Mark Twain
Mark Twain (1835-1910) was an American humorist, novelist, and lecturer. Born Samuel Langhorne Clemens, he was raised in Hannibal, Missouri, a setting which would serve as inspiration for some of his most famous works. After an apprenticeship at a local printer’s shop, he worked as a typesetter and contributor for a newspaper run by his brother Orion. Before embarking on a career as a professional writer, Twain spent time as a riverboat pilot on the Mississippi and as a miner in Nevada. In 1865, inspired by a story he heard at Angels Camp, California, he published “The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County,” earning him international acclaim for his abundant wit and mastery of American English. He spent the next decade publishing works of travel literature, satirical stories and essays, and his first novel, The Gilded Age: A Tale of Today (1873). In 1876, he published The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, a novel about a mischievous young boy growing up on the banks of the Mississippi River. In 1884 he released a direct sequel, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, which follows one of Tom’s friends on an epic adventure through the heart of the American South. Addressing themes of race, class, history, and politics, Twain captures the joys and sorrows of boyhood while exposing and condemning American racism. Despite his immense success as a writer and popular lecturer, Twain struggled with debt and bankruptcy toward the end of his life, but managed to repay his creditors in full by the time of his passing at age 74. Curiously, Twain’s birth and death coincided with the appearance of Halley’s Comet, a fitting tribute to a visionary writer whose steady sense of morality survived some of the darkest periods of American history.
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Reviews for The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
5,664 ratings146 reviews
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5A young criminal mastermind-in-training gets into mischief with his disreputable neighborhood friends.
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5This tells the story of a boy, Tom Sawyer, and his best friend, Huck Finn, and some of the adventures they get into. Some of those adventures include ghosts, haunted houses and treasure. I listened to an audio version of this one, narrated by William Dufris. The narrator was very good with amazing expressions, but my mind wandered, anyway. The one mostly couldn't hold my interest. Because of that, I missed a lot, so initially, it almost felt like these were short stories, rather than a novel. A lot of the same characters did return later, and I think storylines were picked up again later, but it was hard to connect everything because I just hadn't focused enough. However, the parts of the book that I did catch, I thought were cute. And, I have to give bonus points for the narrator, so an “o.k.” 3 stars it is.
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5I read this book in my 6th grade. The story was gripping but not my favorite.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Even though this book is well over a century old it still holds up! It's funny, witty, and remarkably insightful into the head of a mischievous young boy. The games, and clothes, and manners may have changed; but kids would still be easily able to relate to the games that Tom Sawyer and his friend Huckleberry Finn play. From pirates to adventurers, they know how to have fun with practically nothing but their imagination. And the trouble, lord these two boys know how to get in trouble and worry their families half to death. From running away, getting lost in caves, witnessing a murder and more, Tom Sawyer is the king of trouble. A must read classic!
- Rating: 2 out of 5 stars2/5Cruciaal is de ontmoeting met Huckleberry Finn. Vinnige dialogen; Mooie impressie van jongensachtige gevoelens en leefwereld, genre Witte van Zichem (Claes is duidelijk maar een doordrukje van Twain). Toch maar matig boek.
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Borderline 3.5 stars, but not quite. Mainly because I didn't begin to truly enjoy the story until 2/3 of the way through.
This is the first time I have ever read Mark Twain, and wanted to read this as a precursor to Huck Finn. I respect Mark Twain and his influence on many popular authors. For me, this particular novel does not hold water against some of the other American greats (Steinbeck, Edgar Allen Poe, Hawthorne, Harriet Beecher Stowe, etc).
A lot can be said in regards to the portrayals of African-Americans and Native Americans in the book (particularly the character "Injun Joe"), and Tom Sawyer is often censored or banned due to the language. Without a doubt, parts of the novel were certainly uncomfortable to this modern reader. I actually appreciated this, as it gives a glimpse of what life was like--from the perspective of Mississippi River dwelling, Southern, white children--in the pre-Civil War South. Racism and all. I enjoyed the satirical approach and exaggeration to some of the customs and superstitions of that community during that time period.
Having said that, I concurrently read some of Twain's (Sam Clemens') other writings on American Indians, and it is atrocious. Product of the times or not, it left a bitter aftertaste while reading Sawyer. Hence the 3 stars.
I do feel any use of this text in school should include a discussion on racism, fear, discrimination, freedom, etc. - Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5I think I was supposed to read this in college. But never did. There were more important things to do like... (never mind).It was time to make up for the mistakes of my youth and take in a classic. That the audiobook was narrated by Nick Offerman was a bonus that moved Tom Sawyer to the top of my to-read list.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5I am adding this book as one of our family read-alouds. While often read by high school students as "classic" literature, this book proved a hit with my family audience, ages 8, 14,17 and middle aged.
It is funny and suspenseful and the characters are vivid, all requirements for making it on our read aloud picks. - Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5I'd forgotten what a little trouble maker Tom was. It was a nice enjoyable read.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5One point less for mocking Christianity
- Rating: 2 out of 5 stars2/5Cruciaal is de ontmoeting met Huckleberry Finn. Vinnige dialogen; Mooie impressie van jongensachtige gevoelens en leefwereld, genre Witte van Zichem (Claes is duidelijk maar een doordrukje van Twain). Toch maar matig boek.
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5I think Mark Twain is overrated.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5My dad read this book to me as a kid and I loved it. I had the best time re-reading it as an adult - remembering parts of the dialogue I knew by heart and enjoying the social satire bits that don't always register when you're a kid. A classic!
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5I really doubted this book would be a thriller, or energetic to read. This book makes you want to fall asleep while reading it. I am so sorry, but this book had so many POV'S I could not keep up. MY REVIEW; This book was a serious letdown. I thought there would be more action because it tells about a boys and his friends life in this story. NO ACTION. I liked some parts like when they were trying to find treasure and couldn't find it for like 3 chapters! No. Terrible absolutely did not like the writing. There was also different related stories to read while you finish Tom Sawyer but I decided NOT to read it.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5I had never read the Adventures of Tom Sawyer except in a childhood version in Golden Books or something like that. I skipped right over to read Huck Finn. While this is definitely a children's book in many ways, Twain writes in such a way that adults still enjoy Tom and his picaresque adventures, both as nostalgia for our own childhoods and because the adult voice of Twain cannot help inserting his snide commentaries on humanity.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5One of the books that I thought I had read but hadn't. It rushes along, adventure after adventure, capturing what it is is to be a child growing up.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Never read this during all my school years so I thought I had to give it a shot. I was surprised. I found the book to be rather enjoyable and unlike many other "classics" that fail to live up to the hype. A great story and definitely a classic.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Why had I never read this classic before?... who knows! But i'm glad I have now read it and will move right into listening to the Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Always preferred this to Huckleberry Finn--which puts me on the wrong side of just about everybody else's opinion. If the ending in the caves doesn't get your pulse racing, you probably don't have one. Found a beautiful like-new copy of the Heritage Edition, with color plates and numerous illustrations by Norman Rockwell.
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5My advice would be to drop whatever you're reading and read this now, before you're thirty-eight and can appreciate it but never love it.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Classic in every sense. Something new every time you read it.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5i absolutely loved it!
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Twain's bold themes are wonderfully depicted in this novel where Tom gets into all sorts of mischief. I love Twain's literary style and humor. Worth reading it at least once, if not more.
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5For Christmas, I ordered an mp3 player (Library of Classics) that was pre-loaded with 100 works of classic literature in an audio format. Each work is in the public domain and is read by amateurs, so the quality of the presentation is hit or miss. The Adventures of Tom Sawyer is a classic piece of 19th century literature penned by Mark Twain. It recounts several adventures in the life of a young, Missouri boy living in a small town on the Mississippi River. While it is at times amusing, the rural, 19th century slang and extremely superstitious beliefs of many of the characters, explained at length, soon becomes tiresome and annoying. Taken in small doses, the escapades of Sawyer and his compatriot Huck Finn can be tolerable, but combined in book length form, they soon lose their charm.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5From this novel I have learned that one can be the person who opens the door to someone in need in a time of desperation and changes his or her life for best. This message is portrayed by the characters of Will and Mr. Tom because when in need Mr. Tom provided Willie with a home, food, and most importantly of love and care he had never received from his mother. This novel contain historical episodes. For example Zach dies in an air raids. If one was not careful could die at any moment. Also, women were looked down to and were not expected to get a good eduction. This book is consider a classic in the literature. The way the story is written transport the reader to each scene.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5This book would've been given to one of my brothers at some stage and it's ended up in my possession. I'm sure no one ever read it the whole time its faded spine graced the family bookshelves. I think if I'd picked it up as a kid I would've found the dialect a bit difficult. It's only after watching plenty of TV that I have an inkling as to how those boys would've actually spoken. I must've read the first part at some stage, because the scene of Tom swindling the neighbourhood boys into white washing the fence is a resonant one.Anyhow, I'm glad I read the whole thing and can't believe it never got spoilered for me. Next I'll be cracking the spine on Huckleberry Finn.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5At the risk of repeating myself, I have taught Tom Sawyer many times as the novel in my five-book freshman intro to lit at MA community colleges. Of course Huck Finn is the novel most taught in colleges; Huck is the son of the town drunk, just as Edwin Land who invented the Polaroid was slanderously reputed to be. In HF, Twain does get the dialects well, and Jim is so well drawn, while the subject of race is paramount. But Tom Sawyer is actually a better critique of two major American institutions: schools and churches. Regarding schools, Tom Sawyer is the best critique of English composition--or preacher's rhetoric--in American lit.It's also a good critique of forms of adventure now so prevalent in film and TV; Tom compares forms of heroic withdrawal from the world, and finds a pirate preferable:"You see, a pirate don't have to do anything, Joe, when he's ashore, but a hermit, he has to be praying considerable, and then he don't have any fun, anyway, all by himself that way"(ch 13). True, the action plot with Injun Joe etc leads to a lame conclusion more like Horatio Alger; Tom invests at 5% to his greater glory. But here in the 21st C such a conclusion still holds appeal for retired readers.The freshman course I assigned this in always involved one play like an August Wilson or usually Shakespeare's Much Ado or Measure For Measure, one book of short stories, often by one author like VS Naipaul or Hemingway of Flannery O'Connor, a collection of poems, sometimes some essays, and a novel like TS or Seize the Day or Slaughterhouse-Five or Confederacy of Dunces or Alice in Wonderland. Sometimes local author Slocum's Sailing Alone Around the World.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The unabridged version, though racist and somewhat ignorant, looses the charm of the characters when edited. This book is an accurate reflection of an awkward time in the youth of our nation, and rather than glossed over, needs to be appreciated as such. We have come a long way!
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Tom Sawyer, orphaned and living with his Aunt Polly, befriends Huck Finn, the son of the town drunk. They, along with some of their friends, share in youthful adventures of a time and place when it was safe to romp around without adult supervision nearby. 19th century Missouri was also a time and place where racism still existed. Some will object to the terminology being used to refer to those of other ethnicities, but it can provide a good springboard for discussion if used with students about why those terms are no longer socially acceptable and about how social norms evolve. The story line with Becky Thatcher is also an interesting one that should generate discussion among readers. This was a re-read for me. It's a classic tale that while dated in some respects will probably continue to be enjoyed for some time to come.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Of course it's a well deserved classic!!
Book preview
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer - Mark Twain
The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, Complete
by Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens)
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almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or
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with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net
Title: The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, Complete
Author: Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens)
Release Date: August 20, 2006 [EBook #74]
Last updated: October 20, 2012
Language: English
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THE ADVENTURES OF TOM SAWYER
BY MARK TWAIN
(Samuel Langhorne Clemens)
CONTENTS
CHAPTER I.
Y-o-u-u Tom-Aunt Polly Decides Upon her Duty
—Tom Practices Music—The Challenge—A Private Entrance
CHAPTER II.
Strong Temptations—Strategic Movements
—The Innocents Beguiled
CHAPTER III.
Tom as a General—Triumph and Reward
—Dismal Felicity—Commission and Omission
CHAPTER IV.
Mental Acrobatics—Attending Sunday—School
—The Superintendent—Showing off
—Tom Lionized
CHAPTER V.
A Useful Minister—In Church—The Climax
CHAPTER VI.
Self-Examination—Dentistry—The Midnight Charm
—Witches and Devils—Cautious Approaches—Happy Hours
CHAPTER VII.
A Treaty Entered Into—Early Lessons—A Mistake Made
CHAPTER VIII.
Tom Decides on his Course—Old Scenes Re-enacted
CHAPTER IX.
A Solemn Situation—Grave Subjects Introduced
—Injun Joe Explains
CHAPTER X.
The Solemn Oath—Terror Brings Repentance
—Mental Punishment
CHAPTER XI.
Muff Potter Comes Himself—Tom's Conscience at Work
CHAPTER XII.
Tom Shows his Generosity—Aunt Polly Weakens
CHAPTER XIII.
The Young Pirates—Going to the Rendezvous
—The Camp—Fire Talk
CHAPTER XIV.
Camp-Life—A Sensation—Tom Steals Away from Camp
CHAPTER XV.
Tom Reconnoiters—Learns the Situation—Reports at Camp
CHAPTER XVI.
A Day's Amusements—Tom Reveals a Secret—The Pirates
take a Lesson —A Night Surprise—An Indian War
CHAPTER XVII.
Memories of the Lost Heroes—The Point in Tom's Secret
CHAPTER XVIII.
Tom's Feelings Investigated—Wonderful Dream
—Becky Thatcher Overshadowed
—Tom Becomes Jealous—Black Revenge
CHAPTER XIX.
Tom Tells the Truth
CHAPTER XX.
Becky in a Dilemma
—Tom's Nobility Asserts Itself
CHAPTER XXI.
Youthful Eloquence—Compositions by the
Young Ladies—A Lengthy Vision
—The Boy's Vengeance Satisfied
CHAPTER XXII.
Tom's Confidence Betrayed
—Expects Signal Punishment
CHAPTER XXIII. Old Muff's Friends—Muff Potter in Court
—Muff Potter Saved
CHAPTER XXIV. Tom as the Village Hero—Days of Splendor
and Nights of Horror—Pursuit of Injun Joe
CHAPTER XXV. About Kings and Diamonds—Search for the Treasure
—Dead People and Ghosts
CHAPTER XXVI. The Haunted House—Sleepy Ghosts
—A Box of Gold—Bitter Luck
CHAPTER XXVII. Doubts to be Settled—The Young Detectives
CHAPTER XXVIII.
An Attempt at No. Two—Huck Mounts Guard
CHAPTER XXIX.
The Pic-nic—Huck on Injun Joe's Track
—The Revenge
Job—Aid for the Widow
CHAPTER XXX.
The Welchman Reports—Huck Under Fire—The Story Circulated
—A New Sensation—Hope Giving Way to Despair
CHAPTER XXXI.
An Exploring Expedition—Trouble Commences
—Lost in the Cave—Total Darkness—Found but not Saved
CHAPTER XXXII.
Tom tells the Story of their Escape
—Tom's Enemy in Safe Quarters
CHAPTER XXXIII.
The Fate of Injun Joe—Huck and Tom Compare Notes
—An Expedition to the Cave—Protection Against Ghosts
—An Awful Snug Place
—A Reception at the Widow Douglas's
CHAPTER XXXIV.
Springing a Secret—Mr. Jones' Surprise a Failure
CHAPTER XXXV.
A New Order of Things—Poor Huck—New Adventures Planned
ILLUSTRATIONS
Tom Sawyer
Tom at Home
Aunt Polly Beguiled
A Good Opportunity
Who's Afraid
Late Home
Jim
'Tendin' to Business
Ain't that Work?
Cat and Toys
Amusement
Becky Thatcher
Paying Off
After the Battle
Showing Off
Not Amiss
Mary
Tom Contemplating
Dampened Ardor
Youth
Boyhood
Using the Barlow
The Church
Necessities
Tom as a Sunday-School Hero
The Prize
At Church
The Model Boy
The Church Choir
A Side Show
Result of Playing in Church
The Pinch-Bug
Sid
Dentistry
Huckleberry Finn
Mother Hopkins
Result of Tom's Truthfulness
Tom as an Artist
Interrupted Courtship
The Master
Vain Pleading
Tail Piece
The Grave in the Woods
Tom Meditates
Robin Hood and his Foe
Death of Robin Hood
Midnight
Tom's Mode of Egress
Tom's Effort at Prayer
Muff Potter Outwitted
The Graveyard
Forewarnings
Disturbing Muff's Sleep
Tom's Talk with his Aunt
Muff Potter
A Suspicious Incident
Injun Joe's two Victims
In the Coils
Peter
Aunt Polly seeks Information
A General Good Time
Demoralized
Joe Harper
On Board Their First Prize
The Pirates Ashore
Wild Life
The Pirate's Bath
The Pleasant Stroll
The Search for the Drowned
The Mysterious Writing
River View
What Tom Saw
Tom Swims the River
Taking Lessons
The Pirates' Egg Market
Tom Looking for Joe's Knife
The Thunder Storm
Terrible Slaughter
The Mourner
Tom's Proudest Moment
Amy Lawrence
Tom tries to Remember
The Hero
A Flirtation
Becky Retaliates
A Sudden Frost
Counter-irritation
Aunt Polly
Tom justified
The Discovery
Caught in the Act
Tom Astonishes the School
Literature
Tom Declaims
Examination Evening
On Exhibition
Prize Authors
The Master's Dilemma
The School House
The Cadet
Happy for Two Days
Enjoying the Vacation
The Stolen Melons
The Judge
Visiting the Prisoner
Tom Swears
The Court Room
The Detective
Tom Dreams
The Treasure
The Private Conference
A King; Poor Fellow!
Business
The Ha'nted House
Injun Joe
The Greatest and Best
Hidden Treasures Unearthed
The Boy's Salvation
Room No. 2
The Next Day's Conference
Treasures
Uncle Jake
Buck at Home
The Haunted Room
Run for Your Life
McDougal's Cave
Inside the Cave
Huck on Duty
A Rousing Act
Tail Piece
The Welchman
Result of a Sneeze
Cornered
Alarming Discoveries
Tom and Becky stir up the Town
Tom's Marks
Huck Questions the Widow
Vampires
Wonders of the Cave
Attacked by Natives
Despair
The Wedding Cake
A New Terror
Daylight
Turn Out
to Receive Tom and Becky
The Escape from the Cave
Fate of the Ragged Man
The Treasures Found
Caught at Last
Drop after Drop
Having a Good Time
A Business Trip
Got it at Last!
Tail Piece
Widow Douglas
Tom Backs his Statement
Tail Piece
Huck Transformed
Comfortable Once More
High up in Society
Contentment
PREFACE
Most of the adventures recorded in this book really occurred; one or two were experiences of my own, the rest those of boys who were schoolmates of mine. Huck Finn is drawn from life; Tom Sawyer also, but not from an individual—he is a combination of the characteristics of three boys whom I knew, and therefore belongs to the composite order of architecture.
The odd superstitions touched upon were all prevalent among children and slaves in the West at the period of this story—that is to say, thirty or forty years ago.
Although my book is intended mainly for the entertainment of boys and girls, I hope it will not be shunned by men and women on that account, for part of my plan has been to try to pleasantly remind adults of what they once were themselves, and of how they felt and thought and talked, and what queer enterprises they sometimes engaged in.
THE AUTHOR.
HARTFORD, 1876.
CHAPTER I
TOM!
No answer.
TOM!
No answer.
What's gone with that boy, I wonder? You TOM!
No answer.
The old lady pulled her spectacles down and looked over them about the room; then she put them up and looked out under them. She seldom or never looked through them for so small a thing as a boy; they were her state pair, the pride of her heart, and were built for style,
not service—she could have seen through a pair of stove-lids just as well. She looked perplexed for a moment, and then said, not fiercely, but still loud enough for the furniture to hear:
Well, I lay if I get hold of you I'll—
She did not finish, for by this time she was bending down and punching under the bed with the broom, and so she needed breath to punctuate the punches with. She resurrected nothing but the cat.
I never did see the beat of that boy!
She went to the open door and stood in it and looked out among the tomato vines and jimpson
weeds that constituted the garden. No Tom. So she lifted up her voice at an angle calculated for distance and shouted:
Y-o-u-u TOM!
There was a slight noise behind her and she turned just in time to seize a small boy by the slack of his roundabout and arrest his flight.
There! I might 'a' thought of that closet. What you been doing in there?
Nothing.
"Nothing! Look at your hands. And look at your mouth. What is that truck?"
I don't know, aunt.
Well, I know. It's jam—that's what it is. Forty times I've said if you didn't let that jam alone I'd skin you. Hand me that switch.
The switch hovered in the air—the peril was desperate—
My! Look behind you, aunt!
The old lady whirled round, and snatched her skirts out of danger. The lad fled on the instant, scrambled up the high board-fence, and disappeared over it.
His aunt Polly stood surprised a moment, and then broke into a gentle laugh.
Hang the boy, can't I never learn anything? Ain't he played me tricks enough like that for me to be looking out for him by this time? But old fools is the biggest fools there is. Can't learn an old dog new tricks, as the saying is. But my goodness, he never plays them alike, two days, and how is a body to know what's coming? He 'pears to know just how long he can torment me before I get my dander up, and he knows if he can make out to put me off for a minute or make me laugh, it's all down again and I can't hit him a lick. I ain't doing my duty by that boy, and that's the Lord's truth, goodness knows. Spare the rod and spile the child, as the Good Book says. I'm a laying up sin and suffering for us both, I know. He's full of the Old Scratch, but laws-a-me! he's my own dead sister's boy, poor thing, and I ain't got the heart to lash him, somehow. Every time I let him off, my conscience does hurt me so, and every time I hit him my old heart most breaks. Well-a-well, man that is born of woman is of few days and full of trouble, as the Scripture says, and I reckon it's so. He'll play hookey this evening, * and [* Southwestern for
afternoon"] I'll just be obleeged to make him work, tomorrow, to punish him. It's mighty hard to make him work Saturdays, when all the boys is having holiday, but he hates work more than he hates anything else, and I've got to do some of my duty by him, or I'll be the ruination of the child."
Tom did play hookey, and he had a very good time. He got back home barely in season to help Jim, the small colored boy, saw next-day's wood and split the kindlings before supper—at least he was there in time to tell his adventures to Jim while Jim did three-fourths of the work. Tom's younger brother (or rather half-brother) Sid was already through with his part of the work (picking up chips), for he was a quiet boy, and had no adventurous, trouble-some ways.
While Tom was eating his supper, and stealing sugar as opportunity offered, Aunt Polly asked him questions that were full of guile, and very deep—for she wanted to trap him into damaging revealments. Like many other simple-hearted souls, it was her pet vanity to believe she was endowed with a talent for dark and mysterious diplomacy, and she loved to contemplate her most transparent devices as marvels of low cunning. Said she:
Tom, it was middling warm in school, warn't it?
Yes'm.
Powerful warm, warn't it?
Yes'm.
Didn't you want to go in a-swimming, Tom?
A bit of a scare shot through Tom—a touch of uncomfortable suspicion. He searched Aunt Polly's face, but it told him nothing. So he said:
No'm—well, not very much.
The old lady reached out her hand and felt Tom's shirt, and said:
But you ain't too warm now, though.
And it flattered her to reflect that she had discovered that the shirt was dry without anybody knowing that that was what she had in her mind. But in spite of her, Tom knew where the wind lay, now. So he forestalled what might be the next move:
Some of us pumped on our heads—mine's damp yet. See?
Aunt Polly was vexed to think she had overlooked that bit of circumstantial evidence, and missed a trick. Then she had a new inspiration:
Tom, you didn't have to undo your shirt collar where I sewed it, to pump on your head, did you? Unbutton your jacket!
The trouble vanished out of Tom's face. He opened his jacket. His shirt collar was securely sewed.
"Bother! Well, go 'long with you. I'd made sure you'd played hookey and been a-swimming. But I forgive ye, Tom. I reckon you're a kind of a singed cat, as the saying is—better'n you look. This time."
She was half sorry her sagacity had miscarried, and half glad that Tom had stumbled into obedient conduct for once.
But Sidney said:
Well, now, if I didn't think you sewed his collar with white thread, but it's black.
Why, I did sew it with white! Tom!
But Tom did not wait for the rest. As he went out at the door he said:
Siddy, I'll lick you for that.
In a safe place Tom examined two large needles which were thrust into the lapels of his jacket, and had thread bound about them—one needle carried white thread and the other black. He said:
She'd never noticed if it hadn't been for Sid. Confound it! sometimes she sews it with white, and sometimes she sews it with black. I wish to gee-miny she'd stick to one or t'other—I can't keep the run of 'em. But I bet you I'll lam Sid for that. I'll learn him!
He was not the Model Boy of the village. He knew the model boy very well though—and loathed him.
Within two minutes, or even less, he had forgotten all his troubles. Not because his troubles were one whit less heavy and bitter to him than a man's are to a man, but because a new and powerful interest bore them down and drove them out of his mind for the time—just as men's misfortunes are forgotten in the excitement of new enterprises. This new interest was a valued novelty in whistling, which he had just acquired from a negro, and he was suffering to practise it un-disturbed. It consisted in a peculiar bird-like turn, a sort of liquid warble, produced by touching the tongue to the roof of the mouth at short intervals in the midst of the music—the reader probably remembers how to do it, if he has ever been a boy. Diligence and attention soon gave him the knack of it, and he strode down the street with his mouth full of harmony and his soul full of gratitude. He felt much as an astronomer feels who has discovered a new planet—no doubt, as far as strong, deep, unalloyed pleasure is concerned, the advantage was with the boy, not the astronomer.
The summer evenings were long. It was not dark, yet. Presently Tom checked his whistle. A stranger was before him—a boy a shade larger than himself. A new-comer of any age or either sex was an im-pressive curiosity in the poor little shabby village of St. Petersburg. This boy was well dressed, too—well dressed on a week-day. This was simply astounding. His cap was a dainty thing, his close-buttoned blue cloth roundabout was new and natty, and so were his pantaloons. He had shoes on—and it was only Friday. He even wore a necktie, a bright bit of ribbon. He had a citified air about him that ate into Tom's vitals. The more Tom stared at the splendid marvel, the higher he turned up his nose at his finery and the shabbier and shabbier his own outfit seemed to him to grow. Neither boy spoke. If one moved, the other moved—but only sidewise, in a circle; they kept face to face and eye to eye all the time. Finally Tom said:
I can lick you!
I'd like to see you try it.
Well, I can do it.
No you can't, either.
Yes I can.
No you can't.
I can.
You can't.
Can!
Can't!
An uncomfortable pause. Then Tom said:
What's your name?
'Tisn't any of your business, maybe.
"Well I 'low I'll make it my business."
Well why don't you?
If you say much, I will.
"Much—much—much. There now."
"Oh, you think you're mighty smart, don't you? I could lick you with one hand tied behind me, if I wanted to."
"Well why don't you do it? You say you can do it."
"Well I will, if you fool with me."
Oh yes—I've seen whole families in the same fix.
"Smarty! You think you're some, now, don't you? Oh, what a hat!"
You can lump that hat if you don't like it. I dare you to knock it off—and anybody that'll take a dare will suck eggs.
You're a liar!
You're another.
You're a fighting liar and dasn't take it up.
Aw—take a walk!
Say—if you give me much more of your sass I'll take and bounce a rock off'n your head.
"Oh, of course you will."
"Well I will."
"Well why don't you do it then? What do you keep saying you will for? Why don't you do it? It's because you're afraid."
"I ain't afraid."
You are.
I ain't.
You are.
Another pause, and more eying and sidling around each other. Presently they were shoulder to shoulder. Tom said:
Get away from here!
Go away yourself!
I won't.
I won't either.
So they stood, each with a foot placed at an angle as a brace, and both shoving with might and main, and glowering at each other with hate. But neither could get an advantage. After struggling till both were hot and flushed, each relaxed his strain with watchful caution, and Tom said:
You're a coward and a pup. I'll tell my big brother on you, and he can thrash you with his little finger, and I'll make him do it, too.
What do I care for your big brother? I've got a brother that's bigger than he is—and what's more, he can throw him over that fence, too.
[Both brothers were imaginary.]
That's a lie.
"Your saying so don't make it so."
Tom drew a line in the dust with his big toe, and said:
I dare you to step over that, and I'll lick you till you can't stand up. Anybody that'll take a dare will steal sheep.
The new boy stepped over promptly, and said:
Now you said you'd do it, now let's see you do it.
Don't you crowd me now; you better look out.
"Well, you said you'd do it—why don't you do it?"
"By jingo! for two cents I will do it."
The new boy took two broad coppers out of his pocket and held them out with derision. Tom struck them to the ground. In an instant both boys were rolling and tumbling in the dirt, gripped together like cats; and for the space of a minute they tugged and tore at each other's hair and clothes, punched and scratched each other's nose, and covered themselves with dust and glory. Presently the confusion took form, and through the fog of battle Tom appeared, seated astride the new boy, and pounding him with his fists. Holler 'nuff!
said he.
The boy only struggled to free himself. He was crying—mainly from rage.
Holler 'nuff!
—and the pounding went on.
At last the stranger got out a smothered 'Nuff!
and Tom let him up and said:
Now that'll learn you. Better look out who you're fooling with next time.
The new boy went off brushing the dust from his clothes, sobbing, snuffling, and occasionally looking back and shaking his head and threatening what he would do to Tom the next time he caught him out.
To which Tom responded with jeers, and started off in high feather, and as soon as his back was turned the new boy snatched up a stone, threw it and hit him between the shoulders and then turned tail and ran like an antelope. Tom chased the traitor home, and thus found out where he lived. He then held a position at the gate for some time, daring the enemy to come outside, but the enemy only made faces at him through the window and declined. At last the enemy's mother appeared, and called Tom a bad, vicious, vulgar child, and ordered him away. So he went away; but he said he 'lowed
to lay
for that boy.
He got home pretty late that night, and when he climbed cautiously in at the window, he uncovered an ambuscade, in the person of his aunt; and when she saw the state his clothes were in her resolution to turn his Saturday holiday into captivity at hard labor became adamantine in its firmness.
CHAPTER II
SATURDAY morning was come, and all the summer world was bright and fresh, and brimming with life. There was a song in every heart; and if the heart was young the music issued at the lips. There was cheer in every face and a spring in every step. The locust-trees were in bloom and the fragrance of the blossoms filled the air. Cardiff Hill, beyond the village and above it, was green with vegetation and it lay just far enough away to seem a Delectable Land, dreamy, reposeful, and inviting.
Tom appeared on the sidewalk with a bucket of whitewash and a long-handled brush. He surveyed the fence, and all gladness left him and a deep melancholy settled down