Nobody's Boy Read online

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  NOBODY'S BOY

  (_Sans Famille_)

  BY HECTOR MALOT

  TRANSLATED BY FLORENCE CREWE-JONES

  _ILLUSTRATED IN COLOR BY_ JOHN B. GRUELLE

  NEW YORK MDCCCCXVICUPPLES & LEON COMPANY

  _Copyright, 1916, by_ CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY

  Printed in U. S. A.

  "THE FIRST APPEARANCE OF REMI'S COMPANY."(_See page 230_)]

  CONTENTS

  CHAPTER PAGE

  I MY VILLAGE HOME 1

  II MY ADOPTED FATHER 10

  III SIGNOR VITALIS' COMPANY 21

  IV THE MATERNAL HOUSE 35

  V EN ROUTE 43

  VI MY DEBUT 49

  VII CHILD AND ANIMAL LEARNING 61

  VIII ONE WHO HAD KNOWN A KING 67

  IX ARRESTED 74

  X HOMELESS 85

  XI ANOTHER BOY'S MOTHER 109

  XII THE MASTER'S CONSENT 120

  XIII WEARY DREARY DAYS 128

  XIV THE DEATH OF PRETTY-HEART 148

  XV FAITHFUL FRIENDS 163

  XVI THE PADRONE 169

  XVII POOR VITALIS 184

  XVIII NEW FRIENDS 194

  XIX DISASTER 205

  XX MATTIA 220

  XXI MEETING OLD FRIENDS 236

  XXII IMPRISONED IN A MINE 244

  XXIII ONCE MORE UPON THE WAY 262

  XXIV FRIENDSHIP THAT IS TRUE 270

  XXV MOTHER, BROTHERS AND SISTERS 294

  XXVI BITTER DISAPPOINTMENT 304

  XXVII A DISTRESSING DISCOVERY 312

  XXVIII A MYSTERIOUS STRANGER 330

  XXIX IN PRISON 335

  XXX ESCAPE 345

  XXXI HUNTING FOR THE SWAN 353

  XXXII FINDING A REAL MOTHER 359

  XXXIII THE DREAM COME TRUE 368

  LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

  "THE FIRST APPEARANCE OF REMI'S COMPANY" (_See Page 230_) _Frontispiece_

  PAGE

  "I'LL GIVE YOU THIRTY FRANCS FOR HIM" 33

  "FOR EACH CRY YOU WILL RECEIVE ANOTHER SLASH" 181

  "LET US NOW PLAY FOR THOSE WE LOVE" 371

  INTRODUCTION

  "Nobody's Boy," published in France under the title "Sans Famille," hasbecome justly famous as one of the supreme juvenile stories of theworld. In the midst of its early popularity, it was crowned by theAcademy as one of the masterpieces of French literature. A few yearslater, it was followed by "En Famille," which is published by us as acompanion story under the title "Nobody's Girl."

  "Nobody's Boy" is a human document of child experiences that isfascinating reading for young and old. Parents, teachers and others, whoare careful to have children read inspiring books, will welcome thisbeautiful story of Hector Malot, as among the best for them torecommend.

  Such digressions in the original, as do not belong to the heart of thestory, have been eliminated, so that the lost boy's experiences continueas the undisturbed interest, on through to the happy conclusion.

  Loyal friendship and honest conduct are the vital ideals of this story,and the heart interest is eloquent with noble character.

  THE PUBLISHERS.

  NOBODY'S BOY