The incidents narrated in this book are based on fact, and, while not absolutely true in every particular, the characters are all drawn from real life.

The photographs are true likenesses of the people they are supposed to represent, and while in some instances the correct names are not given (for reasons which the reader will readily understand), the various scenes, relics, etc., are true historically and geographically.

The places described can be easily recognized by any one who has ever visited the section of Pennsylvania in which the plot (if it can really be called a plot) of the story is laid.

Many of the recipes given Mary by Pennsylvania German housewives, noted for the excellence of their cooking, have never appeared in print.
THE AUTHOR.
THIS BOOK IS DEDICATED TO MY FRIENDS WITH GRATITUDE FOR THEIR MANY HELPFUL KINDNESSES.
[Illustration] "HE WHO HAS A THOUSAND FRIENDS, HAS NEVER A ONE TO SPARE." THE HOUSEKEEPER'S SYMPHONY "To do the best that I can, from morn till night.
And pray for added strength with coming light; To make the family income reach alway, With some left over for a rainy day; To do distasteful things with happy face, To try and keep the odds and ends in place.
To smile instead of frown at Fate, Which placed me in a family always late For meals; to do the sewing, mending and The thousand small things always near at hand, And do them always with a cheerful heart, Because in life they seem to be my part; To know the place of everything and keep It there, to think, to plan, to cook, to sweep, To brew, to bake, to answer questions, To be the mainspring of the family clock.
(Or that effect) and see that no tick, tock Is out of time or tune, or soon or late, This is the only symphony which I Can ever hope to operate." MARION WILEY.
CONTENTS I Mary's Letter Received at Clear Spring Farm II Mary's Arrival at the Farm III Schuggenhaus Township IV John Landis V The Old Farm-House and Garden VI Mary Confides in "Aunt Sarah" and Gives Her Views on Suffrage for Women VII Professor Schmidt VIII Uses of An Old-Fashioned Wardrobe IX Poetry and Pie X Sibylla Linsabigler XI New Colonial Rag Rugs XII Mary Imitates Navajo Blankets XIII "The Girls' Camp Fire" Organized by Mary XIV Mary Makes "Violet and Rose Leaf" Beads XV Mary and Elizabeth Visit Sadie Singmaster XVI The Old Parlor Made Beautiful (Modernized) XVII An Old Song Evening XVIII A Visit to the "Pennsylvania Palisades" XIX Mary Is Taught to Make Pastry, Patties and Rosenkuchcen XX Old Potteries and Decorated Dishes XXI The Value of Wholesome, Nutritious Food XXII A Variety of Cakes Evolved From One Recipe XXIII The Old "Taufschien" XXIV The Old Store on the Ridge Road XXV An Elbadritchel Hunt XXVI The Old Shanghai Rooster XXVII A "Potato Pretzel" XXVIII Faithful Service XXIX Mary, Ralph, Jake and Sibylla Visit the Allentown Fair XXX Fritz Schmidt Explores Durham Cave XXXI Mary's Marriage ILLUSTRATIONS Mary Aunt Sarah The Old Spring House The Old Mill Wheel The Old Mill Old Corn Crib The New Red Barn The Old Farm-House Ralph Jackson Rocky Valley Professor Schmidt Frau Schmidt Old Time Patch-Work Quilts Old Time Patch-Work Home-Made Rag Carpet A Hit-and-Miss Rug A Brown and Tan Rug A Circular Rug Imitation of Navajo Blankets Rug With Design Rug With Swastika in Centre Home Manufactured Silk Prayer Rug Elizabeth Schmidt--"Laughing Water" Articles in the Old Parlor Before It Was Modernized Other Articles in the Old Parlor Before It Was Modernized Palisades, or Narrows of Nockamixon The Canal at the Narrows The Narrows, or Pennsylvania Palisades Top Rock Ringing Rocks of Bucks County, Pennsylvania High Falls Big Rock at Rocky Dale The Old Towpath at the Narrows Old Earthenware Dish Igraffito Plate Old Plates Fund in Aunt Sarah's Corner Cupboard Old Style Lamps Old Taufschien The Old Store on Ridge Road Catching Elbadritchels Old Egg Basket at the Farm A Potato Pretzel Loaf of Rye Bread A "Brod Corvel," or Bread Basket Church Which Sheltered Liberty Bell in 1777-78 Liberty Bell Tablet Durham Cave The Woodland Stream Polly Schmidt An Old-Fashioned Bucks County Bake-Oven [Illustration: MARY].