The Grim 13

Legendary collection of stories by "Unlucky Masters."

"We began to call a roll of American storytellers, and as name after name was mentioned, the question arose in our minds as to whether or not every storyteller might not have one story in his private drawer which no magazine would agree to publish because of its gruesome character. The conviction grew among us that a grim story, no matter whether it was a literary masterpiece or not, was hoodooed.

And then the inspiration came. Why not try to find thirteen hoodooed masterpieces by thirteen unlucky masters, and throw them upon the mercies of the public for a vote? No sooner suggested than done. Storytellers, critics, and publisher for once were agreed. If there were thirteen unlucky stories in America good enough to print in a book, we would find them and publish them with our appeal for judgment. So here they are." - Edward J. O'Brien, from the Introduction.

The Day of the Daheimus - Vance Thompson

Rain - Dana Burnet

Old Fags - Stacy Aumonier

The Head of His House - Conrad Richter

The Abigail Sheriff Memorial - Vincent O'Sullivan

Easy - Ethel Watts Mumford

The Draw-Keeper - Wadsworth Camp

The Razor of Pedro Dutel - Richard Matthews Hallet

Knute Ericson's Celebration - Robert Alexander Wason

The Parcel - Marie Belloc Lowndes

Back 'o the Yards - Will Levington Comfort

The End of the Game - William Ashley Anderson

The Black Pool - Frederick Stuart Greene