gh
the plans of the parents were in a somewhat hazy shape, owing to the
youth of the boy. As I have already said, he and Jack Dudley had been
comrades or chums almost from infancy. They were strong, active,
clear-brained lads, who had not yet learned to smoke cigarettes or
cigars, and gave no cause to fear that they would ever do so. It is not
necessary to state that neither knew the taste of beer or alcoholic
drinks, nor did they wish to learn. They understood too well the baleful
effects of such indulgences to be in danger of ruining their bodies and
souls, as too many other youths are doing at this very time.

Doctor Greenwood had been the family physician of the Dudleys for many
years. The heads of the families were college mates at Harvard, and
continued their intimacy after the marriage of each, so that it was
quite natural that their sons should become fond of each other. The
fathers were sensible men, and so long as their boys' fondness for
athletic sports did not interfere with their studies the gentlemen
encouraged them, and, when possible, were present at the contests
between the representatives of the schools.

When Jack Dudley was presented with a shotgun and allowed to make an
excursion down the Jersey coast Fred was his companion, and the two had
rare sport in shooting duck and wild fowl. They became quite expert for
boys, and before the hunting season set in did considerable fishing in
the surrounding waters, and both learned to be skilful swimmers and
boatmen.

Mr. Dudley was wealthier than his professional friend, though the large
practice of the physician placed him in comfortable circumstances. In
one of his many business transactions Mr. Dudley found that he had to
choose between losing a considerable sum of money and accepting a
half-ownership in a ranch in the new State of Wyoming. There seemed
little choice between the two horns of the dilemma, for he saw no
prospect of ever getting any money out of the Western land, but he
accepted the ownership, the other half of which was divided among three
gentlemen, one of whom lived in Cheyenne, and the others in Chicago.

It is perhaps worth noting that although the fathers of Jack and Fred
were great admirers of athletics, and, as I have said, encouraged the
devotion to them shown by their sons, yet neither was inclined that way
in his youth.

"I never expected to own a foot of ground west of the Mississippi,"
remarked Mr. Dudley, when making a cal