Harper's Round Table, July 7, 1896

In Short

This periodical functions as a miscellany designed for the intellectual and moral development of youth. It weaves together episodic fiction—ranging from frontier struggles to the life of a young George Washington—with instructional columns, light humor, and advertisements for contemporary goods. By preserving the specific interests of 1896, it provides a vivid, textured record of how young readers were entertained and instructed at the close of the nineteenth century. It remains valuable today as an immersive artifact of a distinctively earnest and ambitious literary culture.

The Story

The contents span several distinct narrative threads, each occupying a different imaginative space. In the frontier setting, a young man named Jack Bishop is lost in the wilderness with his blue mustang, the "Outlaw." After suffering a severe, accidental gunshot wound and a broken leg, he faces the elements alone, sustained only by the presence of his horse, who remains a loyal companion in his distress.

Simultaneously, the reader follows a historical dramatization of the life of George Washington. This narrative traces his departure from his mother’s home, his travels to Mount Vernon, and his early, eager military aspirations. The prose emphasizes his composure and the rigid social conventions of the eighteenth-century Virginia gentry, framing his journey as both a physical trek and a maturation process.

Elsewhere, the tone shifts to modern industrial adventure in the story of Rick Dale and his friend Bonny Brooks. These boys engage in a series of clandestine maneuvers, including outwitting their guardians and stowaway travel, to reach San Francisco. Their journey culminates in a dramatic "flood of light" where Rick is reunited with his father, the millionaire Amos Todd. The arc concludes with the pair successfully transitioning into academic life at Harvard, having moved from the rough-and-tumble of the frontier to the refined circles of the university, where old acquaintances from their past lives unexpectedly resurface.

Interspersed with these tales is a darker historical account of the Earl of Essex. This narrative focuses on his imprisonment, his complex relationship with Queen Elizabeth I, and the tragic misunderstanding involving a ring that ultimately leads to his execution and the Queen’s subsequent, inconsolable grief. This serves as a stark moral counterpoint to the more optimistic trajectories of the youthful protagonists. The collection is rounded out by practical columns—ranging from the proper arrangement of garden borders to the technical merits of the "Columbia" bicycle—and playful riddles that challenge the reader's wits. Together, these disparate pieces create a comprehensive portrait of the era’s expectations for young people: to be adventurous, historically informed, physically active, and ethically observant.

How It Unfolds

The frontier trial A young man wanders the wilderness, lost and bewildered, until a tragic accident leaves him wounded and helpless against the elements. His only comfort is the steadfast, sympathetic presence of a horse he had previously treated with harshness.

The patriot’s departure A young George Washington sets out on a journey, marked by the solemnity of family prayer and the formal expectations of his status. The narrative highlights the contrasts between the heavy burden of duty and the simple joys of a letter home.

The runaway scheme In a more modern setting, two boys successfully evade their employers and authorities, navigating a web of train travel and secret arrangements. Their resourcefulness is rewarded when they finally secure a reunion with a wealthy, if stern, father figure.

The court tragedy The collection shifts focus to the historical fall of the Earl of Essex, detailing his long imprisonment and the fatal consequences of a withheld token of favor. The Queen’s descent into remorse underscores the gravity of court politics and personal betrayal.

The final integration The protagonists of the modern adventure complete their transformation from wanderers to successful scholars. Their reunion with past rivals on the baseball field serves as the final, harmonious resolution to their early struggles.

The People

Jack Bishop is a young man whose journey into the wilderness forces a sudden, poignant realization of his love for his family and a newfound appreciation for the animal he once mistreated. His helplessness during his injury highlights his vulnerability.

George Washington appears as an idealized youth, balancing filial piety with a clear, ambitious desire for military action. He is defined by his poise and his ability to navigate the social rituals of the Virginia gentry.

Rick Dale is a clever, impudent youth whose ingenuity in "tricking" his father earns him both a reprimand and, eventually, a place of pride. His companion, Bonny Brooks, serves as his loyal counterpart, moving from a humble background to the halls of a prestigious university through the mentorship of Amos Todd.

Amos Todd stands as the archetype of the self-made, stern but loving father. He holds the power to bestow wealth and opportunity, and his transformation from an obstacle to a benefactor completes the boys' social ascent.

Queen Elizabeth I is portrayed as a figure of immense power marred by personal vacillation and deep, haunting remorse. Her inability to reconcile her political authority with her personal affections serves as the psychological anchor for the historical segments.

In Its Own Voice

She reared violently, uttering a cry almost human in its indignant protest; then she wheeled about, and galloped away in the direction whence she had come.

This description follows the moment a harsh master strikes his horse, illustrating the animal's capacity for emotional reaction.

The blood, which he tried vainly to stanch with his free hand, oozed from the gun-shot wound, and formed a red puddle about his head.

This sentence captures the stark, physical reality of the protagonist's struggle after he accidentally shoots himself while lost in the wilderness.

The hand whose touch had made her pulses quicken, that never drew sword except for England's glory, was laid low; the brilliant nobleman--a headless corpse--was buried among criminals.

This passage summarizes the tragic irony of the Earl of Essex's execution, emphasizing the loss of a life that once held the Queen's favor.

What It's Really About

At its core, this collection examines the transition from childhood dependency to independent agency. Whether through the physical survival of a lost boy, the historical development of a founding father, or the social advancement of students, the work argues that character is forged through trial and error. It underscores the importance of loyalty—to family, to friends, and even to animals—while acknowledging that such bonds are often tested by pride, misunderstanding, or the harsh realities of the world. It poses questions about the nature of authority, the weight of historical memory, and the degree to which a young person's "impudent" risks can ultimately lead to a more secure and meaningful future.

Why Read It Today

Readers today will find this book a captivating time capsule. Those interested in the history of juvenile literature will appreciate the earnest tone, which assumes the reader is capable of engaging with complex vocabulary, historical tragedy, and advanced intellectual puzzles. The experience of reading it feels like a structured stroll through a Victorian drawing room—it is both enlightening and purposefully didactic.

However, the modern reader must be prepared for the specific attitudes of the 1890s. The casual use of racial slurs, the period-typical views on class, and the occasionally severe depictions of discipline reflect the social landscape of the time. These elements are presented without apology and serve as a reminder of the historical distance between that era and our own. Despite these challenges, the book rewards the reader with a glimpse into a vanished world that valued the combination of rugged adventure and moral refinement. The pacing—moving rapidly from a tragic execution in the Elizabethan court to a lighthearted column on flower-bed arrangements—creates a unique, frenetic energy that captures the broad, curious spirit of a youth culture on the cusp of the twentieth century.