E-text prepared by Audrey Longhurst, Josephine Paolucci, and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team SEVENOAKS A Story of Today by J.G. HOLLAND New York Grosset & Dunlap Publishers Published by Arrangement with Charles Scribner's Sons 1875 CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. Which tells about Sevenoaks, and how Miss Butterworth passed one of her evenings CHAPTER II. Mr. Belcher carries his point at the town-meeting, and the poor are knocked down to Thomas Buffum CHAPTER III. In which Jim Fenton is introduced to the reader and introduces himself to Miss Butterworth CHAPTER IV. In which Jim Fenton applies for lodgings at Tom Buffum's boarding-house, and finds his old friend CHAPTER V. In which Jim enlarges his accommodations and adopts a violent method of securing boarders CHAPTER VI. In which Sevenoaks experiences a great commotion, and comes to the conclusion that Benedict has met with foul play CHAPTER VII. In which Jim and Mike Conlin pass through a great trial and come out victorious CHAPTER VIII. In which Mr. Belcher visits New York, and becomes the Proprietor of "Palgrave's Folly." CHAPTER IX. Mrs. Talbot gives her little dinner party, and Mr. Belcher makes an exceedingly pleasant acquaintance CHAPTER X. Which tells how a lawyer spent his vacation in camp, and took home a specimen of game that he had never before found in the woods CHAPTER XI. Which records Mr. Belcher's connection with a great speculation and brings to a close his residence in Sevenoaks CHAPTER XII. In which Jim enlarges his plans for a house, and completes his plans for a house-keeper CHAPTER XIII. Which introduces several residents of Sevenoaks to the Metropolis and a new character to the reader CHAPTER XIV. Which tells of a great public meeting in Sevenoaks, the burning in effigy of Mr. Belcher, and that gentleman's interview with a reporter CHAPTER XV. Which tells about Mrs. Dillingham's Christmas and the New Year's Reception at the Palgrave Mansion CHAPTER XVI. Which gives an account of a voluntary and an involuntary visit of Sam Yates to Number Nine CHAPTER XVII. In which Jim constructs two happy-Davids, raises his hotel, and dismisses Sam Yates CHAPTER XVIII. In which Mrs. Dillingham makes some important discoveries, but fails to reveal them to the reader CHAPTER XIX. In which Mr. Belcher becomes President of the Crooked Valley Railroad, with large "Terminal facilities," and makes an adventure into a long-meditated crime CHAPTER XX. In which "the little woman" announces her engagement to Jim Fenton and receives the congratulations of her friends CHAPTER XXI. In which Jim gets the furniture into his house, and Mike Conlin gets another installment of advice into Jim CHAPTER XXII.