That Dreadful Boy; An American Novel (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.1886 Excerpt: ... CHAPTER XLIX. TRIUMPH. Bessie was sitting quietly in her sewing-room one morning, reading aloud to her mother and Rosie, when she heard a quick step on the stair, and soon, before she could rise to do so, some one opened the door, some one tall and slender, with a fierce mustache and an empty coat-sleeve. With a wild, glad cry Bessie threw her arms about him, but she could not speak. "Oh, Dick, Dick, dear brother Dick, I am so glad " exclaimed Rosie; "but you never told us this." As she spoke the young girl touched the empty sleeve reverently, and Bessie pressed it to her lips. "It was not wise to mention it," said Dick, as he led his mother to a chair, and greeted Grandma Winthrop; "it might have made you unhappy, and father would be sure to suffer." "Your right one, too," said grandma, with a sigh. "Oh, it is all right now," said Dick, with his oldtime spirit. "I might have been here on leave, but I waited until things were in better shape out there. Two years since I left you, little mother." "Two centuries," said Mrs. Winthrop. "It has been a dreary time." "Well, we will make up for it now. This stump has at last healed, and, if nothing happens, grandma, I will soon sport a patent arm which will not hurt me if the red-skins cut and hack it. Don't I write fairly well for a left-hander? Thanks to you, little mother, who insisted on training both sides of my body; it was awkward at first, but now I do very well." Dick was sitting now where he had been so long ago after his adventure with the horses, and something in his tone and manner reminded Bessie of the poor little hands and the bleeding knees. The same spirit ruled the man. Grandma grieved over the missing arm, but Bessie rejoiced in her boy. He was hers still, maimed or suffering; hers all the more ...