Read FICTION books online

Reading books fiction Have you ever thought about what fiction is? Probably, such a question may seem surprising: and so everything is clear. Every person throughout his life has to repeatedly create the works he needs for specific purposes - statements, autobiographies, dictations - using not gypsum or clay, not musical notes, not paints, but just a word. At the same time, almost every person will be very surprised if he is told that he thereby created a work of fiction, which is very different from visual art, music and sculpture making. However, everyone understands that a student's essay or dictation is fundamentally different from novels, short stories, news that are created by professional writers. In the works of professionals there is the most important difference - excogitation. But, oddly enough, in a school literature course, you don’t realize the full power of fiction. So using our website in your free time discover fiction for yourself.



Fiction genre suitable for people of all ages. Everyone will find something interesting for themselves. Our electronic library is always at your service. Reading online free books without registration. Nowadays ebooks are convenient and efficient. After all, don’t forget: literature exists and develops largely thanks to readers.
The genre of fiction is interesting to read not only by the process of cognition and the desire to empathize with the fate of the hero, this genre is interesting for the ability to rethink one's own life. Of course the reader may accept the author's point of view or disagree with them, but the reader should understand that the author has done a great job and deserves respect. Take a closer look at genre fiction in all its manifestations in our elibrary.



Read books online » Fiction » Helping Himself; Or, Grant Thornton's Ambition by Jr. Horatio Alger (e books free to read .txt) 📖

Book online «Helping Himself; Or, Grant Thornton's Ambition by Jr. Horatio Alger (e books free to read .txt) 📖». Author Jr. Horatio Alger



1 ... 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 ... 49
Go to page:

“Abner,” said Herbert, after a pause, during which he had been thinking seriously, “would you mind running away pretty soon?”

“No, bub; I'm ready any time. Are you in a hurry?”

“You see, Abner, I don't want to live on your mother. She isn't rich—”

“No, I guess not. Ef she hadn't married sech a good-for-nothin' as dad—”

“I wouldn't speak so of your father, Abner.”

“Why not? Isn't it the truth? Dad's no grit. He gits drunk whenever he has a chance. Marm's a good, hard-workin' woman. She'd git along well enough ef she was alone.”

“At any rate, she can't afford to board me for nothing. So I am ready to start whenever you are, Abner.”

“Suppose we get up early to-morror and start?”

“How early?”

“Three o'clock. Marm gets up at five. We must be on the road before that time.”

“I'm willing, Abner. You must wake me up in time.”

“You'd better go to bed early, bub, and git all the sleep you can. We'll have a hard day to-morrer.”





CHAPTER XXXIII — THE JOURNEY BEGINS

“Wake up, there.”

The little boy stirred in his sleep, and finally opened his eyes. By the faint light that entered through the window, he saw Abner bending over him.

“What is it?” he asked, drowsily.

“The kitchen clock's just struck three,” whispered Abner. “You haven't forgotten that we are going to run away, have you?”

“I'll get right up,” said Herbert, rubbing his eyes.

In two minutes the boys were dressed and ready for a start. It had taken a great deal longer for Herbert to dress at home, but he had become less particular as to his toilet now.

The boys took their shoes in their hands, and stole out in their stocking feet. As they passed the door of the room in which Mr. and Mrs. Barton slept, they heard the deep breathing of both, and knew that they were not likely to be heard.

Outside the door they put on their shoes, and were now ready to start.

“Wait a minute, bub,” said Abner.

He re-entered the house, and presently came out holding half a loaf in his hand.

“That'll do for our breakfast,” he said. “We won't eat it now. We'll wait till five o'clock. Then we'll be hungry.”

By five o'clock they were as many miles on their way. They had reached the middle of the next town.

“Do you feel tired, bub?” asked Abner.

“A little. I feel hungry. Don't you think we can eat the bread now?”

“Yes, we'd better. I feel kind o' gone myself.”

They sat down under a tree, and Abner divided the bread fairly.

“You ought to have more than I,” protested Herbert. “You're bigger than I, and need more.”

“Never mind that! You'll need it to keep up your strength.”

Abner was not naturally unselfish, but he was manly enough to feel that he ought to be generous and kind to a boy so much smaller, and he felt repaid for his self-denial by noticing the evident relish with which Herbert ate his allowance of bread, even to the smallest crumb.

They found a spring, which yielded them a cool, refreshing draught, and soon were on their way once more. They had proceeded perhaps two miles further, when the rumbling of wheels was heard behind them, and a farm wagon soon came up alongside. The driver was a man of about thirty—sunburned and roughly clad.

“Whoa, there,” he said.

The horse stopped.

“Where are you two goin'?” he asked.

“We're travelin',” answered Abner, noncommittally.

“Where's your home?”

“Some ways back.”

“Where are you goin'?”

“I'm after work,” answered Abner.

“Well, you'd orter be a good hand at it. You look strong. Is that little feller your brother?”

“No; he's my cousin.”

Herbert looked up in surprise at this avowal of relationship, but he thought it best not to say anything that would conflict with Abner's statement.

“Is he after work, too?” asked the driver, with a smile.

“No; he's goin' to his father.”

“Where does he live?”

“Further on.”

“Have you walked fur?”

“Pretty fur.”

“Ef you want to ride, I'll give you a lift for a few miles.”

“Thank you,” said Abner, prompt to accept the offer. “I'll help you in, bub.”

The two boys took their seats beside the driver, Herbert being in the middle. The little boy was really tired, and he found it very pleasant to ride, instead of walking. He had walked seven miles already, and that was more than he had ever before walked at one time.

They rode about three miles, when the driver pulled up in front of a comfortable-looking house.

“This is where I stop,” he said. “My aunt lives here, and my sister has been paying her a visit. I've come to take her home.”

The front door was opened, and his aunt and sister came out.

“You're just in time for breakfast, John,” said his aunt. “Come in and sit down to the table. Bring in the boys, too.”

“Come in, boys,” said the young man. “I guess you can eat something, can't you?”

“We've had—-” Herbert began, but Abner checked him.

“Come along, bub,” he said. “What's a bit of bread? I ain't half full.”





CHAPTER XXIV — MRS. BARTON'S SURPRISE
1 ... 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 ... 49
Go to page:

Free ebook «Helping Himself; Or, Grant Thornton's Ambition by Jr. Horatio Alger (e books free to read .txt) 📖» - read online now

Comments (0)

There are no comments yet. You can be the first!
Add a comment