Public-domain ebook
by Oliver Optic
Language: en6,387 downloads on Project Gutenberg
Subjects
In: Children's Fiction·Children & Young Adult Reading·Novels
Public-domain ebook sourced from Project Gutenberg #22433.
Breaking Away; or The Fortunes of a Student is a juvenile fiction narrative that follows the young Ernest Thornton as he confronts the authoritarian principal Mr. Parasyte at the Parkville Liberal Institute. The story opens with a sharply worded exchange in the schoolroom, where Ernest is summoned, accused of a fight, and forced to defend his actions against a principal who favors the wealthy son of a merchant. From this tense dialogue the novel launches into a series of episodic chapters that trace Ernest’s expulsion, his voyages on the steamboat Adieno, and his eventual rise to command, all while he wrestles with the mystery of his own parentage and the harshness of his uncle’s silent household. The plot is presented as a continuous adventure, promising further development in a sequel that will pursue Ernest’s search for his mother.
The prose reflects a mid‑nineteenth‑century American voice, marked by formal diction, moral commentary, and a didactic tone that underscores the consequences of rebellion and the importance of personal integrity. Its episodic structure, with chapter titles that hint at nautical exploits and schoolyard intrigue, will appeal to readers who enjoy historical school stories, coming‑of‑age tales, and adventure yarns that blend moral reflection with spirited action.
The opening · free to read
After an experience of more than twenty years as a teacher, the writer did not expect his young friends to sympathize with the schoolmaster of this story, for doubtless many of them have known and despised a similar creature in real life. Mr. Parasyte is not a myth; but we are grateful that an enlightened public sentiment is every year rendering more and more odious the petty tyrant of the school-room, and we are too happy to give this retreating personage a parting blow as he retires from the scene of his fading glories.
Rebellions, either in the school or in the state, are always dangerous and demoralizing; but while we unequivocally condemn the tyrant in our story, we cannot always approve the conduct of his pupils. One evil gives birth to another; but even a righteous end cannot justify immoral means, and we beg to remind our young and enthusiastic readers that Ernest Thornton and his friends were compelled to acknowledge that they had done wrong in many things, and that "Breaking Away" was deemed a very doubtful expedient for the redress even of a real wrong.
As it was impossible for Ernest to relate the whole of his eventful history in one volume, Breaking Away will be immediately followed by a sequel,--"Seek and Find,"--in which the hero will narrate his adventures in seeking and finding his mother, of whose tender care he was deprived from his earliest childhood.
HARRISON SQUARE, MASS., September 23, 1867.
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I. PAGE IN WHICH ERNEST THORNTON INTRODUCES HIMSELF. 11
CHAPTER II. IN WHICH THERE IS TROUBLE IN THE PARKVILLE LIBERAL INSTITUTE. 22
CHAPTER III. IN WHICH ERNEST IS EXPELLED FROM THE PARKVILLE LIBERAL INSTITUTE. 33
CHAPTER IV. IN WHICH ERNEST SAILS THE SPLASH, AND TAKES A BATH. 44
CHAPTER V. IN WHICH ERNEST DECLINES A PROPOSITION. 55
CHAPTER VI. IN WHICH ERNEST FINDS HIS FELLOW-STUDENTS IN OPEN REBELLION. 66
CHAPTER VII. IN WHICH ERNEST ATTENDS THE TRIAL OF BILL POODLES AND DICK PEARL. 78
CHAPTER VIII. IN WHICH ERNEST VANQUISHES THE SCHOOLMASTER. 89
CHAPTER IX. IN WHICH ERNEST STRIKES A HEAVY BLOW, AND WINS ANOTHER VICTORY. 100
CHAPTER X. IN WHICH ERNEST HAS AN INTERVIEW WITH HIS UNCLE. 111
CHAPTER XI. IN WHICH ERNEST IS DISOWNED AND CAST OUT. 122
CHAPTER XII. IN WHICH ERNEST RAISES THE SPLASH, AND THERE IS A GENERAL BREAKING AWAY AMONG THE STUDENTS. 132
CHAPTER XIII. IN WHICH ERNEST IS CHOSEN COMMODORE OF THE FLEET. 144
CHAPTER XIV. IN WHICH ERNEST IS WAITED UPON BY A DEPUTY SHERIFF. 155
CHAPTER XV. IN WHICH ERNEST AND THE COMMISSARY VISIT CANNONDALE. 166
CHAPTER XVI. IN WHICH ERNEST CONVEYS THE STUDENTS TO PINE ISLAND. 177
CHAPTER XVII. IN WHICH ERNEST FINDS THERE IS TREASON IN THE CAMP. 188
CHAPTER XVIII. IN WHICH ERNEST AND HIS COMPANIONS LAND AT CANNONDALE. 199
CHAPTER XIX. IN WHICH ERNEST AND HIS FRIENDS ARE DISGUSTED WITH MR. PARASYTE'S INGRATITUDE. 211
CHAPTER XX. IN WHICH ERNEST TAKES THE WHEEL OF THE ADIENO. 222
CHAPTER XXI. IN WHICH ERNEST CONTINUES TO ACT AS PILOT OF THE STEAMER. 233
CHAPTER XXII. IN WHICH ERNEST PILOTS THE ADIENO TO "THE SISTERS." 244
CHAPTER XXIII. IN WHICH ERNEST TAKES COMMAND OF THE EXPEDITION. 255
CHAPTER XXIV. IN WHICH ERNEST ENGAGES IN AN EXCITING STEAMBOAT RACE. 266
CHAPTER XXV. IN WHICH ERNEST PILOTS THE ADIENO TO PARKVILLE. 277
CHAPTER XXVI IN WHICH ERNEST FINDS A CHANGE IN THE MANAGEMENT OF THE INSTITUTE. 287
"Ernest Thornton!" called Mr. Parasyte, the principal of the Parkville Liberal Institute, in a tone so stern and severe that it was impossible to mistake his meaning, or not to understand that a tempest was brewing. "Ernest Thornton!"
As that was my name, I replied to the summons by rising, and exhibiting my full length to all the boys assembled in the school-room--about one hundred in number.
"Ernest Thornton!" repeated Mr. Parasyte, not satisfied with the demonstration I had made.
"Sir!" I replied, in a round, full, square tone, which was intended to convince the principal that I was ready to "face the music."
"Ernest Thornton, I am informed that you have been engaged in a fight," he continued, in a tone a little less sharp than that with which he had pronounced my name; and I had the vanity to believe that the square tone in which I had uttered the single word I had been called upon to speak had produced a salutary impression upon him.
"I haven't been engaged in any fight, sir," I replied, with all the dignity becoming a boy of fourteen.
"Sir! what do you mean by denying it?" added Mr. Parasyte, working himself up into a magnificent mood, which was intended to crush me by its very majesty--but it didn't.
"I have not engaged in any fight, sir," I repeated, with as much decision as the case seemed to require.
"Didn't you strike William Poodles?" demanded he, fiercely.
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