| The first excerpt represents the past or something you must release, and is drawn from Across The Plains by Robert Louis Stevenson: yourself a present of five cents worth of postage-stamps into the
bargain. Benjamin Franklin would have patted me on the head for
this discovery.
From Toano we travelled all day through deserts of alkali and sand,
horrible to man, and bare sage-brush country that seemed little
kindlier, and came by supper-time to Elko. As we were standing,
after our manner, outside the station, I saw two men whip suddenly
from underneath the cars, and take to their heels across country.
They were tramps, it appeared, who had been riding on the beams
since eleven of the night before; and several of my fellow-
passengers had already seen and conversed with them while we broke
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The second excerpt represents the present or the deciding factor of the moment, and is drawn from Prince Otto by Robert Louis Stevenson: 'Madam,' said the Baron, alarmed out of his caution, 'command
yourself.'
'Address yourself to me, sir!' cried the Prince. 'I will not bear
these whisperings!'
Seraphina burst into tears.
'Sir,' cried the Baron, rising, 'this lady - '
'Herr von Gondremark,' said the Prince, 'one more observation, and I
place you under arrest.'
'Your Highness is the master,' replied Gondremark, bowing.
'Bear it in mind more constantly,' said Otto. 'Herr Cancellarius,
bring all the papers to my cabinet. Gentlemen, the council is
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The third excerpt represents the future or something you must embrace, and is drawn from Verses 1889-1896 by Rudyard Kipling: And if they snuff the taint and break to find another pen,
Tell them it's tar that glistens so, and daub them yours again!
"The charge is old"? -- As old as Cain -- as fresh as yesterday;
Old as the Ten Commandments -- have ye talked those laws away?
If words are words, or death is death, or powder sends the ball,
You spoke the words that sped the shot -- the curse be on you all.
"Our friends believe"? -- Of course they do -- as sheltered women may;
But have they seen the shrieking soul ripped from the quivering clay?
They! -- If their own front door is shut,
Verses 1889-1896 |
