PREFACE.
Josiah and me got to talkin' it over. He said it wuzn't right to think more of one child than you did of another.
And I says, “That is so, Josiah.”
And he says, “Then, why did you say yesterday, that you loved sweet Cicely better than any of the rest of your thought-children? You said you loved 'em all, and was kinder sorry for the hull on 'em, but you loved her the best: what made you say it?”
Says I, “I said it, to tell the truth.”
“Wall, what did you do it for?” he kep' on, determined to get a reason.
“I did it,” says I, a comin' out still plainer,—“I did it to keep from lyin'.”
“Wall, when you say it hain't right to feel so, what makes you?”
“I don't know, Josiah,” says I, lookin' at him, and beyend him, way into the depths of emotions and feelin's we can't understand nor help,—
“I don't know why, but I know I do.”
And he drawed on his boots, and went out to the barn.
CONTENTS
List of Illustrations
[ Josiah Telling the News to Samantha. ]
[ Samantha and the “blamers.” ]
[ Uncle Sam Enriching the Government. ]
[ Josiah Closing the Conversation. ]
[ Elburtus Endearin' Himself to Mr. Bobbet. ]
[ Elburtus Holding the Horses. ]
[ “a Charge to Keep I Have.” ]
[ Josiah Reading the Letter. ]
[ Copy of the Letter: Free Pass. ]
[ Josiah and his Relations on the Pass. ]
[ The Golden Calves of Christians. ]
[ Patty and Husband Travelling in the Far West. ]
[ Looking Beyend the Sunset. ]
[ Samantha Advising the Bride. ]
[ Samantha and Paul on the Way to The White House. ]
[ Samantha Meeting the President. ]
[ Samantha Meeting James G. Blaine. ]
[ Mr. Blaine Introducing the Senator. ]
[ Woman's Rights and Somebody Blundered. ]
[ The Weary Toilers of Life. ]
[ Samantha Viewing the Capitol. ]
[ Samantha Refusing to Be Treated. ]
[ How Woman's Prayers Are Answered. ]
[ Samantha and Sally in the Patent Office. ]
[ Samantha at the President's Reception. ]
[ Before the Tomb of Washington. ]
[ The Old Home of Washington. ]
[ Samantha Listening to Cicely. ]
[ Thomas Jefferson Bringing Cicely's Telegram. ]
[ “most Probable She Dremp It.” ]
[ Tirzah Ann and Maggie in the Democrat. ]
[ Agent Trying to Sell Samantha a Feller. ]
[ Josiah After Being Repaired. ]
[ “goin' to the Revival Meeting.” ]
[ “can't I Sell You a Feller?” ]
[ The Boy and Let Peedick Playing Horse. ]
[ Paul Looking at the Sunset. ]