Allan and Pete sat on the steps of McLean Hall. The yard was a fairyland of glowing lanterns and moving colors. Near at hand, in a bough-screened stand, the band was playing. Above their heads the old elms of Erskine rustled their leaves and whispered among themselves, comparing, perhaps, this class-day with the many that had gone before. On the gravel paths matrons and maids, in light gowns, accompanied by robed seniors or dress-suited undergraduates, passed and repassed. The scene was as fair a one as ever Allan had witnessed, while even Pete was forced to grudging admiration.
“You’ll come out in August, then,” Pete was saying.
“Yes,” answered Allan, “and don’t you be afraid I won’t turn up, for this is the biggest excursion I ever took. So far I’ve never been farther away from home than this, and Colorado seems like the other side of the world.”
Pete smiled in the half-light.
“Hope you’ll like us, Allan. We may seem rather a rough and unpolished lot at first, but we’re not so bad when you cotton to our way of life.”
“Of course I’ll like you,” said Allan, vehemently. “If it wasn’t for you and your father, Pete, where’d we be now?”
“Where you are, I guess,” laughed Pete. “Let me tell you something, Allan. When you get out to Blackwater, don’t you go to speaking pieces at the old man, and thanking him; that’s a line of talk he can’t stand.”
“But I’ve got to thank him,” objected Allan.
“No you haven’t; your mother’s done that already in her letter. Besides, there isn’t anything to make a fuss about. I gave the tip to dad, and he bought up enough stock in the Gold Beetle to get control. Then he called a meeting, voted to go ahead with the mine, and—did it. And he found a whole bunch of ore, just as I knew he would. He don’t need any thanks. Why, ginger, the old mine will make him richer than it will you folks!”
“Well, then, I’ll thank you again,” said Allan.
“If you do, I’ll punch you! Look, there’s Rindgely with his folks. Nice-looking woman, that mother of his. Say, maybe I ain’t glad I didn’t have to show that confession of him!”
“So’m I,” said Allan, heartily. “It would have been a shame to prevent him from graduating. After all, I don’t suppose he realized what he was doing.”
“Well, I don’t know about that,” answered Pete. “Anyhow, I’m glad we caught on to him in time. And it was all Two Spot’s doing, too; did you ever think of that? If she hadn’t rolled that ball of paper to my feet I’d never have seen that chap’s name and asked about him. It was that that put me onto the game. I remembered Tommy’s telling about Rindgely and the St. Thomas Club. By the way, it’s time those fellows showed up.”
“Tommy and Hal? They’re always late. Have you heard Tommy’s voice? He cheered so hard at the ball game this afternoon that he can’t talk above a whisper. Hal’s trying to induce him to sing with the glee club.”
“There’s Hooker and Long. What sort of a captain do you suppose Long will make?”
“First rate, I should think. The fellows like him and he’s a hard-working, earnest sort of a fellow.”
“Well, just as long as they didn’t light on Monroe,” said Pete. “That man will be the death of me, he puts on so many airs. Next fall, when I get back, I’m going to start right in and learn how to throw the hammer, and keep at it until I can beat him at that, too.”
“You’ll be busy at football,” suggested Allan.
“Football? Oh—well, maybe; football isn’t a bad game, after all. But— Here they are. O Tommy! Tommy Sweet!”
Tommy and Hal, attracted by Pete’s bellow, turned and joined them.
“Thought we’d never get here,” said Tommy, hoarsely. “Hal got mixed up with an ice-cream freezer and ate six saucerfuls before I could drag him away.”
“That’s so,” Hal confessed. “That’s the trouble with breaking training; things taste so good and it’s so jolly nice to be able to eat all you want to. I expect to be fine and sick to-night.”
“You have every right to,” said Allan. “When a little old freshman gets taken onto the varsity and makes a home run in the ninth inning, just when it’s needed, and lets in three men——”
“Oh, shut up! And come on up to the room and eat. We can hear the music finely from the windows. I’ve got some nice cold ginger ale up there, and Mr. and Mrs. Guild ought to be along about now. Come on.”
“Well, I never took much of a shine to ginger ale,” said Pete, drawing his big form erect; “the fizzy stuff always goes up my nose. But I’ll have some, for it sure is hot to-night.”
“We’ll drink Tommy’s health,” said Hal, as they moved across the turf under the swaying lanterns, “and we’ll get him to sing us ‘A Health to King Charles’ in his nice new voice.”
“Toast yourselves,” growled Tommy, hoarsely.
“We will!” cried Allan. “We’ll toast ourselves, and we’ll drink to next year, when we’ll all be jolly sophomores—except you, Tommy dear, who’ll be a disgustingly serious and dignified junior.”
Laughing, they crossed the yard, under the glow of the lanterns, and passed out of sight into the shadows of Elm Street. Against the front of College Hall appeared in sputtering purple flames the word
“VALE.”
BY RALPH HENRY BARBOUR.
The Spirit of the School.
Four Afloat.
Four Afoot.
Four in Camp.
On Your Mark!
No other author has caught so truly the spirit of school and college life.
The Arrival of Jimpson.
Stories of college pranks, baseball, football, hockey, and college life.
The Book of School and College Sports.
Weatherby’s Inning.
In this recent book Mr. Barbour tells a story of college life and sport.
Behind the Line.
Captain of the Crew.
A fresh, graphic, delightful story that appeals to all healthy boys and girls.
For the Honor of the School.
The Half-Back.
“It is in every sense an out-and-out boys’ book.”—Boston Herald.
By C. C. HOTCHKISS.
The Land Hero of 1812.
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.
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.
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.
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.
BY WILLIAM O. STODDARD.
Each Illustrated. 12mo. Cloth, $1.50.
The Boy Lincoln.
This is an absorbing fanciful account of the early days of Abraham Lincoln when he was a boy living on the frontier.
The Fight for the Valley.
A narrative of the brave defense of Fort Schuyler and the battle of Oriskany.
The Spy of Yorktown.
A story of the Yorktown campaign and Benedict Arnold.
With the Black Prince.
The absorbing interest of this stirring historical romance will appeal to all young readers.
Success Against Odds; or, How an American Boy Made his Way.
In this spirited and interesting story Mr. Stoddard tells the adventures of a plucky boy who fought his own battles and made his way upward from poverty in a Long Island seashore town. It is a tale of pluck and self-reliance capitally told.
The Red Patriot.
The Windfall; or, After the Flood.
Chris, the Model-Maker.
On the Old Frontier.
The Battle of New York.
Little Smoke.
A Story of the Sioux Indians. With 12 full-page Illustrations by F. S Dellenbaugh, portraits of Sitting Bull, Red Cloud, and other chiefs, and 72 head and tail pieces representing the various implements and surroundings of Indian life.
Crowded Out o’ Crofield.
The story of a country boy who fought his way to success in the metropolis.
BOOKS BY J. A. ALTSHELER.
The Young Trailers.
A boys’ story, telling of the first settlers in Kentucky. Their pleasures and hardships, their means of protection, methods of obtaining food and ammunition are described in a way that makes the reader live with them. The life led by the young hero—his fights with Indians and his captivity among them—is vividly pictured.
The Wilderness Road.
“That Mr. Altsheler has caught the wild, free spirit of the life which he depicts is evident on every page, and nowhere more so than in one of his final chapters, ‘The Meeting of the Chiefs,’ where he vitalizes the life-and-death struggle of a friendly and a hostile Indian.”—New York Mail and Express.
In Circling Camps.
“We do not often get as fine a picture as that which Mr. Altsheler paints. The tale covers the period from the election and inauguration of Lincoln until the surrender of Lee and the entrance of the Northern army into Richmond.... Every good American who enjoys the smell of powder and the crack of the rifle will appreciate the chapters that describe the battle of Gettysburg.”—The Bookman.
A Herald of the West.
“A rattling good story, and unrivalled in fiction for its presentation of the American feeling toward England during our second conflict.”—Boston Herald.
A Soldier of Manhattan.
“The story is told in such a simple, direct way that it holds the reader’s interest to the end, and gives a most accurate picture of the times.”—Boston Transcript.
The Sun of Saratoga.
“Taken altogether, ‘The Sun of Saratoga’ is the best historical novel of American origin that has been written for years, if not, indeed, in a fresh, simple, unpretending, unlabored, manly way, that we have ever read.”—New York Mail and Express.
COLUMBUS AND WASHINGTON.
The Story of Columbus.
“This is no ordinary work. It is preeminently a work of the present time and of the future as well.”—Boston Traveler.
“Mrs. Seelye’s book is pleasing in its general effect, and reveals the results of painstaking and conscientious study.”—New York Tribune.
“A very just account is given of Columbus, his failings being neither concealed nor magnified, but his real greatness being made plain.”—New York Examiner.
“The illustrations are particularly well chosen and neatly executed, and they add to the general excellence of the volume.”—New York Times.
“A brief, popular, interesting, and yet critical volume, just such as we should wish to place in the hands of a young reader. The authors of this volume have done their best to keep it on a high plane of accuracy and conscientious work without losing sight of their readers.”—New York Independent.
The Story of Washington.
“One of the best accounts of the incidents of Washington’s life for young people.”—New York Observer.
“The Washington described is not that of the demigod or hero of the first half of this century, but the man Washington, with his defects as well as his virtues, his unattractive traits as well as his pleasing ones.... There is greater freedom from errors than in more pretentious lives.”—Chicago Tribune.
“The illustrations are numerous, and actually illustrate, including portraits and views, with an occasional map and minor pictures suggestive of the habits and customs of the period. It is altogether an attractive and useful book, and one that should find many readers among American boys and girls.”—Philadelphia Times.
“Will be read with interest by young and old. It is told with good taste and accuracy, and if the first President loses some of his mythical goodness in this story, the real greatness of his natural character stands out distinctly, and his example will be all the more helpful to the boys and girls of this generation.”—New York Churchman.
BY HEZEKIAH BUTTERWORTH.
The Young McKinley.
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.
In the Days of Audubon.
In the Days of Jefferson; or, The Six Golden Horseshoes.
The Story of Magellan.
The Treasure Ship.
The Pilot of the Mayflower.
True to His Home.
The Wampum Belt; or, The Fairest Page of History.
The Knight of Liberty.
The Patriot Schoolmaster.
In the Boyhood of Lincoln.
The Boys of Greenway Court.
The Log School-House on the Columbia.
YOUNG HEROES OF OUR NAVY.
With the Flag in the Channel.
Illustrated. 12mo. Each, $1.00.
Reuben James.
The Hero of Manila.
The Hero of Erie (Commodore Perry).
Commodore Bainbridge.
Midshipman Farragut.
Decatur and Somers.
Paul Jones.
Midshipman Paulding.
Little Jarvis.
A UNIQUE BOOK.
“For children, parents, teachers, and all who are interested in the psychology of childhood.”
The Book of Knight and Barbara.
The curious and fascinating tales and pictures of this unique book are introduced by Dr. Jordan with the following preface: “The only apology the author can make in this case is that he never meant to do it. He had told his own children many stories of many kinds, some original, some imitative, some travesties of the work of real story-tellers. Two students of the department of education in the Stanford University—Mrs. Louise Maitland, of San Jose, and Miss Harriet Hawley, of Boston—asked him to repeat these stories before other children. Miss Hawley, as a stenographer, took them down for future reference, and while the author was absent on the Bering Sea Commission of 1896 she wrote them out in full, thus forming the material of this book. Copies of the stories were placed by Mrs. Maitland in the hands of hundreds of children. These drew illustrative pictures, after their fashion; and from the multitude offered, Mrs. Maitland chose those which are here reproduced. The scenes in the stories were also subjected to the criticisms of the children, and in many cases amended to meet their suggestions. These pictures made by the children have been found to interest deeply other children, a fact which gives them a definite value as original documents in the study of the workings of the child-mind. At the end of the volume are added a few true stories of birds and of beasts, told to a different audience. With these are a few drawings by university students, which are intended to assist the imagination of child-readers.”
ILLUSTRATED JUVENILE STORIES.
Fifty-two Stories for Girls.
A story for every week in the year. The very best present a girl could have. A constant reminder of the giver. Fifty-two stories by the best English writers, inculcating the love of honor, truth, and loyalty. These are such stories as it will do little girls good to read. They teach the love of home and many lovable qualities. Among the contributors are Margaret Watson, Jennie Chapman, Lucy Hardy, Alfred H. Miles, Lucie E. Jackson, and Thomas Archer.
Fifty-two Stories for Boys.
A story for every week in the year. The very best present a boy could have. A constant reminder of the giver. Fifty-two stories by the best English writers, inculcating the love of honor, manhood, truth, and patriotism. These are stories which stir the imagination and stimulate the reader to try to become a great man himself. Among the contributors are Alfred H. Miles, Robert Overton, Lieut.-Col. A. J. Macpherson, G. A. Henty, F. M. Holmes, and Grace Stebbing.
Fifty-two More Stories for Boys.
Fifty-two More Stories for Girls.
These two volumes are companions to the two “Fifty-two Stories” books published last fall. Each book will contain a story for every week in the year, particularly suited to the tastes of young boys and girls. The stories are by the best writers and cover a wide range of subjects.
APPLETONS’ SUPPLEMENTARY READERS.
Uncle Robert’s Geography.
| 1. Playtime and Seedtime | 32 | cents. |
| 2. On the Farm | 42 | ” |
| 3. Uncle Robert’s Visit | 50 | ” |
| 4. A River Journey | 60 | ” |
Uncle Robert teaches children how to read aright the great book of Nature. He makes study a pleasure. He teaches geography in the right way. He makes rural life and occupations attractive. He has a deep and loving sympathy with child-life. He believes in the education that strengthens the body as well as the mind. He tells children instructive stories to arouse their imaginations and stimulate their observing powers. He believes that every normal child may be made useful in the world. He has a boundless faith in human progress, and finds his greatest hopes in childhood and its possibilities.
These extraordinarily suggestive little books by the late Colonel Parker—one of the most far-sighted students of child-life of our day—have approved themselves to thousands of primary teachers. They form one of the few successful attempts to incorporate that which is close by nature to child perception into the very warp and woof of the child mind. They give an intelligible meaning and vitality to the round of experiences that come to all normal children in our land.
Transcriber’s Notes:
Except for the frontispiece, illustrations have been moved to follow the text that they illustrate, so the page number of the illustration may not match the page number in the List of Illustrations.
Printer, 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 and long dash styles have been retained.