cards representing scenes from the _Wonderful Adventures of
Nils_. This is an enchanting fairy story that may be compared to the
fairy classics of Grimm and of Hans Andersen. In it fact and fancy are
delicately interwoven with the geography and natural history of Sweden.

Miss Lagerloef's popularity is not confined exclusively to Scandinavian
countries, however. In Germany, Russia, and Holland, she is more widely
read than almost any other foreign writer. In recent years, moreover,
she has conquered France, and since the bestowal of the Nobel prize,
she has become a world figure. It is since that event that she has
become known in America, though she is not yet read here so much as she
deserves.

She might well be called the founder of a new school of literature. She
turned away from the general tendency of the European literature of her
day, a tendency to morbid realism, or dealing with the ugliest facts of
life. Her method is to throw into obscurity human frailties and vices
and turn the light on what is biggest and strongest in people. This
idealistic tendency may be readily traced in the story of "The Silver
Mine," which is given in this text. It was for _Optimism in Literature_
that Selma Lagerloef was given the Nobel prize.

The Silver Mine

276, 1. Gustav the Third. King of Sweden, 1771-1792.

277, 1. The army was so filled with traitors. The country of Sweden at
this time was distracted by the intrigues of the rival political
parties of Hom and Gyllenborg, known as "Caps" and "Hats."

290, 1. Given me a deep mark on my forehead. This refers to the Bible
story of Cain's murder of his brother Abel. Genesis 4:3-15.

SUGGESTED READING LIST OF SHORT STORIES

Abbott, Eleanor Hallowell (Mrs. Coburn)
_Sick-a-bed Lady._ Title Story and "The Happy Day"

Aldrich, Thomas Bailey
_Marjorie Daw and Other People._ Title Story
_Two Bites at a Cherry._ "Goliath"

Allen, James Lane
_The Flute and the Violin._ Title Story

Andrews, Mary Raymond Shipman
_The Perfect Tribute_
_Joy in the Morning_

Barrie, Sir James Matthew
_Two of Them._ Title Story
_A Window in Thrums_

Balzac, Honore
_Chouans._ "A Passion in a Desert"

Bunner, Henry Cuyler
_Short Sixes._ Title Story and "Love Letters of Smith"

Butler, Ellis Parker
_Pigs is Pigs._ Title Story

Cable, George
_Old Creole Days_

Canfield, Dorothy (Mrs. Fisher)
_Hillsboro People_
_The Real Motive_

Coppee, Francois