WHAT BECAME OF THEM
The morning of the fourth day found the water still flowing into the
lake in a steady stream.
"It's a sure thing now," said Spencer. "I must get to town and arrange
to close up those options and organize the Buffalo Lake Summer Colony.
I'm not going to tell you how much I expect to clear on this deal, but
your share won't be less than a thousand dollars."
"It will be enough to buy mother a home!" said Glen.
"That's the thought, boy. And we'll see if we can't get you paroled from
the school so you can live at home and work for her. I'm going back with
you to the school, myself, but I believe that war-correspondent friend
of yours has matters moving already."
The war-correspondent friend, taking an unusual interest in the case,
had been doing his best, but he had found it a case of many
complications. That very day, however, he had received an official
communication of favorable tone from his friend, the Superintendent.
"The Board of Control," wrote the Superintendent, "finds in the case of
Glen Mason some very unusual and delicate features. It is not the desire
of the Board to reward a boy for running away by granting him an
unconditional parole. Neither is it their desire to keep in the
institution a boy who has been found worthy of parole privileges. In
this case the boy voluntarily offers to return. Not only so but he has
undergone such a transformation that he returns as a reformed character.
Furthermore he has rendered a service to the State in assisting in the
apprehension of two dangerous characters. Added to all this he is
greatly needed at home for the support which a boy of his age and
intelligence can give to his mother. In consideration of all these
things the Board is inclined to grant a parole subject to the usual
conditions."
In a personal note which accompanied this letter the Superintendent made
a few additional remarks to his old friend.
"Another rather unusual element is that Mason's running away has been
altogether too well done. He has been too fortunate. Usually such a boy
would get into bad hands and go from bad to worse. It would never do
for us to have him back at the school telling about all his good times
and how he was to have a thousand dollars for his part in discovering
this wonderful lake about which you phoned me this morning. Every boy in
the school would be keen to try the adventure. I am glad for Glen that
he has surrendered his life to God's guidance and I know that he has
found the one real, safe way of life. So I surrender him gladly, and I
feel sure that you and Mr. Newton will not forget your promises of
guidance and support."
Glen went home with Will Spencer to stay with him while he wound up his
business affairs and disposed of his options on the Buffalo Lake
property to a syndicate.
"I'm going to take you out to see an old friend, Glen," said Spencer one
day. "I still have a great deal of business to care for before I can go
away. You know I want to go to that famous hospital, where, if they
can't make a whole man of me, they will make me look and walk like one
just the same. I can't go yet, but I have something planned for you
right this very day. It's a surprise."
They traveled along a road that was vaguely familiar and after a few
miles Glen recognized that they were drawing near the Gates' home. They
were evidently expected, for the whole family ran out to greet them.
"It seems mighty good to get back here," said Glen. "I wish I could stay
as long as I liked but I must get away and finish that trip home that I
told you I was making."
"Would you like to stay here, Glen?" asked Mr. Gates.
"I surely would," replied Glen.
"Would you like to stay and work with me and learn how to run a farm?"
"I don't know anything I'd like better."
"Step out here into the road with me. Do you see that cottage at the
corner? It was empty when you were here. It is a tenant cottage which I
rent to the man who works for me. Yesterday there moved into there a
very nice lady with a little girl and a little boy. There is an older
brother whom they are expecting, who is coming here to work for me.
Run--"
But he did not need to tell Glen to run along. Ever since he had been
given a new heart and a new life he had felt a yearning for the mother
of whom he had been so unworthy. He wanted to tell her that he was a
different boy, to show her that he was worthy of trust, to shoulder her
burdens, to relieve her of responsibilities, to turn the bitter years
into sweet. He did not run, but he walked with a swift and steady gait,
with erect head and a clear resolve in his heart. After all he was
coming home triumphant, a victor, one who had sought treasure and found
it, one who had found the greatest riches of God's mercy.
* * * * *
Mr. Gates was not a hard man to work for. Glen became more and more
convinced of this as the days went by, but the crowning proof came one
year later when the kind employer ordered him to drop his work and take
a week's vacation at the Scout camp at Buffalo Lake.
Glen planned a great surprise, but some one gave his secret away for he
was met at the station at Buffalo Center by the entire troop.
Chick-chick jumped up on the steps before the train stopped and at peril
of life and limb pulled him off the train into the receptive arms of
Apple and Matt. Big Tom Scoresby gave him grip for grip in a mighty
scout handshake--the only scout who could match him. Goosey hung on to
his elbow waiting for his turn. All affectation of reserve disappeared
on this great occasion--the greeting of Brick Mason--his welcome to
camp--good old Brick! Glen was glad to shake hands with Mr. Newton for
a good long minute so that he might wink back the suspicious moisture
that threatened to rush past the guardian eyelashes.
"Brick rides on my old motor-bike," exclaimed Chick-chick. "Same old
bike--it is."
"Brick walks with the troop," Glen decided. "Where did we get this dandy
road?"
"Built by the Buffalo Lake Summer Colony," explained Apple. "Do you
notice all the new stores in town--all because of the Colony? Wait until
you get to the Lake and you'll see something worth while."
A few minutes later Glen stood before Troop Three's splendid new
club-house in appreciative silence.
"Do you see what we've named it?" said Matt, patting him on the
shoulder. "Look up over the porch."
Carved in ancient script were the words:
YE BREAD BOX
"And you don't object to that?" asked Glen, looking into Matt's face.
"I object?" exclaimed Matt. "It's a compliment. I've learned to take a
joke as well as give one. We named it because the money that built it
was our share of the reward for the box in the cave, and the second box
was a lot like the first box only different."
"Different inside an' out," put in Chick-chick. "Jus' like old Matty is,
it was. Good old Bread Box. Go on in an' see what's inside, Brick."
"All right," Glen agreed. "Lead the way."
"Don't be 'fraid, Brick. Go in all your own self. It's a surprise."
Cautiously Glen pushed open the handsome door and stepped inside.
Nothing happened. He looked around the spacious room with its home-like
accommodations and its air of easy comfort. From a chair by the window a
gentleman arose and started leisurely toward him. Glen covered the
intervening space in two jumps.
"Will!" he shouted. "Will Spencer! Look out--you'll fall!"
"Never more, you good old scout," said Jolly Bill, as he flung a strong
arm around Glen's broad shoulders. "I can walk as gracefully as you if
not as powerfully. I'm all O. K., warranted not to slip or stumble,
ready to give a Castle Cakewalk or an imitation of a Highland fling at a
moment's notice. What do you think of your new home?"
"Splendid!" replied Glen. "Too fine for a scout camp, though. It makes
it too easy."
"And the easy life isn't the best life is it, you hard old Brick? But
Mr. Newton understands that. This isn't the camp--just the club-house.
You'll find the camp a half mile up Buffalo Creek as wild as ever, and
do you know what they've named it this year?"
"I give it up," said Glen.
"It's named in honor of the scout who has done most with his
opportunities this year."
"It's Burton, then," Glen guessed.
"You have another guess coming yet," said Jolly Bill. "They've named it
Camp Mason!"
* * * * *
Now if you want to follow the further adventures of Glen and his scout
chums you will find them recorded in another book "Boy Scouts to the
Rescue."
FINIS
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
THE BOY SCOUT LIFE SERIES
Published with the approval of
The Boy Scouts of America
In the boys' world of story books, none better than those about boy
scouts arrest and grip attention. In a most alluring way, the stories in
the BOY SCOUT LIFE SERIES tell of the glorious good times and wonderful
adventures of boy scouts.
All the books were written by authors possessed of an intimate knowledge
of this greatest of all movements organized for the welfare of boys, and
are published with the approval of the National Headquarters of the Boy
Scouts of America.
The Chief Scout Librarian, Mr. F. K. Mathiews, writes concerning them:
"It is a bully bunch of books. I hope you will sell 100,000 copies of
each one, for these stories are the sort that will help instead of hurt
our movement."
THE BOY SCOUT FIRE FIGHTERS--CRUMP
THE BOY SCOUTS OF THE LIGHTHOUSE TROOP--McCLANE
THE BOY SCOUT TRAIL BLAZERS--CHELEY
THE BOY SCOUT TREASURE HUNTERS--LERRIGO
BOY SCOUTS AFLOAT--WALDEN
BOY SCOUTS COURAGEOUS--MATHIEWS
BOY SCOUTS TO THE RESCUE--LERRIGO
BOY SCOUTS ON THE TRAIL--GARTH
THE BOY SCOUTS IN AFRICA--CORCORAN
BARSE & HOPKINS PUBLISHERS
New York, N. Y.--Newark, N. J.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
THE CAMP FIRE BOYS SERIES
By OLIVER LEE CLIFTON
For Boys from 8 to 14
A group of resourceful boys living in a small town form a camping and
hiking club, which brings them all sorts of outdoor adventures. In the
first story, "At Log Cabin Bend," they solve a series of mysteries but
not until after some lively thrills which will cause other boys to sit
on the edge of their chairs. The next story telling of their search for
a lost army aviator in "Muskrat Swamp" is just as lively. The boys are
all likable and manly--just the sort of fellows that every other
wide-awake boy would be glad to go hiking with.
THE CAMP FIRE BOYS AT LOG CABIN BEND
THE CAMP FIRE BOYS IN MUSKRAT SWAMP
THE CAMP FIRE BOYS AT SILVER FOX FARM
THE CAMP FIRE BOYS' CANOE CRUISE.
THE CAMP FIRE BOYS' TRACKING SQUAD
BARSE & HOPKINS Publishers
New York, N. Y.--Newark, N. J.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
THE BOBBY BLAKE SERIES
BY FRANK A. WARNER
BOOKS FOR BOYS FROM EIGHT TO TWELVE YEARS OLD
True stories of life at a modern American boarding school. Bobby attends
this institution of learning with his particular chum and the boys have
no end of good times. The tales of outdoor life, especially the exciting
times they have when engaged in sports against rival schools, are
written in a manner so true, so realistic, that the reader, too, is
bound to share with these boys their thrills and pleasures.
1 BOBBY BLAKE AT ROCKLEDGE SCHOOL.
2 BOBBY BLAKE AT BASS COVE.
3 BOBBY BLAKE ON A CRUISE.
4 BOBBY BLAKE AND HIS SCHOOL CHUMS.
5 BOBBY BLAKE AT SNOWTOP CAMP.
6 BOBBY BLAKE ON THE SCHOOL NINE.
7 BOBBY BLAKE ON A RANCH.
8 BOBBY BLAKE ON AN AUTO TOUR.
9 BOBBY BLAKE ON THE SCHOOL ELEVEN.
10 BOBBY BLAKE ON A PLANTATION.
11 BOBBY BLAKE IN THE FROZEN NORTH.
12 BOBBY BLAKE ON MYSTERY MOUNTAIN.
BARSE & HOPKINS
New York, N. Y.--Newark, N. J.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
THE BIG LEAGUE SERIES
(Trade Mark Registered)
By BURT L. STANDISH
Endorsed by such stars of baseballdom as Christy Mathewson,
Ty Cobb and Walter Johnson.
An American boy with plenty of grit--baseball at its finest--and the
girl in the case--these are the elements which compose the most
successful of juvenile fiction. You don't have to be a "fan" to enjoy
these books; all you need to be is really human and alive with plenty of
red blood in your veins.
The author managed a "Bush League" team a number of years ago and is
thoroughly familiar with the actions of baseball players on and off the
field. Every American, young or old, who has enjoyed the thrills and
excitement of our national game, is sure to read with delight these
splendid stories of baseball and romance.
Cloth Large 12 mo. Illustrated
1 LEFTY O' THE BUSH.
2 LEFTY O' THE BIG LEAGUE.
3 LEFTY O' THE BLUE STOCKINGS.
4 LEFTY O' THE TRAINING CAMP.
5 BRICK KING, BACKSTOP.
6 THE MAKING OF A BIG LEAGUER.
7 COURTNEY OF THE CENTER GARDEN.
8 COVERING THE LOOK-IN CORNER.
9 LEFTY LOCKE, PITCHER-MANAGER.
10 GUARDING THE KEYSTONE SACK.
11 THE MAN ON FIRST.
12 LEGO LAMB, SOUTHPAW.
13 THE GRIP OF THE GAME.
14 LEFTY LOCKE, OWNER.
15 LEFTY LOCKE WINS OUT.
BARSE & HOPKINS Publishers
New York, N. Y.--Newark, N. J.