Chapter Three
SUNDAY, AUGUST 4, 1889
"Well, scholars," the superintendent said, right about when
Carl thought she was going to let Sunday School out. "Robert
has an announcement to make, a very exciting
announcement."
Robert stood up, blushing. "My... our new mother
received a telegram on Thursday. It seems her aunt, or, some
aunt of hers in France, died, and she is going to receive an
inheritance. Some money and a cheese recipe. But she needs
to go to France to get it, and so our whole family, and Geoffrey,
are going to go. And Carl is going to live in our house
while we are gone to help take care of things."
He sat down and the scholars cheered. Of course, they
had already told everyone before class.
"You are dismissed," the superintendent said, and the kids
all got up and hurried out.
Charles followed his parents down the aisle of the church,
feeling very uncomfortable. He always found going to church
34 • BOBTAILS GO TO FRANCE
uncomfortable, but it seemed more so here in Chicago. His
parents attended different churches in the area, no doubt in
pursuit of his father's business interests.
Always big, fancy churches of course; with long echoing
aisles and everyone all dressed up. He was so looking forward
to going on the trip. He was sure that Nurse wouldn't insist
they go to church!
Ruth got up from her bed and went to lay with Esther. Esther
curled up with her.
"Just think, Ruth, tomorrow we will go on our trip."
Ruth didn't like the trip. Everyone was too busy all the
time, even Mommy. Mommy was sick and too busy for Ruth.
Ruth did not like this trip. She would be glad when it was
done and they could put all of her dresses back in their
places.
—
Thank you for coming round Arthur’s Substack. I hope and pray it will be a blessing to you.
Arthur publishes with Wise Path Books and include the children’s/YA books:
The Bobtails meet the Preacher’s Kid
and
As well as GK Chesterton’s wonderful book, “What’s Wrong with the World”, for which ‘Arthur’ wrote most of the annotations.
Quite a few chapters of the Bobtails and No Ordinary School are here on this substack as audio.
I also write as Von, and I encourage you to check out that substack. There is a lot of theology and politics there, as well as quotes, poems, other articles, and links to other Science Fiction. But ‘Von’ also is publishing some serial books and stories. Much more adult and serious books than here, for the most part. Some of them.
Von is publishing the stories:
Contract Marriage
Contract marriage is an adult dystopia examining the issues of marriage. Like 1984 and Brave New World, Contract Marriage treats the relations between the sexes as a fundamental aspect of how a society is formed and, thus, how a society can go wrong.
Unlike those dystopias, Contract Marriage isn’t all horrible all of the time. The characters for the most part have a good time and get along in their society. But the issues of sexuality, of marriage or not, monogamy or not, faithfulness or not, and gender roles… keep coming up and causing tension and conflict and joy and pain.
My desire is that my readers would be thinking along with my characters about these issues and perhaps even arrive at the same place (minus the flying cars).
Article 17
Article 17 is a military science fiction story with aliens and romance. It is set in a future reminiscent of Napoleon era Britain. The war was going very poorly until the military installed a dictator. This story follows one of the dictator’s great men: Cladin Tomirosh, Leader, and thrice decorated hero.
Island People
Island People is a young adult fantasy book centring on a young prince. The book starts with his kidnapping and follows his adventures as he not only escapes from his kidnapper but gains critical allies and friends.
The entire book is scheduled on Substack, and there are several sequels. This is a book I wrote years ago, so it is in a bit of a rough form. Critiques and comments are more than welcome, they are requested.
…and his story ‘The Oracle’ is in haitus, but there are some chapters there. Feel free to check them out.
God Bless you as you read, and may you do all to the glory of God.
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