Originally published in 1899 as a portion of the author’s larger “Primary History of the United States: The Story of Our Country for Young Folks,” this Kindle edition, equivalent in length to a physical book of approximately 35 pages, describes, in simple language for young readers, the lives and careers of Benjamin Franklin, George Washington, and Abraham Lincoln.
Sample passages:
(Franklin) Franklin thought that if lightning was the same as electricity it would pass along a string the same way. So one stormy day he raised a kite up into the clouds with a string of hemp, and with a key tied to the bottom. After he had waited awhile a spark came from the key into his fingers and he felt a shock. This made him very glad, for now he knew that lightning was indeed electricity. That kite-raising made him famous all over the world, and it gave him the idea of the lightning-rod, which carries lightning away from houses.
-----
(Washington) The British generals felt sure that when spring came they would soon put an end to the American army and make King George master again. They did not know the kind of man they had to deal with. Washington did not wait for spring, but crossed the river again when the ice was floating down in great blocks, and the air was full of falling snow, and the winds were biting cold. Before the British knew that the Americans were on the march they found them in their camp.
-----
(Lincoln) After a while Lincoln was elected to Congress, and became one of the lawmakers for the whole country. This was in 1846. While he was there the war with Mexico went on, and there was much talk about slaves. Lincoln thought that the owners of slaves ought not to take them into new States or Territories, and he said so in his speeches. He was now a very good and sensible speaker, and in time his name became known all through the country.
About the author:
Charles Morris (1833-1922) was the author of numerous books for young and old, including “The Lives of the Presidents and How They Reached the White House,” “Tales from the Dramatists,” and “History of the World.”
Sample passages:
(Franklin) Franklin thought that if lightning was the same as electricity it would pass along a string the same way. So one stormy day he raised a kite up into the clouds with a string of hemp, and with a key tied to the bottom. After he had waited awhile a spark came from the key into his fingers and he felt a shock. This made him very glad, for now he knew that lightning was indeed electricity. That kite-raising made him famous all over the world, and it gave him the idea of the lightning-rod, which carries lightning away from houses.
-----
(Washington) The British generals felt sure that when spring came they would soon put an end to the American army and make King George master again. They did not know the kind of man they had to deal with. Washington did not wait for spring, but crossed the river again when the ice was floating down in great blocks, and the air was full of falling snow, and the winds were biting cold. Before the British knew that the Americans were on the march they found them in their camp.
-----
(Lincoln) After a while Lincoln was elected to Congress, and became one of the lawmakers for the whole country. This was in 1846. While he was there the war with Mexico went on, and there was much talk about slaves. Lincoln thought that the owners of slaves ought not to take them into new States or Territories, and he said so in his speeches. He was now a very good and sensible speaker, and in time his name became known all through the country.
About the author:
Charles Morris (1833-1922) was the author of numerous books for young and old, including “The Lives of the Presidents and How They Reached the White House,” “Tales from the Dramatists,” and “History of the World.”
