Tag: Vintage Romance

New Free Read: “Deacon Bates’ Wife”

Published on by Isabella AldenLeave a comment

Marcia Livingston, Isabella’s sister, was a widely published author whose work appeared in magazines and newspapers across the country. While she often wrote stories for young children, her stories about the trials and joys of marriage are true to life, charming, and inspiring.

Marcia’s story “Deacon Bates’ Wife” is about appreciating the ones we love, recognizing their burdens, and taking the time to look at them with fresh eyes.

When “Deacon Bates’ Wife” was published in newspapers in 1892 it was very well received. One New York newspaper editor added this thoughtful introduction:

“The following story … conveys an admirable lesson. We commend it to the considerate attention of all “good men” who have “over-worked wives.”

Deacon Daniel Bates takes great pride in his thrifty, hard-working wife, Cynthy, unaware that decades of unceasing labor have taken a toll on her spirit. It takes a keen-eyed summer guest and a dose of plain speaking to open the deacon’s eyes before it’s too late.

YOU CAN READ “DEACON BATES’ WIFE” FOR FREE!

Choose the reading option you like best:

Read on your device: You can read the story on your computer, phone, tablet, Kindle, or other electronic reading device. Click here to download your preferred format from BookFunnel.com.

Print & Share: Select BookFunnel’s “email” option to receive an email with a PDF version you can read, print, and share with friends.

New Free Read: “The Bureau of Destiny”

Published on by Isabella AldenLeave a comment

In the early 1910s, Americans were experiencing a world in turmoil. With major events like the start of World War I and the sinking of the Titanic, many people found themselves looking for reassurance, order, and a sense of control over their futures. One surprising place they turned to—The stars.

During this time, a massive craze for astrology, palmistry, and fortune-telling swept the country. Newspapers filled their classified pages with advertisements from self-proclaimed astrologers, clairvoyants, and palm readers promising to map out business  prospects, cure health troubles, and—most popular of all—arrange perfect marriages.

A newspaper column from the classified ads page under the heading "CLAIRVOYANTS" listing several businesses. CLAIRVOYANT Palmist and Card Reader. Queen Olamphey. Phone Cedar 852. No. 2 Crown Street. MADAM LILLIS, Daughter of Queen Alice. Hours, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. No clients received on Sunday. 432 Pleasant Street, Cor. of Bellevue St. Phone Cedar 1911-W. LORNA LEE. Scientific palmist and medium. Her parlors are filled daily with people who go away pleased and satisfied. Come and see for yourself. LOW FEE this week: 50c, 41. No. 168 Pleasant St. Closed on Sunday.
from the Telegram and Gazette (Worcester, Massachusetts) September 6, 1914.

Raymond Macdonald Alden—Isabella’s son—recognized the growing trend. Raymond was an acclaimed scholar and author in his own right. He held a doctorate, served as chair of the English department at Stanford University, and was a noted expert on Shakespeare and classic literature who frequently delivered popular lectures.

Newspaper advertisement block. Headline: "MODERN DRAMATISTS AND SOCIAL PROBLEMS" (Ibsen, Galsworthy Hauptman, Brieux) Dr. Raymond McDonald Alden of Leland Stanford University. Lecture at Professional Woman's Building, 210 East Grace, Friday Evening, 8:15 o'clock. ADMISSION $1.00. For Benefit of Bureau of Vocations.
from the Richmond Times Dispatch, May 1, 1919.

Raymond was also an award-winning short story writer. He watched the growing obsession with astrology and palmistry with a sharp, humorous eye. In 1914, he confronted the trend the best way he knew how: through a light-hearted romantic story that poked fun at the craze. His story playfully shows how common sense, honesty, and real human connections make a far more reliable foundation for love than any horoscope ever could.

When a skeptical young man stumbles into a Los Angeles “Bureau of Destiny” to cure his heartache, he has little hope for a happy future. But as the bureau’s clever secretary takes his romantic fate into her own hands, he soon learns that destiny works in mysterious and delightfully unexpected ways.

YOU CAN READ “THE BUREAU OF DESTINY” FOR FREE!

Choose the reading option you like best:

You can read the story on your computer, phone, tablet, Kindle, or other electronic reading device. Just click here to download your preferred format from BookFunnel.com

Or you can select BookFunnel’s “email” option to receive an email with a PDF version you can read, print, and share with friends.