1921. Stratton-Porter was an American feminist, environmentalist, photographer and one of Indiana's most famous female authors. Many of her writings were moralistic and romantic novels. The popular author seems to have gone awry with this particular novel, which tells the story of two orphaned sisters (who it later turns out are not really sisters). The introductory paragraphs set the tone: What makes you wear such funny shoes? Linda Strong thrust forward a foot and critically examined the narrow vamp, the projecting sole, the broad, low heel of her well-worn brown calfskin shoe. Then her...

Gene Stratton-Porter (August 17, 1863 - December 6, 1924) was an American author, early naturalist, nature photographer, and one of the first women to form a movie studio and production company, Gene Stratton-Porter Productions, Inc. She wrote several best-selling novels and well-received columns in national magazines, such as McCall's. Her works were translated into several languages, including Braille, and Stratton-Porter was estimated to have had 50 million readers around the world.She used her position and income as a well-known author to support conservation of Limberlost Swamp and other...

A Girl of the Limberlost By Gene Stratton-Porter

In this companion book to the much-loved classic A Girl of the Limberlost, an orphaned teenager longs to find his place in the world. Freckles was discovered on the doorstep of a Chicago orphanage, badly beaten and missing a hand. He yearns for the fulfillment of useful work, and at Indiana's Limberlost Swamp, his grit and determination win him the difficult, dangerous job of guarding a valuable stand of timber. Faithful and brave in his daily tasks, Freckles comes to appreciate the beauty and majesty of the natural world amid the wetlands' sights, sounds, and silences.
As nature...

The cook glanced at him and answered carelessly: -He can't use you.- The color flooded Freckles' face, but he said simply: -If you will be having the goodness to point him out, we will give him a chance to do his own talking.- With a shrug of astonishment, the cook led the way to a rough board table where a broad, square-shouldered man was bending over some account-books. -Mr. McLean, here's another man wanting to be taken on the gang, I suppose, - he said. -All right, - came the cheery answer. -I never needed a good man more than I do just now.- The manager turned a page and carefully began...