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Life on the Mississippi
Life on the Mississippi

Chapter XIX · Chapter 19

Chapter 19 of Life on the Mississippi is here in full — 309 sentences across 62 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

By Mark Twain • Curated US English Learning Edition
Cover illustration for Life on the Mississippi
Context Illustration Reading 1/61 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
A Burning Brand _All _at once the thought came into my mind, 'I have not sought out Mr. Brown.'
Upon that text I desire to depart from the direct line of my subject, and make a little excursion.
I wish to reveal a secret which I have carried with me nine years, and which has become burdensome.
Upon a certain occasion, nine years ago, I had said, with strong feeling, 'If ever I see St. Louis again, I will seek out Mr. Brown, the great grain merchant, and ask of him the privilege of shaking him by the hand.'
The occasion and the circumstances were as follows.
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Life on the Mississippi

Chapter XIX · Chapter 19

Chapter 19 of Life on the Mississippi is here in full — 309 sentences across 62 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/61 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
A Burning Brand _All _at once the thought came into my mind, 'I have not sought out Mr. Brown.'
Line 2
Upon that text I desire to depart from the direct line of my subject, and make a little excursion.
Line 3
I wish to reveal a secret which I have carried with me nine years, and which has become burdensome.
Line 4
Upon a certain occasion, nine years ago, I had said, with strong feeling, 'If ever I see St. Louis again, I will seek out Mr. Brown, the great grain merchant, and ask of him the privilege of shaking him by the hand.'
Line 5
The occasion and the circumstances were as follows.

Learner Dictionary

These definitions explain words found in the current reading and keep every example grounded in its original sentence.

Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, and audio.

Merchant noun US /ˈmɜːr.tʃənt/

A person or company involved in wholesale trade, especially with foreign countries.

From this reading “Upon a certain occasion, nine years ago, I had said, with strong feeling, 'If ever I see St. Louis again, I will seek out Mr. Brown, the great grain merchant, and ask of him the privilege of shaking him by the hand.'”

Velmora curated lexicon
Mind noun US /maɪnd/

The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.

From this reading “A Burning Brand _All _at once the thought came into my mind, 'I have not sought out Mr. Brown.'”

Velmora curated lexicon
Secret noun US /ˈsiː.krət/

Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.

From this reading “I wish to reveal a secret which I have carried with me nine years, and which has become burdensome.”

Velmora curated lexicon

All words in this reading · 74

Every word in these five lines is listed here, and every one of them can be played on its own.

Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

A

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A Burning Brand _All _at once the thought came into my mind, 'I have not sought out Mr. Brown.'

Pending verification
again

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Upon a certain occasion, nine years ago, I had said, with strong feeling, 'If ever I see St. Louis again, I will seek out Mr. Brown, the great grain merchant, and ask of him the privilege of shaking him by the hand.'

Pending verification
ago

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Upon a certain occasion, nine years ago, I had said, with strong feeling, 'If ever I see St. Louis again, I will seek out Mr. Brown, the great grain merchant, and ask of him the privilege of shaking him by the hand.'

Pending verification
All

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A Burning Brand _All _at once the thought came into my mind, 'I have not sought out Mr. Brown.'

Pending verification
and

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Upon that text I desire to depart from the direct line of my subject, and make a little excursion.

Pending verification
as

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The occasion and the circumstances were as follows.

Pending verification
ask

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Upon a certain occasion, nine years ago, I had said, with strong feeling, 'If ever I see St. Louis again, I will seek out Mr. Brown, the great grain merchant, and ask of him the privilege of shaking him by the hand.'

Pending verification
at

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A Burning Brand _All _at once the thought came into my mind, 'I have not sought out Mr. Brown.'

Pending verification
become

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading I wish to reveal a secret which I have carried with me nine years, and which has become burdensome.

Pending verification
Brand

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A Burning Brand _All _at once the thought came into my mind, 'I have not sought out Mr. Brown.'

Pending verification
Brown

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A Burning Brand _All _at once the thought came into my mind, 'I have not sought out Mr. Brown.'

Pending verification
burdensome

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading I wish to reveal a secret which I have carried with me nine years, and which has become burdensome.

Pending verification
Burning

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A Burning Brand _All _at once the thought came into my mind, 'I have not sought out Mr. Brown.'

Pending verification
by

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Upon a certain occasion, nine years ago, I had said, with strong feeling, 'If ever I see St. Louis again, I will seek out Mr. Brown, the great grain merchant, and ask of him the privilege of shaking him by the hand.'

Pending verification
came

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A Burning Brand _All _at once the thought came into my mind, 'I have not sought out Mr. Brown.'

Pending verification
carried

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading I wish to reveal a secret which I have carried with me nine years, and which has become burdensome.

Pending verification
certain

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Upon a certain occasion, nine years ago, I had said, with strong feeling, 'If ever I see St. Louis again, I will seek out Mr. Brown, the great grain merchant, and ask of him the privilege of shaking him by the hand.'

Pending verification
circumstances

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The occasion and the circumstances were as follows.

Pending verification
depart

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Upon that text I desire to depart from the direct line of my subject, and make a little excursion.

Pending verification
desire

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Upon that text I desire to depart from the direct line of my subject, and make a little excursion.

Pending verification
direct

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Upon that text I desire to depart from the direct line of my subject, and make a little excursion.

Pending verification
ever

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Upon a certain occasion, nine years ago, I had said, with strong feeling, 'If ever I see St. Louis again, I will seek out Mr. Brown, the great grain merchant, and ask of him the privilege of shaking him by the hand.'

Pending verification
excursion

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Upon that text I desire to depart from the direct line of my subject, and make a little excursion.

Pending verification
feeling

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Upon a certain occasion, nine years ago, I had said, with strong feeling, 'If ever I see St. Louis again, I will seek out Mr. Brown, the great grain merchant, and ask of him the privilege of shaking him by the hand.'

Pending verification
follows

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The occasion and the circumstances were as follows.

Pending verification
from

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Upon that text I desire to depart from the direct line of my subject, and make a little excursion.

Pending verification
grain

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Upon a certain occasion, nine years ago, I had said, with strong feeling, 'If ever I see St. Louis again, I will seek out Mr. Brown, the great grain merchant, and ask of him the privilege of shaking him by the hand.'

Pending verification
great

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Upon a certain occasion, nine years ago, I had said, with strong feeling, 'If ever I see St. Louis again, I will seek out Mr. Brown, the great grain merchant, and ask of him the privilege of shaking him by the hand.'

Pending verification
had

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Upon a certain occasion, nine years ago, I had said, with strong feeling, 'If ever I see St. Louis again, I will seek out Mr. Brown, the great grain merchant, and ask of him the privilege of shaking him by the hand.'

Pending verification
hand

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Upon a certain occasion, nine years ago, I had said, with strong feeling, 'If ever I see St. Louis again, I will seek out Mr. Brown, the great grain merchant, and ask of him the privilege of shaking him by the hand.'

Pending verification
has

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading I wish to reveal a secret which I have carried with me nine years, and which has become burdensome.

Pending verification
have

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A Burning Brand _All _at once the thought came into my mind, 'I have not sought out Mr. Brown.'

Pending verification
him

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Upon a certain occasion, nine years ago, I had said, with strong feeling, 'If ever I see St. Louis again, I will seek out Mr. Brown, the great grain merchant, and ask of him the privilege of shaking him by the hand.'

Pending verification
I

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A Burning Brand _All _at once the thought came into my mind, 'I have not sought out Mr. Brown.'

Pending verification
If

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Upon a certain occasion, nine years ago, I had said, with strong feeling, 'If ever I see St. Louis again, I will seek out Mr. Brown, the great grain merchant, and ask of him the privilege of shaking him by the hand.'

Pending verification
into

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A Burning Brand _All _at once the thought came into my mind, 'I have not sought out Mr. Brown.'

Pending verification
line

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Upon that text I desire to depart from the direct line of my subject, and make a little excursion.

Pending verification
little

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Upon that text I desire to depart from the direct line of my subject, and make a little excursion.

Pending verification
Louis

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Upon a certain occasion, nine years ago, I had said, with strong feeling, 'If ever I see St. Louis again, I will seek out Mr. Brown, the great grain merchant, and ask of him the privilege of shaking him by the hand.'

Pending verification
make

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Upon that text I desire to depart from the direct line of my subject, and make a little excursion.

Pending verification
me

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading I wish to reveal a secret which I have carried with me nine years, and which has become burdensome.

Pending verification
merchantnounUS /ˈmɜːr.tʃənt/

A person or company involved in wholesale trade, especially with foreign countries.

From this reading Upon a certain occasion, nine years ago, I had said, with strong feeling, 'If ever I see St. Louis again, I will seek out Mr. Brown, the great grain merchant, and ask of him the privilege of shaking him by the hand.'

Velmora curated lexicon
mindnounUS /maɪnd/

The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.

From this reading A Burning Brand _All _at once the thought came into my mind, 'I have not sought out Mr. Brown.'

Velmora curated lexicon
Mr

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A Burning Brand _All _at once the thought came into my mind, 'I have not sought out Mr. Brown.'

Pending verification
my

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A Burning Brand _All _at once the thought came into my mind, 'I have not sought out Mr. Brown.'

Pending verification
nine

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading I wish to reveal a secret which I have carried with me nine years, and which has become burdensome.

Pending verification
not

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A Burning Brand _All _at once the thought came into my mind, 'I have not sought out Mr. Brown.'

Pending verification
occasion

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Upon a certain occasion, nine years ago, I had said, with strong feeling, 'If ever I see St. Louis again, I will seek out Mr. Brown, the great grain merchant, and ask of him the privilege of shaking him by the hand.'

Pending verification
of

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Upon that text I desire to depart from the direct line of my subject, and make a little excursion.

Pending verification
once

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A Burning Brand _All _at once the thought came into my mind, 'I have not sought out Mr. Brown.'

Pending verification
out

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A Burning Brand _All _at once the thought came into my mind, 'I have not sought out Mr. Brown.'

Pending verification
privilege

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Upon a certain occasion, nine years ago, I had said, with strong feeling, 'If ever I see St. Louis again, I will seek out Mr. Brown, the great grain merchant, and ask of him the privilege of shaking him by the hand.'

Pending verification
reveal

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading I wish to reveal a secret which I have carried with me nine years, and which has become burdensome.

Pending verification
said

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Upon a certain occasion, nine years ago, I had said, with strong feeling, 'If ever I see St. Louis again, I will seek out Mr. Brown, the great grain merchant, and ask of him the privilege of shaking him by the hand.'

Pending verification
secretnounUS /ˈsiː.krət/

Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.

From this reading I wish to reveal a secret which I have carried with me nine years, and which has become burdensome.

Velmora curated lexicon
see

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Upon a certain occasion, nine years ago, I had said, with strong feeling, 'If ever I see St. Louis again, I will seek out Mr. Brown, the great grain merchant, and ask of him the privilege of shaking him by the hand.'

Pending verification
seek

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Upon a certain occasion, nine years ago, I had said, with strong feeling, 'If ever I see St. Louis again, I will seek out Mr. Brown, the great grain merchant, and ask of him the privilege of shaking him by the hand.'

Pending verification
shaking

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Upon a certain occasion, nine years ago, I had said, with strong feeling, 'If ever I see St. Louis again, I will seek out Mr. Brown, the great grain merchant, and ask of him the privilege of shaking him by the hand.'

Pending verification
sought

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A Burning Brand _All _at once the thought came into my mind, 'I have not sought out Mr. Brown.'

Pending verification
St

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Upon a certain occasion, nine years ago, I had said, with strong feeling, 'If ever I see St. Louis again, I will seek out Mr. Brown, the great grain merchant, and ask of him the privilege of shaking him by the hand.'

Pending verification
strong

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Upon a certain occasion, nine years ago, I had said, with strong feeling, 'If ever I see St. Louis again, I will seek out Mr. Brown, the great grain merchant, and ask of him the privilege of shaking him by the hand.'

Pending verification
subject

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Upon that text I desire to depart from the direct line of my subject, and make a little excursion.

Pending verification
text

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Upon that text I desire to depart from the direct line of my subject, and make a little excursion.

Pending verification
that

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Upon that text I desire to depart from the direct line of my subject, and make a little excursion.

Pending verification
the

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A Burning Brand _All _at once the thought came into my mind, 'I have not sought out Mr. Brown.'

Pending verification
thought

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A Burning Brand _All _at once the thought came into my mind, 'I have not sought out Mr. Brown.'

Pending verification
to

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Upon that text I desire to depart from the direct line of my subject, and make a little excursion.

Pending verification
Upon

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Upon that text I desire to depart from the direct line of my subject, and make a little excursion.

Pending verification
were

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The occasion and the circumstances were as follows.

Pending verification
which

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading I wish to reveal a secret which I have carried with me nine years, and which has become burdensome.

Pending verification
will

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Upon a certain occasion, nine years ago, I had said, with strong feeling, 'If ever I see St. Louis again, I will seek out Mr. Brown, the great grain merchant, and ask of him the privilege of shaking him by the hand.'

Pending verification
wish

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading I wish to reveal a secret which I have carried with me nine years, and which has become burdensome.

Pending verification
with

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading I wish to reveal a secret which I have carried with me nine years, and which has become burdensome.

Pending verification
years

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading I wish to reveal a secret which I have carried with me nine years, and which has become burdensome.

Pending verification

Chapter 19 of Life on the Mississippi by Mark Twain holds 309 sentences, grouped into 62 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the public-domain source, unabridged, and the chapter records which sentences cover which part of the work so that nothing is dropped. Every word can be tapped for its pronunciation and dictionary entry.

What does chapter 19 of Life on the Mississippi contain?

Chapter 19 holds 309 sentences of Life on the Mississippi, unabridged, divided into 62 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 19 of Life on the Mississippi by Mark Twain exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 309 sentences, grouped into 62 sections of at most 5 sentences so that a reader can take the chapter in steady, finishable pieces. The chapter also stores a coverage record mapping every one of its sentences to a part of the work, which is how the edition demonstrates that no line was dropped.

How do I study chapter 19 of Life on the Mississippi?

Work through the 62 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 62 sections in this chapter is short enough to read once, hear once, and then re-read with the vocabulary in view. Tapping a word plays it alone and opens its dictionary entry with IPA, part of speech and meaning, so the reader is never forced to guess a pronunciation from spelling. Working section by section keeps a long chapter from becoming an undifferentiated wall of text, which is the usual reason a reader abandons a work of this period.

Can chapter 19 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 19 can be played aloud in United States English.

Audio covers the whole chapter: any sentence can be played, and any single word within it can be played on its own. The voice uses United States English. For a work of this period that matters, because spelling is an unreliable guide to pronunciation for vocabulary that has fallen out of daily use, and a learner who guesses wrong tends to keep the error. Hearing the word in its own sentence, and then alone, settles it.

Questions about reading Life on the Mississippi

Common questions about reading Life on the Mississippi by Mark Twain on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Life on the Mississippi?

Yes. All 6352 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #245 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Life on the Mississippi is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #245, a public-domain edition. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Life on the Mississippi take to read?

About 529 minutes of reading across 1271 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Life on the Mississippi section by section

How to work through Life on the Mississippi section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 21 chapters of Life on the Mississippi to begin.

  2. Read one section

    Each section holds 5 sentences; read it once through.

  3. Listen and tap

    Play the section aloud, then tap any unfamiliar word for its entry.

Vocabulary met early in Life on the Mississippi

Words and structures a reader meets early in Life on the Mississippi, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Chimney
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Life on the Mississippi; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Panorama
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Life on the Mississippi; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Undying
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Life on the Mississippi; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Peboan
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Life on the Mississippi; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.