Boston: Houghton Mifflin and Company, 1881.

First edition of Jewett’s third published short story collection, and her fourth book overall, purportedly printed in a run of 2000 copies. The volume is dedicated: “To T. H. J., my dear father; my dear friend; the best and wisest man I ever knew ; who taught me many lessons and showed me many things as we went together along the Country By- Ways.”

Jewett’s father was doctor specialising in obstetrics, and the young Sarah would often accompany him on his daily rounds. As such, she became well acquainted with the women in her local area. She would also take frequent walks, on the recommendation of her father and as a treatment for the rheumatoid arthritis, a condition she had developed in early childhood. Through both of these activities, Jewett developed a love of the natural world, and began writing vignettes of country life that reflect a contemporary interest in ‘local colour’ as opposed to a focus on plot.

The eight short stories include titles such as "River Driftwood," "Andrew's Fortune" and "Miss Becky's Pilgrimage."

4to., brown cloth over bevelled boards; upper board titled in gilt with author’s initialled emblem in gilt to lower edge; spine lettered and ruled in gilt; brown coated endpapers; upper edge gilt pp. [x], 249, [iii]; with title in red and black and headpieces/ initials to begin each chapter; a very good copy, boards a little rubbed, particularly to the pushed spine ends and corners; small split to rear free endpaper; a lovely copy.