Title: Through By Daylight
Author: Oliver Optic
Published: 1869 and reprinted in 1998 by Mantle Ministries
Background Information: For more information see the post entitled "Lake Shore Series--Oliver Optic" This is the first book in the series. The original title was called "The Young Engineer."
"Through By Daylight" characters:
Wolfert Penniman referred to as Wolf. (Wolf's father insisted on the name Wolfert after being inspired by Washington Irving. Wolf's mother in vain tried to convince him to change it knowing that his nickname would inevitably become "Wolf." :-) ) He is the main character/hero of the series, he also is the one "writing" the books (narrating). He is very mechanically minded and knows how to run trains and boats and maybe some other things. He is 16 years old when this story takes place. He is a recent graduate, and especially enjoyed philosophy and chemistry. Although, Wolf's parents play a significant role in the books, they aren't getting their own character summaries. :-)
Colonel Wimpleton is sort of "in charge" of the town of Centreport, he has a spoiled son named Waddie.
Waddie Wimpleton is a demanding young man and a bully. He frequently tries to get Wolf into trouble and never takes responsibility for his own actions. His father always bails him out and cannot see any of his sons errors and is convinced it is always someone else's fault. :-)
Major Toppleton is sort of in charge of the neighboring town of Centerport, his town is referred to as Middleport. He has a son named Tommy.
Tommy Toppleton is not quite so bad as Waddie Wimpleton, but he does have his faults--these will be revealed as the series progresses. :-) He also has a sister named Grace (who Wolf admires :-)).
Christy Hogate is one of the villains in the story.
Background on the two towns: There is an ongoing feud between the towns of Middleport and Centreport. This started about 20 years prior to the beginning of this story, it has something to do with the Colonel and Major disagreeing with building a school. As a result, they both parted, and started their own schools. The two towns now constantly try to out do each other.
Now for the story itself...
The story begins with Waddie Wimpleton causing trouble. He is insulting the daughter of a skipper of a canal boat. The skipper/father is angry with Waddie and sort of "shakes him up," this angers Waddie and he stomps off, irate, and plotting some sort of revenge. From a short distance, Wolf sees all of this take place.
The next day, Wolf sees Waddie near the skippers boat (Waddie is also "practicing" with his revolver. Wolf informs us in the story that Waddie is a horrible shot :-) ). Waddie spots Wolf and calls him over to pull some sort of string. Wolf is suspects Waddie is up to something and refuses to pull the string. Irritated, Waddie pulls it himself. An explosion then occurs and the skipper's boat is destroyed! Waddie accuses Wolf of destroying the boat, Wolf denies the whole thing, after all, Waddie rigged the whole thing himself and pulled the string! (Wolf also takes away Waddie's revolver at one point, he is afraid that Waddie will hurt him with it) Wolf leaves convinced that no one will believe Waddie's ridiculous claim about him being responsible for blowing up the boat.
Wolf finds his father and they have a discussion of what just took place. Christy Holgate, an engineer and friend of Wolf's father is also involved in the discussion. Wolf's father then expresses relief that all this has happened today and not later. This then brings up a new topic of interest, Mr. Penninman tell Christy and Wolf that he just withdrew the money to pay for his mortgage on his house. He is glad to be able to finally pay this off and has been working for awhile to pay Colonel Wimpleton back. (he has the $2,000 with him)
Christy realizing that he has all this money is on Mr. Penninman, proceeds to talk about some alcohol he has. Wolf says that; "One would have supposed, from the eloquent description of its virtues, that it was the nectar of the gods, instead of the fiery fluid which men put into their mouths to take their brains away" (pg. 42-43).
Wolf is disgusted with this. However, his father, who has struggled with alcohol, is tempted by it. His father had been doing well in recent years, but after the enticing description Christy gave of it, he decides to "take one drink." Mr. Penniman gives Wolf a dollar and basically asks him to go away. Wolf does so reluctantly. When returning he finds his father somewhat drunk. His father suddenly realizes that his wallet is gone! He immediately suspects Christy of having on purposely try to get him drunk so he could steal the money. Christy denies it and goes running off. Wolf chases him, and finally he catches up to him. Wolf remembers that he has Waddie's gun and uses it to threaten Christy with it. Wolf after some argument, gets the wallet back and Christy runs off into the woods. Wolf is pleased with the recovery of the wallet, and returns to his father.
By this time a large crowd has gathered and have heard the entire story, Wolf is asked to explain what happened. However, when his father finally looks at the wallet, he realizes Christy took out the money and just gave Wolf the empty wallet. His father is devastated.
After awhile Wolf goes home to tell his mother what has happened. Before he gets home though, he sees that the town of Middleport has had some trouble with their "dummy engine" falling into the lake. (Don't ask what a dummy engine is, it's rather complicated. :-) It has something to do with trains etc. in the 1800s.) Wolf feels bad for the Middleport people, even though they are Toppletons. He has a brief discussion with Tommy Toppleton about how he could solve the problem of getting the engine out of the lake, however, he doesn't have time to explain, since he is trying to get home.
Wolf returns home and finds his mother upset. She tells him that everyone has been telling "awful stories" about him. Waddie had been telling everyone that he was responsible for the explosion of the skippers boat! Wolf denies it, and explains what actually happened to his mother, and she believes him. Wolf then goes on to tell her about Christy, the wallet, the chase, and about his father going back to alcohol. His mother is upset, but mostly upset about the news of her husband returning to drinking.
Soon after this, Waddie and his father come to the house. Colonel Wimpleton, is upset with Wolf for causing all the trouble with the boat. Wolf denies his involvement, which makes Waddie angry. Waddie is upset with the fact that Wolf is basically calling him a liar. (Wolf also tries to return the revolver to Waddie at this time, however, Waddie is difficult and refuses to take it back). The Colonel, suspecting their is some truth to what Wolf is saying, is willing to pay for the damages to the boat, but does not want everyone to think Waddie has done it. Wolf still refuses to take the blame, causing the Colonel and Waddie to angrily leave the house.
To hear the rest of the story...join me in part 2 of "Through By Daylight."
Have a great day!
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