Charles Franks and tehe Online Distributed Proofreading Team.
[Illustration: THE WOMAN]
TO MY WIFEWho, after more than forty years of married life,is still my sweetheart
A true story of a life I give you; not in its completion, for itis still unfinished. The romance of youth has lingered through allthe later years and the tragedy of these years could not destroyit. In the manuscript tears have fallen on some pages, smileson others, and still others have been scorched with the fire ofindignation.
Why is it written? To bear testimony to the love and devotion of anoble woman; to set straight before the world certain matters nowmisunderstood; to give evidence of the insincerity of friendshipthat comes to one in prosperity only to vanish in adversity; andalso, in the hope that an appreciative public will buy the book.
Not all the names used are fictitious, and where they are so, noeffort has been made to conceal identity.
No spirit of malice has animated the writer. Although his woundshave been deep he knows now no feeling save sorrow and regret thatthey should have been inflicted by his "friends"
February 1, 1905.
This narrative, first published in an author's autograph edition,limited to one thousand copies, was privately circulated, the entireedition having been sold by the author through correspondence.
A second edition is now offered to the public. The original narrative,except for the correction of a few minor errors, is unchanged, andadded to it are two chapters disclosing a remarkable sequel andalso setting forth a lesson for the younger generation of businessmen, showing clearly how different would have been the conditionshad my wisdom come before my experience.
This latter chapter was written at the suggestion of an eminentlysuccessful New York business man, president of one of the largestand oldest concerns in the United States.
WILLIAM INGRAHAM RUSSELL.
"CHESTNUT RIDGE"
Jessup, Maryland,
February 15th, 1907.
Why is it published?
The second Edition—long out of print, still orders that could notbe filled were continually received. These have come from nearlyevery State in the Union and as the book has never been advertisedother than by press reviews and the favorable comment of readers,this demand means something.
Perhaps if you read the narrative you will discover the answer.
CALVERT BUILDING,
Baltimore, Maryland,
August 23rd, 1913.
I The First Round of the Ladder
II I Meet My Affinity
III A Co-Partnership Dissolved
IV And the Answer Was "Yes"
V Wedding Bells
VI A First Reverse of Fortune
VII The Coming of the Stork
VIII The New Partner
IX Suburban Life
X My Pa