Mr. Jacobs: A Tale of the Drummer, the Reporter, and the Prestidigitateur

Name: Mr. Jacobs: A Tale of the Drummer, the Reporter, and the Prestidigitateur
Author: Arlo Bates

By Arlo Bates

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Humour

About This Book

A comic, episodic narrative follows a roving salesman and sleight-of-hand artist who befriends a cynical newspaper correspondent; their conversations and encounters supply a string of humorous set pieces. The showman’s flamboyant persona, extravagant curios, and jocular confessions about marriage propel a playful courtship subplot and encounters with local notables. Episodes about tiffins, odd possessions, and a mysterious captive known only as Number One mix farce with social satire, producing a light, irreverent portrait of theatricality, vanity, and the pleasures of tall storytelling.

About the Author

Arlo Bates

Arlo Bates was an American author and educator known for his diverse contributions to literature, including fiction, essays, and pedagogical works. His notable titles include "A Book o' Nine Tales," which showcases his skill in storytelling, and "Love in a Cloud: A Comedy in Filigree," reflecting his flair for humor and wit. Bates also engaged deeply with the craft of writing and literature, as seen in his instructional texts such as "Talks on Teaching Literature" and "Talks on Writing English." His works often explore themes of society and human nature, making him a significant figure in early 20th-century American literature.