; in that way you’re likely to meet other fellows.” - -“Talk about swiping!” groaned Hansel. - -“It isn’t swiping,” answered Phin. “You’re not after anything for -yourself. It’s diplomacy, that’s what it is. Now you put that list -where no one but you will ever see it. To-morrow night we’ll try a few -other visits.” - -Hansel sighed, and Phin smiled at his dejection. - -“Cheer up! To-morrow ought to finish the calls, if we have luck and -find fellows in. And, by the way, have you ever tried debating? No? -Well, you’d better begin. I’ll put your name up for the Cicero Society; -it meets in Academy Six, every first and third Friday.” - -Hansel murmured his thanks confusedly, and the door crashed open in -front of Bert and Harry. There was a very pleasant half hour of talk -after that, and when Harry and Phin had taken their departures, the -roommates continued the conversation in unaccustomed friendliness. - -The mass meeting called for the election of an assistant football -manager to take the place of the one who had held the office, but had -not returned to the academy, was not very largely attended. Few fellows -cared a button who was assistant manager, and those who did show up -were there more in the hope of being able to create a little “rough -house” than from any laudable desire to select a good incumbent for -the office. Custom prescribed that the manager should be chosen from -the fourth class, and the assistant manager from the third. Field, the -fourth class president, presided. After calling the meeting to order--a -not wholly successful operation, owing to a group of unsympathetic -fellows at the back of the hall--he stated the business in hand and -called for nominations. And he got them. Every famous man from Adam to -the President of the United States was placed in nomination, and it was -not until Field threatened to adjourn the meeting, and Harry had begged -the audience to “cut it out,” that order was sufficiently restored to -allow of serious business. The names of three candidates were then -proposed. One of the number arose precipitately and aroused merriment -by indignantly refusing to run. Then Bert proposed the name of Phin -Dorr, and there was a burst of applause. The remaining candidates -begged to be allowed to retire in Phin’s favor, and the voting was -merely a form. Phineas Dorr was unanimously elected assistant manager -of the Beechcroft Football Team. He accepted the honor in a few words -which everybody applauded wildly and sat down. Whereupon Harry rapped -for attention and announced to the backs of the departing audience -that there would be a mass meeting at the same time and place on the -following Saturday night to raise money for the support of the football -team. This announcement was hailed with a few groans, and Field -requested Harry to move adjournment. Hansel awaited Phin at the door -and, in the innocence of his heart, congratulated him. Phin smiled -grimly. - -“Much obliged,” he said. “I guess you don’t know what a lot of hard -work and how little glory goes with the office. You couldn’t get any -fellow to take it if it didn’t lead to the managership.” - -“Oh!” said Hansel. “But aren’t you pretty busy already?” - -“Yes,” answered Phin, smiling grimly. “This means that I’ll have to -change my getting-up hour from six to five.” - -Before the mass meeting took place several things of moment occurred. -Hansel received notice of his election to the Cicero Society and of -the fact that by paying a dollar to the treasurer he could become the -possessor of a printed certificate of membership. On Wednesday the team -journeyed to Parkham and defeated the local team 23 to 0. On Saturday -the State Agricultural School descended upon Bevan Hills, and for -thirty minutes of actual playing time kept every Beechcroft student’s -heart in his mouth. But in the end the visitors were forced to return -home without scoring, while the academy team had five points to its -credit. Hansel made numerous calls on his new acquaintances and rapidly -enlarged his circle of friends. But, after all, the most important -event, judged in the light of subsequent results, was the appearance -on Thursday morning at a French recitation of Harry Folsom in a white -sweater. Not that the color of the garment had anything to do with the -matter; had it been red or green or purple the outcome would have been -the same. - -Mr. Ames had issued an edict at the beginning of the year to the effect -that students attending his classes must be suitably dressed. In short, -sweaters as features of class-room attire were prohibited. That is why -when on this particular morning Mr. Ames espied Harry with a white -turtle-neck sweater under his jacket he remonstrated. - -“Folsom,” he observed, “I’ve told the class that I would not permit -them to wear sweaters. There is no occasion for it. You have plenty of -time in the morning to dress properly. This is a French recitation; not -a football game. I shall have to insist that you go to your room and -take that off. And as I can’t have students coming in after recitations -are under way, you need not return. I shall put you down as absent.” - -Harry, amid the broad smiles of the others, took himself out with his -offensive white sweater and _Le Cid_ held the boards. Had the affair -ended there this story would have been quite different, Phin and -Hansel would not have thrown down the gauge of battle, and many other -things would not have happened. But Harry didn’t like the thought of -the ridicule which would probably follow the incident and told himself -that “Bobby was too blamed fussy.” In the act of removing the obnoxious -white sweater a beautiful idea came to him, and his face, which since -leaving the class room had been clouded with annoyance, suddenly -wreathed itself in a radiant smile. - -An hour and a half later Mr. Ames held a recitation in German in -the same room, Academy Two. With a few exceptions the same students -attended as attended the French recitation. The class were assembled -and in their places and the hands of the clock pointed to one minute -of the hour when the door opened before a belated student. Mr. Ames, -in the act of opening his book, looked down the room. The expression -on his face instantly caused a unanimous turning of heads. Down the -aisle walked Harry, an expression of blissful unconsciousness on his -features. The white sweater was gone. In place of his former attire -was an immaculate suit of evening dress. Patent-leather pumps clad -his feet, the tails of his coat waved jauntily, a white vest framed -a dazzling expanse of shirt bosom, from which two pearl studs peeped -coyly forth, his collar and white lawn tie were in quite the best of -taste, his hands were chastely hid by pearl-colored gloves, and his -hair was sleek and shining. He took his seat gracefully and viewed -the convulsed countenances of his class mates with an expression of -courteous surprise. That expression was the last straw. Such a roar -of laughter went up as never before had been heard in those sacred -precincts. And Mr. Ames, after a brief struggle for composure, joined -his voice to the others. Only Harry remained composed, and the look of -well-bred bewilderment grew and grew. At last Mr. Ames conquered his -amusement and coughed suggestively. The room quieted down. - -[Illustration: “In place of his former attire was an immaculate suit of -evening dress.”] - -“Folsom,” he remarked, “you have gone to unnecessary extremes in -complying with my request, but I am glad that you appreciate my point -of view. Allow me to compliment you on your appearance. I assure you -you look much more respectable than at our last meeting.” - -Harry bowed respectfully and work began. But all during the recitation -there were occasional choking sounds as some member of the class -allowed his attention to wander from the lesson to Harry. - -Now one cannot with impunity wear dancing pumps and open jacket out of -doors on a bleak day in October. Harry discovered this fact the next -morning. At noon he was in the hands of Dr. Gordon suffering with a -nice attack of grippe. And that is why when, the following evening, -the mass meeting was called to order, the duty of stating the purpose -of the meeting fell, in the absence of the manager, to the assistant -manager, which was one of the first important results hinging upon the -wearing of a white sweater. - -There was a full attendance, as was usually the case when there were -speeches announced. After Phin had stated briefly the object of the -meeting Mr. Ames arose, was cheered loudly--Field leading--and spoke -of the outlook for the season. There was no good reason, he said, -why, with the support of the school to count on, the team should not -win this year from Fairview. As for the game with Warren, they would -do their best to win that also, second in importance as it was to -the final contest, but it was possible that they would have to save -themselves for the greater game, as this year a lack of good new -material put more work on the old men. However, they would do the best -they knew how in each case, and he hoped the school would be back of -them on each occasion, and let them know it. - -Mr. Foote had a few words to say which no one paid much attention -to--except the fellows on the platform, who had to appear polite. -Then it was Phin’s turn again. After a welcoming cheer had died away, -he announced the enforced absence of the manager, and begged the -indulgence of the audience for his inexperience. The audience was -becoming waked up by that time--there is nothing like cheering to -start the enthusiasm--and there were cries of “You’re all right, Phin!” -“Speak out, Phin!” “Don’t be coy!” Hansel, sitting with other members -of the team in the front row, thought Phin looked unusually serious. It -couldn’t be on account of nervousness, Hansel said to himself, for Phin -was quite used to talking in public; and the steady, untroubled gaze of -his hazel eyes proved that supposition false. - -“Last year,” said Phin, “we raised five hundred and forty-three dollars -and seventy-five cents at the mass meeting. It was a good sum, and it -carried the team through the season and left a small balance on the -right side. This balance has, however, been already expended and the -management has been obliged to go somewhat into debt. I am informed -that a larger sum will be necessary this year. Before asking for it I -am going to read to you the manager’s report for last year, in order -that you will know in what manner the money you gave has been used.” - -There were signs of uneasiness on the part of several of the fellows, -and Bert strove to catch Phin’s eye. But Phin didn’t look in his -direction as he took the sheet of paper from his pocket and spread -it open. The report wasn’t especially exciting; so much for football -paraphernalia; so much for maintenance of the gridiron; so much for -traveling expenses; and so on. At the beginning of the present season -there had been left on hand ninety-three dollars and forty cents. - -“Of this sum,” continued Phin calmly, “thirty dollars and forty cents -has gone for footballs, repairs on the tackling machine, and incidental -expenses. The sum of sixty dollars has gone----” - -“Mr. Chairman!” Bert was on his feet claiming attention. - -“Mr. Middleton!” said the chairman. - -“It doesn’t seem to me that this sort of thing is interesting. We are -here for the purpose of raising funds for the team, and I think we -ought to go ahead and do it. There are quite a number of us who have -other engagements this evening and want to get away. Besides, it has -not been the custom heretofore to go into uninteresting facts regarding -the accounts. Nobody, I’m sure, doubts the trustworthiness of the -manager. I move that we proceed to business.” - -“Does Mr. Dorr insist on finishing the report?” asked Field. - -“Not if the meeting doesn’t care to listen to it,” answered Phin -suggestively. - -“Mr. Chairman!” called a voice from the body of the hall. - -“Mr. Spring!” answered the chairman. - -“I just want to say that it seems to me that the fellows who give the -money have a right to hear how it has been spent. I don’t think it’s a -question of doubting anyone’s trustworthiness; the report ought to be -made public as a--a matter of principle.” - -This statement elicited quite a little applause. - -“Do you still object, Mr. Middleton?” asked Field. - -“No,” answered Bert, making the best of it; “if anyone wants to hear -the stuff, why, let them, by all means.” - -When the laughter had subsided, Phin went calmly on. - -“I am about through, anyhow,” he said. “The remaining sum of sixty -dollars was spent for ‘team expenses.’” There was an audible sigh of -relief from Bert, and even Mr. Ames looked more cheerful. Hansel, who -for the last few moments had been aware of something in Phin’s manner -and expression that was unusual, looked up in time to catch a quick, -meaning glance from the speaker. For an instant he was puzzled; Phin -expected something of him, but what? Then suddenly it came to him -in a flash that the battle had begun, that Phin had thrown down the -gauntlet, and he was on his feet, claiming recognition. He got it, -and---- - -“I should like to ask what is meant by ‘team expenses,’” he said. “All -expenses are team expenses, are they not?” - -“Shut up, you fool!” hissed Bert. - -“The expenses in question,” began Phin promptly, “are----” - -“I object!” cried Bert, leaping to his feet and viewing Phin -threateningly. - -“I don’t think the question need be answered,” said Field. “It is -somewhat--er--irregular.” - -“We want to know!” cried a voice from the back of the hall. - -“You bet we do!” said another. - -Field rapped for order. - -“If Mr. Dorr has finished I think it would be well to----” - -“Mr. Chairman,” interrupted the troublesome Spring, the editor in -chief of _The Record_, the school monthly, “Mr. Chairman, I move you -that the assistant manager explain what is meant in this case by ‘team -expenses.’” - -“Second the motion!” said another voice. - -“It is moved and seconded,” said Field wearily, “that Mr. Dorr explain -the meaning. Those in favor of the motion will say ‘Aye.’” - -There was a loud chorus of “Ayes.” - -“Contrary minded, ‘No.’” - -Followed a deafening shout of dissent from the front rows. - -“The No’s appear to have it,” said Field. “The motion is----” - -“Mr. Chairman!” - -“Mr.--er--Dana!” - -“I move that a standing vote be taken.” - -“Seconded!” “Stand up!” “That’s the stuff!” These cries from the seat -of opposition at the back of the hall. - -Field hesitated. Bert was scowling blackly. Cameron, to whom the -proceedings might naturally have been of interest, was apparently -unconcerned. Hansel wondered whether he understood what was coming. -Then a standing vote was taken and almost every fellow voted in the -affirmative. Field was forced to give in. - -“It is moved and carried,” he announced shortly, “that the assistant -manager explain more fully.” - -Phin, who during the proceedings had kept his place at the front of the -stage and awaited calmly the outcome, bowed. - -“The words ‘team expenses’ are used in this particular case,” he -explained dryly, “to mean the fall term tuition of one of the members -of the team.” - -The announcement caused a sudden commotion of audible remarks, -whisperings and whistling. Those, and they were greatly in the -minority, who knew who the member of the team was craned their heads -for a sight of the untroubled countenance of the star half back. Bert’s -face looked like a thunder cloud as he scowled alternately at Hansel -and Phin. Mr. Ames was studying his hands. - -“Mr. Chairman!” It was Spring again. “Mr. Chairman, I’d like to ask -whether it was understood that the money collected for the team was to -be used to pay the tuition expenses of one of the students.” - -This demand was loudly applauded. Field looked toward Phin. - -“I believe,” answered the latter, “that there was a tacit understanding -to that effect. Of course, it would not do for the school to have -it publicly known that we pay a player’s expenses in order to -strengthen our team. But we did it last year, and if the collection is -sufficiently generous to-night we shall do it again. I may add that -unless we do it we shall possibly lose one of our best players.” - -Spring again demanded recognition and got it from the bored chairman. - -“I want to say,” declared Spring warmly, “that I, for one, knew nothing -about it. And I dare say there are a good many others who gave money -for the support of the team who are in the same fix.” - -“You bet!” “Oh, cut it out!” “Sit down!” - -“And what’s more,” continued Spring defiantly, “I don’t think we -should be called on to give money for such a purpose. If we can’t win -without buying players----!” - -But the rest of his remarks were lost in the subsequent uproar. A dozen -fellows were on their feet, clamoring for recognition. The chairman -recognized Larry Royle. - -“Spring is making a big fuss about nothing,” said the center. “What if -we do pay Bil--pay one of the players’ tuition? He’s a good man and we -need him; and he’s cheap at the price. It seems to me that one hundred -and fifty dollars is a small price to pay for a victory over Fairview. -And any fellow who doesn’t think that way about it had better keep his -old money in his pocket!” - -He sat down amid enthusiastic applause from the football men and some -others. Spring struggled for Field’s eye, but the latter refused to -see him. Finally he subsided and immediately became the center of an -excited group. Field nodded toward Phin. - -“I think that’s all I have to say,” said the latter, his voice almost -drowned by the hubbub. “It only remains for me to remind you fellows -that the team can’t hope for victory unless it is well supported. It -needs both money and the hearty coöperation of every fellow in the -school. But to-night it is money we are looking for. We ought to have -about six hundred and fifty dollars to see us through the season, and I -feel sure that with the spirit of the school what it is at present, we -will receive from you all we deserve. I thank you.” - -Phin retired to his seat, viewed suspiciously by the football crowd to -whom his speech had sounded, at the best, rather ambiguous. Pencils and -slips of paper were in readiness and in a jiffy they were being passed -about the hall. Hansel stole a look at Phin. The assistant manager was -whispering calmly to Mr. Foote, who, during the excitement, had looked -on affably and uninterestedly. As for Hansel, he felt rather excited. -The struggle had begun, and from present indications they had won the -first engagement. When the slip was handed to him he found himself -in a quandary. Every fellow was expected to give as much as he could -afford. Hansel felt that he could afford five dollars, since so far his -incidental expenses had been very light, but if he did so, he would -be defeating in a measure his own end, which was to drive Cameron off -the team. If sufficient money was not pledged to-night, or secured -subsequently, to pay the rest of Cameron’s tuition, he thought, that -youth would have to leave school. Finally he compromised on two dollars -and a half, and signed his promise for that amount. Five minutes later -the slips were all returned, and Phin, Mr. Ames, and Mr. Foote were -adding up the amounts of the pledges. The meeting was breaking up, but -the fellows lingered to hear the result. At last Mr. Ames arose and -stepped to the front of the platform. - -“I am requested to announce,” he said when quiet had been secured, -“that the total amount of the pledges is three hundred and eighty-eight -dollars and fifty cents.” - -What more he had to say, if anything, was prevented by the noise -of scraping chairs, shuffling feet and excited voices, indignant, -laughing, triumphant as the case might be. The meeting came to an -abrupt close, but the echo of it lasted for many days. Meanwhile Hansel -and Phin had won the first skirmish. - - - - -CHAPTER VIII - -MR. AMES STATES HIS POSITION - - - “Dana:--Try and drop in to see me for a few minutes between - seven and eight this evening. I am asking Dorr also. - - “Yours, - - “AMES.” - -Hansel found this note in the rack the next forenoon. Coming out of -Academy Three after a geometry recitation at twelve, he ran into Phin -and the two walked over to Hansel’s room together and discussed the -events of the evening before and the meaning of Mr. Ames’s summons. - -“He probably sent my note to the house,” said Phin thoughtfully. “I -wonder whether he’s for or against us. Perhaps Bert and his crowd have -asked him to call us down. Well----” - -“O Phin!” called a fellow across the campus. “Folsom asked me to tell -you he wanted you to come up to his room this afternoon.” - -“All right, Billy; much obliged. Harry’s probably a bit excited,” -continued Phin grimly. “I hope it won’t make him worse.” - -Hansel was inclined to be elated over last evening’s skirmish, but Phin -rather discouraged him. - -“I don’t believe a fourth of the fellows cared a rap for the principle -of the thing,” he said. “But they liked to see a fuss and were glad of -an excuse for not pledging money.” - -“But there was only about four hundred dollars pledged,” answered -Hansel. “Surely that won’t be enough to pay the expenses of the team -and Cameron’s tuition for the rest of the year.” - -“No, it won’t, I guess; I don’t believe they’ll be able to afford to -hand over ninety dollars of it to him. But it doesn’t help us much just -at present, for Cameron’s tuition is paid up to Christmas; even if he -has to get out then, he can play football all he wants to meanwhile.” - -“That’s so,” said Hansel ruefully. “I had forgotten that.” - -“It may keep him from coming back next year, though. And that’s what I -had in mind when I decided to start things going last night. It didn’t -enter my head until after the meeting had been called to order. Then it -dawned on me that here was a chance too good to waste. I was afraid you -wouldn’t understand what was wanted, though, when I’d read that ‘team -expense’ item. But you did. By the way, we’ve got one new convert, -anyway. Spring was down to see me this morning before I was through -breakfast. You know he’s editor of _The Record_, and he says he’s going -to write a hot editorial for the next issue, which comes out next week. -I told him to go ahead, but I don’t believe it will amount to much.” - -“But he seemed earnest enough last night?” - -“Oh, Spring’s earnest enough, but you see _The Record’s_ censored by -the faculty, and if they don’t want a thing to appear, it doesn’t. And -I don’t believe they’d let anything very vigorous get in for fear it -would hurt the reputation of the school.” - -“Oh, I see. Well, say, you stop here to-night and we’ll go over to see -Ames together. I’ll be ready at seven, if you like.” - -“All right. And I mustn’t forget to call on Harry this afternoon. I -dare say he’s wild about it.” - -But Phin found when he made his visit that he hadn’t done justice to -the manager’s sense of humor. Harry seemed to think that it was a -pretty good joke, and wasn’t satisfied until Phin had told his story of -the mass meeting. - -“Bert was up here this forenoon,” said Harry with a chuckle. “He’s -red-headed, frothing at the mouth. Says it was all my fault; that I -shouldn’t have given you the statement, that I had no business being -sick, and a lot more poppycock. But, thunder! how was I to know you -were going to read that statement? I thought you just wanted to have -it in case somebody began asking questions. I wish I could have been -there--in the back of the hall, I mean--and heard it all. Billy Cutler -says Field looked just as though he was sitting on a hot stove!” - -“I’m sorry if I’ve got you into trouble, Harry, but the chance was too -good a one to let go by. And Hansel Dana----” - -“Hansel Dana!” interrupted Harry with a grin. “There it is! He’s at the -bottom of the whole shindy. Say, that fellow’s playing hob, isn’t he? -He’ll have the whole school topsy-turvy if he keeps on! He’s woozy on -the subject of ‘clean athletics,’ ‘school honor,’ and all the rest of -it. He’s a perfect idiot, but you can’t help liking him.” - -“You don’t think that, Harry,” said Phin gravely. “You know well enough -that he’s right.” - -“Right? Well, maybe he is right, but, great Scott! what’s the use of -raising Cain about it? Why can’t he be satisfied with being right? What -is it about virtue being its own reward? Besides, it’s all perfectly -useless; Billy Cameron’s tuition is all paid for the term, and nothing -on earth can stop him from playing football now!” - -“We’re working for next year, Harry.” - -“That’s all right then,” said the other heartily. “Go ahead; you have -my blessing. I shan’t be here next year. But just at present I’m -manager of the old team and I don’t want it beaten.” - -“Neither do we,” said Phin quietly; “but we want it to win honestly.” - -“You’re getting it, too,” said Harry sadly. “I shall have to stop -associating with you chaps; first thing I know I’ll be as crazy as you -are!” - -“Wish you were,” answered Phin smilingly. “We need help. How are you -coming on, by the way?” - -“Physically I am doing very well, thank you; recovering strength, -appetite, and the use of my limbs; Doc says I can go out to-morrow; but -I am troubled in mind, Phin; it worries me to see you becoming a victim -to Hanselitis.” - -Hansel dropped in just before dinner time, after Phin was gone, and he, -too, had to tell of last evening’s proceedings. And he had to listen to -very much the same remarks that had been made for Phin’s benefit. But -when Harry made the statement that nothing could prevent Cameron from -playing football, Hansel took him up. - -“You wait and see,” he said oracularly. - -“Sure, I’ll wait and see,” answered Harry cheerfully. “Maybe you’d -like to bet on it, Hansel.” - -“I don’t bet.” - -“All right, then I’ll do the betting. If Billy doesn’t play in the -Fairview game I’ll give you--what do you want?” - -“Well,” said Hansel, looking about the study, “I need a good sweater. -I’ll take that white one over there on the couch.” - -“Done! The old thing’s got me into trouble enough already, and you can -have it _if_-- But I don’t believe you’ll own it.” - -“You wait and see.” - -“Get out, you old raven!” laughed Harry. - -Hansel didn’t much think the white sweater would ever come into his -possession, himself, but there’s nothing to be gained by acknowledging -defeat beforehand, and, besides, he felt rather hopeful and pleased -this evening. In the first place, if Phin and he had accomplished no -more they had at least stirred things up, for all day long the chief -subject of discussion among the students of Beechcroft Academy had -been the mass meeting and the status of the star half back. And, in -the second place, Hansel had suffered public martyrdom, and there’s -nothing like martyrdom to bolster up one’s self-respect and increase -one’s self-importance. When he had reached the green that afternoon he -had quickly noticed a difference in the attitude of the other members -of the football team. It was not that they showed animosity, but they -apparently viewed him distrustfully and seemed to avoid him as though -he had suddenly become an outsider. - -When the line-up for the short game came, Hansel found himself -relegated to the position of right end on the second team. It was -evident that Mr. Ames did not approve, and there followed a long -discussion between him and Bert. But in the end the coach shrugged his -shoulders as though persuaded, but not convinced, and Hansel went on -to the second and played there all during the short practice. He was -on his mettle, and the way he “made rings around Cutler,” to use the -popular expression, was highly pleasing to his adherents, of whom there -were not a few among the audience that followed the play. Hansel knew, -and every other fellow there knew, that his banishment to the scrub -team was in the nature of a public disgrace as punishment for siding -against Cameron. If there had been any doubt in his mind on this point, -it would have been speedily dispelled when he reached his room after -his visit to Harry. - -“Well,” asked Bert, who was getting himself ready for supper, “how do -you like the scrub?” - -“All right,” answered Hansel calmly. - -“Glad you like it. For that’s where you’ll probably play. We can’t have -fellows on the first eleven who are trying to get us beaten.” - -“Don’t you worry about me, Bert,” replied Hansel. “I can take what’s -coming to me. You won’t hear any kicking if I stay on the second from -now until I leave school.” - -“Well, you would stay there if I had my way,” growled Bert angrily. - -At a few minutes after seven Phin and Hansel knocked on the door of -Mr. Ames’s study on the first floor of Weeks. As soon as they were -comfortably seated the coach plunged into his subject. - -“I’ve asked you fellows around here,” he said, “because I want to know -just what you’re up to; and I want you to tell me fairly and squarely.” - -Hansel looked toward Phin and the latter accepted the office of -spokesman. He told Mr. Ames just what they hoped to do, why they wanted -to do it, and what they had accomplished already. And the instructor -heard him through without an interruption. When Phin had ended, Mr. -Ames was silent for a moment. Then, - -“Thanks, Dorr,” he said gravely. “I’m glad to know this. And what is -the sentiment of the school on the subject?” - -“Divided, sir. I think most of the fellows don’t care one way or the -other.” - -“I dare say not. Dorr, there’s been a big change in the spirit of the -school during the time that I’ve been here as instructor. Five years -ago Cameron couldn’t have played on the team for a moment. I don’t know -just what or where the trouble has been, but I do know that we’ve been -getting laxer and laxer right along as regards athletics. There have -been two or three things done here during the last three years which -you fellows have probably never heard of. And, by the way, what I am -telling you to-night is quite between us three, if you please. I don’t -like this sort of thing any better than you do, and several times I -have made myself unpopular by trying to correct it. But for the last -two years I’ve been drifting along with the crowd; it’s a thankless -task to pull a lone oar against the current, and there hasn’t been the -help from--” The instructor pulled himself up abruptly. “But that’s no -matter. Now what I want to know is why you fellows haven’t come to me -before this and asked my assistance.” - -“Well, sir,” answered Phin after a moment’s hesitation, “we thought it -would hardly be fair. You’re coach, and, of course, you want to turn -out a good team, one that will beat Fairview, and it seemed to us that -to ask you to--to----” - -“In short, Dorr, you and Dana thought I’d rather defeat Fairview than -help you? Well, let me tell you, and you, too, Dana, that I don’t -give a hang who wins. This may sound strange to you, but it’s a fact, -nevertheless. I’ve watched things pretty closely for several years, -and I’ve just about reached the conclusion that the school that wins -more than a fair share of athletic contests is in a good way to slide -downhill. There is nothing, it seems, so demoralizing to a school or -college as a reputation for winning in football year after year. It -brings a flood of undesirable material to the school and the _morale_ -suffers in consequence. Fellows who come here because they want to play -football on a winning team aren’t the fellows we want. They introduce -the ‘win-at-any-cost’ spirit, and its that spirit, as you fellows know, -that causes just the sort of trouble we’re experiencing here now. ‘Win -at any cost’ means trickery and dishonesty.” - -“You fellows can count on me, but you must recollect that I am in a -difficult position. I can’t put Cameron off the team; he would appeal -to Dr. Lambert, in which case he would, I fancy, be reinstated. In -fact, there is very little chance of doing away with Cameron this year. -Perhaps if you succeed in changing the sentiment of the school from the -present one of apathy and worse to one of opposition to unfair methods -in athletics, you will have done enough for this year. In fact, you’ve -got to begin at the bottom and lay your foundation; once establish a -principle of athletic purity and fellows like Cameron won’t trouble -you. It isn’t Cameron that’s to blame, but the spirit of the school.” - -“We know that, sir,” said Hansel. “I wish we didn’t have to interfere -with him; he’s so--such a good sort, I think.” - -“He is,” said the coach heartily. “He’s one of the best-hearted chaps -here. I don’t believe he would willingly hurt a fly; but for all that -he isn’t capable of seeing anything out of the way in his position -here. He would probably be highly indignant were you to suggest to him -that his presence on the team was not quite square.” - -“Speaking of beginning at the bottom, Mr. Ames,” said Hansel. “I was -talking to Folsom the other day, and he said he thought the trouble -was with the colleges; that they weren’t strict, and that the schools -naturally copied their methods.” - -“There’s something in that,” answered the instructor, “but not a great -deal. I don’t think the college’s example influences the school very -much. What does harm, however, is the frantic hunt for material at -the school on the part of the college captain, or coach, or trainer. -That’s something that ought to be stopped. The competition becomes so -keen when a good athlete is at stake that if the good athlete has a -tendency toward crookedness he can get most anything he wants. I don’t -mean that he can command a salary, but he can secure the equivalent -in scholarships, or employment at wages out of all proportion to the -services.” - -“That’s so,” said Phin. “And I think there must be more in Harry’s -theory of example than you think. Aren’t we doing just about the same -thing for Cameron?” - -“Well, that’s a fact, but I’m not willing to lay the blame on the -colleges,” answered Mr. Ames. “The incongruous feature of it is,” he -continued, “that the fellows who connive at such things are usually -fellows who would spurn the suggestion of a dishonest action. It’s a -case of distorted point of view, I fancy. Now, as I say, I can’t take -the law into my hands and disqualify Cameron on the grounds we’ve -discussed, but if you can work school opinion around so that there will -be a demand for his removal, I’ll do my part. I’d hate to have to hurt -Cameron, but I wouldn’t let personal liking or team success interfere.” - -“I’m afraid school opinion can’t be altered in a moment,” said Phin. - -“Perhaps not, but why not ask a few of the most prominent and -influential fellows to meet some evening, put the case before them and -see what they think about it? If there was sufficient support pledged, -you might call a mass meeting to take action on the subject; even if -you lost, you would have made a stride in the right direction; the more -you make the fellows think about the question the nearer you must be to -your goal, for any fellow who considers the thing fairly will have to -acknowledge that it’s all wrong.” - -“Thank you, sir,” said Phin. “That seems a good idea. Would you attend -the first meeting?” - -Mr. Ames hesitated. - -“It may look to you like cowardice, Dorr,” he said finally, “but I’d -rather not. It seems to me that I ought to preserve neutrality as far -as is possible. Besides, I don’t think it would be wise to bring the -faculty element into such a meeting; you fellows could do more on your -own initiative.” - -“Very well, sir, we’ll try it.” - -“And I wish you luck,” said Mr. Ames as the boys arose. “Come around -whenever you can and report progress. And whatever I can do for you -I will. Oh, by the way, I wouldn’t expect too much of that editorial -in _The Record_; it’s just possible the faculty will think it, -too--er--strong. You understand? Good night!” - -The meeting was duly called and met in Spring’s study, in Weeks. The -attendance was not encouragingly large; out of twenty-eight fellows -invited by Phin, thirteen appeared. Phin, Hansel, and Spring all spoke. -It was difficult at first for the audience to eliminate the personal -element from the matter, and the general sentiment seemed to be that -“it was hard lines on Billy Cameron.” Ultimately, however, most of them -consented to look at the subject from an abstract point of view, after -Phin and Hansel had assured them time and again that there was nothing -against Cameron personally, and that it was the principle of the thing -they were concerned with. When the meeting broke up there were six -certain converts, most of them fellows whose names carried weight, and -some of the others had consented to “think it over”; these latter -promised in any event to attend the mass meeting which, it was decided, -was to be called for the following Saturday night. On the whole, Hansel -and Phin were encouraged. - -Meanwhile the former had been reinstated on the first team. The powers, -represented by Bert, came to the conclusion that two days of disgrace -was all that could be afforded, owing to the fact that there was no one -who could fill the culprit’s place at right end. Hansel went cheerfully -back to his position and, as always, played as hard as he knew how. -Cameron, who had been laid off because of injuries received in -practice, was back again once more at right half, and got into things -in a way which showed that his enforced idleness had done him good. -The team as a whole was coming fast now, and there was hope among the -more sanguine of a victory over Warren. The game with Warren school was -not considered nearly so important as the contest with Fairview, and, -coming as it did only two weeks before the final contest, it frequently -happened that the game was purposely sacrificed in order to spare the -light blue players for the supreme conflict. But for all that the -Warren game was worth winning, and a decisive victory for Beechcroft -was considered conclusive proof of the team’s ability to cope with -Fairview. This year the wearers of the light blue were in unusually -good physical condition, were well advanced and, it was understood, -would enter the Warren game with a determination to win. That game was -not quite two weeks distant. - - - - -CHAPTER IX - -THE SECOND SKIRMISH - - -There was a second meeting called about this time to raise additional -funds for the support of the football team. The sum already subscribed -was not enough for the traveling expenses, guarantees to visiting teams -and clothing, and where the ninety dollars to pay Billy Cameron’s -tuition for the winter and spring terms was coming from was causing -Harry Folsom a good deal of bother. And when the meeting had assembled -he said as much. There was a very slim attendance, and a spirit of -levity prevailed. Phin and Hansel were there, as was Spring, but they -took no part in the proceedings, greatly, I think, to Harry’s relief. -The football men were conspicuously absent. - -“You fellows want a good team,” said Harry, “and you want it to lick -everything that comes along. But you aren’t willing, it seems, to pay -for it. You’ve pledged three hundred and eighty-eight dollars, and -that isn’t nearly enough, and you know it as well as we do. We need -at least two hundred and fifty dollars more. Last year we managed to -scrape along on about four hundred and fifty dollars, but we were able -to do it because the field had been put in fine shape the year before, -and we didn’t have that to pay for. But this fall, as anyone knows who -has been down there, there’s a lot of work got to be done; the place -is in bad shape. The Fairview game is played here this fall, and we’ve -got to have the field fixed up and the stands attended to. It has been -estimated that it will take over a hundred dollars to put the stands in -shape for the Fairview game. - -“Now we can’t do that and pay traveling expenses, and pay guaranties -to visiting teams on any little old three hundred and eighty-eight -dollars. You fellows know that when a team comes here to play us we -have to guarantee them a decent sum of money. If we don’t they won’t -come. We don’t offer big guaranties, because we’ve never been able to -afford to; if we could do that, we could get some of the best teams -in this part of the country to come here. As it is, we have to pay out -from twenty to seventy-five dollars at every minor game because we -can’t get a decent attendance. And that soon counts up. This year we -have five home games beside Fairview, and only one of those games is -likely to pay for itself; that’s the Warren game. Every other team that -comes here goes away with a little wad of our money in their pocket. - -“Then there’s the item of uniforms. We aren’t swell dressers here, and -we don’t buy the best suits on the market. But even so, a little over -nine dollars is the best we can do; and the fellows supply their own -sweaters. Besides these expenses which I have mentioned, maintenance -of ground, traveling expenses, guaranties, clothing, there are others, -such as tickets for the Fairview game, advertising in the papers and -by posters, footballs, blankets, stationery, stamps, and dozens of -incidental expenses. You can do a little figuring yourselves and see -how much of that three hundred and eighty-eight dollars is likely to be -left at the end of the season. I’ll tell you one thing; there aren’t -going to be any dividends declared!” - -“How about ‘team expenses’?” called some one. There was a snicker. -Harry smiled. - -“Well, I didn’t mention that because you fellows seem to be developing -a finicky attitude of late, and I didn’t want to shock you. But since -you’ve mentioned the matter yourselves, I’ll just say that there -remains ninety dollars of ‘team expenses’ to be paid. And it’s got to -be paid, no matter what anyone says, for the very good reason that we -have given our word that we will pay it. And a certain fellow will be -in a pretty mean fix if we don’t pay it. He will wonder, I guess, what -the word of Ferry Hill students is worth.” - -There was a mild clatter of applause. - -“Now, fellows,” went on Harry, “we’ve got to have at least another two -hundred and fifty. And I want you to pledge it to-night. Every one of -you who hasn’t given already ought to be good for five dollars. And -those of you who have already given--well, we don’t refuse a second -contribution; we aren’t fussy that way; and it won’t hurt you a bit. -After the Fairview game is over you’ll be mighty glad and proud that -you helped to bring about a victory.” - -“Suppose we get beaten?” piped a voice from the back of the hall where -the younger and more mischievous youths were congregated. - -“We won’t!” declared Harry promptly. “I tell you what I’ll do, fellows; -if you’ll make up the sum to six hundred and fifty dollars, I’ll -guarantee that we’ll lick Fairview! There! That’s fair, isn’t it?” - -“A fair view of the situation, Mr. Manager!” called a voice. Harry -joined in the laugh that went up. - -“I’m not joking, fellows,” he continued. “I mean what I say. Here’s -your chance now; a victory over Fairview for the small sum of six -hundred and fifty dollars! Doesn’t that strike you as cheap?” - -“What security?” asked a boy down front. - -“My word!” answered Harry boldly. “That’s good, isn’t it?” - -“You bet it is, Harry!” - -Phin and Hansel joined in the applause and laughter. - -“All right, then,” said Harry. “Now I’m going to send the slips -around. Any fellow who hasn’t got a pencil can get one if he will speak -up. And if any of you can’t write I’ll do it for you, and you’ll only -have to make your mark. I’m going to ask--” Harry’s eyes traveled about -the hall and at last rested, with a twinkle, on Hansel and Phin. “I’m -going to ask the assistant manager, Phin Dorr, and the best end Ferry -Hill has had for many a day, Hansel Dana, to pass the slips.” - -There was a clapping of hands and some laughter at Harry’s announcement. -Phin and Hansel viewed each other questioningly. - -“I’m not going to do it,” whispered Hansel. But he chanced to catch -sight of Harry’s quizzical look and changed his mind. Phin was already -crowding his way along the row of chairs. Hansel accepted Harry’s -challenge and followed Phin. They took the slips of white paper and -passed through the hall distributing them. Some of the youngsters near -the door showed a disposition to retire from the scene, but a few words -from Harry brought them back. - -“I’d like to say,” he remarked dryly, “that neither Dorr nor Dana has -time to follow you fellows to your rooms, and so if you’ll kindly keep -your seats you will be rendering valuable assistance.” - -The slips were collected and returned to the platform. Phin helped -Harry count up the amounts, and the meeting broke up, although most of -those present waited to hear the result. - -“I hope they don’t get it,” said Spring to Hansel. “And I don’t believe -they will. I want the team to have all the money it can use, but I -don’t like the idea of paying Cameron’s tuition out of the fund. I’m -with you fellows there, Dana, good and hard.” - -“The trouble is, though,” answered Hansel, “that they’ve already paid -his fall tuition, and he’s bound to stay and play football this season.” - -“Yes, but there’s another year coming, and if Cameron doesn’t get his -tuition paid for the rest of this year, he’s not going to stay here. -That’s certain.” - -“The amount pledged this evening,” announced Harry, “is seventy-four -dollars. It isn’t enough, and I’m disappointed in you fellows. But I’ve -told you how things stand and it’s up to you.” He paused, seemed about -to continue, evidently thought better of it, and turned to Phin. - -“Will you move adjournment?” he asked. - -Phin was a pretty busy fellow these days. He got out of bed every -morning at five o’clock and attended to five furnaces, in as many -different houses throughout the village. By seven he was back home for -breakfast, and after that meal he attended to a few chores about the -house. At eight he had his first recitation, and from that time on was -busy with lessons, either studying or reciting, until two o’clock, save -for an hour at noon, and two days a week had recitations at three. From -half-past three to five he was on the football field attending to his -duties as assistant manager. And yet, in spite of all this, he found -moments now and then to do odd jobs for the villagers or students. It -was no uncommon sight to see Phin beating a carpet in some one’s back -yard long after it was too dark to see the stick he wielded. He had all -the work he could attend to, for there was nothing he could not do, and -his personality pleased his patrons so much that one customer led to -others. He mended fences, fitted keys, whitewashed walls, now and -then tried his hand at a small job of painting, cleaned yards, and had -soon grown into a village necessity, without whom the housewives would -have been at their wits’ end. But no matter how much work was called -for, Phin couldn’t neglect his school duties, for he was trying for a -scholarship, and on his success depended his continuance at Beechcroft. -Harry tried to get him to put up a shelf for him, but Phin, scenting -charity, refused to do it. - -“You don’t need a shelf,” he declared. “It would spoil the looks of -your wall. But if you insist, I’ll put it up for you the first chance I -have, and take just what the materials cost.” - -“You’re a suspicious dub,” said Harry sorrowfully. “I’ve been pining -for a shelf over there for years and years, but if you choose to assign -base motives to my request, I shall continue to go shelfless. I won’t -take favors from a chap who accuses me of duplicity.” - -The intimacy between Phin and Hansel grew with every passing day. -Hansel was grateful for the friendship, for matters in 22 Prince -weren’t in very good shape those days. He and Bert passed the time of -day, as the saying is, and that was about all. As for the new friends -and acquaintances which Hansel had made through Phin, he cultivated -them carefully, and found pleasure in so doing, but as he was beginning -to be looked upon as “queer,” or, as Harry put it, “peculiar,” those -friends didn’t turn into chums. Phin and Harry were his warmest -friends, and that Phin finally led in his affections was probably -because of the bond of interest existing between them in the form of -what Harry called the “crusade.” - -[Illustration: “He was beginning to be looked upon as ‘queer.’”] - - - - -CHAPTER X - -HANSEL LEAVES THE TEAM - - -The mass meeting was surprisingly well attended. Ever since the similar -assembly at which the “team expenses” item had been brought to light -there had been rumors of all sorts flying about the school. It was -said that Billy Cameron was not going to be allowed to play; that some -of the fellows were going to demand the resignation of the present -manager, and that Phin Dorr wanted the office; that the faculty was -frightened lest the facts about Cameron should get into the papers; -that Bert Middleton and Dana didn’t speak to each other; and much more -besides. All this had the effect of whetting public curiosity, and so -filling the hall from platform to doors. Field had refused to preside -and the honor fell to Cupples, president of the third class. After -calling the meeting to order, for once not a difficult task, since the -audience was consumed with curiosity, Cupples introduced Phin. Phin -made the best speech of his school career that evening, but I’m not -going to bore you with it, nor with the remarks made by Spring, who -followed him; nor with what Hansel had to say. - -The latter was rather nervous at first and had to stand some -“jollying,” but he soon recovered his composure and his voice, and -spoke very well indeed, his earnestness impressing even the scoffers. -There were plenty of these; Bert was there, and Larry Royle, and -King, and Conly and others of the first team; and there was a liberal -sprinkling of first class urchins, whose mission seemed to be to make -as much noise and disturbance as possible. Harry was on hand, also, but -he didn’t scoff. “Give ’em fair play, I say,” he proclaimed. - -Without wishing to do any injustice to the efforts of Phin and Hansel, -I think it is safe to say, that of the three speeches, that made by -Spring made the most converts. Spring was terribly enthusiastic over -whatever he undertook, and he had become quite wrought up over the -subject which was at present disturbing the school. As a consequence -he made many assertions not quite borne out by facts and, like an -Irishman at a fair, hit whatever heads were within reach. This was what -the fellows wanted to hear, and Spring got lots of applause, especially -when he demanded to know whether the faculty was asleep, and if not, -why it didn’t “come to the succor of the fair name of the school, and -stamp under heel this foul serpent of deceit!” (Two members of the -faculty present were seen to hide their faces at this point, probably -from shame.) - -Of course, Phin and Hansel and Spring didn’t have everything their own -way. There was plenty of opposition voiced. Royle got up and made a -speech that won loud applause. Royle said there were fellows in school -that made him mighty tired, and that if it was the reputation and honor -of the school they were bothering about, the best thing they could do -was stuff pillows in their mouths. - -There was a full hour of debate following the first resolution, which -Hansel presented for adoption. It was too strong, and by the time it -had been patched and sliced to suit the majority, it bore but slight -resemblance to its first form. But that the meeting was willing to -adopt any resolutions presented by them, was at once a surprise and -a triumph for Phin and Hansel and Spring. As finally adopted the -resolution resolved, after several “Whereases,” that it was “the -sentiment of the school in mass meeting assembled that Phineas Dorr, -Edward Cupples, and Barnard Spring be constituted a committee to -examine into the condition of athletics at the school and, at their -discretion, to confer with the athletic committee and the faculty, -with a view to the drawing up and adoption of a set of rules to govern -athletics.” This resolution went with a two-thirds vote, and the prime -movers were delighted. In celebration Phin invited Hansel to dine with -him the next day. - -After dinner they went for a long walk together, around the lake, a -matter of six miles, reaching home just as the bell on Academy Hall was -ringing for vespers. Hansel told Harry about it the next day and the -latter was greatly astounded. - -“I never heard of any fellow dining with Phin before,” he declared. -“There’s a popular belief here that Phin doesn’t really eat, that he -just lives on sawdust and shavings and other cereals.” - -“We had a very nice dinner,” said Hansel. “Of course it was plain, and -there wasn’t an awful lot of it, but it was cooked finely. Mrs. Freer -started to apologize once but Phin wouldn’t let her. She’s a dear old -lady--only, I guess she isn’t so very old, after all--and is mighty -good to Phin; looks after him just as his own mother might. And he’s -nice to her, too; just as thoughtful and--er--polite as anything! -They’ve got a nice little house there, clean and cozy and homelike. We -had chicken.” - -“Phe-e-ew!” whistled Harry. “I’ll bet they won’t have it again in a -year. You were a guest of honor, my boy. Anyone has only to look at -Phin to know that he doesn’t get a square meal once a month. If Mrs. -What’s-her-name is so fond of him she’d better feed him up a bit.” - -“I guess he doesn’t pay very much,” Hansel reminded. - -During the walk following the dinner at Mrs. Freer’s, Phin and Hansel, -encouraged by success, had planned a vigorous campaign, and in the -evening they called on Mr. Ames and spent nearly two hours in his -study. In pursuance of their plans, Hansel, on Tuesday, four days prior -to the Warren game, issued an ultimatum. - -“Is Cameron going to play in Saturday’s game?” he asked Bert. - -“He certainly is,” was the reply. - -“Very well; then you’ll have to count me out.” - -“What do you mean?” cried Bert. - -“Just what I say. From now on I will not play in any outside game in -which Cameron takes part.” - -“But--but--that’ll put us in a nasty hole!” cried the other in alarm. -“What sort of a way is that to act?” - -“Cameron has no business on the team, and as long as he’s there I’m out -of it. If you like I’ll keep in training and play in practice, but I -won’t go into the games if he is in the line-up.” - -I’m not going to repeat everything that Bert said; much of it he was -probably quite ashamed of later; and it didn’t do any good, anyway. -Hansel refused to argue, refused to fight, refused to lose his temper. -The matter was carried to Mr. Ames at once, but the latter decided that -Hansel had a perfect right to say whether or not he would play football. - -“Then I won’t have him on the field,” said Bert. “If he won’t play -against Warren and Fairview, there’s no use in having him practice. -We’ll put Cutler in at right end and hammer some football into his -thick head. But this means that we lose the Warren game, sure as fate! -Hang Hansel Dana! There’s been nothing but trouble ever since he came -here.” - -“You don’t think then,” asked Mr. Ames, “that you could do better by -dropping Cameron and keeping Dana?” - -“Do you?” asked Bert moodily. - -“I’m not certain. You know Warren has been playing a running game all -fall, and her quarter has done some wonderful work with the ball; they -say he’s like a cat at working the ends. And if Fairview finds out that -we’re weak at right end, she’ll probably try the same thing.” - -“I won’t let Cameron go,” said Bert stubbornly. “That’s just what -Hansel and Phin and that crowd are after, and I won’t give them the -satisfaction!” - -“Well, think it over. I shan’t interfere in the matter. Keep Cameron or -Dana, whichever you think best.” - -The next day Hansel was not at right end on the school team, and, -in fact, did not appear on the green at all. By night it was known -throughout the school that Dana had been put off the team because of -his anti-Cameron attitude. It did not get out until after the Warren -game that he had refused to play because of Cameron’s presence. The -football authorities came in for a good deal of criticism, for Hansel -was recognized as almost the best player on the team, and to put him -off just before the Warren game seemed the height of folly. Hansel -refused to talk on the subject. - -On Thursday Hansel suddenly realized that he had not seen Phin for two -days, a most unusual occurrence, since Phin had formed the habit of -bringing his lunch to school with him, and eating it in a corner of the -library while he studied, and Hansel usually dropped in there for a -chat on his way back from dinner. But the library had been empty the -last two days, and Phin had not shown up, either at recitations or at -Hansel’s room. So on Thursday afternoon Hansel set off to the village -to look him up. He was glad of something to do, for since he had left -the eleven the afternoons had grown interminably long and frightfully -dull. As he crossed the green the fellows were just lining up for -practice, and he could see Cutler at his place on the right end of the -first. When he rang the bell at Mrs. Freer’s it was Phin himself who -opened the door. He looked paler and thinner than ever, and there were -dark streaks around his eyes, as though he had not had sufficient sleep. - -“Oh!” he said at sight of Hansel, “I thought it was the doctor.” - -“Doctor?” asked Hansel. “Are you sick?” - -“No, but mother is. He said he’d be back at three and he hasn’t come -yet.” - -“Your mother?” exclaimed Hansel, dropping his voice to match Phin’s -quiet tones. “Is she here?” - -“Did I say my mother? Well, I didn’t mean to. You see-- Come in a -minute and I’ll tell you.” Hansel followed him to the little parlor. -Phin went to the window for another anxious look up the street, and -then came back to where Hansel stood beside the old white marble -mantel. “I didn’t mean to let it out, Hansel, but I don’t believe it -matters, anyway. I kept it secret on her account; she made me promise. -She wouldn’t come out here this winter unless I promised to keep it -secret; you see, Hansel, she thought the fellows might--well, look down -on me, I suppose, if they knew my mother did dressmaking. I told her, -though, that if I attended to furnaces and beat carpets, I guessed the -fellows could stand her doing sewing. But she was afraid, and so I -agreed to keep it quiet. After all----” - -“You mean Mrs. Freer?” asked Hansel, a light dawning on his mind. -“She’s your mother?” - -“Yes, one of the best a fellow ever had, Hansel. She’s worked like a -slave for me for years. And that’s the reason I wanted her to come here -this year and take this house. I knew I could keep an eye on her, and -see that she didn’t starve herself to death in order to send me money. -I thought we could rent the spare room and that she would be able to -get some dressmaking to do, but it hasn’t turned out very well. And now -she’s down sick with the grippe, and the doctor’s afraid it’s going to -turn into pneumonia. I’ve been up with her three nights, Hansel, and -I’m just about played out.” - -“I’m mighty sorry,” muttered Hansel. “Look here, what can I do? Let me -go and find the doctor for you? Where does he live?” - -“Will you?” asked Phin eagerly. “I don’t like to leave her for very -long at a time. It’s Dr. Gordon, you know, three blocks down, on the -corner. I’ll be very much obliged----” - -But Hansel was already hurrying along the street. The doctor had just -returned from a trip into the country when Hansel reached his house, -and was already preparing to go to Mrs. Freer’s. He offered to take -Hansel back that far with him in the buggy, and Hansel jumped in. - -“Phin says you’re afraid of pneumonia,” said Hansel as they rattled up -the village street. - -“Looks like it now, but she may fool us,” was the cheerful response. -“If she had enough vitality to keep a mouse alive I wouldn’t worry. -Look here, are you a friend of theirs?” - -“Yes,” answered Hansel. - -“All right; then I’m not telling secrets, I guess. She’s young Dorr’s -mother; knew that, didn’t you? She married again after his father -died, and from what I gather the second marriage didn’t turn out very -well; present husband’s still alive, I believe. Fact of the matter is, -they’re too poor to buy decent food; they’re both of ’em just about -half starved. I had a dickens of a time trying to get her to take white -of egg; she said eggs were very dear, and thought something else might -do. The boy seems awfully fond of her, and he’s nursed her right along -for three days, but it seems to me he’d better leave school and find -some work, so he can take care of her. Here we are. How’s that? Wait to -see-- Oh, all right; I’ll be out in ten minutes, I guess, and I’ll tell -you how she is.” - -Hansel turned up the street and walked as far as the first corner, -keeping an eye on the little white gate for fear Dr. Gordon would -escape him. And as he strolled along his mind was very busy. When, -finally, the doctor reappeared, Hansel hurried up to him. - -“Which way are you going, sir?” he asked. - -“Down to the other side of town, across the railroad. Why?” - -“May I go along? I’d like to speak to you.” - -“All right, my boy; in you go.” When the buggy had turned, scraping, -and was again headed toward the railroad, Dr. Gordon observed Hansel -with frank interest. “You’re one of the academy boys, I suppose?” - -“Yes, sir.” - -“Well, now about Mrs. Freer. I think she’s going to pull through -without lung complications. It’s a bit early yet to say for sure. I’m -going back this evening at ten, and if you’re interested enough to call -me up by ’phone at about half-past, I’ll tell you what there is to -tell.” - -“Thank you, doctor,” answered Hansel gratefully, “I’ll do that.” - -“All right; call 48-3.” - -“Do you think she ought to have a nurse, sir?” asked Hansel presently. - -“Um-m; she could use one, but I guess they can’t afford it, or think -they can’t. The boy does pretty well--if he doesn’t give out.” - -“Is there a nurse they could get if--if they decided they wanted one?” - -“Yes, Mrs. Whitney, on Arlington Street, would be just the person for -them. I don’t think she’s engaged just now, either.” - -“Thank you, sir. If you’ll pull up I’ll get out here, I guess.” - -“Oh, all right. Call me up to-night, eh? Glad to have met you. Good-by!” - -Hansel hurried back to the academy and sought Harry on the green. -Taking him aside he told about Phin’s predicament. - -“His mother!” marveled Harry with a low whistle. “Well, I’ll be -switched!” - -“Yes, and she needs a nurse, Harry; Dr. Gordon says so; and they think -they can’t afford it. But, of course, she’s got to have one.” - -“Has she?” asked Harry, trying to follow Hansel’s argument. “Well, if -you say so.” - -“We’ve got to get hold of some money.” - -“Oh, that’s it? How much?” - -“I don’t just know, but I think nurses charge about fifteen dollars a -week.” - -“Well, who’s going to get her, you?” - -“I suppose so.” - -“Well, hurry along then. She won’t want any pay until the end of her -week, and meanwhile we’ll find plenty of money; lots of fellows will be -only too glad to help Phin.” - -“But--but do you suppose he’ll consent?” - -“Go send the nurse there and ask consent afterwards,” said Harry. “Come -around this evening and we’ll talk it over. Do you need any coin now?” - -“No; but I have a couple of dollars in my pocket if I do. I’ll be up -about eight.” - -An hour later he was ringing Phin’s doorbell again. He could hear Phin -tiptoeing down the stairs, and in a moment the door was opened. - -“How is she?” asked Hansel. - -“Asleep now; I guess she’s just about the same. The doctor, though, -said he thought she was doing rather well. It was good of you to call, -Hansel.” - -“Not at all, because-- By the way, is there anything I can do for you? -Any errands or anything?” - -“Not unless you can study and recite for me. I guess my scholarship’s a -goner, Hansel.” - -“Nonsense! When you explain--” Phin shook his head. - -“Johnnie isn’t a good man to explain to,” he said hopelessly. “Well, it -can’t be helped. After all, I dare say I’d better be at work; college -can wait for a few years. But won’t you come in?” - -“No, I must get back. I--I just stopped in to tell you that Mrs. -Whitney will be here at eight o’clock to take charge.” - -“Who’s she?” asked Phin with wide eyes. - -“Nurse, Phin. You see, the doc thought you’d better have one, and so -a few of the fellows-- We knew you didn’t want to stand the expense, -but--you can pay it back, if you want to, any time you like; it’s just -a sort of a loan, you know----” - -Hansel ceased his embarrassed explanations, and glanced at Phin. A -little smile was trembling around the latter’s mouth and his eyes had a -misty look that sent Hansel retreating backward down the steps. - -“And so--so she’ll come at eight,” murmured Hansel. “Good-by!” - -Then he turned and hurried through the gate and up the street, -whistling a bit breathlessly, and much out of tune. - -“Of course when a fellow hasn’t had much sleep and gets worried like -that,” he explained to himself, “it’s no wonder he wants to cry. I dare -say I would!” - - - - -CHAPTER XI - -HANSEL MAKES A BARGAIN - - -The principal’s residence was a small two-storied brick cottage -standing back of Weeks Hall, and hidden from sight by a grove of -trees, through which the graveled driveway wound in and out. At -half-past seven Hansel found himself standing before the front door. -Its stained glass in strange shades of green, yellow, and brown added -to his depression. He had never spoken to Dr. Lambert and, like most -fellows, stood very much in awe of him, and his present mission was -one which might not, he believed, please the doctor. A white-aproned -maid admitted him to a tiny library, asked his name and disappeared. -Ten minutes by the old clock in the hall passed; then footsteps sounded -without, and the doctor stood at the doorway. - -“This is Dana, I believe? I have the name correctly?” he asked. Hansel -murmured assent. - -“Come this way, please,” said the principal. Hansel followed him across -the hall and into the office, a plainly furnished room with unpapered -walls, against which a few photographs of the school hung. The doctor -motioned Hansel to a chair, seated himself at the broad-topped desk, -and looked politely attentive. - -The principal was a small-framed man of some fifty-five years of age, -dressed habitually in a suit of smooth black cloth with a long-tailed -coat. His countenance was neither repellent nor attractive, but Hansel -thought it wholly lacking in sympathy, and his embarrassment grew each -moment. The doctor passed his hand slowly over his drooping mustache, -which, like his hair, was somewhat grizzled, and coughed softly. - -“You--ah--wished to see me?” he asked finally. - -“No, sir,” answered Hansel, “that is, yes, sir, if you please.” After -this unfortunate beginning he relapsed again into embarrassed silence, -casting about wildly in his mind for the right words to introduce his -subject. Finally, when the expression of surprise on the principal’s -face had deepened to one of annoyance, Hansel took the plunge. - -“It’s about Phin, sir,” he blurted. - -“Phinsur? Who’s Phinsur?” asked the doctor with a frown. - -“Phin Dorr, I mean.” - -“Ah, yes, Dorr; hum; what about Dorr?” - -“His mother’s sick, sir.” - -“Indeed? I am very sorry to hear of it.” - -“And Phin has had to stay at home and look after her.” - -“At home? He has left the academy?” - -“No, sir, he lives in the village with his mother, Mrs. Freer.” - -“Really? I was not aware of that.” - -“Nobody was, sir.” And Hansel, with much floundering, explained. When -he had finished, the doctor nodded gravely in token of understanding. - -“A very devoted mother, Dana, but ill advised. I do not approve of -parents coming here to live with their sons. May I ask what it is you -want me to do?” - -“Why, sir,” answered Hansel, gaining confidence, “you see Phin has -been obliged to be absent from recitations for two or three days, and -he is trying for a scholarship, and he is afraid he won’t get it on -account of being absent.” - -“And he has asked you to intercede for him?” - -“No, sir, he doesn’t know I’ve come to see you, but he’s a particular -friend of mine, sir, and I don’t want him to lose the scholarship. I -thought if you knew why he was absent you would--would make allowances.” - -“So I will,” answered the principal gravely. “So I will. I don’t -approve of the arrangement whereby Mrs.--Freer, you said?--whereby Mrs. -Freer is living in the village, but that is another matter. You may -tell Dorr, if you wish, that he will be given every opportunity to make -up what recitations he has missed.” He drew a sheet of paper toward him -and wrote on it in slow, careful characters. “Dorr, I believe, is a -very worthy lad, and he should be congratulated on having such devoted -friends.” - -“Thank you, doctor,” murmured Hansel. He arose, but the other motioned -him back. - -“While you are here,” said the principal, “I should like to discuss -another matter with you. I understand from Mr. Ames that you are one of -the prime movers in a--ah--movement to alter the athletic arrangements -here?” - -“I suppose I am, sir.” - -“Kindly tell me what it is you wish to accomplish.” - -And Hansel told him, not very fluently, I fear, and the principal heard -him through with unchanging countenance, his eyes from under their -bushy eyebrows scrutinizing the boy’s face every instant. When Hansel -had finished, the doctor nodded thoughtfully once or twice. - -“I begin to understand. Your position is well taken, it seems to me, -but I do not very clearly understand athletics. The athlete has always -seemed to me to be a--ah--privileged character, with a set of ethics -quite his own. But you, I understand, apply the ethics governing -ordinary affairs to him.” The doctor’s voice seemed slightly tinged -with irony. “Am I right?” - -“It seems to me,” answered Hansel boldly, “that what would be dishonest -in the schoolroom or in business would be equally dishonest in sport.” - -“Possibly, possibly,” answered his host with a wave of his hand which -seemed to thrust argument aside. “And this boy, Cameron, whom you -mention as a specific case? You are certain that his tuition is paid by -the--by his fellows?” - -“Paid from the football expense fund contributed by the fellows; yes, -sir.” - -“And that fact, in your estimation, should prohibit him from playing -the game of football?” - -“With other schools, sir.” - -“But if the--ah--other schools do not offer objections?” - -“I don’t suppose they know what the facts are, sir.” - -“I see. Then you think that if the other schools knew they would -object?” - -“I think so, sir; I think they would protest him.” - -“In which case----?” - -“Why, then it would be up to--I mean, sir, that in such a case it would -lay with you to say whether or not he could play.” - -“Thank you. You have given me quite a good deal of information on a -subject of which I have been, I fear, inexcusably ignorant. I begin to -think that I have been mistaken, that athletic ethics are much the same -as any other. Strange, very strange!” He arose and Hansel followed his -example. At the door he held out his hand. Something almost approaching -a smile softened the immobile features. “Good night, Dana. I am glad to -have made your acquaintance. We shall meet again, doubtless.” - -Outside Hansel took a deep breath of relief. - -“Thunder!” he muttered with a shiver, “that’s like visiting in an ice -chest! I wonder, though, if he is going to take our side!” - -Then he hurried off to keep his appointment with Harry. - -The next afternoon, Friday, he called again at Phin’s. The door was -opened by a stout, placid-faced woman in a blue-striped dress and white -apron. - -“Good afternoon, Mrs. Whitney,” said Hansel. “Is Phin in?” - -“Yes, but he is asleep, I think. He didn’t go to bed until about -midnight, and I haven’t waked him yet; he seemed to need the rest.” - -“Oh, well, don’t call him, then. How is Mrs. Freer?” - -“Much better this morning. The doctor thinks she’ll soon be around -again now. She had some beef tea this noon.” - -“That’s fine.” Hansel lowered his voice for fear the patient upstairs -might hear. “Mrs. Whitney, some of us fellows at the school are going -to pay you, so don’t you take anything from Phin or his mother, if they -want you to, will you? You see, they’re rather short of ready money -just now, and we want to help Phin out a bit.” - -“I understand,” said the nurse, with a smile. “I’ll look to you for my -money.” - -“Yes, but don’t you leave until the doctor says you may; Phin may want -to send you off before it’s time, you know.” - -“Very well, I won’t pay any attention to him,” said Mrs. Whitney. - -“That’s right. And please tell Phin, when he wakes up, that I called -and wanted to see him to tell him that it’s all right about the -scholarship.” - -“About----?” - -“The scholarship; he’ll understand.” - -“Very well, I’ll tell him,” answered the nurse. “I hope it’s good news, -for the poor boy’s just about worn out.” - -“It is,” Hansel assured her. “Good-by.” - -The next morning Phin was back at school, and Hansel had to listen to -his thanks when the two met in the library at the noon hour. - -“Oh, rot!” said Hansel finally. “To hear you talk one would think I’d -taken some trouble. It was the easiest thing in the world.” - -“Maybe,” answered Phin, his pale, thin face very earnest, “but it was a -mighty kind thing to do, Hansel, and I want you----” - -“La-la, la-la-la, la-la!” sang Hansel, to drown the other’s -protestations. “Phin, you annoy me! Shut up! Who’s going to win this -afternoon?” - -Phin smiled, shook his head, and took a generous bite of the sandwich -he held in his hand. “You ought to know better than I,” he replied. “I -feel as though I hadn’t been here for a month. What do they say?” - -“Say we’ll win, but I’m afraid we won’t. And I feel like--like a -traitor, Phin. If Warren beats us--!” He shook his head sadly. - -“Heroic measures are sometimes necessary,” responded Phin, with his -mouth full. “Whichever way it turns out, you won’t be to blame.” - -“I suppose not, but it’s plaguey hard to see your team beaten, and know -that you’ve helped beat it!” - -And, as it turned out, that was just what Hansel had to see, for after -the first fifteen minutes of play, during which Beechcroft, having -secured the ball on the kick-off, advanced from her ten-yard line by -steady rushes to Warren’s goal line, and from there sent Bert over for -a touchdown, from which Cotton kicked goal, Warren showed herself the -superior of the home team. For the rest of that half she played on the -defensive, and the period ended with the score 5 to 0. But of the last -half there was a different tale to tell. - -Beechcroft kicked off, and Warren’s left half back ran the ball in -thirty yards before he was finally downed on his forty-five-yard -line. Then came a try at the center of the light blue, which netted a -scant two feet, and the Beechcroft adherents shouted their glee. But -that was almost the last opportunity they had for such shouting. On -the next play the Warren quarter back reeled off twenty yards around -Beechcroft’s right end, and Hansel, watching from the side-line, -clinched his hands and called himself names. Warren was quick to see -her advantage. Time and again the right end was tried, and always for -a gain until, seven minutes from the beginning of play. Warren’s full -back was pushed over for a touchdown. Those seven minutes comprised -a fair sample of the subsequent proceedings. Cutler was taken out, -and Forrester, a second team man, was put in his place. But, although -Forrester did better work than his predecessor, Beechcroft’s defense -against end runs was woefully weak, and gain after gain was made around -her right side. At the left end of her line King did good work and, -although Warren’s nimble quarter got around there once or twice for -short gains, he had little to reproach himself with. Had the other -end been as difficult for the opponent, the final score would have -been different. As it was it was 17 to 6, and it was a gloomy lot of -fellows that climbed the terrace after the last whistle had blown. As -for Hansel, he had been in his room for fifteen minutes then; he had -not had the heart to stay and watch the contest after the first score -of the second half; and not for much money would he have faced at that -moment the looks of the Beechcroft players. He believed himself to be -in the right, only--the right looked all wrong! - -At five o’clock Bert came in, gloomy and disheartened. After a glance -at Hansel, who was pretending to study in the window seat, he threw -down his cap and seated himself at the table. Presently Hansel heard -the hurried scratching of a pen, and looked across at his roommate. -Bert, cheek on hand, was writing feverishly, scowling darkly the while. -The clock ticked annoyingly loud. Hansel cleared his throat, opened his -mouth, closed it again, and turned back to his book. The pen scratched -on and on, and the clock ticked louder than ever. Finally, with a rush -of blood to his cheeks, Hansel put down his book. - -“Bert,” he said softly, “I’m awfully sorry.” - -“I dare say!” was the bitter reply. - -“I am, though; I feel like a low-down mucker!” - -“Well,” growled Bert, “how do you suppose I feel?” - -“It wasn’t your fault,” answered Hansel. “You played the swellest sort -of a game; so did all the fellows; but I--well, maybe it wouldn’t have -made any difference if I had played, but I can’t help----” - -“Difference!” cried Bert scathingly. “It would have made the difference -between a defeat and a victory! That’s all the difference it would have -made!” - -“I’m sorry,” muttered Hansel again. - -“Much good it does. How do you spell resignation? Two s’s or one?” - -“One; r-e-s-i-g-- What are you doing?” Hansel leaped from the seat and -hurried across the room. - -“Resigning,” answered Bert gloomily. - -“What? Resigning the captaincy? Bert, you’re not!” - -“I am though. What’s the use of trying? Let ’em call me a squealer if -they like! I’m through with it!” - -“You shan’t do it!” cried Hansel. - -“Who’s going to stop me?” growled Bert. - -“I am! Look here, Bert, you can’t do that! Think what it will mean! -Who’s going to take your place? It will play hob with the team; there -won’t be a ghost of a show to win from Fairview!” - -“There isn’t now,” replied the other bitterly. “You’re a nice one to -talk that way, aren’t you?” - -“I can’t help it,” answered Hansel stubbornly. “You mustn’t do it, -Bert; it isn’t right! It’s your duty to----” - -“Oh, cut it out!” flamed Bert. “Don’t _you_ lecture me about duty! You -who didn’t care enough whether we won or didn’t win to stand by us when -we needed you! You lost the game to-day; we didn’t! Think about that a -while and don’t talk duty to me, or tell me what I ought or ought not -to do!” - -He turned again to his note, signed his name with a sputter of ink, and -blotted it. - -“Are you going to send that?” asked Hansel quietly. - -“Yes.” - -“Do you know what it means?” - -“Did you know when you refused to play?” - -Hansel was silent. Bert folded the note, thrust it into an envelope and -addressed it to Mr. Ames. Then, - -“I’ll make a bargain with you, Bert,” said Hansel. - -“What sort of a bargain?” asked the other suspiciously. - -“If you won’t send that I’ll report for work to-morrow and I’ll play, -Cameron or no Cameron! What do you say?” - -Bert stared a moment, and Hansel saw hope take the place of gloom on -his face. - -“Do you mean it?” he asked huskily. - -“Yes,” answered Hansel. “Here’s my hand on it.” - -Bert took it, laughed uncertainly, rubbed a hand across his eyes and -pushed back his chair. Then he tore up the note and dropped the pieces -in the wastebasket. - -“Let’s go to dinner,” he said. - - - - -CHAPTER XII - -THREE IN CONSPIRACY - - -“And so I told him I’d go back to work to-morrow,” ended Hansel -somewhat sheepishly. Mr. Ames smiled. - -“And all those noble resolutions of yours, Dana?” he asked with mock -reproachfulness. - -“I can’t help it,” muttered Hansel. “I--I just had to give in. If you’d -seen Bert’s face you’d have done the same.” - -“I dare say I should,” answered the other seriously. “I don’t blame -you, Dana; and perhaps it’s just as well, anyhow. From what you’ve -told me of Dr. Lambert’s remarks the other night, I gather that he has -something on his mind; I wouldn’t be surprised if----” - -“What, sir?” asked Phin. - -“Er--nothing; it was just an idea of mine. We’ll wait and see. Well, -two weeks from now we’ll be a very jubilant or a very depressed lot -here at Beechcroft.” - -“Who do you think will win, sir?” asked Phin. - -[Illustration: “‘Who do you think will win, sir?’ asked Phin.”] - -“With Dana and Cameron both in the game I think we should. But Fairview -has got a pretty heavy lot of men, and they’re fast, too, I understand. -But I’m going over there Saturday to see them play, and when I get back -I’ll know more about them. Of course, they won’t show any more than -they have to, and I dare say they’ll play a lot of subs, but just the -same there’ll be plenty to see. Look here, Dorr, why don’t you come -along with me? You haven’t got anything special to do, have you, on -Saturday? It won’t cost you anything, because I’ve got mileage.” - -“I’d like to,” answered Phin wistfully, “but I guess I ought to stay -here and study. I’ve got a good deal to make up.” - -“Well, I need company, and I tell you what we’ll do. You come along and -take your books, and I’ll hear you in German on the way over. And I’ll -hear your French that night, if you like. What do you say?” - -“It’s very kind of you, sir, and if they don’t need me here that -afternoon, I’ll be glad to go.” - -“They won’t need you. I’ll tell Folsom to get along without you. The -game with Parksboro won’t amount to much. We’re going to play second -string men almost altogether, and send the first out in the country for -a walk.” - -“Then we won’t see the game?” asked Hansel. - -“You can see the first half; then I want the lot of you, the ones that -don’t play, to mosey over to Brookfield and back, if it’s a decent day. -By the way, Phin, you can set your mind at rest about your studies; the -doctor tells me you are to be allowed every facility for making up lost -recitations. But I forget; you know about that, don’t you?” - -“Yes, sir, Hansel said John--I mean Dr. Lambert--was very kind, sir.” - -Mr. Ames grinned. - -“Funny how the fellows like to call us by diminutive forms of our first -names here, isn’t it?” he asked. “Last year--you remember, Dorr, I -guess?--Putnam, who graduated last spring, blurted out my pet name in -class room. I had called him down for not knowing his lesson. ‘Mr. -Bobby,’ he said earnestly, ‘I studied two hours on that last night, -sir!’” - -The boys laughed. - -“It’s only the ones the fellows like,” said Phin, “that get pet names.” - -“Thank you,” laughed Mr. Ames. “I feel better.” - -“It’s so, sir,” protested Phin earnestly. “You never heard any of us -call Mr. Foote ‘Sammy,’ sir.” - -“Come, come, Dorr, that’s treason,” said the instructor, shaking his -head smilingly. “You’re a bit hard, you chaps, on Mr. Foote.” Phin made -no answer. - -“By the way,” asked Mr. Ames, “I meant to ask after your--after Mrs. -Freer. How is she getting along?” - -“Very nicely, sir, thank you. It isn’t a secret any longer; about her -being my mother, I mean. It was her idea, sir; she got it into her head -that the fellows would think it funny if they knew she earned money by -dressmaking.” - -“She was mistaken,” answered Mr. Ames quietly. “I don’t think we have -many snobs here, do you, Dana?” - -“No, sir,” Hansel replied. “Although some of the fellows who come from -a few of the prominent schools seem inclined to look down a bit on the -fellows who don’t.” - -“Yes, that’s so, I guess. Well, you’re showing them that their schools -haven’t a mortgage on football, eh?” - -“That’s what he is,” answered Phin heartily. - -The next afternoon witnessed Hansel’s return to his old place on the -first team. He was doubtful as to the attitude the other members would -show toward him, but as it turned out his doubts were unnecessary. Most -of them seemed glad to see him back again, and big Royle absolutely -slapped him on the back, a token of friendliness which, because of -its vigorousness, was quite as disconcerting as it was unexpected. -Chastened by Saturday’s defeat by Warren, the team buckled down to work -in a manner that was highly encouraging, and pushed the second all over -the field. - -The next day Hansel stole an hour between recitations, and walked -to the village and paid a visit to the little book store where the -students bought their stationery. As the proprietor wrapped up -the half dozen blue books and the two scratch pads which had been -purchased, he remarked casually: - -“Well, maybe the next time you call you’ll find us in our new quarters.” - -“Oh,” said Hansel, “are you going to move?” - -“Yes, they’re going to tear this place down and put up a big four-story -block here. My lease is up next week, and I’m going up the street to -the store just this side of Perry’s drug store. I expect I’ll get back -here when the new building’s done. Well, it’s time it was torn down,” -he added disgustedly. “The place is almost ready to fall to pieces. I -haven’t been able to get them to make any repairs for over a year.” - -Hansel paid for his purchases and went out. On the sidewalk, from sheer -curiosity, he paused and examined the building that was to disappear. -It was a small affair, two stories and a half high. The ground floor -was taken up by the book store, and by the entrance to a stairway -leading to the upper floors, the first of which was occupied by a -tailor. From his windows Hansel’s gaze roamed higher to the single -casement under the peak of the roof, and a spot of color caught his -eyes. He moved to the curb and looked up again. Yes, it was undoubtedly -a light blue Beechcroft flag which he saw. Evidently, then, one of -the students had quarters up there. Well, whoever he was, he’d have -to move out and find a new room very shortly. Hansel started up the -street, paused and turned back, struck by a thought. After a moment of -indecision he returned to the store. - -“Who lives on the top floor here?” he asked. - -“Top floor?” answered the bookseller. “A Mrs. Wagner. She’s a German -woman, a widow. She works in Barker’s laundry. She has three rooms -upstairs, and gets them for almost nothing. Lets the front one to -students and makes a pretty good thing out of it, I guess.” - -“Who are the students?” Hansel asked. “Do you know their names?” - -“Let me see. One of them is named Sankey or Sanger, or something like -that. I don’t know his friend’s name.” - -“Sanger, I guess,” said Hansel. “I know there is such a chap. They’ll -have to move out, too, I suppose.” - -“Yes, we’ve all got to go inside of a fortnight. For my part, I’ll be -glad to get out of here.” - -“You don’t happen to have heard what this Mrs. Wagner is going to do?” - -“No, but I guess she’ll be able to find another place, all right. I -guess she isn’t very particular.” - -“Thank you,” said Hansel. He went back to the street and meditated. -Then he passed in at the entrance to the upper stories and mounted the -stairs. The first flight was well lighted, but when he came to the -second he had to grope his way up, for the place was as dark as Egypt. -From the upper corridor four doors opened, one of them, as was evident, -to a closet filled with trash, and the others to the three rooms. The -only light came from a small and very dusty skylight let into a leaky -roof. Hansel went to the door of the room on the front of the building -and knocked. There was no answer. As he had presumed, the occupants -were at school. On the door were tacked two cards bearing their names. -What with the poor writing and the lack of light, it was all Hansel -could do to decipher them. But he succeeded at last, and learned that -the names of the occupants were John Wild Sanger and Evan Fairman -Shill. He had learned all that it was possible to learn at present, and -so he made his way cautiously down the stairs and hurried back to the -academy. - -After football practice that afternoon Hansel walked back to the campus -with Harry Folsom. There had been something of a slump in the team, and -Harry was looking rather gloomy for him; it took a good deal to ruffle -his cheerfulness. After they had discussed the cause of the slump, and -had attributed it to a variety of things, and Hansel had predicted a -return to form the next day, the latter brought the conversation around -to the subject upon which his thoughts had been engaged ever since the -forenoon. - -“Say, Harry,” he asked, “do you know a fellow named Sanger, who lives -in the town?” - -“Johnny Sanger? Sure, I do. He lives over Dole’s store; rooms with a -fellow named Sill.” - -“Shill; but that’s the chap. Well, what sort of a fellow is he?” - -“Sanger? Oh, he’s a sort of a frost. He’s in the second class, I think, -and I also think that he was there last year, too. Somebody told me -that his folks have lots of money, and give Johnny all he wants, and he -doesn’t spend any of it from the time he comes until he goes home in -the spring. But I don’t know much about him personally. In fact, he may -be a very decent sort, after all; you can’t believe all you hear.” - -“And who is Shill?” - -“Don’t know him except by sight. He’s a tall and thin youth with an -earnest countenance; wears glasses, I think.” - -“Are his folks rich, too?” - -“Search me, my boy. Say, what the dickens are you after, anyhow? Take -me for a city directory, do you? Or a copy of the school catalogue?” - -“S-sh, don’t excite yourself,” laughed Hansel. “I’ll tell you all -about it. In fact, I want your help. Can I have a few minutes of your -valuable time? Or are you going to study?” - -“Don’t be silly,” answered Harry, leading the way up to his room. “Who -ever studies with exams two months and more away? Take the Morris chair -and make yourself ‘ter hum.’ Now, then, unburden your mind. But let me -tell you before you start that I’m dead broke. If you are thinking of -hiring any more nurses, old son, you mustn’t ask me. And that reminds -me that I haven’t collected all that money yet; there are three fellows -still owing me. What you ought to do, Hansel, is to start a hospital.” - -“It isn’t a nurse this time,” answered the other, “but it’s Mrs. Freer -again.” - -“The dickens it is! What are you going to do now? Buy her a new silk -dress or send her to Europe?” - -“Well, you quit being funny and I’ll tell you.” - -“Oh, I’m not funny; I can’t be; I try awfully hard, but I can’t make -it.” - -“Well, stop trying then. And listen here, Harry. You know how Phin and -his mother are fixed; they have mighty little money; she’s been trying -to make some sort of a living by doing sewing and dressmaking, but Phin -says she hasn’t found much to do. I suppose that’s only natural in a -town like this. I guess most of the women do their own dressmaking, eh?” - -“Can’t say for sure,” answered Harry with a broad smile, “but judging -by some of the dresses you see, I dare say you’re right.” - -“Well, anyway, they’re having a hard pull of it. You know how Phin -works; he gets up before it’s light and he works until long after it’s -dark, and I don’t suppose he makes very much, either. It’s a shame!” - -“Sure it is! But we can’t support them, Hansel. I like Phin as much as -you do, and I’ve got a lot of respect for that mother of his; she’s a -dandy sort of a mother to have; but--well, what the dickens can we do?” - -“Help them,” answered Hansel promptly. - -“Well--but how?” asked Harry dubiously. - -“You know they’ve got a room at their house that they want to rent. -I’ve seen it, and it’s a dandy. If they had rented that when school -began they’d have been all right, Phin says. It’s only three dollars a -week, but I suppose that three dollars means a whole lot to them.” - -“I suppose so. What then, O Solomon?” - -“Well, I propose to find some one to take it for the rest of the year.” - -“Oh! It sounds simple, but can you do it?” - -“I think so, if you help me.” - -“Here’s where I come in, eh? What do you want me to do? Walk through -the town with a placard on my back? Go around with a dinner bell -yelling ‘Oyez! Oyez! Oyez! There is a fine room for rent at Mrs. -Freer’s, and the price be moderate?’” - -“No, I want you to hush up and let me do the talking for a minute,” -Hansel laughed. Harry looked hurt. - -“Let you do the talking!” he muttered. “You don’t seem to realize the -fact that you’ve been talking a steady stream ever since you entered my -humble apartment.” - -“I was in Dole’s this morning,” said Hansel, “and he told me that he -had to move out inside of a fortnight, because the owner is going to -pull that old building down and put up a big four-story affair.” - -“Phew!” whistled Harry. “Won’t that be swell? Think of Bevan Hills with -a four-story block! Maybe there’ll be a real store there when they get -it finished!” - -“Well, do you see what I’m driving at?” asked Hansel. - -“Driving--no, I’m blessed if I do!” - -“Didn’t you just tell me awhile ago that this fellow Sanger lives over -Dole’s store?” - -“Yes, but----” - -“Well, do you think he’s going to stay there after they pull the place -down?” - -“Of course not, you idiot, but what’s that got to do with Mrs. Freer’s -room that she wants to--” Harry paused. “Look here, you don’t mean that -you’re thinking of trying to rent Mrs. Freer’s room to Sanger and Sill, -or Shill, or whatever his silly name is?” - -“Why not?” - -“But supposing he doesn’t want to go there?” - -“I intend to make him.” - -“Oh, yes, indeed! Go ahead and rave, poor youth! Only, after a while, -kindly make an effort and talk sense!” - -“Well, why shouldn’t those fellows take that room? It’s a good one, and -it isn’t nearly as far from school as the one they’re in now. Besides, -it’s cheap.” - -“It’s three dollars, and I’ll bet they haven’t been paying more than -two where they are.” - -“But if Sanger’s folks are well off, there’s no reason why he shouldn’t -be willing to pay three, is there?” - -“No, only maybe he’d rather not,” Harry answered dryly. “If what I’ve -heard of Johnny Sanger is true, he’d much rather save that dollar than -spend it. So it seems likely that what he will do when he gets turned -out of his present quarters is to hunt around the town until he finds -something nice and cheap.” - -“All right, but suppose he can’t find anything?” - -“What’s the good of supposing that? Aren’t there lots of rooms to be -had?” - -“I don’t believe so; at least, not at this time of year. You know there -aren’t many more rooms in the fall than will accommodate the fellows -who want to live in town. I heard Spring talking about it when I first -came here. He said that if the school kept on growing, they’d either -have to build a new dormitory or put up some more boarding houses -in the village. He was going to write an editorial about it in _The -Record_, but I guess he never did.” - -“Spring’s always going to ‘touch things up editorially,’” laughed -Harry, “but he generally changes his mind. He’s got such a busy mind, -Spring has!” - -“Well, anyhow, I guess what he said was about so. And I’ll bet there -aren’t half a dozen rooms in town for rent now; and what there are are -pretty bum.” - -“Well, why didn’t Phin rent his, then?” - -“I don’t know. Maybe because the fellows didn’t know about it. Last -year the house was closed up, you know. Besides, lots and lots of -fellows rent their rooms in the spring for the next year.” - -“All right. Then you think that Sanger will have to take Mrs. Freer’s -room because it will be the only decent one left, eh?” - -“Yes.” - -“Then where do you come in? And what have I got to do?” - -“We’ve got to make sure that it is the best one left.” - -“You’ll have to talk in words of one syllable,” sighed Harry -hopelessly, “and illustrate copiously with diagrams. Tell me frankly -what the dickens it is you propose to do. Anything short of highway -robbery that doesn’t require a larger capital than two dollars, you may -count me in on.” - -“Thanks. I propose to see that when Sanger starts to find a new room -he won’t be able to find anything nearly as good as Mrs. Freer’s for -any such price. I propose to find out to-morrow just what rooms are for -rent. Then I’ll see Sanger--and you’ll go with me--and we’ll tell him -about Mrs. Freer’s place and get him to look at the room. If he takes -it, why, that’s all right. If he doesn’t, we’ll go and get options on -the decent rooms, so that when he tries to rent them he won’t be able -to.” - -Harry whistled long and expressively. Then he burst into a laugh. - -“I thought I was a pretty nifty schemer, Hansel,” he said, “but -you’ve got me beaten a city block. Do you think, though, that the -boarding-house folks will give us options, as you call it, on their -rooms?” - -“Yes, because they don’t expect to rent them now after school has -commenced. They’ll be glad to give us refusals of any old rooms they -have left. And it won’t be necessary to ask many, I guess, because -there can’t be many rooms for rent at two or three dollars that Sanger -would take.” - -“Well, it sounds all right the way you tell it,” said Harry, “but maybe -it won’t work out just according to specifications. But we’ll try it. -I’d like mighty well to see Phin and his mother comfortable. If Phin -doesn’t make his scholarship in January, I guess he will be up against -it for fair.” - -“Yes, but I think he will make it all right. They’re letting him make -up what he missed while he was out, you know. Now, how can we get hold -of Sanger to-morrow?” - -“Why to-morrow?” asked Harry. “Let’s go and see him this evening and -take him to see the room.” - -“Have you got time?” asked Hansel doubtfully. - -“Time? I have more time than money! I’ll come over for you at eight, -and we’ll beard Johnny in his den. By the way, have you spoken to Bert -about this?” - -“No,” answered Hansel. - -“Well, I would. He knows Johnny Sanger better than I do. You tell him -about it, and get him to go along with us this evening. The more the -merrier. And if we can’t reason with the silly dub, we’ll intimidate -him by a show of force.” - -“All right,” laughed Hansel. “I’ll look for you at eight.” - -“Or thereabouts. The fact is, there’s a little matter of some fourteen -pages of Latin that I think I’ll just glance over after supper.” - -“To hear you talk,” said Hansel with a smile, “a fellow would think -that you never did a bit of studying! And you always have your lessons -better than anyone else, Bert says. You’re a fraud!” - -Harry grinned as he opened his door with a flourish and ushered the -visitor out. - -“Not so loud!” he whispered. “It’s a secret, and I don’t want it known. -I’m simply wearing my brain out with study, and I’m afraid that if the -faculty hear of it they’ll make me stop! Eight o’clock, my boy, or -words to that effect. Let us say between eight.” - -“Between eight and what?” asked Hansel. - -“No, just between eight,” replied Harry politely, as he closed the door. - -Bert was in an extremely contented frame of mind that evening after -supper, the result of an article in the paper which predicted defeat -for the Fairview football eleven when it met Beechcroft. He read the -article to Hansel, and the latter pretended to feel greatly encouraged, -although as a matter of fact he placed very little reliance on the -writer’s powers of prophecy. As soon as he could switch Bert away -from the subject of football, which was about the only thing that his -roommate thought about in those days, he told about the plan to rent -Mrs. Freer’s vacant room to Sanger and Shill. The idea appealed to Bert -at once. - -“Say, that’s a scheme, isn’t it?” he exclaimed admiringly. “And won’t -Johnny be mad when we tell him about it afterwards!” - -“Well, I hadn’t thought of telling him,” laughed the other. “Maybe we’d -better keep the joke to ourselves.” - -“Oh, he won’t mind after he’s got settled at Phin’s,” said Bert -carelessly. - -“Just the same, I guess we’ll keep it to ourselves,” Hansel insisted. -“What we want to know is whether you’ll go and see Sanger with us this -evening. Will you?” - -“Oh, but I’ve got to study!” said Bert blankly. - -“But it won’t take more than an hour.” - -“An hour! Thunder! Why, I’ve got a whole bunch of work to do; and -Latin’s the hardest ever!” - -“Well, have a go at it now. Harry won’t be here for three-quarters of -an hour.” - -“Can’t,” replied Bert. “I’ve got a couple of plays I want to work out. -I’ve got to do those first. I’ll go with you to-morrow night, though.” - -“You’ll go with us to-night,” answered Hansel firmly. He switched away -the paper from under Bert’s pencil and substituted his Latin book. -“There! Now find your place and get busy. Here’s your dictionary.” - -Bert looked puzzled, and for a moment seemed half inclined to resent -being dictated to. But he evidently thought better of it, for after a -moment he laughed, looked regretfully at his diagrams, and bent over -the book with a sigh. - -“All right,” he said. “But I won’t go along unless I’ve got this -plaguey stuff by the time Harry comes.” - -“Oh, you’ll have it by then,” answered Hansel, as he found his own -books and seated himself at the opposite side of the table. “A fellow -can learn a lot when he’s in the mood for it.” - -“Humph!” muttered Bert. - -At a quarter past eight Harry beat on the door, Hansel shouted “Come -in!” and Bert looked up surprisedly from his labor. - -“Hello, Harry,” he said. “You’re just in time. Tell me what this -beastly Latin means, will you?” - -“When we get back,” answered Harry. “You’re coming with us to Johnny -Sanger’s, aren’t you?” - -Bert stretched his arms above his head and looked undecided. - -“I don’t know,” he said. Then his eyes fell on the diagrams beside him. -“Say, I started on those plays before supper and one’s about done. -Look here, Harry. How’s this for a ripping fake? Close formation; see? -Ball goes to left half and quarter----” - -“Great!” said Harry. “You can tell me about it when we get back. Find -his cap, Hansel. He’s in a hurry.” - -Bert got up good-naturedly and laid the diagrams between the pages of -his book to mark the place. - -“You fellows make me tired,” he said. “When I want to study, you won’t -let me. Why the mischief don’t you let Phin rent his own room?” - -“Phin’s too busy,” answered Hansel. “He’s in a hole, anyhow, with -a week’s work to make up. Besides, this is going to be a sort of a -surprise.” - -“Who for?” laughed Bert. “Johnny Sanger?” - -“No,” said Harry, “for the landladies whose rooms we get the refusals -of!” - -“It’s a bit hard on them, isn’t it?” asked Bert virtuously, as he took -his cap which Hansel tossed him. “They’ll think you mean to take their -old rooms.” - -“Merely a bit of innocent deception,” responded Harry airily. “They -won’t be any worse off than they were before.” - -“Besides,” said Hansel, “if you’ll persuade this Sanger chap to rent -Mrs. Freer’s room we won’t have to play tricks on the landladies. And -then your conscience won’t trouble you, Bert.” - -“All right; come along. I was cut out for a room-renting agency, -anyhow. Besides, Sanger is an awful duffer, anyway, and ought to have -worse than this happen to him.” - -“Worse than this!” exclaimed Harry. “You’d think we were going to haze -him to hear you talk! Instead of that we’re doing him a real kindness; -finding him a nice comfortable room and charging nothing for our -services!” - -“Guess we’d be doing a heap better,” muttered Bert as they went -downstairs, “if we minded our own business!” - -There was a half moon in the sky and it was very easy to follow the -path across the terrace and the green. They made good time and were -soon in the village. When they reached the building they sought, they -found all its windows dark. - -“That’s funny,” said Hansel, peering up. “Where do you suppose they -are?” - -“Visiting,” answered Bert. “Come on; I’m going back. I’ve got work -to do. The next time I start out on a wild-goose chase with you -fellows----” - -“Hold on!” said Harry. “There’s a light up there, I think. They’ve got -a heavy curtain at the window. Let’s go up, anyhow, and make sure.” - -So they climbed the two flights of narrow stairs, dimly illumined by -a bracket lamp on the first landing, and found that Harry was right. -Above the door of the room at the front of the building the transom was -a dim yellow oblong. Bert knocked and a voice bade them enter. - - - - -CHAPTER XIII - -FAIRVIEW SENDS A PROTEST - - -There were two occupants of the room. One, presently identified as -Johnny Sanger, was seated in an easy chair, a book in his lap and his -slippered feet on the edge of the study table. He was a rather large -youth of sixteen years, with a somewhat flat face, prominent brown -eyes, a large mouth, and hair of a coppery brown. At the other side of -the table sat Shill, tall, narrow, dark-complexioned, and black-haired. -Both boys looked surprised when they saw who their visitors were, and -as Sanger dropped his feet to the floor and got out of his chair, his -expression did not suggest overwhelming delight. Introductions were -quickly effected, and the three visitors found seats. - -The room, which was poorly lighted by a student’s lamp, was larger -than appeared from outside, and although the ceiling sloped down on -either side to within four feet of the floor, there was a good deal of -room there. Two cot beds occupied one end of the room, a washstand was -tucked under a dormer window, there was a study table, several chairs, -two trunks and a bookcase, and although everything looked very cheap, -there was an air of hominess about the place that the visitors found -pleasant. - -“I hear you fellows have got to move,” said Bert presently. - -“Yes, hang it all!” answered Sanger. “Just when you find a nice place -something goes and happens!” - -“When do you go?” Harry inquired politely. - -“Last of next week,” said Sanger. His roommate was not communicative, -but contented himself with observing the callers through his glasses -with evident curiosity. - -“Found a place yet?” Bert asked. - -“Haven’t looked. Haven’t had time. Mrs. Wagner--she’s the woman we -rent this of--wants us to go with her. She’s taken some sort of a -house across the railroad. But that would be too far to walk. Besides, -she doesn’t half look after things. She’s away all day working in -the laundry. Say, you’d throw a fit if you looked under the beds and -saw the dust there. She makes me tired. Whenever we kick she says she -hasn’t time, and begins a long song-and-dance about being a poor widow. -Hang it, I like things clean, I do!” - -“So do I,” said Harry cordially. “And look here, if you want a good -room where things will be kept spick and span all the time, I can tell -you where to look for it.” - -“Where’s that?” - -“Mrs. Freer’s; know where that is?” - -“Yes, that’s where Phin Dorr lives. Evan here says she’s his mother. Is -she?” - -“Yes; she was married again after Phin’s father died. Well, she’s got a -room on the first floor that’s a peach. Clean? Thunder! You can’t find -a speck of dust anywhere. It would be just the place for you fellows -if you’ve got to get out of here. And besides that, you’d be doing a -real kindness to Phin. You know they haven’t any money except what they -both make, and I guess it would mean a lot to them to rent this room of -theirs.” - -“Well, we haven’t looked around any yet,” said Sanger cautiously, with -a glance toward his roommate. “We’ll have a look at the room, though, -to-morrow, and see how we like it. What’s the rent, do you know?” - -“Three dollars a week,” said Hansel. - -Sanger shook his head gravely. - -“Too much. Everyone’s putting their prices down now, you know. It’s -pretty hard to rent after school begins. I can get all kinds of rooms -for two and a half. Why, we only pay about two and a quarter for this!” - -“Cheap enough,” said Bert. “But then it’s a dickens of a long way up -here, isn’t it?” - -“Oh, you get used to it,” answered Sanger. “Besides, it’s handy for -your meals. If we went to Mrs. Freer’s I suppose we’d have to walk -about three blocks to get anything to eat.” - -“I think she’d take you to board if you wanted her to,” said Hansel. - -“How much?” - -“I don’t know, but I guess she’d do it as cheap as anyone, and she’s a -mighty good cook too. I know that because I’ve eaten there.” - -“Maybe she’d rent for less now that it’s so late?” suggested Sanger. - -“I don’t believe so,” replied Harry carelessly. “You see, there aren’t -many rooms vacant around town now. And, anyhow, this room of hers is -worth three.” - -“Maybe, but we couldn’t pay that much, could we, Evan?” - -“We wouldn’t care to,” said Shill cautiously. - -“Maybe if you saw the room you would, though,” Hansel volunteered. “You -wouldn’t want to drop around there this evening, I suppose, and look at -it? We could go along with you and introduce you.” - -“Say, how much are you fellows getting for renting it?” asked Sanger -with a grin. Bert colored and looked insulted, but Harry interposed -with a chuckle. - -“I don’t blame you for asking that,” he answered. “It does look as -though we were working on a commission, doesn’t it? The fact is, -Johnny, we’re all fond of Phin, and you know he’s had a hard time this -fall. So we thought that if we could help him to rent that room we’d do -it. Dana heard that you fellows would have to move out in a few days, -and it occurred to him that maybe he could help you and Phin at the -same time. When he asked me I told him right away that I knew you’d be -glad to stretch a point to help Phin.” - -“Hm!” grunted Sanger dubiously. “That’s all well enough, Harry, but if -Mrs. What’s-her-name wants to rent that room of hers she ought to put -the rent down to two and a half at most. If we don’t take it, it isn’t -likely that she’ll rent it all the year.” - -“Oh, you can’t tell,” answered Harry. “People come and go here. She’s -not worrying about that. Supposing, though, we all walk down there -together, and we’ll ask what her best price is.” - -“Oh, I guess we don’t care to go to-night,” said Sanger. “It’s late and -I’ve got my slippers on. Evan and I’ll look at the place in the morning -on the way up to school. Of course I’d be glad to do anything I could -to help Phin, but three dollars is a whole lot to pay for a room at -this time of the year, and I don’t believe I could afford it.” - -“Well, we thought we’d mention it to you,” said Harry, arising. “No -harm done, eh? We wanted you to have a chance at it, but if you think -it’s too high, all right. You might ask Mrs. Freer if she’ll take less, -you know; maybe she will. But I know very well that I wouldn’t if I -were she. She’s got one of the best rooms in town, and ought to get a -fair price. Hope you fellows will find what you want; but there aren’t -many rooms for rent now, they say, so you needn’t be disappointed if -you don’t find anything right away. I guess we’ll be going on.” - -Once more on the street Hansel turned to Harry. - -“What do you think?” he asked eagerly. - -“Oh, he’d take the room in a minute if she’d offer it to him for two -and a half. He will go around there in the morning and try to beat her -down. And I’m afraid he will do it, too.” - -“Well, maybe she’d be glad to get it off her hands for two and a half,” -said Bert. - -“Maybe she would,” Harry answered. “But Sanger can pay three and I’m -going to see that he does it.” - -“How?” asked Hansel. - -“I’m going to stop there now, see Phin and tell him to make his mother -promise not to come down on her price.” - -“What are you going to tell Phin?” - -“No more than I have to. I’ll tell him that Sanger and Shill are -looking for a room, that they can pay three, and will do it if they -have to. Then to-morrow you and I, Hansel, will hike around and get a -refusal on every decent room there is left.” - -“That’s great!” said Bert. “I’d go around with you and help, only -I’m afraid I’d get sort of mixed up and hire the rooms by mistake. -Landladies can do anything they want with me. The first year I was here -I couldn’t get on the campus, and I went to look at a room at Mrs. -Stevens’s place. It was a beast of a room, but she took me up three -flights of stairs and went to a lot of trouble to show it and so--well, -first thing I knew I had taken it for the year!” - -“You’d better keep out of it, I guess,” laughed Hansel. “And supposing -Bert and I go on to the corner and wait for you, Harry? If we all go in -Phin may suspect something. You know he’d forbid us to do what we’re -doing if he found out about it.” - -“Don’t see why,” Bert objected. - -“He would, though,” said Hansel stoutly. “We’ll wait for you at the -corner. Don’t stay long; it’s getting frosty.” - -Harry was back in ten minutes or so, reporting that Phin had agreed to -keep the price up, and the three conspirators walked briskly back to -school. - -The next morning Hansel and Harry were extremely busy, so busy that -each was obliged to absent himself from one recitation, a thing much -easier to do than to explain subsequently. By dinner time they had -canvassed the town of Bevan Hills very thoroughly, and had between them -discovered just five rooms which might possibly answer the requirements -of Messrs. Sanger and Shill. And in each case they had secured the -refusal of the apartment. The landladies had given up hope of renting -the empty rooms that year, and when Hansel or Harry professed to be -unable to reach a decision, and asked that they be given an option for -a few days, their request was readily granted, especially as they in no -case expressed dissatisfaction with the price quoted. - -“I guess now,” said Harry, “it’s up to Sanger to either go across the -railroad with his Dutch lady or take Phin’s room.” - -Had Sanger been suspiciously inclined the solicitude displayed by Harry -and Hansel and Bert during the next few days might have suggested more -to him than it did. - -“Found a room yet?” they asked him regularly every morning and -afternoon, and Sanger would shake his head and acknowledge that he -hadn’t. At first he was rather superior about it, seeking to convey the -idea that he had a good many apartments in view, and was only undecided -which was more worthy of the honor of sheltering him, but on the third -day there was a worried, perplexed tone in his voice. - -“No,” he said, “I haven’t found a room yet, and I don’t believe I’m -going to. The landladies are crazy, I guess; asking me three and even -three and a half at this time of year! And there are only three or four -decent rooms in town, anyway.” - -“Well, you only want one,” said Bert cheerfully. - -“Yes, but I can’t get the promise of even one! Everywhere I go they -tell me that some one has the refusal of the room just now, but if I’ll -leave my name they’ll let me know in a few days. Why, we’ve got to get -out of our present quarters by Friday!” - -“Too bad you couldn’t have taken that room at Mrs. Freer’s,” said -Hansel. “That would have been a pretty good place for you fellows.” - -“Well, we may take it yet,” answered Sanger, “if the old lady’ll come -down a bit on her price.” - -“Oh, then it isn’t rented?” asked Hansel in simulated surprise. - -“It wasn’t yesterday,” answered Sanger. “Did you hear that it was -taken?” - -“N-no, only I know that there was some one looking at that room two -nights ago, and I heard that they liked it first rate. But maybe they -haven’t actually taken it yet. Too bad, though, for that was certainly -a dandy room. Well, I hope you find something, Sanger.” - -“Maybe you’ll decide to go with your present landlady,” suggested Bert. -“It isn’t bad across the railroad, they say. I never knew any fellow -that lived there, but I’ve heard that if you didn’t mind kids it -wasn’t so bad. Of course, it’ll be a pretty fierce walk in winter!” - -“Oh, I’m not going there,” muttered Sanger. “That’s out of the -question. I’ll find a place to-day or to-morrow, all right. If you see -Phin Dorr, Dana, I wish you’d find out about that room for me. And if -it isn’t rented you might tell him that I’m thinking about it, and will -pay two dollars and seventy-five cents. It’s worth that, don’t you -think, Bert?” - -“Sure! It’s worth what they ask, I think.” - -“Not at this time of year,” said Sanger doggedly. - -“I don’t see that the time of year has got much to do with it,” said -Hansel a trifle impatiently. “You say yourself that there are only -three or four rooms vacant that you’d have and that you can’t get -even those. Seems to me the supply and demand are only about equal. -Considering the scarcity of good rooms I don’t see why the landladies -don’t put their prices up instead of reducing them!” - -“But who do you suppose are after rooms now?” asked Sanger. “Awfully -funny, I call it. I’ll bet the women just tell me that to make me pay -their prices. I don’t believe they’ve given refusals to folks!” - -“But even if they haven’t,” said Hansel, “their prices are too high, -aren’t they?” - -“Yes,” growled Sanger. “They’re all trying to hold me up, because they -know I’ve got to have a room right away. I’ve got a good mind to fool -them and----” - -“Live across the railroad?” asked Bert. - -“No,” answered the other defiantly, “take that room at Phin’s place!” - -“Well, I wouldn’t decide right away,” said Hansel soothingly. “Besides, -I dare say you’re too late for Phin’s room.” - -“I wish I knew,” said Sanger troubledly. - -“What does Shill think about it?” Bert asked. - -“Oh, he likes that room the best, but he will go wherever I say,” said -Sanger carelessly. “I guess--I guess I’ll see if I can find Phin. Mrs. -Freer said she’d board us for three and a half apiece, and if she’d -only knock off a quarter on her room, I’d take it in a minute. And I -think she would if it wasn’t for Phin. He’s making her hold out on me. -I should think that he’d be glad to rent at a decent price if he’s so -hard up.” - -“Maybe he’s had a better offer,” Bert suggested. - -Sanger moved away, looking anxious. - -“We’ve got him hooked all right enough,” said Bert. “But, say, what -was that yarn you were telling about some one looking at the room and -liking it?” - -“Oh, that was Harry, the night before last. He told me that he got -Phin to show him the room, and that he thought it was cheap at three -dollars.” - -“Oh!” laughed Bert. “Well, you certainly got Johnny worried! I’ll bet -he engages that room before night.” - -But he didn’t. Having learned from Phin that it was still for rent, he -stuck out for the twenty-five cent reduction. Phin would gladly have -rented at that price, if only to be rid of Sanger’s importunities, but -he had solemnly promised Harry that he’d hold out for the full price of -three dollars a week, and meant to keep that promise. It was hard work, -though, for Phin wanted very much to rent the room, and every time -Sanger left him he feared that he wouldn’t come back. He sought Harry -that evening and laid the matter before him. - -“Of course,” said Phin, “I’d be glad to get that extra quarter, but I’d -hate to lose the chance of renting the room, Harry. And I’m afraid now -that Sanger will go somewhere else. Don’t you think I’d better tell him -he can have it for two seventy-five?” - -Harry hesitated, wondering whether a compromise wasn’t advisable. -Finally: - -“I tell you, Phin,” he said. “I’m going to hold you to your agreement -until three o’clock to-morrow. After that you can let him have it for -any price you like. How does that suit you?” - -“Well, I suppose I’ve got to be satisfied,” said Phin with a smile. -“Whose room is this, anyway, Harry?” - -“It’s yours, old son, but you’re not able to rent it to the best -advantage. That’s where I come in. I’m legal counsel, don’t you see? -Hold on until three to-morrow, Phin, and I’ll guarantee that he will -come around to your figure. Remember that it isn’t the twenty-five -cents we’re fighting for, but the principle of the thing!” - -“Oh,” said Phin, “is that it? And--er--what is the principle?” - -“The principle?” Harry threw one knee over the other, joined the tips of -his fingers, and looked over the tops of a pair of imaginary spectacles. -“The principle involved in this case, Mr. Dorr, is--ah--er--well, in -short, Phin, Johnny Sanger has as much money as any fellow in school, -and it isn’t right for him to be so close with it. The habit will grow -on him and he’ll become a miser. It behooves his friends to combat this -tendency and--and--there you are, Phin! Simple, isn’t it?” - -After Phin had gone, Harry went over to see Hansel and Bert, and the -three held a council of war. It was agreed that it would be advisable -for Harry and Hansel to make a trip into town in the morning and -strengthen their defenses. And this was done. The landladies were not -so compliant to-day, for Sanger had been around looking at their rooms. -But in each case either Hansel or Harry managed to secure a promise -that the room would not be rented until the following afternoon. -And as the following day was Friday, they thought that the promise -was liberal enough. They hurried back to school for a ten o’clock -recitation, and awaited events. At two o’clock the battle was won. -Sanger informed Hansel of the fact, only he didn’t put it exactly that -way. - -“I’ve taken that room at Mrs. Freer’s,” he said, “and we’re going to -move in to-morrow afternoon.” - -“That’s good,” answered Hansel, concealing his satisfaction. “How much -are you going to pay? I suppose she knocked off that quarter?” - -Sanger’s face darkened. - -“No, she didn’t,” he said. “But I thought there wasn’t any use in -making a fuss about twenty-five cents. I hate anything small.” - -“Well, I’m glad you’ve got it,” answered Hansel, trying his best not to -smile. “I think you’ll like it.” - -“Thanks. Come and see us some time.” - -Hansel nodded and waved as Sanger hurried on. - -That afternoon Hansel and Harry got together and wrote notes -regretfully informing the landladies that their rooms would not be -required. And the next afternoon, Sanger, surrounded by his goods and -chattels, sat in the first-floor room at Mrs. Freer’s, and perplexedly -perused four notes, which in each case informed him that he could now -engage the room he had looked at, since the party who had the refusal -had decided not to rent. - -“Well, that’s a funny thing!” exclaimed Sanger. - -But he never learned the truth of the matter. Nor, for that matter, did -Phin. The conspirators relieved their consciences by declaring that -the deception had been practiced in a good cause, but they weren’t -particular about having the facts known. - -Life in 22 Prince was much pleasanter those days. Bert’s gratitude to -Hansel, awkwardly displayed though it was, seemed to the younger boy -almost pathetic. There were long talks in the evening on the football -situation, and Hansel’s opinions were solicited and deferred to in a -way that was almost embarrassing. The subject of Cameron’s standing was -not discussed; Hansel realized the futility of trying to make Bert -look at the question from his point of view; and at length he even -found himself sympathizing with the other’s attitude; the consuming -passion of Bert’s life at that time was to bring his captaincy to a -successful termination with a victory over Fairview, and if he was -willing to stretch fairness a little to do it, he was not without the -support of precedent. During those two weeks preceding the final combat -of the football campaign Bert and Hansel got to know and understand -each other, and a mutual liking, which all the autumn had been only -awaiting an opportunity, sprang up and ripened ultimately into a firm -friendship. - -On Wednesday, after practice was over, Hansel heard his name called as -he was trotting across the green toward the terrace and Weeks Hall. -He turned and found Billy Cameron overtaking him. Not without some -embarrassment he waited for the other to catch up. - -“Hello, Cameron,” he said. - -“Hello,” responded the other as he ranged himself alongside. “Say, -Dana, I wish you’d tell me something.” - -“All right, I will if I can.” - -“Well, it’s this: have you got anything against me?” - -“Not a thing--personally,” answered Hansel. - -“Well, why can’t you and those other beggars let me alone?” asked -Cameron. “I’ve never interfered with you chaps.” - -“I don’t think there’s one of us who doesn’t like you, Cameron,” -answered Hansel after a moment. “And if we’re down on you it isn’t for -what you are, but for what you represent.” - -“Represent?” repeated Billy with a puzzled laugh. “Gee! I didn’t know I -represented anything. What is it?” - -[Illustration: “‘Gee! I didn’t know I represented anything!’”] - -“What I mean is this: we haven’t any right to play a fellow on our -football team or our baseball team who is here just for football or -baseball, who is having his way through school paid by the fellows. If -we once countenance that sort of thing, Cameron, it’s going to lead -us a long way off the right track. If it’s fair in your case, why not -in other cases? What’s to keep us from hiring a whole team of good -football players?” - -“Couldn’t afford it,” answered Billy practically. - -“Not this year, but there’s no telling what might be done in that way. -For my part, I’m sorry I’ve had to--to worry you, but unfortunately, -Cameron, you’ve placed yourself in a wrong position.” - -“Now, look here,” said the other mildly. “You say I’m here just to play -football. That isn’t so, Dana. I may not be very smart at lessons, -and my folks haven’t any money, but I’m not a mucker. I got fired out -of the other school because I couldn’t keep up, but why couldn’t I? -Because the fellows I knew didn’t study, and because the faculty was -down on me from the start. Then some fellows here wrote and asked me -to come here; said I wouldn’t have to worry about expenses. Well, I -came. I wanted to get ready for college somehow, and this seemed a good -chance. They gave me a place in dining hall that supplied my meals, and -they paid my tuition. What’s the difference whether they paid it or -some one else? I know two or three fellows here who are having their -tuition paid by friends, and not by their own folks. But they don’t -play football, and so there’s no kick. Last year, if I didn’t get -honors, I was pretty well up in my class, and this year I’m trying for -a scholarship. If I get it, and Farrel says I’ll stand a good show, the -fellows can keep their old money; I’d a heap rather pay my own way, you -bet!” - -“But--but some one’s coaching you, aren’t they?” - -“Who, me? No, sir, I haven’t had an hour’s coaching since I came here. -Mr. Farrel’s been mighty good to me, and he’s helped me a lot with -Latin, but I haven’t had any coaching.” - -“Oh, I understood you had,” answered Hansel. - -“Well, I haven’t. It’s been mighty tough work sometimes, but now it -isn’t so hard. I’ve learned more here last year and this than I did all -the four years I was at Bursley. As for football, I like to play it, -but if the fellows are going to make a fuss about it, I guess I can get -along without it.” - -“If you could only get along without the money from the football fund,” -said Hansel eagerly, “you could play all you wanted to and no one -would say a word.” - -“Well, if I can get a hundred-dollar scholarship I’ll pay for myself, -you bet! Of course, if I don’t get it, and the fellows don’t want to -pay the rest of my tuition, I’ll just have to leave. But I don’t want -to, Dana; I like this old school; the fellows are decent to me, and so -are the instructors; they don’t make me feel that I’m no good because -I haven’t any money, like they did at Bursley. Mind, I don’t hold it -against you fellows for what you’re doing. Maybe you’ve got the right -end of it. I don’t pretend to understand it; at Bursley we got fellows -wherever we could find ’em, and we paid them to play for us. Maybe it -ain’t right; I don’t know. But I don’t want any fellow to say I haven’t -earned what they’ve given me here; I may not be so--so particular as -you chaps, but I never cheated anyone out of a cent or took a cent I -hadn’t earned.” - -“I’m sorry,” answered Hansel. “I suppose I started the row, and I think -the way we look at the matter is the right one, but it seems hard on -you, Cameron. All I hope is, you’ll get your scholarship, pay your own -way and stay here to play for us another year.” - -“That’s fair talk,” said the other heartily. “I was afraid you had -it in for me--er--personally, as you say. And I didn’t like that -because--well, you play a fine game of football and--and seem white; I -like white fellows like you and Bert and Harry and Larry Royle. This -where you live? Well, I’m glad I had a talk with you. Whenever you hear -any fellow say that Billy Cameron isn’t playing fair you tell me about -it, will you?” - -“Yes,” answered Hansel gravely. “Good night. Come up and see us some -time.” - -“All right, I’ll try to. But I’m pretty busy just now; that Ovid chap -has me lashed to the mast. Do you have him?” - -“I had him last year.” - -“Tough, ain’t he? Good night.” - -“Good night,” echoed Hansel with a smile. - -He thought of Billy Cameron a good deal that evening, and when, next -day, a shell from the enemy’s lines at Fairview fell unexpectedly into -camp and plunged the Beechcroft hosts into confusion and consternation, -he remembered him again and, in spite of a natural feeling of -exultation at the successful outcome of his efforts, was genuinely -sorry for him. - -The shell hurled by the enemy was a protest against the playing of -William Cameron, who, the Fairview authorities declared, was not -eligible, if their information was correct, to play on the Beechcroft -team. By noon the news was all over school, and had become the -all-absorbing subject of discussion and conjecture. Bert was for -playing Cameron whether Fairview liked it or not, but Mr. Ames vetoed -that plan. - -“The matter will be placed before Dr. Lambert,” he stated to Bert and -Harry, who had sought him for consultation. “He will have to decide. If -he says Cameron may play, it will be all right; Fairview will have to -put up with him. If he doesn’t, you’ll have to get along without him.” - -“He’ll say no,” answered Bert bitterly. - -“Maybe. I’ll see him this evening.” - -“What I’d like to know,” exclaimed Harry with annoyance, “is how they -found it out! Some one must have told them.” - -Mr. Ames was gravely silent. - - - - -CHAPTER XIV - -THE SPIRIT OF THE SCHOOL - - -When at nine o’clock that evening Mr. Ames returned from his conference -with the principal, he found his study occupied by Bert, Harry, -Cameron, and Cotton, who for the better part of an hour had impatiently -awaited his return and the doctor’s decision in regard to the playing -of the right half back. Mr. Ames’s report was disappointing to Harry, -who had hoped for an affirmative decision, and agreeable to Bert, who -had feared the worst. The doctor, explained Mr. Ames, would leave -the decision to the school. A meeting would be called for to-morrow -evening, the case would be put before the fellows by Mr. Ames and a -majority vote would decide the matter. - -“Good!” cried Bert. “We’ll win!” - -He spent the next day, as did other members of the team, in securing -support for his side. Cameron himself, however, took no part in the -proceedings; in fact, to see him one would have thought him the last -person in school to be interested by what was going on. - -At half-past seven, the hour set for the meeting, the hall was filled -to the doors. Even the “towners,” who as a rule were not to be dragged -back to the academy after supper, were present in force. In fact, it is -safe to say that every student physically able to reach Academy Hall -was on hand when Mr. Ames called the meeting to order. - -Just as quiet prevailed, a newcomer arrived, and made his way up the -center aisle to the platform. There was a long moment of breathless -surprise; then the clapping began and grew to a veritable tempest of -applause. Never before since his connection with Beechcroft had Dr. -Lambert attended a meeting of the students, save at commencement time, -and the fellows were at once surprised and flattered. The doctor, -too, seemed a bit surprised, probably at the length and vigor of the -applause, but whether he felt flattered I cannot say. Mr. Ames lifted a -chair to the platform for him and he subsided into it gravely, folded -his arms and looked slowly about the room. With the doctor’s advent the -meeting seemed to take on a more serious aspect, the question to be -decided suddenly assumed a larger importance, and the fellows presented -an attentiveness so respectful and silent as to appear almost alarming. - -Mr. Ames presented the case briefly and fairly, and ended by stating -that the decision rested with the fellows. “If,” he concluded, “you -honestly believe that Cameron should be permitted to represent the -academy a week from to-morrow, you will vote so. On the other hand, if -you honestly think that he should not be permitted to play, you will -vote so. The sentiment of the majority will be accepted by Dr. Lambert -as the sentiment of the school, and will be accepted as final. We will -have a standing vote, if you please.” - -“One moment, please.” Dr. Lambert held up his hand toward the -instructor and arose from his chair. There was a slight clapping of -hands which died out as the principal walked to the front of the -platform. - -“I wish to say,” began the doctor, “that your decision this evening -will decide a question of more importance than whether Mr. Cameron is -to play football for you, which, while it probably seems to you to be -of great moment, is of really little consequence. I understand that -without the services of Mr. Cameron, you may be beaten in your game -of football, but that would not be a very grave calamity. I believe -this school has been beaten before, and we are alive to tell the tale. -I hope you will win. I know very little about the game, but I intend -to be on hand a week from to-morrow, if my duties will allow, and -learn something about it; and, naturally, I should prefer to witness a -victory rather than a defeat. - -“But there are two ways of securing victory. One way is by fair -means, honestly, aboveboard; the other way is by unfair methods, by -questionable tricks, by deceitful subterfuge. As far as I am concerned -personally, I should prefer to witness an honorable defeat rather -than a victory won by underhand methods. I hope you all would. Note, -if you please, that I am not inferring that you have any intention of -sacrificing honor to the lust of winning. I make no such charge. I -know so little of athletics, that I do not pretend to be able to judge -infallibly the intricate points involved. I am leaving such judgment to -you. And whatever your decision may be, I shall accept it. - -“Mr. Ames has spoken to you this evening of what he calls school -spirit. What I understand by school spirit is the moral attitude taken -by the school as a body in regard to the problems, large and small, -which daily present themselves in school life. School spirit is an -important factor, I might almost say the most important factor, of an -institution of learning. Handsome buildings, a capable teaching corps, -liberal endowments, beautiful surroundings, all these may fail to -create a good school so long as the school spirit is wrong. A faculty -may lay down laws and enforce them, prescribe rules of conduct for -study hours and recreation hours, watch, guide, and instruct, and yet -fail miserably in the creation of a perfect school. Those laws and -rules, that guidance and instruction, must have the spirit of the -school back of them, or else they are worth no more than the paper -they are inscribed upon. The student is the school; if he cares less -for the benefits to be attained by faithful attention to his studies -than he does to the pleasure and fleeting distinction to be won in -athletics, the school will not thrive for any length of time; if he -holds the end to be of more importance than the means, either in the -schoolroom or on the athletic field, the school will never attain to a -position of honor among institutions of its kind. - -“School spirit is the foundation, then. And school spirit is of the -students, not of the faculty. The faculty may influence it, it cannot -form it. It is so intangible that the cleverest faculty cannot lay its -hand upon it and say, ‘Here it is; I will mold it to suit me.’ It is a -tree toward which the faculty plays the part of gardener. Its growth -is its own. The gardener may aid it or stunt it; he may, with infinite -pains, extending over a long period, direct the growth of the branches, -but that is as much as he can do; for when all is said, he is only the -gardener, and the tree is Nature. - -“The spirit of the school is as vital here as elsewhere. And when I -said a few moments ago that your decision this evening would decide a -matter of more consequence than the fate of Mr. Cameron in regard to -the football game, I meant that you would determine how the spirit of -your school stands with regard to athletics. If you say to-night that -it stands in favor of virtually hiring athletes to win your games for -you--mind, I do not say whether this is right or wrong; you are to -decide that for yourselves--then you have committed it to a sentiment -which is likely to influence it for some time. In short, you will be, I -firmly believe, deciding not alone for this year, but for several years -to come. That is all I have to say.” - -The doctor bowed gravely and took his seat again. There was a slight -clatter of applause which speedily died away for want of support. Mr. -Ames glanced questioningly at the principal. The latter nodded, and the -coach arose again. - -“As I put the question, those in favor of the motion will arise and -remain standing until counted. Mr. Foote, will you kindly take the left -of the aisle?” - -The physical director frowned through his glasses in a surprised -manner, nodded his head, and stood up uninterestedly. - -“Those in favor of allowing Mr. Cameron to play will rise,” directed -Mr. Ames. - -There was a shuffling of feet, and here and there throughout the -meeting fellows arose, some hesitatingly, some briskly, and stood to be -counted. On a bench near the front Hansel and Phin were the only ones -who remained seated, while beside them Bert, Harry, Royle and other -members of the first and second teams were on their feet. Cameron, at -the end of the next bench, kept his place, viewing the proceedings with -a perplexed frown. After all, he was a modest chap, and all this fuss -and turmoil seemed to him very silly. If they didn’t want him, why not -say so? Bert, glancing over the hall, looked at first bewildered, then -angry. Mr. Ames turned questioningly to Mr. Foote. - -“Seventeen,” said the latter wearily. - -“And thirty-five here,” said Mr. Ames. “In all fifty-two. Be seated, -please. Now those opposed will kindly stand up.” - -It was unnecessary to count them, but the count was made, nevertheless. - -“A total of seventy-eight,” announced Mr. Ames. “There appears to be no -doubt as to the sense of the meeting.” He turned to Dr. Lambert. “Did -you wish to say anything more?” - -The principal shook his head. - -“May I speak, sir?” It was Cameron. - -“I believe there’s no objection,” responded Mr. Ames. - -Billy moved out into the aisle and faced the meeting, rather red of -face and somewhat embarrassed of manner, but doggedly. - -“I just want to say,” he began in a low voice that grew louder as he -gained confidence, “I just want to say to you fellows that it’s all -right as far as I’m concerned. I want to do what’s right. If you think -I oughtn’t to play, why, that’s enough for me. I want to be fair and -square all around. You fellows have paid sixty dollars of my tuition -for me, and I’m much obliged to you. But I’d like to have you know -that I mean to pay it back to you just as soon as I can, because you -expected me to play in the Fairview game, and I’m not going to do it. I -don’t want to take money and not deliver the goods. - -“I don’t believe my not playing is going to make all the difference you -fellows think. We’ve got a good team and we ought to lick the--” Billy -glanced toward Dr. Lambert--“we ought to beat Fairview without much -trouble. If I can’t play I can help things along, I suppose, and I’ll -do it all I know how. And--and I guess that’s all. Thank you.” - -He squeezed his way back to his seat amid a roar of applause that -lasted several moments. When it subsided Spring was asking recognition, -and Mr. Ames nodded to him. - -“Mr. Chairman and--and fellows,” began Spring eagerly, “it seems to me -that Cameron shouldn’t be allowed to pay back that money. He’s played -all the fall, in every game, and it seems to me he’s earned it already. -And if he takes hold, as he offers to do, and helps the coaches, he -will have more than earned it. I don’t believe there’s a fellow here -to-night who doesn’t honor Cameron for a fine, plucky player, and a -good, honest fellow. And I think he ought to understand that, in spite -of--of circumstances, we’re right with him. And I’d like to propose a -good big cheer for him!” - -And so the meeting ended, incongruously enough, with the spectacle of a -fellow who had just been barred out of the football team being cheered -to the echo! - -For two days Bert was hopeless and glum. But by Monday he began to -cheer up again. The showing of the team, composed as it had been -almost entirely of second string players, in the game with Parksboro -had been highly satisfactory, and this, combined with the fact that -Billy Cameron was coaching the half backs, and Lockhard, who was -slated for his position, in particular, with evident success, brought -encouragement to Bert. Besides Cameron several graduates put in an -appearance Monday and Tuesday and assisted with the coaching. Interest -and excitement grew with each passing day until on Friday night, what -with the mass meeting and the old boys who were sprinkled through the -dormitories, sleep in any respectable amount came to the eyes of but -few. - -Saturday dawned bright and crisp, an ideal day for the middle of -November. The trees were bare of limb, and the beech leaves which for -long had lain huddled in drifts along the walks and roads, had lost -their pale golden hue. But the sky was fair, the sun shone brightly, -and in warm nooks and corners the grass yet held its color. - -From the station to the academy, almost every house and store proved -its loyalty by the display of light blue. Before the little white house -across from the Congregational church, behind whose sitting-room window -Mrs. Freer, quite recovered from her illness, sat and sewed and watched -the passing with smiling eyes behind their spectacles, a Beechcroft -banner had fluttered valiantly since early dawn, placed there by Phin -ere he had started on his morning round of the furnaces in his charge. - -At ten Phin showed up at 22 Prince, a knot of pale blue ribbon in his -lapel. He found Bert and Hansel in and for a while the three sat and -won the game and lost it, and won it again many times. Then Harry -demanded admittance, and strode in bearing, what at first looked like a -flag of truce, but which on second sight proved to be a white sweater. - -“There you are,” he cried, tossing the garment at Hansel. “There’s your -old ill-gotten gains. Hope it gets you into as much trouble as it has -me!” - -“I’d forgotten all about it,” said Hansel truthfully. “And I’m not -going to take it.” - -“Suit yourself,” answered Harry with a shrug. “I’m through with it.” - -“What it is and all about it?” demanded Bert. Harry explained the -one-sided wager whereby Hansel was to come into possession of the white -sweater if Cameron didn’t play in to-day’s game. - -“But I don’t intend to take it,” said Hansel earnestly. “It doesn’t -seem right; seems as though I was profiting by Cameron’s misfortune.” - -“Don’t worry about Billy,” said Harry. “He’s as chipper as a lark; says -if Lockhard plays the game the way he’s taught him to, he won’t mind -not playing himself!” - -“I tell you what, Harry!” exclaimed Hansel. - -“All right; what?” - -“Why, you won’t keep it and I won’t take it, so give it to Cameron.” - -“Billy?” - -“Why not? I’ll bet he hasn’t got a good sweater to his name.” - -“Brilliant youth!” cried Harry, bolting for the door. “I’ll do it!” - -Lunch was served to the team at half-past eleven, and at half-past -twelve they were sent to stroll around the grounds. The game was to -begin at two, but long before that hour the stands were filled, and -the ropes behind the side lines were sagging under the pressure of the -spectators unable to secure seats. The light blue of Beechcroft and the -red and blue of Fairview were everywhere in evidence, and waved and -fluttered when, at a few minutes before two, the teams trotted on. - -There was ten minutes of practice, the rival captains met in the center -of the field and watched a coin spin upward and down in the sunlight, -the teams arranged themselves over the faded turf, with its glistening -new lines of whitewash, there was a moment of quiet, broken by the -shrill pipe of a whistle, and the big game had begun. - - - - -CHAPTER XV - -THE GAME WITH FAIRVIEW - - -The first half of the Beechcroft-Fairview game may be easily disposed -of. There was no scoring, nor did either team get within scoring -distance of the opponent’s goal. From the moment Beechcroft kicked off, -and the Fairview left tackle caught the ball and brought it back ten -yards before being downed, the battle raged hotly in the center of the -field. Not once did Fairview get beyond her enemy’s thirty-yard line, -and not once did Beechcroft penetrate even so far into the opponent’s -territory. After a few tries at the ends, which ended disastrously for -her, Fairview buckled down to hammer-and-tongs football. There were no -weak places in the light-blue line, and time and time again Fairview -failed by the merest fraction of a foot to gain her distance. There was -almost no kicking. On one occasion, having been driven back to her -twenty-five yards, Beechcroft punted, in the hope that Fairview would -fumble. But, although Hansel was waiting beside the red-and-blue left -half back when the ball came down, that player went to earth with the -oval firmly clasped. - -It was uninteresting playing, or it would have been, had not the two -or three thousand persons who looked on been enthusiastic partisans. -The worst of it all, from a Beechcroft point of view, was that during -that first period of play, Fairview showed herself a little better -in defense, and noticeably stronger in attack. When the whistle -blew, the two teams, panting and exhausted, were above Beechcroft’s -thirty-five-yard line. The home team, joined by the blanketed -substitutes, trotted up the terrace to the gymnasium, while the -visitors retired into the shelter of the two barges which had brought -them from the station. The crowd moved about, such as were not fearful -of losing good seats, and for ten minutes the green presented a scene -of gayety quite unwonted. Then back came the light-blue players, and -were welcomed with thundering cheers; and out tumbled the Fairview men -and received their meed of applause. - -Beechcroft had the west goal. It was Fairview’s kick-off. Bert received -the ball and made well over twenty yards through a crowded field. An -attempt to get around Fairview’s left end lost four yards, Conly being -thrown back. A tandem play with Bert carrying the ball netted three -yards. On third down, with six yards to gain, Cotton kicked. The ball -went almost straight into the air and came down into the crowd. Love, -the Beechcroft left tackle, recovered it. After that, by alternate -attacks at guards and tackles, Beechcroft advanced the ball by a series -of short rushes for thirty yards. On the opponent’s thirty-eight yards -she was held for downs, and the pigskin went to the red and blue. - -Fairview began a merciless hammering at the right side of Beechcroft’s -line, confining her attention largely to Mulford at tackle. Beechcroft’s -hopes dwindled. Back down the field advanced the red and blue, slowly at -first, then, as Mulford weakened, faster and faster, making gains of -three, four, even six yards at a time. Hansel went to the rescue of his -tackle, and Lockhard and Bert threw themselves time and again at his -back. Had the secondary defense not been what it was the story of the -second half might be speedily told. On her twenty yards, Beechcroft -called for time. Mulford, weak and white, and woe-begone, was taken out -and Carew took his place. A tentative try at the newcomer proved to -Fairview that she must look elsewhere for consistent gains. A clever -double pass enabled her quarter to get around King, at left end, and he -reeled off twelve precious yards before Cotton nabbed him. Beechcroft -was now almost at her last ditch, and a score for the red and blue -looked certain. A tandem went through for two yards between Royle and -Stevens, and the Fairview right half dug himself into Love for one more. -Then it was third down, with two to go. Beechcroft was almost under her -crossbar; only five yards lay between the ball and the goal line. From -across the field came the incessant appeals of the light-blue adherents -to “_Hold ’em! Hold ’em! Hold ’em!_” - -And hold them she did. Not an inch was gained by the next play, -although the Fairview tandem smashed viciously at right guard and -the balance of the team threw themselves behind it. The attack was -crumpled up, and when the piled-up mass of bodies was disentangled the -ball lay fairly on the white line. - -Down the field sailed the ball, and under it raced Hansel. On -Fairview’s forty yards it plumped into the arms of the red-and-blue -quarter who, the next instant, was on his face on the turf, three yards -nearer his goal, with Hansel hugging his legs. Then it began all over -again, that remorseless charge down the field. Fairview’s fast, heavy -backs crashed into the opponent’s line for short, steady gains. Near -the middle of the field the light blue received the ball on penalty, -only to lose it again the next moment by a fumbled pass from Cotton -to Lockhard. A weak place suddenly developed at center, where Royle, -despite his size and weight, had been clearly outplayed all along by -the man opposite him who, although many pounds lighter, was quick and -heady. Past Beechcroft’s thirty yards crashed the conquerors, past her -twenty-five, past her twenty. Then time was called for an injury to -Bert. But even as the spectators discussed hopelessly or cheerfully, -according to the colors they wore, what would happen if the Beechcroft -captain was taken out, he was up again and was limping along his line, -thumping the fellows on back or shoulder, and hoarsely calling upon -them to hold. - -Two downs netted Fairview three yards. Captain and quarter held a -consultation, and then right half dropped back for a place kick from -the thirty-yard line. Quarter threw himself upon the turf, and the -onlookers held their breaths. Back flew the ball on a good pass, -quarter caught it, turned it, cocked it toward the crossbar, and right -half, with a quick glance toward the goal, stepped forward and kicked. -But Beechcroft, goaded by desperation, had broken through, and the ball -rebounded from Stevens’s broad chest as he sprang into the air. Half a -dozen men threw themselves toward it, but it was Royle who captured it. - -For a time the tide of fortune seemed to have turned. Beechcroft -hammered desperately at the Fairview line and managed to work the -ball back to her fifty-yard line. But there Carew was caught holding, -and Fairview received fifteen yards. Cotton kicked poorly, and it was -Fairview’s ball again on her fifty-three yards. Once more the advance -began. But this time each attack brought a longer gain. Beechcroft -was weakening all along her line. On her forty yards the Fairview -quarter, fearful perhaps that not enough time remained in which to -cover the remaining distance by line plunging, tried a run and got away -without difficulty between Love and King, the latter allowing himself -to be put entirely out of the play. But Conly tackled him at the end -of ten- or twelve-yard sprint, and the fierce plunges at the center -began again. This time, surely, thought the watchers, nothing could -stay Fairview’s progress. Twice Beechcroft had valiantly staved off -defeat, but that she could do so again was too much to expect. Yet as -her opponent neared the goal, the light blue’s defense strengthened. -Past the twenty-five-yard line crept the foe, yet succeeding attacks -netted shorter and shorter gains, and over on the stands the Beechcroft -supporters took courage and never paused in their cheering. Twelve -yards from the goal line the advance stopped. The Fairview left tackle, -at the head of a tandem, was hurled back for a loss, and the ball went -to Beechcroft. - -There remained but four minutes of playing time. On the Beechcroft -stand and along the right of the upper side of the field pale-blue -flags waved and flourished, and voices hoarsely shouted their delight. -Beechcroft’s only hope now was to keep her rival from scoring; all idea -of winning the game herself had long since passed away; a no-score game -would be enough. On the side line Mr. Ames, watching grimly, mentally -petitioned the Fates for an 0 to 0 result. But perhaps the Fates didn’t -hear him. - -Cotton, realizing that their only hope lay in keeping the ball out of -Fairview’s hands for the next four minutes decided not to kick until -forced to. On the first play the ball went to Bert, and Bert, aching, -wearied, limping, smashed his way like a cyclone through Fairview’s -line for five yards. Again he was given the ball, but this time no gain -resulted. Then it was Lockhard’s turn, and he managed to get a bare -yard outside of right tackle. With four yards to gain on third down, a -kick or a fake was the only hope. Cotton decided upon the latter. He -dropped back to the five-yard line, the defense formed about him, and -Royle passed back the ball. But it never reached Cotton, in spite of -the fact that he went through the motions of catching and kicking it, -and in spite of the fact that half the opposing team rushed down upon -him. Lockhard had the pigskin nestled into the crook of his elbow, -and was streaking around the right end of his line with a small but -well-working interference. Hansel had put the opposing tackle out of -the way, and Bert had sent the Fairview end sprawling on his back, and -through the resulting hole Lockhard had sped. Ten yards beyond, Bert, -handicapped by a wrenched knee, dropped back and only Lockhard and -Hansel kept up the running. - -[Illustration: “Lockhard ... was streaking around the right end of his -line.”] - -But now the field, friend and foe alike, had taken up the chase, while -ahead, coming warily down upon them, was the Fairview quarter back. -Both Lockhard and Hansel were fast runners, though the latter could at -any time have outstripped the other. For the moment danger from behind -was not pressing, and Hansel gave all his attention to the foe ahead. -Running abreast of Lockhard, he called to that youth to keep out. Then -he made straight for the quarter back. But the latter was an old hand, -and was not to be drawn from his quarry. As they came together, Hansel -found with dismay, that the enemy had fooled him, and had got between -him and Lockhard. Desperately Hansel crashed into him, but the quarter, -giving before the attack, kept his feet, and the next instant sprang at -Lockhard. - -Down went the latter just as Hansel, swinging about, swerved to the -rescue, and as he fell the ball bounded from his grasp and went bobbing -erratically toward the side line. Hansel was on it like a cat on a -mouse, and before the quarter or the nearest of the pursuit could reach -him had dropped upon it, found his feet again after rolling over twice, -and was off once more toward Fairview’s goal. - -From the sides of the field came a confused inarticulate roar as the -spectators, on their feet, watched with anxious hearts the outcome of -the race. Five yards ahead of the nearest pursuer sped Hansel, running -like a flash. Behind him, with outstretched, clutching hands, ran -the Fairview right end. Back of him friend and foe were strung along -the field. Hansel’s feet twinkled above the thirty-yard line. Beside -him, dangerously near, was the white boundary line, but he dared -not edge farther toward the middle of the gridiron lest it prove his -undoing. Another white line streak passed beneath him, and then a -second. The goal line was clearly in view. But he had played through -almost seventy minutes of a hard game, and his limbs ached and his -breath threatened at every stride to fail him. Once he faltered--that -was near the fifteen-yard line--and a note of triumph burst into the -pandemonium of sound from the watchers. But he struggled on again. -The ten-yard line was almost under foot when he felt the shock of the -tackle. Grimly he hugged the ball, struggled to advance, did manage -to cross the white streak, and then stretched his length on the turf, -hunched his head out of danger, and had the last breath driven from -his body as the foremost of the pursuit hurled themselves upon him. -Somewhere, very, very far away it seemed, a whistle blew. And then he -knew nothing more until the big sponge splashed over his face, and he -regained consciousness to find them pumping his arms up and down and -kneading his chest. He smiled up into Bert’s anxious face. - -“All right,” he murmured faintly. - -And in another minute he was back at his end of the line and Bert was -telling them that there was only a minute to play, and that they’d got -to get through. The ball was eight yards from the last white line and -Fairview, desperate and ugly, was between. - -“All right, fellows!” shouted Cotton. “Everybody into it! Signal!” - -Then Hansel was running back to shove and grunt behind a confused mass -at the center of the line. Canvas rasped against canvas, short groans -and cries of exhortation filled the air, and somewhere in front Bert, -with the ball clasped tightly to his stomach, was fighting inch by -inch, foot by foot, toward the goal line. Then something gave somewhere -and Hansel went stumbling forward into a confused maelstrom of legs and -bodies, while against his ears burst a sudden tempest of shouts. He -found his feet, hurled some one, friend or foe, he never knew, from his -path, and emerged from the mass of fallen players to see Bert, white -and unconscious, lying sprawled upon his back across the goal line with -the ball well over. - -A goal from that touchdown was too much to hope for. The punt-out -failed, and the ball went back to the center of the field. But in a -moment it was all over, and the final whistle sounded the defeat of -Fairview. And Hansel, on the side line, with Bert’s head on his knees -grinned foolishly and was very happy. Bert opened his eyes. - -“Over?” he whispered weakly. - -“All over!” answered Hansel. - -Bert sighed again, and again closed his eyes. - -“We win,” he said faintly. - - * * * * * - -It was three hours later. Mr. Ames, his hands clasped behind him, was -strolling thoughtfully to and fro along the corridor of the first floor -of Weeks. In the dining hall, behind closed doors, the football team -had gone into executive session in the matter of choosing a captain -for next year, and when, in the course of his trips back and forth, he -passed the big doorway, the dim murmur of earnest voices met his ears. -There is no training-table room at Beechcroft, and the team members -dine at one end of the big hall. To-night the other students had -been hustled out of the hall very early, and since before seven the -football warriors, with the coach, the trainer, and several graduates -of prominence, had been in full possession. - -There had been broiled chicken and Maryland biscuits and French fried -potatoes, and many other luscious dishes served to the players and -their guests as extras, for to-night’s supper was their “banquet,” and -if it wasn’t as elaborate as the after-victory feasts of some teams, it -tasted mighty good to the fellows upon whom the monotonous _régime_ of -steaks and chops, milk and toast, had begun to pall. After the banquet -there had been speeches. The graduates had spoken, Mr. Ames had spoken, -Bert had spoken, even Mr. Foote had found a word or two to say. Then -they had sung the school song, standing about the long table, and had -cheered for Bert, for Mr. Ames, for Mr. Foote, for the manager, for the -grads and for Beechcroft. After that the outsiders had gone their ways -and the big doors had been closed again. - -Down on the green, dark forms moved about in the moonlight, coming -from all directions and meeting in the corner of the field sacred to -bonfires. Throughout the village wise householders were on the alert, -keeping watchful eyes on gates, chicken coops, and like movable and -inflammable matter. Now and then a boy stuck his head in the door and -looked questioningly and impatiently at Mr. Ames. Outside a group -awaited the news; waited, too, to carry off the heroes to the scene -of the celebration. Mr. Ames passed the closed doors for perhaps the -twentieth time, and looked at his watch. They were taking a long time -in there. He wondered whether the election would turn out the way he -wanted it to. As he turned again toward the outer door Phin entered and -approached him. - -“Have they elected a captain yet?” he asked eagerly. - -Mr. Ames shook his head. - -“Not yet, I think; everything’s been pretty quiet in there so far.” - -“Do you think Hansel has a show?” - -“Why not? There’s scarcely anyone besides he and Royle that can take -it.” - -“I hope he does get it,” said Phin. - -“I think he would make a good captain,” said the other thoughtfully. -“And I think he deserves it.” Mr. Ames smiled. “With Dana as captain -and you as manager, next year I fancy we’ll have a wonderful -administration.” - -“I don’t know about that,” answered Phin. “In fact, I may not be here. -A good deal depends on whether I get a scholarship this year.” - -“I wouldn’t worry about that,” answered the instructor dryly. “If a -student deserves the money and does his work conscientiously, as you -have, the faculty generally looks after him. And there’s Cameron. He’s -in about the same boat with you. But I fancy we’ll see you both here -next year.” - -“Cameron? I hope so. I hope he’ll be able to play for us, sir. It’s -been rather hard lines on Cameron, but he took it finely, didn’t he?” - -“He did, indeed.” - -“I’ve been wondering,” continued Phin, “how Fairview learned about him. -Don’t you think some one here gave them a tip?” - -“Yes,” was the reply. “And I think I know who.” - -“Who was it?” asked Phin eagerly. - -“Well, if you won’t let it get any farther, I’ll tell you. It was the -principal.” - -“Dr. Lambert?” cried Phin. “Are you sure?” - -“Quite. He told me. It was Dana’s doing. He went to see the doctor -about your absence from recitations, you know, and the doctor got him -talking about the football situation. I fancy Dana must have opened the -doctor’s eyes somehow. At any rate, he’s been taking a new attitude -ever since. Before this year he’s never seemed to care anything about -it. Now he’s studying up on it. He was at the game this afternoon. He -looked rather bewildered when I saw him, but he stuck it out.” - -“Well--” Phin began. Then he stopped and listened. From behind -the closed portals came the sound of clapping hands. He looked -questioningly at Mr. Ames. The latter nodded and together they walked -toward the door. Then from within came a great cheer: - -“_Beechcroft! Beechcroft! Beechcroft! Rah, rah, rah! Rah, rah, rah! -Rah, rah, rah! Dana! Dana! Dana!_” - -Mr. Ames held out his hand, smiling, and Phin clasped it. - -“Success to you both,” said the instructor softly. - -Then the doors flew open. - - -THE END - - - - -BY HEZEKIAH BUTTERWORTH. - - -The Young McKinley. - -Illustrated. 12mo. Ornamental Cloth, $1.50. - -Mr. Butterworth portrays the future President at school, where, after -a bitter disappointment, the crusty old school-teacher, who has a good -heart beneath his severe exterior, says to him: “Never mind, you may be -President yet.” He traces President McKinley’s career through his army -days to the time when he was preparing for that great political career -which made the blow that struck him down at the height of his glory a -blow to the whole United States. - - -Brother Jonathan; or, The Alarm Post in the Cedars. - -A Tale of Early Connecticut. Illustrated. 12mo. Cloth, $1.50. - - -In the Days of Audubon. - -A Tale of the “Protector of Birds.” Illustrated by B. West Clinedinst -and others. 12mo. Cloth, $1.50. - - -In the Days of Jefferson; or, The Six Golden Horseshoes. - -A Tale of Republican Simplicity. Illustrated by F. T. Merrill. $1.50. - - -The Story of Magellan. - -A Tale of the Discovery of the Philippines. Illustrated by F. T. -Merrill and others. $1.50. - - -The Treasure Ship. - -A Story of Sir William Phipps and the Inter-Charter Period in -Massachusetts. Illustrated by B. West Clinedinst and others. $1.50. - - -The Pilot of the Mayflower. - -Illustrated by H. Winthrop Peirce and others. $1.50. - - -True to His Home. - -A Tale of the Boyhood of Franklin. Illustrated by H. Winthrop Peirce. -$1.50. - - -The Wampum Belt; or, The Fairest Page of History. - -A Tale of William Penn’s Treaty with the Indians. With 6 full-page -Illustrations. $1.50. - - -The Knight of Liberty. - -A Tale of the Fortunes of Lafayette. With 6 full-page Illustrations. -$1.50. - - -The Patriot Schoolmaster. - -A Tale of the Minutemen and the Sons of Liberty. With 6 full-page -Illustrations by H. Winthrop Peirce. $1.50. - - -In the Boyhood of Lincoln. - -A Story of the Black Hawk War and the Tunker Schoolmaster. With 12 -Illustrations and colored Frontispiece. $1.50. - - -The Boys of Greenway Court. - -A Story of the Early Years of Washington. With 10 full-page -Illustrations. $1.50. - - -The Log School-House on the Columbia. - -With 13 full-page Illustrations by J. Carter Beard, E. J. Austen, and -others. $1.50. - - -D. APPLETON AND COMPANY, NEW YORK. - - - - -YOUNG HEROES OF OUR NAVY. - - -_NEW VOLUME._ - -With the Flag in the Channel. - -The Adventures of Captain Gustavus Conyngham. By JAMES BARNES. -Illustrated. 12mo. Cloth, $1.00. - - -OTHER VOLUMES IN THE SERIES. - -Illustrated. 12mo. Each, $1.00. - -Reuben James. - -A Hero of the Forecastle. By CYRUS TOWNSEND BRADY, Author of “Paul -Jones.” Illustrated by George Gibbs and others. - - -The Hero of Manila. - -Dewey on the Mississippi and the Pacific. By ROSSITER JOHNSON. -Illustrated by B. West Clinedinst and others. - - -The Hero of Erie (_Commodore Perry_). - -By JAMES BARNES, Author of “Midshipman Farragut,” “Commodore -Bainbridge,” etc. With 10 full-page Illustrations. - - -Commodore Bainbridge. - -From the Gunroom to the Quarter-deck. By JAMES BARNES. Illustrated by -George Gibbs and others. - - -Midshipman Farragut. - -By JAMES BARNES. Illustrated by Carlton F. Chapman. - - -Decatur and Somers. - -By MOLLY ELLIOT SEAWELL. With 6 full-page Illustrations by J. O. -Davidson and others. - - -Paul Jones. - -By MOLLY ELLIOT SEAWELL. With 8 full-page Illustrations. - - -Midshipman Paulding. - -A True Story of the War of 1812. By MOLLY ELLIOT SEAWELL. With 6 -full-page Illustrations. - - -Little Jarvis. - -The Story of the Heroic Midshipman of the Frigate Constellation. By -MOLLY ELLIOT SEAWELL. With 6 full-page Illustrations. - - -D. APPLETON AND COMPANY, NEW YORK. - - - - -By C. C. HOTCHKISS. - -The Land Hero of 1812. - -Illustrated by B. WEST CLINEDINST. 12mo. Cloth, $1.25. - -Mr. Hotchkiss, who is well known through his stories for grown-ups, has -chosen as the subject of his first book for boys the life of Andrew -Jackson. While the facts of history are presented, the author adroitly -constructed his story upon the most picturesque incidents of Jackson’s -varied career. The book is therefore instructive as well as interesting. - - -By KIRK MUNROE. - -The Outcast Warrior. - -Illustrated. 12mo. Ornamental Cloth, $1.50. - -This is a boys’ story of a white man turned Indian and his adventures -in the Western wilderness. He distinguishes himself as a warrior and is -known as Wicasta, the Man Chief of the Aricarees. He marries Koda, a -Sioux captive, and becomes the father of Hanana (Morning Light). - - -By OTTILIE A. LILJENCRANTZ. - -The Vinland Champions. - -Illustrated by the KINNEYS. 12mo. Cloth, $1.50. - -A rousing good boys’ book with plenty of dash and go and a glimpse of -the wild, free life of the Vikings in it. Every school-boy has heard of -the vague rumor that the Norsemen discovered America before Christopher -Columbus. The story tells of the party of one hundred Icelanders who -went and dwelt there and called it the “Peace Land.” - - -By JULIE M. LIPPMANN. - -Every-Day Girls. - -Illustrated in colors. 12mo. Cloth, $1.50. - -The best book for girls that has appeared in years; it has all the -charm and sweetness that is contained in “Little Women.” It is not -merely a chronicle of events, however, but teaches a valuable lesson. -The girls are sweet and lovely and quarrelsome and impulsive, just as -every-day girls are. They have a hard and exciting time, and they fight -a battle and win it. It is a charming, wholesome book. - - -D. APPLETON AND COMPANY, NEW YORK. - - - - -APPLETON’S HOME-READING BOOKS. - -Edited by W. T. HARRIS, A. M., LL. D., U. S. Commissioner of Education. - - -The purpose of the HOME-READING BOOKS is to provide wholesome, -instructive, and entertaining reading for young people during the early -educative period, and more especially through such means to bring -the home and the school into closer relations and into more thorough -cooperation. They furnish a great variety of recreative reading for the -home, stimulating a desire in the young pupil for further knowledge and -research, and cultivating a taste for good literature that will be of -permanent benefit to him. - - _Year._ (ALPHABETICALLY BY AUTHORS.) _Cents._ - 7th. =Marco Polo.= By Edward Atherton 60 - 7th. =Uncle Sam’s Secrets.= By O. P. Austin 75 - 6th. =Uncle Sam’s Soldiers.= By O. P. Austin 75 - 7th. =The Story of the Birds.= By J. N. Baskett 65 - 6th. =The Story of the Fishes.= By J. N. Baskett 75 - 6th. =The Story of the Amphibians and Reptiles.= - By J. N. Baskett and R. L. Ditmars 60 - 5th. =In Brook and Bayou.= By Clara Kern Bayliss 60 - 5th. =Curious Homes and their Tenants.= By J. C. Beard 65 - 6th. =Historic Boston and its Neighborhood.= - By E. E. Hale 50 - 5th. =The Hall of Shells.= By Mrs. A. S. Hardy 60 - 7th. =About the Weather.= By Mark W. Harrington 65 - 7th. =The Story of Rob Roy.= By Edith D. Harris 60 - 4th. =The Earth and Sky.= By Edward S. Holden 28 - 5th. =The Family of the Sun.= By Edward S. Holden 50 - 6th. =Stories of the Great Astronomers.= - By Edward S. Holden 75 - 6th. =Our Country’s Flag and the Flags of Foreign Countries.= - By Edward S. Holden 80 - 5th. =News from the Birds.= By Leander S. Keyser 60 - 7th. =The Story of Oliver Twist.= By Ella B. Kirk 60 - 6th. =Our Navy in Time of War.= By Franklin Matthews 75 - 7th. =Crusoe’s Island.= By F. A. Ober 65 - 7th. =The Storied West Indies.= By F. A. Ober 75 - 6th. =Stories from the Arabian Nights.= By Adam Singleton 65 - 8th. =Chronicles of Sir John Froissart.= By A. Singleton 75 - 5th. =The Plant World.= By Frank Vincent 60 - 6th. =The Animal World.= By Frank Vincent 60 - 7th. =The Insect World.= By C. M. Weed 60 - - Others in preparation. - - -D. APPLETON AND COMPANY, NEW YORK. - - - - - Transcriber’s Notes: - - --Text in italics is enclosed by underscores (_italics_); text in - bold by “equal” signs (=bold=). - - --Except for the frontispiece, illustrations have been moved to - follow the text that they illustrate. - - --Punctuation and spelling inaccuracies were silently corrected. - - --Archaic and variable spelling has been preserved. - - --Variations in hyphenation and compound words have been preserved. - - --The author’s em-dash style has been retained. - - --pp. 152, 154: two instances of “Ferry Hill,” which should be - “Beechcroft” school, were left unchanged. The author erroneously - identified the school with that in another book written by him - during the same time period. - - - - - - -End of Project Gutenberg's The Spirit of the School, by Ralph Henry Barbour - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE SPIRIT OF THE SCHOOL *** - -***** This file should be named 54190-0.txt or 54190-0.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/4/1/9/54190/ - -Produced by Donald Cummings and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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