| The first excerpt represents the past or something you must release, and is drawn from Maitre Cornelius by Honore de Balzac: the utmost gravity and the same precision with which soldiers dip
their spoons in regular rotation into the mess-pot. This performance
was done in silence. But as he ate, Cornelius examined the false
apprentice with as much care and scrutiny as if he were weighing an
old coin.
Philippe, feeling that an icy mantle had descended on his shoulders,
was tempted to look about him; but, with the circumspection dictated
by all amorous enterprises, he was careful not to glance, even
furtively, at the walls; for he fully understood that if Cornelius
detected him, he would not allow so inquisitive a person to remain in
his house. He contented himself, therefore, by looking first at the
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The second excerpt represents the present or the deciding factor of the moment, and is drawn from Life on the Mississippi by Mark Twain: of its life.
Six miles below town a fat and battered brick chimney, sticking above
the magnolias and live-oaks, was pointed out as the monument erected
by an appreciative nation to celebrate the battle of New Orleans--
Jackson's victory over the British, January 8, 1815. The war had ended,
the two nations were at peace, but the news had not yet reached New Orleans.
If we had had the cable telegraph in those days, this blood would
not have been spilt, those lives would not have been wasted;
and better still, Jackson would probably never have been president.
We have gotten over the harms done us by the war of 1812, but not over some
of those done us by Jackson's presidency.
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The third excerpt represents the future or something you must embrace, and is drawn from The White Moll by Frank L. Packard: that you might have a guest!" His voice hardened suddenly as he rose
from the cot, and, though he limped badly, stepped quickly toward
them. "Don't move, Danglar - or you, Mrs. Danglar!" he ordered
sharply - and with a lightning movement of his hand felt for, and
whipped Danglar's revolver from the latter's pocket. "Pardon me!"
he said - and his hand was in and out of Rhoda Gray's pocket. He
tossed the two weapons coolly over onto the cot. "Well, Danglar,"
he smiled grimly, "there's quite a change in the last few hours,
isn't there?"
Danglar made no answer. His face was ashen; his little black eyes,
like those of a cornered rat, and as though searching for some
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