Aunt Jane's Nieces on the Ranch
Encyclopedia
Aunt Jane's Nieces on the Ranch is a 1913 novel by L. Frank Baum
writing as "Edith Van Dyne". The novel depicts a story of racial tension on the California ranch owned by the progressive-minded Arthur Weldon and Louise Merrick Weldon, who have entrusted their baby, Jane, nicknamed "Toodlums," to a Mexican
governess named Inez.
Louise's uncle, John Merrick
, is not pleased with her choice and brings Mildred Travers, a white nurse from New York to serve as governess. Out of appreciation to Uncle John, the Weldons accept her as nominal head governess with Inez as an assistant, finding her of great value. Inez does not see it that way and becomes very possessive, as well as protective, of baby Jane.
The ranch was built by a Spanish lord and contains secret passages within some of the walls. Inez and some other Mexicans insist that the house is haunted, but the Weldons are convinced that the sounds are only of rats. Mildred, in fact, has a connection to the house, as her father was a friend of the former owner, who was delighted to show her the entrances to these passages that no one else has seen.
L. Frank Baum
Lyman Frank Baum was an American author of children's books, best known for writing The Wonderful Wizard of Oz...
writing as "Edith Van Dyne". The novel depicts a story of racial tension on the California ranch owned by the progressive-minded Arthur Weldon and Louise Merrick Weldon, who have entrusted their baby, Jane, nicknamed "Toodlums," to a Mexican
Mexican people
Mexican people refers to all persons from Mexico, a multiethnic country in North America, and/or who identify with the Mexican cultural and/or national identity....
governess named Inez.
Louise's uncle, John Merrick
John Merrick
John Merrick may refer to:* John Merrick , English ambassador to Russia* John Merrick , African-American founder of North Carolina Mutual & Provident Insurance Company in Durham, North Carolina...
, is not pleased with her choice and brings Mildred Travers, a white nurse from New York to serve as governess. Out of appreciation to Uncle John, the Weldons accept her as nominal head governess with Inez as an assistant, finding her of great value. Inez does not see it that way and becomes very possessive, as well as protective, of baby Jane.
The ranch was built by a Spanish lord and contains secret passages within some of the walls. Inez and some other Mexicans insist that the house is haunted, but the Weldons are convinced that the sounds are only of rats. Mildred, in fact, has a connection to the house, as her father was a friend of the former owner, who was delighted to show her the entrances to these passages that no one else has seen.