The Barrel Organ and Besom Ben (1886)

The Barrel Organ and Besom Ben is a novel written by Edwin Waugh and published in 1886. The story revolves around the life of a young boy named Besom Ben, who lives in the town of Rochdale in Lancashire, England. Ben is an orphan and lives in poverty, but he has a talent for playing the barrel organ, which he uses to earn a living.The novel is set in the mid-19th century and depicts the harsh living conditions of the working-class people in the industrial towns of England. It explores themes such as poverty, social inequality, and the struggle for survival in a rapidly changing society.The story follows Ben's journey as he navigates the challenges of his life and tries to make a better future for himself. He meets a variety of characters along the way, including a group of street performers, a kind-hearted schoolteacher, and a wealthy businessman who takes an interest in his talent.Throughout the novel, Waugh's writing is characterized by his use of dialect and his vivid descriptions of the sights and sounds of the town. The Barrel Organ and Besom Ben is a poignant and engaging novel that provides a window into the lives of ordinary people in 19th century England.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.