misconduct.


CHAPTER XXI.

NED MIXER.

Vacation--Associates--Edward Mixer--His character--Loitering around
railroad depôts--An excursion into the country--The railroad
bridge--Fruit--A fine garden--Getting over the fence--Looking for birds'
nests--Disappearance of Edward and Alfred--A chase--Escape of the
boys--Hailing each other--Edward's account of the adventure--A grand
speculation--Pluck--Secrecy--Curiosity not gratified--Arrival of Oscar's
uncle--The officer's interview with Mr. Preston--The real character and
history of Ned--Timely warning--Oscar's astonishment--What he knew
concerning Ned--A hint about forming new acquaintances--Oscar's
removal from city temptations decided on--A caution and
precaution--Departure--Ned's arrest and sentence--The "grand speculation"
never divulged.




Illustrations.


WINTER SCENE ON BOSTON COMMON . . . . . . FRONTISPIECE

VIGNETTE . . . . . . . . . TITLE-PAGE