Homepage
Login
Profile
BookClubs
dmBox
Read Ebook: Frank Merriwell's Own Company; Or Barnstorming in the Middle West by Standish Burt L
Font size:
Background color:
Text color:
Add to tbrJar First Page Next Page
Ebook has 2372 lines and 58248 words, and 48 pages
THE MEDAL LIBRARY
PUBLISHED EVERY WEEK
This is an ideal line for boys of all ages. It contains juvenile masterpieces by the most popular writers of interesting fiction for boys. Among these may be mentioned the works of Burt L. Standish, detailing the adventures of Frank Merriwell, the hero, of whom every American boy has read with admiration. Frank is a truly representative American lad, full of character and a strong determination to do right at any cost. Then, there are the works of Horatio Alger, Jr., whose keen insight into the minds of the boys of our country has enabled him to write a series of the most interesting tales ever published. This line also contains some of the best works of Oliver Optic, another author whose entire life was devoted to writing books that would tend to interest and elevate our boys.
To be Published During July
To be Published During June
To be Published During May
To be Published During April
To be Published During March
FRANK MERRIWELL'S OWN COMPANY
OR,
Barnstorming in the Middle West
BY BURT L. STANDISH
STREET & SMITH, PUBLISHERS 238 WILLIAM STREET, NEW YORK CITY
Frank Merriwell's Own Company
FRANK MERRIWELL'S OWN COMPANY.
THE DYING MAGICIAN.
Manager Thaddeus Burnham, of the Keesport Opera House, was worried. Zolverein, the magician, was billed to play in his house that Wednesday evening. Zolverein was in town, stopping at the Midland Hotel, where he had arrived at noon. All the magician's apparatus was in the theater, and the stage was set for his appearance. The hour of opening the doors had arrived, the box-office man was selling tickets as fast as he could make change, and people were pouring in to witness the performance of the man of magic, who was famous all through that part of the country.
But Zolverein was in his room at the hotel, suffering from an attack of heart trouble, to which he was subject. He had assured Thaddeus Burnham that it was of no particular consequence, would soon pass away, and he would be able to appear at the time when the curtain should rise and give his regular performance, just as advertised.
However, the doctor who was attending the magician expressed grave doubts about Zolverein's immediate recovery, and, twenty minutes after the opening of the theater, Manager Burnham heard that the physician had sent in great haste for another prominent doctor of the place.
Frank Merriwell, the famous Yale athlete, now advance agent for the "Empire Theater Comedy Company," was talking with Thad Burnham. They were standing in the lobby of the opera house, watching the people come in.
"The house will be full," said Burnham, nervously. "It's a shame to have to refund so much money."
"You don't know that you will have to refund it," consoled Frank. "Zolverein has such spells frequently. He was telling me about them on the train."
"But Dr. Harte has summoned Dr. Gray, and Harte wouldn't do that for nothing. How did you happen to meet Zolverein?"
"I had the fortune to save him from what might have been a serious accident at Newton."
"How was that?"
"He was too late to take the train before it started, and he sprang aboard after the cars were under way. He slipped and would have fallen between two cars. I caught him by the collar and dragged him back to the platform. It gave him quite a shock, and he was afraid it might bring on an attack of his trouble. That's how we came to talk about it."
"Well, it brought on the attack all right."
"It seems so, but he thought all danger was past by the time we reached this place, for he was feeling much better."
"Something makes me certain he will not be on hand to-night. If he had not given me orders to open the doors, these people would not be coming in now. Of course I did as he directed, but it is going to cause no end of trouble."
"It has a bad effect to turn away an audience after a house is filled."
"Right. People go away sore. Hope nothing of this kind will happen in connection with your show, Mr. Merriwell."
"It's not likely to happen," declared Frank; but, if the manager had noted the youth's expression just then, he might have seen a shade of anxiety pass over Merriwell's face.
Within a day or two Merriwell had learned that Zenas Hawkins, the "angel" on which Barnaby Haley, the manager, had depended to keep the "Empire Theater Company" afloat, had refused to give up any more good money and had quit the organization.
As the company had been "up against bad business," the wind must change, or the end would come quickly, and Frank knew it. Hence his anxiety.
As Merriwell and the manager stood there, a boy came up hurriedly, saying to Burnham:
"Can you tell me where I can find Frank Merriwell? The magician has sent for him."
"Here he is," said the manager, indicating Merry.
"Come on, sir," urged the boy. "They told me to tell you to come in a hurry."
"I don't know. All I know is that they told me to get Mr. Merriwell in a hurry."
He did not finish, and Frank followed the boy, wondering why he had been summoned by Zolverein.
The messenger was a bell boy from the hotel, and he piloted Frank up to the door of the magician's room.
Frank knocked lightly.
The door was opened at once by a tall man who wore a Vandyke beard. It was Dr. Gray.
"This is Mr. Merriwell," explained the bell boy.
"Come in," said the doctor, softly. "You are in time."
"In time!" echoed Merry, wonderingly. "In time for what?"
Then he saw another man bending over the bed, on which lay Zolverein, the great magician. One glance satisfied Frank that the man of magic was face to face with the mighty mystery which no human being has ever solved and lived.
Zolverein's face was ghastly gray, while his eyes were wide open and staring at the ceiling. It almost seemed that already he had solved the mystery.
But Merriwell's voice reached the man's ears, and, with a great effort, he turned his head slightly, looking toward the door.
"Yes, you are in time," he said, and his voice was hollow and faint with a ghostly sound. "In time to see the end."
"He's dying!"
Add to tbrJar First Page Next Page