Books with author Oliver 1822-1897 Optic

The story contained in this volume records the experience of a bank officer, “living too fast,” in the downward career of crime. The writer is entirely willing now to believe that this career ought to have ended in the state prison; but his work is a story, and he has chosen—perhaps unhappily—to punish the defaulter in another way. Yet running through the narrative for the sake of the contrast, is the experience of a less showy, but more honest young man than the principal character, who represents the true life the young business man ought to lead. The author is not afraid that any of his young friends who may read this book will be tempted into an “irregularity” by the example of the delinquent bank officer, for it will be found that his career of crime is full of remorse and positive suffering.

CONTENTS. PAGEChap. I. The Naughty Girl. 11Chap. II. Thou shalt not steal. 25Chap. III. Letting the Cat out. 39Chap. IV. Fanny the Skipper. 52Chap. V. Down the River. 66Chap. VI. Kate's Defection. 79Chap. VII. The Soldier's Family. 93Chap. VIII. The Sick Girl. 107Chap. IX. Hope and Have. 120Chap. X. Good out of Evil. 135Chap. XI. Penitence and Pardon. 148Chap. XII. The New Home. 162Chap. XIII. The Indian Massacre. 176Chap. XIV. The Indian Boy. 190Chap. XV. The Conference. 204Chap. XVI. The Young Exiles. 218Chap. XVII. The Night Attack. 231Chap. XVIII. The Visitor at the Island. 244Chap. XIX. The Indian Ambush. 257Chap. XX. Conclusion. 270--------CHAPTER I.THE NAUGHTY GIRL."Now you will be a good girl, Fanny Jane, while I am gone—won't you?" said Fanny Grant, who has several times before appeared in these stories, to Fanny Jane Grant, her namesake, who has not before been presented to our readers."O, yes, Miss Fanny; I will be ever so good; I won't even look wrong," replied Fanny Jane, whose snapping black eyes even then beamed with mischief."I am afraid you don't mean what you say," added Miss Fanny, suspiciously."Yes, I do; I mean every word of it, and more too.""You make large promises; and I find when you promise most, you perform least.""But, certain true as I live, I won't do a single thing this time," protested Fanny Jane. "Won't you believe me?""You have deceived me so often that I do not know when to trust you.""I have turned over a new leaf, and I mean to be just as good as ever I can be.""If you are not good, Fanny Jane, I shall feel very bad when I return. I have done a great deal for you, and I hope you will think of it if you are tempted to do wrong during my absence. This time, in particular, I wish you to behave very well, and not do any mischief. You know what father says about you?""He don't like me," pouted Fanny Jane."When you are good he likes you.""He scolds me all the time.""He never scolds you; he reproves you when you do wrong, and I am sorry to say that is very often indeed. He says, if you do not behave better, he shall send you back to your uncle at the west.""I don't want to go there.""But you must, if you do not do better. He would have sent you before if I had not interceded for you.""Hadn't what?""If I hadn't begged him not to do so.""I won't be sent back to my uncle's, any how," replied Fanny Jane, sharply; for the intimations of what might be, roused a spirit of resentment, rather than of penitence, in her mind.

This kindle edition is Eight books collection written by Oliver Optic. Works Included: Across IndiaAll AboardAll AdriftAn Undivided UnionAsiatic BreezesThe Birthday PartyThe Boat ClubBreaking AwayAbout Author:William Taylor Adams (July 30, 1822 – March 27, 1897), pseudonym Oliver Optic, was a noted academic, author, and a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives.

Plane and Plank - or, The Mishaps of a Mechanic by Oliver Optic"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.

"FIGHTING FOR THE RIGHT" is the fifth and last but one of "The Blue and the Gray Series." The character of the operations in connection with the war of the Rebellion, and the incidents in which the interest of the young reader will be concentrated, are somewhat different from most of those detailed in the preceding volumes of the series, though they all have the same patriotic tendency, and are carried out with the same devotion to the welfare of the nation as those which deal almost solely in deeds of arms.

- This eBook is included Active Links in Table of contentCONTENTS.PREFACE. I. Paul Duncan Disobeys Orders II. Paul is Cool and Self-possessed III. Paul Hears Bad News IV. Paul Becomes the Head of the Family V. Paul Cooks His Own Breakfast, and Goes a-Fishing VI. Paul Makes a Good Speculation VII. Paul Goes Into Business on His Own Account VIII. Paul Takes a Cold Bath IX. Paul Becomes the Skipper of the Fawn X. Paul and John are Very Much Excited XI. Paul's First Cruise in the Fawn XII. Paul Sleeps on His Watch XIII. Paul Makes a Night Run in the Storm XIV. Paul Scolds the First Officer of the Fawn XV. Paul Goes on a Cruise in the Flyaway XVI. Paul Witnesses a Mutiny XVII. Paul Discovers that Mischief is Brewing XVIII. Paul is Made a Prisoner XIX. Paul Takes Command of the Flyaway XX. Paul Exercises a Strong Moral Influence XXI. Paul Advances Little by Little, and the Story Ends---PAUL DUNCAN DISOBEYS ORDERS."I'll give you a quarter, Paul, if you will take me down to the Point in your boat," said Thomas Nettle, as he came down to the beach where the boy addressed was baling out an old dingy-looking boat."It blows too hard," replied Paul Duncan."The club went down in their boat.""But it didn't blow so hard then as it does now. It's a regular sou'easter.""What are you afraid of, Paul?""I'm not afraid; but there's no use of risking your life for a quarter.""I'll give you a half, then."Paul Duncan hesitated. Half a dollar was a great deal of money to him, and more than often found its way into his exchequer. He glanced at the white-capped waves in the bay, and then at Thomas.[Pg 10]"There's no ballast in her," said he."Put some rocks in, then.""I think it's rather dangerous, and I don't believe your mother would agree to have you go out in a boat in such a blow as this.""My mother! Humph! Let me tell you I'm not tied to my mother's apron string. I think I'm old enough to have a will of my own. Don't talk to me about my mother," replied Thomas contemptuously. "I'm not a baby.""Just as you please; but I think it blows too hard to go out.""Let me have your boat, and I'll go alone then, if you are afraid to go.""I'm not afraid," answered Paul, stung by these repeated implications upon his courage. "Jump in, and I'll give you enough of it before you get half way to the Point."