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“YT HAPPY
DAYS
i
|
tom being Smooth and sandy and the
water not
e had come out at one of these places,
but St was rough and dangerous a short
distance ee down and boats usually
He concluded to take a swim, the day
being pleasant, and, sitting under a tree,
he was taking otf his shoes, when he heard
voices on the river a little above him,
“Some of the town boys and girls out
fora picnic, I sup jose,” he mused, “ Well,
they won't come this far, and when they've | 0.
gone, I'll take a dive.”
Ile kicked off his Bhoes, stood up and
was removing his t when he suddenly
heared shrill and frightened screams from
the rive
Throwing off his coat he ran to the edge
of the bank where he could see up and
down, and discovered a boat containing a
ung man and a young lady, which bad
been « caught by the swift current and wa:
being rapidly carried toward the dangerous
rapids below,
e youn, had lost an oar. and
seemed utteviy terrified, for he made no
effort to use the oth
that he lost increased his p
your oar?” sboute a Charlie, and
then, without the least hesitation,
plunged into the water and swam toward
the
o
{To BE CONTINUED.)
024
She Never Was a Boy.
WHEN I come bom tt the other night
id
He clapped his hands for
And told me I'd don: ull Sgauso
Once he had bee:
“Boys will be boys," Theard him say ;
“They won’t be otherwise,
And fie one that ‘earns to fight his way
Joy
Buti ia, she kept on cryin’, ’cause
She never was ys
My Bolly butt re a hate ie be
But, oh, the fun that vissed Se ‘cause
never was a bo;
9
THE FUNNY FACE CONTEST WILL END
IN No. 238. DON’T FAIL TO CIVE IT A
TRIAL, SEE 16th PACE.
(This story commenced in No, 232,
HUSTLING HARRY,
— THE —
Smartest Boy in Newtown;
on,
Making Everything Pay.
By JAS. D. MONTAGUE,
Author of “The Star ddhletic Club,”
“Walt Whitney,” “ Neck -and
ck,” “ Seven Diritent
Skulls,”
ete, ete,
CHAPTER X.
MARRY JOINS A FIRE COMPANY,
HE sweeping declaration which thus
confronted Wade it was beyond his will to
refute, He shook like a reed in a tempest
and looked actually ill.
clerk, whoee name was Warner,
spoke distinctly and Positively.
“T can prove it,”
Mr. Hedge turned at ond ee
“Warner,” be exclaimed, ‘ your asser-
tion is a startling one. It puts a new face
upon matters. ‘Tell us what you know.”
“He lies!” cried Wade, feebly.
“I work in the inner “oftlice, as you
know,” said Warner, “One night after
nearly everybody had gone home I fell
asleep at my desk, When I woke upI
jancea through the glass window into the
office, I saw Wade at Miss Richard-
son s desk, I saw him pull out her books
and examine the
“It is false |” cried Wad
”" said Mr. Hedge, “What
n
“He spent 8 long time over them with
aneraserand a pen, I wondered at it but
never thought of anything wrong. When
Wade went out of the office I closed my
desk and went out a few moments later, I
heard voices in the outer hall, I recognized
them, Dexter Wade was one speaker and
er, and every moment |-
Mr. Hedge looked his surprise, A buzz
of excitement went up.
“That was the way.of it,” continued
Warner. Ra listened and heard Latcllc
say that he would give Wade a thousand
dollars if he would fix Miss Richardson's
books. I was dumfounde
Why did you not come ‘to me at once?”
asked Mr. Hedge, ster
“T couldn't get the ‘truth through my
head,” said Warner, “I did not under-
stand it all, When I did I kept putting it
. But when this matter came up Isa
then the, whole game and I am glad to ex-
ose ii
Pp Warner stepped back. All eyes were
now fixed Wade. Mr. Hedge said
stern
“ Wade, whatihave you to say
* Itis not true,” quavered the frightened
young rascal.
“Did Latelle make that bargain with
ou.
‘6 No r
e you willing to make restitution to
this firm of the thousand dollars stolen?”
Wade hesitated, then he replied:
“T didn’t take it.”
“ Ofticers, take him in charge, I will
appear against him,” said Mr. Hedge. In
vain Wade beaped andimplored, Ile was
led Mn iieda jail,
Mr, Hedge turned to Alice,
Nike thanked her employer. Harry
gripped his hand and said:
are kind and ‘fair, Mr. Hedge. I
am glad that this black charge against
Alice was was not sustained.”
Then 1 Harry and Alice left the place and
went home, An hour later the affair was
known all over Newtown.
Of course it created a sensation. It was
on everybody’s tongue. Latelle was aghast
to Jearn that Wade was in prison,
Ie received a note from him to this ef-
fec
sean Pa uL-I am in trouble. Yon prom-
ised to stand by me, You must see me through,
or they will lock me up for five years cr more.’
Latelle, Sr., was informed of the true
state of affairs, He hastened to go down
and bail the prisoner out, This was the
cause of another sensation,
Of course there were many adherents of
the Latelles who believed and would assert
that Dexter Wade was innocent, They
condemned Warner, the clerk, for his con-
duce 2 charging Wade with such
lie!
Pt Ther Latelles were particular to cireulate
this version of the affair widely, a di-
versity of opinion and division “of sympa.
thy was the result,
But the best ‘thinking people discredited
the charge against Alice, et th
ghe w was yet retained by the firm was in her
Itustling Ilarry stood like a rock .in her
defense, and Lawyer Bent indignantly pre-
pared to take action against Wade for a
malicious accusation.
© Arthur, he trembled with sup-
pigssed scorn and wrath,
“Tf I could Bet my hands on that puppy
I wat thrash him myself,” he declare
** And as for Paul rater lle—well, I hope he
won't come in nd eae
Harry smiled, but suid nothing. Ie did
agreat deal of thinking, though. Wade
soon appeared on the street again, affect-
ing an air of injured innocence,
“That Leslie Warner is a low-born
cur,” I get my hands on
him, [ll give him a lesson for daring to
cast. such an aspersion on my character.
But I have counsel employed, and I shall
rove my charges against the lady book-
keeper, whom everybody thinks is so fine.
‘Then I shall have somebody sent to prison
for maligning my character.”
Thus Wade, the presence ‘of hi
cronies, | babble One day a friend ‘i
Warner's heard
** Look here, Wade.” he said, brusquely,
wou have a good deal to say about Leslie
Warner, Now heis to meet me here at
this corner in ten minutes, If you will
wait, I think you will be given an oppor-
tunity to execute some of your threats.”
Wade’s mouth shut like a rap.
He turned a shade whiter and looked at
his watch, In less than a minute and a
half he was sneaking away Up the street
on the plea of a pressing engagement,
Vade was one of those kin of fighters
who lie in wait in the dark and stab in the
back, He was not manly enough to face
an enemy squar
Iustling rarely how had his hands full,
ince Mr, Foster went away to Europe,
he had been compelled to double his busi-
in
vied
ness duties. ache ferry company was mak-
ing money
over, fay. Harry Martin was rising
higher in the estimation of the solid bust-
ness men 0)
he was, approached by a prom-
Paul Latelle was another.”
ent poll
Inent politician,
u-|helmets, drawin;
“Mr, Martin,” said that astute gentle-
man, “7 beli ies 2 you are a clean man, an
would make ¢. good run_on our ticket for
the State Assembly, | aha t do you say?”
Horry shook his
“T know nothing “about - politics,” he
aid.
an That does not matter,” said the politi-
cian, ‘In fact, those who know the most
of politics are *nenorally poor candidates,
We fellows can show you w! do.
“TI would be but a tool in your hands,
S| sy said Hai arry,
n
“T prefer not to embark upon a public
life at present. I am too busy.
dso the matter dropped.
Bu rb the young business man’s name
assed from lip to lip, and there were
many words spoken in his favor. He could
have been reasonably sure of the nomina-
roe bat would have meant an election,
or Newtown was a stanch adherent of
oor party, the other being hopelessly in
the minority.
arry concluded not to enter the
political field as yet.
He felt that hé was not old enough, and
lacked proper training. Besides, he would
be sure | to gain many ene
. abandoned the thought. But he
readily accepted another offer which was
mi im
Some of the brightest and most athletic
young men of Newtown formed a fire bri-
gade. As yet’ Newtown did not boast of
waterworks, and was dependent upon the
old-fashioned hand engines or
The company was called “* Zero “No. 10,”
and already had a score of members.
course Harry at once accepted the proposi-
tion and joined the © company.
CHAPTER xi.
THE: INCENDIARIES.
ZeRo No, 10, had all the elements of
acrack fire company. Her members were
youths of high standing and good family.
net's knew that he had advanced a step
n the social grade of New
came at once an enthusiastic member,
Hlustling Harry was one bound to ad-
vance in anything with which he was con-
cerned, Soin a very short time he ranked
in n proficiency above all others in the com-
ny.
“ile was soon elected by acclamation the
assistant foreman of the company, which
was a great honor,
On parade Zero No, 10 made a splendid
display. In their red shirts and fireman's
the highly polished
engine after them, they claimed every e.
those who had unsuccessfully
tried to secure a membership in the com-
pany was Paul Lat
Money will do a “great deal, but some-
times it will not win human hearts. The
members of Zero No, 10 promptly black-
balled him.
This was a stinging rebuff to the young
aristocrat. Not only did it seriously offend
him but his father as wel
Boiling over with wrath Latelle cried:
‘Here Lam, the son of the richest and
representative man of Newtown, I have ale
ways ke ept my honor intact, and yet these
poor fools publicly insult me, and put tha
pauper ingrate, that, low-born Harry Mar,
tin upon a plane higher in their estima-
tion than mine, y the great horn spoon,
father, I don’t like it, If you don't help
me to crush that fire company, then you're
no faue parent of min
said Latelle, Sr,
asy, my son,”
in his purine way. ‘Everything comes
to him that waits. Our time is coming,
be winners yet. Mark my
we ans hall.
, when we get so old life jron't be
worth living,” gaid Paul, iP petulant ye
“You be so old but that victory
will be syreet, ‘s said Latelle, Sr. ‘I proni-
ise, you that,
ou promise that
shall be crushed?”
promise to try it, The odds are great,
for some of the best poner in Newtown
backs the engine com
‘Thus matters were, when a brillant idea
occurred to Latelle, Jr,
Fires were very infrequent i in Newtown,
The fire companies had a ‘very complete
equipment, and were very effective,
The young villain’s idea was one, at once
deadly and infamous, and capable of birth
only 1 in & craven min. nde
was his theory that a heavy tax upon
the capacity of the fire companies would
ineficiency in Zero No. 10,
did not believe’ that they could stan
pe nottain, and obloquy would fall upon
the fire company
Ao
a
=
‘Moreover, a heinous idea occurred to him
that he might wreak a murderous revenge
upon Jarry ‘Martin through this agency,
e might perhaps perfect some plan, which
would be sure to encompass the fate of the
young foreman in some burning building,
It may be said truly that this was a
murderous motive. But so de eadly w:
Latelle’s hatred that he many times Would
have rejoiced to see his rival put out of the
ay,
Thus far he had been baffled in all bis
schemes,
He had failed to smirch the character ‘of
Alice Richardson, and bring her fair nanfe
to the level of a thie!
This new plan seemed to him to furnish
the very opportunity he desired. He a
once adopte
His first wove Was t to consult with Wade,
who was now out on bail. As this young
reprobate had alread seen the inside of
prison walls he felt that he had nothing
further to lose in the way of character.. j
o he at once fell readily in with the
views of Latelle. which was con-+
fire companies turned out en masse and
put the first fire out.
It occurred in a wretched tenement dis-
trict. Several poor families were thus
rendered homeles:
n hour later another strange fire oc-
curred in another quarter of the city. A
third alarm took part of the firemen to
another fire,
For a time it seemed as if all Newtown
was going to be burned up, but late that
night all the fires were gotten under con-
TIncendiarism was at once palpable. The
entire community was stirred up. A pos-
itive reign of terror was in progress at
°
we
Nothing can so thoroughly operate to
demoralize acommunity as the work of a
e! ae.
At any moment the peaceful citizen
stands i in dread of awakening from sleep
to find his possessions hopelessly in the
embrace of the devouring flam
this was now the erate eof affairs in
New! town. Police and detectives were do-
ing their utmost to ferret out the incen-
But they met with little success,
Every day and at any hour the firebells
were apt iS peal forth their warning. At
each stroke a chill ran through the com-
munity,
‘The firemen were nearly dead from over-
work, Among all the companies, Zero
No. 10, however, held its
Hustling Ilarry was on hand every time,
and fought the flames with a bravery and
persistence which won him fame, The plot-
ters soon perceived this.
‘They saw that their’ cunning game was
proving a literal boomerang,
Instead of bringing the fire company and
its young tireman dow: ure or
scorn, or breaking them d down individually
from overwork, it rather dail increased
their popularity and increased their e:
ciency,
They became literal demons in the fight-
ing of the flames, Where the danger was
greatest and the fire thickest, there the
brave boys of No. 10 were to be found, and
Hnstling Harry was always in the lead.
o plot devised by the firebugs seemed
to lead him to the fate they desired, Le
always came safel
And Hustling ilarey's name was on
every tongue, Hie became the hero of New-
town, This caused Latelle to gnash his
teeth with impotent rage.
ppally he said, furiously;
you, Wade, we must do some-
thing at once. Last night young Martin
took an infant and asick woma:
<7
a
“ Wel
“e lagi in wait for him.
Even the cold blood ¢ of Latelle could not
admit of the accepting of such a murderous
roposition as this, If Hustling Harry lost
is life in a fire, that would be an accident,
and though they would be primarily re-
sponsibler’ yet the crime would not so di-
rectly | assail the conscience.
that won’t do,” growled Latelle.
“We Grould hai ang for that, .
“Humph!” exclaimed “Wade. “We'll
hang for this if they catch us, They would
lynch us to a certainity,
“Well, Ih ope we are not such fools as
to fet caught."
I don’t know, That Jast fire was a
mighty close call, it tell you, I thought I
was Rinche th a
“1 ascheines which I think will en-
able us sto. get even with at least one of our
good friends,” said Lat elle,
h, who is
“ Lawyer ‘Bent. ”
0 Thave it in for Arthur. mnyselt
Ile has insulted me many times, What
the game?”
“Why, gi
It_will be an ea:
Wade whistle ".
“T tell you, Paul. we're a couple of warm
birds,” he said, “We are doing a free.
business. If we don't get caught we'll set
square accounts with a vengeance,”
“That's all I want,” sai Latelle, with
set teeth, “I will have revenge.”
eee
ee
ive or bene to his house,