The Boy Patriot

The character of Blair Robertson, the Fairport boy, will not have been sketched in vain, if it prompt one young American to such a hearty serving of God as will make him a blessing to our dear native land. We have laid the scene of our story fifty years ago, but we trust that its lessons will be none the less appropriate to the present day. Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1863, by the American Tract Society , in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the Southern District of the State of New York. Contents I. FAIRPORT. 5 II. THE YOUNG ORATOR. 9 III. THE ENGLISH BOY. 25 IV. THE PATRIOT'S WORK. 36 V. BLAIR'S COMPANY. 44 VI. A PILOT. 55 VII. NO! 62 VIII. THE STORM. 69 IX. A REWARD. 74 X. A NEW DECK. 80 XI. "MUM." 86 XII. THE FIRST EFFORT. 95 XIII. TEMPTATION. 105 XIV. DERRY DUCK. 113 XV. A LETTER. 128 XVI. A MARVEL. 134 XVII. THE CONFLICT. 144 XVIII. WAGES. 152 XIX. HOME. 160 XX. SACRED JOY. 170 XXI. CONCLUSION. 174 FAIRPORT. Were you ever on the coast of Maine? If so, you know how the rocky shores stretch out now and then clear into the ocean, and fret the salt waves till they are all in a foam. Old Ocean is not to be so set at defiance and have his rightful territory wrung from him, without taking his revenge after his own fashion. Far up into the land he sends his arms, and crooks and bends and makes his way amid the rocks, and finally falls asleep in some quiet harbor, where the tall pines stand by the shore to sing him a lullaby. In just such a spot as this the town we shall call Fairport was built. Axe in one hand and Bible in the other, stern settlers here found a home. Strong hard-featured sons, and fair rosy-cheeked daughters made glad the rude cabins that were soon scattered along the shore. The axe was plied in the woods, and the needle by the fireside, and yet grim Poverty was ever shaking her fist in the very faces of the settlers, and whispering sad things of what the uncertain future might have in store for them. Cheerily they bore the hardships of the present hour, and a deaf ear they turned to all such whispers.…