en school was out at noon, however, one boy called out:

"Are we going to have football practice this afternoon, Dick?"

"He can't waste the time," sang out Hen Dutcher derisively. "He has a
job going a-heroing."

Tom Reade turned sharply, but this time there was no need of his darting
at the tormentor. Six boys had promptly caught up Hen--two by the legs,
two at the body and two more at the shoulders. Rushing Hen to the
nearest tree, they promptly and soundly spanked him by the very simple
method of holding his legs apart and swinging his body smartly against
the tree-trunk.

"You kids think ye're smart!" growled Hen ruefully, as he rubbed
himself.

"Everyone knows you're not, Hen," retorted one of the late spankers.
"You're only stupidly fresh."

Hen quickly subsided and vanished.

"Yes; we ought to have football practice this afternoon," Dick answered,
when the question was put to him again. "We have no time to lose if
we're going to play this season. How many of you fellows have studied
the rules?"

"I have," answered several.

"But, say," broke in one boy, "we can just as well give up the idea of
having uniforms. We fellows can't raise the cash."

"Mrs. Dexter has offered to buy the uniforms," put in Greg incautiously.

"Has she?"

A whoop of delight went up from some of the boys.

"She'll be able to buy us bully ones; she has lots of money these days,"
declared one listener.

"Yes; Mrs. Dexter offered to supply the money," Dick admitted. "But,
fellows, I want you all to think that over. I, for one, shall vote
against getting our uniforms that way."

"Why?" came a chorus.

"Because, fellows, if we haven't brains and industry enough to get our
uniforms ourselves we've no business togging up at all. We can play
pretty good football, for that matter, with nothing but the ball
itself."

Some sided with Dick; others were in favor of letting any one who was
willing provide the field togs for the Central Grammar School eleven.

Dick didn't stop to argue long. He was hungry for his dinner. On Main
Street he parted from his chums, pursuing his way home alone. He had not
gone far when he had to pass a new building in process of erection.
Three stories had already been built up, and the workmen were now
engaged in putting on the fourth and last story.

Dick was just passing the main entrance of the new building when he
heard a warning rattle above. Instinct made him dart into the entrance.

Nor did