The series comprising _Little Women_, _Jo's Boys_, and _Little Men_; together with _An Old Fashioned Girl_, _Eight Cousins_, _Rose in Bloom_, _Under the Lilacs_, _Jack and Jill_, and many others, are books dear to the hearts of all children. Editions of all these books were published in England, and in several other European countries where translations had been made of them,—all of which brought in large royalties for the author. What happiness it must have given her to make her family independent, and to be able to travel! Twice she visited Europe, the first time as companion to an invalid woman, and a second time, after she had earned enough to pay her own expenses. Miss Alcott never married. When about twenty-five years of age, an offer of marriage came to her which most young women would have considered very flattering. But she did not love her suitor, and on her mother's advice, refused him, thus being saved from that worst of conditions—a loveless union. This first offer was not the last Miss Alcott received and declined. Matrimony, she said, had no charms for her! She loved her family, and her literary work. Above all, she loved her freedom. Her health was not benefited by her second trip to Europe; excessive work had been too great a strain upon her, and her father's failing health demanded her constant care. In 1877 Mrs. Alcott died, and in the autumn of 1882 Mr. Alcott had a stroke of paralysis. From this he never fully recovered. Louisa was his constant nurse, and it gave her great happiness to be able to gratify his every wish. About this time Orchard House, which had been the family home for twenty-five years, was sold, and the family went to live with Mrs. Pratt, the eldest daughter. Hoping that an entire change of air and scene might help her father, Miss Alcott rented a fine house in Louisburg Square, Boston, to which she had him removed. Here she showed him every attention, until her own health became so impaired that she was obliged to go to the home of Dr. Lawrence, at Roxbury, for medical care. A few days before her death, she was taken to see her dying father. Shortly after her visit he passed away, and three days later she followed him. Born on her father's birthday, she died on the day he was buried, March 6, 1888. All her life Louisa Alcott labored to make others happy, and she is still reaping her harvest of love the world over. [Illustration: FRANCES WILLARD] FRANCES E. WILLARD (1839-1898) "There is a woman at the beginning of all great things." —_Alphonse de Lamartine_ It was not until 1873 that the vast amount of drunkenness in our country attracted the attention of the women of America.