| The first excerpt represents the past or something you must release, and is drawn from The Young Forester by Zane Grey: as with the study of forestry. But, though the adventure called most
strongly to me, I knew I was sincere about the forestry end of it, and I
resolved that I would never slight my opportunities. So, smothering
conscience, I fell to the delight of making plans. I was for breaking camp
at once, but Hal persuaded me to stay one more day. We talked for hours.
Only one thing bothered me. Hal was jolly and glum by turns. He reveled in
the plans for my outfit, but he wanted his own chance. A thousand times I
had to repeat my promise, and the last thing he said before we slept was:
"Ken, you're going to ring me in next summer!"
II. THE MAN ON THE TRAIN
Travelling was a new experience to me, and on the first night after I left
The Young Forester |
The second excerpt represents the present or the deciding factor of the moment, and is drawn from Tanglewood Tales by Nathaniel Hawthorne: distinguished officers, as small as life.
In the above-described warfare, if a Pygmy chanced to pluck out
a crane's tail feather, it proved a very great feather in his
cap. Once or twice, if you will believe me, a little man was
made chief ruler of the nation for no other merit in the world
than bringing home such a feather.
But I have now said enough to let you see what a gallant little
people these were, and how happily they and their forefathers,
for nobody knows how many generations, had lived with the
immeasurable Giant Antaeus. In the remaining part of the story,
I shall tell you of a far more astonishing battle than any that
Tanglewood Tales |
The third excerpt represents the future or something you must embrace, and is drawn from Aeroplanes and Dirigibles of War by Frederick A. Talbot: sinking the latter before she reaches her target, while if it did
crash into the hull of the dirigible, tearing it to shreds,
firing its gas, or destroying its equilibrium, both protagonists
would perish in the fatal dive to earth. For this reason ramming
in mid-air is not likely to be essayed except when the situation
is desperate.
What happens when two aeroplanes meet in dire combat in mid-air
and one is vanquished? Does the unfortunate vessel drop to earth
like a stone, or does it descend steadily and reach the ground
uninjured? So far as actual experience has proved, either one of
the foregoing contingencies may happen. In one such duel the
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