Brave Tom; Or, The Battle That Won

"Brave Tom; Or, The Battle That Won" by Edward Sylvester Ellis is a historical adventure novel written in the late 19th century. The story is set in the small rural village of Briggsville, Pennsylvania, and follows a young boy named Tom Gordon, who faces unexpected challenges during a much-anticipated circus visit that turns into chaos when a tiger escapes from its cage. As Tom navigates through the excitement of the day and the fallout that follows, he demonstrates bravery and perseverance in the face of danger. At the start of the book, the village of Briggsville is buzzing with excitement over the arrival of "Jones's & Co.'s Great Moral Menagerie and Transcontinental Circus." Tom Gordon eagerly anticipates attending the circus but suddenly falls ill just before the show. A sense of dread looms when a frantic farmer rushes through the village, only to reveal that a tiger named Tippo Sahib has escaped during the performance, resulting in horrific chaos and injuries. Tom's friend Jim Travers shares wild tales of the tiger attacking people, and as rumors spread, Tom and Jim find themselves thrust into a perilous situation where they must confront their fears and protect not only themselves but also those around them. The narrative quickly escalates, setting the stage for both thrilling adventure and valuable life lessons about courage and friendship.

Brave Tom; Or, The Battle That Won, by Edward Sylvester Ellis. Republished by OpenStories from Project Gutenberg eBook #11978.