THE CURSE OF GOLD. BY MRS. ANN S. STEPHENS. AUTHOR OF “WIVES AND WIDOWS,” “FASHION AND FAMINE,” “THE SOLDIER’S ORPHANS,” “THE REJECTED WIFE,” “THE OLD HOMESTEAD,” “THE WIFE’S SECRET,” “MABEL’S MISTAKE,” “THE GOLD BRICK,” “SILENT STRUGGLES,” “MARY DERWENT,” “DOUBLY FALSE,” “THE HEIRESS.” Earth teems with good and evil: from her breast The rooted corn springs vigorous to the sun; While summer breezes toss its bearded crest Until a glorious ripening work is done. Thus men are amply fed and doubly blessed. Deep from the caverns of her stony heart, Toil drags the yellow gold, which, burning there, Is innocent of harm,—but once apart From its dark motherhood, fell hate, and care, Curse half its uses in life’s stormy mart. PHILADELPHIA: T. B. PETERSON & BROTHERS; 306 CHESTNUT STREET. Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1869, by T. B. PETERSON & BROTHERS, In the Clerk’s Office of the District Court of the United States, in and for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. ANN S. STEPHENS’ WORKS. Each Work complete in one vol., 12mo. _THE CURSE OF GOLD._ _WIVES AND WIDOWS._ _THE HEIRESS._ _THE REJECTED WIFE._ _FASHION AND FAMINE._ _THE GOLD BRICK._ _SILENT STRUGGLES._ _THE OLD HOMESTEAD._ _MARY DERWENT._ _THE SOLDIER’S ORPHANS._ _THE WIFE’S SECRET._ _MABEL’S MISTAKE._ _DOUBLY FALSE._ Price of each, $1.75 in Cloth; or $1.50 in Paper Cover. Above books are for sale by all Booksellers. Copies of any or all of the above books will be sent to any one, to any place, postage prepaid, on receipt of their price by the Publishers, T. B. PETERSON & BROTHERS, 306 CHESTNUT STREET, PHILADELPHIA, PA. TO MRS. DUDLEY S. GREGORY, OF JERSEY CITY, THIS VOLUME IS DEDICATED, WITH THE SINCERE FRIENDSHIP AND RESPECT OF THE AUTHOR, ANN S. STEPHENS. PREFACE.