Stories. [v.]4: The magic egg. "His wife's deceased sister." The widow's cruise. Captain Eli's best ear. Love before breakfast. The staying power of Sir Rohan. A piece of red calico. The Christmas wreck. My well and what came out of it. Mr. Tolman. My unwilling neighbor. Our archery club

This volume is part of the collected works of Frank R. Stockton, a prominent American writer of the late 19th century who gained significant popularity for his humorous and whimsical short stories. Compiled and published as part of a multi-volume set, this collection preserves Stockton's knack for blending absurdity with domestic realism, a style that established him as a master of the twist ending and the gentle satire of Victorian-era social mores.

The stories included, such as 'The Christmas Wreck' and 'A Piece of Red Calico,' reflect the editorial trends of the era, where literary magazines and serialized collections were primary vehicles for reaching a broad reading public. Stockton's work was widely received as light, intellectual entertainment, valued for its imaginative premises and dry, understated wit. The design of these volumes typically aimed for a sturdy, accessible elegance, mirroring the widespread demand for home libraries during the period.