Chapter I: Preface

The story contained in this volume is a record of youthful struggles, not only in the world without, but in the world within; and the success of the little hero is not merely a gathering up of wealth and honors, but a triumph over the temptations that beset the pilgrim on the plain of life. The attainment of worldly prosperity is not the truest victory; and the author has endeavored to make the interest of his story depend more on the hero's devotion to principles than on his success in business.

Bobby Bright is a smart boy; perhaps the reader will think he is altogether too smart for one of his years. This is a progressive age, and anything which young America may do need not surprise any person. That little gentleman is older than his father, knows more than his mother, can talk politics, smoke cigars, and drive a 2:40 horse. He orders "one stew" with as much ease as a man of forty, and can even pronounce correctly the villanous names of sundry French and German wines and liqueurs. One would suppose, to hear him talk, that he had been intimate with Socrates and Solon, with Napoleon and Noah Webster; in short, that whatever he did not know was not worth knowing.

In the face of these manifestations of exuberant genius, it would be absurd to accuse the author of making his hero do too much. All he has done is to give this genius a right direction; and for politics, cigars, 2:40 horses, and "one stew," he has substituted the duties of a rational and accountable being, regarding them as better fitted to develop the young gentleman's mind, heart, and soul.

Bobby Bright is something more than a smart boy. He is a good boy, and makes a true man. His daily life is the moral of the story, and the author hopes that his devotion to principle will make a stronger impression upon the mind of the young reader, than even the most exciting incidents of his eventful career.

WILLIAM T. ADAMS.

CONTENTS

CHAPTER PAGE

I. In which Bobby goes a fishing, and catches
a Horse 1

II. In which Bobby blushes several Times, and
does a Sum in Arithmetic 13

III. In which the Little Black House is bought,
but not paid for 26

IV. In which Bobby gets out of one Scrape, and
into another 38

V. In which Bobby gives his Note for Sixty
Dollars 52

VI. In which Bobby sets out on his Travels 66

VII. In which Bobby stands up for certain "Inalienable
Rights" 78

VIII. In which Mr. Timmins is astonished, and
Bobby dines in Chestnut Street 91

IX. In which Bobby opens various Accounts, and
wins his first Victory 104

X. In which Bobby is a little too smart 117

XI. In which Bobby strikes a Balance, and returns
to Riverdale 131

XII. In which Bobby astonishes sundry Persons,
and pays Part of his Note 144

XIII. In which Bobby declines a Copartnership,
and visits B---- again 160

XIV. In which Bobby's Air Castle is upset, and
Tom Spicer takes to the Woods 177

XV. In which Bobby gets into a Scrape, and
Tom Spicer turns up again 191

XVI. In which Bobby finds "it is an ill wind
that blows no one any good" 205

XVII. In which Tom has a good Time, and Bobby
meets with a terrible Misfortune 219

XVIII. In which Bobby takes French Leave, and
camps in the Woods 235

XIX. In which Bobby has a narrow Escape, and
goes to Sea with Sam Ray 248

XX. In which the Clouds blow over, and Bobby
is himself again 264

XXI. In which Bobby steps off the Stage, and
the Author must finish "Now or Never" 280

NOW OR NEVER

OR

THE ADVENTURES OF BOBBY BRIGHT