
James Holcroft is a middle‑aged farmer whose life has been shaped by hard work, modest means, and a deep, steady devotion to his land. On a bleak March night he trudges home through rain‑swept woods, his thoughts as heavy as the storm clouds above, reflecting on a marriage that has already been torn apart by loss. The narrative paints his isolation with vivid, atmospheric detail, letting listeners feel the chill of the road and the weight of his lingering grief.
As the story unfolds, Holcroft’s stubborn practicality meets the fragile hope of a new beginning. A chance encounter with a determined woman—someone who understands the rigors of farm life and the quiet strength of perseverance—offers him a glimpse of companionship beyond mere survival. Their evolving relationship promises to test his resolve, revealing whether love can truly be rekindled amid the hardships of rural existence.
Language
en
Duration
~9 hours (556K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer. HTML version by Al Haines.
Release date
2000-08-01
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1838–1888
Best known for blending warmhearted fiction with practical advice about country life, this 19th-century American writer reached a wide audience with novels that were both moral and deeply readable. Before turning fully to literature, he also served as a Presbyterian minister and a Civil War chaplain.
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