by Hector Malot
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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