THE ALASKA CLAIM
After all the excitement attending the great athletic tournament,
Riverport took the rest those who lived within her borders really
needed. School duties had been somewhat neglected while there was so
much going on; and Professor Brierley saw to it that the brakes were put
on, and the sport element eliminated for the time being.
And yet he knew that the new spirit of athletic training in schools was
really working wonders among those who had heretofore been sadly
backward about strengthening their lungs, and developing their systems
along proper lines.
The governing committee were so well pleased with the many advantages
which they had reaped from the tournament, that it was unanimously
decided to repeat it every Fall. And during the winter season the new
gymnasiums, with their modern apparatus for developing chests,
strengthening muscles, and encouraging weakly boys and girls to become
strong and healthy, would supply all the exercise needed.
Fred Fenton, of course, became the idol of his set. He was a
clear-headed boy, it happened, and he discouraged all this sort of hero
worship possible; making light of what he had done, and declaring that
when the next took place Gabe Larkins was going to carry off every
running prize.
Fred was at any rate the happiest boy in Riverport; and he believed he
had ample reason for declaring himself such.
In the first place the Alaska claim had been finally settled, and to the
complete satisfaction of the Fenton family. Under the wise guidance and
counsel of Judge Colon, affairs had been so managed that the head of the
powerful syndicate, accompanied by Squire Lemington, had several
meetings with Mr. Fenton. The upshot of the whole matter was that an
offer being finally made, and refused, a second was presented that
enlarged the sum first mentioned. That was also turned down by the
sagacious judge, who had received pointers from Hiram concerning the
necessity of the syndicate possessing the disputed claim. In the end an
agreement was struck, the whole large sum paid over, and the transfer of
all claims made.
Just what that amount was few people ever knew. Some said it must have
been as high as three hundred thousand dollars; others declared it was
only a single hundred thousand; but the chances are it came midway
between the two extremes.
No matter what the sum, wisely invested as it was by the new owner, it
placed the Fenton family beyond the reach of want as long as they lived.
Fred could now dream his dreams of some time going to college, when he
had arrived at the topmost round of the ladder as represented in the
Riverport school course. And there were a host of other things that
seemed much closer to his hand now than they had ever been before.
As they had become dearly attached to their little cottage home, the
Fentons, instead of moving into a larger and more comfortable house,
simply purchased the one they lived in. After certain improvements had
been completed they had as fine a house as any one in all Riverport, and
with a location on the bank of the pretty Mohunk second to none.
Hiram was uneasy away from the mining camps, and after a while said
good-bye to his Riverport friends. He had made over to his brother
Arnold certain property he had accumulated; so that both Sarah and her
father felt that they would never again experience the pinch of
poverty.
These two friends of Fred were always delighted whenever he and any of
his chums took a notion to run up, and pay them a little visit. And many
times did the girl speak of that dreadful day when her calls from the
bottom of the well reached the ears of the cross-country runners,
bringing aid to herself and her sick parent. They would never forget
what Fred and Bristles had done for them.
Gabe Larkins was a different boy from what he had been in the past.
Everybody thought well of him now; and his mother, no longer fearing
that the change in his character indicated a fatal sickness, became very
proud of her boy. And Gabe has a good word to say for Fred Fenton, and
Bristles Carpenter as well; for he knows just how much those two boys
had to do with influencing Miss Muster to forgive his taking of her
opals, before he saw the new light.
For several days Buck Lemington was not seen about Riverport. Only a few
knew that he was up at Arnold Masterson's farm, really in hiding until
his father's wrath blew over; and that he had taken his little brother
along in order to the better bring the "governor" to terms.
When the Alaska claims business had been finally adjusted in a
satisfactory manner, and Squire Lemington could once more remember that
he had not seen either of his boys for some days, he became quite
alarmed. And it was at this time that the artful Buck sent a note by a
special messenger, offering to bring Billy home if his father would
forget all about the punishment he had threatened.
Of course he won his point, and in a short time was just the same bully
about Riverport as of yore; because it is next to impossible for such a
fellow to reform.
Of course while Winter held the country round about the three river
towns in its grasp, the frozen waters of the pretty Mohunk furnished
plenty of sport, both vigorous and healthful.
And it goes without saying that the intense rivalry existing between the
schools kept pace with the seasons. There were skating matches,
challenges between the proud owners of new bobsleds, and even class
spreads, with possibly a dance in some distant barn, to which the girls
were conveyed by their attendants in all manner of sleighs, and with an
elderly lady to add dignity to occasion.
In all of these events we may be sure that Fred Fenton took his part
with the same manly spirit that, as has been shown in these stories of
the school struggles, actuated his behavior at all times.
He was not always victor, and more than once tasted the sting of defeat;
but Fred could give and take; and he knew that others deserved to win as
well as he did himself. But he was satisfied to enjoy the keen rivalry
that accompanies clean sport, and the very first to give the winner a
shout of congratulation.
In the early Spring some of the boys made their way up to the haunted
mill; for they remembered that the pond used to hold some gamey bass in
those days of old when they regularly played around that section.
They found that during a winter's storm the old building had finally
yielded to the war of the elements. It was lying in ruins; and thus
another old landmark disappeared from the region of the Mohunk.
Colon recalled his strange experience at the time he was kidnapped, and
carried away to the old mill by several disguised boys. Of course every
one knew now that these fellows had been Buck and several of his
cronies; and that their object had been simply a desire to cripple the
Riverport athletic track team, because the committee had concluded that
none of them was a fit subject for entry.
And they had come very nearly doing it too. Only for the energy which
Fred Fenton had shown in following up the slender clues left behind,
Colon might have been detained there, his whereabouts unknown, until
the meet was a thing of the past, and the victory gone to Mechanicsburg.
Judge Colon was as good as his word, and, even though the kidnapping had
been only a boyish prank, he said Fred and the others had done such good
work, that the reward of one hundred dollars he offered should go to
them. They took it, turning it into an athletic fund, so that after all
the taking away of Colon resulted in some good.
While this story finishes the present series of tales devoted to the
school life and athletic doings of Fred Fenton, it is possible that the
reader may once more be given the pleasure and privilege of meeting Fred
and his friends in some other future field of spirited rivalry. But at
any rate it is a satisfaction to all of us, who have been more or less
interested in his fortunes, that the last glimpse we have of Fred he
seems to be enjoying the friendship of nearly every one of his comrades,
boys and girls alike; and bids fair to hold their regard to the end of
his term at Riverport school.
THE END
The Tom Fairfield Series
By Allen Chapman
Author of the "Fred Fenton Athletic Series," "The Boys of Pluck Series,"
and "The Darewell Chums Series."
12mo. Cloth. Illustrated. Price per volume, 40 cents, postpaid.
* * * * *
Tom Fairfield is a typical American lad, full of life and energy, a boy
who believes in doing things. To know Tom is to love him.
* * * * *
[Illustration]
Tom Fairfield's Schooldays
or The Chums of Elmwood Hall
Tells of how Tom started for school, of the mystery surrounding one of
the Hall seniors, and of how the hero went to the rescue. The first book
in a line that is bound to become decidedly popular.
Tom Fairfield at Sea
or The Wreck of the Silver Star
Tom's parents had gone to Australia and then been cast away somewhere in
the Pacific. Tom set out to find them and was himself cast away. A
thrilling picture of the perils of the deep.
Tom Fairfield in Camp
or The Secret of the Old Mill
The boys decided to go camping, and located near an old mill. A wild man
resided there and he made it decidedly lively for Tom and his chums. The
secret of the old mill adds to the interest of the volume.
Tom Fairfield's Luck and Pluck
or Working to Clear His Name
While Tom was back at school some of his enemies tried to get him into
trouble. Then something unusual occurred and Tom was suspected of a
crime. How he set to work to clear his name is told in a manner to
interest all young readers.
* * * * *
CUPPLES & LEON CO. Publishers NEW YORK
_The Darewell Chums Series_
_By Allen Chapman_
=Cloth. 12mo. Illustrated. 60 cents each, postpaid.=
=The Darewell Chums=
_Or, The Heroes of the School_
A bright, lively story for boys, telling of the doings of four chums, at
school and elsewhere. There is a strong holding plot, and several
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consider it a prize and tell all his friends about it.
=The Darewell Chums in the City=
_Or, The Disappearance of Ned Wilding_
From a country town the scene is changed to a great city. One of the
chums has disappeared in an extraordinary manner, and the others
institute a hunt for him. The youths befriend a city waif, who in turn
makes a revelation which clears up the mystery.
=The Darewell Chums in the Woods=
_Or, Frank Roscoe's Secret_
The boys had planned for a grand outing when something happened of which
none of them had dreamed. They thought one of their number had done a
great wrong--at least it looked so. But they could not really believe
the accusations made, so they set to work to help Frank all they could.
All went camping some miles from home, and when not hunting and fishing
spent their time in learning the truth of what had occurred.
[Illustration]
=The Darewell Chums on a Cruise=
_Or, Fenn Masterson's Odd Discovery_
A tale of the Great Lakes. The boys run across some Canadian smugglers
and stumble on the secret of a valuable mine.
=The Darewell Chums in a Winter Camp=
_Or, Bart Keene's Best Shot_
Here is a lively tale of ice and snow, of jolly good times in a winter
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* * * * *
=CUPPLES & LEON CO., Publishers, NEW YORK=
_Boys of Pluck Series_
_By Allen Chapman_
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=The Young Express Agent=
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=Two Boy Publishers=
_Or, From Typecase to Editor's Chair_
This tale will appear strongly to all lads who wish to know how a
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=Mail Order Frank=
_Or, A Smart Boy and His Chances_
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=A Business Boy's Pluck=
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=The Young Land Agent=
_Or, The Secret of the Borden Estate_
The young land agent had several rivals, and they did all possible to
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showed up his rivals in their true light, and not only made a success of
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=CUPPLES & LEON CO., Publishers, NEW YORK=
The Saddle Boys Series
By Captain James Carson
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* * * * *
All lads who love life in the open air and a good steed, will want to
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* * * * *
[Illustration]
The Saddle Boys of the Rockies
or Lost on Thunder Mountain
Telling how the lads started out to solve the mystery of a great noise
in the mountains--how they got lost--and of the things they discovered.
The Saddle Boys in the Grand Canyon
or The Hermit of the Cave
A weird and wonderful story of the Grand Canyon of the Colorado, told in
a most absorbing manner. The Saddle Boys are to the front in a manner to
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The Saddle Boys on the Plains
or After a Treasure of Gold
In this story the scene is shifted to the great plains of the southwest
and then to the Mexican border. There is a stirring struggle for gold,
told as only Captain Carson can tell it.
The Saddle Boys at Circle Ranch
or In at the Grand Round-up
Here we have lively times at the ranch, and likewise the particulars of
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cattle thieves. A story that breathes the very air of the plains.
* * * * *
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The Speedwell Boys Series
By Roy Rockwood
Author of "The Dave Dashaway Series," "Great Marvel Series," etc.
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* * * * *
All boys who love to be on the go will welcome the Speedwell boys. They
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* * * * *
[Illustration]
The Speedwell Boys on Motor Cycles
or The Mystery of a Great Conflagration
The lads were poor, but they did a rich man a great service and he
presented them with their motor cycles. What a great fire led to is
exceedingly well told.
The Speedwell Boys and Their Racing Auto
or A Run for the Golden Cup
A tale of automobiling and of intense rivalry on the road. There was an
endurance run and the boys entered the contest. On the run they rounded
up some men who were wanted by the law.
The Speedwell Boys and Their Power Launch
or To the Rescue of the Castaways
Here is a water story of unusual interest. There was a wreck and the
lads, in their power launch, set out to the rescue. A vivid picture of a
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The Speedwell Boys in a Submarine
or The Lost Treasure of Rocky Cove
An old sailor knows of a treasure lost under water because of a cliff
falling into the sea. The boys get a chance to go out in a submarine and
they make a hunt for the treasure. Life under the water is well
described.
* * * * *
CUPPLES & LEON CO. Publishers NEW YORK
The Dave Dashaway Series
By Roy Rockwood
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* * * * *
Never was there a more clever young aviator than Dave Dashaway, and all
up-to-date lads will surely wish to make his acquaintance.
* * * * *
[Illustration]
Dave Dashaway the Young Aviator
or In the Clouds for Fame and Fortune
This initial volume tells how the hero ran away from his miserly
guardian, fell in with a successful airman, and became a young aviator
of note.
Dave Dashaway and His Hydroplane
or Daring Adventures Over the Great Lakes
Showing how Dave continued his career as a birdman and had many
adventures over the Great Lakes, and he likewise foiled the plans of
some Canadian smugglers.
Dave Dashaway and His Giant Airship
or A Marvellous Trip Across the Atlantic
How the giant airship was constructed and how the daring young aviator
and his friends made the hazard journey through the clouds from the new
world to the old, is told in a way to hold the reader spellbound.
Dave Dashaway Around the World
or A Young Yankee Aviator Among Many Nations
An absorbing tale of a great air flight around the world, of hairbreadth
adventures in Alaska, Siberia and elsewhere. A true to life picture of
what may be accomplished in the near future.
* * * * *
CUPPLES & LEON CO. Publishers NEW YORK
* * * * *
Transcriber's Notes:
Obvious punctuation errors repaired.
Page 1, "stubbled" changed to "stubbed" (I stubbed my)
Page 26, "mightly" changed to "mightily" (we're mightily glad)
Page 31, "neccessary" changed to "necessary" (was so necessary)
Page 36, "fanishing" changed to "famishing" (was almost famishing)
Page 56, "be" changed to "he" (he did start)
Page 62, "w've" changed to "we've" (we've got to go)
Page 120, "he" changed to "be" (there be some)
Page 135, "must" changed to "most" (for most of my)
Page 174, "vicitorious" changed to "victorious" (the victorious Colon)
Page 174, "uproarous" changed to "uproarious" (uproarious delight to)
Page 178, "uproarous" changed to "uproarious" (amid uproarious shouts)
Dave Dashaway and His Giant Airship ad, "gaint" changed to "giant" (the
giant airship)
Dave Dashaway Around the World ad, "hairbreath" changed to "hairbreadth"
(hairbreadth adventures in)
End of Project Gutenberg's Fred Fenton on the Track, by Allen Chapman