An Old-Fashioned Girl

Preface

AS a preface is the only place where an author can with propriety explain a purpose or apologize for shortcomings, I venture to avail myself of the privilege to make a statement for the benefit of my readers.

As the first part of “An Old-Fashioned Girl” was written in 1869, the demand for a sequel, in beseeching little letters that made refusal impossible, rendered it necessary to carry my heroine boldly forward some six or seven years into the future. The domestic nature of the story makes this audacious proceeding possible; while the lively fancies of my young readers will supply all deficiencies, and overlook all discrepancies.

This explanation will, I trust, relieve those well-regulated minds, who cannot conceive of such literary lawlessness, from the bewilderment which they suffered when the same experiment was tried in a former book.

The “Old-Fashioned Girl” is not intended as a perfect model, but as a possible improvement upon [Page] the Girl of the Period, who seems sorrowfully ignorant or ashamed of the good old fashions which make woman truly beautiful and honored, and, through her, render home what it should be,-a happy place, where parents and children, brothers and sisters, learn to love and know and help one another.

If the history of Polly's girlish experiences suggests a hint or insinuates a lesson, I shall feel that, in spite of many obstacles, I have not entirely neglected my duty toward the little men and women, for whom it is an honor and a pleasure to write, since in them I have always found my kindest patrons, gentlest critics, warmest friends.

L. M. A.

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Contents

Preface

AN OLD-FASHIONED GIRL

CHAPTER I.	POLLY ARRIVES
CHAPTER II.	NEW FASHIONS
CHAPTER III.	POLLY'S TROUBLES
CHAPTER IV.	LITTLE THINGS
CHAPTER V.	SCRAPES
CHAPTER VI.	GRANDMA
CHAPTER VII.	GOOD-BY
CHAPTER VIII.	SIX YEARS AFTERWARD
CHAPTER IX.	LESSONS
CHAPTER X.	BROTHERS AND SISTERS
CHAPTER XI.	NEEDLES AND TONGUES
CHAPTER XII.	FORBIDDEN FRUIT
CHAPTER XIII.	THE SUNNY SIDE
CHAPTER XIV.	NIPPED IN THE BUD
CHAPTER XV.	BREAKERS AHEAD
CHAPTER XVI.	A DRESS PARADE
CHAPTER XVII.	PLAYING GRANDMOTHER
CHAPTER XVIII.	THE WOMAN WHO DID NOT DARE
CHAPTER XIX.	TOM'S SUCCESS

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