Alice Hale Burnett

“ Linn had no better luck than Herbie, although he tried his hardest. The apple always bobbed about his head, rolling away just as he thought he had it.
"You're next," called out Toad, as Fat stepped forward toward the apples.
"Good evening," said Fat, bowing low, "I've a very empty feeling, would you like to step inside?"
"Ah, hurry up," shouted Reddy, "I want a turn some time tonight."
"So do I," chimed in Hopie Smith.
[Pg 28]
Fat grinned. "Don't be in such a hurry; it never pays," he retorted. ”

“ Very gently placing his finger tips upon the candy, Fat exclaimed:
"Oh, it's just right; plenty cool enough to pull."
"Hey, come on, everybody," shouted Toad, "the candy's ready."
[Pg 30]
"I'll get some butter," offered Chuck, running off to the kitchen, saying as he went: "Wait until it comes; it keeps the candy from sticking."
When he returned the boys all greased their fingers well with butter and set to work pulling the taffy.
"Let's see which one can make his the lightest," suggested Linn. "I used to be pretty good at this work when I was young," he laughed. ”

“ Suddenly Hopie Smith jumped up with the flour falling from his face and the dime held fast between his lips.
"Hurrah; three cheers for Hopie," shouted all the boys.
[Pg 52]
The pan was now carried out for a supply of fresh flour and a new dime. The three boys were brushed off and soon were watching the others trying to find the dime.
"Say, Reddy, you're an old man," cried Toad, "your hair is turning gray."
"Look out there, Linn," warned Fat, "you'll turn into a pancake if you eat all that flour." ”

“ Toad, with the help of Father Brown, then placed a long pole so that the ends rested on the top of two bookcases and from it hung many bright red apples, tied on with strings.
[Pg 26]
"Now," said Chuck, "the fellow who can take one good bite out of an apple without using anything to steady it with, gets a prize."
"Me first," cried Herbie.
"All right," was the reply, "go ahead." And Herbie started.
At first it seemed very easy, but whenever he got ready to take a good bite the apple always slipped away. The boys all laughed as Herbie made one dive after another. ”

“ Hopie started off, both hands held out before him.
[Pg 20]
"You musn't feel anything with your hands," called Herbie, "it isn't fair."
"All right," was the answer as he walked straight for the corner where Fat was sitting, watching the fun.
"Keep perfectly still," whispered Chuck in Fat's ear, as Hopie drew near, then as he paused before Fat and placed the stem upon his head the boys broke into shouts of laughter.
"Oh, you pumpkin head," gasped Reddy. ”

“ Six real stories for small boys, each complete in itself, telling about the many interesting doings of "Toad" and "Chuck" Brown, and their friends, "Fat," "Reddy" and others.
The books are written so the boy may read and understand them and the action faithfully portrays boy life in a small town.
CIRCUS DAY AT MERRYVALE
"Toad" and "Reddy," by good fortune, each earn two tickets to the circus, although they find watering elephants a harder task than it at first seemed. A jolly party of boys visit the circus. ”

“ Herbie took his advice.
"Reddy, what was that the teacher said in school the other day about too much candy being bad for little boys?" inquired Chuck from his corner by the fireplace, at which Reddy laughed.
"Come on," he said, "let's see who's taffy's the lightest."
"Yes, everyone hold out his piece," proposed Linn.
"Oh, yours is," admitted Toad as he saw Linn's cream-colored taffy.
[Pg 32]
"Looks like a lock of Mary Lee's hair," observed Herbie, glancing at Linn's piece.
"You're always talking about her," teased Fat.
"Am not," denied Herbie stoutly, his face turning red. ”

“ At this the boys urged Toad to hurry and when the cake had been cut and passed around each boy looked his piece over carefully.
"Hurrah, I've got the money," shouted Hopie, holding up a bright dime so all could see.
"And I've got the thimble," wailed Chuck. "Now I'll have to sew on all my own buttons."
"Hopie's lucky all right; he won the [Pg 61] money in the flour, too," observed Herbie.
It was now growing late so the boys, much against their will, found their hats and bade good-night to Father and Mother Brown. ”

“ Fat walked directly over to the fireplace and peeped into the pot.
[Pg 18]
"If ghosts had noses," he sniffed, "I'd say that smelt awfully good."
Father Brown now went about, pinning a number on each boy's back.
"What's that for?" asked Hopie.
"Well, you all look so much alike," laughed Mr. Brown, "that I can't tell you apart. And," after a pause, "there's going to be a prize for this game."
"That's great," shouted Herbie, "hope I get it."
Chuck now left the room, returning a moment later with a huge pumpkin which he placed on a chair in the corner. ”

“ After weeks of preparation the scouts start out on their greatest undertaking. Their march takes them far from home, and the good-natured rivalry of the different patrols furnishes many interesting and amusing situations.
Endurance Test; or, How Clear Grit Won the Day
Few stories "get" us more than illustrations of pluck in the face of apparent failure. Our heroes show the stuff they are made of and surprise their most ardent admirers. ”

“ Hopie pulled off his pillow slip and stared in wonder about him, then he too laughed.
"I was so sure I had it on the pumpkin!" he exclaimed.
[Pg 21] "Better be careful, Fat," warned Toad, "If mother takes you for a pumpkin she'll put you in a pie."
Numbers two, three and four hadn't much better luck for Herbie stuck the stem on the center table, Chuck on a book stand and Reddy tried very hard to put it into the pot but Mother Brown held out her hand just in time to save it from falling in.
Linn's turn came next.
"Watch me," he said. "I'm going to do it."
"Bet you don't," challenged Reddy. ”