The O'Ruddy: A Romance

"The O'Ruddy: A Romance" by Stephen Crane and Robert Barr is an adventurous tale that follows the life of Tom O'Ruddy, an Irish youth on a mission to deliver vital documents to the Earl of Westport, a friend of his late father. O'Ruddy leaves his home and steps into an exciting world of newfound friendships, honor-bound duels, and unexpected escapades, bringing to light the differences between his Irish roots and the polite society of England. O’Ruddy humorously retells the story of his family, once powerful in Ireland but now faded from relevance. Following his father's death, O’Ruddy begins his journey to fulfill his father's final wish, with his funny troubles immediately beginning in Bristol. There, he causes a commotion at a local inn by facing a Colonel who insulted his father, leading to a duel. These early adventures show O’Ruddy’s passionate attitude as he steps into the strange environment of English nobles, hinting at the thrilling events to come.