The Lucky Seventh

w, Harry Bryan, who had won his father's consent, and Tom Haley, all of whom we have met, there was Lansing White, otherwise known as "Lanny," Jack Tappen, Pete Rob

High School monthly. Way and Will were both of an age, which was sixteen, both of the same height to a fraction of an inch, and, perhaps by reason of having been together ever since they were in kindergarten, were so much alike in general appearance, manners, and speech that they were al

was big for his years. He was not at all diffident. In fact, Jack had a pretty good opinion of himself. He was a c

aking friends on the instant and holding them. There wasn't a kinder-hearted fellow in school, nor one more thoughtful of others. If a ballot had been taken for the most popular student, Lanny would have won, hands-down, over many a fell

ere so dark a brown that they looked black. The contrast between light hair and dark eyes was rather startling. He was always a little too l

clared. That point agreed on, they discussed ways and means. Everyone there except Fudge and Pete Robey had a High School uniform which it would, they decided, be quite permissible to wear. Fudge declared that he would buy a uniform, and Pete was sure he could borrow one. Gordon's announcement that Dick had been tendered and had accepted the position of manager met with acclaim, and Will and Way, in the same breath, demanded a speech. Dick declined to address the meeting, contenting himself with reminding the turbulent pair that as

eld Pirates or the Clearfield Giants, but he was defeated. Dick, who had taken the proceedings in hand, then announced that the election of a captain was

thing going. It wasn't my idea, anyhow; it was Bert Cable's. I'll be captain if you r

like," grunted Tom

Lanny," said

nomination!"

her not. Let's make Gordon captain and not be sca

ingly declared Gordon elected. "Speech! Speech!" shouted the irrepre

s. Now, about practice. You fellows know we've got to get together and have a good lot of real work before we run up against those Point fellows. So I say let's have practice every afternoon next week at four-thirty. Maybe after next week every other day will do, but we don't want to let those silk-

it with both feet. There's no reason I can see why we shouldn't have as good a base

t-fielder!" e

Spring. And with Gordon for captain we oug

too again, but was cautioned by a well-aimed pillow which, narrowly avoidi

lows? In fact, Gordie, it might be a good plan to have it understood that a

demanded Fud

llar," sug

ter," s

uess," said Dick. "How a

hether the excuse is a g

" said

ief. "All right. Dick

g your bats. By the way, there's one thing we've forgotten: We'l

nate the streets in the residence districts when the moon was on duty, it had no competition. The leafy shadows of the big elm fell across the porch, blue-black, trembling as a tiny breeze moved the branches above. Dick leaned against a pillar and laid his crutches between his knees, and the others grouped about hi

," he said

"You can see the man

terribly big, miles and miles high, and you had a fright

hit pretty quick. Why, if you were tall enough to reach the moon, it

'in the groove,' and if you took a good swing and got y

literary yearnings, "I'll write a

hitters among the 'Giants,'" com

-what I mean!"

a budding genius, Fudge is, and if you're not careful you'll discourage him. Remember his story about

p-p-printer made a mistake! I've told you th

printed it. Any fellow might run the mile in four-something, but to do it unde

" grumbled Fudge. "You

pathetically. "I've noticed that if you don'

oncluded Fudge breathl

ed Lanny. "If at firs

lligible and uncomplimentary, and Gordon turned to Dick: "How did you get o

led, I guess. There's an older brother, too, a fellow about seventeen. He confided to me that I'd ha

esponse, and D

ig brother did. As for the kid-h

?" said Gordon. "L

, still a trifle disgruntled. "Gordon! Gee,

Fudge, though,"

not my n

"Move out of the moonlight, Fudge. It's affecting your dispositi

ng up. I guess I'll have my work cut out for me. The big brother told me that I was to take no nonsense from young Harold, and that he'd back me up, but-I don't kno

," commented Gordon. "I'll bet

l get on all right after a while. And if he's got it in him to lear

o. Inside of a week she'll be telling you

" challenged Fudge. "Anyone would

pretty fine institutions; no fellow should be without one; but they ar

gretfully. "She's worse than my

said Gordon gently. "When a fellow shows

u ought to be ashamed!" Lanny spoke w

to it. Then you'll wish you hadn't been so fresh. The only thing is"-and his voice fell di

"Remember, we used to be friends. I must be gett

usy and send out some challenges. Who can we get to play

re are plenty of teams, th

" said Fudge, "but I guess

a good way off, though, and I suppose it

e over here,"

responded Gor

y'd want their exp

on to some of the games after we got started? I dare say qu

ed admissions, we'd have twenty-five dollars, and then we could pay the expenses of a

ms. "We'll talk it over to-morrow. You come over, too, Lanny;

nny. "It's too bully a night to go t

ded Gordon and Fudge

they were in sight in the whit

d," said Fudge warmly. "And wouldn't Dick be a

es I think that maybe if Dick was like the rest of

at Gordie means is that tribulations ennoble our characters." That struck him as a fine phrase, and he made a mental note of it. Still later, as he lay in bed with the moonlight illumining