Wright American Fiction

Search Options

page: Illustration (TitlePage) [View Page Illustration (TitlePage) ]Switch to Image ModeCLOSE Page Illustration (TitlePage)

[View Figure]Switch to Image ModeCLOSE Figure

THE HOMESTEAD (Frontispiece.)

page: 3[View Page 3]Switch to Image ModeCLOSE Page 3

Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1853, by ALDEN BEARDSLEY & CO., In the Clerk's Office for the Northern District of New York.

Preface.

IT seems to be thought that a preface or introduction of some sort is absolutely necessary to a book; why, I do not know, unless it be that it looks rather abrupt to begin one's story without a word as to the why or wherefore of its being written. This in the present case can be said very shortly.

The principal events in the following story, the loved and petted child being, as it seemed, given back to life in answer to the mother's importunate cry; the indulgence under which he grew up, and the fatal consequences of that indulgence upon a temper such as his; are taken from real life, and may be used as sad warnings to those who shrink from the present trouble and pain, of rightly training the little ones God has given them.

The story of the Governess is a true one in every particular; names only being altered; I believe there are none remaining now whose feelings will be pained by this sad history being made public, so far as this little book may make it so, but there are one or two I know, and perhaps more, now living, who will smile if the chapter page: iv-v (Table of Contents) [View Page iv-v (Table of Contents) ]Switch to Image ModeCLOSE Page iv-v (Table of Contents) ter entitled "Ruth Glenn" meets their eyes, when they remember the disturbed nights years ago at a certain city boarding school. If she to whom I have given this name should ever see these pages, I hope she will forgive me for thus "telling tales out of school," in consideration of the high station to which by my single voice I have raised her, and the pleasant memory she leaves behind.

Many other little scenes and incidents interwoven in the story, are from life.

And now I can only close my preface as I have closed the book, in the earnest hope that it may have the effect of leading some mothers to train rightly the little shoots springing up around the parent tree, restraining their wandering inclinations, and teaching them ever to look and grow towards Heaven.

Contents.

• CHAPTER I. LITTLE AGNES.
  The cross baby brother—The patient sister—The novel-reading mamma—The broken workbox—Undeserved punishment—The lock of papa's hair—Old Mammy—The cold north room—"Never alone"—Aunt Wharton-Lewie sick—A pleasant change for the little prisoner. 11
• CHAPTER II. BROOK FARM.
  Bridget's rage—Mammy's story—The runaway match—The dead father—The cheerful home at Brook Farm—Cousin Emily—The ice palace—Christmas secrets—The mother's agony—Life from the dead. 28
• CHAPTER III. CHRISTMAS TIME.
  Preparations for Christmas—The needle-book—Santa Claus himself expected—Old Cousin Betty—Loads of presents—Christmas Eve—Appearance of Santa Claus—"Who can he be?"—Cousin Tom—Poor Emily's grief. 52
• page: vi (Table of Contents) -vii (Table of Contents) [View Page vi (Table of Contents) -vii (Table of Contents) ]Switch to Image ModeCLOSE Page vi (Table of Contents) -vii (Table of Contents)
• CHAPTER IV. COUSIN BETTY.
  Cousin Betty—Absence of mind and body—A habit of dying—The shadow on the wall—Cousin Betty's ride on Prancer—Training day—Cousin Betty a captain of militia—Cousin Betty's stories. 67
• CHAPTER V. HOME AGAIN.
  Agnes and Mr. Wharton on their way to the Hemlocks—The novel-reading mamma again—Lewie better—Agnes must stay—A lay sermon to Mrs. Elwyn—The needle-case—The bitter disappointment. 77
• CHAPTER VI. THE TABLEAUX.
  Lewie roving the woods and fields again—Capricious and fretful still—The birth-day party at Mr. Wharton's—Preparations for tableaux—Another disappointment for Agnes—The sweetest tableaux of all. 89
• CHAPTER VII. THE GOVERNESS.
  The lady who came for wool—The home in New-England—Midnight studies—Miss Edwards engaged as governess—A universal genius—A letter from the long-lost brother—The journey—The old Virginia church—The ghost no ghost at all—The old log-house—Horrible murder!—of pigs. 98
• CHAPTER VIII. BITTER DISAPPOINTMENTS.
  No news from Miss Edwards—The letter from the strange physician—The manuscript—The brother found, and where—The engagement—Desertion—The country house—The "crazy room"—The Eastern Asylum—Rest at last in the quiet nook. 127
• CHAPTER IX. EMILY'S TRIALS.
  Lewie's education—Mr. Malcolm tutor at the Hemlocks—Frequent calls at Brook Farm—Emily's sufferings—The disclosure—Strength for time of trial. 149
• CHAPTER X. THE TUTOR AND THE PUPIL.
  Lewie's insubordination—Passion and tears—The mother's anxiety—Mr. Malcolm's firmness—No dinner for Lewie—Sulking—Brought to terms at last—The tutor dismissed. 159
• CHAPTER XI. RUTH GLENN.
  Leaving for boarding-school—Mrs. Arlington and her daughters—The third story room—The new strange girl—Nocturnal disturbances—Ruth Glenn's expostulations—Imminent danger—The physician consulted—Morning walks—Sad partings. 172
• CHAPTER XII. LEWIE AT SCHOOL.
  The dictator in the play-ground—Strife and contention—The tormentor—Lewie's mortification—The sore spot—The attack upon Colton—The removal from school—Mrs. Elwyn's failing health—Agnes summoned—A death bed—Changes proposed to Agnes—Her departure for Wilston. 196
• CHAPTER XIII. NEW SCENES FOR AGNES.
  The two Miss Fairlands—The step-mother—Arrival at Wilston—Unpromising pupils—Poor Tiney—Dreadful scene at the tea-table—Tiney's sufferings—The effect of music. 212
• page: viii (Table of Contents) -ix (Table of Contents) [View Page viii (Table of Contents) -ix (Table of Contents) ]Switch to Image ModeCLOSE Page viii (Table of Contents) -ix (Table of Contents)
• CHAPTER XIV. THE SCHOOL IN THE WEST WING.
  A hard task—The children's toilettes—Bible teachings—Practical applications—Sunday at Mr. Fairland's—The children's singing—The father's tears—A visit to Brook Farm—A visit from Lewie. 223
• CHAPTER XV. THE STRANGERS IN THE ROOKERY.
  An arrival—The Rookery—Mrs. Danby and Bella—A sudden accident—The rescue—The strangers—An old friend—A row on the lake—Music on the water—Shrieking in the house—A new method of laying spirits—Mortifying disclosures by Frank. 250
• CHAPTER XVI. DEATH AND THE FUGITIVE.
  Music on the lawn—The midnight interview—The horrid truth disclosed—Lewie a fugitive from justice—Jealousy of Calista and Evelina—Poor Tiney's death bed—The search—The arrest. 269
• CHAPTER XVII. THE JAIL.
  Return to Brook Farm—The visit to the jail—The involuntary and the voluntary prisoner—A talk about the future—Mr. Malcolm's visits—The lawyer—The evening before the trial. 284
• CHAPTER XVIII. THE TRIAL.
  The Court-room—Mr. W.—The testimony—Speeches—Mr. G.'s agitation—Charge to the jury. 296
• CHAPTER XIX. THE SEALED PAPER.
  A night of fearful suspense—The verdict—Insensibility—Delirium—Meeting between the brother and sister—Lewie's illness—Longings for freedom—A journey to the capital—Ruth Glenn again—The governor—A sister's pleadings—Her reward. 310
• CHAPTER XX. TWICE FREE.
  Freedom for the captive—Removal to Brook Farm—Decline—Changes of temper and heart—A final release—The quiet nook—Resignation—Cheerfulness—The unexpected visitor. 328
• CHAPTER XXI. THE WINDING UP.
  Repairs at the Rookery—Calista and Evelina on the qui vive—Mr. Harrington and his bride—Another Christmas gathering—Farewell, and kind wishes. 334