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The Heart's Content
The Heart's Content by Ralph Henry Barbour is a heartwarming novel that tells the story of a young man named Jack, who inherits a farm in the countryside from his late uncle. Jack, who has always lived in the city, decides to leave his fast-paced life behind and move to the farm to start a new chapter in his life.As Jack settles into his new home, he meets the locals and begins to learn about the joys and challenges of rural life. He also meets a young woman named Nancy, who captures his heart and helps him to see the beauty in the simple things in life.Together, Jack and Nancy work to restore the farm to its former glory and build a life together. However, they soon face unexpected challenges that threaten to tear them apart. Will their love be strong enough to overcome these obstacles and keep them together?Filled with heartwarming moments, The Heart's Content is a timeless tale of love, hope, and the power of perseverance.1915. And decorations by Edward Stratton Holloway. Barbour wrote a number spirited genuine stories with something to appeal to every boy with the love of manliness, cleanness, and sportsmanship in his heart. Heart's Content A man and a dog trudged along a country road. On either side, beyond gray stone walls, meadows stretched gently upward to meet a warm blue sky. Afar a mowing-machine moved slowly against the horizon, and the chatter of its blades seemed to intensify the heat, like the midsummer rasping of a locust. All about was the fragrance of clover, of red clover knee-deep in the ripe meadows, of alsike clover hugging the lichened walls, of white clover, shy and lowly, peering from the wild tangle along the way. See other titles by this author available from Kessinger Publishing.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.
210 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1915
About the author
Ralph Henry Barbour
369 books5 followersRalph Henry Barbour (1870 - 1944) was an American novelist who wrote popular works of sports fiction for boys, creating highly readable and idealistic stories that taught about the importance of sports, teamwork, and school spirit. Over his career, Barbour produced more than 100 novels as well as a number of short stories.
He was the winner, along with George Randolph Osborne, of Life Magazine’s Shortest Story Contest, which culminated with a publication of these works in 1916.
He was the winner, along with George Randolph Osborne, of Life Magazine’s Shortest Story Contest, which culminated with a publication of these works in 1916.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
June 5, 2018
An fun, light vintage romance. Exactly what I needed for an evening after a too-heavily dramatic story that took me most of the day to slog through. This was a quick read and a good relaxing one. Allan is a funny fellow, decidedly eccentric, but that’s okay because he’s rich! And Beryl is a pleasant heroine.
June 2, 2018
This was the most fun, darling story. It was a sweet romance, but the main guy was so eccentric that it felt really fresh. If anybody wants a really quick read (it's pretty short) that they will easily be motivated to finish, this is it.
A man and his dog are tramping along a country road when they stop to talk to a local farmer. The man wants to buy a house, and he describes it down to the last detail, even its name--"Heart's Content"--to which the farmer says, 'There's nothing like that around here, maybe it's in Alderbury.'
(It is quickly apparent to the reader that actually, the house as yet exists only in the man's imagination.)
Meanwhile in Alderbury, Beryl and her mom are sitting outside their house one day, and her mom is really frustrated that Beryl is turning into a social recluse. She's depending on her daughter to bring all the bright young people of the world into their home, and it's not happening.
Then they both see an odd character lounging about in the lane with a dog, staring at their house. Beryl's mom is amusingly torn between concern that he might be up to no good and delight that at last there's A MAN in their vicinity, woohoo! She goes down to talk to him while Beryl looks on.
In the ensuing conversation, he begins as he means to go on: spacey but charming. Beryl's mom is enchanted. And confused. But mostly enchanted.
This is the beginning of the town's acquaintance with Allan Shortland. Everyone loves a nut, so everyone loves Allan. What about Beryl? Well, she likes him, too, but she can't quite get a grip on his personality. She goes back and forth between tolerant amusement and genuine frustration at his antics. She wants to know what is WRONG with him; he is just so out there.
I'm not going to share any of the rest of the plot, but it's very sweet. I think I have a weakness for the kind of storyline where the hero is a bit undervalued by the heroine because he plays the fool, or wears his feelings too lightly, but below the surface he is steady as a rock. Kind of Scarlet Pimpernel-like.
This was such a happy book! It had a great balance of comedy and feeling. I highly recommend. Find it for free on archive.org.
Fascinatingly, this author appears to have written novels that fall into one of two genres: Romance, or Football. I am impressed.
A man and his dog are tramping along a country road when they stop to talk to a local farmer. The man wants to buy a house, and he describes it down to the last detail, even its name--"Heart's Content"--to which the farmer says, 'There's nothing like that around here, maybe it's in Alderbury.'
(It is quickly apparent to the reader that actually, the house as yet exists only in the man's imagination.)
Meanwhile in Alderbury, Beryl and her mom are sitting outside their house one day, and her mom is really frustrated that Beryl is turning into a social recluse. She's depending on her daughter to bring all the bright young people of the world into their home, and it's not happening.
Then they both see an odd character lounging about in the lane with a dog, staring at their house. Beryl's mom is amusingly torn between concern that he might be up to no good and delight that at last there's A MAN in their vicinity, woohoo! She goes down to talk to him while Beryl looks on.
In the ensuing conversation, he begins as he means to go on: spacey but charming. Beryl's mom is enchanted. And confused. But mostly enchanted.
This is the beginning of the town's acquaintance with Allan Shortland. Everyone loves a nut, so everyone loves Allan. What about Beryl? Well, she likes him, too, but she can't quite get a grip on his personality. She goes back and forth between tolerant amusement and genuine frustration at his antics. She wants to know what is WRONG with him; he is just so out there.
I'm not going to share any of the rest of the plot, but it's very sweet. I think I have a weakness for the kind of storyline where the hero is a bit undervalued by the heroine because he plays the fool, or wears his feelings too lightly, but below the surface he is steady as a rock. Kind of Scarlet Pimpernel-like.
This was such a happy book! It had a great balance of comedy and feeling. I highly recommend. Find it for free on archive.org.
Fascinatingly, this author appears to have written novels that fall into one of two genres: Romance, or Football. I am impressed.
November 14, 2021
As soon as Allan (the main male character) spoke, he reminded me of Cary Grant in one of his “unconventional man shakes things up” roles. So much so, in fact, that in my head all of Alan’s dialogue was in Cary Grant’s voice!
Of course, Grant would have been only 4 years old when Heart’s Content was published in 1915, but if you like an unconventional character and a light, happy read: this book may be for you!
I found the copy I read on Google Books as a free download, which can be emailed to a Kindle.
Of course, Grant would have been only 4 years old when Heart’s Content was published in 1915, but if you like an unconventional character and a light, happy read: this book may be for you!
I found the copy I read on Google Books as a free download, which can be emailed to a Kindle.
June 6, 2018
Dear Mr. Shortland,
Though it pains me to say, I must admit that I have not found your eccentric personality that charming. I kept hoping your rather epicurean approach to life was a mask to hide deeper heartbreak or tragedy. Simply saying that happiness is the most important thing in life, so you're going to be happy, doesn't really give me confidence in your ability to be of support to others when more is at stake then being bored during the summer. While I do applaud your heroic action during the fire, I am left to wonder if you were being serious about being the cause of the fire. I know you may have been joking, but the fact that I'm unsure whether you are capable of doing something so reckless in the pursuit of your own happiness is worrisome.
I do hope that others find more joy in your acquaintance and are not deterred from getting to know you simply because you are not my sort of hero.
Sincerely,
M.H.
Though it pains me to say, I must admit that I have not found your eccentric personality that charming. I kept hoping your rather epicurean approach to life was a mask to hide deeper heartbreak or tragedy. Simply saying that happiness is the most important thing in life, so you're going to be happy, doesn't really give me confidence in your ability to be of support to others when more is at stake then being bored during the summer. While I do applaud your heroic action during the fire, I am left to wonder if you were being serious about being the cause of the fire. I know you may have been joking, but the fact that I'm unsure whether you are capable of doing something so reckless in the pursuit of your own happiness is worrisome.
I do hope that others find more joy in your acquaintance and are not deterred from getting to know you simply because you are not my sort of hero.
Sincerely,
M.H.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 20, 2025
Wandering man with a thing for dove-cots spends a summer in a wealthy New England enclave and romance ensues.
Something tells me the author intended this novel to come across as a lot more charming than I found it. Something about the hero and his shenanigans irritated me more than charmed or amused me. The romance was sweet enough, but I could never quite get beyond my initial impression of the hero. And what was with all the illustrations? It wasn't just a picture or two sprinkled throughout the book, it was random images on almost every page. Couldn't help thinking it was meant to distract from the story's shortcomings.
Something tells me the author intended this novel to come across as a lot more charming than I found it. Something about the hero and his shenanigans irritated me more than charmed or amused me. The romance was sweet enough, but I could never quite get beyond my initial impression of the hero. And what was with all the illustrations? It wasn't just a picture or two sprinkled throughout the book, it was random images on almost every page. Couldn't help thinking it was meant to distract from the story's shortcomings.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews