| The first excerpt represents the past or something you must release, and is drawn from Collected Articles by Frederick Douglass: had ceased to exist, there was no reason for telling it.
I shall now, however, cease to avail myself of this formula, and,
as far as I can, endeavor to satisfy this very natural curiosity.
I should, perhaps, have yielded to that feeling sooner, had there been
anything very heroic or thrilling in the incidents connected with
my escape, for I am sorry to say I have nothing of that sort to
tell; and yet the courage that could risk betrayal and the bravery
which was ready to encounter death, if need be, in pursuit of
freedom, were essential features in the undertaking. My success
was due to address rather than courage, to good luck rather than
bravery. My means of escape were provided for me by the very men
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The second excerpt represents the present or the deciding factor of the moment, and is drawn from Persuasion by Jane Austen: much less calculated for making matters easy--Charles Hayter,
probably not at all better pleased by the sight of Captain Wentworth
than Captain Wentworth had been by the sight of Anne.
She only attempted to say, "How do you do? Will you not sit down?
The others will be here presently."
Captain Wentworth, however, came from his window, apparently
not ill-disposed for conversation; but Charles Hayter soon put an end
to his attempts by seating himself near the table, and taking up
the newspaper; and Captain Wentworth returned to his window.
Another minute brought another addition. The younger boy,
a remarkable stout, forward child, of two years old, having got the door
Persuasion |
The third excerpt represents the future or something you must embrace, and is drawn from The Heritage of the Desert by Zane Grey: dead rustlers lying with Holderness, and after a moment of anxious
scrutiny he rose to confront the line of prisoners.
"Hold out your hands."
One by one they complied. The sixth rustler in the line, a tall fellow,
completely masked, refused to do as he was bidden. Twice Hare spoke.
The rustler twisted his bound hands under his coat.
"Let's see them," said Hare, quickly. He grasped the fellow's arm and
received a violent push that almost knocked him over. Grappling with the
rustler, he pulled up the bound hands, in spite of fierce resistance, and
there were the long fingers, the sharp wart, the laced wristband.
"Here's my man!" he said.
The Heritage of the Desert |
