Towards the close of a wet, sloppy day, while Jacob was in the wood, chopping, and our servant gone to my sister, who was ill, to help to wash, as I was busy baking bread for tea, my attention was aroused by a violent knocking at the door, and the furious barking of our dog, Hector.
— from Roughing It in the Bush by Susanna Moodie

It was an imposing scene, dramatic, burlesque and surprising, occasioned by the posthumous revolt of that dead woman, by the cry for liberty, by the demands of that martyred one who had been crushed by our oppression during her lifetime and who, from her closed tomb, uttered a despairing appeal for independence.
— from Complete Original Short Stories of Guy De Maupassant by Guy de Maupassant

Sophia perceiving her father in this fit of affection, which she did not absolutely know the reason of (for fits of fondness were not unusual to him, though this was rather more violent than ordinary), thought she should never have a better opportunity of disclosing herself than at present, as far at least as regarded Mr Blifil; and she too well foresaw the necessity which she should soon be under of coming to a full explanation.
— from History of Tom Jones, a Foundling by Henry Fielding

A quarrel broke out one day, he did not know how.
— from Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoyevsky

“Already like the body of one deported,” he explained, with the insufferably conceited air of his kind after what they imagine a display of cleverness.
— from Lord Jim by Joseph Conrad

A. T. Stewart is said to have laid the foundation of his fortune when, being out of debt himself, he bought up the bankrupt stocks of his competitors in a great financial panic.
— from The Principles of Economics, with Applications to Practical Problems by Frank A. (Frank Albert) Fetter

Ninette pattered on as if she had trod the floors of churches all her life; and as for Beppo, only once did he stir, and then he gave a faint "Baa!" and tried to uncurl himself and stand up; but just then the queer little cart gave a joggle which quite upset his shaky lamb legs, and down he sank, and kept quiet throughout the rest of the time.
— from Christmas in Legend and Story A Book for Boys and Girls by Elva Sophronia Smith

Some of de marsters have what dey call stockades and puts dere heads and feet and arms through holes in a big board out in de hot sun, but our old driver he had a bull pen, dats only thing like a jail he had.
— from Slave Narratives: A Folk History of Slavery in the United States From Interviews with Former Slaves: Volume XVI, Texas Narratives, Part 3 by United States. Work Projects Administration

The early Catholic emigrants to Kentucky, in common with their brethren of other denominations, had to endure many privations and hardships.
— from Choice Specimens of American Literature, and Literary Reader Being Selections from the Chief American Writers by Benj. N. (Benjamin Nicholas) Martin

He must get away, be out of doors, have something to do to exercise those splendid muscles of his.
— from Analyzing Character The New Science of Judging Men; Misfits in Business, the Home and Social Life by Arthur Newcomb

Their words (verse [pg 118] 61), and their departure for ever from Him (verse 67), show that they understood Him of a real eating; otherwise why should they be offended or desert Him?
— from The Gospel of St. John by Joseph MacRory

According to Herodotus, the temple was burnt by order of Darius, Herod.
— from The Geography of Strabo, Volume 3 (of 3) Literally Translated, with Notes by Strabo

Some of the children have been bound out, others Death has more mercifully indentured into his own service.
— from Rose Clark by Fanny Fern

It appears from the foregoing statements and authorities, that the Browns were not only gentlemen of the highest respectability, Puritan Churchmen, and friends of the colonial enterprise, but that when Endicot resolved upon founding a new Church and worship, they did not interfere with him; they did not interrupt, by objection or discussion, his proceedings around the well-pump of Salem in organizing a new Church and in heretofore professing clergymen of the Church of England, and with its vows upon them, and coming as chaplains of a Church of England Corporation, submitting to a new ordination in order to exercise ecclesiastical functions.
— from The Loyalists of America and Their Times, Vol. 1 of 2. From 1620-1816 by Egerton Ryerson

I was afterwards told that the captain of the Adieno held her back, fearing that if she crowded us again, we should run ashore, burst the boiler, or otherwise damage his steamer.
— from Breaking Away; or, The Fortunes of a Student by Oliver Optic