Fostina Woodman, the Wonderful Adventurer   By: Avis A. Burnham Stanwood

by

A. A. BURNHAM.

[Illustration: THE SHIP ESSEX SAILS FOR CALIFORNIA.]

Boston: 1854.

Entered according to an Act of Congress in the year 1850, by A. A. Burnham, In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the District of Massachusetts

Stereotyped at the Boston Stereotype Foundry.

CONTENTS

CHAPTER I.

Description of Fostina's Home Introduction of Herself and Parents to the Reader Aunt Aubrey Sudden Calamity The Two Brothers and Lewis Mortimer Introduction of her Uncle, and the Great Change in Fostina's Life.

CHAPTER II.

The Ship Essex sails for California, with Lewis Mortimer and the two Brothers on Board Fostina's Grief at their Departure Her Uncle's Family Fostina's Dream Rineldo Aubrey.

CHAPTER III.

Rineldo and his Cousin He seeks to win her Love Fostina makes known to him her Love for Lewis Mortimer Rineldo tries to gain her Favor, and is encouraged by his Parents.

CHAPTER IV.

Rineldo's sudden Departure His Return He pleads in vain for the Love of his Cousin Sad Intelligence and the Death of Lewis Mortimer Fostina's Illness.

CHAPTER V.

Fostina goes to the Village Deception Unmasked The Mystery Revealed Fostina makes her Escape.

CHAPTER VI.

Rineldo's Surprise Mr. Aubrey and his Son go in Pursuit of Fostina Visit to the Mountain and Cottage Horrible Discovery End of their Search.

CHAPTER VII.

Fostina pursues her way through an unknown Country She stops at the Village Inn Conversation between the Landlord and Coachman Fostina again appears in the Dress of a Female Her Departure.

CHAPTER VIII.

Fostina continues on her Journey She arrives at a distant Country Village A Walk in the Forest Visit to the Castle Mistaken Friends A Mystery Strange Discovery Mysteries Revealed The Result.

CHAPTER IX.

Discovery of the Plot Escape from the Castle Lewis Mortimer and Fostina return to the Village They meet the two Brothers Conclusion.

FOSTINA WOODMAN,

THE WONDERFUL ADVENTURER.

CHAPTER I.

Description of Fostina's Home Introduction of Herself and Parents to the Reader Aunt Aubrey Sudden Calamity The Two Brothers and Lewis Mortimer Introduction of her Uncle, and the Great Change in Fostina's Life.

Reader, are you a lover of Nature? And do you behold with pleasure the wonderful works of creation, where the hand of Art has made no claims? Then follow me to the quiet and pleasant village of S , and visit there the Mountain Glen, and you will see one of the loveliest places which Nature ever formed, and which stands unrivalled for its beauty, in this great land of wonders.

Before introducing you to the leading characters whose history will form the principal part of this work, I shall endeavor to give a faint description of the beautiful scenery which this place commands.

It is situated in the northern part of Massachusetts, not far from the Connecticut River, which flows on in its winding course through the valleys, among the hills, until it falls, like a rush of mighty waters, into its deep basin below.

Along these banks may be seen the rural cottages, scattered here and there among the valleys, almost concealed from view by the deep embowering shade of the forest which surrounds them. The traveller, as he ascends a more elevated spot, will behold an extensive range of mountains, as far as the eye can penetrate the distance. And while contemplating the scenery before him, outstretched on Nature's broad, canvas, his eye may involuntarily rest on the beautiful spot referred to at the opening of my story.