Wright American Fiction

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Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1863, by B. F. CRAIG, In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for the Southern District of Ohio.

TO
MRS. ELIZABETH M. BROOKING,
OF CLINTON COUNTY, MISSOURI,
This Book
IS MOST AFFECTIONATELY DEDICATED, BY

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PREFACE.

I PRESENT you with my first book. It is no fiction. The actors described are, or have been, living men and women: some of them still survive; others tenant the narrow house of the dead. Besides, the writing or reading mere fiction would be like sitting by the table, and going through the motions, without having any thing to eat.

I am aware that books, like water, will find their level, and upon the great literary ocean I launch my little bark, to buffet the waves of criticism. If wrecked upon the rock of the classic and learned, I hope and honestly trust that it will find a resting-place in the hearts of the million of my countrymen.

So far as it is political, I have given no opinion page: vi-vii (Table of Contents) [View Page vi-vii (Table of Contents) ]Switch to Image ModeCLOSE Page vi-vii (Table of Contents) of my own, but have faithfully endeavored to represent the opinions of others. I have said nothing in extenuation, or set down aught in malice, against any person or party; but if any one, by a perusal of its pages, shall find a picture, in which he has been an actor, true to the letter—as Nathan said unto David—Thou art the man!

I have compressed the interesting details of thirteen years into a short story, hoping not to weary you. Read it: if you do n't like it, let the fault be with

CONTENTS.

• CHAPTER I. INTRODUCTION to the Border Ruffian—The lost child. 13
• CHAPTER II. Fate of Dixie—The first conversation between Jeff and Abe—Moral view of slavery. 17
• CHAPTER III. The second search for the lost child—Story on circumstantial evidence. 22
• CHAPTER IV. Mingo's trip to California. 29
• CHAPTER V. Mrs. S—— mesmerized. 33
• CHAPTER VI. The second conversation between Jeff and Abe—Extension of slavery, and colonization of the negroes discussed. 37
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• CHAPTER VII. The lost child found. 42
• CHAPTER VIII. The desire of Burtice to make Kansas a slave State—His peculiar views of slavery. 48
• CHAPTER IX. The reader introduced to Major Six and Don Partlo. 54
• CHAPTER X. The third conversation between Jeff and Abe—Religious and moral view of slavery—Its introduction into this country. 58
• CHAPTER XI. Cora attends boarding-school. 64
• CHAPTER XII. Hawkeye killed—His family leave the territory. 67
• CHAPTER XIII. Consultation between Major Six and Dutch Bob concerning the men at Timber Point. 71
• CHAPTER XIV. The fourth conversation between Jeff and Abe—Difficulties in debating the slavery question—Its power to overthrow the Government—General profits of slave labor. 74
• CHAPTER XV. Mary Hawkeye in Missouri after the death of her husband. 79
• CHAPTER XVI. Cora's visit to the East. 82
• CHAPTER XVII. Shilo emigrates to Kansas—His mysterious disappearance. 89
• CHAPTER XVIII. The fifth conversation between Jeff and Abe—Free and slave labor discussed—Political view of the subject—The crisis figuratively portrayed. 92
• CHAPTER XIX. Cora returns home from the East—Her unexpected sight of Don Partlo. 100
• CHAPTER XX. Ned returns to Kentucky—His account of political parties in the territory, and views of the country. 103
• CHAPTER XX. Mary Hawkeye acts the Prodigal Son. 107
• CHAPTER XXII. The sixth conversation between Jeff and Abe—Secession of Missouri discussed. 113
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• CHAPTER XXIII. Don Partlo's first interview with Cora in Missouri—His desertion from the camp of Major Six. 118
• CHAPTER XXIV. Oakhead and Bob Beabout, the bushwhackers. 125
• CHAPTER XXV. Cora arrested by military authority. 132
• CHAPTER XXVI. The seventh conversation between Jeff and Abe—The crisis figuratively portrayed. 137
• CHAPTER XXVII. The negroes of Colonel S—— flee to Kansas—The Colonel on the dodge. 144
• CHAPTER XXVIII. The first and last days of Mingo. 147
• CHAPTER XXIX. Little Ben, the newsboy—Don Partlo robs the United States mail. 156
• CHAPTER XXX. The eighth conversation between Jeff and Abe—Religious view of slavery—Origin of the negro. 160
• CHAPTER XXXI. Cora escapes from prison. 173
• CHAPTER XXXII. Arrival of Cora's prison letter in the East. 177
• CHAPTER XXXIII. Attack of Don Partlo and thirteen men upon one hundred troopers—His party are surrounded by sixty soldiers—Their brave escape—His singular dream, and fears for Cora. 183
• CHAPTER XXXIV. The ninth conversation between Jeff and Abe—Capabilities, nationality, and origin of the negro discussed. 189
• CHAPTER XXXV. Dissipation of Burtice—Arrest of Lord Dunmore—The last days of Burtice. 199
• CHAPTER XXXVI. Cora's singular escape from prison—Her search for Don Partlo, and unexpected meeting with him in disguise. 208
• CHAPTER XXXVII. The tenth conversation between Jeff and Abe—The rights of freedom—Different systems of slavery—Origin and destiny of the negro. 215
• CHAPTER XXXVIII. The meeting of Cora and her father—Don Partlo in the council—Their departure for Texas—Her poetic speech to Don Partlo on that occasion. 229