Short Stories

  How to Live to be 200 by Stephen Leacock   Twenty years ago I knew a man called Jiggins, who had the Health Habit. He used to take a cold plunge every morning. He said it opened his pores. ...

  How to Be a Doctor by Stephen Leacock   Certainly the progress of science is a wonderful thing. One can’t help feeling proud of it. I must admit that I do. Whenever I get talking to anyone–that is, to ...

  How to Avoid Getting Married by Stephen Leacock   Some years ago, when I was the Editor of a Correspondence Column, I used to receive heart-broken letters from young men asking for advice and sympathy. They found themselves the ...

  Helping the Armenians by Stephen Leacock   The financial affairs of the parish church up at Doogalville have been getting rather into a tangle in the last six months. The people of the church were specially anxious to do ...

  Borrowing a Match by Stephen Leacock   You might think that borrowing a match upon the street is a simple thing. But any man who has ever tried it will assure you that it is not, and will be ...

  A Pedestrian Tour by William Dean Howells   Walking for walking’s sake I do not like. The diversion appears to me one of the most factitious of modern enjoyments; and I cannot help looking upon those who pace their ...

  A Pair Of Patient Lovers by William Dean Howells   I. We first met Glendenning on the Canadian boat which carries you down the rapids of the St. Lawrence from Kingston and leaves you at Montreal. When we saw ...

  An Experience by William Dean Howells   For a long time after the event my mind dealt with the poor man in helpless conjecture, and it has now begun to do so again for no reason that I can ...

  A Memory That Worked Overtime by William Dean Howells   Minver’s brother took down from the top of the low bookshelf a small painting on panel, which he first studied in the obverse, and then turned and contemplated on ...

  A Foolish Man, Philosopher, and Fanatic by William Dean Howells   “Who is Blennerhassett?” asked William Wirt, at the trial of Aaron Burr for treason, and many a schoolboy since has echoed the question, as many a schoolboy will ...

  Mis’ Elderkin’s Pitcher by Harriet Beecher Stowe   “Ye see, boys,” said Sam Lawson, as we were gathering young wintergreen on a sunny hillside in June,–“ye see, folks don’t allers know what their marcies is when they sees ’em. ...

  Let Every Man Mind His Own Business by Harriet Beecher Stowe   “And so you will not sign this paper?” said Alfred Melton to his cousin, a fine-looking young man, who was lounging by the centre table. “Not I, ...

  Hum, the Son of Buz by Harriet Beecher Stowe   At Rye Beach, during our summer’s vacation, there came, as there always will to seaside visitors, two or three cold, chilly, rainy days,–days when the skies that long had ...

  Hen that Hatched Ducks by Harriet Beecher Stowe   Once there was a nice young hen that we will call Mrs. Feathertop. She was a hen of most excellent family, being a direct descendant of the Bolton Grays, and ...

  Diverting History of Little Whiskey by Harriet Beecher Stowe   And now, at the last, I am going to tell you something of the ways and doings of one of the queer little people, whom I shall call Whiskey. ...

  Louisa May Alcott: A Child’s Biography by Louisa May Alcott   As much as seventy years ago, in the city of Boston, there lived a small girl who had the naughty habit of running away. On a certain April ...

  Kitty’s Class Day by Louisa May Alcott   “A stitch in time saves nine.” “O Pris, Pris, I’m really going! Here’s the invitation–rough paper–Chapel–spreads–Lyceum Hall–everything splendid; and Jack to take care of me!” As Kitty burst into the room ...

  How They Ran Away by Louisa May Alcott   Two little boys sat on the fence whittling arrows one fine day. Said one little boy to the other little boy,– “Let’s do something jolly.” “All right. What will we ...

  Debby’s Debut by Louisa May Alcott   On a cheery June day Mrs. Penelope Carrolland her niece Debby Wilder, were whizzing alongon their way to a certain gay watering-place, bothin the best of humors with each other and all ...

  Cupid and Chow Chow by Louisa May Alcott   Ma began it by calling her rosy, dimpled, year-old baby Cupid, and as he grew up the name became more and more appropriate, for the pretty boy loved everyone, everyone ...