
In a quiet New England hamlet perched on a rocky promontory, a young preacher steps out after the Sunday service, seeking a brief walk before dinner. The coastal air carries the scent of salt and pine, and the white cottage that looms over the bay hints at a life of simple comforts. As she pauses on the weather‑worn stones, the landscape reveals more than just scenery—it introduces the town’s oddball charm through its inhabitants.
Soon she encounters a startling figure: a weather‑beaten man with a scarred, moth‑eaten visage, yet eyes that shine with unexpected kindness. Known locally as Joe Brazybone, his rough exterior masks a heart that resonates with the preacher’s own gentle spirit. Their unexpected exchange offers a glimpse into the community’s blend of humor, resilience, and quiet generosity, promising a story that celebrates the small, tender moments that bind a seaside village together.
Language
en
Duration
~2 hours (127K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Suzanne Shell, Emmy and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.)
Release date
2015-08-21
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
Subjects

1850–1943
A prolific American writer, she brought warmth, wit, and imagination to children's books, poems, and biographies. Her long career produced dozens of works and helped make her a familiar literary voice in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
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