New and Popular Series for Boys and Girls.
────────────────────
THE AIMWELL STORIES;
A SERIES OF VOLUMES, ILLUSTRATIVE OF YOUTHFUL CHARACTER,
AND COMBINING INSTRUCTION WITH AMUSEMENT.
BY WALTER AIMWELL,
Author of “The Boy’s Own Guide,” “Boy’s Book of Morals and Manners,” &c.
WITH NUMEROUS ILLUSTRATIONS.
───────────────
The volumes contain about 300 pages, 16mo, each, bound in cloth, with
gilt backs. Price 63 cents.
☞ Each volume is complete and independent of itself, but the series will
be connected together by a partial identity of characters, localities,
&c.
The first five volumes of this series are now ready. They are entitled:
OSCAR; or, the Boy who had his own Way.
CLINTON; or, Boy-Life in the Country.
ELLA; or, Turning over a New Leaf.
WHISTLER; or, the Manly Boy.
MARCUS; or, the Boy-Tamer. (Now Ready.)
JESSIE; or, Trying to be Somebody. (Shortly)
NOTICES OF THE PRESS.
In the department of juvenile literature, the ‘Aimwell Stories’ have
fairly come to rival the ‘Rolla Books’ in the affections of the young
people. The author when he conceived the plan of the series, struck a
vein which he has since been working with rich and constantly increasing
success.—[Boston Transcript.
One of the best series for the young ever written. Every family of
children ought to have them.—[Chicago Congregational Herald.
They are written with great skill for the tastes and necessities
of children, and they are written conscientiously, with a moral
and Christian effort unobtrusively operative upon every
page.—[Congregationalist.
A better series of books for children were never written. The author has
studied deeply and accurately the feelings, hopes, and thoughts of
youth.—[Boston Mail.
The author of the ‘Aimwell Stories’ has a happy knack at combining
amusement and instruction. Under the guise of a story, he not only
teaches a moral lesson, which is or ought to be a leading object of
every tale for children, but he gives his readers instruction in
philosophy, geography, and various other sciences. So happily are these
introduced, however, that the youthful reader must learn in spite of
himself.—[Boston Journal.
It is the best series of juvenile books with which we are
acquainted.—[Northampton Gazette.
We have spoken repeatedly, and with unqualified commendation, of this
series of juvenile volumes. It would be difficult to exaggerate their
merits as a source of amusement and instruction to children.—[American
Patriot.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NATIONAL SERIES OF AMERICAN HISTORIES.
=By Rev. Joseph Banvard.=
────────────────────
PLYMOUTH AND THE PILGRIMS; or, Incidents of Adventures in the History of
the First Settlers. With Illustrations. 16mo, cloth, 60 cts.
When once taken up it will not be laid down without regret until
finished.—_Courier._
An exceedingly interesting volume.—_Am. Traveller._
Popular reading, particularly adapted to entertain and instruct
youth.—_Mercantile Journal._
Every New Englander, wherever he resides, should own this
book.—_Scientific Am._
An extremely interesting volume, written in a plain but vigorous style,
adapted to the young, but will be read with interest by the older
ones.—_Ch. Freeman._
Highly attractive in style and instructive in matter.—_N. Y. Com. Adv._
NOVELTIES OF THE NEW WORLD; an Account of the Adventures and Discoveries
of the First Explorers of North America. With numerous Illustrations.
16mo, cloth, 60 cts.
A series of books which will serve as valuable introductions and
enticements to more extended historical reading.—_Am. Traveller._
It has all the interest of a romance.—_Portland Transcript._
We have seen the boys bend over these pages, unwilling to leave them,
either for play or sleep; and when finished, inquiring anxiously _when
the next_ would come.—_Watchman and Reflector._
Neither too childish for adults, nor yet too difficult of comprehension
for children. They will delight as well as instruct.—_Mercantile
Journal._
Interesting scenes and events in the New World are here brought together
and invested with a charm that is irresistible by old as well as
young.—_Ch. Intelligencer._
ROMANCE OF AMERICAN HISTORY; or, an Account of the Settlement of North
Carolina and Virginia, embracing the tragic Incidents connected with the
Spanish Settlements, French Colonies, English Plantation at Jamestown,
Captivity of Captain Smith, the Adventures of Pocahontas, etc. With
Illustrations. 60 cents.
All the interest of romance, and the addition of veritable
history.—_Puritan Rec._
It is a most pleasing and instructive book.—_Home Journal._
Interesting as a novel, and a thousand times more profitable
reading.—_Lit. Mes._
Every library should be furnished with this Series of American
Histories.—_N. E. Farmer._
Admirably fitted for family reading, and calculated to interest the
young.—_Trav._
Attractive series of books founded on the early history of our country;
it will make a most valuable addition to all family libraries.—_Arthur’s
Gazette._
No more interesting and instructive reading can be put into the hands of
youth.—_Portland Transcript._
The series will embrace the most interesting and important events which
have occurred in the United States since the settlement of the country.
Each volume to be complete in itself and yet, when all are published,
they will together form a regular SERIES OF AMERICAN HISTORIES.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
[Illustration:
CHRISTMAS TREE.
(See p. 268.)
]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
[Illustration:
The Aimwell Stories
By
Walter Aimwell
Gould & Lincoln
]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
+The Aimwell Stories.+
────────────────────
+MARCUS+;
OR,
+THE BOY-TAMER+.
BY
WALTER AIMWELL,
AUTHOR OF “WHISTLER,” “ELLA,” “CLINTON,” “OSCAR,” ETC.
WITH ILLUSTRATIONS.
+BOSTON+:
+GOULD AND LINCOLN+,
59 WASHINGTON STREET.
NEW YORK: SHELDON, BLAKEMAN & CO.
CINCINNATI: GEORGE S. BLANCHARD.
1858.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1857, by
+GOULD AND LINCOLN,+
In the Clerk’s Office of the District Court of the District of
Massachusetts.
ELECTROTYPED BY
W. F. DRAPER, ANDOVER, MASS.
PRINTED BY
GEO. C. RAND & AVERY BOSTON
------------------------------------------------------------------------
PREFACE.
--------------
A LEADING aim of this little volume is to point out to elder brothers
and sisters some of the ways in which they may exert a happy influence
upon the younger members of the family. It also attempts, incidentally,
to set forth the idea, that the best system of government for a child is
that which trains him to govern himself. But while the author hopes his
pages will not be wholly unsuggestive to such parents and “children of a
larger growth” as may honor them with a perusal, he trusts there will
remain enough both of story and moral for his younger readers, for whom,
after all, MARCUS and the other volumes of this series are especially
intended.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
ADVERTISEMENT.
--------------
“PRECEPTS MAY LEAD, BUT EXAMPLES DRAW.”
--------------
“THE AIMWELL STORIES” are designed to portray some of the leading phases
of juvenile character, and to point out their tendencies to future good
and evil. This they undertake to do by describing the quiet, natural
scenes and incidents of every-day life, in city and country, at home and
abroad, at school and upon the play-ground, rather than by resorting to
romantic adventures and startling effects. While their main object is to
persuade the young to try well the foundations of their characters, to
win them to the ways of virtue, and to incite them to good deeds and
noble aims, the attempt is also made to mingle amusing, curious, and
useful information with the moral lessons conveyed. It is hoped that the
volumes will thus be made attractive and agreeable, as well as
instructive, to the youthful reader.
Each volume of the “Aimwell Stories” will be complete and independent of
itself, although a connecting thread will run through the whole series.
The order of the volumes, so far as completed, is as follows:—
I. OSCAR; OR, THE BOY WHO HAD HIS OWN WAY.
II. CLINTON; OR, BOY-LIFE IN THE COUNTRY.
III. ELLA; ON, TURNING OVER A NEW LEAF.
IV. WHISTLER; OR, THE MANLY BOY.
V. MARCUS; OR, THE BOY-TAMER.
VI. JESSIE; OR, TRYING TO BE SOMEBODY. (_In preparation._)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
CONTENTS.
────────
CHAPTER I.
THE PAGES.
PAGE.
The stage coming—A sharp pair of eyes—Rover’s 19
greeting—The two passengers—Warm
greetings—Oscar—Ronald’s opinion of him—His judgment
corrected—The farm—Capt. Page’s last voyage—How the
farm was managed—The boarders—Ronald—His early
orphanage—A temporary home—Marcus’s proposal—Its
success—The little savage tamed—Oscar’s bearing—His
good purposes—Difficulties—The secret—A lesson to
learn—Oscar’s career,
CHAPTER II.
THE NEW-COMER.
The lion of the day—Oscar’s plans—A few days’ 32
leisure—The flock of sheep—Other attractions—Willing
idleness—The agreement in relation to Oscar—An
inducement to industry—Oscar’s work laid out—Fair
play enjoined—Lord of the woodshed—Volunteers—Keeping
the pile good—Cutting hay and roots—Feeding the
stock—Special pets—Taking care of the horses—Milking
the cows—Sundry jobs—Studies—Play-time—Daily lessons,
CHAPTER III.
A BOY’S INFLUENCE.
Kate and the boys—Indian ink prickings—Ear 43
boring—Smartings—Exhibiting the marks—Doing as other
boys do—The beauty of Indian ink art—A relic of
heathenism—Why the ancients marked themselves—No
moral guilt incurred by the boys—Soap and water of no
avail—What Oscar said—A doubtful star—Unsuspected
listeners—Sam Hapley—His family—The mortgage—A sad
change—Influence of large boys—Power of example—An
illustration—A good purpose,
CHAPTER IV.
UP THE MOUNTAIN.
An abandoned project—A party for Prescott’s 55
Peak—Anecdotes of Rover—Other knowing dogs—Ronald’s
story—Was it a lie?—A cast-off snake’s skin—Black
snakes—The pond—Mysterious operations—Setting the
water afire—The experiment
explained—Fire-damps—Steamboats engulfed in
flames—The Mountain—Old Gooden—His adventure with a
steel trap—How he lived—His family—The cabin—The
spruce gum trade—A foolish habit—The top of the
mountain—The view—A monument proposed—The stones—The
pole—The descent—Something left behind—A generous and
a mean spirit—Ronald’s return—Wearing veils—The
reproof—The veil restored—Difficulties of the
descent—The lost cap—“Tit for tat”—The cap
reclaimed—Arrival home,
CHAPTER V.
THE BLOTTED WRITING-BOOK.
A welcome announcement—Marcus as teacher—Favors 75
solicited—Demonstrations of joy—A sudden
change—Ronald’s explanation—The blotted
writing-book—Punishment—Resistance and escape—An
omitted particular—Assault and battery—How Marcus
proposed to settle the matter—Mrs. Page’s
misgivings—The case discussed—Nature of school
government—An interview with the teacher—Her version
of the affair—Ronald’s impudence—The writing-book
examined—A discovery—The disgrace of expulsion—The
teacher’s terms of settlement—Ronald rejects
them—Motives urged—Unhappiness—The last resort—A
motive that cannot be resisted—Going to
school—Outside annoyances—The confession—The
teacher’s response—Her confession—The unknown
offender—Ronald subdued,
CHAPTER VI.
LETTER-WRITING.
How Oscar discharged his duties—His lessons—Unanswered 92
letters—A bad way—The day devoted to
letter-writing—“Yes” and “No”—Why Marcus spoke of the
subject—Wandering thoughts—A strange bird—A day
dream—The proud conquest—A perilous descent—The prize
secured—The dream ended—The
newspaper—Scribbling—Apologies—The eagle becomes a
hawk—Marcus astonished—Oscar’s excuses—A ride
lost—Finds himself a prisoner—A light dinner—The task
finished—A plan to encourage letter-writing—Kate’s
achievements in that line—A domestic post office—The
plan unfolded—A vote taken—Choosing a name—Rules
adopted,
CHAPTER VII.
THE RAIN POWER.
The letter-box—The first mail—The invitation—A storm 110
predicted—The water boils away—The prediction
fulfilled—Sorry mishaps—Fretfulness—Selfishness—The
rain not needless—Quantity not excessive—A few
calculations—Wonderful results—Annual fall of
rain—Rainy regions—Little and often better than much
and seldom—Object of the tropical rains—How the water
forms clouds—Evaporation—Effects of heat—Why vapor
rises—Visible vapors—Office of the winds—Why the rain
falls—Snow and hail—Snow crystals—The Sahara—South
American deserts—Poetry—Bryant’s “Rain Dream,”
CHAPTER VIII.
INSUBORDINATION.
Marcus’s theory of government—How it worked with 131
Oscar—Apprehended failure—A consultation—A forbidden
intimacy—Tobacco—The letter—Ten arguments against
tobacco, and one for it—An ineffectual
remonstrance—Mrs. Page’s decision—Oscar plainly dealt
with—His demeanor—The circus bill—The excitement
suddenly allayed—Objections to the circus—Oscar’s
opinion—A caution—Arrival of the circus—Oscar visits
the grounds—Who he met there—The donkey race—Otis—A
recognition—An unfortunate exposure—Alfred Walton—An
offer—Oscar declines—Solicitations and motives—He is
pressed into the tent—Late return home—Is called to
account—Punishment—A prisoner on parole—Inviolability
of the parole—The Turkish soldiers—Oscar’s
promise—Repentings,
CHAPTER IX.
CORRESPONDENCE.
The “Letter-writing Society”—A letter from Oscar to 151
Marcus—An explanation—A secret trouble—A good
purpose—Marcus to Oscar—The explanation examined—The
blame not wholly removed—The
secret—Self-government—The several steps—An
illustration—How Mr. Ease is snubbed—The
victory—Self-denial the law of life—Power of habit—A
proposal from Otis—A criticism by Kate—The critic
criticised—Advantage of not taking things upon
trust—Kate convicted—An apology—Something about “the
old maid”—One of her letters—The four dogs,
CHAPTER X.
A WOUNDED CONSCIENCE.
Ellen Blake—A place wanted—A suggestion—Mrs. Page 163
decides to take Ellen—The school prizes—Another
blotted writing-book—Lewis Daniels—His singular
conduct—The teacher’s suspicions—What she said to
Lewis—His reply—Guilt betrayed—His confession—A
singular reason for blotting his book—Another sin
confessed—A mystery cleared up—Stings of
conscience—Seeking peace by new sins—The teacher’s
forgiveness—A duty to Ronald—A duty to
God—Prayer—Lewis confesses his fault to Ronald—Anger
checked—The penitent forgiven—The examination—Ronald
takes two prizes,
CHAPTER XI.
INDOOR AMUSEMENTS.
A disappointment—Amusements—The new 174
play—“Conglomeration”—A queer medley of words—The
sentences read—Rare sport—The “Hay-Mow Debating
Society”—Questions discussed—A riddle—A puzzle—Turk
and Christian puzzle—A prolific word of seven
letters—Angles—Oscar’s puzzle—Half of nine—The Arabs
and their dinner—The carpenter’s dispute—Story of
Audley, the miser—A hard bargain—Results of
arithmetical progression—The figure 9—Its wonderful
properties—Multiplying by 5—Magic Squares—Other
diversions,
CHAPTER XII.
THE NEWSPAPER.
How the newspaper originated—Its name—How it was 193
managed—The first number—Disappointed
correspondents—A surprise number—How it was got up—A
transcript of the third number—Lines to Ronald—An
exercise for scholars—Nothing insignificant—I
can’t—To correspondents—News items—Small
beginnings—Vanity, a fable—Rover’s communication—The
snow—A cunning fellow—Gleanings,
CHAPTER XIII.
MASTER PAGE.
The new satchel—Otis homesick—Ronald’s impatience—The 201
academy commences—Incidents of the first day—Oscar a
monitor—Why Otis and Ronald were not seated
together—Lewis Daniels—The boy who didn’t care for
Marcus—Ronald’s nickname—Jessie Hapley—Why she went
to the academy—“Trying to be somebody”—Abby
Leonard—Eating chalk and drinking vinegar—Mr. Upton’s
sickness—Marcus principal _pro tem._—An alarming
proposal—He accedes to it—His experience as
principal—The troublesome boys—Marcus re-seats
them—The snow image—Charlie Wilder—A statue in
snow—What is required to make a statue—Drawing—A
specimen by Charlie—His wish gratified—An anonymous
note—Interdicted keys—Oscar at fault—The
rebuke—Ronald’s mischievousness—Snapping nut
shells—His punishment—His seat changed—An increase of
lessons proposed—Required for his mental discipline,
and to keep him out of mischief—Otis in school—A hard
sum—What Marcus told Georgiana—Why the same direction
would not answer for Otis—The difference in
scholars—The stimulus of shame successfully applied
CHAPTER XIV.
THE TROUBLESOME SCHOLAR.
Harrison Clark—A threat—His career—Assault upon his 222
teacher—Trial and sentence—One good trait—Harrison’s
mother—His conduct towards Marcus—Kindness
repelled—Coughing—Objections to it—Can be
controlled—Harrison’s impertinence—Bears in
town—Preparations for a hunt—Warlike
appearances—Going off at recess—Requests
denied—Harrison’s flight—Ineffectual attempt to bring
him back—The hunting party—Turkey Hill—Forming a
ring—Testing the connection—The advance—Closing up
the circle—Reports of muskets—The two bears—Dragging
the trophies home—How they were disposed of—Harrison
at school again—His coolness—Detained after
school—How he enjoyed the hunt—Frankness—Marcus
mildly points out Harrison’s misconduct—Two ways of
meeting the evil—Severity and kindness—Failure of
both—Candid admissions—Expulsion—Its evils—A talk
about Harrison’s mother—A frank warning—The
question—Subdued bearing—Harrison’s
decision—Confession of his fault—His sincerity
severely tested—The offence forgiven—The boy saved,
CHAPTER XV.
SAM HAPLEY.
A neglected farm—Out of fuel—Going to the woods—The 242
pipe and jug—Parting admonitions—A scene in the
woods—Going home—Effects of the cider—Green wood and
the rheumatism—The cows and their dinner—Benny
absent—Sam’s assault upon him—His father’s
anger—Origin of the trouble—A scuffle between Sam and
his father—Sam bound and flogged—The
outcry—Interference—Marcus intercedes—A rude
repulse—Sam released—Marcus expostulates—He is
silenced—Sam’s disappearance—Absent for a week—His
return—His arrest—Searching for stolen property—It is
found—A sad shock to Jessie—Her self-control—Growing
recklessness of Mr. Hapley—A visit to Sam—His
confession—His flight—Adventures on the road—Mack,
the thief—Housebreaking—The alarm—Sam’s escape—Mack
caught—How Sam was tracked—Preparations for the
trial—What the judge thought of the case—The
sentence,
CHAPTER XVI.
MERRY DAYS AND SAD ONES.
A merry Christmas—Who got the start?—Presents for 263
Oscar—Letters—Loss of the brig “Susan”—Jerry
missing—The Christmas festival—Declamations and
dialogues—Tableaux and music—The Christmas tree—Its
fruit—Santa Claus—His speech—Gathering the
fruit—Refreshments—New Year’s morning—Sad news from
Benny Hapley—Marcus his Sabbath school teacher—His
interest in Benny—His sadness—A pleasant surprise—A
present from Harrison—His gratitude—A visit to
Benny—His prediction—Anticipations of heaven—Mr.
Hapley’s agony—His promise to Benny—Benny’s
coldness—Growing dark—A mysterious light—Parting
kisses—One for Sam—The spirit takes its
flight—Effects of the scene upon Marcus—His new
purposes,
CHAPTER XVII.
ADVERSITY.
Mr. Hapley signs the pledge—Empties his liquors—A 280
desperate struggle—Opinions of the neighbors—Mr.
Todd’s prediction—How it was treated—What Mr. Todd
was supposed to be after—Uncharitableness—Difficulty
of acquiring self-government in mature life—Mazeppa
and the wild horse—Mr. Hapley’s relapse—Loss of
self-confidence and self-respect—A visit to the
rum-shop—His prolonged absence—A terrible snow
storm—Henry despatched for Marcus—Marcus goes in
search of Mr. Hapley—The search abandoned—Morning—The
frozen horse and rider—The snow
grave—Poverty—Jessie’s trials—The administrator’s
advice—Jessie’s plans—Her self-sacrificing
spirit—Words of comfort—Henry’s brave words—He finds
a new home—Jessie provided for—Mrs. Hapley returns to
her father’s,
CHAPTER XVIII.
THE DIALOGUE.
Rivalry among the academy students—The motto on the 294
blackboard—Praiseworthy motives—The student’s true
motive—Ronald’s request—The plan for a dialogue—How
Marcus proposed to help Ronald—The work
completed—Dialogue of “Head and Foot”—Speech of John
Head—A severe examination—How the boys were put
through their paces—One pace not exhibited—An
explosion—What is Congressional usage—The
prizes—Their unequal distribution—How the boys
proposed to equalize matters—John’s prize
volume—Master Foot called up—The complimentary
address—The presentation—Dinner-pot
suggestions—Curious resemblances—Foot doubts his
claim to the testimonial—A bet—Head smells a rat, but
concludes not to back out—The cabbage fastened upon
him—The wager won—Master Foot’s generosity—Master
Head’s magnanimous response—The treat—View of the
testimonial,
CHAPTER XIX.
CLOSE OF THE TERM.
Oscar’s disappointment—No letter from home—An agreeable 308
surprise—A successful examination—The exhibition—The
prizes—The surprise party—Presentation to Mr.
Upton—The “Academy Offering”—Its history—Mr. Upton’s
acceptance of the gift—Another surprise—The
writing-desk—Harrison’s address to Marcus—The reply—A
secret well kept—Gratitude of Oscar’s parents—The
inscription in Oscar’s prize volume,
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Illustrations.
────────
THE CHRISTMAS TREE, FRONTISPIECE.
VIGNETTE, TITLE PAGE.
THE SHEEP, 34
AN ORNAMENTED FACE, 47
THE BLACK SNAKE, 59
THE MOUNTAIN CABIN, 65
THE EAGLE’S NEST, 98
SNOW CRYSTALS, 125
DONKEY RACE, 141
MAKING FOUR DOGS OUT OF TWO, 162
ANGLES, 182
THE GARDEN PUZZLE (two Figures), 183
RONALD’S SATCHEL, 201
THE STAG AND DOG, 214
MR. HAPLEY AND HIS FRIEND, 244
THE BURGLARS, 258
MAZEPPA ON THE WILD HORSE, 283
THE TESTIMONIAL, 307
------------------------------------------------------------------------
=+MARCUS+.=
---------------------
CHAPTER I.
THE PAGES.
“THERE’S the stage, mother! It’s coming round the Bend,—don’t you hear
it? Hark! how near it sounds! I shall see it in a minute. There it is,
now! And there’s somebody on the top with Mr. Peters;—yes, there are two
or three persons. I’ll bet Marcus and Oscar are there; don’t you believe
they are? I’d ride outside, if I were they; wouldn’t you, mother?”
“You had better not be too jubilant, Ronald,” calmly replied the lady
addressed. “Have you forgotten how disappointed you were last night?”
“O, well, it isn’t likely they will disappoint us again,” replied the
boy. “I _know_ they will come, this time, just as well as I want to.
See! that’s Marcus himself—I know him by his straw hat, and his brown
linen sack that he wore to keep the dust off his clothes. And that boy
by the side of him is Cousin Oscar, isn’t it? Look! isn’t that Oscar,
Aunt Fanny?”
Aunt Fanny looked towards the stage-coach, still nearly a quarter of a
mile distant; but her eyes were not sharp enough to distinguish the
countenance of any one upon it, and she could not relieve the impatient
boy from his suspense.
“I wonder what he looks like, any way,” resumed Ronald. “I can tell,
just as soon as I see him, whether I shall like him or not. Why, I
should think he was as big as Sam Hapley. He looks a little like him,
too, from here, doesn’t he, mother?”
“I can’t tell; he is hardly within the range of my vision, yet,” replied
Mrs. Page.
“Now Marcus is pointing this way,” continued Ronald. “I’ll bet he sees
me, and is telling Oscar who I am. Why, mother, can’t you see them now?
I can almost hear them talk.”
“Yes, that is Marcus, and there is Oscar, too,” said Aunt Fanny, after
gazing a few moments at the approaching coach.
“Didn’t I tell you so!” exclaimed Ronald, rubbing his hands with glee,
and dancing on the green sward around the door. “Speak to them, Rover!”
he added, calling to a handsome spaniel that lay in the middle of the
road, beneath the shade of a tree.
The dog sprang to meet the stage-coach, which was now within a few rods
of the house; and, recognizing his master, he frisked around the horses,
and manifested his satisfaction by a variety of significant signs.
Mr. Peters, the driver, reined up his horses at the farm house, and a
young man, about eighteen years of age, jumped off, followed by a lad
some three years younger. The first of these was Marcus Page, and this
was his home, from which he had been absent about ten days, on a visit
to Boston, and other places in Massachusetts. The other passenger was
his cousin, Oscar Prestor, whose parents resided in Boston, but who had
come to live with the family for a season. He appeared a little
embarrassed, as he extended his hand to his two aunts, Mrs. Page, and
her maiden sister, Miss Lee; but the cordial welcome which they extended
to him, instantly put him at his ease. Meanwhile, little Ronald was
gazing earnestly at the new-comer, evidently settling in his mind the
important question which was to be decided at first sight, when Marcus
said—
“Here, Oscar, let me make you acquainted with Master Ronald, my
_protégé_. Ronald, this is Cousin Oscar. You will soon be good friends,
if I am not greatly mistaken.”
The boys shook hands, and then Ronald, proffering his services, helped
Oscar to carry his trunk into the house. By the time the travellers had
removed the dust from their persons and clothing, supper was ready, and
the family sat down to the table. Much of the conversation, during the
meal, was addressed to Oscar, and many inquiries were made concerning
his parents, sisters, and brothers. He sustained his part with the ease
and freedom of one who is accustomed to society, his first shyness
having quite disappeared. Ronald watched him with much interest, and
seemed still in doubt whether to like him or not. After tea, when Oscar
had gone out with Marcus to the barn, Miss Lee, remembering Ronald’s
remark, inquired—
“Well, Ronald, what do you think of Oscar?”
“I think he feels pretty smart; and I never saw a city chap but what
did,” replied Ronald.
“Why, what makes you think so?” inquired Miss Lee.
“I don’t know—I can’t tell,” said the boy, hesitatingly.
“But if you do really think so, you ought to be able to give a reason
for it,” added Miss Lee.
“Well,” continued Ronald, “I suppose it’s because he speaks up so smart,
and eats so genteelly, and wears such nice clothes, and—and is so
good-looking,” he added, laughing at the idea.
“I think you are mistaken in him,” replied Miss Lee. “His dress is such
as boys in the city, of his age and class, usually wear; and his manners
are those of a boy who is familiar with good society. Perhaps he is a
trifle too forward, for one of his age,—I think a little bashfulness
becomes a boy, sometimes; but I never saw anything like pride in him. He
has been about the world a good deal, for one so young, and that, I
suppose, has worn off his bashfulness.”
“Then I guess I shall like him, if he isn’t proud,” said Ronald, and
away he ran, to join Marcus and Oscar, who were taking a general survey
of the farm.
Mrs. Page’s farm is situated in one of the pleasant mountain towns in
Vermont, which, if it does not bear the name of Highburg on the map,
will not, we trust, resent the act, if we venture to give it that
designation, in this volume. It is located at the foot and on the sides
of the Green Mountains, and within sight of one of their highest peaks,
the Camel’s Hump. Mr. Page was a sea captain, who, thinking it more
pleasant to plough the land than the wave, purchased this farm in his
native State, intending to make it his residence. When the new house and
barns were completed, and the farm stocked with herds and flocks, and
everything ready for occupancy, Capt. Page found that his money was all
spent. Not having confidence enough in his agricultural skill to enter
upon his new sphere of life without something in hand for an emergency,
he determined to make one more voyage before he abandoned the sea. So he
engaged a man to manage the farm during his absence, and, removing Mrs.
Page and Marcus to their new home, he sailed on a whaling cruise,
expecting to be gone about three years. It proved his last voyage in a
sadder sense than he intended, for he never returned from it. Three,
five, ten years passed away, but the missing ship was never heard from,
and the owner of the farm never came back to enjoy the pleasant home he
had prepared for himself. Mr. Burr, whom Capt. Page employed to oversee
the farm, had managed its out-door affairs during all this period,
although Marcus, within a few years, had taken a good share of the
burden upon himself. During the winter months, indeed, Marcus now
undertook the whole management of the farm. At this time the stock
consisted of two horses, six or eight head of cattle, about seventy-five
sheep, and a quantity of poultry.
When Oscar returned to the house, he found a boy and girl seated at the
supper table, who were introduced to them as Katharine and Otis
Sedgwick. They were brother and sister, and were pupils of the village
academy, a mile or more distant. Katharine was about fourteen years old,
and Otis some two years younger. They boarded at Mrs. Page’s, and, with
the persons already named, constituted the entire family.
Ronald, who called Mrs. Page mother, was a boy about twelve years old,
whom she had undertaken to bring up. His parents were French Canadians,
who had emigrated to the vicinity of Highburg, where they both died
within a short time, leaving the poor child without friends or money. He
was then about eight years old. Some of the kind people of the town
wished to prevent his becoming a pauper, and tried to find a home for
him; but, although he was a bright and interesting child, he could not
speak English very plain, and was, moreover, very strange and wild in
his manners and appearance, so that no one was willing to take him.
Pitying his friendless lot, Mrs. Page at length offered to keep him a
few weeks, till other arrangements could be made in his behalf. A month
sped by, and no door opened for the little orphan but that of the
poor-house. Wild, ignorant, unused to restraints, full of mischief,
incapable of speaking or understanding the language of the family, and,
in fact, almost as uncivilized as an Indian child, Mrs. Page found the
new care a burden too great, and concluded that she must give up her
charge to the town authorities.
When Marcus heard of this decision, he felt very badly. There was
something about the little stranger, and his pitiable condition, that
won upon his heart. So he put in a plea with his mother and Aunt Fanny
in his behalf, and by way of further inducement, volunteered his own
assistance in educating and training the child! Such an offer, from a
boy who had but just passed his fourteenth birth-day, might provoke a
smile from some people, and very properly, too. But neither Mrs. Page
nor her sister thought of laughing at the suggestion. Marcus was not
only a good scholar and a good boy, but he was more manly and mature,
both in mind and body, than many youth of his age. As Ronald was more
than six years his junior, it seemed plausible that Marcus might assist
very much in making a man of him, and thus relieve his mother of a
portion of the care. It was decided to try the experiment, and the
result was so successful, that Mr. Upton, the principal of the academy,
gave Marcus the title of “The Boy-Tamer.” The boys soon became greatly
attached to each other, and Marcus, by his example, influence and
teachings, assisted very much in reclaiming the little savage. After a
year or two, he was able to take upon himself almost the entire
management of Ronald, directing his studies, imposing upon him his daily
tasks about the farm, and generally exercising over him the authority
and discipline of a father. Ronald, indeed, used sometimes to speak of
him sportively as his “adopted father,” and no doubt he seemed somewhat
like a parent to the fatherless boy. His name, originally, was Ronald
Doucette; but his new friends had given him their own name of Page,
retaining Doucette as a middle name.
“How do you think Oscar appears, mother?” inquired Marcus, as soon as
the withdrawal of the young folks to their bed-rooms left him alone with
his mother and aunt.
“Very well,” replied Mrs. Page. “He is a boy that can make a good
appearance, if he chooses to. How does he seem pleased with his new
home?”
“He doesn’t say much about it,” replied Marcus. “But he said, before we
left Boston, that he was determined to be contented, whether or no. He
is glad enough to come here, and I think he means to behave well. I told
him this was probably his last chance, and that if he did not do well
here, he would have to go back to the Reform School, and serve his full
sentence out. But I don’t think we shall have much trouble with him. He
has behaved well in the institution, and he says he is determined to
reform.”
“And yet I am afraid he will find more difficulties in the way than he
imagines,” interposed Mrs. Page.
“But the difficulties here are nothing to what they would be in the
city,” added Marcus. “Nobody need know anything about his past life,
here, and besides, he will be out of the way of his old associates and
temptations.”
“I think we ought to be very careful,” said Aunt Fanny, “never to say
anything about his past bad conduct, even to him. Nothing would
discourage him so much as to have it known here that he had been a bad
boy.”
“I told him,” replied Marcus, “that nobody here but we three knew
anything about that,—not even Ronald; and I promised that it should be
kept a secret, so long as he behaved well. He seemed very glad to hear
it.”
“He certainly has a favorable opportunity to make a new start in life,
and I hope he will improve it,” said Mrs. Page.
“We shall have to take a little time to study his character, before we
can tell exactly how to manage him,” continued Marcus. “I found out
everything I could about him from his mother, and I think I begin to
understand his disposition. The great lesson he has got to learn, is, to
govern himself. Now that he has found, by experience, that if he does
not put himself under restraint, others will do it for him, I think he
is in a good state to learn this lesson.”
The subject of these remarks was at this time between fifteen and
sixteen years of age. He had been a headstrong, wayward boy, and had
given his parents much pain. At one time, they sent him to live with an
uncle in the village of Brookdale, in Maine, for the purpose of getting
him away from his evil associates; but while there, he set fire to a
large quantity of cut wood, which was destroyed, and was in consequence
sent to jail, from which he was released only on his father’s promise to
remove him from the State. He was then sent on a short voyage to sea,
but came back worse than before. His next downward step was to join a
band of juvenile thieves; but his course was shortly afterward checked
by his arrest, trial, and sentence to the Reform School during his
minority,—that is, until he should be twenty-one years old. After he had
remained in this institution about four months, his conduct having been
good, and Mrs. Page, at the solicitation of Marcus, having offered to
receive him into her family and endeavor to reform him, he was released
by the officers, and given over to the care of his aunt and cousin; and
his appearance in Highburg, at this time, was in accordance with this
arrangement.[1]
Footnote 1:
The character and career of Oscar are more fully set forth in the
first two volumes of this series, namely, “Oscar,” and “Clinton.”
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