| The first excerpt represents the past or something you must release, and is drawn from The Man that Corrupted Hadleyburg by Mark Twain: deepening to positive sadness; next, that it was taking on a sick
look; and finally he said that everybody was become so moody,
thoughtful, and absent-minded that he could rob the meanest man in
town of a cent out of the bottom of his breeches pocket and not
disturb his reverie.
At this stage--or at about this stage--a saying like this was
dropped at bedtime--with a sigh, usually--by the head of each of the
nineteen principal households:
"Ah, what COULD have been the remark that Goodson made?"
And straightway--with a shudder--came this, from the man's wife:
"Oh, DON'T! What horrible thing are you mulling in your mind? Put
The Man that Corrupted Hadleyburg |
The second excerpt represents the present or the deciding factor of the moment, and is drawn from The Koran: and evil is the way thereof.
And slay not the soul that God has forbidden you, except for just
cause; for he who is slain unjustly we have given his next of kin
authority; yet let him not exceed in slaying; verily, he is ever
helped.
And draw not near to the wealth of the orphan, save to improve it,
until he reaches the age of puberty, and fulfil your compacts; verily,
a compact is ever enquired of.
And give full measure when ye measure out, and weigh with a right
balance; that is better and a fairer determination.
And do not pursue that of which thou hast no knowledge; verily,
The Koran |
The third excerpt represents the future or something you must embrace, and is drawn from The Pocket Diary Found in the Snow by Grace Isabel Colbron and Augusta Groner: he knew that it must hold sufficient poison to enable the captured
criminal to escape open disgrace. Knowing this, Muller looked with
admiration at the calmness of the villain, whose intelligent eyes
were turned towards him in evident curiosity.
"Who are you and who else is here with you?" asked the man calmly.
"I am Muller of the Secret Service," replied his visitor and added,
"You must put up with us for the time being, Mr. Egon Langen. The
police commissioner is occupied with your step-sister, whom you
were about to murder."
Langen put his hand to his cheek, looking at Muller between his
lashes as he said, "To murder? Who can prove that?"
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