Southern Stories / Retold from St. Nicholas

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

23751

Title

Southern Stories / Retold from St. Nicholas

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

A nostalgic collection of Southern tales retold from St. Nicholas Magazine, featuring adventures in the Blue Ridge, Civil War anecdotes, and Joel Chandler Harris's Uncle Remus stories. With vivid imagery and historical depth, this anthology captures the spirit of the American South through folklore, geography, and personal memoirs.

Summary up to 500 words

Published by The Century Company in 1907, *Southern Stories / Retold from St. Nicholas* offers a rich tapestry of life, history, and folklore from the American South. This anthology blends humor, danger, and reflection to provide a poignant glimpse into the region's culture and resilience. The collection features diverse narratives ranging from the Civil War era to colonial history and natural wonders. Margaret Minor's "His Hero" follows a young boy's emotional journey from adoring General Robert E. Lee to grappling with the war's tragic end, set against the autumnal backdrop of the Blue Ridge Mountains. In contrast, J.H. Gore details the ingenuity of a Virginia family surviving the war by creating secret compartments in their home to hide food and valuables from marauding soldiers. Frank R. Stockton transports readers to St. Augustine, Florida, highlighting its medieval architecture and turbulent colonial past as a unique American city with deep historical roots. The volume also explores Louisiana's purchase and the devastating 1886 Charleston earthquake, illustrating the region's geological and political shifts. Folklore and adventure are central themes, particularly in Joel Chandler Harris's classic tale "The Creature with No Claws," where Brer Wolf chases a clawless wildcat, and L.E. Stofiel's account of the "Walking-Beam Boy," a daring lad who signaled steamboats on the Mississippi River before the invention of the whistle. Other stories, such as "The Watermelon Stockings" and "Catching Terrapin," further explore the unique flora, fauna, and customs of the South. Together, these tales capture the spirit of a region defined by its history, its people, and its enduring folklore, offering a comprehensive look at Southern identity.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

Download URL

https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/23751.epub.noimages

Local file path

data/epubs/pg23751.epub

Download EPUB

Downloaded at

2026-07-05 01:45 UTC

Categories

• Fiction
• Southern States