"Dave Porter at Oak Hall" is a complete tale in itself, but forms the first volume of a line to be issued under the general title of "Dave Porter Series."

In writing this story I have had but one object in view—to present to my young readers a faithful picture of life at an American boarding school of to-day. Oak Hall represents a type of institution to be found by the score in many of our States, and the scholars attending the school are no better or worse than are the boys elsewhere. Each lad has his peculiarities: one is bright and clever, another dull and slow; one upright and manly, another low and cunning; one full of life and merriment, another given to look on the dark side of things. Taken as a whole, such a school represents the world at large, for "men are but youths of larger growth."

It may be thought by some that Dave is an unusually bright and clever boy. Such, however, is far from being the fact. In every school there are certain lads who stand head and shoulders above those who surround them. As among men, they are natural born leaders, and they show this leadership at the very first opportunity given to them. When a chance comes, they know at once how to take hold and make the most of it. Dave was a poor boy, of unknown parentage, and had he not watched his opportunities and made the most of them he would have remained forever in his humble station in life and never been used as the main character of this tale.

In closing this brief foreword let me once again thank those thousands of readers who have signified their appreciation of my efforts to amuse and instruct them. I have read the numerous letters sent to me with deep gratification, and my one regret is, that it is physically impossible for me to answer all of them. I sincerely trust the present story proves to be all that my readers desire.

Edward Stratemeyer.

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May 25, 1905.

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