An Undivided Union Read online

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  "WATER!" HE MURMURED, "WATER!"

  _Page 115._]

  _The Blue and the Gray--On Land_

  AN UNDIVIDED UNION

  BY

  OLIVER OPTIC

  AUTHOR OF "THE ARMY AND NAVY SERIES" "YOUNG AMERICA ABROAD, FIRST ANDSECOND SERIES" "THE BOAT-CLUB STORIES" "THE GREAT WESTERN SERIES" "THEWOODVILLE STORIES" "THE ONWARD AND UPWARD SERIES" "THE LAKE SHORESERIES" "THE YACHT-CLUB SERIES" "THE RIVERDALE STORIES" "THEBOAT-BUILDER SERIES" "THE BLUE AND THE GRAY--AFLOAT" "ALL OVER THEWORLD--FIRST, SECOND, AND THIRD SERIES" "THE BLUE AND THE GRAY--ON LAND"ETC. ETC. ETC.

  COMPLETED BY

  EDWARD STRATEMEYER

  AUTHOR OF "THE OLD GLORY SERIES" "BOUND TO SUCCEED SERIES" ETC.

  BOSTONLEE AND SHEPARD PUBLISHERS1899

  COPYRIGHT, 1899, BY LEE AND SHEPARD.

  _All Rights Reserved._

  AN UNDIVIDED UNION.

  Norwood PressJ. S. Cushing & Co.--Berwick & SmithNorwood Mass. U.S.A.

  _To My Friend_

  FRED D. IRISH

  WHOSE ENTHUSIASTIC SUPPORT AND SUCCESSFUL EFFORTS

  IN DISTRIBUTING MY BOOKS

  AMONG THE YOUTH OF THE UNITED STATES

  HAS BEEN A CONSTANT INSPIRATION

  _This Work is Affectionately Dedicated_

  PUBLISHERS' PREFACE

  The outline and incomplete material of AN UNDIVIDED UNION were leftamong the papers of the late William T. Adams ("Oliver Optic"), and thesame notes that were to complete the "Blue and Gray--On Land" seriesalso closed the life-work of America's best-known writer of boys'stories.

  There has been a constant demand that this unfinished concluding volumebe prepared for publication, and Mr. Edward Stratemeyer, author of theremarkably popular "Old Glory" series, based upon the Spanish-Americanwar, undertook the task of picking up the threads of the narrative andcarrying it to such a conclusion as was evidently intended. He hasperformed the work devotedly and successfully, and sustained the harmonyof the series to the end.

  The publishers take this opportunity to pay tribute to the memory of Mr.Adams, whose name has been inseparably connected with this house for somany years. Such was his loyalty that no manuscript for publication inbound form was ever given to any other publisher, and the presentvolume is the one hundred and eighth to bear the magical name of"Optic." It is gratifying to be able to record that in return for hissteadfastness in remaining by the house of his choice through prosperityand adversity an actual sale of more than two million copies of Mr.Adams's books has been reached, while the present season finds themenjoying undiminished favor.

  No more striking testimonial could be asked than the constantapplications from men of mature life for the books that so charmed themas boys, in order that their own sons may have the same enjoyment. Or,could anything be more conclusive than that one of the most prominentmen in the public life of our state still turns to his favorite "OliverOptic" books for pleasurable relief when the cares of the day have maderest seem almost an impossibility?

  Critics come and critics go, but the hold of "Oliver Optic" upon thepopular mind remains unchanged. No mean-souled man could so endure. Ashe said himself: "I have never written a story which could excite thelove, admiration, and sympathy of the reader for an evil-minded personor bad character. This has been my standard; and, however others mayregard it, I still deem it a safe one." All who had any connection withthe publication of Mr. Adams's works loved the man, and his visits weremarked with cheerful words for each one, in whatever capacity employed,and will linger helpfully while life remains. All who knew him join inhonoring the unfailing kindness and clean, true nature of this greatwriter and noble friend of youth.

  LEE AND SHEPARD.

  APRIL 1, 1899.