Bolax, Imp or Angel—Which?

In Short

Written as an instructional and moral portrait of Catholic childhood in the early twentieth century, this novel follows young Bolax "Bo" Allen from his early, mischief-laden years through his formative education at a Canadian boarding school. Filled with wild childhood stunts, family tragedies, domestic reflections, and religious milestones, the narrative charts Bo’s moral development alongside his family's spiritual life. Guided by a loving mother, patient priests, and domestic domesticity, Bo learns to temper his impulsiveness with empathy, culminating in his growth toward maturity and his father’s formal reception into the Catholic faith.

The Story

The narrative opens in the comfortable Allen household, where young Bolax—affectionately nicknamed Bo—possesses a wild, energetic nature that earns him a reputation as both a household nuisance and a beloved treasure. Bo's childhood is a constant series of scrapes and misadventures. In his early years, he sneaks away to a neighbor's farm, mounts an untamed pig, and rides it at a breakneck pace down the road before being dumped headfirst into a muddy creek. Shortly thereafter, during a church service, he misinterprets the Latin phrase Dona nobis pacem in the Agnus Dei and loudly interrupts the solemn Mass by asking the congregation why the choir is singing about a opossum.

Despite his impulse for chaos, Bo is raised in a home steeped in religious devotion and maternal care. His sister, Amy, provides a gentle, pious contrast to his boisterous energy. Together, the siblings share a deep empathy for animals, routinely praying for overworked horses and stray dogs—a tender trait encouraged by their mother, Mrs. Allen.

As Bo grows older, his antics continue. During a day out in the woods with his friends, he attempts to show off by swinging across a swollen creek on a tree branch, only for the branch to snap and plunge him into the freezing water. On another occasion, while hitching a ride with a local coal delivery man, Bo politely helps carry out the job, endearing himself to wealthy onlookers with his mix of soot-covered hands and refined manners.

Tragedy strikes the family when little Amy contracts a severe illness following an unexpected rainstorm and dies. The loss casts a somber shadow over the household, deepening Bo's emotional maturity and his awareness of life's fragility.

Eventually, Bo is sent away to St. Francis Xavier College in Canada to pursue his formal studies. Away from home, his tendency toward mischief persists alongside his academic progress. He writes letters home detailing his travels, his struggles with the French language, and his ongoing battle with idle habits. The mischief reaches a climax when his schoolmates dare him to climb an icy telegraph pole; Bo succeeds, but slips near the bottom, breaking his ankle and landing in the school's infirmary.

Through the counsel of his mother, school directors, and spiritual guides like Father Rocofort, Bo gradually learns self-discipline and application. The novel closes during a summer trip to a Canadian sanctuary, where Bo's non-Catholic father undergoes a spiritual retreat and is formally baptized into the Catholic Church—a joyful culmination for a family transformed by faith, patience, and love.

How It Unfolds

Disaster at the farm Young Bo sneaks away to a nearby farm and decides to ride a colt, but ends up leaping onto a frightened pig instead. The animal bolts down the lane with Bo clinging to its ears until it plunges into a creek, leaving the soaked boy to be hauled home by an angry neighbor.

Laughter in the pews During a solemn holy day Mass, Bo mishears the choir's Latin repetition of pacem and loudly asks why they are singing about a opossum. His embarrassed aunt escorts him outside, while the parish priest and neighbors share a good-natured laugh over the child's blunder.

Lessons in companionship Mrs. Allen and her peers reflect on the challenges of raising young boys, stressing that parents must know their children's companions firsthand to ensure they choose friends based on honesty, studiousness, and clean language rather than wealth.

A ride with the coal man Bo hitches a ride on a coal wagon and offers to help the driver deliver fuel to a grand mansion. Covered in coal dust, Bo delights the household with his remarkably polite manners, refusing sweets until he can wash his dirty hands.

Swinging over the swollen brook Seeking adventure in the August woods, Bo boasts to his friends that he knows the best way to cross a flooded creek. He leaps onto a tree branch to swing across, but the branch breaks off completely, dropping Bo into three feet of rushing water to the amusement of his chums.

A tragic loss and a new horizon After catching a chill in a sudden downpour, Bo's sensitive sister Amy falls gravely ill and passes away, leaving the family in grief. As Bo reaches adolescence, he leaves home to attend a Catholic boarding school in Canada, documenting his travels and mishaps through frequent letters home.

The icy climb and spiritual arrival Bo breaks his ankle after accepting a dare to climb an icy telegraph pole at school, forcing him to spend weeks recovering under the care of the school's infirmarian. Later during vacation, the family gathers in Canada, where Bo's father completes a religious retreat and is formally baptized into the faith.

The People

• Bolax "Bo" Allen: The main character, an impulsive, energetic boy whose natural wit and appetite for mischief constantly lead him into absurd accidents. Beneath his reckless behavior lies a deeply sensitive, polite, and compassionate heart that gradually matures through gentle correction and formal schooling.
• Mrs. Allen: Bo's mother, a pious, thoughtful woman who guides her household with deep spiritual devotion. She patiently balances discipline with warmth, teaching her children empathy for the poor and mercy toward animals while constantly praying for her son's moral development.
• Amy Allen: Bo's younger sister, a serious, dreamy child who loves books, nature, and acts of charity. Her compassionate spirit leads her to care for afflicted children and pray for suffering creatures, but her early death profoundly impacts the family.
• Father Aloysius Rocofort, S. J.: A patient priest and spiritual mentor who exchanges letters with Bo. He offers the young boy gentle counsel on obedience and self-control, encouraging him to overcome his idle impulses without dampening his cheerful spirit.
• Pete Hopkins: A young farm boy whose timid nature leaves him unable to prevent Bo's wilder escapades, including the chaotic pig-riding incident.
• Hetty: The family's cook, a warm-hearted woman who frequently entertains the children with stories, fixes Bo's messes, and remains a fierce defender of Bo's good heart despite his constant mischief.

In Its Own Voice

Two farmhands tried to "head off" the animal, but Bo had caught hold of her ears to keep himself balanced, and the tighter he held on the wilder ran poor piggie.

Bo's boundless, chaotic energy often overpowers common sense, resulting in frantic scenes that leave the local adults completely bewildered.

With startling suddenness, Bo exclaimed: "Why are they singing about a Possum?"

Even inside a solemn church service, Bo's unfiltered curiosity and naive misinterpretations turn formal occasions into moments of unexpected comedy.

"My mother teaches me to respect all respectable people, and I am sure you are very respectable, because you are a good Catholic."

Despite his frequent scrapes, Bo absorbs his mother's moral instruction, showing an innate politeness and respect for working-class people.

What It's Really About

Beneath its episodic domestic anecdotes and comedic childhood scrapes, the book serves as a moral manual on Catholic child-rearing. It addresses the constant tension between a boy's natural appetite for fun and the gradual acquisition of self-discipline, asking whether youthful mischief stems from innate malice ("imp") or unguided innocence ("angel").

The narrative argues that children are best formed not through harsh repression, but through gentle spiritual guidance, structured prayer, and exemplary parental love. It highlights the importance of empathy—showing how kindness toward animals, respect for the poor, and early exposure to religious sacraments shape a child's character. Ultimately, the story celebrates the quiet influence of a devout family life, demonstrating how a child's moral growth can spark a broader spiritual awakening for those around him.

Why Read It Today

This novel offers modern readers a clear window into early twentieth-century Catholic domestic life and educational philosophy. Readers interested in historical juvenile literature, period religious culture, or nostalgic family stories will find value in its gentle humor and unpretentious prose. The book captures the authentic texture of childhood—its foolish dares, awkward letters, and fierce loyalties—with a warmth that feels remarkably direct.

The reading experience requires some patience with period conventions. The narrative includes heavy-handed moral commentary, overt religious instruction, dialect spelling in minor characters' speech, and a slow, episodic structure that reflects the devotional fiction of 1907. Modern audiences may also find the unvarnished depiction of childhood grief and sudden illness jarring compared to contemporary middle-grade fiction.

Yet for those willing to engage with its historical context, the book delivers a sweet, earnest portrait of growing up. Its charm lies in Bo himself—a realistic, flawed, and affectionate young boy whose chaotic journey toward maturity remains relatable across generations.