
In this lively tale the reader is whisked into the bustling world of Boston’s Back Bay Fens, where a good‑natured police sergeant patrols the leafy expanse with a wry smile and an eye for the oddities that unfold each day. From a hapless young woman’s comical bicycle lesson to a mischievous Gordon setter that refuses to behave, the opening scenes paint a portrait of a park that feels almost like its own kingdom, full of characters—children, nurses, and passers‑by—each adding their own flavor to the everyday drama.
As the sergeant’s rounds continue, a sudden outburst of sobbing and accusation draws his attention to a small quarrel between a boy and a girl, hinting at deeper stories hidden beneath the park’s surface. With humor, gentle satire, and a touch of nostalgia, the narrative promises a charming exploration of community, authority, and the quirky “king” who reigns over this green refuge.
Language
en
Duration
~3 hours (207K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Larry B. Harrison and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive)
Release date
2018-03-24
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
Subjects

1861–1947
Best remembered for the beloved animal story Beautiful Joe, this Canadian writer used popular fiction to speak up about kindness, reform, and the treatment of animals. Her books reached a wide audience in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and helped turn storytelling into a way of arguing for social change.
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