Characters:
Martitia Howland - a young girl who became orphan
Dr. David Gardner - the kind town doctor
Eunice - Dr. Gardner's wife
Ruth - the daughter
Jonathan, Clarkson, Milton, Barzillai and Addison - Dr. Gardner's sons
Madame De La Brousse - a silkworm raiser
The Story:
There was a young girl who became orphan at 16 when her parents died because of typhoid fever. The kind Dr. Gardner brings Martitia to his home and introduce to her wife Eunice. She also met their sons Jonathan, Clarkson, Milton, Barzillai and Addison and daughter Ruth. Martitia easily came along with the boys, they make her laugh and forget the sadness she felt for a while. While Ruth does not want her that much because she doesn’t know many things in the house like cooking, sewing, weaving and even how to clean.
But that does not make Martitia lose hope; she is determined to learn. Her parents only teach her to paint and playing the spinet. The Gardner boys always having fun with her until one time she baked for them, they pretend to have stomach ache after eating the bread and when she almost want to cry because of fear they all laugh and tell it’s a joke.
One day, someone writes to her telling to come and live with them, her aunt Margaret who lives in Richmond Virginia. She asked her to leave the doctor and her family but Martitia opt to stay with the Gardners because they are very warm and kind to her. And not later, Ruth became good to her and they used to be good friends.
Time past and they need to go to school away from home. Jonathan studied law while the other boys took their own courses. Martitia spare time at the farm until she met a silkworm raiser Madame De La Brousee, whom delighted to her and giver some worms to start a small silk industry.
Martitia is very firm to grow and earn from her production. And when the time comes that Jonathan needs money to fulfil his career Martitia lend her saved money from silk weaving. Then Jonathan finished his course and became a fulfilled lawyer and not later wins Martitia’s heart.
Comment:
A very warm story, which will make you smile. Martitia though came a rich family is very much willing to learn everything without hesitant. She is admirable because of her good heart that’s why she is very dear to the Gardners.