WHEN I WAS YOUR AGE [Illustration: GREEN PEACE.] WHEN I WAS YOUR AGE BY LAURA E. RICHARDS AUTHOR OF “CAPTAIN JANUARY,” “MELODY,” “QUEEN HILDEGARDE,” ETC. _ILLUSTRATED_ BOSTON ESTES AND LAURIAT 1894 _Copyright, 1893_, BY ESTES AND LAURIAT. University Press: JOHN WILSON AND SON, CAMBRIDGE, U. S. A. TO THE Dear and Honored Memory of my Father, DR. SAMUEL GRIDLEY HOWE. _Thy voice comes down the rolling years_ _Like ring of steel on steel;_ _With it I hear the tramp of steeds,_ _And the trumpet’s silver peal._ _I see thee ride thy fearless way,_ _With steadfast look intent,_ _God’s servant, still by night and day,_ _On his high errand bent._ _Thy lance lay ever in the rest_ _’Gainst tyranny and wrong._ _Thy steed was swift, thine aim was sure,_ _Thy sword was keen and strong._ _But were the fainting to be raised,_ _The sorrowing comforted,--_ _The warrior vanished, and men saw_ _An angel stoop instead._ _O soldier Father! dear I hold_ _Thine honored name to-day;_ _Thy high soul draws mine eyes above,_ _And beacons me the way._ _And when my heart beats quick to learn_ _Some deed of high emprise,_ _I almost see the answering flash_ _That lightens from thine eyes._ _I greet thee fair! I bless thee dear!_ _And here, in token meet,_ _I pluck these buds from memory’s wreath,_ _And lay them at thy feet._ CONTENTS. PAGE I. OURSELVES 13 II. MORE ABOUT OURSELVES 27 III. GREEN PEACE 42 IV. THE VALLEY 62 V. OUR FATHER 77 VI. JULIA WARD 107 VII. OUR MOTHER 129 VIII. OUR TEACHERS 163 IX. OUR FRIENDS 180 X. OUR GUESTS 194 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. PAGE GREEN PEACE _Frontispiece_ MAUD 43