■■ ■■■■■■ ■■■ ■■■ ■■■

Visit to download the full and correct content document:

https://ebookstep.com/download/ebook-37063704/
More products digital (pdf, epub, mobi) instant
download maybe you interests ...

Asuhan Kebidanan Pada Kehamilan Buku Ajar Bd Yulizawati

Sst M Keb Dr Detty Iryani M Kes M Pd Ked Aif Bd Lusiana
Elsinta B Sst M Keb Aldina Ayunda Insani S Keb Bd M Keb
Feni Andriani S Keb Bd M Keb
https://ebookstep.com/product/asuhan-kebidanan-pada-kehamilan-
buku-ajar-bd-yulizawati-sst-m-keb-dr-detty-iryani-m-kes-m-pd-ked-
aif-bd-lusiana-elsinta-b-sst-m-keb-aldina-ayunda-insani-s-keb-bd-
m-keb-feni-andriani-s-keb-bd-m-keb/

Handbuch Industrie 4 0 Bd 2 Automatisierung 2te Birgit

Vogel-Heuser

https://ebookstep.com/product/handbuch-
industrie-4-0-bd-2-automatisierung-2te-birgit-vogel-heuser/

Handbuch Industrie 4 0 Bd 1 Produktion 2nd Edition

Birgit Vogel-Heuser

https://ebookstep.com/product/handbuch-
industrie-4-0-bd-1-produktion-2nd-edition-birgit-vogel-heuser/

Yoko Tsuno Bd 7 Zwischen Leben Und Tod 2001st Edition

Roger Leloup

https://ebookstep.com/product/yoko-tsuno-bd-7-zwischen-leben-und-
tod-2001st-edition-roger-leloup/
Ein Mord erster Klasse Smiley Bd 2 1st Edition John Le
Carré

https://ebookstep.com/product/ein-mord-erster-klasse-smiley-
bd-2-1st-edition-john-le-carre/

Handbuch Industrie 4 0 Bd 3 Logistik 2nd Edition Birgit

Vogel-Heuser

https://ebookstep.com/product/handbuch-
industrie-4-0-bd-3-logistik-2nd-edition-birgit-vogel-heuser/

Hieronymus Romanus Studies on Jerome and Rome on the

Occasion of the 1600th Anniversary of His Death 87 Ingo
Schaaf (Editor)

https://ebookstep.com/product/hieronymus-romanus-studies-on-
jerome-and-rome-on-the-occasion-of-the-1600th-anniversary-of-his-
death-87-ingo-schaaf-editor/

Handbuch Industrie 4 0 Bd 4 Allgemeine Grundlagen 2nd

Edition Birgit Vogel-Heuser

https://ebookstep.com/product/handbuch-
industrie-4-0-bd-4-allgemeine-grundlagen-2nd-edition-birgit-
vogel-heuser/

Gesamtausgabe Bd 91 Ergänzungen und Denksplitter IV

ABTEILUNG HINWEISE UND AUFZEICHNUNGEN Martin Heidegger
Mark Michalski Editor

https://ebookstep.com/product/gesamtausgabe-bd-91-erganzungen-
und-denksplitter-iv-abteilung-hinweise-und-aufzeichnungen-martin-
heidegger-mark-michalski-editor/
曹文轩讲作文
五年级

^ ◎主编

(g )湖南少年儿童出版社
y HUNAN JUVENILE & CHILDREN S PUBLISHING HOUSE
 曹忒科作家、学者。1954年生于江苏

盐城。现为北京大学中文系教授、博士生导

师，同时担任中国作协全国委员会委员、北京
作协副主席。代表性长篇小说有《草房子》
《红瓦》《根鸟》《天瓢》《青铜葵花》《山羊

不吃天堂草》等，主要文学作品集有《忧郁的

田园》《蔷薇谷》《追随永恒》《三角地》等，

主要学术性著作有《中国八十年代文学现象研
究》《二十世纪末中国文学现象研究》《第二

世界——对文学艺术的哲学解释》《小说门》
等。2003年由作家出版社出版《曹文轩文集》

(9卷）。多部作品被翻译为英、德、法、日、

韩等国文字。主编和参与主编人民教育出版社、
北京大学出版社、南京师范大学岀版社、广西

教育出版社、湖南教育出版社出版的《高中语

文》《新人文读本》《第二语文》《新语文读
本》《语文读本》等多种语文教材和语文读本。

曾获国际安徒生提名奖、中国安徒生奖、宋庆
龄文学奖、冰心文学奖、国家图书奖、金鸡奖

最佳编剧奖、中国电影华表奖、德黑兰国际电
影节“金蝴蝶”奖等40多种奖项。
 Digitized by the Internet Archive
in 2019 with funding from
Kahle/Austin Foundation

https://archive.org/details/mendaocaowenxuan0003unse
(
V
g )湖南少年儿童出版社
HUNAN JUVENILE &CHILDREN'S PUBLISHING HOUSE
图书在版编目（CIP)数据

门道：曹文轩讲作文.五年级/曹文轩主编.--长沙：
湖南少年儿童出版社，2010.6
ISBN 978-7-5358-5254-0

I .①门…II.①曹…DI.①作文课-小学-教学参考资料
IV.0G624.243
中国版本图书馆CIP数据核字（2010)第111703号

關曹文轩讲作文（五年级)
策划编辑：李芳 责任编辑：李芳唐龙
质量总监：郑瑾 装帧设计：春天•书装工作室

出版人：胡坚
出版发行：湖南少年儿童出版社
社址：湖南省长沙市晚报大道89号 邮编： 410016
电话： 0731-82196340 (销售部） 82196313 (总编室）
传真： 0731-82199308 (销售部） 82196330 (综合管理部）
常年法律顾问：北京市长安律师事务所长沙分所张晓军律师

经销：新华书店 印刷：湖南天闻新华印务有限公司
印张：13.5 字数： 270干字
开本： 710mmxl000mm 1/16
版次： 2010年8月第1版
印次： 2011年5月第2次印刷
定价:19.80元

编者声明：在本套书的编写过程中，还有一部分作者因通信地址不详，未能
联系上。在此，敬请这些作者谅解，并与我们联系，以便及时支付稿费。

版权所有侵权必究
质量服务承诺：若发现缺页、错页、倒装等印装质量问题，可直接向本社调换。
服务电话： 0731-82196362
 文章怎么写？
文章可教吗？
有人说，文章不可教。
我不同意这个未加证明的决断说法。
我一直认为，文章与世界上的任何一门科学、任何一门技艺一样，都是可教的。
然而，后来写出头的一些作家当中，却有许多人在说文章是不可教的。对此，我总
怀疑他们的动机：这是说文章乃是天才之人才能写就吗？这是说他们绝非等闲之辈
吗？我的疑惑是：又正是他们这些人，却一直在向人们津津乐道地大谈特谈文章之
道。既然你认为文章是不可教的，你又谈什么文章之道和文章技法呢？古往今来，
大文章家们又有谁没有谈过此类话题？又有几个没有留下一本、几本的经验之谈？
其实，文章家们在写作过程中一直都在琢磨文章之道，并且总结出了许多文章之道，
传给后来人。有些道，后来还成了法。后来的写作者们又有谁没有接受过前人留下
的“道”和“法”？又有谁是光靠自己的禀赋和摸索就写出好文章来的？
世界上没有什么神秘的东西是不可传授的，文章也不例外。
我这么说，并不是在否定天分的作用。就像这世界上的任何工作一样，肯定有
人天分不俗，会干得好一些，而有人则天分不足，会干得差一些。但这丝毫也不能
成为文章不可教的理由。

但确实也有一些写作教条是害人的——简直就是草管人命。
当下中国，中小学生拒绝、厌恶写作，已是很广泛的事情。原因很多，而其中
大概有这样一个原因：与那些僵死的、古怪的甚至变态的写作教条有关。这些教条
根深蒂固于一些成年人的大脑里，然后他们按这样的道法去教那些天性自由开阔的
孩子写所谓的文章。这些教条犹如捆绑的绳索和囚禁的樊笼，使那些孩子最终将写
作看成了一件痛苦不堪的事情。
我不敢说这个世界上会有一种让所有孩子都乐于写作文的方式，但我敢说，这
个世界上肯定会有一种不让所有孩子一提到写作文就感到痛苦不堪的方式。写作文
也是一种写作——初级写作。写作本应该是一件赏心悦目、十分愉快的事情。舞文
弄墨，会使他们获得一种精神上的快意。
而这种种模式之中，有一个模式是最要人命的。它最大的弊端在于牺牲写作个
性，不给想象力留下施展的空间。这一模式表现在写作手法上就是在一种完全格式
化了的框架中来完成所谓的写作。以叙事性的写作为例，这种格式就是：见景―入
境—抒情―升华—煞尾点题。这是一般的中小学生写作的基本模式。这一模式经一
代又一代地承续与流传，已成为一般中小学生写作的唯一模式。这一模式表现在写
作内容上，就是在极其有限的观念之下来确定文章的主题，大千世界，所有一切，
都生拉硬扯到这屈指可数的几个主题之下，结果既使世界的丰富性无法得到呈示，
也使有多种解释的可能成为不可能。
在这样一种模式之下的写作，当然无法指望其能够产生快意。
如今，这一模式已成为社会“公害”。它不仅使一代又一代人陷入一种僵直的写
作模式，甚至使一代又一代人陷入了僵直的思维模式。它窒息了自由烂漫的孩子们
所具有的鲜活的、广阔无边的想象力，窒息了他们的诚实品质的舒张，窒息了纯洁
而自然的情感的抒发，使写作变成一种生硬的比附、一种培养虚伪习气的演习，最
终导致了成人后的平庸与无趣。它把文字活动这一人类最优美、最令人心情舒畅的
活动变成了一种枯燥无味的痛苦的编造。它正在对我们所拥有的优秀的语文历史，
进行着一场漫长而深入的破坏。

这些年我与中小学的语文教育和作文教学发生了千丝万缕的联系，我也有心想
将我的有关写作（作文）的思考系统地梳理一下，却无奈总不得清闲，一时无法去
完成自己的心愿。现在，有了另样的方式：有那么一个团队执著地要对我的一些理
念以及我的写作实践进行“翻箱倒柜' 这是一个精心组织的团队。他们有出版人、
编辑，其主力是一些有才气、有专业知识装备，且态度极其认真的博士生。他们
“整” 了我一大堆材料（有些材料，连我自己都早忘了），并且将我的作品横过来看
竖过来看，企图敲打出一些东西来，于是就有了这套书。他们的诚心、苦心和耐心，
我将永远心存感激。
最后我要说一点意思——这也许是我最想强调的意思，那就是：这一套书中所
呈现的写作理念是开放的，它只是若干理念中的一种理念。文有道，亦有法，但又
“文无定法”，这里头含有悖论，亦含有玄机。我愿意论道讲法，我也相信这四个字
是永恒的真理。但我绝不希望我的写作理念也成为一种模式，如果是那样，那将是
非常悲哀的事情了。
我以为这套书的意义，就在于它对从前写作模式的叩问，在于它提出了若干需
要我们一起来探讨的有关中小学生写作的问题。也就是冲着这点意思，我们走到
了 一起。
达抵作文秘境的，绝对不只有一种路线图"~-此乃大法。
 第一章留下指缝间的点阳光
— 趣味记事

第一季童年万花筒

第二季家庭五味瓶

第三季校园小世界

第四季社会大舞台

第二章支起我们的写生小画板
— 形象状物

第一季花草留影

第二季动物留踪

第三季文化留痕

第三章万物有情，心有所感
MULU
— 四『到』写景

第一季四吟唱

第二季面对自然的五分钟

9； S2 Si 6S 57 47 46 36 25 14 3
 第三季魂系家乡

第四季城乡凝视

第五季边走看

第四章人心如面，感悟其中
-深入写人
第一季亲人素描

第二季勾勒师友

第三季着墨陌生人

第五章看清楚，讲明白
-清晰说明
第一季事理篇

第二季事物篇

第三季制作篇

第六章静下来，阅读生活
-抒写启示
第一季心灵鸡汤

第二季生活细语

第三季我爱读书
 第一章留下指缝间的点点阳光

，参’#
——趣味记事

m s S
豪防€_

有一个孩子叫根鸟，为了寻找一个长满百合花的大峡
谷，拯救一个因摘花掉进峡谷的女孩儿，他毅然告别了年
迈的父亲，开始了艰难的旅行。
执著而憨厚的根鸟在路上遇到了形形色色的人，发生
了各种各样的故事。
他遇到了一个和自己一样离家出走寻找某种寄托的流
浪汉，并与之建立了深厚的友谊；他遇到了一个叫秋蔓的
女孩，并用自己的诚实肯干赢得了秋蔓父母的信任；他甚
至遇到了一个人贩子，被拐卖到矿山里，有了很多天艰苦
的矿工生活……
但最终，他找到了他梦中的那个大峡谷。
其实，这一路上的经历，就是根鸟成长的足迹。大家
读过这本书吗？这是一'部迷幻神奇的长篇小说。
我们每个人都要学会记录自己的“脚印”。记下每一步
(发生在自己身上的每一件小事），建构起自己的鸿篇巨著。
 %记事四要

%中心要明确

记事时，不仅要把事情写得具体、完整，还应通过这件事表明自己的
想法，或告诉读者一个道理。也就是说，记事时应确立一个明确的中心。

$细节、情节要“折腾，’

“折腾”是曹老师一直强调的作文概念。这里的“折腾”，就是要“超
越熟人熟事，对生活进行再创造”。它包含有两层意义：一是细节的折腾，
就是要抓住细小的生活材料，把单调的生活素材变得熠熠生辉；二是情节
的折腾，就是要善于运用各种表现手法，把平常的事件写得一波三折，引
人入胜。

%叙事要结合写人

从一定程度上说，叙事离不开写人。记事作文尽管是以叙事为中心
的，然而人是事件的主体，对人进行刻画和描写，能在很大程度上烘托气
氛、设置情节、推动事件的发展。

I感情要融入
对于一件事，你的态度是喜爱的还是厌恶的；从这件事里，你是受到
了启发还是得到了教训，这些都属于你自己的感情范围。在记事时，融入
自己的感情，能使事件输入感情的血液，变得更加丰满。
 第一季童年万花茼

ooooooooooo

童年吋，我们构信远方有个淼林，铺着繁花
似绵的小路，生话着形形@@可爱的小动物，上
演着和A类一样悲欢离含的故事；童年时，我们
构信星星会砭裉睛，R亮是羞答答的新娘，六阳
穿着火风衣，©的是为了烤东©吃；童年时，我
们住着低矮的草屋，却相信这就是天堂……
我们慢惽长六了，关子童年的记tZ,很远很
长……你还记得什么呢?

油麻他+讲堂：作家实例精解

我生在福建南部沿海山区之龙溪县坂 批注$---—喇曲咖-娜_

仔村。 i 王羲之的《兰亭集i
1序》中有“又有清流激湍，
坂仔村位于肥沃的山谷之中，四周皆山， 映带左右”的句子。意思
本地称之为东湖。虽有急流激湍，但浅而不 i是，还有清澈而湍急的溪
深，不能行船，有之，即仅浅底小舟而已。船 i流，辉映环绕在左右。I
1 丨■ I

夫及其女儿，在航行此急流之时，必须跳入水
批注2
中，裸露至腿际，真个是将小舟扛在肩上。
! 嘉溪山像锯齿一样
坂仔村之南，极目遥望，但见远山绵 矗立，这个比喻写出了
亘，无论晴雨，皆掩映于云雾之间。北望，嘉 嘉溪山的险峻。
 日，风自极狭窄的狗牙谷呼啸而过，置身此
..,.—.
地，人几乎可与天地相接。 I 这个词用来形容光秃
童年时，每年到斜溪和鼓浪屿去的情形， i秃的山上没有草木，有时
令人毕生难忘。在斜溪，另一条河与这条河 ]也作为人秃顶的诙谐说
丨法。重，山上不长草木。
汇合，河水遂展宽，我们乃改乘正式家房船
!濯濯，光秃秃的样子。
直到县中大城漳州。到漳州视野突然开阔，
^船蜿®I前行，两岸群山或高或低，当时光景，至今犹在目前，与华北之童
大为不同，树木葱茏青翠，多果实，田园间农人牛畜耕作，荔
枝、龙眼、朱栾等果树，处处可见，巨榕枝柯伸展，浓阴如盖，正好供人
在下乘凉之用。冬季，橘树开花，山间朱红处处，争鲜斗艳。
父母让我和三兄弟到鼓浪屿求学，这样自然就离开了母亲。一去往往
是一整年。坐在那种家房船里，我总是看见海上风浪女神妈祖的神龛
(kan),放置在船尾，不停地点着几炷香，船夫往往给我们说古老的故事。
有时，我们听见别的船上飘来的幽怨悦耳的箫声。音乐在水上，上帝在天
宫。在我那童稚的岁月，还能再希望什么更好的环境呢？

我最早就有想当作家的愿望，八岁时我写了一本教科书。一页是课
文，接着一页是插图。是我秘密中做的，很细心不使别人看到。等大姐发
现时，我好难为情，不久之后，所有兄弟姐妹都能背了。文句是：
人自高终必败
持战甲靠弓矢
而不知他人强
他人力千百倍
以所用的字汇论，写的算不坏。写这篇文字时，是与新教堂正在建筑
中的那些日子的情形，联想在一起的。
另一页是写一个蜜蜂采蜜而招到焚身之 批注
焚烧身体。旧时宗
祸。有一张画儿，上面画着一个可以携带的
教信徒以之作为一种祈
小泥火炉。课文今已忘记。也是同样道德教丨祷、赎罪行为。
训的意味。 ^ °
我也以发明中国药粉治疗外伤为戏，名之为“好四散”。当时童年的
幻想使我对这种药粉的功效真是信而不疑。几位姐姐因此常跟我开玩笑。
我曾写过一副对子，讽刺老师给我作文的评语。老师给我的评语是
“如巨蟒行小径”，此所以言我行文之拙笨。我回敬的是“似小蝴过荒原”。
现在我想到这副对联，还颇得意。
 我还想起来，我十几岁时的头脑，常常想到别人想不到的事。在很早
的时候，我就问上帝是否是无所不在，若是的话，那一定是“头上三尺有
神明”。还有，为什么我们每逢吃饭前先要感谢上帝。我很早就推出了结
论，那就是，虽然我们吃的米不见得是上帝赐予的，我们总是要谢谢那位
原始的赐予者，就犹如在历史有一段太平的岁月时，老百姓要感谢皇帝一
样。（选自林语堂《八十自叙》）

在童年时，我们常常会有一些异想天开的想法，做一些出人
奪料的事，其实，这些经历就是我们的财富。你看，在作家林语
堂笔下，他/L时写的网页书、发OR的药粉、写过的对子，经过他
记忆的加工和文字的"折腾”，熠熠生輝，读来别有趣味了。

.一/ L
白會仏、生泡也翁 材、
林清玄

我小学时代使用的一本国语字典，被母亲细心地保存了十几年，最近
才从母亲的红木书柜里找到。更让人惊奇的是，在翻阅这本字典时，找到
一张已经变了颜色的“白雪公主泡泡糖”的包装纸，那是一张长条的鲜黄
色纸，上面用细线印了一个白雪公主的头像，于今看起来，公主的图样已
经有一点粗糙简陋了。 批注
到底是在上国语课时偷偷吃泡泡糖夹进去 遁去、渺无
：

的？是夜晚在家里温书吃泡泡糖夹进去的？还：两个^带给我们一种空灵
是有意保存了这张包装纸呢？翻遍国语字典也
找不到答案。
唯一记得的倒是那一种旧时乡间十分流行的泡泡糖，是粉红色长方形
十分粗大的一块，一块五毛钱。对于长在乡间的小孩子，那时的五毛钱非
常昂贵，是两天的零用钱，常常要咬紧牙关才买来一块，一嚼就是一整天，
吃饭的时候把它吐在玻璃纸上包起，等吃过饭 Jttlt夂、
再放到口里嚼。 ：这就是童年啊 Tli^;
^未脱，傻里傻气，但这种
 说是“白雪公主泡泡糖”应该是可以吹出很大气泡的，却不尽然。吃
那泡泡糖多少靠运气，记得能吹出气泡的大概五块里才有一块，许多是硬
到吹弹不动，更多的是嚼起来不能结成固体，弄得一嘴糖沫，赶紧吐掉，
坐着伤心半天。我手里的这一张可能是一块能吹出大气泡的泡泡糖的包装
否则怎么会小心翼翼地夹做纪念呢？
我小时候并不是很乖巧的那种孩子，常常为着要不到两毛钱的零用就
赖在地上打滚，然后一边打滚一边偷看母亲的脸色，直到母亲被我搞烦
了，拿到零用钱，我才欢天喜地地跑到街上去，或者就这样跑去买了一个
“白雪公主”，然后就嚼到天黑。
长大以后，再也没有在店里看过“白雪公主泡泡糖”，都是细致而包
装精美的一片一片的“口香糖”；每一片都能嚼成形，每一片都能吹出气
泡，反而没有像幼年一样能体会买泡泡糖靠运气的心情。（选自林清玄
《白雪少年》，本文有删节）

.-ml j二：^l-lll^lltfllrtlf.

我喜欢读这样的文章，全文设有什么华丽的词汇，但是恝

我们的作文其实也常常闬到这样的写法。

外祖父在地里种番薯，秋后收下来的番薯晒干切成白色丝状小条，上
面有细碎粉末。收集起来，可以吃很长时间。番薯叶用来喂猪，外婆用番薯
叶、南瓜和米糠喂养那只大猪。
批注 令A

随着作者温馨的叙
了番薯干和红小豆及水的陶罐深埋进炉灰堆
述，我们仿佛能看见
“做粥”的全过程，能品
尝到温热而烂熟的粥落
入胃里的那种甜而暖的
 外祖母总是早起。大概五点多天未亮，她就起身在厨房和房间之间来
回穿梭。她和那个年代的每一个农妇一样，勤劳周转，有做不完的家事。
快过年的时候，尤其忙碌，把懦米磨成粉，做年糕，炒瓜子花生和米花
糖，所有的点心都自己来做，一屉一屉蒸熟。
在春节常做的两种点心，一种是豆沙馅的懦米团，豆沙加了白糖和桂
花，很是甜腻，团子表面撒着红色米粒，中心处染了红色，叫它红团团。
还有一种是萝卜丝咸菜豆干焰，糯米层略有些硬，嚼起来更有清香。
临近春节的冬天早晨，外祖母早起格外忙碌。厨房里的火灶，干柴塞
进去，火苗闪耀，松枝和灌木发出噼啪脆裂的声音。
由庭院里天井打水，倒进水缸的声音；鸡鸭和猪发出的声音；碗盘的
声音；忙碌而迅疾的脚步声……种种声响，惊动一个寻常的清晨。
棉花被子是有些重量的，但很暖和，只有露在外面的脸庞冰凉。即使
醒来也不愿意马上起身穿衣，躺在微亮的凌晨蓝光里，看着暗中火焰跳动
的光亮，耳边交织这些热闹却不喧杂的声音，心里只觉得非常寂静。又只
觉得自己会失去这样的时刻，幼小时心里已有惆怅。

花二廢期批注 2^.
丨 这段文字写了

酸暑生色，情咸却酣畅淋漓尸|

大自然的美，从来都是丰盛端庄的。郑重自持。如同一种秩序，一种
道理。
童年的我，有时躺在屋顶平台远眺高山，凝望遥不可及高高在上的山
顶边缘，对它们心怀向往，渴望能够攀登到山 ..„批注2
顶，探索山的深处，知道那里到底有些什么。； 深得无法测量，比喻 j
可当站在iij厕时候，糊嫌I日是这种懸」
ga的神秘。自然给予的威慑，它的寓意从无穷尽。
一个孩子拥有在乡村度过的童年，是幸会的际遇。无拘无束生活在天
地之中，如同蓬勃生长的野草，生命力格外旺盛。
高山，田野，天地之间的这份抵徵息蓋，与人世的动荡变更没有关
联。一个人对土地和大自然怀有的感情，使 批注
他与世间保持微小而超脱的距离，会与别人 态度安详，一如常态。
不同。 议S".

作者说：一个孩子拥有在灸衬度过的童年，是幸会的际遇。
IJ:她闬温暖的笔调，把I)己童年时的记忆——垂薯、做粥、过年
时的各种点甚至冬天早晨躲在被窝圼那种单纯的美好感受
都一一胨列了出来。这种记忆温嗦而单纯，是我们童年的財富。
W\

油麻他习作琏：菏龄佳作荟萃

薛湘竹
作文课上，老师让我们把写好的作文相互交换着看，交换各自的意
见。于是，我把自己的作文恭恭敬敬地交给同桌阿爽浏览了一遍后，我刚
想让她提提意见，可下课铃响了。
我和阿爽手拉着手走出教室，径直向小店走去。路上，阿爽语调冷漠
地对我说：“薛湘竹，我看过你的作文了。”我的心一紧，表情有些尴尬
地看着阿爽，不知阿爽是褒是贬。
批注
阿爽突然背过身去，说：“我觉得不怎 指一般地浮泛地谈
么样，很无聊，有些迄_谈。” 谈，而非深入讨论。泛
泛，平常，不深入。

.，.八.....-.人'〜、'一一—XCMMOtoMOSWtWWWTOWW'SWWW

听到阿爽对自己的
丨“贬低”，小作者心里非常
我觉得眼睛有些湿润，但我还是装出一副若 ^难受。这段文字非常细致
；地再现了小作者当时的感
无其事的样子说：“是挺无聊的，我本来就
想，描写真实动人。
没怎么用心写。”
阿爽缓缓转过身，疑惑地看着我，马上又变得很平静。“哦。”她轻
轻地应了一声，接着笑容就在她的脸上绽开了，“走，去买东西吧！快上
课了。”说完，她牵起我的手，向小店奔去。 〜〜

其实我并没对阿爽说实话，我骗了阿爽，也骗了自己。那篇作文我不
是没有用心写，我同样花了一番心血。不管写得怎样，它都是我劳动的成
果，都值得尊重。可我没有勇气承认自己努力写了，却写得不怎么样。我
太虚伪了，只为了保留一点所谓的面子，为了证明我如果好好写，就会写
得很好，而贬低了自己的作品，否定了自己的努力。
回想刚才的话，我有一种对不起自己的感觉，是的，我对不起自己，
我想对自己说一声：薛湘竹，对不起！

斤到阿爽说自己的作文不怎么样时，作者装作若无其事的
样子，说设有闬必写，虽然検®了一点子，但作者并不开
©为她轻慢了自己的努力。整个故事随着"我”也理的变
化而变化，细膩的也'理描写是本文的特色。

我有一个愿望，希望能在《作文大王》上刊登我的作品。有一天，我
终于鼓起勇气投了一次稿，可……唉！
2008年某月某日（具体的日期忘记了，毕竟痛苦的往事不堪回首。）
我写了一篇自认为足以懷孟地^^的作 批注之
文，准备投到我最喜欢的《作文大王》去。第 形容自己觉得自己
的作文写得好，自我夸
二天，我带着信件信心满满、激动万分地狂奔
耀的情绪溢于言表。
去邮局投了稿。原以为我的文章一定可以刊
登，于是我天天在家、迪整天都在做白 雛
日梦。（原来我还真是单纯得可爱啊！嘻嘻， 形容自以为不错而得
意的样子。沾，洋洋自得
自恋中……）
的样子。
接下来的几天里，我几乎逢人便说，见人
就夸耀：“我的作文要上《作文大王》了！”在我家那一带，我投稿的事
几乎“家喻户晓”了。
可事与愿违，几个星期后，《作文大王》编辑部依然没有给我回信。
 这可把我急坏了，因为凡是认识的人，不论 批注
男女老少，见到我的第一句话就是：“你的 心里不畅快，但脸上
作文登上《作文大王》了吗?”每一次，我只 勉强装出喜笑的样子。

能强颜兹笑地回答：“还没到月底呢，不会那么快发表的。”其实，到底
我的作文能不能登上《作文大王》，我的心里也没底了。我的心情一点点
V从激动变成失望。但是，不到最后，我绝不放弃。
^) 终于的终于，新一期的《作文大王》发出来了。我把杂志翻了一遍又
一遍……没有我的作文，竟然没有我的！我 批注i
f_ 好^的写法
腹返底JL。不仅如此，每天来校，我都要面j
对同学的冷嘲热讽。那可真是叫天天不应，叫地地不灵啊！谁叫我吹了个
那么大的牛皮，还把它给吹破了呢！唉，真是悔不该当初啊！
心高气傲的我投稿失败、吹牛皮的事，成了一代“佳话”。

整个"投稿风谐”的过程被小作者叙述得一谐三折，极为
生动。然而这篇文章更动人的地方在子，它不杈写出了投稿的
“Ri皮”，还写出了小作者€灵上的“风谐”。由子+作者的期
昉和失望是伴随着投稿的前前后后的，所以对给了读者很强的
真实恝呢丨这就是把"叙事和写人结含”的一个表现啦！

...一一一—

:^:求剩”-— rT
在每个人的童年里，都有许多难忘的事情。有欢乐的，有难过的，有
幸福的，但更多的是天真有趣的.每当我想起童年的那一件趣事，就会
忍不住哈哈大笑起来。 批注
) 行文中用到了 “你”，i
I像是在和读者对话，拉近：
:了与读者的距离。
那是一个星期六的早上，我与弟弟、表
哥约好一起在我们家里看动画片。就在这一天，一部以我为主角、弟弟和
表哥为配角的“欢乐喜剧”上演了，至于名字嘛，就叫“新‘刻舟求剑’”
好了……
 表哥还没到。于是，我无聊地按着遥控器，不停地转换着频道，弟弟
则玩玩具。突然，一部电视剧吸引了我的眼球，我以为自己看花了眼，就
揉了揉眼睛，定睛一看，果真是《天龙八部》！ “哇，这不是表哥最喜欢
看的《天龙八部》吗？”我兴奋地叫了起来。正在玩着玩具的弟弟听到我
的叫声，转回头一看，不由得也叫了起来：“真的耶！是表哥最喜欢看的
《天龙八部》哦!” “怎么办呢，弟弟？表哥可是非常喜欢看这一部电视剧
的啊！”我皱起眉头，摇着弟弟的手，着急地说。如果表哥知道《天龙八
部》正在播放，而自己又看不到，该多么失望啊。
“不知道啊，能怎么办，凉拌呗。”弟弟一脸沮丧地说。
“不行，我们一定要想办法让表哥看到《天龙八部》！”我态度坚决地
对弟弟说。可是，要怎么办才好呢？我急得在电视机前转来转去。突然，
我的头脑中灵光一闪，冒出了一个想法。于是，我马上三步并作两步地跑
到电视机前，将电视机关了。还没等我解释，弟弟就对我大叫道：“哥，
你做什么啊？我要看电视！” “不是啦，表哥不是喜欢看这部电视剧吗？
我们先关了电视机，等表哥来了就放给他看，不就行了吗?”我看着弟弟，
认真地说。
“嘿，哥你还真聪明啊，想出了这样一个好办法!”弟弟佩服地说。
“那当然！你可要跟哥哥多学学!”我抬起下巴，得意地笑着说。
于是，我与弟弟一起玩起了玩具。过了一会儿，表哥来了。他刚踏进
门口，我们就迫不及待地对他说：“表哥，有《天龙八部》！” “真的吗?
快放给我看。”表哥高兴得跳起来。“好!”弟弟快速跑到电视机前，按下
“开关”按钮。电视机打开了，我和弟弟却傻眼了。电视机里播放的不是
《天龙八部》，而是那些无聊的广告。我与弟弟惊讶地看着电视，难以置信
地说：“怎么没有了呢？刚才放着的明明是《天龙八部》啊。怎么会没有
呢？这到底是怎么回事啊?”表哥也是丈二和尚摸不着头脑。
他疑惑地问：“怎么回事啊，你们是不是故意整我啊？”当他听完我
一五一十的“报告”之后，早已捧着肚子笑得滚到了地上。而我呢，正莫
名其妙表哥为什么会是这种反应呢。
批注‘
好不容易笑完后，表哥把“刻舟求剑”
I “重蹈覆辙”指重新[
的故事告诉了我。这时我才恍然大悟，我的 走上翻过车的老路。比
〗

做法其实就是在重 丨喻不吸取教训，再次遭
I遇失败。作者“三明治”
辙啊。回想故事的内容，再想想我自己的行
1式的写法用得很灵活，
为，我也忍不住哈哈大笑起来。 但这样做要谨慎。 j
这就是我所演绎的新版“刻舟求剑”的
.......'
故事，现在回想起来，童年的我可真是傻得可爱啊!

+作者叙事的能力有两点值得我们借鉴：首先，把"刻搿求
tr的寓言故事与自己的傻事巧妙地结含起来；其次，整个事件的
过程被小作者叙述得一彼三折——先是自己发现，接着说眼弟弟和
©己一起等,•然后等表哥来了迨不沒待地打幵电视；最后借表哥之
o讲出"刻得求剑”的故搴。+作者可真善子"折腾”啊I

涫涫球的故夸
王哲凡

溜溜球可是我的心爱之物。
一天，我在学校里看见同学手上有一个名叫“火力银电v”的溜溜球，
心里羡慕极了。回家的路上，小摊上那五颜六色的溜溜球一直搅得我心神
不宁。于是，我央求妈妈说：“给我买个溜溜球吧。” “玩溜溜球可是项
技术活儿，不跑也不闹。行，没问题。”妈妈不假思索地答应了。第二天
放学，我便得到了一个“火力银电S”，高兴 批注
得我一蹦三尺高。 “小心翼翼地” “揣”
“不时地” “摸”，“一会
儿又”拿出来“绕绕线
绳” “溜个几圈” “来个
凰^就这样，我一路走一路 ‘升降机’”这一系列动作
玩，顾不得眼前穿梭的车辆，听不见嘀嘀的 描写，把小作者对溜溜球
的喜爱之情表露无遗。
喇叭声，一眨眼的工夫就到了家。吃饭时，
球在我的碗旁；洗澡时，它在我的浴室；做作业时，它在我的书旁；睡觉
时，它又躺在了我的枕边。“溜溜球啊，溜溜球，我可不想和你分开。”
晚上，我躺在床上小声嘟囔着进入了梦乡。 批，
接下来的几天我可努力啦——SMMM: 1 比喻尽可能利用一切f
地练球技。早上起床练，上学路上练，课间I
休息练，中午午休练，就连双休日我也安排了练习的时间，还亲临表演现
场请教高手。没过多久，那些“睡眠” “遛狗” “烽火灼人” “婴儿摇
篮” “魔术球” “流行飞碟”等基本动作，我全都掌握了。
 哈，这些天，我玩溜溜球的技术进步啦，可也没少挨批评：溜溜球买
了五个，撞毁、拆坏了三个——挨批；数学作业算错了不少——挨批；语
文书写不端正——挨批；没有按时睡觉——挨批。
上周五，当我再缠着妈妈要一个“速度之魔”时，妈妈就再也忍不住
了，上告了贾老师。当我哭丧着脸，耷拉着 批注％
脑袋等着挨骂时，贾老师却租麗悅色地说： 脸色和蔼喜悦，形容
“孩子，你知道‘玩物丧志’这个成语吗？回 和善可亲。颜，面容；悦，
愉快；色，脸色。
家查查成语词典，再写篇作文，题目就叫
‘溜溜球的故事’。至于买不买球，还是你自己做决定吧。”说完，他还塞
了一粒糖果给我。虽然，贾老师的奖品我渴望了很久，但这粒糖果却让我
一点也高兴不起来。
晚上回家，我翻开字典，哦，“玩物丧志”原来是这样解释的：醉心
于玩赏所喜好的东西，从而丧失积极进取的志气。
在第二天的家庭大会上，长辈们的开导让我明白了：做任何事情都要
有个度，要学会适可而止。对于学生来说，学业是最重要的，可不能因为
过分迷恋游戏而荒废学业。现在我最后的决定是：溜溜球，休息一下，
对，就到这里，休息一下吧。等我安排好了学习生活，我们再见吧。

小作者非常善子讲故事，他通过一系列动作和也'理描写，
I
杳田老轉 把自己对溜溜球的喜爱和瘀迷之惰表达得具体可感。值得一提
的是，文章结尾写了 “我〃对“玩物丧志”的理解，从"溜溜
球的故事〃中闲色的"做任何事情粽要有个度，要学会适可而
±n的遒理，给人留下了深刻的印象。

菱收季苷：充实我的秦枋库
1 .童年釣回忆：
异想天开惊慌不已自以为是突发奇想
有悖常理傻里傻气灵机一动憨头憨脑
2.童年钓行径：
他戴上爷爷的破帽子，拿起酒瓶儿当话筒，左手往后一背，腰一弯，
学着赵本山的样子，煞有介事地唱起《小草》来。
 3.童年妁游戏：
一场雷雨过后，地上泥泞不堪。我跑出家门，召集“小部下”们研究
“泥巴射击”。说干就干，我下令：“小强，你挖泥；娜娜，你和泥；小
光，你在墙上画靶。” “遵命!”不一会儿，崭新洁白的墙上出现了一个大
大的“靶子”，一环套一环，像荧光屏里映现的金色电波。我先拿起一块
泥巴，瞄准“靶子”奋力扔去，“啪！”不偏不倚，泥巴落在了靶心。
“好!” “真准!” “太棒啦!”小伙伴们都翘起大拇指称赞。他们手心也痒
痒了，急着要摔。我给他们排好顺序，站在墙边评判：“第一届少年儿童
射击比赛现在开始!”“哗……”我刚说完，就激起一阵热烈的掌声。我
得意地点头致谢，然后学着国际足球比赛中那个快嘴播音员的腔调，把
手握成个话筒状，嘴里不住地嘟囔着：“小强摔得准，爆炸得也好，美
得像朵花；小霞这团摔得不准，爆炸得也不好看，像豆腐渣……”又是
一阵哄笑，伙伴们笑得流岀了眼泪。正玩得开心，曹大婶从院子里拐了
出来，一眼就瞥见她家粉白的墙上沾满了泥巴，顿时气得眼圈发红，我
一看，傻眼了。

第二季家庭五味瓶

我们中华民族是一个家庭观念很浓厚的民
麻、。自古以来，在每个中华子孙的心、©中，总有
着浓谘的家庭惰结。"慈母手中线，游子爵上
衣' 难忘的是母子惰深；"遥知兄弟登高处，
遍插茱英少一人”，遗憾的是兄弟不能@聚；
“但愿人长久，千圼共婵饀”，企昉的是亲人的幸
福平安……
 油麻他+讲堂：作家实例_解

-_/【法】列那儿徐知免译

在我们家那棵櫻桃树的枝丫上，有个非常好看的金花雀巢，饱饱的、
圆鼓鼓的，巢外面点缀着长长的羽管，巢里面铺满了柔软的绒毛。巢里刚
孵出四个小雏儿。我跟爸爸说：
“我真想把它们取下来喂养。”
父亲常对我说在笼子里养鸟儿是一桩罪过。可是，这一回，大概也嫌
尽是重复这些话有些厌烦了吧，他没有答腔。几天后，我又对他说：
“要是我想，这很容易办到。”我先把鸟巢放在一个笼子里，然后把
笼子挂在樱桃树上，我早先设想的情况果然出现了：老金花雀毫不迟疑
地，满嘴满嘴地把小毛虫喂着小雀。我父產 I

: 血红和硫績^
麥了去〜有 一* i这样的用词别具一^
天我说： 〜一
“小鸟儿已经长得相当大了。它们一旦自由了，那就一定会乘风飞去
的。好，让它们一家子再团聚最后一夜吧，明天我要把它们取回屋里，挂
在窗口，我要让您相信世界上没有多少人养金花雀比这侍弄得更好的了。”
我父亲也没有说不同意的话。
第二天，我发现笼子空空的，那天我讲那些蠢话时，父亲也在场。
(本文有删节）

本文围绕是否故飞金花雀这件事，写了 "我”和父亲不同
的态度，“我”的i»L乂为是和父亲的沉默不语但'6：圼有数形成
鲜OR对比。文章虽然很短，但是有事件、有人物、有奪思、有
意义，令人过©难忘。
 今唱歌的火妒
x 一二^r 迟子建

我的少年时代是在大兴安岭度过的。那里一进入九月，大地上的
绿色植物就枯萎了，雪花会袅袭飘向山林河流，漫长的冬天缓缓地拉开
了帷幕。
冬天一到，火炉就被点燃了，它就像冬夜的守护神一样，每天都要眨
着眼睛释放温暖，一直到次年的五月，春天姗姗来临时，火炉才能熄灭。
火炉是要吞吃柴火的，所以，一到寒假，我们就得跟着大人上山拉柴火。
...…… mA
这段话中有两个比
喻。先是把自家破旧的
手推车比作一个辛劳过
度的人，后来又把没气
了的车比作饿瘪了肚子
的人。我们常常看见把
人比作各种事物的比喻，
像这样把事物比作人的，
我们家拉柴火，都是由父亲带领着的。我 还真是别有特色！它拉
们通常是吃过早饭就岀发，我们姊弟三人推着 近了我们和描写对象的
距离。
空车上山，父亲抽着烟跟在我们身后。冬日的
阳光映照到雪地上，格外的刺眼，我常常被晃得睁不开眼睛。父亲生性乐
观，很风趣，他常在雪路上唱歌、打口哨，他的歌声有时会把树上的鸟给
惊飞了。我们拉的柴火，基本上是那些风刮倒的树木，它们已经半干了，
没有利用价值，最适宜做烧柴。
冬天的时候，零下三四十度的气温是司空见惯的。在山里呆的时间久
了，我和弟弟都觉得手脚发凉。父亲就会划拉一堆枝丫，为我们笼一堆
火。洁白的雪地上，跳跃着一簇橘黄色的火焰，那画面格外的美。我和弟
弟就凑上去烤火。因为有了这团火，我和弟弟开始用棉花包裹着几个土豆
藏到怀里，带到山里来，待父亲点起火后，我们就悄悄把土豆放到火中，
当火熄灭后，土豆也熟了，我们就站在寒风中吃热腾腾、香喷喷的土豆。
后来父亲发现了我们带土豆，他没有责备我们，反而鼓励我们多带几个，
他也跟着一起吃。所以，一到了山里，烧柴还没扛出一根呢，我就嚷着
冷，让父亲给我们点火。父亲常常嗔怪我，说我是只又懒又馋的猫。
天越冷，火炉吞吃的柴火越多。我常想火炉的肚子可真大，老也填不
饱它。渐渐地，我厌倦去山里了，因为每天即使没干多少活，可是往返走-
上十几里雪路，回来后腿脚也酸痛了。我盼着自己的脚生冻疮，那样就可
以理直气壮地留在家里了。可我知道生冻疮的滋味不好受，于是只好天天
跟着父亲去山里。
现在想来，我十分感激父亲，他让我在少年时期能与大自然有那么亲
密的接触，让冬日的那种苍茫和壮美注入我幼小的心田，滋润着我。每当
我从山里回来，听着柴火在火炉中“噼啪噼啪’ 地燃烧，都会有一股莫名
的感动。我觉得柴火燃烧的声音就是歌声，火 亂
炉它会唱歌。火 在作者的成长历程〖
中，火炉让作者懂得了许
；多道理，因此作者觉得它
：天天在唱歌。
所以，
我成年以后回忆少年时代的生活，火炉的影子就会悄然浮现。虽然现在我
已经脱离了与火炉相伴的生活，但我不会忘记它，不会忘记它的歌声。它
那温柔而富有激情的歌声在我心中永远不会消逝！（本文有删节）

刊:纖::：：.今H.x二冰碑微把g

火炉会唱歌？我还是第一次听说呢！读完这篇文章，我对
、心二:〆、
知遒，原来火炉会唱歌是©为作者善子"倾听”呢丨在和六自
然的亲密接触和父亲的悉心'呵护下，火炉唱着谣噃的歌！这篇
文章®忆的是作者/L时与家人上山拉柴火的往事，闬深惰脉脉
的笔触写了一段贫穷却塭馨的童年经历，文字溫暖而真挚。

这架风车好几个年头没有人管它了，£ji 批注1
把旧风车比喻成一位i
年纪极大、站都站不稳的
狂风，它也许就会永远趴下了1父亲花了半个
老人，写出了它的破旧。
月拾摄它，才使它又显出有生命的样子。 ㈣

扯篷的仪式很庄重，很认真。小桌上，放着猪头等供品。几炷香，在
袅袅地飘动着淡蓝的烟线。风车的竖轴上贴着一副对联：八大将军，四面
威风。
 父亲和母亲都跪在地上，合掌虔诚地凝望着风车。二疤眼子站在父亲
背后，被一种神秘的气氛弄得有点惶惑。他望着风车，突然觉得那风车原
来是活的，有生命的。当鞭炮“噼噼啪啪”地响起来时，二疤眼子按照父
亲预先教导的那样，在地上“嘭嘭嘭”地磕了三个响头，甩掉衣服，露出
精痩的身子，走到风车下，埋下屁股，把一叶篷扯了上去。二疤眼子从未
有过这种宁静、神圣的感觉。他觉得自己好像离开了人间，在天堂里做着
J一件很重要的事情，一下、两下……空中，滑轮在“咯嗒咯嗒”地发着清
脆的声音，除了这干净的声音之外，四周一片岑寂。
风车有声有色地转动着。那暗藏的生命力，此时，生动地流露在“呼
噜呼噜”的旋转中和“哗啦哗啦”的流水中。
风车的迷人，太出乎二疤眼子的想象了，这孩子用两只细长的胳膊支
撑起身体，惊讶地望着它。stal
“威聂人灵魂” “心惊
肉跳” “天旋地转”“打
动人心”，一'组描写人心理
4大态的词语，非常传神。

等他睁开眼睛时，人们都已离去，只剩下父亲一人静静地坐在窝棚门
口，抽着烟锅。父亲显然在回忆什么……（选自曹文轩《野风车》，本文
有删节）

通过二疟裉子这个小君孩的0g睛来写风车扯篷的情景，恝

受写得详缃，过程则相对简唣，这不再是单绅的场景描写，还
融进了主人公的性情。作文中进行场景描写时，不必事无巨缃，
关键是要选好一个角度，将各个部分有机地串连起来。不妨借
鉴一下例文的写法，当然也可以独辟蹯径。
纖纖
 油麻地习作涟：菏龄佳作荟萃

大年三十晚上，奶奶神秘地对我们说：“待会儿，我也为你们这些小
孩子上一道‘菜’，你们等着!”说着，奶奶走进房里，关上了房门。
祖J：
都兴奋起来。我的脑海里,刹那间闪过了无 使用俗语，简洁、|
数个念头。过了一会儿，果然见奶奶端着盘
子，笑吟吟地走出来。我连忙站起身来，探头一看，原来这盘里的不是什
么大餐，而是一堆儿红包。奶奶坐上座位，指着盘子里的红包说：“我这
里的钱数不一，要考考你们的智慧。”
奶奶刚说到这里，小妹早已等不及了，不由分说抓起一个就跑，跑到
妈妈面前说：“妈妈，我拿了个最厚的。”说完，高兴得直转圈儿。小弟
和二妹也不傻，各自捡了个厚的回到自己的座位上。这时，奶奶望着他们
三个，也不说话，只是呵呵地笑。
我看看弟弟，又看看妹妹，潜意识里隐隐约约地觉察到，这里面好像
有什么名堂。可是是什么呢？我想不出来。反正是一家人，谁占便宜谁吃
亏又有什么关系呢？再说，弟弟妹妹都比我小，我应该让他们的。这时，
奶奶的声音响起来：“辰辰还没拿呢。”我顿时回过神来，把视线集中到
盘子上，盘中还剩两个红包。我思索着，拿哪个呢？ “孔融让梨”的故事
在意识里一闪。把厚的让给哥哥吧，我轻松地拿定了主意，便捡了个最薄
的，默默地走到了一边。
哥哥把最后一个拿走后，我们便开始拆红包了。结果出人意料。弟弟
妹妹们原来认为自己的红包最厚，钱也就最多，哪知里面尽是小钱，算一
算，每个人共计五十元，这下他们可傻了眼。哥哥比他们稍微好些，但也
只有八十元。而我呢，则是一张百元整钞。原来红包越薄，里面的钱也就
越多，这是奶奶特意安排的。
“哈哈哈……”笑声充满整个房间。
 ▲娜瓣瓣縦鑛獅麵叫州

奶奶上的这盘年夜"菜”真是与众不同岈丨她让/(_孙辈们

•誤懂得吃亏是福的道理。这是—篇有生话哲理荩味的小品。语言
' '生动箇诘，人物刻画得栩栩如生，弟弟妹妹们的率真可爱、
我”的谨慎谦让都跃然紙上

电你达■达，我钱】
_
韩斐严

妈妈不放心我一个人在家，所以每天打几个电话关照我，但是这让我
特别烦。
“丁零零”，电话又响了，肯定又是妈妈或爸爸打来的，真闹心，一早
上已经打三个电话了，不是要求我背三十个英语单词，就是命令我做二十
道数学题，或是告诫我别玩电脑，说容易把眼睛玩儿坏了，千万别玩
儿……批注，
把电话铃声比喻成紧
箍咒，突出它对“我”的
困扰。

“丁零零，丁零零”，电话响个不停，我真想把电话摔在地上，电话铃
仿佛在叫：“小主人，快接电话，要不然爸爸、妈妈会不放心的，快接电
话。”我拿出靠垫捂住电话，电话铃声小了，我也不那么闹心了。过了一
会儿，我一想，我也不能总捂着呀。忽然，我灵机一动，想出了一个好办
法：把电话线拔了。电话铃不再响了，屋里安静多了，我得意地自言自
语：“我真聪明呀，能想岀这个好办法。”我对电话说：“哼，小样儿，
跟我斗，门儿都没有。”
我打开电脑玩游戏，跟魔王一决高低。就在我玩得正高兴的时候，忽
然听到熟悉的脚步声，一定是爸爸回来了。我觉得有点不对劲，平时斯文
有理的爸爸怎么焦急地回来了，还像热锅上
.批注^
爸爸站在门外喘着粗气说： 爸爸回来的时候，
“把门打开，爸爸回来了。”我急忙把电话线 急得像热锅上的蚂蚁一
插上，匆匆地把门打开。爸爸喘着粗气，脸 样，益发显出关切之深。
红红的，汗水一串串地往下流，衣服都湿了，
几乎能拧出水来。“军军，你没事儿吧？，’我说：“没事啊r爸爸说：
“没事儿就好。”爸爸一看表说：“呀，时间快 批注>
到了，我得走了。”说完，他叉像 爸爸走的时候，像
jMZ。我望着爸爸远去的背影想：如果电话 风一样。你能具体谈谈
爸爸回来和离开时各是
再一次响起有多好，因为电话线的另一边，站
怎样的情形吗？
着爱我的爸爸妈妈。

0常小事中包蕴着父母对子女的琛情，何必每次都要去
1

oil故事就在爵边，S蕴丰富异常，关键看你的领悟能力了。
wmr--
t

昨晚，温暖的灯光下，一家人沉浸在欢声笑语中……
“观众朋友们，激动人心的时刻到来了，下面我宣布：一年一度的家
庭‘献丑’大会现在开始！”经过层层选拔，终于荣任主持人的爸爸站在
舞台上，声情并茂地主持着，台下一片掌声！ “好了，我们废话少说！首
先，有请主持人表演——倒霉小偷。”爸爸倒是快人快语。
然后，只见爸爸从主持人搔身成了 亂
“翻高墙、钻狗洞”的小偷。“啪——” 一瞬 旧时神怪小说中描 f
写有神通的人能用法术：
间灯灭了，四周一片漆黑，“聚光灯”下—— 一晃身子就改变自己本
爸爸的头上蒙着黑头巾，两只眼睛一刻也不停 来的模样。现也用来形
地四下张望。俯下身子，蹑手蹑脚地走着，生 容人不讲道义原则，一
i
:下子来个大改变。 ]
怕发出一丁点声响。“砰-” 一声巨响，原
来爸爸的脚撞到了一把铁椅，整个人倒在了冰 8^2
冷的瓷砖上。他捂住大嘴，不让自己发出半点 I 形容文章或说话表丨
达得非常充分、透彻，；
痛苦的呻吟，不过痛苦的表情却在脸上表现得 或非常痛快。淋漓，形
继適昼敦。那张白皙的面庞扭曲着，瞧，明朗 容湿淋淋往下滴，比喻
的浓眉也拧成了一个标准的 “8” 字，大眼睛 ;尽情，酣畅；尽致，达 I
眯成一条缝，真够痛的！爸爸勉强爬了起来，
!到极点。
川興_^_ ——.
I
可另一张石椅又“杀” 了出来，阻拦了他的偷盗大业。可怜的爸爸，又摔
了个“嘴啃泥”，哈哈……灯在一瞬间“死灰复燃”般地亮了起来。“献
 丑，献丑。”爸爸鞠躬道。
接着出场的是腼腆的老妈，她扮演一个年过花甲的老奶奶过马路。老
妈一亮相，全场爆笑，笑得妈妈都有些怯场了。“瞧瞧，妈妈这张脸！”
\
我叫道。妈妈戴了一顶假发，满头银发。今天，我总算是见识了李白《秋
浦歌》中的“白发三千丈”是什么样子。她 ..... .. ••…从** .
批注^
你能想象“揉捏过
的面团”是什么样子吗？
古计“无敌丑女”东施也
被她比下去了！再往下看，原本一身前卫的她现在穿着滑稽的老人装，细
小的腰变成了粗大的“水桶”，还弯着腰，弓着背，颤颤巍巍地走出来……
“咳咳——”时不时假声假气地咳上几声，这pose真是“惊天地，泣鬼神”
啊！ “哈哈哈……”没等妈妈演完，我和爸爸已笑成一团了。
下面可就是我这个多才多艺的天才演员上场了。我要表演的是一个考
试作弊的学生，要注意看哦！ Ittff 2
舞台上的我，时而咬着笔头，伸长脖子， 形容受尽剥削压迫
装作冥思苦想的样子；时而趴在桌上，一副 的苦，有很大的仇恨。
I 这里是夸张的用法，目
苦大仇深的神情……其实背地里一直在打小
的是为了营造一种喜剧
抄呢！嘿，作弊成功！当然喽，真正考试时丨°
! ° *
我可不这样0
“献丑，献丑!”我深鞠一躬，“献丑”大会便在大家欢乐的笑声中落
幕了。

.sw-s

这是一个“笑〃的盛会丨小作者闲流畅的语言把爸爸、妈
妈还有"我w的表演描写得如在裉前，动词、形容词运闬恰当，
比如爸爸“©下张望”"蹑手踢臌地走”"牾住六嗜”"勉强
爬了起来”。当然一些拟声词，比如“啪—— "砰——”"咳
”

咳一n等的使用，也增强了文章的现场感，有锦上添花之效。

:J

那年冬天，我六岁，童年中纯真的孩子却亲眼目睹爱我的爸爸死在我
的身边。
 批注
写爸爸的离开，抓:
住了一个小细节-最
后一滴眼泪，文笔细腻，
写得很凄美。

爸爸走了，带着那双我永远忘不掉的、让我温暖的眼睛，在那个冰冷
的季节，那个冰冷的夜晚，消失了。
我曾经在心中无数次呼喊：爸爸，别走！
可，最终我无能为力，我恨我自己，为什么不去抓紧爸爸，也许只要
我抱紧他，夜就不会夺去他，在悔恨自责和伤痛中我选择了沉默。
打算一辈子，静静地活下去。
即便他的出现，也不能叫醒那个选择麻木的倔强的我，我，永远只活
在我的世界，一个人，一辈子。
我排斥他，我害怕他走进我的世界，然后又安然离开，我怕失去，因
为我失去太多。
我不否认，他对我很好，不比哪一个亲 — .批注2
P 形容对人的生活十！
生爸爸差着什么。同样，他会瘦褰M廬，他 !分关切，问冷问热。墟，f
会在冰冷的季节骑车带我上学，雪厚了，就 缓缓吹气。
背着我走，每一次，我都是被裹在温暖中前
行。渐渐地，我把那一面无形的墙推倒了。只是还需要些别的什么，我也
不能懂得我自己，到底为什么那样对他，我明白他的心里很苦，可却一直
笑给我看。
他对我，没有改变，持续的关怀，只想换得一句一一爸爸，我却一直不
曾开口。笑，他教会了我。交流，他教会了我。我开始走出我的世界，我忘
却了过去的那一幕幕，就连爸爸的身影也开始模糊，对不起，爸，我不是故
意那样无情的，而是有了另一个人让我寄托。他给我的，我要回报他。
6月的父亲节，我记住了。
没有什么过多的礼物，我用攒下的钱给他买了一个腰带扣，包装是
我亲手做的。在盒子关上的瞬间，我把对他的爱装了进去，希望他可以
收到。
晚上放学已经10点多了，他一个人坐在客厅，没有开灯，两根沧桑的
手指夹着一根烟，星星的火点燃了寂寞，缕缕上升的烟气，弥漫着孤单。
一双带了皱纹的眼，好熟悉，才发现，它和我心中的那一双一样。不，不
Another random document with
no related content on Scribd:
 CHAP. XII.
Return to head-quarters, after an exile of two years—Renew my
vows of rectitude, to which I strictly adhere—Proposal made
me to obtain my liberty—I make the attempt—Its failure, and
the consequent punishment inflicted on me—Conclusion, page
137.
 MEMOIRS
OF
JAMES HARDY VAUX.
 CHAPTER I.
I arrive in London.—A sudden Alarm.—Visit my Mother and Sisters. Set out for S
⸺shire.—Interview with my Grandfather.—Return to Town.—A lucky Hit on
the Road.—Obtain a Situation in the Crown-Office.

About four miles from Gosport, is a place called Fareham, where

is a gate, through which on the coach passing, I had always
understood that the passengers were subject to an overhaul, as the
sailors term it. I was, therefore, somewhat alarmed during this part of
my journey. I felt confident, however, that I could give a good
account of myself, had I been questioned; but to my great joy, on our
approach, the gate was thrown open, and the coach passed without
stopping. I now felt extremely cold, and my dress being thin, I
suffered much during the night. In order to counteract the effects of
the frost, I fortified myself with a good dram of brandy at every stage,
and the ensuing morning proving delightfully fine, I at length found
both my animal and mental spirits revive, and my heart beat high
with expectation of the happiness I anticipated. About eight o’clock I
was gratified with a sight of Hyde Park Corner; and I leave the
reader to imagine what transports I felt at the difference between my
then situation and that from which I had so recently and happily
emerged. On my ascending the coach at Gosport, I had placed
myself on the roof between two men who had the appearance of
country farmers, and I maintained that situation throughout the night,
by which indeed I was something benefited, for they had both good
great-coats, and we sitting rather crowded, I was warmer than I
should otherwise have been. On the coach stopping at the
Gloucester Coffee-house, Piccadilly, I expressed my intention to
alight and walk; the two farmers had the same inclination, and I
observed, that if they were going my way, I should be glad of their
company. They answered they were strangers in town, and their only
object was to find out the inn from which the Yorkshire coach set out,
as they were about proceeding to that county immediately. I replied, I
was myself almost a stranger to those matters, but I fancied the inn
lay in the way I was going, and that I would with pleasure conduct
them to it. We accordingly set forwards, and walked through
Piccadilly, the Haymarket, Strand, &c., until we came to Fetter-lane;
and arriving at the White Horse, I was, I found, right in my
conjecture, for the York coach was among the number of those
advertised in large characters on each side the gateway of the inn. I
introduced them to the coach-office, where they took places for the
ensuing evening; and, as my night’s ride had brought me to an
appetite, I proposed (before going to my mother’s, whose lodgings
were close at hand,) that we should breakfast together; to which they
assenting, I conducted them to the coffee-room, and calling the
waiter, ordered tea, coffee, and plenty of muffins with all possible
speed. We had nearly concluded our meal, and I had just bespoke a
morning paper from the waiter, when the room beginning to fill,
several gentlemen entered, and passed the table at which we sat,
proceeding to the upper end of the room. At that moment a voice
struck my ear, which almost petrified me with fear and astonishment,
for I felt persuaded at the time that it was that of Mr. Oxley himself,
exclaiming, “Waiter, see that portmanteau of mine brought in.” On
hearing these words, I almost dropped the tea-cup from my hand,
and on the impulse of the moment, quitted my seat, and hastily left
the room; nor did I stop for a moment’s reflection until I had crossed
Holborn, and found myself at the corner of Gray’s-Inn-Lane. Then,
however, conceiving I was out of danger, I endeavoured to rally my
spirits, and to persuade myself that I must have been mistaken, as it
was highly improbable that Mr. Oxley, whom I had left on board the
Buffalo, should so suddenly have arrived in town, and particularly at
the White Horse, no Portsmouth or Gosport coach setting up there.
However, Mr. Oxley’s voice and manner of speaking being a little
remarkable, I was so far in doubt that I determined not to return.
What opinion the countrymen must form of me, I know not; it is likely
they would impute my unmannerly departure to a design of avoiding
payment of the reckoning. I have since ascertained that I was
mistaken in my conjecture, for Mr. Oxley did not quit the ship until
several days afterwards.
 I now repaired to Middle-Row, and inquiring for my mother, was
ushered up stairs, where I found her and my two sisters pretty
comfortably situated in a genteel first floor, which they hired ready
furnished. They all expressed great joy at seeing me. My mother
appeared to be in a declining state, but my sisters were much
improved, and really very fine girls. I understood that the whole
family were supported by the industry of the latter, who worked
incessantly at their needle, being excellent proficients in fancy-work,
which they obtained from various shops. Having explained to my
mother the particulars of my situation, and the risk I had incurred by
my desertion; and recollecting that I had inconsiderately suffered her
letter, in which was her address, to be seen by several persons on
board the Buffalo, it occurred to me that Captain Houston might
possibly come to the knowledge of that particular, the consequence
of which might be fatal to me. It was the opinion of my mother, that I
should on that account, absent myself from town for a few weeks,
until the affair was blown over, and my mother advised that I should
go down to my relations in S⸺shire. I accordingly the next day set
out by the coach, an aunt of mine who was in good circumstances,
supplying me with the needful. On arriving at S⸺ I went to a
public-house, which was still kept by a woman who had known me
from my infancy; as I feared to break abruptly on my aged
grandfather, who might be too much affected to sustain the surprise,
I, therefore, got the landlady to send word that a stranger had
arrived, who brought news from his grandson: having thus prepared
the way, I followed in person, and was received with transport by my
dear and venerable benefactor. On inquiring into his circumstances, I
was grieved to learn that he had been for several years obliged to
subsist upon the charity of his friends, and particularly the worthy
family of the Moultries, of whom I have made honourable mention in
the second chapter of these Memoirs. I was also concerned to find
that the dear old man’s faculties were much impaired, and my grief
was heightened by the reflection that my misconduct and
consequent misfortunes had been the primary cause of his mental
as well as pecuniary distress. My other relatives in S⸺ treated me
with every mark of attention, and I was hospitably entertained by
them all during my stay in that town. It is to be observed, that only
two or three of my nearest relations were acquainted with the events
of my life for the last seven years. It was given out that I had been
abroad, but it was understood in a respectable capacity. About a
fortnight after my arrival in S⸺shire, I received a letter from my
mother, informing me that no inquiry whatever had been made
respecting me, and concluding from thence that I might with safety
return when I thought proper. As no prospect of employment
presented itself in the country, it was the opinion of my friends that I
should again try my fortune in London; for which purpose they jointly
supplied me with money to defray my present expenses, and
contributed among them a few necessaries I was most in need of. I
was persuaded that my dear grandfather would not experience the
want of any reasonable comforts during the short remaining term of
his life, which could not in all probability be long protracted. I was,
therefore, less solicitous about continuing on the spot, as my
presence in fact only tended to recall to his half-distracted mind the
remembrance of former and better days. My grandfather gave me
letters of recommendation to several of his old law acquaintances,
particularly one to a Mr. Belt, who held a superior situation in the
crown-office, and who had formerly been articled to himself when
resident in London.
All things being arranged, I once more took leave of my friends,
and set off by the coach for London, on the 1st of January, 1808.
Having occasion to take a fresh coach at Birmingham, and wishing
to take a little recreation, which the restraint I was under at S⸺,
and the nature of the place had hitherto precluded me from, and
having the pecuniary means of so doing in my power, I determined
on devoting a few days to that object, before I resumed my journey
to London. After three days’ amusement I again took coach, and
having travelled all night, we stopped about seven in the morning at
Henley-upon-Thames to breakfast. I had been so free in my
expenses at Birmingham, that I had at this time but four shillings left
in my purse. I therefore declined alighting, in order to save the cost
of a breakfast, as I had had a snack at the last stage, and felt no
inclination to eat. The other passengers having entered the house, I
remained alone in the coach, the horses being taken out, and the
coachman and guard having also quitted it. After sitting a few
minutes, it occurred to me that I had seen a number of small parcels
put into the seats of the coach, previous to our departure from
Birmingham; and, having frequently heard of large sums in bank-
notes being transmitted by this mode of conveyance to London, I
was tempted to purloin one of them, which it appeared I should run
no risk in doing, as the coast was clear, and I had a large bundle of
linen, &c., deposited in one of the seats. I solemnly declare that until
this moment, no idea of depredation had entered my head since my
arrival in England; the act was, therefore, perfectly unpremeditated.
Without hesitation then, I opened the seat, and taking out my bundle,
untied it, in case of a surprise. As I had not time to examine the
contents of the various parcels, I determined to trust to fortune, and
therefore took out the first which came to hand. It was enclosed in
brown paper, tied with packthread, about twelve inches by eight in
size, and from its weight and hardness, I supposed it to contain
some kind of cutlery or other hardware; but as such goods were
commonly packed up with bank-notes, to prevent a suspicion of
money being enclosed, the apparent contents were a matter of
indifference to me. The parcel was directed to “Mr. ⸺, Goodge-
street, Tottenham-court-road.” This circumstance convinced me
there could be no discovery of the robbery until after I was far
enough from the coach, which I intended to quit on arriving at the
Gloucester Coffee-house, as, in case I had gone on to the George
and Blue-boar in Holborn, the parcel might possibly have been
searched for, on our passing the end of Tottenham-court-road.
Having concealed my prize in my own bundle, which I replaced in
the seat, I judged it best to alight and partake of breakfast with the
other passengers. I was also in better spirits on account of the
confidence I felt, that I should find something in the parcel to recruit
my slender finances; as, let the contents be what they might, it was
probable they would produce me at least a guinea or two, which
would supply my immediate exigencies. I accordingly entered the
parlour, and took a cup of coffee with the company. The bill being
called, amounted to two shillings and three pence per head; I put
down half-a-crown, which left me in possession of eighteen pence.
We then re-ascended the coach, and resumed our journey. At three
in the afternoon we entered London, and stopping as usual at the
Gloucester Coffee-house, I told the coachman I should then leave
him, as I resided in the neighbourhood. He inquired if I had any
luggage, and on my saying I had a bundle in the seat, he opened the
door and handed it to me. I gratified him with a shilling out of my
small stock, and made the best of my way. Having suffered the
coach to pass on, I followed slowly until I arrived in Holborn; but
previous to visiting my mother, I entered a public-house, being
anxious to examine my newly-acquired prize. Retiring to a private
room, I cut the string with a trembling hand, and opening the outside
paper, found three several parcels (also in brown paper,) lying one
upon another. Developing the first of these, I found it to contain, to
my no small surprise and chagrin, a quantity of fine, new ⸺
twelvepenny nails! about a hundred in number. My hopes now fell to
the ground. I was determined, however, to see the whole; and lo! the
second paper contained ⸺ the same quantity of tenpenny nails!!
The third and last, which I carelessly unfolded, expecting nothing
better, presented a number of small plated articles, apparently
designed for fixing on harness, being hooks, rings, &c., of various
shapes, and every one separately wrapped in fine silver paper. As
these latter articles were of no more real value to me than the nails, I
was much mortified at my ill luck, and was on the point of tying up
the whole parcel in order to throw it away as soon as I gained the
street, when it fortunately struck me that there must be somewhere,
a letter or note accompanying these goods. I, therefore, once more
overhauled the packages, and lifting up the bottom one, found under
it a letter, which on taking up, I perceived to contain an enclosure,
and I plainly felt several pieces of loose money. Now again my spirits
rose—all that I had read and heard of large sums in bank-notes
being artfully transmitted in this manner, recurred to my mind, and I
eagerly drew the candle towards me, half afraid, and yet impatient to
see the event. The letter was superscribed in the same manner as
the parcel; and opening it, I could scarce believe my eyes, when I
discovered some bank-paper carefully folded, and through which the
black marks of the sum were plainly discernible! Before I ascertained
the amount, however, I proceeded to peruse the letter, and found it
to the following effect:—“Sir, I have sent you herewith specimens of
the nails and other articles; the order shall be completed as speedily
as possible. I have also enclosed you £47 9s. which you will find to
be the present balance between us. I am, &c.”—Here was an
unexpected windfall! The reader will conceive my joy, and with what
satisfaction I replaced the parcel in my bundle, in order to quit the
public-house. The notes proved to be two of twenty pounds each on
a Birmingham bank, but payable also at Forster, Lubbock, and Co’s,
in London, a bank of England five pound note, and another of two
pounds, also a bank dollar, and four shillings. I now repaired with a
light heart to my mother’s lodgings, where I met with a cordial
welcome. Having spent the evening with my mother, I walked into
the city and procured a bed at an inn. The next morning I sent one of
my twenty pound notes by a porter to the banking-house, where he
procured small notes of the Bank of England in exchange; I soon
afterwards called myself with the second, and did the like. Being now
possessed of near fifty pounds by this lucky hit, I determined to
furnish myself with a stock of genteel clothes, a watch, and other
appendages, prior to my obtaining some employment, as I always
considered an outward appearance essential to success in every
pursuit; but I was firmly resolved never again to hazard my liberty by
a second act or attempt of a similar nature.
In a few days I had purchased such articles as were most
requisite, at the expense of about forty pounds, and I then turned my
attention to procuring a genteel situation. I accordingly waited on Mr.
Belt, the gentleman I mentioned of the Crown-office; who, on perusal
of the letter I presented, testified his respect for my grandfather’s
recommendation, and very obligingly offered to take me as an
assistant clerk under his own direction in the above office, if I thought
fit to accept of a guinea a week, which was all he could promise to
allow me at first, but might be afterwards increased. I thought this too
favourable an offer to be rejected. I, therefore, thankfully closed with
it, and prepared immediately to attend assiduously to the duties of
my office.
 CHAPTER II.
Quit the Crown Office, and engage as Reader in a Printing Office.—Determine to
live a strictly honest life.—Meet with an old Acquaintance who laughs me out
of my Resolution.—Give up all thoughts of Servitude and become a professed
Thief.

I had, on my second arrival in London, engaged a small apartment

in a creditable house, and regulated my expenses upon principles of
the strictest economy; but notwithstanding every possible effort, I
soon found it impossible to subsist within my income; consequently,
in a few weeks I had sensibly decreased my little capital. I, therefore,
began to consider how I might obtain a more productive situation, as
I saw no prospect of my present salary being augmented. At this
juncture I met with an advertisement for a person of good education,
to act as Reader in a Printing Office. Though this was an
employment of which I had not the least idea, I determined to offer
myself, conceiving there could be nothing very difficult in its duties.
Having, therefore, first inquired into the nature of the latter I boldly
applied to the advertiser Mr. Barnard, on Snow-hill; and in answer to
his queries, replied that I had lately left the service of a country
printer, whom I named, and was well acquainted with the business of
a printing office in general; adding, that if he pleased to make trial of
me, I doubted not of proving well qualified for the situation in
question. Mr. Barnard consented to do so; and informing me that the
salary he had given my predecessor was two guineas a week,
expressed his willingness to allow me the same. I was so much
pleased with this increase of wages, as well as with the nature of the
employment when explained to me, that I immediately quitted Mr.
Belt, and began my attendance at the office of Mr. Barnard. My
business here was to read over or examine the proofs (sheet by
sheet, as they were struck off by the pressmen) of every new work
printed by my employer. These proofs or first impressions, having
been first compared with the copy or manuscript, the errors so
discovered being noted by me, were corrected by the compositor,
and a second impression produced, which was then carefully
examined, and the few errors yet remaining were rectified as before.
A third sheet was then revised by me, which in most cases proved
perfectly correct; and this being ascertained, the required number of
copies were struck off, whilst a succeeding sheet was in the hands of
the compositors, in a state of progress for the like operation. In a few
days I had a perfect knowledge of the business confided to me; and
here I found the advantages of a good education, and of my
extensive reading, which enabled me at first sight to detect many
errors that an experienced “Reader,” with a common education,
would have passed over, particularly where Latin or French phrases,
quotations, &c., were introduced. This soon became obvious to my
employer, who expressed his satisfaction, and paid me more than
common respect. On my part I was equally pleased with my new
situation. The business of Mr. Barnard’s office was very extensive. It
employed from forty to fifty workmen in various capacities, and he
had generally ten or more different works (periodical as well as
others) in the press. Among these were some of an entertaining
kind; so that while I was performing my duty, I gratified my passion
for reading, and anticipated the public in the perusal of many curious
and interesting new publications.
I still adhered closely to my system of economy and took care to
expend something less than my income. It was my fixed
determination to abstain from every kind of dishonesty; and for about
three weeks I met with no temptation to an opposite conduct: but one
day as I entered the eating-house at which I commonly dined, I was
accosted by a young man who had come home with me from New
South Wales, in the Buffalo, having been for several years in the
service of Governor King. This was, in fact, the very person to whom
I had confided my intention of deserting, and bequeathed my effects
previous to my going ashore. Our joy at meeting was reciprocal, and
before we parted an appointment to sup together the same evening
was the consequence. My old friend informed me that the Buffalo
was paid in about five days after I quitted her, and that the crew were
immediately drafted into various ships: he himself was put on board
the Diomede of 50, and having at last, with much difficulty, obtained
a liberty-ticket for eight days, he had been about a week in town. It is
needless to add, that nothing was further from his thoughts than
returning. From him I also learnt that a diligent search was instituted
for me in Portsmouth the day after my absconding, and that Captain
King, as well as his subordinate Captain Houston, were much
exasperated on the occasion. On meeting my shipmate at the
appointed place (which by-the-by, proved to be a house of ill repute)
he introduced me to several other old acquaintances, who had also
come home with us, and to a few of the same stamp, who had been
a longer time returned, from New South Wales. I soon discovered
that they had all resumed the same depredatory course of life which
had caused their former sufferings, and must inevitably entail upon
them future misery and disgrace. However, as I knew how fruitless it
would be to advise or remonstrate, I contented myself with letting
them know that I had met with a tolerable situation which enabled
me to live upon the square, and that I had “tied up prigging,” as I was
determined never to be “lagged” again[47]. By this communication I
only incurred at the moment, a few dry jokes on my pretended
honesty, and a hint or two that I should soon become tired of
servitude, and be easily brought over to get an easy guinea. Upon
the whole, I spent a very agreeable evening, but to prevent a
relapse, I determined to avoid the company of these misguided
persons in future, notwithstanding they extracted a promise at
parting, that I would meet them again next day. This promise I
scrupled not to break, and how long I might have refrained from their
society I know not; but a day or two afterwards, as I was descending
Holborn-hill in my way to the office, I unexpectedly met my old
partner and fellow-sufferer, Alexander Bromley, whom I had left in
Newgate in 1801. Having in vain made inquiry as to his fate, since
my return to England, I was truly glad to see him, for he looked well
and was genteelly dressed. I was so much altered, that when I first
accosted him, he had no immediate recollection of me, but on
making myself known, nothing could exceed the joy he evinced at
our meeting. Before we parted it was indispensable that we should
drink together, and he hastily informed me that he had served his
seven years on board the Hulks, at Portsmouth, from whence he
returned to London the 17th of September 1807, and that he was
now once more under the protection of his father, who had received
him with great kindness, and was inclined, if he continued honest, to
take care of his future fortune; but added, with a shrewd shake of the
head, that he could never reconcile himself to confinement on a
shop-board, and feared he should very speedily make a push at
some higher enjoyments. Having agreed to dine together, and by
mere accident named the house at which I had lately supped as the
place of meeting, we parted with some little regret.
Bromley was punctual to his time, and during the two hours I
allowed for dinner, we became more fully informed of each other’s
circumstances. When I was on the point of leaving him to return to
my duty, two or three of my Botany-bay acquaintances dropping in,
forcibly detained me; urging that I might for once stretch a point, and
spend the afternoon with them, ridiculing with too much effect, the
idea of a man like myself being confined to certain hours like a
school-boy, &c. As I was somewhat elevated with the liquor I had
drank, and had really no business at the office which could not be
easily deferred, I consented in an evil moment, to join the party
which was forming, consisting of nearly a dozen persons, most of
them recently returned either from the Hulks, or New South Wales. It
is needless to describe the nature of our conversation, or the various
characters of which the party was composed; let it suffice to state
(with sorrow and shame I confess it) that I was effectually laughed
out of my late good intentions; and before we parted, had joined with
the loudest of them in decrying and contemning every species of
servitude or confinement; and cordially agreed in a resolution to live
independent while I could, and to make up by every means in my
power for the privations and sufferings I had endured for the last
seven years.
From this moment I returned no more to the printing-office, but
joined myself with Bromley, and a few others, who regularly walked
out every evening in quest of money, without confining our pursuits
to any particular branch, but embracing every opportunity which
offered. These were indeed but few, and far from productive, so that
I soon grew heartily tired of the set I was associated with, and
determined to withdraw myself from them the first opportunity, and to
live by the exercise of my own ingenuity. Indeed my appearance was
so much above, and of so different a stamp from their’s, that this
circumstance alone was enough to excite suspicion, and on many
accounts rendered them unsuitable companions for me. I
determined, however, not to discard poor Bromley, for whom I felt a
real friendship, on account of our former intimacy and joint
misfortunes.
 CHAPTER III.
Various modes of obtaining Money.—My regular course of Life when disengaged
from my vicious Companions.—Meet with an amiable girl, like myself, the
Child of Misfortune.—We cohabit together.—Our mutual Happiness.

Having withdrawn myself from my late companions, I now became

very circumspect in my proceedings; and as Bromley had neither the
appearance nor the manners of a gentleman, I only made use of him
occasionally in the course of my practice, keeping him in the back
ground to receive and carry any articles which I purloined, and never
suffering him to converse with, or approach me except in private. I
generally spent the mornings, that is, from about one o’clock to five
P. M. (which are the fashionable hours for shopping) in visiting the
shops of Jewellers, Watchmakers, Pawnbrokers, &c. Having
conceived hopes that this species of robbery would turn to a good
account, and depending upon my own address and appearance, I
determined to make a circuit of the town, and not to omit a single
shop in either of those branches: and this scheme I actually
executed so fully, that I believe I did not leave ten untried in all
London, for I made a point of commencing every day in a certain
street and went regularly through it on both sides the way. My
practice was to enter a shop and request to look at gold seals,
chains, broaches, rings, or any other small articles of value; and
while examining them, and looking the shopkeeper in the face, I
contrived by slight of hand to conceal two or three (sometimes more)
in the sleeve of my coat, which was purposely made wide. On some
occasions I purchased a trifling article to save appearances; at other
times I took a card of the shop, promising to call again; and as I
generally saw the remaining goods returned to the window, or place
from whence they were taken, before I left the shop, there was
hardly a probability of my being suspected, or of the property being
missed. In the course of my career I was never once detected in the
fact, though on two or three occasions, so much suspicion arose,
that I was obliged to exert all my effrontery, and to use very high
language, in order, as the cant phrase is, to bounce the tradesman
out of it; and my fashionable appearance, and affected anger at his
insinuations, had always the effect of convincing him that he was
mistaken, and inducing him to apologize for the affront put upon me.
I have even sometimes carried away the spoil notwithstanding what
had passed, and I have often gone a second and third time to the
same shop, with as good success as at the first. To prevent
accidents however, I made it a rule never to enter a second shop
with any stolen property about me; for as soon as I quitted the first, I
privately conveyed my booty to Bromley, who was attending my
motions in the street, and herein I found him eminently useful. By
this course of depredation I acquired on the average about ten
pounds a week, though I sometimes neglected shopping for several
days together. This was not, indeed, the only pursuit I followed, but
was my principal morning’s occupation; though if a favourable
opportunity offered of getting a guinea by any other means, I never
let it slip. In the evenings I generally attended one of the theatres,
where I mixed with the best company in the boxes, and at the same
time that I enjoyed the amusements of the place, I frequently
conveyed pocket-books, snuff-boxes, and other portable articles,
from the pockets of their proprietors into my own. Here I found the
inconvenience of wanting a suitable companion, who might have
received the articles I made prize of, in the same manner as Bromley
did in the streets; but though I knew many of the light-fingered
gentry, whose appearance fitted them for any company, yet, their
faces being well known to the police-officers, who attend the
Theatres, they would not have been suffered to enter the house: and
herein I possessed an advantage which many of these gentry envied
me; for being just arrived in England, and a new face upon the town,
I carried on my depredations under the very noses of the officers,
without suspicion. Having, therefore, at first no associate, I was
obliged to quit the Theatre and conceal my first booty in some
private spot, before I could make (with prudence) a second attempt.
Upon the whole I was very successful in this pursuit also, at least as
to the number of articles I filched, and had their value been
reasonably proportionate to what I expected, I need not long have
followed so hazardous an employment. I have very frequently
obtained nine or ten pocket-books, besides other articles, in an
evening; and these being taken from gentlemen evidently of fortune
and fashion, I had reason to expect I should sometime meet with a
handsome sum in Bank-notes; but fortune did not favour me therein,
for during near twelve months almost nightly attendance at one or
other of the public places, I never found more than twenty pounds in
a book, and that only on one occasion. I several times got five, ten,
or eleven pounds, but commonly one, two, or three pounds, and
most generally four books out of five contained nothing but letters,
memorandums, and other papers useless to me. At the same time I
knew frequent instances of the common street pickpockets getting a
booty of fifty, one hundred and sometimes three or four hundred
pounds. However, I never failed to pay the expenses of the night,
and if I gained nothing, I enjoyed at least a fund of amusement,
which was to me the highest gratification. It sometimes happened
that the articles I got (particularly pocket-books) were advertised by
the losers, within a few days, as “Lost,” and a reward offered for their
restoration: where this reward was worth notice, I frequently restored
the property by means of a third person whom I could confide in, and
whom I previously tutored for the purpose.
In the mean time, the manner in which I spent my life, abstracted
from the disgraceful means by which I supported myself, was (as I
have formerly hinted,) perfectly regular and inoffensive. Though I
lived by depredation, yet I did not like the abandoned class of
common thieves, waste my money, and leisure time in profligate
debauchery, but applied myself to the perusal of instructive and
amusing books, my stock of which I daily increased. I occupied
genteel apartments in a creditable house, the landlord of which
understood me to hold a situation under Government, and every part
of my conduct at home tended to confirm his opinion of my
respectability. I was scrupulously exact in paying my rent, as well as
the different tradesmen in the neighbourhood, with whom I had
occasion to deal; nor did I ever suffer any person of loose character
to visit me, but studiously concealed from those of my acquaintance
my place of residence. I was sometimes, indeed, so imprudent as to
resort, for company’s sake, to some of those public-houses
frequented by thieves and other dissolute characters, the landlord of
which is himself commonly an experienced thief, or returned
transport. When I had a mind to relax a little, or grew tired of
domestication, I disguised my appearance as much as I could, and
repaired to a house of this description, sometimes taking my
Dulcinea with me, whom I shall shortly introduce to the reader, and
whose person and dress I was not a little proud of exhibiting in
public. This fondness for flash-houses, as they are termed, is the
rock on which most persons who live by depredation unhappily split,
and will be found in the sequel to have brought me to my present
deplorable condition; for the police officers, or traps, are in the daily
habit of visiting these houses, where they drink with the thieves, &c.,
in the most familiar manner; and, I believe, often obtain secret
information by various means from some parties respecting the
names, characters, pursuits, &c., of others. By this imprudent
conduct I also became personally known to many of the officers,
which was productive of great danger to me in the exercise of my
vocation; whereas, had I avoided such houses, I might have
remained unknown and unsuspected by them for a series of years. I
ought not to omit what may perhaps gratify the reader, as much as
the act did myself, namely, that as soon as I became possessed of a
moderate sum, I remembered the kindness shewn me by the good
woman at Gosport, and wrote her a letter of thanks, enclosing a five-
pound bank-note, which, no doubt, proved highly acceptable. I also
from time to time assisted my aged mother, whose circumstances
were extremely narrow, and her support derived solely from the
earnings of my two sisters, whose success depending on the caprice
of fashion and of milliners, both alike inconstant, was but precarious.
They, as well as my other relations in S⸺shire, were indeed totally
ignorant of my unhappy relapse into a life of infamy, but believed my
assertion, that I had a liberal salary from Mr. Belt, and was still
employed under that gentleman in the Crown-office.
About three months after my return to London, and whilst in the
zenith of my success, I was introduced by one of my former dissolute
companions to the acquaintance of a young woman, who, like
myself, had been well and tenderly brought up, but having been
seduced by a young man equally inexperienced with herself, to quit
her friends and cohabit with him as his wife, she had thereby
forfeited the countenance of her family, and her paramour having
died after a year’s cohabitation, she had been driven to the usual
refuge in such cases, a life of prostitution. At the period of my
introduction, however, she had been only a few months upon the
town, and I clearly perceived that her mind was yet but very slightly
contaminated. As there were many reasons which rendered a female
companion in whom I could place confidence, desirable, and in fact
necessary to me; and as this young woman’s misfortunes had
placed her in such circumstances, that I had no obstacles to
surmount on the score of delicacy, I proposed to her, after a few
days’ acquaintance, that we should live together; to which, as she
was heartily tired of her present course of life, she willingly
consented. She knew enough of the world from her late experience,
to surmise in what manner I obtained my living, of which, however, to
avoid all duplicity, I fully possessed her. Having informed my
landlord, that my wife, whom I had not before mentioned to him, was
arrived in town from a visit she had been paying in the country, I
accordingly took her home; and in a very few days we had arranged
a pretty snug system of domestic economy, and provided every
requisite for the family life I meant in future to live. My companion
was the daughter of an industrious mechanic, who, having a
numerous offspring, had only been enabled to give her a common
education; but her mother had instructed her in the duties of house-
keeping, and she was perfectly conversant in all the qualities
requisite to form a good wife. She was about nineteen years of age,
agreeable in her person, and of the sweetest disposition imaginable;
and what was most gratifying, the company she had latterly mixed
with, and the disgusting examples before her eyes, had not been
able to eradicate an innate modesty which she naturally possessed;
so that her manners and conversation were such as fitted her for any
company to which I might be inclined to introduce her. I informed my
mother and sisters that I was on the point of contracting a union with
this young woman, and having made them personally acquainted,
the three young ladies soon became very intimate. As my mother
and sisters but rarely called at my lodgings, and then merely en
passant, I had no difficulty in concealing the connexion from them
until I could with propriety declare my marriage to have taken place.
We had the happiness of finding ourselves mutually pleased with
each other, and I considered my meeting with so amiable a friend as
one of the greatest blessings of my life. In a few weeks after our
junction, my partner discovered evident symptoms of pregnancy,
which with her affectionate behaviour, and real attachment to my
interest, endeared her still more to me. In a word, I now felt myself
as happy as any man daily risking his liberty and life, and exposed to
the reproaches of his own conscience, could possibly be.