Chapter XVI: The Preston Family

A request—A rule of the house—The 256
Preston children—Oscar and
Whistler—Marcus—Plans for Oscar’s
benefit—A letter from Brookdale—Dick
Sneider arrested—The wild-cat—Jumping
at a conclusion—Unexpected meeting of
Clinton and Oscar—A good
resolution—Going to the academy—Marcus
invited to become a teacher—Showing
favors to relatives—Ronald—Marcus the
making of him—Bad French—Ronald’s
roguery—Getting into a tight
place—Alarming and ludicrous
predicament—His release—The visit to
Montpelier—Ronald in handcuffs—A sorry
joke—Fortunate escape—Another boy in
another kind of handcuffs—The
advertisement for a boy—An amusing
answer—Fetters of ignorance—The other
applicants—A neat letter—A
recognition—A chance
acquaintance—Favorable impressions—A
pleasant visit,