The Outdoor Chums | Page 4

Newtonport on the

opposite bank; in consequence, there was more or less rivalry between
the two places, which condition extended from the shopkeepers and
banks to the sports of the boys of the bustling miniature cities.
Since the four chums are to figure as the leading spirits in our stirring
tales of the Outdoor Club, it seems only proper that we should take an
early opportunity to introduce them more fully to the reader, together
with some of their more prominent hobbies, hoping that the
acquaintance thus begun may ripen into warm intimacy as we journey
along in company.
Jerry Wellington's father was a railroad magnate, and in full sympathy
with his boy's love for the open; indeed, it was from the elder
Wellington that Jerry, no doubt, inherited his love for fair play, whether
in games on the baseball or football arena, or in sports afield; his
sympathies seemed to be always with the under dog in the fight, and he
would scorn to shoot a rabbit or a quail unless in full flight; or to take a
game-fish by any other means than the methods in vogue among true
sportsmen.
On the other hand, Bluff Masters could never get it through his head
what need there was for all this fuss and feathers about giving the game
a chance; he had the old primal instinct of the red Indian, whose one
desire was to secure his quarry, no matter whether by hook or by crook;
since Bluff never pretended to be anything of a shot, or an expert angler,
perhaps he was right in believing that, so far as he was concerned, the
game had all the chance necessary at any and all times.
Frank Langdon, as mentioned before, was the son of the banker, and
having lived up in Maine knew about all there was to know about the
tricks of campers; since his chums as yet had had only limited chances
to discover what the extent of his knowledge might be, they were very
anxious to put Frank to the test, and learn a few of the said wrinkles,
calculated to make them better sportsmen.
Frank had one sister, a pretty girl named Nellie, and Bluff Masters had
shown a decided partiality for her ever since they were first brought
together.

The last one of the quartette, Will Milton, was one of the rich widow's
two children, and since he and Frank were deeply interested in
photography, it was perhaps only natural that Frank should be attracted
by Will's twin sister, Violet, whom he believed to be the sweetest girl
of his acquaintance.
These four boys attended the private school of Alexander Gregory, D.P.,
and the sudden announcement that during a recent storm the buildings
had suffered so severely as to necessitate the closing of the academy for
a limited period, had fallen upon the community like a thunderbolt
from a clear sky.
Those students coming from a distance were being sent away at the
expense of the proprietor of the school; and others, who belonged either
in Centerville or Newtonport, were allowed to go home, subject to a
call some two weeks later.
While the boys worked at replacing the fallen boxes, they kept up a
running fire of observations regarding this new calamity that threatened
their peace; for when Andy Lasher and the ugly crowd with which he
trained took a notion to make themselves disagreeable they could do it
"to the queen's taste," as Jerry said.
"Shall we give the outing up?" asked Frank, after he had heard some of
the dire prophecies advanced by his comrades, especially Bluff
Masters.
"Never!" exclaimed Jerry.
"Ditto!" cried Will, looking more determined than ever.
"Oh! I'm just as anxious to go as any one, only it seemed right to look
the old thing squarely in the face before we started to lay plans. If the
rest say go, you can count on me all right. I'm the last to squeal if
trouble comes, and you know that, fellows," declared Bluff, glancing
around defiantly.
It was a habit with Bluff to be always expecting something serious to

happen; and in case his suspicions were verified, as might occasionally
occur, he would crow over the others, and strut around as though he
thought himself a prophet gifted with second-sight, and able to forecast
coming events with ease.
On the other hand, should the prediction fail to come about there was
always a good excuse handy to account for the failure.
"Well," said Frank, as he winked at Jerry, "since we are all of one mind,
I don't know why we should waste any more time about it. For one, I'm
going straight to the bank and have a friendly chat with my dad. I just
feel dead certain he'll be as