E-text prepared by Juliet Sutherland, Mary Meehan, and the Project
Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team
A Sequel to Elsie's Womanhood
by
Author of The Story of Elsie, Casella, Wanted, a Pedigree,Old-Fashioned Boy, etc.
1876
"Sweet is the image of the brooding dove!
Holy as heaven a mother's tender love!
The love of many prayers and many tears,
Which changes not with dim declining years—
The only love which, on this teeming earth,
Asks no return for passion's wayward birth."
In compliance with the expressed desire of many of Elsie's friends andadmirers, the story of her life is continued in this, the fifth volumeof the series.
When about to undertake its preparation the suggestion was made to theauthor that to bring in the doings of the Ku Klux would add interest tothe story, and at the same time give a truer picture of life in theSouth during the years 1867-68 in which its events take place.
The published reports of the Congressional Committee of Investigationwere resorted to as the most reliable source of information, diligentlyexamined, and care taken not to go beyond the facts there given asregards the proceedings of the Klan, the clemency and paternal acts ofthe Government, or the kindly, fraternal feelings and deeds of thepeople of the North toward their impoverished and suffering brethren ofthe South.
These things have become matters of history: vice and crime should becondemned wherever found; and naught has been set down in malice; forthe author has a warm love for the South as part and parcel of the dearland of her birth.
May this child of her brain give pain to none, but prove pleasant andprofitable to all who peruse its pages, and especially helpful to youngparents,
"Meantime a smiling offspring rises round,
And mingles both their graces. By degrees
The human blossom blows, and every day,
Soft as it rolls along, shows some new charm,
The father's lustre, and the mother's bloom."
—Thomson's Seasons
"Mamma! Papa too!" It was a glad shout of a chorus of young voices asfour pairs of little feet came pattering up the avenue and into theveranda; then as many ruby lips were held up for the morning kiss fromthe children's dearly loved father.
They had already had their half hour with mamma, which made so sweet abeginning of each day, yet she too must have a liberal share of theeagerly bestowed caresses; while Bruno, a great Newfoundland, the pet,playfellow, and guardian of the little flock, testified his delight inthe scene by leaping about among them, fawning upon one and another,wagging his tail, and uttering again and again a short, joyous bark.
Then followed a merry romp, cut short by the ringing of the breakfastbell, when all trooped into the house, Harold riding on papa's shoulder,mamma following with Elsie, Eddie and Vi; while Dinah, with Baby Herbertin her arms; brought up the rear.
The children had been very gay, full of laughter and sweet innocentprattle, but a sudden hush fell upon them when seated about the table inthe bright, cheerful breakfast parlor