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[Illustration: _Bolax, Imp or Angel Which?_]

[Illustration: JE SUIS MOI, LE GENERALE BOOME.

I AM THE GREAT GENERAL BOOME.

[From Fun in Dormitory. page 166.]]




  BOLAX

  IMP OR ANGEL--WHICH?

  BY MRS. JOSEPHINE CULPEPER

  [Illustration]

  JOHN MURPHY COMPANY.

  Baltimore:                   New York:
  200 W. Lombard Street.       70 Fifth Avenue.

  1907.

  _Copyright 1907, by_
  Mrs. Josephine Culpeper

  PRINTED BY JOHN MURPHY COMPANY




_"Bolax: Imp or Angel--Which?" Being favorably criticised by priests of
literary ability, is hereby recommended most heartily by me to all
Catholics._

_As a study in child-life and as a rational object lesson in the
religious and moral training of children, Mrs. Culpeper's book should
become popular and the jolly little Bolax be made welcome in many
households._

  _Faithfully yours in Xt,_

[Illustration: Signature]




     _Dedicated to my best beloved pupils, especially the children of
     the Late Dr. William V. Keating, and those of Joseph R. Carpenter,
     by their old governess._




CONTENTS.


                                                          PAGE.

  CHAPTER I.

  AMY'S COMPANY,                                              1

  CHAPTER II.

  THE WONDERFUL RIDE,                                         9

  CHAPTER III.

  THE PARTY,                                                 19

  CHAPTER IV.

  PLEASANT CONTROVERSY,                                      29

  CHAPTER V.

  THE PICNIC,                                                38

  CHAPTER VI.

  A TALK ABOUT OUR BOYS,                                     52

  CHAPTER VII.

  THE FIGHT,                                                 61

  CHAPTER VIII.

  THE COAL MAN,                                              78

  CHAPTER IX.

  AMY'S TRIP TO THE SEASHORE,                                89

  CHAPTER X.

  CHRISTMAS AND "LITTLE CHRISTMAS," OR KING'S
  DAY,                                                      100

  CHAPTER XI.

  PRACTISING,                                               116

  CHAPTER XII.

  FIRST COMMUNION,                                          130

  CHAPTER XIII.

  UNFORSEEN EVENTS,                                         146

  CHAPTER XIV.

  BOLAX GOES TO COLLEGE,                                    157

  CHAPTER XV.

  LETTER FROM A FRIEND,                                     174

  CHAPTER XVI.

  BOLAX LEAVES COLLEGE FOR VACATION,                        196




ONLY A BOY.


    Only a boy with his noise and fun,
    The veriest mystery under the sun;
    As brimful of mischief and wit and glee
    As ever a human frame can be,
    And as hard to manage as--ah! ah, me!
        'Tis hard to tell,
        Yet we love him well.

    Only a boy, with his fearful tread,
    Who cannot be driven, but must be led;
    Who troubles the neighbors' dogs and cats,
    And tears more clothes, and spoils more hats,
    Loses more tops and kites and bats
        Than would stock a store,
        For a year or more.

    Only a boy, with his wild, strange ways,
    With his idle hours on busy days;
    With his queer remarks and his odd replies,
    Sometimes foolish and sometimes wise,
    Often brilliant for one of his size,
        As a meteor hurl'd,
        From the pleasant world.

    Only a boy, who will be a man
    If Nature goes on with her first great plan--
    If water, or fire, or some fatal snare
    Conspire not to rob us of this our heir,
    Our blessing, our trouble, our rest, our care,
        Our torment, our joy,
        "Our only boy."

                                      --_Anonymous_.




BOLAX IMP OR ANGEL--WHICH?




CHAPTER I.

AMY'S COMPANY


"Come children," said Mrs. Allen, "Mamma wants to take you for a nice
walk."

"Oh, please, dear Mamma, wait awhile! Bolax and I have company!" This
from little Amy, Bo's sister.

Mrs. Allen looked around the room, and saw several chairs placed before
the fire; but seeing no visitors, was about to sit in the large arm
chair.

"Oh, dear Mamma," said Amy, "please do not take that chair! That's for
poor old St. Joseph; he will be here presently."

Turning toward the chair nearest the fire, the child bowed down to the
floor, saying: "Little Jesus I love you! When will St. Joseph be here?"

Then bowing before the next chair: "Blessed Mother, are you comfortable?
Here is a footstool."

Mrs