“That was almost two years ago. To-day my boy is healthy and strong and manly. He belongs to a Y. M. C. A. gym, where he goes regularly every night, and they say he is fast becoming an athlete. More than that, he is working to save money, and is attending a school to fit himself for college. Mr. Merriwell, I have longed to meet you, and I’ve often thought of writing to you and telling you the good you had done my boy. I cannot repay you, sir, but I take off my hat to you as the model young American, and one every true American should be proud of!”
Then, before the Continental Hotel in the city of Philadelphia, was seen the remarkable spectacle of a policeman uncovering his head to a civilian, a youth whom he had not known by sight twenty minutes before.
Dick Merriwell had heard the words of the officer, and he thrilled from his feet to his head, whispering to himself:
“It is my brother! Everybody honors him! Officers take off their hats to him! All say he is a model American youth. Ah! can I ever become thus famous and loved! I do not believe it is possible!”
Frank had been touched himself, and he now assured the officer that he desired to meet his son, which gave the man no small satisfaction, as he said:
“I’ll bring Bob round. It is one great desire of his life to shake hands with you, and he’ll be jealous when he hears I’ve got ahead of him.”
A time was set when Frank would meet the officer’s son, that evening, and then the policeman saluted and turned away.
“I can’t believe the things me heavenly blue eyes have seen, nor those me shell-like ears have heard!” came from Jack Ready. “A cop hath lifted his tile to thee, O most noble snoozer! and his language was the language of respect, yet thou art not an alderman, nor yet a political boss. And this in Philadelphia! Ye gods! the heavens will fall next!”