Chapter 21

NED MIXER.

Vacation--Associates--Edward Mixer--His character--Loitering around railroad depôts--An excursion into the country--The railroad bridge--Fruit--A fine garden--Getting over the fence--Looking for birds' nests--Disappearance of Edward and Alfred--A chase--Escape of the boys--Hailing each other--Edward's account of the adventure--A grand speculation--Pluck--Secrecy--Curiosity not gratified--Arrival of Oscar's uncle--The officer's interview with Mr. Preston--The real character and history of Ned--Timely warning--Oscar's astonishment--What he knew concerning Ned--A hint about forming new acquaintances--Oscar's removal from city temptations decided on--A caution and precaution--Departure--Ned's arrest and sentence--The "grand speculation" never divulged.

Illustrations.

WINTER SCENE ON BOSTON COMMON . . . . . . FRONTISPIECE

VIGNETTE . . . . . . . . . TITLE-PAGE

PLAYING SCHOOLMASTER.

THE ASSAULT.

BRIGHT AND HER FAMILY.

THANKSGIVING MARKET SCENE.

TIGER'S COUNTENANCE.

THE OVERTURN.

AFLOAT ON THE ICE.

A QUEER NAME.

THE DOUBLE FACE.

THE CAT-ERECT.

MAP OF BROOKDALE.

THE DINNER IN THE WOODS.

MARY AND THE PICTURE-BOOK.

THE STAGE-COACH.

HUNTING FOR BIRDS' NESTS.

OSCAR.