Mildred Keith facts for kids
Mildred Keith is a series of children's books written by Martha Finley (1828-1909). She wrote these stories between 1876 and 1894. The books are connected to Finley's very popular Elsie Dinsmore series. Mildred is Elsie's second cousin. The Mildred books were more realistic and felt more like real life compared to the Elsie Dinsmore series. From 2001 to 2003, the series was re-released as Millie Keith: A Life of Faith. These new versions were adapted for modern readers by Kersten Hamilton.
The stories take place in the United States between the 1830s and 1860s. Mildred is the oldest child of Stuart and Marcia Keith. She has many younger brothers and sisters: Rupert, Zillah, Ada, Eva (who died young), Cyril, Don, Fan, and Annis. Mildred is a teenager when the first book begins. By the end of the series, her own children are teenagers and young adults. The Mildred Keith books were part of a group of popular books from the late 1800s. Other books included Little Women and The Chautauqua Girls. These books taught young women to be "Christian citizens and mothers." They encouraged them to help their communities through charity and social improvements.
Contents
Mildred's Story: A Journey Through Life
Mildred Keith is the oldest child in the Keith family. They move from Lansdale, Ohio, to a new town called Pleasant Plains, Indiana. This was a "frontier town," meaning it was a new settlement on the edge of developed areas. The family faces many challenges in their new home. One big problem is a very bad malaria season. Malaria is a serious illness spread by mosquitoes. Mildred does not get sick herself. But she works very hard taking care of her family.
To help her get well, Mildred goes to stay with her relatives, the Dinsmore family. They live on their Southern plantation, Roselands. During this time, she travels with her uncle, Arthur Dinsmore, Sr. They go to Viamede plantation to bring his granddaughter Elsie to live at Roselands. Mildred also meets Charlie Landreth and falls in love with him. But she turns down his marriage proposal. She believes that as a Christian, she cannot marry someone who does not share her faith. She returns North but keeps writing letters to Mr. Landreth. She hopes he will become a Christian so they can marry someday.
Back in Pleasant Plains, Mildred works hard to help her family and neighbors. She receives a piano as a gift. She starts giving piano lessons to many young ladies in the area. This also helps her earn some money. Mildred's sister Zillah marries Wallace Ormsby. He is a young man who works with their father in his law firm. Wallace had once wanted to marry Mildred. The Keiths then get a visit from Elsie Dinsmore and her father. They have recently been reunited.
After years of waiting and hoping, Mildred finally gets her wish. Charlie Landreth arrives unexpectedly. He has become a Christian! So, they get married right away. Charlie quickly becomes a beloved member of the family. As a doctor, he also becomes very important to the whole community.
Family Life and Challenges
Soon, Mildred and Charlie welcome their first child, a son named Percy. While Percy is still a baby, the Landreths travel South. Mildred's sister Annis goes with them. They spend a wonderful winter with Elsie and her family. Elsie's family now includes her stepmother, Rose, and baby brother, Horace, Jr. A large part of this section of the story focuses on Elsie. It does not always connect directly to Mildred.
In the years that follow, the Landreth family grows. They have more children: Marcia, Stuart, and Fan. Zillah and Wallace also have children: Stuart and Ada. Sadly, Fan Keith dies after a short illness. Ada Keith marries Frank Osborne. They go to China to work as missionaries. Cyril goes to college and then marries Lucy. Rupert and Don travel to California to look for gold. This trip also gives them a much-needed change of scenery. On their journey, Rupert is captured by Native Americans. Everyone thinks he is dead. But three years later, he comes home. He brings his young wife, Juanita, with him. She is a Spanish Mexican woman who was also held captive. Don also returns. He found a small amount of gold. He marries Flora Weston, a relative of Charlie's. Flora had come to live with the Landreths for a while to improve her health.
The Keith family supports the end of slavery. They are called "abolitionists." Mildred and Charlie provide a home and work for a family of runaway slaves. However, the family is recaptured by their owner. They are taken back to a life of slavery. When the American Civil War begins, all the Keiths do what they can to support the Union side. Rupert, Wallace, Cyril, and Don join the army. But Charlie is asked to stay home. As a doctor, he is too important to the community. Before the war ends, Percy Landreth and Stuart Ormsby also go to fight. All family members return alive. But some are in poor health. They also have terrible experiences to share.
The final book in the series has been criticized. Some say it is not really about Mildred at all. It tells the story of four orphaned siblings: Ethel, Blanche, Harry, and Nannette Eldon. They are sent to live with a strict guardian. Later, their kind uncles take them in. Ethel is determined to support herself and her siblings. She wants them to live together in their own home. She works very hard and successfully starts her own business. This allows her to provide a home for her beloved brother and sisters. Nanette dies from an illness when she is a young girl. Her family misses her very much. Through their friendship with Don Keith's family, Ethel and Blanche meet Percy Landreth and Stuart Ormsby. This happens when the young men return from the war. There is a strong connection between them. The two sisters marry the cousins. Ethel becomes Mildred's daughter-in-law.
Original Mildred Keith Books
The books, listed in the order they were published, are:
- Mildred Keith (1876)
- Mildred at Roselands (1880)
- Mildred and Elsie (1881)
- Mildred's Married life, and a winter with Elsie Dinsmore (1882)
- Mildred at Home: with something about her relatives and friends (1884)
- Mildred's Boys and Girls (1886)
- Mildred's New Daughter (1894)
Revised A Life of Faith Books
The first few of these adapted books generally follow the original plot. However, the last two books have completely new storylines. These revised books were also sold along with a Millie Keith doll.
- Millie's Unsettled Season
- Millie's Courageous Days
- Millie's Remarkable Journey
- Millie's Faithful Heart
- Millie's Steadfast Love
- Millie's Grand Adventure
- Millie's Reluctant Sacrifice
- Millie's Fiery Trial
