Wright American Fiction

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Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1868, by A. K. LORING, In the Clerk's office of the District Court for the District of Massachusetts. ROCKWELL & ROLLINS, STEREOTYPERS AND PRINTERS, 122 Washington Street.

CONTENTS.

• OVERTURE, 7
• ACT I.
  • THE CURTAIN GOES UP 7
  • CENTER THE HOUSE-KEEPER 8
  • THE HOUSE-KEEPER SPEAKS 8
  • NEW CHARACTERS ON THE SCENE 8
  • VENDALE MAKES LOVE 9
  • EXIT WILDING 9
• ACT II.
  • VENDALE MAKES MISCHIEF 10
• ACT III.
  • IN THE VALLEY 11
  • ON THE MOUNTAIN 12
  • THE CLOCK-LOCK 13
  • THE CURTAIN FALLS 15

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PRELUDE.

THE marvellous success of the first edition of this story has induced the author to revise, correct, and enlarge it so that it may take its place among the standard literature of the day. Without consulting Judge Ames, of the Probate Court, I have changed the names of some of the characters, so as to give the narrative, in its present form, an appearance of originality.

Not less than ten nor more than a hundred and ninety thousand copies of the first edition were circulated in a single day, and the author is not a greenback the heavier for it. There is really but one writer of the following story, but I have permitted the names of my associates who began the tale with me, to remain, as it may add to their popularity and increase public curiosity to hear the readings. Notwithstanding my close intimacy with C. D. and Domby, no complimentary tickets for their entertainments have been received, and, as Mr. Loring will testify, I scorn to make money out of the sale of this volume, in order to buy them.

Flinging myself on the indulgence of the American public,