An Oldie But a Goodie

 

Mrs. Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch by Alice Hegan Rice was originally published in the early years of the 20th century in 1902. There was even a movie based on the book. My sister found the book much, much later in a dime store if you remember what that was. She read the Whitman edition published in 1962. The cover I’ve used is the original 1962 version. She and I were both big readers so when she finished it I read it. It was fantastic. 

Mrs. Wiggs had come to the city looking for work when her husband died leaving her with five Children to raise. Work was hard to come by. They lived in small house that faced a railroad. Food was fairly scarce so the older son, Jim, found what work he could to help the family. The story begins at Christmas time when we find out Jim had to sell his overcoat to cover the rent. He has what sounds like pneumonia. From that point everything just gets worse for the family. Jim’s death is the catalyst that changes life for the Wiggs family. The family comes to the attention of a rich lady who takes them under her wing and alerts others to their plight. Things do get better for them, but Mrs. Wiggs never can forget Jim. The boy’s death scene was as touching a one as I’ve ever read. 

As I said, things were much better after the rich woman helped them. She became a very important person in the Cabbage Patch who was ofter called on for advice. Inadvertently the family assisted her in her romance. 

I won’t tell you anything more, but I truly thought it a very nice find. The book is billed as children’s literature, but I don’t think young children could understand it very well. Everything would be fine from say fourth grade up to adult level. The book is filled with optimism, and Mrs. Wiggs was a great role model. She loved her children and did her very best to help them prosper. 

You can get the kindle edition for free at Amazon. 

Did you ever read the book? You could read it in one sitting if you wanted to. It’s free so why not?