Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this
file which includes the original illustrations.
See 53414-h.htm or 53414-h.zip:
(https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/53414/pg53414-images.html)
or
(https://www.gutenberg.org/files/53414/53414-h.zip)
Images of the original pages are available through
Internet Archive. See
https://archive.org/details/daveporterhiscla00straiala
Transcriber's note:
Text enclosed by underscores is in italics (_italics_).
DAVE PORTER AND HIS CLASSMATES
* * * * * *
EDWARD STRATEMEYER'S BOOKS
Old Glory Series
_Cloth. Illustrated. Net $1.75 per volume._
UNDER DEWEY AT MANILA. UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES.
A YOUNG VOLUNTEER IN CUBA. THE CAMPAIGN OF THE JUNGLE.
FIGHTING IN CUBAN WATERS. UNDER MacARTHUR IN LUZON.
Soldiers of Fortune Series
_Cloth. Illustrated. Net $1.75 per volume._
ON TO PEKIN. AT THE FALL OF PORT ARTHUR.
UNDER THE MIKADO'S FLAG. WITH TOGO FOR JAPAN.
Colonial Series
_Cloth. Illustrated. Net $1.75 per volume._
WITH WASHINGTON IN THE WEST. ON THE TRAIL OF PONTIAC.
MARCHING ON NIAGARA. THE FORT IN THE WILDERNESS.
AT THE FALL OF MONTREAL. TRAIL AND TRADING POST.
Mexican War Series
_Cloth. Illustrated. Price Per volume $1.00._
FOR THE LIBERTY OF TEXAS. WITH TAYLOR ON THE RIO GRANDE.
UNDER SCOTT IN MEXICO.
Pan-American Series
_Cloth. Illustrated. Price per volume $1.00._
LOST ON THE ORINOCO. YOUNG EXPLORERS OF THE AMAZON.
THE YOUNG VOLCANO EXPLORERS. TREASURE SEEKERS OF THE ANDES.
YOUNG EXPLORERS OF THE ISTHMUS. CHASED ACROSS THE PAMPAS.
Dave Porter Series
_Cloth. Illustrated. Net $1.75 per volume._
DAVE PORTER AT OAK HALL. DAVE PORTER ON CAVE ISLAND.
DAVE PORTER IN THE SOUTH SEAS. DAVE PORTER AND THE RUNAWAYS.
DAVE PORTER'S RETURN TO SCHOOL. DAVE PORTER IN THE GOLD FIELDS.
DAVE PORTER IN THE FAR NORTH. DAVE PORTER AT BEAR CAMP.
DAVE PORTER AND HIS CLASSMATES. DAVE PORTER AND HIS DOUBLE.
DAVE PORTER AT STAR RANCH. DAVE PORTER'S GREAT SEARCH.
DAVE PORTER AND HIS RIVALS. DAVE PORTER UNDER FIRE.
DAVE PORTER'S WAR HONORS.
Lakeport Series
_Cloth. Illustrated. Net $1.75 per volume._
THE GUN CLUB BOYS OF LAKEPORT. THE FOOTBALL BOYS OF LAKEPORT.
THE BASEBALL BOYS OF LAKEPORT. THE AUTOMOBILE BOYS OF LAKEPORT.
THE BOAT CLUB BOYS OF LAKEPORT. THE AIRCRAFT BOYS OF LAKEPORT.
American Boys' Biographical Series
_Cloth. Illustrated. Net $1.75 per volume._
AMERICAN BOYS' LIFE OF WILLIAM McKINLEY.
AMERICAN BOYS' LIFE OF THEODORE ROOSEVELT.
DEFENDING HIS FLAG. _Price $1.75._
* * * * * *
[Illustration: THE BIG TOURING CAR SHOT PAST THE CARRYALL.--_Page
249._]
Dave Porter Series
DAVE PORTER AND HIS CLASSMATES
Or
For the Honor of Oak Hall
by
EDWARD STRATEMEYER
Author of "Dave Porter at Oak Hall," "The Old Glory Series,"
"Colonial Series," "Pan-American Series,"
"Soldiers of Fortune Series," etc.
Illustrated by Charles Nuttall_
[ILLUSTRATION]
Boston
Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Co.
Published, March, 1909
Copyright, 1909, by Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Co.
All rights reserved
DAVE PORTER AND HIS CLASSMATES
Norwood Press
Berwick & Smith Co.
Norwood, Mass.
U. S. A.
PREFACE
"Dave Porter and His Classmates" is a complete story in itself, but
forms the fifth volume in a line issued under the general title of
"Dave Porter Series."
The first book of this series, "Dave Porter at Oak Hall," introduced to
the reader a typical American youth of to-day, full of vim and vigor,
and with a true sense of manliness, and related the particulars of some
doings at a modern boarding school. At this institution of learning
Dave, by pluck and perseverance, fought his way to the front, and was
admired accordingly.
There was a cloud on the youth's parentage, and in order to clear this
away he took a long and eventful sea voyage, as related in the second
volume of the series, called "Dave Porter in the South Seas." Thousands
of miles from home he found an uncle and learned something of his
father and sister, who were then traveling in Europe.
As was but natural, the lad was anxious to meet all his relatives,
but the address of his father and sister could not be obtained, and
while waiting for this he returned to Oak Hall, as related in the next
volume, entitled "Dave Porter's Return to School." At school Dave lived
a truly strenuous life, becoming innocently involved in some robberies,
aiding to win some great football games, and helping to bring the bully
of the academy to a realization of his better self.
In the midst of his school life Dave learned that his father had been
heard from. More anxious than ever to meet his parent he, in company
with an old chum, set sail for England, and then went to Norway, as
related in "Dave Porter in the Far North." Here, amid the ice and snow
of the Land of the Midnight Sun, Dave found his father, and learned
much of his sister, which filled him with great satisfaction.
It was now time for the youth to return to school, and in the present
volume I have related some of the things that took place at Oak Hall
after Dave got back,--how he worked hard, played hard, overcame his
enemies, and what he did for the honor of the academy.
Once more I thank the young people for the interest they have shown in
my books. I trust that the reading of the present volume will do them
much good.
EDWARD STRATEMEYER.
_February 1, 1909_
CONTENTS
CHAPTER PAGE
I. DAVE AND HIS PAST 1
II. WHAT LAURA HAD TO TELL 11
III. ON THE WAY TO SCHOOL 21
IV. THE FUN OF A NIGHT 31
V. WHAT HAPPENED TO NAT POOLE 41
VI. WHAT A BIG SNOWBALL DID 51
VII. PRISONERS IN THE SCHOOL 61
VIII. A MOVE IN THE DARK 71
IX. VERA ROCKWELL 81
X. DAVE SPEAKS HIS MIND 91
XI. AT THE OLD GRANARY 101
XII. GUS PLUM'S STORY 111
XIII. THE GEE EYES' INITIATION 121
XIV. IN WHICH JOB HASKERS GETS
LEFT IN THE COLD 131
XV. WHAT MIKE MARCY HAD TO TELL 141
XVI. SOMETHING ABOUT LESSONS 151
XVII. SHADOW HAMILTON'S PERIL 161
XVIII. THE BOXING BOUT 171
XIX. AT THE EXPRESS OFFICE 181
XX. A MISUNDERSTANDING 191
XXI. IN WHICH THE BOYS GIVE AN
ENTERTAINMENT 201
XXII. FORMING THE BASEBALL CLUB 211
XXIII. A GREAT VICTORY 221
XXIV. ON BUSH ISLAND 231
XXV. WHAT AN AUTOMOBILE DID 241
XXVI. A DEFEAT FOR OAK HALL 250
XXVII. STUCK ON A SANDBAR 260
XXVIII. LINK MERWELL HAS HIS SAY 270
XXIX. DAVE MAKES UP HIS MIND 280
XXX. DAVE TAKES THE LAW IN HIS OWN HANDS 289
XXXI. MORE VICTORIES--CONCLUSION 298
ILLUSTRATIONS
The big touring car shot past the
carryall (page 249) _Frontispiece_
PAGE
The big snowball hit the craft and bowled it over, (_missing_) 52
"It's a shame to make you eat without a fork, Phil" 74
"Now to Jackson's Gully with him!" 124
Dave pointed out the form of the sleep-walker, (_missing_) 164
Down went the back part, letting him fall
most unexpectedly 208
"Well, you can row if you want to," sneered Poole 232
Raising his oar, he hit the bully a blow on the shoulder 274
DAVE PORTER AND HIS CLASSMATES
CHAPTER I
DAVE AND HIS PAST
"I suppose you feel very happy to-day, Dave."
"Yes, Roger, happy and anxious," answered Dave Porter. "And who
wouldn't feel so if he was in my place? Just think of it! I am to see
my sister at last--somebody I've never seen before in my life! Why,
sometimes I have to pinch myself to make certain I am really awake."
"More than likely Laura is just as anxious as you are," went on Roger
Morr. "She'll surely want to know how her long-missing brother looks.
Remember, she hasn't had a photograph of you, while you have seen
several of her."
"That is so," answered Dave. His usually smiling face took on a serious
look. "I trust she isn't disappointed in me or my looks."
"Oh, she won't be, don't worry about that. You're a good-looking
fellow, even if I do have to say it for you, Dave. If you don't believe
it, just ask Jessie Wadsworth." And Roger Morr began to grin. "I know
Jessie will say at once that you are the dearest, sweetest----"
"Come now, Roger, let up!" interrupted Dave, growing red in the face.
"Supposing Jessie should hear you?" And he looked anxiously toward the
sitting-room door, which was partly open.
"There is no harm in telling the truth," returned Roger, with a
calmness that made Dave blush still more. "But joking aside, Dave, I
really hope this day proves to be the happiest of your life, and Laura
turns out to be the jolliest of sisters."
"Hello, in there!" came a pleasant, boyish voice from the doorway, and
a youth showed himself, with a pair of bright, nickel-plated skates on
his arm. "Thought you were going skating, Roger?"
"So I am, Phil. I just stopped to speak to Dave for a moment. He is
going off now to meet his sister."
"Oh!" Phil Lawrence came into the room and faced his chum. "Well,
I can't say any more than what I've said before, Dave--I wish you
the best of luck. I am sure you'll find it awfully nice to have a
sister--especially after what you've had to put up with in the past."
"Don't you fellows really want to go with me?" asked Dave.
"Of course we do, but---- Well, Roger and I talked it over and we--that
is--well, we thought it would be nice to let you go with your father
and uncle--kind of family gathering, you know. We'll be on hand by the
time you get back to the house."
At that moment the merry jingle of sleighbells sounded from outside the
mansion and a comfortable two-seated sleigh came up to the door, driven
by one of the men from the barn.
"There is your turnout ready for you!" cried Roger. "What time does
that Western train get in?"
"Ten-twenty, if it's on time," replied Dave promptly, for he had the
time-table well in mind. "But the snowstorm may have delayed it."
"Well, I hope for your sake the train is on time," said Phil Lawrence.
"If it isn't, I suppose every minute's delay will seem like an hour to
you."
"More like two," answered Dave, and then, as he heard his father
calling to him, he hurried out into the hall. There stood Mr. David
Porter and his brother Dunston, both ready for the long drive to the
depot. Behind the pair were a lady and gentleman of middle age, Mr. and
Mrs. Wadsworth, and their daughter Jessie, while in the library door,
holding a ponderous volume on botany in his hands, was an elderly man
with white hair, Caspar Potts.
All of the party looked at Dave, for they knew what was in the youth's
mind and what was on his heart. He had waited a long, long time for
this day to come, and now he was a little timid about the result; why,
he could not exactly tell. Perhaps because he had pictured his sister
Laura to be one kind of a person and he was afraid she might prove
something different.
"We mustn't be late," said Mr. Porter, breaking a momentary silence.
He, too, was anxious over the coming meeting of son and daughter. It
made his heart bound with pleasure to think that his little family were
to be united at last.
"Remember, dinner will be waiting for you, no matter if the train is
late," said Mrs. Wadsworth.
"And I'm to sit on one side of Laura and Dave on the other," put in
Jessie, flinging back her curls that insisted at times on falling about
her face. "Oh, won't it be glorious, Dave! I know I am going to love
Laura, and I know she is going to love me--at least, I hope so."
Dave looked at her and smiled--he thought a great deal of Jessie, he
simply couldn't help it. Then he turned and followed his father and
Uncle Dunston down to the sleigh. The three got in and Mr. Porter took
up the reins. A word to the stylish team and off they sped, through the
spacious grounds of the Wadsworth mansion and down the road leading to
the railroad station.
Dave wanted to talk to his father and uncle, but somehow his heart was
too full and the words would not come. His whole mind was centered upon
meeting his sister, whom, so far as he could remember, he had never
seen. He did not dream of the unexpected news Laura would bring him.
To those who have read the former volumes of this "Dave Porter Series,"
the characters already mentioned will need no special introduction.
For the benefit of others let me state that Dave Porter was a youth
who had had a varied experience in life. When a small boy he had been
found wandering along the railroad tracks just outside of the village
of Crumville. Nobody knew who he was or where he came from, and as a
consequence he was put in the local poorhouse, where he remained until
about nine years old. Then an old college professor, Caspar Potts, who
on account of broken health had taken up farming, took the boy to live
with him.
Caspar Potts meant well, but he got in the grasp of a money-lender,
Aaron Poole, as related in detail in my first story, called "Dave
Porter at Oak Hall." Times looked exceedingly black for the old man and
for Dave when there came a happening which turned the whole aspect of
affairs.
In an elegant mansion of the outskirts of the town lived Mr. Oliver
Wadsworth, a rich manufacturer, with his wife and daughter Jessie, the
latter a beautiful miss some years younger than Dave. One day Dave
called at the mansion on business. Jessie was waiting for an automobile
ride, and through an accident to the gasoline tank of the car the
girl's clothing took fire, and she might have been burned to death had
not Dave rushed to her assistance and put out the flames.
Of course the Wadsworths were exceedingly grateful, and when the
gentleman of the place learned that Caspar Potts was one of his old
college professors he at once interested himself in the old man's
behalf.
"You must come and live with me," he said. "You can do some work around
the place and in arranging my library--and you must bring the boy with
you." He had had a son who had died, and Dave reminded him strongly of
that offspring.
At the Wadsworth home Dave made himself a great favorite, and he and
Jessie became the closest of friends. The rich manufacturer wanted the
lad to have a good education, and so he was sent off to Oak Hall, a
fine institution of learning. With Dave went Ben Basswood, a youth of
Crumville who had been the poorhouse lad's chum for some years.
At Oak Hall, Dave proved himself a leader in many sports, and as a
consequence he gained a host of friends, including Roger Morr, the
son of a United States senator, and Phil Lawrence, the offspring of a
wealthy shipowner. He also made several enemies, not the least of whom
was Nat Poole, the son of the money-lender who had caused Caspar Potts
so much worry.
One day Dave's enemies raised the cry of "poorhouse nobody" against
him. This cut the high-spirited lad to the quick. A fight ensued, in
which Dave was victorious, and then the boy resolved, at any cost, to
solve the mystery of his parentage.
How this was accomplished has been related in detail in "Dave Porter
in the South Seas." With information obtained from an old sailor the
youth journeyed almost half around the world, and there fell in with
his uncle, Dunston Porter, who gave him much information concerning his
father, David Breslow Porter, and also about his sister Laura, one year
younger than himself, and told how the family had become separated.
Happy in the knowledge that he was no longer a "poorhouse nobody," but
a well-to-do lad with a large sum of money coming to him when he should
be of age, Dave returned to the United States. His father and sister
were in Europe, and while waiting to hear from them he went back to Oak
Hall, as told in "Dave Porter's Return to School." Here he made many
more friends. His enemies could no longer twit him about his parentage,
yet some of them, notably a fellow named Jasniff and Nat Poole, and a
bully named Gus Plum, did what they could to torment him. Plum, when
Dave did him a great service, tried to reform, but Jasniff, who was a
hot-tempered fellow, attempted to strike Dave down with a heavy Indian
club. This was a dastardly attack, roundly condemned by those who saw
it, and fearful of what might follow, Nick Jasniff ran away from school
and set sail for England.
Dave had waited long to hear from his father and sister, and at last
when he learned that Jasniff had met them in London, he resolved to
go in quest of them, although he did not yet have their address. In
company with Roger Morr he crossed the Atlantic, only to find that his
parent had joined an expedition for the upper part of Norway. How he
and his chum journeyed to the land of the Midnight Sun has been told
in all its particulars in "Dave Porter in the Far North." Here Dave
at last met his father face to face,--a joyous reunion no words can
express. Then the boy learned that his sister Laura had gone to the
United States some time before, in company with some friends named
Endicott, who owned a ranch in the Far West.
"We must telegraph at once for Laura," said Mr. Porter, and several
telegrams were sent without delay, and, as a consequence, word came
back that Laura would come as fast as the overland express could bring
her.
When Dave's friends heard the good news that he had found his father
some of them came to the Wadsworth home to congratulate him. Among the
number was Phil Lawrence, and he and Roger were invited to remain with
Dave until the latter returned to Oak Hall.
"You can all go back together--after Dave has seen his sister," said
Mr. Porter. "I will fix it up with Doctor Clay, so you won't have
any trouble over staying out of school a week longer." And so it was
arranged.
Just before leaving school for his trip to Europe Dave had had a
bitter quarrel with Nat Poole and a new student at Oak Hall named Link
Merwell. Merwell was an aggressive fellow, tall and powerful, the son
of a cattle-owner of the West. His taunting remarks to Dave had led to
a fight in which the cattle-owner's son had gotten the worse of it.
"I'll get square for this," Link Merwell had said to his crony. "I'll
make Dave Porter eat humble pie before I am done with him." Then had
come another quarrel between the Western boy and Mr. Dale, the head
assistant teacher, and Merwell had come close to being expelled. He had
gone home for a vacation, stating that he believed Phil Lawrence had
gotten him into "the mess," as he expressed it, and he had added that
he would not forgive either Dave or Phil as long as he lived.
"Well, what did you do?" questioned Dave, when he and the shipowner's
son talked this affair over.
"I didn't do anything," answered Phil. "Merwell wanted me to say that
he hadn't gone out one night when I knew he did go out. I refused,
and then he was found out. Oh, but wasn't he mad when he left on his
vacation! He pounded his fist on a desk and vowed he'd fix me as soon
as he got back,--and then he added that he'd fix you, too, as soon as
you got back."
"Mighty interesting," said Dave. "We'll have to watch him and see what
comes of it." And there the subject was dropped. But it was to come up
very soon again, and in a manner not anticipated.