At the Little Brown House

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

23785

Title

At the Little Brown House

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

In early 20th-century Parker, a ragged tramp discovers a family of orphaned girls living in poverty at the Little Brown House. After initially working for their meals, he reveals his true identity as their grandfather, Mr. Campbell, who has been testing their character. The story follows the girls' adventures, their struggles to keep their home, and their eventual reunion with their wealthy grandparents, blending rustic charm with heartwarming family reconciliation.

Summary up to 500 words

Set in the rural village of Parker, *At the Little Brown House* by Ruth Alberta Brown chronicles the lives of the Greenfield girls—Peace, Gail, Faith, Cherry, Allee, and baby Glen—who live alone in a modest home after their parents' deaths. The narrative opens with the spirited eldest sister, Peace, leading her siblings in daily chores, flower-selling schemes, and neighborhood pranks. Their days are a mix of poverty and resilience, highlighted by incidents such as a chaotic raspberry-picking expedition thwarted by a neighbor's bull and a frantic attempt to recall poisoned hens sold to unsuspecting neighbors. The plot advances with the arrival of a shabby tramp, Mr. Campbell, who seeks food. Initially wary and demanding that he work for his breakfast, the girls eventually witness his kindness and competence. Through a series of humorous and touching events, including Peace's elaborate apology for her earlier rudeness, the tramp's true identity is revealed: he is their long-lost grandfather. He had traveled as a tramp to test the girls' character and ensure their resilience before stepping in to support them. The story explores profound themes of family loyalty, the importance of love over material wealth, and the redemptive power of forgiveness. The climax occurs when the grandfather, now revealed as a respected college president, invites the girls to live with him and his wife in the city. Offering them education, stability, and a loving home, he resolves the family's struggle against poverty and the threat of losing their farm to a mortgage. The tale concludes with the family reunited. Although the girls initially worry about leaving their familiar surroundings, they ultimately accept the offer, realizing that unity and love are more valuable than their current circumstances. The narrative ends on a note of gratitude and joy, celebrating the bond between the grandfather and his granddaughters, affirming that love is the greatest blessing one can receive.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/23785.epub.noimages

Local file path

data/epubs/pg23785.epub

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2026-07-05 20:21 UTC

Categories

• Fiction
• Country Life