Harriet Beecher Stowe (1811 – 1896) was an American abolitionist and author. She is best known for her novel “Uncle Tom's Cabin,” which depicts the harsh conditions for enslaved African Americans. “Sam Lawson's Oldtown Fireside Stories” is a sequel to her novel “Old Town Folks”, featuring some of the same characters. It is a collection of fifteen charming short stories told by Sam Lawson to some young boys of Oldtown. The author here masterfully captures many of the colloquial expressions, superstitions, beliefs, customs and habits of that period.

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1896 edition. Excerpt: ...with ruby crest and diamond eyes; you 've no idea what pretty fellows they are. But here, you see, we are coming to the house; you can smell the roses." "How lovely and how changed!" said Tina. "Oh, what a world of white roses over that portico, --roses everywhere, and white lilacs. It is a perfect paradise! " " May you find it so, my little Eve," said Ellery Davenport, as the carriage stopped at the door. Ellery sprang out lightly, and, turning, took Tina in his arms and set her down in the porch. They stood there a moment in the moonlight, and listened to the fainter patter of the horses' feet as they went down the drive. "Come in, my little wife," said Ellery, opening the door, " and may the black serpent bring you good luck." The house was brilliantly lighted by wax candles in massive silver candlesticks. "Oh, how strangely altered! " said Tina, running about, and looking into the rooms withithe delight of a child. " How beautiful everything is!" The housekeeper, a respectable female, now appeared and offered her services to conduct her young mistress to her rooms. Ellery went with her, almost carrying her up the staircase on his arm. Above, as below, all was light and bright. " This room is ours," said Ellery, drawing her into that chamber which Tina remembered years before as so weirdly desolate. Now it was all radiant with hangings and furniture of blue and silver; the open windows let in branches of climbing white roses, the vases were full of lilies. The housekeeper paused a moment at the door. "There is a lady in the little parlor below that has been waiting more than an hour to see you and madam," she...