The boys of Columbia High on the river

by Graham B. Forbes

But the scattering hosts would assemble again when the September days came around with new sports calculated to arouse their enthusiasm once more. With the cool autumn breezes their thoughts would run to strenuous endeavors on the football field, with the athletes of the home school pitted against the rivals from other towns.

Whether the gallant striving of Columbia's best players could avail in such a tri-cornered struggle for supremacy it would hardly be fair to disclose just now. And those who would read for themselves concerning the fierce battles of the pigskin must secure the next volume in this series, called: "The Boys of Columbia High On the Gridiron; or, The Struggle for the Silver Cup."

In some roundabout fashion Mr. Seller must have learned about his son's conduct with regard to numerous things. Indeed, the town was fairly seething with talk concerning Lef, and it seemed strange that his father could have failed to hear about his various misdoings up to now.

He came to Frank and tried to get him to tell about the trouble on the river; but since Lef had brought the wrecked craft down to the yard of a boat builder, and left orders to have it put in good shape at his expense, of course Frank declined to complain, and called it an "accident."

No matter what Mr. Seller learned, he found that his young hopeful was earning a bad name around Columbia, and stood in danger of getting into serious trouble unless he mended his ways. Accordingly Lef was compelled to remain in town through all the summer, and work in the office of the trolley company. Even his boat was only allowed him on extraordinary occasions.

With a disposition such as he cultivated, it can be easily understood that Lef spent a miserable summer, while all his comrades were away having a delightful time. His father was in hopes that the lesson might have a salutary effect on the boy; but others who knew declared that the leopard would change his spots before Lef Seller stopped playing his mean pranks.

Although the full facts were never actually known, enough was learned about the burning of the boathouse to indicate that it was the work of several disreputable fellows who lived along the river below Clifford.

Every one believed that they had been hired by those who had laid wagers on Columbia failing to win the great race.

The two rascals, Martin and Joey, were made to pay the penalty of their evil deeds. As Frank had said, neither he nor Lanky would touch a cent of the reward offered for the finding of the loot; and consequently Chief Hogg and his trusty officers were compelled to divide it among them.

And so long as Columbia High stands there as a seat of learning, so long must the story of that great year be told with reverence; for surely never was a school blessed so prodigally with victories as came to Frank Allen and his fellow students in the season just passed.