Here is part 2 of the book "Through By Daylight"
Title: Through By Daylight
Author: Oliver Optic
Published: 1869 and reprinted in 1998 by Mantle Ministries
Background Information: For more information and character descriptions, see the post entitled "Lake Shore Series--Oliver Optic" and the Through By Daylight Post Part 1. This is the first book in the series. The original title was called "The Young Engineer."
We left off in the first post with Waddie and his father angrily leaving Wolf's house.
After the Colonel and Waddie leave, Wolf's mother is somewhat upset with Wolf for insulting and making the Colonel angry. She is certain that it will result in the Colonel firing Mr. Penninman from his job. Wolf insists that he had to tell the truth. Wolf then leaves the house pondering the incident. As he thinks about the events of the day he also thinks about his past experiences with Waddie, and in the past, he has let Waddie bully him and taken it with a Christian spirit, however, he feels it is different this time, as Waddie and the Colonel are trying to make him out to be a criminal. After his walk he returns to the house and talks again with his mother. They discuss at length the possibility of losing the house if Christy Holgate isn't caught with the stolen money. They also discuss Wolf and how he should deal with Waddie, his mother advises him--"You must try to have a Christian spirit, Wolfert" (page 121).
Wolf then agrees that he will try to have a Christian spirit and would not hesitate to be kind to Waddie and his father, however, he makes the point that:
"But I don't think a fellow must be a milksop in order to be a Christian. I don't think the gospel requires me to be a toady, or even admit to injustice when I can help myself. I don't ask to be revenged, or anything of that sort; I only desire to keep my head out of the dirt. I am going to try to be a man, whatever happens to me" (page 122).
They discuss this and go on to talk about Wolf's father and how he had gone back to drinking that day. While they are still talking, Waddie bursts into the house and insists that Wolf must come right away to see his father.
Wolf eventually follows Waddie out, and on the way to the house, they are surrounded by about six of Waddie's tough schoolmates. Waddie then goes on to inform Wolf that before he goes to see his father he is going to give Wolf the "biggest licking" for calling him a liar. Waddie continues to challenge Wolf and and asks Wolf if he has anything to say for himself. Wolf considering his mother's wisdom says--"I was angry when I spoke the words, and I am sorry for uttering them" (page 126). Waddie then demands Wolf to "Get down on your knees and beg my pardon" (page 126). Wolf refuses to do that, causing Waddie to become irritated and more determined to get Wolf on his knees.
The story goes on at length about arguments with Waddie, how Wolf defends himself, the Colonel gets involved, and Waddie gets more irate etc. To summarize Wolf is basically chased out of town. :-) Soon after this, he sees Tommy Toppleton and they get into a discussion on the events of the day. They also discuss the problem with the "dummy engine." Wolf is able to help Tommy and the town of Middleport with the engine problem, and they successfully remove the engine from the lake. Tommy, his father the Major, and the town are all very excited and pleased with Wolf's assistance in the matter. The Major then offers Wolf the job of running the dummy engine--a significant offer for a boy of 16. :-) Wolf is interested but wants to discuss it with his parents first.
Wolf goes home and tells him mother about being driven out of town, removing the engine from the lake, and the job offer. His mother is a little uncertain about whether or not he should take the job as it will irritate the Colonel even more. His father then comes home, somewhat drunk, and irritated with Wolf for all the "trouble" he has been causing that day. Eventually Wolf's father is put to bed in Wolf's room. In the night, Waddie comes to cause some trouble, going where he thinks Wolf is sleeping. :-) Mr. Penninman is awakened, and reacting to what he thinks may be a burglar hits and hurts Waddie. This awakens Wolf and Mrs. Penninman and they get up to see what is going on. Waddie is angry etc. (and lisping...due to his teeth being "knocked in") the Pennimans get the doctor and eventually Waddie leaves...still angry (of course).
His father does get discharged (i.e. fired) from Colonel Wimpleton.
The next day...
Wolf and his father discuss the job opportunity offered by the Major Toppleton. His father is favorable and agrees to Wolf getting the job. Wolf goes to tell the Major, while Wolf is there, he finds out the Colonel has hired the Major's engineer to "his side" because the Major offered Wolf a job. Wolf helps solve this problem by suggesting that his father take the job opening. The Major is thrilled with this idea, and the opportunity to get back at the Colonel. Wolf and his father both now have jobs from the Major. Mr. Penninman is glad to have the opportunity and states that--"The colonel will be the maddest man this side of the north pole, when he hears of my good fortune" (page 211). Wolf also makes the point that "When rich men quarrel, poor men ought to profit by it, if they can do so honestly" (page 211).
Later...
Wolf is now getting ready to start on the dummy engine and has a "sick" student with him, named Higgins. Higgins and Wolf converse with each other and we learn Higgins is faking sickness to get out of school, conveniently, he is "well" enough to help be a conductor to the engine. Wolf by the end of the conversation convinces Higgins to not pretend to be sick to get out of school. :-) Wolf at one point asks Higgins if he has a watch, Wolf is determined to be punctual with his running of the engine. Since Wolf's family isn't rich, he is not able to have his own pocket watch (this may sound strange to modern day readers, keep in mind this series was written almost 140 years ago!) Higgins offers to let Wolf borrow his watch for the day.
Wolf and Higgins are now ready to collect the passengers and Wolf has Higgins call everyone aboard. Wolf describes his shouting "as though the announcement was intended for the people on the other side of the lake" (p.220) Wolf tells Higgens--"I wouldn't yell so. Boys always make fools of themselves by hallooing when there isn't the least need of it" (p.220).
Higgins then calls the passengers aboard in "a milder tone." :-)
As the passengers are boarding, Wolf spots "a very beautiful young lady." He is soon happy to see that she is going to be a passenger on the engine. Wolf describes the young lady and then says about himself to his readers--"I beg leave to say that this unwonted enthusiasm on my part was as surprising to myself as it will be to my readers, for I had hardly ever looked at any person of the feminine persuasion before, except my mother and sisters. I had certainly never seen any lady who attracted me so strongly..." (p.221). We go on to learn that the young lady is about 15 or 16 and has a "mature bearing." We also learn this young lady is Grace Toppleton, daughter of the Major and sister to Tommy.
Wolf also offers this comment to his readers--"A young man always has a time to be a fool, just as he has to take the measles, though, he seldom has it so young as I did" (p.222).
Miss Grace Toppleton delights Wolf by asking him if she can ride in the engine area with him and Higgins. Wolf is happy to comply. :-) However, before they get started, Captain Snyder, a policeman, comes with Colonel Wimpleton to delay Wolf. They basically want to arrest Wolf for the explosion of the Skipper's boat. Wolf asks if they have a warrant, which they don't. He also makes the point that Waddie will also have to be arrested for the explosion, and breaking into his father's house. The Colonel, obviously not wanting his son involved, leaves with Captain Snyder. (the Colonel also learns at this time that Mr. Penninman is employed by the Major) The Colonel is not a happy man at this point in the story. :-)
Everyone is now aboard and they continue on their way. Wolf is able to explain the working of the engine to Grace. Despite the delays everyone arrives on time.
The next few chapters go into more detail about the railroad, conversations Wolf has with the Major, the students in Middleport, and how the students of Centereport cause trouble. Despite hindrances, Wolf impresses the Toppletons and the town with his ability to run the engine and overcome problems.
Later the students at the school in Middleport have a picnic, and Wolf is given the present of a pocket watch for his service. It is presented by Grace Toppleton and Wolf, who is surprised and nervous, has to give a speech on the spot, this is what he says (in thanking them for the watch)--
"Miss Grace Toppleton, I am very much obliged to the students of the Toppleton Institute for this beautiful gift. A gold watch is something I never expected to have. I didn't think of anything of this kind when I came in here, and for that reason I was very much surprised. I shall always keep this watch, and, whenever I look at its face, it will remind me of the generous fellows who gave it to me (Wolf gets interrupted here from shouts and applause he then continues...) I shall endeavor, with the help of this watch, always to be on time; and I hope I shall be able to do my duty to the officers and to the liberal patron of the Lake Shore Railroad. (he goes on a little more and closes with...) "I shall never look at the face of this watch without thinking of another face--the face of the one who so prettily presented it" (pp.278-279)
The students love his speech and the day almost ends perfectly. When Wolf returns home however, (after showing his watch to the family--who all love it :-) ) Captain Snyder comes and informs them that unless the mortgage is paid, the house will be foreclosed. Since Christy Holgate still has not been heard from, the Penninmans don't have the money to pay the mortgage and the house will be put up at auction. (the proceeds will go to Mr. Penninman)
They are forced to move, and live in, what Wolf calls, a "hovel." By the time the auction comes, Mr. Penninman decided he would go too. (Wolf also attends the auction) Major Toppleton also grilled Wolf on the story behind the sale of the house and surprises everyone by attending the auction as well. The auction starts off with Colonel Wimpleton and another person "bidding" on the house, they do ridiculously small amounts, designed to humiliate the Penninmans and amuse the townsfolk. Major Toppleton steps in, surprising everyone, and also begins bidding. This naturally enrages the Colonel and the house ends up selling for more than it's worth! (the Colonel was the final bidder...and not happy about the whole thing)
Mr. Penniman collects the money, moves to Middleport, and is able to rent a lovely house.
The story ends in a pleasant way and more about the characters will continue in book 2 called "Duty Bound." I will hopefully be reviewing that sometime next week.
On another note...the term "Through by daylight" is used several times in the book, resulting in the title of the book. It refers to Wolf's ability to get things done...the same day, in other words, before daylight.
I hoped you enjoyed the summary, the book itself has about 300 pages, so it is hard to do it perfect justice. :-) I highly recommend you read the series if you ever stumble into it. :-)
Have a great day!!
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