CHAPTER III.
GLAD TIDINGS.
"I must not leave my barrel-organ in the street," said Antonio to thechild; "will you let me take it home first, missy? and then I can take youback to your father."
Little Mona, holding Antonio's hand, and walking by his side in the midstof the rabble, was a totally different child from Mona, standing by herselfunder the street lamp.
"I shall like to see your home, organ-man," she said in her sweet voice."Do you really live in an attic? Marcia and her mother live in an attic inItaly, too, and Marcia likes it."
Then they walked through the streets together, and Mona went upstairs withAntonio. She seemed quite contented in the funny little place, and sat downon a low seat with a sigh of satisfaction.
"I am so glad I met you, organ-man, and I like your home. I would muchrather live here with you than go back to Janet. I am dreadfully afraid ofJanet, and I sometimes think my father will never come. I wish I could livewith you, organ-man," continued little Mona in a piteous voice, "for youcould talk to me about Italy, where my dear mamma died, and oh! organ-man,you do remind me of Marcia."
"I once had two Marcias," said old Antonio in a grave and troubled voice;"the little one is with God, and the wife whom I love, I don't know whatshelter she is finding for her gray hairs. It troubles me to hear you speakof Marcia, missy. It brings back painful memories."
The child had a thoughtful and serious face; she now fixed her eyes on oldAntonio, and did not speak.
"And I must take you home," continued the old man. "I should like to keepyou with me, my little bright missy, but suppose your good father hasreturned, fancy his agony."
"If I could think my father had come, how glad I should be!" said littleMona, and she went over to Antonio and took his hand. It was not a verylong way from Antonio's attic to the house in B---- Square.
Antonio was too old and too feeble to carry the little girl all the way. Hewould have liked to do so, for the feel of her little arms round his neck,and her soft brown cheek pressed to his, brought the strangest peace andcomfort to his heart.
Antonio had not had such a good time since he left Italy, and he could nothelp feeling, in some inexplicable way, that he was going back to Marcia.
At last they reached the house, and the old organ-man's ring was speedilyanswered. Immediately there was a shout of delight and a great bustle, andlittle Mona was almost torn from her companion and carried into adining-room, which was very bright with firelight and gaslight.
Antonio, standing on the hall-door steps, heard some very tender and lovingwords addressed in a manly voice to the little girl.
Then he said to himself, "The dear little one's father has come and herheart will be at rest." And he began slowly to go down the steps, and toturn back to a world which was once more quite sunless and cold.
But this was not to be, for little Mona's voice arrested him, and both sheand her father brought him into the house and into the warm dining-room.There Mr. Sinclair shook his hand, and thanked him many times, and tried toexplain to him something of the agony he had undergone when he had listenedto the terrified Janet's confession, and had discovered that his only childwas gone.
"I too have lost a child," said old Antonio. "I can sympathize with yourfeelings, sir."
"But you have got to tell my father all that story of the Marcia with grayhair," said little Mona. She was a totally different child now, hertimidity and fear were gone, she danced about, and put Antonio into a snugchair, and insisted once more on his telling his story.
When he had finished, Mr. Sinclair said a few words: "I believe God'sprovidence sent you here to-night in a double sense, and I begin to see myway to pay you back in some measure for what you have done for me. Theyoung girl who so devotedly nursed my wife during her long illness wascalled Marcia. We wished to bring her to England, for my child loved hermuch, but we could not induce her to go away from an old mother of the samename. She often told us what hard times this mother had undergone, and howher heart was almost broken for her husband, who had gone away to Englandto seek his fortune, but had never come back. Now, can it be possible thatthese two Marcias are yours, and that the man who said your child was deadwas mistaken?"
"It may be so," said old Antonio, whose face had grown very white. "Oh!sir, if ever you go back to Naples could you find out from that Marcia withgray hairs if the husband she laments was one Antonio, an old man, whoplayed Italian airs?"
"My child and I are going back to Naples next week," said Mr. Sinclair,"and suppose you come with us and find out for yourself, Antonio."
CHAPTER IV.
AT LAST.
There came a warm day, full of light, and life, and color; a day over whichthe blue sky of Italy smiled. Beside an artistically arranged fruit stall aslender and handsome Italian girl stood. Behind the stall, on a low seat,sat an old woman; she was knitting, but her restless eyes took eager countof every passer-by.
"Did you observe that old man, Marcia?" she said in her rapid Italian tothe young girl.
The girl turned her beautiful and pitying eyes full on the old woman. "Hewas not my father, mother. Ah! dear mother, can you not rest content thatthe good God has taken my father to himself?"
"Fifteen years," muttered the old Italian woman. "Fifteen years, with thelove growing stronger, and the heart emptier, and the longing sorer. No, Ihave not given him up. Oh! my merciful Father in heaven, what--who isthat?" A little group was coming up to the fruit stall, a child who dancedmerrily, an old man with a bent white head, and a gentleman on whose arm heleaned.
They came up close. The child flew to the younger Marcia, the old couplegazed at each other with that sudden trembling which great and wonderfulheart-joy gives, they came a little nearer, and then their arms were roundeach other's necks.
"At last, Marcia," said old Antonio--"at last!"
THE END.
* * * * *
A. L. BURT'S PUBLICATIONS
For Young People
BY POPULAR WRITERS.
52-58 Duane Street, New York.
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. The boy,brought up by a Glasgow bailie, is arrested for aiding a Jacobite agent,escapes, is wrecked on the French coast, reaches Paris, and serves with theFrench army at Dettingen. He kills his father's foe in a duel, and escapingto the coast, shares the adventures of Prince Charlie, but finally settleshappily in Scotland.
"Ronald, the hero, is very like the hero of 'Quentin Durward.' The lad's journey across France, and his hairbreadth escapes, make up as good a narrative of the kind as we have ever read. For freshness of treatment and variety of incident Mr. Henty has surpassed himself."--Spectator.
With Clive in India; or, the Beginnings of an Empire. By G. A. HENTY. With12 full-page Illustrations by GORDON BROWNE. 12mo, cloth, price $1.00.
The period between the landing of Clive as a young writer in India and theclose of his career was critical and eventful in the extreme. At itscommencement the English were traders existing on sufferance of the nativeprinces. At its close they were masters of Bengal and of the greater partof Southern India. The author has given a full and accurate account of theevents of that stirring time, and battles and sieges follow each other inrapid succession, while he combines with his narrative a tale of daring andadventure, which gives a lifelike interest to the volume.
"He has taken a period of Indian history of the most vital importance, and he has embroidered on the historical facts a story which of itself is deeply interesting. Young people assuredly will be 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 JOHN SCHOeNBERG.12mo, cloth, price $1.00.
In this story Mr. Henty
gives the history of the first part of the ThirtyYears' War. The issue had its importance, which has extended to the presentday, as it established religious freedom in Germany. The army of thechivalrous king of Sweden was largely composed of Scotchmen, and amongthese was the hero of the story.
"The tale is a clever and instructive piece of history, and as boys may be trusted to read it conscientiously, they can hardly fail to be profited."--_Times._
The Dragon and the Raven; or, The Days of King Alfred. By G. A. HENTY. Withfull-page Illustrations by C. J. STANILAND, R.I. 12mo, cloth, price $1.00.
In this story the author gives an account of the fierce struggle betweenSaxon and Dane for supremacy in England, and presents a vivid picture ofthe misery and ruin to which the country was reduced by the ravages of thesea-wolves. The hero, a young Saxon thane, takes part in all the battlesfought by King Alfred. He is driven from his home, takes to the sea andresists the Danes on their own element, and being pursued by them up theSeine, is present at the long and desperate siege of Paris.
"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 keen appreciationof the merits of the contest. That it was at first a struggle for empire,and afterward for existence on the part of Carthage, that Hannibal was agreat and skillful general, that he defeated the Romans at Trebia, LakeTrasimenus, and Cannae, and all but took Rome, represents pretty nearly thesum total of their knowledge. To let them know more about this momentousstruggle for the empire of the world Mr. Henty has written this story,which not only gives in graphic style a brilliant description of a mostinteresting period of history, but is a tale of exciting adventure sure tosecure the interest of the reader.
"Well constructed and vividly told. From first to last nothing stays the interest of the narrative. It bears us along as on a stream whose current varies in direction, but never loses its force."--_Saturday Review._
In Freedom's Cause: A Story of Wallace and Bruce. By G. A. HENTY. Withfull-page Illustrations by GORDON BROWNE. 12mo, cloth, price $1.00.
In this story the author relates the stirring tale of the Scottish War ofIndependence. The extraordinary valor and personal prowess of Wallace andBruce rival the deeds of the mythical heroes of chivalry, and indeed at onetime Wallace was ranked with these legendary personages. The researches ofmodern historians have shown, however, that he was a living, breathingman--and a valiant champion. The hero of the tale fought under both Wallaceand Bruce, and while the strictest historical accuracy has been maintainedwith respect to public events, the work is full of "hairbreadth 'scapes"and wild adventure.
"It is written in the author's best style. Full of the wildest and most remarkable achievements, it is a tale of great interest, which a boy, once he has begun it, will not willingly put on one side."--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 courage andenthusiasm under Lee and Jackson through the most exciting events of thestruggle. He has many hairbreadth escapes, is several times wounded andtwice taken prisoner; but his courage and readiness and, in two cases, thedevotion of a black servant and of a runaway slave whom he had 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 and romantic incidents are skillfully blended with the personal interest and charm of the story."--_Standard._
By England's Aid; or, The Freeing of the Netherlands (1585-1604) By G. A.HENTY. With full-page Illustrations by ALFRED PEARSE, and Maps. 12mo,cloth, price $1.00.
The story of two English lads who go to Holland as pages in the service ofone of "the fighting Veres." After many adventures by sea and land, one ofthe lads finds himself on board a Spanish ship at the time of the defeat ofthe Armada, and escapes only to fall into the hands of the Corsairs. He issuccessful in getting back to Spain under the protection of a wealthymerchant, and regains his native country after the capture of Cadiz.
"It is an admirable book for youngsters. It overflows with stirring incident and exciting adventure, and the color of the era and of the scene are finely reproduced. The illustrations add to its attractiveness."--_Boston Gazette._
By Right of Conquest; or, With Cortez in Mexico. By G. A. HENTY. Withfull-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 of hisstory Mr. Henty has interwoven the adventures of an English youth, RogerHawkshaw, the sole survivor of the good ship Swan, which had sailed from aDevon port to challenge the mercantile supremacy of the Spaniards in theNew World. He is beset by many perils among the natives, but is saved byhis own judgment and strength, and by the devotion of an Aztec princess. Atlast by a ruse he obtains the protection of the Spaniards, and after thefall of Mexico he succeeds in regaining his native shore, with a fortuneand a charming Aztec bride.
"'By Right of Conquest' is the nearest approach to a perfectly successful 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 of aFrench marquis, and after various adventures accompanies the family toParis at the crisis of the Revolution. Imprisonment and death reduce theirnumber, and the hero finds himself beset by perils with the three youngdaughters of the house in his charge. After hairbreadth escapes they reachNantes. There the girls are condemned to death in the coffin-ships, but aresaved by the unfailing courage of their boy protector.
"Harry Sandwith, the Westminster boy, may fairly be said to beat Mr. Henty's record. His adventures will delight boys by the audacity and peril they depict.... The story is one of Mr. Henty's best."--_Saturday Review._
With Wolfe in Canada; or, The Winning of a Continent. By G. A. HENTY. Withfull-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, but toa large extent those of the mother countries themselves. The fall of Quebecdecided that the Anglo-Saxon race should predominate in the New World; thatBritain, and not France, should take the lead among the nations of Europe;and that English and American commerce, the English language, and Englishliterature, should spread right round the globe.
"It is not only a lesson in history as instructively as it is graphically told, but also a deeply interesting and often thrilling tale of adventure and peril by flood and field."--_Illustrated London 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 took partin the conflict, and lads will find that in no war in which American andBritish soldiers have been engaged did they behave with greater courage andgood conduct. The historical portion of the book being accompanied withnumerous thrilling adventures with the redskins on the shores of LakeHuron, a story of exciting interest is interwoven with the generalnarrative and carried through the book.
"Does jus
tice to the pluck and determination of the British soldiers during the unfortunate struggle against American emancipation. The son of an American loyalist, who remains true to our flag, falls among the hostile redskins in that very Huron country which has been endeared to us by the exploits of Hawkeye and 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, and bloodshed.He contributes largely to the victories of the Venetians at Porto d'Anzoand Chioggia, and finally wins the hand of the daughter of one of the chiefmen of Venice.
"Every boy should read 'The Lion of St. Mark.' Mr. Henty has never produced a story more delightful, more wholesome, or more vivacious."--_Saturday Review._
A Final Reckoning: A Tale of Bush Life in Australia. By G. A. HENTY. Withfull-page Illustrations by W. B. WOLLEN. 12mo, cloth, price $1.00.
The hero, a young English lad, after rather a stormy boyhood emigrates toAustralia, and gets employment as an officer in the mounted police. A fewyears of active work on the frontier, where he has many a brush with bothnatives 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 carefully constructed, or a better written story than this."--_Spectator._
Under Drake's Flag: A Tale of the Spanish Main. By G. A. HENTY. Withfull-page Illustrations by GORDON BROWNE. 12mo, cloth, price $1.00.
A story of the days when England and Spain struggled for the supremacy ofthe sea. The heroes sail as lads with Drake in the Pacific expedition, andin his great voyage of circumnavigation. The historical portion of thestory is absolutely to be relied upon, but this will perhaps be lessattractive than the great variety of exciting adventure through which theyoung 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 Monthly Magazine._
By Sheer Pluck: A Tale of the Ashanti War. By G. A. HENTY. With full-pageIllustrations by GORDON BROWNE. 12mo, cloth, price $1.00.
The author has woven, in a tale of thrilling interest, all the details ofthe Ashanti campaign, of which he was himself a witness. His hero, aftermany exciting adventures in the interior, is detained a prisoner by theking just before the outbreak of the war, but escapes, and accompanies theEnglish 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 4 Maps. 12mo, cloth,price $1.00.
In this story Mr. Henty traces the adventures and brave deeds of an Englishboy in the household of the ablest man of his age--William the Silent.Edward Martin, the son of an English sea-captain, enters the service of thePrince as a volunteer, and is employed by him in many dangerous andresponsible missions, in the discharge of which he passes through the greatsieges of the time. He ultimately settles down as Sir Edward Martin.
"Boys with a turn for historical research will be enchanted with the book, while the rest who only care for adventure will be students in spite of themselves."--_St. James' Gazette._
St. George for England: A Tale of Cressy and Poitiers. By G. A. HENTY. Withfull-page Illustrations by GORDON BROWNE. 12mo, cloth, price $1.00.
No portion of English history is more crowded with great events than thatof the reign of Edward III. Cressy and Poitiers; the destruction of theSpanish fleet; the plague of the Black Death; the Jacquerie rising; theseare treated by the author in "St. George for England." The hero of thestory, although of good family, begins life as a London apprentice, butafter countless adventures and perils becomes by valor and good conduct thesquire, and at last the trusted friend of the Black Prince.
"Mr. Henty has developed for himself a type of historical novel for boys which bids fair to supplement, on their behalf, the historical labors of Sir Walter Scott in the land of fiction."--_The Standard._
Captain's Kidd's Gold: The True Story of an Adventurous Sailor Boy. ByJAMES FRANKLIN FITTS. 12mo, cloth, price $1.00.
There is something fascinating to the average youth in the very idea ofburied treasure. A vision arises before his eyes of swarthy Portuguese andSpanish rascals, with black beards and gleaming eyes--sinister-lookingfellows who once on a time haunted the Spanish Main, sneaking out from somehidden creek in their long, low schooner, of picaroonish rake and sheer, toattack an unsuspecting trading craft. There were many famous sea rovers intheir day, but none more celebrated than Capt. Kidd. Perhaps the mostfascinating tale of all is Mr. Fitts' true story of an adventurous Americanboy, who receives from his dying father an ancient bit of vellum, which thelatter obtained in a curious way. The document bears obscure directionspurporting to locate a certain island in the Bahama group, and aconsiderable treasure buried there by two of Kidd's crew. The hero of thisbook, Paul Jones Garry, is an ambitious, persevering lad, of salt-water NewEngland ancestry, and his efforts to reach the island and secure the moneyform one of the most absorbing tales for our youth that has come from thepress.
Captain Bayley's Heir: A Tale of the Gold Fields of California By G. 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, andwhile 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 have excelled."--_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, after beingwrecked and going through many stirring adventures among the Malays, findshis way to Calcutta and enlists in a regiment proceeding to join the armyat the Afghan passes. He accompanies the force under General Roberts to thePeiwar Kotal, is wounded, taken prisoner, carried to Cabul, whence he istransferred to Candahar, and takes part in the final defeat of the army ofAyoub Khan.
"The best feature of the book--apart from the interest of its scenes of adventure--is its honest effort to do justice to the patriotism of the Afghan people."--_Daily News._
Captured by Apes: The Wonderful Adventures of a Young Animal Trainer. ByHARRY 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 captured bythe apes that overrun the place. The lad discovers that the ruling spiritof the monkey tribe is a gigantic and vicious baboon, whom he identifies asGoliah, an animal at one time in his possession and with whose instructionhe had been especially diligent. The brute recognizes him, and with a kindof malignant satisfaction puts his former master through the same course oftraining he had himself experienced with a faithfulness of detail whichshows how astonishing is monkey recollection. Very novel indeed is the wayby which the young man escapes death. Mr. Prentice has cert
ainly worked anew vein on juvenile fiction, and the ability with which he handles adifficult subject stamps 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 is largelydue to the fact that they were over-shadowed by the glory and successes ofMarlborough. His career as general extended over little more than a year,and yet, in that time, he showed a genius for warfare which has never beensurpassed.
"Mr. Henty never loses sight of the moral purpose of his work--to enforce the doctrine of courage and truth. Lads will read 'The Bravest of the Brave' with pleasure and profit; of that we are quite 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 of thehouse of Ameres, the Egyptian high-priest, and are happy in his serviceuntil the priest's son accidentally kills the sacred cat of Bubastes. In anoutburst of popular fury Ameres is killed, and it rests with Jethro andAmuba to secure the escape of the high-priest's son and daughter.
"The story, from the critical moment of the killing of the sacred cat to the perilous exodus into Asia with which it closes, is very skillfully constructed and full of exciting adventures. It is admirably illustrated."--_Saturday Review._
With Washington at Monmouth: A Story of Three Philadelphia Boys. By JAMESOTIS. 12mo, cloth, price $1.00.
Three Philadelphia boys, Seth Graydon "whose mother conducted aboarding-house which was patronized by the British officers;" Enoch Ball,"son of that Mrs. Ball whose dancing school was situated on LetitiaStreet," and little Jacob, son of "Chris, the Baker," serve as theprincipal characters. The story is laid during the winter when Lord Howeheld possession of the city, and the lads aid the cause by assisting theAmerican spies who make regular and frequent visits from Valley Forge. Onereads here of home life in the captive city when bread was scarce among thepeople of the lower classes, and a reckless prodigality shown by theBritish officers, who passed the winter in feasting and merry-making whilethe members of the patriot army but a few miles away were suffering fromboth cold and hunger. The story abounds with pictures of Colonial lifeskillfully drawn, and the glimpses of Washington's soldiers which are givenshow that the work has not been hastily done, or without considerablestudy.
For the Temple: A Tale of the Fall of Jerusalem. By G. A. HENTY. Withfull-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, form theimpressive and carefully studied historic setting to the figure of the ladwho passes from the vineyard to the service of Josephus, becomes the leaderof a guerrilla band of patriots, fights bravely for the Temple, and after abrief term of slavery at Alexandria, returns to his Galilean home with thefavor of Titus.
"Mr. Henty's graphic prose pictures of the hopeless Jewish resistance to Roman sway add another leaf to his record of the famous wars of the world."--_Graphic._
Facing Death; or, The Hero of the Vaughan Pit. A Tale of the Coal Mines. ByG. A. HENTY. With full-page Illustrations by GORDON BROWNE. 12mo, cloth,price $1.00.
"Facing Death" is a story with a purpose. It is intended to show that a ladwho makes up his mind firmly and resolutely that he will rise in life, andwho is prepared to face toil and ridicule and hardship to carry out hisdetermination, is sure to succeed. The hero of the story is a typicalBritish boy, dogged, earnest, generous, and though "shamefaced" to adegree, is ready to face death in the discharge of duty.
"The tale is well written and well illustrated, and there is much reality in the characters. If any father, clergyman, or schoolmaster is on the lookout for a good book to give as a present to a boy who is worth his salt, this is the book we would recommend."--_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 father becomesa boarder at the home of Nathan Middleton, a penurious insurance agent.Though well paid for keeping the boy, Nathan and his wife endeavor to bringMaster Tom in line with their parsimonious habits. The lad ingeniouslyevades their efforts and revolutionizes the household. As Tom is heir to$40,000, he is regarded as a person of some importance until by anunfortunate combination of circumstances his fortune shrinks to a fewhundreds. He leaves Plympton village to seek work in New York, whence heundertakes an important mission to California, around which center the mostexciting incidents of his young career. Some of his adventures in the farwest are so startling that the reader will scarcely close the book untilthe last page shall have been reached. The tale is written in Mr. Alger'smost fascinating style, and is bound to please the very large class of boyswho regard this popular author as a prime favorite.
Maori and Settler: A Story of the New Zealand War. By G. A. HENTY. Withfull-page Illustrations by ALFRED PEARSE. 12mo, cloth, price $1.00.
The Renshaws emigrate to New Zealand during the period of the war with thenatives. Wilfrid, a strong, self-reliant, courageous lad, is the mainstayof the household. He has for his friend Mr. Atherton, a botanist andnaturalist of herculean strength and unfailing nerve and humor. In theadventures among the Maoris, there are many breathless moments in which theodds seem hopelessly against the party, but they succeed in establishingthemselves happily in one of the pleasant New Zealand 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. By HARRYCASTLEMON. 12mo, cloth, price $1.00.
Here is a story that will warm every boy's heart. There is mystery enoughto keep any lad's imagination wound up to the highest pitch. The scene ofthe story lies west of the Mississippi River, in the days when emigrantsmade their perilous way across the great plains to the land of gold. One ofthe startling features of the book is the attack upon the wagon train by alarge party of Indians. Our hero is a lad of uncommon nerve and pluck, abrave young American in every sense of the word. He enlists and holds thereader's sympathy from the outset. Surrounded by an unknown and constantperil, and assisted by the unswerving fidelity of a stalwart trapper, areal rough diamond, our hero achieves the most happy results. HarryCastlemon has written many entertaining stories for boys, and it would seemalmost superfluous to say anything in his praise, for the youth of Americaregard him as a favorite author.
"Carrots:" Just a Little Boy. By MRS. MOLESWORTH. With Illustrations byWALTER CRANE. 12mo, cloth, price 75 cents.
"One of the cleverest and most pleasing stories it has been our good fortune to meet with for some time. Carrots and his sister are delightful little beings, whom to read about is at once to become very fond of."--_Examiner._
"A genuine children's book; we've seen 'em seize it, and read it greedily. Children are first-rate critics, and thoroughly appreciate 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 living writers for children, and 'Mopsa' alone ought to give her a kind of pre-emptive right to the love and gratitude of our young folks. It requires genius to conceive a purely imaginary work which must of necessity deal with the supernatural, without running into a mere riot of fantastic absurdity; but genius Miss Ingelow has and the stor
y of 'Jack' is as careless and joyous, but as delicate, as a picture of childhood."--_Eclectic._
A Jaunt Through Java: The Story of a Journey to the Sacred Mountain. ByEDWARD S. ELLIS. 12mo, cloth, price $1.00.
The central interest of this story is found in the thrilling adventures oftwo cousins, Hermon and Eustace Hadley, on their trip across the island ofJava, from Samarang to the Sacred Mountain. In a land where the RoyalBengal tiger runs at large; where the rhinoceros and other fierce beastsare to be met with at unexpected moments; it is but natural that the heroesof this book should have a lively experience. Hermon not only distinguisheshimself by killing a full-grown tiger at short range, but meets with themost startling adventure of the journey. There is much in this narrative toinstruct as well as entertain the reader, and so deftly has Mr. Ellis usedhis material that there is not a dull page in the book. The two heroes arebrave, manly young fellows, bubbling over with boyish independence. Theycope with the many difficulties that arise during the trip in a fearlessway that is bound to win the admiration of every lad who is so fortunate asto read their adventures.
Wrecked on Spider Island; or, How Ned Rogers Found the Treasure. By JAMESOTIS. 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 can gaina livelihood. While in his bunk, seasick, Ned Rogers hears the captain andmate discussing their plans for the willful wreck of the brig in order togain the insurance. Once it is known he is in possession of the secret thecaptain maroons him on Spider Island, explaining to the crew that the boyis afflicted with leprosy. While thus involuntarily playing the part of aCrusoe, Ned discovers a wreck submerged in the sand, and overhauling thetimbers for the purpose of gathering material with which to build a hut,finds a considerable amount of treasure. Raising the wreck; a voyage toHavana under sail; shipping there a crew and running for Savannah; theattempt of the crew to seize the little craft after learning of thetreasure on board, and, as a matter of course, the successful ending of thejourney, all serve to make as entertaining a story of sea-life as the mostcaptious boy could desire.
Geoff and Jim: A Story of School Life. By ISMAY THORN. Illustrated by A. G.WALKER. 12mo, cloth, price 75 cents.
"This is a prettily told story of the life spent by two motherless bairns at a small preparatory school. Both Geoff and Jim are very lovable characters, only Jim is the more so; and the scrapes he gets into and the trials he endures will, no doubt, interest a large circle of young readers."--_Church Times._
"This is a capital children's story, the characters well portrayed, and the book tastefully bound and well illustrated."--_Schoolmaster._
"The story can be heartily recommended as a present for boys."--_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 breeze leavesher becalmed off the coast of Florida, one can almost hear the whistle ofthe wind through her rigging, the creak of her straining cordage as sheheels to the leeward, and feel her rise to the snow-capped waves which hersharp bow cuts into twin streaks of foam. Off Marquesas Keys she floats ina dead calm. Ben Clark, the hero of the story, and Jake, the cook, spy aturtle asleep upon the glassy surface of the water. They determine tocapture him, and take a boat for that purpose, and just as they succeed incatching him a thick fog cuts them off from the vessel, and then theirtroubles begin. They take refuge on board a drifting hulk, a storm arisesand they are cast ashore upon a low sandy key. Their adventures from thispoint cannot fail to charm the reader. As a writer for young people Mr.Otis is a prime favorite. His style is captivating, and never for a momentdoes he allow the interest to 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 earned asa shoe-pegger in John Simpson's factory. The story begins with Tom'sdischarge from the factory, because Mr. Simpson felt annoyed with the ladfor interrogating him too closely about his missing father. A few daysafterward Tom learns that which induces him to start overland forCalifornia with the view of probing the family mystery. He meets with manyadventures. 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 it that makes one hear again the ringing laugh and the cheery shout of children at play which charmed his earlier years."--_New York Express._
Popular Fairy Tales. By the BROTHERS GRIMM. Profusely Illustrated, 12mo,cloth, price $1.00.
"From first to last, almost without exception, these stories are delightful."--_Athenaeum._
With Lafayette at Yorktown: A Story of How Two Boys Joined the ContinentalArmy. 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 traveling ison horseback, and the author has given an interesting account of what wasexpected from boys in the Colonial days. The lads, after no slight amountof adventure, are sent as messengers--not soldiers--into the south to findthe troops under Lafayette. Once with that youthful general they are givenemployment as spies, and enter the British camp, bringing away valuableinformation. The pictures of camp-life are carefully drawn, and theportrayal of Lafayette's character is thoroughly well done. The story iswholesome in tone, as are all of Mr. Otis' works. There is no lack ofexciting incident which the youthful reader craves, but it is healthfulexcitement brimming with facts which every boy should be familiar with, andwhile the reader is following the adventures of Ben Jaffreys and Ned Allenhe is acquiring a fund of historical lore which will remain in his memorylong after that which he has memorized from text-books has been forgotten.
Lost in the Canyon: Sam Willett's Adventures on the Great Colorado. ByALFRED R. CALHOUN. 12mo, cloth, price $1.00.
This story hinges on a fortune left to Sam Willett, the hero, and the factthat it will pass to a disreputable relative if the lad dies before heshall have reached his majority. The Vigilance Committee of Hurley's Gulcharrest Sam's father and an associate for the crime of murder. Their livesdepend on the production of the receipt given for money paid. This is inSam's possession at the camp on the other side of the canyon. A messenger isdispatched to get it. He reaches the lad in the midst of a fearful stormwhich floods the canyon. His father's peril urges Sam to action. A raft isbuilt on which the boy and his friends essay to cross the torrent. Theyfail to do so, and a desperate trip down the stream ensues. How the partyfinally escape from the horrors of their situation and Sam reaches Hurley'sGulch in the very nick of time, is described in a graphic style that stampsMr. Calhoun as a master of his art.
Jack: A Topsy Turvy Story. By C. M. CRAWLEY-BOEVEY. With upward of ThirtyIllustrations by H. J. A. MILES. 12mo, cloth, price 75 cents.
"The illustrations deserve particular mention, as they add largely to the interest of this amusing volume for children. Jack falls asleep with his mind full of the subject of the fishpond, and is very much surprised presently to find himself an inhabitant of Waterworld, where he goes through wonderful and edifying adventures. A handsome and pleasant book."--_Literary World._
Search for the Silver Ci
ty: A Tale of Adventure in Yucatan. By JAMES OTIS.12mo, cloth, price $1.00.
Two American lads, Teddy Wright and Neal Emery, embark on the steam yachtDay Dream for a short summer cruise to the tropics. Homeward bound theyacht is destroyed by fire. All hands take to the boats, but during thenight the boat is cast upon the coast of Yucatan. They come across a youngAmerican 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 swamp andcarry off a number of the golden images from the temples. Pursued withrelentless vigor for days their situation is desperate. At last theirescape is effected in an astonishing manner. Mr. Otis has built his storyon an historical foundation. It is so full of exciting incidents that thereader is quite carried away with the novelty and realism 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, bravely determinesto make a living for himself and his foster-sister Grace. Going to New Yorkhe obtains a situation as cash boy in a dry goods store. He renders aservice to a wealthy old gentleman named Wharton, who takes a fancy to thelad. Frank, after losing his place as cash boy, is enticed by an enemy to alonesome part of New Jersey and held a prisoner. This move recoils upon theplotter, for it leads to a clue that enables the lad to establish his realidentity. Mr. Alger's stories are not only unusually interesting, but theyconvey a useful lesson of pluck 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, andthe leading incidents have a strong salt-water flavor. Owing to theconviction of his father for forgery and theft, Budd Boyd is compelled toleave his home and strike out for himself. Chance brings Budd in contactwith Judd Floyd. The two boys, being ambitious and clear sighted, form apartnership to catch and sell fish. The scheme is successfully launched,but the unexpected appearance on the scene of Thomas Bagsley, the man whomBudd believes guilty of the crimes attributed to his father, leads toseveral disagreeable complications that nearly caused the lad's ruin. Hispluck and good sense, however, carry him through his troubles. In followingthe career of the boy firm of Boyd & Floyd, the youthful reader will find auseful lesson--that industry and perseverance are bound to lead to ultimatesuccess.
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