WOOD ENGRAVING – “JO AND THE PROFESSOR” drawn by J. P. Davis, inspired by Louisa May Alcott’s book “Little Women”.  This engraving was published in 1870, and is in very good condition.  The engraving measures 11 ¾” x 8 7/8”, and is matted to 16” x 20” for easy framing. 

     This picture will attract the place attention of the vast army of readers who have been delighted with Miss Alcott’s “Little Woman.”  Here is one little woman, Jo, probably to most readers the favorite of the four sisters, under very engaging circumstances, Professor Bhaer has taught Jo in German and love; Jo has darned his stockings on the sly taught him in English and love; and though they have talked of both the English and the German, they have not yet spoken of the love, and the Professor is about ready to go away.  Jo, is not much of a mental philosopher, but she quite understands association of ideas; for instance, associating the idea of Professor Bhaer with her daily walk by a certain route, - the idea of his finding some weak but sufficient excuse for accompanying her home, - the idea of having coffee instead of tea, because the Professor liked coffee better, - and many other and tender ideas, all associated with the aforesaid Professor.

     One day only a little before the Professor is expecting to depart, Jo is resolved on some desperate step, so she goes shopping.  It threatens rain, but regardless of mother’s and sister’s warning she goes without an umbrella.  She accumulates several bundles, and is nearly ready to start for home when the rain comes.  She rushes across the street, just escaping annihilation from a passing truck, precipitates herself into the arms of a stately old gentleman, who looks mortally offended, but begs her pardon, and soon finds an umbrella remaining stationary over her unprotected bonnet,-and lo! Professor Bhear.

       “I feel to know the strong-minded lady who goes so bravely under menu horse-noses, and so fast through much mud. What do you down here, my friend?”

       “I’m shopping.”

       “You had no umbrella; may I go also, and take for you the bundles?’

       “Yes, thank you.”

    And away they go, the trembling Professor asking conundrums, the trembling Jo answering these by asking others, and the course, of true love running very awkwardly, until weariness and a sort of despair bring teardrops to Jo’s cheeks, which the Professor sees with deep emotion and is moved to ask in a tone that means a great deal-

           “Heart’s dearest, why do you cry?”

     Now if Jo were not new to this sort of thing she would say wasn’t crying, had a cold in her head, or told any other feminine fib proper to the occasion; instead of which, she says, with an irrepressible sob, -

            “Because you are going away.”

           “Ah, my Girl, that is so good !” cried the Professor Bhaer, managing to clasp his hands in spite of bundles and the umbrella.  “Can you make a little place in your heart for old Fritz?’

           “O yes!’ says Jo, and he is quite satisfied, for she folds, both hands over his arm, and looks up of him with an expression that plainly shows how happy she would be to walk through life beside him.

       At the precise moment when matters reached this happy stage, our artist, either from being one the spot or by a realizing sympathy with the Professor, sketched the engaging scene for us.