General Books publication date: 2009 Original publication date: 1889 Original Publisher: Dodd, Mead and company Subjects: Children’s stories, American Indiana Juvenile Fiction / General Juvenile Fiction / Family / General Juvenile Fiction / Religious / Christian Juvenile Fiction / Social Issues / Friendship Religion / Christian Life / General Religion / Inspirational Notes: This is a black and white OCR reprint of the original. It has no illustrations and there may be typos or missing text. When you buy the General Books edition of this book you get free trial access to Million-Books.com where you can select from more than a million books for free. Excerpt: CHAPTER V. The celebration of Grandma Elsie’s approach ing semi-centennial was now the most important event in the near future, the principal theme of conversation in the connection, and grand preparations for it were going forward. By her express wish, all the poor of the neighborhood – white and black, in two distinct assemblies – were invited to spend a large part of the day on the plantation, amusing themselves with outdoor games and enjoying a bountiful feast spread for them in the shade of the wood in which Mr. Leland, the uncle of the present occupant of Fairview, had once concealed himself when attacked by the Ku Klux. Another party, consisting of all the relatives, connections, and intimate friends residing in the vicinity, would be given the freedom of the house and grounds to enjoy themselves as they should please. Circumstances were auspicious; all the preparations had been thoroughly well attended to; the day dawned bright and beautiful, and found every one in high health and spirits. She whom all were seeking to honor and make the happiest of the happy, awoke with a heart full of love and gratitude for the unnumbered mercies and blessings of her lot in life. Her first act was to rise from her bed, and, kneeling beside it, pour out her thanksgivings and praises, mingled with con…