ANDY’S WARD
OR
THE INTERNATIONAL MUSEUM
by James Otis
Author of “The Braganza Diamond,” “Chasing a Yacht,” etc.
358 Pages, Illustrated. Cloth, $1.25
A peculiarly fascinating narrative of the life and experiences of “Museum Marvels.” They dwell in a house owned by a sword-swallower, whose wife, the “Original Circassian,” is entrusted with its management. But one of the company, a dwarf, nicknamed the “Major,” insists upon taking charge, and the rest of the household, including a fat lady, a giant, and a snake-charmer, stand more in awe of him than of the owner of the house or his wife.
Two boys, Andy and Jerry, are employed to wait upon this queerly assorted family. Their troubles with the dwarf and his pets, during which the boys are aided and counseled by the giant, make up the lighter portion of the story. A tiny girl, who is even more of a dwarf than the “Major,” is introduced to the household by Andy, who claims her as his ward, by virtue of a promise made to her brother when he was dying.
The private life of the marvels, their amusements, their wrangles, especially the laughable encounters between the “Giant” and the “Major,” form a most interesting story.