The Colonel's Boy
The narrative follows the lives of two close friends, Joe Bratton and Colonel Dick, as they navigate the complexities of family, honor, and deception. The Colonel's son, Jim, is a young officer recently commissioned, and the story begins with Joe's visit to the Colonel at a club, where they discuss Jim's well-being and potential romantic interests. Joe expresses his hope that Jim is pursuing a relationship with Kitty, Joe's daughter. As the plot unfolds, Joe encounters a young man named Isaac Gold, who is revealed to have a dubious past involving impersonation at military examinations. Joe discovers a photograph of Jim in Gold's possession, which raises suspicions about Jim's integrity. The photograph is linked to a competitive examination that Jim recently passed, leading Joe to question whether Jim may have resorted to unethical means to succeed. Joe's concerns deepen when he learns that Kitty has received an anonymous letter warning her about Jim's character, further complicating the situation. Despite Kitty's unwavering faith in Jim, Joe grapples with the evidence against him, including the photograph and the circumstances surrounding it. The Colonel remains supportive of Jim, believing in his character and upbringing. However, the tension escalates as Joe and the Colonel investigate the origins of the photograph, leading them to suspect a fellow officer, Farquhar, who may have maliciously used Jim's likeness to undermine him. The climax occurs when Joe and the Colonel confront Farquhar, revealing their knowledge of the photographs and the implications of his actions. Farquhar's guilt is palpable, and he ultimately resigns from the army to escape the consequences of his deceit. In the end, Jim's honor is restored, and he is united with Kitty, who remains steadfast in her love for him. The story concludes with a sense of resolution, as the characters reflect on the importance of integrity and the bonds of friendship and family. The Colonel's faith in his son is vindicated, and the narrative emphasizes themes of loyalty, honor, and the complexities of human relationships.
By Stanley J. Weyman · First published 1896 · Genre: Historical Fiction, Drama, Romance · 10,445 words
First lines
A stranger, coming upon the Colonel as he sat in the morning-room of the club and read his newspaper with an angelic smile, would have sought for another copy of the paper and searched its columns with pleasant anticipations. But I knew better. I knew that the Colonel, though he had put on his glasses and was pretending to cull the news, was only doing what I believe he did after lunch and after dinner, and after he got into bed, and at every one of those periods when the old campaigner, with a care for his digestion and his conscience, selects some soothing matter for meditation. He was thinking of his boy; and I went up to him and smacked him on the shoulder. "Well, Colonel," I said, "how is Jim?"
What this Textopian page supports
The Colonel's Boy is listed on Textopian as a novel by Stanley J. Weyman, dated 1896 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novel
- Author: Stanley J. Weyman
- Date: 1896 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Historical Fiction, Drama, Romance, Adventure, Mystery
- Length: 10,445 words
- Structure: 1 section, 195 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Colonel's Boy by Stanley J. Weyman
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Colonel's Boy?
- How does this novel by Stanley J. Weyman fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Historical Fiction first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Historical Fiction — The story is set in a historical context, focusing on military life and societal norms of the time.
- Drama — The narrative explores complex relationships, moral dilemmas, and emotional conflicts among the characters.
- Romance — The plot centers around the romantic relationship between Jim and Kitty, highlighting themes of love and trust.
- Adventure — The characters engage in various escapades and confrontations that drive the plot forward.
Tags
historical fiction · adventure · military · coming of age · romance · loyalty · betrayal · friendship · courage · conflict · identity · family