Ruth Alberta Brown MacArthur wrote children s stories in the early 20th century. Her stories include Heart of Gold, Tabitha at Ivy Hall, Tabitha s Vacation and The Lilac Lady. At the Little Brown House is set in a small rural community. Three children live in a brown house. There is a big old farm dog on the porch. The children slip out one morning to gather flowers. A tramp sees the children and that is where the adventure begins."