| The first excerpt represents the past or something you must release, and is drawn from Astoria by Washington Irving: with his rifle across. It was a random shot, made without much
expectation of effect, for the river was full half a mile in
breadth. Unluckily it brought down a Sioux warrior, for whose
wanton destruction threefold vengeance had been taken, as has
been stated. In this way outrages are frequently committed on the
natives by thoughtless or mischievous white men; the Indians
retaliate according to a law of their code, which requires blood
for blood; their act, of what with them is pious vengeance,
resounds throughout the land, and is represented as wanton and
unprovoked; the neighborhood is roused to arms; a war ensues,
which ends in the destruction of half the tribe, the ruin of the
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The second excerpt represents the present or the deciding factor of the moment, and is drawn from Ursula by Honore de Balzac: never weary of answering her talk and playing with her. Far from
making them impatient her petulances charmed them; and they gratified
all her wishes, making each the ground of some little training.
The child grew up surrounded by old men, who smiled at her and made
themselves mothers for her sake, all three equally attentive and
provident. Thanks to this wise education, Ursula's soul developed in a
sphere that suited it. This rare plant found its special soil; it
breathed the elements of its true life and assimilated the sun rays
that belonged to it.
"In what faith do you intend to bring up the little one?" asked the
abbe of the doctor, when Ursula was six years old.
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The third excerpt represents the future or something you must embrace, and is drawn from A Legend of Montrose by Walter Scott: farther instructions."
"Returned!" said Allan, with a scornful laugh; "I could tell ye,
but it is not worth my while; ye will know soon enough."
"By my honour, Allan," said Lord Menteith, "you will weary out
your friends with this intolerable, froward, and sullen humour
--But I know the reason," added he, laughing; "you have not seen
Annot Lyle to-day."
"Whom did you say I had not seen?" said Allan, sternly.
"Annot Lyle, the fairy queen of song and minstrelsy," said Lord
Menteith.
"Would to God I were never to see her again," said Allan,
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