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ERNEST SWIMS FOR THE DESPATCH BARREL.—Page 270

SEEK AND FIND;

OR,

THE ADVENTURES OF A SMART BOY.

BY

OLIVER OPTIC,

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PREFACE.

"Seek and Find" is the third of the serial stories publishedin "Our Boys and Girls," where it appeared as thesequel of "Breaking Away." The author had no morereason to complain of its reception than of that accorded toits predecessors; and he returns his sincere thanks to all thoseyoung friends who have written hundreds of letters to him,containing the most generous commendation, with an occasionalcriticism, which was by no means unwelcome.

Ernest Thornton is a smart boy—perhaps he is too smart;but his smartness is not worldly cunning; it is made up ofthose elements of character which constitute a noble and trueman—good judgment, quick perception, and manly decision,mingled with those moral and religious attributes whichare the leading springs of the true life. If some of the hero'sactions are doubtful, his motives are always good. The greatestcrime against the moral law is to be without a high aim;and while a thousand errors and short-comings may be forgiven,the want of a good intention is the capital sin which[6]may not be pardoned. While we cannot ask or expect allyoung men to accomplish what Ernest Thornton did, we maypoint to his high aims and good intentions, and say to thereader, "Go thou and do likewise."

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CONTENTS.