Mention some things about which you have had to complain. Selecting one of them and following this outline, tell what you would say in a letter stating the complaint. 1. The order given. What; when; where. 2. Directions. 3. Directions for delivery. II. Written Composition Write your letter. For what kind of errors should you look at each rereading of your letter? Draw a rectangle to represent an envelope. Write the superscription. Where should you place your name and address, if you put them on the envelope? III. Correction Exercise When you correct your classmate's letter, look carefully to see that the form is correct. Why is the form of particular importance in a business letter? XIII. ORIGINAL COMPOSITION-INVENTION The Magic Stone One day a young man, while hunting, met a stranger who said to him: "Come with me to yonder shining lake, and fear nothing." Wondering at what was to happen, the youth did as the stranger bade him; and when they had reached the shore of the lake, the old man turned and said to him: "Step into the water and shut your eyes. You will sink slowly to the bottom and there find much silver." The young man stepped into the lake, and, immediately upon closing his eyes, felt himself sinking, sinking, until he reached firm ground. In front of him lay several heaps of silver, and in the midst of them a curious white shining stone marked with strange characters. He picked it up to examine it more closely; and as he held it, the stone spoke: "As long as you hold me, all your wishes will come true," it said. "Put me in your turban, and then call to the stranger that you are ready to come up." In a few minutes the young man stood again by the shore of the lake. Then he took the stone from his turban and said: "I want the finest camel that can be found, and the most splendid garments." "Shut your eyes," replied the stone. When the man opened them the camel for which he had wished was standing before him, while the robes of a prince hung from his shoulders. Mounting the camel he started homewards. His mother was sewing at the door when he approached. Mistaking him for some great person she bowed low. "Do you not know me, Mother?" he said with a laugh. On hearing his voice the good woman nearly fell to the ground with astonishment. From Certes Berbères. I. Oral Composition Read this story and give the outline of it. What is the great point of difference between it and the historical account you wrote? Does the author expect any one to believe this story? Why was it written? What was the main thing you kept in mind in writing the historical composition? Does it mention Why not? Does the story tell whether or not the young man brought up any of the silver? what happened to the stranger? Give another word for yonder-in the first paragraph. What is the effect in the third paragraph of repeating the word sinking? Give the rule for the placing of quotation and other punctuation marks. Give the general sketch of an imaginative story of your own. Then tell it in full, following this outline: 1. The incident. (a) Time and place. (b) What happened. 2. The directions. (a) What they were. 3. With what result. II. Written Composition Write your story. Correct it, and be sure that you have not given every detail, but have left something for the imagination of the reader. Select an attractive title. Why? III. Correction Exercise Remember that your classmate may make his own conditions in his story; he may make his people do all sorts of impossible things. Criticize, mainly, the sequence of events. XIV. ORIGINAL COMPOSITION How to Make a Fire The Friendship-fire You may build your friendship-fire in almost any way that pleases you; but this is the way in which you shall build it best. You have no axe, of course, so you must look about for the driest sticks that you can find. Do not seek them close beside the stream, for there they are likely to be water-soaked; but go back into the woods a bit and gather a good armful of fuel. Then break it, if you can, into lengths of about two feet, and construct your fire in the following fashion: Lay two sticks parallel, and put between them a pile of dried grass, dead leaves, small twigs, and the paper in which your lunch was wrapped. Then lay two other sticks crosswise on top of your first pair. Strike your match and touch your kindlings. As the fire catches, lay on other pairs of sticks, each pair crosswise to the pair that is below it, until you have a pyramid of flame. This is "a Micmac fire" such as the Indians make in the woods. Now you can pull off your wading boots and warm your feet at the blaze. You can toast your bread if you |