| Oscar’s disappointment—No letter from home—An agreeable 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, | [308] |
Illustrations.
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| 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?”