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The Boy Allies Under Two Flags--Ensign
Robert L. Drake
Now that darkness had fallen the huge searchlight of the German
cruiser played full upon the Lena. Suddenly Jack and Frank felt a
terrific shock, and the Lena, for a moment, seemed to pause in her
stride. A shell had struck the stem of the vessel. There was an
explosion and a single high mast crashed to the deck.
Zip Version
Boy Scounts in the Coal Caverns--Major
Archibald Lee Fletcher
"I believe," Sandy exclaimed, "That if we follow the current of air
which the rising water is forcing out of this old shaft, we will come
to the entrance. As you all know, a current of air takes the shortest
way to any given point, and this one ought to blow straight toward the
shaft."
Zip Version
The Rover Boys out West--Arthur M.
Winfield
"Ah, if I could do that, Dick, then I would not fear Baxter or
anybody else. But if he gets in ahead of me --well, you know,
'possession is nine points of the law,' and he can at least make me a
lot of trouble."
Zip Version
Dick Prescott's First Year at West
Point--H. Irving Hancock
Dick and Greg found they had much to talk about in comparing notes
of what each had learned about the nature of duties in the summer camp.
They were still thus engaged when Anstey bounded back into the tent.
The young Virginian looked as though he were having a tremendously hard
time to keep himself from exploding.
Zip Version
Air Service Boys in the Big
Battle--Charles Amory Beach
"If Harry is held where he was first made a prisoner, it's a big
place, and there are thousands of our captives there, as well as French
and British. Well, where there are so many they have to have a big
stockade to pen 'em in, worse luck. And dropping a bomb on a big place
is easier than dropping one on a small object."
Zip Version
The Boys of Bellwood School--Frank V.
Webster
Frank felt pretty lonesome and gloomy as he passed the schoolhouse.
The boys were rushing out, free from the tasks of the day. It might
have been imagination, but Frank fancied that one or two of them
greeted him with a cool nod and hurried on. As he politely lifted his
cap to a bevy of girls, he imagined that they were rather constrained
in their return greeting and looked at him queerly.
Zip Version
The Boy Ranchers on the Trail--Willard
F. Baker
"No. Guess not. Just stretched him out so he can't go back an' tell
any tales for a time. Now the way I figger it is this: They'll be
waitin' for a report on what their spy sees, same as you was waitin'
for me t' come back. Only their spy won't show up for a couple o'
hours, an' that gives us a chance to act."
Zip Version
Tom Slade--Percy K. Fitzhugh
Full title: TOM SLADE BOY SCOUT OF THE MOVING PICTURES
Zip Version
Dave Dashaway and his Hydroplane--Roy
Rockwood
Running an airship took nerve, steadiness of purpose, a definite,
concrete way of looking at things. Dave knew in his own mind that the
Drifter was each hour speeding farther and farther away from the haunts
of men. He recalled the old adage, however, which says "the more haste
the less speed," and he determined to stick to the plan he had mentally
outlined at the start.
Zip Version
Through Space to Mars--Roy Rockwood
Full title: THROUGH SPACE TO MARS Or the Longest Journey on Record
Zip Version
The Boy Scouts of the Air on Lost
Island--Gordon Stuart
They made short work of the trip to the long, low shed Phil and
Jerry had seen on their exploration of the island, and which they now
learned was a "hangar," a place specially fitted for taking care of the
aeroplane. When the big sliding door was thrown open the boys saw that
inside was a complete machine shop, with lathes, benches, drills and
punches, the whole being operated by power from the gasoline engine in
the corner.
Zip Version
Boy Scouts in an Airship--G. Harvey
Ralphson
The boys carried the canvas down to the Nelson and began the work
of making new planes, keeping close watch, but leaving the newcomers to
do the calling if there was any to be done. There was plenty of canvas
and the tools necessary for the work were found in the Nelson's tool
chest. Collins watched the doings angrily.
Zip Version
In Camp on the Big Sunflower--Lawrence
J. Leslie
"Huh! guess I didn't even start, after I saw what he could put up
in the running line. Besides," Owen went on to say, "you must remember
that I was tired, and carrying my fishing rod, as well as a bully old
string of perch, which I calculated to clean for supper. Then, I hadn't
lost any boy, you see. So I just hollered after him, and tried to let
the silly goose know we didn't mean to hurt him."
Zip Version
The Air Ship Boys--H.L. Sayler
At the first bubble of gas the boys felt like doing another war
dance. But they were "business men" now and had to put on dignity in
the face of their employees. In two hours the reaction of the bubbling
acid had sent enough hydrogen through the purifier to raise the bag
shoulder-high and everything was going splendidly. The boys had removed
their working clothes and were now in the light but warm canvas suits
and caps they meant to wear in their flight.
Zip Version
The Boy Aviators in Africa--Captain
Wilbur Lawton
But now the Golden Eagle II was ready to settle and Frank, guiding
his aerial steed with one hand, grasped his revolver with the other,
for it was evident that the rush would come as they struck the ground.
And come it did. As the wheels of the aeroplane struck the earth and
Frank threw in the brakes sharply crashing into a rocky wall, with a
howl of defiance the whole horde of man-like brutes rushed down on the
air-craft with wicked rage in their spiteful little red eyes.
Zip Version
The Boys of Columbia High on the
Gridiron--Graham B. Forbes
Shrilly blew the whistle, and once more the ball, yellow no longer,
for it had been ground into the dirt, sailed through the air. There was
an exchange of punts that ended when Bellport held the pigskin on her
forty-yard line and the signal came for a play around Columbia's left
end.
Zip Version
Frank on the Lower Mississippi--Harry
Castlemon
Having reached a safe distance from the house, he stopped and
listened. He distinctly heard the crackling of flames, and presently a
bright light shone over the trees. The building was fairly in a blaze.
He was, however, allowed scarcely a moment to congratulate himself, for
the yells of the guerrillas plainly told him that they had discovered
the fire, and were commencing pursuit. Archie again set out, intent on
reaching clear ground as soon as possible, for he knew that no plan
would be left untried to capture him. His situation was still any thing
but a pleasant one, but he was sanguine of reaching the vessel in
safety, until a long-drawn-out bay came echoing through the woods, and
drove the blood back upon his heart. The rebels were following him with
a blood-hound!
Zip Version
The Boy Aviators' Polar Dash--Captain
Wilbur Lawton
Full title: The Boy Aviators' Polar Dash Or Facing Death in the
Antarctic
Zip Version
The Strange Cabin on Catamount
Island--Lawrence J. Leslie
He knew that if there was going to be a weak link in the chain it
would lie in that quarter; for the short chum had a few silly notions
concerning certain things, and was not wholly free from a belief in
supernatural happenings. But with the backing of four sturdy chums,
Bandy-legs ought to brace up, and show himself a true boy of nerve.
Zip Version
The Boy Scout Camera Club--G. Harvey
Ralphson
"That's another point! He watches the kid every second of the time,
and when the boy speaks a word of French he looks daggers at him! I
reckon the son of Mike II. wouldn't be talking French! Nor he wouldn't
be here with a chaperon from Washington. We have found the prince, all
right, and I'm sorry for it! It makes our work too easy!"
Zip Version
The Boy Scounts on a Submarine--Captain
John Blaine
"That reminds me of something," said the Colonel. "I know a couple
of lads, about like Porky and Beany here, who have been crazy to go
across. I have been watching them for some time, and have about made up
my mind that they would be a real help to me over there, and not a
hindrance. So I have been pulling wires, and making plans, and I think
it looks as though I can take them with me. It's just about the job you
boys were joking about wanting."
Zip Version
Jack Ranger's Western Trip--Clarence
Young
Whether the detective ever caught the slick thief the boys never
learned. They made the trip out to Lake Erie, and when they had looked
at the big body of water and taken a short trip in a launch they
returned to the station to find it was nearly the hour set for the
departure of their train.
Zip Version
The Gorilla Hunters--R.M. Ballantyne
Hereupon the monkey uttered a terrific shriek of passion, exposed
all its teeth and gums, glared at its adversary like a little fiend,
and seizing the branch with both hands, shook it with all its might.
The result was, that not only did the coveted bunch of fruit fall to
the ground, but a perfect shower of bunches came down, one of which hit
Jack on the forehead, and, bursting there, sent its fragrant juice down
his face and into his beard, while the parrots and all the other
monkeys took to flight, shrieking with mingled terror and rage.
Zip Version
Silver Lake--R.M. Ballantyne
Lest any reader should wonder where our heroine found materials for
all the mending and repairing referred to, we may remark that the
Indians in the wilderness were, and still are, supplied with needles,
beads, cloth, powder and shot, guns, axes, by the adventurous
fur-traders, who penetrate deep and far into the wilderness of North
America; and when Nelly and Roy ran away from their captors they took
care to carry with them an ample supply of such things as they might
require in their flight.
Zip Version
The Boy Scouts on Sturgeon
Island--Herbert Carter
"And say, fellows," remarked Giraffe, in a low, mysterious tone,
that somehow managed to thrill the others, as no doubt he intended it
should; "just take a peek at the men in that boat, will you? Somehow I
don't know just why, but they make me think of pirates, if ever they
have such critters up here on Old Superior. And take it from me, boys,
right now one of the bunch is looking us over through a marine glass.
Like as not they're making up their minds who and what we can be, and
if it's going to pay 'em to board this same craft, to clean it out.
Don't anybody make out like we're watching 'em; but try and remember
where you put our gun, Thad; because who knows but what we might need
the same right bad before long?"
Zip Version
The Circus Boys on the Flying Rings, Or
Making the Start in the Sawdust Life
The pony, catching a brief glimpse of the dark figure that was being
hurled through the air directly toward him, made a swift leap to one
side. But the animal was not quick enough. The boy landed against the
broncho with a jolt that nearly knocked the little animal over, while
to Phil the impact could not have been much more severe, it seemed to
him, had he collided with a locomotive.
Zip Version
The Circus Boys Across The Continent
Full title: The Circus Boys Across The Continent Or Winning New
Laurels on the Tanbark
Zip Version
The Circus Boys In Dixie Land, Or
Winning the Plaudits of the Sunny South
The more he thought and planned the greater his perplexity became.
There seemed no way out of it. His only hope now seemed to lie in Mr.
Sparling becoming alarmed at his absence, and instituting a search for
him. His employer would quickly divine something of the truth after
Phil had remained silent for two or three days. Perhaps, even now, the
owner of the Great Sparling Combined Shows had sent someone on to learn
what had become of his star bareback rider.
Zip Version
The Circus Boys On the Mississippi, Or
Afloat with the Big Show on the Big River
Teddy sat out on deck while the others were picking up the table,
the dishes and the ruined food. It would not do for Mr. Sparling to
come in and see how they had wasted the food he had had prepared for
them. The probabilities were that they would get no more, were he to do
so. Teddy watched the proceedings narrowly from the safe vantage point
of the deck.
Zip Version
The Circus Boys on the Plains, Or, The
Young Advance Agents Ahead of the Show
"That is the talk. That sounds like Phil Forrest. It is usual for
shows to have a general agent who has charge of all the advance work,
and who directs the cars and the men from some central point.
Heretofore I have done all of this myself, but our show is getting so
large, and there is so much opposition in the field, that I have been
thinking of putting on a general agent next season. However, we will
talk that over later."
Zip Version
The Wouldbegoods
Next day we made a Union Jack out of pocket-handkerchiefs and part
of a red flannel petticoat of the White Mouse's, which she did not want
just then, and some blue ribbon we got at the village shop.
Zip Version
The Story of the Treasure Seekers
When we came out we walked a long way, and when we asked a policeman
he said we'd better go back through Smithfield. So we did. They don't
burn people any more there now, so it was rather dull, besides being a
long way, and Noel got very tired. He's a peaky little chap; it comes
of being a poet, I think.
Zip Version
The Story of the Amulet
'You will eat your breakfast before it's cold, won't you?' said
Anthea. 'Yes, we had a splendid time. The charm made it all dark, and
then greeny light, and then it spoke. Oh! I wish you could have heard
it--it was such a darling voice--and it told us the other half of it
was lost in the Past, so of course we shall have to look for it there!'
Zip Version
The Railway Children
After the adventure of Peter's Coal-mine, it seemed well to the
children to keep away from the station--but they did not, they could
not, keep away from the railway. They had lived all their lives in a
street where cabs and omnibuses rumbled by at all hours, and the carts
of butchers and bakers and candlestick makers (I never saw a
candlestick-maker's cart; did you?)
Zip Version
The Red House
"But I did, you see," said Chloe. "I taught it--little odd minutes
when you were carrying buckets and sticking up damp books on their poor
tails, so that you shouldn't notice what I was doing. Isn't it a clever
ghost? Aren't I a good teacher?"
Zip Version
The Phoenix and the Carpet
When you hear that the four children found themselves at Waterloo
Station quite un-taken-care-of, and with no one to meet them, it may
make you think that their parents were neither kind nor careful. But if
you think this you will be wrong. The fact is, mother arranged with
Aunt Emma that she was to meet the children at Waterloo
Zip Version
The Incomplete Amorist
MR. EUSTACE VERNON is not by any error to be imagined as a villain
of the deepest dye, coldly planning to bring misery to a simple village
maiden for his own selfish pleasure. Not at all. As he himself would
have put it, he meant no harm to the girl. He was a master of two arts,
and to these he had devoted himself wholly.
Zip Version
Five Children and It
The morning after the children had been the possessors of boundless
wealth, and had been unable to buy anything really useful or enjoyable
with it, except two pairs of cotton gloves, twelve penny buns, an
imitation crocodile-skin purse, and a ride in a pony-cart, they awoke
without any of the enthusiastic happiness which they had felt on the
previous day
Zip Version
Beautiful Stories from Shakespeare
Now, in Athens, where they lived, there was a wicked law, by which
any girl who refused to marry according to her father's wishes, might
be put to death. Hermia's father was so angry with her for refusing to
do as he wished, that he actually brought her before the Duke of Athens
to ask that she might be killed, if she still refused to obey him.
Zip Version
Man-size in Marble--E. Nesbit
The nature of the "deeds" might be vaguely inferred from the
inflection of Mrs. Dorman's voice -- which was enough to make one's
blood run cold. I was glad that Laura was not in the room. She was
always nervous, as highly-strung natures are, and I felt that these
tales about our house, told by this old peasant woman, with her
impressive manner and contagious credulity, might have made our home
less dear to my wife.
Zip Version
In Homespun
My cousin Mattie was different. She must set up to be in love, and
walk home from church with Jack Halibut Sunday after Sunday, the long
way round, if you please, through the meadows; and he used to buy her
scent and ribbons at the fair, and send her a big valentine of
lacepaper, and satin ribbons and things, though Lord knows where he got
the money from--honest, I hope--for he hadn't a penny to bless himself
with.
Zip Version
These Little Ones
Alf knew that "in the country" where dogs were possible to turrify
means to annoy. He had always had dreams ever since he could
remember--dreams of the farm in Kent that his aunt talked of, where the
cherry orchards were, and the pears on the side of the house, "so you
could pick 'em outer window." He had dreamed of being King of England,
with ermine robes, so jolly for the winter; and a gold crown--less
convenient, perhaps.
Zip Version
The Magic World--E. Nesbit
The sharp voice stopped abruptly on a high note; determined feet in
strong boots sounded on the stairs--fainter, fainter; a door slammed
below with a dreadful definiteness, and Elsie was left alone, to wonder
how soon her spirit would break--for at no less a price, it appeared,
could freedom be bought.
Zip Version
Wet Magic--E. Nesbit
"Yes, dear, do," said the Princess Maia; "but don't do anything
rash. No sorties now. You Lobsters are so terribly brave. But you know
Mother said you weren't to. Ah me! --war is a terrible thing! What a
state the rivers will get into with all this water going on, and the
winds all loose and doing as they like. It's horrible to think about.
It will take ages to get things straight again."
Zip Version
The Rover Boys In Business
"Saved a fellow from drowning, eh?" he queried, after the lads had
explained matters. "Got him out in your auto? All right, bring him
right in if you want to--or wait, I'll go out and take a look at him.
Maybe I know who he is and where he belongs." And thus speaking, the
doctor went outside.
Zip Version
True To Himself, or, Roger Strong's
Struggle For Place
What he meant had to be explained, and then we all went to the
banker's office. My uncle's account was found to be as he had stated,
and about ten minutes later my bond was signed and I was at liberty to
go where I pleased until called upon to appear.
Zip Version
The Rover Boys in the Jungle
Scarcely had the words left his mouth when the bushes came up by the
roots and poor Sam fell over on his side. Then came another strong puff
of wind, and he was dragged to the very edge of the rocky ledge!
Zip Version
The Rover Boys at School
"I mean just this, Captain Putnam. I came to Putnam Hall with the
best intention in the world of doing my duty as a pupil and becoming a
credit to your institution. I hadn't a thought of breaking a rule or
being impudent. Before I entered your grounds I thought of a big fire
cracker I had in my pocket, and just for the fun of the thing set the
cracker off, as a sort of farewell to the outdoor life so soon to be
left behind."
Zip Version
Richard Dare's Venture
With such a load it was no easy matter climbing over the seats to
the door. Yet the feat was accomplished, and two minutes later, with an
exclamation of relief, Richard pitched his baggage to the bank beside
the track, and sprang to the solid ground.
Zip Version
On the Trail of Pontiac--Edward
Stratemeyer
But this was a mistake. Jean Bevoir and Flat Nose had been eager for
the fight, but word had come in at the last moment that the attack must
be put off, and such was the power of Pontiac and other great chiefs of
that vicinity that Flat Nose obeyed. As it was impossible for the
handful of Frenchmen under Bevoir to do anything alone the whole scheme
fell through, and then Bevoir lost no time in getting back to where he
had left the loot from the pack-train, claiming that which had been
allotted to him and his men, and getting away further to the
northwestward, where he felt tolerably safe from pursuit.
Zip Version
The Rover Boys on the Great Lakes
But the third man had a second to think, and he retaliated by a blow
which nearly lifted poor Tom off his feet. But before he could strike
out a second time, Sam, with the nimbleness of a monkey, darted in and
caught him by one leg. Dick saw the movement, gave the sailor a shove,
and the tar pitched headlong in the passageway.
Zip Version
Sara Crewe
Little Sara Crewe never went in or out of the house without reading
that door-plate and reflecting upon it. By the time she was twelve, she
had decided that all her trouble arose because, in the first place, she
was not "Select," and in the second she was not a "Young Lady."
Zip Version
A Lady of Quality
After their mother's death a youth desolate and strange indeed lay
before them. A spinster who was a poor relation was the only person of
respectable breeding who ever came near them. To save herself from
genteel starvation, she had offered herself for the place of governess
to them, though she was fitted for the position neither by education
nor character.
Zip Version
Little Lord Fauntleroy
"If them's his lordship's orders, mem," another voice answered,
they'll have to be kep', I suppose. But, if you'll excuse the liberty,
mem, as it's between ourselves, servant or no servant, all I have to
say is, it's a cruel thing,--parting that poor, pretty, young widdered
cre'tur' from her own flesh and blood, and him such a little beauty and
a nobleman born.
Zip Version
The Secret Garden
At first each day which passed by for Mary Lennox was exactly like
the others. Every morning she awoke in her tapestried room and found
Martha kneeling upon the hearth building her fire; every morning she
ate her breakfast in the nursery which had nothing amusing in it; and
after each breakfast she gazed out of the window across to the huge
moor which seemed to spread out on all sides and climb up to the sky,
Zip Version
The White People
I went to tea under the big apple-tree. It was very big and old and
wonderful. No wonder Mr. MacNairn and his mother loved it. Its great
branches spread out farther than I had ever seen the branches of an
apple-tree spread before. They were gnarled and knotted and beautiful
with age. Their shadows upon the grass were velvet, deep and soft.
Zip Version
The Shuttle
No man knew when the Shuttle began its slow and heavy weaving from
shore to shore, that it was held and guided by the great hand of Fate.
Fate alone saw the meaning of the web it wove, the might of it, and its
place in the making of a world's history. Men thought but little of
either web or weaving, calling them by other names and lighter ones
Zip Version
A Little Princess
Not very long after this a very exciting thing happened. Not only
Sara, but the entire school, found it exciting, and made it the chief
subject of conversation for weeks after it occurred. In one of his
letters Captain Crewe told a most interesting story. A friend who had
been at school with him when he was a boy had unexpectedly come to see
him in India. He was the owner of a large tract of land upon which
diamonds had been found, and he was engaged in developing the mines.
Zip Version
The Dawn of A To-morrow
As he went down the narrow staircase, covered with its dingy and
threadbare carpet, he found the house so full of dirty yellow haze that
he realized that the fog must be of the extraordinary ones which are
remembered in after-years as abnormal specimens of their kind. He
recalled that there had been one of the sort three years before, and
that traffic and business had been almost entirely stopped by it
Zip Version
Esmerelda
"At fifteen," she says, "I regretted that I was not a genius; at
five and twenty, I rejoice that I made the discovery so early, and so
gave myself time to become grateful for the small gifts bestowed upon
me. Why should I eat out my heart with envy? Is it not possible that I
might be a less clever woman than I am, and a less lucky one?"
Zip Version
Lodusky
That they would have done each other deadly injury seemed more than
probable, but there were cool heads and hands as strong as their own in
the room and in a few minutes they had been dragged apart and stood,
each held back by the arms, staring at each other and panting. The lank
peace-maker in blue jeans who held Dave Humes shook him gently and with
amiable toleration of his folly.
Zip Version
The Lost Prince
Where was the prince? They must see him and tell him their
ultimatum. It was he whom they wanted for a king. They trusted him and
would obey him. They began to shout aloud his name, calling him in a
sort of chant in unison, Prince Ivor--Prince Ivor--Prince Ivor!'' But
no answer came. The people of the palace had hidden themselves, and the
place was utterly silent.
Zip Version
Mère Giraud's Little Daughter
"But," said cheerful Jeanne, somewhat dryly, "Laure's mother is not
dead yet, so let us congratulate ourselves that to go to Paris has
brought luck to one of our number at least, and let us deal charitably
with Mere Giraud, who certainly means well, and is only naturally proud
of her daughter's grandeur. For my part, I can afford to rejoice with
her."
Zip Version
The Plain Miss Burnie
Brenda took her up, and folded her close and warm -- even folded the
cold, small feet in her dress before she resumed her investigations.
The child was nothing remarkable -- only a pretty, chubby little
morsel, with light, crumpled hair and round eyes; but somehow or other,
the girl felt a subtle chord in her heart touched by the mere sight of
her childish forlornness.
Zip Version
Le Monsieur de la Petite Dame
"Oh!" returned Renard, shrugging his shoulders, "we did not give it
to him. It was an awkward servant who dubbed him so at first. She was
new to her position, and forgot his name, and being asked who had
arrived, stumbled upon this bon mot: `Un monsieur, Madame -- le
monsieur de la petite dame,' -- and, being repeated and tossed lightly
from hand to hand, it has become at last an established witticism,
albeit bandied under breath."
Zip Version
One Day at Arle
"Tha knows what I ha' getten to say," she answered, her tone
strained and husky with repressed fierceness. "Aye! tha knows it well
enough. I ha' not much need to tell thee owt. He comn here this morning
an' he towd me aw I want to know about thee, Seth Lonas -- an' more
too."
Zip Version
Smethurstses
"Yes, Polly," says the young gentleman, a-laughin' more. "Very
quiet. Wax-works are, as a rule. A nice time a proprietor would have,
if they were not, with such a lot of queer customers, -- Bloody Mary,
for instance, and Henry the Eighth, and Nana Sahib, and John Knox, and
Lucretia Borgia, -- though you don't know much of their amiable
characteristics, my dear."
Zip Version
Surly Tim's Trouble
But I noticed him pretty closely as time went on, and the more I saw
of him the more fully I was convinced that he was not so surly as
people imagined. He never interfered with the most active of his
enemies, or made any reply when they taunted him, and more than once I
saw him perform a silent, half-secret act of kindness. Once I caught
him throwing half his dinner to a wretched little lad who had just come
to the factory
Zip Version
The Woman Who Saved Me
But he was not quite easy, I could see, and I must confess to some
slight surprise. The old black lines came out on his forehead, but they
were not angry lines; they were something new to me in their changed
expression. He was so fidgety too, and even more taciturn than usual.
But I took no notice of the change until after we had supped and he had
been reading for half an hour
Zip Version
T. Tembarom
AT about the time Tembarom made his rush to catch the "L" Joseph
Hutchinson was passing through one of his periodical fits of infuriated
discouragement. Little Ann knew they would occur every two or three
days, and she did not wonder at them. Also she knew that if she merely
sat still and listened as she sewed, she would be doing exactly what
her mother would have done and what her father would find a sort of
irritated comfort in.
Zip Version
The Land of the Blue Flower
Every fair night through the King's earliest years the Ancient One
carried him to the battlements and let him fall asleep beneath the
shining myriads. But first he would walk about bearing him in his arms,
or sit with him in the splendid silence, sometimes relating wonders to
him in a low voice, sometimes uttering no word, only looking calmly
into the high vault above as if the stars spoke to him and told him of
perfect peace.
Zip Version
The Little Hunchback Zia
When he first began to feel as if some mysterious ailment was
creeping upon him he kept himself out of Judith's way as much as
possible. He dared not tell her that sometimes he could scarcely crawl
from one place to another. A miserable fevered weakness became his
secret. As the old woman took no notice of him except when he brought
back his day's earnings, it was easy to evade her. One morning,
however, she fixed her eyes on him suddenly and keenly.
Zip Version
My Robin
I wish I could remember exactly what length of time elapsed before I
knew he was really a robin. An ornithologist would doubtless know but I
do not. But one morning I was bending over a bed of Laurette Messimy
roses and I became aware that he had arrived in his usual mysterious
way without warning.
Zip Version
In the Closed Room
Once, as she tossed on her cot-bed, she broke into a low little
laugh to think how untrue things really were and how strange it was
that people did not understand--that even she felt as she lay in the
darkness that she could not get away. And she could not get away unless
the train would stop just long enough to let her fall asleep. If she
could fall asleep between the trains, she would not awaken. But they
came so quickly one after the other.
Zip Version
The Head of the House of Coombe--Frances
Hodgson Burnett
"Good gracious, Andrews!" she said. "He was the 'shock'! How
perfectly ridiculous! Robin had never played with a boy before and she
fell in love with him. The little thing's actually pining away for
him." She dropped the grapes and gave herself up to delicate mirth. "He
was taken away and disappeared. Perhaps she fainted and fell into the
wet flower bed and spoiled her frock, when she first realized that he
wasn't coming."
Zip Version
Saint George for England
"Soon after the tournament we began to fight again with Scotland.
For some years we had had peace with that country, and under the
regency a marriage was made between David, King of Scotland, son of
Robert the Bruce, and the Princess Joan, sister to our king, and a four
years' truce was agreed to." --by G.A. Henty
Zip Version
The Dragon and the Raven
"That were shame indeed," Edmund exclaimed. "We know that the people
conquered by our ancestors were unwarlike and cowardly; but it would be
shame indeed were we Saxons so to be overcome by the Danes, seeing
moreover that we have the help of God, being Christians, while the
Danes are pagans and idolaters." --by G. A. Henty
Zip Version
In The Reign Of Terror--G. A. Henty
"Oh, but it is such a long way, and to live among those French
people, who have been doing such dreadful things, attacking the
Bastille, and, as I have heard you say, passing all sorts of
revolutionary laws, and holding their king and queen almost as
prisoners in Paris!"
Zip Version
Bears and Dacoites: A Tale of the
Ghauts.--G.A. Henty
JUST as I was getting strong enough to walk, and was beginning to
think of making my escape, a band of five or six fellows, armed to the
teeth, came in, and made signs that I was to go with them. It was
evidently an arranged thing, the girls only were surprised, but they
were at once turned out, and as we started I could see two crouching
figures in the shade with their cloths over their heads. I had a native
garment thrown over my shoulders, and in five minutes after the arrival
of the fellows found myself on my way.
Zip Version
The Pipe of Mystery--G.A. Henty
Presently we came in sight of the ruins. No one was at first
visible; but at that very moment the fakir came out from the temple. He
did not see or hear us, for we were rather behind him and still among
the trees, but at once proceeded in a high voice to break into a
sing-song prayer. He had not said two words before his voice was
drowned in a terrific roar, and in an instant the tiger had sprung upon
him, struck him to the ground, seized him as a cat would a mouse, and
started off with him at a trot.
Zip Version
In Freedom's Cause--G. A. Henty
"I trust not, my son; but I fear that it will be long before we
shake off the English yoke. Our nobles are for the most part of Norman
blood; very many are barons of England; and so great are the jealousies
among them that no general effort against England will be possible. No,
if Scotland is ever to be freed, it will be by a mighty rising of the
common people, and even then the struggle between the commons of
Scotland and the whole force of England aided by the feudal power of
all the great Scotch nobles, would be well nigh hopeless."
Zip Version
A Knight of the White Cross--G.A. Henty
Orders were given to the rowers to quicken their pace, and in little
over an hour they were alongside the hull. As soon as the vessels were
close enough for those on the poop of the galley to look down on to the
deck of the other craft, it was seen that Ralph's suppositions were
correct. Two bodies lay stretched upon it. One was crushed under the
fallen mast; the other lay huddled up in a heap, a cannon ball having
almost torn him asunder. The knights leapt on to the deck as soon as
the galley ran alongside. Gervaise made first for the man lying beneath
the mast; as he came up to him, the sailor opened his eyes and
murmured, "Water!"
Zip Version
Won by the Sword--G.A. Henty
De Malo was as anxious to bring on a general engagement as was his
fiery opponent. He was kept well informed of what was going on in
Paris, and knew that the king's death was imminent. His position on a
plain, surrounded on all sides by woods and marshes with but one
approach, and that through a narrow defile, was practically
impregnable; and by occupying the defile he could have kept the French
at bay without the slightest difficulty until Rocroi surrendered. He
knew, too, that General Beck with a considerable force was hastening to
join him; but he feared that prudent counsels might at the last moment
prevail in the French camp, or that the news of the king's death might
reach them, and he therefore left the defile open and allowed the
French army to gain the plain and form up in order of battle facing
him, without offering the slightest opposition or firing a single gun.
Zip Version
The Lion of the North--G.A. Henty
"You have done well, sir," Munro said cordially, "and have rendered
a great service not only in the defeat of the Imperialists, but in its
consequences here, for the prisoner said that last night five thousand
men were marched away from Tilly's army to observe and make head
against this supposed Swedish force advancing from the east. When I
have done my meal I will go over to the king with the news, for his
majesty is greatly puzzled, especially as the prisoner declared that he
himself had seen the Scots of the Green Brigade in the van of the
column, and had heard the war cry, 'A Hepburn! A Hepburn!'
Zip Version
The Young Carthaginian--G.A. Henty
"I need not say," Carthalon said carelessly, "that the punishment of
the violation of the oath is death. It is so put in our rules. But we
are all nobles of Carthage, and nobles do not break their oaths, so we
can let that pass. When a man's word is good enough to make him beggar
himself in order to discharge a wager, he can be trusted to keep his
word in a matter which concerns the lives of a score of his fellows.
And now that this business is arranged we can go on with our talk; but
first let us have some wine, for all this talking is thirsty work at
best."
Zip Version
On the Pampas--G. A. Henty
The boys were in the highest spirits at being at last really out
upon the pampas, and as day fairly broke they had a hearty laugh at the
appearance of their cavalcade. There was no road or track of any kind,
and consequently, instead of following in a file, as they would have
done in any other country, the party straggled along in a confused
body. First came the animals--the sheep, bullocks, and cows. Behind
these rode Lopez, in, his gaucho dress, and a long whip in his hand,
which he cracked from time to time, with a report like that of a
pistol--not that there was any difficulty in driving the animals at a
pace sufficient to keep well ahead of the bullock carts, for the sheep
of the pampas are very much more active beasts than their English
relations.
Zip Version
By Pike and Dyke:--G.A. Henty
Full title: By Pike and Dyke: A Tale of the Rise of the Dutch
Republic
Zip Version
By England's Aid--G.A. Henty
Full title: By England's Aid: or The Freeing of the Netherlands
(1585-1604)
Zip Version
Bonnie Prince Charlie
"It strikes me, Leslie, that this is only the sequel of that attack
in the wood, and that your enemies have unwittingly done you a service.
Crawford was very much your height and build, and might easily have
been mistaken for you in the dark. I fancy that blow was meant for
you."
Zip Version
Beric the Briton--G. A. Henty
They heard from the headman that the whole country near the river
was densely covered with bushes, and that the ground was swampy and
very difficult to cross. They agreed, therefore, that they would form a
strong intrenchment at the spot where they were to embark. It was
unlikely in the extreme that the Romans would seek to penetrate such a
country, but if they did they were to be opposed as soon as they
entered the swamps, and a desperate stand was to be made at the
intrenchment, which would be approachable at one or two points only.
Zip Version
At Agincourt
"Perhaps it would be best, Master Guy. I fear not three men if they
stand up face to face with me, but to be stabbed in the back is a thing
that neither strength nor skill can save one from. But as I care not to
be always going about in armour I will expend some of my crowns in
buying a shirt of mail also. 'Tis better by far than armour, for a man
coming up behind could stab one over the line of the back-piece or
under the arm, while if you have mail under your coat they will strike
at you fair between the shoulders, and it is only by striking high up
on the neck that they have any chance with you. A good coat of mail is
money well laid out, and will last a lifetime; and even if it cost me
all the silversmith's crowns I will have a right good one."
Zip Version
A March on London
"The king is going to mass at Westminster," the knight said, "and
after that he will ride round the city. I shall go myself to
Westminster with him, and you can both ride with me, for it may be that
the king on his way may be met by the rabble, which is composed of the
worst and most dangerous of all who have been out, for in addition to
Tyler's own following, there will be the prisoners released from all of
the jails and the scum of the city. We will ride in our armour. They
say there are still 20,000 of them, but even if the worst happens we
may be able to carry the king safely through them."
Zip Version
The Treasure of the Incas
"It was easy enough. After what we had heard of these brigands I
made up my mind that I would not unsaddle the mules, nor take the packs
off the two loaded ones. The burdens were not heavy, for we have little
but our bedding and the tents left, and I thought they might as well
stay where they were, and in the morning we could shift them on to the
others. I told Jose to watch about half the night; but I was standing
talking to him, and smoking my last cigarette, when he said suddenly,
'I can hear a noise at the other end of the village.'
Zip Version
In Times of Peril
Full title: IN TIMES OF PERIL A TALE OF INDIA.
Zip Version
Rujub, the Juggler--G. A. Henty
The horse swerved at the sight, and reared high in the air as
Bathurst drove his spurs into it. As its feet touched the ground again,
Bathurst sprang off and rushed at the tiger, and brought down the heavy
lash of his whip with all his force across its head. With a fierce
snarl it sprang back two paces, but again and again the whip descended
upon it, and bewildered and amazed at the attack it turned swiftly and
sprang through the bushes.
Zip Version
The Bravest of the Brave
The starting of the expedition was delayed beyond the intended time,
for the government either could not or would not furnish the required
funds, and the Earl of Peterborough was obliged to borrow considerable
sums of money, and to involve himself in serious pecuniary
embarrassments to remedy the defects, and to supply as far as possible
the munition and stores necessary for the efficiency of the little
force he had been appointed to command. It consisted of some three
thousand English troops, who were nearly all raw and undisciplined, and
a brigade, two thousand strong, of Dutch soldiers.
Zip Version
With Buller in Natal
The rifles at once spoke out. The lads had all used the boulders
behind which they crouched as rests for their rifles, and confident of
their shooting and their position, their aim was deadly. Five or six of
the leading Boers fell and several horses, the rest came to an abrupt
pause, galloped back some little distance and then dismounted, and
leaving their horses in shelter, disappeared from sight. In a short
time a dropping fire was opened from both sides of the valley.
Zip Version
Among Malay Pirates
"That would be a very good plan, Mr. Ferguson, and as you have
proposed it, you shall take command of the boat; otherwise I should
have sent either the third lieutenant or Morrison. I need not say that
it will be necessary to use the greatest caution, and to avoid all
risks as much as possible, though I fancy that my gig would run away
from any of the ordinary native craft; but, of course, the great point
is to avoid being noticed, for were one of our boats seen up the other
river near the creek, the alarm would be given, and the prahus might at
once shift their position, and make up the river, where we should have
little chance of finding them again."
Zip Version
When London Burned
"I am a London citizen, Nellie, but I don't set up any special claim
to respectability. I am a sea-captain, though that rascally Greek
cannon-ball and other circumstances have made a trader of me, sorely
against my will; and if I could not have my pipe and my glass of grog
here I would go and sit with John Wilkes in the tavern at the corner of
the street, and I suppose that would not be even as respectable as
smoking here."
Zip Version
Tales of Daring and Danger
"Just as I was getting strong enough to walk, and was beginning to
think of making my escape, a band of five or six fellows, armed to the
teeth, came in, and made signs that I was to go with them. It was
evidently an arranged thing, the girls only were surprised, but they
were at once turned out, and as we started I could see two crouching
figures in the shade with their cloths over their heads. I had a native
garment thrown over my shoulders, and in five minutes after the arrival
of the fellows found myself on my way. It took us some six hours before
we reached our destination, which was one of those natural rock
citadels.
Zip Version
Little Friend Coyote--George Bird
Grinnell
The Blackfeet looked on at this terrible butchery of their friend
with horror, but in stolid silence, all save Su-ye-sai-pi, who gave a
frightened cry when she saw the poor fellow struck down, and clasping
her husband by the arm, buried her face in his breast. The chief smiled
but did not speak. Presently another one of the young Blackfeet was led
out, and met the fate of the first one. One after another, when his
turn came, each arose and accompanied his captors without struggle or
cry, and met his death as a true warrior should.
Zip Version
The Medicine Grizzly Bear
"I knew that your people were coming to this place to hunt. I drove
the buffalo over, so that the people should stop here and hunt and kill
meat, in order that you might come to my lodge. I know all your
feelings. I know that you are sorry for your poor father, my brother,
and I wished you to come here, so that I might make you my son and give
my power to you, so that you may become a great man among your people.
I know that they are now killing buffalo, and that they will be camped
here for four days.
Zip Version
The Girl Who Was the Ring
He journeyed on alone considering what he should do, and at length,
as he was travelling along over the prairie, he met a Badger, who said
to him, "Brother, where are you going?" The Coyote said: "I am going on
the war-path against my enemies. Will you join my party?" The Badger
said, "Yes, I will join you." They went on. After they had gone a long
way, they saw a Swift Hawk sitting on the limb of a tree by a ravine.
Zip Version
Struggling Upward
Luke's uncomfortable consciousness of his deficiencies in dress soon
passed off. He noticed the sneer on Randolph's face and heard Sam's
laugh, but he cared very little for the opinion of either of them. No
other in the company appeared to observe his poor dress, and he was
cordially greeted by them all, with the two exceptions already named.
Zip Version
RAGGED DICK: Or, Street Life in New
York
It was a small apartment with a few plain tables unprovided with
cloths, for the class of customers who patronized it were not very
particular. Our hero's breakfast was soon before him. Neither the
coffee nor the steak were as good as can be bought at Delmonico's; but
then it is very doubtful whether, in the present state of his wardrobe,
Dick would have been received at that aristocratic restaurant
Zip Version
Paul the Peddler, Or the Fortunes of a
Young Street Merchant
The next morning Paul took his old place in front of the post
office. He set down his basket in front, and, taking one of the
packages in his hand, called out in a businesslike manner, as on the
day before, "Here's your prize packages! Only five cents! Money prize
in every package! Walk up, gentlemen, and try your luck!"
Zip Version
Phil, the Fiddler
Though he had wandered about, singing and playing, for two hours,
Phil had not yet received a penny. This made him somewhat uneasy, for
he knew that at night he must carry home a satisfactory sum to the
padrone, or he would be brutally beaten; and poor Phil knew from sad
experience that this hard taskmaster had no mercy in such cases.
Zip Version
Joe, the Hotel Boy; Or Winning Out By
Pluck
The wind was now rising, and it soon blew so furiously that the two
boys were forced to seek the shelter of the woodshed, since they did
not deem it wise to enter the lodge so long as the two men were inside.
They waited in the shed for fully half an hour, when, as suddenly as it
had begun, the storm let up and the sun began to peep forth from
between the scattering clouds.
Zip Version
Frank's Campaign; Or the Farm and the
Camp
"It isn't so much that which is required. A man could easily be
found to do the hardest of the work. But somebody is needed who
understands farming, and is qualified to give directions. How much do
you know of that?"
Zip Version
Driven From Home; Or Carl Crawford's
Experience
He congratulated himself upon being still the possessor of
twenty-five cents in silver. It was not much, but it seemed a great
deal better than being penniless. A week before he would have thought
it impossible that such a paltry sum would have made him feel
comfortable, but he had passed through a great deal since then.
Zip Version
Cast Upon the Breakers
A wonderful change came over Mike Flynn. Until he met Rodney he
seemed quite destitute of ambition. The ragged and dirty suit which he
wore as bootblack were the best he had. His face and hands generally
bore the marks of his business, and as long as he made enough to buy
three meals a day, two taken at the Lodging House, with something over
for lodging, and an occasional visit to a cheap theater, he was
satisfied.
Zip Version
A Fancy of Hers
Ben Hadley's conversion had indeed been sudden, and, as in most
similar cases, he found some difficulty in staying converted. While his
pride was flattered by the confidence reposed in him by Miss Frost,
there were times when his old mischievous propensities almost overcame
him. On the third day, as John Cotton was passing Ben's desk, the
latter suddenly thrust out his foot into the passageway between the
desks, and John tumbled over it
Zip Version
Bound to Rise OR Up the Ladder
It was not until evening that Harry had a chance to look at his
prize. It was a cheap book, costing probably not over a dollar; but
except his school-books, and a ragged copy of Robinson Crusoe,'' it was
the only book that our hero possessed. So our young hero looked forward
with great joy to the pleasure of reading his new book. He did not know
much about Benjamin Franklin, but had a vague idea that he was a great
man.
Zip Version
The Errand Boy; or, How Phil Brent
Won Success
It is rather amusing to see how soon the cheapest clerk talks of
"us," quietly identifying himself with the firm that employs him. Not
that I object to it. Often it implies a personal interest in the
success and prosperity of the firm, which makes a clerk more valuable.
This was not, however, the case with G. Washington Wilbur, the young
man who was now conversing with Phil, as will presently appear.
Zip Version
Paul Prescott's Charge: a story
for boys
Poor Paul! his back ached dreadfully, for he had never before done
any harder work than trifling services for his father. But the
inexorable Mr. Mudge was in sight, and however much he wished, he did
not dare to lay aside his hoe even for a moment.
Zip Version
The Cash Boy
Small as Frank's income was, he had managed to live within it. It
will be remembered that he had paid but fifty cents a week for a room.
By great economy he had made his meals cost but two dollars a week, so
that out of his three dollars he saved fifty cents. But this saving
would not be sufficient to pay for his clothes. However, he had had no
occasion to buy any as yet, and his little fund altogether amounted to
twenty dollars.
Zip Version
Timothy Crump's Ward: A Story of
American Life
"You ought to cut your coat according to your cloth," he responded.
"Much as it will go against my feelings, under the circumstances I am
compelled by a prudent regard to my own interests to warn you that, in
case your rent is not ready to-morrow, I shall be obliged to trouble
you to find another tenement; and furthermore, the rent of this will be
raised five dollars a quarter."
Zip Version
Frank's Campaign; or the Farm and the
Camp
Improved text, supersedes earlier version.
Zip Version
The Young Explorer
Ben heard every word that was said, and it confirmed his suspicions.
There was no doubt that an attempt would be made to rob him and his
companion before morning, and the prospect was not pleasant. By
submitting quietly he would come to no harm, and the loss of the money
would not be irreparable. He and Bradley had each started with a
hundred dollars, supplied by Miss Doughlas, and thus far but little of
this sum had been spent. Their employer would doubtless send them a
further supply if they were robbed, but they would be reluctant to
apply to her, since the loss would be partly the result of their
imprudence.
Zip Version
Hector's Inheritance
At the time he was saving his money, he regarded himself as the heir
and future possessor of the estate, and had no expectation of ever
needing it. It had been in his mind that it would give him an
opportunity of helping, out of his private funds, any deserving poor
person who might apply to him. When the unexpected revelation had been
made to him that he had no claim to the estate, he was glad that he was
not quite penniless.
Zip Version
The Young Musician
Philip was provided with an appetite, but he did not relish the idea
of going downstairs and joining the rest of Mr. Tucker's boarders. It
would seem like a tacit admission that he was one of their number. Of
course, he couldn't do without eating, but he had a large apple in his
pocket when captured, and he thought that this would prevent his
suffering from hunger for that night, at least, and he did not mean to
spend another at the Norton poorhouse. The problem of to-morrow's
supply of food might be deferred till then.
Zip Version
Do and Dare
Full title: DO AND DARE OR A Brave Boy's Fight for Fortune
Zip Version
Helping Himself
Full title: Helping Himself Or Grant Thornton's Ambition
Zip Version
Try and Trust
Ralph seemed so entirely unconcerned that something of his
confidence was imparted to Herbert. Noting the erect mien and fearless
glance of his guide, every movement betokening strength, he could not
help feeling that Abner Holden would be rash to make such a man his
enemy. He felt safe in his protection, and his apprehensions of capture
passed away. So with lightened heart he walked the five dusty miles to
the village of Vernon, accompanied by Ralph.
Zip Version
Bound to Rise
Harry surmised that it was his instructions. He paid little heed,
but fixed his eyes upon the fire, listening to the rain that continued
to beat against the window panes, and began to speculate about the
future. Was he to be successful or not? He was not without solicitude,
but he felt no small measure of hope. At nine o'clock he began to feel
drowsy, and intimated as much to his host. The old man conducted him to
an upper chamber, where there was a bed upon the floor.
Zip Version
Walter Sherwood's Probation
"I won't accept it for myself, but I'll tell you something. My chum,
Gates, is very hard pushed. You know he depends wholly on himself, and
twenty-five dollars just at this time would be a godsend to him. He is
worried about paying his bills. If, now, you would transfer a little at
your generosity to him--"
Zip Version
Herbert Carter's Legacy--Horatio Alger
"She appeared to expect the bulk of the property. I am afraid her
husband will have a hard time of it for a week to come," said the
lawyer, laughing. He will have to bear the brunt of her disappointment.
Well, there seems no more for us to do here. We have found out the
value of your legacy, and may lock the trunk again. If you will lend a
hand, we will take it across to my house, so that there may be no delay
when the stage calls in the morning."
Zip Version
Facing the World
It was a terrible night. None of the passengers ventured upon deck.
Indeed, such was the motion that it would have been dangerous, as even
the sailors found it difficult to keep their footing. Harry was pale
and quiet, unlike his friend from Brooklyn, whose moans were heard
mingled with the noise of the tempest.
Zip Version
Men of Iron
Then, suddenly, there was a commotion in the hall without, loud
voices, and a hurrying here and there. The black knight half arose,
grasping a heavy iron mace that lay upon the bench beside him, and the
next moment Sir John Dale himself, as pale as death, walked into the
antechamber. He stopped in the very middle of the room. "I yield me to
my Lord's grace and mercy," said he to the black knight, and they were
the last words he ever uttered in this world.
Zip Version
Twilight Land
The King of the Demons of the Earth, a great and hideous monster,
named Zadok, was his servant, and came and went as Aben Hassen the Wise
ordered, and did as he bade. After Aben Hassen learned all that it was
possible for man to know, he said to himself, "Now I will take my ease
and enjoy my life." So he called the Demon Zadok to him, and said to
the monster, "I have read in my books that there is a treasure that was
one time hidden by the ancient kings of Egypt--a treasure such as the
eyes of man never saw before or since their day. Is that true?"
Zip Version
Johnnie and Billie Bushytail--Howard
Roger Garis
"No," said Jennie, "these are Christmas nuts, they are not adventure
nuts. Some little boy or girl hung this stocking by the fireplace for
Santa Claus to fill, but something happened, and they did not take the
nuts out. Maybe the family had to move away in a hurry, and forgot
them, or maybe the little boy or girl got sick on candy, and was not
allowed to eat the nuts. Anyway, here are the nuts, and I think we
ought to take some home to Grandma and Grandpa."
Zip Version
Howard Pyle's Book of Pirates
But with ``Blackbeard'' it is different, for in him we have a real,
ranting, raging, roaring pirate per se -- one who really did bury
treasure, who made more than one captain walk the plank, and who
committed more private murders than he could number on the fingers of
both hands; one who fills, and will continue to fill, the place to
which he has been assigned for generations, and who may be depended
upon to hold his place in the confidence of others for generations to
come.
Zip Version
Peter Pan
All children, except one, grow up. They soon know that they will
grow up, and the way Wendy knew was this. One day when she was two
years old she was playing in a garden, and she plucked another flower
and ran with it to her mother.
Zip Version
Margaret Ogilvy
Well, with break of day she wakes and sits up in bed and is standing
in the middle of the room. So nimble was she in the mornings (one of
our troubles with her) that these three actions must be considered as
one; she is on the floor before you have time to count them. She has
strict orders not to rise until her fire is lit, and having broken them
there is a demure elation on her face. --tribute to author's mom.
Zip Version
The Little White Bird
Has it ever been your lot, reader, to be persecuted by a pretty
woman who thinks, without a tittle of reason, that you are bowed down
under a hopeless partiality for her? It is thus that I have been
pursued for several years now by the unwelcome sympathy of the
tender-hearted and virtuous Mary A----. When we pass in the street the
poor deluded soul subdues her buoyancy
Zip Version
Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens
Perhaps she has forgotten, just as she sometimes forgets your name
and calls you Mildred, which is your mother's name. Still, she could
hardly forget such an important thing as the goat. Therefore there was
no goat when your grandmother was a little girl. This shows that, in
telling the story of Peter Pan, to begin with the goat (as most people
do) is as silly as to put on your jacket before your vest.
Zip Version
Alice Sit-By-The-Fire
She who has been to so many theatres smiles at him. 'No, you boy!
It's something in a play. It means that if we know ourselves well, we
know our parents also. From thinking of myself, Cosmo, I know mother.
In her youth she was one who did not love easily; but when she loved
once it was for aye. A nature very difficult to understand, but
profoundly interesting. I can feel her within me, as she was when she
walked down the aisle on that strong arm, to honour and obey him
henceforth for aye. What cared they that they had to leave their native
land, they were together for aye. And so--' Her face is flushed. Cosmo
interrupts selfishly.
Zip Version
The Scouts of the Valley
Henry awoke only once, and that was about half way between midnight
and morning, when his senses, never still entirely, even in sleep,
warned him that something was at the door. He rose cautiously upon his
arm, saw a dark muzzle at the crevice, and behind it a pair of yellow,
gleaming eyes. He knew at once that it was a panther, probably living
in the swamp and drawn by the food. --by Joseph A. Altsheler
Zip Version
The Guns of Bull Run
Harry and Arthur stood two days later upon the sea wall of
Charleston. Sumter rose up black and menacing in the clear wintry air.
The muzzles of the cannon seemed to point into the very heart of the
city, and over it, as ever, flew the defiant flag, the red and blue
burning in vivid colors in the thin January sunshine. The heart of
Charleston, that most intense of all Southern cities, had given forth a
great throb.--part of Civil War series by Joseph A. Altsheler
Zip Version
The Star of Gettysburg--Joseph A.
Altsheler
Harry, leaning against a bush, fell into a light doze, from which
Dalton aroused him bye and bye. But the habit of war made him awake
fully and instantly. Every faculty was alive. He arose to his feet and
saw that Lee and Jackson were just parting. A faint moon shone over the
Wilderness, revealing but little of the great army which lay in its
thickets.
Zip Version
THE FREE RANGERS--Joseph A. Altsheler
They are powerful, very powerful, and I am only a commander of
troops under the son, but I, too, am powerful. My family is one of the
first in Spain. It sits upon the very steps of the throne and more than
once royal blood has entered our veins. I was a favorite at the court
and I have many friends there. The King might be persuaded that
Bernardo Galvez is not a fit representative of the royal interests in
Louisiana."
Zip Version
THE YOUNG TRAILERS--Joseph A.
Altsheler
Up shot the sun showering golden beams of light upon the forest. The
air grew warmer, but the little band did not cease its rapid pace
northward until noon. Then at a word from Ross all halted at a
beautiful glade, across which ran a little brook of cold water. The
horses were tethered at the edge of the forest, but were allowed to
graze on the young grass which was already beginning to appear, while
the men lighted a small fire of last year's fallen brushwood, at the
center of the glade on the bank of the brook.
Zip Version
The Guns of Shiloh--Joseph A. Altsheler
He found that the walking, besides keeping him warmer, took all the
stiffness out of his muscles, and he continued on foot several miles.
He passed two brooks and a creek, all frozen over so solidly that the
horse passed on them without breaking the ice. It was an extremely
difficult task to make the animal try the ice, but after much delicate
coaxing and urging he always succeeded.
Zip Version
The Scouts of Stonewall
Full title: THE SCOUTS OF STONEWALL THE STORY OF THE GREAT VALLEY
CAMPAIGN (continuation of "Bull Run").
Zip Version
The Sword of Antietam--Joseph A.
Altsheler
Dick and his comrades ate and drank, and then lay down in the grove.
If they must rest they would rest well. Now and then they heard the
booming of guns, and just before dark there had been a short artillery
duel across the Antietam, but now the night was quiet, save for the
murmur and movement of a great army. Through the darkness came the
sound of many voices and the clank of moving wheels.
Zip Version
A Village Stradivarius
Lyddy Butterfield's hen turkey was of a roving disposition. She had
never appreciated her luxurious country quarters in Edgewood, and was
seemingly anxious to return to the modest back yard in her native city.
At any rate, she was in the habit of straying far from home, and the
habit was growing upon her to such an extent that she would even lead
her docile little gobblers down to visit Anthony Croft's hens and share
their corn
Zip Version
Story Of Waitstill Baxter
VILLAGE "Aunts" and "Uncles" were elected to that relationship by
the common consent of the community; their fitness being established by
great age, by decided individuality or eccentricity of character, by
uncommon lovableness, or by the possession of an abundant wit and
humor. There was no formality about the thing; certain women were
always called "Aunt Sukie," or "Aunt Hitty,"
Zip Version
The Village Watch-Tower
Humble and dilapidated as it was, it was almost beautiful in the
springtime, when the dandelion-dotted turf grew close to the great
stone steps; or in the summer, when the famous Bascom elm cast its
graceful shadow over the front door. The elm, indeed, was the only
object that ever did cast its shadow there.
Zip Version
New Chronicles of Rebecca
The "Sawyer girls'" barn still had its haymow in Rebecca's time,
although the hay was a dozen years old or more, and, in the opinion of
the occasional visiting horse, sadly juiceless and wanting in flavor.
It still sheltered, too, old Deacon Israel Sawyer's carryall and
mowing-machine, with his pung, his sleigh, and a dozen other survivals
of an earlier era
Zip Version
The Birds' Christmas Carol
She had never been very strong in body, and it was with a pang of
terror her mother and father noticed, soon after she was five years
old, that she began to limp, ever so slightly; to complain too often of
weariness, and to nestle close to her mother, saying she "would rather
not go out to play, please." The illness was slight at first, and hope
was always stirring in Mrs. Bird's heart.
Zip Version
Rebecca Of Sunnybrook Farm
There was one passenger in the coach,--a small dark-haired person in
a glossy buff calico dress. She was so slender and so stiffly starched
that she slid from space to space on the leather cushions, though she
braced herself against the middle seat with her feet and extended her
cotton-gloved hands on each side, in order to maintain some sort of
balance. Whenever the wheels sank farther than usual into a rut, or
jolted suddenly over a stone, she bounded involuntarily into the air
Zip Version
A Summer in a Canyon
In a glorious tree near by was a 'sky parlour,' arranged by a few
boards nailed high up in the leafy branches, and reached from below by
a primitive ladder. This was the favourite sitting-room of the girls by
day, and served for Pancho's bedroom at night. It was beautiful enough
to be fit shelter for all the woodland nymphs, with its festoons of
mistletoe and wild grape-vines
Zip Version
Rose O' the River
If Rose was not as happy as Stephen, she was quietly content, and
felt that she had more to be grateful for than most girls, for Stephen
surprised her with first one evidence and then another of thoughtful
generosity. In his heart of hearts he felt that Rose was not wholly
his, that she reserved, withheld something; and it was the subjugation
of this rebellious province that he sought.
Zip Version
Marm Lisa
Such was not the case, however. After luncheon, Marm Lisa had washed
the twins' hands and faces in the back-yard as usual, and left them for
an instant to get a towel from the kitchen. When she returned, she
looked blankly about, for there was no sign of the two dripping faces
and the uplifted streaming hands. They had a playful habit of hiding
from her, knowing that in no other way could they make her so unhappy
Zip Version
The Diary of a Goose Girl
In alluding to myself as a Goose Girl, I am using only the most
modest of my titles; for I am also a poultry-maid, a tender of Belgian
hares and rabbits, and a shepherdess; but I particularly fancy the role
of Goose Girl, because it recalls the German fairy tales of my early
youth, when I always yearned, but never hoped, to be precisely what I
now am.
Zip Version
Penelope's Experiences in Scotland
When I speak of Edinburgh sunshine I do not mean, of course, any
such burning, whole-souled, ardent warmth of beam as one finds in
countries where they make a specialty of climate. It is, generally
speaking, a half-hearted, uncertain ray, as pale and transitory as a
martyr's smile; but its faintest gleam, or its most puerile attempt to
gleam, is admired and recorded by its well-disciplined constituency.
Zip Version
Penelope's English Experiences
The Honourable Arthur, Salemina, and I took a stroll in Hyde Park
one Sunday afternoon, not for the purpose of joining the fashionable
throng of 'pretty people' at Stanhope Gate, but to mingle with the
common herd in its special precincts,--precincts not set apart, indeed,
by any legal formula, but by a natural law of classification which
seems to be inherent in the universe.
Zip Version
The Old Peabody Pew: A Christmas Romance
of a Country Church
It was Saturday afternoon, the twenty-fourth of December, and the
weary sisters of the Dorcas band rose from their bruised knees and
removed their little stores of carpet-tacks from their mouths. This was
a feminine custom of long standing, and as no village dressmaker had
ever died of pins in the digestive organs, so were no symptoms of
carpet-tacks ever discovered in any Dorcas, living or dead.
Zip Version
The Flag-Raising
He saw that he had not deceived her after all, owing to the angry
chatter of Mrs. Meserve. He had been handcuffed twice in his life, but
no sheriff had ever discomfited him so thoroughly as this child. Fury
mounted to his brain, and as soon as she was safely out from between
the wheels he stood up in the wagon and flung the flag out in the road
in the midst of the excited group.
Zip Version
A Cathedral Courtship
Aunt Celia went up behind him, and, Van Tyck though she is, she
could not restrain her admiration of his work. I was surprised myself:
I didn't suppose so good looking a youth could do such good work. I
retired to a safe distance, and they chatted together. He offered her
the sketch; she refused to take advantage of his kindness. He said he
would "dash off" another that evening, and bring it to our hotel
Zip Version
Penelope's Postscripts
Salemina and I were in Geneva. If you had ever travelled through
Europe with a charming spinster who never sat down at a Continental
table d'hote without being asked by an American vis-a-vis whether she
were one of the P.'s of Salem, Massachusetts, you would understand why
I call my friend Salemina. She doesn't mind it. She knows that I am
simply jealous
Zip Version
Penelope's Irish Experiences
We had intended, too, to make our own comparison of the Bay of
Dublin and the Bay of Naples, because every traveller, from Charles
Lever's Jack Hinton down to Thackeray and Mr. Alfred Austin has always
made it a point of honour to do so. We were balked in our conscientious
endeavour, because we arrived at the North Wall forty minutes earlier
than the hour set by the steamship company.
Zip Version
Homespun Tales
"I am not in trouble, exactly," Rose stammered, concealing her
discomfiture as well as possible. "I am a little unhappy because I have
made some one else unhappy; and now that you know it, you will be
unhappy too, and angry besides, I suppose, though you've seen
everything there was to see."
Zip Version
The Story Hour--Kate Douglas Wiggin
There are few preliminaries and no formalities when the Person with
a Story is found. The motherly little sister stands by the side of her
chair, two or three of the smaller fry perch on the arms, and the baby
climbs up into her lap (such a person always has a capacious lap), and
folds his fat hands placidly. Then there is a deep sigh of blissful
expectation and an expressive silence, which means, "Now we are ready,
please; and if you would be kind enough to begin it with 'Once upon a
time,' we should be much obliged
Zip Version
The Marvelous Land of Oz
So he began by sprinkling some of the magic Powder of Life from the
pepper- box upon the body of the saw-horse. Then he lifted his left
hand, with the little finger pointing upward, and said: "Weaugh!"
Zip Version
Dorothy and the Wizard in Oz
When Dorothy recovered her senses they were still falling, but not
so fast. The top of the buggy caught the air like a parachute or an
umbrella filled with wind, and held them back so that they floated
downward with a gentle motion that was not so very disagreeable to
bear. The worst thing was their terror of reaching the bottom of this
great crack in the earth, and the natural fear that sudden death was
about to overtake them at any moment.
Zip Version
Queen Zixi of Ix
The fairies assembled one moonlit night in a pretty clearing of the
ancient forest of Burzee. The clearing was in the form of a circle, and
all around stood giant oak and fir trees, while in the center the grass
grew green and soft as velvet. If any mortal had ever penetrated so far
into the great forest and could have looked upon the fairy circle by
daylight, he might perhaps have seen a tiny path worn in the grass by
the feet of the dancing elves.
Zip Version
The Royal Book of Oz
The moon shone brightly, but everyone in the Emerald City was fast
asleep! Through the deserted streets hurried the Scarecrow. For the
first time since his discovery by little Dorothy, he was really
unhappy. Living as he did in a Fairyland, he had taken many things for
granted and had rather prided himself on his unusual appearance.--
actually, by Ruth Plumly Thompson
Zip Version
Ozma of Oz
The girl seemed neither older nor larger than Dorothy herself, and
at once the prisoner in the tower guessed that the lovely driver of the
chariot must be that Ozma of Oz of whom she had so lately heard from
Tiktok.
Zip Version
The Master Key
An Electrical Fairy Tale Founded Upon The Mysteries Of Electricity
And The Optimism Of Its Devotees. It Was Written For Boys, But Others
May Read It
Zip Version
The Magic of Oz
On the east edge of the Land of Oz, in the Munchkin Country, is a
big, tall hill called Mount Munch. One one side, the bottom of this
hill just touches the Deadly Sandy Desert that separates the Fairyland
of Oz from all the rest of the world, but on the other side, the hill
touches the beautiful, fertile Country of the Munchkins.
Zip Version
The Magical Monarch of Mo
A good many years ago the Magical Monarch of Mo became annoyed by
the Purple Dragon, which came down from the mountains and ate up a
patch of his best chocolate caramels just as they were getting ripe. So
the King went out to the sword tree and picked a long, sharp sword and
tied it to his belt and went away to the mountains to fight the Purple
Dragon.
Zip Version
Little Wizard Stories of Oz
"One is named Olite, and one Udent and one Ertinent, and they have
no respect for anyone or anything. If strangers pass through the
valley, the Imps jeer at them and make horrid faces and call names, and
often they push travelers out of the path or throw stones at them.
Whenever Imp Olite or Imp Udent or Imp Ertinent comes here to bother
us, I and my family run into the house and lock all the doors and
windows, and we dare not venture out again until the Imps have gone
away."
Zip Version
The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus
And thus for a moment they remained, the nymphs filled with surprise
and consternation, but the brow of the Master Woodsman gradually
clearing as he gazed intently upon the beautiful immortal who had
wilfully broken the Law. Then the great Ak, to the wonder of all, laid
his hand softly on Necile's flowing locks and kissed her on her fair
forehead.
Zip Version
A Kidnapped Santa Claus
The Caves of the Daemons are five in number. A broad pathway leads
up to the first cave, which is a finely arched cavern at the foot of
the mountain, the entrance being beautifully carved and decorated. In
it resides the Daemon of Selfishness. Back of this is another cavern
inhabited by the Daemon of Envy. The cave of the Daemon of Hatred is
next in order, and through this one passes to the home of the Daemon of
Malice
Zip Version
The Enchanted Island of Yew
From the fairies some of the men had learned wonderful secrets, and
had become magicians and sorcerers, with powers so great that the
entire island was reputed to be one of enchantments. Who these men were
the common people did not always know; for while some were kings and
rulers, others lived quietly hidden away in forests or mountains, and
seldom or never showed themselves.
Zip Version
The Emerald City of Oz
The Emerald City is built all of beautiful marbles in which are set
a profusion of emeralds, every one exquisitely cut and of very great
size. There are other jewels used in the decorations inside the houses
and palaces, such as rubies, diamonds, sapphires, amethysts and
turquoises. But in the streets and upon the outside of the buildings
only emeralds appear, from which circumstance the place is named the
Emerald City of Oz.
Zip Version
John Dough and the Cherub
The Great Elixir had accomplished its purpose. The wonderful Essence
of Vitality, prized for centuries and closely guarded, had lent its
marvelous powers of energy, strength, and life to a gingerbread man!
And all through the stupidity of a baker's wife who was color-blind and
could not distinguish a golden flask from a silver one!
Zip Version
American Fairy Tales
She turned the next leaf, and saw a big picture of a clown, dressed
in green and red and yellow, and having a very white face with
three-cornered spots of red on each cheek and over the eyes. While she
looked at this the book trembled in her hands, the leaf crackled and
creaked and suddenly the clown jumped out of it and stood upon the
floor beside her, becoming instantly as big as any ordinary clown.
Zip Version
Glinda of Oz
He started down a path and Ozma and Dorothy followed him without
protest, as they wanted to see the most important person in this queer
country. The houses they passed seemed pleasant enough and each had a
little yard in which were flowers and vegetables. Walls of rock
separated the dwellings, and all the paths were paved with smooth slabs
of rock. This seemed their only building material and they utilized it
cleverly for every purpose.
Zip Version
The Lost Princess of Oz
That same morning there was great excitement in the castle of the
powerful Sorceress of Oz, Glinda the Good. This castle, situated in the
Quadling Country, far south of the Emerald City where Ozma ruled, was a
splendid structure of exquisite marbles and silver grilles. Here the
Sorceress lived, surrounded by a bevy of the most beautiful maidens of
Oz, gathered from all the four countries of that fairyland as well as
from the magnificent Emerald City itself
Zip Version
Rinkitink In Oz
King Rinkitink was so much pleased with the Island of Pingaree that
he continued his stay day after day and week after week, eating good
dinners, talking with King Kitticut and sleeping. Once in a while he
would read from his scroll. "For," said he, "whenever I return home, my
subjects will be anxious to know if I have learned 'How to be Good,'
and I must not disappoint them.
Zip Version
The Scarecrow of Oz
Cap'n Bill and Trot rode very comfortably in the sunbonnet. The
motion was quite steady, for they weighed so little that the Ork flew
without effort. Yet they were both somewhat nervous about their future
fate and could not help wishing they were safe on land and their
natural size again.
Zip Version
Tik-Tok of Oz
Three days later the Grand Army of Oogaboo assembled in the square
in front of the royal palace. The sixteen officers were attired in
gorgeous uniforms and carried sharp, glittering swords. The Private had
picked his gun and, although it was not a very big weapon, Files tried
to look fierce and succeeded so well that all his commanding officers
were secretly afraid of him
Zip Version
The Patchwork Girl of Oz
The Magician uttered such a wild cry that Ojo jumped away and the
Patchwork Girl sprang after him and clasped her stuffed arms around him
in terror. The Glass Cat snarled and hid under the table, and so it was
that when the powerful Liquid of Petrifaction was spilled it fell only
upon the wife of the Magician and the uncle of Ojo. With these two the
charm worked promptly. They stood motionless and stiff as marble
statues
Zip Version
The Road to Oz
A little girl, radiant and beautiful, shapely as a fairy and
exquisitely dressed, was dancing gracefully in the middle of the lonely
road, whirling slowly this way and that, her dainty feet twinkling in
sprightly fashion. She was clad in flowing, fluffy robes of soft
material that reminded Dorothy of woven cobwebs, only it was colored in
soft tintings of violet, rose, topaz, olive, azure, and white, mingled
together most harmoniously in stripes
Zip Version
Sky Island
Subtitled: BEING THE FURTHER EXCITING ADVENTURES OF TROT AND CAP'N
BILL AFTER THEIR VISIT TO THE SEA FAIRIES
Zip Version
The Sea Fairies
"I will go no farther," she said firmly, not caring if the monsters
overheard her. "It is evident that these monsters are trying to drive
us into some secret place, and it is well known that they are in league
with Zog the Terrible, whom they serve because they are as wicked as he
is. We must be somewhere near the hidden castle of Zog, so I prefer to
stay here rather than be driven into some place far more dangerous. As
for the sea devils, they are powerless to injure us in any way. Not one
of those thousand arms about us can possibly touch our bodies."
Zip Version
Mother Goose in Prose
"Them also I know," said Mary eagerly, for she was glad her father
should find her so well acquainted with the field flowers; "there is
nothing prettier than the big white flowers of the cockle-shells. But
tell me, papa, what have the flowers to do with your coming home?"
Zip Version
The Patchwork Girl of Oz
Improved text, supersedes earlier version.
Zip Version
The Outdoor Girls in Army Service
"Will you write every day?" pleaded Allen, leaning close, and for
the moment these two were absolutely alone. "Letters are the next best
thing to having you with me, Betty. And if you stop writing, I give you
fair warning I'll come straight, home on the next train, furlough or no
furlough, to see what the matter is; and if I get shot at sunrise, so
much the better. Betty, will you promise me?" He said it pleadingly.
Zip Version
The Bobbsey Twins, or Merry Days
Indoors and Out
Freddie and Flossie were just the opposite of their larger brother
and sister. Each was short and stout, with a fair, round face,
light-blue eyes and fluffy golden hair. Sometimes Papa Bobbsey called
Flossie his little Fat Fairy, which always made her laugh. But Freddie
didn't want to be called a fairy, so his papa called him the Fat
Fireman, which pleased him very much, and made him rush around the
house shouting: "Fire! fire! Clear the track for Number Two!
Zip Version
The Outdoor Girls At Rainbow Lake
Subtitled: The Stirring Cruise of the Motor Boat Gem
Zip Version
The Outdoor Girls at Wild Rose
Lodge
Subtitled: or The Hermit of Moonlight Falls
Zip Version
The Bobbsey Twins at School
What a good time the little fellow had, standing beside a real
fireman, and helping throw real water on a real fire! Freddie never
forgot that. Of course the fire was almost out, and it was only one of
the small hose lines that the fireman let the little fellow help hold,
but, for all that, Freddie was very happy.
Zip Version
The Bobbsey Twins in the Country
"Just turn in there, John!" Harry directed, as a particularly thick
group of trees appeared. Here were chosen the picnic grounds and all
the things taken from the wagon, and before John was out of sight on
the return home the children had established their camp and were flying
about the woods like little fairies.
Zip Version
The Moving Picture Girls Under the
Palms
"I have chartered a small steamer," said the manager. "At first I
decided we could use a large motor boat, and make the trips back and
forth from the hotel each day, to get to the various places. But I find
that distances are longer than I calculated on, and it might be
inconvenient, at times, to come back to the hotel. So have engaged a
good-sized, flat-bottomed stern-wheeler, and we can spend several days
at a time on her if need be."
Zip Version
Bunny Brown and his Sister Sue--Laura
Lee Hope
"Oh, Bunny!" she exclaimed, "if Splash knew the way home he could
take us. Maybe he does. Mother read to us about a dog that found his
way home from a long way off. Splash, can you take us home?" she asked,
patting the big dog on the head.
Zip Version
The Story of a Lamb on Wheels--Laura Lee
Hope
The Lamb on Wheels was so frightened when the dog took her up in his
mouth that she did not know what to do. If she could, she would have
rolled away as fast as a toy railroad train, such a train as Arnold and
Dick played with. But the dog had the Lamb in his mouth before she knew
what was happening.
Zip Version
The Story of Calico Clown
But when the strings were pulled, one after another, and the arms
and legs and head of the funny fellow twisted and turned and jerked,
the two office boys and the typewriter girl laughed. And the Clown
himself was glad, for he felt that he was not broken.
Zip Version
The Bobbsey Twins on a Houseboat
"No, you are too small to go near gasoline motors," said his father.
"Besides, we are not going to use the engine. We'll just push the boat
along with poles from the bank. We're not going very far, but your
mother thought it would be nicer to spend the night in a more open
place."
Zip Version
The Bobbsey Twins in the Great West
When the two girls reached the place where they had left the two
boys, Bert was beginning to make a snow house and Freddie was rolling a
snowball as the start of a snow man. You know how they are made; a
small snowball for the man's head, and a larger one for his body, with
legs underneath. Freddie hoped Bert would help him when it came to the
big snowball part of it.
Zip Version
The Bobbsey Twins at Snow Lodge
"I heard from some of my brothers and sisters who had also gone away
from the farm, and one of my sisters, who had married a man named
Burdock, had become very poor. Her husband had died, and she was very
sick. I brought her to Snow Lodge to live with me, and her son, Harry,
a fine lad, came along.
Zip Version
The Bobbsey Twins at School
In spite of what Nan and Bert had said about Mrs. Bobbsey being very
busy, Flossie and Freddie looked anxiously in the direction of their
house as they walked along. But no sight of their mother greeted them.
They did see a friend, however, and this was none other than Snap,
their new dog, who, with many barks and wags of his fluffy tail, ran
out to meet his little masters and mistresses.
Zip Version
The Story of a Bold Tin Soldier
"Yes, I suppose you may say I have," admitted the Bold Tin Soldier.
"But though my men and I have a fine home with Arnold, still I get
lonesome for you toys once in a while. I have met the Sawdust Doll, the
White Rocking Horse, and the Lamb on Wheels. Now I am glad to meet you
all once more. And how is my friend the Candy Rabbit?" the Captain
asked, as he saw the long-eared chap standing near him.
Zip Version
The Story of a White Rocking Horse
And the White Horse himself, though he dared say nothing just then,
thought how glad he would be to have his broken leg mended. Some of the
splinters were sticking him, and though of course I do not mean to say
that a wooden horse has the same pain with a broken leg as a boy or
girl or a chicken or a rooster would have, still it is no fun.
Zip Version
The Bobbsey Twins at Meadow Brook
"You must not drink when you are too warm," advised Mr. Bobbsey.
"Wait until you cool off a bit. If you take cold water, or icy
lemonade, into your stomach after you are all heated up from running,
you may be made ill. Rest a while before you drink, is good advice."
Zip Version
The Bobbsey Twins at the Seashore
"Look out, Nan!" called Dorothy, suddenly, as Nan stood for a
moment fixing her belt. But the warning came too late, for the next
minute a wave picked Nan up and tossed her with such force against a
pier, that everybody thought she must be hurt. Mrs. Bobbsey was quite
frightened, and ran out on the beach, putting Freddie and Flossie at a
safe distance from the water, while she made her way to where Nan had
been tossed.
Zip Version
Jabberwocky
And, as in uffish thought he stood,/The Jabberwock, with eyes of
flame,/Came whiffling through the tulgey wood,/And burbled as it came!
Zip Version
The Hunting of the Snark
The Beaver, who happened to hear the remark,/Protested, with tears
in its eyes,/That not even the rapture of hunting the Snark/Could atone
for that dismal surprise!
Zip Version
Through the Looking-Glass
`I should see the garden far better,' said Alice to herself, `if I
could get to the top of that hill: and here's a path that leads
straight to it--at least, no, it doesn't do that--' (after going a few
yards along the path, and turning several sharp corners), `but I
suppose it will at last. But how curiously it twists! It's more like a
corkscrew than a path! Well, THIS turn goes to the hill, I suppose--no,
it doesn't!
Zip Version
Alice's Adventures
Underground
Early (shorter) version of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.
Zip Version
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland
`Curiouser and curiouser!' cried Alice (she was so much surprised,
that for the moment she quite forgot how to speak good English); `now
I'm opening out like the largest telescope that ever was! Good-bye,
feet!' (for when she looked down at her feet, they seemed to be almost
out of sight, they were getting so far off). `Oh, my poor little feet,
I wonder who will put on your shoes and stockings for you now, dears?
Zip Version
Sylvie and Bruno
This man held his hat in one hand and a little green flag in the
other: whenever he waved the flag the procession advanced a little
nearer, when he dipped it they sidled a little farther off, and
whenever he waved his hat they all raised a hoarse cheer. "Hoo-roah!"
they cried, carefully keeping time with the hat as it bobbed up and
down. "Hoo-roah! Noo! Consti! Tooshun! Less! Bread! More! Taxes!"
Zip Version
SYLVIE AND BRUNO CONCLUDED
"Hasna gotten it," he answered her, in a tone more sad than sullen.
"I hanna touched a drop this blessed day. No!" he cried aloud, bringing
his clenched fist heavily down upon the table, and looking up at her
with gleaming eyes, "nor I'll never touch another drop o' the cursed
drin -- till I di -- so help me God my Maker!" His voice, which had
suddenly risen to a hoarse shout, dropped again as suddenly: and once
more he bowed his head, and buried his face in his folded arms.
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Alice's Adventures in Wonderland
Improved text, supersedes earlier version.
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Phantasmagoria and Other Poems--Lewis
Carroll
Improved text, supersedes earlier version.
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Findelkind
When spring came, Findelkind sat by the edge of the bright pure
water among the flowering grasses, and felt his heart heavy. Findelkind
of Arlberg who was in heaven now must look down, he fancied, and think
him so stupid and so selfish, sitting there. The first Findelkind, a
few centuries before, had trotted down on his bare feet from his
mountain pass, and taken his little crook, and gone out boldly over all
the land on his pilgrimage
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Folle-Farine
The old serving woman, terrified in so far as her dull brutish
nature could be roused to fear, did what she knew, what she dared. She
raised the little wounded naked creature, and carried her to her own
pallet bed; restored her to consciousness by such rude means as she had
knowledge of, and staunched the flow of blood.
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Signa
It was not probable. He knew the touch of a dead thing, and she had
felt to him dead as any slaughtered sheep could be. But sometimes, in
the long lonely nights of autumn, when he sat watching his grapes, with
the gun against his knee, lest thieves should strip the vines, Bruno
would think of it, and say to himself--"If she were not really dead,
what was I?"
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The Nurnberg Stove
It was very dark in the closed truck, which had only a little window
above the door; and it was crowded, and had a strong smell in it from
the Russian hides and the hams that were in it. But August was not
frightened; he was close to Hirschvogel, and presently he meant to be
closer still; for he meant to do nothing less than get inside
Hirschvogel
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A Dog of Flanders--Ouida
No one knew it. He as little as any. No one knew it. Only indeed
Patrasche, who, being with him always, saw him draw with chalk upon the
stones any and every thing that grew or breathed, heard him on his
little bed of hay murmur all manner of timid, pathetic prayers to the
spirit of the great Master; watched his gaze darken and his face
radiate at the evening glow of sunset or the rosy rising of the dawn
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The Burgess Bird Book for Children
Lipperty-lipperty-lip scampered Peter Rabbit behind the tumble-down
stone wall along one side of the Old Orchard. It was early in the
morning, very early in the morning. In fact, jolly, bright Mr. Sun had
hardly begun his daily climb up in the blue, blue sky. It was nothing
unusual for Peter to see jolly Mr. Sun get up in the morning. --by
Thornton W. Burgess
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The Adventures of Paddy the Beaver
Paddy the Beaver knew perfectly well that he would have visitors
just as soon as he began to build his dam. He expected a lot of them.
You see he knew that none of them ever had seen a Beaver at work unless
perhaps it was Prickly Porky the Porcupine, who also had come down from
the North. So as he worked he kept his ears open--by Thornton W.
Burgess
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The Burgess Animal Book for Children
Peter Rabbit, on his way to school to Old Mother Nature, was trying
to make up his mind about which of his neighbors he would ask. He had
learned so many surprising things about his own family that he shrewdly
suspected many equally surprising things were to be learned about his
neighbors. But there were so many neighbors he couldn't decide which
one to ask about first.
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Old Mother West Wind
One morning when Mr. Sun was very, very bright and it was very, very
warm, down on the Green Meadows Reddy Fox came hopping and skipping
down the Lone Little Path that leads to the Laughing Brook. Hoppity,
skip, skippity hop! Reddy felt very much pleased with himself that
sunny morning. Pretty soon he saw Johnny Chuck sitting up very straight
close by the little house where he lives.
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The Adventures of Reddy Fox
Ol' Mistah Buzzard was right. Trouble was right at the heels of
Reddy Fox, although Reddy wouldn't have believed it if he had been
told. He had stolen that plump pet chicken of Farmer Brown's boy for no
reason under the sun but to show off. He wanted everyone to know how
bold he was. He thought himself so smart that he could do just exactly
what he pleased and no one could stop him.
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Lightfoot the Deer
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Whitefoot the Wood Mouse
The next time you meet him just ask Whitefoot if this isn't so.
Things had been going very wrong for Whitefoot. It had begun to look to
Whitefoot as if he would no longer have a snug, hidden little home in
Farmer Brown's sugar-house. The pile of wood under which he had made
that snug little home was disappearing so fast that it began to look as
if in a little while there would be no wood at all.
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Blacky the Crow
Farmer Brown's boy, up in the tree by the nest of Hooty the Owl in
the lonesome corner of the Green Forest, was fighting a battle. No, he
wasn't fighting with Hooty or Mrs. Hooty. He was fighting a battle
right inside himself. It was a battle between right and wrong. Once
upon a time he had taken great delight in collecting the eggs of birds,
in trying to see how many kinds he could get. Then as he had come to
know the little forest and meadow people better, he had seen that
taking the eggs of birds is very, very wrong, and he had stopped
stealing them. He bad declared that never again would he steal an egg
from a bird.
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Old Granny Fox
When he left home to go to the Old Pasture, in the hope that he
would be able to find something to eat there, he started off bravely.
It was cold, very cold indeed, but his fur coat kept him warm as long
as he was moving. The Green Meadows were glistening white with snow.
All the world, at least all that part of it with which Reddy was
acquainted, was white. It was beautiful, very beautiful, as millions of
sparkles flashed in the sun. But Reddy had no thought for beauty; the
only thought he had room for was to get something to put in the empty
stomachs of himself and Granny Fox.
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The Adventures of Jerry
Muskrat--Thornton W. Burgess
So Spotty the Turtle wasted no more time wishing that he could do
something it was never meant that he should do. Instead, he picked out
what looked like the easiest place to climb the bank and started up.
My, my, my, it was hard work! You see, he had to carry his house along
with him, for he has to carry that wherever he goes, and it would have
been hard enough to have climbed that bank without carrying anything.
Every time he had climbed up three steps he slipped back two steps, but
he kept at it, puffing and blowing, saying over and over to himself:
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Mrs. Peter Rabbit--Thornton W. Burgess
Peter Rabbit had lost his appetite. Now when Peter Rabbit loses his
appetite, something is very wrong indeed with him. Peter has boasted
that he can eat any time and all the time. In fact, the two things that
Peter thinks most about are his stomach and satisfying his curiosity,
and nearly all of the scrapes that Peter has gotten into have been
because of those two things.
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The Adventures of Johnny Chuck
Just then there was a sharp hiss, a very fierce hiss. Johnny Chuck
felt the hair on his neck rise as it always did when he heard that
hiss, and he wasn't at all surprised, when he turned his head, to find
Mr. Blacksnake close by. Mr. Blacksnake glided swiftly up to the old
log and coiled himself in front of the opening. Then he raised his head
and ran out his tongue in the most impudent way.
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The Adventures of Poor Mrs. Quack
But he didn't, and so when he thought he was safe, he stopped. Now
in flying away from the hunter he had followed the Laughing Brook where
it winds through a sort of swamp before it joins the Big River. Because
there was more water than could be kept between the banks of the Big
River, it had crept over the banks, and all the trees of the swamp were
standing in water. Just beyond where Sammy was sitting was a pile of
brush in the water. A Jolly Little Sunbeam, dancing down through the
tree tops, touched something under the edge of the brush, and Sammy's
sharp eyes caught a flash of green. Idly he watched it, and presently
it moved. Instantly Sammy was all curiosity. He flew over where he
could see better.
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Tom Swift Among The Fire Fighters
Only momentarily was Tom Swift halted in his progress toward the
scene of the blaze in the fireworks factory. To him, and to the chum
who sat beside him on the seat of the electric runabout, it appeared
that the blast had actually stopped the progress of the car. But
perhaps that was more their imagination than anything else, for the
machine swept on down the hill, at the foot of which was the
conflagration.
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Tom Swift in the Land of Wonders
"I'm not afraid of ordinary shadows," answered Ned, and in his voice
there was an uncertain tone. "I'm not afraid of my shadow or yours,
Tom, or anybody's that I can see. But this wasn't any human shadow. It
was as if a great big blob of wet darkness had been waved over your
head."
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Tom Swift And His Electric Locomotive
But the man who had robbed Tom and later tried to repay him for
playing what appeared to be a practical joke on the robber, did not
trouble the Swift premises with his presence before morning. Koku,
thrusting Eradicate Sampson aside and striding to his bedroom to report
this fact, was what awoke Tom at eight o'clock.
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Tom Swift And His Undersea Search
"Say, hold on there, Ned! Hold on! Where do you get that stuff; as
the boys say? Has something gone wrong with one of the adding machines,
or is it just on account of the heat? What's the big idea, anyhow? How
many millions did you say?" and Tom Swift, the talented young inventor,
looked at Ned Newton, his financial manager, with a quizzical smile.
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Tom Swift and His Air Scout
Any one who has taken a flight in an aeroplane or gone up in a
balloon, will know exactly how Mary Nestor felt on this, her first sky
ride of any distance. For a moment, as she looked over the side of the
machine, she had a distinct impression, not that she was going up, but
that some one had pulled the earth down from beneath her and, at the
same time, given her a shove off into space. Such is the first
sensation of going aloft.
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