The Tempering

The Tempering by Charles Neville Buck is a novel set in the early 1900s in the United States. The story follows the life of a young man named Johnnie, who is sent to live with his uncle after his father dies. Johnnie's uncle is a blacksmith, and Johnnie soon becomes his apprentice. Through his work with his uncle, Johnnie learns the value of hard work and the importance of integrity.As Johnnie grows older, he becomes involved in a love triangle with two women, one of whom is engaged to another man. The situation becomes complicated when Johnnie's uncle is accused of a crime he did not commit, and Johnnie must use his newfound skills and knowledge to prove his uncle's innocence.Throughout the book, Buck explores themes of love, loyalty, and justice. He also provides vivid descriptions of life in early 20th century America, including the challenges faced by working-class families and the social norms of the time.Overall, The Tempering is a compelling and thought-provoking novel that offers a glimpse into a bygone era while also exploring timeless themes that are still relevant today.1920. The book begins: Nothin; don�������t nuver come ter pass hyarabouts! The boy perched disconsolately on the rotting fence threw forth his lament aloud to the laurelled silences of the mountain sides and the emptiness of space. Every doggone day�������s jest identical with all ther balance-save only thet hit�������s wuss! He sat with his back turned on the only signs of human life within the circle of his vision; unless one called the twisting creek-bed at his front, which served that pocket of the Kentucky Cumberlands as a highway, a human manifestation. There behind him a log-cabin breathed smokily through its mud-daubed chimney; a pioneer habitation in every crude line and characteristic. On the door hung, drying, the odorous pelt of a varmint. Against the wall leaned a rickety spinning wheel.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.