And here, my darling children who are out in the world, are the stories I gave, one by one, to Sophie, Kitty, and Lou; Fred, the diver; Peter, the hopper; and Bob. You have them printed in books; but, oh dear! I cannot see you as I did the others, and watch your sweet faces, to know if you like them. I only wish I could get hold of you all, and give you one good kiss apiece. I often have my parlors filled with lovely children, who wish to see “Aunt Fanny.” It makes me feel very, very happy; but I keep wanting more to come all the time.
My Pop-gun children seemed really to know “Night-caps,” “Mittens,” “Socks,” and the “Pet-Books” by heart; and I do hope that both they and you who will read these new stories, will make an earnest resolution to profit by the good examples I shall give, and avoid all that you will find to be evil. I don’t mean it all for fun. No indeed! To be sure I have given a funny title to the books, and shall try to tell some funny stories; but beneath this fun I want you to feel that I am also trying to show you how the cultivation of high and generous qualities, and noble and right principles, is the only way by which you may reap real and steadfast happiness—the only way to win the love and respect of all around you.
You know Solomon says, “Even a child is known by his doings—whether his work be pure, and whether it be right;” and you will be more laughing and merry—more full of fun and frolic at the right times—more the pictures of almost perfect happiness—the more earnestly you endeavor to obey your parents, study your Bible, learn your lessons, and, above all, the more faithfully you say your prayers. Never, never forget your prayers, my own darlings; then you will be certain, if the good God spares your lives, to grow up good and useful men and women.
Forgive me for this grave little lecture. It all came out of LOVE—that best love which seeks your good. If you love me, I know you will understand this.
And now here are the Pop-gun Stories, which I send with a—Take aim! fire! bang!! and on top of all a kiss and a blessing, from your loving
Aunt Fanny.
ABOUT THE CHILDREN.
One clear soft autumn evening, in the beginning of October, just after dinner, Aunt Fanny went up into her bedroom, and put on her bonnet and sack. They were both black, and trimmed with crape, for she had lately lost a relative she dearly loved. Then opening a drawer in her precious little library-table, upon which she wrote all her stories, she took out a manuscript, and tried to get it into her pocket.