PLANE AND PLANK;

OR,

THE MISHAPS OF A MECHANIC.

OLIVER OPTIC,

AUTHOR OF "YOUNG AMERICA ABROAD," "THE ARMY AND NAVY STORIES,"
"THE WOODVILLE STORIES," "THE BOAT-CLUB STORIES," "THE
STARRY FLAG STORIES," "THE LAKE-SHORE
SERIES," ETC.

WITH FOURTEEN ILLUSTRATIONS.

BOSTON:

LEE AND SHEPARD.

NEW YORK:

CHARLES T. DILLINGHAM.

Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1871,

By WILLIAM T. ADAMS,

In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington.

ELECTROTYPED AT THE

BOSTON STEREOTYPE FOUNDRY,

19 Spring Lane.

MY YOUNG FRIEND

GEORGE W. HILLS

This Book

IS AFFECTIONATELY DEDICATED.

[PREFACE.]

"Plane and Plank" is the second of The Upward and Onward Series, in which the hero, Phil Farringford, appears as a mechanic. The events of the story are located on the Missouri River and in the city of St. Louis. Phil learns the trade of a carpenter, and the contrast between a young mechanic of an inquiring mind, earnestly laboring to master his business, and one who feels above his calling, and overvalues his own skill, is presented to the young reader, with the hope that he will accept the lesson.

Incidentally, in the person and history of Phil's father the terrible evils of intemperance are depicted, and the value of Christian love and earnest prayer in the reformation of the unfortunate inebriate is exhibited.

Though the incidents of the hero's career are quite stirring, and some of the situations rather surprising, yet Phil is always true to himself; and those who find themselves in sympathy with him cannot possibly be led astray, while they respect his Christian principles, reverence the Bible, and strive with him to do their whole duty to God and man.

Harrison Square, Boston,

June 7, 1870.

[CONTENTS.]

CHAPTER I.	Page
[In which Phil makes the Acquaintance of Mr. Leonidas Lynchpinne.]	[11]
CHAPTER II.
[In which Phil meets with his first Mishap.]	[22]
CHAPTER III.
[In which Phil slips off his Coat, and retreats in good Order.]	[33]
CHAPTER IV.
[In which Phil endeavors to remedy his first Mishap.]	[44]
CHAPTER V.
[In which Phil vainly searches for the Gracewoods.]	[55]
CHAPTER VI.
[In which Phil wanders about St. Louis and has a Gleam of Hope.]	[66]
CHAPTER VII.
[In which Phil hears from his Friends and visits Mr. Clinch.]	[77]
CHAPTER VIII.
[In which Phil goes to Work, and meets an old Acquaintance.]	[88]
CHAPTER IX.
[In which Phil meets a seedy Gentleman by the Name of Farringford.]	[100]
CHAPTER X.
[In which Phil listens to a very impressive Temperance Lecture.]	[112]
CHAPTER XI.
[In which Phil takes his Father to his new Home.]	[123]
CHAPTER XII.
[In which Phil listens to a Discussion, and takes Part in a Struggle.]	[135]
CHAPTER XIII.
[In which Phil has another Mishap, and is taken to a Police Station.]	[147]
CHAPTER XIV.
[In which Phil recovers his Money.]	[160]
CHAPTER XV.
[In which Phil produces the Relics of his Childhood.]	[172]
CHAPTER XVI.
[In which Phil struggles earnestly to reform his Father.]	[183]
CHAPTER XVII.
[In which Phil meets the Last of the Rockwoods.]	[195]
CHAPTER XVIII.
[In which Phil calls upon Mr. Lamar, and does not find him.]	[207]
CHAPTER XIX.
[In which Phil finds himself a Prisoner in the Gamblers' Room.]	[219]
CHAPTER XX.
[In which Phil is startled by the Sight of a Familiar Face.]	[231]
CHAPTER XXI.
[In which Phil finds himself Sixty-five Dollars out.]	[243]
CHAPTER XXII.
[In which Phil returns to the Den of the Enemy.]	[256]
CHAPTER XXIII.
[In which Phil's meets a pale Gentleman with one Arm in a Sling.]	[268]
CHAPTER XXIV.
[In which Phil meets an old Friend, and Mr. Leonidas Lynchpinne comes to Grief.]	[280]
CHAPTER XXV.
[In which Phil finds the Prospect growing brighter.]	[292]
CHAPTER XXVI.
[In which Phil listens to the Confession of his Persecutor, and ends Plane and Plank.]	[304]