Tag: Rev. G. R. Alden

A Bicycle, a Bulldog, and Rev. G. R. Alden

Published on by Isabella Alden2 Comments

In 1918, Isabella’s husband, Reverend G. R. Alden was a healthy, hardy 86-year-old. Though retired from his ministerial duties in the Methodist church, he remained incredibly active. The Aldens were living in Palo Alto, California at the time, and because the Reverend didn’t drive, his bicycle was his primary mode of transportation. Seeing him pedaling his bike around town was a familiar and endearing sight in the neighborhood.

Illustration of a red men's bicycle with hand brake and a small black pouch attached behind the seat
A roadster bicycle from about 1915, described in advertisements as “admirably suitable for the young and middle-aged.”

Rev. Alden was also a well-known dog lover. Years earlier, he had written two children’s novels centered around a canine protagonist named Major: Major’s Autobiography and Major’s Friends, were both serialized in the pages of The Pansy magazine in 1892.

Black and white illustration of a boy wearing a sailor style top, breaches, and ankle boots, holding a large dog by the leash as they walk through a field, while three small dogs cavort around them.
An illustration from the 1892 serial story, “Major’s Friends.”

He was very open about his affection for four-legged friends. In the opening lines of Major’s Friends he declared to his young readers:

“By this time you will begin to believe that I am fond of dogs. Well, I am, if they are good, and I am especially fond of large, intelligent dogs.”

With such a deep affection for man’s-best-friend, it must have come as quite a shock to the Alden family—and the community—when the local papers ran a startling headline in July 1918.

Newspaper headline: VICIOUS DOG BITES REV. G. R. ALDEN

According to the July 17, 1918 issue of the Peninsula Times Tribune, Rev. Alden was riding his bicycle near his home one evening when he was suddenly “assaulted” by a vicious bull terrier. The dog bit him, leaving a painful injury on his left leg just above the ankle. The next morning, Rev. Alden reported the attack to the police, requesting that immediate action be taken to muzzle or properly handle the dangerous dog.

Because Isabella and the Reverend were such prominent figures in the region, the story quickly spread beyond Palo Alto to nearby San Jose. The Aldens were frequent visitors to the Mount Hermon Christian Camp in Santa Cruz, where they owned a cottage, so two days later, the Santa Cruz newspaper also picked up the story and added a few additional details for its readers.

Newspaper Article: MINISTER BITTEN BY bULLDOG. REV. G. R. ALDEN, WELL KNOWN HERE, VICTIM OF DOG. Rev. G. R. Alden is suffering from a rather painful injury caused by an attack by a bulldog Tuesday evening. Mr. Alden, a retired clergyman was riding his bicycle on Embarcadero road when he was attacked by the bulldog. He reported the matter to the police and the latter are looking for the owner. Mrs. Alden is the author of a famous series of books for girls that were very much read from 30 to 40 years ago. These were the "Pansy" books, which will be well remembered by the older generation. Mrs. and Mrs. Alden are living in retirement in Palo Alto. One son, R. M. Alden, is a professor at Stanford.

The article made sure to note that Mrs. Alden was the famous author of the beloved “Pansy” books, and proudly mentioned that their son, R. M. Alden, was currently serving as a professor at nearby Stanford University.

Thankfully, an injury above the ankle couldn’t keep a robust 86-year-old retired minister down for long, and Rev. Alden was soon back on his bicycle, pedaling around Palo Alto. It’s fascinating to see how a minor local mishap can reveal so much about the Aldens’ daily lives, their tight-knit family, and their enduring fame in California.

Did you know Reverend Alden wrote children’s stories about dogs? Have you ever read about Major’s adventures? Leave a comment below and share your thoughts!

A June Jingle

Published on by Isabella AldenLeave a comment

While Isabella Alden captured the hearts of millions with her stories, her husband, Reverend G. R. Alden, occasionally added his own gentle voice to the pages of The Pansy magazine.

In this charming poem from the June 1891 issue, Rev. Alden shares the sights and sounds of tranquil Victorian summer days that the Alden family very much enjoyed.

The winds are wafted through the woods,
The birds are singing in the trees,
The buttercups with yellow hoods
Are bowing to the passing breeze.

The brook glides lazily along
Beneath the shadows of the birch;
The kine are listening to the song,
Silent and sober, as in church.

Cheering his mate the sparrow sings,
The catbird scolds about his nest;
The bee flies homeward as he brings
His gathered sweetness with the rest.

The crowned thistle shapely stands,
The elders bloom along the lane;
The furrow marks the harvest lands,
The gay colt tosses high his mane.

O, lovely June! With clover clad,
Writing they pledges o'er the field;
Thy smiling makes the farmer glad
With thoughts of what shall be the yield.

But I inhale thy fragrance now
Upon the present gladly look,
And watch the branches as they bow
Their greeting to the laughing brook.

Kind Hearts

Published on by Isabella Alden2 Comments

In 1876 Isabella was firmly established in her new role as editor of The Pansy magazine, although the entire enterprise was a family affair. Isabella’s husband, sister, brother-in-law, and friends all contributed articles and stories to each issue of the magazine.

Isabella’s husband, the Rev. G. R. “Ross” Alden, wrote Bible study lessons, stories, and poems for the magazine. His talent was creating lovely rhymes with messages that were meaningful for both children and adults.

Here’s one of Rev. Alden’s poems that expertly blends a message on kindness with a celebration of the first day of spring:

Image of a basket overflowing with gold, white and purple pansy flowers. Below is a poem titled "Kind Hearts." Kind hearts are the gardens, Kind thoughts are the roots, Kind words are the blossoms, Kind deeds are the fruits; Love is the sweet sunshine That warms into life, For only in darkness Grow hatred and strife.


You can read more of Rev. Alden’s poems in these previous posts:

Welcome, April!

September

Two of Us

September

Published on by Isabella AldenLeave a comment

Isabella’s husband, the Rev. G. R. Alden, was a prolific poet, and many of his works were published in The Pansy magazine. He was adept at sharing humorous stories, childhood memories, and Biblical truths through rhyme. In the following poem he writes about anticipating the change of seasons in a long-ago, and much simpler time. 

The fields and meadows paling 
Lie ’neath the hazy sky;
The thistle-down is sailing
By zepyrs slowly by.
The stalks of stubble, bleaching
Beneath September’s sun,
Seem silently now teaching
Of rest when labor’s done.
Image of two yellow birds sitting in a bush of white and pink thistles. One bird plucks the tuft from one of the white thistles.
The goldenrod, bright gleaming 
Above the parched sod, 
Is surely sent, the seeming 
Of the golden things of God. 
The katy-dids are calling, 
In a social sort of way,  
To learn what is befalling 
The neighbor ’cross the way.
Communist like, the blackbirds 
Hold meetings every night, 
As though the world went backwards, 
And they must set it right. 
The apples fast are falling 
From heavy-laden boughs; 
The milkmaid’s faintly calling 
’Cross the meadows for the cows.
Image of a large apple tree with branches full of apples bent down to the ground.
The milking-stool is ready
Astride the barnyard gate;
The cows come slow and steady,
Like messengers of Fate.
And soon, in silence sleeping,
Master and maid and herd
Beneath God’s kindly keeping
Will rest—as on his word.
Image of some cows grazing in a flowering field while other cows stand in the shallow waters of a lake or pond. 
So may this mild September,
With its pictures passing fair,
Make each of us remember
God’s mercies, rich and rare.