Chapter I: Front Matter

Transcriber’s Notes:

Text enclosed by underscores is in italics (_italics_).

Additional Transcriber’s Notes are at the end.

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THE SAFETY FIRST CLUB

BY
W. T. NICHOLS

Illustrated by
F. A. ANDERSON

THE PENN PUBLISHING
COMPANY PHILADELPHIA
1916

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COPYRIGHT 1916 BY THE PENN PUBLISHING COMPANY

The Safety First Club

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_To
M. H. M._

_A youthful critic with the precious art of
combining frankness and friendliness,
this book is appreciatively dedicated_

Introduction

The Safety First idea, along with some other sound rules of conduct which have been hammered out by hard experience of the race, is often easier to put into words than into practice. Like other brakes on machines or men it sometimes seems to cause too much friction, with resulting protest, especially from youngsters impatient of warnings of dangers possible rather than presently pressing.

The fact is, however, that these objectors fail to recognize the true spirit of the rule. Nobody expects active boys and girls to be wrapped in cotton wool and stored away out of all harm’s reach. They have their work to do in the world, and in doing it must take certain risks as the rest of us do. But there are unnecessary risks, just as there are other risks which are not to be avoided; and it is in shunning these unnecessary risks, in learning that reasonable caution is not cowardice, that recklessness is no proof of bravery, and that the way to redeem a mistake is not to repeat it, that the rule is to be truly honored.

In “The Safety First Club” and the volumes which are to follow it are set forth certain adventures of boys who have to deal with problems such as confront healthy young Americans, boys well intentioned but not wise beyond their years, fond of the open, restive under restraint. It is the author’s hope that in their haps and mishaps they may be found likably human.

Contents

I. “HEDGEHOG DAY” 11

II. SAM TAKES CHANCES 23

III. THE LUCK OF A LONG SHOT 34

IV. THE CLUB GETS A NEW NAME 43

V. SAM FACES THE MUSIC 61

VI. DEALING WITH THE OGRE 72

VII. THE RECKONING 87

VIII. BEGINNING THE TEST 96

IX. POKE AND STEP PUT THEIR HEADS TOGETHER 111

X. QUEER TROUBLES 124

XI. THE CLUB GETS A CLUE 135

XII. PUNISHMENT POSTPONED 146

XIII. NOT ON THE PROGRAM 159

XIV. SENT TO COVENTRY 173

XV. THE CLUB ENDORSES ITSELF 182

XVI. SAM HAS A RUDE AWAKENING 194

XVII. MORE SURPRISES 202

XVIII. LON DISCUSSES CROOKED THINKING 211

XIX. OF DUELS AND CONSCIENCE 222

XX. SAM MAKES A SPEECH 230

XXI. LON PLAYS DETECTIVE 239

XXII. TOM ORKNEY CHANGES HIS INTENTION 252

XXIII. LON GATES ENTERTAINS 266

XXIV. PETER GROCHE SCORES AGAIN 281

XXV. THE BLIZZARD 294

XXVI. OLD FRIENDS MEET 307

XXVII. PETER’S GRUDGE 319

XXVIII. SAM MAKES CHOICE 334

XXIX. SQUARING THE ACCOUNT 343

XXX. IN FULL SETTLEMENT 355

Illustrations

PAGE

HE DESCENDED THE SLOPE _Frontispiece_

HIS FINGER TREMBLED ON THE TRIGGER 37

“YOU’RE LOOKING FOR TROUBLE” 156

“HOLD HARD, THERE!” 216

“HE’S COMING ’ROUND ALL RIGHT” 283

The Safety First Club

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The Safety First Club