Jan of the Windmill; A Story of the Plains (The Fireside Series for Girls) by Ewing, Juliana Horatia - 1884

A.L. Burt., 1884. Author's updated introductory note, 1884.. Hard cover. Good. No dust jacket. Signed by previous owner. Prior owner neatly penned: "Harold from Grandma Stratton, Christmas 1894". Spine tilted. Minor edge wear. Dulled gold spine title box.. 1 394 p. Olive green decorated covers with black embossed designs. Pen&Ink plates, artist not credited. 20 cm. End papers: small mustard color floral print. First appearing in serial form, 1873, under the title "The Miller's Thumb" in "Aunt Judy's Magazine", Ewing was encouraged to change that title, and the tale was also revised. The early title's origin in part was based on a Gainsborough painting of a village boy employed to bring the painter's colors. Here, a gristmill owner and his wife are at odds, made worse with the loss of a baby. An orphan boy is pressed upon them and becomes their center. In 42 chapters by this early 20th century british author, we see Jan growing up with the skills his parents encourage. One of those is the mixing of flours with one's thumbs toward a better product. Publisher series list at back, last page.