Reading Help Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain Ch.I-XV
tickets and stick to their tedious work long enough to get a Bible, and `
` so the delivery of one of these prizes was a rare and noteworthy `
` circumstance; the successful pupil was so great and conspicuous for `
` that day that on the spot every scholar's heart was fired with a fresh `
` ambition that often lasted a couple of weeks. It is possible that Tom's `
` mental stomach had never really hungered for one of those prizes, but `
` unquestionably his entire being had for many a day longed for the glory `
` and the eclat that came with it. `
` `
` In due course the superintendent stood up in front of the pulpit, with `
` a closed hymn-book in his hand and his forefinger inserted between its `
` leaves, and commanded attention. When a Sunday-school superintendent `
` makes his customary little speech, a hymn-book in the hand is as `
` necessary as is the inevitable sheet of music in the hand of a singer `
` who stands forward on the platform and sings a solo at a concert `
` --though why, is a mystery: for neither the hymn-book nor the sheet of `
` music is ever referred to by the sufferer. This superintendent was a `
` slim creature of thirty-five, with a sandy goatee and short sandy hair; `
` he wore a stiff standing-collar whose upper edge almost reached his `
` ears and whose sharp points curved forward abreast the corners of his `
` mouth--a fence that compelled a straight lookout ahead, and a turning `
` of the whole body when a side view was required; his chin was propped `
` on a spreading cravat which was as broad and as long as a bank-note, `
` and had fringed ends; his boot toes were turned sharply up, in the `
` fashion of the day, like sleigh-runners--an effect patiently and `
` laboriously produced by the young men by sitting with their toes `
` pressed against a wall for hours together. Mr. Walters was very earnest `
` of mien, and very sincere and honest at heart; and he held sacred `
` things and places in such reverence, and so separated them from worldly `
` matters, that unconsciously to himself his Sunday-school voice had `
` acquired a peculiar intonation which was wholly absent on week-days. He `
` began after this fashion: `
` `
` "Now, children, I want you all to sit up just as straight and pretty `
` as you can and give me all your attention for a minute or two. There `
` --that is it. That is the way good little boys and girls should do. I see `
` one little girl who is looking out of the window--I am afraid she `
` thinks I am out there somewhere--perhaps up in one of the trees making `
` a speech to the little birds. [Applausive titter.] I want to tell you `
` how good it makes me feel to see so many bright, clean little faces `
` assembled in a place like this, learning to do right and be good." And `
` so forth and so on. It is not necessary to set down the rest of the `
` oration. It was of a pattern which does not vary, and so it is familiar `
` to us all. `
` `
` The latter third of the speech was marred by the resumption of fights `
` and other recreations among certain of the bad boys, and by fidgetings `
` and whisperings that extended far and wide, washing even to the bases `
` of isolated and incorruptible rocks like Sid and Mary. But now every `
` sound ceased suddenly, with the subsidence of Mr. Walters' voice, and `
` the conclusion of the speech was received with a burst of silent `
` gratitude. `
` `
` A good part of the whispering had been occasioned by an event which `
` was more or less rare--the entrance of visitors: lawyer Thatcher, `
` accompanied by a very feeble and aged man; a fine, portly, middle-aged `
` gentleman with iron-gray hair; and a dignified lady who was doubtless `
` the latter's wife. The lady was leading a child. Tom had been restless `
` and full of chafings and repinings; conscience-smitten, too--he could `
` not meet Amy Lawrence's eye, he could not brook her loving gaze. But `
` when he saw this small new-comer his soul was all ablaze with bliss in `
` a moment. The next moment he was "showing off" with all his might `
` --cuffing boys, pulling hair, making faces--in a word, using every art `
` that seemed likely to fascinate a girl and win her applause. His `
` exaltation had but one alloy--the memory of his humiliation in this `
` angel's garden--and that record in sand was fast washing out, under `
` the waves of happiness that were sweeping over it now. `
` `
` The visitors were given the highest seat of honor, and as soon as Mr. `
` Walters' speech was finished, he introduced them to the school. The `
` middle-aged man turned out to be a prodigious personage--no less a one `
` than the county judge--altogether the most august creation these `
` children had ever looked upon--and they wondered what kind of material `
` he was made of--and they half wanted to hear him roar, and were half `
` afraid he might, too. He was from Constantinople, twelve miles away--so `
` he had travelled, and seen the world--these very eyes had looked upon `
` the county court-house--which was said to have a tin roof. The awe `
` which these reflections inspired was attested by the impressive silence `
` and the ranks of staring eyes. This was the great Judge Thatcher, `
` brother of their own lawyer. Jeff Thatcher immediately went forward, to `
` be familiar with the great man and be envied by the school. It would `
` have been music to his soul to hear the whisperings: `
` `
` "Look at him, Jim! He's a going up there. Say--look! he's a going to `
` shake hands with him--he IS shaking hands with him! By jings, don't you `
` wish you was Jeff?" `
` `
` Mr. Walters fell to "showing off," with all sorts of official `
` bustlings and activities, giving orders, delivering judgments, `
` discharging directions here, there, everywhere that he could find a `
` target. The librarian "showed off"--running hither and thither with his `
` arms full of books and making a deal of the splutter and fuss that `
` insect authority delights in. The young lady teachers "showed off" `
` --bending sweetly over pupils that were lately being boxed, lifting `
` pretty warning fingers at bad little boys and patting good ones `
` lovingly. The young gentlemen teachers "showed off" with small `
` scoldings and other little displays of authority and fine attention to `
` discipline--and most of the teachers, of both sexes, found business up `
` at the library, by the pulpit; and it was business that frequently had `
` to be done over again two or three times (with much seeming vexation). `
` The little girls "showed off" in various ways, and the little boys `
` "showed off" with such diligence that the air was thick with paper wads `
` and the murmur of scufflings. And above it all the great man sat and `
` beamed a majestic judicial smile upon all the house, and warmed himself `
` in the sun of his own grandeur--for he was "showing off," too. `
` `
` There was only one thing wanting to make Mr. Walters' ecstasy `
` complete, and that was a chance to deliver a Bible-prize and exhibit a `
` prodigy. Several pupils had a few yellow tickets, but none had enough `
` --he had been around among the star pupils inquiring. He would have given `
` worlds, now, to have that German lad back again with a sound mind. `
` `
` And now at this moment, when hope was dead, Tom Sawyer came forward `
` with nine yellow tickets, nine red tickets, and ten blue ones, and `
` demanded a Bible. This was a thunderbolt out of a clear sky. Walters `
` was not expecting an application from this source for the next ten `
` years. But there was no getting around it--here were the certified `
` checks, and they were good for their face. Tom was therefore elevated `
` to a place with the Judge and the other elect, and the great news was `
` announced from headquarters. It was the most stunning surprise of the `
` decade, and so profound was the sensation that it lifted the new hero `
` up to the judicial one's altitude, and the school had two marvels to `
` gaze upon in place of one. The boys were all eaten up with envy--but `
` those that suffered the bitterest pangs were those who perceived too `
` late that they themselves had contributed to this hated splendor by `
` trading tickets to Tom for the wealth he had amassed in selling `
` whitewashing privileges. These despised themselves, as being the dupes `
` of a wily fraud, a guileful snake in the grass. `
` `
` The prize was delivered to Tom with as much effusion as the `
` superintendent could pump up under the circumstances; but it lacked `
` somewhat of the true gush, for the poor fellow's instinct taught him `
` that there was a mystery here that could not well bear the light, `
` perhaps; it was simply preposterous that this boy had warehoused two `
` thousand sheaves of Scriptural wisdom on his premises--a dozen would `
` strain his capacity, without a doubt. `
` `
` Amy Lawrence was proud and glad, and she tried to make Tom see it in `
` her face--but he wouldn't look. She wondered; then she was just a grain `
` troubled; next a dim suspicion came and went--came again; she watched; `
` a furtive glance told her worlds--and then her heart broke, and she was `
` jealous, and angry, and the tears came and she hated everybody. Tom `
` most of all (she thought). `
` `
` Tom was introduced to the Judge; but his tongue was tied, his breath `
` would hardly come, his heart quaked--partly because of the awful `
` greatness of the man, but mainly because he was her parent. He would `
` have liked to fall down and worship him, if it were in the dark. The `
` Judge put his hand on Tom's head and called him a fine little man, and `
` asked him what his name was. The boy stammered, gasped, and got it out: `
` `
` "Tom." `
` `
` "Oh, no, not Tom--it is--" `
` `
` "Thomas." `
` `
` "Ah, that's it. I thought there was more to it, maybe. That's very `
` well. But you've another one I daresay, and you'll tell it to me, won't `
` you?" `
` `
` "Tell the gentleman your other name, Thomas," said Walters, "and say `
` sir. You mustn't forget your manners." `
` `
` "Thomas Sawyer--sir." `
` `
` "That's it! That's a good boy. Fine boy. Fine, manly little fellow. `
` Two thousand verses is a great many--very, very great many. And you `
` never can be sorry for the trouble you took to learn them; for `
` knowledge is worth more than anything there is in the world; it's what `
` makes great men and good men; you'll be a great man and a good man `
` yourself, some day, Thomas, and then you'll look back and say, It's all `
` owing to the precious Sunday-school privileges of my boyhood--it's all `
` owing to my dear teachers that taught me to learn--it's all owing to `
` the good superintendent, who encouraged me, and watched over me, and `
` gave me a beautiful Bible--a splendid elegant Bible--to keep and have `
` it all for my own, always--it's all owing to right bringing up! That is `
` what you will say, Thomas--and you wouldn't take any money for those `
` two thousand verses--no indeed you wouldn't. And now you wouldn't mind `
` telling me and this lady some of the things you've learned--no, I know `
` you wouldn't--for we are proud of little boys that learn. Now, no `
` doubt you know the names of all the twelve disciples. Won't you tell us `
` the names of the first two that were appointed?" `
` `
` Tom was tugging at a button-hole and looking sheepish. He blushed, `
` now, and his eyes fell. Mr. Walters' heart sank within him. He said to `
` himself, it is not possible that the boy can answer the simplest `
` question--why DID the Judge ask him? Yet he felt obliged to speak up `
` and say: `
` `
` "Answer the gentleman, Thomas--don't be afraid." `
` `
` Tom still hung fire. `
` `
` "Now I know you'll tell me," said the lady. "The names of the first `
` two disciples were--" `
` `
` "DAVID AND GOLIAH!" `
` `
` Let us draw the curtain of charity over the rest of the scene. `
` `
`
` so the delivery of one of these prizes was a rare and noteworthy `
` circumstance; the successful pupil was so great and conspicuous for `
` that day that on the spot every scholar's heart was fired with a fresh `
` ambition that often lasted a couple of weeks. It is possible that Tom's `
` mental stomach had never really hungered for one of those prizes, but `
` unquestionably his entire being had for many a day longed for the glory `
` and the eclat that came with it. `
` `
` In due course the superintendent stood up in front of the pulpit, with `
` a closed hymn-book in his hand and his forefinger inserted between its `
` leaves, and commanded attention. When a Sunday-school superintendent `
` makes his customary little speech, a hymn-book in the hand is as `
` necessary as is the inevitable sheet of music in the hand of a singer `
` who stands forward on the platform and sings a solo at a concert `
` --though why, is a mystery: for neither the hymn-book nor the sheet of `
` music is ever referred to by the sufferer. This superintendent was a `
` slim creature of thirty-five, with a sandy goatee and short sandy hair; `
` he wore a stiff standing-collar whose upper edge almost reached his `
` ears and whose sharp points curved forward abreast the corners of his `
` mouth--a fence that compelled a straight lookout ahead, and a turning `
` of the whole body when a side view was required; his chin was propped `
` on a spreading cravat which was as broad and as long as a bank-note, `
` and had fringed ends; his boot toes were turned sharply up, in the `
` fashion of the day, like sleigh-runners--an effect patiently and `
` laboriously produced by the young men by sitting with their toes `
` pressed against a wall for hours together. Mr. Walters was very earnest `
` of mien, and very sincere and honest at heart; and he held sacred `
` things and places in such reverence, and so separated them from worldly `
` matters, that unconsciously to himself his Sunday-school voice had `
` acquired a peculiar intonation which was wholly absent on week-days. He `
` began after this fashion: `
` `
` "Now, children, I want you all to sit up just as straight and pretty `
` as you can and give me all your attention for a minute or two. There `
` --that is it. That is the way good little boys and girls should do. I see `
` one little girl who is looking out of the window--I am afraid she `
` thinks I am out there somewhere--perhaps up in one of the trees making `
` a speech to the little birds. [Applausive titter.] I want to tell you `
` how good it makes me feel to see so many bright, clean little faces `
` assembled in a place like this, learning to do right and be good." And `
` so forth and so on. It is not necessary to set down the rest of the `
` oration. It was of a pattern which does not vary, and so it is familiar `
` to us all. `
` `
` The latter third of the speech was marred by the resumption of fights `
` and other recreations among certain of the bad boys, and by fidgetings `
` and whisperings that extended far and wide, washing even to the bases `
` of isolated and incorruptible rocks like Sid and Mary. But now every `
` sound ceased suddenly, with the subsidence of Mr. Walters' voice, and `
` the conclusion of the speech was received with a burst of silent `
` gratitude. `
` `
` A good part of the whispering had been occasioned by an event which `
` was more or less rare--the entrance of visitors: lawyer Thatcher, `
` accompanied by a very feeble and aged man; a fine, portly, middle-aged `
` gentleman with iron-gray hair; and a dignified lady who was doubtless `
` the latter's wife. The lady was leading a child. Tom had been restless `
` and full of chafings and repinings; conscience-smitten, too--he could `
` not meet Amy Lawrence's eye, he could not brook her loving gaze. But `
` when he saw this small new-comer his soul was all ablaze with bliss in `
` a moment. The next moment he was "showing off" with all his might `
` --cuffing boys, pulling hair, making faces--in a word, using every art `
` that seemed likely to fascinate a girl and win her applause. His `
` exaltation had but one alloy--the memory of his humiliation in this `
` angel's garden--and that record in sand was fast washing out, under `
` the waves of happiness that were sweeping over it now. `
` `
` The visitors were given the highest seat of honor, and as soon as Mr. `
` Walters' speech was finished, he introduced them to the school. The `
` middle-aged man turned out to be a prodigious personage--no less a one `
` than the county judge--altogether the most august creation these `
` children had ever looked upon--and they wondered what kind of material `
` he was made of--and they half wanted to hear him roar, and were half `
` afraid he might, too. He was from Constantinople, twelve miles away--so `
` he had travelled, and seen the world--these very eyes had looked upon `
` the county court-house--which was said to have a tin roof. The awe `
` which these reflections inspired was attested by the impressive silence `
` and the ranks of staring eyes. This was the great Judge Thatcher, `
` brother of their own lawyer. Jeff Thatcher immediately went forward, to `
` be familiar with the great man and be envied by the school. It would `
` have been music to his soul to hear the whisperings: `
` `
` "Look at him, Jim! He's a going up there. Say--look! he's a going to `
` shake hands with him--he IS shaking hands with him! By jings, don't you `
` wish you was Jeff?" `
` `
` Mr. Walters fell to "showing off," with all sorts of official `
` bustlings and activities, giving orders, delivering judgments, `
` discharging directions here, there, everywhere that he could find a `
` target. The librarian "showed off"--running hither and thither with his `
` arms full of books and making a deal of the splutter and fuss that `
` insect authority delights in. The young lady teachers "showed off" `
` --bending sweetly over pupils that were lately being boxed, lifting `
` pretty warning fingers at bad little boys and patting good ones `
` lovingly. The young gentlemen teachers "showed off" with small `
` scoldings and other little displays of authority and fine attention to `
` discipline--and most of the teachers, of both sexes, found business up `
` at the library, by the pulpit; and it was business that frequently had `
` to be done over again two or three times (with much seeming vexation). `
` The little girls "showed off" in various ways, and the little boys `
` "showed off" with such diligence that the air was thick with paper wads `
` and the murmur of scufflings. And above it all the great man sat and `
` beamed a majestic judicial smile upon all the house, and warmed himself `
` in the sun of his own grandeur--for he was "showing off," too. `
` `
` There was only one thing wanting to make Mr. Walters' ecstasy `
` complete, and that was a chance to deliver a Bible-prize and exhibit a `
` prodigy. Several pupils had a few yellow tickets, but none had enough `
` --he had been around among the star pupils inquiring. He would have given `
` worlds, now, to have that German lad back again with a sound mind. `
` `
` And now at this moment, when hope was dead, Tom Sawyer came forward `
` with nine yellow tickets, nine red tickets, and ten blue ones, and `
` demanded a Bible. This was a thunderbolt out of a clear sky. Walters `
` was not expecting an application from this source for the next ten `
` years. But there was no getting around it--here were the certified `
` checks, and they were good for their face. Tom was therefore elevated `
` to a place with the Judge and the other elect, and the great news was `
` announced from headquarters. It was the most stunning surprise of the `
` decade, and so profound was the sensation that it lifted the new hero `
` up to the judicial one's altitude, and the school had two marvels to `
` gaze upon in place of one. The boys were all eaten up with envy--but `
` those that suffered the bitterest pangs were those who perceived too `
` late that they themselves had contributed to this hated splendor by `
` trading tickets to Tom for the wealth he had amassed in selling `
` whitewashing privileges. These despised themselves, as being the dupes `
` of a wily fraud, a guileful snake in the grass. `
` `
` The prize was delivered to Tom with as much effusion as the `
` superintendent could pump up under the circumstances; but it lacked `
` somewhat of the true gush, for the poor fellow's instinct taught him `
` that there was a mystery here that could not well bear the light, `
` perhaps; it was simply preposterous that this boy had warehoused two `
` thousand sheaves of Scriptural wisdom on his premises--a dozen would `
` strain his capacity, without a doubt. `
` `
` Amy Lawrence was proud and glad, and she tried to make Tom see it in `
` her face--but he wouldn't look. She wondered; then she was just a grain `
` troubled; next a dim suspicion came and went--came again; she watched; `
` a furtive glance told her worlds--and then her heart broke, and she was `
` jealous, and angry, and the tears came and she hated everybody. Tom `
` most of all (she thought). `
` `
` Tom was introduced to the Judge; but his tongue was tied, his breath `
` would hardly come, his heart quaked--partly because of the awful `
` greatness of the man, but mainly because he was her parent. He would `
` have liked to fall down and worship him, if it were in the dark. The `
` Judge put his hand on Tom's head and called him a fine little man, and `
` asked him what his name was. The boy stammered, gasped, and got it out: `
` `
` "Tom." `
` `
` "Oh, no, not Tom--it is--" `
` `
` "Thomas." `
` `
` "Ah, that's it. I thought there was more to it, maybe. That's very `
` well. But you've another one I daresay, and you'll tell it to me, won't `
` you?" `
` `
` "Tell the gentleman your other name, Thomas," said Walters, "and say `
` sir. You mustn't forget your manners." `
` `
` "Thomas Sawyer--sir." `
` `
` "That's it! That's a good boy. Fine boy. Fine, manly little fellow. `
` Two thousand verses is a great many--very, very great many. And you `
` never can be sorry for the trouble you took to learn them; for `
` knowledge is worth more than anything there is in the world; it's what `
` makes great men and good men; you'll be a great man and a good man `
` yourself, some day, Thomas, and then you'll look back and say, It's all `
` owing to the precious Sunday-school privileges of my boyhood--it's all `
` owing to my dear teachers that taught me to learn--it's all owing to `
` the good superintendent, who encouraged me, and watched over me, and `
` gave me a beautiful Bible--a splendid elegant Bible--to keep and have `
` it all for my own, always--it's all owing to right bringing up! That is `
` what you will say, Thomas--and you wouldn't take any money for those `
` two thousand verses--no indeed you wouldn't. And now you wouldn't mind `
` telling me and this lady some of the things you've learned--no, I know `
` you wouldn't--for we are proud of little boys that learn. Now, no `
` doubt you know the names of all the twelve disciples. Won't you tell us `
` the names of the first two that were appointed?" `
` `
` Tom was tugging at a button-hole and looking sheepish. He blushed, `
` now, and his eyes fell. Mr. Walters' heart sank within him. He said to `
` himself, it is not possible that the boy can answer the simplest `
` question--why DID the Judge ask him? Yet he felt obliged to speak up `
` and say: `
` `
` "Answer the gentleman, Thomas--don't be afraid." `
` `
` Tom still hung fire. `
` `
` "Now I know you'll tell me," said the lady. "The names of the first `
` two disciples were--" `
` `
` "DAVID AND GOLIAH!" `
` `
` Let us draw the curtain of charity over the rest of the scene. `
` `
`