The Rover Boys at Colby Hall | Page 6

short, were
exceedingly bright, each taking after his father, Andy always saying
things that were more or less funny and Randy playing tricks whenever
he got the chance. They were truly chips off the old block, and Tom
knew it, although outwardly he professed to be ignorant of the fact.
"Those twins will be some boys when they grow up," was old
Anderson Rover's comment, when the lads were less than five years old.
"They're just as full of fun now as Tom ever dared to be."
"So they are," answered his brother Randolph. "My! my! what will they
ever do with them when they get a little older?"
"I sha'n't mind," said Aunt Martha, her eyes beaming brightly. "That is,
if they are really and truly as good-hearted as Tom has always been. He
certainly was the worst of the lot when it came to playing jokes, but no
lad ever had a better heart than Tom--not one!"
About the time that Tom began to boast about his twins, Sam and
Grace came along with a beautiful little girl, whom they named Mary,
after Mrs. Laning. About a year later the girl was followed by a boy,
and this sturdy little chap was named Fred, after Sam's old school chum,
Fred Garrison.
Living so close together, the four boys and the two girls were brought
up almost like one big family. The girls were all but inseparable, and
the boys could generally be found together, either studying, playing, or
having a good time.

When the time came to set the children to studying, Martha and Mary
were placed in a private school for girls located but a short distance
from their homes. It was thought best, however, at the start to send the
boys to a public school, and this was done. For three years matters went
along very well, and during that time The Rover Company prospered
far beyond the expectations of those in charge. But then Andy and
Randy, becoming a little older, began to exhibit their talent for playing
tricks, and usually they were seconded in these efforts by Jack and Fred.
Once or twice all of the boys were reported by the school principal for
this, and each time the lads were remonstrated with by their fathers in
such a manner that, as young Andy expressed it, "it was far more
comfortable to sit down standing up than it was any other way."
"I think I'll have to do something with those twins," said Tom Rover to
his wife, after the boys had been reported for more tricks. "The school
they go to doesn't seem to be strict enough." And thereupon he had sent
the boys to a private establishment further uptown.
Jack and Fred had begged their parents that they might be allowed to
do likewise; and at this private school the four cousins had been kept
until the close of the Spring term the preceding June. To the credit of
this school it must be said that the boys advanced rapidly in their
studies. Their deportment, however, was apparently no better than it
had been before, and as a consequence Tom Rover was more worried
than ever, while Dick and Sam began to wonder secretly whether it
would not be advisable to separate their sons from the mischievous
twins.
One day Dick broached this subject to his offspring. At once young
Jack set up a wild remonstrance.
"Oh, Dad! don't take me away from Andy and Randy and Fred!" he
pleaded. "Why, we are just like brothers! I wouldn't know how to get
along without 'em."
"But I'm afraid Andy and Randy are leading you into bad habits,"
returned Dick Rover.

"I don't think so, Dad. Anyway, I've heard folks say that Andy and
Randy are no worse than their father used to be--and you never wanted
to be separated from Uncle Tom, did you?"
At this question Dick Rover's face took on a sudden sober look. "No; I
never wanted to be separated from your uncle, that's true," he said. "But
I tell you what we did used to do. When his pranks got too wild I and
your Uncle Sam used to hold him in."
"All right then, Dad. I'll tell Fred about this, and we'll see what we can
do towards holding in Andy and Randy;" and there, after some more
talk along the same line, the matter was allowed to rest.
Young Jack was as good as his word, and during the remainder of that
Spring term at the private school in New York City, Andy and Randy
were as well behaved as could possibly be expected from two
red-blooded lads.
It had been planned by the Rovers that the Summer should be spent by
all the young folks and their