Oscar; Or, The Boy Who Had His Own Way

by Walter Aimwell

CONTENTS.

[ CHAPTER I.
A KITCHEN SCENE. ]

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.

[ CHAPTER II.
OSCAR IN SCHOOL. ]

Oscar's school—The divisions and classes—Lively and pleasant sights—Playing schoolmaster—Carrying the joke too far to be agreeable—Oscar's indolence in school—Gazing at the blackboard—A release from study, and an unexpected privilege—Whiling away an hour—Doing nothing harder work than studying—A half-learned lesson—A habit of Oscar's—A ridiculous blunder—Absurd mistakes of the British government about the great lakes—Oscar less pardonable than they—Another blunder—Difference between guessing and knowing—Oscar detained after school—His recitation—Good advice—Remembering the blackboard—Willie Davenport—A pounding promised.

[ CHAPTER III.
PAYING OFF A GRUDGE. ]

Whistler—Why Ralph liked him—Why Oscar disliked him—A caution—A sudden attack—An unexpected rescue—The stranger's advice—A brave and manly answer—Whistler refuses to expose Oscar's name—The boys separate—George's report of the scene, and Ralph's explanation—Oscar's return—His sister's rebuke—His mother's inquiries—Misrepresentations—Willie exonerated—Forgiving enemies—An unpleasant promise called to mind—Mr. Preston's action in the matter—Oscar refuses to punish himself—The chamber—A surprise—Falsehood—Exposure—The account settled—Silence—Late rising and a cold breakfast—What Mrs. Preston said—Its effect upon Oscar—Concealed emotion—Mistaken notions of manliness—Good impressions made—George's narrow escape.

[ CHAPTER IV.
THE HOTEL. ]

Alfred Walton—His home—Hotel acquaintances—Coarse stories and jokes—Andy—His peculiarities—Tobacco—A spelling lesson—The disappointment—Anger—Bright and her family—Fun and mischief—The owner of the pups—A promise—A ride to the depôt—A walk about the building—Examining wheels—The tracks—An arrival—A swarm of passengers—Two young travellers taken in tow—Their story—Arrival at the hotel—A walk—Purchase of deadly weapons—A heavy bill—Gifts to Alfred and Oscar—A brave speech for a little fellow—Going home.

[ CHAPTER V.
THE YOUNG TRAVELLERS ]

The Sabbath—Uneasiness—Monday morning—A pressing invitation to play truant—Hesitation—The decision—Oscar's misgivings—Manners of the two travellers—A small theft—Flight—A narrow escape—A costly cake of sugar—The bridge to Charlestown—The monument—The navy yard—Objects of interest—Incidents of Joseph's life—A slight test of his courage—Oscar's plans—Going to dinner—A grand "take in"—Alfred's disclosures—Real character of the young travellers—Their tough stories—A mutual difficulty—Confessing what cannot be concealed—Good advice and mild reproof—The teacher's leniency explained.

[ CHAPTER VI.
WORK. ]

A command—Passing it along—Reluctant obedience—A poor excuse—A bad habit—Employment for vacation—Oscar's opposition to the plan—Frank the errand-boy—Thanksgiving week—A busy time—Oscar's experience as store-boy—Learning to sweep—Doing work well—A tempting invitation—Its acceptance—A ride—Driving horses—The errand—The return—Oscar at the store—Sent off "with a flea in his ear"—The matter brought up again—Oscar's excuse unsatisfactory—Ralph's services rewarded—Difference between the two boys.

[ CHAPTER VII.
THANKSGIVING DAY. ]

Grandmother's arrival—Surprises—Presents—Oscar at a shooting-match—Bad company—Cruel sport—Home again—Prevarication—A remonstrance—Impudence, and a silent rebuke—The dinner—A stormy afternoon—A disappointment—Evening in the parlor—A call for stories—How the Indians punished bad boys—What Oscar thought of it—An Indian story—The hostile party—The alarm—The stratagem—The onset—The retreat—The victory—Laplot River—Widow Storey's retreat—Misfortunes of her husband—Her enterprise and industry—Fleeing from the British—The subterranean abode—Precautions to prevent discovery—Uncle James—The fellow who was caught in his own trap—Old Zigzag—His oddities—His tragic end—How the town of Barre, Vt., got its name—A well-spent evening.

[ CHAPTER VIII.
GRANDMOTHER LEE. ]

One of her habits—Ella's complaint—Alice's reproof—Ella's rude reply to her grandmother—A mild rebuke—A sterner reproof—Shame and repentance—Popping corn—George's selfishness—A fruitless search for the corn-bag—Bad Temper—An ineffectual reproof—George's obstinacy—How he became selfish—Difficulty of breaking up a bad habit—What he lost by his selfishness—Oscar's dog—He is named "Tiger"—His portrait—His roguishness—Oscar's trick upon his grandmother—Unfortunate ending—Tiger's destructiveness—A mystery, and its probable solution—Oscar's falsehood—Tiger's banishment decreed, but not carried out—Grandmother Lee's remonstrance with Oscar—Bridget's onset—Oscar's excuse—Moral principle wanting—Mrs. Lee's departure.

[ CHAPTER IX.
WINTER SPORTS. ]

Coasting—Oscar's sled—Borrowing and lending—A merry scene on the Common—Various sleds and characters—A collision—Damage to Ralph and the "Clipper"—Not accidental—The guilty parties called to account—No satisfaction obtained—Ralph's trouble—Oscar's anger—His revenge—A fight—His termination—Skating—Tiger on the ice—His plunge into an air-hole—His alarm and escape—Going home—Unfounded fears awakened—Tiger's shame—A talk about air-holes—What they are for, and how they are made—Skaters should be cautious—A change in Tiger's habits—A great snow-storm—Appearance of the streets—Fun for the boys—A job for Oscar—He is wiser than his father—Nullification of a command—The command repeated—Icy sidewalks—Laziness and its excuses—A wise suggestion—Duty neglected—Oscar called to account—His excuses—Unpleasant consequences of his negligence—The command repeated, with a "snapper" at the end—The dreaded task completed.

[ CHAPTER X.
APPEARANCES. ]

A compulsory ride—Merited retribution—A sad plight for a proud boy—Laughter and ridicule—Oscar's neatness and love of dress—The patched jacket—Oscar's objections to it—Benny Wright, the boy of many patches—His character—The jacket question peremptorily settled—A significant shake of the head—A watch wanted—Why boys carry watches—Punctuality—Oscar's tardiness at school—The real cause of it—Thinking too much of outside appearances—Character of more consequence than cloth—An offer—The conditions—A hard question—How to accomplish an object—Oscar's waywardness—Boarding-school discipline—The High School—An anticipated novelty.

[ CHAPTER XI.
THE MORAL LESSON. ]

Oscar's shrewdness—His reputation for integrity—A new want—Perplexity—A chance for speculation—A dishonest device—Its success—Secrecy—The fraud discovered—Oscar's defence—Restitution refused—Indignation—The Monday morning lesson in morals—Dishonesty—Rectifying mistakes—The principle unfolded—Restoring lost articles—A case for Oscar to decide—His reluctant decision—Taking advantage of another's ignorance—Duty of restitution—Other forms of dishonesty—Better to be cheated than to cheat—Effect of the lesson upon Oscar.

[ CHAPTER XII.
SICKNESS. ]

Wet feet—A command disobeyed—Dabbling in the water—Playing on the ice—An unexpected adventure—Afloat on an ice-cake—A consultation—Danger and alarm—Spectators—A call for help—A critical situation—The rescue—Effects of the adventure—Feverish dreams—Strange feelings—The doctor's visit—Lung fever—The Latin prescription—Oscar's removal—He grows worse—Peevishness—Passing the crisis—Improved behavior—Getting better—General rejoicings—Further improvement—Return of a bad habit—Fretfulness and impatience—A dispute—First attempt to sit up—Its failure—First day in an easy chair—The sweets of convalescence—Danger of a relapse.

[ CHAPTER XIII.
GETTING WELL. ]

Hunger—An evil suggestion—First visit down stairs—Midnight supper—Weakness and exhaustion—An ill turn—The doctor's visit—The mystery explained—Contents of a sick boy's stomach—The doctor's abrupt farewell—His recall—Promise of obedience—Punishment for imprudence—Directions—Effects of the relapse—Slow recovery—The menagerie procession—A wet morning—Disobedience—Exposure, and its consequences—Reading—The borrowed book—The curious letter—Puzzles, with illustrations—Guessing riddles—Oscar's treatment of Benjamin—His present feelings towards him—Ella's copy of the letter—Oscar's growing impatience—An arrival—Uncle John—The loggers—Cousins never seen—A journey decided upon—Solution of riddles, conundrums, &c.

[ CHAPTER XIV.
THE JOURNEY. ]

Setting out—A long and wearisome ride—Portland—The hotel—Going to bed—The queer little lamp—Lonesomeness—The evening prayer—Morning—Breakfast—The railroad depôt—Oscar's partiality for stage-coaches and good horses—Eighty miles by steam—Dinner—The stage-coach—An outside seat—The team and the roads—Villages—Mail bags—Forests and rivers—End of the stage ride—Jerry—An Introduction—A ride in a wagon—Bashfulness—An invisible village—The journey's end—Mrs. Preston—More shy cousins—Supper—Evening employments—Attempting to "scrape acquaintance"—Mary tells Oscar his name—More questions—The tables turned—Getting acquainted in bed.

[ CHAPTER XV.
BROOKDALE. ]

A dull morning—New acquaintances—Inquiries about Jerry's school-time—A long vacation—Work—Playmates—Rain—A fine sunrise—The distant pond—A call to breakfast—Preliminary operations—Jerry's uncombed head—Oscar's neatness—Jerry sent from the table—Bad manners—Bathing in the pond—An anticipated pleasure interdicted—The river—A walk—The pond—Map of Brookdale—Going to ride—The Cross-Roads—Billy's speed discussed—The variety store—All sorts of things—Oscar's purchase—Returning home—Short evenings—A nap—A queer dream—Oscar's smartness at dreaming—Making fun of a country store—Mary's question—Crying babies—Teasing—Walking backwards—A trip and a fall—A real crying baby—Mary comforted—Jerry cuffed—Mortification.

[ CHAPTER XVI.
IN THE WOODS. ]

Forgotten medicine and renewed health—An excursion planned—A gun wanted, but denied—Setting out on a long tramp—Swamps—Upland—Brooks—How Brookdale got its name—Cutting canes—Birch and beech—How to crook the handle of a cane—The philosophy of it explained—The cigars—Fine groves—Stopping to rest—The forest described—Birds and guns—Other game—Jim Oakley's strange animal—Moose—The man who met a bear—A race—Mysterious disappearance of the bear—The probable cause of his visit—The boy who killed two bears—Oscar's courage—Prospect Rock—A fine view—The rabbit—The woodchuck's hole—Crossing a swamp—Mosquitoes—The pond—The hermit's hut—Some account of "Old Staples"—Buried treasures—Making a fire—Baking potatoes and toasting cheese—Drinking pond water—Dinner—Hunting for the hermit's money—What they meant to do with it—A bath proposed—Smoothing over the matter—Going Into water—Drying their hair—Going home—Lost In the woods—Arrival home—One kind of punishment for wrong-doing.

[ CHAPTER XVII.
CLINTON. ]

The missing cap—Splitting wood—Jerry and Emily—A quarrel begun—The cap found—A drink of buttermilk—Oscar's opinion of it—Jerry's love for it—Another delay—Feeding the fowls—A mysterious letter—The Shanghae rooster's complaint—Curiosity excited—The suspected author—Clinton's education—Keeping dark about the letter—Who Clinton was—Where he lived—Killing caterpillars—How caterpillars breed—The young turkeys—The brood of chickens—The hen-coop—Clinton's management of the poultry—His profits—Success the result of effort, not of luck—The "rooster's letter" not alluded to—The piggery—The barn—"The horse's prayer"—A new-comer—Her name—A discovery—Relationship of Clinton to Whistler—Mrs. Davenport—Oscar conceals his dislike of Whistler—The shop—Specimens of Clinton's work—Going home.

[ CHAPTER XVIII.
THE LETTER. ]

A forgotten duty called to mind—Letter writing—A mysterious allusion—The private room—No backing out—Making a beginning—Getting stuck—Idling away time—Prying into letters—A commotion among the swallows—Teaching the young ones how to fly—A good lesson lost—Mary and her book—Her talk about the pictures—A pretty picture—A wasted hour—Making another attempt—His success—Effects of being in earnest—A copy of Oscar's letter—Emily's inquisitiveness—A rebuke—The message she wanted to send—The meadow lot—Mulching for trees—Going to the old wood lot—Cutting birch twigs-Forgetting to be lazy—The load—A ride to the Cross-Roads—Mailing the letter—Paying the postage in advance.

[ CHAPTER XIX.
THE RECALL. ]

Hankerings after a gun—A plan—Jim Oakley's gun—A dispute—An open rupture—The broken gun—Going home mad—A call from Clinton—The toiler—Summons home—Disappointment—Bad feeling between Oscar and Jerry—How they slept—Remarks about their appearance at the breakfast table—Borrowing trouble—Another visit proposed—Jerry's explosion of anger—His imprudence—Confinement down cellar—An unhappy day—"Making up" at night—A duty neglected—Inquiries about the gun—Starting for home—A pleasant drive—The stage-coach—The cars—Luncheon—Half an hour in Portland—The Boston train—A spark in the eye—Pain and inflammation—Boston—Ralph's surprise—Welcome home—The eye-stone—The intruder removed.

[ CHAPTER XX.
DOWNWARD PROGRESS. ]

Oscar's dread of going to school—Unsuccessful pleas—Oscar at school—His indifference to his studies—A "talent for missing"—A reproof—Kicking a cap—Whistler's generosity—Benny Wright—Oscar's bad conduct—Regarded as incorrigible—The tobacco spittle—Oscar's denial—Betrayed by his breath—A successful search—The teacher's rebuke—The new copy—Its effect—A note for Oscar's father—What it led to—Concealment of real feelings—Bridget's complaint—The puddle on the kitchen floor—Oscar's story—Conflicting reports—A new flare-up—The truth of the matter—Bridget's departure—Examination day—The medals—The certificate for the High School—A refusal—Bitter fruits of misconduct.

[ CHAPTER XXI.
NED MIXER. ]

Vacation—Associates—Edward Mixer—His character—Loitering around railroad depôts—An excursion into the country—The railroad bridge—Fruit—A fine garden—Getting over the fence—Looking for birds' nests—Disappearance of Edward and Alfred—A chase—Escape of the boys—Hailing each other—Edward's account of the adventure—A grand speculation—Pluck—Secrecy—Curiosity not gratified—Arrival of Oscar's uncle—The officer's interview with Mr. Preston—The real character and history of Ned—Timely warning—Oscar's astonishment—What he knew concerning Ned—A hint about forming new acquaintances—Oscar's removal from city temptations decided on—A caution and precaution—Departure—Ned's arrest and sentence—The "grand speculation" never divulged.