The Second Violin

by Grace S. Richmond

Excerpt from The Second ViolinLansing Birch laid down his viola and bow, whirled about, and ung out his arms in despair. Oh, this crowd is hopeless! He groaned Never mind any other instrument, providing yours is heard. This march is sup posed to die away in the distance! You murder it in' front Of the house. That second violin Here his wrath centred Upon the red-checked, black-eyed young player.

Genres: Fiction, Romance

140 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1906

About the author

Grace Louise Smith Richmond (1866–1959), American romance novelist created the Dr. R.P. Burns series.

Her first short stories were published in various women's magazines including the Women's Home Companion, Ladies' Home Journal, and Everybody's Magazine as early as 1898. Richmond wrote 27 novels between 1905 and 1936. Red Pepper Burns was published in 1910. Like most of her strong-willed yet compassionate characters, R.P. Burns is a kind, old-souled country doctor who makes house calls. His fiery red hair and temper to match earned him his nickname Red Pepper, though he is still a charming and endearing gentleman. Mrs. Red Pepper (1913), Red Pepper's Patients (1917), and Red of the Redfields (1924) followed.

Reviews

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although the characters and storyline are a bit less developed than some of Richmond's finer (IMO) works, I'm finding it impossible to come away awarding less than four stars because everyone is just so refreshingly pleasant and the story so heartwarming! Richmond always writes about people I would love to meet and have for neighbors and friends -- big, loving families and romances you can cheer about. These folks aren't obnoxiously perfect or holier-than-thou, and certainly have some flaws, but they try to be their best selves and to do good in the world and Richmond has such a lovely, easy style of writing that it's a total pleasure to read even if not much "happens."

[Dianna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charlotte plays second fiddle to everyone in the family, starting out in the family's tiny orchestra but extending to other areas of her life as well. The first half of this book follows her from about age 18 as we see her grow into a more capable young lady.

The second half of the book might as well be another book (and it is labeled as such in the edition I read). Suddenly Charlotte is a few years older, and getting married, and this half of the book covers her first year of married life, which brings its own challenges, mostly in the form of houseguests.

I didn't like this quite as much as Richmond's Under the Country Sky, but it was still good. The quiet didacticism of Charlotte growing into a fine young lady through trials reminded me a lot of Louisa May Alcott and Susan Coolidge—and some of the ideas about health and such reminded me of Dorothy Canfield Fisher. 3.5 stars.

[Angie Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

So, this book is really two books in one (think the two books in Little Women), but neither one is nearly as long as it could have been. I was a bit disappointed at all the time that was skipped in both stories--but mostly because the characters were so sweet and the lessons were so gentle and meaningful that I would have loved to see them deepened to their fullest potential, rather than skimming and skipping the way we did.

The Birch family were absolute dears, every one of them, even if certain pairs tended to get along better (or worse) than others. With Charlotte being the titular "second violin," I was surprised at how much attention was paid to her older sister Celia. Not that I minded that much, since Celia was just beautiful. And she had her own growing to do, even if in a different vein than Charlotte's. Absolutely adored Jeff as well, with the way he stood by Charlotte even when the rest of the family doubted her. And I loved that Charlotte, overwhelmed and unused-to-things as she was, never pouted and whined over her troubles but tackled things with courage and energy, even if lacking skill. The little bits of romances were handled very gently and sweetly and barely more than hinted at through most of the book. Actually, the only part that I had a problem with was Lanse's telling Justin that he'd better not forgive himself for his part in Celia's accident. Thankfully, Justin didn't seem to be affected beyond sincere remorse and penitence, but the thought of putting that kind of load on anyone's shoulders--let alone a twelve-year-old boy--made me shudder a little. That was definitely the anomaly, though, and I would recommend the rest of the family interaction as a real and loving model for anyone.

Content--mentions of injuries and blood (not graphic); a young girl sneaks out at night to meet a boy (corrected); a near drowning

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a sweet story, read online at Project Gutenberg during the snow event of January 2025. The Second Violin refers to Charlotte, who plays that part in the family orchestra, and in the family in general - until the mother of this large family has to go West for her health. Her husband is planning to accompany her, leaving the children without adult supervision, and also without an income for at least a year. Plans change right away - the oldest boy leaves his college to work at the rail yard and the others plan ways they can help contribute to the housekeeping and the income in their own ways.
Celia, the oldest girl, and the "first violin" expects to step into the role of chief housekeeper and cook, relieving the family of the need to pay a maid. Charlotte will be her helper. But the second day, disaster strikes when Celia slips and falls on the stairs to the cellar, fracturing her kneecap. Charlotte is thrust, unprepared, into the main slot. Many eyes are watching her, not the least of whom is the young doctor who has just moved in next door. How Charlotte struggles to step into the role of housekeeper, cook, and all-round dependable sister, makes a great story. I love old-fashioned stories like this. A great start to the new year.

[Dorian · Rating 3 out of 5]

A pleasant, if unremarkable, read. This is a fairly standard family story of its time. The parents are absent, on a trip for the mother's health. Celia, the eldest daughter, gets about a day in charge of the housekeeping before she falls down the cellar stairs and breaks her leg, leaving 18-year-old Charlotte (the eponymous "second violin", so-called from her part in the family string quintet) in charge. Charlotte learns to cook, housekeep, and baby-mind, and falls in love with the doctor next door. In the second half of the book, Charlotte, now married, acts as guardian and mentor to a handful of waifs and strays, and romance for two of her siblings follows.

The characters, it must be admitted, are somewhat on the cardboard side, the plot is slight, the storytelling somewhat disjointed. But for all that, it held my attention enough to while away an afternoon.

[Laurie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A gentle read from an old-fashioned, wholesome author. Not a lot of action, but characters whom it is a pleasure to know.

[Hillary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable novel and a quick read. This book doesn't discuss any great lessons or themes, but it is a wholesome, pleasant story about a girl and her family in the early 1900s.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this two part story.

[Dru · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun, old-fashioned read. This book was published in 1905 and written in the formal style from then. I enjoyed it from beginning to end.

[Bookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delightful story of a family, with a sick mother, and how the children rally to keep house while daddy and mother are away. Every person seems to know just what to do...except the second fiddle in the family orchestra, Charlotte. But when sister Celia breaks her knee, Charlotte must balance housework and nursing of the invalid, an orphaned child, and growing up in a sweet novel about coming of age and stepping up. The romance was tender, beautiful-this book is in two parts, and I adored the first but felt a little gypped when it jumped into the second part with the courting finished and the wedding just beginning. But it too, was lovely and now I'll hunt for this treasure in my fleamarkets.

[Naomi McCullough · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely family story, about the second daughter who considers herself always stuck in the unnecessary "second violin" position. Until she learns that each member of the family is just as important as every position in the orchestra, to keep the melody sweet.
In the first part of the book they gain a young doctor neighbor, her sister breaks her knee, and their parents are away. Much ado! The second half was after a period of time had passed, and you catch up quickly with the family again in a sweet finish.

[Jenny K · Rating 4 out of 5]

Project Gutenberg

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wholesome story reminiscent of Little Women or Susan Coolidge's Katy books.