The Project Gutenberg EBook of Elsie's children, by Martha Finley

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Title: Elsie's children

Author: Martha Finley

Release Date: February 2, 2005 [EBook #14875]

Language: English

Character set encoding: ASCII

*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ELSIE'S CHILDREN ***

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ELSIE'S
CHILDREN

A SEQUEL TO
"ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD"

By
MARTHA FINLEY

Complete Authorized Edition

Published by arrangement with
Dodd, Mead and Company

A.L. BURT COMPANY

PUBLISHERS
New York Chicago

DODD, MEAD & COMPANY.

1877

1905, BY
DODD, MEAD & COMPANY.

Preface.

With this volume, bringing the Story of Elsie
and her Children down to the present time, the
series closes.

It was not by request of the author's _personal_
friends, that either this or any one of the previous
volumes was written, but in acquiescence with the
demands of the Public--the friends and admirers
of Elsie herself; and we know that as child, as
young girl, as wife and mother, she has had many
friends who have been loath to part with her.
May they find neither her nor her children less
lovable in this, than in the earlier volumes, and
may their society prove sweet, comforting and helpful
to many readers and friends both old and new.

M.F.

Elsie's Children.

CHAPTER FIRST.

"Of all the joys that brighten suffering earth,
What joy is welcom'd like a new-born child."
--MRS. NORTON.

A merry scene in the nursery at Viamede, where the little Travillas are
waiting for their morning half hour with "dear mamma." Mammy coming in
smiling and mysterious, her white apron thrown over something held
carefully in her arms, bids the children guess what it is.

"A new dolly for me?" says Vi; "I'm going to have a birthday to-morrow."

"A kite," ventured Harold. "No, a balloon."

"A tite! a tite!" cried little Herbert, clapping his hands.

"Pshaw! it's nothing but a bundle of clothes mammy's been doing up for one
of you girls," said Eddie. "I see a bit of lace or work, or something,
hanging down below her apr