Eleanor Hallowell Abbott (Mrs. Fordyce Coburn)
(September 22, 1872 — June 4, 1958), born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, was a nationally recognized American author. She was a frequent contributor to The Ladies’ Home Journal.
The Indiscreet Letter
by Eleanor Hallowell Abbott (1872-1958)
Three fellow travelers on a train enter into a discussion concerning what they would call an ‘indiscreet letter.’ The discussion albeit short, produces some rather interesting revelations during the journey and at journey’s end.
(Summary by Kehinde)
The White Linen Nurse
by Eleanor Hallowell Abbott (1872-1958)
The White Linen Nurse is a hysterical story of an exhausted nurse who comes to regret her profession and then somehow finds herself caring for the invalid daughter of the Senior Surgeon. The unexpected events which lead her there and also those which take her forward from that point are sure to evoke laughter and tears – a never to be forgotten story that will send a warm glow to your heart. (Summary by Kehinde)
Peace On Earth, Good-Will To Dogs
by Eleanor Hallowell Abbott (1872-1958)
“If you don’t like Christmas stories, don’t read this one!
And if you don’t like dogs I don’t know just what to advise you to do!
For I warn you perfectly frankly that I am distinctly pro-dog and distinctly pro-Christmas, and would like to bring to this little story whatever whiff of fir-balsam I can cajole from the make-believe forest in my typewriter, and every glitter of tinsel, smudge of toy candle, crackle of wrapping paper, that my particular brand of brain and ink can conjure up on a single keyboard! And very large-sized dogs shall romp through every page! And the mercury shiver perpetually in the vicinity of zero! And every foot of earth be crusty-brown and bare with no white snow at all till the very last moment when you’d just about given up hope! And all the heart of the story is very,—oh very young!
For purposes of propriety and general historical authenticity there are of course parents in the story. And one or two other oldish persons. But they all go away just as early in the narrative as I can manage it.—Are obliged to go away!
Yet lest you find in this general combination of circumstances some sinister threat of audacity, let me conventionalize the story at once by opening it at that most conventional of all conventional Christmas-story hours,—the Twilight of Christmas Eve.” (excerpt from the text)
Little Eve Edgarton
by Eleanor Hallowell Abbott (1872-1958)
Eve Edgarton is not who she seems she is. A short encounter with Mr. Barton show that first impressions are not always right or indicative of one’s seemingly obvious preference or one’s proclivity. (Summary by Kehinde)
Molly Make-Believe
by Eleanor Hallowell Abbott (1872-1958)
Carl Stanton is an invalid suffering from an unusual bout of rheumatism. His fianc?e is gone for the winter and though he begs her to write to help ease his boredom and pain she is stingy with her letters. She sends him what she calls a ‘ridiculous circular’ which she states is very apropos of his sentimental passion for letters. In a sudden fit of mischief, malice and rheumatism, Carl decides to respond to the circular which results in bringing about the necessary distraction in a flurry of letters that do ease Carl’s boredom and pain but also bring him something else that he never quite expected. (summary by Kehinde)