The Scamperers

Stearns, Charles A.Project Gutenberg · United StatesDec 2019

2.0

Word count: 34K words
Chapters: 4

Summary

Project Gutenberg was the first provider of free electronic books, or eBooks. Michael Hart, founder of Project Gutenberg, invented eBooks in 1971 and his memory continues to inspire the creation of eBooks and related technologies today.The Scamperers by Charles A. StearnsAuthor: Stearns, Charles A.,Language: English, Class: PS: Language and Literatures: American and Canadian literature, Release Date: May 15, 2019

Editor's review

The Scamperers is a short work by Charles A. Stearns, included in Project Gutenberg and classified under US and Canadian literature. Judging by the title and length, it suits light reading as an English short story: the plot is concentrated and the length manageable, readable in one or two sessions. For readers wanting public-domain American short fiction, the value of such texts lies in the immediacy of language and narrative rhythm rather than grand background. As you read, note how character actions and dialogue move the story, and how the sense of haste and scurrying suggested by "scamper" appears in the narrative. Given limited information, do not presuppose specific plot or themes; the safer approach is to treat it as a short reading exercise: read through for the story's direction, revisit the language of key scenes, then retell the outline in your own words to check comprehension.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Learners practicing English short story reading
Readers interested in public-domain American short fiction
People needing short material for class or book-club discussion
Readers who like to finish a story in one sitting

Not a good fit for

Readers who prefer long narratives and complex worlds
Those who need a Chinese translation and do not read English originals
Readers expecting systematic author biography and critical study materials

Reading tips

Read through once for plot, then revisit key dialogue and action descriptions.
Mark unfamiliar expressions while reading; look them up afterward and retell the story.
Use it as short book-club material, discussing character motives and the ending.
Try summarizing the story in three sentences, then check against the original to see if you caught the key points.

About the publisher

Project Gutenberg United States · Founded in 1971

Project Gutenberg is a digital publishing project focused on public-domain ebooks. Its publishing direction centers on classic literary works whose copyright has expired, covering genres such as poetry, drama, fiction, and epic. Representative books include Lyrical Ballads by Wordsworth and Coleridge, Proust's Du côté de chez Swann, Shakespeare's Macbeth and The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, Homer's The Iliad, Dante's La Divina Comèdia: Purgatòri, Cervantes's The History of Don Quixote, Volume 2, and Grahame's The Wind in the Willows. Its author resources consist mainly of classic Western writers such as Wordsworth, Proust, Shakespeare, Homer, Dante, Cervantes, Grahame, and Tolstoy. Its publishing feature is the provision of freely accessible ebooks in EPUB and Kindle formats; it is not a traditional publisher, and publicly available information is limited.

FAQ

Is this story in the original English?

Yes, the original is in English, from a Project Gutenberg public-domain ebook. It is short and suitable for English reading practice. If it is difficult, look up key vocabulary first and read through without translating word by word.

Is it suitable for readers who have never read an English original?

It can be an entry-level attempt, though short stories may still contain old-fashioned and colloquial usage. Read once without trying to understand everything, then revisit difficulties; if your basics are weak, use a dictionary or an annotated edition.

Do I need to know the author's background before reading?

No. The available information about the author is limited; read the text directly. Focus on the language and narrative of the story itself, and look up background later if interested.

Is this work suitable for classroom discussion?

It works as short discussion material because it is manageable and can be read in one sitting. Discussion can start from character actions, the role of dialogue, and the ending, but specific themes should follow the actual text rather than be presupposed.

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About the author

Stearns, Charles A. Author

Charles A. Stearns is an author about whom limited public information is available. What can be confirmed is that four works appear under his name: B-12's Moon Glow, Pastoral Affair, The Marooner, and The Scamperers. Since his nationality, dates of birth and death, and educational background are not recorded, a full biography cannot be outlined; only preliminary observations can be drawn from these titles and the number of works. The four works differ in subject matter, and their titles carry a clear narrative and imagistic quality, possibly touching on pastoral settings, adventure, and suspense, suggesting that the author made attempts in the field of popular fiction. Overall, Stearns remains a sparsely documented author awaiting further study, and a clearer account of his creative profile and literary influence will depend on additional bibliographic and publishing information.