OLIVER OPTIC,
Reading edition
AUTHOR OF "YOUNG AMERICA ABROAD," "THE ARMY AND NAVY STORIES," "THE WOODVILLE STORIES," "THE BOAT-CLUB STORIES," "THE STARRY FLAG SERIES," "THE LAKE-SHORE SERIES," ETC.
WITH FOURTEEN ILLUSTRATIONS.
BOSTON: LEE AND SHEPARD, PUBLISHERS. NEW YORK: LEE, SHEPARD AND DILLINGHAM. 1871.
Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1871, By WILLIAM T. ADAMS, In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington.
ELECTROTYPED AT THE BOSTON STEREOTYPE FOUNDRY, 10 Spring Lane.
TO THE MEMORY OF
MY GOOD-NATURED AND VERSATILE YOUNG FRIEND
EDWIN A. FARWELL,
WHO, SINCE THIS BOOK WAS WRITTEN, HAS PASSED AWAY FROM THE SCENES OF EARTH, LOVED AND RESPECTED BY ALL WHO KNEW HIM,
IS AFFECTIONATELY DEDICATED.
THE UPWARD AND ONWARD SERIES.
1. Field and Forest; or, The Fortunes of a Farmer.
2. Plane and Plank; or, The Mishaps of a Mechanic.
3. Desk and Debit; or, The Catastrophes of a Clerk.
IN PREPARATION:
4. Cringle and Cross-Tree; or, The Sea Swashes of a Sailor.
5. Bivouac and Battle; or, The Struggles of a Soldier.
6. Sea and Shore; or, The Tramps of a Traveller.
PREFACE.
"Desk and Debit" is the third of "The Upward and Onward Series," in which Phil Farringford appears as a clerk. The principal events of the story are located in Chicago and on Lake Michigan—the latter, perhaps, because the author finds it quite impossible to write a story without a boat, which also involves the necessity of a broad sheet of water, or a long river. In this, as in its predecessors, evil-minded characters are introduced, to show the contrast between vice and virtue; but the hero, in whom the sympathies of the reader are supposed to be centred, is still faithful to his Christian duties, still reads his Bible, and "prays without ceasing."
Young and old are injured only by the precept and example of those whom they love, respect, or admire; and the writer has no fear that his readers will love, respect, or admire Charles Whippleton or Ben Waterford, or that they will fail to condemn their errors and their vices. The author hopes and expects that his young friends, while they follow Phil in his exciting experience in the counting-room, and in the "Marian" on Lake Michigan, will love and respect his virtues as well as his courage and resolution.
Harrison Square, Boston,
June 7, 1870.
CONTENTS.
PAGE
CHAPTER I.
In which Phil has a Talk with his Father, and reviews his past History. 11
CHAPTER II.
In which Phil starts for Chicago, and hears a familiar Name. 22
CHAPTER III.
In which Phil makes the Acquaintance of Mrs. Whippleton. 33
CHAPTER IV.
In which Phil is chivalrous, but has his Eyes opened. 44
CHAPTER V.
In which Phil takes a Room at Mrs. Whippleton's Boarding-house. 56
CHAPTER VI.
In which Phil is engaged as Entry Clerk for Collingsby and Whippleton. 67
CHAPTER VII.
In which Phil takes his Place at the Desk, and is engaged for a Year. 79
CHAPTER VIII.
In Which Phil Takes a Sail on the Lake With Mr. Whippleton. 90
CHAPTER IX.
In Which Phil Attempts To Make Out a Trial Balance. 102
CHAPTER X.
In which Phil is perplexed about certain Invoices. 113
CHAPTER XI.
In which Phil takes Charge of Mrs. Whippleton's earthly Treasure. 124
CHAPTER XII.
In which Phil visits the House of Mr. Collingsby, and sees Miss Marian. 135
CHAPTER XIII.
In which Phil looks into the Operations of the Junior Partner. 146
CHAPTER XIV.
In which Phil meets with a serious Catastrophe. 158
CHAPTER XV.
In which Phil goes to work in the Cook-room Of the Marian. 170
CHAPTER XVI.
In which Phil promises not to desert Miss Collingsby. 182
CHAPTER XVII.
In which Phil puts a Check on the Operations Of Mr. Ben Waterford. 194
CHAPTER XVIII.
In which Phil protests with the Boat-hook, but is protested. 205
CHAPTER XIX.
In which Phil profits by Circumstances, and weighs Anchor in the Marian. 218
CHAPTER XX.
In which Phil sails the Marian across Lake Michigan. 229
CHAPTER XXI.
In which Phil answers some Inquiries about the Fawn, and other Matters. 241
CHAPTER XXII.
In which Phil is bewildered, and the Marian sails for Chicago. 252
CHAPTER XXIII.
In which Phil, in the Marian, gets the Weather-gage of the Florina. 264
CHAPTER XXIV.
in which Phil goes to Sleep, and his severest Catastrophe comes. 275
CHAPTER XXV.
In which Phil suffers much Pain, and Marian is very resolute. 287
CHAPTER XXVI.
In which Phil finds the Tables turned, and the Marian runs into Chicago River. 298
CHAPTER XXVII.
In which Phil visits Mr. Collingsby again, and is a Hero in Spite of himself. 309
CHAPTER XXVIII.
In which Phil moralizes upon worldly Wisdom, and bids Farewell to Desk and Debit. 321