Our Boys: Entertaining Stories by Popular Authors

In Short

Our Boys is a vintage anthology of short stories and poems aimed at nineteenth-century youth. It features a wide variety of contributors, including noted writers of the era, who weave together narratives about school life, historical dramas, and the wonders of the natural world. Whether recounting the exploits of a young boy during the American Revolution or describing the patient training of circus horses, the work emphasizes themes of industry, bravery, and childhood curiosity. It remains a charming window into the moral and recreational landscape of an earlier time.

The Story

The anthology opens with the lighthearted reflections of childhood, such as the story of young Sammie, who, eighty years before becoming a grandfather, whittled an arrow from a cat-tail rush to test his aim. This spirit of exploration continues through verses like that of the boy who, despite his vast academic knowledge, suffers from a singular, humorous inability to say "no." The collection shifts into more narrative-driven prose with the tale of Peter, a modest, hardworking boy whose kindness toward his crippled sister sets him apart from a spoiled prince during a competitive examination held by "Christmas Monks." While the prince runs away, Peter’s quiet virtue is rewarded by the discovery of a miracle—the healing of his sister.

The focus then turns to the rugged, practical world of American pioneers and miners. One story follows a young boy named Jim, who, after his father strikes gold, adopts the outward appearance of a "man" with a new red shirt and a secret pipe, eager to prove his worth in the mining camp. Parallel to this are tales of high-stakes bravery, such as the account of a young boy crossing a treacherous ice-jam on a flooded river to retrieve tools for his employer, or the tense, harrowing experience of children navigating a path past a coiled rattlesnake to keep their grandpapa from harm.

Historical drama also finds a place in the collection, exemplified by a story set during the American Revolution. Two children, Arthur and Dorothy, face a crisis when a British soldier captures Arthur and shoots their faithful dog, Cæsar, in a failed attempt to extract information about an American spy. Arthur’s stoic refusal to accept a bribe stands as a testament to his upbringing. The volume concludes with more whimsical musings, including the cautionary, fantastical tale of a boy named Teddy who, obsessed with a velocipede, rides it down a hill so fast he vanishes into the stars, becoming a permanent, speed-bound phantom in the night sky. Throughout these pages, the collection balances the mundane chores of daily life—like roasting pork or attending school—with moments of sudden, life-altering trial, always grounding the excitement in the recognizable emotions and simple desires of youth.

How It Unfolds

A whittled dream The collection opens with the small-scale ambitions of children, starting with Sammie’s handcrafted archery equipment. This sets a tone of resourceful play that persists through the subsequent verses.

Tests of character The narrative moves to formal settings, where children face examinations or social pressures. Whether it is the monk’s convent or the schoolroom, the focus remains on the visible contrast between vanity and genuine goodness.

Pioneer perils The scene shifts to the American frontier, where the dangers of nature—floods, ice, and wildlife—replace the social tests of the earlier chapters. Boys like Jim and the unnamed narrator of the ice-crossing demonstrate independence amidst harsh conditions.

Revolutionary stakes A significant shift occurs when the stories turn toward the American Revolution. The conflict moves from internal character tests to external threats, forcing children to choose between fear and their growing sense of duty.

Final flights of fancy The book concludes with a return to the imaginative, using poetry to elevate the everyday desires of children into mythic or humorous outcomes. It rounds out the experience by reminding the reader that even a simple tricycle ride can, in the mind of a child, become an epic, celestial adventure.

The People

Peter, the gentle, hardworking boy who cares for his crippled sister, represents the ideal of humble service; he is eventually recognized for his goodness rather than status. In contrast, the unnamed Prince acts as his foil, representing the pitfalls of arrogance and spoiled privilege. The "Captain," a former bear-trap builder turned ferryman, illustrates the value of hard work over unearned charity, becoming a mentor who refuses to give handouts but always provides a chance to earn one's way.

Young Arthur and his sister Dorothy navigate the dangers of the American Revolution with a blend of youthful innocence and emerging resolve. Arthur’s refusal to betray his country for a gold sovereign defines his transformation from a boy into a young hero. Meanwhile, characters like little Jim, who mimics the swagger of an "honest miner," show the endearing, often comical ways children attempt to step into adult roles before they are ready. Each figure serves as a lesson in virtue, demonstrating that bravery is rarely about strength alone, but often about persistence, quiet focus, and the ability to hold one’s ground when it matters most.

In Its Own Voice

"He knew well a quiet pool where he always paused a minute on his way to district school, just to see the waters cool and his own bright face within it."

Sammie finds a moment of quiet reflection during his daily walk before discovering the cat-tails he uses to craft his arrow.

"And when the snake had been killed, and papa for the hundredth time had folded his little boy in his arms and murmured, 'My brave boy! my dear, brave little boy!' Marland looked up in surprise."

Following a brush with a rattlesnake, the young protagonist learns that courage can be found in the simple act of keeping still and retreating from danger.

What It's Really About

The book functions as a meditation on the transition from childhood to adulthood. It argues that character is formed not by grand, public gestures, but by the accumulation of small, quiet choices: the willingness to work hard, the choice to be kind to a sibling, or the firmness to refuse a bribe. The stories consistently pose the question of what defines a "hero," ultimately siding with those who demonstrate patience, resilience, and a sense of responsibility. It is a collection that frames childhood as a training ground for the soul, where the lessons learned in the backyard or the schoolhouse are the same ones that will eventually serve the reader in the wider, more difficult world.

Why Read It Today

Readers who appreciate the earnest, moral clarity of classic children’s literature will find much to admire here. There is a distinct, rhythmic warmth to the prose, particularly in the poetry, which feels like a relic of a time when stories were meant to be read aloud by a fireside. However, a modern reader should be prepared for the period-specific attitudes, particularly regarding the depiction of historical figures and the idealized, sometimes rigid expectations placed upon children. The language is sophisticated and occasionally formal, reflecting the literary standards of the early twentieth century, which may feel slightly slower to those accustomed to modern, fast-paced fiction.

What stays with the reader is the sincerity of the collection. It does not treat children as mere observers, but as active participants in life’s dramas, whether they are navigating the dangers of a river or the complexities of a schoolyard hierarchy. It is a gentle, sentimental, and often surprisingly tense experience. For those looking to understand the values and reading habits of a bygone generation, or simply seeking a collection of stories that prioritize integrity and wonder over cynicism, this book offers a rewarding, contemplative journey.