Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-06-14
Gales aud Sketfhes.
(OLIvER OPnc.)

Among the names tn4t are ever POPuA0i
with the rising generation. none is more
prominent than that of William Taylor
Adams. who. under bis nom de plume,
Oliver Optic, has cherished place in the
affections OF the boys and girls through
out this and other lands. Few writers for
the young have achieved the popularity
that he deservedly enjoys The secret OF
his wonderful success lies in the fact that
whatever he has written has been in full
sympathy with the reader. If he has de-
picted vice. it has been placed in strong
contrast with virtue. and he, who follows
the gifted author through the intricasies
of his creations. will be the purer and
better for the true and noble precepts he
instills into the heart beneath the fanciful
guise of fiction
The subject of our sketch was born in
Midway, Mass, on the 30th of July 1922.
His earliest boyhood was spent in Boston,
on the spot where the new Adams House
now stands. In 1880 his father was keep
ing the Lamb Tavern. purchasing the
estate several years later. Oliver went to
the public school, and. when not occupied
with his studies, entered heart and soul
into all the boyish pranks of his day. An
enthusiastic lover of all athletic sports. he
soon became leader among his fellows.
and no doubt. many an adventure was
enacted that has since furnished him with
material for the fascinating stories emitted
by his prolific pen.
When his father purchased large farm
in West Roxbury. (now included in BOs-
toni. Oliver removed to it. Here several
of the happiest years OF his life were spent
and to its broad, fertile acres he is indebt-
ed tor what he knows about farming"
In the winter he attended the country
school, and surprised teacher and pupils
alike by the remarkable proficiency he at
tanned in his various studies. In the
study of omposition-almost universally
disliked by young students-he was a
pronounced success from the first. His
initial effort was eight letter pages in
length: his second. thirty; his third. one
hundred and twenty; and his dismay-
ed teacher. not knowing how long the
fourth might be, told him he need write no
more of them. This precocity is not to
be wondered at when the after achieve
ments of the man have been considered.
But Oliver over-exerted himself, and his
health became so impaired that he was
finally obliged to withdraw from school.
Under the care of a private tutor. he be-
gan to prepare for college. Abandoning
his original intention, however, he contin-
ued with his instructor for several years,
acquiring a good knowledge of the higher
mathematics. Latin and Greek, Later in
life he gave a great deal of his attention to
the study of the modern languages. which
he afterwards employed to advantage in
the construction of his young America
Abroad" series.
At the age OF twenty he was elected
principal of grammar school in Dorches-
ter, one of Boston's popular suburbs and
served faithfully for three years in this
capacity. In tie meantime his father had
torn down the ancient Lamb Tavern and
built the Adams House-named for the
two Massachusetts presidents. Resigning
his position in Dorchester. the young man
embarked in the hotel business with his
father, but, short experience proving
that his forte lay in another direction. he
returned to teaching. accepting position
as usher in the Boyleston School, Boston.
In few years he was promoted to SUBJ
master. and IN 1860 to principal. In the
last capacity he served six years. By this
time his books had become so popular
that his publishers, Lee and Shepard, in
sisted upon his devoting all his time to
literary pursuits.
Mr. Adams was eighteen when he first
began to contribute to periodical literature.
A trip up the Mississippi in 1S48 sug-
gested long story, but it was several
years before it was placed upon paper.
So little did the modest young author APP
preciate his effort that he asked only $50
for it. and afterwards disposed of it for
S37 so. 1t was published in book form in
1852. being too long for the purchasers
weekly publication. Since that time Mr..
Adams has written over eight hundred
stories. long and short, exclusive of his
many books.
When an energetic young employe of
the firm that issued his first book went
into business. he called upon Mr.. Adams
and endeavored to purchase long story.
Having none on hand. and but little time
at his disposal to write one, the promising
author furnished a collection of crisp.
bright sketches, which issued under the
title of "In-doors and Out" was phenom-
onally successful.
Mr.. Adams was asked by his publisher
to write juvenile book. He declined. de-
claring with great vehemence that he could
not possibly do such thing. Being final
" persuaded, he wrote 1.-The Boat Club. :"
which had such gratifying sale that he
has completed from one to four books a
year ever since. They are all in print yet,
in response to a steady demand. although
millions of copies have been published.
In 1865 Mr.. Adams went to Europe. Wis
iting England. Ireland. France. Switzer-
land. Germany. Holland and Belgium.
With the material he obtained. he wrote
the first series of Young America
Abroad" In 1870 he crossed the ocean
again. this time including every country
in Europe in his trip. visiting Africa and
even putting his foot in Asia" and the
second series followed. In these are in
troduced, in a pleasing and attractive
STYLE, much that is instructive as well as
entertaining. The customs and habits,
the religious and industries of various ma
tons. are given with striking fidelity.
Mr.. Adams. in the course of his useful
life of authorship. has been too busy to
devote much attention to politics. for his
books number over 100 volumes-making
alone quite library. In 1869 he repre-
sented Dorchester in the Massachusetts
Legislature. declining the honor OF sec