t is very hard to refuse such a request," continued the teacher;
"but, really, if I should give you the certificate, I am afraid it
would do you no good, while it might do me some harm, for I don't like
to have my scholars rejected. I cannot honestly say that I think you
are qualified for the High School; and besides your conduct has been
such of late, that I do not see how I could give you a very high
recommendation. I would advise you to give up the idea of applying for
admission. I am very sorry it is so, but that will not help the
matter."

What could Oscar say to this? He said nothing, but his looks betrayed
the deep mortification he felt, and moved his teacher to pity, while he
denied his request. Nor was this the end of Oscar's troubles. He had
got to face his father, and to confess to him that he was found
unworthy even to be a candidate for the school for which he had so long
been preparing. In doing this, he smoothed over the matter as well as
he could; but at best it was a bitter thing to him, and thus he began
to experience some of the sad but natural effects of his own misconduct.

CHAPTER XXI.

NED MIXER.

The long summer vacation had now commenced. Oscar wished to spend it
at Brookdale, but his parents did not seem much inclined to yield to
his wishes. They had not yet fully determined what to do with him;
whether to send him to a private school, when the vacations were over,
or to put him to work in some shop or store. Meanwhile, Oscar was
idling away his time about the streets, and devoting all his energies
to the pursuit of amusement. His favorite place of resort continued to
be the hotel where Alfred Walton lived. Here he found congenial
spirits in Alfred, and Andy the speller, and the several drivers and
hostlers, with whom he was on intimate terms. Here, too, he often met
with strangers who took his fancy.

At this time, a boy named Edward Mixer was boarding at the hotel. He
had lately come to Boston from another city, and Oscar and Alfred were
soon captivated by his free and easy manners, and his sociable
qualities. He was between fifteen and sixteen years old, and
represented that he was travelling about, to see the world. He said he
had plenty of money, and should have a great deal more, when he became
of age. He was fashionably dressed, and Oscar and Alfred felt proud of
his acquaintance, and were soon on terms of intimacy with him.

It was not long before Oscar dis