A LITTLE MAID OF OLD PHILADELPHIA
by
ALICE TURNER CURTIS
Author of
A LITTLE MAID OF PROVINCE TOWN A LITTLE MAID OF MASSACHUSETTS COLONY A LITTLE MAID OF NARRAGANSETT BAY A LITTLE MAID OF BUNKER HILL A LITTLE MAID OF TICONDEROGA A LITTLE MAID OF OLD CONNECTICUT A LITTLE MAID OF OLD MAINE
Illustrated by Edna Cooke
SHE LOOKED UP TO FIND LAFAYETTE SMILING AT HER]
The Penn PublishingCompany Philadelphia1921Copyright1919 byThe PennPublishingCompany
A Little Maid of Old Philadelphia
Introduction
Ruth Pernell and Winifred Merrill lived in Philadelphia. The city hadbeen for some time in the hands of General Howe and the British army.Ruth's father was with Washington at Valley Forge, and the little girlswere ardent supporters of the American cause, and admirers of thegallant young Frenchman, the Marquis DE Lafayette.
Children in 1778 were much like those of to-day, and Ruth and herfriends, eager as they were for the war to end successfully, were fondof dolls and pets, and games and little plays. Yet they kept their earsopen, and when Ruth overheard what two British soldiers said she knewhow to make good use of her knowledge.
In each of the other "Little Maid" books is the story of an Americangirl during the Revolution. The other stories are: "A Little Maid ofProvince Town," "A Little Maid of Massachusetts Colony." "A Little Maidof Bunker Hill," "A Little Maid of Narragansett Bay," "A Little Maid ofTiconderoga," "A Little Maid of Old Connecticut."
Contents
I. HERO IS LOST 9
II. GILBERT AND LAFAYETTE 19
III. RUTH VISITS GENERAL HOWE 28
IV. AUNT DEBORAH IS SURPRISED 37
V. RUTH DECIDES 43
VI. A DIFFICULT DAY 53
VII. GILBERT'S PLAY 62
VIII. BETTY RUNS AWAY 72
IX. BETTY'S ADVENTURE 84
X. THE LOST PROGRAMME 92
XI. A LONG ROAD 102
XII. A LONG RIDE 113
XIII. HOME AGAIN 123
XIV. THE CANDY DISAPPEARS 133
XV. A FAIRY STORY 142
XVI. BETTY AND ANNETTE 151
XVII. QUEEN BETTY 161
XVIII. A GREAT RESOLVE 171
XIX. THE VISIT 182
XX. LAFAYETTE'S VISIT 193
XXI. AT HOME 205
Illustrations PAGE
SHE LOOKED UP TO FIND LAFAYETTE SMILING AT HER _FRONTISPIECE_
"'TIS A LADY COMING TO CALL" 33
IT WAS A FAVORITE PLAY-HOUSE 95
"THE FIRST OF MAY IS GARLAND DAY" 162
THE BIG HORSE TROTTED DOWN THE STREET 190
A Little Maid of Old Philadelphia