At this point in my life, I was induced, in association with a friend who was as fond of writing as myself, to assume the editorial charge of a literary paper. And here began, in earnest, my literary labors, that have since continued with only brief periods of intermission. As an author, I have never striven for mere reputation; have never sought to make a name. Circumstances, over which I had little control, guided my feet, and I walked onward in the path that opened before me, not doubting but that I was in the right way. If other employment had offered; if I had received a good business education, and been able, through that means, to have advanced myself in the world, I would, like thousands of others who had an early fondness for literary pursuits, soon have laid aside my pen and given to trade the best energies of my mind. But Providence guided my feet into other paths than these. They were rough and thorny at times, and I often fainted by the way; yet renewed strength ever came when I felt the weakest. If my earnest labor has not been so well rewarded in a money-sense as it might have been had I possessed a business education at the time of my entrance upon life, my reward in another sense has been great. Though I have not been able to accumulate wealth, I have gained what wealth alone cannot give, a wide-spread acknowledgment that in my work I have done good to my fellow men. This acknowledgment comes back upon me from all directions, and I will not deny that it affords me a deep interior satisfaction. Could it be otherwise? And with this heart-warming satisfaction, there arises ever in my mind a new impulse, prompting to still more earnest efforts in the cause of humanity. My choice of temperance themes has not arisen from any experience in my own person of the evils of intemperance, but from having been an eye and ear witness to some of the first results of Washingtonianism, and seeing, in the cause, one worthy the best efforts of my pen. The temperance cause I recognized as a good cause, and I gave it the benefit of whatever talent I possessed. And I have the pleasant assurance, from very many who have had better opportunities to know than myself, that my labor has not been in vain. Thus much I have ventured to write of myself. Beyond this, let my works speak for me. I can say no more. Philadelphia, May, 1850. T. S. A. CONTENTS. THE FACTORY GIRL. THE TWO PICTURES. BRANDY AS A PREVENTIVE. THE TEMPERANCE PLEDGE. TIME, FAITH, ENERGY. FLUSHED WITH WINE. SWEARING OFF. THE FAILING HOPE. TAKING TOLL. THOU ART THE MAN. THE TOUCHING REPROOF. THE TEMPERANCE SONG. THE DISTILLER'S DREAM. THE RUINED FAMILY. THE RUMSELLERS DREAM. HOW TO CURE A TOPER. THE BROKEN PLEDGE. THE WANDERER'S RETURN. JIM BRADDOCK'S PLEDGE. WINE ON THE WEDDING NIGHT. THE ELEVENTH COMMANDMENT. THE IRON WILL. A CURE FOR LOW SPIRITS. THREE HUNDRED A YEAR. I'LL SEE ABOUT IT. THE FIERY TRIAL. THE SISTERS. THE MAIDEN'S ERROR. THE FACTORY GIRL.