“The Scarlet Car” - Written in 1906, when automobiles were still something of a novelty, this is a set of three stories based on the adventures of Winthrop, Sam, Beatrice, and Peabody. First, they get accused of speeding in a small town, then the car breaks down on a remote country lane, and finally, they accidentally run down a man in the street while helping Peabody, an aspiring politician, run up the vote on election day. Can they keep this from costing Peabody the election? * * * * “The White Mice” - Four Americans make a solemn pact to combat tyranny and save human lives. Thus begins the Secret Order of the White Mice. Roddy Forrester’s father owns the Forrester Construction Company, a big concern which builds lighthouses. To give his son a taste of business, he sends him to Venezuela as a foreman. But he doesn’t want Roddy to know too much about company policy-least of all its political intrigues. Once there Roddy finds Don Miguel Rojas, a patriot unfairly put in prison. It’s unlikely that anyone will bust him out, until White Mouse Roddy hears about his plight and decides to do something. * * * * “A Derelict” - Judged to be Davis’ best short story, “A Derelict” is based on the battle of Santiago Bay (July 3, 1898) in which the American fleet destroyed the Spanish fleet. The story is in part an attack on Consolidated (Associated) Press, and a contrast between two newspapermen - a drunken CP man whose talent has been repressed by the CP’s demand for cold, colorless “facts” and a ne’er-do-well free-lancer who is nevertheless a genius writer. * * * * “La Lettre d’Amour” - The lover who will take no, and goes on his way disconsolate, may live to love another day, and everyone is content; but the one who will not have no, who will not hear of it, nor consider it, has much to answer for in making life a burden to himself and all around him. This is the story of one such lover, and how Edouard, the second violinist, showed him the hopelessness of his position. * * * * This volume includes the complete text of all the stories, published in 1907, 1909, 1902, and 1902, respectively. Also included are the original 23 full-page illustrations that graced these stories. * * * * Check our other Children’s, Juvenile, and Adult books at www.FlyingChipmunkPublishing.com, or Like us on Facebook for our latest releases.
