Chapter I: Preface

THE natural progress of this series has brought us to a period in the history of our young friends, when, instead of labors in a measure voluntary, pursued at home, amid home comforts, they toil for exacting masters or the public, enter into competition with others, feel the pressure of responsibility, learn submission, and are tied down to rigid rules and severe tasks. The manner in which they meet and sustain these new and trying relations shows the stuff they are made of; that the fear of God in a young heart is a shield in the hour of temptation, the foundation of true courage, and the strongest incentive to manly effort; that he who does the best for his employer does the best for himself; that the boy in whose character are the germs of sterling worth, and a true manhood, will scorn to lead a useless life, eat the bread he has not earned, and live upon the bounty of parents and friends.

_ELM ISLAND STORIES._

1. LION BEN OF ELM ISLAND.

2. CHARLIE BELL, THE WAIF OF ELM ISLAND.

3. THE ARK OF ELM ISLAND.

4. THE BOY FARMERS OF ELM ISLAND.

5. THE YOUNG SHIP-BUILDERS OF ELM ISLAND.

6. THE HARD-SCRABBLE OF ELM ISLAND.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER PAGE

I. LEARNING A TRADE 9

II. GUNNING ON THE OUTER REEFS 21

III. INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS 37

IV. THE WEST WIND 53

V. HAPS AND MISHAPS 71

VI. PARSON GOODHUE AND THE WILD GANDER 89

VII. CHARLIE GETS NEW IDEAS WHILE IN BOSTON 107

VIII. NO GIVE UP TO CHARLIE 120

IX. CHARLIE LEARNING A NEW LANGUAGE 133

X. WHERE THERE’S A WILL THERE’S A WAY 146

XI. POMP’S POND 152

XII. CHARLIE UNCONSCIOUSLY PREFIGURES THE
FUTURE 166

XIII. BETTER LET SLEEPING DOGS ALONE 186

XIV. VICTORY AT LAST 196

XV. THE SURPRISER SURPRISED 207

XVI. WHY CHARLIE DIDN’T WANT TO SELL THE WINGS OF THE MORNING 222

XVII. CHARLIE EXPLORING THE COAST 236

XVIII. CHARLIE BECOMES A FREEHOLDER 256

XIX. CHARLIE IN THE SHIP-YARD 272

XX. THE FIRST TROUBLE AND THE FIRST PRAYER 289

THE YOUNG SHIP-BUILDERS OF ELM ISLAND.