Produced by Louise Hope, David Edwards and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive) [Transcriber's Note: This e-text is based on the 1851 Boston edition of _Alonzo and Melissa_. The story originally appeared in 1804 as a serial in the weekly _Political Barometer_ of Poughkeepsie, N.Y., written by the newspaper's editor, Isaac Mitchell. Pirated versions began to appear in 1811, giving Daniel Jackson, Jr., as author. The book was printed as a single unit, without chapter divisions. The breaks in the e-text represent the 22 installments of the serial version. Note that the standard punctuation for dialogue is "To this place, said Melissa, have I taken many a solitary walk...." The following are listed at the end of the e-text: Chronology of the Story Quotations Other Editions Errors and Inconsistencies] ALONZO AND MELISSA, or THE UNFEELING FATHER. An AMERICAN TALE. In every varied posture, place, and hour, How widowed every thought of every joy! YOUNG. BY DANIEL JACKSON, Jr. Boston: Printed for the Publishers. 1851. PREFACE Whether the story of Alonzo and Melissa will generally please, the writer knows not; if, however, he is not mistaken, it is not unfriendly to religion and to virtue.--One thing was aimed to be shown, that a firm reliance on Providence, however the affections might be at war with its dispensations, is the only source of consolation in the gloomy hours of affliction; and that generally such dependence, though crossed by difficulties and perplexities, will be crowned with victory at last. It is also believed that the story contains no indecorous stimulants; nor is it filled with unmeaning and inexplicated incidents sounding upon the sense, but imperceptible to the understanding. When anxieties have been excited by involved and doubtful events, they are afterwards elucidated by the consequences. The writer believes that generally he has copied nature. In the ardent prospects raised in youthful bosoms, the almost consummation of their wishes, their sudden and unexpected disappointment, the sorrows of separation, the joyous and unlooked for meeting--in the poignant feelings of Alonzo, when, at the grave of Melissa, he poured the feelings of his anguished soul over her miniature by the "moon's pale ray;"----when Melissa, sinking on her knees before her father, was received to his bosom as a beloved daughter risen from the dead. If these scenes are not imperfectly drawn, they will not fail to interest the refined sensibilities of the reader. ALONZO AND MELISSA. A TALE.