The Washington herald., 1919-09-04
TEN-MINUTE NOVELS
ToDAY-"oEver Twist" BY Charles Dickens Condensation by
Rev. Howard La Field -
TOMORR0W-"Tbe Virgnans," by William Makepeaee Thaek
cray.
"OLIVER TWIST
By CHARLES DICKENS
Condensation by Rev. Howard LaField
Formerly Dean and Professor of English Literature
ST. Johns Military Academy

Oliver Twist was born about
seventy-fiVe miles from London, in
the lylnS-in room OF the almshouse.
His mother. worn and exhausted
from a long and painful journey IN
foot, had been found unconscious in
the road, and had been carried to
the only place of refuge for such
as she seemed to be. His name he
owed to the inventive genius OF the
parish beadle, who remarked: The
last one was a 's'-Swubble l named
him. the next one as comes will be
made to tho end OF the alphabet,
and all the way through 1t again.
when we come to q"
The jwronged and unhappy moth
er died without revealing her name,
and the only proofs of the boys
identity. a lockct and ring. kept
were stolen from the corpse before
II was cold by the old crone who
had been in attendance.
The orphans childhood. passed In
cruel neglect and semi-starvation
was brought to an abrupt close by
his own unparalleled act. Desper-
ate through hunger. he and his
companions determine that some
one of them shall secure for all an
extra helping of the thin and wat
cry cruel which is their principal
diet. The lot falls upon Oliver
Nine-ycar- old child though he was
he was reckless with misery" He
rose from the table and, advancing
to the work house master. basin and
spoon in hand. he said. Please, sir
l want some more!
Such unheard-of daring receives
speedy treatment. The next morn
Ning a bill, posted upon the gate
offers i've pounds to anyone who
viii take Oliver Twist off the hands
OF the parish.
Then there follows a brief stay as
the apprentice of a coffln-maRer and
undertaken, who, with an eye to the
effect, promptly makes of tho sad
faced little waif chief mOurner al
the funerals OF children. and
many were the PROFESSIONS which
little Oliver headed in a hat-ba nd
reaching down to his knees, to the
admiration of all the mothers II
the town"
His master Is, on the whole. we'll
disposed toward him. but a fight viii
bullying older apprentice brings
him into unmerited disgrace and pun
Ishment and he runs away.
On the outskirts OF London he
chances upon the lasCinatingly drol
Artful Dodger, picllpocket and pupil
of Fagin. The curious behavior of his
new associates is only game to the
innocent boy, when FaEln places
snun-boxes. Jewelry. watches and
handkerchiefs in his pockets. and
then stands looking in imaginary
storey windows while Un an unbeliev'
ably short time) every one OF the
things Is taken from him. The true
meaning of 1t all burst upon the hor-
rifled Oliver, when he is taken on AL
expedition and sees the game" In
full operation. DaZed and confused
ne Is the only one captured and taken
before n magistrate. His innocence Is
established. but he faints in the court
room. and Is taken home by the re-
morseful Mr.. BroWnlow. the man
whose pocket he was supposed 10
have picked In his new friend!
house Oliver IS nursed through Sc
rious illness, and better days seen
to have dawned for him, when he
again falls into the hands of FaGin
This is no chance happening, for the
old crook, dreading the Information
which the boy may give, has him kid
mapped, while on an errand for Mr.