THE STORY OF A COUNTRY TOWN.
THE
Story of a Country Town
BY E. W. HOWE
AUTHOR OF “A MOONLIGHT BOY,” “THE MYSTERY OF THE
LOCKS,” ETC.
BOSTON AND NEW YORK
HOUGHTON MIFFLIN COMPANY
The Riverside Press Cambridge
COPYRIGHT 1883 AND 1884
BY E. W. HOWE
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
PREFACE.
SHOULD “The Story of a Country Town” find readers, it may be interestingto them to know that it was written entirely at night, after the writerhad finished a hard day’s work as editor and publisher of a smallevening newspaper. I do not think a line of it was written while the sunwas shining, but in almost every chapter there are recollections of themidnight bell.
No one can possibly find more fault with it than I have found myself. Ahundred times I have been on the point of burning the manuscript, andnever attempting it again; for I was always tired while working at it,and always dissatisfied after concluding an evening’s work. I offer thisas a general apology for its many defects, and can only hope it willmeet with the charity it deserves.
I believe that when I began the story I had some sort of an idea that Imight be able to write an acceptable work of fiction, but I have changedit so often, and worried about it so much, that at its conclusion I haveno idea whether it is very bad, or only indifferent. I think thatoriginally I had some hope that it might enable me to get rid of myweary newspaper work, and help me to more ease than I have ever known,but I am so tired now that I am incapable of exercising my judgmentwith reference to it. If it prove a success or a failure I shall not besurprised, for I have no opinion of my own on the subject.
For several years I have felt that I would like an opportunity toaddress a larger audience than my newspaper’s circulation affords, but Ifind now that I am very timid about it, and worry a great deal for fearthe verdict will not be favorable. A gentleman who once looked over aportion of the manuscript said his first impression was that it was thework of a tired man, and that the pen seemed to drag heavily in makingthe words. I fear this will be the verdict of the people, and that theywill say I should have given up my newspaper writing before attemptingit. The reason I did not do this was that I had no confidence in myability to become an acceptable historian of a country town, therefore Iworked harder than I should during the day, and went wearily at thestory at night.
Should inquiry be made as to whether any part of the story be true, Icould only reply that I have never known anyone who did not furnish somesuggestion or idea in the construction of the book, as I have neverlived in a town that did not afford some material for the description ofTwin Mounds. I meet Jo Errings every day, and frequently lead them up todenounce their particular Clinton Bragg; I have known several JohnWestlocks, and I am afraid that Mateel Shepherds are more numerous thanis desirable. I have known troops of Mrs. John Westlocks, for in thecountry where I was brought up all the women were pale, timid, andoverworked; I hope that Agnes Deming can be duplicated in everycommunity, and I believe that Big Adams are numerous everywhere; but Imust confess that I never knew but one Little Biggs, though his wife maybe see