CHAPTER XVI._A corner in corn; or, How a Chicago boy did the trick

A CORNER IN CORN.

It was a bright, sunny morning, thirty-six hours later, that William

Bradhurst came downstairs and purchased the morning paper at the

news-stand in the lobby of the Grand Pacific.

He opened it and cast his eye rapidly over the first page.

A leading article arrested his attention.

It was headed “A Corner in Corn.”

“By George!” he exclaimed, with no little excitement. “At last!”

On crowded La Salle street a few hours later everybody was talking

about it.

There could no longer be any doubt that Vance Thornton, the Boy Corn

King, had got hold of every bit of corn there was;

That he had actually cornered the visible supply.

That a mere boy could do this was simply astounding.

That he actually had done so was not now denied.

The news, fully verified, had by this time been wired all over America.

Vance Thornton’s name was that morning on every business man’s lips

from the Atlantic to the Pacific, from the Great Lakes to the Gulf of

Mexico.

Traders who must buy the grain to fulfil their contracts now began to

call at Mr. Whitemore’s office in the Rookery Building.

They inquired deferentially for the boy who held the market in his

hand, and bowed to his mandate when he dictated the price.

Among the brokers who dropped in that morning was Mr. Jarboe, the

dignified head of the firm of Jarboe, Willicutt & Co.

“I’ll see him,” said Vance when his name was handed in.

“Good-morning, Mr. Thornton,” said the trader, as politely as his

feelings would permit.

“Good-morning, Mr. Jarboe. What can I do for you?”

“The fact is, young man,” answered the broker, hesitatingly, “we are

short to you one million bushels at (here he named a figure) a bushel.

I want to know how much it is going to cost us to get out of your

corner.”

To get out those words was worse than if he had to swallow a bitter

pill.

Vance looked at him with a quizzical smile.

“It seems to me it would have been better for you if you had stuck by

the sinking ship, Mr. Jarboe. You see, she was only waterlogged for the

moment, and a golden pump put her on an even keel again.”

“All men make mistakes,” responded Mr. Jarboe abruptly. “What is the

figure?”

“In consideration of your long connection with Mr. Whitemore,” said

Vance, “I’ll let you off easy,” and he named a price.

“Vance Thornton,” said Mr. Jarboe, his dignity suddenly melting

away, “you have acted like a man. Allow me to shake you by the hand

and congratulate you on the wonderful ability you have displayed

in engineering so gigantic a deal. I am proud to acknowledge your

acquaintance, and I may say the same for my partners. Instead of

crowing over a firm of solid old traders whom you have caught in the

toils, and squeezing us badly, as you have the power to do, you have

acted with the utmost fairness. Our loss is considerable, it is true,

but no more than we deserve under the circumstances. The only favor

I will ask of you is that you will keep this a secret. It would be a

blow to Mr. Whitemore, who I understand is nearly recovered from his

trouble, and expects soon to be back among us, if he should learn the

true facts of the case.”

“It shall go no further, Mr. Jarboe,” Vance assured him.

“Thank you,” and Mr. Jarboe took out his check-book and signed a check

covering the sum due to Vance.

Then, with a bow and another handshake, he left the office.

It was closing-up time.

All the working force of the office had gone out but Miss Brown, who

was adjusting her hat preparatory to her departure.

Vance appeared at his office door.

“Bessie,” he said, “I’d like to see you.”

She entered the private room, and stood before him in readiness to take

any order he wished to give her.

It was not the old Bessie, but the new one, who always addressed Vance

now as Mr. Thornton.

“Bessie,” said Vance, taking both her hands suddenly in his, “aren’t

you glad?”

She looked at him in surprise, and then her gaze dropped.

“Aren’t you glad it is all over?” he repeated eagerly, in the old

voice that seemed to come to her like an echo from the dead past.

“I don’t know,” she answered, in a trembling tone.

“You don’t know?” he said, almost plaintively. “Don’t you care?”

She half turned away from him, but Vance seized her by the shoulders

and swung her back again.

“It is true that I’m not the same old Vance in some respects.

I’m to-day the king of the corn market, and I’m worth several

millions--just how many I can’t say as yet. I went into this thing

because it was my duty to try and save Mr. Whitemore’s interests. If

I’ve done more than that it was because once I took hold I couldn’t let

go. I had to stick to my post--sink or swim on the ultimate result.

Well, I’ve come out ahead. The papers call me the Corn King, and they

tell the truth. But Bessie,” and tears came to his eyes as he spoke the

words, “I’d give every dollar of my winnings--every cent I have made in

this deal--to hear you call me Vance once more as you used to do, to

know that you still think of me as you once did.”

There was a pause, and then the girl gradually lifted her eyes to his

face.

“Vance!” she said softly.

* * * * *

Before Mr. Whitemore returned to his office a well man again he heard

enough about that famous corner in corn to feel assured that Vance

Thornton was the smartest boy who ever walked in shoe leather.

The full particulars of the deal he learned as soon as he and Vance

came together again, and the result was that the sign on the office

door was altered to Whitemore & Thornton, and nobody was surprised when

they saw it.

That fall there was a quiet wedding at the Thornton home, on which

occasion Elsie Thornton became Mrs. William Bradhurst, and Vance was

the best man.

Bessie Brown was among those present, and the pronounced attention she

received and accepted with pleasure from Vance Thornton seemed to augur

well for another wedding at no very distant day, when the sweet little

stenographer might be expected to make happy for life the boy who had

effected A CORNER IN CORN.

THE END.

* * * * *

Read “A GAME OF CHANCE; OR, THE BOY WHO WON OUT,” which will be the

next number (4) of “Fame and Fortune Weekly.”

* * * * *

SPECIAL NOTICE: All back numbers of this weekly are always in print. If

you cannot obtain them from any newsdealer, send the price in money or

postage stamps by mail to FRANK TOUSEY, PUBLISHER, 24 UNION SQUARE, NEW

YORK, and you will receive the copies you order by return mail.

PLUCK AND LUCK.

CONTAINS ALL SORTS OF STORIES. EVERY STORY COMPLETE.

=32 PAGES.= =BEAUTIFULLY COLORED COVERS.= =PRICE 5 CENTS.=

=LATEST ISSUES:=

314 Red Light Dick, The Engineer Prince;

or, The Bravest Boy on the Railroad.

By Jas. C. Merritt.

315 Leadville Jack, the Game Cock of the West.

By An Old Scout.

316 Adrift in the Sea of Grass;

or, The Strange Voyage of a Missing Ship.

By Capt. Thos. H. Wilson.

317 Out of the Gutter; or, Fighting the Battle Alone.

A True Temperance Story. By H. K. Shackleford.

318 The Scouts of the Santee; or, Redcoats and Whigs.

A Story of the American Revolution. By Gen’l Jas. A. Gordon.

319 Edwin Forrest’s Boy Pupil;

or, The Struggles and Triumphs of a Boy Actor.

By N. S. Wood, the Young American Actor.

320 Air Line Will, The Young Engineer of the New Mexico Express.

By Jas. C. Merritt.

321 The Richest Boy in Arizona; or, The Mystery of the Gila.

By Howard Austin.

322 Twenty Degrees Beyond the Arctic Circle;

or, Deserted in the Land of Ice. By Berton Bertrew.

323 Young King Kerry, the Irish Rob Roy;

or, The Lost Lilly of Killarney. By Allyn Draper.

324 Canoe Carl; or, A College Boy’s Cruise in the Far North.

By Allan Arnold.

325 Randy Rollins, the Boy Fireman. A Story of Heroic Deeds.

By Ex-Fire-Chief Warden.

326 Green Mountain Joe, the Old Trapper of Malbro Pond.

By An Old Scout.

327 The Prince of Rockdale School; or, A Fight for a Railroad.

By Howard Austin.

328 Lost in the City; or, The Lights and Shadows of New York.

By H. K. Shackleford.

329 Switchback Sam, the Young Pennsylvania Engineer;

or, Railroading in the Oil Country. By Jas. C. Merritt.

330 Trapeze Tom, the Boy Acrobat; or, Daring Work in the Air.

By Berton Bertrew.

331 Yellowstone Kelly, A Story of Adventures in the Great West.

By An Old Scout.

332 The Poisoned Wine; or, Foiling a Desperate Game.

By H. K. Shackleford.

333 Shiloh Sam; or, General Grant’s Best Boy Scout.

By Gen’l. Jas. A. Gordon.

334 Alone in New York; or, Ragged Rob, the Newsboy.

By N. S. Wood (The Young American Actor).

335 The Floating Treasure; or, The Secret of the Pirate’s Rock.

By Capt. Thos. H. Wilson.

336 Tom Throttle, The Boy Engineer of the Midnight Express;

or, Railroading in Central America. By Jas. C. Merritt.

337 The Diamond Eye; or, The Secret of the Idol.

By Richard R. Montgomery.

338 Ned North, The Young Arctic Explorer;

or, The Phantom Valley of the North Pole. By Berton Bertrew.

339 From Cabin to Cabinet; or, The Pluck of a Plowboy.

By H. K. Shackleford.

340 Kit Carson’s Boys; or, With the Great Scout on His Last Trail.

By An Old Scout.

341 Driven to Sea; or, The Sailor’s Secret.

A Story of the Algerine Corsairs. By Capt. Thos. H. Wilson.

342 Twenty Boy Spies; or, The Secret Band of Dismal Hollow.

A Story of the American Revolution. By Gen’l. Jas. A. Gordon.

343 Dashing Hal, the Hero of the Ring. A Story of the Circus.

By Berton Bertrew.

344 The Haunted Hut; or, The Ghosts of Rocky Gulch.

By Allyn Draper.

345 Dick Dashaway’s School Days; or, The Boy Rebels of Kingan College.

By Howard Austin.

346 Jack Lever, the Young Engineer of “Old Forty”;

or, On Time with the Night Express. By Jas. C. Merritt.

347 Out With Peary; or, In Search of the North Pole.

By Berton Bertrew.

348 The Boy Prairie Courier; or, General Custer’s Youngest Aide.

A True Story of the Battle at Little Big Horn. By An Old Scout.

349 Led Astray in New York;

or, A Country Boy’s Career in a Great City.

A True Temperance Story. By Jno. B. Dowd.

350 Sharpshooter Sam, the Yankee Boy Spy;

or, Winning His Shoulder Straps. By Gen’l. Jas. A. Gordon.

351 Tom Train, the Boy Engineer of the Fast Express;

or, Always at His Post. By Jas. C. Merritt.

352 We Three; or, The White Boy Slaves of the Soudan.

By Allan Arnold.

353 Jack Izzard, the Yankee Middy. A Story of the War With Tripoli.

By Capt. Thos. H. Wilson.

354 The Senator’s Boy; or, The Early Struggles of a Great Statesman.

By H. K. Shackleford.

355 Kit Carson on a Mysterious Trail; or, Branded a Renegade.

By An Old Scout.

356 The Lively Eight Social Club; or, From Cider to Rum.

A True Temperance Story. By Jno. B. Dowd.

357 The Dandy of the School; or, The Boys of Bay Cliff.

By Howard Austin.

358 Out in the Streets; A Story of High and Low Life in New York.

By N. S. Wood (The Young American Actor.)

359 Captain Ray; The Young Leader of the Forlorn Hope.

A True Story of the Mexican War. By Gen’l. Jas. A. Gordon.

360 “3”; or, The Ten Treasure Houses of the Tartar King.

By Richard R. Montgomery.

361 Railroad Rob; or, The Train Wreckers of the West.

By Jas. C. Merritt.

362 A Millionaire at 18; or, The American Boy Croesus.

By H. K. Shackleford.

363 The Seven White Bears; or, The Band of Fate. A Story of Russia.

By Richard R. Montgomery.

364 Shamus O’Brien; or, The Bold Boy of Glingall.

By Allyn Draper.

365 The Skeleton Scout; or, The Dread Rider of the Plains.

By An Old Scout.

366 “Merry Matt”; or, The Will-o’-the-Wisp of Wine.

A True Temperance Story. By H. K. Shackleford.

367 The Boy With the Steel Mask; or, A Face That Was Never Seen.

By Allan Arnold.

368 Clear-the-Track Tom; or, The Youngest Engineer on the Road.

By Jas. C. Merritt.

369 Gallant Jack Barry, The Young Father of the American Navy.

By Capt. Thos. H. Wilson.

370 Laughing Luke, The Yankee Spy of the Revolution.

By Gen’l Jas. A. Gordon.

371 From Gutter to Governor; or, The Luck of a Waif.

By H. K. Shackleford.

372 Davy Crockett, Jr.; or, “Be Sure You’re Right, Then Go Ahead.”

By An Old Scout.

373 The Young Diamond Hunters; or, Two Runaway Boys in Treasure Land.

A Story of the South African Mines. By Allan Arnold.

374 The Phantom Brig; or, The Chase of the Flying Clipper.

By Capt. Thos. H. Wilson.

375 Special Bob; or, The Pride of the Road.

By Jas. C. Merritt.

376 Three Chums; or, The Bosses of the School.

By Allyn Draper.

377 The Drummer Boy’s Secret; or, Oath-Bound on the Battlefield.

By Gen’l. Jas. A. Gordon.

378 Jack Bradford; or, The Struggles of a Working Boy.

By Howard Austin.

379 The Unknown Renegade; or, The Three Great Scouts.

By An Old Scout.

380 80° North; or, Two Years On The Arctic Circle.

By Berton Bertrew.

381 Running Rob; or, Mad Anthony’s Rollicking Scout.

A Tale of The American Revolution. By Gen. Jas. A. Gordon.

382 Down The Shaft; or, The Hidden Fortune of a Boy Miner.

By Howard Austin.

383 The Boy Telegraph Inspectors;

or, Across The Continent On A Hand Car. By Jas. C. Merritt.

384 Nazoma; or, Lost Among The Head-Hunters.

By Richard R. Montgomery.

385 From Newsboy To President; or, Fighting For Fame And Fortune.

By H. K. Shackleford.

386 Jack Harold, The Cabin Boy; or, Ten Years On An Unlucky Ship.

By Capt. Thos. H. Wilson.

For sale by all newsdealers, or will be sent to any address on receipt

of price, 5 cents per copy, in money or postage stamps, by

=FRANK TOUSEY, Publisher, 24 Union Square, New York.=

IF YOU WANT ANY BACK NUMBERS

of our Libraries and cannot procure them from newsdealers, they can be

obtained from this office direct. Cut out and fill in the following

Order Blank and send it to us with the price of the books you want

and we will send them to you by return mail.

=POSTAGE STAMPS TAKEN THE SAME AS MONEY.=

FRANK TOUSEY, Publisher, 24 Union Square, New York. ......190

Dear Sir--Enclosed find......cents for which please send me

....copies of WORK AND WIN, Nos........................................

....copies of PLUCK AND LUCK, Nos......................................

....copies of SECRET SERVICE, Nos......................................

....copies of THE LIBERTY BOYS OF ’76, Nos.............................

....copies of WILD WEST WEEKLY, Nos....................................

....copies of THE YOUNG ATHLETE’S WEEKLY, Nos..........................

....copies of Ten-Cent Hand Books, Nos.................................

Name.................Street and No................Town..........State..

=These Books Tell You Everything!=

A COMPLETE SET IS A REGULAR ENCYCLOPEDIA!

Each book consists of sixty-four pages, printed on good paper, in

clear type and neatly bound in an attractive, illustrated cover. Most

of the books are also profusely illustrated, and all of the subjects

treated upon are explained in such a simple manner that any child can

thoroughly understand them. Look over the list as classified and see if

you want to know anything about the subjects mentioned.

* * * * *

THESE BOOKS ARE FOR SALE BY ALL NEWSDEALERS OR WILL BE SENT BY MAIL TO

ANY ADDRESS FROM THIS OFFICE ON RECEIPT OF PRICE, TEN CENTS EACH, OR

ANY THREE BOOKS FOR TWENTY-FIVE CENTS. POSTAGE STAMPS TAKEN THE SAME AS

MONEY. Address FRANK TOUSEY, Publisher, 24 Union Square, N.Y.

MESMERISM.

No. 81. HOW TO MESMERIZE.--Containing the most approved methods of

mesmerism; also how to cure all kinds of diseases by animal magnetism,

or, magnetic healing. By Prof. Leo Hugo Koch, A. C. S., author of “How

to Hypnotize,” etc.

PALMISTRY.

No. 82. HOW TO DO PALMISTRY.--Containing the most approved methods of

reading the lines on the hand, together with a full explanation of

their meaning. Also explaining phrenology, and the key for telling

character by the bumps on the head. By Leo Hugo Koch, A. C. S. Fully

illustrated.

HYPNOTISM.

No. 83. HOW TO HYPNOTIZE.--Containing valuable and instructive

information regarding the science of hypnotism. Also explaining the

most approved methods which are employed by the leading hypnotists of

the world. By Leo Hugo Koch, A.C.S.

SPORTING.

No. 21. HOW TO HUNT AND FISH.--The most complete hunting and fishing

guide ever published. It contains full instructions about guns, hunting

dogs, traps, trapping and fishing, together with descriptions of game

and fish.

No. 26. HOW TO ROW, SAIL AND BUILD A BOAT.--Fully illustrated. Every

boy should know how to row and sail a boat. Full instructions are given

in this little book, together with instructions on swimming and riding,

companion sports to boating.

No. 47. HOW TO BREAK, RIDE AND DRIVE A HORSE.--A complete treatise on

the horse. Describing the most useful horses for business, the best

horses for the road; also valuable recipes for diseases peculiar to the

horse.

No. 48. HOW TO BUILD AND SAIL CANOES.--A handy book for boys,

containing full directions for constructing canoes and the most popular

manner of sailing them. Fully illustrated. By C. Stansfield Hicks.

FORTUNE TELLING.

No. 1. NAPOLEON’S ORACULUM AND DREAM BOOK.--Containing the great

oracle of human destiny; also the true meaning of almost any kind of

dreams, together with charms, ceremonies, and curious games of cards. A

complete book.

No. 23. HOW TO EXPLAIN DREAMS.--Everybody dreams, from the little child

to the aged man and woman. This little book gives the explanation

to all kinds of dreams, together with lucky and unlucky days, and

“Napoleon’s Oraculum,” the book of fate.

No. 28. HOW TO TELL FORTUNES.--Everyone is desirous of knowing what his

future life will bring forth, whether happiness or misery, wealth or

poverty. You can tell by a glance at this little book. Buy one and be

convinced. Tell your own fortune. Tell the fortune of your friends.

No. 76. HOW TO TELL FORTUNES BY THE HAND.--Containing rules for telling

fortunes by the aid of lines of the hand, or the secret of palmistry.

Also the secret of telling future events by aid of moles, marks, scars,

etc. Illustrated. By A. Anderson.

ATHLETIC.

No. 6. HOW TO BECOME AN ATHLETE.--Giving full instruction for the

use of dumb bells, Indian clubs, parallel bars, horizontal bars and

various other methods of developing a good, healthy muscle; containing

over sixty illustrations. Every boy can become strong and healthy by

following the instructions contained in this little book.

No. 10. HOW TO BOX.--The art of self-defense made easy. Containing over

thirty illustrations of guards, blows, and the different positions of a

good boxer. Every boy should obtain one of these useful and instructive

books, as it will teach you how to box without an instructor.

No. 25. HOW TO BECOME A GYMNAST.--Containing full instructions for all

kinds of gymnastic sports and athletic exercises. Embracing thirty-five

illustrations. By Professor W. Macdonald. A handy and useful book.

No. 34. HOW TO FENCE.--Containing full instruction for fencing and

the use of the broadsword; also instruction in archery. Described

with twenty-one practical illustrations, giving the best positions in

fencing. A complete book.

TRICKS WITH CARDS.

No. 51. HOW TO DO TRICKS WITH CARDS.--Containing explanations of the

general principles of sleight-of-hand applicable to card tricks; of

card tricks with ordinary cards, and not requiring sleight-of-hand;

of tricks involving sleight-of-hand, or the use of specially prepared

cards. By Professor Haffner. Illustrated.

No. 72. HOW TO DO SIXTY TRICKS WITH CARDS.--Embracing all of the latest

and most deceptive card tricks, with illustrations. By A. Anderson.

No. 77. HOW TO DO FORTY TRICKS WITH CARDS.--Containing deceptive Card

Tricks as performed by leading conjurors and magicians. Arranged for

home amusement. Fully illustrated.

MAGIC.

No. 2. HOW TO DO TRICKS.--The great book of magic and card tricks,

containing full instruction on all the leading card tricks of the day,

also the most popular magical illusions as performed by our leading

magicians; every boy should obtain a copy of this book, as it will both

amuse and instruct.

No. 22. HOW TO DO SECOND SIGHT.--Heller’s second sight explained by his

former assistant, Fred Hunt, Jr. Explaining how the secret dialogues

were carried on between the magician and the boy on the stage; also

giving all the codes and signals. The only authentic explanation of

second sight.

No. 43. HOW TO BECOME A MAGICIAN.--Containing the grandest assortment

of magical illusions ever placed before the public. Also tricks with

cards, incantations, etc.

No. 68. HOW TO DO CHEMICAL TRICKS.--Containing over one hundred

highly amusing and instructive tricks with chemicals. By A. Anderson.

Handsomely illustrated.

No. 69. HOW TO DO SLEIGHT OF HAND.--Containing over fifty of the latest

and best tricks used by magicians. Also containing the secret of second

sight. Fully illustrated. By A. Anderson.

No. 70. HOW TO MAKE MAGIC TOYS.--Containing full directions for making

Magic Toys and devices of many kinds. By A. Anderson. Fully illustrated.

No. 73. HOW TO DO TRICKS WITH NUMBERS.--Showing many curious tricks

with figures and the magic of numbers. By A. Anderson. Fully

illustrated.

No. 75. HOW TO BECOME A CONJUROR.--Containing tricks with Dominos,

Dice, Cups and Balls, Hats, etc. Embracing thirty-six illustrations. By

A. Anderson.

No. 78. HOW TO DO THE BLACK ART.--Containing a complete description

of the mysteries of Magic and Sleight of Hand, together with many

wonderful experiments. By A. Anderson. Illustrated.

MECHANICAL.

No. 29. HOW TO BECOME AN INVENTOR.--Every boy should know how

inventions originated. This book explains them all, giving examples in

electricity, hydraulics, magnetism, optics, pneumatics, mechanics, etc.

The most instructive book published.

No. 56. HOW TO BECOME AN ENGINEER.--Containing full instructions how

to proceed in order to become a locomotive engineer; also directions

for building a model locomotive; together with a full description of

everything an engineer should know.

No. 57. HOW TO MAKE MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS.--Full directions how to make

a Banjo, Violin, Zither, Æolian Harp, Xylophone and other musical

instruments; together with a brief description of nearly every musical

instrument used in ancient or modern times. Profusely illustrated. By

Algernon S. Fitzgerald, for twenty years bandmaster of the Royal Bengal

Marines.

No. 59. HOW TO MAKE A MAGIC LANTERN.--Containing a description of the

lantern, together with its history and invention. Also full directions

for its use and for painting slides. Handsomely illustrated. By John

Allen.

No. 71. HOW TO DO MECHANICAL TRICKS.--Containing complete instructions

for performing over sixty Mechanical Tricks. By A. Anderson. Fully

illustrated.

LETTER WRITING.

No. 11. HOW TO WRITE LOVE-LETTERS.--A most complete little book,

containing full directions for writing love-letters, and when to use

them, giving specimen letters for young and old.

No. 12. HOW TO WRITE LETTERS TO LADIES.--Giving complete instructions

for writing letters to ladies on all subjects; also letters of

introduction, notes and requests.

No. 24. HOW TO WRITE LETTERS TO GENTLEMEN.--Containing full directions

for writing to gentlemen on all subjects; also giving sample letters

for instruction.

No. 53. HOW TO WRITE LETTERS.--A wonderful little book, telling you

how to write to your sweetheart, your father, mother, sister, brother,

employer; and, in fact, everybody and anybody you wish to write to.

Every young man and every young lady in the land should have this book.

No. 74. HOW TO WRITE LETTERS CORRECTLY.--Containing full instructions

for writing letters on almost any subject; also rules for punctuation

and composition, with specimen letters.

THE STAGE.

No. 41. THE BOYS OF NEW YORK END MEN’S JOKE BOOK.--Containing a great

variety of the latest jokes used by the most famous end men. No amateur

minstrel is complete without this wonderful little book.

No. 42. THE BOYS OF NEW YORK STUMP SPEAKER.--Containing a varied

assortment of stump speeches, Negro, Dutch and Irish. Also end men’s

jokes. Just the thing for home amusement and amateur shows.

No. 45. THE BOYS OF NEW YORK MINSTREL GUIDE AND JOKE BOOK.--Something

new and very instructive. Every boy should obtain this book, as it

contains full instructions for organizing an amateur minstrel troupe.

No. 65. MULDOON’S JOKES.--This is one of the most original joke books

ever published, and it is brimful of wit and humor. It contains a large

collection of songs, jokes, conundrums, etc., of Terrence Muldoon, the

great wit, humorist, and practical joker of the day. Every boy who can

enjoy a good substantial joke should obtain a copy immediately.

No. 79. HOW TO BECOME AN ACTOR.--Containing complete instructions how

to make up for various characters on the stage; together with the

duties of the Stage Manager, Prompter, Scenic Artist and Property Man.

By a prominent Stage Manager.

No. 80. GUS WILLIAMS’ JOKE BOOK.--Containing the latest jokes, anecdotes

and funny stories of this world-renowned and ever popular German

comedian. Sixty-four pages; handsome colored cover containing a

half-tone photo of the author.

HOUSEKEEPING.

No. 16. HOW TO KEEP A WINDOW GARDEN.--Containing full instructions

for constructing a window garden either in town or country, and the

most approved methods for raising beautiful flowers at home. The most

complete book of the kind ever published.

No. 30. HOW TO COOK.--One of the most instructive books on cooking

ever published. It contains recipes for cooking meats, fish, game, and

oysters; also pies, puddings, cakes and all kinds of pastry, and a

grand collection of recipes by one of our most popular cooks.

No. 37. HOW TO KEEP HOUSE.--It contains information for everybody,

boys, girls, men and women; it will teach you how to make almost

anything around the house, such as parlor ornaments, brackets, cements,

Æolian harps, and bird lime for catching birds.

ELECTRICAL.

No. 46. HOW TO MAKE AND USE ELECTRICITY.--A description of the

wonderful uses of electricity and electro magnetism; together with

full instructions for making Electric Toys, Batteries, etc. By George

Trebel, A. M., M. D. Containing over fifty illustrations.

No. 64. HOW TO MAKE ELECTRICAL MACHINES.--Containing full directions

for making electrical machines, induction coils, dynamos, and many

novel toys to be worked by electricity. By R. A. R. Bennett. Fully

illustrated.

No. 67. HOW TO DO ELECTRICAL TRICKS.--Containing a large collection

of instructive and highly amusing electrical tricks, together with

illustrations. By A. Anderson.

ENTERTAINMENT.

No. 9. HOW TO BECOME A VENTRILOQUIST.--By Harry Kennedy. The secret

given away. Every intelligent boy reading this book of instructions,

by a practical professor (delighting multitudes every night with his

wonderful imitations), can master the art, and create any amount of fun

for himself and friends. It is the greatest book ever published, and

there’s millions (of fun) in it.

No. 20. HOW TO ENTERTAIN AN EVENING PARTY.--A very valuable little

book just published. A complete compendium of games, sports,

card diversions, comic recitations, etc., suitable for parlor or

drawing-room entertainment. It contains more for the money than any

book published.

No. 35. HOW TO PLAY GAMES.--A complete and useful little book,

containing the rules and regulations of billiards, bagatelle,

backgammon, croquet, dominoes, etc.

No. 36. HOW TO SOLVE CONUNDRUMS.--Containing all the leading conundrums

of the day, amusing riddles, curious catches and witty sayings.

No. 52. HOW TO PLAY CARDS.--A complete and handy little book, giving

the rules and full directions for playing Euchre, Cribbage, Casino,

Forty-Five, Rounce, Pedro Sancho, Draw Poker, Auction Pitch, All Fours,

and many other popular games of cards.

No. 66. HOW TO DO PUZZLES.--Containing over three hundred interesting

puzzles and conundrums, with key to same. A complete book. Fully

illustrated. By A. Anderson.

ETIQUETTE.

No. 13. HOW TO DO IT; OR, BOOK OF ETIQUETTE.--It is a great life

secret, and one that every young man desires to know all about. There’s

happiness in it.

No. 33. HOW TO BEHAVE.--Containing the rules and etiquette of good

society and the easiest and most approved methods of appearing to

good advantage at parties, balls, the theatre, church, and in the

drawing-room.

DECLAMATION.

No. 27. HOW TO RECITE AND BOOK OF RECITATIONS.--Containing the most

popular selections in use, comprising Dutch dialect, French dialect,

Yankee and Irish dialect pieces, together with many standard readings.

No. 31. HOW TO BECOME A SPEAKER.--Containing fourteen illustrations,

giving the different positions requisite to become a good speaker,

reader and elocutionist. Also containing gems from all the popular

authors of prose and poetry, arranged in the most simple and concise

manner possible.

No. 49. HOW TO DEBATE.--Giving rules for conducting debates, outlines

for debates, questions for discussion, and the best sources for

procuring information on the questions given.

SOCIETY.

No. 3. HOW TO FLIRT.--The arts and wiles of flirtation are fully

explained by this little book. Besides the various methods of

handkerchief, fan, glove, parasol, window and hat flirtation, it

contains a full list of the language and sentiment of flowers, which

is interesting to everybody, both old and young. You cannot be happy

without one.

No. 4. HOW TO DANCE is the title of a new and handsome little book just

issued by Frank Tousey. It contains full instructions in the art of

dancing, etiquette in the ball-room and at parties, how to dress, and

full directions for calling off in all popular square dances.

No. 5. HOW TO MAKE LOVE.--A complete guide to love, courtship and

marriage, giving sensible advice, rules and etiquette to be observed,

with many curious and interesting things not generally known.

No. 17. HOW TO DRESS.--Containing full instruction in the art of

dressing and appearing well at home and abroad, giving the selections

of colors, material, and how to have them made up.

No. 18. HOW TO BECOME BEAUTIFUL.--One of the brightest and most

valuable little books ever given to the world. Everybody wishes to know

how to become beautiful, both male and female. The secret is simple,

and almost costless. Read this book and be convinced how to become

beautiful.

BIRDS AND ANIMALS.

No. 7. HOW TO KEEP BIRDS.--Handsomely illustrated and containing

full instructions for the management and training of the canary,

mockingbird, bobolink, blackbird, paroquet, parrot, etc.

No. 39. HOW TO RAISE DOGS, POULTRY, PIGEONS AND RABBITS.--A useful and

instructive book. Handsomely illustrated. By Ira Drofraw.

No. 40. HOW TO MAKE AND SET TRAPS.--Including hints on how to catch

moles, weasels, otters, rats, squirrels and birds. Also how to cure

skins. Copiously illustrated. By J. Harrington Keene.

No. 50. HOW TO STUFF BIRDS AND ANIMALS.--A valuable book, giving

instructions in collecting, preparing, mounting and preserving birds,

animals and insects.

No. 54. HOW TO KEEP AND MANAGE PETS.--Giving complete information as

to the manner and method of raising, keeping, taming, breeding, and

managing all kinds of pets; also giving full instructions for making

cages, etc. Fully explained by twenty-eight illustrations, making it

the most complete book of the kind ever published.

MISCELLANEOUS.

No. 8. HOW TO BECOME A SCIENTIST.--A useful and instructive book,

giving a complete treatise on chemistry; also experiments in acoustics,

mechanics, mathematics, chemistry, and directions for making fireworks,

colored fires, and gas balloons. This book cannot be equaled.

No. 14. HOW TO MAKE CANDY.--A complete hand-book for making all kinds

of candy, ice-cream, syrups, essences, etc., etc.

No. 34. HOW TO BECOME AN AUTHOR.--Containing full information

regarding choice of subjects, the use of words and the manner of

preparing and submitting manuscript. Also containing valuable

information as to the neatness, legibility and general composition of

manuscript, essential to a successful author. By Prince Hiland.

No. 38. HOW TO BECOME YOUR OWN DOCTOR.--A wonderful book, containing

useful and practical information in the treatment of ordinary diseases

and ailments common to every family. Abounding in useful and effective

recipes for general complaints.

No. 55. HOW TO COLLECT STAMPS AND COINS.--Containing valuable

information regarding the collecting and arranging of stamps and coins.

Handsomely illustrated.

No. 58. HOW TO BE A DETECTIVE.--By Old King Brady, the world-known

detective. In which he lays down some valuable and sensible rules

for beginners, and also relates some adventures and experiences of

well-known detectives.

No. 60. HOW TO BECOME A PHOTOGRAPHER.--Containing useful information

regarding the Camera and how to work it; also how to make Photographic

Magic Lantern Slides and other Transparencies. Handsomely illustrated.

By Captain W. De W. Abney.

No. 62. HOW TO BECOME A WEST POINT MILITARY CADET.--Containing full

explanations how to gain admittance, course of Study, Examinations,

Duties, Staff of Officers, Post Guard, Police Regulations, Fire

Department, and all a boy should know to be a Cadet. Compiled and

written by Lu Senarens, author of “How to Become a Naval Cadet.”

No. 63. HOW TO BECOME A NAVAL CADET.--Complete instructions of how to

gain admission to the Annapolis Naval Academy. Also containing the

course of instruction, description of grounds and buildings, historical

sketch, and everything a boy should know to become an officer in the

United States Navy. Compiled and written by Lu Senarens, author of “How

to Become a West Point Military Cadet.”

=PRICE 10 CENTS EACH, OR 3 FOR 25 CENTS.=

=Address FRANK TOUSEY, Publisher, 24 Union Square, New York.=

WORK AND WIN.

The Best Weekly Published.

=ALL THE NUMBERS ARE ALWAYS IN PRINT.=

=READ ONE AND YOU WILL READ THEM ALL.=

=LATEST ISSUES:=

281 Fred Fearnot’s Boy; or, Selling Tips on Shares.

282 Fred Fearnot and the Girl Ranch Owner, And How She Held Her Own.

283 Fred Fearnot’s Newsboy Friend; or, A Hero in Rags.

284 Fred Fearnot in the Gold Fields; or, Exposing the Claim “Salters.”

285 Fred Fearnot and the Office Boy; or, Bound to be the Boss.

286 Fred Fearnot after the Moonshiners; or, The “Bad” Men of Kentucky.

287 Fred Fearnot and the Little Drummer;

or, The Boy who Feared Nobody.

288 Fred Fearnot and the Broker’s Boy; or, Working the Stock Market.

289 Fred Fearnot and the Boy Teamster; or, The Lad Who Bluffed Him.

290 Fred Fearnot and the Magician, and How he Spoiled His Magic.

291 Fred Fearnot’s Lone Hand; or, Playing a Game to Win.

292 Fred Fearnot and the Banker’s Clerk; or, Shaking up the Brokers.

293 Fred Fearnot and the Oil King; or, the Tough Gang of the Wells.

294 Fred Fearnot’s Wall Street Game; or, Fighting the Bucket Shops.

295 Fred Fearnot’s Society Circus;

or, The Fun that Built a School-House.

296 Fred Fearnot’s Wonderful Courage;

or, The Mistake of the Train Robber.

297 Fred Fearnot’s Friend from India, and the Wonderful Things He Did.

298 Fred Fearnot and the Poor Widow; or, Making a Mean Man Do Right.

299 Fred Fearnot’s Cowboys; or, Tackling the Ranch Raiders.

300 Fred Fearnot and the Money Lenders;

or, Breaking Up a Swindling Gang.

301 Fred Fearnot’s Gun Club; or, Shooting for a Diamond Cup.

302 Fred Fearnot and the Braggart; or, Having Fun with an Egotist.

303 Fred Fearnot’s Fire Brigade; or, Beating the Insurance Frauds.

304 Fred Fearnot’s Temperance Lectures; or, Fighting Rum and Ruin.

305 Fred Fearnot and the “Cattle Queen”; or, A Desperate Woman’s Game.

306 Fred Fearnot and the Boomers; or, The Game that Failed.

307 Fred Fearnot and the “Tough” Boy; or, Reforming a Vagrant.

308 Fred Fearnot’s $10,000 Deal; or, Over the Continent on Horseback.

309 Fred Fearnot and the Lasso Gang; or, Crooked Work on the Ranch.

310 Fred Fearnot and the Wall Street Broker;

or, Helping the Widows and Orphans.

311 Fred Fearnot and the Cow Puncher; or, The Worst Man in Arizona.

312 Fred Fearnot and the Fortune Teller; or, The Gypsy’s Double Deal.

313 Fred Fearnot’s Nervy Deal; or, The Unknown Fiend of Wall Street.

314 Fred Fearnot and “Red Pete”; or, The Wickedest Man in Arizona.

315 Fred Fearnot and the Magnates; or, How he Bought a Railroad.

316 Fred Fearnot and “Uncle Pike”; or, A Slick Chap from Warsaw.

317 Fred Fearnot and His Hindo Friend; or, Saving the Juggler’s Life.

318 Fred Fearnot and the “Confidence Man”;

or, The Grip that Held Him Fast.

319 Fred Fearnot’s Greatest Victory;

or, The Longest Purse in Wall Street.

320 Fred Fearnot and the Impostor; or, Unmasking a Dangerous Fraud.

321 Fred Fearnot in the Wild West; or, The Last Fight of the Bandits.

322 Fred Fearnot and the Girl Detective;

or, Solving a Wall Street Mystery.

323 Fred Fearnot Among the Gold Miners;

or, The Fight for a Stolen Claim.

324 Fred Fearnot and the Broker’s Son;

or, The Smartest Boy in Wall St.

325 Fred Fearnot and “Judge Lynch”; or, Chasing the Horse Thieves.

326 Fred Fearnot and the Bank Messenger;

or, The Boy who made a Fortune.

327 Fred Fearnot and the Kentucky Moonshiners;

or, The “Bad” Men of the Blue Grass Region.

328 Fred Fearnot and the Boy Acrobat; or, Out With His own Circus.

329 Fred Fearnot’s Great Crash; or, Losing His Fortune in Wall Street.

330 Fred Fearnot’s Return to Athletics;

or, His Start to Regain a Fortune.

331 Fred Fearnot’s Fencing Team; or, Defeating the “Pride of Old Eli.”

332 Fred Fearnot’s “Free For All”; or, His Great Indoor Meet.

333 Fred Fearnot and the Cabin Boy;

or, Beating the Steamboat Sharpers.

334 Fred Fearnot and the Prize-Fighter;

or, A Pugilist’s Awful Mistake.

335 Fred Fearnot’s Office Boy; or, Making Money in Wall Street.

336 Fred Fearnot as a Fireman; or, The Boy Hero of the Flames.

337 Fred Fearnot and the Factory Boy; or, The Champion of the Town.

338 Fred Fearnot and the “Bad Man”; or, The Bluff from Bitter Creek.

339 Fred Fearnot and the Shop Girl; or, The Plot Against An Orphan.

340 Fred Fearnot Among the Mexicans; or, Evelyn and the Brigands.

341 Fred Fearnot and the Boy Engineer; or, Beating the Train Wreckers.

342 Fred Fearnot and the “Hornets”;

or, The League that Sought to Down Him.

343 Fred Fearnot and the Cheeky Dude;

or, A Shallow Youth from Brooklyn.

344 Fred Fearnot in a Death Trap: or, Lost in The Mammoth Caves.

345 Fred Fearnot and the Boy Rancher; or, The Gamest Lad in Texas.

346 Fred Fearnot and the Stage Driver;

or, The Man Who Understood Horses.

347 Fred Fearnot’s Change of Front;

or, Staggering the Wall Street Brokers.

348 Fred Fearnot’s New Ranch, And How He and Terry Managed It.

349 Fred Fearnot and the Lariat Thrower;

or, Beating the Champion of the West.

350 Fred Fearnot and the Swindling Trustee;

or, Saving a Widow’s Little Fortune.

351 Fred Fearnot and the “Wild” Cowboys, And the Fun He Had With Them.

352 Fred Fearnot and the “Money Queen”; or, Exposing a Female Sharper.

353 Fred Fearnot’s Boy Pard; or, Striking it Rich in the Hills.

354 Fred Fearnot and the Railroad Gang;

or, A Desperate Fight for Life.

355 Fred Fearnot and the Mad Miner;

or, The Gold Thieves of the Rockies.

356 Fred Fearnot in Trouble; or, Terry Olcott’s Vow of Vengeance.

357 Fred Fearnot and the Girl in White;

or, The Mystery of the Steamboat.

358 Fred Fearnot and the Boy Herder;

or, The Masked Band of the Plains.

359 Fred Fearnot in Hard Luck; or, Roughing it in the Silver Diggings.

360 Fred Fearnot and the Indian Guide;

or, The Abduction of a Beautiful Girl.

For sale by all newsdealers,

or will be sent to any address on receipt of price,

5 cents per copy, in money or postage stamps, by

=FRANK TOUSEY, Publisher, 24 Union Square, New York.=

IF YOU WANT ANY BACK NUMBERS

of our Libraries and cannot procure them from newsdealers, they can be

obtained from this office direct. Cut out and fill in the following

Order Blank and send it to us with the price of the books you want and

we will send them to you by return mail.

=POSTAGE STAMPS TAKEN THE SAME AS MONEY.=

.......................................................................

FRANK TOUSEY, Publisher, 24 Union Square, New York. ......190

Dear Sir--Enclosed find......cents for which please send me: