Everything got into politics then, even more than now, and the Democratic party, which until then had been the most aggressive in extending the national bounds, took up the cry of "Fifty-four Forty or Fight", to win what they knew would be a close contest for President in 1844.
— from The Busy Life of Eighty-Five Years of Ezra Meeker Ventures and adventures; sixty-three years of pioneer life in the old Oregon country; an account of the author's trip across the plains with an ox team; return trip, 1906-7; his cruise on Puget Sound, 1853; trip through the Natchess pass, 1854; over the Chilcoot pass; flat-boating on the Yukon, 1898. The Oregon trail. by Ezra Meeker

As Ebahamba listened to the wonderful thing that had befallen the youth, his heart grew cold with envy; for certainly great things were in store for Seha, and might it not come to pass that the youth should grow even greater in power than Ebahamba himself?
— from The Lonesome Trail by John G. Neihardt

Look, we’ve all grown up with the view that crime meets its expiation, guilt its punishment, that every human deed bears its reward within itself, and that, in a word, a justice rules which compensates, orders, [128] avenges, if not before our eyes, then in some higher region.
— from The World's Illusion, Volume 2 (of 2): Ruth by Jakob Wassermann

The story I have in store for you this evening, gentlemen, I propose to entitle 'The Phantom Flea.'" "Ha, Bravo!" laughed the guests.
— from Tales of the Wonder Club, Volume I by M. Y. Halidom