Abbot's Ghost
Maurice Traherne is wrongly accused of fraud and gambling and must play a careful hand if he is to win his love, Octavia, from the grasp of other, less honorable men and retain the trust of those who had faith in him. Traherne is temporarily crippled saving the life of his well-born friend, Jaspar. Thus, Jaspar is assured of inheriting his father's estate, but it is expected that Traherne will inherit great wealth as gratitude for saving the heir. But--surprise!--on the death of Jaspar's father all are shocked to learn that Traherne has been disinherited: the will has been changed at the last minute and only the suffering Traherne knows why but won't tell and then he falls in love with Jaspar's sister, the fair Octavia. However, Octavia is forbidden to marry, as Traherne is penniless.
The Baron's Gloves
Two rather young women, Amy and Helen, traveling with an older uncle, are doing the 'tour' of Europe, and are supposedly soaking up education but secretly yearning for adventures and romance. At this wish for adventure, a pair of gloves suddenly drops beside them from a balcony above their hotel room near Coblentz. Ah, whose gloves? The two young men who enter the lives of these ladies are rich and eligible adventurers traveling through Europe, and agree to play a prank on the young women by becoming aides to their uncle.
Here are four delightful short stories written by the famous author specifically for girls. As she says in the tiny preface 'These stories were written for my own amusement during a period of enforced seclusion. The flowers which were my solace and pleasure suggested titles for the tales and gave an interest to the work. If my girls find a little beauty or sunshine in these common blossoms, their old friend will not have made her Garland in vain. L.M. ALCOTT.' The stories are An Ivy Spray & Ladies Slippers; Pansies; Water-Lilies and Mountain-Laurel & Maiden-Hair. They are all between 40 minutes and 55 minutes finished audio so they are not short but all four are typical stories from the talented pen of Miss Alcott.
Two wonderful holiday stories that evoke the true meaning of the season.
A Christmas Dream, and How it Came True
Ten-year-old Effie lives the life most children dream of, with every day filled with delicious treats and wonderful toys. One night she experiences a dream that will forever change the meaning of Christmas for her. In it, she meets a group of under privileged children and she is inspired to create a Christmas they will never forget.
Rosa's Tale
It is said that every Christmas Eve, for one hour's time beginning at the magical hour of midnight, animals are given the gift of speech. Imagining all that her equine friend, Rosa, might have to say, young Belinda is shocked to hear the sad story of Rosa's life and her fears of what the future might hold.
In "A Christmas Dream, and How It Came True", Ten-year-old Effie lives a comfortable life and experiences Christmases filled with delicious treats and wonderful toys. One night she has a dream that forever changes the meaning of Christmas for her. Encountering a group of underprivileged children, she is inspired to give them a Christmas they will never forget.
In "A Christmas Turkey", a poor family works hard to figure out how they can celebrate Christmas. When the father is unable to provide a turkey, the children venture out into the world, working to earn enough money to pool their resources and purchase one for the Christmas table.
"God bless us, every one!"
"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!"
Perhaps no Christmas novel is more beloved than Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol, and no holiday poem more well-known than Clement Clarke Moore's "'Twas the Night Before Christmas." Together these classic literary masterpieces warm our hearts and remind us of the joy and love to be discovered anew each Christmas morning.
A Classic Christmas features both of these traditional works, as well as other vintage poems and stories that celebrate the timeless truths of the holiday season. This cheerful treasury reminds us that simple gifts of the heart and memories made with loved ones truly are the most meaningful of all.
With additional pieces from Louisa May Alcott, Elizabeth Barrett Browning, Hans Christian Andersen, and more, A Classic Christmas will become a precious holiday collection to be enjoyed by the whole family for years to come.
In "A Country Christmas", Louisa May Alcott tells the story of Sophie, a debutante from the city who travels to rural Vermont to spend Christmas with her cousins Saul and Ruth. Though apprehensive at first, Sophie learns that the charms of celebrating Christmas in the country are many.
Louisa May Alcott's lively and heartwarming stories are favorites with young readers everywhere. A Garland for Girls will be especially welcomed for those who read and treasure all of the books by this great American author.
The reader is introduced to several young women who discover great satisfaction when they do what each can do and still have a renewed desire to be of more assistance while also witnessing the more somber parts of life. In 'Pansies' Mrs. Warburton assures others that 'hearts don't break if they know where to go for strength.' Ruth asks in 'Water-lilies' if she can be forgiven her modesty, courage, and faithfulness. Rosamund of 'Little Button Rose' declares 'you've made my troubles go, can't I make yours?' Finally in 'Mountain-Laurel' Becky realizes that she can become a more useful and honored woman by putting the directives of her poetry into her life than by singing for her fame. For the characters of Alcott's Garland, 'When everything seemed darkest, good luck came.
In "A Hospital Christmas" a Civil War-era hospital is the setting for a Christmas story about caring for others, thinking positively and how sharing can make Christmas meaningful for those who have little.
"A Merry Christmas / Little Women" is the famous Christmas scene (Chapter Two) from the immortal Louisa May Alcott novel, "Little Women". The four March sisters, Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy and their mother, celebrate Christmas without their father who has gone to war. Newly impoverished, after father's financial loss, the sisters work outside the home for money to support the family, and rediscover the true meaning of Christmas in the process.
Known for her beloved children's classics, Louisa May Alcott's true zeal was for writing sensational literature, which she chose to have published anonymously or under a pseudonym. Her favorite of these works was A Modern Mephistopheles.
This chilling tale of greed, lust, and deception opens on a midwinter night when Felix Canaris, a despairing writer about to take his own life, is saved by a knock at the door. The mysterious visitor, a Jasper Helwyze, promises Felix fame and fortune in return for his complete devotion. Helwyze then plots to corrupt the overly ambitious Felix by cleverly manipulating the beautiful and innocent Gladys. And when Helwyze decides that he wants Gladys for himself, Felix must defend the adoring young woman from the destructive influence of his diabolical patron.
"This tale of lust and deception will satisfy any who wants a novel of psychological tension and high drama….A complex, involving plot."-Midwest Book Review
