[Illustration: _Bolax, Imp or Angel Which?_] [Illustration: JE SUIS MOI, LE GÉNÈRALE BOOME. I AM THE GREAT GENERAL BOOME. [From Fun in Dormitory. page 166.]] BOLAX IMP OR ANGEL--WHICH? BY MRS. JOSEPHINE CULPEPER [Illustration] JOHN MURPHY COMPANY. Baltimore: New York: 200 W. Lombard Street. 70 Fifth Avenue. 1907. _Copyright 1907, by_ Mrs. Josephine Culpeper PRINTED BY JOHN MURPHY COMPANY _"Bolax: Imp or Angel--Which?" Being favorably criticised by priests of literary ability, is hereby recommended most heartily by me to all Catholics._ _As a study in child-life and as a rational object lesson in the religious and moral training of children, Mrs. Culpeper's book should become popular and the jolly little Bolax be made welcome in many households._ _Faithfully yours in Xt,_ [Illustration: Signature] _Dedicated to my best beloved pupils, especially the children of the Late Dr. William V. Keating, and those of Joseph R. Carpenter, by their old governess._ CONTENTS. PAGE. CHAPTER I. AMY'S COMPANY, 1 CHAPTER II. THE WONDERFUL RIDE, 9 CHAPTER III. THE PARTY, 19 CHAPTER IV. PLEASANT CONTROVERSY, 29 CHAPTER V. THE PICNIC, 38 CHAPTER VI. A TALK ABOUT OUR BOYS, 52 CHAPTER VII. THE FIGHT, 61 CHAPTER VIII. THE COAL MAN, 78 CHAPTER IX. AMY'S TRIP TO THE SEASHORE, 89 CHAPTER X. CHRISTMAS AND "LITTLE CHRISTMAS," OR KING'S DAY, 100 CHAPTER XI. PRACTISING, 116 CHAPTER XII. FIRST COMMUNION, 130 CHAPTER XIII. UNFORSEEN EVENTS, 146 CHAPTER XIV. BOLAX GOES TO COLLEGE, 157 CHAPTER XV. LETTER FROM A FRIEND, 174 CHAPTER XVI. BOLAX LEAVES COLLEGE FOR VACATION, 196 ONLY A BOY. Only a boy with his noise and fun, The veriest mystery under the sun; As brimful of mischief and wit and glee As ever a human frame can be, And as hard to manage as--ah! ah, me! 'Tis hard to tell, Yet we love him well.