Charles D. Warner

"A jury of inquest was impaneled, and after due deliberation and inquiry they returned the inevitable American verdict which has been so familiar to our ears all the days of our lives-'NOBODY TO BLAME." -The Gilded Age, (1873) The Gilded Age: A Tale of Today (1873), is a two-volume satirical novel written by Mark Twain and Charles Dudley Warner describing late 19th-century Washington D. C. and its cast of characters of corrupt politicians and greedy "robber barons." This period of political corruption and ostentatious materialism became known as the Gilded Age, named after this book. The Gilded Age, offering insight in the problems of growing wealth inequality, resembling those of early 21st century, is a true classic with lessons for modern times.

There was once a very brave man whose name was John Smith. He came to this country many years ago, when there were great woods everywhere, and many wild beasts and Indians. Many tales are told of his adventures, some of them true and some of them untrue. The most famous of all these is the following: One day when Smith was in the woods, some Indians came upon him, and made him their prisoner. They led him to their king, and in a short time they made ready to put him to death. A large stone was brought in, and Smith was made to lie down with his head on it. Then two tall Indians with big clubs in their hands came forward. The king and all his great men stood around to see. The Indians raised their clubs. In another moment they would fall on Smith's head. But just then a little Indian girl rushed in. She was the daughter of the king, and her name was Pocahontas. She ran and threw herself between Smith and the uplifted clubs. She clasped Smith's head with her arms. She laid her own head upon his. "O father " she cried, "spare this man's life. I am sure he has done you no harm, and we ought to be his friends"...

"A jury of inquest was impaneled, and after due deliberation and inquiry they returned the inevitable American verdict which has been so familiar to our ears all the days of our lives-'NOBODY TO BLAME." -The Gilded Age, (1873) The Gilded Age: A Tale of Today (1873), is a two-volume satirical novel written by Mark Twain and Charles Dudley Warner describing late 19th-century Washington D. C. and its cast of characters of corrupt politicians and greedy "robber barons." This period of political corruption and ostentatious materialism became known as the Gilded Age, named after this book. The Gilded Age, offering insight in the problems of growing wealth inequality, resembling those of early 21st century, is a true classic with lessons for modern times.