Sabrina Chester has been a servant at Lady Davies Academy for Young Ladies for the past four years. Until her father’s death, which left her destitute, she had been one of the affluent students. Sabrina is rescued from her plight by Marius Parker, who finds himself stranded in the last place he wishes to ever be. Upon learning her identity, Marius is convinced treachery is afoot. He is acquainted with the uncle and cousin of Lady Sabrina and both are wealthy, affluent gentlemen of society. Marius couldn’t begin to understand why they had left Sabrina in this state of servitude. When he discovers that her father hadn’t been a victim of war, but a victim of murder, Marius determines the only way he can keep Sabrina safe is to marry her. Unfortunately, Sabrina doesn’t necessarily agree that this is the best option.

Gene Logsdon has become something of a rabble-rouser in progressive farm circles, stirring up debates and controversies with his popular New Farm magazine column, The Contrary Farmer. One of Logsdon's principle contrarieties is the opinion that--popular images of the vanishing American farmer, notwithstanding--greater numbers of people in the U.S. will soon be growing and raising a greater share of their own food than at any time since the last century. Instead of vanishing, more and more farmers will be cottage farming, part-time.
This detailed and personal account of how Logsdon's family uses the art and science of agriculture to achieve a reasonably happy and ecologically sane way of life in an example for all who seek a sustainable lifestyle. In The Contrary Farmer, Logsdon offers the tried-and-true, practical advice of a manual for the cottage farmer, as well as the subtler delights of a meditation in praise of work and pleasure. The Contrary Farmer will give its readers tools and tenets, but also hilarious commentaries and beautiful evocations of the Ohio countryside that Logsdon knows as his place in the universe.