The Boxcar Children is a beloved series of chapter books that has been captivating readers for generations with its fun, easy to read storylines that feature a tight-knit group of children having adventures and solving mysteries together.
Originally published in 1942, the Boxcar Children series has continued to grow, adding new adventures each year.
About the Author:
Gertrude Chandler Warner grew up in Putnam, Connecticut.
She wrote The Boxcar Children because she had always dreamed about what it would be like to live in a caboose or a freight car―just as the Aldens do.
When readers asked for more adventures, Warner wrote more books―a total of nineteen in all.
After her death, other authors have continued to write stories about Henry, Jessie, Violet, and Benny Alden, and today The Boxcar Children® series has more than one hundred books.
CHAPTER 3
The Mystery:
The children were lonesome after the wedding.
They longed so much for Joe and Alice.
But just then the mystery of the little yellow house began.
Supper was over.
Warm air was blowing through the open windows, and birds were singing their evening songs.
As Mr. Alden sat down in his easy chair, he said with a pleasant smile, "Isn't it time to think about summer plans?"
Henry looked at his grandfather.
"Grandfather," he said, "do you mind if I ask you something?"
"No, of course not," said Mr. Alden.
"Ask anything you like."
"You may not think it is polite," said Henry slowly.
"But what is a grandfather for?" asked Mr. Alden, winking at Benny.
"I know you are very polite to me always.
Go ahead and don't be afraid."
"Well," said Henry, "do you remember last fall I asked you why we never went into the little yellow house on Surprise Island?
You looked very cross for a minute, and Jessie and I were sure we had hurt your feelings."
Jessie went on, "Don't you remember? You said, 'That's another story.'"
"Oh, I remember all right," said Mr. Alden.
"I never could forget that."
He looked from one face to another.
"If you four children will come over here and sit down on the floor, I'll tell you all about it.
I guess the time has come when you ought to know."
Mr. Alden waited until they were ready to listen, and then he began.
"You know I told you my father built the barn on Surprise Island for his best race horses?
And that the man who took care of the horses built the little yellow house for himself?
"The man's name was Bill.
He was about thirty years old then and so was I.
I loved Bill very much.
He took fine care of the race horses, and he lived in the little yellow house with his good wife."
"Race horses!" cried Benny.
"Did they race?"
"Yes, they raced while my father was living.
My father was your great-grandfather, you know.
Bill loved the horses, and he was a good, kind man.
But I must tell you he was weak."
"Not very strong, you mean?" said Benny.
"No, Benny," said Mr. Alden sadly.
"I don't mean that at all.
He was a very strong man.
He could lift the boat.
I mean he had a weak will.
Anybody could tell him what to do." Mr. Alden stopped.
"Don't tell us, if you don't want to!" begged Jessie.
"Yes, I want to tell you now.
I'm afraid Bill was a coward.
He would do anything his brother Sam told him.
His brother had some bad friends."
The children were suddenly very quiet.
They knew that this was a sad story for their grandfather to tell.
"Let me go and get Watch, please!" cried Benny.
"I'll be right back."
Everyone had to smile as Benny disappeared into the kitchen.
They knew that Benny always wanted the dog when things did not go just right.
He came back at once with Watch running after him.
"Lie down, old fellow," said Henry.
Watch lay down beside Benny and put his head on his paws.
"Well, one evening," Mr. Alden went on, "Bill's wife, Margaret, noticed that Bill seemed to have something on his mind.
He would not talk about it.
After she had gone to bed, she heard a queer grating noise in the front room where Bill was.
She got up and went to see what he was doing.