Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-09-30
LIFE OF LOUISA MAY ALCoTT,
1S33-lSSS.

In the little town of Germantown,
Pa. Louisa May Alcott was born on
her fathers thirty-third birthday, No
vember 49, 1888. Amos Bronson Alcott
was poor. though very good man.
Two years after his second daughter
was born he founded n school in Bos-
ton This did not help tho financial
troubles OF the family much, but they
were happy in spite of their poverty.
Anna was not pretty. as she was
described In Little Women, but she was
so quiet and sweet that from the time
she could talk Louisa worshiped her
sister. Exactly opposite was Louisa
Cor Lee. her family called her), i'm
pulsive and boy-like. She had great
talent for writing poetry, and was the
prettler OF the two girls. From an
early age her mother was her chief
comforter and helper, and her influence
was one OF the strongest in the young
daughters life. Mrs. Alcott was
strong and healthy nature with shout
ders ready to bear all tho troubles of
her family. Beth and Abba May wore
almost exact duplicates OF the char
acters In the book.
moved TO Concord. Mass. That was her
favoritc Of all the places she moved
In II ,, e ter, life: Here her father found
SON. lie was tho childs idol, and when
she grew. up he gave her somo OF her
pest inspirations. AT the age OF ninc-
the family. John Pratt. were married.
Though losing Anna, the family were
very fond of him. SO approved OF the
The death Of her favorite sister,
Beth. was one Of the saddest events
in Louisa,s life. After burylng her,
trying to eomforf e i her f s9Re ws sns
mother.
1t took good deal of courage for
Miss Alcott to face the disappointments
she did, az stories one after another
came back which the printer had prob
esy t nsvs Mri. Looked hn nt rinaiy she be
her work.
abroad as companion, SO she g LEFT st
America; On the other side OF the
water. she met young musician who
W v9os his fansy to- and he PLAYED
from him. and bashful boy favorite
of hers in America
lea not lone rter her arrival in Amer
Her publisher Mr.. Niles after ac-
eepting her first real book. Flower
cables r,a6 iso,a asked for more When war
teer nurse with the Federal army. AL
though on tho opposite side. we cannot
help feeling that she was still a won
war was over on account of Illness. she
had long spell. In 1865 she wrote
hospital sketches, and received good
Mr.. Niles was anxious for her to try
n &irfs book, so she began on Little
Women" very unwillingiy. After see-
but told her to finish anyhow. The
public were delighted, much to her
relief by this time her name was
In n IA a.
When in Europe the second time,
news reached her Of John Pratt's
death. She wrote Little Men," trying
to show again her admiration in his
death. Her heart was sore for her
sister and her two little nephews. Fred
and John, so she did not think the
story would come to anything.
On her arrival in America She again
started to work. ana wrote MY Girls"
My Boys" etc: Her mothers health
was failing gradually. and while Louisa
In her arms. On that account this
s ..E,Eh, Is c not as good ms her others;
various other books follo wed this
Ralph w. Emerson's death made tho
authoress feel that sh. had lost her
dearest friend.
to marry a handsome young violinist
In France. yenr or two later. when
her little daughter, Louisa's name-
and the child was sent to America to
Miss Alcott. AS soon as her lips could
lisp sbo called Louisa mamma" and
would have known no other IL her aunt
had not told her the whole story of
her mothers life.
"Joe's Boys was the last book the
famous authoresS ever wrote. and she
did not live to see 1t printed Her
death was within a week after her
fathers. In March. 1888. It was n
happy coincidence that their birthday.
being on the same day they should
neither suffer long from separation
Little Women" ia considered the hest
know OF the great and good influence
her books have had over the young
people Of America.
fOriEinal)
BY POCAIONTAS W. WIGHT