8. State in three or four words the central idea of the story. Is it true to life?
9. What is the meaning of these words: atavism; penumbra; semaph.o.r.e; astigmatic; insouciance; mise-en-scene; kinetic?
10. Other books of stories dealing with life in New York City are _The Four Million_, and _The Voice of the City_, by O. Henry; _Van Bibber and Others_, by Richard Harding Davis; _Every Soul Hath Its Song_, by Fannie Hurst; _Doctor Rast_, by James Oppenheim.
THE RIVERMAN
1. In how many scenes is this story told? What is the connection between them?
2. Is there anything in the first description of d.i.c.ky Darrell that gives you a slight prejudice against him?
3. Why was the sympathy of the crowd with Jimmy Powers in the birling match?
4. Comment on Jimmy"s remark at the end of the story. Did he mean it, or is he just trying to turn away the praise?
5. What are the characteristics of a lumberman, as seen in Jimmy Powers?
6. Read the sketch of Stewart Edward White, and decide which one of his books you would like to read.
FLINT AND FIRE
1. What does the t.i.tle mean?
2. How does the author strike the keynote of the story in the opening paragraph?
3. Where is the first hint of the real theme of the story?
4. Point out some of the dialect expressions. Why is dialect used?
5. What turn of surprise comes at the end of the story? Is it probable?
6. What characteristics of New England country people are brought out in this story? How does the author contrast them with "city people"?
7. Does this story read as if the author knew the scenes she describes? Read the description of Niram plowing (page 191), and point out touches in it that could not have been written by one who had always lived in the city.
8. Read the account of how this story was written, (page 210). What first suggested the idea? What work remained after the story was first written? How did the author feel while writing it? Compare what William Allen White says about his work, (page 75).
9. Other stories of New England life that you will enjoy reading are found in the following books: _New England Nun_, Mary E.
Wilkins; _Cape Cod Folks_, S. P. McLean Greene; _Pratt Portraits_, Anna Fuller; _The Country Road_, Alice Brown; _Tales of New England_, Sarah Orne Jewett.
THE ORDEAL AT MT. HOPE
1. This story contains three characters who are typical of many colored people, and as such are worth study. Howard Dokesbury is the educated colored man of the North. What are the chief traits of this character?
2. Aunt Caroline is the old-fashioned darky who suggests slavery days. What are her chief characteristics?
3. "Lias is the new generation of the Southern negro of the towns.
What are his characteristics?
4. Is the colored American given the same rights as others? Read carefully the opening paragraph of the story.
5. What were the weaknesses of the colored people of Mt. Hope? How far are they true of the race? How were they overcome in this case?
6. There are two theories about the proper solution of what is called "The Negro Problem." One is, that the hope of the race lies in industrial training; the other theory, that they should have higher intellectual training, so as to develope great leaders.
Which theory do you think Dunbar held? Why do you think so?
7. Other stories dealing with the life of the colored people are: _Free Joe_, and _Tales of the Home Folks_, by Joel Chandler Harris; _Polished Ebony_, by Octavius R. Cohen; _Aunt Amity"s Silver Wedding_, by Ruth McEnery Stuart; _In Ole Virginia_, by Thomas Nelson Page.
ISRAEL DRAKE
The Pennsylvania State Police have made a wonderful record for maintaining law and order in the rural sections of the state. The history of this organization was told by Katherine Mayo in a book called _Justice to All_. In a later book, _The Standard Bearers_, she tells various incidents which show how these men do their work. The book is not fiction--the story here told happened just as it is set down, even the names of the troopers are their real names.
1. Do you get a clear picture of Drake from the description? Why are several pages given to telling his past career?
2. Where does the real story begin?
3. Who was the tramp at the Carlisle Station? When did you guess it?
4. What are the principles of the State Police, as you see them in this story?
5. Why was such an organization necessary? Is there one in your state?
6. What new words did you find in this story? Define aura, primeval, grisly.
THE STRUGGLES AND TRIUMPH OF ISIDRO
In this story the author introduces a number of unfamiliar words, chiefly of Spanish origin, which are current in the Philippines. The meanings are given below.
_baguio_, hurricane.
_barrio_, ward; district.
_carabao_, a kind of buffalo, used as a work animal.
_cabo_, head officer.
_cibay_, a boys" game.
_daledale_, hurry up!
_de los Reyes_, of the King.
_de la Cruz_, of the cross.
_hacienda_, a large plantation.
_ladrones_, robbers.
_maestro_, teacher.
_nipa_, a palm tree or the thatch made from it.
_palay_, rice.
_p.r.o.nto_, quickly.
_pueblo_, town.