One day while sitting in my garden at my country-seat in New York State, from which, by looking at the title, you will see I have a fine view of the high bridge across the Harlem River, one of my favorite little granddaughters came running to me, just as I had seated myself in my old garden-seat, and earnestly begged me to again read her book to her. But, as I thought she had heard those stories so often, I supposed she would like to hear some new ones much better, so I related to her two or three. With these, and with others that I told her during the holydays which she was spending with me, she was so much pleased, that I thought my numerous juvenile friends throughout the country would also like to possess them. I have accordingly collected them into a volume, which my publishers have made very attractive by the addition of twenty-eight beautiful engravings; and it is now offered as a Christmas and New Year’s Present, to amuse and instruct you, by your friend,

Grandfather Merryman.

Philadelphia, December, 1848.

JUVENILE SCRAP-BOOK.

Table of Contents

THE PROUD GIRL.

Table of Contents

“How I wish gran’pa was here!” exclaimed little Susan Fielding, one day to her mother, who was busying herself about household affairs, and could not devote as much of her time to her children, Susan and Robert, as usual. Robert was about nine years old, and thought himself too much of a little man to complain of any fancied neglect on his mother’s part; so he amused himself by drawing horses and dogs on his new slate, a department of the fine arts, for which, if he had no particular talent, he showed at least a plentiful supply of industry. Susan was two years younger than Robert, and having no female companion of her own age, to converse with when her mother was engaged, really felt lonesome; and this is the reason why she cried, perhaps, a little impatiently, “How I wish gran’pa was here!”

Mrs. Fielding entered the room at this moment, and hearing Susan’s earnest wish, inquired of her why she was so anxious to see her grandpapa just then.

“Because, ma,” replied the little girl; “gran’pa always tells me such nice stories when I ask him to, and I do want some one to talk to me just now.”

“Well, my dear,” replied her mother, soothingly, “you will soon have your wish, for I saw your gran’pa coming up the lawn as

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