To One Across the Way
TO ONE ACROSS THE WAY by Ambrose Bierce is a short story that follows the journey of a man who receives a letter from an unknown person, addressed to someone else entirely. The letter contains a cryptic message that the man cannot decipher, leading him on a quest to uncover the truth behind the mysterious correspondence. Along the way, he encounters various characters and situations that challenge his perceptions and beliefs. Ultimately, the story raises questions about the nature of identity, communication, and the human condition.
By Ambrose Bierce · First published 1890 · Genre: Fiction, Military and War, Short Stories · 167 words
First lines
When at your window radiant you've stood I've sometimes thought -- forgive me if I've erred -- That some slight thought of me perhaps has stirred Your heart to beat less gently than it should.
I know you beautiful; that you are good I hope -- or fear -- I cannot choose the word, Nor rightly suit it to the thought. I've heard Reason at love's dictation never could.
Blindly to this dilemma so I grope, As one whose every pathway has a snare: If you are minded in the saintly fashion Of your pure face my passion's without hope; If not, alas! I equally despair, For what to me were hope without the passion?
What this Textopian page supports
To One Across the Way is listed on Textopian as a short story by Ambrose Bierce, dated 1890 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Ambrose Bierce
- Date: 1890 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fiction, Military and War, Short Stories, Historical, Anthologies
- Length: 167 words
- Structure: 1 section, 3 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for To One Across the Way by Ambrose Bierce
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters
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- How does this short story by Ambrose Bierce fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
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Similar titles
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- Reminded by Ambrose Bierce
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- The Two Cavees by Ambrose Bierce
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Genres
- Fiction — Ambrose Bierce's works predominantly fall within the realm of fiction, often drawing from his own personal experiences.
- Military and War — Much of Bierce's body of work draw from his experiences in the Civil War, therefore themes of war and military experiences are likely to be present in this book.
- Short Stories — Bierce is well known for his carefully plotted and condensed tales, making him a notable figure in the genre of short stories.
- Historical — Bierce's works often contain historical elements, particularly those relating to the American Civil War and late 19th century period.
Tags
gothic · horror · mystery · thriller · supernatural · fiction · novel · american literature · classic · 19th century literature · short story collection · psychological horror