Work and Win or, Noddy Newman on a Cruise   By: Oliver Optic (1822-1897)

OLIVER OPTIC]

[Illustration]

[Illustration]

[Illustration: Signature: William T. Adams]

WORK AND WIN

OR

NODDY NEWMAN ON A CRUISE

A Story for Young People

BY

OLIVER OPTIC

AUTHOR OF "BOAT CLUB," "ALL ABOARD," "NOW OR NEVER," ETC., ETC.

NEW YORK HURST & COMPANY PUBLISHERS

To

MY YOUNG FRIEND,

Edward C. Bellows,

THIS BOOK

IS AFFECTIONATELY DEDICATED.

PREFACE.

In the preparation of this volume, the author has had in his mind the intention to delineate the progress of a boy whose education had been neglected, and whose moral attributes were of the lowest order, from vice and indifference to the development of a high moral and religious principle in the heart, which is the rule and guide of a pure and true life.

The incidents which make up the story are introduced to illustrate the moral status of the youth, at the beginning, and to develop the influences from which proceeded a gentle and Christian character. Mollie, the captain's daughter, whose simple purity of life, whose filial devotion to an erring parent, and whose trusting faith in the hour of adversity, won the love and respect of Noddy, was not the least of these influences. If the writer has not "moralized," it was because the true life, seen with the living eye, is better than any precept, however skilfully it may be dressed by the rhetorical genius of the moralist.

Once more the author takes pleasure in acknowledging the kindness of his young friends, who have so favorably received his former works; and he hopes that "WORK AND WIN," the fourth of the Woodville Stories, will have as pleasant a welcome as its predecessors.

WILLIAM T. ADAMS. HARRISON SQUARE. MASS., November 10, 1865.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER PAGE

I. The Mischief Makers 9

II. The Circus at Whitestone 21

III. A Moral Question 33

IV. Noddy's Confession 45

V. Squire Wriggs at Woodville 57

VI. Noddy's Engagement 70

VII. The Ring Master 81

VIII. Good by to Woodville 93

IX. An Attempt to Work and Win 105

X. Poor Mollie 117

XI. The Schooner Roebuck 129

XII. The Drunken Captain 141

XIII. The Shark 154

XIV. The Yellow Fever 167

XV. The Demon of the Cup 180

XVI. Night and Storm 193

XVII. After the Storm 206

XVIII. The Beautiful Island 217

XIX. The Visitors 228

XX. Homeward Bound 239

XXI. The Clergyman and his Wife 247

WORK AND WIN;

OR,

NODDY NEWMAN ON A CRUISE.

CHAPTER I.

THE MISCHIEF MAKERS.

"Here, Noddy Newman! you haven't washed out the boat house yet," said Ben, the boatman, as the young gentleman thus addressed was ambling down towards the river.

"Hang the boat house!" exclaimed Noddy, impatiently, as he stopped short in his walk, and seemed to be in doubt whether he should return or continue on his way.

"You know what Miss Bertha says don't you?"

"Yes, I know what she says," added Noddy, rubbing his head, as though he were trying to reconcile his present purpose, whatever it was, with the loyalty he owed to Bertha. "I suppose it don't make much difference to her whether I wash out the boat house now or by and by."