The New Boy at Hilltop, and Other Stories
by Ralph Henry Barbour (1870–1944)
- Free to read
- 3 hours to read
- 7 chapters
- Reading level: 6th grade
"The New Boy at Hilltop and Other Stories" by Ralph Henry Barbour is a collection of short stories likely written in the late 19th century. The book centers on the experiences of young boys at a boarding school, particularly focusing on a new student named Kenneth Garwood as he navigates friendships, rivalries, and the challenges of school life. At the start of the first story, Kenneth arrives at Hilltop School, arriving early before the rest of the students return. He quickly forms a rather unflattering opinion of his assigned roommate, Joseph Brewster, and the seemingly strict instructor, Mr. Whipple. As the students return, Kenneth's prejudices begin to fade, particularly as he engages in a lively physical altercation with Brewster, which leads to an unexpected camaraderie. The opening sets the stage for Kenneth's journey of self-discovery, adjustment to school culture, and sports, highlighting themes of friendship and rivalry, all while introducing a lively atmosphere of youthful mischief and excitement.
- Schools
- College stories
- Young men
- Sports stories
Read the opening
Chapter I
Hilltop School closed its fall term with just ninety-five students; it opened again two weeks later, on the third of January, with ninety-six; and thereby hangs this tale.
Kenneth Garwood had been booked for Hilltop in the autumn, but circumstances had interfered with the family's plans. Instead he journeyed to Moritzville on the afternoon of the day preceding the commencement of the new term, a very cold and blustery January afternoon, during much of which he sat curled tightly into a corner of his seat in the poorly heated day coach, which was the best the train afforded, and wondered why the Connecticut Valley was so much colder than Cleveland, Ohio. He had taken an early train from New York, and all the way to Moritzville had sought with natural eagerness for sight of his future schoolmates. But he had been unsuccessful. When Hilltop returns to school it takes the mid-afternoon express which reaches Moritzville just in time for dinner, whereas Kenneth reached the school before it was dark, and at a quarter of five was in undisputed possession, for the time being, of Number 12, Lower House.
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About this edition
This free edition of The New Boy at Hilltop, and Other Stories by Ralph Henry Barbour comes from Project Gutenberg eBook #6487, released 2004-09-01. It is in the public domain in the United States, so you can read it here in full at no cost, on any phone, tablet or computer. Genre: Short Stories, Children & Young Adult Reading, Novels.
Summary provided by Project Gutenberg (automatically generated).
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