OR THE BOY CHIEF, THE INFANT POLITICIAN, AND THE PIRATE
PRODIGY
Author of "The Boy Slaver," "The Immature Incendiary," "The Precocious Pugilist," etc.,
etc.
It was a quiet New England village. Nowhere in the valley of the Connecticut the autumn
sun shone upon a more peaceful, pastoral, manufacturing community. The wooden
nutmegs were slowly ripening on the trees, and the white pine hams for Western
consumption were gradually rounding into form under the deft manipulation of the hardy
American artisan. The honest Connecticut farmer was quietly gathering from his
threshing floor the shoe-pegs, which, when intermixed with a fair proportion of oats,
offered a pleasing substitute for fodder to the effete civilizations of Europe. An almost
Sabbath-like stillness prevailed. Doemville was only seven miles from Hartford, and the
surrounding landscape smiled with the conviction of being fully insured.
Few would have thought that this peaceful village was the home of the three young
heroes whose exploits would hereafter--but we anticipate.
Doemville Academy was the principal seat of learning in the county. Under the grave and
gentle administration of the venerable Doctor Context, it had attained just popularity. Yet
the increasing infirmities of age obliged the doctor to relinquish much of his trust to his
assistants, who, it is needless to say, abused his confidence. Before long their brutal
tyranny and deep-laid malevolence became apparent. Boys were absolutely forced to
study their lessons. The sickening fact will hardly be believed, but during school hours
they were obliged to remain in their seats with the appearance at least of discipline. It is
stated by good authority that the rolling of croquet balls across the floor during recitation
was objected to, under the fiendish excuse of its interfering with their studies. The
breaking of windows by base balls, and the beating of small scholars with bats, were
declared against. At last, bloated and arrogant with success, the under- teachers threw
aside all disguise and revealed themselves in their true colors. A cigar was actually taken
out of a day scholar's mouth during prayers! A flask of whisky was dragged from
another's desk, and then thrown out of the window. And finally, Profanity, Hazing, Theft,
and Lying were almost discouraged!
Could the youth of America, conscious of their power and a literature of their own,
tamely submit to this tyranny? Never! We repeat it firmly. Never! We repeat it to parents
and guardians. Never! But the fiendish tutors, chuckling in their glee, little knew what
was passing through the cold, haughty intellect of Charles Fanuel Hall Golightly, aged
