
Back at Crofton Academy, the familiar clang of the school bell rings in for a new term, and the campus awakens with the chatter of old friends reuniting. Gil Benton, a thoughtful sophomore, steps out onto the crisp autumn grounds, taking in the river, willow shadows, and the bustling athletic field where football dreams already stir. Beside him, his exuberant roommate Poke Endicott fumbles with a flamboyant new pair of football pants, turning a simple wardrobe change into a comic spectacle that sets the tone for their misadventures.
Together with a lively cast of classmates—including the ever‑curious “Brownie” in his ice‑cream‑colored attire—the boys dive into school life, from spirited pep songs to the odd mystery of a missing telegram. Their days blend classroom lessons, boisterous games, and the occasional household chore, all while navigating the quirks of teachers, rival teams, and the timeless charm of a riverside academy. Listeners will feel the crisp air, hear the rustle of leaves, and share in the camaraderie that makes the start of a school year unforgettable.
Language
en
Duration
~5 hours (318K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Donald Cummings and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
Release date
2019-12-10
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1870–1944
Best known for lively school and college stories, this prolific American writer helped shape early 20th-century boys’ fiction with tales of sports, friendship, and campus life. He also wrote under the name Oliver Horn and left behind a large body of popular juvenile novels.
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