Best of
Fiction

1914

The Complete Sherlock Holmes: Volume II


Arthur Conan Doyle - 1914
    John Scott Eccles ; Tiger of San Pedro ; Adventure of the cardboard box ; Adventure of the red circle ; Adventure of Bruce-Partington plans ; Adventure of the dying detective ; Disappearance of Lady Frances Carfax ; Adventure of the devil's foot ; His last bow --Case book of Sherlock Holmes: Adventure of the illustrious client ; Adventure of the blanched soldier ; Adventure of the Mazarin stone ; Adventure of the three gables ; Adventure of the Sussex vampire ; Adventure of the three garridebs ; Problem of Thor Bridge ; Adventure of the creeping man ; Adventure of the lion's mane ; Adventure of the veiled lodger ; Adventure of Shoscombe Old Place ; Adventure of the retired colourman --Introduction to Doyle's parodies --Two parodies by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle: Field bazaar ; How Watson learned the trick --Two essays by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle: Truth about Sherlock Holmes ; Some personalia about Mr. Sherlock Holmes.

Poetry and Tales


Edgar Allan Poe - 1914
    His nightmarish visions, shaped by cool artistic calculation, reveal some of the dark possibilities of human experience. His enormous popularity and his continuing influence of literature depend less on legend or vision than on his stylistic and formal accomplishments as a writer of fiction and a great lyric poet.In this complete and uniquely authoritative Library of America collection, well-known tales of “mystery and imagination” and his best-known verse are collected with early poems, rarely published stories and humorous sketches, and the ecstatic prose poem Eureka.But his enormous popularity and his continuing influence on literature depend less on legend or vision than on his stylistic and formal accomplishments as a writer of fiction and as a great lyric poet (“always for all lands,” as Yeats said), famous for the sensuous musicality of “To Helen,” “The City in the Sea,” and “Annabel Lee” and for the hypnotic, incantatory rhythms of “The Raven” and “Ulalume.”“The Fall of the House of Usher” and “The Cask of Amontillado” show Poe’s mastery of Gothic horror; his “The Pit and the Pendulum” is a classic of terror and suspense. He invented the modern detective story, as in “The Murders in the Rue Morgue,” and developed the form of science fiction that was to influence, among others, Jules Verne and Thomas Pynchon.Poe was also adept at the humorous sketch of playful jeu d’esprit, such as “X-ing a Paragraph” or “Never Bet the Devil Your Head.” All his stories reveal his high regard for technical proficiency and for what he called “ratiocination.”Poe’s fugitive early poems, stories rarely collected (such as “Bon-Bon,” “King Pest,” “Mystification,” and "The Duc De L’Omelette), his only attempt at drama, "Politian"—these and much more are included in this comprehensive collection, presented chronologically to show Poe’s development as a writer, his oeuvre culminates in his vision of an indeterminate universe, Eureka: A Prose Poem, his culminating vision of an indeterminate universe, printed here for the first time as Poe revised it and intended it should stand.A special feature of this volume is the care taken to select an authoritative text of each work. The printing and publishing history of every item has been investigated in order to choose a version that incorporates all of Poe’s own revisions without reproducing the errors or changes introduced by later editors. Here, then, is one of America’s and the world’s most disturbing, powerful, and inventive writers published in “the first truly dependable collection of Poe’s poetry and tales.”

The Star Rover


Jack London - 1914
    It tells the story of San Quentin death-row inmate Darrell Standing, who escapes the horror of prison life —and long stretches in a straitjacket— by withdrawing into vivid dreams of past lives, including incarnations as a French nobleman and an Englishman in medieval Korea. Based on the life and imprisonment of Jack London’s friend Ed Morrell, this is one of the author’s most complex and original works.

The Obsession of Victoria Gracen


Grace Livingston Hill - 1914
    Oh, they understood that he had just lost his mother and he needed a home . . . but everyone knew that Dick was a hopeless case--a reckless troublemaker who they were sure would bring gentle, lovely Victoria nothing but grief.Victoria ignored their dire predictions. Instead, she set about to tame the boy's wild ways with tenderness and faith. Everyone knew she would fail . . . but they hadn't counted on one thing: It would take a heart of stone to resist Victoria Gracen!

Old Mother West Wind


Thornton W. Burgess - 1914
    Burgess said that imagination was "the birthright of every child." His Old Mother West Wind stories, first published in 1910, have worked their magic on generations of children.

Kazan


James Oliver Curwood - 1914
    "Kazan lay mute and motionless, his gray nose between his forepaws, his eyes half closed. A rock could have appeared scarcely less lifeless than he; not a muscle twitched; not a hair moved; not an eyelid quivered. Yet every drop of the wild blood in his splendid body was racing in a ferment of excitement that Kazan had never before experienced..."

Kokoro


Natsume Sōseki - 1914
    This thought-provoking trilogy of stories explores the very essence of loneliness and stands as a stirring introduction to modern Japanese literature.

Beasts and Super-Beasts


Saki - 1914
    The name Saki is often thought to be a reference to the cupbearer in the Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam, a poem mentioned disparagingly by the eponymous character in Reginald on Christmas Presents. Saki is considered a master of the short story and is often compared to O. Henry and Dorothy Parker. His tales feature delicately drawn characters and finely judged narratives. In addition to his short stories, he also wrote several plays; a short novel, The Unbearable Bassington (1912); and two novella-length satires, the episodic The Westminster Alice and When William Came (1913).

The Dead


James Joyce - 1914
    Often cited as the best work of short fiction ever written, Joyce's story details a New Year's Eve gathering in Dublin that is so evocative and beautiful that it prompts the protagonist's wife to make a shocking revelation to her husband—closing the story with an emotionally powerful epiphany that is considered one of the best in modern literature.

The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists


Sophie Rickard - 1914
    Owen’s spirited attacks on the greed and dishonesty of the capitalist system, and his support for a socialist society in which work is performed to satisfy the needs of all, rather than to generate profit for a few, eventually rouses his fellow men from their political passivity. Described by George Orwell as a piece of social history and a book that everyone should read, The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists is often cited as “one of the most authentic novels of English working class life ever written.” In this faithful graphic adaptation, creators Scarlett and Sophie Rickard craft a compelling fiction that paints a comprehensive picture of social, political, economic, and cultural life in early 20th century Britain that is still acutely relevant today.

The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists


Robert Tressell - 1914
    Owen's spirited attacks on the greed and dishonesty of the capitalist system rouse his fellow men from their political quietism. The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists is both a masterpiece of wit and political passion and one of the most authentic novels of English working class life ever written

The Best Man


Grace Livingston Hill - 1914
    Pursued by men desperate for secret information that could threaten national security, Cyril Gordon seeks refuge in a church, stumbles into a wedding, and is mistaken for the best man.

The Man of the Desert


Grace Livingston Hill - 1914
    Weak and weary, she falls unconscious from her horse. Soon Hazel is found by John Brownleigh, a handsome missionary who lives in the desert. As he carefully nurses Hazel back to health, a strong and true love begins to grow between them. But John, poor and humble, knows he is not of Hazel's world, so he does not speak of his love. And because Hazel feels strongly unworthy of John and his work, she, too, remains silent. And so they part, without acknowledging the love between them.Back home among her family and friends, Hazel makes a startling decision: she will do all she can to change and become deserving of John's love. But can she do so before it's too late?

The Adventures of Paddy the Beaver


Thornton W. Burgess - 1914
    That means he had to stop the waters that flowed in the Laughing Brook and Smiling Pool to make a fine new pond for himself and a comfortable home of sticks and mud. But what will happen to the waterways in the Green Forest?Young readers will find out in this charming tale of woodland adventure, as the gentle, good-natured beaver wins over scolding Sammy Jay and the two work together to outsmart Old Man Coyote.This timeless story, with original illustrations by Harrison Cady, not only entertains young readers and listeners, it also imparts valuable lessons about friendship, trust, and respect for the environment.

The Adventures of Peter Cottontail


Thornton W. Burgess - 1914
    Full of mischief (and then remorse), Peter has exploits that are delightfully recognizable to anyone who has children and will surely tickle yet another generation of young readers.Peter Cottontail's efforts to outwit the ever-hungry Reddy Fox lead to a number of whisker-thin escapes, and his fascination with the hibernation of some of his neighbors, such as Johnny Chuck, leads to his decision to hibernate . . . with riotous consequences.This reprint of the classic that was originally published in 1914 presents Burgess' classic style of telling a terrific tale while imparting information about the environment and its creatures.

The House of Love


Elizabeth Cheney - 1914
    But her glory is only surface deep. Aurelia's complaining spirit is a stark contrast to that of her servant-girl, Doris, who knows that in spite of life's troubles, she will one day “dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” Her many talents and cheerful disposition cause her to be loved and appreciated, even by the notable residents of Waverly Manor. How jealousy swells within Aurelia's vengeful mother! She'll get even yet…

The Eyes of the World


Harold Bell Wright - 1914
    This is a morality play whose lessons are as suitable to an artistic society today as they were nearly a century ago. The characters include a portrait painter, a famous novelist, a young violinist, a respected media critic, and several irresponsible art patrons. The story laments the success given to the art that is corrupted by it. The novelist, Conrad LaGrange, professes that his own wealth and popular approval have been bought by calling attention to the indecent, thereby surrendering the dignity of his profession. Wright presents a sordid bunch who captivate us with their pomposity and gossiping harangue. The selfish art patrons are all-too-willing to watch how the artists prostitute their work and to allow their own reproach as long as they can control the power of the artistic transaction. Such is the power one of the patrons, Mrs. Taine, wields when she says to the artist, Aaron King, the following: My influence would insure you a favorable reception from those who make the reputations of men like you. I could have made you the rage. I could have made you famous.

The Revolt of the Angels


Anatole France - 1914
    On this occasion, their ringleader is inspired to rebellion after reading some books on philosophy and science.Anatole France's 1914 satire of war, government, and religion offers an ever-resonant protest against violence and tyranny.

The Twenty-Fourth of June


Grace S. Richmond - 1914
    To prove himself worthy to Roberta, Richard Kendrick undertakes the greatest challenge of his life—one that makes this novel almost impossible to put down.

The Gambler and Other Stories


Fyodor Dostoevsky - 1914
    This volume includes 'Bobok', the tale of a frustrated writer visiting a cemetery and enjoying the gossip of the dead; 'The Dream of a Ridiculous Man', the story of one man's plan to commit suicide and the troubling dream that follows, as well as 'A Christmas Party and a Wedding', 'A Nasty Story' and 'The Meek One'.

The Light of Western Stars


Zane Grey - 1914
    Visit us online at www.1stWorldLibrary.ORG - - When Madeline Hammond stepped from the train at El Cajon, New Mexico, it was nearly midnight, and her first impression was of a huge dark space of cool, windy emptiness, strange and silent, stretching away under great blinking white stars. Miss, there's no one to meet you, said the conductor, rather anxiously. I wired my brother, she replied. "The train being so late - perhaps he grew tired of waiting. He will be here presently. But, if he should not come - surely I can find a hotel?" There's lodgings to be had. Get the station agent to show you. If you'll excuse me - this is no place for a lady like you to be alone at night. It's a rough little town - mostly Mexicans, miners, cowboys. And they carouse a lot. Besides, the revolution across the border has stirred up some excitement along the line. Miss, I guess it's safe enough, if you -

The Christmas Porringer


Evaleen Stein - 1914
    Relates how an earthenware porringer, bought by Karen, a little Flemish girl of Bruges, as a gift for the Christ-child and stolen by Robber Hans, becomes the instrument of his transformation, and finally brings much happiness to Karen and her grandmother, the lace-maker.

The Laughing Cavalier


Emmuska Orczy - 1914
    Due to its age, it may contain imperfections such as marks, notations, marginalia and flawed pages. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions that are true to the original work.

The Outlaw of Torn


Edgar Rice Burroughs - 1914
    At first it was suppressed by one of the Plantagenet kings of England. Later it was forgotten. I happened to dig it up by accident. The accident being the relationship of my wife's cousin to a certain Father Superior in a very ancient monastery in Europe. He let me pry about among a quantity of mildewed and musty manuscripts and I came across this. It is very interesting—partially since it is a bit of hitherto unrecorded history, but principally from the fact that it records the story of a most remarkable revenge and the adventurous life of its innocent victim—Richard, the lost prince of England.In the retelling of it, I have left out most of the history. What interested me was the unique character about whom the tale revolves—the visored horseman who—but let us wait until we get to him. It all happened in the thirteenth century, and while it was happening, it shook England from north to south and from east to west; and reached across the channel and shook France. It started, directly, in the London palace of Henry III, and was the result of a quarrel between the King and his powerful brother-in-law, Simon de Montfort, Earl of Leicester.Never mind the quarrel, that's history, and you can read all about it at your leisure

The Brown Study


Grace S. Richmond - 1914
    A few shelves of books-not all learned books by any means-three chairs one of them a rocker cushioned in a cheerful red; a battered old desk; a broad and rather comfortable looking couch: this was nearly all the study's furniture.

Benigna Machiavelli


Charlotte Perkins Gilman - 1914
    With ingenuity and persistence, Benigna Machiavelli maneuvres hers parents, her teachers, her friends, and herself toward a better life.Charlotte Perkins Gilman herself is one of the forgotten heroes of the women's movement -as a writer, editor, tireless lecturer, she worked in the tumultuous years before American women got the vote. Gilman was a social critic and Utopian visionary, whose work was praised by G.B. Shaw, Theodore Dreiser, William Dean Howells, and H.G. Wells. Her Wowen and Economics went through nine printings.

The Demi-gods


James Stephens - 1914
    Together the little group wanders around rural Ireland: telling stories, creating mischief and running into some familiar yet often unwelcome faces. The story is separated into four books as follows: Book 1 - Patsy Mac Cann, Book 2 - Eileen Ni Cooley, Book 3 - Brien O'Brien and Book 4 - Mary Mac Cann.

Initiation


Robert Hugh Benson - 1914
    We are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork.

The New Road


Neil Munro - 1914
    It is also the story of the Highlands at the time when General Wade's road was carving its way between Stirling and Inverness into the traditional strongholds of the Clans.

The Ranch At The Wolverine


B.M. Bower - 1914
    You may find it for free on the web. Purchase of the Kindle edition includes wireless delivery.

The Wall of Partition


Florence Louisa Barclay - 1914
    Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1914. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER XIII "many Widows Were In Israel' 7TEWED and reviewed during the practical * prose of breakfast, the happenings of the previous night took on a fantastic form, which made them appear to belong rather to the phantasm of slumber, than to the sober realities of waking hours. Surely he had dreamed that he reached out into space and found the Kind Voice; found her without the help of wires or of bells; aye, even without the assistance of that omniscient individual, known familiarly as "Exchange." Surely he had slept even more profoundly, and dreamed even more wildly, when the owner of the kind voice was promising, gently, to ring him up at 10.15 to-night. Yet he started, and kept his seat with difficulty, when the telephone-bell rang outside; and when Jake, instead of giving the hospital number, opened the dining-room door, saying: "You're wanted on the telephone, sir," Rodney dashed to the instrument, vexed at his delay, and perfectly certain who was awaiting him at the other end. Obviously she had thought he meant 10.15 A.m. instead of 10.15 P.M. He lifted the receiver. "Hullo?" he said, eagerly. "Hullo! Is it you?" "Of course it's me, old chap," came Billy's good-tempered voice, jovial and ungrammatical. "But, what's up? You sound rather as if I were a straw, and you, a drowning man! Are you bored stiff?" Steele mastered his annoyance, which indeed was with himself, rather than with Billy. "I'm all right, Billy," he said. "Jolly and comfortable as possible." "I've rung up," shouted Billy, "to say you really must come down to us at once. The fogs and cold must be so beastly in town. Here we have brilliant sunshine; the ice bears; we shall be skating on the lake to-morrow. Look up a train, and come to-day, old chap." "Thanks, Billy. I am grateful. But I can...

Mr. Pratt's Patients


Joseph Crosby Lincoln - 1914
    Due to its age, it may contain imperfections such as marks, notations, marginalia and flawed pages. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions that are true to the original work.

A Daughter of the Dons


William MacLeod Raine - 1914
    You may find it for free on the web. Purchase of the Kindle edition includes wireless delivery.

The Things He Wrote to Her


Richard Wightman - 1914
    Due to its age, it may contain imperfections such as marks, notations, marginalia and flawed pages. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions that are true to the original work.

Bransford in Arcadia: Or, the Little Eohippus


Eugene Manlove Rhodes - 1914
    Regarded by many as the best western writer of the early twentieth century, Rhodes expands his popular short story "The Little Eohippus" into this novel; the result features cowboy hero Jeff Bransford, who refuses to compromise the woman he loves to clear himself of a murder charge.

The Girl from Alsace, A Romance of the Great War


Burton Egbert Stevenson - 1914
    You may find it for free on the web. Purchase of the Kindle edition includes wireless delivery.

The Open Window and Other Short Stories


Saki - 1914
    The Open Window and Other Stories