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）。
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