chasing sheep, obtaining at least two for a single piece. Returning with his stock in the evening to his farm, he found the river he had crossed so swollen with the rains, that he was greatly puzzled in what way to get them across it. In this dilemma he observed not far off a poor fisherman with a little boat, so small that it would carry only one sheep and the grazier at a passage. So he jumped in with a single fleece, and began to row with all his might. The river was broad, but he rowed and he rowed away. Here the fabulist came to a full stop and nodded. 'Well, and what then?" cried his master; "get on, sirrah; what next?" "Why," replied the drowsy story-teller, "let him get over the remainder of the sheep, and then I will proceed; for it will take him a year at least, and in the meantime your excellency may enjoy a very comfortable slumber." And again he nodded his head. 66 66 4. A tramp wandered up to a weather-beaten shop in the Chinese quarter of San Antonio, Texas, and knocked gently. Immaculate in white sack blouse and clean apron, the Chinese cook opened the portal and gazed with disfavor upon the soiled specimen of humanity before him. 105. Let the topics given below serve for suggestions from which you give an account of some of your own experiences, or those of others, which you happen 106. Invention.— The word invention as used in rhetoric refers to that department of the subject that treats of the selection and arranging of materials in our compositions. In all our compositions, both oral and written, we continually use our inventive powers. The word is also used to convey the idea of creating a story which has no foundation in fact,—a story which is purely imaginative or fictitious. EXERCISE 107. Invent interesting incidents in accordance with the following suggestions. Let them be humorous or thrilling as the occasion suggests. Be sure that they are brief and pointed. I. A mason is laying a chimney on a house in the country. There is no one near. His scaffolding is blown down. 2. A fox rushes out on the ice to a large air hole- re traces his steps to the shore and turns in another direction. A dog comes rushing down, following the scent toward the air hole. 3. A boy is going home through the woods what he takes to be a bear. he meets 4. A boy attempts to cross a stream by getting far out on the limb of a tree and swinging himself over. 5. A farmer is going up a hill with a load of pumpkins — the end board of his wagon comes out. 6. A boy talks over the telephone to his chum's father, thinking it to be his chum. 7. While returning homeward, Sir Launfal met a knight who for his amusement was ill-treating a peasant. 8. While Sir Launfal was on his wanderings he met the Ancient Mariner. 9. The Ancient Mariner meets some boys who have been robbing birds' nests. 10. A judge is ill-treated by a street car conductor, whom he causes to be arrested and brought to his own court. II. A knight in disguise comes upon his most detested enemy in sore distress. 12. Two girls are in a boat on a river; a large dam above them gives way. 13. Wamba disguises himself in Ivanhoe's armor and goes to meet Cedric after the second day of the tournament. 14. A lady who has been down town in New York shopping, when about to pay her street car fare, finds she has spent all her money. 15. An unexpected telegram is delivered at midnight to a person in the country. He hunts for matches and finds but one, which goes out. CHAPTER IV LETTER WRITING 108. The Nature and Kinds of Letters.- A letter is a substitute for conversation. We write to our friends of those things which are of mutual interest, things which we should enjoy talking to them about, if circumstances permitted. This kind of letter is an exchange of thoughts and feelings upon more or less personal subjects. A business letter in the same way takes the place of a conversation. It is an exchange of ideas, of opinions, sometimes of feelings, upon matters generally of an impersonal nature. Although letters differ greatly in length, purpose, subject matter, and style, they deal generally with business matters or affairs of friendship. Letters of friendship, however, may come under the title of letter, informal note, or formal note. These names serve a convenient purpose, although it may be difficult to draw a line of demarcation between the letter and the informal note. 109. Parts of the Letter. Although some freedom is allowed in the general form of the letter, custom has decided that a letter should be composed of the following parts: 72 110. The Heading. The heading is an abbreviated statement, telling where and when the letter was written. It is placed about one and a half inches from the top, and well to the right of the paper. It should, however, never be begun so far over as to necessitate crowding or improper abbreviations. The heading usually occupies two lines, though sometimes only one, and occasionally three. III. Heading Study.- Examine carefully the following headings to discover all their characteristics: I. 42 Elm St., Syracuse, N. Y., Sept. 20, 1904. 2. Kenwood, Madison Co., N. Y., Jan. 16, 1903. 3. Arlington House, New York, Dec. 19, 1902. 4. Boys' High School, Brooklyn, N. Y., December 2, 1904. |