Camas Prairie chronicle. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1901-1917, 1906-11-02
rHE REAL "LlTTLE woMEN.-
A Letter from Mise Alcott's Slater
About the Four Girls.

A Letter from Mise AIcott's Slater
AbOut the Four Girls.
Doubtless many Of our girl readers
who have also read and enjoyed Lit
tie Women" will be interested In the
following letter, written thirty years
ago to two young girls of that day,
who had sent a letter to Miss Alicia
herself, asking If the characters in
Little Women were real persons,
and If the story were true. In due
time they received the following letter
in reply.-Editor.
Concord, Jan. 20, 1871.
Dear Julia and AHce-From your
note to Miss Alcott l infer that you are
not aware that she is at present In
Italy, having gone abroad In April
last, with the intention OF remaining
a year or more, trying to get well. But
knowing how pleased she would be
with your friendly note, l think per
haps a word from sister 'Meg'' will be
better than leaving it unanswered and
far better than that any little wonl-
an" should feel that 40" was unkind
or ungrateful.
OF course you know that neither
Meg" nor 40" are young and pretty
girls now, but sober old women, nearly
forty years Of age, full Of cares and
troubles like other people; and that al.
though nearly every event in the book
is true, Of course things did not hap
pen exactly as they are there set down.
You ask If Amy" is not May Alcott
and can truly say she is her very
self, and she is the only one of the
Little Women who would, think,
realize your ideal drawn from the
story. She is, indeed, Lady Amy
and a fair and noble woman, full OF
graces and accomplishments, and, what
IL better far, pure and generous
heart no." Beth" and Amy" are all
drawn from life, and are entirely
truthful pictures Of the three dear sis.
tiers who played and worked, loved
and SorrOwed together 50 many year,
ago. Dear "Beth"-Or Louie, as we
called her-died, after long suffering
twelve years since. She was a sweet
and gentle creature, and her death was
so great a sorrow to poor 40" that she
has never been quite happy since her
conscience" was laid away under the
pines Of Sleepy Hollow. Meg was
never the pretty vain little maiden
who coQuetted and made herself so
charming. But 40" always admired
poor, plain Meg" and when she came
to put her into the story she beauti.
Aed her TO suit the occasion, saying
Dear me, girls, we must have one
beauty in the bOokW So Meg" with
her big mouth and homely nose, shines
forth quite darling, and ne doubt all
the little women" who read Of heI
admire her Just as loving old "JO'
does, and think her quite splendid
But, for all that, abe IL nothing but
hOmely, busy, and, hope, useful
Annie who writes this letter to you
As for dear old "Jo' herself, she was
just the rOmping, naughty, topsy-turvy
tOmboy that all you little girls have
learned to love; and even now, when
/ care and sickness have made her early
old, she Is at heart the same loving
generous girl. In Little Women" she
has given a very truthful story Of hel
hapS and mishaps, her literary strug
giles and successes, and she Is now en-
joylng her well-earned honors and re
gaining her health in travel with hel
sister Amy. They are spending the
winter in Rome, in a delightful circle
OF artists, receiving attentions ant
honors that make proud the heart OF
the sister left behind. "Amy" is in the
studio of a well-known painter, work
ing hard to perfect herself in hel
chosen art, while 40" is resting and
gaining strength and courage for hel
promised Little Men," of which
imagine "Meg's" boys, Freddie and
Johnnie, are to be the heroes.
/ You inquire about Laurie" The
character was drawn partly from
Imagination. but more perhaps from
a very nice boy Louisa once knew
whose good looks and 'wheedlesome'
ways first suggested to her the idea
Of putting him into a book. She has
therefore put upon him the love-mak
ing and behavior of various adorers OF
her youthful days.
Dear little friends, if have told you
all you wish to know, and shown that
you need have no fear Of being
thought Intrusive" perhaps some
time you will honor Meg" herself
with a letter.
Be assured she will be glad to hear
from any of the little women" Sin.
cerely yours,
ANNIE ALCOTT PRATT.