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.

Far out in the uncharted backwaters of the unfashionable end of
the Western Spiral arm of the Galaxy lies read more

Far out in the uncharted backwaters of the unfashionable end of
the Western Spiral arm of the Galaxy lies a small unregarded
yellow sun.

In the twentieth year of the reign of the right high and puissant
King Henry the Eighth, namely, in read more

In the twentieth year of the reign of the right high and puissant
King Henry the Eighth, namely, in 1529, on the twenty-first of
April, and on one of the loveliest evenings that ever fell on the
loveliest district in England, a fair youth, having somewhat the
appearance of a page, was leaning over the terrace-wall on the
north side of Windsor Castle, and gazing at the magnificent scene
before him.

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.

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.

"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.

Christopher Carson, whose renown as Kit Carson has reached almost
every ear in the country was born in Madison read more

Christopher Carson, whose renown as Kit Carson has reached almost
every ear in the country was born in Madison county, Kentucky, on
the 24th of December, 1809.

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-- . . .

At about six in the morning of July 3, 1860, while I was watering
my petunias, and thinking of read more

At about six in the morning of July 3, 1860, while I was watering
my petunias, and thinking of nothing in particular, I perceived
coming towards me, a tall, beardless, fair-haired young fellow,
wearing a German cap and gold-rimmed spectacles.