A Lost Hero

by Elizabeth Stuart Phelps

"A Lost Hero" by Elizabeth Stuart Phelps and Herbert D. Ward is a novel written in the early 1890s, during the late 19th century. The book addresses themes of heroism and self-sacrifice, illustrating how ordinary individuals can perform extraordinary acts of bravery in the face of danger. It showcases the interactions between various social classes and races in a tense moment of crisis, suggesting that true heroism often remains unrecognized. The story centers around a young boy named Donny de Mone, who goes to meet his father arriving on a train in Summerville, South Carolina, during an earthquake. As chaos ensues, Donny finds himself separated from his father after a violent tremor strikes the area. Amid the panic, he encounters an old Negro man who, despite being poor and on his way to see his dying daughter, acts heroically by placing warning torpedoes on the tracks to stop the incoming train, thereby saving its passengers. Ultimately, the old man's identity remains a mystery as he disappears into the night after saving many lives, raising poignant questions about the nature of heroism and recognition in society.