| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Little Rivers by Henry van Dyke: which to draw the outline of great and memorable fish--all these
and many other indispensable luxuries are stored up for the skilful
woodsman in the birch bark.
Only do not rob or mar the tree, unless you really need what it has
to give you. Let it stand and grow in virgin majesty, ungirdled
and unscarred, while the trunk becomes a firm pillar of the forest
temple, and the branches spread abroad a refuge of bright green
leaves for the birds of the air. Nature never made a more
excellent piece of handiwork. "And if," said my lady Greygown, "I
should ever become a dryad, I would choose to be transformed into a
white-birch. And then, when the days of my life were numbered, and
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Voice of the City by O. Henry: would it suit you to get into Denver Dick's place to-
night, Cap?
"Past performances," said the captain, twisting his
moustache. "Denver was closed up two months ago."
"Correct," said the Kid. "Rafferty chased him
out of the Forty-third. He's running in your pre-
cinct now, and his game's bigger than ever. I'm
down on this gambling business. I can put you
against his game."
"In my precinct?" growled the captain. "Are
you sure, Kid? I'll take it as a favor. Have you
 The Voice of the City |