Mary E. Wilkins Freeman (1852–1930) was an American author known for her regionalist and supernatural fiction. Her short stories, including “A New England Nun” and “The Revolt of ‘Mother’,” depicted rural New England life and often featured strong female protagonists. Freeman’s works provided insights into the social and cultural dynamics of her time.
Short Stories written by Mary E. Wilkins Freeman
A Conflict Ended 1886 - In Acton there were two churches, a Congregational and a Baptist. They stood on opposite sides of the road, and… ... Read more
A Conquest of Humility 1887 - Two o'clock had been the hour set for the wedding. It was now four, and the bridegroom had not yet… ... Read more
A Gala Dress 1920 - I don't care anything about goin' to that Fourth of July picnic, 'Liz'beth. I wouldn't say anything more about it,… ... Read more
A Gentle Ghost 1889 - Out in front of the cemetery stood a white horse and a covered wagon. The horse was not tied, but… ... Read more
A Humble Romance 1884 - She was stooping over the great kitchen sink, washing the breakfast dishes. Under fostering circumstances, her slenderness of build might… ... Read more
A New England Nun 1891 - It was late in the afternoon, and the light was waning. There was a difference in the look of the… ... Read more
A New England Prophet 1894 - At half-past six o'clock a little company of people passed down the village street in the direction of the Lennox… ... Read more
A Slayer of Serpents 1910 - 'Way over in the village a bell was tolling. Three people stood listening in the Lambert yard. The yard was… ... Read more
A Solitary 1890 - It was snowing hard, as it had been for twenty-four hours. The evergreen trees hung low with the snow. Nicholas… ... Read more
A Stolen Christmas 1887 - I don't s'pose you air goin' to do much Christmas over to your house. Mrs. Luther Ely stood looking over… ... Read more
A Village Singer 1889 - The trees were in full leaf, a heavy south wind was blowing, and there was a loud murmur among the… ... Read more
Ann Mary; Her Two Thanksgivings 1892 - "Grandma." "What is it, child?" "You goin' to put that cup-cake into the pan to bake it now, grandma?" "Yes;… ... Read more
Big Sister Sally 1886 - IT did seem strange that Sally Patterson, who, according to her own self-estimation, was the least adapted of any woman… ... Read more
Billy and Susy 1907 - For years the sisters, Miss Melissa Abbot and Mrs. Sarah Drew, had lived in peace and concord, not in the… ... Read more
Both Cheeks 1917 - I think you ought to present that demand note of Uncle Abel's for collection, said James Lord. His old uncle… ... Read more
Christmas Jenny 1888 - The day before there had been a rain and a thaw, then in the night the wind had suddenly blown… ... Read more
Coronation 1913 - Jim Bennet had never married. He had passed middle life and possessed considerable property. Susan Adkins kept house for him.… ... Read more
Daniel and Little Dan’l 1886 - THE Wise homestead dated back more than a century, yet it had nothing imposing about it except its site. It… ... Read more
Dear Annie 1886 - ANNIE HEMPSTEAD lived on a large family canvas, being the eldest of six children. There was only one boy. The… ... Read more
Gentian 1886 - It had been raining hard all night; when the morning dawned clear everything looked vivid and unnatural. The wet leaves… ... Read more
How Fidelia Went to the Store 1892 - "I don't know what we're goin' to do," said Aunt Maria Crooker. She sat in a large arm-chair, and held… ... Read more
Jimmy Scarecrow’s Christmas 1913 - Jimmy Scarecrow led a sad life in the winter. Jimmy's greatest grief was his lack of occupation. He liked to… ... Read more
Johnny-in-the-Woods 1886 - JOHNNY TRUMBULL, he who had demonstrated his claim to be Cock of the Walk by a most impious hand-to-hand fight… ... Read more
Little Lucy Rose 1886 - BACK of the rectory there was a splendid, long hill. The ground receded until the rectory garden was reached, and… ... Read more
Little-Girl-Afraid-of-a-Dog 1906 - The chickens are beginning to lay again, said Emmeline's aunt Martha, and Emmeline can begin carrying eggs over to the… ... Read more
Luella Miller 1903 - Close to the village street stood the one-story house in which Luella Miller, who had an evil name in the… ... Read more
Noblesse 1886 - MARGARET LEE encountered in her late middle age the rather singular strait of being entirely alone in the world. She… ... Read more
Old Woman Magoun 1905 - The hamlet of Barry's Ford is situated in a sort of high valley among the mountains. Below it the hills… ... Read more
One Good Time 1897 - Richard Stone was nearly seventy-five years old when he died; his wife was over sixty, and his daughter Narcissa past… ... Read more
Sarah Edgewater 1916 - Dorena went out of the room. She went airily, leaving a trail of strong perfume, her first minor assertion of… ... Read more
Thankful 1890 - [This tale is evidence that Mrs. Freeman understands the children of New England as well as she knows their parents.… ... Read more
The Amethyst Comb 1886 - MISS JANE CAREW was at the railroad station waiting for the New York train. She was about to visit her… ... Read more
The Apple Tree 1902 - Sam Maddox's house was like a glaring blot on the tidy New England landscape, for the very landscape had been… ... Read more
The Balking of Christopher 1886 - THE spring was early that year. It was only the last of March, but the trees were filmed with green… ... Read more
The Butterfly 1903 - It's time for Vilola to come home again, and B. F. Brown is havin' paintin' and paperin' done, said Mrs.… ... Read more
The Cat 1886 - The snow was falling, and the Cat's fur was stiffly pointed with it, but he was imperturbable. He sat crouched,… ... Read more
The Christmas Ghost 1900 - In front of Jane White's house roared and surged, beating the rocky shores with unfailing tides, the great Atlantic. The… ... Read more
The Christmas Masquerade 1892 - On Christmas Eve the Mayor's stately mansion presented a beautiful appearance. There were rows of different coloured wax candles burning… ... Read more
The Christmas Monks 1893 - All children have wondered unceasingly from their very first Christmas up to their very last Christmas, where the Christmas presents… ... Read more
The Cock of the Walk 1886 - DOWN the road, kicking up the dust until he marched, soldier-wise, in a cloud of it, that rose and grimed… ... Read more
The Copy-Cat 1886 - THAT affair of Jim Simmons's cats never became known. Two little boys and a little girl can keep a secret… ... Read more
The Cow with Golden Horns 1893 - Once there was a farmer who had a very rare and valuable cow. There was not another like her in… ... Read more
The Gold 1904 - The Colonies had but recently declared war with the old country, and Abraham Duke being an able-bodied man, although no… ... Read more
The Gospel According To Joan 1919 - My! Don't you think I've done pretty well? Sarah Bannister, you know as well as I do, it is wonderful!… ... Read more
The Green Door 1910 - Suppose you should be walking down Broadway after dinner, with ten minutes allotted to the consummation of your cigar while… ... Read more
The Jade Bracelet 1918 - Lawrence Evarts was on his way home from his law-office in Somerset when he caught sight of the inexplicable circle… ... Read more
The Joy of Youth 1907 - Emmeline Ames, going down the village street that winter afternoon, was conscious of a little uncomfortable lump in her right… ... Read more
The Last Gift 1903 - Robinson Carnes pilgrimmed along the country road between Sanderson and Elmville. He wore a shabby clerical suit, and he carried… ... Read more
The Lost Ghost 1903 - Mrs. John Emerson, sitting with her needlework beside the window, looked out and saw Mrs. Rhoda Meserve coming down the… ... Read more
The Old-Maid Aunt 1886 - I am relegated here in Eastridge to the position in which I suppose I properly belong, and I dare say… ... Read more
The Outside of the House 1914 - Barr Center almost always excited the amusement of strangers. Why Barr Center? they would inquire, and follow up the query,… ... Read more
The Pot of Gold 1893 - The Flower family lived in a little house in a broad grassy meadow, which sloped a few rods from their… ... Read more
The Revolt of “Mother” 1886 - "FATHER!""What is it?""What are them men diggin' over there in the field for?"There was a sudden dropping and enlarging of… ... Read more
The Shadows on the Wall 1903 - "Henry had words with Edward in the study the night before Edward died," said Caroline Glynn. She was elderly, tall,… ... Read more
The Southwest Chamber 1903 - "That school-teacher from Acton is coming to-day," said the elder Miss Gill, Sophia. "So she is," assented the younger Miss… ... Read more
The Umbrella Man 1886 - IT was an insolent day. There are days which, to imaginative minds, at least, possess strangely human qualities. Their atmospheres… ... Read more
The Vacant Lot 1903 - When it became generally known in Townsend Centre that the Townsends were going to move to the city, there was… ... Read more
The Wind in the Rose-Bush 1903 - Ford Village has no railroad station, being on the other side of the river from Porter's Falls, and accessible only… ... Read more
Two Old Lovers 1883 - Leyden was emphatically a village of cottages, and each of them built after one of two patterns: either the front… ... Read more
Young Lucretia 1892 - "Who's that little gal goin' by?" said old Mrs. Emmons. "Thatwhy, that's young Lucretia, mother," replied her daughter Ann, peering… ... Read more