Excerpt from El Paso by Winston Groom, plus links to reviews, author biography & more

He was proud of the NE&P and the progress that it stood for. But the Colonel didn't want to be troubled by the whims of stockholders or the controlling votes of any board of directors—or for that matter the snooping of newspaper reporters that would come with a public company—and after many futile discussions Arthur felt bound to honor his father's wishes.

After all, he didn't just owe him a lot; he owed him everything.


BEATIE SHAUGHNESSY HAS GIVEN BIRTH to one daughter, Alexa—and could bear no more children. the news made Arthur's father—the Colonel, as he was known—more heartbroken than his wife, but not over worry or concern; like every man, he simply wanted a son.

then one afternoon a decade later, while doing charity work for the church, Beatie found herself in the stark environs of the Laura Bostwick Foundlings' Home. Every Christmas she delivered presents to the orphans—candy, cookies, hand-me-downs, and worn-out toys. though she seldom went into South Boston, where Irish Catholics lived, the Bostwick orphanage was not limited to Irish Catholics only. It was a nonsectarian institution and Beatie felt it her duty to help the most unfortunate. All children deserved Christmas, and certainly those who were made orphans through no fault of their own.

that same afternoon, the custodian told Arthur to help get the things out of the carriage as usual. Right away he put on his most charming demeanor for the tall, handsome lady, and when Beatie asked his name, he replied, "Arthur."

Without thinking, Beatie asked, "And what is your surname, Arthur?"

To which he replied with his most bashful, poignant expression, "I don't have a last name, mum." Beatie bent down and hugged him and apologized, her eyes misty and his glistening, too. While Arthur did in fact have a last name, Gray, he was never sure if it related to his true father or mother or was just something given to him at the orphanage so he wouldn't be embarrassed at school.

Nevertheless, the real Christmas presents soon arrived. Two days before Christmas Eve, the custodian told Arthur what every child in the foundling home wanted to hear more than anything else. To wash up and put on clean clothes: Arthur had visitors.

As he came downstairs, Arthur saw the handsome lady again. With her was a burly man, with blue eyes, graying hair, and an easy smile, dressed as a true gentlemen, with a black top hat in his hand. "this is Mr. and Mrs. Shaughnessy, Arthur," the custodian said. "they want to speak with you."

the three of them then sat in a little drawing room the orphanage used for important visitors. there the burly gentleman gently questioned Arthur. He asked if he knew who his parents were. Arthur replied that he did not. He asked how Arthur liked going to school. Arthur told him he did. It was the truth. He liked learning. the man asked Arthur if he liked the orphanage. Unsure how to reply, Arthur said nothing. the man asked again.

"Yessir, it's nice."

"Good," replied the man. "that's what I like to hear." He smiled at his wife. there was a silence for a moment. Arthur hadn't known what to think. If he said he didn't like the orphanage, they might think he was a troublemaker; not grateful for what he had. If he said he did . . . well, why would they ask that? Had they come just to find out if he liked living here? As he forced a smile, he began to choke back a sob that rose in his throat.

"Yes, sir," Arthur repeated. "they're . . . they're . . ." He hadn't been coached, but heard from others that crying could sometimes get you what you wanted. Beatie rushed to the sofa where the boy sat and embraced him tightly as he fought back the tears. the man over Beatie's shoulder shifted awkwardly, something between a frown and pity on his face. Beatie turned to him. "We're taking him with us right now!" she said.

Excerpted from El Paso by Winston Groom. Copyright © 2016 by Winston Groom. With permission of the publisher, Liveright Publishing Corporation. All rights reserved.