Oscar; Or, The Boy Who Had His Own Way

E-text prepared by Al Haines


In the story of OSCAR is portrayed the career of a bright but somewhat headstrong boy, who was over-indulged by his parents, and who usually managed to have his own way, by hook or by crook. The book is designed to exhibit some of the bad consequences of acquiring a wayward and lawless spirit, and of falling into indolent, untruthful, and disobedient habits. These are its main lessons, intermingled with which are a variety of others, of scarcely less importance to the young.
Winchester, Mass.
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 everyday 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 lay 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; OR, TURNING OVER A NEW LEAF. IV. WHISTLER; OR, THE MANLY BOY. V. MARCUS; OR, THE BOY-TAMER. VI. JESSIE; OR, TRYING TO BE SOMEBODY.
Bridget and her little realm—A troop of rude intruders—An imperious demand—A flat refusal—Prying investigations—Biddy's displeasure aroused—Why Oscar could not find the pie—Another squabble, and its consequences—Studying under difficulties—Shooting peas—Ralph and George provoked—A piece of Bridget's mind—Mrs. Preston—George's complaint—Oscar rebuked—A tell-tale—Oscar's brothers and sisters—His father and mother.