Transcriber’s Note: In this utf-8 text version of Fern Leaves: words in italics are marked with _underscores_ words in small capitals are shown in UPPER CASE a row of asterisks represents a thought break. Other notes follow the text. [Illustration: THE LITTLE BROWN HOUSE.] [Illustration: FERN LEAVES FROM FANNY’S PORTFOLIO SECOND SERIES AUBURN & BUFFALO: Miller, Orton & Mulligan.] EIGHTEENTH THOUSAND. Fern Leaves FROM FANNY’S PORT-FOLIO. SECOND SERIES. With Original Designs by Fred. M. Coffin. AUBURN AND BUFFALO: MILLER, ORTON & MULLIGAN. LONDON: SAMPSON LOW, SON & CO., 1854. Published first in England by International Arrangement with the American Proprietors, and entered at Stationers’ Hall. Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year one thousand eight hundred and fifty-three, BY MILLER, ORTON & MULLIGAN. In the Clerk’s Office of the District Court of the Northern District of New York. AUBURN: MILLER, ORTON & MULLIGAN STEREOTYPERS AND PRINTERS. TO MY TRUEST FRIEND, OLIVER DYER, WHOSE FRIENDSHIP NEVER FALTERED, IN ADVERSITY; WHOSE SYMPATHY AND ENCOURAGEMENT CHEERED ME, WHEN NO BOW OF PROMISE WAS SET IN MY SKY; This Book is Gratefully Dedicated, BY THE AUTHOR. PREFACE. TO MY READERS: Six months since, I was in a deplorable state of ignorance as to the most felicitous style of Preface; at this lapse of time, I find myself not a whit the wiser. You will permit me, therefore, in pressing again your friendly hands, simply to say, that I hope my second offering of “Fern Leaves” will be more worthy of your acceptance, than the first. FANNY FERN. CONTENTS. PAGE.