CHAPTER XI
OFF FOR BRILL COLLEGE
When old Ricks saw his neighbor approaching he could not at firstbelieve his eyes. Then he ran up to the man, who was a particularly sourindividual.
"Say, I thought you was dead," he gasped.
"Dead?" returned Ham Ludd. "Do I look like I was dead?" And he glaredsavagely at Ricks. "I ain't dead, not by a jugful!"
"Humph! Well, if you ain't dead, mebbe you'll explain about that cat,an' dog," went on old Ricks.
"Wot about 'em?"
"You told folks I poisoned the cat and starved the dog to death."
"I did not."
"You did--it was in the newspapers!" bawled old Ricks, commencing todance around.
"I didn't! Where's them newspapers?" asked Ham Ludd, also growingexcited.
"I ain't got 'em, but Tom Rover said----"
And then suddenly old Ricks stopped short. He was commencing to "smell amouse," as the saying is.
"Wot did Tom Rover say?" demanded Ham Ludd.
"Never mind wot he said," grumbled the stationmaster. "Only you becareful o' wot you say about me in the future, Ham Ludd, thet's all!"
"Huh! I guess that Rover boy has been a'jokin' you ag'in, Ricky," saidLudd, with a grin. "How about thet busted-up bonfire, an' that snakycigar? Ha! ha! he had you them times, didn't he?"
"You shet up, Ham Ludd!" roared the stationmaster. "Don't you sayanother word!"
"I'll say all I please! An' you'll put up that fence, too, or I'll havethe law on ye!" retorted Ham Ludd; and then went on his way.
"Hang them Rover boys anyway!" muttered old Ricks, as he gritted histeeth. "I'll be glad when they go off to college ag'in. Wish they wouldstay away!" And he went about his work.
"Ricks and Ludd will have it in for each other from now on," remarkedDick, as he and his brothers got into the automobile to go home.
"Yes, and he'll have it in for us--me especially," returned Tom, with abroad grin. "Never mind; I can stand it," he added, carelessly.Troubles, past or to come, never set heavily on that fun-loving youth'sshoulders.
The boys had given the biplane one trial in carrying two passengers,Dick and Sam going up together while Captain Colby was present. On theday following the departure of Hans, they rearranged the seats on the_Dartaway_ and got ready to go up three strong, provided the biplanewould carry the load.
"I know she will do it if we get a more powerful engine," said Dick.
"Then we'll get the engine," returned Sam.
They made the start with care, all the others at the homestead beingpresent to witness the trial. The _Dartaway_ went up slowly, with Dickin the center, at the wheel, and Sam on one side of him and Tom on theother.
"Hurrah! we are going to make it!" cried Tom, as the biplane arose likesome big bird.
"It's a strain though," answered Dick. "We won't be able to fly veryhigh nor very long."
"But it's great to be up together!" murmured Sam.
They flew for nearly ten minutes, making wide circles and a big figureeight. They went over the house and the barn, and in plain sight ofseveral surrounding farms, men, women and children coming out to lookat them. Once more the Rover boys were the talk of the wholecountry-side.
"Ain't nothing they can't do," said one of the farmers living near. "Ifthey tackle a thing it's plumb bound to go through, every time!"
"It's because they are so full of grit and push," answered his wife."Wish our Jed was like 'em," she added, wistfully.
"Jed ain't never had no chanct, Mirandy."
"Boys like them Rovers make their own chances, Silas," she retorted.
That evening it was Tom who made a proposal that met with instantapproval from his brothers.
"Let's go to the college in the biplane," he said.
"Hurrah! just the cream!" returned Sam. "Say, won't the fellows starewhen they see us!"
"Very nice, but we can't very well fly all the way from here to Ashton,"put in Dick, mentioning the town near which Brill College was located.
"Oh, I didn't mean that," explained Tom. "I meant to fly from Ashton toBrill. We could ship the biplane to Ashton in secret, put it together onthe sly, and create a big sensation by coming down right on the collegecampus."
"Tom, you're a wonder!" cried Sam. "It's the best plan ever! Oh, let'sdo it!"
"Wonder where we could ship it to, so the other fellows wouldn't get onto what was doing?" mused Dick.
"Why not ship it to Mr. Sanderson?" suggested Sam. The man he mentionedwas a farmer living some distance from the college. The boys had oncedone the farmer's daughter Minnie a great favor, saving her from insultsat the hands of Jerry Koswell and Dudd Flockley.
"That's the talk!" cried Tom. "He'll take care of it and let us put ittogether in one of his open fields. Then we can make the fellows atBrill open their eyes."
The new idea pleased all the youths immensely, and the next day a longletter of explanation was sent to Mr. Sanderson, and he was asked totelegraph a reply. The biplane was taken apart and packed up fortransportation, and then the boys packed their trunks and dress-suitcases, and got ready to "go back to the greasy grind," as Tom expressedit.
It must not be supposed that the lads had forgotten to write to theStanhopes and the Lanings, and to their college friends. Numerousletters had been mailed and about an equal number had been received. Thegirls were all going to Hope, but one week later than the boys wouldhave to depart for Brill. Nothing more had been seen or heard ofCrabtree or Sobber, for which all were thankful.
"Here's a letter from William Philander Tubbs," said Tom. "I sent him aletter just for fun, asking him the style in socks this fall. Listen tohis reply." And he read the following:
"I have been making diligent inquiries about the shades in socks, my dearest Thomas, but the storekeepers seem to be a little undecided. Some think that Rambler Red will prevail while others favor Nile Green and a new shade called Baby's Breath. Personally I favor Baby's Breath and have purchased one dozen of that shade. If I get any more definite news about shades I will wire you, because I know what a dreadful thing it is not to have the shade that is really and truly fashionable."
"Three cheers for William Philander and his Baby's Breath socks!" criedSam. "He's the true and only artist!"
"Baby's Breath!" murmured Tom. "Now wouldn't that get your scalp-lock?"And then there was a merry laugh all around.
There was likewise a letter from Max Spangler, and another from StanleyBrowne, stating they were already on their way to Brill. Then, justbefore the boys were ready to leave home, came a letter from SongbirdPowell.
"I'll bet it's in verse," said Dick. "Songbird couldn't write prose tosave his life."
"We'll soon see," said Sam, who held the communication, and he tore itopen. "You win," he added, and then read the following, after the dateline:
"My dearest boys I'm filled with joys To think that we Together shall be In a week or more! Oh, the fun in store! And also the work-- Which we can't shirk-- And the pleasant meetings, And pleasant greetings,----"
"He was thinking of Minnie Sanderson when he wrote that," interruptedTom.
"Sure thing," returned Dick; for all of the Rovers knew that thewould-be poet was deeply smitten with the farmer's daughter. He hadwritten several poems about her, and had also given her severalpresents.
"Well, there are twelve pages of the doggerel," said Sam, glancing overthe sheets. "Here, you can read over my shoulders," and this was done,amid much merriment. Songbird had but little news and promised to be atcollege when they arrived.
"Oh, I hope the _Dartaway_ carries us there in good shape," murmuredTom. "It will be an arrival worth remembering!"
Before he left home Dick had a long talk with his father and his UncleRandolph. When he rejoined his brothers he was unusually sober.
"What is it, dad's business affairs?" queried Sam.
"Yes, S
am."
"Are they in bad shape?" questioned Tom, quickly. "What's gone wrong?"
"It's something about those mining shares that dad and Uncle Randolphinvested in," answered Dick. "I'll give you the particulars later. Theydon't want Aunt Martha to know about it, for it will only make her worrywithout doing any good. I'm afraid dad and Uncle Randolph are in itbad," went on Dick, soberly.
"Can't something be done?" asked Tom.
"Not just now. Dad is going to Chicago about it next week again."
"Does he and uncle stand to lose much?" questioned Sam.
"Yes, a good deal--more in fact than they can afford."
"Phew! That's too bad!" murmured the youngest Rover, and Tom shook hishead soberly, and forgot all about the parting jokes he had intended toplay on Aleck Pop and Jack Ness.
At last came the time for the three Rover boys to leave home. Thebiplane had been shipped to Ashton by express and their trunks and suitcases had been forwarded on their railroad tickets. They were going aday ahead of time, and Mr. Sanderson had agreed to meet them and takethem to his home.
"Good bye, my boys," said the fond father, on parting. "Take good careof yourselves."
"We will," they answered as they shook hands.
"Learn all you can," put in Randolph Rover.
"Take care and don't get into trouble," admonished Mrs. Rover, and thenshe kissed them tenderly.
"Don't forget to let me know how matters go in Chicago, dad," whisperedDick, to his parent.
"I'll remember, my son."
"And if I can aid you in any way, let me do it,--even if I have to leaveBrill," went on Dick.
"There is nothing to do at present, Dick. I must wait for that report."
Soon the boys were in the touring car, with Jack Ness to bring theautomobile back from the railroad station, he now being able to run themachine. Dick was at the wheel. Tom had cranked up, and off they sped,with a merry shout and with those left behind waving their hands.
"Let her go, Dick!" sang out Tom.
"Good bye!" yelled Sam.
"Good bye!" came back faintly from the homestead.
Then a turn of the road shut out the house from view. Once again theRover boys were off for college. Little did they dream of the strangeadventures in store for them.