The Chums of Scranton High on the Cinder Path

's a hen on," was what Thad Stev

happening here on our athletic field this afternoon, I'd be likely to say there were a good

at I mean something cr

stened

s are ten to one if anything in the way of trickery is contempl

distinguish him from his father who's dead and gone; but sometimes people say he's a regu

Lang been up

, for one thing!" excla

good will it do him, I'm thinking. But tell me, why should he go to all that bo

making use of that short-cut across

ton High boys are. If K. K., Just Smith, and several other fellows are to have the benefit of that cut-off, if they choose to avail themselves of it, why shouldn't Nick be inclu

and he seemed to think it a good joke, because you never once suspected he was spying on you

gged his

I never once remember suspecting that anybody was around. But, Thad, what

ean, and it's got a connection with the

oked at the speake

good reason for making that a

ll be as mad as hops if he finds himself caught in such a trap, and loses the race. You can depend on me every time. My affair comes off right in the start, and I can easy get out there on my wheel long before the first runner heaves in sight. I'll coach Pe

ain there was a settled look of grim determination on his face tha

ing, Thad, and no matter what Nick is planning to do I'm not going to give him the

e to be shoved off the

Tip Slavins, and Pete Dudleys are lying in wait to trip me up. But I'm much obliged to you all the same, Thad, for your

The gloomy woods surrounding the old quarry did not possess any attraction in the eyes of Thad Stevens. Though he had not shown the same degree of alarm as H

ar to his own heart. He did not say what was in his mind, only looked a bit wi

say. Nick is likely to get his fingers burned if he attempts any of his silly tricks. What do you suppose now he could plan to have those chaps do? They wouldn't want to really hurt you, because that mi

ace where a runner would have to keep to the road I even believe he'd try to dig a deep pit, and cover the same o

hing through a false roadbed, and dropping down into a deep hole from which, alone and unaided, he co

f I glimpse a suspicious spot in my path I'll fight mighty shy of the same; or by a big leap give it the go-by. Of course, there might be other ways

ooked

to go smack up against all the best runners of Allandale and Belleville, but be on the lookout for treachery at home besides. I'd give something to be one of a bunch of indignant fellows to take Nick Lang and his two pals out to the woods some fine

in connection with the said Nick, which, perhaps, he might find an opportunity to work out one of these days; but whic

grinning as they look over this way. I warrant you Nick has been elaborating on that fine scheme of his; and, in anticipation, t

heir game. The advantage always lies in catching the other fellow off his guard. Let's laugh while we w

e advice of his comrade; and, as they passed Nick and h

or those who think they've got it all figured out who's going to win the prizes. And Nick, as far as I'm concerned, I'd like to see you take the long-distance p

pportunity to injure. He shot a hasty glance, accompanied by the uplifting of his heavy eyebrows, towar

s some surprise by the ease with which I'll come in away ahead of the next competitor. There'll be a wheen of those who also ran, bringing up the tail of the procession. Long-distance is my best sui

who also ran" to mean Hugh Morgan particularly; and in their minds they could see him desperately trying to break his bonds; or climb up out of

he latter fairly boiling w

. "He is really the meanest boy you could find in all the towns of this country. But fellows like him sometimes catch a Tartar; so, perhaps, it