Can Selina Jo ever figure out a way to get out of her backwoods life? Edgar Valentine Smith, today on The Classic Tales Podcast.  Welcome to The Classic Tales Podcast. Thank you for listening.  The Vintage Episode for the week is “The Kiss”, by Anton Chekhov. Be sure to check it out on Tuesday.  If you have found value in the show, please consider becoming a monthly supporter. Help us to help other folks like you. Please go to http://classictalesaudiobooks.com and become a monthly supporter for as little as $5 a month. As a thank you gesture, we’ll send you a coupon code every month for $8 off any audiobook order. Give more, and you get more! Thanks for helping us out.   Go to http://classictalesaudiobooks.com and become a supporter today.  Today’s story won the O. Henry Memorial Award in 1923, but it was written by a relatively unknown writer. Edgar Valentine Smith sold two stories to Harper’s Magazine in his brief career as a writer – Prelude and ‘Lijah. Not much more is readily available about him.  There are many things notable about today’s story. The craft of the story is very elegant. We are effortlessly drawn into the descriptions of the heroine’s early life. We sympathize with her so much, in her efforts to improve herself. Interesting how the “big break” is crafted. I hope you like it.   Just a heads up – the “n” word is used a couple of times.  And now, Prelude, by Edgar Valentine Smith. Follow this link to become a monthly supporter:   Follow this link to subscribe to our YouTube Channel:   Follow this link to subscribe to the Arsène Lupin Podcast:   Follow this link to follow us on Instagram:   Follow this link to follow us on Facebook:   Follow this link to follow us on TikTok: