"Dick Merriwell's Stride"

         The November 18th, 1905 issue of Tip Top Weekly, titled “Dick Merriwells Stride or the Finish of the Cross-Country Run,” features a story involving horror and triumph. The story begins at Lakeside Academy on Cadet Inspection Day. Cadet Corporal Anson Day has the cadets in a line with their muskets and in full uniform. It is a big day for cadets as they try to impress the girls by having everything cleaned and in fine order. As the inspection draws to a close, Cadet Corporal Day calls out Rob Rioden for having a rusty barrel on his gun as well as dust on his sleeve. When the ceremony is finished, the cadets then join their friends and begin to mingle with the girls. Dorris, a girl who is extremely impressed with Dick, begins talking with Cadet Hal. As a result, Dick and Day approach June and Mamie who then go for a walk in the woods. Day and Mamie begin walking ahead of Dick and June, and the two begin talking and enjoying each other’s company. As they continue walking it seems as though a large storm is beginning to form, however, the couple keeps walking. Day and Mamie continue over a hill and disappear out of sight, when suddenly Dick and June hear a frightening shriek. Dick instantly runs toward Day and Mamie and discovers Day on the ground and Mamie surrounded by a group of masked cadets. Suddenly Dick is hit in the head from behind with a rock and drops to the ground. The leader of the pack is Rob Rioden, who takes Dick aboard a boat near the lake while the others run off. Rioden ties Dick’s hands together as he takes off into the stormy weather. When Dick awakens, he is stunned to find where he is. Rioden threatens to throw Dick overboard, but he does not intend literally to do so. Dick feels threatened by Rioden’s actions and kicks Rioden off the boat in self-defense. Dick uses all his strength to break through the rope tied around his hands and helps Rioden on the boat. The storm begins to develop even more as waves are larger and the water is rougher. The boys are without oars and do not have control over the boat.

         As a result, the boat crashes into a reef, leaving the boys and the boat stranded on the rock holding on for life. Suddenly a large wave knocks Rioden off the ledge, and the action jumps back to June, Day, and the others in the group. After everyone hears the news about Dick and Rioden going into the storm, the group runs off to a steamboat and convinces the captain to go search for the boys. After a long and dangerous search, the group can only manage to find Rioden. The next morning, Rioden meets with the head Professor at Fardale and explains everything that happened. The Professor is stunned by the news, when suddenly Dick walks into the room. After Dick discusses with the Professor what has happened, the Professor decides to not expel Rioden, yet he punishes him greatly. Everyone is excited for Dick’s return as the Professor cancels school for the day and holds a parade in the middle of the school yard.

          The next week, Dick holds tryouts for the cross-country team, which will compete in a big race in two weeks. As they are running, Dick teaches the boys proper running techniques, stating, “Arms down, shorter strides, lean forward when going up a hill.” Dick runs easily and is clearly the best in the group. The following week ,Dick is approached by a freshman, Pierce. Pierce has been working hard and asks Dick if he has any shot of making the team. Pierce also describes his new excitement for sports, and Dick responds, “The best thing for any boy is he should take part in sports. It develops his body and gives him the physical strength to endure the strain of study.” Pierce is motivated by this and ultimately works his way into the race with Dick.

          At the beginning of the race a group of students are discussing their predictions of the outcome of the race. Dick is actually an underdog as Scatterbox, a student from a different school, is a favorite in the race while many do not even know of Pierce. As the race develops, Pierce is out in front of Dick but still behind Scatterbox. Toward the end of the race, Dick gets caught in a hidden trap that wraps around him, making it impossible to continue the race. Rioden suddenly appears and captures the boys who created the trap, also freeing Dick from the net. The story comes to a close as Scatterbox has a small lead on Pierce during the final stretch. Pierce has plenty of strength left and speeds ahead of Scatterbox for the lead. Dick, having been freed from the net, sprints ahead of Scatterbox, and Fardale wins the race with Pierce in first and Dick in second. Here is yet another instance of Dick Merriwell overcoming adversity and achieving greatness.

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