
A warm, gently humorous tale opens with a young girl named Patience, born on New Year’s Day 1800 in a modest New England town. Cradled by a caring family and a bustling household full of colorful characters, she is christened with a name meant to carry her through the inevitable trials of life. The narrative unfolds through the fond recollections of her future grandmother, sharing the simple joys and worries of early‑19th‑century childhood—patchwork quilts, fragrant gruel, and the excitement of whispered news about distant figures like General Washington.
The story’s charm lies in its vivid, lovingly detailed scenes and the affectionate, slightly whimsical voice that invites listeners to imagine a world where everyday moments become treasured memories. As the little girl grows, her family’s values of faith, perseverance, and gentle humor shine through, offering a comforting glimpse into a bygone era that still resonates with today’s listeners.
Language
en
Duration
~2 hours (136K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by David Edwards, Josephine Paolucci and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net. (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive.)
Release date
2008-05-18
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1833–1906
Remembered for lively, warmhearted stories for children, this 19th-century American writer helped shape early popular fiction for young readers. Writing as Sophie May, she became especially beloved for the Little Prudy books and other tales filled with family life, humor, and everyday adventures.
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