
In a breezy New England hamlet where the train’s whistle marks the day’s rhythm, Simeon Phinney steps out of his modest home, pipe in hand, ready for his evening duties at the depot and post office. A jack‑of‑all‑trades—carpenter, well driver, building mover—he is as familiar with the lilac‑lined lane as he is with the gossip that swirls around the station. The town’s simple customs—men gathering at the depot, women at sewing circles—create a warm, intertwined community that feels both timeless and lively.
When the town’s self‑styled magnate, Ogden Hapworth Williams, summons Simeon with an unusual request—to move an old colonial house from Shore Road to his newly planted boulevard—ordinary life takes a quirky turn. The task promises a clash of practical skill and lofty ambition, pulling Simeon into the social currents of wealth, tradition, and local pride. Listeners will be drawn into this charming portrait of small‑town camaraderie, where a single evening can reshape more than just a building.
Language
en
Duration
~8 hours (467K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Donald Lainson; David Widger
Release date
2006-05-17
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1870–1944
Best known for warm, witty stories set around Cape Cod, this prolific American writer created a world of village life, local characters, and quiet humor that kept readers coming back for decades.
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