The morning was as dark and cold as city snow could make it--a
dingy whirl at the window; a read more

The morning was as dark and cold as city snow could make it--a
dingy whirl at the window; a smoky gust through the fire-place; a
shadow black as a bear's cave under the table. Nothing in all
the cavernous room, loomed really warm or familiar except a glass
of stale water, and a vapid, half-eaten grape-fruit.

In 1846 the prairie town of Oak River existed only in a settler's
dream.

In 1846 the prairie town of Oak River existed only in a settler's
dream.

It was the first Tuesday in August. The Nebraska heat rolled in
upon one like the engulfing waves of read more

It was the first Tuesday in August. The Nebraska heat rolled in
upon one like the engulfing waves of a dry sea,--a thick material
substance against which one seemed to push when moving about.

The new church of St. John's, on Fifth Avenue, was thronged the
morning of the last Sunday of October, read more

The new church of St. John's, on Fifth Avenue, was thronged the
morning of the last Sunday of October, in the year 1880. Sitting
in the gallery, beneath the unfinished frescoes, and looking down
the nave, one caught an effect of autumn gardens, a suggestion of
chrysanthemums and geraniums, or of October woods, dashed with
scarlet oaks and yellow maples.

The primroses were over.

The primroses were over.

"Please, sir, is this Plumfield?" asked a ragged boy of the man
who opened the great gate at which read more

"Please, sir, is this Plumfield?" asked a ragged boy of the man
who opened the great gate at which the omnibus left him.

According to the tapes, my father, then about as run-of-the-mill
as Joe Blow himself, didn't want to see the read more

According to the tapes, my father, then about as run-of-the-mill
as Joe Blow himself, didn't want to see the thing.

One night, at the latter end of April 1665, the family of a
citizen of London carrying on an read more

One night, at the latter end of April 1665, the family of a
citizen of London carrying on an extensive business as a grocer
in Wood Street, Cheapside, were assembled, according to custom,
at prayer.

On the 10th of July 1553, about two hours after noon, a loud
discharge of ordnance burst from the read more

On the 10th of July 1553, about two hours after noon, a loud
discharge of ordnance burst from the turrets of Durham House,
then the residence of the Duke of Northumberland, grandmaster of
the realm, and occupying the site of the modern range of
buildings known as the Adelphi; and at the signal, which was
immediately answered from every point along the river where a
bombard or culverin could be planted-- . . .