Baby Nightcaps   By: Aunt Fanny (1822-1894)

I'll tell you all about it in my next book.]

BABY NIGHTCAPS.

BY THE AUTHOR OF

"NIGHTCAPS," "LIFE AMONG THE CHILDREN," "AUNT FANNY'S STORIES," &c.

NEW YORK: D. APPLETON & COMPANY, 443 & 445 BROADWAY. LONDON: 16 LITTLE BRITAIN. 1860.

ENTERED, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1859, by

FANNY BARROW,

In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for the Southern District of New York.

CONTENTS.

PAGE

A NIGHTCAP LETTER FROM AUNT FANNY, 7

THE STORY TOLD TO MINNIE, 31

LILLIE'S SAYINGS AND DOINGS; OR, THE EFFECTS OF A GOOD EXAMPLE, 51

JACK AND HIS FRIENDS, 94

LITTLE HELEN, 115

HOW LITTLE SUSIE WAS LOST AND FOUND, 120

Dedication.

THESE BABY NIGHTCAPS ARE FOR YOU! YOU DEAR LITTLE DARLING!

A NIGHTCAP LETTER FROM AUNT FANNY.

You dear little darling :

A long time ago, that is, long for such a little speck of a child as you, just before last Christmas, I wrote a story book called "Nightcaps." I called it this funny name, because poor little lame Charley to whom all the stories were told, called them his "nightcaps," as he and his sisters and brothers had to go to bed, the moment a story was finished for the evening.

Did you read them? I am afraid they were too old for you, you dear little kitten!

But since last Christmas, I have heard some of the funniest little bits of stories! funny enough to make all the dimples in your round face come out, or rather come in , and cause you to look perfectly lovely: for the happy laughing face of a little child, is the loveliest sight in the world; and if I should see those dimples, do you know what I would do? why I would just catch you up in my arms, and give you a good kissing.

Then I have heard other little stories, that are sad; because you know in this world we cannot always have perfect happiness: things will sometimes happen to grieve even a tender little child; but although your sweet lip may tremble as mine does when I am writing, or listening to a sad story, you will not love me less, I hope, because I have told the truth; for remember, every thing is true in this little book, and all the dear little boys and girls are living at this very moment. What would you say if you knew some of them? Wouldn't it be funny if you should exclaim, while your mamma was reading:

"Why, mamma, I know Lily; why that's the very Lily that lives next door:" or, "Oh, mamma! stop! look here! that very Willy goes to my school, he's got a kite as big as any thing! and he said he would let me fly it, as soon as kite time came. Won't he stare, when I tell him he's in a book? I wish Aunt Fanny knew me ."

You precious pet! Just ask Mr. Appleton to tell you where I live, then come with a hop, skip, and jump to my house, and you and I will have a nice little talk, and after that, take care! you will find yourself in my next "Nightcap book." Won't that be funny?