Chapter XIV: The Troublesome Scholar

Harrison Clark—A threat—His career—Assault upon his 222
teacher—Trial and sentence—One good trait—Harrison’s
mother—His conduct towards Marcus—Kindness
repelled—Coughing—Objections to it—Can be
controlled—Harrison’s impertinence—Bears in
town—Preparations for a hunt—Warlike
appearances—Going off at recess—Requests
denied—Harrison’s flight—Ineffectual attempt to bring
him back—The hunting party—Turkey Hill—Forming a
ring—Testing the connection—The advance—Closing up
the circle—Reports of muskets—The two bears—Dragging
the trophies home—How they were disposed of—Harrison
at school again—His coolness—Detained after
school—How he enjoyed the hunt—Frankness—Marcus
mildly points out Harrison’s misconduct—Two ways of
meeting the evil—Severity and kindness—Failure of
both—Candid admissions—Expulsion—Its evils—A talk
about Harrison’s mother—A frank warning—The
question—Subdued bearing—Harrison’s
decision—Confession of his fault—His sincerity
severely tested—The offence forgiven—The boy saved,

CHAPTER XV.

SAM HAPLEY.

A neglected farm—Out of fuel—Going to the woods—The 242
pipe and jug—Parting admonitions—A scene in the
woods—Going home—Effects of the cider—Green wood and
the rheumatism—The cows and their dinner—Benny
absent—Sam’s assault upon him—His father’s
anger—Origin of the trouble—A scuffle between Sam and
his father—Sam bound and flogged—The
outcry—Interference—Marcus intercedes—A rude
repulse—Sam released—Marcus expostulates—He is
silenced—Sam’s disappearance—Absent for a week—His
return—His arrest—Searching for stolen property—It is
found—A sad shock to Jessie—Her self-control—Growing
recklessness of Mr. Hapley—A visit to Sam—His
confession—His flight—Adventures on the road—Mack,
the thief—Housebreaking—The alarm—Sam’s escape—Mack
caught—How Sam was tracked—Preparations for the
trial—What the judge thought of the case—The
sentence,

CHAPTER XVI.

MERRY DAYS AND SAD ONES.

A merry Christmas—Who got the start?—Presents for 263
Oscar—Letters—Loss of the brig “Susan”—Jerry
missing—The Christmas festival—Declamations and
dialogues—Tableaux and music—The Christmas tree—Its
fruit—Santa Claus—His speech—Gathering the
fruit—Refreshments—New Year’s morning—Sad news from
Benny Hapley—Marcus his Sabbath school teacher—His
interest in Benny—His sadness—A pleasant surprise—A
present from Harrison—His gratitude—A visit to
Benny—His prediction—Anticipations of heaven—Mr.
Hapley’s agony—His promise to Benny—Benny’s
coldness—Growing dark—A mysterious light—Parting
kisses—One for Sam—The spirit takes its
flight—Effects of the scene upon Marcus—His new
purposes,

CHAPTER XVII.

ADVERSITY.

Mr. Hapley signs the pledge—Empties his liquors—A 280
desperate struggle—Opinions of the neighbors—Mr.
Todd’s prediction—How it was treated—What Mr. Todd
was supposed to be after—Uncharitableness—Difficulty
of acquiring self-government in mature life—Mazeppa
and the wild horse—Mr. Hapley’s relapse—Loss of
self-confidence and self-respect—A visit to the
rum-shop—His prolonged absence—A terrible snow
storm—Henry despatched for Marcus—Marcus goes in
search of Mr. Hapley—The search abandoned—Morning—The
frozen horse and rider—The snow
grave—Poverty—Jessie’s trials—The administrator’s
advice—Jessie’s plans—Her self-sacrificing
spirit—Words of comfort—Henry’s brave words—He finds
a new home—Jessie provided for—Mrs. Hapley returns to
her father’s,

CHAPTER XVIII.

THE DIALOGUE.

Rivalry among the academy students—The motto on the 294
blackboard—Praiseworthy motives—The student’s true
motive—Ronald’s request—The plan for a dialogue—How
Marcus proposed to help Ronald—The work
completed—Dialogue of “Head and Foot”—Speech of John
Head—A severe examination—How the boys were put
through their paces—One pace not exhibited—An
explosion—What is Congressional usage—The
prizes—Their unequal distribution—How the boys
proposed to equalize matters—John’s prize
volume—Master Foot called up—The complimentary
address—The presentation—Dinner-pot
suggestions—Curious resemblances—Foot doubts his
claim to the testimonial—A bet—Head smells a rat, but
concludes not to back out—The cabbage fastened upon
him—The wager won—Master Foot’s generosity—Master
Head’s magnanimous response—The treat—View of the
testimonial,