Quick Excerpts, from a Library of 492 Titles

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Excerpt #1, from The Secret Garden, by Frances Hodgson Burnett

…own." “Where did he get it?” asked Mary. “He found it on th’ moor with its mother when it was a little one an’ he began to make friends with it an’ give it bits o’ bread an’ pluck young grass for it. And it got to like him so it follows him about an’ it lets him get on its back. Dickon’s a kind lad an’ animals likes him.” Mary had never possessed an animal pet of her own and had always thought she should like one. So she began to feel a slight interest in Dickon, and as she had never before been interested in any one but herself, it was the dawning of a healthy sentiment. When she went into the room which had been made into a nursery for her, she found that it was rather like the one she had slept in. It was not a child’s room, but a grown-up person’s room, with gloomy old pictures on the walls and heavy old oak chairs. A table in the center was set with a good substantial breakfast. But she had always had a very small appetite, and she looked with something more than indifference at the first plate Martha set before her. “I don’t want it,” she said. “Tha’ doesn’t want thy porridge!” Martha exclaimed incredulously. “No.” "Tha’ doesn’t know how good it is. Put a bit o’ treacle on it or a bit…

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Excerpt #2, from Europe and elsewhere, by Mark Twain

…negro households, and drove thirty negro families into the woods. I do not dwell upon the provocation which moved the people to these crimes, for that has nothing to do with the matter; the only question is, does the assassin take the law into his own hands? It is very simple, and very just. If the assassin be proved to have usurped the law’s prerogative in righting his wrongs, that ends the matter; a thousand provocations are no defense. The Pierce City people had bitter provocation–indeed, as revealed by certain of the particulars, the bitterest of all provocations–but no matter, they took the law into their own hands, when by the terms of their statutes their victim would certainly hang if the law had been allowed to take its course, for there are but few negroes in that region and they are without authority and without influence in overawing juries. Why has lynching, with various barbaric accompaniments, become a favorite regulator in cases of “the usual crime” in several parts of the country? Is it because men think a lurid and terrible punishment a more forcible object lesson and a more effective deterrent than a sober and colorless hanging done privately in a jail would be? Surely sane men do not think that. Even the average child should know better. It should know that any strange and much-talked-of event is always followed by imitations, the world being so well supplied with excitable people who…

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Excerpt #3, from Japanese Literature, by Epiphanius Wilson

…insisted on accompanying him. Koremitz, however, did not at all approve of this project; but his resistance gave way to the earnest desire of Genji, and he said, “If you think so much about it, I cannot help it.” “Let us hasten, then, and return before the night be far advanced.” “You shall have my horse to ride.” Genji rose, and dressed himself in the ordinary plain style he usually adopted for his private expeditions, and started away with one confidential servant, besides Koremitz. They crossed the river Kamo, the torches carried before them burning dimly. They passed the gloomy cemetery of Toribeno, and at last reached the convent. It was a rude wooden building, and adjoining was a small Buddha Hall, through whose walls votive tapers mysteriously twinkled. Within, nothing but the faint sound of a female’s voice repeating prayers was to be heard. Outside, and around, the evening services in the surrounding temples were all finished, and all Nature was in silent repose. In the direction of Kiyomidz alone some scattered lights studding the dark scene betrayed human habitations. They entered. Genji’s heart was beating fast with emotion. He saw Ukon reclining beside a screen, with her back to the lamp. He did not speak…

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Excerpt #4, from A Journey to the Centre of the Earth, by Jules Verne

…back." These words were spoken to myself. They could not be heard aloud. Nevertheless, after the first few moments of terror were over, I was ashamed of my suspicions against a man who hitherto had behaved so admirably. Nothing in his conduct or character justified suspicion. Moreover, a moment’s reflection reassured me. His departure could not be a flight. Instead of ascending the gallery, he was going deeper down into the gulf. Had he had any bad design, his way would have been upwards. This reasoning calmed me a little and I began to hope! The good, and peaceful, and imperturbable Hans would certainly not have arisen from his sleep without some serious and grave motive. Was he bent on a voyage of discovery? During the deep, still silence of the night had he at last heard that sweet murmur about which we were all so anxious? CHAPTER 20 WATER, WHERE IS IT? A BITTER DISAPPOINTMENT During a long, long, weary hour, there crossed my wildly delirious brain all sorts of reasons as to what could have aroused our quiet and faithful guide. The most absurd and ridiculous ideas passed through my head, each more impossible than the other. I believe I was either half…

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Excerpt #5, from Thought Forms, by Annie Besant and C. W. Leadbeater

…machine before mentioned that it is at all possible to represent the grace and the delicacy of the lines. As before, a single line produces all the wonderful tracery of Fig. 44, and the effect of the four radiating lines making a sort of cross of light is merely due to the fact that the curves are not really concentric, although at first sight they appear to be so. [Illustration: FIG. 42. THE LOGOS PERVADING ALL] [Illustration: FIG. 44. THE LOGOS PERVADING ALL] Another Conception.–Fig. 45 exhibits the form produced by another person when trying to hold exactly the same thought. Here also we have an amazing complexity of almost inconceivably delicate blue lines, and here also our imagination must be called upon to insert the golden globe from Fig. 42, so that its glory may shine through at every point. Here also, as in Fig. 44, we have that curious and beautiful pattern, resembling somewhat the damascening on ancient Oriental swords, or that which is seen upon watered silk or moire antique. When this form is drawn by the pendulum, the pattern is not in any way intentionally produced, but simply comes as a consequence of the crossing of the innumerable microscopically fine lines. It is evident that the thinker who created the form upon Fig. 44 must have held in his mind most prominently the unity of the LOGOS, while he who generated the form in…

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Excerpt #6, from Crimes of Preachers in the United States and Canada, by M. E. Billings

…1894 Ackerman, Rev. Elmer Pres. Felonious assault on wife of elder. Accused; arrested. Agnew, Rev. T. H. Auburn, Ill. M. E. Violation of postal law; called brother minister names on a card. Fined. 1893 Alford, Rev. Mr. Salem, O. Col. Malversation of funds; left town with camp-meeting gate receipts. Accused. 1894 Anderson, Rev. Pierce Hermann, Mo. Bap. Horse stealing; confessed; 4 years in penitentiary. 1894 Armstrong, Rev. Cal. Kokomo, Ind. Embezzlement, as county treasurer, 3 years. 1894 Barnett, Rev. James Columbus, O. Bap. Drunkenness; arrested for disturbing the peace. Barrett, Rev. Dr. Banks Co., Ga. Bap. Illicit distilling; arrested; bound over. Bartsch, Rev. Bernard Sutter, Ill. G. Evan. Abortion, charged with attempting to procure. Arrested. 1894 Bates, Rev. W. H. Johnstown, Pa. Ref. Immorality, with disorderly woman; suspended by church. Baullauff, Rev. Paul East New York, N. Y. Desertion; also accused of bigamy and perjury. 1894 Beardsley, Rev. E. H. Pratt City, Ala. Meth. Grand larceny; pleaded guilty; to penitentiary. 1893 Bennett, Rev. Hampton D. Lebanon, O. Slander; sued for $10,000 by Pres. Long, Antioch College. 1893 Bennetts, Rev. J. J. Meaderville, Mont. M. E. Accused of breaking up home of William Hay. 1894 Berry, Rev. B. F. Postville, Iowa. M. E. Lying; fraudulent dealings; immoral conduct….

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Excerpt #7, from Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen

…She could say no more; her spirits were quite overcome, and hiding her face on Elinor’s shoulder, she burst into tears. Every body’s attention was called, and almost every body was concerned.—Colonel Brandon rose up and went to them without knowing what he did.—Mrs. Jennings, with a very intelligent “Ah! poor dear,” immediately gave her her salts; and Sir John felt so desperately enraged against the author of this nervous distress, that he instantly changed his seat to one close by Lucy Steele, and gave her, in a whisper, a brief account of the whole shocking affair. In a few minutes, however, Marianne was recovered enough to put an end to the bustle, and sit down among the rest; though her spirits retained the impression of what had passed, the whole evening. “Poor Marianne!” said her brother to Colonel Brandon, in a low voice, as soon as he could secure his attention: “She has not such good health as her sister,—she is very nervous,—she has not Elinor’s constitution;—and one must allow that there is something very trying to a young woman who has been a beauty in the loss of her personal attractions. You would not think it perhaps, but Marianne was remarkably handsome a few months ago; quite as handsome as Elinor. Now you see it is all gone.” CHAPTER XXXV….

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Excerpt #8, from The Radio Amateur’s Hand Book, by A. Frederick Collins

…Set No. 1.] [Illustration: (B) Fig. 20.–Wiring of Diagram for Sending Set No. 1.] For the low voltage circuit, that is the battery circuit, use No. 12 or 14 insulated copper wire. Connect all of the dry cells together in series, that is, connect the zinc of one cell with the carbon of the next and so on until all of them are connected up. Then connect the carbon of the end cell with one of the posts of the key, the zinc of the other end cell with one of the primary posts of the spark coil and the other primary post of the spark coil with the other post of the key, when the primary circuit will be complete. For the high tension circuits, that is, the oscillation circuits, you may use either bare or insulated copper wire but you must be careful that they do not touch the table, each other, or any part of the apparatus, except, of course, the posts they are connected with. Connect one of the posts of the secondary coil of the spark coil with one of the posts of the spark gap, and the other post with one of the posts of the condenser; then connect the other post of the condenser with the lower spring clip of the tuning coil and also connect this clip with the ground. This done, connect the middle spring clip with one of the posts of the spark gap, and, finally, connect the top clip with the aerial wire and your transmitting set is ready to be tuned. A…

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Excerpt #9, from The Handy Cyclopedia of Things Worth Knowing, by Joseph Triemens

…privileges and immunities of citizens in the several States. 2. A person charged in any State with treason, felony, or other crime, who shall flee from justice, and be found in another State, shall, on demand of the executive authority of the State from which he fled, be delivered up to be removed to the State having jurisdiction of the crime. 3. No person held to service or labor in one State under the laws thereof, escaping into another, shall, in consequence of any laws or regulations therein, be discharged from such service or labor; but shall be delivered up on claim of the party to whom such service or labor may be due. SECTION III. 1. New States may be admitted by the Congress into this Union; but no new State shall be formed or erected within the jurisdiction of any other State, nor any State be formed by the junction of two or more States or parts of States, without the consent of the legislatures of the States concerned, as well as of Congress. 2. The Congress shall have power to dispose of, and make all needful rules and regulations respecting the territory or other property belonging to the United States; and nothing in this Constitution shall be so construed as to prejudice any claim of the United States, or of…

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Excerpt #10, from Black Beauty, by Anna Sewell

…and that won’t suit me.” He spoke as if he was in a strong passion. He was a builder who had often been to the park on business. “And do you think,” said master sternly, “that treatment like this will make him fond of your will?” “He had no business to make that turn; his road was straight on!” said the man roughly. “You have often driven that pony up to my place,” said master; “it only shows the creature’s memory and intelligence; how did he know that you were not going there again? But that has little to do with it. I must say, Mr. Sawyer, that a more unmanly, brutal treatment of a little pony it was never my painful lot to witness, and by giving way to such passion you injure your own character as much, nay more, than you injure your horse; and remember, we shall all have to be judged according to our works, whether they be toward man or toward beast.” Master rode me home slowly, and I could tell by his voice how the thing had grieved him. He was just as free to speak to gentlemen of his own rank as to those below him; for another day, when we were out, we met a Captain Langley, a friend of our master’s; he was driving a splendid pair of grays in a kind of break. After a little conversation the captain said: “What do you think of my new team, Mr. Douglas? You know, you are the…

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Excerpt #11, from Astounding Stories, May, 1931, by Various

…gently lowered to the ground again. While one tentacle still held him securely, another tore away his hood and tunic. Almost immediately the hood was replaced by one of the protective white globe devices. Dixon blinked for a moment in half-blinded bewilderment as he got his first glimpse of the Earth-camp of the Centaurians. * * * * * The place, located on the smooth rock floor of a large natural basin, seemed a veritable cauldron of seething colors which rippled and blended in a dazzling maze of unearthly splendor. But Dixon forgot everything else in that weird camp as his startled gaze fell upon the creature standing directly in front of him. He knew instinctively that the thing must be one of the Alpha Centaurians, for in its alien grotesqueness the figure was utterly dissimilar to anything ever seen upon Earth before. Life upon the shattered planet of that far distant sun had apparently sprung from sources both crustacean and reptilian. The Centaurian stood barely five feet in height. Its bulky, box-like body was completely covered with a chitinous armor that gleamed pale yellowish green. Two short powerful legs, scaled like those of a lizard, ended in feet…

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Excerpt #12, from Significant Achievements in Space Bioscience 1958

…—————————————————————– Carbonaceous chondrites 16 2.04 …—————————————————————– Most meteorites possess only traces of carbon, and studies of this carbon indicate that it is composed largely of graphite, cohenite, and moissanite, with some diamond. However, studies of the carbon in the carbonaceous chondrites have failed to detect any of these forms. Some carbonates are present in a minority of the carbonaceous group, but account for only a small percentage of the total carbon (perhaps about 10 percent of the total C in type I only). The carbonaceous chondrites contain organic carbon. The word “organic” is not used in a biological sense, merely as a chemical term to describe compounds of carbon other than carbonates, bicarbonates, and carbides. No evidence has been found of any form of carbon other than organic, except for traces of carbonates. Various studies have demonstrated possible methods of estimating the total amount of organic matter present in meteorites. Wiik ([ref.27]) has suggested that organics can be estimated by measuring the loss of weight on ignition. Unfortunately, this method has several disadvantages and gives very low values. Corrections must be made for weight gains due to oxidation of reduced constituents, such as FeO, Fe, Ni, and Co, and…

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