
In Our Town - BY WILLIAM ALLEN WHITE - The Court of Boyville, The Real Issue, Stratagems and Spoils - Illustrations by F. R. Gruger and W. Glackens - NEW YORK McCLURE, PHILLIPS & CO. MCMVI - Copyright 1906 by McCLURE, PHILLIPS & CO. - Published April, 1906 - Copyright 1904 by The Century Co. Copyright 1905-1906 by The Curtis Publishing Co.
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
IN OUR TOWN
I. Scribes and Pharisees
II. The Young Prince
III. The Society Editor
IV. "As a Breath into the Wind"
V. The Coming of the Leisure Class
VI. The Bolton Girl's "Position"
VII. "By the Rod of His Wrath"
In a modest Western town where everyone knows each other’s business, the local newspaper serves as the community’s informal council. Its editor and reporters act as both chroniclers and confidants, gathering the whispered triumphs and petty scandals that never make the printed page. The narrative captures the rhythm of daily life, from church choir quarrels to the quiet desperation of a long‑serving bank cashier found short millions.
Through witty sketches and sharp observations, the story introduces a parade of eccentric townsfolk—proud outcasts, flamboyant socialites, and earnest widowers whose romantic prospects become office wagers. The humor lies in the juxtaposition of grand self‑importance with humble realities, as characters flaunt high collars, elaborate theories, and theatrical gestures while the town’s pulse beats steadily on. This portrait of small‑town America offers both gentle satire and a heartfelt look at the connections that bind a community together.
Language
en
Duration
~6 hours (397K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Suzanne Shell, Mary Meehan and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net
Release date
2008-08-07
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1868–1944
A plainspoken Kansas editor turned a small-town newspaper into a national voice and became one of the best-known commentators of his time. Remembered as the “Sage of Emporia,” he wrote with wit, conviction, and a deep interest in American public life.
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