Chapter I: Front Matter

WHEN I WAS YOUR AGE

WHEN I WAS YOUR AGE

BY

LAURA E. RICHARDS

AUTHOR OF “CAPTAIN JANUARY,” “MELODY,”
“QUEEN HILDEGARDE,” ETC.

_ILLUSTRATED_

BOSTON

ESTES AND LAURIAT

1894

_Copyright, 1893_,
BY ESTES AND LAURIAT.

University Press:
JOHN WILSON AND SON, CAMBRIDGE, U. S. A.

TO THE

Dear and Honored Memory of my Father,

DR. SAMUEL GRIDLEY HOWE.

_Thy voice comes down the rolling years_
_Like ring of steel on steel;_
_With it I hear the tramp of steeds,_
_And the trumpet’s silver peal._

_I see thee ride thy fearless way,_
_With steadfast look intent,_
_God’s servant, still by night and day,_
_On his high errand bent._

_Thy lance lay ever in the rest_
_’Gainst tyranny and wrong._
_Thy steed was swift, thine aim was sure,_
_Thy sword was keen and strong._

_But were the fainting to be raised,_
_The sorrowing comforted,--_
_The warrior vanished, and men saw_
_An angel stoop instead._

_O soldier Father! dear I hold_
_Thine honored name to-day;_
_Thy high soul draws mine eyes above,_
_And beacons me the way._

_And when my heart beats quick to learn_
_Some deed of high emprise,_
_I almost see the answering flash_
_That lightens from thine eyes._

_I greet thee fair! I bless thee dear!_
_And here, in token meet,_
_I pluck these buds from memory’s wreath,_
_And lay them at thy feet._

CONTENTS.

PAGE

I. OURSELVES 13

II. MORE ABOUT OURSELVES 27

III. GREEN PEACE 42

IV. THE VALLEY 62

V. OUR FATHER 77

VI. JULIA WARD 107

VII. OUR MOTHER 129

VIII. OUR TEACHERS 163

IX. OUR FRIENDS 180

X. OUR GUESTS 194

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.

PAGE

GREEN PEACE _Frontispiece_

MAUD 43

LAURA WAS FOUND IN THE SUGAR-BARREL 53

DR. SAMUEL GRIDLEY HOWE 79

THE DOCTOR TO THE RESCUE! 97

JULIA WARD AND HER BROTHERS, AS CHILDREN 109

(From a miniature by Miss Anne Hall.)

LIEUT.-COLONEL SAMUEL WARD 117

(Born Nov. 17, 1756; Died Aug. 16, 1832.)

JULIA WARD 125

JULIA WARD HOWE 131

JULIA ROMANA HOWE 149

JULIA WARD HOWE 157

(From a recent photograph.)

LAURA E. RICHARDS 177

WHEN I WAS YOUR AGE.