Better Gutenberg
Free, beautifully formatted public-domain ebooks
‹Better GutenbergThe Boy SpyChapter XXXIII — Closing Chapter · 35 of 35Contents›

The Boy Spy

by Joseph Orton Kerbey

35 of 35 · Contents · Download EPUB

Chapter XXXIII Closing Chapter

We were all expecting another great battle at Hagerstown. I hung close to the headquarters in the stirring days, after Gettysburg, during which I witnessed some scenes that would make quite interesting reading. At this time there was frequent communication between the Washington War Department and Headquarters, the greater part of which, coming by wire, I had an opportunity of scanning.

In reading the recent Century war-papers, and also some of the official reports now being published, the thought oftenest occurring to my mind is, why don’t they publish everything, even the little straws, which significantly tell which way the wind was blowing at that time. We were in a manner besieged by the visitors who thronged about Headquarters, after Gettysburg, in a civil, inquisitive way that was very annoying to the officers.

General Meade has never received the full meed of praise to which he was entitled for his management of the Army of the Potomac during and in the days immediately following Gettysburg.

He was a peculiar man—in many ways, one not constituted to “command” attention. He was evidently conservative, and, perhaps, too cautious, but when one recalls that he had won a great victory, and in forcing a second battle, unprepared, he not only staked his hard-earned laurels, but he risked the army and the Capitol.

I happen to know that General Meade felt keenly President Lincoln’s severe criticism, though it was uttered in his usual, joking way. The General was an exceedingly sensitive man, and when he got to hear that the President compared him and his pursuit of Lee over the Potomac to an old woman shooing her geese over the river, he actually wanted to resign.

General Meade was every inch a soldier, as well as a gentleman, by birth and training.

In camp he was the most unpretentious looking of the General officers. His spectacled face, rather quiet, scholarly bearing, reminds me of professors or doctors whom we frequently see; they resemble him in appearance.

He always wore a slouch hat, and around his neck was invariably worn the old-fashioned leather stock, used in the Regular Army on recruits to keep their heads checked up.

He usually slept in an ambulance attached to Headquarters.

We learned that Lee had retreated the night before the impending battle, and early in the morning the cavalry were astir, in pursuit. I rode from Hagerstown to Williamsport, Md., with General Kilpatrick, following precisely the same road I had footed it when scouting, just before Bull Run. We passed through the deserted camps, in which the fires were still burning. The Rebels had so hurriedly left them that in many places their camp equipages were left behind.

Kilpatrick was mad. He was very mad—on seeing the enemy had all gotten away, and, putting spurs to his own horse, dashed ahead of his advance guard, and rode so recklessly that those of us not so well mounted had difficulty in keeping up.

He instinctively saw that there was no force in his immediate front, and, without paying any attention to the hundreds of Rebel stragglers who were on the road, he gave order to his command to hurry on to the river after him.

On reaching Williamsport, we made a little haul of stragglers, but Kilpatrick sat on his horse sideways, looking over the river into Virginia with an expression of disgust on his face that I shall never forget.

Some of the colored residents of the town told Kilpatrick of the enemy’s manner of retreat. Not a Rebel was in sight, but they also notified him of a Rebel battery that was slyly masked in the woods over the river, intended as a deadly ambuscade for any troop that should precipitately follow too close.

On hearing this, Kilpatrick quietly put a house between himself and the aforesaid masked battery. When our artillery came up with the cavalry, I was sent to conduct a section of it to a certain place behind the houses, but which admitted of the guns pointing between two adjoining houses.

The colored people who lived in them gave the gunners the exact location of the Rebels, and in less time than it takes for me to describe it, our section let them have a dose of the medicine they intended for us.

The Rebels were so surprised they did not have time to return the salute, but scampered away as fast as they could. At this, the entire colored population of the town, which had assembled, broke out in the wildest yells of delight I had ever heard.

Custer, accompanied by a few officers of his Staff dashed up to Kilpatrick, who, by the way, was the senior, or the General in Command, and in his eager, boyish way, said: “General, hadn’t I better go down below here and see if we can’t find some of ‘those people’?”

General Lee never called the Union Army Federals or Yankees—it was always “those people.”

Kilpatrick laughed as he said something to Custer that was not intended for his superior, General Meade’s ears.

Custer, in his nervous manner, again suggested going after some of “those people” down below.

As if to gratify Custer’s eagerness, not with any expectation of finding an enemy, Kilpatrick indifferently gave his consent, and Custer, turning to the Staff-officers, who were with him, gave a few orders and dashed off. I followed Custer at a gallop.

We rode three or four miles perhaps, when we reached some of our own cavalry and infantry.

This was in the neighborhood of Falling Waters, and here, on the Potomac river, almost the same place I had, as a Scout, crossed into Dixie a year previously. We will, for the present, say good-by to the grand old Army of the Potomac.

There was a little battle at Falling Waters, in which Custer’s Division participated.

I cannot part from Custer, however, without a heartfelt word of praise and devotion for the gallant “Boy General.” His Michigan troops were among the very best in our army. I hope some of the Western readers of this will see that I bear my humble testimony to the exalted opinion Custer had of them. It was the custom of the General to frequently discuss the relative merits of their troops, and Custer certainly did love his old Division.

On this occasion, one of Custer’s aides was a Michigan Officer, and in my hearing, while still on horseback, under fire, I heard Custer assure the officer that he had given Michigan full credit for certain work in his official report.

While straggling off from the headquarters during a skirmish with some Rebels upon a hill-top, I was surprised to see two good-looking young men in gray uniform come out of the woods and ride up to me. While in the midst of our army, it had never occurred to me that I was in any danger of capture, but, as I was still some distance from any of our troops, these two rebel chaps had me sure. Both were armed and well mounted, while I was, at the time, dismounted. To my great relief, however, they surrendered to me, stating that they were tired of the war, and did not want to go back to Virginia, so they had concealed themselves in the woods until an opportunity offered of surrendering. I welcomed them cordially to the North. One fellow at once handed me his pistol, belt and saber, which are to-day in my possession as trophies of war. The pistol contains yet the five loads that were put in it by the Rebel soldier. As my horse had been struck in the leg by a spent ball while on South Mountain, and was lamed from the bruise, I also traded horses with the Rebel.

And now we will again say a reluctant good-by to the Army of the Potomac.

So it came to pass that I returned to the very same grounds on which we had first visited the Army of Patterson, previous to Bull Run. We are again on the Potomac, nearly at the same point we had started from two years previously.

Obtaining a furlough from the ever-accommodating General Alexander, Chief of Staff at Cavalry Corps Headquarters, I turned my horse’s head North and, instead of following the Army back into Virginia, I rode my Rebel horse, as the “solitary horseman,” dressed in my war clothes and wearing my captured saber and pistol, through Chambersburg to the little hamlet where I was born, where I enjoyed a few days’ rest with a sister, who was attending school at Chambersburg, and who had witnessed the Rebel Army’s occupation of the place. Her story would make an interesting chapter in this connection, but we are off duty now enjoying the furlough and must hurry home.

In the few days that immediately followed, I rode, solitary and alone, along the old pike, over the Blue Ridge Mountains to Bedford, Pennsylvania, and from there debouched across the mountain by an almost unfrequented path to my father’s home at Wilmore near Cresson, where I surprised the homefolks by dashing up to the door about supper time, one summer evening, wearing the uniform that I had taken away from there less than a year previously. It had, however, received its baptism of fire at Gettysburg and all along the line.

The old Rebel horse remained on my father’s farm for many years.

The story from this out must be told at another time. The wonderfully thrilling and romantic story of Geno and the Wells family—which represents the “other side”—will make a volume of romance in real life that is indeed stranger than fiction, and exceeds my own adventures in our lines.

“The story of our love is incomplete;”
The leaves of many years are missing;
Lonely apart we pined, each seeking truth
Together, we will find love’s land enchanted.

The past is flown, the future still have we;
So let our twin souls blend beyond the ages,
Till young and fair, beside the Jasper Sea,
We may discover all love’s torn out pages.

One word of retrospect. As will be remembered, I was ambitious to secure a commission from the War Department. I had worked zealously and faithfully for it. My trials and troubles with the War Office have been told here. It had resulted in my being disappointed for many days. Yet, at the time of which I am writing, while I was serving as an enlisted man, drawing my rations and pay as such, I was in fact an officer and did not know it, and only learned it some months afterward. This anomaly was brought about after Gettysburg by Mr. Lincoln, who, on learning of my former services, ordered my commission ante-dated one year. So that, when I got my parchment at last, I found that I ranked some of the older officers in seniority.

As I have furnished other references to establish the correctness of my statements, I take especial pride in putting before the readers the following correspondence.

I lost my original parchment while traveling in California in 1884. General Stoneman, then Governor, to whom I wrote about my loss, kindly interested himself in assisting me in my search for it, but, not finding it, I applied to the War Department for a certified copy. The following is the reply, which explains itself:

[2677 A. V. P., 1885.]

War Department,
Adjutant-General’s Office,
Washington, April 29, 1885.

Mr. —— ——,

Sir: Complying with your request of the 27th instant, I inclose herewith copies of your commission as Second Lieutenant, Signal Corps, and of letter of June 12, 1865, from this office, notifying you of the acceptance of your resignation as such, to date June 9, 1865.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

C. McKeever,

Assistant Adjutant-General, in charge.

(Two inclosures.)

As will be seen in the copy, I did not resign until after the war was over.

The original was on parchment, with Mr. Lincoln’s and Mr. Stanton’s autograph signatures.

THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

To all who shall see these presents, greeting:

Know ye, That, reposing special trust and confidence in the patriotism, valor, fidelity and abilities of J. O. Kerbey, I have nominated, and, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, do appoint him Second Lieutenant in the Signal Corps, in the service of the United States, to rank as such from the third day of March, eighteen hundred and sixty-three. He is, therefore, carefully and diligently to discharge the duty of Second Lieutenant by doing and performing all manner of things pertaining and thereunto belonging. And I do strictly charge and require all officers and soldiers under his command to be obedient to his orders as Second Lieutenant. And he is to observe and follow such orders and directions, from time to time, as he shall receive from me, or the future President of the United States of America, or the General, or other superior officers set over him, according to the rules and discipline of war. This commission is to continue in force during the pleasure of the President of the United States for the time being.

[Seal.] Given under my hand, at the City of Washington, this fifteenth day of July, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-four, and in the eighty-ninth year of the independence of the United States.

By the President. Abraham Lincoln.

Edwin M. Stanton, Secretary of War.

I especially call attention to the dates of these papers.

I would like to put in parallel columns Mr. Stanton’s order for arrest or confinement in Old Capitol, and his parole, wherein the words, “dangerous man, disloyal, Rebel spy,” etc., were used.

The above copy of the original commission is furnished to the person named therein, the original commission having been destroyed or irrecoverably lost. This commission is not now effective, having expired previous to this date.

C. McKeever,
Assistant Adjutant-General.


War Department, Adjutant-General’s Office,
April 29, 1885.
COPY OF MY BREVET COMMISSION.

Office of Chief Signal Officer,,
Washington, D. C., January, 1865.

Sir: I am directed to inform you that the Chief Signal Officer desires to send to the General of the Army your recommendation for brevet. You are requested, therefore, to forward to this office copies of any papers bearing upon your services which may be in your possession.

It is the object of the Chief Signal Officer to secure whatever material may influence to favorable action in the case.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Richard P. Strong,
Acting Chief Signal Officer.

This accounts for my “Captain-Major’s” title. Promotions in this branch were rare—indeed, there were none; but I enjoyed, as a General Staff-officer, all the privileges and none of the responsibilities of the rank of a Major-General.

As I have indicated, I stayed till it was over, and would do it again.

As the reader will have seen, the work of a Spy is at all times unpleasant, exceedingly dangerous as well as thankless.

It is, however, a necessary service in war. There is with some minds a vague impression that this secret service necessarily implies deceit and treachery. This is so only in the same sense that the strategy so often applied by the General is treachery.

Strategy is an artifice of war that is considered honorable, and is practiced by all the nations, yet it is seldom, if ever, applied without resorting to deceit and treachery. Therefore a Spy may be as honorable as the General, who profits by his work. Often the victories of the Generals are made possible by the preliminary information obtained of the enemy’s force and movements, yet the official reports of the victorious Generals give the despised Spy no credit.

It is the motive which should give character to any service. With me there was no mercenary consideration, and, as will be seen, the service became in a manner almost involuntary.

I was simply willing to sacrifice myself that I might accomplish some good for the cause.

After the lapse of so many years, there has recently been unveiled in Hartford, Connecticut, a monument to the memory of Nathan Hale, who was a Spy of the Revolutionary War, captured and executed on his first attempt to work in the enemy’s lines. Upon this tablet are these words:

Stranger, beneath this stone
Lies the dust of a
A Spy
Who perished upon the gibbet;
Yet
The storied marbles of the great,
The shrines of heroes,
Entombed not one more worthy of
Honor
Than him who here
Sleeps his last sleep.

Nations
Bow with reverence before the dust
Of him who dies
A glorious death,
Urged on by the sound of the
Trumpet
And the shouts of
Admiring thousands.
But what reverence, what honor,
Is not due to one
Who for his country encountered
Even an infamous death,
Soothed by no sympathy,
Animated by no praise!

I would, as a last word, again say that my efforts as a Spy during the Rebellion were prompted solely by a disinterested patriotism and a single desire to do some good for the country.

When my time is up, and I am mustered out, I ask of my comrades, of the Grand Army of the Republic, not a monument, but a simple head-stone to a “Low green tent” with the bivouac of unknown at Arlington, marked—

The New Alpine Edition

160 Titles

Library Style Gilt Top

This series comprises 160 of the most popular and standard works by the world’s best authors, such as: Barrie, Bunyan, Hall Caine, Cooper, Corelli, Curtis, Dickens, Doyle, Dumas, Eliot, Hawthorne, Henty, Holmes, Hugo, Irving, Kipling, Longfellow, Poe, Scott, Sienkiewicz, Thackeray, Jules Verne, Whittier, and embraces every department of science, art, literature, philosophy, history and fiction. They are printed from large, new clear type on a superior quality of laid paper, and substantially bound in Bedford ribbed silk cloth. Title stamped on back in genuine gold and original designs stamped on the side and back in inks, with hand-burnished gilt top—library style; Size 5 × 7-1/2.

Price 75 Cents Per Volume.


T. S. ARTHUR

125 Ten Nights in a Bar Room

BALZAC

152 Wild Ass’s Skin

J. M. BARRIE

149 When a Man’s Single
153 Window in Thrums

R. D. BLACKMORE

75 Lorna Doone

CHARLOTTE BRONTE

65 Jane Eyre

BULWER-LYTTON

4 Alice
44 Ernest Maltravers
71 Last Days of Pompeii

JOHN BUNYAN

57 Holy War
100 Pilgrim’s Progress

HALL CAINE

17 Bondman, The
27 Deemster, The

MARIE CALM

12 Bella’s Blue Book

ROSA N. CAREY

81 Mary St. John
90 Not Like Other Girls
147 Wee Wifie
158 Wooed and Married

RALPH CONNOR

15 Black Rock

J. FENIMORE COOPER

28 Deerslayer, The
72 Last of the Mohicans
95 Pathfinder, The
99 Pilot, The
101 Pioneers, The
105 Prairie, The
120 Spy, The
138 Two Admirals
146 Water Witch
154 Wing and Wing

MARIE CORELLI

7 Ardath
111 Romance of Two Worlds
128 Thelma
142 Vendetta
160 Wormwood

MARIA CUMMINS

70 Lamplighter, The

GEO. W. CURTIS

107 Prue and I

CHARLES DICKENS

16 Bleak House
22 Child’s History of England
23 Christmas Stories
26 David Copperfield
29 Dombey and Son
51 Great Expectations
80 Martin Chuzzlewit
89 Nicholas Nickleby
91 Old Curiosity Shop
93 Oliver Twist
94 Our Mutual Friend
97 Pickwick Papers
122 Tale of Two Cities

A. CONAN DOYLE

150 White Company, A

J. H. DRUMMOND

34 Addresses
88 Natural Law in the Spiritual World

ALEXANDER DUMAS

24 Count of Monte Cristo, The
37 Edmund Dantes
76 Louise de la Valliere
79 Man in the Iron Mask, The
119 Son of Porthos
129 Three Guardsmen, The
137 Twenty Years After
145 Viscount De Bragelonne

GEORGE EBERS

39 Egyptian Princess, An
139 Uarda

GEORGE ELIOT

1 Adam Bede
25 Daniel Deronda
45 Felix Holt
84 Middlemarch
85 Mill on the Floss
112 Romola
117 Silas Marner

JESSIE FOTHERGILL

46 First Violin, The

GOLDSMITH AND JOHNSON

143 Vicar of Wakefield, and Rasselas

P. G. HAMERTON

63 Intellectual Life

NATHANIEL HAWTHORNE

114 Scarlet Letter

W. HEIMBURG

48 Gertrude’s Marriage
86 Misjudged

G. A. HENTY

155 With Lee in Virginia
156 With Wolfe in Canada

MARIETTA HOLLY

113 Samantha at Saratoga

MARY J. HOLMES

32 Dora Deane
41 English Orphans
69 Homestead on the Hillside
73 Lena Rivers
78 Maggie Miller
82 Meadowbrook Farm
123 Tempest and Sunshine

OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES

8 Autocrat of the Breakfast Table

THOMAS HUGHES

132 Tom Brown’s School Days
133 Tom Brown at Oxford

VICTOR HUGO

18 By Order of the King

REV. J. H. INGRAHAM

98 Pillar of Fire
106 Prince of the House of David
131 Throne of David

WASHINGTON IRVING

3 Alhambra, The
68 Knickerbocker’s History of N.Y.
118 Sketch Book

JEROME K. JEROME

127 Three Men In a Boat

CHARLES KINGSLEY

60 Hyputia

RUDYARD KIPLING

11 Barrack Room Ballads

H. W. LONGFELLOW

74 Longfellow’s Poems

SIR JOHN LUBBOCK

102 Pleasures of Life

EDNA LYALL

30 Donovan
64 Hardy Norseman, A
62 In the Golden Days
69 Knight Errant
148 We Two
157 Won by Waiting

E. MARLITT

10 Bailiff’s Maid
49 Gold Elsie
92 Old Mam’selle’s Secret

IK MARVEL (D. G. Mitchell)

33 Dream Life
109 Reveries of a Bachelor

OWEN MEREDITH

77 Lucile

MISCELLANEOUS

2 Aesop’s Fables
5 Andersen’s Fairy Tales
6 Arabian Knight’s Entertainments
9 Bacon’s Essays
31 Don Quixote—Cervantes
40 Elizabeth and Her German Gardener
42 English Woman’s Love Letters
43 Epictetus, Discourses of
50 Golden Butterfly, Besant and Rice
52 Grimm’s Fairy Tales
53 Gulliver’s Travels
103 Plutarch’s Lives
110 Robinson Crusoe—De Foe
121 Swiss Family Robinson—Wyss
159 Wood’s Natural History

MISS MULOCK

66 John Halifax

FRANCIS PARKMAN

19 California and the Oregon Trail

EDGAR ALLAN POE

104 Poe’s Tales

JANE PORTER

115 Scottish Chiefs
126 Thaddeus of Warsaw

R. M. ROCHE

21 Children of the Abbey

SIR WALTER SCOTT

55 Heart of Midlothian
64 Ivanhoe
67 Kenilworth

ANNA SEWALL

14 Black Beauty

HENRYK SIENKIEWICZ

108 Quo Vadis

SAMUEL SMILES

20 Character
35 Duty
116 Self Help
130 Thrift

HERBERT SPENCER

38 Education

ST. PIERRE

96 Paul and Virginia

ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON

135 Treasure Island

HARRIET BEECHER STOWE

140 Uncle Tom’s Cabin

BAYARD TAYLOR

144 Views Afoot

JEREMY TAYLOR

58 Holy Living

ALFRED TENNYSON

124 Tennyson’s Poems

WM. MAKEPEACE THACKERAY

56 Henry Esmond
141 Vanity Fair

JULES VERNE

47 Floating Island
83 Michael Strogoff
87 Mysterious Island, The
134 Tour of the World in 80 Days
136 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea

JOHN G. WHITTIER

151 Whittier’s Poems

AUGUSTA EVANS-WILSON

13 Beulah
61 Inez

MRS. HENRY WOOD

36 East Lynn


“HARKAWAY” SERIES
OF BOOKS FOR BOYS

By Bracebridge Hemyng

No more Readable Books for the Young have ever been printed than these Fifteen Volumes

Bound in Linen Cloth, Back and Side Stamped in Ink

Price 75 Cents per copy

1 Jack Harkaway’s School Days
2 Jack Harkaway After School Days
3 Jack Harkaway Afloat and Ashore
4 Jack Harkaway at Oxford, Part I
5 Jack Harkaway at Oxford, Part II
6 Jack Harkaway Among the Brigands, Part I
7 Jack Harkaway Among the Brigands, Part II
8 Jack Harkaway’s Adventures Around the World
9 Jack Harkaway in America and Cuba
10 Jack Harkaway’s Adventures in China
11 Jack Harkaway’s Adventures in Greece, Part I
12 Jack Harkaway’s Adventures in Greece, Part II
13 Jack Harkaway’s Adventures in Australia
14 Jack Harkaway and His Boy Tinker, Part I
15 Jack Harkaway and His Boy Tinker, Part II

M. A. Donohue & Co.,
407-429 Dearborn Street
Chicago


Webster’s Handy American Dictionary.

Price, 25 Cents.

DONOHUE’S WEBSTER’S SCHOOL DICTIONARY
AND AMERICAN PICTORIAL HANDY LEXICON OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE.

Revised, enlarged and corrected to date by Charles Walter Brown, A.M. Over 50,000 words, 300 illustrations. The latest and best dictionary for the price published. Nearly 400 pages. Full cloth.

Price, 35 Cents.

Popular American Dictionary of the English Language.

Illustrated and compiled on the basis of Webster, Worcester, Johnson and the most eminent English and American authorities. Containing over thirty-two thousand words with accurate definitions, proper spelling and exact pronunciation, and contains a special department of Law, Banks and Banking. Complete descriptive Dictionary and Encyclopedia, including Mercantile Law, Constitution of the United States, etc.; 544 pages, 12mo; over 500 illustrations; bound in cloth, stamped in ink.

Price, 75 Cents.

DONOHUE’S WEBSTER’S FAVORITE DICTIONARY
OF VALUABLE INFORMATION AND POPULAR BUSINESS GUIDE.

Comprising all Business, Musical and Classical Terms, Abbreviations; Nicknames of Cities and States; Church, Agricultural and Vital Statistics; Synonyms, Words and Phrases, Federal Constitution, Mercantile Law, Interest Tables, etc., etc., together with an up-to-date Biographical Dictionary of distinguished persons, with notes of their works, inventions or achievements. Revised from the more comprehensive work of Noah Webster, LL. D. 12mo. Near 300 large pages.

Price, 50 Cents.


For sale by all Book and Newsdealers, or will send to any address in the United States, Canada or Mexico, postage prepaid, on receipt of price, in currency, money order or stamps.

M. A. DONOHUE & CO.
407-429 Dearborn St. CHICAGO


SPEAKERS, DIALOGUES AND PLAYS

Ideal and Model Series of Speakers

Embracing the Best Select Readings and Recitations

Including the heroic, pathetic, dramatic, oratorical, patriotic, etc. Each book contains 96 pages, printed from new plates on a superior quality of paper and bound in chaste and appropriate covers. The series is the largest and best ever published to retail at the price. The selections embrace a great many copyrighted pieces not found in any other work, as well as declamations and dialogues adapted for all ages.

Price, 10c. each

IDEAL SPEAKERS

1 Selected Readings and Recitations
2 Select Readings and Recitations for Young People
3 Select Readings and Recitations for Little Children
4 Select Readings and Recitations for Christmas
5 Select Readings and Recitations Humorous and Dialect
6 Select Readings and Recitations Comic
7 Select Dialogues for Little Children
8 Selected Readings and Recitations
9 Select Readings and Recitations for Young People
10 Select Readings and Recitations for all the year around
11 Select Dialogues for Young People
12 Select Readings and Recitations
13 Select Readings and Recitations
14 Children’s Select Readings and Recitations
15 Children’s Select Dialogues
16 Select Recitations

MODEL SPEAKERS

1 Select Readings and Recitations
2 Select Readings for Young People
3 Select Recitations for Young People
4 Select Recitations for Little Children
5 Select Readings and Recitations for Young People
6 Select Readings and Recitations
7 Comic Recitations
8 Select Dialogues
9 Select Readings for all the year around
10 Select Recitations and Readings for all the year around
11 Select Recitations for Young People
12 Select dialogues for Young People
13 Select Dialogues for Young People
14 Select Recitations for Young People


PATRIOTIC RECITATIONS AND READINGS

Compiled by Charles Walter Brown, A. M.

This is the choicest, newest and most complete collection of Patriotic recitations published, and includes all of the best known selections, together with the best utterances of many eminent statesmen. Selections for Decoration Day, Fourth of July, Washington’s, Grant’s and Lincoln’s Birthdays, Arbor Day, Labor Day, and all other Patriotic occasions. There are few more enjoyable forms of amusement than entertainments and exhibitions, and there is scarcely anything more difficult to procure than new and meritorious material appropriate for such occasions. This book is designed to fill the want.

Handsomely bound in Paper Covers, 25 Cents
Cloth, 50 Cents


COMPLETE GUIDE TO DANCING

Ball Room Etiquette and Quadrille Call Book

Containing all the new and modern square dances and tabulated forms for the guidance of the leader or others in calling them. Full and complete directions for performing every known square dance, such as Plain Quadrilles, Polka Quadrilles, Prairie Queen, Varieties Quadrille, Francaise, Dixie Figure, Girl I Left Behind Me, Old Dan Tucker, Money Musk, Waltz Lanciers, Military Lanciers, Columbian Lanciers, Oakland Minuet, Waltz Quadrilles, etc. The “German” introduces over One Hundred of the newest and most popular Figures, fully described, and conveniently grouped for ready reference. Every information in regard to the service of Ball Room Etiquette, duties of Leaders and general instruction is fully and clearly given.

Handsomely bound in Paper Covers, 25 Cents
Cloth, 50 Cents


For sale by all book and newsdealers, or sent to any address in the United States, Canada or Mexico, postage paid, on receipt of price, in currency, money order or stamps.

M. A. DONOHUE & CO.
407-429 Dearborn St.,
CHICAGO.


NATURAL HISTORY STORIES.

We have included in this series a carefully selected number of books that will fascinate and interest, as well as instruct, old and young alike. The books are printed from large, clear type; are profusely illustrated and are bound in a substantial and attractive manner in Cloth, artistically stamped in Inks from Unique Dies.

History of Animals, Their Varieties and Oddities.

Comprising graphic descriptions of nearly all known species of beasts and reptiles the world over, illustrating their varied habits, mode of life and distinguishing peculiarities, by means of delightful anecdotes and spirited engravings, by the Rev. W. Bingley, A. M. Containing 586 pages of large, clear type, and over 500 illustrations; bound in Cloth; stamped in Inks from unique dies.

History of Birds.

Containing their varieties and habits, and comprising sketches of every known species of birds in all climes; illustrating their use, value and culture, by the Rev. W. Bingley, A. M. Containing 500 pages of clear type text and nearly 500 illustrations, made especially for this work; bound in Cloth and stamped in Inks from unique dies. Large 12mo, 6-1/2 × 9 inches.

History of the Sea.

Comprising a complete description of all the varieties of the finny inhabitants of the sea, showing their mode of life, and illustrating their habits and usefulness, by Rev. W. Bingley, A. M. Containing over 500 pages of large, clear type, and nearly 500 illustrations; bound in Cloth; stamped in Inks from unique dies.


For sale by all Book and News Dealers, or will be sent to any address in the United States, Canada or Mexico, postage paid, on receipt of price, in currency, money order or stamps.

M. A. Donohue & Co.
407-429 DEARBORN ST.
CHICAGO


HOW TO BECOME RICH

A TREATISE ON

PHRENOLOGY

A Choice of Professions and Matrimony: A Self-Instructor

By Prof. William Windsor, Ph. D.

Fully Illustrated

Every young man and woman of reasonable intelligence is, or ought to be, possessed of a laudable ambition to be self-sustaining. To win a competency, to secure the necessities, to have even the luxuries of life, is perfectly praiseworthy, provided they are obtained in a legitimate manner. Every rational man seeks the occupation, trade or profession which ensures the profitable employment of his best talents, and the science which discloses to the youth at the beginning of his education what those talents are and how they may be developed to perfection in early manhood, confers upon him the greatest favor within the gift or knowledge, from a financial standpoint. That a knowledge of Phrenology does this, and more, this book proves beyond all question.

Paper, 184 pages. Price, 25 cents.


FACIOLOGY

Or, The Science of Character: A Self-Instructor

By L. B. Stevens, LL. B.

95 Illustrations

“Faciology” opens up an old, familiar and picturesque field of observation in a new and scientific light; it gives one a mortgage on man, a quasi-ownership in every creature and individual that comes within our range of contemplation; this science stimulates our observation and augments our reason; it teaches us to interrogate the causes and meaning of human actions, intensifies our interest in humanity, and fills the heart with a higher and more ardent devotion to philanthropy.

Paper, 208 pages. Price, 25 cents.


For sale by all Book and Newsdealers, or will send to any address in the United States, Canada or Mexico, postage prepaid, on receipt of price, in currency, money order or stamps.

M. A. DONOHUE & CO.
407-429 Dearborn Street CHICAGO


Lives of Famous Men

Edited by Charles Walter Brown, A. M.

In this series of historical and biographical works the publishers have included only such books as will interest and instruct the youth of both sexes. A copy should be in every public school and private library. Special discount made when entire set is ordered. They are printed from large, clear type on an excellent quality of paper and substantially and attractively bound in cloth, stamped in inks and gold from original designs. Each book is fully illustrated. Price, $1.00 per copy, postpaid.

LIFE OF GEORGE WASHINGTON.

LIFE OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN.

LIFE OF U. S. GRANT.

LIFE OF WILLIAM McKINLEY.

LIFE OF THEODORE ROOSEVELT.

LIFE OF HENRY M. STANLEY.

LIFE OF JOHN PAUL JONES.

LIFE OF ETHAN ALLEN.

LIFE OF W. T. SHERMAN.

LIFE OF P. T. BARNUM.

LIFE OF T. DEWITT TALMAGE.

By Charles Francis Adams. Cloth, nearly 500 pages.

LIFE OF D. L. MOODY.

M. A. DONOHUE & CO.
407-429 Dearborn St.,
CHICAGO.


FORTUNE TELLING, MAGIC, TABLEAUX, PANTOMIMES, PLAYS, SPEAKERS, ETC.

Twentieth Century Wonder Book

By WM. C. HUNTER

A storehouse of wonderful things for the entertainment, instruction, information and amusement of the home circle. A book for everybody; embracing riddles, conundrums and autograph album mottoes, lessons in parlor magic, interesting parlor games, clairvoyant, the language of flowers, chemical experiments, tableau, pantomimes and true interpretation of dreams, prognostications by cards explaining all cards and how to define them, charms, charades, how to delineate character, signs, omens, fortune telling, etc., etc. The most wonderful book ever compiled.

Bound in Cloth, 50c.
Bound in Paper, 25c.


Dearborn Speaker

Embracing original and select readings, recitations, declamations and dialogues, with introductory observations of eminent elocutionists and dramatists on the study and practice of elocution. Printed from new plates, substantially bound, with title stamped in gold.

Price 75c.


Tommy’s First Speaker

Containing selections for boys and girls that are simple, serious, quaint and pleasant and so short that they can be easily memorized. Over 300 selections, bound in art vellum cloth, titles stamped on the front cover.

Price, 50c.

Tommy’s Second Speaker

Comprising selections for boys and girls of a more advanced age than those for whom Tommy’s First Speaker was written. Over 200 selections, bound in art vellum cloth, title stamped on front cover in ink from ornamental design.

Price, 50c.


Famous Books
FOR BOYS

These are new and superior editions of these famous authors’ books for boys. They are printed from new plates on an excellent quality of paper while many are profusely illustrated. Each book is sewed, thus making a flexible back, so that it opens easily, making its reading a pleasure and a comfort. The covers are printed in two colors from appropriate designs on a heavy coated enameled paper in assorted colors.

From the Modern Authors’ Library

By G. A. Henty

260 Boy Knight, A
271 Cornet of Horse
280 Facing Death
285 Final Reckoning
295 In Freedom’s Cause
296 In Times of Peril
297 In the Reign of Terror
299 Jack Archer
317 One of the 28th
318 Orange and Green
319 Out on the Pampas
337 True to the Old Flag
349 Under Drake’s Flag
348 With Lee in Virginia

By J. Fenimore Cooper

170 Last of the Mohicans, The
178 Pathfinder, The
179 Pioneers, The
180 Prairie, The
187 Spy, The
254 Deerslayer

By Victor Hugo

36 By Order of the King
272 Cosette
283 Fantine
106 Hans of Iceland
37 History of a Crime
300 Jean Valjean
308 Marius
38 Ninety-Three
39 Notre Dame de Paris
331 St. Denis
40 Toilers of the Sea

By Emile Gaboriau

284 File No. 113—
287 Gilded Clique
108 Lecoq, the Detective
199 Lerouge Case, The
312 Mystery of Orcival

By Jules Verne

245 Michael Strogoff
219 Mysterious Island
189 Tour of the World in 80 Days
121 Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea

By H. Rider Haggard

153 Allan Quartermain
228 Allan’s Wife
160 Cleopatra
100 Jess
167 King Solomon’s Mines
112 Miawa’s Revenge
244 Mr. Meeson’s Will
186 She

M. A. DONOHUE & CO.
407-429 Dearborn St., CHICAGO


Comic Readings and Recitations

Compiled by CHARLES WALTER BROWN, A. M.

Few of the selections contained in this book have ever before appeared in print. Copyright matter has been procured at great expense from the greatest wits of the age. Such delightful entertainers as Ezra Kendall, Lew Dockstadter, Josh Billings, James Whitcomb Riley, Marshall P. Wilder, Mark Twain, Bret Harte, Opie Read, Bill Nye, Petroleum V. Nashby, Artemus Ward, together with the best from “Puck,” “Judge,” “Life,” “Detroit Free Press,” “Arizona Kicker,” renders this book the best of its kind published.

Paper covers, printed in two colors on enameled paper, 25 cents.

Cloth, gold titles, original designs, stamped in inks, 50 cents.


The American Star Speaker and Model Elocutionist

By CHARLES WALTER BROWN, A. M.

Many Speakers are advertised to be the best, but a comparison is all that is necessary to convince anyone that our claim that The American Star Speaker & Model Elocutionist is beyond all question the best from an Elocutionary point of view. Of the 500 or more selections there is not one that is not available for reading on any desired occasion. The treatise on Acting, Delsarte, Elocution, Oratory and Physical Culture is by the professor of these departments in the Missouri State University, while its mechanical make-up is that of a work of art, for the text and half-tone illustrations are the best made. No home, school, church, club, literary society, lodge or library is complete without this book. It gives more for the money than any similar work published. Space forbids further details. Satisfaction is guaranteed. Elegantly and substantially printed and bound in the best silk cloth, the national emblems being stamped from artistic designs in the patriotic colors. Price, $1.50.

M. A. DONOHUE & CO.
407-429 Dearborn Street
CHICAGO


Biographies of Prominent,
Border Bandits

Profusely Illustrated

Frank and Jesse James

By J. W. Buel

The life and daring deeds of noted criminals have a wonderful fascination for most people the world over. The highway robber, road agent or bank plunderer who boldly takes his life in his hands and makes a desperate dash after other people’s money at once finds himself a hero. 290 pages. Price: cloth, 75 cents; paper, 25 cents.

The Younger Brothers

By J. W. Buel

The lives of these men need no romantic or exaggerated shading to make the narrative remarkable. Their deeds are as prominent in the archives of guerrilla warfare as their names are familiar on the border. 268 pages. Price: cloth, 75 cents; paper, 25 cents.

The Dalton Brothers

By Llew Williams

This is a remarkable tale of the adventures of these noted bandits in their plunderings on the border. The work is fully illustrated from life and graphically depicts the desperate and startling criminal careers of all the men who composed the notorious Dalton gang. 234 pages. Price: cloth, 75 cents; paper, 25 cents.

Harry Tracy, the Bandit

By W. B. Hennessy

The career of Tracy, which thrilled and horrified two continents, is still the sensation of the day. His deeds of crime and outlawry are unparalleled. Like the James Boys, the Youngers and the Daltons, he began his depredations in Missouri, which state was also the scene of the “labors” of the Quantrells and the Benders. 336 pages; 25 full page illustrations. Price: cloth, 75 cents; paper, 25 cents.

Twin Hells

By John M. Reynolds

This is a thrilling narrative of life in Kansas and Missouri penitentiaries. Endorsed by over 1000 clergymen, wardens and state officials as a book that should be read by every youth and citizen for its moral influences, information and excitement. It is absolutely unsurpassed for interest and reflection. 331 pages. Price: cloth, 75 cents; paper, 25 cents.

Cow Boy Life in Texas

By W. S. James

This is the only realistic and yet withal true recital of wild life on the boundless plains of Texas, it being the actual experience of 27 years in the exciting life of a genuine Cow Boy. The author was born in Texas at a time when no man’s life was safe and the whole southwest from the Missouri to the Rio Grande was infested with cruel and blood-thirsty outlaws. Contains more than 50 illustrations from life. 213 pages. Price: cloth, 75 cents; paper, 25 cents.


For sale by all Book and News Dealers, or will be sent to any address in the United States, Canada or Mexico, postage paid, on receipt of price in currency, money order or stamps.

M. A. Donohue & Co.
407-429 Dearborn Street,
Chicago


THE GREATEST LIFE OF
Abraham Lincoln
YET PUBLISHED

By HON. JOS. H. BARRETT, and CHARLES WALTER BROWN, A. M.

In this great work which embraces the complete life of the greatest man of modern times, nothing has been omitted or slighted. His early History, Political Career, Speeches, both in and out of Congress, the great Lincoln-Douglas Debates, every state paper, speech, message and two inaugural addresses are given in full, together with many characteristic STORIES AND YARNS by and concerning Lincoln, which have earned for him the sobriquet

The Story Telling President.

In addition there is included a COMPLETE ACCOUNT OF HIS ASSASSINATION, death and burial, together with the trial and execution of his assassins.

This immense volume of 850 pages contains nearly 360,000 words, being six times larger than the average school history. Size of book 6-1/2 × 9, 3 inches thick, weighing nearly 3 pounds.


M. A. Donohue & Co.
407-429 Dearborn Street CHICAGO


Picturesque American Biographies

“In John Paul Jones and Ethan Allen, Mr. Brown found two of the most picturesque figures in the life of the country, and he has shown himself able to deal with them as historical persons, without detracting anything from the romantic qualities of their individuality. He competes with historical fiction by developing the superior interest of the facts as they grew out of the life of his heroes and the life of their times. Few biographies intended for popular reading and the widest general circulation illustrate this same faculty of measuring statement and giving its governing value to fact while developing the picturesque and the romantic as it lies latent in history.”—William Vincent Byars in The St. Louis Star.


LIFE AND DEEDS OF ETHAN ALLEN AND THE GREEN MOUNTAIN BOYS

By Charles Walter Brown, A. M.

Author of “John Paul Jones,” “Nathan Hale,” “Lafayette,” “Pulaski,” “Washington,” “Abraham Lincoln,” “Sherman.”

16 ILLUSTRATIONS

“It is the best ‘life’ of Ethan Allen published.”—Chicago Chronicle.

“It abounds in incidents, anecdotes and adventures.”—Louisville Courier Journal.

“It is a painstaking and accurate biography, possessing the fascination of romance.”—St. Louis Republic.

“The account of the expedition into Canada and Allen’s lamentable capture by the British, near Montreal, holds the reader’s attention with all the force of a work of fiction.”—Chicago Journal.


LIFE AND DEEDS OF JOHN PAUL JONES of NAVAL FAME

By Charles Walter Brown, A. M.

12 ILLUSTRATIONS

“This book is a credit to any publishing house.”—Detroit Free Press.

“The publication is a careful and commendable one.”—Chicago Journal.

“The public will readily welcome this new and valuable biography of John Paul Jones.”—Indianapolis Sentinel.

“Mr. Brown is a faithful biographer and historian, and has the happy knack of making his hero live again in the imagination of his host of readers.”—Literary Life, New York.

This set of two volumes, “Allen” and “Jones” sent to one address, express paid, for $1.50


M. A. DONOHUE & CO.,
407-429 Dearborn Street
CHICAGO


STANDARD ENGLISH-SPANISH AND SPANISH-ENGLISH DICTIONARY.

Containing 500 pages; white and red edges. Size, 6-1/4 × 5 inches. Printed from new plates on good paper; bound in cloth; title stamped on side and back.

Price, 75 Cents.

KOHLER’S ENGLISH-GERMAN AND GERMAN-ENGLISH DICTIONARY.

Red and white edges, new plates, good paper, bound in cloth, title on side and back.

Price, 75 Cents.

MASSON’S ENGLISH-FRENCH AND FRENCH-ENGLISH DICTIONARY.

Printed on good paper, substantially bound, title on side and back.

Price, 75 Cents.

DONOHUE’S VEST POCKET WEBSTER’S MANUAL

For Readers, Writers and Speakers.

Contains complete dictionary of 18,000 synonyms, besides complete tables and definitions, short words and phrases, etc.; how to read, write and speak.

Bound in cloth, red edges, 25 Cents.

Donohue’s Vest Pocket Dictionary and Complete Manual of Parliamentary Practice.

Containing 256 pages; size, 5-3/4 × 2-3/4. It contains more words, more miscellaneous matter and embraces more pages than any other Vest Pocket Dictionary on the market, and yet it is so admirably made that it does not bulk in the pocket. Besides the dictionary of the English language it contains a dictionary of Latin words and phrases, French words and phrases, Italian words and phrases, Spanish words and phrases, and complete manual of parliamentary practice. Type clear, paper good and binding excellent. It is made in the following styles:

Bound in binders’ cloth, red edges, without index, 25 cents.
Bound in cloth, red edges, indexed, 35 cents.
Bound in full leather, full gilt edges, indexed, 50 cents.


For sale by all Book and Newsdealers, or will send to any address in the United States, Canada or Mexico, postage prepaid, on receipt of price, in currency, money order or stamps.

M. A. Donohue & Co.
407-429 Dearborn St.
CHICAGO


“HARKAWAY” SERIES
OF BOOKS FOR BOYS

By BRACEBRIDGE HEMYNG

“Jack Harkaway’s School Days” is one of the most fascinating and instructive books for boys published, and should be read by every boy before his 15th year. After reading this book the other 14 should be read in the order in which they are given since each is a continuation of the one preceding.

They are uniformly bound in linen cloth, stamped with original designs, in inks, on backs and sides.

PRICE PER VOLUME, 75 CENTS

“No more readable books for the young have ever been printed than these fifteen volumes.”—Book and Newsdealer.


1 Jack Harkaway’s School Days
2 Jack Harkaway After School Days
3 Jack Harkaway Afloat and Ashore
4 Jack Harkaway at Oxford, Part 1
5 Jack Harkaway at Oxford, Part 2
6 Jack Harkaway Among the Brigands, Part 1
7 Jack Harkaway Among the Brigands, Part 2
8 Jack Harkaway’s Adventures Around the World
9 Jack Harkaway in America and Cuba
10 Jack Harkaway’s Adventures in China
11 Jack Harkaway’s Adventures in Greece, Part 1
12 Jack Harkaway’s Adventures in Greece, Part 2
13 Jack Harkaway’s Adventures in Australia
14 Jack Harkaway and His Boy Tinker, Part 1
15 Jack Harkaway and His Boy Tinker, Part 2

M. A. DONOHUE & CO.
407-429 Dearborn St.
Chicago


LOVE LETTERS

With Directions How To Write Them

By INGOLDSBY NORTH.

This is a branch of correspondence which fully demands a volume alone to provide for the various phases incident to Love, Courtship and Marriage. Few persons, however otherwise fluent with the pen, are able to express in words the promptings of the first dawn of love, and even the ice once broken how to follow up a correspondence with the dearest one in the whole world and how to smooth the way with those who need to be consulted in the matter. The numerous letters and answers in this book go far to overcome the difficulties and embarrassment inseparable from letters on this all-absorbing topic in all stages from beginning to end of a successful courtship, aided in many instances by the author’s sensible comments on the specimen letters, and his valuable hints under adverse contingencies. It also contains the Art of Secret Writing, the Language of Love portrayed and rules in grammar.

Paper Covers, 25 Cents. Cloth, 50 Cents.


THE COMPLETE LETTER WRITER

Being the only Comprehensive and Practical Guide and Assistant to Letter Writing Published.

Edited by CHARLES WALTER BROWN, A. M.

There are few books that contain such a fund of valuable information on the every-day affairs of life. In addition to every conceivable form of business and social correspondence, there are letters of Condolence, Introduction, Congratulation, Felicitation, Advice and Favor; Letters accompanying presents; Notes on Love, Courtship and Marriage; Forms of Weddings Anniversaries, Socials, Parties, Notes, Wills, Deeds, Mortgages; Tables, Abbreviations, Classical Terms, Common Errors, Selections for Autograph Albums; Information concerning Rates on Foreign and Domestic Postage, together with a dictionary of nearly 10,000 Synonyms and other valuable information which space will not admit of mention. The book is printed from new plates, on a superior quality of paper and bound in substantial and durable manner. 12mo.

For sale by all book and newsdealers, or sent to any address in the U. S., Canada or Mexico, postage prepaid on receipt of price in currency, money order or stamps.

M. A. DONOHUE & CO.
407-429 DEARBORN ST.
CHICAGO


THE COMPLETE
HOUSE BUILDER
With Practical Hints on Construction

The subject of house building is of interest to all, even though financially they are at present unable to realize their cherished hopes. A few months or a year may so change the aspect of one’s affairs as to render it possible to build. It is therefore well for all to anticipate the realization of a home and become familiar with the requisites of a good house, barn, warehouse, or other necessary building. This valuable work contains not only Plans and Specifications for Dwellings, but Clubs, Churches, Public Buildings, Barns, and all necessary outbuildings for Farms, Country Seats, Suburban Homes, etc.; accurate estimates of materials with cost, and all Tables and Rules necessary in Plastering, Plumbing, Painting, Roofing, Masonry, Cornice, Windows, Doors and Porch Materials, with 50 Plans and Specifications on buildings from $476 up, are given.

Price, 25 Cents.

THE COMPLETE
LETTER WRITER
Being the only Comprehensive and Practical Guide and Assistant to Letter Writing Published

Edited by CHARLES WALTER BROWN

There are few books that contain such a fund of valuable information on the every-day affairs of life. In addition to every conceivable form of business and social correspondence, there are Letters of Condolence, Introduction, Congratulation, Felicitation, Advice and Favor, Letters accompanying presents; Notes on Love, Courtship and Marriage; Forms for Wedding Anniversaries, Socials, Parties, Notes, Wills, Deeds, Mortgages: Tables, Abbreviations, Classical Terms, Common Errors, Selections for Autograph Albums; Information concerning Rates on Foreign and Domestic Postage, together with a Dictionary of nearly 10,000 Synonyms and other valuable information which space will not admit of mention.

The book is printed from new plates, on a superior quality of paper and bound in substantial and durable cloth.

For sale by all Book and News Dealers, or will send to any address in the U. S., Canada or Mexico, postage prepaid on receipt of price


Famous Books for Boys

Famous Frontiersmen, Pioneers and Scouts.

The Boy Spy.

By Major Kerbey. A substantially true record of Secret Service during the Rebellion. A correct account of events witnessed by a soldier attached to headquarters. The only practical history of the war telegraphers in the field. A full account of the mysteries of Signaling by Flags, Torches and Rockets. Thrilling scenes of Battles, Captures and Escapes. Fully illustrated by True Williams. Large 12mo. Price, $1.00.

Boys’ Life on the Frontier.

By Frank W. Calkins. Containing Frontier Sketches, Indian Tales and Hunting Stories. The most interesting series of experiences ever published. All having originally appeared in the Youth’s Companion, which is a guarantee of their superior excellence in every way. Containing 403 pages of large, clear type, and numerous illustrations, bound in cloth, stamped in Inks from unique dies.

War Path and Bivouac;

Marching Through Georgia.

Being Pen Pictures of Every Day Life in General Sherman’s Army, from the beginning of the Atlanta Campaign until the close of the war. By F. Y. Hedley, Adjutant Thirty-Second Illinois Infantry, with Introduction by Charles Walter Brown, A. M. and with illustrations by F. L. Stoddard. Dedicated by permission to Mrs. John A. Logan: Autograph letter from General Sherman, 500 pages, large 12mo, cloth. Price $1.00.

← Back to The Boy Spy

Scroll to Top