Work and Win, No. 257

# "Beating the Record" (Hal Standish)

This story from Frank Tousey's weekly magazine (No. 257, November 6, 1903) follows Fred Fearnot and Terry Olcott as they navigate a proposal to hold a county fair near their town. When local citizens approach them for financial backing, Fred raises practical objections—the proximity to a nearby orphanage housing nearly one thousand children would compromise the grounds' security and the children's outdoor exercise space. Terry suggests holding the fair jointly with neighboring Maryville instead, a proposal the committee dismisses as it would reduce local revenue. The men counter that suitable local land either lies occupied by the orphanage or requires prohibitive preparation costs. When Fred estimates twenty thousand dollars in additional expenses and commits only one thousand dollars to the project—far below the committee's expectations—the citizens face significant disappointment. A concluding excerpt shows a horse race with "Fred dashed under the wire, a winner by half a horse length" as crowds cheer "Fearnot!"