This antiquarian volume contains William Taylor Adams's 1871 novel, "Plane and Plank - Or the Mishaps of a Mechanic". It is the second of "The Upward and Onward Series" in which the hero, Phil Farringford, appears as a mechanic. The events of the story transpire on the Missouri River and in the city of St. Louis, where Phil learns the trade of a carpenter. The contrast between a young mechanic with an inquiring mind, earnestly labouring to master his business; and one who feels above his calling, and overvalues his own skill, is presented in this interesting and entertaining narrative. William Taylor Adams (1822 - 1897) was an esteemed academic, author, and a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives. Often writing under the pseudonym 'Oliver Optic', Adams wrote over one hundred books, the most popular of which were part of his "Blue & Gray" series. Many vintage texts such as this are increasingly scarce and expensive, and it is with this in mind that we are republishing this volume now in an affordable, modern, high-quality edition. It comes complete with a specially commissioned new biography of the author.