Chapter I: Preface

IT has always been my favorite theory, that the goodness and beauty of a truly Christian life in children could be taught quite as effectually by combining the gay with the grave, as by being altogether grave; for I chanced to remember that I invariably omitted all the latter portions of the story-books bestowed upon me when a child; and I have reason to believe that human nature is pretty much the same now as then.

In each of these little stories, it has been my single aim to inculcate a desire in children to _do_ good, to _be_ good, and to seek prayerful assistance from the One source of all goodness--their Father in Heaven.

And now one word about the sixth book of this series. Trembling with a deep responsibility, I have ventured to write a fairy story, (that enchanted ground for the little ones,) through the whole of which I trust this thread of my theory has run _unbroken_. It is the last of our little friend, Lame Charley; and if the dear children who have made his Nightcaps theirs, will bear him, and me for his sake, in affectionate remembrance, it will gladden the heart of their loving

AUNT FANNY.

CONTENTS.

PAGE

FIRST LETTER TO CHARLEY. THE LITTLE WHITE ANGEL, 9

SECOND LETTER TO HARRY. HEEDLESS HARRY, 30

THIRD LETTER TO ANNA. POOR RICH LITTLE EVA, 73

FOURTH LETTER TO GEORGE. ILL TEMPER, 108

FIFTH LETTER TO CLARA. THE ROSE CROWN, 140

SIXTH LETTER TO JOHNNY. THE HUNT FOR A STEAMBOAT, 161

*** The stories written for the SEVEN NIGHTCAP CHILDREN remaining, will be found in "Little Nightcap Letters."

BIG NIGHTCAP LETTERS.

THE FIRST LETTER.