AustLit

A proud gardener has his flowers destroyed by flying objects from the people upstairs who have no water while he waters the garden. Silly. (PB)

Humorous anecdote of a thin man and a fat one sharing a bed. (PB)

Negro wisdom of false goodness and humbug of not enjoying life. (PB)

A loving wife discovers love letters in the coast she is mending and fearing her husband is unfaithful decides to commit suicide ... Slight. (PB)

Brief tale of six fishermen in Venice who play a practical joke on their cook-boy with a dead man's body - and end up dead when the corpse joins them for breakfast. (PB)

A girl's first broken engagement with a calculating lover - his falseness revealed by a beautiful cousin's deliberate flirtation; and marriage to an older man she deeply respects - which finally reveals itself as love. Slight. (PB)

A discharged prisoner refuses to leave the dock before the prosecution exit the court - he is wearing stolen trousers. (PB)

Humorous light romance of two bitter enemies living near each other in a block of 'French flats' who change their relations when introduced at a picnic. Truly urban. (PB)

A third mate on a clipper investigates thefts from the hold at Williamstown, has a fall, finds the skeleton of a stowaway and is rescued by the thieves. Straight narrative. (PB)

A happily married but undemonstrative woman married to a Manchester mill owner dreams that her widowed sister returns from India and takes her husband's love from her. Following the death of her child, her own suicide attempt is prevented only by her husband waking her from her dream. She has no sister but the vividness of her decline into depression is well-depicted. Includes reference to discussion of the Deceased's Wife's Sister Bill in the House of Lords. (PB)

The price of a horse drops when the enquirer reveals himself as a tax agent. Humour. (PB)

A dreamy maiden refuses her first marriage proposal at 19, a rich man and a loving youth before 26, and at 38 is an old maid still frustratedly waiting for her romantic nobleman - while the men she refused love become successful. (PB)

A Spanish Mexican in Taos, New Mexico swears that the American who has won the beautiful local heiress shall not enjoy his wedding night - but the victim of his murderous ride is his own dearly-loved brother Leon. Mexican colour; plot a little obvious. (PB)

A mother's witty rejoinder cures her son of bad language. (PB)

Delightful story of a minister/father who is tricked by his children into turning a sermon into a fairytale - on wishing for the right thing. (PB)

Tale of the discovery of gold by two diggers at Ballarat, its attempted theft by an Aborigine, and the severing of his hand in the process. The hand was kept by the narrator, preserved in spirits (Action tale, thinly developed, with a bizarre twist.) (PB)

Beautiful delicate Lady Maud of the new English family living in Scottish Alden Castle hears the tale of the ghost of Lady Clara - drowned in the lake. And before morning Maud has joined her. Romantic tale of ghosts, noble families and mischance. Slight. (PB)

An adopted child is enabled to marry the poor man she loves when her real father reveals his identity, overcoming the loving hesitations of her adoptive father. Story implausible in parts and sentimental. (PB)

US romance between a new doctor in the neighbourhood and the daughter of his rival across the road. Pleasant account of the change from opposition to partnership. (PB)

Anecdote of a British lieutenant's coolness in an emergency, and his promotion. Humour. (PB)