Produced by Al Haines
On the Cinder Path
Copyright, MCMXIX
by
Printed in the United States of America
by
The bright October sun was half-way down the western sky one Saturdayafternoon. Two-thirds of the Fall month had already gone, and theair was becoming fairly crisp in the early mornings.
All around the forest trees were painted various shades of brightscarlet, burnt umber brown and vivid gold by the practiced fingers ofthat master artist, the Frost-King. Flocks of robins and blackbirdswere gathering rather late this year, preparatory to taking theirannual pilgrimage to the warm Southland. They flew overhead at timesin vast numbers, making a tremendous chatter.
A noisy bunch of crows cawed unceasingly amidst the treetops as alarge, lumbering old automobile passed along the country road, thesame filled with lively boys, and also a number of sacks stuffed totheir utmost capacity with what appeared to be black walnuts,shell-bark hickories, butternuts, and even splendid large chestnuts.Apparently, the strange and deadly blight that was attacking thechestnut groves all through the East had not yet appeared in thehighly favored region around the town of Scranton, in which place theboys in question lived, and attended the famous high school where Dr.Carmack, also supervisor of the entire county schools, held forth.
The five tired lads who formed this nutting party we have met beforein the pages of previous stories in this series; so that to those whohave been fortunate enough to possess such books they need no lengthyintroduction.
First, there was Hugh Morgan, looking as genial and determined asever, and just as frequently consulted by his comrades, because hisopinion always carried considerable weight. Then came his mostintimate chum, Thad Stevens, who had played the position of backstopso successfully during the summer just passed, and helped to win thepennant for Scranton against the other two high schools of thecountry, situated in the towns of Allendale and Belleville.
Besides these two, there was included in the party a tall chap whoseemed to be acting as chauffeur, from which it might be judged thathe had supplied the me