
PROLOGUE
Little Lost Sister
CHAPTER I - AT THE BUTTON MILL
CHAPTER II - SEEING MILLVILLE
CHAPTER III - ENTER A DETECTIVE
CHAPTER IV - HARVEY MEETS “A DEALER IN CATTLE”
CHAPTER V - A SERPENT WHISPERS AND A WOMAN LISTENS
CHAPTER VI - A ROMANCE DAWNS—AND A TRAGEDY
CHAPTER VII - HARRY BOLAND HEARS FROM HIS FATHER
CHAPTER VIII - THE DEATH OF TOM WELCOME
Set against the humming backdrop of a button mill in a small Midwestern town, the story opens with a stark contrast between the glossy promise of industry and the quiet yearning of the women who labor there. A sharp‑tongued mill owner debates the moral cost of his factory with a contemplative writer, exposing the fragile hope that sustains the young women—“the Little Lost Sisters”—who seek love, shelter, and a friendly hand to ease their daily toil. Their world is painted in vivid detail, from apple‑blossom breezes to the harsh clang of machinery, framing a community caught between progress and the lingering echo of agrarian values.
Into this tense landscape steps a determined young woman whose quiet strength draws the listener into her search for belonging and dignity. As she navigates the mill’s demanding rhythms, friendships, and whispered rumors, the narrative weaves themes of exploitation, resilience, and the subtle stirrings of change. Listeners will find themselves gently pulled into a tale where hope flickers amid the soot, promising a journey that is both intimate and socially resonant.
Language
en
Duration
~5 hours (301K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Roger Frank and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net
Release date
2008-06-12
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1886–1929
A fiery early-20th-century reformer, suffragist, and author, she turned her firsthand investigations into vivid writing about working women, exploitation, and social change. Her books blend activism with storytelling, offering a sharp window into Progressive Era America.
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