The Man of the House

The Alden Collection

by Pansy, Isabella MacDonald Alden

"To support his widowed mother and little sister, twelve-year-old Reuben Stone sets out each day to earn a few cents from working odd jobs. An encounter with a stranger lends to an opportunity for the Stone family to move to the country. But Reuben faces further trials when he is accused of stealing.
"This heartwarming story of a boy's struggle with poverty in the 1850s comes to life on cold city streets, behind a runaway horse and among jealous co-workers. It serves as a refreshing reminder to readers today that God rewards those who are diligent and faithful."

Genres: Christian Fiction, Fiction

265 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1883

About the author

Note: In her lifetime, Isabella Macdonald Alden was usually published under the pseudonym Pansy, and occasionally under the name Mrs. G.R. Alden.

Aunt to Grace Livingston Hill

The sixth of seven children born to Isaac and Myra Spafford Macdonald, of Rochester, New York, Isabella Macdonald received her early education from her father, who home-schooled her, and gave her a nickname - "Pansy" - that she would use for many of her publications. As a girl, she kept a daily journal, critiqued by her father, and she published her first story - The Old Clock - in a village paper when she was ten years old.

Macdonald's education continued at the Oneida Seminary, the Seneca Collegiate Institute, and the Young Ladies Institute, all in New York. It was at the Oneida Seminary that she met her long-time friend (and eventual co-author), Theodosia Toll, who secretly submitted one of Macdonald's manuscripts in a competition, setting in motion a chain of events that would lead to the publication of her first book, Helen Lester, in 1865.

Macdonald also met her future husband, the Rev. Gustavus Rossenberg Alden, at the Oneida Seminary, and the two were married in 1866. Now Isabella Macdonald Alden, the newly-married minister's wife followed her husband as his postings took them around the country, dividing her time between writing, church duties, and raising her son Raymond (born 1873).

A prolific author, who wrote approximately one hundred novels from 1865 to 1929, and co-authored ten more, Alden was also actively involved in the world of children's and religious periodicals, publishing numerous short stories, editing the Sunday Juvenile Pansy from 1874-1894, producing Sunday School lessons for The Westminster Teacher for twenty years, and working on the editorial staff of various other magazines (Trained Motherhood, The Christian Endeavor).

Highly influenced by her Christian beliefs, much of Alden's work was explicitly moral and didactic, and often found its way into Sunday School libraries. It was also immensely popular, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with an estimated 100,000 copies of Alden's books sold, in 1900.

Information taken from:

readseries.com

isabellamacdonaldalden.com

Reviews

[Wayne Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reuben Watson Stone is a fourteen-year-old boy who lives in a New York city with his mother and younger sister Elizabeth (Beth). The family is poor because Reuben’s father has been dead for some time, and Reuben doesn’t go to school because, as the man of the house, he must go out each day to look for odd jobs so that he might earn enough money to get food, buy coal, and pay the rent. One night, he rescues a young drunken man named Edward Harrison who “rewards” him by offering him a job at St. Mark’s Saloon, but Reuben refuses because he has seen first-hand the effects of drink in his encounter with Edward. His mother wonders if he shouldn’t go ahead and take the job, but his decision is encouraged by their new neighbor, Miss Priscilla Hunter, who tells him that her father, brother, and a friend all died as a result of liquor.
However, through Edward, Reuben meets a visiting businessman named Mr. Barrows who, taking a liking to the young boy for his strong moral convictions and honesty, invites Reuben to come home with him and work at his small-town box factory in a rural area at some distance from the city. Arrangements are even made for Mrs. Stone, Beth, and Miss Hunter to move and get work with Mr. Barrow as well. However, the enemy lays many snares for Reuben. There are townspeople who think that Mr. Barrow should hire local boys instead of bringing a stranger in. There are other boys in the factory who tease and tempt Reuben. Then Reuben is unjustly accused of laming Mr. Barrows’s horse and not telling anyone about it. And all during this time, Reuben is trying to make up his mind whether to give his life to Christ or not. What will happen to Reuben? And will he decide to trust in Jesus or not?
Author Isabella Macdonald Alden (1841–1930) was born to Isaac and Myra Spafford Macdonald, of Rochester, NY. Given the nickname “Pansy” as a child, she often wrote under that pseudonym, even editing a juvenile magazine named The Pansy. After being homeschooled by her father, she married a minister named Gustavus Rossenberg Alden and wrote around 100 books, mostly didactic fiction. I picked this one up when visiting in Pennsylvania and in doing some research on it couldn’t find it at first in a listing of Mrs. Alden’s books. However, I later learned that it was originally published under the title The Man of the House. Some people may feel that stories like this are hopelessly outdated and completely irrelevant for today’s children. However, many of Mrs. Alden’s books are being republished for parents who want reading material for their families which is based on traditional Judaeo-Christian values rather than much of the pathetic drivel which passes for modern children’s literature. I immensely enjoyed reading this book and especially liked the anti-liquor and anti-tobacco message. It is a good story for boys.

[Angie Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a nice story about a young boy trying to take care of his mother and sister and the way he finally managed to accomplish his goal. I really loved Reuben--from his quick-thinking, problem-solving attitude to his strong determination to stand by the right no matter the cost to his ever-present care for his mother and sister. I also appreciated the fact that although there were some strong temperance themes, that issue didn't dominate the story. It was great to see Reuben come to Christ and take a stand for his faith, and I appreciated the adults who encouraged him in the right way, especially Miss Hunter. Even though Beth had her faults, I liked her determined defense of her brother, though I'd have liked it if their mother could have been a bit more encouraging toward Reuben when he was in trouble or trying to make hard decisions. She honestly came across as pretty weak. But I appreciated how everything wrapped up at the end. :)

Content--mentions of drinking and drunkenness; references to murder and suicide in connection with temperance discussions; insults and unkind jokes; theft; mentions of deaths

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book, like many others of hers that I have read, is a good example of what it means to let Jesus be the Lord of your life. She has a neat way of writing as though she were sitting next to the reader and telling the story. Another very good one!

[Colleen J · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet story of full faith in a young man and how it affected others.

It is not our great faith but our small faith in a great God. Good story to read to children.

[Ellie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very sweet story about a young boy who becomes the "Man of the House"

[Jarvis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a sweet story I listened to on BBN. The author clearly describes the Christian walk through this young boy's desire to be the provider for his widowed Mother and younger sister.

[Ellie Hollows · Rating 5 out of 5]

You know, I've found that most often, the books that are the hardest to get into end up being the best kind of book.

Ruben and Miss Pricilla were my favorite characters. How Miss Pricilla right off the bat told Reuben that the most important decision to make isn't what you are going to do, but what you aren't going to do. So very thought-provoking 🙂🤔... I was rooting for Reuben every second of the way. I love his sense of responsibility that many lack today and his noble character. It showcases the truth that those who continue to choose right no matter what if it goes unnoticed for a time are often rewarded if they faint not. Oh, an Mr. Barrows is another of my favorites 🖤.

My most favorite parts were when Reuben and Betsy got saved 👏🏻.

It was also such an encouraging read because it reminded me that God cares about every little thing and hears those prayers. And why don't we make Him our first response to turn to.

CW (none personally): alchohol (always in a negative light)

My rating/ Age Recommendation:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5 out of 5 stars)/ 8+

This book is a gem 💎 ✨️ 💖.

[Stanley W · Rating 5 out of 5]

The rest of the story!

This story is being read on BBNradio. I had missed a couple chapters and was delighted to find this and several more books by the same author. Loved the story and it's pAth of making good decisions..even before realizing they were directed by God. Looking forward to many more of her books! Why haven't i heard of her before???

[Rebekah Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this reread! I remembered some things that happened, but not all of them so it was almost like reading it new. Reuben was such a responsible boy and I really liked how he wanted to take care of his mother and sister. Beth’s admiration and love of her brother was sweet.
Good messages, living characters, and a story worth reading again.

[Amie Barnett · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unrealistically well behaved and responsible 12 year old boy as the main character and a bit preachy throughout but still an enjoyable read with some good reminders of how we can look to God to help, guide and vindicate us in our day to day.

[Anete Ābola · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book as all Isabella Alden's books are. I loved the main character. Author is skillful at showing the decision process of her characters. A great book for boys!