[Illustration: IN THE CROWD] [Illustration: P. A. AND P. I.] JOSIAH ALLEN’S WIFE AS A P. A. AND P. I. SAMANTHA AT THE CENTENNIAL. DESIGNED AS A BRIGHT AND SHINING LIGHT, TO PIERCE THE FOGS OF ERROR AND INJUSTICE THAT SURROUND SOCIETY AND JOSIAH, AND TO BRING MORE CLEARLY TO VIEW THE PATH THAT LEADS STRAIGHT ON TO VIRTUE AND HAPPINESS. BY THE AUTHOR OF “MY OPINIONS AND BETSEY BOBBET’S.” “_What are you going to write now, Samantha?_” HARTFORD, CONN.: AMERICAN PUBLISHING COMPANY 1883. Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1877, by the AMERICAN PUBLISHING COMPANY, In the office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. To MY JOSIAH’S CHILDREN BY HIS FIRST WIFE: THOMAS JEFFERSON AND TIRZAH ANN, _THIS BOOK IS DEDICATED_ BY ONE, WHO, ALTHOUGH A STEP-MOTHER, IS STILL AS AFFECTIONATE AND FRIENDLY TO ’EM AS CAN BE. * * * * * The above is the dedication I had lotted on; had wrote all out and calculated to have; pleasing, very, to Josiah, to the children, and to myself. But come to think it over, I changed my mind. I thought: _they_ have friends, and eloquent tongues of their own, and happiness; are well off, and haint sufferin’ for dedications, or any of the other comforts and necessaries of life. And so, the above is hereby null and void; and this is what I now solemnly declare to be my last lawful will and dedication of this book:— To THOSE WHO HAVE NO ONE TO SPEAK FOR THEM; TO THOSE WHO ARE IN BONDS (ANY KIND OF BONDS,) TO Those whose Hearts Ache, through Injustice and Oppression; TO THOSE WHOSE SAD EYES LOOK THROUGH TEARS FOR THE DAWNING OF A BRIGHTER, CLEARER DAY, _THIS BOOK IS DEDICATED, AND ALSO INSCRIBED_, BY THEIR SINCERE FRIEND AND WELL-WISHER, JOSIAH ALLEN’S WIFE. MY REASONS TO THE KIND AND ALMOST GENTLE READER WHY I DON’T HAVE NO PREFACE TO THIS BOOK.