第1章

PREFACEMOSToftheadventuresrecordedinthisbookreallyoccurred；oneortwowereexperiencesofmyown，therestthoseofboyswhowereschoolmatesofmine。HuckFinnisdrawnfromlife；TomSawyeralso，butnotfromanindividual——heisacombinationofthecharacteristicsofthreeboyswhomIknew，andthereforebelongstothecompositeorderofarchitecture。

TheoddsuperstitionstoucheduponwereallprevalentamongchildrenandslavesintheWestattheperiodofthisstory——thatistosay，thirtyorfortyyearsago。

Althoughmybookisintendedmainlyfortheentertainmentofboysandgirls，Ihopeitwillnotbeshunnedbymenandwomenonthataccount，forpartofmyplanhasbeentotrytopleasantlyremindadultsofwhattheyoncewerethemselves，andofhowtheyfeltandthoughtandtalked，andwhatqueerenterprisestheysometimesengagedin。

THEAUTHOR。HARTFORD，1876。

TheAdventuresofTomSawyer：Chapter1CHAPTERI\"TOM！\"

Noanswer。

\"TOM！\"

Noanswer。

\"What’sgonewiththatboy，Iwonder？YouTOM！\"

Noanswer。

Theoldladypulledherspectaclesdownandlookedoverthemabouttheroom；thensheputthemupandlookedoutunderthem。Sheseldomorneverlookedthroughthemforsosmallathingasaboy；theywereherstatepair，theprideofherheart，andwerebuiltfor\"style，\"notservice——shecouldhaveseenthroughapairofstove—lidsjustaswell。

Shelookedperplexedforamoment，andthensaid，notfiercely，butstillloudenoughforthefurnituretohear：

\"Well，IlayifIgetholdofyouI’ll——\"

Shedidnotfinish，forbythistimeshewasbendingdownandpunchingunderthebedwiththebroom，andsosheneededbreathtopunctuatethepuncheswith。Sheresurrectednothingbutthecat。

\"Ineverdidseethebeatofthatboy！\"

Shewenttotheopendoorandstoodinitandlookedoutamongthetomatovinesand\"jimpson\"weedsthatconstitutedthegarden。NoTom。

Soshelifteduphervoiceatananglecalculatedfordistanceandshouted：

\"Y—o—u—uTom！\"

Therewasaslightnoisebehindherandsheturnedjustintimetoseizeasmallboybytheslackofhisroundaboutandarresthisflight。

\"There！Imight’athoughtofthatcloset。Whatyoubeendoinginthere？\"

\"Nothing。\"

\"Nothing！Lookatyourhands。Andlookatyourmouth。Whatisthattruck？\"

\"Idon’tknow，aunt。\"

\"Well，Iknow。It’sjam——that’swhatitis。FortytimesI’vesaidifyoudidn’tletthatjamaloneI’dskinyou。Handmethatswitch。\"

Theswitchhoveredintheair——theperilwasdesperate——

\"My！Lookbehindyou，aunt！\"

Theoldladywhirledround，andsnatchedherskirtsoutofdanger。

Theladfledontheinstant，scrambledupthehighboard—fence，anddisappearedoverit。

HisauntPollystoodsurprisedamoment，andthenbrokeintoagentlelaugh。

\"Hangtheboy，can’tIneverlearnanything？Ain’theplayedmetricksenoughlikethatformetobelookingoutforhimbythistime？

Butoldfoolsisthebiggestfoolsthereis。Can’tlearnanolddognewtricks，asthesayingis。Butmygoodness，heneverplaysthemalike，twodays，andhowisabodytoknowwhat’scoming？He’pearstoknowjusthowlonghecantormentmebeforeIgetmydanderup，andheknowsifhecanmakeouttoputmeoffforaminuteormakemelaugh，it’salldownagainandIcan’thithimalick。Iain’tdoingmydutybythatboy，andthat’stheLord’struth，goodnessknows。Sparetherodandspilethechild，astheGoodBooksays。I’malayingupsinandsufferingforusboth，Iknow。

He’sfulloftheOldScratch，butlaws—a—me！he’smyowndeadsister’sboy，poorthing，andIain’tgotthehearttolashhim，somehow。EverytimeIlethimoff，myconsciencedoeshurtmeso，andeverytimeIhithimmyoldheartmostbreaks。Well—a—well，manthatisbornofwomanisoffewdaysandfulloftrouble，astheScripturesays，andIreckonit’sso。He’llplayhookeythisevening，*and[*Southwesternfor\"afternoon\"]

I’lljustbeobleegedtomakehimwork，to—morrow，topunishhim。It’smightyhardtomakehimworkSaturdays，whenalltheboysishavingholiday，buthehatesworkmorethanhehatesanythingelse，andI’vegottodosomeofmydutybyhim，orI’llbetheruinationofthechild。\"

Tomdidplayhookey，andhehadaverygoodtime。HegotbackhomebarelyinseasontohelpJim，thesmallcoloredboy，sawnext—day’swoodandsplitthekindlingsbeforesupper——atleasthewasthereintimetotellhisadventurestoJimwhileJimdidthree—fourthsofthework。

Tom’syoungerbrother（orratherhalf—brother）Sidwasalreadythroughwithhispartofthework（pickingupchips），forhewasaquietboy，andhadnoadventurous，troublesomeways。

WhileTomwaseatinghissupper，andstealingsugarasopportunityoffered，AuntPollyaskedhimquestionsthatwerefullofguile，andverydeep——forshewantedtotraphimintodamagingrevealments。Likemanyothersimple—heartedsouls，itwasherpetvanitytobelieveshewasendowedwithatalentfordarkandmysteriousdiplomacy，andshelovedtocontemplatehermosttransparentdevicesasmarvelsoflowcunning。Saidshe：

\"Tom，itwasmiddlingwarminschool，warn’tit？\"

\"Yes’m。\"

\"Powerfulwarm，warn’tit？\"

\"Yes’m。\"

\"Didn’tyouwanttogoina—swimming，Tom？\"

AbitofascareshotthroughTom——atouchofuncomfortablesuspicion。HesearchedAuntPolly’sface，butittoldhimnothing。Sohesaid：

\"No’m——well，notverymuch。\"

TheoldladyreachedoutherhandandfeltTom’sshirt，andsaid：

\"Butyouain’ttoowarmnow，though。\"Anditflatteredhertoreflectthatshehaddiscoveredthattheshirtwasdrywithoutanybodyknowingthatthatwaswhatshehadinhermind。Butinspiteofher，Tomknewwherethewindlay，now。Soheforestalledwhatmightbethenextmove：

\"Someofuspumpedonourheads——mine’sdampyet。See？\"

AuntPollywasvexedtothinkshehadoverlookedthatbitofcircumstantialevidence，andmissedatrick。Thenshehadanewinspiration：

\"Tom，youdidn’thavetoundoyourshirtcollarwhereIsewedit，topumponyourhead，didyou？Unbuttonyourjacket！\"

ThetroublevanishedoutofTom’sface。Heopenedhisjacket。

Hisshirtcollarwassecurelysewed。

\"Bother！Well，go’longwithyou。I’dmadesureyou’dplayedhookeyandbeena—swimming。ButIforgiveye，Tom。Ireckonyou’reakindofasingedcat，asthesayingis——better’nyoulook。Thistime。\"

Shewashalfsorryhersagacityhadmiscarried，andhalfgladthatTomhadstumbledintoobedientconductforonce。

ButSidneysaid：

\"Well，now，ifIdidn’tthinkyousewedhiscollarwithwhitethread，butit’sblack。\"

\"Why，Ididsewitwithwhite！Tom！\"

ButTomdidnotwaitfortherest。Ashewentoutatthedoorhesaid：

\"Siddy，I’lllickyouforthat。\"

InasafeplaceTomexaminedtwolargeneedleswhichwerethrustintothelapelsofhisjacket，andhadthreadboundaboutthem——oneneedlecarriedwhitethreadandtheotherblack。Hesaid：

\"She’dnevernoticedifithadn’tbeenforSid。Confoundit！sometimesshesewsitwithwhite，andsometimesshesewsitwithblack。Iwishtogeeminyshe’dsticktooneort’other——Ican’tkeeptherunof’em。ButIbetyouI’lllamSidforthat。I’lllearnhim！\"

HewasnottheModelBoyofthevillage。Heknewthemodelboyverywellthough——andloathedhim。

Withintwominutes，orevenless，hehadforgottenallhistroubles。

Notbecausehistroubleswereonewhitlessheavyandbittertohimthanaman’saretoaman，butbecauseanewandpowerfulinterestborethemdownanddrovethemoutofhismindforthetime——justasmen’smisfortunesareforgottenintheexcitementofnewenterprises。Thisnewinterestwasavaluednoveltyinwhistling，whichhehadjustacquiredfromanegro，andhewassufferingtopractiseitundisturbed。Itconsistedinapeculiarbird—liketurn，asortofliquidwarble，producedbytouchingthetonguetotheroofofthemouthatshortintervalsinthemidstofthemusic——

thereaderprobablyremembershowtodoit，ifhehaseverbeenaboy。

Diligenceandattentionsoongavehimtheknackofit，andhestrodedownthestreetwithhismouthfullofharmonyandhissoulfullofgratitude。

Hefeltmuchasanastronomerfeelswhohasdiscoveredanewplanet——

nodoubt，asfarasstrong，deep，unalloyedpleasureisconcerned，theadvantagewaswiththeboy，nottheastronomer。

Thesummereveningswerelong。Itwasnotdark，yet。PresentlyTomcheckedhiswhistle。Astrangerwasbeforehim——aboyashadelargerthanhimself。Anew—comerofanyageoreithersexwasanimpressivecuriosityinthepoorlittleshabbyvillageofSt。Petersburg。Thisboywaswelldressed，too——welldressedonaweek—day。Thiswassimplyastounding。

Hiscapwasadaintything，hisclosebuttonedblueclothroundaboutwasnewandnatty，andsowerehispantaloons。Hehadshoeson——anditwasonlyFriday。Heevenworeanecktie，abrightbitofribbon。HehadacitifiedairabouthimthatateintoTom’svitals。ThemoreTomstaredatthesplendidmarvel，thehigherheturneduphisnoseathisfineryandtheshabbierandshabbierhisownoutfitseemedtohimtogrow。Neitherboyspoke。Ifonemoved，theothermoved——butonlysidewise，inacircle；theykeptfacetofaceandeyetoeyeallthetime。FinallyTomsaid：

\"Icanlickyou！\"

\"I’dliketoseeyoutryit。\"

\"Well，Icandoit。\"

\"Noyoucan’t，either。\"

\"YesIcan。\"

\"Noyoucan’t。\"

\"Ican。\"

\"Youcan’t。\"

\"Can！\"

\"Can’t！\"

Anuncomfortablepause。ThenTomsaid：

\"What’syourname？\"

\"’Tisn’tanyofyourbusiness，maybe。\"

\"WellI’lowI’llmakeitmybusiness。\"

\"Wellwhydon’tyou？\"

\"Ifyousaymuch，Iwill。\"

\"Much——much——MUCH。Therenow。\"

\"Oh，youthinkyou’remightysmart，don’tyou？Icouldlickyouwithonehandtiedbehindme，ifIwantedto。\"

\"Wellwhydon’tyoudoit？Yousayyoucandoit。\"

\"WellIwill，ifyoufoolwithme。\"

\"Ohyes——I’veseenwholefamiliesinthesamefix。\"

\"Smarty！Youthinkyou’resome，now，don’tyou？

Oh，whatahat！\"

\"Youcanlumpthathatifyoudon’tlikeit。Idareyoutoknockitoff——andanybodythat’lltakeadarewillsuckeggs。\"

\"You’realiar！\"

\"You’reanother。\"

\"You’reafightingliaranddasn’ttakeitup。\"

\"Aw——takeawalk！\"

\"Say——ifyougivememuchmoreofyoursassI’lltakeandbouncearockoff’nyourhead。\"

\"Oh，ofcourseyouwill。\"

\"WellIwill。\"

\"Wellwhydon’tyoudoitthen？Whatdoyoukeepsayingyouwillfor？Whydon’tyoudoit？It’sbecauseyou’reafraid。\"

\"Iain’tafraid。\"

\"Youare。\"

\"Iain’t。\"

\"Youare。\"

Anotherpause，andmoreeyingandsidlingaroundeachother。Presentlytheywereshouldertoshoulder。Tomsaid：

\"Getawayfromhere！\"

\"Goawayyourself！\"

\"Iwon’t。\"

\"Iwon’teither。\"

Sotheystood，eachwithafootplacedatanangleasabrace，andbothshovingwithmightandmain，andgloweringateachotherwithhate。Butneithercouldgetanadvantage。Afterstrugglingtillbothwerehotandflushed，eachrelaxedhisstrainwithwatchfulcaution，andTomsaid：

\"You’reacowardandapup。I’lltellmybigbrotheronyou，andhecanthrashyouwithhislittlefinger，andI’llmakehimdoit，too。\"

\"WhatdoIcareforyourbigbrother？I’vegotabrotherthat’sbiggerthanheis——andwhat’smore，hecanthrowhimoverthatfence，too。\"[Bothbrotherswereimaginary。]

\"That’salie。\"

\"Yoursayingsodon’tmakeitso。\"

Tomdrewalineinthedustwithhisbigtoe，andsaid：

\"Idareyoutostepoverthat，andI’lllickyoutillyoucan’tstandup。Anybodythat’lltakeadarewillstealsheep。\"

Thenewboysteppedoverpromptly，andsaid：

\"Nowyousaidyou’ddoit，nowlet’sseeyoudoit。\"

\"Don’tyoucrowdmenow；youbetterlookout。\"

\"Well，yousaidyou’ddoit——whydon’tyoudoit？\"

\"Byjingo！fortwocentsIwilldoit。\"

Thenewboytooktwobroadcoppersoutofhispocketandheldthemoutwithderision。Tomstruckthemtotheground。Inaninstantbothboyswererollingandtumblinginthedirt，grippedtogetherlikecats；

andforthespaceofaminutetheytuggedandtoreateachother’shairandclothes，punchedandscratchedeachother’snose，andcoveredthemselveswithdustandglory。Presentlytheconfusiontookform，andthroughthefogofbattleTomappeared，seatedastridethenewboy，andpoundinghimwithhisfists。\"Holler’nuff！\"saidhe。

Theboyonlystruggledtofreehimself。Hewascrying——mainlyfromrage。

\"Holler’nuff！\"——andthepoundingwenton。

Atlastthestrangergotoutasmothered\"’Nuff！\"andTomlethimupandsaid：

\"Nowthat’lllearnyou。Betterlookoutwhoyou’refoolingwithnexttime。\"

Thenewboywentoffbrushingthedustfromhisclothes，sobbing，snuffling，andoccasionallylookingbackandshakinghisheadandthreateningwhathewoulddotoTomthe\"nexttimehecaughthimout。\"TowhichTomrespondedwithjeers，andstartedoffinhighfeather，andassoonashisbackwasturnedthenewboysnatchedupastone，threwitandhithimbetweentheshouldersandthenturnedtailandranlikeanantelope。Tomchasedthetraitorhome，andthusfoundoutwherehelived。Hethenheldapositionatthegateforsometime，daringtheenemytocomeoutside，buttheenemyonlymadefacesathimthroughthewindowanddeclined。Atlasttheenemy’smotherappeared，andcalledTomabad，vicious，vulgarchild，andorderedhimaway。Sohewentaway；buthesaidhe\"’lowed\"to\"lay\"forthatboy。

Hegothomeprettylatethatnight，andwhenheclimbedcautiouslyinatthewindow，heuncoveredanambuscade，inthepersonofhisaunt；

andwhenshesawthestatehisclotheswereinherresolutiontoturnhisSaturdayholidayintocaptivityathardlaborbecameadamantineinitsfirmness。

TheAdventuresofTomSawyer：Chapter2CHAPTERIISATURDAYmorningwascome，andallthesummerworldwasbrightandfresh，andbrimmingwithlife。Therewasasongineveryheart；andiftheheartwasyoungthemusicissuedatthelips。Therewascheerineveryfaceandaspringineverystep。Thelocust—treeswereinbloomandthefragranceoftheblossomsfilledtheair。CardiffHill，beyondthevillageandaboveit，wasgreenwithvegetationanditlayjustfarenoughawaytoseemaDelectableLand，dreamy，reposeful，andinviting。

Tomappearedonthesidewalkwithabucketofwhitewashandalong—handledbrush。Hesurveyedthefence，andallgladnesslefthimandadeepmelancholysettleddownuponhisspirit。Thirtyyardsofboardfenceninefeethigh。Lifetohimseemedhollow，andexistencebutaburden。

Sighing，hedippedhisbrushandpasseditalongthetopmostplank；repeatedtheoperation；diditagain；comparedtheinsignificantwhitewashedstreakwiththefar—reachingcontinentofunwhitewashedfence，andsatdownonatree—boxdiscouraged。Jimcameskippingoutatthegatewithatinpail，andsinging~BuffaloGals。BringingwaterfromthetownpumphadalwaysbeenhatefulworkinTom’seyes，before，butnowitdidnotstrikehimso。Herememberedthattherewascompanyatthepump。White，mulatto，andnegroboysandgirlswerealwaystherewaitingtheirturns，resting，tradingplaythings，quarrelling，fighting，skylarking。Andherememberedthatalthoughthepumpwasonlyahundredandfiftyyardsoff，Jimnevergotbackwithabucketofwaterunderanhour——andeventhensomebodygenerallyhadtogoafterhim。Tomsaid：

\"Say，Jim，I’llfetchthewaterifyou’llwhitewashsome。\"

Jimshookhisheadandsaid：

\"Can’t，MarsTom。Olemissis，shetolemeIgottogoan’gitdiswateran’notstopfoolin’roun’widanybody。Shesayshespec’MarsTomgwinetoaxmetowhitewash，an’soshetolemego’longan’’tendtomyownbusiness——she’lowedshe’d’tendtodewhitewashin’。\"

\"Oh，neveryoumindwhatshesaid，Jim。That’sthewayshealwaystalks。Gimmethebucket——Iwon’tbegoneonlyaaminute。SHEwon’teverknow。\"

\"Oh，Idasn’t，MarsTom。Olemississhe’dtakean’tardeheadoff’nme。’Deedshewould。\"

\"She！Sheneverlicksanybody——whacks’emovertheheadwithherthimble——andwhocaresforthat，I’dliketoknow。Shetalksawful，buttalkdon’thurt——anywaysitdon’tifshedon’tcry。Jim，I’llgiveyouamarvel。I’llgiveyouawhitealley！\"

Jimbegantowaver。

\"Whitealley，Jim！Andit’sabullytaw。\"

\"My！Dat’samightygaymarvel，Itellyou！ButMarsTomI’spowerful’fraidolemissis——\"

\"Andbesides，ifyouwillI’llshowyoumysoretoe。\"

Jimwasonlyhuman——thisattractionwastoomuchforhim。Heputdownhispail，tookthewhitealley，andbentoverthetoewithabsorbinginterestwhilethebandagewasbeingunwound。Inanothermomenthewasflyingdownthestreetwithhispailandatinglingrear，Tomwaswhitewashingwithvigor，andAuntPollywasretiringfromthefieldwithaslipperinherhandandtriumphinhereye。ButTom’senergydidnotlast。Hebegantothinkofthefunhehadplannedforthisday，andhissorrowsmultiplied。

Soonthefreeboyswouldcometrippingalongonallsortsofdeliciousexpeditions，andtheywouldmakeaworldoffunofhimforhavingtowork——theverythoughtofitburnthimlikefire。Hegotouthisworldlywealthandexaminedit——bitsoftoys，marbles，andtrash；enoughtobuyanexchangeofWORK，maybe，butnothalfenoughtobuysomuchashalfanhourofpurefreedom。Sohereturnedhisstraitenedmeanstohispocket，andgaveuptheideaoftryingtobuytheboys。Atthisdarkandhopelessmomentaninspirationburstuponhim！Nothinglessthanagreat，magnificentinspiration。

Hetookuphisbrushandwenttranquillytowork。BenRogershoveinsightpresently——theveryboy，ofallboys，whoseridiculehehadbeendreading。Ben’sgaitwasthehop—skip—and—jump——proofenoughthathisheartwaslightandhisanticipationshigh。Hewaseatinganapple，andgivingalong，melodiouswhoop，atintervals，followedbyadeep—tonedding—dong—dong，ding—dong—dong，forhewaspersonatingasteamboat。Ashedrewnear，heslackenedspeed，tookthemiddleofthestreet，leanedfarovertostar—boardandroundedtoponderouslyandwithlaboriouspompandcircumstance——forhewaspersonatingtheBigmissouri，andconsideredhimselftobedrawingninefeetofwater。Hewasboatandcaptainandengine—bellscombined，sohehadtoimaginehimselfstandingonhisownhurricane—deckgivingtheordersandexecutingthem：

\"Stopher，sir！Ting—a—ling—ling！\"Theheadwayranalmostout，andhedrewupslowlytowardthesidewalk。

\"Shipuptoback！Ting—a—ling—ling！\"Hisarmsstraightenedandstiffeneddownhissides。

\"Setherbackonthestabboard！Ting—a—ling—ling！Chow！ch—chow—wow！

Chow！\"Hisrighthand，meantime，describingstatelycircles——foritwasrepresentingaforty—footwheel。

\"Lethergobackonthelabboard！Ting—a—ling—ling！Chow—ch—chow—chow！\"

Thelefthandbegantodescribecircles。

\"Stopthestabboard！Ting—a—ling—ling！Stopthelabboard！Comeaheadonthestabboard！Stopher！Letyouroutsideturnoverslow！Ting—a—ling—ling！

Chow—ow—ow！Getoutthathead—line！livelynow！Come——outwithyourspring—line——what’reyouaboutthere！Takeaturnroundthatstumpwiththebightofit！Standbythatstage，now——lethergo！Donewiththeengines，sir！Ting—a—ling—ling！\"

\"Sh’t！s’h’t！sh’t！\"（tryingthegauge—cocks）。

Tomwentonwhitewashing——paidnoattentiontothesteamboat。

Benstaredamomentandthensaid：\"Hi—Yi！you’reupastump，ain’tyou！\"

Noanswer。Tomsurveyedhislasttouchwiththeeyeofanartist，thenhegavehisbrushanothergentlesweepandsurveyedtheresult，asbefore。Benrangedupalongsideofhim。Tom’smouthwateredfortheapple，buthestucktohiswork。Bensaid：

\"Hello，oldchap，yougottowork，hey？\"

Tomwheeledsuddenlyandsaid：

\"Why，it’syou，Ben！Iwarn’tnoticing。\"

\"Say——I’mgoingina—swimming，Iam。Don’tyouwishyoucould？

Butofcourseyou’ddrutherwork——wouldn’tyou？Courseyouwould！\"

Tomcontemplatedtheboyabit，andsaid：

\"Whatdoyoucallwork？\"

\"Why，ain’tthatwork？\"

Tomresumedhiswhitewashing，andansweredcarelessly：

\"Well，maybeitis，andmaybeitain’t。AllIknow，is，itsuitsTomSawyer。\"

\"Ohcome，now，youdon’tmeantoletonthatyoulikeit？\"

Thebrushcontinuedtomove。

\"Likeit？Well，Idon’tseewhyIoughtn’ttolikeit。Doesaboygetachancetowhitewashafenceeveryday？\"

Thatputthethinginanewlight。Benstoppednibblinghisapple。

Tomswepthisbrushdaintilybackandforth——steppedbacktonotetheeffect——addedatouchhereandthere——criticisedtheeffectagain——

Benwatchingeverymoveandgettingmoreandmoreinterested，moreandmoreabsorbed。Presentlyhesaid：

\"Say，Tom，letmewhitewashalittle。\"

Tomconsidered，wasabouttoconsent；buthealteredhismind：

\"No——no——Ireckonitwouldn’thardlydo，Ben。Yousee，AuntPolly’sawfulparticularaboutthisfence——righthereonthestreet，youknow——butifitwasthebackfenceIwouldn’tmindandshewouldn’t。Yes，she’sawfulparticularaboutthisfence；it’sgottobedoneverycareful；Ireckonthereain’toneboyinathousand，maybetwothousand，thatcandoitthewayit’sgottobedone。\"

\"No——isthatso？Ohcome，now——lemmejusttry。Onlyjustalittle——I’dletyou，ifyouwasme，Tom。\"

\"Ben，I’dliketo，honestinjun；butAuntPolly——well，Jimwantedtodoit，butshewouldn’tlethim；Sidwantedtodoit，andshewouldn’tletSid。Nowdon’tyouseehowI’mfixed？Ifyouwastotacklethisfenceandanythingwastohappentoit——\"

\"Oh，shucks，I’llbejustascareful。Nowlemmetry。Say——I’llgiveyouthecoreofmyapple。\"

\"Well，here——No，Ben，nowdon’t。I’mafeard——\"

\"I’llgiveyouallofit！\"

Tomgaveupthebrushwithreluctanceinhisface，butalacrityinhisheart。AndwhilethelatesteamerBigMissouriworkedandsweatedinthesun，theretiredartistsatonabarrelintheshadecloseby，dangledhislegs，munchedhisapple，andplannedtheslaughterofmoreinnocents。Therewasnolackofmaterial；boyshappenedalongeverylittlewhile；theycametojeer，butremainedtowhitewash。BythetimeBenwasfaggedout，TomhadtradedthenextchancetoBillyFisherforakite，ingoodrepair；andwhenheplayedout，JohnnyMillerboughtinforadeadratandastringtoswingitwith——andsoon，andsoon，hourafterhour。Andwhenthemiddleoftheafternooncame，frombeingapoorpoverty—strickenboyinthemorning，Tomwasliterallyrollinginwealth。

Hehadbesidesthethingsbeforementioned，twelvemarbles，partofajews—harp，apieceofbluebottle—glasstolookthrough，aspoolcannon，akeythatwouldn’tunlockanything，afragmentofchalk，aglassstopperofadecanter，atinsoldier，acoupleoftadpoles，sixfire—crackers，akittenwithonlyoneeye，abrassdoorknob，adog—collar——butnodog——thehandleofaknife，fourpiecesoforange—peel，andadilapidatedoldwindowsash。

Hehadhadanice，good，idletimeallthewhile——plentyofcompany——andthefencehadthreecoatsofwhitewashonit！Ifhehadn’trunoutofwhitewashhewouldhavebankruptedeveryboyinthevillage。

Tomsaidtohimselfthatitwasnotsuchahollowworld，afterall。Hehaddiscoveredagreatlawofhumanaction，withoutknowingit——namely，thatinordertomakeamanoraboycovetathing，itisonlynecessarytomakethethingdifficulttoattain。Ifhehadbeenagreatandwisephilosopher，likethewriterofthisbook，hewouldnowhavecomprehendedthatWorkconsistsofwhateverabodyisobligedtodo，andthatPlayconsistsofwhateverabodyisnotobligedtodo。Andthiswouldhelphimtounderstandwhyconstructingartificialflowersorperformingonatread—milliswork，whilerollingten—pinsorclimbingMontBlancisonlyamusement。TherearewealthygentlemeninEnglandwhodrivefour—horsepassenger—coachestwentyorthirtymilesonadailyline，inthesummer，becausetheprivilegecoststhemconsiderablemoney；butiftheywereofferedwagesfortheservice，thatwouldturnitintoworkandthentheywouldresign。

Theboymusedawhileoverthesubstantialchangewhichhadtakenplaceinhisworldlycircumstances，andthenwendedtowardheadquarterstoreport。

TheAdventuresofTomSawyer：Chapter3CHAPTERIIITOMpresentedhimselfbeforeAuntPolly，whowassittingbyanopenwindowinapleasantrearwardapartment，whichwasbedroom，breakfast—room，dining—room，andlibrary，combined。Thebalmysummerair，therestfulquiet，theodoroftheflowers，andthedrowsingmurmurofthebeeshadhadtheireffect，andshewasnoddingoverherknitting——forshehadnocompanybutthecat，anditwasasleepinherlap。Herspectacleswereproppeduponhergrayheadforsafety。ShehadthoughtthatofcourseTomhaddesertedlongago，andshewonderedatseeinghimplacehimselfinherpoweragaininthisintrepidway。Hesaid：\"Mayn’tIgoandplaynow，aunt？\"

\"What，a’ready？Howmuchhaveyoudone？\"

\"It’salldone，aunt。\"

\"Tom，don’tlietome——Ican’tbearit。\"

\"Iain’t，aunt；itisalldone。\"

AuntPollyplacedsmalltrustinsuchevidence。Shewentouttoseeforherself；andshewouldhavebeencontenttofindtwentypercent。

ofTom’sstatementtrue。Whenshefoundtheentirefencewhitewashed，andnotonlywhitewashedbutelaboratelycoatedandrecoated，andevenastreakaddedtotheground，herastonishmentwasalmostunspeakable。Shesaid：

\"Well，Inever！There’snogettingroundit，youcanworkwhenyou’reamindto，Tom。\"Andthenshedilutedthecomplimentbyadding，\"Butit’spowerfulseldomyou’reamindto，I’mboundtosay。Well，go’longandplay；butmindyougetbacksometimeinaweek，orI’lltanyou。\"

Shewassoovercomebythesplendorofhisachievementthatshetookhimintotheclosetandselectedachoiceappleanddeliveredittohim，alongwithanimprovinglectureupontheaddedvalueandflavoratreattooktoitselfwhenitcamewithoutsinthroughvirtuouseffort。

AndwhilesheclosedwithahappyScripturalflourish，he\"hooked\"adoughnut。

Thenheskippedout，andsawSidjuststartinguptheoutsidestairwaythatledtothebackroomsonthesecondfloor。Clodswerehandyandtheairwasfulloftheminatwinkling。TheyragedaroundSidlikeahail—storm；andbeforeAuntPollycouldcollecthersurprisedfacultiesandsallytotherescue，sixorsevenclodshadtakenpersonaleffect，andTomwasoverthefenceandgone。Therewasagate，butasageneralthinghewastoocrowdedfortimetomakeuseofit。Hissoulwasatpeace，nowthathehadsettledwithSidforcallingattentiontohisblackthreadandgettinghimintotrouble。

Tomskirtedtheblock，andcameroundintoamuddyalleythatledbythebackofhisaunt’scow—stable。Hepresentlygotsafelybeyondthereachofcaptureandpunishment，andhastenedtowardthepublicsquareofthevillage，wheretwo\"military\"companiesofboyshadmetforconflict，accordingtopreviousappointment。TomwasGeneralofoneofthesearmies，JoeHarper（abosomfriend）Generaloftheother。Thesetwogreatcommandersdidnotcondescendtofightinperson——thatbeingbettersuitedtothestillsmallerfry——butsattogetheronaneminenceandconductedthefieldoperationsbyordersdeliveredthroughaides—de—camp。Tom’sarmywonagreatvictory，afteralongandhard—foughtbattle。Thenthedeadwerecounted，prisonersexchanged，thetermsofthenextdisagreementagreedupon，andthedayforthenecessarybattleappointed；afterwhichthearmiesfellintolineandmarchedaway，andTomturnedhomewardalone。

AshewaspassingbythehousewhereJeffThatcherlived，hesawanewgirlinthegarden——alovelylittleblue—eyedcreaturewithyellowhairplaitedintotwolong—tails，whitesummerfrockandembroideredpantalettes。

Thefresh—crownedherofellwithoutfiringashot。AcertainAmyLawrencevanishedoutofhisheartandleftnotevenamemoryofherselfbehind。

Hehadthoughthelovedhertodistraction；hehadregardedhispassionasadoration；andbeholditwasonlyapoorlittleevanescentpartiality。

Hehadbeenmonthswinningher；shehadconfessedhardlyaweekago；hehadbeenthehappiestandtheproudestboyintheworldonlysevenshortdays，andhereinoneinstantoftimeshehadgoneoutofhisheartlikeacasualstrangerwhosevisitisdone。

Heworshippedthisnewangelwithfurtiveeye，tillhesawthatshehaddiscoveredhim；thenhepretendedhedidnotknowshewaspresent，andbeganto\"showoff\"inallsortsofabsurdboyishways，inordertowinheradmiration。Hekeptupthisgrotesquefoolishnessforsometime；

butby—and—by，whilehewasinthemidstofsomedangerousgymnasticperformances，heglancedasideandsawthatthelittlegirlwaswendingherwaytowardthehouse。Tomcameuptothefenceandleanedonit，grieving，andhopingshewouldtarryyetawhilelonger。Shehaltedamomentonthestepsandthenmovedtowardthedoor。Tomheavedagreatsighassheputherfootonthethreshold。Buthisfacelitup，rightaway，forshetossedapansyoverthefenceamomentbeforeshedisappeared。

Theboyranaroundandstoppedwithinafootortwooftheflower，andthenshadedhiseyeswithhishandandbegantolookdownstreetasifhehaddiscoveredsomethingofinterestgoingoninthatdirection。

Presentlyhepickedupastrawandbegantryingtobalanceitonhisnose，withhisheadtiltedfarback；andashemovedfromsidetoside，inhisefforts，heedgednearerandnearertowardthepansy；finallyhisbarefootresteduponit，hisplianttoescloseduponit，andhehoppedawaywiththetreasureanddisappearedroundthecorner。Butonlyforaminute——onlywhilehecouldbuttontheflowerinsidehisjacket，nexthisheart——ornexthisstomach，possibly，forhewasnotmuchpostedinanatomy，andnothypercritical，anyway。

Hereturned，now，andhungaboutthefencetillnightfall，\"showingoff，\"asbefore；butthegirlneverexhibitedherselfagain，thoughTomcomfortedhimselfalittlewiththehopethatshehadbeennearsomewindow，meantime，andbeenawareofhisattentions。Finallyhestrodehomereluctantly，withhispoorheadfullofvisions。

Allthroughsupperhisspiritsweresohighthathisauntwondered\"whathadgotintothechild。\"HetookagoodscoldingaboutcloddingSid，anddidnotseemtominditintheleast。Hetriedtostealsugarunderhisaunt’sverynose，andgothisknucklesrappedforit。Hesaid：

\"Aunt，youdon’twhackSidwhenhetakesit。\"

\"Well，Siddon’ttormentabodythewayyoudo。You’dbealwaysintothatsugarifIwarn’twatchingyou。\"

Presentlyshesteppedintothekitchen，andSid，happyinhisimmunity，reachedforthesugar—bowl——asortofgloryingoverTomwhichwaswellnighunbearable。ButSid’sfingersslippedandthebowldroppedandbroke。Tomwasinecstasies。Insuchecstasiesthatheevencontrolledhistongueandwassilent。Hesaidtohimselfthathewouldnotspeakaword，evenwhenhisauntcamein，butwouldsitperfectlystilltillsheaskedwhodidthemischief；andthenhewouldtell，andtherewouldbenothingsogoodintheworldastoseethatpetmodel\"catchit。\"Hewassobrimfulofexultationthathecouldhardlyholdhimselfwhentheoldladycamebackandstoodabovethewreckdischarginglightningsofwrathfromoverherspectacles。Hesaidtohimself，\"Nowit’scoming！\"Andthenextinstanthewassprawlingonthefloor！ThepotentpalmwasupliftedtostrikeagainwhenTomcriedout：

\"Holdon，now，what’eryoubeltingmefor？——Sidbrokeit！\"

AuntPollypaused，perplexed，andTomlookedforhealingpity。

Butwhenshegothertongueagain，sheonlysaid：

\"Umf！Well，youdidn’tgetalickamiss，Ireckon。YoubeenintosomeotheraudaciousmischiefwhenIwasn’taround，likeenough。\"

Thenherconsciencereproachedher，andsheyearnedtosaysomethingkindandloving；butshejudgedthatthiswouldbeconstruedintoaconfessionthatshehadbeeninthewrong，anddisciplineforbadethat。Soshekeptsilence，andwentaboutheraffairswithatroubledheart。Tomsulkedinacornerandexaltedhiswoes。Heknewthatinherhearthisauntwasonherkneestohim，andhewasmoroselygratifiedbytheconsciousnessofit。Hewouldhangoutnosignals，hewouldtakenoticeofnone。Heknewthatayearningglancefelluponhim，nowandthen，throughafilmoftears，butherefusedrecognitionofit。Hepicturedhimselflyingsickuntodeathandhisauntbendingoverhimbeseechingonelittleforgivingword，buthewouldturnhisfacetothewall，anddiewiththatwordunsaid。Ah，howwouldshefeelthen？Andhepicturedhimselfbroughthomefromtheriver，dead，withhiscurlsallwet，andhissoreheartatrest。Howshewouldthrowherselfuponhim，andhowhertearswouldfalllikerain，andherlipsprayGodtogiveherbackherboyandshewouldnever，neverabusehimanymore！Buthewouldlietherecoldandwhiteandmakenosign——

apoorlittlesufferer，whosegriefswereatanend。Hesoworkeduponhisfeelingswiththepathosofthesedreams，thathehadtokeepswallowing，hewassoliketochoke；andhiseyesswaminablurofwater，whichoverflowedwhenhewinked，andrandownandtrickledfromtheendofhisnose。Andsuchaluxurytohimwasthispettingofhissorrows，thathecouldnotbeartohaveanyworldlycheerinessoranygratingdelightintrudeuponit；itwastoosacredforsuchcontact；andso，presently，whenhiscousinMarydancedin，allalivewiththejoyofseeinghomeagainafteranage—longvisitofoneweektothecountry，hegotupandmovedincloudsanddarknessoutatonedoorasshebroughtsongandsunshineinattheother。

Hewanderedfarfromtheaccustomedhauntsofboys，andsoughtdesolateplacesthatwereinharmonywithhisspirit。Alograftintheriverinvitedhim，andheseatedhimselfonitsouteredgeandcontemplatedthedrearyvastnessofthestream，wishing，thewhile，thathecouldonlybedrowned，allatonceandunconsciously，withoutundergoingtheuncomfortableroutinedevisedbynature。Thenhethoughtofhisflower。Hegotitout，rumpledandwilted，anditmightilyincreasedhisdismalfelicity。Hewonderedifshewouldpityhimifsheknew？Wouldshecry，andwishthatshehadarighttoputherarmsaroundhisneckandcomforthim？Orwouldsheturncoldlyawaylikeallthehollowworld？Thispicturebroughtsuchanagonyofpleasurablesufferingthatheworkeditoverandoveragaininhismindandsetitupinnewandvariedlights，tillheworeitthreadbare。Atlastheroseupsighinganddepartedinthedarkness。

Abouthalf—pastnineorteno’clockhecamealongthedesertedstreettowheretheAdoredUnknownlived；hepausedamoment；nosoundfelluponhislisteningear；acandlewascastingadullglowuponthecurtainofasecond—storywindow。Wasthesacredpresencethere？Heclimbedthefence，threadedhisstealthywaythroughtheplants，tillhestoodunderthatwindow；helookedupatitlong，andwithemotion；thenhelaidhimdownonthegroundunderit，disposinghimselfuponhisback，withhishandsclaspeduponhisbreastandholdinghispoorwiltedflower。Andthushewoulddie——outinthecoldworld，withnoshelteroverhishomelesshead，nofriendlyhandtowipethedeath—dampsfromhisbrow，nolovingfacetobendpityinglyoverhimwhenthegreatagonycame。Andthusshewouldseehimwhenshelookedoutuponthegladmorning，andoh！wouldshedroponelittletearuponhispoor，lifelessform，wouldsheheaveonelittlesightoseeabrightyounglifesorudelyblighted，sountimelycutdown？

Thewindowwentup，amaid—servant’sdiscordantvoiceprofanedtheholycalm，andadelugeofwaterdrenchedthepronemartyr’sremains！

Thestranglingherosprangupwitharelievingsnort。Therewasawhizasofamissileintheair，mingledwiththemurmurofacurse，asoundasofshiveringglassfollowed，andasmall，vagueformwentoverthefenceandshotawayinthegloom。

Notlongafter，asTom，allundressedforbed，wassurveyinghisdrenchedgarmentsbythelightofatallowdip，Sidwokeup；butifhehadanydimideaofmakingany\"referencestoallusions，\"hethoughtbetterofitandheldhispeace，fortherewasdangerinTom’seye。

Tomturnedinwithouttheaddedvexationofprayers，andSidmadementalnoteoftheomission。

TheAdventuresofTomSawyer：Chapter4CHAPTERIVTHEsunroseuponatranquilworld，andbeameddownuponthepeacefulvillagelikeabenediction。Breakfastover，AuntPollyhadfamilyworship：itbeganwithaprayerbuiltfromthegroundupofsolidcoursesofScripturalquotations，weldedtogetherwithathinmortaroforiginality；andfromthesummitofthisshedeliveredagrimchapteroftheMosaicLaw，asfromSinai。

ThenTomgirdeduphisloins，sotospeak，andwenttoworkto\"gethisverses。\"Sidhadlearnedhislessondaysbefore。Tombentallhisenergiestothememorizingoffiveverses，andhechosepartoftheSermonontheMount，becausehecouldfindnoversesthatwereshorter。

AttheendofhalfanhourTomhadavaguegeneralideaofhislesson，butnomore，forhismindwastraversingthewholefieldofhumanthought，andhishandswerebusywithdistractingrecreations。Marytookhisbooktohearhimrecite，andhetriedtofindhiswaythroughthefog：

\"Blessedarethe——a——a——\"

\"Poor\"——

\"Yes——poor；blessedarethepoor——a——a——\"

\"Inspirit——\"

\"Inspirit；blessedarethepoorinspirit，forthey——they——\"

\"Theirs——\"

\"Fortheirs。Blessedarethepoorinspirit，fortheirsisthekingdomofheaven。Blessedaretheythatmourn，forthey——they——\"

\"Sh——\"

\"Forthey——a——\"

\"S，H，A——\"

\"FortheyS，H——Oh，Idon’tknowwhatitis！\"

\"Shall！\"

\"Oh，shall！fortheyshall——fortheyshall——a——a——shallmourn——a——a——blessedaretheythatshall——theythat——

a——theythatshallmourn，fortheyshall——a——shallwhat？Whydon’tyoutellme，Mary？——whatdoyouwanttobesomeanfor？\"

\"Oh，Tom，youpoorthick—headedthing，I’mnotteasingyou。I

wouldn’tdothat。Youmustgoandlearnitagain。Don’tyoubediscouraged，Tom，you’llmanageit——andifyoudo，I’llgiveyousomethingeversonice。There，now，that’sagoodboy。\"

\"Allright！Whatisit，Mary，tellmewhatitis。\"

\"Neveryoumind，Tom。YouknowifIsayit’snice，itisnice。\"

\"Youbetyouthat’sso，Mary。Allright，I’lltackleitagain。\"

Andhedid\"tackleitagain\"——andunderthedoublepressureofcuriosityandprospectivegainhediditwithsuchspiritthatheaccomplishedashiningsuccess。Marygavehimabrand—new\"Barlow\"knifeworthtwelveandahalfcents；andtheconvulsionofdelightthatswepthissystemshookhimtohisfoundations。True，theknifewouldnotcutanything，butitwasa\"sure—enough\"Barlow，andtherewasinconceivablegrandeurinthat——thoughwheretheWesternboysevergottheideathatsuchaweaponcouldpossiblybecounterfeitedtoitsinjuryisanimposingmysteryandwillalwaysremainso，perhaps。Tomcontrivedtoscarifythecupboardwithit，andwasarrangingtobeginonthebureau，whenhewascalledofftodressforSunday—school。

Marygavehimatinbasinofwaterandapieceofsoap，andhewentoutsidethedoorandsetthebasinonalittlebenchthere；thenhedippedthesoapinthewaterandlaiditdown；turneduphissleeves；pouredoutthewaterontheground，gently，andthenenteredthekitchenandbegantowipehisfacediligentlyonthetowelbehindthedoor。ButMaryremovedthetowelandsaid：

\"Nowain’tyouashamed，Tom。Youmustn’tbesobad。Waterwon’thurtyou。\"

Tomwasatrifledisconcerted。Thebasinwasrefilled，andthistimehestoodoveritalittlewhile，gatheringresolution；tookinabigbreathandbegan。Whenheenteredthekitchenpresently，withbotheyesshutandgropingforthetowelwithhishands，anhonorabletestimonyofsudsandwaterwasdrippingfromhisface。Butwhenheemergedfromthetowel，hewasnotyetsatisfactory，forthecleanterritorystoppedshortathischinandhisjaws，likeamask；belowandbeyondthislinetherewasadarkexpanseofunirrigatedsoilthatspreaddownwardinfrontandbackwardaroundhisneck。Marytookhiminhand，andwhenshewasdonewithhimhewasamanandabrother，withoutdistinctionofcolor，andhissaturatedhairwasneatlybrushed，anditsshortcurlswroughtintoadaintyandsymmetricalgeneraleffect。[Heprivatelysmoothedoutthecurls，withlaboranddifficulty，andplasteredhishairclosedowntohishead；forheheldcurlstobeeffeminate，andhisownfilledhislifewithbitterness。]ThenMarygotoutasuitofhisclothingthathadbeenusedonlyonSundaysduringtwoyears——theyweresimplycalledhis\"otherclothes\"——andsobythatweknowthesizeofhiswardrobe。Thegirl\"puthimtorights\"afterhehaddressedhimself；shebuttonedhisneatroundaboutuptohischin，turnedhisvastshirtcollardownoverhisshoulders，brushedhimoffandcrownedhimwithhisspeckledstrawhat。Henowlookedexceedinglyimprovedanduncomfortable。Hewasfullyasuncomfortableashelooked；

fortherewasarestraintaboutwholeclothesandcleanlinessthatgalledhim。HehopedthatMarywouldforgethisshoes，butthehopewasblighted；

shecoatedthemthoroughlywithtallow，aswasthecustom，andbroughtthemout。Helosthistemperandsaidhewasalwaysbeingmadetodoeverythinghedidn’twanttodo。ButMarysaid，persuasively：

\"Please，Tom——that’sagoodboy。\"

Sohegotintotheshoessnarling。Marywassoonready，andthethreechildrensetoutforSunday—school——aplacethatTomhatedwithhiswholeheart；butSidandMarywerefondofit。

Sabbath—schoolhourswerefromninetohalf—pastten；andthenchurchservice。Twoofthechildrenalwaysremainedforthesermonvoluntarily，andtheotheralwaysremainedtoo——forstrongerreasons。Thechurch’shigh—backed，uncushionedpewswouldseataboutthreehundredpersons；theedificewasbutasmall，plainaffair，withasortofpineboardtree—boxontopofitforasteeple。AtthedoorTomdroppedbackastepandaccostedaSunday—dressedcomrade：

\"Say，Billy，gotayallerticket？\"

\"Yes。\"

\"What’llyoutakeforher？\"

\"What’llyougive？\"

\"Pieceoflickrishandafish—hook。\"

\"Lesssee’em。\"

Tomexhibited。Theyweresatisfactory，andthepropertychangedhands。ThenTomtradedacoupleofwhitealleysforthreeredtickets，andsomesmalltrifleorotherforacoupleofblueones。Hewaylaidotherboysastheycame，andwentonbuyingticketsofvariouscolorstenorfifteenminuteslonger。Heenteredthechurch，now，withaswarmofcleanandnoisyboysandgirls，proceededtohisseatandstartedaquarrelwiththefirstboythatcamehandy。Theteacher，agrave，elderlyman，interfered；

thenturnedhisbackamomentandTompulledaboy’shairinthenextbench，andwasabsorbedinhisbookwhentheboyturnedaround；stuckapininanotherboy，presently，inordertohearhimsay\"Ouch！\"andgotanewreprimandfromhisteacher。Tom’swholeclasswereofapattern——restless，noisy，andtroublesome。Whentheycametorecitetheirlessons，notoneofthemknewhisversesperfectly，buthadtobepromptedallalong。However，theyworriedthrough，andeachgothisreward——insmallbluetickets，eachwithapassageofScriptureonit；eachblueticketwaspayfortwoversesoftherecitation。Tenblueticketsequalledaredone，andcouldbeexchangedforit；tenredticketsequalledayellowone；fortenyellowticketsthesuperintendentgaveaveryplainlyboundBible（worthfortycentsinthoseeasytimes）tothepupil。Howmanyofmyreaderswouldhavetheindustryandapplicationtomemorizetwothousandverses，evenforaDoreBible？AndyetMaryhadacquiredtwoBiblesinthisway——itwasthepatientworkoftwoyears——andaboyofGermanparentagehadwonfourorfive。Heoncerecitedthreethousandverseswithoutstopping；butthestrainuponhismentalfacultieswastoogreat，andhewaslittlebetterthananidiotfromthatdayforth——agrievousmisfortunefortheschool，forongreatoccasions，beforecompany，thesuperintendent（asTomexpressedit）hadalwaysmadethisboycomeoutand\"spreadhimself。\"OnlytheolderpupilsmanagedtokeeptheirticketsandsticktotheirtediousworklongenoughtogetaBible，andsothedeliveryofoneoftheseprizeswasarareandnoteworthycircumstance；thesuccessfulpupilwassogreatandconspicuousforthatdaythatonthespoteveryscholar’sheartwasfiredwithafreshambitionthatoftenlastedacoupleofweeks。ItispossiblethatTom’smentalstomachhadneverreallyhungeredforoneofthoseprizes，butunquestionablyhisentirebeinghadformanyadaylongedforthegloryandtheeclatthatcamewithit。

Induecoursethesuperintendentstoodupinfrontofthepulpit，withaclosedhymn—bookinhishandandhisforefingerinsertedbetweenitsleaves，andcommandedattention。WhenaSunday—schoolsuperintendentmakeshiscustomarylittlespeech，ahymn—bookinthehandisasnecessaryasistheinevitablesheetofmusicinthehandofasingerwhostandsforwardontheplatformandsingsasoloataconcert——thoughwhy，isamystery：forneitherthehymn—booknorthesheetofmusiciseverreferredtobythesufferer。Thissuperintendentwasaslimcreatureofthirty—five，withasandygoateeandshortsandyhair；heworeastiffstanding—collarwhoseupperedgealmostreachedhisearsandwhosesharppointscurvedforwardabreastthecornersofhismouth——afencethatcompelledastraightlookoutahead，andaturningofthewholebodywhenasideviewwasrequired；

hischinwasproppedonaspreadingcravatwhichwasasbroadandaslongasabank—note，andhadfringedends；hisboottoeswereturnedsharplyup，inthefashionoftheday，likesleigh—runners——aneffectpatientlyandlaboriouslyproducedbytheyoungmenbysittingwiththeirtoespressedagainstawallforhourstogether。Mr。Walterswasveryearnestofmien，andverysincereandhonestatheart；andheheldsacredthingsandplacesinsuchreverence，andsoseparatedthemfromworldlymatters，thatunconsciouslytohimselfhisSunday—schoolvoicehadacquiredapeculiarintonationwhichwaswhollyabsentonweek—days。Hebeganafterthisfashion：

\"Now，children，Iwantyoualltositupjustasstraightandprettyasyoucanandgivemeallyourattentionforaminuteortwo。There——thatisit。Thatisthewaygoodlittleboysandgirlsshoulddo。I

seeonelittlegirlwhoislookingoutofthewindow——IamafraidshethinksIamouttheresomewhere——perhapsupinoneofthetreesmakingaspeechtothelittlebirds。[Applausivetitter。]Iwanttotellyouhowgooditmakesmefeeltoseesomanybright，cleanlittlefacesassembledinaplacelikethis，learningtodorightandbegood。\"Andsoforthandsoon。Itisnotnecessarytosetdowntherestoftheoration。Itwasofapatternwhichdoesnotvary，andsoitisfamiliartousall。

Thelatterthirdofthespeechwasmarredbytheresumptionoffightsandotherrecreationsamongcertainofthebadboys，andbyfidgetingsandwhisperingsthatextendedfarandwide，washingeventothebasesofisolatedandincorruptiblerockslikeSidandMary。Butnoweverysoundceasedsuddenly，withthesubsidenceofMr。Walters’voice，andtheconclusionofthespeechwasreceivedwithaburstofsilentgratitude。

Agoodpartofthewhisperinghadbeenoccasionedbyaneventwhichwasmoreorlessrare——theentranceofvisitors：lawyerThatcher，accompaniedbyaveryfeebleandagedman；afine，portly，middle—agedgentlemanwithiron—grayhair；andadignifiedladywhowasdoubtlessthelatter’swife。Theladywasleadingachild。Tomhadbeenrestlessandfullofchafingsandrepinings；conscience—smitten，too——hecouldnotmeetAmyLawrence’seye，hecouldnotbrookherlovinggaze。Butwhenhesawthissmallnew—comerhissoulwasallablazewithblissinamoment。

Thenextmomenthewas\"showingoff\"withallhismight——cuffingboys，pullinghair，makingfaces——inaword，usingeveryartthatseemedlikelytofascinateagirlandwinherapplause。Hisexaltationhadbutonealloy——thememoryofhishumiliationinthisangel’sgarden——andthatrecordinsandwasfastwashingout，underthewavesofhappinessthatweresweepingoveritnow。

Thevisitorsweregiventhehighestseatofhonor，andassoonasMr。Walters’speechwasfinished，heintroducedthemtotheschool。

Themiddle—agedmanturnedouttobeaprodigiouspersonage——nolessaonethanthecountyjudge——altogetherthemostaugustcreationthesechildrenhadeverlookedupon——andtheywonderedwhatkindofmaterialhewasmadeof——andtheyhalfwantedtohearhimroar，andwerehalfafraidhemight，too。HewasfromConstantinople，twelvemilesaway——

sohehadtravelled，andseentheworld——theseveryeyeshadlookeduponthecountycourt—house——whichwassaidtohaveatinroof。Theawewhichthesereflectionsinspiredwasattestedbytheimpressivesilenceandtheranksofstaringeyes。ThiswasthegreatJudgeThatcher，brotheroftheirownlawyer。JeffThatcherimmediatelywentforward，tobefamiliarwiththegreatmanandbeenviedbytheschool。Itwouldhavebeenmusictohissoultohearthewhisperings：

\"Lookathim，Jim！He’sagoingupthere。Say——look！he’sagoingtoshakehandswithhim——heisshakinghandswithhim！Byjings，don’tyouwishyouwasJeff？\"

Mr。Waltersfellto\"showingoff，\"withallsortsofofficialbustlingsandactivities，givingorders，deliveringjudgments，dischargingdirectionshere，there，everywherethathecouldfindatarget。Thelibrarian\"showedoff\"——runninghitherandthitherwithhisarmsfullofbooksandmakingadealofthesplutterandfussthatinsectauthoritydelightsin。Theyoungladyteachers\"showedoff\"——bendingsweetlyoverpupilsthatwerelatelybeingboxed，liftingprettywarningfingersatbadlittleboysandpattinggoodoneslovingly。Theyounggentlementeachers\"showedoff\"withsmallscoldingsandotherlittledisplaysofauthorityandfineattentiontodiscipline——andmostoftheteachers，ofbothsexes，foundbusinessupatthelibrary，bythepulpit；anditwasbusinessthatfrequentlyhadtobedoneoveragaintwoorthreetimes（withmuchseemingvexation）。

Thelittlegirls\"showedoff\"invariousways，andthelittleboys\"showedoff\"withsuchdiligencethattheairwasthickwithpaperwadsandthemurmurofscufflings。Andaboveitallthegreatmansatandbeamedamajesticjudicialsmileuponallthehouse，andwarmedhimselfinthesunofhisowngrandeur——forhewas\"showingoff，\"too。

TherewasonlyonethingwantingtomakeMr。Walters’ecstasycomplete，andthatwasachancetodeliveraBible—prizeandexhibitaprodigy。Severalpupilshadafewyellowtickets，butnonehadenough——

hehadbeenaroundamongthestarpupilsinquiring。Hewouldhavegivenworlds，now，tohavethatGermanladbackagainwithasoundmind。

Andnowatthismoment，whenhopewasdead，TomSawyercameforwardwithnineyellowtickets，nineredtickets，andtenblueones，anddemandedaBible。Thiswasathunderboltoutofaclearsky。Walterswasnotexpectinganapplicationfromthissourceforthenexttenyears。Buttherewasnogettingaroundit——herewerethecertifiedchecks，andtheyweregoodfortheirface。TomwasthereforeelevatedtoaplacewiththeJudgeandtheotherelect，andthegreatnewswasannouncedfromheadquarters。Itwasthemoststunningsurpriseofthedecade，andsoprofoundwasthesensationthatitliftedthenewherouptothejudicialone’saltitude，andtheschoolhadtwomarvelstogazeuponinplaceofone。Theboyswerealleatenupwithenvy——butthosethatsufferedthebitterestpangswerethosewhoperceivedtoolatethattheythemselveshadcontributedtothishatedsplendorbytradingticketstoTomforthewealthhehadamassedinsellingwhitewashingprivileges。Thesedespisedthemselves，asbeingthedupesofawilyfraud，aguilefulsnakeinthegrass。

TheprizewasdeliveredtoTomwithasmucheffusionasthesuperintendentcouldpumpupunderthecircumstances；butitlackedsomewhatofthetruegush，forthepoorfellow’sinstincttaughthimthattherewasamysteryherethatcouldnotwellbearthelight，perhaps；itwassimplypreposterousthatthisboyhadwarehousedtwothousandsheavesofScripturalwisdomonhispremises——adozenwouldstrainhiscapacity，withoutadoubt。

AmyLawrencewasproudandglad，andshetriedtomakeTomseeitinherface——buthewouldn’tlook。Shewondered；thenshewasjustagraintroubled；nextadimsuspicioncameandwent——cameagain；shewatched；afurtiveglancetoldherworlds——andthenherheartbroke，andshewasjealous，andangry，andthetearscameandshehatedeverybody。

Tommostofall（shethought）。