
By Elsie Singmaster
CHAPTER I THE GREAT NEWS
CHAPTER II THE BELSNICKEL
CHAPTER III THE GREAT MAN
CHAPTER IV THE KOEHLERS' CHRISTMAS DAY
CHAPTER V ANOTHER CHRISTMAS DAY
CHAPTER VI THE MILLERSTOWN SCHOOL
CHAPTER VII THE BEE CURE
CHAPTER VIII WILLIAM KOEHLER MAKES HIS ACCUSATION FOR THE LAST TIME
CHAPTER IX CHANGE
Katy Gaumer is a bright‑spirited girl growing up in the close‑knit Pennsylvania‑German village of Millertown at the turn of the twentieth century. Each winter evening she slips out of her grandparents’ home, shawl wrapped tight, to wander the snow‑laden streets, ringing the kitchen bell of the feisty housekeeper Bevy and daring the chilly night like a youthful Viking. Through her eyes we glimpse a world of humble chores, lively folklore and the stubborn charm of a community caught between old customs and the promise of change.
The story follows Katy’s everyday adventures—her devotion to school, her playful bond with the squire’s dog Whiskey, and the colorful personalities that shape her world. As she navigates family expectations, superstitions, and the simple joys of village life, the narrative paints a tender portrait of growing up with curiosity, resilience, and a heart ever ready for the next discovery.
Language
en
Duration
~7 hours (446K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by David Edwards, Ernest Schaal, and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive)
Release date
2015-03-16
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
Subjects

1879–1958
Raised in Pennsylvania Dutch country, this prolific novelist and short-story writer brought the lives, speech, and history of Pennsylvania Germans to a wide American audience. Her work ranged from local-color fiction to children's books, including a Newbery Honor title.
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