rtune; but I can plan my stories while I work,
and then scribble 'em down on Sundays.

Poem on "Little Paul"; Curtis's lecture on "Dickens" made it go well.
Hear Emerson on "England."

_May_.--Anna came on her way home, sick and worn out; the work was too
much for her. We had some happy days visiting about. Could not
dispose of B. B. in book form, but C. took them for his paper. Mr.
Field died, so the farce fell through there. Altered the play for Mrs.
Barrow to bring out next winter.

_June, 1856_.--Home, to find dear Betty very ill with scarlet-fever
caught from some poor children mother nursed when they fell sick,
living over a cellar where pigs had been kept. The landlord (a deacon)
would not clean the place till mother threatened to sue him for
allowing a nuisance. Too late to save two of the poor babies or Lizzie
and May from the fever.

[L. never recovered, but died of it two years later.--L. M. A.]

An anxious time, I nursed, did housework, and wrote a story a month
through the summer.

Dr. Bellows and Father had Sunday eve conversations.

_October_.--Pleasant letters from father, who went on a tour to New
York, Philadelphia, and Boston.

Made plans to go to Boston for the winter, as there is nothing to do
here, and there I can support myself and help the family. C. offers
$10 a month, and perhaps more. L. W., M. S., and others, have plenty
of sewing; the play may come out, and Mrs. R. will give me a sky-parlor
for $3 a week, with fire and board. I sew for her also.

If I can get A. L. to governess I shall be all right.

I was born with a boy's spirit under my bib and tucker. I _can't wait_
when I _can work_, so I took my little talent in my hand and forced the
world again, braver than before and wiser for my failures.

[Jo in N. Y.--L. M. A.]

I don't often pray in words; but when I set out that day with all my
worldly goods in the little old trunk, my own earnings ($25) in my
pocket, and much hope and resolution in my soul, my heart was very
full, and I said to the Lord, "Help us all, and keep us for one
another," as I never said it before, while I looked back at the dear
faces watching me, so full of love and hope and faith.

[_Journal_]

Boston, _November, 1856: Mrs. David Reed's_.--I find my little room up
in the attic very cosey and a house full of boarders very amusing to
study. Mrs. Reed very kind. Fly around and take C. his stories. Go
to see Mrs. L. about A. Don't want m