Mathilde is a young woman, married to a man with a minor government posting. She suffers constantly from a lack of luxury. When her husband surprises her with an invitation to a ball, she responds crossly. She doesn't have anything suitable to wear. Her husband gives her his little savings to get a new dress. Another issue soon arises.
Araby by James Joyce
A boy is infatuated with the older girl who lives across the street. He thinks of her all the time, and tries to see her from his window. One day she speaks to him, asking if he's going to Araby, the bazaar. She can't go; he says he will bring her a souvenir.
The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County by Mark Twain
The narrator goes to Simon Wheeler to get the story of Jim Smiley. He was a betting man with uncommonly good luck. He had various animals he made money on. His most famous gambling story involved a frog he trained to jump.
A Good Man is Hard to Find by Flannery O'Connor
A grandmother lives with her son, Bailey, and his family. She's against the trip to Florida that they're planning. She wants to go to Tennessee instead. A notorious criminal is loose, and reports place him around Florida. The family stays firm in their plans. The grandmother isn't against the trip enough to stay home.
The Lady With the Dog by Anton Chekhov
Dmitri Gurov is in Yalta, away from his wife. He is serially unfaithful. He sees a new woman walking along the promenade with a little dog. He decides it would be good to make her acquaintance. He knows from experience that relationships with women bring complications. Each new adventure makes him forget this, and he plunges ahead. They meet each other one evening at a restaurant. They strike up a conversation.
An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge by Ambrose Bierce
A man, Fahrquhar, is on a bridge in northern Alabama, his wrists bound behind his back. He has a rope around his neck and is guarded by Federal officers. He's a civilian, but was involved in a mission for the Confederacy. His last thoughts are of his family. The signal is given to let him hang.
