A Letter of Introduction. Illustrated. 32mo. A Likely Story. Illustrated. 32mo. A Previous Engagement. 32mo. Paper. Evening Dress. Illustrated. 32mo. Five-o'Clock Tea. Illustrated. 32mo. Parting Friends. Illustrated. 32mo. The Albany Depot. Illustrated. 32mo. The Garroters. Illustrated. 32mo. The Mouse-Trap. Illustrated. 32mo. The Unexpected Guests. Illustrated. 32mo. HARPER & BROTHERS, PUBLISHERS, NEW YORK Copyright, 1890, by WILLIAM DEAN HOWELLS. * * * * * PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA CONTENTS. CHAPTER PAGE I. EARLIEST EXPERIENCES 1 II. HOME AND KINDRED 10 III. THE RIVER 24 IV. THE CANAL AND ITS BASIN 36 V. THE HYDRAULIC AND ITS RESERVOIRS.--OLD RIVER 45 VI. SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS 53 VII. MANNERS AND CUSTOMS 67 VIII. PLAYS AND PASTIMES 80 IX. CIRCUSES AND SHOWS 93 X. HIGHDAYS AND HOLIDAYS 110 XI. MUSTERS AND ELECTIONS 121 XII. PETS 133 XIII. GUNS AND GUNNING 148 XIV. FORAGING 161 XV. MY BOY 171 XVI. OTHER BOYS 183 XVII. FANTASIES AND SUPERSTITIONS 197 XVIII. THE NATURE OF BOYS 205 XIX. THE TOWN ITSELF 215 XX. TRAITS AND CHARACTERS 228 XXI. LAST DAYS 237 ILLUSTRATIONS.