birthplace. So overwhelming was the flood, that a hurry
call for an extra meeting of the Board went out, at which their former
ill-advised decision was rescinded.

And so there that fence remained, beloved of every boy in Scranton, the
younger fry only longing for the day to come when passing for the high
school they, too, might have the proud privilege of "roosting" on its
well-worn rails. Possibly it will still be in existence when some of
their sons also reach the dignity of wearing the freshman class colors,
and of battling on gridiron and diamond for the honor of Old Scranton.

As to the identity of the boys in question, from whom those remarks
proceeded, they might just as well be briefly introduced here as later,
as all of them are destined to take part in the lively doings that will
be recorded in this and in other volumes of this series.

Otto was Otto Brand; Eli Griffin came of New England parentage, and had
some of the traits that distinguish Yankees the world over, though a
pretty fine fellow, all told; Andy McGuffey, as his name would
indicate, could look back to a Scotch ancestry, and occasionally a
touch of the brogue might be detected in his speech; Sandy Dowd had red
hair, blue eyes and a host of very noticeable freckles; but could be
good-natured in spite of any drawbacks; while the lad called "K. K."
was in reality Kenneth Kinkaid; but since boys generally have little
use for a name that makes a mouthful, he was known far and wide under
that singularly abbreviated cognomen.

The Committee on Sports connected with Scranton High was a body of
seniors appointed by the students themselves, and given authority to
handle all questions connected with athletics. As a rule, they carried
out their duties in a broad-minded fashion, and not only merited the
confidence of the entire school but also the respect of the faculty as
well.

There was considerable anxiety abroad just at present, because it was
well known that the committee had been discussing the possible make-up
of the baseball team to which would be given the proud privilege of
representing the school that season in the Three-Town League. No one
knew absolutely just who would be selected among the numerous
candidates, though, of course, it was only natural that many
entertained wild hopes, which were only doomed to disappointment.

Two more boys came sauntering along, and found places on the "roost."
One of these was a burly fellow with a pu