Lazy Robert; Or, the Colonel's Servant

This edition has been fully restored with modern typesetting, custom cover design. Lazy Robert follows a bright, affectionate boy whose charm is constantly undermined by idleness, deceit, and a restless imagination. Robert Weeks cannot stay with his lessons: he is forever distracted by his dog Major, a stuffed squirrel, fishing, soldiers marching by, or some secret errand with another boy. Aunt Josephine Woodward, patient but firm, tries to guide him toward self-control and diligence, while his uncle grows increasingly alarmed by the wasted intelligence and dishonesty that threaten his future. When Robert lies, steals food, sneaks out, and is finally forced into a confession, the family realizes that his failures are moral as well as academic. As the tension rises, Robert's romantic fantasies about soldiering collide with the harsher truth that war means suffering, sacrifice, and injury. His disappearance sparks panic, heartbreaking accusations, and a family search that exposes the consequences of indulgence and rebellion. Grounded in domestic realism and clear moral purpose, the story offers a vivid lesson on obedience, truthfulness, and the danger of letting laziness become a habit.