The Scranton High Chums on the Cinder Path / Or, The Mystery of the Haunted Quarry

he outskirts of the town of Scranton afforded a pretty lively spectacle. Indeed, it could be read

ed-looking young fellow was a college graduate, and had taken considerable interest in all manner of athletics; indeed, it was well known that he had pl

ides, there were clusters of pretty high-school girls on the side lines, chattering like magpies, and venting their op

to perfect themselves against the coming Saturday when the wonderful event was to come off; sprinting for the

ine; "Just" Smith, whose real name it happened was Justin, but who seldom heard it outside of school and home. He was a fleet runner, and had ably filled the position of left fielder when Scranton carried the school colors to victory over Allandale in that last heart-breaking game. Besides these, Joe Danvers was on deck, doing all sorts of wonderful stunts at th

k had for a long time been the town bully. He was not a rich man's son; in fact, Nick's folks were poor, and some people even thought the big, overgrown boy should be at work helping t

e was a pretty fair athlete and could even have excelled along several line

apparently, had entered for some of the events, because both Leon

and made him "eat humble pie" before the whole class; but, being a wise as well as pugnacious boy, Nick

from their exertions, they gathered here and there in little bunches to exchange "chaff," and

They were Sue Barnes, whom Hugh usually counted on as his partner when any dance was given in the country, or at singing-school during the winter evenings; Ivy Middleton, Thad's choice for company, because she was

the way most of the fellows are showing up

ig Ed. Patterson, the Allandale pitcher, who came so near to downing us last summer. He looks as fine as silk, and told me privately he calculates on carrying off that prize offered for hammer throwing, bec

means we'll have a wonderfully successful affair. Who carries off the prizes is a matter for the different

g the baseball pennant to Scranton, and means to get even by carrying off the majority o

o that every fellow who'd entered for any event, even to climbing the greased pole or the sack race, was diligently practicing his

when the great meet was a thing of the past; but others only found themselves more determined t

cho in the majority of their hearts, and they vied with each other in

r method of coaching they attributed considerable of their success on the diamond of recent months. If only his rules were strictly adhered to it was p

very sort of event. "No matter who wins he'll only get there by doing his level best. That's all Scranton High asks of her representatives. Let there be no loafing, and if some of our good friends from A and B succeed in carrying

suming his particular favorite crouching attitude, which he seemed t

that they had been diligently working out on that same cinder-pat

o compete with those fleet sprinters, though if they were pressed

race, preserving as much vigor as possible for the gruelling finish. The chief idea was to keep just behind the pace-maker, and be ready to rush to th

d to be able to pick up valuable points by keeping watch and ward on Hugh. Hugh had even consulted Mr. Leonard with regard to making use of his knowledge concerning th

m he was keeping fully within the

veral stations provided, he has done all that is expected of him. If by crossing a field he thinks he can cut off fifty feet or more he is at liberty to make the attempt, although it may cost him dear, through his meeting with some unexpected obstacle in his progress, which would n

out; he always "played square," and even won the high regard of his rivals in many cases. When the October sun had reached the horizon the multitude of contestants and spectators commenced to st

he other to "hold up a minute," until he could overtake him; because it ha