Work and Win: Fred Fearnot in Chicago, or, The Abduction of Evelyn

This issue of the weekly pulp publication (April 28, 1899) contains "Fred Fearnot in Chicago; or, The Abduction of Evelyn" by the author of the Fred Fearnot series. The first chapter shows Fred unexpectedly reuniting with his theatrical company while traveling by train to Chicago on business. Fred boards the troupe's train car and greets his former classmates and collaborators—girls including Elsie Warner, Flossie Graves, Nellie Gale, and young Gussie; boys including Dick Duncan, Terry, Sam Innes, Frank Gale, Joe Jencks, and Phil Grimes. The group had been performing successfully together on a cooperative profit-sharing basis, running plays including "The Spy" and productions written by Elsie and Flossie that are earning royalties. After enthusiastic reunions, the troupe persuades Fred to disembark at their next stop and perform the lead role of the Spy in that evening's theatrical production, which he reluctantly accepts. The narrative abruptly ends.