as bright a crowd of lads as could well be found anywhere. In the number were Gus Plum and Chip Macklin, but the former was no longer the bully as of o

in Plum, and he was likewise pleased over

e said, privately, to Roger. "It shows what

eclared the senator's son. "I don't believe Gus

ould reform

ve-but you may scare hi

Frapley, Roger-I

Phil and I were practicin

you think

aks his heart to play second fiddle to anybody here. He and Nat are as thick as two peas. They tell me

players will let a ne

new crowd may count up the largest number of votes. In th

make an extra good record for himself. He loved sports, but as he grew older h

expressed himself to Phil, who joked him about "boning like a cart horse," "and I know if I have

e up football, are you, Dave?"

want me on

have a meeting Monday

old students and all of the new ones, and he had wondered what was going on. A hint

ess on Monday. "Nat Poole and Guy Frapley came to me last night and they

ad a right to

t I'd get left. I told 'em that wouldn't hurt me ve

wered Dave,

past, and who had hoped to be on the eleven the present season-and talked the matter over wi

ey, aided by Nat Poole and his cronies, is

"A stranger running the Oak

e votes," answered Roger. "Especially if

he meeting in the gymnasium. This was called to order by the former manag

Nat Poole, mentioning one of

ation!" added Guy

the old students, who did not play, but who was a good g

as there were no other names submitted

before we hold an election-I mean, before

us cast our ballots

am, whom all old students of Oak Hall kn

veral new students loudly, and it was se

the meeting to restore silence. Then Sam was allowed to make a short speech and he was followed by Dave

s chums. So well had Nat Poole, Guy Frapley, and their cohorts laid their plans t

en the result was announced. "That crowd has got votes en

old Oak Hall players. Dave, Roger, Phil, and their close chums were utterly ignored. Guy Frapley was chosen captain and quarter-back, and Nat Poole was mad

d Roger. "Talk about ingratitude! And just think t

worked," put in a sympathizer. "It's

although he was as depressed as any one. "It is on their shoulders

d Phil. "We'll organize a scrub ele

'll play you-they are

e can challenge them, anyway. If they are afr

rub eleven, which was named the Old Guard. Phil was manager as well as captain, and played right half-back, while Dave was quarter

was issued, John Rand sent back word that he could fix up his own scrub eleven without any help fr

the challenge from the Old Guard to the regular eleven was posted up in the gymnasium, where

l and his chums were accused of trying to break up the good feeling of the school in general, and, in return, t

unced that the regular Oak Hall football eleven would play the opening game of the season against an ele

xed good and proper!

asked

isn't the true school spirit and all that-but just the sam

ion not to go to the

don't think we were treated fairly. Just the same, for the ho

Roger, in admiration. "Well, i

e of the boys decided to go to that town by the carryall and on

ince the last summer. In this boat the dudish student frequently went for a cruise up and down the river, taking his cro

oat," said Nat to the manager. "It will be a fine s

and one afternoon they rowed as far as Bush Island, about two miles away. On the island

d Roger, and pointed to some boys in

emy," answered Dave. "I didn't think they

as much right here as we

quarter of an hour later, they came out on the island shore, to see

Merwell and Nick Jasn

en he gave another look. "Where is

nd saw that their r

He raised his voice: "I say, Merwell!

called back

talk to you," answ

ne with out boat?

d Nick Jasniff. "Ta ta! Hope you have

ir companions took up their oars and