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The Red Scarf by Richard Mason

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By Carla Morris

Richard Mason writes all about his boyhood mischief and pranks from the 1940s in
El Dorado, Arkansas. Many of his adventures are reminiscent of Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn. Among the incidents, Richard and John Clayton steal a Christmas tree, but later redeem themselves as they give up personal wants to purchase reading glasses as a Christmas present for their friend Uncle Hugh, "just so he can read the Bible." All along Richard has had his heart set on purchasing a red Christmas scarf for his special Rosalie. The story of how he is able to finally give her the scarf is both touching and satisfying. The text is a bit repititious but seems to ring true to the period of time.
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