The Adventures of Pinocchioby C. Collodi[Pseudonym of Carlo Lorenzini]CHAPTER 1How it happened that Mastro Cherry, carpenter,found a piece of wood that wept and laughed like a childCenturies ago there lived"A king!" my little readers will say immediately.No, children, you are mistaken. Once upon a timethere was a piece of wood. It was not an expensive pieceof wood. Far from it. Just a common block of firewood,one of those thick, solid logs that are put on the fire inwinter to make cold rooms cozy and warm.I do not know how this really happened, yet the factremains that one fine day this piece of wood found itself...　

The Fall of the House of UsherThe Fall of the House ofUsherEdgar Allen Poe1- Page 2-The Fall of the House of UsherDuring the whole of a dull, dark, and soundless day in the autumn ofthe year, when the clouds hung oppressively low in the heavens, I hadbeen passing alone, on horseback, through a singularly dreary tract ofcountry; and at length found myself, as the shades of the evening drew on,within view of the melancholy House of Usher. I know not how it was...　

FAIRY TALES OF HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSENTHE TRAVELLING COMPANIONby Hans Christian AndersenPOOR John was very sad; for his father was so ill, he had nohope of his recovery. John sat alone with the sick man in the littleroom, and the lamp had nearly burnt out; for it was late in the night."You have been a good son, John," said the sick father, "and Godwill help you on in the world." He looked at him, as he spoke, withmild, earnest eyes, drew a deep sigh, and died; yet it appeared asif he still slept.John wept bitterly. He had no one in the wide world now; neitherfather, mother, brother, nor sister. Poor John! he knelt down by the...　

Life Is A Dreamby Pedro Calderon de la BarcaTranslated by Edward FitzgeraldINTRODUCTORY NOTEPedro Calderon de la Barca was born in Madrid, January 17, 1600, ofgood family. He was educated at the Jesuit College in Madrid and atthe University of Salamanca; and a doubtful tradition says that hebegan to write plays at the age of thirteen. His literary activity wasinterrupted for ten years, 1625-1635, by military service in Italy andthe Low Countries, and again for a year or more in Catalonia. In 1637he became a Knight of the Order of Santiago, and in 1651 he enteredthe priesthood, rising to the dignity of Superior of the Brotherhood...　

What Diantha Didby Charlotte Perkins GilmanCHAPTER I.HANDICAPPEDOne may use the Old Man of the Sea,For a partner or patron,But helpless and hapless is heWho is ridden, inextricably,By a fond old mer-matron.The Warden house was more impressive in appearance than its neighbors.It had "grounds," instead of a yard or garden; it had wide pillaredporches and "galleries," showing southern antecedents; moreover, it hada cupola, giving date to the building, and proof of the continuingambitions of the builders.The stately mansion was covered with heavy flowering vines, also withheavy mortgages. Mrs. Roscoe Warden and her four daughters reposed...　

Remember the Alamoby Amelia E. BarrCHAPTER I.THE CITY IN THE WILDERNESS."What, are you stepping westward?" "Yea."* * * * *Yet who would stop or fear to advance,Though home or shelter there was none,With such a sky to lead him on!"WORDSWORTH."Ah! cool night wind, tremulous stars,Ah! glimmering water,Fitful earth murmur,Dreaming woods!"ARNOLD.In A. D. sixteen hundred and ninety-two, a few Franciscanmonks began to build a city. The site chosen was a lovelywilderness hundreds of miles away from civilization on every...　

LEGENDS AND LYRICSFIRST SERIESLEGENDS ANDLYRICSFIRST SERIESby Adelaide Ann Proctor1- Page 2-LEGENDS AND LYRICSFIRST SERIESDEDICATIONTO MATILDA M. HAYS."Our tokens of love are for the most part barbarous. Cold and lifeless,because they do not represent our life. The only gift is a portion ofthyself. Therefore let the farmer give his corn; the miner, a gem; the...　

Poems by Wilfred OwenPoemsWilfred Owen1- Page 2-Poems by Wilfred OwenIntroductionIn writing an Introduction such as this it is good to be brief. The poemsprinted in this book need no preliminary commendations from me oranyone else. The author has left us his own fragmentary but impressiveForeword; this, and his Poems, can speak for him, backed by the authorityof his experience as an infantry soldier, and sustained by nobility and...　

Letters to His Son, 1750by The Earl of ChesterfieldLETTERS TO HIS SONBy the EARL OF CHESTERFIELDon the Fine Art of becoming aMAN OF THE WORLDand aGENTLEMANLETTER CLONDON, January 8, O. S. 1750DEAR BOY: I have seldom or never written to you upon the subject of religion and morality; your own reason, I am persuaded, has given you true notions of both; they speak best for themselves; but if they wanted assistance, you have Mr. Harte at hand, both for precept and example; to your own reason, therefore, and to Mr. Harte, shall I refer you for the reality of both, and confine myself in this letter to the decency, the utility, and the necessity of scrupulously preserving the appearances of both. 　

Latter-Day Pamphletsby Thomas CarlyleBut as yet struggles the twelfth hour of the Night. Birds of darkness are on the wing; spectres uproar; the dead walk; the living dream. Thou, Eternal Providence, wilt make the Day dawn!JEAN PAUL.Then said his Lordship, "Well. God mend all!""Nay, by God, Donald, we must help him to mend it!" said the other.RUSHWORTH (_Sir David Ramsay and Lord Rea, in 1630_).CONTENTS.I. THE PRESENT TIME II. MODEL PRISONS III. DOWNING STREET IV. THE NEW DOWNING STREET V. STUMP-ORATOR[February 1, 1850.] NO. I. THE PRESENT TIME.The Present Time, youngest-born of Eternity, child and heir of all the Past Times with their good and evil, and parent of all the Future, 　

THE HAZEL-NUT CHILD [29][29] From the Bukowniaer. Van Wliolocki.There was once upon a time a couple who had no children, and theyprayed Heaven every day to send them a child, though it were nobigger than a hazel-nut. At last Heaven heard their prayer andsent them a child exactly the size of a hazel-nut, and it nevergrew an inch. The parents were very devoted to the littlecreature, and nursed and tended it carefully. Their tiny son toowas as clever as he could be, and so sharp and sensible that allthe neighbours marvelled over the wise things he said and did.When the Hazel-nut child was fifteen years old, and was sittingone day in an egg-shell on the table beside his mother, she...　

La Constantinby Alexandre Dumas, PereCHAPTER IBefore beginning our story, we must warn the reader that it will not be worth his while to make researches among contemporary or other records as to the personage whose name it bears. For in truth neither Marie Leroux, widow of Jacques Constantin, nor her accomplice, Claude Perregaud, was of sufficient importance to find a place on any list of great criminals, although it is certain that they were guilty of the crimes with which they were charged. It may seem strange that what follows is more a history of the retribution which overtook the criminals than a circumstantial description of the deeds for which they were punished; but the crimes wer