Tip Top Weekly No. 139: Frank Merriwell's Father — page 33: what you’re looking at

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

TIP TOP WEEELY. 31 I have been a reader of the Tip Top Weekly since No. 8 was issued up to the present time, and I think it is fine. I believe every boy—and girls, too, for I am a girl—should read it and pattern after some of its characters. J hope if Frank ever marries he will marry Inza. Wishing to hear more of his Yale chums, BESSIE ROGERS, Newcomerstown, O. You will hear more of Frank’s Yale chums, and also learn: of Cupid’s tricks where Frank's affec- tions are cencerned, in future issues of the Tip Top. You are setting a good example. We want to hear from all the girls. I have read your Tip Tops from No. % to the present one, and, although I sent for other publica- tions and read them, I think there is nothing to hold a candle to “Frank Merriwell.” What I Hke about your stories is that they are so real and life- like, and do not contain the sensational incidents that are features of other publications. I am a member of a club here in town, and all the boys en- joy the Tip Top immensely. By the way, I'd like to ask a question of you through curiosity of myself and others. Is there anything that Frank Merriwell can't do? H. B. F., Wellington, Ohio. We answer your question by saying that there Is little that is impossible of accomplishment either for Frank or any other, if honest endeavor and a firm determination to win is the uppermost thought in his mind. The reason you find these stories so “real and lifelike’ is that Mr. Standish writes of actual happenings and personal experiences. We hope he may long retain your good opinion. I am a constant reader of the Tip Top Weekly, and think that it is a tip top paper, with a tip top fellow for a hero. The stories have done me much good in pointing out to me the foolishness of spending se much money for things we do not need, and the talks on other subjects are very edifying. Mr. Standish does not seem to have a good opinion of Arkansas. If he will come to yisiit this State I think that he will change his opinion. Hoping that Frank Merrtwell will long continue the hero of the Tip Top Weekly. Cc. R. Fayetteville, Ark. You must not imagine because of Frank’s unfor- tunate experiences in one instance that Mr. Standish has a bad opinion of Arkansas. He is not so narrow minded. Thereis both good and badin once place as well as another, and doubtless Mr. Standish has a substantial credit side to his experiences in Arkansas, Your appreciation of his stories will serve to add to this. We read the Frank Merriwell stories every week, and we know that they are “all right.”" We are very glad that the girls read Frank Merriwell stories, for it shows the stories must be of a very high standard, We are in favor of having a badge, and would sug- gest that they are given to the readers by the cou- pon system. Long live Frank Merriwell! FRED CARTER. JACK KIRBY. JAMES GIBBS. Rome, N. Y. We agree with you boys that it is a compliment to the Tip Top that the stories have found such strong favor with, the girls. Letters from parents have reached us to the same effect, and there is no doubt that there is a charm about Mr, Standish’s stories that wins him a place in the hearts of all. You will read about the badge elsewhere on this page. Long life to the boys of Rome! What Was That Double Championship of the Naval Cadet? See True Correspondence. W. C., Philadelphia, Pa.—We know of no premium on gold dollars. WW. ©. T. Co., Syracuse, N. Y.~Frank will return to Yale very shortly. Tired Willy, Allegheny, Pa.—Your propositions will receive due consideration, A. A. L., Pullman, Il.—There is no premium on any of the coins you mention. Cc. R. S., Poughkeepsie, N. Y.—You_can obtain road maps from the bookséliers in your city. A. V. ZB, Fitchburg, Mass.—Write to the American News Co., Chatnbers St., New York City. J. L. H.. McWinney, Texas.—Yes, you can obtain the Tip Top Weekly, Nos. 4 to SU, at tive cents apiece. They are ull in print. Jack Diamond, Chicago, TlL.—No, we do not think that hard exereise will affeet a boy's growth, but you must not carry matters to an excess. New York Reader, New York City.—Write to Rus- sel A. Alger, Secretary of War, Washington, D, C., ang you will doubtless obtain the information you esire, . A. P., Chelsea, Mass.—Yes, we can furnish you with the books you desire. Write for catalogue. FEF. K., Terre Haute, Ind.—Yes, you can obtain all the quarterHes of the Frank Merriwell series. Cc. E., Chicago, It.—There ts no need to worry. You will probably broaden as you grow older. We would recommend, however, dumbbell and Indian club exercise. W. R. S., Fort Worth, Texas.—It would be scarcely fair to tell in advance everything that Frank Merri- well and his friends are going to do, but we think you will be satisfied. H. E. H., Rocehster, N. Y¥.—Send the first of your stories to the publishers you think most suitable with a letter stating your wishes. The Merriwelt piece will run for a very long time, we hope and eve, AL B. R., Danbury, Conn.—To make carmine ink, use best ground Brazil wood, four ounces; diluted acetic acid, one pint; alum, one-half ounce. Boil them slowly in a covered tinned copper or enameled Sauce-pan for one hour, and add one ounce of gum. J. J. B., Lynn, Mass.—The 1868 three-cent piece is worth about thirty cents. The Canada Jubilee stamp fis not worth much more than its face value. Your Ulster County Gazette, dated 1800, telling about the death of George Washington, cught to command a price, bur only from a collector. R. U. F., Honesdale, Pa.—The Gulf Stream is the current which issues from the Gulf of Mexico and earries the heat of the Caribbean Sea across the northern Atlantic to the shores of Scotland and Nor- way. This tropical river flowing steadily through the cold water of the ocean, rescues England from the snows of Labrador. Should it, by any chance, break through the Isthmus of Panama, Great Britain would be condemned to eternal glaciers. D, E. G., Buffalo, N. Y.—Fumigate the pigeon loft by means of sulphur, closing every crack and crevice, and then burning a small piece of that substance placed on a tin plate. Then whitewash the walls and ¢celling, and do not allow the birds to enter until it is perfectly dried. If boxes are used, burn all the nests and fumigate with sulphur. A mixture of half flour and half sulphur rubbed in at the base of the feathers will kill any vermin on the live birds. J. P. E., San Luis Opispo, Cal.—Up to the close of the fiscal year the increase of expenditures on ac- count of the war with Spain was $3,041,732 for the War Department and $24,202,488 for the Navy Depart- ment. For July, August, September and October, ISOS, expenditures of the War Department were $107,- 520,388, being $81,013,131 greater than for the same months in 1897. For the same months this year, the Navy Department expended $27,459,577, which was $16,014,926 more than it spent in the Hke period in 197. Up to October 31, the war with Spain added to the disbursements of these two departments the sum of $164,992,228. It is impossible to predict. who will be nominated for President in 190. Your hand- writing and grammar are both good. Blue No. 38. CORnIClooo S CO)