The Kennewick courier. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1905-1914, 1906-11-02

4 Letter from Mise Alcott's Sister
About the -Four Girls.

!, JHEe REAL "IITTlE WOMEN.~
4 Letter from Mise Alcott's siste,
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 letter to Miss Alec;
herself. asking If the characters In
Little Women" were real persons
and If the etory were true. In due
time they received the following letter
in reply.-Editor.
Concord. Jan. 20, 1871.
Dear Julia and Aice-From your
note to Miss Alcott infer that you ara
not aware that she is at present In
: Italy, having gone abroad in April
last, with the intention of remaining
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 won,-
an" should feel that 10" was unkinl
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, l 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 Borrowed together 50 many years
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 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 80
charming. But 10" always admired
poor, plain Meg" and when she came
to put her into the story she beauti-
fed, her to suit the occasion, saying,
Dear me, girls, we must have one
beauty In the bookw So Meg" with
her big mouth and homsly nose, shines
forth quite darling. and no doubt all
the little women" who read Of her
admire her just as loving old 40"
does, and think her quite splendid.
But for all that she 10 nothing but
homely. busy. and, hope, useful
Annie" who writes this letter to you.
Az for dear old 40" 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 II at heart the same loving,
generous girl. In Little Women" she
has given q very truthful story of her
haps and mishaps, her literary strug-
giles and successes, and she is now en-.
joying her welleaEned honors and re-
gaining her health in travel with her
sister Amy. They are spending the
winter in Rome, in 4 delightful circle
Of artists, receiving attentions. ami
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 her
chosen art, while 40" is resting and
gaining strength and courage for her
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 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 letter.
Be.assured she will be glad to hear
from any of the little women" Sin
cerely yours,
ANNIE AICOTT PRATT