The pictures are so graphically drawn that we feel well acquainted with Rob and Nelly , have travelled with them and climbed mountains and found silver mines , and know all about the rude life made beautiful by a happy family , and can say of Nelly , with their German neighbor , Mr. Kleesman , ` Ach well , she haf better than any silver mine in her own self . ' '' -- Chicago Inter-Ocean . `` In ` Nelly 's Silver Mine ' Mrs. Helen Hunt Jackson has given us a true classic for the nursery and the school-room , but its readers will not be confined to any locality . Its vivid portraiture of Colorado life and its truth to child-nature give it a charm which the most experienced can not fail to feel . It will stand by the side of Miss Edgeworth and Mrs. Barbauld in all the years to come . '' -- Mrs. Caroline H. Dall . `` We heartily commend the book for its healthy spirit , its lively narrative , and its freedom from most of the faults of books for children . '' -- Atlantic Monthly . Our publications are to be had of all Booksellers . Chapter 1 -- Two Girls Rose sat all alone in the big best parlor , with her little handkerchief laid ready to catch the first tear , for she was thinking of her troubles , and a shower was expected . She had retired to this room as a good place in which to be miserable ; for it was dark and still , full of ancient furniture , sombre curtains , and hung all around with portraits of solemn old gentlemen in wigs , severe-nosed ladies in top-heavy caps , and staring children in little bob-tailed coats or short-waisted frocks . It was an excellent place for woe ; and the fitful spring rain that pattered on the window-pane seemed to sob , `` Cry away : I 'm with you . '' Rose really did have some cause to be sad ; for she had no mother , and had lately lost her father also , which left her no home but this with her great-aunts . She had been with them only a week , and , though the dear old ladies had tried their best to make her happy , they had not succeeded very well , for she was unlike any child they had ever seen , and they felt very much as if they had the care of a low-spirited butterfly . They had given her the freedom of the house , and for a day or two she had amused herself roaming all over it , for it was a capital old mansion , and was full of all manner of odd nooks , charming rooms , and mysterious passages . Windows broke out in unexpected places , little balconies overhung the garden most romantically , and there was a long upper hall full of curiosities from all parts of the world ; for the Campbells had been sea-captains for generations . Aunt Plenty had even allowed Rose to rummage in her great china closet a spicy retreat , rich in all the `` goodies '' that children love ; but Rose seemed to care little for these toothsome temptations ; and when that hope failed , Aunt Plenty gave up in despair . Gentle Aunt Peace had tried all sorts of pretty needle-work , and planned a doll 's wardrobe that would have won the heart of even an older child . But Rose took little interest in pink satin hats and tiny hose , though she sewed dutifully till her aunt caught her wiping tears away with the train of a wedding-dress , and that discovery put an end to the sewing society . Then both old ladies put their heads together and picked out the model child of the neighbourhood to come and play with their niece .
But Ariadne Blish was the worst failure of all , for XXXXX could not bear the sight of her , and said she was so like a wax doll she longed to give her a pinch and see if she would squeak .
Barbauld Dall Monthly Nelly Rose curiosities great-aunts school-room wigs years