CHAPTER XXII.
THE ARRIVAL.
Bright and early on the following morning Jack set out for the postoffice with the letter, and Mr. Treat would have resumed the "dicker"for the cow immediately after his arrival, but the hunchback preventedhim by saying,--
"I don't want to buy one now. Mrs. Souders gave Aunt Nancy a handsomecreature, and that is all she needs."
"Sho! You don't mean to tell me Sarah Souders gave one right out?"
"That's what she did."
"Then all I can say is, it's a case of fool an' her money soon parted.Why shouldn't Aunt Nancy pay for things the same as anybody else?"
"She hadn't the money."
"There's where you make a mistake, for we haven't settled for the wheatyet, an' I've quite a little sum in my hands belongin' to her."
"But that must be used in gettin' ready for the summer boarders."
"Well," Mr. Treat said with a long-drawn sigh, as if pained because hehad been prevented from performing a charitable act, "I can't help it ifthe old woman wants sich a cow as Sarah Souders would buy when she canget a good one from me by puttin' out a little money."
Then the worthy post master took the letter Jack handed him, scrutinizedit carefully, asked if Aunt Nancy was thinking of putting anadvertisement in the papers for summer boarders, and, on receiving anon-committal answer, finally dropped it in the mail bag.
Jack had waited to see this last act performed, and when the missivedisappeared he hurried home.
It so chanced that he did not arrive there as soon as he had expected.
While passing Mr. Dean's house Bill came out and hailed him with,--
"Say, Hunchie, is the old maid waitin' for me to come 'round so she cantalk Sunday school?"
"Aunt Nancy doesn't do anything of the kind. If you knowed her as wellas I do you'd be mighty glad to be where she was."
"I ain't sayin' that isn't so, an' don't be s'prised if you see me upthere pretty soon."
"Shall I tell her so?"
"No, for it might give the old woman too much of a shock. I only thoughtI'd let you know so's you wouldn't get frightened when I came inter theyard," and with this remark Master Dean re-entered the house, probablythinking he had paved the way in a very delicate manner for a visit tothe little woman whom he had so often held up to ridicule.
Now that the important letter had really been sent both Aunt Nancy andJack were in a nervously expectant frame of mind.
They were unable to decide whether the editor of the newspaper or Mrs.Littlefield would write first, and anxiously they awaited for sometidings.
Jack went to the post office for every mail, and the little womanactually neglected to wipe imaginary specks of dust from the furnitureduring three whole days.
At the expiration of this time both were startled at seeing Daniel Chickdrive up the lane with a strange lady in his wagon.
It was at the close of the afternoon, and the two were sitting under thebig oak while Louis nestled snugly in the little woman's arms.
There was no doubt in Aunt Nancy's mind as to who the stranger might bewhen she leaped from the carriage, and, seizing the baby in her arms,covered his face with kisses and tears.
"It's the dear little fellow's mother," Aunt Nancy whispered, as she ledJack away, "and it is well to leave her alone for a while. She may behungry, and we must get supper at once. Send Daniel Chick off while Istart the fire."
It was not an easy matter to dismiss the driver of the vehicle.
He had been unable to extract any information from Mrs. Littlefield, andwanted to know why she had come to Aunt Nancy's at least three weeksbefore the summer boarders should arrive.
"It's the baby's mother, and we want to leave her alone," Jack replied.
"I ain't troublin' of her, am I?" and Mr. Chick crossed one leg over theother as he gazed at the scene.
"No; but Aunt Nancy said you were to go away now," Jack persisted, andthen, seeing that the gentleman evinced no disposition to leave, hejoined the little woman in the house.
Supper was ready and on the table before Mrs. Littlefield couldrelinquish the baby long enough to ask Jack for the particulars of hisadventures.
Then when she came to the door Aunt Nancy said, as her ringlets,sharing the feelings of the wearer, shook with suppressed excitement,--
"I hope you will have something to eat. You must be hungry by this time,and Louis shall sit with me while you are at the table."
As she spoke the little woman held out her hands invitingly to the baby,and he showed every desire to go to her.
"It can be plainly seen that my darling has had a good home," Mrs.Littlefield replied as she kissed him again and again.
"He has been loved perhaps better than in a house where there were otherchildren; but almost any one would have given him the same treatment."
"I am afraid not; both he and Jack have been very fortunate. Now I willtake a cup of tea, but had rather hold him myself."
Aunt Nancy beckoned for Jack to be seated although it was not more thantwo hours since he had eaten supper, and when the little woman's headwas bowed in devotion she fervently thanked her Father for his wondrousgoodness and mercy in allowing the mother and child to meet again inthis world.
During the meal Mrs. Littlefield asked Jack to tell the story of hiswanderings, and he gave them in detail, not omitting an account ofFarmer Pratt's determination to send them to the poor farm.
"I shall never be able to repay you for all you have done, my boy,"Louis' mother said feelingly when the cripple concluded. "You are to goback with me, and I will take care that you have a good home."
Jack had nothing to say in regard to this.
It seemed only natural he should remain with Louis after all that hadhappened, but the idea of leaving the farm was not a pleasant one.
He had known Mrs. Littlefield only during such time as she was onshipboard, and while she had been kind to him it was as nothing comparedwith what he experienced during his stay with Aunt Nancy.
Very much was said regarding the children's adventures. Aunt Nancy wasthanked over and over again for all her kindness, and then Louis' motherintimated that she would like to retire.
"I wish to leave here on the first train to-morrow morning, and havetravelled so long that rest seems necessary now."
The little woman conducted her guest to another apartment, and then,with Jack's assistance, the kitchen was made tidy once more.
Louis was nestling in his mother's arms in the lavender-scented bedwhich Aunt Nancy kept especially for "company," and the little woman andJack were under the big oak together for what both believed would be thelast time.
"You must think sometimes, Jack dear, of the poor old maid who issitting out here at this same hour wondering where in the big world herboy and baby are."
"There won't come a day or evening, Aunt Nancy, when I sha'n't think ofyou, and remember you are the best friend I or any other boy ever had.You see I can't say what is in my heart, but if I could you'd know I'dnever forget how good you've been to me."
"The little I have done, Jack dear, was only my duty, and you have paidme a thousand fold for everything. I haven't been so contented for manyyears as since you came here, and but for the wrong committed when Mr.Pratt called I should have been perfectly happy."
"I'm glad you liked me," Jack said half to himself, "for if you hadn't Iwouldn't have known what a real home was like. It kinder seems as if Ibelonged here."
"You _do_ act the same as own folks, and I wonder if Mrs. Littlefieldwill take as much comfort with you as I have?"
"But I'm not goin' to stay at her house very long. When the captaincomes home I shall get work on board the 'Atlanta' again. Folks won'tkeep me for an ornament, you know, an' I must earn my own livin'."
"Do you like to go to sea?"
"Well, there's some things about it that's pleasanter than stayin'ashore. The sailors are kinder than the boys in town, an' don't call me'Hunchie,' or names of that sort."
Aun
t Nancy remained silent, as if in deep thought, several moments, andthen said abruptly,--
"You certainly ought to go to school a portion of the time, Jack dear."
"I s'pose I had, for I don't know scarcely anything, an' never had achance to learn."
"Can you read?"
"If the words ain't too long; but in printin' there are so few shortones, that I don't seem to find out what the man who made it meant."
"I should have taught you instead of sitting here idle; but we couldn'thave accomplished a great deal since you came."
"You've had enough to do without botherin' about me."
"But, Jack, you can do a great deal by yourself. Before you go away Iwant to give you a little money, and with some of it you must buy aschool book. Then study a certain portion of it each day, until there isno difficulty in reading any ordinary print. After that will be timeenough to take up other branches, and writing must come with thereading, as I shall look very anxiously for a letter in your own hand."
"I'll do the best I can, Aunt Nancy, but I don't want you to give me anymoney. You haven't much to spare, and that I know."
"I shall share it with you, Jack dear, and you mustn't make anyobjection, for after you have gone I shall feel better to know you areable to buy what little you may want."
Then Aunt Nancy drew from her pocket a small black book which she handedto the boy as she said in a low tone,--
"This was my father's Bible, and the print is so faint that I can nolonger read it even with glasses."
"Hadn't you rather keep it? It was your father's."
"No, dear. I have one as you know, and this can be put to no better service than teaching you the right way. For my sake, Jack, become a good man. Shun evil company, and do unto others as you would they should do unto you. I haven't set a very good example in that way since you came here; but you have a better temper than I, and for that more is expected. Don't be tempted to tell a lie, and then you'll never feel as I have since Mr. Pratt called."
"I'll remember all you say, Aunt Nancy, and it would be a mightyungrateful feller who'd do anything he thought would make you feel bad."
Then ensued another long interval of silence, during which the sunfinished his work of painting the clouds, and had sunk behind the hills.
"It'll come pretty hard not to see you at night," Jack finally saidthoughtfully.
"Will it, really?" the little woman asked eagerly.
"Of course," and Jack looked up in surprise that such a question shouldhave been asked. "I don't s'pose I'll ever find a home as nice as this."
"And would you be willing to stay here?"
"Indeed I would if I could get work to pay my way."
"Don't you think it would be lonely when winter comes, and you would beobliged to remain a greater portion of the time in the house?"
"Not if you was here."
"Then, Jack, I am going to say something I thought ought not to bespoken of for fear you might do it simply to please me. Why not stay?"
"But I can't find any work 'round here, Aunt Nancy."
"You have contrived to get plenty from the first night I saw you. Ifthis home seems pleasant there is no reason why you should leave it, andwhen the white winged messengers come to carry me to the Father, thelittle I leave behind shall be yours. It isn't much, Jack dear, butwould keep you from want, and a delicate boy like you is not able tofight the hard world. If you were strong and well the case would bedifferent."
Jack drew a long breath as if the pleasurable surprise was almostoverpowering, and then asked slowly,--
"Do you really want me to live here?"
"Do I want you? If you say you will stay the pain which is now in myheart will go away in an instant, and I would be the happiest old womanin the State."
"Then there'll be two feelin' mighty good, Aunt Nancy, for I'm only tooglad of the chance."
The little woman kissed him tenderly, which told better than words thatthe invitation really came from the heart.
Not until a late hour that night did the tiny woman and the crippleleave the bench under the old oak.
Aunt Nancy had many plans for the future, chief among which was givingJack an education, and he speculated upon the possibility of tilling somuch of the farm during the coming season as would give him a smallincome.
All this was so interesting that for the first time in her life AuntNancy came very near forgetting to search the house for supposedburglars.
"Mercy on us, Jack! It must be near midnight, and we haven't looked intoa single room yet. I am so excited I hardly know what I'm about."
"I don't believe there would be any harm done if we didn't search theplace for a week," Jack said with a merry laugh; "but we'll go throughthe motions all the same."
On the following morning there was very little opportunity for a lengthyconversation upon the change in the plans as arranged by Aunt Nancy andJack.
When she made known the fact that the cripple would remain with her,Mrs. Littlefield approved heartily of it.
"I am positive he couldn't have a better home," she said, "and will takeit upon myself to see he is not a burden. That much I owe him, ifnothing more, for all he did to make my baby happy and comfortable."
"I am not a rich woman, Mrs. Littlefield," Aunt Nancy said withconsiderable dignity, "but I can care for the dear boy while I live."
This concluded the subject, for at that moment Daniel Chick arrived totake the visitor to the station, and Aunt Nancy and Jack could think ofnothing save the parting with the little fellow they had learned to loveso dearly.
Louis crowed and laughed at the prospect of a ride, and Aunt Nancy saidsadly when he disappeared around the corner of the lane,--
"It almost seems as if he was glad to go away from us, Jack dear."
"I reckon the farm will be kinder lonesome for a day or two, but he'swith his mother, an' that's where he belongs."
"Yes, dear, we mustn't repine. The day will soon come for me when I goaway to my Father, and then you must think the same, for I shall be manytimes happier in the eternal city than the baby is now. It will be alonely time for you, Jack dear, but only for a short while, after whichthe old maid and the cripple will be in the glory and splendor of God'sown light."
Then Aunt Nancy kissed Jack affectionately as she drew him to thefavorite seat, and, under the old oak where so many happy as well as sadhours have been spent, will we bid adieu to the hunchback and his bestearthly friend.
THE END.
A. L. BURT'S PUBLICATIONS
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=Bonnie Prince Charlie=: A Tale of Fontenoy and Culloden. By G. A.HENTY. With 12 full-page Illustrations by GORDON BROWNE. 12mo,cloth, price $1.00.
The adventures of the son of a Scotch officer in French service. Theboy, brought up by a Glasgow bailie, is a arrested for aiding aJacobite agent, escapes, is wrecked on the French coast, reaches Paris,and serves with the French army at Dettingen. He kills his father's foein a duel, and escaping to the coast, shares the adventures of PrinceCharlie, but finally settles happily in Scotland.
"Ronald, the hero, is very like the hero of 'Quentin Durward.' Thelad's journey across France, and his hairbreadth escapes, make upas good a narrative of the kind as we have ever read. For freshnessof treatment and variety of incident Mr. Henty has surpassedhimself."--_Spectator._
=With Clive in India=; or, the Beginnings of an Empire. By G. A.HENTY. With 12 full-page Illustrations by GORDON BROWNE. 12mo,cloth, price $1.00.
The period between the landing of Clive as a young writer in India andthe close of his career was critical and eventful in the extreme. At itscommencement the English were traders existing on sufferance of thenative princes. At its close they were masters of Bengal and of thegreater part of Southern India. The author has given a full and accurateaccount of the events of that stirring time, and battles and siegesfollow each other in rapid succession, while he combines wi
th hisnarrative a tale of daring and adventure, which gives a lifelikeinterest to the volume.
"He has taken a period of Indian history of the most vitalimportance, and he has embroidered on the historical facts a storywhich of itself is deeply interesting. Young people assuredly willbe delighted with the volume."--_Scotsman._
=The Lion of the North=: A Tale of Gustavus Adolphus and the Wars ofReligion. By G. A. HENTY. With full-page Illustrations by JOHNSCHOeNBERG. 12mo, cloth, price $1.00.
In this story Mr. Henty gives the history of the first part of theThirty Years' War. The issue had its importance, which has extended tothe present day, as it established religious freedom in Germany. Thearmy of the chivalrous king of Sweden was largely composed of Scotchmen,and among these was the hero of the story.
"The tale is a clever and instructive piece of history, and as boysmay be trusted to read it conscientiously, they can hardly fail tobe profited."--_Times._
=The Dragon and the Raven;= or, The Days of King Alfred. By G. A.HENTY. With full-page Illustrations by C. J. STANILAND. 12mo,cloth, price $1.00.
In this story the author gives an account of the fierce strugglebetween Saxon and Dane for supremacy in England, and presents a vividpicture of the misery and ruin to which the country was reduced by theravages of the sea-wolves. The hero, a young Saxon thane, takes part inall the battles fought by King Alfred. He is driven from his home, takesto the sea and resists the Danes on their own element, and being pursuedby them up the Seine, is present at the long and desperate siege ofParis.
"Treated in a manner most attractive to the boyish reader."--_Athenaeum._
=The Young Carthaginian=: A Story of the Times of Hannibal. By G. A.HENTY. With full-page Illustrations by C. J. STANILAND, R.I. 12mo,cloth, price $1.00.
Boys reading the history of the Punic Wars have seldom a keenappreciation of the merits of the contest. That it was at first astruggle for empire, and afterward for existence on the part ofCarthage, that Hannibal was a great and skillful general, that hedefeated the Romans at Trebia, Lake Trasimenus, and Cannae, and all buttook Rome, represents pretty nearly the sum total of their knowledge. Tolet them know more about this momentous struggle for the empire of theworld Mr. Henty has written this story, which not only gives in graphicstyle a brilliant description of a most interesting period of history,but is a tale of exciting adventure sure to secure the interest of thereader.
"Well constructed and vividly told. From first to last nothingstays the interest of the narrative. It bears us along as on astream whose current varies in direction, but never loses itsforce."--_Saturday Review._
=In Freedom's Cause=: A Story of Wallace and Bruce. By G. A. HENTY.With full page Illustrations by GORDON BROWNE. 12mo, cloth, price$1.00.
In this story the author relates the stirring tale of the Scottish Warof Independence. The extraordinary valor and personal prowess of Wallaceand Bruce rival the deeds of the mythical heroes of chivalry, and indeedat one time Wallace was ranked with these legendary personages. Theresearches of modern historians have shown, however, that he was aliving, breathing man--and a valiant champion. The hero of the talefought under both Wallace and Bruce, and while the strictest historicalaccuracy has been maintained with respect to public events, the work isfull of "hairbreadth 'scapes" and wild adventure.
"It is written in the author's best style. Full of the wildest andmost remarkable achievements, it is a tale of great interest, whicha boy, once he has begun it, will not willingly put on oneside."--_The Schoolmaster._
=With Lee in Virginia=: A Story of the American Civil War. By G. A.HENTY. With full-page Illustrations by GORDON BROWNE. 12mo, cloth,price $1.00.
The story of a young Virginian planter, who, after bravely proving hissympathy with the slaves of brutal masters, serves with no less courageand enthusiasm under Lee and Jackson through the most exciting events ofthe struggle. He has many hairbreadth escapes, is several times woundedand twice taken prisoner; but his courage and readiness and, in twocases, the devotion of a black servant and of a runaway slave whom hehad assisted, bring him safely through all difficulties.
"One of the best stories for lads which Mr. Henty has yet written.The picture is full of life and color, and the stirring andromantic incidents are skillfully blended with the personalinterest and charm of the story."--_Standard._
=By England's Aid=; or, The Freeing of the Netherlands (1585-1604) ByG.A. HENTY. With full-page Illustrations by ALFRED PEARSE, andMaps. 12mo, cloth, price $1.00.
The story of two English lads who go to Holland as pages in the serviceof one of "the fighting Veres." After many adventures by sea and land,one of the lads finds himself on board a Spanish ship at the time of thedefeat of the Armada, and escapes only to fall into the hands of theCorsairs. He is successful in getting back to Spain under the protectionof a wealthy merchant, and regains his native country after the captureof Cadiz.
"It is an admirable book for youngsters. It overflows with stirringincident and exciting adventure, and the color of the era and ofthe scene are finely reproduced. The illustrations add to itsattractiveness."--_Boston Gazette._
=By Right of Conquest=; or, With Cortez in Mexico. By G. A. HENTY.With full page Illustrations by W. S. STACEY, and Two Maps. 12mo,cloth, price $1.50.
The conquest of Mexico by a small band of resolute men under themagnificent leadership of Cortez is always rightly ranked among the mostromantic and daring exploits in history. With this as the groundwork ofhis story Mr. Henty has interwoven the adventures of an English youth,Roger Hawkshaw, the sole survivor of the good ship Swan, which hadsailed from a Devon port to challenge the mercantile supremacy of theSpaniards in the New World. He is beset by many perils among thenatives, but is saved by his own judgment and strength, and by thedevotion of an Aztec princess. At last by a ruse he obtains theprotection of the Spaniards, and after the fall of Mexico he succeeds inregaining his native shore, with a fortune and a charming Aztec bride.
"'By Right of Conquest' is the nearest approach to a perfectlysuccessful historical tale that Mr. Henty has yet published."--_Academy._
=In the Reign of Terror=: The Adventures of a Westminster Boy By G.A. HENTY. With full-page Illustrations by J. SCHOeNBERG. 12mo,cloth, price $1.00.
Harry Sandwith, a Westminster boy, becomes a resident at the chateau ofa French marquis, and after various adventures accompanies the family toParis at the crisis of the Revolution. Imprisonment and death reducetheir number, and the hero finds himself beset by perils with the threeyoung daughters of the house in his charge. After hairbreadth escapesthey reach Nantes. There the girls are condemned to death in thecoffin-ships, but are saved by the unfailing courage of their boyprotector.
"Harry Sandwith, the Westminster boy, may fairly be said to beatMr. Henty's record. His adventures will delight boys by theaudacity and peril they depict.... The story is one of Mr. Henty'sbest."--_Saturday Review._
=With Wolfe in Canada=; or, The Winning of a Continent. By G. A.HENTY. With full-page Illustrations by GORDON BROWNE. 12mo, cloth,price $1.00.
In the present volume Mr. Henty gives an account of the struggle betweenBritain and France for supremacy in the North American continent. On theissue of this war depended not only the destinies of North America, butto a large extent those of the mother countries themselves. The fall ofQuebec decided that the Anglo-Saxon race should predominate in the NewWorld; that Britain, and not France, should take the lead among thenations of Europe; and that English and American commerce, the Englishlanguage, and English literature, should spread right round the globe.
"It is not only a lesson in history as instructively as it isgraphically told, but also a deeply interesting and often thrillingtale of adventure and peril by flood and field."--_IllustratedLondon News._
=True to the Old Flag=: A Tale of the American War of Independence.By G. A. HENTY. With full-page Illustrations by GORDON BROWNE.12mo, cloth, price $1.00.
In this story the author has gone to the accounts of officers who tookpart in the conflict, a
nd lads will find that in no war in whichAmerican and British soldiers have been engaged did they behave withgreater courage and good conduct. The historical portion of the bookbeing accompanied with numerous thrilling adventures with the redskinson the shores of Lake Huron, a story of exciting interest is interwovenwith the general narrative and carried through the book.
"Does justice to the pluck and determination of the Britishsoldiers during the unfortunate struggle against Americanemancipation. The son of an American loyalist, who remains true toour flag, falls among the hostile redskins in that very Huroncountry which has been endeared to us by the exploits of Hawkeyeand Chingachgook."--_The Times._
=The Lion of St. Mark=: A Tale of Venice in the Fourteenth Century.By G. A. HENTY. With full-page Illustrations by GORDON BROWNE.12mo, cloth, price $1.00.
A story of Venice at a period when her strength and splendor were put tothe severest tests. The hero displays a fine sense and manliness whichcarry him safely through an atmosphere of intrigue, crime, andbloodshed. He contributes largely to the victories of the Venetians atPorto d'Anzo and Chioggia, and finally wins the hand of the daughter ofone of the chief men of Venice.
"Every boy should read 'The Lion of St. Mark.' Mr. Henty has neverproduced a story more delightful, more wholesome, or morevivacious."--_Saturday Review._
=A Final Reckoning=: A Tale of Bush Life in Australia. By G. A.HENTY. With full-page Illustrations by W. B. WOLLEN. 12mo,cloth, price $1.00.
The hero, a young English lad, after rather a stormy boyhood emigratesto Australia, and gets employment as an officer in the mounted police. Afew years of active work on the frontier, where he has many a brush withboth natives and bushrangers, gain him promotion to a captaincy, and heeventually settles down to the peaceful life of a squatter.
"Mr. Henty has never published a more readable, a more carefullyconstructed, or a better written story than this."--_Spectator._
=Under Drake's Flag=: A Tale of the Spanish Main. By G. A. HENTY.With full-page Illustrations by GORDON BROWNE. 12mo, cloth, price$1.00.
A story of the days when England and Spain struggled for the supremacyof the sea. The heroes sail as lads with Drake in the Pacificexpedition, and in his great voyage of circumnavigation. The historicalportion of the story is absolutely to be relied upon, but this willperhaps be less attractive than the great variety of exciting adventurethrough which the young heroes pass in the course of their voyages.
"A book of adventure, where the hero meets with experience enough,one would think, to turn his hair gray."--_Harper's MonthlyMagazine._
=By Sheer Pluck=: A Tale of the Ashanti War. By G. A. HENTY. Withfull-page Illustrations by GORDON BROWNE. 12mo, cloth, price $1.00.
The author has woven, in a tale of thrilling interest, all the detailsof the Ashanti campaign, of which he was himself a witness. His hero,after many exciting adventures in the interior, is detained a prisonerby the king just before the outbreak of the war, but escapes, andaccompanies the English expedition on their march to Coomassie.
"Mr. Henty keeps up his reputation as a writer of boys' stories.'By Sheer Pluck' will be eagerly read."--_Athenaeum._
=By Pike and Dyke=: A Tale of the Rise of the Dutch Republic. By G.A. HENTY. With full-page Illustrations by MAYNARD BROWN, and 4Maps. 12mo, cloth, price $1.00.
In this story Mr. Henty traces the adventures and brave deeds of anEnglish boy in the household of the ablest man of his age--William theSilent. Edward Martin, the son of an English sea-captain, enters theservice of the Prince as a volunteer, and is employed by him in manydangerous and responsible missions, in the discharge of which he passesthrough the great sieges of the time. He ultimately settles down as SirEdward Martin.
"Boys with a turn for historical research will be enchanted withthe book, while the rest who only care for adventure, will bestudents in spite of themselves."--_St. James' Gazette._
=St. George for England=: A Tale of Cressy and Poitiers. By G. A.HENTY. With full-page Illustrations by GORDON BROWNE. 12mo, cloth,price $1.00.
No portion of English history is more crowded with great events thanthat of the reign of Edward III. Cressy and Poitiers; the destruction ofthe Spanish fleet; the plague of the Black Death; the Jacquerie rising;these are treated by the author in "St. George for England." The hero ofthe story, although of good family, begins life as a London apprentice,but after countless adventures and perils becomes by valor and goodconduct the squire, and at last the trusted friend of the Black Prince.
"Mr. Henty has developed for himself a type of historical novel forboys which bids fair to supplement, on their behalf, the historicallabors of Sir Walter Scott in the land of fiction."--_TheStandard._
=Captain's Kidd's Gold=: The True Story of an Adventurous Sailor Boy.By JAMES FRANKLIN FITTS. 12mo, cloth, price $1.00.
There is something fascinating to the average youth in the very ideaof buried treasure. A vision arises before his eyes of swarthyPortuguese and Spanish rascals, with black beards and gleamingeyes--sinister-looking fellows who once on a time haunted the SpanishMain, sneaking out from some hidden creek in their long, low schooner,of picaroonish rake and sheer, to attack an unsuspecting trading craft.There were many famous sea rovers in their day, but none more celebratedthan Capt. Kidd. Perhaps the most fascinating tale of all is Mr. Fitts'true story of an adventurous American boy, who receives from his dyingfather an ancient bit of vellum, which the latter obtained in a curiousway. The document bears obscure directions purporting to locate acertain island in the Bahama group, and a considerable treasure buriedthere by two of Kidd's crew. The hero of this book, Paul Jones Garry, isan ambitious, persevering lad, of salt-water New England ancestry, andhis efforts to reach the island and secure the money form one of themost absorbing tales for our youth that has come from the press.
=Captain Bayley's Heir=: A Tale of the Gold Fields of California. ByG.A. HENTY. With full-page Illustrations by H. M. PAGET. 12mo,cloth, price $1.00.
A frank, manly lad and his cousin are rivals in the heirship of aconsiderable property. The former falls into a trap laid by the latter,and while under a false accusation of theft foolishly leaves England forAmerica. He works his passage before the mast, joins a small band ofhunters, crosses a tract of country infested with Indians to theCalifornian gold diggings, and is successful both as digger and trader.
"Mr. Henty is careful to mingle instruction with entertainment;and the humorous touches, especially in the sketch of John Holl,the Westminster dustman, Dickens himself could hardly haveexcelled."--_Christian Leader._
=For Name and Fame=; or, Through Afghan Passes. By G. A. HENTY. Withfull-page Illustrations by GORDON BROWNE. 12mo, cloth, price $1.00.
An interesting story of the last war in Afghanistan. The hero, afterbeing wrecked and going through many stirring adventures among theMalays, finds his way to Calcutta and enlists in a regiment proceedingto join the army at the Afghan passes. He accompanies the force underGeneral Roberts to the Peiwar Kotal, is wounded, taken prisoner, carriedto Cabul, whence he is transferred to Candahar, and takes part in thefinal defeat of the army of Ayoub Khan.
"The best feature of the book--apart from the interest of itsscenes of adventure--is its honest effort to do justice to thepatriotism of the Afghan people."--_Daily News._
=Captured by Apes=: The Wonderful Adventures of a Young AnimalTrainer. By Harry Prentice. 12mo, cloth, $1.00.
The scene of this tale is laid on an island in the Malay Archipelago.Philip Garland, a young animal collector and trainer, of New York, setssail for Eastern seas in quest of a new stock of living curiosities. Thevessel is wrecked off the coast of Borneo and young Garland, the solesurvivor of the disaster, is cast ashore on a small island, and capturedby the apes that overrun the place. The lad discovers that the rulingspirit of the monkey tribe is a gigantic and vicious baboon, whom heidentifies as Goliah, an animal at one time in his possession and withwhose instruction he had been especially diligent. The brute recognizeshim, and with a kind of malignant satisfaction puts
his former masterthrough the same course of training he had himself experienced with afaithfulness of detail which shows how astonishing is monkeyrecollection. Very novel indeed is the way by which the young manescapes death. Mr. Prentice has certainly worked a new vein on juvenilefiction, and the ability with which he handles a difficult subjectstamps him as a writer of undoubted skill.
=The Bravest of the Brave=; or, With Peterborough in Spain. By G. A.HENTY. With full-page Illustrations by H. M. PAGET. 12mo, cloth,price $1.00.
There are few great leaders whose lives and actions have so completelyfallen into oblivion as those of the Earl of Peterborough. This islargely due to the fact that they were over-shadowed by the glory andsuccesses of Marlborough. His career as general extended over littlemore than a year, and yet, in that time, he showed a genius for warfarewhich has never been surpassed.
"Mr. Henty never loses sight of the moral purpose of his work--toenforce the doctrine of courage and truth. Lads will read 'TheBravest of the Brave' with pleasure and profit; of that we arequite sure."--_Daily Telegraph._
=The Cat of Bubastes=: A Story of Ancient Egypt. By G. A. HENTY. Withfull page Illustrations. 12mo, cloth, price $1.00.
A story which will give young readers an unsurpassed insight into thecustoms of the Egyptian people. Amuba, a prince of the Rebu nation, iscarried with his charioteer Jethro into slavery. They become inmates ofthe house of Ameres, the Egyptian high-priest, and are happy in hisservice until the priest's son accidentally kills the sacred cat ofBubastes. In an outburst of popular fury Ameres is killed, and it restswith Jethro and Amuba to secure the escape of the high-priest's son anddaughter.
"The story, from the critical moment of the killing of the sacredcat to the perilous exodus into Asia with which it closes, is veryskillfully constructed and full of exciting adventures. It isadmirably illustrated."--_Saturday Review._
=With Washington at Monmouth:= A Story of Three Philadelphia Boys. ByJAMES OTIS. 12mo, cloth, price $1.00.
Three Philadelphia boys, Seth Graydon "whose mother conducted aboarding-house which was patronized by the British officers;" EnochBall, "son of that Mrs. Ball whose dancing school was situated onLetitia Street," and little Jacob, son of "Chris, the Baker," serve asthe principal characters. The story is laid during the winter when LordHowe held possession of the city, and the lads aid the cause byassisting the American spies who make regular and frequent visits fromValley Forge. One reads here of home-life in the captive city when breadwas scarce among the people of the lower classes, and a recklessprodigality shown by the British officers, who passed the winter infeasting and merry-making while the members of the patriot army but afew miles away were suffering from both cold and hunger. The storyabounds with pictures of Colonial life skillfully drawn, and theglimpses of Washington's soldiers which are given show that the work hasnot been hastily done, or without considerable study.
=For the Temple=: A Tale of the Fall of Jerusalem. By G. A. HENTY.With full-page Illustrations by S. J. SOLOMON. 12mo, cloth, price$1.00.
Mr. Henty here weaves into the record of Josephus an admirable andattractive story. The troubles in the district of Tiberias, the march ofthe legions, the sieges of Jotapata, of Gamala, and of Jerusalem, formthe impressive and carefully studied historic setting to the figure ofthe lad who passes from the vineyard to the service of Josephus, becomesthe leader of a guerrilla band of patriots, fights bravely for theTemple, and after a brief term of slavery at Alexandria, returns to hisGalilean home with the favor of Titus.
"Mr. Henty's graphic prose pictures of the hopeless Jewishresistance to Roman sway add another leaf to his record of thefamous wars of the world."--_Graphic._
=Facing Death=; or, The Hero of the Vaughan Pit. A Tale of the CoalMines. By G. A. HENTY. With full-page Illustrations by GORDONBROWNE. 12mo, cloth, price $1.00.
"Facing Death" is a story with a purpose. It is intended to show that alad who makes up his mind firmly and resolutely that he will rise inlife, and who is prepared to face toil and ridicule and hardship tocarry out his determination, is sure to succeed. The hero of the storyis a typical British boy, dogged, earnest, generous, and though"shamefaced" to a degree, is ready to face death in the discharge ofduty.
"The tale is well written and well illustrated, and there is muchreality in the characters. If any father, clergyman, orschoolmaster is on the lookout for a good book to give as a presentto a boy who is worth his salt, this is the book we wouldrecommend."--_Standard._
=Tom Temple's Career.= By HORATIO ALGER. 12mo, cloth, price $1.00.
Tom Temple, a bright, self-reliant lad, by the death of his fatherbecomes a boarder at the home of Nathan Middleton, a penurious insuranceagent. Though well paid for keeping the boy, Nathan and his wifeendeavor to bring Master Tom in line with their parsimonious habits. Thelad ingeniously evades their efforts and revolutionizes the household.As Tom is heir to $40,000, he is regarded as a person of some importanceuntil by an unfortunate combination of circumstances his fortune shrinksto a few hundreds. He leaves Plympton village to seek work in New York,whence he undertakes an important mission to California, around whichcenter the most exciting incidents of his young career. Some of hisadventures in the far west are so startling that the reader willscarcely close the book until the last page shall have been reached. Thetale is written in Mr. Alger's most fascinating style, and is bound toplease the very large class of boys who regard this popular author as aprime favorite.
=Maori and Settler=: A Story of the New Zealand War. By G. A. HENTY.With full-page Illustrations by ALFRED PEARSE. 12mo, cloth, price$1.00.
The Renshaws emigrate to New Zealand during the period of the war withthe natives. Wilfrid, a strong, self-reliant, courageous lad, is themainstay of the household. He has for his friend Mr. Atherton, abotanist and naturalist of herculean strength and unfailing nerve andhumor. In the adventures among the Maoris, there are many breathlessmoments in which the odds seem hopelessly against the party, but theysucceed in establishing themselves happily in one of the pleasant NewZealand valleys.
"Brimful of adventure, of humorous and interesting conversation,and vivid pictures of colonial life."--_Schoolmaster._
=Julian Mortimer=: A Brave Boy's Struggle for Home and Fortune. ByHARRY CASTLEMON. 12mo, cloth, price $1.00.
Here is a story that will warm every boy's heart. There is mysteryenough to keep any lad's imagination wound up to the highest pitch. Thescene of the story lies west of the Mississippi River, in the days whenemigrants made their perilous way across the great plains to the land ofgold. One of the startling features of the book is the attack upon thewagon train by a large party of Indians. Our hero is a lad of uncommonnerve and pluck, a brave young American in every sense of the word. Heenlists and holds the reader's sympathy from the outset. Surrounded byan unknown and constant peril, and assisted by the unswerving fidelityof a stalwart trapper, a real rough diamond, our hero achieves the mosthappy results. Harry Castlemon has written many entertaining stories forboys, and it would seem almost superfluous to say anything in hispraise, for the youth of America regard him as a favorite author.
="Carrots:"= Just a Little Boy. By MRS. MOLESWORTH. WithIllustrations by WALTER CRANE. 12mo, cloth, price 75 cents.
"One of the cleverest and most pleasing stories it has been ourgood fortune to meet with for some time. Carrots and his sister aredelightful little beings, whom to read about is at once to becomevery fond of."--_Examiner._
"A genuine children's book; we've seen 'em seize it, and read itgreedily. Children are first-rate critics, and thoroughlyappreciate Walter Crane's Illustrations."--_Punch._
=Mopsa the Fairy.= By JEAN INGELOW. With Eight page Illustrations.12mo, cloth, price 75 cents.
"Mrs. Ingelow is, to our mind, the most charming of all livingwriters for children, and 'Mopsa' alone ought to give her a kind ofpre-emptive right to the love and gratitude of our young folks. Itrequires genius to conceive a purely imaginary work which must ofnecessity deal with the supernatural, without running into a
mereriot of fantastic absurdity; but genius Miss Ingelow has and thestory of 'Jack' is as careless and joyous, but as delicate as apicture of childhood."--_Eclectic._
=A Jaunt Through Java=: The Story of a Journey to the SacredMountain. By Edward S. Ellis. 12mo, cloth, price $1.00.
The central interest of this story is found in the thrilling adventuresof two cousins, Hermon and Eustace Hadley, on their trip across theisland of Java, from Samarang to the Sacred Mountain. In a land wherethe Royal Bengal tiger runs at large; where the rhinoceros and otherfierce beasts are to be met with at unexpected moments; it is butnatural that the heroes of this book should have a lively experience.Hermon not only distinguishes himself by killing a full grown tiger atshort range, but meets with the most startling adventure of the journey.There is much in this narrative to instruct as well as entertain thereader, and so deftly has Mr. Ellis used his material that there is nota dull page in the book. The two heroes are brave, manly young fellows,bubbling over with boyish independence. They cope with the manydifficulties that arise during the trip in a fearless way that is boundto win the admiration of every lad who is so fortunate as to read theiradventures.
=Wrecked on Spider Island=; or, How Ned Rogers Found the Treasure. ByJAMES OTIS. 12mo, cloth, price $1.00.
A "down-east" plucky lad who ships as cabin boy, not from love ofadventure, but because it is the only course remaining by which he cangain a livelihood. While in his bunk, seasick, Ned Rogers hears thecaptain and mate discussing their plans for the willful wreck of thebrig in order to gain the insurance. Once it is known he is inpossession of the secret the captain maroons him on Spider Island,explaining to the crew that the boy is afflicted with leprosy. Whilethus involuntarily playing the part of a Crusoe, Ned discovers a wrecksubmerged in the sand, and overhauling the timbers for the purpose ofgathering material with which to build a hut finds a considerable amountof treasure. Raising the wreck; a voyage to Havana under sail; shippingthere a crew and running for Savannah; the attempt of the crew to seizethe little craft after learning of the treasure on board, and, as amatter of course, the successful ending of the journey, all serve tomake as entertaining a story of sea life as the most captious boy coulddesire.
=Geoff and Jim=: A Story of School Life. By ISMAY THORN. Illustratedby A. G. WALKER. 12mo, cloth, price 75 cents.
"This is a prettily told story of the life spent by two motherlessbairns at a small preparatory school. Both Geoff and Jim are verylovable characters, only Jim is the more so; and the scrapes hegets into and the trials he endures will, no doubt, interest alarge circle of young readers."--_Church Times._
"This is a capital children's story, the characters well portrayed,and the book tastefully bound and wellillustrated."--_Schoolmaster._
"The story can be heartily recommended as a present forboys."--_Standard._
=The Castaways=; or, On the Florida Reefs. By JAMES OTIS. 12mo,cloth, price $1.00.
This tale smacks of the salt sea. It is just the kind of story that themajority of boys yearn for. From the moment that the Sea Queen dispenseswith the services of the tug in lower New York bay till the breezeleaves her becalmed off the coast of Florida, one can almost hear thewhistle of the wind through her rigging, the creak of her strainingcordage as she heels to the leeward, and feel her rise to thesnow-capped waves which her sharp bow cuts into twin streaks of foam.Off Marquesas Keys she floats in a dead calm. Ben Clark, the hero of thestory, and Jake, the cook, spy a turtle asleep upon the glassy surfaceof the water. They determine to capture him, and take a boat for thatpurpose, and just as they succeed in catching him a thick fog cuts themoff from the vessel, and then their troubles begin. They take refuge onboard a drifting hulk, a storm arises and they are cast ashore upon alow sandy key. Their adventures from this point cannot fail to charm thereader. As a writer for young people Mr. Otis is a prime favorite. Hisstyle is captivating, and never for a moment does he allow the interestto flag. In "The Castaways" he is at his best.
=Tom Thatcher's Fortune.= By HORATIO ALGER, JR. 12mo, cloth, price$1.00.
Like all of Mr. Alger's heroes, Tom Thatcher is a brave, ambitious,unselfish boy. He supports his mother and sister on meager wages earnedas a shoe-pegger in John Simpson's factory. The story begins with Tom'sdischarge from the factory, because Mr. Simpson felt annoyed with thelad for interrogating him too closely about his missing father. A fewdays afterward Tom learns that which induces him to start overland forCalifornia with the view of probing the family mystery. He meets withmany adventures. Ultimately he returns to his native village, bringingconsternation to the soul of John Simpson, who only escapes theconsequences of his villainy by making full restitution to the man whosefriendship he had betrayed. The story is told in that entertaining waywhich has made Mr. Alger's name a household word in so many homes.
=Birdie=: A Tale of Child Life. By H. L. CHILDE-PEMBERTON.Illustrated by H. W. RAINEY. 12mo, cloth, price 75 cents.
"The story is quaint and simple, but there is a freshness about itthat makes one hear again the ringing laugh and the cheery shout ofchildren at play which charmed his earlier years."--_New YorkExpress._
=Popular Fairy Tales.= By the BROTHERS GRIMM. Profusely Illustrated, 12mo, cloth, price $1.00.
"From first to last, almost without exception, these stories aredelightful."--_Athenaeum._
=With Lafayette at Yorktown=: A Story of How Two Boys Joined theContinental Army. By JAMES OTIS. 12mo, cloth, price $1.00.
The two boys are from Portsmouth, N. H., and are introduced in August,1781, when on the point of leaving home to enlist in Col. Scammell'sregiment, then stationed near New York City. Their method of travelingis on horseback, and the author has given an interesting account of whatwas expected from boys in the Colonial days. The lads, after no slightamount of adventure, are sent as messengers--not soldiers--into thesouth to find the troops under Lafayette. Once with that youthfulgeneral they are given employment as spies, and enter the British camp,bringing away valuable information. The pictures of camp-life arecarefully drawn, and the portrayal of Lafayette's character isthoroughly well done. The story is wholesome in tone, as are all of Mr.Otis' works. There is no lack of exciting incident which the youthfulreader craves, but it is healthful excitement brimming with facts whichevery boy should be familiar with, and while the reader is following theadventures of Ben Jaffreys and Ned Allen he is acquiring a fund ofhistorical lore which will remain in his memory long after that which hehas memorized from text-books has been forgotten.
=Lost in the Canyon=: Sam Willett's Adventures on the Great Colorado.By ALFRED R. CALHOUN. 12mo, cloth, price $1.00.
This story hinges on a fortune left to Sam Willett, the hero, and thefact that it will pass to a disreputable relative if the lad dies beforehe shall have reached his majority. The Vigilance Committee of Hurley'sGulch arrest Sam's father and an associate for the crime of murder.Their lives depend on the production of the receipt given for moneypaid. This is in Sam's possession at the camp on the other side of thecanyon. A messenger is dispatched to get it. He reaches the lad in themidst of a fearful storm which floods the canyon. His father's perilurges Sam to action. A raft is built on which the boy and his friendsessay to cross the torrent. They fail to do so, and a desperate tripdown the stream ensues. How the party finally escape from the horrors oftheir situation and Sam reaches Hurley's Gulch in the very nick of time,is described in a graphic style that stamps Mr. Calhoun as a master ofhis art.
=Jack=: A Topsy Turvy Story. By C. M. CRAWLEY-BOEVEY. With upward ofThirty Illustrations by H. J. A. MILES. 12mo, cloth, price 75cents.
"The illustrations deserve particular mention, as they add largelyto the interest of this amusing volume for children. Jack fallsasleep with his mind full of the subject of the fishpond, and isvery much surprised presently to find himself an inhabitant ofWaterworld, where he goes though wonderful and edifying adventures.A handsome and pleasant book."--_Literary World._
=Search for the Silver City=: A Tale of Adventure in Yucatan. ByJAMES O
TIS. 12mo, cloth, price $1.00.
Two American lads, Teddy Wright and Neal Emery, embark on the steamyacht Day Dream for a short summer cruise to the tropics. Homeward boundthe yacht is destroyed by fire. All hands take to the boats, but duringthe night the boat is cast upon the coast of Yucatan. They come across ayoung American named Cummings, who entertains them with the story of thewonderful Silver City, of the Chan Santa Cruz Indians. Cummings proposeswith the aid of a faithful Indian ally to brave the perils of the swampand carry off a number of the golden images from the temples. Pursuedwith relentless vigor for days their situation is desperate. At lasttheir escape is effected in an astonishing manner. Mr. Otis has builthis story on an historical foundation. It is so full of excitingincidents that the reader is quite carried away with the novelty andrealism of the narrative.
=Frank Fowler, the Cash Boy.= By HORATIO ALGER, JR. 12mo, cloth,price $1.00.
Thrown upon his own resources Frank Fowler, a poor boy, bravelydetermines to make a living for himself and his foster-sister Grace.Going to New York he obtains a situation as cash boy in a dry goodsstore. He renders a service to a wealthy old gentleman named Wharton,who takes a fancy to the lad. Frank, after losing his place as cash boy,is enticed by an enemy to a lonesome part of New Jersey and held aprisoner. This move recoils upon the plotter, for it leads to a cluethat enables the lad to establish his real identity. Mr. Alger's storiesare not only unusually interesting, but they convey a useful lesson ofpluck and manly independence.
=Budd Boyd's Triumph=; or, the Boy Firm of Fox Island. By WILLIAM P.CHIPMAN. 12mo, cloth, price $1.00.
The scene of this story is laid on the upper part of Narragansett Bay,and the leading incidents have a strong salt water flavor. Owing to theconviction of his father for forgery and theft, Budd Boyd is compelledto leave his home and strike out for himself. Chance brings Budd incontact with Judd Floyd. The two boys, being ambitious and clearsighted, form a partnership to catch and sell fish. The scheme issuccessfully launched, but the unexpected appearance on the scene ofThomas Bagsley, the man whom Budd believes guilty of the crimesattributed to his father, leads to several disagreeable complicationsthat nearly caused the lad's ruin. His pluck and good sense, however,carry him through his troubles. In following the career of the boy firmof Boyd & Floyd, the youthful reader will find a useful lesson--thatindustry and perseverance are bound to lead to ultimate success.
=The Errand Boy=; or, How Phil Brent Won Success. By HORATIO ALGER,JR. 12mo, cloth, price $1.00.
The career of "The Errand Boy" embraces the city adventures of a smartcountry lad who at an early age was abandoned by his father. Philip wasbrought up by a kind-hearted innkeeper named Brent. The death of Mrs.Brent paved the way for the hero's subsequent troubles. Accidentintroduces him to the notice of a retired merchant in New York, who notonly secures him the situation of errand boy but thereafter stands ashis friend. An unexpected turn of fortune's wheel, however, bringsPhilip and his father together. In "The Errand Boy" Philip Brent ispossessed of the same sterling qualities so conspicuous in all of theprevious creations of this delightful writer for our youth.
=The Slate Picker=: The Story of a Boy's Life in the Coal Mines. ByHARRY PRENTICE. 12mo, cloth, price $1.00.
This is a story of a boy's life in the coal mines of Pennsylvania. Thereare many thrilling situations, notably that of Ben Burton's leap intothe "lion's mouth"--the yawning shute in the breakers--to escape abeating at the hands of the savage Spilkins, the overseer. Gracie Gordonis a little angel in rags, Terence O'Dowd is a manly, sympathetic lad,and Enoch Evans, the miner-poet, is a big-hearted, honest fellow, a truefriend to all whose burdens seem too heavy for them to bear. Ben Burton,the hero, had a hard road to travel, but by grit and energy he advancedstep by step until he found himself called upon to fill the position ofchief engineer of the Kohinoor Coal Company.
=A Runaway Brig=; or, An Accidental Cruise. By JAMES OTIS. 12mo,cloth, price $1.00.
"A Runaway Brig" is a sea tale, pure and simple, and that's where itstrikes a boy's fancy. The reader can look out upon the wide shimmeringsea as it flashes back the sunlight, and imagine himself afloat withHarry Vandyne, Walter Morse, Jim Libby and that old shell-back, BobBrace, on the brig Bonita, which lands on one of the Bahama keys.Finally three strangers steal the craft, leaving the rightful owners toshift for themselves aboard a broken-down tug. The boys discover amysterious document which enables them to find a buried treasure, then astorm comes on and the tug is stranded. At last a yacht comes in sightand the party with the treasure is taken off the lonely key. The mostexacting youth is sure to be fascinated with this entertaining story.
=Fairy Tales and Stories.= By HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN. ProfuselyIllustrated, 12mo, cloth, price $1.00.
"If I were asked to select a child's library I should name thesethree volumes 'English,' 'Celtic,' and 'Indian Fairy Tales,' withGrimm and Hans Andersen's Fairy Tales."--_Independent._
=The Island Treasure=; or, Harry Darrel's Fortune. By FRANK H.CONVERSE. 12mo, cloth, price $1.00.
Harry Darrel, an orphan, having received a nautical training on aschool-ship, is bent on going to sea with a boyish acquaintance namedDan Plunket. A runaway horse changes his prospects. Harry saves Dr.Gregg from drowning and the doctor presents his preserver with a bit ofproperty known as Gregg's Island, and makes the lad sailing-master ofhis sloop yacht. A piratical hoard is supposed to be hidden somewhere onthe island. After much search and many thwarted plans, at last Dandiscovers the treasure and is the means of finding Harry's father. Mr.Converse's stories possess a charm of their own which is appreciated bylads who delight in good healthy tales that smack of salt water.
=The Boy Explorers=: The Adventures of Two Boys in Alaska. By HARRYPRENTICE. 12mo, cloth, price $1.00.
Two boys, Raymond and Spencer Manning, travel from San Francisco toAlaska to join their father in search of their uncle, who, it isbelieved, was captured and detained by the inhabitants of a place calledthe "Heart of Alaska." On their arrival at Sitka the boys with an Indianguide set off across the mountains. The trip is fraught with perils thattest the lads' courage to the utmost. Reaching the Yukon River theybuild a raft and float down the stream, entering the Mysterious River,from which they barely escape with their lives, only to be captured bynatives of the Heart of Alaska. All through their exciting adventuresthe lads demonstrate what can be accomplished by pluck and resolution,and their experience makes one of the most interesting tales everwritten.
=The Treasure Finders=: A Boy's Adventures in Nicaragua. By JAMESOTIS. 12mo, cloth, price $1.00.
Roy and Dean Coloney, with their guide Tongla, leave their father'sindigo plantation to visit the wonderful ruins of an ancient city. Theboys eagerly explore the dismantled temples of an extinct race anddiscover three golden images cunningly hidden away. They escape with thegreatest difficulty; by taking advantage of a festive gathering theyseize a canoe and fly down the river. Eventually they reach safety withtheir golden prizes. Mr. Otis is the prince of story tellers, for hehandles his material with consummate skill. We doubt if he has everwritten a more entertaining story than "The Treasure Finders."
=Household Fairy Tales.= By the BROTHERS GRIMM. ProfuselyIllustrated, 12mo, cloth, price $1.00.
"As a collection of fairy tales to delight children of all agesthis work ranks second to none."--_Daily Graphic._
=Dan the Newsboy.= By HORATIO ALGER, JR. 12mo, cloth, price $1.00.
The reader is introduced to Dan Mordaunt and his mother living in a poortenement, and the lad is pluckily trying to make ends meet by sellingpapers in the streets of New York. A little heiress of six years isconfided to the care of the Mordaunts. At the same time the lad obtainsa position in a wholesale house. He soon demonstrates how valuable he isto the firm by detecting the bookkeeper in a bold attempt to rob hisemployers. The child is kidnaped and Dan tracks the child to the housewhere she is hidden, and rescues her. The wealthy aunt of the littleheiress is so delighted with Dan's courage and many good qualities thatshe adop
ts him as her heir, and the conclusion of the book leaves thehero on the high road to every earthly desire.
=Tony the Hero=: A Brave Boy's Adventure with a Tramp. By HORATIOALGER, JR. 12mo, cloth, price $1.00.
Tony, a sturdy bright-eyed boy of fourteen, is under the control ofRudolph Rugg, a thorough rascal, shiftless and lazy, spending his timetramping about the country. After much abuse Tony runs away and gets ajob as stable boy in a country hotel. Tony is heir to a large estate inEngland, and certain persons find it necessary to produce proof of thelad's death. Rudolph for a consideration hunts up Tony and throws himdown a deep well. Of course Tony escapes from the fate provided for him,and by a brave act makes a rich friend, with whom he goes to England,where he secures his rights and is prosperous. The fact that Mr. Algeris the author of this entertaining book will at once recommend it to alljuvenile readers.
=A Young Hero=; or, Fighting to Win. By EDWARD S. ELLIS. 12mo, cloth,price $1.00.
This story tells how a valuable solid silver service was stolen from theMisses Perkinpine, two very old and simple minded ladies. Fred Sheldon,the hero of this story and a friend of the old ladies, undertakes todiscover the thieves and have them arrested. After much time spent indetective work, he succeeds in discovering the silver plate and winningthe reward for its restoration. During the narrative a circus comes totown and a thrilling account of the escape of the lion from its cage,with its recapture, is told in Mr. Ellis' most fascinating style. Everyboy will be glad to read this delightful book.
=The Days of Bruce=: A Story from Scottish History. By GRACE AGUILAR.Illustrated, 12mo, cloth, price $1.00.
"There is a delightful freshness, sincerity and vivacity about allof Grace Aguilar's stories which cannot fail to win the interestand admiration of every lover of good reading."--_Boston Beacon._
=Tom the Bootblack=; or, The Road to Success. By HORATIO ALGER, JR.12mo, cloth, price $1.00.
A bright, enterprising lad was Tom the bootblack. He was not at allashamed of his humble calling, though always on the lookout to betterhimself. His guardian, old Jacob Morton, died, leaving him a small sumof money and a written confession that Tom, instead of being of humbleorigin, was the son and heir of a deceased Western merchant, and hadbeen defrauded out of his just rights by an unscrupulous uncle. The ladstarted for Cincinnati to look up his heritage. But three years passedaway before he obtained his first clue. Mr. Grey, the uncle, did nothesitate to employ a ruffian to kill the lad. The plan failed, andGilbert Grey, once Tom the bootblack, came into a comfortable fortune.This is one of Mr. Alger's best stories.
=Captured by Zulus=: A story of Trapping in Africa. By HARRYPRENTICE. 12mo, cloth, price $1.00.
This story details the adventures of two lads, Dick Elsworth and BobHarvey, in the wilds of South Africa, for the purpose of obtaining asupply of zoological curiosities. By stratagem the Zulus capture Dickand Bob and take them to their principal kraal or village. The ladsescape death by digging their way out of the prison hut by night. Theyare pursued, and after a rough experience the boys eventually rejoin theexpedition and take part in several wild animal hunts. The Zulus finallygive up pursuit and the expedition arrives at the coast without furthertrouble. Mr. Prentice has a delightful method of blending fact withfiction. He tells exactly how wild-beast collectors secure specimens ontheir native stamping grounds, and these descriptions make veryentertaining reading.
=Tom the Ready=; or, Up from the Lowest. By RANDOLPH HILL. 12mo,cloth, price $1.00.
This is a dramatic narrative of the unaided rise of a fearless,ambitious boy from the lowest round of fortune's ladder--the gate of thepoorhouse--to wealth and the governorship of his native State. ThomasSeacomb begins life with a purpose. While yet a schoolboy he conceivesand presents to the world the germ of the Overland Express Co. At thevery outset of his career jealousy and craft seek to blast his promisingfuture. Later he sets out to obtain a charter for a railroad line inconnection with the express business. Now he realizes what it is tomatch himself against capital. Yet he wins and the railroad is built.Only an uncommon nature like Tom's could successfully oppose such acombine. How he manages to win the battle is told by Mr. Hill in amasterful way that thrills the reader and holds his attention andsympathy to the end.
=Roy Gilbert's Search=: A Tale of the Great Lakes. By WM. P. CHIPMAN.12mo, cloth, price $1.00.
A deep mystery hangs over the parentage of Roy Gilbert. He arranges withtwo schoolmates to make a tour of the Great Lakes on a steam launch. Thethree boys leave Erie on the launch and visit many points of interest onthe lakes. Soon afterward the lad is conspicuous in the rescue of anelderly gentleman and a lady from a sinking yacht. Later on the cruiseof the launch is brought to a disastrous termination and the boysnarrowly escape with their lives. The hero is a manly, self-reliant boy,whose adventures will be followed with interest.
=The Young Scout=; The Story of a West Point Lieutenant. By EDWARD S.ELLIS. 12mo, cloth, price $1.00.
The crafty Apache chief Geronimo but a few years ago was the mostterrible scourge of the southwest border. The author has woven, in atale of thrilling interest, all the incidents of Geronimo's last raid.The hero is Lieutenant James Decker, a recent graduate of West Point.Ambitious to distinguish himself so as to win well-deserved promotion,the young man takes many a desperate chance against the enemy and onmore than one occasion narrowly escapes with his life. The storynaturally abounds in thrilling situations, and being historicallycorrect, it is reasonable to believe it will find great favor with theboys. In our opinion Mr. Ellis is the best writer of Indian stories nowbefore the public.
=Adrift in the Wilds=: The Adventures of Two Shipwrecked Boys. ByEDWARD S. ELLIS. 12mo, cloth, price, $1.00.
Elwood Brandon and Howard Lawrence, cousins and schoolmates, accompaniedby a lively Irishman called O'Rooney, are en route for San Francisco.Off the coast of California the steamer takes fire. The two boys andtheir companion reach the shore with several of the passengers. WhileO'Rooney and the lads are absent inspecting the neighborhood O'Rooneyhas an exciting experience and young Brandon becomes separated from hisparty. He is captured by hostile Indians, but is rescued by an Indianwhom the lads had assisted. This is a very entertaining narrative ofSouthern California in the days immediately preceding the constructionof the Pacific railroads. Mr. Ellis seems to be particularly happy inthis line of fiction, and the present story is fully as entertaining asanything he has ever written.
=The Red Fairy Book.= Edited by ANDREW LANG. Profusely Illustrated,12mo, cloth, price $1.00.
"A gift-book that will charm any child, and all older folk who havebeen fortunate enough to retain their taste for the old nurserystories."--_Literary World._
=The Boy Cruisers=; or, Paddling in Florida. By ST. GEORGE RATHBORNE.12mo, cloth, price, $1.00.
Boys who like an admixture of sport and adventure will find this bookjust to their taste. We promise them that they will not go to sleep overthe rattling experiences of Andrew George and Roland Carter, who starton a canoe trip along the Gulf coast, from Key West to Tampa, Florida.Their first adventure is with a pair of rascals who steal their boats.Next they run into a gale in the Gulf and have a lively experience whileit lasts. After that they have a lively time with alligators and diversvarieties of the finny tribe. Andrew gets into trouble with a band ofSeminole Indians and gets away without having his scalp raised. Afterthis there is no lack of fun till they reach their destination. That Mr.Rathborne knows just how to interest the boys is apparent at a glance,and lads who are in search of a rare treat will do well to read thisentertaining story.
=Guy Harris=: The Runaway. By HARRY CASTLEMON. 12mo, cloth, price$1.00.
Guy Harris lived in a small city on the shore of one of the Great Lakes.His head became filled with quixotic notions of going West to huntgrizzlies, in fact, Indians. He is persuaded to go to sea, and gets aglimpse of the rough side of life in a sailor's boarding house. He shipson a vessel and for five months leads a hard life. He deserts his shipat San Francisco and starts ou
t to become a backwoodsman, but roughexperiences soon cure him of all desire to be a hunter. At St. Louis hebecomes a clerk and for a time he yields to the temptations of a greatcity. The book will not only interest boys generally on account of itsgraphic style, but will put many facts before their eyes in a new light.This is one of Castlemon's most attractive stories.
=The Train Boy.= By Horatio Alger, Jr.12mo, cloth, price $1.00.
Paul Palmer was a wide-awake boy of sixteen who supported his mother andsister by selling books and papers on one of the trains running betweenChicago and Milwaukee. He detects a young man named Luke Denton in theact of picking the pocket of a young lady, and also incurs the enmity ofhis brother Stephen, a worthless follow. Luke and Stephen plot to ruinPaul, but their plans are frustrated. In a railway accident manypassengers are killed, but Paul is fortunate enough to assist a Chicagomerchant, who out of gratitude takes him into his employ. Paul is sentto manage a mine in Custer City and executes his commission with tactand judgment and is well started on the road to business prominence.This is one of Mr. Alger's most attractive stories and is sure to pleaseall readers.
Transcriber's Note:
Italic text is denoted by _underscores_ and bold text by =equal signs=.Punctuation has been standardised.
The word assauge was changed to assuage.
Variations in spelling, including dialect, have been retained as in theoriginal publication.
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