Front Matter

Preface

T HIS little book is designed to be used as a supplementary historical reader for the fourth and fifth grades of our public schools, or for other young persons from ten to fifteen years of age. It is also intended for collateral reading in connection with the study of the numerous elementary text-books on American history.

The authors have attempted to describe in some detail the perils, the arduous struggles, the stem lessons of self-denial, and the staunch patriotism of the early settlers of this country. Personal anecdotes and incidents which thrill us because of their human element and which smack of the picturesque life of our forefathers have been freely used. Such historical material, instinct with human life, serves a most useful purpose in teaching elementary history. Experienced teachers know that such material attracts and holds the attention of boys and girls and tends to stimulate them to learn more about the history of their country.

These stories rest upon a substantial historical basis. They have been diligently culled from many trustworthy sources. This book would indeed prove of little worth to young people if it could be read at a glance and then thrown aside like the ordinary story-book. It is suggested that teachers and parents supplement and enrich the text of this book with such other his-torical material as may be readily obtained from school, home, or public libraries.

May, 1911.