Elsie's Womanhood

<SPAN name="startofbook"></SPAN> <h1>ELSIE'S</h1> <h1>WOMANHOOD</h1> <p class="center">A sequel to &quot;ELSIE'S GIRLHOOD&quot;</p> <h3>By</h3> <h2>MARTHA FINLEY</h2> <hr style="width: 65%;" /> <h2>Preface.</h2> <p>The call for a sequel to &quot;Elsie's Girlhood&quot; having become too loud and importunate to be resisted, the pleasant task of writing it was undertaken.</p> <p>Dates compelled the bringing in of the late war: and it has been the earnest desire and effort of the author to so treat the subject as to wound the feelings of none; to be as impartial as if writing history; and, by drawing a true, though alas, but faint picture, of the great losses and sufferings on both sides, to make the very thought of a renewal of the awful strife <i>utterly abhorrent</i> to every lover of humanity, and especially of this, our own dear native land.</p> <p>Are we not one people: speaking the same language; worshipping the one true and living God; having a common history, a common ancestry; and united by the tenderest ties of blood? And is not this great grand, glorious old Union&mdash;known and respected all over the world&mdash;our common country, our joy and pride? O! let us forget all bitterness, and live henceforth in love, harmony, and mutual helpfulness.</p> <p>For all I know of the Teche country I am indebted to Mr. Edward King's &quot;Old and New Louisiana&quot;; for facts and dates in regard to the war, and in large measure for Mr. Dinsmore's views as to its causes, etc., principally to Headley's &quot;History of the Great Rebellion.&quot;</p> <p>The description of Andersonville, and the life led by the prisoners there, was supplied by one who shared it for six months. An effort was made to obtain a sketch of a Northern prison also, but without success.</p> <p>Yet what need to balance accounts in respect to these matters? The unnatural strife is over, and we are again one united people.</p> <p>M.F.</p> <hr style="width: 65%;" /> <div style="break-after:column;"></div><br />