A LITTLE FLORIDA LADY
by
DOROTHY C. PAINE
[Frontispiece: The Little Florida Lady]
Philadelphia George W. Jacobs & Company Copyright, 1903, by George W. Jacobs & Company Published, October, 1903
CONTENTS
I. THE JOURNEY TO FLORIDA II. THE NEW HOME III. BETH'S FIRST FISHING LESSON IV. VISITING V. WALKING ON STILTS VI. HOUSE BUILDING VII. BETH'S NEW PLAYFELLOW VIII. LEARNING TO SWIM IX. THE LITTLE DRESSMAKER X. THE HORSE RACE XI. DON MEETS A SAD FATE XII. THE ARRIVAL OF DUKE XIII. ANXIOUS HOURS XIV. THE RESCUE
ILLUSTRATIONS
The Little Florida Lady . . . . . . _Frontispiece_
Beth Thought a Cotton Field a Pretty Sight [missing from book]
Beth's New Home [missing from book]
Maggie, a Typical Old-Time Mammy
Laura Corner in the Treasured Easter Hat
Harvey [missing from book]
"The Cutest Things Yon Ever Saw"
January with His Perpetual Laugh and Fiddle
The Darkies' Quarters
A Little Florida Lady
CHAPTER I
The Journey to Florida.
New York was in the throes of a blizzard. The wind howled and shrieked, heralding the approach of March, the Wind King's month of the year. Mrs. Davenport stood at a second story window of a room of the Gilsey House, and looked down idly on the bleak thoroughfare. She was a young-looking woman for her thirty-five years, and had an extremely sweet face, denoting kindliness of heart.
The hall door opened, and Elizabeth Davenport entered, carrying in her arms a little ball of fluffy gray.
Elizabeth, or Beth, as she was more commonly called at the age of seven, might have been compared to a good fairy had she not been so plump. She almost always radiated sunshine, and her face was generally lighted with a smile, the outcome of a warm heart. Sometimes clouds slightly dimmed the sunshine, but they always proved to be summer clouds that quickly passed. Her face was now flushed, and her eyes sparkled.
Mrs. Davenport turned, and smiled in greeting, but, at the same time, brushed a tear from her eye.
"Why, mamma, dear, what's the matter?" cried Beth.
Mrs. Davenport's eyes filled, but she bravely smiled. "I'm a little unhappy over leaving all our friends, Beth. Florida seems very far away."
Table of contents (by pages)
- 1: A Little Florida Lady by Dorothy C. Paine
- 2: Davenport hastened to answer the call
- 3: Davenport already had their tickets
- 4: Whose name Beth learned was Bob
- 5: Davenport and Beth walked to the side of the darky
- 6: It takes old January to cotch dis horse
- 7: The longer the Davenports knew him
- 8: That's a beautiful hammock yonder
- 9: She let the rest of the persimmons roll out of the carriage
- 10: Three or four years older than Beth
- 11: Beth felt she was arguing her case well
- 12: Beth grew very much in earnest
- 13: That 'gators sometimes eat pickaninnies
- 14: Fritz wagged his stubby tail more vigorously
- 15: Gustus caught the trend of her thoughts
- 16: Gustus lost his hang dog appearance
- 17: And had Gustus sit down beside her
- 18: Davenport did not press the point
- 19: Beth felt aggrieved over being called silly
- 20: Harvey started to drop the crab
- 21: But I'll take dis cold watah in fur yo'
- 22: This avalanche of crabs awakened Fritz
- 23: Fritz and black pussy grew restless
- 24: Fritz became too rough to suit puss
- 25: Excepting Beth and the Cherub
- 26: Beth walked on them without the least difficulty
- 27: Cried Beth with chattering teeth
- 28: Julia was an expert in stilt walking
- 29: I told you that stilts weren't boats
- 30: Again Julia Jumped and Beth followed
- 31: Beth cannot play another bit to day
- 32: Newbeginner condescended to arise
- 33: Newbeginner looked grieved and angry
- 34: Away ran Harvey and Beth to the boat
- 35: Harvey thought he could also eat a sandwich
- 36: It swelled upwards on the scrub palmettoes
- 37: Beth clapped her hands in glee
- 38: Harvey once more helped Beth out
- 39: Answered Beth so earnestly that Mrs
- 40: Harvey would have searched with her for Fritz
- 41: And her name is Beth Davenport
- 42: And both Beth and I appreciate your present
- 43: The commander cried out in fear Beth
- 44: Beth would learn the gentler graces
- 45: Davenport came home and said Mary
- 46: Davenport was in a teasing mood
- 47: Davenport was unusually anxious
- 48: Though Beth was very much frightened
- 49: Beth became interested in the undertaking
- 50: And then Julia whispered to Beth
- 51: It's nicer being near each other
- 52: There was a hoot right above them
- 53: When they walked in at the Davenports
- 54: And then Beth joined Harvey on the piazza
- 55: Davenport must know her thoughts
- 56: Dollie did not seem to wish to go for Beth
- 57: Beth tried to look more dignified
- 58: Dollie is running away with Beth
- 59: Davenport and many another spectator shuddered
- 60: You know mamma gives Gustus clothes
- 61: Beth fell on her knees beside him
- 62: Davenport tried to comfort her
- 63: Davenport now kissed Beth good night
- 64: Davenport had hit upon his name
- 65: Beth felt more resentful than ever
- 66: Marian and Beth immediately jumped out of bed
- 67: Davenport was halfway down the steps
- 68: They're the cutest things you ever saw
- 69: With Beth heading the procession
- 70: Anxious times followed for the Davenports
- 71: We jes' had mutton like yo'r brof is made of
- 72: Davenport came in with the steaming broth
- 73: Davenport said to Duke Go with them
- 74: Davenport hurried away to get the gruel
- 75: Jes' s'pose dat ain't de debbil
- 76: Gustus cried a few minutes later
- 77: Gasped Gustus as if reading Harvey's doubts
- 78: At that instant Harvey and Gustus rushed upon the scene
- 79: Davenport had experienced a like fear for some moments
- 80: Duke remained to keep Beth company
- 81: Beth noted how proud he looked
- 82: Beth was growing nervous over the situation
- 83: Brown hitched up and drove Beth back