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）。
