AustLit

Pleasant English country romance. A gentleman's rescue of a lady from an oncoming railway engine, his avoidance of her during a country house party and the assiduous attentions of her youthful swains combine to make a fateful choice of assistance of a Woodland wishing well. Light and lively. (PB)

A child's deathbed - sentimental; moral conclusion. (PB)

A railway accident in England separates an English officer and an American girl just as they were getting acquainted - each thinks the other dead until another train accident near Cheyenne reintroduces them. His inheritance of a title only confirms their marriage. Light; lively heroine. (PB)

A husband's secret drinking ends one night when he betrays his wife's and child's unprotected state to a burglar - and only just arrives in time to prevent their murder. Moral sentiments. (PB)

Humorous piece on the difficulties of using tacks in the house. (PB)

A cabman's tale of objects left in hs carriag - a poisonous snake, and a large amount of money - and the differing rewards he received. (PB)

A newspaper editor's weariness causes him to fall asleep at the piano - and the notes speak to him. Slight; nightmare-like in places. (PB)

A London gentleman promises his valet £100 a year for every year he lives with the man in his service. He thus secures a very faithful and cautious servant - but the worry kills the valet. Light humour. (PB)

A seaside holiday in Victoria introduces Mark Sinclair to the likeable John Markham who has just inherited a comfortable sum from his English uncle. Sinclair persuades him to make a will shortly before his cousin, Jack, arrives from England. John is found dead shortly after his cousin leaves and Sinclair suspects a beautiful designing widow - Jack Markham's mistress in disguise - of the murder. A drugged handkerchief and a lost ring are evidence, but a fire destroys all proof. (PB)

The return of a rich uncle raises the expectations of his relations in their English village, the socially ambitious Grashaw's and their poor relations Kate and John Wakefield. When it is discovered that he is ruined, Kate and John set up a small house with him - and Kate meets his friend from his Australian days, Sir Hugh Stafford. Light; includes torches of social satire. (PB)

A businessman's clerk and nephew is robbed of £3000 of his uncle's money, through a confidence trick, losing his job and his fiancee as a result. Several month's later a man's injury in a carriage accident reveals the truth and the head clerk's involvement. Tired plot. (PB)

Tale of a goose which faithfully served sentry duty in Canada after being saved from a fox; and in turn saved the sentry from rebel attackers. (PB)

A 'fretful dowdy' wife wins back her husband's love by dressing prettily, speaking cheerfully and singing him ballads! (PB)

Brief african-american commentary advising economy and hard work, not charity. (PB)

Comic tale of a shy college student at an English university whose room is invaded by an Australian aunt and her daughters - and who is very relieved when a fellow college man claims them as his relations. (PB)

A theology professor steals an outstanding pupil's sermon, but the student - William Jay - has his biblical revenge. (PB)

A daughter marries against her father's wishes but after several years gradually wins back his affection by disguising herself as a housekeeper and working for him. Odd slightly jumbled tale. (PB)

Romance of two English lovers separated by his journey to India for many years, but reunited during a seaside holiday many years later. Slight. (PB)

US. Humorous anecdote of a judge who joined the Episcopalians because they demanded neither faith nor works. (PB)