A Little Maid of Province Town

A Little Maid of Province Town (1913) is a novel by Alice Turner Curtis. Anne Nelson has a crucial task in the War of Revolution: she helps the patriots as a courier. Excerpt from the book: 'I don't know what I can do with you, I'm sure!' declared Mistress Stoddard, looking down at the small girl who stood on her door-step gazing wistfully up at her. 'A man at the wharf said that you didn't have any little girls,' responded the child, 'and so I thought——' ''Twas Joe Starkweather told you, I'll be bound,' said Mrs. Stoddard. 'Well, he's seven of his own to fend for.' 'Seven little girls?' said Anne Nelson, in an almost terror-stricken voice. 'And what would become of them if their mother should die, and their father be lost at sea?' 'Sure enough. You have sense, child. But the Starkweathers are all boys. Well, come in. You can take your bundle to the loft and leave it, and we'll see what I can find for you to do. How old are you?' 'Eight last March,' responded Anne.