Free Download
A Bicycle of Cathay
A Bicycle of Cathay
A country school teacher goes on a bicycle tour, meets three attractive young women one after the other, and returns after all to the pretty doctor's daughter who had thoughtfully given him a the quinine pills for his journey. Few writers would have the hardihood to construct a novel on so slight a frame, but Mr. Stockton fills up the narrative with an easy flow of incident and a variety of absurd situations.
Book Excerpt
or of a wheel, and that this was the first trip she had ever taken by herself. She had always gone in company with some one, but to-day she had thought she was able to take care of herself, like other girls. Finding her so entirely free from conventional embarrassment, I made bold to give her a little advice on the subject of wheeling in general, and she seemed entirely willing to be instructed. In fact, as I went on with my little discourse I began to think that I would much rather teach girls than boys. At first sight the young person under my charge might have been taken for a school-girl, but her conversation would have soon removed that illusion.
We had not proceeded more than a mile when suddenly I felt a very gentle tap on the end of my nose, and at the same moment the young lady turned her head towards me and exclaimed: "It's going to rain! I felt a drop!"
"I will walk faster," I said, "and no doubt I will get you to your house before the shower is upon us. At any rate, I hope you won't
Editor's choice
(view all)
Popular books in Fiction and Literature, Romance
More books by Frank R. Stockton
(view all)
Readers reviews
4.0
LoginSign up
The book description (above)is a spoiler because it tells you what happens in the end. Nevertheless I read and enjoyed the book. It takes a simple story and tells it entertainingly. My only disappointment was the ending chapter(s). It seems like the author runs out of steam and wants to finish the book in a hurry. I'd still recommend the book, however. The rest of it is very good.
- Upvote (0)
- Downvote (0)
Amusing, charming, and romantic. Good novel about a young male schoolteacher who sets out on a bicycling vacation in the country. What he thinks will be a quiet time of rest and solitude turns into a series of adventures, where he meets a variety of charming young women and their families. The plot includes two marriage proposals and an adventure with a trained pet bear. Perfect for someone looking for some good, light reading.
11/15/2006
-itok=vcKIB5v1.jpg)