From dawn to daylight; or, The simple story of a western home

Front matter

OlnrttpU Imtiprattii KItbrarg

BOUGHT WITH THE rNCOME OF THE

SAGE ENDOWMENT FUND

Preface

Some years since, I prepared the following sketch of the life of a dear friend, with whose history I had been familiar. At the time, my only object was to shorten some of the lonely hours of a tedious convalescence, and to gratify and amuse my children. Nothing could hare been further from my thoughts, than trusting myself to the tender mercies of pubhc opinion. But months after, a clergyman's wife, visiting in the family, chanced to read the manuscript, and felt that, if published^ it might do good by leading laymen to perceive how easily, by kindness, considerateness and prompt payment, they could strengthen their Pastor's hands, or, on the contrary, paralyze all his efforts and energy, by negligence, thoughtlessness and selfishness.

" On- that hint I spake." The main story, or rather narrative, is literally true. Names and dates have been changed foi* obvious reasons, and in some few instances, I

IV PEEFACE.

have resorted to fiction, by giving that wMcli a people should do, instead of what they did or did not do. Therefore, should these pages meet their eyes and a " still small voice " poiat them to the original, of some parts of this picture, that same voice will acquit both their old friends, and also the narrator, of any disposition to esag gerate, " or set down aught in malice."