Work: A Story of Experience: With Original Illustrations

This is the story of Christie Devon who leaves her aunt Betsey and Uncle Enos home to find her independence through work. She says Ill put my pride in my pocket and go out to service. Housework I like and can do well thanks to Aunt Betsey. I never thought it a degradation to do it for her so why should I mind doing it for others if they pay for it? She has jobs as a domesticated servant actress governess companion and seamstress. In each position she learns valuable lessons about people the nature of friendship speaking and being seen romantic love terrible consequences of sins/bad choices and even learns compassion and forgiveness.But when she becomes ill and in-debited she contemplates suicide and is saved by Rachel the fallen woman she meets as a seamstress. Christie then goes to live with Rachels friend the washerwoman Mrs Wilkins who introduces her to the Reverend Mr Power who in turn helps her find God and build a relationship with him. Once she is stronger she goes to live with the Sterlings and there meets David a mysterious man who gardens and has a compelling secret (her version of Henry David Thoreau). But once Rachel aka the missing sister Letty is back with the family David is a changed man and courts Christie. They marry in the second year of the American Civil War just before David goes to war and Christie to be a nurse. Because they can see each other during the battles Christie conceives a child. However David dies from battle wounds incurred while saving an enslaved woman from capture. He tells Christie on his death bed: You will do my part and do it better than I could. Dont mourn dear heart but work; and by and by you will be comforted.