University of Virginia Library

BOOK I.
CONTAINING INSTRUCTIONS HOW TO SPEND AND HOW TO RETRIEVE
A FORTUNE.

• The Author's Preface—which the reader, if in a hurry, or if it be
  his practice to read against time, can omit...Page 5

• The birth and family of Sheppard Lee, with some account of his
  temper and complexion of mind... 7

• The pleasures of having nothing to do.—Some thoughts on
  matrimony...12

• How to conduct a farm to the best advantage, and steer clear of
  the lawyers... 18

• The Author finds himself in trouble.—Some account of his servant,
  honest James Jumble... 21

• Sheppard Lee experiences his share of the respect that is accorded
  to “honest poverty.”—His ingenious and highly original
  devices to amend his fortune... 26

• The Author becomes a Politician, and seeks for an office.—The
  result of that project... 30

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• A description of the Owl-roost, with Mr. Jumble's ideas in relation
  to Captain Kid's money... Page 32

• Sheppard Lee stumbles upon a happy man, and quarrels with
  him... 38

• Sheppard Lee has an extraordinary dream, which promises to be
  more advantageous than any of his previous ones. 42

• In which the reader is introduced to a personage who may claim
  his acquaintance hereafter... 47

• Sheppard Lee visits the village, makes a patriotic speech, and
  leaves the fence... 50

• What befell the Author on his way to the Owl-roost. 55

• Sheppard Lee digs for the buried treasure, and makes a blow with
  the mattock in the wrong place... 58

• In which Sheppard Lee finds himself in a quandary, which the
  reader will allow to be the most wonderful and lamentable ever
  known to a human being... 60

• Sheppard Lee finds comfort when he least expects it.—The extraordinary
  close of the catastrophe... 65

• A natural mistake, which, although it procures the Author a rough
  reception at his own house, has yet the good, effect to teach
  him the propriety of adapting his manners to his condition 69