The Necklace

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  “SHE WAS one of those pretty, charming young ladies, born, as if through an error of destiny, into a family of clerks. She had no dowry, no hopes, no means of becoming known, appreciated, loved, and married by a man either rich or distinguished; and she allowed herself to marry a petty clerk in the office of the Board of Education. . . .  She had neither frocks nor jewels, nothing. And she loved only those things. She felt that she was made for them. She had such a desire to please, to be sought after, to be clever, and courted.” —THE NECKLACE Guy de Maupassant    France, 1884 (pic by Grok) Read this short story here:  https://americanliterature.com/author/guy-de-maupassant/short-story/the-necklace

Journal of a Voyage

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Here's the full title of a book that looks to be a thriller of a summer read:

"The Journal of a Voyage in the Missionary Ship Duff, To The Pacific Ocean in the years 1796,7,8,9,1800,1,2 &c." Comprehending Authentic and Circumstantial Narratives of the Disasters Which Attended the First Effort of the London Missionary Society. Interspersed with a Variety of Singular Incidents and Adventures, with an Appendix Containing Interesting Circumstances in the Life of Captain James Wilson, The Commander of the Duff, when He was Engaged in the Wars in the East Indies, and Taken Prisoner by Hyder Ally's Troops--His Bold Attempt To Escape, and Subsequent Difficulties." By William Smith.

Here's the link to download this page-turner. With a title like that, who needs Indiana Jones?

That captain sure seems to be an intriguing chap . . .

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