Sam Lawson's Oldtown Fireside Stories by Harriet Beecher Stowe is an interesting compilation of small-town stories to entertain and thrill readers. Excerpt: "Still we shivered, and clung to his knee, at the mysterious parts, and felt gentle, cold chills run down our spines at appropriate places. We were always in the most receptive and sympathetic condition. Tonight, in particular, was one of those thundering stormy ones, when the winds appeared to be holding a perfect mad carnival over my grandfather's house."