Wright American Fiction

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ENTERED according to Act of Congress, in the Year One Thousand Eight Hundred and Fifty-five, by H. LONG & BROTHER in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States, for the Southern District of New York. W. L. Burroughs, Printer. Wm. Hobbs, Stereotyper. Geo. W. Alexander, Binder.

AUTHOR'S PREFACE.

A PREFACE is a natural appendage to a book. In the present one the Author has but little to say. She presents to the kind consideration of the public, a simple volume of facts, unadorned, tailing the trials and troubles of one who has suffered, in youth, through a continuation of unfortunate circumstances, more evils than usually fall to the share of suffering humanity.

There is more true pathos in actual life, than is to be found in all the realms of fiction. We trust that the public will look with a lenient spirit upon the many little faults that must naturally be found in every human attempt; and with these few remarks, we venture timidly, yet with a gentle trust in the sympathy of our readers, to launch our book into the world.

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CONTENTS.

• CHAPTER I. Introduction to the family of Lily Huson—James Huson, her father, deserts his wife and family—Distress of Mary Huson and her children. 9
• CHAPTER II. Sister Carry's departure from home, and unexpected yet welcome return. 16
• CHAPTER III. A personal and mental description of Carry and Lily—A Fourth of July celebration—Sickness and death of Carry—Distress of the family. 23
• CHAPTER IV. Lily goes from home to reside with her uncle—Something about Deacon Dilby, a hypocritical member of the church—A character too often met with. 29
• CHAPTER V. In which the reader is introduced to new scenes and to new characters which have a bearing upon Lily's after career—Lily's early marriage, and her disappointment in the character and disposition of her youthful husband—Lily is compelled to leave her husband's roof and to return to her mother's home. 34
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• CHAPTER VI. Lily's husband seeks to deprive her mother of her hard-earned savings, and for a short time succeeds—The fox is caught in his own trap—New characters introduced—Persecutors and benefactors contrasted. 54
• CHAPTER VII. Lily, to her great surprise, meets, at the house of a friend, a female whom her husband has secretly and illegally married—Lily's interview with her husband—A divorce applied for and gained. 62
• CHAPTER VIII. Troubles and persecutions—Mr. Friendly proves himself to be more than friendly in name—Mrs. Huson has heard of her husband's death, and through the persuasions of friends has married again. 68
• CHAPTER IX. Lemuel, Lily's brother, falls sick in consequence of having been led astray—Lily's qualities as a sick nurse exemplified. 73
• CHAPTER X. Lily endeavors to do something for herself and family—She engages in a school for some time, and then gets her brother into busines for himself—Misfortune still obtains—Mr. Friendly again shows his generosity. 76
• CHAPTER XI. Proposals of marriage—A lucky escape for Lily. 83
• CHAPTER XII. Lily hears from a relative whose existence she had never before dreamed of—She fancies it is her long absent parent, again wishing to see his children—Lily undertakes a long journey. 89
• CHAPTER XIII. Incidents of Lily's journey—Her hopes and anticipations are doomed to disappointment 95
• CHAPTER XIV. New and interesting acquaintances. 101
• CHAPTER XV. A visit to a grave-yard and to a family tomb—Lily's return home—Scenes on the Lake—The daguerreotype gallery—Lily makes fresh exertions—A novel scheme projected—What her friends think of it. 105
• CHAPTER XVI. A visit to New York on business—Fresh disappointments—Lily hears news of the death of her father some years before—She receives letters from her half-brother—A strange letter from a stranger. 118
• CHAPTER XVII. Still more mystery—The elucidation—The introduction and courtship—Confidential letters—All is favorable and love in the ascendant—A sudden change—A lover's inconstancy. 129
• CHAPTER XVIII. A Chapter of correspondence—A former lover's cruelty—The spirit and determination of the forsaken one—An interview demanded. 141
• CHAPTER XIX. The interview is, through the assistance of friends, brought about at last—Lily Huson and her false lover meet, converse together, and part for ever. 157
• CHAPTER XX. Lily devotes her whole attention to her contemplated project—Letters from friends on the subject—She meets with encouragement—A fresh offer of marriage scornfully refused—Still further relative to the scheme. 164
• CHAPTER XXI. Family affairs, trouble and death—Matters progress slowly—still encouragement is held out—Letters from men of influence—Conclusion. 177
• CLARA NEVILLE. 184
• THE VEILED PICTURE. 254
• MY FATHER'S HEAD FARMING-MAN. 273
• THE RED CLOAK. 286
• THE RECOGNITION. 302
• TOM RICHARDS' ADVENTURE. 316
• THE RUINED HOUSE. 328
• SAVE ME FROM MY FRIENDS. 369