dying influence of Bob.

Two other friends of the boys who were almost always in their company
were Herb Fennington, whose father kept a large general store in the
town, and Jimmy Plummer, son of a respected carpenter and contractor.
Herb was of a rather indolent disposition, but was jolly and
good-natured and always full of jokes, some of them good, others poor,
which he frequently sought to spring on his companions.

Jimmy was a trifle younger than his mates, fat and round and excessively
fond of the good things of life. His liking for that special dainty had
gained him the nickname of "Doughnuts," and few of such nicknames were
ever more fittingly bestowed.

Apart from the liking that drew them together, the boys had another link
in their common interest in radio. From the time that this wonderful new
science had begun to spread over the country with such amazing rapidity,
they had been among the most ardent "fans." Everything that they could
read or learn on the subject was devoured with avidity, and they were
almost constantly at the home of one or the other, listening in on their
radio sets and, lately, sending messages, in the latter of which they
had now attained an unusual degree of proficiency.

In decided contrast to Bob and his friends was another group of
Clintonia youth, between whom and the radio boys there was a pronounced
antipathy. The leader of this group was Buck Looker, a big overgrown,
hulking boy, dull in his studies and a bully in character. His two
special cronies were Carl Lutz, a boy of about his own age, and Terry
Mooney, both of them noted for their mean and sneaking dispositions.
Buck lorded it over them, and as his father was one of the richest men
in the town they cringed before him and were always ready to back him up
in any piece of meanness and mischief.

The enthusiasm of Bob and his friends for radio was fostered by the help
and advice of the Reverend Doctor Dale, the clergyman in charge of the
Old First Church of Clintonia, who, in addition to being an eloquent
preacher, was keenly interested in all latter-day developments of
science, especially radio. Whenever the boys got into trouble with their
sets they knew that all they had to do was to go to the genial doctor
and be helped out of their perplexities.

An incident that gave a great impetus to their interest in the subject
was the offering of prizes by Mr. Ferberton, the member of Congress for
their district, for the best