Bob Staggered Up the Ladder With His Burden.
"Strip the boy," commanded Mr. Penton. "If you have any warm blankets here, wrap him in them. If not, use some of your waste. You have barrels of that on hand."
Steve's wet, clinging clothes were quickly removed. There being no other blankets, waste used for wiping the engines was wrapped about him, the rubbing process having been resumed.
Nearly an hour elapsed before the surgeon, red of face, puffing from his exertions, came hurrying down the level.
He was quickly made acquainted with the situation and got to work at once.
"Do you think his condition is serious?" demanded the superintendent.
"No, not unless pneumonia sets in. That is the great danger, and he will be lucky if he escapes it. Is there any chance of getting him up to-night?"
"I can't say. I am going on up as soon as I hear something definite from you regarding the boy's condition."
"I shall be able to give that to you very soon, for his circulation has already started."
The color was returning to the lad's lips and cheeks, and his breath was coming more regularly.Half an hour from that time Steve had fully recovered his senses and announced himself as ready to get up and dress.
The surgeon advised him not to do so, finally ordering the patient to remain as he was. Rush accepted the order with poor grace. His clothing was being dried out by the pump engineer, the garments being ready very shortly afterwards.
Jarvis had wholly recovered from the strain that he had been under, except that he was still a little weak in the knees.
"We owe our lives to your friend Jarvis," said Mr. Penton, after Steve had been made as comfortable as possible. "But what I wish to know is how you happened to get into the lower level. Did you fall while sounding with the line?"
Rush hesitated, then glancing up at the superintendent, replied:
"No, sir; I did not fall."
"I don't understand."
"I was pushed in, Mr. Penton."
"You don't mean that—surely you cannot mean that, Rush!" exclaimed Mr. Penton in amazement.
"Yes, sir; I was."
"Who pushed you?"
"That is what I should like to know."
"This is really incredible, Rush. Are you quite sure you are not mistaken?"
"I am not mistaken."
"Tell me about it."
"When you sent for me——"
"I did not send for you. That was a mistake. And that is what puzzles me. I am told you thought you received a message from me to meet you on the sub-level above the lowest level."
"Yes, sir; that was the message I received."
"Well, I never sent it. I haven't been down there recently. I had started to go there to-day when some other matters came up calling me back to the office."
"You did not send for me?"
"I certainly did not."
"Then whoever did send that message must have done so for the purpose of getting me down there to do me up. I begin to understand."
"But, Steve, who could bear you such ill will?"
"I don't know."
"It isn't Steve alone they are after," interjected Jarvis. "The rascals seem to have it in for the mine, too. Take, for instance, the cage. They've put that out of business."
"The villains! I should like to catch them—I should like to get my hands on the man who pushed me in this afternoon."
"You did not finish telling me of the occurrence," said Mr. Penton.
Steve related the story of his adventure, the others listening with grave faces as the narrative proceeded.
"Now, tell me how you found me," he said in conclusion.
"Jarvis missed you. But did you not get sight of the man at all?"
"No, sir."
"You do not know whether there was more than one?"
"I do not. I didn't know there was one until he placed his hands against my back and pushed me in. When I came up, after the first plunge, I tried to see who was on the platform, but I neither saw nor heard anyone. I can't understand why he didn't hit me."
"The scoundrel probably wanted it to appear to be an accident. He thought you would not get out of that hole very easily," said Bob.
"Nor should I, in all probability, had it not been for you."
"Rush, we must go into this matter very thoroughly. The man who let you through the trap on number seventeen is no longer with us. He has not been with us for several months, but the attacks on you have been renewed. Next thing we know damage will be done to the company'sproperty. I don't want to confess that we are beaten and send for detectives."
"You leave it to us—we'll catch him," spoke up Bob Jarvis. "I have an itching at my finger tips and I won't do a thing to him when I get them on him."
"That is exactly what I want you boys to do—find the man or men guilty of this outrage, and I shall not be as lenient as I was in the other affair."
Steve lay with half-closed eyes thinking deeply. Instinctively there appeared to his mental vision the picture of the bewhiskered man whom he had seen several weeks before, and who made such an unfavorable impression upon him.
"Yes; I shall be very glad to do what I can," he said, glancing up at Mr. Penton. "I am ready to begin at once. Doctor, don't you think it is about time you were letting me get up?"
After taking Steve's temperature and thumping him upon the chest, the physician decided to let the lad get up and dress. He did, however, most emphatically protest against Rush climbing the ladders all the way to the surface.
Steve found himself a little weak from his experiences, and it was decided that he should remain in the mine for the rest of the night, or until the cage machinery had been repaired sohe could ride up. The surgeon sat nodding in the pump-man's chair, and the men who had assisted in the rescue returned to their duties in other parts of the mine.
Mr. Penton had been in communication with the surface by telephone. He learned that all was being done that could be done to repair the hoisting apparatus in the shortest possible time, so there was no necessity for him to climb the rest of the way up.
"I think I'll stay down here with you boys for the rest of the night," he said. "Everything is quiet. I see the surgeon has put the engineer out of house and home, so I think I shall lie down on the work-bench and get a little sleep."
"Yes, it is quiet enough," began Steve, when suddenly there came a dull, muffled report. The ground beneath their feet trembled perceptibly, then silence reigned.
Mr. Penton sprang from the bench where he was just composing himself for a sleep.
"Did you hear that!"
"Yes, sir; we heard it," answered Rush.
"What was it?" questioned Bob, his head inclined in a listening attitude.
"It sounded like an explosion," said Steve.
"Itwasan explosion. That was dynamite, boys. Something is going on here. There should be no blasting in the mines to-night."
Mr. Penton ran to the telephone to find out what the explosion meant.
"It looks as though our work were cut out for us, Steve," said Jarvis in a low tone.
"I am beginning to think so myself," answered Steve, after listening intently for a moment.
CONCLUSION
"WHAT was it, Mr. Penton?" called Steve, as he saw the superintendent approaching.
"I shall have to leave you," returned the superintendent. "Jarvis, if Rush does not need you, you may come with me."
"Is there any trouble, sir?" questioned Steve.
"Yes; there is trouble. Someone has dropped a charge of dynamite down the cage shaft. They tell me the cage is wrecked. Of course that doesn't amount to much, if there is no further damage, but there is no telling where this business is going to end. I must get up to the surface, and at once."
"Then I am going with you," announced Steve with emphasis. "I am perfectly able. There is nothing the matter with me except inactivity. I am anxious to be doing something. But, Mr. Penton, that charge of dynamite surely was not dropped in from the surface, was it?"
"No; that would not be possible."
"That means that someone in the mine has dropped it from one of the levels."
"Yes, yes."
"Then I would suggest telephoning to the top of the shaft to have the ladder hole leading to the open watched, and no one to be allowed to leave the mine unless able to give a good account of himself."
"Your idea is an excellent one. I will give the order at once."
The superintendent did so; then the men started upward. At Rush's suggestion the party divided. The mine captain had been picked up in the meantime, and the four men divided themselves into two parties, each party taking a level through which it moved, visiting every place where men were at work, questioning each sharply as to whether any of their shift had left their work during the last hour.
The search was fruitless. There were not many men working on the night shift, and beyond considerable ladder climbing, the two parties had finished their search within a few hours.
The four men met on the surface shortly after midnight.
The Iron Boys had nothing to report; neither had Mr. Penton nor the mine captain met with any better results. The mystery was still unexplained.
"Rush, you usually have ideas on most subjects. What do you think about this affair?"
"I hardly know what to think. I have an idea, however, as to where the charge was dropped from."
"From where was it dropped?" demanded the superintendent sharply.
"From the first sub-level below the surface. You see, it would be very easy for anyone to go down that ladder there at night, without attracting attention. He could have dropped the charge down through the shaft and been out and away long before you telephoned up here."
"That is very true. It may explain that part of the affair."
"We found a fuse on the first sub-level near the shaft, but of course that doesn't prove anything. It may have been dropped there by any one of fifty different men."
The superintendent's face was stern as he pondered over the matter that was disturbing them all.
"Rush, I want you boys to devote your time, during the next few days, to working on this case. I know of no one else better qualified to do it. If you can't get to the bottom of the mystery, I know of no one who can. In the meantime I shall be pursuing some investigations of my own."
"Very well, sir; do you wish us to drop our work?"
"As a matter of fact, yes; but you need not appear to have done so. Pretend to make your rounds, but devote your time to running down this mystery. The officials will be back here within the next few days. I want this affair cleared up before they get here, so work fast. You have my authority to go to any length necessary to solve the mystery and to discover the guilty ones. Now, show me what you can do."
"It is a pretty big contract you have given us, sir, but we will do the best we can. We have personal reasons for wanting to succeed, as you can understand."
"We have," affirmed Bob Jarvis grimly.
The boys bade the superintendent good night and went to their boarding place. The following morning found Rush suffering from a severe cold. He could barely speak, but he went to the mine, nevertheless. The cage was not yet ready for use, but the superintendent had had the ore skips rigged to carry men down, which was done at greatly reduced speed, but at the usual time the mine was in full operation.
All that day the two boys tramped about the mine, part of the time in company and at other times pursuing their investigations separately. They talked with the men, working in various subtle ways to obtain hints that might start them in the right direction.
Night came, but when they compared notes they found that they had made no progress.
"I would go back to-night," said Steve thoughtfully, "but to do so would attract attention. They know we do not work at night and someone might become suspicious."
The next day was a repetition of the previous one so far as results were concerned. Not a clue did either boy find. This went on for three days, during which time they had not seen Mr. Penton. He was giving his two track inspectors a clear field, unhampered by any directions from him, and this put them on their mettle, perhaps more keenly than would otherwise have been the case.
"To-morrow will be Saturday. Don't you think it would be a good time for us to camp on the trail steadily?" asked Jarvis on Friday night as they were going home.
"I have been thinking of that. I'll tell you what I want you to do to-morrow. Go to the pay clerk and time checker and find out who is left in the mine after all hands who are going to do so have checked in and drawn their wages. When you get the list bring it below to me. I will meet you somewhere near the chutes on seventeen. I want only the names of those who belong on the shift working Saturday afternoon. There will not be many of them."
Jarvis carried out his instructions and brought the list to Rush on the following day. The two boys scanned the list keenly, after which they made tours of the working drifts, finding all the men at their stations and no one in the mine who did not belong there.
"I'm coming back to-night," decided Steve with emphasis. "I am satisfied that the people we are looking for are not on the day shift. We will come down about eight o'clock, by way of the ladders, and prowl quietly about. We will use our candles only when we get in drifts where there is no one at work."
"We won't catch anyone. They're too sharp for us."
"Perhaps not to-night, but we'll get them if it takes a year to do it. I'll never give up till I have won this game of hide and seek. When you go after a thing, Bob, make up your mind you're going to get it. You'll land somewhere near the mark if you follow that policy."
"I've got the dynamite report here for you."
Steve examined the report carefully. He had done a very shrewd thing. He had held the keeper of the dynamite stores responsible for a complete list of all the sticks of dynamite given out to the miners each day, and then had visited the drifts to find out how many charges had been fired and how many sticks had been used.As dynamite is never issued, except for immediate use, there could be none left over after the day's work was done. By the time the holes are drilled a messenger is on hand with just enough sticks of the deadly stuff to fill the holes.
After checking up, the young inspectors found that twelve sticks of the explosive were unaccounted for. They had been drawn from the stores, but not used.
"We are beginning to get somewhere, old chap," Steve said, nodding to his companion.
"That means that someone—some unauthorized person—has drawn some dynamite from the stores, does it not?" questioned Jarvis.
"That is the way I figure it out. It may mean nothing, so far as our case is concerned, and it may mean much."
The boys remained in the mine as usual until the shift went up at six o'clock. At the appointed hour, eight o'clock, they made their way back to the shaft, but instead of going down on the cage they slipped into the ladder hole and began their descent in this way. It was decided that Bob should begin at the upper levels and work down, while Steve was to make his way to the bottom of the shaft and work up. When they met they would compare notes. Each had a list of every man who had business in the mine that night, so that they could find out,by asking a man's name, whether or not he had a right to be there.
Steve had gone directly to the bottom and covered every level up to that where the pump station was located, about half way up the shaft. He started along this level, keeping out of sight as much as possible, which had been the policy of each lad, as agreed upon beforehand.
Steve had not proceeded far when he discovered that someone was walking along the level ahead of him. At first he thought it was Jarvis, as the man's hat held no light, and Bob should be somewhere about at that time.
Steve quickened his steps, intending to overhaul the man and speak to him. All at once the fellow turned abruptly off from the main level, entering a drift that ran to the south, but as he passed under the electric light at the turn Steve Rush made a discovery.
The man was heavily bearded and Steve recognized him instantly.
"It's the man Klink," he muttered. "What is he doing in that drift at this time of night?"
Consulting his list, the boy saw that Klink did not belong to the night shift of that particular night. He moved up, intending to follow Klink into the drift, when the man suddenly emerged. Steve flattened himself on the ground and waited, while the other glanced cautiouslyup and down the level. Satisfying himself that no one was about, Klink turned and walked on.
The watcher lost no time in following, but Rush kept at a safe distance, dodging when he had to pass an electric light, now and then throwing himself beside the track flat in the mud and water of the gutter when he thought Klink was about to look back. In this way he avoided discovery.
Klink continued on until he neared the pump station, when he slackened his pace. Fortunately for Steve, there were no lights in that part of the level, so that he had little difficulty in keeping out of sight. Klink kept on walking until nearly opposite the pump station, when he suddenly disappeared. For a moment Rush was puzzled; then he discovered that his man had stepped in between two posts that held up the lagging at the side of the tunnel.
The boy's eyes gleamed.
"Now, my fine gentleman, we'll find out what is going on here! I believe I have landed the man I am looking for. I——"
It was just midnight, and the pump man had left his machinery to go for water to drink with his lunch. Steve understood this, and evidently the man who was pressed close up against the lagging did also, for he quickly stepped out, glanced about him, then ran to the square openingcut in the rocks in which the pump machinery was located.
Rush ran up on tiptoe to within about twenty yards of the pump station. He was watching Klink narrowly. The latter snatched something from inside his coat, thrusting the object under the plunger of the largest of the pumps. Next came something long, slender and white that looked like a large string.
Almost holding his breath, Steve crept nearer.
"He is attaching a fuse. That was dynamite that he put under the plunger. He's going to blow up the pumps and flood the mine!"
Klink struck a match and applied it to the end of the fuse.
It was now Steve Rush's time to act. Seconds were precious. The boy seemed scarcely to touch the ground as he sprinted forward. He was upon the man before Klink saw him. One swift kick from Steve's heavy boot toppled the man over on his side.
The Iron Boy snatched the burning fuse from the stick of dynamite and hurled it from him.
By that time Klink was on his feet. With blazing eyes he rushed at the boy. Steve believed, and with good reason, that Klink intended to murder him. But the boy stood calmly awaiting the onslaught. The man was large and powerful, but this did not daunt the plucky lad.
Klink was now more than three feet from him when, suddenly, Steve's right foot flew out, catching the fellow fairly in the pit of the stomach. The man uttered an exclamation, at the same time pressing both hands to the spot where the heavy boot had landed.
Rush fairly leaped into the air, his fist catching Klink directly between the eyes. Klink toppled over backwards, and Rush, having lost his balance, fell prone on top of him.
The fellow's arms and legs instantly clasped the boy in a tight embrace. But in that one close look into the fellow's eyes, Steve had recognized him.
"I know you! You're Spooner, and I've got you, you villain!" breathed the lad, writhing and twisting to get his right knee up where he could use it to advantage.
Spooner, for it was the same man who had let the trap down under Steve on the tally-board platform, did not answer. He pressed the boy to him with a force that made the lad think his ribs were going to be crushed in. At the same time the man was trying to turn over and get Rush under him, where he would have quickly settled his young antagonist.
All at once the Iron Boy jerked his knee up, planting it in the other's abdomen. Now the more Spooner hugged Rush, the harder did theknee press against him. With a mighty effort the rascal threw himself on his side. But in doing so he had relaxed his grip. Steve's right arm was jerked loose, and like a flash the Iron Boy delivered two short-arm jolts on the side of his opponent's jaw.
The blows half stunned the big man. Steve struck him in the nose with a blow that was intended to reach the jaw and complete the work.
At that instant there was a shout from down the level. Bob Jarvis came charging upon the scene.
Steve recognized the voice of his companion.
"I've got him, Bob!" shouted the lad with what little breath he had left. "I've got him down and out!"
But Spooner was not quite "down and out" yet. He began fighting again in sheer desperation. His one thought now was to free himself from the grip of those young arms of steel.
Bob grasped Spooner by the collar, and after a few violent tugs jerked the fellow free from Steve's embrace. Spooner staggered to his feet.
Bang!
Bob smote him a terrific blow on the jaw, and Spooner dropped in a heap. He was going to strike the man again when Steve stopped him.
"Get a rope, quick! I'll take care of him. There's some rope over there by the pumps."
Steve threw the prisoner over on his face, twisting the man's hands behind his back, and a few minutes later they had the fellow's hands securely tied behind his back.
About that time the pump-man came running up.
"Telephone to the superintendent that we have the man," commanded Steve. "Hurry, now! Don't stop to ask questions. Tell him we are bringing the fellow up in the skip."
Spooner by this time had recovered sufficiently to walk with an Iron Boy on each side of him. In that formation they made their way to the skip.
"None of your funny business now, unless you want another thump on the jaw," warned Jarvis threateningly.
Mr. Penton had not arrived when they reached the surface, so they took their prisoner to the dry house, leaving word with the skip-tender to send Mr. Penton over there at once.
The superintendent was not long in reaching the shaft, whence he hurried to the place indicated.
"Mr. Penton, we have caught the guilty man," announced Steve. "There he is."
"What—who is he?" demanded the official half unbelievingly, peering sharply at the prisoner.
"On the pay roll he is John Klink. His other name is Spooner. He is stouter and has grown a beard since you saw him last."
The superintendent uttered an exclamation of amazement. Steve briefly related all that had occurred. Under pressure, Spooner made a confession before they left the dry house that night of the whole miserable business. It was he who had dropped the dynamite into the shaft. But he declared that it was his partner, Marvin, also working in the mine under an assumed name, who had lured Steve Rush to the lower level and pushed him in. It was Marvin, too, who, by thrusting a monkey wrench into the machinery, had stripped the gear and put the cage mechanism out of business.
That night the villainous and revengeful Spooner slept in a cell, where he was destined to remain until his trial and eventual sentence to a long term in prison.
Marvin somehow got wind of the capture of his associate in crime and fled. He was never heard from in those parts again.
On the following Monday morning the private car of the visiting officials once more drew up at the railroad station. Later in the day the Iron Boys were again summoned to the office of the superintendent. They supposed it was for a discussion of the Spooner case with Mr.Penton. They were surprised to find the officials of the company there awaiting them.
After greeting the lads, Mr. Carrhart made a little speech in which he paid a glowing tribute to the brave boys, and at its conclusion he placed a packet in the hands of each.
At the meeting of the officials there, a few days previous, it had been decided by vote to make the lads a present. The packets contained these presents. The lads protested, but Mr. Carrhart was almost sternly insistent.
Upon arriving home Steve and Bob each found in his packet shares of stock in the big steel company amounting to one thousand dollars. It was a small fortune for them, yet they had earned it. At least the officials of the steel company considered that they had.
The Iron Boys had done their full duty. But they were as yet merely at the beginning of their career. There were stirring days ahead of them, as well as other promotions for work well and faithfully done.
The story of their further exciting experiences and advancement in the great industrial world are told in the next volume of this series, entitled, "The Iron Boys as Foremen; Or, Heading the Diamond Drill Shift."
The End
CATALOGUE OF
The Best and Least Expensive Books for Real Boys and Girls
Really good and new stories for boys and girls are not plentiful. Many stories, too, are so highly improbable as to bring a grin of derision to the young reader's face before he has gone far. The name of ALTEMUS is a distinctive brand on the cover of a book, always ensuring the buyer of having a book that is up-to-date and fine throughout. No buyer of an ALTEMUS book is ever disappointed.
Many are the claims made as to the inexpensiveness of books. Go into any bookstore and ask for an Altemus book. Compare the price charged you for Altemus books with the price demanded for other juvenile books. You will at once discover that a given outlay of money will buy more of the ALTEMUS books than of those published by other houses.
Every dealer in books carries the ALTEMUS books.
Sold by all booksellers or sent postpaid on receipt of price
Henry Altemus Company
507-513 Cherry Street, Philadelphia
The Motor Boat Club Series
By H. Irving Hancock
The keynote of these books is manliness. The stories are wonderfully entertaining, and they are at the same time sound and wholesome. No boy will willingly lay down an unfinished book in this series.
1The Motor Boat Club of the Kennebec; Or, The Secret of Smugglers' Island.2The Motor Boat Club at Nantucket; Or, The Mystery of the Dunstan Heir.3The Motor Boat Club off Long Island; Or, A Daring Marine Game at Racing Speed.4The Motor Boat Club and the Wireless; Or, The Dot, Dash and Dare Cruise.5The Motor Boat Club in Florida; Or, Laying the Ghost of Alligator Swamp.6The Motor Boat Club at the Golden Gate; Or, A Thrilling Capture in the Great Fog.7The Motor Boat Club on the Great Lakes; Or, The Flying Dutchman of the Big Fresh Water.
1The Motor Boat Club of the Kennebec; Or, The Secret of Smugglers' Island.
2The Motor Boat Club at Nantucket; Or, The Mystery of the Dunstan Heir.
3The Motor Boat Club off Long Island; Or, A Daring Marine Game at Racing Speed.
4The Motor Boat Club and the Wireless; Or, The Dot, Dash and Dare Cruise.
5The Motor Boat Club in Florida; Or, Laying the Ghost of Alligator Swamp.
6The Motor Boat Club at the Golden Gate; Or, A Thrilling Capture in the Great Fog.
7The Motor Boat Club on the Great Lakes; Or, The Flying Dutchman of the Big Fresh Water.
Cloth, Illustrated Price, per Volume, 50c.
The Range and Grange Hustlers
By Frank Gee Patchin
Have you any idea of the excitements, the glories of life on great ranches in the West? Any bright boy will "devour" the books of this series, once he has made a start with the first volume.
1The Range and Grange Hustlers on the Ranch; Or, The Boy Shepherds of the Great Divide.2The Range and Grange Hustlers' Greatest Round-Up; Or, Pitting Their Wits Against a Packer's Combine.
1The Range and Grange Hustlers on the Ranch; Or, The Boy Shepherds of the Great Divide.
2The Range and Grange Hustlers' Greatest Round-Up; Or, Pitting Their Wits Against a Packer's Combine.
Cloth, Illustrated Price, per Volume, 50c.
Submarine Boys Series
By Victor G. Durham
These splendid books for boys and girls deal with life aboard submarine torpedo boats, and with the adventures of the young crew, and possess, in addition to the author's surpassing knack of story-telling, a great educational value for all young readers.
1The Submarine Boys on Duty; Or, Life on a Diving Torpedo Boat.2The Submarine Boys' Trial Trip; Or, "Making Good" as Young Experts.3The Submarine Boys and the Middies; Or, The Prize Detail at Annapolis.4The Submarine Boys and the Spies; Or, Dodging the Sharks of the Deep.5The Submarine Boys' Lightning Cruise; Or, The Young Kings of the Deep.6The Submarine Boys for the Flag; Or, Deeding Their Lives to Uncle Sam.7The Submarine Boys and the Smugglers; Or, Breaking Up the New Jersey Customs Frauds.
1The Submarine Boys on Duty; Or, Life on a Diving Torpedo Boat.
2The Submarine Boys' Trial Trip; Or, "Making Good" as Young Experts.
3The Submarine Boys and the Middies; Or, The Prize Detail at Annapolis.
4The Submarine Boys and the Spies; Or, Dodging the Sharks of the Deep.
5The Submarine Boys' Lightning Cruise; Or, The Young Kings of the Deep.
6The Submarine Boys for the Flag; Or, Deeding Their Lives to Uncle Sam.
7The Submarine Boys and the Smugglers; Or, Breaking Up the New Jersey Customs Frauds.
Cloth, Illustrated Price, per Volume, 50c.
The Square Dollar Boys Series
By H. Irving Hancock
The reading boy will be a voter within a few years; these books are bound to make him think, and when he casts his vote he will do it more intelligently for having read these volumes.
1The Square Dollar Boys Wake Up; Or, Fighting the Trolley Franchise Steal.2The Square Dollar Boys Smash the Ring; Or, In the Lists Against the Crooked Land Deal.
1The Square Dollar Boys Wake Up; Or, Fighting the Trolley Franchise Steal.
2The Square Dollar Boys Smash the Ring; Or, In the Lists Against the Crooked Land Deal.
Cloth, Illustrated Price, per Volume, 50c.
Pony Rider Boys Series
By Frank Gee Patchin
These tales may be aptly described as those of a new Cooper. In every sense they belong to the best class of books for boys and girls.
1The Pony Rider Boys in the Rockies; Or, The Secret of the Lost Claim.2The Pony Rider Boys in Texas; Or, The Veiled Riddle of the Plains.3The Pony Rider Boys in Montana; Or, The Mystery of the Old Custer Trail.4The Pony Rider Boys in the Ozarks; Or, The Secret of Ruby Mountain.5The Pony Rider Boys in the Alkali; Or, Finding a Key to the Desert Maze.6The Pony Rider Boys in New Mexico; Or, The End of the Silver Trail.7The Pony Rider Boys in the Grand Canyon; Or, The Mystery of Bright Angel Gulch.
1The Pony Rider Boys in the Rockies; Or, The Secret of the Lost Claim.
2The Pony Rider Boys in Texas; Or, The Veiled Riddle of the Plains.
3The Pony Rider Boys in Montana; Or, The Mystery of the Old Custer Trail.
4The Pony Rider Boys in the Ozarks; Or, The Secret of Ruby Mountain.
5The Pony Rider Boys in the Alkali; Or, Finding a Key to the Desert Maze.
6The Pony Rider Boys in New Mexico; Or, The End of the Silver Trail.
7The Pony Rider Boys in the Grand Canyon; Or, The Mystery of Bright Angel Gulch.
Cloth, Illustrated Price, per Volume, 50c.
The Boys of Steel Series
By James R. Mears
The author has made of these volumes a series of romances with scenes laid in the iron and steel world. Each book presents a vivid picture of some phase of this great industry. The information given is exact and truthful; above all, each story is full of adventure and fascination.
1The Iron Boys in the Mines; Or, Starting at the Bottom of the Shaft.2The Iron Boys as Foremen; Or, Heading the Diamond Drill Shift.
1The Iron Boys in the Mines; Or, Starting at the Bottom of the Shaft.
2The Iron Boys as Foremen; Or, Heading the Diamond Drill Shift.
Cloth, Illustrated Price, per Volume, 50c.
West Point Series
By H. IRVING HANCOCK
The principal characters in these narratives are manly young Americans whose doings will inspire all boy readers.
1Dick Prescott's First Year at West Point; Or, Two Chums in the Cadet Gray.2Dick Prescott's Second Year at West Point; Or, Finding the Glory of the Soldier's Life.3Dick Prescott's Third Year at West Point; Or, Standing Firm for Flag and Honor.4Dick Prescott's Fourth Year at West Point; Or, Ready to Drop the Gray for Shoulder Straps.
1Dick Prescott's First Year at West Point; Or, Two Chums in the Cadet Gray.
2Dick Prescott's Second Year at West Point; Or, Finding the Glory of the Soldier's Life.
3Dick Prescott's Third Year at West Point; Or, Standing Firm for Flag and Honor.
4Dick Prescott's Fourth Year at West Point; Or, Ready to Drop the Gray for Shoulder Straps.
Cloth, Illustrated Price, per Volume, 50c.
Annapolis Series
By H. IRVING HANCOCK
The spirit of the new Navy is delightfully and truthfully depicted in these volumes.
1Dave Darrin's First Year at Annapolis; Or, Two Plebe Midshipmen at the U. S. Naval Academy.2Dave Darrin's Second Year at Annapolis; Or, Two Midshipmen as Naval Academy "Youngsters."3Dave Darrin's Third Year at Annapolis; Or, Leaders of the Second Class Midshipmen.4Dave Darrin's Fourth Year at Annapolis; Or, Headed for Graduation and the Big Cruise.
1Dave Darrin's First Year at Annapolis; Or, Two Plebe Midshipmen at the U. S. Naval Academy.
2Dave Darrin's Second Year at Annapolis; Or, Two Midshipmen as Naval Academy "Youngsters."
3Dave Darrin's Third Year at Annapolis; Or, Leaders of the Second Class Midshipmen.
4Dave Darrin's Fourth Year at Annapolis; Or, Headed for Graduation and the Big Cruise.
Cloth, Illustrated Price, per Volume, 50c.
The Young Engineers Series
By H. IRVING HANCOCK
The heroes of these stories are known to readers of the High School Boys Series. In this new series Tom Reade and Harry Hazelton prove worthy of all the traditions of Dick & Co.
1The Young Engineers in Colorado; Or, at Railroad Building in Earnest.2The Young Engineers in Arizona; Or, Laying Tracks on the "Man-Killer" Quicksands.
1The Young Engineers in Colorado; Or, at Railroad Building in Earnest.
2The Young Engineers in Arizona; Or, Laying Tracks on the "Man-Killer" Quicksands.
Cloth, Illustrated Price, per Volume, 50c.
Boys of the Army Series
By H. Irving Hancock
These books breathe the life and spirit of the United States Army of to-day, and the life, just as it is, is described by a master pen.
1Uncle Sam's Boys in the Ranks; Or, Two Recruits in the United States Army.2Uncle Sam's Boys on Field Duty; Or, Winning Corporal's Chevrons.3Uncle Sam's Boys as Sergeants; Or, Handling Their First Real Commands.4Uncle Sam's Boys in the Philippines; Or, Following the Flag Against the Moros.
1Uncle Sam's Boys in the Ranks; Or, Two Recruits in the United States Army.
2Uncle Sam's Boys on Field Duty; Or, Winning Corporal's Chevrons.
3Uncle Sam's Boys as Sergeants; Or, Handling Their First Real Commands.
4Uncle Sam's Boys in the Philippines; Or, Following the Flag Against the Moros.
(Other volumes to follow rapidly.)Cloth, Illustrated Price, per Volume, 50c.
Battleship Boys Series
By Frank Gee Patchin
These stories throb with the life of young Americans on to-day's huge drab Dreadnaughts.
1The Battleship Boys at Sea; Or, Two Apprentices in Uncle Sam's Navy.2The Battleship Boys' First Step Upward; Or, Winning Their Grades as Petty Officers.3The Battleship Boys in Foreign Service; Or, Earning New Ratings in European Seas.4The Battleship Boys in the Tropics; Or, Upholding the American Flag in a Honduras Revolution.
1The Battleship Boys at Sea; Or, Two Apprentices in Uncle Sam's Navy.
2The Battleship Boys' First Step Upward; Or, Winning Their Grades as Petty Officers.
3The Battleship Boys in Foreign Service; Or, Earning New Ratings in European Seas.
4The Battleship Boys in the Tropics; Or, Upholding the American Flag in a Honduras Revolution.
(Other volumes to follow rapidly.)Cloth, Illustrated Price, per Volume, 50c.
High School Boys Series
By H. Irving Hancock
In this series of bright, crisp books a new note has been struck.Boys of every age under sixty will be interested in these fascinating volumes.
In this series of bright, crisp books a new note has been struck.
Boys of every age under sixty will be interested in these fascinating volumes.
1The High School Freshmen; Or, Dick & Co's First Year Pranks and Sports.2The High School Pitcher; Or, Dick & Co. on the Gridley Diamond.3The High School Left End; Or, Dick & Co. Grilling on the Football Gridiron.4The High School Captain of the Team; Or, Dick & Co. Leading the Athletic Vanguard.
1The High School Freshmen; Or, Dick & Co's First Year Pranks and Sports.2The High School Pitcher; Or, Dick & Co. on the Gridley Diamond.3The High School Left End; Or, Dick & Co. Grilling on the Football Gridiron.4The High School Captain of the Team; Or, Dick & Co. Leading the Athletic Vanguard.
1The High School Freshmen; Or, Dick & Co's First Year Pranks and Sports.
2The High School Pitcher; Or, Dick & Co. on the Gridley Diamond.
3The High School Left End; Or, Dick & Co. Grilling on the Football Gridiron.
4The High School Captain of the Team; Or, Dick & Co. Leading the Athletic Vanguard.
Cloth, Illustrated Price, per Volume, 50c.
Grammar School Boys Series
By H. Irving Hancock
This series of stories, based on the actual doings of grammar school boys comes near to the heart of the average American boy.1The Grammar School Boys of Gridley; Or, Dick & Co. Start Things Moving.2The Grammar School Boys Snowbound; Or, Dick & Co. at Winter Sports.3The Grammar School Boys in the Woods; Or, Dick & Co. Trail Fun and Knowledge.4The Grammar School Boys in Summer Athletics; Or, Dick & Co. Make Their Fame Secure.
This series of stories, based on the actual doings of grammar school boys comes near to the heart of the average American boy.
This series of stories, based on the actual doings of grammar school boys comes near to the heart of the average American boy.
1The Grammar School Boys of Gridley; Or, Dick & Co. Start Things Moving.2The Grammar School Boys Snowbound; Or, Dick & Co. at Winter Sports.3The Grammar School Boys in the Woods; Or, Dick & Co. Trail Fun and Knowledge.4The Grammar School Boys in Summer Athletics; Or, Dick & Co. Make Their Fame Secure.
1The Grammar School Boys of Gridley; Or, Dick & Co. Start Things Moving.
2The Grammar School Boys Snowbound; Or, Dick & Co. at Winter Sports.
3The Grammar School Boys in the Woods; Or, Dick & Co. Trail Fun and Knowledge.
4The Grammar School Boys in Summer Athletics; Or, Dick & Co. Make Their Fame Secure.
Cloth, Illustrated Price, per Volume, 50c.
The Circus Boys Series
By EDGAR B. P. DARLINGTON
Mr. Darlington's books breathe forth every phase of an intensely interesting and exciting life.
1 THE CIRCUS BOYS ON THE FLYING RINGS; Or, Making the Start in the Sawdust Life.2 THE CIRCUS BOYS ACROSS THE CONTINENT; Or, Winning New Laurels on the Tanbark.3 THE CIRCUS BOYS IN DIXIE LAND; Or, Winning the Plaudits of the Sunny South.4 THE CIRCUS BOYS ON THE MISSISSIPPI; Or, Afloat with the Big Show on the Big River.
1 THE CIRCUS BOYS ON THE FLYING RINGS; Or, Making the Start in the Sawdust Life.
2 THE CIRCUS BOYS ACROSS THE CONTINENT; Or, Winning New Laurels on the Tanbark.
3 THE CIRCUS BOYS IN DIXIE LAND; Or, Winning the Plaudits of the Sunny South.
4 THE CIRCUS BOYS ON THE MISSISSIPPI; Or, Afloat with the Big Show on the Big River.
Cloth, Illustrated Price, per Volume, 50c.
The High School Girls Series
By JESSIE GRAHAM FLOWER, A.M.
These breezy stories of the American High School Girl take the reader fairly by storm.
1 GRACE HARLOEW'S PLEBE YEAR AT HIGH SCHOOL; Or, The Merry Doings of the Oakdale Freshman Girls.2 GRACE HARLOWE'S SOPHOMORE YEAR AT HIGH SCHOOL; Or, The Record of the Girl Chums in Work and Athletics.3 GRACE HARLOWE'S JUNIOR YEAR AT HIGH SCHOOL; Or, Fast Friends in the Sororities.4 GRACE HARLOWE'S SENIOR YEAR AT HIGH SCHOOL; Or, The Parting of the Ways.
1 GRACE HARLOEW'S PLEBE YEAR AT HIGH SCHOOL; Or, The Merry Doings of the Oakdale Freshman Girls.
2 GRACE HARLOWE'S SOPHOMORE YEAR AT HIGH SCHOOL; Or, The Record of the Girl Chums in Work and Athletics.
3 GRACE HARLOWE'S JUNIOR YEAR AT HIGH SCHOOL; Or, Fast Friends in the Sororities.
4 GRACE HARLOWE'S SENIOR YEAR AT HIGH SCHOOL; Or, The Parting of the Ways.
Cloth, Illustrated Price, per Volume, 50c.
The Automobile Girls Series
By LAURA DENT CRANE
No girl's library—no family book-case can be considered at all complete unless it contains these sparkling twentieth-century books.
1 THE AUTOMOBILE GIRLS AT NEWPORT; Or, Watching the Summer Parade.2 THE AUTOMOBILE GIRLS IN THE BERKSHIRES; Or, The Ghost of Lost Man's Trail.3 THE AUTOMOBILE GIRLS ALONG THE HUDSON; Or, Fighting Fire in Sleepy Hollow.4 THE AUTOMOBILE GIRLS AT CHICAGO; Or, Winning Out Against Heavy Odds.
1 THE AUTOMOBILE GIRLS AT NEWPORT; Or, Watching the Summer Parade.
2 THE AUTOMOBILE GIRLS IN THE BERKSHIRES; Or, The Ghost of Lost Man's Trail.
3 THE AUTOMOBILE GIRLS ALONG THE HUDSON; Or, Fighting Fire in Sleepy Hollow.
4 THE AUTOMOBILE GIRLS AT CHICAGO; Or, Winning Out Against Heavy Odds.
Cloth, Illustrated Price, per Volume, 50c.
Transcriber Note
Minor spelling and punctuation errors have been corrected.
Minor spelling and punctuation errors have been corrected.