On the Missouri Steamer. Page 11.

THE UPWARD AND ONWARD SERIES.

PLANE AND PLANK;

OR,

THE MISHAPS OF A MECHANIC.

BY

OLIVER OPTIC,

AUTHOR OF "YOUNG AMERICA ABROAD," "THE ARMY AND NAVY STORIES,"
"THE WOODVILLE STORIES," "THE BOAT-CLUB STORIES," "THE
STARRY FLAG STORIES," "THE LAKE-SHORE
SERIES," ETC.

WITH FOURTEEN ILLUSTRATIONS.

BOSTON:

LEE AND SHEPARD.

NEW YORK:

CHARLES T. DILLINGHAM.

Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1871,

By WILLIAM T. ADAMS,

In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington.

ELECTROTYPED AT THE

BOSTON STEREOTYPE FOUNDRY,

19 Spring Lane.

TO

MY YOUNG FRIEND

GEORGE W. HILLS

This Book

IS AFFECTIONATELY DEDICATED.

PREFACE.

"Plane and Plank" is the second of The Upward and OnwardSeries, in which the hero, Phil Farringford, appears as amechanic. The events of the story are located on the Missouri River andin the city of St. Louis. Phil learns the trade of a carpenter, andthe contrast between a young mechanic of an inquiring mind, earnestlylaboring to master his business, and one who feels above his calling,and overvalues his own skill, is presented to the young reader, withthe hope that he will accept the lesson.

Incidentally, in the person and history of Phil's father the terribleevils of intemperance are depicted, and the value of Christian loveand earnest prayer in the reformation of the unfortunate inebriate isexhibited.

Though the incidents of the hero's career are quite stirring, andsome of the situations rather surprising, yet Phil is always true tohimself; and those who find themselves in sympathy with him cannotpossibly be led astray, while they respect his Christian principles,reverence the Bible, and strive with him to do their whole duty to Godand man.

Harrison Square, Boston,

June 7, 1870.

CONTENTS.