| The first excerpt represents the past or something you must release, and is drawn from Miracle Mongers and Their Methods by Harry Houdini: razor-swallower, an umbrella-swallower, William
Dempster, John Cumming, Edith Clifford, Victorina
IX. Stone-eaters: A Silesian in Prague, 1006; Francois
Battalia, ca. 1641; Platerus' beggar boy; Father
Paulian's lithophagus of Avignon, 1760; ``The
Only One in the World,'' London, 1788; Spaniards
in London, 1790; a secret for two and six; Japanese
training.--Frog-swallowers: Norton; English
Jack; Bosco; the snake-eater; Billington's
prescription for hangmen; Captain Veitro.--Water
spouters; Blaise Manfrede, ca. 1650; Floram
Miracle Mongers and Their Methods |
The second excerpt represents the present or the deciding factor of the moment, and is drawn from The Light of Western Stars by Zane Grey: don't know just why I feel so--so about you doing it. But I
believe it's because I'm afraid you--you might be hurt."
"You're afraid I--I might be hurt?" he echoed, wonderingly, the
hard whiteness of his face warming, flushing, glowing.
"Yes."
The single word, with all it might mean, with all it might not
mean, softened him as if by magic, made him gentle, amazed, shy
as a boy, stifling under a torrent of emotions.
Madeline thought she had persuaded him--worked her will with him.
Then another of his startlingly sudden moves told her that she
had reckoned too quickly. This move was to put her firmly aside
The Light of Western Stars |
The third excerpt represents the future or something you must embrace, and is drawn from Camille by Alexandre Dumas: traders and robbers!
Dresses, cashmeres, jewels, were sold with incredible rapidity.
There was nothing that I cared for, and I still waited. All at
once I heard: "A volume, beautifully bound, gilt-edged, entitled
Manon Lescaut. There is something written on the first page. Ten
francs."
"Twelve," said a voice after a longish silence.
"Fifteen," I said.
Why? I did not know. Doubtless for the something written.
"Fifteen," repeated the auctioneer.
"Thirty," said the first bidder in a tone which seemed to defy
Camille |
