MEADOW BROOK.

Who, more than any one else, will be interested in a storywhich has in it so much of my childhood and early home,

is affectionately dedicated by her Daughter

In this story of Meadow Brook there is, I am aware,nothing very startling or wonderful; but it has the merit, atleast, of containing more truth than books of the samecharacter usually possess. From this, however, the readeris not to infer that I have made myself the heroine; forthough the early home, the childhood, and childish experienceof “Rosa Lee” are mostly my own—while more thanone whiskered young man will recognize the little girl ofthirteen, at whom he once made faces from behind his deskas the “schoolma’am”—the similarity extends no further.

The fickle Mr. Clayton and his haughty bride, the unfortunateHerbert, the disappointed Ada, the proud Southernplanter, and the gentle, bright-haired Jessie, are intended torepresent different varieties of American character, and aresuch as many of us have met in our intercourse with theworld. For my portrayals of Georgia life, I am indebted tovia friend, who recently spent two years in that State, andwhose graphic descriptions of what she there saw have beento me of much service.

Believing that the world loves better to read of the probablethan of the improbable, I have tried to be natural; andif, by this means, but one friend is added to the number Inow possess, I shall feel that my labor has not been invain.