BOOKS FOR YOUNG MEN
MERRIWELL SERIES
Stories of Frank and Dick Merriwell
PRICE, FIFTEEN CENTS
Fascinating Stories of Athletics
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A half million enthusiastic followers of the Merriwell brothers will
attest the unfailing interest and wholesomeness of these adventures of
two lads of high ideals, who play fair with themselves, as well as with
the rest of the world.
These stories are rich in fun and thrills in all branches of sports and
athletics. They are extremely high in moral tone, and cannot fail to be
of immense benefit to every boy who reads them.
They have the splendid quality of firing a boy’s ambition to become a
good athlete, in order that he may develop into a strong, vigorous
right-thinking man.
ALL TITLES ALWAYS IN PRINT
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1—Frank Merriwell’s School Days By Burt L. Standish
2—Frank Merriwell’s Chums By Burt L. Standish
3—Frank Merriwell’s Foes By Burt L. Standish
4—Frank Merriwell’s Trip West By Burt L. Standish
5—Frank Merriwell Down South By Burt L. Standish
6—Frank Merriwell’s Bravery By Burt L. Standish
7—Frank Merriwell’s Hunting Tour By Burt L. Standish
8—Frank Merriwell in Europe By Burt L. Standish
9—Frank Merriwell at Yale By Burt L. Standish
10—Frank Merriwell’s Sports Afield By Burt L. Standish
11—Frank Merriwell’s Races By Burt L. Standish
12—Frank Merriwell’s Party By Burt L. Standish
13—Frank Merriwell’s Bicycle Tour By Burt L. Standish
14—Frank Merriwell’s Courage By Burt L. Standish
15—Frank Merriwell’s Daring By Burt L. Standish
16—Frank Merriwell’s Alarm By Burt L. Standish
17—Frank Merriwell’s Athletes By Burt L. Standish
18—Frank Merriwell’s Skill By Burt L. Standish
19—Frank Merriwell’s Champions By Burt L. Standish
20—Frank Merriwell’s Return to Yale By Burt L. Standish
21—Frank Merriwell’s Secret By Burt L. Standish
22—Frank Merriwell’s Danger By Burt L. Standish
23—Frank Merriwell’s Loyalty By Burt L. Standish
24—Frank Merriwell in Camp By Burt L. Standish
25—Frank Merriwell’s Vacation By Burt L. Standish
26—Frank Merriwell’s Cruise By Burt L. Standish
27—Frank Merriwell’s Chase By Burt L. Standish
28—Frank Merriwell in Maine By Burt L. Standish
29—Frank Merriwell’s Struggle By Burt L. Standish
30—Frank Merriwell’s First Job By Burt L. Standish
31—Frank Merriwell’s Opportunity By Burt L. Standish
32—Frank Merriwell’s Hard Luck By Burt L. Standish
33—Frank Merriwell’s Protégé By Burt L. Standish
34—Frank Merriwell on the Road By Burt L. Standish
35—Frank Merriwell’s Own Company By Burt L. Standish
36—Frank Merriwell’s Fame By Burt L. Standish
37—Frank Merriwell’s College Chums By Burt L. Standish
38—Frank Merriwell’s Problem By Burt L. Standish
39—Frank Merriwell’s Fortune By Burt L. Standish
40—Frank Merriwell’s New Comedian By Burt L. Standish
41—Frank Merriwell’s Prosperity By Burt L. Standish
42—Frank Merriwell’s Stage Hit By Burt L. Standish
43—Frank Merriwell’s Great Scheme By Burt L. Standish
44—Frank Merriwell in England By Burt L. Standish
45—Frank Merriwell on the Boulevards By Burt L. Standish
46—Frank Merriwell’s Duel By Burt L. Standish
47—Frank Merriwell’s Double Shot By Burt L. Standish
48—Frank Merriwell’s Baseball Victories By Burt L. Standish
49—Frank Merriwell’s Confidence By Burt L. Standish
50—Frank Merriwell’s Auto By Burt L. Standish
51—Frank Merriwell’s Fun By Burt L. Standish
52—Frank Merriwell’s Generosity By Burt L. Standish
53—Frank Merriwell’s Tricks By Burt L. Standish
54—Frank Merriwell’s Temptation By Burt L. Standish
55—Frank Merriwell on Top By Burt L. Standish
56—Frank Merriwell’s Luck By Burt L. Standish
57—Frank Merriwell’s Mascot By Burt L. Standish
58—Frank Merriwell’s Reward By Burt L. Standish
59—Frank Merriwell’s Phantom By Burt L. Standish
60—Frank Merriwell’s Faith By Burt L. Standish
61—Frank Merriwell’s Victories By Burt L. Standish
62—Frank Merriwell’s Iron Nerve By Burt L. Standish
63—Frank Merriwell in Kentucky By Burt L. Standish
64—Frank Merriwell’s Power By Burt L. Standish
65—Frank Merriwell’s Shrewdness By Burt L. Standish
66—Frank Merriwell’s Set Back By Burt L. Standish
67—Frank Merriwell’s Search By Burt L. Standish
68—Frank Merriwell’s Club By Burt L. Standish
69—Frank Merriwell’s Trust By Burt L. Standish
70—Frank Merriwell’s False Friend By Burt L. Standish
71—Frank Merriwell’s Strong Arm By Burt L. Standish
72—Frank Merriwell As Coach By Burt L. Standish
73—Frank Merriwell’s Brother By Burt L. Standish
74—Frank Merriwell’s Marvel By Burt L. Standish
75—Frank Merriwell’s Support By Burt L. Standish
76—Dick Merriwell At Fardale By Burt L. Standish
77—Dick Merriwell’s Glory By Burt L. Standish
78—Dick Merriwell’s Promise By Burt L. Standish
79—Dick Merriwell’s Rescue By Burt L. Standish
80—Dick Merriwell’s Narrow Escape By Burt L. Standish
81—Dick Merriwell’s Racket By Burt L. Standish
82—Dick Merriwell’s Revenge By Burt L. Standish
83—Dick Merriwell’s Ruse By Burt L. Standish
84—Dick Merriwell’s Delivery By Burt L. Standish
85—Dick Merriwell’s Wonders By Burt L. Standish
86—Frank Merriwell’s Honor By Burt L. Standish
87—Dick Merriwell’s Diamond By Burt L. Standish
88—Frank Merriwell’s Winners By Burt L. Standish
89—Dick Merriwell’s Dash By Burt L. Standish
90—Dick Merriwell’s Ability By Burt L. Standish
91—Dick Merriwell’s Trap By Burt L. Standish
92—Dick Merriwell’s Defense By Burt L. Standish
93—Dick Merriwell’s Model By Burt L. Standish
94—Dick Merriwell’s Mystery By Burt L. Standish
95—Frank Merriwell’s Backers By Burt L. Standish
96—Dick Merriwell’s Backstop By Burt L. Standish
97—Dick Merriwell’s Western Mission By Burt L. Standish
98—Frank Merriwell’s Rescue By Burt L. Standish
99—Frank Merriwell’s Encounter By Burt L. Standish
100—Dick Merriwell’s Marked Money By Burt L. Standish
101—Frank Merriwell’s Nomads By Burt L. Standish
102—Dick Merriwell on the Gridiron By Burt L. Standish
103—Dick Merriwell’s Disguise By Burt L. Standish
104—Dick Merriwell’s Test By Burt L. Standish
In order that there may be no confusion, we desire to say that the books
listed below will be issued during the respective months in New York
City and vicinity. They may not reach the readers at a distance
promptly, on account of delays in transportation.
To be published in January, 1925.
105—Frank Merriwell’s Trump Card By Burt L. Standish
106—Frank Merriwell’s Strategy By Burt L. Standish
To be published in February, 1925.
107—Frank Merriwell’s Triumph By Burt L. Standish
108—Dick Merriwell’s Grit By Burt L. Standish
To be published in March, 1925.
109—Dick Merriwell’s Assurance By Burt L. Standish
110—Dick Merriwell’s Long Slide By Burt L. Standish
111—Frank Merriwell’s Rough Deal By Burt L. Standish
To be published in April, 1925.
112—Dick Merriwell’s Threat By Burt L. Standish
113—Dick Merriwell’s Persistence By Burt L. Standish
To be published in May, 1925.
114—Dick Merriwell’s Day By Burt L. Standish
115—Frank Merriwell’s Peril By Burt L. Standish
To be published in June, 1925.
116—Dick Merriwell’s Downfall By Burt L. Standish
117—Frank Merriwell’s Pursuit By Burt L. Standish
SPORTS
There is a greater appreciation of athletic sports among Americans than
among people of any other nationality.
We have had definite proof of this in the correspondence occasioned by
our publication of the adventures of Frank and Dick Merriwell. These two
boys are active athletes. They are proficient in every line of sport,
and they play fair or not at all.
This last feature of the Merriwell stories fills our daily mail with
letters from readers who say that they appreciate the integrity and
fairness of the Merriwells more than words can tell.
These books, while of greatest interest to the right-thinking boy are
educational and make for the development of a character which will
enable the average boy to meet his fellows fairly and squarely in the
battle of life.
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STREET & SMITH CORPORATION
79 Seventh Avenue New York City
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EVERY ONE SHOULD READ
Round the World Library
Stories of Jack Harkaway and His Comrades
PRICE, FIFTEEN CENTS
Every reader, young and old, has heard of Jack Harkaway. His remarkable
adventures in out-of-the-way corners of the globe are really classics,
and every one should read them.
Jack is a splendid, manly character, full of life and strength and
curiosity. He has a number of very interesting companions, Professor
Mole, for instance, who is very funny. He also has some very strange
enemies, who are anything but funny.
Get interested in Jack. It will pay you.
ALL TITLES ALWAYS IN PRINT
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In order that there may be no confusion, we desire to say that the books
listed below will be issued during the respective months in New York
City and vicinity. They may not reach the readers at a distance
promptly, on account of delays in transportation.
To be published in January, 1925.
1—Jack Harkaway’s School Days By Bracebridge Hemyng
2—Jack Harkaway’s Friends By Bracebridge Hemyng
To be published in February, 1925.
3—Jack Harkaway After School Days, By Bracebridge Hemyng
4—Jack Harkaway Afloat and Ashore, By Bracebridge Hemyng
To be published in March, 1925.
5—Jack Harkaway Among the Pirates, By Bracebridge Hemyng
6—Jack Harkaway at Oxford By Bracebridge Hemyng
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Dick Merriwell’s Day
OR,
IRON NERVE
BY
BURT L. STANDISH
Author of the famous MERRIWELL STORIES.
[Illustration]
STREET & SMITH CORPORATION
PUBLISHERS
79–89 Seventh Avenue, New York
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Copyright, 1904
By STREET & SMITH
---
Dick Merriwell’s Day
(Printed in the United States of America)
All rights reserved, including that of translation into foreign
languages, including the Scandinavian.
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DICK MERRIWELL’S DAY.
CHAPTER I
THE GREAT CRISIS.
Fairhaven had fought desperately for the game at Seaslope, and three
extra innings had been necessary to decide the contest; but the home
club had won in the twelfth, the final score being four to three.
“I told you before the game began that we were going into second place
to-day!” cried Sam Hyde, addressing Dick Merriwell, captain of the
Fairhavens. “Hard luck for you, but we’re out for the pennant.”
“You’re not out of reach yet, are you?” retorted Dick, as he prepared to
pull on his sweater. “We still have a small show, haven’t we?”
“Perhaps you may finish in third position if you can hold Maplewood
down,” said the Seaslope captain. “We’re going to finish at the top, and
I fancy Rockford will be in second place. It’s now a fight between you
and Maplewood to see which of you escape being tail-ender.”
“Evidently you have it all settled—in your mind,” smiled Dick. “These
things don’t always pan out the way they are planned.”
“Just look over our record when you get a chance,” invited Hyde. “When
you’ve considered what we’ve done, it ought to satisfy you that we’re
going to swipe the pennant.”
Having drawn on his sweater, Dick observed that Ray Garrett, the manager
of the Fairhaven team, was looking blue and downcast. Merriwell clapped
him on the shoulder and advised him to cheer up.
“It’s tough!” muttered Garrett. “This game pushed us down from second
position and let Seaslope head us. If Seaslope keeps up the pace it has
set, Hyde is right in thinking it will win the pennant.”
“You talk like a funeral!” exclaimed Dick. “Wait till we reach Rockford.
We’ll figure over the standing of the teams after we get there. I think
you will see they are well bunched.”
The recent victories of the Seaslope team had enthused its spectators,
and the game this day had been witnessed by a wonderfully large crowd.
Early in the season, when Seaslope was losing steadily, it had been
difficult to get out a respectable gathering of spectators. Merriwell
could not help thinking of the change as he watched the well-satisfied
throng pouring out at the open gate of the inclosure. At last Seaslope
was making money, and Jared Whitcomb, the manager of the team, was
smiling and well satisfied.
“We’ve just about time enough to catch the next car for Rockford,” said
Garrett, looking at his watch. “Have you picked up all the stuff,
fellows? Got all the bats? Where’s the body protector? Don’t leave
anything.”
Carrying their bat bags and other necessary luggage, the Fairhaven team
hurried from the ground and cut across a field to reach the trolley line
and intercept a car. In this manner they reached the car ahead of many
who waited for it at a regular stopping place, and all the boys secured
seats. It had been a hot day, and twelve hard innings had tired them to
such an extent that they were glad to sit down.
“We must have that game to-morrow,” said Garrett, who had taken pains to
secure a seat beside Dick. “For that reason I’m not going to send you
back to the island to-night. I don’t want you to take that trip. If it
should be rough to-morrow you might get shaken up coming over.”
“That’s a good idea,” said Dick; “but I thought you intended to run an
excursion to-morrow.”
“I do. I’ll run it just the same. More than that, I’m going to see if I
can’t stir up things on the island to-night. We must have a good big
crowd of rooters with us in Rockford to-morrow. I will telephone the
boys on the island and set them at work getting up a crowd. Dick, do you
realize that the game to-morrow is going to be one of the hardest of the
season?”
“Haven’t a doubt of it,” nodded Merriwell. “If Rockford won to-day from
Maplewood, she’ll be able to hold first place to-morrow whether she
loses or not; but if Maplewood won——”
“It seems likely to me,” interrupted Garrett. “Maplewood has been
walloping almost everybody but us since getting her new team. A week ago
I fancied Rockford might have the strongest team in the league. To-day
I’m inclined to think she has the weakest.”
“Time will tell. We’ll find out how the teams stand as soon as we learn
what happened in Maplewood.”
Finding the boys were inclined to accept Garrett’s rather gloomy view of
the matter, Dick laughed at them and did his best to cheer them up.
“Don’t you worry about us!” cried Obediah Tubbs. “We’ll git into the
game to-morrow, dern our picters! If Rockford takes a fall out of us
she’ll have to get up and hump herself.”
On arriving in Rockford the boys eagerly looked over the bulletin of the
Trolley League games displayed in front of the _Star_ office.
“Great horn spoon!” cried Buckhart. “Just look at that! Maplewood lifted
Rockford’s scalp to-day! Nine to two! That was doing it some!”
“The standing is what interests me now,” laughed Dick. “There it is,
boys. Talk about teams being bunched! What do you think of that?
Seaslope and Rockford are tied, having won twenty each and lost
nineteen. Fairhaven and Maplewood are tied, having won nineteen each and
lost twenty. That’s the sort of baseball to make your hair curl. It
keeps everybody guessing.”
“Well, I’m bub-bub-bub-blamed glad Maplewood did beat Rockford to-day,”
chuckled Chip Jolliby. “I ain’t gug-gug-gug-got no love for Maplewood,
but it kinder makes things a little more even.”
The boys left the car at the Corndike Hotel, where Garrett registered
for them and secured rooms for the night.
By this time the various members of the Fairhaven team were well known
in Rockford, and a number of persons lingering about the hotel office
hailed them one after another by name.
Whitney, the clerk, shook hands with Dick.
“Too bad you dropped that game to-day, Merriwell,” he said. “If you had
won you would have been tied with us for first place. I keep a bulletin
up, following the progress of the games. It was plain enough before the
game at Maplewood was half finished that Rockford was going to lose, but
you kept us guessing what the result would be at Seaslope. Seaslope’s
recent success led some of the boys to offer odds that she would take
the game to-day. I dropped a five on it myself. I took the short end,
and you fellows had me dancing after the ninth inning was finished and
the report came in that the score was tied. Then came the whitewash in
the tenth, and another in the eleventh. We heard that you finished your
half of the twelfth without scoring, and I offered up a humble
supplication for you to shut Seaslope out in her half. How did they get
their run?”
“Nobody to blame,” said Dick. “They earned it. Happened to have their
best batters up and made a clean-earned run.”
“No fault of the umpiring?”
“If anything,” confessed Dick, “we got the best end of that.”
“Well, that’s good sporting talk!” exclaimed Whitney. “I am sick of
hearing all the blame put on the umpiring. When a team loses, it
generally blames the umpire. There’ll be a hot time in Rockford
to-morrow. We can’t afford to let you have that game. We’re obliged to
hold first position, you know.”
“Of course, you feel that way,” retorted Dick. “We have ambitions, Mr.
Whitney.”
A Rockford man who had been standing near now stepped forward.
“You can find all the even money you want offered on Rockford,” he said.
“I’d like to bet ten dollars myself. Where are the sports that back your
team? You’re captain of it, and I suppose you’ll bet something yourself,
eh?”
“I don’t make a practice of betting,” said Dick.
The man laughed in an annoying manner.
“That’s a good excuse for a weak heart,” he said. “Here’s your manager.
I understand he made a heavy bet early in the season—something like five
hundred dollars. He won, too. Perhaps he wants to peddle a little of
that coin.”
Garrett shook his head.
“There are reasons why I can’t bet,” he said, thinking of his promise to
his mother.
Again the Rockford man laughed.
“Your judgment is better than your nerve,” he declared. “Evidently
you’re going to hang onto that five hundred.”
Ray flushed.
“I think you’ll find plenty of men ready to accommodate you to-morrow,”
he said. “There will be an excursion from Fairhaven, and we expect a
crowd.”
“Tell your people to bring all the money they are anxious to lose.”
A few moments later Garrett and Dick were alone in the room assigned to
them. Ray made some figures on a piece of paper and sat frowning over
them. Finally his face cleared a little, and he began to laugh.
“What is it?” questioned Dick.
“I was just thinking of what might happen to-morrow. Fairhaven plays
Rockford, while Maplewood goes against Seaslope. What if both Fairhaven
and Maplewood win? Have you thought about that?”
“Haven’t given it much thought yet,” said Dick. “Let me see, both
Fairhaven and Maplewood are one game behind at present. If they win
to-morrow—why, every team in this league will be tied!”
“That’s exactly what will happen,” nodded Ray. “Wouldn’t that be
remarkable? If the two tail-end teams win to-morrow every team in this
league will have won twenty games and lost twenty games. With the season
so far advanced, I don’t believe such a thing ever happened before in
any league. Jingoes, wouldn’t it kick up some excitement!”
“It would be the best thing that could happen for the league,” said
Dick. “But let’s do a little more figuring. If we defeat Rockford and
Seaslope wins from Maplewood, Seaslope will take first position, while
we will be tied with Rockford for second.”
“That’s correct,” said Garrett. “But if we lose and Maplewood wins, we
go clean to the bottom. To-day we had a chance to be tied for first
place and lost it. Another defeat may put us into last place. Dick, I
confess I’m worried about that game to-morrow. Win it if you can.”
“I promise you that every man on the team will do his level best,” said
Dick.
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