| The first excerpt represents the past or something you must release, and is drawn from The Boys' Life of Abraham Lincoln by Helen Nicolay: knew how to write. Lincoln answered, in the lazy speech of the
country, that he "could make a few rabbit tracks," and that being
deemed quite sufficient, was immediately sworn in, and set about
discharging the duties of his first office. The way he performed
these not only gave general satisfaction, but greatly interested
Mentor Graham, who was the village schoolmaster, and from that
time on proved a most helpful friend to him.
Offut finally arrived with a miscellaneous lot of goods, which
Lincoln opened and put in order, and the storekeeping began.
Trade does not seem to have been brisk, for Offut soon increased
his venture by renting the Rutledge and Cameron mill, on whose
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The second excerpt represents the present or the deciding factor of the moment, and is drawn from The Reign of King Edward the Third by William Shakespeare: KING EDWARD.
What wilt thou say to one that breaks an oath?
WARWICK.
That he hath broke his faith with God and man,
And from them both stands excommunicate.
KING EDWARD.
What office were it, to suggest a man
To break a lawful and religious vow?
WARWICK.
An office for the devil, not for man.
KING EDWARD.
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The third excerpt represents the future or something you must embrace, and is drawn from Court Life in China by Isaac Taylor Headland: the dwelling. A wealthy man usually, in addition to his wife, has
one or more concubines, and each of these ladies has an apartment
of her own for herself and her children,--though all the children
of all the concubines reckon as belonging to the first wife.
I have heard Sir Robert Hart tell an amusing incident which
occurred in Peking. He said that the Chinese minister appointed
to the court of Saint James came to call on him before setting
out upon his journey. After conversing for some time he said:
"I should be glad to see Lady Hart. I believe it is customary in
calling on a foreign gentleman to see his lady, is it not?"
"It is," said Sir Robert, "and I should be delighted to have you
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