Bobby Blake on the School Nine; Or, The Champions of the Monatook Lake League

uc

was a

for a stra

could dodge

I've got a ton of snow

boys, ranging in age from ten to twelve years, who were throwing and do

Christmas holidays was not sufficient to dampen their youthful spirits, and th

he next instant the air was full of flying snowballs. Most of them found their mark, t

azed the ear of the baggage man, who was wheeling a load of trunks along the platform. He ga

aid Bobby Blake, a bright wholesome boy of about el

red Martin, better known among the boys as "Ginger,

f the village boys, who had come down to the station to bid

ir of one making a generous concession, "but it w

ng hit," ventured Betty Martin, Fred's sister, "es

lushed cheeks and sparkling eyes, these girls had stood huddled together like a flock of snowbirds, watc

felt it was incumbent on him to maintain the dignity of the male sex. He had pronounced ideas on the necessity

loftily. "They're afraid of the least litt

rnfully. "You don't call

y," her brother retorted, "and

and Fred felt that

educed to t

to be," she rejoi

a proud lo

pes!" he

ess, he sought rather im

"I wouldn't care how hard

aw an o

throw one at you," she cha

to pretended

! you couldn't hit the-the side of a house

le nettled. "Well, you just stand up

ompt answer to his taunt, but it wou

took up his position, while Bet

gathered around her, and Bobby and Sc

w you fellows. You'll make soakers.

u're so sure she can't h

red, ignoring the thrust. "

d and Betty made

ave?" she asked. "Will y

replied her brother grandly

here he had seen a picture of Ajax defying the

ow, but at the last moment

I'll hurt you,

" Pryde, one of the four lads

e" Wise, another schoolmate who was to

red mop of his," pu

ing her hand to her side.

t made a mistake by not being sa

hit me and she's afra

o glow in Betty's eyes, but

cent if you hit m

less with his mone

a millionaire

cent," mu

flu

that isn't enough, I'll give you a dime,"

spiciously. She knew that Fred wa

"and what's more I'm going to keep it, because

urred to action. She hesitated no longer, but picked up a

and Fred laug

tays right in my p

obby. "You were just getting the

failed, and Fred's mi

ell have made it a

n Betty's third throw caught him

er his face, getting into his eyes and filling his mouth

increased as the victim brushed away the snow and they caught sight of hi

ailed, "I hope I

first moment of discomfiture he tried to smil

tter shot than I thought you were. Here's your d

replied Betty. "I

and she took it, a

make it a dollar,

n a thousand years,

d Fred. "I didn't dodge anyway, did I?

," remarked Bobby Blake, molding a snowball. "But now

don't hit that hors

d easily clear the scraggy old horse that was jogging along drawing a sleig

driver, a big hulky boy with pale eyes and a pa

, jumped over the side of the sleigh and came run