“Yes, sir.”
“Why?”
“Because you are captain of the Yale team, and I know U. V. can’t beat you!”
“Hooray for Jimmy Lee!” roared Bruce Browning, aroused by the words of the boy.
Then from those Yale men rose a cheer, to the end of which was tacked the name of Jimmy Lee.
And Jimmy—well, you should have seen him! He was the happiest youngster in all Virginia. He tingled from his head to his heels. His eyes shone and his freckled face gleamed. These Yale men, these handsome, athletic fellows, these followers of Frank Merriwell, were cheering for him! Why shouldn’t he be happy? Why shouldn’t he thrill with unspeakable delight?
And back at a distance stood Scrubby Watson and his followers, looking on in unspeakable envy. Was this little Jimmy Lee, whom they had often bullied? They had been astounded when he dared hit Watson, the king-pin of their set, for that showed a great change had come over Jimmy. He had been following in the footsteps of Frank Merriwell, and the result was a shock to them. But now—well, now he would be a god among them for some time to come! Watson was deposed; the mighty had fallen; the idol of the past was dust. Up with the new king! All hail King Jimmy, the “man” who had sat upon Frank Merriwell’s shoulder while the Yale team cheered for him!
Jimmy looked about and saw them and smiled upon them. Forgotten was his shabby clothes, his ragged jacket, and patched trousers. He was clothed in robes of royal dignity now. Oh, never would he forget that day as long as he lived. It would always remain the proudest day of his life. He would tell his children and his grandchildren how, when he was a little boy, he had sat upon the shoulder of the great Frank Merriwell while the Yale ball-team had cheered for him! That was glory enough to last a lifetime!
And certain it is that this little event of that day was to have an influence on Jimmy’s entire life. It was to make him a more self-respecting man; it was to give him new and greater ambitions; it was to urge him onward and upward.
Yes, King Jimmy had risen, and it was not likely that he would be deposed. He had been working for some time to develop himself and emulate Frank Merriwell; he would work harder now. He would become a leader among the smaller boys in athletic sports and games, for the man who had sat upon Frank Merriwell’s shoulder must know how to tell them the proper way to develop their muscles! And they would follow in his lead, all of them taking new interest in the work of developing their bodies—the work that is the greatest and happiest play for a boy.