Caddie Woodlawn Chapter Summary & Analysis - Chapter 2, The Circuit Rider Summary

Chapter 2, The Circuit Rider Summary

The Woodlawns' dinner guest is a circuit rider, a traveling preacher who goes from settlement to settlement delivering sermons. Mr. Tanner's favorite place to stay is the Woodlawns' because he also is from Boston and enjoys both Harriet's Boston cooking and reminiscing with her about their shared hometown. Johnny Woodlawn, however, is from England and never talks about his homeland.

Mr. Tanner asks Johnny when he is going to turn Caddie, who's real name is Caroline Augusta, into a young lady. Johnny repeats one of Caddie's favorite stories as his answer. When the family first moved to the prairie, their youngest daughter, Mary, is too frail and soon died. Johnny asks his wife to conduct an experiment with Caddie and let her run wild and free. Caddie becomes strong and brown, and Johnny is pleased that his prescription for his daughter's health is so successful. He is proud of his...
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