Transcriber’s Note: In this utf-8 text version of Fresh 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. FRESH LEAVES. BY FANNY FERN. NEW YORK: MASON BROTHERS. 1857. Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1857, by MASON BROTHERS, In the Clerk’s Office of the District Court, for the Southern District of New York. STEREOTYPED BY THOMAS B. SMITH, 82 & 84 Beekman-st., N. Y. PRINTED BY C. A. ALVORD, 15 Vandewater-st., N. Y. TO GRACE ELDREDGE, WITH Her Mother’s Love. PREFACE. Every writer has his parish. To mine, I need offer no apology for presenting, First, a new story which has never before appeared in print; Secondly, the “hundred-dollar-a-column story,” respecting the remuneration of which, skeptical paragraphists have afforded me so much amusement. (N. B.--My banker and I can afford to laugh!) This story having been published when “The New York Ledger” was in the dawn of its present unprecedented circulation, and never having appeared elsewhere, will, of course, be new to many of my readers; Thirdly, I offer them my late fugitive pieces, which have often been requested, and which, with the other contents of this volume, I hope will cement still stronger our friendly relations. FANNY FERN. CONTENTS.