Abijah's Bubble

"Abijah's Bubble" by Francis Hopkinson Smith is a tale about Abbie Todd, a woman in the early 1900s hoping for a better life. Abbie works as a postmistress, but she dreams of more than her small income can allow, especially with her mother to care for. Her chance seems to come through an opportunity to invest in a copper company, and with the encouragement of friends, she takes a leap into the world of stocks. The story traces Abbie's emotional journey as she rides the highs and lows of the stock market, facing both the excitement of potential wealth and the crushing weight of financial risk, illustrating the era's challenges for women with dreams of independence and highlighting the blend of aspiration and risk in the pursuit of financial security.