“But you are a wonderful athlete, and your fame has spread over the country. Yale must be proud of you. But it was the only thing to expect from Frank Merriwell, of Fardale. I remember that you were constantly at work building yourself up and trying to become physically perfect. Nor did you spend your whole time at this to the neglect of your studies, but you never wasted time—you were forever doing something.” “That’s the secret of success,” smiled Merry quietly. “The fellow who wastes his time wastes his chance of success. Prize-fighters have muscular development, but usually little mental development. The perfect man seeks both by giving his body and his mind just the proper amount of work and rest.” “By Jove!” cried Walter, his eyes flashing; “you should be a teacher of your theories, Merriwell. I believe you could do an immense amount of good in the world.” “Yes, yes,” murmured the sick man, “I believe so, too. If I had known what to do when I was young, if I had built my body up properly, I’d not be here to-day, a wretched, worn-out invalid. It was ignorance that brought me where I am.” Frank felt that Mr. Burrage spoke the simple truth. He was a man grown old and broken down before his time—a piece of machinery out of repair. And all because he had not in early life built himself up properly to withstand the strain that came upon him in later years. This is the great error made by thousands and hundreds of thousands. In their youth they fail to understand the need of building for themselves strong, sound, healthy bodies to help them fight to a successful finish the battles of life. As boys and girls they may feel exuberant, strong, and they fancy that they will “grow” to be what is right and proper. Then it is that they should be told that if they neglect developing themselves they will grow up with their parents’ physical imperfections plainly marked and pronouncedly apparent. The weak spots will remain weak—they may become weaker. The strong points will not keep the weak parts from giving out and breaking down when a heavy strain is brought upon them. And what good is a perfect, handsome engine with a broken piston-shaft? The engine cannot run till it has a new shaft. Unfortunately, the human engine cannot be repaired thus easily. When a breakdown occurs, the result may mean that the engine stops forever. “Fardale did much for me,” declared Walter; “but I must confess that I was influenced greatly by your example, Merriwell. I know you did lots of good in that school. And now I have found that boys and young men all over this country are profiting by your example. Everywhere they are beginning to work regularly to make themselves stronger and handsomer and better. It’s a great thing, Merriwell, to know that you are doing this for the youth of the land.” As of old, Frank was unable to keep the warm color from mounting to his face. “I fear you are giving me altogether too much credit,” he protested.