In 'The Autobiography of a Quack, and The Case of George Dedlow', S. Weir Mitchell tells the story of a charismatic scamp who finds himself bedridden with Addison's disease, surrounded by fellow patients in a Massachusetts hospital. Bored and restless, he takes the doctor's suggestion to write his life story, chronicling his clever schemes to acquire wealth and the setbacks that befell him along the way. With wit and candor, he reveals the hard truth that even a skilled scoundrel may not succeed in the end. Mitchell's classic tale offers a witty and entertaining look at a life lived on the wrong side of the law.

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Book Excerptt, her ways of hiding her money proved useful, to me at least. As to Peninnah, she was nothing special until she suddenly bloomed out into a rather stout, pretty girl, took to ribbons, and liked what she called ``keeping company.'' She ran errands for every one, waited on my aunt, and thought I was a wonderful person--as indeed I was. I never could understand her fondness for helping everybody. A fellow has got himself to think about, and that is quite enough. I was told pretty often that I was the most selfish boy alive. But, then, I am an unusual person, and there are several names for things.My father kept a small shop for the sale of legal stationery and the like, on Fifth street north of Chestnut. But his chief interest in life lay in the bell-ringing of Christ Church. He was leader, or No. 1, and the whole business was in the hands of a kind of guild which is nearly as old as the church. I used to hear more of it than I liked, because my father talked of nothing else. But I do not mean to bore m

One by one, four ducklings find the courage to jump into the pond and paddle with Mama Duck, until only Little Quack is left in the nest, trying to be brave.