by Oliver Optic
CHAPTER XXVI.
CONCLUSION.
"You are the fellow that stole the money Ethan sent me," squealed MissLarrabee, as I entered the office.
"Not much," I replied.
"O, but I know you did it; Ham Fishley says so, and I reckon he knowswho took it."
"I reckon he does, too," I answered, as I took a seat assigned to me bythe constable.
Captain Fishley and Ham soon appeared, attended by the squire, thelatter of whom, to the apparent horror of his brother, took the troubleto come to me, and cordially shake my hand.
"You ought to have told me about this trouble before," said he, in awhisper.
"I meant to keep my promise, whatever happened to me," I replied,cheered by his kindness and good will.
Ham Fishley looked very pale, and his father looked very ugly. Quite anumber of witnesses were present, including the postmaster of Riverport.The examination was commenced, and I pleaded not guilty. Clarence hademployed the smartest lawyer in town to manage my case, and I had had along talk with him the night before. The missing letter was traced tothe Riverport office, after which it had disappeared. Captain Fishleyswore that I brought the mail up to Torrentville, and Ham that he hadseen me counting what appeared to be a large sum of money, on the nightwhen the letter should have arrived, according to the testimony of thepostmaster at Riverport, who distinctly remembered the address.
Then Ham was placed "on the gridiron," and slowly broiled by SquirePollard, the lawyer who managed my case. He was asked where he spent theevening, what time he got home, when he had sorted the mail; and beforehe was "done," he became considerably "mixed." But Ham's time had notcome yet, and he was permitted to step down.
Captain Fishley had testified that I had no means of obtaining moneyhonestly, and that I had run away. The captain seemed to be greatlyastonished when his brother was called to the witness stand for thedefence.
"Mr. Fishley, were you in Torrentville two months ago?" asked SquirePollard.
"I was," replied the senator.
"Did you see the defendant at that time?"
"Yes, sir."
"Did you give him any money?"
"Yes, sir."
"How much?"
"The young man drove me up from Riverport on the night in question. Igave him between forty and fifty dollars at that time, and enough morethe next day to make a hundred dollars."
"You gave him a hundred dollars, in two payments?" repeated the lawyer,glancing round at the crowd which filled the room.
"Yes, sir, that was the amount I gave him," replied Squire Fishley; butI saw that he looked troubled.
"You gave him between forty and fifty dollars the first time?"
"Forty-six dollars, I think, was the exact amount."
"Could this have been the money which Ham Fishley saw the defendantcounting in the hay-loft?"
"I have no doubt it was, as I fix the time from the testimony of thewitnesses."
"Why did you pay the boy this large sum?" asked the justice.
"Because he had rendered me a very important service," answered thesenator, coloring deeply.
"What was that service?" continued the magistrate.
"I had the misfortune to fall into the river, and the young man saved mylife," added Squire Fishley, now very much embarrassed.
"Ah, indeed!" said the justice on the bench, nodding his head in fullsatisfaction.
"But the defendant refused to tell where he got the money, and thepresumption was, that he stole it."
"I desired him not to mention the matter for reasons of my own."
"I submit, your honor," interposed Squire Pollard, "that this matter isforeign to the case. Squire Fishley testifies that he gave thedefendant one hundred dollars, and that he desired the young man not tomention the matter. This testimony explains where the defendant obtainedhis money, and why he declined to tell where he got it. The materialfacts are all elicited."
Not only Squire Ward, but many others in the room, were very anxious toknow why this silence had been imposed upon me. There was something darkabout it, and the people were not satisfied. Squire Fishley wastroubled, and, though my lawyer, who seemed to understand the matter,--Ihad told him nothing,--had influence enough to save him from anyexposure, yet he was not content to leave the dark point in its presentobscurity.
"There does not seem to be any good reason for this concealment," addedthe justice.
"All the essential facts have come out, your honor," said SquirePollard.
"I wish to explain it fully," interposed the senator, very much to mysurprise. "Since this event, I have been elected president of a totalabstinence society. I took the pledge two months ago, on my return homefrom Torrentville."
"What has this to do with the case?" demanded the justice, impatiently.
"I will explain," resumed the senator. "I had never been in the habit ofdrinking more than one glass of intoxicating liquor in a day; butmeeting some friends on the steamer, I exceeded my limit. In a word, Iwas somewhat intoxicated when I fell into the river, and this was thereason why I wished to conceal the facts. The events of that night mademe a total abstinence man, and with God's help I will never taste theintoxicating cup again."
"Ah, indeed!" said the magistrate.
Squire Fishley stepped down from the stand, wiping the perspiration fromhis brow. After this humiliating confession, I think there was not a manpresent who did not respect and honor him for his manly acknowledgment.
"There appears not to be a particle of evidence against the defendant,"said Squire Pollard. "I move that he be discharged."
I was discharged.
My friends gathered around me, as the court broke up, to congratulate meon the happy event. Clarence was satisfied, and how warmly EmilyGoodridge pressed my trembling hand! In my heart I thanked God for thisissue. Captain Fishley seemed to be stunned by the result; and Mrs.Fishley, who came in after the examination commenced, "wanted to know!"Ham was confounded; and as he was moving out of the office, thepost-office agent placed a heavy hand upon his shoulder.
My junior tyrant looked ghastly pale when he was conducted back to themagistrate's table. His guilty soul was withering in his bosom. Tyrantsas his father and mother had been to me, I pitied them, for they werenot guilty of his crime.
"What do you mean by that?" demanded Captain Fishley, angrily, as thedetective dragged his son up to the bar of justice.
"I arrest him for robbing the mail."
"Me!" exclaimed Ham, his lips as white as his face, and his kneessmiting each other in his terror.
"I should like to know!" ejaculated his mother, holding up both herhands in horror and surprise.
"Do you mean to say that Ham robbed the mail!" demanded CaptainFishley.
"I am afraid he did."
"Then you are going to believe what that wretch says," gasped Mrs.Fishley, pointing to me.
The justice immediately organized his court for the examination of thenew culprit, and Captain Fishley was called as the first witness.
"Does your son receive wages for his services?" asked the detective, whomanaged the case for the post-office.
"No, not exactly wages. I give him what money he wants."
"How much money do you give him?"
"As much as he wants," replied the witness, sourly.
"How much have you given him during the last two months?"
"I don't know."
"What do you think?"
"I don't know."
"Answer the question to the best of your knowledge and belief,"interposed the justice.
"Perhaps fifteen or twenty dollars," replied the captain, determined tomake the sum large enough to cover the case, though I believed that thesum he named was double the actual amount he had given Ham.
"Did it exceed twenty?"
"No, I think not."
The detective then inquired particularly into the management of themails, as to who opened them and sorted the letters. I was then placedon the stand. I told my stor
y, as I have related it before. I producedthe fragment of the envelope I found in the fireplace on the morningafter the destruction of the letter. Captain Fishley was overwhelmed,and Mrs. Fishley wrung her hands, declaring it was all "an awful lie."
Captain Fishley immediately called in Squire Pollard, who had done sowell for me, to defend his son. The skilful lawyer subjected me to asevere cross-examination, in which I told the simple truth, with all thecollateral circumstances about the party at Crofton's, the hour, theweather, the day, and twenty other things which he dragged in to confuseme. Truth is mighty always, in little as well as in great things, andshe always stands by her friends.
The stable-keeper appeared with his memorandum-book, and astonishedCaptain Fishley by swearing that Ham had paid him over thirty dollars,within two months, for the use of his best team. The witness alsotestified that he had seen Ham pay four dollars for two suppers at thehotel in Tripleton, ten miles distant, and that the defendant had toldhim not to tell his father that he hired the team.
The evidence was sufficient to commit the prisoner for trial before theUnited States Court. His father and his uncle became his bail. Thedetective had also ascertained that he had given his "lady love" jewelryto the amount of at least thirty dollars, which she indignantly sentback as soon as the facts transpired.
People wanted to know why I had not told of Ham before. I had told hisfather, but he would not believe me. I was afraid that Squire Fishleywould blame me for the testimony I had given; but he did not, much as heregretted his brother's misfortune.
Our party left the office together. As we were going out, Mr. Barkspearput his hand on Sim Gwynn's arm, and frightened him nearly out of hisscanty wits. The poor fellow flew to the protection of Mr. Goodridge.
"That boy ran away from me," said the miserly farmer.
"He didn't give me enough to eat," howled Sim.
"He must go back and work for me till his time is out."
"No, sir; he shall not," interposed the wealthy merchant. "You starvedhim, and the obligation, if there ever was any, is cancelled."
"But I ought to have sunthin' for his time," whined Barkspear.
"Not a cent;" and Mr. Goodridge hurried Sim towards the hotel.
Sim was relieved; but Sim was not exactly a prize to any one. He wasgood for nothing except to work on a farm, or do the chores about thehouse. He was good-natured and willing. He had a hand in saving EmilyGoodridge, and her father could not forget that. He found a place forhim with a minister in Riverport, and left a thousand dollars in trustfor his benefit.
My brother wished to go east, and I was held as a witness to appear inHam's trial; but the culprit took to himself heels and ran away,probably by his father's advice, as the testimony against him continuedto accumulate. His bail was paid, and nothing was heard of Ham foryears, when I saw him tending bar on a Mississippi steamer. He was amiserable fellow. "Cutting a swell" had been his ruin, for his desire tobe smart before "his girl" had tempted him to rob the mail.
I am glad to be able to say that Squire Fishley did not suffer by hishonest confession of his own weakness, for he was true to his pledge,and true to his religion. He has held several high offices in thisstate, and will probably go to Congress in due time.
The Fishleys of Torrentville had no good will towards me, and I keptaway from them. Our party remained together during the summer at theNorth, and in October returned to New Orleans. Flora and I went to livewith Clarence, and I was employed in the store of his firm, first as aboy, then as a clerk; and when I was twenty-one, I had the capital togo into business as one of the concern.
Emily Goodridge's health was much improved by her journey to the North,and every year the same party repeated it. I need hardly say that duringmy clerkship I was a constant visitor at the house of Mr. Goodridge, andthat his daughter and myself were the best of friends. Flora used to gothere every afternoon; but she could not venture out, as I did, in theevening air.
Years rolled on, and brought their changes. I was a merchant inprosperous circumstances. Flora, in a measure, outgrew her bodilyinfirmities, but she was always an invalid. I heard from Sim Gwynn oncein a great while. He took care of the minister's horse and his garden.He could not "keep a hotel," and he did not aspire to do so. He wascontented with enough to eat and enough to wear.
I am still a young man; but our firm is Bradford Brothers. We are doingwell, and in time hope to make a fortune. Whether I do so or not, Ishall still be happy, for my wife--whom I picked up one day on theMississippi River--is joy enough for this world, though I have another,and almost equal joy, in dear Flora, whose home is also mine. We areblessed of God, and blessed in ourselves, for we are as loving anddevoted to each other as when, years ago, on the raft, we journeyedDOWN THE RIVER.
* * * * * * * *
OLIVER OPTIC'S BOOKS
=All-Over-the-World Library.= By OLIVER OPTIC. First Series. Illustrated. Price per volume, $1.25.
=1. A Missing Million=; OR, THE ADVENTURES OF LOUIS BELGRADE. =2. A Millionaire at Sixteen=; OR, THE CRUISE OF THE "GUARDIAN MOTHER." =3. A Young Knight Errant=; OR, CRUISING IN THE WEST INDIES. =4. Strange Sights Abroad=; OR, ADVENTURES IN EUROPEAN WATERS.
No author has come before the public during the present generation who has achieved a larger and more deserving popularity among young people than "Oliver Optic." His stories have been very numerous, but they have been uniformly excellent in moral tone and literary quality. As indicated in the general title, it is the author's intention to conduct the readers of this entertaining series "around the world." As a means to this end, the hero of the story purchases a steamer which he names the "Guardian Mother," and with, a number of guests she proceeds on her voyage.--_Christian Work, N. Y._
=All-Over-the-World Library.= By OLIVER OPTIC. Second Series. Illustrated. Price per volume, $1.25.
=1. American Boys Afloat=; OR, CRUISING IN THE ORIENT. =2. The Young Navigators=; OR, THE FOREIGN CRUISE OF THE "MAUD." =3. Up and Down the Nile=; OR, YOUNG ADVENTURERS IN AFRICA. =4. Asiatic Breezes=; OR, STUDENTS ON THE WING.
The interest in these stories is continuous, and there is a great variety of exciting incident woven into the solid information which the book imparts so generously and without the slightest suspicion of dryness. Manly boys will welcome this volume as cordially as they did its predecessors.--_Boston Gazette._
=All-Over-the-World Library.= By OLIVER OPTIC. Third Series. Illustrated. Price per volume, $1.25.
=1. Across India=; OR, LIVE BOYS IN THE FAR EAST. =2. Half Round the World=; OR, AMONG THE UNCIVILIZED. =3. Four Young Explorers=; OR, SIGHT-SEEING IN THE TROPICS. =4. Pacific Shores=; OR, ADVENTURES IN EASTERN SEAS.
Amid such new and varied surroundings it would be surprising indeed if the author, with his faculty of making even the commonplace attractive, did not tell an intensely interesting story of adventure, as well as give much information in regard to the distant countries through which our friends pass, and the strange peoples with whom they are brought in contact. This book, and indeed the whole series, is admirably adapted to reading aloud in the family circle, each volume containing matter which will interest all the members of the family.--_Boston Budget._
=The Blue and the Gray--Afloat.= By OLIVER OPTIC. Six volumes. Illustrated. Beautiful binding in blue and gray, with emblematic dies. Cloth. Any volume sold separately. Price per volume, $1.50.
=1. Taken by the Enemy.= =2. Within the Enemy's Lines.= =3. On the Blockade.= =4. Stand by the Union.= =5. Fighting for the Right.= =6. A Victorious Union.=
=The Blue and the Gray--on Land.=
=1. Brother against Brother.= =2. In the Saddle.= =3. A Lieutenant at Eighteen.= =4.
On the Staff.= =5. At the Front.= =6. An Undivided Union.=
"There never has been a more interesting writer in the field of juvenile literature than Mr. W. T. ADAMS, who, under his well-known pseudonym, is known and admired by every boy and girl in the country, and by thousands who have long since passed the boundaries of youth, yet who remember with pleasure the genial, interesting pen that did so much to interest, instruct, and entertain their younger years 'The Blue and the Gray' is a title that is sufficiently indicative of the nature and spirit of the latest series, while the name of OLIVER OPTIC is sufficient warrant of the absorbing style of narrative. This series is as bright and entertaining as any work that Mr. ADAMS has yet put forth, and will be as eagerly perused as any that has borne his name. It would not be fair to the prospective reader to deprive him of the zest which comes from the unexpected by entering into a synopsis of the story. A word, however, should be said in regard to the beauty and appropriateness of the binding, which makes it a most attractive volume."--_Boston Budget._
=Woodville Stories.= By OLIVER OPTIC. Six volumes. Illustrated. Any volume sold separately. Price per volume, $1.25.
=1. Rich and Humble=; OR, THE MISSION OF BERTHA GRANT. =2. In School and Out=; OR, THE CONQUEST OF RICHARD GRANT. =3. Watch and Wait=; OR, THE YOUNG FUGITIVES. =4. Work and Win=; OR, NODDY NEWMAN ON A CRUISE. =5. Hope and Have=; OR, FANNY GRANT AMONG THE INDIANS. =6. Haste and Waste=; OR, THE YOUNG PILOT OF LAKE CHAMPLAIN.
"Though we are not so young as we once were, we relished these stories almost as much as the boys and girls for whom they were written. They were really refreshing, even to us. There is much in them which is calculated to inspire a generous, healthy ambition, and to make distasteful all reading tending to stimulate base desires."--_Fitchburg Reveille._
=The Starry Flag Series.= By OLIVER OPTIC. In six volumes. Illustrated. Any volume sold separately. Price per volume $1.25.
=1. The Starry Flag=; OR, THE YOUNG FISHERMAN OF CAPE ANN. =2. Breaking Away=; OR, THE FORTUNES OF A STUDENT. =3. Seek and Find=; OR, THE ADVENTURES OF A SMART BOY. =4. Freaks of Fortune=; OR, HALF ROUND THE WORLD. =5. Make or Break=; OR, THE RICH MAN'S DAUGHTER. =6. Down the River=; OR, BUCK BRADFORD AND THE TYRANTS.
"Mr. ADAMS, the celebrated and popular writer, familiarly known as OLIVER OPTIC, seems to have inexhaustible funds for weaving together the virtues of life; and, notwithstanding he has written scores of books, the same freshness and novelty run through them all. Some people think the sensational element predominates. Perhaps it does. But a book for young people needs this, and so long as good sentiments are inculcated such books ought to be read."
=Army and Navy Stories.= By OLIVER OPTIC. Six volumes. Illustrated. Any volume sold separately. Price per volume, $1.25.
=1. The Soldier Boy=; OR, TOM SOMERS IN THE ARMY. =2. The Sailor Boy=; OR, JACK SOMERS IN THE NAVY. =3. The Young Lieutenant=; OR, ADVENTURES OF AN ARMY OFFICER. =4. The Yankee Middy=; OR, ADVENTURES OF A NAVY OFFICER. =5. Fighting Joe=; OR, THE FORTUNES OF A STAFF OFFICER. =6. Brave Old Salt=; OR, LIFE ON THE QUARTER DECK.
"This series of six volumes recounts the adventures of two brothers, Tom and Jack Somers, one in the army, the other in the navy, in the great Civil War. The romantic narratives of the fortunes and exploits of the brothers are thrilling in the extreme. Historical accuracy in the recital of the great events of that period is strictly followed, and the result is, not only a library of entertaining volumes, but also the best history of the Civil War for young people ever written."
=Boat Builders Series.= By OLIVER OPTIC. In six volumes. Illustrated. Any volume sold separately. Price per volume, $1.25.
=1. All Adrift=; OR, THE GOLDWING CLUB. =2. Snug Harbor=; OR, THE CHAMPLAIN MECHANICS. =3. Square and Compasses=; OR, BUILDING THE HOUSE. =4. Stem to Stern=; OR, BUILDING THE BOAT. =5. All Taut=; OR, RIGGING THE BOAT. =6. Ready About=; OR, SAILING THE BOAT.
"The series includes in six successive volumes the whole artof boat building, boat rigging, boat managing, and practical hints to make the ownership of a boat pay. A great deal of useful information is given in this =Boat Builders Series=, and in each book a very interesting story is interwoven with the information. Every reader will be interested at once in Dory, the hero of 'All Adrift,' and one of the characters retained in the subsequent volumes of the series. His friends will not want to lose sight of him, and every boy who makes his acquaintance in 'All Adrift' will become his friend."
=Riverdale Story Books.= By OLIVER OPTIC. Twelve volumes. Illustrated. Illuminated covers. Price: cloth, per set, $3.60; per volume, 30 cents; paper, per set, $2.00.
=1. Little Merchant.= =2. Young Voyagers.= =3. Christmas Gift.= =4. Dolly and I.= =5. Uncle Ben.= =6. Birthday Party.= =7. Proud and Lazy.= =8. Careless Kate.= =9. Robinson Crusoe, Jr.= =10. The Picnic Party.= =11. The Gold Thimble.= =12. The Do-Somethings=.
=Riverdale Story Books.= By OLIVER OPTIC. Six volumes. Illustrated. Fancy cloth and colors. Price per volume, 30 cents.
=1. Little Merchant.= =2. Proud and Lazy.= =3. Young Voyagers.= =4. Careless Kate.= =5. Dolly and I.= =6. Robinson Crusoe, Jr.=
=Flora Lee Library.= By OLIVER OPTIC. Six volumes. Illustrated. Fancy cloth and colors. Price per volume, 30 cents.
=1. The Picnic Party.= =2. The Gold Thimble.= =3. The Do-Somethings.= =4. Christmas Gift.= =5. Uncle Ben.= =6. Birthday Party.=
These are bright short stories for younger children who are unable to comprehend the =Starry Flag Series= or the =Army and Navy Series=. But they all display the author's talent for pleasing and interesting the little folks. They are all fresh and original, preaching no sermons, but inculcating good lessons.
=The Great Western Series.= By OLIVER OPTIC. In six volumes. Illustrated. Any volume sold separately. Price per volume, $1.25.
=1. Going West=; OR, THE PERILS OF A POOR BOY. =2. Out West=; OR, ROUGHING IT ON THE GREAT LAKES. =3. Lake Breezes=; OR, THE CRUISE OF THE SYLVANIA. =4. Going South=; OR, YACHTING ON THE ATLANTIC COAST. =5. Down South=; OR, YACHT ADVENTURES IN FLORIDA. =6. Up the River=; OR, YACHTING ON THE MISSISSIPPI.
"This is the latest series of books issued by this popular writer, and deals with life on the Great Lakes, for which a careful study was made by the author in a summer tour of the immense water sources of America. The story, which carries the same hero through the six books of the series, is always entertaining, novel scenes and varied incidents giving a constantly changing yet always attractive aspect to the narrative. OLIVER OPTIC has written nothing better."
=The Yacht Club Series.= By OLIVER OPTIC. In six volumes. Illustrated. Any volume sold separately. Price per volume, $1.25.
=1. Little Bobtail=; OR, THE WRECK OF THE PENOBSCOT. =2. The Yacht Club=; OR, THE YOUNG BOAT BUILDERS. =3. Money-Maker=; OR, THE VICTORY OF THE BASILISK. =4. The Coming Wave=; OR, THE TREASURE OF HIGH ROCK. =5. The Dorcas Club=; OR, OUR GIRLS AFLOAT. =6. Ocean Born=; OR, THE CRUISE OF THE CLUBS.
"The series has this peculiarity, that all of its constituent volumes are independent of one another, and therefore each story is complete in itself. OLIVER OPTIC is, perhaps, the favorite author of the boys and girls of this country, and he seems destined to enjoy an endless popularity. He deserves his success, for he makes very interesting stories, and inculcates none but the best sentiments, and the 'Yacht Club' is no exception to this
rule." --_New Haven Journal and Courier._
=Onward and Upward Series.= By OLIVER OPTIC. In six volumes. Illustrated. Any volume sold separately. Price per volume, $1.25.
=1. Field and Forest=; OR, THE FORTUNES OF A FARMER. =2. Plane and Plank=; OR, THE MISHAPS OF A MECHANIC. =3. Desk and Debit=; OR, THE CATASTROPHES OF A CLERK. =4. Cringle and Crosstree=; OR, THE SEA SWASHES OF A SAILOR. =5. Bivouac and Battle=; OR, THE STRUGGLES OF A SOLDIER. =6. Sea and Shore=; OR, THE TRAMPS OF A TRAVELLER.
"Paul Farringford, the hero of these tales, is, like most of this author's heroes, a young man of high spirit, and of high aims and correct principles, appearing in the different volumes as a farmer, a captain, a bookkeeper, a soldier, a sailor, and a traveller. In all of them the hero meets with very exciting adventures, told in the graphic style for which the author is famous."
=The Lake Shore Series.= By OLIVER OPTIC. In six volumes. Illustrated. Any volume sold separately. Price per volume, $1.25.
=1. Through by Daylight=; OR, THE YOUNG ENGINEER OF THE LAKE SHORE RAILROAD. =2. Lightning Express=; OR, THE RIVAL ACADEMIES. =3. On Time=; OR, THE YOUNG CAPTAIN OF THE UCAYGA STEAMER. =4. Switch Off=; OR, THE WAR OF THE STUDENTS. =5. Brake Up=; OR, THE YOUNG PEACEMAKERS. =6. Bear and Forbear=; OR, THE YOUNG SKIPPER OF LAKE UCAYGA.
"OLIVER OPTIC is one of the most fascinating writers for youth, and withal one of the best to be found in this or any past age. Troops of young people hang over his vivid pages; and not one of them ever learned to be mean, ignoble, cowardly, selfish, or to yield to any vice from anything they ever read from his pen." --_Providence Press._
=The Famous Boat Club Series.= By OLIVER OPTIC. Six volumes. Illustrated. Any volume sold separately. Price per volume $1.25.
=1. The Boat Club=; OR, THE BUNKERS OF RIPPLETON. =2. All Aboard=; OR, LIFE ON THE LAKE. =3. Now or Never=; OR, THE ADVENTURES OF BOBBY BRIGHT. =4. Try Again=; OR, THE TRIALS AND TRIUMPHS OF HARRY WEST. =5. Poor and Proud=; OR, THE FORTUNES OF KATY REDBURN. =6. Little by Little=; OR, THE CRUISE OF THE FLYAWAY.
"This is the first series of books written for the young by OLIVER OPTIC. It laid the foundation for his fame as the first of authors in which the young delight, and gained for him the title of the Prince of Story Tellers. The six books are varied in incident and plot, but all are entertaining and original."
(_Other volumes in preparation._)
=Young America Abroad=: A LIBRARY OF TRAVEL AND ADVENTURE IN FOREIGN LANDS. By OLIVER OPTIC. Illustrated by NAST and others. First Series. Six volumes. Any volume sold separately. Price per volume, $1.25.
=1. Outward Bound=; OR, YOUNG AMERICA AFLOAT. =2. Shamrock and Thistle=; OR, YOUNG AMERICA IN IRELAND AND SCOTLAND. =3. Red Cross=; OR, YOUNG AMERICA IN ENGLAND AND WALES. =4. Dikes and Ditches=; OR, YOUNG AMERICA IN HOLLAND AND BELGIUM. =5. Palace and Cottage=; OR, YOUNG AMERICA IN FRANCE AND SWITZERLAND. =6. Down the Rhine=; OR, YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY.
"The story from its inception, and through the twelve volumes (see Second Series), is a bewitching one, while the information imparted concerning the countries of Europe and the isles of the sea is not only correct in every particular, but is told in a captivating style. OLIVER OPTIC will continue to be the boys' friend, and his pleasant books will continue to be read by thousands of American boys. What a fine holiday present either or both series of 'Young America Abroad' would be for a young friend! It would make a little library highly prized by the recipient, and would not be an expensive one."--_Providence Press._
=Young America Abroad.= By OLIVER OPTIC. Second Series. Six volumes. Illustrated. Any volume sold separately. Price per volume, $1.25.
=1. Up the Baltic=; OR, YOUNG AMERICA IN NORWAY, SWEDEN, AND DENMARK. =2. Northern Lands=; OR, YOUNG AMERICA IN RUSSIA AND PRUSSIA. =3. Cross and Crescent=; OR, YOUNG AMERICA IN TURKEY AND GREECE. =4. Sunny Shores=; OR, YOUNG AMERICA IN ITALY AND AUSTRIA. =5. Vine and Olive=; OR, YOUNG AMERICA IN SPAIN AND PORTUGAL. =6. Isles of the Sea=; OR, YOUNG AMERICA HOMEWARD BOUND.
"OLIVER OPTIC is a _nom de plume_ that is known and loved by almost every boy of intelligence in the land. We have seen a highly intellectual and world-weary man, a cynic whose heart was somewhat embittered by its large experience of human nature, take up one of OLIVER OPTIC'S books, and read it at a sitting, neglecting his work in yielding to the fascination of the pages. When a mature and exceedingly well-informed mind, long despoiled of all its freshness, can thus find pleasure in a book for boys, no additional words of recommendation are needed."--_Sunday Times._