Seek and Find or The Adventures of a Smart Boy   By: Oliver Optic (1822-1897)

Oliver Optic]

[Illustration: ERNEST SWIMS FOR THE DESPATCH BARREL. Page 270]

SEEK AND FIND;

OR,

THE ADVENTURES OF A SMART BOY.

BY

OLIVER OPTIC,

AUTHOR OF "YOUNG AMERICA ABROAD," "THE ARMY AND NAVY STORIES," "THE WOODVILLE STORIES," "THE BOAT CLUB STORIES," "THE RIVERDALE STORIES," ETC.

BOSTON LEE AND SHEPARD PUBLISHERS

Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1867, by WILLIAM T. ADAMS, In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the District of Massachusetts.

COPYRIGHT, 1895, BY WILLIAM T. ADAMS. All rights reserved.

SEEK AND FIND.

=TO=

My Young Friend,

ALICE LEE GOOKIN ,

=This Book=

IS AFFECTIONATELY DEDICATED.

PREFACE.

"SEEK AND FIND" is the third of the serial stories published in "OUR BOYS AND GIRLS," where it appeared as the sequel of "BREAKING AWAY." The author had no more reason to complain of its reception than of that accorded to its predecessors; and he returns his sincere thanks to all those young friends who have written hundreds of letters to him, containing the most generous commendation, with an occasional criticism, which was by no means unwelcome.

Ernest Thornton is a smart boy perhaps he is too smart; but his smartness is not worldly cunning; it is made up of those elements of character which constitute a noble and true man good judgment, quick perception, and manly decision, mingled with those moral and religious attributes which are the leading springs of the true life. If some of the hero's actions are doubtful, his motives are always good. The greatest crime against the moral law is to be without a high aim; and while a thousand errors and short comings may be forgiven, the want of a good intention is the capital sin which may not be pardoned. While we cannot ask or expect all young men to accomplish what Ernest Thornton did, we may point to his high aims and good intentions, and say to the reader, "Go thou and do likewise."

HARRISON SQUARE, MASS., November 29, 1867.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I. PAGE IN WHICH ERNEST THORNTON BECOMES ACQUAINTED WITH MISS KATE LORAINE 11

CHAPTER II. IN WHICH ERNEST LISTENS TO THE STORY OF MISS KATE LORAINE 22

CHAPTER III. IN WHICH ERNEST CALLS UPON MRS. LORAINE 33

CHAPTER IV. IN WHICH ERNEST RELEASES THE CAPTIVE MAIDEN FROM HER PRISON 44

CHAPTER V. IN WHICH ERNEST IS AWAKENED BY A LOUD KNOCKING 56

CHAPTER VI. IN WHICH ERNEST GETS AN IDEA 67

CHAPTER VII. IN WHICH ERNEST HAS AN INTERVIEW WITH MR. TOM THORNTON 78

CHAPTER VIII. IN WHICH ERNEST VISITS HIS UNCLE'S LIBRARY 89

CHAPTER IX. IN WHICH ERNEST, AFTER A SUCCESSFUL RETREAT, FALLS INTO A TRAP 100

CHAPTER X. IN WHICH ERNEST STRIKES A HEAVY BLOW FOR LIBERTY 111

CHAPTER XI. IN WHICH ERNEST MAKES GOOD HIS RETREAT FROM THE COTTAGE 122

CHAPTER XII. IN WHICH ERNEST OBTAINS SOME VALUABLE LETTERS 132

CHAPTER XIII. IN WHICH ERNEST LEAVES PARKVILLE, AND TAKES THE TRAIN FOR THE EASTWARD 144

CHAPTER XIV. IN WHICH ERNEST WONDERS WHAT TOM THORNTON WILL DO, AND FINDS OUT 155

CHAPTER XV. IN WHICH ERNEST FACES THE ENEMY 166

CHAPTER XVI. IN WHICH ERNEST MAKES A LANDING ON THE HUDSON 177