St. Nicholas, Vol. 13, No. 12, October 1886

In Short

This issue of St. Nicholas gathers a vibrant mix of mid-1880s literature and non-fiction for young readers. Its narrative centerpiece follows the resolution of a legal threat against a young heir to an English earldom, alongside short fiction depicting young boys working through misunderstandings on land and sea. Interspersed with these stories are natural history sketches of odd sea creatures and animal rivalries, a biographical account of President Washington's administration, an report on an industrial school exhibition, guidance on proper breathing, lively letters discussing baseball physics and Japanese wildlife, and challenging literary puzzles.

The Story

The volume opens with reflective verse yearning to unite spring and autumn blossoms, setting a seasonal tone before launching into the conclusion of Frances Hodgson Burnett’s serialized story. A sinister attempt by a scheming woman to strip little Lord Fauntleroy of his inheritance fails when her lies about her child's origin are unraveled by careful legal questioning from Mr. Havisham and corroborating letters from New York. Reinstated in his grand inheritance, the sweet-natured boy celebrates at an estate gathering. His genuine simplicity and kindness win over his once-bitter grandfather, the old Earl of Dorincourt, who finds himself transformed by his grandson’s gentle influence and begins to appreciate the boy's loving mother.

Shifting from aristocratic drama to real-world nature, the issue explores the wonders of the animal kingdom. Readers learn about the mother grebe, a bird that constructs a floating, water-tight raft nest made of grass and moss, which she paddles through marsh lanes using her webbed feet to protect her chicks from incoming tides. Another natural sketch highlights the sailor-fish of the Indian Ocean, whose massive ten-foot dorsal fin shines with iridescent hues and mimics a mysterious sail upon the quiet water. In the woods, a brief narrative frames the lethal conflict between the spry, mouse-eating weasel and the venomous, olive-brown adder, depicting their fierce struggle for dominance.

Human endeavors and history follow. A maritime story details Captain Fred's dilemma on a stranded yacht when his crew vanishes, forcing his family and guests into unexpected chores and awkward encounters ashore with local townspeople. Meanwhile, Horace E. Scudder presents an account of George Washington’s presidency, describing his grand inauguration processional and his intense, stormy grief upon learning that General St. Clair’s forces ignored his explicit warnings and suffered a devastating surprise attack by Native American warriors. Another featured article examines a massive industrial exhibition displaying over four thousand hand-made items by children—ranging from complex suspension bridge models to fine embroidery and Indian school craftwork—arguing that practical handiwork builds character and happiness.

The narrative threads close with the resolution of a local mystery involving young Percival Bucklin, who finds himself falsely accused of stealing a wet, stopped watch. After explaining how he uncovered the timepiece embedded in seaweed while gathering kelp, Perce cleared his name, returned the watch to its rightful owner, and received a brand-new Swiss watch as a reward for his integrity. The issue concludes with practical health advice on avoiding mouth-breathing, detailed correspondence from children analyzing the physical mechanics of pitching a curveball and observing Japanese caterpillars, and a collection of complex literary acrostics.

How It Unfolds

The inheritance restored legal inquiries expose the deceitful claims of the false Lady Fauntleroy, securing little Cedric's position as heir and delighting the reformed Earl.

Nature's strange architects Naturalists detail how grebe birds construct floating homes that adapt to rising tides and how gigantic sword-fish confuse sailors with sail-like fins.

A yachting predicament Captain Fred finds himself stranded without a crew, leaving his young guests to navigate local shore visits and domestic misadventures.

Washington's presidency tested The narrative recounts Washington's historic journey to his inauguration and his private anguish over General St. Clair's catastrophic military defeat.

Exhibiting young hands A reporter surveys thousands of student-made crafts, praising manual training schools for teaching youth that practical labor brings genuine joy.

Clearing a young name Percival Bucklin vindicates his character after being accused of theft, proving he merely salvaged a lost watch from maritime seaweed.

Letters, health, and games Young readers debate the scientific principles of curveball pitching, while editors offer guidance on deep breathing and solve seasonal word puzzles.

The People

• Little Lord Fauntleroy (Cedric) wants nothing more than to be kind and love those around him; untainted by grand wealth or social expectations, his unpretentious nature wins the devotion of tenants and melts the heart of his stern grandfather.
• The Earl of Dorincourt wants to maintain his noble pride and estate, but his longstanding cynicism stands in his way until he is softened by his grandson's genuine affection and his daughter-in-law's gentle character.
• Captain Fred seeks to keep his yachting trip on schedule, but the sudden absence of his hired crew leaves him reliant on his youthful guests to manage the vessel.
• President George Washington seeks to guide a young nation smoothly, but he must manage the heavy emotional toll of public leadership and military tragedy when his explicit instructions are ignored.
• Percival Bucklin wants to clear his reputation when caught with a damaged timepiece; despite looking guilty, his honesty and hard labor win out, earning him an unexpected reward.

In Its Own Voice

“She’s light as bird upon the wing, / Her cheeks and eyes are all aglow. / To me what gladness she could bring! / To her I should be strange, I know.”

The speaker in an autumn poem laments the fleeting nature of youth and the passage of time across seasons.

“It was really a very simple thing, after all,—it was only that he had lived near a kind and gentle heart, and had been taught to think kind thoughts always and to care for others.”

The narrator summarizes the true source of little Lord Fauntleroy's noble behavior and sweet disposition.

“To have kept his honor unsullied was a greater joy than the possession of many watches.”

Percival Bucklin finds peace of mind after successfully clearing his name from suspicions of theft.

What It's Really About

This periodical explores the moral and intellectual cultivation of young people in late nineteenth-century society. Beneath its mix of fiction, natural history, and biography, the volume argues that true nobility stems not from titles or wealth, but from a simple, unselfish heart and clean integrity. Stories like Little Lord Fauntleroy and the tale of Percival Bucklin stress that character is revealed through honest action and kindness toward others. Meanwhile, non-fiction pieces on child craftsmanship, proper breathing techniques, and natural history advocate for active, practical engagement with the world. The issue presents childhood as a vital period for building resilience, curiosity, and moral strength through both quiet reflection and purposeful work.

Why Read It Today

This publication offers a charming window into Victorian youth culture, combining high literary sentiment with everyday late-nineteenth-century curiosities. Modern readers will enjoy the cozy, nostalgic tone and the surprising breadth of topics—where classic serialized fiction sits comfortably beside debates over base-ball mechanics, descriptions of Japanese flora, and accounts of presidential history. The writing treats young audiences with respect, blending entertainment with practical instruction.

The reader should be prepared for period mannerisms, including moralizing commentary, occasional phonetic regional dialect, and dramatic narrative structures typical of nineteenth-century magazines. What remains compelling, however, is the genuine curiosity that drives every page. It is an ideal read for literary historians, lovers of classic children's fiction, or anyone wishing to experience the rich, multi-faceted media that entertained young minds generations ago.