True to Himself

A free download from http://www.dertz.in


True to Himself

The Project Gutenberg EBook of True to Himself, by Edward
Stratemeyer Copyright laws are changing all over the world. Be sure to
check the copyright laws for your country before downloading or
redistributing this or any other Project Gutenberg eBook.
This header should be the first thing seen when viewing this Project
Gutenberg file. Please do not remove it. Do not change or edit the
header without written permission.
Please read the "legal small print," and other information about the
eBook and Project Gutenberg at the bottom of this file. Included is
important information about your specific rights and restrictions in how
the file may be used. You can also find out about how to make a
donation to Project Gutenberg, and how to get involved.
**Welcome To The World of Free Plain Vanilla Electronic Texts**
**eBooks Readable By Both Humans and By Computers, Since
1971**
*****These eBooks Were Prepared By Thousands of
Volunteers!*****
Title: True to Himself
Author: Edward Stratemeyer
Release Date: January, 2004 [EBook #4995] [Yes, we are more than

one year ahead of schedule] [This file was first posted on April 7,
2002]
Edition: 10
Language: English
Character set encoding: ASCII
*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK, TRUE TO
HIMSELF ***

This eBook was produced by Jim Weiler, xooqi.com

TRUE TO HIMSELF
ROGER STRONG'S STRUGGLE FOR PLACE
BY
EDWARD STRATEMEYER
PREFACE
"True to himself," while a complete story in itself, forms the third
volume of the "Ship and Shore Series," tales of adventure on land and
sea, written for both boys and girls.
In this story we are introduced to Roger Strong, a typical American
country lad, and his sister Kate, who, by an unhappy combination of
events, are thrown upon their own resources and compelled to make
their own way in the world.
To make one's way in the world is, ordinarily, difficult enough; but
when one is handicapped by a cloud on the family name, the difficulty
becomes far greater. With his father thrown into prison on a serious

charge, Roger finds that few people will have anything to do with
either himself or his sister, and the jeers flung at him are at times
almost more than he can bear. But he is "true to himself" in the best
meaning of that saying, rising above those who would pull him down,
and, in the end, not only succeeds in making a place for himself in the
world, but also scores a worthy triumph over those who had caused his
parents' downfall.
When this story was first printed as a serial, the author has every reason
to believe it was well received by the boys and girls for whom it was
written. In its present revised form he hopes it will meet with equal
commendation.
Edward Stratemeyer.
Newark, N.J., April 15, 1900.
_________________________________________________________
________
CHAPTER I
THE TROUBLE IN THE ORCHARD
"Hi, there, Duncan Woodward!" I called out. "What are you doing in
Widow Canby's orchard?"
"None of your business, Roger Strong," replied the only son of the
wealthiest merchant in Darbyville.
"You are stealing her pears," I went on. "Your pockets are full of
them."
"See here, Roger Strong, just you mind your own business and leave
me alone."
"I am minding my business," I rejoined warmly.
"Indeed!" And Duncan put as much of a sneer as was possible in the

word.
"Yes, indeed. Widow Canby pays me for taking care of her orchard,
and that includes keeping an eye on these pear trees," and I approached
the tree upon the lowest branch of which Duncan was standing.
"Humph! You think you're mighty big!" he blustered, as he jumped to
the ground. "What right has a fellow like you to talk to me in this
manner? You are getting too big for your boots."
"I don't think so. I'm guarding this property, and I want you to hand
over what you've taken and leave the premises," I retorted, for I did not
fancy the style in which I was being addressed.
"Pooh! Do you expect me to pay any attention to that?"
"You had better, Duncan. If you don't you may get into trouble."
"I suppose you intend to tell the widow what I've done."
"I certainly shall; unless you do as I've told you to."
Duncan bit his lip. "How do you know but what the widow said I could
have the pears?" he ventured.
"If she did, it's all right," I returned, astonished, not so much over the
fact that Widow Canby had granted the permission, as that such a
high-toned young gentleman as Duncan Woodward should desire that
privilege.
"You've no business to jump at conclusions," he added sharply.
"If I judged you wrongly, I