Wright American Fiction

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"Our father"

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ENTERED ACCORDING TO ACT OF CONGRESS IN THE YEAR 1853, BY J. W. BRADLEY, IN THE CLERK'S OFFICE OF THE DISTRICT COURT OF THE UNITED STATES IN AND FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF PENNSYLVANIA. STEREOTYPED BY L. JOHNSON AND CO. PHILADELPHIA.

CONTENTS.

• A VISION OF CONSOLATION 7
• THE STEP-MOTHER 15
• POWER OF KINDNESS 28
• BEAR AND FORBEAR 31
• THE SOCIAL SERPENT 52
• THE YOUNG MOTHER 61
• THE GENTLE WARNING 64
• KATE'S EXPERIMENT 74
• "MY FORTUNE'S MADE" 94
• THE GOOD MATCH 103
• THE BROTHER'S TEMPTATION 111
• THE HOME OF TASTE 125
• THE TWO SISTERS 128
• THE EVENING PRAYER 139
• A PEEVISH DAY, AND ITS CONSEQUENCES 143
• SISTERS 152
• BROTHERS 156
• HOME 162
• A GLEAM OF SUNSHINE ON THE PATH OF A MONEY-LENDER 165
• ENGAGED AT SIXTEEN 175
• THE DAUGHTER 190
• PASSING AWAY 197
• THE LOVE SECRET 205

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PREFACE.

IF it were possible to trace back to their beginnings, in each individual, those good or evil impulses that have become ruling affections, in most cases the origin would not be found until we had reached the home of childhood. Here it is that impressions are made, which become lasting as existence itself. But the influence of home is not alone salutary or baneful in early years. Wherever a home exists, there will be found the nursery of all that is excellent in social or civil life, or of all that is deformed. Every man and woman we meet in society, exhibit, in unmistakable characters, the quality of their homes. The wife, the husband, the children, the guest, bear with them daily a portion of the spirit pervading the little circle from which they have come forth. If the sun shines there, a light will be on their countenances; but shadows, if clouds are in the sky of home. If there be disorder, defect of principle, discord among the members, neglect of duty, and absence of kind offices, the sphere of those who constitute that home can hardly page: 6-7[View Page 6-7]Switch to Image ModeCLOSE Page 6-7 be salutary. They will add little to the common stock of good in the social life around them. We need not say how different will be the influence of those whose home-circle is pervaded by higher, purer, and truer principles.

A word to the wise is, we are told, sufficient. He, therefore, who speaks a true word in the ear of the wise, has planted a seed that will surely spring up and yield good fruit. May we hope that all into whose hands this little book is destined to come are wise, and that the few suggestive words spoken therein, as "hints to make home happy," will fall into good ground. If this be so, "The Home Mission" will not be fruitless. Though no annual reports of what it has accomplished are made, its silent and unobtrusive work, we trust, will be none the less effectual.