Timothy's Quest A Story for Anybody, Young or Old, Who Cares to Read It   By: Kate Douglas Smith Wiggin (1856-1923)

THE BIRDS' CHRISTMAS CAROL. Illustrated. Square 12mo, boards, 50 cents.

THE STORY OF PATSY, Illustrated. Square 12mo, boards, 60 cents.

A SUMMER IN A CAÑON. A California Story. Illustrated. New Edition. 16mo, $1.25.

TIMOTHY'S QUEST. A Story for Anybody, Young or Old, who cares to read it. 16mo, $1.00.

THE STORY HOUR. A Book for the Home and Kindergarten. By Mrs. Wiggin and Nora A. Smith. Illustrated. 16mo, $1.00.

CHILDREN'S RIGHTS. A Book of Nursery Logic. 16mo, $1.00.

A CATHEDRAL COURTSHIP, and PENELOPE'S ENGLISH EXPERIENCES. Illustrated. 16mo, $1.00.

POLLY OLIVER'S PROBLEM. Illustrated, 16mo, $1.00.

HOUGHTON, MIFFLIN & CO. BOSTON AND NEW YORK.

TIMOTHY'S QUEST

A STORY FOR ANYBODY, YOUNG OR OLD, WHO CARES TO READ IT

BY

KATE DOUGLAS WIGGIN

AUTHOR OF "BIRDS' CHRISTMAS CAROL," "THE STORY OF PATSY," "A SUMMER IN A CAÑON," ETC.

[Illustration: The Riverside Press logo.]

BOSTON AND NEW YORK HOUGHTON, MIFFLIN AND COMPANY The Riverside Press, Cambridge 1894

Copyright, 1890,

BY KATE DOUGLAS WIGGIN

All rights reserved.

THIRTY SEVENTH THOUSAND

The Riverside Press, Cambridge, Mass., U.S.A. Electrotyped and Printed by H. O. Houghton & Company.

To

NORA

DEAREST SISTER, STERNEST CRITIC,

BEST FRIEND.

CONTENTS.

SCENE I. PAGE

FLOSSY MORRISON LEARNS THE SECRET OF DEATH WITHOUT EVER HAVING LEARNED THE SECRET OF LIFE 7

SCENE II.

LITTLE TIMOTHY JESSUP ASSUMES PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITIES 17

SCENE III.

TIMOTHY PLANS A CAMPAIGN, AND PROVIDENCE MATERIALLY ASSISTS IN CARRYING IT OUT, OR VICE VERSA 26

SCENE IV.

JABE SLOCUM ASSUMES THE RÔLE OF GUARDIAN ANGEL 39

SCENE V.

TIMOTHY FINDS A HOUSE IN WHICH HE THINKS A BABY IS NEEDED, BUT THE INMATES DO NOT ENTIRELY AGREE WITH HIM 51

SCENE VI.

TIMOTHY, LADY GAY, AND RAGS PROVE FAITHFUL TO EACH OTHER 63

SCENE VII.

MISTRESS AND MAID FIND TO THEIR AMAZEMENT THAT A CHILD, MORE THAN ALL OTHER GIFTS, BRINGS HOPE WITH IT, AND FORWARD LOOKING THOUGHTS 74

SCENE VIII.

JABE AND SAMANTHA EXCHANGE HOSTILITIES, AND THE FORMER SAYS A GOOD WORD FOR THE LITTLE WANDERERS 87

SCENE IX.

"NOW THE END OF THE COMMANDMENT IS CHARITY, OUT OF A PURE HEART" 100

SCENE X.

AUNT HITTY COMES TO "MAKE OVER," AND SUPPLIES BACK NUMBERS TO ALL THE VILLAGE HISTORIES 112

SCENE XI.

MISS VILDA DECIDES THAT TWO IS ONE TOO MANY, AND TIMOTHY BREAKS A HUMMING BIRD'S EGG 126

SCENE XII.

LYDDY PETTIGROVE'S FUNERAL 143

SCENE XIII.

PLEASANT RIVER IS BAPTIZED WITH THE SPIRIT OF ADOPTION 152

SCENE XIV.

TIMOTHY JESSUP RUNS AWAY A SECOND TIME, AND, LIKE OTHER BLESSINGS, BRIGHTENS AS HE TAKES HIS FLIGHT 166

SCENE XV.

LIKE ALL DOGS IN FICTION, THE FAITHFUL RAGS GUIDES MISS VILDA TO HIS LITTLE MASTER 179

SCENE XVI.

TIMOTHY'S QUEST IS ENDED, AND SAMANTHA SAYS, "COME ALONG, DAVE" 189