Hal Standish .............................................................................................................................................1

CHAPTER I. THE GATHERING OF THE ALUMNI AT AVON ACADEMY. ..................................1

CLUBHOUSE. ....................................................................................................................................6

CHAPTER III. HOW FRED AND DICK DUNCAN GOT A DUCKING. ........................................11

ARRIVE AT AVON. .............................................................................................................................17

CHAPTER V. EVELYN CREATES A SENSATION ON THE ATHLETIC GROUNDS.................22

CHAPTER VI. FRED FEARNOT'S DAY. ...........................................................................................27

CHAPTER VII. THE CONVENTION OF THE ALUMNI ..................................................................33

CHAPTER VIII. FRED AND TERRY ACCUSED. .............................................................................37

CHAPTER IX. THE GREAT BANQUET. ...........................................................................................43

CHAPTER X. CONCLUSION. .............................................................................................................47

The Alumni of the Avon Academy were hurrying to meet at Avon on the occasion of their annual reunion.

Professor Lambert had sent a circular letter to each one, asking for his presence on the occasion, as he

expected it to be the most important gathering of the graduates of his beloved Institution since its foundation.

Of course, every graduate made it a point of honor to keep the pledge he had made at former reunions, to

Many of the graduates during the early years of the academy's existence were now men of families, and in

business. Some were lawyers, doctors, merchants and railroad men. Not a few had made names for

themselves in business or political circles, yet they loved their alma mater, and were hastening forward to

Some three or four days before they were all to meet at Avon, there was a little gathering of graduates at

Fredonia, where Fred Fearnot, Terry Olcott, Joe Jencks, Dick Duncan and Tom Tipps met by agreement that

Tom Tips had married his Poughkeepsie girl, and she was accompanying him to the great reunion.

They were all guests of Terry Olcott, and of course they were a lively party during their stay at the Olcott

residence, for it was impossible for such lively young fellows to get together and keep quiet. They sang their

old glee club songs, had a dance at the Hamilton residence, spent a day out at the lake, fishing or rowing with

more than two score other young people of both sexes with whom they were well acquainted.

"Fred," said Evelyn Olcott, soon after he reached Fredonia, "Terry says that the professor has you down on

"I don't know about that. I did my best last time, and now, in trying to avoid any relation, I'm a little afraid

"Of course not, when you were around, because you were always a source of inspiration to me."

"Well, I'm going to be there, and if that is true, you won't make a failure; but let me beg you not to ring

Eunice and me into your speech again, for it is extremely embarrassing to both of us."

"Oh, I don't know what I'm going to do," he laughed. "Like a Quaker, I do as the spirit moves me. You

needn't be surprised if I should snatch you up in my arms, set you on my shoulder and sing your praises for

"My! If I thought you would do such a thing as that, Fred, I wouldn't go. I know that Eunice wouldn't stand it,

"Oh, I'm well aware of that, but her rigid dignity and strict ideas of propriety wouldn't stand any such thing as

"Well, I don't intend to sit close enough to you for you to play any tricks like that on me."

"Oh, you've got to sit alongside of me at the table, for you are my girl, you know, and as your escort I'll have

"Yes, but whenever we go up to Avon you are rather shy about looking after me when Eunice is around, for

"No, indeed! You never knew me to be jealous of any one in your life. I merely mentioned that to let you

"Oh, I've known that a long time. You do understand me, and you are about the only girl of my acquaintance

who does; and I understand you, too. You have the good sense to understand what a gentleman's duties are to

the fair sex. The fellow who confines his attentions strictly to one girl, ignoring the presence of other ladies,

makes a great mistake, and shows a lack of tact and good judgment, and the girl who insists upon her escort

ignoring other ladies entirely, evinces a disgusting selfishness. There is a cozy little parlor right in the center

of my heart where you sit and sing in perfect harmony with its pulsation, even when I am paying attention to

"That's a pretty speech, Fred," she laughed. "Never heard you put it that way before. It's a new phrase you

"No. I haven't, and I don't intend to, either. I have spoken it to you for the first time, and for once in your life

"Well. I will believe it, Fred, but you know how deeply rooted in the mind of everybody is the old saying,

"Yes, and it is a true saying, and it's a pity there are so many people who are unable to comprehend what

good breeding and politeness require of gentlemen in the presence of ladies, and are so quick to misconstrue

both words and actions. If I were to say to you that you were no better than you ought to be, you would

understand it, but ninetynine out of a hundred girls would consider themselves insulted and call me to

account. I don't think that you, or any other girl, are any better than you ought to be, yet if you won't scratch

my eyes out or pull my hair, I will add that I don't think you could be any sweeter than you are, prettier or

better. There's nothing in the world lacking about you except wings, and if you had those, I'd cut one of them

"Oh, Fred! it's a habit you have of saying pleasant things. It does no harm, and I confess to enjoying it as an

"Oh yes, he's been taking lessons from you, but generally he prefers to get her off in a corner where no one

else can hear; but by watching her, noting the sparkle of her eyes and the color, chasing each other on her

"No, I haven't; but if I had, I wouldn't tell you if she wished it to be kept a secret. I'm not the one ever to tell

"Oh, I like her. I like any young married woman who loves her husband and whose husband loves her. They

are both very very happy, and that is a sure sign that they are worthy of each other. I think, though, that she is

"Good! I'm glad to hear that. If I can persuade Tom to prepare a neat little speech, I'll see that the boys call

him out and give him a chance to fire it off, but it would scare him to death, for the words would stick in his

throat and choke him. He couldn't be induced to get up and speak at that banquet if a thousand dollars were

"Say, Fred," sang out Terry, as he came into the room with a letter in his hand, "the Wellborn sisters are

"Oh, I suppose they want to see the fun. Miss Annie wrote me a short note asking me to find quarters for

"I don't know about that," laughed Terry. "I think you are the duck she's chasing."

"Up at Ashton. The family spends each summer there, you know, and she wants to know also if we are going

"They are nice girls," said Evelyn, "and we had a real jolly time with them out at the lake last summer. I'm

glad they are going, for I won't feel so much that I'm among strangers It's always pleasant to have a party of

"Oh, look here, now, old girl," said Fred, "when you and I get off in a corner together, it's company; but if

"That's so," he assented, "they can't get into that little parlor with you I spoke about a little while ago."

"Well, they are coming this way, and the probabilities are that we will meet them on the train," put in Terry.

"Well, I hope he won't, for he is a humdrum sort of an old fellow, who takes life so, easy that nothing

On the day set for the Fredonia party to take the train for Avon, quite a crowd of friends assembled at the

Terry escorted Mary Hamilton, Fred had charge of Evelyn, while Dick Duncan and Joe Jencks leaned on each

other's arm coquetting with each other like a pair of lovers. As they entered the car they found the two

Wellborn girls occupying a seat together. Of course there was a hearty greeting, Evelyn any Mary kissing

"This makes up the party just right," laughed Fred. "Tom has his wife with him, I have Miss Olcott, Terry is

the devoted slave of Miss Hamilton, but Dick and Joe are without any responsibilities unless you two young

Dick and Joe had met the two young ladies at Dedham Lake and, of course, the latter had no objections

whatever to having them as escorts, so Dick took charge of the elder and Joe the younger.

"Mr. Olcott," the younger Wellborn girl called to Terry, "have you found a place for us at Avon?"

"Of course I have," said Terry. "You don't suppose I would neglect doing so, do you?"

"Well, they would have been had I not telegraphed, and I was fortunate enough to find quarters in the same

house where sister and Miss Hamilton are going to stop. We boys with the exception of Tom here, will stop

When they reached Avon they found the professor, his wife and Eunice at the station waiting for them. More

than two score other graduates of the academy had come up on the same train, and, of course, the professor,

his wife and the Advocate were surrounded on the platform where the boys scrambled over one another in

their efforts to shake hands with them. The Advocate was as popular as ever with all the graduates who

surrounded her in such numbers that nearly ten minute passed ere Evelyn and Mary could get to her.

The two Wellborn girls were introduced to the professor his wife and the Advocate, as friends of Evelyn and

"Now, boys," said the professor, "I have all the carriage that the two livery stables in Avon can furnish to

convey you over to the academy. The latch string is on the outside of every door in the institution, and,

figuratively speaking the gate of the enclosure has been lifted off its hinges. I bid you all welcome."

"Thank you a thousand times, professor," exclaimed Fred, "we will look after our precious charges first, and

"All right," laughed the dignified old professor. "I am glad to see your young ladies with you," and he shook

hands with Evelyn and Mary whom he had met several times before, while Mrs. Lambert kissed them both,

expressing her regret that she was unable to provide quarters for them at the academy.

"Oh, brother and Fred have secured quarters for us at Mrs. Hawthorne's," said Evelyn, "where we stopped on

a previous visit. We'll invade the academy ground, though, several times before we return home.

The boys escorted the girls to the Hawthorne residence where rooms, had been secured for them, after which

they went over to the academy to visit the boathouse, the bicycle club, and make the acquaintance of the

Two other trains arriving later in the day number of the Alumni to nearly one hundred; but of all the

graduates, Fred was most sought after, for the boys remembered his eloquent speech at a former reunion,

while others who were not present re familiar with his record as an allaround athlete.

It was like a reception in the great recitation room. There were merchants, lawyers and doctors among the

graduates, some of whom had made a considerable reputation in their chosen profession. Several were

members of the state Legislature, and two of them had been elected members of Congress the year before.

While Fred was shaking hands with the crowd gathered around him, Terry Olcott and Dick Duncan started up

a glee club song, and instantly nearly a hundred voices joined in making a volume of sound that shook the

very walls. Teachers Brown and Tracey sang as lustily as the boys did, while the professor beamed upon

them, every feature of his face attesting the pleasure he felt at meeting so many of his former pupils. As soon

as one song was finished, some on of the boys would start up another and the singing went on for nearly an

"Now, boys," said Terry, to a crowd around him, "let's hunt up Black Pete and have some fun with him."

Terry led the way out and went in search of the porter and janitor. They found the Irishman first, and shook

hands with him, punched him and thumped him, slapped him on the shoulders, and sang and danced around

him till the bighearted Irishman was almost overcome; the Black Pete, the porter, showed up. They made a

dash for him and put him through a series of exercises that reminded him of many hazing incidents in the

past. They rolled him over the ground, stood him on his head, sang coons songs and otherwise had fun with

him. He took it good naturedly because the mob was too much for him. When they let him go he was pretty

When the boys were through with the porter and janitor, some of the senior class sang out:

"All right," chorused nearly half of the crowd, and a rush was made down toward the clubhouse, which stood

about halfway between the academy and the river in a beautiful grove. As they started off Fred noticed that

"Bring 'em along! Bring 'em along!" and they made a rush for the two teachers, raised them on their shoulders

Mr. Tracy was a small, thin man, wearing eyeglasses, and always carried himself with as much dignity as

Professor Lambert. The students always stood in awe of him, but now that they were no longer students, they

remembered him only as a kind teacher, and were anxious to show their appreciation of him. On the other

hand, he appreciated their motive and submitted to them with a graciousness that greatly pleased them.

Teacher Brown, on the other hand, had always been much nearer to the boys, for, like the Advocate, he had

many a time stood between them and the stern old professor when trouble was brewing. The boys really

loved him. They marched with him at the head of the procession, bearing him on their shoulders, singing at

the top of their voices, "Oh, he's a jolly good fellow," They remembered that he had contributed five hundred

The crowd nearly filled the upper hall of the clubroom, and there again they sang songs with a vociferousness

that nearly raised the roof, after which the elder graduates, who had been away from the academy some six or

seven years, called on Teacher Tracy for a speech. They placed him on the platform, where, after several

ineffectual attempts to escape, he made a neat little speech, congratulating them on the fact that only two of

the graduates had died since the first years of the existence of the Institution, and that so far as the faculty

could learn, they were nearly all prosperous and happy. He concluded by declaring that it was his ambition to

remain at the institution all the rest of his life, sending out annually young men fitted from an educational

standpoint to maintain themselves in the great struggle for a place in the world of letters and business," And,

he added, "the greatest wish of my life is to have every alumnus remember me throughout his career as the

friend of his youth, and one who had striven hard to perform his whole duty in fitting him for the great battle

"That's just what you are, professor," sang out Fred, "and if it's any satisfaction to you to know it, I can tell

you in the presence of the Alumni of dear old Avon Academy, that we are your friends, and will be as long as

Tracy's eyes filled with tears, for he was deeply touched. He again thanked the boys, who at once set up a yell

for "Browny" who was a bashful sort of fellow in his way, and for a time he looked like one cornered or at

bay; but he felt in every fiber of his frame that the boys loved him, and he knew that he loved them. Two of

them seized him by the arms, hustled him up the little platform, while a third got behind him, pushed his head

forward so as to make a bow, lost control of himself and burst into a laugh. That braced up Brown, who made

a very fitting little speech that touched some of the boys, and almost brought tears from their eyes.

"As long as I live, boys, you will have a place in my memory collectively and individually. I've not only

worked hard to inject some sense into some of you, but often toiled to get you out of trouble into which your

"Whoop! Whoop!" came from scores of the boys. "That is so, and heaven bless you, old Browny."

"You hit us just right," exclaimed Joe Jencks. "Let us have another right on the solar plexus."

"That's where I am just trying to land, my boy," he replied. "I am aiming, and always have aimed straight for

your heart, for notwithstanding your many slips and violations of discipline, your hearts were always in the

right place. I have never forgotten that I was a boy once myself, and many a time raided watermelon patches

"Yes," exclaimed Dick Duncan. "I never knew till now what a mistake we made when I was a student at the

"Oh, that wouldn't do," said Brown, laughing. "I would have declined all such invitations, but I know all the

time that brother Tracy and myself, to say nothing of the head of the faculty, were receiving stolen goods

nearly every time we accepted invitations to eat watermelons with you. I don't know whether Mr. Tracy

thought of that or not, but I did, for I was satisfied that boy nature is just the same as it was when I was a

That was a slap at Tracy for laughing at him, and for a time the latter didn't know just exactly how to take it,

but the boys laughed so uproariously he finally joined in and nodded his head approvingly.

"Now, boys," continued Brown. "I wish every one of you long life, prosperity and happiness, and that as the

years roll by and time sits heavily upon your shoulders, that the days you spent at Avon Academy shall be

remembered as the happiest ones of your lives. Time brings responsibilities, and they are more easily borne

when one understands how to meet them. Knowledge is power, and he who starts out on his career well

educated, and who has been taught to reason well and logically, has a better chance to rise in the world than

he who struggles with nothing but brute strength. The great fortunes of the world have been won by brain

power rather than by physical labor. Here at the academy the faculty have striven to lay a firm foundation for

you by bestowing an education that is thorough rather than one simply artificial. Again I thank you for your

manifestation of friendship for myself individually, and I assure you that whatever fortune may befall you,

It was not only a neat little speech, but a sensible one, and it struck home to many of the boys, who applauded

"By George, Terry," said Fred to his chum as they were standing side by side listening. "I didn't know that

Just then some of the boys started up a cry for "Osgood! Osgood!" who was a member of the first graduating

class of the academy some seven or eight years back. He was a lawyer who had made quite a reputation as a

member of the State Senate and as an orator. He was a finelooking man, about twentyeight years of age.

He ascended the little platform and made an eloquent speech of some ten or fifteen minutes length, which

aroused the highest enthusiasm of the and boys. Several others were called out, and then some one started a

cry for "Fearnot! Fearnot!" and of course whoever was called for was forced to speak whether he wanted to

or not. He began in a happy vein, and said that he had been looking forward for several months to the day he

would have the pleasure of meeting the Alumni of the dear old academy at this the annual reunion.

"I have enjoyed the speeches," continued he, "that we have heard here in this clubroom this afternoon, but

none has touched me so deeply as that made by our beloved Brown. The frank admission of his guilt in

receiving stolen goods from the hands of his pupils was so entirely unexpected that for a few minutes I was

quite upset. I never knew til to day that he suspected us of borrowing these watermelons when the farmers

who raised them were not present. I didn't know that he was on to us until this moment. Often we sent fine

melons to the professor, his wife and the beloved Advocate, and now I'm wondering if they dropped on to us

also. I remember hearing a parent say, when speaking of his hopeful son, that he wondered if his parent

tumbled to him as he tumbled to his boy. Just think of it, boys, how we used to chuckle and nudge each other

as we saw the faculty stuffing themselves with the delicious watermelons we presented to them, and the good

advice they gave us at the same time. How they smacked their lips over the stolen sweets. I tell you, boys,

there is no use in trying to fool the old boys who have passed along the highway ahead of us. They are on to

The boys screamed with laughter, while the tears actually ran down the faces of Tracy and Brown when Fred

was speaking. They both laughed until they were nearly hysterical. When he ended, Brown turned to Tracy

"I would have given a month's salary if Professor Lambert could have heard that speech."

"Yes," returned the other teacher. "I don't know but what I would too: but on my word, I never once thought

that we were eating stolen watermelons when the boys were so liberal at time in supplying us with them. I

remember on several occasions when they bought and paid for watermelons out of farm wagons that were

"Not a very pleasant one," was the reply. "I didn't have the opportunity to indulge in such sport, for I was

born and reared in a city miles away from where melons and other fruit were raised."

"Well, then, let me tell you that you I missed a lot of fun, for when I was a youth, it was never considered

dishonest for a boy to jump over a fence, fill his pockets with apples or peaches or yank a big ripe melon off

"That's a slang expression, Mr. Brown," said Tracy, straightening himself up with no little dignity.

"Yes, it was once upon a time, but it's in the dictionary now. The English language has grown by the

"You surprise me, Mr. Brown. I don't think I've ever seen the word in my dictionary."

"Well, it isn't in the dictionary in your library, but the later editions have it."

It was a happy informal union of the Alumni, and when it was over the boys gathered about in groups talking

From the bicycle clubhouse they adjourned to the boathouse on the river bank, where Terry told the story of

how Fred did up the crowd of seven of them right there in a corner of the boathouse, when they made an

attempt to haze him, and his recital of the incident set them all in a roar. Teacher Tracy, on leaving the

clubhouse, returned to the academy while Brown remained with the boys. He told the professor and his wife

what had taken place, and of the fun the boys had in laughing at him and Teacher Brown about their eating

stolen watermelons. The dignified professor laughed till the tears ran down his face.

"It has been the case since boys first appeared on the face of the earth," laughed the old professor, "and it's

best always not to attempt to change a boy's nature while trying to perfect him in his studies. Every boy has

his good points, and as they are enlarged and cultivated the bad traits weaken in proportion. I have found that

some are much harder to manage than others, particularly the obstinate, sullen ones, but those who remain to

receive their parchment go away a hundred per cent, better mentally, morally and physically than when they

"I quite agree with you, sir," said Tracy, "but I really envied Brown at the way the boys treated him. He is

right in the hearts of all of them, and upon my word he astonished me by the little speech he made. It was

"Oh, Brown is a pretty deep man, Mr. Tracy. I think he passes a happy boyhood, for he always had charity for

It was nearly sunset when the crowd march up from the river bank to the academy. They came singing the old

academy songs, and Eunice and her mother ran out on the porch of the cottage to listen and wave their

Terry managed to get away from the crowd, ran over to the cottage, and told the Advocate and her mother of

"Oh, he made a grand speech, and surprise us by saying he was onto us in our rackets all the time, that he

knew nearly every time he ate watermelons with us that he was filing himself with stolen goods."

"What!" exclaimed Mrs. Lambert, "did he really charge you boys with stealing watermelons? I wouldn't have

"Oh, look here now! You have never been a boy, and there are some things you can't understand," laughed

Terry. "It isn't stealing to take watermelons out of a patch, or fruit out of an orchard, any more than it is to

pick up an umbrella when you are compelled to go out in the Iran. If we went into a farmer's stable and took

his horse or cow, it would be stealing, but to slip into his orchard an fill one's pocket with apples has never

The Advocate laughed heartily, and admitted that several times he thought that she had eaten watermelon that

"Of course you did," laughed Terry. "There are some boys who claim that a watermelon that is paid for in

cold cash isn't as sweet as one which had been tossed over the fence to another boy, when the farmer wasn't

around. I don't know whether the Advocate here will subscribe to the idea that a stolen kiss is sweeter than

"That's it," laughed Terry. "One fellow would get a slap in return for his impudence, while another would get

"I can't say that I am, but I do claim to know a good thing when I get it. If a thing is sweet, I know it when I

"Terry, are you boys going back over to town tonight?" Eunice asked, when her mother returned inside the

"Why, yes. Evelyn and Mary and the two other young ladies are over there, and of course we must go over

"I'm so sorry we didn't have room over here for them, but there are so many of the graduates present, that we

"Well, what's the matter with you going over with us? The girls expect us to bring you over."

"You can bet your life, Advocate, that none of us will neglect you, for we are not ungrateful for past favors."

"Oh, come, now! Don't you know what the poet says about gratitude? that it is akin to love?"

"Yes, I've read all about that, but you and Fred and the other boys have your girls to look after and I would be

"Well, you are about the only girl I know who is generally considered extra. We look upon you as triple extra

"Stay right there, Terry," she laughed. "that's the way Fred talks. I'll go over with you, but I really don't

After a little more banter with her, Terry joined Fred up in the dormitory, where they were all making ready

to go down into the large diningroom and gather around the long table as soon as the evening meal should

A few minutes later the bell was heard and the entire party, nearly a hundred in number, filed into the

diningroom, where they found the professor at the head of the table of is table on his right and the Advocate

Professor Lambert and his wife were loyal hosts. The table groaned under a load of good things and the

member of the Alumni feasted heartily. Many of them had missed their noonday lunch, and had ravenous

appetites. There were not wines, but plenty of tea, coffee and milk, and many toasts were drank in different

beverages. The entire faculty was toasted and so were the professor's wife and daughter.

Nearly an hour was spent at the table, after which the boys returned to the dormitory where Fred, Terry, Joe

and Dick put on their dress suits and went downstairs and sat on the steps of the Lambert cottage, where they

sang sentimental songs until the Advocate appeared in evening dress prepared to accompany them over to the

"There you go, now," laughed Terry. "You are maneuvering now to get just one fellow to yourself and let the

"Terry, you are becoming an incorrigible tease," she retorted. "If you boys begin talking that way I won't go."

"Oh, I'll arrange it," said Fred, "Terry and Dick will go on about a hundred yards ahead of us. Then you and I

"Great Scott, boys," exclaimed Terry, "let's mob him. He's actually trying to use us as dogs to keep the other

boys away, while she leans on his arm and coos and coos all the way over there."

"Here, get away with you," said Fred. "I've made the choice, not she. You don't seem to understand the fitness

of things. When we are out for a walk, three is a crowd; but when we get over to the house, you can all crowd

"Yes, provided there are any smiles left for us when you get her there," retorted Terry. "Come ahead, boys.

She's sweet, but she isn't the only lump of sugar in the barrel," and amid a good deal of laughter Terry and

Dick started off ahead, Fred and the Advocate following, while Joe and Tom brought up the rear.

The arrangement suited Eunice, and Fred thought she was never so pleasant as on that evening. They laughed

and chatted gayly all the way over, and for a wonder she showed no desire to twit him about his attentions to

Evelyn. She was fast learning that it was bad policy for her to do so, but on the way she asked him if he had

"Yes, I fixed up a few points in my mind so I won't forget them," he answered, "but don't ask me what they

"No, I don't know that I am. It depends altogether upon how sweetly you smile upon me while I am speaking;

but let me tell you that you will hear a great speech when Osgood rises to respond to the toast."

"Splendid, I never heard him until this afternoon. He has quite a reputation in this part of the State as an

orator, and I guess you'll soon hear of him as a rising young statesman, and an honor to the academy."

"Now, Fred, I don't think that any student ever left the academy who will be a greater honor to us than you

"Great Scott, Advocate! Stop a moment. Let me lay my handkerchief down on the ground, kneel on it and say

"Oh, come now, Fred, no foolishness. I mean that, and father thinks that way, too."

"Well, I'm sure I feel highly flattered. I'm hardly yet on the threshold of my career. Osgood has started out

well. He's a brilliant fellow, and if I can do as well as he is doing I shall feel very proud of it, and, by the way,

there are several of the graduates who are members of the State Legislature, and two are members of

Congress. For a young institution the academy is looming up grandly. Osgood was speaking to me about you

"Why, he said that he was just three or four years too soon in his attendance at the academy as a student, for

then you were in short dresses attending the girls' high school and were not known as the Advocate of the

boys. He expressed his surprise at hearing your praises sung so lustily by the Alumni, and many of us told

him of several instances where you saved a number of the boys from the penalty of expulsion. One of them

declared that you were the prettiest, the sweetest and the kindesthearted young lady he ever knew."

"Why do you wish to know?" he asked. "It won't do for you to begin showing tiny partiality where there are

"No, she's at home taking care of two babies, and of course you don't want to try to break up the happy

"My hair isn't long enough, I'm trimmed up for any emergency that may arrive. I can take care of myself

He teased her that way during the entire walk over to the Hawthorne residence but she enjoyed it as she

It was a happy party that evening over in Avon, and the boys saw to it that the Advocate never lacked for

attention. Evelyn was the only girl she was jealous of, but of course she had learned not to make any

Evelyn was loving and affectionate toward her, and they talked over the romance of the Duke of

Scadsborough and Miss Merton, while on a visit to the Fearnots in New York. It was the first time she had

"Yes, Fred wrote Terry all about it," said Evelyn, "and I really think he did the girl a good service in baffling

"Yes, indeed, but how is it that his sister Marguerite didn't come up with him to the reunion?"

"She will be here tomorrow," said Evelyn. "She had to wait for her mother. They will come up together."

"My! What a surprise!" exclaimed Eunice. "Really I don't know what to think of Marguerite not letting me

know of it. I was her guest for several weeks and I have letters from her at least once a week."

"If you had asked Fred about it, he would have told you, I guess. I didn't know myself that they were coming

until Fred reached Fredonia. They half expected the judge to come with them, but at the last moment his

Eunice appeared to be considerably disturbed over the little bit of news, and when she had the chance to do

"I think they will be here about noon." he said, "if they come at all. The truth is, it is yet doubtful about their

coming, and that is why I've said nothing to you on the matter, thinking that a surprise is more welcome

"Well, really, I shall be disappointed if they don't come, and I'm really sorry that Marguerite didn't write to

"She wanted to do so, but mother told her to wait until she could find out whether or not she really could

"Well, I'm going to drive down to the station tomorrow to meet her and if they come, they shall have my

room in the cottage at home, while I will sleep with mother, and send father up into the dormitory."

"That's kind of you, Advocate, but really don't put yourself to so much trouble."

"Fred, I would be utterly miserable if they should come to Avon and not stop with us. Your mother and sister

were kind to me when I was down there in the city, and really I am in love with both of them."

"So they are with you; but I don't think they would enjoy the visit if they knew that they were discommoding

"Don't talk that way, Fred. I have a little will of my own, and I'm going to exercise it."

"That's right," he laughed. "If you have a will, exercise it to the limit, when it's in the right direction."

Nothing more was said about it that evening, and the young people enjoyed themselves with a heartiness that

was unmistakable. All the boys were attentive to Eunice without at the same me time neglecting any of the

other girls. Evelyn and Fred were the life of the party although Dick and Terry were just as lively themselves.

The great banquet was yet fortyeight hours off, for the next day was to be devoted to the renewal of old

friendships and making of new ones, and athletic exercises in all the games that the senior classes of the

It was nearly midnight when the party at Mrs. Hawthorne residence broke up, and again the boys prepared to

escort the Advocate back to her home. There being no people on the street at that late hour, to make any

comment on their racket, the others, instead of giving Fred the exclusive companionship of the young lady,

gathered around them in a circle and started off with them in the center. Eunice laughingly protested, as did

Fred also, but without avail. All the way back to the academy the entire batch kept up a running fire of

conversation with them thus preventing Fred from monopolizing her company. Finally she suggested in a

"The odds are too great," he replied. "Besides I would not think of striking a friend of yours."

"We are better friends than you think," retorted Dick Duncan. "That fellow is a fortune hunter, and we intend

to baffle him just as he did the duke. He is setting his cap for you, or rather a trap, and we are going to see

that he doesn't walk off with the prize without giving some of the rest of us a show "

Fred enjoyed it immensely. The Advocate, however, was more than annoyed, but the boys were so

goodnatured and persistent that she was forced to join in the laugh and make the best of it. When they

reached the gate of the enclosure, Dick, who had assumed the leadership, suggested that they cease their

noise for fear of awaking the sleepers in the dormitory as well as in the cottage.

"Step easy, now," said he. "We will leave her at the door of the cottage, for if we left him to take her there,

"Fred Fearnot," said Eunice. "I've never asked a favor at your hands, but if you will thrash Dick Duncan for

that tomorrow I will appreciate it more than anything that you could do for me."

"All right Advocate, I'll take him down to the boathouse tomorrow morning and throw him into the river."

"Yes," chuckled Joe Jencks, "we'll do him as we boys used to do the kittenstie a rock to him to make sure he

doesn't come up to the surface again. When I was about twelve years old we had too many kittens at home

and it was necessary for three of them to be drowned, so I took them in a old bag out to the old mill pond,

"Oh, do hush that! I don't want to hear it," interrupted the Advocate, starting off alone toward the cottage,

which was nearly a hundred yards away from the gate. The boys instantly surrounded her, and quietly

"Goodnight," she replied, running up the steps mad enough to yank a handful of hair off the head of every

The boys turned away and went up to their rooms in the dormitory chuckling way down in their shoes, but

They were up early the next morning, and went down to the river for a swim before breakfast. There Fred

"Well, that's all right. Every dog has his day, and there's a whole week waiting for you."

He scrambled up on the float out of the water, and said he would go back to the dormitory to put on some dry

Dick rushed at him, seized him around the waist and tried to throw him into the water. Fred, however, was

too good a wrestle to be caught that way, and Dick, seeing he couldn't throw him in, raised him in his arms

"That's all right, old man," laughed Fred, when he came to the surface "you had to come in with me."

The boys laughed heartily, had their swim, after which they accompanied Fred and Dick back to the

academy, reaching there just a few minutes before breakfast was ready. They found Eunice and the professor

talking with a number of the older graduates out on the piazza, and of course greeted them with a cheery

"Why, how's this, boys?" exclaimed Professor Lambert, "two of you are dripping wet."

"Oh, we frequently bathe that way," remarked Fred, at which the boys roared, and Eunice, who suspected

what had happened began to blush and looked confused. On the other hand, the professor began laughing,

"Well, I'll tell you how it was, professor," said Terry, "Fred and Dick are rivals for the smiles of a creation

young lady not a thousand miles away from the academy, and they undertook to settle the matter down at the

"Oh, indeed?" said the professor, his eyes opening wide. "I'm sorry to see two such ardent friends become

"Oh, we made friends again," laughed Dick, throwing his arms around Fred's neck and kissing him. Fred

reciprocated and the crowd standing around on the porch fairly roared with laughter.

"That's right, let there be peace," said the professor. "You'd better run up to your rooms and take off those wet

clothes before you catch cold. Breakfast will be ready in a few minutes, and a cup of hot coffee for each of

"I think something stronger than coffee would be a better remedy," suggested Lawyer Osgood.

"Don't you be sure of that, professor," laughed Fred. "I'll wager there's a bottle of whisky in every room in the

"I hope not! I hope not!" said the professor, shaking his head, as though the suggestion of such a thing was

"Well, I haven't got one in my grip, nor have I seen one anywhere, but when men travel away from home

something of that kind is generally slipped in among the toilet articles," and with that Fred and Dick brushed

past the professor, ran up to their rooms and about twenty minutes later reappeared in dry clothes.

The others were all in the breakfast room and as Dick and Fred entered, they glanced at Eunice who was

sitting at her father's left at the head of the table; but she wouldn't look at him. She was teased more than ever

After breakfast the majority of the graduates strolled about the grounds smoking cigars, in which they were

joined by the professor and all the teachers. More than a score of them had brought boxes of fine cigars to the

faculty and it was estimated by some of them that they were supplied with smoking material for at least a

Teacher Brown was the most popular of all and at least a thousand cigars fell to his share.

Soon after breakfast all the graduates went to the clubhouse to witness and indulge in athletic exercises in the

"Now, gentlemen," sang out Teacher Brown, from the platform at the further end of the little gymnasium, "I

suggest that in order to make these exercises more interesting, a referee be appointed to decide on the result

of each contest skill, and that the winners be crowned, and he who wins the most of the contests have the day

"Yes." said Lawyer Osgood, "and I suggest that Teacher Brown act as chairman of the meeting, as well as

"Good! Good!" came from all parts of the house, and the teacher was unanimously elected.

CHAPTER IV. FRED WINS IN THE ATHLETIC EXERCISEHIS MOTHER AND SISTER ARRIVE AT AVON. 17

"Well, I'm sorry I made the suggestion," said Brown, "for while I'm very fond of witnessing all kinds of

"Oh, that's all right, Browny," sang out Dick Duncan, "you know a good thing when you see it and that's

"Well, I'll do my best to serve you impartially. What is the first game you will have?"

"Appoint a committee to arrange a program," suggested one, and as it met the approbation of the boys, a

committee was appointed, and while they were consulting in another room over the program the boys

indulged in singing glee club songs, so many of them joining in the chorus as to almost raise the roof.

Before the committee was ready to report, Professor Lambert entered the room and the boys set up a great

"My dear boys," said he, "I merely dropped in to see bow you were enjoying yourselves. I can't help but feel

like a father toward every one of you, and I want the satisfaction of knowing that all present have a good

time, and when you desperse to your homes feel that it was good that you came to the old academy again to

"Mr. Brown has just informed me that you are going to indulge in various games of skill and strength, and I

assure you that I shall be pleased to witness your performances." Just then the committee filed into the room

The committee reported that games played indoors should be gone through first. Those outside to follow. The

first was to be some wrestling matches; then glove contests, followed by fencing with the foils, after which

would come the regular gynamsium exercises on the crossbars with Fred Fearnot as leader or instructor.

"You have nothing to say about it, my boy," said Teacher Brown, "you were captain of the various teams

while a student at the academy and it is but natural that you should officiate as such on this occasion, so I rule

The boys cheered the decision and proceeded at once to their dressingrooms to prepare for the beginning of

Nearly a score of them appeared to indulge in wrestling, and an hour was passed in the exercises, the end of

which found that Fred Fearnot was the only one that had not been thrown. He was declared the winner.

"Upon My word," exclaimed professor Lambert, "I don't think I ever witnessed finer wrestling in my life."

"Oh, wait" laughed Terry. "till you see the boys get the gloves on, then you'll see something exciting."

"Oh, it isn't slugging when you have the gloves on," laughed Terry. "It's somewhat like the college girls'

Fred, Terry, and Dick Duncan, who had been together so much leaving the academy, proved to be the best

boxers. They knocked the others right and left until they remained masters of the field. Then Terry and Dick

CHAPTER IV. FRED WINS IN THE ATHLETIC EXERCISEHIS MOTHER AND SISTER ARRIVE AT AVON. 18

had a bout in which the latter was knocked out. Then Fred and Terry went at it and, after a tremendous setto

Then came the contest with the foils, and it was surprising to see the number of experts among the graduates.

But Fred and Terry proved again to be the best of the whole lot, for they had given more attention to it than

all the others. The majority of them had heard of Fred's famous duel with two French officers in France, and

were afraid to cross foils with him. Only two of them attempted it, and were conquered in a couple of

minutes. Terry was the only one who could hold his own with him, but he finally succumbed to his endurance

"He is indeed," assented the fatter, "and what Terry knows about things he taught him. You know his motto,

which is 'Work and Win,' and his rule is that whatever you undertake to do, do it well. That is the secret of his

marvelous success. Notice the muscles of his arms and limbs. He has trained until they are like limbs of oak,

Then came the exercises on the trapeze, during which Professor Lambert actually caught his breath several

"Why, bless my soul," he gasped, "I never saw better work in a circus ring!" laughed Brown. "They could

organize the best circus in the world on extremely short notice. Fred and Terry can turn somersaults and land

on their feet as easily as the best acrobat, and Dick Duncan and Jencks are not far behind them. You see they

"But how can he stand so much of it? He has been for over two hours now in the exercises and won in all."

"It's marvelous endurance; his training. He can do more with less exertion than any one I ever saw. If you

watch him you will find him husbanding his strength where others waste theirs for lack of knowledge. It

"Now, gentlemen," said Brown, rising to his feet. "we've had nearly three hours of exercise. We will adjourn

until after lunch, when the field sports will begin. Bicycle riding, foot race, and other exercises. Mr. Fearnot

The boys nearly raised the roof with their cheers for Fred Fearnot, and insisted on a speech from him.

"Oh, let up on that, boys," he sang out. "You'll hear speaking enough before we break up."

"That's all right," said Osgood, "we have heard for more than two years of your splendid record, is an

allaround athlete and a leader in field sport. We want to hear from your own lips how you have succeeded

"That's it! That's it!" said Professor Lambert, looking toward Fred. "There are scores of friends present who

"Well, that is easily told," said Fred. jumping up on the platform alongside, of the professor. "It is just like

everything else. If a boy or man desires to do a thing, and goes at it with a determination to do it, it is nearly

half done at that point. My motto is 'Work and Win,' and the whole secret lies in those three words. I have

CHAPTER IV. FRED WINS IN THE ATHLETIC EXERCISEHIS MOTHER AND SISTER ARRIVE AT AVON. 19

made it a rule that whatever I have to do, to try to do if well. When I saw others do things better than I could I

knew that it was the result of intelligent work and skill, and went at it with a fixed, determination to become a

thorough master of the same art myself. Strength is a good thing, and when combined with skill it is the best

thing. Skill saves strength; one may have the strength of an ox, but if he hasn't the knowledge of how to apply

that strength it is of but little value to him. Of what use would Professor Lambert's great learning be to him as

a teacher if he didn't know how to impart that knowledge to others? That is the secret of his great fame as an

instructor of youth. What he knows he understands how to impart to others, so as to make it easy to be

understood, and you will find the same rule good in physical as well as mental exercise. One must keep

perfect control of his mental and physical faculties in the gymnasium in order to avoid disaster. If he doesn't

keep his eyes about him on the crossbars, he will be as apt to land on his head as on his feet. In a glove

contest, if your eyes wander away from those of your antagonist you will find thunderbolts wandering all

over your head and chest. You must study to be quick so as to slip in between the guard of the other fellow,

and get onto his solar plexus, for frequently the opening lasts but the fifth of a second, after which it may be

"The most sensible talk I ever heard," said Professor Lambert when Fred ceased talking, and it applies

"Yes. I found it so," remarked Fred. "Whatever is worth doing at all is worth doing well, and in all branches

of mechanical art the most skillful receive the best pay, and those who are negligent and shipshod in their

work earn the least. Say, Terry," said Fred, as the two hurried to their dressingroom in the gymnasium "we've

got to hustle in order to reach the depot in time for the train, to meet mother and Margie, if they should come

"I don't know what to think, Terry. It seems to me that if they were coming they would have telegraphed me;

but I have received no dispatch, yet it won't do to take any chances, we must hurry to the train."

They dressed themselves with all dispatch and hurried away from the clubhouse to a carriage which Fred had

"Take us to the depot as quick as you can. We haven't more than five minutes to spare," said he to the driver.

"All right, boss," and they dashed away, not having time even to stop at the house for Evelyn and Mary

The train was about five minutes late and when they reached the station they were surprised to find Evelyn

and Mary already there in a carriage, as well as Mrs. Lambert and Eunice in another.

"Oh, Fred, come here!" called Evelyn from the carriage, and on reaching it she handed him a dispatch,

"It was delivered at the house not more than ten minutes ago, and as it was addressed to you I suspected it

was from your mother or Margie and knowing that it couldn't be sent over to the academy in time for you to

reach the train, I took the liberty of opening it to see if they were coming up, I found that they were, so I sent

around to the stable for a carriage in order to meet them. I know you will forgive me the liberty I have taken."

"Why, bless you, old girl, you did just right. I was wondering why it was that I had not received any dispatch.

It was thoughtful of you to bring a carriage for them. I see Mrs. Lambert and the Advocate are here in their

CHAPTER IV. FRED WINS IN THE ATHLETIC EXERCISEHIS MOTHER AND SISTER ARRIVE AT AVON. 20

"No, no more than I did, but the Advocate told me last night that she would come down to meet them

"Well, where are they going to stop, Fred? You haven't secured quarter for them have you?"

"No, but I believe there is one room yet at Mrs. Hawthorne that they can have. The Advocate told me last

"Oh, indeed! She expressed her regrets to me that they didn't have room for us over at the academy?"

"Hush, dear," he whispered, placing his hand over her mouth, as she sat back in the carriage. "She thinks she

is under obligations to make any kind of a sacrifice under the circumstances, because she was Margie's guest

"Come, let me help you out," and he opened the carriage door and assisted Evelyn and Mary out, while Terry

did the same for Mrs. Lambert and the Advocate. They were on the platform when the train slowed up, Fred

sprang aboard, rushed into the car and greeted his mother and sister only as loving son and brother could.

"Oh, there's Evelyn, Mary, and Miss Lambert!" exclaimed Marguerite, looking out the car window to those

"Yes, they are all here waiting for you," and he assisted his mother out of the car while Marguerite ran

It was a glad, joyous meeting of friends, and there were a great many exclamations and osculatory smacks

accompanied by much laughter. Marguerite was introduced to Mrs. Lambert for they had never met, and the

"Now, my dear Mrs. Fearnot," said the Advocate's mother, "Eunice and I insist that you shall make your

home with us while here. I believe that Fred has secured quarters for you elsewhere but he did so without my

"Well, I will leave it with you and Fred to settle that matter," laughed Mrs. Fearnot, "provided you don't

"The matter is already settled," spoke up the Advocate. "You come home with us, and if Fred wants to fight

about it, he'll have to pick a quarrel with his shadow. He is stopping over there at the academy himself, and I

am sure it would be more pleasant for all for his mother and sister to be there too."

"We are stopping over in town at Mrs. Hawthorne's," replied Evelyn. "and there is a room there for you; but

CHAPTER IV. FRED WINS IN THE ATHLETIC EXERCISEHIS MOTHER AND SISTER ARRIVE AT AVON. 21

"Thank you, dear," said Mrs. Lambert, scarcely able to conceal her surprise at generosity.

"Then I guess we will accept your kind invitation," said Mrs. Fearnot, turning to the professor's wife.

"Let me assist You to the carriage," and he and Terry conducted the ladies to the, Lambert carriage, while

"Oh, it was the best for them to go over there," returned Evelyn. "I'm really glad they did."

"So am I," added Fred, but I don't envy the Advocate's frame of mind under the circumstances."

"Oh, she's in a peck of trouble. She never heard that they were coming up until last night, and you remember

how she apologized to you and Mary about her inability to take care of you during your visit here. The truth

is, she knew that your popularity with the boys was such that she preferred to keep you as far away from

them as possible, and now mother and Marie's coming plainly reveals the fact that she didn't mean just

"Oh, circumstances after cases, Fred. Don't think hard of her at all. for she and her mother doubtless think

that it is obligatory upon them to entertain your mother and sister, as neither of them has ever been in Avon

"Well. I confess feeling a little bit vindictive about it old girl. She's well acquainted with both you and Mary,

and she's always claimed that Terry and I were favorites of hers as well as the professor's. She's afraid of you

two girls, and if I don't touch her up a little bit on it when I get the chance, it will be because I don't know

"Now, Fred, don't do that. It would be ungenerous on your part, because if the truth were known it is all on

"I don't think so, but even if it were I don't like to have my best girl slighted on anybody's account."

"Say, Fred," said Terry, "Let's dismiss our carriage and ride back with these girls."

"All right, go and pay him off, and I'll wait here for you; or, hold on, old man. You take your girl out of this

Fred's suggestion that Terry and Mary take the other carriage pleased the former Immensely, and he assisted

"Now, what was the use of the expense of in extra carriage, Fred?" Evelyn asked.

"Thunder! Don't you suppose that Terry is willing to pay a dollar for a little ride with his girl. And don't you

think I am built the same way myself? Don't go to teasing me now just because I'm stuck on you."

"Well, I won't tease you, but I do want to tell you not to say anything to Eunice about her inviting your

mother and sister to stop with her after telling Mary and me that she had no extra room."

"Well, you shouldn't do anything of the kind. and you know that as well as, I do. If you were dealing with a

"Bless your dear heart! You are the most generous girl I ever knew in my life, and I'm almost tempted to

"All right. The gate and the door be open to you," she laughed, "and maybe by that time we'll be old enough

"Oh, everybody seems to think that courting is fine fun, and I think that even before that time we might try

our hands in the way of a little practice at it so as to he able to avoid blunders when we commence in

"Yes, we might. Most girls enjoy being courted, and I don't know but what I would myself but where have

you and Terry been all the morning? You left us girls to amuse ourselves, and we haven't seen you since last

"Well, that's an explanation I wanted to make. The boys decided that they would spend the day going through

athletic exercises at the gymnasium, and of course they wouldn't listen to any excuse that Terry or I might

They reached the Hawthorne residence where Fred and Terry alighted and assisted the two girls out,

dismissed one of the carriages, entered the other together and drove ever to the academy.

"Why Fred," exclaimed Eunice. "why in the world didn't you and Terry bring the girls over?"

"Well, they didn't forget, and neither did Terry nor I. We brought them up here with us, and we are not going

And with that he passed into the cottage where he again kissed his mother and sister, and began playing with

them in his rollicking way, telling them what a splendid time he was having with all the graduates of the

"Some of them are splendid fellows who are making their mark in the world; so, little sis, you'd better look

out, or they'll be after you. They know a pretty girl when they see one." Then turning to his mother he added:

"You can now understand why we boys are so much in love with Avon and its splendid academy. Did you

ever see such magnificent grounds or finer scenery? I would like nothing better than to live here all the days

"Well I'm glad you've found a spot somewhere on the face of the earth where you are willing to settle down

"Well, don't you think it is a place fit for a highstrung boy like me to live in?" he asked, and leading her out

on the porch, he pointed to a low range of mountains beyond the river and a magnificent stretch of country

"I tell you it is one of the finest places in the whole State. The air is fine, the water pure, and no better people

"Yes," added Mrs. Lambert. "I have been in love with the place myself ever since I first saw it, and the

professor has spared no expense in trying to build up an institution worthy of its environment."

Just then Professor Lambert came around from the academy and joined them. He welcomed Fred's mother

with a warmth that was genuine and expressed his gratification at her presence at such a time.

"The banquet tomorrow night," said he, "will be one not easily forgotten, for some of our students have

made their mark in the world, and you will perhaps hear speeches during the evening that would be an honor

In a little while dinner was announced, and the professor tendered his arms to Mrs. Fearnot and Margie, while

"Say, Advocate," he laughed, "here's the left arm for you. They say that a fellow's palpitations are generally

heard on that side. Terry, the rascal, ought to be here to look after you, but as he is not. I'll do the best I can

for you, and the best is all a fellow can do. If your mother has cut you out. Blame her and not me."

"Neither will I," said Fred, "for one is not to be blamed for a strict performance Of duty."

"That saved you," laughed the Advocate, taking his arm and accompanying them into the diningroom.

It was known that the two strangers who had just arrived were Fred's mother and sister, and all the graduates

After the meal they intercepted the Advocate and insisted that she should introduce them all to Miss Fearnot,

and for nearly an hour the two girls held a reception In the academy hall. They found Marguerite bright and

witty like her brother, and they were all greatly charmed with her. The time was short, however, as the boys

had to return to the clubhouse to renew their athletic exercises, leaving the ladies in possession of the

buildings. They were out on the. athletic grounds beyond the clubhouse engaged in bicycle racing when the

ladies up at the cottage heard great cheering. They ran out on the plaza and saw it carriage surrounded by

"Indeed I don't know. I wish I did. Just listen. The boys are singing a song of welcome."

Eunice sent for Black Pete and ordered him to go down to the athletic grounds arid find out who the new

arrivals were. He returned a few minutes later and reported that four young ladies were in the carriage, and

"Why, it's Evelyn and Mary!" exclaimed Margie. "We ought to go down there and join them."

"Why in the world didn't they come by here?" Mrs. Fearnot asked, looking around at Eunice and her mother.

"Well, that's not like Evelyn. She is very far from being a thoughtless girl. It must be that the boys are at the

There was a worried look on Eunice's face. She new that she had failed to invite the girls over, and feared that

"I believe they are going through some athletic exercises. All those who were not at the academy when Fred

and Terry were here are extremely anxious to see them in their feats of skill and strength. It is claimed that

their class excelled all the others before or since in athletic sports and hence there is a great deal of interest

among the different classes to see what they can do. I was told that Fred won every contest In the clubhouse

"Of course he did," laughed Margie. "I've never known brother and Terry to be beaten yet. Neither of them

seems to know what fear is, and greater friends than they I never knew or heard of."

"They are a second edition of Damon find Pythias," added Margie. "I believe that one would die for the other

"Really, I do, too," laughed Mrs. Fearnot. "I never knew two brothers to love each other as those two boys do,

and as for Evelyn she is one of the most unselfish girls I ever knew. She always thinks of others rather than

herself. I never heard of her being angry in my life, and with all that she is as sensible as people, twice her

That unstinted praise was gall and wormwood for Eunice, but her face was as placid as a May morning as she

"None of the gentlemen invited us to witness their exercises, and they may have invited Evelyn, Mary and the

"Oh, well. what if they did? My brother is there, and you are the Advocate, beloved by all of them. What

"Yes, dear go down there and ask the young ladies to come up to the cottage," suggested Mrs. Lambert to

"I think they are the Misses Wellborn; two sisters, who came up with Fred and the girls."

"Oh, I remember hearing Fred speak of them. Their father bought a building lot up at Dedham Lake. They

Eunice and Margie put on their hats, took their parasols and walked down to the athletic ground. where Fred

and the champion of the seniors of the year before his were now dashing around the enclosure on their heels.

The boys were so deeply Interested In the race, they didn't see the two young ladies making their way toward

the carriage, nor did Evelyn and Mary see them until they were right alongside of them.

"Oh, my. here's Eunice and Margie!" exclaimed Mary, shaking hands with the two girls. Evelyn, however,

was so intent on watching the race that she never looked at them; in fact hadn't seen them.

"Fred is winning! Fred is winning!" she cried, clapping her hands. "They can't beat that boy." Then she saw

"Oh, my, are you two here? Excuse me, I was watching the race," and she kissed both of them with girlish

The next moment she was watching the bicyclers, and cheering Fred on until he crossed the line.

"Fred won!" she cried, "I knew he would win!" and she threw her arms around Margie's neck and kissed her

"Oh, I'm so fond of all sorts of sport," returned Evelyn. "Excuse me, I really forgot," and she introduced the

"Oh, I'm so glad to meet you," exclaimed Margie, greeting the two girls. "I've heard brother speak often of

"We are glad to meet you," said the elder of the two sisters, "for if ever a brother loved a sister, your brother

loves you. He not only loves you but is proud of you, and I'm sure you ought to be proud of him if you are

"Why, I am proud of him. He is one of the best brothers in the world, and so is Terry."

Margie and Evelyn, with their arms around each other's waist, strolled off a little distance together, for they

had many little confidences to whisper to each other. They were soon joined by Fred, while Terry and others

"You won again, Fred," said Evelyn, her eyes sparkling and cheeks glowing as she extended her hand to him.

"Yes, of course I did. Our class is the best that the academy has ever turned out."

"Thank you, old girl. I've heard it score of them say that same thing within the last hour, and of course I'm

feeling a little bit proud. Has the Advocate invited you up to the cottage yet?"

"Yes, she came down with Margie, but wanted to know why we didn't drive by there before we came here."

Just then they were joined by several others, and again Marguerite held a reception there on the athletic

grounds. All wanted to pay their respects and congratulate her on the number of victories Fred had won that

day. She had a pleasant word for every one. Her repartee was almost as keen as that of Evelyn.

Some fifty feet away the other girls were holding a little court near the carriage, with about two score of

young men around them. They were finally interrupted, however, by Teacher Brown, who called the next

race between the champion runners of different classes. There were some seven or eight of them, each class

having put up its own champion, and again the attention of the entire crowd was centered upon the runners.

The girls all got together to watch them, and before two laps had been made, Fred, Terry and Dick Duncan

"Mary! Mary!" cried Evelyn, clapping her hands, "our boys are winning again!" and her girlish enthusiasm

seemed to electrify the whole crowd. As the race neared the end she clapped her hands and called out:

"Beat 'em Fred! Do your best, Terry! Keep up with 'em, Dick! You are three of a kind, all good boys!" and as

the three passed over the line as winners, she started up one of the old glee club songs with an enthusiasm

that fairly took the boys' breath away. They looked at her admiringly, some of them lovingly, and all joined in

Several other games were played, keeping the crowd on the athletic grounds till near sunset, and during the

entire time Evelyn had the Alumni around her, following her wherever she went, yet she appeared to be

utterly unconscious of the attention she was attracting. Her passionate love of athletic sport, her familiarity

with all the rules and her enthusiasm over the desperate struggles of the contestants, seemed to electrify every

"Gracious what a girl!" exclaimed one of the young men. "She an entire host in herself."

"Yes," said another, "I never saw one so well up in the different games in my life."

"No, there isn't another one like her in all the country," put in a third. "She is absolutely infallible on all the

rules of baseball. As a mascot she pulled Fred Fearnot through some of the hardest fought games ever seen on

"The deuce! Is she the girl?" exclaimed a fourth. "I remember reading of those games at the time they were

When the last game was won the entire crowd unanimous proclaimed it "Fred Fearnot's Day," as he had come

off victorious over every competitor. He was the leader for his class, and his companions took him on their

shoulders and bore him around the field. Again Evelyn burst forth into a triumphant song that was more

appropriate to the occasion than anything else yet heard on those grounds, and again the boys joined in at the

top of their lungs. Fred waved his cap at her as they bore him past on their shoulders and all the girls waved

The boys finally stood him on his feet in front of her and some of them called out:

"Crown him! Crown the victor," and she laughingly took off her hat in the absence of anything better, placed

They sang song after song, and kept up the racket for some ten or fifteen minutes longer. Then Teacher

"Attention!" and is the noise subsided he pronounced is the result of the games that it should be known in the

"It's her day all the time," responded Brown. "One of perpetual sunshine, from the first day in the year till the

"Oh, my!" exclaimed Evelyn to those around her. "Even Mr. Brown has caught on to Fred's style of

"That's the neatest thing I ever knew Browny to say," said Terry. "He's a bachelor, and a bashful sort of a

Just then Professor Lambert, accompanied by his wife and Mrs. Fearnot, appeared on the scene, wondering

what all the wild enthusiasm was about. A dozen of the boys tried to tell him at once.

"Oh, it's the work of the dear little mascot," he laughed. "She can put more heart into the boys than any young

"Oh, but you ought to have heard what Browny said about her," remarked one of the boys, and when his

"Oh, I couldn't help it," was the laughing reply. "He beat everybody on the ground, won every game, and

Mrs. Fearnot looked at Mary Hamilton. who had been blushing like a rose all the time, and asked if she had

"Oh, she's a mascot all the time," said Terry, who was standing alongside of her.

Mrs. Fearnot looked at him and smiled, for she knew well that the remark came from his very heart.

"Oh, mother!" exclaimed Margie, "Evelyn is a captain. I believe she could lead all the games herself."

"Yes, I was with her on the grandstand at Yale, and she kept saying that Fred would win when every one of

"Now, boys," sang out Professor Lambert, "come up the academy and sing some of the old songs for the

"All right, lead the way, we'll follow," and nearly a dozen of the boys scrambled over each other trying to got

up to act as her escort; but she reached out and caught hold of Teacher Brown's arm and clung to him.

Another one of the boys took charge of Mary, while Lawyer Osgood succeeded in capturing Eunice. Fred and

Dick Duncan escorted the Wellborn sisters so the procession up to the academy began.

It was a hilarious crowd. They sang all the way and Mrs. Fearnot and Mrs. Lambert laughed till their sides

"I never really understood what the attractions of these reunions were until today," remarked Fred's mother

to the professor. "I am tempted to register a vow never to miss one of them in the future."

"Do so! Do so!" urged the professor, "I feel younger by several years every time they occur, and by and by I

In the great hall of the academy the boys burst forth into song again accompanied by Evelyn, Mary and

As night was coming on the four girls spoke of returning to the carriage, when the professor, his wife and

daughter strenuously protested. The girls insisted, but Mrs. Lambert went to each one in person and begged

her to remain and spend the evening with them. Eunice, however, stood talking with Anne Wellborn, and of

course failed personally to invite Evelyn or even Mary to remain; but Mrs. Fearnot and the professor's wife

prevailed on them finally, and they all went to the cottage to await the announcement of supper.

"Well, look after Evelyn, take her in to supper, and see that she has a good time."

"Why, my dear boy, you are conferring upon me the greatest favor, I could ask. That's just what I wanted to

"All right, then," and Fred forthwith took charge of one of the Wellborn girls, while Dick Duncan took charge

of the other. Another one of the graduates offered his services to Mary while Terry was standing alongside of

"Well, that's just the way to do it," said the other, and Mary yielded and took the young man's arm.

Eunice had excused herself to nearly a dozen of the young men, nor did she accept any offer until she found

It was really a banquet, but not so termed, for they remained nearly two hours at the table listening to toasts

and short speeches. Terry made the hit of the evening by making an excruciatingly funny speech of about

fifteen minutes' length. He told a story how some students, when he was attending at the academy, went to

the Advocate in the deepest distress to get them out of trouble with the faculty, and his description of the

suspense the boys were in until word came from the Advocate that sentence was suspended sent the crowd

almost into convulsions. During the time he was relating the story, Eunice's face would have been a picture

for an artist, for his embellishment of the scene was at times quite embarrassing to her on account of the

warmth of his praises of her generosity and kindness of heart. Then he had the laugh on Teacher Brown by

describing how one of the students, who was quite a ventriloquist, had brought about a dog fight in room 40

of the dormitory, and how the teacher, who had charge of that end of the boys' department, made a vain effort

to find the two canines. He described how he got down on his hands and knees and searched under the bed

and in the closet of the room, and then roasted the boys about their hardihood in getting up dog fights right

Brown twisted and squirmed like a worm on a hook, then he blushed like a school girl, but was forced to join

in the laugh at his expense. The venerable professor, his wife and Mrs. Fearnot, laughed till the tears coursed

Then they called on Fred, and he astonished every one in the room by singing a sentimental song. "With all

her faults, I love her still," and as he was standing alongside of Miss Wellborn's chair, he frequently turned

and gazed at her as he sang, but not once did he look at Eunice or Evelyn. It was rather embarrassing for the

young lady, but she stood it well, and joined in the applause when he finished. He attempted to resume his

"I don't do it!" he retorted; "I want to give you fellows a little show, for I've beaten you at everything today."

It was a hard hit at which the boys laughed, and he was permitted to keep his seat.

After two hours spent at the table the party broke up into groups, the majority of them remaining with the

young ladies, and it was not until a very late hour that Evelyn, Mary and the other girls could get away to

When they were escorted out to the carriage, Mary Hamilton made the discovery that the horses had been

"They've been sent to the stable for their feed." said one. "They'll be here in a few minutes," and the young

ladies were assisted into the carriage, the door shut, and the boys started off with it on a run. They drew up in

"Well, this is something I'll never forget," remarked Evelyn. "I believe it is the first time in my life I was ever

It was such a late hour that very few of the denizens the town witnessed the unique procession. The boys gave

the girls a farewell cheer, and started off with the carriage to leave it at the stables where it belonged.

In the house the girls had something to talk about. The Wellborn sisters declared it was an episode in their

"Oh, they are just the best boys in the world," said Evelyn. "It's the greatest fun to be with Terry and Fred,

and Dick and Joe when they have any games on hand; but really I was surprised when I found they were

"No, of course not. I had no idea the boys would become so enthusiastic, but it was all on your account,

The next morning the little Avon paper was filled with accounts of the incidents of the day previous, calling it

"Fred Fearnot's Day." It was a very graphic description, and of course the reporter exhausted his vocabulary

of fine words in trying to portray the beauty and enthusiasm of the young lady who cheered the boys in the

Over at the academy Fred and Terry, as soon as they were up and dressed, waited at the door of the Lambert

cottage to escort Marguerite and her mother to the breakfast room up the large building. Eunice and

"Oh, you two boys!" exclaimed Marguerite, "what a racket you raised last night."

"Of course we did. I think it mean of you, though, for not inviting Eunice and me to a ride in that carriage."

"Neither do I. Say, Advocate, why the deuce don't you let us know when you wish us to do anything that we

"Oh, had you wanted us to go you would have asked us," and Eunice looked reproachfully at him. Fred

caught his breath, staggered toward Terry and fell into big arms as though in a fainting condition.

"Brace up, old man," laughed Terry, trying to stand him on his feet. "It isn't the first time that we've been

Just then the breakfast bell rang, and Fred straightened up, looked Eunice full in the face and asked:

"Oh, you feel very humble, I suppose. You ought to, anyway, for you slighted me outrageously last night."

"Great Scott, Terry, it's a suit of sackcloth and ashes for the next six months! When one thrives so hard to

please everybody, and finds that he has succeeded in pleasing nobody, life loses all its charms."

"Oh, you pleased several last night." retorted Eunice. "You didn't try to please everybody at all, and I was

astonished at your showing so much partiality at a time when impartiality was an imperative duty."

"Well, I assure you, Advocate, that whatever errors I committed emanated from the head, not from the heart.

Let me plead with you to smile again and not spoil the very great pleasure that I have anticipated at this great

Terry had led off with Marguerite hanging on his arm, and as soon as they were out of hearing of Fred and

"Don't ask me, Terry. I don't believe she knows herself, but she is considerably out of sorts."

At the breakfast table the clatter of knives and forks and the hum of conversation had been going on for

several minutes when a big pet cat entered the diningroom, and some of the graduates called attention to it

"Yes. I remember him." said Fred, as he looked around to catch sight of the cat, and failing to see it ducked

The next moment they were all started by a yowl and a tremendous cat fight was on. Every one around the

table sprang from their seats, and the ladies, screamed and fled from the room. The old pet cat himself

seemed to be as much astonished as any one else in the room, and fled, too; yet the fight continued nearly half

Professor Lambert was on the verge of scolding some of the waiters for permitting the cats to enter the

breakfast room when Terry's outburst of laughter and exclamation of "That was good one, Fred." attracted his

"Why my soul, Fred," exclaimed Professor Lambert, "was that you? I forgot that you were a ventriloquist."

Out in the corridor, where the ladies had fled, Marguerite, on hearing the first burst of laughter suspected that

"My!" exclaimed Eunice, "I forgot that he was a ventriloquist," and then the two girls began laughing until

they became almost hysterical. They ran back into the room, the two elderly ladies following, greatly amused,

yet half in doubt. They resumed their seats at the table, but the hilarity had gotten the start and was kept up all

Terry told several stories of how Fred had played it on the, porter and janitor of the Institution: how the

Irishman was demoralized at finding a green snake in his coat pocket, and Black Pete was frightened till he

"Say, professor," called out one of the older graduates, "what's the matter with having these reunions

"It would interfere with the business of the institution," he replied, "but you may hold them over in town once

"Well, we'll make it a question for discussion when we meet in convention at eleven o'clock," remarked the

The breakfast over, the boys scattered about the grounds as on the previous morning, the majority of the

Alumni smoking cigars and discussing the incidents that had happened since they came together. Fred and

Terry remained with the two girls, who were soon surrounded by a score or so of the young men who were

discussing the ovation given Miss Olcott the evening before. Every one seemed to have a compliment for the

beautiful enthusiast, which was not very pleasant for Eunice to hear. She made a great effort, however to

appear pleased at hearing the compliments passed upon one whom she regarded as a rival.

"She is the best mascot for a baseball team that I ever knew." remarked Fred. "She has a magnetism about her

that is simply irresistible, and her greatest charm lies in her utter unselfishness. I actually believe that if she

was engaged to a young man whom she loved with her whole soul, all the beautiful women in the world

"I don't believe that any women ever lived who was entirely devoid of jealousy," said the other. "Miss Olcott

may have the good sense and the tact to keep it concealed, while at the same time feeling the pangs of

"Oh, you don't know the girl," laughed Fred. "It is the unanimous verdict of all who do know her that she is

"I think you've got it wrong there Fearnot," said Lawyer Osgood. "It is born of love, not selfishness."

"Yes, self love," assented Fred "for there are bitter jealousies where no other sort of love exists. Men are

jealous and envious of each other. You remember the old story of the day the Athenians voted for the

banishment of Aristides. One man who didn't know him and couldn't write went up to the honest old

philosopher and asked him to write his name on the shell for him, which he handed to him.

"'Why do you wish to banish Aristides?' he asked the man. 'What harm has he done you?'

"There was a spirit of envy and jealousy. Now, if I was in love with a girl, I would feel insulted were she to

show any jealousy, because I would regard it as a lack of confidence in me. Some people are foolish enough

to try to excite the jealousy of their sweethearts; but if I loved a girl, I would cut my right hand off before I

would attempt such a thing; and furthermore, I'd cut both off before I would think of marrying one who was

jealous of me, as it would show a lack of confidence in me on her part, and where perfect confidence does not

"Oh, you'll get all that notion out of your head as you grow older," said Osgood.

"I don't think so, as I've made it a little bit of study. I have watched the reports of divorce cases in court and

find that more than seveneighths of them were based on jealousy on the part of one or the other. Where

jealousy comes in at the door, confidence, escapes through the windows, leaving misery and unhappiness to

"That's all a theory," remarked Osgood, who was a married man and the father of two children. "I have

"Unquestionably," assented Fred, "but a considerable majority of the cases do have jealousy as the starting

point of the disagreement, your experience as a lawyer to the contrary notwithstanding, and if you will take a

vote of all the lawyers in the state you will find that they agree with me. Now, boys. watch your girls closely,

and when you find ex hibitions of jealousy, look out! For there's trouble ahead of you as sure as you lead

During the discussion Eunice and Marguerite stood by listening, their arms around each other, the latter

"Well," said Margie, "I think that when two people love neither should do anything to make the other

"And I agree with you both," added Fred, "but unfortunately jealousy springs up where no just cause for it

exists other than in the imagination. At the same time there are foolish people whose vanity is greater than

their love, and they like to do and say things to excite jealousy, which is all wrong and ought to be severly

"No! I don't think I ever was. If I see a fellow develop a skill and ingenuity greater than that I possess myself,

instead of envying him I prefer to congratulate him, and then set to work to do my best to be as skillful and

ingenious as he. I remember when I was taking sparring lessons every knock out I received was an incentive

to greater attention and exertion on my part to be able to do the knockout business myself."

"That's the point." laughed Terry. "The first time I was up against you, you knocked me out quicker than a

wink and I made up my mind to learn how to do it myself and now you are only just about an inch or two

ahead of me. I wasn't jealous, but, by George, I was hungry to get satisfaction."

"That's the idea," and they all laughed heartily and the crowd dispersed, as consultations were to be had

before the convention of the Alumni convened. Of course Fred and Terry both were very busy, and a couple

of hours passed before either of them met the two girls. By that time the faculty and the senior class of the

girls high school began to arrive in carriages, having been invited by Professor Lambert to be present at the

meeting of the Alumni. The Mayor of Avon and at least half a hundred prominent citizens with their wives

and daughters also put in an appearance, and the scene in and about the academy was an exceedingly

beautiful one. Many old acquaintances met and little groups of friends were seen walking about through the

grove, and merry peals of laughter were heard from all sides. The young ladies whom Fred had rescued in a

runaway accident were among the visitors, and of course he paid most devoted attention to them; but when

the carriage bringing Evelyn, Mary and the two Wellborn sisters arrived, he, and Terry hastened to assist

them to alight, and upward of a score of the Alumni put in an appearance to pay their respects to them.

When the meeting was called to order the great hall of the academy was jammed with the Alumni and friends

of the institution. Professor Lambert welcomed them in an admirable speech, and stated that so far as he

knew there was no particular business to transact, but they had met solely to renew acquaintances and

friendship and attest their love and devotion to the institution. He gave many interesting statistics, and

congratulated himself over the fact that young as the institution was it had furnished two members of

Congress and at least half a score of members of the State Legislature, besides a number of others in

professional life who were fast making their mark in the world. He also spoke of the strong friendship that

"And you will be astonished," he added, "when I tell you that twentytwo of the Alumni of this institution

That announcement called forth the greatest applause that greeted the professor's remarks, and the members

of the Alumni gazed admiringly at the senior class of girls who occupied seats set apart for invited guests.

"That's not to be wondered at," sang out one of the boys. "There's a lot more of us who are going to try the

That produced another wave of laughter, and caused the girls to blush furiously and giggle behind their fans.

The professor then introduced Lawyer Osgood as the oldest member of the first class that graduated at the

Institution, and he made a brilliant speech which was received with uproarious applause. It was devoted

mostly to the excellence of the institution and the advantage of a thorough education that could be acquired

there. Other speakers followed in quick succession. each class being honored with one speaker, according to

the years of their graduation. At last it came Fred's time to appear for his club, and when he arose the entire

"Keep your seats my friends," he said. "Don't leave; we are not through yet." and the innocent expression on

"I am in an unfortunate position, friends," he began. "I had to await my turn, and before it came all the good

things had been said that I wanted to give utterance to. I had no chance to arrange with the other speakers to

have them leave unsaid some of the things that I had been full of for a long time. Each one of them has

spoken of his love of the institution and the faculity of which we are all so proud, and yet, when we speak of

love, we tell a story that has been repeated since the beginning of time more than any other story that falls

from the lips of a man or woman, and still it is always new. The widow who marries a half dozen times thinks

that each love story that is poured into her ears is not only new, but sweeter than all the others that she heard

previously and another of the same sex will smile, flirt and look unutterable things just to tempt some one to

repeat the old story that she may sit trembling with the thrills that it awakens, and although it may be exactly

in the same words of others she had heard, it's always new; always fresh, always thrilling, and I don't believe

that those of the sterner sex are any the less susceptible; so now I'm going to turn to our old guide and

preceptor, on whose head are the silver threads woven in the loom of time, and pour into his ears the story of

Then he began his story of love arid devotion for the Institution, and it came from his lips with the melody of

a sweet song. He told how he first admired and loved the scenery around Avon as far as his vision could

Never was an audience so spellbound by the eloquence of a young speaker, as were those who listened to

Fearnot on that memorable occasion. Frequent bursts of applause, interrupt him. Professor Lambert sat like

one in a dream and at times tears coursed down his cheeks. From him Fred passed on to the other members of

the faculty with words of love and praise accompanied by a keen analysis of personal characteristics of each.

When he came to Teacher Brown he hailed him as "dear old Brown," at which the boys sprang, to their feet

He spoke of his charity for the shortcomings of the boys, his tenderness of heart, and consideration for their

sorrows and troubles. Teacher Brown was utterly overcome, as were some of the boys, and tears coursed

"Now my friends, in conclusion, permit me to pay a tribute to two others whose duties lie outside of the

The boys screamed with laughter and from that moment hilarity reigned supreme, as he proceeded to describe

the good points as well as the bad ones in the two individuals, told stories about them, described their mental

qualities, their superstitions and many other things that kept the audience shaking like a bowl of jelly. To the

astonishment of all the boys, Fred wound up his speech without having once mentioned the Advocate. She, of

course, was in the hall surrounded by many young ladies of Avon, who every moment expected to hear her

"So am I, but most agreeably so. I think they must have agreed among themselves not to do it, for none of

There was one other speaker that followed Fred, a graduate of the year before. He was a brilliant young

fellow and made a fine impression, and after his speech all the Alumni arose to their feet, and for nearly half

an hour indulged in singing glee club songs, and then the meeting was over. The great banquet was to come

off in the evening, but for nearly an hour after the adjournment, spectators mingled with the boys and

Everywhere was heard praise of Fred's address and particularly that part which mentioned the janitor and the

porter. Both O'Hara and Black Pete were standing at the door listening, and two prouder individuals could not

have been found in the whole country than they were as they listened. They laughed as heartily as the others,

but deep down in their hearts they loved young Fearnot more than ever before in their lives.

"Boys," said Dick Duncan, addressing the little group of the Alumni out under the shade of one of the big

As soon as he could get out of the crowd, Fred went in search of Evelyn and Margie. He found them

surrounded by nearly two score of the Alumni who were congratulating his sister on his account. Eunice was

"Oh, brother," exclaimed Marguerite, as Fred elbowed his way to her side, "what a splendid speech you

made!" and she threw her arms around his neck and kissed him. The boys cheered, and he turned to Evelyn

"Yes, with all my heart," she exclaimed, extending her hand. He grasped it, shook it warmly, and asked:

"Thank heaven for that," he exclaimed, raising her hand to his lips, while the boys smiled. She blushed in

"Oh, he can throw hints around like a farmer sowing wheat, but really I did enjoy the speech, Fred."

"Oh, we all enjoyed it," exclaimed Marguerite. "I couldn't help crying myself when I saw the tears coursing

"I felt like it myself," he remarked, "but I knew it wouldn't do, so I shut the tears off."

"Fred, I'm trying to persuade Evelyn to dine with us over here today, but she won't do it."

"Well, I don't think you are the one to extend the invitation to her. I'm going to see her home myself. Where's

"Oh, the boys have got them somewhere," laughed Marguerite. "If you find Terry you'll find Mary."

The boys laughed heartily at that, and began a hunt for Terry, and, sure enough, they did find him with Mary.

Both the Wellborn girls had groups of admirers around them nearby. Fred got them all together; but as the

young men insisted on escorting the girls over to Avon, the carriage had to return empty, as they preferred to

walk. A number of young men surrounded Marguerite and prevented her from accompanying them. Fred, of

course, had Evelyn leaning on his arm, and they were permitted to go along quietly without any one intruding

"Fred, how in, the world is it that none of the speakers mention the Advocate?" she asked.

"Hanged if I know. I omitted to do so myself simply because those who preceded me did; but I think she will

"Well, I will if the others do. I think, though, it would be rather embarrassing for her."

"Well, I am quite sure there will be considerable disappointment if none of the speakers mentions her. She is

"You can well enough if you try. I never heard you speak so well before as you did today, and the ladies

around me where I sat thought it was the finest speech they had ever listened to. I am so glad your mother

was here to hear you. I watched her while you were speaking, and I'm sure she was not only proud, but happy

"No, not the half of it. The first thing I knew I found myself being swept along by a sudden inspiration, and I

"Yes, indeed; but aside from your speech today, I enjoyed the games on the athletic grounds most yesterday.

"Well, do you know you captured the whole crowd of the Alumni? Your name is on the lips of every one of

them, and the married ones of the older graduates are as enthusiastic admirers as the unmarried ones."

"Well, I never thought of that," she laughed, "but really I do enjoy having so many friends."

"Of course, that's natural, and I'll wager something that before you leave Avon, you'll have at least a dozen

"Oh, nearly a dozen have already asked Margie to correspond with them, and several have asked me, and

there's one young man that's nearly gone crazy about Mary. Both the Wellborn sisters have promised nearly a

When they reached the Hawthorne residence, Terry, who had just preceded them, called to Fred and stated

that Mrs. Hawthorne had just informed him that there were two seats at the table for them.

"So do I," laughed Fred. "Shake, old man," and the two chums shook hands in a jolly way.

"Now, boys, you'll get into trouble at the academy," laughed Evelyn. "It may hurt the professor's feelings if

"Oh, they won't miss us in the great crowd they've got there now, and, even if they do, we'll have a good

"Why, Adam's excuse about eating the apple with Eve; that the woman tempted me, and I did eat."

The two boys remained for dinner at the Hawthorne residence and then went into the parlor and sang with the

"No, we were looking for the girls, for we knew if we found them, you two wouldn't be far away."

It turned out that the visitors had really called to see the girls, and, of course, they were made welcome. They

hired carriages at the livery stables, and a crowd of them went out for a drive, spending the entire afternoon

"Now, Fred," Evelyn asked, "I want to beg you not to play any tricks on me at the banquet. I'm not connected

with the academy like the Advocate is. Say what you please about her, but leave me out"

"I don't know how it's possible," he laughed. "I'm thinking of paying a little compliment to Mary, too."

"No," put in Terry, "but you can bet your life I'll be thinking about you all the time."

"Hold up, now," put in Fred, "no spooning. You and I will have a fight on hand when we show up at the

academy again, slipping away to dine over in town, and spending the afternoon with these girls."

"Well, I guess I can stand it," laughed Terry. "I don't see why they should single us out for any fault finding.

It was near sunset when the boys returned from the ride, and then they hastened over to the academy to

prepare for the great banquet in the evening. Of course, every alumnus had his dress suit with him; but before

they could reach their room in the dormitory, Fred and Terry was intercepted by Teacher Brown and

"Indeed you have," laughed Marguerite. "Where in the world have you been? Even mother has been inquiring

"Oh, you little knownothing! You know very well that we were with Evelyn and Mary, and mother knew it,

Brown laughed heartily, and remarked that the inquiry had gone all around for them during the afternoon.

"Well, Terry and I have to speak tonight, and we've been in search of inspiration."

"That'll do," said Brown, "I see the point. I don't think you will be able to persuade the Advocate to rescue

"Really, I don't know. Haven't heard her say a word, but it's my opinion that she thinks you both have been

very remiss in absenting yourselves from the academy grounds so long I want to thank you, my boy, for the

kind things you said about me today," and Teacher Brown grasped Fred's hand, shook it warmly, and added:

"I can't say to you how much I thank you, but I felt it deeply, and shall feel grateful to you as long as I live."

"Ah, my dear friend! You will live in the hearts of all the boys who attended the academy while you were a

teacher. You are one of the few teachers who remember that they have been boys themselves, and it is

something that the boys appreciate. You can rest assured that none of us will ever forget you. Now, if you

will excuse us, we'll go up to our rooms and don our dress suits for the evening, and, Marguerite, I hope, you

have not missed me, for when I left the grounds you were surrounded by admirers, and I knew you would not

"Oh, I haven't been at all lonesome," she laughed. "Mr. Brown here has been a most devoted companion, and

"Good! Good! Set your cap for him. He's the best catch on the grounds today," and with that Fred and Terry

dashed up the stairs to their room in the dormitory, and a half hour later came downstairs in evening dress.

Marguerite and the Advocate were in the cottage where they spent at least a couple of hours at their toilets,

Fred and Terry made profound bows toward them at long range. Marguerite saw them and laughed, but not a

She looked at them for several minutes, and then Fred stepped behind Terry, pushed him forward, looking

over his shoulder at her, until they were within a few paces of her, Marguerite laughed in spite of herself, and

"There, Terry, look at her smile! She isn't angry," and Fred advanced toward her, saying:

"Fred, what in the world has come over you?" Eunice asked. "You went away and dined elsewhere without

"Now, Advocate, I know of nearly a score of the boys who accepted invitations to dine with friends over in

the town, and yet I've heard of no fault being found with them. Has it come to pass that I am to suffer, while

"Let each one suffer for his own sins," returned the Advocate. "Why did you leave us?"

"To escort Evelyn and Mary over to town, which it was our duty to do, and Mrs. Hawthorne and the others

insisted on our dining there, as the dinner was then waiting. It was no sin. It was not wrong, and I'm ready to

discuss the constitutionality of it with the entire faculty, including yourself."

"Oh, we won't discuss it, but I do blame you for not notifying us of it before you left."

"Bless your dear heart, neither of us dreamed of dining over there. We expected to come back here; but we

are going to dine here to night, be as happy as we can, and pay our tribute to the youth and beauty of the

Just then they were joined by Mrs. Fearnot and Eunice's mother. Neither one of them said anything to Fred

and Terry about their prolonged absence for they had other and weightier matters on their minds.

"Indeed I don't know, mother; but they told us they would be over early. Dick and Joe will look after them,

"Yes, dear, a deal of trouble. There's a lot of trouble on hand now about going over with them after the

"Look out, mother That's a reflection on the girls," returned Fred. "They are about the only troubles we have."

"Oh, you are wrong there, Fred," laughed Terry. "I have a very lively remembrance of trouble with a slipper

"Oh, just listen to them, now," laughed Margie "They agreed to discuss that matter before us just to escape

"All right, have it your way," retorted Fred, "but just wait until we get you two girls into the banquet room

tonight where we will have the advantage. We've got it in for the Advocate, and if we don't get even, it will

"Fred, what do you mean?" Eunice asked, with an expression of alarm on her face.

"Just what I say. You roasted me this morning, and now you are frowning, pursing your lips up at me and

accusing me of about all the crimes in the catalogue. I'll have my revenge tonight. Even the worm will turn,

"Fred, if you say anything about me tonight in your speech to make me feel uncomfortable, I'll never

"That's all right, Advocate, I won't sue for forgiveness, because revenge is sweet enough for me. You've

spoiled a good deal of pleasure that I expected to get out of this reunion, and I intend to see if I can't pay you

"Oh, don't you be frightened, Eunice," laughed Marguerite, "Fred wouldn't say an unkind thing of you for

anything in the world, nor do I believe a single alumnus of the academy would permit him or any one else to

"Oh, he won't say anything unkind, I know, but he'll make me appear and feel ridiculous, for he has an

"No I won't say an unkind word about you, Advocate, but at the time I'll get even with you."

The invited guests who were to be at the banquet now began arriving, and the ladies were dressed as if for the

opera. As they entered the great hall of the academy, they were pictures of loveliness. Many of the Alumni

were at the gate and about the main entrance of the hall to see and greet the ladies of their acquaintance.

By and by some one told Terry that his sister had arrived, and he and Fred hastened to meet her at the gate.

Dick and Joe were assisting them out of the carriage when they reached there. They were dressed beautifully,

and certainly two more beautiful girls than Evelyn and Mary would have beep hard to find anywhere that

evening. The two boys took charge of them, while Dick and Joe looked after the Wellborn sisters, and

escorted them into the great hall where the guests were gathering waiting for the time to enter the banquet

Soon after the arrival of Evelyn and Mary, the faculty and senior class of the girls' high school arrived, and

the Alumni formed two lines extending from the gate to the piazza of the academy, and stood with hats off

welcoming them as they passed between the lines into the house. The girls, fifteen in number, all dressed

alike, marched two by two behind their teachers. They enjoyed the reception very much, and many of them

were greeted by names as they passed the boys, and when they disappeared inside a great cheer went up from

Professor Lambert and his teachers escorted them to seats in the hall, and the boys soon after entered. It was

an informal meeting, and the buzz of conversation filled the great hall. They were waiting for the hour set for

the banquet. A band discoursed sweet music, and many of them secretly wished for an opportunity to dance,

but the crowd was too great for that. Fred and Dick passed about through the great hall exchanging greetings

with friends here and there, while Evelyn and Mary were surrounded by admirers among the students of the

In a little while about a dozen of the best singers among the Alumni proceeded to entertain the crowd with

selections from their many academy club songs, and for nearly an hour the audience listened and applauded.

Then came the announcement that the gentlemen must secure their partners and be ready to lead them into the

banquet room. It had been so arranged that enough ladies were invited, including the senior class of the high

school girls, for every alumnus to have a partner. Of course, Fred and Terry went straight for Evelyn and

Mary. Nearly a half hour was spent by the guests getting their seats, for everything was done deliberately and

in order. The great hall was beautifully decorated, and the long tables groaned under a load of rich viands and

delicacies, with mountains of flowers here and there, making the whole scene like a fairy palace.

Soft strains of music filled the room, and no one seemed disposed to speak loud enough to disturb harmony.

Then the waiters proceeded to serve the guests, and for an hour or so every one was helped to whatever he or

Eunice had been escorted into the room by a very popular young man who had graduated at the academy four

years before, and he was extremely attentive to her. She was seated quite a distance from Fred and Terry,

In due time the mayor of Avon arose from his place and, in a neat little speech, stated that he had been asked

by the faculty of the academy to act as toast master, and that a committee of arrangements had placed in his

hand a list of the toasts and speakers. He said that the Alumni of each year had suggested the names of those

who were to speak for their classes. Then he read off the toast of the first class that had graduated at the

academy, and Osgood was called on to respond to it. The young lawyer rose in his place, and if he surprised

the audience in the convention that morning, he thrilled them with his eloquence that evening. It was a

magnificent effort upon which he had spent several weeks in the preparation. It was a glowing tribute to the

institution, its faculty and its great value to the youth of the country. It was highly applauded for its beautiful

sentiment and the fervid strains of his oratory. There was very little humor in it, for he was not much given to

expressing himself in a humorous vein. Then came a song from. another member of the same class. He was

followed by the speaker of the Alumni for the succeeding year, and he too made a splendid speech and quite a

hit by a short but beautiful tribute to the influence of the Advocate, who was then just beginning to make her

influence felt among the students of the academy, and the other speakers that followed had still more to say in

that direction. The third one grouped the high school girls as another influence that had an important bearing

The next speaker who followed made another hit after getting off the speech he had prepared, by announcing

that he had been informed through a source that could not be doubted that two of the high school senior girls

What a sensation the announcement created! The high school girls looked at each other, their eyes and faces

"Who are they? Who are they?" was whispered all around the table, and the balance of the young man's

speech was scarcely listened to. Everybody wanted to know who the happy couples were. The girl seniors

were blushing furiously under the gaze of the spectators, and of course nearly every one of them was

There was just one more speaker before Fred's time came, and he spoke about the practical side of a thorough

education; how it would assist one in whatever avocation he might adopt after acquiring it. It was a sensible

speech, full of thoughtful philosophy, and one that greatly pleased the faculty and all the elderly people

"Terry, old man," whispered Fred, "that speech has given me two or three good points, and I'm sorry I haven't

Just then Fred's name was announced as the next speaker, and as soon as it was done the cheering began by

the men and the waving of handkerchiefs by the ladies. He arose to his feet and stood there two or three

minutes waiting for the noise to subside. He was standing right alongside of Evelyn, who was on his right,

and at his left sat one of the young ladies, a high school graduate, whose life he had saved in a runaway

accident on Main street in Avon two years before, while he was a student at the academy.

When the noise subsided he still remained silent for a couple of minutes, looking up and down the length of

"Friends," he said, "I fear you have frightened my speech out of me. Never until this moment did I ever feel

my utter inability to find words in which to say that which is in my heart to say to you. My tongue fails to

keep pace with the thoughts that flash through my mind. Yet in the presence of so much youth, beauty and

wisdom, one should not lack for words to express his delight in finding himself in such a situation. They will

come to me in time, but the hours have crept on until there is a limit which must be respected."

"Never mind about the limit," exclaimed Professor Lambert "Take your time, my boy."

"Thank you. Time is not mine. It's other people's time that I am taking but old Father Time waits for no man.

It is passing and the panorama of life is unfolding itself before us all. With me, it begins at the time when I

first appeared at the academy and as it rolls by I recall the faces and the voices of loved companions with

whom I romped and played, got into mischief through thoughtless violations of rules and regulations, and

then humbly presented myself to the beloved Advocate for her intercessions in my behalf."

The wild cheering that followed and Eunice's blushes was a memorable scene. When the noise subsided, he

went on picturing the panorama with a series of word paintings that nearly every one present, particularly the

Alumni, could see as though there were magnificent pictures hanging on the walls before them. It was an

awakening of recollections that were dear to all the boys, and in each one the Advocate figured as an angel of

From that theme he branched off into another, addressing himself particularly to the Alumni of the academy.

"It is our Alma Mater," he exclaimed, "to which we will turn as the years roll by with a loving devotion

equaled only by the Mohammedans' love for their holy city, Mecca. For more than a thousand years the

Mohammedans all over the world have struggled to accumulate means by which they can make at least one

pilgrimage to the tomb of their prophet in the Holy City. So it will be with us as the years go by, we will long

to go on a pilgrimage to Avon, the home of our loved Alma Mater, and when its founder shall have passed

away to sleep with his fathers, we shall come to his tomb and do reverence to his genius, his learning, his

grand humanity, with the devotions of Mohammadens around the tomb of Mahomet; and these walls then

grown gray with age, shall hear the trembling voices of old men paying tribute to the spirit of the Institutions

where they first received the armor that enabled them to fight the battles of life; and as the eyes of many of

the Alumni of this Institution have looked longingly across the river to that other institution on the hills

beyond, so will their sons gaze in the same direction with the same longing, and some of them will swim the

river, if the bridge has been swept away, in quest of the treasure more precious to man that all the gems that

are dug from the bosom of the earth. I wonder if it is a design of Providence that the two institutions should

be so near together? At any rate it seems to be the design of a little god whom we know by the name of

Cupid. He's little, but, oh, how he can move the hearts of men and women! One of the speakers who preceded

me rejoices that he captured one of the treasures of that institution, and now his life is one sweet song. Other

hearts besides his are tuning up to sing the same sweet song, for we've been told that two of them today have

begun resining the bow for a sweet accompaniment for the march to the altar I greatly suspect that I know

who they are, and I am prepared to sing with them. for I am so mentally and physically constituted that I am

ever ready to be happy when others are so. It is not altogether true, as a famous poetess wrote:

for if I find my friend in tears, if I can't dry them for him, I will mingle my tears with his; for that bond of

sympathy is worthless which is only strong when prosperity and hilarity reign. Give me the friendship of a

man. the grasp of whose hand sends an electric thrill of sympathy through my entire being in the hour of

trouble, rather than the joyous handshake that comes to me only in the clay of prosperity."

It was a speech that thrilled old and young alike. Many a time a lofty sentiment called forth expressions of

approval from those over whose heads weary years had passed and left behind the inevitable trail of time.

When he sat down he received a perfect ovation, and many minutes passed before the next speaker was

announced, who was Terry Olcott who was as full of humor as it was possible for any human being to be.

Terry kept them in roars of laughter for fifteen minutes. He was an inimitable storyteller and his mastery of

Dutch, Irish and negro vernacular enabled him to make a hit in whatever directions he turned.

Both Mary and Evelyn became almost hysterical as they listened. He could take an old wornout chestnut,

dress it up anew in a way that would conceal its age, giving it a freshness almost indescribable. The principal

of the girls' high school nearly fell off his seat, while Professor Lambert laughed till the tears ran down his

checks. He too paid a tribute to the Advocate and at times indulged in pathos that brought tears to the eyes of

After him came more songs, and the great reunion ended with the banquet. As the participants returned to the

great recitation hall the leave taking began, and though it was near midnight, at least an hour was spent in

The principal of the girls' high school remained till the last in order to give the boys a chance to pay their

respects to and bid goodby to the girls. The Inquiry, however, for the identity of the seniors who had that

day become engaged kept going around. Each one of the girls seemed to be as anxious as any of the others to

find out the identity of their fortunate companions. As Fred had claimed that he knew who they were, he was

"Oh, no! Oh, no!" he laughed, "not for my good right arm would I give the secret away."

"I think I do," he replied, "and after they are married, I'll tell you who they are."

"Well, look here, now, old girl, if you were engaged, you'd be very angry if one who had found out the secret

would give it publicity before you were ready for the public to know it. Let the bride herself be the first to

Old men and elderly ladies before leaving came to Fred, shook hands with him and congratulated him on his

speech that evening, and he was satisfied that he had done even better than he had expected.

Eunice came to him leaning on the arm of the young man who had escorted her to the table, extended her

"Bless you, Advocate! Your heart wouldn't let you bear malice if your head wanted to."

"I don't know. I am in no hurry to tear myself away. Mother and Margie are here, and I shall be guided

"Neither will I then. Terry and I will hang around and may probably raid some of the watermelon patches in

the vicinity for the sake of old times. I saw Farmer Andrews yesterday, and he told me that his melons were

ripening fast, and that whenever Terry, Dick, Joe and myself wanted to have a few of them all we had to do

was to put in an appearance at his home; we told him that we would certainly do so after we recovered from

The next day there was a great crowd at the railway station at Avon to see the departing Alumni off to their

respective homes. They lived in all parts of the State, and some beyond its boarders. The professor and all the

faculty of the academy were present, including the Advocate and her mother. The entire senior class of the

girls' high school came down in carriages, and again the inquiry passed around as to who the two engaged

"Terry, old fellow," sang out one of the Alumni, "you are going to hang on a while longer here, are you?"

"Fred will say anything, you know. He can say more and mean less than any of you academy boys."

After the train moved out the professor and his wife turned to Fred, Terry, Dick and Joe and invited them and

the young ladies to make their homes over at the academy during the remainder of their stay in Avon.

"It's better," added the professor, "that you should all be together, and now that the others have gone, we have

"Thank you, professor," said Fred, "we'll go back to the house and consult the ladies about it. I believe that

Tom and his wife are going to leave in a day or two, and the Misses Wellborn will go with them as far as

The professor's party returned to the academy, while Fred and Terry accompanied the girls back to the

Hawthorne residence, where they remained the greater part of the day resting quietly from the fatigue of the

"I'm glad it's all over with, Terry," remarked Fred, as they sat on the piazza talking over the Incidents of the

So am I. It has been a splendid advertisement for the academy, and I think the professor is about the happiest

"No doubt of that," assented Fred. "it hasn't cost him a cent less than a thousand dollars."

"A thousand dollars wouldn't cover it, Fred," said Terry. "But it will be worth ten thousand dollars to him in

the future. He has a good head for business, and he knows as much about advertising as the famous showman

After a little more talk they decided that it was best for them to accept the professor's invitation to go over to

the academy and be his guests during the remainder of their stay in Avon. Evelyn insisted that it was Fred's

duty to keep with his mother and sister as much as possible and see that they enjoyed their visit.

"But really," she added, "I think that the rest of us should go home because the invitation extended to us was

"Oh, drop that now," said Fred, "the professor and his wife think just as much of Terry as they do of me or

any other student, and if you and Terry and Mary don't go over, I won't either."

"Well, we leave tomorrow," said Tom Tipps, "and the Misses Wellborn will go with us."

"We'll stay here then until you and the ladies leave. Then Terry and I will take the girls over to the academy.

"Just as we please,'" said Dick. "We'll go over to the academy for a few days to relieve you and Terry of the

"See here," said Fred, "I suggest that we all go over to the academy this evening and have a jolly time, return

here, see Tom and the ladies off tomorrow and then move over and stay there until we are fired out."

The suggestion was acted upon, and that evening after tea, the entire party went over to the academy where

Tom Tipp and his wife and the two Wellborn girls then took leave of the professor's family, Mrs. Fearnot and

The next morning Tom and his party left, and an hour or two later the two girls and four boys moved to the

"Now, there's four pair of us," laughed Fred. "and we ought to have a good time while we are together. I

suggest that every morning we draw straws to settle the question as to which of the girls we shall have for the

"Well, it's the only way to prevent us boys from fighting," laughed Terry. "We've got sporting blood enough

"I think it's a good idea," laughed Evelyn, and of course the girls agreed to it.

They remained together in a bunch pretty much the whole day, and spent the evening singing and chatting till

a late hour. On the following morning the straws were drawn to settle the question of escorts for the day, and

the result was extremely laughable. Both Fred and Terry drew their own sisters for partners.

"Say, let's try this over," suggested Terry. "This isn't just In accordance with the fitness of things."

Amid a great deal of laughter the straws were drawn again, when Fred won Eunice, Dick secured Evelyn,

It was extremely satisfactory to the Advocate, who greatly feared that she had seriously blundered the day

before, after listening to Fred's remarks about the jealousies of people. She had heard him declare that

jealousy was a detestable trait, and that he would cut off both his hands rather than marry a jealoushearted

girl. She had resolved never to exhibit any jealousy again in his presence, even though she might be almost

Fred never found her so pleasant before, and he exerted himself to his utmost to entertain her, but adroitly

managed to keep them all pretty much together in order to avoid any tendency toward spooning.

In the afternoon he suggested that they all go down to the boathouse and row up to the Andrews farm to

indulge in a feast of watermelon. The suggestion was hailed with delight, and they hurried down to the

"Now, girls," called out Fred, "these are racing sculls, you know, so you must sit perfectly still, or overboard

"I'm very much afraid of them," remarked Eunice. "I think it would be better if we either walked or went up

"Oh, we'll stick to the boat," said Fred, and they managed to get the girls seated in the boats and started off up

the river. They reached the Andrews place after a brisk row, and were welcomed by the family of the old

There was a great feast of melons, and the party remained there for two or three hours, after which they

started back on their return to the academy. When within about a hundred yards of the boathouse, Evelyn

called to Eunice. The latter in trying to turn around so as to look at her, capsized the boat and she and Fred

Of course the two boys were excellent swimmers, as was Evelyn also; but Eunice couldn't swim and she

came within an ace of drowning Fred, who of course was doing his utmost to swim ashore with her. It was an

utter impossibility to climb into the little boat. Evelyn swam ashore, telling Dick to secure the boat as she

could swim like a fish. Dick, however, gallantly kept alongside of her till they reached the river bank a little

above the boathouse, while Fred was exerting himself trying to persuade Eunice to keep still and let him get

her ashore. She was so terribly frightened, however, that she clutched him around the neck with both arms,

greatly impeding his efforts to save her. He managed to reach the shore with her, however, where Joe Jencks,

after landing Mary, pulled her out of the water. She fainted dead away, and the girls had a lot of trouble

Evelyn, though, dripping wet, laughed at the accident, and said she didn't mind it at all. She devoted herself to

looking after Eunice, who, when she came to, threw her arms around Fred's neck, and called him her savior.

"That's right," laughed Evelyn, "he saved me several times, and I kissed him for all I was worth. The rascal

likes it. I believe he turned the boat over just for the very purpose of playing the hero."

"Yes," laughed Dick, "she can swim like a duck. I tried to hug her in the water but she wouldn't allow it,

Oh, but Eunice was mad! Dick and Evelyn were disposed to destroy the romance of the rescue.

"Say, Evelyn, you and Dick shut up now. Just because you two can swim is no reason why you should make

light of such a serious matter. It was a new experience for the Advocate, who can't swim, and I tell you it was

a pretty hard effort on my part to save her. I made up my mind if I couldn't get her out alive, I'd go to the

"Oh, you would have to," retorted Evelyn, "judging from the way she held on to you, it was evident that if

"Oh, you did the very same thing once, old girl, out at the lake, too," retorted Fred, "before you learned how

to swim, and I had the mark of arms around my neck for a week afterward. Terry, run up to the house, get the

Terry started off, but before the carriage could get there, the two mothers, Mrs. Lambert and Mrs. Fearnot,

"All's well that ends well," laughed Fred. "There's nobody hurt, and none of the sweetness of either girl has

5. CHAPTER II. THE BOYS HAVE FUN WITH BROWN AND TRACY AT THE CLUB-HOUSE. , page = 9

7. CHAPTER IV. FRED WINS IN THE ATHLETIC EXERCISE-HIS MOTHER AND SISTER ARRIVE AT AVON., page = 20