Two Christmas Stories: Sam Franklin's Savings-Bank; A Miserable Christmas and a Happy New Year

"Two Christmas Stories: Sam Franklin's Savings-Bank; A Miserable Christmas and…." by Hesba Stretton is a collection of short holiday-themed narratives written in the late 19th century. The stories focus on the themes of family, sacrifice, and the true spirit of Christmas through the experiences of main characters like Sam Franklin and Kate Layard as they navigate personal trials and moral dilemmas during the festive season. The opening of "Sam Franklin's Savings-Bank" introduces us to the titular character, Sam Franklin, a humble working man who unexpectedly discovers he can save money after marrying his wife, Ann. As he quietly accumulates savings, the secret begins to burden him, creating tension in their relationship. His frugality impacts his family life, leading him to keep his newfound wealth hidden from Ann until a turning point occurs when he learns that his treasured waistcoat, hiding the saved notes, has been sold by her. This revelation sparks a series of events prompting Sam to reflect on his values, leading to deeper feelings of love and trust between him and Ann amidst the financial struggles they face together. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Hesba Stretton was the pseudonym of Sarah Smith, an evangelical English author of religious books for children. These were highly popular. By the late 19th century Jessica's First Prayer had sold a million and a half copies – ten times more than Alice in Wonderland. She concocted "Hesba Stretton" from the initials of herself and four surviving siblings, along with the name of a Shropshire village she visited, All Stretton, where her sister Anne owned a house, Caradoc Lodge.