Horacio; A Tale of Brazil (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1913 edition. Excerpt: ...owed its life to the public spirit of Sor Joao, who was a member of the distant Municipal Council. As Horacio drew rein before the fazenda-house the door emptied forth a group of men and a clear voice called across the dooryard, "Ah, colleague good day How have you passed?" Surprised at the salutation and yet half recognizing the owner of the vibrant voice as one of his schoolmates whom he would least care to see, he looked harder at the group and presently found his suspicions verified, as a tall lad of unusually pleasing appearance detached himself from them and sauntered nonchalantly toward him, "Ah, Horacio, an embrace " he murmured ere Sor Joao could cry, "Dismount Dismount " Horacio was obliged to return Alfredo's oppressively warm and friendly embrace before he could give his hand to Sor Joao and fumble for his letter of introduction. "So this is one of your colleagues, come to hear you preach, I hope, Sor Alfredo ' said the hospitable f azendeiro. ' Here just give me your horse's rein and go inside." The hand which held the letter of introduction let it slip back into his pocket and then dropped to his side. He glanced at Alfredo with a puzzled expression on his face. "Come inside," said the latter with a gravely patronizing air, as he drew his arm through his. Horacio followed his companion wonderingly and was presented to the group at the door--sons and nephews of the fazendeiro, a friendly colporter and the districtschool teacher, who was also an authority in literature, science and the arts by virtue of his once having taken six lessons in Algebra. Horacio piled his equipage in a corner and sat down upon a bench. ' So glad you came along, ' remarked Alfredo amiably as he dropped...