Tip Top Weekly No. 139: Frank Merriwell's Father — page 23: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

TIP TOP WEEKLY. @h Frank repeated the words. He had last seen his father shortly after leaving Fardale Academy and starting on his “educational travels” in company with his lamented guard- ian, Professor Scotch. In Arizona, whither Frank had gone in search of a mine, the chart to the location of which was traced on the stone of a ring that. had come into Mer- ry’s possession in a remarkable manner, he had found his father, at that time the right- ful owner of the mine. Even at that time his father had been greatly changed. Surrounded by enemies, who had endeavored to rob him, once buried alive in his own mine by his bitterest foe, Mr. _ Merriwell had seemed somewhat unbalanced mentally. He had triumphed at the time over his enemies, but had explained that it was necessary for him to disappear from sight if he wished to live, as he was certain his ene- mies would destroy him eventually if he came out into the open. He had disappeared. For a long time Frank heard nothing of his eccentric parent, and he wondered if his father were living or dead. At last, while Frank was at college, a man had appeared and sought to lure him from the path of uprighteousness and honesty. Of course the attempt had been a failure, and, in the end, Merry discovered that the man had been sent on this singular errand by Frank’s own father, who wished to learn what sort of a youth his son had become. The man had departed, after saying that Mr. Merriwell would be delighted to know that his boy was so thoroughly upright and un- swerving, and, from that time to the present, Frank had heard nothing of his eccentric par- ° ent... — . | _And now he believed that the man had suf- fered, and it seemed t that suffering had turned his brain. ’ Frank thought of the man’s singular words on learning the name of the youth who had Mr. Phenix had declared that he believed the youth to be Frank Merriwell, but had not explained why he thought so. Had Frank’s father recognized him? If so, why had he remained silent—why had he failed to spcak out and make himself known? Frank was excited now, more excited than spoken to him so plainly. he had been for a long time. “I must find out!” he cried. “I must talk with him! I must tell him that I know him!” Out of his room he dashed and down stairs three steps at a stride. As he reached the main floor, he nearly ran against Parker Folansbee. The manager was looking anxious and de- pressed. “Ah!” he exclaimed. wish to speak with you.” “Mr. Merriwell, I “I am in a hurry,” panted Frank. “An- other time——” “Just a moment, Mr. Merriwell. It is about business.” That stopped Frank. This man had placed his money behind the company, and it was Frank’s duty. to listen to what he had to say. “Go on,” urged Merry, rather impatiently. “T am afraid we will not have a very good house to-night, or while we are here,” said Folanshee, hesitatingly. “Why, how is that?” “No advance sale at all. I think we made a mistake in striking a city like this so soon.” “But it seems to me there should be some sort of an advance sale. Isn’t there anything sold?” “Not a single seat.” “That is strange.” “Tt is remarkable.” “I @o not understand it. What is the " cause? Do you know?’ WHAT Was MEANT BY A acral PIG ?__SEE TRUE BLUE No. 30. GOMiG ooo KS (CO)