Nine Short Stories
Nine Short Stories
Free DownloadAn Officer and a Lady The Rope Dance Warner & Wife Jonathan Stannard's Secret Vice A Tyrant Abdicates Rose Orchid The Pay Yeoman An Agacella Or The Mother of Invention
Book Excerpt
I ain't going to hurt you."
"You may call me Major Wentworth," was all the reply he got.
"All right, major. But come, what's the use--"
"Stop! If you move again like that I'll shoot. I wonder what's the matter with Hilda. She sleeps very lightly." This last to herself.
Bill looked interested.
"Is Hilda a big sort of a woman in a blue nightgown?"
"Yes. Hawe you seen her7" The brown eyes filled with sudden alarm. "Oh! Where is she? Is she hurt?"
"Nope." Bill chuckled. "Kitchen floor. Chloroform. I was eatin' strawberry shortcake when she come in."
The major frowned.
"I suppose I must call my father. I hate to disturb him--"
"He's incapable, too," announced Bill with another chuckle. "Tied up with sheets and things. You see, major, we're all alone. Tell you what I'll do. There's a suitcase full of silver down on the library window sill. I'll agree to leave it there--"
"You certainly will," the major nodded. "And you'll leave the other
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Readers reviews
4.8
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Good stories, well-written, with a few typos in the transcription. The stories are character-driven, often dealing with personal conflicts, with a little burglary, embezzlement, military desertion, and fraud thrown in. I liked Warner & Wife best. The stories hold up well, it's only when someone mentions a hansom cab or a burro that you realize they are not modern stories.
It's a comfortable book.
It's a comfortable book.
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Good reads from a master.
06/05/2012
I agree with the previous reviewer who likened these stories to those of O Henry. All nine are wry, humorous and, more often than not, have an enjoyable reversal at or near the end. Perfect short stories, in other words.
[Side note: there are some minor transcription errors throughout, no doubt from the OCR process, but these do not affect comprehension or enjoyment.]
[Side note: there are some minor transcription errors throughout, no doubt from the OCR process, but these do not affect comprehension or enjoyment.]
04/10/2012
What a joy to find this collection of Rex Stout short stories. As a fan of his mysteries of Nero Wolf and Archie, I expected this collection to be short mystery stories. Instead I found some gentle, humorous and often insightful stories. I found myself being reminded of some of O'Henry's writing.
01/31/2011
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FEATURED AUTHOR - Art Blegen is the author of “The Adventures of Kris”, a series of early middle-grade chapter books for young readers from six to ten years old. Each child is important, and each family matters to Art. He is an advocate for educating children and their parents to ensure they have a healthy balance of positive examples in their lives. Wholesome stories and a healthy imagination can lay the foundation they will use for the rest of their lives. Whether playing with his grandchildren or coaching… Read more