1001 Classic Short Stories & Tales

Please consider helping to support this podcast and others in our 1001 Stories network collection by going to www.patreon.com/1001storiesnetwork and pledging a monthly contribution-Our Patreon supporters help cover our basic expenses hee as I try to bring great literature to everyone through sharratihng these narrations. The Open Window" — Show Notes Summary In this iconic tale of mischief and misdirection, a nervous visitor named Framton Nuttel arrives at a quiet country house seeking rest and recovery. But when he's greeted by the host's precocious niece, Vera, he's drawn into a chilling tale of loss, longing — and an open window that never closes. Saki's razor-sharp wit and love of the unexpected are on full display here, as he turns a simple social call into a masterclass in narrative sleight-of-hand. A story about nerves, storytelling, and the fine line between truth and invention, The Open Window remains one of the most beloved short stories in English literature. 🐎 "A Matter of Sentiment" — Show Notes Summary It's the eve of a major horse race, and the guests at Lady Susan's country house are in a quiet frenzy. Everyone wants to place a winning bet — but with no clear favorite and their hostess disapproving of gambling, the scheming must be done in whispers and winks. Enter Clovis, ever the agent of chaos, who discovers a potential inside source: the butler's second cousin, a stable lad with privileged knowledge. What follows is a deliciously dry comedy of manners, deception, and social subterfuge, as Saki skewers the pretensions of the upper crust with his trademark elegance and bite. Music: 🎵 Danse Macabre Op. 40 – Camille Saint-Saëns (1936 Stokowski/Philadelphia Orchestra recording) (archive.org in Bing) This version features Leopold Stokowski conducting the Philadelphia Orchestra, with a violin solo by Alexander Hilsberg. It's a historic 1936 recording, beautifully restored and freely available for use under public domain.

 THE NAMESAKE by WILLA CATHER The Namesake tells the framed story of Lyon Hartwell, an American sculptor living in Paris, who explains to a group of young American art students how a return to his family's Pennsylvania home rekindled his sense of national belonging and shaped a major work, "The Color Sergeant." The narrative moves from Hartwell's orphaned childhood and artistic training in Rome and Paris to a poignant visit to his father's birthplace in the United States, where discovering his uncle's grave and a trunk bearing his name awakens a deep kinship with his American rootschoices. What inspired Willa Cather to write the story Cather drew on a family legend about a maternal uncle who died in the Civil War and on her own experience of travel and residence in France and Pittsburgh. She had earlier written a poem called "The Namesake" dedicated to a soldier-uncle; in the 1907 short story she reworked that material, shifting details (including the uncle's wartime allegiance) and placing an American expatriate artist at the center to examine how returning home can supply moral and imaginative fuel. Scholars note that Cather's personal name-story and her summers in France and years in Pittsburgh helped shape the tale.    Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode Summary — Brown Wolf by Jack London   Jack London's "Brown Wolf" follows Walt Irvine and his wife Madge and the wild, half‑tamed dog they call Wolf. The story moves between domestic warmth and the untamed instincts of the animal, tracing how Wolf's wildness both endears him to the couple and ultimately forces a wrenching choice. London balances vivid natural description with sharp human detail, turning the dog into a mirror for questions of freedom, loyalty, and the uneasy boundary between civilization and the wild. Key themes •     Wildness versus domestication — Wolf embodies the tension between instinct and companionship. •     Human‑animal bond — London explores how affection, responsibility, and misunderstanding shape relationships with animals. •     Survival and identity — The story probes what it costs to belong, and what is lost when one tries to force a wild thing into a tame role. Publication and context "Brown Wolf" first appeared in 1891 and has since been collected in volumes such as Brown Wolf and Other Jack London Stories. The tale is often anthologized in collections of London's short fiction and is available in public‑domain editions. What inspired London to write it Jack London's fiction frequently draws on his lifelong fascination with dogs, wolves, and frontier life. His travels and experiences in the North, his close observation of sled dogs and wild canids, and his interest in naturalism and survival informed stories like "Brown Wolf." London used animal characters not merely as background color but as symbolic agents—vehicles for exploring human pride, freedom, and the harsh laws of nature. Contemporary editors and critics have noted how London's own adventures and his sympathy for the wild shaped these narratives. Why it matters for listeners "Brown Wolf" is compact but powerful: it showcases London's gift for atmosphere, his ability to animate animal psychology, and his moral ambivalence about taming the wild. For your audience, it's a vivid, emotionally direct piece that pairs well with readings of London's longer works and with discussions about nature, responsibility, and the costs of domestication. VISIT OUR NEW WEBSITE AT WWW.BESTOF1001STORIES.COM AND SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER-THANKS! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode Summary — A Redeeming Sacrifice (with an added twist) Lucy Maud Montgomery's tender short story A Redeeming Sacrifice follows a quiet, aching tale of love, pride, and the painful choices that can drive two young people apart. Set against the windswept beauty of an island community, Montgomery's original narrative traces the consequences of a single rash act which could be viewed as heroic, the story capturing the author's gift for small‑town detail and deep emotional truth. In this episode I read Montgomery's story as written — then, for listeners who've ever wished for a fuller reckoning, I present a short, original continuation that honors Montgomery's tone while offering the closure many readers have no doubt longed for.  " If you enjoy the extra, tell a friend and leave a note — I'd like to know what you think.- corage or cowardice? "A Redeeming Sacrifice" by L. M. Montgomery appears in several modern short‑story collections of her work, most commonly in compilations of her tales from the 1900s–1920s. Notable collections that include the story are: • Lucy Maud Montgomery Short Stories, 1909–1922 (various modern reprints/editions) • Collected/Complete Short Stories of L. M. Montgomery (omnibus editions and anthologies of her short fiction) It's also frequently reprinted in assorted L. M. Montgomery anthologies and e‑book compilations of her shorter works.   Browse all 12  1001 podcasts at www.bestof1001stories.com- aand thank Pixabay artists for their music controbutions.

Old Well-Well" is a classic baseball short story by Zane Grey, first published in the July 1910 issue of Success magazine.  Summary The story follows the legendary figure of "Old Well-Well," an elderly man famous throughout the East as the ultimate baseball fan. He is recognized by his unique, thunderous yell of "Well, well, well!" which he bellows at critical moments in games.  The narrative focuses on a high-stakes professional game where a young, unproven player named Burt faces off against an experienced veteran pitcher, Duveen. As the game reaches a fever pitch and the crowd erupts in "bedlam," Old Well-Well's iconic cry serves as a unifying force for the spectators. The story is less about the technical play-by-play and more about the vibrant culture and spirit of early 20th-century baseball, portraying it as a "national game" that connects people across generation Enjoy all the Zane Gray baseball stories at 1001 Classic Short Stories & Tales at your favorite host or at www.bestof1001stories.com. Reviews appreciated and so is sharing !

Nathaniel Hawthorne's "The Antique Ring" (1843) is a fascinating departure from his usual dark, Puritan-focused dramas. It is a "story within a story" that blends lighthearted social banter with a legendary, cursed history.   The story begins in a cozy, modern setting where a young man named Edward Caryl presents an antique ring to his fiancée, Clara. When she asks about the ring's history, Edward—an aspiring writer—unfurls a legendary "biography" of the jewel. He transports his listeners back to the court of Queen Elizabeth I, where the ring is a royal pledge given to the Earl of Essex. According to Edward's tale, the ring carries a mysterious power: it sparkles with a "diamond of the mind" when the wearer is true, but grows dim and murky when betrayal is afoot. The narrative follows the ring through a series of tragic historical mishaps, including its role in the Earl's execution, before finally landing in the hands of the modern-day lovers.  As you read, you'll find yourself questioning where Edward's fiction ends and the "real" history of the ring begins. It is a masterful look at how we project meaning onto objects and how the ghosts of the past continue to haunt the romantic gestures of the present. Unknown Facts & Inspirations While Hawthorne is usually associated with the "Haunted Mind," this story reveals a more playful, experimental side of his genius. The "Essex Ring" Legend: Hawthorne didn't invent the ring's backstory entirely. He drew from a popular 17th-century legend involving Queen Elizabeth and the Earl of Essex. It was rumored that Elizabeth gave Essex a ring, promising to save him from any danger if he sent it back to her. When he was scheduled for execution, he supposedly tried to send it, but it was intercepted by a rival. Hawthorne took this historical "urban legend" and added his own supernatural, moralistic twist. A "Potboiler" with Purpose: Hawthorne wrote this during a period when he was struggling financially and trying to appeal to the "gift-book" market (popular annual anthologies for women). Interestingly, he used this "commercial" assignment to subtly mock his own profession—Edward Caryl is often seen as a self-parody of Hawthorne himself, a writer trying to please a demanding audience. The Salem Connection: Though set in London and "modern" America, the story's focus on symbolism and hidden sin is a direct result of Hawthorne's obsession with his Salem ancestry. He believed that even a beautiful piece of jewelry could carry the "stain" of the past.  Critical Reception: Then vs. Now In 1843: Upon its initial release in The Sargent's New Monthly Magazine, the story was well-received but seen as "light" entertainment. Readers of the era loved the mix of historical romance and contemporary manners. The "Minor" Label: For decades, critics dismissed "The Antique Ring" as a minor work compared to The Scarlet Letter. They felt it lacked the psychological depth of his darker stories. Modern Re-evaluation: Today, the story is highly valued by scholars for its meta-fictional quality. It is studied as an example of how Hawthorne viewed the act of storytelling itself—seeing the writer as a sort of jeweler who polishes old myths to make them shine for a new audience. Enjoy hundreds more well-narated short stories at 1001 Classic Short Stories & Tales at our website where they are sorted by category and author for your convenience at  www.bestof1001stories.com

"The Furnished Room" is widely considered one of O. Henry's most somber and haunting stories. Unlike his more lighthearted or humorous tales, this one leans heavily into urban loneliness and tragedy.   The story follows a weary young man searching the boarding houses of New York City's Lower West Side for a woman he loves—an aspiring singer named Eloise Vashner. He has been searching for five months. He rents a "furnished room" from a cold, ghostly landlady. The room is dilapidated and smells of stale air and cheap perfume. As he sits in the dark, he is suddenly overwhelmed by the strong, distinct scent of mignonette—the exact fragrance Eloise used to wear. Convinced she has been in the room, he frantically searches the furniture and cracks in the wall for a sign of her, but finds nothing.  Publication and Context Written/Published: The story was first published in the New York World in 1904 and later included in his famous 1906 collection, The Four Million. Historical Setting: At the turn of the century, New York was flooded with young people from rural areas seeking fame in the arts. O. Henry captures the dark side of this "American Dream"—the anonymity and despair of the big city. Possible Inspirations While O. Henry rarely cited specific inspirations, scholars point to several factors: Personal Tragedy: O. Henry (William Sydney Porter) lived a life marked by loss. His wife, Athol Estes, died young from tuberculosis. His own experiences living in cheap New York boarding houses after his release from prison gave him an intimate, firsthand look at the "transient" lifestyle. The "Furnished Room" Culture: During the early 1900s, boarding houses were a unique social phenomenon. They were places where thousands of people lived in close proximity but remained total strangers. O. Henry was fascinated by the idea that a room could hold the "ghosts" or lingering energies of those who stayed there for just a week. The Mignonette Scent: This specific flower was a popular Victorian symbol for "your qualities surpass your charms." It adds a layer of sensory nostalgia that O. Henry likely drew from the romantic literature of his era. Che4ck out our website at www.bestof1001stories.com for thousands of stories from Sherlock Holmes to WWII. Current Specials: How Teddy Roosevelt saved the Buffalo at 1001 Stories From The Old West 'The Sky Train and The Sphinx' at 1001 Heroes, Legends, Histories & Mysteries Podcast Enjoy the first radio episodes of "The Shadow' with Gizelle Ericksonn at 1001 Ghost, Chiller & Lovecraft

After winning an archery contest on behalf of the queen, the King decides to renege on his promise to allow Robin and his men a safe journey home, and sends 7 score of armed men to cut off all the roads to Nottingham. Robin sends his men in one direction while he follows another- a choice that saves his men but lands him in trouble more than once. His cunning and some old friends come to the rescue.  Get all of our shows at one website: www.bestof1001stories.com My email works as well for comments: 1001storiespodcast@gmail.com SUPPORT OUR SHOW BY BECOMING A PATRON! https://.patreon.com/1001storiesnetwork. Its time I started asking for support! Thank you. Its a few dollars a month OR a one time. (Any amount is appreciated). YOUR REVIEWS ARE NEEDED AND APPRECIATED! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

METhe Blue Cross is the first of G.K. Chesterton's 53 great Father brown short stories, and it introduces two characters that are often used in future stories- French Detective Valentin and the master criminal Flambeau- who will soon be reforming and coming to the good side in future stories. In this story Valentine is after a rare and valuable Blue Cross which he knows Father Brown is carrying with him from a council meeting, and believes the good Father is a simpleton and an easy mark.  Get all of our shows at one website: WWW.BESTOF1001STORIES.COM REVIEWS NEEDED . My email works as well for comments: 1001storiespodcast@gmail.com SUPPORT OUR SHOW BY BECOMING A PATRON! https://.patreon.com/1001storiesnetwork. Its time I started asking for support! Thank you. Its a few dollars a month OR a one time. (Any amount is appreciated). YOUR REVIEWS AND SUBSCRIPTIONS AT APPLE/ITUNES AND ALL ANDROID HOSTS ARE NEEDED AND APPRECIATED! LINKS BELOW... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Story Summary In this inaugural Carnacki tale, occult investigator Thomas Carnacki is called to investigate the "Grey Room" in a centuries-old mansion. The room is plagued by a violent, invisible entity that has beaten previous occupants to death. Unlike traditional ghost hunters, Carnacki uses a blend of ancient ritual and modern technology—specifically his famous "Electric Pentacle." After a terrifying night spent inside the protective barrier, witnessing a massive, disembodied hand attempt to manifest and crush him, Carnacki discovers that the haunting is tied to a historical ring and a "gateway" that was never properly sealed. He eventually succeeds in "shuttering" the spiritual leak, proving that some monsters are not just ghosts, but intruders from another dimension. Key Themes & Atmosphere The Scientific Occultist: Carnacki doesn't just use holy water; he uses vacuum tubes, wiring, and photography. The "Outer Monstrosities": The idea that the universe contains vast, predatory forces that don't care about human morality. Claustrophobia: The tension of being trapped inside a circle while something powerful prowls just inches away in the dark. The Legacy: Influence on the Genre William Hope Hodgson's work, particularly this story, acted as a bridge between Victorian ghost stories and modern horror. The Blueprint for the "Occult Detective": While there were earlier examples (like Sheridan Le Fanu's Dr. Hesselius), Carnacki perfected the trope. He directly influenced characters like John Constantine (Hellblazer) and the Winchester brothers from Supernatural. Influence on H.P. Lovecraft: Lovecraft was a massive fan of Hodgson, praising his ability to create "cosmic fear." You can see the DNA of the "Gateway" in Lovecraft's later stories about ancient evils breaking into our reality. The Technology of Fear: Hodgson was one of the first to suggest that ghosts could be fought with science. This "technobabble" approach to the supernatural is the direct ancestor of the P.K.E. meters and proton packs in Ghostbusters. Memorable Quote "It was a hand, a vast, white, slimy hand, and it was reaching out of the center of the room toward me... It was the very essence of some monstrous, outer-world life."

Robin Hood finally achieves his dream of becoming a beggar, at least for a day, and in the process outwits and outfights a number of scoundrels who end up contributing their wealth to the cause.  Get all of our shows at one website: WWW.BESTOF1001STORIES.COM My email works as well for comments: 1001storiespodcast@gmail.com SUPPORT OUR SHOW BY BECOMING A PATRON! https://.patreon.com/1001storiesnetwork. Its time I started asking for support! Thank you. Its a few dollars a month OR a one time. (Any amount is appreciated). YOUR REVIEWS ARE NEEDED AND APPRECIATED! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"A Love Passage" is a lighthearted maritime comedy from W.W. Jacobs' 1896 collection, Many Cargoes, that satirizes the bumbling romantic efforts of sailors.  The Plot The story follows the mate of a schooner who decides, with somewhat clinical detachment, that it is time for him to fall in love. When the skipper brings his daughter on board for a voyage, the mate sees an opportunity and begins an exaggerated performance of romance.  Performing "Love": The mate's idea of courtship is highly theatrical; he begins to mope, loses his appetite, and spends an inordinate amount of time washing and preening, much to the annoyance of the skipper. The Misunderstanding: Most of his "lovelorn" gazing goes unnoticed by the girl. While the mate believes he is deep in a profound, melancholy romance, the girl remains oblivious or merely amused by his strange behavior. The Climax: The humor peaks when the mate's attempts to appear sophisticated or "stricken" by love conflict with his actual duties on the ship, leading to comical friction with the crew and the skipper.  Key Themes Performance vs. Reality: The mate is more in love with the idea of being in love than with the girl herself. Nautical Life: Jacobs uses his signature dockside vernacular and maritime setting to ground the absurdity of the "love passage" in the gritty reality of life on a schooner.     

In this great short story by Canadian author Lucy Maud Montgomery, a young lady (Ursula) is ordered by her father to place some distance between herself and her suitor for the summer, and she is sent to live with her aunt on the coast. Her Aunt Philippa is a "speaks-her-mind" type of old school aunt, and does her best to discourage Ursula from marrying just anybody. Aunt Philippa is a character and a story you will want to share with your friends- and we hope you do!   –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– SOLO ACOUSTIC GUITAR by Jason Shaw http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Jas... Creative Commons — Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported— CC BY-SA 3.0 Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/_solo-acoustic-guitar Music promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/4M9Puanhdac ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––  CALLING ALL FANS.. REVIEWS NEEDED FOR NEW SHOWS! REVIEWS NEEDED FOR NEW SHOWS!  SUPPORT OUR SHOW BY BECOMING A PATRON! www.patreon.com/1001storiesnetwork. Its time I started asking for support! Thank you. Its a few dollars a month OR a one time. (Any amount is appreciated). YOUR REVIEWS AND SUBSCRIPTIONS AT APPLE/ITUNES AND ALL ANDROID HOSTS ARE NEEDED AND APPRECIATED! LINKS BELOW...  Catch ALL of our shows at one place by going to WWW.BESTOF1001STORIES.COM Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Catch 'The Shadow' radio mystery hosted now at 1001 Ghost, Chiller & Lovecraft Stories Podcast- The Shadow was America's favorite radio mystery form 30 years and its still good today...give it a try! Pt 2 of 'The Wreck of the Golden Mary' finds our two lifeboats in dire straits as food and water are just about gone.

"The Wreck of the Golden Mary" is a collaborative novella published by Charles Dickens in the 1856 Christmas issue of his periodical, Household Words. The story is a dramatic, suspenseful narrative focusing on the sinking of a passenger ship and the subsequent survival efforts of those in lifeboats.  Summary of "The Wreck of the Golden Mary" The Voyage and Disaster: The Golden Mary, captained by William George Ravender, is en route from Liverpool to California, navigating around Cape Horn during the height of the California Gold Rush. The ship strikes an iceberg, causing it to sink. The Lifeboats: The passengers and crew escape into two lifeboats. The first chapter, written primarily by Dickens, focuses on the harrowing, orderly evacuation led by Captain Ravender and his loyal first mate, John Steadiman.   Inspiration for the Story The California Gold Rush: The story is directly set against the backdrop of the 1850s California Gold Rush, with passengers on the ship chasing fortune. Victorian Shipwrecks: In the mid-19th century, maritime disasters were common, and narratives of survival and bravery at sea were popular. The theme of encountering icebergs was a known danger, and the story focuses on the psychological struggle of survivors facing extreme deprivation. Collaboration: While initiated by Dickens, the story was a collaborative effort for Household Words, allowing for different perspectives on the ordeal. "The Frozen Deep": Dickens was preparing his theatrical production of The Frozen Deep at the time, which also featured themes of Arctic survival and, likely, influenced the icy, dramatic nature of this story.  The novella is noted for exploring human behavior under severe stress, combining intense, realistic details of the wreck with the psychological resilience of the survivors.  cREDITS: Weigh The Anchor Alan Turner  (Pixabay)   nearer-my-god-to-thee-144614.mp3 nearer-my-god-to-thee-146077.mp3 weigh-the-anchor-a-sea-shanty-363826 (1).mp3 cinematic-inspirational-epic-music-379249.mp3 adventure-epic-background-music-306685.mp3 epic-adventure-background-music-404457.mp3 to-survive-296564.mp3 fight-epic-metal-dubstep-277580.mp3 impending-doom-383242.mp3 Eternal_Father,_Strong_to_Save_(instrumental).ogg.mp3 sad-emotional-piano-background-music-462089 (3).mp3  till-the-very-end-463729 (1).mp3 iii-keep-you-warm-463725.mp3 praise-to-the-lord-piano-solo-247399.mp3

A young rugby player comes to Holmes with worries that their star player is missing and that something bad may have happened to him. Holmes and Watson do their best to uncover the mystery.  Get all of our shows at one website: www.BESTOF1001STORIES.COM SUPPORT OUR SHOW BY BECOMING A PATRON! www.patreon.com/1001storiesnetwork. Its time I started asking for support! Thank you. Its a few dollars a month OR a one time. (Any amount is appreciated). YOUR REVIEWS AND SUBSCRIPTIONS AT APPLE/ITUNES AND ALL ANDROID HOSTS ARE NEEDED AND APPRECIATED! LINKS BELOW...  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Join host Gizelle Erickson every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 4pm ET at 1001 Ghost, Chiller & Lovecraft Podcast as she introduces the nuances of every episode of America's favorite vigilante radio serial 'The Shadow' as Lamont Cranston and his sexy sidekick Margot Lane bring all the lowlifes and sleazeballs who never thought they would be punished to justice. Take the Shadow challenge and listen to the first five episodes like I did to really get an understanding of the show and you'll be a fan!   Apple Link: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/1001-ghost-chiller-lovecraft-stories/id1516332327 Spotify Link: https://open.spotify.com/show/5P4hV28LgpG89dRNMfSDKJ

Little John & The Tanner of Blyth- Robin Hood sends Little John on an errant to Ancashire but Little John takes a detour to the Boars head Inn, gets detained, and later runs into trouble on the trail. Having lived with the Sheriff for months Little John has put on some weight and doesn't have the staying power he used to have... Robin Hood Meets Will Scarlet- We all know Will Scarlet is one of Robin Hood's most trusted men- and this is the story of how they met- on that same trail with Little John.... ANDROID USERS-  www.bestof1001stories.com  APPLE USERS Catch 1001 Heroes on any Apple Device here (Free): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/1001-heroes-legends-histories-mysteries-podcast/id956154836?mt=2  Catch 1001 CLASSIC SHORT STORIES at Apple Podcast App Now: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/1001-classic-short-stories-tales/id1078098622 Catch 1001 Stories for the Road at Apple Podcast now:  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/1001-stories-for-the-road/id1227478901 NEW Enjoy 1001 Greatest Love Stories on Apple Devices here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/1001-greatest-love-stories/id1485751552 Catch 1001 RADIO DAYS now at Apple iTunes!  https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/1001-radio-days/id1405045413?mt=2 NEW 1001 Ghost Stories & Tales of the Macabre is now playing at Apple Podcasts! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/1001-ghost-stories-tales-of-the-macabre/id1516332327 NEW Enjoy 1001 History's Best Storytellers (Interviews) on Apple Devices here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/1001-historys-best-storytellers/id1483649026 NEW Enjoy 1001 Sherlock Holmes Stories and The Best of Arthur Conan Doyle https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/1001-sherlock-holmes-stories-best-sir-arthur-conan/id1534427618   Get all of our shows at one website: https://.1001storiespodcast.com REVIEWS NEEDED . My email works as well for comments: 1001storiespodcast@gmail.com SUPPORT OUR SHOW BY BECOMING A PATRON! https://.patreon.com/1001storiesnetwork. Its time I started asking for support! Thank you. Its a few dollars a month OR a one time. (Any amount is appreciated). YOUR REVIEWS AND SUBSCRIPTIONS AT APPLE/ITUNES AND ALL ANDROID HOSTS ARE NEEDED AND APPRECIATED! LINKS BELOW.. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A wealthy bachelor goes on a demon-hunting expedition to a deserted mansion in the Catskills and finds more than he bargained for. This spine-chilling tale from H.P. Lovecraft will keep you on the edge of your seat.  The investigator focuses on the abandoned Martense mansion, a 17th-century Dutch estate rumored to be haunted. After his bodyguards vanish in the night and a fellow investigator has his face hideously "gnawed" away, the narrator realizes they are facing a physical, predatory threat rather than a ghost. Subterranean Discovery: Suspecting the long-lost Martense family is involved, the narrator digs into a family grave and falls into a vast network of tunnels. He discovers that the mansion and mountain are honeycombed with burrows. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

From THE FOUR MILLION by O. Henry O. Henry's "A Cosmopolite in a Café" tells of the narrator meeting E. Rushmore Coglan, a man who claims to be a true "citizen of the world," free from hometown ties. Coglan boasts of world travels, dismissing regional pride and judging people individually. However, when a stranger insults Coglan's hometown of Mattawamkeag, Maine, Coglan fiercely defends it, revealing his profound local loyalty and leading to a fight, thereby exposing his hypocrisy and proving the narrator's theory that true cosmopolites are rare.  Be sure to check out our narration of 'The Count of Monte Cristo' at 1001 Stories For the Road- An awesome story you don't want to miss!