The Putnam Hall Cadets: or, Good Times in School and Out

“You have certainly done very well,” said Captain Putnam, to the winning crew. “Your stroke was almost perfect.”

“And it was well kept up,” came from George Strong. “I never saw a prettier race in my life.”

Josiah Crabtree had nothing to say, for he took no interest in sports. But nobody paid attention to the crabbed teacher.

The races were followed by a general holiday time, in which nearly all of the cadets participated. Only Dan Baxter and his crowd went away. They departed for a deserted boathouse, and there sat talking and smoking cigarettes.

“I suppose those fellows will have swelled heads after this,” muttered the bully.

“Sure,” grumbled Paxton. “But I don’t care. If they try to crow over me – ”

“What will you do?” asked Mumps.

“Never mind, I’ll do something.”

“And I’ll help,” came from the bully of the school. “We have got to take them down a peg or two, or else they’ll be running the whole Hall to suit themselves.”

CHAPTER IX

THE CHUMS MAKE A CALL

For a week after the races, matters at Putnam Hall ran along smoothly. Captain Putnam insisted upon it that the students attend to their studies and our friends pitched in with vigor, so that Jack stood first in his class, Pepper third, and Andy fourth, which was certainly fine.

During that time Dan Baxter had a sharp “run-in” with the master of the Hall, who gave the bully a stern lecture. As a consequence Baxter was quite humble for the time being and did not risk doing anything to bring him into further disgrace.

On a Tuesday morning Captain Putnam called Jack, Pepper, and Andy into his private office.

“Gracious, I hope we aren’t in for a lecture!” whispered Andy while on the way.

“Have you been doing anything wrong?” asked Pepper with a wink.

“No, have you?”

“Not much. I had some flour yesterday and when I was upstairs old Crabtree was in the lower hallway. Somehow the flour slipped out of my hand and went down on Crabtree’s head.”

“Slipped is good!” chuckled Jack. “Did he spot you?”

“Not much! I had business elsewhere, and I dusted,” answered his chum.

When they entered the office they found Captain Putnam awaiting them with a smile and knew at once that everything was all right.

“I’ve received an invitation for you three lads,” said the master of the Hall. “It is from Mr. Rossmore Ford. He and his wife and daughters are going to have a small gathering at their home this afternoon and evening, and they would like you to be present. If you desire to go you may do so. Mr. Ford is anxious to do something to show how much he appreciates what you did for his daughters.”

“Oh, I don’t know – ” faltered Andy, who was somewhat bashful.

“Let us go by all means!” cried Pepper. “I’m sure we’ll have a good time.”

“I shouldn’t mind going,” said Jack. “They seemed to be real nice people, and it would look strange to refuse.”

So it was settled that they should go, and Captain Putnam said they could take a horse and buggy from the Hall and make the journey to Point View Lodge and back in that.

“And remember to be back by eleven o’clock,” said the master of the Hall.

They were to start at two o’clock, and immediately after dinner they rushed up to their dormitory to get ready. It was a rule of the establishment that cadets must wear their uniforms when going out on such occasions and they brushed up as never before, and put on their best collars, cuffs, and shoes.

“Jack is sprucing up for the girls,” observed Pepper, with a wink at Andy.

“I’m sprucing up for the credit of the Hall,” retorted the young major. “And you must do the same.”

When they went down to the barn, Peleg Snuggers had the horse and buggy ready for them, and the utility man told them of the road to take to get to Point View Lodge.

“Mr. Ford is a swell gent,” said Peleg Snuggers. “Ain’t no more swell gent in these parts.”

“Any danger of his bursting?” queried Andy.

“Is he a land swell or a sea swell?” questioned Pepper.

“You young gents know wot I mean,” answered the utility man. “He’s rich – got millions.”

“Phew!” murmured Jack. “Boys, we’ll have to put on swell airs!”

“Peleg, won’t you lend me a diamond for my shirt front?” asked Andy.

“Ain’t got no diamond.”

“Maybe you’ll lend us a gold watch,” suggested Jack.

“Oh, you stop a-jokin’ me,” cried the utility man. “How am I to git diamonds an’ gold watches on twenty dollars a month, answer me that now?”

“Oh, we know you’re rich, Peleg,” said Pepper. “Some day you’ll buy out the Hall and give us free board, eh?” And then the boys drove off, leaving Peleg Snuggers standing grinning after them.

“Boys is boys, an’ allers will be!” murmured the man of all work. “Bless ’em all, say I.”

The road to Point View Lodge was somewhat rough and they had to drive along with care. In some spots the trees overhung the road completely, making the way rather dark.

“It will be no mean drive getting back,” said Andy.

“We’ve got a lantern, and we can drive slow,” answered Jack. “We ought to start for the Hall by half-past nine o’clock.”

At last they reached the Lodge, located on a point of the lake shore. There were elegant grounds, filled with shrubs and flowers, and a fine mansion with broad piazzas. Off to one side was a large summerhouse and to the other a barn and sheds.

“This is fine and no mistake,” murmured Jack. “See, there is quite a crowd here, too.”

A stable-hand took care of their turnout, and soon Rossmore Ford and his stately wife came to greet them. Then the girls came also, and there were warm handshakings all around.

“I am very, very thankful for what you did for Laura and Flossie,” said Mrs. Ford. “I want you to make yourselves at home here, and I trust you have a good time.”

“It’s a splendid place,” said Andy.