army in 1862, and served through the Civil War, at the close
of which he adopted journalism as a profession, becoming, in
due course, literary editor of the "Christian Union." His
first and most popular story, "Helen's Babies," after being
declined by various publishers, appeared in 1876, and more
than a quarter of a million copies have been sold in America
alone. According to Mr. Habberton himself, the story "grew out
of an attempt to keep for a single day the record of the
doings of a brace of boys of whom the author is half-owner."
Apart from a number of novels, Mr. Habberton has also written
a "Life of George Washington," and a play, "Deacon Cranket,"
performed more than five hundred times.


_I.--The Imps_


The first cause of the existence of this book may be found in a letter,
written by my sister, and received by me, Harry Burton, salesman of
white goods, bachelor, aged twenty-eight, just as I was trying to decide
where I should spend a fortnight's vacation. She suggested, as I was
always complaining of never having time to read, I should stay at her
place, while she and her husband went on a fortnight's visit. She owned
she would feel easier if she knew there was a man in the house.

"Just the thing!" I ejaculated. Five minutes later I had telegraphed my
acceptance, and had mentally selected books enough for a dozen
vacations. I knew enough of Helen's boys to be sure they would give one
no annoyance. Budge, the elder, was five years of age, and had
generally, during my flying visits, worn a shy, serious, meditative,